Tongue in cheek of course, for those of you old enough, you remember this guy?
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…..
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?
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….
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.
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.
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.
Back in 20 mins….
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!!!
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.
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.
Morning HH’ers…more doom and gloom from the oxygen thieving media I see…ho hum!
“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
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.
We need Dein back at Arsenal. Lets get a petition going?????????
Anyone????
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.
Away with the fairies springs to mind KT…..
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.
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?
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…
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.”
I really think we are going to see return to the swift, dynamic counter attacking football and I for one am excited.
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.
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.
Count me in Aidan!!
Things happened at Arsenal when Dein was there!
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….
Morning Rico. Nice to see that everything is going to plan again.
It is about the players who walk on the pitch on Saturday, no one else.
A Cultured Left Foot.
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!!! 😉
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?
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.
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.
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…
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.
Are there any new developments that have made arsene say that no one will leave this summer that we don’t know of?
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 🙂
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.
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.
I am 100% behind my dream team team.
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!!
Morning Lee and Kt…
have i missed anyone 😉
Cant wait for the badge kiss…
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”….
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.
sorry…
Can you imagine the Man City dressing room?
All those massive ego’s.
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.
Lee.. 😆
*we’ll not play tiki taka at the edge of the opposition penalty area*
😛 Lee
Nasri won’t even start for Citeh, unhappy camp before christmas and the italian sacked 😛
AK they’ll have to widen the dressing room door….
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?
Lee.. 😀
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.
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.
KT, what do you know of Marvin Martin?
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.
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.
I think you are right KT now, if we have a proper DM, we are sorted.
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….
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”.
Will, who would you want as this DM?
Who is he Lee?
Rico. Amen to that. It’s just all dragged on too long really. As ever the results will decide his future.
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.
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 😉
probably…
I’ll drink to that 😉
How much would Gotze cost?
Plays for Sochaux, my mate was waffling to me about him last night….
I still kinda like that kid at West Ham, Jack Collison.
One to keep an eye on as he recovers from a bad injury…
Lee i don’t think Dortmund would consider an offer below £40mil.that kid is dynamite i tell you.
Thanks Lee, never heard of him 😉
Got to pop off again, back after lunch….
Mind you, Mesut Ozil went to Madrid relatively cheap – I seem to remember it was something like 16m.
There is a German guy lee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_Khedira
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.
Savage özil was sold that cheap because he only had 1 year left in his contract.
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.
I must say, the atmosphere at that game was truly, truly awesome. Emirates the Library.
Looks like the Sneijder is off – I’m genuinely concerned about that signing.
Savage they don’t have stars that are well known outside Germany but they have an excellent TEAM.
Perhaps. I’m surprised though if you reckon they’re better than United.
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.
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.
Valdez has said the cesc deal will be announced in a matter of hours. deal will be announced in a matter of hours.
Do we believe him?
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?
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 🙁
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.
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.”
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.
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.
We don’t score enough Savage or defend properly from the front.
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.
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.
good post…
im expecting the news to break anytime soon…..
Bye bye cesc.great player almost a legend.good luck to you sir.
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.
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.
guys when will be the next aw press conference…..
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…
England 563 for 3
Cook on 233
Morgan 89
I know that Oliver was desperate to know the cricket score… 😉
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.
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….
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…
we’ll see how this goes…i don’t think too many of doubt cesc is really gone this time…not anymore….
and we are linked with jadson is he any good….but just havent heard about him….
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.
we saw jadson in the two games against shakhtar. willan and douglas costa were the players that caught my eye.
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.
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…
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
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.
Eoin Morgan has just got his 100
England 592 for 3.
the horrifying thing is Wenger I suspect will be invited onto the board
592 for 3. Christ they are really giving them curry… as it were
Afternoon guys,
5 down in the cricket, has he gone yet 😉
hi guys…have we signed any one yet…
Alister Cook 250…..
What a top class ‘knock’
610 for 5
SS’s say Pep doesn’t want Cesc….
Until Sunday, his move is disrupting the Barca players 🙂
Afternoon Rico.
I’m only doing the scores for Oliver, because i know he’s a keen cricket fan.. 😀
Haven’t seen much today kev 🙁
Barcelona are full of shit, shit and more shit….
I hate that club….
our team
scezeny
sagna verm kos gibbs
miyachi/gerv wilshere song alex/gerv
walcott
rvp
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.
Rico, i’m only following the scores on the ECB website.
They show brief highlights..very brief..
613 for 6… Prior out
subs…
fabianski
chamakh
jd
jenkinson
arshavin
frimpong
rosicky
I got it on now Kev, i think they will declare if and when Cook gets 300 🙂
af, i reckon AA will start tomorrow…
Merlin,
i also thinks that both of the immenent sales are against Wenger’s wishes….
Quick dog walk then back…..
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?
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…!
Oh no! Et tu Eboue?
England 644 for 6
Adam.. 😆
Kev. If I didn’t laugh I’d cry mate.
I know, but i won’t tell ya how many games Denilson played or we’d both ‘break down’….
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..”
AF, can’t really disagree with what he said.
Finishing 5th or lower would be disastorous.
Wenger has to see what we need.
Hey Will, i’ve been having the odd peek at ACLF, just to see how they’ve been getting on with ‘The Extremist’….. 😀
Cook has moved onto 270, he must be knackered…
And how are they going Kev?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/12/the-fiver-start-football?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29
All the sixes Will…
666 for 6…… 🙂
I meant, how are the people on ACLF going with our friend.
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…
Whats happening then…..??
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…
ACLF, have i logged onto the wrong blog? 😉
England 679 for 6 Rico…
Oh Will, he’s an Aussie…..
Maybe it’s some kind of revenge for the Ashes… 😀
Rico, don’t ya just love Cookie, 282.
Go on my son, go for the big one…
He’s bloody fab Kev, get 300 Kev and declare 😉
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… 🙄
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.
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…
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 😉
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.
Bad Light Stopped Play Rico.
Cookie can come out tomorrow and go for his 300
Hey Oliver, your welcome buddy. 😉
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 🙁
Back on Kev, Cook 288….
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…
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.
Great news Rico.
Go Cookie…
Oliver is rooting for ya…. ;D
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???
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.
from across the pond…
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…
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…
Anyone get the feeling that we are all waiting for the expected and will be glad when its over??
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?
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…
294, and caught out, poor old Cookie 🙁 🙁
Bollox…… What a bloody shame.
See ya later Oliver. Have fun buddy…
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 😉
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…
ricco I mean the cesc sale, but certainly the riots cannot be ignored.
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…
they are crashing we to the door..later…
Cheers Oliver.. 😉
Seeeeeeeewag out for a quack quack 😛
Me too, bit of lose one from Cook, probably ker-putt…. Kev
I was jesting a tad oliver, i knew what you meant 😉 Enjoy the time with your family, laters….
Great news Rico, cheers, i’m in the galley now…
A stir-fry coming up….
😆 Kev, I think so, a couple more wickets tonight and have them all out by tea tomorrow…. 😉
Kev, re: 5.11pm. You mean Google?
Will 😆
Rico 😆 😆
Does anyone know the squad that has travelled to Newcastle please???
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 😉
The injury colomn has been removed off of afc.com….. interesting….
Tim Cahill….. 😆
I know Kev, makes me larff 🙂
Kev, do you know who has travelled to Newcastle??? And i don’t mean family and friends 😉
No Rico.
But i have got relatives up there… 🙂
You bad man 😉
And there’s me trying to do a post 😉
I would like Tim Cahill in our midfield.
Dinner calls, back in 20 mins…
Evening all.
Evening gooners!!!
Evening Kt and Lee, what’s occurring 😉
Evening.
Good Wenger interview on BBC.
The Press Pack [of Wolves] were in typical form.
Nada, in rainy Colchester….my sons and I looking forward to us dispensing with the Geordies!! Rapier like swift counter-attacking football…..COYG!!!!
Hi Will…
Has the squad been announced Kev 😉
He should be like fergie and tip the media bollox!
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.??? 😉
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 😉
We have signed joel campbell.its on Arse.com
Just beat me to it KT… 😀
Reckon that’s Carlos Vela out the door on loan.
KT, what’s the work permit situation with Campbell.
With a name like that, he must have Scottish ancestry somewhere. 🙂
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….
Hope so Rico, we do need some back-up for RVP and Chamakh.
I like Afobe a lot, but he’s not ready yet…
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.
I hate that vela is not being given a fair shake of the stick.
Is Campbell ready though Kev, what now for Vela?
Campbell will have no problem dislodging chamakh who is useless at the moment.
At this rate our first team will have an average age of 19 🙂
Vela is too weak to play CF and isn’t comfortable out wide.rumours of him going to spain must be true.
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
Oh well, time will tell all…..
Kev, Frimpong will be better than Essien, in time 🙂
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….
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.
Well, if Song keeps thinking he’s Messi, Frimpong should get a crack, no?
Goodnight Rico, pleasant dreams, 3 points for the Gunners.
That’s for Vela, Zaragoza & Sociedad
I’m offski Gooners.
COYG
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.
Sweet dreams gang and here’s to 3 points!!!
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.
Yes but a 442 with RvP and vela playing off him would produce mondo goals. Theo and Gerv on the wings and wooohaaaa
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.
So basically we are stuck with the Cesc driven 4-3-3.
Yup.
Morning ….
New Post up…..