Daily Bits and Bobs

What is Jack Wilshere smoking? Big transfer boost from Arsene Wenger.

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

As usual during a transfer window, there’s little news surrounding Arsenal. Things looked good earlier in the summer when the club announced the signing of Granit Xhaka but since then, there’s not been a lot to shout about.

But Jack Wilshere reckons these’s a reason to be cheerful and talking to Sky Sports, he had this to say:

We picked up a few injuries in defence so we probably need to get a defender in but even then we brought in Rob Holding, who has done great in pre-season, and we have got another young centre back in Calum Chambers and going forward we are one of the best teams in the league.

I think people forget in the past few seasons we have bought Mesut Ozil for big money, Alexis Sanchez, who are top players and have got used to the Premier League.

Going forward we are strong enough. If the boss feels we need to add another striker then I’m sure that he will pick the right one as he has in the past.

Jack has clearly fallen into Arsene Wenger’s trap, just as many fans have imo. The expectation levels have dropped as deep down, we know that the Frenchman is reluctant to go big during a transfer window. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, both whose contracts are in need of renewal, must be seriously thinking about departing for pastures new and they’d be plenty of clubs willing to pay good money for them. Aaron Ramsey is another, if he performs for Arsenal the way he did for Wales, it won’t be long before one of the so called bigger clubs will come knocking on the door with a big offer. Other younger players too if Arsene Wenger stays on beyond this season, especially if he and the club continue to penny pinch and dish up the same old style of football. You know, lots of possession, but little end product. Tippy tappy passing to death football just doesn’t work…

I thought Arsene would have had a plan this summer, one which he’d been working on since Christmas. Players identified, signed and in for the pre-season but no, yet again it’s looking like it’ll be a last minute scramble for someone, anyone. What other ‘big’ club behaves in such a way? Even the ‘smaller’ clubs have been more proactive than Arsenal yet I doubt any of them have the kind of money in the bank which Arsenal have. It’s a right old mess and no wonder Mourinho takes pleasure in mocking us. I detest him, but sometimes his comments are not far from the truth and all Arsene Wenger does is provide him with more reasons to ridicule the club.

Arsene Wenger has also been speaking to Sky Sports. Have high transfer fees stopped Arsenal making deals in this transfer window – he was asked…..

No not at all – we want to spend the money when we have it. But we respect the money we have – it is very difficult to find the quality of players who are available. Despite all the money that exists in England there is very little movement in the transfer market.

We are in the transfer market, we are focused on concentrating on the players we have to get them ready for the season. On the other hand, with what happened with us, of course we are looking outside to strengthen our squad.

Maybe there’s hope yet, but by the time he signs that much needed defender and striker, it could already be too little, too late….

rico

351 thoughts on “What is Jack Wilshere smoking? Big transfer boost from Arsene Wenger.”

  3. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. It’s just the usual old Wenger bollocks. Best ignore it really. He’s been saying it for years and it shows a startling lack of awareness to me. I have a feeling he thinks this squad can win the PL just he has done for the past 12 years. When you’re relying on Jack, you’ve got a credibility problem.

  4. Wath says:

    He’s only looking for quality in the market yet we are perpetually linked with other teams cast-offs and has beens… Where’s the quality there then Arsene…? Have you not found any quality players in World football that you could go and buy and who would make our squad stronger..? If the answer is no then I think him his staff and scouts should all resign with immediate effect.

    Amazing how we don’t just make transfers happen we sit wait twiddle fingers and then make excuses. Zero ambition zero desire to push on from the owner down it seems, the status quo is great, long as the money keeps coming in who cares about showing and desire what so ever to try and win things.

    Pathetic…! Shame we’ve not seen it all before………..

  5. Wath says:

    I see the same old chestnut being bandied around again Adam… “IF” all our players stay fit we can win the league………. and “IF” your Aunt had balls she’d be your Uncle…!

    The annual tosh as usual and “IF” just isn’t going to happen is it as we all know…!

  6. Lee says:

    Is Umbongo still available on a free?

    Wenger’s lack of activity speaks volumes, I’m firmly over it all at the moment! The usual Wenger spiel is being uttered whilst other teams can find players to strengthen their squads we sit on our hands!

    Groundhog transfer window, yet a fucking gain……

  8. rico says:

    The rubbish he spouts Wath is infuriating. I’m sure we could come up with a striker, defender at least who would improve this squad..

    Morning to you, Lee and Fred…

  9. rico says:

    If the squad we have were all fully fit and healthy, we possibly could win the league, but A) they will never all be fit and B) under Wenger, they’ll never win the league… imo

  10. kelsey says:

    Hello Rico and friends.

    I don’t blog much these days as I am so underwhelmed with our transfer activity .It was bad enough last Summer.

    We just can’t negotiate a deal anymore and never want to pay the going rate, though I do believe the world has gone mad with the fees paid for Stones and pogba (290k a week)

    With regards to jacke,he is a rebel without a cause.His public life will never be hidden.Too much money at too young an age.Wenger has been to see his parents,who told him to f*** off. Jack has glass ankles and now a knee problem.He should never have gone to The euros and IMO he is a risk to play, a risk for Arsenal and a risk to himself.

    You might not like this but I actually think many of the top players we are alledgedly in for,just don’t want to play for Wenger with his dated and prdictable formations.We have been found out far too often,

    Now with so much money available I read today we are bidding with Crystal Palace for that failure Bony.

    Spend 100 million that is less than half we have in the bank earning no interest but as usual as with Ozil something might happen at the eleventh hour.

    I can’t remember a season starting with so many short in the squad and AW expecting many inexperienced kids to start.

    Finally I wouldn’t be ranting like this if i didn’t care about my club.

    Merson came out with this the other day even he was being sarcy.Chelsea told cech he could leave, Cech wanted to stay in london, so drove around The Emirates for a week until Wenger spotted him and Cech fell into his lap and the deal was done.

    Ashley Williams isn’t the quickest and will be 32 this month,but he would have been an ideal short term solution at 12 million.he links up with Ramsey and nearly always plays well against us and for Wales.

    As much as I try i can’t understand Wenger’s thinking and than whenever he ays something Gazidis more or less says the opposite.

    I don’t wish it on him,but i see a very rocky road this season nut to top it all you have Silent Stn who may selll another 5 dozen shirts in Japan.Really, you couldn’t make it up.

  11. DB10 says:

    No ambition! Pathetic excuses, predictable waffle from AW and yet again the same, boring story. Arsenal’s long standing fans have been mugged off so many times now that they see this as the norm. Sad reality – Maureen is right, we aren’t a big club and despite having money we just don’t have the balls or the ambition to go for it. When we lose Mesut, Sanchez et al because they too know that we are not serious, it will leave a gaping void for the next poor bastard who takes over. Enough is enough.

  12. rico says:

    Hi Kelsey.

    I’d say the squad was worse last summer than it is now, but of course, without Kos, Merts and Gabriel, two of which I don’t think are good enough anyway, we are stuffed at the back.

    Same up front, I don’t rate Ollie that high but without him, again we have little options. One can only hope that Chuba Akpom takes his opportunity well and that before the window shuts, a classy striker is signed. And a defender or two of course..

    I wouldn’t bother trying to work out what Wenger is thinking as I doubt he even knows….

  14. rico says:

    Agree DB but we are a big club, we are a massive one but the board and Wenger don’t act like we are.

    They should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves.

  16. kelsey says:

    We should have had cover for mertesacker last year.Debuchy bought for 14 million, no takers at the moment at 3 million.I am sorry I can’t accept we have a tronger squad experience wise and of course our old adverary injuries.Chamvers doesn’t know what day it is as he is being asked to play in 3 different positions.
    Strange that Ozil,Ramsey and Giroud all played a lot better for their respective countries in The Euros than last season for us,mainly because they were played in their correct position.

  18. Wath says:

    Why would anyone at the Club read blogs when we have no idea what we talking about Rico plus of course they really don’t give a rats arse what we think or feel..!

  20. Alex says:

    There is nothing regarding football left in this club.It is all about money,
    How to maximise profit that is what matter,

    There is no money to spend was the excuse sometime.Nowadays everyone know that there is money to spend to the tune of £200 or £100 depending whom you want to believe.

    Fact is smaller clubs are making buys because they receive good amount of cash from tv broadcast.

    To me there is serious mismanagement in allowing players to extend their contract
    I believe before buying there is a need of proper proper clean up.in that squad..The one who created is not the one to clean it .

    I will be foolish to expect new faces that make us serious title challengers..Those of you do expect something to happen please read other window transfers and sure you agree with me.

  22. Boyd says:

    Hold your horses you grumbling gooners. Arsenal is not pathetic and Arsen is the way. Watching the youngster like Iwobi makes me appreciate that Wenger is a genius.

    Our team is perfect, Walcott will help Giroud till Welback comes back. In the middle we are inferior to none, most probable the best. At the back we have 2 world class keepers and two veey good fullbacks. Chambers, Holding and Gabz shut Aguero out until Carzola made a howler to gift the Shites their equalist.

    Bring on liverpool coz In Wenger i Trust.

  23. Wath says:

    No Scott it’s not as simple as what will be will be when it’s part of the fabric of your life and when you care about something so deeply and yet others don’t give a fuck about you anymore and seem to be quite happy to let the thing you care about so much just drift aimlessly into the abyss..!

  24. tsgh says:

    Kev- A lil’ birdie told me you drove Pogba’s agent from LHR airport and Mino gave you a big chunk of his £20m commission…

    Given as Aw will not spend any money I have no choice but to wake up wondering how Ed Woodward undeniable partnership with Mendes plus Jose needs investigating especially when Mini is getting such huge commission for doing jack all..

    morning Rico and all btw…

  25. scottfromoz says:

    We want anther striker, yet also want Iwobi to be given a chance, though if we did sign a striker, Iwobi may not get it, forces a move down the track and we all blame Wenger.
    Whatever happens, we know who to blame 🙂 🙂
    CB though…..yes, we need one.

  26. scottfromoz says:

    Wath, I know what you’re saying, but where does it get you?
    I’ve done my but In Stressing and arguing points, but now, SERENITY NOW.
    It works.
    It does us no good to stress over things we can’t control mate.

  27. Micko says:

    Kelsey 11.05, you must be smoking the same as Jack, it’s common knowledge players only join us because of Arsene lol !

    Morning all.

  28. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning rico, all. So sad that with a season approaching I’m already feeling demoralized. The world knew we needed a centre-back before Merts injury, but all of a sudden Press and AW say, oh we may now need to buy. Then Gabiel gets injured and same old tripe is spewed out again, oh, we may have to see if we can find an experienced CB. For christ sake, we just keep going round and round in circles for years.

    What a start to a season, now we are told we were looking for striker, but CB is now of more importance. Like we all know here, a bit of planning ahead might just have come in useful, what a way to run a club.

    /Rant over, sick of it, at least with a couple of additions we might not win it, but at least would feel we might be at the races.

  32. Wath says:

    I admire your optimism Boyd but quite frankly i don’t agree with your trust nor your assessment of our current squad and manager but thats why you’re on here to have an opinion…!

  33. rico says:

    Boyd, good luck there then. I’ll just be glad when he’s gone, then we might see a bit more ambition..

    Scott, why would signing a striker have an impact on Iwobi?

  34. Wath says:

    Sorry Scott but to say we have no control is pulling the wool over your eyes… I ain’t stressing I am merely saying what I think about the current management of our club and the way we are run..!

    If everyone shrugs their shoulders and throws the paper bag over their head and says “oh well it don’t matter or nothing i can do” they missing the point. The fans do have a say and they can make a difference the problem is apathy and most do just sit and shrug their shoulders.

  35. Adam says:

    I don’t believe we need much different than we needed a year ago. With no plan we are a rudderless club at the moment. But, Arsene is scared of what he will do when he retires, so he won’t and thats not a great way of going about your business. Plenty of people retire with virtually nothing so I can’t feel sorry for a bloke with millions in the bank effectively holding supporters in contempt while he decides what to do.

  36. scottfromoz says:

    Wath, most fans aren’t really in a position to force change though.
    I know I’m not.
    Rico, that’s where he will end up…if we ever go 2 up front 🙂
    It is an absolute joke we are even discussing a CB thogh, as that should’ve been tied up already.

  37. rico says:

    I don’t feel sorry for Wenger one bit either. If he get’s abuse this season then he’s only got himself to blame. Same with retirement, which hopefully will be at the end of this season, if not before. As you say Adam, he’s now a multi millionaire so perhaps he’ll buy a nice yacht and take himself off somewhere other than Arsenal!

  38. rico says:

    Wenger won’t go two up front though Scott, he hasn’t done in years. In any case, if Iwobi is good enough, he’ll still make it regardless of who Wenger does or more likely, doesn’t sign..

  39. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, if he gets criticism,miss on him, but the personal abuse says more about those offering up the abuse than it does Wenger, and nobody will ever convince me otherwise.

  40. Gd10 says:

    And just as the whole world and his dog predicted football365.com are running a story saying ozil and Alexis are stalling on their contracts.

    Not looking forward to Sunday. Wish I sold my ST again.

  41. Adam says:

    Rico. I agree. We so desperately need a young, dynamic manager with a plan and a board prepared to let him have a serious go. It may only look like it from the outside, but it’s hard to believe anything other than there is no plan other than what Arsene fancies from day to day and that seems to amount to very little. No title for 12 years by an elite manager at an elite club? No, not really.

  42. Wath says:

    There lies your problem as well Adam, a man “scared” of retiring and not feeling wanted and a board saying thank god for that we don’t have to take responsibility to replace him…!

  43. rico says:

    Scott, by abuse I mean the fans inside the stadium letting their feelings be known. The banners etc etc… It’s bound to happen as fans will be even more frustrated than they were last season if it all starts badly…

  45. rico says:

    Agree entirely Adam, the bunch of old toffs on the board are useless and toothless. How they can just sit back and watch amazes me. No, angers me.

  47. Wath says:

    In all honesty Adam the club looks to be on “autopilot” as it’s comfy and cushy and means no having to take responsibility whilst the money is still rolling in…!

  48. frednerk says:

    Your get the feeling:
    Because wenger can’t buy
    for peanuts..That’s it then
    How can any supporter settle
    for what’s lacking in our team.
    Once the the season starts fair enough.

    After paying for the season ticket’s in may
    the real supporters,have had enough
    What a summer,
    money in the bank,
    we needed 3
    Injuries already..
    we need 4
    It’s become a joke…

    Funny I was in Greece about 6 weeks ago,

    The Greeks think wenger is a great,
    but Greece is Crap.

    I said I think Greece is great,
    and Wenger Was great.

  50. scottfromoz says:

    Guys, where does the pressure to perform come from?
    The boss.
    Stan is the boss.
    He doesn’t care, so there is no pressure on anyone at the club to do anything but finish top 4.

  51. Wath says:

    As most on here say Scott it’s the “LOT” of them that are negligible not just the stubborn one…! In my mind they all are responsible as each other and all accountable for our lack of vision, ambition and desire to try and be as competitive as possible.

  53. scottfromoz says:

    Wath, the buck stops at the top.
    It does in any club or business.
    Always has.
    Stan sets the agenda, and keeps rewarding Wenger so it’s obvious he thinks Arsene is succeeding brilliantly.
    We all know he’s not, but again, we don’t control the agenda or direction.
    Nothing changes until Stan goes, and no matter which manager we get, the grand plan of Stan will not alter.

  54. kelsey says:

    20 years is a long time and the world has changed,unfortunately not for the better but in football terms we will ever be grateful for Wenger’s first 10+ years but since then apart from 2 cup wins we are stagnating.Just look at the amount of bad buys against the good buys.how many of the youngsters ever make it to be a regular in the first team,it’s a poor percentage.

    Season tickets all sold out,so does kroenke care if there are 15thousand empty seats at home games. I really think he is just a big a problem as the manager.Wenger wouldn’t be fired if we have a bad season.
    We need a younger man now who will know excatly what funds are available and it’s about time we looked at the physical aspect of players apart from their football ability.The man we need has to be ruthless and be able to think the modern game.He most probablt will only last a few seasons but that’s how it is.|Thabks for everything AW but it’s time to say goodnight.The world and her dog know what we need at least to contend for the title.

    If we finished around 8th every season it would be a different scenario but we aren’t and always blow up,you can predict it each season.

  55. rico says:

    Scott, I think things could very well change when Wenger retires. He has far too much control and any new manager wouldn’t get that control. Of that I’m convinced..

  56. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, but will that be a good thing?
    I don’t know, but it may blow up in our face.
    Still, it might take Wenger leaving to force Stan to change, so that’s a positive.

  57. Gd10 says:

    Sorry Rico, got pulled away.

    I agree completely, can’t blame ozil and Sanchez if they want out. Sad truth is they are too good for our lack of ambitions.

    It won’t spur Wenger on either. Since when has he ever wilted to what his players think.

  61. Le Coq Monster says:

    Listening to talksport between 10:15 – 10:45 this morning and they were crictical of Wengers stubborness not to pay that little bit extra when that little bit extra may win the title or even get you 3 extra points (CL) that makes up the little biy extra you paid !.
    Worth a re-listen online on Murray and friends . If only Wenger could see the sense other people talk !………………….can we all be wrong !.

  62. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, they might improve, but what if they don’t and we miss top 4?
    Will Stan turns the screws on spending even more, if he is, in fact, the reason we don’t spend much?
    Either way, at least we will know the truth.

  63. rico says:

    They are spot on LC

    Scott, it’s not just that for me. A younger and more dynamic manager would probably get more from the players we have and be ruthless with those who don’t conform. Solutions don’t always have to be spending money….

  64. Bob John says:

    Hi all. Worse than the lack of activity is the way the club treats its supporters like imbeciles. Telling us the market is slow and there are no players available. Then Sky show you that over £748million has been spent by Premier League clubs so far this window! Every player has a price but we are too tight to pay it. As long as the ground is full and mugs are buying the three new kits every year they will continue to treat us with utter contempt

  66. scottfromoz says:

    Rico, fair call, but plenty seem to think spending is the ball, and end all.
    Anyway, let’s hope Arsene brings in at least a CB, wins the league and retires.

  67. Le Coq Monster says:

    I will never abuse Wenger other than in lightheartedness. The man is and will never be beaten as our best ever manager ( sorry Herb), but times have moved on and he hasn, he will eventually go and will always be a hero to me…………..however !…………Kroenke is a different matter and untill he puts some of his money into the club other than the self-sustaining model and I dont mean buying shares, but like Chavs and City do (they are not self-sustaining) then he will always be a hate figure to me and gets all the abuse he deserves !…………trouble is, he will not sell and even if he kicked the bucket tomorrow we would have Kroenke Jnr lashing out more of the same………….I was hoping that Kroenke would selll for a huge profit to finance the LA Rams build !……shit !, I`m deluding myself !.
    I thought the future was bright when FFP seemed to be working, but now it is a dead duck in the water our future is bleak compared to Manshafter Std, Mansour City, Chavs and even state sponsored West Ham and the filth down the road !……………………..Expect more of the same medicine

  68. frednerk says:

    Many of us are afraid of failing,
    at least some of the time.
    But fear of failure is when we
    allow that fear to stop us doing
    the things that can move us
    forward to achieve our goals.
    ………Atychiphobia…….

    The board and the AKB Brigade?

  69. Adam says:

    By common consent, Kroenke has never refused Wenger anything, including money.
    Hi Bob. I don’t think it’s tightness preventing Wenger from spending. I think it’s probably fear. He’s treading water with no plan because his future is uncertain perhaps.

  72. Bob John says:

    Hi Adam. I thinks its also Arsene’s stubborness to prove that his way is the right way to do things. When he talks about treating the club’s money as his own then you know his mindset

  73. Herb's Army says:

    Hi Rico and the House.

    Hi Kelsey, good to see you blogging.
    I’ve just been listening to ‘TalkSport’, and some caller made a very valid point.
    Arsenal signed a kit deal for around £150m, United signed one for £750m, and one of the reasons there is such a gulf between us and them is because they buy players that sells shirts and that young supporters identify with. The players end up paying for themselves It doesn’t matter what Pogba or Stones cost to United and City, they will recoup that money many times over in their commercial deals.
    Arsenal are stuck with a manager terrified of retirement, and scared to put his reputation to the test.
    Wenger has never had to put himself under pressure which is why he’s never managed an elite club, despite claiming to have had many offers. By staying at Arsenal and being around the top four, the outside world can laud him for ‘doing a remarkable job’. But he isn’t capable of any more than that. He would have been under immense scrutiny at Bayern or Madrid, and their fans would have mercilessly slaughtered him if he behaved at their clubs the way he does at Arsenal.
    Anybody would think that Arsenal were a small corner shop competing against a giant supermarket brand the way they operate.
    Arsenal are very small-minded, and there’s no-one at the club brave enough to go for it. No-one with the balls to lay the gauntlet down to our so-called rivals and say ‘Right, come on, we’re having this!’.
    We support a club who in essence have waved the White Flag and surrendered.

  74. TT says:

    “Guys, where does the pressure to perform come from?
    The boss.
    Stan is the boss.
    He doesn’t care, so there is no pressure on anyone at the club to do anything but finish top 4.”

    And where does the pressure on Stan come from? From the fans and while they keep on buying the merchandise,renew the ST and come to games singing One Arsene Wenger nothing will change.

    If there is visible protest every game, lots of empty seats the sponsors will start to question whether their money would be better invested somewhere else.

    Only when Stan starts to get hit in the pocket will he act, anything else is useless. So until the fans, you me and everyone else, start doing what needs doing then it will stay the same

    Why would a real estate tycoon rock the boat when the manager meats the minimal requirements? And remember Stan makes his money from real estate deals not from sports. It’s us fans that crave the silverware and if we are not prepared to reclaim the initiative we have to live with the annual parade of the 4th place trophy and the best balance sheet in the business.

  75. rico says:

    And he’s said he’s not afraid to spend money Fred, so what’s stopping him I wonder..

    Hi Herb… He probably knew that about Real Madrid or other elite clubs which is probably why he never left Arsenal. Safe as houses there….

  76. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies……..

    Rico…….I think things could very well change when Wenger retires. He has far too much control and any new manager wouldn’t get that control. Of that I’m convinced..

    Rico…those same words were uttered when GG left the club. They were uttered by the directors. 22 years later and the same things are being said about AW.

    Too much power. GG and AW both had it. That is why a coach should not stay more than 5 years atm. especially if trophy less.

  78. rico says:

    TT – surely Stan will already be feeling a bit hot under the collar from last season, he should be well aware of the unrest amongst the fans, just as he should know Puma won’t be thrilled either…

  80. rico says:

    Sky sources are telling us that Arsenal’s negotiations to sign the Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi are ongoing.

    The Germany international, who could reportedly command a fee of up to £30m, has been left out of Valencia’s squad for tonight’s friendly with Nigeria All-Stars.

  82. Herb's Army says:

    Hi Cornwall

    Sorry mate, I will never agree that Wenger has been our greatest manager, simply because he walked into a fantastic set-up that just needed a bit of fine tuning. Chapman took on a far bigger project, and without his sterling work, Arsenal wouldn’t be the club they are today. Chapman’s blue-print for success went on for far more years than Wenger’s, even after his untimely death.
    Wenger just refuses to compete, I can’t imagine Chapman ever refusing a challenge.

  86. kelsey says:

    I know it might sound naive, but I really do believe that when players reach a certain level, i.e. World class, they are already on big contracts and invariably made for life financially. It therefore comes down to the ‘glory’ and trophies for their names to be written in history as is the case with Ozil and Sanchez. If they see or deem their chances of actually winning things diminish, they will go to places where those chances are improved and no one would blame them. This is likely to happen much less if their present club offers a realistic chance of achieving the success they could find elsewhere, so why in heaven’s name, when you have such huge resources, don’t we acquire the kind of quality that is required to ensure the long term success on the field, that is also the way of swelling the bank balance. It’s not rocket science and probably only needs a couple of players, that why Sanchez and Ozil are stalling on new extended contracts.

  87. rico says:

    Arsenals managerial advertisement back in 1925

    ‘Arsenal Football Club is open to receive applications for the position of TEAM MANAGER. He must be experienced and possess the highest qualifications for the post, both as to ability and personal character. Gentlemen whose sole ability to build up a good side depends on the payment of heavy and exorbitant transfer fees need not apply’.

    Some things never change….. 🙂

  91. Lee says:

    Wenger is the problem, won’t listen to criticism or advice wants to do it his way, unfortunately his way is archaic!

    We’ve needed a proper striker since RvP was sold, we needed a CB before Gabriel got injured what goes on at Arsenal is beyond a fucking joke! Everyone knows what needs to be done apart from Le Ditherer…………

    This TW is playing out like so many more before, how fucking tedious is it all??

  93. Le Coq Monster says:

    Hi Herb and Kels`………………………..we`re not too far apart in our opinions on greatest Arsenal manager, Herb !……….Chapman runs Arsene a close second !. 🙂

    Dont think I`ve ever diagreed with anything Kelsey has said ……..now or 5 years ago, always the most realistic of bloggers !…………….infact Herb and Kelsey are my Dooming Guru`s !. hahaha

  94. Wath says:

    So Citeh pay 50million for a defender with potential and we offer 30million for the player of the year…! Seems we hoping the fact the rumours of him wanting to come will mean he will put pressure on Leicester to sell and we get a bargain…! What a great way to do business..!

  95. Le Coq Monster says:

    Hahaha………………Love that 1925 Managerial adververtisement, Rico !……………….the last sentence of it is pure gold !. hahaha

  96. Le Coq Monster says:

    The staggering thing about todays prices for players is that if it were today we would have to pay £40M for Jeff Blockley !……………how fucking scary is that ! 😆

  98. Micko says:

    On going doesn’t really cut the mustard does it Wath !

    Anyone would think our season kicks off proper in September.

    To quote Potter, you can’t win the league in August but you can go a long way to flucking it up ! Something we’re champions at.

    Still, Arsene knows best.

  99. allezkev says:

    You’ve seen the films Ginge, it’s all true…
    Treadstone, Jason Bourne, all those CIA assassins running around, doing everyone in…

    Secret agents, double agents, super agents, it’s all really happening…

    So get with the programme Ginge… ?

  101. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Nope I do not agree LC.

    I think that we should not look at the amount of trophies won. We should look at the way they shaped Arsenal.

    When HC arrived to Arsenal, the club were no one. NO ONE. So essentially he changed the club into a giant. A club going nowhere he gave it an identity.

    When AW came yes he did change the club. But Arsenal were already a sleeping giant. A giant who had already won in Europe. They had the Uefa cup and the CWC. Chapman had none of these opportunities. Had they been available I can assure you that HC would surely have got his hands on big ears.

    So imo its HC first and AW second.

  103. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House

    Trying to catch up on a few days of H/H
    Rico you asked about Tolaji Bola,this is how I see it.

    There are 2 Bola’s Marc and Tolaji and they are not related.

    They are both a product of Hale End and both started with the U9’s

    Marc is 19 in Dec and started out as a c/h. However with Pleguezuelo and Bielik in the side he has mainly played at L/B. With Plegue now on loan I think he could be playing as a C/H for the U23’s

    Tolaji signed pro contract in Jan when he was 17.

    He started out as a L/B but can play as a C/h which he did in some games for for the U 18’s last season.
    I expect that they could use him the same way this coming season.

    I would say that both are a long way from the first team ( Is that what you thinking)

  105. allezkev says:

    Coach, to me Herbert Chapman is our greatest ever manager, he built two clubs, Huddersfield Town in the 1920’s and Arsenal in the 1930’s, which won hat tricks of league titles, nobody had done that before or since, he was genius at PR and turned Arsenal into the most famous club in the world, they were where ManU are now.

    Wenger has never retained the league title and never won a European trophy, in 20 years…

    To me, Wenger will always be in Chapmans shadow…

  106. tsgh says:

    🙂 Kev- you know in real life most of those peeps you mentioned cant even tie up their own laces up. 😉
    Micko, you know we have never lost the league in August apart from when we have RvP, Song and Gervinho. 🙂

    If you keep complaining we might have Donald Trump as our new club owner, all you AW bashers will be lined up against the wall… Wath do we have 2nd amendment in the UK? 😛

  108. Hell Raising Devil says:

    A few weeks before he died, in the middle of the triple consecutive league wins, HC told Allison…..the team is played out Mr Allison. We must rebuild.

    That team went on to win it three years in a row. Sadly HC never lived to see that. He died half way through the second season.

    Compare that to how AW operates.

    So I am sorry mates.

    I think that HC was by far the greatest. As he was innovative. And he was a gentleman.

  109. Wath says:

    Ts, As far as I am led to believe Arsene makes all the rules so we have only as many amendments as he says….

  110. Wath says:

    We’re about to be flabbergasted… Arsenal are looking at buying either Lewandowski or Griezmann…!

    We’d buy one of those and back it up with bringing Gallas out of retirement to cover fr the BFG

  111. Le Coq Monster says:

    Good case guys !……………….and you`re swaying me ! 🙂
    The only thing I can put forward as a teaser is that Chapman died before he could have been unsuccessfull and we wont/dont know how he would have fared ?
    It`s always been a frustration for me to wonder how Arsenal would have carried on not only if Chapman hadn`t have died too early, but also how we would have fared had there not been a World War 2 when we were in ascendancy !

  113. Wath says:

    Fred may indeed need that Nurse……

    As for your scrapbook that pic of you and Queen Victoria is pretty funny…! that centre parting is classic…! Micko will be so jealous…!

  115. Hell Raising Devil says:

    so it seems we are going to have this line up n Sept……

    Cech
    Bellerin, Kos, Shkodran, Nacho
    Xhaka, Cazorla
    Alexis, Ozil, Griezmann
    Lewandowski

    Subs…..Ospina, Mahrez, Ox, Coquelin, Aaron, Iwobi, Elneny

    Mourinho will be even more grumpier.

  116. allezkev says:

    Cocker, a the players that Arsenal signed in the immediate period after Chapman died, had been spotted before he passed away in 1934…
    So if he had lived, the lines of Copping, Crayston, Bowden, Drake, would have joined anyway…
    Chapman tried to sign the Austrian national goalkeeper but was stopped by the FA…

    He took the England team on a foreign tour, years before Walter Winterbottom.

    Apparently Arsenal had a brilliant group of young players coming through when the War broke out. 3 or 4 were killed and many others never recovered from losing 6 years of their career.

  117. rico says:

    Afternoon Rick, and all.

    Thanks re Bola, I read something the other day which said Tolaji (I think) was pushing for his place in the under 23’s. Just wondered who he was….

  118. tsgh says:

    🙂 Wath… if you are a cult leader like AW you can make the rules up as you choose…
    Are we buying the real Lewandowski or the one who plays every sunday on the marshes?

  120. frednerk says:

    Er Ts
    Thought I new that name(Lewandowski)
    His doing some roofing work for me,
    never seen a roofer with climbing
    up and down with football boots on.

  121. Wath says:

    Ts, I am also very perplexed to read that you insinuate that Jason Bourne isn’t real…?

    Get with it mate, we all know that he is the real deal and totally wiped out the hideous Treadstone mob for the greater good of world peace..!

  123. potter says:

    I’ve been reading through the comments and there are so many good posters that I would dearly love to join the conversation . However I have nothing original to add that I have not said a dozen times before..All I know is that I am looking forward to the demise of the whole pack as their going might just rekindle my interest . At the moment although I kept my S.T I am finding it difficult to get the energy to make the trip there and back.

  125. allezkev says:

    See what I mean Ginge, Wath knows what he’s talking about, he ain’t my Grandson for nothing ya know… ?

  129. tsgh says:

    🙂 Kev…
    Well WAth will say that wouldn’t he… he smuggled in half a bottle of his favourite beverage when he went to the cinema…
    Unlike the other times when he has relied on his favourite Chinese bootlegger to get him to see a new movie…

  130. potter says:

    Just got the scaffolding up ,Felt gone under the tiles having to fix my own . Roofers don’t seem to be able to talk without noughts falling on to blank bits of paper.. Scaffold up for 2 days now and it has just stopped raining.

  132. frednerk says:

    Sorry Ts
    I made him keep his shirt on.
    Can’t have the wife giving
    him the once over and over and over.

  133. Le Coq Monster says:

    Blow Sky Sports !………You are being a very naughty girl, Rico !……………………………I may have to give you punishment of a 1000 lines of…………………………”Unless Ornstein say`s it, it isn`t true !”……………………….and I want it written on site !………get scribbling !. hahaha

  136. kelsey says:

    I hate rumours but here’s a conundrum.

    Pellegrini has a holiday home in Marbella(I lived there for 12 years) right next door to my cousin and Pelligrini told my cousin today that Arsenal will be buying imminently, he is sure.How would Pelligrini know unless it was a City player or a player both clubs wanted.Any ideas folks.

  138. Wath says:

    Kelsey, could always be a player in Spain with Pellegrini having pretty close ties there as well am sure..!

  142. Wath says:

    Rico, I spoke to Ornstein earlier and he to is extremely pissed of with Ts, He said how dare he question the authenticity of Jason Bourne, it’s outrageous !!

    He also said Arsenal are apparently “monitoring”………… What, I am not quite sure…!

  143. Le Coq Monster says:

    Great tantilising rumour Kels`………………you are second only to Ornstein ! 😀

    I have 2 email accounts Kels`……….one as Le Coq, the other as Gooner Lost In Cornwall (Glic) which you have had from AA and the only one I use properly !.

  149. Le Coq Monster says:

    Actually and this is true…………………….the girl at work`s husband is Jason Bourne !………….honestly !…………..he loves it, but is a lot older than Matt Damon and uglier !

  152. Le Coq Monster says:

    Not the one I use as LCM though Rico…….actually I must stilll have his !………I will email him !………………..what a thicko I am ….durrrr !. 🙂

  155. Le Coq Monster says:

    Wath………………………..she has asked him to turn up and play 5-a-side on Thursday nights with me, but still no sign of him !……….no wonder the CIA cant find him, he`s only in Launceston and I cant find him !. hahaha

  156. Le Coq Monster says:

    More like …..Where is Jason Bourne ?.

    Sent Kels an email, hope it`s the same one as he contacted me on as it was 4/5 years ago !. 🙂

  157. tsgh says:

    🙂 Wath… have you cross-checked if Ornstein is not aka Malaga Gooner? The 2 private jets spotted s on the taxi way with the Bender twins in Frankfurt 3 years ago has still not landed…

    Or maybe Kev the only cabbie driver allowed to a tomtom by Boris dropped him off at the wrong medical centre…

  159. Le Coq Monster says:

    Come on Rico !!!……………………….have you not heard of the Bourne series of films ?……………….surely when you pack up at night you watch films and not soaps !. 🙂

  160. Wath says:

    It’s all getting a bit to nudge nudge wink wink for my liking…!

    Kev………. what you up to…. Are you going all cloak n dagger on me..?

    Who is Jason Bourne she asks…. they seek him here they seek him there……. Apparently he’s now in Cornwall about to make a surprise appearance for a 5-a-side team with LC

  167. Le Coq Monster says:

    ## BREAKING NEWS FROM PORNSTEIN ##

    Arsenal are preparing a massive deal for Jason Bourne ! ……………..however, Arsene Wenger cant remember where he left his wallet with cheque book !…………….more updates later !.

  169. Le Coq Monster says:

    Good news !………………………Ozil, Koz and Giroud are back in full training !…………………………..bad news !……………………..we will probably be 9 points adrift by the time they are match fit !

    And from Pigs might fly sports news !………………..we are after Lewandowsky and Griesman !.

  171. Le Coq Monster says:

    ##BREAKING NEWS from RICKYYYYYYYYYYY##

    Arsenal are interested in signing Pat Butcher and Rico is on the phone for a season ticket !.

  173. kelsey says:

    That’s another thing Rico re your 5.21..He so often rushes players back, then they get a further injury and are then out for twice as long or more.We have seen that countless times.

  175. rico says:

    Doesn’t he just Kelsey…. All because of the lack of depth in the squad…

    Certainly a bigger target to get around LC…. Lol

  179. tsgh says:

    Come the end of the season at least one of Jose and Pep will have spent £200m and failed to win the league. reason AW will not spend..

  184. kelsey says:

    From the Beebs website. I kid you not! “Perhaps if Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil hits a run of bad form during the upcoming season, manager Arsene Wenger could try taking his batteries out and rubbing them together?” 🙂 which I suppose is better than his testicles 😉

  185. kelsey says:

    Third club to turn down Debuchy after initial negotiations.I believe we bought him for 14 million two years ago and are asking for 3 million.

    Anyone good at maths ins and out. We have bought Granit,Holding and The japanese kid for about 30,2, and 1.5 million but don’t know their wages.

    Rosicky,Arteta, Flamini are off our books,Szsney is out on loan with Roma now paying all his wages with a view to buy , Debuchy will go somewhere and several of the reserves have been released so at this moment of time our net spend with wages can’t be enormous.

    Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up and see we have bought some quality but then I realised I was dreaming.

  186. rico says:

    I didn’t see Lola though Lee….

    Morning Kelsey and all…

    I see it didn’t take long for the ‘Ozil to Real Madrid’ headlines to surface..

  187. kelsey says:

    I think this is feasable do you ?(morning Rico)
    ——————————————————

    Arsenal are expected to bid around €35m to bring Shkrodan Mustafi to North London from La Liga.

    The German defender is widely accepted to be the club’s primary target as Arsene Wenger looks for defensive reinforcement in the wake of injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel.

    Valencia’s financial situation pretty much dictates that they need to sell to meet FFP requirements, and the money on offer from Arsenal would go a long way to helping that even if it does leave them short defensively.

    There’s very little chance a deal will be done in time for the player to be involved against Liverpool on Sunday, but he should be brought in time to face champions Leicester next weekend.

  188. kelsey says:

    It’s quite simple that despite contract length players like Ozil, Sanchez, Koscelney and even Ramsey will all be linked away from us as they want to play with better playeers,which makes sense.Just two additions of that quality and then the other players in the squad have mentors to make them play better and then we could really challenge.But will it actually happen under Wenger.Does a leopard ever change his spots ?

  190. rico says:

    Wenger won’t change now, not imo. He hasn’t before and the way this transfer window has gone, shows nothing has changed…

    All most hoped for was a striker and at least one defender before the season kicked off but no….

    I really hoped and believed he’d want what could be his final season, to be a good one…

  191. Lee says:

    You fool Rico (me too) I thought this would be his last hurrah and that he’d add the necessary players………unfortunately I think if we get the coveted “top four” this season Wenger gets a new contract.

    Deep joy!

  193. Lee says:

    Not so sure Rico…. the chavs have no European football so they’ll be in the mix, manure will be stronger, citeh, spuds,dippers ditto. Leicester will finish outside of the top four imo.

    However if we sign Mustafi and a striker that puts away Ozil’s created chances we could win the bloody thing!!

  194. rico says:

    Everton and West Ham are also building strong squads… I can’t see it either Lee, I really can’t, not with the squad as it is.

    But yes, a striker and Mustafi could make a whole lot of difference, as would Mahrez if he also arrives…

  195. rico says:

    🙂 🙂 If only!

    WENGER CHASING ELITE STRIKER?

    Now for some news Gunners across the globe have been dying to hear! Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger IS targeting a world-class striker this summer, according to The Sun.

    The typically frugal Frenchman is set to loosen the purse strings before Deadline Day, with Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandowski and Atletico Madrid talisman Antoine Griezmann his chief targets.

    Wenger is reported to have set £60m aside to bolster his attack this summer. It just remains to be seen whether he can get the deal over the line…

  198. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, brudder and all. It’s all rather tense isn’t it? Add the Sanchez and Ozil contracts situation and as some of us predicted, the whole thing is looking rather uninteresting again.

  202. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Seems that Mustafi will be added soon hopefully.

    Adam…..sometimes I feel that the Ozil/Sanchez contract situation is not different than say 30 years ago. The problem is that blogs, journalists and newspaper all seem to magnify everything that we end up catastrophizing it. Remember when Brady and Stapleton left?? Nothing different now.

    We end up in a negative state simply because of what we read on NN.

  203. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I think that against the dippers it will be a CB pairing of Chambers and Holding while Alexis will spearhead the attack with OX and Iwobi on the flanks.

    Who plays in the free role, Aaron or Cazorla depends on who plays in the CDM. I have a hunch it will be Cazorla with Xhaka and Coquelin behind him.

    Midfield combinations are going to be very interesting choices this season.

    Something I will look forward to.

  204. Lee says:

    Kelsey, I appreciate that transfers aren’t that easy to get done, but other clubs seem to do ok, why do we take so long??

    It’s not like we didn’t already need a CB and striker is it??

    Beggar’s belief what goes on…

  205. tsgh says:

    we will definitely finish in top 2! Another prophesy from the calabash…; we will sign a CH on money after getting ‘exposed’ on the weekend.
    Lacassette end of the month…

    Morning Rico and all…

  206. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Lee……I feel that there may be something fishy about our transfers.

    Is it the GG situation revisited???

    Do we really pennypinch???

    Does the club refuse to deal with underhand tactics while other clubs do??

    Are other clubs aware of our club’s power and ask inflated prices hoping to get some more???

    Are other clubs (like Manure, Shitty, Chavs) scared of AFC’s financial power and try to involve other clubs in making it difficult for us??

  207. Adam says:

    Not sure about that Devil. Put simply, why would Ozil or Alexis want to play at a club so renowned as being also-rans when they can see that the squad lacks depth? Especially when they could both move up a level. Could it be that we, as Rico says, have a re-run of other players who were made promises that were unfulfilled? As for the NN thing. We don’t need that site to affirm what we see with our own eyes surely. It’s not like we have needed a top striker for the past year either is it?

  209. rico says:

    Agree, we all know NN is just full of bollox, just as the newspapers are 99% of the time….

    But when our needs are so clear to everyone but one man, there’s a serious problem…

  211. Wavy says:

    Morning all. Wet, damp and miserable here!

    Wenger’s contract conundrum. It’s simple really, if the club finishes 6th or lower the old chap will retire. If Arsenal finish in the top 4 again or even win some silverware he will ‘reluctantly’ sign a new contract!
    The transfers he has yet to make may well turn out to be highly significant. If they are marquee type players the supporters will get behind old’s silver bollocks until such time as the club start under performing (November?) if there is no slip up and we go on and, dare I say it, win the E
    PL the old chap will believe he has to go on and rinse and repeat! The only way he is likely to leave the manager’s office is if the supporters turn toxic and hold him totally responsible as perhaps may the syrup and his sidekicks.
    The German or the Frenchman as our new strike force? Yeh, right! The only chance of that happening is no chance!

  212. kelsey says:

    Lee

    Take David Dein out of the equation, poor Danny dying and Lady Bracewell Smith out is something we will never know what really happened but our negotiations have never been the same.
    Didn’t Hill Wood say to Kroenke “we don’t want your kind here” two years before he took majority control and Wenger got carte blanche to do absolutely everything without having to answer to anyone.

  215. frednerk says:

    Why would a top player want
    to get kicked out of a game.
    Just look at Sanchez’s face
    when we try to press and
    Ozil’s shoulders drop.
    Van pissoff moaned about it
    I know he spends most of his
    life in a wheelchair…
    But Jack is the only player we have
    who wants to fight.

    Musthava-rest:

    Was left out last
    night against the all stars.

    Words have been said..
    Wonder what.

  216. ScottfromOz says:

    Arsenal don’t find a potential player and simply pay whatever it takes to get him.
    Rightly or wrongly, that’s how it is so why does everyone act surprised when we miss out??
    Of course, we all laugh at the fees other clubs pay for players, yet whinge when Arene doesn’t cough up?
    Oh, it’s hilarious lol

  217. tsgh says:

    Kelsey- AW also told Al-Khelaifi of Psg that he would never work under a Yank.. a year later they were all smiles…

    Rico- from what I hear and read we like to do our negotiations ourselves to cut out dubious agents whilst most other clubs have franchised their negotiation teams…

    One example is the Mk’tayan move to BVB and then later Yanited…; rumours are we did not want to deal with Mino Raiola… same reason we passed on Balo’ before he joined Liverpool.

  218. potter says:

    The personal duel between Dein and Fiszman did the club no favours . Hill Wood was either too laid back or tipsy to see what was happening or else out of his depth in dealing with them. Lady Nina’s hotel chain was suffering and quite why she took the lower offer from Stan and left Usmanov in the cold we probably will never know . Whatever !
    That period in the clubs history created the position that we are in now. If the policy of this board and KSE remains I really don’t think a manager change will make much difference from a financial point of view. However on the pitch a change might speak volumes . Fresh ideas as much as players are needed and unless Arsene gets hit by a revelation , it won’t be happening anytime soon.

  219. tsgh says:

    Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has called his fellow Italian Mino Raiola’s “a pain in the backside”, while Alex Ferguson admitted: “I distrusted him from the moment I met him.”

    Mino Raiola’ is the reason we did not sign Ibrahimovic as a teenager. Contrary to what Ibra’ said in the past if it was not for Mino Raiola he would not have had the balls to say that to AW… odd how he join Juve afterwards

  225. tsgh says:

    Scott- do you think Pogba is as good as he is made out to be? As someone who watched Serie A to see Pirlo, Vidal (how Gerwanko flourished 😛 with Roma) and recently Dybala, I think he is very over rated and will struggle in this league.
    Pogba is loved by media because in my view what Mino is good at is promoting and ‘bigging -up’ the ego of his players. He did the same to Balo’ unfortunately Balo’ being a striker and having one bad season doomed him…

  228. Adam says:

    The hard reality is that the prices quoted are very high but sustainable for those that have an infrastructure capable of paying. Man Utd fans, imbued with a sense of greatness and entitlement that eludes other clubs with the exception of the dippers, have been slagging the Glazers for years. But have that family set limitations on the spending power? Not as far as I can see. Personally I have noted very little laughing by Arsenal fans over Pogba’s fee though Arsene, foolishly, has had his say in the press.
    I completely get the fact that Wenger will only pay huge money for the right players. After all, he’s told us often enough.

  229. rico says:

    I like him too Scott. Really looking forward to seeing how he adapts in the PL.. I wouldn’t judge Pogba on the Euros though… I would have loved to have seen him in an Arsenal shirt..

  231. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Pogba had only one great season…..when he had Pirlo and Vidal beside him.

    Take these two out of the equation and he struggles.

    Kev……we have not signed Bony yet. But we might sign Kalou or Lewandowski. Seems that Kalou will come only if Bony goes elsewhere. LEwandowski is third in line if the first two don’t.

  232. allezkev says:

    Some reasonably reliable guy on Twitter, 6 days ago, tweeted that the Japanese kid we signed, has got a work permit, so that could be another body Wenger has to fit into the squad…

    I wonder if the delay in signing a striker was down to waiting on a decision on the Jap..?

    Hey presto = new striker…

  233. Obi says:

    AW has already answered the question about transfers… He respect the money and looks at it as his own… That sums it up. True some of the spending is ridiculous, but nonetheless there is value out there. Really guys we have one recognized striker right now, OG, small wonder he goes into draughts, he’s over worked.

  234. scottfromoz says:

    Ginge, I’ve seen very little of Pogba, so can only offer an opinion based on what I have seen in highlight packages and at the Euro’s………90 million?
    Get serious.
    I’d seriously take Xhaka any day over him.
    30 million is a steal, relatively speaking, of course.
    90 million is a top 4-5 player in the world, not Pogba!
    I always thought that financial prudence was buying low and selling high, but selling for nothing and buying back for 90 million s a new one on me, and though Utd fans are, on face value, ecstatic, I dare say plenty are asking what the hell their club is doing, yet people criticise Arsene and Arsenal.
    It’s comedy classics lol

  235. allezkev says:

    Sadly Coach, I think we’ve missed the boat with Kalou…

    Adam can barely move from his settee, such is his disillusionment at missing out of Super Saloman again…. ?

  236. tsgh says:

    Rico… if move is re. our dealings with certain super Kev like agents; then from fans point of view it is frustrating.

    I think our clubs approach of living within our means in an era when everyone is over spending appears unambitious but putting aside the emotional side of things the likes of Tottenham and bin-dippers will swap players with us at a drop of a hat.. imho…

  240. kelsey says:

    potter,in essence we agree with each other.

    By all accounts the signing is Mustafi re my earlier comment(strange name for a German) but we are only buying because Pers got injured otherwise AW wouldn’t have bothered.

    The trouble blogging about Arsenal is that we go over the same things time and time again.Now we have more money than ever but just take ages to complete a deal. believe me if AW goes this season whoever comes in will want reassurances from kroenke.
    i always hope we do well but i am beginning to think we might need to finish 6th or lower to get a change in policy even if it means a couple of years to achieve it.There again Kroenke will only sell eventually if he keeps building the global brand but forgets winning the PL or CL will add tremendous value The whole situation is out of our hands but to me the immediate future looks bleak.

    it’s a bit like Brexit…..the uncertanty.

  241. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Seems that the Skodran deal is done and all that is left is for AW to shake hands with him.

    AW….”Welcome Mr Mustafi. I have a problem on my jacket with ze zipper. Can you manage to unzip it so and defend me from ze frost? “

  242. scottfromoz says:

    I know Adam, and I agree, but I’d still suggest 90 million is the fee for an absolutely world class player, and I don’t believe Pogba is.
    Again, I haven’t seen that much of him, but I’d pay more for Ozil any day of the week.

  244. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I don’t think (even for one second though I would love it) that we would really sign Lewandowski. But if we get him…..say for around 80million than I would simply love to be a fly on the wall when the midget one gets to hear about it.

    it would be hilarious.

    Jose said that its only at big clubs that such deals happen. I wonder what he would get to say then.

    lol

    I still think that more than 30 mill for Pogba, even with the way today’s fees are going, is a waste.

  246. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Ginge 11.38………spot on about the players the dippers and spuds would love to have.

    I went through the midfields of all the EPl teams…….and honestly I find it difficult to find a club with a stronger midfield 6 combos than ours………Xhaka, Cazorla, Elneny, Coquelin, Ozil, Aaron and with wee Jack Wheelchair playing the odd game.

    A mixture of grit, strength and creativity.

    tell me more about the other teams’ midfields.

  247. Herb's Army says:

    Morning Rico and the House.

    I don’t think people are criticising Wenger for not spending £90m on a player, Scott, more that he leaves gaping holes in the squad, and always takes us into a new season a couple of players short of what’s needed, which is a very different debate.
    As I said the other week, Arsenal’s record spend for a striker is £16m for Danny Welbeck, every one of our rivals have gone over £20m.
    Arsenal supporters are realistic, we don’t expect or demand Messi or Ronaldo type purchases, we just expect to be in the mix competing, but if the last three years have shown anything, it is that Arsenal take the PL far too casually, and the perception from fans is that the club refuse to use their vast resources to their advantage. When the heat is applied, Arsenal buckle and surrender.
    It doesn’t take £90m to resolve that problem, just a more intelligent strategy.
    That is why Wenger is criticised. Can you think of any other top manager who has watched his side get absolutely humiliated as many times as Wenger and not been held accountable?

  249. Adam says:

    Rico. I have rather lost track of all that I’m afraid. But, looking at their sponsorship deals that someone mentioned recently, they have loads of income.

  250. scottfromoz says:

    90 million for potential, Adam?
    He’d better be right 🙂
    Of course, they could have kept him for a lot less lol
    Herb, it’s easy to say that, yet I see on daily basis people screaming at Wenger to spend.
    Yes, people also post on what type of player we should spend cash on, but often it’s just spend!
    Have you ever seen a side get smashed so often and the owner stays in Texas twiddling his thumbs?
    Sorry, but nobody will ever convince me the problems don’t start at the very top.

  251. Obi says:

    I have watched Pogba a lot to me no better than Fellani at Everton just a little more disciplined and much spectacular but so overrated. And even after Pirlo and Vidal he’s still had very good players next to him – Marchisio, Asamoah, Pareya, Coman – I wouldn’t even pay $50m much less 90m, plus 20m I agent fees. But I think the point is not the price of players but rather addressing our needs. Mustafi even at 40m is even better spending than Xhaka – and what a steal that was. If Stone went for 50m, imo, Mustafi is $70m, he’s that much better.

  253. rico says:

    Morning Herb. Spot on I’d say, yet a striker is one of the most important players on the pitch, along with a keeper, but look at some of the ones we’ve had to suffer watching in recent years….

  254. Adam says:

    Di Maria was another. Big money, but he didn’t work out at all. At a lesser price point we have spent about £30 million on Chambers and Gabriel. From what I have seen so far, that looks exorbitant but it might come good in the end. On such things are reputations built or destroyed.

  255. scottfromoz says:

    Di Maria would’ve been sensational for us IMO, Adam…..I guess that’s also a key…..the right player at the right club.
    Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a player will thrive or not.

  257. Herb's Army says:

    I agree Scott, the problem definitely starts at Kroenke.
    The £90m paid for Pogba is crazy money, but commercially United will more than make that money back. He will sell shirts and club merchandise and he won’t have cost them a penny. That’s how big clubs operate.

  259. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Can anyone tell me what Jose’s reaction would be if we get Mustafi for £25mill? We got Xhaka for Eur34 mill. So two players for a combined total of around Eur70mill. Two WC players for less than Pogba. Don’t tell me that these two players wouldn’t have improved manure’s squad. Because had Jose got these two instead of Pogba I would have been fearing for the Invincibles record being done by Manure.

    As it is even with the squad we have plus Mustafi we will surely feature in the top. If we add a WC striker anything is possible.

  261. frednerk says:

    The Manc’s have made a statement
    after paying nothing for the BunHead
    Karata superstar,who scores goal’s
    at the top level,then breaks the transfer
    record for the next Paddy look alike.
    So Pogba ain’t worth it?

    Most of us are begging Arsene to offer a bit
    more and stop all this dithering,yet a few are
    saying that’s to much..Gotter Laugh.

    For me it’s all a game of Monoply
    Who cares how much,
    times are moving on.
    When are the bookies wrong
    Man Utd..3/1 Fav’s
    Who wants to give me 10/1 then.

  266. Wavy says:

    I think the Pogba transfer has far more to do with the manager and his ego. It is his way of saying look what I can get. Near, near, near ner ner! I’m better than all of you other also ranks and ten year failures. My Board will do ANYTHING I TELL THEM. The micro man trying to show the world what a big shot he is. Pogba, meanwhile just becomes one of the pygmy’s pawns! How it all pans out only time will tell, but I’ve a feeling it’s not going to end happily ever after.

    Mustaphi? Wasn’t he an ancient potentate mention in ‘the Arabian Nights? Let’s hope he can tell great stories on the pitch!

  267. kelsey says:

    Hi Herb

    i agree with everything you have said but what about injuries always in the top three ,year after year and then how often do we rush a player back when not fully fit. Why does AW penny pinch always bidding lower as if it’s his money,or are those his instructions, some will argue, but Gazidis will say Wenger can have what he wants, so draw your own conclusions.

    Football is now big business and therefore to be a top club you have to invest appropriately to accumulate.

    if we had 11 players on the field each costing 90million that would guarantee absolutely nothing.We all know what is needed , a good balance and if we start off badly this season all hell will break loose.

  268. rico says:

    It was Herb and as much as I despised him at the time for going to Utd, I can understand why he’d have wanted to. Just a shame our club didn’t show some balls and make him stay for one more season. It could so easily have been us winning the PL with RvP’s goals….

  269. Herb's Army says:

    Hi Kelsey

    The amount of injuries Arsenal rack up is abnormal, and despite Wenger saying that he was going to investigate the root cause, nothing has changed. He creates the situation himself by not adding the required quality, which means he has to run his favourites into the ground.
    In 2011/12 he over-relied on 18 year old Jack Wilshere, he picked up an injury against Switzerland a few weeks after that season finished, and he’s never been the same player since.
    I agree with Wavy about Mourinho and his ego demanding Pogba so that he can beat his chest and gloat, but Wenger has a massive ego too, which evidence suggests has seriously held Arsenal back.

  272. rico says:

    Wavy, there’s already stuff in the papers about Zatlan ‘has to be the main man’ – otherwise he’ll sulk but I have a feeling Pogba will be their main man, especially at his price…

  274. Lewis says:

    Good day all.

    Worrying noises coming from Mesut about signings or lack of.

    Could be his and sanchez’ last year with us?! Both only 2 years to run on contracts.

    What are peoples thoughts on the Bony rumour? Before he went to City he smashed 27 goals for an average swansea team.

  275. rico says:

    ‘If we had 11 players on the field each costing 90million that would guarantee absolutely nothing.We all know what is needed , a good balance and if we start off badly this season all hell will break loose’.

    Spot on Kelsey. But a motivated and dynamic young manager would get a lot more out of our £2-49 Million players…. 😉

  277. rico says:

    Lewis, hopefully it’s all media mischief re Ozil, but I could understand why if by chance it is true. Still, Wenger has a few days to make a few signings to convince him otherwise….

    On AFC.com Kelsey?

  278. frednerk says:

    Scot
    You allways say you can’t have both ways
    all I know is that a lot of the top clubs
    have been given a lot money more than
    any of us can believe,
    Arsene says he has the money,
    so yes I would pay it.

    If The arsenal dropped the season tickets
    prices to what the germans pay.
    I would settle for Mid table and
    have done that in the(violin) past.
    Sorry a bit longwinded.

  281. tsgh says:

    Obi agreed re.12:05pm

    Mustafi deal is dependent on how much Mangala goes for its that simple…
    His current club knew player wanted out as of May…
    If we want him we have to do a YAnited and pay over the odds so that they can pay Shitty 40m-ish for Mangala…

  282. Wavy says:

    A new title for manure………prima donnas disunited! And if the name fits all the better for the EPL hopefuls!
    I bra and perhaps Pogba plus one or two others in the manure heap will cause disharmony and does give some credence to the old silver foxes belief that a world class player has to fit into the Arsenal squad and not the other way round.

  283. Herb's Army says:

    Mourinho is in the last chance saloon, and I was a bit surprised they took him on knowing how deeply opposed Bobby Charlton was to it.
    But United panicked and reacted to Pep’s arrival at City, because they can’t afford to be left behind by their ‘noisy neighbours’.
    I can’t see United allowing their name to be dragged through the mud in the same way Chelsea were, and Mourinho will need to behave himself, or it will be a very short love-affair.

  288. Wath says:

    Ts 2:12… Peter Kenyon mate that’s the missing link not woodward so much at all, woodward will just be doing what he told… Kenyon another matter entirely..!

  289. Hell Raising Devil says:

    AW went to an English restaurant.

    The waiter came and AW placed his order

    1st course……MAHREZ soup with a dash of MUSTAFI
    2nd course…..LEWANDOWSKI rump steak with GRIEZMANN sauce
    Dessert……….OZIL’s eyes-cream with ALEXIS nuts

    Waiter….and what will you drink Monsieur??

    AW…XHAKA Swiss wine.

  290. tsgh says:

    That’s the one WAth.. whats happening is subtle takeover of major footballing institutions by crocked entities. Unfortunately sections of football fans are mostly pre-occupied by some of the fake tan eye-candies on sky sports to pay any attention. 🙂

  291. Wath says:

    Ts, we’ve touched on this before but with Doyen, Mendez, Woodward and Moreenyo taking liberties I cannot see how they have not been investigated “or” does it also go deeper..?

  293. tsgh says:

    Lol Wath… if you are as ugly as Mino will any ‘authority’ dare to investigate?

    Serious Wath, it puzzles me but then again I am easily baffled so…

  295. Wath says:

    Ts, Throw in Raiola and the plot thickens and the water gets very murky… lol

    Best we be quiet, Kev will be going on about a conspiracy…!

  296. Bradster says:

    Hi all,
    Like de ja vu. Last season same was said about Dr Bruine and at the end everyone said was worth his transfer fee.
    I think he will fit well at United and Rooney will lose his place in the team.

  297. tsgh says:

    Imho Kelsey- once we put into contest how Jorge pulls the strings at Valencia you will understand how/why the fee is not agreed. Even though Ali Bulut and Jorge made a huge commission on Mangala a year or so back; Jorge has to be satisfied. Plus more likely Jose is telling his partner in crime to scupper the deal for us… Jorge is apparently trying to get Bulut to get Mustafi to go to Fc Munich but as the bavarians are like us… they wont get into a bidding war at least on personnel.

  301. allezkev says:

    Afternoon Rico, I wonder if Vince has played his last Test for awhile ?

    Hales and Ballance are walking on thin ice also…

    Where is the next tour, is it Bangladesh and India ??

  302. tsgh says:

    The power of Jorge…Yanited paid nearly 20m Euros or £16m for Rojo; Sporting got £4.5m euros after paying £3.5 million for him 2 years earlier… Jorge got more than half the fee

  304. allezkev says:

    Bangladesh v England
    October – November 2016
    2 Tests, 3 ODIs

    India v England
    India v England Cricket TourNovember – December 2016
    5 Test Matches
    Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai

  307. kelsey says:

    tsgh,

    I am afraid you have completely lost me.Are you saying this is all a waste of time and the deal is tits up and an afterthough after player and Arsenal agree terms and wages.

  311. kelsey says:

    I still can’t figure it out,Rico.Will it be another player we almost bought.FFS we can’t even get a deal done the right wayround

  318. Micko says:

    rico, don’t we usually announce signings on a Monday morning so we’ve got all week to get the paperwork sorted for Leicester, that’s of course if he is coming, I won’t have anyway say I’m not a positive kinda guy.

  319. frednerk says:

    When we announced the signing
    of Granite,he and his family were
    all in a mini film at the emirates a
    week before

  321. Micko says:

    That’s the problem rico, they’re so far and few between no-one’s really sure, imagine if we signed Jonny Evans tomorrow, it would only ruin everyone’s weekend, it’s definately Mondays !

  322. rico says:

    Mustafi and Evans would not be so bad Micko… Especially if they are ready for Sunday… Lol

    Nah, definitely Friday, you wait and see…. 😉

    I’m off, night Micko, Fred and everyone else….

  323. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Wenger never pays overs-that’s his stance, so be it.
    The trouble is, sometimes, a player may be worth 20 million on the open market, but if he’s worth 30 million to us, we should pay 30 million and that’s where Wenger stuffs up during the TW.
    Seems to me right now that Mustafi is worth more to us then he is to others because we desperately need a CB.
    Wenger never wavers but at times, he should.

  326. Micko says:

    How’s you Malaga, it’s like the middle of winter up here in Donegal, really wild, heading back down to the Kingdom on Saturday, it’s getting to the point where I might just ask tsgh to come out of retirement & blow the dust off his crystal ball for one last time.

  328. Malaga gooner says:

    Yeah bandit country can be unkind weather wise

    Get a few hot jimmys in to ya, and you’ll be ok

    I’m in Wexford for the summer, too hot in the south of Spain

  329. Micko says:

    Bandit country lol, there’s a few of them at Emirates as well…..badges, badges, we don’t need no stinking badges !

  331. kelsey says:

    Morning all

    The more I think about this alleged deal the more ridiculous it becomes even if we finally do get this guy.The media just can’t make up a story like this.

    Maybe Wenger is going to see how we do against Liverpool and leicester before rushing to buy someone.

    if i had a business employing a manager at 8 million a year who actually appoints his own boss (Gazidis) I would have fired both of them two seasons ago, but oh no we keep making money,3 million revenue every home game regardless who turns up we the fans are being mocked by the club.I will always support Arsenal but I am losing interest fast in the way we supposedly conduct our deals,it’s farsical.Nor sure who is worse Kroenke or Wenger though they seem a perfect match.

  333. Lee says:

    Half full today Rico, good darts!

    Mustafi and Lewandoski we are sorted….. it’s catching this optimism thing!

    Brudder Adam will be on here singing “There’s only one Arsene Wenger!” 🙂

  335. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    A few moments more and AW will do the pre match conference. He will give us much needed updates on everything.

    The worst thing he can do against the dippers is play one of Debucy or Nacho as a CB. Yes, Chambers and Holding are rookies but they have been playing together for the England U21 national team and are winners. And both are natural CBs so its the best way to go.

    I expect the defence to line up as follows on Sunday….

    Bellerin, Chambers, Holding, Nacho

  342. frednerk says:

    Morning All
    Agree with Devil
    the two young lads at the
    back for the dippers.
    Devil you surprised me going
    for young blood at the back.
    Just saying…
    9 o clock Arsene will reveal
    all?
    Holding me breath.

  343. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Whether its not many or too much is not our problem Rico.

    I guess that Klopp is not sleeping well either……he knows that he will have to face Alexis, a midfield trio which is balanced, an inform Aaron or the intelligent Cazorla, the new Xhaka plus Iwobi and Ox.

    He might even be sweating on the fact that Theo owes us this year and he might turn it on to stake his place early in the team.

    So that evens things out.

    and remember……on the pitch its 11vs11

  344. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Fred…..yes I did go for a young back line. Hopefully it will hold on and YES….I do wish for a clean sheet. I know it might be asking too much but if we keep a clean sheet we have a very big chance of winning the game.

  345. rico says:

    I was hoping their entire attacking force were injured Devil….

    Chambers and Holding at the back and pack the midfield… 🙂

    Morning Fred…

  346. frednerk says:

    So far the new TV money has worked
    if you look at the top managers moving
    here.
    The TV companies bidding such high
    stakes would want the best.
    Not bricks and mortar,not grounds with
    high back setting or crowds of 60,000

    The best players on the TV ..Thats what
    we want too..
    Not 200mil sitting in a zero bank account.

  347. frednerk says:

    The only problem I have is
    the balance.
    I coach as well devil mainly
    defending.
    What I hate is defenders coming inside
    when last man.
    Monreal is the only option we have,
    but as Gibbs hasn’t looked good so far
    I would go with the two young lads.

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