Reading Keeper lined up? Wenger fibbing again & FA Cup night…

Morning all.

Rumours:

The Mirror report that chief scout Steve Rowley has been to check on Charlton’s promising right-back Jordan Cousins, 19, last week. Not only that, Rowley has also watched Reading’s highly-promising 24-year-old keeper Alex McCarthy who is perhaps seen as a replacement for Lukasz Fabianski is set to leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Arsene Wenger has to be fibbing doesn’t he?

One day he says he is looking to sign a striker, the next he says he wants to sign someone if something ‘special’ comes along and then yesterday he said that any signing this month is ‘unlikely’.

We’ve learned over the years that our manager likes to think he’s getting one over the idiots who keep bombarding him questions about transfers but at some stage, he needs to get a little bit more serious.

Comments like this irk!

I feel a bit guilty always going to a press conference during the transfer market and having nobody to announce (as a signing) but I don’t want to lie.

Of course that was all said with a smile and he clearly thought it was funny but sometimes, I wish Arsene Wenger would spare a thought for us fans.

It’s been a few years since we have been sat at the top of the league in January and we all know that we could still be there at the end of the season IF he’d at least sign us a striker.

Then we get the usual:

We have Chamberlain back, Bendtner back and I hope next week Arteta and Ramsey back, so I feel overall we have the squad needed. We have Yaya Sanogo coming back into the squad next week as well.

Players coming back from injury are of course good news, very good news but we have needed a goal scorer for years and in addition to who we already have.

Yaya Sanogo, well he is struggling to just stay fit and none of us know how he would cope with the league, let alone Europe or an FA Cup match like tonights against a Coventry side who will be all out to take our scalp!

Then he said:

Overall we have a very strong squad. If something exceptional turns up we will do it but having said that not everybody will strengthen. They buy, but buy does not always mean strengthen.

Who cares what others do or don’t do? All that matters is the club he manages and he needs to strengthen!

Ok, rant over.

Fingers crossed he’s fibbing and he has that ‘exceptional’ player very close to signing a contract at Arsenal FC.

Onto tonight’s Friday night big bash in the FA Cup and Arsene’s view:

I have total respect for people who will come to this game and it is a sell-out. It’s fantastic. We have to prepare for this game seriously. We are on a good run and we want to gain respect

I know much more than you think about Coventry. I’ve had many difficult games against them.

So do I, Friday night and getting through London won’t be easy I’m sure and I am still surprised this fixture was moved just to suit television coverage.

But it was and it’s going to be a tough one.

Match Facts:-

• Arsenal have progressed on both occasions that theses sides have met in the FA Cup. They won 3-0 in a replay at Highbury in 1975 (after a 1-1 draw at Highfield Road) and 3-1 at Highbury in 1977.

• Arsenal won the last meeting in all competitions 6-1 in the League Cup at the Emirates in 2012.

• Arsenal have won the FA Cup 10 times – most recently in 2005. Only Manchester United (11) have won the competition more times than the Gunners.

• Coventry’s only success in the competition came when they beat Tottenham 3-2 in the 1987 final at Wembley. It is their only ever appearance in the FA Cup final.

Sorry but I had to include those facts for one reason only and you’ll know what that is….

Nicklas Bendtner is available for tonights fixture after injury, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to start too after his spell on the injury list.

Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky all miss out.

Thomas Vermaelen, who Arsene has admitted is about to be offered a new contract, will no doubt start tonight if fit.

As for Coventry, without sounding disrespectful to them, I know nothing about the way they play, or who is likely to start tonight.

All I know is they sit in eleventh place in League One….

We cannot and must not lose against them. Arsene has said he will take this game seriously and he must ensure that every single player involved tonight has the same approach.

Last season in the domestic cups players failed, they let themselves down and the club and fans down.

We cannot afford to go through the same embarrassing situation again this season….

And I doubt we will…..

COYRRG’s….

That’s your lot…..

0 thoughts on “Reading Keeper lined up? Wenger fibbing again & FA Cup night…

  1. tsgh says:

    Good read Rico…

    You are spot on about the players letting the club and fans down against BB last season…

    I think it is going to be a very strong line-up minus OG12 and Sc19 only…
    CJ25 should come in for Sagna too…

  2. tsgh says:

    Scott, where are you?I have a quiz for you….
    Which player has scored 50% of their 60 EPL goals against only 4 teams?

    Ps. Don’t tell me it is Ramsey btw… 😛 😛

  3. Klaus Stein says:

    Well, the rants about AW to buy a striker getting now a bit boring. Aren’t there any news ? … We all know, AW buys when he gets the right player for the right price – fullstop. Rant or no rant.

  4. Scott from Oz says:

    Ginge……the bucktooth diver?
    He is over rated.
    Yes, he is bloody good, but the record shows he is not as good as people think.
    Morning all.

  5. kel says:

    Well it’s not looking to good on the transfer front, I was hoping we could have got Remy For a decent price 13/14m could do a good job for us imo.

  6. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, Lee and all.
    This transfer stuff has diverted attention from the fact that North Korea have landed a man on the Sun. He is on his way back apparently. The journey time is 4 hours.

  7. BrainwashedKev says:

    Morning All…

    Morning Rico, that was a bloody good post, BLOODY GREAT POST…

    It’s good to get it off your chest….

    Rant over…. 😉

    Guten Tag Adamski und Lee…

  8. BrainwashedKev says:

    According to a German journo on Talk Rubbish, it is Schalke who are pushing the Draxler deal…

    No doubt it’s all down to how much they want and how much Arsenal are prepared to pay…

    As usual…

  9. tsgh says:

    🙂 ha ha ha Scott… True… I knew you would like that.

    30 of his 60 goals have come against Norwich, Stoke, Wigan and Sunderland…

    Kev, I thought you might be interested in what Brenda said about how certain clubs are allowing agents of players to investigate how much a potential buyer is willing to pay for a player.

    In Salah’s case his agent might end up making 40% of his transfer fee… no wonder AW stays away from such vultures…

  10. tsgh says:

    Why don’t we make the Yank at AV an offer he can’t refuse for Benteke…

    I still think he will be bloody good for us and he scores against the very best teams in the EPL and at international level too..

    A big game player we could do with imo…

    Where is Ng, DC19 has not scored in 6 games now… “What a guan” with the beast? 🙂

  11. tsgh says:

    Rico, JD10’s release clause only applies only in the summer but S04 are looking to get the same fee in this window; so I read…

  12. BrainwashedKev says:

    Ginge, football itself is to blame.

    Not only players, but clubs/managers, use agents, so I’m not interested in hearing clubs whinge about it…

    You dance with the devil etc….

    And btw, where is Coach?

    Rico, yep I know that’s true, but we’re talking about Arsenal here.
    And tbh, is he really worth £37million???

    I can’t see Arsenal going above €30million for a 20 year old…

  13. Adam says:

    Kev. Value for money is very subjective. I would pay almost anything for a pair of trousers made from a certain type of red satin whereas you would eschew them completely in favour of lime green Lurex tights.

  14. frednerk says:

    Great post rico.

    If ever I get the chance to speak to the great man wenger..the question would have to be the Transfer Window
    Why do you change your mind every interview you do
    do you realize how the fans feel,
    We Will We Won’t… We Do We Don’t
    Why don’t we go in and grab a player like the Chavs do
    What the f–k are all the scouts doing all year,we have them all around the world.
    Can anybody really believe a word.
    And lastly give all us fans a break and say at the begining.
    If we do buy a player in the Transfer Window it will be done
    On The Last Day….

  15. rico says:

    I forgot that Ts, thanks..

    Kev, sure is a lot of money for a young one and you are probably right about AW not paying that amount.

    Hope they can thrash out a deal though…. 😉

  16. rico says:

    Thanks fred.

    I share your view too..

    My own thought for AW leaving it so late in transfer windows is he thinks he’ll get a cheaper price when a club really wants to sell, the other is he saves a few weeks wages..

    Infuriates me no end….

  17. bradster says:

    Hi all,

    For me it all depends on how good Draxler really is. It shouldn’t be about age if he’s as good as someone 25 at the age of 20.
    Getting a deal now depends on if Wenger expects us to lose out if he waits until the summer.

  18. bradster says:

    Hi Rico, as long as he’s not a Francis Jeffers then hell let’s get him now and beat the rest. He’s injured until March so not gonna help us this season.

  19. frednerk says:

    Its clear Schalke don’t want to sell to a german club
    wenger knows that
    he also knows the chavs and mancs are balancing the books,
    just leaves us with the dough.
    Everyone in the world knows that.

  20. BrainwashedKev says:

    Adam 😛

    Yes, you are a bit of a fashion victim when it comes to satin strides… 😉

    We all have our extravagances…

    Mine is pie n mash…

    But as I’m in the dentist waiting room, the delights of a meat pie, mash and liqueur, are on the back-burner…

  21. tej says:

    Good post. I thought Wenger was not able to quickly find that exceptional player. He might not be able to find now but surely in summer. As far as Coventry are concerned they doing exceptional in league one as they started with -15 this year.

  22. Bill says:

    I don’t know why you guys are all excited. He wont buy anyone!!

    I’m telling you now. The squad needs one thing, a striker but he won’t buy. He believes the squad is strong enough and we’ll rely on bloody Bendtner!!

    We’ll go out of the cup to either Chelski or Mansour City and we’ll come third or fourth in the league. #

    Mark my words!!!!

  23. rico says:

    Also Bill, I wouldn’t say it’s excitement, more like frustration. Best chance to win the league for years and signing a quality goal scorer would really boost our chances.

    Not signing one in the summer was negligent, not signing one now would be just as bad, if not worse…

  24. tsgh says:

    David Moyes will apparently be at Gladbach v Bayern Bundesliga game tonight, say German press…

    I hope he is not looking at Arango or Kruse…

  25. stevepalmer1 says:

    Afternoon all,
    Bit of a rant there Rico, take it easy you may blow a gasket.
    Nothing Changes at Arsenal. transfer window fans go crazy for players linked only to end up with a Bendtner. Yes we would all like to see a proven striker, but i would also like to win the lotto as well, io look at my numbers after every draw with expectation only to be disappointed but with Wenger i expect very little and when he does do anything i am excited till i see the player play because nine times out of ten i never have. Wenger has his faults but don’t we all, he frustrates and infuriates but he’s a shit hot manager of that i have no doubts. !6 or is it seventeen years in the top 4 how can you argue with that. All my mates whoever they support have a little wind up with me about Wenger, * years without a trophy, he’s as tight as a Ducks arse he knows fcuk all about football and he looks wierd. But i just look and say what about your manager how long has he been in place and how long will he keep his job. I know what they think of Wenger deep down and although they would never say it they know what we have. Wenger will do what he feels is right for our club he has done that since he came in and he will continue to do that till he goes, which i hope see’s me out. I question Wenger when i think he’s wrong, i have a go when i see his tactics,i moan when i see who he picks and who he leaves out and i moan when he doesn’t buy, But i’m not moaning at our position and i can’t knock him for all the top 4′ and i dont moan about our fantastic stadium that has been paid for by Champions league football. Our bank balance that is swelling and the way our club is run is second to none no i don’t moan about that, and i expect a win from our boys tonight and if we dont i will moan. COYRRG’s

  26. vernat1066 says:

    Hi, I think Wengers biggest issue has and will always be getting the players to see what his vision is with the likes of Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Viera he created an space where they could grow but that growth was down to them and they responded others did not, not due to being less talented but they were missing that ingredient that made the players above succeed.

    He is often accused of not coaching enough his view is by the time you reach the first team squad why should you have to be taught how to play your position. What he does do is create an environment where if you have it in you to succeed and become better you can if you don’t then you wont. He wants players to evolve as human beings not just on the pitch but off it as well.

    Infuriating as he often is with his utterances (like a new signing anyone???) you have to admire his vision lets hope the players we have and will get in can see and embrace it.

  27. BrainwashedKev says:

    Nothing serious Rico, just a crown, well half-a-crown actually…

    All good thanks… 🙂

    If Walcott hadn’t have got injured, then I would probably agree with those that say that Wenger won’t sign anyone…

    He’s probably got a player or two sorted, but he’s maybe waiting on the selling club to secure a replacement before rubber-stamping the transfer…
    Well that’s what I’m hoping..,

  28. Micko says:

    rico, from a purely selfish point of view I don’t have any problem with us playing on a Friday nite, another chance to watch us live in the comfort of my local sipping on the mothers milk.

    That 1987 cup final brings back so many happy memories for me, Gary Mabbutt became an over night hero of mine.

    Good to hear the game is a sell out, that hasn’t happened for a few seasons now.

  29. Joaquim Moreira says:

    afternoon all!
    So, no new signs and we not expect someone.
    We believe in God for next months and I hope God help us in all domains.

  30. rico says:

    Afternoon all..

    Sp, I’m doing nothing different than what you do, questioning him when I think he’s wrong and imho, not signing a striker by the end of the month would be very wrong.

    I’m chuffed we are top and still in the FA Cup and the CL but to win any or all of them, we need a stronger squad and if we had one, maybe you wouldn’t moan after every game… 😉

  31. rico says:

    Glad to hear that Kev…

    Micko, I was just feeling sorry for the fans, but deep down I know that like you, I’ll be able to watch too which makes me very happy.. 🙂

  32. Rick. says:

    Evening Rico,
    I told Ginge the other day I had been told that he would be leaving
    2 weeks ago. He has not been the same player since he sufferd those injurys. But saying that Arsen has started this years clearout
    I think 8to 10 players could leave and then he will buy. By the way do you have BT sport and have you resolved your PC problems?

  33. rico says:

    Evening Rick..

    Think his off-field social media love hasn’t helped him either..

    I’ve managed to borrow a laptop but one of the two faulty ones has now had the virus removed, the other needs a new screen..

    Yes, have BT Sport thankfully, although I don’t think they cover the games as well as Sky, the pundits are all equally as bad though 😉

  34. Rick. says:

    I agree the the cover is poor and the pundits are awful but as long as I can see the goals go in I will be happy. See you later

  35. tsgh says:

    Never saw that coming “@SkySportsNews: Emmanuel Frimpong in talks with Real Madrid for a loan move till the end of the season”

  36. tsgh says:

    Hiya Rico…

    I think he will move to Norwich or Ipswich…

    Shame about Frimpong if true… the myth of our youth system…

    Gibbs etc all came from another academy… only JW has made it through from age 10…

  37. tsgh says:

    Arsenal team: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Gnabry, Podolski, Bendtner

    So Ox starts a game 2 weeks after coming back from injury?… tsk

  38. rico says:

    Arsenal team to face Coventry:

    Fabianski; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere; Gnabry, Ozil, Podolski; Bendtner.

    Subs: Viviano, Sagna, Monreal, Zelalem, Flamini, Cazorla, Giroud

    Coventry team to face Arsenal:

    Murphy, Christie, Webster, Seaborne, Adams, Baker, Thomas, Fleck, Daniels, Moussa, L. Clarke

    Subs: Burge, Willis, J. Clarke, Haynes, Phillips, Barton, Slager.

  39. tsgh says:

    Flamini on bench for DM cover ?… Hayden should have gotten another chance too imo… or even Yennaris

    Zelalem is a super talent but has been poor at u-21 level since he came back from injury though…

  40. devilgunner says:

    Here I am my dear Brainwashed habib.

    Good Evening Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and Ladies.

    Good post Rico. unlike the team today. No DM cover in front of the defence. I do not think the team is well balanced today.

  41. rico says:

    🙁 Ah..

    Evening devil, long time no hear, hope all is well?

    Thanks re the post, I thought similar about the balance of the side…

    All out attack, hope it doesn’t bite back…

  42. devilgunner says:

    All is well dear.

    one thing leads to another and suddenly time flies and I cant even see the post let alone chip in with a few comments.

    blimey…….are we playing the reserves in the away gear??? 😆

  43. devilgunner says:

    Flappy made a magnificent save on a very brave effort which could have been a spectacular goal for Coventry

  44. potter says:

    At least they have come to play football , their problem now is if they come forward , how many will we get.

  45. devilgunner says:

    that is my thought exactly Scott.

    Oh. is Bendy playing???? I thought we were giving them a one man advantage.

  46. rico says:

    But he needs to be playing Scott, unless Ches has a couple of nightmares or an injury, that playing wont take place with us….

  47. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico, i know he will leave, it’s just that i rate him more highly than most, and will be sad to see him go.
    He is too good to be sitting on the bench, for sure.

  48. rico says:

    I bet he is potter and rightly so…

    Scott, I think in his early days he was dodgy but to be fair on him, since he was played after Ches was dropped, he hasn’t really put a foot wrong…

    He’s another who, the more he plays, the better he’ll get… Real shame…

  49. Scott from Oz says:

    Yeah, Nik’s left toe just nudged the ball a split second before shitting.
    I hope Fabianski goes overseas.
    Hate to see him against us.

  50. devilgunner says:

    You were right Rico. It was Merts. Saw a GIF closely and it was one with an armband. Bendy does not wear an arm band. it gives me nightmares to even think about it.

  51. devilgunner says:

    Scott……..Yeah, Nik’s left toe just nudged the ball a split second before shitting.

    what did you say??? shitting??? 😆

    now I do know that most of us think he is shit but isnt that taking it a bit too far mate???

  52. Scott from Oz says:

    Hahahahah?
    Bloody Ipad.
    Maybe he was shitting lol.
    Classic.
    Commentators are joking we struggled to pay the power bill.

  53. devilgunner says:

    Podolski has had a good game. When he plays off the CF he does well.

    I hope AW does not get rid of him

  54. tsgh says:

    Breaking news…. on German outlets

    I understand that Schalke and Arsenal have agreed a fee.
    f he will leave now I don’t know. But this is latest info

  55. rico says:

    ha ha potter..

    we can’t afford to sell any first teamers dveil, we need to be adding. Pod’s experience is essential…

  56. devilgunner says:

    why the hell are they allowing Coventry so much space and allowing them to press us in our own half? Its 50/50 possession atm

  57. devilgunner says:

    wtf were you trying to do Bendy???

    Right leg …no

    Left leg….no

    next time try to hit it with the middle leg you prick

  58. devilgunner says:

    Jan Aage Fjortoft, former striker turned pundit, has claimed that Arsenal and Schalke have agreed a fee for German sensation Julian Draxler

    Fjortoft appears to be a pundit who comes with some degree of reliability when it comes to transfers, apparently being the first person to break the Ozil to Arsenal story.

    As Arsenal entertained Coventry in the FA Cup Jan Aage Fjortoft tweeted …

    “Re: Draxler

    I understand that Schalke and Arsenal have agreed a fee. If he will leave now I don’t know. But this is latest info #afc”

    Make of that what you will.

  59. devilgunner says:

    Today I have lost count of the quality crosses that Gibbs and Jenks made.

    you can use that for the report Rico. 🙂

  60. rico says:

    Scott, I read comments on another site saying Jenks has been rubbish…

    Not sure they have been watching the same game as us….

  61. rico says:

    Just what we asked for…

    Good result and well played Coventry, especially in the second half…

    The way they play, they’ll soon be out of league one….

  62. devilgunner says:

    and that is it.

    Another former FA Cup winner dumped out after in the previous round the beaten finalists were also dumped out. Funny how the spuddies always come up in any comment. 😆

    hope its shitty and the chavs who go out next.

  63. tsgh says:

    Alex Oxlade Chamberlain seriously reprimanded by Per Mertesacker for his loose play that led to one of Coventry chances…

  64. stevepalmer1 says:

    Pleased with the result, but not suprised either. Very good first half and the goals were taken well, second half we played at half speed and could easily have got a clump. Midfield were very clumsy and gave the ball away far too easily which put undue pressure on our defence but a good final rally and into the next round, Arsene looked happy and the players to i think they have started to believe.

  65. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Hi there!
    Pod definetely can’t play like a central forward
    Bendtner is something but away for is a central forward
    Coventry right back wants to move on to Arsenal…a very good exhibition
    Cazorla increments another dimension on the midfield

  66. ozgunner says:

    got the job done, well done lads. Arsene, you need a striker Son, badly. Maybe less of the wise cracks and more of the doing the business?

  67. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning all,
    After a good win and a good nights sleep, watching the clips on the news with a smile on me boat, i would just like to sing the praises of Fabianski Manys a time this goalkeeper has taken a hell of a lot of stick, now i am not saying that he didn’t deserve it, but when a player that has performed as he has with very little first team action, i believe we should congratulate him. I have to say that i have always seen him in my minds eye as being an accident waiting to happen, but i feel i have been a bit unfair, Fabianski made a save last night which i felt was world class, and at a time that Coventry were pressing a little bit. Fabianski seems as if sitting on the bench as the forgotten man seems to have made him more resolute. Fabianski i feel had a fault that when he gathered the ball he used to look like it was red hot and he rushed to clear it as quick as possible, Now he takes his time he looks round and looks safer. I believe we expect players to get on with it and do the job they are paid for, but i feel that Fabianski has had a bit of a rough ride, he has stood in Czezesneys shadow and only comes out in Capital one and FA cup games and also when Czezesney needs his wrists slapped. Yesterdays post suggeststed a new keeper, i suggest we rotate more after all when a player does well does he not deserve a few games.

  68. Bill says:

    Fab’s fine, but he’s still young, as is Szcz!! Keepers, unlike outfield players are at their best late 20’s into 30’s. There’s time for them both yet but you have to understand Fab’s wish to play.

    Bendtner again proved he’s not good enough. How long Arsene before you see it too.

    I used to say I’d like to see us buy some wingers but with the glut of midfield talent and good sound cover in all positions now, I’m convinced we only need another striker.

    Draxler, if true, is another attacking midfielder!!

    Where’s our striker!!!

    Oh of course, Bendtner!!!

  69. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning Bill, You could be right about the keepers. Bendtners on the last six months of his contract and we have been short in that position, I agree he is not good enough but Wenger will honour his contract. I have felt that Wenger would buy, but the reports of him denying he’s in the market suggests to me that we may have to wait till the summer. I feel that it might affect us later on but at the moment goals are being scored.

  70. stevepalmer1 says:

    Morning Rico, I missed your link last night but thank you for posting it 🙂
    Lot of talk about Drax and it wouldn’t suprise me at all but i would think we will have to wait for the last couple of hours of the window to find out for sure.

  71. rico says:

    Morning Sp, and I went all over the internet to find that for you 😉

    Oz, if we wait for Draxler, I think we’ll miss out on him. He’s meant to be the next best thing coming out of Germany.

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