Daily Bits and Bobs

Want Away Striker insists it's not about Money!! Barca step up chase for Alex Song & Fabianski fights back…..

Posted on by rico

Morning Gooners,

Not much in the news today, well other than the Robin van Persie and Alex Song saga which I’ll get to in a minute.

It looks like Nicklas Bendtner is having a panic as the transfer window ticks by and he remains an Arsenal player. The big Dane has made it quite clear over the last few weeks/months that staying with his current club is really not an option.

I kind of admire his latest statement where he outlined the three important needs before he signs for any new club.

The first was to be with a club competing in the Champions League.

Secondly I need to be happy. A lot of people think that it is all about the money, but money does not matter if you are not happy.

I have been in a situation before where I made a lot of money without being happy. I need to be happy when I come in which is universal for everyone.

You need to be excited to come in to work.

When asked what the third one was he said:

Playing regularly.

We can all conclude from his words that he didn’t like training with us and I’m sure one of his team mates has said in the past that Nik was one of the laziest at training. I guess if he wasn’t happy, that’s why.

The comment about money is clearly another dig at Arsenal, he has been paid well by our club but surely, if he has been so unhappy, why has he stuck around for so long, especially knowing he wasn’t and never would be our first choice striker?

Of course it wasn’t for the money was it?

Well he’s taken enough from the club, hopefully he’ll back up his comments by lowering his wage demands during any negotiations with another club and we will finally see him gone.

Mind you, I’d rather he was sat on our bench this coming season that Chamakh but that isn’t an option, not any more.

Another player who many fans hoped would be through the exit door this summer is Fabianski but it looks like that isn’t going to happen as he confirms he’s ready to challenge his fellow countryman for the number one spot:

It can change very quickly, from my own experiences I know that, so I am ready to step up. I feel confident that I am able to be No 1.

I am very happy, I must say. I had a little problem with my shoulder but so far everything has been going really well for me. I am happy with my fitness levels and the way I feel on the pitch.

Pre-season is always a fresh start, and it is hard work for us. We have to do all of the running and gym work too, it’s not like we just have to do just goalkeeping! It has been good work over the past few weeks.

At the moment I would say we are especially focusing – particularly us goalkeepers – on positioning ourselves in certain situations,. We are doing a lot of work with the ‘vipers’ that let us build up power in our legs, so everything that can help us improve.

I didn’t have too many opportunities to play last season but I am always focused and looking to improve, especially dealing with crosses because I think that is really important for a goalkeeper.

There is room for improvement for both of our keepers and if Fabianski is up for a fight then that has to be good news, a bit of proper competition doesn’t do any player any harm. Hopefully this little battle between the two will bring out the best in both of them.

Reports out this morning suggest that Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu was in London yesterday. Not sure what he was doing here but The Sun report that his visit was to try and secure a deal with Arsenal for Alex Song!

That just won’t go away will it…

Nor will the Robin van Persie media frenzy, nearly all the newspapers report that a deal with Man Utd is close, very close. John Cross of the Daily Mirror expects the deal to be completed by the weekend.

You can tell the new Premier League season is close to kicking off as the pointless International friendlies take place today and we have thirteen players away on duty for their respective countries.

Theo Walcott returned from the England camp with a bruised thigh and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain misses out too because of an ankle injury. Both of our German players have been allowed to miss the game but two of the new boys, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud will be involved for their respective countries.

Hopefully common sense will prevail tonight and none of our players will be on the pitch for too long, certainly not the full ninety minutes. We need them all back fit and well and ready to perform on Saturday in front of the home fans.

If Robin van Persie picks up his usual serious international injury, I hope it’s ten minutes after a deal with Manchester United has been agreed…..

That’s it for today, have a good one all…

rico

0 thoughts on “Want Away Striker insists it's not about Money!! Barca step up chase for Alex Song & Fabianski fights back…..”

  2. TT says:

    Morning

    It’s not about the money for RvP either…..then why move from the strongest Arsenal side in years to arguably the weakest Manure side in more than a decade?

  3. rico says:

    We know the answer to that don’t we TT, I hope it bits him on the backside big time….

    We are on the up, Manure have had their golden years….

  4. Thorny says:

    Morning. Its raining at the beach so have time to get back on here.

    RVP is mad!!!! he is in such danger of f ing up his entire career. He thrives from being adored by fans (self confessed) and now look what he’s done to himself. If he goes to Man U and is crap (likely without song) he is ruined. If We beat them he is ruined. If he gets injured he is ruined. if he goes in general after yabbering about new signings that wenger has now done he’s ruined. Fans will eat him up and he’s litteraly done it to himself. I dont mean to be over dramatic but this could be the biggest self distruct from a player ever seen. he had it all and a beautifull new offer on a plate where folk love him and he’s captain. I dont believe he is the hard mercenary type that can handle the boo’s. It will ruin him.

    I think it was one of you here that first said that the advice given to him has been horrendous.

  5. Thorny says:

    TT
    I agree….Man u just do not look the business now and that Stock exchange float dissapointment has had a bigger effect than we know.
    We are looking good and keen and exciting….he is bonkers. I bet he wishes he had a time machine.

  7. Lee says:

    I’m really excited about our squad this season,be even better if we got a proper DM! Van Nasri can do one..

  10. Adam says:

    Good morning Rico and all. This transfer stuff can be very corrosive. But I hope that Wenger takes a firm line throughout. If van Persie really wants to live in Manchester and play with Darren Fletcher and an ageing Rio Ferdinand and get taken to Granny sex parties by Wayne Rooney then fine. If he really wants to uproot his family totally to play with serial sex cheat Ryan Giggs, a man who thinks nothing of having an affair with his brother’s wife and a 53 year old Paul Scholes then let him. Van Persie has obviously found a way to drive two cars at once and his new found riches will certainly allow him to sleep in two beds at the same time. He was lucky at Arsenal. As his Mum and wife said. He found a club that suited him perfectly with fans that loved him. He was captain and had received more backing and patience than any player could reasonably expect. But it doesn’t seem to have been enough. As we all move through life we begin to find what really are the important things. Even a Neanderthal thicko like Bendtner mentioned happiness in his latest statement of silliness. Ask Hleb if the extra money bought him more than he had at Arsenal. I think you may find him playing on Hackney Marshes one Sunday soon. Ask Vieira if leaving was all it was cracked up to be or if it just doesn’t make you the bitter man he has become. And then ask Dennis. He could have left Arsenal at any time and doubled his money but he knew things about life that the money-grabbers will never understand. He is a legend and completely deserves to be. He understood that money is fine, but without the love and respect of others, you have nothing.

  11. bondex says:

    morning all…good post rico…expecially..If Robin van Persie picks up his usual serious international injury, I hope it’s ten minutes after a deal with Manchester United has been agreed…..

  12. Oyebamiji Kayode Michael says:

    Pls Mr wenger If you ar very sure of trophy for this season You wil need to keep ur star players in the team and add more quality players to your team in order to strenght the team.Pls take the advise

  13. rico says:

    How you doing Thorny, rain by the beach, you’ll get wet 😉

    Let him be gone now I say, take the money and spend it….

  14. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Morning all. Just got up – was over at the gym until 2:30am.

    SAHIN WANTS ARSENAL MOVE; MOURINHO WANTS LIVERPOOL

    chrome://newtabhttp//www.marca.com/2012/08/15/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1345019715.html

    Adam, you’re right. There is obviously still friction between Wenger and Mourinho

  17. MC says:

    I hope AW stands firm on the price for RVP. What I don’t understand is why he hasn’t set a much earlier deadline on any deal. Why not say to MU, MC or Juve pay up by mid August or he is staying to see out his contract. What benefit do we gain with selling him after the season has started – how easy will it be to get a replacement in, no deal seems to run smoothly these days !

  18. Thorny says:

    Adam

    My ponit exactly….RVP is fueled by the love and respect of others….and hes thrown it in the trash. Staggering.

  20. Oyebamiji Kayode Michael says:

    Pls Mr wenger If you ar very sure of trophy for this season You wil need to keep ur star players in the team and add more quality players to your team in order to strenght the team.Pls take the advise. Tenx

  21. rico says:

    So am I Lee, it’s the best we have seen for 3/4 seasons and there will be more added yet, that I’m sure of….

    Thanks bondex, I liked that bit too, I know I shouldn’t say that though 😉

  22. Thorny says:

    Rico

    Yeah of course, off you go and we’l have the £, I’m just so baffled at this self distruction.

    Anyway…we look sharp and hungry, excellent.

  23. rico says:

    Adam – Dennis was a rare breed wasn’t he, a true gent and footballing man. I think I got lost in the ‘Dutch’ part of RvP and thought he’d be the same…

    How wrong was I…..

  25. Scott from Oz says:

    Give Bendtner this much…..he hasn’t pretended to love being at Arsenal only to screw the club over like our “beloved” skipper!!
    Evening all.

  26. rico says:

    I’m not surprised there is still friction between them Syg, after Moanrinho’s vile comments about our manager…

  28. rico says:

    Part of me feels a bit sorry for Nik Scott, big strong striker stuck out on the left wing, but if only he was as good as he thinks he is…

    Shame….

  29. Adam says:

    I believe that perhaps 50% of football is played in the head and Ronin’s head is not right. For me he’s like yesterday’s Daily Mirror – chip paper.

  34. Thorny says:

    Im moving house….whats the best TV package to watch the footy. I have Arsenal player obviously but reckon I need sky?. dont need films, need HD and sports. bt? Virgin any good? this is cornwall by the way….bit behind, no cable etc

  39. Scott from Oz says:

    Rico,if Bendtner was more humble and actually given his chance,he’d be a fantastic player for us.
    Sadly,neither is a possibility.

  43. Scott from Oz says:

    Thorny,move to Oz mate…..I can watch every single PL,CL and UEFA league game live.
    Most,but not all,FA cup ties.
    Still,I can’t watch a game at the ground though lol.

  44. wasswa cape town says:

    May u plz leave him to go,he is nothing as we got a new horse power in our lovely club!van now is blind. its a saying{u leave where the food is ready to be serve&u go to uncooked one}!!sorry for him.

  45. Adam says:

    Thorny. It seems like Sky still offer the most complete package an for a man of your obvious wealth, the cost is insignificant.
    Lee. I like Ronin too. Probably the last film where De Niro was any good.

  50. rico says:

    Have to agree Scott, he was a bit of a fool to himself and the Ade situation didn’t help….

    Lee did you watch that drama on BBC1 last night or are you talking films??

  51. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning All!

    Scott — Good evening? I agree. As abrasive and self-absorbed as NB52 has been, he has also been open and honest in voicing his opinions. It seems to me that Robin has taken a page out of Mathieu Flamini’s operating manual.

    I thiink RvP will regret his move, if he gets it that is. Arsene built a team around him, Auld Whisky Nose wont. Also, he will have to repeat his heroics of the past season to win over the ManUre fans.

  52. bondex says:

    if robin comes weeping…..saying he was deceived..that he loves arsenal and arsenal blood runs through his body….I will still find it hard to forgive…wonder what his mother and wife think of him now.

  54. rico says:

    Sky is prob the best Thorny or BT vision – the latter are getting a percentage of the PL fixtures from 2013 as Espn have lost out…

    BT vision is cheaper, Sky imho is a rip off but they know they have got you….

  55. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I’ve seen that re: Modric, Scott.
    He’s a tidy player but not worth what Tottenham want for him.

  59. frednerk says:

    Rvp…Looks like his time is up then going by what everyone seems to think…Who’s upset the most do you think?
    Van Gaul,Wenger,Mum,Wife,Dad,Kids,Grand Dad,Team Mates,the list can go on a bit.
    Robin,let me remind you,a certain Michael Owen left Liverpool a few years ago,he said at the time it was to win the european cup and Real Midrid were the team to do it with,well you know what happened don’t you…Grass Greener ..yer all right

  61. Thorny says:

    Thanks dudes, I’ll look into Sky and BT and try to snag a deal.
    If we get £20 mil plus and if Song bails what do we do with all that dosh? Holiday on the moon for Stan?

  62. Canadian Gooner says:

    frednerk — I think it is plain to all, but the most myopic of fans, RvP’s move is about money. Unfortunately, we’ll have to put up with the saga for a while longer, as I don’t see the deal being done before the weekend like ManUre want.

  64. rico says:

    fred, he’ll regret it, most who leave us do….

    Get Capoue or M’Vila Thorny…

    Lee, he was a suspect but got found not guilty 😉

  65. Thaio Father-Hero says:

    Nice piece you ve got there. I cant understand why Wenger is still keeping this back-stabber ingrate of a skipper. Sell him and spend the molla. He wants to go? Let him go. We will be waiting to see what becomes of him in MU. You can imagine how heady and disobedient the chap is; despite his parents and wife’s advice….. I am not surprised though, loyalty is a virtue, if you dont have it, you just dont have it……….

  66. GoonerB says:

    Morning all. Lots of talk about RVP self destructing and that he will not handle the wrath of the Arsenal fans that had previously idolised him. Do we really know this? Can we really know his mind? I know many feel that he has betrayed us and want rid of him but I don’t know if this is an opinion based on sound reasoning or more an emotional reaction to the situation. If we sell him to Utd and this tips the title to them then cue all the media articles and pundit opinions about how Fergie and Utd got one over on us and cue a happy and smiling RVP standing next to Wayne Rooney stating that this is why he came here. I can’t help but think that it will be Arsenal with egg on their face then and all the talk about RVP’s self destruction will look a bit silly. I just cannot feel happy with us taking this chance and cannot be happy with him going to Utd.

    When SAF senses a vulnerability in a main rival he puts them to the sword. I sense a vulnerability in Utd at present so why should we even consider putting out our hand and pulling them out of the quicksand. I also sense that with RVP next year we can be a realistic title contender. I feel potentially losing £20m will be value for money if we win the EPL next year so I would role the dice and keep RVP and see what happens.

    Also, imo, if he is still with us next year and we are looking very strong half way through the season it may cause him to realise that Arsenal is the place for him to be at, particularly if he has been playing well and the fans get behind him and sing his name. He may just realise what it means for him to be at the Arsenal. I still hold out some unlikely hope that this is all some elaborate Machiavellian plot by RVP to firstly force the club to strengthen and to secondly destabilise the summer transfer dealings of our rivals before he suddenly signs up with us. Wouldn’t it be great if this was the case and wouldn’t we then owe RVP the greatest of gratitudes.

  68. bondex says:

    the ideal situation for me would red nose pays 20million plus for RVP but then the agreement says we still keep him till September first everybody is happy but guess what,he plays against Liverpool and gets…….need I say more

  69. frednerk says:

    The money side of this deal with the mancs for me just dos not stack up..£190,000 per week,as against £130,000 + 5million loyalty bonus plus the emotional upheaval to his family just cant get my head round it.

  70. PV4 says:

    @Adam 9:50 – succinctly put and ‘on the money’ (oops!) – RVP should hang his head in abject shame. If he had 10% of DB10s class on and off the field he would never consider leaving. He has made a complete tit of himself and now clings on to the hope of joining a team on the wane. Bergkamp was a legend and changed Arsenal’s whole ethos of attacking football. I have a good feeling that Cazorla may just be the new catalyst to propel us into a period of success again.

  71. bondex says:

    gooner b,i had this same kind of hope and wish for a while now but it looks like robbery is bent on moving else he should said something by now…..even if some pple don’t like song,at least he has come out to say something.

  72. Adam says:

    Lee. Only the finest vintage Babycham for me mate.
    Frednerk. You know what? I think you are right. For some time, deep down, I have been thinking that there is something else behind all the van Persie stuff.

  73. Canadian Gooner says:

    frednerk — There may well be more to it than money, but if robin doesn’t talk, we may never know. Arsene wont spill the beans. I think he took a stand with his statement and is unable/unwilling to back down (stuborness, pride, ??).

  74. Lee says:

    I heard a rumour that RvP said as long as song is in the team, Arsenal will win fuck all…. don’t shoot the messenger!

  75. frednerk says:

    Watching Rvp during the second half did you get the feeling that he had a lump in his thoat,he wanted to do well I thought,he went to walk off but wenger him back to wave,and he did……Stuborness and Pride…You got it bang on

  76. allezkev says:

    Good Morning All you Fine AKB’s
    A Very Good Morning to you Lady Rico.
    Evening Digger.
    Afternoon Canuck.

    RVP to ManUre is hardly a shock.
    I suppose a bit of us hopes he stays, but i suspect that the club are doing the best they can from a financial viewpoint.
    If Robin leaves, and we bring in 2 more quality players, i shall conclude that, as a fantastic summers business.
    OK Michael and Wasswa, Keep the Faith…
    Spread the word…..

  77. Arty says:

    Morning Rico, great post, morning all from sunny Cyprus. I watched whole game and been replaying in my mind the friendly against FC Cologne and keep getting this tingly feeling. The hunger and excitement of Poldy, pedigree and confidence and the vulture instincts of Giroud, so many times in right place and right time, so unlucky not to score. In contrast, i watched Song strutt his stuff, shorts pulled up to his crotch like he was be all and end all. First action, foul. Dont want him to go but his heads been turned. Same with van Persie, cameo role, just a walk in the park, no reel zest, even for a friendly and wearing captains band. With the little magician, Cazorla, im gonna be tingling for a long long time.

  80. Thaio Father-Hero says:

    Canadian Gooner, I love your analysis and postulations but guess what I dont think RVP is in that line of thought. I am strongly of the view that no player should be made to be bigger than the club as to determine the course of procedings. Football is a team game remember? No team had better chance of winning the EPL in 2009 and 2010 than AFC. If those eight draws and especially the loss to Spurs in a match we were leading by 3 goals were averted the story would have not been the same. These were seasons RVP was busy on the surgeons slab at our expense. Honestly, I think if Song wants to go or Theo; its fine but not RVP. The club has stood by him and this is time to say thank you. You may say we are being sentimental, but of course sentiments are part of humans and I am certains that was one of the reasons Wenger stood by him those years he was in and out of hospitals. he was not only paid as contracted, he was also expended on. It will take a while for the fans to trust him and love him back if he chose to stay back.
    As far as I am concerned the best thing for him is to just leave. Moreso, he is a high-risk venture who can pick up injury whenever he chooses. LET HIM GO. PLAYER GOES PLAYER COMES ARSENAL REMAINS THE CLUB AND WE LOVE OUR CLUB. GUNNERS 4 LIFE.

  82. Lee says:

    SYG, I had a holiday in Limassol there’s an Arsenal pub there called The Woodman. I saw a couple of games in there, great atmosphere!!!

  83. GoonerB says:

    Although my preference is to keep RVP and Song, at least for this season, but if they both were to go what would be the best solution, assuming we need to bring in additions. How about this :
    For me we would need an additional attacking player. My preference would be an experienced player. One that could give us the quality here and now but would not stand in the way of emerging youngsters say 2 years from now. I would like this player to be a goal-scorer that has ability on the ball to complement our style. How about we say to Utd we want £20m plus Berbatov for RVP (if they haven’t already sold him which I am not sure about). If we then get £20m for Song we have a significant transfer chest. We could then offer £35m for Javi Martinez who for me will be the best DM out there in the next couple of years. That would be a massive statement and leave us very strong. It would also mean that we secure the number 1 DM target that Barca were after and they are left with having the leftovers.

  84. southyorkshiregunner says:

    We had a house over in eastern Cyprus, just close to the Turkish border for the last 5 years. Prior to that an apartment in Paralimni.
    The choice of games on the satellite TV’s is fantastic. You can watch every Arsenal game throughout the season if you know where to go.
    I have had some right hum-dingers with Man Utd fans in a pub which was showing both the Man Utd game and Arsenal game at the same time…

  85. allezkev says:

    Arsenal’s global search for talent is continuing with a look at exciting Georgian defender Nika Chanturia.

    The 17-year-old centre back is in the second week of his fortnight stay with the club, and has already left a good impression on the coaching staff. A tall, composed and technical defender, he fits the bill of a classic Arsenal player, and has had no shortage of admirers.

    Arsenal were offered a look at Georgia Under-17 captain Chanturia a month ago, by an agency that represents him. I understand that the club are usually against taking players based on recommendations, but he was spotted previously, and the early signs are that he might be a player for the future.

    Liam Brady and new reserve team coach Terry Burton are still putting together their squads for the new season, and are on the look out for another centre back for the Under-18′s.

    Second year scholar Zac Fagan has shown some promise, and has been joined by new scholars Leander Siemann and Tom Dallison.

    But Arsenal are hopeful of adding a fourth option before the end of the transfer window, and have already looked at Swedish youngster Linus Wahlquist, who enjoyed a trial last month, but wasn’t seen as good enough.

    Chanturia though is a highly-rated centre back with lots of ability, but securing him from Georgian side Lokomotivi Tbilisi will be tricky, given he is already in the first-team squad, and would require a work permit.

    Arsenal will make a decision on Chanturia next week.

    By J.Sanderson…

  86. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Football is full of “if’s” GoonerB

    If we’d have had a better goalkeeper we would have possibly won the title in 2010.
    If Gael Clichy would have not lost concentration v’s Birmingham we would have possibly won the title in 2008.
    If the referee would have awarded us the penalties v’s Liverpool, we would have won the FA Cup in 2001.

    The big if would be, would Wenger ever shell out £35M on a player?
    I doubt it. Not when he’s just bought three top class ones for that money.

  87. allezkev says:

    Jamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    Talks continued last night between Arsenal and United over Robin van Persie. #MUFC very keen to push it through before weekend.

  88. allezkev says:

    Jamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    Easy to see why Málaga dealt at £12m for Santi Cazorla. Have already spent it. £7.5m tax bill paid. Rest on unpaid wages. Ouch.

  89. allezkev says:

    Grant James‏@GrantJames_CFC

    @YoungGunsBlog That little? Though £16.5m?

    Expand

    1hJamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    @GrantJames_CFC – £12m up front, rising to £17m if Arsenal win trophies and he scores lots of goals.

  90. allezkev says:

    Nick Watts‏@NickWatts82

    @YoungGunsBlog @DobboLFC We were just trying to work out whether Sahin is Arsenal or Liverpool bound, Jamie. Thoughts?

    Expand Reply
    Retweet

    Favorite

    1hJamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    @NickWatts82 @DobboLFC – I don’t have links to LFC, but general feeling is that they believe they’ll get him. Arsenal still hopeful.

  91. allezkev says:

    Liverpool have stepped up efforts to sign Nuri Şahin, offering Real Madrid a deal which would see the Reds cover most of the player’s wages.

    The move comes after Jose Mourinho hinted towards Liverpool being his favoured club.

    Mourinho said, “Liverpool will relive its glory days with Rodgers,” leading to speculation that he would prefer Şahin to join the Merseyside club.

    Liverpool coach Brendan Rogers was promoted to youth team manager under Mourinho’s tenure at Chelsea in 2004.

    Raphael Honigstein and Şahin’s agent Reza Fazeli also confirmed interest from Liverpool.

    Spanish journalist Guillem Balague told followers on his Twitter account yesterday, “Liverpool feel they have done enough to convince Şahin but nothing confirmed yet.”

    However, Balague later Tweeted, “Nothing confirmed on Tello and Sahin yet apart from Liverpool interest.”

    In addition recent rumours that Liverpool Managing Director Ian Ayre had travelled to Spain as part of holding talks with Şahin are unlikely considering the 23-year-old midfielder is currently in Austria with the Turkish national team ahead of an international match with Austria which will be played today.

    Despite recent developments Arsenal still remain in a strong position to sign Şahin, having been in talks for over a month.

    Şahin has expressed interest at joining the Gunners and wants Champions League football, Wenger is also known to be a keen admirer of the young midfielder.

    The move was reported as being dependant on the future of Alex Song, however, Şahin is more a like-for-like player with the injured Jack Wilshere.

    Şahin would cover the role of Wilshere who is expected to be out for the next few months and may struggle to get back to full match fitness after missing the pre-season.

    Arsenal have agreed to cover the Turkish international wages and are in advanced talks over a loan fee payment.

  92. Adam says:

    Rico. Re the Babycham. Yes and I have ordered a couple of cases for just you and me at the HH Christmas party

  94. Merlin96 says:

    Morning all.
    Is today 31-Aug where he sell Van Persie and Song for 40-mil and then spend it all on 5 more experienced palyers, signed on a bargain?

    Korenke and Gazidis need to plan to pay-off that FY2013 20-mil per annual bond payment.

  95. Canadian Gooner says:

    Thaio Father-Hero — I don’t think RvP is bigger than the club. I have never said that. While a small part, maybe the sentimental part, hopes RvP will stay; my analytical/rational side thinks this is unlikely.

    Rvp’s statement on his website was very carefully worded. I understand it is still posted. Unless he makes a full retraction and an unqualified apology to the club and the fans; and I don’t think that will happen, I see no way back. I believe RvP will and should be sold. All that has to be determined is the sale price. I think Arsene is playing hardball with ManUre. They want the deal done before their first game on Monday. However, I don’t think a deal will be done until the last day of the transfer window. The longer this goes on, the more likely we will get a better price.

    All supposition on my part. Is there more to it than money? Possibly, but I haven’t seen any evidence. Am I right or am I wrong? Only time will tell and even then we might never learn the whole story. In the meantime I’m willing to listen to other opinions which include a rationale for that opinion or concrete evidence. I’m not infallable, my children will certainly vouch for that. If I’m wrong, you and any other poster are free to takr me to task.

  96. ktr7 says:

    Good read.I hope Rvp saga ends asap as am tired of it.even if he ends up staying he has already lost my respect.this further reinforces the reason why i’ll never print a player’s name on my jersey,never have.they are all mercenaries nowadays.the only person i would print is maybe Wenger since he has always been loyal despite having clubs like Madrid chasing him.he may infuriate but he has always been here and tries to do the best for this club.

  97. southyorkshiregunner says:

    It is Adam. Protaras is basically a street full of shops and bars for tourists. Between November and April it is all shut down.
    We ragged the house in but I’ve still got a car over there. Mrs SYG is nagging all the time for us to go back over for a week.

  99. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Song gone and Sahin in would make a MASSIVE improvement to the side. It would make us a more free flowing and fast counter attacking unit.
    Sahin wants to come here, but Mourinho wants the Anfield deal.
    It as always is, is the players call. Fingers crossed that Wenger can persuade Sahin to do the right thing.

  100. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Fig Tree Bay is a beach in Protaras, Lee.
    We always went to the beach at Agia Thekla, and did our drinking and eating in the village … Unless we had lobster … then we had to go to Agia Napa

  102. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Nice one. It’ll be scorching over there at the moment, Lee

    This is England’s top coach at the time, in discussion with a one-paced English international midfield player with no acceleration.

  105. W.A.T.H says:

    Afternoon all,

    We bought anyone yet…!

    It’s cooking in Cyprus SYG, Mum & Dad are in Mazotos and they say it’s been mega hot..! Rather that than crap rainy and cold I say though.

    Have we got 10bob for vP yet or we still waiting for the mancs to empty their piggy bank..?

  106. goonster says:

    KT, you just know how to break me down*misty eyed*…….why robin why? after all we did for you. this is how you repay us. my little nephew just don’t get it. to him robin is arsenal! the embodiment of all things good! i just cant explain it to him. poor kid, he’s so heartbroken he didnt even bother watching the 49 unbeaten season with me! God am crushed………..morning fellas.

  110. Canadian Gooner says:

    SYG — I hope we do get Sahin. I’m worried that the vindictive small minded Maureen Yo might wish otherwise. I know your opinion about Song, but he has come a long way this past two seasons. I think he still has more potential. The question is, is it worth the wait. Arsene’s patience in the past has paid dividends with other players; sometimes not.

  112. GoonerB says:

    SYG, re your 11.53 comment, just me playing a bit of fantasy football manager but I completely agree that I can’t see AW doing it. They have said, however, that they would spend £40m on a player if it was right. Although I don’t think Martinez is individually worth that his worth to the team and making it complete could be, and although it seems a lot for one player the figures as a whole can add up.

    If you add this £40m to the £35m spent we would have a total of £75m spent but with £40m back on Song and RVP and money back on some of the other surplus players plus the likely reduction in overall wage bill the net spend is probably not that big. As I say FFM but for me Martinez is the closest I have seen to Vieira as a DM and looks at least a level or 2 above all other DM’s being mentioned, including M’Villa. I think he would shore up our midfield while allowing us to play our possession and passing game. He can also play CD so it would mean us not having to buy a second player to cover here.

    Out of interest what would other Gooners think about having Berbatov included in any deal. I am sure it would split opinion but if I were looking at an attacking unit that included Podolski, Giroud, Cazorla, Walcott, Berbatov, the Ox and Gervinho I would feel that is a title challenging attack with strength in depth. It also for me ticks all the boxes of goal threat from a variety of players, pace, aerial ability, technical ability and link up play, and a blend of players that can lead the line as a number 9 or play the number 10 or wide attacking roles. What do other gooners think about this as a scenario.

  113. southyorkshiregunner says:

    It was in the Italian press this morning, Rico
    southyorkshiregunner says:
    August 15, 2012 at 10:11 am

    He looks a tidy player – both awesome and courageous in the air, but we tend to play the ball to feet. Would he fit? I don’t think he would,
    That’s not to say I wouldn’t want him.

  115. Bob John says:

    My mind can’t help returning to that picture of the young RVP sitting in his bedroom proudly wearing his Arsenal shirt with the usual gushing article about how we has always been the club of his dreams! Then again, when I was growing up in the 70’s half the young kids in my area had Ajax or Brazil shirts so RVP probably had a whole collection of different teams in his wardrobe.

  117. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Song has come a long way CanadianG – you are dead right with that. Hopefully he can go a long way again – this time to Spain.

    Berbatov? He was brilliant with Tottenham and realised a £30M fee when Man Utd signed him. At 31 and with no games behind him last season? He has to be better than Park or Chamakh

  118. rico says:

    😆 Micko

    Oops, sorry Syg, that will teach me to read back all the comments, just having one of those days 😉

  119. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Micko – SYG, that was just starting to get fiesty and no mention of a handbrake.??? Did I miss summat?

  120. ktr7 says:

    I saw this posted by someone else which sums up my feelings re:Robin exactly…

    I’ve just seen this comment somewhere:

    I am astounded that van Persie has expressed (if he has) his desire to join United.

    How much of an unfeeling, uncaring, callous, heartless money (or medal, doesnt matter) grabber he must be to do this?

    The club that made you does not matter. The medical staff who kept getting you back on the playing field when you repeatedly broke down do not matter. The groundsman who let your grandfather onto the pitch because hey, he’s Robin’s granddad and we can surely make an exception does not matter. The manager who believed that you can play lone upfront striker and turned you into the world’s best when you yourself did not believe it, and stood by you for eight long years waiting for you to come good while you were on the treatment table does not matter. Heck, the words of your parents who said you will not join an English club do not matter. The words of your wife who said you wouldn’t leave London do not matter.

    All that matters today Robin is your greed. Go then, for we the Arsenal fans, the manager, the club, the groundsman, the tea lady, even the concrete of our stadium and the plastic seats deserve better. We deserve better than a self centred, uncaring, ingratiate ego maniac even if he happens to be a world class footballer with not a replacement in sight that money could buy. Go Robin. Make your money. Win your medals. We will live with our disappointment and our anguish. It is the lot of those that try and follow the right path. It has always been. We can take it.

  122. Scott from Oz says:

    Sean keeps telling me RVP will stay…what do you say?
    If only some of these money hungry pricks realised and/or cared about their fans,they’d understand that to get an extra ten,twenty or fifty thousand a week is just a disgraceful thing to sell their soul for,especially when plenty of them earn in a week more than these fans do in a year.
    Hope you get your 200 a week Robin,I really do.

  123. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Arsenal takes a running start on the offensive by Llorente
    The London club hopes to ‘box’ with Van Persie and deal with the signing of striker Rioja

    Confirmation that Fernando Llorente will not renew its contract with the Athletic has spread like wildfire among the European clubs interested in striker hunt Rioja, and all are positioning themselves to take the coveted prize. And which side Arsenal in pole position on the starting grid for the race to sign the international red and white.

    In the open bid for Juventus ready to offer 16 million euros by Llorente as confirmed La Gazzetta dello Sport’s front page yesterday, Arsenal has been quick to bet on the auction to get a striker who will supply the march Van Persie, who earlier this summer announced his decision not to renew his contract, which expires in 2013.

    Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is resigned to losing the striker who scored 30 goals last season for the London club, and has no doubt that Fernando Llorente, who scored 29 goals last season, would be the ideal substitute to replace Dutch striker.

    Its strength spiker, his virtue to play with his back to goal and his skill with the ball at his feet, are credited to the Rioja qualities as a striker able to succeed in the Premier League.

    Arsenal hopes to use much of the amount you get from the sale of Van Persie, 25.6 million euros in the international recruitment of Rincón de Soto. Although I know that the club will not let you escape from Bilbao for less than 36 million euros, the price marking its clause, as made clear Josu Urrutia.

    The London club sounded as hard as Llorente fate late last May. On that occasion it was even ensure that the offer Athletic striker told a news conference at a downtown hotel Bilbao to announce his departure to Arsenal, a rumor spread like wildfire through social networks, to the extent to which Llorente Arsenal became a trending topic worldwide.

    However, at that time, the player had not revealed anything about his intentions for the future and everyone hoped that renewed. Until yesterday, when the castle collapsed.

  124. Micko says:

    SYG, trying to interpretate that 70’s lingo into modern day speak, no acceleration = playing with the handbrake on.

  125. Canadian Gooner says:

    SYG — We’ll have to agree to disagree about Song. I think Berbatov is past his sell by date for the EPL. He could have life in him for play in Italy or Spain.

    I’ve hardly seen Park play and heard very little from Wenger or the club about him. He certainly hasn’t been given half a chance. Is his problems related to his unfulfilled mandatory military service?

  126. ktr7 says:

    I don’t get the fuss with Llorente.In my opinion he is a tad overrated.Giroud offers everything he has and more.If we are to replace Rvp we need to go after a crafty and tricky forward like Suarez or Jovetic.we don’t need another huge lump up front.

  128. ktr7 says:

    Canadian G Park’s military duty got waived since he has won an Olympic medal for his country.He no longer has to go.

  131. ktr7 says:

    I bet scott if AW was to ring up Rvp with a contract of 200k a week he’d sign it in a flash.I am past the point of wanting him to stay.He is a buzzkill at the moment.

    At least Cesc always said he’d never join another English club and he meant it.To be honest I still can’t believe he is doing this…

  132. Scott from Oz says:

    For what it’s worth,if RVP goes,I reckon we’re still well off up front.
    My biggest hope was getting an attacking or creative midfielder,which we’ve done,so really,if RVP,and Song leave,then get a top class DM and we are much,much stronger than last season.
    Do we really need another striker??
    How many can we field at one time?

  133. Scott from Oz says:

    KT,I’m glad we didn’t offer him the world to stay.
    If all it takes is money,and money alone to keep a play,then that’s not enough.

  134. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Got you Micko !!!
    If you ever get the chance, you want to read the pre-1973 stuff re: Malcolm Allison.
    “The Worst of Friends – the betrayal of Joe Mercer” is one of the best football books that I have read. A bit like “Damned United”, if you like, only the writer of the Allison book doesn’t come over as a supercilious twat.
    Although still a great coach, the post 1973 Malcolm Allison was a guy that couldn’t handle being in total charge.

  135. Canadian Gooner says:

    ktr8 — Thank you for your 1:11 pm posting. I was hoping someone had a bit more information/opinion on his almost total lack of play. Did he get much play in the reserves?

  136. Micko says:

    Lee, they’ve got a bit of dosh to splash what with the sale of Jack Rodwell to Citeh, that deal stinks, his agent will be the only winner.

  137. rico says:

    CG – I don’t want Berbytoff either…

    Lee, just seen that, and Niang is on trial there… They have money after selling to Citeh, Rodwell wasn’t it..

    Nik to AC Milan Sky reckon..

  138. ktr7 says:

    Scott I like Song but he is not what we need.Wenger himself conceded our midfield is too attacking.Song has no discipline to hold his position nowadays.He also give away lots of fouls in dangerous areas.With Cazorla in the AM we are going to have to play a disciplined DM and Song is not that man.If we get M’vila and Sahin for Song i won’t complain.

  140. Scott from Oz says:

    I agree KT…..that’s why I say we need to get a top class DM….Song is neither here nor there.
    Fingers crossed!

  143. Arty says:

    Hi SYG, Lee, i had to go for lunch to ma-in-law. I live in the quiet town of Larnaca, between Limassol and Ayia Napa – Protaras Its bloody hot over here. By the time you need to go somewhere your cooked.
    WATH my home village is Kiti, about 5 mins fron Mazotos. Your all welcome when over and glad to buy you all din dins and most important ice cold beer.

  145. Arty says:

    I gotta say that i dont want to go through a year with unhappy players again re cesc. Let van p go and song if he wants, it doesnt matter. No heart no sole. Will be more upset if walcott goes cos i would never want to play against him. As i said previous i got this tingly feeling.

  146. GoonerB says:

    Out of interest did anyone else actually feel that Arshavin looked sharp and up for it against Cologne. He looked to be playing the more central number 10 role which is where he prefers. One of my mates has always championed Arshavin saying that the big problem was not playing him in his most effective role. KT7 @ 1.09, I tend to agree with you about the crafty player more than another big lump. We already brought in a top quality one with Cazorla but is the answer already with us and staring us in the face. Arshavin never relished the wide role in the EPL but his stats are generally impressive. I think he recently has worked harder to close down but is tactically unaware defensively. You remove this as a problem if you played him as the number 10. Could anyone bet, with significant playing time, that AA couldn’t rack up 15-20 goals and a glut of assists next season. It may be worth a punt. If AW does see him as a potential for this role I would recommend we extend his contract. The last thing we need is another Flamini where you think he is surplus to requirements then comes good in his last year of contract and we then lose him for nothing.

  147. ktr7 says:

    I thought Walcott looked good against Cologne since he had someone to feed him through balls like Cesc used to.If he stays fit and Cazorla adapts well he’ll have a very good season.

  148. rico says:

    CG, agree there as in the post, ten minutes after a deal has been agreed would do nicely 😉

    GB – I’ve given up on AA, we need fighters, not sulkers..

    Kt, I too thought he looked sharper, just hope he’s not trying to impress Brendan Rogers….

  150. ktr7 says:

    GoonerB the genera vibe was that AA was taken to Germany since AW wanted to assess him to see if he’ll stay and I must say he looked good there.He could easily rack up those numbers if given a free role.He was impressive there and maybe that is why AW has decided to cash in on Song and get a DM since it looks like we’ll be very attack minded next season.

  151. Arty says:

    I saw this quote on a sky sports piece where they quoted van gaal after he had talked to Van Persie :
    “I had the conversation and it was unbelievable. A great and high level, not only at a human side but also in the football vision. It was one of the best meetings I’ve had with an individual player.”
    Doesnt this sound like the words in van persies statement. VISION. Is vp so far ahead that only manure can grasp such vision. A vision with loadsa zeros on the end. His statement was so full of BS and must have been directed to the under 5’s as only they would have believed it. Well van gal did.

  152. Scott from Oz says:

    Sad news on Muamba,but he has his life,and can now get on with it knowing he’s done everything he could to get back.

  153. rico says:

    FIFA have confirmed that there will no longer be international friendlies at this time of the year as it’s too near to the start of the new football season…

    Finally they wake up….

  154. ktr7 says:

    I bet if we sign another forward it will be someone out of the blue and i really hope he is in the mould of Luis Suarez.He may be a nut but he is a fine footballer.

  156. W.A.T.H says:

    Hope Fabrice ends up in a coaching role somewhere and can still be involved with football somehow, top lad…!

    Arty, I know Kiti, Mum and Dad shop there all the time and that wicked bakers begins with P, they just opened a new shop early June about 200yrs up from where they were, stunning cakes and breads..!

  157. Arty says:

    Ktr7, Ive always been a supporter of walcott and always thought he was hard done by. So many of the passes he received were killer balls he could do nothing with. So if someone could feed him proper balls, cazorla me thinks. But he does need to go to next level of his development.
    Ditto on Muamba, but he lives.

  158. rico says:

    Ditto Micko….

    Arty, I just read that RvP has signed a one-year extension to his contract, it’s on the rumour site so probably absolute rubbish…

  159. Canadian Gooner says:

    GoonerB — I recall someone commenting after the Koln game that both Arshavin and Santos looked fitter and trimmer. I seem to recall that some of the comments from last season mentioned Arshavin was overweight and easily puffed. Whether hes going to buckle down this season or is just trying to look good while he’s in the shop window is anyone’ guess.

  162. southyorkshiregunner says:

    GoonerB says:
    August 15, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    I like Arshavin the player, but at times I hate the body language.
    Arshavin was one of the world’s top players when he signed for us, and he saved our season. A season where Van Persie was injured.
    Arshavin’s primary role is centrally and behind the striker or strikers. He is or was never a wide player.

    Me, I’d still want him at the club. Someone said it the other day … possibly Will … re: could he play in the same team with Cazorla? Yes, possibly against any one of the sides outside the top six or the less fashionable clubs in Europe.
    He played in the same side as Nasri at home to Barcelona (2-1).
    They are both two-footed players who could integrate/operate between the withdrawn striker and both flanks, which would give the sides which come to grind out a 0-0 a right headache.

  165. Micko says:

    Scott, we’ve all been through it as kids, I was gutted when Liam Brady left, but a few years later Champagne Charlie turned up, Sean will have a new hero in Podolski, i’m sure.

  166. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Pele. Apparently we are in for Llorente
    Sahin wants Arsenal, and Arsenal have offered the right money, but Mourinho don’t
    Song is definitely a “goner” not “gooner”

    Evening Standard: “Wenger and Song have an adequate working relationship but sources close to the player claim it has become strained at times.”

    Bendtner, Chamakh, Park are still here

    and Miralles has joined Everton

  167. W.A.T.H says:

    Ah that’s it Arty, Pirillos…..! That place is my downfall……! fresh rolls fresh loafs and all those cakes………… Hmmmmmmmmm their black forest is truly to die for..!

  168. Arty says:

    Thanks rico. I dont want anyone to leave (except the deadwood minus ARSHAVIN). I want stability for one year, only in players. I want to have that core of main players that will allow our young guns to come through, and boy do we have some great ones to watch for. I dont think many teams have such a strong young group of prospects like we do. I have that tingly feeling.
    SYG i agree with you Arshavin is gonna deliver this year but if he is played in the right roole as you mentioned. he has it all just give him the part he can read and he will deliver.

  171. Canadian Gooner says:

    SYG — Re: “Wenger and Song have an adequate working relationship but sources close to the player claim it has become strained at times.” Interesting comment, maybe that’s because he wont stick to his DM duties?

  175. Scott from Oz says:

    Oh,and Micko,it’s the main reason I hold Bergkamp in the highest esteem.
    His ability and class was second to none,but his loyalty and integrity was even more admirable.

  176. Merlin96 says:

    There maybe some truth in RvP signing a one-year extension as a compromise…just like what Cashley Cole did.

    RvP is running out of admirers that can matched Arsenal valuation plus his greedy salary demand.

    The compromise is:
    Arsenal agreed that he cna leave for 15-mil in JUly 2013 to any club of his choice, provided he signs a one-year extension at 135,000 pw.

    If he decided to stay and sign on from another 2-year in 2013 at 135,000, he will be paid a 5-mil signing-on bonus.

    “win-win” situation for all parties:
    Arsenal FC has one more year of stability with a 20+ goal striker;
    RvP agent has one more year of securing a 200,000pw contract with any clubs that are interested and can sign a pre-contract in January 2013 paying Arsenal 15-mil and leaving in July 2013.

    By Janaury 2013, we should have a stable squad with all youngsters tested..and an option for Wenger to buy RvP repalcement in January 2013…inc ase those youngsters cna’t make it into senior squad.

  177. boomergooner1727 says:

    hello gooners and rico.

    scary how close kickoff is and we’re still dragging our feet, albeit, possibly to united’s detriment.

    i totally agree with krt about llorente after having watched bilbao quite a few times this season. if he’s better then giroud it’s only slightly. i’d have said so before singing the frenchman.

    the point about van persie accepting a 200k deal if it were offered by afc is more than sufficient reason to move on. still, i think we should hold out for 25 and immediately reinvest but i’m not sure we would since we didn’t spend all of the na$ri/cesc cash til this year.

    anyone like the name van purse strings? i think it has the potential to stick.

  180. Romford Pele (formerly HC) says:

    Cheers SYG – a lot of business still to get done then! People need to get cracking!

  182. allezkev says:

    Jamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    Bolton confirm Fabrice Muamba has retired from football. Good guy who loves football and gives plenty back. Wish him well.

  183. Arty says:

    Scott….Spot on, but wheres his statue??????

    Rico, dont keep it all to youself, send some to cyprus, were overheating.

  185. Merlin96 says:

    I think Santos, Gervinho and Arshavin may surprise us all when they play in a settled squad with a creative playmaker like Cazoela and a versatile forward like Poldolski.

    Wenger is spoilt for chocie to choose his Forward-3 in Gervinho, Giroud, Poldolski, Walcott and Arshavin.

    With Rosicky, OX, Cazorla, DIaby, Ramsey, Song, WIlshere, COquelin, Yennaris, Gnarby, Lansbury, ANeke,,……for MIdfield-3.

    Now if Wenger really buys another 2 or 3 players on August 31……

  186. ktr7 says:

    Remember when purse strings equalized against Barca and he went and hugged AW?…The raw emotion in that moment cannot be explained even with a thousand words.Was that a lie too?…I can’t believe its the same guy!

  190. Canadian Gooner says:

    Well the suns already up and I need a couple of hours sleep before I start my Day. So, goodnight to me and have a good afternoon fellow Gooners. Till tomorrow.

  192. ktr7 says:

    DB10 was a 1 off.Henry said he was the best player he’d played with.That tells you alot since Henry has played with the likes of Zidane in his time.We don’t need a statue to prove it but am sure he’ll get one.

  194. Scott from Oz says:

    Arty,I wasn’t trying to shove that in your face,sorry if it came across that way.
    He will always be the man.

  199. boomergooner1727 says:

    ktr, that was a moment (and match) to behold, one of my proudest days as a gooner. the vision of that same guy in sky blue or red-nose red is sickening and unfathomable but hey, such is life at times. i’m almost mad at juve for cheating their way out of being a viable option.

  202. goonster says:

    if only he knows that he’s ripping the heart out of the gooner nation! it hurts so bad, even as a fellow dutchman.

  203. ktr7 says:

    That night was the night you thought all the chips were falling into place but we all know life is a b****.We were stabbed in the back by Cesc,Nasri and now Rvp.It must be painful for Arsene to do so much for them but when they begin to blossom they spit into his face.I honestly don’t know how he wakes up and takes another youngster under his wing to repeat the process which in all certainity ends up in betrayal.I may not agree with him sometimes,he is annoying but he is a legend.I’m thinking of printing Wenger’s name on my next shirt since despite everything he still stays with us.

  205. Arty says:

    Scott……..my face is fine. I was fully agreeing with you. DB10 is the most astounding magical footballer i have ever seen. Statue or no statue.

  207. Arty says:

    Ktr7……….just one year of stability, no-one of quality leaving. No stabbing in the back, just one year…………………pleeeeeeease

  208. ktr7 says:

    Goonie i’ve tried to stomach the image of Rvp in a manc shirt but i keep vomiting it out.I would’ve been OK with juve/city but Red nose?…Hell NO.I still can’t believe it.I’ll hate him eve more than Cashley if he does this.

  210. Scott from Oz says:

    I don’t think he is anywhere near perfect,and makes plenty of mistakes,but I think Wenger is just perfect for Arsenal.

  213. ktr7 says:

    Romford he is as much a gooner as Cole is.

    Despite cesc leaving i believe he truly loves this club.if he had to choose between us and the mancs it would’ve been a no brainer.he even threw a damn pizza at red nose!…he knows how much we hate those dirty mancs.and to think Rvp was there when they ended our unbeaten reign and still think to joining them…

  218. ktr7 says:

    on a less serious note…

    Andre Santos Captains Programme Notes – Hey Gays, we play Sunderland today, good training session, love Arsenal and everyone #GoGunners

  221. boomergooner1727 says:

    i agree rico. shall we move on to song? i’m sure we could have more constructive conversation than that on le grove this morning/afternoon…

    the bit going around is that we’re in talks and will let him go if the price is right. with 2/3 years left on his deal is 18m all we’d get? i say we squeeze every bit of cash we can get out of the spanish banks i mean barcelona c*nts.

  222. Merlin96 says:

    Goonster, lies flat down like a corpse…every parts connected to teh grounds…

    close your eyes, empty your mind now..think of all the good things..no, not the beast with 2 backs…

    Just the quietest natural scene you have ever feel…a brook in a forest..a quiet beach with sound of the sea…….

    There you are..either a corpse or at rest as a corpse….

  223. Merlin96 says:

    Song?
    Not at any price as we need this 2012/13 to stabilise the team, to bloody those youngsters breaking into the TEAM…

    One more season with teh likes of Coquelin, Yennaris, Aneke, Gnarby, Eisfield, and new buys grooving intot the TEAM…Jack and ROsicky recovering and DIaby proving his fitness…..

    Song is improving every year…and his vlaue will go up in 2013 as well….

    We need stability in 2012/13…..and not money in the coffer.

    Bluntly, we Van Persie, Walcott and Song to continue where they left off in 2011/12 to give us that flying start in AUgust/September if we want to be title contender.

    Forget about that friednly in Cologne. It is not representative of what is going to happen on 18-Aug against a SUnderland going full-tilt at Arsenal…playing a pressing game to break Arsenal down….

    7 injured players without Rosicky……without Cazorla…….

    ………………………………..Szczesny

    …Yennaris……Mertesacker……..Vermaelen…..Santos

    …………………….Song…………………….Arteta
    ………………………………….DIaby

    …
    Poldolski…………………Van Persie…………….Gervinho

    The only “new” players coming to replace injured 2011/12 regulars are DIaby, Poldolski and Yennaris. [I don’t think Jenkinson will make the cut as starter]

    imagine, Walcott, Giroud, Ramsey, OX, Arshavin, Cazorla on the bench…….

    That is that kind of stability and continuity we need to develop this 3rd TEAM.

    One more season fo Van Persie and SOng..that is all I ask for now.

  224. SD London says:

    The RVP saga just gets to me ,the dude will leave a visibly improved Arsenal team where he is respected and almost going to gain a legendary status for a team in Manchester where they will never accept him as their own and where patience is thin ( he should ask Berbertov), move his family including his kids just for a few quid ?

    Is he that ignorant or is his pride just playing here because he didn’t know that Wenger was going to invest this much and there is every sign Wenger hasn’t finished spending yet?
    If that is the case , i think RVP should swallow his pride, give a press conference and apologise for any misconception and stay in Arsenal.

    Because Manchester is going to be cold and Fergie is a very very cold manager as well and he is not going to make any friends.

    I still don’t get him.

  225. vernat1066 says:

    This from a Stoke RFC fan

    Fixture I am looking forward to the most…

    Has to be Arsenal. Everything that is wrong with English football is summed up at that club. A club that appears to have no regard for how it treats its fans in terms of ticket prices in this current economy, a team that appears to have no appetite for developing the talent of English players, a team that appears to pay no particular credence to the gentlemanly laws that prevent feigning contact and one that will not give any credit to another when they are well beaten.

  226. Merlin96 says:

    I think it is PRIDE and EGO.
    Perhaps Mrs Van Persie should come out with a Press Statement declaring her husband is not going anywhere this season…

    Anyway, I believe Wenger is a principled man and he will make a stand like with Reyes and Cashley Cole..simply refuses to sell Van Persie ..

    I will continue to throw this into the teeth of that bald snake-oil salesman:
    “We will never sell Van Persie for any price!”

    FUnny, Gazidis is taking cover for the past few months..and not a peep out of him..yet….

    Or in May 2013…he is going to reveal on RvP what he disclosed about Cesc sulking and refused to play for Arsenal???

  227. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya boomergooner1727

    You mean these comments by the author of LeGrove re: Song
    1) In your heart of hearts, does Alex Song look like he cares?
    2) Do you think a defensive midfielder with no discipline that contributes to us conceding 49 goals in the league is a player we need?
    I mean, the fact that we’re considering selling him rather than moving him into a more advanced ‘Keita’ position tells you all you need to know about the situation.

    ARSENAL’S BEST GAME WE HAVE PLAYED AND WON over the past few years has to be at home in early 2011 versus Barcelona. We beat the world and European champions.
    The 4minute clip is up there.

    Check out Song Chasing back around 1:51
    and check him ball watching around 2:30 (sort of the 66min mark)

    We were 0-1 behind and could have easily been 0-3 behind when Song was substituted on 68 mins for Arshavin.
    Song being off the off the pitch provided us with a proper balanced and attack-minded side and Arshavin scored the winning goal and played some part in Van Persie’s equaliser.

    Song’s main contribution was that he was booked after 5 minutes and conceded stupid fouls against Busquets and Messi in the first half which put us under pressure

    There’s not much more to say about Song.

    He is lazy, one-paced and in business for himself. The team should come first.

  228. Lee says:

    Rumour Bradley Wiggins may get stripped of his Tour de France win.
    apparently he used two banned substances in France.
    Soap and deodorant

  229. Merlin96 says:

    Stoke?
    Well, I hope Pulis does a “Owen COyle” this season and get relegated……

    Never developed any English talent?
    In the first place, are there any English talents within 90-minutes bus journey of Colney Training Ground?

    Walcott?
    OX?
    Gibbs?
    Lansbury?
    Benik Afobe?
    Aneke?

    WHich Top-6 ENglish clubs have developed ENglish talents within their Youth rank now..and are full English internaitonals?

    Sturridge from CITEH to Chelski
    CITEH – Richards, Hart
    ManU Wellbeck
    Arsenal – Walcott, Gibbs, OX
    Tiny Totts – ???
    Liverpool – ???
    Chelski – ???

    ANy more 21-22 year old ENglishmen that other teams contribute 3 or more young English players to England team?
    Liverpool?

  233. Merlin96 says:

    C’mon, he was asked to play out of position by Arsene Wenger, encourage to attack and make his own decisions on teh pitch by Wenger himself.

    Last match against WBA..and of all the people, Wenger decided to play him as our creative playmaker!

    Wenger once said that Song is a better CB than he is as a CM.

    The more I look at Song, the more I see the fault lies with Arsene Wenger in not defining his role and letting Song making the decision on the pitch.

    It is like what Cesc said.
    At Arsenal, he is free to roam and it is his decision to make on the pitch.
    At Barca, he plays in a fix posiiton and in a fixed role which he commented lightened his burden on the pitch.
    Even in Spain 4-6-0, Cesc is given a fixed role as a deep-lying striker helping out in central midfield.

    Let Song partners a more defensive-minded CM like ALonso or Busquet or even Yaya Toure..and you can see this best of Song that can create adn that can break-up plays.

    SOng needs a partner-in-crime that can rotate with him up and down the pitch..that can cover for him when he breaks out to attack….

    TV5 form was por last season..Kos is improving by leaps and bound..
    COme 2012/13, we will see a more coherent and solid CB pairing that will not need as much protection from DCM as last season..
    Plus SOng-Arteta was playing fro teh frist time and cna only get better this season.

    COmpare 2010/11 Song to 2011/12 SOng.
    You see that dramatic improvement.

    EVERYBODY haS A BAD GAME HERE AND NOW…AND A SCINTILLATING GAME NOW AND THEN.

    We were consistently inconsistently last season.
    This season..it will be CONSISTENCY that will win us any silverware..

  234. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Merlin96 says:
    August 15, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Song WILL go if there is any credence to the story …

    Your tactical arrangement of the side is full of thought especially playing Podolski on the right… That way he may be able to cut inside onto his left… meaning that he’d after rely on the overlap quite a bit to get any service in to Van Persie from the byline … That could sort work if we played Walcott at right back instead of Yennaris …. however I’d definitely move Diaby sort of centrally, but sort of top side of the dug out and as far away from Song as possible..

  235. vernat1066 says:

    Looking forward to this season, i think i will leave it to Sid Waddell to sum up

    “There hasn’t been this much excitement since the Romans fed the Christians to the Lions.”

  243. Lee says:

    “The atmosphere is so tense, if Elvis walked in with a portion of chips, you could hear the vinegar sizzle on them”
    Sheer poetry!! 😆

  245. vernat1066 says:

    Lee that is a beauty but i like this one i have to admit

    “The atmosphere is a cross between the Munich Beer Festival and the Coliseum when the Christians were on the menu.”

  246. Micko says:

    So outta the loop, didn’t hear about poor old Sid at the weekend, some great quotes ‘He’s like Jack the Ripper on a Friday night’ could so easily have been written for our Stanley.

  254. agirlagunner says:

    Boo!! 🙂 🙂 How is everyone?

    Robin is a liar, an ingrate, has an inflated sense of his worth; a traitor; a disgrace. He’d fit right in with the characters at Old Toilet.

  255. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Lee says:
    August 15, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    Sahin to dippers
    M’Vila to shit heads

    There’s nothing been confirmed, Lee. NTV just another sports page like caughtoffside or tribalfootball or whatever… As soon as its done we’ll pick it up from the Spanish press re: Sahin and the French press re: M’Vila.
    Highbury House works quicker than all the blogs.

    Sahin prefers us and we have reportedly offered the right money. Mourinho is the problem.

    M’Vila. If Wenger wants him, he’ll get him. Same with any French player.

  256. rico says:

    emma – we can’t afford to rush him 😉

    None are done deals yet though Lee, a different Turkish paper said we were winning the Sahin race…..

  258. Micko says:

    Modric flying out to real madrid to put the finishing touches to his move tomorrow according to Sky, Sahin rumours will go into overdrive.

  259. rico says:

    Hi agag,

    But he’s still our liar, ingrate, and someone who has an inflated sense of his worth; a traitor; a disgrace. 😉

  260. rico says:

    Micko, that’s a bummer as that will give the tiny ones some money to spend. If AW does want Capoue or M’Vila, he needs to start negotiating….

  261. agirlagunner says:

    I want him gone. I’ve really taken his defection personally, rico. 😥

    Even when I was saying Cesc and Nasri would stay, I had a feeling they would go. On the other hand, I was all faith re: Robin.

    He ruined part of my last hols, if I’m honest. Whatever shall I do without my pink drinks?? 😉 😀

  262. Micko says:

    Rico, have to agree with SYG, M’Vila is ours for the taking, if he ends up at spurs it can only be because Wenger don’t rate him highly enough.

  268. emma says:

    Hi agirl 🙂
    I doubt if wenger is interested in m’vila after the euros.
    I heard wenger will be in france to watch mbigwa of montpellier

  270. rico says:

    agag, but he hasn’t gone yet 😉

    I’m sure AW wants him Micko, all that stuff a while back, well there was too much smoke not to be a fire somewhere…

    I truly believe if/when Song signs for Barca, we’ll sign a DM….

  277. agirlagunner says:

    Ahaha, Micko. I’m not someone anyone with some sense of self-preservation would mess with. 😀

    emma, I saw a bit of M’vila at the Euros and I quite liked the no-nonsense way he went about his business. And who is mbigwa??

    rico, fair enough. 😛 He may not be “ours” for long, if rumors are to be believed. 😉

    KT, I know!! I am happy he doesn’t look too happy himself. Yes, yes. I can be vindictive. 😉

  280. rico says:

    Hi Will, surely you know why….

    Just seen your update emma 😉

    agag, I was being a tad cheeky really, deep down i know he’s pretty much gone but i’m still hoping that rumour about ‘if song goes he could stay’ might be true…

  281. Will says:

    The guy said he wants to play for a team with ambition. Isn’t that what the majority of fans have been saying? If him saying what he has, has in any way helped with the signings then he should be our hero and not villain.

  283. rico says:

    Are we not showing ambition during this window Will, he should have seen that and done a u-turn by now….

    Mancs are on the decline, we are not…

  284. ktr7 says:

    Sky Sources : Luka Modric to fly to Mardid on Thursday to finalise deal. Real Madrid will pay up front £23.6 million pounds with a further £3.9 million worth of add-ons.

    Levy thought he would get 40mil…

  285. agirlagunner says:

    emma, is he a CB? rico, I think we all know we are a stronger team if RvP is able to replicate last year’s form. But if his heart is not in it, I want him out. Quick!

    Will, do you really see nothing wrong with the statement he published in his website?

  286. emma says:

    Malaga crisis beckons on Mancs door. They are heavily indebted. Alex is obsessed of stealing the league from shitty. He is not looking at the long term but now before he retires. Dont know if he will be able to stomach it when Arsenal wins the league this season

  287. rico says:

    I just don’t like his lazy attitude showed all too often last season emma…

    Glad Gerv has sat this one out, the more who don’t play tonight the better…

  289. rico says:

    agag – he can play anywhere across the back line… I know you would prefer VdW 😉

    I’m with you, if he doesn’t want to stay, bugger off asap I say….

  290. agirlagunner says:

    Maybe emma, he can deputize at RB?? Or LB, I haven’t really been bowled over by Gibbsy. To be fair, the LB who preceded gibbs was rubbish, anyway. 😀 When is Sagna expected back?

    I do think AA might stay. this is his last chance to shine! And he is really one of our most technically-proficient players, so I can’t say I I’m opposed to the idea.

  292. rico says:

    Doesn’t AA’s contract expire next summer??

    Hope devil is ok, haven’t seen him here for a few days…

  293. Will says:

    I agree Rico but we don’t know what is going on behind teh scenes and booing a player and castigating him all over the shop will not want him to stay.I want the guy to stay. Can you imagine having subs like a Podolski or Giroud on the bench and think of the midfielders on the bench as well.

  294. agirlagunner says:

    Isn’t dev in Italy? He mentioned heading off to the Italian alps, if memory serves. 🙂 🙂

    I keep on missing Erick when he is on. And I haven’t seen Dutch in a while.

  295. rico says:

    Sorry Will, he asked for AW to show intent and he has, so it’s all about money… Well let him go and chase his money….

  298. ktr7 says:

    Alan Shearer’s official twitter:

    Alan Shearer ‏@MrAlanShearer

    What a signing for Liverpool, Nuri Sahin on loan. Arsenal losing out shows why cups and ambitions matter to players. Liverpool look strong.

  300. ktr7 says:

    raphael honigstein ‏@honigstein
    J. Martinez to Bayern is done, according to Bild. Athletic will get €40m for him

  304. Lewis says:

    No idea why Sahin would want to go to Liverpool, he’s a bit to technical for that lot. Mind u the the cud be said for RVP and utd.

  306. emma says:

    Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews

    BREAKING NEWS: Manchester United agree deal with Arsenal to sign Robin van Persie

  311. ktr7 says:

    I had prepared for this but am not feeling any better.Public Enemy number 1 from now on.it has taken 1 year to move from fan favourite to public enemy number 1,its quite an achievement.F*** YOU PURSE STRINGS!!!

  312. Adam says:

    Hi Agag. He isn’t the first and won’t be the last to have his head turned by money. I hope that Karma strikes big time.

  314. agirlagunner says:

    Adam, I do not worry about RvP and karma… Frimpong will have fun flattening this guy. 😀 😀

    But mygod!! Man United?? Seriously?? Yuck.

    KT, spot on!! He really has done the unthinkable.

  320. agirlagunner says:

    How truly disappointing though, Adam. I really thought he was different. 😕 they already make mad money?? Ambition? Really? Has he seen that squad??

    Glad the drama is over. 🙂 Now, for reinforcements. KT, don’t worry, he’ll get a “special” welcome at The Emirates. 🙂 🙂 I don’t think this one sat well with teammates.

  322. ktr7 says:

    My brother is a manc and guess what?…he is so smug right now i feel like am going to punch him.F***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This sends a very very bad message.I hope AW has something in the pipeline since this could get ugly.

  325. emma says:

    David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david
    Man Utd agree £24m deal to sign Robin van Persie from Arsenal. 4-yr deal, terms & medical in next 48 hours

  327. agirlagunner says:

    Cesc 😆 Adam, he’s thinking what we are all thinking: this was not about ambition just pure, unadulterated greed. 😉 Cesc, at least took a paycut and lent some semblance of truth the missing home and winning trophies bit.

  328. ktr7 says:

    I hope the sale of the manc c*nt was not a ploy to recoup the cash we spent on Cazorla/poldi/Giroud.FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUU********************!!!!!!!

  330. rico says:

    Will says:
    August 15, 2012 at 6:42 pm (Edit)

    Let’s just wait and see Rico.

    You have your answer Will…

  331. ktr7 says:

    Adam for me it is.The worst thing an Arsenal player can do other than joining the spuds is the mancs.am fuming right now since am getting teased left’right and centre.

  334. goonster says:

    a sad day for me personally. i cant believe a guy i loved so much will come back and hurt me this much! this is almost as sad a when i lost me dad. am just gonna go away for sometime. this is too much for me. i ll see you guys some other time. bye.

  335. Adam says:

    ktr7. Perhaps that’s because you are more emotionally attached to the club than he was. He is poison and he is in the right place.

  336. ktr7 says:

    And it continues…

    D ‏@AFCAMDEN

    Alex Song’s attitude has been “disgusting” of late, and Arsene has had enough. He’s been told he can leave. #AFC

  337. Micko says:

    That’s gone down like a cup of cold sick !

    Still if it is over 20 million that’s great business for us and it gives us time to do some business of our own.

  339. agirlagunner says:

    Cesc has just added this disclaimer : “Guys im in shock cause i just lost 4 games in a row at “Parchis”…”

    Sure, Cesc. We believe you. 😉

  340. rico says:

    All I want to know is how much has been agreed and is Wellbeck or Chickpea coming to us???

    If we get either, I am bloomin happy…

  341. Adam says:

    It’s finished. Full stop. The future is what is important now. He doesn’t deserve any more of our thoughts.

  343. agirlagunner says:

    This looks to be AW’s third Arsenal team after the Invincibles. Maybe third time’s the charm. 😉 And if this does not galvanize those who are remaining, what will??

    Goonie, you get back here. Calm down, don’t do anything rash. 😉

  344. rico says:

    There will be one more post Adam which Kev has already written, after that, all I care about is how we spend the money…..

    And I think we will spend it too….

  346. ktr7 says:

    I knew the signings were too good to be true…

    Jamie Sanderson ‏@YoungGunsBlog

    Wenger also asked if Arsenal plan to sign a replacement for van Persie. Says: ‘we have already replaced him’. Giroud and Podolski.

    Giroud/chamakh/park/poldi is our strikeforce guys…If song goes too we’ll have a net spend of….drumroll…0 mil.Its all about the profits.

  347. agirlagunner says:

    KT, you calm down, too, please. 🙂

    Robin has a short memory, it is clear now. Or a convenient one. Or one just too easily blinded by $$$.

    Where is WATH when you need a stiff drink????

  348. emma says:

    mancs should have taken Song as well. You never know RVP will need his hollywood chips to get to that number of goals he scored last season

  351. EastSidePaul says:

    Look this is not cool, when ever would Ferguson sell his top player to us???! Never thats when.
    Fine bring in Giroud and Podolski both neither have scored over 30 goals in the Premier League.
    It always seems like 2 steps forward and 3 steps back.
    Now we just have to hope that we don’t have another Chamakh on our hands, cause if we do, god help us!

  354. ktr7 says:

    am going to stay away from the media for now since I think i’ll lose it.Heading to a dark room later tonight and some beers and phone off…f*** you purse strings!!!

  355. emma says:

    Giroud has good movement. Having a look at Mapou mbiwa to see if he will leave up to the hype. He’s being good so far. Am watching france vs uruguay

  357. ktr7 says:

    Piers Morgan ‏@piersmorgan

    Funny, I really thought @Persie_Official was different. But he turned out to be just another mercenary, heartless, selfish little s**t.

    Piers Morgan ‏@piersmorgan

    Well done, Ivan Gazidis, a great bit of ‘business’ – selling #Arsenal ‘s top player to our bitter rivals. Shame on you & the whole board.

  358. Adam says:

    Doesn’t take long for the negativity to start does it? Wenger has known that he was leaving since way before the end of the season. It’s all games and brinkmanship trying to get the price up. Van Persie is scum. We never wanted to believe all that stuff about him in Holland years ago. But his wife openly admits what happened. Arsenal saved his marriage by getting their legal team focussing attention on the fact that she couldn’t prove that it wasn’t consensual. Football today is mostly money and shit and that bloke is up to his neck in both.

  359. emma says:

    Rico – Not bothered if we loose Song. he slows down our game. Wenger should be getting M’vila/Capoue before tiny totts move in.

  360. ktr7 says:

    Who is your tip to shine for us next season???…before he f**** off too.am tired of this shit every year.This is the final straw…shit!!!!!!!!!

  361. ktr7 says:

    At least Gervinho can bond with Poldolski and Giroud in the changing room:

    “Don’t feel bad boys, they told me Cesc and Nasri were staying last summer before I signed on the dotted line, too.”

  363. agirlagunner says:

    I think we have the budget to get both M’vila and Capoue now, emma. The board has to pacify the fans.

    Robin has ruined himself, Adam. He made his bead and he will… die in it. I wouldn’t so much as turn a hair.

  364. rico says:

    I don’t buy all the ‘we have already replaced him’ stuff from Arsene, he’s being coy as always…

    We all knew RvP was off, all that has changed is it has been confirmed, IF he passes a medical…

    As Adam says, it’s now about the future and having seen what AW has already done in this window, added to his comments about further players coming in, we don’t have to be too down hearted do we??

  365. ktr7 says:

    D ‏@AFCAMDEN

    Bumped in to a real Arsenal Legend a few hours back, Charlie George. License Plate “CG11 AFC”. They don’t make them like that anymore.

  366. Thorny says:

    Our captain has gone to MAN U!!! whats worse than that?? If the board dont spend that dosh, quickly and on a superstar theres going to be mayhem. RVP….well he’s finished, he wont handle being hated. Twat!!

  367. rico says:

    Adam, your 8.26 – seems we are singing from the same hymn sheet…

    Neither am I emma, in fact i’d be happy with the guy from Celtic in his place…

  368. ktr7 says:

    When Rvp makes his statement i hope he doesn’t dare mention the Arsenal fans who supported him for 8 years.Just piss off…

  369. Adam says:

    Agag. Me neither. He owes Arsenal and Wenger more than any player I can remember and he does this…for money? Wenger has had to put up with these betrayals for years now. Yet he retains a degree of dignity that is completely lost on most players. Of course, when Usmanov takes over Utd will be a spent force, Fergie will be in a pickling jar somewhere and what goes around will come around.

  370. agirlagunner says:

    He was dead to me the minute he released that statement, rico. So I’m not really fussed anymore. The club is bigger than Mr. Brittlebones! The club is bigger than any single player.

    I’m trying to be magnanimous… but naaah. Robin, I do NOT wish you well.

  372. rico says:

    Kt, I really don’t understand why you are so enraged by this move.

    Lets wait and see what happens…

    We have spent the last few weeks talking about how good our 3 signings have been, that hasn’t changed…

    We are not and never will be a one man club…

    He’s 29 years old, not 24 with a great fitness history..

    Yes, he has let us down, but hey, we have seen his best season….

  373. Adam says:

    Rico. I read an article from a Dutch newspaper translated into English when I was there recently and it was pretty explicit stuff about that night. Without going into details I would say that he was a very, very, very lucky bloke indeed.

  376. rico says:

    Adam – I believe they are a spent force already, this is about getting over the floppy one, no more no less imho….

    I think they won’t even make top four this season….

  377. ktr7 says:

    Rico i hate the mancs so much…I just can’t stand them.Leaving is not the issue but to them???????????

  379. emma says:

    At least I won’t have my hand in my mouth again. Cause whenever RVP is tackled i always feared he must have being injured since he is made of glass

  380. STV says:

    That’s right we should closely watch Wenger.Can he act sane and use the f money to bring best available option?

    Song will not be first choice this season me thinks It would be JW and Arteta

  381. rico says:

    Why Will, I find that strange, we sell them a 29 year old who has a dreadful history of fitness…. Poor cousins, I really don’t think so….

  383. rico says:

    I don’t really care that he has joined Fergie Kt…

    I’d be more annoyed if he had joined Liverpool… 😉

  384. agirlagunner says:

    Adam, I cried into my pink drinks a month ago. 🙂 But surely there is irony in having all the money in the world and yet becoming so so so morally bankrupt. You have out-arsed the big-bummed Nasri, Robin. And that is quite a feat!! 😀 😀

  392. Adam says:

    Yes agag, but in van Persie’s world morality, loyalty and any sense of personal honour has no monetary value.

  393. ktr7 says:

    You couldn’t make this shit up…

    Wenger: “Diaby is fully fit to start the season. Giroud worked very hard last week, he’s a bit tired now.” – TF1

  395. agirlagunner says:

    STV!!! 🙂 KT, it’s not so bad. We are the Arsenal!! He is nothing without us; and he is well aware of that.

    rico, they are pretty forgettable. 😀 😀

  396. ktr7 says:

    Adam this is not going to go down well with the fanbase.There will be lots of focus on the board now and Usmanov knows it.

  397. Adam says:

    ktr7. What is the problem with that statement? I just don’t see this sense of outrage that you have here.

  401. Adam says:

    Ktr7. Why should there be focus on the board? Is it because they wouldn’t sanction £220,000 a week for a player of 29 years old who wanted to leave. I assume if you were on the board your judgement woul have been to pay that money?

  402. Micko says:

    I’ve been riding shotgun for RvP all summer, but it has to be said once again we’ve got a great deal for a player in the last year of his contract who doesn’t want to play for us.
    We’ve got 3 weeks to do some damage in the transfer market ourselves now, do that and I’ll be happy.

  403. ktr7 says:

    I wish there was a way to delete the manc snake off our record top scorer’s list.we have a filthy manc snake in 8th place!!!

  405. rico says:

    Kt, I wouldn’t pay him £220K a week either… he’s been offered very good terms by our club… it just wasn’t enough to feed his greed….

  407. ktr7 says:

    Adam do you think if the sitiuation was reversed the mancs would let shrek come to us?…NO.Red nose would probably threaten to resign.We also know in all likelihood that Rvp cash will go straight to the bank.

    Who needs Batman or Robin when we have Park/Chamakh?#joke.

  408. rico says:

    Well said Micko, its no longer about him, its about how we spend the money we get for him and I truly believe that Wenger will spend it….

  409. rico says:

    We got Silvestre KT, he was a similar age wasn’t he?? 😉

    And we do not know the money will go into the bank….

  410. ktr7 says:

    Rico I like Diaby but am not sure we should be gambling on his fitness.Jack is out until don’t know when,Rosicky out for 2 months,Song is said to be leaving,Sahin is heading to liverpool…its such a huge gamble to take.

  411. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Another Frank Stapleton.. but both belongs to The Arsenal history
    Vermaelen not very good today… belgium 1 Holland 2 at the moment

  414. Adam says:

    Look. I have said this before but perhaps it stands repeating. Arsenal have paid van Persie handsomely for all he HAS done for the club and had agreed to pay him for one more year. What he did is finished. Over. Man Utd are going to pay him £11 million a year for 4 years, plus I understand,a £10 million signing on fee. This is for what he MIGHT do for them and not for what he HAS done this season for us. There will be no sell-on fee for him. That makes for well over £50 million investment in a 29 year old with one of the worst injury records around and these injuries were sustained when he was younger and fitter. Factor in the fact that he doesn’t want to play for Arsenal any more and that he feels no sense of debt or obligation to the club. Would it be good business for Arsenal to agree to such a deal? Even if Usmanov was involved?

  415. agirlagunner says:

    Poldi, Giroud and Cazorla are not made worse by Robin leaving; they are still the good purchases that they are. Now, let’s get a few more in. 😉 🙂

    I

  417. rico says:

    Last summer we got £22M for Nasri and he was 6/7 years younger than Rvp, we are getting £25 Million for a 29 year old….

    Kt, you are assuming so much, Sahin has NOT signed for anyone and the transfer window is open for two more weeks.

    If Wenger makes the right signings between now and the 31st of August, you’ll be back here all happy again…

  418. rico says:

    Kt, there is no reasoning with you tonight 😉

    Night Micko, it’s an AK one… it’s from the heart….

  421. tbuzz says:

    Disgusted at the lack of respect for the club he spent 8yrs or so…no loyalty in football and more eh, Mr Van Purse-see

  422. rico says:

    Exactly Adam… A huge financial risk I would say…

    agag – with £25 million, we could very well see a couple more join the quality signings we have already made….

  423. EastSidePaul says:

    The board doesn’t have to do anything, why would they? What in all fairness will the fans to apart from grumble a little and continue to turn up to games.

    We all can say he is 29 dodgy knees and all the rest, but is selling your captain and top goal scorer really showing ambition?! And to United?!

    All we can do now is hope the players we have brought in are not duds, and what happens if Giroud isn’t all we expected or more likely injured? We are stuck with Chamakh and Park?!

  424. Adam says:

    Ktr7. To answer your question. If we offered Rooney £500,000 a week and a £20 million signing on fee then yes, they probably would. But that’s not going to happen is it. How loyal was Rooney when Man City tapped him up and how good has he been since he got that deal? He wanted out straight away. Man Utd had to break the bank to keep him and that became the benchmark for van Persie’s deal. As we will find out soon enough, they don’t have a bottomless pit.

  425. STV says:

    boo agag.. you’ll never get a better reason to booze!!
    How can I watch van persie kissing evra thrice a week
    How much angrier could kt get?

  426. Will says:

    rico says:
    August 15, 2012 at 8:44 pm
    Why Will, I find that strange, we sell them a 29 year old who has a dreadful history of fitness…. Poor cousins, I really don’t think so….

    We sell them the best striker from the previous season, anyone remember who they sold us?

  428. ktr7 says:

    I never want to hear another player tell us how much of a gooner he is and he’ll stay for life.I don’t care who he is.All footballers are mercenaries nowadays.The days of players like Adams who would sign contracts without reading it are over.

    Telling ourselves Rvp is injury prone isn’t going to make it better.He has stayed fit since Jan 2010.His game doesn’t rely on pace but positioning and movement.He in all likelihood will be a hit for them.He’ll take over the mentor role from the likes of Giggs since he can also drop deeper to play as a playmaker when he ages.Thats why am so upset he went there.When he scores to knock us out of the title race you’ll feel the full impact of this.

  429. rico says:

    Lewis, lets give them a chance…

    Hi T-buzz, i think we all are, but that’s the way they are today, money means more….

  431. agirlagunner says:

    rico, and if Song, who seems to be angling for a move, is also sold, we might even be able to buy … Torres. 😀 😀

    He won’t enjoy being despised, Tbuzz!! Can’t wait to see him at The Emirates. He will feel the full force of the Arsenal wrath. 😉 How are your kids??

  432. Adam says:

    The board are there to make financial judgements that directly affect the state of Arsenal. They took the view that, bearing in mind all factors regarding van Persie, that they could spend £50 million over the next 4 years more effectively than giving it all to him. You know what? On this point I agree with them. Fuck him.

  433. rico says:

    I wouldn’t rule it out t-buzz – my own view is that Chamakh will go as will Park as AW has already said he will be gone…

    He let Campbell and Afobe out on loan and I just can’t see him mucking this window up, not this time…

  434. STV says:

    Why the fuck we did’nt sell him to juventus greedy pi**s care that much abouy 5-6 mils. when we have too much deadweight to waste for already?

  436. rico says:

    Hope he doesn’t play for too many minutes emma…

    agag – yep, Song can naff off as well if he thinks he’ll be better off elsewhere..

    t-buzz, i forgot to ask about the nippers 🙁 sorry

  437. Adam says:

    Anyway. He has gone and all this silly paranoia is boring. I am off for the evening. Fuck van Persie. He is yesterday. I am more concerned with tomorrow. I just hope Wenger is.

  438. agirlagunner says:

    But KT, why would you want a player who does not want to be with us to stay?? I don’t understand.

  439. ktr7 says:

    selling nasri,cesc,Rvp and potentially Song in a span of 1 year is not good business.To win titles you need continuity and we don’t have that.If we end up potless next year our best player will be linked away again.Its a vicious cycle now.We are now a selling club;and selling clubs cannot call themselves big clubs at the same time.

  440. Joaquim Moreira says:

    agag, torres? No, please!
    Our lack is on the midfield now.
    We need another central forward if Bendtner,Chamack and Park go out.

  441. agirlagunner says:

    Good night, Adam. I fully agree. By the way, were you able to make amends with Mrs Adam re: the anniversary?? 🙂

  442. rico says:

    I was just thinking about joining you Adam, not literally of course…

    Rvp is gone, Long live Arsenal Football Club….

    Bigger and better than just one man, especially an old crock of a man….

  444. rico says:

    I too am off for the day…

    Just glad all this speculation can now be put to bed, onwards and upwards…..

    Nighty all, sleep well….

  445. agirlagunner says:

    JM, yes, Torres! 😀 😀 Best CF around London now. 😉

    rico, it could be well Theo’s time to shine!!!

  449. Joaquim Moreira says:

    with Modric’s money Totts will fight for M’Villa or J. Moutinho.
    agag, maybe that one big reason.

  451. allezkev says:

    Have you all forgotten our first half performance against Koln?
    What did RIP do when came on???
    Fcuk all….

    Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean our season is finished.
    Come on you Gooners, what are we, Le Grove ffs???

  452. allezkev says:

    I don’t know about you lot, but i can’t wait to see Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla ripping Sunderland and Stoke apart.
    To see a fully integrated Gervinho running opposing right-backs into tiny knots.

  453. Bob John says:

    He’ll be in good company there amongst that bunch of Women’s willies. Just hope AFC grow a pair this time and don’t spew out the usual statement thanking him for all he has done and wishing him well! Personally, I wish him nothing but ill. Same category as Adebayor and Nasri. Looking forward to seeing players who want to play for us on Saturday.

  454. agirlagunner says:

    If M’Vila or Moutinho know what’s good for them, they will resist the spuddies, JM. 😉

    KT, don’t feel so down now. We are the only club worth supporting. vP can go tak a hike! (and do is ankle in!!)

    Hi, AK and bye, AK. 🙂 🙂

  455. allezkev says:

    Wenger and Gazides knew this was gonna happen, so they better get their collective arses in gear and re-invest that £24 million pronto…

  457. allezkev says:

    Sahin going to Liverpool is a disappointment, but don’t blame Arsenal for that, blame that cnut Mourinho…

  461. agirlagunner says:

    AK, we will NEVER be Legrove!! 🙂 I only want players who love our club as much as we do. COYRRR!

  463. allezkev says:

    STV, stronger, hmmm, until he does his ankle…

    Look mate, ManUre are going down the bog, believe me, Fergie was desperate for this deal because he knows his squad is fcuked.
    RIP might arrest the decline, but the rot has set in, they are going into a big slide…

  465. allezkev says:

    STV, i’m setting myself up for egg on my face big time…
    But i predict that Arsenal WILL finish above ManUre and Chelski and will be Shitties main competitors for the EPL…

  466. agirlagunner says:

    STV, I missed your comment; no more pink drinks; had enough while on hols. 🙂

    Adam, I hope you got her something lovely. 😉 And that you never forget again. 🙂 🙂

    AK, now I am even more excited about the coming season. I just wish Kozzer wasn’t out.

  468. ktr7 says:

    Hi AK.for me the feel good factor has been wiped off.My thinking is clouded right now and i can’t see anything positive at the moment.am getting the vibe we are slowly destroying the good work so far and all cash from the sale proceeds will go back to AFC bank account.Am not looking forward to the season with enthusiasm anymore.

  469. STV says:

    You may be right RVP end season was nit very good and he had a crap euro cup.

    I agree man utd on decline.There is a limit they can hang on with 79 yr old giggs.

  471. agirlagunner says:

    We don’t Will. But his ankles and other brittle body parts are no longer our problem now, are they?? 😉

  472. allezkev says:

    Will, how the fcuk do we know anything mate….?

    It is an opinion.

    That’s the idea of this blog….

    Come on now fella, don’t go all LG on us…

  473. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Song probably by 15 millions.
    Sahin iprobably in Liverpool
    Same media talking about Chicharito…

  474. allezkev says:

    KT, come on mate, get a grip….

    You are a very football savvy, you know how well we played last weekend.
    Just because RIP has gone, that changes nothing.
    We still have a great squad…
    With more in the pipeline, i’m sure…

  477. allezkev says:

    Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky, Sagna, Frimpong to come back KT…
    That is one hell of a squad mate.
    Oxlade-Chamberlain is going to be brilliant this season…
    And then there’s Diaby… 😉

  478. agirlagunner says:

    I really need to go. Off to work in two hours. But then again, that would give me a reason to blame Robin for everything from the terrible weather in Manila to my eyebags to the state of my intray at work…

  479. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Porto needs to seel someone quickly. Alvaro Pereira (Juventus or Rome); Rolando (Rome), Hulk (Chelsea?)… J.Moutinho (Totts or Chelsea…)
    Without RVP, Song, Sanga,Wilshere.etc, and all those players played today, which will be the line up for Saturday? The League begins and 3 points are always very important !

  480. ktr7 says:

    I know AK but as i’ve said my thinking is clouded right now since i feel like we’ve seen this scenario before.maybe i’ll feel better and be more objective as the weekend approaches,maybe not but right now am not optimistic at all.

  482. allezkev says:

    Players come and players go, it’s football….

    When Brady and Stapleton left in 80/81, i was desolate, but that’s because Arsenal had a shit squad with a bunch of tossers in the Boardroom…

    This time we have a great squad, with a great manager aided by two new coaches full of enthusiasm and new ideas…
    We have some great players and we’ll be the suprise package this season…

    KT, don’t lose heart…

  483. STV says:

    AK
    I shares your optimism. It’s not a disaster.. We have a big squad just need a good replacement.
    let’s get Llornte and oh no chicchito pls..

  486. Scott from Oz says:

    Why is everyone carrying on?
    We knew it was a possibility,and lately,a huge probability.
    If we’d kept the guy,he’d possibly have wandered around without trying to kill himself…..wouldn’t risk his next contract….and we’d have been pissed off.
    We have two top class strikers in,and now the cash to get a ripper of a DM!
    Tehn,when Song goes,we’d have enough,if we needed one,to buy a world class striker.
    As I said ours back,I don’t reckon we need ne,but that’s just me.
    I’m convinced Gervinho will be better this year,and better again without RVP,Podolski is a gun,Giroud looks the goods,Hugh’s its early days,Theo will get his chance and even Ox can crack it up front.
    Good riddance to the prick….don’t wish a broken leg on him,but a nice medial ligament will do 🙂
    Get over it guys,he’s gone,who cares…..on with the show.
    If the they do NOT reinvest this cash,and what we get for Song if he goes,then I’ll definitely be pissed off with the board big time.

  487. allezkev says:

    STV, i like your style amigo…

    Llorente would be just the signing to calm everyone’s nerves…

    But if Song is going, i suspect that a def/mid might be the order of the day…

  491. allezkev says:

    As i said KT, you are football savvy…

    Let the Mancs crow, it won’t last.

    They’re a busted flush mate, RIP or not….

  492. allezkev says:

    Where is Stanley….

    Stan, i’m disappointed in you….

    I expected you on here ‘giving it large’….

  493. ktr7 says:

    What is worrying is players seem to be either losing faith in Wenger or we just can’t compete wage wise for top talent.Either way the pattern is hugely worrying and thats why am feeling very pessimistic at the moment.Am even wary of one of our players having a sensational season since we’ll be cheering him out of the club.

  494. STV says:

    He can think he is a superstar and go to barcelona.. Hope wilshere steps up after he’s fit right ? we do need a brickwall lke mvilla and the other guy but i think we ‘ll do fine even without him (them).

  497. allezkev says:

    KT, losing faith, hmm not sure about that mate….

    It’s financial, that’s all it ever is….

    Otherwise RIP would have stayed….

  502. Will says:

    allezkev says:
    August 15, 2012 at 9:51 pm
    Will, how the fcuk do we know anything mate….?

    It is an opinion.

    That’s the idea of this blog….

    Come on now fella, don’t go all LG on us…

    I don’t know what that means but what has happened is, I am now 43 and I see football for what it is and I no longer jerk my knee and every snippet of information that comes out. RvP has gone, so what? Alex James no longer plays for us, nor Cliff Bastin, Nor Liam Brady, Nor Tony Woodcock, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry et al but the club is still here. If we don’t win we don’t win. There are other teams out there so desperate to win they will bet the bank to do so. Tomorrow will still come.

  503. allezkev says:

    Jamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    So there you go. Wenger confirms Arsenal won’t buy another striker. As expected. Not looking like he’ll spend the RVP cash.

    Expand Reply
    Retweet

    Favorite

    1hJamie Sanderson‏@YoungGunsBlog

    @JamesAbbo123 – Wenger is commentating on the France game for TF1 tonight and spoke there.

  506. allezkev says:

    Possible STV..?

    If Wenger is interested in Llorente or anyone else, he won’t be telling anyone yet…

    Nothing will happen this week i suspect.

    Might have to wait until around, say, Aug 31st… 😉

  508. allezkev says:

    James Olley

    15 August 2012

    Arsenal have privately indicated a willingness to sell Alex Song to Barcelona but the two clubs are yet to agree a fee.

    Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu was in London yesterday to hold formal talks over a deal to sign Song, despite Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger publicly insisting earlier this week that he would not countenance a sale.

    However, Standard Sport understands that although Song is happy at Emirates Stadium, the 24-year-old is unlikely to sign an extension to his current contract which has three years left to run.

    Fearful of a repeat of the situation involving Samir Nasri, where Arsenal’s negotiating position was weakened by the Frenchman having just 12 months left on his deal, the club are considering cashing in now.

    The Gunners are thought to want around £18million for the Cameroon international but Barcelona are short of that valuation and talks are continuing.

    Wenger and Song have an adequate working relationship but sources close to the player claim it has become strained at times. The bigger reason to depart would be the lure of joining Barca, who begin their La Liga campaign against Real Sociedad this weekend.

    Barcelona are attracted by Song’s versatility given that he can play as a holding midfielder or as a centre-back.

  513. ktr7 says:

    Jamie Sanderson ‏@YoungGunsBlog

    Juventus have reacted well to missing out on Robin van Persie: club confirm deal agreed for Fernando Llorente. £27m. Superb buy.

  515. W.A.T.H says:

    I find it quite funny that people are now all upset that vP has finally fucked off like its some kind of surprise….! He’s a greedy cnut who was only in it for a huge pay pay… get real…! he ain’t Arsenal he’s RVP and who ever pays the most gets his signature simple as that, As Dev said months ago why would we waste 60mil on a player thats given us one season in 8… yes 1 in 8….! let him fuck off…! let the mancs waste their dosh and as long as we reinvest wisely then we far better off.

  517. Canadian Gooner says:

    Well, RvP’s transfer happened sooner than I thought. Once he has signed his contract with ManUre he is history. I’m not going to waste any more time or thought on him. My only remaining concern re RvP is what the club does with his transfer fee. Enough said.

    I watched France vs Uruguay. Capoue came on for the second half and France’s flow and rythm improved. A lot of the play transitioned through him. A tidy player who regained possesion for France on numerous ocassions, passed the ball well and was calm whith the ball at his feet. One rash tackle for a yellow card deep in Uruguay’s half. Maybe we’ll buy him?

  520. W.A.T.H says:

    vP = Money

    Although we did offer 130k a week but apparently he nearly hit a tree when he heard that piss willy offer… had something to do with ambition

  521. W.A.T.H says:

    bondex…. relax mate he’s no different to the rest of them…! he ain’t Arsenal he aint what he says he was he’s a nothing….. move on…. Plenty proper Arsenal out there…! Don’t listen to bullshit players who play on peoples sentiments

  522. bondex says:

    good riddance to really bad rubbish…..come gooners lets show this silly piss of devil’s sh…t how good we are…..

  525. allezkev says:

    Just been chatting on the phone to my ManUre hating cousin…
    He started our conversation distraught…
    By the end of it, he was laughing…
    And that laughter had nothing to do with Wath’s short trousers….

    We have done ManUre up a kipper….
    £24 million for an injury waiting to happen…

  526. allezkev says:

    Arsenal’s sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United is good business

    Arsène Wenger has three young attackers in Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla to replace one with a worrying injury history

  527. allezkev says:

    By Amy Lawrence,

    According to the gallows humorists of N5, the obvious candidates to be Arsenal’s next captain are Sebastian Squillaci, Marouane Chamakh and Park Ju-young. There is a painfully obvious theme when examining the list of adored skippers since Tony Adams bowed out: Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fábregas and now Robin van Persie. Gilberto Silva and William Gallas may have moved along with considerably less drama but it is striking how often Arsène Wenger hands over the armband to a particularly valuable player, only to have to pat him on the back as he exits shortly afterwards.

    This episode provides yet more evidence for those who slam Arsenal as a selling club. It pours fuel on to the debate about how ambitious they can ever wish to be with the self-sustaining model they believe in so vigorously. But within the club they will sit tight and wait for it to blow over. They read the updates from Rangers and Portsmouth and feel increasingly sure they are doing the right thing.

    They know their place in football’s economic table. They know under the current ownership, who believe in running a tight ship, that they cannot compete with the clubs who are bankrolled by oil. They know that, despite Manchester United’s controversial financial arrangements with the Glazers, Van Persie’s new club make the most of their marketing potential in a way that they currently cannot. They know that keeping hold of a player worth over £20m in the last year of his contract is not an option.

    Arsenal are hamstrung by weak sponsorship deals that were struck when they were desperate to generate revenue to fund the stadium move from Highbury and by the vast salaries they are committed to for players who are not required but not shiftable. It is frustrating but it is reality. Their self-sustaining concept is a difficult one to sell when stars turn their backs on it but Arsenal refuse to risk a collapse by overstretching themselves financially.

    Van Persie’s departure is not welcome and of course Arsenal will miss a player so talismanic last season he played a defining role in the team’s elevation from 17th to 3rd. But at least they have had the whole summer to plan their response.

    Long before van Persie’s statement on his official website, which was basically a euphemistic interpretation of a transfer request, his club were made abundantly aware of the Dutchman’s desire to leave. At the end of the last campaign, before the European Championships, he and his representatives sat down with Arsenal and made a set of demands about the running of the club that were so outlandish that the warning signs were impossible to miss. The truth is that Arsenal have expected this day for more than two months. The only issue was when, where and how much. Fans are not programmed to think that way. Directors and beancounters are

    At least in the meantime they were able to be proactive and get down to business to recruit alternative attackers. Hence Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud arrived with unusual haste, to be followed by the new creative spark, Santi Cazorla. This contrasts with the paralysis that hit them at the same stage last season, when they hung on, waiting for Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri to go, before scampering round in search of last-minute reinforcements.

    Van Persie has played a minimal part in Arsenal’s pre-season. Effectively they have been trying to move on while he was still in situ.

    Supporters may have been able to chew over the pros and cons of whether van Persie should have been sold for a smaller sum to a less direct rival (Juventus’s offer was much less substantial than United’s). It will pain them to see him at Old Trafford, and to see Sir Alex Ferguson’s team strengthened at their expense.

    There is more to come as Alex Song is expected to finalise his move to Barcelona. Nuri Sahin, the Turkish midfielder surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, is being chased to arrive as his replacement.

    Arsenal are rather used to all this by now.

    Besides, is it really that much of a crisis? £20m-plus for a 29-year-old with a shaky injury history, replaced by three younger international attackers, does not sound such a terrible piece of business.

  528. Micko says:

    Kev, short trousers or long shorts, its been like a mental hospital on here tonite !
    I’m heading for my bunk.

  529. allezkev says:

    Robin van Persie: Man Utd agree £24m deal with Arsenal for striker
    By David Ornstein
    BBC Sport Comments (523)
    Manchester United have agreed a £24m deal to sign Arsenal striker Robin van Persie on a four-year contract.

    The 29-year-old will meet with United in the next 48 hours to discuss personal terms and have a medical.

    Arsenal captain Van Persie announced in July he would not extend his current deal, which expires in June 2013.

    “Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement for the transfer of Robin Van Persie,” the club said in a statement.

    “The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms. A further announcement will be made in due course.”

    United will pay £22.5m, with a further £1.5m one-off bonus to follow if they win a Premier League or Champions League title in the next four years.

  530. allezkev says:

    It is understood Arsenal were willing to make Van Persie their highest paid player ever, but never actually offered him a new contract.

    The Netherlands international, who scored 44 goals in 57 games for club and country last season, maintained he would not discuss his future until after Arsenal’s final match at West Brom on 12 May.

    Three days later, he opened dialogue with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis at Wenger’s house.

    Wenger and Van Persie disagreed on their vision for the club, transfer activity and the team’s performance in the 2011-12

  531. allezkev says:

    campaign.

    No contract was discussed and Van Persie joined the Dutch squad on 17 May to begin their preparations for Euro 2012.

    He announced he would not be extending his contract on 4 July and returned to training on 17 July, the same week he was the subject of bids from United, Manchester City and Juventus.

    All three offers fell short of Arsenal’s valuation – they were reluctant to enter formal negotiations until a bid exceeded £20m, and hoped to hold out for £25-30m.

    United, City and Juventus increased their offers but, of the three, United were the only side Van Persie would consider joining.

    He was not part of the Gunners squad that left on 21 July for a pre-season tour to Asia but did travel with them on 6 August for a week-long training camp in Germany.

    It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla – to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract.

  532. allezkev says:

    But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday’s friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans.

    Formal discussions between Arsenal and United began immediately, with Gazidis and United chief executive David Gill agreeing a fee of £22.5m on Tuesday, only for it to be vetoed by Wenger as he held out for £25m.

    On Wednesday morning, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson called Wenger to offer £23m and Wenger quoted him £24m.

    But a compromise was finally reached on Wednesday evening and Van Persie will travel to Manchester on Thursday to discuss terms and begin his medical.

    Van Persie was named Professional Footballers’ Association and Football Writers’ player of the year but scored only once as the Netherlands were eliminated at the group stage of Euro 2012.

  534. Merlin96 says:

    SO, that bald and slimy snake-oil salesman is just that,,:We will never sell Van Persie at any price!”

    Any price is defined as “£22.5m, with a further £1.5m one-off bonus”.

    WHo is next?
    WOuldn’t surprise moi now that SOng wil be sold at £16-mil to Barca then.

    Meaning, Arsene Wenger still remains truth to hsi words:
    “My door is always open. I will never retain any player who does not wish to play for Arsenal.”….******sigh********

    Good night all.

  535. Micko says:

    Kev, I’ll say this while no-ones about, you don’t half speak some sense mate, its not true what wath say about you.

  537. Micko says:

    Merlin, Alex will wake up in the morning to the realisation that he’s just been screwed with his pants on, AW will have the last laugh, keep the faith, nite buddy.

  538. vernat1066 says:

    Mick, Kev i wont tell anyone either honest 🙂 As for R$VP good riddance he would only sign for Utd. so we couldn’t sell him to Juve now lets see what we do with the money. Perhaps Dzeko from City as he is surplus to requirements?

  539. Scott from Oz says:

    Merlin,would you have Gazidis come out and say RVP is for sale??
    Doing that would have been an invitation telling the world he can go and cheap!!
    For once,ignore your spreadsheet,and think in football terms……..tell us you honestly believe 24 million for him is bad business.
    If you honestly believe its bad business,I will be amazed.
    The guys a crock and DOESN’T WANT TO PLAY AT THE CLUB.
    How anyone can be sad about losing a player in these circumstances is absolutely beyond me.
    We don’t need him.
    We DEFINITELY don’t need Song.
    We need a top class DM,and we then challenge for trophies,without a problem.
    I’ve said it all along,and looking at the Barca highlights proves me right….Song is a very gifted footballer,but bloody lazy.
    M’Villa,from the admittedly limited its I’ve seen,is a very committed and dilligent DM……it’s the missing piece to an otherwise PL challenging squad.did those who are upset read my highlighted sentence??
    He DOESN’T WANT TO LAY FOR US!!
    How could ANYBODY want him at the club??
    I am absolutely astounded people are upset with him leaving.
    Im pissed off with the man,but certainly not the club.

  540. Scott from Oz says:

    Vernat,I was with you on Dzeko,but after seeing Giroud,I think we’re covered here.
    If we get another,someone like a Torres would be a good fit.
    I honestly wouldnt care if we don’t get another striker in.

  541. vernat1066 says:

    Maybe if Song goes that will be all the players at Arsenal represented by Darren Dein ? If so thank god for that and perhaps we can get on with life without his influence

  543. vernat1066 says:

    Ok so lets nail down Walcots contract now and maybe now that R$VP is gone extend Arshavins and play him centrally with Cazorla i think if motivated and feeling like he was important he could rip the premier league a new one in that position.

  545. allezkev says:

    Vernat, cheers buddy….. 😉

    It’ll be our little secret…..

    Lucky i haven’t gotta get up in the morning….

  546. allezkev says:

    No to Dzeko lads, massive wages and all that..!

    I’m afraid to say, that Chamuck is set to be our striking back-up to Poldi and Giroud…

  548. Lee says:

    Some things in life are bad
    They can really make you mad
    Other things just make you swear and curse.
    When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
    Don’t grumble, give a whistle
    And this’ll help things turn out for the best…

    And…always look on the bright side of life…
    Always look on the light side of life…

    If life seems jolly rotten
    There’s something you’ve forgotten
    And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
    When you’re feeling in the dumps
    Don’t be silly chumps
    Just purse your lips and whistle – that’s the thing.

    And…always look on the bright side of life…
    Always look on the light side of life…

    For life is quite absurd
    And death’s the final word
    You must always face the curtain with a bow.
    Forget about your sin – give the audience a grin
    Enjoy it – it’s your last chance anyhow.

    So always look on the bright side of death
    Just before you draw your terminal breath

    Life’s a piece of shit
    When you look at it
    Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true.
    You’ll see it’s all a show
    Keep ’em laughing as you go
    Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

    And always look on the bright side of life…
    Always look on the right side of life…
    (Come on guys, cheer up!)
    Always look on the bright side of life…
    Always look on the bright side of life…
    (Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
    Always look on the bright side of life…
    (I mean – what have you got to lose?)
    (You know, you come from nothing – you’re going back to nothing.
    What have you lost? Nothing!)
    Always look on the right side of life…

  552. Lee says:

    We’ve lost bigger and better players and we are still here, I just hope we haven’t finished in the transfer market!!

  555. Scott from Oz says:

    Utd fans are gobsmacked that it has happened.
    Plenty are saying how good he is,plenty aren’t so sure….they’re worried that he still must pass a medical lol.

  556. rico says:

    Why do many assume that this means we are not going to sign anyone?

    “We have already recruited since we Giroud and Podolski who originally were intended to offset the departure of van Persie,”

    What about when Nik, Park and Chamakh leave??

    😉

  557. Lee says:

    At first we were afraid
    We were petrified
    Kept thinking we could never live
    Without you by our sides
    But then we spent so many nights
    Thinking how you did us wrong
    And we grew strong
    And we learned how to get along………

  561. Scott from Oz says:

    Didn’t see you there Rico.
    Some people are being melodramatic over this.
    I thought the club was finished when Fabregas left…..Henry before him…..now we will die because this blokes gone….I think not.

  565. rico says:

    Or dull ones seldom differ 😉 😉

    Just teasing Scott…

    Lee, I’d take that deal in a flash with a bit of Fergies cash throw in. That would spell the end of Chumuck…

  568. rico says:

    Sorry Will didn’t see you earlier…

    Not convinced AW is ready to change formations but we certainly have the players for it…

    He would Lee, a proper number 9 🙂

  569. rico says:

    If this really is true, devil was right all along, this is a Arsenal deal, not a RvP one if that makes sense….

    BBC

    United will pay £22.5m, with a further £1.5m one-off bonus to follow if they win a Premier League or Champions League title in the next four years.

    It is understood Arsenal were willing to make Van Persie their highest paid player ever, but never actually offered him a new contract.

  570. Scott from Oz says:

    He leaves when he wants to…….if the price is right!!
    Rico,I read that earlier.
    He was made aware he’d be paid more,but made it clear he wanted out.

  572. rico says:

    But never actually offered a contract, nothing in writing Scott, sounds a bit strange, but who acres now eh….

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