Who then Arsene? Too many rumours, not enough signings!

Morning all.

Not good news re Olivier Giroud it seems. Suggestion is that he had a second scan on his foot yesterday afternoon and it’s feared it’s broken. If so, we won’t see our big Frenchman for at least three months.

Just as he was starting to look fitter and a bit more mobile than the previous couple of games, we’ve lost him and his absence will be massive tomorrow night. He may not be the striker we all want to see leading the line against the top sides in the league and in Europe but he’s a workhorse for the good of the team.

Now we are left with Yaya Sanogo, Joel Campbell and Alexis Sanchez to fill the void. Alexis can play there but he’s not up to full speed and strength yet and playing up front on his own on Saturday didn’t quite work, he’s the kind of player to play off Giroud, not perhaps instead of him.

So that leaves the other three and just what Wenger’s plan will be remains to be seen. Of course, Lukas Podolski may simply be told he’s staying and be seen as the interim solution but he’s not played one single minute of pre-season so tomorrow is out of the question. Campbell and or Sanogo it is then. I’d go with Campbell because of his work ethic and have Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis either side of him. Pace, directness and grit!

Besiktas will be grinning from ear to ear. Not because Giroud has suffered a bad injury but the very fact that their chances of progressing to the Champions League group stage have just improved. No Ramsey, no Giroud, neither of our goal scorers from the weekend. Oh, and no Arteta or Gibbs either…..

If Giroud is confirmed to have a broken foot, surely Arsene Wenger will have to now sign a striker, he simply has to and he has just six days to do so. Even if that player is Remy, he has to get someone else through the door sharpish because relying on two young rookies for the next three months will not win us anything this season!

Suggestion is we are interested in the Italian winger Alessio Cerci, a player who is also able to play as a second striker.

Too many rumours and not enough signings this summer, it’s as simple as that.

This was meant to be our summer, the one in which the club and in particular Arsene Wenger showed true ambition in the transfer window and build a squad which truly was capable of challenging for the Premier League and other competitions but it’s not been, not yet.

We have added just two players to our squad, the other two were replacements for Fabianski and Debuchy, it’s a simple as that.

Yes there may be players lined up waiting to see if we qualify for the Champions League group stage but why wait so long? There are plenty of players around the world who would make this current quad deeper and stronger and not all are shallow enough to only want Champions League football. After all, Alexis Sanchez didn’t think twice about signing on the dotted line many weeks ago and I’m sure others wouldn’t have hesitated either had we tried just a little bit harder.

But Arsenal don’t do that do they, well, Arsene Wenger doesn’t..

Fourteen years ago today the club signed Sylvain Wiltord from Bordeaux for a club-record £13m. This summer, we could could have signed Loic Remy for less than that but we haven’t. Surely Arsene Wenger has to, simply has to go and sign or someone right now.

That is of course, if the club aren’t prepared to aim a little higher…

The club also need to sign a central defender and midfielder because if they don’t, 2014/15 will probably be the season that Arsene Wenger doesn’t get one of the top four places in the Premier League.

Get it done Arsenal, get it done Arsene Wenger!

That’s my rant over for today….

 

 

 

466 thoughts on “Who then Arsene? Too many rumours, not enough signings!

  1. Adam says:

    Morning Rico. A sober look at where we are with the clock ominously ticking down to the close of the transfer window. Kroenke should have made it clear to Wenger that he must win the PL this year. How many think we will?

  2. Nickie says:

    Good post mug..I mean Rico! 🙂 lol

    Nasty Mr. Wenger has got us all upset again. It’s ok we’re overflowing with quality up front. JC, Sanogo, Walcott, Pod, Alexis, Akpom. We’re fine…

  3. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Morning, rico, all…

    Nice post.

    It’s not truly confirmed yet Giroud will be out for three months. People, including many in HH, seem to enjoy our club running into crisis that they’d quickly invent one if only to get at Wenger, tell him how ‘senile’ and stupid he is. On that, I’m willing to bet no confirmed scan on Giroud has been made public yet.

  4. rico says:

    Morning again Adam and all… No, no chance, not as it stands right now.

    Thanks Nickie. 😉

    What a joke Lee, £8 million for a good international striker and we couldn’t even seal a deal…

  5. rico says:

    Dippers will be up there with a chance I think, unless they really struggle to juggle the 100 players they have and struggle to cope with the CL fixtures…

  6. Lee says:

    Enjoy Arsenal running into crisis???? If the squad was good/big enough we wouldn’t be having these problems, would we?
    It’s beyond a joke!

  7. Malaysian gunner says:

    Sanchez,Sanoga and Campbell all untested at epl level.Don’t be surprised Giroud will be out for a lengthy period.By then points could have been dropped and the gunners will find themselves trailing by a massive ten points.
    Close the gap?You must be deluded. Pellegrini is not only a top class coach. Hee is tactically streest ahead of Wenger.We will know for sure when Arsenal meet MC Sep 13.

  8. Adam says:

    I agree a Rico. What Rodgers has done is to give himself options all over the pitch. What Wenger has done is the exact opposite.

  9. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    I can’t understand how AW is running the club into crisis…he owes us a DM and a CB … the window is not shut yet. Despite Liverpool’s super active TW ploys, they were pathetic last night.

  10. Scott From Oz says:

    We will sign Micah Richards in the coming days, amongst others.
    Trust me.
    Sing it loud………..49, 49 ………

  11. Lee says:

    He did it when RvP was our only fit striker at the club and got away with it….. we have the money to strengthen the squad, we aren’t Burnley we are a big fucking football club, so let’s act like one!

  12. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Morning all.
    The Besiktas game should be a formality.
    I said it last year prior to Fenerbache – if we can’t roll them over then we don’t deserve to progress.

    On the striker front.
    I have never bad-mouthed Giroud – he forms ‘Plan A’ of the dynamics of Wenger’s favoured system.
    We started v Everton with … get this – a ‘Plan B’ and it didn’t work – ‘Plan’ A did however.
    Campbell should start, or it could be a case of ‘Plan B’. Both should be enough to do the Turk’s… Even with Podolski playing up top.

    Re: our links to strikers. What a load of ‘B-rate’ actresses the media would love us to sign?
    Fckng Welbeck, Remy?
    The former is shit and the latter would never surely be signed just in case he collapses on the pitch and cops it due to this heart ‘defect’ which was found by Liverpool….

    We are The Arsenal. We should be looking further ahead than the players no-one wants.

    I still reckon a win tomorrow and we’ll see a great striker ….
    ………………that’s unless Sanogo scores and then we are fcuked.. He’ll be harder to get shut of than Djourou… or Diaby … or Bendtner … or Coquelin…. or Wenger

  13. Woody says:

    Rey, carvallho and ………… Whoever is good enough to play cb – get it done this week and let’s move on.

    Bored of it all now. Bored of fans complaining. Bored of oundits. Bored of transfer stories. Bored, bored, bored.

    I just want football!

  14. Adam says:

    Tai. He doesn’t actually owe is anything as he has proved year in year out. His job is to equip the team to win the PL. The rest is a bonus. He has to win the PL this year.

  15. Scott From Oz says:

    A win and a draw v a bloody tough opponent and it’s already time to throw it in?
    Come on guys.
    When the window closes, let’s then judge what kind of window it was.
    A month ago, we were all excited about Sanchez.
    Now, we’ve had a failure of a window?
    It isn’t even over yet.

  16. rico says:

    Exactly Adam. Not all are big names and world class players, but if they have the right attitude and commitment for the team, they are going to be strong…

  17. Gab says:

    Chelsea, man city, Liverpool has @ least 4 top strikers wenger has only giord. He knows. He has started an upset again.

  18. rico says:

    Scott, 6 days to go, where are we going to find a striker, a DM and a defender now. I just can’t see it, yet those 3 signings would see us truly challenge..

    It’s hard to stay too positive. Well it is for me 🙁

  19. southyorkshiregunner says:

    From LG

    It’s a sad moment for the Frenchman (Giroud) who scored his first of the season at the weekend. It’s a sharp wake up call for the manager. Again, totally highlighting his ignorance of reality. He’s now left with Sanogo, who regardless of potential, is an absurdly dreadful option at the minute. He’s so far off the pace it’s frightening. I can’t think of many sides inside the top 12 he’d start for, now he’ll be starting for us. A total rookie.

    Worrying thing is there aren’t many options out there. The only promising strikers in Europe that are attainable are Cavani ..

    …Then there’s Falcao, a striker being hawked all over Europe for a loan. He’s cut price, he scores goals, he’s better than anything we have at the club by a long way.

    The answer is there.

  20. Sean W says:

    You are right, this was supposed to be the summer to buy players to challenge for the title. For some reason, unbeknown to mankind Wenger always leaves us two or three players short of winning the title, and then seems to be satisfied playing for a CL place. The fact that is a pattern that happens EVERY year is beginning to worry me.

  21. Nickie says:

    Wenger

    Why play one of the best number 10s out wide?
    Why are we the only team in the top 4 who persist on using inadequate youth and allow them to learn their trade at the expense of our trophy challenge? Send them on loan
    Why do you not address the areas we so blatantly need?
    Who cares if players are cheaper at the end of the window? What about bedding in time, surely that’s priceless.
    Why does it always seem like you don’t do any homework on the opposition? Monreal/Ozil covering one of the most attacking full backs in the league great idea.

    There are so many more questions and they’ll all remain unanswered. I can’t see the fans creating any crisis. We deserve more than this

  22. rico says:

    No need for an apology Syg, was teasing you the other day. I always read LG, you just save me from logging on there… lol

  23. Scott From Oz says:

    Gab, name Liverpool’s 4 top strikers, because I dare say you are very bloody soft with your judgement!
    What a load of tripe.
    What is happening here today?
    A few days ago, most thought Giroud was crap, or average at best, but now we have lost him, we are doomed?
    Please explain???

  24. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    We should be concerned about the fact that we have 16 senior overseas players…we’re all aware we can’t have more than 17. I was hoping Podolski was going to free space for a CB and that DM. Now, with Giroud injured, if it really gets to three months…what should AW do?

    1. Still sell Podolski, get an upgrade on Giroud and then settle for a DM or a CB?

    2. Keep Podolski to cover while Giroud recovers, get just a DM or CB?

    3. Strike Giroud off squad list till next transfer window, get a DM and CB, keep Podolski till next TW.

    In his shoes, I’d take option 3.

    Panicking is never a good vice. You don’t rush to the market to buy just because one important player is injured for three months. He’s not dead, he’d still come back. The most important player we need now is a real DM…then a tall CB…these two effectively balances the squad. Our third attention should really be a world class CF…but Wenger wouldn’t do that this TW. He has to, and rightly, see how well Sanchez plays with what he has to know exactly who to replace. If Giroud ends doing quite well with Sanchez…why go for Giroud’s upgrade? If Giroud fails to hit it out with Sanchez, then an upgrade becomes necessary.

    But most of us want AW to make Arsenal perfect in one transfer window. It’s not ideally possible!

  25. Scott From Oz says:

    LG….blah…..dribbling wanders, the lot of them.
    Rico, when we sign Richards, we have he and Chambers to cover both spots….and others.
    So, we need two 🙂

  26. lule yusuf says:

    hello Rico and all. if we look at the squads of the last 10 seasons, it’s obvious that Wenger has been and still has eyes on a top four slot only. he’s not interested in actually winning any competition. if he wins any, fair and well, if not, he doesn’t go that extra mile to. the fans on the other hand see no reason why arsenal shouldn’t fight for trophies and hence the frustration with Arsene. we all know, Arsene included, that arsenal is going to fight for a top four slot, not the trophy. we however shouldn’t expect old ebenezzer to admit that in public or act contrary(by signing the NEEDED players).

  27. Bob John says:

    Morning all. Rico I think you are being generous to say that we have strengthened at all. Debuchy and Chambers have replaced Sagna and Jenks. Ospina replaced Fabianski. If Podolski goes then Sanchez has replaced him. Campbell has replaced Bendtner. No one has replaced Vermaelen! We are barely two weeks into the season and already have three injuries. It is like a broken record but the whole world knows what we need! No coincidence that Arsene’s most successful sides had defensive midfield solidarity in Petit and later Gilberto. Plus those sides were full of physically imposing players. It was quite alarming on Saturday to see a lightweight no mark like James McCarthy brushing our players aside at times. Whether we win or not tomorrow, we need players to get us thorugh the league season. If not, things could turn ugly!

  28. Nickie says:

    Who are our 17 Foreign players Tai? I’m sure Miyachi, Miquel and Coq would free up some space. They’re inadequate. Sanogo would free up a space. I’m sick of mediocrity at Arsenal. I want finished articles, I want trophies. I’m used to seeing trophies, the last 9 years was a struggle but the thirst for more after the FA cup has only got stronger. Under Wenger, we will never reach our true potential…

    PS. Wenger is Arsenal and I love him but i’m sick of the same sh*t every year

  29. Scott From Oz says:

    Adam, honestly, how can I answer that?
    I can’t say for sure who we will buy.
    Can you say we won’t?
    Until the window ends, it’s impossible for either of us to answer.
    Now, if you’re question is do I believe we will buy players good enough to help us win the League, the answer is…….I hope so lol.
    I am quietly confident, but I’ve followed Arsenal long enough to know Wenger probably hasn’t made up his mind on signings yet, so who the hell knows?
    I’ve said all along he has absolutely no excuses this time though,…none.
    For the first time in a decade, he AND Ivan have stated the cash is there.
    No excuses.

  30. Scott From Oz says:

    SYG, I can’t believe that lol.
    Chambers looks much, much taller, albeit on TV…I haven’t seen him live.
    If that’s true, he’s bloody deceptive.

  31. southyorkshiregunner says:

    He’s got a bigger quiff than Ramsey, Scott.

    Wilshere as grown three inch since he started growing one

  32. dublingunner says:

    Nickie your so right about playing ozil out wide and up against arguably the leagues finest attacking right back in coleman was a tactical disaster,dont know what he does be thinking. For all his flaws if giroud is out for a while we,re f- – ck-d. Joel cambells record
    L,orient 25 games 3 goals
    real betis 28 games 2 goals
    Olympiakos 32 games 8 goals, And sanogo who hasn,t scored a competitive goal yet for arsenal.Thats what were going into the season with,. God help us.

  33. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Morning, Scott…you seem the only ally here. Wenger doesn’t get players injured … but Giroud’s injury is now Wenger’s fault …they say we have added only two players …what of Campbell? If Wenger had spent 16 mil signing him after his WC exploits, would we be calling for Remy? Just why we should ever think of Remy worries me. Is he the upgrade we’re looking for? We want Podolski gone. Is Remy anywhere better than Podolski?

  34. Nickie says:

    Sorry Bt, don’t mean to sound like a moany git but why are we in this situation every summer? We’re a top top club so why must it treat its fans like mugs. It’s just frustrating.

  35. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Scott, Campbell is 6’…for a CB in England, he isn’t tall enough, especially when he has to play with Kos(same height), Debuchy and Monreal both shorter! Manolas is 6’2”…ideal.

  36. Scott From Oz says:

    The window hasn’t finished.
    Why are we carrying on as though it has?
    Let’s just throw the white towel now and be done with it.
    Come on fellow Gooners.
    Will another week kill us??
    We will roll Besiktas,sign some quality and all will be forgotten….well, until our next poor result 🙂

  37. Scott From Oz says:

    Well Chambers has done bloody well so far, and for a kid, exceptionally well.
    Size isn’t everything.
    If it were, Stan would still be single 🙂
    (Sorry Adonis 🙂

  38. rico says:

    Morning Bob, you have a point, if we are where we are right now when the window closes, then no, we haven’t strengthened at all…..

  39. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, plenty will join you hahahaha.
    3 signings…..I will say for certain we will get 2, but hope for 3.
    Besiktas….no problems.
    We will run over them.

  40. Waz says:

    Seems we are also going to miss out on a good cb and just get some last minute dross, the dm cover is poor as Saturday showed with flamini lacking the passing ability and discipline. How come we’ve gone back to slow inactive, ponderous haggling in the transfer market vs earlier in the window?…..oh wait is it coincidence wenger is back from Brazil. Gazidis needs to carry on asserting his control over dealings and club ambition

  41. Adam says:

    Scott that’s fair enough. Wenger has said, for the past 10 years that we have a squad that will win the PL. On every single occasion I have said we won’t. He was wrong and I was right. Ten to zero. Not bad, but I take absolutely no pleasure from it. In fact I bloody despair as I want to stand in the ground and cheer a PL title as much as anyone and I see Wenger’s blind optimism as worrying. We’re big boys and we can handle the truth.
    What we don’t want to do is to turn this into a he’s for and he’s against situation. We all want the same things and it entirely natural that we should think differently. Ignore the divisive posts. At this moment I say we have very little to no chance of the PL title. After the window closes, who knows? There is however some precedence here as you well know. 🙂

  42. Bob John says:

    Tai. Don’t think anyone is blaming Arsene for the injuries but it is his job to make sure we can cover for them. He always seems to be an eternal optimist when it comes to players staying fit yet history shows we always suffer more than any oter team.

  43. Intheknow...No! says:

    If we beat Besiktas we definitely qualify for the Champions League then at least two transfers will take place. That is the only thing delaying purchase of at least two more players. Quality footballers do not go to clubs not participating at the top level. Worry not…

  44. Nickie says:

    Giroud’s injury isn’t Wenger’s fault Tai….It’s the fact there is no validate solution now he is injured. That is Wenger’s fault

  45. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Scott, I’m not saying Chambers is no good. He’s class but shouldn’t play at RCB when paired with Per. Per is awkward at LCB.

    See the goal we conceded against palace…such goals shouldn’t have gone in if we had Per and Giroud marking. In tight matches, set pieces could be decisive…we shouldn’t put ourselves at disadvantage.

  46. rico says:

    Bt, I think we have the players to win tomorrow night but will AW play them. Or will he stick with his favourites? That’s the million dollar question….

  47. Scott From Oz says:

    Adam, I know your criticism, or scepticism, is well placed.
    I thought lasts season we could make a run at the League, and until January, I was right lol.
    Wenger must know what we need, and I reckon he has for ten years, but my belief is this time the cash truly is there, so if he fails to improve sufficiently the squad right now, it is entirely on him if we fail.
    You will hear no excuses, no reasoning and defence of the man from me if he doesn’t bring in two or three quality players…..

  48. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Tai @ 11:23
    you don’t have to be certain height, size or whatever to play football ..

    Suarez is a centre forward and lacks height .. as does Messi .. yet these are the best in the world …

    We have had great centre backs in David O’Leary and Frank McLintock who have been just short of 6’0.

    I know its a cliche but size accounts for very little when you are brilliant at what you do

  49. rico says:

    So do I Scott re Chambers, hope we see him there tomorrow night.

    Syg, spot on. TV proved just that when he first arrived…

  50. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Rico … That has been changed 3 times if you look … He was 6’0 last year …. really ….. On SkySports it has got him as 1.82m

  51. Scott From Oz says:

    Tim Cahill is possible the best example in world football of size meaning nothing.
    Name me a footballer in the world who can beat him in the air…including Crouch 🙂

  52. Scott From Oz says:

    Rico, I reckon That’s 4 times this year you’ve agreed with me.
    You really are slipping hahahaha

  53. dublingunner says:

    Rico i think the problem with eto,o is he,s still demanding wages that he earned 5 years ago, but unfortunately he,s not the player he was 5 years ago. and remy we should forget about, if he,s not good enough for liverpool, he,s not good enough for arsenal

  54. rico says:

    I thought he was 6′ Syg…

    I know Scott, it’s worrying… 😉

    dublin, I was being ironic really, but a deal like that would improve us, although I’d like to think AW has something bigger and better planned…

  55. George says:

    I don’t believe wenger is being tight, but more so the board. They are not as willing or effective than good Ol David Dein getting players in. We are not afraid to pay good money, only too slow and the negotiators , ie Dickie and Ivan are losing their play hard games in this TW.

    Dvid Dein would be like, ok Arsene , you want these 5 ? done…

    We p!ss about too long and a club like Roma comes in and nabs a good Centre half for 8m.

    Same old I fear.

    Some of these youngsters its obvious are not up to the mark. Let them go. We had quaity youngsters who never got a chance and we let them go.

    Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We could have still had in our ranks Mannone (for Ospina) Aneke (for that DM role-did anyone see that goal for his new side) Lansbury (for Chambers), Yennaris (for Debuchy), Carlos Vela (that left sided elusive attacker for Sanchez)

    Just saying, if the books had to be balanced, they cold have saved alot of money giving these guys a chance. As it stands players like Coquelin Ryo and Diaby will still get the nod and are a waste of wages. They will never play as they are not good enough.

    Lets see how much time Campbell gets- i doubt very much. It wouldnt surprise me 1 bit if neither Podolski nor Campbell played against Besiktas as the greedy money men want to keep them from playing in the CL to get more money for both.

  56. rico says:

    I used to think that George, but not any more… Funny how we got deals done when AW was in Rio, now he’s back, nothing…

  57. Luznic says:

    Nice post Rico……what a worthy rant I am in support of, Giroud is a good striker not a great one, injury records suggest he hardly stays as diaby’s mate in the Dr’s oom, anyway we need a striker now and God forbid its Remy…….we need a tdop tdop qualiteh striker……… I am tired of hearing that just sign someone who puts that round leather in the net……….Falcao is so available…..Tai today you are not speaking like a fan of Arsenal imo you are speaking like a fan of Arsene……….I don’t like the man but he is our manager so I get behind him for me he’s too stubborn and believes he knows all

  58. Nickie says:

    Lee that would be good.

    Arsene press conference in 35 minutes. If he refuses to commit to making signings i’m going to scream

  59. dublingunner says:

    ye lets hope wenger has a master plan, Rico. i just can,t fathom players like eto,o all just money motivated journeymen, plus I never forgave im for “THAT” goal. he,s reportedly having a medical with everton.

  60. Bob John says:

    Late bid for Jackson Martinez? Still think Marco Reus is the marquee he really wants but ironically, he is injured at the moment. May depend on how Dortmund have started the season without him.

  61. Scott From Oz says:

    I can’t see why Wenger would sign Ozil then Sanchez in consecutive seasons if he didn’t truly want to see us a hive great things.
    I do hope though that he realises it will take more than those two.

  62. Adam says:

    George. Honestly mate, it’s Arsene who plays the immovable object. Stan and the board are happy to stump up the money. Indeed Ivan is much, much more ambitious than Arsene who is fast becoming yesterday’s man with every minute that passes. A safe pair of hands is probably how the board see him, but a winner?

  63. Adam says:

    Scott. Ozil was a last minute panic buy and they got into Sanchez a week after the Cup victory because they didn’t want to be facing the very situation they now find themselves in.
    There’s a certain irony there. Something about old dogs and new tricks.

  64. Scott From Oz says:

    I’m off guys……..another day closer to Arsene showing the world he can complete his master plan, or prove he’s just a tight arse lol.
    Night all……

  65. Luznic says:

    Scott the ordinary one signed Costa and Fabregas in one transfer what is the big deal in Wenger signing Oezil and Sanchez in two seasons, the most important thing is the DMF, look at what Matic does for Chelski . Oezil playing 11 that is a waste, he can drift there in matches but not to stay there all through a game its a waste of resources I just see that as a way to accommodate Wilshere, I am tired of loving a player if they are not good enough drop them, Podolski is my favorite Arsenal player and now he is about to be sold, drop Wilshere is a waste of our 11th man on the pitch…..Wenger doesn’t know it all you know

  66. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Cavani again?
    Is too expensive.
    We need a central back , another defender and a DM. We have for the moment, only 22 players able to playing in the CL. I don’t know who they are because we were given the names in early august days.
    The referee for tomorrow is good. Hope not showing yellow and red cards for us.
    Our squad is very short.

  67. BrainwashedKev says:

    Afternoon All….

    Afternoon Rico….

    I don’t wanna sound like a boring broken record, but both Lee and Adam know my opinion on our chances of being EPL Champions this season, as we’ve already discussed this over a curry…
    I take no satisfaction whatsoever, but I am not at all suprised at the current situation and had personally prepared myself for another league season of underachievement…

    Tbh, even with a fit Giroud, this team/squad was not gonna win the league…
    That’s my view on ehere we are.
    It’s not a view based on ‘where we should be’….

    We are a big club, with a fan base that expect success…

    That’s his big clubs operate….

    We have a reactive Board…

    And a manager with a small-club mentality…

    Maybe he should have left in the summer and taken the job at Ahxerre or Lille or Strasbourg. A club that would fit his personality…

  68. BrainwashedKev says:

    I wonder if part of the reason that Tom Fox joined Villa, hardly a step up, is that he got frustrated working with Wenger and his dithering…?

  69. Hell Raising Devil says:

    oyyy mates. dont bandage your heads before you get injured there. Its good to protectyour head but for heaven’s sake we have another week till the TW slams shut.

    Then you can slaughter him.

    yes I agree, there is the small matter of the CL qualifier, however its no use crying over the present situation.

  70. BrainwashedKev says:

    Mourinho must be laughing his diminutive ugly head off, as Arsene commits professional suicide (again)…..

    He saw us as a threat on the back of the Sanchez signing…

    But the time Wenger wasted again, in this Window, had handed him the advantaged once more, and the P Prick won’t waste it….

    Top Three and a cup at best….

    Top four by the skin of our teeth and fcuk all at worst…

    That’s 2014-15 in a nutshell

  71. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Luznic, I talk an Arsenal fan 24/7. AW will build our squad the right way, not via panic!

    Today, Sanogo, Diaby, Kolscielny, Sanchez – all trained. We can handle Giroud’s absence until he returns.

  72. BrainwashedKev says:

    BT, yeah mate, but I think he works with Gazides on transfers as well…

    Or, it could be the other guy, whose name escapes me…

    Why would Fox wanna leave Arsenal for Villa?????

    I really can’t fathom that one out?!!!!

  73. BrainwashedKev says:

    Tai, what difference does it make that Diaby trained….

    We know the score with him, he ain’t gonna have any meaningful effect on our season…

  74. BT62 Gooner says:

    Certainly thought it strange, Kev, Villa…ffs….but you’d think he knows more, of what goes on behind the scenes at Afc….

  75. Nickie says:

    Wenger doesn’t know the extent of Giroud’s injury…(i’m sure he does)

    The day the TW shuts we will find out he has a broken ankle lol

  76. kel says:

    Tomorrows game is most likely the most important game of the season for the club regarding money and status??

    Yet we go into it ravaged by injury,and no adequate replacements.

    The injuries isn’t wengers fault… but the lack of quality replacements is his fault imo.

  77. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Kev…in his last season, RVP stayed on his feet and made sure we didn’t miss Fabregas and Nasri by firing us to third. Diaby may yet surprise you this season…

    Nickie, you’ll certainly read – GIROUD’S INJURY NOT AS WORSE AS FIRST FEARED BY TOMORROW.

  78. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I wish you’d give up trying to convince everyone as regards Diaby, Tai.

    The only way Diaby will surprise me is if he actually leaves the club …

  79. Wath says:

    In Wengers World the Transfer window only officially becomes active at 10pm 2moro evening….. “IF”……………

  80. Wath says:

    Diaby cuts the oranges at half time…. with big rubber reinforced gloves so as not to chop his fingers off…!

  81. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Sorry BT62…. “Leaves without help……”

    You know if Sanogo actually scores, or Diaby actually pays … Tai will be knocking one out on here every minute ……. Isn’t that right, Tai?

  82. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Syg,

    I never implied that height is a hindrance in football…what I was rather saying you don’t pack a team of short men and play all season. Per is 6’6” but definitely not our best players. But he has his uses…he compliments Koscielny’s 6′ very well. Giroud got more chances than Podolski when they both arrived despite Podolski being far sharper on goal because Giroud’s 6’3” frame helped us immensely at the back to defend corners and set pieces…and of course towers to grab long balls in attack.

    Sanchez is exceptional but playing Sanchez centre with Wacott and Ox flanking him places us at great disadvantage aerially.

  83. southyorkshiregunner says:

    There is a rumour Tai, that Puma are fitting Cuban Heels on a few of our players boots … In fact they have been on about it since our sponsorship…. It will make Sanogo 6 foot 7 and Abou Diaby 6 foot 6 so they will be more brilliant than they already are …

  84. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Syg, we have all season to get at our throats if rico would permit. So, quit beating the gun.

    Diaby isn’t dead yet, as you’d wish…and Sanogo hasn’t gone on loan either. You may choose to stop watching Arsenal this season because both will contribute meaningfully to our season.

    Your hatred won’t be enough for Wenger to shift them on…and if I still remember, Wenger sits on the technical bench and will do so for more three years.

  85. bradster says:

    At the rate we’re going we’ll have 25 players on the list with only half fit to play.
    Ox, Sanogo, Gnabry,Bellarin and Chambers are under 21 and near enough to a first team spot.
    Surely the rest don’t make up nearly 25, especially ones expected to leave like Pod, Ryo and Coq.
    On the list, Diaby*, Giroud, Gibbs, Ospina, Kos*, Arteta, Walcott, Giroud, Sonogo* are all injured.

  86. Wath says:

    Nickie you and I know full well he’d manage to do himself an injury one way or another lol…..

    Training never ever means match fit or available to play Bt…!

  87. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I have followed Arsenal since you were just a sparkle in your dad’s eye, Tai…. Wow that rhymed ?
    I followed them when they were really shit.

  88. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    You may follow them before Christ was born, Syg…there’s nothing I see you got from such exercise. That’s why I still prefer Wenger on the technical area and not you.

  89. Joaquim Moreira says:

    yes, but we only can register 22 players for the CL!
    Giroud,Kos,Arteta,Sonogo, walcott probably are there, so probably we have only 17 players but probably a few fit now were not register for this stage: Bellerin,Ryo,gnaby 8?9,Diaby(?),Campbell(?),Martinez…
    we can only make a upgrade later but at any case, we only can have 22 players register.
    Damiao is “free” again

  90. Wath says:

    A broken foot and Podolski becomes flavour of the month all of a sudden…!

    Whats the betting we rush Theo back and he’s injured by the end of Sep…!

  91. potter says:

    Scott.Sorted your mates ticket , he has to collect from box office tomorrow. However he has to send me the money for it and i have e-mailed him to let him know.

    Just waiting for news of the presser before the match and the answers to the obvious questions.

  92. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    16 senior overseas players we have 1. Ospina 2. Debuchy 3. Per 4. Koscielny 5. Monreal 6. Arteta 7. Flamini 8. Diaby 9. Rosicky 10. Ozil 11. Carzola 12. Giroud 13 Sanchez 14 Sanogo 15. Podolski 16. Campbell.

    We can only accommodate just one over 21 overseas player more if AW decides to keep all above 16.

  93. bradster says:

    Why 22 JM did uefa change the rules? I though group A is 25 and group B is 8.
    17 non home grown
    4 affiliates to the club or home grown
    4 home grown
    Group B can only be youngsters.
    or do i understand it wrong.

  94. southyorkshiregunner says:

    My birthday, WATH

    Arsenal 0 West Ham Utd 3
    Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters scored for the Hammers.

    I’m glad that’s not happened since as the father-in-law is a West Ham supporter…..
    Well he is and he isn’t ….. he’s like most glory boys … When his team gets relegated he likes to follow Manchester Utd …

  95. goonster says:

    Tai can you just please crawl out of arsene ‘ s ass. Gee I mean even stevie wonder can see his incompetence. Fans like you are the reason we haven’t won squat in eons. Just stop it. Reading your comments is making me wanna tear my eyes out. Man some people….grrr. morning HH

  96. Wath says:

    Amazing how so many change teams when it suits em SYG, Sums up many fans in this day and age although there were enough around as well over the decades who just followed who ever was winning…!

    I think your correct Brad that’s how I thought it was made up as well….!?!?!

  97. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Wath, Diaby may not play because he may not be match fit. But both Koscielny and Sanogo have played matches…and their training means they’re ready to play tomorrow…and I’d be damned if both were not starters tomorrow.

  98. Wath says:

    Tai, I a not “picking” on you and if I was you’d be in the bin…! SYG was not swearing at you and you just keep going on and on and on and as I said it’s getting tedious…! Enough and SYG will know having told you to leave it alone he will follow suit.

  99. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    goonster, you can dig a grave for all I care. With fans like you we wouldn’t have today’s Arsenal.

  100. Wath says:

    Tai, their training means very little if they both carrying niggling injuries which we are not aware of how serious they are… Only Wenger knows if they actually fit to play so training pics mean very little in that instance, just saying…! We still have more than enough options and players to beat the turks and if we cant then we don’t deserve to be in the CL….!

    Stan, behave with the insults… I shouldn’t have to tel you…!

  101. goonster says:

    Applause applause…. Fans like you joined after the invincible season and don’t have a clue what arsenal was before aesene.am not surprised. You re just as deluded as your dear leader. Have fun living under a rock.

  102. Wath says:

    Stan…… Stop the name calling shit….! Enough…! I don’t care how irked you are you know you don’t do that on here..!

  103. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    Wath, Wenger confirmed in press conference all except Arteta, Gibbs and Walcott are ready for tomorrow. I’ve never seen a player in full training who isn’t fit. Maybe not match fit but always physically fit.

  104. Wath says:

    Tai, Wenger speaks with forked tongue…. There are only pictures of them in the warm up and stretching exercises no pics of them taking part in the 5 a sides….!

  105. Wath says:

    Stan it’s his opinion and how ever much you don’t agree I don’t need the name calling ok….!

    If you want to argue then do it in a civil way….!

  106. goonster says:

    IQ?? I don’t have one but I bet am smarter and talks more sense than you.who else thinks sanogo ll score 20 goals this season but you and you dear leader. And he says I need my IQ assessed. Hahahahah.some people.

  107. Tai Emeka Obasi says:

    brad,

    Sanogo is already 21…he’s now senior. Walcott is forever home grown. Even Fabregas at Chelsea is homegrown.

  108. bradster says:

    Lol, Goonster reminds me of MMA guy i saw on Ridiculousness…”Don’t turn me into the Rampage, you don’t wanna see me turn into the Rampage…”

  109. Wath says:

    Stan, behave…! U have zero idea as to what I have taken out his comments so stop acting like a baby or go have a beer somewhere and throw a box of ice cold water over your head…! 😀

  110. southyorkshiregunner says:

    LOL
    Stan is on a coiled spring …….. A bit like Zebedee in the ‘Magic Roundabout’ …

  111. Wath says:

    Brad…. this is Stan after a coffee and not late at night after a few beers thinking he’s some sort of blonde Doris…!

  112. goonster says:

    Man wath let me at him. Just this once. Wanna put him where he belongs. Just this once. I ve been on HH for 4 years now and you ain’t never have no problem with me. So just this once. Be a pal. Throw the floor open. Let’s dance wath. Me and him. Come on I need to cut loose. Arggghhh

  113. Wath says:

    Now you wanna dance with him….. Ah you big softie….! Put some music on and dance with yourself in the mirror Stan that will help….!
    After 4yrs on here you should know better……!

  114. goonster says:

    Come on wath. I ve been here since the inception of this blog. Am one of the pioneers so I ask you a lifetime favor. Just this once. You can delete it afterwards. Just this once brudder.

  115. southyorkshiregunner says:

    LOL
    dead funny.

    WATH will be ready for a nervous breakdown doing all this ‘speed editing’ …..

  116. Wath says:

    Easily solved SY, can just bin the comment completely saves me having to play babysitter while Stan wants do dance with the pillow round his lounge floor…… 😉

  117. goonster says:

    Brudder lee could you put in a word for me. Just this once guys. Am shaking violently. I need to cut loose man. This dude just #$@#…Arggghhh. Where’s kev when you need him. I need to calm down y’all. I need to calm down. God help me.

  118. Nickie says:

    What was turning out to be a miserable afternoon at the office is turning out to be a decent one. ty HH lol

  119. Wath says:

    Always entertaining Nickie, the footie may be shit the transfers not what we expected or want but it’s hardly ever dull lol

  120. Wath says:

    Now whispers Giroud could be out til new year if 2nd scan confirms break….!
    Could of been worse he could of done it Sunday…!

  121. Wath says:

    Adam, plenty time “IF” deals are done and sitting on the table awaiting CL qualification…..!?!?!? “IF” we still don’t know who we want then we are really shambolic but again will not comment further til next week..!

  122. goonster says:

    Yet some wise guy thinks sirnogoal ll score 20 goals this season. Look guys let’s just close shop and admit the season is over before it even begins. We were 3 men short of a title winning team now with le quiff’s injury that’s 4…you know bloody know there’s no way dear leader ll sign 4 players. We ll probably get kalou and stopilla sunzu. God I hate that guy and his ass lickers.

  123. Adam says:

    Seriously though. If an injury to Giroud exposes our options so radically then surely that’s an indication of just how thin the squad is. The idea of going into a PL season with Sanogo and Campbell as the central striking options smacks of incompetence.
    And yet it fits certain scenarios absolutely perfectly.

  124. Luznic says:

    Arsene knows nothing……….Stan!!!!!!!!! Wath you really want to stop Stan from doing his thing……….lol

  125. bradster says:

    Isn’t Podolski on over 100k?
    I think we could’ve got Balliotelli on that salary.
    We could sell Pod, Ryo and Coq and afford someone close on 200k like Falcao.

  126. Adam says:

    Ivan has already said that there are only a couple of players in the world that we can’t afford.
    Thought I’d throw that in for a laugh.

  127. BrainwashedKev says:

    Stanley, what on earth has got into you???

    You need to take some deep breaths, play some relaxing music, a glass of sherry and think nice things, like puppies, flowers and fresh crusty bread…

    Dearie dearie me… 😉

  128. bradster says:

    i sound like Gazides and Wenger. If all is believed we could’ve had Messi, Beckham, Ronaldo, Rooney, Ibrahimovic and countless more.

  129. Adam says:

    SYG. Unfortunately I can only see a pic of your handsome face though you do look as if you have just heard that Gervinho is returning. 🙂

  130. goonster says:

    I wish the French turd resigned after winning the fa cup. He ll be the death of us all. Who else goes into a season with 3 center backs and one striker? Liverpool looks good for a half against shitty. We ve seen the chavs play albeit against relegation fodder. Manure with the acquisition of di maria ll be a different beast. Which leaves us. And the funny thing is even with the players we have we can still mount a serious title challenge but le screw up won’t play the players in their rightful position. Who else ll play the best number 10 on earth on the wings?? I rest my case.

  131. Adam says:

    I can’t see Ozil at the club after this season unless Wenger bucks his ideas up and I am not sure he can.

  132. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I always look as miserable bastard Adam …. Julie’s always telling me that …

    Jon Sammels -‘ He told me that the best goal he’d ever scored was versus Liverpool in a 2-0 win at Highbury – where he hit a 25 yard drive on the toss in the dying minutes ‘

  133. BrainwashedKev says:

    Yep, we are in for quite a frustrating next few days…

    The more Arsene is criticised, the more stubborn he’ll become…

    Don’t be suprised if he buys nobody, just to prove a point.

  134. goonster says:

    Adam I second that…him santi and maybe sanchez might consider which option is left to them. Yet folks keep blaming cesc for leaving.

  135. goonster says:

    Kev am resigned to that already. He ll sign nobody. He ll play ramsey sanchez and ozil into the ground and by January ll be scrapping for 4th place again. Gosh somebody shoot me. Shoot me please. This guy makes me wanna impale myself on a sharp burning torch.

  136. goonster says:

    Bt it is a suprise cause he needs psychiatric analysis then. You can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results. It bothers on lunacy. What a coont. Gosh am so angry. I need to cut loose guys.

  137. goonster says:

    Hehehehe Adamant what do you have in mind? Hope it revolves around old Hampton street 😀 if it is….good Lord sign me up

  138. rogerbij says:

    Laugh or cry at the situation? Im in bloody tears of laughter reading this thread top to bottom. Brilliant lads.

    Anyway, answers! you want answers!? Striker loan options: Falcao 12m loan + whopping salary, Remy 80k/w, Eto… wait just headed to Everton. Or Cavani! lol

    Hope Manolas didnt ger away over a 1m$ haggle… ticktock.

  139. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Bradster, all the teams must send to the UEFA the 22 players able to play in theirs competitions. That was done 2 of 3 weeks before the first leg versus Besicktas. If for instance, Podolsky isn’t in that list he can not play tomorrow. This list can be change before the groups stage but those who were played for another team in this season can’t be in that list too (the definetelly one)
    we have more then 17 foreign players. It’s wht I have asked for Jenkinson if he can be move again in January because even we buy another central back we will need another defender.
    It will be a risk but will be better because he is english and can play in more then one positions at the back.

  140. Nickie says:

    Put Pod upfront tomorrow (as a gamble) and tell him to show you something. Fight for his place. Show desire and work your socks off and you’ll get more game time…He looks pumped and ready, plus it will put our minds at rest that he’s staying.

  141. BT62 Gooner says:

    Wouldn’t surprise me, Goonie, if we get a good result/performance against Besiktas, he’ll feel vindicated. He’s been in need of that ‘psychiatric analysis’ for years now, may be his friends at Harvard, could accommodate.

  142. bradster says:

    I guess it’s project youth again then. Zalalem, Akpom, Miguel and maybe Ollson will even get a chance in the first team.

  143. rogerbij says:

    You can tell Pod whatever you like Nickie, but without a kick of preseason football he is going to be as sharp as a spoon, just like Giroud before Everton.

  144. goonster says:

    I just can’t stand him bt. I want him gone. He’s bo inept it’s heart breaking. Even my dead grand ma can tell we need a younger deep lying mid fielder a new striker and a center back. Arteta can’t play every game
    He knows this yet persists with it. Why does he do it? If I didn’t know any better I ll say he’s trying to make me kill myself.

  145. Adam says:

    Stan. I think we need a lot more than that to be really competitive. A new, fresh mindset, new tactics and a jolt of ambition borne from realising who we really are. That has been lost. For years we have been Arsene FC. The club needs to climb a mountain but it could be possible.
    They are still waiting for you down Old Hampton Street though.

  146. rogerbij says:

    Anyway Nickie, good news is Wenger said at his press conference this morning that he will keep Podolski this season.

    …In a certain light there appeared to be a devil on his shoulder saying “tell them lies tell them sweet little lies”, while on his other sat a cupid saying “he’ll be like a new signing!”

  147. goonster says:

    Adamant tactics??? Really?? Have you seen us defend a set piece? There’s no T in arsene wenger hence the word tactics is foreign to him. Substitution actually kills me who ll forget 2012 against manure he took out aoc who was by far the best player on both teams and brought in ashavin. Even van herpes couldn’t believe his eyes. That guy needs help.

  148. Nickie says:

    Monaco owner Dimitri Rybolovlev will only sell Radamel Falcao if he receives an offer in excess of €60million (£47.8m), according to L’Equipe.

    Would you? 50m and he’s yours lol plus huge wages

  149. goonster says:

    Bt he should have walked a long time agi. He’s stale now. Reeking and stinking the whole place up. Leave arsene leave.

  150. rogerbij says:

    And Falcao is 29 Nicki, so I wouldnt pay 60m because I dont think he has 3 top years left in him. I would spend 40m on Cavani right now…

    Here’s one… would you LOAN Falcao for a year for 12m + wages? I think I would, Im desperate!

  151. BT62 Gooner says:

    Goonie, you’ve got the ‘bee in your bonnet’ today mate, your just echoing what i’ve been saying for years. Ffs, don’t start me on defending, being a treat from our own set pieces, letting rip from distance…etc.

  152. Nickie says:

    lol I wouldn’t do it either on the basis he’s 29. if he was 26-27 then maybe. 30-40 on Cavani seems a better investment plus lower wages.

  153. Adam says:

    Stan. I said that’s what we ‘need’ not that’s what we have. Wenger’s tactics never change whether we are playing Brighton or Real Madrid. If we played Dagenham and Redbridge I reckon he would play one up front

  154. southyorkshiregunner says:

    According to Skybet

    The only guy we are odds on to sign is Julian Draxler @ 1/2.
    Apart from that, Theo Walcott has more chance of joining Man Utd than Sami Khedira does of joining us.

    We are the favourites to bag Cavani at 2/1 though

  155. Gonerjoe says:

    What a depressing site HH has been today name calling and insulting posters who have a positive out look.
    What has been these posters crime they are willing to wait till the transfer window closes and they back our manager.

  156. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Gonerjoe … It’s been a really funny afternoon made by two of our international bloggers ….

  157. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico.
    Amongest other things there seems to be confusion within the house today over the squad rule for the Champions League. Later on I will try to make things a little clearer. But I want to make it clear I have no intention of taking side with any one in the House.
    See you later.

  158. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Just chucking my penneth in.. I think Wenger will bring a few more in. I think there will be at least 2 on deadline day and maybe 1 before. Keeping his cards close to his chest methinks.

  159. rico says:

    Joe, blame AW for annoying most of us.. 😉

    Reading back, Wath stopped all the crap that was going on, so onwards and upwards eh….

  160. Wavy says:

    Prediction……….22.55 a call goes out to the east, we’re asking for Demba Ba, on loan of course, after all other enquiries have for other useless strikers have proved fruitless!
    Demba Ba reluctantly declines the invitation, stating he has an exciting new opportunity and Arsenal are shite, anyway!
    No striker this window then?
    What a pile of poo!

  161. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Rick – I’m on whoevers side said that Sanogo et al have no business taking up a Champs League place.

    Going back on something Scott said earlier, he was spot ion saying loads of us were slagging Giroud off last week saying he’s not good enough. I was one of them. I still stand by that thought. The sad thing is, he’s the best we have, and now he’s crocked. So we’re truly up shit creek now. Sanchez will never be a main, lone, striker. Can’t hold the ball up when we need it.

  162. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Hi Rico! I know! Not as if there’s not enough tension in my life at the moment! Couldn’t have timed it any better!

    Adam – It sure looked like a healthy debate going on. Until Wath came along and spoiled it for everyone!

  163. Adam says:

    Hi Wavy. Not so negative mate. Kev and Lee and now Rocky have boosted my low morale today and I am feeling more positive now.

  164. Adam says:

    Yeah. The Goonster was just getting going there. All standards of spelling and punctuation were gloriously forgotten. 🙂

  165. rico says:

    Rocky, yours is all exciting and new tension and I bet you can’t wait. The other is just a repeat of history…

  166. Lee says:

    Guilleme Ballache has agreed to fashion me a life size sculpture of Sanogo out of a 300 yr old oak tree, using only his Hampsteads!! Every cloud and all that…

  167. rockyrocastle07 says:

    It is Rico. I can’t wait. Sept 3rd is now the date. 2 days after Wenger’s returns triumphantly from the transfer market with some world class players!

  168. frednerk says:

    3 months ago

    Arsene Wenger says Arsenal have learned from lessons in recent summers.
    Last summer was a mess as far as the transfer market was concerned, saved by the last hour signing of Mesut Ozil on deadline day.

    Yet they still failed to sign a major striker, and in the eyes of many, this let them down in the title race last season.

    Wenger last week agreed a new three-year deal to remain at the club, and buoyed by FA Cup success, he feels confident the club are en route to adding more silverware.

    However given the way the club left their transfer dealings until the last minute last summer, Wenger is adamant business is going to be done imminently, stating this month and next would be the big ones.

    He told Arsenal.com: “We know we have to… have a successful June and July, that’s where you strengthen the team.”

    Last summer by time the season had begun in August, Arsenal were still scratching around for signings, and the worried mood at the club illustrated in their opening day 3-1 loss to Aston Villa.

    A year before, Arsenal’s summer was ruined by Robin van Persie’s August departure, but this year there are no integral squad members likely to be leaving save for Bacary Sagna who has already confirmed he won’t be re-joining.

    Wenger appears confident he will get the job done this summer, and early, hinting he already has an inside track when it comes to players he wants to sign.

    “What I can promise is that we work very hard on a market that is very, very congested with many people who have a lot of money.

    “But we have a big advantage, players want to join us and if we find the right quality I’m sure we can strengthen the team.”

    Yer alright Arsene.

  169. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Fred – He thinks no-one will remember this shit he spouts a few months down the line. Unless he feels that the people he bought have strengthened us enough. In which case, he’s a deluded old twat.

  170. Adam says:

    As you so rightly say Rico, we must wait and see what players will arrive. There seems to be this feeling, obviously endorsed by Wenger, that the closer to the wire you push it, the better the deal you will get. Is this actually true when measured against the obvious disadvantages? I guess we will find out- again.

  171. Micko says:

    Fred, so to sum up after such a bright start still a real possibility this transfer window could go down the shitter !

  172. frednerk says:

    Micko,
    We know we have to… have a successful June and July, that’s where you strengthen the team.”
    Horse’s mouth

  173. rico says:

    Adam, I’ll be waiting…. I think DD works if you need a cheaper deal, or you know you have a deal or two in the making… but to put all your eggs in one basket for a few hopeful deals is crazy…

  174. Adam says:

    Rico. Who knows what is happening behind the scenes? When was the last time you looked at the squad after the window closed and thought that we had a really good chance of the PL title?

  175. Sean potter says:

    evenin all….am a kenyan fan and i read HH everyday.i believe HH IS THE BEST BLOG AROUND,however lately i have noticed that people tend to dissagree and take their arguments a liltle too far,thats quite unlike HH,it makes the place quite unlike and a little uncomfortable to rad the comments.GUYS,will give us raders the old,peaceful and united HH?i,ll be glad if you do so……am for ranting that much with my first comment aftewr a lon time withiot commenting

  176. Gonerjoe says:

    Did we not buy 4 players in June and July we also had a forward we already own return to the club.
    If we did not own Campbell a forward who has CL experience scored a goal against Manu we all got great pleasure from.
    He also had what many consider a very good world cup.

  177. Adam says:

    Night mate. Best to you and the wife.
    Rico. What a shocking indictment. And you are not reactionary either. I reckon you are right too.

  178. rockyrocastle07 says:

    A goal? A solitary goal. Well, that’s the potency we need up front!! Hold Cavani and Falcao… We have the prolific Campbell. He had what many people consider a quiet World Cup. One excellent game. Didn’t do much in the rest. We bought 4 players, 2 of them replacements, one an untried kid. Whoopee fucking doo. Not good enough.

  179. Wavy says:

    I did suggest that Remy might not be such a bad ‘interim’ signing, but I’ve heard since he hasn’t the heart for it!!
    So we look again. Not much taken by Cavani myself, but he’d do, while Giroud recuperates.
    Welbeck, no ta!
    Falcao why would we?
    Any others worth a a punt or who are top, top strikers. If there are then get one of them signed up, tout suite!

  180. Gonerjoe says:

    Campbell scored 8 goals in 32 games last season he also did better in the world cup than Rooney and Balotelli.
    My point on campbell is if we had bought him this summer we would be happy with him as our 3rd or 4th striker in the squad.

  181. rico says:

    Joe – we signed 4 players, but 2 were replacements. Campbell was already ours so he’s not a new signing, he’s an addition.

    His goal ratio is awful. But, he’s young so I won’t berate him just yet. I’d rather he started up front than Sanogo. Not that I dislike Sanogo, I just think he needs to go on loan, prove his fitness and his ability…

  182. Adam says:

    Oh Rico. Today has been one of those weird Arsenal days. So many phone calls from fellow Gooners asking if there is any proper news. Honestly, I cannot remember so much disappointment from within the community. The question on everyone’s lips is whether they have been sold another pup this year. After all the big talk and the ‘official’ lifting of the financial straitjacket, to find ourselves neck deep in negativity from sensible people is really unpleasant. Wenger is walking a tightrope now and I don’t know who, if anyone at the club has their fingers on the pulse of the supporters. I am not talking about the deranged extremities who believe that Wenger can do nothing wrong/right but from sensible people who love the club but can’t see where Wenger is taking it. They are asking questions that, as yet, have no answers but I think we have seen enough to know that tactically, it’s as you were. This, for me, is as big a disappointment as the silly things he keeps coming out with.

  183. potter says:

    The problem is that if we would all be happy having Campbell as our 3rd or 4th striker who do we have in front of him ? Giroud injured, Sanchez really a winger unless we change 8 years of formation , Sanogo ? give us a break. There you have it we are one short , one prolific forward short . Giroud breaks his foot and suddenly Podolski’s tickets are cancelled but with respect he is an inside forward not a line leader. If we are not to buy then Wenger has to change his style of play because we don’t have anyone capable of recreating the hold up play coupled with the defensive ability that Giroud gives us. He will have to think outside of his box , something he has failed to do since we last won the league.

  184. Gonerjoe says:

    2008 finished 4 points behind Manu lost RVP,TR07 and edwardo (spelling) and others I think it was Cesc not sure.
    Most of these injuries hit us after the Jan transfer window closed.
    We still came within 1 game of winning the PL lost away to Manu 2-1 two very doggie decisions for their goals what else is new.
    Also let’s not forget the Birmingham game.
    Surprised you forgot this Rico. 😉

  185. potter says:

    Joe I think we all know the history and we all share the angst of the past but when you step back and look at our situation , were it happening to one of our rivals we would all be laughing up our sleeves. Our squad is manifestly not up to it and this spate of injuries is highlighting it.

  186. Gonerjoe says:

    Potter I was thinking Walcott and with Giroud out injured we may still yet buy a striker if Giroud is out long term.

  187. Gonerjoe says:

    Potter the question was when was the last time we had a squad to win the PL and I am saying it was 2008 never mind last season.
    I know that does not fit the narrative that we have not been close to winning the PL in ten years.

  188. goonster says:

    Afternoon good people and wath…Sanchez picked up a knock in training huh? Great just what we need before we face besiktas. Who’s next? Abou diaby? Oh I forgot….

  189. rico says:

    Adam, I have no idea. But, if the next 6 days prove fruitless, AW is in for a torrid time.

    Potter makes a very valid point…

  190. Rick says:

    Rather sad news . It is being reported Almunia has had to retire with a serious heart condition.
    Running late Just starting to type.

  191. potter says:

    Joe since our last league win our squad has always been 2 or 3 players short .Sometimes we go forward and next time we go back. There are many conflicting conspiracies as to why this should be and they have been discussed ad nauseum . Personally in the past I have defended Wenger believing it to be the fiscal policy of the club that restrained him. However now that apparently the handbrake has been removed I expected a little more pro activeness but it seems nothing has changed. If only those past stalwarts of the club PHW , Fiszman , Bracewell Smith had ploughed back some of their wildly inflated gains when they sold out to Kroenke , in all likelyhood we could have kept hold of the players that are now winning things for our rivals.

  192. rico says:

    If true, this is sad…

    According to reports in Italy, former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is set to retire from football with immediate effect after three failed medicals at Italian side Cagliari revealed a cardiac problem.

  193. Gonerjoe says:

    I also have a theory that someone at Arsenal must killed a lot of black cats cause I can not think of any other reason.
    Manu one down

  194. Micko says:

    I see Manure are playing in the 2nd round of the league cup tonite, 1 nil to the MK Dons, you gotta laugh !

  195. frednerk says:

    Some on here find it hard to criticise wenger,but the transfer window is for a reason,
    we don’t want stop-gap players on 4 year contracts draining the club refusing to leave..do we
    wenger tells us it’s a 3 way thing the player, the selling club,and the buying club…but it’s not is it,
    it seems nearly every player on the rumour mill associated with us,another club appears to make it a 4 way thing.
    Just saying.

  196. rico says:

    Agree fred…

    Harsh Micko as the guy is clearly ill, but yes, i get where you are coming from… 😉

    Joe, the Gallas strop season. Yes, we got close, but at the beginning of the season, i didn’t think we had a chance. And so it proved eh….

  197. rico says:

    I’m off guys, need to make up fr the hours I lost last night… 🙁

    ’til tomorrow, nighty night….

  198. potter says:

    There has been a consistent pattern of being there or thereabouts and then fading as the season comes to an end. Usually this has been due to injury and a lack of suitable replacements.Why we get so many of these injuries cannot be just down to our close passing style there has to be some culpability from the officials who seem to allow rotational fouling with a few free hits before they produce cards and then often we get in on the act despite giving away less actual fouls.

  199. Rick says:

    On Sept 2nd clubs particpating in next seasons Champions League must submitt to UEFA the names of the players they wish to register
    for the Group stage of the competition.(List A)
    No club may have more than 25 players on this list and two of them must be goalkeepers, and these players must be over 21.
    The number of foreign players allowed is 17 and the remaining 8 places are reserved for Club trained players or Home produced players.
    Where a club is unable to produce 8 C/T or H/P players the squad size is reduced . I E. If a club has only 4 C/T or H/P players the the Squad is reduced to 21 they cannot make up the shortfall by increasing the number of foreign players

    List. B
    Each club is entitled to register an unlimited number of players during the season on this list.and it must be submitted no later than24 hours before the match in question

    Player Eligibility.
    Players who are 21 or over on1stJan 2014 must be included and registed in the 25 man squad for the 2014-2015 season.

    Players under the age of 21 on the 1st Jan 2014 do not have to be registed for the 25 man squad and can play in the C/L for the 2014-2015 season as a list B player.

    Now Sanogo was 21 on27 jan 2014 the OX 21 on 15 Aug .
    They are both now over 21 but as they were under 21 on 1st Jan they do not take up a place in the 25 squad.
    I hope you can understand this
    More Later

  200. Wavy says:

    Manure can “concentrate” on the league now!
    Hahahahahahahah all the way to the championship!!
    We live in hope!
    Best laugh I’ve had in months.

  201. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Benfica and F.c. Porto will be in the cup 1
    Well, tomorrow is a important day for Arsenal. We have 90 minutes to do what we weren’t doing last year: be first, second or third in The League. And we had got chances for reached them and not be 4th. Moreover, we fight for the four place until the end.
    If we reach the next stage of CL, we win 8 or 10 millions euros. So, only after the final score of tonight we probably have new signs.
    If we win tomorrow, I think we will be at the cup 2.

  202. Rick says:

    Folllowing on from my 9.06. this is how I see our position at the moment. We have 24 players over 21 on our books and of these only 21 can expect to be in our squad after 2nd sept.
    There are 6 C/T H/P players namely Chessny Martinez Gibbs Wilshire Ramsey Walcott.
    15 Foreign players, namely Ospinia,Dubuchy,Monreal, Koss, BFG,Tomas,Carzola, Arteta, Flamini, Diaby, Ozil, Podolski, Giroud, Campbell, Sanchez.
    I think that Ryo, Coquelin and Miquel do not have a future with us and will not be here after 2nd Sept. This means Arsene is in the position to bring in 2 Foreign players and 2 home produced players if he can find them.
    Will he do it? Foreign players I still think he will
    the home Produced No he will not.
    Good Night all,

  203. Micko says:

    rico, I’m sure Manuel will be ok but for all of us that had the pleasure of watching that clown in goal for us week in week out at the emirates it will always remain an unforgettable experience, west brom at home was the final straw, lost the game 3-2 and applauded their players off the pitch at the final whistle, says a lot about us gooners, wenger being wenger put it down to a sore shoulder / broken finger / tennis elbow, take your pick !
    Another bargain buy from the lower tiers of Spanish football.

    Fred 8.32, it’s just not cricket ! Unfortunately it will always be an affront to some critising Arsene, wash your mouth out with soap mate !

  204. Lee says:

    Arsene Wenger is braced for gloomy news as Arsenal await a specialist’s verdict on the tibia injury that could leave Olivier Giroud facing a significant spell on the sidelines.

    Giroud has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s Champions League qualifier against Besiktas with the shin problem sustained in Saturday’s draw with Everton.

    It is feared the 27-year-old could be absent for two to three months, robbing Arsenal of their first choice striker just three games into the season.

    “On Sunday he had a medical check and he needed to have further investigations,” said Wenger, who revealed an announcement will be made over his fitness on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

    “The first news wasn’t fantastic, but I’m not a doctor so I wait for tomorrow’s (Wednesday’s) complete examination and decision over how long he’ll be out for.

    “It can be (long term), we’ll see. I don’t know (if it’s broken). It’s sad for us, but for the moment we are focused on the game.”

    Wenger may be forced into the transfer market in search of a replacement if Giroud is missing for any length of time. The Frenchman, however, refuses to panic buy before the window closes on Monday.

    “We have plenty of players at centre forward. In England as soon as you have a problem, people want you to buy,” he said.

    “Unfortunately, I can give you some clubs that every time they lose a game they say they might need to buy more.

    “We are 24 hours from a big game and our focus is more on that than the transfer window.

    “I’ve learnt one thing in our job – you say nothing categorically.”

    Summer signing Alexis Sanchez could operate as the lone striker against Besiktas, although doubts have been raised over his ability to perform the role.

    Sanchez was replaced at half-time at Goodison following an ineffective 45 minutes as the focal point of Arsenal’s attack, but Wenger is convinced he can operate as more than a winger.

    “You do not convict a player on one half. It was not all bad what he did, there was some quality in what he did,” Wenger said.

    “It was just that on the day we needed more physical presence. When you’re 2-0 down you don’t play counter attack.”

    Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell are also options, although it is Sanogo, who missed out against Everton because of a hamstring injury, who is most likely to start.

    Wenger, who ruled out Podolski leaving in the transfer window, is confident he has the options to cover for Giroud’s absence in the second leg of the qualifier at the Emirates Stadium.

    “Yes of course, why should I not have that confidence?” Wenger said.

    “Nobody can image that when one player is missing, no matter how big the player is, the team can’t win a game any more.”

    Arsenal are seeking a 17th successive season in the lucrative group stage of the Champions League, but Wenger insists it would not be a financial disaster should they fail to qualify.

    The first leg finished in a goalless draw in Istanbul.

    “It will affect us because we’ll have less income, but it will not affect our balance sheet in a dramatic way because we can survive without that,” Wenger said.

    “We want to be in the Champions League because we want to play top level football.

    “Financially we’ve always adapted. When we had small resources, we always adapted to having small resources.”

  205. Lee says:

    “We have plenty of players at centre forward. In England as soon as you have a problem, people want you to buy,” he said. How about having a suitable replacement in the first place? Beggar’s belief!!!

  206. Scott From Oz says:

    Hi Lee, it truly hope he’s putting on a show for the media, because he needs his head read if he thinks we don’t need one!
    Morning all.

  207. Lee says:

    Trouble is the whole footballing world know we need a striker now! He can’t neglect the squad again surely? Get a win tonight and then get in three players, all sorted and ready to rumble. Fuck up and there will be a mutiny….
    Morning all, come on you Gunners get the job done in the first half!!

  208. Scott From Oz says:

    Yeah, he is playing with fire, and if we get rolled, his luck will have run out.
    All due to trying to get a better price on purchases, but doing this might have saved us cash, losing because of this strategy may lose a hell of a lot more.
    I reckon he is under more pressure right now than at any stage of his stay with us.

  209. rico says:

    Morning Lee, Adam, Kev, Scott and all…

    I’m refraining from laughing at Utd, well, until we have beaten Besiktas… 😉

    Thanks for the update Rick.

  210. Lee says:

    Morning Rico.
    MKD had a penalty turned down too…
    Di Maria has said he never wanted to leave Real Madrid….
    We should roll the captain Kirks over! I imagine we’ll do it the Arsenal way though.

  211. rogerbij says:

    Good idea Rico! Better not anger the football gods who dislike mockery… we need them on our side this weak.

  212. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, Brudder and all. It’s simple really regarding Wenger’s seemingly strange attitude to increasing the depth and quality of the squad. Just ask him to have a look at where this attitude has got him and how many trophies it has won the club in the last decade. Ask him why, when it has been so spectacularly unsuccessful in the past, why it should now bear fruit when our competitors are stronger. Ask him if he thinks that listening to the opinion’s of others, instead of blindly ploughing on, throwing away so many advantageous positions and breaking season after season on the back of his own vanity, whether that advice might have been worth heeding in some small way. Then ask him who he is actually managing this great club for.

  213. rico says:

    Just seen the goals Lee, Afobe’s second was good. A penalty turned down? Some things never change then….

    I hope we win tonight, I’d take 1-0 right now… lol

  214. Lee says:

    This seems like a deal not to be missed… get Falcao on a season long loan for £20m! FFS who’d do that deal?

  215. Adam says:

    Well, if he doesn’t do it Lee then I think it will divide the fans and not down the middle either. They bought his stuff about the new era because they needed and wanted to. Give the mob something to believe in and they will back you. If the emperor does indeed have no clothes then the Emirates is going to become an interesting place quite soon. Still, every organisation needs a revolution for change occasionally. 🙂

  216. rogerbij says:

    To be precise Rico, once we have signed Cavani, Carvalho and Hummels in the next few days, and pick up Reus in January, we will all be very happy 🙂

  217. Lee says:

    At least Wenger won’t panic buy!
    My dad (Gooner for over 65 yrs) rang me this morning and said what the hell is going at Arsenal right now! Not a lot????

  218. rogerbij says:

    Also, I am going to cut some slack to Wenger here in the reinvestment phase – all of the signings that he has paid money for (excl Sanogo) since RvP left have been good or better than good. We all admitted after we signed Sanchez that we havent had such a strong squad for years. Trouble is, everyone else strengthened too, and we have issues in key areas remaining. So Wenger is trying, I dont doubt.

    A win tonight and lets complete the needed business. Easier said than done, I admit… holding breath.

  219. Nickie says:

    No doubting Wenger has brought in some great players since RVP Roger BUT his failure to back these signings up with more quality (which is desperately needed) is why Wenger is so often scrutinised.

    Big win tonight!!! COYG

  220. rogerbij says:

    Leave me in my dreams Lee, its warm and nice and the colours make me happy. Monday 11pm is alarm clock time 😉

  221. rockyrocastle07 says:

    The below quote from Wenger is EXACTLY why we won’t win the league / CL with him inn charge unless he changes his attitude

    – He is also standing firm on his decision not to sign another forward as he believes the club already has enough quality to cover the absence of Giroud.

    “We have plenty of players. In England as soon as you have a problem people want you to buy.

    “Unfortunately I can give you clubs with plenty of players who every time they lose say they have to buy more. But if you give the number of strikers we have it is unbelievable.”

    This man really riles me up sometimes. He honestly believes we can win with no recognised striker

  222. rogerbij says:

    No denying it Nickie, youre right. Which shows how far the squad quality slipped in those years of the clubs austerity policy…

  223. Lee says:

    Reverse psychology is what we should be using on dear old Arsene…. “we don’t need any new players, we are well stocked in that department!”

  224. Adam says:

    Morning Rocky. Well, he’s tried it before and it was a spectacular failure so, naturally, he will try it again. Never question an institution.

  225. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Morning Adam. That prick is just so stubborn. I swear he just says this shit to piss us off. Surely he can’t actually believe what he comes out with? But then he goes and plays Sanogo so you start to think that maybe he DOES believe what he says. It really is quite perplexing.

  226. Wavy says:

    Morning Rico and all.
    I’d take 1-0 to the Arsenal, but it would be bottom squeakily panicky. But I’d be happy just to get through.
    Strikers, we have plenty???
    Afobe to recall…won’t happen. Akpom to play, I doubt it. Campbell to get his pick, improbable. Sanogo, if fit, perhaps. Or he will pick one of our midget youth players to cause havoc down the middle.
    It’s not looking too good, is it?
    Or he can buy a quality CF………..I wish!

    COYRRGS

  227. potter says:

    Same old :- two steps forward one and a half back. Good signings at the start a couple of set backs and no further forward than we were.

  228. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Once upon a time,
    AW surely said,
    Ozil plays a false nine.
    Surely it aint that bad?

    Ozil looked flummoxed.
    But boss I dont score much.
    Assists yes. Passes ok.
    while I have a great first touch.

    To which AW replied
    I did not see that.
    Tears flowed and he cried.
    put on the coat and his hat.

  229. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Rocky…..so you start to think that maybe he DOES believe what he says.

    put it the other way……….He DOES and SAYS what he believes.

  230. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Dev – He’s an educated man. He cannot possibly believe Sanogo is the way forward. He cannot possibly believe we have a strong enough squad to win the league. To just be in contention is not good enough anymore. We need to start winning it again.

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