Okay the Ben Arfa story, Wenger said,
“He is a great player and Arsenal is a potential destination for any great player.”
What does that mean? We know that boss, it’s you we need to convince, but with Vela being shoehorned in for left wing next season, I would be surprised.
Martins for £10 million being lined up? I hope not, we need established, great players to come in, not ones that can’t cut it with relegation strugglers.
Flamini again says he wants to stay, well stay then and sign, either that or just go, I for one am getting bored with that story.
We had a great rant yesterday, welcomed on board some new bloggers and some bloggers we used to know when we went on other sites, welcome to the Grove.
Don’t forget we post EVERY day, even when we don’t get the result we want and even when there’s no news, we still have you Grovers to talk to, which makes us all feel like a family.
When we usually have a rant, we get a lot of ‘Arsene knows’ twats, yesterday we only had one, so either they’re getting the message, or more and more people agree with what we say, so a good Easter for blogging but a bad one for football.
I have more or less given up on the Premiership but we still have the Champions league to go for, if we could only get a fair shake from the refs we still have a great chance, but the league run in reminds me of 1989, it’s not over yet Grovers even though it feels like it is.
Maybe deep down now Arsene does at last know these kids need some help and maybe we’ll see some movement in the early summer, we have a host of clubs getting closer to that 4th spot, so we need to get going and shore up the cracks before we become one of them.
It’s a long wait for our next game, then they come thick and fast, take heart Grovers, we ARE STILL in the big one and still have all to play for.
Second in the league would be good as it takes away qualifying but first hasn’t gone quite yet.
Onwards upwards and keep your peckers up, this will go to the wire, let’s see if we have the stomach for it.
Have a great day and get your comments in, we appreciate them.
I would like to see Ben Afra @ the club ,along with 3 other players, but Wenger may only buy 2 at the most.
Morning all.
Well said again Geoff/Pedro?
Not going to let sunday ruin my week, we should expect a win at Bolton, and take it from there. still see us doing the scousers in the CL, but let’s at least try and finish as high as possible in the for now.
Ben Afra does sound the bollox, Martins on the other hand I would not touch with a barge poll!! He’s inconsistent, and far too short! Our lack of height is becoming very obvious! Think we need a few 6ft+ bruisers signed for next season! Any thoughts?!
nice post this morning, a good way to settle back to work,
this Ben Arfa guy, while a new signing is a welcome topic but anyone know if he is getting his game we hardly want another bench warmer, i thought i read this morning he is getting frustrated, i want phobia’s two brazillain boys!
Le Champ nominee – Bacary Sagna, decent game, decent goal nuff said!
Le Chump nominee – Masherano, for cocking up any chance the scousers had of holding the manc! what a twat!
Bang on Pedro/Geoff.
Maybe others are starting to believe us now when we say we need some established international players brought in. Wenger has done amazingly well on a limited budget in the past, but unfortunately the lack of ‘winners’ is costing us now and it didn’t need a beating at Chelsea to prove that.
I for one have always been a great supporter of Wenger, but his arrogance and obstainance are costing us big time now. I’ll always renew my season ticket whatever, i’m not sure that can be said of everyone at The Emirates.
Ben Arfa looks a good player, but again does he have the wrong attitude?? He has fallen out with Benzema at Lyon & thats why he is apparently on the bench. I know Wenger doesn’t usually mind that sort of thing but I think the superior attitude some of our players have is half our current problem. Take Adebayor, if you watch a re-run of the match at OT last season when he scored you can see how desperate he was to show what a player he could be, he worked on his own all day long. Now over the past few weeks (ever since he started getting lots of praise) his attitude has been awful & his work rate has pretty much disappeared.
I think the biggest loss last summer was missing out on Ribery. He has stood out at Bayern Munich & the fans there have said he is their player of the season. How we could have done with him to replace Rosicky this past few months!!
Arsenal won’t win the title now because Man Utd won’t slip up 3 times, but if Arsenal do well in the remaining fixtures, even if they don’t win the CL, then Wenger will come out with that statement again that the team has proved how good they can be & that he doesn’t need to make any major purchases etc. Everyone can see that for a real challenge we need some more quality with experience added, but can anyone truly see Wenger changing his ways now? I can’t.
Good Morning Gooners
Ben Afra would be great!! a double deal for Benzema would be even better but we know what normally happens to exciting players we are linked too Ribery,Babel, Robinho etc…
Obviously a new signing would cheer everyone up & might imply Wenger is turning the corner but until I see them in an Arsenal shirt @ the Emirates i will take it with a pinch of salt..
what do we expect wennger to say of course he will say these players are great and he does not need to boost the squad this folks is all games he is not stupid he has said in recent weeks we need to attack in wide area’s he also knows that for the last 2 years from end of feb to end of march our season has fallen apart (even if we are still in with a chance) im not saying “arsene knows” but i think he knows we have run out of gas and he will also know that we have lots of players involved in the euros so he will need to boost squad and with gilberto gone id say it will be a winger a centre foward a midfielder and civer at fullback along with vela that would not be to bad i think he will be busy no mater and if he does not and we hit the wall again in feb 09 then he needs to go as he has not learned
GMR’s point about Ribery is a good one – in previous title winning seasons we’ve had someone step up and drag us over the line i.e. Pires, Freddie. Ribery is just the sort of player that could have done that for us this time.
We’ve moved forward this year and bad luck has played a part…i can’t remember the last time a match changing offside or penalty decision went our way in the last 6 weeks, on things like that seasons turn.
I still maintain though that the Jan transfer window when both RVP and Rosicknote were clearly out for a while was the time to bring in at least one new goal scoring face to the club.
Hello! Great Post Geoff. Right to the point.
The Ben Arfa thought is a good one. And speaking of Bayern, L.Podolski is on my wishlist. Some great signs there. For the midfield, how about Lulinha? Tho he is a bit on the pricy side…
Odub, I’m working on the Le Chump/Champs…
Did anyone read about Gallas’ this morning? It was in the sun… so the source is always going to be doubtful but apparently the whole team was miffed at the criticism aimed at Theo and they all thought the Chelsea team talk was a bit, me me me.
GMR, I wrote about Ribery way back… when he tore Bolton an new ass hole… was taken off and then Bayern conceded! He was magic that game…
He looks the real deal and he is still young enough to fit in… we missed out big time.
I don’t want Robinho… too small…
Quaresma would be ok, but apparently he was too light weight for La Liga.
Ben Arfa looks good for Lyon, but how many French players look great in that league… They make the move and fail miserably!
Lets chase down some La Liga stars! Or some Prem players! Established ones… they must be available. Anelka would have fit the bill… and Berbatov certainly would (Sorry!).
Remember guys, don’t be to harsh on Wenger… he has been ever so close this year, next year we could do some serious damage. We must bolster though and judging by Arsene’s comments, I believe he knows that.
I think this summer is going to be more exciting than normal!
ac, we also ran out of gas last season and lacked depth in the squad. We lost Henry, Freeddie and Baptista and brought in Sagna and Eduardo. For me this would signal impending lack of depth again. It’s all too easy to say that Wenger knows we lack depth in the squad, but if we don’t address the issue it isn’t going to disappear.
Ben Arfa would be a great buy. he is a player that is rated and can deliver. we rarely buy players like him for big money but I hope wenger does. with him and Vela, next season the wings would become strong again and everybody who knows anything about football knows you need strong wingers if you are to win the premier league.
I dont think we need too much else to be honest providing we keep Flamini. wenger needs to work on defence with the players he has already. Djourou needs to be developed further since he is tall and quick and can deal with the likes of Drogba and Davies. he just need lots of games.
Rosicky, Hoyte, lehmann and Gilberto out. Ben Arfa, Vela in. Song and Fabianski to fill the other holes. Eboue to cover right back (unless we are offered shed loads of cash for him then sell and keep Hoyte for cover). we also need to hope that Traore improves some more.
the only other concern is RVP and his injuries. if wenger beleives he can stay fit then I dont beleive we need a striker either.
I don’t think so to be honest, if he didn’t sign last year after we went out of all comps early and lost Henry, what makes you think he will sign anyone this year?
It was obvious to all last season that Rosicky and Robin were crocks and this year they were crocks again.
We need 4 world class forwards, we have maybe 2 and one in waiting, we need 2 wingers, we maybe have one coming and we need a world class 6 foot plus center back.
Almunia for me is good enough.
And we need a bigger squad of better players.
I watched the Chelsea game on Sky and I thought I saw Terry walk over to Eboue and shake his hand. Does this mean that Eboue had already apologised and Grant was deflecting the attention away from Cole?
Obdub Davor Sukers buisness partner was murdered in a mafia style shooting, and Suker was interviewed by the Police but nothing seems to have come of it as far as i can tell.
Thanks pedro and Geoff I didn’t realise where you posted before you set this up and I agree with you.
The I don’t think so was regarding Arsene has learned from this and will sign players.
So if he knows we’re lacking in depth and experience, why didnt he strengthen in Jan? Why keep going on about the future being bright and next season will be great when we’re in freefall this season?!!!
Frustrating isn’t it, we lose Henry and Freddie and don’t replace them and then we buy Diarra and sell him, if Diarra wasn’t right for us in January, why the fuck buy him in August.
Not saying I like him but what was that all about, Denilson, Randall, Gibbs and Lansbury are 3 or 4 years off, but I bet they’re in the sqaud next season.
the game is up for wenger,the man is losing his mind,he has been running on past glorys for a few seasons now,i understand that the invincibles could not last forever but too replace them with the invisibles & tell us that they are better is a disgrace.its time we got back too the ARSENAL way off conducting our business,its not these players fault that they are not good enough too play for ARSENAL,it is wengers for telling them & us that they are.who is running the club?who does wenger answer too?is it all about making money?are their any long term plans for success?any hope off glory for the loyal fans? surely now is the time that wenger should be starting too groom our next manager as he only has two years left on his contract,will he sign a new contract then?if we are trophy less then would we want him to sign a new one?ARSENAL football club is too important too become average,lets hope this does not happen.
We need Berbatov or someone like him,Fabiano of Sevilla.
Dont Forget we have Vela and Barazite Coming Through, though it will take a while for them to settle in i spose….
How about P.Lahm? hes a good defender. Imagine a Sagna-Lahm Partnership. Great defence, and not afraid to C/Attack… With Toure/Gallas/Phil in the middle, that would be prety tough to break…
Cheers for the Suker update david.
RvP you are missing the point. How does anyone know whether Vela and Barazite have what it takes to perform in the Premier League?? We need to buy a couple of established players who have performed at the top level. yes we have good youngsters in the first team squad, yes we have good youngsters coming through. Do we have enough top players to compete in 4 competitions? NO. Lahm. he is a left back isn’t he? Clichy has been our best player this season.
We can’t keep going through this every season!!
The only problem I see with us signing established stars is most will have to take a pay cut to join us. With the amount of greed in the game at the mo can we actually see players leaving serie a and la liga to join us for £50k a week?
It’s simple, if he doesn’t sign big players and continues to grow the team without winning trophies, cut the price of tickets to reflect the lack of success.
Steve, I reckon Vela has something about him… only because he has done okayish at Osasuna. Barazite… denilson… Walcott… what’s the difference?
I’m getting a bit bored of being the spring board for Europes talent. Buy some players who have been around a bit and want a club to win some trophies with.
I am hoping RvP’s injury nightmares are behind him, I think we need some quality wingers… young enough to accept the bench for a bit, but old enough to keep injured players out the team when they return.
We need competition for places. When Adebayor thinks he is the greatest player at the club… your club has problems.
Almunia has really stepped up this season… Sagna has been excellent… Clichy has been excellent… we need another CB… but we are forgetting JD was quite good last year.
I have a gut feeling about Gourcouff… loads of potential… flopped at Milan… Arsenal nip in with a cut price bid… remember last time that happened?
We only take 2 1/2 trophies seriously and we have a good a chance as any to win one, and we are still in with a outside chance of the other big one.
Wenger has taken us from nowhere to the first or second profit making club in this country soon the worlds richest.
We have just built the best stadium in the country and had to replace nearly all of our best ever team in the last four years.
All done with keeping our Champions League place (just) and still in with another shout at it.
Is there any other club or manager who has done so much in the last decade (ever) ?
Lets see what happens in the next few years, the critisism on wenger is too harsh.
What position does he play Pedro
David, one point to remember in all this is that we’re one of the top teams in the country. whether we moved to the emirates, declared profits and so on, we should still be competing for honours at the top level end of.
I do not for one second doubt the difference that has been achieved by AW’s appointment 10+ years ago, but I think his recruitement policies need to be reviewed because we havent won the league in 4 years, and havent wona anything at all for 3!! This is despite as you said having the best stadium in the country and also having some of the best young talent in the league at our disposal.
What on earth is the point in playing in the Champions league year in and year out and not winning it? that’s like playing in the Carling cup each year and not winning it.
If we can’t win it why bother, because all we seem to be doing is earning the club loads for what?
To end up going out of everything eventually.
Bringing in young talent like Flamini watching him play like shit for 3 years, then he has a great year and fucks off on a free, can’t wait for Denilson to do the same etc, etc.
How long does he think Cesc will hang around winning fuck all? Henry didn’t want to wait, did he?
And having the highest gate receipts in europe. Being the richest club to finish in 4th place doesn’t mean too much when it’s me and the rest of our season ticket holders paying for it. Wenger has been magnificent for the club, I love him to bits. His transfer policy needs to be reviewed now though. Man Yoo and Chelsea are simply too good and too cash rich to compete with them with a small squad of talented youngsters in this current climate. Sorry if that doesn’t suit the ‘Arsene knows’ ethos David, but as sure as John Terry is a cunt it’s fucking true.
Couldnt agree more Geoff!
We’re fast turning into Europe’s elite feeder club!
Come to Arsenal to improve your prospects of becoming a world beater!! Go through the ranks, show off your skills while ”trying”to win trophies and get a deal with a bigger club!
He’s an attacking midfielder who can plays mostly on the left I think. Silky skills, great shot and a bit of a free kick specialist.
He is 6ft 1 and he is 21… check out his video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-3qcq4hCf8
Ben Arfa would be a good signing we need another left winger for when Rosicky is inevitably injured. Ribery would have been better signing last year though and we may of had a little more fire power up front. . The telling thing for me in the Ben Arfa story is that Arsene never talks about players like this and I have the suspicion it is just paper talk. I would love to see him and Luca Modric sign for us in the summer and hope that this year we get all our deals done quickly. We have shown we can compete this season at the highest level but we have just fallen short at the end for me the last 5 games have highligted this. Young players like Vela, Barazite, Lansbury, Gibbs should gain loan experience before playing in the first team otherwise I have the feeling we will always come up short against ManU and the Chavs.
The chicken has eventually come home to roost. I have always said it here and other blogs, unless wenger changes his stingy philosophy, arsenal will never win any thing again. He suddenly appear to me, to be a man with out ambition. He is too relaxed and confortable in arsenal. How long does he think he will continue to groom young boys who can not stand a full season? All the years he took the trophies, did he do it with an eighteen year old? I am really devastated because the season provided an ample chance to take the title after manu slumped. I think wenger has reached the end of the road. No coach will ever make it in England in a such a big club like arsenal the way he carries on. It is high the supporters boo him and let him realize how painful and sad we are to see the way things are going. I think he is a blind man, untill he decide to see, we are heading no where.
El Tel, if you’re happy with mediocrity, why don’t you fuck off down the road?
They are all pretty pleased with the Carling Cup…
Get some ambition man…
I agree with what you are saying I just think your one or two years early.
The point of finishing in a Champions League position is when your out of it I don’t think we will get back in because the Champions league attracts the best players and higher finance.
Who have we been feeding our best players to name a player who has acheived since he left? Henry is in the same boat as us in Spain, Ljungberg? Aliadiere? Reyes?
Diarra was the only one and he is a time bomb he wouldn’t have done what Flammini has and behaved like a profesional. He didn’t at Chelsea.
El tel has got Arsenewengerknows syndrome bad! He’s gone with the classic… if you know so much, why don’t you tell me the lotto numbers!
Abramovich isn’t leaving… ManU have dominated for years and when Fergie leaves, they’ll get a world class coach and give him loads of money…. and we’re heading for a trophyless 3rd season.
Deal with the reality.
David I think this season could be the defining one. If all the noise is anything to go by, we’ll lose Hleb,Ade,Flam and Eboue(good riddance), and I’m sure i’ve also read about diaby making noises about wanting 1st team football or he’s off.
The players you mentioned were a lot older than the bunch we could lose this summer. Btw, add to your list Anelka,Bentley,Cashley, and the kid we sold to colchester recently whose name escapes me!
Isn’t El Tel a steward?
Nuff said.
Cunts to a man….and woman.
Don’t tell him where I sit ffs. It’s difficult enough surviving a game without one of the Gistapo on my case.
Guys, just so you know… it is El Tel the Steward and he is acting up like a cunt.
So you won’t get the pleasure of his deluded rants… they really are quite scary!
Nappies, Abba song, Jealous Cockneys, Paisley… all mentioned in his 8 blocked comments.
Seems El Tel is happy the way the season has panned out… zzzzzzz
David, we don’t have to concern ourselves with being in the C.L places to compete for top transfers as we don’t go in for them anyway.
Ok everyone I’m having to comment directly to El Tel who has asked me and Odub to get real regarding the champion league exits, by saying Milan and Madrid are also out.
Okay El Tel if we win the champions league I’ll come and find you and say you were right.
If we don’t (and we’ve been trying now for over 10 years) then I’ll be right. But getting that point across did not involve insulting any Grovers.
We tell everyone their comments are welcome as long as they don’t slag their own, we even gave you a lectern as you are a steward, we welcomed you and your opinion, now I’m afraid you sound like a steward.
Come back when you can be civil, where we’ll welcome you once again, until then, sit down and shut the fuck up, you’re barred.
How does that feel?
If Arsenal want to finish up as the best looking team in Europe we need a mature central defender,right and left wingers and a good striker.
Almunia
Sagna-Toure-Cristian Zapata-Clichy
Quaresma-Flamini-Fabregas-Vela
Benzema-Van Persie
Subs:Fabianski-Adebayor-Walcott-Hleb-Rosicky-Diaby-Denilson-Senderos-Eboue
But if Wenger is gonna finally spend some big money he should go for Benzema.Benzema would suit our styleof play,he’s robust enough for the premiership and whats more he’s potentially one of the best players in the world.He may cost a good E20m but he’d be worth it.
He must be used to being excluded from discussion if he is a steward. They’re like traffic wardens who have failed the ticket writing exam.
Obdub you have just listed three of the greediest players we have ever had playing for us. Has Anelka achieved anything? Has Bentley moved up? Cole plays for a team that is £500 mil down and loses £75 mil a year to buy success we will never pay there wages.
I am glad they are all gone, we done some good buisness there.
Has Ade made any noises about going I haven’t heard any?
With Vela coming next year and if Flamini signs add a couple more signings like Sagna we will be as good as any next year.
And we are still in the champions league 1/4 finals this year everyone is talking as if our season is dead .
I think we should sign Ben Arfa and Benzema from Lyon, a center back from hell and a direct defensive midfield swap for Gilberto, if he does that I’ll never complain again about his lack of signings.
The kid we sold to Colchester was Connolly.
I feel ashamed to say this, but at the moment Spurds seem to play a better football than us. Sorry guys. We do not score the goal, almost ZERO. At this moment, can we refer to Villa, Everton, etc as lower teams? Lower teams mean we are almost certain to get the win against them, but all these teams will surely fancy their chances, which I doubt they’ll if they are playing against Musa, Chelski, even Lpool.
I’m really worried about the Bolton game, because we all know about the performance right after the international game. At this moment all I can hope for is no more fresh injuries from those bloody internationals.
David, Ade has spoken about his potential move to Manyoo… and talked about Madrid.
Hleb has spoken to inter, Cesc to Madrid and Eboue to anyone who will listen!
Our season isn’t dead, but its looking tough!
Still, Alan Brazil reckons we’re still in with a shout with the title and 3 victories against Liverpool could kick start our season!
I thought this is about opinions and you barred me. I can live with this. I don’t like insulting fellow Gooners but I am angry man at the way they all give up when the going gets tough. They dont sound like Gooners to me. I am grateful for your comments regarding the Stewards too but our fellow fans still see them as an enemy. I will look at your blog because I enjoy it. I won’t give an opinion I will sit down and shut the fuck up. I wont come back IF we win the CL or the Prem and say I told you so. I also wont say get rid of the players cos they are not good enough. I was on the terraces in the late sixties till today and when guys complain about losing a couple of games I think they need a reality check. Bye guys. COME ON YOU REDS
Which leads back to my initial comments about greed in football, players will move on if they don’t get paid what they want and we’re not winning things! If we won the league and CL, 3 years in a row, I guarantee you we wouldnt have stories coming out every week about our players, 50k a week or not!
Ade mouthed off about the mancs wanting him last season, and he’s been linked with Milan at some point in the last few months if I remember rightly.
Whether these players went on to bigger and better things or not, the bottom line is that they left.
I thought El Tel was a straight laced, rational kind of guy..Obviously not!
Yeah mate, Spuds play better football than us. That’s why they’re in the bottom half of the table. And Villa beat Chelsea and Drew at Chelsea. Apart from that your argument is flawless.
He is normally, and he is welcome back when he reverts back to normal blog behaviour…
We saw it with Dave angry the other week… sometimes a bad result gets the blood boiling! You can’t slag your own off and you can’t call them spuds or fortune tellers for disagreeing with you… it stifles debate and people go elsewhere when there is an atmosphere.
Anyway, I am off for a meeting
Ben Arfa and Ben Zema for me (forgive the spelling but it looks cute) sign them to a pre something before the Euros start or the price will double and the Chavs will buy them, as someone said earlier whatever we pay for them now will seem cheap in a year, look at Torres, learn from that Arsene.
That’s it, start a barney and then fuck off Pedro.
You’re like my wife
I heard somewhere that Ben Arfa and Benzema had a big row and don’t talk to eachother.
Ok I let El Tel come back with that comment as it was reasonable. But I’m watching, I’ve got my eye on you!
It does look like it’s over but it’s nice to see a few people on here staying positive. One favourable result could change the complexion of the title race. In saying that, it’s time for the boys to get their heads down and simply worry about getting the win against Bolton this weekend. Much as I love Adebayor I would like to see him given a rest and even one of Hleb or Fab could do with a bit of a break as well. The team looks tired.
Steve comparing Pedro to your wife doesnt bode well for both of you mate!!!!
I heard Ben Afra’s getting benches because he’s not getting on with Benzema! Do we really need another moody cunt?!!
**benched
I just watched a clip and they both cuddle a lot, and he comes on as rubadub for Ribery, so he seems to be the next big French winger. And he French squad number is 14!
Tel, our expectations have risen over the years due to the great work Wenger has done. I spent my early years going to Arsenal and expecting a defeat, so anything else was a bonus. The thing that annoys me now is that we are expected to fork out top dollar to watch the team and we still have small club mentality. At Highbury there was always the excuse in not competing in the transfer market that the likes of Madrid, Manure etc would blow us out of the water. That shouldn’t be the case now. We have taken things to the next level and have to get out of this mindset that we should be content to settle for what we have because we have exceeded expectaion anyway.
You call it pessimism and a lack of respect for what Wenger has done, I call it striving for more and ambition.
El Tel, whether you’re mr angry or not does not give you the platform to insult others! Come on mate how juvenile does that sound?!!
Who said anything about giving up?!
On numerous occassions, Le Grove have had bloggers with differing views post on here, and they only act when comments start getting abusive and personal! you my friend crossed that line, end of! Dont go around calling people cunts because their view isnt the same as yours, all that does is make make you look like and sound like a cunt!
Good points men!
I remember Wenger, Edelman and Hill Wood saying if we want to compete with the big boys we have to build this ground, then this year they were bragging about how much money we’re making and one site had us as the World’s second richest club, soon to be the richest.
So if we don’t buy big players, why did we need to move to compete with ManU and Madrid?
There is $$$$$$$$$$$$$ to spend. This has been repeatedly said by the club. Why isn’t Wenger willing to buy top and experienced quality players? Do the club’s $$$$$$ belong to him, so much so that he’s saving it for himself? This may sound sacarstic but then, look what happens now that their injuries among the squad.
Exactly Geoff. If the bigger ground was just to get more money out of us then say it how it is. I understand that the first instalments of the Highbury project will be coming in soon which will pay off a large part of the debt presumably. The increased matchday revenue puts us above Man Ure on that front so why can’t we buy the odd super signing??
I still don’t see the point of talking about lack of ambition until the transfer window shuts in august.
Then we will know if we have won anything. Wenger will know more about his youth policy . What exactly can he do now until the transfer window opens?
Cole, Anelka, were replaced with better players and Bentley isn’t Arsenal quality he didn’t fit in and he would have done what Diarra done.
When you have so many talented young players you are going to lose a few perhaps deep down they knew they wasn’t good enough and left.
And we now have a bigger turnover than any club in the world, so given that he never spends money, why don’t we get some of that reflecting in what we pay?
They seem to want their cake and to eat it at the same time Steve.
We shouldn’t moan about it though Geoff. Just pay your money and shut up. Otherwise you’re not a true supporter.
Pedro/Geoff. nice work. i totally agree with u guys. I think AW is not going to make any big purchases this summer either, he will bring in some unheard names and start experimenting with them and we the loyal fans will suffer again. How about makin Flamini captain next season after renewing his contract and replacin big mouthed Gallas with some Phil? and as for eboue send him back to africa, he is a complete piece of shit for a winger.
Chelsea and man U have a bigger turnover than Arsenal, turnover means jack.
Chelsea lost £75 million last year and Man U made a profit but by the time they serviced the debt that the Glaziers took out to buy Man U and unloaded there own debts they made very little money.
When we sell off the flats at Highbury we can start making big money, but until then we don’t want to do a Leeds united.
I think Wenger has a bit of cash and will bring in quality signings like Sagna and Eduardo not the big names because it will unsettle the squad.
Then we will eat cake!
Not saying we lack ambition, I’m saying our policy of recruiting youth,and unproven players as oppossed to world class ready to play players needs looking at because we can afford to buy said players.
We’ve been quite lucky in the left back position for more than 10 years now, so cashley leaving was a blessing.
Who was the better player that replaced Anelka? Suker, Diawara, Kanu? Henry didnt arrive for another couple of years did he?
Sorry you’re right, I only remember winning the Uefa Cup, the Cup Winners cup, the Milk cup and two League titles under Graham in his 8 years and I should be grateful for anything Arsene dishes up as it’s all new to me. Good point Steve!
Dont forget the cup double Geoff!
Anelka left arsenal in august 1999 and Henry joined Arsenal in august 1999.
I was there how did I forget that!!! so that’s 7 trophies and 1 cup winners cup final loss, not bad for someone who’s name doesn’t end in ger is it? we should pay homage by accepting anything from now on.
oh please!!we are still in it???we have no ambition and drive like our manager…his got blinkers we got blinkers we are a bloody match made in darkness.we are out of the Premiership lets jus wake up to that and to think we failed to handle a stamford bridge siege but somehow somewhere we are going to handle and anfield one is stupidity…
we should have the game sewn up by the time we go to anfield but we never do that we have probly never done that all season so all of a sudden we gon do it now???why didnt we do it at the wkend coz the media we always rant bout was rite we dont have the experience or guts to make it and the table shows that..dont tell me manUre and chelski will drop points i know that,coz i know for a fact that we will drop more points more than them ….do the math!!!
the season is done for me,i will be there for the rest of the games yes i will but i dont get paid as much as Eboue nad i give my all,i have been let down by them and the verve to be chanting uncointrollably has vanished,…
all that is left is ENDUREMENT rather than ENJOYMENT!!!
Really?! Point taken then. 99-01 were 2 seasons I tend to wipe from memory, only memorable things in those 2 seasons were the FA and uefa cup final defeats!
Obdub if you remember the FA cup final, 1-0 up, poor refereeing decision (handball Hypia), we dominated the game, then 8 mins from the end poor slow defending costs us the game.
Same as our last five games. But looked what Wenger team2 achieved in the next few years.
Wait for team3 to flourish we are building a younger team this time one that should last twice as long as that one.
Afternoon grovers
LIke your post of 11.27 geoff think that sums it up as to new players -Read somewhere that Wenger is looking at Barnsleys injured goalie Hienze muller if Lehman goes –
You know ever since ive been on the blog the spend on new players V Profits and available funds has been a running theme and yet as the core values of “the business ” is football not property sales or booze food and corporate -if you aint got the results and silverware and success you aint got a succesful business -only then do you get all the premium add ons For that you need a strong team to stand up against the best and to have a contingency against injuries .So spend some Fuckin money please -you shouldnt have to wait til failure occurs before you do that -Build it and it will come
I really hope wenger gives fab,flamini,helb,a rest or a sub appreance so tht they are ready for the liverpool game,they look exhausted and we know we are out of the premiership title race so give them a rest and give gilberto diaby a go
United won the league at a canter last season and still spent 50 odd million in the summer. As much as it rankles with us all, it is the only way now for sustained success.
david, I think it was Henchoz in the cup final.
And it was 2-1 Freddie scored first!
Sorry steve your right thanks for reading.
Btw it’s Odub david! not Obdud!
Again, agree with your points, but remember one thing though, we’ve never had a sustained period of dominance with AW a la chavs and mancs. There have been far too many young players and untested players purchased, in the last 6-8 years which end up eventually catching up with us!
the mancs and chavs have gambled big on some players and lost out (Veron,Crespo,Taibi(legend), Djembax2, Kleberson,Parker,Shevchenko…), but in that time ourfailed ”big money” gambles have been the likes off Jeffers,Wright, Reyes, Mendez and Malz!!! not quite the same calibre!
Geoff I did say 1-0 up, thanks for not reading.
Steve your right: Geoff I did say 1-0 up and it was already stated we lost!
Most of all sorry Odub it won’t happen again!!
Steve your right it was Henchoz. Geoff I did say we were 1-0 up and it was already stated we lost
Most of all sorry Odub it won’t happen again!!
No jews in our team so 4get arfa
Don’t know whats going on with the connection.
Steve you are right it was Henchoz. Geoff i did say 1-0 up and it was stated we lost.
Sorry Odub it won’t happen again!
Ben Arfa is an Arab chap I think, Algeria or Morroco
I think we had a bit of delayed wordpress there chaps!
He is an arab chap, same background as Zidane I remember seeing somewhere.
david dont worry about it mate. been called worse things in my time!!!
I’m just glad I spelt it right 3 times!!!
That’s just today Odub
thoughts triggered by other posts…
* last year was rather different from this year – we had no chance from early on last year but we were top (ie leading) for 6 months this season till we fell apart for some reasons
* being in the CL every year at least ensures $ coming in; whether someone decides to spend it [on the team] is another matter altogether
* clichy has not been solid, at least in March, contrast to some views… lack of concentration at times, and in the chelsea game, he gave away the free kick [after he screwed up another simple pass out of your own half!] that led to the 2nd goal, remember? That’s 3 i could recall (man city, birmingham and chelsea)
* almunia has not been bad though it’s true he used to [i hope] conceded goals that were near post, i.e. those top keepers wouldn’t let in mostly – if our back 4 performs at a level expected of arsenal (ie a top EPL team), i’d say almunia would be fine; in fact, lehman would be too
* we bloody hell don’t know how to shoot given our % possesion and number of half chances in and around the box – to borrow from jargon in sales, the ‘cost’ of goals is simply too high, that is, too much effort to score one goal… arsenal shouldn’t have to, only if we know how to shoot better, and more…
* potential is fine up to a point; if arsenal don’t think they could use all of the up and coming, sell them for a profit that partly funds new buys; why the heck do the club get sentimental and keeping lots of potential; utlimately we need trophies to validate our position as a club in world football (EPL and CL)… get a balance please
* can’t agree more with people saying key positions need competition… but only if there is genuine one. What it take would be smaller gap in standard amongst players – either we have credible backups, or rotate in some ways to give lesser ones a run/ chance to prove themselves and allows wenger to weed out those who couldn’t make it — i much rather see we drew 4 and lost 1 when filled the team with up’n coming than having the ‘best’ 11 screwed around, at times
* don’t care how many arsene wants to keep but i think we need
1 goalie
1 center back
1 mid field (cesc’s backup)
1 striker (not forward again)
and these folks should be able to at least stand up to mid table teams, if called upon
good luck to arsenal for rest of season!
we still dont know what his real name is david so dont worry about it!
If wenger has 2 years on his contract and he is waiting for the youth to come up which will take 3-4 years then he has to sign or just buy and get success
Eh the people who need to know, know ”Chris” if that’s your real name!!! Where the hell’ve you been btw?!!
It’s been me geoff, david and steve all afternoon! it’s been like the bloody 3 amigos!
***its been almost like watching the 3 amigos…Thinking faster than can type!
i have been watching, typed a load of messages and then deleted them, my peckers is pointing due south (pun intended)
I am too disappointed to really offer any opinions today guys.
I am sick of all the talk coming out of the club. I have sat on my hands and watched and waited and every year I have prayed the close season would bring some new stars to the club, but I was convinced it would come good, Arsene told me that the team was special and needed time, I gave him time, I believed that Denilson was the next big thing, that Theo was ready to explode this season, that Senderos was going to prove his quality, that Gallas could lead the younger players, that Bendtner would come back from Birmingham ready to light the league up, that we didn’t need a proper goal keeper, that Van Persie would come back from last season’s injuries ready to blow everyone away, that Rosicky and Hleb would have settled into premiership football and would become our Pires/Ljung mark II, that Adebayor was good enough to fill at least some of the void left by our illustrious departed TH14, that the 2nd season in the Emirates would see us more comfortable at home. I believed it all. I believed in AW.
Today I am disillusioned and downtrodden. I wish we had never been close to competing this season, then I could still be believing. But I now know that this current crop are not good enough and never will be, because they cannot adapt to play premiership football when the going gets tough. They would be phenomenal in spain, but not here. Weak, small, hesitant and over elaborate with a target man with the worst touch, worst header, worst timing and worst finish in the league. Kewynne Jones would’ve scored double Ade’s figures in this Arsenal team. A proper strong target man.
To make matters worse, I have had enough of hearing about these players that Arsenal ‘nearly’ signed, or ‘enquired’ about or ‘tried’ to sign, or had the ‘option’ of signing but chose not to. Fuck off Arsene, you make us look like a joke when you say you turned down the chance to sign Eto’o or Anelka or Ribery.
The players we shoulda/coulda/woulda signed according to AW:
Cech – Nearly signed…permit problems??
Ferdinand – Wanted…too expensive
Anelka – Offered him…turned him down.
Essien – Had strong enough midfield at the time.
Eto’o – Didn’t need him.
Ronaldo – A great mystery to be made clear one day. Not today though.
Ronaldhino – Permit problems, could’ve signed him. Ended up going to spain.
Ribery – Decided we didn’t need him.
Drogba – made enquiries but the price was too high.
Kaka – New about him, chose not to take him.
Pato – See above.
Yaya Toure – Didn’t want
SWP – Didn’t want
Torres – Felt asking price was too high.
Robben – Didn’t want.
I mean look at that list!! I can imagine arsenal fans would’ve disagreed with Arsene on a couple of those.
The major problem with arsenal is AW, and I hate to say that, but he is a fantastic coach but an awful manager, of both players, subs and money. He does not make impact substitutions, he does not have a plan B, he has failed to put a superstar in that team who can win a game (Henry/Pires/Dennis), he has not strengthened when needed. Look at United last year, won the league and yet went out and spent £50m ensuring they were better this year and they are. When we went unbeaten Arsene did nothing. Expected the same group to remain hungry, passionate and unbeaten. Wrong. This season he has done it again. Gilb – gone, Diarra – gone, Lehmann – gone, Rosicky – fucked, RVP – fucked, Eduardo – fucked (not his fault). We had a weak squad last season and it is no better now.
One more summer of that man’s bullshit and I amy just pack it up entirely.
If Arsene knows, I wish he’d fucking share it with us because we’re the ones dying out here.
Rant done.
chris i’m not even going ti ask for an explanation!!
Fuck me mate, if that is you not posting an opinion we’re fucked when you’re feeling talkative.
That was some rant TH14!!!
I try and try to not put anything but the emotions just flood on this site. I love it because you can actually say that you think Arsene has been a bit shit recently without the ‘god squad’ jumping on your back and accusing you of being a spuds fan because you dare to question their doctrine that Arsene can not only walk on water, but invented water.
Someone said earlier there are too many Wenger fans out there and not enough arsenal fans. Spot on.
thats a fair point th14, we will be here long after AW is gone,
TH14 I could not agree more, especially with the nearly hads, and why does he always have to sign someone in secret, if the other team know it’s Arsenal it will cost what it costs, if the Chavs get involved and that player doesn’t sign, then I wouldn’t want him anyway.
There are so many great talents out there, if not break the bank and sign a Gerrard, not him necessarily but someone like him that has played in the premiership, I can’t believe no one’s available and if they cost, who cares, we have the money.
If they don’t like spending, sell up and do something else, it’s only Sky’s money anyway, take that away and we’re back where we were and where all the other leagues are, spend it, it won’t last forever.
Yes you’re right again TH14 we are the only site that does it and the only site that keeps the ‘god squad’ off!
TH14… that was a beast of a rant!
I’ve been driving and skipping in and out of meetings all day!
Great blogging from everyone today! I even saw that el Tel had come back on… nice touch geoff.
Whoever said about supporting Wenger not the team has got it spot on. The Emperor’s New Clothes fairytale springs to mind when people ramble on about him!
We’re to obsessed with the fact we have a manager who can unearth Gems. I love the guy, but frankly if you are not winning trophies… who gives a damn?
Leave the nurturing precocious youth to West Ham… then we can go and nick the nearly finished article.
When a diamond comes along like RvP , Cesc, Clichy or the Flamster (Flamini was crap but when asked to step up to the plate he did it… instead of dropping him at the deep end)… play them.
Don’t persist with shitters though… I don’t think Eboue will ever be great… Ade would not have got the same chances at ManU or Chelsea… there was a reason he was heading to west ham before us and anyone who thinks he would have gone to west ham and turned into a superstar is deluded. The Hammers fans are more impatient than the Madrid fans.
I’m glad he is playing for us… but remember why he such a good player! He practiced at our expense!
This summer do what Jose did… boot out rosicky because he cant string 3 games together (Robben)… Go and tap up some big name players about potential moves (Who gives a fuck about being classy… there’s no class in third place every year)… and silence the dissenters… you want to go? Rot in the reserves for a couple of years first.
That’s my rant over.
I’m now off to the gym… no calling me a cunt when I’m gone!
Vela is not the answer, I’ve watched him several times & he has barely touched the ball & then on the occasions he did, he either chose the wrong pass or lost it. He was lively & dangerous against Real Madrid but the praise there went over the top just because he got the better of Ramos. A talent in the making?? Certainly, but he isn’t going to improve our team next season & already you can see the sort of pressure he will be put under by the fans.
Why is it that our players get tapped up but Man Utd don’t have the same problem?? Its simple really, Man Utd don’t have to worry about their players because they are successful nearly every year so their players are always happy. Ours aren’t & Wengers’s master plan will never come to fruition because players like Cesc will leave due to lack of success & that means starting all over again!! By now we should be in a position to buy 1 or 2 quality players each summer & allow the very best 1 or 2 youngsters into the first team squad like barcelona have done in recent years!! You then sell off 1 or 2 players to get some money back & that way you keep refreshing the squad so you don’t end up in a position where you need a complete change like we did with the so called ‘invincibles’.
Pedro you’re a cunt!!!!!! Ha ha!! Just kidding mate!
GMR, must admit every time Ive seen Vela he’s looked ok, but he did also get subbed alot,not sure why, but it’s still asking a lof of a teenager arriving in a new country, new language and new team mates,to hit the ground running.
AW must know that we’re a bit thin on experience, trophy winning experience that is. There’s a certain winning mentality that can only be achieved via playing in title deciders, and cup finals, and we currently lack that. Gallas, Clichy,Toure,Lehmann and Gilberto are the only title winners in the current squad and it shows.
TH14 Top man. I am not AW’s biggest fan as everyone thinks and I dont remember calling any of our fans a cunt. This word is for Mancs and Spuds. All I say is this. Who to replace AW. And most other teams including the Chavs and Pool would want him to stop the the dross they have to pay money to watch. Van Basten, The Barca boss who’s name I cant spell. How about Zico at Fenebache. Or laugh if you want Harry the Gooner and big Tone. The spacial one for me this would be unbearable as AFC have always had class and he has none. AW is a super coach but as a Manager you are right there are to many poor decisions. I am not a turn coat. Check out other sites and see what I said about AW. However if we don’t get his replacement right it could be worse.
Flamini has the passion and probably the nous, Cesc has passion but is young. Sagna looks commited. Big Phil could be Captain it could make him a better player. Gilberto did well last year before he lost his place, Gallas not so sure. Toure never ever a Captain. RVP has a mean streak never a Captain though. Bendtner is a bit crazy at times. I doubt its the passion but a Great Captain would help. If not from inside the Club then who?
El Tel we’re all entitled to making the odd mistake, you’re back on now and with the right attitude so good blogging.
Like Wenger, we should all move on now.
i had a dream yesterday. Cesc was training with zico (that frank barca coach, cant spell ) and then zico got fired, AW took over and then ARSENAL beat them in CL led by TH. how odds that?
Why is it that English players are more expensive than foreign players? If you really want to promote your local boys, don’t you think you should sell them at a competitive price? Or even lower than foreign ones?
For example, the mid-class American car here is cheaper than a mid-class Honda, Mazda, Toyota etc., this way the local car is more affordable than a foreign made car. That makes sense.
But England wants to sell their players for double the price and half the quality of a foreigner..how is that makes sense? Only a fool accept this deal, or someone who doesn’t care about money like Fergie and Roman.
G4E
Thanks Geoff Pal. I was attacked as much as I attacked if that makes sense. You censored only me. That makes me feel even more Arsenal than you can imagine man. Lets see the season end before we dump the Coach if thats what you all want. ARSENAL is more important than anyone. Please respect him though as thats the ARSENAL way.
every body keeps saying we need a centre back but i think wee need to sell gallas, not because of the birmingham thing but because him and kolo are 2 simmilar and then buy a center back who can fight for a place with senderos
Well it would good to see Ben Arfa at Arsenal … but I think there should be some emphasis on the defence line … because I think thats a bit week as we are conceeding simple goals which are then killing the hope we have …
Rocking again guys. I ussully used to visit newsnow but after I found Le-Grove, I’ve become a grover completely. Now I don’t need to visit other ARSENE KNOWS .com. If Arsene does right we will all back him. Won’t we. But if he gets it wrong we’ll surely criticise him for the good of our club. I am ussually late cos’ its 5 hrs late from UK here.