So I have been firmly out the loop with Arsenal for 3 days and let me tell you, it wasn’t nice.
I had about 6 text messages from my brother on Saturday, here are a few:
- Yes! No fucking Eboue, theoooooo!
- Theo’s been outstanding, Van Persie just hit the bar and post with a free kick
- Theo just hit the bar
- We won 2-0 but should have been 10, hit the post twice, hit the bar 3 times, 1 off the line and song played amazingly well.
So I don’t turn up for one sodding game and that happens!
I haven’t seen the goals or read much about it… all I know is that the boys were back to their best and Theo has given Arsene a real headache for next season.
So, we know that Flamini has about 10 more days to decide what he is doing, I understand from sources close to the club that Wenger has £14,000 set aside for a top class replacement plying his trade in the Morrocan 3rd Division. Good old Arsene!
I understand why a deadline has been set, but what if he doesn’t sign? Is he barred from the training ground? Does his locker get given to Justin Hoyte? I hear that poor chap still has to get changed outside…
I’ve also read that Gilberto may stay on for next year…. good on ya Bertie. We need all the experience we can get and he has started to show signs that he may be rekindling some of last seasons form.
We are in for Raul Albiol according to the Evening Standard.
No Comment.
Actually, yes there will be a comment. Why are we chasing after a 22 year old defender plying his trade for 16th position Valencia? If that rumour is true, I will be miffed to say the least. I don’t want to see potential, I want to see ready made world class talent at the Emirates.
Oh and Ade maybe off to Milan… this is old news rehashed. He is the younger Drogba according to reports. I would be very surprised to see Ade making his way over to Italy. Football wise, they are a spent force… this is where the cash is, this is where the best players play. Simple as that really.
We shall wait and see on both of those stories.
Anyway, I’m off for a catch up on the news.
See you in the comments
April 21, 2008 at 11:32 am
Albiol - who the hell is he ?
April 21, 2008 at 11:34 am
sorry i am not too sure about your comments about the new guy. just becasue he’s not a house hold name doesn’t mean he’s not class and already a world class talent sdoes it? for the record the guy is top drawer, so much so that in a season where valencia have been awful he has really stood out and already made his way in to the spanish national squad.
as for saturday, top performance from everyone, was especially nice to see ade score, again. this time though his first touch made the goal which should quieten a few people.
was also good to see eboue get a game at right back, his proper position as he looked much better there when he came on. although it did make me think arsene got it oh so wrong playing toiure there at OT, anfoeld etc… when eboue should’ve been there
April 21, 2008 at 11:34 am
Morning all- nice to be first. Went to the game on Saturday, was so refreshing to see us demolish a team again (despite 2 - 0 we did truly kill them)
Theo looks great, Rvp looks like he’s nearly back to his old self, and Cesc was imperious in the middle.
Gilberto said he wants to stay. I for one really hope he does. Hes a level head and a true professional, one of the few role models in the squad for the younger generation.
Derby next - happy days lets get those chavs in second!
p.s. in the article mate you say “arsenal were back to there best” but it should be “their”… if you care!
April 21, 2008 at 11:37 am
ade out, villa in
gallas out, albiol in
fabregas captaincy
flamini out, song promoted
gilberto out
goalie in
defender in
vela in
walcott promoted
April 21, 2008 at 11:37 am
all i care about is adding 2 players in the off season and no injuries in Euro!
April 21, 2008 at 11:38 am
Cheers Chipo… blurry eyes this morning!
Jimbo, if you have seen him and he is top drawer… brilliant. It is easy to look good playing in a poor team though… I’d prefer us to sign players who look good in a good team.
I heard Ade’s goal was a peach? I haven’t read anything about the game yet… I am going to try and get the goals off the web! If anyone has any links, they’d be appreciated!
April 21, 2008 at 11:40 am
If ade leaves for milan all I can say is:
THANK YOU MILAN!!!
April 21, 2008 at 11:41 am
I hate reading things like this:
“I believe Alex will stay but you cannot stop the rumours when players are in this type of situation,”
“But I want Hleb to stay like everybody else.”
Why do we just let players go if they fancy it? Can you imagine Fergie saying that? It’s such a load of bollox.
April 21, 2008 at 11:42 am
Dont worry about ade he scored a good goal so he will now miss the next 5 chances he gets
he is useless!!
he missed a header when it was easier to score
April 21, 2008 at 11:56 am
Cant believe all this Ade bashing again, leave the guy alone, He has scored 27 goals for us this season, thank god he did not go to the African nations, otherwise we would not be in the position we are allready in.
Needed to be added to the squad
1 winger
2 midfeilder
3 CB
April 21, 2008 at 11:56 am
The worst bit is Pedro if Wenger does sell Hleb in the summer which i hope he doesn’t… say we get £18m for him (which he is well worth) what would Wenger spend it on?
After all Transfers last summer he mad a profit with net spend in transfers and didn’t budge in January… just let Diarra go, so what would be in it for Arsenal to sell him?
April 21, 2008 at 11:57 am
Morning/Afternoon all.
Strange game saturday, we played well could have scored a handful more goals, Reading hardly attacked, and the atmosphere pre match was quite similar to a funeral!!
I suppose having nothing to play for affected the singing majority just as much!
Main positive, young Theo got 90 minutes, was MOTM, and bless him, when Eboue came on for Toure, you could see his shoulders drop as he thought ‘ffs, i’m coming off again!!’ RVP, Song and Gilberto were also impressive.
If Flamster leaves, we’ll be fine, and to be honest any cnut that wants to hold our great club to ransom can go fcuking swivel!!
April 21, 2008 at 11:57 am
I went to the game and was above the players tunnel.
Sadly I heard some swearing directed at one of our players - I couldn’t work out who it was to as Eboue was nowhere to be seen.
April 21, 2008 at 11:59 am
The problem is Big Dave that if we had Marlon King up front for us this season he would have hit 30 by now… scoring 27 goals in over 50 games for a team that puts average of 3 chances on a plate for him every match isn’t really anything to shout about.
Fair enough he did play fairly well Saturday but he was playing against the 2nd worst defence in the league and as he’s the No1 striker for one of the best teams in the world you would have expected that
April 21, 2008 at 12:01 pm
try footytube.com…. its got macth of the day highlights and all sorts… enjoy!
April 21, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Why is Wenger saying he THINKS Hleb will stay, but is helpless to stop him leaving???
What the fuck is that about…….. isn’t he under contract?
April 21, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Correct me if im wrong, but this Raul Albiol guy has scored one goal, has been yellow carded 5 times, and red carded once. More to come…
April 21, 2008 at 12:04 pm
If this chap Wenger’s intrested in played for Valencia last night against Bilbao (5-1 to Bilbao), I wouldnt get excited!!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:05 pm
hey Pedro, i always get the goals from here when i need them…
http://arsenalvlog.blogspot.com/
cheers
April 21, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Yes pedro i agree totally ..
Why doesn’t arsene grow a set .. and tell them he has a contract and contracts aren’t made to be broken !! However if AC want ade because they have been struggling in the final 3rd then TAKE HIM .(im sure the way he’s been playing recently there final 3rd issues wont go away any time soon if they do .). BUT get villa ! Villa - RVP - and WALCOTT bend’s and dudu to come back vela who can play the role also ..
April 21, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Odub i think Saturday we showed we can play well without Flamini and i think Flamini himself has forgot that and seems to thinks he is integral to our success… Truth is Gilberto, denilson and Diaby could cover for him and we’d still play well. Ideally we would want Flamini because he has had a good season and works well with Fabregas but i feel we have adequate cover for him and i don’t think 1 good season after years of getting paid for nothing warrants him holding our club to ransom.
Theo was fantastic again this week.. he has really come to life this last month or so and Saturday i really liked the way him and RVP were swapping positions i thought the 2 of them caused Wigan all sorts of problems
April 21, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Since when has a contract mattered to any of these over paid cnuts?!! I have a feeling we’ll be losing both Hleb and Flamini this summer, and they’ll be replaced with some youngsters from Bukina Faso and Equitorial Guinea!! Roll on 2008/09 season!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Song looked good, strong and comfortable on the ball. I still dont think he is defender, but he added so much to the team, with his fast direct drives out of defence. As soon as he saw a gap he went for it, and caused havok for reading in the middle! great game son.
I was thinking on the weekend, and wonder what everyone thought of Alex at Chelsea, i remember him single-handedly stopping Arsenal in cL the season before, and now he has barely played for Chelsea, would be good to get him on the cheap.
April 21, 2008 at 12:09 pm
As for the defender … well tell me a 22 year old is being signing and im not surprised .
lets face it unless gallas and toure leave it was never going to happen .. He needs a back up , because knowing arsene he wont displace gallas or toure for a 3rd party .. The guy must have some potential .. and if we start scoring goals im sure gallas and toure’s confidence will return ..
April 21, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Song is no fuss and gets the job done, worth having in the team when fit!
April 21, 2008 at 12:11 pm
goonerjay, Gilberto absolutely got mobbed by the reat of the team after scoring, they all love him, and he can still play a part for us next season. I think the main problem is he’s ring rusty, if he played 5-10 games in a row, he’d def get back to his old self.
Song won every header, and he could play in the middle as well, and don’t forget Diaby and Djourou are there too.
Not losing any sleep if flamster leaves. end of.
April 21, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Raul Albiol…top player. considering what we lack in defence he would definitly be a good buy. Ive watched Valencia a number of times. Tall, strong, reasonable pace.
April 21, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Arsene will make sure gallas and toure can play together even if it kills Eboue . opps i mean him !!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:13 pm
On Flam and Hleb, in all the seasons i have supported Arsenal, I have known that they have a very strict wage structure, and I think all the players know it too, Flamini as much as I like him, can bolt if he thinks he deserves more than what is equitable. By his reckoning he should be on par with Fabregas, but Fab has been playing the same for 4 seasons, Flamini has had one good season, with the odd goal, how many assists (granted he is a DM). Hleb also wants the cash, so although he is a fantastic player I think both players are replaceable, and im sure we can get even better quality players , ones that can score.
April 21, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Frichie couldnt agree more mate, I’m all for us keeping our top players, but any that hold us to ransom can fuck right off!
April 21, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Some1 said we should be in for Mexes, that rumour came up a few seasons ago.
i just checked and he is only 26, but only 6 foot 1, so bit of a small ass for a CB
April 21, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I really don’t understand AW. If a player isn’t prepared to wait, viz. Diarra, he is allowed to go. If Hleb wants to eat ice-cream every day in Italy, AW can’t do anything about it. It seems that, at Arsenal, players are allowed to leave, even if they are under contract, simply because they fancy it. He may be a nice man, but, remember, “nice guys finish last”. Some time he has to put his foot down.
If Flamini wants to go (he is out of contract), then let him. Talk about gross ingratitude. I would like him to say, but, as others have said, he cannot be allowed to hold us to ransom.
It really makes me furious!
April 21, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Ade is shit hot, whats the prob with some of the gooners who dont like him. he goes offside too much and misses sitters but hey, he scores goals too !!! and he will get better.
April 21, 2008 at 12:21 pm
odub
flamini is over rated .. can play well along side cesc , but i doubt he’s got the cods to be able to mix it alone and still look quality . I was shouting in November that we should of got flamini to sign there and then or give diarra a descent go .. before he left … AND HE DID ! ( the AKB brigade rode my a$$$ for saying it ! )
I fart in your general direction AKB B!
my point was from having 2 quality DM’s at the start to come the end of the season we might have none!
April 21, 2008 at 12:21 pm
If Flamini decides to go, good luck to him - we want players who want to play for Arsenal, no-one else!
April 21, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Evo
Gallas - 5ft 11
Toure - 5ft 10
Song - 6ft 1
So Mexes would fit right in!!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:22 pm
nah.. i think we have seen the last of toure and gallas in the middle..
we’re def going to get a big nasty CB next season..
flam can feck off… who does he think he is.. one good season and wants to be paid along the lines of cesc?
he’s been doing it for 4 seasons now.. and you’ve only got one good one under your belt biatch….
April 21, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Frichie… also, Gilberto a World Cup winner held that position for years and last season scored 9 goals and captained the team for most of the season and you don’t hear him moaning about money… the more i think about it the more it annoys me…i’ve gone from saying pay Flamini waht he wants to now thinking go get fucked in just a space of a couple of days.
But at the same time i’m pissed off with the club for refusing to raise the wage budget because we have the money too and keep losing our players because of it.
April 21, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I like the attitude shift amongst everyone…
Sign or fuck off…
To right, bigger players have left in the past and we moved on. No one in that team is irreplaceable… I think we need a few world class additions to show ambition though.
Odub, you’d have thought anyone could play alongside Cesc! I like the flamsters energy, but I think that is replaceable for sure. If Flamini left… would you be happy to see Bertie there?
I read one of the comments earlier saying Essien was off? Is this true!
Cheers for the vid links chaps!
April 21, 2008 at 12:27 pm
hey Odub, you’re right, im the same height at 5ft 11 and 1/2 so i thought i was small
Hahahah
April 21, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Odub -
Hope you got the ticket okay and enjoyed the game - good seat?
I went up to Club on Saturday above the Reading fans - good seat but lousy atmosphere; doesn’t have the same feel as lower level.
Good game but we were only playing against Reading so keep it real. RvP, Theo, Gil and Cesc all played very well.
Didn’t miss Flamini; that’s twice now. Let him go if he wants.
Ade scored a good goal, good touch but then after 150 chances it was about time he got one right - he’ll never be good enough. Whover made the Marlon King connection was spot on!! He won’t go to Milan; they’ll be looking for quality players to rebuild not our rejects.
April 21, 2008 at 12:29 pm
What about Bobo Balde at celtic - 6ft 3, age 32 thou, could be good for a few more seasons!
April 21, 2008 at 12:33 pm
As I was saying all along too, Flamini is an exceedingly average player. We’ve played two games without him now and not missed him one bit. We didn’t even miss him when he went off against Liverpool as our twenty minute whirldwind had already blown itself out.
Hleb and Fabregas are the untouchables. We build around them.
Can’t believe we got rid of Diarra for that stumpy legged, greedy tosser Flamini and now he looks likes he’s leaving. Argghh!!!!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:34 pm
scuba, cheers mate, met tony’s mate at the wig and gown, and went in ahead because the missus wanted to get in early!! (Need to watch what I say because she now reads Le Grove!!)
Great seats mate, and great game. we were so close the chap next to me had a chat with cesc during the warm up, and RVP came over and gave his shirt to a girl 2 rows in front. That’s how close we were!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Odub - great; glad it all went to plan…..even if you didn’t get a few drinks before the game!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Wenger is powerless to stop Hleb leaving!! Hleb has a year remaining on his contract & under the new Webster rule if he gives the club 15 days notice shortly after the last day of the season he can leave for free I believe or for the value of his remaining years contract!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:45 pm
The fact that Wenger is even talking about it means he thinks Hleb has decided to go. Flamini looks like he will follow but Gilberto is staying (meaning he’ll be back to first choice) which I really don’t want.
It’s clear the players don’t believe in Arsene’s policy no matter what the AKB thinks. If they were convinced that we were going to be challenging each year like at Man Utd & Chelski then they wouldn’t be so quick to jump ship.
This is going to be a very, very frustrating summer!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Gilberto has shown he can get back to his best, and a few games would do just that. Will Wenger play Flamini after April if he doesn’t sign? I think he’d probably leave Gilberto in there. Gilberto can return to his 2006/2007 form, and Flamini’s decision to stay or go will also be key to his.
But lets not forget the Olympics, we’d have to accept Gilberto out for the start of the season, meaning he’d probably end up in a similar role as this year, regardless of any club he goes to unless he’s prepared to go for a mid table club who offer him a 3 yr contract matching his current wages, an offer he’d find hard to refuse since if he carried on for Arsenal and didn’t get another contract, he might find it hard to get those kinds of wages.
Flamini is a good player, but I believe the responsibility for goals is on the entire midfield, and for me Flamini doesn’t go forward enough when he has possession and just doing that, trying to drive the ball through like Gilberto does he quickly distributes it…which is good…but we need some from him as well, pass-pass-pass is a result of Flamini’s rapid distribution but at times, Flamini should try and hold onto the ball for a few seconds more, drive it 10-20 yards forward to be in passing range of a striker and then pass….not just distribution without trying an attack himself.
The are midfielders who play the holding role and score 7+ goals a season. Gilberto’s 10 last season was a perfect example, Gilberto’s goals are what kept us in a Champions league spot last season. We could never rely on Flamini to do something like that if needed.
April 21, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Yeah could have done with a pint or 2, but she wanted tea!!!!!!
Although we did get there around 10.45! Still, that’s not too early for a pint is it?!
I also solved the mystery of ahy Ade’s always offside….He just stands in the opponents half staring blankly, not knowing if there’s anyone behing him, and when the ball gets hoofed forward he just runs after it!! Bizzarre!!
April 21, 2008 at 12:48 pm
ha ha odub, your misses will be spying on you now, if you are reading, look through the archives and see what he has been saying!!!
goals from mid feild have lacked for a long time, given that bertie is more defensive i’d expect fab to go more forward because with flamster mide field goals have died,
if he goes we will be fine but still sorry to see him go but we all knew he had a degree of mercenary tendnacies
April 21, 2008 at 12:53 pm
With the Irishman (Gilbert O’Silva) playing well at the mo do you think Flamini will get his place back when he is fit? I think it would be hard to push Geiberto out of the team now especially with his goal on Saturday.
I say Fuck Flamini… let the greedy little twat go… he’s had a good season but not that good
April 21, 2008 at 12:59 pm
If Flamini and Hleb leave, fair enough, as long as we get better players to replace them, and there are better out there, and Wenger is only going to bring in “Real Quality” players where needed. Flamini will probably go, Juventus are offering him a million more Euros a year than Arsenal, and thats quite a serious amount of money. Flamini’s argument is that it’ll cost Wenger more than 5 million Euro’s to replace him and he’s right.
Unless Wenger already has a replacement available for him WITHIN the team, a bit like Flamini last season, someone who’ll come in there and will come good….thats why Wenger stuck Flamini in there.
They’re both playing poker, and I think there are going to be serious last minute negotiations, right up until midnight, so it’s a game of chess.
At the moment it’s advantage Flamini…..
April 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm
love flamini, but agree with the people here who say “sign or fuck off”. one great season does not entitle the guy to make money in the cesc bracket. he should look at gilberto and realise that is how a true professional should act. to be stripped of the captaincy and then find himself playing 2nd fiddle all season really would test most people’s character, but fair play to gilberto, he’s not said a bad word. a true professional and i hope he either stays now or gets the chance to sign for a top European club where he can get the rewards he deserves.
and whoever said no one is bigger than the club-spot on. we;ve lost players before and managed to cope so we can do it again.
April 21, 2008 at 1:01 pm
surely wenger is only intersted in albiol because they are 16th and are in huge debt and are desperate for any money so we can snap him up for a couple of mil. a typical tight arsed wenger purchase. we need a top centre back, not one who’s team lets in 4 goals every sodding week.
having said that I have never seen him play. he might be good! might.
Flam is beginning to get my goat. I am starting to think. sod it, if he cant be arsed with us then I cant be arsed with him no matter how good I think he is. no one treats the mighty Arse in this way.
April 21, 2008 at 1:05 pm
it was advantage Flamini ever since the day we sold Diarra. now Flam has us over a barrel. Diarra was the perfect insurance player. Diarra was also a damn good player. Big TA cant believe his luck down at pompey getting a player that is one of the best in the world for about £3m!!
on a 4 year deal with us and wenger says OK mate there you go, a nice little move to pompey for ya!! fuck me wenger, a degree in economics you say?
April 21, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Lets not get too carried away regarding the Reading game fellas. We only won 2-0. Reading were terrible and we missed another HATFULL of chances!!!
Ade’s goal, while well taken was a result of shambolic defending and Gilberto’s was going straight to the keeper before the huge deflection. = We need a proven finisher. Villa for me is too similar to Eduardo, and arguably not much better…The news surrounding Huntelaar is much more exciting, better al round finisher and a bit more of a physical presence.
I think one thing we are missing that nobody seems to have noticed is that we have not been able to replace Bergkamp. A thinking forward who can hold it up, play a killer final ball and grab 10-15 a season. RVP? Potentially but he seems more similar to Van Basten, a skillfull goal scorer rather than creative goal scorer. I think Robinho is the man for the job. He’s a cross between Zola and Bergkamp and could also fill in on the left…Comments?
April 21, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Thats what fucks me off… his attitude can’t have been any worse than Lehmanns?
Why do the press never ask question about stuff like that? He got that decision wrong big time!
Flam can fuck off if he wants, but I would like to see him stay! I think he added something different to the midfield this season, and it would be a shame to see him go. Hleb, Cesc and Flamini are all buddies, so you hope that counts for something if Cesc is going to stay.
Next year is a big year… players will move on if we don’t pick up a trophy bigger than the FA cup.
April 21, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Right on the money with Robinho Yangkamp.
April 21, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Albiol is a very good player but he looked worse than Senderos last night in Valencia’s 5-1 defeat. Valencia have conceded a lot of goals this season but then Udinese aren’t doing much better either so how can that make Zapata any better??
If Flamini & Hleb leave we aren’t getting any money for either of them or for Lehmann so thats already players who’ll need replacing & will cost big money, thats without additional signings to actually bolster the squad!!
April 21, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I thought Hleb had 1 year left on his contract ? Not much, but would still mean he can’t leave for a Bosman.
April 21, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Didn’t we have all this “will he; won’t he” shit with Wiltord as well? He moved on for nothing as well — seems to be a lot of it going on.
It’s a worry that AW never seems to learn a lesson.
April 21, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I’m not sure how much Arsenal would get for Hleb but it certainly wouldn’t be more than the value of his contract approx 2.1 million. I’m unsure about what happens exactly under the Webster rule, it seemed to suggest that a player thats served 3 years of his contract can effectively hand in his resignation after the last day of the season giving 2 weeks notice & then leave. It didn’t mention compensation or anything of that nature!!
April 21, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Incidentally Gallas can also leave in this way this summer. For players over 28 they only have to serve 2 years of a longer contract.
April 21, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Flamini / Hleb want out? Lehmann’s effectively gone and there are doubts about Gilberto (though he clearly want to stay). On the face of it a bit hairy scary. But, if there is one player who I would LIKE to see the back of its that tempermental, tantram throwing, twat Gallas.
We all thought we had a good deal when Cashley p*ssed off and, in the short term when the cips were up it certainly seemed so. Latterly though I began to wonder whether Chelsea were that far fetched when suggesting he was threatening to score an own-goal. I mean, it not exactly professional - what that AW, you might be changing the captain after just one season!
Keep the commited, junk the doubters and t*ssers.
NUFF SAID
April 21, 2008 at 1:52 pm
This feckin Webster rule seems to have come out of nowhere. If this team decides to break itself up i’m afraid Wenger can only blame himself for being such a tightarse last summer.
If i’m Hleb or Cesc I would be looking at zombies like Diaby and Denilson and saying, I’m a celeb/good player get me outta here!
April 21, 2008 at 1:53 pm
If Valencia is in debt, pay them 35 - 40 M for Villa, Joaquin and Albiol.
Striker, Winger, and CB
Problem solved
April 21, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Or try to pry Robinho and Sergio Ramos away from Madrid
April 21, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Too be honest i don’t mind seeing Flamini go.. would rather he stayed but if he does leave so be it we’ll cope.
I think Wenger needs to do something about Hleb though… with the attacking depth of our squad we can’t afford to lose Hleb.
Lets start a campaign to get Robinho in… he’s on his way out of Madrid and where in the world of football would he find a team more suited to him than Arsenal… Plus the fact Wenger has always wanted him anyway and he chose Madrid over us in the first place so he could sit on the bench for years.
I think Robinho is the ideal signing for us… an extra forward option, attacking midfield or left wing which are all positions we need added quality at the mo… he can score goals and it would be nice to have a player that could out do Ronaldo in the tricks department
April 21, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hleb has 2 years left on his contract i think i read somewhere, if he leaves then we will deal with it. He has great feet bt for someone who gets so far forward he has a very poor goal record. We may bring in an out-and-out winger if he goes (silva from Valencia possibly) rather than someone who plays like hleb and rosicky.
Flamini can go, if he does not realise how good his artnership with Cesc could be then more fool him. Gareth Barry would be a good replacement, and shoudl be avaiable for about 10m, or 8m + Hoyte.
Ins:
Silva/Ben Arfa
Barry
Huntelaar
Out:
Flamini
Hleb
Lehmann
Stepping Up:
Vela
Song
April 21, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Some info about Raul Albino…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra%C3%BAl_Albiol
April 21, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Robinho would be great, Wagner Love would be too… if the Flamster left, could Barry fill that void?
Is Huntelaar really under consideration? If so… does that mean he wants RvP out on the right? Will Walcott stay out wide or will he deploy him centrally next year?
There are so many interesting questions facing Arsenal next year.
Song sounds like he had a good game last weekend? Do people think he will be better than Senderos?
This webster rule sounds shite… its just another rule making players richer… Players should either be made to ignore that rule, or the clubs should agree to a wage cap.
It just seems like the EU are determined to make players richer and clubs poorer (and fans!).
April 21, 2008 at 2:23 pm
i love being ana arsenal fan.
When we lose people bash us, players question their future(cesc) and the media try to tear us apart, and wenger blames the ref.
BUT!
when we win, our players are linked to clubs, players commit themselves to us(cesc), wenger talks about our beautiful football, our players become more confident and the BEST part, the media doesnt say a fucking word.
i kinda wish we will sell a striker over summer so we can get someone like robinho cuz with 5 strikers we can only hope it happens. i dont know why but i like senderos. something about him cracks me up when he plays, maybe its his face, him trying to stop the other teams trickery, or just his overall lack of speed. but he is a solid stop blocker.
i want him to go on loan because i feel with a year of experiance first team he would be ready to be a back haha.
song looked impressive. which is bad for us because knowing wenger he will probley just use song as back up with djourou and hoyte and traore. actually if we rotated our defense we probley would have had the problem we have adequate cover for everyone except clichy who i think has been our player of the season.
we should sell hoyte and get someone who can play as cb or right/leftback because it is not working with toure.
albiol is only 6′1 i wont care too much for him to come. we need a big ass german or serbian, fuck even someone from norway with the viking roots.
we need someone taht will stop us from being scared shitless at corners, the last like 6 corners adebayor has cleared.
adebayor needs an older striker to learn from.
he has all teh basic astributes to be world class he just isnt smart enough. simple.
he doesnt know you kick the ball away from the goalie to score, and he cant bend the ball other wise we would have beat man u. once he gets some finese in his play i actually wouldnt mind him.
lets just hope the hair grows back quickly.
GERMANY FOR EURO 08!!!!!!!
April 21, 2008 at 2:25 pm
This summer is either going to be really exciting or really depressing and put us all on a downer.
April 21, 2008 at 2:25 pm
they make it sound like they need to be protected and are hard done by Pedro!!
These guys earn more than most earn in 20 lifetimes, and they still get to pick and chose if they want to honor contracts, or stay loyal to a club whose fans have idolised them season after season!
Why the fucking EU thought they needed another rule other than the bossman is beyond me!
I still think we’ll lose 1/2 we dont want to lose as well as a couple we want rid of, which means we’ll lose 5, and AW will buy 2!! And promote some youngsters!!
April 21, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Cant wait to see what Vela can do with arsenal as he’s such an interesting prospect. Not sure Barry’s will be on wenger’s list as he’s an english player already in the premiership! He’s already confirmed that Villa is not on his list,though flattered that Villa likes arsenal(whoopie doo)
April 21, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Trinidad_Gunner, Joaquin is overweight & has been awful for the past 2 seasons, he’s also well known for his celebrity life style. Valencia were awful yesterday but must say David Villa looked poor. Obviously he’s a lot better than the showing he put on but I did notice he also has a serious lack of pace. The best strikers in the premier league all have pace, Drogba, Torres, Henry (before we sold him) & the top scorer this season although not a striker but extremely quick, Ronaldo. Even Adebayor isn’t slow.
I think our best option would be Benzema, unproven but quick, great skill & does have some experience of the CL.
April 21, 2008 at 2:28 pm
If Wenger decides to change captains, it should be done as close to after the end of the season as possible. This will give us a chance to see if Gallas stays or wants to move on.
Wenger might want to cash in on him now and upgrade rather than let his contract dry up, for the same price or a few mill more we could get ourselves a top quality defender who will give us 5 yrs + like Clichy, Sagna and Toure.
I hope Fabianksi gets Derby, and if he has a good game will be allowed a spin until the end of the season. Lehmann is the past, Fabianski is the future and will be more motivated.
I’d give Jens the last game of the season, he’ll want to leave with a clean sheet.
April 21, 2008 at 2:29 pm
It’s always a gamble buying so called good players from teams battling relegation. Darren Bent is a perfect example.
April 21, 2008 at 2:30 pm
song is more of a makeshift CB.. i think he’ll do much better in flamini’s position…
i think he is pretty good technically… better than senderos? maybe.. he just looks very calm on the ball.. not like ” omg, i have the ball what do i do now” types.
April 21, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Sounds like typical Wenger Odub don’t it… i’m just trying to cling on (like a Gypsy to an old ladies hand bag) to a bit of hope that Wenger has learnt his lessons and realises we need more quality and depth
April 21, 2008 at 2:34 pm
That’s why I think Wenger is hesitant about Villa, there is a big question mark over whether David Villa is partly to blame for their relegation problems at the moment. Is he completely innocent?
April 21, 2008 at 2:39 pm
The whole team looks shit. Finestcuts. Every time Ive seen them this season they’ve looked awful. And the fact that their goalis have been even worse hasnt helped. Hilderbrand was meant to be the replacement for Canizares, and he’s done a Taibi most season!
April 21, 2008 at 2:48 pm
guys, take it easy with flamini. this guy is also a good professional; remember the guy playing at LB during the CL run only to be dropped for the final for GREEDY CASHLEY Cole. he didn’t complain, can you say he was a failure that season. let AW take time to settle the players salaries issues. these guys have families and other responsibilities. as for gilbert he’s great but he’s past his out most best. he will only decline while flamini with his work rate can only improve. why is AW so trifty any way? imagine Fergie paying player like wes brown 50g a week? it was an error leting diara go and will be a mistake letting flamini go as well as hleb.
i sugest wenger keep flamini, hleb, gilberto and sell sanderos, djouru, hoyte, & lehmann , and sign ben arfa, benzema, robinho, micar richards, kirkland, & lucio and promote barazite and lansbury to the first team.
April 21, 2008 at 2:53 pm
GoonerC, I fail to see the logic in calling someone an idiot just because they have a different view from yours! That makes you no better doesnt it?!
April 21, 2008 at 2:58 pm
No shit slinging in Le Grove Gooner C!
April 21, 2008 at 3:00 pm
NEWSFLASH Ade linked with Italian clubs AGAIN!!!! by his agent this time….
MEDIA sources this afternoon are claiming Juventus and AC Milan are set to swoop for Arsenal top scorer Emmanuel Adebayor, according to the Arsenal star’s agent.
Agent Vincenzo Morabito has stated that his client has attracted the interest of the Italian giants after hitting 27 goals in 45 games in all competitions this season.
“Milan have looked at him and so have Juventus,” Morabito told the Italian media.
“He is a young player to sign and has the perspective of a longer career.
“He is a striker who has had a great season and is the right investment for the future.”
April 21, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Goonerc… Eddy won’t be ready to play 1st team football til at the very best February. Even then you can’t be sure that he will ever get back to the level he was. Which leaves us with Ade, RVP (who can’t last more than half a season) and Bendtner… that isn’t a great forward line for a team such as Arsenal.
Adebayor has had 2 or 3 good games ofr us this season and some diabolical ones (more so than good) and with some of the chances that have been put on a plate for Ade any striker worth his salt would have finished yet Ade some how still mages to miss more than he scores…
April 21, 2008 at 3:01 pm
While i never like to point to those bastards up north, but why cant Wenger come out when our players are linked with something like ‘We would not sell Cesc/Hleb etc for a 100 million…Forget it’.
Then again the Rumour mill has started spinning and is only going to gather pace, Adebayor to Milan???.
Thing that we need to realise is Wenger wants 1/2 quality players while keeping the squad together. I agree with our current squad we only need 1/2 players, but as players leave we will need 3/4/5 players to come in. Depending on who goes will depend on who we buy. But seriously, last two purchases have been fantastic, and no useless crap ass tabloid linked us to Eduardo or Sagna before the deal was practically done. Expect 2 good signings that will slot straight into the first team and another couple to add to the squad…if there is one lesson to be learnt from previous signings check their medical records first Arsene, no use having a little Mozart if he is muscles are completely fucked!
April 21, 2008 at 3:04 pm
what if we got silly money for ade, i’d let him go, fuck it, he may well improve but…….
April 21, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I’d take 20 mill+ for him chris!! And anyone who says they wouldnt needs their head examined!
April 21, 2008 at 3:09 pm
he’s still learning the offside rule not much chance of any improvement - take the cash!!
April 21, 2008 at 3:10 pm
thats the figure i had in mind, i knwo he did well, but to use my favorie expression, in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king (no offence mike the neighbour!)
he is good and scored some goals but he torments me,
April 21, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Wenger on Wallcott… quality way to describe the guys pace
‘You do not see him, he is gone. That is more important than just more power. But the way we play, we can take advantage of his qualities.’
I would like to see Wallcott play in all the games till the end of the season. His close ball control has got a lot better and he is much more assured on the ball now, he doesn’t run off without it now.
I’m looking forward to the Derby game because they do not own a single player that could keep up with Theo and he will cause havok
April 21, 2008 at 3:17 pm
take 20m pounds for Ade, and get one of huntelaar/Benzema/Villa/Eto’o
April 21, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Theo has grown a bit. Put on weight, andd looks tall by a few inches. I hope he grows into a fine footballer. Go Theooooooooooooo!
April 21, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Eto’o please Gooner7!!
goonerjay, don’t think Derby have any players full stop!! worst bunch of clowns masqurading as sportsmen I’ve ever seen!
April 21, 2008 at 3:20 pm
well et’o is going to who ever offers the most, i.e. money so that is not us and he has shown his allegance, to the almighty dollar
April 21, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Someone spoke about Ade’s presence, heading abilities, etcetra. Sure, they just have to look at Huntelaar’s goals (use the age old tool youtube) I’d also take Benzema. In third priority, Villa or Eto’o as they’re experience, and we know what we’re getting…
April 21, 2008 at 3:22 pm
if I was an worldclass performer looking to move to a new club, preferably the premiership, what would sway me to come to arsenal?
April 21, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Wenger has faith in Ade, he aint gonna sell him,we can dream or suggest “what ifs”.But £20mill wouldnt be a bad price,Wenger can use that to buy 6-7 new players from the french league and eastern european clubs!!lol
April 21, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Odub, we play “ze beautiful football…no?” Thats enough to bring them down to the Emirates!!
April 21, 2008 at 3:27 pm
not anymore it’s not!! ask the ice cream kid and the flaminator!
April 21, 2008 at 3:31 pm
But .. (since Wenger likes to make ‘wife’ comments)
If you had the choice to marry either a beautiful woman who you can look at all day but won’t let you screw; or an average looking one who would fcuk you every time …
April 21, 2008 at 3:33 pm
predicting a 10-0 to Gunners against Derby :p
April 21, 2008 at 3:39 pm
More like 10 clear chances but 3-0 to Arsenal
April 21, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Eto’o did say a couple of months ago that he would love to come to Arsenal. Just a shame Wenger won’t pay for him because he would be a sensation at Arsenal… still in think if we got Robinho we wouldn’t need a striker because he is more than capable in that position and would be good cover for Rosickly note on the left
April 21, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Anyone miffed about the village idiot hansen singing his scouse shibboleths time and again…I blooddy want the scousecunts to lose…Go chelscums…really!
April 21, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Trinidad… you mean 10 clear chances for Ade and and 3-0 to the Arsenal with RVP Scoring twice and Theo the 3rd?
April 21, 2008 at 3:42 pm
give him 10 chances; he’ll need 10 more
April 21, 2008 at 3:42 pm
lol.. why does the game have to be on a monday!!!!??
April 21, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Will Theo ever get played as an out and out striker?!
Will Gallas ever get rid of that ridiculous hair cut?
Will Gilberto re gain the captaincy?
Will we ever sign a player we’ve actually heard of again?
Will Hleb ever shoot from outside the box?
Will Eboue ever stop smiling?!
Will Adebayor ever learn the offside rule?
Will Rosicky ever be fit?
Will AW ever buy a player for more than 10 mill?
Questions, questions,questions!
April 21, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Nah … RVP, Theo, and Cesc … they’re all due goals
April 21, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Huntelaar now
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport/arsenal/arsenalnews/display.var.2213079.0.arsenal_linked_with_ajax_striker.php
I swear journalist spend all day on forums and blogs these days to see who the fans are talking about and then write an article on it to excite the fans
April 21, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Hopefully its a Chelsea-Barca final.
Barca is the only team out of the 4 that I don’t mind (too much) winning.
But Eto’o says he’ll leave Spain if they go trophy-less
April 21, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Odub thats like asking why Superman can stop bullets with his chest but ducks why you throw a revolver at him or why kamikaze pilots where helmets… just something we will never know
April 21, 2008 at 3:47 pm
goonerjay, I just looked on newsnow, and we’re being linked with 5/6 different players today, plus Ade,Hleb and Flam are all leaving apparently!
April 21, 2008 at 3:48 pm
“Hopefully its a Chelsea-Barca final.”
yes
“Barca is the only team out of the 4 that I don’t mind (too much) winning”.
yes yes yes
“But Eto’o says he’ll leave Spain if they go trophy-less”
hmm yeah. Don’t know if you’re suggesting the possibility of us signing him.. But I’d prefer Huntelaar or Benzema from a purely personal POV…
April 21, 2008 at 3:50 pm
barca for me, although I cant see past the mancs with the greaeball and that thug theyve got upfront.
April 21, 2008 at 3:52 pm
If Gallas, Hleb and Flam leave - how much would it cost to replace these players ie how much will it cost to stand still? The latter 2 are harder to replace than I think people give credit.
OK there are players who can do those jobs but is wenger gonna spend the £15m per player that that will certainly cost? dont hold your breath.
this squad needs keeping together in almost its entirety and then adding to. if we lose key players, I really think we are in trouble because I dont trust wenger to do the business to turn it round. he will turn to Song and Denilson instead.
April 21, 2008 at 3:54 pm
If Hleb and Flamini don’t want to play for Arsenal, then get rid of ‘em. Get back Viera I say! Now that’s the star who is a winner!!! Not one season wonder Flamini, who comes no where near Viera’s ability. Viera has two more years left in his contract, and could be got for less than 10m pounds from Inter, he’ll also solve our leadership worries for at least 2-3 more years. Or try for Essien, he’s looking for a way out. Come on Wenger! Essien is a livewire, and a winner!!! We need players would could straight away fit into the team. No more French league youngsters needing time to settle in. Please no!
April 21, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I guess it’ll be a Messi show. Messi is zillion times better than Cuntaldo any given day of the week, and twice on Saturdays and sundays. Bojan is much better than Fat Shrek, and would end up being a “Raul Gonzalez” in Spain.
April 21, 2008 at 4:01 pm
What makes me laugh is that a majority are big named players… you would have thought that the press would’ve worked out by now Wenger won’t sign a ready proven star.
Shall we take bets on how long it will take before Robinho is linked with us.
I reckon if Pedro does a blog tomorrow with Robinho in the title and it goes up on Newsnow within the week Tribal football will start the rumour and the rest will follow.
It’s just pure speculation and it’s a different player every week.
I want Barca to win… mainly because i can’t stand how arrogant mancs are anyway without them doing the double and i would like to see the Scousers go trophyless because i’ve got a few scouse work mates who have give me loads of shit in recent weeks
April 21, 2008 at 4:14 pm
essien is pretty good.. replacement for flamini.. does right back as well.. and bone crunching tackles at that..
any body here like elano? think he’s class.. he even plays RB… sell eboue…
petrov is great.. what crosses.. but he’s too lazy to play for arsenal…
April 21, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Highly unlikely that this is true but its funny how we’re being linked to him too
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport/arsenal/arsenalnews/display.var.2213053.0.gunners_linked_with_sunderland_striker.php
April 21, 2008 at 4:20 pm
long long summer..
April 21, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I’m sure roy of the rovers, mighty mouse and hot shot hamish will get linked with us before the summer’s out!
April 21, 2008 at 4:22 pm
How good is the Guardian?
Which sources are considered reliable?
Don’t knnow too much about the uk press, apart from that news of the world online shows nudity
April 21, 2008 at 4:25 pm
next they being linking Kate McCann as a new manager… stating that she’s only lost 1 in europe.
That was bad… i’ll get my coat
April 21, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Am I twisted for thinking that was funny?!!
April 21, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Made me chuckle
More so than Kenwyn fuckin Jones!!! LOL
What the feelings of Michael Johnson being linked with us, could he be a replacement for Flamini if he goes!
Im not sure, never really followed basketball
April 21, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Is this the point where under muffled laughter I have to say that sort of joke isn’t acceptable?
April 21, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Isn’t Michael Johnson the guy who ran funny but won all the olympic medals?
April 21, 2008 at 4:36 pm
yes to both Trini and Pedro!! Frichie was maybe perhaps possibly mixing up Michael Jordan with Magic Johnson!!
April 21, 2008 at 4:36 pm
has anyone had their season ticket renewal through yet? I have not but last season I had mine way earlier than this.
April 21, 2008 at 4:37 pm
yeah michael jordan was the basket ball player. lol
April 21, 2008 at 4:38 pm
That will be him Trinidadgunner!! Face like a horse, feet like a giraffe…and Iam not talking about Ruud Van nistooroy
April 21, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Anyone think Theo should try the 100m in the olympics this summer? 2nd chance to win something this year? Since he’s not going to the Euros.
Okay that was also bad …
April 21, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Michael johnson is very good but why would city sell us a player when taxin shinawatra is worth hundreds of millions? they dont exactly need the dosh -unless he is refusing to sign a new deal.
the other player that we always end uo being linked with is Mark Noble from WH. seems decent but I dont know if he’s good enough for us. he has been out with a hamstring recently - must be a Gooner.
April 21, 2008 at 4:42 pm
i think traore is faster than him.. ade too.. over 100 metres
April 21, 2008 at 4:45 pm
clichy’s the fastest end of!! road runner aint got nothing on him beep beep!
Ok it’s official, it’s bad joke day today!!
April 21, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Clichy needs to improve on his crosses and he’s be complete.
Then he might want to leave for more money.
April 21, 2008 at 4:48 pm
My bad, I was thinking Magic Johnson
April 21, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Oh .. have we been linked with Diego Capel and Jesus Navas? Sevilla won’t sell to us though.
April 21, 2008 at 5:00 pm
ashley young anyone? been class this year… nearly 20 assists and a few goals… would cost but hes young and can still learn allot
April 21, 2008 at 5:01 pm
ashley young would always be young
April 21, 2008 at 5:06 pm
If we get Navas, instead of bad luck, we can have Jesus on our side
April 21, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Good post Pedro, and some great comments today, get Flamini sorted out and sign someone quick!
April 21, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I’m just thinking, Ade is 24. He could conceivably be at Arsenal for another four or five years. Say it ain’t so, Joe!
April 21, 2008 at 5:16 pm
ashley young is great.. but now i think we’ll be stocked on the left hand side…
April 21, 2008 at 5:36 pm
evening. im a reguar visitor to this site but i jus read the articles n comments so i decided to post this time. i found a very interesting article about why wenger bought eduardo n sagna, but also how he was gonna buy a “super class player” when he thought henry was staying but wen henry left the deal didnt go through. heres the link
http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:0HZBCzK7SygJ:arsenalfcblog.com/wenger-big-secret/+robinho+wenger&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=uk
by the way its from july 2007 but worth a read
April 21, 2008 at 5:36 pm
it is rumoured to be robinho, but i think it could hav been ribery
April 21, 2008 at 5:42 pm
The only thing that can motivate players more than money is being on the team which wins trophies.
Flamini may be asked to sign on current terms for a year, and offered a bonus should we win a trophy equating to what Juventus would have paid him, plus a pay rise.
Arsene will also have to explain his plan forward to those he wants to keep, and if he does keep them together it’ll be make or break, in other words if they don’t win a trophy next year, some first team faces could go.
To make sure this doesn’t happen, and we win silverware, Wenger must spend on the players to make it happen.
Next season I believe we’ll get some silverware, we’ve gone this far on so liuttle, when the final ;piece of muscle is added to the new generation team, we won’t go through a rough patch…the occasional loss or draw, but nothing on the scale seen this year.
April 21, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I agree that we need to win to keep the players.
I think that Wenger recognises this. He has said that if players leave, it is not because of trophies, because after this season, we have as good a chance as anyone (Real, Barca) to win.
But does this mean that he is going to spend to improve, or does he believe that next season we will be better with the same players.
April 21, 2008 at 6:27 pm
trinidad_gunner
good point but if our current back up for defense improves then i cant see it happening because we have four.
depending on how the season ends, if gallas stays we wont be getting a starting cb because toure is quality and gallas would be the captain.
i hate gallas honestly but if he stays he will be captain. and one thing NO person here can argue is how he played before christmas.
topped off solid defense with crucial goals.
i think wenger needs to get a cb that can play on the sides plus a goalkeeper(depending on how fabiankski plays if he does on the weekend)
April 21, 2008 at 6:28 pm
New stuff in the side bars!
Check it out.
I’m off to the gym… good evening to you all!
April 21, 2008 at 6:35 pm
A CB that can play on the sides is Sergio Ramos. But he will command a big fee and salary. And won’t be satisfied on the bench.
April 21, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Clichy and Sagna are quality, but the Toure-Gallas partnership ony looks good on paper, not on grass.
Even Wenger notices that.
April 21, 2008 at 6:42 pm
sergio ramos would be an amazing signing and he could take gallas’ place as cb he is tall. and could cover for the side backs.
lets only hope
April 21, 2008 at 6:45 pm
If this is our shopping list then i’d be happy:
Huntelaar / Villa
Robinho
Sergio Ramos
A 3rd choice keeper
April 21, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I hope thats the kind of “real quality” players Wenger is talking about
April 21, 2008 at 7:06 pm
But maybe it’ll be:
Huntelaar
Kranjcar /Modric
Alboil
April 21, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Our biggest threat are Manyoo, Chelsea can’t attract quality and Manyoo are building a super football machine with Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Ferdinand, Vidic….all great players.
We can’t have one weak position…..we need an undisputed top class player in each position and Ferguson is going to improve his team this year. The development period is OVER, this was the last season of transition, we’ve had it for two years now and either we have players READY NOW to stand up to the champions or we risk the whole team falling apart.
Wenger cannot give into Flamini’s demands, if he does other player will try and extort Arsenal meaning Flamini’s argument of 5 million Euros goes out of the window. Such a policy could cost Arsenal hundreds of millions of Euros over the next ten years, so it’s cheaper to spend on someone who has agreed to the contract offered rather than let players dicate salaries, once an offer is made, if the player wants to continue to be an Arsenal player for the amount offered, and if not, time to find someone whp’s satisfied w