Trophies no longer an issue & Arsenal lack what Everton have…..

Our captain finally got his hands on a trophy last night when he was awarded the PFA Player of the Year.

See Robin, you don't need to leave Arsenal to win a trophy!

Well done to Robin, I’m sure he’ll pick up another one or two before the season is over and that should now prevent any ‘I want to leave to win trophies’ comments from him!! 😉

I jest of course!

From one leader to another, Phil Neville.

I don’t know how many Gooners bothered to watch Manchester United against Everton yesterday but for once the weather dictated my day and I watched it whilst pottering around….

Everton by surprise, took the lead but it wasn’t long before the scores were level and from there, the Mancs raced into what appeared a 3-1 winning scoreline.

One picture caught my eye, and that was Phil Neville.

Despite the scorline, he wasn’t fazed – he trudged back up the pitch to the centre circle ready for the re-start but with each step came a roaring cry, a pumping of his arms, a rallying raise of his arms and a loud shout at his team-mates ‘come-on’.

He wasn’t ready to roll over and surrender to the current Premier League Champions and he wasn’t about to let his team-mates do that either.

Moments later, it was 3-2!

The Mancs, not wanting to give up their hope of another league title soon installed their two goal lead but then Everton dug in deep, deeper than anyone would have thought they could at Old Trafford and got it back to 4-4.

Yesterday, not even Fergie-Time could help the team in red and David Moyes side worked their nuts off  earned a very deserved point.

Before you all think I want us to sign Phil Neville, I don’t but I wouldn’t mind us signing someone like him, someone who has it in them to motivate those around them and get a response by rallying his team mates that then turn performances and scorelines around as Everton did yesterday.

Vermaelen sometimes does, Robin seldom does, in fact the only time I have seen him roaring at full voice, is when we score.

That’s easy though isn’t it, what we need is that kind of vocal stuff when the chips are down, the rallying, heart-felt calls that Neville showed yesterday.

We’ve not really had that since Tony Adams and to an extent Martin Keown and Patrick Vieira! Natural leaders and motivators who won’t settle for teammates going through the motions or slacking off, leaders who demand 100% effort and commitment at all times.

That is still for me what this Arsenal side lacks, the steel and the will to win, we’ve seen it a few times this season but not anywhere near enough and for some reason we are found wanting against lesser sides.

We need to make sure we don’t make that mistake in the last three games!

0 thoughts on “Trophies no longer an issue & Arsenal lack what Everton have…..

  1. rico says:

    Morning all

    Ditto Lee, it’s about time he scored, and might aswell sell him if he’s not going to perform 😉

  2. Mattyboy says:

    Great post!

    Phil Neville what a inspiration to captains! TBF i think the roar is a british thing.. you dont really see that passion from the Foreign captains. This is defo something we lack.

    I also believe that a captain should alway be the strongest defender cause he can see everything from behind as where a forward cant! Seem like wenger uses the captaincy as a lead way to keep big players at the club.

  3. clivepafc says:

    Time for character and personality. No faceless good time players but it’s time to step up and deliver. Big team big wages we need big results

  4. rico says:

    Thanks Matty

    Wenger tends to give the armband to his ‘favs’ – personally, i wanted TV to get it…

  5. rico says:

    saying that, nothing stopping others from getting their lungs going but we don’t seem to have any in the mould of Neville…

    Can that be bought?

    I’m sure it can…..

  6. Mattyboy says:

    Yea i think TV would be a wkd leader!! Rico what did you think of ramsey this weekend?? lol got to say it once again.. he was very poor, kept giving the ball away he tries to do to much.

  7. Tlailaxu says:

    morning all, im on holidays back in my country and just reading stuff about Arsenal, thought the draw with chelsea was pretty good for us, now we just need two more wins and that should do the job i guess, regarding the leadership issue, ofcourse we need that kind of man who would be there for his team 120mins and more than that, thing is, we have a lot of younglings and recently signed up players, so it will be pretty hard to install that mentality from players and thats why we need a coach like vieira or bergkamp or just someone who was there and saw the glorious days, the eye watering celebrations and cries of grown men that would make the young players proud of having a canon on their chest…

  8. Julian says:

    The gunners have been found wanting when the going gets tough. It had happened the last five or six year with the regularity of a heartbeat . Make these three games the last time.
    If it happens again,Wenger has failed and should go. Too many times and it’s obvious the buck stops with the FM.

  9. rico says:

    Matty

    I thought his first half was dire, just awful, three times he got caught with the ball – better second half, just 😉

  10. EastSidePaul says:

    Mattyboy how about Roy Keane or Vieira??

    I’m personally blaming myself for Arsenals last two poor results, as I didn’t get to see either match on tv (I believe the team tends to do a lot better when i’m watching! 😉 ). Also blame myself for the Champs league loss in 06 🙁

  11. Mattyboy says:

    Oh yea paul forgot about them… take that comment back lol!! Roy keane though would say much of a leader he got sent off more times then he was on the pitch! Vieira legend!

  12. rico says:

    Tlailaxu –

    Keown, Adams or Bould – that’s my choice, get the arsenal back in arsenal and a bit of pride will soon get instilled in the players…

    Julian,

    the next three games are going to be the toughest, this will show whether or not players want that CL spot, or indeed have it in them to pull together at the right time…. No more slip ups, we can’t afford them…

  13. rico says:

    Don’t want either of them Esp, Paddy turned his back on us for money and Keane, well just listening to him makes me cringe

  14. Mattyboy says:

    Seem to be lack of fire power at the moment! hope RVP finds to goal streak for the last few games

  15. EastSidePaul says:

    Not as assistant, I was just talking about good captains!

    I’ll take DB, Tony Adams or Keown!

  16. rico says:

    welcome clivepafc

    bodies on the line for just three more games, not too much to ask for or expect is it…

  17. rico says:

    I reckon our future captain is already at the club but he’s a bit raw right now..

    Carl Jenkinson…… A true Gooner…

  18. Mattyboy says:

    Szczesny for me, the only player on the pitch who hates tottenham more then the fans, that a true el capitan in my eyes!

  19. rico says:

    He’s gone off the boil – and we have had no goal threat since the Wigan game 🙁

    TV is the only one to have found the net and with Arteta missing, who is finally going to step up and make his mark??

    Chumuk? Nah
    Park? Nah

    Gervinho?? Maybe he’ll surprise us…..

  20. rico says:

    TV:

    “I have never known a ­manager so loyal to his players. He shows ­immense trust and has shown incredible loyalty ­towards me.

    “I was sidelined for a long time with two nasty injuries. But it was under the orders of the manager that the board gave me a new contract until 2015. I can’t ­describe the joy that gave me.”

    “I am fit again and I love my life at Arsenal,” he said. ­“Arsene Wenger is a coach who really understands his players. In the most hectic of times, he gives us days off. We really love that. He knows when we need a rest.”

    “I have no intention of leaving this club,” he said. “I feel at home in ­London and I feel that I have become a real Gunner. Arsenal is my club. In my eyes, they belong to the absolute elite of European top clubs.

    “We are going for the Champions League again and this team can grow further.

    “When I was young, I dreamed of playing for Ajax and Arsenal. Both dreams have come true.”

  21. Lee says:

    It’s fine being loyal with TV and players of his quality but Almunia, Denilson, Chamug etc. take the rose coloured spectacles off!! Maybe and it’s a big maybe…the new no2 might have some input?

  22. rico says:

    Can’t disagree there – he needs to be a bit more ruthless with a few and stop treating them like babies…

    Souness reckons RvP will leave, what does he know eh? Why doesn’t he focus on whats going on at his old club, knob!!

  23. rico says:

    Same to you Lee and all the fellow English Ladies and Gents out there….

    Good call on Ches Matty, not keen on keeprs having the armband, but thats just me…. 😉

  24. nadjulius says:

    personally, i think we have a great squad. the only reason we are not there yet is we seek motivation from the wrong areas (to finish above spurs, to be the only team in london while the likes of ……are becoming the only team in England) I think if we guide our motivations, we shall get to places we never hoped we could. Mourihno calls himself the special one, and he is about to get there only if he can win the CL at Madrid this season. He is always telling everyone that His players are the best, but attimes publically ruining those whos do not comform to his goals. remember that defend who he subbed just after he had brought him on against spurs. Remeber the dyas of Viera and Keane, our team has to beleeve they are the best in England and work towards that. Not finishing third above spurs (if that should happen, we should be first and sours 4th(20 points behind us) that can atleast motivate us the more. Lastly, we need a REAL leader who SHOUTS/SCREAMS/ROARS/BACKS on the pitch(spare the rod and spoil the child)-some of those lads just need to be shouted at.

  25. rico says:

    Welcome nadjulius

    Have to disagree about us having a great squad, it lacks depth imho, lacks a couple of players who can make that difference…

    Think we have 11-13 very good players, including a few stand-outs but we ned to get in that transfer market and sign 3/4 to take us up to another level…

  26. Julian says:

    Vermallen says treat the three games should be treated like cup finals. Let’s hope all repeat all the players do so.
    Btw if you watched the europa games you will notice players shooting from long range.What about Hoilett’s goal for BR. Surely the gunners can shoot likewise.

  27. Scravaldio says:

    Having TV is all well and good but you need multiple players with the never say die attitude and not just in the big games. Arsenal have screwed up big time against the smaller clubs and its this attitude that we can easiley beat small clubs which has got to change. M’vila would be a great buy as he has this in him he shows it for rennes each week, I think he could be the most important signing for a long time if we can land him. Song looks average without Arteta along side him so with TV m’vila and Arteta you have three players with a good attitude when the chips are down. For me thats still not enough.

  28. Steve says:

    So Rico you’d like Wenger to buy some ‘winners’ – the sort of people who lead by example on the pitch and aren’t afraid to raise their voices in the dressing room.

    Well, I’d like to win the Euro-millions, but I know it won’t happen.

  29. Steve says:

    I remember a story, perhaps it was in an ex-players memoirs, about one of Wenger’s first games in charge. At half-time Pat Rice started to lay into the players who had not pulled their weight in a poor first half. He was pulled aside by Wenger and told that ‘ that was not the way things would be done in his dressing room.

    The irony is of course, that Wenger, the control freak, is the only one at the club who cannot handle defeat. Every week he embarrasses our great club with his pompous, belligerent, rude and often childish touchline behaviour.

  30. rico says:

    I don’t like Wengers sulky side either Steve, i wish he’d be more gracious when we lose…

    Or, sort the squad out so we don’t lose, that would be better….

  31. The font says:

    Unless we’re going to sign vertonghen as a left back which I doubt we will not be signing him fact is he no better than tv or kozzer and with merts as back up there is no need for him m.villa is someone who may well be on his way but I think song will make way if he does come there’s no logic having to similar quality players who in my opinion can not play in the same team for me mvilla edges song on distribution we have frimpy and coq as back up so for me it will be m.villa or song

  32. rico says:

    The font, we need 4 quality CH’s – JV would be the 4th and rid JD – also JV can play across the backline and DM – he’d be a great signing imho….

  33. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Afternoon Gooners.
    Afternoon Rico. Good post as per usual.
    Could not quite understand how Koscielny didn’t get into the EPL team last night…
    Not that it really matters. Somehow i can’t imagine the members of the PFA spending too much of their valuable time thinking over their choices…
    Not when there’s a nightclub or two to visit.

  34. Charlie George aka AK says:

    I ‘m good Rico. Typical Monday, yawwwwn…
    Any eggs this morning?
    Loved the comments from TV05.
    Nobody could ever doubt his commitment to the cause.
    Could do with 3 or 4 more with his attitude methinks.

  35. pete says:

    Hi, you say we have no character? how many games did we comeback from a losing position and win? Thats character!

  36. The font says:

    We have Miguel who will be happy to get a game every now and then merts is the best reader of the game although no pace but there’s certain games when you do not need pace you need brains koz and tv are first choice this is a happy position as for holding midfielder we already have the ones I’ve mentioned and jack abou and arteta can play there at a push in fact arteta has played that position well this year we need artistry in the middle if you do not want to wait for the ox to develop then it has to be hazard or even Christian Ericsson he is brilliant but not at his peak yet

  37. Scott From Oz says:

    Evening all.
    TV5 is a champion.
    I chose him as our captain at the start of the year,but alas,Wenger thought differently!!!
    I wonder if giving it to RVP was a little sweetener to entice him to stay.
    I never really saw him as a skipper.
    I don’t like a keeper as captain,so Vermaelen was the one for mine.
    I think Jack can be a ripper with a few years of maturity under his belt.

  38. Scott From Oz says:

    Us,and half the clubs in Europe,Rico.
    Him,Hazard and Goetze are the big three.
    It’s been reported that we’ve signed Podolski….no,its true this time,really,it is!!!!
    Ho bloody hum.

  39. The font says:

    Man u have been strongly linked but with bergkamp on his ear I think we have a chance he will be over 20mill though the one we do not want in my opinion is hernanes if he can not get in 2nd tier Italian side he is not good enough for arsenal interesting is Ricky Alvarez he was poached from us at the last minute by inter his style of play could suite us if he can adapt to prem league I think we took a player from them before who they did not rate and he turned out to be well I’ll let you say?

  40. Scott From Oz says:

    Do we want Alvarez now????
    He made his choice,it hasn’t worked out,and he is now having a dummy spit.
    He made his bed,let him lie in it.
    Why should we take seconds?
    If we do,it’d better be at a bloody good price.

  41. rico says:

    Lou Macari has just said:

    ‘ i think a refs decision will decide who wins the PL’

    Errrr Man Utd then 😉

  42. The font says:

    Alvarez needs love very temperamental badly advised to go to Milan wrong club wrong style of football good on the ball he looks like a cross between hleb and nasri as long as he is not the main purchase for this position he be a good buy he sat on the bench at Milan because he plays a forward passing game drive grit and good skills not bad for 6 million

  43. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Lee, 12.15;
    It raining buddy.
    I just luv the rain…. 😀
    You have a pint or three for me mate…

  44. rico says:

    £6 Million, oh dear, that has Wenger written all over it 😉

    Charlie, evryone needs a lift when it’s raining 😉

  45. rico says:

    The font, i think the reason behind not wanting him is he could have joined last summer but turned his back on us – if we weren’t good enough then, why should we be good enough now?

    Much rather we sign a player who, when asked if they would like to make a move to us, says, ‘show me the dotted line’….

    Just why i hope we get JV, he is desperate to sign for us….

  46. The font says:

    If you read the accounts you will see how much funds we have to spend there will only be 2 top draw players bought this window podolski and 1 from. M.villa hazard Ericsson or this price range £25 million there will be around 2 more players signed around 5/8 million on lower wages trust me i am an accountant

  47. rico says:

    I never did believe accountants 😉 😉

    Scott Sinclairs goal at the weekend was pretty special….

  48. rico says:

    I’m confused, not difficult to do that to me though 😉

    The font, how much have we to spend according to the accounts?

    Are suggesting it will enough for two big signings only

    or

    Two big signings and 2 more around the 5/7 Million value

  49. rico says:

    He is Lee, just wasn’t given his chance with us imho

    i think he naffed wenger off by playing for mexico, every time he came back he was jetlagged/injured or something else to prevent him from playing…

    has he scored recently on loan 😉 😉

  50. Lee says:

    The latter I thought or was that wishful thinking on my part? Can’t see four signings, at all….
    The Metro have got fuck all to write about today…..wait for it, apparently Podolski’s going to join us in the summer!

  51. Lee says:

    You’ve got a point Alan, we can’t wait for the new players to adapt, we want them to hit the ground running!!

  52. rico says:

    alan, or Championship, ie Wolves, Bolton and Blackburn 😉 😉

    The latter would be fine Lee, I’m sure Ajax would accept £8Million and Nik for Vertonghen 😉

    Podolski – didn’t see that one coming, you reckon there is any truth??

  53. rico says:

    I still wonder about Podolski though, FC Koln sit 16th in their league, he can’t be scoring many goals 🙁

    Maybe his head is already in London..

  54. Lee says:

    throw chamug, denilson and the waiter in and we’ll take Eriksen off their hands…….simples!! 😉

  55. alanbstardmp says:

    thanks Lee

    Rico, as much as I prefer English, there are a few non English players in the EPL. We only need 3 or so. Dempsey is one that has been mentioned

  56. rico says:

    Now you are talking Lee, simples isn’t it 😉

    alan, would be good to have a couple signed who are already used to the PL, i think we’ll go for Hoilett as he’s free…

    In fact wouldn’t surprise me if the player already knows where he’s going…

  57. rico says:

    Wouldn’t mind The Yak tbh, but got a bit of a knock back on that suggestion here a while back ..

    Or Readings Le Fondre 🙂

  58. rico says:

    Like you suggest alan, there are a few who are scoring for struggling sides, put them in a good one and should get a few more…

  59. Lee says:

    We should be setting our sights higher than Odemwingie/Yak/Fletcher imho…..but I’d take all of them in front of chamug/park! We need some real quality added and this squad will win stuff or certainly compete…we know the players, they won’t break the bank but will get us back on track!

  60. gambon says:

    Rico

    Wengers loyalty definitely wins the players over, to a point, however its also a major reason behind our problems.

    For every Vermaelen there is a Denilson/Diaby.

    I may become a regular here, although it may give you a heart attack so i will have to think about that.

  61. rico says:

    Lee, they’d be ok for a striker who has to sit on the bench and play second fiddle to Podolski and RvP though 😉

  62. rico says:

    Hi gambon,

    Lee said exactly the same earier too and i don’t think anyone would disagree – loyalty works two ways imho, as much as AW should be loyal to all, some of them should be told they are crap and it’s time to leave, isn’t than being loyal to their career..

  63. rico says:

    wenger has hinted he wants to sign attacking options, more than one so we could be in for two strikers (if chumuck & park go)

    Why not Pod and one more, let the three of them fight it out for the right to start….

    One thing that would ensure is goals….

    I’m not ready to believe that Joel campbell is going to breeze in and answer our attacking prayers….

  64. W.A.T.H says:

    Afternoon, Loyalty should extend to the fans as well and when a manager can surely see a player ain’t good enough then get rid hold ya hands up say it wasn’t a great buy and move on…! The fans deserve loyalty in so far as not having to watch shit players earning huge salaries who are obviously not good enough yet kept on the books for years to long..!.

  65. gambon says:

    Campbell & Afobe are nowhere near ready.

    Sign 2 top strikers to replace the chuckle brothers.

    I was saying on the other site (the one where im a legend, much like here) that we will make some good money for some of our cast offs. Add what we have and there is no excuse not to invest heavily this summer.

  66. rico says:

    You missed the gap gambon, the one between the g and e 😉

    we been saying that about the cast offs (altough miy list may differ to yours) as you call them on here too, prob since the day HH started… but what clubs would pay them the kind of wage they are used to?

    i’d rather we just sold them for silly money if it mean they were gone…

  67. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Font made an interesting point about how much the club have to spend, looking @ things thru the eyes of an accountant that is.
    Don’t think he considered any monies coming into the club from sales or wages saved from those possible sales.

  68. Lee says:

    AK, you’ll like this, since our holiday I put my 7yr old on 5 euros per goal….little fcker got a hatrick yesterday, 14 seconds from the kick off one of em!! Running down the line waving an imaginary note at me….. 😆

  69. gambon says:

    Rico,

    I dont buy into the idea that we cant offload our sub-standard players. Sure we may have to sweeten the deal for some of them (If Bordeaux offer Chamakh £40k pw, and hes on £60k pw we may have to pay him £x to leave). However lets face it we got rid of Ebouseless, Senderos etc.

    My out list is significant:

    Almunia
    Fabianski
    Mannone
    Shea
    Squillaci
    Djourou
    One of Gibbs/Santos
    Hoyte
    Hajrovic
    Boateng
    Botelho
    Meade
    Eastmond
    Denilson
    Diaby
    Henderson
    Lansbury
    Arshavin
    Vela
    Bendtner
    Watt
    Chamakh
    Park
    Murphy
    Wellington
    Gervinho

    On the back of this I would be looking to sign:

    Backup GK (Sorensen, Jussi)
    Centre Back (Ideally first choice)
    Left Back (First Choice)
    DM (Mvila ideally)
    AM
    Wide AM (Hazard please god)
    Podolski (Gerboue replacement)
    Striker (Ba, Giroud, Huntelaar)

  70. rico says:

    Good point there CG, look at how many we could get money for, should get two players at least if we manage to sell them all…..

  71. Charlie George aka AK says:

    How many Arsenal fans, last summer, thought that Robin Van Persie, given his history of injuries, would be on the brink of completing a full season.

  72. goonster says:

    Whoa, yesterday it was dial square and gambon, today its gambon again! Who’s next? Retrum spectrum and jaguar! Just kidding gambon, how are ya? Nice to see you on here.

  73. Charlie George aka AK says:

    How many Arsenal fans, prior to the end of January, thought that Tomas Rosicky would get a run in the side. Stay fit. And become a key figure in us overhauling the Scum & Chavs and putting us on the edge of claiming 3rd spot?

  74. goonster says:

    Hi lee, how are you mate? Ak, is that you? Charlie who? Jeez, take it easy fella am struggling τ̲̅ȍ keep up.

  75. W.A.T.H says:

    No need to sweeten any deals to get rid off the crap and the deadwood just make sure we don’t ask for silly money on the transfer fee’s ain’t rocket science is it..? All the wages alone saved on said players will give us a lot of funds to bring in quality BUT will it happen… Nice list Gambon what century do you see AFC ever getting rid of so many..? certainly not in our lifetime…! Bar 2/3 that list is about right though.

  76. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Therefore, if miracles do happen, maybe Abou Diaby will have some luck on that score and be instrumental in just nudging us over the line for 3rd.
    I, for one, hope he does!

  77. upgunners says:

    Wenger, oh Wenger who says he’s flown the plane of football
    too long for us kids to complain or teach him, you’ll never
    know whats next with him.I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
    Hmmmm being an arsenal fan aint easy…

  78. rico says:

    gambon,

    our list doesnt differ that much but i’d like us to keep

    Lansbury
    Henderson

    & both left backs, but, turn santos into a winger, he offers more there…

  79. rico says:

    AK, i reckon Diaby has three games in which to prove an awful lot, if he stays fit he could make a difference to our run in….

  80. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Lee, i’ve got one of those at home.
    Stanley, how’s fings in the Low Countries?
    Just luv this weather…

  81. goonster says:

    Evening mama bear, wath, that rusty fella will sure ruffle a few feathers here. Especially scott’s. Hahahaha. Have we signed anyone yet?

  82. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Upgunners… Do what???
    What is hard about being an Arsenal fan…?
    We are blessed my friend.
    Don’t listen to the Doomers.

  83. W.A.T.H says:

    We signing Messi and Ronaldo on friday I’m told Stanley…. Also Mata says he know’s he fucked up and he’s signing next week….! Ain’t life grand..!

  84. goonster says:

    Dry my man. Too bored. Need some action. Was hoping to go to south east asia but i guess that’s out of the window now. How’s the missus?

  85. rico says:

    Not for sure goonster but just read that the FC Kolne fans held up banners at their weekend game saying ‘goodbye to podolski’

  86. goonster says:

    Yeah i saw that. Wow which means he’s really coming? Whopiee! Break out the champagne guys. Its party time!

  87. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Stan, she’s ok thanks.
    Not going on your hols, that sucks.
    Pop over to Blighty, we’ll take you out, get you pissed and take you down Old Compton St.

  88. Micko says:

    Afternoon all,
    Kev, Diaby nudge us over the line, he’d struggle to nudge an old lady out of the way, I wouldn’t trust him to get outta bed in the morning, your having a larf.

  89. goonster says:

    Are you for real ak? Well, invite me over already. I could really use a few british night out. What about the womenfolk? Will i get any?

  90. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Ah Wath, they speak well of you down there.
    I also heard the name Shirley mentioned…
    Couldn’t that one out…

  91. The font says:

    I do not want to go to deep but your forgetting the wages poldy £5million a year Rvp increase £3million a year plus £5million one off. Payment mvilla £23 million plus £4million a year wages lets say 2 bench warmers £7 million plus wages £3 million x2 £20 million with poldy s fee believed to be £11 million that’s over £100 million in 1 year add what we’ll get for dead weights even lee s p brain can do that sum

  92. rico says:

    Afternoon Micko –

    when it comes to Diaby, you really do put a smile on my face with your comment….

    😆

  93. rico says:

    the font, its me who has the pea brain, i couldn’t work it out but are you counting the wages will could very well offload??

    Arshavin
    Nik
    Denilson
    Chamakh
    Squilli
    Almunia
    Fabianski

    That alone would free up about £350-400K a WEEK…

    then, there are a few others who will/could go…..

  94. Charlie George aka AK says:

    Well i guess i’ll take my pea brain back to work now.

    Let me know about the 13th Lee… 🙂

  95. Micko says:

    I hated it that the six million dollar man used to clash with tops of the pops on a thursday night, caused so many arguments in my house.

  96. The font says:

    RICO as I said without going to deep there are other players who need increases ox kozzer and a few others we will not get rid of all the dead wood even if we do it’s still not enough I hope I am wrong but we will have to wait and see

  97. rico says:

    😆 Micko – wht happened to all the great programmes??

    we’ll have to wait and see the font, but i can’t see as many going in the summer as we would wish for, and those imho will not be in the reserves…

  98. W.A.T.H says:

    Font. Ox is in the first year of a 5 yr contract let him earn his new one after at least the 2nd year thats why we have so many players earnign salaries above their status….! he signed a 5 yr deal give him a new one when he carries on with his progress after year 3… problem solved…!

  99. rico says:

    spot on goonster but a part of me wonders if he could still have a career with us? If only he’d be given a chance…..

    wath – agree there too, let players ‘earn’ a new contract and pay rise, we need to stop handing everything to them on a plate….

  100. W.A.T.H says:

    If we are happy to give a kid a new deal one year into a 5yr contract that defines whats wrong with football not just AFC….
    He was happy as larry when he signed so keep dangling the carrot so he improves and then maybe year three you say fair enough you’ve done x,y and z and here’s a new contract as you deserve it… he doesn’t deserve it yet at all…! why do half these players fail…. done fuck all, proveed fuck all and think they have nothing to prove as they on 20k a week at 18/19 and not even on the bench…! pathetic really…!

  101. Adam says:

    Evening Rico and all. I have been trying to forget about Saturday but I am quite disturbed by what I saw. Especially after Wigan.

  102. rico says:

    the font – why is that possible, as gambon says, he’s on £20K, he’s 18 years old, he doesn’t need anymore…

    Let him prove he deserves a pay rise…

    For sure, give him a new contract, even include a clause about money for the future, but not now, he’s just one year into his contract…

    By the way, where do you get all your facts/figures about how much money we have to spend on signings this summer??

  103. rico says:

    Evening Adam – i will reply to your email soon, i promise 😉

    Think its all gone a bit off since we lost to Qpr, Tv is saying all the right things though, he’s a leader off the pitch so i’m hoping he he drumming into the heads of all the players what is needed for the last three games…..

  104. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening all, nice one rico.
    Vermaelen may be the vice captain but he doesn’t strike me as captain material same with Robin both good players and i’m sure they both love Arsenal. neither of these players have shown the motivation to be a captain in my eyes. In many teams a personality and a leader comes to the front he will encourage and bollock when he feels things have not gone well, i don’t see a stand out player in our team. Don’t get me wrong i am not saying we are short on talent we are just short of motivational charactors, its my belief that we will have to buy one and maybe it could be Vertonghen, i don’t know anything about his charactor so i may be wrong but i have seen the charactors of our players and i don’t see a captain in there.

  105. Adam says:

    I look forward to it Rico. It really didn’t have to be this tense. QPR was a warning that was not heeded. Wigan was pathetic and Chelsea were there for the taking. Obviously I hope we somehow qualify for CL but I see danger signs ahead unless Wenger really changes his approach.

  106. rico says:

    Evening Steve,

    thanks – TV has ‘that look’ his veins pump in his neck and he wants us to win, imho he is the nearest thing we have to a true leader but we need one or two more like him.

    Let RvP get on with scoring goals….

  107. Adam says:

    A captain needs to be a mixture of intelligence, respect and bloody minded belligerence with a dash of spitefulness perhaps. He must also command the respect of team mates and opponents. He will seldom be the most gifted player in the team.

  108. stevepalmer1 says:

    Ageed Adam, Alex Song i had thought of him at one time but i watch him foul at times and slink away with his head bowed, i want to see a captain hold his head up and bark orders thats when players take notice, let the opposition see you and know your there. A tough hard captain breeds respect a man that expects a player that has lost the ball to chase back and win it back our players lose the ball and put their hands on their hips they need to be barked at.

  109. Adam says:

    Steve. I guess we look at Tony Adams and imagine him, the team down to 10 men, an arse of a ref and a cold wet night somewhere ooop North perhaps. We grab a goal and the opposition launch a spate of crude high ball attacks. Adams stands there, water pouring down his face and marks a line on the pitch and screams that they will not pass and shows the team that he will put his body on the line to make sure that this doesn’t happen. It’s an iconic image, but a powerful one and sums up a lot of what Arsenal used to be about. A touch of that spirit wouldn’t go amiss now. Reminds me of a match I saw over at West Ham when Twitchy was manager. Made me proud to be a Gooner that night.

  110. stevepalmer1 says:

    Night Rico,
    Adam you paint a blinding picture that stays in the memory, we just need some one just to do that and i don’t see him at the moment.

  111. Adam says:

    Steve. I don’t believe that image is one that appeals to Arsene. He has never bought a player for those qualities and to be fair, the money in the game has bred more Nasris than players like Adams. They are a dying breed and I can’t think of too many of them. Take a look around at the top teams. Money is their God but it is not ours. We go along and support the team for something far deeper thn a bigger and better Ferrari or a Range Rover with our name stitched into the leather seats like that mercenary Adebayor. Football will slowly kill itself and it will end up as a TV spectacle as the fans loose interest and the whole sense of a ” local” club disappears.

  112. W.A.T.H says:

    The funny thing is Adam always remember TA saying in the dressing room he was quiet and always very focused before the game Keown was the one in the dressing room who wound everyone up

  113. stevepalmer1 says:

    Evening Wath, Adam i hope your wrong but deep down i feel the same way, I like to believe that the players would be like the old front line in war time, waiting to go over the top to take a jerry Machine gun post out, but in reality i see Walcott crouching behind a hoarding when abuse is being thrown.

  114. Adam says:

    Steve. Yes, looking at the latest Ferrari colours for his girlfriend. WATH. Yes, I remember that, but on the pitch it was a different matter with Tony wasn’t it? Do you remember in his book when he spoke to Dennis on the coach? I really liked that and it has stayed with me. Every Arsenal supporter will remember and talk about Tony Adams. Do you think Chelsea or Spurs fans will ever talk about Ashley Cole or Adebayor in that way when they have gone to play in Russia or China or whatever cash cow they can milk next?

  115. Lee says:

    Anyone watching fat sam’s hammers? 1-1 they got to win to have shout of automatic promotion…hope they don’t!!

  116. The font says:

    It’s simple look at last years profit without property we have now magical incomes this year the board historically don’t spend more than they earn add this years profit with what we have in the kitty take out the expenditure (transfer fees wages this obviously is a guess because we do not know which players we signing) and your left there or there abouts what I said earlier your right we can possibly get £20million off the wage bill if we get all the dead wood off the books but that will mean more bench warmers to make the squad numbers up and still spending £80 million in one season will be the maximum to hope for in my opinion

  117. W.A.T.H says:

    It’s why I want Keown as No2 Adam… instill the fight and the spirit but these days its all about looking at the new Veyron not putting in a shift to earn the pay packet…!
    Jack seems to be the next best thing to a TA, a local Gooner who cares, hope it lasts…! a few more like him and we’d be on the right track !!

  118. stevepalmer1 says:

    I think what we have to remember is that as supporters we have had a lifetime of remembering the likes of TA DB CG and loads and loads of others where the players have probably only ever been the slightest bit interested since they arrived, Cesc is quick to say he loves Arsenal but at his prime he left Although supporters still lov e him they also feel let down by him as well i know i do.

  119. W.A.T.H says:

    Evening Lee….. I still have the image of Keown scaring the fuck out of horseface after he missed the pen at OT….! That and Lauren hand round the throat of the neville sister right hook cocked ready to iron him out sheer look of being petrified on the neville sisters face…. Priceless…!

  120. Scott From Oz says:

    So the transfer “possible target” circus continues….what a fiasco.
    Lee,be very,very careful if paying your son for goals.
    I’ve seen kids turn into total hogs on this deal.
    I’m smart enough NOT to do it….little fella potted eleven the other week,I’d be working to pay his salary lol.
    He came off asking did he play well,and I rapt him for the five he set up,ignoring those he scored.
    I’ve got two kids atm who want to score with every touch,and its a battle.
    Do we want any players in free transfers???
    We hate those players in our club who play the Bosman game,and use it to their advantage,yet people want Hoillett and others??
    Besides that FACT,he’s a diving little prick,so Utd or anyone else can have him.
    On Ba,I must laugh.
    If we had signed him last season on a free,everyone,but EVERYONE would have whinged about Wenger going for the cheap deal,and not buying quality…..he barely rated a mention,if at all.
    As soon as he started scoring goals,everyone wants to blame Wenger for letting him up through the cracks!!!!!

  121. Lee says:

    Scott, it’s not been for the whole season…….last sunday plus two more matches but i concur with your reasoning mate!
    morning all…

  122. rico says:

    RvP agents in talk with officials from Juve about a £25M offer in the summer….

    Now come Daily Mail, if you are going to make up these stories, make them believable….

    Juventus??? No chance, has the club even got £25 million?

  123. Scott From Oz says:

    Sorry Lee,its not my job to tell you what to do with your boy,but you know what I mean.
    Hi Rico.

  124. rico says:

    Good news eh Lee, we all knew it wouldn’t be long, maybe he’s done it on purpose as he misses AFC and wants us to pip the in the league 😉

    Hi Scott

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