Morning all.
The Sun newspaper suggests that Arsene Wenger is interested in signing young Anthony Martial from Monaco. He’s 19 years old and in his four appearances for the French cub, he’s scored three times. Young and French used to work didn’t it but unless Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell are heading for pastures new this summer, I can’t see the manager signing another ‘unknown’ – in any case, Chub Akpom will surely step up next season.
If the manager is thinking of signing another striker, which in my opinion he should, we need a 20+ goals a season player one who would relish playing ahead/alongside Santi, Alexis and Ozil.
Stephane El Shaarawy will be that man according to the Telegraph.
Talking of Alexis, Cazorla and Ozil, the latter has been singing the praises of the other two:
Santi and Alexis are the type of players that, like myself, think before things happen on the pitch. Especially with Santi, you can see that he’s playing such an outstanding season for the team and he’s so important for us.
When you look at the whole squad, it doesn’t matter if the manager rotates slightly because we can compete as a team, no matter who is playing. That’s a big plus for us and that’s why we’re near the top of the league.
My partnership with Alexis is progressing really well, and you can see that in our matches. He’s really important for the team and that shows with the goals – he’s scored a lot of goals this season.
You can see it in training too – I look for him when I have the ball because he makes those runs. For that reason, we’re happy to have a player like that in our ranks.
Ozil and Alexis are still young in footballing terms and next season, we should see just how good they can be together after having a season to gel but Cazorla will be 31 years old this December and his little legs won’t be able to bomb around as they have done this season for too many more years. There’s been a lot of stuff in the newspapers linking him to a return to Spain although the player has said he feels valued at Arsenal and is happy to stay. Mind you, he did add ‘although you never know what the future will bring in football.’
Could be an interesting summer…..
Still could be an interesting season, despite that idiot Philip Neville saying we will miss out on one of the top four places…
But in reality, we could. There’s a lot of points up for grabs yet and if we start slipping up, Liverpool will overtake us, as will Utd. The Dippers are just six points behind us and we cannot afford to lose against them on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger’s press conference:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in training but he’s not ready for this weekend. Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta could be back in squad and are coming back to fitness however. Mathieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby are also back in full training.
Welbeck has a ‘small chance’ to be fit for Saturday, as he’s suffering with a ‘slight knee injury.’
As expected, he was asked about the Raheem Sterling stories.
First the compliment: ‘Sterling is a top player’.
Secondly, the ‘I’m not getting involved’: ‘I don’t want to get involved in that just 48 hours before game’.
Finally, Abou Diaby.
The French midfielder has had horrid luck with injuries and Wenger says that they will meet with Diaby over a new deal. His contract is up at the end of the season and Wenger reckons his future needs to be discussed. (That’s from John Cross who was present at the press conference)
Discussed? Surely Diaby knows where the exit door is by now….
That’s me done. Have a good day folks…
Proper football is back!
King Diaby deserves the keys to Le grove… 😉
The new Zidane or Tigana maybe… 😉
Martial is a very good player with serious potential. He played against us…
Thanks for clarification Kev re. gate fees.
Morning again.
Morning Rico.
Morning Adam and all…
Ts, I don’t remember Martial. He couldn’t have been that good.. 😉
Lol.. I talked about him in my post; he started on their lhs and was involved in their goals too.. 😉
He is not what we need though… another winger/striker.
Seemed to have a bit of pace which makes him an Arsenal conundrum , when we play on the break very useful but when we play the possession build up game hardly any use at all. Would be the first in a long line of Walcott replacements which will keep the press happy for a few weeks.
I’ve slept since then Ts.. 😉
Maybe we should count the number of players we get linked to once the season ends. I bet it’ll go over the hundred mark…
😀 Rico…
Yes indeed Potter; we still have Poldi who might come back as a prodigal son!
Can’t see Podolski coming back, other than to clear his locker….
Good day all,
Salute to the lady of the house.
At least meaningful football is coming back but the meaningless reporting but the ever lazy Journos continues… how does someone announce that a team has ” signed the new….. whoever” at this point of the season when even my three yr old knows transfer window is shut until well after May? seriously?
meant ” reporting from the ever lazy……”
Hi fat-gun – jouros like to make up stuff.. Keeps us all guessing.. 😉
I don’t believe any rumours in the Press whatsoever…
Not unless Adam confirms it first…
Good post Rico…
Diaby, the “hidden claw” (T.S. Eliot.)
Need I say more?
Morning all and Rico. Glad we have a happy team, with quality players!
Sterling has ambition but not the same as Gerrard or the other dippers. He’s also a Londoner and I reckon he wants to be near his mum. Bless! In my view, he wants to move on, for whatever reason but, he doesn’t want the hassle of being tied to a club that may hold him to ransom in the future. Were he to sign an extension to his current contract he would be tied up for the duration, say a minimum of 5 years, he’d be earning good money, for sure but……however, if he maintains the status quo he can leave in a maximum of 2 years for absolutely nothing and no one can stop him. I don’t think he’s rocked the boat deliberately with his interview he’s just made his position clear. No success, no sign!
The situation reminds me a great deal of the eagerness we showed when waiting for and, then dissecting TH14s annual statement of intent! And then one year he spoke and soon after left, ostensibly with the Arsenal logo tattooed to his heart, but he still moved on! So with Sterling, the same imo.
Do we want him? Probably not. He’s another Theo, really swift, direct and lethal when there’s space in front of him, nigh on useless when there’s not.
Storm in a tea cup!
Discussing Diaby’s future, doesn’t mean a new contract…
As usual the Press are inventing their own interpretation on what is, a very straight forward statement from Wenger…
Thanks Kev, your legs getting chilly yet? 😉
Morning Wavy..
Sterling is a Londoner at heart, just like so many here and would you want to live in Liverpool… 😉
Kev, JC said AW said he and Diaby would meet to discuss a new contract – and we know JC truths and all that.. 😉
Got a patio to clean and a Bamboo to split. Wish me luck… 😉
Catch up later…
Well done Rico…
Idle hands and all that… 😀
Wavy.. how did you find out TH14 had a tattoo on his… 😉 😛
With me, I believe every rumour until it is confirmed by Malaga Gooner. 😛
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
Good read Rico.
I wanted to pose a question to the lovelies and hunkies………do you consider Charlie Austin a good signing??? At 6ft 2′ he is of a good height. I just had a look at his stats…..and he has scored at all levels he has played in….a good ration of 1 goal in every 2 games.
Horses for courses , Austin is an effective player in a certain style of football. Not one that Wenger would propagate but one that has to be overcome when you meet up with it.
I feel that he can be re-educated to play in the Ollie way. He is an Englishman and so eligible for the national team. Between him and Theo up front who would you prefer???
Evening….
I’m shattered… 😉
I see all those Liverpool players not fit to play for England are now all fit now there’s a surprise.
no surprise there Joe.
what shattered you Rico??? my suggestion with regards Austin as an AFC player???
You just knew it Joe….
Busy day Devil… Not for me re Austin. Ings I like though….
That’s a kind of Hobson’s choice , I have never considered that Theo is a natural forward . He freezes on his heels too often and never chases the half chance. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have his merits but as a line leader, it’s not his game. Whether Austin could be converted to play like Giroud is moot , there are better options , we should find a variation on a similar theme and convince Theo that his future will always be as a wide player at the most dangerous cutting in and shooting. Theo needs to be a Freddie to Bergkamp , making late runs onto slipped through passes. Cazorla and Ozil can provide the ball but Theo needs understand what his best role is .
Couldn’t agree more re Walcott, although I think he has it in him to be a ruthless player in front of goal but to do that, he has to have more belief and a lot more passion and hunger to be the best….
Night guys..
Morning anyone…
Good morning Rico.
Morning everyone.
Morning Adam and Wavy. A quiet one today…
New post is up now..