Arsenal dismiss £25mil as we chase Niko Kranjcar and N’Zogbia

Slaven Bilic believes Niko Kranjcar will join Arsenal in the summer and media circles believe we are back in for winger Charles N’Zogbia, both are old rumours but would fit the Wenger profile, Premiership proven and cheap.

My fear here is we’ll bring in two no names like these and let go of Flamini on a free and Hleb for the £15 mil these two would cost, then buy a couple of youngsters and that’s it.

Same as last season, bring in a couple, sell a couple and bring in a few from the reserves, thus saving even more than we did last year, and weakening the squad again, so we’ll struggle on 4 fronts, sound familiar?

I would be very disappointed to see Hleb go as I think this season he became the player that Wenger splashed out on 3 years ago, Flamini looks set to go, but he may surprise us too, so who knows.

I don’t really know much about Kranjcar or N’Zogbia but if we’re going Premier league I would go for Gareth Barry to fill the Flamini role.

Arsenal dismissed the £25 million transfer kitty as pure speculation so we got that right, first, here on Le Grove, what a load of twaddle, the only worry about whatever we have is will he spend it? I’m still hoping he pulls a Kaka out of the hat. I’ve a little feeling he may just surprise us all, but that could just be me and my wishful thinking.

Resting the players playing this summer is an insult to the fans, it’s like playing a weakened side in the cups, Arsenal football club should always field it’s strongest side and go out and try to win every game, if you want to experiment, do that with the reserves, we pay to see the best possible side trying its best to win. Though I accept we need to experiment pre season.

Finally there is a lot of speculation surrounding legend, Thierry Henry and Newcastle, it won’t happen. He told this to the BBC ‘There’s only one team for me in my heart. It took me a while to understand what that club, Arsenal meant to me.’

Fine words indeed Thierry, I would have you back and put you on the wing, in a heartbeat.

Flamini, listen to me, you are good, mostly because this team makes you look good, move to Italy and play to 12,000 fans every week and you will suffer, Henry was a better player than you will ever be, and look what’s happened to him.

Lots of interesting comments on Pedro’s controversial blog yesterday, lots of divided views and a few new Grovers, but all clean and true to the no slagging mantra of the site, well done and look forward to seeing you today.

Check out the Niko Kranjcar video if you need to refresh you memory. He is quite a player by the looks of things.

309 Responses to “Arsenal dismiss £25mil as we chase Niko Kranjcar and N’Zogbia”

  1. Pedro Says:

    Just what the doctor ordered this Friday,

    ‘Fine words indeed Thierry, I would have you back and put you on the wing, in a heartbeat.’

    That was hilarious! Great post!

    Kranky looks a bit of a player and you are right… and Arsenal signing. Do you think Arsenal secured first refusal on him when we sold Diarra?

    I don’t get the hype about N’Zogbia…? He is a mystery to me? Maybe someone cans shed some light on the matter!

  2. SAUL Says:

    Average players…ohh dear another season with zero trophies.

  3. Mark C Says:

    I think we will buy a defender, simple as that.

    If players go, then we will need to buy more players.

    We now have 7 first team players injured and one suspended.

    Almunia,
    Rosicky
    Eduardo
    Sagna
    Flamini
    Diaby
    Djrouou

    and Hleb suspended.

    Dont expect 9 points from the last 3 games !!

    I think we need a new club doctor !!!

  4. Ussas Says:

    Is it not so that Hleb can buy himself out of his contract under the “webster clause”?

  5. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    Morning -Interesting days posting yesterday ehhhh

    I have found a web site that summarises recent transfer rumours and saves trawling through the usual sources .This is the latest on NZogbia -who of course is French

    Rumour Date 06/Apr/2008
    To Club Tottenham
    News Paper News Of The World
    Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan wants to swap Charles N’Zogbia for Spurs’ Aaron Lennon, who is also wanted by Liverpool

    Rumour Date 06/Feb/2008
    To Club Arsenal
    News Paper Daily Mail
    Tottenham and Arsenal will fight it out to land Newcastle winger Charles N’Zogbia in the summer

    Geoff can you clarify what you said about Henry that made Pedro fall about so much were you being Ironic sarcastic or meant what you said -confused of La Manga

  6. charybdis1966 Says:

    I thought our Torquay waiter was fit again and Wenger would decide between him and the mentalist on monday ?

  7. Rico Says:

    25M - if that is correct, the boss will get four players, but dont expect all to be big names…. i support the boss in that respect, players are over priced and over paid, Flamster is proving that - and if Hleb goes, that also is only about money…
    Truth is, both have given us ONE good season, so does that really justify a huge pay rise, i have given 20 years of good work to my employer, but i get naf all, as no doubt do most of you out there…..

    Now Bilic has made his comment, I believe there is a lot of truth in the ‘Kranky’ rumours…. you could be right Pedro about the first refusal…..

    I know we all go on about the reserves coming through is not good enough, but I watched them the other night and the first half they were pretty damn good - Barazite, Wilshere, Thomas, Fonte, Nordveilt, to name just a few, all look ‘nearly’ there, yes they are a little young, but give them next season in the CC and who knows.

    If we buy big names, 25yrs ish, these younger ones wont get the chance they will desrerve in a couple of seasons and they will leave and we will all be ranting a raving again. It is hard, but when it finally clicks together, it will run for many a year, and the silverware will be flooding in….

    Who knows - i just hope i am right…. Villa would be nice though….

  8. andy c Says:

    i posted a while back that niko kranjcar was already a done deal but no one seemed to believe me, hes a classic wenger signing, probably what wenger will class as experienced

  9. Rico Says:

    andy c - course he is experienced, big tony has been helping him …………

  10. AL Says:

    N Zogbia is Arsenes type of player talented but not playing to his full potential, Kranjkar good player would fit in well.

    As for Flamini he should have a quiet word with Emmanuel Petit and some other former players Anelka, Reyes e.c.t about how green the grass is away from Arsenal I bet every one of them regrets leaving, Petit and Anelka have come out and said it themselves.

  11. Frichie Says:

    I wouldnt mind Krancjar, or Nzogbia, both are young and skillful and playing in the wrong team. Nzogbia burst onto the scene, before Allerdyce and co ruined him! Wenger might be able to find something there, but to be honest, while those 2 signings would add some quality to our squad, i was really hoping for an ‘Experienced’ player, and by that i mean someone who has won something and knows what it takes!

  12. Finestcuts Says:

    Krancjar would definitely do well in our team, he’s been on my radar for a few months. Good news that Eduardo’s back on the mend, he’ll miss pre-season. We can’t neglect the front-line, there has to be someone of RVP’s calibre to fill in for Ade or RVP should they need rotating or are injured.

    M’Zogbia is not better than Larsson so why would Wenger want him?

  13. Geoff Says:

    Interesting that Diarra could have been the makeweight, Mike, a bit of both!

    My only concern is if all these Croatians were so good, Modric etc, they would be world beaters, and so far they’re not.

    Not sure about N’Zogbia though and for all we known he’s 31 already!

  14. DC Says:

    This ain’t good… I was hoping that we would be building on what we had this season; not breaking it down and re-builing up certain parts of the team… I know it’s speculation, but, I’ve got a gut feel that both Alex and the Flamster will go and neither has come out and said the opposite…. Gutted….. They’re both top players and I think we should be making more of an effort to keep them onboard… It’s all well and good saying that players are over-priced and Wenger should stick to his policy… But, that then results in all the good players leaving for players where they will get payed the dough…. We either get involved or get left behind!! And why not get involved? The season ticket price is high enough…. WHY THE HELL ARE WE BECOMING A FEEDER CLUB FOR THE LIKES OF BARCA AND INTER MILAN? I THOUGHT WE WERE MEANT TO BE MOVING ONTO THEIR LEVEL??? Ahhhh…. I’m sooooo fed up with this crap…..

  15. GMR Says:

    I bet they dismissed the 25 million figure because it’s actually nowhere near that amount. It’s probably more likely to be 10-15 million.

    I’m not sure where you get the 15 million figure for Hleb, he can buyout his contract for approximately 2 million & if he is going to f*** off then I don’t think he will care about us getting money. Inter could offer him a 5-8 million signing on fee if he buys out his current deal with us & seen as its clear he’d be moving for money you can safely say that would be his main interest.

    I noticed a lot of people disagreed with my point yesterday about British players generally being more loyal, but I can’t believe the players that were used an an example. Gerrard, Bentley & Pennant were 3 named, well last time I looked Gerrard was still at Liverpool & it isn’t because Chelski turned him down. As for Bentley & Pennant they weren’t first team regulars & were never going to be so they had to leave. I’m not saying that a reserve or squad player should show loyalty, I’m talking about first team regulars & from what I see British players are more loyal, there’s always the odd example eg Cashley but in the main you do get more loyalty.

  16. Finestcuts Says:

    Stephen Hunt is bettter than N’Zogbia, he is not Arsenal Material, he’s West Ham at best.
    He should stay where he is.
    Diaby is better than N’Zogbia….we already have lots of players better than N’Zogbia…please…

  17. choy Says:

    morning lads…

    kranjcar is aCM who plays in the wings no?

    he’s got a decent shot on him…..

  18. DC Says:

    GMR… I don’t think it’s down to loyalty mate… It’s about the money unless the club is really in your heart…. e.g. Torres @ Athletico, Gerrard, etc…. Let’s be real… If you knew that you could double your salary at work by moving company; would you stay in your current company? I doubt it…. unless your current company valued you like everyone else…. Arsenal need to get with the programme…..

  19. choy Says:

    flamini is not a fucking top player!!!!

    he just had one (1) good season.. thats all.. the cnut.

  20. Pedro Says:

    More importantly people… why is the Webster ruling only affecting us?

    Surely it is a European ruling… and other teams in Europe are affected?

    Or did everyone in Europe renew every players contract last summer without us noticing?

    Mike, what was that site? I was thinking of starting a side bar of transfer links?

  21. Wong meng Says:

    Whether AW has gbp 25 million is immaterial . The club have refused to put a figure.
    My guess is either it’ true or maybe AW has more than that to spend.

    if Aw continues to buy emerging talent then my hunch is spot on.

  22. AL Says:

    Im by no means an Arsene Knows type but I do trust his judgement with young players if he thinks N Zogbia has talent and can bring it out he will Kranjkar is already performing and big T will give Arsene an honest assesment.

    The whole Experienced player thing is not going to happen as like Diarra they think they are entitled to a starting place often are not much better than what we have already and if they are english are ridiculously overpriced, for example someone mentioned spurs and the scousers were looking to pay £20 mil for David Bentley £15 mil for Gareth Barry don’t therefore expect experienced english/british players.

  23. DC Says:

    Choy… I totally disagree… Personally, I think he’s a very good player….. Remember that this is the first season he’s played in his position.. CM… This season, Arsenal lacked that tenascity in games that he didn’t play.. As an example, I remember that we were 2-1 down at Stamford bridge and he was the only one who was showing real heart to try and get that equaliser….. Remember the Villa game at Villa Park?? Give the guy a break….

  24. gazzap Says:

    cant see wenger wanting both of these. it would be one or the other to take the left wing role. I dont rate either of them particularly highly, I mean yes they are both decent players but neither is world class. N’zog is not an international and Kranky does not score too many goals. I have seen him lose possession quite a lot for pompey but it could be that he is in the wrong team and will get more passing options at Arsenal. Put it this way, they are both better than Eboue!

  25. Finestcuts Says:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/04/22/ufnars122.xml

    This explains the Webster clause, but it will affect every club in Europe meaning that players like Ronaldo or Kaka can change clubs whenever they feel like it. The only way to stop it is to renew deals every year, because after only 12 months they cannot invoke it, so thats why if Wenger wants to keep all his players and ovaid losing them on a Webster, we have to make new deals every year.

  26. choy Says:

    DC… it was cause of him that villa scored at villa park in the first place…

    he gave away the goal at bolton too…

    then there was the goal at emirates against lpool CL.. he did not deal with that and gerrard scored…

    he ain’t all that…

  27. DC Says:

    Choy….. So who, at Arsenal, would you rather see playing his role?? Gilberto??

  28. Finestcuts Says:

    The whole reason why fans are so blinded by how good Flamini is, because he made a huge step up, he doesn’t score enough to be considered a true world class player, and yes he’s had only one season. He would do a good job for us, but we can manage without him.
    Our main focus she be getting the second goal. IF you score 2 goals in every match your opposition have to get in 2 to beat you. We rarely let in more than 1 which is why we need to be looking for that second goal to make us a team which takes others 3 goals to beat.

  29. jimmyfingers Says:

    Is Geoff coming round to my thinking and wanting Henry back? Pretty words from him, saying he doesn’t regret leaving when he clearly does. A few lesser clubs linked with him, Villa and Newcastle so I hear, which shows his stock has fallen. He was an idiot for leaving for sure, but like the Prodigal son does h not desevre forgiveness? Remember all he did for the club, fitting that he comes back, and yes, stick him on the wing

  30. DC Says:

    Finestcuts, fair point mate… His role is not about scoring goals, but, hey I’m not saying he’s world class… Just a very good player in my opinion…. But, who would you replace him with???? I certainly don’t think Gilberto fit’s into that role anymore… And Denilson is too lightweight….

  31. chris Says:

    Pedro/Geoff
    is any one having trouble with this page loading, when i refresh it says a script is unresponsive, i assume its the vid link, anyone else have an issue?
    also am i going blind or is this site not listed on newsnow anymore?

  32. Pedro Says:

    We’re still on there! 0852 posting!

    If anyone else is having problems with the page and I’ll remove the video…

  33. gazzap Says:

    yes I am also having problems with the page. same as chris.

  34. choy Says:

    we will find someone… doesn’t matter.. let that cnut have his 10k extra and fuck off

  35. chris Says:

    eh no its not!!!
    i google newsnow and follow the direct arsenal link
    and this is the page i see
    http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Premier+League/Arsenal
    am i loosing it???

  36. chris Says:

    well its either the vid or the new site meter (or if you american yard!)

  37. chris Says:

    this new rule, so a player can buy himself out of a contract but as is the case with hleb do we not have a counter claim that he was illegally taped up,
    so for a player to buy himself out of a contract an illegal approach has to be made in instigate it?

  38. Pedro Says:

    Ok… if anyone came over here to see the video… I’m, Gazzap and Chris ruined that for you!

    Just kidding, let me know if the problems continue.

    Its on the link Chris! I think you are losing it? Can you really not see it? I can…? Maybe I am losing it?

    At least Kranky would be a proper wide man. I checked out Charles’ video earlier… he is very tricky and has a great cross!

    Senderos may be on his way out according to the Independent!

    Would anyone be gutted?

  39. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    Pedro I have ben having probs posting too
    The link of the transfer page is
    http://www.footballtransferleague.co.uk/

  40. choy Says:

    maybe fabregas.. they are best frens i think

  41. Pedro Says:

    Independent:

    Plenty to chew on!

    Arsenal are considering finally selling Philippe Senderos this summer. Indeed it is possible that the 23-year-old Swiss defender has played his last game for the club as manager Arsène Wenger said yesterday that he could rest some of those involved in Euro 2008 for Arsenal’s last three league matches of the season.

    “Maybe I’ll have to give the players who go to the European Championship a little breather,” Wenger said. However, with Abou Diaby now joining Alexander Hleb and Tomas Rosicky as being ruled out for the rest of the season, and with Mathieu Flamini and Bakary Sagna still injured, that policy may be difficult to implement.

    Senderos has not played for Arsenal since the Champions League defeat at Liverpool earlier this month, when he was blamed for two of the goals in a 4-2 defeat. He was left out against Manchester United five days later, with Alex Song retaining his place in central defence for the home victory over Reading last Saturday. Senderos was on the bench for that game.

    Wenger has maintained that he still has faith in the defender but it is believed he may be prepared to sell. Gilberto Silva, who turns 32 in October, also appears certain to leave the Emirates this summer, while Arsenal fear that they have lost Flamini, who is out of contract at the end of the season, to Juventus having failed to match his wage demands.

    Wenger has said his main priority is to hold on to his young stars, namely Cesc Fabregas, Flamini and Hleb but he is struggling to keep the latter two. Internazionale are courting Hleb and coach Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in the Belarussian, who met with Inter officials in Milan before an Arsenal game last month and appears keen to go.

    Hleb has two years left on his present contract and Mancini, who has been linked with Genoa’s Abdoulay Konko and Gökhan Inler, of Genoa, told the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport: “We have already spoken about the players we would like to sign. We are interested in Hleb, Inler and Konko.”

    If Hleb, who is banned for Arsenal’s final three matches of the season and has been offered a sizeable wage increase by Internazionale, and Flamini left it would cause deep frustration among supporters who are keen for the club to spend big this summer. However, according to one source, it appears likely that Wenger will bide his time, although he will also come under some pressure from the board to secure at least one high profile signing.

    Wenger has great faith in Theo Walcott’s ability to emerge as a central striker and Song’s potential in defence, while he will recall 19-year-old Mexican striker Carlos Vela from his loan at Osasuna. The 20-year-old Bulgarian winger Nikolai Dimitrov could finally arrive from Levski Sofia, while the club continues to monitor players such as the 22-year-old St-Etienne midfielder Loic Perrin.

    None of this will make much impression on the cash mountain that Arsenal, despite Wenger’s denials, are currently sitting on and which will only grow bigger once the receipts from the development of Highbury Square roll in. According to their last accounts, Arsenal have £64m available, which they have been authorised by their bankers to use on transfers, if they so wish. Wenger does not want the figure broadcast and has been at pains to talk about the need to pay for the Emirates Stadium and not to allow the club’s wage bill to rise.

    However, he could spend lavishly if he wanted to, although the Lyons president Jean-Michel Aulas has warned that it will be difficult for Arsenal to prise away winger Hatem Ben Arfa from the French club.

  42. chris Says:

    WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON???
    pedro with internet explorer i can not see the le-grove bit in news now BUT with firefox its there!!!

  43. Odub Says:

    Morning all,

    Just nearly threw my pc out the window, seems to be a problem with the site?!

    What’s going on?!

  44. Pedro on IE7 Says:

    I just got that message?

    It is letting me post though…

    Just click yes… it is a word press thing, nothing to do with me…!

    It doesn’t happen in firefox though… odd?

  45. charybdis1966 Says:

    Although Senderos is not popular on most blogs he got a good reaction from the crowd when he began warming up when Song injured himself against Reading last Saturday. The crowd cheered him and he acknowledged that - something not all players do.

    Yes, he’s made some mistakes but I like his attitude - he’s whole hearted, has gotten better in the air this season and he cares. Central defenders don’t hit their prime till their late 20’s and I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves wanting him out on the basis of 2 mistakes against Liverpool.

  46. chris Says:

    the site is gone made Odub, there is a internet explorer issue going on and i have switched to firefox for this message, ironically i can not see my 10:22 message above here and i have refreshed a dozen times,
    bill gates is a cunt,

  47. Pedro Says:

    It is a wordpress issue, I just checked out another blog in IE and that one is having the same problem…

    Just click yes every time it asks you if you want to stop running the scripts!

  48. Odub Says:

    We cant keep players that arent good enough for us charydbis, not withstanding how good his attitude i. I like the guy myself and his hang dog expresion when he cocks up makesme feel sory for im, but he’s a carling cup player.

    Our injuries are beginning to look very ridiculous arent they?!! I mean who hasnt been injured this season?!

  49. Finestcuts Says:

    Thaat’s why you should always use firefox, and as soon as they have a secuirty issue they fix it and give you a free update, IE7 is lame. Why surf with a Lada when you can have a Volvo with Firefox.

  50. TH14's Sense of Arrogance Says:

    I want Thierry back….

    That’s all.

  51. Ethan_gooner Says:

    The message is out there …
    the fans arent happy.. Im starting to think maybe .. just maybe arsene MIGHT surprise us this coming season .

    we can only hope …

  52. Pedro Says:

    Finestcuts… I wouldn’t want a Lada or a Volvo!

  53. Ethan_gooner Says:

    gotta say for the first time in a while im happy …
    Why you all ask ?? grumpy a$$ ethan is finally happy ?

    Why because our shouts have finally made it back to arsene
    this morning on A.com
    ——————————————————————————-
    However, having looked so dominant in the early stages of the season, their lack of silverware at the end of the campaign is seen as a disappointment.

    “You know you will be criticized for that,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “But you don’t need to accept everything.

    “People say you make mistakes, well that is professional. When people say you don’t know what you are doing, that is a little bit disrespectful.”

    But, in any case, right now Wenger’s concern is not himself.

    Was he reading my comments at Le grove ..????
    I think so !!!

  54. Ollie Says:

    Pedro, been having problems as well, same thing with the scripts… it works ok, just takes an age to load… :(

    Personally I dont want to sell senderos just yet. Give him time, and if he still isnt performing, sell him in the January TP.

    Also, I dont get how we either buy 15-19 year olds, yet now Wenger is looking for “one or two experienced players”, we are being linked with 28-29+ year olds. Why Cant we buy someone in their prime more often! We Bought Eduardo and Sagna, and they have performed, but untill they moved here, no one had ever heard of them!! Why cant we buy some well known players for once!!

  55. pastabrown Says:

    its quite a big issue pedro it might actually kill the days blogging but its outside our control,
    chary the waiter is still injured me thinks

  56. Pedro Says:

    Yeah sorry guys, I’ve asked WP to look at it… the problem is happening on ACLF also… I will get it sorted as soon as I can!

  57. Frichie Says:

    Scripting error or something???

    Who to replace Flamini, I wouldnt mind seeing Toure come in as DM and that way we can keep Gallas, WHO IS A QUALITY DEFENDER, but then get a truelly worldclass experienced defender along side him. Yaya Toure absolutely dominated the MF on Wed night, and I suspect Kolo could do the same, he has all the qualitys fast, good on the ball and hard tackler. Problem solved.

  58. GunnerShabz Says:

    ok lets be honest, can we see wenger signing big named superstars, i cant, i can dream but thats it

    This summer

    David Villa, and his valencia team mates will be up for grabs…
    Ronaldinho, Diego, Robinho, Lucio, Deco,

    world class players

    now this is what we will get

    Niko Kranjcar, Luka Modric, Simon Vukjnecic, N’zogbia, barnetta, amauri

    see the difference

    outstanding young talent

    karim benzema, hatem ben arfa, ezequiel garay, cacares, zapata, rosina, de guzman, huntelaar

    sorry to be negative, but wenger wont buy superstars

  59. Ollie Says:

    Frichie - If we moved toure into midfield - something im not against, he is pretty good giong throught the wing/middle - then who would replace him, Senderos?

  60. Odub Says:

    Yeah it’s a bit of a chore having to do all this just to post a comment!

    BTW why the hell would we want N’zogbia? Apparently his attitude stinks which is why he’s not playing for the geordies, enough with stroppy feench players please!!

  61. pastabrown Says:

    firefox has advantages but text looks a well dodgy

  62. charybdis1966 Says:

    Odub, I see your point, but in IMHO I think we can see the best from him soon - I’d rather have someone who tries/cares about the club than someone technically slightly superior who only tries when he can be bothered and is disruptive to team spirit. I do have a soft spot for Senderos - every time I’ve seen him play I’ve no seen him do anything than bust a gut to keep the oppo out.

    I’m old enough to remember Tony Adams being regularly booed by Arsenal fans early in has career at Highbury.

    and befor eanyonere says it - I know Stepanovs and Cygan also got booed.

  63. Ethan_gooner Says:

    TH14’s Sense of Arrogance

    for once th .. i agree with you bring back TH14 !!!
    even thou he’s injury prone .. he still is head and shoulders above ADE- RVP
    or anyone else we have currently ..

    we could do far worse . and no doubt will …

  64. pastabrown Says:

    chary he may not be willing to wait but if he is then let him stay and develop but all the while costing teh club wages that could be re-invested in to a more developed player,
    if money was not an object and he was willing hang around then i would agree with you

  65. Ollie Says:

    Why are we always linked to French players? Surely Wengers not being Racist, is he?(joke, please no-one be offended!!)
    Does someone have a list of players that are french?
    Diaby
    Sagna
    Gallas
    Henry - Before he moved
    Flamini
    Clichy
    Traore
    Diarra - before he moved
    All First team, and thats over a third, almost a half.
    Anyone else think of any i have missed?

  66. Ethan_gooner Says:

    pedro
    the problem is happening on ACLF also… I will get it sorted as soon as I can!

    cant say im shedding a tear over that

    :)

    why oh why do you talk to those muppets ?
    they breed the AKB brigade ..

  67. BB Says:

    N’Zogbia.. maybe le-grove should tell us where he gets the rumour from
    NK from Pompey is technically astute, but not a goal scorer and apperas slow to me

    now bring Titi back .. he wants to come back.. he will have a lot to prove

    sell sick horse RVP and play Titi with Ade and Theo and send Nik to the Danish marine

    TH14 is despeate to come back .. best deal ever .. fukk off Wenger and go and buy your mate back ..

    and kick N’Zogbia in his ugly teeth and tell Pompey and your Croatian mate at the Arse to have a fukking life .. Dudu is enough and he aint a fukking Croatian loser

    and keep the Flam and make him the boss with the armband ..

  68. Odub Says:

    On Firefox now, the text just looks very weird!!

    True Charybdis, but I can’t see Sederos ever developing to the levels of Tony Adams, and I’m sure most agree. So if we can get some dosh for him so be it.

    I hate to say this but Song actually looks good enough as a back up CB, which is all Sender will ever be.

  69. LE GROVE TECH UPDATE! Says:

    Dear all,

    If you have IE7 and you are experiencing this message:

    Stop running this script?

    A script on this page has caused Internet Explorer to run slowly. If it continues to run your computer may become unresponsive.

    Click yes… it won’t affect your computer.

    Alternatively, use Firefox as your browser.

    It is a wordpress glitch and I am on the case… don’t go anywhere else, because we’ll find you…

    Just kidding, but don’t worry about the message.

  70. Frichie Says:

    Can anyone give us a transcript of this, I cant listen at work :(

    Link

    Toure could only move into DMF if a quality Centrehalf came in, I have lost faith in Senderos,I would prefer Djerou but I really want someone ovre 6″ who is good in the air and on the deck! I would actually be happy to see Gilberto drop in there.

  71. pastabrown Says:

    ollie you can use the same argument there as many are of African origin, so no i dont think race comes into it,
    its the same as roy kenae with sunderland, irish investors mostly irish players irish manager, oh wait hang on a second….
    its based on familiarity id say

  72. Odub Says:

    As far as I’m concerned Flam’s gone, let’s move on, and Hleb will probably follow!

  73. Pedro Says:

    BB, a bit of this, Link

    Combined with a bit of this,

    Link

  74. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    yeah but a rich cunt chris

  75. pastabrown Says:

    hey how do you know its me mike?

  76. Pedro Says:

    What is with the new name Pasta Brown?

  77. Ollie Says:

    ok.. i was going to use the African as well, since we are 50% french, 45% African and 5% other, but i didnt want to sound too racist, and i hope i didnt.
    But it is a good point, isnt it? Is it nessesary to buy players from multiple countries to win trophies more often, or doesnt it matter?

  78. Geoff Says:

    I didn’t have any problems, so hopefully it’s all been sorted!

  79. pastabrown Says:

    i opened a word press account, chris was taken so i used my ebay name! whats the deal with avatars on wordpress if i use a gif is it animated or will continue to show the shadow box or should i just use jpeg, pedro?

  80. charybdis1966 Says:

    Odub, only the future will tell if Senderos will be good enough for us - and if we’re talking players who are costing us money and not giving the club anything we all know who is the perdect example of that - Rosicky !!!
    Yes, he is a gifted player and we are better when he plays but it’s been too infrequently this season.

    His most meaningful action this year has been with that posse of pussies - but, I’m a fine one to pontificate on that, eh Chris ? ;)

  81. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    You think yove got problems all this stuff is coming up in Fuckin Spanish and I cant understand it -well I wouldnt anyway even if it was in Engrish -Must get a Apple mac -stay cool Odub remember youre gonna be in Alcazares soon and youll be getting legrove withdrawal symptoms

  82. pastabrown Says:

    hahahaha charybdis, i love it

  83. pastabrown Says:

    it all ways a good idea to have firefox installed on your pc for such occasions like this, Geoff told me redtube runs better on it!

  84. Pedro Says:

    Stick a jpeg in there, but it can take a day for WP to notice it!

  85. Odub Says:

    your field of expertise I believe charybdis!! just kidding!

    Good point Mike, Tuesday’s my last blogging day for a week, so I’ll make the most of the next few days,

    btw, chris is pastabrown correct?!

  86. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    Chris cos ive got your 10.22 message and it said “Chris” -youll therefore be pleased to know I havnt got crystal balls

  87. pastabrown Says:

    yeah odub, i thought id do a bud and get a logo, hasn’t worked yet but my spelling has improved with firefox so its not all bad news

  88. pastabrown Says:

    yeah sorry mike i thought you could see my name as chris even though i had subsequently changes it to pasta

  89. Odub Says:

    pastabrown kind of reminds me of busta rymez for some reason!!! lol

  90. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    sorry chris that should say 10.27

  91. RockStone Says:

    I agree with Frichie on Kolo in midfield…..isn’t that where he started?? He’s got a great engine, is capable of surging runs and has the ability to shoot from distance too. Flamini’s had one good season…Juve go silly over him…now he think’s he’s world class. He would be if he stays…he’ll become the forgotton man if he goes. Can’t we have one summer which isn’t spent speculating if our top players are staying or going??!!

  92. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    Actually Chris that should be pastor Brown cos some of the things you say are on a much higher level which only god would understand -you know the one that sits at (not on ) Geoffs right hand

  93. gazzap Says:

    so looks like Milan have gazumped Juve for the Flamster. I am sure he is going. Hleb is still in the balance, but I think he will stay.
    Flam’s emergance was one of the key reasons we were able to compete for the prem title this season. he got stuck in in a lot of our really tough away games and prevented us from being bullied. he was also instrumental in our win in the San Siro. we can go on without him but I am 100% sure that he needs replacing with a new purchase. Den, Song etc are not the answer. we need the next Essien for £5m!

  94. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    oh dear….Tosser alert

  95. pastabrown Says:

    dasilvasurfa, it takes years of training,

  96. Odub Says:

    someone’s already got odub so I cant have a wordpress account, cant be bothered to change my name!!

  97. Odub Says:

    I chose to play ignorant and ignore the ignoramus!

  98. Ollie Says:

    Using Firefox now, no probs as of yet…

  99. Ollie Says:

    Except my comments are now awaiting moderation. Pedro, when you have a minute mate…

  100. Pedro Says:

    Sorry people…

    I think he meant why are you so ignorant of Firefox… it is such a great browser?

    I binned him!

    Ollie… you are free to roam!

  101. Mike (the neighbour) Says:

    sorry guys cant spend all my time waiting for this spanish shit to come up have a great day -playing golf with the bear this pm so need to polish up my 5 iron -adios

  102. Odub Says:

    No need to apologise mate, we havent had one in a while so, nice to see the looney bin still let’s them out for open day on fridays.

  103. goonerjay Says:

    dasilvasurfa… in other words fuck off!

    Morning guys. Not sure i’d want either of those players… i know it is very unlikely but it is about bloody time we got a world class player or 2 at this fine club of ours… god knows we pay enough to see it.

    After listening to Wengers pre derby interview earlier I’m quietly confident that Hleb will stay but i think it’s iminent that Flamini is leaving… oh well… it was a good season Flamini but your nothing special so fuck off

  104. pastabrown Says:

    if that is what he means then he can fuck right off, let him stick with netscape if he is an internet god,

  105. pastabrown Says:

    i firmly believe we are going to get a proper high profile but more importantly established footballer,

  106. goonerjay Says:

    would be nice Pasta… a player like Robinho or Queresema would be very welcome… as unlikely as it is stranger things have happened

  107. Odub Says:

    I’ve said this all along ablout Flamini, he’s not a great player, he’s a good player that stands out because of Fab next to him and Hleb in front of him. He’s basically a legend in his own bedroom. If he cant displace Vieira,Diarra, the other Diarra and Makelele from the french team, exactly how good can he possibly be?!! He’ll be replaced, let’s move on!

    soory chris, it’s just odd having to call you pastabrown!!

  108. Odub Says:

    I’d say our high profile big signing will probably be a centre back. So who would it be?!

  109. choy Says:

    he’s a grade A cunt

  110. chris Says:

    Mr. Odub, i am learning this as i go along,but your word press user name does not need to displayed nickname, as you can see!
    goonerjay, i really think it will happen

  111. goonerjay Says:

    don’t say that choy… cunts are useful.

    I wouldn’t like to make a guess Odub… Zapata would be good though

  112. choy Says:

    nesta?!

  113. Odub Says:

    Just showing off now arent you chris?!!

    choy been saying Nesta for weeks!! what an addition that would be!!! Still think he’s the best in the world, dont care what anyone else says!

  114. RVP11 Says:

    morning.
    hleb is 1 of my favourite players at arsenal n i think we have to keep him. For me i think the goals will come over time, that meaning nxt season. flamster should stay as well but im not sure if he will. I think Wenger will surprise alot of fans by bringin in a world class player

  115. goonerjay Says:

    Nesta is getting on in years now though… still a great player but we wouldn’t get much use out of him for our money.

    I can’t wait for Flamini to move and then come out next year saying how he regrets leaving Arsenal like they all do… Flamini is going to find that leaving Arsenal is a lot like shagging a midget with downs syndrome… it aint big and it aint clever

  116. Ollie Says:

    Cheers Pedro!
    Nesta is a bit old, but if he does an interim job, thats all that matters, isnt it?
    Anyway, they last for ages.
    Do we even have any Italians in our first team?

  117. chris Says:

    Odub, i am learning this as i go along,but your word press user name does not need to displayed nickname, as you can see!
    goonerjay, i really think it will happen

  118. choy Says:

    italians… nope i don’t think so… someone said flamini had italian roots?

  119. chris Says:

    sorry for dublicate it was posted ages ago,
    goonerjay LOL!

  120. odubb Says:

    Chri, guess what, I’m now odubb (artist formally known as odub!!)

    Chaps Nesta’s only 32, Maldini, Bergomi, Baresi and Costacurta all played to almost 40, we’d get 5 years out of him, that aint bad for someone of that calibre is it?!!

  121. Ollie Says:

    Lol goonerjay..
    Maybe we need some Italian blood in the team? But being an Aussie, ANYONE BUT MATERAZZI OR TOTTI!!

  122. odubb Says:

    Ollie agree, those 2 wouldnt be welcome, nor would Vieri, I know he’s part Aussie mate, but he’s also a lazy overated cnut!

  123. chris Says:

    now pick an image Odub(B) and you are laughing!in the profile you will see display nickname which you can change,

  124. goonerjay Says:

    Pepe from Real Madrid is good… but what are the chances of us getting a Madrid player?!

  125. odub Says:

    chris… done!!

  126. chris Says:

    not unrealsistic jay, we did get baptista so there is some raport between clubs,
    but 30 million euro is a bit rich

  127. chris Says:

    we are html gods!

  128. goonerjay Says:

    Oh yes… the beast… cried at the sign of a bit of rain or a defender wanting to take the ball of him… more like a fucking fairy if you ask me

  129. odub Says:

    Havent Madrid got Metzelder as well? which means theyve got him, Heinze, Pepe, Cannavaro, Ramos surely they’ll be open to flogging one of those!! Who needs that many CBs?!!

  130. Ethan_gooner Says:

    who was dasilvasurfa ?
    shit i alway miss the good abuse !!
    unless im dishing it out :)

  131. Pedro Says:

    Just someone asking why we were so ignorant… because it is bliss fool…

  132. chris Says:

    ethan i was tame even by your standards!
    thats a fair point odub once its not a reject

  133. Ethan_gooner Says:

    Odub

    I agree .. Metzelder, Cannavaro, Ramos
    top defenders .. Need 2 of them if toure is going to play midfield ..
    Wenger is going to use the youth on the weekend .

    anyone want to guess the line up ?!

    flamini is all but gone . stupid wog AH ! ..
    go to Italy .. the team has played better without you anyhow ..

  134. goonerjay Says:

    Sneijder would be great cover for Fabregas too but that is about as likely to happen as Derby staying in the PL

  135. odub Says:

    the guy was a cnut nuff said1! And I like the real silver surfer!

    Pedro do you bin a few comments we dont get to see, or do they appear automatically and you then bin them afterwards?

  136. Geoff Says:

    We bin them if they’re new one’s first.

  137. goonerjay Says:

    Geoff i think you should let these guys get their first comment in… then let us tear them apart whilst deleting the rest of there posts so they can’t defend themselves… that will stop them coming on here

  138. odub Says:

    I’m with goonerjay Geoff, let’s see the first comment and get the blood going!!

  139. Geoff Says:

    I will do if you want, we delete them because we don’t want them to upset you guys, we try and protect you, we should let the next one on though for a bit of sportsfucking!

  140. Geoff Says:

    Okay Odub, the next one’s yours.

  141. odub Says:

    cheers Geoff, the gloves are off!!!!

    Just to kick things off, lets draw em in…any ideas?!

  142. Pedro Says:

    I bin about 6 a week Odub… like I said, I binned some abusive comments towards you the other week!

    Ethan gets it sometimes… generally they are people from other blogs abusing the grovers… especially if they were a regular somewhere else before…

    I know that because sometimes they put a link in other blogs comments sections which I pick up in the WP dashboard.

    Its amazing some of the bile people write about us…

    ‘Oh can you believe Le Grove, I told them their site was a pile of shite and all the users are cunts and the didn’t post my comment… Stalinist or what?’

    That type of thing is happening less and less though…

    They never get through anymore…

    Pepe only cost Madrid £18mill a year ago… they wont sell! Sneijder as cover for cesc! He cost madrid £20mill!

    Arfa maybe, Benzema… no way! Quaresma or Robinho… maybe?

    Kranky… DEFINITELY!

    Some Random kid from Botswana… DEFINITELY!

  143. chris Says:

    not the best day to start odub with IE users not getting in and not being displayed on newsnow

  144. chris Says:

    what happened to those brazilian boys with portguese roots, that were being touted a while back,

  145. odub Says:

    True chris, and it amazes me you still get that many Pedro, but seeing as some of them blog for a living and stalk others like you said re ethan it’s just sad and pathetic!!

  146. odub Says:

    the ladies have won the league again!! 10 times in 15 years!!

    what I’d give for that kind of success with the chaps team!!

  147. chris Says:

    may be its time Vic Akers got the head job for the guys!

  148. Ethan_gooner Says:

    hehe chris

    i dont have standards ..
    thats what makes me so unique ..

    :)

    Just the same it would be good just to read a bit of what he said …

  149. odub Says:

    Ok, now gilberto’s off as well, what does that leave us with ffs?!!

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=561903&in_page_id=1779

  150. James73 Says:

    I don’t understand the logic behind these guy’s abusing people just for their opinion on Arsenal related thing’s. They must be very sad and spiteful individuals.

    Football is to be all about opinion. And mine is that we have a midfield crisis looming and I am worried AW is burying his head in the sand over it.

    My glass is still firmly half empty and only getting worse.

  151. odub Says:

    here here James.

  152. Pedro Says:

    That’s why we started the site… blog like you’d chat in a pub!

    World war III in a forum gets boring and you get riled! Not a good way to go through the day!

    So thanks to you guys for making this a very pleasant place to air my views!

    I think Bertie will stay, its all about that British passport! Unless he fancies West Ham?

  153. Geoff Says:

    I personally think it’s other websites jealous of all the fun we have. Remember the site that no one reads? he posts about us at least half the week, also the other sites get very few comments compared to this one these days.

  154. odub Says:

    There in lies your answer Geoff/Pedro, they dont get anywhere near as many comments, and come on here to try and wind people up cos there’s nothing going on on their sites!

  155. chris Says:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=561960&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow
    improved offer?

  156. Paulinho Says:

    Kranjkar is too slow. He has a decent technical game but he hasn’t got the dynamism to go past anyone. Hleb is alot better, although Kranjkar would let a few more shots go.

  157. DennisDaMenace Says:

    I currently work in Brussels, and all the local lads rave on about Kompany, i know i know Belgium footie and all that, but i think he currently plays for Bayern.

    So, does anyone think that Kompany would be worth a punt for a big CB??

  158. chris Says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64ZnPeyWVg
    Kompany

  159. Paulinho Says:

    It would be typical if we kept that sack of shit Flamini and lost Hleb instead. Things are going south pretty quickly.

  160. DennisDaMenace Says:

    Odub, do you really believe anything that pikie rag has to say about The Arse? I stopped buying that biased pile o’ crap years ago……..

  161. Odub Says:

    get it free in the gym every morning mate! Not my paper or choice, but it’s my favourite price….free!!! so i read the website from time to time.

  162. DennisDaMenace Says:

    Apologies, apparently Kompany play for Hamburg not Bayern……..might get him on the cheap then………that should please the suits!!

  163. Ethan_gooner Says:

    HERE HERE GEOFF - PEDRO ..

    This blog is by far the best … And the best bit is so many realistic views ..
    Not processed media tabloid vomit . All these avengers reading arsene’s words like
    disciples .All chanting the same view .. If your going to be like that just read arsenal . com
    END OF ..

    whats the point in coming onto a blog and vomiting the same fur ball arsene just coughed up the day before ??
    get an opinion .. air the opinion ..

    and chris ! yes
    he is the number 1 defender of choice for me !
    Vincent Kompany !
    But what would he cost ??? $$$$$$

  164. choy Says:

    so we’re still offering 5k a week less than the italian clubs to flamini…

    what do you guys think…

    I think he’ll stay…

  165. DennisDaMenace Says:

    Hey there aren’t any free players going at this gym by any chance, you could give AW a shout, as it won’t be long before we’re reduced to looking for on-loan, free transfer players at this rate….

  166. Trinidad_Gunner Says:

    Yeah I saw that improved offer .. 55,000 … good enough. Take if or F-off

    Sneijder doesn’t have to be cover for cesc. He’ll play on the left wing and cover for cesc when he needs a rest.
    If somehow we get someone like Sneijder, we won’t remember who was Alex Hleb.

  167. James73 Says:

    Sadly I think he’s off. I rate him highly, I have always liked his attitude. When it comes to player’s I would like us to sign I struggle to think of any in the right price bracket!

    How about Raphael Van Der Vaart of Hamburg? What I have seen of him he looks very good and I am sure could create lots of chances in our team. Probably out of our price range though.

  168. Ethan_gooner Says:

    choy …

    I think he’s already agreed to terms to be honest ..
    i read that one of the board pretty much said , the offers there but
    you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink it ..

    It all sounded very positive .. NOT ..
    Im more worried about Hleb .. and his ice cream fetish !!!

  169. Trinidad_Gunner Says:

    I was talking up Rafael a few days ago.
    With his signing, Hamburg went from mid-table, to Europe for 3 successive years.
    Last I checked, 91 games, 45 goals.
    From midfield.
    LM or CM.

    The thing is, he really wants to leave HSV. Valencia wanted him for 18M last year, but Hamburg didn’t sell. He’s leaving this summer though, almost 100% sure.

  170. Odub Says:

    I doubt we could afford their wages Dennise!

    Are we talking the Sneijder at Real? He wouldnt be cover for Cesc as he’s plays on the right. He’d score freekcicks and take shots from 30 yards out though, something no one else seems to know how to do at the mo!

    I’d take 55k to play for arsenal, so would every player in our youth set up, and numerous other quality players world wide, if he doesnt want it he can fuck off to Juve, theyre getting done for corruption again soon, he can go and play in Serie C when they get relegated the cnut!

  171. DennisDaMenace Says:

    Choy, on the one hand if it truly is a ‘mere’ 5k a week, why would he move for that sort of increase?? However, why aren’t AFC trying to match such a ‘paltry’ sum?? Aren’t we supposed to be the 2nd richest club in the land?? Hasn’t AW said it’s his first priority to keep this squad (what there is of it) together??

    My gut feeling is that if he intended to sign he would’ve done so by now. He can only be waiting for his contract to run out (June?) so he can legally sign for A N Other club. And, with that in mind showing that sort of attitude/commitment to the club he can poke off………