Morning all.
When I read the stories suggesting Samuel Eto’o wants to sign for Arsenal, I thought, Lord help us if this comes true….
But then I sat and thought about it. He’s free, he’s experienced, he’s knocking on a bit and wouldn’t expect to play every game.
If Arsene Wenger finally signs the kind of striker we all hope he will and for the record, I believe he will, then who would you rather sat on the bench. Yaya Sanogo or Samuel Eto’o?
Just imagine if were by some miracle in the Champions League final with ten minutes to go and all we needed was one goal?
Eto’o has been there and done it and won things during his career, many things and if he could spread that ‘big’ winning feeling throughout the squad, wouldn’t it be worth it just for one season?
Ok, he’d have to take a huge pay cut because at his age, he should. Send Yaya Sanogo out on loan and then have Eto’o as our 3rd striker would not be as bad as it sounds would it?
Of course it would be lovely to sign two top class strikers but that £100 million won’t go far when we need so many other positions sorted out.
And yes, I expect some abuse after making such a suggestion about Eto’o………
Arsenal.com are running a player of the season – in 3rd place is Laurent Koscielny and he’s received very high praise from Tony Adams:
He reminds me a lot of Martin Keown. I hate labelling people because Martin Keown was one of the best we’ve ever had. But there are similarities there, the way Koscielny marks and his last-ditch tackles.
He’s tenacious in the tackle. When it came to that tight, one-to-one defending, there wasn’t a better player that I’ve played with than Keown. To put Koscielny in the same category is an enormous compliment I think.
I’ll be honest here, I’d have thought Kos would have come second in this poll.
But that place goes to the Big German, Per Mertesacker and this time it’s Arsene Wenger talking about our number 4:
He has a]super attitude – very intelligent and is getting a lot of respect from others.
He is very professional. He has developed very well, technique-wise and tactics-wise too.
In my opinion, he is one of the best defenders in the world today.
And there was me suggesting he was too slow and should be sold. That was once upon a time of course and I was wrong. I love the big man….
His partner in crime has also been praising the big guy:
Per gives everything for the club, he is a man who is respected by all of his team-mates.
He’s German so he’s professional and it’s very important to have a partner like him in the squad. He tries to give himself for the team and when the other players see that, they want to do the same.
See, what have I been saying for so long?
Sign more Germans Arsene!!!
Simples! 😉
Rumour for today from Twitter is that Arsenal have nabbed Shad Forsythe from the German International camp. For those who don’t know of him, he’s a top fitness coach from the United States.
If this is true, he will no doubt be a very very good signing…..
That’s it for another day, enjoy the rain!
Morning everyone. Eto’o? I would have him, but not as the marquee striker signing of the summer. As depth yes. But I think he’ll require too much in wages to just be a squad player.
Just read that Liverpool are stealing Aurier under our noses.. True or not? Who knows..
Good read Rico… Simples 🙂
Snap, Dev where are you?I would want you views on Germany’s squad?
Is Loew losing the plot he left out Schmelzer? What is he playing at?
Nice deep thinking on Eto. I agree to grab him, if he is our forth striker – not third 🙂
Morning all.
In his day Eto was a ‘great’ striker of that there is no doubt.
Personally – and I keep on saying it – We need a solution to a problem and not a problem to the problem.
Part of the problem is Arsene Wenger in that he cannot handle players such as Eto.
Morning again all..
Eto’o absolutely not as a main striker as said in the post, 4th striker would be ideal Roger but that reported £100 million has to stretch far. 😉
Thanks Ts…
Adk, was it true that we were we ever in for Aurier? 😉
so true Syg.
Any exciting twitter news?
Wath, Ginter made the full Germany squad. There goes any chance of him joining us…
Is Eto’o really a problem player though Syg?
I’d still prefer Torres from Chelksi.
Morning all.
Aurier said we were in for Aurier. So clearly we weren’t! Apart from which Wenger has given up buying players from Africa, largely because they disappear to the lands of their birth for the ACN and don’t reappear for weeks. I Think he’s seen the error of his ways. Stick to Europeans or the occasional South American, just to shuffle the pot! But no more folk from afric!
tsgh, I have seen Ginter play quite a few times. He’s really good. Tall, strong and fast for his height. Lot’s of potential definitely.
Rico, yes!! Don’t convince me to think otherwise 😉
Scott, Jose wouldn’t sell to us though….
I won’t I promise Adk… 😉
Hey Rico, that £100 million is for transfer fees only , or wages too? We would take Eto for free transfer on a one year rolling contract – should work for us for a 4th striker no? (but Eto might have something to say about that)
Morning Rico. What would Eto’s wages be? He’s a greedy bastard.
@wavy 10:06am ‘incurable African disease’ really! that’s very wrong to say, I have been reading HH for over a year now and Rico if you don’t frown at that statement I don’t know what’s wrong anymore
Morning all, interesting ref Eto’o, myself and couple of gooners had the same discussion returning from footie on Monday. Two against and one for, as a third choice perhaps, but think wage demands would be a problem. Like you i worried about BFGs pace and still do at times, when isolated against fast tricky players, can’t fault his commitment and attitude, seems to be an infectious character. As for Kos, top man,still a bit impetuous at times, but a good foil for BFG. You just got love German efficiency. lol
Rico, he sold to Yanited 🙂
Ginter to me is a cross between Jurgen Kohler and Mattias Sammer. A superb player who reads the ball as good as Rio in his early days at Leeds/WHU.
I have no idea roger, sorry…
Morning Adam. I don’t know the answer to that either, wonder what the Chavs paid him…
GM/GA/GE everyone wherever you are
Rumour that arsenal have appointed or close to appointing a new fitness coach(Shad forsythe). Who happens to be the fitness coach of the German NT. If true that’s the signing of the summer. 🙂
Luznic – amended now… Sorry you were offended but I doubt there was any offence meant.
B/w good post rico
Hey Emma… my fave Scouser… why have you been? I was thinking you gave up on football when Everton imploded towards the end of the season 😛
where*
tsgh – 😆 😆
Emma-Have you seen the Low’s squad list? what are your views… no Kruser, Keisling, Schmelzer…all omitted.
Morning All
Morning Rico, that really was a very good post… Honest…
Yes, today is the State Opening of a Parliament…
All the required security has basically made Westminster a ‘no-go’ area…
Complete waste of time and money…
There’s everybody trying to keep the economy going and all those idiots in Parliament can do is ensure that commerce grinds to a halt.
Just so they can feel self satisfied and the Queen can dress-up…
Load of old bollocks…
Rant over… 🙁
Shad Forsythe, sounds like someone out of a woman’s romantic novel… 😉
Let’s hope he has healing hands…. 😛
Kev have you been reading mills & boons or Jackie Collins novels again?
LHR seems excessively busy… new T2 opening…
But they were no threat Scott..
emma, that fitness coach story is in the post.. Tsk, tsk!
Luznic, I doubt Wavy meant any offence…
Ginge, I find that I don’t read books as often as I once did…
Symptomatic of the Internet I suppose…
The last book I read, finished it about 6 weeks ago, was by an American historian and was about Germany in 1945….
Interesting, but quite grim….
All will you take Aspas’ from Liverpool? surprised he failed, though he did play just 378 PL minutes.
Lol Kev… if you friends with a wordsmith you don’t need to read mate… 🙂 All you need is a couple of cups of green tea… 😉
Hey Luzinic, come on and join us, give us a run down on any African players you recommend….
As far as Eto’o is concerned, too expensive in my view…
If he really, really, wants to play for Arsenal/Wenger, then prove it by accepting a wage cut…
Of course this won’t happen, nor would his Agent allow it…
tsgh – The big name left out was Schmelzer. But I think they have good enough quality to compensate for his position
Ginge, I did have my green tea this morning…
And very nice it was too…
Wordsmith Ginge, I can only wish that I could conjure up a mental picture, through words, with quite the skill that my good mate can produce, with consummate ease…
Kev, have you heard of Gervinho? Excellent player… 😛
Very interesting info: Shad Forsythe Q and A http://www.elitesoccerconditioning.com/SpeedTraining/Shad%20Forsythe%20Q%20and%20A.htm
Apparently we are in for Stéphane Ruffier the french goalie…
Ginge, he is doing very well, so I hear, in a league I suspect, that is better suited to his peculiar talents…
Gervinho maybe arrived a tad over-hyped, therefore expectations were, possibly, too high…
In Walcott, AOC & Podolski we have players far more effective a reliable…
Let’s put it this way, if you needed a goal scored, to save your life, who would you rather have in front of goal, Podolski? Walcott? AOC? Or Gervinho?
Morning Kev, thanks – and re his healing hands 😉
emma, thanks too 🙂
re- Stephane: Ginge is he any good?
Save us from a cheapo goalie from Ligue Un…. 🙄
Emma tbh, St Ettiene have a very good squad but I thought their keeper was average; He was brought in by Deschamp when the OM goalie got injured last week in the pre-WC friendly…
He is a decent 2nd choice but 27 years so…
Lol Kev… was just teasing re Yao Gerv…
On your question I won’t pick Yao Gerv anywhere near such a list in terms of goal scorers…
Any player coming in on the back of losing Nasri and Cesc was bound to fail imho…
Stephan
Emma, my bad; a french colleague of mind just told me Stephane is as good as Lloris but he is underrated because he plays for St Ettiene
His saves…
Alright. Hopefully we get a good 2nd choice keeper this summer
Rico. Word has it that he was on £150,000 a week plus. A bit less than Lee in other words. 🙂
Chopping fresh chives is boring…!
Just saying….
Morning all, good post rico.
🙂 Adam. In which case, forget it….
Afternoon Adam…
Would Ruffier move to Arsenal and be happy to be a substitute?
Morning Gdna, thanks…
Watford have released former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
The Spaniard, who captained the Vicarage Road side last season, joined the Hornets in 2012 following eight years at Arsenal and went on to make 79 appearances in the Championship.
Watford have also waved goodbye to former Italy international Marco Cassetti, midfielder Ross Jenkins and defender Nyron Nosworthy, while Fitz Hall, Albert Riera and Lucas Neill are also set to leave the Hertfordshire club. LOL
I agree Rico. With all the speculation, some of it bordering on insanity, it is growing increasingly intriguing to see what Wenger’s actual transfer stategy will be. Conditioned by recent events I fully expect to feel underwhelmed and rather let down but a small part of me remains untainted and optimistic. If we lose genuine targets through inaction that will be very, very bad.
As long as we look at the squad on the 1st September and believe it capable of winning the PL then that will be excellent.
So, David May has criticised Roy Hodgsons decision to play Rooney on the left against Ecudor this evening…
Can someone please remind me of David May’s glittering management and coaching career????
Morning Kev. When I think about David May the word tosser springs to mind.
Ah, what a wonderfull word ‘tosser’ actually is Adam…
Wanker, shit-head, knob-head, they all have their uses.
But tosser, well it just has that extra-something… 😉
I’ve never heard of David May so enough said 🙂
On that note…early start tomorrow, so have a great day everyone.
Morning all
Lot of all speculation in all media
Kev. If you look it up in the dictionary it says David May.
Adam 😆
Rico, watch your fingers!!
I’m still optimistic Adam…. 🙂
Sorry if I offended anyone, as you say it was not intentional. I had Toure in mind who came back from the Ivory Coast very late because he had contracted malaria, an incurable disease. I always felt that was one of the reasons he was sold, he so often had relapses, indeed I read the other day that he has just gone down with it again and his WC place is in doubt.
I like that word Kev, and bollox 🙂
I had a feeling you were referring to Kolo Wavy.
Good Afternoon Chappies and Lasses.
Scott….you never heard of Brian May???? That is what you get from living in a mud hut. Brian May is still a musical icon formerly of the group Queen.
Then you will always get dick heads who masquerade with the name of others to try and be an icon in their own field and end up as incompetent fools. And the Brian May of football is one such DICKHEADED arse.
Pulling your leg Scott.
Ramsey has been voted the Player of the year mates. GD. But I still think that Per should have got it…….simply because he was the team’s real captain and he kept the team together.
I remain optimistic until disillusionment Rico.
The Star report that Fabregas has had a medical at Chelsea..
Bt, all in tact. 🙂
Hi Devil…
Hi Rico.
The Star reports many things. but they all are simply that…….reports.
Kos and Merts would be my one and two Devil..
Followed closely by Sagna & Ramsey
Yes, I like bollox/ bollocks as well Rico…
It has many uses… 😉
Wonder what exceptional talent wenger has on the hot plate.
Fab not good enough………………Can’t wait
Oh I know Devil, but when it comes to The Star, it’s all utter b****x..
BFG for me….
No suprise there…. 🙂
🙂 Kev…..
Me neither fred….
That optimistic eh Adam? 😉
In the above article, which was a good read, you asked if Eto’o would be good for us.
I dare say that atm he is a like a woman scorned. So he would be willing to give that extra 10-15% to spite Jose, even if only in the two games against the chavs.
I would sign him. Even on a one year contract. Because he has been there and done it….even against us.
Adam mentioned “disillusionment”, wasn’t that the period in history that followed the “enlightenment”. We haven’t leaned much since or reached the “optimistic” period yet! ( despite what the coalition would have us believe!)
My own expressive word for all occasions and all social situations is:
Nob or Knob depending on context.
E’to was bought by Abraham in order to get him off the Anchi payroll, as the Russian club were on the verge of going bust. He surely couldn’t have expected another years contract at his advanced age? How old did the poison dwarf think he was 40 ish? And we all know the vertically challenged one is NEVER WRONG!
He’d be older than Barry! Still he and Wenger could take tea in the afternoon and discuss the ageing process!
(Not meaning to be ageist, just saying)
Hmm, knob is good Wavy, I like it…
Hey everyone,
Have Chavs bought Cesc yet? Even if he buys him, he is always going to play ultra defensive game with only 4 players attacking. For all his tactical genius, he is nothing but George Graham with money.
kev as much as I like to recommend any African player right now, they are just not of Arsenal standard right now except Yaya, but we can make Nigeria’s Uche Nwofor our third striker, he is better than Yaya Sirnogoal and he is just 22 or so, but for me I won’t be bothered about tge transfer window because Wenger never meets our expectations…….never ever…..BTW Rico you have done a great job with HH and this is the first time I have written any comment after reading daily for the past one year
Luz: Re: Expectations: Mesut f**** Ozil
S2S something still tells me Mesut was a signing to appease the fans because of the deadline day he came in, he wasn’t planned, he was available and the board could spend 42 million to make the ems a quiet place again, how about AW proves me wrong and get a marquee singing before the middle of August…….
A woman scorned! Love it Devil, and 1 year deal would be solid backup firepower imo. And Eto scores the winner v chelsea. Love it double.
Anyway, any news on strikers #2 and #3 that we need buy still?
From the Telegraph:
• Long shot of the day: Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotto has given the go-ahead for a £65 million bid for Luis Suarez. (Marca)
I reckon he’s being bought as a squad player!
Or a swap for Morata?
The dippers are obviously ‘smoking something’. Can a bis be true?
Luznic. Good to hear thanks and its such a shame it took for you to feel offended to join us here..
Still, now you are on, I hope you stick around…
Afternoon all….
Bloody Java and it’s sidekick games site!! Still, hopefully everything will soon be resolved as my laptop is heading off to the IT experts to check the site….
So Costa passes a medical at Chelsea after they met his buyout clause… big clubs know what they want and just go get it done early. Can’t wait to find out who our new strikers will be tomorrow!
Costa another Gudjohnsen, Gullit, Weah, Torres or crespo or Adrian Mutu or kezman or schevchenko or quaresma or ba . 😀
Costa to Chelsea,now there’s a surprise….
Ts, he’ll be banned more than he plays. 😉
Lol Rico.. is that according to the crystal ball?
No Ts, he’s a nutter 😉
Back in a bit, dinner…
So, what are you asserting T’s? Is it that Costa is a knob? ( there I’ve said it, and in ‘context’)!
He seems to fulfil all the criteria for another Chavs centre forward! Failure is there middle name!
Their!
Boo..
Exactly how can Costa pass a medical when he’s injured? 🙂
Appears that everyone has gone, so I will join you…
Night all…
I’m here 🙂
I must say I’m either very stupid, very naive or both.
Footballers at the top level already earn great money.
Why would a striker, any striker, want to go to Chelski?
Are the footballers that have pride in performance, or is it really just all about the money for these guys?
Costa must know he will not enjoy his football there, so is the extra 50k a week really worth it?
Will it make his quality of life better than the 150k a week he could earn anywhere else??
I really do not understand it.
I guess I like to think the human race is just better than that.
Small ing was a signing we wanted to make. We definitely ducked a bullet there. He was shocking tonight, truly shocking. Jones was another we wanted a couple of years ago and he was little better. No wonder manure finished 7th! Defence piss poor!
And if anybody reckons Rooney was good tonight they are deluded. What has happened to him?
Jack looked ok and the Ox was v good, imo.
Milner and Shaw were awfull
Lol Wavy, Rick…
It was England you were watching you know… 🙂
Scott, it is allegedly ambition… as fans like to call it… lol
With Costa it was inevitable he was going to join…
In January when AFC fans were calling for AW to make a move, as I said then he was going to join Jose…
His agent being Jose’s agent also helped I must add.
night all…
… based on tonight’s performance Rico you owe me 50p 😛
Sorry to be pedantic, but I thought England did ok this evening…
It was more an exercise in adapting to playing in the heat and dealing with South American opponants…
The back-four didn’t get any cover from the midfield and were constantly exposed…
As a contest it was a bit gung-ho, too open, but I liked the way that our players didn’t start going ‘long’ and kept passing the ball…
Of course we want to win, but the ultimate aim is to prepare for Italy.
I think you will see a lot of ordinary performances and results from the teams involved, leading up to the competition.
I can’t believe OX got injured tripping over another play.
Apparently, Arsenal are looking to sign a 17 year old PSG player for £1m…
Midfielder, Kingsley Coman….
Morning Lee, now try and curb your excitement mate… 😉
Morning all.
Kev, that kid has already rejected PSG’s extension, so is headed our way, I reckon.
17 yr old player…that’ll clinch it! I think wenger letting fabregas go else elsewhere is a huge mistake….
I reckon we may get Cesc, Lee.
Things are just too quiet.
If so Scott, that’ll be a fucking kick arse midfield…
Add a couple of pacey forwards…..
We win it all!!!
Morning Scott/Lee.
The most important signing, if we can manage it, might just be that American fitness guy…
Take away the majority of our injuries and get our injured players fit, and then we’d really be competitive…
Maybe he’d manage to ever sort out Diaby?!!!
Morning kev, Scott et al,
I am with you Kev re England’s performance; I thought we have a bit more compusure on the ball… but Lampard and JW as the pivot was a bit porous… I am sure they will get used to the role though by next week.
As I was saying I could be 50p richer thanks to Rico based on that performance yesterday… 🙂
You got to love IG and his ‘double speak’.
He said last night that ‘the club is already in advanced discussions with several players and that Aw is not scared to spend big’; but … wait… ‘AW has to ‘juggle’ a budget unlike our rivals…’ 😛 Another classic from IG
Morning Scott, Kev, Lee and all…
Cesc to Chelsea done….
According to the Daily Star.. 😉
Gonçalo Lopes @_GoncaloLopes ·
Cesc Fábregas and CFC. 33m€. Deal almost closed.
To quote one of the club’s Directors: “Cesc is 100% available, though we’re not sure if Arsène considers him a priority.”
Pique (to Del Bosque, caught on mic before press conference today): “Cesc told me the deal is done, 33 millions.” [via tve]
Morning Ts. I think my 50p is safe…. 😉
Senderos must have the best football agent in the world…
Senderos will complete a move to Aston Villa soon. Valencia defender set for 7th club in 11 years.lol
Morning Rico… you sound so confident you getting me worried… lol
Jose is a busy man…
Atlético will sign keeper Miguel Moyà from Getafe. Courtois set to return to Chelsea.
With all of Jose’s apparent spending, there will be some Chelski players to be had soon enough.
Cesc won’t go to Chelski.
Morning Rico/Ginge….
£200k pw for Cesc…
Having to deal with David Dein…
A couple of reasons that Fregas is off to Chelsea….
Costa and Fabregas in one week…
We can only dream of such proactive transfer business…
If Courtois is going back to Chelsea, he ain’t going back to sit on the bench…
Petr Cech could be on the market?
Actually, I am giving credit to Jose that he does not deserve… Jose can’t sign a donkey from a horse shed if he had to…
Marina Granovskaia and Ron Gourlay pull the strings of the club… Jose has always been a puppet with ego!
at the club*
If, and I don’t see it, Chelski get Cesc, on top of Costa, who will they offload?
Torres and perhaps Hazard, especially as PSG want the latter and would no doubt offer big money for him which would balance the books..
LUkaku is joining Ath…
New post is up now…
Good move for Lukaku, he’ll learn more from Simone…
Luiz is already gone so already they are in the black…
Marina is a proper business woman… IG could learn a thing or 2 from here…
As I mentioned 2 years ago, she even went over to NY to speak with Pep to dry to get him to join them… but as Agag implies maybe Pep does not get swayed by such looks. 😉 🙂