Writing in his blog for Eurosport, Wenger said:
We want to keep Robin van Persie at all costs, because we depend on him offensively.
I have always supported him even in the hardest times, and I hope he will end his career at Arsenal.
Is that last bit a hint at how Wenger and Arsenal supported our captain through his injuries, of which there has been plenty and of course when he fell victim of a nasty allegation made against him. Is our manager now trying to tell him it’s payback time?
If it is, then can you blame him?
Onto Merlins Post – Part 2 of Arsene Wengers Circulation Football:
“A belief that championship side can be nurtured by building a core group of youngsters from Hale End Academy to senior team playing together and develop that telepathic understanding and Special Togetherness so vital in modern football.”
Arsene Wenger was determined to impose his “Circulation Football” philosophy onto the team; and he started a major and massive re-structuring project after the 2003/04 season.
It was a combination of the Ajax youth system and Barcelona’s policy of scouting the global market to sign-up the best youth players for his Hale End Academy with Thierry Henry and Fabregas as the fulcrum of his 3rd Team.
Arsene Wenger’s ambition was to build his 3rd and greatest Arsenal team from ground level starting at Hale End Academy.
But within the next two years, how many of Wenger Wunderkind from Hale End Academy plus those 16 years old that he bought made it into the 3rd Team?
Arsene Wenger has since transformed his French Spine 4-4-2 to an attacking 4-5-1 to 4-3-3 and last season, a 4-2-3-1, raising more questions about his tactical nous rather his stature as a master tactician.
So what tactical formation suits the 2012/13 team as it stands best?
Carlos Parreira – 4-4-2
For over two years Parreira worked on the team building process to create a solid team out of eleven individual first-rate players.
He demanded that the entire team had to defend while the other team had possession of the ball.
The 4-4-2 system of Brazil differed a lot from most other 4-4-2 playing sides. The backs play an important role during build-up and a central defender would cover the position of the back who were involved in the attack.
The centre of the defence was amongst others, covered by the central midfield player, his task was to be a ‘kind of sweeper’ in the midfield and he played a key role in distributing short and long passes.
He was the first playmaker. Midfield players who were focused on the attack and players who had a more controlling task behind the attackers characterised the midfield line of the Brazilians.
The team tactical guidelines Parreira gave to his attackers was, when the team had possession of the ball which entailed a lot of movement and dropping deep, they were not allowed to play too close together in the center of attack and they had to be able to receive the ball in the space on the flanks.
We have Songniho as our “1st Playmaker”, but with Arteta in the pivotal role of sitting behind him and in front of the back-4, we became vulnerable to a counter-attack with many a times last season. Our back-4 struggled to back-track against swift-counter attacks and a “light-weight” Arteta was easily brushed aside by a burly striker like Zamora.
That is what Parreira meant when he said: “
This balance asks for fine-tuning. By varying the line-up the Brazilian players became familiar with this phenomenon over a two year period.
And just why Wenger must get his balance right for 2012/13 season.
Helenio Herrera – Defensive style of play
The Italian ‘catenaccio’ resulted in this typical counter style football, they used a ‘libero’ who played constantly behind the 4-man defensive line.
They played man-to-man marking in the midfield and in the defensive line, which made it look like “couple-football”. Partly due to the outstanding individual players at Inter Milan, Herrera achieved a lot of successes in the 60’s with this style of play.
Brazil won the 1970 World Cup with a contrasting style of attacking football instead of gambling on the counterattack. This is proof that success is always possible if you are able to link the individual qualities within the team to team tactical guidelines. However, this does not alter the fact that the Brazilian style of play looks much more spectacular and risky than counter style football.
An attacking style is more difficult to develop, it places great demands on the insight in football from the players and their teams tactical capacity. Counter-style football uses a wait-and-see approach and is more reactive as sides try and profit from mistakes the opponents make in their build-up.
This style is easier to play, it’s less vulnerable and because of that, also more successful.
An attacking style of play requires players who grew up playing this style of football as youth players and this is what all the Wenger Wunderkind have been nurtured and coached to play before he signed them.
Arsene Wenger needs to have a re-think on the correct tactical formation for his team during pre-season – with or without Van Persie.
The lesson we learned about why we failed in the 2011/12 season playing 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 is:
‘You must never choose to play 4-3-3 if you do not have fast defenders who excel in the 1-on-1 duels and who are exceptional in the positional play to dominate large spaces”
The main thrust of 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 allows the team to cover the entire offensive front and gives the players the chance to use their technical ability in attack. Unfortunately, we have only two players that have this “technical ability in attack”, namely Van Persie and Andrey Arshavin.
But do we have the players with the physical and technical/tactical strengths to play 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 in Arsene Wenger “Circulation Football”?
Fullbacks:
1) Ability to play with the team in attack, both in support and dribbling skills in cutting from flank to centre like an attacking midfielder.
2) Exceptional power, speed and stamina.
3) Tactically flexible, able to break into empty space.
Exceptional power, speed and stamina?
How many times we had seen our fullback out-of-breath, ambling and struggling to catch-up with our swift opponents or counter-attacking with our centre back exposed?
Let’s hope that pre-season will improve the “exceptional power and stamina” of our fullbacks.
Centre Backs
1) Skills in tackling and in playing in the air;
2) Good at long and short passes;
3) Able to support the full backs;
4) Quick at anticipation developing tactical situations;
5) Leadership qualities in Back-4;
6) Exceptional power and speed.
In Vermaelen and Koscielny, we have a formidable centre-back pairing and it can only get better with pre-season training and developing a telepathic understanding by playing together regulaly.
But the weakness of our defence is still there – inability to command the box when crosses come in and poor anticipation of the flight of the ball which allows deep-running opponents to latch onto them first. Plus, Vermaelen was cruelly exposed in 1-on-1 situation with opponents beating him all the time.
Defensive Central Midfielder:
1) Tactical awareness in snubbing out threats;
2) Good at shielding Back-4;
3) Excellent technical skills enabling him to launch attacking plays and the pivot point for his team-mates in attacks;
4) Able to help in defence by doubling up on man-marking.
Perhaps Song-Arteta is the ideal combination for their technical ability and with the Koscielny-Vermaelen pairing defensive ability improving as of 2012/13 and let’s not forget a fit Jack Wilshere of course…
We may then play like Brazil in 1994 without the traditional defensive midfiielder, but with all midfielders plus a forward trio, attacking and defending as a UNIT.
Attacking Flank Midfielders:
1) Excellent physical build and good acceleration;
2) Ability to break quickly into open spaces created by the forwards;
3) Ability to meet return passes and laid-off and “one-two” from the strikers;
4) Able to change speed and to give thrust when in possession;
5) Good at shooting from out of the box;
6) Constant linking up with Back-4 during defending phase;
7) Good at tackling and stealing balls.
I suspect Arteta-Song-Rosicky will still be our midfield for 2012/13 with Wilshere still recovering and slowly moving back into regular football. Wenger will not like to over-exert him in August/September untill he fully recovered and has gained match fitness.
And how many of our Wenger Wunderkind will meet that “excellent physical build and good acceleration” criteria?
Wing Forwards:
1) Exceptional technical skills, good dribbling and good acceleration.
2) Good at crossing from the bye-lines;
3) Skills in shooting at goal inside and outside the box;
4) Clear tactical sense. Able to help the defender by shadowing and tracking back and shuttling opponents into blind alleys;
**********Sigh********** Walcott, Gervinho…….
Lone Striker:
1) Able to receive and shield ball, and crating spaces for his team-mates.
2) Excellent shooting skills with both head and feet – power and precision.
3) Mobility, and able to penetration into box to receive passes and crosses.
4) Able to use laid-off, return passes, “off-the-shoulder” running and “one-two” from team-mates to break into box;
That is why Van Persie is vital for 2012/13 season, and why Walcott is unable to play as “Lone Striker” in Arsene Wenger’s Circulation Football.
Let’s hope that 2012/13 tactical formation will see the return of swift counter-attacking “one-touch one-pass” football that within 5 passes, our player will have a shot at goal.
That our attacks are varied with unpredictable points of attacks and with plenty of cohesion between midfielders and forwards that enable them to thread through balls and generate plenty of blindside running into the box.
If we do, it’s going to be special…..
Written by Merlin96
I really dont see why people put Verm ahead of Merts as first choice CB. Think that Kos is is top defender and then between the other two I honestly think that the BFG is a better defender, sure he doesnt charge forward as much nor score as many goals as Verm but he is far better at defending and I think his style compliments Kos far better.
I am not sure if we should shift Verm out to the left back or not but I dont think he should be first choice at the heart of of defence, he is simply not a good enough defender for this role.
Our front line up looks good, I think RVP will end up staying for at least this season – his heart strings will be pulled and he will realize that he owes us for sticking by many injury hit seasons.
Midfield we need another head, Jack will play very little between now and Christmas (think we will be careful bringing him back) and Thomas R, despite some good performances in the second half of the season, is not a top class player in the attacking mid role. I wonder if Affelay (or whatever his name is) at Barca would be a cheap option here?
Morning all..
Interesting post Merlin, i keep meaning to ask, where does this ‘circulation football’ come from, and has AW described our way of playing as being that?
Never heard of it before your posts ….
Steve Bruce wants Mannone 🙂
Morning all, Long one Merlin, might have to read this one a couple of times, but can see a lot of effort has been put in. Went fishing yesterday and never had a bite so missed Rico’s post, read it this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it, too true your highness. I must admit Merlin i also hadn’t heard of this circulation football the only thing i know is that whatever system we play its not producing, unless of course its meant for a top 4 finish. 🙂
Welcome GG
TV over Merts any day of the week, get a proper DM and the defence won’t be so exposed…
Morning Steve – fishing over a post – tsk tsk 😉 😉
Steve Bruce is welcome
My thoughts too BA 🙂
Morning all, good post Merlin! Had to read it twice but none the less good read!!!
Good morning Fine Folk.
A fine post which tells us that you have put on a lot of effort Merlin.
But one has to remember that we cannot compare eras. For example I will go as far as to say that the 2004 Invincibles side would have won against Brazil of 1970 if it was possible to play. Tactics might remain the same but the personnel and their physical attributes are different. Also the playing equipment is different. Then they used to play in heavy football boots, now they play in carpet slippers. The ball is much lighter. And the players much fitter.
The present team plays with wingers. I would dare say that sometimes that is wrong. It leaves the team much exposed. That is why I always go for 4-4-1-1 since you play with 4 midfielders and the lateral two are right and left midfielders. Remember the balance of Pires and Lyungberg. Or Parlour and Overmars. One was a fighter, the other was an artist. Now we have Theo, Gervinho, Podolski, Ox……none of them is midfielder in the right sense. They are lateral strikers who are expected to go up and down the flank.
And there is the problem. All the four mentioned midfielder cum wingers had both creativity and destructiveness in them. Obviously with varying measures. But whenever Overmars went up, Parlour tucked in with the midfield to provide balance. When Freddie went up in the number 10 position near DB10 and behind TH14, Pires dropped back to help the midfield and kept it narrow.
So in essence what we are seeing is a 4-3-3 with wingers and this leaves a lot of open spaces, especially when full backs go up and then we have our defensive midfielders……one becoming Songinho and the other being a bit lightweight.
4-4-2, 4-3-3 or whatever tactical formation………….4-4-1-1 is the best one suited to AFC’s present team.
Morning Lee & Devil
All these tactics confuse me 🙁
What happened to hoof the ball up front and let the goal hanger score, it worked with Malcom McDonald 🙂
Can you honestly compare Theo to Parlour? Theo may have been the fastest but Parlour was more of a team man. Parlour would have been worth his weight in gold today.
Lansbury devil, he is as close to Ray Parlour we’ll ever get with our current squad…
I think he could be worth his weight in gold….
Waz iz zat? Oofing le ball?? zat iz not fussball. zat is the way the Engleesh used to play in the days of my old grand pere. Vee do not play like zat anymore. Now we play le football tapis. On ze floor. we no like oofing the ball up. it will have ze ice on it in vinter. and Marouane would not like eading a ballon dur with ze ead. It will dirty ze air.
Songinho likes to oof les ballon up in ze air sometimes. Ee thinks ee iz brazilian. Personally I find it a very sexy way of playing le ballon. but not oof it up too igh.
I like Lansbury Rico. But the problem is……….does AW like him??? I would have him over Theo and Gervinho any time. But to have Lansbury would mean a change in the formation. Unless AW sees him as a defensive midfielder. Which is a bit difficult to digest since I see him as a right sided midfielder.
Like Ramsey. He is not and SHOULD NOT be used in the Cesc position. Aaron is a right sided midfielder. Full stop. The thing is we have good players, yes even Arshavin and Bendy (minus his ego). But they should be used in their proper position. For example Denilson was always an advanced midfielder. But we had Cesc and he could only be used as a DM. Hence his lack of interest.
Righto……….off for a bit. back in around 45 minutes.
But Giroud will devil 😛
Lansbury is no DM though, surely even AW will know that, he’s a true box to box with a bit of attitude 🙂
Whatever formation we play the players have to be able to give themselves time to look around and be able to lay it off without giving it away. I liked the quick break where movement was swift, players running forward into positions that the defenders found imposible to mark, this tippy tappy stuff drives me batty.
lansbury is a cm he dosent have the work rate nor the pace to be a right sided attacker… he is a calm cm who one day would get very close to xabi alonso
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2168575/Arsenal-defender-Thomas-Vermaelen-Barcelona-target.html
🙄 🙄
I’m with you tehre Steve – tippy tappy gets boring, and so many have just slated spain for playing in such a way.. AW for one…
Terry – you watch us lose him this summer though, i’d be really disapointed if he goes, we lack arsenal spirit, and personally, i’d rather him than ramsey on last seasons showing….
Good post rico,systems are about players you have or can buy(available) wenger likes his fullbacks to attack but we have no d/midfielder,thats the problem.
When you talk of Brazilian teams in world cups your only talking of playing 5 or 6 games…….our league is about 60 games a season 3 games a week in the winter.
As regards to M’vlia wenger has decided to play poker again,he wants him for 15m euros…could be a late one.
Back shortly…
RvP is playing a waiting game. I would have thought a real team man would have announced he’s staying put
Interesting post, i think however that the issue with the current Arsenal team is not the formation they play but that they only play one formation. We don’t have the quality of players that were in the league winning teams and by and large we see a more defensive league where the average players are fitter and better organised than before.
We need the ability to change formations and to adapt so that we can counteract what the opposition do, without the pace of an Henry teams can afford to squeeze us in the last third as we are not a danger with pace over the top or with midfielder’s running beyond the strikers. Hopefully we will see a more varied system and use of our players this season.
Once again thank you for your effort in putting the post together very interesting read.
wengers job is not easy look at who we have in midfield: Ramsay, Wilsahre, Song, Arteta, rosicky, denielson, diaby, frimpong, coquellen, lansbury. Thats 10 mids to add to that we are asking for M’villa and Belhanda or some other attacking mid.
we should not have more than 6 mids in our team.
buying M’villa means selling either denielson and coquellen or song or frimpong
buying belhanda means selling lansbury, diaby and ramsay or roscky
rico i have been tracking lansbury this season… been watching his games watching youtube videos of his performances… from what i have seen of him he still isn’t arsenal first team quality yet… wilsahre, ramsay are way ahead of him.. i like lansbury and was really hoping he had a loan spell this year but sadly he had not developed as i expected… i dont want him to be sold… i hope he makes it.. but it not about emotions or our wishes anymore… we need results and we need them now… so what ever wenger does inorder to get us trophies is acceptable …. may it be lansbury staying with us or may it be him being sold.
ya more thing another player i have been trackng is denielson… and to my surprise he had performed really well in his loan spell.. i would like to see what he does in pre season friendlies… may be its easier to defend in the brazilian league… but i would like him to have one last chance in pre season to prove himself…
Mornings folks,
Had to drain my blood and refill my veins with coffee. Took me 5 buckets.
Nice read Merlin seminar stuff. Devil in fine form too. Excellent shooting skills, able to penetrate thoughts into a box. Tactically flexible, able to break into empty space. Quick at anticipation of developing tactical situations. Constant linking up. In a way HH is a virtual pitch. 😉
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1122515/lyon-chief:-no-arsenal-offer-for-hugo-lloris?&cc=5739#
I apologise in advance if this is a bit long but tactical formation discussions are not topics to be taken lightly and quickly. I think that a certain amount of tactical analysis is required but I honestly believe that tactical formations are mostly unnecessarily over-complicated. For me it is more about having the right players to balance the whole side in all departments and about the discipline of players to play a certain role, dependent on the opposition and what players we have out there. We frequently hear about 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 and 4-2-3-1 and there are more than even these. The false number 9 makes it even more of a headache. Our past great sides were a 4-4-2 yet we now hear this is outdated. I am not so sure.
I would like to throw it open to everyone that I would argue that whenever you play a back 4 that all formations from here are basically the same and are only influenced by the specific qualities of the players out there and how disciplined they are to their role. I feel the formation only really changes when you switch to a back 3. If you pause the game at various times the set up would vary from any of the above formations depending on what positions our players are in at that specific time. If we said we wanted to play a back 4 in a 4-2-3-1 formation we could have Song and Arteta as the 2 holding midfielders and the 3 could be Podolski, RVP, and Walcott behind Giroud. Those attacking 4 look very good but the key with this system is that the 2 holding midfielders musn’t get too far from their back 4 and must leave the attack mainly to the front 4. If, however, we freeze the game when Walcott and Podolski have come wider and deeper on the same line as the 2 DM’s but RVP is still central somewhere behind Giroud, then we are now in a 4-4-2. If RVP then pulls deeper into midfield near the 2 DM’s to help out or to try and get on the ball to influence the game then we look like a 4-5-1.
Our 4-3-3 last year would have Arteta and Song as DM’s (Vieira and Gilberto) with Ramsey in front of them as the attacking CM (Bergkamp, see below) and Walcott and Gervinho as the Wing forwards playing off RVP (Pires and Ljungberg off from Henry). At times Gervinho and Walcott would be wider and deeper and Ramsey would get in behind RVP centrally in attack. That then becomes a 4-4-2 with Ramsey as a number 10. For me our problems last year with this line up were as follows;
1 The often mentioned lack of discipline from Song in being too far forward too often, therefore we are not as solid as we were with Vieira and Gilberto.
2 Walcott and Gervinho do not score goals like Pires and Ljungberg.
3 Ramsey is no Bergkamp, at least not yet.
The addition of Podolski and Giroud change the whole picture and make me much more confident about next season. If we line up with Giroud up top and RVP behind and Walcott and Podolski as the wider of the attacking players we get a far more Bergkamp style of player in RVP than you do with Ramsey, who for me needs 2-3- seasons to really be ready for such an influential attacking role. We also have a far greater potential for goals from all areas of our attack, much like we used to have with Pires and Ljungberg. The one worry for me is can we get both AW and Song himself to accept the need for him to remain more disciplined for much of the time. If so I think we are onto a winning side now and may not even need that other DM everyone perceives. When Jack is back he could also play deeper here much like Xavi does with Busquets and Jack is also no pushover in the physical part of the game.
So I would ask whether these different tactical formations with a defensive back 4 are all a bit of a red herring and that in reality they are all the same and the formation only really changes if you switch to a back 3. Is it not more down to the players you have and the discipline of certain roles that are more vital?
Good article Merlin lot of effort put into that fella….!
Morning All,
Should Wenger really be telling everyone we can’t afford to lose RVP…? Isn’t that exactly what he did with Cesc and Na$ last season and look how that bit him in the arse…! Why doesn’t he say we do not want to lose him obviously as he is a great player and our Captain and we would hope he shows loyalty but at the same time we cannot keep a player who is set on leaving and at that time if he chooses to leave then we would of course be sad but would replace him with a player of equal quality…! Shows a bit of backbone and also that your not indispensable Mr VP
Terry – Blame Big sam, he didn’t play Lansbury enough, we need him back and with the first team squad…. However, sadly, i think he’s a gonner…
I watched a few WH games when he played, I thought he shone in their side a few times, especially towards the end of the season……
Hi Wath,
Good point re RvP – tbh, I think his mind is already made up and the emotional blackmail bit hints at desperation….
No offence Goonerb, but I’m keeping out of the tactical stuff, it all confuses me….
All I see is what appear obvious when watching, ie gaping holes in midfield, no width = no outlet and then players like ramsey (who will never be anywhere near as good as DB imho) etc have nowhere to go with the ball. Then comes the sideways & backwards passing and it all breaks down.
Also, I get really cheesed off when Theo/Gerv get the ball down the wings, look up to cross and no-one is there – Then, both players get a bashing for crossing the ball to ‘an imaginary player’..
rico says:
July 4, 2012 at 11:34 am ………………Also, I get really cheesed off when Theo/Gerv get the ball down the wings, look up to cross and no-one is there – Then, both players get a bashing for crossing the ball to ‘an imaginary player’..
Well they should hold it or try to pass it back so as to keep possession. That is why they are headless chickens when it comes to tactics.
Yes but Rico, with Song, Arteta, Podolski, Walcott, RVP and Giroud in our new look 4-4-2 / 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-1-1 / 4-1-4-1 formation with RVP playing in behind Giroud I believe we will have 2 strikers capable and willing to attack the ball when it is delivered from the wide players.
I think the BFG will come good this coming season
I think Wenger is once again getting a hard time regarding his criticism of the Spanish tactics. The way they played in the final, though superficially the same, with it’s pass, pass, pass philosophy was not the same as in the earlier rounds. I rather admire the lack of a conventional target man and an overloaded midfield which gave them numerical superiority. I liked the way they would use the extra midfield “weight” in combination with their undoubted technique, to shift the opponents defence around until a crack appeared for one of their players to make that decisive run and I am lost in admiration for their ability to both make that pass and to receive it and finish in such tight positions. They are a formidable team of that there is no doubt. The difference in the final was that they moved the ball forward quicker and more often. In short, they looked for penetration whereas before they were happy to play the “long” game and wait. Ambition and intent was the difference for me. In the earlier rounds I thought they were stifling and certainly boring. They seemed to suck the life out of the game. The most interesting debate now is how to counteract their style. No doubt Mourinho has a cunning plan.
That’s harsh devil – once Theo gets the ball he’s all too often got 2/3 players on him, even Messi struggles with that many opposition around him…
Said before after Shearers commes, it the wingers job to get the cross into the danger area, then its down to the strikers to make sure they are there. All too often, ours are not, and thats just why I think AW has bought Giroud….
The joys of playing one lone striker, eh…
Goonerb, i’m waiting to see if we have RvP, Theo and Song at the begining of the new season, have this horrid feeling we may not today…
Hi Adam – i though AW was spot on, Spain were boring and as you say, it wasn’t until the final that they played better.
AW had made his comment before that game, but thats the way we play sometimes, wonder if that suggests we are going to change our own way of playing…
The problem of the present playing system is that while on paper it is 4-3-3 the reality is that its 4-5-1. 4-3-3 is supposed to mean that when a wing/forward has the ball on the flank, the central striker and the other wing/forward should be present in the box with the central striker attacking the space between the penalty spot and the first post while the opposite wing/forward attack the second post. Some of the time it works this way. but more often than not there is no one.
No I am not being harsh Rico. While it is true what Shearear said it also happens to be true that Theo has incredible speed to burn and both RVP and Gervinho do lack that. Infact I would say that RVP is slow for a central striker.
AFC do not play 4-3-3. Rather its a 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1. It is very rare in which it is 4-3-3.
Had AFC sold RVP instead of Cesc and played him in the false position or bought Giroud and put two defensive midfielders in the centre while Cesc played in the hole, the results would have been vastly different.
I like RVP. But do not think that I would like to see him sold for no reason at all. The reason is that selling RVP would force AW to reshuffle his tactics and have more than one plan. Otherwise the only alternative is to play Giroud and RVP behind him. But who shall he put in the centre of midfield?
At the end of the day, lone striker or false No9, playing boring football, tiki taka or jiggy jiggy, thrusting forwards or playing it safe, or whatever Spain play………they have won three tournaments in a row. And they dished out the biggest hammering in a final to a good team. And that is what counts in the records. That Spain have won the third tournament in a row. And start putting on bets that they will be the team to beat when WC2014 comes around.
So AW would like to play exciting sexy football without no brains at all because it makes people sit on the edge of their seat for fear of wetting themselves in the process. Bollox. It is a winning formula and they get away with it whether we like their football or not.
English football is typified and characterised by the ball into the box. It is locked deep within the psyche of too many players of the past and unfortunately, the present. I was constantly amused/irritated by commentators like Andy Townshend and the ghastly Lawrenson who seem to think that slinging balls into the box for “the big man” to somehow get his head on is a great tactic. Townshend even reckons that balls hoofed in from wide are “very dangerous” even if there is no player remotely near, or the ball flies 10 meters over their head. This philosophy is ingrained in English football. And our centre halves are totally complicit too. With so few English midfield players who can take the ball from a defender and move it advantageously forward you can see Terry et al thinking that they will just plant it up there and hope that something will happen. It’s the tactics of percentages really and the English game has thrived on it for decades. It is why a player like Jack Wilshire is so critical, not only for Arsenal but also for English football. I remember Wenger saying, many years ago, that he was not really a fan of the hulking brute type centre-forward as players tended to take the easy way out and just bang it in there.The Spanish and in particular Barcelona just don’t do it. they look for the pass to feet rather than the speculative cross. I don’t say it is redundant but it cannot be the default tactic surely.
Might help if the passes to Theo went in front of him, how many times do we play it to his feet – yes he has pace, but once that ball heads towards him, he is closed down..
Agains Totts we got it right in the second half, why we can’t do that in other games is beyond me..
Happens to Gerv too, but obviously he doesn’t have that kind of pace.
Agree re RvP though, he isn’t fast and he certainly can’t keep up with the wingers….
You are right Rico it all depends on keeping those 3. RVP is the most crucial in allowing us to play with a quality number 10 behind another striker this year so I would keep anyway even if it means him winding down his contract. AW has intimated as much but we can still hope he signs. Walcott and Song need to either sign or be sold because and that decision needs to be very soon. Although they would be a loss I think there are replacements out there. For Song I would go for Javi martinez. He would cost us but we should recoup money for Song anyway. I am not sure who would replace Walcott with but there will be good options out there.
Devil I would love to see RVP in the number 10 role which doesn’t require electric pace. I know he scores goals as a number 9 but I think he and the team as a whole will be even more devestating if he plays behind another striker. I don’t even think his personal goal-scoring stats would drop significantly and we would get the benefit of his vision and link up play and 2 forwards to attack the box. I honestly believe that tactical switch will be the making of us which is why I really hope Giroud works out for us better than the recent players (RVP aside) that we have looked at to be a number 9 type striker. Adebayor and Bendtner for me both fell slightly short at the required level. I agree with some of the views in the game (including DB) that RVP should be a number 10, and further, could even prove to be one of the best in the world so the question is do we now have the right man for him to play behind.
😆 devil…
I still think Spain were boring 😉
Good to hear Daniel Sturridge is on the mend…
Ideally that should be the tactical formation GoonerB. 4-4-1-1 with RVP in the hole. Maybe its not personnel that is the fulcrum of all the discussions. Maybe its the tactics with RVP not wanting to remain the focal point of attack as the lone striker.
who knows……..we might play 4-3-1-2 with Podolski and Giroud up front while three midfielders patrol in front of the defence. This is the game plan of the current Milan side.
But I still would go for 4-4-1-1 with RVP in the hole.
Righto. Off for a bit. Back in a few hours.
cu Fine Folk.
Rico, although RVP isn’t fast I would say he is sharp. In the slightly deeper role I think it would be him that should pull into space slightly deeper and centrally and receive the ball to feet and I think from these positions you would see more diagonal balls splitting the oppositions left CD and left full-back with Walcott timing his runs to run onto them.
GoonerB, I think all three need a kick in the pants, tell them all, sign or be sold, the longer this drags on the only loser will be the club as pre-season starts on Monday, players need to be in and getting to know their new teamates etc..
If the Theo and RvP saga drags on into August, we’ll see a repeat of last summer and we can’t afford that, not with our scheduled fixtures
GB – i am being over critical re RvP, I love him and think he is an outstanding playing, what he lacks in speed he makes up for with his feet and footballing brain…
I would still look at the RVP case differently to the other 2. He is too critical to us challenging next year and therefore £15m to £20m won’t touch the difference he can make to us. The other 2 I would leave in no uncertain terms that they must sign imminently or be replaced and sold so that new replacements are in nice and early to bed in before the start of the season. If we stay committed to RVP staying whether he signs or not and the other 2 signing in the next week or so or being sold and replaced then that still means we are being decisive which would avoid the uncertainty and last minute panic of last year.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/free-video-podolski-arrives-at-arsenal
But if he wants to go, there is no point in keeping him GB….
Back in a while, the Dyson needs a spin 😉
GB, agreed that if we buy players in that are quality then we can afford to say to any player RVP included there’s a new improved contract, we feel we have a great squad your either committed to the club or your not and if your not then you’ll be sold simple as that. I’ve always said that a proper defensive midfielder is needed and in that case I’d sell Song as he is neither defensive not attacking he does an average job of both and as for Theo well we all know the jury is still out on him.
Make sure the Dyson don’t take you 4 a spin Rico…!
Evening all.
I will be back in a week after reading the article then responses…been some long ones lol.
RVP in the hole behind Podolski and Giroud.
RVP is made for a true #10, and we’ve bought these guys,so let’s use the bastards!!!
Ps…Highbury Lad makes his race debut this Saturday!!!!
Good Morning all and Good Morning to you Rico.
@ Rico,” …what he lacks in speed he makes up for with his feet and footballing brain.” Which is true. But most of the time RVP has to drop deeper to assist in the midfield or fetch the ball so as to move the ball in the other team half of the pitch. And time and time again he has to helped to defend a corner kick against us with no center forward when the ball is pass on to Theo who has pace.
When Theo/Gerv get the ball down the wings, looks up to cross and no-one is there, it because most of the time RVP has to drop deep, imho. And Theo, one on one can hardly beat a defender besides speed.
@ W.H.A.T. ” I have always said that a proper defensive midfielder is needed and that case I’d sell song as he is neither defensive nor attacking…” I disagree mate, if you have a proper attacking midfield like Gotz, is no need for Song to abandon his defensive midfield role and assist the attacking midfielders.
Thought you was off recovering from finding out you live in a small little State of New Zealand Scott 😉
If RVP stays the attacking options are the best they have been in many many years although for me we still have to resolve the defensive midfield problems which in turn should help out the defensive frailties…!
Nashua, the problem with Song is he cannot defend…! He lacks the discipline and the brains to be a proper defensive midfielder he gets caught out of position time and time again and will never be good enough in my book hence I’d get rid and bring in a proper defensive midfielder as Song isn’t that player, simply not good enough.
Wath,New Zealand is a pimple on the arse of Australia 🙂
There I was thinking Oz was the NZ North Island…???
😉
Scott, what was that nag that you mentioned a while back that was gonna come over here for big race meeting…? did it win..?
Afternoon fine people
It did Wath, hence taking so long, been to Bognor and back on it 😉
Wath,she won.
Only just,though ended up with two torn muscles during the run…still got up though….Black Cabiar was the,ahem…nag!!
My dog should go ok this week…..he doesn’t know it,but he’s a Gooner lol.
Black CAVIAR,even…
Ah ok mate I thought it was Black Caviar just wasn’t sure…!
Good luck with cherry running on Sat… least he has a winning name…!
He was leg less two months ago,but has just Improved lengths and lengths recently.
A mate who is one of our best breeders has a red hot dog called Fabregas.
This is one serious animal.
He’s oping to win Group 1 races with it….actually,he’s expecting it.
I was going to name my bloke Areveepee,but imagine I did And the guy left us???
Hi Nashua – good point made about RvP and Theo, but if we could only start playing the ball in front of Theo, his pace will out do most and with little time to think about what to do next, he is better…
Night all……trialling the LAD in the morning,so best get some sleep.
Don’t wanna get that confused with Aveaapee either Scott…???
A dog called fabregas……….. Saying nuffin mate………!
Cheers Scott….. No Kiwi dreams 😉
Night Scott – dream of signings 🙂
Dream of sellings as well Rico…………….. ship the deadwood its just as important as quality signings.
Yep, agree there Wath – and we have plenty of deadwood…
As has been said many times before far to much deadwood grossly overpaid as well and then we have to listen to all the crap from the execs about how well financially the club is run….! yeh right hence 50k a week given to crap players…!
We can only take positives from what Ivan Gazidis said a few weeks ago about contracts, hopefully things will get sorted this summer and a few have already gone….
Didn’t he suggest a few would be shipped out, or did I imagine that 😉
Afternoon all.
“Circulation Football” is the term taken from Rinus Michels: “Team Building – The Road to Success”
This strategy is distinguished by the ability to circulate the ball from player to player until the correct moment arises for the attacking phase and thus, the ball can be played deep. That moment can arise very quickly, but it can also take many passes over many stations. It places a high demand on the build-up qualities of the team, together with high-quality positional play. This is a tough assignment, especially if the opponents pressure you constantly.
Circulation football is linked to two guidelines:
– It is a means to be able to play the ball deep and not an aim itself.
– It has to be linked to a healthy dose of opportunistic football via for example, the lucky pass and the cross.
Fast combinations and excellent positional play are a must – Circulation football!
The coach who “forgets” these guidelines when playing circulation football, chooses to play boring football without many surprise, and thus easy to defend.
KICK AND RUN
The counterpart of circulation football is the refined kick and rush football as seen mostly in UK and Norway. However, top-teams from these countries are putting more elements of circulation football in their game. As coaches though, we cannot forget that the spectators in England enjoy watching these kick and run games. There is always something happening around the penalty box.
However, if there was a disappointing score in the game with only 20 minutes to play, then we would switch to a more opportune approach, namely, to a more “kick and run” strategy. When such a situation occurred, the team had to get the ball into and around the penalty box as soon as possible, preferably with crosses from the wings. My sweeper would act as an extra forward in the centre; he was strong in the air. The opponents were constantly put under pressure in and around the opponents’ box. There were only three defenders left over who were not allowed to take part in the build-up or the attack.
The advantage of this “English Style” football was that the crowd would get behind the team, because we were constantly putting attacking pressure on the opponents. This style of play also prevented the ball from being lost in an early stage in the midfield. This does happen a lot in the final minutes of a game, if you are losing and sticking to a deliberate build-up.
Agreed there Rico, not gonna knock the fella when he has said positive stuff so he has until 1st Sep to get things done properly..!
Afternoon Merlin,
As much as formations and tactics are concerned think nearly all of us agree the main priority in all of that is having the right players to play in the right positions and if those players are not technical enough or lack the footballing brain then it matters not how you play nor the formation you play as it’s all wasted, always down to the players that you have.
With Mertesacker, I noticed that for a few games when were losing or chaisng to get a result, Per was moved forward as a cnetre forward to win knock-downs or to disrupt the Defence.
We were playing more like the German 3-5-2 then.
Do you notice the way Spain 4-6-0 with Fabregas as the “False 9”.
As someone said, Van Persie is playing more like a deep-lying attacking midfielder coming in late, battling it out at midfield high up the pitch…and defending our box with his high.
That is, more like Spain 4-6-0, but without the guile of their FB and midfielders to create thru’ balls and blindside running into teh box.
We do not have a winger or flank midifelder like Iniesta and David SIlva with his vision and passing skills.
We do not have pass masters like Xavi and Fabregas to knit the team together as a whole.
We do not disciplined and tough tackling midfielders like Alonso and Sergio Busquet to protect Back-4.
And we do not have tall no-nonsense CB in Ramos and Pique.
But one primary point is the synergy of all those Barca players developing a telepathic understanding in midfield and defence, especially Iniesta and Alba, the LB.
Pique, Alba, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Busquet and Fabreags – 7 no. Barca players in SPanish Naitonal team.
Imagine that Wenger has 7 no. Wenger Wunderkind, nurtured from Hale End Academy into 1st team regulars playing together.
That is what Arsene Wenger’s 3rd and greatest team is all about – “Ajax Model of Team Building” with youngsters growing up together from youth ranks into senior team, joyously playing together, friends off-and-on the pitch.
Yes WATH, that is correct.
But Wenger is like that “Emperor who wears new clothes”, everyone praising the finery of his “new clothes”..and nobody dare to shout at him “You are butt naked!”.
He is either deluded or just not ruthless enough to drop players when they are not performing…as if as some posters said..Wenger has a strict heirarchical rnaking that regardless whether the player is off-form or not, he gets the benefit of the doubt to start ahead of youngsters who is in-form.
Well, if Arsene Wenger has total control in all football matter with Gazidis just a delivery boy to fetch his paperwork, then all the dross he bought since Dein left just reflected his delusion that he cna build a title-winning team on the cheap.
Let’s hope that he had finished his experimentation in team-building and knew exactly what players he needed for 2012/13 to win the title. ‘I need to balance the budget” is a lame excuse for not buying the right players to strengthen the 2012/13 squad, especially he had the nucleus of a title-winning teamfrom 2011/12 squad.
Afternoon and thanks Merlin, I honestly didn’t know. Your post is very interesting but I didn’t know if it was your own view or that of another…
That’s my thought too Wath, IG has said what we all wanted to hear, he has even promised us a signing to excite us all, that one I can’t wait to see.
But, as you say, he has said it, we now need him to back it all up, if he does, then top man….
Will be a little while yet before we get 6/7 through the academy ALL proper Arsenal…!
‘Right players to play in the right positions’ Wath…
Spot on, no more playing strikers as wingers would be a good start 😉
Merlin, what’s gone has gone, we need to focus on now, and with Pod and Giroud in already, the signs look good.
Once players are back on Monday, no doubt contracts and exits will start to move, as will fiurther signings imho…
Lets wait and see who we have on the 1st August….
Afternoon Fine Folk.
Yes, clear the dross. But I will bet you a beer that Denilson will not be among them.
Deal devil, I think he’ll be long gone by 31st August….
If Wenger does not buy anymore players…say reserving and saving all his funds to buy Gotze in summer 2013, then if all the players are fit, we can have this team:
…………………………………Szczesny
…Sagna…….Mertesacker……….Koscielny……Gibbs
…………………………………Song
…Van Persie…….Arteta………..Wilshere……..Poldolski
……………………………….Giroud
This will solve our perennial weakness of leaving the Back-4 exposed when being counter-attacked by pacy and quick wingers and centre-forward with Song being the Libero patroling the space between Back-4 and Midfield.
Van Persie is our deep-lying striker behind Groud but can move to right flank to stretcht eh defence and inter-playing with an overlapping Sagna at right flank.
Arteta-Song-Wilshere will be our Midfield Powerhouse battling out there to win balls.
Poldolski will be out attacking midfielder and linking up with Giroud and Van Persie in a 3-prong attack.
We will always have a natural centre froward in Giroud who can make instinctive runs into the box anticipating all those crosses from bye-lines from Sagna and Gibbs…and holding up the ball to slip it through to a deep-running Van Persie or blindside running from Poldolski.
PACE, MOBILITY & INTERCHANGEABILITY.
That is the tactics for enxt season – FLuid Football with no predictable formation, players always interchanging with an element of unpredictability in their late runs and blindside running behind Back-4.
A mixture of long balls out of defence or crosses from the flanks, and short inter-passing plays folow by a sharp burst of “one-two” and through balls….
– the reverse pass of WIlshere
– the lobs from Songniho
– the long passes from Arteta
– the thrusts from Van Persie and Poldolski
– overlapping FB either swinging in corsses form bye-lines or cutting in from flanks to centre;
– and swift counter-attack from box-to-box with a pacy striker or mdifielder ever available to receive long balls out of defence.
Except for the lobs from Songniho and the brilliance of Van Persie..and the odd accurate crosses from Walcott, passes from Rosicky and crosses from Sagna….we do not have a consistent creative playmaker.
If we do not have a ‘Fabregas” or a “Juan Mata”, then the whole team will need to have that telepathic understanding with instinctive passing knowing hsi team-mate will be there..and instinctive running into space knowing the team-mate will deliver the ball there.
ANd that was what WIltord said about telepathic understanding: ‘Even if I run there with my eyes closed, I knew the ball will be delivered to my feet…”
“One-Two” and blindside running were so successful with the French Spine is simply..they had developed telepathic understanding amongst themselves.
That 4-1-4-1 is a bit flawed mate. RVP should not be shifted to the right. Rather a 4-3-1-2.
Rico, the term I coined will be “Anarchaic Football” with no fixed formation, no fixed role, all versatile players all like Holland 1970s or Ajax 1970s where striker is midifelder and ACM is DCM, FB is winger and winger is FB, each player covers each other to form an integral whole.
The nearest we saw is Spain WC2012 with their 4-6-0 and an attacking midfielder in Cesc as the “False 9”.
But Arsenal 2011/12 was Anarchaic Football with Per as centre forward, wingers as FB and FB as wingers and Deep-lying striker as ‘Lone Striker”……and throwing in 4 striker in 4-2-4 in a desperate attempt to win the game.
And attacking with1-4-5 with 2 no. CB attacking as well, desperately to win the game….
Anarachaic Football as well without defensive cover for Back-4 when both overlapping FB and entire midfield are camped in opponent third, vulnerable to pacy counter-attack with a hoof ball, bypassing the entire Arsenal MIDFIELD, leaving 2 no. defenders facing 2 or 3 pacy and quick wingers and forwards.
Arsenal 2011/12 is all the wrongs of Anarchaic FOotball with an ill-disciplined team, tactically speaking..
Spain EUro2012 is all the rights of Anarachaic Football with a disciplined team.
I don’t see RvP on the right either…
Merlin – it all goes over my head tbh…. All too complicated and made more complicated by me trying to understand it…
Who said that the spanish or dutch are the precursors and inventors of Anarchaic football???
I used to play it in the streets mate. One moment I was a striker, then I was a centreback, then I was a lateral midfielder and then an acm and then a dm. 😉
Football should be that. A player who is adept at playing in all positions. I myself used to play all the lateral positions, that is, full back and winger on both sides. But I could never see myself as a centreback or centreforward. Lack of height Fine Folk. Just 1.65mtrs. And while I had speed to burn that was lost when the ball was flying over my head. I still remember when once the under 19 coach put me down to play as a centreforward and after 45 minutes I complained of a stiff neck stating that I was all the time looking up towards the sky. For the second half he had the common sense to put me on the wing.
Unarchaic football is great. But when you have varying heights and varying technical levels (as AFC do, unlike Spain) its useless.
D_G, the formation is fluid, as Van Persie will be expecting to be that deep-lying striker behind Giroud and with the added responsibility of protecting the right flank.
Against a highly defensive team who packed the box, then Van Persie will offer an option at right flank to stretch the defence…as well as to shake off any man-marker.
And yes, during overlapping by FB, Van Persie will move inside with Giroud moving intot eh box in anticipation of a cross and Van Persie in antiicpation of a knock-down or a cut-back or a thru’ ball from Giroud or pick-and-roll off Giroud.
Not frogetting Poldolski cutting in from left flank…….or even Giroud pulling towards right flank with Van Persie cuttign into centre to confuse defence and man-marker……..and of course, SOngniho driving in or WIlsehre driving in with his reverse pass to catch defence off-balance…..
And hopefully, Arteta continues his sharp-shooting from outside the box….
4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2, the key is how well and fast will Giroud and Poldolski develops an understanding with Van Persiea dn rest of MDIFIELD to play that kind of PACE, MOBILITY and INTERCHANGEBAILITYto break down a packed box.
ALl premiership managers should have studied miles and miles of 2011/12 tapes by now…and are preparing tactics to counter the potency fo Van Persie and assists from Songniho.
Van Persie will struggle to score if Wenger does not provide him with a co-striker to counter man-marking and instantly surrounding Van Persie with 2 or 3 players.
Recalled that Bayern Munich CL CUp tie when they identified Fabreags as the danger man and instantly surrounded him with 2 or 3 players with Ballack man-marking…adn effectively stopped Arsenal from playing.
Merlin96 says:
July 4, 2012 at 5:01 pm
……………All premiership managers should have studied miles and miles of 2011/12 tapes by now…and are preparing tactics to counter the potency fo Van Persie and assists from Songniho.
Oui mate. they should. Unfortunately AW has not studied anything since he is on a holiday till next week after being on the telly for some TV during the Euro. So do not expect any viewing of tapes for the next 7 days.
Me too devil in the womens game, one day striker, next day midfielder or defender and then when i was really old – on the bench 😉
Not that I was much good in any position on the pitch 😉
D_G, after 2004/05, with Fabregas, that was what Arsene Wenger trying to do…to emulate “Ajax Method of Team-Building” with youths.
Yes, it takes time and should bear fruits by now..if not for greedy players and disloyal players….
But sadly, the Class of “2005/06” produced only Fabregas, CLichy….and nobody else……..
Yes, it will take time from the current crop of 16 to 19 year old Wenger Wunderkind.
Perhaps, by 2014/15 season, we will 6 to 8 of ’em in the senior teams, regulars and substitutes playing at least 2o league games.
And that is why Wenger said it is “vital to keep Van Persie at all costs” as he is the FULCRUM that Wenger intended to build his 3rd Team, to give him at least 2 to 3 years of “breathing space” for Wenger Wunderkind to repalce Van Persie.
Our nucleus for 2012/13 and 2013/14:
………………………………Szczesny
…Bellerin?…….Koscielny……Vermaelen…….Gibbs
……………………Song………………….Coquelin
…….Wilshere………….Van Persie……………Poldolski
……………………………….Giroud
Our nucleus for 2014/15 and 2015/16:
………………………………Szczesny
…Bellerin…….Koscielny……Vermaelen…….Gibbs
…………………Jon Toral……….Coquelin
…….Wilshere………….Gnarby……………Poldolski
…………………………….Giroud
It looks like for the next four seasons, Arsenal FC may very well have a stable team that is consistent and develops that telepathic understanding with each other so vital to win titles and trophies.
D_G, Wenger is a workaholic and had already viewed those tapes umpteen times during 2011/12 season.
He would have viewed many otehr tapes including Euro2012 to refine his tactics for 2012/13 seasons..and hopefully, identifying any raw gems he can buy cheap before his rivals wake up.
I suspect one of the reasons for not buying now is that he is reviewing ll his targets, plus some new targets emerging from Euro2012, to assess and decide the players he wants to buy now.
Rico, not to worry.
I suspect Wenger was as confused as you last seaosn on the correct tactics..
Open you mouth, everybody know you are a fool. Shut your mouth, nobody know you are a fool with a “Le Professuer demeanour.”
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has announced that he will not be signing a new deal at the club.
Not sure about that Merlin, I have a sneaky feeling AW knows a lot more about tactics etc than any of us here do, so I think I’ll leave that to him…
I may shout and scream when things look ‘obvious’ on a matchday but that’s as far as it goes….
afternoon all !
Totts, started to reinforce…
Sigurvisson done
J. Moutinho, Vethongen, Lloris,…
Where is that vernat???
Oh boy, let’s see whether Gazidis will be true to his words ‘Van Persie will not be for sale at any price” and keep him and let him leave on a Bosman.
Will Kroneke willing to frogo 20 to 25-mil loss in transfer fee?
Hi JM..
Not good if they get all those 🙁
from eurosport.com:
Eurobot: Van Persie said: “I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
“I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal FC. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.
Depends on who we could replace him with Merlin?
J_M..Tiny Totts may look like Abu Dhabi City during 1st year there……AVB needs tiem to blend in a complete new team..new tactics..adn confused hell out of old and new players 😆
Just look at Kenny after buying all those new players……..and what happened to Liverpool then?
more…
“I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last 8 years. As soon as Mr. Gazidis is back from his 2-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.”
Yes Rico, he will be sold.
Wenger: “My door is always open. I will not keep any player who refused to play for Arsenal.”
His wife wished to remain in England due to children education…..I see him at Abu Dhabi CIty or Chelski…
He will not unsettle his family by moving out of England….Manchester or CHelski will be a nice compromise for him and his family.
Git!!
WTF Gazidis is doing on his 2-week holiday instead of during Euro2012?
Maybe, maybe not – we don’t know for sure Merlin….
You really think IG would make a difference to the RvP situation??
I don’t – it would appear they all talked, RVP went off to think and now he has made a decision.
But, I am not convinced he will stay in the PL… Not sure he would do that to the fans…
Maybe Juve did make an offer, but for a lot more than £8 Million….
The British press reveals that the direction of Tottenham have offered, allegedly, about 62 million euros for the Portuguese coach Andre Villas Boas spend on reinforcements.
According to the Daily Mirror, Villas Boas for the engagement of striker Loic Remy, Marseille, defender Jan Vertonghen, Ajax, and the average Gylfi Sigurdsson, Hoffenheim, and Alan Dzagoev, CSKA.
The Portuguese coach also wants the continuity of striker Adebayor, who was transferred from Manchester City
The meeting with IG and AW didn’t go well, RvP has said that he doesn’t believe in the way they want to take the club forward…
That says it all….
Expect liitle else in this transfer window……….
Replacement for Van Persie?
Why none other than Giroud.
Walcott will only sign if he assured of playing a more central role now that Van Persie is no more aorund…and Walcott is the natural Arsenal player to step up into Van Persie’s boots.
Promotion for Benik Afobe as well.
And Wenger will wait for one more season fro Joel Campbell.
Or buy Dempsey on a 2-year contract as cover…
But hey, Wenger always surprises us with “unknows” like Koscielny or Park CY 😆
I doubt Walcott will stay now….
The complete article:
The prolific forward has been heavily linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium with a year left on his current deal.
Van Persie has released a statement on his official website to make it clear that he will not be remaining at the club beyond his present contract.
“This is an update for the fans about my current situation. I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for the club and as agreed with Mr Gazidis and Mr Wenger, but since there is so much speculation in the media, I think it is fair for you guys to know what’s really going on at the moment.
“As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss and Mr Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.”
He continued: “Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don’t want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.
“I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal FC,” he added.
“Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch. I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years.
“As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.”
Van Persie scored 37 goals in 48 appearances for Arsenal last season and the news is likely to prompt interest from a number of big clubs across Europe.
Manchester City and Juventus are among the clubs to have been repeatedly linked with signing the Dutchman.
Thanks for the 18 good months Robin. Care to pay back the 7 years worth of wages and medical expenses you cost while you were unfit before you go!
If Arsene can find players as good as Kos the Boss then great who cares if they are known what matters is how good they are. Arteta to be captain next year, and RVP sold to highest bidder, we don’t want or need players who aren’t hear for the long run with the club, thanks for all you have done but goodbye Robin.
Now we need to sign up Theo and have him, Podolski and Giroud with Gervinho as back up and look to strengthen in the creative department with an attacking midfield player
walcott…if he stays… doubts now.
Rico, if what I read about him as a fmaily is true, I doubt he will move out of ENgland as it will be extremely distruptive to his family.
Just swallow your pride when an English club offers to pay you 200,000pw….
If Wenger beleives RvP is vital, then he can always refused to sell and keep him for one mroe year….
Remember, Henry wa sin the same situaiton and refused to sign a new contract, letting ti run down and see what direction the club is heading before he signed a new extension.
However, basing on Cesc-Nasri Saga, any offer of 20 to 25-mil will see RvP sold…
The worse scenario is a simialr long-drag out affair like Cesc transfer to Barca bickering over the price which distract us from pre-season training.
It is good that it is beofre pre-season starts and Wenger should move swiftly to resolve this once and for all..including keeping or selling Walcott before 9-July.
Walcott will become another hatred figure like “Nasri” and “Adebayor” if he is daft to leave now..so soon after RvP/
Robin speaking on the direction of the club and how it is run with his vast coaching qualifications and experience, well we should move forward only with players who want to be at the club to many players who have said they love the club and then leave fair enough leave.
“And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
“Always look-on the bright side of life”
Arsenal will be lucky to get £15 million as RVP has lessened the transfer options of the club by stating that he wamts to stay in England…
Gazides has gone and fcuked things up again…
Nevermind. Diaby will save the day.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.”
………., but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.”
Well, that said it all.
Wenger is not buying marquee players to strengthen the squad.
Expect Wenger to buy players of around 15-mil.
JM –
that from RvP makes me worry, if he as a player doesn’t agree with the way AW and IG want to take the club forward, then I doubt most of us fans will agree with the long term plan either…..
For me this spells troble with a capital ‘T’
I too doubt Theo will stay, unless Wenger now tells him that RvP leaving has opened a chance for him to play central with Giroud….
Hi Charlie, don’t think Gazidis is alone in this, Wenger is just as much to blame, its his ‘vision…..
Merlin – i’ll wait and see, i strongly suspect his wife would like some sunshine….
Can’t see how he can stay after this statement, by disagreeing with how the club is going forward he has said that he does not rate the players at the club as good enough and the ones bought as of insufficient quality, that will go down a storm in the dressing room don’t you think?
Call me all bitter and twisted but if we do sell him to a PL club, I hope he picks up a serious ligament injury in his first game….
Agree vernat – i guess we won’t see him again now…..
Wenger needs to get his arse in gear and move RVP on sharpish, none of this last weeks in August bollocks.
He also needs to get a deal done for Matias Suarez, if that rumour is true.
Wonder if Wenger will have a re-think over Arshavin…?
Arteta for captain is a good call.
But I reckon that Wenger will give it to Verm.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day
Well Robin is not one of those i hope that he thinks himself accursed when Arsenal prove that they are bigger than any one player
Pretty much agree their Charlie, but this could spark a few others leaving and TV to Barca may not be all lies…
Song & Theo could go too…
Arshavin – he has to go, he’s lazy…
Can’t see many additions though, not now RvP has made his comments, looks like youth, youth and more youth….
Afternoon all. Pretty fucked off about RvP. Thought he was better than that. One amazing season does not recompense the countless seasons he’s been unavailable to us. Even his wife thinks he owes us!
Theo can fuck off as well now.
On the upside, at least now RvP is going, Song may stop those bullshit flighted through balls that the preas cream themselves over (but gloss over the fact he has about a 5% success rate with them…..)
Rico – Arshavin has always said he wants to play a more central role. Could be worth trying him out behind a front 1 or 2 for half a season and ditch him in Jan if that still doesn’t work!
If Verm is to leave, at least we’ll get a good price as he’s not long signed a new deal.
van Persie has been very clever with his words. He’ll be able to trot out the old’its not about money’ cliche. Another liar just like Cesc who continues to tell us how much we mean to him despite the fact that he refused to play ‘cos we accepted a £50m offer from Real. As much as I despise Nasri, at least he hasn’t spouted on about how much he loves the club and us!! You could say he shafted us in an honest way by trying his nuts off against Liverpool before he left!
Good point Bob… He was the only shining light against the Bindippers that day. He said he wanted to leave for trophies, and he won one. As much as I hate the guy.
I like the way RvP said that out of respect he won’t go into details….. After announcing you won’t be staying due to the reason he gave, I think they owe it to us to give us all the details.
If he does stay in the PL, I hope Frimpong tears him a new one when we come up against him (providing they are actually both fit that is!)
Hi Rocky – you and me both, I truly thought he would stay and be a better man…..
One great season…..
Some one should have told Robin that form in temporary class is permanent
But when is his contract up rocky, i understand why some suggest keep AA but his head goes down far to easily for me…
Bob – good comment, be interesting to see what AW says about RvP’s decision
Hi Rico. Dunno to be honest. I’m not his biggest fan, but he’s never a winger is he?! How many people’s head goes down when being played out of position? Ramsey, Bendtner, Even Gerv (I don’t believe he’s a winger either) to name a few. In fact, Flamini was the only one I can think of who just rolled his sleeves up (literally, if I remember rightly) and got stuck in wherever he was put.
I know you are right rocky but a true pro would just be glad to be playing and if they felt anything for the club and fans they would always give their all…
Look a Coquelin, he is pulled from pillar to post positional wise, yet he gives everything and always, same with Chamberlain ….
But I guess they are young and more enthusiastic
As for Gervinho, totally agree, he is definately not a winger rocky…
That’s the thing Rico… Both are very young, first timers in the squad who just want to impress. The others are seasoned “pros”. They get the hump quicker.
I suppose if it comes down to a straight fight between Shittie & Chavs, then it might push the price up towards £20/25 million
I know rocky, i know 😉
But, when you are heading near the end of your career, wouldn’t/shouldn’t you treat it the same, every game could be your last….
Charlie – you ignoring my texts then 😉
I’d rather PSG came in or Juve and offered a silly amount, or that Russian/China club – gte him gone as far away as possible….
But, yes, i think it will be Citeh or Chelsea, and my money is on the latter, because his wife likes london….
I think Chelsea too. Although I’d rather take De Jong as part of a part ex.
Or if teh Chavs decide they can do without Sturridge, he can cross London in a part ex!
One person cannot hold a club to ransom. If RVP has made a choice to leave, so be it. Am sure he knows his destination before coming out with this statement. Arsenal should quickly cash in on him and reinvest the fund generated to get a replacement. If Theo feels like jumping the ship after RVP decision we should let him go. I dont think he will ever progress more than what we’ve seen of him so far. Wenger should get our transfer biz sorted out as soon as possible so we could have a good pre-season before the league starts. Arsenal need to accept RVPs decision and move on
We are all going to be pissed off at the news. It’s natural. We will feel let down and perhaps betrayed and some people will say silly things about Robin too. I hope that the club don’t try to keep him to make a point. That would make us look weak I think. But the really worrying thing is this bit about not sharing a vision of where the club is going and that must be a concern to us all. The scenario of Arsenal under this manager and this owner being content to come second is an obvious one and I would have thought that Kroenke, Gazidis and Wenger would have been intent on shaking the rust off the old model and equipping the squad to really compete this season. Obviously Robin, after hearing the details of their plans, doesn’t feel as if this will happen, despite the signings of Podolski and Giroud. These signings tell me that they were expecting this news as I couldn’t see Wenger buying two strikers for the simple reason that we do need them. Recently he has stopped doing the things that the club really needs and this is a real concern. Yes, Robin has been a bit of a dick. When you think of how everybody has stood by him, especially the fans, through years of injuries and all the other crap, you really might have reasonably hoped for something called loyalty but he clearly is not well served in that area. I say sell him to the highest bidder and show a bit of steel and intent in the market because this is not goingo play well with the fans and we had enough of all this shit last year. Usmanov takeover anyone?
I’d take Lukaku rocky….
emma – i too am sure he knows where he is heading….
Adam – you know my thought on Usmanov, if RvP’s comments are truth, absolute truth then it’s time for that takover and yes, time for AW and IG to go too…
That is not knee jerk form me either, if the way forward is trusting youth and cheap signings, then, that won’t be good for OUR club….
Morning all……very early here,but last nights curry is playing tricks.
Well,RVP can go and get right royally F**ked if this is true.
Remember when it was a privilege to pay for a great club like Arsenal??
Remember when a club like Arsenal discovered you,added the polish to make you a great player,stuck by you through personal problems,stuck by you….and still paid you a handsome wage…whilst you were lying on a medical bed somewhere receiving treatment for a broken toenail……remember when players played for the love the game….remember when it was all about the club…remember when we USED TO love you????
No,neither can I.
Good riddance,as maybe with a fit and healthy RVP all these years we’d have actually won something!!!!
Blame the club…..Bullshit…..blame crocks like you!!!!!
Loyalty seems to go one way,and the only criticism I’ll hear on Wenger is the amount of loyalty he shows to these money hungry,ego tripping prima donnas!!!
Sell him now to Russia.
If he wishes to stay in London,let him warm the bloody bench for 12 months……he’s had enough practice over the years!!!!
They could always give us Mata………………
Oh,and if this makes Theo want out,piss hm off too.
There’s 40 million we will have to spend…….go and get us that world class CAM we need.
Fancy waking up to curry pains followed by this……I really feel crook now,as I,naively,thought better off the man!!
Sorry Rico…
Busy….. : (
Not Lukaku Rico. He runs in glue. The only way Wenger is going to get round this is to buy a proper player to take his place but we know that won’t happen because it’s Wenger and we have seen the baggage he has picked up over the years. If he sold Van Persie for £25 million, stuck in the £15 he’s going to get for Bendtner and the other flakes and bought the player he said he would buy if he had the money then that would show intent. But he won’t. We know he won’t and it’s bloody depressing. Theo out next? I think so.
I wonder if his vision of the club he goes to will include an extra amount on his salary?
I’d take that deal Wath…
Warm the bench Scott, come on, that just won’t happen, we are losing a great player, a player who wants to win things but after his comments, do this current board want to do the same??
RICO,I keep asking this…..ow can ou lame Wenger for the clubs “way forward”???
He’s an employee,merely acting on behalf of a board who tell him where the clubs headed,and his job is to do what they tell him.
I’ve said it a 1000 times….if he’s truly being given money and NOT spending it,then the board is responsible to make him spend or sack him,but since neither is happening,it’s plainly obvious the moneys not there that people think!
AFC have said they believe RVP will see out his contract….
Sorry Scott, AW pulls the strings….
Exactly Rico,lame the board……theyre the people screwing the club and fans over.
I honestly would prefer to see him sit on the bench after these comments.
Either get the dollars for him from Russia,or stuff him.
Great player…. NO Dennis was a great player Robin is a good player who had an exceptional season and then decided that he knows better than the club, fine go to wherever you want but be honest about it not shared his vision… Bo~~cks
And we are the puppets Rico. And we’ve paid for our season tickets. 🙂
Least VP ain’t ripping us off by taking a new contract for an extra 60k a week plus 5mil bonus and then fucking off next season anyway…! He’s said what he thinks and in one way fair play now to ask questions of the club as to what views did they not agree on about the future… did they tell him 4th is a trophy…?
Scott, wenger and the board are one and the same mate and make no mistake we have a weak board who wenger controls no one stands up to him… No one…!
Rico,I don’t seem to be getting my point across.
If AW is pulling the strings,blame he bloody board for allowing it!!!
If I own a company thats flailing because of decisions made by the staff,who is really at fault???
Vernat,his vision was of a growing bank account!!!
WATH,thats my point though.
As far as the board is concerned,Wenger is God.
Good evening Fine Folk.
So RVP has decided to up and leave!!!!!
Goody for him. Now that will force AW to change the playing system and maybe give him time enough to buy someone else. Unless he does not see Arshavin and Bendy as the solution. Enough to make one vomit.
But I have been saying it all along. Its the club who want him to fuck off. Not the other way round. With the GPS tracking system, AW knows who is near the danger zone to get injured. And believe me RVP was hovering around the red zone. Do not expect him to be involved in any preseason. Not even for a second.
Seeing that usually the captain’s armband signals the departure of the incumbent, I suggest that Squilly should be made captain now. 😆
I will alter my stance slightly.
Sell him to anyone but those arsewipes at Citeh.
If he goes there,we may as well change our name to Man Citeh B.
Arsenal just issued a statement on her official website:
Arsenal Football Club has issued the following statement with regard to Robin van Persie’s future:
“ We have to respect Robin’s decision not to renew his contract. Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the Club.
“We are planning with ambition and confidence for next season with Arsenal’s best interests in mind.”
Rico, don’t want to say told you so….I’m really disappointed in RvP go and join that money grabbing prick na$ri or that shower of shite from west London! We offered him a fortune but we didn’t show enough ambition…. Who’s fault is that? Step forward AW!
It’s just so tedious being an Arsenal supporter every year we lose a top player….just a thought try strengthening squad over a period of time! So our two strikers have never played in th PL, let’s hope they hit the ground running!!!
As soon as that oxygen thief PHW opens his mouth up you can bet your bottom dollar the polar opposite will happen!!
It’s not a financial thing we offered him £200k p.w and a £5m bonus and he didn’t fancy it…..well fuck him, let’s move onwards and upwards!!!
Thing is Scott we all know when we taking the piss at work or with the boss etc etc, the board have failed badly the last 6/7 years with the lies and bullshit and have let Wenger do what he wants, the other side to that is wenger says he does whats best for the club but in fact thats crap as well as he knows he is the all powerful one so why does he not insist they back him in the transfer market and spend big… because his ego won’t allow it mate it would prove project youth failed and even though all his wonderkids are leaving one by one he will not allow the truth to change his attitude and that is very sad for me from a manger that has given us so much so for me as said him and the board both to blame but i now do not know the solution as a new board telling him what to do and i reckon he would throw a tantrum and resign..!
Hi WATH. It is what it is. All this seeing out his contract is nonsense for me. So, with his £4 million wages plus, say £25 million from Man City or Chelsea, Arsenal are going to throw about £30 million on an uncommitted player for one year. A player who Paul Merson rightly says, will get slaughtered by the fans? No, I don’t buy it. It’s marketing talk. Van Persie, by issuing this statement, is forcing a transfer and I imagine he knows where he wants to go. Perhaps City? We have robbed that lot before so we’ll have to do it again. Let him be rotated with Tevez, Balotelli and Aguero. Who knows? He could be injured in the first game. I hope he goes to Real Madrid and we could get Benzema ( doubtful) or Higuiain (possible). For me he is gone now and I personally hope he regrets it though no doubt, in a few months, we will see an interview with him telling someone how he is glad he moved and how much better a player he has become.
Something has to give we can’t keep losing our best players!! Its beyond a joke……
Seems a statement from the club is reactionary to RVP’s comments…! lack of ambition seems may of opened a can of worms…??
Fucking true though WATH!
I agree Adam no way can he stay it costs us even more money and why keep anyone who doesnt wanna be there…? Get rid get what w can and buy quality it’s what I always say I don’t care who goes, it can be upsetting to lose a great player BUT if he’s replaced with a great player then whats the problem..? thats where we fuck it all up and last year instead of replacing Cesc and Na$ri we pissed around and stuffed it all up.
With the exception of Cesc and Na$ri all the others who have left were all near or above the 30 year mark. Well you might say the togo lump but he has not set any houses on fire did he.
Let him go. I for one will not be sorry to see him go. If AW re-invests the money then I will feel much better. That is a big IF. But I expect him to fetch around 25 million. On the other hand, if the chavs want him……….why not exchange him for Torres.
Call RVP what you want if he gets offered 200k to stay and we invest in no players then he’s greedy to stay yet if someone else offers him the same elsewhere and says they gonna spend 100million of other players as well to win trophies where would you go..????????
Not in my eyes Scott AW is equally to blame as the others, they can all naff off as far as i am concerned…
At the end of it all I feel safe to say that RVP knew all season where he was going and that is why he was trying his damned hardest……..to up his hand when demanding his wage. It all boils down to money mates. And that is what RVP wants. He may trot out the old “its for trophies” but at the end of it all its not. If he goes to shitty he has to share with Balotelli, Aguero, Dzeko, Tevez etc. And let’s face it……..if I were a club’s manager I would prefer Aguero and Balotelli over him any day. And as you all are aware I have been saying for the last six months that he can leave.
When Arsene Wenger was a sane man and a football manager I always trusted him to make the right call. When he said a top football club needed four top strikers and added Kanu I thought he really knew what he was doing. But this Arsene Wenger is not that man. He is an accountant, a bean counter and a lucky man. How did Arsenal manage to secure a CL spot with one striker? A player with an appalling injury record. Wo else could have done that and has it ever been done before? Who else would be insane enough to have tried? Thinking about the VP saga I am not at all convinced that this isn’t exactly the scenario that Wenger envisaged. He thinks of himself as a master of the game does our Arsene and he might be but, if he cocks up again this summer I think he will get and deserve every bit of merde that will be coming his way.
😆 Adam, I’m just a Sandy Shaw…
Scott – now ay whould he stay and remian on the ebnch, and I actually don’t believe he was after money, he wanted to win trophies, and with us….
It would appear that IG and AW couldn’t covince him that the club are ready to do the same….
You lot….
Moan Moan Moan….
Me, I’m taking it in my stride.
Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Well at least we know Jack will be the next one leaving next season !!!
hello again…
I’m quite sure RVP is not fit for another complete season.
Anyway, he must play because he wants to be integrate in dutch squad for the World Cup – 2014. Besides, not sign a new contract, doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to play one more year for us. In an intensive way. Finish the contarct, he is close the 30th years old. A class player start thinking not in titles but in the real future.
How can you take it in your stride……….. Your driving not walking…! liar….!
Hi Lee – I know you told me so 🙁
‘Who’s fault is that? Step forward AW’!
I have to agree there….
Wath,call me old fashioned,but I’d stay at the club who stuck by me.
I was working at a place that required some time off for personal reasons…nearly 3 months in total.
The company were under no legal obligation to continue my employment for so long whilst paying me and keeping my job for when I returned at full health……is this sounding familiar?
Well,I came back,and in the following 18 months had an ex workmate offer me 20 grand more,then 30 until he got the message at an extra 40 grand that I wasn’t coming.
Let me tell you…..an extra 40 grand a year would’ve meant ten times he difference to me that another 100 a week will to RVP.
Yes,I’m still at the same company,and yes,it’s a true story.
I think I’m with Charlie Sauce AK…………… Least we got Diaby…!
Ok Ok i’ll get me coat…………………….
devil, i don’t think it is about money…..
One chapter ends, another begins. I can see that in an economist’s mind selling dear old Robin makes perfect sense. His value is the highest it has ever been and ever will be. He is nearly 29 and just had an exceptional season. It all makes sense. Economists like Wenger are not swayed by emotion. For them it is the bottom line that counts. And there is always the prospect of playing transferus interruptus with man-child Bob Mancini, the man who respects Wenger so much and the same man that wants what everybody else has. Too good a cow not to want to milk it perhaps.
There’s no way I’d want to see a player at the club who has basically insulted the group of players Around him.
Scott fair play mate and yes thats loyalty and maybe RVP is more than happy to stay next season but do we want him…? is he showing a bit of loyalty by saying now he not staying and not taking an extra 60k off us with a new contract that he would not honour…? My biggest complaint is with the board and wenger and that this was so predictable…! I think RVP does have the club at heart and I reckon if they had said yep we bring in A.B, C and D players all of whom are 22/23 world class he would of stayed…! Just my feelings and i could me miles off base mate..!
Rico. It is always about money.
Its not what they say Rico. At the end of the day the club, RVP and everyone sees only money.
Anyone want to bet that next year he will be at Shitty and at the beginning of the 2013/14 he will be banging for a loan move to another club………due to a small amount of playing time????
Adam, Lee and I said as much a few weeks back, are the club thinking why pay him so much now for 4 yrs when he has no resale value and he costs us a fortune….? Sell him now get in two younger players win win situation the fans will soon get over it…! Well we will if you flog him and buy 3 more world class players and STILL get rid of all the shit still on our books…!
RICO,if it’s not about money,let RVP go for 100k a week,and tack on the extra 100k Citeh offer onto the transfer fee.
Can’t see it happening…can you??
It’s ALL about money,as is football.
RVP knows he will never have another season such as the last,s wants is superannuation contract now.
I’d have gone Scott – sorry, this is a dog eat dog world…
BUT, RvP hasn’t left for money imho – he could have stayed and taken that £5M bonus for doing nothing if he was that way inclined……
I tell you this…………if the club has offered him 200kpw plus 5million signing on fee than that is where I would be furious. That would be an utter waste.
WATH. I am afraid you must stop this. You are making too much sense.
Maybe Adam, but I suspect I know who will be the ones rubbing their hands together….
Guys, I choose to believe what RvP says, beat me up about it all you like but that’s just my view.
Wath,I see your points.
We all say it,and have for months.
If the guy goes,I don’t care about the reasons,as long as he doesn’t lie about them.
The biggest thing is if he goes,then the money MUST be reinvested immediately.
If this doesn’t happen,then even I will be calling for heads…..the boards and Wengers.
Even without RVP,I elieve we have good enough strikers.
We need that creative player.
Maybe the plan has been all along sell RVP and some others,and smash Borussia Dortmund with a 40-45 million offer for Gotze.
Hey,I can dream.
WATH. And if I thought that old Uncle Arsene would do that then it would be ok. Like I said, it wouldn’t surprise me if this was the cunning plan all along. Wenger should be running Barclays. He’d do a better job than Diamond and wouldn’t cost so much in Botox.
Well RICO,call me naive or old school.
Call me loyal.
Scott – like all of us, you are guessing, trying to make it sound factual will not change my own view….
He has now decided to move, obver to the club to get the most tey can for him, AND then make sure they use it to buy a striker who is proved and ready to make us stronger….
Will that happen…
As lee says, b…..
But Rico. What else could Van Persie have said. He couldn’t say I want more money because I want to be able to drive two cars at once. Or I want to feast in the same trough as Samir Nasri. The guy has had one great season. I don’t remember clubs trying to buy him for the past several seasons, mainly because he was on the treatment table. The more I think about it I think it makes sense. Who Wenger buys with the money is all that matters. But we need the foul deed of transfer to be completed very, very soon. Baby Bob has read the news and is feeling a little stirring in his shorts.
Not calling you anything Scott, all I know is that the sooner I could earn what it takes to retire and be with my family more, the better..
Why work ten years when you can work for five and earn the same money….?
In fact, from the salary you say you were offered, you could have retired already 😉
Rico,let’s see him hand over he extra 100 if it’s not about money then!!
The proofs in the pudding.
The FACTS are he has been paid a very handsome wage to spend a lot of time off the field,and leaving shows he’s a man with no loyalty,no scruples,or he’s a greedy prick.
Either way,he’s not he man I thought he was.
Better off gone….spend the cash or incur the wrath of all Gooners.
RICO.just remember it was 40k in Aussie dollars,not pounds lol
I don’t know Adam, just RvP doesn’t seem that kind of guy, maybe I am being taken for a fool but until i hear otherwise, I’m choosing to believe him…
BUT, yes, what is now important is what the club does with the money it gets, if they don’t spend it, then it smacks of the club telling him he will be sold and the money invested elsewhere other than on the pitch….
Scott – why the caps??
Adam @8.15…spot on.
Mancini has the best scouting network in the world…..just turns on he tele when we are playing 🙂
The IPad does it Rico…every single time,and sometimes I just forget to fix it. Others here have said he same thing.
Take no offence to it,it’s just a pain in the arse.
Club Statement:
Arsenal Football Club has issued the following statement with regard to Robin van Persie’s future:
“ We have to respect Robin’s decision not to renew his contract. Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the Club.
“We are planning with ambition and confidence for next season with Arsenal’s best interests in mind.”
Just read we are offering the 17 million buy out clause for Huntelaar……..would we be happy to get him plus have a few million left over??
guys this is gutting news but let’s stick together we are arsenal we will survive its happend plenty of times in past let’s just let him go and reinvest hopefully…
I doubt that Rico. Whatever the reasons, he wants out. His wife and parents said it was time for him to show some loyalty and he has ignored her. Robin is a very well paid employee leading a privileged life at a great club but he says he doesn’t share the club’s vision, which is really Arsene’s vision. The same Arsene who stood by him through the shit storm that has been his Arsenal career and the same Arsene who gave him a new position and the team and confidence to score all those goals. But he doesn’t think that deserves any loyalty. Fair enough. The King is dead. Long live the King.
The grass isn’t always greener my Dutch friend….look at Mr Hleb!!
Tomo – its the reinvest bit that worries me…
Scott – Huntelaar – no thanks…
There goes his chance to be a legend……
Can’t see Huntelaar at all Scott. We have had many chances to buy him on his various trips through European clubs. He scored the first ever goal at the Emirates and looked useful then, but he has very little outside the box.
Rico,I haven’t seen much of Huntelaar at all,but his record is pretty impressive.
What is it you don’t like?
He’s not another trouble maker,is he?
I think that’s why I feel like I do Adam, I honestly thought he was better than all of this, I thought he would pay back the club for all the years on the sick bay. I too thought he would take the advice from his family….
I’ll be ok by the morning….
What really annoys me is I had tomorrows post ready, now it looks like I have to write a different one 😉
Fair enough Adam.
Funny….I knew plenty of Podolski but bugger all of this like playing in the same league…..go figure!
I heard he was a bit troublesome scott, not sure if there is any truth in it though…
I’d rather we signed a proved PL player…
Torres 😛
Lorik Remy would be a good addition,
or even get Jordan Rhodes and Dempsey, yes, both, give Rhodes time to bed in, he’ll be good….
RIco,just change it to one about a disillusioned Aussie complaint about the loyalty being dead.
Or,be positive and tell us what we all know…ARSENAL WILL SURVIVE,!!!
I’ve had my rants…lets get on with things.
It’s 5.30 am here,maybe im starting to finally wake up,but that curry is still giving me curry!!
Sorry Adam I hate it when I sound sensible…………..
The cynic in me says it’s all a big plan by Arsenal to get rid of RVP…. Why pay him a 5mil bonus plus wages and when it’s over he’s 33 no resale value and has spent half the time out injured…..! It’s a nagging thought in the back of my mind that they’d sooner he went now and we brought in a younger version…! Again for me as always it’s about who we bring in and making sure we invest in quality players, nothing more nothing less.
See Rico,we always find common ground eventually….I’d take Torres,and reckon he’d be better than ever for us.
Wath,I have no doubt RVP leaving will have less impact than Cesc going.
The problem is the perception it brings coming so soon afterwards.
If it happened last season,most would not have given it too much thought,but after Cesc and tha fat bastard leaving,followed by Robins season,it will have a huge impact on fans.
Does anone else find it ironic that RVP doesn’t agree with the “vision” of developing world players rather than buying them??
How long has the man himself been world class??
He certainly wasn’t when he arrived,nor was he when sitting in he stands!!
Off for the night. Sleep well all. As Scarlett O’Hara said, rather tremulously, “Tomorrow is another day”.
Robins played his last card he says its not money,he wants to win something…I know he wants to stay
We must keep him to his contract another year to go,
Us surpporters don’t give a toss about how much it costs the club,
so lets keep him and see if we can win something,
we have to stand firm and not sell him to another Prem/Club.
What players will improve this team..Tell us Robin or tell them
Cesc leaving was always gonna happen though Scott poor little mite missed his home….. na$ri is just greed yet what bugs me is RVP being right and that the powers that be are happy with mediocrity and that for me is hard to swallow, we’ve seen it the last 7 years and seen the comments to paper up the cracks but it’s there for all to see and if RVp has hit the nail on the head then its us the fans who yet again have to deal with all the shit AND pay through the nose to fund what..?
Another day,another signing…..maybe Adam lol.
Sleep well.
But Wath,if the guy had been fit for he last 7 years,we’d probably have won something.
I didn’t see him handing his wage back and telling them to bring in a new player then.
He wasn’t complaining about the clubs vision until now.
It’s disappointing.
I think the board are totally to blame for the direction we’ve headed….they want a profit first and foremost,and Wenger delivers it.
Those fuckers have known what RvP was going to say all along…..let’s get all the ST money in!!!
Night Adam.
😆 Scott – agag would like Torres too..
How about David Villa too, can’t see where he will fit in at Barca once they get RvP 😉
Maybe Frednerk is right….it’s his last card.
Someone said earlier he may be pulling a Rooney and by making things public,it leaves no one under any illusion as to what the club really wants….profits ahead of performance.
There are so many factors,and so many possible outcomes,it’s scary.
Night Adam – don’t have nightmares of RvP in a Citeh shirt 😉
Spot on Lee, why did they make sure Podolski and Giroud was done early… they knew full well for sure and when RVP said in May what ever happens he’ll always be a Gooner that said it all…!
RVP wasn’t the main man the last 7 years Scott Henry was and then Cesc was and he’s always been opinionated so i’d guess he asked wenger who the club were looking at and wasn’t happy with the response but as said maybe being cynical the club are not unhappy to sell him off…?
Surely we can’t make him see out his contract? We’ve got to get shot of him ASAP and replace him! Didn’t theo say he was waiting on RvP’s decision? So we’ve got to sell him too……
Scott well said re the vision of the club when he was injured all the time!!!!!!!
Cheers Adam……….
Scott, far to many things going on that we will never ever know about mate, and all cloak and dagger and lies bullshit and spin and who the fuck do you ever believe…?
Unfortunately Lee,I am forced to believe you may well be right about ST money.
Torres is just too pretty though Rico….he must be playing fr the other side 🙂
Maybe AGAG see him as an opportunity to double her shoe collection lol.
I think so too Lewis….
Lee – guess that’s why they agreed to keep it all quiet, why would RvP go along with it though, surely he thinks more of the fans than that…..
Wath,I’d love to sit down and pump 4-5 pints Into Wenger.
If he didn’t fall asleep,I reckon it’d be a bloody interesting conversation!!!
Lee, Maybe Theo reckons that RVP fucks off he gets to play through the middle and he stays……….?
I’m just worried that our new strike force doesn’t hit the ground running…..we’ll be in deep shit!!
That fucking armband is cursed!! Tommy V off next then? Why don’t we make denilson captain??? 😆
The club thinks sell RVP pay Theo extra even if he shit we can sell him for 20million as he still young and someone will buy him…?
Give the armband out to joint Captains………..
Denilson
Bendtner
Vela
Djourou
Squillaci
Arshavin
Chamahk
Mannone
Fabianski
Park
That’ll do for starters…………!
I didn’t think of that WATH…..maybe.
We are such a massive football club why do we have an annual exodus? Who’s fault is it? We should be building a team around Robin not having to sell him……so disappointing!!
One consolation…we may of lost RvP but we’ll never finish below that shower of shite up the road!!! Night all, Gloria Gaynor!!!!! 😉
Cheers Lee,
George Micheal……….. 😀
I see Spurs have signed Sigurdsson……what’s happening with Vertonghen……don’t they want him.
Lets buy him just to piss that mob off!!
Culture Club.
The side should never be built round anyone player i reckon that just causes so much shit if they leave…! we’ve suffered with that far to much….
Just read a classic.
A most clubs,the armband signifies the clubs captain.
At Arsenal,it’s a “for sale” sign!!
Another…..Arsenal Reserves wish to announce their new captain for next season…RVP!!
Scott thats piss funny “For Sale Sign”………… I like that 😉
Arteta or Vermaelen for captain???
Another question now is who becomes Captain ??
Evening guys.
Fantastic post Merlin, could talk formations and tactics for hours.
As for Robin leaving…meh.
my 9.04…. Shit… I forgot Diaby…..!
Captain………… Hmmmm Arteta for now I reckon
He’s married with two kids Scott 🙂
Night Lee….
Scott – 😆 re the ‘for sale’….
So is John Travolta Rico lol!!!
What you trying to say Scott 😉
If RVP,Diaby and Rosicky…feel free to add others….had stayed fit and healthy all these years,would we be having these conversations??
It’s what irks me most….a great player who’s hardly played is basically demanding the club provide what hasn’t been able to for the majority of his career….world class playing talent.
Hi Will
Captain, well it’s simple, who will be leaving next season??
Give it to Song 😛
On that note, I am done for the day, chickens need locking up etc etc….
Night all, stay safe…..
Tomorrow is another day…… 🙁
I’m married with two kids!
If we only have one kid,there are still doubts.
Three is just too many.
Two kids gets the doubters of our backs.
Basically,any man with two kids is gay,Rico.
Wenger and the board are far too cosy slapping each other on the back and telling themselves what a fine job they are doing.Wenger hides behind the money issue to excuse his own shortcomings.Stuart Robson,who has left ATV online,has been most enlightening this evening on the radio.He pointed out that despite the much vaunted youth policy,only ONE player has come through the academy under Wenger,Wilshere.All the others eg Song,Cesc etc,have been bought from elsewhere (even Gibbs came from the Wimbledon academy when it disbanded) Robson said that coaches at Arsenal have expressed to him their concerns that Wenger keeps filling the Academy with foreign kids like Eisfeld who are not as good as kids already here.The English kids then get pushed out by Wenger who favours foreigners.The only English thing about Arsenal is the postcode.It is disgusting.Wenger is a fraud.I tell you there must be changes in the ownership and management of this club this season or Arsenal as a top club are finished. The Emirates stadium is a sham.It was conceived and implemented by people wanting to make generation changing amounts of money by increasing the value of the club and then flogging it to the first passing billionaire.The biggest joke of all is that they chose an American who knows nothing about football and refuses to invest any of his billions.Even more of a joke is their continuing prescence on the board.Talk about win win.BTW,he has been REALLY scathing bout Wengers tactics and recent buys.Wenger wants to concentrate on doing his job instead of criticising teams who have won two european champs and a world cup.
Since the armband is cursed. I guess we could make Squillaci the captain
One foot in the grave is a foolish step to take. No player is bigger than AFC.
Great article on Arse2Mouse
http://www.arse2mouse.com/post/26502993210
Rico lets not start on the Song thing right now lol
It’s a vicious circle Scott…!
LJB….I will argue one of your points.
Of course the club prefers foreign kids,and why wouldn’t they??
When was the last time Enland won anything other than a coin toss??
Every successful club is full of foreigners.
The youth policy was always going to take a long time to show results.On everything else though,you’re right.
I know Wath,but with a little luck,we could’ve won our share recently.
Yes,signings would’ve helped,too.
Scott, LJB not entirely wrong with the academy when you consider Wenger been there nearly 16 years and that was the first thing he overhauled… I’ve heard from numerous people wenger doesnt listen to the youth coaches about younger players so Robson may not be talking shit there either
I have also thought this long and hard. I will not extend my fanship. Out of huge respect for Rico and the regulars I won’t go into details.
I just read his announcement on the official website,and something struck me.
The last sentence says Gazidis will be back and more meetings will follow…..he will advise us if and when other develpments occur.
Why the timing of his announcement…especially when Gazidis is away?
Why other meeting??
What other developments??
it’s all a bit strange.
Wath,fair enough.
Scott, wonder if that means IF we buys a few more quality players he’ll decide to stay ???? Then we say, sorry RVP you had ya chance… piss off 😀
wasn’t Gibbs 9 when he came to Arsenal?
Just to add…I didn’t realise the youth academy was changed solong ago,I thought it was more recently,so stand corrected.
No mate, the youth academy was one of the first things wenger did Scott, he said it was outdated and needed to reflect the 1st team so all players were brought up the same way,in reality we’ve brought through a lot of good players who have done well but only really 2/3 that have done well with us…! Lot of money goes into the academy when put into perspective and do we really reap the rewards I would say no we don’t..!
One things for sure the fuckin media gonna have a field day the next few days…!
I really don’t care that he is leaving. Maybe this will be a move back to 4-4-2 with Pod and Giroud up front. To big strikers who can play.
Who knows Wath…who knows?
Wouldnt it be lovely to just know the truth on these things?
The word “vision” is intriguing.
We have already bought two top strikers.
It’s very early in the transfer season,so were these signings,combined with the fact RVP was asked to be silent,merely tactics to placate ST holders??
Are they our only two “name” signings this summer??
Were they really bought in with the knowledge RVP would be sold??
If so,then why doesn’t RVP just say so?
As it stands,and we all may be totally wrong,he’s coming off as selfish and greedy……a man whose earnt a lot of money for spending little time on the pitch,but now someone who thinks he deserves the club to buy a squad so HE can win something.
Again,we may all be wrong,but if someone could set us straight,there would be no room for speculation.
He media are a pack of arseholes,and that goes for whichever country you live in!!
It’s why I gave buying the newspaper a long,long time ago.
Thing is Scott all we will ever get is specualtion as we’ll never be told the truth, we’ll get a snippet here and there but will never know either way.
As Rico said the other day when we get rid of all the dross and deadwood we are short of strikers, quality ones that is, Pod and Gir are good additions no doubt but will take time to settle and no RVP means we now in theory only have those two as our main strikers, what about when one or both get injured what then…? Gerv… Theo..? Hardly players you’d put ya wages on to score us goals week in week out So the question is what striker is next on the radar to bring in..?
Also what about the defensive midfielder OR as you say did the club tell RVp we have bought Pod and Gir but thats it as the kids are a year older and better and we have faith in them and so should you…?
How come we’re discussing poker kings instead of clear understanding what goes on at our club. Board of directors are in for a shit stire including Wenger.
Basically RvP’s decision dropped the ball like a meteor in the AFC court. Now will see what their words are worth. Keep at all costs or sell now when his head price compares to Osama Bin Laden.
Dutch,that’s why Robns comments are disrespectful t the club he claims to love.
He has brought the club not disrepute by raising the issue of vision,but not telling us what he means by it.
Rumours and innuendo wll fly around the world now,and all because of what Robin DIDN’T say.
Again,I’m not distraught with him leaving as long as we get good money,and DON’T sell him to Citeh…..rather he went to bloody Spurs…well,almost!!
Oh,and we need to Use he cash to get that CAM.
Also,id get Vertonghen….it has two effects.
Firstly,It pisses off all the right people,and secondly would allow the best DM in the world to play that position…..Vermaelen!!
He’d be an absolute star!!!!
How did you all felt about our 125 anniversary? Telling isn’t it to let such pinnacle event pass by like a transition period. Says all you need to know how far their vision reaches.
Dutch, in the statement from RVP he says that “it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward”. Again….. being the key word there…? whats that all about..? So has this been going on for a while then..?
He has to be sold he’s basically disagreed with the way wenger runs the team and the way the club is run and he’s Captain… No way can you question the manager and the club and remain…!
Dutch,when you sell out to billionaires,whether they’re Russian,Arabs,Yanks or Icelanders,all tradition means nothing….it’s gone.
Results and turnover are all that count.
They buy a club with tradition NOT for the sake of tradition,but with tradition brings a huge fan base.
Scott I agree with the last part but van Persie isn’t the first one who mentions vision. It extends way back, even before Adebarndoor raised the issue. I read recently that Vieira hammered that coin when the invincibles where taken apart.
But other than that I agree with what’s been said from BREAKING NEWS until now. And maybe some were right in RvP playing his last card to take double or nothing with Arsenal. If you go head-to-head in a poker tournament as the last 2 standing it comes down to who draws blood first. Van Persie’s shadow hasn’t left the building yet.
I think it will be hard for him to stay now Dutch,but then again,what he said pales in comparison to Rooneys comments a few years back.
I’m off now,but either way,let’s hope things are sorted out ASAP.
Goodnight all.
The thing is Scott if you have a lemon of an owner who sits back and twiddles his thumbs instead of other billionaire owners who are pro active and get involved then Tradition means nothing counts for nothing days of tradition are long gone so are the sentiments that go with it so it seems while we run by silent stan who twiddles thumbs we’ll be left treading water while others leave us standing and we’ll have nothing but memories of the past if we not very very careful.
WATH I underline your stance with RVP’s statement. But who knows his intentions? He might as well aim his crosshair at the heads that pull strings on Wenger.
Cheers Scott have a good day fella…! An off as well DG, chat 2moro mate could be an interesting few days ahead lol
Night you old digger. Been lightning and enlighting.
Maybe thats exactly who he is aiming the crosshairs at DG…? have we heard the last of this..? will he say more in the coming days..?
Cheers WATH. Lucky me I came prepared. Bought my self a six pack of sauce. I will bin the last like I’m Michael Jordan in his heydays.
Apparently Denilson is signing another 12 month loan with Sao Paulo…! One down about 15 to go…………..
Enjoy DG you may find it’s gonna become a habit the next few months with all things Arsenal concerned 😀 cheers mate
So your suggesting I should aply for a clinical ethanol drain? I might as well go off piste and land myself in a avalanche.
Sounds like a good idea to me DG could save you a lot of time and effort always good to be prepared piste or not 😉
Am off… lata.
How disappointing, the age of the loyal professional has gone. I’m sorry but while I respect what he did last year for me he us dead. I also love that Arsenal will hold him to his contract. The amount if time and effort we have all invested in him clearly means not much so like Tevez let him rot! I really thought RVP was different, more fool me!
Gooner Sam, it will cost us money to let him rot, why should we pay for that, rather sell him for what we can and replace him with a shit hot striker so we miss him not…!
Sad but true.
I will rather sell him and closed another chapter in the hsitory of Arsenal.
He is not another “Henry” that we are desperate to keep.
Sell him an dbuy another one especially 2012/13 is rebuilding the 3rd Arsenal Team of Wenger Era.
Goodnight people.
Anyone remembers his visit to the Barfa hotel? Well make of it what your conspiracy pinky want…………………… Austin Powers hmmmmmmmmmm cunningly treacherous and malicious delight.
Night folks.
My mind goes back to the final game at West Brom.
After all the players had celebrated with the fans at the end of the game and bit by bit had gone down the tunnel.
Robin came back on his own for a final wave to us away fans.
I turned to my mrs and said that it was as if Robin was saying goodbye!
Maybe even then he knew that the club would not invest in the type of quality players we needed to close the gap on the two Manc clubs.
And so he had initial talks in May.
Was not suprised at Wenger’s planned transfer business.
And went away to the Euro’s AND KEPT HIS GOB SHUT…
He could have easily stitched up the club and Wenger.
But he didn’t…
From the clubs perspective,it’s a case of simple economics.
That’s why Robin was only offered a 3 year deal when everyone was expecting the offer to be 4 years.
He will soon be 29.
His injury record is appalling.
Does anyone really think that he’ll get thru next season without picking up an injury?
This summer is really the optimum time to cash in.
Damned if we do,damned if we don’t…
I don’t want to see Robin leave.
I will hate to see him in a Man City, Chelsea or Barca shirt next season…
But I can understand the clubs position.
And I can understand Robin’s position also.
I don’t blame them.
I blame those financially doped clubs, like Barca, Real, City and Chelsea, who have fucked up the transfer market with stupid and unsustainable transfer fees and wages.
Whether these doped clubs are subsidised by a wealthy owner, a Middle East oil state or by a Government that allows their big clubs to avoid paying taxes, it’s all the same and it’s fucking up our game.
You may all wring your hands in despair, but at least we aren’t Glasgow Rangers, they are the other end of the spectrum. And if it can happen to a giant like Rangers then why not to an EPL club???
Look at Man Ure…
Now there is a club standing on the edge of the void.
Once Fergie goes, that House of Cards will collapse with Rangeresque results…
Yes it a shit sandwich for AFC just now.
But i’ve still got good vibes about this season.
2011 Arsenal finished 4th.
Nasri & Cesc left.
2012 Arsenal finished 3rd.
RVP & A N Other leaves
2013 Arsenal to finish 2nd???
2014????????
COYG.
Love your last few posts AK.
We must sell him,as we’ve won nothing with RVP for years,so why do people suddenly think he’s the answer!
Sigh. I always feel betrayed when we have wantaways on our hands. At the same time, I feel like our Board is content to let our club be a middling team.
I expected better from Robin. But what can you do??
AK,I reckon him leaving has more of a psychological effect on the entire club than it will on the field.
Yes,he was superb last season,but we’ve already got two top class strikers in to cover.
Things are seldom as bad as they seem.
Agag….. There IS a simple answer my dear shopping mate.
Buy a pair of shoes.
It works for me… lol
Thanks for the positive comments Scott.
Yes, the effect on morale is a worry.
So the club have to address this by pushing thru another signing or two.
I’d definately go for Dempsey now, as long ax Fulham don’t expect an unrealistic fee.
Maybe Belharda is another option if Ramsey is to be loaned or even sold?
I have duly consoled myself with a new pair, AK. Not to worry. 😀 😀 It has a spiky heel, and is good for kicking the arses of arse players. Guaranteed to puncture the backside of those who have an overinflated sense of worth. Just saying. 😀 😀
I don’t like his statement one bit. He won’ fetch a good price now; he’s put our club at a disadvantage by expressing his desire not to renew in so invidious a manner. Not classy, Robin. Not classy at all.
On the positive side, Denilson is off to Sao Paulo for anothef 12 months.
Bendtner must surely be sold off over the next week or two, whilst Vela could be on his bike as well.
Gazides could give some of those deals the ‘hurry up’ whilst he is back in Blighty.
Hey ya, Scott. 🙂 SAK, great comments, I agree..
Maybe Chamkha will find form…. 😀
Well, shopping buddy, I can top that…
I ordered 3 pairs yesterday morning, nah nah.
But Agag, it’s all a game of brinkmanship.
Arsene says this.
Ivan says that.
Robin says the other.
It’s all rollox.
Wow, I feel sleepy.
I am envious, AK. 😉 And well-done!! 😀 😀 You get a star on your wrist for that!! Now, Adam, what have you gotten Mrs Adam?
Go get some sleep, AK. You don’t want to be nodding off behind the wheel. Off to the airport in a bit!! I shall have all those pink drinks!!!
Chamucka Agag?????
You been on the pink GG again, haha.
sell him and get a quid for him. There won’t be anymore signings even if we sell him
You enjoy your holiday Agag.
And enjoy the duty free, hooray….
Off to kip.
Night Scott/Agag
Yes there will Alan.
I know the lard have run the risk before,but there’d be an absolute mutiny if we sell RvP and keep the cash.
Morning all..
Have a fab holiday agag….
Morning Rico sweatpants on for what’s to come. Keep your finger on the X-factor buzzer. There will be some stand-up comedians trying their luck today.
Something useful for your post maybe.
Van Persie’s: Arsenal record
Starts/Goals
2004-05 18/10
2005-06 21/11
2006-07 25/13
2007-08 20/9
2008-09 38/20
2009-10 18/10
2010-11 26/22
2011-12 45/37
Total 211/132
*includes all competitions
I’ve been reading this blog for awhile now, needs to say a few words before going to bed (don’t think I can sleep at all tonight.) Arsene is buying teens /young prospects with the intention of developing them into better players for the future, never mind his idea is to buy now/sell later. But that’s been his policy for quite a number of years now, all the fans/players know. Now I don’t understand how come RVP says that Arsenal doesn’t match his ambition ? He’s brought into the team young and reckless and becomes what he is today. Does he mean he’s BIG now and the club should buy world class players so that they can match him ?? I really don’t understand this. No, it’s all about money, only money and who can blame him. After all he’s a just professional footballer earning a living.
Morning DG – thank you .
Re your question to me the other day about the site, calling that company would be out of my depth, but, I have a local computer help centre where i always take my laptop when it goes wrong, I am going to approach one of the chaps there to see if he could help me….
Evening all.
Has RVP signed yet?
Gotze?
M’Villa?
Vertonghen?
Anyone??
Good idea love. Shall I draw up a small bullet point list of the requirements your looking for?
Morning Scott… All of those might give us a chance, well, apart for you know who now…
That would be fab DG – it needs to have an admin section behind the scenes too but I guess you already know that 😉
Welcome dy, good point there but i think there is more to it than what is being said…
New Post up 🙂
Morning Scott. How rude of me.
cheer up guys.
After watching this video i felt okay
http://m.talksport.co.uk/magazine/virals/120705/funny-rvp-rant-video-angriest-arsenal-fan-ever-175903