Gareth Barry will be on his way to one of Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal, Panjic, the young attacking midfielder all the top clubs are after and Dimitrov who has had a trial at Arsenal are all being linked to join.
Cesc Fabregas rightly wins young player of the year and says ‘this is for all the team, and all the fans, because all together we have had good season even though we haven’t won anything at the end’
‘This is thanks to them as well.’
Now that sounds like he will be staying and hopefully as captain, I don’t think they can give it to Kolo as he and Gallas are similar and if that did, Gallas would be off, Cesc has shown great tenacity this term and deserves it after this award.
Hleb has again stated he wants to stay and Flamini has to make his mind up this week. I would prefer a premier league replacement if he went and Barry or possibly Nolan would fit in, and find there form quickly, overseas players take too long, aka Flamini, Hleb and Rosicky.
Rosicky I think is a great player, but a long term crock, which is a shame, but we have to realise that, and move on. Robinho looks like a shoe in swap for Berbatov so we will still need a winger and that could be one of the above two, and I confess I know little of them, maybe SWP would come too..
We had a few weekend knobbers on, and for you Grovers I have saved a couple so you can see what we save you from.
When you consider how many new Grovers we got at the weekend, so 6 bores from 7,000 good ‘uns is not a bad return. Tonight I think we’ll see Ade, Robin and Theo start, with maybe Denilson, if fit, starting in the middle.
I expect nothing short of a big win tonight and am going for 4 nil to the Arsenal
Don’t forget though we need to add to the squad as this season we were woefully short of good cover in many positions.
Thierry to return? don’t bet against it, maybe a Hleb swap, I’d prefer them both, Henry will come back very humble, but his experience could see the kids through.
Have a great day Grovers, we are running out of games, and this week we should see how next season is shaping up.
April 28, 2008 at 9:22 am
Up the Grove!
April 28, 2008 at 9:23 am
Nolan! Are you serious?
April 28, 2008 at 9:23 am
by the way, which is the costliest stadium in the world? I mean, which charges more for the tickets, and most importantly, the season tickets. Is it really Arsenal?
April 28, 2008 at 9:24 am
Actually Nolan is an underrated player. Aggressive, and gets the job done. Very rarely I’ve seen him do silly things.
April 28, 2008 at 9:25 am
have spent the last fw hours mulling over flam & hleb leaving…and wenger just cant let it happen!!
cmon le boss its gona cost u more in the long run to replace em, will cost either a decent sum to find suitable(ready) replacements…or another season of building(which directly transleates to no trophies)..jus give em the money they want and lets get on with it
April 28, 2008 at 9:27 am
He may be aggressive and get the job done for a team fighting relegation but he’s not good enough for Arsenal, I don’t think anyway.
April 28, 2008 at 9:27 am
wud rather see barry than nolan…but cant see o’neil lettin him go, villa are cashed up and he is their capt…
oh and there is that little problem of him being english!
April 28, 2008 at 9:30 am
Don’t forget to update ‘Silly Season’ with Barry, Pjanic & Villa.
I think a draw or a narrow win for us tonight. Wenger is playing the reserves & Derby have nothing to lose, plus they won’t want to look stupid against a bunch of kids at Pride Park.
April 28, 2008 at 9:32 am
Not to mention that if we go another season without winning a serious trophy Cesc may leave as well.
April 28, 2008 at 9:33 am
why does Le List have rvp listed? is he crocked again?
April 28, 2008 at 9:35 am
Congratulations to cesc
yup… next season starts here….. lets see how good the reserves are….
i don’t think cesc will start tonight…
fabianski
eboue toure song clichy
walcott denilson gilberto traore
rvp bendtner
April 28, 2008 at 9:35 am
stonroy
spot on mate…i think that cud seriously happen, flam&hleb are good mates with cesc, if wenger doesnt show ambition then why wud he stick round??
April 28, 2008 at 9:36 am
its getting scary that spurs are buying players and they even in europe, they must be putting big wages and spending loads
If they get Robinho, am going to strike outside emirates, chain myself against something
April 28, 2008 at 9:36 am
Not sure DeeOz Pedro does that, Nolan was a throw in, he always plays so well against us, very strong in the tackle, aggressive and has a powerful shot.
Barry is on his way, he wants Champions league football.
April 28, 2008 at 9:37 am
wonder what all the Ade bashers (and there are a few of those here) think of Ade being in the PFA team of the year, and also Ronaldo’s choice as Player of the year? Still, I’m sure you know best…….
April 28, 2008 at 9:38 am
I like Ade Paul, I just think he needs subbing occasionally. I also think he be ready next year.
April 28, 2008 at 9:39 am
4-0 is possible.
By the way, i was told by my friend that the Chelsea RESERVES beat the Tottenham FIRST TEAM 3-0 in a practice match! Talk about humiliating. If Wenger was managing Chelsea in the Carling cup final, we would have won, hed have played their 2nd team!
Gunnershabz, do make sure you get a video of that wont you? thats if you do of course
April 28, 2008 at 9:40 am
well i guess if he wants to go up a level then welcome to the emirates!…but seriously, if we dont spend & flam/hleb leave then it cud b villa challenging for 4th nx season and not us…hence barry getting is cl wish…
April 28, 2008 at 9:41 am
Surely the two top goalscoring strikers in the premier league should be in the PFA team of the year? Adebayor and Torres are those and so have logically got in. Ronaldo deserved to be player of the year because he’s been the best player this season.
April 28, 2008 at 9:41 am
Le-Grove…the best gooners blog site in the world.If I had a trophy in my cabinnet I would have presented it to you guys,Alas, my cabinnet is as barren as the one at the Emirates(sob)!!!
O well, keep up the goodwork cos I love this site!
April 28, 2008 at 9:43 am
I remember last season with all the money the others spent we were written off, if we can keep the nucleus of the team, they’ll be a year older, and we’ll be a force, just a few key signings is all we need.
April 28, 2008 at 9:44 am
t-buzz, thanks a lot, I hope the knobbers are reading today!
April 28, 2008 at 9:44 am
Could fellow groves throw some light on the “most expensive tickets in the world” tag? Is that credible info?
April 28, 2008 at 9:45 am
Ollie
no problems, post it on youtube….
ok spuds have got luka modric, but if they get robinho….. then am sure loads of arsenal fans will go crazy
i hate spuds but i have to give them credit that they are ambitious and spending the money…
April 28, 2008 at 9:46 am
It’s a fact, they did a comparison this season, Milan and Madrid seasons are a few hundred, and we’re the most expensive in England.
We are miles ahead on that front.
April 28, 2008 at 9:46 am
Hey Paul, even if Ade did win an award from the PFA, the Ade-bashes will STILL not be satisfied. Best to leave them in their pit of hatred cos I for one am sick of their comments (fair enough, we are all entitled to our own opinion but come on,his goals got us this far)!!
April 28, 2008 at 9:47 am
anyone fancy jimmy bullard
a better bet then nolan for me
April 28, 2008 at 9:48 am
I agree Geoff, we’re close but need some experienced and quality signings to push us to the top.
Who, realistically, would yours be?
April 28, 2008 at 9:48 am
nolan-u must be kidding. i just feel we give them the money. u are right mr deeozgooner. AW will need more time to develop other player-change wages structure and give them the hell money. enough is enough for young talented kid. know is the time to recoupe 3 years before for empthy handed.
April 28, 2008 at 9:48 am
I am happy with Adebayor this season, its a big improvement from last season and thats what we should judge him on.
Ok there is times where is frustrates us, but he is only 24 and am sure he will improve on his composure and finishing.
We cant blame him for the loses, you have to look at the whole team
April 28, 2008 at 9:49 am
like some 16 mill on a world class striker… hahah
what the fuck is the use of spending money just for the sake of it… that is not ambition…
the spuds have a great strikeforce… they need defensive mids and a good goalie…
April 28, 2008 at 9:51 am
I do think strikers will be Wenger mind the least, we need width and wingers and central defender.
experience and quality i say
Lucio, Hatem Ben Arfa, Lucho Gonzalez
April 28, 2008 at 9:51 am
Mike I think Barry would be good, also I like Velosa, the young center back from Portugal, I mentioned Nolan, as someone like him in would shore us up in those tough games, Denilson coming on doesn’t make me feel safe in those games, imagine him against the Mancs, like a big Gattuso.
I would also get a world class winger, like a Quaresma.
April 28, 2008 at 9:53 am
THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE NOW IS TO KEEP THE CURRENT SQUAD TOGETHER.HLEB AND FLAMINI ARE ONE OF THE MAIN MACHINES OF THE TEAM.BARRY,PJANIC & DIMITROV ARE ALL GREAT ARSENAL TYPE PLAYERS.IF FLAMINI EXITS AT THE END OF THE SEASON,THEN BARRY WOULD BE A GREAT REPLACEMENT.
April 28, 2008 at 9:54 am
Wingers, the only option we going to get is
that bulgarian winger,
April 28, 2008 at 9:54 am
Fabianski
Toure Djourou Gallas Clichy
Theo Denilson Song Traore
RvP Bendtner
Subs: Mannone, Hoyte, Cesc, Gilberto, Barazite
April 28, 2008 at 9:54 am
barry is the best choice to replacement if flamster out…but dimitrov and pjanic is more useless in arsenal cos they don hav any experience…we need the players like robinho…he can improve squad so much…or we can welcome back KING HENRY bcoz he is good leader 4 young gunz…wat hunterlaar amauri villa if robinho.henry and barry came arsenal…so bosss please bring them come
April 28, 2008 at 9:55 am
I think we need a tough, big centre back, Micah Richards has gone off the boil a bit but there’s great potential in him, Jolean Lescott could also do a job for us. As for a winger I like Diego Capel from Sevilla and after David Villas comments about Arsenal, I think we should let him be our new Bergkamp, a gifted goalscorer.
April 28, 2008 at 9:55 am
You’re probably right, but we can always hope, Ben Arfa maybe???
April 28, 2008 at 9:56 am
I wouldn mind seeing Barry come in! He’s proved to be quite an influential midfielder… Hope to see a good match tonight, some flowing attacking football and a few goals, come on Theo!!!
April 28, 2008 at 9:57 am
Nolan is 25, could tackle hard, has a fighting spirit, has good first touch, could strike the ball with accuarcy, and can use both feet.
April 28, 2008 at 9:57 am
Morning all,
Never heard of the other 2 players in the title, but Barry for Flam sounds about right! Although I do see Geoff’s point re Nolan, he’d be the kind of player that gets stuck in and windas the opposition up, and let Cesc and Hleb get on with the creative side of things, dont see AW buying either one though!
Well done Cesc, and great toi hear him say it was for the team.
Winger wise I hope Robinho finds his way to our gaff instead of the scum.
April 28, 2008 at 10:00 am
The thing is we all mentions big named players like Robinho, Ben Arfa, David Villa, Huntelaar, Barry
but i just cant see the Professor buying them, honestly i can see the Spuds bidding for them.
April 28, 2008 at 10:00 am
Thanks Geoff to confirm that we pay the highest.
April 28, 2008 at 10:03 am
I dont know if there’s a lot of mileage in the argument that other players will leave because some of their mates on the team have left.
Ive been doing my job for 9 years, working in the same office. Ive had loads of colleagues (who became mates) who have left, come back, left again. Its sad when a really good work buddy leaves, but it doesnt make me think “right, my mate has left, im leaving too”.. its not a factor… same as when we employ a total knob (e.g. Spurs fan) who you dont like… it doesnt affect my career…
I dont know Cesc, but I’d be surprised if he left Arsenal just because a couple of his buddies have left. That would suggest to me that he isnt much of a man. So long as they get replaced with quality and the team moves forward…
By the way, I suggested Barry weeks ago… and reactions were pretty dismissive of the idea. I wouldnt stop there… I’d have 4 of Villa’s english players, Barry, Reo-C, Young and Agbonlahor… Hleb, Flam and Bert out… we’d win the league…
Dont be surprised if Flam doesnt get replaced with big money player though. Wenger obviously likes Alex Song a lot.
April 28, 2008 at 10:03 am
depressing aint it!
There’s more chance of the spuds buying world beaters than us!!
I do however think AW will pull a mega rabbit out of the hat, it might be a CB or goalie though.
April 28, 2008 at 10:03 am
morning all, well done cesc, nice that he dedicated the award to the fans,
April 28, 2008 at 10:05 am
Well done to both Sagna and Clichy for getting in to the team of the year. If two players ever deserved plaudits it would be those two.
April 28, 2008 at 10:05 am
i concur, there is a mega rabbit to be pulled, but will be an attacking player
April 28, 2008 at 10:06 am
Morning Chris, Gidster I think the other side to that is if they were his mates, they wouldn’t leave!
Barry I’ve always liked, reminds me of fat Frank but with a brain, Young is a great prospect, but we couldn’t afford him when he was sold for £10mil, so no chance now.
April 28, 2008 at 10:07 am
I just don’t understand it? Does Wenger think he is a better person/manager by not bidding for well known established players??? Robinho, Villa, Barry etc…
You get what you pay for!! pay alot & get Vidic & Ronaldo… pay a little & get Senderos & Eboue its quite simple??
Drive me nuts!! even Tottenham have spent big already!!
Seems this summer is going to be no different from the last 3/4… Even other team strengthing except Arsenal who seem to lose more players that we get in…
Please bring back David Dein asap!!
April 28, 2008 at 10:07 am
if he does buy a world beating centre half, then i would be happy
if he looking for young but great ability and potential world class
zapata, garay would be great examples
April 28, 2008 at 10:09 am
I gots a feeling David Dein is right
the arsenal board becoming stubborn now
April 28, 2008 at 10:10 am
Mentioning Sagna and Clichy proves that you don’t have to buy big name players to add quality to the squad, I’ve heard Zapata is a very good player and would be welcome at centre back. Let’s hope we could get someone like Vidic.
April 28, 2008 at 10:10 am
Gidster agree with 3 of the 4, n ot sure Reo-Coker would add any value to the squad.
April 28, 2008 at 10:11 am
its going to be a long summer, spuds have just opened up the transfer market and it looks like players values are going to be sky high
£20m for Luka Modric
ronaldinho is valued at £24m but milan want to pay £12.6m
teams usually value players with the premiership spenders i.e. last summer teams were comparing player valuation with Anderson, Nani and Hargreaves
April 28, 2008 at 10:12 am
Mike (9.41am) as I understand it the PPFA team of the ytear is voted for by others members of the PFa, not by a statistical compilation of the season so far.
It was nice to see 4 of our players in that team.
Yes, Andybayor has his detractors, I think he could have done with a motivational spell on the bench when he didn’t seem interested and others deserved a chance.
In the crowd agsainst Reading I heard a lot of people saying that for a guy who’s scored 27 he gets a lot of stick.
He is frustrating as his first touch makes you think he plays in teflon boots.
April 28, 2008 at 10:12 am
I dont think Gareth Barry is worth £15m though
£8m max
I think wenger will not buy him for that much
April 28, 2008 at 10:15 am
I know it’s voted for by other members of the PFa but my poorly explained point was that if you were going top vote for a striker the majority would vote for one that is high in the scoring charts.
April 28, 2008 at 10:15 am
See this is board reaction to trophyless arsenal for the last 3 years
Arsenal are still having no trouble filling Emirates stadium, despite another trophyless season.
Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood has told the Sunday Mirror that demand for tickets at the Emirates remains high despite a third successive season without a major trophy. Arsenal have a waiting list of 45,000 for season tickets.
They are making money loads of it, and they dont need to spend big
April 28, 2008 at 10:16 am
yeah well done to our 4 for making the PFA team of the year, we’ve got the best full backs in the business, a top midfield maestro, and a foward that I just can’t take to, I still say well done to him though.
April 28, 2008 at 10:17 am
Agree Mike, who else would they have voted for other than Torres and Ade.
But let’s not slate today folks, we’ve done that all season!!
April 28, 2008 at 10:19 am
if you were to make the team up of all the EPL players, would you pick ade to be in it?
clichy cesc sagna, of course, but ade?
April 28, 2008 at 10:19 am
hope hope and hope, i dont know where the arsenal money go. others club keep spending and Arsenal keep the wages structure intact.
i just want to see big player come in next season, just like others like MU,LiV n che.
pls comment BOard of Directors. talk to the fans!!!!!!@@@@!@Q@
April 28, 2008 at 10:19 am
Maybe this memory will bring people around.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2LFfAh4G8m4
April 28, 2008 at 10:20 am
Mike, I think when the vote was taken Andybayor was probably top - or 2nd at worst.
April 28, 2008 at 10:22 am
That goal against tottenham, was one of the best this season
April 28, 2008 at 10:23 am
before you hand over Robinho to Spurs, think about their wage structure
their best paid player was/is Berbatov
and he is not close to 100K per week
Robinho is probably very close if not at 100K
so all things being equal, either Spurs are going to break their structrure or it aint gonna happen
its also no way certain that the Bulgarian sulk will go to Real
what really fukks me off is that Wenger is running our club on his own!!
how can we have mismanaged the Diarra/Flam saga so badly??
he should have had a contract in front of his nose by jan .. and then decide .. do you want to stay..sign .. if not, rot in the reserves
Diarra is btw a better football player than Flam and he should have played since jan
Veloso is not a bad player, but he plays for Sporting and me thinks that red nose will be hands on favorite to buy him..same as Moutinho
we are not linked to any decent players for the moment .. but there is one young player we must try and get .. PJANIC .. all my mates from the continent think he is absolute top top class .. prob we got Barca in for him as well and it appears that his family are difficult to deal with .. he is Bosnian orginally, but grew up in Luxembourg
anyhow, if on top we lose Hleb, we will end up being short 5 1st team quality players
wtf is Wenger thinking??
he CANNOT run the club on his own and I dont care whether he has worked harder this season than any other before, bottom line we won fukk all and will do next season unless our management changes
the recent results from Chelsea and ManU only confirm how badly we THREW away the league .. this is failure of the highest order .. fukk it
get rid of KE/PHW and bring DD back .. and pour money into our club
April 28, 2008 at 10:26 am
U have to admit it, wenger is acting like he is a board of director as well
April 28, 2008 at 10:27 am
nice clip Mike,
this year i was unsure of ade, i moaned about him to my mates but not really here, then it must have be christmas time i said right, i take it back he is a legend, and then it reverted back to more frustration, he wheres our colours so i love him its just….
April 28, 2008 at 10:29 am
Adebayor is a good striker, a lot of european teams would love to have him in their side
milan have admited it too….. and the fact he is only 24 is even better, if he was like 28 or 29 then we should be worried
but he has time on his side and well am sure he will only improve and besides wenger loves him and he aint selling him for shit
April 28, 2008 at 10:36 am
I know it bullshits for fun but Libelfootball qoute the Independent as saying that the Flamster has agreed to sign for AC Milan…..
April 28, 2008 at 10:36 am
Spurs already have a deal for Robinho its just whether he decides to move there, but his agent seems to think he will, unless another top european team like Milan come in for him. Just think if this deal goes through spurs will have sold the moody Berbatov & brought in Modric & Robinho & it’ll have cost them a total of 5.8 million. Thats good business whoever you are.
Spurs are also after Gareth Barry & have been for 3-4 years. I doubt he’ll join them though as Liverpool & Chelski are supposedly interested, plus they refused to up there offer last time so missed out on him all for the sake of 500K.
Arsenal will end up with Dimitrov, who may become a good player, but it’ll take him years.
April 28, 2008 at 10:37 am
Ah, Geoff, i see what you mean… but i disagree… you might have a lot of mates at the club (or at work), but people change jobs for lots of other reasons. Ive probably seen 20 guys who i would consider mates leave the place I work over the years. Being mates with yer colleagues doesnt stop people leaving. Sure, it makes work more fun having good guys to work with, but a big fat bulging salary and cushy work conditions and a nice location and perks are what controls where most people chose to work.
Odub, the reason i like Reo-Coker is coz i always remember him giving Cesc a bit of a pasting at the Hammers. Everyone has their nemesis, and i like the idea of owning Cesc’s. I believe Reo-C was suspended when we beat Villa at Villa Park this year. I dont think Cesc has ever won a game against Reo. Of course, i think its a moot point anyway, Song to replace Flam…
April 28, 2008 at 10:38 am
How do u know spuds have a deal for Robinho??? GMR
April 28, 2008 at 10:38 am
Forgot to mention Spurs also have Lennon, King, Dawson, Malbranque, Robinson & a few reserves up for sale so there will be major changes over there this summer.
April 28, 2008 at 10:45 am
GMR .. u seem to know a lot about Spurs ..!!!!!!!!!!!
listen, u think that King will pocket them many dineiros??????????????????Dawson/Malbranque are losers.. Lennon .. off to the Pool??
bottomline is I dont care what Spurs do .. personally I dont think that paying 20+ million for a Croatian is good biz ..
but we need beeter management at the club
thats what fukks me off
we are run by amateurs these days
we are too fukking soft on all counts
April 28, 2008 at 10:47 am
i watched the real madrid versus Athletic Bilbao game yesterday. Robinho wasnt that good. and for a few games now i’ve been watching him, i personally think that he is a bit selfish. not in a good way ,but the annoying adebayor at birmingham way! but at least he shoots. sergio ramos on the other hand is fantastic; defending and going forward. but doubt he’ll want to leave real anyways..
sigh…
April 28, 2008 at 10:51 am
BB, I am hearing a hell of a lot about spurs right now & its all coming from someone directly involved with the deals (not a player).
I didn’t say that King would make them much money, that wasn’t my point. I’m just saying there will be big changes over there this summer.
They didn’t pay 20+ million for Modric so I don’t get your point on that & I don’t really see why you’re always so aggressive with your answers on this site.
I’m just saying what I know, if people aren’t interested in that then fine I won’t bother posting any info in future, I’ll stick to my own opinions!!
April 28, 2008 at 10:55 am
Another one who looked good for Madrid last night was Gago; had a superb game - good replacement for Flamini.
Barry would be good in the team; not sure Villa will want to let him go - they’re talking about spending money and building the team around him; would he want to leave?
Going to be a tough game tonight but think we should win easily if we get our act together - that means taking our chances!!
April 28, 2008 at 10:56 am
GMR .. take it easy .. I am getting overly frustrated.. I must admit that the news flow from Arsenal is terrible these days .. and its the same every summer..players leaving/winning positions thrown away, etc…….
we need a better more professional and tougher structure at the club
didnt mean to offend you .. btw the papers say that the total package for Modric would add up to 20MM+
April 28, 2008 at 10:57 am
I think we’ll win tonight quite easily, over a week off, no pressure on us, Walcott to get a couple along with Adebayor. 4-0.
April 28, 2008 at 10:59 am
are we genuinly worried about tonight?
worst case senario we play an entire carling cup squad, nothing wrong with that senario,
travelling fans will feel robbed but a team of quality players that did well this seaso, am i being naive?
April 28, 2008 at 10:59 am
Fabianski
Toure Song Gallas Clichy
Eboue Denilson Cesc Theo/diaby
RvP Ade
Not sure what we have left in the tank .. but it will be interesting to see who is on right wing
it will probably be diaby , but then theo wont start .. or eboue .
As for people glamming up ade .. well i dont need to be told how GREAT he is i can see it on the pitch .. I see how well he shoots , i can see by all the possession given away
i can see by the amount of offsides he produces by being out of position so often
If any of you can argue with that, go ahead
… Make my day ..
April 28, 2008 at 11:00 am
Diaby’s out for the rest of the season with injury
April 28, 2008 at 11:04 am
Barry said he wants Champions league football, he’ll go, let’s hope that Wenger doesn’t let another one get away, Like Young and Berbatov.
April 28, 2008 at 11:04 am
Mordic heading to spuds…b4 you know it, all the players linked with arsenal regards summer transfer will end up in spuds!! I dont think Villa will end up at Arsenal as any player that has said “come and get me” to Wenger has never ended up signing for us. I may be wrong…
April 28, 2008 at 11:05 am
yup, gago’s good too, and dont think he’ll leave madrid either. sigh..
Ethan_gooner,i have been reading your comments on this site re ade for awhile and i somehow seem to AGREE on EVERYTHING you have said abt him.
April 28, 2008 at 11:07 am
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2008/04/27/arsenal-ponder-record-breaking-20m-move-great-player/6723.html
I can still dream… surely a player of that quality won’t go to the scum anyway
April 28, 2008 at 11:09 am
BB, I also apologize as I’m just as frustrated. I wish I was or could get info on arsenal but the agent I know doesn’t tend to work for them. I only remember him working on two deals for Arsenal in the time I’ve known him & thats 18 years now.
He doesn’t actually work in the football world that often, but he is seriously involved in a lot with spurs right now. He is sounding out clubs who may/may not be interested in spurs players & will work on behalf of the club, not the players who have their own agents!!
April 28, 2008 at 11:10 am
Emmanuel Adebayor
Games started 30
Used as substitute 3
Goals, 21
Shots,91
Shots on goal 52
Assists 3
Fouls Committed54
Fouls Suffered25
Yellow Cards3
Red Cards 0
source espn,
April 28, 2008 at 11:11 am
Fabianski
Toure-Gallas-Song-Clichy
Eboue-Gilberto-Fabregas-Walcott
Adebayor-Van Persie
Arsenal 3-Derby 0
April 28, 2008 at 11:14 am
Well said Ethan_gooner.Unfortunately, someones still going to come up later on down the blog with the intention of just ranting on about how Ade has missed blatant chances, he’s sh!t etc etc. The boy’s record speaks for itself.
Anyone got any suggestions where I can watch the game online..? Hate Setanta and cant make the trip to Derby…..
April 28, 2008 at 11:15 am
Busy day today!
There is no time to trawl through all the comments!
what’s been going on in Le Grove then? May I have an update!
I heard GMR talking about Robinho to Spurs last night… say it ain’t so?
April 28, 2008 at 11:15 am
morning lads!
Id be ok with Henry coming back, a lot of water has gone under the bridge since he left, so it would be all good!
Every time i saw Berbatov play for spurs this season, i wished we had signed him, even over Torres, so maybe it will be another Sol Campbell situation and berba might cross from the dark side back to Yoda’s side?
i so cant wait for the off season to be finished to fire up again, but i wish the signings would start happening, however i suppose we better close out the season first hey?
4-0 would be good, however another repeat of the 5-0 earlier game in the season or even a 7-0 would be a ripper!
5am kick off for me, better crank up the couch and get ready!
April 28, 2008 at 11:16 am
T-BUZZ, check back latter and i can advise on streaming etc, due to the timing internationally there will be a lack of options,
April 28, 2008 at 11:19 am
PEDRO, there is defo an issue, on news now if using IE there is no le-grove, but if Firefox its there,
April 28, 2008 at 11:20 am
T-BUZZ - Try these websites if you want to watch online….
http://www2.myp2p.eu/
http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/
April 28, 2008 at 11:21 am
I hope I’m wrong but I have a funny feeling about tonight - too much thinking the game’s won already. Derby have nothing to lose and all to gain; we need to play as close to a first team as possible and we need to take our chances. Next season starts tonight so we need to do the business.
As part of the travelling support I’m not so concerned with we play with a second string because on their day they should be good enough…..just can’t get rid of this bad feeling….
April 28, 2008 at 11:24 am
Scuba i do hope your wrong, however Derby have nothing to play for, they’re done and dusted!
April 28, 2008 at 11:25 am
Chris, have you been taking drugs again?
We are on both! Check again, 0928 posting!
6-0 tonight! Derby are going to get rolled!
April 28, 2008 at 11:26 am
brendon
cheers mate…
People call it bashing .. but if the guy played well id save a fair few miles on the keyboard
what pisses me orf is people thinking he is a shining star .. He’s not arsenal class
wenger didnt have to many other options available .. But im sure if you asked all ade lovers who you would prefer to front us this season it wouldnt be him ! TH14 .. Villa
Torres .. should be the names you associate with OUR CLUB .. I hate people with low expectations .. They talk like we’ve done well this season ! FUCK ME LADS we are an elite football team !!! never been out of the top 4 - not so long ago out of the top 2 !! Im expecting MORE , not less !!!
Sure he’s going to score goals .. i mean he plays 90 minutes every week !
pretty stupid argument to say he’s our top goal scorer when no other fucker has been
fit for long enough or played as many minutes… But i can see his class on the pitch !
shame some of you cant !
All i can say is the chances the cunt had he should have lead the league this year
,ALL YEAR !!! with 2 great strikers up front , there is no doubt in my mind we would have crushed them ! .. but is our midfield fed up now??? will our midfield be split up this season ??? Ive never seen a team carve up the defense like our midfield did this season so consistently .. then ADE stops scoring .. we start losing !!!
THINK ABOUT IT …
oh then of course you’ll blame the defense !!! not sure when we started playing like chevski ? to have to blame the defense .. having to hold 1- nil results ..
When we play an attacking passing game ..
Ade can only play well against shite teams like derby .. so lets hope he starts ..
see how he plays Vs everton .. but i expect him to score 2 or 3 goals at least in the 3 coming games ..
He owes us !
April 28, 2008 at 11:31 am
I don’t think he’s the best we could get but if he’s so bad why did Ronaldo vote him as his player of the season.
April 28, 2008 at 11:33 am
ive emailed you a “print screen” you can see for yourself!
April 28, 2008 at 11:34 am
‘Ade can only play well against shite teams like derby’- do you not remember away at Milan, he was pretty good that night. He actually has a good scoring record in big games.
April 28, 2008 at 11:42 am
pedro whats with rvp being on LeList?…u pre-empting? lol!
ppl been mentioning robinho and capel…cant see us getting either
madrid wont let robinho go, he’s there main man now and has had a huge season there…
capel, well he is with seville, so if he’s going anywhere it will be to be with his old manager ramos, 1. to solve their left wing problem & 2. cuz theyll pay the requested transfe fee(and arsene wont)…
April 28, 2008 at 11:43 am
Pedro, I was sitting in a restaurant with him when he took the call confirming Madrid & Spurs have come to agreement over Berbatov & Robinho. Thats what got us talking about the deals he was working on, otherwise I wouldn’t have even thought of asking. As I said he doesn’t usually work for football clubs.
April 28, 2008 at 11:51 am
If Tottenham sign Robinho i will be pissed big time… at the m,oment it looks as though Tottenham are willing to show the ambition to climb the table while we are happy to sit still.
If we don’t make an attempt to sign a player like Robinho this year i am gonna stop buying my season ticket next year… i am sick to death of paying through the nose so the club can continue to be left behind by all our rivals. There is no ambition at this club at all.
I’m seriously thinking about starting a petition because i think the Arsenal board need to know how disgrunteled the arsenal fans are getting watching our club behave like a small club. We are a MUCH bigger club than Tottenham but if the scum capture Robinho i think next season they could be over taking us because lets face it… Robinho and Modric aint no Darren Bents.
God i’m getting fucked of with Arsenal at the moment
April 28, 2008 at 11:53 am
lol… i can hear noises from the spuds camp now….
delusion delusion… delusion….
April 28, 2008 at 11:53 am
mike
he only scored from a theo pass that was handed to him on a silver platter ..
a simple point blank tap in One he couldnt even miss !.. Theo’s deserves ALL credit for that goal !! ALL !
and he did the same to him V’s liverpool with the blinding run that put us in the Semis for 90 seconds .. Sorry mate name me a time V’s a top club where he created a goal !
wasnt just the BODY that received the ball for a tap in …
Ive never seen the cunt beat a player of any worth and score on him …
He’s a 6 yard box poacher .. Not class .. and when will he be class ?
in 1 or 2 years?? by that stage im sure he will pick up and go to another club !!
Thats why people like Villa who are already settled and GREAT need to join us..
Not players like ade who will take another season or 2 to come up to scratch only then to leave us for spain ! , after we have suffered for 2 more BS seasons bringing him on !
When your a striker you either have it or you dont .. He might suit chevski or another team like bolton who rely on set plays to score .. but too a top passing team like arsenal he is just a square peg in a round hole ! Losing that much possession in the final 3rd is a SIN OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS ! All you need is to open your eyes ..
and watch him play every week !
SELL HIM AND GET VILLA we wont look back !
April 28, 2008 at 11:54 am
goonerjay…i’ll sign it mate!
April 28, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Players being linked with us going elsewhere is nothing to worry about. Its a common tactic used by agents, and we should be flattered that we get used so much. Link yer player with Arsenal, coz they have a reputation for great football, and if a manager like Wenger is interested (with his track record for talent spotting) then the player must be good. Yeah?
This drums up interest from other, more realistic teams… Spurs seem to fall for it every time. Silly season is right. Wenger is too much of a gent to release info on who he wants because he believes it isnt right to publically chase another player who is under contract. He’s also aware that genuine interest on his part alerts other buyers and bumps the price up. So until a player is photo’d on Arsenal.com holding his shirt with his name and number on the back, I take every rumour about new signings as just that; rumour. Like everyone, I have players I’d like to see in an Arsenal shirt…. luckily, its not my job to sign them though…
Modric is a fine case in point. Just by linking Arsenal and Arsene with an interest in him, his agent has tripled his value, and probably got him a big old increase on his wages too. Good work Agent. In 2 years, lets do it all again….
April 28, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Pedro… if i type up a petition could you chuck it up onto the site to get some names on it? I’ve gotta do something i can’t spend another summer stressing about how the Scum are gonna over take us next season because the board and wenger refuse to spend money.
It seems every Arsenal blog going at the moment has got fans complaining about Arsenals lack of ambition… not as many AKB members about as there were last year, looks like people are starting to lose patience
April 28, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Gidster, you speak the truth,
its like a pop act being associated with simon cowell!
April 28, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I do watch him play every week. I agree that Villa should come and he’d definitely add to our game but Adebayor has a a role to play with Villa in the team. For ages people were complaining that we weren’t scoring enough from crosses and didn’t have a plan b. We would pass it forever around the box and not get anywhere, Adebayor whether you like it or not has added a new dimension that was needed, he scores from crosses and from outside the box, he scores in big games. Villa would give us goals but he’s also a creator, Adebayor would benefit from that. Drogba was shit when he first came to the premier league, last season people were saying he was the best striker in the world, I think he only got 20 league goals, Adebayor has more this season and has the ability to do better.
April 28, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Mike i think you hit the nail on the head, we couldnt have scored from a corner via a header to save ourselves, so that dimension this season has been a welcomed one!
April 28, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Ethan - give it a rest on ade - I’m trying to keep myself calm and not think about that useless cunt!!! I agree 110% with all you say just need to stop being reminded what a twat he is….
How the fuck he even gets rated is beyond me - I must be watching a different game every week!!
April 28, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Thanks for the links Evo in Oz and thanks too Chris…I’ll keep an eye out!!
If Wenger ends up fielding a weaker team, I dont see us winning by miles.Not being negative but judging by the Reading game which we should have masacared them 5-0 with a strong squad, I’ll be surprised if we score in both half.We’re still not back to our “winning” ways yet..
sorry if am being negative, it could be 2-0 Arsenal (but hope it ends up being 5-0 if he fields the same team against Reading minus Hleb)
….but I think our game against everton will be extra special as we’ll be fighting for pride and finishing strong while everton will be after 5th spot
April 28, 2008 at 12:14 pm
t -buzz no worries, but as evo listed they are the best sites, footy doc is as simple as it gets frankly, myp2p gives all options available which means you get a bit more clued in to what is going on, should footy go down on busy days this knowledge will come in handy etc,
also in myp2p there is a xp hack to vastly improve ALL streaming which should be read and followed, imo
April 28, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Ethan_gooner…remember my comments at 11:14am about Ade? Well, ScubydooGooner just confirmed it.
April 28, 2008 at 12:16 pm
well all of you need to remember that Ade was never our main striker.. he was the “target man” its not his fault that the main striker(s) was injured and in their absence he has done very well….
look at rooney cnut… he plays mostly up front on his own… how many goals has he got….
ade has done very well this season and the good thing is he will only improve himself….
just that i feel his EGO is growing faster than his talent!
April 28, 2008 at 12:17 pm
chris where is the link.. do i have to install anything… i’ll be in the office thats why…
April 28, 2008 at 12:21 pm
choy, its here but dont do it blindly based on what some irish goon (me) tells you check it first but my streamin works very well recently
http://www3.myp2p.eu/software.php?part=software
read what it says, it is a HACK and windows needs a restart and all kinds of ms-dos screen open up but i am reasonably pc literate and i am happy to recommend it
April 28, 2008 at 12:22 pm
everyone has a Kanu Jnr in their side….crouch, heskey, Kanu snr….all tall and couldnt score in a brothel!
April 28, 2008 at 12:22 pm
DeeOzGooner…
I have updated Le List.
Cheers!
April 28, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I love Wenger’s stance on transfer dealings. There’s no skullduggery. We seem to have a good relationship with other clubs as a result of it. This works both ways. If a big club comes in for one of our better players and Wenger is ok about him leaving, he doesnt stand in the way of negotiations, provided the approach is done right. What a class act he is.
Demento of Old Trafford however bemoans any other team talking about one of his players, yet has one of the biggest track records himself for tapping up other team’s players. More drink-addled inconsistency from the doddery old day-release pensioner.
April 28, 2008 at 12:22 pm
is this where they show porn at half time? coz i really don’t think the office is a good place to be watchin that!! lol
April 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm
i do like Kanu Jnr, he’s just not our no.1 and needs to improve his finishing and he will be fine!
April 28, 2008 at 12:24 pm
nah mate not on setanta!
April 28, 2008 at 12:27 pm
t-buzz - thanks for the respect - as I said fucking beyond me how he gets rated. Arsenal class; you’re having a fucking laugh!!
April 28, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I think Ade is Arsenal class!
Like someone said earlier… he is not our number 1 striker… RvP is.
How many number 2 strikers have we had over the years that could score 26 goals?
Not many by my recollection…
Imagine him next year…. a full year with RvP! It is frightening. I think everyone is forgetting how well they played together at the start of the season.
He is not world class, but there is no reason why he couldn’t be?
I see Wenger has ruled out a keeper… I’ve never heard him rave about a keeper like he does with Fab2!
April 28, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Ade aint the best, aint the worst either .. no Arsenal 1st striker material for sure..
but what this team lacks, is a truly world class player
we have an ensemble of good players, Cesc on his day is world clas.. but no super super guy who can be the match winner..I guess we were lucky with TH14 who covered for many shortcomings in our sides over the years
Wenger isnt buying one either now
if Spurs get Modric + Robinho, they still need a centre forward .. none of these two will give them goals .. net net thats a loss to the side
April 28, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Pedro.. RVP is the most overhyped player at our club .. he thrives on reputation.. and is a tad on the lightweight side.. what has he produced for us so far? it will be his 4th season at the club .. or his 5th?? .. time is not on his side..he needs to prove himself now
otherwise get rid of him .. we have enough eternal hopefuls in our side .. big Phil!!!!!to name but one
April 28, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I’ve typed up a petition Pedro/Geoff… could we put it on the site for a few more names?
April 28, 2008 at 12:46 pm
i for one am happy about not spendin our limited resources on a keeper, its better the devil you know and all that bollox,
i want attack minded/postion players
April 28, 2008 at 12:48 pm
If you can believe this, then its Modric to the spuds:
http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=389952
and Dimitriov to us…
http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport/arsenal/arsenalnews/display.var.2229393.0.gunners_reported_to_be_ready_to_sign_bulgarian_winger.php
and good old eboue has a few words to say:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7371021.stm
April 28, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Ethan_Gooner…………
Excellent point, i’d like to expand it by saying that the risk you take in continually bringing in unproven players almost immediately into the first team is that after 2/3 years of listening to AW and to a lesser degree the media saying how great they are, these same young players can often start to believe the hype (a la Ade, Flamini etc). So, after having to endure season after season of heartbreak they then piss of to Spain or Italy, that painful term ‘feeder club’ rears it’s ugly head…….
Now don’t get me wrong i am all in favour of using potential, as seen in the likes of Fab4, Glichy, Theo etc, but a balance must be struck between potential quality and proven quality. This exercise/experiment or whatever the hell Arsene is doing right now is getting out of hand.
IMO it’s about time that whoever it is who decides our transfer policy needs to rethink this policy, we already have enough potential at all levels of the playing staff. The club needs to start producing results on the pitch and bringing in players of the calibre of Villa etc will enhance what we already have, it will also show the likes of Ade, Flamini, Hleb etc that we mean business.
April 28, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Chris, I used to check Spocast but found out that if Setanta were showing any of our games you wouldnt be able to view it on Sopsast…how annoying!!
April 28, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Pedro - ade has played this season as our no1 striker and with the chances we create I think we deserve better. I’m not going to rant on over old ground so lets wait and see what he does next season - if he improves his all round game and continues scoring then I’ll be happy to say I was wrong.
April 28, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Evo in oz, you’re a bit behind the times aren’t you. Modric signed for spurs subject to a medical & work permit on saturday.
April 28, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Scuba… I am the first to say he ain’t perfect but for somone who has plenty of learning to do… 26 goals is not to bad and quite a jump from the 12 he scored the year previous!
April 28, 2008 at 1:01 pm
yeah i was away on the weekend, so definitely missed that one!
T-buzz - star sports, via asia, usually pick up our games via sopcast….i think its a derivative of sky somehow>?
April 28, 2008 at 1:01 pm
ade 64 offsides
torres 24 offside
ronaldo 6
thats a poor show
April 28, 2008 at 1:02 pm
wiltord = 100 offsides….
April 28, 2008 at 1:05 pm
t-buzz, dont limit yourself to just sopcast, have the other installed as well but let myp2p show you the options and pick the highest bit rate,
April 28, 2008 at 1:07 pm
yeah sometimes tvants is better
April 28, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Pedro -
I can’t deny 26 goals isn’t a good return but I put the emphasis on his all-round game which quite honestly is shocking - he improves that then he has the potential to become a “great” and not just in his own mind.
Unfortunately though; that is very unlikely to happen - his basic skills and understanding are woeful - at his age he should have that; he hasn’t. And not to harp on about it but any half decent forward could score 26 goals with the service that Arsenal provide.
I don’t think he’s good enough and never will be; lets hope I’m proved wrong because I seem to be in the minority.
Anyway - any team news for tonight?
April 28, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Hey, did anyone notice that on the BBC Football news page the first bit of the “Tips & Tactics” is “Recover with a warm down” - does it have the ManUsa version where you ruck with the opposition groundstaff ?
April 28, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Fair shout Scuba, I can’t deny many of those points!
Those offside statistics are awful…
I’ve posted before on the subject… people dislike Ade because he lacks humility…
He made a lot of big noises around January time, and now he has egg on his face…
What are your thoughts on Nikki B?
April 28, 2008 at 1:13 pm
what about signing Santa Cruz from blackburn or Benjani from man citeh, i dont know much about them, but ive seen them scoring goals…
does anyone rate them?
April 28, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Evo .. answer is no .. not good enough for us..Ade is def better than these two
April 28, 2008 at 1:18 pm
fair enough…
April 28, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I’d like to see NickB get a run in the team; he is far from the finished article but I do think he has some promise.
I’m worried though about his relationship with the rest of the team (not just ade); it’s happened a couple of times now when he’s scored and only Theo has got to celebrate with him - is it just me or does that strike you as wrong?
I think if he had had the starts this year he’d have delivered the goals as well. It’s not easy coming on for 5 minutes and then not play for 3 games and then another 10 minutes.
I give him a chance in the last 3 games and see what he can do.
What do you think?
April 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm
i like Bendtner too….i think the team were pretty happy with him in the spuds game, but i do agree scuba that there is something there….
April 28, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Yes, Scuba, Bendtner should be given a run.
As for Ade, I recall reading that the turtle-faced, drug cheat at Salford United says Ade is the striker he hates facing the most.
That makes him just worth keeping in my eyes. Plus we said all the same things about Drogba when he first started -except for Ade has never been a diver and faker of injuries in the the way that Drogba has always been.
Hopefully, playing alongside a world class striker next year will improve him - and if he learns the offside rule properly.
April 28, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Yeah Evo but the spuds game was just before Xmas and it was the spuds…..
something has happened since and not just the bust up with ade in the CC game
April 28, 2008 at 1:29 pm
well gotta hit the sack lads, got to get back up for the game in less than 7 hours…
catch you all later on!
April 28, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I don’t know BB; I think Cruz has done alright and not bad for the money spent. I do agree though that he’s not for us
April 28, 2008 at 1:32 pm
scuba .. whilst I reckon that Nik B is not devoid of talent, we already have one giraffe in our team.. I dont think that we need two rigid hardly mobile centre forwards .. I would much rather us playing a flair quick turning dribbling guy upfront. (Theo anybody).on that basis, I would suggest we get rid of either Ade or Nik..
this means brutally that we should either sell or loan Nik out .. we are not running a charity for giraffes
April 28, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Charybdis - if he becomes the new Drogba next season, I’ll be the first to take it all back and tell everyone what a cunt I was for even suggesting he should go!!
He made it to the PL team of year as well - above Drogba, Rooney & co. How do they decide who’s in team of the year? Good to see Sagna and Clichy get in there.
April 28, 2008 at 1:39 pm
BB - don’t disagree but you see that’s the problem; long term I think NickB would be the better option for us not ade
Theo works for me
April 28, 2008 at 1:41 pm
The other players vote for the team of the year
April 28, 2008 at 1:50 pm
does any1 have team news.. i know its early but still
April 28, 2008 at 1:52 pm
oh and flamini has reportedly signed for AC Milan…
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/201822,arsenals-flamini-to-join-ac-milan-as-inter-milan-eye.html
April 28, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Thanks Evo and goodnight!!
Yeah Chris, I’ll have to broaden my horizon. lol
April 28, 2008 at 2:04 pm
i dont see where Nik B would have more talent than Ade .. I ust cant see it
point is .. none of them fits into our football system.. but Ade is superior to Nik at this stage and results prove it.. Nik B played an average campaign at Birmingham ..
came back to us .. and played in a reasonable amount of games .. scored a couple of good goals - Spurs,Pool.. but by and large, whenever he started, he was piss poor
and we clearly dont need both of them
April 28, 2008 at 2:05 pm
ha ha chary, what better way to wind down after a match than have a braney with the ground staff, you know if it was arsenal it would be al over the papers, plus with ballack/drogba issue, sadly we are not immune to the media like these gits,
April 28, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Santa Cruz is definitely one of the hottest strikers in the Premiership, how can a player who scores over twenty goals for a mediocre team, including a hat-trick in his first season not be rated?
Manyoo are after him. Would he be suitable for us and improve our team? Yes, we could make him even better, he’d be a 20+ a season striker than us. There are of course better strikers than him but he’s better than a lot of big names, he’d definitely make it into the top 10 list of PL strikers. Better than Rooney, Crouch, Bendtner, Walcott, Yakubu, Johnson, Martins…..and those are all good players.
I suspect Wenger will bring in someone better than him, I really hope so. Derby will be a good test for us because we&#