The Daily Voice

Sagna confirms where his future lies & sickness hits the squad…

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Bacary Sagna see’s his future in the middle of defence:

Even at 30 I still have time to learn another position and I’m looking forward to it.

Why not [play there in future]? I’m getting old and at right back you need to put in a lot more effort. I don’t know how long I can do that to my maximum so maybe one day I will be able to play centre back.

Poor old chap, his legs are clearly getting a bit tired and it sounds like he’s getting ready to hand the right back baton over to Carl Jenkinson.

That looks likely to happen today too as Per Mertesacker has been ruled unfit to travel to Sunderland due to a sickness. His fellow German and new signing Mesut Ozil seems to have the same bug. He missed training yesterday and faces a late fitness test but he will travel with the squad.

Other squad news: Tomas Rosicky and Yaya Sanogo are ruled out through injury but Thomas Vermaelen is back fit and ready to play.

Here’s a few facts about us and Sunderland courtesy of the BBC:

Head-to-head

  • Sunderland’s only win in their last 19 league meetings with Arsenal came at the Stadium of Light in November 2009, when Darren Bent scored the decisive goal.
  • The Black Cats have only scored two first-half goals in the 24 Premier League meetings between the clubs and have never been ahead at the interval.
  • However, they did beat Arsenal 2-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup in February 2012.

Sunderland

  • Sunderland’s two Premier League goals this term have both been headers, meaning they have already matched their tally of headed goals in the 2012-13 season.
  • The Black Cats won two of their first three games under Paolo Di Canio, but since then have claimed three points from seven league matches (D3, L4).
  • They have won only two Premier League games at the Stadium of Light in 2013 (against West Ham in January and Everton in April).
  • After taking on Arsenal, Sunderland have home games against Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Last season the Black Cats collected five points from those corresponding seven fixtures.

Arsenal

  • The Gunners have won six successive Premier League away games for only the second time. It is their best form since winning their final eight away matches in the 2001-02 season.
  • Olivier Giroud has yet score a Premier League goal outside of London, with 12 of his 14 strikes netted at the Emirates Stadium.
  • Only Fulham (21) have allowed their opponents more shots on target in the Premier League this season than Arsenal (17).
  • The Gunners have conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes of Premier League games this season – as many as they let in during the entire 2012-13 season.

Of course all that means little, today is about Sunderland and their million new signings and how they will gel together and for us, apart from the two absentee’s it’s about carrying on where we left off in the NLD.

Oh, and hopefully of course we’ll all get to see the new boy get a few minutes at least…

Maybe, just maybe we’ll finally get to see Olivier Giroud score outside of London…

Did you know that Arsenal FC have banned the players from swapping shirts at the end of a match in order to save money? Shame Santos wasn’t told…

That’s it for another day, match day..

COYR’s……

rico

0 thoughts on “Sagna confirms where his future lies & sickness hits the squad…”

  1. BrainwashedKev says:

    Convivial conversation…
    Terrifically hot tea…
    Fantastic haddock…
    Robin Trower chords.
    Jimi Hendrix, The Eagles, The Beach Boys, A sharp thru to G sharp.
    Bending the notes.
    More tea..,
    Plenty of laughs.
    What more do ya needs…
    Thanks mate…

  5. tsgh says:

    Beaking: Ronaldo signs new contract with Real Madrid to make him world’s highest paid player. Signing of deal live on RMTV from 1.45.

  6. tsgh says:

    Hiya buddy… the boy has come on leaps and bounds.

    As we were discussing after the 2nd leg of the BM game. Ramsey bossed Schweinsteiger and Martinez almost single handedly.

    And we both predicted the big boys will be after him next summer…

    Hopeful he will get a good rest as he won’t be in Brazil and continue on from there.

  8. Scott from Ozil says:

    There is life…..hiya Ginge.
    I will get it out of the way now.
    How bloody good was Aaron, and that first goal was as good a strike as you will ever see.
    Unbelievable finish.
    I can barely speak today from screaming and singing last night.

  9. Scott from Ozil says:

    Gee you guys must have all celebrated hard last night……wakey wakey 🙂
    I am still nursing the hangover of all hangovers.

  10. tsgh says:

    😀 A total waste of License Fee money…

    On our performance in the second half, that is where I think we miss a fit and in-form Arteta the most. As good as Flamini is I honestly do not see any difference between him and Frimpong in terms of where he gives away free-kicks in dangerous areas. He does not help with our ball possession percentage especially when the team is tired and requires to retain the ball…

    Morning btw…

  11. Scott from Ozil says:

    Hi guys, yesterdays topic and comments make a for a great read.
    We had a few hundred Gooners at the Armoury (our pub) last night, and it was a fantastic time.
    A great result against a side we have struggled to get points from of late.
    The performance was nowhere near perfect, but we did create enough chances to have the game killed off by half time.
    I think criticism of Theo is a little harsh….the keeper did pull of a some fantastic saves.
    Kozzer…..absolutely clean tackle, all ball!
    I do not care that he goes to ground……..it is the officials job to get ot right and stop bloody assuming it is a foul.
    He was nowhere near the player, he did his job yet was penalised.
    They need to sort it out…..FIFA, the FA…the whole lot of them.
    3 points and we sit on top of the table.
    Go Swansea 🙂

  12. BrainwashedKev says:

    Theo’s finishing was amaturish, all three efforts directed straight at the goalkeeper, he really is such an irritating player, but at least he’s in the right place to miss them…

    We can only hope that he regains his sharpness, quickly, and start putting those chances away…

  13. BrainwashedKev says:

    Saw MotD, listened to the usual tired old boring shit from Hansen and Lineker, whilst Shearer is truely the worst pundit on TV.

    A total waste of License Fee money…

    As for the game, Sunderland created a lot of chances from high-balls into our box.

    An old problem and a problem still worryingly apparent when BFG isn’t playing…

    It needs to be sorted as better Coaches than DiCanio will surely see the weakness and better players than Sunderland’s can surely punish us….

  14. BrainwashedKev says:

    Cazorla out until mid-October (probably longer) is a blow.

    Fortunately Arteta should be back soon to compensate.

    Frimpong, Gnabry and Miyaichi could all feature over the next week+….?

  16. cork gunner says:

    Tsgh. I think ozil has Playmaker nailed down and with Ramsey and jack blossoming and potentially becoming worldclass players I dont know whose place arteta would take.aaron is after giving wenger a beautiful headache and with ox, poldi and ros also fighting for places our midfield is stacked

  18. tsgh says:

    Sam Wallace ‏@SamWallaceIndy 15m
    As Real Madrid field world’s 2 most expensive players, Villarreal appealing tonight to fans to make donations to region’s charity food banks.

    ….And Spain is not a 3rd world country.

  24. tsgh says:

    Bale starts…

    sportingintelligence ‏@sportingintel 3m
    Real Madrid’s starting XI v Villarreal tonight cost €387m (£324m), making it the most expensive starting XI in history for a club or country

  37. George says:

    well, its not looking for the usuals Ginge …im off to a karaoke for singles POF in my Arsenal shirt and I have been singing we’re top of the table after a bottle of champers already lol…

    That volley from Rambo …luv it…dancing to incredible General Levy in my sitting room waiting for the cab

  39. agirlagunner says:

    Well, I have no new job yet, George. 😕 Still not looking for one, tbh. 😀

    Good luck with the ladies!! If nothing works out, at least you had some bubbly. 😉

  42. George says:

    Hi agag….both jobs still crap , selling my beloved porsche and no bird and nothing lookin up…so i thought f it …we’re top of the table a nice lad like me may get a result 😉

  45. rico says:

    7.42 – Ts, I think that is over the top and I think others in the Arsenal team who dug in deep during that good run would have something to say…

  47. tsgh says:

    on what Ramsey’s performances are down to…
    His intelligence, his desire to improve and [his] listening. He has a very learning attitude and he has a fantastic engine as well.

    on if Giroud is injured…
    That’s my worry today after the game. We are very thin at the moment. [It is] a knee problem. He is the player at the moment that would be very difficult for us [to replace].

  57. agirlagunner says:

    We’ll find out when the Madrid/Barcelona/PSG/Monaco come a-calling. 😀 I hope he maintains his great form. 🙂

  65. cork gunner says:

    Everton still leading chelsea 1-0 10 mins left.hi agag.ozil in the hole, santi left ,walcott right ,giroud cf.jack and aaron cm ooowww!!!

  66. tsgh says:

    😀
    George Caulkin ‏@CaulkinTheTimes 1h
    Di Canio: “my only mistake was telling the ref that if he wanted to do the perfect job he only had to send me off. He sent me off.

  69. agirlagunner says:

    Got my eye on the Chav match; so many attacking players for Mourinho’s team now. I’m hoping Everton players hold their nerves.

  71. tsgh says:

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He is a quality player. Lew just made it 4-2

    I was told by someone AW nearly went for him but he was concerned he would be playing in the WC qualifier for Gabon so he pulled out.

    He is basically Gerv with cast iron nerves in front of goal…

  74. tsgh says:

    Agag- I am still waiting for your tractor drive-by.lol

    Dna, Mat awon’t come to us so I do not really care any more about his well fare…

  77. tsgh says:

    If we have to spend £30M on another player in January it has to be Reus… he’s the missing piece in our front 3.

  82. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Hello there!
    Probably the ref whistle before the ball came in. If he did it, the game much stopped.
    So, the injuries come again.

  85. agirlagunner says:

    🙁 As we have all observed, this squad is paper thin, Ginge. I wish they would just not play him altogether.

    Hope Giroud is okay. I shudder to think of TGSTEL pulling on our kit again.

    Hiya, Potter. 🙂 Some bizarre refereeing decisions. Glad Ramsey scored two;; with Walnut wanting so much to be flop of the match.
    Sorry, rico. 😉

  86. tsgh says:

    Agag- yes he came back with a knock. Typical.

    Chile were very physical…

    Spain use him for the useless games in Sth America and drop him for more important games.

  87. potter says:

    I would think the whistle went as Sagna and Altidore seperated. Had the ref waited until they got into the box it might have been red.Like everyone else I didn’t hear the whistle on my Canal plus stream.

  94. BrainwashedKev says:

    So far, so good…

    Bendtner leading the attack in the Velodrome this week then… 😐

    That is, unless, Arsene has a freebie signing lined up?

  95. tsgh says:

    Dear oh Dear

    Wenger says Cazorla out until mid-October. Damn.

    Rico for your post tomorrow: It’s now 7 successive away league wins for Arsenal. Best run since 2002. In that year we went 8 games unbeaten…

  96. GunnerDNA says:

    Ts, i disagree, the ref blew his whistle long before he got in the box, its was a similar situation when we play villa, when the ref play the advantage and when they miss he gave a penalty. imo

  97. tsgh says:

    Same here Rico; Home games are more important in CL games anyway. Akpom could do a decent job for us against Marseille… he is ready imho…

    We have Stoke next I believe I would rather play OG12 against Hughes and his thugs; Ozil has to be protected too…

    WBA after Stoke too; we need to keep this run going before the next international break in October.

    Arteta is back in 2 weeks too. Flamini is a liability with his 2 footed tackles. Frimpong looks more sane I must say…

  101. rico says:

    I’m not fussed about the CL game, if any players in doubt, let them stay in London…

    Domestic cups and PL for me every day of the week…

  103. tsgh says:

    Its game of the day on Sky at 8… Nice.

    I am concerned about OG12’s leg.

    Marseille and Ayew are in form. Thauvin will cause us problems on the rhs too…

  106. tsgh says:

    Dna, I like Altidore. His goal was should have stood imo…

    We missed chances that we shouldn’t be missing against top sides.

    If this game was played at home we would have lost….

    🙂 Rico,are you the playmaker of your 2 man side?

  107. gonerjoe says:

    I ‘ve just watched the match. Had a few scopes drunk but we are top of the league we are top of the league and just keep on chanting it it feels good

  109. rico says:

    Fido’s control of her ball is fantastic Ts, and she brings her football back to me 🙂

    One day I will video her and post it….

    Seriously, I really please for Ramsey, he’s finally over his injury and he’s in red hot form, but I wouldn’t say he’s a DM…

  113. tsgh says:

    Useroz, I must say I disagree with your views on Sagna… 5th of 6th choice CB? How many CBs are better than him.

    As a BVB supporter I will even say Sagna is better than Hummels atm…

    Abidal went from FB to CB and I would say Sagna is better…

  116. agirlagunner says:

    I only hope Giroud’s injury isn’t all that serious. 🙁 🙁

    Well-done, Rambo! Great debut for Ozil, it would have been spectacular if Walcott had converted. Koz should calm down, his gaffe nearly cost us. I hate to say it, but not a bad game for Flamini, either. 😉

  117. tsgh says:

    Aaron Ramsey has been fantastic all day. 92% pass accuracy, 100% tackle success (7/7). 2 goals from sqwaka

    There is no better DM in Europe than him…. at least according to stats.

    There I say PV04 won less tackles than Ramsey?

  118. rico says:

    Just seen he limped off at the end… 🙁

    AW might have to apply to sign an emergency striker.. Then again, we have the Dane and Park so I guess not.

  121. devilgunner says:

    phew. That had me on edge.

    watched the game in fits and starts. the stream was giving me nightmares. and rages.

    off for a walk now.

  123. rico says:

    Really good result today, on a day with a few injuries and the first match after the international break…

    Chuffed to bits for the team…

  127. tsgh says:

    I am his biggest fan but his substitution beggars belief sometimes…

    Akpom and Gnabry should be playing 7 minutes in a game like this…

  128. devilgunner says:

    Emmmm. Can anyone here kindly remember when was the last time we were sitting on top of the table on Saturday evening???

  130. tsgh says:

    Dev, the old lady can’t afford Ramsey… and Ramsey has lost his Franco-African passport so he does not support Juve. lol

  131. rico says:

    Not sure anyone of late has knocked Ramsey. Elsewhere maybe but that’s kind of irrelevant..

    Dev, I have the bbc on and saw we have gone top, I suggest the FA stop the season right now 😉

  132. agirlagunner says:

    Ginge, many were cheering on Ramsey here. I got into an argument with ESP before over him. Haha. And I’m not one to lose my temper in this blog.

  135. useroz says:

    We got lucky…great but sagna must not be our backup CB …5th or 6th fine but not this way

    Cant we afford proper backups??

  136. devilgunner says:

    just in case no one has noticed……..at the moment we are top on goal difference.

    Still above the spuddies who are second.

    Dippers fall down to 3rd.

  138. devilgunner says:

    Aaron takes it into his own hands now.

    By this time next year expect Barca, Real, Juve, etc etc etc to come calling.

  143. arsenal11730 says:

    We are fortunate as it was advantage and goal. Need to score another, not to make this victory controversial

  154. arsenal11730 says:

    LK did not need to make that challenge as Johnson was going wide and Gibbs was covering. TW10 owes us this victory or his place might be at risk.

  156. devilgunner says:

    That was never a penalty. Even the commentator said so. But Kozzer should never commit himself in a sliding tackle even if he does not touch the player. The moment he slid in the player took a tumble.

    But where the hell was the ref assistant??? he should have seen the dive.

  166. arsenal11730 says:

    Fair point Ric because TW could be the biggest beneficiary of MO11.
    OG12 finishing has vastly improved, fully deserves his place.
    What the heck TW, free header. We should be 3 or 4 nil up TW on a hatrick. JW10 is playing well with MO11 now the main man, expecting him to be more consistent..

  167. devilgunner says:

    If Ozil had someone like Inzaghi today the latter would have come out of the first half with at least 5 goals.

    He presents opportunities on a plate.

  169. emma says:

    Theo should have had a quadtrick. Ozil, JW and Ramsey zipping the ball all over the pitch and sunderland are confused. This is the best I have seen JW10 play for a long time. Flamini is our new Bulldog/terrier. Should have ran away with the game

  170. agirlagunner says:

    He has missed what? 4 now? 🙁

    From foxsports:

    It’s half time here at the Stadium of Light. Mobido Diakite commits a cardinal sin by asking for Mesut Ozil’s shirt with the game only half complete; he can expect a rocket from his manager for that one.

    Haha

  172. rico says:

    Such a shame agag, one or two of those chances if taken would have done him the world of good. He’s on a really poor run for not scoring. He’ll sort though hopefully…

  173. devilgunner says:

    Unlucky Theo.

    his goals will come.

    he is always in the right place.

    just one tweak and a ball goes in.

    and the floodgates will open for him.

  179. rico says:

    Same here agag, bloomin adverts all over the screen. I have given up.. I blame Dutch for not appearing today, his links always work 😉

  180. arsenal11730 says:

    Good afternoon lads and lassies.
    I agree TW needs to get his scoring boots on – He should of scored a brace already. Gibbs has had a super start to the season

  181. agirlagunner says:

    Hiya, rico!! 🙂 Hello, all.

    The stream from Ginge is weird. A certain Caroline keeps calling. Haha. rico, your link’s advert won’t close. 🙁

    Apparently, at least according to the commentators, Ozil is having an exquisite game so far. 😉

  190. devilgunner says:

    a well taken goal and assist. We need more today. a one goal margin will not suffice although a win is a win is a win.

  198. tsgh says:

    Bayern still 0-0.

    You have a point Dev. Just that someone has to take responsibility when we do not have the ball to help Gibbs out on the LHS.

  201. devilgunner says:

    Afternoon all.

    feel refreshed after a short nap.

    Ginge……..Theo, Ozil and Wilshere will all interchange and play on the left, right and centre. It does not matter where they will start. They are intelligent enough.

    The most important thing is that Flamini and Aaron keep their discipline and start the attacks themselves.

  211. tsgh says:

    Arsenal team to play Sunderland: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud

    substitutes: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Frimpong, Ryo, Gnabry, Akpom

    Very strong imho… no excuses

  215. BrainwashedKev says:

    I am not watching the game btw…

    But I really have no need to do so…

    Even a blind man could see how bent the EPL referee’s have become under the ‘dead-hand’ of the appalling Mike Riley…

  216. BrainwashedKev says:

    I wonder if Moyes is beginning to realise, appreciate and enjoy the advantages he’s going to have as manager of the EPL’s pet club?!!!

    He must be anticipating a whole season, unlike any he had at Goodison Park, and relishing the thought of 10 months of favourable refereeing decisions…

  229. cork gunner says:

    Hope so tsgh.think he had a pretty good first season but most of his missed chances last season came in games we didnt go on to win and became more memorable

  230. tsgh says:

    Wooney’s head band is a looker. 😉

    David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 9m
    Ozil starts for Arsenal at Sunderland, Wilshere starts, Cazorla not involved, Vermaelen on bench, Sagna CB & captain

    Yessssssssss

  231. tsgh says:

    Cork, its a new look OG12.lol

    Dev, I think the bake beans might be the cause. lol

    Seriously though, Flamini, Frimps, Viviano and the rest of the guys who stayed behind did not catch anything. The ones who went away are the ones ‘down’. Very interesting that…

  232. cork gunner says:

    cazorla injured and ozil prob start on the bench, thats a little deflating, should still have enough quality to win game. Didn’t realise Girouds record wos so poor away from home.lets hope he carries his early good form into today’s game

  233. devilgunner says:

    The biggest issue for DiCanio is his club’s collective injuries. With Brown, Cattermole and O’Shea all out of action, the spine of his team is disjointed. If Sunderland are to come away from the game with anything, it’ll be the central midfield where they’re most successful.

    So things are getting even it seems.

    Good.

    At least we are not the only ones.

  234. devilgunner says:

    So many down with illness???

    Has there been a chemical attack in the dressing room??

    Or did one of the players eat a good sized amount of baked beans and the players are reaping the results of what they inhaled?? 😆

  238. lari03 says:

    One really begins to wonder with Eto’s statement what the buzz is about. Would he have made a difference at Arsenal? the period he mentioned is approximately the same as when Ibrahimovic refused to join the Arsenal.

    In my opinion it does show that Wenger has the eye for top talents and whatever happened was down to the fact that other people were involved and you really cannot control how they act or think.

    I guessed earlier in the year that Wenger would attend to the midfield and not the strike force and he has done just that. Soon Wengerball will return with Ozil and Ramsey being the star attractions at the center of the pitch.

    This is our year, like it or not, We do have consistency now and depth where our game plan matters the most: in the middle of the park so I am confident.

    The premier league trophy beckons Arsenal……. well, that is after a win at Sunderland.

  239. tsgh says:

    We have lost a few players against Sunderland in the past… Diaby vs Dan Smith comes to mind…

    Di Canio is under pressure to win with his 15 or so signings; I would rather we play without the JW, SC19 and Ozil’s of this world as they are half fit anyway.

    It will be disastrous imho if we start with any of those players who have flu or bug and they come off 25 to 30 minutes into the first half. That will put the team under pressure and limit opportunities to make tactical substitutions later on.

  242. cork gunner says:

    Morning fellow gunners.Really excited about todays game,, would be very disappointed with a draw after all the positivety since we signed the best no 10 in the world . hope both cazorla and ozil are fit and rip the Sunderland defence apart.we need to make a statement, this sleeping giant is back fuckers.

  245. Gtid says:

    I have a you tube video of serge on my phone. He likes to run at players and I think he’s better at it that the Ox.
    I see him starting ahead of Theo if theo doesnt up his game… I thinl Theo has 4 assists already this season, he’s pretty good at it.

  246. tsgh says:

    Dev, at the moment I will play Akpom ahead of Ryo; Ryo needs games and as he is young enough to play at u-21 level, I will play him there to boast his confidence. On Thursday he was not even attempting to take people on… confidence is very low me think…

  248. Gtid says:

    Geoff Arsenal @GeoffArsenal
    Santi’s ankle injury is not serious. Should be ok in a few days..
    Hope he’s available for the UCL match on wednesday

  249. tsgh says:

    Gtid- Serge was immense last Thursday.

    His link up play was very good. I also watched highlights of his performance for DFB u-19 on Tuesday. He set up one and scored one himself from 25 yards. His goal for the u-21 a few days ago was from 25 yards too…

    At u-21 and u-19 level he plays his own game which is similar to Gotze or Ox but at senior level he is playing it safe which shows his intelligence imo….

  252. BrainwashedKev says:

    Morning All

    In an era of player greed and self obsession, I think that Sagna has bucked the trend.

    He could have followed the well worn path of Cesc, RVP, Clichy, Adebayor, Nasri, Ashley Cole, Hleb and Flamini etc…

    But he stayed and gave Arsenal the best years of his career…

    I’ve never heard Bacary or his Agent stirring the shit in the Press…

    Of course he is concerned for his future as his contract runs down…

    In his position we would alm feel the same…

    To me Bacary Sagna is an exemplary professional, who I think deserves a sensible pay-road and a 3 year deal…

    As Coach will testify, Sagna has played centre-back and left-back already, at his previous club Auxerre. I also recall that he turned out in midfield, Coach will know…
    So I have no reservations in Sagna carving out a new career at C/H…
    Hopefully at Arsenal….

    So endeth the lesson…. 😀

  254. tsgh says:

    Biological cannister left in the changing room Rico… blame Micko and TGSTEL for that…

    On a serious note, I find it strange that the youth team members are not coming down with such ailment.

  257. devilgunner says:

    Gosh. I forgot Flamini.

    So we go like this maybe……..

    Chesney,
    Jenks,Kos, Sagna,Monreal.
    Flamini, Aaron.
    Theo, Wilshere, Gibbs
    Giroud.

    I like the look of that team. Good enough to beat Sundies handsomely.

    Subs should see…….Flappy/Viviano, TommyV, Frimpong, Miyachi, Gnabry, Cazorla, Ozil.

    Ozil might come on with 20 minutes left. Maybe Cazorla as well.

  259. emma says:

    so the lineup might look like this if Cazorla is out

    Giroud
    Gibbs Wilshere Walcott
    Flamini Ramsey
    Monreal Kos Sagna Jenks
    Szcz

    Though wilshere should have being rested he looked physically drained in Ukraine. Injury/illness is not letting off in our squad *sadly*

  261. tsgh says:

    Someone has to get ‘the suits’ by the river in SW London involved…

    Was this bout of illness a farewell shot from B-52/23 when he thought he was gone from Arsenal?

    Is it not strange the boy-wonder is in Denmark and all our players are falling like flies near a squirt of insecticide spray. lol

  262. tsgh says:

    I hope Serge travelled too…

    AW could have to end up using Emma’s line-up from yersterday with Gibbs or Monreal playing no.11, as TV is available to cover CB or LB or DM if needed.

  264. tsgh says:

    Dev, Kagawa is also ‘sick’ if it helps.lol

    Or is it a matter of Moyes putting him on the naughty step for opening his mouth on international duties? lol

    Hiya Micko, I thought you were 23 y.o?

  267. Gtid says:

    Morning all.
    Why always us? Injuries, illness wtf.

    Geoff Arsenal @GeoffArsenal 52s
    Santi & Per out. Ozil is ok at the moment

    i hope Per is ok as Rico said

  268. devilgunner says:

    Are they all sick???

    With what are we going to play then???

    AT the back its ok……

    Chezzer
    Jenks, Kos,Sagna,Gibbs

    Aaron seems ok but JW is not 100% I heard.

    AM…..Theo seems ok. Ozil ??? Cazorla???

    Giroud seems ok.

    Maybe Miyachi will make a start.

    Expect Frimpong to have a game then. He will DENCH someone for sure.

  272. tsgh says:

    😀 Is it not ironic that Jose wanted his 13 y.o son to join Arsenal but ended up at Fulham as an apprentice.

    The man does not even trust himself to develop his son…lol

  273. tsgh says:

    Hi Joy, AVB moaning about our net spend of £31M is fascinating to say the least.

    I like AVB but I feel like he is under immense pressure to finish above poor old Arsenal… the 1-0 defeat 2 weeks ago did not help him at all.

  274. tsgh says:

    BBC are reporting SC19 is not fit either and JW is not 100% yet. Fitness test for Ozil this morning.

    Excellent point Dev at 10:56. Bac at CB is far better than most CBs available who may want to be 3rd or 4th choice imho…

  276. rico says:

    Jeff – totally agree re Ozil, many of us have always said that it may just take one big name through the door to encourage others follow.. and Ozil is that man imho..

    I wasn’t too happy when we signed Flamini, but I was very wrong, it took only 50 mins against the Totts to make me eat my words..

    If Ozil is the start of much better quality of players joining, then we are finally on our way..

    Until then, I am right behind who we have because since the clear out, not one player left is a player I didn’t want to stay…

    Of course like others here, I wanted a top striker, CB and a beast of a midfielder to be signed too but we didn’t. Jan/Summer will hopefully see that happen.

  277. devilgunner says:

    Good Morning Lady, Sir, Gentlemen and Ladies.

    Good post Rico. Refreshing to read unbiased views.

    Useroz, turning Sagna into a CB does not imply that the club is going backwards. Why not buy a ready made CB?? For the simple reason that football does not work like football manager or soccer manager. Sagna knows the club, knows the way the team play and already knows the players so he will not need to settle in.

    Sagna used to play CB also before but now he can be like Maldini when the latter moved from LB to CB and elongated his career. And bdw, when Sagna played CB I felt he was more effective than when he played RB. Imo he is better than TommyV in a partnership with Per.

    And remember that he can also play LB if needed.

    So Sagna as a defender who can play along the whole of the backline is a must.

  278. rico says:

    Some really good news, Merts has travelled and is in the squad for today according to the official site..

    Well, he’s not on the list of those injured…

  279. Joywedsjeff says:

    Morning all, Useroz… Who is alex fynn? And why should we listen to him? The same bloke who made a name for himself by slating Arsene for selling world class van pursey and retaining diaby but conveniently forgot that judas had a seven year Diaby spell. If he had sold him during that period pursey would have been a nobody today. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don’t. Arsene just can’t win no matter what he does. How many players have we wanted but went to other clubs only to flop? How many have we wanted but went to other clubs and did well? Make your own guess. Arsene makes some bad decisions player wise but gets a lot right imho. Ozil’s signing may not be only what we need but it will do for us what Chelsea defeating Arsenal to get to the Semi’s of the UCL did for them??? They were unable to buy a spoon before then despite the millions at their disposall…It will make people stand up and take notice and make it easier to attract world class players. The fact that after spending over 100 millon AVB is still moaning about Ozil tells you are that you need to know.

  282. rico says:

    useroz, the only reason I say that about a draw is because of what has happened to us in the past. But as I said, we really should be beating Sunderland and I fully expect us to.

    Not sure I agree re Diaby, how can AW be expected to sell a player who has a history of injuries as he has, and who was injured all through the summer transfer window?

    I’d be livid if we signed a player like that, no doubt other clubs fans would be too. Imho, Diaby will simply run down his contract and then be history at Arsenal.

  284. useroz says:

    If we take a draw ar sunderland let’s stop talkinmg about buying nay qualiteee and top players.

    Sagna, if allowed/suppoeted by the club, to redevelop to become a CB says all about how patheric its winning mindset has become under wenger. Fine, as a 5th or 6th back up worse case scenario but with our top club aspiration, why would we not buy ready top CB(s)?

    Arsenal isn’t retirement home, nor a hopsital (remember diaby?). These guys are being paid huge money so the club and fans owe them nothing. If no longer at the level AFC wants to compete, we move them on.

    Many debates if wenger (or the clu) has turned a corner after the Ozil capture. To me, until wenger shows his desire and spirit and get rid of diaby, there is no deal and we arew where we have been in the core…same old same old.

    As much as I love the Ozils igning, a single WC player isn’t going to make us champion, or close to it.

    Have you heard the Alex Fynn interview? Unless Alex is a professionalliar, and don’t think he is, the ‘insider’ view is shoching, and wenger should be moved on soon rather than later, if people love the club.

  285. rico says:

    Morning all..

    Why didn’t he then I wonder?

    We have a history of poor results after the internationals so like you Ts, I’d take a draw but reality is, we should be beating Sunderland this afternoon…

  287. tsgh says:

    morning all,

    I will take a draw this afternoon. That would be a vast improvement on the last 3 years when we have lost away from home after international breaks…

    Eto saying he nearly joined us after leaving Inter.