Morning all,
The story filling all the newspapers this Monday morning relates to all the ‘Top European’ clubs wanting to sign Laurent Koscielny. Well he has a long contract to fill and Arsene Wenger/Ivan Gazidis, unless they want even more more unrest amongst the fans, need to make sure he stays and and honours it for a while long yet.
As many of us on HH have said, we need to stop selling our better players and Koscielny showed in the second half of season that he is one of those!
Onto the post….
A few days ago, one of the regular Housers, Tsgh, asked me a plain and simple question.
Is an all English XI possible at Arsenal?
I didn’t think I could answer that in one sentence so I thought I’d give my view in todays post.
Of course this is just my own opinion, but I think an all English line up is possible.
Imagine this line up at The Emirates….
Hart, Jenkinson, Gibbs, Cahill, Jones, Wilshere, Rodwell, Theo, OX, Zaha, Rooney.
Of course, this line up is open for debate since everyone will have their own personal opinions and preferences regarding the players and their position. And let’s face it, even that line up will be criticised now and then, especially if it turns out performances like the England Under 21’s did recently.
Some teething problems first. The manager, whoever he may be, will still be criticised by those who see foreign talent as superior to that lot. The reason will go far as saying that someone like Cazorla, Cesc, Ronaldo and Messi will surely improve that lot (and they will be damn right of course).
Someone else will rightly say that that lot will cost an absolute fortune to assemble, seeing that when other clubs realise what AFC are doing they will drive the price of the player up.
That leads us to the next step – those who claim that Arsenal should focus on producing their own English youngsters who will eventually make up the entire first team. Again this is plausible, but the above reason will again rear its head in so far that somewhere there will surely be some young promising player who will offer better hope for the future.
A reason belted out for the failure of the under 21 is that the majority of them were very much over-hyped and have often led to believe that they were the real deal. At Arsenal we did have a couple of our own self inflated egos who thought that they were the world’s best players, they came to the conclusion that their place in the first team was a foregone conclusion.
Another nail in the coffin to such an idea is that players change so much from one club to another that it would be very difficult to assemble such a squad because there will be players who are unwilling to wait for the whole team to be assembled to win the first piece of silverware. Unless AW goes on a spending spree of astronomical proportions which would leave our mouth open and our fingers scratching our heads at the wind of change never seen at our club and the above mentioned players are bought in during just one summer.
Naahhhh!!! It is impossible to be true.
The next option for Arsenal, and one which I feel is the most plausible is that the club follows the path they took with Theo, OX and Jenkinson and buy from the lower division or buy English players from relegated clubs.
Surely there are other English players with a CLEVER and a SOCIALLY INTELLIGENT brain between their ears and a COMMON SENSE head on their shoulders in relegated clubs and the lower divisions who can be technically and tactically refined by the club in the same way that Jenkinson was eased gradually into the first team.
Arsene Wenger had the chance to buy Frank Lampard when West Ham went down but instead he went to the Chavs. He didn’t turn out badly did he and if one bears in mind that Koscielny was bought from a lowly French club and today he is one of the best defenders which shows that clubs in the lower divisions do have players who can cut it on the big stage.
Of course, it is easier to find defenders in the lower divisions than creative midfielders and strikers who can finish. The latter will always come at a premium since they are rare. However Wenger didn’t flinch when he bought Theo and OX for good money. In my opinion he should have signed Zaha too. Whatever the results obtained this summer I feel that some of the players from the Under 21’s are worth pursuing.
The OX has said that eventually he wants the central advanced midfield position to be his own so being flanked by Theo and Zaha would have been a step in the right direction.
Whatever number he might wear, I don’t think that Wilshere should be the central attacking midfielder role at the club, he’s a box to box midfielder where he can pressurise opponents, win the ball and give it to those who to create chances while chipping in with assists and goals on a regular basis as a box to box midfielder.
If a player like Rooney becomes available he should be pursued, fought for and signed. Why not splash out €28 million on Rooney when €12 million and €15 million were spent on Gervinho and Arshavin respectively? Rooney will be twice the player these two have been and the chance to be the leader and maybe the catalyst to Arsenal breaking their trophy drought may help Rooney mature. Rooney at 28 years will surely be different to Rooney of four years ago.
The last bastion to an all AFC English XI is the goalkeeping position.
I remember back in the 1980’s I used to read that the majority of English clubs had a good goalkeeper between the sticks. Sadly that is not the case any more and it’s a damning verdict when you look at the top 6 or 7 EPL clubs and you find that they have non-English first and second choice goalkeepers. Only Manchester City have an English keeper and although he is the first choice for the national team he is far cry from offering the security offered by imposing keepers like Seaman, Shilton and Banks.
Sadly this status quo will remain unless English football stops using the excuse that the influx of foreign players are to blame! (good players like Wilshere will still break through with or without foreigners) Unless English clubs do away with the dinosaur age coaching mentality of kick, hit and run or hoof the ball at the top level, unless English youngsters stop believing the hype that they are the next best thing and unless UEFA ‘A’ coaches, yes that is right, UEFA ‘A’ licence coaches, are introduced at grassroots level, an age range between eight and twelve years, (golden age of skill learning) the present scenario of foreign players will continue for the foreseeable future.
An Arsenal FC team comprising an all English XI is a nice dream.
I would like to see such a scenario but I’m afraid that is what it will remain…….a nice dream.
Written by Devilgunner.
I know it’s just a post in a very quiet time and as an Aussie I would not wish to cause any offense but think English national team and then the question does become obvious…why would Arsenal want an all English team?
Morning all,
Good post Devil, I’d love to see an all English line-up but agree with you, it won’t ever happen in my life time, if ever…
Spot on re Hart too, he’s good but I don’t think he’s anywhere near as good as he once was, or some of the overseas keepers in the league..
Be interesting to see if the new City manager sticks with him…
Devil is not suggesting they would chaing, it’s just something which can be debated.
Good Morning Lady and Gentlemen.
Thanks for the post Rico.
I should have added that Seaman was bought from QPR, Dixon and Bould from Stoke, Keown and Adams were developed at AFC while Winterburn was bought from Wimbledon. Hardly the top star status which many supporters crave for. And ahhhhh yes they were all Englishmen.
Morning Rico and Devil. A nice post but I, for one would not want an all England X1. It’s a culture thing.
If Wenger sells Koscielny it would be a mistake and send out entirely the wrong message. If he has a great season then I might be able to understand why people rave about him but for me he hasn’t done enough yet to warrant the praise.
The more I think about it the more I am convinced that, if remotely possible, Wenger simply must buy Rooney. It works on so many levels.
nice post devil.
would you call the arsenal youth project a success the last 5 years?
have to agree with adam on the kosh.
he reminds me of nasri a good half season and thinks hes a superstar
Depends on what one terms success MG.
I have been involved in youth coaching for 19 out of the past 22 years and I have been successful. That means that every season one or two players which have been under my hands before, makes it to the Premier or first Division.
So to see Wilshere coming through is a success. However should there have been more players who came through? IMO yes, AFC should have tried more harder to produce better players from the youth set up. We have many players all over the Premier and first who are with other clubs and that is a success.
But the ultimate success……..that players produced by AFC end up playing for AFC? Well that has not had the desired end I would have liked to see.
The worst thing AW can do is sell Kozzer at the moment. It would send out a big WRONG MESSAGE to everyone.
As Adam said………Rooney signing for us will be good for all the reasons. Even bigger than signing the player we need most….the DM. Obviously we DO need a DM but if we sign a DM its a requisite but if we sign Rooney it will send a very big message to the rest of the EPL. MOURINHO included.
Good morning all
Nice post devil
Kos will be sold if the money is right. Considering we paid £10 for him , it makes no sense to let him go Barca for the reported £9.5m Marca are reporting.
If Bayern , or Barca came in with say £15m+ our penny pinching board would listen or LK could get a touch of Song..,”Barca too irresistible to turn down” and move to warm their bench. Adam has a point in he hasn’t done enough to merit the good season bit.
10 games is not a season.
All English line up? It will never happen, not because of the race equality, but because as a few here mention , we don’t have enough English players good enough. We will always have 2/3 decent ones who the media will overhype and we burn out..
Morning all,
Great post devil, a good read.
My personal take on an all English 11 is that it would be awful. Watching England is always a tiresome experience and I’m not sure even Arsene could get them playing Wengerball.
I knew he’d regret selling the Squilster…… that decision is going to bite him in the arris!
Slow news day so the media have jumped on Koscielni’s comments from last week, something along the lines of arsenal matching his ambition.
Morning Devil, Adam, Lee, George, Lewis and Mg..
Did I miss anyone? 😉
I reckon Verm will return to form this coming season and create good options at CB.
Adam, have to agree on Kos, he had a season of two halves, the first average and at times really bad, the second much better and at times, brilliant.
Would be nice to see that happen Lewis..
Arsenal priority a top cf. Higuain 1st choice & keen. #
Afc also want 1 holding + 1 attacking mdf. No df unless
any leave. Not in for Rooney.
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) June 16, 2013
Rooney over Higuain for me, every time.
Lee. I did warn against the sale of the Squillster but nobody listened.
Xr’s If those three positions are top quality players, we are on our way…
As long as any going are replaced, ie Sagna, Kos or Tv…
Dortmund say Lewandowski is going nowhere and he will definitely be playing for them next season…
No PL move either… Strong words
That’s one less to think about then Rico. 🙂
Bet AW’s gutted Adam, ripping up the contract offer details as I type..
The current arsenal squad would thrash the England team. End of
Just like they thrashed Bradford.
It won’t make much sense having an all English team; the media hype won’t let them develop. They know of one way to play except maybe Sturridge,Ox etc. There’re no much English players to improve our team.
Hart’s problem might be from Mancini. He made his players nervous
and blackburn,ha
End of! That’s a nice way to start a debate…
And Blackburn Adam, the way this current side brushed that Championship team aside was rather impressive!
Koscielny is a brilliant defender, and has shown absolute class since arriving, imo.
Our problem for years has been a lack off effort and responsibilty from those players higher up the pitch in defence, and this has forced massive amounts of pressure on the back 4.
Suddenly, like flicking a switch, our guys ALL started putting in a shift and who got the credit….our back 4!
That applause has been massive misplaced, as was the criticism in the preceding few years, imo.
If i am wrong, can anyone tell my why we are all suddenly rapt in the “form” of Merts, Gibbs, both keepers and even Sagna who appeared to regain form.
Take it a step further, and we find Arteta and Ramsey doing a top job!!
No back 4 in world football could cop the battering ours have over the last few seasons.
No, Kozzer is no Nasri…he has been great for a few seasons, albeit with a few flat spots, no question.
Nasri did bugger all for all BUT 3 months.
Massive difference, and down to one thing…..team effort.
Good morning all.
Great read Devil.
Blackburn had slipped my memory or my natural sense of mental preservation had cut in and blocked it. 🙂
Adam, face up to it mate 🙂
Scott. As far as Kos is concerned. That is way too flattering in my opinion. He has always had recovery pace but his list of own goals, the debacle against Birmingham and some very indifferent form has meant that there are grey areas between the black and white. He is on the road to becoming a very good payer but, as yet, has achieved little. I cannot believe he too has made the “matching my ambition speech” so beloved of the under achieving ” not me Guv” modern footballer.
Give me a player who accepts individual and collective responsibility every time.
I am trying Scott but the pain is hard to take. 🙂
Morning Scott…
Kos might be a Nasri if he leaves…. 😉
Adam, if you are referring to his recent statements, believe me, they were brilliantly set up by the journo in question.
The full interview showed how humble the guy is.
Hi Rico….he is going nowhere.
If we sell him, Wenger must be shot!!
And on the pain Adam….alcohol!!
I agree re selling him. IG, SK too if they allow the sale Scott… 😉
Rico, it may surprise you to hear this, but i defend Wenger a bit 🙂
If it happens, and i truly believe it will not, then Wenger must resign immediately in protest.
Our club right now is in a position to take over the League.
The other ig guns are in transition.
We have stability.
Selling any big player will show us a joke, and even the most patient fan….me….will lose all heart!
Re the Koscielny situation I remeber my father telling me all those years ago . “” Don’t believe everything you read in the papers “
RIco. Will we start the coming season with a squad that we believe is capable of winning the PL?
Now, there’s a leading question.
wenger should not sale kosielny at all cost because is our best defender last season and i know wenger will not sale him atall we arsenal fans love him very well and we will not wenger sale him.
Potter. These days you can add “Or on the Internet” to that one.
That’s is tantamount to looking for insipidness of our team play. it doesn’t work out like that! If you can fathom the reason why England has not won world cup, you will be inform of the future result of having all English.
They are good,but not all of them. they are not the technical ones but very brave and direct.
Arsenal play is salted with technical prowess and passing intuition which will be missing from our games if we have all english.
Nice idea but not the best!
Sunnypa. So true.
Good Morning to the Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners.
Devil – Good article. I can’t see an all English BPL team as long as the FA insist on the ludicrous 45 minute one-way travel limit for academy scholars. The top youth players should be available to the top youth academies. Why should a youth player be forced to sign for the likes of MK Dons just because its an hours travel to London Colney? Some of the lower teams like Southampton or lower division teams like Crewe run good academies, but most just teach kick and run. Most English league team’s academies and many of their first teams (e.g. Stoke RFC) are still stuck in the Twentieth Century and for some of them it’s the first half of that century. Watching the UEFA U21 tournament games it was easy to pick out the countries that have an uniform and integrated system of youth development that teaches young players the proper technical skills. Until the FA pull their thumbs out and develop & instituteproper coach and player development programs from the bottom up, England’s performances on the world stage will always be hit or miss.
Just a bit Scott 😉
I also don’t believe Kos will be sold, Sagna and TV maybe, but not Kos…
🙂 Potter..
Adam, yes, i think so…
Where is Lee 😉
Morning Cg..
‘Arsenal play is salted with technical prowess and passing intuition’
Which game was that then??
BT Sport channels are now added to the Sky box, don’t forget to sign up if you are in the UK 🙂
RIco.I don’t.
What do you mean about the BT thing?
have we signed anyone yet ?
Adam – BT Sport are showing some of the PL games this coming season.. It’s free for BT customers who have a hub…
Channel 413 and 414.
how the mighty have fallen.
DEL BOYS qpr have drawn exeter in the 1st round of the league cup,,ha
Well, well, well………I did not realise how many would be against an all English first XI.
What no one has managed to observe or pointed out is that in the above line up all Arsenal players who are English are included. That makes it Jenkinson, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ox and Theo. That makes it five out of 11….nearly 50%.
Now I am not defending the above line up. But those like Femi and Welshgooner besides others have surely failed to notice that when they said that the current AFC XI would thrash the England team. They forgot to add the word CURRENT England team. And they may be right. Or maybe wrong.
However I do feel that if AW had the above five players and bought another 6 who are technically sound then I feel that such a team would fare much better than the present English team.
And I feel that Woy Hodgson would be rubbing his hands together at having a full English team playing week in week out together. Practically he would ask AFC to procure him a room at London Colney with a bed in it.
No George 🙁
not against it devil.
i am not sure if its the players or the coaching staff are good enough.
there is something wrong with the english set up.
I’m not Devil – not if it’s the right players but like you, I don’t think it will ever happen…
CG……….the 45 minute limit I think has been waived off now. Arsenal can buy from anywhere they want. The 45 minute rule goes against EU laws of free movement.
“Arsenal play is salted with technical prowess and passing intuition”……..blimey mate……..are you still living in 2004 or have you been knocked by a saucepan? 😆
something wrong with the English set up???? look no further than the FA.
Look at the Scottish FA, at the Welsh FA. They are all run on the same basis. That means that none of them will ever produce a team which reaches the technical and tactical level of Spain, Brazil, Germany, ITaly etc.
The game in England needs to be overhauled from top to bottom.
12.10 Devil – 😆
Devil – I’m not doubting you but, I hope you’re correct about the 45 minute rule.
It will take someone of stature and courage to push for the changes that are needed in the development of youth coaches and players in England. There are too too many people in the current system who can’t see the forest for the trees. They lack vision and have that mindset that if it was good enough for them when they were that age it should be good enough now.
Just look at Stewart Pierce, at what sort of player he was and what style of game he played. He was an old fashioned ‘hard man’ – a physical player with a thick head. What sort of credentials is that for developing technical progammes for for young players? People like him are not the solution to the problem – they are the problem.
hi guys its been a while…good read devil.
Ktr7, there he is! How you doing matey?
Hi Kt, great to see you back, hope all is well….?
Thanks KT. And BDW………how rude of me for failing to thank everyone who complimented today’s post. THANKS EVERYONE.
am fine rico/lee.its good to be back.
i agree with devil on jack.for now he is no AM.however eith arteta playing as part of the pivot jack has no role in the team.
Ramsey is a workhorse which complements arteta’s lack of .Diaby provides physicality and ability to make surging runs from deep.thats why those partnerships since they complement arteta.
Jack is somewhere in between and that partnership does not work.he is too good not to play however…and as i see it we have to buy a sole DM to partner jack in the pivot similar to how he played with song.this means arteta to become just a squad player.
hi devil.
Martinez/Busquets would be ideal but those are pipe dreams.am not so sure about fellaini to be honest.
Diaby provides nothing these days Kt….
i know rico.i gave up on him.we have to replace him with a similar type of player.
Fellaini hopefully Kt or yes, similar…
Capoue……..
Liverpool are pushing ahead with plans to make Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan their major summer signing.
Wonder who ours will be…
He’d do Lee..
watching cesc yesterday showed just how far jack is from being a no.10.i was envious that a player like cesc is a squad player at barca.we miss him so much.Ornestein has said we are after an AM and we are in dire need of one since cazorla will mainly play on the flank.
Mkitharyan has one problem Rico………….he blows hot and cold. but you never know when its going to be hot or when its going to be cold. And in his position we already have Ramsey.
i think wenger really wanted Gotze to play there.
if we sign higuain i’ll be intrigued to see how we use him.
I’m not fussed on who they sign really Devil, Rodgers gets it wrong usually, look at Sahin 😉
I’m only concerned about who we sign, when we finally get around to it…
just do not believe all this transfer bs.
we never do our biz in public.
im still waiting for MR BOMBASTIC to arrive from the congo.
The Tuesday Wednesday stories have gone all cold too….
Next week I reckon Mg…
Who is Tuesday Wednesday?
Adam’s the the expert on him Rico….
Darn, I’ll have to wait for him to appear then…. I am suspecting there to be something naughty going on 😉
Wasn’t Wenger the first manager to name an all foreign squad for a game a few years back, of course he doesn’t look at passports.
rico, tuesday wednesday was rubbish at getting out of bed the weekends and had to change his name.
Good Afternoon Rico and All
Nice work dg. Good topic for debate for this kind of lay-back-until- the-window-open season.
I always enjoy England playing especially when one or two Arsenal players are involved. But Arsenal with all English players will lack a lot of ingredients to make the squad to perfection. Take for example your first eleven (Jenkinson, Jones, Rodwell and Ox) are all work-in-progress, not the complete article. They may have the guts but the technical abilities is not there yet.
Still none the wiser Micko… …
Afternoon Ng..
Why should we sell Koss… are we upgrading by getting someone better than him??? For whose benefit… The Board and Majority Shareholder or the fans??? If this happens this will be the perfect time for AW to walk away in protest. His protest will clear the doubt for once that he is not behind the sales of our good players.
Just because a player become good in one season he should be sold. Are we a feeder club where players use us as a stepping stone because we lack Ambition? Or is it business as usual?
Fido needs a walk so catch up later….
We won’t Ng, it’s all paper talk and because we have in the past sold our better players…
Nice one Dev,
Very good post… I know I asked the question a few days ago after we discussed the shocking performance of the u-21 match in Isreal…
I agree with a few on here who think it will never happen… in fact will it be in our best interest considering….?
Before Vpursey joined manure, the English media suggested Wooney will be the first choice striker but even Rednose could tell Arsenal had educated him well1 What happened to Wooney is well discussed…
afternoon all btw… apologies
i would love wooney at the club,my mrs would prefer clooney.
Thanks Ginge. my mind was whirring on it when you asked the question. tbh many here ask me questions which I feel can be answered by writing a whole article. The issue is TIME. I would like more time to be able to write but its not always possilble.
Even I think it will never happen. But I would like to see it for the following reason………..I would like to see the first ref to take a decision against us when one of our players is involved in a 50/50 issue with a foreigner. that would be the day.
Personally I would like to see AFC develop the players themselves especially the defensive department. However I feel that AW should LOOK in the lower divisions and get another couple of Englishmen like we did with Jenks, Ox, Theo and even though non English he also got Aaron.
I think we need a good English/britisg defensive core… especially at CB
Evening all, we sold Kos yet??
The BIG signing of summer 2013……….…!
Negotiations have started in the BID to get A Wenger to extend his contract!
Ooh I say!
It’s what ‘ve all been waiting for, since the grey badger left his set! The big, big siggning of the transfer window AND before the window ha even opened Arsenal do like to get things done early, don’t they?
That’s it then. Summer signings all done.
Afternon everybody.
Sorry about the typos. I got all excited!
wavy so your saying were not getting your man from the congo then?
ahhhhhhh i was looking forward to another ADDEY-BY -WHORE
I don’t think AW will sign a new contract until after he has made his summer signings…
With Lorent Koscieny flirting with Barca, Verminator must be thinking ; why did you bench me for this disloyal guy.
LK must think himself fantastic for just playing 10 games good.How quick he has forgotten how he threw the Carling cup away for free and numerous campaign killing penalty he has caused.
By the way, Barca must really hate us for always trying to buy our players, at least they now have their player with their DNA now (one FAbre***) so why do they keep trying to buy our players.
Everybody can see that they didn’t really need Song but they bought him anyways because he had the highest assist for a DM in one season.
No. Tuesday umbongo belong is staying in his native land. He said he will consider a move to the EPL next year, if the runes are propitious.
So no other big signings this window – sorry to be the bearer of sad and frustrating tidings.
SD – Scott watched the interview and has said that the person asking the questions was a bit of a git and what is in the press is nothing like what Kos said..
Come on guys, give the club a chance, the TW hasn’t opened yet, give them all until late July, we’ll know more then…
If the Nani story is true , I think we should buy him but then , how many attackers are we going to have?
But then injury will come in , so cover will be good.
Podolski Higuain and Walcott playing up front with Nani, Giruid and Ox on the bench is a good proposal for me anytime.
Can anyone remember when Chelsea’s bench used to scare the living day light out of opposition teams(1st Jose M stinct)?
I don’t believe the Nani story, don’t want him either.
Just in case you don’t believe me:
BBC Sports web site today.
1646:
LATEST GOSSIP
Arsenal have opened negotiations with Arsene Wenger with a view to extending his contract, reports the Daily Express.
Wenger has been linked with a move to Paris St-Germain, with current incumbent Carlo Ancelotti tipped to move to Real Madrid.
Evening all, great post DG very thought provoking. Having watched the Spanish Under 21’s and their full squad in action, I can honestly say I doubt an all English club side will ever exist. Miles apart in technique and application, like chalk and cheese.
It will take more than great coaching to achieve this – I believe it will also take a cultural change. I seriously question the attitude and intelligence of the English player. Do they have the discipline and desire needed to stay away from the temptations that are there?
PS: Notice the Higuain rumours have been stepped up a notch.
we have a waiter in our local ruby,hes the spit of nani.
he has an irish accent,so funny,ha
Rico
“I don’t believe the Nani story, don’t want him either”.
I am with you on both points.
….and Kos is going nowhere
This is all just a load of made up media talk because the hacks are as bored as the rest of us.
Lets face it, the average journo in this Country thinks Franz Ferdinand is Rio’s German uncle.
Wavy,
It’s obvious the club are going to open talks about a new contract for Arsene Wenger because he has only one year left. Also, Gazidis, obviously on behalf of Kroenke, told us all that the they see him to be the right man to take us forward.
Of course, that will divide fans…
Hi Kj,
The media are shite bags, we all know that, just because Nani is no longer wanted, they think we are in for a bargain. Of course I can understand why they think that, that’s how it’s been for a while..
But, I think last summer was a sign of change when we signed Podolski and Cazorla.
Ok, Podolski hasn’t had a great season but last summer, most fans were thrilled that we had signed a German international….
Giroud, well I’m going to see what he does this season, most overseas players need a second one.
Just why I hope we get Rooney……
Hi Rico,
Yes, great description and you have that all spot on – except for the very last bit, sorry 🙂
If Higuain happens, I will be very happy – but we shall have to wait and see.
Forget the man Kj, just look at the player and think what a statement that would make…
Imagine what the press would make of that and imagine how many goals he would score for a side like ours which creates so many chances, but fails to bury them….
Rooney is a must or me.
For me.
we have the money to sign both rooney and higuain.
now would be a statement of intent.
every top club has at least 2 world class forwards and imo we have none
Rico
Great point about the statement and I could not disagree with you on that. It would be ground breaking.
I admit it is a personal thing for me and I cannot be a hypocrit. I just cannot stand him and the way he has been so over rated by the media. I suspect that would change if he wore our colours 😉
MG
If Higuain goes through, circa £25m, that will send out a message. For what it is worth, I think he is a brilliant player and the finisher we need, at the right age too.
kj,your saying about the media but i think that is a huge part of the failure of the national team.
every bit of dirt is dug up about them the whole time.its never about football with the media
Me too Adam…
Adam,
“Rooney is a must or me”
How much would we have to pay for you to sign ? I guess the average IQ of the squad would increase dramatically and there will be no more bottles of Liebfraumilch at the after game meal.
Kj – I despise the man, but I can get over that….
Agreed Rico. Rooney before Higuain but preferably both. Kroenke out. No possibility of Josh Kroenke either. A one year extension for Wenger based on results.
I imagine £25 million and £200 per week plus some image rights inducements.
£200 grand obviously.
rooney for me as well.
i would love him to score the winner at OT.
MG
Can’t disagree about the media influence on the team but I also think there is a wider social issue. You definitely need the right attitude and the dedication. Neither our press or our young players seem to have the desire and commitment needed.
Geoff Strong has died, I guess Ak is the only one who would have watched him from the stands…..
RIP…
150k a week + a bottle of regaine should do the trick..ha
So would I Mg….
Rico 6:30 🙂
Adam
You are clearly under selling yourself. How will you get by on just £200 grand per week after you have paid your tax?
I may forgive him if he dived to win and then converted a last minute penalty in the Champions league final. Now that would be pay back.
……….against Man Utd of course
KJ. I would cut back on Champagne and crack.
RIP Geoff Strong.
for me rooney just needs to grow up a bit,,
give him the captains armband and he will become more mature.
2nd thoughts dont give him the armband he will be sold the following season.
rip geoff strong
Adam 6.39 Well said ,Geoff Strong was a great player for us in the 60s until we did our usual thing and sold him to Liverpool Where he won bucketfuls of trophies until he retired ,things dont change much do they?
Rico 6.35,You couldnt have missed him by many years if your fav player was Charlie George
Hi Jay. That’s what happens when you are known as the Bank Of England Club. We have been a selling club for a long, long time. I imagine it was one of the things that attracted a Kroenke to buy the club. Or should I say, to borrow the money to acquire a controlling interest. Due diligence probably said that Wenger buys cheap and sells high but they don’t win anything. This would fit in with his other sports franchises of course and is one of the main reasons I would like to see him take his syrup and sod off.
Both would be fantastic Adam
Adam You would have thought with his money he could afford a proper thatch
Hi Jay – I didn’t know his name when I read it…. 🙁
Must go and eat now… Back shortly
By the way way Rico I can own up to Seeing Strong play ,so Ak werent the only one.
MG
It would be hard enough to stomach shriek in our colours, you have gone too far with the captains armband. That would be a step too far for me, he is the snarling man responsible for that cheating dive that helped to end the Invincibles run at OT in ‘that’ infamous game.
Jay. Kroenke is an opportunistic businessman. Nothing wrong with that. Business is about making money after all. But he prolongs the status quo and the continuation of where we have been for the last 8 years. Despite Wenger winning loads when he came, the board soon saw him as the goose who laid the seasonal golden egg I imagine. If, after all the bluster, we scrape by again this season, then even more of the hardcore fans will stop going. The atmosphere is already dreary at the ground. It could become a white elephant in Drayton Park.
The Arsenal that we grew up with slowly slipped beneath the waves some time ago. If ever a club needed a change of everything, it is Arsenal.
For those who do not know Geoff Strong who passed away today.
“A lethal striker in his heyday, Strong netted 77 goals in 137 games for Arsenal – a rate that few have matched before or since.
Quick, brave, two-footed and powerful in the air, Strong joined Arsenal from northern amateur side Stanley United in 1957 and scored on his first-team debut at home to Newcastle United in September 1960.
By 1962, Strong had teamed up with Joe Baker to form one of the most potent partnerships in English football. They shared 52 goals in 1962/63 and 56 the following season.
Strong left Arsenal for Bill Shankly’s Liverpool in 1964 and made 201 appearances for the Reds, scoring 33 goals”
RIP.
I would defo like to see Wenger sign Adam.
I have been told that he is well suited to playing in the hole.
Well, I think that’s what Lee said?
Hi Kev. Busy days mate?
🙂 Jay…
Evening Ak…
Adam, who is ‘Tuesday/Wednesday’?
Adam 7.12 ,Hardcore fans dont really stop going ,it is mainly bandwagon people that got on board when we were winning pots every year that disappear.We are like west Ham fans in many ways that moan like F..k but still love the club .Kroenke wont be here forever but people like you and I and the Gooners that post here,will be Gooners for ever.
Thankfully, Adam, me ol’ china, yes, it has been busy, quite unusual for a Monday…
Hi Rico, everything coming up roses, or should that be carrots and onions… 😉
Hi Jay, as it happens, I just missed Geoff Strong. All the Baker, Eastham nonsense happened before I saw my first home 1st team game, 1966 to be precise.
But I saw Colin Addison, George Johnstone, Ian Ure, Terry Neill, David Jenkins, Jimmy Robertson, plus a few more your memory can conjour with…
You know what Jay, I ain’t so sure about the hardcore fans hanging around forever?!
One reason is the cost mate.
Also the fabric of the club has changed so much.
Where is the connection between us fans and the club.
I just don’t see it anymore…
West Ham have retained that local club feel, but I wonder if even tne Hammers will lose something when they move stadiums???
Hi Allezkev,you came on board just in time to see some of the worst players in our history,never mind at least you only had to wait 3 years before you saw a trophy.I started in 1957,work it out mate I thought a successful season was finishing in the top half of the league .
kj we have had a couple of cheaters at the club over the years.
get him an arsenal top and every 1s opinion would change.
i remember going to midnight mass in holy joes many moons ago.charlie nicholas was standing at the back of church and every 1 ignored him because he was not doing the biz at the time.
boxing day he hammered the spuds and then he was a hero.
rooney will do the same if he comes..he will be a legend.
our legend!
bring it on!
But aren’t those hardcore fans thinking twice right now Jay?
Hoping for a few Ak, but the plants are struggling. Potatoes are looking good though 😉
Allezkev you aint gonna stop being a Gooner even if Kroenkes sprog comes on the board ,once a Gooner always a Gooner,but I take your point regarding the cost.they are taking the piss every season mate ,I have a lot of West Ham fans as pals, and many of them say that they will not go to Stratford ,but my guess is most will out of sheer habit
Rico I think they are but I bet they still sell out on Sts,
jay is spot on.
any kroenke will be walking b4 i do.
rico organic chicken manure is the best things for growing outside
That’s true Jay, I came on board and saw the 1970-71 team’s growing pains and ultimate success.
But you saw the team only 4 years after the 1952-53 title, so when you started, wasn’t George Swindin the manager?
That team had potential…
Tbh Jay, the away games and the mates I have made and met on here, keep up my interest…
But I take your point amigo, Arsenal have been too large a slice of my life, to just totally walk away…
Yes he was Allezkev,but after a good start he couldnt cope with an ageing side ,and little investment from a tight fisted board,ring a bell mate?
Guessed that Allezkev keep the faith mate,its in your blood
I thought Geoff Strong was a good footballer, however, the North Bank didn’t. He was derided, criticised, sworn at and took all the vitriol only an anti Arsenal crowd can heap on a player. It was no surprise that he left, he was more or less hounded out of the club. The reason he was so successful at Liverpool was because he was a very good player, it was just that our fans couldn’t see it.
RIP Geoff Strong.
Wavy I cant remember the fans having a go at Strong,Im sure you are right because we have always had some fickle wankers at Highbury.I remember Jimmy Bloomfield and Jon Sammels getting dogs abuse
Jay – i think many are keeping their ST’s and renting them out so yes, you are probably right….
Mg, I know, I keep chickens – I have loads of their poop 🙂
Rico the club are making it easier to unload unwanted tickets next season,not sure how you will get on though if you have a spare when we play Hull City,or Swansea
Funny though Jay, I’d just as much want to watch us play Hull as I would Manure or the Chavs… It’s about watching Arsenal, not the opposition…
Spot On Rico ,and more chance of a result ,HaHa
I remember Sammels getting ritual abuse and later Ray Kennedy, who followed the same route as Strong, coincidentally. Yep the crowd could be really vile on occasions!
Mmmmm – after BB and Bradford Jay, I’m not so sure either
😉
Rico whats with the chat about chicken poo,I thought this was a serious debate site?
It is Jay, but we talk about all stuff too – wine, beer, food, clothes etc etc…. It’s a friendly site and during times like this, it gets tough .
I’d like to think it’s all that which helps to keep HH individual….
Morning all.
An English mate has just given us the word….Higuain and Fellaini are ours, without question.
I can only go on his word, but i jave known him for a few years and he just never, ever makes this type of comment, so i hope his first big announcement is an accurate one 🙂
My Cousins best pal was Danny Clapton ,Wavy he could do no wrong because he came from Hackney I loved him but could see even as a kid ,he was so inconsistent,but he never got stick while better payers got crucified.Yep fickle fans
Jay, it keeps us all sane at this time of year lol
Rico I was only joking I love chicken poo on my toast
Hi Scott, that is that then, done deal for both 😉
You got me there Jay, I thought you were being serious ….
Scott I hope you are right regarding Fellaini and Higuain I need something to cheer me up.Dont tell us tomorrow it was a wind up
Anyone interested, our next super signing Sunday Mba is playing for Nigeria at the moment, I wouldn’t be running for the remote control mind ya, he’s terrible.
Rico everyone tells me I have acid wit I must tone it down on here ,apologies
Jay, didn’t Clapton have a twin brother who also played for Arsenal? I never saw either of them play they had gone before I started watching the Arsenal, just!
yes Wavy Denis was a younger brother but not a twin.Denis only played a couple of times for the first team .He was a Cf while Danny played Wf.
Micko, my remote is lost. Thank goodness 😉
No way Jay, we are all naughty on here, and you don’t have any reason to apologise…
The 😉 saves me so many times….
rico, Esp had the right idea going off for a sabbitical this summer, if you fancy a break next week we’ll cover for ya !
Ha ha Micko, I would love your memory…. 🙂
I am off next week…..
But then you knew that 😉
That’s me done folks, I will bid you all a very good night and catch up tomorrow…
Stay safe all, Night….
Nite rico, the 22nd is a day of mixed emotions in our house.
Sleep well one and all tomorrow expect good new from our club .Fellaini ,Higuain,Cavani all signed.Well we can dream cant we
If not Jay, scott’s gonna get a right kicking !!!
Not from me Unless he is under 4 foot with stumps for arms Micko
And i will deserve it Micko hahaha.
Of course, i will then head over and and drop my mate with a flying headbutt 🙂
News just in……..Kozzers agent has just announced Barca asked for permission to negotiate with Arsenal, but the player refused stating he is happy at Arsenal and is going nowhere……
Good to hear Scott, the Kozzer news is a bonus as well.
I haven’t seen a decent flying headbutt since the Duncan ‘Disorderly’ Ferguson days, he was one tough cookie.
Nite all.
Night Micko.
evening all
Jay/Wavy, Dennis Clapton is/was a black cab driver. I met him on the rank at London City Airport about 18 years ago, not too sure back Danny had not long died…
Anyway I collared him for about an hour and a half. A really intetesting guy, with a shed-load of stories.
A really nice guy as well… Idolised his brother….
Asier Illarramendi, Spanish U21, def/mid, valued at £10m, Real Sociedad.
Strong rumours…
Crystal Palace keen to take Joel Campbell on loan for the season, if Arsenal can get a work permit?
He’s got 24 full caps now, so it looks promising in that he’s played enough times to have earned a permit.
It would be good experience for the lad as well.
campbell has no work permit yet
sorry allez did not read your post properly
he was a steel for 1 mill
Campbell is good.
Green, but very talented.
would like to see a few of these loan players brought back and given a chance,,
Nani has one year left on his deal at ManUre.
He has a bit of a checkered career both in terms of consistency and injuries…
Apparantly Ure have turned down a bid of £6m for the 26 yr old….
It would be a long shot, for another injury-prone player, but he could be a valuable squad member. He’d certainly give Theo something to worry about, and nothing motivates like a new contract or competition after you’ve got the new contract….
Hi Malaga, seems like the Spanish are coming over in greater numbers……
Spanish economy maybe???
Hi Scott, Williams of Swansea is on the radar again, it seems.
Once the ‘Confederation Cup of raising revenue for those FIFA wankers’ is over, wr might start to see some movement in the transfer window…
It opens for real in 14 days… Thank God, then all this rumour-generated shite, may have some validity…
hey allez the country is dead
look at the last 3 windows they have spent nothing,
suppose to be new tax laws coming out for non spanish nationals.
i think the french have put the tax up over 70% for any 1 over a million..
spainish clubs like real and barcelona can no longer use local government funding as it would break the ffp rules(sugar daddy)
the shit has not hit the fan over there yet,expect a lot of stuff to come out over the next year.
corruption is mega over there,a lot of mayors are being investigated and some have been jailed especially down the south..a lot of it is to do with drug money..
a bit like the corruption in nsw in the 80s
That’s it Malaga, Wenger maybe knew this situ was coming, so there is the real possibility that English clubs can pick up some tasty bargains whilst the chickens come home to roost in La Liga….
And maybe, Arsenal will spash a bit for a change, and nab some more players like Carzorla?
That’s me done, Scott/Malaga, goodnight…
Morning Lee…
gl buddy
nite all
According to the Daily Mail and The Sun we’re closely watching Spain Under 21 international Asier Illarramendi. The 23-year-old plays for Real Sociedad as a defensive midfielder and last season made 32 starts in La Liga. He’s also being scouted by Real Madrid. The newspaper believes he’s worth £10million
Can’t believe that Juventus are not in the hunt.
Give it time Potter..
Morning all…
morning all
Morning peeps….. I think Adam should be our fox in the box!! 😆
Hmmmmm are you sure Lee?
Kev said that he should play in the hole.
Good Morning Lady and Gentlemen
I think if Adam plays in the “hole” that’ll be the last we see him…..
ask wives 4 through 7 for confirmation!
devil do you coach full time
Morning again all.
New post up