As we enter November, thoughts of the January Transfer Window are already beginning to enter the thoughts of many football fans, not least us Gooners.
I notice with interest, the agents of Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen beginning to circulate rumours of their clients in order to stoke up some interest. A fee in the region of £40 million has been mentioned for Hazard in particular, a figure totally in the realms of fantasy for normal clubs. Only the fruitcakes of Madrid, Cataloonya, Madchester, Paris and South-West London can think in those insane terms during a world recession.
As good as Hazard is, it’s the coaching he could get from Arsene Wenger that would see him evolve into a world-class performer…
Mario Goetze is an attractive alternative if, as I expect, the Hazard valuation skyrockets up to unacceptable proportions. Then there’s Marvin Martin, another playmaker constantly linked with a move away to the EPL.
Wenger knows all about these players, he was watching them years before they came to our attention or the attention of the Press.
For example, Laurent Koscielny was an unknown when he arrived and soon became a figure of fun for the Press vultures, a cheapo signing with which to beat Wenger with.
Perfect for the Press, oh how they laughed….
Especially when Laurent cocked-it-up at Wembley, you could almost hear the howls of derision echoing down Fleet Street, or whatever area they now get drunk in.
But they don’t laugh at Laurent anymore!
OK, none of Fleet Street’s finest have actually come out and praised Koscielny or the foresight that Wenger showed in signing him.
And, of course, none of them would have the backbone to admit that their ‘expert analysis’ of Laurent as a footballer, could possibly be flawed.
The Press have been wrong and maybe quite a few of us as well but i’m happy to eat humble pie as Kozzer enjoys a very encouraging 2nd season.
So instead, the focus of derision for the Press/Media, has been shifted to our ‘Big Friendly German’.
The experience of 70+ German caps, playing at the top level in the Bundesliga and a solid if unspectacular start for Arsenal, has had a positive effect I believe and how much do we know about BFG’s influence on Koscielny? Big Mert’s presence and advice could have helped improve the Frenchman’s play, allowing him to sweep-up whilst Mert was dealing with all the agricultural stuff hurled into our box..?
Vermaelen’s return hasn’t been seen as so desperate as it once seemed has it?
All the same though, it’s great to have him back.
Bit of news to end with and it relates to FC Dallas winger Brek Shea – he’ll be joining us ‘for training’ after playing for the USA in friendly matches in friendly matches in France and Slovenia on November 11 and 15.
The decision to send Shea to train with the Gunners was made after U.S. head coach Juergen Klinsmann gave it the go ahead. The plan is for him to then return to Dallas in December….
Mind you, you never know do you….
Written by Allezkev
Morning all…
Nice one AK, think you could be right about Merts, his experience has certainly brought something to the central defence, shame he keeps cocking up with his own marking 😉 But he reads the game very well, now all he needs to do is have a word with Santos!
I was far from convinced by Kos but he’s won me over… i think 😉
Good morning Rico.
Yes i also had my doubts over Koscielny, but he’s done ok so far this season.
I’d still go for Cahill though… 🙂
Hi AK, you and me both re Cahill 🙂
What do you make of the Shea story, he’s a 6′ 3″ guy who can play in defence, midfield or up front, now that is Mr Utility 😉
Don’t know anything about him Rico.
This is where we need KT.
15 yrs and a giant eh. They must be feeding him three bean chilli………
Kos is a great player period!!
Offski for a spell. See ya lata boss.
morning all, nice post 47. I think Cahill is a no go now…
He’s 21 i think AK…. Catch you later…
Hi boyo, i wouldn’t say he’s ‘great’, not yet, but if he’s carries on the way he’s going, he could be in a couple of years….
Rico I wouldn’t touch cahill with a ten foot stick. Nah kozzer over that northern mug anyway. What you see in him I ll never know. Morning guys.
*any day!
Hi goonster – not saying cahill over kos, just adding cahill to what we have would make our unit stronger….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brek_Shea seems he is 21
Oh sorry mama bear. Thought you were slagging off my main man koss. Still think we won’t get granero, do you?
Hi SS, he’s only joining us to train at the moment but you never know i guess – maybe wenger see’s him as a replacement for Diaby, be interesting to see how that unfolds…
Not at all goonster – just still think we could do with one more defender as we turn the year, that’s when we fade but a fresh face or two could stop that….
Granero, no i don’t think we will get him…..
Morning all,
Thought provoking post AK, I was also one of those that doubted Kos but i have to admit he seems to have got better and better. We hear all the time that our Premier league is the toughest league to play in, and for a player to join us from outside must be extremly dificult, Per Mert has had a bit of a shaky start but has definitly stiffened us up.. Patience is not something Supporters are abundant with but if we want to become competitive again at an afordable price we have to realise that not all of Wengers buys are going to be bargains the hard thing is to sort the wheat from the chaff before it affects us too badly. I would say that now and again wouldn’t hurt us to badly if we brought quality for certain positions, as waiting for some of Wengers Bargains to come good all at the same time is asking a lot. But good post as normal Doc.
Morning Steve
Just got to pop and walk Fido before the rain comes in, back in a bit….
Well get ready to cough out that 50p you owe me cause reports are that we have agreed a fee for him. We just need to agree on his personal terms then he ll be ours. Am exited. This guy may not be fabregas but he’s definitely not an “Arteta! Come on rip roaring reds. Hey did any one notice we are just 3 points off the top four! Relegation fodder? Boy I outta…..
catch you all later
Morn steve….looking forward to the west brom game eh? We should stuff them. I hear “arsenal fan and all round good guy” paul sharner won’t be fit to face us. Bummer, I really like that dude.
i take it your remarks about merts marking came from the terry goal. if you look back at a bigger picture you will see that yet again an opponent came into the area unmarked behind him and he took a step back to try and nullify both. unluckily the ball squirmed near post and he was caught out. had our midfield picked up the runner chances are he would have been that half a yard closer than he was. his influence should not be underestimated , he is a good asset and gives confidence to those around him.
must get a new keyboard where the caps lock works.
I loved Kos since day one,I really did.
He wasn’t a sensation,but showed class and it was simply experience that was needed.
Then again,I remember arguing the point of Szczesny and how good he would be in December last year.
I think too many people forget that the Premier League is different to anything else……….it takes time to adapt.
Look through the obvious flaws,and class shines through……patience.
Spot on scott. a couple of gooners at a local bar are already calling santos shit! Its unbelievable. Do this johnny come latelys know anything about football? The premier league is the pinnacle of world football. Who watches a one team league like the la liga or that shit french league. The best players in this world have all struggled in the premier league. Shevchenko, veron to name a few. Give the lad a chance for pete’s sake. After all he’s done what clichy couldn’t do in 6 years!
kos to partner verm,period.
Hiya guys and chicks. Good day to all.
Koscielny???? Ahh now we are talking. A good player who knows how to read the game. And even though I like TV05 I still felt a bit angry that Kos was dropped for him. But its good for AW to have 3 quality centrebacks in PM04, TV05 and LK06. All three are not yet at the level of TA, SB and MK but they will be there. Just give them time.
If we get Cahill than we have a great backbone……but at the moment I doubt it. unless someone of the above three goes to defensive midfielder. And remember Vertonghen. If we get them both than we will have a defence to rival that of Shitty.
And regarding Kozzer I was already banging my drum before he came.
Goonster…….I am a bit puzzled…..what has Santos done that Clichy could not do? Am I missing something???
Score two goals DG*winks*
Yikes…….does that mean that Clichy never scored????
Nice one kev,
What really matters is we now have decent back up in the centre of defense, something we haven’t had for a while, its healthy and i would also like to see cahill join in the window, there is room for him, it only takes a couple of injuries and we’re staring at squillaci again.
For me tv5 starts when fit and the others must jostle with each other, we play wba tomorrow who like to knock the ball about so we may see kozzer starting with tv5 and merts sitting it out on the bench, its a tough call but a nice one to have.
Guys wenger has ruled out signing any CB in January! This is just great. I told you rico. I know this man. I know how he thinks and reasons. We ve got 6 CBs he ll say…..LK,verm,BFG,jd,squilli and miquel. I told there’s no chance wenger ll sign a CB. I feel vindicated though. He’s so predictable. Hahahahahahahah. That one’s for you mama bear.
Afternoon all……..
goonster, you can add kyle bartley to that mix come the start of next season, wenger holds his cards close to his chest, squillaci will leave in the summer.
goonster, if wenger says he isn’t buying, that often means he will 😉
We ll see…..remember you owe me 50p. Wanna bet he won’t double on nothing.
I sure do goonster, on both Gramero and a defender signing ….
hello!
The problem with Santos is the speed and knowing exactly the off-side rule (this is doing in the trainning…)
He is very strong in one-to-one and in the attack. The solution is covering his position when he goes ahead. In the modern football, the wingers are the full-backs.
Shea? Poborsky?
We are in November. Let us commit with WBA and then next games. Like wenger, said we can clib um in this 2 months and in the end of December mskr the right bslsnce,
Saying that goonster, if it’s Cahill Wenger wants, he sort the deal in Jan and we’ll get him in the summer and that would do for me 😉
Spot on JM – face each game as it comes and go from there, Jan will be here soon enough…
Santos – he frustrares me…
Gram who? No way! Not another French twat. Hmmm I sound like a mixture of gambon and jaguar. Wonder what ever happened to that fella? Kinda missed him though.
Back to arsenal…..we don’t need gramiero rico. He’s just gonna struggle again. I say give afobe a crack at it. He won’t do worse.
Oops, i meant granero, the player you say we are getting for definate 😉
Hope cheezer isn’t playing rush goalie again tomorrow.
I was there last season to witness the display of alumunia, still sends a shiver down my spine, think he was captain that day.
That was not a good day Micko, we don’t need anything similar tomorrow….
If Santos is not sorted out, and told that if he canot get back don’t go up, i will be the first one on Wengers back. 2 games is enough to see this flaw thats more than enough time to sort it.
couldn’t agree more steve….
Afternoon Rico, can’t have him doing his own thing till he does it right
I am t a bit of a loss with Wenger just lately who rests his best attacker and his best defender for an important game
Afternoon Gooners.
Afternoon Rico.
Thanks for positive comments.
SteveP 10.22
Mick 12.53
Good points.
Nice one AK
Stan 1.03.
Go and have a lay down….. 😉
Doctors orders 😀
he’s great going forward steve but imho he doesn’t see the danger when it’s coming, instead he gets a bit of red mist when he’s around the penalty area and thinks he’s a centre forward….
Gibbs does the same but not quite so much but at least he has pace to get back, santos always runs like he’s just eaten a big sunday lunch 😉
Cheers Steve. As DG said 11.37, it’s great to have 3 centre-backs, but as Mick said, we only need a couple of injuries, and with our record, that could be just around the corner, so i think Cahill or Vertonghen would be a wise investment.
AK, stanleys been for a pub lunch me thinks 😉
Got to pop to the shops, back shortly….
Either that Rico, or Lee has given him a Camberwell Woodbine… 😉
I’m not sure about Santos yet..?
The two goals he’s got were very important, and have probably won over a few of the sceptics, but to me he still doesn’t look fit enough.
What do you think Steve?
http://www.arsenal.com/home
Enjoy the goals… 😀
Watching goal of the month was an absolute tonic.
The only way is up.
Afternoon Ak…. what’s the word?
Boo….
Who got it AK 🙂
Hi Lee – you on the chuff chuff again….
Evening you lot.
Lee’s on the platform at Liverpool St.
Rico’s in the kitchen getting the beans on toast ready.
Agag’s on Bid TV…Saw a bit on u-tube of the Yank.
He looks quite skillfull for a big man.
According to LG were linked to another Barca teenager… yawn..
Also that Song is gonna run down his contract… 🙄
afternoon all…robin is league player of the month for october – no surprise there. mancini manager of the month.
in addition, robin got a league “golden boot” for becoming the first prem player to reach double figures in (league) goals this season…
well done, robin! lets add to that tally, starting tomorrow. west brom’s deserved win at the ems last season is still pretty fresh in my mind – we owe them for it…
Evening AK, i read that too about Song, can’t see it myself….
The bean chilli was just awesome, and i didn’t cook it 😉
hi oliver – i hope robin goes on to beat shearer’s record for goals scored in one calendar year
Hiya Oliver, what do ya know about Shea..?
Rico, i love chilli beans… 8)
So do I AK 😉
Talking of which, i’m off to have dinner, back in a bit….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=EDi8p87yIzw
Did he mean it..?
hi ak…nothing at all…funny first name, otherwise i know what you do…klinsmann supposedly recommended he train with us…
right now, i don’t see him as anything to get excited about…a raw kid, as i understand. i don’t think we will offer him a contract immediately, and even if we do, i will be shocked if he can help us out right away…
i see arsene is talking ju up…our player did not do well against om, but hopefully that was more of a reflection of a team-wide malaise, and not on him directly. if we cannot depend upon him, we are seriously short at striker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=4qNA7lC2DjQ
Did he mean that one..?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=6udVFBFDy3w
Yes Oliver, but maybe the teams performance was more to do with a reaction to the Chelsea game.
I don’t think 4 3 3 suits Ju.
We played a 4 4 1 1 against Bolton in the Carling Cup and he linked up very well with Arshavin.
Boo! Good one, AK! 🙂 Kozz has improved by leaps and bounds. Per is an old hand and will settle in nicely. 😉 Santosinho will learn to curb his attacking instinct soon enough. He tries and tries hard. I like that.
rico, I had chili today; but with stuff you won’t touch. Hah.
Hello, oliver. How are you?
Hey, hi agag, a mystery chilli eh?
Don’t tell me about it until i have my chicken stew. 😉
possible…all i know is they were rather flat on tuesday…not the end of the world, and these occasional performances are to be expected over the course of a long season. nevertheless, ju was not immune, and a side result is that he effectively flubbed his first big test. i am sure he will get other opportunities and i expect he will impress. if not, i think we will be in a bit of trouble, esp. if robin should go down..
hi rico…
hi agag…had some kare kare a little while back.
I only meant with beef, AK. 🙂 Cos you know rico finds meat ick. Guess who received a new credit card in the mail today?? 😀 😀
I saw Ju in action for SK, and he has a natural ease about him when shooting. Quite impressed.
oliver, that’s my favorite! Yum. With really good bagoong.
Well if the rumours of Chamakh leaving in January are kosher then surely Wenger will have an alternative striker lined-up… Podolski maybe.
Beef chilli is good agag… Plenty of protein for the brain.
You must be very brainy… :P:
A new credit card….. 8)
And just before Christmas. I hope it’s platinum.. 😉
Oliver/agag, what is kare kare?
And bagoong? 😕
AK, Podolski is class. Although I want Chamakh to come good. He has it in him. Just needs to shake off the funk.
Kare-kare is stewed beef/oxtail/tripe in peanut sauce with veggies. Bagoong is shrimp paste. 😉 Heaven.
Taking a trip in two weeks, so it’s handy, AK. My new platinum friend. (hums a happy tune)
Hmmm, kare kare sounds very tasty….
Two weeks eh agag, haha, you go and give it some stick gal… 😆
Sadly agag, i think that Chamakh has fluffed his lines once too often for Wenger.
Even ‘old stubborn bonce’ must realise how vunerable we are to a RVP injury.
Swipe is my middle name. 🙂
I think the Song to leave stories are annoying. Grrr.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xv5MHRL18o&feature=fvst
For you agag….. 😉
I imagine he’s really fallen out of favor, AK. But he carried the goalscoring burden well enough when RvP was out, so his fall from grace is sad. 🙁
Yes agag, i agree re: Song, but it has a been quiet in that dept…!
At least with Coq & Song we are well stocked.
M’Vila’s signing would solve the problem.
Hi again all…
I won’t ask what kare kare is oliver 😉
Fireworks here and I hate them, Bloody Guy Fawkes!
Yes, it is a mystery agag.
Surely what happened in the US couldn’t have been that terrible.
But if it is still affecting him, then we’d be well rid.
I googled KK, yuck 😉
AK, I saw this feature on the Beeb about a London bus driver who went to Manila to immerse in Manila driving. He had a hard time!! It should be on youtube.
Thank you, AK. I really should learn to cook. But everyone around me already does so… 😉
Yes Rico, they do my head in, and my cats are freaking out.
Btw the icons are playing up again. When are WordPress gonna sort them out, they’re a real pain.
London bus drivers just pull out, they should fit into Manila like a duck to water… 😀
So you don’t cook then agag…
Well, gotta watch the nails eh? :P:
AK, that’s horrid to hear, Fido doesn’t like them either, nor does our little blind gp 🙁
Why do we have them, no disrespect to the origin but in this day and age, they are truly dangerous and dated!
Grrrrrrrr
Ok, thats my whinge over…
Guys i am off for the day, you all be good and catch up tomorrow…
Nighty all…..
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/15916
A very interesting read…
rico, there’s a vegetarian option. 🙂 Skip the meat, put in everything else. Almost as good. 😉
I run a minizoo in my house, and the pets hate those noisemakers. Annoying.
AK, I cook, although I seem to be the only one who likes my cooking. 😉 I’ll look for the vid for you, AK. It was a bit dramarama though. Life’s hard here, but it’s not THAT hard; one has to wonder why they were all crying. 😀
Good night Rico.
Thanks for the sub-edit…. 😉
Too much chilli maybe agag…. 😆
I don’t agree/believe a good deal of it but Mr Attwood does write some really interesting ones.
Nighty, rico!
Enough with the food already…sheeesh. You lot are enough to make someone shit himself!
Stanley………………..!!! 😯
I beg your pardon……?
There’s ladies present Stan…. :P:
Goonster, I bet you don’t cook either. 😀
AK, it’s always too much or too little or too ambitious for me. Tut tut.
He write some interesting historical pieces in the programme now agag.
All that Arsenal history is right up my street.
It goes with my anorak… 😉
Well the truth is probably in there somewhere agag.
At the end of the day you believe what you wanna believe.
A bit like politics/religion… 😉
There and back again.
Evening guys and chicks.
Good post AK.
Park is good only in 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. But not 4-3-3.
So why not change it to suit the opposition like Six At Fulltime does???
He’s certainly prolific, AK. And very earnest, if a bit conspiracy theory-ish. 🙂
It’s amaaaazing how a lot of you guys have been supporting AFC a loooong time, AK. But then again, ours is an amazing club.
Hello, DG, I hope you’re better. 😉
Evening DG.
Thanks mate.
Got some mags for Pa, one lot in the post.
I got his letter yesterday.
Hi Agag. Better??? I am fighting fit at the moment. Thanks for your hopes though 😉
You are amazed how a lot of guys have been supporting AFC for a long time???? That means you are less than 30 years old then.
I just love the history agag, it’s what makes our club so special.
Where’s Stan gone, he’s here, there, every friggin where. 🙂
Good for you AK. will tell him that you got letter.
BDW do you remember how I used to bang my drum regarding Kozzer before he came to AFC???
And today I read that maybe another may be coming….Kevin Grosskreutz. And I tell you mate……he is a good one. Silent and not flashy but one you can rely on.
oui agag……AK loves AFC history. the pity is that they are not dressed like Romans and Greeks. lol. Joking mate.
Yes, i remember mate, but you do look at players through a coaches eyes… 🙂
Yeah, i did see that about Grosskreutz, sounds a typical Wenger signing.
Therefore the Press will know bugger all about him and just take the piss.
Or Carthaginians….
DG, who would be your two centre-back tomorrow?
Maybe BFG could be due a rest?
Imagine the players going out on the turf of the emirates on chariots. Now that would freeze the opposition. we can call the shitty/chav/manure players “The barbarian horde”.
Me???? my team???? LK06 and TC05. PM04 needs a rest. If it were for me I would play 3 games LK+TV. Then 3 games PM+LK. Then 3 games PM+TV. In that way there would be stability and share of defensive duties and keep everyone happy. Put in JD and Miguel in the cups or full backs when the others are not available and everyone gets a rest….and is kept fresh.
But the team formation must be changed to suit the players on the pitch. not always the effing 4-3-3.
BDW 4-3-3 is one of the formation I use when facing weaker teams. Against stronger teams I always go 4-4-1-1. Again….the formation depends on the opposition.
Sounds good to me DG. Keeps them fresh and keeps them match sharp at the same time.
Arshavin certainly looks happier in a 4 4 1 1.
We certainly could see in that system how influencial AA could be, rather than stuck out wide, where he looks bored.
Personally there would be games that I would play 4-3-3 using RVP with Theo and Gerv up front. But there would be games when I rest all three and go with AA and Park up front with AA in the DB10 role. Again it depends upon the opposition and situation. But not at the expense of resting RVP and playing 4-3-3 with Park. Start the game with Park as forward and AA in the hole. Then change it to 4-3-3 by subbing Park/AA and another midfielder and introduce the above mentioned 3 and go for 4-3-3. Isnt that called having plan B?????
There are moments when I start with a 4-3-2-1 formation to keep the centre of the pitch firmly in grasp. Then when I see that the other team are tiring I switch to 4-3-3 or 4-4-1-1. That way I get to play everyone, keep them fresh and happy.
Offski now.
Goodnight DG/Agag
Good night mate. I am offski too. got to take the little one to football tomorrow and have to get up early.
New Post up…
well, we are now 1 in GD. Out of the minus. Good