Daily Bits and Bobs

RvP next to leave, Jadson to sign and We must be Desperate to be after Dann!

Posted on by rico

Tongue in cheek of course, for those of you old enough, you remember this guy?

Desperate Dan in Action.....

For those of you not old enough to remember him, Desperate Dan is a wild west character from British comic The Dandy. He first appeared in December 1937.

He is apparently the world’s strongest man, able to lift a cow with one hand and his beard is so tough he has to shave with a blowtorch. Add to that, he lives on Cow Pie, not meat pie, a whole cow in a pie… !!

Ok, he’s only fictional…..

Scott Dann could be a reality for us, we are in talks with Birmingham about signing him, if we do, I’m sure he’ll be a very good addition, especially if he has half the strength that DD has. The only downside to him is he supports Liverpool so I wouldn’t bet against a last-minute bid from them for the player….

With Fabregas destined for an exit, Christian Eriksen of Ajax is wanted by everyone!

He’s 19 years old and possibly one of the hottest properties in football right now. Having had trials with the Chavs, Barcelona and AC Milan, the player opted to sign for the Dutch side, wise move I say….

Anyway, my point is, he’s in Holland and playing for a side which the all time great Sir Dennis Bergkamp is assistant coach and if Erikson chooses to leave Holland for pastures new, maybe our old man will do us a favor and have a whisper in his ear about Arsenal….

Let’s get Mata, then go get Eriksen, now wouldn’t that be a cracking couple of signings…. 😉

But it seems it’s Jadson is on the verge of signing, if of course we are to believe in The Independent. They report that we have snapped up this ‘tough, compact’ attacking midfielder from Shakhtar Donetsk!

The Sun newspaper, well they always love to report doom and gloom about Arsenal, they have conjured up a dreadful bit of gossip suggesting Robin van Persie will join Nasri and Fabregas on the departure list, what utter rubbish! It’s simple to see how they have come to this conclusion, Robin has a year to run on his contract so just because Nasri is refusing to sign a contract extension the author assumes that RvP will behave in the same way.

Well, Steven Howard needs to wake up, Robin isn’t Nasri, if he was a quitter he’d have left long before now and if he wanted more money in his wage packet, there are many clubs who would have been making him that over the last few years!

For Robin van Persie, see Dennis Bergkamp, both Dutchman love Arsenal….

Today is the day that Cesc will finally make his move I’m sure, Wenger has an early Press Conference and I think the news will break, it’s already confirmed that he’s not in the squad heading to Newcastle. It will be a shock to the whole footballing world won’t it? NOT!

I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear that Nasri has agreed to join Citeh, he’s not in tomorrows squad either. Well hey ho, we are a bigger and better football club than Citeh, we always will be so if Nasri wants to join the rich, they are welcome to him…

Suggestion is that Citeh are offering £25 Million…..

That price brings me nicely onto the Highbury House Fantasy League – it’s the last day today to enter your team. It’s a bit of fun and a chance to play Premier League Football Manager – we all talk about who we’d like to sign from the PL, well here’s your chance to see if the players you want are as good as you think….

Just follow the link in the sidebar to join…

Have a good day all, no tears please…..

rico

239 thoughts on “RvP next to leave, Jadson to sign and We must be Desperate to be after Dann!”

  1. Will says:

    I saw the Sun “article” and thought, which reporter at that rag was bullied by a Gooner in their youth. They really hate us and for the life of me, I don’t know why.

    Someone in the fa needs the minerals to stop City before it is too late.

    Do we need attacking replacements?

  2. rico says:

    I’m surprised Howard didn’t include Theo, he’s one year left too…

    Just one me thinks Will, only because AA is often injured and the others are still young, a bit of experience is need imho….

    Looks like it’s more likely to be the Brazillian though….

  3. Will says:

    One is about right, otherwise we would “kill” the progression of Jack, Rambo, Theo and Ryo.

    I still think we need an experienced DM who when things go wrong, can be a calm head and also a dominating CB to clear lines.

  4. kharadonha says:

    Please Gooners lets sign Martin Marvin from French team, the boy is good better than Nasri and can be just the player Arsenal needs at the moment. I don’t know why Wenger don’t see this boy as I believe he won’t cost us that much. i watched him play for France on Wednesday and to be honest will fit perfectly in Arsenal style of play. he can bring back the glory days and he likes to take shots at goal. I remember his goals against Ukraine this year and since then I’ve been following him. Please do me a favour and sign him.

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. I KNOW GOD FEEL ME ON THIS ONE.

  5. Aidan Furey says:

    Im sorry, but if Van Persie has only a year left oh his contract, the board have to go.

    I appreciate that the article is mischief, but Arsenal is becoming a breading ground for other clubs by letting contracts run out. Van Persie is one of the best strikers in the world, and they’re letting his contract run out.

  7. JSP says:

    Nasri is money grabbing pond life! I bet he grew up in France watching Citeh scrapping it out in the 1st Division thinking “One day I’d love to play for them money no object”!!! Well I guess you can say that for all the money grabbing tossers who have gone there.
    Professional footballer sicken me. They are all a shower of overpaid turds.

    BRING BACK THE WAGE CAP BEFORE THIS GETS TOO FAR OUT OF HAND!!!

  8. Will says:

    I agree JSP, I know people (looking at you Rico 😉 disagree with me but having the ability to offer £185k a week to a player is cheating. You are not making that cash so you should not be allowed to spend it.

    Someone needs to stop them.

  9. John says:

    STILL WHY WAS THIS NOT SORTED OUT IN JUNE OR JULY. When we know we have a very hard premier league start. They need to be brought in the next week because I don’t want their first premier game to be at Old Trafford or we will get a thrashing againd does everyone remember 6-1.

  11. Lee says:

    “There is no doubt they are top quality players and they will be missed, but it is important that supporters and everyone at the club remembers that the cannon on the chest is more important than anybody.” courtesy of Lee Dixon

  12. K-TR7 says:

    Good read.why does arsene like making the most ridiculous statements?’i expect no one to leave’ ‘internal transfer market’…the man never ceases to amaze me.

  14. Will says:

    Lee, can you see what I was trying to say yesterday?

    They trawl website such as this one to garner opinions and then magnify them. I am not saying don’t moan but moan constructively.

  16. Merlin96 says:

    Let spread as much positive vibes as possible:

    Wenger happy with central defenders
    August 11, 2011
    By ESPNsoccernet staff

    Arsene Wenger has dismissed talk of a move for Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker and said Arsenal do not need to strengthen the position.

    Arsenal have been linked with a number of defenders this summer including Mertesacker, Phil Jagielka, Christopher Samba, Gary Cahill and, most recently, Scott Dann.

    However, with Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci all on the books, Wenger denied talk of a move to bolster his options in the position.

    “We currently have four central defenders,” he told German publication Kicker, “and so there is no need for another.”

    Despite Wenger’s words, there have been strong reports that Arsenal have held talks with Birmingham over Dann and a move is said to be close.

    Reacting to the speculation earlier this month, Dann told Sky Sports News: “Obviously I’m an ambitious person and I want to play at the top level. Everyone who knows me knows that.”

    Birmingham have been forced to allow their key players to leave the club following their relegation as a result of financial problems.

    __________________________________________________________

    Jeeeeeeeeeeeez….you lots of innocents, you trust Wenger?
    Better learn Wenegrese will ya.

    Wengerese: ‘Mon Dieu! You expect moi to say publicly that I needed to sign an experienced CB desperately with those agents keep increasing the price at the rate of 1-mil per meeting?”

    Of course, it is all a negotiating ploy to get the best possible price for a CB to strengthen the squad.

    Wenger’s philosophy is Attacking Football, and he prefers to strengthen the MDIFIELD to give more protection to Back-4 rather than to waste money to strengthen Back-4 as the “lst line of Defence”.

    What Wenger is doing now is to coach the team intensively to cut out all those silly mistakes and to reduce drastically all those silly goals conceded by set-pieces and lob balls into the box.

    His tactic of Koscielny-Vermaelen paring is analogous to a 6′ 0″ Bill Russell defending against a 7’ 1″ Wilt Chamberlain in NBA.
    It is a matter of timing and positional sense to stop all those goals scored against us via freekicks and corners.

    1 – Vermaelen
    2 – Koscielny
    3 – Djourou
    4 – Squillaci
    5 – Miquel
    6 – New buy? Dann? Samba? Cahill?

    Wenegr will not spend more than 10-mil for an experienced premiership CB which may or may not strengthen our Defence as he will need 3 to 6 months “adjustment” to play WengerBall with our high-line and high preseeign game with CB joining attacks instead of slow and immobile without ball-distribution skill.

    With Bartley returning next season, Koscielny and Miquel improving, yougnsters like Boateng, Angha and Harjovic trying to break into Reserves next season, Wenger does not need a 17-mil to 20-mil premiership CB.

    What we need to see is how will that SOng-Frimpong-Wilshere mdifield – plus any new buy – will offer protection by devleoping understanding with Back-4 to work together as an UNIT.

  17. Merlin96 says:

    Let’s have more positvie vibes for Arsenal FC.

    Pardew is just a mediocre manager and with Ashley iron-fisted control to cut costs and dragging Newcastle FC back into the black (‘cos it is his money and he needed to milk all those Geordie cows to do it, he will do it)…turmoil in the dressing room, best palyers left or are leaving..their pre-season and team’s morale is certainly worse off than Arsenal FC.

    The 3 players that damaged us last season – Carroll, Nolan and Barton – are no more around…and even if barton plays, you think he will give his all as his mind is elsewhere and he will be perserving his limbs and body for hsi future employer then.

    We knew our TEAM can score, and we knew that we usually start our season with a bang and ended with a whimper with all those french poodles, pretty boys and bottlers.

    Well, this season is just like a clean slate and we shoudl just move on as the Past is like water flowing beneath the bridge and Present is just that, it si for LIVING and not continuously harping over the Past.

    It is time to banish all those Past’s gloom and doom and start afresh for the new season:

    here goes: We will win 4-0 and our very much maligned back-4 will be stronger after learning that 2010/11 bitter lesson and the main culprit – our MIDFIELD – will get their act together and offer better protection in front of Back-4.

    Clichy’s “Fatal SLip” is no more;

    Koscielny has one year of English Football experience udner his belt;
    Vermaelen returns;
    Van Persie fit to start;
    Theo is all fired up;
    Arshavin found his form;
    Gervinho is all fired up;
    Rosicky is da “Little Mozart”;
    Best of all, ALmunia will not start.

    ………………..Szczesney

    …Sagna……Koscielny…….Vermaelen…..Gibbs

    …Gervinho…….Song…..Rosicky……Arshavin

    ……………..Van Persie
    ………………………Walcott

    The key is to attack, attack and more attack and scores the 1st goal within 10 minutes to open the floodgate when Newcastle needs to come out of theird efensive shell.

    Be sure that Pardew will play a defensive game, a cautious game to counter attack Arsenal at our perceived weaknes in playing a high-line.

    But if we retain possession, pressurise Newcastle players immediately after we lose possession and start Newcastle in its track before they setup counter-attacking play, there is no way that Newcastle cna attack our Back-4 liek last season 2nd half.

    Walcott as central striker will tie down their CB; plus Van Persie in “Bergy’s Hole” will tie down Tiote-Cabaye with Song-Rosicky harassing them.

    DO not underestimate Rosicky as last season, he was just returning from an 18-month injury alyoff, not match-fit, not physically sharp and Wenger jsut slowly grooving him into the team.

    This season?
    DO you know that if he remains healthy, it will be his full-season for Arsenal?

    Remember, “Form is temporary, class is permanent”.
    You think class players like Rosicky and Arshavin will have two “off-form” season in succession?

  18. Lee says:

    100% Will, as you stated, we need to stick together and get behind our football club, more so now than any other time!! They pick up on the vitriol/bad vibes etc in the blog world and regurgitate in the red tops…

  19. Will says:

    Wenger responded defiantly when quizzed further on the potential sales of Fabregas and Nasri, whose departures would leave the Gunners shorn of two of their most influential players.

    “Manchester United sold Ronaldo. Does that mean they are not a big club?” Wenger said. “We want to have a fully committed squad on the pitch. What is important is that the players who play give 100%.

    “At the moment we have too big a squad. We are not in a position where we are short of players.”

  20. Will says:

    I really think we are going to see return to the swift, dynamic counter attacking football and I for one am excited.

  21. allezkev says:

    Morning Gooners. Morning Rico.

    Interesting post Rico. I thought RVP and Theo had two years left on their contracts. The Nasri scenario with them isn’t due to occur until next summer [something to look forward to…].

    Morning Lee how was the ruby?

    Morning Will, guess whose on a ACLF spreading discourse?
    Our little extremist must be ‘On Tour’ in an effort to poison the atmosphere.

  22. Will says:

    What is ACLF?

    Th etime is now to stand tall and proud and back the team. Let them know we have their backs and they can win the league.

  24. rico says:

    Hi again all…

    Hope you are right Kev re Robin and Theo 🙂

    If we get the right players in, in place of the departing, we’ll be ok, it’s whether or not we do that worries me….

    especially after what Wenger was suggested as saying yesterday….

  28. Lee says:

    Hit the ground running and put the geordies to the sword, with swift counter attacking football. Chicken tikka massala, Madras hot, AK. It was the nuts!!! 😉

  29. Will says:

    Cheers Kev. I really am sorry if I over stepped the mark but he insulted me and my family with his open anti-Arsenal stupidity. He is not an Arsenal fan, he is a trophy fan.

    I really can see us hitting team on teh break at amaing speed. How many players do we now have that can run the hundred in around 10 seconds?

  30. allezkev says:

    I’m fairly sure i am Rico.
    Even so, Gazides and his department, should be working on new contracts now, not next summer when we’ll be vunerable to the vultures.

  31. Will says:

    For me, Gazidis should be in overall charge and Wenger should have D by his side getting the players.

    When we lost DD, we lost all his friends and contacts in the game.

  32. allezkev says:

    Will, i think he’s Steven Howard in disguise.

    That Howard, as it goes, is a well-known Arsenal hater.
    Just one of many in the Press…

  33. Moses Watasa says:

    Hard to say but for the gunners now, the writing is on the wall – and in bold characters. That Nasri and Fabregas are tired of the “stagnated” Arsenal FC is in “red and white”. It’s a tough call but a shrewd manager would sell these players and swiftly find replacements by 31st August 2011. But the post-2005 Arsene Wenger (that we now know) would most likely bank the cash for his predatory Board to munch other than re-invest it in quality signings. The uncertainty rumbles-on but a tricky CL play-off with Udinese is looming and cracking opening league fixtures are on the horizon. Typical Arsene Wenger is insisting with a clownish defence – they have been leaking and banging-in own goals throughout the summer’s build-up matches. Recruiting “toddlers” like Alex Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson suggests that Mr. Manager, stuck in his soccer illusion, learn’t nothing from last season’s bizarre implosion. But a thick and dark cloud continues pilling ominously over the Emirates stadium. Strong “pain-killers” will be required for the new season – for the fans who remain to watch Arsenal matches with manager + Board. For Arsene, it’s de-ja-vu time – he is back, in his sharp suits brandishing water bottles – he will kick the bottles (again) along the touchline throughout the 2011-2012 season. I am so disgusted and fed-up, all Arsene Wenger pictures cause me a major bout of nausea.

  34. K-TR7 says:

    Are there any new developments that have made arsene say that no one will leave this summer that we don’t know of?

  35. rico says:

    Morning Adam…

    Did you guys like DD then 🙂

    Spot on kev, can’t get in the nasri situatiuon next summer

    Fantasy League All, come on its the last day to join 🙂

  36. allezkev says:

    Rico, i listened to a couple of audio pieces from Talkshite last night.
    They were quite positive about Jadson.

    On his own, i don’t think he’ll placate the fans.
    Wenger needs to bring in a high profile signing [don’t ask me who?]
    just to give us all a lift, after losing two top players in a week.

  37. Will says:

    I am sorry but one thing needs to be said. Nasri is not leaving for trophies, he is leaving simply for the same reason Adbarndoor and Clichy did and Toure.

    MOOOOOOONEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYY.

  39. JSP says:

    Spot on Will. Showing his true colours the money greedy waster. Let’s remember he started last season really well, but nothing from him when he was needed in the second half of the season.

    A half season wonder!!

  42. Lee says:

    Josef Fritzel has spoken out in anger following the recent riots blaming it on irresponsible parenting

    he said “you never saw my kids out on the street like that”….

  43. K-TR7 says:

    Will i think that is most likely to happen.i think the 2nd goal against barca will serve as the benchmark for our play this season.the way i see it is that we’ll play tiki taka on the edge of opposition penalty areas anymore without where cesc was absolutely brilliant at finding openings.instead we’ll play tiki taka in CM to lure teams out to leave space in behind the defence for ryo/gerv/oxo/theo to run into.it will be exciting to watch but we need arsene to first sort out the nasri/fab sitiuations quick.

  46. Will says:

    Let’s be honest here, none of the players bought by them have gone there for the honour of playing for a club with such a worldwide reputation and heritage. They have all gone for the cash. I really want that “project” to crash and burn big time.

  51. Lee says:

    KT, I’m sure I read somewhere that we take more touches in the opposition’s box than any team in the EPL…..no shock there then, hey?

  53. Adam says:

    Rico. It all feels “bits ‘n pieces” to me. Any CEO of a successful business needs to dictate the agenda where he can. This window hasn’t been like that. The fans, contrary to some of the evidence on view, are not stupid and they desperately want the team to do well. Looking at Arsene this morning I saw a man under severe pressure, trying to seem like a man who isn’t. Still, when Diaby rises again, he will be like….well, you know the rest.

  54. allezkev says:

    Kt, looking at the type of players AW has been signing this summer, it does kinda point towards a more direct approach.

    That doesn’t mean ‘long-ball’, just more of a cutting edge where it counts, in the opposition’s penalty area.

  56. Will says:

    I can see quick passes from midfield through the opposind defence. This pass pass pass rubbish allows teams to get everyone behind the ball around their box.

  57. K-TR7 says:

    We had to rely on tiki taka on the edge of the opposition penalty box because it suited cesc and playing an AM like nasri outwide down to the ground.now that we have more direct runners wide we’ll have to create space for them to run into.thus we’ll not peg back teams to park the bus instead we’ll lure them out by allowing them to build up to CM.we’ll then press them to win the ball back and then break at pace in behind the defence before they reorganise.

  59. rico says:

    Adam,

    Arsene certainly didn’t look comfortable in his i/v but, i admire him for saying ‘does this conference have to be all about nasris and fabregas etc…. and that he was fed up with talking about it….

    I’m fed up with hearing about the two of them now, just want them gone and a few more signings in….

  60. Will says:

    Arsenal Football Club has today, 12th August 2011, announced Carlsberg as the Club’s Official Beer Partner for the next three seasons.

    This significant new partnership grants Carlsberg exclusive marketing rights on a global basis, enabling the Danish brewer to promote their association to millions of Arsenal fans across the world, in support of its ambition to be the fastest growing global beer company. As a major player in the Asian market, a key area of Carlsberg’s focus will be on engaging with Arsenal’s large and rapidly growing fanbase in that region, following on from the Club’s successful pre-season tour to Malaysia and China.

    As part of the partnership, Carlsberg’s own-brand and licensed beer, ale and cider products will be exclusively poured within Emirates Stadium, allowing Arsenal fans to enjoy the wide portfolio of products that Carlsberg produce as well as distribute. On matchdays, Carlsberg will also create a bespoke ‘Carlsberg Lounge’, offering a special experience for its invited guests and competition winners before and after each home game.

    Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal’s Head of Global Partnerships, said: “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Carlsberg, a truly global brand with real history and heritage within football. Following our Asia Tour, as we focus on further engaging with our international fanbase, Carlsberg are a perfect brand to be partnering with given their strength and reach in over 140 different markets worldwide. We look forward to working closely with Carlsberg in the years ahead on joint initiatives, and warmly welcome them to our growing family of Official Partners.”

    Keld Strudahl, Carlsberg’s International Marketing Director, added: “Arsenal and Carlsberg have much in common. Both are well known, established brands, recognized around the globe. In the run-up to next year’s European Championships, at which Carlsberg has been an official sponsor since 1988, it is great that we have partnered with another international football club which has a strong following, not only in Europe, but also in Asia – Carlsberg’s target markets.”

    Caroline Hipperson, Director of Brands & Insight at Carlsberg UK, added: “Carlsberg are delighted to be partnering with Arsenal, a Club like our own company, with a rich heritage and history. Connecting with Arsenal’s large and loyal fan base across the world is a key part of this new partnership, as well as serving our products to fans at one of the world’s leading grounds, the Emirates Stadium. This new partnership will significantly strengthen our existing sponsorship portfolio, and is part of a wider strategic intent to be seen as THE beer brand of football”.

  64. K-TR7 says:

    Lee i’ve not seen enough of marvin to form an opinion.however,if i were to sign a replacement for cesc/nasri it would be Götze of Dortmund.that boy has the world at his feet.

  65. Savage says:

    I guess the Carlsberg deal was one of those mentioned by Gazidis as to-be-announced.

    Interesting from Wenger, talking about OC, this is definitely a change for us: “We want to build a strong base of local players.
”

    Apparently he now looks at passports 😉

  70. allezkev says:

    I still kinda like that kid at West Ham, Jack Collison.
    One to keep an eye on as he recovers from a bad injury…

  75. K-TR7 says:

    Speaking of Dortmund im tipping them to make the CL semis this season.i think only madrid and barça can beat them right now in Europe.if it goes tits up for us in the CL i’ll be rooting for them.

  77. Savage says:

    Why do rate Dortmund so highly?

    I watched them on the opening game of the season against Hamburg, and I thought they were a little short of stars. I know the Japanese guy was back from injury though.

  82. SD-London says:

    hi rico,
    Dont get carried away by RVP’s love of Arsenal, he is definitely not looking to leave this season but if we dont win anything this season then i think Realmadrid , Juventus , Inter Milan will come calling but i know he hates Man City so he wouldn’t go there.

    Nasri doesn’t know what he is in for, i never really liked him just because he couldn’t show respect to Gallas and Henry on International duty which i think was one of the reasons we lost Gallas.Good radiance Nasri i hope you find happiness in Man City which i doubt because Balloteli and Dejung is enough drama to cope with.

    Fabregas behaved like a brat , they are all opportunists and thanks a lot Mr fab for that rubbish back heel that led to Barcelona’s second goal last season, that goal killed our game and spirit.

  83. K-TR7 says:

    Barça and madrid are the only sides that can comfortably beat Dortmund.if dortmund were to play the mancs it would be a close game but id expect dortmund to edge it. beat Dortmund.if dortmund were to play the mancs it would be a close game but id expect dortmund to edge it.

  84. K-TR7 says:

    Valdez has said the cesc deal will be announced in a matter of hours. deal will be announced in a matter of hours.

  86. Savage says:

    I really have no idea what will happen – even Brum are denying offers have come for Dann. Usually I’d say take it one day at a time, now I say take it one hour at a time…

    Predictions for tomorrow?

  87. fed up says:

    Walcott and RVP have 2 years.
    Next year they go into the final years of their contract, so we have to get new deals signed this season.

    Cpl of new signings there anyone 🙂
    Oh I mean 🙁

  88. Will says:

    No idea about the game tomorrow. The Toon will be right up for it but are missing players, we might not be so up for it because of the summer but should have the players to beat them.

  89. Will says:

    As close as Wenger will come to saying we were cheated.

    Arsène Wenger believes that a second-half sending off was one of the turning points in last season’s dramatic 4-4 draw at Newcastle.


    In arguably the most eye-catching game of the Premier League campaign, Arsenal raced into a 4-0 half-time lead before Johan Djourou limped off and Abou Diaby saw red for reacting to a challenge from Joey Barton.


    In a frantic finale Newcastle hit back to earn a point with Barton scoring twice from the spot. Wenger has plenty of regrets from that February afternoon but he believes Diaby’s dismissal was the key.

    “We had an exceptional first half in that game and we were only caught back when we played with ten men,” he said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Tyneside. 


    “We conceded two penalties under very special circumstances on the day and were a bit unlucky. 


    “Because we got caught back we didn’t get any credit for the good first-half performance, but I can understand that.”

  90. Savage says:

    For me, that game got too much attention. An away draw to Newcastle is not usually a traumatic disaster. The real horror shows were the goalless home draws against relegation fodder.

    I am in the minority, but I believe our problems have been more in attack than in defence. And I believe that Nasri has often been part of the problem.

  91. Savage says:

    My heart says 2-0, my head says 1-1. Honestly, they’re not a great team, they’ve lost their stars, and even our diminished first XI are well better.

  93. oliver says:

    morning all…day before opening kickoff, we have the manager insistiing “nobody is leaving the club” (does that mean al will retain the number one jersey) and “i will decide what is best for the club” while several outlets (and tweets) report a cesc transfer has been agreed upon…

    hard not to see the second comment as a challenge to the board. arsene is not the only person to make decisions at the club – if he wants to force them to sack him, he’s made a good start.

  94. Savage says:

    Clean sheets don’t win you games – only scoring goals do. If you score 5, what’s your chance of losing or drawing?

    And on top of that, who wants to watch a team focused on defending rather than attacking? In all Chelsea’s winning years under Mourinho, how much wonderful script was written about them? Not much.

    Having said that, you’ve got to wonder who our 3rd striker will be? RVP getting injured is pretty much guaranteed. Apart from Chamakh, will it be Theo? Gerv? Vela even? Notice Wenger mentioning Ryo as a striker option too.

  97. oliver says:

    offiicial announcement from fcb expected later today or tomorrow. i would imagine it is real this time. let’s make it official and move on.

  98. allezkev says:

    You know Oliver, i wish Wenger would just be a bit more like Ferguson at Press Conferences.
    Rather than giving nonsense answers, he should just refuse to discuss certain subjects.
    He doesn’t help himself and makes himself lood ridiculous.
    Morning, btw.

  100. oliver says:

    morning kev…perhaps i am reading too much into this, but I now suspect there are serious differences between arsene and the board over the club’s direction. i now suspect that arsene has all along insisted that neither cesc or nas be sold, and these actions are being done without his consent…if this is what is happening i am fully behind our board here…

    such a situation clearly has wider implications for the club…

  101. allezkev says:

    England 563 for 3
    Cook on 233
    Morgan 89
    I know that Oliver was desperate to know the cricket score… 😉

  102. Savage says:

    This is about the toughest announcement for the club since Overmars and Petit left.

    I honestly think that having some new faces around the place will be refreshing. I’m already looking forward to seeing Jadson if he comes.

  103. oliver says:

    not sure af…he did he pre-Newcastle lesser today and as I understand is not obligated to talk until post-match…

    i expect fcb to officially announce the transfer and dot com to follow with a short article thanking cesc for his service and wishing him luck. Nothing directly from arsene, not after this morning….

  104. allezkev says:

    Agree 100% Oliver.
    AW’s job is the team.
    The Board are there to run the club.
    Maybe the change of ownership is having a positive effect?
    No more Edu, Wiltord, Kanu walking for freemans.
    That, imho, is very poor management.
    And from someone with a degree in economics…

  105. oliver says:

    we’ll see how this goes…i don’t think too many of doubt cesc is really gone this time…not anymore….

  107. oliver says:

    kev, i’ve always seen arsene as an idealist…unfortunately, we live in a cynical world…

    it may also be that arsene is seeing the cesc/nas situations as personal, while our board looks at them as business…

    we’ll see how things evolve…I would counsel arsene from publicly saying he will decide what is best for the club. whether he likes it or not, he is an employee of the club and answers to others. nobody is indispensable, and if the board actually are making these sales against his wishes, i suspect they will not be afraid to sack him if he becomes intransigent.

  108. oliver says:

    we saw jadson in the two games against shakhtar. willan and douglas costa were the players that caught my eye.

  109. allezkev says:

    Agree again Oliver.
    Could be, since Dein left, that he’s had too much of a say in issues that should have been dealt with by The Board.
    He has obviously enjoyed the role, although it’s questionable that being the ‘supremo’ has enhanched his ability to do his job as efficiently.
    He may not like being told what to do, and ‘no’, we’re doing ‘this’ instead. But if it concentrates his mind on his primary role, then we may all see the benefits.

  110. allezkev says:

    Hill-Wood and co were/are in awe of him.
    Kroenke isn’t. He may respect AW for what he’s done at AFC.
    But Stan didn’t become a successfull business man, by being a mug.
    It seems that what Stan says, goes, and that’s what we need…
    Some leadership, someone to stand back and see the bigger picture.
    Someone who isn’t too close to the players.
    After Anelka, you would have thought that Wenger would have learnt a lesson.
    But i have my doubts…

  111. alan b'stard M P says:

    quote Rico

    ” Scott Dann could be a reality for us,”

    We could be negotiating with Heaven to sign the Archangel Gabriel, but AW would only play them out of position

  112. Savage says:

    The dotcom released and then pulled off the squad numbers page.

    I’m looking forward to the announcement – it will be genuine confirmed transfer info, not piles and piles and piles of rumour, hearsay, fab-rication and mischief-making.

    I’m sad that all this has taken focus away from the committed players we already have. Notice players like Arshavin expressing genuine commitment to the cause.

  121. allezkev says:

    Afternoon Rico.
    I’m only doing the scores for Oliver, because i know he’s a keen cricket fan.. 😀

  125. Merlin96 says:

    It was reported elsewhere that Stan over-ruled Wenger to sell Nasri.

    Similarly, Wenger’s intention to keep Cesc might had been over-ruled by Stan.

    Remember, Gazidis had been in closed contact with Rossell as reported elsewhere to discuss on the transfer of Cesc?

    I see this interview as a defiant Wenger syaing his piece and laid down the ground works that he had been over-ruled by Stan via his proxy in GAZIDIS. Blame game satrt and it will be wonderfully to read in the future as to whose decision is to sell Cesc this season.

  129. rico says:

    I got it on now Kev, i think they will declare if and when Cook gets 300 🙂

    af, i reckon AA will start tomorrow…

  132. Adam says:

    Rico. I pin our hopes on the arrival of Scott Dann. Is he the “super” class player of myth and legend? What poor old Arsene does with the money should be interesting. Squillaci for an improved contract?

  133. allezkev says:

    Eboue has admitted on Radio Abidjan that he is on the point of joining Galatasaray.
    Apparantly Arsenal accepted a bid of £3.5million at the end of July.
    The delay has been contractual, between player & Gala.
    Eboue made 214 apps……. Pause for thought…!

  139. arsenal fan says:

    guys i had heard a interview made by wenger for the preview of this season and he was asked what are your ambitions for this season he said
    ”winning the epl or cl will be a huge success
    coming 3rd or 4th is acceptable after a long pause(which he took)
    and outside the top 4 will be disastorous..”

  142. allezkev says:

    Hey Will, i’ve been having the odd peek at ACLF, just to see how they’ve been getting on with ‘The Extremist’….. 😀

  148. ArsenalDK says:

    Good afternoon everyone. I have just read, that marca are reporting that Fabregas has flewn(?) to barcelona, and has signed a 5 year contract. He will be presented tomorrow, and possibly play for barca against real…

  150. allezkev says:

    Ha ha, they were not impressed i can tell ya.
    The slogans and constant referall to websites to back up his argument soon got on their nerves…

  157. allezkev says:

    Thought there would be a bit more action on the transfer front today boss?

    Maybe Sunday or Monday before we get anymore positive news.

    Was hoping the deal for Dann could have been pushed through?
    Hope they aren’t arguing over the fee… 🙄

  158. Adam says:

    While you were walking the dog Rico, it’s all been happening. Ji Sun Park has signed a new contract at Man Utd, a 24 year old who earns £120,000 a week looks like being released from purgatory, a little fat French bloke looks like going to Man City to compare wads with other men. Oh, and worse of all ( sit down for this one) Eboue is taking the lead role in a new Turkish comedy opening in a theatre in Istanbul. The good news is that Squillaci is still at the heart of the Arsenal defense.

  159. oliver says:

    thanks for the cricket updates kev…i should run down tonight’s MLB slate, but neither of us have the time…

    however, I will step away from aft/arsene/cesc/cricket for a sec…after the labor stoppage ended last month, NFL preseason opens…wfan’s mike frances a did his show from new York jets training camp in hofstra university, where he interviewed several players and staff…in one spot, special teams coach mike westhoff spoke of a sign he keeps in his office. It reads “you can not win with players you do not have.”. i should like to apply that to our situation at afc…at the end of the day, we’ll stand or fall with thee players we have, not those who leave or those we want to bring in…

  160. rico says:

    You and me both Kev, we need to get rid of nasri and cesc and then pray that IG and Stan tell Wenger to spend the money…

    Dann, Chaill, Mata, a Dm and a striker – we’d be pretty good then wouldn’t we 😉

  161. oliver says:

    I am surprised the jets consented to letting their players/coaches speak to francesa…there is some mutual I’ll feeling, particularly between owner woody johnson/head coach rex ryan and francesa.

  162. allezkev says:

    Bad Light Stopped Play Rico.
    Cookie can come out tomorrow and go for his 300

    Hey Oliver, your welcome buddy. 😉

  163. rico says:

    Adam, i was smiling through your comment, right up until the last bit… 😉

    Hi oliver, it’s a big test for England – if they beat India in this match they become the number one test side in the world….

    Got to have one successful team to support 😉 😉

    The problem with NFL for me is, i don’t understand it 🙁

  165. allezkev says:

    Good sign , Mr Westhoff. I concur fully…

    Rico, that business would do for me.
    Wonder if Gazides is flexing his muscles???

    Some Baseball fielding drills have been incorperated into Cricket training, hench a higher proportion of run-outs in cricket.
    Aussies led the way in studying Baseball fielding techniques…

  166. oliver says:

    good luck to England ricco and kev…

    nyj are not my team (ny giants, just like red arse) but I am such new york homer that I follow how the other local teams are doing…

    still, I do like westhoff’s saying…I think it is something similar to will’s point about supporting our team.

  168. allezkev says:

    Oliver, did you ever get to see any of the New York Giants soccer games?
    Do they still exist as they were in their heyday???

  169. Adam says:

    We pay Denilson £55k a week. Park, a better and more efficient player, gets £40k and a West Highland Terrier burger before each game. Squillaci hunts wild boar, eats raw meat only and is a real animal. Diaby is laying prone awaiting his Lazarus moment. Still, we have pace don’t we. It’s been a slow day Rico, punctuated only by the occasional call from fellow Arsenal supporters asking if I thought they were caught in a time warp and would they awaken in the morning to a new reality. I just hope that Scott Dann arrives.

  171. rico says:

    You guys seen all the twitter stuff from the barca players?? They really are pigs aren’t they….

    Kev, i think it’s Stan, if anyone…

  172. oliver says:

    kev, I think you are referring to the cosmos? pele, beckenbauer, chinaglia…they were before my time…in many ways, they are the model for some of today’s modern “dream teams”, such as d-wade, lebron, and bosh in miami…

  174. allezkev says:

    Rico, you are probably right.
    Oliver, of course.
    What would you say is the general standard in the US now?
    Can you see a gradual improvement, especially among ‘home’ players?

  175. oliver says:

    i’m off from work today and the kids want to go out now, so I’ll try and check back later…i wish tomorrow’s season opener will not be overshadowed by other events, but it is what it is, i suppose…

  178. rico says:

    Catch later oliver, the riots are fading a bit so hopefully the football will have it’s moments – or did you mean the Cesc sale 😉

  179. oliver says:

    kev, a couple of very quick thoughts…I think the standard here is much better and mls is doing reasonably well…I think we now coach better at an earlier age…we have plenty of players who do well in Europe…mc ride at fulham and Donovan when he was at everton are two immediate examples…

    the league is like the NFL in that it is set up for parity…different champ every season, more of a level playing field…we are yet to produce a homegrown superstar, but I don’t think that is very far off…

  181. allezkev says:

    What a shame Rico. I was hoping he’d pass Gooch’s 333.

    Still he’s got the 6th highest test score by an Englishman…
    And i reckon he’s got it in him to do 300 on another occassion, or two…

  192. rico says:

    That rumour site i read when i need a laugh says, we have signed Tim Cahill for 14m 😆 😆 😆

    You couldn’t make it up could you… Actually, he/she has 😉

  206. Lee says:

    Nada, in rainy Colchester….my sons and I looking forward to us dispensing with the Geordies!! Rapier like swift counter-attacking football…..COYG!!!!

  209. allezkev says:

    The squad numbers are on Arsenal Youth.
    AFC.com put them up……….then took them down after someone commented that Gervinho had been given Eboue’s number.
    Have a look boss.
    Could be a post in it.??? 😉

  210. rico says:

    Hi Lee. peeing down here with me too 🙁

    I just want tomorrows squad 🙁

    Gervinho is no 27 and Eboue is not even on the list in the squad Kev, oops, big gaff there .com 😉

  214. allezkev says:

    KT, what’s the work permit situation with Campbell.
    With a name like that, he must have Scottish ancestry somewhere. 🙂

  215. rico says:

    Bloody heck, Wikki had that earlier and i didn’t believe them….

    Kev, he’s playing for his country, he should get the permit no probs, if Ryo can, he should….

  216. allezkev says:

    Hope so Rico, we do need some back-up for RVP and Chamakh.
    I like Afobe a lot, but he’s not ready yet…

  217. K-TR7 says:

    AK Gunnerblog are saying he’ll have to apply for a work permit.the rumours that he has Irish roots are apparently false.however him being a regular in all levels of football for his country will hold him in good stead to get one similar to how denilson got one.

  222. K-TR7 says:

    Vela is too weak to play CF and isn’t comfortable out wide.rumours of him going to spain must be true.

  223. allezkev says:

    I’ll tell ya what, i just love Frimpong with his Mohawk haircut.
    A real hard-bastard look that says ;
    ‘Come and get it if you think your hard enough’.
    Just what we need at Stoke

  225. rico says:

    Guys, i am off for the day, early to bed for me as wacked….

    catch you all tomorrow on footie day 🙂

    Sleep well all,

    Nighty night….

  226. allezkev says:

    Rico, re: Campbell.
    I don’t know, hopefully he’s gonna be like ManUre’s Henandez.

    KT, yeah, Chamakh needs a rocket up his jacksie.
    I read it was between Real Zaragoza and Real Sociedad.

  231. Will says:

    Have to disagree re: Vela KT. Is Little Pea to weak at Man Utd? No. Because they play to his strengths. Put the ball around the penalty spot and in and go to work son and that is what we need to do with Vela.

    Get the ball in and around the spot and watch Vela do what he does best out of all our strikers, hit the net.

  233. K-TR7 says:

    Will the mancs play 2 up front-we don’t.in a lone striker role he can’t lead the line.maybe in a 4-4-2 but not in a 4-3-3 variant formation that we use.

  234. Will says:

    Yes but a 442 with RvP and vela playing off him would produce mondo goals. Theo and Gerv on the wings and wooohaaaa

  235. K-TR7 says:

    Theo and gerv aren’t typical 4-4-2 wingers.they are both forwards.we also don’t have CMs suited to a 2 man midfield.none of them can balance attack and defence in a 2 man midfield at the moment.

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