Speaking soon after arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Gervinho is now officially an Arsenal player. What happened to the days of see the new players paraded in their new club shirt in front of the cameras??
Anyway, let’s not be fooled by our new man’s name… 😉
Gervais Yao Kouassi is his real name, he’s not a Brazilian wonder player in fact he’s not Brazilian at all!
Our new signing is known as Gervinho for one reason only and that is down to a Brazilian coach a few years ago who gave him his nickname….
Gervinho was born on the 27th May 1987 in Anyama, Ivory Coast.
His career began at the very popular ASEC Abidjan youth academy and he stayed there for five years – it was during this time he ‘earned’ his nickname, a name which has stayed with him ever since… His next move in his career took him to Ivorian Deuxieme Division Zone Four side, Toumodi FC where Ibrahim Toure, the brother of Kolo and Yaya, who had also played there at one stage in their footballing life.
Two seasons was long enough for our new boy, he then moved to K.S.K. Beveren and after a year in the youth set up, he was called into the first team in 2005, between then and 2007 he scored 14 goals in 61 appearances. Next up was Le Mans, he moved there in the summer of 2007, suggestion is that this was when his career started – he scored 14 goals in 67 appearances – hardly figures to make you smile are they??
But – was he playing as a striker or a winger, he is described as being both/either?
Regardless, he was obviously performing well enough to attract the attention of AS Monaco, PSG, Marseille and of course us – suggestion is we even made an offer for him in 2007 whilst he was playing in Belgium… 2009 saw our new boy head off to Lille, he scored 13 goals in 32 appearances in his first season. His second was marginally better, netting 18 goals in 42, helping Lille to their first Ligue 1 title in 57 years. They also captured their first Coupe de France for the first time since 1955.
This summer, many clubs had been interested in our new player, Liverpool, Manchester City and Liverpool have been named. On Wednesday Gervinho completed his medical and it’s now been confirmed that he is ours!
Sadly, what also comes with Gervinho is the fact he will be missing during the ACON in January 2012…
Gervinho may prove any doubters wrong and fingers crossed he will but as Ian Wright has said in the last few days ‘fingers crossed isn’t good enough anymore’ we need players who we know will come into this side and definitely make a difference from the off, especially in the defence…
Wenger also said in the same interview that both Nasri and Fabregas will be at Arsenal next season but Bendtner and Almunia will probably not…
Now go get Cahill and Samba Arsene, before ‘Arry does!!
Have a good day all…..
but as Ian Wright has said in the last few days ‘fingers crossed isn’t good enough anymore’ we need players who we know will come into this side and definitely make a difference from the off
This is what I am talking about with Doyle, yes good is a small side but we have different expectations and are on a totally different level and we need players who have excelled at that level, not maybe’s or could be’s.
This guy doesn’t set the world alight but then nor did Henry’s stats when he arrived.
Morning all.
From what i am hearing…….wenger looked bulish and up beat! Maybe barca have not matched cesc’s asking price afterall…..
“Say number 1” ???
Great news now for Cahill Samba Mata Hazard Bains Given & Falcao, & ship out the dead wood at least 6
for the first time we are happy but what next samba or cahill so that teams suffer next season
Morning all
Yes but Will, Doyle is proved in the PL and Championship…
Larry – he was hesitant about Fabregas when asked if he had asked to move, much more upbeat about Nasri though apparently…
Congrats to the Beckhams, a girl at last 🙂
Hi keian, can’t see us getting all of them but love your way of thinking… 😉
Wenger i/v coming up on Sky Sports…
Exactly right, lets sign Samba and Cahill before the spuds get there, get a DM in place to support Song and we as fans will be very happy and looking forward to the new season. It is very frustrating that Arsene will not buy a top name striker that will make an instant impact but then we know it is not his way and nobody was complaining about Henry who he turned into a superstar and as we have seen from other clubs, Manure, Man Shitty and others paying big money does not guarantee that they will be any good in the EPL . With some top signings in place I am sure that Nasri will commit to Arsenal as he will then see that there is a good chance of winning trophies next season and if only Arsene had bought a couple of players in the January transfer window I am sure we would have won something last season.
Rob, if we got Samba and Cahill and a DM, kept Nasri and added a goal scorer, i’d be very happy going into the season…
Agree re last season/january aswell…
we need cahill now
Rico, last season, Doyle started 25 games and scored 5 goals. Do you want that leading the line? Season before 9 goals in 33 games, season before that?
In fact, in his last 92 premiership games he has scored 20 goals. I am sorry, I know you are a fan of him, maybe thorough your Reading connection but those stats so he is clearly not good enough for a club like Arsenal.
Interested to see if the Mata story comes to fruition. If we do get him while keeping Nasri and Fab, that will be wow. Personally I can’t see it happening.
I still don’t understand the Nasri business though. We honestly can’t keep him if he won’t sign, unless Wenger is banking on winning something this season and using that to persuade him to stay.
New DM is not going to happen. If you insist on getting your hopes up, prepare to have them crushed.
Frimpong is the backup DM, and after him is Diaby and JW.
Also, Cahill AND Samba is not going to happen. Only one of them, or AN Other. When Wenger said 1 or 2 signings, he meant it.
We have to agree to differ on Doyle, I like him 😉
In a side like ours he’d score many…. The only Reading connection is I watched him and he was awesome for them but i’m not bias because of that though…
I can’t see him scoring any to be honest Rico, he has not played at the level we do. Yes, take him as a 4th choice maybe and give him a chance but don’t pin your hopes on him.
We need a Benzema who has played and scored for the biggest teams on the biggest occasions. Someone who will not mess himself playing in the champions league in front of 60k fans.
Fair enough Will, but i guess it matters not what we think, we haven’t signed him and i doubt we will either, MM says he is not for sale 😉
For sure I would prefer Benzema but you and i know we won’t sign him either…
Rico, is it ok if I post a link to another site?
Of course you can Will 🙂
Moring Savage
I can’t see us signing a DM either, Frimpong as you say will be the player, a good pre-season for him and he may even dislodge Song..
And, we still have the brazillian right now, hopefully not for too much longer though….
Cheers Rico.
A sensible Gooner.
http://www.arsenalnewsreview.co.uk/news/2124/30/Why-Arsene-deserves-your-support/?
Not sure King Kenny will be back on the golf course by Spring…..
Anyway 😉
But I thought sensible. Too many Wenger haters at the moment having forgot that it is in fact Wenger who has made the club this big.
Anyway, I wonder who is in next.
He said the same about EDU days before he sold him…I will breathe easy when its 12am july 31st. Don’t be fooled guys. There’s no way we will keep both cesc and nasri. Cesc wants to leave and samir on the other hand wants more pay and cesc’s role in the middle…get the drift. Morning Rico
It seemed 90% likely that Cesc would leave. I now think it’s 70% likely he’ll stay. Nasri is another story though.
I don’t think people forget what he has done Will, in fact that is his own downfall in some respects – fans know what he can do when he wants to, the annoyance is that for the last 4/5 seasons he has chosen not to….
CH has to be the next in… Gazidis hopefully has Wengers shopping list and is onto it right now…..
Morning Stan – my own thought is that Fabregas will go and Nasri will sign a new contract – surely he wouldn’t have been on the plane if the Citeh rumours are true…
But we are not talking about the biggest things to happen today, Nik B and Almunia are talking to clubs as we speak…
I honestly think Nasri will sign, even if its only to make sure we get a better price for him in Jan or next summer 😉
We did the yee ha’ing yesterday Will, when they are gone we can crack open the champagne 😉
I bet the clubs lining up to sign the worlds greatest striker is causing a traffic Jam outside the club… However will Bendtner find the time to discuss his options with some many teams……………
As for Almunia he can serve drinks during Bendtners meetings….! watch the carpet Manuel…………
I can’t wait for the deadwood to leave.
Morning WATH
Rumour is he’s off abroad thank goodness, i’d hate to see him scoring loads of goals in the PL…. 😉 😉
Almunia was due to fly out to Spain to sort his new deal out, trouble is he dropped his ticket and boarding pass and the wind blew it miles….
he missed the plane 😉
Yet another kid….. aged 16!!
Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Swedish teenager Kristoffer Olsson, according to the midfielder’s current club.
Wenger: Set to sign midfielder
The 16-year-old has had two trails with Arsene Wenger’s outfit, the first coming back in February, and has impressed.
IFK Norrkopings starlet Olsson is now set to make a permanent move to England for an undisclosed fee.
“I can confirm that the transfer is close to being sealed. I won’t comment on any sums, but of course we are happy with the deal,” IFK Norrkopings sporting director Tony Martinsson told Fotbolldirekt.se.
“We are pleased, but of course we would have preferred to have seen Kristoffer stay in Norrkoping and evolve to a first-team player.
“He wanted to take this chance and we will not stand in the way.”
Like a most Gooners, I think Bendtner will thrive at the right club. His style simply doesn’t compliment us.
I do think 12m is the right price for him, and not 9m.
When will Wenger see that getting kids will kill other kids.
Savage, I would take £10M for him.
If we can’t get better, then yes.
As for Olsson, we were chasing him last season already. And I’m pleased to see we’re continuing our activity on this front.
You’ll be waiting a long while for the deadwood to be gone Will…….
I’d take anything over 6/7 million just to get rid of Bendtner, we’ll have the extra 3mil a yr in salary and be rid of his crap attitude, yep he will score goals in the right team Savage but the bloke is such a knob and really couldn’t be arsed most of the time, if only his feet here half as good as his mouth…!
Wath, I would say we could get £10m ffor him and yes, use some of his wages to pay Nasri.
That is why so many have turned against Bendtner – he talks himself up so much yet on the pitch he just doesn’t work hard and he is nowhere near as good as he thinks he is…
If only he was….
If Nasri don’t sign a new contract by the end of the month sell him to the highest bidder, to let him walk away for free in 12months would be totally pathetic, to let the situation be where we are now isn’t good so make the most of it if he won’t sign then get rid for as much as we can.
Agree WATH, re nasri, but he’ll sign 😉
Morning All
Is Everybody Happy 😀
I will be when we get the defenders.
Now we’re ready to Rock & Roll with our Brazillian-Ivorian…
The Nasri rumours have dried up a tad… No doubt AW is working on him whilst on Tour…
Is that right, that Harry got a knock-back from Samba???
Morning Kev
Two defenders and a DM and i’d be much happier 😉
I’m not sure it’s fair to blame the club on the Nasri situation – it’s just a feature of football that contracts run out. Of course he wants to win trophies, but so does Wenger (and anybody who says otherwise is not worth taking seriously). When teams that expect to win don’t win, then obviously people aren’t happy. Chelsea spent 50m on a star striker who didn’t deliver. Only one team can win and the rest will be unhappy, it happens. All the club can do is try and make the best of the situation, and to my knowledge they’re doing that.
Could see a bit of movement when AW returns from the Far East…
Morning Rico
I think something people have to remember is, we can’t play the suck and see transfer game that Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd can.
Savage – the club should have sorted his contract last summer, not this one….
I can see things happening this week kev, Gazidis could be busy
Anyone got a link to the Wenger i/v on SkySports???
not is nasri fucks off for fuck all in a year’s time!!
I hope you’re right Rico…
Not sure that AW is gonna go for a DM though.
Don’t think he’ll go for ‘two’ defenders either… Sorry 🙁
They are showing the i/v with him throughout the day Kev, RvP has been speaking too – he’s been bloomin funny 🙂
Hi Lee, exactly – he should sign or be sold for the best we can get for him…
Rico, that’s a cheap shot, naughty boy. They’ve CLEARLY been trying to sign up Nasri the whole season.
What’s RvP been saying?
I hope the Downing rumours are just that.
hopefully gervinho could be a great signing….
heard his no is gonna be 9……or is it already taken…….
They ain’t been trying hard enough then Savage the club are the only ones to blame for not signing him up a lot earlier if you think he is worth keeping then put the money on the table and act like a proper big club if you don’t think he’s worth the money then sell him don’t play games with players or the fans and letting it run down is ridiculous seems we never learn !!
Haha, Wath, always good for a laugh. If life were that simple, we’d all be millionaires, happily married forever, loving our jobs and living for eternity.
Morning Folks,
Do I detect a little less doom and gloom in the air this morning? 😉
I agree with Rico… I think Nasri will sign, but spare a thought for poor old Bendtner.
Just when we get in a wide man, and are looking at another on the opposite wing, the very service that he’s been crying out for, he looks back and finds all his Arsenal bridges smouldering.
So he heads off to somewhere else, in the back of beyond, and sees his replacement knocking in chances that even he could convert…
Life’s a bitch, and then you finish up at Fulham. 😆
But surely it’s not that difficult re contracts?
Well it’s that simple in the football world Savage and its all about showing intent yet again….! Clearly make the player feel valued and wanted and pay the going rate…! and spot on again your right it is very Simple…!! As for the rest dream on…..
Naughty Lady, please Savage 😉 But its real, they should have and the bells should have started ringing in Jan when he said he’d wait til the end of the season…..
One Swallow don’t make a summer Mike 😉
Wait til thats all thats come in come Sep 1st………………….. 😀
Bendy at Fulham surely not…..? I reckon he might go for that though, they’ll throw in a 20% discount in Harrods and he’s sorted for his playboy lifestyle…!
If AFC were more proactive than reactive concerning contract issues that’d be a step in the right direction no?
The bells were ringing then and they’re ringing now, but it makes no difference. At the end of the day we’re not going to pay Man City wages of 170k, and if that’s the going rate according to Wath, then give it up.
The club are genuinely in a difficult situation, and to say it’s simple is typical tabloid fare. If they push Nasri’s salary up, they have to push everybody’s salary up – it’s inflationary. The oil money is the root cause of this, because 90k was a fantastic salary for a young player until the sheikhs arrived.
Was getting worried WATH…would of been the third day in a row!!! 😉
Morning WATH,
wouldn’t be HH if you weren’t here to temper my optimism 😆
Will, the daft reporter asked him what he thought about KL, he said he has seen a nice plane, bus and airport 😉
Hi Mike – i have a thought for Bendtner, i won’t write it here though, it may offend 😉
Hi Lee
Happy Days Are Here Again….. 😆
Least Robin likes the airport the coach and the hotel Rico, we might not like the weather so much whne he has to train and play in it…!
Nik is going overseas i think…
That is funny Rico.
You see, that is the problem, players look at the wages Chelsea and Man City pay and think that should be the norm.
That worries me too WATH, hopefully they won’t over do it ….
Hi Lee… 🙂
If we’d of got him signed up a year or so ago Savage there wouldnt even be talk of 170K a week from Citeh problem solved using the prices from current rumours doesnt justify not getting our finger out 12/18months ago and he should of been offerend 100k there and then if we trul rate him and want him at the club… Harld yrocket science is it….!
Can’t have you cheering the place up 2 much Mike, long way to go yet mate thats for sure..!
😆 😆 😆 I raise you 2 Kev!!!
Man City is the Greece of the premiership. Let’s hope that sanity is restored before they bankrupt us all.
Must give some credit to Wenger though – he was interviewed last year about the financial prudence rules, and he thought they would be hard to enforce as clubs would use dodgy commercial deals to channel the funds. Again he was right.
At least we can all rest easy, Villa say no offer from Arsenal for Downing……….
Morning Rico,
sry I didn’t get back yesterday… Had a call from Wenger, who wanted to know if he should buy Falcao or Benzema…
Then again, maybe I just nodded off 😉
R u on that “herbal” tea again Mike…?
Hi Rico…A CB please!! Not a lot to ask for…
In a rizla perhaps?
Savage, do you mean dodgy deals like the Eithad deal?
Oolong Wath…
Its a Freudian blend that I drink to calm me during the transfer window 😆
Not Brooke Bond then???
A CB in a rizla Lee…? hmmmmm i think you been spending to much time with Erick…! 😀
Hi AK,
sry…typo… should have read Soolong 😆
As for BB… no, only get monkeys if you pay peanuts… hang on , we do 😉
Oui Mike share it out we got 7 wks of this rubbish to deal with…!
As we said weeks ago Will anyone could see this FFP wasn’t going to work of course the big boys will find ways round it.
We have to get on with it and let them play their own little games.
I just want the Arabs to get fed up with the negative press that will come.
WATH,
Yeah I do agree, but if the figures are right they would get 10 mil a year from the naming rights.
That only pays the salary of one Nasri.
They’re gonna have to be a little less transparent on the next scheme.
At least it will put a dampner on this wholesale buying of teams… I hope
Hi Will,
they’ll never get that fed up…negative publicity is like sand off a camel’s back to them…
Look at Dubai 😉
Including that, Will. Right now it’s really fashionable for Arab princes and oil barons to own football clubs. I wonder if the fad will pass at some stage, or if this pattern will continue for the next 30 years. We’ve all been waiting for Abramovic to get bored, but so far it seems he’s still up for it. At some stage the penny has to drop… excuse the pun.
Arsène Wenger has hinted that he might not invest in a replacement for Gael Clichy.
The French left back brought his eight-year spell with Arsenal to a close this month when he signed for Manchester City, leaving Wenger without one of his most senior players ahead of the 2011/12 season.
However, the Arsenal manager has a full England international waiting in the wings and he is happy with his back-up options too.
“The plan for left back is that we have Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore and Thomas Vermaelen can play there too. So we have what we need,” said Wenger.
Mike, the Arab deal is worth £40M a year for the naming rights.
Lee 😆
Thing is Mike the deal is worth 400million with the shirt deal thrown in and academy etc etc so thats a lot of income they have just “legalised” into their turnover….!
I see wenger says we have all we need at left back…………..!
I like Gibbs I really do but he still has huge question marks over him, another big gamble from wenger, if only he’d do the same in the transfer market and address those weaknesses he promised to do…!
Will,
I heard less, but that’s bean-counters for you…
As for the LB thing… the read is between the lines… If he reckons we’re covered, and that cover includes TV, it follows that he MUST buy at least one and poss two CB’s
Well that’s my theory.
WATH,
Sry… that last to Will should have been for you… too much Oolong I guess 😆
Here’s a thought…
Remember Winterburn’s long range shooting from fullback? What about TV doing that for us at LB? I’m fairly sure that LB’s get into better shooting positions than CB’s.
Hi Mike, i kinda like Twinnings, but i’ve never had it in a rizla 😉
Eithad is sponsoring Man City £400M over 10 years for naming rights and other sundries but everyone knows it is a rule swerve and I think it is being looked into seeing as other, bigger, more historic teams have not had sponsorship to that level.
Another thing on this naming rights. UEFA still have to approve it, and if they do it sets a precedent that we will follow by re-negotiating ours.
Or am I incorrectly assuming that our board has that much savvy 😉
Wolves have offered 7Million for Roger Johnson – Come on Wenger offer £8 million….
AK, It was Lee’s idea I reckon he takes that idea to Tesco’s…..! bound to be a winner 😉
I hope your right with the CB thing Mike and we still short of a hard man in midfield, Song ain’t the answer plus Jan/Feb he’s gone for 6 weeks as well along with Chamakh,Gervinho and Ebooooie…!
Be sensible Rico, Come on wenger off 7million and 1p……….!!
Heard a rumour [yeah i know…yawn] that AW is looking at Mertesaker again…
Probably because he’s cheaper than Cahill/Samba etc…
Ours is only up in another 6/7 years Mike, the club have already said they won’t break the naming rights contract but the shirt deal is up in 2/3 yrs i think. We def got stitched up on that but that was Edelman’s fault for being in a rush. We need to be winning things in this climate to warrant getting decent sponsors though so another reason for Stan not to sit around watching but to get a little involved..!
Yeah Wath, Lee does seem to like a rizla…
Do you reckon he has a very large greenhouse in his garden??? 🙂
Enjoyed the latest .com updates. Two points:
1) Wenger says Jenk is going to push Sagna. That clears up his role then – no reserve outings. I also read TV saying that Jenk was the number one performer in the squad fitness tests.
2) If Ryo comes good, he’s going to be VERY marketable. I hope they put Ryo on the shirts rather than Miyaichi.
Rico,
a couple of years in jail should toughen him up… or have I been listening to too many rumours 😆
I don’t have a problem with Song… trouble is our CBs and GKs have been so unreliable he ends up lashing out at anyone who looks like getting past him.
Wolves have accepted that 7Million for Roger Johnson
Makes me pretty cross, 7 million for an English tough defender, cheap as chips WATH….
Mike, you lost me there with your last 🙁
On and off for a bit, gardening 🙂
Sry WATH/Rico,
I’ve done it again; should have been addressed to WATH… I’m gonna call it a morning and get back on the Rioja… see you later folks.
It’s the same old problem Mike, soft spine….!
Have a bottle for me plz Mike…….. take it easy..!
We need a brutal bastard in the centre of midfield, this is to stop other lesser teams thinking they can kick us out of the game and we need a commanding centre back, an Adams or Keown. Someone with authority who can organise.
Then, we just need a clinical striker and we are sorted.
I’m off down the gym… 😉
I will be later, wanna come with me Kev?
AK, those old rizlas make the transfer window a tad more palatable man………..lol
Will with a CB and an a ball winner in midfield i would be that bothered with the forward line but shoring up the defence and midfield is a priority for sure…! AK your starting to worry me….. 😉
Gonna rename you Lee………… RizLee……..!
“clinical striker” we have, fit one questionable?
From what I saw of Frimpong, they’ll have to take off his studs because he’ll take chunks out of people.
Savage, I see RvP morphing into a Bergkamp role as he gets older.
That’s not a bad thing Will 😉
Fiesty Savage, that is Frimpong ….
We need a few more fiesty and preferably over 6ft….!
Hey where’s RizLee…? 😀
I see .com have announced the signing subject to regulatory approval. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen them announce a signing that isn’t complete yet.
Looks like they’re being rushed by the fans here, and I hope this doesn’t bite us.
Rustling a Camberwell carrot….. 😉
So how many are we losing in January Rico???
Gervinho, Song, Eboue [if he’s still at AFC], Frimpong possibly [Ghana]…
That’s a possible 4… I do hope that Wenger takes that into consideration, because he really cannot use it as an excuse…
was just reelin’ at the thought of a feisty six footer!!!
Hey buddy, pass it around… 😯
Man, that’s gonna take some mega rolling up 🙂
Yeah Savage, i’m really hopefull that Frimpong can have as similar an impact as Jack last season…
Need arms like 2 metre peter!
Lee, we’ll all be hoizontal man….
Your a bad man RizLee lol……….. a bad influence too 😉
See that AW has said he wants to bring both Miyaichi and Frimpong into his 1st team squad for this season…
Thank goodness, Woodgate has signed for Stoke 😉
Manuel Llorente, the Valencia President :
” Juan Mata is not for sale. We have not recieved any offers for the
player.
Our priority is a central defender”…
Sorted… offer them £10million + Squillaci….
Haven’t seen him say that about Ryo, allezkev. Visa is the issue.
Interesting from Modric on the Spurs chairman:
“He threatened me – he said if I didn’t accept the club’s stance, they would make me sit on the bench or in the stands.”
Hargreaves signed for anyone yet Rico?
You guys think Ryo will get his visa?? I can’t see it personally….
😆 kev, nice deal …
Saw that one yesterday Savage, he’s certainly trying to get himself out of SHL, don’t blame him either….
Lee, I think Sven wants him at Leicester – we could be safe on that one too 😉
From Perry Groves, who seems to have a serious dose of the blues these days:
“Somtimes you have to pay over the odds for the good of your club and your teams. If it means Arsenal have to break their wage structure and then van Persie goes in and says, ‘Well I want the same money’ then fine, break your wage structure.”
That wasn’t a great comment, because already Groves is making it plainly aware that if you offer one guy a special rate, you have to do it for everyone else. Groves doesn’t seem to have any financial awareness of what this means. Portsmouth anyone?
I understand both Spurs’ and Modric’s position, but if Levy did say they would consider the offer and then he changed his tune, then that’s plain dishonest. Then again, that’s Spurs for you.
Mabbutt: “The grass isn’t always greener away from Spurs” – true, not “always”, just “most of the time”!!
no smoke without fire re Modric, but i don’t really care about them 😉
Popping off again, back in a short while…
Sav, Ryo+Frim was on Sky…
How was Jim AK, see you survived again…..!
He’s said that re Ryo a few times in the last week AK so he must have a plan with the work permit..???
Haven’t seen the Sky video, just been reading the text. I know he’s been praising him, but I haven’t seen anything confirming a really genuine plan to include him this season.
Frankly, I’m not 100% sure how the special talent visas work – surely being in the Brazil u17 team is enough for a special talent visa (re Wellington)?
The criteria changes from country to country depending on where the person is from regarding the special talent visa.
Sav, try:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7032313,00.html
Hiya Wath. didn’t need the nurse this time… 😕
I’ll sleep well again tonight, that’s for sure…
A bit worried about Will. Haven’t heard from him since he went to the gym 🙂
Wath/Sav, the crieria also changes if your ManUre…
They never get a knock-back…
Shit yep 4got about that your right, correction, add that the criteria also changers depending on who the employer will be…!
The nurse might of done you the world of good AK 😉
Barcelona are confident they will finally reach an agreement with Arsenal this week to secure the transfer of captain Cesc Fabregas.
Manager Pep Guardiola has run out of patience with the long-running transfer saga and told Barca president Sandro Rosell to meet Arsenal’s £35million valuation to get the deal done.
Although Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger maintains he has no wish to sell the 24-year-old, the decision to allow Fabregas to leave the Emirates appears to have been taken out of his hands by the club’s board of directors.
The player’s closest friends in the Arsenal dressing room have felt for weeks he would move on this summer.
The fact that Fabregas has been allowed to remain at home through injury and miss his club’s trip to the Far East simply fuels the belief that he will soon by heading home to Catalunya.
SOURCE: Daily Mirror
The fact that Arsene Wenger has stated repeatedly his desire to prevent Barcelona from re-signing Cesc Fabregas seems to have been a rather pointless exercise if this source is to be believed. With Gael Clichy already on his way to Man City and Samir Nasri reportedly set to follow the left back to the Emirates Stadium exit, it seems that Arsenal will see their squad diminished rather than improved this summer.
The Spanish midfielder has long since been linked with a return to the Nou Camp and now it appears that it’s not case of if but when, the deal will go through. Clearly the moment that Arsenal put a figure on the 24 year old’s head the challenge was issued to the Catalan to come up with the cash to sign the Gunners captain.
Clearly the North London club is feeling the after effects of a six successive season without silverware and the repercussions of falling behind Man United, Chelsea and now Man City in the Premier League pecking order, something that seems to have led many Arsenal players wondering what the future holds.
Fabregas has made no secret of his desire to one day return to Barcelona and it seems that day is getting nearer and nearer.
Barcelona however do apparently have some financial difficulties are present and Pep Guardiola may need to sell before he can buy.
Arsenal on the other hand are ready to accept offers for Manuel Almunia and Nicklas Bendtner, both players are expected to leave this coming week and were not part of the squad that left for the club’s Asian tour
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/07/10/arsenal-board-to-ignore-wenger-and-sell-cesc-fabregas-to-barcelona-for-35m/
_________________________________________________________
Guess we will know by Monday, July 18, how much backing Wenger will receive from the Board on this long-running transfer saga.
If Nasri had done a “Rooney”, then you think Arsenal fans are as forgiving as ManU fans?
Most interesting to see who will win the Battle of Will in Board vs Wenger.
I suspect Wenger will bow down after his previous bitter lesson in his run-in with AS Monaco, and wouldn’t like a repeat of being dismissed by another Board again.
Wenger’s contract is interesting as it maybe a rolling contract which give him the flexibility fo giving one-year notice to signal his intention to leave next season.
If Fabregas and Nasri are sold against his objection, it will be most interestign to see whether Wenger will inform the Board that he will leave at this season end.
Nowhere in that Sky text does he say he will be in the squad.
There’s still a suspicion that he’s being taken along for marketing purposes. But to be fair to Ryo, of all the players we’ve sent on loan, few have had as much impact at their clubs as he has. So far he hasn’t put a foot wrong – compare that with Wellington, Vela, Pedro, JET, etc.
Funny stuff that Merlin, first off barca need to pay us what they owe us for previous players they still have on “tik”…….. They can’t afford Cesc simple as that and it’s about time we told them to piss off….!
Sav, in fairness, yes your right, but it doesn’t say that Frimpong will be in the squad either..!
True, but he hasn’t been asked that question 🙂
Look, I’m really hoping that we get another kid like Ryo exploding onto the scene. We’ve put so much work into the academy, but really it has produced to the expected level, and I think we’re due a big one.
Tell you what, if Ryo goes big, the commercial impact will be a monster. But that’s all fairy tale until it happens.
Boo! A signing at last. Yay! Now for those defenders. 🙂
AK, I forgot to compliment you on Saturday’s write-up. That was a good one! And you’ve been Mr. Muscle, I see. 🙂
Hi, rico, WATH, Riz-lee (You and Erick will get on famously), Merlin, Savage. 😉
If they play Gervinho and Walcott at the same time, Arsenal are going to be a very, very, very, fast team. It will put fear into every into every defense, including Barca. While Gervinho is not as fast as Walcott, with the ball he may be faster.
Now if we can sure up our own DEFENCE. DEFENCE. DEFENCE.
I don’t know what questions he was ask Sav, i haven’t got Sky…
It all depends on the work permit scenario.
It’ll be interesting to see how much playing time he has over the whole pre-season.
Obviously, on the face of it, it looks like Ryo’s inclusion is a PR exercise. But i’ve seen enough of this kid to suspect that there’s more to it than shirt sales…
I’ve also spoken to a couple of Feyenoord fans, and they love him…
Hey, how ya doing Agag…
Thanks for Saturday…
Mr Muscle…? Hmm, it’s all those shopping bags i carry 😀
Agreed Doc – tell me how many times you’ve actually seen Nasri beat his man on the outside and go round the back of the defender?
He aint gonna beat the fullback round the outside Sav cos Nasri ain’t a winger…! wengers square pegs into round holes scenario…! we’ve lacked width for years cos we’ve not played with proper wingers, as quick as Walcott is he aint a winger…!
Evening AGAG how’s you…?
Très Bien, Monsieur Allez-k! AW’s not the only one with purchases, I see. Dizzy busy me. 🙁
Evening fine peoples 🙂
Exactly WATH – that’s why we signed Gervinho!!
Arshavin can beat his man, but he hasn’t quite hit the button for us since his debut season. The other trouble we had was that the overlapping fullback combination never quite worked with Clichy like it did with Cole.
Personally, I’m really looking forward to seeing Gibbs step up to the plate. Here’s hoping for a clean bill of health.
Hola, WATH. You should add a + sign to your handle, Mr. Positive. Haha.
Modric has made Sami and Cesc seem like cherubic choir boys. Player power has become truly appalling.
Hello, rico. Busy with the GG? 😉 Now to sort out the defense, yeah? Can’t wait for our third buy.
Three days on the bounce virtually AGAG…people will start talking!! 🙂
Yip, the 3rd buy is going to be the most interesting. A defender surely?
Really looking forward to having TV back in defence though. I do see one of Djourou and Koz becoming a long-term star, but it’s the certainty of a known performer that we need now.
Arshavin and Nasri both beat players but are not natural wingers is Gervinho when plenty are saying play him through the middle…?
Least he’s quick so we adding to that dimension at least as when Theo not on the pitch we’re almost backwards…..
AGAG positive who………. 😛 def not, nothing much to be + about yet…! only 7 wks to go 😉
Lol, Lee. Have you met Erick (aka Weeds)? And somebody should police WATH. He’s too + What has this world come to? 😀
I really like Koz, Savage. He has donut moments, to be sure, but he has a good energy about him. Not a bad first season, imho. 🙂 And it would be such a relief to have TV back. We missed his goals, too.
Here here re Gibbs Savage, if he could only stay fit – same with RvP, a fit season and we can all imagine 🙂
Boo agag, busy with the gardenr furniture painting, all finished now – hoorah 🙂
I’m not sold on Kos, not yet anyway – still hope we get a beats to play alongside TV but, after Wengers comments i think we will see TV at LB…..
If that means we sign two central defenders, hoorah, as long as Cahill is one of them ….
Wenger says:
“Jenkinson is an interesting buy. We bought him from Charlton and hopefully he will push Sagna.”
So where does that leave Ebooooooooooooie???
Lee;
“Always Look On the Bright Side Of Life” 😀
Seven weeks is an eternity WATH, moe time for us to sort out our buys. Would be some declaration that we mean business if we bought a monster of a defender plus either Hazard or Mata. If we buy more, you might be tempted to change your gravatar to a + sign, sir. 😛
Is there nothing you don’t do, rico? I stare at the dishes in the sink and will them to wash themselves. They never do. 😉
No + signs AGAG, would only be back to where we should have been a few yrs back 😉 In anycase it ain’t happened…!
How many dishwashers do you need woman…? Oh you need the plates to jump into the dishwasher for u…………..
Not really agag, i will try anything but i i don’t succeed at all – have had to call a plumber in recently 😉 😉
You are a tinker, just wash them 😉
If we get rid of all the deadwood we hope to get rid of, how many would that be?
I make it five/six… (not including kids)
I need self-cleaning dishes, self-polishing floors, etc., WATH. 😀 My bath is alwaaaays clean though. 😉
Not very handy with repairs either, rico. 🙂 Almunia, Denilson, Rosicky 🙁 Bendtner, but only if there’s a good offer. Eboue must be there for comic relief. I like him well enough, but the way he dives, it’s as if he plays for Barcelona.
We’ll be lucky to get rid of the waiter n bendy Rico the rest on to higher wages for clubs to be able to afford…! Why you think they all still there, we want a decent price yet the wages make them expensive, get rid and move on even if we sell at half what we value them at least they off our books and not taking up space..!
I know one man who must feel VERY small right now…
When he climbs onto the bus and sits next to Nasri, he gets asked: “United, City and Chelsea are chasing me, so how many clubs are chasing you?”
And Denilson blushes.
So any word on whether Gervinho will be shipped out to Asia on the next flight?
Maybe I just had a good nights sleep, but I must admit to feeling a lot more positive today. Sure, I would rather have seen a defensive player signed, but at this point I guess anything is better than nothing.
I hope for Eboue gone agag, his theatrics are dreadful…
WATH, how can denilson stay after his outburst?? I’m with you on the cut our losses on their price tag and pay someone else their wages …
Rosicky is a tough one, i think a part of him wants to repay the club for standing by him – he should be on a pay as you play deal though 😉
Afternoon all.good read as always.
Hi Kt, two in, now we need two more, defenders….
Thank goodness you were right about Downing….
Anything new happened guys?
It’s embarrassing, rico. And it happens all the time with Eboue. He’s better than that.
A bit of a rude awakening for Denilson; he ain’t all he thinks he is. Maybe having had all that time out (injury and AW- imposed) would put things in perspective for him. I hope he watched vids of his performances and realized what and how much he has to improve. the ebay sale was mean though.
WATH you asked me yesterday what was mata’s best position but i had left.i don’t think he has a specific position.nowadays football has become more fluid especially in attack whereby modern football has developed an aspect of universality.attacking minded players are expected to be able to play several roles in a single game to avoid being easily nullified.thats why goal poachers are a rare breed nowadays as more is expected from even the forwards,the likes of rvp/messi/rooney create lots more chances nowadays for their fellow attackers.mata is in the same category as in a single game he can play left/right/no.10 to baffle the opposition.he would be a good signing although highly unlikely.nk he has a specific position.nowadays football has become more fluid especially in attack whereby modern football has developed an aspect of universality.attacking minded players are expected to be able to play several roles in a single game to avoid being easily nullified.thats why goal poachers are a rare breed nowadays as more is expected from even the forwards,the likes of rvp/messi/rooney create lots more chances nowadays for their fellow attackers.mata is in the same category as in a single game he can play left/right/no.10 to baffle the opposition.he would be a good signing although highly unlikely.
Hi KT and Will. rico, your Villa sounds like he has a man crush on Cesc. Lol. Actually, all Barca players sound like they have a thing for our captain.
I like Rosicky, too. Wish he could recover his pre-mysterious injury form. But pay as you play sounds about right.
Hi rico.i never for even a second believed we were after Downing.
Hi agag.Rosicky actually plm when he stopped playing regularly.he is one of my favs and i hope he gets his form back.ayed very well in last year’s preseason.he started quite well when cesc was absent but he lost form when he stopped playing regularly.he is one of my favs and i hope he gets his form back.
Well, I’m sure you’ve all heard that Rosicky had his tonsils removed this summer – doctors believed they were responsible for his frequent illnesses. Frankly that sounds silly to me, but I guess its plausible. It would be an unexpected bonus to see him return to form.
I know KT. I like Rosicky, too. If only he could recover his form. He and Dudu were doing really well before the injury imp claimed them. I hope this year everyone keeps fit. Gibbs in particular as we need him to step up now– not that Clicky set impossibly high standards. 🙁 )
I would like to see Traore given a go. Any guy that turns up at the Spuds ground with knuckledusters is alight by me.
Evening all,
At last Geronimo is here, thanks for the run down of him rico, heard his name mentioned for quite a while and never knew a lot about him, seen a few clips and he looks like he smiles a lot, Just as well he’ll need a sense of humour if we dont sign a DEFENDER soon, What part of Wengers interview did i miss, i thought he said strengthening at the back. By the way, what side of the park does the Indian ply his trade
I can’t wait to see Gervinho and Theo tear down teams on the counter…
Doc, did you do his op, and can he get he’s boots on now.
Steve if your talking about Ryo he is Japanese who plays on the left wing.
Agree re Ebooooooooie agag, he’s a clown!! He isn’t even that good….
Evening Steve – always like to know who we have signed and a bit about them, doesn’t happen often though 😉
I’m hoping Gervinho plays on the right wing and Theo moves central, that will piss a few sides off, I’ll tell ya 😉
@ Steve: Geronimo is left footed, no that that means he will play on the left.
Just answer me one thing Rico, can he cross the ball!!! Thank yoou KT i ment Jersey Joe Gervinho I like the sound of Ryo, just hope he’s not crumpet mad
Cheers Doc, few lefties in the side then
We did this yesterday, but I prefer Walcott and Gervinho on together. Assuming Fabragas leaves:
…… …… … Szczesny
Sagna….. Vermelon ….. Djourou ….. Gibbs (?)
Walcott ….. Nasri ….. Wilshire …… Gervinho
……….Van Persie ….. Chamakh/Bendtner (second striker)
That leaves us with no real defensive midfielder and lacking any depth in the back line should someone get injured or need a rest.
Even when Walcott is uninvolved in a game, his presence (speed) still forces the defenders to adjust their line. Having a second speedy winger, would double the effect.
Of course I also agree with Rico who seems to favor playing Walcott in the middle with Van Persie and playing Gervinho on the right (although he is left footed). I guess that leaves us with Arshavin on the left.
Either way, we have plenty of depth in mid field (Song, Rosicky, Ramsey, etc). Its just the back line that looks week.
And yes, I have Bendtner in there as a second striker with Van Persie. I know he is not popular, but if he stays (which he won’t) I actually believe he and Van Persie could forge a partnership. Bendtner does have strokes of genius. Perhaps with consistent play he could be half as good as he thinks he is.
*weak*
I think Gervinho is right footed Doc.
K-TR7…. well then Rico’s formation would be better. But I still think he is a lefty.
Doc, Fabianski for Czez swap Gibbs for Virmin Out JD and buy two really good Centre Backs,Swap Chamakh with Theo and put Ryo in if we can get a visa
I prefer the 4-3-3 with Gerv/rvp/theo up top with cesc behind them sliding through balls.that would be absolutely devastating when we are playing on the counter.
Steve – yes he can cross..
Gervinho has said he is ‘gunning for theo’, that suggests to me he plays on the right 🙂
Hence my earlier about Theo going into the middle… maybe, and at last 🙂
I’d also swap Nasri for Song, Might even give Song and Frimpong a try out at the back if we didn’t buy
Rico thats where he is used to playing at lille and for Ivory coast.
I wouldn’t like to see Frimpong at the back Steve, he’s only 5′ 11″ 😉
But Song, maybe that is his best position?
Kt, I know 😉
Wenger has held Theo on the flank for long enough if he does’nt use him in the middle he’ll leave
If we keep Cesc and Nas Frimpong will never get a game, With Ramsey gagging to play all the time will cause trouble, We need to utilise what we have, we have all said we need to buy at the back, if we do we are loaded with centre backs, we still have Bartley Kosi Sqill Vermin JD Miquell we need to mix and match and find the best combo
Agree there Steve, Theo has said many times that he’s a striker, i cannot wait for the day that wenger lets him loose…
Ok, he will never be Henry but he’ll be the nearest thinmg to him that we gooners ever see….
Steve i don’t think Theo is ready to play CF for us.most teams we play park the bus so this notion that theo will latch onto balls behind the defence is misguided.he’ll be ineffective playing there for us right now.he still has lots of improving to do before Arsene can unleash him there.that theo will latch onto balls behind the defence is misguided.he’ll be ineffective playing there for us right now.he still has lots of improving to do before Arsene can unleash him there.
Frimpong is more defensive though Steve, he’ll be challenging Song, and i don’t think it will be too long until he replaces him…
Essien reckons he is the mutts….
Kt, i think too many fans under estimate Theo and i don’t think teams park the bus anymore, they used to, but not anymore….
Theo on the shoulder of the last defender, with Robin nearby would prove fruitful, i truly believe that…..
What about a front three that swaps positions?
Frimpong will play steve.his only competition is Song and maybe diaby.cesc/nasri/ramsey will be no obstacle to his development at all.o obstacle to his development at all.
These guys are supposed to be intelligent, surely they can work it out for themselves?
Switch it around as the circumstances dictate…
We kind of do that now Kev but they forget to swap 😉
Seriously, Theo needs to be given the chance, he’s a goal scorer and he and RvP work well together – it may finally convince the doubters, or finally shut me up 😉
Kt, thats what i just said 😉
Coquelin is also coming along KT.
Another year in Lorient and he might just give Wenger another m/f option?
AK – have a read of my 6:09 comment
I hope will sell Diaby, he’s a crock!!
Kev – has Coq gone back on loan? i thought he was staying…
Well played rico.
I know Kt, but when did ya last see theo on the left, cutting in, or Arsharvin on the right…
I’m not as daft as some may think Kt 😉
Rico, i don’t think he’s gone yet, but i thought it was more or less sorted… I could be wrong…
Its not that i(we) underestimate theo rico.i have watched theo closely and am yet to be convinced…thats just me.guess we’ll never know till he plays there.convinced…thats just me.guess we’ll never know till he plays there.
Kev – latter half of the season, Theo got himself in the box and i am sure i spotted him on the left 😉 He created so much space for RvP to score and he alos bagged goals for himself –
I honestly believe that RvP and Theo together would get us 40-50 goals a season – if of course they both stay fit…
Just watch them the next time they play together ( cough) they have something about them….
You’re not daft at all rico.you know lots of footy tactics.the ladies team should hire you as the next boss.e ladies team should hire you as the next boss.
We have to agree to differ here Kt and neither of us are football coaches/managers
One season, maybe even just a few months – he’ll either pass the test or fail….. and i know where my money is 😉
But, i will stand corrected if i am wrong….
Trust me Kt, they need far better 😉
But thank you 😳
Rico, I’m sure i saw a lot of Theo playing on the left flank for Southampton, around the time he moved to AFC…
He’s an intelligent guy off of the pitch, so it kinda follows that he’d take that onto the pitch…
Rico re:rvp/theo i agree with you.theo/rvp have a telepathic understanding as shown by how well they swap positions.its true they create lots of space for each other.almost all of theo’s assists are to rvp.the game against w.ham away showed just how devastating that partnership can be.its such a shame nasri lost his form in the latter parts of the season but hopefully Arsene works on that front 3 in preseason to make it even more lethal. by how well they swap positions.its true they create lots of space for each other.almost all of theo’s assists are to rvp.the game against w.ham away showed just how devastating that partnership can be.its such a shame nasri lost his form in the latter parts of the season but hopefully Arsene works on that front 3 in preseason to make it even more lethal.
Theo may not be the answer but he’s no winger and i don’t think he has the heart for it, he seems in and out of the game but i believe that is because he’s on the flank, and left with F All to do a lot of the time, put him where the action is and we could have a little firecracker on our hands, and with a possible two wingers i can see fireworks
When you look at our squad, we have so many players, granted we could do with a clear out, but those players have contracts and we can’t just out them, which means when everybody is calling for new players we are still paying for the others, at the moment there does’nt appear a rush on them either, now i know that Nas and Cesc are two of our better players, but if they were to go it would be a blessing in disguise
kev – i’m sure he did too – so does wenger inhibit his game then?
So, there you go Kt, they have it, just which wenger would give them a chance up top together….
Steve, agree – so many moan and groan about him but we all know he is not comfortable on the wing so why does wenger persist….
If we were all butchers, we would be pissed off if our boss stuck us in the bakery to make bread wouldn’t we??
Steve, i don’t care anymore, if they both go, it means they don’t care enough for OUR club and we don’t need that kind of player…..
Steve our formation last seson was a lopsided 4-2-3-1 with theo playing very close to rvp while nasri played almost in tandem with cesc.i believe thats how Arsene is going to continue as theo will get to play as a RF being allowed to drift to CF when rvp drops deep.i believe Arsene has been making evaluations of his own and he is the best to judge theo’s development.theo also has to provide width which has helped him improve his dribbling and first touch.i think theo is fine where he is at the moment. close to rvp while nasri played almost in tandem with cesc.i believe thats how Arsene is going to continue as theo will get to play as a RF being allowed to drift to CF when rvp drops deep.i believe Arsene has been making evaluations of his own and he is the best to judge theo’s development.theo also has to provide width which has helped him improve his dribbling and first touch.i think theo is fine where he is at the moment.
Just seen a good i/v from AW in Malaysia. He was really animated, talking about technique, developing players and winning with style…
He’d never talk like it to a wanky Brit journo…
It’s on You-Tube
Keeping cesc/nasri will go a long way to rebuilding my faith in Arsene.
KT, the problem with all this 4-2-3-1 4-1-1-2-3 is its all bollox if you don’t have the right players attacking and the right players defending formations is merely numbers it actually means sweet FA if all the players know what their job is within the team, half ours dont cos they cant defend properly cos wenger and his staff dont do defensive training…! It’s pathetic and all he is now going on about is we need to be more offensive, NO wenger we need to defend properly you numbnuts its what you spoke about at the end of the season adn now your sweeping it under the carpet…!
Guys, I’m done, Corrie catch up calls 😉
catch you all tomorrow – nighty night and have a good evening…..
Good night Rico… Don’t forget the Ovaltine 🙂
True WATH.By the way you asked me a question last night when i had left but i covered it in my 6:09.y 6:09.
Horlicks Kev 😉
Nighty Night…….
I got it KT thanx mate………. 😉
Nite Rico………
Nite rico.
great video, but in case anyone didn’t notice, that’s from a couple years old when Wenger was in Malaysia.
Spot on Doc he got his Castrol shirt on….!
Nite all…..
ARSENAL fans are no longer subscribing to the ‘In Arsene We Trust’ mantra after a survey revealed a large section of the Emirates crowd are losing faith.
The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust yesterday published results of their second annual survey and the verdict is more damning than ever for Wenger.
Six trophyless years have taken their toll on the fans and it now seems their patience with manager Wenger is at breaking point.
A total of 69 per cent of supporters surveyed believe Wenger’s football philosophy takes too much precedence over winning trophies, compared to 53 per cent last year.
And 42 per cent of voters agreed the Arsenal board should reconsider their confidence in Wenger if his team do not win a trophy this season, with 40 per cent disagreeing and 18 per cent unsure.
Voters made their feelings clear with statements such as: “Wenger is a hero to Arsenal fans, but he seems to have lost his way. The club is so much bigger than one person.”
Another fan said: “One more chance I’d say and this is such a shame considering how much Wenger has done for Arsenal.”
Of the supporters asked about levels of satisfaction towards the team and their achievements, only two per cent responded ‘highly satisfied’. A total of 39 per cent described themselves as slightly satisfied with 37 per cent unsatisfied. One year earlier, only 11 per cent of the voters had ticked the box marked unsatisfied.
One supporter wrote: “Wenger’s insistence that the team have mental strength patronises and insults our intelligence.”
Wenger managed to convince assistant Pat Rice to stay at Arsenal for one more year this summer, but the survey criticises his resistance to change.
There was a loud call for former vice-chairman David Dein to be brought back to help Wenger with transfers and player contracts.
Asked if Dein should get a football-specific role from new owner Stan Kroenke, 69 per cent answered yes, with 17 per cent replying no, an incredible shift from a year ago, when only 13 per cent of voters said they wanted a senior director of football appointed.
http://www.express.co.uk/football/view/258260/Trust-in-Arsene-Wenger-on-wane
_______________________________________________________
good read.
My opinion is that we need Wenegr this season, his “Last Chance Saloon” to put things right.
Else, he got to go in July 2012.
He still has 3 more years on his current contract. And Stan can’t continue with this “loser” if he still persist with his Beautiful Football that won zilch, in lieu of “Efficient Football” with a decent chance of a piece of silverware.
ANother trophyless season, and Van Persie on the last year of his contract, guess what will he do in July 2012?
Likewise, guess what will Walcott, Arshavin, SOng, vermaelen, et al do in July 2012 knowing they will in for a long run of “trophyless seasons” with Wenger having lost it all?
PS:
Rico, you can “cut and paste” this posting into your new thread…..cheers..
Big clubs don’t sell their stars, claims Arsène Wenger• Arsenal manager rules out possibility of Samir Nasri exit
• He says Cesc Fábregas is ‘torn’ but is confident of keeping him
Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger insists Samir Nasri will stay this summer but admits uncertainty regarding Cesc Fábregas.
Arsène Wenger has categorically ruled out the prospect of Samir Nasri leaving this summer, going so far as to suggest that Arsenal could not be considered a “big club” if they lost both the France midfielder and Cesc Fábregas.
Wenger has chosen to hold on to Nasri even though it could cost the club upwards of £20m in lost transfer fees, and the manager said he would “fight until the last second” to keep Fábregas, despite admitting his captain was “torn” over his desire to rejoin Barcelona.
Nasri, a target for both of the Manchester clubs, who are prepared to start the bidding for him at £20m, has entered the final 12 months of his contract in north London and he has so far ignored Arsenal’s offer of fresh terms, believed to be worth £90,000 a week.
But Wenger, speaking at the club’s pre-season tour base in Malaysia, said that he would rather have Nasri for one more season and lose him as a Bosman free agent than sell him now. There remains the hope at the club that Nasri could yet re-sign and the prospect might be helped if Fàbregas were to secure his move to Barcelona. Nasri would then enjoy a more central role in the midfield.
As Wenger confirmed the £10.6m signing of the Ivory Coast and Lille forward Gervinho, Fábregas’s future was less clear. Wenger continues to battle to convince the Spaniard that he ought to remain at the club which has nurtured him since 2003 but he conceded that he could leave.
The saga looks set to run, with Barcelona, despite having indicated that they would pay £35m for him, content to bide their time. Wenger wants Fábregas to commit quickly so that he can accelerate his team-building plans but he made it plain that Nasri was staying.
“Samir’s situation is clear for me,” Wenger said. “He stays. We are in a [financial] position where we can say ‘No’ and we will, in the case of Samir.” Wenger said that it was better to keep Nasri for another season and risk losing him for nothing than to sell him to United or City before the closure of the transfer window, even if it represented a £20m gamble.
“You are the same people who reproach me for not spending money and now you reproach me for wanting to spend it,” he added, with a smile. “It is in the interests of the club. Fábregas is in no-man’s land … Imagine the worst situation, that we lose Fábregas and Nasri; you cannot convince people that you are ambitious after that.”
Wenger was asked what would happen if Fàbregas said he was unhappy. “That’s the only way he could get out,” he replied. “I don’t think he’s unhappy but he wants to go back to Barcelona. For us, it’s not a question of money. It’s a question of Cesc wanting to be with us. And I think he is torn because he loves the club deeply.”
Robin van Persie is desperate for Fábregas and Nasri to stay – he said that the former “would be a miss for any team” – and he stressed the need for Wenger to add quality to the squad. It is not inconceivable that Van Persie, who is under contract until 2013, would consider his future if he were unimpressed by the club’s transfer business.
“The way I feel now is that a few signings are more than welcome,” he said. “Every other team is buying quality players so hopefully we will do the same. You need investment to keep up. Everyone needs competition because no one really wants to go to sleep. In an ideal world, no one should be really sure of his place, except maybe the captain and the goalkeeper.
“Why not sign a player for £20m-£25m? These days, proper players cost money. Sometimes, it can be a statement for the others as well. But the main thing is it’s not just a label, a multimillion-pound signing. It’s more about the quality.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/12/arsenal-cesc-fabregas-samir-nasri-arsene-wenger
____________________________________________________________
Recalled this “Urban Myth” of Wenger and Dein agreed to pay Cashley Cole £55,000pw; but the Board in all their wisdom decided to cut-back and offer him instead £50,000pw.
Chelski promptly stepped in and offered him £70,000pw.
Out of loyalty to Arsenal, Cashley Cole signed a one-year extension matching Chelski’s offer of £70,000pw, plus an agreement that he can sign for any club of his choice at season end.
Why not offer Nasri the same deal if what was alleged said he “is committed to Arsenal”?
That is,
Double his salary to £140,000pw to sign a one-year extension;
And a “get-out” Clause of £20m at season end if he desires to leave to any club of his choice.
“Win-win” all around as Wenger got one more season to convince Nasri Arsenal is a title-winning team, plus providing a stable platform at Arsenal FC to fulfil his internaitonal achievement for EUro2012…where if he performs well, more marquee clubs like Real or BArca may even bid for him in summer 2012.
Re Nasri:
Well at least we know he is not going to United. Ferguson is careful not to reveal anything beyond that fact, which I suppose is proper, but his words could be interpreted as an implication that Nasri is leaving us (just not to go to United).
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/933829/ferguson:-samir-nasri-will-not-be-joining-manchester-united?cc=5901
Morning…
New Post Up