That’s it then, it’s official, Le Grove’s own steward on the inside tells us a photographer has been called in this Sunday to take a picture of Samir Nasri in an Arsenal shirt, presumably the new one, well done El Tel, let’s hope it true and we can celebrate Monday’s post with a picture of our new wonder kid.
Othe great news is that Robin the boy wonder has now said he’s signing a new contract and is not worried about them money, if that’s true then more good news indeed, about time, but it makes me wonder what he was on about earlier in the week, but then this will forever be known as the week of the turnaround!
Finally by now you would have all seen the clip of Eduardo, my god what an incredible player, Rosicky and Robin take note, I cannot believe anyone can recover that quickly, burn him, he’s a warlock!!!
Not a lot on today, no signings the boss is being paid by someone else to commentate, so you’ll all have to wait, hopefully our inside source is right and it won’t be too long now.
Happy Saturday Grovers.
May 31, 2008 at 9:01 am
First??
May 31, 2008 at 9:03 am
I hope you’re right about Nasri. I’ll be tuned to the internet/football tonight on Sunday.
May 31, 2008 at 9:03 am
3rd?
May 31, 2008 at 9:04 am
4th?
May 31, 2008 at 9:05 am
Just watching the Rugby Super 14 final - Go the Waratahs!
May 31, 2008 at 9:05 am
Morning Grovers!
Great news about DuDu ….
Man he is super human, I am sure with his guts and determination he will be scoring goals for us before the year is out. DuDu i salute you sir.
Where has the RVP story come from? Good news. But i thought he was looking for better wages with his comments earlier in the week.
And El TEL : Nasri on Sunday eh!….. Thanks for the Info… It would be nice if they rolled out someone else as well… but i guess im just being greedy now.
May 31, 2008 at 9:06 am
morning all, 4th and looking forward to tomorrow
maybe that is why the sun is shining………
May 31, 2008 at 9:06 am
fuck yeah!!! sweet news
May 31, 2008 at 9:07 am
Let’s be honest, RvP is signing a new contrat for the same wonga it’s the leas he can do for being missing in action for so long over the past two seasons, a well overdue show of loyalty and appreciation for the club that’s stood by him……….
May 31, 2008 at 9:08 am
Dudu = utter star, i’m soooo proud of you fella!
May 31, 2008 at 9:08 am
@DDM i agree with your comments…. Just a little suprised he is condsidering his comments earlier in the week about wage structure.
But i do agree with the fact that he owes us!
May 31, 2008 at 9:09 am
davoody, the RvP story came out of “the sun” i think, but, it did include a quote. i think http://www.goal.com picked it up too, and being one of my most-trusted sites re: soccer news, i’m not disinclined to disagree. =D
May 31, 2008 at 9:10 am
also, agreed about dudu, he’s probably been my favourite player this year =D
what a champ!!!
May 31, 2008 at 9:12 am
davoody, maybe just maybe he was trying to say what a lot of us on here think, that we need to compete not only in the trabsfer markey, but also in the wages we offer first teamers, that is compete with all the clubs that keep trying to nick our first teamers by offering them more money than us??
May 31, 2008 at 9:12 am
@ James
I just clicked onto that site first headline i read is “Liverpool To Offer ₤20m For Ribery”
We so should have wrapped his signing up when we could have. He would’ve been great in our side. (better than eboue), come to think of it I’d be better than Eboue. lol
May 31, 2008 at 9:13 am
lol @ davoody, yeah, he holds the ball and squanders chances ay… =/
May 31, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hey, if that’s true about Nasri on Sunday, will that be realsed on Sunday too, or will it be attempted to be kept quiet by the club to be released at a later date?? I wonder where AW will be on Sunday, that ight be a pointer as to whether there will be an announcement on the day or not……..
May 31, 2008 at 9:16 am
Imagine if Eduardo played in August, that would be purely amazing!
May 31, 2008 at 9:16 am
Nasri apparently told a French radio station - RTL - that he is 99% an Arsenal player
.. where is the rest???????????????????
May 31, 2008 at 9:19 am
@DDM
I did post this yesterday (quite late) so people may have missed it.
But Wenger will need to drag himself away from here if Nasri is to sign on Sunday.
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2008/05/30/wenger-caught-with-a-stripper
May 31, 2008 at 9:19 am
So Yaya and Kleb swap, wonder if that will happen? how old are both?
May 31, 2008 at 9:19 am
davoody..Ribery went to Bayern from OM for 25MM .. and Bayern have more dosh than the stinking Northern losers.. so thats a big fat NO.. why would he want to play for a fat balding cunt like Benitez anyway??
May 31, 2008 at 9:21 am
@BB pmsl! true.
May 31, 2008 at 9:22 am
Davoody - theres also this ripper clip!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQO2pBAkxWk
May 31, 2008 at 9:24 am
Oooooerrrrrrrrrrrrr davoody, no fecking chance then!!
May 31, 2008 at 9:26 am
@Evo..
That clip was soooo funny.. that has totally made my day. What a typical fan. He prob only knows the name of JT and no-one else. Esp pre-russion invasion. He was prob a manc before that.
Quality
May 31, 2008 at 9:26 am
hey geoff/pedro - on a slow news day why not repost some of the more insightful comments from the day/week before? not everyone finishes the day with a massive read of all the comments, could be a good way to keep a good debate going
May 31, 2008 at 9:26 am
Evo, i saw that live on Sky, PMSL, what an utter cock…………..i don’t like using the word retard, but ha ha ha!
May 31, 2008 at 9:27 am
Dudu is unbelievable… for a man that nearly lost his leg just a few months ago to be running and kicking a ball is astonishing.. was that fit bird on heroes character based on our very own Dudu
May 31, 2008 at 9:29 am
@goonerjay.. i suggested her yesterday in the cheerleading debate that was going on. And made that very same comment, that we could sign her and play her against Brum (in the cup)…. lol
May 31, 2008 at 9:30 am
hahahaha! awesome Evo, “world class, yeh?”
May 31, 2008 at 9:31 am
typical scum chavs fans!
Cant believe Eduardo, unfuckingbelieveable!
May 31, 2008 at 9:35 am
surely that dos santos hasnt signed for the spuds?
May 31, 2008 at 9:36 am
John Terry gets lauded in the press for being a real man (!) a true hero (!) coz he misses a penalty in the CL final and the scores for England against the USA ffs!! If you wanna met a real man, a real hero may i introduce all you biased Chav loving press tossers to Eduardo Da Silva……….
May 31, 2008 at 9:39 am
@DDM… Agreed. Although beacuse DuDu is not english they won’t give a toss.
I said at the time if it had been Shrek or LimpDick that had been tackled like that or indeed had the twat who had done it been from foreign, they would still be going on about it now.
May 31, 2008 at 9:46 am
Just read on another blog that Ben Arfa is on his way to PSG.
http://www.arsenalinsider.co.uk/arsenal-news/back-page-round-up-arsenal-lose-ben-arfa-to-psg/
I think we were all resigned to this though, were we not?
May 31, 2008 at 9:47 am
I have not seen the new Eduardo clip. Link someone?
May 31, 2008 at 9:49 am
@ERIC
http://arsenalanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/05/eduardo-surprised-with-speed-of.html
May 31, 2008 at 9:50 am
Eric - try this - http://video.globo.com/Videos/Player/Esportes/0,,GIM834024-7824-ASSISTA+COMO+ESTA+SENDO+A+RECUPERACAO+DO+ATACANTE+DO+ARSENAL+EDUARDO+DA+SILVA,00.html
May 31, 2008 at 9:54 am
i cant believe we losing out on hatem ben arfa, he would of been a wonderful signing to arsenal.
the only problem could be the money, we need a left sided player for sure
May 31, 2008 at 10:03 am
I’ve just watched that video of Dudu… even more unbelievable… this guy must be related to iron man or something
May 31, 2008 at 10:07 am
Guys we’re gonna have to think up a song for steady eddie when he makes his return… the boy deserves more than just a standing ovation
May 31, 2008 at 10:08 am
big scar on his leg, but he looks the goods to play in the next 3-4 months easily!
May 31, 2008 at 10:11 am
Thanks Evo. Great news!
May 31, 2008 at 10:14 am
no probs mate!
May 31, 2008 at 10:20 am
Morning All
Did you read that superb article about JT from a L’pool blog posted by Odup yesterday?
http://www.liverpoolway.co.uk/blog/?p=164#comment-24236
Very funny and worth a read
May 31, 2008 at 10:36 am
Whatz the name being bandied around for our new centre half? Anyone know? Will there be one?
May 31, 2008 at 10:36 am
is thr anychance helb wants to stay he has said tht he has never said he wants to leave the club it means he can say and was doing all this for a pay hike
May 31, 2008 at 10:41 am
Steak, chips and a warm rocket salad (rocket, bacon, red onion, pine nuts topped with parmesan, olive oil and balsamic vinegar) - washed down with a couple of glasses of shiraz!
May 31, 2008 at 10:42 am
Mexes, Dunne, Wheater, or Ya Ya as a DM .plus plus plus. Not sure we will sign another CB, I feel a Flam replacement who plays in a more defensive role like Gilberto is more likely.
Hleb ? How does he fit in, now we have a fit Mozart and Nasri ?
May 31, 2008 at 10:44 am
Fuck me - you live high off the hog Evo.
Did you do that yourself or get a Sheila to rustle it up?
p.s. I had Muesli with Raspberry yoghurt and fresh strawberries for breakfast. Washed down with a fresh pot of Illy (Italian) coffee
May 31, 2008 at 10:47 am
Seems like Flams departure is gonna cost us a pretty penny.
May 31, 2008 at 10:52 am
hahaha…yeah pretty special, steak and chip!
Need a few more glasses of the red i think!
May 31, 2008 at 10:58 am
Almunia says Nasri is signed.
May 31, 2008 at 11:02 am
mmm…raspberry yoghurt
May 31, 2008 at 11:06 am
Big Raddy - i do all the cooking, even for the Mrs. She trys to claim she cant cook!
May 31, 2008 at 11:15 am
whats a fotagrefer and whos the idiot blogger?
May 31, 2008 at 11:20 am
How do you know it isn’t true Robert?
The idiot blogger is a respcted blogger on this site and if he is correct are you going to be big enough to come on monday morning and apologize?
May 31, 2008 at 11:22 am
agreed
May 31, 2008 at 11:24 am
Robert the idiot blogger was talking to the club Photographer (learn to spell you tosser) at 5pm yesterday on the Arsenal pitch. He said to me and 3 other people that he was asked to come to the Stadium on Sunday at 2pm to take Pics of Nasri. Why would I want to make this up shit head. Do I really want all these guys to think I am a wind up merchant. Yes the photographer could have been winding us up but we never asked him, he told us. If I see the guy tonight when I am there again I will ask for more details.
May 31, 2008 at 11:27 am
Sky Sports News reporting that we will ask for Ya Ya from Barca as part of the Hleb deal. Not sure I like that one personally. Is Ya Ya that good.
May 31, 2008 at 11:27 am
You tell him Dave.
Fuck off Robert… aint you meant to be down the park with your mates?!
Don’t worry el tel… we believe you pal
May 31, 2008 at 11:29 am
Thanks David and Evo. I am only telling you guys what I heard. I didn’t know that Photographers make quotes to the news regarding these matters, this guy is not paperazzi he is the official club photographer.
May 31, 2008 at 11:30 am
Cheers Goonerjay. I am not a wind up merchant.
May 31, 2008 at 11:32 am
I don’t even mnd if your wrong, we don’t always agree (Almunia) but your no fucking idiot mate you are a gooner>
May 31, 2008 at 11:32 am
no probs El Tel…keep up the good work!
im not convinced on Yaya either, im happy to be proved wrong thou!
May 31, 2008 at 11:34 am
we know your not mate… all the regulars on here know you work at the Emirates and what would you get out of lying?!
May 31, 2008 at 11:35 am
El tel - is the boss playing again tonight?
May 31, 2008 at 11:37 am
Wen is the Nasri deal going to be sealed? i feel like its jus going to bom out at the last minute. good news that Eduado may come back soon.
Cheers
http://www.latest-arsenal.blogspot.com
May 31, 2008 at 11:37 am
Thats a great great news…… truly eduardo is a SPARTAN……… i hope gets back to his best with in january…. its nice to see some loyalty from players…. everyone has learned something from gilberto i think….. nasri will be a great signing…….. long live the gaffer…..
May 31, 2008 at 11:38 am
I have a vision in my head now of Arsene in a lumberjack shirt with the sleeves hacked of and a guitar slung over his back.
May 31, 2008 at 11:40 am
DDM:
Couldn’t agree more with you regarding Eduardo. Here’s a man that as a 15 year old found himself in Croatia, poor and unable to speak the language he didn’t look for excuses, he got on with it and made a name for himself there. I think this is his second major injury but like the previous one didn’t allow that to hinder his progress.
This fellow Grovers is a real man. A man who was assaulted on the pitch and had his ankle snapped in half by a thug who was probably given the “let him know you there” order. The media and the pundits to this day still protect that assault, saying it was “clumsy” or ” not intented” Yeah right.
Did Eduardo moan? Did he run to the press? No, he got on with it and with any luck will be back as soon as possible while his assailant and is employers find themselves playing in the little league. Karma, dont you just love it.
As for Terry being a man, Pffff. Words tha describe him include thug , cry baby, bully, cheat, sneak. I daren’t say what I really mean, its half term.
May 31, 2008 at 11:42 am
Good morning Grovers!
Sorry for the lack of input this morning!
Nayeem, welcome aboard!
James, tomorrow I am posting so I will do a little piece on a hot topic of the week! The only reason the blog was so short today was becuase I hadn’t prepared one last night!
So… Arfa to PSG? Can he be that good? Doesn’t get in the French squad… doesn’t even get a transfer to Marseille?
Any other new of note?
Lovely weather today!
May 31, 2008 at 11:43 am
Well said Pablo… hopefully talk of needing Benzema will die down now!
We have great attackers!
May 31, 2008 at 11:49 am
El tel we believe you mate !
its good news …
even thou technically we are past our 3 week deadline .. ill take it !
Fuck off rob .. go blow a goat !
saw some rumors on BBC also .. they don’t normally entertain rumors without substance so i think your 110% right with your tip off !
as for yaya , if barca got him , he wasn’t a slouch !
also i think with his brothers guidance
wenger can make him a reasonable player for AFC , no doubt barca will want to buy him back in 2 years time then!
people like hleb - flamini are stupid to go to big European clubs, look at ade !
wenger over played him last season even if he wasn’t getting results ..
my point is if hleb flamini have 2 or 3 poor games they will rott on the bench for the rest of the season .
yet arsene persists with his players until they turn the corner !
they wont get the same graces at inter or barca - real - ac etc…
stupid to leave a club where you get played every week !
after the thrill of earning slightly more is over , and they never get played
they will realize that they just want to be on the pitch !
stupid fuckers the lot of them !
May 31, 2008 at 11:52 am
Great news all round, I hope you are right about the photo, I will be in Cran Canaria by then & hope to see that in the paper monday! Lets hope for further good news while im away in the next week. Laters Grovers
May 31, 2008 at 11:52 am
Missed Roberts comments…
Have you ever seen the word photographer spelt so badly?
May 31, 2008 at 11:54 am
He is from Orebro Sweden…
May 31, 2008 at 11:58 am
That IP tracker is fucking mental…
That Goofle chap who was abusing everyone the other day is actually from Bolton!
May 31, 2008 at 12:06 pm
cool, where do we see that?
May 31, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Go blow a goat… hahaha… good man
May 31, 2008 at 12:09 pm
hleb for dinner tonight?
May 31, 2008 at 12:10 pm
http://www.ip-adress.com/ipaddresstolocation/
Its quite funny, I am going back through all the comments from people claiming the Grovers aren’t real fans… and most of them live no where near London… not that that’s a problem, but calling people with season tickets plastic fans is a bit rich coming from a 16 year old living in bolton!
May 31, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Thanks guys, yes the Boss is at Le Grove again tonight. Fucking awesome being allowed on the pitch. worth buying the ticket even if you dont like Brucie. Shame the grass is covered up though, still better keep it safe from those Spud tossers. Pedro I fucking hate Bolton mate, probably some Manc shitter.
May 31, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Pedro/Geoff
What are your views on Scudamore being brought in? Overall, I think he’s done a decent job with the Premier League, all except this 39th game overseas malarchy. He has the contacts, the knowledge, the marketing skills and doesn’t look or speak like an Account reading the shipping forecast. I can only see positives coming from his appointment and hopefully counter the domination of Manyoos input at Sky and the Premier League/FA.
Without trying to get the end of my nose brown, you guys have done an amazing job on this site. The articles are well written, informative and the contributions have rocketed from just the odd 4 or 5 back in September 07. Well done lads.
May 31, 2008 at 12:13 pm
El Tel - so you can word up a few more people tonight for a bit more news?
May 31, 2008 at 12:14 pm
pablo
i agree dudu can be a very good player for the club , he is a sharp shooter for Croatia , lets hope this season he cements his place in the 1st 11 .. and becomes one of the much needed strikers to front us at AFC ….
May 31, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Ethan your a fucking legend pal. You should be writing a tv show like Only fools and Horses mate. I have heard for years how much the Westsham fans have a wicked sense of humour but no one beats us Gooners guys, especially Ethan. Shame we can’t transfer the humour into songs for the masses at the Stadium.
May 31, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Evo I don’t really have that big a role there mate just stewarding. The Photographer chap was asking where his badge would allow him to go, me and some other Gooner Stewards got chatting to him and he broke the news, We jokingly asked him for some Arsenal photo’s, nobody mentioned anything about Nasri. He took a photo of 4 of us on the pitch so maybe I will see him later. I will ask him for more information if I see him.
May 31, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Pedro are you sure about this IP address thing ?
I have just had a look and it says I live on the edge of the lake district.
May 31, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Hey fellow groovers, Who is your arsenal playa of the year?
May 31, 2008 at 12:25 pm
This IP locator isn’t very accurate. I just put mine in and it has me in Benfleet. Do I sound like I sell second hand cars? Other’s I have just tested have me in Central London and even Glasgow.
May 31, 2008 at 12:29 pm
mine has me in Sydney, which is correct, but not the right suburb!
May 31, 2008 at 12:29 pm
my old mans a west ham supporter ! so you must be on to something !
he was born in east ham .. and used to go to the games during the 50s - 60s
but when he me my mom started going to the arsenal games !!!
May 31, 2008 at 12:35 pm
are there any live games today? im having some withdrawals…
May 31, 2008 at 12:38 pm
El Tel… us gooners need a sense of humour mate to cope with the transfer rumours
May 31, 2008 at 12:41 pm
so any1 gonna go down to the ground tomorrow then?
May 31, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Pablo thanks a lot it’s much appreciated, we try to have fun as well as being informative.
I have to say I wish they would make up with David Dein, he was and still is the most knowledgeable man in football, and can still be an asset, his judgment on selling his shares was off, but hey, we all make mistakes, look at Thierry and Paddy.
May 31, 2008 at 1:12 pm
dont worry evo
the euros will be on soon enough !
shame we aren’t in them but we have stee mclaren to thank for that !!
will he ever work again in football ???
these poor English managers ..
fat sam - Peirce- mclaren !
just losers the fuckin lot of them !
actually sam did a stint at ESPN singapore a little while back , he aint a bad bloke !
good pundit really ..
he’s got a sense of humour saw the tosser in a different light !
Any predictions for who will take over chevski ???
he sacked that dutch coach the other day also !
2 days after he said tothe public his job was safe
SOUNDS LIKE GRANT !
working for the russian mobster is rather like a death sentence !
working for him would be like being an extra in the original star trek series !
its like being one of those dudes in the red suit beaming down to a planet
with captain kirk ! you know the cunts dead .. its just a matter of time !
working with ambrimovic would be the same i think in theory !
May 31, 2008 at 1:13 pm
have a good saturday people!!!
nothing exciting happening i guess!!
May 31, 2008 at 1:16 pm
so does the original news that 1 of our signings will come from the premiership still stand?
May 31, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Dunne seems to be heading to Portsmouth on SSN.
May 31, 2008 at 1:18 pm
El Tel, I would assume the photographer must have been pre planned just incase the deal happens. I gurantee though that if it doesn’t go through by tomorrow that it won’t happen before the Euro’s.
France are playing later today & then Nasri will probably get the day off tomorrow, but after that France play again on tuesday night & will then be heading to their camp in Austria or Switzerland (whichever country their staying in), so tomorrow really is the absolute last chance of it happening.
I bet whatever happens Arsenal won’t announce it tomorrow though.
May 31, 2008 at 1:19 pm
geoff
i think he just sold his shares off , so he could buy more !
then the board had this lock down .. to stop him
i have no doubt in my mind he would of purchased the other 6-7 % +
needed to form a take over !
and your right arsenal pumps thru the mans veins !
shame that only he was worried about the clubs performances on the pitch !
He didnt want us too fall off the boil !
AND WAS HE RIGHT OR WAS HE RIGHT ???!!!!
May 31, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I agree with you on that one GMR
it will be announced on monday no doubt !
i have every faith that the deal is done anyhow ..
and el tel has backed it up ..
it would be nice of wenger to come out and make a statement thou !!!
i mean we the fans are paying his wages !
least he could do is inform the supporters Who love the club for free !!
it amazes me that everyone says wenger is arsenal
id like to see ARSENAL stop paying arsene , and then we would see if he was arsenal
or not !!!!
May 31, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Lets face Wenger and Arsenal suit each others purposes at the moment. Wenger, he’s got a club that are patient with him, allow him to run the football side of things his way and they pay him handsomly for the privelege. Arsenal have got a manager that promotes decent football, keeps the overall costs down and toes the party line. No other Club or Manager would entertain those rules especially when the trophy cabinet bought for the Emirates still stands empty.
May 31, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Can i ask why so many people dont rate Yaya Toure?
If it wasn’t for the way the British Government gives out work permits he would have been with us years ago. But apart from that he was one of the most regular 1st team players for Barca and THE most impressive in both games against Manure and he scores goals… i’d be ecstatic if we got yaya in a swap deal
May 31, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Goal.com say (prob crap) that barca and arsenal are in talks re hleb going to them - i think a swap for hleb is more likely with yaya coming our way - from that i think Arsenal will announce the two deals at the same time in attempt to keep us fans happy.
Ben Arfa to PSG - why would he want to do that….. That can only mean that either Arsene doesnt want him, or wants to wait until he has played for PSG for a while before getting him in Jan/next summer (i say this because the gossip re AW and PSG - our soon to be new feeder club??)
So - if we get Nasri and hopefully Yaya that only leaves really the CH position, Dunne may be off to Pompey as could be Crouch.
So who is going to be alongside either Gallas or Kolo
I still believe tho he is going to shock us by bringing in Villa…
May 31, 2008 at 2:21 pm
GoonerJ - i really rate him and would love to see him at AFC -
Yaya, Nasri, CH and Villa in - i would be happy - in fact very happy
Add to that - Vela, , Merida, Barazite, Randall, Nordveit and maybe Rogers, Lansbury , Gibbs
A fit RVP, Dudu and Thomas
I dont think our squad would be far off ( in realistic terms)
May 31, 2008 at 2:26 pm
When you put it like that Rico maybe the summer wont be so depressing after all… but then we never really know what Wengers going to do.
May 31, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I think we’ll announce Nasri before the Euros, if we don’t it won ‘t be him, but I think we will.
So that means the other are not from Europe.
If Hleb goes to Real, I think that will mean Robinho or if he goes to Barca, then Yaya or Dos Santos, I would prefer Dos Santos.
Barry for me in midfield and that would be it, he doesn’t look like signing a center back unless it’s Mexes or Marques again, I would have either.
Maybe he thinks he has Flamini’s replacement in Diaby, Randall, Lansbury or Dourou, maybe he has, but we would still be short like last year and that would be a mistake.
I can’t think who else he’d get from the EPL but I would also sign Ramsey.
ANY COMBINATION FROM THE ABOVE WOULD FIT IN WITH HIS BUDGET, GET ON WITH IT ARSENE AND STOP ACTING LIKE GOD.
May 31, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I am no football coach, or genius, but sad that i am i spend a lot of time watching the reserve games on tv - makes ironing less depressing….
Barazite is very very good, and Rogers is a strong player when you think he is still young.
We have seen Randall and I just hope he keeps his feet on the ground and doesnt do a ‘bentley’ I really hope the CC gives them a run. Merida has been on loan so will have gained good experience. Lansbury and Gibbs also have the potential to be big players.
Already, the reserves play our pacey, two touch football, so to be drarted in for the ‘lesser’ games to rest players would not be daunting prospect for them.
Dont think i am getting away from the fact we need to buy experience - we definately do, and as long as AW does this i just have a feeling we are going to be off on a good run of wining silverware
That is my hunch and i am NOT an AKB honest
May 31, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Rico, how do the youngsters compare to the first team, for instance Randal looks ordinary to me, is he? I’ve only seem him in th CC.
May 31, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Actually Rico Merida could play a bigger part within Arsenal this nest season… he has had a good year and last week scored 2 goals for spain under 19’s.
I’ve just been watching youtube clips of Nasri and i tell you who he reminds me off… Ryan Giggs in his prime
May 31, 2008 at 3:05 pm
check this out… we could really do with him next to Cesc.
Plus i didn’t realise that he’s a bit of a freekick speacialist too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhKqXur-6w
May 31, 2008 at 3:18 pm
He was awesome at the last world cup, and then barca picked him up. His progress has slowed and he has never been the same there. At barca he is asked to be too conservative and doesn’t really get a chance to express himself.
Playin with his big bro and under AW, he could get back to playing like that.
May 31, 2008 at 3:19 pm
EL TEL FOR LE-CHAMP
EL TEL FOR LE-CHAMP
EL TEL FOR LE-CHAMP
EL TEL FOR LE-CHAMP
EL TEL FOR LE-CHAMP
if its true of course!!!!!
May 31, 2008 at 3:26 pm
GUFC…If Wenger can get him back playing like that we should sign him up now… i think another reason he is more conservative at Barca is teams that play aginst Barca literally spend a good 87 minutes with 11 men behind the ball so his fast and powerful directness can’t really be used but for us against teams who try to press us he could be leathal in attack… no need to mention how he would help us defensively because i think everyone is aware of how good he is defensively
May 31, 2008 at 3:29 pm
@goonerjay
i am completely sold on YaYa now.
Great Video.
I think if we do manage to swap hleb for him that would be fantastic.
Nasri & Yaya would be fantastic additions.
Sadly i fear the dream of signing David Villa is just that A DREAM, and it’s Villa i still hold hope for. Come on Wenger Suprise us all.
May 31, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Yaya looks awesome, but if he comes what does that do for the futures of Diaby, Denilson and Gilberto. I still want Yaya though
May 31, 2008 at 3:40 pm
@GunnersUnitedFC
I think that Gilberto’s future was decided last season. If he comes back in the side now, i would view it as a step back and not forward.
Denilson for me is still the understudy and is not ready IMO.
Diaby, i feel could go on and become a very class player, but he is injury prone and he has more of an attacking mind then defensive.
YaYa brings both quality’s of defensive & attacking and i think this would complement Cesc very well.
Barry is a shout as well, but he is english and overpriced. And the fact we could potentially get Yaya as part of the Hleb to barca deal, it looks more likely.
But knowing Wenger he will sell hleb and not by either and stick with the three you mentioned.
May 31, 2008 at 3:52 pm
To be honest, i hope he doesn’t stick
May 31, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Sorry Geoff - mowing the grass!!
It is difficult to compare other than their style of footie is almost indentical, some of the play is probably quicker than most other teams i have seen them play against,
Barazite and Wilshire have stood out for me - the latter reminds me of Joe Cole but with more pace. The defence looks good, and quite strong, but as we have said they are still young and need only to ‘beef up’ a bit, but they do appear pretty organised. (unlike the first team!!)
I wouldnt be surprised to see 6/7 in the CC - along with the first team fringe players
Gavin Hoyte looks as if he will turn out better than Justin, at the moment.
Sunu is big and strong - just not quite the finished article, but could be a kinda Drogba style of forward
I love watching them and if they all carry on working hard they will be worthy of a place in the first team in a couple of seasons
Watch out for Ru Fonte ….
May 31, 2008 at 3:58 pm
i didn’t go that much on Rui Fonte and i’ve seen quite a bit of him this season
May 31, 2008 at 4:00 pm
wilshire kinda looks like joe cole as well. i think he plays a little like hleb, without the shooting problem. I’m really excited about this kid.
I also think that lansbury looks quite good.
May 31, 2008 at 4:01 pm
http://www.thesoccerblog.org/la-liga/sousa-ronaldo-will-go-to-real-madrid/
Ha ha fucking ha ha… can’t wait to see this twat leave… Man U proved this season that without him they struggle… plus i hate him and would rather he wasn’t playing in this country the silly little cheating panzie boy
May 31, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Yaya is Doodoo! If he was any good, Barca wouldnt have signed that Keita fella to replace him after only 1 season. He’s that slow, he makes Gilberto look like Gattuso on speed.
May 31, 2008 at 4:05 pm
he looked fast in the youtube video. I know youtube can make people look better than they are, but i didn’t know it could make people faster.
May 31, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I dont rate him and used artistic licence to make my point!
May 31, 2008 at 4:09 pm
@angry loner…
They have changed managers. and they are having a clearout. Goofy is on his way, he may have lost form, but you dont become shite overnight.
If we could swap Hleb for Yaya that would be great business IMO.
Watch the video posted earlier, he didn’t exactly look that slow. I know you can’t judge by a video, but if we could recreate that kind of form he would be great.
Henry was not having the best of times at Juve when we signed him.
As with DB10 @ Inter.
PV4 was in the milan reserves.
So i don’t buy into the he is DooDoo comment.
But heh this is Le-Grove and you are intiltled to your opinion. As am I
May 31, 2008 at 4:10 pm
goonerj - Bet you a £1 Rui Fonte becomes a star……..
May 31, 2008 at 4:13 pm
It’s a good day in did Pedro! Edwardo ! waw waw ! now about yaya i dont think we need him . He is too slow for EPL
May 31, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Are all thes comments about Yaya being pants from bloggers who have watched youtube clip only or from watching Barca play week in week out??
May 31, 2008 at 4:18 pm
dav;
Yeah man, differences of opinion are good! I really can’t get excited about the rumour of him being part of the Hleb deal.
Why can’t we just get a suitcase full of unmarked Euros for the Belarussian ballerina?
May 31, 2008 at 4:20 pm
@ Rico
I have watched Barca most (only on sky mind) of this season.
Yaya would be great for Arsenal.
I thought he had a fantastic season.
I can’t understand the yaya haters. But they are intitled to there opinion.
What are your views on him Rico?
May 31, 2008 at 4:21 pm
rico;
I havent seen any of the youtube clips. Ive watched quite a few barca games tho. Like I said before, if he was that good Barca wouldnt be so keen to replace him with Keita.
Oh and they are dead keen to offload that Dos Pantos kid coz he’s not much cop either and has a shite attitude too.
The fact that they want to get rid Ronaldinho is not for footballing reasons
May 31, 2008 at 4:21 pm
This talk about Yaya being slow is tosh… anyone who says yaya is slow has clearly not seen him play for his country.
Yaya is quick and powerful just like his brother… he looks slow at Barca because he is there to break up play and keep the ball moving and very rarely has space to run into at Barca due to the defensive nature of the opposition… now you people that say he is slow watch the video posted above and watch how quickly he covers ground.
Plus Rijkard wouldn’t have played him in every single game that he was fit to play if he was Doodoo would he?
And as Davoody said… because Barca are selling him doesn’t make him a bad player… Barca are also selling Dos Santos, Goofy, Deco and Eto’o… but you wouldn’t call any of those doodoo
Rico i may take you up on that bet… he has looked average every time i’ve seen him and very lightweight
May 31, 2008 at 4:22 pm
@Angry Loner…
If we did get just cash for Hleb.
Who would you go for then?
May 31, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Hi everyone, just thought i’d come in and have my say RE Yaya, having watched him at least 15 times this past season, i can tell you he’s class & was Barca 2nd best player behin Messi this season, has good touch, very good distributer of the ball & pops up with the odd goal , the fact he appears to be slow is a lot to do with him been lanky as does Ade .
As for him being rubish because Barca are willing to sell well ask youself this Angry loner, Why would they want Hleb who has not set the world on fire with Arsenal?
May 31, 2008 at 4:24 pm
gooner jay
that will be a huge blow to man ‘Ure if ronaldo leaves but how likely is that? considering they just won the C.L and EPL title !
I understand that you like the look of a lot of the youngsters guys playing in the reserves .
but really if they were ready arsene would have already played them ! ..
Or had them on the bench last season !
the 1st team is the bread and butter .. we need to be focused on are they good enough to play against Barcelona ? real Madrid ? Chelsea ? Man U ???
my guess is that they are not ! most players need 3 or 4 seasons to be at the level required , to be at the top level ! chose youngsters as fil ins if you want spurs to take our 4th spot ! I say 4th spot because raffa has 50 mil to spend this season !
and in all honesty liverpool got the better of us ! thank god we had a more consistent season than them !
so arsene needs to open the cheque book ! ASAP !
also i heard that if nasri comes to arsenal , marselle will buy ben arfa to replace nasri !
May 31, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Sorry - i disagree about Yaya
Gilberto was awesome in midfield for us in his prime, but i dont recall him challenging TH for the 100 metre sprint!!
Yaya is a DM, solid, with a strong tackle - just what we need
His distribution is what is the most important and i think its good.
Barca’s defence was pretty poor this last season, and they didnt play TH enough from the start. Also Ronnie has performed to his usual standard, in fact he hardly performed.
I would love him at our club - and Dos Santos
Only my opinion Guys
May 31, 2008 at 4:27 pm
@ethangunner..
Ben Arfa looks set to join PSG according to the rumour mill from this morning.
May 31, 2008 at 4:29 pm
dav
I would take the cash and erm, stick it in a high interest account and live off the interest!
I’d sign Akinfeev, Dunne and Ben Arfa (assuming the Nasri deal is done & dusted)
Coz I dont think we need to buy a defensive midfielder.
May 31, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Beckham to Captin England on Monday - Hoorah and Up yours JT
May 31, 2008 at 4:42 pm
eduardo. what a player i was gobsmacked when i seen that video i cant wait to see him back in action.
nasri. this transfer has gone on for too long i hope ur source is right hes a great player
v persie. i think this next season is important for him he really needs that full season without a injury to see the best in him.
does anyone know whats happening with yaya toure?
May 31, 2008 at 4:47 pm
@ Andy
The lastest gossip on YaYa is that a swap deal with Hleb is being mooted.
Plenty of debate on here as to if that is a good thing or not.
I’m on the side of YaYa in an Arsenal Shirt would be awesome.
May 31, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I didn’t think the Chelsea or Man U players were there anyway rico.
YaYa is 6′3 I thought he was the same size as Kolo but we need a bit of height at the back and in the other box Gilbertie used to come up with the goods and we have missed that.
May 31, 2008 at 5:03 pm
why cant he swap hleb for geovani dos santos…he’s too good 4 the spuds!
May 31, 2008 at 5:34 pm
hey great news about dudu couldn’t be happier for him and great blog as well so i figure as you have an in by working at the emirates have you heard is there absolutely any truth to the possibility of miguel veloso dawning the gunner kit in seasons to come.i mean word has been we wont buy him cause he is to expensive just thought id ask in case
May 31, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Hey I’m with Rico and lil_gun, I really rate Dos Santos and way too pretty to play for the ugliest team in the EPL, please Arsene sign a youngster that really is going places.
I still can’t understand why Barca would sell him, especially as he scored a classy hatrick in his last game.
May 31, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Your advertisment is going well on Wrighty7 P&G.
Theres no such thing as bad publicity, we talk Arsenal they talk Le Grove.
May 31, 2008 at 6:58 pm
turn hleb into yaya AND dos santos and maybe some cash
May 31, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Anyone who seen Dos Santos over the course of the season will tell you he’s just hype, very overated in humble opinion, also his lifestyle and off-field avtivities isn’t encouraging .
As for him scoring a classy hatrick in a meaningless end of season game … …….. well, i do remember a certain Jemaine Pennant scoring a cool hatrick once at Highbury in simillar circumstances & we all where he ended up after that.
May 31, 2008 at 7:07 pm
*know*
May 31, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Is Dos Santos what we really need?
I don’t doubt his potential but if you are classing him as a forward then surely we should be looking at established no potential. It just would not be a instant return
I was thinking the same as abdenor about the comparrision with Pennants hat-trick
I dont even think we are after a striker, but would if we were it would be Benzemma or maybe even Santa Cruz that would better suit the requirement
May 31, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Totally agree with your notion on dos santos. I’ve seen him play quite a lot and he’s not that good at this point in time. He may get better in the future though.
Anyone who watched barca this season will tell you that bojan is much further ahead in his progression.
May 31, 2008 at 7:20 pm
i really rate benzema. I think he is a future world player of the year and may even reach the heights of the great thierry henry.
May 31, 2008 at 7:34 pm
And If Dos Santos did come across as part of any Hleb deal (which has not even been speculated) I reckon we would loan him straight back to spain anyway
May 31, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Abdenor,
Its funny you mention the Pennant hatrick, I just saw it last night watching the 49-Unbeaten DVD
May 31, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Over the course of a few games Cesc’s hair went from long & blonde to short & black?
May 31, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Im back in case anyone missed me, Satuday and I havent stopped working!!
So the views on Dos Santos are mixed - Frank R thinks a lot of him and so do I, yes he is not yet the finished player and I understand the comments about a hatrick in a meaningless game, but you still have to have quality to score that type of hatrick, especially the last, it was like his boot was a sand wedge…..
If he signs for us together with Yaya as part of the Hleeeeeb deal, I will be extremely happy…..
Does anyone know what time the photographer is booked for tomorrow?
If El Tel is spot on, then I hope the announcement comes out tomorrow aswell, and I still think it wont be just one player announced. I hope its the scarey centre half and Nasri - The Hleb/Yaya scenerio will be by the end of the week I read somewhere
May 31, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Daily Telegraph report we are after this guy
Dani Güiza -
27 goals for his club and none of which were penalties……
Where do they get their rubbish from
Which ‘big club’ is going to try and buy Hart then,
Bet its the Scummers
May 31, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Have you been mowing the grass all day rico?
You must have a mansion.
May 31, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I love Jamie Rednapp - he has said that Ashley Cole could never be replaced at AFC…………………
But Gael Clichy has come in a surpased Cole, he is just the perfect LB in his opinion, and Sagna is the perfect RB -
I want Jamie’s children!!!
May 31, 2008 at 8:25 pm
david - no mansion sadly just loads of bloody weeds! And then shopping, got the bottle to pop the cork tomorrow when all our new signings are announced!!
May 31, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Wenger doesn’t want Yaya Toure, if he did he’d have signed him years ago. It was only when he was in Belgium that he couldn’t get a work permit but years have passed since then & he has been a regular for the Ivory Coast, as I say if Wenger wanted him he’d have signed him long ago. Yaya has only recently had an operation so wouldn’t even get close to passing a medical right now & I’ve never known Wenger sign players that haven’t proved they’ve already recovered from an injury.
I’m beginning to think all this s*** about Wenger making his signings within 3 weeks was all a complete load of bull to keep people off his back & now he’s out the country & can avoid the media until August when he’ll announce a couple of unknowns!!
May 31, 2008 at 8:32 pm
GMR -its good that you think that way, you are going to be so happy when AW reveals all the quality he has purchased!!
May 31, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I fear you could be right GMR
He came out with similar comments last season with the super super class player statement.
Basically he has until next weekend, then its the Euros so the players will be untouchable for three weeks.
I just hope he can secure his targets before pre-season, otherwise they will be getting used to the premiership and we wont see them till crimbo
Great news on Eduardo though, I think he will be massive for us next year.
Also this is a massive season for RVP and Rosicky. it is last chance saloon for both as far as I am concerned. if either have an injury ravished season again, we should just cut our losses with them.
As for Yaya, I reckon Wenger does want him, as he has talked highly of him publicly in the past and if it wasnt for a immigration system that sucks as much as the UK’s one for allowing spongers and blocking those who can pay their own way he would already be a gooner. I think he would have taken him last year, but as soon as Barca got involved we were instantly priced out.
May 31, 2008 at 8:51 pm
YaYa work permit?
http://ivorycoast.worldcupblog.org/1/cote-divoire-midfielder-yaya-toure-reveals-arsenal-discontent.html
May 31, 2008 at 8:59 pm
rico01, I’ve been trying this reverse physcology for years now but it never works for me. Considering Friar was supposedly talking to Wenger about finalising a signing 2 weeks ago & it still hasn’t happened suggest that should the conversation be true then the deal fell through. Luckily for me I’m off the my Villa on monday & I’m not taking my laptop & I won’t be buying any papers so I’ll have a couple of weeks peace, then when I come back Hleb will probably have gone & we’ll still be doing sod all.
Patthegooner, all the euro nations that have qualified will be heading off this week to Austria & Switzerland. There isn’t a hope in hell that managers will release players then to come for medicals or contract discussions etc. If we are after players that are going to the euro’s then the deals should’ve been done by now. I know people will point to Rosicky being released but that was way before the world cup tournament started & not when they were in the final preparations, even then the Czech coach was too happy about it.
May 31, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I’m watching the France vs. Paraguay game and heard the commentator talking about Nasri while he was warming up and called him “The Arsenal Man”
May 31, 2008 at 9:11 pm
GMR - well lets hope this year is different, have a fab holiday especially after Nasri is declared ours tomorrow
I just think this summer it will be different - even the Great AW knows he has to get it right NOW or his position will have to be called into question!
Please dont think i want to start a witch hunt for our managers head though - far from it, I want him to get the right players signed to get us some silverware
May 31, 2008 at 9:14 pm
What channel TH please?
May 31, 2008 at 9:14 pm
http://www.justin.tv/ronaldo_madrede#
May 31, 2008 at 9:16 pm
rico, thats what we all want. Its just year by year my expectations are going downwards & its really disappointing. Everything at Arsenal is geared for success & a fair amount of that is due to Wenger’s past visions but now he is letting things slip & it seems to be just to prove a point.
May 31, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I understand where you are coming from GMR - fingers crossed this year….
May 31, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I’m watching the betfair feed of the french game & when Nasri just came on they absolutely insisted he was an Arsenal player & that we have signed him for 17 million pounds!! Fingers crossed eh!!
May 31, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Thanks GMR - yep, and my toes, i just fell over!!
May 31, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Nasri’s looked class since he came on but i’m not sure what his best position is, reminds a lot of Joe Cole in style of play and stature.
May 31, 2008 at 10:00 pm
he looked real quality. Everytime he got the ball he used it well and he livened up the game when he came on.