Afternoon all.
There’s an article in the Daily Cannon this morning quoting Santi Cazorla from an interview with Arsenalfantv.
Does he want to stay?
‘Yes, we want to improve in the Premier League and the Champions League.
I think if we play how we’ve been playing in the last 10 games then we have a great opportunity.
I think we’ll sign new players, the team will be very strong and of course we want to win the Premier League and the Champions League’.
Premier League and FA Cup at the end of next season would do me and all the time the footballing big wigs want certain European clubs in the Champions League final, we’ll stand no chance of winning the big competition.
I hope Santi is right though on both accounts, we’ll sign the players to really take us up a level and when the season kicks off, we look strong, very strong, even without Sanchez, Gabriel and Ospina.
Looks like Aaron Ramsey might miss Monday nights match as he ‘took a big kick’ from one of the Hull players during our 3-1 victory and has not trained since. Arsene Wenger did say he could be back soon, I hope that’s very soon. Welbeck will also miss the Swansea match through injury as does Debuchy, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta.
Arsene Wenger has been talking about Francis Coquelin and how he was cheesed off after being called back from his loan spell at Charlton as he believed he was just going to sit on the bench and having been a regular for his loan club, he wanted to play football each week. His first game back was indeed as a bench warmer for our home match against Qpr but then we travelled to West Ham and the 24 year hasn’t looked back since:
We went into the first game and I didn’t start him. Then we went to West Ham United and I started him. He was surprised because we played at home against QPR and I didn’t play him, but I did away at West Ham.
Since then, he has not moved out of the team because he sticks to what he is strong at – winning the ball and using it well. What is also surprising is that he’s very good in the air because he has a very good leap.
I always remind him that we have gone through a long period of suffering and I tell him not to forget that – always remember who you are. That is a very great example for young kids because you make a career with one dominant quality, but sometimes you forget who you are.
He’s a good example but the other good example is that he arrived at 17 and has finally made it at 24. It’s unbelievable how patient and open-minded you have to be.
As Kev said yesterday, we have a few players who are either 20 years old or very close to that age who need to have the same patience as Coquelin because if they prove they have what it takes wherever they are sent to play, they’ll get their chance at Arsenal eventually. Akpom, Toral, Hayden, Martinez to name just a few, need to remember that.
Their Arsenal career is in their own hands, prove their worth before thinking the grass might be greener elsewhere because I honestly don’t think it is and one only has to look back at players comments after leaving Arsenal for ‘better things’, so many wish they’d stayed.
Of course there is nothing they can do if the club cast them aside but then I suspect there’s a reason for that, although seeing Benik Afobe score week in week out sometimes makes me wonder why he was one of them…
Two players who won’t be leaving Arsenal this summer is Carl Jenkinson and Theo Walcott. Wenger says he met Carl Jenkinson this week and says his target is to keep him at Arsenal.
The decision is now whether to bring him back now or give him one more year on loan.
Wenger says the club are still in talks with Theo Walcott:
We’re keen to do it, he’s keen to do it.
Regardless of whether he signs or not, the manager says Walcott will not leave Arsenal this summer…
Happy Friday guys, have a great day……
Morning all.
Afternoon Scott and all….
I’m really pleased Jenks is staying, even if he does go on loan for another season. Looks like Walcott will sign on the dotted line too….
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
“Regardless of whether he signs or not, the manager says Walcott will not leave Arsenal this summer…” Is this just posturing during negotiations with Theo or an attempt to put Liverpool off from bidding for Theo? Theo is not that critical to the current Arsenal team.
I’d like for him to stay, but I’d rather sell him now than see him walk away for free next summer.
Afternoon all,
Good post , rico…even when I was believing there wasn’t going to be one today. Better late than never then.
Theo Walcott is one player Arsenal shouldn’t ever dream of losing…not yet, not before he’s 30! Wenger put enormous work and patience molding the speed star…Le Prof won’t lose him before his peak.
I still believe Theo is the best finisher in present Arsenal fold. Give him a good pre-season and he’ll be the catalyst for our early season good form. All he needs is a few starts to get back confidence. He has exquisite positional sense and craft to make any goalkeeper quake. And of course…that pace! He’s a big-game player too. Ask Barca!
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
That is great news Rico…..about Jenks staying. Gd. That means that Debuchy will be our fourth CB and Jenks and Bellerin will sort out the right back spot between them. With Jenks back we have two players for each of the back four position.
So that means that AW will buy a DM and maybe a CF to complement or play instead of Ollie.
Morning Cg. I think he’ll sign tbh, but if he doesn’t no doubt he’ll be sold in January…
Didn’t Wenger say that Nasri was staying?? Plus a few others…… forked tongue methinks!
Thanks Tai – I had a few issues behind the scenes, so the post was a bit late.. lol
Have you been busy or not able to access the site?
Devil. I’m pleased too and I think it makes sense, especially if Debuchy has another season like this one. There’s a CB in him too…
Those days of Nasri was when Arsenal needed the cash. Today Wenger can afford to let Walcott walk on a free instead of losing him to a rival.
We still need Walcott and I’d prefer he walked on a free to losing him to Liverpool next season!
Been busy, Rico…never had problem accessing HH.
Wenger out! he could have signed depay now we ll pay for it. He should never have bought ozil or sanchez they are a waste of resources. We could have gotten di maria falcao and mvilla. He’s lost it. He’s a senile old french coont. Winning the fa cup is not good enough we should be aiming to win the world cup euro Copa America Asian cup and African cup of nations. He’s made us a laughing stock. Wenger out 😀
I’d upgrade Walcott….
Morning cookies and creams 😀
Skunk weed Stan?
Nah lee octipssy 😀
Morning brudder lee how’s it hanging?
Lee, don’t forget AW has said we no longer need to sell our better players.. 😉
Lee – Stan’s on something, I’m not sure what.
Stan – Are Arsenal going to buy some tiny African nation so they can compete in the ACN? LOL
Ok, thanks Tai.
Goonster, don’t you start with the cream cookies too, one is bad enough… lol
CG:D
😀
Morning maam you can never have enough of cookies and creams. You know that right? Lol
Hi Goonie, don’t touch either myself.. lol
am really looking forward to next season. My, what a season it ll be. can’t wait to see sanchez in his second season and ozil’s third. We ll rip them
Just add an all round midfielder. Combative and skillful. Lol WATH wants an nzonzi 😀
Welcome, Rico. The season is ending well after all. If we retain the FA Cup, finish 2nd or 3rd, I’d say we had a great season, knowing how we started…at a point, it was our worst in Premiership history!
With fit Sanchez, Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck, Ox-Chamberlain, not forgetting Gnabry, I’d say we have a fearful attack. And with Ozil, Carzola, Wilshere, Ramsey, not forgetting Rosicky, I’d say we’re perfect in the creative room. I’d add Schneiderlin to Coquelene…and find a monster of a Cb…then have a well-planned pre-season and go for it next season!
There is a reason for me calling you lovelies and hunkies. Will tell you when the time is right. but not yet.
Goonie……man’s best friend. how are you mate?????
Tai, I still think that AW will buy only a DM and an attacker. That is all. Campbell and Podolski will go. so he will want to replace them with one attacker more. I think Pedro will come to the EMS.
But no CB.
The defence is settled as it is…….Bellerin/Jenks…..GAbriel/Per….Kos/Chambers….Monreal/Gibbs
I think I might know why Devil…. 😉
Pogba…
I’m good Stan got a small hangover…..
Lol dev man’s best friend??? Really? ? Are you calling me a dog?
That’s our lee 😀 always hung over. Gee you re more knackered than a beer merchant. Lol
Dev no attacker ll come in mate. Another creative midfielder/winger. Am looking at isco. If the rumors of him wanting out of Madrid is true then we re due our annual marquee signing. Santi knows something I ll wager he’s privy to some information about the deal. Isco is coming lord God help me. Isco ozil santi rambo oxcham and SanChez???? Kreaming 😀
Me Goonie?? call you a dog. why do you think so. 😉
you do not know Rico I am sorry. one day you might. but not yet.
He’s off to Spain isn’t he Lee? Do you reckon he’d be good for us?
the lovelies are you and AGAG while the hunkies are the rest of the boys, Goonie included even though he thinks I called him a dog.
Goonie….Pedro is an attacking winger…..I think he will come to the Ems
Meant to add. I do…
Coq the Petit, Pogba the Vieira… lol
Funnily just read that Juve have turned down a massive bid for him from Arselona……yeah I reckon he’d be good for us but so would Kongdogbia!
Dev…you got good point. But Per is my worry. He’s getting on…and even his younger days lacked pace. I don’t fancy Debuchy at CB at all. Maybe Chambers will have more games in his natural CB position. But I’d really go for a hard as nails CB, then DM.
Striker? No for me…we’re third best attacking team in the EPL with Giroud, and Ozil out for long periods…and Walcott playing no part at all. Giroud’s roles in Arsenal goes beyond just sticking it home. Since Drogba, no no 9 has helped his team more in general play than Giroud in the EPL.
Wenger won’t relegate Giroud that improves every season to second choice by signing a world class finisher as Henry wanted. Neither will Wenger go for Giroud’s deputy – there’s already Welbeck. Third choice? There’s Sanogo, Campbell and Akpom to choose from…
Pedro? No chance…there’s Walcott(a better finisher, more pace, EPL bred, home grown), there’s Ox-Chamberlain(vastly improved since arrival of Sanchez, home grown), there’s Gnabry(younger) and of course, there’s Sanchez, who started Pedro’s bench roles at Barca. Pedro won’t tie a regular place in this Arsenal team and he’s not much better than those on the bench – waste of resources.
Yep, I like Kondogbia too…
Kondogbia? With Ramsey showing he’d ever remain a first choice in the team? Kondogbia is more like Ramsey…box-to-box – Wilshere’s role too and of late, Santi’s. Why not go for an out-and-out DM? Someone to play with Le Coq in top away matches , then rotate with Le Coq in others…
I am with you Tai. A proper DM for me as well. However Kondogbia might be converted into one by AW.
still….i prefer Schneiderlin
I prefer Scheiderlin too…if we’re getting one, let’s grab him fast!
And Dev…how I hate conversions!
I prefer Karl Henry 😀
wath ll agree with me. We need a big brawny bastard in the middle. A no nonsense physical prick. Karl Henry fits the bill 😀
Goonie prefers a good looking mamchita instead of Karl Henry.
Lee has a slight hangover… now there’s a surprise…!
I won’t even ask how Stan know’s about Karl Henry and a no nonsense physical prick…. The mind boggles………….
Schneiderlin would be a good addition too – thing is, Coq does the donkey work so Kondogbia playing box to box wouldn’t be such an issue surely?
Like I said earlier, that worked so well with Paddy and Petit.
Still, as long as one of the names mentioned or someone similar comes in this summer, I know I’ll be happy.. Well, and one or two more of course….
What do you think about Schneiderlin Wath, he’s been a bit injured this season…
I got feeling with the emergence of Coq we’re not getting Schneiderlin…..
Rico……Henry and Cesc spent most of their last season at the Ems sulking and getting injured. Is it surprising seeing that Morgan wanted to leave last summer and he had to spend another season with Southampton???
were they real injuries or not???
That wouldn’t surprise me at all Lee but surely AW knows that one injury to him and we are done for again. With Flamini out of contract, Diaby, well being Diaby – both need replacing with a CDM who can be relied on…
Well, that’s my logic….
More tea vicar?
There is that Devil..
I hope the ESPN story yesterday was true… He’s no beast but he’s effective/affective… lol
Brudder.
Niggling injuries Rico nothing major though really…? I’d take him or Gonalons…! Like Kondogbia as well…!
Brudder.
Good point Wath, not like he’s been out with broken bones or similar..
Arsenal won the league at old toilet 15yrs ago today…..
And you didn’t let me know Lee…. 😉
The only cure I know for a hangover is double pie and mash, with lashings of liqueur and vinegar….
Rock on Adam, give us a tune with your axe… 😉
Btw….
Boring Boring Chelsea…
Hahahahahahahahah wath you mong…I just spilled my latte all over my desk. Hahahahaha my god you ll be the death of me. Oh lord. Good afternoon good people.
Howdy kev….what’s new?
Boring boring Chelsea but they’ve won the league….wasn’t it boring boring Arsenal not that long ago?
Did we win our first double 44yrs ago today too????
No salt Kev? Lol
That’s a big ouch Lee but you make a point, a very good one….
I’m hoping a post will soon come my way about that subject of boring football….
The football I was introduced to in the late 1960’s and up until the late 90’s was indeed quite boring….
And I really don’t wanna go back to that kind of football…
I’m not sure that the majority of supporters would welcome a return to 1-0 to the Arsenal…
I’d like to think that Arsenal have moved on from that kind of stagnant football…
Not sure that Arsenal would sell out a 60,000 stadium playing that way…
Just saying…
No salt Rico, no… 🙂
Stan, there’s nothing new mate…
How about you?
Evening Rico and all.
I love my salt Kev, only on a few things though and it’s always Sea Salt… 🙂
Evening Adam… Who would be your choice of midfielder?
The big difference between boring boring Arsenal and boring boring Chelsea is we hadn’t spent a billion pounds to play boring football.
But with GG as manager, spending millions would have made little difference to the way he had us playing….
Maybe
Still the only London based team to win the CL something Wenger will never do…..
Lee, are you on an Arsenal downer….. Lol
No things are good but I’m being realistic re Arsenal and the CL….
And you are right though….. Sadly.
Well I choose to believe we can Chelsea didn’t rip up any trees when they won it and they finished 6th in the PL.
But like the Dippers, they still have their name on the cup…
Mind you, I’d rather we won the league and FA cup each season….
Look on the bright side Lee, we were the first London based club to reach the CL final, I’ll grab me coat !
Weren’t we top scorers under Graham when we won the league in 89….if not we were up there
The same season Chelsea won division 2 and Citeh were runners up……lol.
Lee, have a sparkler mate..
Kev, some would say Arsenal stood for winning long before entertainment came along !
Of course we all love to watch us playing beautiful football week in week out but deep down more than anything we wanna see our team come away with a win.
Get nothing for second Micko… Lol
I’m alright, you alright Bt.
Your not wrong rico.
Or 4th Micko….
All good Micko, thanks for asklng…How u doin?
Evening to you all…
Keeping my good side out Bt.
We’ll just have to smash it next year rico and shut em all up !
Time to storm the stella barricades.
Over and out.
Well I’m off to shut the girls up for the night and then off for a glass of ginger beer..
Catch up tomorrow guys…
Night Bt, Lee, Micko, Joe and all…..
We will have to Micko………
Night Rico, drop a wee Morgans or a JD in the ginger beer…
Micko, wouldnt want to be behind the barricades when you get there.
We’ll have to get past the quarter finals to win the CL something we can’t seem to do…..
Don’t you ever sleep Lee… 🙂
Morning to you and all..
Morning all…
Lee wants to win the CL…no sleep for the overambitious…lol.
He’s right though Tai, Arsenal really need to improve their CL record. I’m not saying we should win it but losing at home the way we do each season in the knock-out stages has become a bit embarrassing…
Yeah…my remark earlier was tongue-in-cheek. I’d give a limb for CL trophy, especially under Wenger.
However, I believe we have paid the prize of having one of the best stadia in Europe, placing Arsenal amongst the financially healthiest clubs in the world, increasing the fan base even without trophies and getting ready to truly challenge again. Next two seasons will see Wenger all out for the CL crown, his ultimate holy grail!
Surely everyone wants to win the CL not just make the numbers up each season? We’ve got to improve significantly to win the CL and I really don’t see Wenger as the manager to do that with Arsenal.
Well not unless your milking the revenue stream that it generates….
I knew Tai.. 😉
I’ve never been overly fussed about the CL because I truly believe there is an outside interference which ensures which clubs will make it to the final. No evidence of course, just a hunch…
You and your conspiracy theories Rico! 😉
Morning Rico, Brudder, Tai and all.
I sincerely do believe Wenger can…it’s all a matter of having the right players…we may not be Barca or Madrid but with luck, we can get to the final like Athletico Madrid and Dortmund…not forgetting Paris in 2006.
When I see Sanchez, Ozil, Carzola, Koscielny, Ramsey…even Monreal of late..take away his injuries, Debuchy is topnotch…I imagine what two more World class players could do for the team. Wenger can get both now…or characteristically get one now and wait for next window. Whichever way, we’ll be getting closer.
🙂 Lee – I still haven’t got over RvP getting sent off for not hearing the whistle… lol
Morning Adam
Morning Adam…
Rico, then we shouldn’t have played in 2006 final. Remember it took Lehman’s last-minute Riqueme’s penalty save to get us to that final. Arsenal are far much victimised by refs in England than in Europe!
I was being ironic Tai after Lee’s comment… lol
Adam. Did you see Peter Moores could be given the chop today? Good news if true…
Adam do you believe Arsene can win the PL or the CL?
Lee…don’t ask Adam! We both know what his response would be…
I think he can win the PL IF he makes a few good signings this summer…
I was interested in his view as goes to most matches, that’s why asked the question and who he thought would be better equipped to do the job for Arsenal…..if that’s ok with you Tai?
I think Tai had his tongue in his cheek again Lee.
Only kidding, Lee. Of course, I’m equally interested in Adam’s views…
The Wenger I saw that beat City twice this season, beat Man U at OT…made Chelsea openly celebrate a draw is Wenger that has shifted in tactics and focus. Yes…just two World class signings could do it!
I’d say 3 Tai.. Maybe even four.
Four? Which positions, Rico?
GK, Midfielder & striker are the 3.
If Walcott goes, a winger
If Wenger wins the FACup this season, a big ‘if’ as Aston Villa are gonna be a tough nut to crack, that’ll be three trophies in two seasons…
That’s from a Specialist in Failure…
I think that Wenger has done enough to deserve his last season in 2015/16…
I have moaned about him as much as anyone on here, even as much as Mick, but if he leaves Arsenal and doesn’t have the CL on his CV I will still look back on his time in charge as being successful…
All those managers, who have won the CL during the past 15 years, have done it with a shed load of finance and in most cases enjoyed the good fortune that Arsenal have lacked since George Graham headed an own goal past Bob Wilson in 1972…
Even if Wenger, by some miracle, won the EPL in 2016, he’ll be criticised for never having won the CL….
But is winning the CL the barometer that we should use, when judging a managers achievements?
After all Roberto Di Matteo has won the CL and surely nobody is saying that he is a better manager than Wenger?!
Morning Rico, Adam, Lee and All…
Boring Boring Chelsea…
Top off the morning to you all.
Lee, how is the hangover?
Morning BT and Tai….
BT my hangover is in need of some tea, so I’m off to put the kettle on…
Morning Kev, good comment.
And no re the CL… imo
Morning Bt
New post up now.