Morning all.
He would fit ideally into our team, Arsenal
That’s Lukas Podolski talking to The Polish Times about Robert Lewandowski.
He’s spot on isn’t he?
Lewandowski would be the kind of signing to get bums back on seats, get fans really excited and looking forward to the up and coming season, just like when we signed Dennis Bergkamp.
We need something like that I feel……
The newspapers suggest that Arsene Wenger isn’t happy about the valuation of Fellaini or Ashley Williams so interest has ‘cooled’ on both. That is of course if there was interest in the first place.
The same papers are running a story which suggests that signing Higuain is pretty much done and that has come from the players father. He has said that personal terms have now been agreed between Arsenal and his son and now it’s just a case of Arsenal sorting things out with Real Madrid. Fingers crossed this goes through.
Another piece of good news relates to Bacary Sagna, it looks highly likely that he will stay and I’m glad, experienced players like him cost big bucks, he and Carl Jenkinson should be able to make sure our right side of defence is strong.
I truly believe we can be champions or else I wouldn’t be playing football. I would have gone already. I truly believe we can succeed with the team we have.
I strongly believe we have the quality to be the best in the Premier League.
Look at the end of last season, when we got 26 points from a possible 30. Not a lot of teams can do this and this is what makes me believe we can beat anyone.
What we managed last season can be done only by a true team with a great team spirit. I believe we can achieve a lot more. We are still talking [about a new contract].
I never said I wanted to leave the club, but there are some journalists who want to speculate as I have just one year to go.
I know that many of us fans, well, I know I did, laughed and joked about how when the race for top four is in jeopardy, Arsene seems to be able to get the best out of the squad. The same can be said of the players, they all want to play in the Champions League and history suggests that they up their game when that is in doubt.
Reality is, they can up their game but it shouldn’t need top four to give them that hoof up the backside, they need to start doing it from the off. Knowing we have to play that shower of rubbish down the road so early in the season could be the perfect motivator…
That’s about it for another day, have a good one all…
Its more likely that the club/s that Sagna’s agent has been tapping have refused his wage demands! I think Sagna has been crap for 18 months and was responsible for many dropped points in that time. I say sell him asap and promote Belerin to understudy Jenks who is already more reliable than Sagna. Or just use very as cover for Jenks for now.
Sorry..should read ‘use Vermy’ as cover.
Higuain and Lewandowski? Could we cope? Would the fit in? Would they complement each other? Or would they just be squad players, cooling their butts on the bench?
Should we buy both of them, if they’ll come?
Will we buy either? Roll on July 1st!
Morning all. More questions than answers!
Good Morning Lady and Gentlemen.
Good post Rico.
In it you said……The newspapers suggest that Arsene Wenger isn’t happy about the valuation of Fellaini or Ashley Williams so interest has ‘cooled’ on both. That is of course if there was interest in the first place.
That is a good observation. Besides the interested bit I would have added that seeing that the journos have found out that all he had written were false paths the only way of back tracking was to blame AW (and that is the easiest way) by saying that he does not agree with the price set.
Morning all ,still the silly season for rumours and no hard facts.the Star even suggested that we tried a last ditch attempt to sign Andy Carroll .I cant swallow that one.
Under every pony-tail there’s an arsehole…. harsh but fair!
Morning all….
Giroud is better than Carroll.
Well said/written DG papers write lies then blame AW for lies not being true.
You have to be as big as a cow to swallow that one. Actually make it as big as a hippo.
Carroll in an AFC shirt? Only with Tony Poolis or Allardyce as managers in an AFC seat can do that and the only way that they will sit in the AFC manager’s dugout is if they do a tour of the Emirates and want to take a photo for their memoirs…..if they know how to sit that is.
Just spotted Higuains strike rate at R.M,107 goals in 187 apps.and 20 in 32 for Argentina ,please prove the rumours right this time Arsene and cough whatever is needed to bring him to the Emirates
Dg I heard a rumour that your old mate poolis is coming as director of football at the EMs that now that really will make your day.
that would be a day for nausea, diarrhoea and all viruses on earth combined. That would be the day when I loose hope in football. 😉
If on the other hand Poolis would go to the Scum!!!!!!
NOW THAT WOULD MAKE MY DAY.
What Podoski is saying is very correct arsenal should buy quality player this yr not quantity lewandoski is a unique player who can keep arsenal on top of the table that £80m should spent on good player. not player who are not fit wit stamina & skills i strongly beleave that if arsenal dont win any trophy this season fans all over the word will protest.
Why do I get the feeling you dont like him DG ?
I don’t think we’ll get another striker if we get Higuian – doesn’t make sense, unless we get somebody who will play on the left or right in a 433.
Top of the morning fellow Gooners.
Good post Rico.
Also of course is the thought that Gazidis’ outburst last week has given potential sellers and agents a take it or leave it attitude and that they will screw us for every penny they can.
Actually Jay, not liking him is putting it mildly!!!!
Dg I hope nothing nasty happens to poolis,you may get a visit from Plod
A Tony Pubis and Adrian Durham double……both wastes of internal organs!
Now if team up their game in the quest of title, I am sure they can be thereabout for it
Can we stop mentioning Tony xxxxx and Adrian xxxxxx or I am going have another shower this morning.
Arsenal should hasten up the fellaini deal before we may lose him to our rivals also am not sure higuain is the right choice instead I prefer jovetic or rooney since we have a lot of money let’s sign Rooney but anywel wenger knows better.
@ Goonerjoe hahahahaha! Well said that man!
Morning all,
I was wondering what ever happened to Christian Eriksen? I remember last season everyone was raving about him.
Also what happened to Affelay and Cabella that we wanted so badly last season?
Lee
it needed saying
higuian,to,me,is,not,a,fantasticplayer,if,well,weger,does,not,care,about,quality
Christy. That’s easy for you to say.
Adam,you,must,be,twitching,after,that,post,…..?
I do not know why but suddenly after 11.39 I have got an alarming bout of hiccups.
Hic,
Hic,
Hic,
Hic,
Hic,
Hic,
There I go. Time for a sip of wine.
Brudder Lee. 🙂
Amazing Lee. 🙂
Luckily it’s post 12 so get the pipe out Brudder!
Why should it be post 12 for him to get the pipe out Lee?
Cant he use it before 12? 😉
I have Lee, just in time to see that, like me, Usmanov reckons we should sign Rooney.
@Bradster
Affelay’s on loan at Schalke at the moment. Not sure about his form but, going on abilities alone, would be a great buy to replace Gervinho(if we can offload him). Can’t see him getting back into the Barca team so would probably come at a good price… worth a look?
Eriksen’s still at Ajax, would definitely like to see him at Arsenal, still only 21 but quality none the less, would be looking to Isco or Thiago though before Eriksen.
Dev. Lee has forbidden me pipe use Pre midday.
Always thinking of you Brudder Adam! I got your back…
So its Forbidding Lee!!!!!! 🙂
So its Thinking Lee after all!!!!
Eriksen is Arsenal quality for sure.
Brilliant kid.
If Eriksen joins AFC that would surely consign Cazorla to the wing. As you say Scott Eriksen is quality. He is like DB10 but only regarding the brain not the scoring prowess. He would fit in the hole (like Adam) like duck to water. In a certain kind of way he would be better than Cesc, since he is a bigger size and in the EPL you need a bit of size (Cazorla would bang me with a saucepan if he reads this…..but he has speed which Eriksen hasn’t).
Having said that I still would like to see Cesc back.
hi all.
did anyone catch the japan game last night?…it was the best international match in a looooong time.the japanese were absolutely stunning to watch at times with kagawa/honda catching the eye.italy were ran ragged but as usual they still won…
Afternoon Gooners…
Afternoon Rico, or afternoon when you are back from pumping iron and the doggy boutique… 😛
Hiya Adam, you on the ‘ready rub’….?
It makes those cords so much sweeter…. 😉
Hiya Lee/Coach…
Hey Kev.
Hiya Habib.
have you given a lift to Higgy yet??
Dont charge him from Heathrow to London Colney mate. Tell him fee is suspended pending a 5 goal haul against the spuddies and another 4 against Manure.
then we will have a whip round and collect the fee for you!!!!
Hi KT, I didn’t see the game, but I suspect that the problem Japan suffer/suffered from, is the lack of a clinical finisher?
Technically they are very good, but if can’t put the ball in the onion bag, well, it kinda makes you like, er, Arsenal…
Rock on Adam… 😀
Coach, i’ve not done a job yet, late start.
Who was that you said, Iggy Pop?
devil they had so many chances it was unbelievable..i was impressed by their technical ability especially.Honda is quite a special player .
Also from watching the brazil game i wished we had an individualist like neymar.i’ve often heard that AW places priority on vision type of players who are better team players but i feel we need an individualist in the squad. even in tight spaces neymar could manouver himself to chances and thats what we need against parked buses.
in our squad we only have Gerv as the closest thing to such a player but we all know he is not very good.these sort of players are a rarity nowadays but i wish we had one.I used to be a huge fan of hleb for this reason.
Gunnerjoe
“Well said/written DG papers write lies then blame AW for lies not being true….”
Hear hear. But it isn’t just journos it is some Arsenal fans too I am afraid. They choose to accept what the journos make up and then hit the forums/blogs. phone-ins with more bile and hatred towards the manager, all of which is based on a lie.
I hate journalists with a passion, anybody can do their job it is one long jolly up.When you compare their match reports, they are all virtually the same – that’s because they are drinking together in the bar and know next to nothing about football.
Higuain is pure class and at the right age. In a different league to Jovetic in my opinion. We don’t want a ‘fancy Dan’, we want someone that knows where the back of that net is and that boy does.
Is Higuain quick?
Afternoon all…
I agree with Alisher Usmanov. Go get Rooney Arsene….
Think Ak said not Lee…
Cheeky Ak, I don’t ‘pump iron’ – I dance around to loud music, it’s great 🙂
Spain vs Tahiti betting odds are interesting, the bookies are expecting double figures.
5-0 is 12/1 but you only get 8/1 for 10-0 (11-0 is 11/1).
Wonder what formation the Spanish will play?
Lee…..If you compare him to TH14 then he is not quick. He will not murder defences like TH used to do. But he has quick feet and he is deadly around the box. He also has a good first touch for a man with a big frame. He is what Bendy always thinks he is but is not.
higuain has decent pace;not theo quick but who is.he is certainly faster than giroud.
That’s not difficult Kt – I’m quicker than Giroud 😉
Lee
Higuain is not quick, he is a finisher. Why Lee, not been on LG have you?
with higuain its all about movement.he also has quick feet and can scire with both feet.
Those sociopaths on LG have been slagging Higuain for having no pace, incredible those boys moan about everything on there. Higuan has that great first touch and instinct that the best finishers have, something we desperately need.
Hiya LAdy…….feeling fresh???
Can you run??????
DG
“He is what Bendy always thinks he is but is not….” 🙂
Hi Devil, depends who is chasing me 😉
we certainly need more creativity for him to thrive.
Rico 😀
KKJ, I read the Le Grove occasionaly, but have never posted on there…it’s full of wankers, wishing long term injuires on Arsenal players etc.
I was thinking of it the other way round Rico……you chase me!!! 😛
LG will always moan about everything. Infact they moan about others moaning, meaning they moan about moaning itself. 😉
Wouldn’t Lewandowski of been a better fit? Just saying…
😆 Devil… I’m too old….
Beggars can’t be choosers Lee 😉
Maybe yes, maybe no Lee. I think both would have done a good job. But Lewandowski is prepared to see out his contract to go for his dream move and that is BM. So essentially he would have played for a season or two and than angled for a move back to Germany. Higuain has a lot to prove since he has not been used that often so he will do his damnedest everything to stay in the side. Plus he is one of the greatest finishers I have ever seen.
Vecchia gallina fa buon brodo Rico!!!!! 😉
Strange that Poles want to play in Germany so much when you think what the Hun did to them.
Old chickens make good broth?
exactly Adam!!!! 😀
I speak a smattering of it Devil.
I was an Italian woman’s sex-slave for 3 years.
DG
Great point. Higuain is clinical and he has that instinct in front of goal the ‘natural’ finishers have. Personally, I think he is a better fit than the pole.
I really hope Arsenal fans get behind this signing when it happens, instead of picking hols in him and continuing to find something to moan about. On LG they have been moaning about his lack of pace but look at some of the great finishers, they weren’t the quickest, TH14 aside.
Adam, that was not very politically correct regarding the huns now was it? Brilliant point though! 🙂
Thanks for that Devil/Adam !! Grrrr
“I was an Italian woman’s sex-slave for 3 years”
You do go through ladies Adam, what is your secret mate?
lee i know higuain us a good player but i honestly don’t know how we are going to use him.the last player of his mould we had was eduardo but back then we played with 2 up front.
in our lone striker system we play with inside forwards which requires the main Cf to drop deep.higuain isn’t that sort of player.lewandowski/jovetic are.
personally i would’ve gone all out for jovetic since i feel he has a much higher ceiling and has got that individuality to fashion a chance out of nothing sort of like rvp.
i’ll welcome higuain but wiyh him he requires lots of creativity and he’ll bang them in.we should be wary however since he has a tendency to miss easy chances despite what stats say.
KJ. I am afraid that PC is not my strong point. S&M however!
KJ. You should ask Rico. She will tell you of the allure of the Toad.
It was Lee who rescued me from that period of debauchery.
Adam, a man after my own heart. Keep it up, don’t let the sandal wearing pooftas in the thought police kerb your enthusiasm for all things non pc.
Rico. I was only the translator and not the author of that Italian phrase.
I have also noted that the countries that suffered the worst atrocities under Nazi occupation now have the highest number of Neo-Nazi groups that have sprung as the grandchildren of the original victims.
I find that odd.
Debauchery = Indulgence in sensual pleasures; scandalous activities involving sex, alcohol, or drugs without inhibition. Toad?
ktr7
We created nearly 500 hundred chances last season, more than Man City, Chelsea and man United.
How many times did we put our heads in our hands when sitters were routinely missed, either straight at the keeper or off target completely?
We need a natural finisher in and around the penalty area and Higuain is that and in a different league in my opinion to Jovetic.
This is a great signing lets get behind it.
KJ. I have drunk at the well of all of those activities until fully sated.
It was Rico who christened me a Toad.
Adam, if that stat is true that is interesting.
We haven’t signed Higuain yet though have we?
Adam,
No we havn’t, good point. Bendtners coming back just for you!
Of the small amount I saw of the Brazil v Mexico match last night I liked the wide right Mexican player. Was it Berrera? Looked tricky and put in some great crosses.
Bendtner? Don’t even joke about that clown.
Still as guilty Adam.. 😉
‘Sandal wearing pooftas’ Kj, are you suggesting all gay men wear sandals…?
I never knew that….
KKJ am not saying the potential signing of higuain isn’t a good thing;my only concern is compatibility eith our current system.it certainly needs to be tweaked.
also i really rate jovetic myself but if we need someone to bang them in immediately higuain is the man but as i’ve said jovetic can be a complete forward under the right guidance.
if hig comes i’ll be very happy since he is class.
As you know Rico, I went through a stage of wearing sandals and cavorting in Heaven nightclub.
Oyyyyy KJ……….I am wearing a sandal right now. What did you call me???????? 😉
we are in dire need of creativity still.in the last 10 games we barely crated any chances per game.an AM must also be paramount.
Between Jovetic and Higuian I prefer the latter.
White socks???? What the heck are you on about???
I never wear white socks mate. And in sandals I never wear socks. I like my feet to be well aired mate.
Good day all.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2345128/Premier-League-ticket-prices–complete-guide-club.html
Hopefully the product (the team) matches up a bit better with the price this coming season.
Higuain is a start.
hi all,
Nice post Rico…
I am with you Ktr7 on Niguain and a proper no.10. The fact that Higuain has scored goals does not truly paint the whole picture imho… his goals have come against mediocre sides when he has scored 2 or 3 goals in games… for example when RM conceded the league and CL he scored over 8 goals; before that he hadly featured. Just an opinion of course.
hardly … even
The times are reporting we have agreed a 4 year deal with higuain…
devil higuain will deliver immediately i agree but i feel that we have a window of opportunity to get jovetic now because if he steps up to a bigger club he will develop into a phenomenal player.
hig is a no.9 but myself i like more complete forwards like lbra who can do right about anything in attackung sense.
Jabba wants Rooney.
Could be his love child.
I always sport black socks with brown Derek Randals….it’s the height of fashion! That and a “bum-bag”………
hi tsgh.i know a couple of madridistas who say hig may be clinical but he misses easy chances especially when the pressure is on.make no mistake he is a good player but that is one of his weaknesses.
He’s a step up from what we have though right KT?
break down of goals and other stats
Gonzalo Higuaín – Current Season Statistics
League Team Games Goals Assists YC RC
Spain – Copa del Rey 5 0 0 0
Spain – Primera Division 28 16 5 5 1
Spain – Super Cup 2 1 0 0 0
UEFA Champions League 9 1 2 1 0
Kj. Let’s not go there please….
Ktr7-Against Real Ossasuna he missed a gerv-like chance when they were leading 3-1; rm endedup drawing 3-3;
Dont get me wrong guys he is a far better player than what we have but you do not buy a ferrari to go camping… if you get my drift.
He is not a big game player… Benzema is always preferred to him in big games… and regulars know my opinion on Benzema ie bottler… 🙂
you say he is good only against the weak teams????
Good.
Looking forward to seeing him against the spuddies then.
Real Soceidad on 26th May … I meant
A good link to who he has scored against. I know he scored against Real when they had no defenders but…
http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46240
Ts
106 in 188 for RM, despite not all of those as a starter and from age just 17 to 25 is very impressive.
20 in 32 for Argentina, again impressive.
You cannot pick holes in those stats.
The bloke is a goal scorer and that is what we need. I do not know what the fuss is about the Macedonian Jovetic, to be honest. Good player but not what we need, we need a finisher above all else. I am sick and tired of us missing chances.
Thanks Ts..
I’ll be glad if we sign Higuain, but I’d still like Rooney IF he is to leave Manure…
Rooney is too trim Lewis – but you never know 😉
lewis he is a massive upgrade on what we have.what i and tsgh are pointing out are his weaknesses so yhay fans who haven’t eatched him regularly get the whole picture.he is still young and he’ll improve no doubt.
ts
So what who he has scored against?
Arsenal fans are never happy. I am off now, I am starting to get depressed.
This time last year, we had a very similar debate about Lukas Podolski, his stas were impressive, he was and still is a German International and he had a big reputation…
Most fans were glad we’d signed him, I was, but there was always a question in my mind – ‘Will he hit the ground running in the PL’?
The same thing here with Higuain is in my mind, yes, his stats are very good but he’s rusty, Jose stropped and didn’t play him and he’ll need time is my view….
Which is just why we really need to try hard to sign Rooney IF he is up for sale….
Kj, that’s harsh – Ts and Kt are just debating both sides to the player – why should that depress you, it’s real…..
exactly my point rico…
mundo deportivo saying thiago is close to MUFC.
PSG have now been rejected by AVB/Capello and now Rijkaard.
Hi Kj, we agree on a lot but I think this season or summer AW needs BIG game player. The players who will turn up against the top 6 teams in europe and not just those who score 3 against Reading or Southampton… no disrespect there to those fans btw.
😀 Hi Dev, scoring against Hughes and the spuddies gives every player a mayoral grace… lol
All his goals have come when RM are beating team 3-1 or 5-0
Hi lady Rico.. hope you are well?
I get your point Kt, honest. Stats are only as good as how a person interoperates them….
Higuain may have scored all his goals for Argentina against weaker countries…
But, I won’t be disappointed at all if we sign him because he is better than what we already have and that’s all we fans ask for…
Ktr7 and there is no bigger pressure than the new record signing hearing he is meant to end our 8 year barren spell… 😉
And Arsene Wenger has rejected them Kt 😉
Hi Ts, yes good thanks you?
And many fans slate Theo for scoring goals when we have already put the game to bed… Well, early season anyway 😉
I like that a 3.47 Ts.. 🙂
If Higuain comes to us Rooney won’t will he?
Adam, pass the pipe please!
ts 🙂 🙂
If Usmanov had his way he would Lee….
If I got me own way he would too. that would give us three really good strikers and all different….
Well, two and a bit 😉
Very busy Rico… been working where I can’t blog and commuting almost 2 hours each way daily so…
Rico, I think you are referring to me slating Theo again 😀 😀
I am not Wooney’s biggest fan but Fergie would always play him against us and other top teams. Fergie would also always play Fletcher and Park against top team even though they may be mediocre or not fans favourite…
That is the difference imho..
Later guys. Nice catching up.
On the way Lee.
Not good Ts and yes – that cap fitted well 😉
Can I have a puff…..?
Cava and the pipe don’t mix Rico. 🙂
Boo! Hiya, KT! Been a while. 🙂 Ginge, you off shopping?
Hello, Adam, Lee, and rico. 🙂
agag its been a while…seems like you are the PSG of shoes 🙂
Hi Agag. Hope you are well.
Mrs Adam says hi.
As a gesture of something or other why doesn’t Mr Usmanov buy Rooney for the club. Then we could all be friends and cuddle each other. 🙂
The Queen’s horse has won a big race at Ascot she now has to give herself the trophy.
KT, I wish. What have you been up to?? That was a loooong break you took. 😛 I wish I had the shopping funds of PSG, but I did get myself a pair for my birthday. Yay!!
Adam, I am well. How are you? And Mrs Edam? 🙂
*Mrs Adam, I meant. 🙂
Mrs Edam? 🙂
Must start calling her that Agag.
Hiya Agag….
Brudder Lee.
i’ve just been busy agag.i just hope we get our business done early.
Hahaha, noooo. Edam doesn’t smell good. 😛
Hi, Lee. How are you??
I hope this Higuain deal is concluded and soon. I’d be really cross if we lose out because we were scrimping yet again on salary. 😕
Interesting comments on Higuain. My candid opinion is he is what we need(finisher/goalhunter). Someone with intuition and instinctive ability to take chances when presented on a platter of gold. Giroud missed a lot of sitter in those big games last season. Higuain has good enough pace and intelligent positioning as CF. If we had not lost that greedy flying dutchman last season we would have pushed manure to the finishing tape. But let’s not get ahead of ourselve, deal is not done yet. Until it appears on .com it is still a fantasy.
Adam, you must update your gravatar, the winged purple paper bag is cute enough, but even KT is Poldi now. 😉
If we can’t Higuain get Adaminho….he’s cracking around the box!
Yeah Adam get with the programme…….
Agag. Will you take pity on a thick Englishman and help me to achieve my own Avatar. My pleas to Rico and the rest of my so-called friends on here have fallen on deaf ears. Even my own brudder Lee has shunned me where the Avatar is concerned.
The box is an area where my opportunism comes in handy Lee. 🙂
I’m sure they would Adam….
Boo agag, how’s you…?
For those of us quoting statistics I wonder what Thierry Henry/adebawar stats were at Juventus/monaco respectively. Wenger knows best and he can turn him into a 25-30goals a season free scoring machine
Rico. You gave up on me where the Avatar is concerned months ago. .:)
goal.com are saying higuain will be on £100k a week…guess its not happening .
Adam, well, a paperbag does suit your shopping self. I created a wordpress account and then uploaded an image. 🙂 🙂
http://en.gravatar.com/support/what-is-gravatar/
Hi Emma, on paper he’s very good ….
I did it Adam, you just mucked up the login 😉
Hello, emma. How are you? 🙂 AW does “make” some really fantastic players. I think Higuain will be a bigger and better player with us.
rico, I emailed you. Not spam, I swear. 🙂
rico – 🙂 he is
i think higuain scored 31 goals in all competitions a few seasons ago.if we create chances am confident he’ll score plenty.what i think AW will work on him if he comes is his all round play.
hi agag, are you alright? Enjoying the royal ascot or rather mascot 😉
Harsh Rico.
I’m good, emma; down with the flu now. Ick.
Adam, come on now. Don’t fail me! I wanna see a new grav. 😛
what are the odds with all this focus on higuain we reach an agreement with a midfielder or two out of the blue?…
Agag. I shall certainly try but you see the opposition to my new online identity.
I think my red jeans don’t you?
My security wouldn’t let me open it agag 🙁
🙂 Emma, it’s those we sign who aren’t that cheese me off…
But so true Adam 😉
Hahaha, Adam. or your cape with pearls. 😛
Ignore the first one, rico. That is spam. The one with the title is real though. 🙂
There are whispers we bid for el shaarawy…
Haven’t had a 2nd agag… 🙁
I sent it twice, rico. 🙁 I’ll probably send it from another addy if I manage to remember the password. 🙂 🙂
5.01 Kt, I wouldn’t be at all surprised….
Cesar story has gone very quiet…. Thankfully.
Just checked my spam too agag, nothing…. you sending it to the yahoo address? Just checking 😉
Haha. Of course, I sent it to the wrong addy. 😳
Sex-slaves, shirt-lifters, Toads, Bendtner, sandals, Rico doing the Tango, Coach wearing white socks….
It all happens on ‘ere…. 🙂
Boo, AK! 🙂 I hope I didn’t scare you. How are you, sir?
That’s what makes HH a little bit different Ak 😉
O’er, i’m shaking all over Agag… 😉
Absolutely Boss. 😀
Not sure guys, why so many of you, are picking holes in Higuain, before he’s even signed… 🙁
Lets get him thru the door and see him play first eh?
I can’t say that i can recall him playing, but if the club spend £20+ million on him, then we can hardly complain.
After all, most of us have been banging on for months about ‘intent’ and spending some serious money in the transfer market.
I can’t wait for him to be officially announced Ak, then we can move onto Rooney and I can be five pounds better off 😉
Seriously though, I don’t think anyone is truly picking holes in him, just looking at him from all angles.
Well, not quite all obviously 😉
(Reuters) – Arsene Wenger’s experience as Arsenal manager will give the club an edge next season when English Premier League rivals have new men at the top, a major investor in the club said on Thursday.
Farhad Moshiri also said Arsenal would start to benefit from a 30-million-pound deal with Puma, echoing media reports that the German sportswear company was set to replace Nike as the club’s kit supplier.
Arsene Wenger was the reason we invested and he is very much the reason why we continue to support the club,” Moshiri told Reuters in an interview.
Moshiri, who with Uzbek-born business partner Alsiher Usmanov owns almost 30 percent of Arsenal, said Wenger’s longevity would be an advantage when champions Manchester United and rivals Manchester City and Chelsea are all under new management.
“He remains the one with deep experience in the top four, and that provides a significant edge for the club,” the Iranian-born Moshiri added.
Wenger, who joined Arsenal in 1996, is the longest serving Premier League manager after Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson retired in May.
Former Everton manager David Moyes has replaced Ferguson, Chilean Manuel Pellegrini has taken charge of Manchester City and Jose Mourinho has returned for a second spell at Chelsea.
Moshiri said he believed that Arsenal, without a trophy since 2005, could now step up their investment after absorbing the costs of a move to a new stadium.
“They managed to stay in the top four with very strict finances and without some of the biggest players. Now they have the foundation to move on,” he said.
“(Chief Executive) Ivan Gazidis has secured a major win in the contract with Puma, for 30 million pounds a year,” he added in an interview at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“That is a significant win for Arsenal. That shows Puma’s confidence in London and, through London, Arsenal,” he added.
Puma and Arsenal have declined to comment on reports of a kit supply deal that would begin in 2014.
Arsenal are majority owned by U.S. sports entrepreneur Stan Kroenke. Usmanov and Moshiri do not have board representation despite their substantial shareholding.
“Mr Usmanov is an avid Arsenal fan, he enjoys watching the games and he has probably the best box at Arsenal,” Moshiri said.
“Should they invite us, or consult us, we are there to help.”
Looks like the PUMA deal is a done deal
Doesn’t it just emma….
If the rumour is true, we are about to break the club transfer fee and wage structure to sign a top quality player from Real Madrid. Not Crystal Palace, not Coventry and not some French League 2 prospect.
Here are some facts about Higuain, based on the last 5 seasons in Spain. He averages 1 goal every 1.5 games in La Liga and 1goal in 1.6 for Argentina, so he is very consistent. He is currently just 25 years of age, so his best years are ahead of him.
Bendtner he most certainly is not………..
2008–09 season Goals 22 in 34 Av: 1 goal every 1.5 games
August 2008, Higuaín scored the winner in Madrid’s victory over Valencia in the Spanish Supercup. This followed up his goal in the previous season against Barcelona in el classico. He scored all four goals in a 4–3 win against Málaga. That season, he was touted as one of the great promises of world football thanks to spectacular games, and particularly dazzling last-minute goals.
On 21 April 2009, he scored the last minute winner against Getafe, giving Real Madrid a 3–2 victory, which won them the title.
2009–10 season Goals 27 in 32 Av: 1 goal every 1.1 game
He was La Liga’s 2nd top goalscorer, behind only Lionel Messi but above Ibrahimović and his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. He also played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa for Argentina. He scored the only hat-trick of the tournament.
2010–11 season Goals 10 in 17 Av: 1 goal every 1.7 games
In December 2010, Higuaín had a herniated lumbar disc and was out for several months after surgery. On 23 April 2011, he scored a hat-trick against Valencia in a 3–6 away win.
2011–12 season Goals 22 in 35 Av: 1 goal every 1.6 games
Between two weeks from September to October he scored 9 goals including two hat tricks. That meant “El Pipita” had scored 9 goals in less than two weeks. In this league winning season, he out scored his team mate Karim Benzema, scoring 22 league goals.
2012–13 season Goals 16 in 28 Av: 1 goal every 1.7 games
On 29 August 2012, he scored in that eventful 2–1 win against Barcelona in the second leg of the Supercopa de España, which secured Real Madrid its first title of the season. On 23 February 2013, Higuaín scored his 100th La Liga goal.
2009-2013 (Argentina) Goals 20 in 32 Av: 1 goal in 1.6 games
Impressive figures.
Maybe so Rico. Personally speaking, I will be delighted when he signs…
As Adam and I have discussed on several occassions recently, whatever we may think of the present squad, we both agreed, that if Wenger spent most of his funds on two quality strikers, then I don’t think that Arsenal will be far off winning a trophy (or two) next season….
I cannot honestly say that our other team departments are that deficient, just a bit of fine tuning perhaps…
But if RVP proved anything at Old Toilet last season, it’s that you have to put the chances away, and on too many occassions last season, we failed in that crucial area of the game….
Kj, has anyone on here said they wish we weren’t looking likely to sign him?? That answer is no…
ditto allez
I believe we need 2 players CF and a DM/Box-box. Sagna is staying so he can cover RB and CB if need be. Fabianski will give Szeschny competition for the No1 spot. TV will improve defensively next year. Don’t mind if Wenger experiments with him as a DM. Ox will have a say in the Midfield next season. All is looking good
Ak, honestly – so will I be if we sign him, I think it would be a fantastic signing, I really do…
I guess what I was saying is that I thought the same when we signed Podolski…
IF he signs, lets just give the guy a chance because many already want to see the back of Podolski and he came with a great history behind him….
I think Giroud will be more clinical this season, he maybe a bit slow, but he’s still scored a few goals – the one I’d love to see gone and replace is Gervinho…
But then again, others think he gives us a lot…
Higuain
Rooney
Belhanda
Capoue/Fellaini
And if TV goes, a good replacement…..
That would do me 😉
i’ve just seen a pic of higiain’s girlfriend B-) sign her up♥
Kev
“Not sure guys, why so many of you, are picking holes in Higuain, before he’s even signed… ”
Bang on Kev, bang on.
One minute we have no ambition and will never sign quality players and when it looks like we have, guess what?
The Higuain has no pace and only scores against weak teams has been on LG for a while now. A lot of arsenal impersonators on there.
Hope you have that fiver ready for Rico.
Rico,
You don’t want much do you 🙂
You can still buy UmBongo, I checked…!!
Trust you Kt 😉
No actually Kj, I don’t think that is asking for too much… It’s long overdue imho.
In fact, IF we are to believe the press valuation of the players, the club would get change out of the reported £70 million….
Just a thought, why doesn’t Wenger identify his targets, fcuk off on holiday and let the board worry about money !
rico, Nigeria are playing again tonight, another chance for you to put the rule over Sunday even if he is playing on a Thursday, that’s if you can find the remote control of course……has it clicked yet !!!
tsgh 3.47, Wenger is 8 years into a famine and not exactly sweating under the collar, in fact will probably be rewarded with an contract extention, certainly not under pressure so why should it be any different for players joining us to break that duck.
Kev, Rico, Emma
You cannot win anything if you don’t put the ball in the net. We miss so many chances it is embarrassing. That natural goalscorer instinct is what we have missed. It doesn’t matter who you are playing agaisnt, you need to bury that chance, christ we create enough of them!
Rico, nobody has said they do not want to sign Higuain and I have not suggested that is the case. As Kev says, some have tried to pick holes in him. A bit of good news at last but we have to find a negative in it.
Anyway, you should be smiling, you may have a fiver towards your holiday fund.
Rico,
It is overdue, I totally agree. But as I have been saying for a few months, this season ‘should’ be different.
One down (hopefully) three to go.
I don’t want Podolski to go, I like him…
Same with Giroud (sorry Adam).
Gervinho? Well I can’t see where he’ll fit in tbh.
We can afford to lose him.
Emma, maybe the young Spanish guy is the answer?
KJ, I would luv Wenger to get Lewandowski, he is top top class.
Rooney would be great, but I just can’t see it happening.
As it is our four Strikers look set to be Higuain, Podolski, Giroud and Sanogo.
Respect to all those with differing views btw…
Kev – We created enough chances last season more than any epl team unfortunately our strikers were not putting them away. If the rumored Higuain is on his way to us that will give everyone a lift. I believe Giroud and Podolski will fire on all cylinders next season.
rico am not golng to talk about higuain anymore.i’ll be happy if we sign him.it seems pointing out his weaknesses is upsetting some despite pointing out his strengths too.im done.
allez – Are u refering to the sociedad player Illaramenda?
Emma, spot on. How many times did we shake our heads as we missed simple chances.
Gervinho has to go, he missed so many sitters. Giroud I like, puts it about a bit and has that strength we often miss. Podolski I feel sorry for because he gets played out of position but works really hard and can finish.
Illaramenda is a quality player, reads the game well, can tackle but can also pass the ball, typical Spanish technique.
Kev, the Pole is class but i don’t think he wants to come here. You can’t sign what isn’t avaialable I guess.
Seen the Spain Tahiti odds. Bookies think it will be acricket score, not so sure.
Kev
Rooney has certainly split Arsenal fans. None of us like him as a person but Rico thinks it would make a statement and she is right, it would. However, I couldn’t stand seeing him in an Arsenal shirt. I can see it happening though.
Gervinho has to go but we need a really good dribbler to replace him.
Yes Emma, that’s the one….
KT, I was not having a pop at you mate, sorry if I offended you….
Offski
If spain goes for the kill it will end up being a cricket score but I don’t see that happening. I think they will score less than 8 goals and tease the tahitians. It will just be a training match teasing the ball around making tahiti to chase and get it back
I can’t stand rooney at all.when fit and firing he is very good but he has too much baggage.
no problem AK.we’ve been blogging for years.
I’ve watched him so many times and i said what i thought.im not going to add.id rather discuss other squad defeciencies.
Ilaramenda is a class act. He ran the show in the deep end for spains u21, instrumental in their top 4 finish last season, instrumental in handling barca’s first defeat last season where he was voted MOTM. Turned up in all the big matches for those of us who like players that turns up in big matches. Wouldn’t mind if we go for him at least we gave them Vela
Holy COW. Anyone seen Higuain’s girlfriend???
She is worth signing him up or..
Good thing John Terry does not play for us then. ……. 😉
Good Evening Lady and Gentlemen bdw.
I find illaramendi quite similar to busquets.i like him.im not sure though if he’ll leave now.
devil check my 6.29
No Micko, it’s not clicked yet 🙁
Kt, and he hasn’t even signed yet 😉
It’s quite annoying really, I am away from Saturday for a week and I bet the club will announce one or two signings..
I’ll miss it all 😛
seen it now KT.
Phew. Enough to melt iron into liquid.
She will surely melt the ice around the Emirates if her boyfriend plays for us.
I Torres might just get the ballon d’or today
KKJ, Tahiti were truly woeful the other nite, this could be really embarrassing.
KT, I’ve seen uglier !
Well Micko??
Cazorla and Monreal are playing today.
Yes thanks rico, yourself !
If you gotta explain it, it ain’t the same, just a play on words.
You need a holiday.
anyone tries to guess how many Spain will put past Tahiti?
I think it will be 7 or 8.
Micko 😆
You are a hoot… And yes, I need a holiday….
Micko is Thursday Friday playing tonight?
Just hope neither get injured Devil…
Capital ‘T’ for you Lee!
Rico that blondeness is back again..
Looks like Micko has joined the “toad-club!”….
No but we could be signing Sunday Monday if you believe the rumours….
I’m going double figures devil.
I think it has Lee, with blonde extensions…. 🙁
Funny enough, I nearly typed that to Micko – he should have been in the Toad club long ago….
I don’t care that you take the mickey, I’m hoping we sign Saturday to Saturday… 😉
8-0 for me Devil…
Welcome aboard rico !
Cesc 26 years old and 80 odd international caps, he’s only gonna get better.
I do not think it will go to double figures Micko Dundee.
Unless they score another two before halftime I doubt they will manage 7. If its 3-0/4-0 by halftime then double figures is on. But up till now Spain have flattered to deceive.
Spain are loosing too much possession when they are near the penalty box. And they are frittering too many chances. Torres has already lost two clear chances. And it is clear that both Torres and Villa are trying to do it all on their own instead of trying to help each other.
One thing I am wondering about is why Cesc is not playing. He is not an automatic first team starter for Spain. I think that should mean he should have started today. But he is not playing.
Grrrr 😆
He was trained well Micko, learned a lot at his previous club. Hard to believe they sold him really….
Maybe his head is not in the right place Devil, he’s thinking long and hard about a return to Arsenal….
If Tahiti manage to get an equalizer it would put the cat among the pigeons.
There is no synchronization between Torres and Villa.
Spain are alien to a 4-1-3-2 formation with two central strikers.
Silva makes it 2-0.
I hope so Rico. I really want him back. Him and Rooney/Higuian. Better than Cesc and RVP combo.
And surely much better than a Bendy-Chamack combination. Yeuuukk
3-0 up now.
Devil, watch the goals fly in 2nd half.
I am going to have to agree with you Mick.
double figures is on now.
looking ominous for Tahiti.
Cesc won’t come back to Arsenal…. Surely Devil..
My 8-0 is looking good then 😉
Villa 4-0
They are slicing them like a hot knife through butter.
Poor Tahiti.
Imagine a player with Theo’s speed and the skills of Bergkamp playing for a team like Spain. Or at AFC for that matter. Phew.
Evening all again,
Long long time Emma, hope all is well.
Kj, calm down buddy…. 90% of the time I agree with your post. I know we have had a discussion on Pipa before and I know you get quite heated about it… you obviously like him but I guess I have my views which should be respected too.
Even Emma, disagrees on this too and we mostly agree on many things… it does happen.
I have never said Higuain is not suitable or a very good play. I am just asking a question based on observation and logic, that if a player is behind Tevez, Pun, Di Maria in national set-up playing in the front 3 and RM want 30M euros for him should we not be looking at someone who may be less of a gamble?
As things stand we do not even know how true the rumours are? If true and he joins us, then I would support him to be a 20+ a season goal scorer in our shirt.
My question is if we truly have £25M to spend plus £100k+ a week then I will go for someone like Lewandowski, Roberto Soldado or even Negrado…. purely based on the way we play and how the said player plays. We have too many striker turn wingers or vice versa… 😉
Is it not funny that Cesc or the media for that matter claim Aw is a bad manager because he does not do ‘tactics’ but Del Bosque has told Cesc to play the way AW told him to… and he is now showing the world that he can still be the Cesc of 3 years ago…
Hi Micko… your 6:38… watch it! lol
Emma, Dev I know we have talked about Asier,Victor Perez, Benat of Betis on here in the past but I never thought Asier will be playing ahead of Camacho for the u-21’s
Ts – I am not sure the players you list want to come to England, let alone Arsenal.
Lewandowski wants a move to BM, we have no chance imho….
Anyway, my day on the internet is over…
Have a good evening/night all…
Stay safe, night all….
Sorry tsgh, got a bit over excited, you ok.
Your 8.47, did you type that through gritted teeth !
Agree rico re cesc, but who knows what might happen 2 or 3 years down the line, just not now.
Nite rico.
Night LAdy.
Cazorola has dropped to DM in a particular 3-4-1-2 formation now.
A few minutes ago his pass to Navas was reminiscent of Cesc’s long passes.
6-0
Torres has his hat-trick
with my eyes closed too Micko…
7 now
Night Rico
Manuel wants Saldado to replace either Tevez or Pun if one should leave $hitty
8-0 up.
I see Cesc is finally playing. It must be demoralising for him having to play 2nd fiddle to the 2nd fiddle, if you catch my drift.
I do feel sorry for Tahiti. I know what hidings like that mean. I have dished them to others and received them as well.
I would like FIFA/UEFA create a sort of Premier Division, 1st, 2nd etc. Countries like Tahiti, San Marino, etc should not play against top teams unless in a friendly.
Imagine a top division made up of Spain, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Holland, Argentina, France etc playing against each other.
And minnows such as Malta, San Marino, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Andorra, Tahiti, San Salvador etc playing against each other.
Same as with promotions and relegations. But every four years.
Torres did not score the penalty. He managed to miss the bar. Must have imagined that there was Abramovitch behind the goal and aimed it at him.
A few seconds later he made it 9-0.
Every corner kick or attempt on goal should be worth a goal to Tahiti
I am off now mates.
Good night Ginge
I think if we had a HH team we would have given Tahiti a run for their coconuts. Yes even with Rico in goal and a centreback combo of WATH, Kev and Jay. Adam would have been unstoppable me thinks. 😉
Gd night my friends
night dev…
Devil, it could have been worse, they could have lost 12-1 if you know what I mean, nudge nudge wink wink, mum’s the word.
Just saw a pic. That appears genuine of Higuain at Heathrow just now.
It is happening.
Morning all.
Scott, I heard the plane got a puncture but who knows !!!
Was he carrying a phrase book in the pic by any chance ?
Time for my bunk, catch ya tomorrow, go easy on them tinnies.
See ya mate.
The Close Season (?) as it is, and the drag it is, will soon disappear before we realise it…..
9 days, and the transfer window opens… Hooray
23 days and Arsenal’s first pre-season game kicks-off…
Yes, it’ll soon come around, and so lets hope, for a change, that Arsene has the bulk of his transfer business done and dusted by July 14th…
Kev, keep the faith buddy.
Get on the Arsenal to win the League mate.
15-1 is just too juicy to ignore.
Good Morning Lady and Gentlemen.
Oui Micko. It could easily have been a repeat of the 12-1. I still remember that game vividly although I was around 13 years at the time. To this day I still assert that that game was fixed. Many events surrounded that game before and after for it to be a genuine result. Believe me mate, if Spain needed to win that game by a difference of 20 that day they would have scored them. And to cap it all we scored first.
It still rankles. Both my Pa and I were disgusted that day. If we were crap and did not know how to play then yes, I would have felt sad. But how come that the Spaniards got how many goal they NEEDED?
We will never know. But we might guess correctly.
yesterday the game was not fixed. We all know the level Spain can reach. We all know that if they want Spain can send a top 11, a B string team and the under 21 to the World Cup Tournament and still occupy 3 out of 4 semifinal slots, such is their technical and tactical strengths.
We also know the limits of Tahiti, but they should be respected for not giving up and even in the 85th minute they were still trying to do their best to get at least one.
Morning all…
Hig-Wayne 🙂
Come on Wenger, get it done…. 🙂
Gd Morning LAdy.
Higuain and Rooney. Now that would be a statement of intent. They can play in combos, alternate and rotate, there are so many permutations. But I think that Gervinho and/or Giroud will be sold
Morning Devil. Gervinho I think…
Gonzo and Wayno in Gerwankho out…. that works!!!
It might be that AW will change his formation now and then. If we sign those two it will mean that the strike force will be bursting. And we cannot play with one striker only.
Still think we need a DM though….
Works for me too Lee, morning to you 🙂
Morning all,
I’m hoping Wenger buys the players that the new managers don’t want. If Moyes is buying Tiago, surely that means Kagawa is losing his place.
If Barca has Neymar either Torres isn’t going to Barca or Sanchez would want to leave as he would be behind Messi, Neymar and Torres.
Wouldn’t mind Mata or Ramires if Maurinho isn’t interested in keeping them.
Morning Rico…
Capoue would do, and Belhanda 🙂
New Post up….