So Arsene and Ade met at pre-season training and Ade refuses to slap in a transfer request, great I hear some of you saying, bollocks I hear from others.
Let me explain why Ade won’t first. If he does, he forfeits his 10% of the transfer fee, which in his case could be as much as £3mil, given that his sole aim is to top up his pension fund to help the poor kids in Togo and buy his mum a bigger house, I don’t expect him to want to lose that, he does however want his salary to reflect his standing in the team.
Here’s an idea, pay him a bonus of say £100,000 a goal, that would be an extra £3 million a year, then dock him say £50,000 for each miss, that would also be £3,000,000 a year, add to that say £50,000 for each pointless offside and that would come to £1,200,000, which out of his current salary of £1,820,000 a year would leave him £620,000, that in turn would leave him on a paltry, yes paltry £12k a week.
So Ade put your skills where your mouth is and let’s see how the season pans out, let’s bring in payments on results, you’ll be the first, if you’re so good, or at least as good as you think you are, you could in theory be the games highest earner, if on the other hand you are as useless as we all think you are, your salary will go down, which will in fact reflect your real standing.
I’m sure if Cesc or Sagna worked on tackles made and assists they would double their salaries.
I still think Barry is coming, Liverpool have put in an offer for Keane, which would end their interest and Sporting have said Velosa is going nowhere, so that leaves YaYa and given he’s African and all the problems that come with the ACN - also the Hleb transfer went through and I feel he would have been part of that if that deal was on, it only leaves Barry.
Unless of course Diaby steps up, I think he can, it’s his injury record that worries me, Denilson is just not good enough so I think Barry is the one.
I just hope it happens sooner rather than later, going to the last day serves no purpose.
I also hope that Merida figures this year, he did look good for Spain, I also would prefer Gibbs to Traore, but I would prefer Silva to either of them, Rogers may step up too, that would be interesting.
A lot to ponder on today, I wonder if Arsenal would consider my play for pay idea?
Have a great day today Grovers, yesterday was a big one, let’s make today bigger!
July 22, 2008 at 8:51 am
10th
July 22, 2008 at 8:51 am
2nd
July 22, 2008 at 8:53 am
Ha!
July 22, 2008 at 8:53 am
Cobblers!
July 22, 2008 at 8:54 am
55th??
July 22, 2008 at 8:55 am
rightnow I read the post hah
July 22, 2008 at 8:56 am
Good read Geoff - Ade has bought his mum a big house, but she wont live in it as she doesnt want to forget her life and how hard it was….
Ade obviously didnt get here genes…..
Things really have to get going, both on in’s and out’s - we have a bucket load of games coming up, and any new players really need to be a part of them -
Gallas - he may go and join up with his old mate Mak at PSG - IF a big scarey CH replaces him, together with another that we need anyway, all wont be doom and gloom..
Villa in today then??
Barry - maybe today then??
July 22, 2008 at 8:57 am
Meant to add, love your theory re the wages….. Ade would be bankrupt!!
July 22, 2008 at 8:58 am
A different look at the transfer issue
A member of the Arsenal youth team was in the pub having a few quiet beers .
The door opened and in walked the most stunning woman
5′9′ tall, stunning blue eyes, silky blonde hair, an hourglass
figure barely covered by a tiny mini skirt and a flimsy cotton top.
you could see she was not wearing a bra and her incredibly firm breasts were
on show. No sooner had he taken another sip when the girl pulled up another barstool close to him and sat down.She said ‘ Hi ‘, . She asked how he was and much to his surprise took his hand and placed it on her perfect inner thigh, rubbing it up and down.
‘So, does that make you feel good?’ she asked. ‘In fact, I’ll bet you’ve never
felt this good before.’
‘Well, I have,’ he corrected her. ‘You see, when I was 17, I was plucked from the
Arsenal youth team as the Manager hadnt signed enough first team players to replace the transferred players and I played a first team premiership match at the Emirates in front of a massive crowd - I felt really good.’
In response she took his hand off her thigh and put it up the front of her top. Her nipple pushed into his palm as she massaged his hand into her pert, perfect breast.
‘How do you feel now,’ she purred.-’OK’ he replied.
Again, she said, I’ll bet you’ve never felt-THIS good before!’
Unbelievably he said ‘Well, actually I have. In that game,we were level on goals with
about a minute left in the match and I was mown down in the penalty area ‘Much to my suprise the Captain said I could take the penalty -THAT felt really good
“Ahhh….” she growled between clenched teeth, more than a bit miffed,
pulled his hand from under her top and thrust it down the front of her skirt.
His fingers immediately met what felt like a wisp of soft cotton, and she
was wet !!!!
She snapped, ‘Well tell me this, Smart Ass: Have you ever felt such A PERFECT CUNT ?
‘He said I certainly have’ ‘I missed the penalty .’
July 22, 2008 at 8:59 am
The problem with Diaby and Denilson is both are liable to making rash challenges. See Blackburn and Bolton red cards as examples.
Will they handle the anchor role against big clubs? I doubt it.
July 22, 2008 at 9:01 am
Mike - thats very funny
July 22, 2008 at 9:01 am
well written… but if sagna, clichy, fab are paid as per that …the club would be bankrupt.
July 22, 2008 at 9:02 am
Rumour that Hull wants Meria on loan…
July 22, 2008 at 9:02 am
geoff did you watch the wenger interview after the barnet game when asked about adebaywhore his face was classic. He said the player would stay but his expression gave the game away. What a shit.
The thing that annoys me about adeb is the way he says things like “2 years ago I was playing football with no shoes and mr wenger saw me” but then completely loses all perspective over £50k. I wonder if ANYONE in Togo earns 100k a YEAR.
July 22, 2008 at 9:02 am
* Merida
July 22, 2008 at 9:02 am
If Gallas does go, Rico, who would be captain? I know everyone will say Cesc but I think we can be a little smarter than that. Making Cesc captain will mean he’s even more likely not to get a rest at some point. He’s also the heartbeat of the team and will inspire anyway.
No, my choice would be someone who leads by example, who is understated yet determined and with a fantastic attitude. My choice would be Sagna.
Have some of that!
July 22, 2008 at 9:02 am
Is Barry really right for us, just cant see Wenger paying £15/17m plus high wages for him. In fact I’m sticking to the fact the club are so strapped for cash that we wont see any significant names comimg.
we,re skint & we know we are, we’re skint & we know we are..
July 22, 2008 at 9:04 am
nice post, your pay deal idea isnt bad, but Ade would be out of pocket, but then if we get a good striker we might loose out. The thing is if he signed a contract last year, AND if there are no clubs coming in for him, then why should AW even offer him a new contract. If he starts crying and under performing then none of the big clubs will come in for him and he will be shipped off to some French Bolton and we will still make a profit from him. If on the other hand he gets pissed off and raises his game to prove his worth, then he will score many goals and come next summer we will sell him for big money and get a better replacement. I personally hope for the latter to happen.
July 22, 2008 at 9:04 am
Good morning all. While I think Ade is pricing himself out of market and should be told so in plain language, I am not in support of Geof comment on his mum. We are Africans and we highly revere our elders, much more our parents. For your information whether Ade earns increased pay or not, his mum is and has always being comfortable even in the village.
Enough of Ade, he may leaves if he wants, what I want to know is who are the one or two experienced players Arsene was referring to the other day? I need barry, and so quickly too. Have a nice day, grovers.
July 22, 2008 at 9:06 am
Morning all, i’d go one better with the wages i’d pay him the minimum wage, and only if he won the league would i give him what he’s owed. The money grabbing f**ker !!!
July 22, 2008 at 9:06 am
For me
Denilson is not, and never will be good enough for that role in CM
Diaby - he has the potential, but he is not ready, not mature enough. He hangs on the ball for too long and doesnt go forward with the directness we need (PV)
he should be used in that position in all CC games and in the ‘lesser’ games, or if we are bloody desperate - the latter is the way we are heading.
We have got to get a strong CM to form the solid partnership with Cesc, but I am not so sure it will happen. My only hope is that AW is full of shite in his numbers coming in when talking to the media - and really he is after 4 maybe 5
At least
CH
DM
If Gallas goes
2 CH
1 DM
July 22, 2008 at 9:08 am
Agreed kunle, barry would be lovely, and quickly too! And get nordveit on the protein shAkes and we can save buying another CB
July 22, 2008 at 9:09 am
anyone got a list of the players that went on tour yesterday?
July 22, 2008 at 9:10 am
Diaby’s what, 22?
If he’s still a stupid, rash, positionally clueless and worst of all LAZY player now, when exactly can we expect him to be ready? When he’s 35?
As for the rest, Denilson is talented, but needs a lot of work. Merida is hopelessly over-rated, and Gibbs is just flat-out shit.
July 22, 2008 at 9:12 am
Oh, and if you think we’re signing Barry, you’re dreaming.
NO WAY.
July 22, 2008 at 9:12 am
wenger also said that ade denies 99% of whats in the paper…
is seems strange that arsenal.com would go with wengers ‘adebayor will be here next year’ quotes if he’s off
July 22, 2008 at 9:13 am
Jimbo - are you being serious about Merida??
July 22, 2008 at 9:13 am
Yes, I am.
He’s absurdly over-hyped - not even the best youngster in the youth set up when he was here, and hasn’t been anything special in Spain either.
He’s not actually that good.
July 22, 2008 at 9:16 am
Why do people keep saying its ok if Gallas leaves or ok if RVP leaves etc? The fact is Wenger NEVER replaces these players with quality additions, just youngsters that may/may not become good.
We’ve already lost Lehmann, Gilberto, Flamini, Hleb & from a commitment point of view Adebayor. We cannot afford to lose anymore first team players or we’ll be midtable. Lehmann & Gilberto gave a lot to Arsenal over the years, & despite most people saying Jens was old I’d still prefer to know that if Almunia picked up an injury we had a very good backup to come in rather than Fabianski who might well up a horror show based on the few appearances he’s made!! Mannone is a joke of a keeper & just cemented that view with some awful keeping at Barnet on Saturday.
Gilberto’s legs had gone but he’d still have offered some experience to a very young squad. If Gallas is sold for the reported 5 million, who the hell are we going to sign for even less money?? Its not going to be a Zapata for that cash & even an injury prone Woodgate commanded a fee of 9 million. We’ll end up with Senderos as our first choice.
July 22, 2008 at 9:17 am
All the talk of Denilson and Diaby being up to it.
Think back a year, everyone was more than happy for Flamini to go, and the same could be said of Flem.
Wenger has a knack of turning players around, personally I think he will turn one of them into a great player.
July 22, 2008 at 9:17 am
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/22072008/58/60-seconds-martin-keown.html
July 22, 2008 at 9:19 am
Has anyone any news from Dudu? I really miss him. When is coming back?
July 22, 2008 at 9:21 am
Jimbo, I agree with you about Merida, he is way over hyped & people that think he’s the new Cesc will soon get a reality check.
I disagree about Gibbs though, he is a great talent. He was running the show for the England U19’s & was superb in the friendlies last pre season. He seems to play better the stronger the opposition are & should be given a chance to prove himself.
July 22, 2008 at 9:22 am
Where is twinstaiye this morning
July 22, 2008 at 9:28 am
Gibbs was far from superb in pre-season last year, he was average at best, and offered next to nothing.
As for England U19, the standard is so low that it’s impossible to judge.
July 22, 2008 at 9:29 am
I thought Gibbs had a great game against Inter!
July 22, 2008 at 9:30 am
Helloooooo Grovers!!
Top post Geoff, and love the pay structure idea!
You will all be plaesed to know I now have ARSE>TV!! Ha ha!! And my first bit of viewing pleasure was Arse V spuds to win the title as the invincibles!! WHAT A FUCKING TEAM!!!
We had Parlour, Henry, Pires, Bergkamp,Sol, Jens, Cashley, Ralphie, Freddie, reyes oh those were wonderful times, and that was only 4 years ago!
I really hope you guys are right and we get a couple of top notch signing before the season starts, because we need them in to gel, and get on with it because we have the CL qualifiers pretty soon as well dont we?
July 22, 2008 at 9:30 am
As posted yesterday, by accepting Diaby or Denilson to start as our CM option is accepting average players to play where we need someone World Class.
I dont mind them being the back up, but we cant go into the season without a respected, experienced class player.
I remember last summer, we failed to buy width and within a couple of weeks of the season starting we were playing Diaby LW.
We have to get our strength in depth right this season, and it now appears that we have solved the width problem but shifted the weakness to CM. If we dont get it right we will not come close to winning it.
People still talk about the Transfer window being open till the 31st August, well we will have played 2 CL Qualifiers by then and 3 Premiership games.
These signings need to be in place by the Emirates Cup at the latest.
July 22, 2008 at 9:31 am
why?
He didn’t actually do anything, unless you count dribbling five yards forward, turning, and passing backwards ‘great’.
He was absurdly cautious, and ended up contributing nothing.
July 22, 2008 at 9:32 am
Well - here goes
I like Merida and Gibbs
Time will tell I guess
July 22, 2008 at 9:33 am
Do you rate any of our kids Jimbo?
July 22, 2008 at 9:34 am
Mark C
I was actually a bit gutted when it looked like Flamini was going to leave last summer.
For me he was our Gilles Grimandi, A player that was not going to light the world on fire, but was solid and would give 100% wherever he played.
But even if he had of gone I would have called for the replacement. we havent been the same since Vieira and Edu were stupidly allowed to leave in the same Summer
July 22, 2008 at 9:35 am
Make you right there Pat!
July 22, 2008 at 9:36 am
Yes Geoff, but not all of them.
Barazite, Wilshere and Nordtveit are the three standouts for me, and I think Simpson will end up a good player for someone else.
July 22, 2008 at 9:37 am
I really rated Edu - but thnkfully we are not paying another injured players wages - what has he done sine
PV - his form has dipped aswell, and from a very reliable source there was another reason he had to go, and I cant disclose it, but trust me on this one, please
July 22, 2008 at 9:37 am
Regardles how good Gibbs or Merida is they are not the answers to our problems. They will probably be loaned out or only play in the CC.
As I see it we should have an experienced player for every positon with a youth player for backup. Denilson/Diaby are only backup as I see it. Diaby as DM and Denislon for Fabregas. On the other positions we are ok(not great), but could use a better CD and GK.
July 22, 2008 at 9:38 am
Ade wants a transfer! Ade doesn’t want to go! Ade wants to go! Ade doesn’t want to go. Ade wants to go! Ade doesn’t want to go! Bloody hell! no wonder Arsenal people have been at each others throats this off season. He & his agent are about as interesting as the life of Brittney Spears
July 22, 2008 at 9:38 am
Sweet mother of christ, when has Diaby EVER looked like a DM?
He’s an attacking player, fer chrissakes!!!
July 22, 2008 at 9:39 am
Also we should not be using the 1st team as an experimentation ground. We were affected by Eboue playing RM and Diaby/Denilson playing LM last season. If we are short we should buy in someone to fill that position. It is like a Brain Surgeon being unavailable to carry out an operation, so the Janitor fills in.
Diaby and Denilson are simply not ready to take that place. Again it is the mind warping of Wenger to make us accept average players.
Even if they were we still need to buy, if one of them gets injured we are in an even shitter position.
July 22, 2008 at 9:40 am
Britney Spears! It that why Viera left Rico? come on give it up!
July 22, 2008 at 9:41 am
……but I really blame his agent more than anything. I’m sure the unofficial football agents’ motto is ” you can always do better somewhere else”
July 22, 2008 at 9:41 am
Well I’ve said it before that a lot of our kids are average but its stupid to write off nearly every one of them as rubbish. Cesc doesn’t create chances or score goals in every game so is he crap as well?? Infact he got 17 assists in the league last season so thats not even 50% of the games, so he must be total w**k!!
Geoff, there were rumours yesterday that Chelski have offered Wilshere 30k a week to join them before he signs a pro deal with Arsenal. If there is any truth to it then lets hope Arsenal have him tied down somehow, maybe via his parents.
July 22, 2008 at 9:43 am
Actually Geoff, looking on Fantasy Grove I think Rico must have the hots for David Boon the cricketer.
July 22, 2008 at 9:43 am
GMR - I wasn’t writing them all off. But, clearly, the fact is that MOST of them won’t make it, and most of them aren’t good enough in the long run. No idea what the second part of your first paragraph even means…
July 22, 2008 at 9:45 am
That would be so typical of Chelsea, although I think we tapped up two of their kids over the summer.
It would be the biggest mistake of the lads career. they would kill him
July 22, 2008 at 9:45 am
Some old article about Wilshere:
http://blogs.notw.co.uk/sport/2008/07/wilshere-deal-a.html
July 22, 2008 at 9:51 am
No way will Wilshere go to the Chavs, he’s a local boy and an Arsenal fan.
Also his parents would have seen what the Chavs do to young talent, Diarra, SWP, Parker, Duff, fuck me I could go on, that’s a non starter.
July 22, 2008 at 9:51 am
Jimbo, you wrote Gibbs off based on the fact you say he contributed nothing. He wasn’t cautious at all & he continually attacked Inter Milan but if people aren’t in the penalty area what choice does he have but to go backwards?? Players like Cesc do exactly the same thing!!
July 22, 2008 at 9:51 am
I actually dont think Denilson will make it, I do however think if Diaby pulls his finger out and stops being a lazy bum in bright orange boots, he might just make the grade.
As for the rest seeing as all I’ve seen of most is what I saw on saturday, I think Simpson, Rodgers, Barazite and Wilshere will def be good enough for us in the next 2-3 years. The new french kid Coq(whatever his name is) also looks ok.
July 22, 2008 at 9:52 am
Geoff I cant - i would love to but I would be put behind bars!!
gnarley - trust me, nothing to do with the cricketer, otherwise it would have to be, Beefy’s rumblers
July 22, 2008 at 9:52 am
I really like the sound of us getting Barry, and it seems more and more likely. Liverpool are struggling to find funds and have got O’Neill’s back right up so he’s not going to budge on price. However he may be more ameanable (sp?) selling to us. Barry can’t stay at Villa, can he? Much like Ade he’s pretty much burnt his bridges. ‘Sources’ say he would jump at the chance at playing for us, and with his energy he will be the perfect replacement for Flamini, but even better.
Do wish more transfers would get done, and not just ours. Ronaldo to Real is incredibly dull, as is Lampard, Ade, Barry. Lets get some closure!
July 22, 2008 at 9:54 am
Jimbo, Nordtveit is a joke of a defender at the moment & you call him a standout!! He made one tackle against Barnet & the rest of his challenges were either mistimed (not good for a defender) or non exsistant. You write Gibbs off when everbody else raved about him last summer after taking on International players & now you’re calling Nordtveit a standout when he couldn’t even cope with Barnet.
July 22, 2008 at 9:55 am
Geoff, I bet you’d have said the same thing about Cole!!
July 22, 2008 at 9:58 am
Good morning all! for me both Diaby/denilson need more time to develop. would they get into the midfield of the other big three, I don’t think so. Maybe not even their squads. WE do need a quality player there.
My only comfort about arsenal’s lack of signings, is that the sum are bigger than the parts. So who knows what combination will see in the middle. Still looking abit light though.
July 22, 2008 at 9:59 am
Nordveit - in time he will be a great CH, you can just tell
But now, No, he is too slight and needs to bulk up without losing any speed.
Simpson & Barazite for def next season
Rogers, Wilshere, Fonte, not far off
IMHO
July 22, 2008 at 10:00 am
Good old Jimbo is not so much a ‘glass-half-empty’ sort of person, more that his glass is as dry as a bitch monkey.
He would slag off Roy of the Rovers for being too slow, unable to tackle, can’t pass or shoot and not worth the £500 per week salary!
July 22, 2008 at 10:02 am
I forgot that little shit GMR! Barazite I agree Rico but not Rui Fonte.
You see, we all have different ideas, so when Wenger does too it’s kind of understandable.
Kind of I said!!!
July 22, 2008 at 10:02 am
Roy of the Rovers was gay aj!
July 22, 2008 at 10:03 am
nice idea about the wages-however personally i’d say to him:
“you think you’re worth 100k a week? well score me 30 goals and i’ll give you 100k a week. however if you don’t score at least 25 then we’ll pay you 20k”
see how he likes that-after all he believes his level of performance deserves that amount so he obviously feels he’ll definitely bag 30 goals so no problem on his side. and if he scores 30 goals i’d have no problem giving him that wage
July 22, 2008 at 10:04 am
Rico, maybe you’re right, in time Nordtveit could be a great CB, but at this moment he doesn’t even look close to it. At the same age Senderos looked far better than Nordtveit does now.
Nordtveit is weak, he’s slow & positionally he was awful. This is against Barnet not a top European team. If we need to rely on him in the premier league or CL this season we are f***ed.
July 22, 2008 at 10:04 am
No GMR, I wrote Gibbs off based on the fact that I think he’s poor, and doesn’t have the technique to make it at Arsenal, and I make that judgement from qutie a number of occasions that I’ve seen him play. I mentioned, in response to someone else, that I also don’t think he was anything remotely special in the Inter game.
July 22, 2008 at 10:05 am
Oh, and that’s also nonsense. He did have options, but didn’t have the pace, skill, or brain or perhaps even courage to make use of them.
Gibbs is average - he’ll be gone within a year or two
July 22, 2008 at 10:06 am
GMR - you’re obviously totally clueless about our reserves, if you think that Nordtveit is poor. Or have you just watched the Barnet match, and reckon you know it all?
July 22, 2008 at 10:09 am
jimbo i think you’re being a bit harsh on the young players today. remember the likes of ronaldo,beckham,flamini,even toure when they were 17 also didn’t look like world beaters, but there’s not many who do at that age. in fact the only players recently who at 17 looked like they had the potential to be world stars were the likes of rooney and cesc. how do you expect someone like gibbs who was 17 to shit all over established world cup winners in Inter’s team? I just wouldn;t happen.
however he did not hide away and played quite well, which is all you can expect on that sort of stage
July 22, 2008 at 10:09 am
i think play for pay is a good idea but players will never accept it. i agree with you and i want Gareth Barry at Arsenal. Just think with Barry, Theo, and players like wilshere, gibbs, coming through the media will have to lay off us that we dont have any English players!!!! The papers would hate that because think of all the space they would have to fill without being able to slate arsenal for having all foreign players….. And that twat at UEFA will have to eat his words aswell!!!!
July 22, 2008 at 10:11 am
Dont write off Nordveit, i didnt think he was that bad against barnet and ive watched him in reserves last season and he is a quality players for his age!!! And he is growing more every game he plays and ive noticed a difference!!!
July 22, 2008 at 10:12 am
Jimbo. I don’t watch the reserves much but I’d disagree about gibbs in the Inter game. He also played well when he played against Sheffield Utd in the cc.
July 22, 2008 at 10:13 am
Jamal, Well, if he’s going to become a world-beater, he hasn’t started showing signs of doing so yet.
July 22, 2008 at 10:14 am
Michael, both games he was mediocre. He wasn’t able to actually do anything, largely because he lacks the pace and skill to make things happen. He’s very average.
July 22, 2008 at 10:15 am
Basically, it’s not difficult to play short, safe, backward passes, regardless of what the quality of the opposition is. That’s all Gibbs manages for the first team, whilst for the reserves, he hardly looks particularly exceptional either.
July 22, 2008 at 10:15 am
but jimbo how many games has he played so far? one against inter where he did well, and another in the CC where he played very well, especially as he played out of position at left back. in fact i seem to remember him laying on one assist? and we kept a clean sheet so what more do you expect from a left back?
July 22, 2008 at 10:15 am
Jimbo we’ll all have to agree to disagree then. So getting back to the post, do we think he’ll get shot of Ade?
July 22, 2008 at 10:16 am
Gibbs isn’t a LB though, he’s a midfielder, and maybe, if he plays there a bit more, he’ll be dependable. However, he has nowhere near the same kind of ability that players like Cole or Clichy had at that age.
Beyond that, he plays every week for the reserves, who I take time to watch whenever I can.
July 22, 2008 at 10:17 am
We’re stuck with Ade I’m afraid. No one asks for a transfer any more unless they are really desperate to play and not just thinking about money (rare these days)
July 22, 2008 at 10:18 am
that’s what i mean jimbo-he’s not a left back, yet when he was asked to play there he did so very well, keeping a clean sheet and making an assist
July 22, 2008 at 10:19 am
Geoff I agree, we all see things different, thats what keeps us all going..
Lets hope this week brings us some good news, looking forward to the game tonight, will be fighting ‘the ol man’ for the remote
Off for a while, later fine folk, and play nicely
July 22, 2008 at 10:20 am
Geoff, I don’t think he will. But then again he might. But ofcourse he might keep him. Oh, for F%$#S sake Ade is doing my head in
Thats it for me, I’m just going to block it all out now & wait till 9.45pm EST August 16 for kick off.
July 22, 2008 at 10:20 am
Geoff…. Hell yeah!!!
Agent or no agent, he managed to put his foot in it by himself during that press conference in Austria!
And I still maintain he’ll struggle to score 20-25 goals this season and his value then drops and we flog him for less than the 24 mill we’ve been previously offered! Get shot now!
July 22, 2008 at 10:23 am
I agree get shot.
Nasri was saying that Viera, Henry and Anelka told him what a great club we are, but what surprised me the most was that Diarra and Flamini urged him to go, what the fuck were they on???
July 22, 2008 at 10:23 am
Were we definitely offered 24 mil or was that just paper talk?
July 22, 2008 at 10:24 am
I just read that geoff and was suprised by diarra.
July 22, 2008 at 10:24 am
i think he will stay but i hope he goes… he has been a c**t about the whole thing and as long as we sign a half decent replacement then i wont be bothered,,,,, also really really really looking forward to eduardo coming back! I hope he comes back and takes no prisoners and opens up a can of whoop ass on the premier league like he just started to do when he got injured last season!
July 22, 2008 at 10:25 am
Really? I’m surprised about Diarra not Flam!
I’m fairly sure Meelan offered a sum in that region and we faxed them (or something along those lines) to say sod off basically!
July 22, 2008 at 10:27 am
its touch and go with ade… the thing s if he goes whos gonna replace him??
santa cruz? not thanks - just a one season wonder so far! and hes not half the athlete ade is
July 22, 2008 at 10:28 am
geoff-i just read that as well and was quite surprised. it’s always interesting to hear ex palyers bigging us up, especially the likes of anelka, flamini and diarra who left on somewhat bad terms.
July 22, 2008 at 10:28 am
I think Ade is very keen to go, but he’ll struggle to find anyone pay him what he wants.
Barca, or Meelan prob can’t afford him…
July 22, 2008 at 10:30 am
michael from what ive read there were no actuall real bids, milan asked about him but wenger sent the ‘adebayor is not for sale, for money or gold’ fax to them!!
July 22, 2008 at 10:34 am
jimbo are you gelbs in disguise?
July 22, 2008 at 10:35 am
I wonder what Ade’s team mates say to him, think about it, he’s saying he’s better than all of them.
July 22, 2008 at 10:36 am
I’ll be honest, I’ve never liked the guy, and his previous misdemeanours with previous clubs and country meant he was bound to give us some agro at some point.
I still think he got lucky last season, because the 2 best finishers in the first team (RVP and Dudu) werent available for most of last season. we’ll see how he reacts to not being top dog. Probably by throwing another hissy fit, and I’d gladly show him the door then!
July 22, 2008 at 10:37 am
ade is unresolved tension we don’t need at arsenal right now ..
i think arsenal might of had offers .. its on the toss of a coin but in all honesty ,
arsene will resolve this with a move .. he’s done it every other time…
Go with history and you will find the answer ….
Often a weakness of Arsene (th14 etc.) but this one would be good business for AFC..
just will he Re- use the money or make it disappear ..???
And i agree pat if we are going to get EXPERIENCE it needs to be done and dusted by friday ..
they need a pre season with us to even have half a chance of gelling within the team!
we are up against a Man U largely unchanged and already defending the title , you have chevski that hasn’t lost at home in 100 games or something , and largely unchanged line up also .. and if changed for the better , with better coach ..
It will be tough … a tough fight this season .. and we look weak .. inexperienced .. lacking leadership .. a terrible lack of quality .. ..
THINGS MUST CHANGE !!!!
July 22, 2008 at 10:37 am
Ade must of upset some of them. Hopefully Bendtner will return the headbutt favour at some point.
July 22, 2008 at 10:45 am
Ade will only go if there’s a buyer, and the onl one left seems to be Milan, and that will hinge on Kaka. If the Chavs buy him expect Milan to buy Ade and us prolly to get Santa Cruz
I read it somewhere
July 22, 2008 at 10:46 am
Morning Grovers!
Just heard a song on the radio which sums up our transfer activity perfectly, everybody join in now….
“Nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all
The needle returns to the start of the song
And we all sing along like before
And well all be lonely tonight and shafted next season.”
July 22, 2008 at 10:46 am
Agree Ethan, and as much as I’ve been trying to remain positive this summer, I believe we’ll get found out (again) when we play the big burly sides like bolton, chavs and blackburn, because we’re a small inexperienced non physical outfit at present, unless of course Arsene does really know and he’ll get in a couple of bruiser types to shore up the middle and CB positions….
July 22, 2008 at 10:48 am
Geoff, I think most of the players think he is a fool, I mean if you see the way he acts he thinks he is the joker and the funny guy, but I am sure players like Cesc and Bert thought he was the joke. So I dont think there is much love lost between the players. Saying that though, I think he is good mates with Eboue
July 22, 2008 at 10:50 am
Insidealbania you might have just hit the nail on the head there mate, and if Eboue’s his bessie mate they deserve each other and should fcuk off somewhere else together!
July 22, 2008 at 10:50 am
but who woul dreplace him odub?? whos got his speed, athleticism and strength?
fair enough there are better finishers or better hold up men but i cant think of many people who can do both
July 22, 2008 at 10:52 am
nice one Pierre!
Ethan I take your points about ManU but I have a feeling that Scolari will not have a very good season with the Chavs, but next season he will come out fighting
July 22, 2008 at 10:53 am
I agree with Jimbo about Gibbs.
We were playing an Inter team that had just started training the week before and were obviously letting Arsenal just have the ball and sitting deep. All Gibbs did was play adjacent five yard passes and join an attack every now and then. I think it’s because we have such low expectations of our english youngsters that we go apeshit over a player who doesn’t play like a complete spaz.
However, even he was a great player he would still be hard to make an instant impression in that game, so you have to cut him some slack. Still, I have watched him a bit and he is mediocre. Straight up and down. He also seems malnourished, like alot of our youngsters. Do they embark on thirty day fasts or something?
July 22, 2008 at 10:54 am
Must agree ethangunner, it seems to me for a long time now we are unable to keep the team together. the spine to our team, once a great strength is looking very light weight. Hope am wrong but could be a long season if new players aint brought in. I for one would love to see a goalie, not totally convinced with almuni.
July 22, 2008 at 10:54 am
Arseanl Tom, I have never seen A guy with Ade’s strength come out second in so many headers. He never uses his strength coz he is not clever.
Anyone thought Simpson deserves to sit on the Bench this season?????
July 22, 2008 at 10:55 am
I think Scolari will galvanise Chelsea this year - I’ve already got money on them winning the title.
July 22, 2008 at 10:57 am
I’ve nver known a tue fan to bet against their own team.
July 22, 2008 at 10:57 am
I’ve never known a true fan bet against their own team (damn keyboard)….
July 22, 2008 at 10:58 am
Tom if we have RVP all season up front with Bendtner, do you not think they’d get 40 goals between them next season? Add Theo, Vela, Dudu and maybe Simpson’s goal input and I bet we’ll be saying ”Ade who” by xmas!! Remember we worried about replacing Wrighty, DB10 and TH14 and although we havent replaced them like for like, we’ve still got goal threats with the forwards we have at present
I would still however look to get someone like Santa Cruz or Eto’o for 3 years for the youngsters to learn off a la Suker.
July 22, 2008 at 10:59 am
I’ll second that Jimbo - i think they’ve got a quality manager and have already signed two quality player in Bosingwa and Deco, if they get Robinho and or Kaka as well, what chance have any other team got.
I look at there squad and then look at ours and it just makes me laugh, to think we’ll even be up there challenging with them !!
July 22, 2008 at 10:59 am
So where do you think we’ll finish Jimbo?
July 22, 2008 at 11:00 am
1. Scolari has not had club experience in Europe.
2. He has never dealt with so many nationalites.
3. He doesnt like players with big egoes (Chavs are full of them) I can see confrontations.
4. He is a religious man and uses that in the dressing room, again the chavs wont understand and he might get offended.
5. The Roman factor, does anyone think Roman will let him do all he wants, and will Scolari take any shit from him?
7. Lampard, Ballack, Deco, Essien, Cole, can he keep all of them happy??
July 22, 2008 at 11:03 am
albania, Regardless of all the above, Grant only lost the league and CL final on the last two games of the season, and he was an awful manager., AND they had a terrible injury crisis in defence in the first half of the year. He’s bound to do better than him.
Look:
Re: your points:
1 - Nor had Grant, and he only lost the league on the last day.
2 - Nor had Mourinho, and he did ok.
3 - That’s just wrong.
4 - We’ll see about that. Bit speculative really.
5 - Mourinho still managed to win the league under Mourinho, and they hated each other by the end.
6 - ???
7 - Mourinho managed.
July 22, 2008 at 11:04 am
God knows! I didn’t mean Arsene either.
July 22, 2008 at 11:04 am
Odub, I think we’ll be fighting vs Liverpool for fourth - I think Spurs could well break into the top 4 this year.
July 22, 2008 at 11:08 am
Jimbo, I take your points, but Grant inherited Morinho’s team, Scolari is making changes and will need at least one season to really gel together, and I believe that will cause problems in the dressing room and boardroom. Dont get me wrong I am not saying they will get relegated but they will not win the title. I believe ManU is the team to beat especially if Greaseball stays and they get Berbatov.
July 22, 2008 at 11:08 am
a fit RVP all season??? come on…. what next eboue to score 10 goals??
were already very very light as it is, ade is a cunt, i wont dispute that i just see him being replaced by any quality if he goes… if we get 30mil, 20 of it will dissapear…
we’ll finish 3rd or 4th next year… just look at man utd and chelski squads and we’re miles off
July 22, 2008 at 11:09 am
Jimbo,
You’ve bet against us to win the league, and you also think those cnuts from up the road ‘might’ finish ahead of us this season, just one question……
What exactly are you looking forward to the arsenal doing this season?!!!!!!
July 22, 2008 at 11:10 am
Samir Nasri has insisted there was nothing sinister behind the delay in his transfer from Marseille to Arsenal.
The Gunners moved for the playmaker at the start of the summer, but it was not until July that he finally sealed his transfer.
The delay had led to suggestions that Arsenal could miss out on the 21-year-old, but he claims he had given his word to Arsene Wenger before Euro 2008.
Lyon came in for Nasri, but he has insisted there was never any chance of him playing for any other French side than Marseille.
“Lyon approached me,” Nasri told France-Football. “I spoke with chairman [Jean-Michel] Aulas on the phone. But this contact did not go forward. At this moment I had almost already made up my mind.
“I had given my word to Arsene Wenger. And I couldn’t see myself moving to a different French club than Marseille!
“I never doubted both clubs would find an agreement. There has been nonsense rumours. Both clubs just had to find an agreement to make my transfer official in L’OM’s 2008/2009 balance sheet.
“I already knew I was an Arsenal player before Euros. I passed the medical when I returned from Switzerland then we decided to make my transfer official for my return from holiday in mid-July.
“In my mind I was liberated.”
Nasri claims Arsenal’s attacking style seduced him, and he has revealed he will replace Alexander Hleb on the left wing.
“I am joining a club that plays some of the best football in Europe,” he said. “I was charmed when I watched Arsenal’s games in the Champions League.
“They achieved a tremendous first half to the season. To me England is the ideal destination and Arsenal are the perfect club!
“Arsene Wenger told me he wants to play me on a wing. But there are so many movements in the team that I’ll have the possibility to switch position.
“I was used to playing on the left wing with the youth teams. I don’t mind. Friendlies are made to find your mark.
“My mother chose my number 8. It’s a gift to make her happy. She’s not especially into football but as I’m leaving home for the first time I wanted to give her a twinkling of an eye.”
July 22, 2008 at 11:11 am
‘I already knew I was an Arsenal player before Euros. I passed the medical when I returned from Switzerland then we decided to make my transfer official for my return from holiday in mid-July’
The above was what Nasri just said, thanks for putting us through three weeks of hell Arsene, very considerate.
July 22, 2008 at 11:12 am
edaurdo’s out for the first 2 months apparently to… should start training in september earliest
July 22, 2008 at 11:15 am
If you could give me 3rd or 4th for next season right now i’d take that . A team to watch next year will be Porsmouth , they’ve been building a great squad over the last 2 or 3 years. There in for SWP as well. Crouch will shine there .
July 22, 2008 at 11:15 am
Albania.
Why will it take so much longer for Chelsea to gel under Scolari, who is an infinitely better manager than Grant?
Last year, they changed the manager a few weeks into the season, employed a nobody with little experience, who almost immediately lost complete faith of the dressing room - there’s no way they’ll be in so much trouble again.
They were awesomely effective at the end of last year, and Scolari will have far longer to build on that than they did last season.
July 22, 2008 at 11:16 am
*Portsmouth
July 22, 2008 at 11:16 am
Odub,
I think we’ll probably play some good matches, see a few exciting players and have a few good moments. But will we win a trophy? Not a chance in hell, so long as Wenger is in charge.
July 22, 2008 at 11:20 am
I think we should go all out to win the carling or FA cup, get some winning mentality back into the squad ,and then build on that
July 22, 2008 at 11:21 am
Geoff, talking about Nasir comments which you summarize above, reminds me why the AKB will always insist that ARSENE KNOWS especially during those 3 weeks of hell.
July 22, 2008 at 11:26 am
Can I please start the ADDNKB?
Thanks. Jimbo.
July 22, 2008 at 11:26 am
Jimbo, what is wrong with you mate?
Betting on Chelsea to win the league is a terrible thing to do…Bad karma alert.
Also with your attacks on the reserve players you simply cannot be serious in saying Fran Merida is not a good player and will be a star because that is utter toot. He is still one of the most tracked young players in the world, has been tipped for greatness by Spanish players like Puyol and Hierro and Wenger has already eulogized about his technical abilities. Chavs have just bought Deco but we have our own little one coming through and he ain’t 30. Did you see him against the Spuds reserves last year? Brilliant.
Gibbs is a good player as well….bit of sh*t attitude and needs to be careful he stays on the right path but he his quick and loves getting forward which has been the mark of our great left-sided players in recent years.
Most of all i am excited by Ramsey, Wilshere, Barazite, Sunu and Rui Fonte. I think these boys could make it big.
July 22, 2008 at 11:26 am
Agree to a degree Jimbo, we’ll play well not win the league but we’ll prob win the CC or FA Cups, other than that, not good enough for the CL. Still think AW will pull of another league title, just dont think it’ll be this season.
Portsmouth with Defoe and Crouchie up front look interesting, the spuds will make the usual attempt, Everton, Villa and Citeeh will step up, and I have a sneaky feeling one of the 3 promoted sides will spring a surprise.
July 22, 2008 at 11:27 am
Jimbo, you make your points quite well, bit I think it will take a longer time for them to gel because scolari is plannig to bring in big names to compete for positions that are already occupied by big names and egos.
In the case of Grant, he lost the dressing room, but the players were the same and just stuck to the same game plan as they had under Morinho.
July 22, 2008 at 11:29 am
Arrogance - don’t believe in Karma, Feng Shue, or the Easter Bunny. So don’t think it will make any difference - Arsenal won’t lose the leauge because I’ve bet against them.
Furthermore, I couldn’t give a monkeys what Arsene’s said, what the Spanish press have said, or what anyone else’s opinion of Merida or Gibbs is. I’ve seen Gibbs about 30-40 times over the last couple of years, and Merida 10ish, and honestly, there’s not much to get excited about. Furthermore, I’m not down on ALL the reserve players - but some of them have unjustifiably big reputations around here amongst people who’ve seen very little of them
July 22, 2008 at 11:30 am
As much I think Simon Jordon is a bit of knob he does occasionally say things that make sense. For example a few years back when an agent said to him that his client/player would guarantee him 25 goals a years but would demand quite a high wage, Jordon responded with ” What happens if he doesn’t get 25? Will I get my money back?” Apparently the agent was lost for words and left in quite a hurry.
The one thing about Ade I don’t understand is when the season ended he wanted £80,000 per week. Fine but a few weeks later and without kicking a ball he demanded £120,000 per week. What did he do during his summer break that he thought would be worth an additional £40,000 a week? He has now downgraded his demands to a paltry £100,000 per week, thats nice.
I say keep his salary what it is now, if he repeats last years totals then give him a huge bonus. Its like any sales job shit salary but big bonuses & more incentives. Sorts out the real men.
July 22, 2008 at 11:32 am
I do not think Chelsea will win the league. Scolari is bulding a team looking more and more like his portugal team. Good defenders and a overpacked midfield. (with many similar players, Deco,Lampard,Ballack) with no real striker/goalscorer. At the moment they have got Drogba but i think he will be sold to Barcelona.
July 22, 2008 at 11:33 am
Jimbo, clearly by your comments you aren’t even an arsenal fan so why don’t you fuck off back to your beloved Chelski, you know the team you’ve backed to win the league!!
Geoff, seriously your letting some real dickheads on this site nowdays!!
July 22, 2008 at 11:33 am
Well Albania, Chelsea haven’t lost anyone good yet, and bought in a couple - we’ll see what their squad looks like at the start of the season, I guess.
July 22, 2008 at 11:33 am
Lol GAMR - run out of proper arguments, so just calling names?
July 22, 2008 at 11:34 am
Jimbo, have you alwasy been this pessimistic, or did you take a trainning course?!!!
Just kidding mate, I was what you are now in Feb when it all started going wrong!
Anyway, anyone watching the game tonight?
July 22, 2008 at 11:35 am
We will indeed jimbo.
By the way I would rather be called ‘inside’ than ‘Albania’
July 22, 2008 at 11:35 am
our only trophy hope is fa cup, the kids arent good enough to win the CC cup against the teams that put out first teams.
no one cares about the fa cup now so if we put out a half decent team we can win it, as for the league, without another 3 signings we’re dreaming unfortunately
July 22, 2008 at 11:36 am
I’d give him fuck all, he signed a 4 year deal at £35k a week and told the world Arsene loved him and showed he had confidence in him by giving him a new contract, done deal.
What happens if he doesn’t play well, or worse has half the season off like Rosicky and RVP, do they refund their money? do they fuck, fuck him.
July 22, 2008 at 11:37 am
Does anyone know when we will find out who we play in the CL qualifier? I would love it if it was against KF Tirana of Albania. Tickets are less than 5 quid
July 22, 2008 at 11:38 am
TOTALLY AGREE WITH GOEF
July 22, 2008 at 11:39 am
Heh, sorry Inside - Inside it is!
Just too lazy to type your full name
July 22, 2008 at 11:41 am
Odub,
I am pessimistic by nature, but I think the present climate has sent me over the edge. I really can’t see us progressing any further under Wenger.
July 22, 2008 at 11:41 am
couldnt have put it better Geoff!
July 22, 2008 at 11:43 am
Jimbo, no I prefer to debate with adults rather than school children on their holiday!! I could keep arguing all day long but I have better things to do with my life & seen as you’ve never attended an Arsenal game be it first team or reserve I certainly won’t be listening your opinion!!
Geoff & Pedro, thats over & out for me as well. Another regular gone due to the dickheads that now seem to be controlling the site!!
July 22, 2008 at 11:45 am
Inside, I prefer to be called Geoff. GMR come on you know the rule on telling people to support the chavs!
We all have differing views grovers but let’s not all get the hump, it’s stifles debate and doesn’t encourage it.
Anyway I bet on the Chavs beating us in the Charity shield when Hleb made his debut, reason being was at least I went home with an ironic grin!
If we’d have won I wouldn’t have minded losing the money!
Trouble is, sometimes you know we’ll lose with his team selection, like ManU in the Fa and the spuds in the CC>
July 22, 2008 at 11:46 am
LOL @ GMR, get over yourself.
In case you’d missed it, you were the one who started name-calling, just beacuse you didn’t like my opinion. I reckon, judging by the ‘manifesto’ of this place, that people like YOU won’t be missed.
July 22, 2008 at 11:47 am
pablo… i think u just highlighted the pure bollocks constantly printed on the web and in the papers… none of us really know what he asked for
July 22, 2008 at 11:48 am
Is anyone else a little peeved that Cesc has fucked off to Azerbejan on a Barcelona friendship tour? I guess Wenger must of agreed it
But do you think Red nose would let Ronaldo do the same with Madrid.
I know Cesc is a Barca boy but still a bit strange
July 22, 2008 at 11:48 am
Pat - I reckon Wenger must have ok’d it, and he’d only have done that if he was secure about Cesc’s attitude.
July 22, 2008 at 11:51 am
jimbo.. you need to calm down..
July 22, 2008 at 11:51 am
Pat what do you mean a Barca friendship tour, Cesc plays for Arsenal???
July 22, 2008 at 11:51 am
He must of
I reckon we have come to some sort of deal with Barca, that if Cesc is to move on then they get first dibs
It has been very quiet from Barca this summer, and they usually have a crack at him every summer
July 22, 2008 at 11:51 am
All I’ve done is state my views.
July 22, 2008 at 11:52 am
Arsene Wenger Post Barnet Interview
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-yQVpT38dME
He seems extremely uncomfortable when answering the final question - “of course”
July 22, 2008 at 11:53 am
GMR don’t get the hump, it’s not what you’re all about, Jimbo stop winding GMR up.
There lets stop all getting bent out of shape and start again.
July 22, 2008 at 11:53 am
Timmy, can’t get youtube at work - what is the final question?
July 22, 2008 at 11:54 am
No prob, not trying to wind anyone up, to be honest. As I said a second ago, I’m just stating my views.
July 22, 2008 at 11:55 am
cesc’s been very good this year tho, never letting himself be spoken about… straight after his euro win he spoke about arsenal… that tells us and everyone else all they need to know
July 22, 2008 at 11:55 am
GMR come on mate!!
Go for a spin in your gulf stream and come back all calmed down!!
Where are the old faces today anyways? No chris, DDM, Pedro, Bud!!!!
July 22, 2008 at 11:56 am
nasri’s transfer saga explained!!
http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/07/22/Prem-Nasri-explains-long-transfer/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/