Kieran Gibbs believes Theo Walcott is the best winger in England.
For me, yes he is, put it this way, I would not like to be coming up against him.
Right now, Theo is playing the best football he ever has in an Arsenal shirt, his crossing is certainly better and he’s even getting a few goals.
So is Gibbs right, is Theo better than his counterparts in the Premier League?
We all know that Walcott’s contract runs out at the same time as our captains and I know you will no doubt all slap me down for suggesting this, but my own view is that both contracts need to be signed asap, and both are equally important to our club.
Robin may score the goals, but behind every goal he scores, there has to be a provider and Theo has very often been that player.
Keeping both Theo and Robin is key to our future, surely?
Wenger hopes he will be able to persuade Walcott to sign on the dotted line, his words of encouragement and vision for the future being the key.
Walcott earns about £60,000 a week, but if reports are to be believed, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool are all keeping an eye on his contract situation and are ready to pounce if no agreement is reached.
However, Wenger is desperate to keep his man:
The fact he is so long in the spotlight, people forget Theo is 22 (now 23) and getting now to an age where you perform. It is as simple as that. Theo develops well because he is intelligent. Tactically and technically he had a complete game against Newcastle.
To be fair on Theo, his game has improved after his second half performance against Tottenham but then so has other players games improved too since that day.
Some believe that Walcott’s final decision about his future will depend on whether his captain will sign a contract extension but, and I think I have suggested this before, players like Theo are equally important to Robin staying too.
The pair have developed a lethal partnership, a great , one which we all need to carry on next season.
Hopefully in the future I would like to play up front with him, but if I am setting up goals, then that is the most important thing. He is tucking them away and the team is winning; so you can’t ask for much more.
Robin is getting into his golf now but I don’t think he is up to the level I am. But he will be. He is a great man, a great captain and very important to this club. It means so much just to be on the pitch with Robin. When he says those words when I’m right next to him, it just makes me so happy. If he’s enjoying what I am doing, then that is the main thing. If the staff and the coaches are happy, that’s all I want.
Stability, that’s what we need in our squad, a squad that when all fit is not far off from being the best in the Premier League, two or three additions would make it complete.
So, come on Theo, get on and sign your new contract and then others may just follow suit….
Finally, it seems Laurent Koscielny will miss tomorrows game through injury, although it’s more likely he is sitting this one out to avoid any chance of missing next weekends fixture against Citeh as he is one booking away from a ban.
That’s it for today, have a good one all….
Before I post my comments………..
Good morning Guys and Chicks of the everincreasing Gunners’ Faith.
Hope you have a good day.
Off to read today’s post………so please keep quiet. Usually I like to read in silence. 😉
The question of whether we’d like having play against us is probably as relevant as whether we want him playing for us.
Morning all..
Scott, no, i would hate for him to up against us, i really believe he is later developer than most and he’ll be a top top player in a few years…
We talk about Ramsey and Diaby having had injuries to contend with, well we can’t forget Theo has had a few too. I’d be sad if he left, we need to build on what we have…
devil,
Robin looks so young there 🙂
I’m still not totally convinced by him. I wouldn’t be too afraid if he was playing against us to be honest. Which is why I’m one of the 37% of people who voted “no” in the poll above (is that a new feature?! I do like a poll Rico!)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2122611/Mikel-Arteta-rues-Arsenal-injury-list.html
That’s what I wanted to hear Rico.
3 months ago,if we’d been offered 15 million for Theo,I’d have jumped at it.
Now,I’d take 25……big jump though in a short period,and I genuinely think he’s improving and learning.
I also believe Wenger playing him narrower has proven he knows how to play Theo.
Yes,the whole squads going well,but let’s give each and every player credit.
rocky, i am deeply saddened 😉
i like a poll every now and again, don’t post them often though, i will try harder 😉
You will only ever hear that about Theo from me Scott, i really rate him, he used to nark me with all his comments off the pitch etc but recently he’s wound his neck in and concentrated on his game…
RvP is clearly loving his footie and a lot of that is down to who he is playing alongside, Theo is definately one of those players, Song is another …
Hopefully Gervinho will be the next to start having more of an impact in a game… Next season I suspect….
Of course he looks young Rico. But not as much young as the one squatting in the front row holding the ball in the photo I sent you. 😉
I vote no,but that doesn’t mean I want him gone.
If at the end if next season he hasn’t shown more consistency,I’d let him go.
Now,I’m prepared to wait a while.
Rico, don’t let Goonster know about you liking a poll now & then………I got in there before you Rock! 😆
Morning Housers!!! 🙂
Good to hear Rico…. I’m still awaiting the much lauded side bar for transfer “targets”!!
Sorry, I know my Theo remark must have cut you deeply Rico!! If he has a good season next year, I’ll retract my statement about not being convinced by him. Until then, 7 decent games doesn’t change my opinion of him.
I reckon Gervinho has massive improvement in him.
Patience will be rewarded with this lad,and the payoff could be big.
Defenders absolutely hate playing in him,and its just some decision making that needs improvement.
Going onto, we have all said that the board/wenger needs to show intent this summer in the transfer window, sign players that will make a difference etc, and will convince RvP to sign his new contract.
Imho it’s equally as important not to let any of this current side go…
We all have a player or two in our minds who we’d like to see gone, Song, JD, Diaby, Ramsey are a few of who have been named, but how would RvP feel if they were sold?
I voted yes for one reason Rico…..if he continues to develop like he has done since we mauled the scum from the slum then by all means he will only increase in his output. That is why we need him to sign that contract. If he stops improviong and goes back to the headless chicken ways than we have him secured and we can take a good sum for him to recoup the money we have spent on him.
😆 devil, i like that….
I agree Scott. I want him to really kick on next year and become the player we all hoped he would be.
Morning Lee! I’m disappointed I didn’t spot the obvious innuendo when I posted that! Too early for me I think!
Oi Oi Lee, morning to you….
I’d be shocked if he actually remembered who Diaby was Rico…. Been a long time since they shared a treatment room! I still hope Ramsey gets better. He’s still young so has time. He just needs to start thinking a bit quicker on his feet. He must surely know that he’ll be the one on the bench as soon as Wilshere’s fit.
Morning Rico. I like what Theo has been bringing to the team and his goal against Villa had so many really positive signs. The club must tie him to a new contract alongside Robin, Song and a new deal for AOC and whoever else had a real future. What is Koscielny’s contract situation? I feel a new positivity running between the players, Wenger and the fans because we can see the possibilities. A good clear-out and the right buys and we could be in business. It certainly feels a lot better than a few months ago.
I wouldn’t sell any of those named.
Djourou showed last week he is capable when playing his position.
Ramsey is a baby.
Song….seriously?
Diaby….why sell him now when he’s worth nothing?
Get rid of the deadwood,by all means,but these guys don’t fit into this category,imo.
I don’t think he will go backwards now devil, think he’ll finally push on and shock a few 😛
Good point there rocky, perhaps i’ll email the sick list 😉
I agree Adam. The way he killed the ball eith his first touch and slotted it home with his second was something I’ve never seen him do before. It used to seem as though he had a foot the shape of a Toblerone bar…. the ball would bounce off everywhere whenever he touched it. But that goal looked to be straight out of the Thierry Henry book of finishing.
no way is theo that important, he is still a very average footballer. All his good games have come against weak LB. Everytime he has come up against a decent LB he goes hiding. Check his stats, one half against spuds and chelski that his only preformance in a big game. Against milan 2nd leg, any other winger and we would have scored 5. Sell him now, he will cost us big next season because he will be keeping out a player who is capable of much more. Theo is technically our worse player, decision making is only a bit beter then Gervinho.
Personally I was one of the bloggers who was bashing Theo about his lack of football brain. At 22 nearly 23 he should have a footballing brain and be able to decide for himself the best option. However being alongside OX, yes the OX….has shown him what a football brain is and how it should work.
The occasion where Cappello murdered him by telling him that if he strays onside again he will kill him, speaks volumes. A winger is never a winger if he keeps cutting on inside time and again. he needs to vary it by staying outside, then cutting inside than going outside and all that. Theo used to make the decision easy for the full back, because all the full back had to do was show him the inside and the defender covering him at an angle would have a very easy job in picking the ball and bloxking Theo. If Theo would have mixed that he would have been at a better stage in his development.
During my session I continously instruct my assistants to focus on the wide players to stay out wide with the full backs forming a triangle between the wingers and the forward and or midfielder. This makes it easier to keep the team stretched while if they break away the lateral defender would have around 15 to 25 metres less to recover and go back to his position. With AFC it was the other way round. Theo goes inside, Sagna goes outside and the latter has to run the length of the pitch to pick his position. Notice how this rarely happens with Gibbs and Gervinho/OX. The other teams are so used to Gibbs holding back a bit more that in his last game he was allowed the freedom of the penalty area and he actually scored.
Theo was predictable. Like the English national teams of the past 30 years.
Now he is becoming highly unpredictable. And coupled with his speed this can be crucial to AFC. Hopefully he will continue his development and stay with us. JUST SIGN THAT DAMNED CONTRACT son.
Diaby is deadwood in my view Scott. He has to be let go one way or another. I can’t see him ever being able toi get a good run of games under his belt to increase his price without breaking down with another injury.
Morning Adam,
That goal showed what he really is capable of doing, i wouldn’t bet against us seeing him do something similar a few more times before this season finishes….
Adam,I’d give Koscielny a 7 year deal….lock him in.
Watch the joy on the face of every single player after a win……this is a group loving their football,loving their club and loving playing together.
Keep the core of our group together,and great things will come to us.
Morning all,
Seem like we finally got our man 🙂
Agree Scott. although Fabregas’ long contract didn’t exactly deter anyone from bidding for him (and getting him for half price! – Although I admit that situation was a bit of a special case). But Koscielny is up there as one of my players of the season.
welcome ebz – imho, he is and he’s important to RvP….
This goal is as much as beautiful…………….
….as this.
Some things never change. AWESOME.
Rocky,we have others who were injury prone….you never know.
20 minutes against Liverpool showed me he’s worth a little more time.
devil – i’m convinced he will, and RvP will sign his as soon as the season finishes, or IF we secure 3rd before it ends….
In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the deals were already sorted with both and the news will kick start our signings and these two will be like ‘new signings’ 😉
Kozzer loves the Arsenal!!!!
Morning Matty,
seems so, just not announcing it for his clubs fans, not that i don’t think they would have realised the deal is done by now 😉
Aaaaawwww nooooooo Rico. Not that dreaded phrase. Any one who mentions the phrase…….”””like a new signing””” will get the same treatment as a scum from the slum in a toilet. I will flush his head. 😉
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr……I really hate it.
So do I Scott 😉
Rico,Diaby will be like a new signing….trust me,I no lie to you!!!!!!
Me too devil, but it’s one of Wengers favourite 😉
You wait and see if/when Diaby comes back 🙂
We all do Rico,we all do.
Oi Ozzy!!! you want a whack up your arse????
Is Diaby still there Rico??? 😆
I thought that jurassic age was extinct. 😆
I won’t hold my breath Scott, but I shall not slate him either 😉
I will just wait, eagerly….
Just read a new name for the scum from the slum……SWAMP DWELLERS.
Hmmmmm. Both are good names.
devil, that’s an old one 😉
So to make it sound better…………..
……..after being 13 points behind the SWAMP DWELLERS FROM THE SCUMMY SLUM, AFC have managed to go 3 infront.
LOVELY.
😆 devil – Diaby should be fit for tomorrow shouldn’t he??
Maybe we’ll find out later in AW press conference..
Talking of him, anyone hear the outcome from yesterday, couldn’t find anything when I looked…
I reckon Diaby should have an upgraded contract,and be given the captains armband.
Just one problem…..the coin may land on his foot,and we all know what that means!!!!
Right mates. I am off for today.
Thanks for a great article Rico. I enjoyed reading it.
will soon send you my article for summer posting after we finish the season regarding my best ever favourite AFC team with subs.
cu later mates. Maybe not today but tomorrow.
Ozzy….this is crackers……the coin may land on his foot,and we all know what that means!!!!
brilliant man.
😆 Scott, very funny….
Catch you later devil, have a good one and thanks in advance re the summer post….
QPR are a bunch of thugs. Hopefully we have a strong ref for this game who is prepared to take action early to prevent any untoward incident. Since Hughes took over they had players sent off in every alternate game.
morning all/rico
i realy share wenger faith on diaby….hope he proved the moaners and doubters wrong…….
morning kc, spot on re qpr, that weasel Barton being one of the worst…..
KC,I’m on Diabys side,but you can’t really knock people forosing faith in him.
Rico,Devil….glad you liked it!!!
It’s just frustration with Diaby, just wish the guy could stay fit and prove all doubters wrong….
But then again, i suspect he does too……
I hope he does too, but I can’t see it. It’s a shame that arsehole shattered his ankle with that awful challenge that, let’s face it, has ruined his career.
Rico,I do like the fact that I’ve never heard a negative comment from him or about him,so that tells me he loves the club and is lived within the club.
SCOTT…..i understand people having different views on diaby……..hope he do a rosicky turnaround…….but i can never forgive him for ever saying that he love the spuds and have their cock image in his home
Rocky,he’s not too old.
Look at Rosicky…..talk about a resurrection.
rocky, i think it’s shattered him mentally, just like it did with Dudu…
Scott – didn’t Diaby make a few naughty comments a while back?? Sure someone here said that recently…
Morning people.
Theo?
He still needs another 2 to 3 years of development ot play in the cnetre. At the moment he is too “lightweight”, easily rubbed off the ball and does not possessed the dribbling skills of OX or DIaby or Rosicky..let alone the technical skills of RvP.
If Poldolski signed, and we buy Giroud or another striker, then sell Theo if a ridiculous 25-mil is tabled and if he still refuses to sign a new contract by 30-June.
I am not convinced on his ability to play in the centre till he starts scoring regularly at least 4 goals from last 8 gmaes….and improves on his upper body strength in the summer.
Like I said, sure a good squad player if he signs….no big deal if he refuses to sign and we get rid of him in JUne/July for 25-mil.
If we can deal with Juan Mata, Nani, Gareth Bale……we can deal with Theo.
DIaby?
I am not ready to write him off esepcially this season, two “Sicknotes” in RvP and ROsicky came good.
If DIaby stays, fine and we may get lucky with him in 2012/13 season.
If he wants to move, fine with moi too.
That is, Theo’s and Diaby’s career are very much in their hands……i.e. if they wanted to stay at EMirates…Wenger will keep ’em.
If they wanted to leave, Wenger will get rid of ’em by June as he will not want a repeat of sumer 2011.
I stand corrected.
Though like me,Diaby wasn’t born and bred in London,so doesn’t have tribal hatred of Spuds that some do.
I can see why it exists,but its not in me.
I hate Bale,Adebayor and Modric,but don’t have a built in hatred of the club.
I can’t condemn him for being a Spurs fan previously.
That is true Scott… Although I’m a bit suspect re Rosicky’s long lay off. I’ve heard from a few journo friends of a guy I work with who seem to think it wasn’t injury that was the reason he was out of action for so long. Of course there is no proof of the allegations that I am aware of. Either way, you’re right, he’s not too old. I hope, for his sake more than anything else, that he can come through this really shitty patcjh of bad luck he’s having with injuries and makes a proper run at the first team. Time will tell.
He did Rico – As KC said, Diaby was banging on about his love for Spurs. If you DO have a love for your rivals, keep that shit private! Don’t tell a journalist about it!
that was it kc, the daft cockerel comment, talk about the easiest way to wind up the gooners…
That’s true Scott, but when George Graham became manager of the Spuds, and it was revealed that he had a massive Arsenal Crest paved into his garden, the Spuds fans were outraged by this and were demanding he smashed it up.
We do also need to realise that these guys are doing a job.
Yes,we love a player who truly loves his club,but that comes with time.
it’s one thing to say you admire a clubs philosophy or the way they play etc….. Totally another to say how much you love the club and wear the shirt of another club – not least your rivals! Paul Ince found out the hard way with that!
Morning all, theo is just enjoying playing with a proper rb, recall he started the season well also with a proper rb. Lost his way when we lost our rbs.
Is that fact,or a journos version.
Either way,I didn’t know that.
it does Scott – but love and respect has to be recipricated. And you don’t endear yourself to fans doing what he did. There wasn’t a massive backlash, so he kinda got away with it
Hi Merlin, I can’t believe you want to write our young Englishman off so quickly 😉
£25M, no chance, not in his last year of contract, we need to sign up to another long-term, at least then if WEnger does think he should go, we’d get more for him….
It was from 2 independent journo’s Scott. But who knows the crap they come up with. Nothing was ever officially written about it so either Wenger covered it up really well or there was no truth in it. Either way, I don’t care because I think he’s playing the best football since he joined us.
Hi Wasiu
good point there, didn’t he have a bit of a scuff with JD when he was at Rb, that was not a good time watching Djourou play there….
Rico i am a believer, as soon as i spot talent i find it difficult to let-go. Thats why i mourned the departures of pennant,bentley,larsson etc.
rocky – and he said he hoped to play in the same side as his best mate Kaboul, and as far as i know, we aren’t ever going to be signing that lump 😉
penant and bentley were trouble though Wasiu, one with a huge ego just because he had the same initials as David Beckham, the other because he liked the taste of porridge…
Larsson, now i did like him and still do, had hoped last summer we’d have got him back on a freebie….
How long til kick off at QPR……got to get the sleep pattern just right!!!!!
Now time to brace ourselves for another big loss, carlos vela, another incredible talent
Couldn’t we put a decent side together filled with ex Gunners?
Wasiu,another player who simply never got his chance,imo.
About 28 hours Scott
Waisu – He may be good, but we’ve hardly missed him. Yes, he never got a real chance, but I don’t think he’s cut out for our league.
And one who wasn’t really given a proper chance Wasiu, but did he help his own cause?
Thanks Rocky.
Off to bed now.
As I said earlier,I’ve got a big day tomorrow.
I’ll catch you all in about 24 hours then!!!!!
for me,,antonio valencia is the best winger in the prem,,theo is a striker!!!
Night Scott, see you before KO 😉 Sleep well…
I’d take Ashley Young personally
Is David Silva classed as a winger?
Guys i think a differrent role would suit him he’s not a CF he’s more like a di maria/david silva than a raul that AW wants him to be
Irish – he’s ok i suppose 😉
What about Nani?
Talking of winger, Lemon is back for the Swampies tomorrow…
Valencia, was he in the Pasadenas?? Or was it 5 Star?
Maybe it was Nani… 😆
Have to get back to work now guys but before i leave i need to know what the hell is st. Totterinhams day
Waisu – It’s a day I didn’t believe would happen this year, but could now be on again! It’s the day that Spurs can mathematically no longer finish above us. It’s a glorious day!
morning, i hate to admit, best wingers in the league technically and in term of efficacy imo
, Valensia, Bale, Nani, Johnson, Bellamy, then our own Theo comes
after, don’t want him go though.
Manure always have the best wingers, that how they play their best attacking football, the dippers tried to copy them, it is just not working for them right now
😆 Lee…
It’s a day I hope arrives soon, very soon….
vela will never cut it out in epl…..love him but……
Diaby had been in arsenal for years…..he sud had learned to use that word ENEMY when refering to those cnuts
Lee, it was neither 😉
common Reading fc!
Missed Young from that list Rokabox
Dippers threw money at a below average Downing and are suffering because of it. Kuyt is a better winger than him, and he’s not a winger!
And from what I’ve seen, young Ryo seems be doing really well too. Bit iffy defensively, but great going forward.
Morning Rokabox, come on Reading indeed 🙂
Up against the Hammers tomorrow, huge game
Ryo’s going to be special… and he’s ours 🙂
I voted yes. I cannot think of a better winger.
On his day and I wish there were more of them, I imagine he is the player that most left backs like playing against the least. Once has a yard on you, life is difficult. Ask Ashley Cole.
Afternoon AK, so did I …..
I can’t think of a better one right now, don’t mean earlier this season or in his career previously, but right now, he’s doing really well….
Aguerro is out of Citeh’s game tomorrow and maybe next weekend too….
Apparently it is a freak injury that is being kept quiet, which AFC player suffered a freak injury back in 1971??
If you are watching SSN’s you are not allowed to answer 😉
Arsenal are back in for midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.
Arsene Wenger’s assistant Boro Primorac went to Fiorentina’s 2-2 draw with Genoa to watch the 27-year-old in action.
The Gunners made enquiries last year about Montolivo, who will be available on a Bosman free in the summer.
Wenger also wants to give promising striker Joel Campbell a Premier League chance next season.
The 19-year-old was farmed out to French side Lorient on loan after being turned down for a UK permit when he joined Arsenal last summer.
Campbell has impressed in France and, after scoring for Costa Rica against Wales and Spain in internationals this season, Arsenal believe he could be ready for the first team.
Arsenal will hope his performances for club and country will help him get a work permit this time.
And both of the Newcastle left backs Adam 😉
And the AC Milan bloke Rico. And who could forget Assou something or other?
Bob Wilson?
Didn’t Manu Petit drop a gold medallion on his foot?
John Radford?
Peter Storey in some sort of porn smuggling fiasco?!
Glen Helder……now we’re talking!!
Or was it Davor Suker who dropped a bottle of hair gel he used to maintain his quiff?
Glen “Soul Glo” Helder…..
Nope, all wrong so far 🙂
Adam, i did forget the Milan guy, he didn’t enoy his night at The Emirates one bit did he….
Kennedy?
Charlie George – Must have been. He looked dopey back in those days….
Was it Ian Wright who tripped over his ego?
Charlie George and his lawnmower?
rocky,
it was – according to Sky Sports he cut his toe off with a lawnmower whilst cutting the grass…
However, wikki say he cut his finger off in the eighties whilst mowing the grass, so SS’s could have made a cock up…
And bearing in mind they said David James injured his shoulder reaching for the TV remote, and when trying to land a fish, makes me think they are wrong….
We all know that the latter two injury happened to David Seaman…..
Spot on AK 🙂
Did that not happen to James also? Had a look just a second ago and found this from 2009: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/may/15/football-freak-injuries-broadfoot-egg
looking online, it only shows BBC as having him cut off his finger… Even the FIFA website says about his toe!
Maybe he cut off his finger and toe 😉
That is freaky rocky, both james and seaman with fishing injuries….
Maybe he cut his finger off while trying to retrieve his toe from the blades…..!
As for the fishing thing… it’s a dumb hobby anyway so no sympathy for either of them!
Wenger has been banned for THREE games in Europe and fined €40,000…
UEFA really are b******s!!
Don’t let Scott hear you say that about fishing rocky 😉 😉
It’s a big ‘yawn’ from me though…..
😆 re Charlie, and what a right Charlie he was/is
When are UEFA going to finally come out and say “yes, you are right, we actually do hate Arsenal and will continue to give over-the-top punishments for petty offences for as long as Arsene Wenger is in charge”. Platini clearly hates him.
I agree Rico, it’s a massive snooze-fest of a passtime! No offence Scott!! Each to their own! Tried it for a while when I was younger but got bored with it. I prefer to keep fish in an aquarium!
Don’t know why he hates his fellow countryman so much, can only be down to the fact that he thinks Wenger should be managing France…
What a knob he is…..
I know. Shame he fully recovered after collapsing in that restaurant a couple of years ago…….
Not sufggesting that I hope he pegged it or anything…. Just hoped that the job would be deemed to stressful for his ticker and would have to step down!
I was thinking similar rocky, just thought twice before posting it 😉 😉
Nice back track 😉
I would of laughed had he pegged it Rocky, horrible little runt of a man and he wasn’t ill he was as pissed as a fart I was in the foyer in the bar of the restaurant that he “fell ill” at….. utter bollox he was mangled…!
Get you Wath, mixing with the elite 😉
Afternoon to you….
The way i heard it, way back when, was that Charlies lawnmower got clogged up with grass. And he tried to clear the blades with it still running and lost 2 fingers.
Afternoon Gooners.
Aftwrnoon Rico.
Adam, Wrighty, ego, lol 🙂
I see the swampies are targeting Brendan Rodgers to atke over when Dirty Arry takes up the England job…
Wonder if Micko is alright, haven’t heard from him since his trip to England….
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN reckons Alex Song has filled the creative void Cesc Fabregas left in Arsenal’s midfield.
Cameroon international Song has been a key part in the Gunners’ resurgence following their poor start to the Premier League campaign.
He has weighed in with eight assists so far this season — the same as Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and Manchester United winger Nani.
Song set up two of Robin van Persie’s most memorable efforts with superb through balls for the Dutchman’s goals against Everton and Liverpool.
And Chamberlain claims Song’s increased creativity has helped the North Londoners forget about £36million Spanish ace Fabregas, who re-joined Barcelona last summer.
The Ox said: “Some of the passes he has been putting in, like for two of the unbelievable volleys Robin has scored, reminds me technically of watching Fabregas put those balls through.
“For a holding midfielder to do that, as well as the defensive side of the game, is brilliant. You can’t ask for anything more.
“I can’t remember the last game he didn’t play — he is always there.
“Sometimes you don’t notice the stuff he does, the defensive side of the game, but he is always there cleaning up.
“He has been brilliant for us all season and he is a really good guy to have in the dressing room as well.
“Alex is always happy and putting smiles on everyone’s faces — he is a massive part of the squad.”
Afternoon AK, that seems about right…
WATH, is your email up the swanny?
Maybe he got on the wrong ferry and he currantly going through immigration at Ellis Island. 🙂
Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Saturday’s trip to face QPR at Loftus Road.
on Laurent Koscielny…
Normally he will back. He has a test with the team later today. But he had one yesterday and it looks positive. It is 90 per cent yes. So at QPR it should be the same squad.
on Abou Diaby…
There was a little pain in training yesterday so we will not expose him. It is nothing serious, we are just being cautious.
Afternoon AK…..busy???
A little pain in training, wtf was dennis wise doing there??
Wouldn’t be suprised if Uefalona give Barsealona the first leg of the CL game because the pitch was like a ploughed field……wankers!
Thanks Rico!! 😉
Platini was a total failure as a manager.
And he is a fraud as an administrator.
All his big talk at UEFA is just hot air.
FFP is a joke.
His 2 extra officials behind the goal are a joke.
His wife preferred to sleep with his bet friend so he’s useless in bed. Or has a small willy?
Great footballer.
Pathetic human being.
Other than that, he’s fine. 🙂
Joey Barton i think …..
Pat Rice…..
Sorry, that may have been slightly harsh!
Not that I know of Lee…..! Been getting mails all day….!
Mixing with the elite…. Don’t think so Rico we were in the bar him and his cronnies were eating in some fancy restaurant… we were not allowed in 😉
Wath, did you try and get pics of the fat, sweaty fucker as he hit the deck?!
Sorry Rocky I would of loved to of seen the fucker smash his face on the floor but that big belly of his saved him… we just saw all the fuss and realised he’d passed out and fallen off his chair at the table…. average age of all those FIFA wankers was about 95…..!
I shouldn’t call that little squirt elite ……
Fabrice has tweeted a picture of him smiling… great news
AK – don’t know why but you found moderation….
Shame wath, that would have been great to see!
No, Rico, shame on you for escalating le Ponce Fatini to “Elite” status.
Excellent news re Fabrice!
Regarding Wengers ban… Considering they don’t contest it, and we get into the Champions League, it’s going to be some baptism of fire for whoever our no. 2 will be. Guaranteed we’ll have 2 away games in those 3 games, and sods law we’ll probably get a difficult group.
Offski for a while, laters…..
Be even worse rocky if we get 4th spot…
On that note, i’ll get my coat…. laters
I thought Rico was referring to me as the elite and that little wanker wanting to join us for drinks….. We did laugh when they dragged him out in a wheelchair and they told the press he had fallen ill…. fallen alright with alcohol illness the toss-pot…!
Rico, Fabrice had heard how badly the yids were doing!!! 😉
Yeah Rico. Must have hit the wrong button.
Lee mate. Better today
GOOD!
AK, change your deoderant………..!?!?!?!
Hmm Wath, yeah, i might do that?!
How about essence of GG.??? 🙂
You could always make a few bob on the side and sell the odd tot here and there as well mate… 🙂
Seems to me that we are putting players on pedestalls, players that have only just started doing what they aught to have done from the start of the season. Theo has been pathetic up till the spuds game i doubt we could have given him away. Theo will sign his contract he may push it to get a bigger wage but he’ll sign who else would look after him like Wenger has. If i had to choose between Theo and thae Ox i would be hard pushed to pick Theo.
Your a hard task master SP1 😉
100% correct though !!
Rico,
Arsenal FC offered 75,000 pw and his agent is demanding 85,000pw.
You think Walcott is worthed 75,000pw?
I don’t.
My opinion of him is he is a kind of luxury item…performing in fits and starts…..and can’t even by a 15+ goal scorer this season (I will love to be proven wrong come May-13).
The closest benchmark I cna put him is…Michael Owen.
Walcott is a centre forward, that kind of striker that does well in a pair..like Wolves – Dougan and Brian Little..
Walcott just don’t have the guile and skills to get pass an opponent on the bye-line when he is playing as right winger.
His forte is running between defenders, diagonal runs from flank to centre to latch onto an accurate pass with his blazing pace to beat defenders to the ball…….
And against mediocre defenders, his “push and run” style is well-suited to out-pace defenders at the bye-line.
AGainst quality defender who closes him down and refuses to allow him to settle down, Walcott struggles and eaisly shunt away into blind alley.
But let Walcott play more centrally, with space and a choice of going left or right, he is deadly with his turning and running at defenders…provided he got free of his marker and learned the art of making space for himself to receive passes from our ACM.
VIlla made him looked go by not closing him down and roughed him up.
QPR with Hughes’ negative tactics will not give Walcott the luxury fo space and time to turn…and Walcott will be stopped in his track by whatever means..expect physical punishments from QPR to stop Walcott from playing.
WHat I will like to see from Walcott is guile to deceive his marker….to funciton as a decoy to pull QPR defence out fo share…and yes, to develop that football brain to create that yard of space for himself to receive a pass…install control, beat closed marking within one or two pace…shooting chnace created in that instance…and get his shot off on target.
Barring Van Persie, Walcott is our only striker that has a deadly and accurate low shot on target most of the time.
This is the Walcott I will love to see for the remaining 8 games:
1 – Mentally tough, and able to beat bully boys with oen touch of the pass he received;
2 – mobility with football brain to create opening for himself to receive passes;
3 – continue developing his udnerstanding with Van Perise and Rosicky.
4 – lastly, the baility to control ROsicky’s rapid-fire passes with oen touch…and off he goes.
That is the Theo Walcott that will live up to his expectation as a central striker in partnership with Van Perise in a 4-2-3-1 attacking formation…..a regular 20+ goal striker that is missing from the team since Henry left.
Petrov of Aston Villa has got the same strain of leukaemia that took my mum!! 🙁
Fingers crossed for you mate!!!!
Afternoon Wath, When he’s playing well his worth watching but when he’s bad he’s awfull. Maybe he’s in the wrong position but thats where Wenger wants him at the moment, he dosn’t dribble enough for me, if he had a bit of Gervinho with his speed we may be talking a top player
Well there i was, in the Marriott at Swiss Cottage, chatting ‘my mate David’ when i asked him if Arsene was gonna sign a new contract.
He said he couldn’t tell.
But when i stared into his eyes and said “You know, don’t ya” he just gave me that big grin we used to see when he was accompanying a new signing…
Sorry if your a Doomer but looks like Arsene will be with us up to 2017.
ANybody had watched these youngsters and how do you rate ’em?
1 – 6′ 4″ 18-year old ANgha
2 – 6′ 0″ 19-year old Benik Afobe
3 – 6′ 3″ 19-year old CHuke Aneke
4 – 16 year old Jon Toral
5 – 16 year old Gnarby
6 – 19 year old Ozakhup
7 – 18 year old Nico Yennaris
8 – 17 year old Ebecilio
9 – 19 year old Tomas Eisfield
10- 19 year old COnor Henderson
Not forgetting we have the following youngsters as well:
1 – Miquel
2 – Coquelin
3 – Frimpong
4 – Kyle Bartley
5 – Daniel Boateng
6 – Henri Lansbury
I think this is the best crop of Wenger Wunderkind and I can’t see all of them making it here..most likely less than 5???
Most of ’em will leave to play regular 1st team football elsewhere.
Remember JET, Ayling, Tom Cruise……and his generation of youngsters when at one time, pundits and even Wenger commented that they saw about 7 or 8 “ENgland internationals” in that batch?
Well, briefly..David bentley got a cap;
Lansbury a regular Under-21..but has yet to step up to senior elvel;
Only Gibbs has the best chance to make it into senior squad..if he remains injury-free and continue to develop…
Will Lansbury, Frimpong, Benik Afobe, Aneke, Yennaris and Baoteng go the way of other highly-rated youngsters like Aliadiere, Justin Hoyte, Muamba, Bentley, JET, AYling, et al?
Damian Martinez?
I think Wenger may very well make this youngster our No. 2 goalie in 2012/13!
Lee. That is sad news all round mate. I send him and you my best wishes. Life can be very cruel sometimes.
Kev. Is your mate DD?
Kev, you forgot about a certain Kroneke.
Transition period over by 2014….and if Wenger is still not performing to give him a title-contender by 2013/14, nevermind about winning a trophy; Korneke and Gazidis will shop for nother manager..like what he did for LA Ram.
Kroneke is not that daft to realise that without success on the pitch, he will never get bakc his 750-mil investment in Arsenal Holdings plc…nor can he reap a 200% premium in capital appreciation from a drab 2nd tier European club..instead of a marquee he envisaged owning when he started to buy Arsenal.
No successes on pitch, no global appeal, no sponsorships, no gloable merchandise sales adn commercial rights to match ManU whose merchandise sales is about 100-mil per annum..whereas Arsenal FC is only 44-mil.
And with more billionaires eyeing premiership clubs……and ABu DHabi proved that you can spent 430-mil within a year to transofrm a mid-table club into title-contender within one season….Arsene Wenger and PHW “living wihtin one’s means can beat a title-contender” policy is dead as a dodo.
The only viable policy to compete against SUgar Daddy’s Toy Boys f a team is..yes…to adapt Ferguson’s Policy:
An excellent youth setup coupled with buying 20+ to 30+ mil marquee players as needed to maintain the title-winning squad.
That is, if during summer 2012, Wenger is stil obsessed with his Wenger Wunderkind to grow into title-contender within 5 years, and stubbornly refuses to buy 20+ mil marquee players to transform this squad into title-contender in 2012/13 season…
what will Kroneke do to protect his interests with falling attendances, less sponsorships and declinging global sales..resulting in flat revenues..gorwing only due to the last property being developed at QUeensland Road?
Pogrebnyak?
He is on-loaon from STuttgart.
ANybody think he is the centre froward we need with Van Persie playing in “Bergy’s Hole” in 4-4-2?
Or even in 4-2-3-1 as he can play at right flank as well
Love the way he played for FUlham and the goals he scored!
Evening guys…
Lee 😆 re Fabrice
But what horrid news about Petrov, just 32 years old…
Hi Merlin,
yes I would give Theo a pay rise, if Almunia can take home £60k a week for doing feck all, then Theo deserves it imho…
That’s half the problem, players on lesser wages look at how much the crap ones are earning and must be thinking why….
Afternoon Merlin, wouldn’t suprise me at all if he keeps the lot, Depending on their attitude and their personality, and keeping their noses clean, this mob are pretty good not that i have seen many of them but reports on them all sound promising. could be a lot going on loan.
Wingers are always flaky though. Hiya Rico. Did I hear you mention that you are a veggie?
Adam, you got it mate.
Firm handshake as well. Can’t abide limp handshakes.
Had a zillion questions but i think he was at a family do.
Kev. I will make sure I shake your hand with a vice-like grip when we eventually meet. Can’t have you thinking of me as a limp man.
Hi Adam, not entirely, I eat fish, no meat though….
Hi Steve, i truly believe that any other manager but Wenger would have got more out of Theo by now, Coyle is one of a few….
Wenger is a lot to blame, he’s too soft on the players, the whole lot, not just Theo Walcott….
Think Theo will settle on 80k.
Adam, you asked the other day if i drove up daily.
No mate. Too much stress.
I have digs with some relatives in Camberwell.
Very handy for work.
AK, limp handshakes, just yuck, cringe factor…..
Rico. I am a veggie at home but not when out.
I have become a Wenger supporter again after a long period of doubt and more doubt.
That’s worrying Adam, the Wenger bit, not the other 😉
Do I dare ask why not when you are out…?
Agree Rico.
Don’t think there’s any limpness on here.
Maybe Dexter eh? 🙂
Kev. I had a mate who had a butchers shop on Camberwell Green. My passport for South London is out of date at the moment so I only venture there in the daylight hours.
I think your right SAK Wengers going no where he’s here till he wants to go. He’s loaded anyway so when he leaves us that will probably be him finished. I see it as he has laid the foundations and hopefully started our future trophy haul, any body taking over from him would have a Fantastic 6o,ooo plus stadium, which is full a great training ground with state of the art facilities, a financialy stable club which would be free of debt, now who wouldn’t want that job, Oh did i mention the 7 million salary
Rico. Our cat Charlie is a great chap and 21 years old. We love him dearly but he is on a renal diet with very low protein foods as his kidneys are not great these days. He loves chicken curry and chicken and steak in general. Because he would sit in front of us if we ate meat and expect some we decided it would be cruel to him to eat meat so we became veggies. Friends think we are crazy but I do all the cooking anyway and quite enjoy the challenge of tasty veggie food. Do you now think of me as a Wenger loving weirdo?
Afternoon Steve.
But we can only have a 25-man squad…and I think only 18 no foreigners???
And how many of ’em will have the patience to endure till they are 22 or 23-year old before they are included in the senior squad?
Yes, by 2013/14, I can see Arsene Wenger is finally fulfilling his Dream of finally building a team based on Ajax model, nurturing youths from Hale End Academy into a senior team, friends on-and-off the itch, joyously playing for each other.
In 5 years time, imagine the whole squad is from Hale End Academy or joining Arsenal as a 16 year old…
……………………………Szczesny
… Jenkinson……Koscielny….Vermaelen……Gibbs
……………..Wilshere………………..Toral
…………………………….Gnarby
Oxlade-C………….Joel Campbell…………Ryo Miyachi
Not forgetting if we buy Poldolski, Vertonghen……..
Plus there is Galindo, Wellington Silva…….and a few senior players like Song, Sagna, Djourou, Walcott, COquelin…who will stil be around.
Guess 2012/13 season will give us a good inkling of how many of these yougnsters will make it…and how many more youngsters will Wenger sell or drop…
2012/13 squad? WHo are our foreigners?
1 – Sagna
2 – Koscielny
3 – Vermaelen
4 – Mertesacker
5 – Santos
6 – Arteta
7 – Rosicky
8 – Arshavin
9 – CHamakh
10- Park CY
Guess Wenger will need to free up the “Foreigner Quota” before he can buy foreigners.
…..
Adam 🙂
I’ve become a bit of a convert to South London.
Merlin; Aneke, Afobe, Ozyakup, Yennaris, are all potential 1st team players.
😆 AK, maybe…
Kev. I spent 7 years working over there and met some great mates who I still see so I know what yo mean. But I was born in Liverpool Rd N1, which you must know. We used to walk to the ground.
Adam, that is not crazy, that is a lovely thing to do for your moggy – 21 years old, wow, he’s doing really well….
Wish a few of those bad b******s out there who are cruel to animals would learn from folk like you…
Tasty veggie food is certainly a challenge, but like you, i enjoy the challenge…
The Wenger bit though is a bit more weird 😉
Sir Steven, as ever, the voice of reason.
Adam, we have led you out of the darkness and into the light. 🙂
The Lord be Praised.
Now if Scott comes back from Doomer Central, we can get to work on him.
Kev. I wouldn’t want to live there though.
The last three on that foreign list can go Merlin, that would make way for:
Vertonghen
Podolski
A N Other….
Also, Fabianski & Almunia will prob be leaving so that would make way for Jussi 🙂
Simples 😉
Afternoon all,
My favorite animal is a cow on a plate.
Rib eye on the table catch you later 🙂
Hi Micko, was only wondering earlier where you were, and you can check back to see i’m not fibbing 😉
Enjoy the Villa game??
Adam, i was born in the German Hospital [ plenty of material there boys 🙂 ].
Lived close to Newington Green till 1965 until we moved to. dum dum dum Tottenham. Shit hole then. Shit hole now.
Hi Micko. Cooked or raw?
Kev. Isn’t that down past Dalston from Highbury? On the left. Is it still there?
Arsène Wenger is confident he can keep his stars at Emirates Stadium and wants to arrange new contracts for them as soon as the season ends.
Negotiations are expected to begin with a number of players after Arsenal’s Premier League campaign and Wenger is keen to persuade the likes of Robin van Persie that his future lies with Arsenal.
“[We will try to arrange new contracts] very early,” he said. “Yes I am [confident that these players will commit]. To say that I am always confident, yes I am. Of course we want to keep our best players.
“These players want to win things and they want to be in a team that has a chance. Our end of season will help that to help me convince them that they can [here]. It depends now how well we finish.
“Newspapers open talks now. They should inform me how much they offer and for how long because I would like to know!”
Theo Walcott in particular has impressed over the last month and Wenger believes the England winger is developing at a healthy rate.
“We are in the situation [with him] as we are in with Van Persie – it will be sorted out at the end of the season,” he said.
“He is playing very well. I think he has improved his technical level a lot, his links with other players and his calmness in front of goal. For me he is developing very well.”
Rico,
Wenger is a socialist and daft to pay off-the-scale to duds due to one scintillating season.
ALmunia on 60K…what did he saw in HIM – Future England goalie at oen point beofre he revert to his dodgy self??????
No wonder Arsenal FC has the 3rd highest salary bill…without marquee players……..
WHo negotiated those daft contracts?
Gazidis?
Wenger?
Those ridiculous salaries for no-performers sure stank to high heavens……and made Arsenal FC a soft touch to agents like Demon Dein.
If ALmunia is at 60K, Vela at 50K and DIaby at 50K, Van Persie must be surely rolling on the floow larfing his ass off when offered 80K..then 100K to sign a new contract…….with every European teams willing to offer him 160K or more..and Abu Dhabi dangling 220K..
And even Adebayor is earning 170K
No eonder a 280year old Van Persie – going on to 29 year old next season – is looking for a “final” contract worth at least 200K for the next 4 years
ALmunia with his one and finest season was offered 60K…
Van Persie with his finest season was offered 80K..then 100K..now 120K….which is TWICE than of ALmunia..
Van Persie is crazy to sign a new contract extension with such derisory salary offer when he has the whole fo EUrope at his knee.
And if Van Persie is one of the mega-stars at Euro2012…like a certain Van Basten previously…….every marquee clubs will be throwing cheque books at Van Persie..with a starting bid of 200K…..
Put it this way, Like Fabregas……I think we have zilch chance to persuade Van Persie to stay at Emirates as Artsenal FC can’t afford him and he knew that the current team is still developing and maybe trophyless for another 5 seasons or more….as Arseanl FC is no more top-ranking and will fall further behind the likes of ManU, CHelski and Abu DHabi City as these Trio will spend to buy titles and trophies…not forgetting the likes of Liverpool FC and yes, Tiny Totts will be on par with Arseanl FC next season….
That is, Arsenal FC had fallen to teh level of Liverpool and Tiny Totts, unable to compete with the likes of ManU, Abu Dhabi and CHelski whose owners are willing to spend BIG to remain as marquee club.
Arsenal FC?
Better pray hard that Wenger’s Youth Project is starting to pay dividend next season….
Theo?
If Liverpool or CHelski decide to make an approach to Theo and offer 100K……..and Theo refuses to sign the contract extension….will Wenger increases his salary to 100K to macth than of rival’s offer?
Especially with Walcott at his last year of contract and Liverpool and CHelski knew that a bid of 15-mil is sufficed….
Not forgetting again that if Walcott is one of the starts of EUro2012 as wel…or well…Arseanl FC will one again proves that it exists as a “feeder’s club” to European marquee clubs isn’t it..losing its marquee players every season?
WHose fault is it that Arsenal FC can’t even keep its marquee players when they ahd nurtured and coached for years and never reap the rewards?
Wenger and his youth policy?
PHW and his penny-pinching ways with rigid salary scale?
Gazidis inept negotiation skills?
Dulwich Village is nice Adam.
Yes Mick The Railway serves a nice pint of Kroenenburg.
Kev. True. I had a shop in Crystal Palace so know Dulwich very well as we used to deliver there and I used to drive home through there.
Hi Rico, Villa in the London sunshine was fantastic, as was the rest of the week, would have liked to have stayed for the game at the bush tomorrow but couldn’t get a ticket.
Adam, not fussed as long as the horns and arse are cut off.
Merlin,
That’s my point, and we have all been aghast by the salary figures that have done the rounds recently.
If players who are clearly sub-standard, too young, or unproved etc are being paid what they are, players that are shining right now and who are heading into their last year of cntract are going to push their luck.
How many of us wouldn’t do the same?
Reality is, imho, if they are only about money then they can naff off and follow the likes of Nasri, Flamoney, Hleb and Adeybayor etc etc – most of whom have said that the day they left was the biggest mistake in their career….
Theo will sign i’m sure, as will RvP, they are loving football and that’s because they are at AFC….
Micko. You old sophisticate you
Glad to hear you had a fab time Micko, bummer about the ticket for tomorrow though…
Great result though and a few tasty goals 😉
Kev, a bit more breathing space than the 12 pins as well, it was rammed on saturday.
Bumped into Jermaine Beckford while over, him and his family were dining out in the local Chinese restaurant, said a quick hello, he asked me who I followed and told me he supported qpr as a kid, a very down to earth fella.
ISn’t that was what Wenger said in 2011 that “he is confident Nasri and Fabregas will stay on”?
Same tune, different year..but Wenger still a snake-oil salesman.
I beleive Walcott’s agent is astute enough to know that time is on his side and he can afford to drag the negotiation to August 2012 to get the best deal…especailly Walcott’s performances at Euro2012 will determine whether he get 75K or 100K.
“Win-win” for Theo as a scintillating performance at Euro2012 will see his values shot throught eh roof with plenty European clubs willing to offer him at least 100K.
A bad performance?
Why, he can always demand 85K and refuses to sign the contract…..and there is always 2013……
Look, we are blinded by that 7 wins on the trot….and forgotten what ailed us in AUgust/September 2011 where Wenger’s delusion and stupidity in dealing with the Fabregas-Nasri Saga that almost destroyed our 2011/12 season…and yes…a mini-blip now will destroy our 2011/12 season!
We should thanks AVB for self-destruction (remember, we should thanks Solari too!) else Chelski will be out of sight by now
THe verdict is still out with Arsenal, Tiny Totts and Chelski all with a chance to finish Top-4.
Look no further than tomorrow against QPR as I had a bad feeling after we show-boat against a poorish Villa team when 2-0 up….
WIll we get lucky again and score the winner after 90th minute?
Will Van Persie start scoring again?
My take?
Pride goes before a fall and I see a drab 0-0 or a fighting 1-1 draw as QPR is fighting for points…and as Barton pointed out as well…they are also fighting to save their football careers…..
Can this team takes the physical punishments that will be dished out by BArton adn Gang
All tackles aiming to take out Van Persie, Walcott and Rosicky??
Ok Rico. My wife tells me she is hungry so I am off to give the paella pan a work-out ( veggie paella is a goer, especially if you use plenty of smoked paprika and a good stock with the appropriate rice). Check in later. Bon appetit everybody. Enjoy your cow Micko
Merlin,
You sure know how to depress us all 😉
We can all say that Chelsea self destructed, we can say the same about the Totts…
Why can we not say the same about Arsenal, we had two periods of self destruction!!
But right now we are 3rd and the others are not….
As for Wenger and his comments, at some stage he had to change, as i said earlier, i wouldn’t be surprised if the new contracts are already sorted and the closed season will kick off with them being confiremed, then we will hear Podolski and maybe 1/2 others are signed….
Sounds better than my dinner on mini-kievs and mash, Adam!
Jeez Merlin, how long does it take you to write one post?! Not knocking you… They are very informative posts!
Cheers Adam, laters.
Evening Micko. You well?
Rico,
We are in the Age of Megabuck……and cannot expect the loyalty of The French SPine that gave us their best years despite wooing from Real and CHelski offering them megabucks.
Rememebr that negotiation with Henry?
That 100K and 5-mil signing-on bonus?
If Henry is worthed 100K in 2006…you think Van Persie is worthed 120K in 2012
I am cynical as Van Persie is not from that era of Bergy and French Spine where Arsenal FC made their career, winning and winning silverwares every season.
Now?
Does Van Persie has the same confidence as the French Spine that this team will win trophies every season..let alone titles?
Van Persie is sayng all the right things now…….but if Arsenal FC wil not increase the offer to at least 160K and with a 5-mil signing-on bonus……Van Persie will not stay and take a chance that he can win something with Arsenal FC for the remaining of his career here.
Only two things will keep Van Persie at Emirates:
– Offer him competitive salary at 160K plus signing-on bonus;
– He believes that Wenger will finally see the lights and buy experienced players that Van Persie really believe will transform this bunhc of losers into title contenders adn will win some silverwares before he retired….
Competitive salary plus winning silverwares is the only way to convince Van Persie to stay on.
RIco, let’ face it.
We don’t have homegrown players no more..only football mercenaries.
So what’s wrong with Diaby this time, are the bedsores still playing him up.
How many minutes has he played this season ?
ROcky..10 to 15 minutes..
and all from the heart..
cheers and goodnight all..Rcio, rather late in my region…goodnight…
Merlin – I see what you are saying. I think that his “mates” signing will also sway him a great deal. Vermaelen has already signed. That would have gone some way already in convincing RvP to stay. If Song / Walcott sign, and if Wengers keeps up the good noises about bringing in experience, that will do it. I would be shocked if he asked for £160k a week. I think he would happily sign for less. As much as I don’t like PHW, he was spot on when he said that RvP isn’t exactly struggling to make ends meet. He’s not exactly doing his weekly shops in Lidl…. I don’t believe he’s a greedy person. I honestly think he knows he owes Wenger and Arsenal for keeping faith in him through MANY injury-wrecked seasons.
Its all good Rocky, you still under the cosh, working hard, slaving away.
Adam, i love veggie paella too, enjoy, have a good evening…..
Wow Merlin, that’s some writing! I don’t doubt for one second that it’s heartfelt, don’t worry!
What time is it in your region? What region would that be?
I am Micko, yeah! Just giving myself a 15 min break before hitting the month-end rec’s before I go home! No idea what Diaby’s problemm is this time. Maybe he sneezed and broke his spine. Who knows.
Nighty Merlin, i hope Theo and RvP prove you wrong 😉
You guys seen all the posts from Untold Arsenal, they really are out to prove that footie is far from fair…..
Credit to them too….
Off for dinner, back in a bit…..
buon appetito!
Rico, I don’t buy into all that, I think it’s the easy card to play, when we were struggling at the start of the season some were blaming the referee’s, the pitches, the truth was we simply weren’t good enough, we’ve got our shit together again now and we’re reaping the rewards, didn’t everton have the ball in our net 3 times last week, it’s all swings and roundabouts throughout the season, you win some, you lose some.
I’m off for the evening, just waiting on my chariot now, catch you tomorrow.
night Micko. Bon weekend! Hoping to get on here tomorrow if I’m home during the game so catch you then
Boo. Anyone ay home?
No? All eating cows?
I’m still here mate!
Love a cow right about now….
Hi Rocky. What’s up?
nothing much mate. Just at work listening to Prodigy on the radio!
Paella good?! Hope you didn’t go too heavy on the smoked paprika!!
It becomes a bit addictive at times mate. But it was pretty good. Still at work? Where is this?
Glad you enjoyed!
It’s a boutique asset management company in Savoy Court, off the Strand. Month end and first week of the month are my busiest times. As I’m off half of next week, I’ve a shorter window to get it all done. And as I’m the only one in Operations out of a team of 5 trhat can do all the settlements and month end recs, it all falls down to me! Plus everyone in the company went home at about 5.15 this evening leaving me to do it, which I actually prefer!!
Is Savoy Court actually the foyer of The Savoy Hotel? So are you essentially keeping the books straight?
Micko – i know you have gone but i don’t know which bit you don’t get ? 🙁
Ah Rico. Good dinner?
It kind of is. It’s a strange set up. It’s only a small court, with the hotel at the end. A small road (which you drive on the opposite side of the road than you do normally…. No idea why – Maybe AK knows?) with a little roundabout at the bottom in front of the hotel for cars / cabs to turn around. I’m in a building that lines the little road. You go past my building to get to the theatre and the hotel (I’m trying to get Danny DeVito’s autograph as he’s in a play next door at the mo).
Kind of balancing the books… Getting all trades matched so they can go on the month end valuation for the funds, whether they are Unit Trusts, Hedge Funds or companies (Mars etc). And getting information to Bloomberg so thay can update various things. Not very exciting really!!
I’m sure wha you do is infinitely more exciting!!
Evening Adam, very nice thanks, Tuna, sweetcorn and pasta in a garlic mayo – not shop bought of course 😉
How was the paella?
I know exactly where you mean. I often stroll along there on my way to Charing Cross. Today was great as I took the whole day off and laid on the sofa watching crappy daytime TV, much to the irritation of my wife. I was surrounded with magazines of my other hobbies and gradually the detritus spread from the sofa to engulf the whole floor. Occasionally I would beg for a cup of green tea and a slice of toast with Little Scarlett strawberry jam. Later in the afternoon my wife, sickened by my slovenly ways, dragged me ou for a walk to the shops where she cadged a choc ice from me. I can hear her doing the washing up from the dinner I cooked now. I am off to QPR tomorrow and I think she will be happy to get rid of me.
I like the social side of HH as much as the banter and I am sure we all imagine what each other would be like to meet. Being an Arsenal supporter is rather like being a Freemason sometimes. I saw some guys in Miami with Arsenal shirts on and introduced myself as a season ticket holder and we became firm friends. It was really great.
Evening rocky, what is more exciting than trying to get DDV’s autograph 😉
Paella was great but needed Saffron.
I always use turmeric Adam, cheap ‘mans’ saffron 😉
But it hasn’t got that taste has it Rico? And too much Turmeric is an aphrodisiac. I assume the pasta was cold?
Turmeric is a good spice Rico. And it is good for your health. Highly good infact.
Good evening. Just popped on a little bit.
It was indeed cold, warm tuna, yuck….
No, there is nothing like Saffron but it really is very expensive 🙁
Ahhh, the old lack of saffron eh Adam?! rokkie mistake!
Your day sounds absolute heaven mate. I’m actually thinking about jumping out of the window after reading that and comparing our days!
My wife would have actually ripped my head off if I’d have made that mess! Although to be honest, she’s such a clean freak that stuff is plucked out of the air before it hits the floor or table and put in the bin! I’m actually not allowed to wash up / iron / clean etc as I don’t do it properly apparently! And rarely allowed to cook as I make too much of a mess! It’s a pretty sweet deal! She does kick me out of the flat on a Saturday morning so she can clean though, so I have to potter around the town for a bit otherwise I apparently get in the way and make more mess!!!
Or is Turmeric a laxative? I can’t remember. Ok Rocky and Rico I am signing off for the evening to watch Anthony Bourdain and probably some other stuff. Let’s hope for a good result tomorrow. Don’t overdo it Rocky. Love to all Gooners.
Goody for you Rocky.
Just read your post Rocky and it made me laugh. I think we might have lots in common. I buy the little plastic boxes of Spanish Saffron for about £4-5 each and think it to be worth it. As a heathen I must confess to actually liking hot tuna ( tinned) Rico. I think I just shattered your image of me as a man of taste. I shall try to forgo my Tuna/ cheese melt Paninis in the name of food decency.
Look at you, Rico!! Cooking your food with loads of something that is an aphrodisiac!! Learn something new aout people every day….!!
Forgot to say Adam, I totally agree with the social side of HH!
Aphrodisiac or laxative?!! Bit of a difference there mate!!!
Know what you mean… Looks like we both love a bit of slobbing it on the sofa being waited on and generally doing as little as poss! (How I wish that was the case today!!)
Right gang, I’m finally leaving for home! With a bit of luck, I may get to eat my dinner before 22.30!! It’ll be close though!
Enjoy the rest of your evenings, all. Catch you all tomorrow!
Morning all.
Firstly,Rico and Rocky……with due respect to you in the motherland,fishing in Australia is a tad different to what you’ve experienced.
Here,I can actually eat the fish I catch as our waterways are clean.
Here,I can relax and enjoy the scenery……..an advantage of living in such a beautiful country.
Here,I can fish wearing a t-shirt and shorts…….an advantage of living in a country with a beautiful climate.
Cheeky bastards lol.
Oh,and hear its always easy to catch a feed.
So easy in fact,last night I had to endure a big piece of rump steak.
Oh,did I mention who beautiful or meat is here……and I don’t have to catch it.
Again,cheeky bastards.
Off to my boys game now,so wish them luck,and catch you later.
Do you go for fresh water fish Ozzy??
Here it is sea water fish. And they taste mighty fine good….especially if you have caught them yourself.
You chaps do make me chuckle 🙂
Night Adam, have a lovely evening, warm tuna….. mmmmeee, yuck 😉
rocky – and there was me not realising what turmeric can do, maybe i need to put more in my food 😉
Hi Scott, I knew you would come right back at us, and good for you…. Have a good day….
Night to you too rocky, safe journey home…
Evening devil – i love turmeric, hope your day has been good…
I am done for the day now guys, catch up tomorrow…
Big day tomorrow, big day…
Nighty all….
Freshwater and saltwater,all within a 45 minute drive.
Must go now…see ya guys.
Stop talking about food please! it’s 22.30 and I’m not even home from work yet! Not eaten since midday. Surprised I’ve not slipped into a diabetic coma!!
Lucky Scott, make sure you’re on here later on.
COYG
AK,I live here mate.
Have I still got a 100% strike rate thus far?
My boys had a 9-1 one today.
Cocky little buggers now,and I let them know it.
When we were four up after five minutes,two or three wanted to take on player after player,and forgot about how we got to that position.
I know they’re only six,but they stilled cop a tiny,tiny rocket.
Still,they’re a bloody sensational side for their age.
I spoke to the parents about it,they noticed what the kids were doing so were totally behind me.
The problem at this age is,and Devil will back this,you miss one or two training sessions,and they just forget things.
Anyway,7 hours til kick off.
Go you good things!!!!
My missus is away tonight,so I’m on my Pat Malone.
If any if you HHer’s want to come to watch the game,the beer is cold,the pizza will be hot,the TV screen is big,but the company is questionable,so fair warning!!!!!!
Hey guys,I’ve just had a thought,and wanted to celebrate.
Here it is…tell me what you think.
I’m not impressed with players leaving on a Bosman,so have thought if a possible deterrent.
Here’s an example.
Sign a player on a 4 year contract.
The first 3 years,he gets 70,000 a week.
The last year,it drops to 35,000 a week.
What does this achieve??
Well,a player is less likely to dither around over a contract extension,for starters.
He’s also much,much more likely to accept the inevitable after three years,rather than wate everyone’s time in that last season,and accept a transfer.
Obviously there are a lot more factors to weigh up,but at least it would give the clubs some negotiating power back.
I haven’t spent hours thinking about this,so give me any feedback you like,positive or negative.
I know I’m talking to myself,but who cares????
I just saw one of the most beautiful photos of all time on facebook.
It was taken yesterday,in a hospital in London,and showed Fabrice Muamba sitting up,with the biggest smile of all time on his face.
It’s put a massive smial on my dial.
Morning all……COYGS!!!
What is the mystery illness that Aguerro has got? I think he’ll miss our game, GOOD!!
Morning Scott. You ok?
Yoi’re right, that photo was awesome. Glad to see him smiling again
Morning Scott.. Congrats on the 9-1 🙂
Can you bring your comments over to the new post, they deserve to be discussed 🙂
New Post up
Morning Lee. You in holiday mode yet?!
The silence over Aguero’s injury is weird, non?
Morning rocky,
spot on re the Fabrice photo, great to see the big guy smiling again….
Rick,I will ask you to do it if possible,as I am using a phone and can’t do it.
And if Ricks sister Rico could do it,even better!!!!
Morning Lee, we are on the new one..
Mancini is keeping quiet about how the injury occured, probably happened in bed 😉 😉