Morning all.
What would you do if you were Lauren Koscielny, sign a contract extension at Arsenal or rub your hands together with glee knowing that one of the best clubs in the world want to sign you?
Koscielny is 31 years next month old and all he has is a couple of FA Cups and two Community Shield medals to brag about as an Arsenal player. I’m not knocking the FA Cup but considering how good our central defender has been over the years, doesn’t he deserve to have won more? Not only him I hasten to add but as far as I know, Bayern aren’t knocking on the door for anyone else. I don’t even know if they are serious about Koscielny either but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they were.
We often talk about how the German magician needs a top quality striker ahead of him, but what about the defence and in particular, Laurent Koscielny. He’s got a great defender to his left in Monreal but on his right, it’s a toss up between Mertesacker and Gabriel as it stands right now and neither of those fill me with confidence. One turns slower than a ten tonne lorry, the other seems to have lost the bite he had when he first arrived. He must have felt a bit better last season though, finally having a confident keeper behind him….
And what about his the midfield in front of him? I think it’s fair to say it’s not always been particularly strong has it but that seems to have finally rectified with Elneny signing back in January and Xhaka this summer.
With just one year left on his contract, IF Bayern Munich really are interested in signing Laurent Koscielny, he has a big decision to make imo.
Be in with a chance of winning the Bundesliga and Champions League, or face a battle for fourth spot the Premier League next May…..
Arsenal have a decision to make too. Sell him now or lose him for free next summer.
Finally, Takuma Asano fought back the tears yesterday after making his final appearance for Japanese club side Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The 21 year old is now likely to head to his new club, which is Arsenal in case you didn’t know, to begin training with his new team-mates. It is expected that he’ll go out on loan after Arsene Wenger said he was one for the future but knowing our Frenchman, he’ll turn out to be one for the present…..
Have a good Monday guys and slap on the factor 30 here in the UK as it’s going to be hot.
Just for a couple of days though…..
Morning all.
Let’s just look at this situation……
People are often complaining that Wenger has lost the ability to find cheapish jewels, but we are no concerned one Of the very, very best Cb’s in world football is being chased down by a massive, massive club, after being plucked from obscurity by Arsene.
Yes, everyone can say it’s a rare one, but it still smacks of what stresses me with Arsenal fans.
We tend to remember what we want to, when we want to.
Now, onto the topic….if Kozzer goes, I’d be dirty, and for exactly the reason above…Wenger gave him a chance when nobody else even knew he he was, and stuck with him when most Gooners declared him useless.
I hope he stays.
Since we signed him, we’ve lost plenty, but signed Ozil, Sanchez, Cech and Zhaka, so as long as Wenger tops up right here and now, Kozzer could well be in one of the very best squads in the world.
If…if……if….
Ps…..I said after last year i’d never defend Wenger and I’m not.
He is open slather, but will be an even bigger target if he doesn’t act now.
I don’t want him to go either Scott, not for one minute because he’s a class centre-back. But he needs better alongside him imo. Looking at things from his point of view though, I’d be really tempted to leave…
We could soon have a very very good squad IF Wenger adds to it, however, that’s a huge if…
We will at best be middle of the table in the coming season – Wenger has 2 major problems 1. He wants to buy the good players at yesterdays prices, which is not going to happen in this rich league 2. Many of the big names don’t want to play for a dictator
I hope Gabriel finds his feet, Rico…..he’s one player who really could use a great defensive coach as he seems to have plenty in his favour.
Agree Scott, goodness knows what’s happened to him.. I have a hunch though…
SA – I’d agree re him trying to sign players at yesterday’s prices but saying that, Xhaka didn’t come that cheaply, neither did Ozil or Sanchez. My gripe with him is that he relies too much on certain players, some of which are bench warmers at best..
Morning Rico and the house
How can Walcott be on 140k a week and Lauren be on 70k a week
Yet another great decision from our so called manager
1 year to go and we will be fee
Can’t come quick enough
Morning Mg. Not if the board and Kroenke give him another contract…
MG, using Theo as a comparison is not fair.
He extended at a time we’d lost a few guys, and Arsenal FC simply could not afford to lose another, so Theo and his agent played the game well.
Shame that’s the only game he played in that manner 🙂
Morning All
Morning Rico
Morning/Afternoon/Evening Scott…
Re: your reply to me.
Exactly Digger, what’s the point mate, Arsene has his way of doing things, and they used to work, they don’t anymore…
But he ain’t gonna change, and I’m fed up with feeling fed up about it, so I’ll just go with the flow, safe in the knowledge that this season is going to be the same.
I’m gonna focus on how some of our young players are going to develop and hopefully we’ll see the emergence of another Bellerin type success – or two…
The club is in flux, those at the helm really have no idea where to turn next, considering how seemingly successful they are in business, they’re all pretty shit when it comes to making a football related decision…
Meanwhile I’ll watch and wait as Arsene commits professional suicide…
It’s gonna be an interesting season…
Morning Rico and all. Is Kos really that good?
Rico I just can’t see that happening..
Scott we could of offered him an improved contract last year
If wenger hv been signing gr8t players to win matches dont u think he could hv become d gr8test manager ever
Adam, yes, I reckon he is.
He’s held us up without a truly top class partner for a few years now.
Merts had his moments.
Vermaelen was a shot duck.
Also, for a few of those years, we barely had a DM to boot 🙂
Morning Kev and Adam..
Yes, I think he’s good too but there’s always better out there… 🙂
Can’t say I was overly impressed with the French defence at the Euros though..
Mg, with our board and owner, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they did…
Rico, I wasn’t impressed with much at all of the Euros 🙂
Let me ask what is wrong wt Arsene wenger is he trying to ruine d club b4 he leaves? look at other serious minded managers what they re doing in d market . We d Arsenal fans re tied of his stingy hands,nt moving wt trends of things,taking us back to yesteryears buying of players and not believing dat there is no good player out there dat wought d price tag on him. Whether he likes it or not he must allow a cetral defender a genuine stricker and a right winger to come in to compliment d ones we already have such like lacazette,manrez n kostas monolas
Neither was I Scott. A dire tournament..
That’s just too hard at this time of night 🙂
Kos is a good CB but needs a Solid tall CB to play with….when he plays with Gabriel & TV before him we look defensively suspect imo.
Surely we can purchase one?
Adding Xhaka will be a massive help too….
Our first opponents in the PL have had two pre season games and we’ve still not strengthened the squad, it’s becoming another wasted window!
Tell arsene wenger that relying on d players he have now will make him struggle to finish top 10 which will nt be good 4 him n d club he claim 2 love
Brudder.
Agree there Lee. I know there’s talk of Rob Holding coming in but he’s under 6′, and still raw.
He plays left and right too so perhaps that’s where he’ll play if he arrives..
What about Varane at Real he’s only played 91 games in 5yrs there….?
Good post Rico…
If you’re Koscielny, you go, and I wouldn’t blame him…
Bayern don’t have a ManCity or ManUre or Chelsea to contend with, so he could stockpile Bundsliga titles, probably getting a nice 4 year contract…
And Bayern actually go into a Champions Lge campaign with the realistic ambition to win the bloody thing…
Brudder. You home now?
Is he any good? 😉
Varane’s a classy player.
I’m with you there re Kos Kev.
Yes Brudder but off to Ibiza for a boy’s weekend on Thursday…..not looking forward to that as there’s a few head bangers going!
Bayern Munich has the best central defenders in the world with Hummels and Boateng . On top they have Badstuber coming back from injury. If someone does not need another CB, it is Bayern Munich. I believe this ru our has no grounds other then to increase koz salary, which he deserves.
How the other half live eh…. 😉
Yeah Rico I try not to let my job interfere with my social life! 🙂
🙂 Lee, rightly so eh…
A few head bangers going he says….. No one twisted your arm to go…………. 🙂
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
No Rico…..if I was Kos I would not go to BM at his age. If he was around 23/24 yes because time is on his side. But as Joe pointed out he has Hummels and Boateng in front of him and he will have a massive task on his hand to get a look in unless they are injured. So he will go to collect the wage, collect the medals but sit on the bench for the majority of time.
At AFC he knows he is first choice.
At the end of the day yes he wants medals…..but he wants to play day in day out.
Yes we need a new CB but not at the expense of Kos or someone. we get so many injuries that sooner or later he will play. And Kos will surely get injured some time or other.
As Scott pointed out……Kos was plucked from obscurity and I can remember many supporters feelings disgruntled. Especially after some first season howlers. But now the same supporters are horrified at the thought of loosing him.
Good afternoon troopers,
Been a while, was in Cyprus for a month…
On the subject of transfers, we have finished spending already. I expect Wenger to let a few go on loan and make do with what we have.
If we let Kos go, it will hurt us big time. Top 4 again beckons…
We will see the likes of Sanogo and Akpom upfront against Liverpool, and who knows in defence?
it will be most likely Gabriel and merts…
it will be interesting to see what happens to the British players….I cant see many starts for Gibbs, Jenks, Walcott, Akpom , Ox, Wilshire and Chambers. Ramsey will get a look in …the rest well…
Devil, I would. If I knew I was good enough, I’d go in a flash..
If he did go, we’d need two central defenders… AW wouldn’t go for that and in any case, it’s all probably agent talk as Kos enters his final year of his contract…
I’m hoping Sanogo is long gone before the start of the season George…
I haven’t seen Santi Cazorla in any of the pre-season training pictures which is odd as he wasn’t involved in any football at the Euros…
Apparently, Philipp Ochs is on AW’s wishlist. A 19 year old winger from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim….
that is what I think as well Rico. Its all agent talk.
Seems like Wenger is writing his own script to bring the final curtain down on his reign. If that’s about it for the transfer window then I reckon he is due a surprise from the fans.
The issue will be the fall-out that he leaves.
Surely he’s not going to let the transfer window close with just Xhaka and a couple of young players signed up…
Surely Wenger couldn’t leave us short and sit on his hands whilst other teams strengthen……surely not!
I’m not having that…..
So what will you have and do Lee????
I suggest we kidnap old Scrooge and give him a fifty shades of starvation on just bread and water. I doubt he will notice though.
Trouble is Lee, we all know it’s highly likely. For about the tenth summer running…..
Brudder. That would be most unlike him. 🙂
One day we’ll look back on it all and laugh. 🙂
Probably.
Mertesacker is the new captain.
With Kos and Cech as vice captains
And THEO in line to be captain when the above three are not on the pitch.
we are in a fine mix.
What a good idea, give the armband to a guy who in all honesty, shouldn’t even be playing much! I guess he’s the ‘club captain’ – a bit like Arteta for the last two seasons…
Imo it should have been one of either Cazorla or Coquelin. One of them will get to play alongside Xhaka. Cazorla I liked when he was captain. While Coquelin is a bit like the guy who can kick up your arse if you are not pulling your weight.
A black cab has burst into flames in London, hope Kev’s ok….
I don’t think any of them are captain material, other than Xhaka who was captain at his old club…
Bang goes the new CB………what a fucking joke!
The worrying thing is if this is Wenger’s last season you’d like to think he’d want to go out with a bang, so maybe just maybe he’s staying longer?!
The taxi fire on Blackfriars Bridge is under control. No reports of any injuries. The cause is under investigation.
– London Fire Brigade
So it its Kev’s cab he is alright. Hopefully its not his cab. Fingers crossed.
Wenger has to be staying on beyond this season, didn’t he say a manager in his last season is ineffective…
Or was that in the last 7/8 years of his contract… 😉
Rico. He did say that but he meant that it only applied to other managers and not him on £8 million a year or thereabouts.
Surely this TW cannot be the debacle it is threatening to become. Mind you I wrote that about this time last year too. 🙂
I’m here Rico ?
Afternoon Rico and the house
I’m not surprised at wengers decision regarding the captaincy
Every decision he makes is bizarre
I wouldn’t be surprised to hear santi is leaving
Yaya Sanogo has all the technical attributes needed to be the next Ray Hankin…
Ray Charles……..
Good day people.
Let’s not shoot the messenger.
Like any growing company that needed fresh investments to grow its potential, Silent Stan’s Arsenal FC had been starved of fresh investments since 2003. Constructing that 420-mil Emirates Stadium is the beginning of our demise and exposes Arsenal FC as a declining club last season when the title is there for our taking in January 2016.
Think carefully.
Since PHW and Gang sold out to Silent Stan, there is no push, no initiative and no urgency from Silent Stan and the Board to crave successes and being benign and let Le Prof going his merry way as long as the gross profits continue to grow year-by-year.
Even if we replace Wenger by Guardiola or Conte or Klopp this new season, they will not perform better than Wenger as long as Silent Stan will not release 150-mil to 200-mil fresh funds to rejuvenate the squad and ruthlessly cull all those deadwoods.
As of now, Wenger still has to observe the limited budget of 50-mil as rumoured to buy players and to negotiate salary rises with the likes of Alexis and Ozil … and all within FY2016/17 Budget of 50-mil for new players and salary increases.
My prediction:
For the very first time during Wenger Era, we will be out of Top-4 and will struggle to even get a Europa Cup spot.
I cannot see Wenger 2016/17 Arsenal team will ever compete against the likes of Mourinho ManU, Guardiola Abu Dhabi City and Conte Chelski with their unlimited budget and the Board supports their manager to buy any players he needed to strengthen the squad.
Plus Wenger may not even be able to compete with Klopp Liverpool, Koeman Everton and Ponchotinno Tiny Totts. If this 2016/17 poorish Arsenal team will not drive Wenger out of Arsenal FC in summer 2017, nothing will.
And sadly, with his limited budget, we see Wenger travelling the well-trodden path to sniff out bargains everywhere …. where even a 20-mil bargain in Vardy even turned him down …
And why I am calm, preparing for the worse and hope we are still Top-4 by May 2017; nevermind dreaming of winning the 2016/17 title a la Leicester City.
Sanogo is the new Eusébio or the new Pelé ?
Coach luckily I was in Finsbury Park at the time, nowhere near Blackfriars today…
🙂 Adam…
Phew Kev… I’m glad to hear it…
Merlin, Wenger should have his own motivation from within. He shouldn’t need anyone else to tell him to sort the squad out..
Thank God you are alive kicking.
Anyone with a modicum of football nous knows the weaknesses in Arsene’s Arsenal and what needs to be done to rectify them but dear old Arsene won’t be told…..
N’koudou (Marseille) probably goes to the totts… 13 millions….
another one
Kos is a very good CB. On most teams that has proper defensive concepts, he would be considered WC. But it is hard to be an exceptional CB with Arsenal when you are back there by yourself most of the time, and with no protection from a DM. Imho, put Kos on Bayern and he would be better than Boateng. Kos attributes as a defender is much more ahead of Boateng – we seem to forget Boateng at City. If I was Kos I will pack my bags and go. If we as fans are frustrated, can you imagine how the good players on this team feel?
Btw, Gabriel is good. I think he is just in a bad situation because AW is coaching his aggression out of him which is what made him a good defender.
Kev @11:46, you are so right. Actually is there anything atm we can realistically say Arsenal will win?
Even me Lee, and I know very little about football… 🙂
Obi, I can’t see Arsenal winning anything this season, but I’ve kinda given up the ghost on that front…
Tbh, even if Wenger went out and spent a wad of cash on Higuain, Manolas and Draxler, would that really make Arsenal more competitive…?
After all, the team would still play the same way, so nothing would really change.
Arsenal would still fcuk up the season, but just do it with a few more better players…
Hi all, been sulking since Vardy didn’t sign as I suspect Sanago is more likely than Higuain or any other top class goalgetter we need.
Kos is our best CB but still infuriates me when he turns his back and deflects an own goal. Cowardice that Terry Butcher or Tony Adams wouldn’t do?
Hypothetical here, thinking of this kos story.
Were all diehard gooners, or we wouldn’t be here, so it would probably be your dream, if you made it as a professional footballer to play for arsenal, correct?
It sure was mine when I was growing up (pretended I was bergkamp, lol)
Question is, if you made it and were there now, would you stay?
I think due to our current malaise that for the first time in my life would want out, not to better my career but because of the frustration of it all. And to feel that way is a real shame.
Andrew, as great a Adams was, it was bouldy who was the real lion in that defence. Imo. Dude threw himself in front of everything with his welfare a complete after thought.
Adams was the better player but bould was a proper old fashion centre back
Gd, prob not under Wenger…
A more ambitious manager and I wouldn’t think of leaving…
I’m off guys, have a good evening…
Night all..
The truth of the matter is Wenger has taken our club and turned us into also rans, not so long ago we were a club that was respected and feared, dont see how any other big club would stick with a manager that has won 2 FA Cups in a decade, if you look at trophies over the last decade we absolutely pale in comparison to Chelsea (hurts me to say that) unfortunately that is the truth and Wenger has over seen this sorry slide into mediocriticy, for all his excuse he has lost sight that football is about winning trophies.
According to the Bolton News, Arsenal have had a bid for Rob Holding accepted. The 20 year old, who was the Trotters player of the season last year, was the subject of an approach from the Gunners back in May which the then Championship side turned down.
However, the report says that Arsenal have returned with a bid, believed to be around £2.5m + bonuses, which has been enough for the cash strapped Wanders to accept.
They say that the player had a medical this evening (Monday), and personal terms will be discussed over the coming days.
Holding is a central defender of some promise, and England Under 21 international, and Arsenal do need to add something to the defensive ranks this summer. Whether a 20 year old of such limited experience is seen as an immediate addition to the first team squad remains to be seen.
Our interest in him is very real, so it looks as if something is going down here. Let’s see what the next couple of days brings.
From Arseblog News
Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.
Kev, with the signing of Holding….do you think that AW is preparing to play an English defensive backbone in the cups??? Jenkinson, Chambers, Holding, Gibbs. Or will Chambers be sent out on loan to gain more playing time?? Remember that both Kos and Per will be over 31 next October. While a defender’s age is different to a midfielder or striker both of them will be getting old now and more likely to loose speed (Per will definitely not loose what he hasn’t) and get injured more often.
We’ve signed a defender that got relegated from the championship…… #justsaying!
Morning Brudder. He must sign another more experienced defender too I would have thought.
Plus the others that we keep on about.
Morning Devil, Lee, Adam and all…
Holding can play right or left back.. He’s a bit of a midget to be playing central… 😉
Morning Boss
Rob Holding has the same height as TommyV05
But as you said……he can play on both sides as well. So if he is bought than he might be a replacement for RB or LB.
You, know,move always said we should continue to buy young guys with an eye on the future, but it should never be at the expense of the present.
Arsene seems to be looking two or three years down the track far too often.
Morning all.
I know Devil, I always thought Vermaelen was a tiddler.
Agree there Scott, I’m all for snapping up the young, but not at the expense of the here and now…
This squad needs experience right now if Wenger wants a good season…
Morning Rico. Seems strange to buy players for the future if this is your last season. The next manager might not fancy them at all.
Frank McLintock was a tiddler too and Franco Baresi was a midget. Both were superb players though.
I wonder what’s going to happen to Chambers.
Frank was 5’10” and he was a beast of a defender….
Adam, you know I am a shortist.
Signing youngsters suggests he’s staying to me…
But there’s Frank, and then there’s other tiddlers…..
Rico and Brudder. All true. I guess there is some micro comfort in the fact that, even at Arsenal, the manager maintains his job by the will of the supporters. Well, sort of anyway. 🙂
Only just… 😉
New post up now…