There was a lot of talk yesterday on the shites (sorry I meant sites) that Arshavin wants to play for Arsenal, all from his agent I have to add, but it beats the ‘I want to leave stories from the other two greedy ingrates, and is the best news since David Villa said something similar.
Will Arsene act on it? I doubt it, but we can fantasise and play football manager for a day or so.
I think Arsh would work, and I think Barry would work as well. The majority of you yesterday said (Barry) he’s big buddies with Gerrard and he is expensive, but I don’t see what being mates with Gerrard has to do with it frankly, also with all these others, such as YaYa, Bitchslap, Arshavin and Nasri - they would all take a year or so to get used to the EPL, Barry would not and for me that has to be worth a few million more.
If Hoyte were part of that deal he would probably cost around 12 mil, around what we will get for Hleb, so what’s the big deal?
Arshavin and Santa Cruz would be a good swap for Ade so if we did that, we would be stronger than last term, add Vela, Rosicky, Ramsey and RVP we would have the extra players we so desperately needed last season, so in all we would be a better side.
Any less and we would not have moved and have the added problem of bedding in, Ade took 2 seasons and Hleb 3 don’t forget.
So Ade, Hleb and Flamini out Nasri, Ramsey, Arshavin, Barry and Santa Cruz in, deep, deep joy! (I didn’t mention Jens, no point)
Don’t beleive the Eto’o stories, good as he is, he’s another Ade ego and Robin crock, and as you all know we have enough in those departments already.
If you did that today Arsene, I for one would stop bleating and really fancy our chances against the free spending Chavs, Mancs, scousers and spuds. Didn’t mention City as I think they need a lot more than they have.
If Wenger thinks we have financial problems now, then dropping out of the top four is unthinkable, so get the cheque book out, we’re a football team, not an estate agency.
Have another hopeful day Grovers, only four more to go!
July 15, 2008 at 8:56 am
Aha! 1st ………….
July 15, 2008 at 8:56 am
1st
July 15, 2008 at 8:56 am
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!
July 15, 2008 at 8:57 am
sod it 2nd then!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 15, 2008 at 8:57 am
4th
July 15, 2008 at 8:57 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvwy8MdUB64
Check our the chorus in this song…Arsenal….
July 15, 2008 at 8:57 am
5th and 500th on the old post!
July 15, 2008 at 8:58 am
(8th) 1st !!
July 15, 2008 at 8:58 am
Cor, i need a bloody lie down after that……….
July 15, 2008 at 9:00 am
Whats happened to Rico?? Has her husband locked her in a room or something!!
July 15, 2008 at 9:01 am
I’ve just seen Spuds are on the verge of signing Joaquin from Valencia!! What a come down in his career that would be. If he can get his fitness & form back though he can be some player!!
July 15, 2008 at 9:02 am
something worrying I fear… she has missed that 3 days running I think!
July 15, 2008 at 9:02 am
He was a bit fat last time I saw GMR?
Where do they keep getting the money from?
July 15, 2008 at 9:06 am
if wenger buys arshavin,barry,santacruz id be overjoyed and would take that potion the guy on evil dead took so that i could dream of arsenal wining the treble or quadruple every season.
July 15, 2008 at 9:07 am
15th……… YES !!!!!
July 15, 2008 at 9:10 am
Pedro, as I said he would have to get his fitness back but thats one area where ‘one day’ does excel, he really works on fitness.
I think the fee quoted was 7 million which isn’t bad really. You just have to accept that he wouldn’t play for the first couple of months until he got fit.
Apparently Blackburn were in for his as well.
July 15, 2008 at 9:10 am
Pedro, I was talking to an Spud (ex) work colleague of mine and I raised the same question, he said that the real owner of the Spuds (not Levy- he was just a puppet, and not just a muppet as spuds are in general) was some guy who lives in the caribeaan and was the CEO of something Investments.
He was pumping money into the spuds so that once he could get them into the champions league he could flog the club asap.
July 15, 2008 at 9:11 am
Any takers for Scott Carson…Stoke and West Brom fighting it out for $4mil, he aint a bad back up guys…England No 1 just a few months back? And then yes, Barry please, ok i’ll take Santa Crusie over Ade, just because I want rid of him….as for Arshvan i don’t think we can loose, hleb out arsevan in…..again i’d rather give a new guy a crack than have had hleb still kicking around. We get even a couple of these guys i’ll be happy…….still missing the defender talk though, would love to see us in for a CB.
July 15, 2008 at 9:13 am
I had a go with the F5 malarkey but geez it’s boring…
Barry would be great since he has Premier League experience and is a player who has just bloomed. He would get more time at Arsenal than at Liverpool, Liverpool have wound Villa up wuth their high pressure bidding, if they’re going to have to sell for 15 mill it’s more likely they’d rather do business with Arsenal than the scallywags, plus they could get a player in the deal that would be useful to them whom they believe they can develop further, namely Justin Hoyte.
Nasri will be a great player, according to Wenger he is “technically outstanding”, a reference we should all honour, and he can play on both wings, beind the first striker, in the middle, he’s a total midfielder. Rosciky looks set to return, Theo has shown his progress under Wenger’s guidance and there is still more to come, but we were short of wingers last season, and please don’t tell me Arshavin is not as good as Eboue.
Arshavin needn’t worry that he’d be short of playing opportunities…. if it’s a case of Arshavin competing with Eboue in training for a place in the team, I’m confident that wouldn’t worry Arshavin, but it might worry Eboue.
July 15, 2008 at 9:14 am
MOrning all! Getting up in the morning and seeing my fellow gunners talking bout spuds leaves bad taste in the mouth -IM going to wash my teeth 10min at least. SO please dont do it amigos…:)
July 15, 2008 at 9:17 am
READ THIS
was particularly shocked when in response to the story run in the News ofThe World, where Arsene Wenger spoke about debt repayments (it now seems that this was a complete fabrication), that fans began to criticise the decision to build the Emirates stadium. This came on the back of a period when the more reactionary element of the supporters were calling for foreign investment, possibly in the form of Alisher Usmanov, so that the club could compete in the transfer market. I have wanted to address some of the issues that I felt that raised ever since, but am doing so now in light of Danny Fisman’s interview put out on Arsenal TV online yesterday.
Now I am quite sensitive generally to criticism of the club that I love, that includes fellow Gooners; I personally do not understand those fans who think that there criticism is constructive or warranted. In my experience the best the fans can offer the club is their support, do you boo or sing up when we go-a-goal-down? I know that those fans who go to the games choose to encourage the team, stay loyal, and offer a sense of security to the side through that. However, I feel that the attacks on the board, and particularly regarding our current financial situation go beyond that; they in some way try to rewrite history, and that I think must be spoken out against, as well as truly endanger what at heart distinguishes Arsenal from the rest.
Let me first set the record straight about the stadium for all who have chosen to forget all but that which suits their own reactionary and bitter point of view. The move away from Highbury was essential for Arsenal Football Club to be able to compete financially at the top level of world football, to make the position that it has attained through Arsene Wenger’s brilliant stewardship self-sustainable. It would triple the match day revenue of the club, as well as ensuring that an extra 20,000 fans, or a 50% increase, would be able to watch the team they love.
I started going to games regularly with my Nan and cousin in 1991, up until the new stadium was built we had to queue from 7am to get tickets, the office opened at 9, and did this in all weather conditions. For big games we were subject to a postal lottery, although as we were there every day tickets went on sale front of the queue, the box office ensured we never missed out although this bent the rules. For people like us, with over a decade on the waiting list, the new stadium was a very welcome piece of progress quite aside form the economic perks for the club.
I think that any attempt to suggest that we could or should have stayed at Highbury is quite simply a distortion of fact, at best stupidly misinformed, at worst dishonest. The move to the Emirates has secured the club a financial base in line with its position on the field, as one of the top 10 clubs in Europe; that is fact. If there are debts until the redevelopments and flats are fully finished, then be patient and thankful that Arsene is there to weave his magic, but we would be worse off in Highbury. Plus, for real fans, and sorry folks there is a difference, it has meant that more of us can get to games. I tip my hat to those people who go to every away game, the time, money, and dedication is more than I have ever managed, sure there are very real constraints that stop me, but they still do it and I don’t, that principle is true and works on several levels.
Now, one might say that, “yes the stadium was necessary, but can’t we sell out to a rich investor to help in the short term?” No is the simple answer to that, I will base my argument on principle, but economics also works. I cant see how on any theoretical or moral grounds someone can buy a company, previously solvent, then plunge it into debt to the tune of its previous value, a la manure, nor how it can ever be profitable to the club in the long term; so I will leave that aside. I see quite clearly why selling out to rich Russian oligarchs is morally bankrupt, but to be quite honest I think that is just whoring and don’t want to lead a discussion about why; I think you see it or you don’t.
I think we should show some loyalty to the present board because they are Arsenal. This isn’t blind faith, I will be the first one shouting if they want to pay themselves dividends, but that is different to “thank a bunch, but I’ve got all the worth I can out of you, now pack up and get out.” Peter Hill-Wood may be getting senile, and like a tipple, but he and his father have spent their lives at Arsenal; so who the hell is some drivelling malcontent to tell him to beat it? (Just checked Wikipedia, you can add his grandfather to that list.)
On a personal note, my Nan spoke at Islington Town Hall when the final vote for planning permission for the stadium was in the balance, a truly massive night for the club and one where the outcome was genuinely in the balance. She spoke passionately, but simply, about what Arsenal meant to her as an Islington resident and the borough in general, telling of how her father had first taken her 55 years previously and she now took her grandchildren. Arsenal won the vote and Peter Hill Wood wrote personally to thank her for speaking, something she did off her own back and with great trepidation, then invited our whole family to watch the team train at London Colney. A class gesture from a man Arsenal through and through; good for him if he gets drunk and runs his mouth off, he has earned the right, which is more than I can say for me.
This leads us on to values, these start in the boardroom, are demanded and promoted by our manager, and then upheld by every member of the club if they are to truly exist. Wenger said when he signed his new contract,
“It is a special environment for me, but as well you must be careful to respond to that kind of trustand confidence by achieving the results and, as well, by behaving like the club wants you to behave. It’s a club of values, traditions and you feel that you have to respond to that kind of responsibility.
On Arsenal’s official site he was quoted as saying.
It’s important Arsenal maintains its values because they are what makes the club so popular,That is beyond any investment. The values are a bit of human class, distinction, respect for people and ambition to have a certain class in what you do. That’s what I felt when I came inside this football club. There was always fair play, a desire to do things well and respect for basic human values.
It’s a daily struggle to keep those values. They are not only decided by foreign investment because you can have bad English people as well who go the wrong way. But what I like at this club is that we have maintained our values, we have shown we care about our fans and the people who love the club.”
As ever, Arsene knows. I am not blind or naïve to the faults of him, the board, or the club, but if we are to display the values above, we need to acknowledge the job these people have done for our club, and show a shred of the loyalty we demand from our players. Ask any Spurs fan if they would like what we have, the manager, the trophies he has won, the stadium, and the permanent success – the would give a ball to get in the champions league just once – because if you come from North London that is still who you want to beat.
Peace and love to the family, keep the faith, and in Arsene we trust – this is our year.
July 15, 2008 at 9:22 am
1st?? eh
goodmorning fellas
July 15, 2008 at 9:22 am
MacMac - When’s that coming out in Paperback????
July 15, 2008 at 9:22 am
Le Grove writes; ‘ If Wenger thinks we have financial problems now, then dropping out of the top four is unthinkable, so get the cheque book out, we’re a football team, not an estate agency ‘
Agree 100% - unfortunately me thinks there are quite a few punters backing out of their ‘We’re the North Bank, We’re the Clock End’ - swanky appartments. If so, gonna leave a big whole in the Club’s expected income.
July 15, 2008 at 9:24 am
Good post & well said Finestcuts: great to hear some positivity this morning!
Still think we need a CB to bolster our defence but I suppose AW sees Barry as protection for them and back up in Song, Djourou, Nordveldt with the latter coming in next year more.
July 15, 2008 at 9:26 am
Hey Mac Mac…
Did you just cut and paste an AKB blog on here?
Where is the proof the stories were a fabrication?
How can you take someone seriously who says you should support the club in all their decisions, regardless?
How can you take someone seriously who says ‘My nan spoke to’…
I think the Grovers can make their mind up on the state of the club without some idiot dictating how you should support the Arsenal board and Wenger at all costs…
July 15, 2008 at 9:27 am
Good post. If Bentley heads to Villa we could also get a few more million off the asking price. It could turn out alright. I have a feeling he’s keen on Liverpool. he’ll know that if he comes to arsenal he will really have to work.
July 15, 2008 at 9:27 am
Well MACMAC that’s quite a stirring call to battle. Even though I may not agree with all your points the overall sentiment is one I, as a goon, will second.
I may show my frustration with the manager nad the board but for all the years of merciless digs by mank/spud supporting classmates/work colleagues(and that’s while living in London or the home counties for 36 of my 42 years) I think I’m entitled to the occasional moan.
The club you support is the only free choice you can make inl ife - above partnet, job/career or anything else. You stick with it no mattter what.
Goon till the end.
July 15, 2008 at 9:27 am
ITS FROM ARSENALINSIDER bud
July 15, 2008 at 9:29 am
Double Gooner… that is a rumour… not a fact.
We went through this yesterday… People rich enough and smart enough do not back out of property at the first sign of a dip in the market.
Those flats may drop in price, but they will always shoot back up again as it is designer property in London.
July 15, 2008 at 9:30 am
Well said Pedro. Read that blog earlier. I’m sick of these idiots who tell us our job is to just sit here and support AFC. Fuck off, will be here when these players and managers are long gone and if we want to piss and moan we have the fucking right to do so. It’s better than taking it out on work colleagues and random people in the street.,…Not that i have done that of course….
July 15, 2008 at 9:30 am
I don’t really care for Arse shavin, but whats scary is top4’s cash. Bet they end up selling their whole team next summer to repay the debt.
I dont get it when people talk about getting used to the prem, hell- does brazil win the world cup coz their the most used to the tournament, or because their players/teams are that good. Same for Italy.
July 15, 2008 at 9:32 am
I’ve come to a realisation that we will not be buying a CB, which has frustrated me all summer….so starting this morning I would like to officially wipe the slate clean, give the benefit of the doubt and give my full support to Big Phil Senderos. I’m trying to pick out some of the good games he has had, and he has head a couple (maybe one at least)…..just to go along with some of the positive statments we have this morning….a new CB aint gonna happen so lets throw our support behind the boy. I remember watching keown many many years ago after we just resigned him and all gooners thought he was shite, but look what happened there!
MACMAC;
Some great points sir and good effort on all that…I agree with a lot of what you have to say mate and it was a point wll made. I would just say though that getting to matches at the Arse has become very difficult for a lot of us….and I’ve been going to the Arse for over 20 years…I feel like I never go anymore. Thats not through choice.
July 15, 2008 at 9:33 am
Barry and Santa Cruz ? seems a perfect fit to me, but brobably has about 1% chance of happening! Why does everything have to take so flippin long to happen, Ade and Plab dragged on for weeks and weeks, just get rid of the pair of them asap, get the new guys in and lets start prepairing to win something this season (other than the emerates cup and the amsterdam tournament)
July 15, 2008 at 9:33 am
MACMAC I have been going since 1969, I have been a season ticket holder for most of that time, and I have the right to complain, they have had enough of my money, Arsene, great as he is, isn’t god, he’s a man like the rest of us and in Arsene I do not trust, especially when we have the chance to sign some great players and don’t.
And had we signed a couple last year we would have won the league, and we need a world class centerback and he thinks we don’t.
If he signs the above Barry, Arshavin and Santa Cruz I may well begin to trust, until then sorry.
July 15, 2008 at 9:34 am
If Ade and hleb go… Roque santa cruz and barry and arshavin would be good buys i feel
July 15, 2008 at 9:35 am
So what happened to the unvieling of Hleb as a Barca player yesyterday ?
Those hacks must think we’re mugs to believe the tripe they write/fabricate.
July 15, 2008 at 9:36 am
Mac Mac… blind faith shows a lack of intelligence.
If he doesn’t think the current board have personal interest, he is clearly not as informed as he would like to think.
When you have shares that are worth 10 times what they were, you don’t need a dividend.
Debt Free Club = Higher price at the point of sale.
Lets get over the board being saints… and major shareholders not getting anything out of the stadium move.
July 15, 2008 at 9:36 am
Where was Arsenal before AW it had a great history but it was not at good position . But i only support AW not anyone else from the board I think his strength made them look good on the media
July 15, 2008 at 9:36 am
Feck Santa Claus……… I want Villa and I think a deal is agreed, hence no-one else is moving for him and why Wenger is happy to sell Ade-wanker………. besides Fab4 gave it away in that interview in the Euro’s when “he said he hoped he (Villa) would play as well for us next season”, then looked away from the camera with an awkward/guilty face and changed the subject !!!!
July 15, 2008 at 9:37 am
well i was reading it until you said i when to the game with my NAN !
or Arsene 
???
Was this fizman
July 15, 2008 at 9:37 am
We won 8 trophies under George Graham. That was before you started supporting us though!
July 15, 2008 at 9:39 am
Just before he arrived, we finished 5th under Rioch with Bergkamp and Platt.
I think we finished outside the top 5 twice in 13 seasons?
July 15, 2008 at 9:39 am
Seems we’re all content with Barry, Arsvan & Santa Cruz….CB aint gonna happen, still no takers for Scott Carson @ $4mil? If we land these guys i’ll be feeling very good about the season ahead.
July 15, 2008 at 9:41 am
I would have Scott Carson.
July 15, 2008 at 9:41 am
greatest player no 4, Wrighty!!!
July 15, 2008 at 9:42 am
MacMac - Good letter. Many brilliant points in there distinguishing us from our rivals. Also the acknowledgement of faults in AW, the board etc. So perhaps if we keep stressing our defensive frailties while giving Big Phil our support to help his confidence in the meantime……………………………………………………..
July 15, 2008 at 9:44 am
bud i really hope that it is true!!!!
July 15, 2008 at 9:44 am
We all know what happened with Rebery last summer Aw wanted him so bad he almost talked about him in every interviews but they(the board) wouldn’t make it happened. As I’m saying I always trust AW’s dissection even if he had to make it in this tense situation financially
July 15, 2008 at 9:45 am
With Scott Carson’s high profile howler who would want him anyway ? Mind you he made less of those than fatty robinson at the Sp**s and we al know what happened to him.
I was watching the Cesc Fabregas show on Sky last night and saw the Villa reference - now that would lift the sagging goon spirits.
BTW one of the presenters was right - Fab4’s mum is a bit yummy !
July 15, 2008 at 9:46 am
Tony Adams No.1…gotta be.
July 15, 2008 at 9:46 am
I think to board are anyone but saints ..
its just this sort of propaganda that is dangled out there on hooks for some
jelly soft minded fans to absorb !
If you want the truth in a sentence or 3 we competed a lot better at highbury ,we barely
dropped out of the top 2 … i think the proof is in the pudding .. We had to compromise our football to attain this stadium , im sure there was other ways management could have made the change without this much compromising…
July 15, 2008 at 9:46 am
Patrick, you can keep deluding yourself about how well run we are, how great our bank balance is and how super Mr Wenger is. But at the end of the day, class never won you trophies.
If you are satisfied at finishing 3rd every year, why are you interested in football?
We’re not a football nursery. If Phil is not good enough, why are we giving him more pitch time. Surely 4 years is enough?
All a fans should care about is trophies, style of play and the cost of his season ticket and match day pint.
Don’t get sucked in by the propaganda machine telling you class is more important.
It’s what makes some Arsenal fans a laughing stock. Being satisfied with average.
July 15, 2008 at 9:48 am
hey i heard some rumours about brad frediel ….
So does that mean arsene is looking for more goal keeping options ..
i hope so …
July 15, 2008 at 9:49 am
Were f–ked if we do not buy a centre-half
All the talk of possible buys at the moment is fine, but we are deluding ourselves if we think we can win a serious trophy without buying in quality at the back.
Geoff - this should be your cause for the next few weeks. You know how weak we are under high balls.
July 15, 2008 at 9:49 am
if not Carson would take Friedel…looks like he’s set for Villa though….if Incy even sells, at the moment quoted as saying he has no intention.
July 15, 2008 at 9:52 am
How much would Arshavin cost us?
July 15, 2008 at 9:52 am
Geoff;
I think we would all back you big time if you can really start the cry for a defender,…i think w all agree thats what we need if we are gonna win anything, well said Bren. Start the petition and show us where to sign! Surley AW has given you his office no. by now…its only a matter of time before your powers of influence are all encompassing
July 15, 2008 at 9:52 am
I think there is a happy medium guys…
Everybody deserves the right to an opinion and a moan about the club and personnel due to the amount we all pay for season tickets.
However, you have to acknowledge what AW has done for the club.
Yes, we won trophies under GG, but at the time AW took over, in 95-96 - we were floundering.
For all of his faults, he is entirely responsible for the brand of football we all play, and the move to a fantastic new stadium, which we all know was the right move.
We are now established as one of the top 10 clubs in the world.
So i can understand why some people will defend the guy to the hilt.
Nobody is perfect, but who would you rather have? AW or Glenn hoddle? or Christian Gross? or Jaques Santini? or Martin Jol?
July 15, 2008 at 9:53 am
BUD when was that mate???
it is strange that both villa and silva were both linked to us early then nothings happened with us or any other club…!
not sure i can actually see the barry deal happening but the most important thing is that wenger is looking at top quality experienced DMs…
July 15, 2008 at 9:55 am
Charybdis1966
I am not up to date with who owns what ar spuds. If Levy isn’t the main share holder who is?
Their spending is defying gravity. This has got to be their last throw of the dice. If Ramos doesn’t work out I cannot believe that they can afford to allow their next manager to spend similar amounts in an attempt to put his own stamp on that team.
They have got to be gambling everything on this.
July 15, 2008 at 9:55 am
For what it’s worth from looking at an Aston Villa blog it seems the Villans are quite ticked off at the Poo and would rather sell Barry to us.
Not that what the fans think will ever influnece a club in any way of course.
July 15, 2008 at 9:55 am
That arsenalinsider post was o.k. Im with the fans against russian oligarchs. That- as has been said- would be whoring. New signings or not, if u ask me, the only real players we’ve lost so far are Gilberto and Jens. The others were just one season hits.
And Pedro’s post after MACs was messed up, IMHO.
July 15, 2008 at 9:58 am
Ethan - our football’s improved 100% not been compromised. I’ll agree our signings may have been but even with our shallow squad last season we almost made it so some re-enforcing this season with a few improvements (2-3 experienced talented was it) we’ll be set to win something this season. Barry, Nasri & Arshavin would do it but there could be more with Hleb & Ade still to move out.
There’s also the possibility that Vela could hit the ground running, Ramsey could prove better than some think and the Theo’s another year older let alone the others!
July 15, 2008 at 9:58 am
Joseph Lewis London.
July 15, 2008 at 9:58 am
Bren and Morrowsbrokenarm I would if I thought it would work, but he’s too stubborn I’m afraid.
Matt, Wenger has done a lot, but fucking hell, he gets £6 million a year for his trouble, he didn’t in Japan, we’ve done a lot for him too.
No one called him the worlds best coach at Monaco did they?
Think not about what you do for your club, think about what your club does for you. -John Kennedy!
Honestly who had heard of him before he came to Arsenal?
July 15, 2008 at 10:00 am
Arshavin- barry
something tells me arsene is looking for an experienced campaigner !
thank god for that .. Wow both are around the 27 mark .. Its very surprising !
lets hope we get at least 1 of them
July 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
I read that Arsenal analysis piece that macmac has pasted, it got my blood boiling again, but I just followed Pedro’s advice & clicked the close browser icon without leaving a comment.
I’m not going to take a piece seriously from a guy thats only been going Arsenal since 1992 & quotes wikipedia as his reference to things such as the Hill-Woods. The guy knows nothing & I’m sick of correcting people about PHW. If people want to claim his a fan then let them, they are obviously beyond reason & beyond help!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
Matt, it is easy to say, ‘If Wenger wasn’t in charge would you prefer every shit manager under the sun’…
What about if Wenger wasn’t in charge… would we have done ok with Hiddink, Van Gaal, Bobby Robson or Cappello?
Slim Shady, what was messed up?
July 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
I’m sorry MACMAC but I just cant understand people like you!!!! Had we forked out say 20 million on Torres we would have won the League last season no question.
Maybe we don’t need a Central Defender BUT there are more arguments against that decision than there are for it… here is where a fan can question Wenger:
What happens when Almunia gets injured… we are right up slack alley. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Fabianski is NOT ready for the premiership, he still has that deer in the headlights look on his face when he goes up against set pieces… I wholeheartedly questions Wengers decsion to go in to next season with these two as our 1st and 2nd choices between the sticks!!!
And fundamentally dont give me that bullshit “you’re only a fan if you go to the game crap”…. I go to the games not only to watch the team I love but I also want to see top players… Man U fans get to watch a plethora of class from the the keepers right the way through to the strikers, and we have to pay to watch trip like Eboue… The Arsenal Liverpool games is a prime example of the complete lack of respect we are shown as season ticket holders, both teams basically had there shittest players on show for most of the game and it was a BORING 1-1. Don’t tell me what I can and can’t say about the club… it may not be in crisis but it certainly is not without its flaws and I for one am not going to bend over and lube up with out causing one hell of a fuss!!!
We are endanger of becoming like Liverpool, we’ll win the odd Cup here and there but we can’t sustain a title challenge without world class players throughout the entire squad… and untill you realise that not even Le Prof is faultless please keep you pretentious pre-conceived comments to yourself!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:01 am
London, I think it’s the owner of ENIC who actually owns the Sp**s and lives in the Cayman Islands. The Sp** was adamant that Levy was only a front man and didn’t really have much influence in the direction the club/bunch of muppets was taking. It does sound like a last desperate throw of the dice as it seems they’ve been bursting to get into the CL for ages.
Ah, but for the joys of Lasagne they were nearly there.
July 15, 2008 at 10:02 am
Chary, Jospeh Lewis is the man pulling the strings
July 15, 2008 at 10:03 am
Imagin if we had too lose Wenger today to Real madrid or one of the Italian clubs what will you say Goeff ?
but I know for good nobody is bigger than the Grove !
July 15, 2008 at 10:04 am
Yes Pedro, I couldn’t remember the guys name - it must be him.
July 15, 2008 at 10:05 am
Pedro
Did I understand this correctly? Joseph Lewis is the spuds principle share holder. Is he financing their spending spree?
July 15, 2008 at 10:09 am
ENIC, which has long held a stake in Tottenham and is ultimately owned chairman Daniel Levy and the family interests of Joseph Lewis.
Joe lewis lost $900million when bear sterns went tits up a few months ago. So the guy has money to burn…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/17/ufntot117.xml
July 15, 2008 at 10:09 am
what did Fizman say on the interview.
AW has done a lot for the Arse, but I blame him squarley for us losing it in March. Not Ade, not Birmingham, but Arsene Wenger. by the way, did he actually play on the weekend? At the Zidane game?
July 15, 2008 at 10:09 am
MACMAC I may be relieved to be honest, get in a Bergkamp or a Van Basten, I’m bored with signing kids and not established players.
He never used to do it and he was never an ageist, it’s his new thing, we used to have plenty of players over 30.
What is he looking at in Eboue and Senderos???
You are right about Le Grove though, thanks.
July 15, 2008 at 10:09 am
Nobody can argue against wengers record at Arsenal, and I’m sure if he had a free reign on transfers he would bring in the players we want to see and we wouldn’t be trophy less the last 3 seasons, things have gone wrong the last 3 / 4 years, the big names have gone, the trophys have gone, we’ve moved grounds and the transfer kitty has shrunk. Fucking stinks!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:15 am
Yes Pierre but Wenger said we had to move to compete with the big boys, we’re now doing the opposite! that’s what stinks.
July 15, 2008 at 10:15 am
Wrighty at number 4 in AFC all time greatest players.
Surely then
3. TH14
2. TA6
1. DB10
but will probably be
3. DB10
2.TA6
1. TH14
July 15, 2008 at 10:17 am
Jason - I’m not deluded in thinking we are well run currently, allowing Flam to run down his contract etc. AW has too little support especially competency at negotiating transfers for players in let alone the fees for those leaving (in some cases). As reflected yesterday DD is missed on that score and although Friar is a jack of all trades apparently he’s lost his edge……………….
I’m also not happy at finishing 3rd, but sometimes you have to go backwards in life in order to move forwards and I don’t feel 3 seasons missing out on silverware, and even in the last two we went very, very close (CL; EPL). We now have a much better stadium, training facilities, far bigger income, and are ready to push on.
I am interested in football, yes football(!), that’s why I have faith in AW and what he has produced and is producing. I see his flaws also which is why I blog here!!!!
Do you REALLY love FOOTBALL or would you rather be with the Chavs the year before last watching that crap as they WON with all their millions piled in. Short term it was great for the Chavs but now they’re looking for OUR type of football too!
We can have it all with a few more key signings - I know what I prefer!!!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:18 am
Guys can u tell me something? At this time last year i was unaware of this site or the newsnow site and i only read rumours on the bbc site and i heard absolutely nothing of eduardo until the signing was official. Was there all the hussle and bussle with eduardo like there was with nasri and ramsey???
July 15, 2008 at 10:19 am
I completely agree with on Eboye and Senderos Goeff they have had enough chance . which some time I completely disagree with AW ‘s dissection to keep them and not singing another defender and so on there are some issues which make me gutted .But I still consider he is the best opposition we can have in the world of football at the monument
July 15, 2008 at 10:20 am
Pierre: I don’t think the transfer kitty has shrunk, I just think that Wenger has put himself in a position where spending will go against the “values” of the club.
I think Wenger is still the best man for the job, I just think he needs to shake off the beer goggles when it comes to players like Eboue and Sendeross (although I’m actually a big fan of the latter).
And there are ridiculous admin errors that are cropping up everywhere that need to be reigned. Flamini wanted 75 a week, I think he would have taken 65… he for me was our most important (NOT influential) player last season, he is the reason that Fabregas could deal with the maters at hand… and now we may well spend 15 mill on Barry, an older/less technical defensive midfielder!!!
Would it not have made more sense to just give Flam a little extra on the side… of course not, this is arsenal isn’t it? we must adhere to our out of date values, where inflation affects season tickets but not, it would appear, the wage structure!
July 15, 2008 at 10:20 am
You can argue Wenger’s record at Arsenal. It’s ok for a big club or exceptional for a midtable team, but it doesn’t compare to Alex Ferguson’s record.
I remember Wenger saying he couldn’t chance playing kids because they cost the team points & at a big club you can’t afford that. Its just another example of his contradictions!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:21 am
Can someone post AW’s club manager stats before Arsenal. Maybe he sucked. I agree that the club has done more for him than the other way round. Since the Chavs sugardaddy showed up, he’s turning us into a some kind of top2arsenal.
PS/ No kind of Spud comparison intended.
July 15, 2008 at 10:22 am
Gotta back Sandman up, valid point made. What happens if the following are injured or drop form. Look at their replacements…
Almunia? (Fabinski)
Gallas/Toure ? (Senderos/Djoure)
Glichy (Can only hope he goes another season relativley free of any injury or else we get Hoyt/Senderos filling in)
Cesc? (who we are heaping pressure on by not buying a class partner)
Could probably go on but you get the point.
This is why we are worried, and why we question AW. I don’t dispute what he’s done, I think he’s a great manager and love what hes done for us….but if he wants to maintain his legacy he needs to sort his shit out.
July 15, 2008 at 10:23 am
Patrick, why can’t we watch great football and sign great players.
Since Wenger has been in charge he has spent a total of 22 million and when we were at Highbury we were debt free, masses of prize money has come in and we still spend nothing, I feel if we had then we would have won a lot more and earned more money, it seems like a poor excuse to me.
And it’s boring, even Bruce Rioch spent money.
July 15, 2008 at 10:26 am
Eboue drove me nuts last season on the wing, but that aint his position, a Wenger experiment gone very weong…but I was very pleased with him season before when he came in at RB, im a little surprised by a lot of the anti Eboue comments….im happy with him as back up to Sagna.
July 15, 2008 at 10:26 am
Kenny no, the first we heard of it was when Sky Sports announced it! Eduardo that is.
July 15, 2008 at 10:28 am
Bridge is off to Pompey on the cheap…why not go for him and have two class LBs, we seem afraid of building a squad…only looking at the first 11. The big boys look for 2 class players in every position. We could have Bridge & Carson for uner $10mil
July 15, 2008 at 10:29 am
Geoff with all the crap thats going on this season how the hell did they manage to keep it so quiet???
July 15, 2008 at 10:30 am
Sandman
The idea that we could have signed Torres if we had offered £20 mil is ridiculous. The Spanish connections of Liverpool are so strong that it was obvious to every other club in the EPL that any attempt to buy him would be futile in the same way, due to our French connections, no other club in the EPL was going to bother trying to tempt Nasri.
July 15, 2008 at 10:31 am
Slim, you didn’t say why my comment was messed up?
GMR I agree, you can’t knock Wenger’s record unless you compare it to others…
Mourinho wasn’t wrong when he said Arsene has the best job in football. No one will ever call for his head.
I am not saying we should… but that is the fact of the matter.
There is such a thing as taking a club as far as you can though… Brian Clough anyone?
July 15, 2008 at 10:31 am
Bizarre eh Kenny!
London, we could have had Torres 3 years ago for a lot less, when Reyes was begging us to sign him, I think Houlier was in charge then.
July 15, 2008 at 10:32 am
Both Villa and Silva are still on holiday and will sign on their return !!!
I did after all tell you last year before the end of the season that Flamini and Hleb would leave and that Ade was a C*** !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUD KNOWS !!!!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:34 am
Wenger loves their work ethic and noted the Opta stats that they covered more ground than any other forward or Winger in Euro 2008….. + they are quite good !!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:34 am
Bud, you’re confidence gives me great hope…even if its just a dream for a minute or two….sounds great…imagine the change in feling at the club if we landed both….we can dream.
July 15, 2008 at 10:35 am
And that my Chumly-Warners is why Cesc has a smile like a Pig in shit the whole time at the moment !!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:35 am
Its not a dream…. just remember BUD KNOWS !
July 15, 2008 at 10:35 am
In Bud We Trust
July 15, 2008 at 10:36 am
i have a feeling us looking for a captain as well as a defensive mid would result in barry…. and the captaincy issue is as important as the defensive one.
July 15, 2008 at 10:36 am
I’m with you BUD! I want to believe…the truth is out there.
July 15, 2008 at 10:37 am
Geoff
I remember the time well. Torres didn’t want to leave Athetico at that time. He was not for sale. The idea that if only Wenger had listerned to Rayes we would have been able to buy him is, I am sure you would agree, nonsense.
July 15, 2008 at 10:37 am
MACMAC - I actually support Arsenal Football Club, not Arsene Wenger, i appreciate all he’s done for us, but he is NOT Arsenal Football Club.
Being able to reason and debate is what sets us apart from the rest of god’s creatures, without that we’re nothing short of mindless morons, who let others do our thinking for us.
Arsenal Football Club is VERY important to me, and when i see something being done/not being done that IMO may harm my club then i have every right to vioce my opinion………
July 15, 2008 at 10:37 am
My client Mandunko Dknob Dknob will be most upset by all these arrivals!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:38 am
I think, although young, Cesc has to be captain. I think it would tie him to us even more….and he is ready to bleed red & white…i can’t think of any others, maybe Kolo.
July 15, 2008 at 10:38 am
Bud, where from art thou did thee gain such knowledge?
July 15, 2008 at 10:39 am
London, everyone has their price.
July 15, 2008 at 10:39 am
anyone with the money could have signed torres, but only benitez went after him with any purpose… if we’d got him it may even have helped reyes settle and be the player could have been to!!!
BUD for arsenal press officer please!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:40 am
Does it worry anyone that we don’t seem to have any real leaders in the squad…i could be way off here but im thinking about captains and I can’t pull a lot of names? Hence the need for established experienced DM & CB.
July 15, 2008 at 10:43 am
Anyone see the article on young guns?? Adebayor’s shhoting accuracy was the best at the club last season (Vela had a better accuracy but he wasn’t at the club). Considering he had the most shots thats a decent achievement, the more shots you have the worse you should be.
July 15, 2008 at 10:43 am
shooting = shhoting
July 15, 2008 at 10:43 am
Exactly Geoff… what has been the difference over the years between Fergie and Wenger… In my opinion it’s the fact that whenever we won any of our titles we didn’t bother to bolster the squad which for me is why we never defended our title… where has all that bloody money gone… 25 million a year in mortagage payments thats 15 games @ 3mill games to pay for that… shirt sales profit from players, concerts, bloody pop idol auditions, £73.50 for a burger etc etc… where is the rest of the money going!!!
See here is the problem… If I sell cars for £100 a pop (yes I have a point, its coming) And then suddenly decide to sell the same cars for £300 aaaand then have the nerve to BOAST about offering the same… heck a worse service to my customers on my website what do you think would happen… I reckon I’d be strung up!!!
Roughly translated:
Mr. Emirates S. Tadium: “Hey gooners look how much money I am… ahem!!!….I mean we are all earning… I am….ahem!!!… I mean, we are the richest club in the world… of course we conveniently forget to mention that it is you the fans that are making us the richest club in the world, but hey, you’re all alright with that arent you, we arent going to repay you with any success in the immediate future, but again you are all alright with that aren’t you. I know we havent given you anything in the way of a return but just keep giving us bank and we will keep fielding Eboue… its a win win situ guys trust me…. now be a good boy and renew you’re ticket on the basis that you havent got a fucking clue who will be playing for the team in less than a month… there’s a good doggy…”
Or am I just talking shite… in fact, dont answer that!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:43 am
Listen, hopefully by Saturday when I get Pedro the big one (interview) with Arsene Wenger, you will know the truth !!!!!!!!
Pedro/Geoff - if I am going to push for the big names, Pedro is gonna have to bring some literature, glossy screen dumps / stats on Le-Grove etc. It will give gravitas to my bullshit….. I have a dictaphone, but I suggest Pedro you also bring Pad & Pen !!!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:44 am
DDM, it is the same premise that if you question anything your country does you are being unpatriotic…
Make people feel bad for questioning the board or Arsene and they might think twice about doing it…
Rubbish I am afraid.
July 15, 2008 at 10:44 am
Geoff - Maybe we don’t appreciate what’s in front of us.
Everybody saw the team last season sail to 5 points clear despite misgivings about the centre of defence, Jens, injuries to our super-charged attack. Nobody would have needed BIG NAMES if that success had continued. If we’d won nobody would be shouting and denigrating the team.
The STARS are there but need adding to; that is what we’re all debating, well most of us. TEAM is key, though you do need leaders within that which is why we have struggled at times, one of AW’s oversights (I believe). AW will continue to buy players like Nasri who will not stand out too much from the others but will conform to the high skills of the TEAM play; another reason why SC will probably come in rather than Villa who the ‘kids’ would put on a pedestal, although he’s not too egotistical so I live in hope!
July 15, 2008 at 10:44 am
Barry would be good, but Wenger won’t spent £18 mill on him. We don’t need Arshavin AND Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz is decent but too slow to replace Ade, Arshavin is unproven at the top level and too similar to what we already have, although he could just set the Premiership alight. Eto’o is a better option than both of these two, he’s more what we need than Arshavin and infinitely better than Santa Cruz. But your right, he has a massive ego, and his wage demands are ridiculous.
July 15, 2008 at 10:45 am
GMR, he was the only one shooting!
I remember when Thierry had the most shots on target and off target in the premiership.
July 15, 2008 at 10:46 am
Patrick, this blog was calling for star names at Christmas. Anyone who watched week in week out could see our squad was depleted…
July 15, 2008 at 10:47 am
Arshavin was outstanding in the Uefa cup last season on their way to beating teams like Bayern Munich, he was also superb for 2 of the games in the Euro’s despite lacking fitness after an injury. I don’t think he’s unproven just untried in a better league!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:48 am
MACMAC, if you choose to copy and paste an entire article please reference the source of your own accord.
Regarding the article you copied and pasted, I agree with this section:
“It’s important Arsenal maintains its values because they are what makes the club so popular,That is beyond any investment. The values are a bit of human class, distinction, respect for people and ambition to have a certain class in what you do. That’s what I felt when I came inside this football club. There was always fair play, a desire to do things well and respect for basic human values.
It’s a daily struggle to keep those values. They are not only decided by foreign investment because you can have bad English people as well who go the wrong way. But what I like at this club is that we have maintained our values, we have shown we care about our fans and the people who love the club.”
The aforementioned values of respect, aiming for success by playing good football rather than by negative tactical means etc. are also values dear to me and most other Arsenal fans.
“Now I am quite sensitive generally to criticism of the club that I love, that includes fellow Gooners; I personally do not understand those fans who think that there criticism is constructive or warranted. ”
The author states that s/he does not understand ANY criticism whatsoever by Arsenal fans, implying that any comment which doesn’t conform to the view of official statements made by the club. Once again:
“there criticism is constructive or warranted. ”
Those over there or their?
“Now, one might say that, “yes the stadium was necessary, but can’t we sell out to a rich investor to help in the short term?” No is the simple answer to that, I will base my argument on principle, but economics also works.”
Economics works?
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Patronising the reader with over simplistic explanations can do more harm than good when aiming to put your point across, but then again it also depends on the audience you’re trying to reach. (You in general if in doubt)
“A class gesture from a man Arsenal through and through; good for him if he gets drunk and runs his mouth off, he has earned the right, which is more than I can say for me.”
A gesture made by an entire class or “classy”? So should we employ double standards and tolerate someone mindlessly rambling when by our own standards we normally wouldn’t?
“As ever, Arsene knows. I am not blind or naïve to the faults of him, the board, or the club, but if we are to display the values above, we need to acknowledge the job these people have done for our club, and show a shred of the loyalty we demand from our players.”
The fans’ loyalty remains constant, and that encompasses the whole club, but that doesn’t mean that issues should be swept under the carpet. If you’re an employee of a company or a consumer of a particular brand you remain loyal but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need a “yes boss” mentality, there are differences in every organisation or group, and submitting your will to those who you deem to be superior to you is actually counter-productive. For example, you may be a customer of a net provider, and even though you’re satisfied with the overall quality of their brand, you may not be satisifed with their customer service representatives, the way the company chooses to advertise itself to gain new customers, but you tolerate it because you understand that the pros outweigh the cons. Feedback is absolutely necessary, a football club is a social organisation. It consists of supporters who communicate together, discuss the club, what they like and what they don’t, whether the clubs choose to act upon or ignore the feedback given by those who enable the club to exist is an entirely different matter. Finding the right balance is key, when to address concerns and when to follow a plan through despite criticism.
Each of us preceives life in a slightly different way, it is also important to take that into account before asserting that those who you disagree with are in a general people who have a mentality “thank a bunch, but I’ve got all the worth I can out of you, now pack up and get out.” This a prejudice of the author, if such accusations are to be made it should made clear who is being referred to to give this statement any credence.
“so who the hell is some drivelling malcontent to tell him to beat it?”
Who is being referred to? It’s a highly amusing description of those who may not share the views of the author, but if the author wishes to be taken seriously in this matter, such a response to those who have made statements they disagree with is likely to be counter-productive.
July 15, 2008 at 10:49 am
Pedro, RVP had 46 shots so not a massive deal under half of Adebayor but he was a fraction less accurate. Shouldn’t he be way ahead in accuracy if Ade is as shit as everyone says??
July 15, 2008 at 10:49 am
In short please ?!
July 15, 2008 at 10:50 am
If wed won the league/European cup w would still need to be having these converstations now…we need players, we should always be building….Utd win the league and euro double…and they go out to spend 30mil on Berbatov….thats the differnce between 1st and 3rd lads!
July 15, 2008 at 10:51 am
Regarding Adebayor, you jaust have to look at games Like AC Milan away to see what he brings to the team… ihe is the only defensive, holding midifield striker in the world!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:52 am
ethangunner Says:
July 15, 2008 at 9:37 am
well i was reading it until you said i when to the game with my NAN !
or Arsene 
???
Was this fizman
No it wasn’t Ethan.
July 15, 2008 at 10:53 am
santa can do the holding up part of ade games but not the running… ade chased allot of lost causes and is lightening quick (quicker over 60yrds than theo!)
July 15, 2008 at 10:54 am
Tom
Benitez know before most when Torres was coming on the market. The reason by the way was that Athletico failed to qualify for the CL (again). Benitez was able to act with purpose and as soon as he did everyone else knew any attempt would be futile because the strong Spanish culture in the Liverpool dressing room would be such a strong lure to someone like Torres who had never left Spain before. The idea that Wenger lacked the desire to sign him is simply wrong. Sometimes it simply isn’t a case that everyone has their price. If that was the case Fabregas would no longer be with us.
July 15, 2008 at 10:54 am
Good Morning Gents - Temperatures raising again then
Well I guess its time for a girlie decision….
Macmac - I have supported our mighty club for the last 30-35 years, and I am not lucky enough to be a Season Ticket holder, but I am a Red Member, as is my better half. So I have to confess, I dont get to as many games as I would like to, but I do when I can - I used to manage to get to Highbury a lot more often and a lot more easily than I can to The Emirates, and yes I often think ‘its better to watch the game on TV’ - Does that make me a lesser fan than a season ticket holder???
Also, the last time we went to The Emirates it took about three hours just to get on the outskirts of London, at Highbury we were home in less than half that time - That is one of the reasons I give for wishing to stay at the old ground.
And as many have said time and time again, all the price increases, the dreadful access to the ground and exit, the stupid price for a coffee could be bearable if….
The new stadium gave us what we were promised,
More revenue
More players of a better age/experience
Silverware (which is a must)
Big Name signings
It just insn’t happening, and yes, AW is a good coach, but what he seems to enjoy is making 17-22 year old good, and that is good, but I suggest he gets a good crop of experience - a team together that KNOWS how to win, not to get used to coming ’so close’…
Rant over
SSN’S - Spanish punter on Eto’o - he reports that ‘Eto’o is a spikey player who has been treated dreadfully by Barca, Barca have had no offers for him. If AFC are able to get him, they should. He is, when fit, one of the best strikers in the world’
GH believes that half of the problem with his attitude is due to the way he has been treated by Barca….
Villa
Barry/Yaya
Santa Cruz/Eto’o
Bischoff
Richards/Lescott?
July 15, 2008 at 10:55 am
Should have read - Girlie opinion, not decision!! Sorry
July 15, 2008 at 10:55 am
Adebayor made 1221 passes with a pass completion of 80%, the joint highest percentage with RVP. He made 47 crosses which was 9 less than RVP but his completion rate was 15% as opposed to RVP’s 14%. He made 20 tackles (more than the other strikers at the club again) with an 80% success rate.
I think those figures show his value to the team!! I still want him to go though because he’s a c**t, but we do need a replacement & a top quality one at that!!
July 15, 2008 at 10:59 am
GMR - Im pretty much of the same view as you re Ade, I really thought he loved our club and had he kept his mouth shut, proved he can perform for more than one season, he would have got the wage he deserved.
He is a pratt, and could have been a hero - but like many a hero, he has gone to Zero in my view..
Its just a shame
July 15, 2008 at 11:01 am
Good call on Lescott Rico…very under rated defender. Nice to see there is another fan from way back, who can’t get to many games at the Emarites…wanted to take my new Wife to a match as she has never been…couldn’t score a ticket for anything. All the old boys who had season tickets with me at the clock end have had to stop going for one reason or another…nostalgic rant over.
July 15, 2008 at 11:02 am
Great analysis Finestcuts.
GMR:
RVP 13 starts, 1079 minutes, 7 goals, 46 shots. 2 assists
Ade, 32 starts, 2932 minutes, 24 goals, 104 shots, 4 assists
RvP would have got 19 goals if he’d played the same minutes as Ade, 5 assists and 101 shots.
July 15, 2008 at 11:03 am
Another interesting piece of transfer news, NO other team other than Man City have made an offer for Ronnie - So Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeelan dont want him then. It should all be ironed out within 48 hours according to SSN
July 15, 2008 at 11:03 am
i agree GMR but theres not many people out there with the same aspect to their game… if they are strong they are usuall slow, likewise if they are very fast they are usually small!!
hes not irreplaceable but it not an easy job, and if ade is seen as a 1 season wonder why isnt santa cruz???
July 15, 2008 at 11:03 am
rico, Lescott, YES!!!
July 15, 2008 at 11:04 am
Geoff - I don’t remember exactly about the injury situation last Xmas but we were concerned about the defence when Toure & Song left us for 6 weeks but Senderos performed well in their absence. AW has said he wasn’t expecting Djourou to return from loan injured and Toure & Song in similar mode which upset the defence. Meanwhile despite RVP & Rosicky’s injuries which were thought to be minor at the time, Eduardo was fulfilling his promise ‘ a fox in the box after Xmas’.
Can you point out the flaws in that? I agree the defence was a little short which AW has acknowledged but gambled unsuccessfully on. The rest was unforeseen MAJOR injuries costing our offence and TIREDNESS as a result of frailties in the squad causing further injuries and implosion.
July 15, 2008 at 11:04 am
Wouldn’t it be a nice touch if we revealed a player or two at the emirates cup and had them play their debut then…… THAT would be classy and seeing as thats all the board care about we should do it.
July 15, 2008 at 11:04 am
any signings lads, been out of the loop at bit?
July 15, 2008 at 11:05 am
RvP was only unforseen to Arsene… the rest of us knew the score… RvP and Rosicky are perma injured… Theo wasn’t ready and Nikki B wasn’t doing it… we wanted Anelka.
July 15, 2008 at 11:07 am
Pedro - I bet we could still get Anelka, especiall after he cool penalty miss reaction..
July 15, 2008 at 11:07 am
Sorry Patrick, but you prooved the point that there was a major flaw in AW season plans….he didn’t have a squad capable of covering injuries…and a month out from start of season we still don’t!
July 15, 2008 at 11:08 am
Patrick, RVP wasn’t a trivial injury and nor was Rosicky, Wenger said he didn’t have a date for either of them, Flamini still hadn’t signed and we let Diarra go, so that’s 3 players down on the starting line up in August and he bought no one, that’s all I can remember, there’s probably more.
And given we were short at the start of the season…
July 15, 2008 at 11:08 am
I remember THAT and I thought it might happen. In hindsight with his lack of success for the Chavs would you have been right?
July 15, 2008 at 11:09 am
Morrow- thats one of the reasons I would like to see barry come in- he’s a great leader and could fill the captain role after gallas leaves. It would be nice to have an English captain again. What I don’t agree with is your complaints about squad depth. I agree we need another goalie, but worst comes to worst I think Fabian can do a job. CB is defo our thinnest area, but u say we have no back up for clichy; well I think traore was beginning to look class at the end of last season, reminds me of Gael when he was deputising for Cole.
Then you say we have no back up for cesc- obv no one can be as good, but man u have no repl acement for ronaldo, liverpool for torres, spuds for berba, etc. This is the definition of a star player! We have strength in CM, provided we sign barry or someone similar. Diaby, denilson, ramsey, song and don’t forget gilberto.
I haven’t been on here for a while as it was all getting a bit
negative due to lack of transfer