Our target is to win the trophies but you judge the quality of the teams and their potential over the Premier League results.
On top of that you want to do well in the cups. The basis is first to do well with the stability of results in the championship, and on top of that get the cups.
In England it is difficult because you have many teams who can [try] to do that and every year it is becoming more difficult.
This is an opportunity for us to crown our season and the overall achievement if you look back on the season will look better if we win it. It’s all to do, all is in front of us so we just want to focus on Saturday’s game.
Will he take Hull City for granted?
To hell will he!
I don’t believe we need any warning [about Hull]. We know that a final is a final, that Hull are a Premier League team, they can pass the ball, they can create chances. It’s just down to us to perform well on the day of the game.
I honestly don’t feel there is any danger of complacency – we know the difficulty of the task. If you look at our run in the FA Cup, we’ve had a hard run.
We must have had and overcome one of the toughest routes to this FA Cup Final having beaten three PL sides along the way and beating Hull twice in the league this season means nothing.
This is a one off match and Hull City will be up for this game, that we can be sure of.
There’s a big jug on offer and after the League Cup disaster and the other trips to Wembley before that, I hope that our manager and players have learned. Learned enough to stay focused and fully committed on the job ahead and get a great result on Saturday evening….
Gossip pages:
Karim Benzema, now there’s a new one… lol
But yes, many a newspaper think we are all set to offer £30 million for the Real Madrid striker as they go after Suarez. Some even suggest that we have already made that offer…..
The return of Carlos Vela did the rounds yesterday, plenty of reports suggest we have or soon will activate a return clause in his contract.
Finally, The Mirror report that Napoli will challenge us for the signing of Morgan Schneiderlin. £17 million is quoted……
That’s it from me for another day.
Mmm, Benzema or Sanogo?
I will have to think about that one.
Umbongo for me…
I think he might go to the ACON Lee.
Apparently Spurs are so confident of getting Pochetino they have already been looking for his replacement.
If can take Carlos Vela back,, and we sign Benzema, infact our attack we be the best next season.
Hi country of origin didn’t qualify!
Your 9:42 hahahaha!
Sanogo for me….. 😉
🙂 Adam, one who speaks English….
I have a train to catch so best I make my way to the station…
Catch up later folks….
Many of this talk’s are speculation from newspepper’s, but if the deal could be done before the world cup begins it will help us all chalange in next season campain.
Old boring news this Benzema stuff – he clearly doesn’t really want to play for Arsenal given the years Wenger has been chasing him. As for Vela, money to be made for our greedy lot on this guy no doubt. I see 30m plus more this year in winnings
haha Adam, very good
Raphael Meade for me, partnering Chris Whyte…
Now that’s a combination to muse over…
Morning All/Rico.
Rico. Apparently he speaks better English than he makes out.
As a funny aside, it was amusing to see Tim Sherwood last night as a pundit for the game alongside Lee Dixon and Strachan. There was Tim at half time, sans gilet, giving his expert take on the tactics employed and the likely outcome. He went into detail about formations and even the psychological balance too and came to the conclusion that Benfica knew they could beat Sevilla and said that they would do so in the second half. This didn’t pan out so after full time Tim again launched intone details of his tactical exposé and came to the same conclusion. Emboldened by failure and desperate to make a good impression for any southern league club chairman that might be watching, Tim during the extra-time break insisted that Benfica would wrap it all up within the following 15 minutes. Using the same insight that guided Spurs to their first PL and CL double since records began under his guidance Sherwood grew more pale and his eyes became more bulbous as it finally dawned on him that every single thing he had predicted had failed to happen. Sad but endlessly amusing.
Adam, so spiteful towards a fellow Arsenal fan…. poor ole Tim..!
Lee Chapman for me Kev….. Those shorts were what made him such a success..!
doubt there will be any changes at the top end managers list but a few others could move on/get sacked. Fat Sam is another on thin ice
Benzema is out of contract next year so maybe this story might actually happen?
Is Benzema the new Gourchuff? the third transfer window he has been linked with us now…
Its not going to happen imo for a number of reasons in addition to fee… if it does, I will eat a fat slice of humble pie… 😉
Micko, how was your duties last night with the boxercise and all? lol
Morning fellow HHers and Rico
need to be careful with this one, could mess our window up completely. If they hang out for Suarez and fail, we could also be delayed and end up with nothing.
Oz. I think you are right. Surely Arsenal must try to be proactive and not fall victim to other club’s schedules this summer. Waiting to see if club A buys player B before we might get player C will likely go to the wire and could well end in tears.
If i am honest hand on heart I actually don’t want Benzema… I have never really liked him… think he over rated and don’t think he’s exactly what we need…! I’ll await the rotten tomatoes that will be thrown in my direction….. lol
he’s not that special either Adam – moody individual and not worth hanging yourself out to dry for. We have serious cash reserves now and can force the pace with some of our targets. Lets see some serious intent with signings in positions that are actually needed. Am i being positive enough yet?
I am with you Mr.Wath…
True Oz nothing special…
Oz. It took him time to settle at RM after a hefty price tag etc but I rather like him. Each to his own obviously.
we have the reserves and need, three serious level players, lets see if Wenger agrees – I am sure IG will want names as well, maybe this is the hold up in signing the contract?
Oz. If one of those will be a RB and another a replacement for TV then that leaves a single striker. What about a bit of rapid width?
don’t see us spending serious bucks on RB or CB to be honest mate – The french lad is 7/8m and the young CB is around 5/6m so plenty left for a serious spend on quality
Oz. So 3 players on top of those 2?. I would be interested in seeing Wenger make 5 incomings in a single TW. 🙂
But I totally get where you are coming from.
Never catch on that Adam, rapid width!
Anything less would surely be yet more incompetency Adam? The positions are needed. GK as well probably. This club has been all over news for its greed and really need to make some miles back by spending some of it
His record is far from bad though
Career
App Goals Assists
401 192 80
At RM
App Goals Assists
233 111 62
He is Six foot two as well so should offer a good option in the air if needed and with the contract issue RM might well want it over and done with so they can use the money to pay another ridiculous amount for some one else.
I agree though if it can not be done quickly then move on but his record suggests he is and would be a good player to have in the team.
Lee. Brudder, it’s a new concept I am trying to introduce. I have noticed that when people run fast with the ball and then kick it into the area, good things can happen. But keep it between us.
Oz. So 6 players then? That would be quite something. 🙂
three are forced Adam – not really reinforcements are they?
Goal keeper Kasper Schmeichel is available on a free might they make a move for him and I would like to see them make a bid for Tom ince as well given the way our wide players can not stay fit for a season. Then spend some serious money on DM and buy a RB and a CH
Oz. I understand but it still requires 6 bits of business. Can you see that happening? 🙂
In 2001 window Aw bought 5 players. Of those only Sol, Kolo and maybe R. Wright contributed that year… the likes of Inamoto, Tavralidis(spelling) failed…
The following year we lost 6 players including Adams, Dixon etc and we brought in only 4 namely Shabaam, Cygan, Warmuz and the one who scored on his debut the ‘invisible wall’…
The same gambles from day one..
We now have a solid core; I doubt any new additions bar 1 will be a starter come community shield day… 😉
Do we get him on the cheap with only 1 yr left on his contract….!
I think he’s a quicker version of Giroud…!
tsgh, you are right. Wenger is not noted for buying what’s required and its cost him big time over the years. If he does not step up now, well… pointless, we’ve been saying the same thing for years as you pointed out. Always the bear minimum he can get away with.
Ts, stop being negative…. Arsene gonna surprise us all…. “5” new signings I tell ya….! yes five…!
I’ll raise that to 6. 🙂
Adam… a 15 yr old from Tanzania don’t count mate… Has to be proper grown men signings…. 😀
Morning all.
Wath. What about a postman from Lesotho? He could be good. 🙂
Lol… Wath… I woke up from the wrong side of the bed as Micko will say… lol
Seriously though, I set my expectations ALARP so I don’t get disappointed… 😉
If we need to improve squad wise,Flappy,Sagna,andTommy leaving that’s 3 to replace.
If we need to improve team wise from last season,
Striker must,
athletic strong tackling Midfielder must,
Minimum 5 Players will be needed.
………..Simple…
6 players you’re having a giraffe!! 3 max….a load of tyre kicking in the transfer market,bidding £5m for £20m players, then the world cup year bollocks and plus him commentating on canal+….boom!
Lee Chapman, Wath, now your talking mate… 🙂
Fred if only stubborn bollocks saw it that way!
I knew the thought of those shorts would get a comment from you Kev 😉
Adam, as long as he’s in excess of 16 it’s fine…. A postie in Lesotho… Imagine how fit n powerful he’ll be from walking/running his 60 mile delivery route in 60 mins flat….!
Lee. So you can’t see him doing what is needed then? 🙂
Sagna – Jenks….
TV – Lescott – Free
Fabianski – Schmeichel – Free
….
Then the BIG buys…..
Di Maria – 40mil
Schneiderlin – 17mil
Bony or Lacazette – 20mil
There you have it…………..
Ok ok I’ll get me coat now then….!
Then Again it could be –
Tom Ince – Free
Gareth Barry – Free
Remy – 12mil
Plus Lescott n Schmeichel for free…. That’ll cheer Lee no end 😀
No players who have to go to the African cup of nations please, guarantee that is when we will have our usual injury crisis
he steers clear of those now days vern
Rules out Bony though and Aurier as they will both be there?
yeah you are right Aurier is Cameroon, i forgot. Never saw Bony as real anyway
Fred, I make you right, but the new striker would be replacing Bendtner (don’t laugh), so Wenger needs to bring in four players just to stand still if Verm, Sagna and Fab leave…
Five signings would then mean the squad improving by only one addition in strength/numbers….
Schmeichel
Uchida
Lescott or Caulker
Martinez or Khedira or Morgan Schneiderlin
Fabregas ? (dons flame proof suit)
Benzema or Remy
Tom ince
Five signings would then mean the squad improving by only one addition in strength/numbers…. – you are right kev and that is frightening and does not look good at all. This is Wenger we’re talking about 🙁
I now Kev,,Wenger says the same thing every year when asked the simple question of..Any new signings to report Arsene.
Nooo.we are working on what we have hear..yawn
Forgot about ACoN… that rules out my mate Bony…. I’ll go for Clyde then…!
Remy it is I suppose……….
We can hardly say Bendy is going to be missed anyone that comes in is going to be better than him and used more than him….!
no not now sorry kev.
Wath, seen more of wenger playing with his zip,
than bendtner with his kit on.
wonder if he’s spoken to Puma about the coat zippers?
Exactly Fred, so to say a replacement isn’t like an extra players ain’t strictly true is it… he not been used…!
Di Maria and Schneiderlin for me plus a goalscorer and I’ll be so happy I’ll drink extra GG…!
here not hear…my spelling..should have gone to shocool more often.
Oz, they going to be velcro so no mishaps and ppl taking the piss out the esteemed one…!
Oz..wonder if the word velcrow has been mention this time.
Wath did you go to shocool then.
Later
Skoool Fred,,wot waz dat…?
😉
Pums are the worlds foremost button manufacturer.
Puma, even!!
Buttons….
Really….
Are you insinuating Wenger will not have a coat that buttons uyp Scott 😀
Wath, we all know he struggles with zippers, so back to basics 🙂
velcro
lol…
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/476075/SPOTTED-Arsenal-s-FA-Cup-WINNERS-parade-bus-in-its-full-glory
Yesterday Di maria,today benzema.lol,can’t stop laughing.Tomorrow ribery,saturday ronaldo,monday messi………Aug 30,victor moses of nigeria.That’s arsene way.lol
Everybody must be off getting their FA Cup final clothes ironed and sorted……..
I think vela coming back is a great news.
I’m just concentrating on getting on the right train home… Lol
Rico. You take care out there. 🙂
I’m trying Adam
Have we signed anyone?
Umbongo on a free Kev.
Adamant
Goonster.
How are things Stan?
Adam… 😆
Am good brother…just hanging in there. How are ya and the missus?
I reckon rico’s on the 5.15 to Crewe by now !
Fair Stan, thank you.
Micko. So Tralee is a bit dodgy you say? Worse than Holloway Road on a Saturday night? Seemed very ‘country’ to me. My mate lived near a golf course by the sea. My memory is that everything was enormously expensive. But that the Dingle (?) Was very pretty.
Rico…. Hic…… Hic….
Hi Adam, lets just say a few undesirables, Dingle Peninsula and Killarney are both lovely and only a short drive away, me I’m hidden away up a long and winding country lane.
Hi Stan, out of interest what time of the day is it in your neck of the woods.
The film Gravity, in 3D, takes you on a trip, out into outer space, man….
Kev. I am floating past the rings of Saturn as I write, man……..
Man, that sounds like a line out of a Jimi Hendrix song…
Now that cat knew how to groove Adam…
Have you ever listened to Electric Ladyland whilst vaping?
Outta sight bruv…
No mate but I used to play in a band that did Little Wing, amongst other covers. 🙂
There’s some weird old folk in London…. 😉
🙂 Wath..
Micko, thankfully, it stopped just before Crewe and I did a turnaround…
Got chatting to a guy on the train who was downing tins of Stella like it was going out of fashion. He was a Man Utd fan and hopes we lose – he also said how he’d followed his club all over Europe for a few years..
Not sure he was chuffed when I said, ‘never mind, you can have a break from that for a few years now’… 😉
Rico. Weird how ?
Just jesting Adam 😉
I know Rico. Hope you had as nice a day as I did. 🙂
I did thanks Adam, I did….
Excellent. 🙂
Rings of Saturn ? Don’t know that pub.
Typical Old Bog arrogance Rico…
But a great riposte by yours truely.
I would have loved to have seen his stupid face. 😉
Potter. It’s just off Bethnal Green Road. 🙂
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is next door I suppose.
He shut up quite quickly Kev… 😉
His face was a picture, honest… lol
Potter. That’s the one. 🙂
I used to park my Ford Prefect just up the road until someone put arf a dent in the back bumper .
I see that there is to be a minutes applause on 56 minutes to commemorate the 56 that died in the Bradford fire. I hope it goes well.
Potter. 🙂
I’m cross with myself. I had every intention to pay respects to those who lost their life at the Bradford fire but my post dropped out of wordpress and I forgot…..
Really disappointed I let that ‘occasion’ go by without mention….
I am off for the evening.
Lovely day with good Arsenal mates, good food and a lot of laughs. A few hidden tears too.
That’s what makes life worth living.
Night all.
Night Adam, you have a lovely evening….
Lovely day for me too, it really was….
Yeah Adam, it was very enoyable, the food was very good and the company was superb…
Night to you amigo…
Rico, I am so pleased that you didn’t end up in Crewe.
Crewe is a strange place, full of trainspotters and Northerners…
Totally agree Kev…..
🙂 re Crewe….
A Ford Prefect, Potter, I remember them. It wasn’t of the old black coloured models was it?
I’m off folks, catch up tomorrow…
Night all….
Two more sleeps 😉 😉
Kev they were the forerunner of the Ford Anglia , which later became the Escort and now Focus, but my references were to the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
It’s suddenly hit me…….I have been cool, calm and collected all week, but I am absolutely buzzing this morning.
One sleep to go for we Aussies!
Morning all.
Kev/Adam, Rico tells me you lads agree that it’s just not the same without me there hahahaha
Yeah Ford Anglia Potter, and wasn’t there a Ford Poplar as well?
All in black.
Scott you are certainly great company mate.
But my liver doesn’t agree… 😀
That’s me done, Night All.
Night Rico/Adam.
Morning Lee…
Lata Scott
The pop and prefect were effectively the same car but the pop was a budget version . As usual with Ford the cars changed shape but the names remained. My first car was a Prefect I think I paid £ 10 .00 for it from the Triumph dealer that I used to work for. It had a 3 speed gear box and was the original Rolls Canardly despite being 1000cc or so ,it couldn’t handle Highgate hill or the Archway and the vacuum wipers stopped halfway up. Good fun though but modern drivers wouldn’t even know where to start. Even with the old starting handle.
Scott. You were missed today. You would have really enjoyed it too. 🙂
Potter. Is the the E93A model?
Thanks Adam 🙂
Nearly game day, guys!!
Wakey Wakey, get your cold feet on that warm floor…
Morning All
It’s a beautiful sunny and warm day in London Town…
Perfect Cup Final weather.
Perfect weather to stand on Highbury Corner and wave at an open top bus… 😛
Morning Scott, Kev and all…
Beautiful sunny morning indeed Kev….
Morning Rico and all. This warm weather has left me feeling quite groggy this morning. 🙂
Morning Adam. Surely not… 😉
It’s true Rico. Unusual I know, but true. After scrambled egg on toast I am feeling a bit chirpier though. 🙂
E 93 a Adam , don’t know without looking it up , mine was a 100E I think, the Anglia with the funny rear window was a 105 E. but :- long time ago.
Rice Krispies for breakfast , I can just about remember that.
🙂 Adam..
Just munching toast and marmite….
Potter. Yes, I believe the E93A must have been the previous one. I only know because my mate’s Dad taught him and I how to dismantle and rebuild an engine with an old, old one that he had on a bench in his garage. Really simple pushrod thing it was but it gave me an early fascination with how things work.
Morning Adam, Rico, Potter…
Just sunbathing on the rank at St Pancras Hotel…
Strange how the Press are trying manufacture an ‘arrogant Arsenal’ spin with some of their reporting.
Yet Hull players can say they’re gonna do this, do that, win etc and that’s ok!!!
Usual Press tossers…
Do they still snap, crackle and pop Potter?
It’s the ‘parade’ thing Kev, think that’s what has started all press comments…
Bit previous really but I guess London is a big place and traffic can be awful 😉
Rico. There is probably some by-law that requires notice to be given if roads are going to be closed.
I suspect so too Adam, wonder if Hull have done the same.
Doubt they’d report that though, little darlings that the press are…
Yes, “Arrogant Wenger And Arsenal” makes a far better headline doesn’t it?
3-0 to the good guys fuck Hull and there manager Mrs Doubtfire!
Sorry for that Adam! 😆
Lee. 🙂
Morning all,
I still don’t see them scoring without Long and Jelavic so I would also think 3-0 to the Arsenal.
Morning Rico and all…
Arteta speaking about the attack on Arsene Wenger by Jose Mourinho earlier this season when the Chelsea manager called Wenger a ‘specialist in failure. Arteta said “I don’t like it when someone criticises any of my teammates, the staff, the manager, the club. I don’t like it because I see what people do every day to look after this club. When they are right, maybe you can accept that everybody makes mistakes. But when [ Mourinho] is coming in a certain moment a certain way, I don’t like it. If you analyse everything [Wenger] has done for this club, if he is a failure… I have a different opinion.
Silverware, it’s coming our way…
Fcuk the Press…
Sure does Adam..
Morning Lee – well said 🙂
Ah the gift that keeps on giving!
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/476256/TRANSFER-NEWS-Luiz-Mandzukic-swap-deal-Liverpool-and-Arsenal-in-for-Kalou-Sagna-to-City
Don’t agree with the signs up in Islington though……….
Morning Ts, Bradster..
They’ll certainly miss Long and Jelavic but they’ll be up for the game that’s for sure..
Mourinho is a specialist in promoting Mourinho…
Where’s my morning photo Lee?? 😉
Former England and Tottenham manager Terry Venables has revealed he turned down the chance to become Arsenal manager back in 1976.
The 71-year-old, whose career in management spanned almost 30 years, claims the Gunners offered him the job while he was a coach at Crystal Palace – but he refused the offer because he had promised to take the job as Eagles boss.
“Arsenal offered me the job in 1976, when I was coach under Malcolm Allison at Crystal Palace,” Venables said in a serialisation The Sun.
“But I turned it down as I had already given my word to Palace chairman Ray Bloye I would take over from Big Mal before the start of the next season.
“I thought back to how my dad was an Arsenal fan and always saying to me as a lad: ‘Train with Arsenal. Go to Arsenal.’ I never did and then I was given this opportunity. I was overwhelmed by it all.”
He added: “Their offer was the greatest compliment I had ever had — but my head told me it was too soon.I always advise anyone starting in management to either start low down in a big club or higher up at a middle-sized one. I knew I wasn’t ready for a club of Arsenal’s size.”
After stints at QPR, Barcelona and Spurs, Venables was made England manager in 1994. He also had a brief spell as Australia manager as well as stints at Middlesbrough and Leeds.
That’s being polite Kev 😉
That report will upset the neighbours.. lol
Rico, Mourinho is also a Specialist in being an Arsehole.
Morning all.
Inching ever so close now!
That’s more like it Kev…. 😉
Morning Scott….
Lol Kev. Just maybe being a winner gives you a freepass to talk cack…
Hi Scott
Then Jose should shut up, Ginge 🙂
Morning Rico.
Damn, I am fired up for this.
I think he’d like to be an arsehole…. he’s more of a Mike Hunt!
Well said Lee lol
I’d have never guessed Scott 😉
Lee, who’s he?? lol
Colin Hunt
Lee is some bloke with pretty eye, Rico 🙂
Oh, you mean who is the other guy…..no idea!!!
Now who would of thought that manure,liverpool and chavs would win fuck all……….good isn’t it?
Scott you ****! 😆
You were missed yesterday btw!
Qualifying for the CL is like a trophy those ilks but we are failures for consistently doing the same whilst spending spending less… plus London wages for all staff employed by club as compared to… 😉
Lee, I hope n a good way lol
Those eyes were outdone yesterday Scott, younger guy too… 😉
Luckily I like you Rico, otherwise you’d be in barney! 😆
Of course Scott in a good way!
Mes yeux bleu?
Haha, my 6 a side football team at school was named York Hunt.
Was that the geezer with the moustache Rico? 😀
🙂 Lee..
Not sure Kev, couldn’t see his eyes as his moustache was so big 😉
Good one brad…
New post up now…
So Serge showed up, hey Rico 🙂