Johan Djourou’s agent has been touting his player around in the press, suggesting he could quite easily play in Italy or Spain next season. He’s also gone as far as to suggest that a few meetings with Serie A sides are lined up.
Special Agent Flavio Ferraria told Radio Crc:
Can Djourou join Napoli? It’s certainly possible, especially as we will be in Italy next week for a series of appointments, at the moment Napoli are not on the list of appointments, but everything is possible. If the lad leaves the Premier League, then he will play in Italy or Spain.
I saw my client the other day and he was enthusiastic about both Napoli and Italy in general. So far we have received an offer worth €10m, but it is up for negotiation.
The lad wants to play for one of the top five Italian clubs.
I really like Johan Djourou, he always talks well about our club, he never moans when he’s on the bench or about his fellow team-mates, in fact it seems that he really loves his current club, but that club isn’t playing him enough and as we have said before, we know why.
Also, we all know that a player with his enthusiasm and commitment deserves to be playing, for himself, his club and his country.
Should this rumour turn out to be true and Johan ends up leaving us this summer, how can any one Arsenal fan do anything other than wish him all the very best?
If our Swiss International defender had just an extra 10% footballing ability and a little more pace, he’d be one of the first on our team sheet.
Ten years he has been with us, if he goes, I am sure many fans will be sad, but will also understand why he needs to leave…..
Wojciech Szczesny featured in the opening fixture of Euro 2012 last night and didn’t we see the worst of him?
A rash charge out of goal gifted Greece their equaliser and his sending off could easily have cost his country dearly when he fouled the oncoming Salpingidis who was quite likely to score had he not been brought down. Szczesny got his marching orders and he must have been thrilled to see his replacement Przemyslaw Tyton save the resulting penalty.
That very well could be the last involvement in this competition for our young Pole.
Yes the Polish defence was about as disorganised as ours has sometimes been in the past but Szczesny could have done a lot better for the Greek goal and he could certainly have avoided getting sent off.
In time, Szczesny will no doubt be a world-class goal keeper but right now, Arsenal need an older, more mature and maybe even more capable man, pushing Szczesny for his place between the sticks…..
There are reports out this morning that Sagna may not be fit in time for the start of the new season, mid to late September is more likely.
The same paper reports that Arsenal will sell Robin, IF he forces their hand when he returns from the Euros but his father Bob, has ruled him out of moving to another English side and says he won’t be going to Barcelona either.
Doesn’t leave many clubs does it. 😉
Oh, and for those hoping we sign up Crewe youngster Nick Powell, too late, it seems his club and Manchester United have finally reached an agreement.
Today it’s Holland V’s Denmark, followed by Germany V’s Portugal – time to see how the new boy looks…
That’s it for today, have a good one….
Good read.if JD leaves best of luck to him then.
Morning all…
I’d say so Kt… What was AA like last night, i didn’t watch his game…
Yennaris or Jenks to start the season a Rb then…
I think Djourou has plenty of ability,he just lacks a footballing brain.
Evening all.
AA was quality rico.at one point the Itv commentator said just give him the ball.he created at least 7 chances and had 2 assists.off the ball he looked uninterested but on the ball he was a joy to watch.
I beg to differ, in the season of 2010-2011, Djourou was a really good centre back as i remember he was quite a regular starter and put in a lot of good performances and since the revival of KOS he has had nothing 2 do but warm up the bench.. on KOZZERS current for even vidic wud be warming up the bench but the one thing kozzer lacks is an aerial presence even though he can score headed goals…
Kozzer can out play techincally gifted players like messi and co but u give him a crouch and he shall have one of his worst performances… and thats the reason why we need Djourou cause to be honest the big german hasnt impressed that much!!!
And how dare u say we need a better keeper between the sticks?? forgot the champs league playoff penalty save so fast?? forgot the penalty save vs Kuyt and the rebound save there after? he is more than mature and at times kept us in games which we were supposed to lose but ended up picking up points from…. Just a few bad games and u guys are on his case…
Casillas started playing when he was young and look at his confidence level now… if u suddenly replace Wojo with someone more experienced than him than he is gonna go down hill from that moment on!!
Oh no, wanted Nick powell. F**ked up another transfer. 🙁
Djourou and Sagna can both leave. Taxi please!
Wonder why his ‘off the ball’ play makes him lose interest, he’s like that we us, such a great shame…
We will have to agree to differ Scott on JD …
Scott. Wales v Wallabies at 7.40 on ch 9
score now Ireland v All Blacks 30-8 to AB
adil – it’s my own opinion and its a free world, like i said in the post, Ches will no doubt be world class one day, but we need and older, more mature keeper pushing him for his place…
The post was actually meant to read ‘pushing him for his place between the sticks’ 🙂
If AA could’ve done abit more he would be one of the best players in the world.
Morning Rico. When Arshavin had the ball he looked to use it well. When the ball was near him he had movement. Certainly he was better than he was for us for the last several months of his stay. I think JD could be ok if given regular games for perhaps a mid-table team. And Chesney worried me for quite a while after Christmas. Last night proved why. We definitely need an experienced ‘keeper and I believe it is a priority.
WSE – I did too, but in addition to experienced players
alan – taxi for sagna, one of the best rb’s in football, i am shocked..
Arshavin is another played out of position
“Arsenal need a more mature man between the sticks”
Szczesny was excellent this year. He played through the pain barrier for the last few games. And except for one minor error against tottenham, i didn’t really see him making too many mistakes. How will he ever be world class if a “More mature” keeper is always playing ahead of him? And who’s to guarantee that this new keeper will turn out any better than Almunia? Yes, we need a keeper. Not a first choice, a backup. Stop slating your own players because they have one bad game.
Sorry guys,i dont seems to understand how sagna want to delay djour transfer saga,if sagna is injured while dont asene buy another right defender nd let djour go
Morning Adam, at least he has improved a bit then, maybe someone will sign him 😉
There are plenty of PL sides who would love JD in their defence, but looks as if he prefers to go overseas, if he goes of course..
Shame really, he seems such a nice guy, but, no room for sentiment, and yes, a keeper is a must imho…
Jussi 😛
rico says:
June 9, 2012 at 9:52 am
WSE – I did too, but in addition to experienced players
alan – taxi for sagna, one of the best rb’s in football, i am shocked..
He has an overrated hairstyle
AA played the exact same role he does for Arsenal,LW with freedom to cut in as he pleased.the main difference is that for Russia he can do what he wants and the intensity of international footy is nothing compared to the PL.AA just couldn’t adjust to playing in the PL where he had extra responsibilities.
Morning all, nice one Rico.
Got to agree about JD he has been on the side lines for some time and he has had he’s moments, but he needs a move to freshen himself as you said he needs to play regulary and he won’t get that with us. Czezesney never had a good night, and lacked the Maturity which is needed in international football. a goalkeeper should always hold he’s position unless he is confident he can get and hold the ball, he’s Punching is woefull for a guy his size. His sending off was because he tried to obstruct the attacker had he dived for the ball which needed bravery he may have stayed on but that was a clumsy challenge and he got what he deserved, Devil said last night about players who impressed him and players we should look at maybe so but i didn’t see to much that i would shout about but who knows they may shine later on. Arshaven did more in his game last night than he has for us in 2 years we know he has the skill shame we haven’t seen it for us lately.
Hardly a way to judge him alan…
I think you are right Kt, as with a lot of players, the PL is too tough…
Morning Steve, thanks..
I know we talked about JD last month and how he deserves better, just think he wasting his career with us, like you say, regular footie is what he needs and he’s not going to get that, unless we suffer injuries again.
Hopefully Wenger won’t see him as being the answer to Sagna’s injury, last season it was very clear that JD is not a rb…
I would be glad to see JD go. i think it would be in both parties interests.
About Chesney: I don’t think we should get a new keeper. Chesney will come good and he has a great personality. the sort of personality you want commanding defenders in front of him. Yes he cocked up against Greece but shit happens. If we were to get a new keeper, Chesney would probably leave to find regular football esle where. So i say we stick with him.
Seeing Shava play the way he did against the Czechs was amazing. I havnt seen him play that well in ages. Some ppl ask why he doesnt play like that for arsenal and like most have said, it is because we restrict him too much out on the flank. in that Czech match, he was popping up all over the final third when Russia was on the attack. but it is clear you can expect basically zero effort when he is off the ball.
Hi Lsg,
re Ches – its all too easy for him, he needs someone breathing down his neck, and Fabianski isn’t that keeper imho..
Right now he knows he is no1, bring in a bit of competition for him and he’ll get better a lo quicker…
Got a busy few hours so popping off for a while, catch up later….
There is a reason why the Russians were beaten by spain at Euro08,and its the same reason why they’ll get beat by better sides.when you meet ball hogs like Spain you’ll need each of your teammates to pull his weight.you can be sure they’ll target AA when they meet and they’ll succeed.Wenger did not ruin AA.he just couldn’t cope not being queen bee.
Morning all,
Rico you will have missed Vieira and Keane on the box last night, they make a lovely couple, looks like they’ve kissed and made up.
rico, i do believe u have a valid opinion and after which u clerified by saying that u wanted some1 to compete with him but not to replace him,… that i agree with, however buying some1 to replace him right away might be really bad for his confidence…
Arshavin was awesome last night… Having someone like M’Vila who is positionally sound could really liberate him.
We keep on about Ches and yes he is young and cocky and apparently the life and soul of the dressing room but a good team needs a solid no nonsense safe pair of hands at the back if you are to win things. Ches is a great shot stopper i give him that, but the short spell he had with Leyman has had a bad effect on him Jens was famous for losing his rag very easily and that cost us in many games, racing out is a recipe for disaster where narrowing down an attackers options is far better. I have on many occasions watched Ches and his positioning when facing free kicks and nearly every time he leaves a large gap to one side to try and tempt the kicker to fire his shot there the trouble with that is he hasn’t got it covered well enough and is to far away to reach it
KT, Brady was saying similiar last night, when Cesc left last summer it was the perfect opportunity to play Arshavin in the position he craved, the hole in behind RvP, but Wenger plumped for Ramsey instead, it was a nail in the coffin for AA.
Agreed micko, turned out to be the wrong decision.
Chesney will have good and bad spells this season, just
Iike last season. All top goalkeepers can make great saves but you need consistency above all else and very, very few silly mistakes. Chesney will very likely be a great goalkeeper but an experienced back up would be an excellent move I think because, if Chesney gets injured, I don’t fancy Fabianski at all.
Afternoon all.
Let moi put it this way:
Cheesny had goen swollen headed and stopped devleoping towards ned of seasona s he knew htta he is solid No. 1 and no competition. He grew compalcent and took his No. 1 spot for granted.
Remember 2005/06 season when Mad Jens droped two clangers in a row and was repalced by ALmunia?
Mad Jens just shut up, trained intensity and waited for his chance.
It came, he grapsed it and never looked back again.
Taht is the type of competition that CHessny need to push him to another level else he will never develop to fulfil his potential.
If he started to throw toys out of his pram when dropped or threatened to leave if he can’t played regular like David Bentley, instead of working harder quietly like Mad Jens, do we need another prima donna who hold Arsenal to ransom?
I see Cheesny needed another 2 more years of devleopment before he is ready a sone fot eh TOp-3 premiership goalie.
Meantime, just grate yoru teeth for another “Against column” 40+ league goals for the next 2 seasons til Cheesny matured.
CHeesny KPI for 2012/12 season:
let in no more than 30 league goals.
Arshavin?
I maintain that Wenegr played in the worng slot as he is more of a central attacking player, a ‘No. 10″, working behind a centre forward.
We don’t have a “no. 9”. nor has Arshaivn devleops another kind of telepathic understanding with hsi team-mates due to lack of playing time and our horrendous injury list.
If Arshavin gives an irreovable commitment that he wants to stay at Arsenal FC and fights for his place, then Wenegr should cosndier him as our “no. 10” in lieu of a dreadful Ramsey and a pathetic Walcott and a dross like Gervinho…never mind PArk CY or CHamakh.
There is one simple reason Wenger will never play behind Rvp.Wenger likes having a rotating triumvate of midfielders that can both attack and defend.this requires a high workrate to make it work.it makes us less unpredictable unlike when we had cesc who would get marked out of games by the likes of mascherano/essien when he had a fixed position behind the striker.Playing AA there would make us vulnerable defensively and also make us very predictable if all our attacks were to run through him like they did with cesc.he’ll get bullied and he won’t even track back.the Russians play him wide,Arsene does that too.they all know AA would be a liability if played there.
Howdy Folks,
AA had a great game yesterday I hear….am sure he’s playing for a move to a bigger club if you ask me.
We need consistent players and intrested ones too
Ktr7….Jambo, Buda
DJ is not good enough for AFC though slightly better than Squil…
Look at it the other way, how good could a PL CB be if his agent is throwing about a 10m transfer fee ballparkn in euro!! That’s less under 10m pounds…hummm
Another issue has been Wenger’s apparent reluctance to allow/ encourage competition in the squad. That to me is a big mistake. No competition would not breed improvements, and we see more/ less the same team regardless if it’s blowing hot and cold… Scez, Song, Ramsey etc are just tip of the iceberg.
If Wenger doesn’t sign genuine top players,we aren’t going to win jacksh** till he bugger off.
good morning
AA was fantastic last night, but Pavluychenko (was a Totts player) was too. The left back, Zhirkov too (was a Chelsea player). What’s happen in the League?
I’d like write something about this. However, I read today an article wrote by Santiago Segurola from Marca Spain newspaper with the same opinion as mine.
AA is class but not up to the way Arsene is setting up his teams. When our team really plays well it is generally when we are pressing from the front, something he will never do. Hopefully he has a great tournament and bumps his price up a bit, then we could invest in another attacking mid, although I won’t hold my breath on us spending any money!
ktr7 says:
June 9, 2012 at 11:57 am
ktr7, Arshavin is inf act unpredictable; and during his 2nd season with us, Wenger played him as Lone Striker when all our strikers were injured.
Even at left wing, he tends to cut into centre and defenders are always put off guard as to whether he dribbles into the box, a sudden shot at goal or pass or centre the ball.
Work rate?
C”mon look at Gibbs. How many times were he caught high up on the pitch, struggling to track back as he does not possess the FLamini Engine or “Clichy” who can runs up and down all day.
You can said that about Walcott, not tracking bakc till last season but really, his tackling is worse than Arshaivn…and Walcott chickened out ine very 50:50 ball…and does not have the skill and guile fo Arshavin to skip past opponents or opponents launching at them full blast..let alone lunging in with both feet.
If Arshavin plays the same amount of minutes as Gervinho or Walcott…who knows?
If Wenger can understand Arshavin and factored in that Arshavin does not have an Engine to track back, plus he is no defender, then why the ehck that Wenegr bought Arshaivn for?
He cna’t transform Arshaivn into another Pires or even a Reyes.
Arshaivn being Arshavin is an egnima..which I doubt Wenger has got a handle on it and simply mismanaged the situaiton not knowing what is best for Arshavin within his team and where to deploy him…..instead trusting in dross like Gervinho, Wlacott and Ramsey…..who were all a big letdown last season, failing to fulfil their potential.
Arshavin is an experienced player he has been around a long time nobody is knocking his talents but his workrate does not do him credit, he will never give you 90 min which is how Arsenal works in fact many of our players can’t give that, one of the reasons we don’t win anything first half or second half team and the other half they are off with the fairies. I think back a few years where Arsenal just seemed to wait till the other team tired and then took over but sadly we look lack lustre most of the time. Everybody is looking to comfortable and the only thing that seems to stir them a bit is when we start to talk about transfers. JD’s Agent throwing about low prices is just to try and get interest and he must think its time for another payday, lets face it we have not been known for our centre backs for quite a few years, i don’t think many clubs will be jumping over one another for one of our cast offs.
Niko poa erick.I understand your point but no matter how you look at it AA playing behind rvp would do us more harm than good.his work rate would expose us so much in there.
Afternoon Gooners.
Good post Rico.
Yes, Steve, That was the “almost” season of 2007/08 where the likes of Rosicky-Hleb-Flamini-Hleb ran the feet off our opponents, and then picked them off by scoring a goal from the 80th minute onward.
There were the “Pass Master” in Rosicky, Hleb and Fabregas with the terrier-like FLamini instantly pounced on the opponents whenever we lost the ball.
Each of them look after each other.
E.g. Cesc was fouled by an opponent. And the very next play, Flamini will dish out his punishment by fouling that prepetrator.
Plus there were Van Persie, Adebayor and Eduardo, all can hold the ball and has the skills of instant control, technique and predatory instinct inside the box.
It was virtually impossible to knock Hleb off the ball in the box, plus Rosicky with his sharp tackling skill and snapping at the heels of opponents trakcing back…..
Today?
In place of Eduardo and Adebayor, we have dross like CHamakh, Gervinho..and a non-player in Park CY.
A make-shift MDIFIELD that is so predictable..so sloooooooow…and playign Crab FOotball that can’t create..and in lieu of Cesc, we needed a DCM in Song to lob balls into the box for Van Persie.
That is how far Arsenal FC had fallen since 2007/08.
Djourou had all the attributes to be a top top centre~back.
Maybe he still does?
But maybe he just isn’t suited to the attritional nature of the EPL..?
I hope he gets his move to Serie A.
I hope he is successfull.
And i hope Arsenal get a decent fee for him…
I didn’t see the Russian game, but it’s good to hear Arshavin being praised.
I hope that Bendtner has a fantastic match tonight.
Scores a hat~trick.
And has a brilliant tournament.
Then next month when Arsenal sell both of we might get decent fees for them.
But do we need “Arshavin work rate” if we play him as a 100% offensive players whose job is to stay at last thrid and half of opponent where the rest of the nine outfield players will tracking back and defending with Arshaivn hovering at the cnetre circle in reaidness for any hoof ball or any quick counter-attack out of defence.
How many times had we seen last season that the entire has no PACE for quick counter-attack with the likes of Ramsey, Walcott and even OX either misplaced the pass, easily rubbed off the ball by a body check..no guile, no skill off the ball and just a brainless road-runner in Walcott offering speed and no guile?
It is a shame that with pacy players liek Gervinho, Walcott and OX, we rarely counter-attacked at pace…especialy with a dreadful who always chose the wrong option plus his passe with no weight, no accuracy and wildly kicked even in a 1-on-1 situation.
An Arshavin at circle centre will tie down at least two defenders keeping a wary on him as it wil be suicidal to man-mark Arshavin with only one defender when any hoof ball out of defence wil have a quick-silver Arshavin out-witting any defender with his dribbling skills and body-feints.
With 9 players tracking back, do we need Arshaivn to track back all the time?
Afternoon Kev, yep he could have been good and yes used right he may have shined a bit more but the players we have brought has signaled his exit, he’ll do good elsewhere.
Merlin, you sound like you are not to keen on Gervinho, granted he hasn’t lit to many fires this season but would you give him another season or would you out him, personally i don’t think we have seen the best of him yet, and i think he will turn out to be a cracker, it takes a bit of settling in a new enviroment and i feel he has done enough this year to bare with him.Theo is my concern he has been with us for a while now and although he can turn a game in an instant seems to have too many quiet spells but what do we do let him go or persevere with him, i am starting to despare for the lad.
Afternoon guys and gals – any news 🙂
Heard Sagna will most likely to miss the first 6 game sof the season.
But his kind of injury may take as long as 6 months for the bones to knit together and then strengthen…plus another 6 months of rehabitation and regianing fitness, then match fitness.
I doubt we will see Sagna playing next season..perhaps at the earliest, either March or April 2013. I fear for his career at Arsenal FC as there is a chance he may be a pale shadow of himself in 2013…
What are the option as RB?
I don’t fancy Jenkinson as I feel that he is an average player like Justin Hoyte. I feel Yennaris is a better option than him as there is something about Yennaris that I cna’t put a finger to it..but he certianly has a presence, cool and colected, nothign faze him and as if he got pelnty of time to cotnrol the ball and to select his passes when he is on the ball.
Remind moi a bit of FLamini the way he harassed and hounded his opponent.
I would rather Yennaris be given a run as RB ratehr than Jenkinson.
Lansbury?
Is he willing to play RB as I think this is best chance to play regularly for Arsenal FC.
Say, he emulates a midfielder like Lauren who successfully covnerted into one of the best RB in premiership.
Yennaris? Lansbury?..and even Coquelin as RB?
You think Wenger will buy a new RB to replace Sagna now?
Gervinho?
Our new Quincy?
No thanks Steve.
I had written him off.
No bottle, all flash and substance and when we needed senior players like him to stand tall during our last 5 games of the season, he bottled it and hardly scored a goal in 2012???
If Van Persie stays or Wenger buys a replacement of a striker to repalce Van Persie, I can’t see Gervinho having much playing time.
What Chamakh to 2011/12 is what Gervinho is to 2012/13 season.
Steve, I would rather see OX or Santos or Gibbs or Poldolski or Benik Afobe or Rosicky at left side rather than Gervinho….
Merlin, Sagna news is in the post 😉
Gerv and Merts – hopefully their second season will be much better…
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has pointed the finger at Arsene Wenger over Andrey Arshavin’s poor form for the Gunners.
The 31-year-old was on song for Russia on Friday as they beat Czech Republic 4-1 at Euro 2012 but had suffered a torrid time at the Emirates this season and the former midfielder believes that Wenger played Arshavin out of position.
“You could say that he was played in the wrong position at Arsenal,” Parlour told talkSPORT.
“Arsene Wenger’s always played him on the left hand side and he’s more of a central player.
“I’m sure Arsene will be watching and wondering why he couldn’t do that for Arsenal. He never played like that which is frustrating for the fans, Arsene Wenger and the players.”
Arshavin is likely to leave Arsenal this summer after a successful loan spell at Zenit St Petersburg and Parlour admits his future is unclear.
“Let’s see what happens with him,” he said. “I’m not sure whether he’ll go back to Arsenal or they’ll try and sell him.”
_________________________________________
Our Romford Pele had spoken 😆
Thats exactly what i think AW avoids.that is a broken team right there.Argentina at the WC did something similar to what you are suggesting;they dazzled for a while but then when they met Germany they were destroyed.if thats what we have to do to get the best out of AA then sell him.football is a teamsport nowadays,even the likes of Messi and Ronaldo defend.AA isn’t even in their class.every player has to pull his weight.
Merlin, I personally have had enough of Arshavin i have watched him for to long. We have a team that are slightly above average thats why we get top 4 but we have a weak squad Arshavin for me is a passenger as is Walcott and Ramsey this season, We cant afford to find little neiches for certain players we need them all to do their bit all over the field, if were defending we need team effort the same up top you would expect the defence to back up the forwards thats what teamwork is about thats what fitness and stamina is all about. Arshavin may have a couple of nice touches in a game but he has to recover after every manouver i don’t think he has ever been fully fit since he came and that is not on for a premier player.
Merlin,you’re back in form mate lol.
How is everyone??
It’s 1 am,just home from the pub with a belly full of beer and food.
Did my backside on the punt,but had a great night.
Isn’t what we were seeing in 2012/13 – a broken team, ill-disciplined in a tactical sense, always got caught out by swift counter-attack at our left flank and thru’ the centre with both CB and Songinho gone AWOL?
Vermaelen can’t handled 1-on-1 situation;
Ksocielny slipped in 1-on-1 situation.
WIthout Arteta in the 2nd half of the season, we have a weak centre with SOnginho and Ramsey ahivng got a clue nr pace to cover teh duties of Arteta.
For 2012/13 season, Wenger better got hsi tactical formaiton right will wel-coached and disciplined players..and buying one or two more experienced players with pace and with an Engine to trakc back at the high tmepo we are playing.
Plus, a “Leader” that can organise and integrate Back-4 with MDIFIELD that will patrol the “vacuum” between Back-4 and MDIFIELD and sweeps up all loose balls and break up plays like a “vacumm cleaner”.
Ramsey will come good Steve. He’s had a rough few years.
Ray Parlour may have a valid point but any player signing for us, if they have done their history on Wenger, will know that he utilises players..
Ok, that not might be the best thing for the player, we have seen it all too often fail, but thats the way Wenger is…
Any player should still give their all and try, that is one thing Arshavin wasn’t prepared to do…
Senderos?
Djourou?
Angha?
Harjovic?
Mertierio?
All Swiss, all CB.
Can you see anyone of ’em make it into regular?
I can’t.
Connolly
Ayling
Both of ’em decided to leave Arsenal.
Kyle Bartley
Miquel
Danlel Boateng
WIll anyone of these three youngsters ever get a chance to play 1st team football?
Vermalen
Mertesacker
Koscielny
You think Wenger will buy a new CB or promote Kyle or Miquel or Boateng into senior squad to fight for our 4th CB slot?
I too think ramsey will come good, he’s two years behind where he could/should be and imho he could do with a loan for a season..
Theo, i still would love to see him play central, then if he is still cack, sell him….
Hopefully he’ll sign a central defender and JV is yet to sign for that lot down the road 😉
I get you Merlin but AA will only make things worse if played at the heart of our team.we’ll get slaughtered in there.i agree on the need of that vacuum cleaner and thats why i want us to sign m’vila so much.Song it seems has another role in the team,he’s no longer that screen.whats also obvious is that we must address the left side of our defence which gets exposed alot especially when Arteta is absent.Gibbs /Vermy have not impressed especially.
Afternoon Steve…
I know you harbour doubts over SirChesney, and yes he does make a few cock ups, but every young goalkeeper does.
To me the raw material is there. He has the confidence you like to see from your goalkeeper. He doesn’t allow opponants to bully or intimidate him at corners/free~kicks.
He doesn’t flap at crosses a la Fabianski/Almunia.
He is a great shot~stopper & reflex goalie.
Decision making comes with experience.
It will come.
Hi Lewis, I’m not saying that Ramsey is Shit he just hasn’t been good this season i think he will come good as well but one seasons enough. 🙂
AK i don’t doubt your view it just cost us now and again and i like safe hands and good decisions settles the team down, and me 🙂
RIco, what is the point of a limited player like Ramsey giving his all whereas one minute of magic from Arshavin turned the match over tis head?
Look at Walcott.
After that Croatia hat-trick, it is all downhill all the way for Walcott as if he had reached his limitations and cna’t develop no more under Wenger.
Like Arshaivn returning to Russki, I think it is best for Walcott to leave Arsenal FC as he cna’t develop further to play WengerBall..just a brainless blind alley runner who can’t dribble or has that guile to beat opponents down right flank.
Put it this way.
Why Walcott struggled for teh past 2 seasons is simply that all defenders and all managers got Walcott’s number and knew he is predictable and can anticipate immediately what Walcott isgoing to do next…and just shunted hima way into blind alleys and no threat to the defence.
Like Arshavin, Walcott is another player that needs to play centrally where he got more option and space to wrong-footed defenders with hsi quick take-off and pace.
Walcott will thrive in other premiership teams that will play him centrally with mdifielders do what ROoney did for him in that Croatia game.
Flighted ball between defenders, behind defenders and diaognal balls for Walcott to dash in and to cut from right into cnetre to latch onto thsoe flighted balls.
Lasts eaosn, it was always Van Persie..Van Persie..Van Persie…adn Walcott was never given a chance to play centrally as the mains triekr with all those flighted balls and lobbed balls for Walcott to latch onto them…like Croatia game.
All Songinho’s lobbed balls are 99% aimed at runs of Van Persie…..and nobody picked up the runs of Walcott….simply the TEAM did not want Walcott to blind-sdie running like at Craotia game….as it will crowded out Van Persie who was making those “Walcott” diaognal runs and late running into the box to latch onto those SOnginho’s lobbed balls or thru’ passes.
I think it is not money that will make Walcott signs on..but the assurances that next season and thereafter, he wil play more centrally as a striker…
Hi Charlie, how you doing in the heat of the city 😉
How rude of me, Hi Steve, Scott, Kt, Merlin & Lewis, now have I missed anyone 😉
Why do fans talk about Wengerball?? When did we actually last play in a way that is/was referred to as ‘wengerball’
Micko – re your earlier, i doubt they have, just all show for the cameras 😉
“Long Hair” aka AK…..I love Cheesny in 2011..but I satrted to doubt him in 2012.
He flapped during our last 5 games..a sign of lack of confidence…compounded by that loss of that 2011 hubris that comes what may, he is out in a flash a la Mad Jens to cut off thru balls like a sweeper.
But he was hesitant in the last 2 or 3 games unlike that in 2011 where hew as isntantly out in a flash…
Poland-Greece 1st goal was a classic Cheesny’s flapping liek our last 3 league games.
He was red-carded and should be red-carded in I think Norwich game, with similar rash challenge.
In 2011, you see the best of a raw and young goalie, full of potential and looked worldclass.
In 2012, you see a raw and callowed youth, lack fo confidence in coming out, flappng at crosses, hesitant in coming out for balls and plenty of rash challenges…
In MArch/April, the DEFENCE wa sin disarray with plenty of miscoomunicaiton, or lack fo communication, between goalie and Back-4.
Wenegr got 2 months of pre-season to get this right..and not continue those dismal forms in APril/May into August/September 2012.
Afternoon Rico, i call it give away ball.
rico says:
June 9, 2012 at 4:31 pm
How rude of me, Hi Steve, Scott, Kt, Merlin & Lewis, now have I missed anyone
Why do fans talk about Wengerball?? When did we actually last play in a way that is/was referred to as ‘wengerball’
_________________________________
Last seen before 16-Feb-2008 with Rosicky out injured for 18 months; and Hleb and FLamini had done enough to impress Barca and Milan to snap ’em up..
😆 Steve – ah, always wondered what it was….
Ramsey is just another overhyped British player with Cardiff city larfing all the way to the bank.
Ramsey should have joined ManU as his style is more suited to ManU Direct Football…rathehr than “THinking FOotball” like what Wenger demanded.
Like Walcott, without a football brain, like he shoots instead of passing, and passes instea dof shooting. That is the different between an above-average footballer and “Arsenal-class’ footballer.
Like Walcott, a predicatble blind alley runner, Ramsey’s passings are so so predicatbly that he telegraphed his intented pass to opponents, so eaisly anticipated and cut-off.
And Ramsey is never calmed in the box, all hurried pass..and even in a 2-against-1 situaiton, he managed to cocked up his pass, managing to hit the only defender on the pitch.
Against Chelski, he was robbed not once but TWICE from behind by of all the people, Torres, when he was dwelling on the ball, looking for a passing channel….and all these two incdents occured in the last 3rd of out our pith..puttign our DEFENCE instantly udner pressure from counter-attacking.
Forget about Ramsey, he will never make it at Arsenal FC with our fast tempo game, demanding acurate passing and insatnt decision makng to select the right passing channel.
Hleb?? Merlin, surely not….
Another example of a broken team is/was Madrid.When Mou first joined he had given his front 4 Higuain/Ronaldo/Özil/Di maria that licence to stay close to the halfway line while the rest of the team mainly defended.it worked to an extent as they beat many teams playing that way;they even scored a whopping 22 goals on the counter.however,when they met good sides they struggled.when they went to the Camp nou that season on that wet Monday night in late November they tried the same and were thrashed.Barça overloaded that zone behind the front 4 cutting off any supply to their forwards.messi/iniesta/xavi toyed with them in that zone.if we do the same with AA the same will happen when we meet good tactical sides.
RVP in the squad
I’ll writer later something
After making just 14 league starts for Arsenal during the 2011-12 Premier League season, and finding his path to more consistent first-team football blocked by the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, center-back Johan Djourou is readying a move to Serie A side Napoli.
“Can Djourou join Napoli? It’s certainly possible, especially as we will be in Italy next week for a series of appointments,” Djourou’s agent Flavio Ferraria told Radio Crc.
A fee in the region of €10 million (£8.1 million) has already been received for the player, according to Ferraria, but not from Napoli. The agent is playing the move very coyly.
“At the moment Napoli are not on the list of appointments, but everything is possible,” Ferraria said. “If he leaves the Premier League, then he will play in Italy or Spain.
“I saw my client the other day and he was enthusiastic about both Napoli and Italy in general.”
Djourou had previously expressed a desire to join a top-five Serie A side, should he make a move to Italy.
The news of his potential departure won’t come as too great a shock to Arsenal supporters, who had never seen the Swiss international develop into the kind of steadying force at the back his considerable potential hinted at.
Injuries forced Djourou to play at right-back this season, and had the Ivorian-born Swiss shown a proficiency for the position, he might have seen his stock grow in Arsene Wenger’s eyes.
It was not the case, however.
Djourou joined Arsenal in 2002 from Geneva-based Etoile Carouge, and signed his first professional contract for the north London club in 2003. He has been featuring for the Arsenal first team since the 2004-05 season.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1215161-arsenal-defender-johan-djourou-set-to-join-napoli-this-week
_____________________________________
Perhaps like Senderos at Fulham, Djourou will fare better elsewhere than at Arsenal FC.
Good luck Djourou and all the best wishes.
Hi JM, starting I presume 😉
😆 Merlin, that again is all in the post…..
Hi Rico.
The City is ticking over.
Think things will liven up next week when ppl return from their extended bank holidays….
Well i do hope so….
Robin van Persie was all smiles here in Kharkiv last night as he prepared for the Netherlands’ first Euro 2012 match against Denmark by effortlessly pinging shots into the top corner with both feet during training in the Metalist Stadium.
Any angst about his future has been put firmly to the back of his mind until the tournament is over, but journalists and fans in Ukraine and Poland will see a man who appears relaxed and content.
The Gunners refuse Van Persie permission to speak to other clubs as they aim to keep hold of their star man.
Bob van Persie says Manchester City is “not an option” for his son and also rules out transfers to Spanish duo Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However, the dilemma for the Arsenal captain remains. As much as he insists he will not be drawn on his future until after the European Championship, it is impossible to escape the interest in where he will be playing next season.
Quotes emerging from Van Persie’s father, Bob, suggest the 28-year-old is more likely than ever to stay at Emirates Stadium as he tries to match staying at Arsenal with his desire to win trophies.
“Manchester City is not an option. It’s impossible to play for another club than Arsenal in England,” he told Spanish daily El Mundo Deportivo.
“It’s not logical to go to Barcelona. They already have Lionel Messi over there. Real Madrid also doesn’t fit into the picture.”
The extent of interest from the two Spanish giants is questionable in any case, by Van Persie senior’s insistence that a move to City is “impossible” is the clearest sign yet that the Dutchman will stay in north London for at least one more season.
In addition, Goal.com exclusively revealed last month that Juventus have pulled out of the race to sign the forward, with wage demands a stumbling block, and boss Antonio Conte instead eyeing a move for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.
Whether or not he signs a new contract – his current deal expires next summer – remains to be seen, but the former Feyenoord man is unlikely to kick up a fuss if the Gunners stick to their tough stance that he will not be sold this summer under any circumstances.
Van Persie is believed to have told manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis, during a meeting last month ahead of Euro 2012, that he wants to leave.
The reasoning is simple. Money is not his concern, but his desire to have something to show for his career, with just one FA Cup to show from his eight years with Arsenal.
But Van Persie, who was voted double player of the year in the Premier League last season after scoring 30 goals, enjoys being the main man at Arsenal.
He enjoys the responsibility of the captaincy and that has been reflected in the form that has made him one of the most coveted players in Europe.
That contentment is reflected in Van Persie’s family life in the north London suburb of Hampstead where he lives with his wife and two children.
“We have been in London for eight years now,” said his wife, Bouchra, last month. “As a family, we love it here.
The revelation by Bob van Persie that his son, Robin, will not be leaving Arsenal to join Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer certainly clears up some of the mystery which surrounds the Netherlands striker’s future and alleviates the pressure on him.
Van Persie’s future is still unclear but having ruled out the three main candidates to sign the 28-year-old, Van Persie senior’s comments will create less of a distraction for the frontman and the rest of the Netherlands team during these intense and crucial three weeks.
The focus on him will change from where he will be plying his trade next season to how he will deal with the task at hand – getting the Oranje as far in Euro 2012 as he possibly can.
“Robin is captain of Arsenal and, as many people claim, the leader of the Arsenal team.
“Arsenal believed in Robin when he was young and when he was considered as a bit of a rebel.
“We don’t want to upset things at home either.”
With Lukas Podolski joining Arsenal this summer, and the likes of Rennes star Yann M’Vila on the club’s radar, Van Persie may be convinced that the Gunners’ ambitions match his own.
Arsenal will break their strict wage structure to offer Van Persie in excess of £120,000-a-week while insisting that they will not allow a repeat of the scenario that saw Samir Nasri join Manchester City last summer for £20m as he entered the final year of his contract.
This time, the momentum is gathering for Van Persie to stay, not least from those closest to him, those who know him best.
The striker will be focused on firing the Netherlands to Euro 2012 glory – but Arsenal have every reason to be confident of keeping their star man
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2012/06/09/3160326/family-pressures-mean-van-persie-is-more-likely-than-ever-to
____________________________________
Wonder how true is it?
But has anybody questioned that slimy bald snake-oil salesamn on hsi previous statement that “Van Persie will not be sold at any price”?
Or is it Kroenke is only interestted to amximise his investments and grabbed whatever dosh he can by selling Van Persie instead of taking a stand that Arsenal FC will keep Van Persie to the extent of lettign him leave on a BOsman in July 2013?
Rico, is that in the post?
You need wimbledon to start Charlie, only a couple of weeks away 😉
But now, they are putting a price on Djourou – 10-mil euro.
You think Napoli has that kind of money to throw around?
Imagine DJourou arrived at Napoli and was told:
“DJourou, you cost the club an arm and a leg..and you better helps us into CL Cup next season…else the “finanacier” will come and collect that “an arm and a leg” off you”
Merlin – Yes! 🙄
Merlin, i’m not sure that SirChesney was the only player affected in those final 5 games.
You could probably criticise anyone in the squad as the pressure got to all of them.
With goalkeepers, more than any other position on the field, experience is paramount.
That only comes with games.
As i said, the raw material is there, so i’m not too concerned.
Even Pat Jennings, Bob Wilson and Dave Seaman made mistakes.
When you play for Arsenal, every mistake you make is highlighted.
Long hair?! Many thanks. I wish… 😀
€10 Million for JD, why not?
Ches was injured, played with injections – and I’m with you Charlie, he can’t be singled out in the last five, I blame Arteta, all was going quite well until he got injured 😉
ktr7, didn’t Swansea and Norwich cut us up when they dominated that “Zone” with Swansea owning both flanks like their autobahn for their pacy wing players?
AFter we scored that 1st minute goal, it was all Norwich dominating Arsenal MDIFIELD and dominating space.
Against WBA, we were suffocated by ROy Hodgson’s tactics…adn needed Fulop’s help a sour 12th player on the pitch.
2005/06 – that dastardly lasagne
2011/12 – that dastardly Hungarian goulash
Well AK, I agreed.
Two more years for Cheesny with one off for good behaviour
But he needs another expereinced goalie to push him to another elvel in his on-going development.
Merlin, that about a goalkeeper to push him, is also in the post 😆 😆
Wicked bit of play by RvP and Robben…
I like the dutch left back….
Jetro Willems – could be a good signing Arsene…….
1-0 to the Danes 😮
Who is the slimy bald snake-oil salesman?
Gazidis I think…..
What an unpleasant thing to say about someone who wants the best for our club. Over the top I think.
For a split second, I believed you there Adam 😉
You should do Rico. I am serious.
Afellay, how good would that baby faced midfielder look in red and white…. 😛
😳 Adam….
Its true merlin.Arsene has his work cut out tactically for next season.
Bendtner – a good fist half
RVP – an unlucky man
Napoli has money. It’s a big club with many supporters
Merlin, yes, definately there is a need for an experienced deputy to SirChesney. An experienced goalkeeper, happy to play 2nd fiddle, to help SirChez in training, pass on tips and fill in during cup games.
Jussi Charlie 🙂
bendtner really is poor…..
Off for a bit….
Kaer to arsenal next season?
Bendtner not doing much to interest other clubs.
Maybe Robin could get himself a bit of a longer rest this summer, than he and we anticipated?
Chance to see podolski. He’s already done more tracking back than our wingers do in a whole game.
Podolski is rubbish 😆 😆
Charlie – if the dutch lose their next game, RvP certainly will be back in london, maybe he can sort his contract out a bit sooner 😉
Lewis, that’s not difficult….. 😉
Boo!!! The Dutch played like AFC. 😀 Pretty and pretty pointless.
Hello everyone!
Boo agag, ha ha, thy did indeed, i like their left back though, he’s only 18 years old, and i think you might like their right back 😉
Ha ha. I do, rico! 😳 Plus their baby-faced forward (he’d look so good in our kit; Barcelona stripes don’t suit him) and GK!! 🙂 🙂
Howdy?? I’ve missed my online home. 😉
Afellay – you and me both agag 🙂
Not sure about the keeper though after the ‘legs’ gaff 😉
Where have you been, I’ve missed your naugtiness 😉
What did everyone think of Affelly..?
Did he look an Arsenal player?
He’s cute Charlie, really cute 🙂
Oh, sorry – yes, he’d look great in red and white and he’d fit in mighty fine….
Afellay!!!
Howdy it’s Miss American Express.
I do your saving for a rainy day???
Me?!!! I’m spending for a rainy day… Haha
podolski isn’t having much luck imho – but his work-rate is fantastic… so many think he’s in to replace Rvp, i’d say is Gervinho who will needs to be worried….
Just been so busy. 🙁 🙁 But we have to pay the bills, eh?? I’ve a lot of those. Ha.
I’ve always liked Affelay. Sooo cute. Robin will make him feel right at home. Can’t be much fun warming the Barcelona bench.
Oh, the Dutch will recover, not to worry. Including their GK, although he was almost as bad as Chesney. 😀 😀
How’s the woofa? And the chickies?? Are you able to make leche flan now?
AK!!!! How’s my shopping buddy?? 😛 Hope all is well.
Rico……. What are you like…. 🙂
So Afellay is cute eh? Haha, ok, you sold him to me….
Pointless titbit: I’m window shopping online now, and man, English designers have the priciest shoes! 😯
rico likes ’em “cute”. That’s why she likes Theo. 😉
Agag, paying bills, booooo.
That is no fun.
You need some shoe medicine to make you feel better… 😀
😆 😆 You and agag are bad AK…
Chicks and woofa are simply fab thanks agag 🙂 How are all your animals?
Hasn’t Mario Gomez been linked with us??
Forget that, every player has been linked with us these days 😉
Don’t forget the thighs Agag.
They’re a crucial componant of any Arsenal signing… 🙂
Guys, i’m off to lock the chickens up etc etc so i’m done for the day…
And, got to try and find something to write about for tomorrow 🙁
Nighty all, stay safe, ’til tomorrow
Now that was a thumping header!! Great from Gomez.
rico, the one with cancer has gone. 😥 But all the others are fine. :
Haha, AK. I hope we buy vdW!! Is he still with Ajax?
🙂 Charlie…
Gone now…..
Oh no agag, that is so sad, i’m sorry to hear that 🙁 😥
Is WATH watching the Euros?? I remember he went to South Africa. 🙂 You can make him write match reports, rico. 😀
I bet Goonie and Dutch aren’t happy bunnies today. 🙁
Night boss.
He battled it for two years; rico. 🙁 🙁 Night, you. 😉 Don’t you be dreaming of thighs now!
Good idea agag 😉
Now i really must be a gonner, but always a gooner…
nighty….
two years agag, brave brave boy 🙁 🙁
JM won’t be sunshiney either, I see. 😉
Sorry to hear that Agag.
It’s never easy losing a pet…
I’m offski.
See ya Agag.
He was everyone’s favorite, rico. 😥 Good night!!!
Bye, AK. You take care, now. 🙂
hello agag!
One result of misleading…
The France international left the Gunners in a £25million transfer last August and went on to help City win the Premier League title.
Samir Nasri may find he is on his way out of Manchester City (PA)
However, Mancini was not happy with Nasri’s performances and has doubts about his role in the team, reports L’Equipe.
The French newspaper claimed that while the 24-year-old is not on the transfer list, City are prepared to consider bids for him.
That news may interest Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who remains one of Nasri’s biggest fans, but a section of the Gunners support would not be keen to see the midfielder return after he made a series of unflattering comments about the club.
.
It is by no means certain Wenger will try to take advantage of the situation and, even if he does, there is no guarantee City would be willing to do business.
The Etihad Stadium board are reluctant to help strengthen their rivals by selling players to top English clubs, so would prefer Nasri to move overseas.
Inter Milan were keen on the midfielder last summer and may renew their interest if they cash-in on Wesley Sneijder.
.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/901546-arsenal-could-bid-to-buy-back-samir-nasri-as-man-city-open-to-offers#ixzz1xLhJI5CA
😆 😆 😆 😆
Laughter is the best medicine.
Goodnight folks
If they pay us 25 million and his wages,he can warm our bench.
Actually,no he can’t.
Morning all….
Hi Rico.
Will you guys take back this English weather we are copping please?
Hi Scott – no thanks, its worse here 😉
New Post is up ….