Transfer news is still rife at the Arsenal, what with Wenger and Gazidis both saying that we will be very busy in the window this summer.
Supporters are getting all excited still believing that finally Arsenal are going to take the EPL seriously next season.
Both men have mentioned how poor we were in the run in and how they now think its time to stiffen up our wilting defence.
These words are music to the ears of the Arsenal faithful who have slowly been losing their enthusiasm, some have even thought about not renewing their much sought after season tickets. We have entered this window with our first acquisition by signing a young man from Charlton in the form of Carl Jenkinson but whether the manager sees him as a regular or cover in his first season, or if we will just try and add finishing touches is yet to be revealed but at least we have started.
We have been linked to many players, defenders, midfielders and strikers, maybe even a keeper but as yet we are still all holding our breath. Some of these players come with quite a hefty price tag, so most Gooners screw their faces up and we hear the normal comment ‘He wont pay that’.
All to often that appears to be the case and instead of buying a top proven name we end up with an unknown but hopefully this transfer window we will show true commitment and the penny-pinching signings will cease.
It always surprises me that when looking for replacement players it appears that strikers prices seem to be higher than defenders why is that, surely a very good striker would need a very good defender to stop him? In the last year we acquired two central defenders and a striker and with our normal forwards injured we had to start with our new man and to be honest he did a fine job he did until our regular strikers returned. I must add he was a free signing.
Our two new Centre Backs had a pretty bumpy ride and Sébastien Squillaci has far from impressed. The managers mix and match tactics never really came off so that’s why we are looking for additions again this summer. This is quite surprising to me because a year ago we spent twenty million on the two defenders and neither one of them have done enough to cement their position in the side in fairness to both, neither had played in what is known as the toughest league in the world before.
Proven players Cahill and Samba are players who have been linked to us and fingers crossed we will get one, or even both of them. Cahill has had other clubs bid for his services but not enough for his club to accept their offers, the figure is believed to be around sixteen million. On the other hand there is Samba, at this point in time the estimate is around ten million and most Gooners believe because of the lower price he could be the one we end up buying.
I find this very strange, we have CB’s who have in all sense and purpose not come up to scratch and yet we will probably buy the lesser player of the two on offer for the want of only a few million, surely the better player must be purchased?
Should this happen and we lose the better player, will we believe that the Charlton youngster should have been given a bye and the money put towards Cahill?
The selling of Squillaci and Koscielny could quite easily help us secure both Cahill and Samba and with Bartley and Miquel waiting for their chance this would put us in good position. With Vermaelen and Djourou as cover or mixed and matched would see our back line settled for a few good seasons.
In my eyes you only get what you pay for!!
Written by Steve Palmer.
Morning All
Totally agree Steve and a good post again, about time the penny pinching stopped and we bought better – i like the idea of selling Squlli and Kos if if meant we could get Samba and Cahill….
I can’t see Jenkinson playing much, all depends if Eboue goes i think….
Back in a bit…
Where did you get £20 million from?
yeah would be ok if we could get both but why not get both anyway & not sell kozzer who imo will be a top,top playerseeing the amount of injuries c/backs get playing for the top clubs,you can never have too many,particularly us.soo keep KOZZER…
Jenkinson is quite clearly cover / future potential, with only really eboue as cover, Wenger identified CJ several months ago as someone who could push both sagna and eboue. Although we have coquelin (on loan at lorient last season) who has moved back to RB, i still see him as a DM……..So that was needed……
As for the comment about the better of two players, that is subjective and should be balanced against what we need…….Yes Cahill is younger and the potential to improve and become a seasoned international. Samba is older, more experienced professional who is at his peak.
Would be great to get both, but for me if only 1 I would select Samba, he ticks all the right boxes and fits in immediately to our direct needs………
Good morning
I do not think a good idea to sell Kos.
News: Villas-Boas should be at chelsea, but is only confirmed after chelsea pay the termination clause of 15 million. It is said that anger to win 5 million per year. The assistant coach not go to Chelsea..
The move, should have imposed the condition to take two players Falcao ( termination clause of 30 million) and Joao Moutinho (40 million termination clause).
All in all, with the Porto, Cchelsea spend 85 million euros.
To try to be champion, is not bad …
I think Samba is by far the lesser player and especially because of the way we play. We push up and play a high line in our defence. Samba is too slow for our type of play. Cahill will do a good job and be a great buy. I think none of our CB’s will be sold. Squiqy shoes won’t play a part but not sold. Kosser will fight for his place. I think Djourou is over rated. He had a horrible end to the season. He backs off too much. This invites the other team into our area. Not commanding at all.
I also think Bartley should be a part of our 1st. squad next season. Our central defence: Verminator, Johan D, Cahill, Kosser, Bartley, Miquel, Squiqy. Miquel and Sq shouldn’t play a big part. Maybe a short loan for Miquel.
I love Arsenal but Wenger…………………………………… I want to see Arsenal players lift a trophy or two next season. But how will it happen if no new players are added in the team. We all know where the weakness is, but Mr. Wenger does not want to spend; why? Just wait, he will say, Varmalean is back and he will promote other two kinds and he will call it a transfer window closed. Fine, we know the club needs to balance their books properly, how about us fans???????. These are mere transfer speculations, such speculations have been on every transfer window but at the end of the day we see no new signings or ifany, they’ll bring in someone who won’t even be of any good to the team. These speculations are just on to make fans happy, but I don’t think Mr. Wenger will purchase any big name. For me I am not expecting much during this transfer window.
Best regards to all Arsenal fans.
I see posters on other blogs are picking up my idea of Kos being the new defensive midfielder. He can pass a ball as good as any Arsenal player and is good backup at the back. We need Cahil and or Samba with TV being a great backup at left back. Would any Arsenal fan not like TV, Cahil, Samba, Djourou, Kos and Sagna at the back. I don’t know about you but I would piss my pants.
Add Gervihno to Nasri, Cesc RVP, Chamack,, my favourite Russian, Theo and give Vela a chance. What more could you want. Only a swap with Shaktar for Willian and we all have an orgasm. I defy gunners fans to improve on this scenario. A scenario that is not too hard to complete if Wenger gets his act together. This is a scenario that many Arsenal fans think is the solution. Unless he can produce maybe Benzema as well as the defence then this is his last chance. How come we can see the solution and he can’t.
Only problem will be that nobody wants to buy our dead weight. Bendtner, Denilson, Rosicky (hate to put him in that list but unfortunately past used by date) Eboue (could be usefull but can’t stop diving) The rest just offload to lighten payroll.
Morning all, great read SP, and following on from the good points you made on the 17th, again commenting on Arsenal’s defensive weaknesses in certain circumstances.
Why oh why does it take so long for Wenger to see the obvious? He just invites ridicule and frustrates the fans.
Surely a defensive coach is a positive move and as much as the cost of both Cahill and Samba would strain the clubs precious finances, in the long run, it would be a sound and beneficial investment.
Selling Koscielny ?, are you kidding or are you out of your mind ? . True he had his hiccoughs like the Wembley final but he would be world class in no time. Didn’t he just swallow Messi at Emirates ?, For me he was one of the shining lights of last season, he just needs to put on some muscle which I am sure the club is working on. Our defensive owes run far beyond CBs. Last season he was among the defenders who had the highest no. of intercepts. He is perfect for UCL,why sell him. We have regretted selling too many players like Diarra,Upson to name a few
So Sandro Rossell reckons that Cesc’s value has dropped since last season, hmmm?
Well you can appreciate his point of view, after all Cesc is all of 24 years old, a right ‘old codger’ and clearly past his prime!!!
Well Sandro, if that’s the case, i suggest you bugger off and look elsewhere…
What is Spanish for ‘bugger off’…? Where’s JM?
Hi all
Not around for too long as on hol’s – but will be around a bit later…
Nice post Steve, AK i think it begs the question what exactly goes on at Colney and what do the backroom staff do or do not do as the case maybe..? are they there strictly to nod in agreement with wenger over absolutely everything or do they actually challenge his thoughts and ideas to get him to want to get us to the next level..?
good post ,but kos should not be sold ,squillaci certainly
but we need aleast samba or cahill,
anyway barca spend 38million on sanchez for 12 goals in a whole season in the serie A and fabregas in a injury stricken season has 9 goals and about 15 assists is valued less than 35 million ,Sandro rossel lost it surely!!!!
AF, barca and rossel are just taking the piss pure and simple….. They trying to unstable Cesc and make his position untenable with the club and the fans thats all and in the same instance trying to get him on the cheap.
What our gutless club needs to do is issue a statement saying that its unfortunate that barca want to air their opinions in public and its a shame that a player they supposedly crave is one that they continually undevalue which makes you wonder how much they actually rate him or are they just merely trying to destablise the player and relations with his club which in this case is Arsenal. We would hope barca show some class and refrain from using the media to voice their opinions on another clubs player as he is not for sale and it’s pretty obvious they can’t afford him anyway..!
Barca can take a long run off of a short pier 🙂
wath completely agree, barca are certainly using the media so as to lure cesc, but if cesc stays then next season when xavi will be older they certainly will come after cesc so its necessary that next season we win trophies otherwise most of our top players will be wanting out ….
‘Arry want’s Cahill…….
Off again, later all….
news:
FC Porto made official minutes for the departure of coach Andre Villas-Boas, in a statement to inform the CMVM, the coach asked for termination of contract with the club without just cause.
The coach will have to pay the termination clause of 15 million euros, dragons, and may well head to London where he will take charge of Chelsea.
Here is the statement:
The FC Porto – Futebol, SAD, in accordance with Article 248 paragraph 1 of the Securities Code, hereby informs the market that Futebol Clube do Porto – Futebol, SAD was today notified of the intention of his coach, Andre Villas-Boas, to solve without good cause, the employment contract in place with this sports society, triggering its termination clause immediately.
Accordingly, the agreement shall be deemed, for the company settled with the deposit of the amount provided for therein.
The Board of Directors
Porto, June 21, 2011
More news:
a) The interest of Barcelona in having the services of Cesc Fabregas is real, but has a limit of 40 million euros. Guarantee Sandro Rosell, president of the Spanish triple champion and winner of the Champions League Barcelona.
“I do not know whether or not we hire Cesc. From what I have no doubt is that he has a great desire to come to Barca. We will not offer more than 40 million and not to give Arsenal, Cesc (Fabregas) will not come, “founded the president of Barcelona, told the program now broadcast by television station TV3.
To conclude the interview, Sandro Rosell, who last week admitted telling relationships with Real Madrid, said the relationship with his counterpart meringue is on stand-by.
b) The British newspaper Daily Mirror reports today that Manchester City and Tottenham came back to pay attention to the Hulk.
On the basis of news is that the player has recently accepted a transfer, told ESPN Brazil: “Before the holidays start, I renewed the contract with FC Porto for two years, but if you see a good opportunity for me and the club can always happen. ”
According to the Daily Mirror, the statements of Hulk will then caught the attention of top clubs interested in the player with Manchester City and Tottenham to the head
c) Radamel Falcao could be the exit door. The advanced region, which during this time has not renewed with FC Porto and maintains the termination clause set at 30 million, is in the plans of his Chelsea contract and can precipitate at any time.
There will be a concerted operation with the transfer of Andre Villas Boas for the blues, but will have little to do. Whether the added value that is the Colombian target also the envy of other clubs renowned mainly to Arsenal and Tottenham, or because the complex so the package deal may also require counseling or …
The dragons have always had the notion that although the transactions Fernando, Rolando and / or Sapunaru come to balance the books, the sale of one of its most precious – or Hulk Falcao – would be unavoidable. And the Colombian, with a termination clause more … low, would naturally be at the mercy of the market and especially the big sharks of European football.
A sacrifice for which the blue and white emblem was always prepared, even if the attempt to avoid the added value is for the team and that is mainly for fans sportsmen, who have the great Colombian account.
Hence the delicacy of the operation, only possible in extreme circumstances not to have doubts as to its inevitability. This does not mean it’s already drawn your destination. This is because the good way of negotiating capacity of the dragons, can be around to blow a big surprise … One thing is certain, Villas Boas do not travel alone.
Someone at Arsenal wants to grow some bollocks and tell barca this is what we’ll accept for Fabregas otherwise please fuck off and do one!! Classless pricks!!
Well said Lee, spot on mate…!
WATH, it winds the fck out of me that we sit and let this shit go on….
Totally agree mate, someone should be telling barca to wind their neck in talking about another clubs player and seeing as they are so much in debt if they cant afford a world class player then have the decency to shut up talking about him in the media.
maybe if the hierarchy of club showed some bollocks it may filter down to the team…..just a thought!
How long we been saying that Lee….???????? All hillbillywood wants to do is count his millions he’s made get pissed and talk shit to the daily star every few months…!
well some good news…..maybe
the club of ricky alvarez i.e velez sarsfield say that he player will move to a unknown english club .just hope its us……
WATH, the getting pissed and talking shit, I can associate with…. 😉
The only things we are really missing in defence are: aggression and a commanding voice.
add positional sense to that Will and your spot on oh and also the fact we don’t play as a defensive unit…! Thank the lack of coaching for that…!
Lee, ur such a pisshead 😀
Chemist no??
Bartender……………….!
hopefully we’ve sold him… 🙂
Good one, Steve. AW is notoriously frugal about our purchases. But they don’t all turn out to be TV5s. Sometimes, and unfortunately, they are Squidgies. 😉 I do like Koz though. I think he has had a strong first season; all things considered.
We wait with bated breath..
Hello, WATH and Lee. Barca have been tapping up Cesc with impunity; and that is in no mean part due to the lack of action by the powers that be at the club; and the authorities as well. Didn’t the FIFA/UEFA official website run stories on the Cesc to Barca news last summer?
Hey, the drinks are on Lee….
Howdy doody Gooners…..
Now…….have we bloody signed anyone???????????????
Hey agag, how are ya doing? Has it stopped raining yet???
Hey, AK. Howdy? Hasn’t stopped raining. Dripdripdrip. 🙁 Just been to the coast though. Wouldn’t let little things like typhoons, and floodings, and diverted flights stop me. 😉
How was your driving?
Well London is a very interesting city agag, you should see the fun i have when i execute a u-turn, how we all laughed!!!
Typhoons, floods, blimey, you lot must be tough. I reckon you could even cope on the London Underground….lol
Down to the coast??? You on your hols then agag?
Hola, AK & AGAG…..no signings yet! Cahill is 99% coming to a London club,got my mate to ask him point blank as he’s in same hotel Dubai!!! Probably the “O’s” though…, 🙂
Wath, forgot that. Yes so: Aggression, a voice and positional sense. Not a lot to ask from a defender is it.
AK did you listen to talk shite on Sunday night? Interview with Frank McClintock….I missed it!!!
I’d be the last person to comment on anyone’s driving, AK. 🙂 It would be very pot calling the kettle black of me. Lol.
Went to Boracay last week. 😉 We have a lot of pretty beaches down south. It was rain and shine but where I stayed Happy Hour started at 3 pm though. 🙂 good enough for me.
I was fully expecting us to have signed a couple of players by the time I had returned… And still nothing. Typically AFC.
Hola Lee, no i missed Frank, but i believe they have a podcast of the interview, with Danny Kelly [i think] on the Talkshite website.
Cahill to Slum Hart Lane is my nightmare.
Boracay, sounds very nice agag. Palm beaches i guess, sounds idylic.
Happy Hour, hmm, GG on tap, am i close? lol
Be about right AK!!
Millwall want Benik Afobe on loan next season. They’ll certainly toughen him up down there in darkest Bermondsey.
Do you think this loan thing works?
Very pretty, AK. If you can manage a long-haul flight, go to Boracay or Panglao, Coron or El Nido. 🙂 You’re pretty much spot on, yes.
Now, have we signed anyone yet?
Will, it worked for Jack. Toughened him up. Seems to have worked for Lansbury. Not for Vela though, it seems.
Evening all,
sorry i haven’t been about to answer some of your comments, I have actually had to work this week. Many thought I had a downer on Kosi but I haven’t, I just don’t want to get rid of our youngsters and I would like us to acquire both Cahill And Samba, There comes a time that we have to thin down, we can’t have the amount of CB we have now if we brought two, and although Kosi played reasonably, I would still prefer the two new signings, maybe change To JD I think it depends on who offers what.
I think it works less that it works though Agag. Jack would work anywhere and it was just a case of giving him game time.
Wenger is notorious for leaving it late for replacements, with Harry poking his nose in as well makes me think that Wenger wants no part of a bidding war. Hopefully Harry’s bid will be turned down and Harry will look elsewhere. Usually Harry wants everybody that we are linked with, perhaps that’s his way of making sure we pay top Dollar. I don’t think there’s a lot of love between the two.
Steve, think about it. Man Utd always go for the players we want, Chelsea also and the Spuds and now Man City. Maybe Wenger should start talking up some right dross 😉
Hi Will, your right there mate, perhaps one or two of ours eh, I would love to see Bendy and Denny linning up for them
Man Utd’s new starting line up including: Denilson, Diaby, The Squil and Almunia.
I bet if they played against us Will, they would have a blinder
Oh you know that, Diaby would score a hat-trick.
Do you know if our leader is back from his Travels yet, I have started getting a bit touchy. When everybody is in agreement that we have problems and things are not progressing , makes me wonder if the deals have been struck and, we are just waiting for our tour to start before he announces.
Alvarez was supposed to be on his way to Roma.
Then i read he is set to sign for an English club…
Why can’t Wenger just go out and sign somebody without a pantomime???
BOO 🙂
Evening….
Cahill won’t go to Arrys gang, he wants CL football ……
Steve, I think you are on to something.
Will,
if you are thinking deals have been done, i can’t see it – once they are in place, they would be announced through one source or another, i’m sure of it….
NOt if no one but the player, his club, Wenger and Gazidis know.
I am not sure it works that way Will – most deals break the news before they are announced…
I just have that feeling because Wenger has said there will be loads of movement and there are some big deals, he is not a man to say things like that.
Arsenal must learn from the Porto:
Villas-Boas had a termination clause of 15 million Euros. The principle is simple: the person deposits 15 million on behalf of the club and the coach is free to go to his life. No travel. There are no conversations. Porto, knowing that Villas-Boas had been three weeks ago in London on vacation (?) Had all combined. He spoke with felt the assistant coach with the ability to take the place of head coach. Said yes. Resigned to go with Villas-Boas for Chelsea and has already been announced today. The focus on Continue. Period.
If Arsenal Fabregas was established with a termination clause (eg 40 million) is not fed speculation and uncertainty. Every day there are “new” statements, travel, etc.. Why?
Wenegr has said too many times he will do this that and the other, I don’t trust the man, i won’t believe a word from his mouth or gazidis until any new players are signed and sealed……
JM, if there is a clause in Fabregas’ contract, what is to stop Chelsea or Man City from invoking it?
FAir point Rico.
Anybody can offer the money for the buy out clause – BUT, it doesn’t mean a player has to go and we all know Cesc will only go to Barca so any buy out clause is irrelvant with Cesc….
Some of these clauses mean the player can speak with the other team and we know what can happen then…
But i am talking about Cesc only – he won’t go anyehere other than Barca – so any get out clause is irrelevant..
No matter who offers what, the final decision to where he plays is down to him….. Barca, or stay with us, thats all he wants…
rico and Will,
Yes, but there may be a clause in the contract saying that if you leave the Arsenal while linked to Arsenal, is only for Barcelona or Barcelona has the first word.
This is also true. It is a question of managing their assets.
I admire your faith in Cesc Rico, I really do but, if Man City offer him £250k a week, it is a huge temptation.
JM, for sure, but Cesc has said he won’t go to any other club…
Will, Cesc has said it time and time again, its either stay or Spain…
I don’t think with him its about money, its about ‘going home’….
According to Phillipe Auclair, a French journo on Talkshite, the Gervinho talks are going well, but going slowly [you don’t say!], Gael Clichy will leave but not to an EPL club and Nasri will stay but run down his contract….
Some good info there Kev.
Rico, I hope he repays the faith you have in him.
AK, Wenger won’t allow Nasri to run down his contract – well, Stan won’t, he eithers signs or goes imho – he’s waiting to see who we buy so best wenger to get on with it…..
what is a ‘Wos Jackie’ 😉 😉
I don’t think he will stay Will….
Got to go guys, i am wacked, all that sea air has made me a bit snoozy 😉
Catch you all tomorrow – be good 🙂
Goodnight Rico, e-mail in the post…
Well i suppose French journos are just as speculative as British one’s Will.
As Rico said, i can’t see Arsenal letting it happen, but then again, they can’t force him out if he just sits on his hands!
Will, this problem is one of Arsenal’s own making, by not sorting this contract rubbish out 12 months ago.
Losing Flamini on a Bosman has taught those pillocks absolutely nothing…
I agree with you Kev and I think the shifting of players we are seeing now is part of that. I don’t think Stan will allow players to run down their contracts.
Spot on Will, i think that Fiszmans illness seemed to induce a kind of drifting at the top.
Hill-Wood is useless and his two mates Lord Harris and Keswick just seem a waste of space.
But hopefully Kroneke will get things moving again, and if he doesn’t then i guess that Ursmanov will stir it up.
I have a feeling Stan is winner and no mug so, I expect a few changes.
I hope your right Will, we’ve had 6 years of false dawns, one more year of the last lot of crap and they’ll be lucky to sell all their bloody season tickets.
But i agree, from what i’ve read Stan is a winner, i just wish he’d spend a bit more time on this side of the water…
Time will tell in reality but everything he has done in the States shows that he is a winner and even though he doesn’t throw away money, he knows you have to speculate to accumulate.
Morning Guys/Gals
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