Would you give Wenger money this month? Zaha and Diame linked again…

Morning all,

Tomorrow is the FA Cup replay against Swansea – a fixture that could really go either way. In fact, I think most of us think it’s a fixture we will lose.

So for today, it’s a break away from all of that and just look at the rubbish rumours doing the rounds.

First up is Stopilla Sunzu. Back in December 2012, reports were rife that this man was heading to The Emirates, in fact he said:

I will be travelling to England to sign a deal with Arsenal after the friendly game against Tanzania. I spoke to both Mr Katumbi (his current club manager) and Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger who assured me that I would not be going to London for trials but to discuss personal terms and possibly sign a contract.

Well that was either utter rubbish or Wenger has had a change of heart as this guy is now very close to signing for Reading.

Funny though, this guys is a defender/defensive midfielder and he is a very typical ‘Arsene Wenger signing’  of years gone by.

But not today!

Another player who won’t be arriving today is David Villa. Barcelona have ruled out any kind of deal between us and them this month. I’m not convinced though.

Then there is Zaha, according to Sky Sports, we are back in for the young Englishman and no doubt that will raise many eyebrows.

Maybe Walcott isn’t ready to commit himself to the club and that’s why we are looking for a winger? Well if Wenger really wants this young Englishman, he’d better hurry up, otherwise he’ll be heading off to Old Trafford!

Regardless, we still need a fit, reliable, strong defensive midfielder and according to The Sun, Diame is that man. £3.5 million is suggested to be firmly in Wenger’s hands, ready to tempt West Ham to part with their man.

Over the few weeks, maybe months, a few fans are wondering if it’s worth Arsene Wenger spending any transfer kitty we have for this month. If we finish outside the top four, there is a chance that Wenger could walk away.

So would you rather we just carry on as we are and see what the summer brings?

Or would you give him money if you were Kroenke and hope he makes the right signings?

That’s it for another day, have a good one all…..

0 thoughts on “Would you give Wenger money this month? Zaha and Diame linked again…

  1. Scott from Oz says:

    1st.
    Wenger out.
    Lower ticket prices.
    4 millionth??
    Morning all.
    Give him the cash.
    Shove it down his throat and demand he regurgitate it into the transfer market!!

  2. devilgunner says:

    …..or shit it in the transfer market Scott!!! 😉
    .
    Good Morning my Esteemed Fellow Gunners.

    I would give him money to spend………knowing full well that if a new manager comes in he will still used the same squad but will surely get better results.

    Mourinho will surely do with this lot. He will get them to play how he wants. But at least he will have direction and a plan.

    At the moment we are rudderless.

    I feel a different man with different ideas would buck up this squad

    Its not faraway. But there is a missing ingredient.

  3. devilgunner says:

    Good day Lady. Nice question poser today.

    Chicken two days ago. Posers today. You serve up nice dishes ma’am!!! 😉

  4. devilgunner says:

    no Adam. Not much more money. Just whip their arses till they are red hot. And promise them that more will follow if they do not perform.

    Oh……..and have a whip round on AW’s arse. until it becomes red hot so that he will not sit anymore and play with his zip.

  5. rico says:

    That’s where I sit too devil.

    I want us to finish as high up the league we can and I truly believe that with a DM and goal scorer we could get 3rd again.

    It’s a vicious circle at the moment, the more we play badly the worse it’s going to get but one great performance with a victory could start to inject a little more belief in the players….

    But is Wenger the man to get us to give that one performance, I don’t think so any more…

  6. devilgunner says:

    Its the players who do not want to win Scott. Its not Jose.

    I see Real games besides those of Barca. And believe me its not his fault. The attitude of the players is similiar to that at AFC….who cares mentality. Its clear that some of the players and some of the boqrd do not want him. They are obsessed with playing scintillating soccer and want to win every game 5-0. Jose cannot offer that.

    I like beautiful soccer. But only if you have 11 FOOTBALLERS not players.

  7. rico says:

    Morning Adam.

    I’d actually pay them less and give them homework!

    Morning devil, it’s not easy right now 😉

  8. devilgunner says:

    I always read your comments Adam. I like them infact. Its just the Squilly tattoo that I cannot stomach. You should have tattoed a £10 note on your chest so that when you puff your chest you can watch your money grow!!! 😉

  9. Adam says:

    Devil. That is a sick thought indeed. My Squilli tatoo is an animated thing of beauty. Don’t forget that I have him portrayed rearing up as a Centaur.
    I always read your comments too DG and have noticed your attitudes changing. I read most comments in fact. 🙂
    At the moment I am working hard to keep Rico more positive, as you may have noticed.

  10. devilgunner says:

    Is AW the men to take us forward? Deep down I would like to …..if anything just to spite those who say he will not. (not those who do so in a constructive manner, but those who spit out bile with vile).

    However deep down I am sorry……but I feel that for the moment it is much better if we get new ideas. We do need to change for changing sake.

    We need new ideas injected. AW should be given a break. He needs to have someone who handles the financial matters once more. AW cannot do everything on his own.

    If I remember correctly, way back in 1995 when GG was sacked the board vowed to have a man for the financial side and a manager for the footballing side. How come that we have turned a full circle and the finances are again in the hands of the manager?

  11. potter says:

    If a buyout clause of 3 1/2 million exists then it would hardly break the bank albeit PHW might have to reduce his off licence bill for a couple of weeks. No real danger of giving that to Wenger if the player has a sell on value but I would rather wait for a proper solution than a quick fix.

  12. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, Jose needs a “plan B” then 🙂
    Real are the ultimate example of spoilt brat footballers.
    Too much money, too much belief in their own press and importance.

  13. devilgunner says:

    Its not the attitude per se Adam. Its more the feelings inside me. And they are sad feelings. Not of anger. There were only two results which made me angry last season…..the 8-2 defeat and the 1-2 vs the scum. Loosing vs the scum leaves me seething as I cannot stomach it.

    It is not resentment Adam. I do not resent AW. But I do not like the way the club is run. And being one who has worked in many clubs I think I can form an opinion on how to run one.

    I can assure you my friend…….if I was rich enough to buy the club I would do it and be there 24/7. And you can bet down to the last cent you will have that by the end of the first month more then 50% of those employed by the club will have had their arses whipped into shape at least once a week.

  14. Scott from Oz says:

    Stan leads from the rear, and that is the major problem.
    He will not kick anoyones arse while he is making profit.
    Nothing changes until he leaves, unfortunately.
    How does this happen?

  15. devilgunner says:

    It must be his drive and determination Scott. He is motivated by money only. I am not motivated by money only. I am motivated by success. Just like SAF.

    The more I have the more I want. I have won a number of leagues, albeit at youth level, and also once won the youth cup plus countless tournaments. Hardly EPL standard but it was what was in front of me. However every time my teams stepped out on the pitch only one thing mattered….that of winning the game. And I was there with every kick, every tackle (they were not outlawed by the refs) and every header and every challenge. yes I felt them all mate even though I was on the touch line.

    And the same should be done by the chairman of any club.

  16. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, i love seeing my kids play well, too.
    Stan has no love of the game though, or the club.
    How he got his claws into the club is amazing.

  17. Scott from Oz says:

    Sorry, Devil….i wasn’t comparing under 6 kids to the level you coach at…..just explaining my love amd joy for the game…..

  18. JW says:

    Good morning all,

    Rico, I for one do not think we are going to lose the replay tomorrow, in fact I am confident that we will win with a bit to spare.

    I think that we are all agreed that another ‘keeper is needed, two options for Arsene to consider….Jack Butland a steal at £6 million and Victor Valdes, although the latter’s wage demands may be a problem after his contract talks with Barca broke down. Opposite ends of the age and experience range at, Butland 19 up and coming, Valdes 30 been there done that.

    I really can’t see Sam Allladyce selling us his prized mid-fielder though.

  19. devilgunner says:

    I do too mate. but mine are not kids any more…..even though they are in my eyes. Mine usually were nearly grown ups. This year I have practically all age groups to supervise. Not bad but not to my taste. I prefer having a group than supervising the other coaches and having to delegate the training sessions. And it does remove the competitiveness from me.

  20. Lee says:

    Well yes and no Adam…I asked my old man and he said he can’t be bothered with Arsenal at the moment (supported them for 60yrs!!)

  21. potter says:

    I am not sure the finances are totally in his hands thugh Devil. If you read or watch the full interviews and not just read the sound bites you find a somewhat different aspect to the situation. Comments such as I support the wage structure, get reported however the next line though. “” If I want to increase a players salary I have to go to the board “” doesn’t recieve as much publicity. he said if we sell Nasri and Cesc then we can’t be considered a big club and then they went. It suggests to me that the purse strings are not in his hands. He may be culpable for a number of things but that is one stick hitting him that I don’t think he fully deserves.

  22. devilgunner says:

    But I do feel we already have a similiar one at the club.

    Laugh all you may but I feel Podolski can do the same again. Why not play Podolski in the same role as DB10 in a 4-4-1-1?

  23. Adam says:

    If you do go Lee then wrap up warm. I just heard the forecast. It could me minus 6 degrees and at about 9.30 PM there is a prediction that waves of grown men with the hump will sweep eastwards across Highbury Fields questioning their own sanity.

  24. devilgunner says:

    What do you make of this team…….

    Szceszesny
    Sagna, Mertesacker, TommyV, Gibbs
    Cazorla,Coquelin,Wilshere, Arteta
    Podolski
    Theo.

  25. tsGH says:

    Hi all..

    The never ending story rages on like a wild fire…

    Dev I am slightly confused on where you stand on Maurenho…? On one hand you are saying the great man can not motivate a team he led to the Apex of La liga for the first time in over 6 years, under a year ago but on the other hand you reckon AW is struggling the same way maurenho is doing at RM and so Maurenho is the answer…

    On AW tactics the fact that he is refusing to adapt the formation to accommodate TW and another forward against big centre backs just makes it inexcusable..

  26. Scott from Oz says:

    Ginge, i believe most managers do not have a plan B.
    Those that have the best squads usually do not need one, and their tactical flaws are only exposed when their side struggles.
    Mourinho loves the pressure…i am glad, because he is under plenty of it.

  27. rico says:

    Morning JW,

    My comment in the post was based on people I have spoken too 😉

    I hope you are right….

    I read that Butland is being left out tonight/tomorrow so that he isn’t cup tied and his valuation doesn’t drop…

    He is certainly up for grabs….

  28. devilgunner says:

    With AW there is no accountability.

    With Mourinho the problem is that there is a faction of the players who are in league with the board…….and who want him out.

    As a man I do not like Mourinho. But I feel that he is the only one who can get this lot to work as a team which gets the results needed. Even if they are 1-0 ones.

  29. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Morning all. Was speaking to my mate (long time Hammers Season Ticket holder) here about Diame. He really rates him. Says he’s far too good to play for the Hammers. He says he’s more of the Yaya than a Makalele though. Not sure we need another box to box midfielder.

  30. Scott from Oz says:

    Devil, could you see Jose coming to a club more intent on profits than success though?
    That is the problem.
    Until Stan leaves, or has a massive change of intentions, we will remain as we are.

  31. JW says:

    DG,

    There is no cover for Gibbs in your eleven, he is not good enough as a defender to play at left back without a strong player in front of him who is ready and able to track back when needed.

  32. devilgunner says:

    Arteta can play on the left hand side JW. And he can cover Gibbs as well.

    Jose will only come if AU comes. You can bet on that Scott.

    Regarding Diame we do need another box to box midfielder since we are missing those who are strong enough. But we need to play them in an adaptable formation. in a 4-4-1-1. not in a 4-2-3-1. or 4-3-3. or 4-5-1.

    we need two strong box to box who are no nonsense types.

  33. Adam says:

    That’s good Lee. Are you driving? Don’t forget the early 7.30 PM kick-off.
    I see the merchandise shop starts selling the Stan Kroenke replica syrups from tomorrow night. I have ordered mine in Ginger. Only £29.99 each.

  34. devilgunner says:

    Frimpong is classified as a box to box. Likewise Coquelin. But having a midfield of Diame and one of those will mean a stronger centre which protects the back four.

  35. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Morning Rico/Adam. I think Little Jack in our box-to box. Adam, I thought Diame was going to be brought in to challenge Chezzer for the number 1 spot….

  36. tsGH says:

    The same as Pep, Scott.

    I have posted on here the financial failures of Pep and the fact that no Barca B players are coming through bar 2 since 2006.

    He was the reserves coach before he took over from Rijkaard and he failed to bring through any youngsters but wasted 3200m on players who he never needed.Pep even tried to steal Aneke from us

    And what was Maurenho’s plan B? take off robben and bring on Scott Parker to consolidate a 1-0 win.

    Again I ask why every body who knows about football thinks AW is a better manager than Pep and Jose?

  37. rico says:

    Or a headache Adam…

    What about Frimpong devil, would he be better than Coq, especially if alongside Arteta and behind Jack and Santi…

  38. rico says:

    I have actually watched Diame a couple of times, he’s very much like Diaby imho, but stronger, more athletic and is often not only on the pitch at the start, but usually at the end too….

  39. devilgunner says:

    tsGH…..do not get me wrong. I have always liked AW. And will continue to do so. But at the moment I feel that a change needs to happen.

    Because if another manager like Mourinho comes in he will only get us into shape the first season. Then back to rebuilding again.

  40. Scott from Oz says:

    Good points Ginge.
    Devil, if our russian mate arrives, my opinion is that i would love to see Wenger given a chance to prove himself with money to spend.
    Will that hapeen…..who knows?
    Usmanov has said he loves Wenger though, so maybe it would.
    Stan is going nowhere though, i reckon.
    Sitting in America, he is far enough away to be oblivious to the criticism, and his boys on the board are hardly going to rock his boat.

  41. tsGH says:

    So why would a winning manager be wanted out by players and board if football is all about winning?… at least that is what the media tell us and expect the Arsenal fans to feed off.

    The same media say AW is a failure but say Moyes who has spend more than AW in the last 10 years on new recruits net-wise is a failure. Note most of the journo’s are spurs fans. even Piers admits his whole family are scums.

  42. devilgunner says:

    I like Frimpong. Andhis enthusiasm. But he needs more games. and AW needs to give him game time. Coquelin got the nod because I feel he has matured more this season.

    Ideally it will be Frimpong, Wilshere and Coquelin. But I doubt AW will sanction that.

    Diame I would like.

  43. Adam says:

    I did Lee and I have restyled the syrup already with a full bouffant top and a dash of salt and pepper around the sideburns as it always makes a man look more distinguished I think. I cannot improve the tache though. It remains full, with slight curve over the upper lip and a hint of gold that catches the sun in a very manly way. Mrs Adam reckons you will be irresistible to all women when you slip it all on.

  44. tsGH says:

    Dev I am not saying you are wrong at all. I would even be the biggest slater of him if we were all talking about tactics and team preparation etc.

    But I would continue to back him when it comes to his record in the transfer market until I am gone…

  45. devilgunner says:

    tsGH……….for the simple reason that they see Barca winning with style and want to do so too.

    To them winning is not enough. They want to win with an average of 4 to 5 goals per game.

  46. tsGH says:

    Dev I think we may see Ox as the holding midfielder on wednesday..

    Ox is another player refusing to work hard because he wants to play in CM instead of on the wings.

  47. Lee says:

    Thanks Adam, you really are a pal! Rico another similarity between Diame and Diaby (apart from their names having Dia in them)isn’t Diame injured at the moment?

  48. tsGH says:

    I agree Dev but we all know that even the AC of the late 80’s and early 90’s had to sacrifice style to become European champions.

    Isn’t that the reason why Arsenal fans think AW has no plan B? Cruyff arguably the architect of the Barca foundations never had a plan B at both Ajax or Barca. He was always outsmarted by Guus and Van Gaal because they were like Jose and RedNose.

  49. devilgunner says:

    the latest Stanley recipe ………………Smoked CHICKEN with vegetables on a bed of rice, covered with capsicum syrup

  50. devilgunner says:

    but why OX when we have Frimpong and Coquelin?

    Ox I like in midfield combo with Wilshere.

    Why not Frimpong and wilshere and OX in front of them?? Cazorla on the wing!!!

  51. prince says:

    Have we forgotten so soon that Wenger turned down Usmanov’s millions? Wenger is an economics degree holder at Strasburg university, France. For me, no amout of money can ever make wenger go for world class players knowing that the cedit for whatever success achieved by such players goes to someone else. Two, Wenger has exhusted his technical know-how. He simply needs to try his acts else where for his good and that of Arsenal.

  52. tsGH says:

    No frimps because I believe Aw has believe in him now. I heard he had a minor falling out with AW before he went on loan because Aw initially felt dench was an insult to him…

  53. rico says:

    Morning DG

    Lee, he’s back now, should be playing tomorrow night… Recovered quickly I think – has to be a good sign…

  54. Adam says:

    TS. Please explain the whole Dench thing and why it is an insult.
    I still haven’t given up on the idea of Robert Mugabe taking over from AW. At least he wouldn’t tolerate any white farmers at the club.

  55. tsGH says:

    I think Laudrup will become like Jose or Big sam if he is not careful too. he has been unlucky with longevity at clubs.

  56. para says:

    We have to get used to the idea that AW will not be leaving AFC, the only thing that is going to happen is that AW moves up a notch in the hierachy. He is part and parcel of the AFC and board, who have the same vision, according to their very own words.
    What vision you may ask?
    A vision that we have seen phase 1 and phase 2 become successful. Now phase 3 is in the works, so fans and supporters, even though you are all fuming and angry, i know for i am too, take a step back and try to read between the lines, cut out reading the stupid websites who just repeat what someone else has said, listen and analyse what the board and AW says, but remember after all they cannot tell you details of the plan, and you know why.
    For the first time now a core of footballers have been committed to long term deals.
    AW speaking of Cesc coming back in the future.
    Pep “probably” wanting to come to AFC and AFC wanting pep, one who innerstands what AFC is aiming for as a football team, to ursurp Barca, who are having problems now financially.
    I can see lots of things that stick out of the usual interviews and comments, of course that is no guarantee that what i see is true, but my instinct tells me so, and i have had to learn to listen to my instinct.

  57. tsGH says:

    Apologies there on 11;30… that is what happens when you try to blog at the same time as working . I thought I could multi-task. :-d

    Anyway what I meant was I believe AW does not have much faith in frimps as he did at the beginning of last season when he selected him to play as the DM in a £25M game against Udinese.

    Ox mentioned that AW was not fond of frimpong and the other young lads doing the whole Dench rubbish during training..

    Adam… I may be a mad AW believer but Mugabe is a different story my buddy.. 😉

  58. Scott from Oz says:

    G’day Oz.
    How is your part of the world?
    Half of NSW is still on fire, and we have another few stinking hot ones coming up.

  59. ozgunner10 says:

    Scott – yeah i know mate, am keeping an eye on you lot and your troubles, bush fires we know only to well here. Apparently we get a break tomorrow, down to 26 from high 30’s for a change

  60. rico says:

    Morning Oz.

    Ts, I am not yet convinced by Laudrup, we’ll see at the end of the season. Didn’t he inherit most of his players from Rogers?

  61. Scott from Oz says:

    37 tomorrow…..just lovely.
    We are fine…..my only worries are getting a bit hot at work!
    Plenty are really struggling though.
    Lots of my greyhound mates are in nasty areas.

  62. DutchGooner10 says:

    Lee

    The full list of checked stream links is posted 20 minutes before kick off. Just hit Refresh underneath the countdown clock.

  63. rockyrocastle07 says:

    A syrup for £30? Surely a cheaper alternative would be to fund some off-cuts of carpet from anywhere, and just place it on top of your head. Would still look better than Stan’s.

  64. rico says:

    That isn’t going to happen though Scott, but then nor is getting a new manager so looks like we are simply stuck where we are in the meantime…

  65. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Afternoon all.
    Last week on Sporting life “Frimpong returned to Arsenal after an unsuccessful spell with Charlton”.
    It says it all. If he’s not good enough at Charlton, he’ll never make it here.

    This was an article from Goal.com back in November

    http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/11/12/3521890/arsenal-ready-to-offload-emmanuel-frimpong-in-new-year

    We waste lots of money on mediocre youngsters who everyone knows will never make the grade – The Hoyte brothers, Mark Randall etc..

  66. potter says:

    They have just run an interview with Wenger on the radio , the most telling remark was that I have a contract until 2014 and I never break my cont racts. Then on being asked whether he would renew he said ” I have no desire to work until I am 90 ” I am 63 now , the way he said it makes you wonder if he intends renewing, he went on to say that the most important thing for him is to leave the club with a strong base with a collection of young players.
    Unfortunately I missed a lot of it as I was having to answer the phone and had to stop listening but i got the impression that the road may well be ending soon. He sounded very depressed.

  67. tsGH says:

    Hi SYG,

    what makes a spell successful can be debatable… I think in Frimps case he played 6 out of a possibly 9 matches completing only 1 90 match. He was played as an attacking position and only lost in one match he played in even though 4 were draws…

    Conversely, the addicks were hovering around 11th/13th so he indeed consolidated the midfield.

    Last year all Wolves fans thought if he had not gotten injured they would have stayed up.They won their only match in 2012 when he played with them in an attacking midfield role.

  68. rico says:

    West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has cooled speculation linking Arsenal with a move for his midfielder Mohamed Diame.

    The Senegalese only joined the Hammers during the summer but he has been linked with a January departure after it was revealed a clause in his contract could allow him to leave for just £3.5m.

    Arsenal have had a disappointing first half of the season and are sixth in the Premier League table, 21 points behind leaders Manchester United and six points off fourth-place Spurs.

    So Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is expected to reinforce his squad during the transfer window, with a move for Diame suggested.

    But Allardyce said: “You are always worried about losing players but we have not had a bid from Arsenal for Mo Diame. I can’t see where he would fit into their side.”

    Allardyce is also hoping to bring in more new players during January, with Blackburn left-back Martin Olsson on his list.

    But after an initial enquiry, Allardyce revealed: “We have not made any further bids for Martin Olsson.”

  69. tsGH says:

    Thanks for the info potter.

    I just hope when he leaves the same people who wanted him gone do not continually refer to ‘ at least we use to qualify for CL football under AW’…

  70. DutchGooner10 says:

    Your Welcome Lee, if its for your dad be sure to instruct him to ignore the number 1 link (paid registration). Safest thing to do; Go with link 3 and onwards.

  71. southyorkshiregunner says:

    “Emmanuel Frimpong’s deal with Charlton Athletic expired today, and, given the defensive-midfielder’s poor performances in his last few fixtures for Chris Powell’s side, it seems unlikely that he will be granted an extended stay at The Valley.”

    “Francis Coquelin gave the ball away in dangerous areas on several occasions, whilst Emmanuel Frimpong continued his customary trait of getting sent-off for two bookable offences, having kicked the ball away in frustration following the second challenge. Frimpong, back from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic in which he failed to impose himself, did not seem entirely accustomed to operating in the left-wing position in which he found himself yesterday, and will receive a three-match ban from U21 football.”

    ARSENALYOUTH WORDPRESS

  72. devilgunner says:

    No mate. Its you cannot play for three clubs in one season.

    So you start with say Arsenal. Then on 31st August you transfer to Manure. In January Shitty come for you. UEFA states you cannot do so.

    But you can join a club during the preseason and then change in january. Remember Clive Allen did it with Palace-AFC-QPR

  73. allezkev says:

    Another great suggestion by Adam, re: Robert Mugabe.
    He has great leadership qualities and isn’t an exponent of zonal marking…
    He much more prefers kneecapping, and that, would put opponents in their place.

    Thinking outside the box (something that Arsenal players struggle with) what about replacing Steve Rowley with Baden Powell?

  74. tsGH says:

    Tiote 30 yellow cards 2 record cards in 64 games..

    PV a record of 8 yellow cards playing in a league that had dennis Wise, Ruddock and Keane amongst others. PV was not even the DM. It was manu then doing the sweeping up.

    That is the issue I quite do not get with some Arsenal fans. They want a DM but want him to be as good as Zidane on the ball… (I do not mean you SYG)

    If you don’t want the suspensions then you play the likes ofCarrick or arteta in the DM role. The likes of Makelele come around 1’s in a life time

  75. tsGH says:

    Thanks DG so why are the journos trying to add fire to fuel when Diame can not move? If that is the case. I am sure someone may disagree…

    That is my gripe with a lot of football sheeples just following what is printed in the mass media..

  76. devilgunner says:

    Diame can move Ginge. Because he signed on 20th June 2012. And not even preseason had started. So technically he can move now.

  77. devilgunner says:

    …..since he was released on a free by Wigan. Therefore he could sign any time before the transfer window opens on 1st July. That means he signed not during this season but last season.

  78. devilgunner says:

    Arsenal have been offered a cut-price move for Lyon star Yoann Gourcuff, according to reports.

    Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is known to be a long-term admirer of midfielder Gourcuff, but refused to beat the £20million Lyon paid Bordeaux for his services in 2009.

    However, Gourcuff’s career has since gone off the rails, with the 28-year-old struggling with injuries and off the field problems, and he is now looking to rejuvenate his career with a move out of France.

    According to Life Sports, Lyon have made the playmaker available for a bargain £3million – but interested clubs will have to take on his whopping £4million-a-year salary.

    The news has not put off Arsenal or Spartak Moscow though, with the duo both said to be considering making a move for the player in the closing stages of the transfer window.

    Gourcuff, who is yet to play for Lyon this season due to a series of injury setbacks, is hopeful of returning to full training in the next few days, in a bid to build up his fitness ahead of a transfer.

  79. devilgunner says:

    Now considering that all of this is toilet rag crap……….and I do not believe any of it…….but why is it always injured players who cost cheaply??

    And this has not been now though! the past 8 seasons.

    Remember Overmars? Remember Pires? both were injured players who had serious injuries. both were successful however we have signed a lot of crocks who were or are a failure!!

    Why?

  80. W.A.T.H says:

    To Para and Prince sorry for the delay all first comments go into moderation and Rico was having a snooze while i myself was having a rather large vodka…! Good comments as well both of you.

  81. devilgunner says:

    Speaking on his official Facebook page, Poldi said
    Hey fans, shit happens. You’ve seen the match. It was a far cry from what we have imagined. But we need to move on, we have many more difficult matches to play. Be with us, we need you! Come on Arsenal! Yours, Poldi
    Reported in the German press, Lukas added about his time so far in England
    I have been a professional for years. I am 27 and have a lot of caps so I expect that I here because I am passing through [Google translate].
    I have ten goals and seven assists in my account and I think those are good values.
    It could have been more, it may be more, but I also play more on the left side of midfielder than in the centre.

  82. rockyrocastle07 says:

    My Necwastle season ticket holder journo pal here told me the real reason Colloccini is trying to leave Newcastle. Interesting stuff! Nothing to do with being home-sick!

  83. DutchGooner10 says:

    I’m compelled to believe Theo will not sign, now we’re on the brink of open revolt and anarchy. If Wenga walks his position will come under scrutiny again.

    So why take less pay for the same set of troubles you would get elsewhere? At least Theo would be compensated for being denied if his agent finds a more lucrative offer.

  84. Lewis says:

    I wish we’d chuck the £20 odd mill at Everton for fellaini and if that was the only signing we made I’d be happy. He IS of the required quality to improve us.

  85. rockyrocastle07 says:

    Lewis, according to my source, Coloccini has been having MANY extra-marital affaris, and one lass appears to have got in “the family way” as a result of her dalliance with him!

  86. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Dutch. Tunnelling is great at the moment- if you are London-based ! Not much anywhere else. An 800m-shot in Bridlington and some odds and sods over in Preston….

    The betting man on Sporting Life expects Swansea to turn us over….

  87. W.A.T.H says:

    Sorry Rocky… I hear Livpoo St is vacant…..! Watch out for Lee though you know he’ll be looking out for ya..!

  88. Will XL says:

    para @ 11:40

    I used to think that post 2006 Wenger was trying to accomplish what no other Premiership coach had done before by winning with youth and stars that he created himself. But your views (strangely similar to other views I have heard recently) have made me think that “the plan” was much deeper and long term than that.
    I would not be surprised to see a character like Wenger trying to orchestrate such a scheme and convincing his board of its viability. Maybe this might be where AU differs and where the discord came from because he is much more of a typical “spend to get better” investor. Hence he would not fit in our current board or see eyetoeye with their long term plan. Build from within… Self-sustenance… Footballing chemistry built through years of playing together.

    Not too far fetched or unbelievable for me believe.

  89. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Skybet Transfer Specials @13:32

    Wilfried Zaha 7/2
    Nani 4/1
    Jonas Olsson 4/1
    David Beckham 9/2
    Yohan Cabaye 6/1
    Ashley Young 6/1
    David Villa 7/1 down from 5/2
    Yann M’Vila 10/1 down from 5/2
    Joleon Lescott 10/1
    Stewart Downing 10/1
    Kaka 12/1
    Fernando Llorente 16/1
    Willian 16/1
    Marouane Fellaini 20/1
    Charlie Austin 28/1
    Falcao 33/1 (NEW)
    Frank Lampard 33/1
    Gareth Bale 50/1

  90. tsGH says:

    Later Dev..

    Rocky you do not have to tell us about your other lass you share with coloccini 😉 😀

    Any news on why Cabaye and Cisse do not want to be near NUFC.

    Also Remy choosing the Air hostess over the Cockney gangster…

  91. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I do indeed Adam.
    Dean & Dyball or (Dean & Diabollical) overrun costs on it and got kicked off the job…. They have since been rebranded into what is now Balfour Beatty Construction Services along with fellow BB company Cowlin Construction.
    They reportedly had problems refurbishing the crown (arches) on one of the tunnels – maybe the Woolwich one? A lot of water ingress etc. Both foot tunnels are exceptional structures.
    Not sure where it stands at the moment?

    There’ll be a nice tunnel which could come on stream within the next two years – Silvertown….. Also, Boris is looking at a proposed Hammersmith Road Tunnel to take out the “iconic-not” flyover … There is also the Tube Line extension through the proposed Battersea Power Station Development….

    London is really a great place to be…

  92. emma says:

    rico – I wish he was. Sissoko is leaving Toulouse and I doubt if they will be willing to lose capoue in this window. Probably in the summer

  93. Lee says:

    I reckon we will sign roughly none of those names…we are a big club with a small mentality! Fuck them all…
    SOJI.

  94. DutchGooner10 says:

    SYG

    I heard Gaza has a thriving tunnel economy as well. 😛 Have been working a few years for Visser Smith & Hanab in the past. Tunneling rivers and public travel tubes. Amsterdam is almost done creating a new underground network. Might be interesting topic for the magazine.

  95. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Lee, what is SOJI?

    I’m not up to speed with that abb. I only just got the heads-up on BDW…….

  96. Adam says:

    SYG. I have often noticed dribbles of water coming through the tiles. It is a strange tunnel as it dips in the middle, or perhaps that is the norm. The original lifts were great but the new ones lack character. Problem was that both lifts were seldom working at the same time. I used to cycle through there at about 2am and it was bloody freaky. You might see an odd looking bloke walking towards you with a curiously manic grin on his face. I was always wary because I could imagine him whipping out a machete as I cycled past him and cleaving my skull with it so I would make early eye contact and utter mundane comment of greeting to try and establish distant rapport.
    Oh the joy of lonely tunnels at night.

  97. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Visser Smit & Hanab are a cracking company. They were big in the UK at one time doing major directional drilling work for both landfalls and outfalls through a sister company in Kettering ….

  98. Adam says:

    Apparently there is a tunnel that runs under the Thames from Tower Hill to the south bank, the entrance of which is a curious round structure that looks a bit like a free standing urinal.
    The tunnel carries cabling I am told. I believe I read about it in a book called Underground London.

  99. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Thanks for that Adam – The reason tunnels meander and have dips in them is to follow / stay within the same geological strata. The Mersey and Datford Tunnels are a really good example.
    When you tunnel on an interface – that’s two different geological stratas; it leaves you open to massive problems…

  100. emma says:

    I just hope that AW stays. He needs to steady this sinking ship. I don’t trust the board to get the right person in if he decides to leave at the end of the season. We might find ourselves the way LFC went am afraid. I will still love him even if we don’t make a signing in this transfer window.

  101. emma says:

    Will – I wish I could be confident as you are. You just never know which arsenal will turn up ‘the sloppy or the sleeky’ one

  102. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I think Skybet are doing a nice treble, Rico

    Falcao, Gareth Bale and Fellani to Arsenal by the end of the window. 2000000000/1

    The same price as Abou Diaby becoming PFA Player of the Year

  103. Adam says:

    SYG. I will certainly take a few pics on my next journey under the Thames. These days I go down to Greenwich Market on a Sunday with Mrs Adam as she likes the earrings on the stalls. Instead of driving south of the river through the Rotherhithe or Blackwall, I park on the Isle Of Dogs and walk through the tunnel. It is really cold down there at this time of year and I believe the sign says that the top of the tunnel is only a few feet below the river bed. You must have been down there at sometime I would have thought. You come up right next to the new Cutty Sark exhibit.

  104. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Thanks for that Adam – I was down at the Cutty Sark a couple of years back – on site at Deptford Creek – Kim Barker Construction steel sheet piling as enabling works for some riverside properties …

  105. Adam says:

    The new exhibit, since the fire destroyed the old one, is excellent. In fact that stretch of the Thames is great. The view of the Naval College from the Isle Of Dogs is one of the most iconic views of London. And not far from Woolwich Arsenal of course.

  106. tsGH says:

    Hi Emma, so you are not going to stop stalking Capoue? 😉

    i agree with you on Capoue not being available. Sadrain and Cassanova have both commented on it.

    Imo that was another fish AW should have reeled in instead of waited and waited…

    This is where we miss DD. DD use to say AW could never decide between 2 shortlisted players so he would have to push him to make that decision or he would go ahead and make a choice for him…

    On AW leaving, he nearly left 2 seasons ago after Nastry left I heard.

    Ancelotti even stated that publicly after the 8-2 loss that he was waiting for AW to take the PSG job so that he could try his luck with Arsenal. In a way the 8-2 lose made him stay because he would have appeared a failure. The reason for Stan publicly backing his manager for the first time.

    I believe he is not that stupid to be taking the crap some fans give him. The man may be a stubborn/egotistical as he would say, but a fool he definitely isn’t.

  107. tsGH says:

    Even Chelsea and Man city owners want to be like the Arsenal. like they say you never appreciate what you have until it is gone.

    Fellani release clause is rumoured to be at £22M-ish but the billionaires are all dittering.

    Even Fergie has admitted on numerous occasions that he boys players just because AW wants them. The most recent being Powell where he admitted on Man U TV that he had to close the deal early because Rowley and Rice had gone to see him place so he knew AW was going to bid…

    Any ways I am off before I piss some people off…

    Enjoy gooners and stay safe..

  108. DutchGooner10 says:

    SYG

    Due to the crisis malaise the Dutch market has retracted 3 bln in construction contracts. Gonna be though years a head for VS&H. At the current rate 50 people per week loose their job in this sector.

    Adam

    I do recognize the heavily bearded Charles Manson character strolling the tunnel, eyeballing me with those independently working chameleon eyes. They always install a sense of meeting predestined bloodshed.

  109. tsGH says:

    Adam on tunnels I have heard there is an underground motorway between London and the Chequers and also Buckingham Palace and Windsor…

    Back to work…

  110. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Nice 2:18pm post ginge.
    Last 5 para’s make a good read.

    ————–

    The debate
    Wenger isn’t a fool. His education and first class CV will tell you that he isn’t. Stubborn? Most definitely.
    The latter outweighs the former, I’m afraid.

    When we had Nasri, RvP and Cesc we also had Eboue, Almunia, Song, Bendtner, Silvestre etc etc etc. We wanted those world class players to carry the shite…and to an extent they did… and we went as far as we could.

    Now we have ridded ourselves of the shite we don’t have those three world class players …….

    Three world class players are what we still need. I’d even take four.

    The problem. Wenger is stubborn.

  111. southyorkshiregunner says:

    Hiya Dutch.
    Hong Kong, Qatar, Dubai and India are crying out for speciaist tunnel personnel…

  112. rico says:

    Arsene Wenger: I’m ready to splash the cash to bring Arsenal back

    By Massimo Marioni Tuesday 15 Jan 2013 2:41 pm Football
    1 share
    Arsenal manager Arsene WengerEyes on the market: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (Picture: AFP)

    Arsene Wenger insists he’s ready to ‘spend big’ on up to two new players as he looks to get Arsenal’s season back on track.

    The Gunners were convincingly beaten at home by Manchester City at the weekend, and with a congested fixture list coming up, Wenger is aware his squad needs strengthening if they intend to once again compete for major honours.

    ‘My plan is to keep all of the players we have and then to add maybe, if possible, two new players to the squad. We will spend big (again) because we had restricted finances because we had built the stadium and had to pay that back,’ Wenger said in an interview with Al Jazeera Sport.

    ‘You look at any club who has done that, and they have gone down (in performance).

    ‘We stayed at the top level, yes without winning the Premier League, but we were always at the top level.

    ‘Now we have come out in a much stronger position financial again, so we can spend.

    ‘But our way is a bit like Barcelona as well, to produce the core of the team from inside and add from outside the players who give really a plus.’

    Top 10 players Arsenal could realistically sign this January transfer window

    The Frenchman also accepted his time will soon “be up” as the club must one day look for new leadership.

    ‘It is (time up), because I am 63 years old and will not work at 100. That, though, is not the most important, what is important is that when you are somewhere, you give your best,’ saidWenger, whose side host Swansea in their FA Cup third-round replay tomorrow night.

    ‘How long will I stay? I have a contract until 2014, and I always respected my contracts.

    ‘It is important is that the club goes the right direction – we have a very young team who have fantastic qualities and [it is important] that I help them to get their qualities transformed into positive results.

    ‘Let’s not forget that last year we finished third [in the Premier League], as long as that is seen as a disaster, it is not too bad for the future of the club.’

  113. frednerk says:

    By Alex Varney | Tuesday, January 15, 2013
    Arsene Wenger has set his sights on two new signings after revealing Arsenal are now ready to ‘spend big’.

    Every day Mr Wenger seems to change his mind.

    Arsene look behind you….MEN IN WHITE COATS

  114. Lee says:

    We’ll faff about take the piss with a derisory offer and he’ll go to a club with a modicum of ambition!
    SOJI. SYGI.

  115. rico says:

    Too darn right Wenger is stubborn.

    Too stubborn not to keep Keown on full time after 2006

    Too stubborn not to think on his feet during a game

    Too stubborn to have not replaced RvP and Song ‘properly’ last summer.

    etc etc etc…

  116. rico says:

    Wonder if that means TW situation has now been sorted one way or another and he’s finally going to get his backside in gear?

    Agree Lee, just get in there and get the guy, or someone very similar.

    Off for an hour.

    I expect those two signings to be done and dusted by the time I return 😆

  117. allezkev says:

    Adam, I knew I would be pushing at an open door with Baden Powell.
    I never leave home with my Scouting For Boys.
    It’s always held tightly in my right hand, with my left hand clenching my woggle.

    Coach, are you building a snowman? Don’t forget to have him with right arm raised for off-side… 😉

    Afternoon Gooners.
    Afternoon Cava Queen, great post… 🙂

  118. eastsidepaul says:

    So two footed lunging tackles are now allowed again? I really can’t keep up to date on all the changes the FA seem fit to make!
    Will they be allowed through out the league or only for specific clubs?

  119. tsGH says:

    I would not hold my breathe there folks… spending big in relation to Arsenal is £12M to £16M so unless Moyes wants to do us a favour by selling fellani to us for that amount we will still be getting zilch…

    A club whose CEO asserted during the 2012 AGM meeting that 10 years ago, spending £10M on a single player was ‘big big money’ can never be considered ambitious when it comes to transfers… Considering Rio, Buffon, Figo, Zidane were going for £30m average over 10 years ago….

    how much did Wooney get sold for…

  120. emma says:

    tsGH – You think Moyes will sell us Fellaini when everton is in contention for 4th place. I doubt it. Even if arsenal meets his valuation he still wont sell him to us. We don’t need to look further to see that Capoue has similar style to fellaini except with the big hair but doubt Toulouse will be willing to sell

  121. devilgunner says:

    Oh yes the little prince and I managed to built a snowman….albeit a small one. only about two feet tall.

    Hand up for offside. Hmmmmmmm. How about the middle finger also………dedicated to Dean?

    Off for training in the crunching snow.

  122. tsGH says:

    😀 Emma I was only trying to make the point you have made more eloquently.

    What I was trying to say was that we are seen as the ‘target board’. teams will rather sell to manure than us because they fill like we can be caught especially without AW. An example is as in the case of Smalling where we made a bid first but Fulham did not consider selling him until manure showed their face. The fee was even the same. In the end Smalling chosen fergie.

    How did Valencia get money for Iago Aspas, Emma? Unless they are selling one of their stars in this window.

    I prefer Keisling of Leverkusen but still Aspas is a solid performer…

    Personally, I have never rated Spanish strikers. Their best ever is Torres and well… That is the reason Spain has been habitual QFinalist until the last 10 years even though they have always had the best midfielders in Europe.

    Imho the best strikers have to be Italian, Dutch or German for me!

  123. Joaquim moreira says:

    afternoon all !
    we are on the 15th January… no signs, no new players.
    tomorrow we can be out for the Fa Cup.
    We will be on the 16th january.
    Et the end of this month we can be away for reach the 4th place.

  124. tsGH says:

    Still no TR07 in training… I think he is a ‘goner’ I will be happy with a swap deal for Diame or fellani but not as a DM because they are cack in that position

  125. Lee says:

    Didn’t someone mention talk of TR07 to Everton a while ago??? Maybe part of a swap deal??? I can dream, so don’t burst my bubble…..

  126. rico says:

    Afternoon folks…

    Oh well, look on the bright side. Kompany being in the Citeh squad might be enough to stop Fergie from winning the PL. Fingers crossed eh….

    Ts, so do I re Tomas…

  127. emma says:

    Team News: Koscielny, Arteta, Fabianski

    Arsène Wenger revealed the following team news ahead of the Swansea City game:

    on the FA Cup replay…
    We have Koscielny suspended for tomorrow night and everybody else will be available. He will be replaced in the squad by Arshavin.

    on Mikel Arteta…
    Arteta’s injury could be shorter than three weeks because it’s a minor calf strain. It’s a light grade one so it could be quicker than three weeks.

    on Tomas Rosicky…
    Rosicky is still out. He has a little calf problem. I wanted to involve him tomorrow night but it’s too short.

    on Lukasz Fabianski…
    He’s the only one injured, along with Arteta now. He’s one more week away from full training I think.

  128. allezkev says:

    Stanley, as the song goes, “Don’t worry,be happy”….

    Arsene is making two major signings this window…

    Walcott and A N Other….

    Deep joy!!! 🙁

  129. goonster says:

    hey AK, am tilting gradual into towards the “wenger out” mugs…….we need a DM, LB and a new keeper yet the old prick still sits at pressers and regurgitate the same old drivel. am about to lose it. God help me.

  130. allezkev says:

    High Adam, just as well you’ve got the amphetamines to fall back on…
    It’s all about economising after Christmas mate, I know how it is…

  131. allezkev says:

    Stan, it show’s how far Wenger’s stock has fallen.
    One year left on his contract and nobody gives a toss…

    Well, except Emma…

  132. goonster says:

    AK you wanna bet the old geezers on our board ll offer him a new 3 years contract with a fat pay increase? he’s not leaving anytime soon. not as long as he can fart!

  133. allezkev says:

    Next month Adam, good grief, you must be walking on the ceiling…
    Cold turkey Boxing Day and all thru January, wow… 🙂

    Stan, Wenger will leave in the summer of 2014.
    The question is, how much Syrup will bribe him to stay stum???

  134. SD London says:

    Okay, still not buying anybody then.

    Wenger should know by now that his tricks doesn’t work anymore.

    He now comes out to say that he will buy two players that he now has money to spend after we lost to Man City, i think every true Arsenal fan wanted us to loose to Man shity because if we had won,
    Wenger will start his stories again like;
    I always had believe in this thing,
    They have potential,
    This group of players can achieve a lot,
    There is real character in this team,
    bla bla bla bla

    The truth is , even though he said he will buy, there is no guarantee he will buy.

  135. goonster says:

    hahahahahahhaa, i ll take that look though but am even better looking. a blonde adonis adam, a blonde adonis. hey rico, how do i get my photograph on HH?

  136. Adam says:

    Kev. I am sitting in a bowl of cold custard and sucking an iron bar to relieve the tension. If I had Stan’s lips I could attach myself to a sheet of glass.

  137. goonster says:

    hahahahahaah jaap stam is a brute kev……no way. wait for it guys, one day i will post my photograph on HH, am sure clorinda ll have a rethink and AGAG ll want my number.

  138. allezkev says:

    Good God, I’m not sure I really know how to respond Adam. 😉
    Maybe a bottle of Cava will perk you up..?
    Maybe a bottle Night Nurse?
    Maybe just the nurse???

  139. allezkev says:

    Stan, I reckon Clorinda wants your number, your credit card number that is…

    When are you coming to England Stan?
    I’ve mentioned your name to a lot of the sexy young thing’s down Old Compton St.
    They’re desperate to meet you…

  140. goonster says:

    hahahhahhahh old compton street aint for me anymore AK. i have seen the light! rico he ll surprise us alright with a few deadwoods shipped in. what a muppet.

  141. rico says:

    You know what Adam, I think AW will sign a DM and a striker this month.

    Maybe not who most would like, but I think he will.

  142. rico says:

    We’ll see when it gets to the 31st goonster.

    Maybe I am just getting excited about the fact that I am soon to go away, and will have no internet 😛

  143. goonster says:

    what???? go away to where maam? what the heck are you talking about? what happens to HH while you are gone?

  144. rico says:

    That’s all in hand goonster, only 5 days so don’t get too excited 🙂

    I totally understand SD, I really do. Wish he’d stop talking to the media and get on with sorting the squad out!

  145. rico says:

    Haha Ak, that would be less painful than watching our lot….

    But yes, I am as long as the weather stays ok…

    Evening…..

  146. Joaquim Moreira says:

    so, M’villa and Remy to QPR?
    the brasilian Chelsea young player on loan to Malaga..
    Swansea in the spanish market again

  147. potter says:

    Which Cava do you drink Rico ? I used many years ago to live near San Sadurni de Anoia where the Caves are. If you can get it in England try the Anna de Cordonui .Last time idrove down there I bought two cases back, we quaffed the last one on New Years Eve.

    Cava is not for laying down it’s for drinking , that’s why we like it.

  148. rico says:

    Potter – I’m am being teased somewhat by the ‘boys’ on here. I don’t normally drink that much but at Christmas I bought a couple of bottles of Cava to toast the day.

    I ended up with a headache 🙁

    I like it very much, but I know very little about which is the best, as long as it’s no more than ‘2’ – I’ll be fine.

    Thank you though, I will try that one, if I can find it…

  149. allezkev says:

    Yes Adam I was, and am, between jobs.

    No mate, not going, seeing them labour at The Liberty was enough…

    Tbh, Bradford was the last straw. They were just pathetic that night, and I lost the last vestage of hope for this season and of Wenger in general. Sad but true.

  150. potter says:

    Tesco ????

    As with all wines it’s best to find a reletively expensive one on offer’ I rarely spend more than £6 – 7 on a bottle but if it’s reduced from £10 – 12 it’s a good bottle.

    The better the bottle the better chance you have of avoiding the morning paracetamol .

  151. W.A.T.H says:

    Evening all, I see the FA have said its fine to kick lumps out of Wilshere and Arsenal then…! What a bunch of pricks…!

  152. Scott from Oz says:

    Wath, Dean had the same attitude as the FA on the weekend…he allowed plenty before sending Kompany off.
    Jack will be lucky to last 3-4 seasons at this rate…..bloody joke.

  153. Scott from Oz says:

    My question is this guys……
    Kozzer cops a 3 match suspension for something that was never going to hurt a fly, yet Kompany gets away with a tackle that,if it went wrong, could break a leg.
    Am i missing something here??

  154. Scott from Oz says:

    We are getting some class in…i can feel it in my bones.
    Not sure who, but i reckon we will all be surprised, and pleasantly so.

  155. Scott from Oz says:

    Hi Lee.
    M’villa or Capoue would be priority one..for me, a true DM is our biggest requirement.
    After that, i am at a bit of a loss.
    We seem to have a few guys capale of playing on the wing, but who make it clear they would prefer not to, and performances show that….maybe a true winger.
    Then again, we are struggling to score on occasions, so a top flight striker would help.
    On the other hand, a true winger may ive much better delivery and help the strikers we have.
    A creative midfielder would not go astray.
    Ok….considering it is January, taking into account our history of low spending and trying to find bargains, knowing how good this guy can be, and depending on the deal, i reckon Gourcuff might be worth a go.
    He would not be my first choice Lee, but i am trying to look at things realistically.
    Get a top class DM though, and we are a much better unit straight away.
    How about you??

  156. Lee says:

    Capoue Fellaini Jovetic Isco any of those two but like you I think a true DM is a priority and will help protect our defence. Look at our defence on paper it’s bloody good so why do we concede such soft goals? Answer: No out and out DM!
    Arsene’s take note!! 😆

  157. Lee says:

    Arsene Wenger has warned against placing too much pressure on Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, despite agreeing with Thomas Vermaelen’s assertion that the England international is already “world class”.

    Wilshere, 21, showed admirable defiance in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, and his performances have steadily improved since his return from long-term injury late last year.

    Vermaelen has been so impressed with the swift re-adjustment that he effusively praised his team-mate on Tuesday. Wenger was equally emphatic, but cautioned against expecting too much of Wilshere too soon.

    “Of course I agree [with Vermaelen]. You want a player of such a young age to give him time as well,” Wenger said. “I believe the most important thing is that he has talent and loves football. As long as he loves football, he will improve.

    “So let’s keep that kind of important ingredient in the development of a player right, and not make them feel that they have nothing to grow for. Jack is someone who wants to improve, he has a good attitude and if he keeps that he will always continue to grow.

    “He is only 21, he has only [been] back for a short period of time after 17 months out, so I believe in England the way to protect the players is to just let them develop naturally and not put too much pressure on them.

    “Here, the expectation level is so high individually on players that they are not in a normal development, sometimes there is so much focus on them that I feel it is a handicap.

    “Let’s not set any limitations [on how good he can be]. What is important is the day he will have made his career and thinks, ‘I have been as good as I could have hoped to be’.”

    Wenger did admit that one of the keys to Wilshere’s return to form has been the recovery of his “burst of speed” that marked him out before his injury.

    “I trust my eyes on that and I would say you have seen the game against Man City, you are confident that he can pass people,” Wenger said. “One month ago you could see he would have to fight with his body to get past people. Against Man City he looked comfortable to do that.”

    The Arsenal manager also said that he did not plan to rest Wilshere any time soon, despite the busy schedule in recent weeks. “Maybe not in this period, at some stage I will do it,” he said. “At the moment I don’t think he is overloaded because he just came back very recently, and you get the feeling he gets stronger.

    “We have a good approach taking the physical analysis and statistical analysis between what the player feels and what the medical department thinks, and you have to come to a conclusion on that. At the moment, all these three are positives so I don’t think at the moment I will rest him immediately. But it will happen.”

  158. Scott from Oz says:

    It is the trick to keeping athletes….any type of athletes…..at their best.
    Do not wait until they are over the top before giving them a break.
    Spell them when they are feeling good, and they will come back even better.

  159. tsGH says:

    Morning all..

    Very tragic news about the helicopter going down near Vauxhall cross. For those non-uk guys its in south london about a mile from our Parliament house.

  160. rico says:

    Good point there Ts and he’s done it to a few hasn’t he.

    Pompey being the main one and look where they are now….

  161. tsGH says:

    Southampton, Bournemouth, WHU the only exception are the scums who have J Lewis who is richer than Stan so I guess that would not happen.

    Talking of WHU, didn’t Gold and Sullivan diss the previous owners about buying for the sake of buying when they took over from them? They now have more players on their books than what RM have… lol

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