Twitter was rife yesterday with rumours about us signing a Spanish International who was named in the recent Euro winning squad. Then the guessing games began, Santi Cazorla was the most popular players name and why, I don’t know. I’d like to think it would be Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao but somehow I doubt it.
Where there’s a rumour for one in, there’s usually one about an exit and today it is again Arshavin who makes the newspapers and yes, Zenit want him back. Well hurry up and get on with it then…
Pictures, that’s all we get on the official site right now, the new kit, which has been made of recycled plastic bottles, has been ‘modelled’ by a few players and all looks very posh, but in my opinion, awful and then there was this one of our new number 2 talking to Vermaelen, our future captain maybe.
Enough of all that, here’s Allezkevs post:
Twelve months ago, the majority of Arsenal fans were looking forward to the signing of one of the major players from the then recently crowned Le Championat winners.
Namely Lille’s goalscoring winger Gervinho….
Twelve months ago we licked our lips in anticipation of the tricky Ivorian’s arrival and how his addition to our attack could change its dynamic’s.
Would he be another wide player, who Arsene Wenger would convert into a striker, a la Thierry Henry?
Would he provide the ammunition for Van Persie, new striker Chu Young Park and of course Maroune Chamakh?
Would he be that wide goalscorer we’ve lacked since the demise of Pires & Ljungberg?
We eagerly looked up snippets of Gervinho playing for Lille and linking up with Eden Hazard.
Making and scoring many goals as Lille romped away with the French title.
Even after a slow start to his Arsenal career we comforted ourselves in the belief that after a settling in period, he would eventually set the EPL alight….
But we’re still waiting!
Leaving halfway through the season to play in the African Cup of Nations didn’t help and then there was a succession of niggling injuries.
So after 25 appearances in the Premier League, he has scored just 4 goals.
In His 34 total appearances, his return is just 4 goals and 8 assists!
What do we think of our £10 million signing from Lille???
More to the point, what does his future hold following the emergence of Oxlade-Chamberlain and the arrival of Lukas Podolski?
Let’s not forget Ryo Miyaichi either, he is waiting in the wings for his chance to usurp him as well.
Gervinho needs to have a stunning pre-season and hit the deck like an Ivorian tornado once the season kicks-off.
Otherwise, he may find himself quickly relegated into being a bit-part player.
Written by Allezkev
Morning guys, long time.
Happy to see Bartley promoted into the first team – he’s worked hard for it. Three loans where he’s impressed and has rightfully earned his place in the squad. That’s how we should do it, not launching in 18-year-olds at the deep end who blatantly aren’t ready. I think Bartley, coupled with Djourou’s recent comments mean we won’t be in the market for a CB.Hopefully Bould will be able to implement his strategy, looks to have the defenders’ attention in that pic 😉
I’d say M’Vila and and maybe an AM, depending on the RVP situation would make me happy with the summers work.
Onto today’s post. Gervinho is awesome. That is all….
No, in all seriousness, i’m surprised people are jumping on him so quickly. Am I the only one who likes to give a foreigner a years grace? The guy is adapting to a new league, new culture, new teammates, new style of play – not to mention he’s got a young family so that will also be a priority.
Now i’m not saying the guy is immune from criticism, definitely not. He has to sharpen up when he gets to the final third but his all round game is very good. Bar maybe AOC, there isn’t really a dribbler in the squad. Gervinho seems to be able to go past people at will, and we definitely need that in our squad, especially when people come and park the bus when we play at home.
I think he’s a very productive player, and along with Ramsey, I think they’ll both have bigger and better seasons than last time out. The only thing which is a bit of a bummer, is that the ACON is on again this year :/
Still, i think the guy can get into double figures for goals and assists this coming season. There are people in the squad who deserve greater criticism. Gervinho has shown potential, and I think that will be harnessed more this coming season.
Also, remember Henry and Pires took time to get going as well. Different players adapt at different rates.
All Gervinho needs is some target practice. Once he can hit the target with something r5esembling regularity we might have a bit of a player on our hands. Then we will sell him to the camel lovers up north. Top post by the way
I am confident about Gervinho. I always believe the 2nd season is the time to judge a player as we’ve seen with many a foreign player to join Arsenal.
Ryo Miyaichi is good but it may take 3 or 4 years before he’s at the level required to play at a top team. It wouldn’t surprise me if Wenger didn’t make any further signings.
Every year we think he’ll change policy and bring in a marquee signing like a M’Villa or Javi Martinez but deep down we know he’s more interested in bringing in the Joel Campbell’s of this world and seeing them farmed out on loan for yrs before realising they’re not good enough.
I think we have a number of players who are due a step up in productivity. Ramsey has had a year since coming back from a serious injury and will improve (if the boo boys stay off his back), Gibbs if he can stay fit, Santos if he can shift a bit of timber and Theo who needs to consistently find a team mate and stop running into blind alleys. Apparently we signed some bloke called Diaby, does anybody know if he’s any good?
I refuse to acknowledge Diaby as an Arsenal player.
Gervinho carried the team well during the first half of our season. The mentality was pretty low at that time but he pushed on and he gave crucial assists to RvP. On top of that, he helps out a lot in defense unlike his right side counterpart Theo Walcott.
Theo Walcott may have better statistics than Gervinho, but he costed us many points as well.
i still rate gervinho. i just wonder if he will ever find the confidence that would provide him a true immersion into the prem. we’ve seen glimpses and in my opinion a few starts might be all he needs…that and spot kick lessons.
Morning all
Another fine post Kev, I can honestly see Podolski and Ryo giving Gerv a run for his money, unless of course, the plan is to swap hm to the right if Theo leaves…
Good morning Fine Folk.
A good post Sir AK. You should forward those questions to the man himself….to Gervinho. And tell him that answers should be expected on the pitch not in a conference room. 😉
Good morning Lady. Am I still in the bad chicken book chapter of the sin bin? 😆
Romford, don’t think AK is jumping on Gerv, just opening up a debate on what we all think of him.
Tbh, signing non PL players always is a risk, some thake longer than others to settle – this season could be the one where he really gives his all and we see a lot more from him. Certainly hope so….
Welcome to those just joining HH today..
Morning devil, you never were…. really 😉
Miquel is off out on loan according to the paps…
I enjoyed pulling your leg yesterday. 😉
I like Gervinho. He is more of a team player than Theo. Actually I think that that is his biggest weakness……..he is not a bit selfish.
The difference between him and Theo for me is that I tend to go back to my childhood days when everyone used to like playing in the attack and we used to do so with our head down when running. Those of us who had speed on our side (and I had lots of it to burn) used to be the stars since just a couple of touches and voila we were in front of the keeper.
Then I was lucky………at around 12 years a coach got me to one side and told me that I could not run with the ball. He allowed me only three touches in the opponents half. In our half I could touch the ball how much I wanted. Then when I went over the middle line I had only three touches and had to pass to a better team mate and go further upfield to find space so that I could cross or pass or shoot, depending on the situation.
I still think that Theo is still caught in a time warp of a twelve year old who has never had a coach telling him what to do, but instead relied on his speed which in the lower divisions is very beneficial, but not so much in the EPL.
The name Gerviniho sounded like a cool signing. A powerhouse of a Brazilian, just like Zico or Jarziniho.
Yeh, right.. we ended up with a cheap and nasty Eden Hazard?
Gervais Lombe Yao Kouassi, as that is his name has turned out exactly like I thought he would.
Flatters to deceive along with a crap mentality.
Twists, turns, step overs followed by a sideways or backwards pass or a blind alley dispossession and a proverbial flash of the gnashers when he bollockses it up. And you get the privilege of losing him for what is in essence, the worthless ACN.
Myachi looks a better player but until he starts for Arsenal we’ll never know. Ox-Cham is a far better bet.
Kyle Bartley – Him coming back was inevitable.
Rangers are in shit street and looking to play Scottish football in the lower leagues. It’s a bit like having Myachi out on loan with Lincoln City. Pointless.
I read somewhere, possibly the onlinegooner, but don’t quote me on that – a piece by a Rangers FC media guy, who stated that he, Bartley wasn’t a good enough player to cut it with Arsenal and that his positional play wasn’t that good either.
If he wasn’t that good with Rangers, he’d be no good with us. He’ll probably be loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday, Blackpool or Leeds with a view to buying him.
devil – i could feel the leg pulling from where i am 😉
Thing is, we will have Gerv, Ryo, Podolski and even Theo and Santos who can all play down the left, we wanted a bit of competition didn’t we.. 😉
Sometimes I wish Gerv would be a little more selfish, especially when he gets in front of goal but too often he looked for RvP, similar to when players used to always look for Cesc..
If Rvp does go, maybe others will realise that it’s up to them now and now always appear to want to take the burden off themselves…
I feel he will come into his own now he’s more comfortable with his surroundings.
Naturally when people go, others also step up too.
SYG, I had a feeling that you would be ‘down’ on Gerv after your post yesterday, it worked out well that AK had this ready to follow.
Personally, I see Ryo having another loan spell, and I’m really chuffed for Bartley, we’ll see pre-season how good/average he is, looking forward to it too..
Theo in the kit photo’s, are we to conclude anything form that I wonder…
Gervinho is a gud player,he just needs shooting accuracy,confidence at goal-mouth
Give gerv a chance. During our nervy end to season guess who were our best players: benayoun djourou, gerv and chamakh. I am very optimistic about next season. I think we need just 1 player but cant make up my mind whether it is in attacking or defensive midfield. Thats because adjusting the shape of our midfield will see us reducing our deficit by half. Then we will look at the quality of our midfielders and i think they are okay. For me our most important signing will be a left back so we can shift santos forward.
Chamakh?!
And Djourou hardly played – what are you on about?
Evening all.
The narks are dropping in from everywhere lately….can’t you just tell its transfer time??
This time last year the experts were claiming we’d make no more signings,and we all know what happened.
Hiya Rico.
I really hope he proves me wrong and shoves my comments down my throat, but I somehow doubt it.
Who mentioned Chamakh and Djourou??
Hi Scott – where are the narks here, have i missed something??
Hi SYG, I’m leaning towards Bartley and Gerv both coming good, I might change my view though when the season begins… 😉
JD had a shocking season, so much so he has admitted it himself, but he says he will improve and he’s staying….
joywedsjeff
@south yorkshire,the ACN is not worthless so watch ur mouth wen u talk about it.gervinho wont shine this n will never will.4 me he is selfish.more blind runs n passes.he will b 3rd choice behind poldi n miyaichi.
Sorry joyswed, but Chamakh & JD were awful, but i’ll give you Yossi 😉
Djourou is another player not good enough for the shirt.
He didn’t just have a shocking last season Rico, he wasn’t that good the season before. And before that he was off sick.
If a big dumb terd like Zigic can out maneouvre you, then you know its time to pack it in
As for Scott – Is he an expat Australian or a real Australian?
Djourou was probably our best dender in the 2010/11 season. Think about the awesome game he had against Barca and how he kep Drogba in his back pocket when we beat Chavski at the Emirates 3-1.
The guy loves the club and is happy to stay acknowledging that he won’t be first choice. There aren’t many better back-up defenders abput.
The fact that Napoli and Juve are also interested speaks volumes.
A broken clock is right twice a day Pele.
Sell him to Napoli and Juventus.. Wenger said himself what an inferior (shite) league it was.
I actually thought JD had a good season, not last, but the one before, in fact we went on a good run of not losing when he played, but then he got injured a we saw a totally different player on his return.
Last seaosn was his worst though, but, playing Rb was hardly his fault..
Still rather he was replaced though…
Scott is Australian.
Romford – i love the guy, i really do and obviously AW believes in him but he’s getting to the age where he really needs to sharpen up. Bould could get the best out of him, time will tell…
It’s an inferior league but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t good teams. Napoli were very impressive in the CL last year. And Juve went a whole season unbeaten.
There’s no point signing an established CB who’ll cit on the bench for most of the time. As it is, Mert will struggle to get games next season.
Kos, Verm, Mert, JD and Bartley are good options to have.
Rico, I maintain the guy is a decent CB. People are probably thinking about his poor showing’s at RB – that he is not.
I’m not trying to side with him, but I do think people are being too critical of someone who hasn’t spent enough time in his natural position.
Welcome those just joining – the cannon, I am sure SYG didn’t mean to offend re the comment about ACON’s, I am sure that for those who suuport their contries during the tournament see it to be far from worthless…
In fact it is no worse than the euros….
Depends on our injuries Romford, if we dont get a bit of luck, we could be calling on JD and Bartley before we know it…
There is still ways that JD could improve, mind you, same could be said for all our defenders, but if Bould/Banfield are to finally sort out our 49 goals conceded then everyone can only benefit.
JV is the perfect example of a player not prepared to be a bench warmer which is i suspect the only reason he chose the spuds, as you say, what ‘great’ defenders would just accept what JD has, but then makes me wonder why he’s not looking elsewhere for first team chances…
“Those of us who had speed on our side (and I had lots of it to burn) used to be the stars since just a couple of touches and voila we were in front of the keeper.
Then I was lucky………at around 12 years a coach got me to one side and told me that I could not run with the ball. He allowed me only three touches in the opponents half” – devilgunner.
Mr Devilgunner, may i suggest to you that had you continued with Theo’s blueprint of kick and run and not followed the advice of your quite insane “only 3 touches” coach you too could be on the verge of earning 80k a week….just a thought.
Snoopy – how do you know devil isn’t, you might actually be suprised!!
Arsenal scout Grimandi confirms Giroud is a replacement for Van persie. AFC knew once last season was over that Van persie would move out. So there will be no more signings. If theo leaves podolski will be the replacement.
You need four quality centre backs in your squad, Pele.
In 2001 we lost 1-6 v’s United. We had a makeshift defence because Adams and Keown were both out injured. Grimandi & Stepanovs I think with Oleg out of position at right back and Cole in at No3?
The season after we had Upson and Campbell in addition to Adams and Keown, and we won the league & cup.
We also had a better option than Stuart Taylor in Richard Wright, who provided adequate back up for the injury prone albeit ageing Seaman.
Rico – I am not a fan of international football. I watch England in competition as I have masochistic tendencies…. And they fact that Walcott and Ox-C was in the squad.
The ACN is not something that would ever interest me – A bit like watching an interview with Wayne Rooney.
Sorry, watching Namibia v Angola at daft o’clock has to be more interesting than seeing Rooney spit all over Garth Crookes …. Would it??? No it wouldn’t
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico.
I’m hopefull that with a decent pre-season and his settling period behind him, that Gerv will show the kind of form that made AW pay £10m for him.
Hope that Steve Bould can have a positive influence on Bartley. Maybe Bouldy had some small influence in AW’s decision to include him in the aquad?
Bartley has a lot of rough edges to his game, but has all the ingredients to develop into a very good EPL player.
Confidence & games is all he may lack?!
What we have seen of JD so far is that he is a happy squad player…. thats all…the gut feeling tells you when he his named to play…hope he don’t cock up this time.
On Gervinho…wheres is he going to play..it won’t be on the left,that I know.
Glad to see Bartley given a chance(love a fighter).
How many teams in the league have four quality CBs?
I will always maintain that the real reason we shed so many goals is due to our defensive structure and organisation, not the personnel.
Put Chiellini and T.Silva at the back and you’d find we’d still shed goals left right and centre unless things change.
Gervinho can play on either wing. Him and Hazard always alternated when they were at Lille.
Another problem with him here may be the system rather than him. Lille played a true, wide 4-3-3 which was tailored to the strengths of Hazrad and Gervinho. We play more a 4-2-3-1 here where the wingers play closer in rather than hugging the touchline.
Morning Charlie, sorry to desert you but got to go out for an hour…
Morning all
Good post AK. Gerv has really frustrated me last season. I was talking about this with someone on here the other day (sorry, can’t remember who) and I said that he has no confidence when through on goal. He just lacks composure. It’s all very well skinning the defender, but if you then crap your pants and make a rushed decision about where to cross or what to do next, it’s pointless. End product is something he needs to sharpen up on. Nut I agree we shouldn’t write him off yet.
I defo agree with SYG about the ACN being a waste of time though. In my opinion. I don’t agree with you Rico about it being no worse than the Euro’s. The Euro’s is a MUCH tougher competition.
Romford – The top teams certainly have at least 4 more than competent players who can play at CB.
Of course the Euros is a tougher competition – there is a better calibre of player. That’s not to see that the ACON doesn’t have value though.
And with regards to the top teams, name them and name their CBs please.
Afternoon RockyRoc07
be careful what you say, mate.
I was told to ‘watch my mouth’ by the CANNON for being critical of the ACN.
No idea why…. or what the consequences would be …
I can assure you Snoopy that the ‘insane coach’ was one who played in England, precisely at QPR and was one of the top players my country produced (and bdw I have had the pleasure of coaching his grandson who is fast becoming one of the best players at my club. And I still call him coach). And secondly, the ‘three touch rule’ was there to prevent me hogging the ball. Had you been there trying to mark a speedy winger within three touches you would have been grasping for breath trying to catch someone who would be three yards in front of you. And thirdly and most importantly the three touch rule made me think of many options….something which Theo more often than not does not do. And fourthly, with Theo’s speed and tactically naive brain it is possible that the other strikers who are not so speedy would not be there in the box to convert, making Theo look foolish due to crossing to the opposition. The three touch rule means that once you have passed after three touches you can get the ball again and do another three touches. And it does teach you how to find spaces and use the ball properly.
Just to inform you……..very few players in the EPL manage to touch the ball more than three touches in succession. Total amount of time a top player touches the ball during the game is just 2 minutes 15 seconds throughout a 90 minute game.
I did notice that SYG! Didn’t realise how much of a vicious slur it was to say you don’t rate a tournament!
Afernoon Dev. Problem with Theo is, by the 3rd touch, he’s either booted it too far in front of him, or tripped over the thing!
By the way Dev, good stat about 2m 15sec being total time of the ball touched… Have you been taking tips from Merlin about stats?!
No Rocky. That stat was released by Uefa a few months ago. And that is only top players who play in the heart of the team….like Cesc or Yaya or Giggs. The average players touch it even less, while the mediocre players either hoof it or trip over it, 😉
Obviously Gerv has speed on his side also. And he does hog the ball at times, similiar to Hleb. However he does know what to do with it when he is near the penalty box, and he holds it up till help arrives. Unlike Theo who crosses it as if it is in training so that the keeper can collect it.
fair point Dev! Or like Arshavin who just strolls around the park looking like a man trying to remember his shopping (quote lifted from LG a while ago… can’t take credit for it unfortunately!), not even interested in touching the ball!
A report in today’s Daily Mail has stated that Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel is moving closer to a loan deal with Championship side Brighton ahead of the new season.
Miquel, 19, has already made 11 appearances for the Arsenal first team and it is believed that Arsene Wenger wishes to see the promising centreback gain more experience.
Don’t care what anyone says… Alex Pleb was useless. Never rated him. Ever.
Morning all,long time no see…
It’s great that Bartley got his chance in first team,this might and possibly will be his decisive season,if he’s good enough then happy days otherwise ship him out,there are quiet few young talents coming up so he needs to prove himself a worthy player…
Gervinho- this guy in my mind is a good player,simply needs time to adjust to the team and league itself,those blind alley runs and bla bla as some say were ‘good’ but very often he found no follow ups which only means that either his team mates weren’t in the positions they were meant to be or Gervais was trying to freestyle and in premier league you got 2 B on hell of a player to dribble past defenders as U don’t get a foul called too often in ur favour especially if u r an arsenal player…anyway I think Gervinho will come good for us…
SYG – I think U need to calm down with the bashing of ACONS…as I see a glimpse of racism here,even if it’s not intended…No arsenal supporter is a big fan of this tournament(and thats me included)but I believe that as a club we have to accept that signing any top African player most likely means his participation in the aforementioned tournament…
And finally,regarding additional transfers,I only want 1-2 players max,depending on robins staying or going,most important is DM,any of M’vila,capoue,Martinez or Doumbia will do(ideally capoue)…and then if Robin goes then reinvest his money in jovetic,I know he’s expensive but boy what a player he is and sure is gona get even better…
Afternoon you lot…. Gerv very frustrating player that’s for sure, I sometimes think there is a very very good player in there and then sometimes he ambles and strolls around without a care in the world and looks decidedly average…! I will say this year as his 2nd season is all important so we’ll see.
ACN, important for Africa yet like watching paint dry for the majority of us and t fact they insist on it being Jan/Feb makes it a nightmare.
I never liked him either. Maybe he was fashionable for AW in the latter’s teenage years and he was an experiment. It did not work and he was sold off. he was so great that he won a CL medal without doing anything.
Honestly, 4 goals and 8 assists is not that bad for a first season in English football. He did lack composure, but I’m pretty sure he will come good.
Hi Tlailaxu – Sorry, your comment about possible racism just by someone saying they don’t rate a tournament is frankly ridiculous. I don’t rate Baseball. Does that mean I have Americans?! No!
It’s not bad Dom, true… But when did they come? Before he went away to the ACON?
Thanks Rocky.
No probs mate. Drives me fucking mad when people band that word around for no reason.
Diaby dribbles for fun, and is probably the best player at club in terms of going round people
But he’ll injure himself in the process….
Afternoon folks, any news??
Hleb was awesome!!!
Devil, just cut to the chase, are you on 80k a week or not, some funny comments on here today.
‘Give him a season to settle in’ it’s the oldest excuse in the book, it’s not like he’s a 18 year old school kid who’s come over from Japan, that I can understand but we’re talking about a 25 year old international who was playing in France, he should have been stamping his authority on home games at the emirates, instead he was very disappointing, still he can only get better, can’t get any worse, it’s not like he’s another jimmy carter.
Rocky, what have the americans ever done to you ?
I won’t mention Diaby needing bib then…!
rocky – i agree the euros is tougher, but my comment was only based around europeans follow the euros, africans love to follow the ACON and no doubt value it taking place…
Haha! Afternoon Micko! How’s things? I love the Septic’s! I try and go there every year!
I’d take another Jimmy Carter or even a Steady Eddie McGoldrick over another Glenn Helder! Please don’t let him turn out to be another Glenn “Lionel Richie” Helder…..
good post Allezkev…
dont know why but im a big fan of Gervinho and im sure he will slowly improve, it usually take some time to get used to the premiership…and Gervinho is a tricky player who last season got tired and that wont happen again ;..damn im such a optimist ;
Fair enough Rico… But I don’t 100% agree. Maybe MORE follow from their prospective continents… But I’ll bet the Euro’s was watched with interest worldwide.I’m not saying they shouldn’t have the tournament… I just don’t rate it that’s all!
And as WATH said, the fact it has to be played mid season is just a massive hinderance.
It’s true, we’ll be missing the forehead again in January 🙁
rocky – i don’t rate it either, i never watch it and pees me off because of it’s timing and we always lose players for it and then they come back knackered – it’s not good for our club, not one bit…
Losing Chamakh really makes our side suffer….
Rocky, the big prestigious friendly with Borehamwood is only just around the corner, you still contemplating the trek, might see the odd familiar face or two, nothing beats a big away day.
It does make it suffer Rico, because there’s suddenly a cold area on the bench wgere his arse was once keeping it warm!
I know the managers all complain about the ACON being mid-season (I know the Walrus headed Fat Sam used to bitch about it…… And failing to mention that he got his African players really cheaply, and knowing they would play in the ACON) but it still doesn’t make it any easier when they do go off and play in it. You can’t blame the players, as it is a major tournament for them. I just think its garbage.
I am still thinking about it Micko. Depends on how much they are charging for the ticket!
I just read back – how the heck any comment about the ACON’s can be a hint of racism is absolute crazy – go check JT’s court case out, thats a hint of racism….
I know Rico. It’s a pathetic argument. It seems people don’t actually know the meaning of the word these days as it’s banded around far too readily.
rico, more like a big dollop !
That’s half the problem, the African players don’t cost as much as the european, not to mention the english players – then the managers moan when they go off to the acon..
Simple answer, don’t bloomin well buy african players, dig deeper into the pocket and buy from elsewhere…
That sounds like an Alan MP comment Rico……!
Bet he gets off though Micko, every man and his dog has given a glowing character reference for JT…
It is rocky, it’s become a bit of a joke. racisim is very wrong and there is no place for it in life imho – but what has been written today doesn’t even come near to the ‘offence’.
Maybe I should create a page header with the true definition of the offence for some to read…
😆 rocky – not at all, just saying that managers can’t have it both ways – i couldn’t care less where we sign players from as long as they pull on the shirt and give 100% for our club.
To be fair, I’m not sure i have ever heard AW moan about losing players to the acon.
Is the Copa America Cup at a crazy time of the season too, just before the start of the new season I think, although i could be wrong. That annoyed me more the year Gilberto played in it and he needed rest before the start of the season. Flamoney got his chance and that was the end of one of my Brazillian favs….
It’s a SYG comment too, Rocky … unless we happen to buy a £20M+ Eto, Essien, YaYa, Drogba, M.Diarra type player, which will never happen
Funny thing is, bar Yaya and maybe Eto’o, none of those guys are really £20m+ players.
What no Adebayor Romford 😆
in their day they were though Romford. I wouldn’t have minded if we’d paid that for Essien or Didier Dogshit.
Right, of to the gym. Back later
Ade when he can be bothered is one of the best strikers around – it’s a shame he has motivation problems, plus there’s the money issue too.
Yes Rocky, Didier and Essien would’ve been awesome – especially as they’re both Gooners! In typical Arsenal fashion though, it never materialised.
Laters rocky..
How can the verdict on the JT case be ‘announced at 2pm tomorrow’ – the magistrates either have come to a verdict or not… smacks of another ‘Arry case to me…
Am I right in thinking Terry can only get a £2,500 fine at worst? Disgrace if true.
That kid got a few weeks inside for his Twitter rant over Fabrice Muamba, and that had a very ‘needless edge’.
Muamba did not know him so never wound the kid up, called him any names or was in his face. Nothing.
It was an off the cuff racist slur which was in bad taste due to the unfortunate circumstances.
Terry WAS allegedly goaded into a reaction by constant ‘in your face’ comments of a sexual nature made by Ferdinand.
It may very well get chucked out. If it was Crown Court it would.
But with magistrates it is different. The sentence is much lighter, but it is a lottery. You are judged by the supercilious Mr and Mrs Hill-Wood “types”.
Good day all.
I reckon gerv will come good this year, very annoying about the ACON being on again. WHy is it on 2 years running?
Is gerv left or right footed? With the arrival of pod, cud he not be switched to the right to compete with or replace theo? What’s the news on theo, he was in the kit pics so maybe he’s going to stay…..
Lewis, Gervinho is right footed and he played on thr gith of a 4-3-3 for Lille. Him and Hazard were always interchanging though.
People who question how good he is, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDBLgxSjgrE
The ACON has been moved to 2013 and will now run on odd years so it doesn’t clash with other international competitions. Bit annoying as it means we miss him for two January’s in a row.
If I am on 80k a week Micko, I will be hugging my mate Sir AK every day of the week. I wish I was mate. I need to work at least 4 and a half years to see that sum.
Good afternoon Fine Folk.
Racism is the open demonstration of non acceptance or unequality of any person who differs in race, colour, creed and culture.
ACON is usually every 2 years like Euros but changed in 2013 so that it’s not in the same year as the world cup. There after every 2 years again.
I’m from South Africa and i know exactly what you mean, everything is a “racist” issue if the other party is offended by the comment.
I agree ACON is boring to watch as there is only a handful of teams I would watch.
ACON is on the same time as Euro’s so I dunno about the time been a problem as most often it’s summer in Jan-Feb and cooler to play at night.
Regarding the 20mil rubbish, isn’t Balotelli adopted from Africa and starred in the amazing Euros?
Afternoon People.
For all the postings and rantings over here, my take:..
“We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves.” – Goethe
Cheers romford.
Anyone have any news on Jacks injury?
Regarding Jack’s injury I do not know anything. However the last I have seen of him was when he took a photo with the OX in the AFC canteen. He looked happy with his mate and they shared a drink together. They had a good discussion on the OX’s development who told Jack that he was looking forward to playing with him both at AFC and the England set up.
Is that enough Lewis??? 😉
That will suffice.
Arteta came in2 the team seamlessly straight from everton. Now for a player from Ligue 1 it was always goin to take a bit of time to settle in. Look @ Kozza, he had an average 1st season and people started saying therz never been a worser defender than him. Fast-forward to 2011-2012 and he was our standout defender. I hear the Emirates faithful chantin ‘…BOSSCIELNY…’!!!
8 assists and 4 goals isnt bad considering its stil Gervinho’s 1st season. Also consider that TW14 was the best winger stats wise last term with 8 goals and 8 assists.
Most likely Gervinho wil light up the premiership the season and make it his own. With RVP mayb out the door i expect the whole team to step up and expect something from Gervais…i hear the echo from the Emirates ‘le Forehead’ to reverbrate across London and the all over the League.
U heard it here 1st. COYG
Joking mate. I just looked at the photo on the left and the right of this site. 😉
Romford, maybe Chamakh’s people should meet with Gervinho’s people about making a little complilation clip.
Looool Micko!!
In all seriousness, it’s so upsetting that we can’t get shot of that greasy-haired Moroccan. Who on earth sanctioned a 75k a week deal for him? When clubs like Fiorentina can’t afford him, that tells you a lot.
All I want is M’Vila, Belhanda and a back-up GK. Is that too much to ask? 🙁
Capoue and Hoillett for me Romford.
Capoue is better than M’Villa and can play as a centreback while Hoillett would be an upgrade on Arshavin. I prefer Moses tbh but there are around 3 clubs who want him.
Capoue is cool, I haven’t seen too much of him but he appears to be the cheaper alternative to M’Vila and comes with less baggage. Saying that, I really do like what i’ve seen of M’Vila so would still have a preference for him if it was my choice.
Hoilett would be nice if we weren’t well covered outwide already but we have Theo (may go), Ox, Gervinho, Podolski will probably play out there and Myiachi. I’m not sure we want to overload ourselves when there are other priority positions.
Moses is awesome though, the guy is only 21 I believe but has some serious potential. But again, he’d only play outwide for us. For me, priorities are what i’ve outlined in my above post.
Moses can play in the centre also Romford. Not only out wide.
Righto…..off for a dip in the sea. Might find a pirate treasure worth 84k which doubles itself for one month. 😆
Capoue and Belhanda for me too but the latter has said he isn’t moving and Barcelona and the totts want Capoue
Watch us get Nzonzi….
If we get this one forget about some others……….
M’Baye Babacar Niang (born 19 December 1994 in Meulan) is a French football player who plays for French club Caen in Ligue 2. He plays primarily as a striker, though his influence can extend out to the wings and the attacking midfield positions.[3] Niang is described as “a phenomenon” and “a striker out of the ordinary” and made his professional debut, at the age of 16, in April 2011 in a league match against Toulouse.[4][5] Niang made his first start the following week in a 4–0 away win over Nice.[6] On 8 May, he scored his first professional goal in a 1–1 draw with Lens.[7] Three days later, Niang scored the equalizing goal in another 1–1 draw, this time with Rennes. He is a France youth international having represented his nation at under-16, under-17, under-21 level.[8]
Coach, you watch yourself whilst your out swimming.
I’ve heard that Dragut is in those waters…
righto off now for sure. cheers Fine Folk.
Romford, think Fiorentia probably did have a little nibble, no smoke without fire but what chairman in his right mind is gonna come out and openly admit to it, like you say 3 million a year would scare a lot of clubs off.
Devil, over here we call that living life dangerously……..swimming off a British beach, amazing what you see floating about in the water.
Enjoy the dip devil 🙂
Micko – that thought is awful 😉
Charlie, you busy in the rain??
That’s right Mick, they’re everywhere.
Just gotta keep your mouth shut.
Yep Rico, April showers alright.
Gotta feeling that AW see’s Le Coq as his def-mid…
Not sure that either M’Vila or Capoue are gonna play for us.
Think we’ll see two or three more signings, but probably from the bargain basement or complete unknowns!
Think you might be right Charlie, I reckon we could get this guy who is on trail, the guy Milo and i still think Brek Shea is a possibility but, as vernat says, there is still time, and i’m going to hope…
RvP is leaving…that much is obvious.
We have 5 AM’s at our club:
Arshavin – his days are numbered
Ramsey – out of his depth
Diaby – injury prone
Rosicky – Short term
Oxo – Long term
What about Arteta and Jack KM?
afternoon all!
Rico, maybe promoting Bartley is a hint at the way that AW is thinking.
We could be in for another season of Wenger pushing more of our youngsters into the 1st team squad.
Henderson, Yennaris, Afobe etc.
Just saying!
Eisfeld, if he stays fit, is another who might be fast-tracked Rico.
Hi JM
Charlie, isn’t that just what you wrote a post about a few weeks ago? You may be closer to the mark than you thought ….
Mind you, I am chuffed for Bartley, he could be a tough, hard tackling defender, he could learn a lot from Bould…
afternoon good people……any news?
Hi goonster – not much really, other than a dodgy new away kit 😉
i like it…..purple right? cool!
have we make any offer for J. Moutinho?
this islam ramadan guy< what's his story rico? are we really going to get another left back? i dont think so. we ve already got gibbo, santos and TV5 for that role. i dont see arsene getting another….i dont even think we ll see another signing. just my gut feeling though.
Buongiorno tutti!
afternoon JM, no i dont think so. he’s way too expensive. how much are they quoting?
yaaay rocky is here……how are ya fella?
I’m good thanks mate! How are you? Enjoying the States?!
goonster – i think Milo is Lb and Lw – not that we have enough already 😉
Moutinho JM – I wish…
Hi rocky, feeling better after the gym?
Back shortly, dinner to get…..
so far rocky its been great……rico that’s exactly what i said. we dont need another left bac!
what are you having rico?
WHere abouts are you again Stan?
Hi Rico. Gym was hard today. Didn’t enjoy it at all! Mountinho would be good for us I think. Which is why he won’t be coming
Right, I’m off home. Working from home tomorrow so will be able to get on here easier! Catch you tomorrow
Boo….
Maybe he’s in for the left wing goonster – not that w don’t have enough there too, no doubt AW will just ‘make him fit’ in…
Spag with tomato and basil sauce (home made of course 😉 )
Have a good evening rocky, tough gym eh, must have done some good then 😉
J.Moutinho? 35 millions euros
arsenal sign M’Villa for 17 millions …I must confirm it
No JM, you kidding????
Twitter is saying that RvP is off to Juve…..
And – further on twitter is Santi Cazorla is the Spanish international we are after…
Good evening Fine Folk.
Back feeling refreshed.
Look what I have read now on NN……………….
In an astonishing interview with Turkish newspaper Haberturk, Oguzhan Ozyakup revealed that Robin van Persie told the youngster it was in his best interests to leave Arsenal. Ozyakup told the paper
Leaving Arsenal was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, it was really upsetting. However, Besiktas made me an offer which was hard to refuse, one of the biggest clubs in Turkey was promising me first team football. I consulted van Persie and he agreed that it was in my best interests to make the move.
Ozyakup had played a key role when Arsenal’s under 18’s won the Premier Academy League in 2009 and captained the Dutch side when they reached the final of the U17 Euro’s before opting to play for the Turkish national team.
He also spoke about how close he was with van Persie saying
Arsenal really treated me well, van Persie helped me a lot when I first joined from the Netherlands. He would invite me to his family home for meals. Van Persie was a great motivator, I promised him I’d score in my first game but unfortunately I couldn’t. However, he told me after the game I would have scored if given another 20 minutes and praised my performance.
Arsenal received a fee of €500,000 for Ozyakup who signed for Arsenal in 2008
Evening devil – Just been reading that too, not sure its as cut and dry as made out….
I’m sure RvP wouldn’t have told him to leave for Turkey 😉
Evening Lady.
Even I hope its not true. But it may be after all.
BDW Niang has his club’s consent for a trial. I hope we sign him as I have the feeling that he is another Drogba or Anelka regarding potential. At just 5million he is a snip.
Hello all!
How are things in the land of Arsenal?!
You must be reading all that I have, and although his club say no bid, i see him to be a wenger type signing….
what do you know about milo devil??
Do we need him??
Never heard of him either. And that is a surprise even for me since I have good knowledge of the majority of young players between the age of 17 to 21 seeing that I watch a lot of tournaments from that age. But then I never follow Egyptian soccer.
Hi Esp – pretty dull really 😉
Think he’s desperate for a move myself devil…. all talk ahead of the OG’s….
I’m done guys, catch you all tomorrow, here’s hoping that JM is right and we have signed M’Vila….
Stay safe all, nighty night…
Good night every one…
GAMBLING experts fear Premier League stars are passing on inside information to Far Eastern bookies and betting syndicates.
And SunSport has been told about another top-flight club where players staked money on incidents in their own matches — as described by ex-Southampton star Claus Lundekvam.
FA Rule E8 bans all participants in the game from betting on competitions in which they are involved AND passing on inside information which they know or believe will be used for gambling.
The tightening of regulations and the determination of bookmakers not to be taken for a ride has made it harder for anyone to get away with the first type of offence — as discovered by the Accrington Stanley and Bury players banned by the FA in 2009.
But the passing on of team news and other sensitive information is much harder to control and there are concerns staff and possibly players at Premier League clubs are involved.
A gambling expert who monitors markets worldwide said: “Sometimes the shifts in betting make it look like gamblers in the Far East are getting team news before Sky Sports!
“There was a particular incident last season when a big-name player at a Premier League club was struggling with an injury.
“But before most people in England knew whether he was going to be fit or not, there were significant movements in the odds in the Far East and sure enough he played in the match.
“It looks like someone inside the club has released that information and you cannot rule out players being involved.”
A former trader, whose job was to set odds, explained: “There is a service called Betradar which monitors hundreds and hundreds of markets around the world. If one firm cuts a price, a red line will appear.
“If 10 firms do it, it’s a big line. 20, it’s massive, then 30, 40 — you get the picture.
“All the shifts which set alarm bells ringing and force changes in the odds being offered in the UK on big games originate in the Far East.
“It’s amazing how good some firms are at predicting what teams are going to go out on to the pitch. The speculation within the industry is that they are receiving inside information.”
Lundekvam made it clear players at Southampton were well aware of the value of sources in the dressing room — and not just their own.
He said: “We had some inside information on both starting line-ups, who took penalties and things like that. We could manipulate and control the little things in games.”
There are specialist firms based in London whose business is based on analysing movements in Far East markets to allow their high-rolling clients to take advantage and potentially make millions,.
Lundekvam’s allegations, now being investigated by FIFA, included deals being done with rival Premier League captains and players at other clubs also being involved in spot-fixing.
SunSport has been told of an incident which supports his claim betting scams were a widespread problem in England’s top league.
A source said: “I once had dinner with a player liaison officer from a major Premier League club.
“Out of nowhere he brought up the gambling culture at the club.
“He would put bets on for players on the horses, but he said some players bet on outcomes in their own games on matters such as throw-ins within a set time frame after kick-off and the first to get a yellow card.
“They knew it was illegal but they just thought it was a bit of a laugh, it was part of their culture.
“He also said he’d acquired a racing car simulator and had it put at the training ground, where players could then bet on their own performances on the machine.
“He mentioned four-figure sums changing hands.”
It is generally accepted wealthy young sportsmen, competitive by nature, gamble.
But the stories of Premier League players — like Paul Merson, Michael Chopra and Matthew Etherington — becoming addicted reveal a darker side.
Football has happily got into bed with the betting industry.
Where would Stoke be without the millions of pounds pumped in by bet365 founder Peter Coates?
They and five other top-flight teams — Aston Villa, Swansea, West Brom, West Ham and Wigan — will have gambling or gaming firms as shirt sponsors next season.
The Premier League and other UK sporting bodies are lobbying the Government for greater regulation of the relationship between sport and the gambling industry.
Many firms are registered offshore and so do not have to share information (or a cut of their profits) with sport — like Gibraltar-based BetVictor for example.
Now Lundekvam has come clean on betting within the game.
“Who’s the daddy?” asks actor Ray Winstone in those bet365 adverts. The answer could be: a dodgy bookie in the Far East.
good night Fine Folk. See you all tomorrow.
JM where did you see that? i haven’t seen it any where else. link please?
oops sorry there….finger cramp.
Leaving the defence behind us we move up to midfield and have a look at Alex Song.
Some people still call him our defensive midfielder but I do think that this is a term that no longer is used at Arsenal anymore. I don’t think Wenger wants to have a midfielder who just sits their in front of the defenders waiting fro what might happen. Maybe those blaming Song when he goes forward and joins in attack are still living a few years back in time when this was the way to play football. As most of the time Wenger is leading the way, we will maybe in a few years time discover that other coaches have followed his way and forget about the pure defensive midfielder.
Maybe the future is more about having a midfield in which all of them can defend, all of them can attack, all of them score a goal every now and then and all of them just interchange their position to the requirement of the game. And I think if you look at our midfielders they all fit in to that description a bit. But for now we will go back to Song or Songinho as some call him.
Going from “not fit to wear the shirt” to his form last season, I still find it unbelievable that still some supporters don’t want to admit that he is Arsenal worthy material. Some people still only look at him to find the slightest mistake in his game to be able to say: “see, told you he is rubbish”. Song is another one of those players who have made an enormous transition. Yes he was a very rough diamond when he came to Arsenal. But thanks to the cutting and moulding from Wenger he has turned in to one of the strongest midfielders we have.
Only just over 2 seasons ago Wenger still counted him as a defender. And when we need to bring on another striker when things don’t work out and take off a central defender Wenger usually drops Song a bit back to cover for that defender. So Song can defend and still does when needed.
But he also has a great engine that keeps him running for the full 90 minutes in each game. I think he covers a lot of distance but I don’t have the stats to back this up but he sure gives the impression of always being near to where the ball is. Battling, fighting, dribbling, passing, you name it he does it.
The last real defensive midfielder we had was Lassana Diarra who went on to Portsmouth and then to Real Madrid. What drove me nuts about him was that he was so bad in passing the ball. This not only happened at Arsenal and was for me one of the reasons he never could cement his place with us. But it also happened a lot at Real Madrid when I saw him play there. Tell me what good is it to have a defensive midfielder who can tackle like a madman, who commits too many fouls and maybe can win the ball back with all this but then only to lose it again when he tries to pass the ball to a team mate and screws up? That was (and is) Diarra for me.
Song is 10 times better than Diarra. Because Song can dribble much better, he can pass the ball much better, he will not lose the ball that easy. Song can score the odd goal on occasion. But what he has added to this game since being given the liberty to be a more all round midfielder is the killer ball to a striker. His assists number has gone up and he was heavily involved in a few spectacular goals in the last seasons.
Last season Song played 34 games. Started all of them. So apart from being banned, he was a player that would always start. In a way this will not change that easily I think and this could be the perfect pick for being a captain. But….alas there is a big but. The first but is that he has 2 years to go on his contract. So if we would make him captain now, it would mean that next summer we would be having the same situation with our captain and have him entering the final year of his contract. And the second but is that his agent is a man called…. Dein. You know the same Dein that has made all our other captains leave in the last seasons.
Will Song be different from the other Dein disciples? One can hope but for some reason I really do think that Song could be entering his final year for us. The good thing is that it will be his best ever season for Arsenal. Of course the chance could still exist that Song sees the light, ditches Dein and become an Arsenal legend…well I can dream. Because I sure would not want Song to leave us to be honest. After having seen how Wenger turned this young player in to one of the strongest and most all round midfielders in the PL, it would be a hard blow to see him go. The only good thing about if Song would leave because of Dein being his manager is that as far as I know he is the last of the Dein boys at Arsenal. Alex take my advice: ditch Dein.
So what do I expect from Song this season? More of the same from last season. Being even better, stronger and helping out where he is needed. With a bit of luck we will not see him go to the ANC this winter as Cameroon is having a dip with their national team for the moment so that could be our bonus. I think when he is fit and not banned Song will always be on the team sheet. And I am looking forward to see him play and show what a great player he has become and stick up his middle finger to all those who have abused him and told how rubbish he was.
——————————————-
This post is by Walter Broeckx
JM, where’s all this M’Vila stuff originate from???
I read somewhere in one the groups of South American Arsenal supporters.
Another rumour: Ganso is in London…
Who is Ganso JM..?
Brasillian?
What position?
Any good?
hahahahahahah JM you crack me up. yhere’s no way we are in for ganso. evening AK, what are you doing up this late?
maybe the chavs want him…..but definately not us.
guess he’s gone….oh well later kev.
good night guys…..God bless us one and all.
Ain’t he one of the muppets…?
Cheers Stan, behave… or as best you can 😉
Morning all,
The good old rumour site says there will be big news breaking for Arsenal today…
😆 😆
Good Morning Lady.
Big news breaking for AFC today???? Maybe AW has found a stash of Euros hidden somewhere deep in the Emirates foundations??? Or an old pirate treasure buried beneath his dugout chair?????
He will invest the money in AFC shares so that it can pay dividends. 😆
Morning devil
Ha ha …
More likely to be another exit, Vela I suspect…
New Post going up now, see you there