Le Grove Saturday Guest Blog: Loose Lips (Sink Ships)

It’s summer and therefore that time of year when most Goons with internet access will click onto their favourite news feeds hoping for some signs of a proactive transfer strategy, or even any transfers to have a strategy for, to add to our threadbare, anorexic and, let’s be brutally honest, sub standard squad.

On the face of it we are lucky, in this day and age, to have such an all-encompassing means of accessing many sources of information to inform us who will be in and out of our beloved Ashburton Grove. The only shame of it is that 90% of the “stories” we find will, or so it appears to me, recycle the same two or three rumours that tend to circulate about any given club at any particular time.

Note the use of the term “stories” both by me and by hacks whenever they refer to some of their work.

We all know the old adage that “hacks never let the facts get in the way of a good story” but why do they do that?

To my mind that’s answered by another less hoary axiom “a hacks job is not to tell the news but to sell papers”. If you connect that with the first rule of “hackery” then we can take all the rumours, gossip, conjecture, speculation we see generated about player transfers with the requisite amount of salt.

Of course there’ll be times when a player commits a highly visible, or audible, clanger and that would make a story unequivocally impossible to misinterpret; I’m thinking Adebayor’s fateful press conference last summer where the seeds of disaffection were sown amongst the Arsenal fans. We all heard about, and remembered, what he said then so when his performances dipped this year (admittedly after early signs of improvement) those remarks came back to haunt him and he lost our trust. Conversely Gareth Barry’s protestations about leaving Villa for a club playing Champions League football – he, of course, meant one not in Europe at all (thus allowing him to take the Arab petrodollar to plump up his pension pot). Tony Alexander Adams’ also might have thought twice about revealing our possible transfer targets, but I’ll forgive him an indiscretion like that on account of his being an Arsenal leg-end as well as a legend.

This brings me to my main point that we expect too much news and in order to satisfy our craving for it the media will attempt to feed it. This means that when all match related questions have been asked players are then interviewed about all manner of non-football related items on which they have no real knowledge and/or authority. This means most will come across as stupid (a la David Beckham), deluded (our dear manager at times), out of their trolley (the reincarnated Glen Hoddle) or plain pissed (as in ole 65% proof nose aka “Sir” Ferguson – that is if he’s not had a hissy fit with that interviewer/TV channel and is refusing to talk to them anyway).

In a way we, and I mean all participants in the media-population interface not just us Grovers, are to blame in that we want to hear about our team more and more so the number of stories generated increase – and we all know what happens to which way quality goes as quantity goes up.

Older Grovers will remember when we only had a few minutes at the end of the News at Nine with saucy old Frank Bough to tell us about the football news of the day – this is the other extreme and equally unsatisfactory.

If you were to click on Arse.com it will come as no surprise to find that at least half the items on the home page are tasters for ArseTV online, so much so that it is little better than a bill board enticing you to subscribe, an electronic flyer that’s rarely informative or timely.

Many of these tasters are for player interviews, which I believe are in response to non official stories out in the media that are less sanitised but in my opinion no more valid.

As an example, some may recall the Gallas interview where he said that he had no particular best friend in the dressing room – well the hacks interpreted that as “Gallas is Billy no mates”.

The same applies to the near constant Cesc to Barca stories.

I can imagine a hack from Marca (the sports rag which acts as a mouthpiece for General Franco’s team, aka R Madrid) coming up to our Catalan maestro after Barca’s uplifting victory against ManUre on Wednesday and an exchange ensuing thus:

Spanish hack: “Hey, great display that night eh Cesc?”

Cesc:  “Yes, they played really well, they deserved to win”

Spanish hack: “The way Barca play their football now don’t you think any player would enjoy being part of that”

Cesc:  “Yes, I suppose they would”

The next Marca headline:

“Cesc wants to play for Barca”!

The same applies to the quotes in the Mirror from Rico’s favourite player, Bendtner, which “proved” beyond all reasonable doubt how big headed and arrogant he was. The fact that the rag had to issue an apology to our occasionally untrousered Dane will have been lost in the minds of Goons who were supposed to have turned against him; I suspect a similar situation has occurred regarding how we are supposed to have turned on The Arsh for demanding a pay rise to compensate him for a higher rate of tax he finds alien.

We are, like it or not, in a situation where the media are not, or have ever been, sympathetic to us so the more our players say (however well meaning their intent), the more the assorted hacks will find ways to destabilise the ship that is AFC.

Why do they do it you may ask? Or, why do I think they do it?

I’ll take you back to a post war air disaster that wiped out an entire football club. I’m not talking about that lot from Salford just yet – this was the Torino side who were on the cusp of great things in Serie A at the time. However the loss of those players and club officials was such that the team never recovered and are even now firmly in the shadow of their more illustrious city rivals Juventus. (Torino will be playing in Serie B for the 2009/10 season as a result of relegation this year). There was not the groundswell of sentimental support flowing to Torino in comparison to the tsunami of new supporters and sympathy ManUre gained.

Now as Geoff so succinctly put it a while back, the real tragedy of Munich is that it started the transformation of an unremarkable northern outfit into a global franchise. They were nobodies then (and how I wish they still were, but I digress).

So where does the pro ManUre bias come in?

ManUre gained a lot of support based on the sentimentality of the death of the Busby Babes and around the time of sporting media taking off in the UK in a big way a majority of the hacks around at the time came from that generation of football followers. Since then there is a lingering legacy of favouring ManUre both from the media and the FA; this is a question to fully elaborate another time. Just one example off the top of my head is the differing attitude to French footballers. We all remember the infamous kung fu scissor kick of Cantona’s at Selhurst park, and equally we all remember the band of apologists who indulged that example of Rooney-type yobbery as being merely “Gallic flair”. The same media apologists would also call for Paddy to be sent back over the channel for any of his indiscretions. Funny that.

At the beginning of each Premier League season, virtually all hacks will plump for ManUre to be Champions on the basis that it is easy to go for an obvious choice and to actually rationally consider the challengers would involve actual thought and not following the herd, his is anathema to your typical hack. In order not to look like fools it is in their interest to undermine any challengers, by any which way, because if any alternative team to ManUre does usurp the special place in the hacks hearts the “honourable members of the Press” will be proved wrong.

A Case in point was Mark Lawrenson who stated on match of the day that if Arsenal won the league, in the 1997-98 season, he would eat his hat. We all know what happened that year yet all of Lawrenson’s hat collection remained uneaten.

That is the reason why we should have less interviews with players as the more they say the more their words can be twisted (and the more words there are to twist)to unsettle players, the club and their fans. Fans turning on their club is not only a “story” to be milked but it also means reduced competition to the favoured ones. Sky may have divested themselves of their share holding in ManUre plc pre-Glazer so I can no longer say there is a conflict of interest in their stranglehold on Premier League coverage but I feel old habits die hard, as anyone who has to endure Andy Gray’s hysterical match day worship of all things ManUre can attest to.If you only take one thing from my earnest ramblings whenever you read a headline finishing with “…rocks Arsenal to its foundations” or “Arsenal in turmoil” treat it with the necessary caution it deserves, remember the agenda the story comes with and the mindset of the spin-doctors delivering it.

 

Chary.

 

903 Responses to “Le Grove Saturday Guest Blog: Loose Lips (Sink Ships)”

  1. insidealbania Says:

    1st?

  2. georgian1gunner Says:

    1

  3. georgian1gunner Says:

    2

  4. insidealbania Says:

    Morning Chary,
    Now lets read your post!

  5. David Says:

    :mrgreen:

  6. Geoff Says:

    Wow Chary, that was some post! Well written though.

  7. gooner-pak Says:

    geoof last comment of the previous post… i said tht dzeko might need a good midfeild for him to bang in goals….and tht doesnt ncludes denilsongiaby

  8. big red Says:

    19th?

  9. insidealbania Says:

    Good post Chary,
    I have been saying for a long time that our players should keep quiet and not give so many interviews or speak about other clubs when reporters are around. Considering the amount of ‘media’ training and education they get at the academy you would think that they would be wiser, but they never learn.

  10. Geoff Says:

    Too right, we need a Cana or get the Flamster back. Maybe this Matuidi rumour has something, oops sorry Chary!

  11. LAzer Says:

    WOW! Chary are you a bard? Point well made, and very well written I must say.

    Take the press reports with scandalized headlines with more then a few pinches of salt. To illustrate your point, I have a Manc friend who still thinks Bendtner was way out of line to demand more playing time and we need to move him on based on that indiscretion.

  12. insidealbania Says:

    ‘denilsongiaby’ I like that one

  13. David Says:

    What a fantastic read.

  14. LAzer Says:

    Geoff you think Matuidi could do a job? There is not many highlights of him out there and I don’t know too much about the fellow. I hope it is someone with more experience personally. Maybe Diarra (not dolphin head) or de la Red? Is de la Red a DM?

  15. Geoff Says:

    De La Red had a heart attack didn’t he?

  16. LAzer Says:

    bloody hell forgot about that. I was just thinking with the apparent sell of at RM maybe we could grab some quality.

  17. David Says:

    Heh.

    So did Bendy really say he will be the greatest striker in the World in 2 years time?

    Is it not the media that keeps linking Ade to Milan even though player and agent keep saying there are no offers and he wants to stay?

    Cesc and Barca?

    Fantastic article….All Arsenal fans need to know there is an agenda…so no matter what the media “say” our plays said…we’ve got to make sure we dont rush to be judgmental.

  18. Geoff Says:

    Big red welcome, you are now free to blog.

    LAzer I would have anyone rather than the three we have.

  19. Pedro Says:

    Superb post Chary!

    A most enjoyable read!

    So what are you trying to say… you don’t enjoy transfer gossip?!

  20. LAzer Says:

    Yeah I hear you.

  21. Geoff Says:

    What transfer gossip? Have we signed someone then? Well have we?

  22. LAzer Says:

    Speaking of gossip-

    Chelsea are weighing up an English record £40million bid for Valencia’s highly-rated Spanish international forward David Villa. (Independent)

    Real Madrid are set to beat Chelsea to the signing of France international midfielder Franck Ribery for
    £60million.
    (The Sun)

    Tottenham have offered David Bentley plus £8million for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. (The Sun)

    Villa, though, are interested in taking £10million-rated midfielder Jermaine Jenas from Spurs, and are also keen on Serbian defensive midfielder Nenad Mililjas, who had been interesting Premier League new-boys Wolves. (Daily Mail)

    Barcelona plan to capitalise on the financial problems at Liverpool with a £20million raid for Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano. (The Sun)

    The Reds are also set to miss out on their top summer target – Valencia’s Spanish midfielder David Silva – because of the budget constraints imposed on manager Rafael Benitez, with Real Madrid favourites to land the player. (Various)

    One man who appears to be on his way out of Anfield is Italian defender Andrea Dossena, who is a target for Juventus. (Daily Telegraph)

    Manchester United’s hopes of landing Lyon’s £30million-rated striker Karim Benzema have been increased after the president of the French club, Jean-Michel Aulas, said the player was not “untransferable”. (Daily Express)

    Birmingham have been told they must pay £4million if they want to lure defender Scott Dann from Coventry, who have also rejected a £1m bid from the Blues for winger Gary McSheffrey. (Daily Express)

    England winger Stewart Downing can leave Middlesbrough if the club receive an acceptable offer according to club chief executive Keith Lamb. (Daily Express)

    Stoke are set to join the race to sign Manchester City defender Richard Dunne, who is also being tracked by Tottenham. (Daily Mail)

    West Ham have targeted full-backs, Rennes’ France international Rod Fanni and Middlesbrough’s Matthew Bates, as replacement’s for Lucas Neill, who has rejected a new one-year deal at Upton Park. (Daily Telegraph)

    England manager Fabio Capello says he “does not recognise himself” in the description given of him by Carlo Ancelotti and called for some respect, after the new Chelsea coach described his former AC Milan boss as “surly” and having no dialogue with his players. (Various)

    England captain John Terry has urged Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to reconsider his decision to retire from international football. (Various)

    West Ham striker Carlton Cole has sought advice from Chelsea front-man Didier Drogba in his quest to become an England regular. (Daily Star and The Times)

    Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger turned down the opportunity to become the manager of Real Madrid, despite three meetings with the Spanish club. (Daily Mirror)

    Roberto Mancini and Slaven Bilic top the shortlist for the manager’s job at Portsmouth after Paul Hart – who took temporary charge last season – was told he wouldn’t be offered the job. (Daily Mirror)

    Prospective new Wigan boss Roberto Martinez can be a great success at the JJB Stadium according to former Latics manager Ray Mathias. (Daily Express)

    Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder Elano has delivered an ultimatum to the club, demanding they offer him a knew lucrative contract or let him leave. (Daily Mail)

    West Brom manager Tony Mowbray will be confirmed as the new Celtic boss on Monday. (The Guardian)

  23. LAzer Says:

    So the mancs are still after there target from previous years, Benzema, as expected I suppose. Everyone is spending money and we are in the gossip over some meeting le boss had which is old news really.

  24. LAzer Says:

    How do you all rate Downing? genuine or over-hyped bust?

  25. charybdis1966 Says:

    Morning all, only here for a bit but I hope it provides some food for thought. Cheers for the good responses from David, Inside and LAzer – and Geoff it’s ok for us to speculate. It’s believing the mug hacks when they slag off our club or players that we must be wary of – they do that with a lot of clubs but sadly the Brit press has an extra agenda against us.
    Pedro – yeah, I enjoy the goss too – especially when we think someone of Qualidee is on the way in !

  26. reggie57 Says:

    Fuckin hell Chary shakespeare has got some competition at last, good post mate!!

  27. Dan Says:

    Good post Chary, the manc’s popularity also relied on them being the 1st english team to win a major trophy (EUROPE) after england won the world cup in 1966. everyone just rushed out and followed because it was the biggest success after the world cup. The players really should keep quite but then i never really believe any transfer talk til its on arsenal.com.

  28. Iqtesab Says:

    villa moving to chelsea could be disastrous. Their strike force could even match the catalans.

    Anelka, Drogba, Villa VS Messi, Henry, Messi

    Man, if dat happens, arsenal mite as well say gudbye to 1st place in da league.

  29. Geoff Says:

    Chary it’s your responsibility to stay on all day, it’s your post!

  30. Iqtesab Says:

    villa moving to chelsea could be disastrous. Their strike force could even match the catalans.

    Anelka, Drogba, Villa VS Messi, Henry, Eto’

    Man, if dat happens, arsenal mite as well say gudbye to 1st place in da league.

  31. charybdis1966 Says:

    Cheers Reggie and Dan – just to emphasise press garbage I made the alternative title as “Freddie Star ate my hamster”.

    I wonder if there are any irate Manks who’ve been tin tacked – I hope so.

    There’s few things I enjoy more than sticking one in the eye of the dirty manks.

  32. charybdis1966 Says:

    I’ll be popping in during the day Geoff – although it might be on my mobile so they could be brief rejoinders as I’m in a seminar till midday in a bit.

  33. Geoff Says:

    Good luck then Chary, I too am off for a bit!

  34. incesc Says:

    i just got my red membership invoice.

    it says

    “now is our time”

    and

    “we have to keep the belief and the trophies will come naturally”

    NOW GIVE US 30 QUID

    desperation anyone?

  35. Pedro Says:

    Guys, I’ve had to redo the Poll as it buggered up!

    Thanks to everyone who voted for me as Le Chump of the year…!

  36. Geoff Says:

    Well now I got shot of that prick I’m off now, catch you all later.

  37. Geoff Says:

    I voted twice!

  38. Pedro Says:

    By the way Chary… I managed to spot a spelling error in your work!

    That was quite exciting… what a geek I’ve become!

  39. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Chary my sentiments exactly. I have for a while been emphasising that le Gaffer, for instance, shut up before a game and/or during a build up coz he gives the opo amo.

  40. charybdis1966 Says:

    Catch you later guys.

    Toodle pip.

  41. reggie57 Says:

    Its funny Chary you mentioned about the mancs winning the Europeon cup in 68 i was leaning towards supporting them lucky i had a older brother who is a gooner fanatic who after a few slaps to me changed my mind rather sharpish all i would like to say
    THANKS BRUV!!

  42. charybdis1966 Says:

    I knew i’d mess up some grammar somewhere pedro – cheers Gnarley.

  43. insidealbania Says:

    Do we have to vote again then?

  44. Pedro Says:

    haha, one is pretty good going… I have let Microsoft or Geoff deal with my mis-types.

  45. Pedro Says:

    You do inside!

  46. insidealbania Says:

    GG9 – the amount of time AW has shot himself in the foot would make you think he would stop talking about the oppo before games. But he never seems to learn.

  47. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    I mentioned it the other day, infact, that chelsea have no history, manure only really go back to when they had the plane disaster, & Liverwurst only got good from the 1960’s onwards. Arsenal are the real Jewel in the Crown, as history will tell you.

  48. insidealbania Says:

    ‘Arsenal are the real Jewel in the Crown’
    Indeed we are. And always will be.

  49. patthegooner Says:

    Chary

    What can I say

    It was a superb read, and what a standard to set on the first guest blog.

    I feel sorry for whoever is going next, it will be like a striker trying to replace the Barca bound Thierry Henry at Arsenal.

    Incesc, I think they make a Million or so on Red Membership alone, and for what? a Plastic card and a box of goodies that sit in the bottom of your wardrobe or end up in the loft. I sacked mine for a couple of reasons last summer. Firstly because Arsenal were not investing my money wisely (Sure that spites myself as I did not see Arsenal live last season) and secondly because Red Membership is supposed to be a fair waiting list yet I had been on since the start and yet friends of mine that live closer to London and who joined a few years after me, got their silver membership 2 years ago (Even though I had been to more games)!!!!!!

    Personally now I have decided I am not going to renew again this season unless the signings happen in the summer that give me the confidence we are going to challenge. If we sign I will pay, if we dont I will go to live games this year but will do it via Le Exchange. No doubt I will be questioned as a fan for that statement, but its the way I feel.

  50. Confidentgoner Says:

    xcellent post Chary,

    Geoof and Pedro, nice idea to have a guest columinist. This was a five star post. Hope we get the same quality all through. Any signings yet?

    Non, yet. So we live in gossip and hope. What a boring 2 months ahead. I will strangle the gaffer if he does nothing this time.

  51. Dutchman Says:

    We have signed vermealen, that’s stuff from the belgium mail. Also the netherlands say it’s nearly done. And what for a price. 13m!!!!!!!!!!!!
    You can sign sakho cana or zapata for the same!!

  52. Dan Says:

    My red membership is also up for renewal. what i dont get is if i renew the card ive got its 20 quid, if i get a new membership its 30 quid but u get the year after for free, so in the long run its better for me to make a new membership. over the two years it saves a tenner, can someone explain that??

  53. patthegooner Says:

    Do you have a link for us Dutchman?

    Dan, I guess if you take the new one, you will lose your place on the waiting list for Silver on your old one.

  54. goonermichael Says:

    Nice one Chary.

  55. Dan Says:

    pat, is there any advantages to having a silver over red, i mean apart from earlier tickets? i went to 12 games last year on my red membership, all i could afford. so i got all the games i wanted on my red. Europe, spurs, carling cup, fa cup all on my red :) I also now think theyve made a mistake sending me my renewal, Arsenal.com say i dont need to renew, it wont let me :S

  56. Nick Says:

    niceone chary good read :)
    TAIG are you around and have you got any tips (only certainties need apply ;) )

  57. LAzer Says:

    Hope no one is Ade to Chary’s Henryisue post then eh Pat. Am sure as hell not putting my hand up after that!!

  58. patthegooner Says:

    I think Silver Members just get to buy tickets earlier Dan. A Silver Member would have to say if there are other benefits.

    I guess that when it comes to the bigger games you are pretty much guaranteed a ticket as a Silver Member yet you are in a lottery as a red one.

  59. goonermichael Says:

    Dan if you take a new membership you start again as far as silver membership goes. (no idea how that works though)

  60. patthegooner Says:

    Nor Me LAzer

    Luckilly I am off working abroad for a few weeks again, so I might have a crack later in the Summer.

    I even feel sorry for Geoff or Pedro if they are writing one tomorrow.

  61. patthegooner Says:

    Here is the link for Vermaelen

    http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hln.be%2Fhln%2Fnl%2F1301%2FPremier-League%2Farticle%2Fdetail%2F878533%2F2009%2F06%2F06%2FThomas-Vermaelen-naar-Arsenal.dhtml&sl=nl&tl=en&history_state0=

    It is over on Arsenal Action

  62. patthegooner Says:

    Content is

    Yesterday we brought all the news that Arsenal prefer to 11.5 million auction was for Thomas Vermaelen and now the transfer to the Red Devil on after a round. De 23-jarige Stabroekenaar – een jeugdproduct van Germinal Beerschot – speelt de komende vier seizoenen zo goed als zeker in het Emirates Stadium bij de Engelse topclub. The 23-year-old to Stabroek – a youth product of Germinal Beerschot – play the next four years almost certainly in the Emirates Stadium at the English club. Naast Marouane Fellaini (Everton) en Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) wordt Vermaelen zo de derde Rode Duivel in de sterkste competitie van Europa. Besides Marouane Fellaini (Everton) and Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) is Vermaelen as the third Red Devil in the strongest league in Europe. Het wordt één van de strafste transfers in de geschiedenis van het Belgische voetbal. It is one of the strafste transfers in the history of Belgian football. The Gunners leggen met Ajax de laatste hand aan een transferbedrag van 13 miljoen euro, waarmee Vermaelen na Fellaini (20 miljoen) de tweede duurste Belgische transfer ooit wordt. The Gunners with Ajax finalizing a transfer amount of 13 million euros, after which Vermaelen Fellaini (20 million) the second most expensive transfer ever is Belgian.

    Vermaelen werd opgeleid bij Germinal Ekeren en later bij de Antwerpse fusieclub Germinal Beerschot. Vermaelen was trained in Germinal Ekeren and later at the Antwerp club Germinal Beerschot merger. Die werkte samen met Ajax en in 2004 vertrok hij richting Amsterdam ArenA. They worked with Ajax and in 2004 he left Amsterdam ArenA. Hij werd één seizoen uitgeleend aan RKC, maar groeide de voorbije jaren uit tot een vaste waarde bij Ajax en bij de Rode Duivels. He was a season on loan to RKC, but grew over the years to a fixed value for Ajax and the Red Devils. Vermaelen was ook van de partij op de Spelen in Peking. Vermaelen was also the party at the Olympics in Beijing. (hln/kh) (hln / kh)

  63. LAzer Says:

    The link on Vermin I think dutchman was talking about:

    http://arsenalaction.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/arsenal-sign-10m-vermaelen/

  64. goonermichael Says:

    great translation

  65. LAzer Says:

    i got beat…bloody hell its in Blemish or something, how the hell are we supposed to interpret that?

  66. Iqtesab Says:

    May i ask how u chose ur guest columnist? i mean did u have a voting system or a talent hunt maybe??

  67. LAzer Says:

    What the F? they call us the red devils over there? What is wrong with these people?

  68. LAzer Says:

    Tough call btw Wenger’s policy and permatan for le chump!!

  69. patthegooner Says:

    Sorry GM, it is all Google Translate will give me.

  70. patthegooner Says:

    Problem is it is Flemish.

    I am just booting up my work laptop as it has Systran on it and I think that does Flemish to English.

  71. Dan Says:

    Patthegoner that is dedication :)

  72. RayGooner Says:

    Great Post Chary!

    Since English is only my 3rd language i won’t even try to match that in writing…
    But i’ll match it (length-wise) with Stats instead, as i’m confident “Stats” is what i do the best…

    So with that in mind, and regarding to transfers, here we go:

    ARSENAL FC – ALL TIME SIGNINGS:

    (Date, Player, from Club, Transfer fee)

    00-00-1886 Fred Beardsley
    00-00-1888 Humphrey Barbour
    00-00-1888 Morris Bates
    00-00-1888 James Charteris
    00-00-1888 Peter Connolly
    00-00-1888 William Scott
    00-00-1889 R. Foster
    00-00-1889 David Gloak
    00-00-1889 Richard Horsington
    00-00-1889 David Howat
    00-00-1889 Bill Julian
    00-00-1889 Jack McBean
    00-00-1889 James Meggs
    00-00-1889 Harry Offer
    00-00-1889 Hope Robertson
    00-00-1889 William Stewart
    00-00-1889 Edward Williams
    00-00-1890 Edmund Bee
    00-00-1890 Albert Christmas
    00-00-1891 Charles Ambler
    00-00-1891 Bob Buist
    00-00-1891 Gavin Crawford
    00-00-1891 George Davie
    00-00-1891 Tom Graham
    00-00-1891 C. Peachey
    00-00-1891 Andrew Rankin
    00-00-1891 Alex Robertson
    00-00-1891 Bernard Shaw
    00-00-1891 Charlie Williams
    00-00-1892 Charles Booth
    00-00-1892 Tommy Bryan
    00-00-1892 Lycurgus Burrows
    00-00-1892 Daniel Devine
    00-00-1892 Frank Dyer
    00-00-1892 Arthur Elliott
    00-00-1892 Duncan Gemmell
    00-00-1892 James Henderson
    00-00-1892 William Jeffrey
    00-00-1892 Frank Kirk
    00-00-1892 J. McQuilkie
    00-00-1892 Joe Powell
    00-00-1892 Fred Wood
    00-00-1893 James Boyle
    00-00-1893 Stanley Briggs
    00-00-1893 Joseph Cooper
    00-00-1893 Fred Davis
    00-00-1893 Joseph Heath
    00-00-1893 William McNab
    00-00-1893 Tommy Mead
    00-00-1893 Walter Shaw
    00-00-1893 John Storrs
    00-00-1893 Walter Williams
    00-00-1894 Harry Boyd
    00-00-1894 Bob Buchanan
    00-00-1894 John Caldwell
    00-00-1894 James Crozier
    00-00-1894 George Jaques
    00-00-1894 Peter Mortimer
    00-00-1894 Paddy O’Brien
    00-00-1894 William Sharpe
    00-00-1894 Robert Stevenson
    00-00-1894 Harry Storer
    00-00-1894 Arthur Worrall
    00-00-1895 Hugh Duff
    00-00-1895 William Fairclough
    00-00-1895 William Gilmer
    00-00-1895 Bob Gordon
    00-00-1895 Charlie Hare
    00-00-1895 Thomas Hatfield
    00-00-1895 Caesar Jenkyns
    00-00-1895 Edward Kington
    00-00-1895 Frank McAvoy
    00-00-1895 Sam Mills
    00-00-1895 George Reece
    00-00-1895 Albert Russell
    00-00-1895 Allen Ward
    00-00-1896 John Anderson
    00-00-1896 Patrick Boylan
    00-00-1896 James Brock
    00-00-1896 George Buist
    00-00-1896 George Carver
    00-00-1896 George Farmer
    00-00-1896 Edwin Harding
    00-00-1896 Adam Haywood
    00-00-1896 Edward Kane
    00-00-1896 John Leather
    00-00-1896 Alex McFarlane
    00-00-1896 John Russell
    00-00-1896 Tom Shrewsbury
    00-00-1896 Finlay Sinclair
    00-00-1896 Arthur Talbot
    00-00-1896 Job Whitfield
    00-00-1896 Jack Wilson
    00-00-1897 Alex Caie
    00-00-1897 Hugh Cassidy
    00-00-1897 James Clark
    00-00-1897 James Devlin
    00-00-1897 Patrick Farrell
    00-00-1897 David Hannah
    00-00-1897 Fergus Hunt
    00-00-1897 James McAuley
    00-00-1897 Alex McConnell
    00-00-1897 Archie McGeoch
    00-00-1897 James Monteith
    00-00-1897 Roger Ord
    00-00-1897 Andrew Stevens
    00-00-1897 James Stuart
    00-00-1897 William White
    00-00-1898 Ernest Cottrell
    00-00-1898 Hugh Dailly
    00-00-1898 John Dick
    00-00-1898 James Fyfe
    00-00-1898 Thomas Hamilton
    00-00-1898 John McAvoy
    00-00-1898 John McPhee
    00-00-1898 Andrew Mitchell
    00-00-1898 James Moir
    00-00-1898 Harry Murrell
    00-00-1898 Herbert Shaw
    00-00-1899 James Aston
    00-00-1899 Charles Dunsbee
    00-00-1899 John Garton
    00-00-1899 Ralph Gaudie
    00-00-1899 Jack Graham
    00-00-1899 Abe Hartley
    00-00-1899 Jimmy Jackson
    00-00-1899 Frank Lloyd
    00-00-1899 Peter Logan
    00-00-1899 Alex Main
    00-00-1899 Andrew McCowie
    00-00-1899 Duncan McNichol
    00-00-1899 Joseph Murphy
    00-00-1899 Moses Sanders
    00-00-1899 James Tennant
    00-00-1900 James Ashcroft
    00-00-1900 John Blackwood
    00-00-1900 William Bradshaw
    00-00-1900 Fred Coles
    00-00-1900 Archie Cross
    00-00-1900 Tom Grieve
    00-00-1900 Thomas Low
    00-00-1900 Walter Place
    00-00-1900 Frank Ransom
    00-00-1900 Thomas Spicer
    00-00-1900 Stephen Theobald
    00-00-1900 Peter Turner
    00-00-1900 William Vaughan
    00-00-1900 George Wolfe
    00-00-1901 Walter Anderson
    00-00-1901 Tommy Briercliffe
    00-00-1901 John Edgar
    00-00-1901 Tom Fitchie
    00-00-1901 Abe Foxall
    00-00-1901 Bill Gooing
    00-00-1901 James Laidlaw
    00-00-1901 Isaac Owens
    00-00-1901 Andrew Swan
    00-00-1902 William Bannister
    00-00-1902 John Coleman
    00-00-1902 Joe Connor
    00-00-1902 Everard Lawrence
    00-00-1902 Bill Linward
    00-00-1902 Roddy McEachrane
    00-00-1902 Percy Sands
    00-00-1903 Edward Anderson
    00-00-1903 James Bellamy
    00-00-1903 Walter Busby
    00-00-1903 Alfred Crowe
    00-00-1903 Fred Dwight
    00-00-1903 Tom Pratt
    00-00-1903 Tommy Shanks
    00-00-1903 Harry Thorpe
    00-00-1903 Robert Watson
    00-00-1904 James Bigden
    00-00-1904 James Buchan
    00-00-1904 Alex Davidson
    00-00-1904 Archie Gray
    00-00-1904 John Hunter
    00-00-1904 David Neave
    00-00-1904 Charlie Satterthwaite
    00-00-1904 Bobby Templeton
    00-00-1905 Tom Arnold
    00-00-1905 Edwin Bateup
    00-00-1905 James Blair
    00-00-1905 Andy Ducat
    00-00-1905 Bert Freeman
    00-00-1905 Billy Garbutt
    00-00-1905 Fred Kemp
    00-00-1905 Harold Lee
    00-00-1905 Charles McGibbon
    00-00-1905 Jimmy Sharp
    00-00-1906 Spencer Bassett
    00-00-1906 James Ferguson
    00-00-1906 Neville Grice
    00-00-1906 Tom Hynds
    00-00-1906 Peter Kyle
    00-00-1906 Archie Low
    00-00-1906 Hugh McDonald
    00-00-1906 Joe Satterthwaite
    00-00-1907 Norman Chisholm
    00-00-1907 Gordon Hoare
    00-00-1907 Charlie Lewis
    00-00-1907 Jackie Mordue
    00-00-1907 James Quayle
    00-00-1907 James Rodger
    00-00-1907 Joe Shaw
    00-00-1908 William Curle
    00-00-1908 David Greenaway
    00-00-1908 James Maxwell
    00-00-1908 Angus McKinnon
    00-00-1908 Sam Raybould
    00-00-1908 Matt Thomson
    00-00-1909 Albert Beney
    00-00-1909 Charlie Buchan
    00-00-1909 William Buckenham
    00-00-1909 Tom Drain
    00-00-1909 George Fisher
    00-00-1909 Frank Heppinstall
    00-00-1909 Walter Lawrence
    00-00-1909 Duncan McDonald
    00-00-1909 Matthew McKellar
    00-00-1909 Harold Oliver
    00-00-1909 Robert Stevens
    00-00-1910 George Burdett
    00-00-1910 John Chalmers
    00-00-1910 Alf Common
    00-00-1910 John Flanagan
    00-00-1910 George Grant
    00-00-1910 Harry Logan
    00-00-1910 Jack Peart
    00-00-1910 Willis Rippon
    00-00-1910 Matthew Shortt
    00-00-1910 Tommy Winship
    00-00-1911 Leslie Calder
    00-00-1911 Fred Calvert
    00-00-1911 Harold Crawford
    00-00-1911 Alex Graham
    00-00-1911 Joseph McLaughlan
    00-00-1911 Charles Randall
    00-00-1911 Dr. Roose
    00-00-1912 George Burrell
    00-00-1912 David Duncan
    00-00-1912 Robert Evans
    00-00-1912 George Ford
    00-00-1912 John Grant
    00-00-1912 Fred Groves
    00-00-1912 Ernest Hanks
    00-00-1912 Edward King
    00-00-1912 George Payne
    00-00-1912 William Spittle
    00-00-1912 Oliver Wilson
    00-00-1913 Charles Bell
    00-00-1913 Bob Benson
    00-00-1913 James Caldwell
    00-00-1913 Archie Devine
    00-00-1913 Joe Fidler
    00-00-1913 Wally Hardinge
    00-00-1913 George Jobey
    00-00-1913 Joe Lievesley
    00-00-1913 Jock Rutherford
    00-00-1913 Donald Slade
    00-00-1913 Stephen Stonley
    00-00-1914 Billy Blyth
    00-00-1914 Frank Bradshaw
    00-00-1914 Chris Buckley
    00-00-1914 Jack Butler
    00-00-1914 Alf Fletcher
    00-00-1914 Richard Hannigan
    00-00-1914 Arthur Kempton
    00-00-1914 Harry King
    00-00-1914 Ted Liddell
    00-00-1914 James Norman
    00-00-1916 Arthur Hutchins
    00-00-1919 Alf Baker - Trainee
    00-00-1919 Dan Burgess
    00-00-1919 Frank Cownley
    00-00-1919 Stephen Dunn
    00-00-1919 James Hopkins
    00-00-1919 Joe North
    00-00-1919 Fred Pagnam
    00-00-1919 Joe Toner
    00-00-1919 Clem Voysey
    00-00-1919 Harry White
    00-00-1919 Tom Whittaker
    00-00-1919 Ernie Williamson
    00-00-1920 Ernest Coopland
    00-00-1920 Alex McKenzie
    00-00-1920 Dr. Paterson
    00-00-1920 George Pattison
    00-00-1920 James Smith
    00-00-1920 Harold Walden
    00-00-1921 Reg Boreham
    00-00-1921 Walter Creegan
    00-00-1921 William Henderson
    00-00-1921 Alex Mackie
    00-00-1921 Thomas Maxwell
    00-00-1921 Billy Milne
    00-00-1921 John Robson
    00-00-1921 Frank Townrow
    00-00-1921 Bob Turnbull
    00-00-1922 Stanley Earle
    00-00-1922 Richard Elvey
    00-00-1922 Sammy Haden
    00-00-1922 Bob John - Trainee
    00-00-1922 Andy Kennedy
    00-00-1922 Archie Roe
    00-00-1922 Andy Young
    00-00-1923 Jimmy Brain - Trainee
    00-00-1923 John Clark
    00-00-1923 Fred Jones
    00-00-1923 Edward Wallington
    00-00-1923 Harry Woods
    00-00-1924 Sid Hoar
    00-00-1924 Herbert Lawson
    00-00-1924 Dan Lewis
    00-00-1924 Andrew Neil
    00-00-1924 James Ramsey
    00-00-1924 John Rutherford
    00-00-1924 Bill Seddon - Trainee
    00-00-1925 Charles Barley
    00-00-1925 Donald Cock
    00-00-1925 Joseph Hughes
    00-00-1925 John Moody
    00-00-1925 Arthur Roe
    00-00-1925 Billy Warnes
    09-11-1925 Bill Harper Hibernian £4,000
    00-00-1926 Ted Bowen
    00-00-1926 Horace Cope - Trainee
    00-00-1926 Joe Hulme Blackburn Rovers
    00-00-1926 Jack Lee
    00-00-1926 Tom Parker Southampton
    00-00-1926 Harold Peel
    00-00-1926 Herbie Roberts Oswestry Town
    00-00-1926 James Shaw
    01-06-1926 Jack Lambert Doncaster Rovers £2,000
    00-00-1927 Archie Clark
    00-00-1927 Reg Tricker
    00-00-1927 Len Thompson - Trainee
    00-10-1927 Eddie Hapgood Kettering Town £950
    00-00-1928 Alf Haynes - Trainee
    00-00-1928 David Jack Bolton Wanderers £11,500
    00-00-1928 Charlie Jones - Trainee
    00-00-1928 William Maycock
    00-00-1928 Ray Parkin - Trainee
    00-00-1928 Bill Paterson
    00-05-1929 Cliff Bastin Exeter City £2,000
    00-00-1929 David Halliday
    00-00-1929 Bill Johnstone - Trainee
    00-00-1929 Charlie Preedy - Trainee
    00-00-1929 Norman Sidey - Trainee
    00-00-1929 Joe Williams - Trainee
    00-06-1929 Alex James Preston North End £8,750
    23-11-1929 George Male Clapton Free
    00-00-1930 Edward Humpish
    00-00-1930 Gerry Keyser - Trainee
    00-00-1930 Charlie Walsh - Trainee
    00-00-1931 Pat Beasley Stourbridge FC
    00-00-1931 Tom Black - Trainee
    00-00-1931 Sid Cartwright
    00-00-1931 Frank Moss Oldham Athletic
    00-00-1931 Reg Stockill York City
    00-00-1932 Tim Coleman - Trainee
    00-00-1932 Denis Compton - Trainee
    00-00-1932 Frank Hill - Trainee
    00-00-1932 Ernie Tuckett
    00-00-1932 William Warnes - Trainee
    00-00-1932 Ray Bowden Plymouth Argyle
    00-02-1932 Leslie Compton - Trainee
    00-00-1933 Arthur Biggs
    00-00-1933 Ralph Birkett Torquay United £1,500
    00-00-1933 Ernie Collett - Trainee
    00-00-1933 George Cox - Trainee
    00-00-1933 Peter Dougall - Trainee
    00-00-1933 Jimmy Dunne - Trainee
    00-00-1933 Reg Trim Bournemouth & Boscombe
    00-00-1933 Alex Wilson - Trainee
    00-00-1934 Jack Crayston Bradford Park Avenue
    00-00 1934 Jimmy Marshall Glasgow Rangers
    00-03-1934 Ted Drake Southampton £6,500
    01-06-1934 Wilf Copping Leeds United £6,000
    00-00-1935 Eddie Carr
    00-00-1935 Bobby Davidson St. Johnstone
    00-00-1935 Bernard Joy - Trainee
    00-00-1935 Reg Lewis - Trainee
    00-00 1935 Jackie Milne
    00-00-1935 David Pryde
    00-00-1935 Ehud Rogers Wrexham
    00-00-1935 Wilf Walsh
    00-00-1935 Ronnie Westcott
    00-03-1935 Alf Kirchen Norwich City £6,000
    00-00-1936 Frank Boulton
    00-00-1936 George Curtis - Trainee
    00-00-1936 Alf Fields - Trainee
    00-00-1936 Mal Griffiths
    00-00-1936 George Marks
    00-00-1936 David Nelson - Trainee
    00-00-1936 Sid Pugh
    00-00-1936 George Swindin Bradford City
    00-00-1937 Gordon Bremmer
    00-00-1937 Andrew Farr
    00-00-1937 George Hunt
    00-00-1937 Leslie Jones - Trainee
    00-00-1937 Laurie Scott Bradford City
    00-00-1937 Harry Waller - Trainee
    00-00-1938 Reg Cumner - Trainee
    00-00-1938 George Drury - Trainee
    00-00-1938 Les Henley - Trainee
    00-00-1938 Bryn Jones Wolverhampton Wanderers £14,000
    00-00-1938 Stan Morgan - Trainee
    00-00-1938 Ted Platt - Trainee
    00-00-1939 Jimmy Logie - Trainee
    00-00-1939 Lionel Smith Yorkshire Tar Distillers FC
    00-00-1943 Walley Barnes - Trainee
    00-00-1944 John Chenhall - Trainee (Resigned 1945) from Boston United
    00-00-1944 Cyril Hodges - Trainee
    00-00-1944 Joe Wade - Trainee
    00-00-1945 Arthur Milton - Trainee
    00-00-1945 Kevin O’Flanagan - Trainee
    00-00-1945 Don Oakes - Trainee
    00-00-1946 Ray Daniel - Trainee
    00-00-1946 Cyril Grant - Trainee
    00-00-1946 Albert Gudmundsson Glasgow Rangers
    00-00-1946 Ian McPherson - Trainee
    00-00-1946 Joe Mercer Everton
    00-00-1946 Ronnie Rooke Fulham £1,000 + 2 Reserve Players
    00-00-1946 Paddy Sloan - Trainee
    00-00-1946 Alan Smith - Trainee
    00-00-1946 Tom Vallance - Trainee
    00-00-1947 Alf Calverley - Trainee
    00-00-1947 Cliff Holton - Trainee
    00-00-1947 Noel Kelly - Trainee
    00-00-1947 Archie Macaulay Brentford
    00-00-1947 Tommy Rudkin - Trainee
    01-08-1947 Don Roper Southampton
    00-00-1948 Alex Forbes Sheffield United
    00-00-1948 Peter Goring - Trainee
    00-00-1948 Doug Lishman Walsall
    00-00-1948 James Robertson - Trainee
    00-00-1948 Arthur Shaw - Trainee
    00-00-1949 Freddie Cox Tottenham Hotspur
    00-00-1949 Jim Fotheringham - Trainee
    00-00-1949 Jack Kelsey Winch Wen
    00-00-1949 Brian Walsh - Trainee
    00-00-1949 Len Wills Eton Manor
    00-00-1950 Dave Bowen Northampton Town
    00-00-1950 Ben Marden - Trainee
    00-00-1951 Dennis Evans - Trainee
    00-00-1952 Bill Dodgin Fulham
    00-00-1952 Ralph Guthrie - Trainee
    00-00-1952 Jim Standen - Trainee
    00-00-1952 Ray Swallow - Trainee
    00-00-1952 Peter Tilley - Trainee
    00-00-1952 Gerry Ward - Trainee
    00-00-1953 Danny Clapton - Trainee
    00-00-1953 Bill Dickson - Trainee
    00-00-1953 Roy Goulden - Trainee
    00-00-1953 Peter Goy - Trainee
    00-00-1953 Tommy Lawton Brentford
    00-00-1953 Derek Tapscott Barry Town
    00-00-1953 Jack Wilkinson - Trainee
    00-00-1954 Joe Haverty St. Patricks Athletic
    00-00-1954 David Herd Stockport County
    00-00-1954 Johnny Petts - Trainee
    00-00-1954 Con Sullivan - Trainee
    00-07-1954 Jimmy Bloomfield Brentford £8,000
    00-00-1955 John Barnwell Bishop Auckland
    00-00-1955 Tony Biggs - Trainee
    00-00-1955 Stan Charlton Leyton Orient
    00-00-1955 Vic Groves Leyton Orient
    00-00-1955 Gordon Nutt Cardiff City
    00-00-1955 Mike Tiddy - Trainee
    00-00-1956 Mike Everitt - Trainee
    00-00-1956 Allan Young - Trainee
    00-00-1957 Denis Clapton - Trainee
    00-00-1957 Dan Le Roux - Trainee
    00-00-1957 Geoff Strong - Trainee
    00-00-1958 Dave Bacuzzi - Trainee
    00-00-1958 Tommy Docherty Preston North End
    00-00-1958 Jackie Henderson Wolverhampton Wanderers
    00-00-1958 Len Julians Leyton Orient
    00-09-1958 Billy McCullough Portadown
    00-00-1958 Ian McKechnie - Trainee
    00-00-1958 Frank O’Neill - Trainee
    00-00-1958 John Snedden - Trainee
    00-00-1959 Terry Anderson - Trainee
    00-00-1959 Mel Charles Swansea City
    00-00-1959 David Court - Trainee
    00-00-1959 Jimmy Magill Portadown
    00-00-1959 Alan Skirton - Trainee
    00-00-1959 Rodney Smithson - Trainee
    00-12-1959 Terry Neill Bangor £2,000
    00-10-1960 George Eastham Newcastle United £47,500
    00-00-1960 Gordon Ferry - Trainee
    00-00-1960 Peter Kane Northampton Town
    00-00-1960 John McClelland Glenavon
    00-05-1960 Peter Simpson - Trainee
    00-11-1960 Fred Clarke Glenavon £5,000
    00-00-1961 Laurie Brown Northampton Town
    00-11-1961 Eddie Clamp Wolverhampton Wanderers
    00-00-1961 Arfon Griffiths Wrexham
    00-00-1961 Jon Sammels - Trainee
    00-00-1961 Peter Storey - Trainee
    01-06-1961 Johnny MacLeod Hibernian £40,000
    24-08-1961 George Armstrong - Trainee
    00-00-1962 David Jenkins - Trainee
    00-00-1962 Roy Pack - Trainee
    00-00-1962 John Radford - Trainee
    00-08-1962 Joe Baker Torino £72,500
    00-09-1962 Tommy Baldwin - Trainee
    00-00-1963 Micky Boot - Trainee
    00-00-1963 Bob Wilson - Trainee
    00-03-1963 Tony Burns - Trainee
    00-04-1963 Brian Tawse - Trainee
    00-08-1963 Ian Ure Dundee £62,500
    00-11-1963 Jim Furnell Liverpool £15,000
    00-00-1964 Roger Davidson - Trainee
    00-00-1964 Don Howe West Bromwich Albion
    00-00-1964 Gordon Neilson Glasgow United
    00-00-1964 Tom Walley - Trainee
    00-10-1964 Frank McLintock Leicester City £80,000
    00-12-1964 Pat Rice - Trainee
    00-00-1965 Jimmy McGill
    00-00-1965 Alan Tyrer - Trainee
    00-00-1966 Tommy Coakley Motherwell
    00-00-1966 Charlie George - Trainee
    00-00-1966 Eddie Kelly - Trainee
    00-00-1966 Malcolm Webster - Trainee
    00-00-1966 John Woodward - Trainee
    00-04-1966 Sammy Nelson - Trainee
    01-09-1966 George Graham Chelsea £50,000
    00-09-1966 Colin Addison Nottingham Forest £45,000
    00-10-1966 Bob McNab Huddersfield Town £50,000
    00-00-1967 George Johnston Cardiff City
    00-00-1968 Paul Davies - Trainee
    00-00-1968 Ray Kennedy - Trainee
    00-02-1968 Bobby Gould Coventry City £90,000
    00-10-1968 Jimmy Robertson Tottenham Hotspur
    00-00-1969 Brendon Batson - Trainee
    00-05-1969 John Roberts Northampton Town £35,000
    01-10-1969 Geoff Barnett Everton £30,000
    00-00-1970 Brian Hornsby - Trainee
    00-00-1970 David Price - Trainee
    00-01-1970 Peter Marinello Hibernian £100,000
    00-00-1971 Liam Brady - Trainee
    00-00-1971 John Matthews - Trainee
    00-00-1971 Richie Powling - Trainee
    01-12-1971 Alan Ball Everton £220,000
    00-00-1972 Wilf Rostron - Trainee
    00-00-1972 Frank Stapleton - Trainee
    00-10-1972 Jeff Blockley Coventry City
    00-00-1973 Brian Chambers Sunderland
    00-00-1973 David O’Leary - Trainee
    00-00-1974 John Devine - Trainee
    00-00-1974 Steve Gatting - Trainee
    00-00-1974 Brian Kidd Manchester United £110,000
    00-00-1974 Jimmy Rimmer Manchester United £40,000
    00-00-1974 Graham Rix - Trainee
    00-00-1974 Trevor Ross - Trainee
    00-10-1974 Terry Mancini Queens Park Rangers
    01-12-1974 Alex Cropley Hibernian
    00-00-1975 Steve Brignall - Trainee
    00-00-1976 Malcolm Macdonald Newcastle United £333,333
    00-09-1976 Pat Howard Newcastle United
    00-12-1976 Alan Hudson Stoke City
    00-00-1977 Jimmy Harvey Glenavon
    00-00-1977 Mark Heeley Peterborough United
    00-00-1977 Brian McDermott - Trainee
    00-00-1977 Brian Sparrow - Trainee
    00-00-1977 Kevin Stead Tottenham Hotspur
    00-00-1977 Paul Vaessen - Trainee
    00-00-1977 Chris White - Trainee
    00-00-1977 Rhys Wilmot - Trainee
    00-03-1977 Willie Young Tottenham Hotspur
    01-08-1977 Pat Jennings Tottenham Hotspur £45,000
    00-08-1977 Steve Walford Tottenham Hotspur £20,000
    02-11-1977 Alan Sunderland Wolverhampton Wanderers £220,000
    00-00-1978 Paul Barron Plymouth Argyle
    00-00-1978 David Cork - Trainee
    00-00-1978 Paul Davis - Trainee
    00-00-1978 John Kosmina West Adelaide
    00-00-1978 Raphael Meade - Trainee
    00-00-1978 Danny O’Shea - Trainee
    00-00-1979 Paul Gorman - Trainee
    00-00-1979 Colin Hill - Trainee
    00-00-1979 John Hollins Queens Park Rangers
    00-00-1979 John Kay - Trainee
    00-01-1979 Brian Talbot Ipswich Town
    00-00-1980 Stewart Robson - Trainee
    00-00-1980 George Wood Everton
    13-06-1980 Clive Allen Queens Park Rangers £1,250,000
    00-08-1980 Kenny Sansom Crystal Palace £800,000
    00-00-1981 Martin Hayes - Trainee
    10-03-1981 Peter Nicholas Crystal Palace £500,000
    01-09-1981 John Hawley Sunderland £50,000
    00-11-1981 Ray Hankin Vancouver Whitecaps £400,000
    00-00-1982 Gus Caesar - Trainee
    00-00-1982 Paul Merson - Trainee
    00-00-1982 David Rocastle - Trainee
    00-00-1982 Michael Thomas - Trainee
    00-00-1982 Tony Woodcock FC Köln
    00-06-1982 Martin Keown - Trainee (Resigned 04-02-1993) from Everton (£2,000,000)
    25-08-1982 Lee Chapman Stoke City £500,000
    00-12-1982 Vladimir Petrovic Red Star Belgrade £400,000
    00-00-1983 Ian Allinson - Trainee
    00-00-1983 David Madden Southampton
    00-00-1983 Charlie Nicholas Celtic
    00-00-1983 Niall Quinn - Trainee
    00-04-1983 Tony Adams - Trainee
    25-07-1983 John Lukic Leeds United £50,000 (Resigned 01-07-1996) from Leeds United (Free)
    01-12-1983 Tommy Caton Manchester City £400,000
    00-00-1984 Alan Miller - Trainee
    00-00-1984 Steve Williams Southampton
    00-02-1984 Paul Mariner Ipswich Town
    03-08-1984 Viv Anderson Nottingham Forest £250,000
    00-00-1985 Kevin Campbell - Trainee
    00-00-1985 David Hillier - Trainee
    00-00-1986 Andy Cole - Trainee
    00-00-1986 Perry Groves Colchester United
    00-00-1987 Neil Heaney - Trainee
    26-03-1987 Alan Smith Leicester City £850,000
    26-05-1987 Nigel Winterburn Wimbledon £407,000
    00-07-1987 Steve Morrow Bangor
    26-08-1987 Kevin Richardson Watford £2,000,000
    00-00-1988 Kwame Ampadu - Trainee
    00-00-1988 Paul Dickov - Trainee
    00-00-1988 Mark Flatts - Trainee
    00-00-1988 Scott Marshall - Trainee
    00-00-1988 Ray Parlour - Trainee
    00-00-1988 Ian Selley - Trainee
    00-00-1988 Paul Shaw - Trainee
    29-01-1988 Lee Dixon Stoke City £4,000,000
    00-03-1988 Brian Marwood Sheffield Wednesday
    03-06-1988 Steve Bould Stoke City £390,000
    00-00-1989 Adrian Clarke - Trainee
    00-07-1989 Siggi Jonsson Sheffield Wednesday
    00-01-1990 Colin Pates Charlton Athletic £500,000
    18-05-1990 David Seaman Queens Park Rangers £1,300,000
    04-07-1990 Andy Linighan Norwich City £1,250,000
    06-08-1990 Anders Limpar Cremonese £1,000,000
    00-00-1991 Gavin McGowan - Trainee
    20-03-1991 Jim Leighton Manchester United Loan
    24-09-1991 Ian Wright Crystal Palace £2,500,000
    00-09-1991 Pål Lydersen IK Start £500,000
    08-10-1991 Jimmy Carter Liverpool £500,000
    00-00-1992 Stephen Hughes - Trainee
    01-08-1992 John Faxe Jensen Bröndby £1,100,000
    00-00-1993 Michael Black - Trainee
    00-00-1993 Justin Hoyte - Trainee
    00-00-1993 Jim Will - Trainee
    18-06-1993 Eddie McGoldrick Crystal Palace £1,000,000
    00-00-1994 Isaiah Rankin - Trainee
    00-00-1994 Matthew Rose - Trainee
    31-05-1994 Stefan Schwarz Benfica £1,800,000
    16-06-1994 Lee Harper Sittingbourne £150,000
    10-08-1994 Vince Bartram Bournemouth £40,000
    00-00-1995 Jason Crowe - Trainee
    13-01-1995 John Hartson Luton Town £2,500,000
    13-01-1995 Chris Kiwomya Ipswich Town £1,500,000
    14-02-1995 Glenn Helder Vitesse Arnhem £2,300,000
    28-06-1995 Dennis Bergkamp Inter Milan £7,500,000
    14-07-1995 David Platt Sampdoria £4,750,000
    00-00-1996 Tommy Black - Trainee
    00-00-1996 Julian Gray - Trainee
    00-00-1996 Omer Riza - Trainee
    00-00-1996 Paolo Vernazza - Trainee
    16-07-1996 Valur Gislason Fram Reykjavik
    14-08-1996 Rémi Garde Strasbourg Free
    14-08-1996 Patrick Vieira AC Milan £3,500,000
    00-00-1997 Graham Barrett - Trainee
    00-00-1997 David Bentley - Trainee
    00-00-1997 Ashley Cole - Trainee
    00-00-1997 Brian McCovern - Trainee
    00-00-1997 Jehad Muntasser - Trainee
    00-00-1997 Stuart Taylor - Trainee
    00-00-1997 Rhys Weston - Trainee
    22-02-1997 Nicolas Anelka Paris Saint-Germain £500,000
    10-05-1997 Matthew Upson Luton Town £2,000,000
    03-06-1997 Alex Manninger Graz AK £500,000
    04-06-1997 Gilles Grimandi AS Monaco £2,500,000
    04-06-1997 Emmanuel Petit AS Monaco £2,500,000
    14-06-1997 Luis Boa Morte Sporting CP £1,750,000
    17-06-1997 Alberto Mendez FC Feucht
    17-06-1997 Marc Overmars Ajax £7,000,000
    09-07-1997 Lee Canoville Millwall
    07-08-1997 Christopher Wreh AS Monaco £300,000
    00-00-1998 John Halls - Trainee
    00-00-1998 Graham Stack - Trainee
    00-00-1998 Greg Lincoln - Trainee
    19-06-1998 David Grondin St. Etienne £500,000
    05-08-1998 Nelson Vivas Lugano £1,600,000
    12-09-1998 Fredrik Ljungberg Halmstads BK £3,000,000
    29-10-1998 Fabian Caballero Cerro Porteno Loan
    10-11-1998 Eric Chukwunyelu-Obinna Bahia
    18-11-1998 William Huck AS Monaco Free
    00-00-1999 Jérémie Aliadière - Trainee
    00-00-1999 Ryan Garry - Trainee
    00-00-1999 Carlin Itonga - Trainee
    00-00-1999 Rohan Ricketts - Trainee
    08-01-1999 Jermaine Pennant Notts County £2,000,000
    15-01-1999 Nwankwo Kanu Inter Milan £4,500,000
    29-01-1999 Kaba Diawara Bordeaux £2,500,000
    28-05-1999 Oleg Luzhny Dynamo Kiev £1,800,000
    24-06-1999 Stefan Malz 1860 München £650,000
    30-06-1999 Sylvinho Corinthians £4,000,000
    02-08-1999 Davor Suker Real Madrid CF £500,000
    03-08-1999 Thierry Henry Juventus £10,500,000
    06-08-1999 Niccolo Galli Fiorentina
    00-00-2000 John Spicer - Trainee
    30-05-2000 Lauren Real Mallorca £7,200,000
    03-07-2000 Robert Pirès Olympique Marseille £6,000,000
    01-08-2000 Sebastian Svärd FC Köbenhavn
    01-08-2000 Moritz Volz Schalke 04
    07-08-2000 Guy Demel Nimes Free
    26-08-2000 Sylvain Wiltord Bordeaux £13,000,000
    04-09-2000 Igors Stepanovs Skonto Riga £1,000,000
    13-12-2000 Tomas Danilevicius Lausanne Sports £1,000,000
    00-00-2001 Sebastian Larsson IFK Eskilstuna Trainee
    00-00-2001 Frankie Simek - Trainee
    00-00-2001 Olafur-Ingi Skulason Fylkir Trainee
    00-00-2001 Jerome Thomas - Trainee
    16-01-2001 Edu Corinthians £6,000,000
    01-05-2001 Juan São Paulo
    14-06-2001 Francis Jeffers Everton £8,000,000
    19-06-2001 Giovanni van Bronckhorst Glasgow Rangers £8,500,000
    03-07-2001 Sol Campbell Tottenham Hotspur Free
    05-07-2001 Richard Wright Ipswich Town £6,000,000
    23-07-2001 Junichi Inamoto Gamba Osaka Loan
    19-09-2001 Stathis Tavlaridis Iraklis Saloniki £600,000
    01-10-2001 Jack Wilshere - Trainee
    00-00-2002 Danny Karbassiyoon - Trainee
    00-00-2002 Fabrice Muamba - Trainee
    00-00-2002 Quincy Owusu-Abeyie Ajax Trainee
    00-00-2002 Patrick Cregg - Trainee
    14-02-2002 Kolo Touré Asec Mimosas £150,000
    01-06-2002 Philippe Senderos FC Servette £2,500,000
    11-07-2002 Pascal Cygan Lille £2,100,000
    07-08-2002 Gilberto Silva Atletico Mineiro £4,500,000
    30-08-2002 Rami Shaaban Djurgårdens IF
    00-00-2003 Kerrea Gilbert - Trainee
    00-00-2003 Anthony Stokes - Trainee
    00-00-2003 Ryan Smith - Trainee
    31-01-2003 Guillaume Warmuz Lens
    26-07-2003 Jens Lehmann Borussia Dortmund £1,000,000 + Player Swap (Warmuz)
    01-08-2003 Johan Djourou Etoile Carouge FC
    01-08-2003 Michal Papadopulos Banik Ostrava Loan
    04-08-2003 Gaël Clichy AS Cannes £250,000
    11-09-2003 Cesc Fábregas FC Barcelona Free
    00-00-2004 Matthew Connolly - Trainee
    28-01-2004 José Antonio Reyes Sevilla £10,500,000
    17-05-2004 Robin van Persie Feyenoord £2,750,000
    01-07-2004 Arturo Lupoli Parma
    18-07-2004 Manuel Almunia Celta Vigo
    23-07-2004 Mathieu Flamini Olympique Marseille Free
    01-08-2004 Nicklas Bendtner FC Köbenhavn
    02-01-2005 Emmanuel Eboué Beveren £1,000,000
    04-07-2005 Vito Mannone Atalanta £350,000
    05-07-2005 Armand Traoré AS Monaco Trainee
    12-07-2005 Alexander Hleb VfB Stuttgart £11,200,000
    01-08-2005 Jay Simpson - Trainee
    12-08-2005 Alexandre Song Bastia Loan (Signed 01-08-2006) for £1,000,000
    31-08-2005 Mart Poom Sunderland Loan (Signed 23-01-2006)
    13-01-2006 Emmanuel Adebayor AS Monaco £7,000,000
    13-01-2006 Abou Diaby Auxerre £2,000,000
    20-01-2006 Theo Walcott Southampton £5,000,000
    23-05-2006 Tomás Rosický Borussia Dortmund £6,800,000
    01-07-2006 Mark Randall - Trainee
    01-08-2006 Joe O’Cearuill Watford Free
    01-08-2006 Fran Mérida FC Barcelona Free
    01-08-2006 Rui Fonte Sporting CP Trainee
    31-08-2006 Júlio Baptista Real Madrid CF Loan
    31-08-2006 Denìlson São Paulo £3,400,000
    31-08-2006 William Gallas Chelsea Player Swap (Cole)
    01-01-2007 Carlos Vela Guadalajara
    26-05-2007 Lukasz Fabianski Legia Warszawa
    01-07-2007 Nacer Barazite NEC Nijmegen
    03-07-2007 Eduardo da Silva Dinamo Zagreb £7,500,000
    12-07-2007 Bacary Sagna Auxerre £6,000,000
    31-07-2007 Henri Lansbury - Trainee
    01-08-2007 Paul Rodgers - Trainee
    31-08-2007 Lassana Diarra Chelsea £2,000,000
    10-09-2007 Kieran Gibbs Wimbledon Trainee
    10-09-2007 Gavin Hoyte - Trainee
    30-01-2008 Luke Freeman Gillingham £200,000
    13-06-2008 Aaron Ramsey Cardiff City £5,000,000
    11-07-2008 Samir Nasri Olympique Marseille £15,800,000
    22-07-2008 Francis Coquelin Laval Trainee
    30-07-2008 Amaury Bischoff Werder Bremen Free
    20-08-2008 Mikaël Silvestre Manchester United £700,000
    03-02-2009 Andrey Arshavin Zenit St. Petersburg £15,000,000

    This took me some time to do cause i had to look on several sites (and in books for that matter) to find all the facts!
    Hope someone enjoys, cheers!

  73. Dan Says:

    Yesterday we brought all the news that Arsenal prefer to 11.5 million auction was for Thomas Vermaelen and now the transfer to the Red Devil on after a round. The 23-year-old to Stabroek – a youth product of Germinal Beerschot – play the next four years almost certainly in the Emirates Stadium at the English club. The 23-year-old to Stabroek – a youth product or Germinal Beerschot – play the next four years almost certainly in the Emirates Stadium at the English club. Besides Marouane Fellaini (Everton) and Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) is Vermaelen as the third Red Devil in the strongest league in Europe. Besides Marouane Fellaini (Everton) and Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) is Vermaelen as the third Red Devil Strongest in the league in Europe. It is one of the strafste transfers in the history of Belgian football. It is one of the strafste transfers in the history of Belgian football. The Gunners with Ajax finalizing a transfer amount of 13 million euros, after which Vermaelen Fellaini (20 million) the second most expensive transfer ever is Belgian. The Gunners with Ajax finalizing a transfer amount of 13 million euros, after which Vermaelen Fellaini (20 million) the second most expensive transfer ever is Belgian.

    Vermaelen was trained in Germinal Ekeren and later at the Antwerp club Germinal Beerschot merger. Vermaelen was trained in Germinal Ekeren and later at the Antwerp club Germinal Beerschot merger. They worked with Ajax and in 2004 he left Amsterdam ArenA. They worked with Ajax and in 2004 he left Amsterdam ArenA. He was a season on loan to RKC, but grew over the years to a fixed value for Ajax and the Red Devils. He was a season on loan to RKC, but grew over the years to a fixed value for Ajax and the Red Devils. Vermaelen was also the party at the Olympics in Beijing. Vermaelen was also the party at the Olympics in Beijing. there you go :)

  74. RayGooner Says:

    i’m sorry if my stats were too long…

  75. RayGooner Says:

    it hasn’t popped up yet, that’s why i’m wondering…

  76. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    By 1970’s Gooner

    It seems that Arsene Wenger is going to carry out the promise he gave at the shareholders meeting that he will go into the transfer market to strengthen the team.

    But this latest news about an interest in Bosnian hit man Dzeko seems to be an attempt to maintain the team’s strength rather than add to it.

    Le Gaffer has hit the ground running since the Q & A.

  77. RayGooner Says:

    i can reduce it if that helps?…

  78. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Daily Mirror reports that Arsenal will try to sign Udinese defender Christian Zapata. Zapata (22) is young talented defender also playing at full international level for Columbia.

    Chary, all this positive vibe is working for me now.

  79. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Geoff, If you are on the 19th hole @ the moment, you might want a couple of Peronis. The news is getting better on the transfer scene.

  80. charybdis1966 Says:

    IqTesab if you look at last saturday’s post Pedro explained about the guest blog.i recall you e mail him a broad outline of your proposed piece and he’ll let you know if he can use it. Mind you necking lots of Peronis in the S + B pre match helps !

  81. Dan Says:

    Yesterday we brought all the news that Arsenal prefer to 11.5 million auction was for Thomas Vermaelen and now the transfer to the Red Devil on after a round. The 23-year-old to Stabroek – a youth product of Germinal Beerschot – play the next four years almost certainly in the Emirates Stadium at the English club. Besides Marouane Fellaini (Everton) and Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) is Vermaelen as the third Red Devil in the strongest league in Europe. Besides Marouane Fellaini (Everton) and Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) is Vermaelen as the third Red Devil Strongest in the league in Europe. It is one of the biggest transfers in the history of Belgian football. The Gunners with Ajax finalizing a transfer amount of 13 million euros, after which Vermaelen Fellaini (20 million) the second most expensive transfer ever is Belgian.

    Vermaelen was trained in Germinal Ekeren and later at the Antwerp club Germinal Beerschot merger. They worked with Ajax and in 2004 he left Amsterdam ArenA. He was a season on loan to RKC, but grew over the years to a fixed value for Ajax and the Red Devils. Vermaelen was also the party at the Olympics in Beijing. Vermaelen was also the party at the Olympics in Beijing, sorry that ones better

  82. LAzer Says:

    “It is not realistic for Dzeko who is a leading player in Germany and due to perform in the Champions League to opt for an average club like Manchester City. Arsenal is the other case. We will discuss their offer seriously” Redžepagić said while in Germany.

  83. Nick Eleftheriou Says:

    What a great post! What i have been saying for years to anyone that would listen, i would also go as far as saying the bias in the media doesn’t just stop there as the numerous dodgy desisions that go manures way are to much to be held as just coincedence!!

  84. Dan Says:

    Found a translator from flemish to english :)

  85. LAzer Says:

    “I will talk over the weekend with Edin and we will see what is best for him. On Monday it is back to the negotiations with Wolfsburg” said Redžepagić.

  86. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Arsene Wenger snubbed Real Madrid’s offer to make him their boss despite meeting the Spanish giants THREE times.

    Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims Wenger was desperately close to quitting Arsenal and taking over at the Bernabeu stadium.

    Perez launched a long campaign to bring in Wenger – as first revealed in Mirror Sport on January 1. However, Real’s illegal approaches for Wenger are likely to infuriate the Arsenal board.

    Real’s attempts to snatch Wenger came to a head after Arsenal shareholders criticised the Frenchman at a stormy shareholders meeting last month after a fourth consecutive season without a trophy.

    But Perez revealed that Wenger’s loyalty to Arsenal ultimately stopped him from quitting the club and this week they appointed Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager.

  87. LAzer Says:

    Nick Eleftheriou you forgot to add one thing at the end of your post, so I will add it for you. FACT!

  88. LAzer Says:

    Thanks Dan the man.

  89. patthegooner Says:

    And I am sure I will be lambasted again for my thoughts on this.

    Is Vermaelen who you want? Are any of you really jumping around the room about the prospect of a Vermaelen no.6 shirt in blue? Does this player solve our defensive frailties? Would he help to bridge the gap? Is this a sign of a bit of desperation for a signing and we will cling on for any hint of one?

    I am just not convinced either about the signing or the validity of the story at this stage.

    I am over the moon if we are signing players this early in the Summer. I have said before that I hope Wenger sets a self-imposed transfer deadline for in and out on the 1st July to ensure both the squad and players build a momentum up in time for the season kick off. I dont want the repeat of the frustrations of deadline day panic or the fact that any signings after the season kick off need time to get Arsenal fit and gel with the team. We could already have lost points by then.

    I also still wonder about his age and height. And I think we should be concerned. Wenger himself admitted height and experience were an issue and said himself that he was looking to sign only experienced players. This guy is 23, is that experienced? maybe I misread his comments, My belief of experience is the 25 and over group. He is also under 6ft but ok he might be able to jump those extra inches to compensate. Adams did mention it himself and although he seems a bit crazy at the moment, I am sure if anyone can spot a great CB he could.

    I did mention that I had not seen him play, but thinking about it, I have seen Ajax play and although he may not have played in those games, if he did he certainly was not a player that stood out.

    Finally if he is a player that is being brought in addition to the experienced commanding CB with quality then I can accept this is maybe one for the future and maybe a Gallas/Toure replacement and maybe Wenger has more cash than we think and is himself thinking ahead, but if he is the Defender we have been crying out for, then I will need convincing, and this seems a bit of a sagna good/cygan bad risk to me.

  90. samir Says:

    As the bid appears to be serious (according to Dzeko’s agent, Irfan Redžepagić) one conclusion that can be drawn is that Adabayor looks like a goner to pastures new.

    He is a player who, like some other outward Wenger transfers, should have walked at least a year before. Let’s just hope that Arsenal get the same money for him that were offered then (25m).

    According to the agent, Dzeko will have to consider Arsenal’s interest seriously much more than Manchester city’s!

    “It is not realistic for Dzeko who is a leading player in Germany and due to perform in the Champions League to opt for an average club like Manchester City. Arsenal is the other case. We will discuss their offer seriously” Redžepagić said while in Germany.

  91. patthegooner Says:

    Dan that will do, I think we can get enough info out of that

  92. charybdis1966 Says:

    Gnarley I only want to uplift the mood of us Goons, we get nothing but Crap from the media.

  93. LAzer Says:

    Maybe Vermin is just the replacement for Senderos and we will see another CB added if this is true. I don’t see us paying 13 mill for a 23 yr old defender from Ajax who doesn’t seem to be rated by anyone really. We hardly played 15 mill for an established world class player.

  94. Gf60 Says:

    Sorry to be a pedantic old fart but to dismiss the pre-Munich ManU squad as nonentities is not only careless but shameful.
    I’ve been a Gooner for over 60 years but back in the 50s one could admire, albeit never support, teams playing great football. They visited us 4 days before Munich…it was to my mind, the best game I’ve ever seen, albeit that we lost 5-4. (and yes, I did watch the Liverpool 89, Spuds 71, and the vast majority of our Invincibles’ games) In those far off days, Manu were the Invincibles of Division 1 (as it was) yet all gooners left the ground that day proud of our side. Yes we’d lost but we’d had them on the ropes for the entire second half and they were really struggling against our not very good side. Truth be told, they were in a different class to the rest of the league and the players that died brought tears to many parts of N. London.

  95. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    & chary, you have. Since your post the media have swung round. Well maybe AW is actually doing good stuff that can’t be twisted to suit the gloom & doom merchants in the press.

  96. LAzer Says:

    You see the Dzeko’s agents quote? If that’s true glad to see someone actually has real ambition and is not willing to sell themselves. Besides Dzeko and his agent probably realize he would be warming the bench at shitty anyways as they will probably be in the market for Eto, Ibra, Villa or Tevez at some point.

  97. Nick Says:

    1) Edin Dzeko was born in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia, on 17 March 1986, and he and his family had to cope with the Bosnian war rampaging through the country when he was only six. He recalled: “It was a hard time for everyone in the country. There wasn’t much to eat, not really enough for three meals a day. I was very afraid every day. We were always having to hide when shots rang out or bombs fell. You could get shot at any time. I cried a lot in those days. Thank God the war is in the past.”

    2) Dzeko joined Bosnia and Herzegovina Premier League side FK Zeljeznicar and made his debut in 2003, starting out as a midfielder and scoring five goals in 40 games in two years at the club.

    3) He moved on to top flight Czech club FK Teplice in 2005 for €80,000, and was loaned out to second division FK Ústí nad Labem for the first half of the season. His time in the Czech Republic saw him converted into a striker – an effective switch which saw him named best foreign striker and finish second in the golden boot race in the 2006-07 season.

    4) Having come up through the U19 and U21 ranks, Dzeko made his debut for the senior side against Turkey on 2 June 2007. He made an instant impact, scoring the equaliser for 2-2 as Bosnia went on to win the game 3-2.

    5) Dzeko’s goals caught the eye of VFL Wolfsburg manager Felix Magath, who took the striker to the Bundesliga for €4million, with Dzeko signing a deal until 2011.

    6) He started brightly, with five goals in the first twelve matches, but was less successful in the second half, ending his first season in Germany with eight goals in 28 games.

    7) Last season was a different story, though, as Dzeko became half of the most successful strikeforce in Bundesliga history alongside Brazilian frontman Grafite, beating Gerd Mueller and Uli Hoeness’s record from 1972-73. Dzeko notched 26 of the pair’s 54 goals which helped propel Wolfsburg to the Bundesliga title.

    8) Dzeko finished the season with a flourish as well, scoring two hat tricks – his first coming on 2 May against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in just 13 minutes.

    9) After his goal-scoring exploits it is no wonder boss Magath sings Dzeko’s praises. Magath says of Dzeko: “He is just the kind of striker a club would wish for. He is unselfish, has an accurate shot and header, and knows what to do with the ball the moment he receives it.”

    10) Although Muslim, Dzeko doesn’t consider himself orthodox and prays once a day instead of the traditional five times.

  98. Geoff Says:

    Samir welcome, you are free to blog, Ray, fucking hell!

    Gnarley, pretty good!

  99. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Gf60, with all due respect, what were manure doing in the 30’s, when Charles “Charlie” Charles & the great Wilf “Adapted for Speed” Finney were applying their craft :)

  100. KM in WALES Says:

    CHARY hats off to you sir! This is completely out of the box thinking.i’m going to enjoy reading le-grove posts this summer.thank you geoff & pedro for the allowing guests columnists.

  101. Dan Says:

    Thats ok, google translator did all the hard work haha yea pat i dont really think he is the answer, but at the same time i really dont know what he’s like defensively because all the videos on youtube are of him scoring. But he could be an eduardo/sagna signing. I do trust arsene, that doesnt mean im a AKB, just i believe in his ability to find players.

  102. Gunner8 Says:

    nice one Chary

  103. patthegooner Says:

    LAzer

    That is actually a very good point. You can easily forget that Senderos is part of the squad still so if he is Senderos’s replacement I can go with that.

    Right who is the other CB? not sure on this Zapata fella either, again too young

  104. KM in WALES Says:

    so we’v signed Vermin. and theres a 50-50 chance that DZEKO might consider us over this weekend – thats TODAY & TOMORROW – start praying boys.

  105. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Chary, the press have gone stupid again

    Milan are already planning to replace Kaka with Arsenal ace Francesc Fabregas, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

    The Italian club are on the verge of cashing in on their Brazilian by selling him to Real Madrid – a deal that is likely to conclude on Monday. The Rossoneri have been tipped to use funds provisioned from Kaka’s sale to bring in Fabregas.

    The report claims the star is looking for a new adventure following his six year spell with the Gunners. In addition, voices claim the Spanish international’s former team-mates, Mathieu Flamini and Philippe Senderos, have been trying to entice him into making the move to Milan.

  106. patthegooner Says:

    i dont think there is anyone better in football at picking out a gem Dan.

    Unfortunately though it sometimes does go wrong, and this Defender we need will potentially be the most critically important signing Wenger ever makes. He simply has to get it right.

  107. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    ……so Big Phil, now the Dil has gone, does anyone know what we got for him?

  108. Iqtesab Says:

    S+B s?? i dont get it?

  109. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    pat, I’m sure you have made that comment before ;) Is it dejavue

  110. samir Says:

    Hi Geoff, Thanks mate!:D

  111. patthegooner Says:

    every Arsenal summer is De Ja Vu Gnarley.

  112. gooner-pak Says:

    gg9…tht quite funny….it bit copy of “carlo tried to call and entice kaka to come to chavs”…and i dont think cesc rates milan as much as ade does…he’ll be going to barca ….when??? now tht depends

  113. samir Says:

    I’ve seen Dzeko play many times. His finishing actually as good/better than eduardo. Unlike eduardo who rely on his composure, dzeko is more similar with inzaghi. He just born to score goals. He can score every type of goal. Long shot, Poacher, Header, Placing, Just name it. If adebayor goes and we replce him with this dude, Ade shall not be missed.

  114. LAzer Says:

    Forget the crackberry or the iphone, this is what’s getting all the hype these days state side. Probably until the release of the new iphone..

    http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/03/palm-pre-review/

  115. Iqtesab Says:

    Nick, u just wrote dat down from the mirror.com

  116. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Haven’t seen the hamster or BR on here for chary’s post. They must be hiding re the cricket & all :)

  117. Dan Says:

    Lazer what does it do??? they’re talking it up

  118. LAzer Says:

    This Vermin fellow, to me looks like a replacement for one of the quickish attack minded defender sorts so perhaps a bit of a replacement for Toure/Gallas. I still wonder if Toure will move on with shitty on the hunt. If it is Vermin and Chilleini I would be ecstatic but Zapata would do as well imo. That would leave us Gallas/Toure/JD/ and the 2 new boys. Maybe we blood vermin and one of the elders moves on in a year, I think Gallas has a year left on his contract and recall him saying he will complete his contract (not that that means anything nowadays).

  119. patthegooner Says:

    It has been reported today in Gazzetto Dello Sport that AC Milan have decided to spend half the proceeds from the sale of Kaka on Arsenal’s Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

    What do you mean half the proceeds, who the fuck do they think they are? it would mean all of the proceeds.

    Apart from that, It think this is the italian press clinging on to a feint belief that their League is anywhere near the English or Spanish version and that the story is in fact complete bollocks. As if Cesc would even contemplate going to Serie A. It would be like Arshavin to Celtic being linked by the Daily Record.

    I do expect a bid in from Spain for Cesc though, and I think we might just take it.

  120. georgian1gunner Says:

    Grant Leadbitter or Lee Cattermole, is one of them good for arsenal?

  121. patthegooner Says:

    Not for me Georgian, dont think either of them would improve our starting lineup or squad.

  122. LAzer Says:

    Linux OS, some new features like the way it sorts and organizes things, full QWERTY keyboard AND touchscreen with gestures like Iphone. 3.2 Camera/flash/bluetooth/copy and paste function/screen as good as iphone the review is saying. Plus its cheaper on a different provider here but I have heard the new iphone may get cheaper here as well soon.

  123. LAzer Says:

    Personally I hope we don’t let Cesc go right now Pat, not after the season we’ve had. It would really demoralize the team unless we got a Gerrard/Xavi/fat frankish type player as a replacement and that clearly won’t happen. No more promoting unprepared youngsters till we show we can win something.

  124. patthegooner Says:

    Same here LAzer, I would not like to see Cesc leave this summer, but I think Gazidas will realise that from now on Cesc’s value will decrease year by year and we all know he will eventually join Barca or less likely Real Madrid, so it would not surprise me if accept an offer this summer at max value.

    I Think this year would be a mistake though, it will add to the turmoil. I am not saying he is not replaceable (Van Der Vaart) but I would like to keep him at least one more year.

  125. Dan Says:

    Cesc and arshavin are the types of players that attract other players to our club, you cant get rid of cesc. Let alone him being our best player, all he needs is a quality DM so he doesnt have to track back. Start smashing the goals in again

  126. paul Says:

    I cant find any official statement about vermaelen has anyone seen one

  127. insidealbania Says:

    RayGooner thanks for the list.

  128. patthegooner Says:

    you are right Dan, and in the same veign I did not want to see Vieira or Henry leave either, but in both cases it turned out we sold them and in both cases that difference in a year meant that we lost about 30m in value combined so we sold them a year too late. The same will probably be true of Adebayor who will not go for the 25m reported last summer.

    If we get a bid for say 40-50m for Cesc this summer, do you think we would command that figure in one years time? especially as Barca have the card that they know he wants to be a Barca player in the future?

  129. samir Says:

    How much do you think it would cost to bring in this Edin Džeko lad? Surley it cant be as much as we could get for ADE-barndoor.?
    Here some facts about the lad:
    Date of birth: 17 March 1986 (age 23)

    Place of birth: Sarajevo

    Height: 1.92 m (6 ft 31⁄2 in)

    Playing position: Striker

    Current club: VfL Wolfsburg

    Number: 9

    Career

    2002-2003: FK Željezničar

    2003–2005- FK Željezničar 40 apps (5 gls)

    2006–2007- FK Teplice 43 apps (17 gls)

    2007– VfL Wolfsburg 60 apps (34 gls)

    National team
    2007– Bosnia and Herzegovina 17apps (12 gls)

  130. Iqtesab Says:

    Lol! why will cesc’s value go down. He can only get better…he’s just a kid. His price will be max when he is around 26-7. I can bet cesc will be a real hit next season after floping for the last two.

  131. patthegooner Says:

    because his contract will be a year closer to expiry. The reason Barca would offer so much now is because they have less to barter with. They know as each year passes that Cesc will be more inclined to want to join Barca at that time.

  132. Dan Says:

    Pat i think i depends who we bring into play with him, if he had someone good enough to play CM with him and he has the season of his life then we could get more. 60-70m on the price of players now days, i mean ribery was injured last season and he’s still commanding 50m as some quote. Cesc only 22 and he’s got a massive contract, the offer was the same last year and it’ll be the same next year

  133. Gf60 Says:

    Gnarleygeorge. The 30’s have sweet fa to do with it (probably they were getting pissed, relegated, whatever)…it’s what they were doing just pre-Munich that matters. Champions the 2 season before and almost certainly about to be Champions again in 1958.

  134. Geoff Says:

    Grovers there is no way Cesc is going anywhere, I don’t know how many times he has to tell us, plus he’s Wenger’s favourite.

    It’s a shame that we never get offers for Denilson, Diaby or Song, that’ll tell you something eh!

  135. LAzer Says:

    Yeah I hear you about losing value on Viera and Henry Pat, however just simply they were both much older and I think anyone could tell had reached the climax of their respective careers with us already. I don’t believe Cesc is anywhere near that, footballers are usually at there best from say 26-29 then depending on how the decline goes some may stay near to that peak till 31-32. I believe there is a lot more to come from Cesc and his value if anything will sky rocket if we win something with him as captain.

  136. Mayank Says:

    Hey so is it true we’ve signed Varmaleen. I know i’m a bit behind the times. Also how close are we to Dzeko.

  137. Dan Says:

    iqtesab, he had a poor season last year coz he had a massive summer, knowone in the middle good enough to play with and he was injured. The season before he smashed in about 9 ish goals and about 19 assists, not a bad season

  138. LAzer Says:

    I wish shitty would buy Diaby for 6 mill or 6 anything, 6 matchsticks, 6 diet cherry vanilla coke’s, 6 Peroni’s (talk about over paying-that would never happen)

  139. patthegooner Says:

    I dont know Geoff. I want him to stay and I think it would be a huge mistake to sell him now. The current team should be built around Cesc and Arshavin.

    But what do you think the boards tipping point would be to accept an offer for him? in the current climate, I think they would go for a 40 to 50m bid if it came in. I also think that contrary to what they would say, I reckon every Arsenal player has a price.

    Also when does Cesc’s contract expire. I seem to remember it being when he was 25/26? Has that been extended?

  140. Geoff Says:

    We have signed no-one!

  141. LAzer Says:

    Here are quotes from Dzeko’s agent Mayank:

    “It is not realistic for Dzeko who is a leading player in Germany and due to perform in the Champions League to opt for an average club like Manchester City. Arsenal is the other case. We will discuss their offer seriously” Redžepagić said while in Germany.

    “It is not realistic for Dzeko who is a leading player in Germany and due to perform in the Champions League to opt for an average club like Manchester City. Arsenal is the other case. We will discuss their offer seriously” Redžepagić said while in Germany.

    You be the judge.

  142. LAzer Says:

    I meant to paste this one 2nd…

    “I will talk over the weekend with Edin and we will see what is best for him. On Monday it is back to the negotiations with Wolfsburg” said Redžepagić.

  143. Mayank Says:

    OK Thanks. So are we close?

  144. Geoff Says:

    Pat he’s Wengers chief experiment, I can’t ever see them selling anymore than I could see Wenger spending big.

    Anelka went because he didn’t want to stay and Henry because he was a loyal servant.

  145. LAzer Says:

    So we could have chance, or he could just as easily stay with his title winning club for CL next year. Although Wolfsburg has lost Magath, the coach that found Dzeko in the first place. I suppose it depends on the kind of replacement and what the Wolfsburg organization wants to do to convince him to stay also.

  146. Geoff Says:

    No closer, all rumour!

  147. LAzer Says:

    Well the bottom line is, as Geoff so eloquently put it, we have signed no-one!

  148. insidealbania Says:

    Geoff, I thought we signed a kid a few days ago. Some GK think Irish/Norwegian. So its business as usual so far.

  149. Franchise Says:

    hi guys

    chary nice post read it with so much desire although it was as long as a no. 10 speech on expenses :D

  150. Dan Says:

    Pat, Cesc’s contract is suppose to be getting renewed this summer, if he doesnt sign i think he might go the summer after, if the board decided to get rid of cesc this summer over wenger head i think the prof would join him out the exit door. wouldnt stand for it. You’d still get 40-50 mill next season even on a substandered season. If he has a quality one your talking 60-70, maybe more

  151. Nick Says:

    Dezko will either fancy a new challenge and come to us, knowing we have been in for him for a while there must be some communication there. or will use the interest ade style and get a fat pay day on the back of his outstanding season 50/50 imo

  152. Arindam@KOL Says:

    Pat,

    “I am not saying he is not replaceable (Van Der Vaart)”

    That’s laughable.

    VDV is not even a poor man’s Cesc. Cmon.

  153. RayGooner Says:

    “insidealbania” , you’re welcome!

  154. gooner-pak Says:

    geoff i think there was interest in the middle of season from joe kinnear abt denilsong

  155. Franchise Says:

    hi NIck u mungler ;)

    Sm1 asked about S+B its a restaurant we normally meet on blackstock road for peronis b4 games its called the small and beautiful

  156. LAzer Says:

    So if Eboue is moving on, is youngster Hoyte going to step up for RB backup duties then? He is in the U-19s

  157. gooner-pak Says:

    now i m not saying they are good enough attract other club the only interst was genetrated from N castle guy…………pre manu match at grove where we won 2-1

  158. Mayank Says:

    Oh, so i didn’t miss anything. When do i ever. But if these are the targets, does that mean we might not be in for a CM, i’d suspected this.

  159. Arindam@KOL Says:

    Lets give Wolfsburg Nik B and also throw in Diaby for Dzeko. Surely they ‘ll fall for it.

    That is if Ade is not leaving.

  160. patthegooner Says:

    That is a personal one Arindam

    I really rate Van Der Vaart.

  161. Nick Says:

    wuuuuuussssssssssuuuuuuuuuup you puff ;)

  162. Franchise Says:

    im good nick :D

  163. incesc Says:

    hopefuly only ade leaves

    vermi, zapata, dzeko and a midfielder comes in.

    sick

    but nothing is happening

    NOTHING

  164. Dan Says:

    I wish we’d just get players in now, id be smitten for the rest of the summer. No more need to talk about players signing. Show the rest of the world that Arsenal fc are F***ing serious. No more f***ing about

  165. patthegooner Says:

    Surely if Dzecko is coming in, it must mean that Ade is leaving.

    That is of course if the stories are true. The quotes are from his agent. The same agent that is also currently negotiating a new contract with Wolfsburg. It could just as easily mean that he is making up the Arsenal and Man City interest to maximise the offer for his client.

  166. LAzer Says:

    Yeah at the end of the day they are just rumors. I just hope they aren’t planning on plugging Nasri as that DM, would be a disaster if we don’t add or grow urgently a real ball winner/interceptor. Cesc would leave for sure next year then imo.

  167. Nick Says:

    ade out dezeko in

    (would rather he didn’t but) gallas out vermin and zapata joining song moved into defence

    midfield eboue out with one of the dcm we are linked with comming in ;)

  168. Mayank Says:

    Vermaleen comes in Gallas and Toure stay, either we sign a new DM or song becomes the new Essien( i know, i know). Ade out Dzeko in or Ade stays. Then i think we can really challenge.

  169. Nick Says:

    *coming

  170. insidealbania Says:

    Does anyone remember how long the Nasri saga went on for last summer. I admit the Euros played a role, but still, it was too much and I dont want anything like that again this time. So lets hope these two are gonna be finalised next week.

  171. LAzer Says:

    ADe for Dzeko – check

    Gallas for Vermin – not so check, I suppose Toure, Song, Zapata, JD, Vermin might be alright although I would hope for more in defense.

  172. patthegooner Says:

    Maybe the Kaka deal (if it goes through) on Monday will start the ball rolling.

  173. LAzer Says:

    Hadn’t Nasri been signed but in typical AFC fashion it was all cloak and daggers cause they did not want to reveal anything before the Euro’s.

  174. LAzer Says:

    Yeah that’s true Pat, good point. kaka to RM, so Milan will come in for Ade then and I suppose if its good enough then we could line up Dzeko as a replacement.

  175. insidealbania Says:

    Thats not how I remember it LAzer

  176. Mayank Says:

    Doesn’t the final decision of the Kaka saga rest with Kaka. I mean after all things he’s said about being loyal he might be forced into a corner and have to say no. On the other hand if Real buy Kaka then they won’t be buying Ronaldo right?

  177. samir Says:

    Ye I agree incesc.
    Ade Out for 20-25M (If not 20-25M then keep him)

    Dzeko in for 10-12M??
    Zapata in for 10-14M
    Vermaelen in for 7-10M
    And a DM.5-10M (Cana,Matiudi)

    So if we can get 25M for Ade + about 20M from the board.
    45M.
    We will end up with around 10M for some youngsters/Extending contracts.

  178. LAzer Says:

    Not Ronaldo but they will still go in for Ribery imo. Mancs will go for Benzema then since Ronaldo will stay. Barca I could see moving Eto on to Shitty and get Ibra maybe. The silly season.

  179. Nick Says:

    kakka said a while back he would only go to real

  180. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Gf60

    Why do the 30’s have sweet FA a to do with it. Just coz you pluck a period where manure had a decent spell doesn’t mean shit. The league had been going years before 1956 or whatever, & Arsenal had been supreme long before those Busby babes were even born. The Arsenals reign was cut short by WWII if the truth be known. And besides I was taking the piss about Charlie & Wilf, they are in a Harry Enfield skit :lol:

  181. patthegooner Says:

    Domino effect in football hey

    Kaka to Madrid
    Ade to Milan
    Dzeko to Arsenal

    Barry to Liver er i mean Man City
    Alonso to Arsen oh bollocks.

  182. irishgunner Says:

    Chary – 8O

    I can’t believe you think the tabloid media are anything but unbiased, dedicated professionals who just want to give us news. They never lie, ever. They have no agendas and the likes of the Daily Mail are in no way xenophobic.

  183. Nick Says:

    liverpool to administration alonso to arsenal ;)

  184. patthegooner Says:

    I think it does Mayank, I reckon he will go to Madrid though. Different kettle of fish from Man City.

    I think the bulk of transfer frenzy will come after the internationals on Wednesday night.

  185. charybdis1966 Says:

    GF60 – if I was to be commenting as a neutral and impartial bystander then my dismissal of the pre-Munich manks would be slightly illogical and irrational, but I make no excuses fro not being impartial. I am an Arsenal fan – NOT a football fan and I don’t feel the need to join in the all encompassing aggrandizement of a team I have loathed since 1990.
    It’s your opinion GF60 and it’s equally as valid as mine, so fair play to you..

  186. charybdis1966 Says:

    Franchise – you think that went on a bit – that was the brief version of what I originally planned, which was War & Peace styley. :)

  187. freduardo Says:

    liverpool into administration Torres to Arsenal! ;) !

  188. patthegooner Says:

    i hope Liverpool do go into administration, not because I hate them, but because clubs have to be protected.

    There has to be laws in place to ensure that owners cant borrow to buy clubs. If you are buying a Club then surely it has to be on the premise that the club has zero debts from the day the ownership commences.

    Not really a Business person, but would it be cheaper for a person that was interested to buy Liverpool to do so after it had entered administration?

  189. Mayank Says:

    Btw, good post Chary. Loved the ‘anti-mank rant’. Lived up to my own standard of loathing them.

  190. charybdis1966 Says:

    Hey Maire – I must have surprised you big time there hehe ! ;)

  191. charybdis1966 Says:

    Cheers Mayank – I think it’s high time we started redressing the balance. We get the bloody manks rammed down our throats to an inordinate degree here.
    When the FA Cup was being televised I timed how long it would take before the uni-brain celled commentators would mention the Manks even though they weren’t playing.

    It was 1 minute & 25 seconds.

  192. irishgunner Says:

    :lol: Chary – great post and my sentiments exactly.

  193. Mayank Says:

    That’s not the worst of it Chary, i think there’s nothing worse than an argument with gooner when i get man IOU thrown at my face. Its infuriating.

  194. Nick Says:

    fredwardo him as well buy one get the other half price,every little helps ;)

  195. Nick Says:

    taig are you out there nano nano

  196. Dan Says:

    I actually forgot there is an England game on today, come on Theo and come on the England :)

  197. Nick Says:

    is theo playing thought he was in the under 21s

  198. patthegooner Says:

    So did Wenger Nick

    But they picked him both the Seniors and the U-21 effectively ruling Theo out of the 1st month of our season.

  199. Dan Says:

    He’s playing in both nick, thats what the uproar was about

  200. Nick Says:

    :shock: i love england dont get me wrong but fucking hell, play him in one or the other not both :evil:

  201. Pedro Says:

    Afternoon everyone!

    Any news?

  202. patthegooner Says:

    and you can Guarantee that he will pick up an injury in one of them.

  203. Dan Says:

    Yea he’ll only have 6 days before we start pre season which means we’ll have to give him a longer break so he’ll miss one maybe 2 weeks of pre season

  204. irishgunner Says:

    Will he be starting for the Senior side?

  205. patthegooner Says:

    just more speculation Pedro,

    one link is claiming Vermealan is a done deal, but nothing official.

    and another is claiming that Arsenal and Man City have both bid for Dzecko but he will only consider Arsenal and is doing so seriously. However they are also renegotiating his contract there, so this could be Agent talk to get a good deal.

  206. Dave Says:

    Saucy old Frank Bough…. HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAA! Love legrove

  207. Dan Says:

    No transfer news pedro, just more rumours :$

  208. patthegooner Says:

    Exactly Dan so he will be a couple of weeks behind, I dont think we will see him before September.

  209. Dan Says:

    Irish you’d have to ask Capello lol

  210. Pedro Says:

    Great news on the Dzeko front!

  211. Pedro Says:

    Pat, it feels like we’re going to get stuff done early this year.

    I reckon the board know the value in getting business done early on the season ticket front.

  212. Franchise Says:

    hi pedro dzeko for ade not bad IMO

  213. Nick Says:

    i heard wenger got them to agree on him playing for the under 21s only which is fair enough. maybe his in the squad but will not come on in preparations for the tournament.Copello maybe wants to keep him in the senior loop as he loves him more then moron loved fat frank ;)

  214. Dan Says:

    and it was Theo’s choice, i wouldnt pay him. right ive got a nan that needs looking after so im off

  215. Franchise Says:

    dave hi who is frank bough?

  216. Stu Says:

    Chary, if you’re still around, that was a brilliant, if somewhat lengthy, article. Agree with everything so….

    Anyway, afternoon yall…any developments on Vermaelen or any other “transfers”?

  217. Pedro Says:

    Franchise, that would be some tidy business.

    All we need next is a DM… and Matiudi seems to be fitting the bill.

  218. patthegooner Says:

    I hope so Pedro, especially with a tricky CL Qualifier,

    No point doing business on deadline day.

    Dzecko would be good news especially if it was for Ade.

  219. irishgunner Says:

    Spurs want to swap Young for……..Bentley :lol:

  220. choy Says:

    great post chary…

    so we have put an offer for dzeko.. not bad

  221. Stu Says:

    How much was our bid for Dzeko? Some say 8m but surely Wolfsburg wont sell for that.

  222. RayGooner Says:

    Wenger at least makes 2 Quality Signings each Season…
    Here is the Fact (Black and White), though some of the players mentioned here were not real quality when they came but turned out to be…
    The only season when it was difficult to pick 2 players out as quality players were the 2002/2003 season, i could only find 1 (Gilberto) so i just put in Cygan as cover…

    Here is the list:

    1996/1997:
    Patrick Vieira (Milan)
    Nicolas Anelka (Paris SG)
    1997/1998:
    Emmanuel Petit (Monaco)
    Marc Overmars (Ajax)
    1998/1999:
    Fredrik Ljungberg (Halmstad)
    Nwankwo Kanu (Inter)
    1999/2000:
    Sylvinho (Corinthians)
    Thierry Henry (Juventus)
    2000/2001:
    Lauren (Mallorca)
    Robert Pirès (Marseille)
    2001/2002:
    Sol Campbell (Tottenham)
    Kolo Touré (Asec Mimosas)
    2002/2003:
    Pascal Cygan (Lille)
    Gilberto Silva (Atl. Mineiro)
    2003/2004:
    Jens Lehmann (Dortmund)
    Cesc Fábregas (Barcelona)
    2004/2005:
    Robin van Persie (Feyenoord)
    Mathieu Flamini (Marseille)
    2005/2006:
    Alexander Hleb (Stuttgart)
    Emmanuel Adebayor (Monaco)
    2006/2007:
    Tomas Rosicky (Dortmund)
    William Gallas (Chelsea)
    2007/2008:
    Bacary Sagna (Auxerre)
    Eduardo da Silva (Dinamo Zagreb)
    2008/2009:
    Samir Nasri (Marseille)
    Andrey Arshavin (Zenit)

    So we can surely hope for at least 2 quality players this next season too, right?…

  223. Stu Says:

    HA Bentley! Cant even get on for the spuds!

  224. choy Says:

    the CL qualifier.. cmon guys… the other teams should be scared of us.. we made the semi finals…

    no one will want to meet us… FACT!

  225. charybdis1966 Says:

    Yes Stu, still here, cheers mate I like my epic posts.

    Franchise Frank Bough was a sports TV presenter from the 70’s and 80’s who was caught indulging in S & M stuff with call girls, hence “saucy” Frank as Dave noticed..

  226. Nick Says:

    edu was ok he signed with bert didn’t he

  227. Stu Says:

    Edu was/is a good player. If he is available on the cheap and has gotten over his injury problems Wengr should look at bringing him back. Valencia arent in a great position to keep hold of valuable players after all.

  228. eastcamp Says:

    The Vermaelen story is on every belgian newssite and in every belgian newspaper so that makes it VERY probable.
    Confirmation on Arsenal.com on Monday I guess..
    As I said before, he’s quick, aggressive, a good header of the ball and he can play football.

  229. RayGooner Says:

    sorry Nick, Edu signed same season as Lauren and Pires…

  230. Stu Says:

    Eastcamp, i hope you’re right but just being in the media doesnt make it a sure thing. Did you learn nothing from Charys post?

  231. goonerpress Says:

    Meanwhile, there is news from Brazil’s World Cup qualifying camp that Kaka was asked to sign a Real Madrid shirt by a fan.

    “He saw the shirt and signed it near the club badge. He took it very well,” said the lucky supporter.

  232. Stu Says:

    Vermaelen, hangeland?, and Dzeko would be a great summer. Still no DM but we could learn to defend better as a team to compensate and better organisation at the back would go a long way to helping too.

  233. kelsey Says:

    chary,

    good afternoon old boy(46 is it ;) .

    What a fantastic and well thought up post.As someone else said,it will be a hard act to follow and surely Britain Has Got Talent.

    As I sit here in my rocking chair, I remember some of those distant memories and the Frank Bough Scandal.

    My main wish is that our players do the talking on the pitch, and not give endless interviews to the tabloids,which invariably are taken out of context, and for more control of the dreaded agent.

  234. goonerpress Says:

    Im happy with Vermaelen. I would also be happy with Matuidi/Yaya and Dzeko. Also the CB that Tony has gone to find in Italy. Could we have 2 centre-backs coming in this summer? Senderos and Silvestre replacements?

  235. Stu Says:

    Actually…im a bit iffy about Dzeko if im honest. He is obviously great but thats just for Wolfsburg. And when you consider that he had Misimovic creating mst of his goals and Grafite next to him scoring more than him, would a chance or personell and a change of scene affect him? Lets hope not and hope he fits in well with our team of playmakers.

  236. goonerpress Says:

    Arshavin and RVP feeding Dzeko? Disaster for every opposition.

  237. Nick Says:

    stu dezko is big strong quick and moved to Germany and adapted so he should be able to do so here.Wenger would get the most out of him,his natural talent is clear to see imo.ive seen all his goals on youtube and he scored every chance there ;)

  238. charybdis1966 Says:

    Kelsey – that’s 43 if you please. I reckon Bough and Pleaty were 2 birds of a feather that way!

  239. Stu Says:

    Well..we have been linked with at least 3 different CBs IN italy. Chiellini, Zapata and some fella called Diakate. And im sure there would have been others.

    I know which one i want it to be. Lets hope that for once Wenger buys the obvious one and not some kid none of us have heard of.

  240. eastcamp Says:

    All I wanted to say is that when the belgian newspapers and newssites run a story, then it is 99% sure when it’s about a belgian player.

  241. Stu Says:

    I know that Nick but im just concerned about him being comfortable there. As i said misimovic creats almost everything they score. Both for Worlfburg and Bosnia. But im sure our playmakers are good enough. :shock:

  242. Franchise Says:

    stu u r a moaner

  243. Nick Says:

    i think he will stay there anyway and use our interest as ade did,hope im wrong

  244. Stu Says:

    LOL Franchise, cant help it.

  245. Franchise Says:

    stu u have been hanging around bbk too long

  246. Stu Says:

    I love Lehmann! But not in a gay way…..

    http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/20964/Fabregas_Lehmann_was_the_dressing_room_debt_collector.aspx

  247. Franchise Says:

    stu

    diva behaviour √

  248. Stu Says:

    Either that or he just helped me release what was already there. But still its better than being an optomist(sp).

  249. Stu Says:

    Franchise, dont you even dare! Your the diva on here! FACT! :shock:

  250. irishgunner Says:

    Thing is we have been scouting Dzeko for two years so its not a news thing or just based on this year

  251. Franchise Says:

    yeah irish we were going to go in for him in 08 january

  252. Stu Says:

    Yes we have Irish. But everyone is saying that we JOIN the race and that he is europes best kept secret etc etc bla bla bla….. God the media are fucking thick!

  253. irishgunner Says:

    And Boro is a Bosnian too so he’ll feel right at home :D

  254. Stu Says:

    I was thinking to myself this morning about the infamous Bendtner v Ade debate. And i wondered to myself….who has scored in the most games this season? I bet its Bendtner. Ade has a hattrick and a few braces. Bendtner, when he scored, they tend to be one a game and he has only scored twice in a match a few times.

    Anyway…..that can wait until the nest debate arises. I just wanted to say that before i forget.

    Moving on…or should that be back? DZEKO!!

  255. Stu Says:

    *scores, next……

  256. kelsey Says:

    just looked back through the post of players we have bought and their cost.

    Kolo Toure 150000K unbelievable,thats 10 days salary for Ade. Say no more.

  257. RayGooner Says:

    Here’s another interesting list:

    Top Goalscorers in their first season as a Full member of the Arsenal First Team:
    (This means their first season in which they played regularly in the first team)

    I had to begin from the 1946/1947 Season due to some incomplete stats…

    Joe Baker – 31
    Reg Lewis – 29
    Malcolm Macdonald – 29
    Ray Kennedy – 27
    Ian Wright – 26
    Thierry Henry – 26
    Martin Hayes – 24
    Brian Kidd – 23
    Ronnie Rooke – 22
    Peter Goring – 21
    Tony Woodcock – 21
    Alan Skirton – 19
    David Herd – 18
    Cliff Holton – 17
    Mel Charles – 17
    Nwankwo Kanu – 17
    Alan Smith – 16
    Dennis Bergkamp – 16
    Marc Overmars – 16
    Sylvain Wiltord – 15

    Our best Goalscorers in our current squad has this record in their first season as a regular Arsenal First Team player:

    Emmanuel Adebayor – 12
    Eduardo da Silva – 12
    Robin van Persie – 10
    Nicklas Bendtner – 9
    Samir Nasri – 7
    Andrey Arshavin – 6 (though only half a season)
    Tomas Rosicky – 6
    Carlos Vela – 6 (not quite a regular yet)
    Abou Diaby – 4
    Cesc Fábregas – 3
    Theo Walcott – 1

  258. kelsey Says:

    irish,

    it’s hard to keep in touch with you, bit like musical chairs. ;)

  259. Stu Says:

    Thats because Ade is a greedy ‘’so an’ so” and the money was different when we bought Toure. Not very different but still……..

    And Toure was a fucking bargain and a half.

  260. Stu Says:

    Ray, when you say regular in the first team is that a minimum number of starts or is it games (ie subs count the same as starts)?

  261. irishgunner Says:

    :lol: Kelsey – but its a fun game :D

  262. patthegooner Says:

    So we would potentially have a Bosnian and Croatian Strike Force!!!!

  263. Stu Says:

    And Danish ptg.

  264. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Bloody hell, nothing like a chary post to bring out the stats in raygunner :)

  265. Franchise Says:

    ray is on form

  266. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    How does the word CHAMPIONS sit with everyone :mrgreen:

  267. patthegooner Says:

    of course and Danish Stu,

    But Bosnian and Danish is not quite as symbolic.

  268. Stu Says:

    Like Champion sports gg9? I dunno, they are a bit expensive and dont have a lot on offer. I prefer lifestyle or elverys.

  269. Franchise Says:

    sorry guys ive been voyeuring

  270. Stu Says:

    Obviously i havent a clue what you mean tho ptg. Why are Croatians and Bosnians symbolic?

  271. Nick Says:

    you touched as well you fibber

  272. Stu Says:

    Random comment here: a friend told me yesterday that a friend of a friend of his (who is a manc) actually thinks that Carrick is a better player than Arshavin. Obviously everyone think he is nuts now but seriously! What kind of a duckhead actually believes that. Not even Fergie would think that.

  273. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Stu

    No Arsenal, the Champions, coz I reckon something is brewing @ THOF.

  274. Nick Says:

    stu coz they keep fighting each other maybe bit of unity and all that

  275. gnarleygeorge9 Says:

    Stu

    pencil in arswaxin for player of the year award next year IMO

  276. Stu Says:

    Always fighting huh? Well Eduardo is technically Brazilian so maybe it wont be as bad as if he was fully Croatian.

  277. irishgunner Says:

    GG9 – what’s a brewing cos I like the sound of it :D

  278. Stu Says:

    Brewing huh? Whats the alcohol content gonna be>

  279. RayGooner Says:

    £89,550,000!!! That is how much all our First Team regular players cost us!

    That’s just an average of £3,582,000 for each player!

    Kinda’ cheap…

  280. Stu Says:

    United would get a good3 players off that.

  281. Nick Says:

    bloody hell ray,shows what a good job wenger has done for us, removing the blemish of last season which could have been worse arsen knows ;)

  282. Stu Says:

    The squad only cost that to assemble but the wage bill is higher than that….but surely the wage bill includes all staff and not just players….i hope.

  283. RayGooner Says:

    “Stu”, i’ve counted a “Regular” as 30 appearances or more (starts and subs inlc).
    Maybe wasn’t too fair with Walcott, he only played 33 games that season & scored 1 goal (League Cup final vs. Chelsea). So maybe i’ll give him his next season (07/08) and he had 39 games/7 goals instead…

    Otherwise all other players played at least 40 games all in all…

  284. irishgunner Says:

    Does the wage bill include everyone working for the club?

    From Wenger to the tealady?

  285. Nick Says:

    we pay the kids big money coz in the long run it saves on transfer fees, but the clever greedy gits like flemini use this to squeeze more out of us.everybody said we should have paid him what he wanted but we were over paying him all along. e.g we were giving him 20k when elses where he would have got 5k

  286. irishgunner Says:

    Even looking at the wage bill, AW gets what £4-5 mil a year, so does Adebayor – all adds up.

  287. Stu Says:

    Nope Nick, Flamini was vital to the team imo so he should have gotten wages to reflect that. BINGO!

  288. Stu Says:

    A lot of the reserves have pro contracts aswell. So all the small wages add up too.

  289. RayGooner Says:

    Tell me 1 other manager that could have landed Cesc, Touré, Clichy, Flamini & Djourou for under £1,000,000…

  290. Stu Says:

    Sam Alardyce!

  291. Nick Says:

    flamini was trying to fuck us and did but also himself in the long run.He was going to birmingham and knew he was playing for a move to a big club,wenger wanted diaby to step in but injury allowed flemini the chance which to his credit he took.But dont have him down as hard done by he knew what he was doing all along and wenger being a man of his word took him to be.Flamini done it to the team before us and i would bet he does it to milan if anyone will take him after he slips of the map.

  292. Stu Says:

    Meh!

  293. RayGooner Says:

    And the three Musketeers (Vieira, Henry & Pires) only cost us £20,000,000 all together! Now that’s a bargin!

  294. irishgunner Says:

    Phil Brown

  295. RayGooner Says:

    I just found this on an Argentinian transfer forum:

    Lista de Fichajes Oficiales 2009

    Inglaterra

    Damián Martínez (Independiente) > Arsenal
    Christian Benítez (Santos Laguna) > Birmingham City
    Elrio van Heerden (Club Brujas) > Blackburn Rovers
    Anton Peterlin (Ventura County Fusion) > Everton
    Shkodran Mustafi (Hamburgo) > Everton
    Steven Mouyokolo (Boulogne) > Hull City
    Chris Weale (Bristol City) > Leicester City
    Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) > Manchester City
    Nils Zander (Schalke 04) > Manchester City
    Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers) > Portsmouth

    Is it possible they’ve mixed up Arsenal with the Argentinian club Arsenal Sarrandi maybe?…lol

  296. Nick Says:

    maybe wenger was flirting with perez to see who he could get on the cheap????

  297. samir Says:

    Mark Hughes….:S

  298. RayGooner Says:

    all the other transfers on the forum is correct as i know it though…

  299. Nick Says:

    we were being linked to an argie dcm at one point what was his name???

  300. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    rub a dub

  301. samir Says:

    Arsenal trialist Damian Martinez is tipped for big things.

    Argentina Under-17 goalkeeper Martinez is set for a trial at Arsenal.

    Martinez, who is on the books of Independiente, will fly to England tomorrow along with Argentina youth goalkeeping coach Miguel Angel Santoro.

    Santoro told ESPN Radio Rivadavia: “I am sure that he will not only stay with the English club but we will also see him in goal for the first team too.

    “He still needs some time because he is young, but you can see (Getafe’s Oscar) Ustari, (Independiente’s Damian) Assmann or Sergio Romero, who is playing in Holland (at AZ Alkmaar).

    “Even though they are young, they grew up and progressed a lot.”

  302. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    Damian Martinez????

    he is the 16 year old goalie currently on trial

  303. Nick Says:

    good work samir forgot about the keeper

  304. Stu Says:

    So hes a keeper? Fack that, we dont want him….right?

  305. patthegooner Says:

    I think he was the Goalkeeper we had on trial. it was on Young Guns

    http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/salamanca-eye-up-loan-for-trialist-martinez/

  306. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    Mascerano in middle with Cesc Arsh and Nasri in front of him

    mmmm

    delicious

  307. irishgunner Says:

    Apparently AW is in China so he won’t be reading Le Grove today, he’ll have to catch up when he gets home.

    http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_5366661,00.html

  308. RayGooner Says:

    Oh so it was true after all…another youngster, great!
    thx Samir!

  309. samir Says:

    Apparently we have signed 16 yr old goalie for 4.3 million?? WTF?
    http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/7-million-mcdermott-signs-on-with-no-1-dreams/

  310. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    I am going to bet a quid on bangladesh beating india today

    that’s how it feels when Holland beats England :D

  311. eastcamp Says:

    And so say all of us:
    http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_5366661,00.html

  312. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    samir it is 1.3

    and not all money gets paid unless he makes it to reserves or first team

  313. Stu Says:

    Whats he doing in China?
    He says we need to improve the defence but knowing him he will just try improve it in house and not buy the players we need back there. I jope he buys 3 defneders tho.

  314. irishgunner Says:

    We just bought a 16 year old keeper – MsDermott no need for another one although Charlie Mann left for Crystal Palace.

  315. Nick Says:

    stu may as well,seems like his highly rated and keepers are hard to find. just hope wenger dont play him on the wing to learn another part of his trade ;)

  316. irishgunner Says:

    Climbing the great wall Stu

  317. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    GG9,

    the name is Arshavin

    pronounced Arrr Shavien

    :)

  318. Nick Says:

    would rather he put some great defenders in our wall

  319. samir Says:

    This is a different 16yr old GK. (IK Våg’s goalkeeper Sean McDermott)
    Price could rise to 4.3 mill if he gets to 1st team. http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/7-million-mcdermott-signs-on-with-no-1-dreams/

    So we got 2 16yr old GK’s 5.6mill worth.?

  320. Nick Says:

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he wants to improve his side’s defence over the summer.

    The Gunners conceded 37 goals as they finished fourth in the Premier League in 2008/09, 18 points behind champions Manchester United.

    And Wenger – who is in Beijing while evaluating Chinese players – recognises his young team need to improve at the back if they are to end a four-year trophy drought.

    “The last season was very interesting because we had a sloppy start and then we became stronger and stronger,” said the Frenchman.

    “It has been interesting as well because it is a very young team, but they have been tested mentally.

    “The defensive record, that is an area that we want to work on and that we want to improve.”

  321. Nick Says:

    there you are stu evaluating players :)

  322. samir Says:

    Anyways Who would you lot want as a new DM? Don’t seem to be many good ones around at a good price?
    Matiudi or Cana? Both inexperienced in the prem.

  323. Stu Says:

    Samir, we should but Rolfes! ;) Cana, Yaya, Diarra(not now tho), Toulalan, Melo, Westermann, Aquilani, Flamini etc etc

  324. Nick Says:

    young guns are a good site,news quick and informed rather then speculation ;)

  325. irishgunner Says:

    People could have followed the link – how lazy

  326. samir Says:

    That Jay Emmanuel-Thomas will soon be a great DM. Built up, tall, skilful and a leader.

  327. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    Chinese players??

    i haven’t seen anyone except Zheng Zhe at Charlton making some kind of impact

    maybe it’s Ivan’s strategy

    getting T shirt sales

  328. Stu Says:

    A player of true quality doesnt always need time to adjust, obviously it helps a lot when you are young-ish but AA needed no time at all. He is true quality.

  329. Stu Says:

    Try telling that to A. JET isnt really a defensive player.

  330. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    Stu

    AA is God :)

  331. samir Says:

    Ye true Stu. But Arshavin is truly “special”. Gifted at birth I believe.

  332. Nick Says:

    is he not thought he was but wenger was getting all diaby on him and playing him left wing

  333. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    he can even train the beach boy

  334. Nick Says:

    he will not be taking the pens then ;)

  335. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    samir

    the legend says that Arshavin made the shhhhh celebration when he was born

    he was born to shut up the mancs and chavs

  336. Dan Says:

    Anymore rumours flying around yet guys?

  337. samir Says:

    Francis Coquelin to be the next Flamini.

  338. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    JET will end up being a Kanu type player

  339. Stu Says:

    That was poor editing…or maybe im just being fickle.

    At the end he went to save a top corner shot – the kid saved it right at the post but in the next shot when he falls to the ground the post is nowhere to be seen and the net is behind him. Shite editing!

  340. Nick Says:

    what time do England play and what channel??

  341. samir Says:

    LOL@The_Arshavin_Show

  342. samir Says:

    SS1 Nick

  343. samir Says:

    Setanta that is

  344. Stu Says:

    Nick, its on shitanta, KO at 4.

  345. Nick Says:

    what time???

  346. Nick Says:

    thanks stu posted at same time

  347. Stu Says:

    Green
    Johnson Upson Terry Cunt
    Barry
    Gerrard Lampard
    Theo Heskey Rooney.

    Wazza wont be happy about that :lol:

  348. RayGooner Says:

    i looked at the F.A. Youth Cup Final and what i saw of JET was that he was very “Big” in copearasing to all the other players on the pitch. When he got the ball the Liverpool players just couldn’t get it from him, not because of he’s skills, only because he simply was too big for them. They bounced off him like dominos…
    In the Senior game though he wouldn’t be that “big” of a threat would he?
    I haven’t seen too much of him to be judging but to me his skills wasn’t that good…

  349. Nick Says:

    theo shouldn’t be playing kazakstane are shit and not worth taking the risk imo

  350. Stu Says:

    Yes Ray, i thought very much the same thing. Great at that level because he is a beast and most of the oppo havent fully developed. Once he plays against first team clubs he wont be as dominant.

  351. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

  352. samir Says:

    If you don’t have “Shitanta” here’s the stream:
    http://www.atdhe.net/7439/watch-kazakhstan-vs-england
    Crossed fingers it works!:)

  353. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    Ray

    spot on

  354. Nick Says:

    samir your a mind reader :)

    Arshavins over rated ;)

  355. RayGooner Says:

    why not make JET a center back instead?
    just a thought…

  356. Stu Says:

    Fack! AA is fucking amazing! Easily the best player we have had in the last few seasons.

  357. irishgunner Says:

    Is it on ITV?

  358. Dan Says:

    Not if it’s green
    johnson terry upson cole
    walcott barry lamps gerrard
    rooney heskey

    then gerrard wont be happy lol

  359. Nick Says:

    stu who would you pick and only one the arsh or bergkamp?

  360. Sion De Freitas Says:

    JET was originally a center back if i recall….

  361. Stu Says:

    JET is probably the first naturally strong/built player we have had in a long while. He doesnt need to do much and the youths bounce off him and even compared to a lot of the first teamers he is a giant. He could play rugby without looking out of place.

  362. Nick Says:

    upson and barry had a fight in training voices report ;)

  363. Stu Says:

    Its gotta be Bergkamp Nick. I havent seen nearly enough of AA to make the comparisons but if he continues like he has started then Bergys place looks in trouble.

  364. RayGooner Says:

    IMHO there were only 3 players in that Youth Team that will be knocking on the door for the first team quite soon and that was (of course) Wilshere, Coquelin & Watt…

    Sanchez Watt, my God he was fast!
    And some skills too…

  365. Nick Says:

    make you right stu, bergy will always have a place in my team even if is in goal

  366. samir Says:

    Great left foot goal by JET V “The Scum”

  367. irishgunner Says:

    Bergkamp was extra special – utter class

  368. Stu Says:

    Not that i give a shite because its only england….but for the better of the team i would drop Lamps. Whatever about his consistency bla bla but Gerrard is just miles better and he and lamps dont work as such imo because their game is so similar. Always want to do the same things and end up getting in eachothers way unless one is told to do a different job ie gerrard on a wing or as SS.

  369. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    Nick

    AA is not Bergy and Bergy was not AA

    let’s take a call on this topic in May 2010

  370. RayGooner Says:

    Sanchez Watt is tall, and fast! That’s not so common is it?

  371. Stu Says:

    Ya Samir, great goal but took a massive deflection and the keeper looked stranded and clueless.

  372. Stu Says:

    Watt does look the part but for whatever reason i just cant see him being a regular starter. Whats his best position, does he possess skills that noone else in world football does etc etc. But i do hope he, along with most of that youth/reserve team, stays for most of his career if not all of it.

  373. RayGooner Says:

    No matter what team England is playing they shouldn’t have any problems with Kazakstan should they?

    Since i’m a Swede i’m looking forward to the “Nordic Battle” that is played here in Sweden this evening!

    Only time i hope Bendtner won’t score…

  374. Stu Says:

    Ray a swede huh? What do you make of Ibrahimovics seemingly unprovoked attack on arsenal?

  375. irishgunner Says:

    8O

  376. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    next season’s Carling cup team:

    Fabianski/Mannone

    Hoyte Djourou ?? Gibbs

    Wilshere Lansbury/Merida Coquelin/Ramsey Bischoff

    Simpson/Vela/Watts

  377. RayGooner Says:

    I just made a bet that Walcott’s gonna score at least 2 goals…the odds were 18,50 and i put £50 on it!

  378. Nick Says:

    ASHOW lets hope were here saying bergkamp was great, BUT arshavin is better with 30 goals and 10 assists in his 1st full season :)

  379. Stu Says:

    Nick, its more likely to be 20/20. He gets just as many, if not more, assists than goals.

  380. irishgunner Says:

    8)

  381. Stu Says:

    Irish, whats with the array of smilies? :???:

  382. Nick Says:

    ok stu 30/30 it is

  383. RayGooner Says:

    Ibrahimovic has become too much of an “Mourinho interperter” for my taste, and to be frankly i don’t rate him as high as most Swedes do. He’s never really impressed in the National Team so far, and if it was true what he said then, he can go fuck himself!
    Does that make my point Stu?

  384. Nick Says:

    so you too think his over rated ,ive only ever watched him playing for sweden and he looks shit

  385. Franchise Says:

    kazakhstan greatest country in the world
    all other countries are run by little girls
    kazakhstan number one exporter of potassium
    other countries have inferior potassium

    kazakhstan home of dipshit swimming pool
    it’s length thirty metre and width six metre
    filtration system a marvel to behold
    it remove 18 percent of human solid waste

    kazakhstan, kazakhstan, you very nice place
    from plains of tarashenk, to northern fence of jewtown
    kazakhstan friend of all except uzbekistan
    they very nosey people with bone in their brain

    kazakhstan industry best in world
    we invented toffee and the trouser belt
    kazakhstan prostitutes cleanest in the region
    except of course for turkmenistan’s

    kazakhstan, kazakhstan, you very nice place
    from plains of tarashenk, to northern fence of jewtown
    come grasp the mighty phenis of our leader
    from junction with the testes to tip of it’s face

  386. irishgunner Says:

    No-one’s talking to me Stu so I thought I’d entertain myself :mrgreen:

  387. RayGooner Says:

    If Ibrahimovic scores 3-4 goals tonight, i might change my point of view about him though…lol

  388. Stu Says:

    Sure does Ray. Thanks for you opinion on the matter. I’ve never rated Ibra as highly as some do either. Whatever about his Serie A performances but he never does anything in the CL and, as you say, he doesnt do much for the national team either.

  389. Nick Says:

    fucking hell who woke borat up :)

  390. Franchise Says:

  391. nishanth Says:

    Really loved the article. I am wondering now whether wenger is going to buya DM. We have shown interest in Dzeko and a new CB will definitely arrive.I am wondering where all our strikers are going to fit in

  392. Nick Says:

    itttttsssss niiiiiiiiiice

  393. irishgunner Says:

    I like Kazakhstan, Its very niiiiiiiice, I like you

  394. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    Kolo got a new job

  395. Nick Says:

    hopefully ade dont fit in but, goes milan anyway :)

  396. Stu Says:

    Loney Irish huh…..so….lovely weather we are having today. I awoke to rain and thought “great” the rain has returned”. Went back to sleep and awoke again to sun. But then it started to rain again. Oh well……

  397. KM in WALES Says:

    lol NICK @ 14.51

  398. irishgunner Says:

    I’m bored Stu :( thought they were showing the England game on ITV but they aren’t so I have to wait til 6:30 to watch some football.

  399. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    sorry wrong video

  400. Franchise Says:

    kazak have the best potassium in central asia

  401. Nick Says:

    thanks km no one else noticed :)

  402. Sion De Freitas Says:

    Sanchez Watt has made a huge leap IMO, didn’t expect him to have such an explosive impact in the youth cup

  403. Stu Says:

    No Shitanta? Lousy….although im not even sure if im gonna watch all of it. Maybe look out for something on eurosport. Surely there will be matches on elsewhere.

  404. Nick Says:

    fran how much you paying me by the way :)

  405. Stu Says:

    Bananas are rich in potassium. FACT!

    Nick, i noticed…didnt feel it warrented a response tho. :oops:

  406. irishgunner Says:

    My sister, she is fourth best prostitute in all of Kazakstan

  407. RayGooner Says:

    It says a lot of how poor the Italian League is compared to the English now days, it was very different in the mid and late 90s…

    Vieira & Henry couldn’t make it in the Italian League but were awesome in the English League.

    And just a couple of years ago the best goalscorer in the Italian League (Shevchenko) couldn’t cope with the English League…That says it all, really

  408. Franchise Says:

    4 kilos of potassium

  409. Nick Says:

    niiiice you can have go of my sister she is too a model,this very big money :)

  410. RayGooner Says:

    …and of course the fact that England had 3 out 4 Semi-finalists in the last 2 seasons of the CL says a lot too…

  411. RayGooner Says:

    gonna watch the game now, hoping to enjoy lots of goals (minimum 2 goals from Theo of course), cheers!

  412. Nick Says:

    ray what does 18,50 represent????

  413. irishgunner Says:

    Nick – I like you, in my country they would like you, very niiiiiiiiiice :D

  414. Nick Says:

    tiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttssssss niiiiiiiiiiice or saggy

  415. irishgunner Says:

    Very niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice I get ipod, you get ipod

  416. Ja_Gunner Says:

    If Ade goes and we get Dzeko..we will still have too many forwards.

    We have 7 forwards….

    Arsh,RVP,Vela,Eddy,Theo,Bendtner,Dzeko/Ade

    It would mean that Arsh and Theo will have to stay on the wings. Then the other 5 fight for 2 spots..its still a bit much…how do you keep all of them happy?

    And RVP,Eddy,Ade all mid twenties..so they would be killing Vela,Bendt and Theo.

    Theo would end up being on the wing for at least 3 more years ..which is a lot.

    It seems we need to get rid of at least one more to cut it to six….but who? Wenger rates them all.

    If we had 6 forwards then a 4-3-3 system they could probably rotated more effectively.

    it could be

    first choice

    Arshavin……Eddy……RVP

    Second choice

    Vela……..Dzeko……Theo

    Well Bendtner is out..cuz I cant think of any other way to do it….

    Bend would be best in the centre cuz he has no pace….but with Eddy and dzeko for example it would be hard for him to start over them.

    How is Arsene going to juggle them all….they are too many..one or 2 will get frustrated and want to leave pretty soon.

  417. Franchise Says:

    ipod nano is for girls

  418. Stu Says:

    HA Imagine that for a great start!

  419. Nick Says:

    :)

  420. irishgunner Says:

    Just as well I have an ipod nano so :D

  421. irishgunner Says:

    He is my neighbor Nushuktan Tulyiagby. He is pain in my assholes. I get a window from a glass, he must get a window from a glass. I get a step, he must get a step. I get a clock radio, he cannot afford. Great success!

  422. Stu Says:

    If its 2 up front then Eduardo would always start. Eduardo and Bendtner atm represent our best partnership imo. Vela wont be starting many matches except all the CC and most of the FA cup and the odd prem game. Same for Theo up front. He will be a winger next season imo.

    So really in a 4-4-2 it will be 2 of Eduardo, Bendtner, VP and Dzeko in the prem and CL.
    Other than that Vela and theo in the CC imo.

    Ina 4-3-3 AA can play any of 4 positions so he is ok. VP any of 3 and same for Vela and Eduardo.

    The attack will be selected based of form and the opposition.

  423. samir Says:

    Here’s a working stream:http://www.atdhe.net/7439/watch-kazakhstan-vs-england
    In English of course LOL!!

  424. Mayank Says:

    You guys are talking as if we’ve already signed Dzeko. Have we?

  425. Iqtesab Says:

    OK guyz..it’s official: Arsenal have made an offer for Dzeko. And dzeko is NOT considering a move to mancester.It’s le grove where he would rather be:

    http://www.4thegame.com/club/arsenal-fc/news/238289/arsenal_given_dzeko_boost.html

  426. Stu Says:

    Versatility truly is a curse isnt it.

    Gerrard, one of the best CMs in world football is having to play left midfield because Fat Lampard can only play in the middle. How shit must Gerrard feel.

  427. samir Says:

    Not yet. But crossed fingers!

  428. Stu Says:

    Not yet Mayank. Its just assumptions for now.

  429. ethangunner Says:

    good post however , 1 point is not really true ..
    ——————————————-
    I’m thinking Adebayor’s fateful press conference last summer where the seeds of disaffection were sown amongst the Arsenal fans. We all heard about, and remembered, what he said then so when his performances dipped this year (admittedly after early signs of improvement) those remarks came back to haunt him and he lost our trust.
    ———————————————–
    ade went on a 11 game goal drought and scored only 5 goals in the EPL for 5 months for the rest of that season ,not sure when you saw him improve in between that time ?
    (off the pitch beating his GF perhaps?)
    i took a disliking to him during the goal drought ,then and felt he didnt deserve the TH14 improved DOUBLE YOUR MONEY contract .. and once ac offered the alleged 30 mil , i think arsene was a fool for not taking it ..i did then and still do now .

    over all your point of view is noted chary , but i cannot concur with it .. i think you need to read each article and assess each one on its merits ,

    eg , like the wenger meeting RM , did it really happen ? is wenger really pissed of with the board enough ?

    did adams really say 1 board member dislikes wenger ?
    …..

    it took place around the time of the Q & A
    and you can deduct a certain amount of reasoning behind the reasons wenger would go to real ..

    whilst journalists want to sell papers, they cannot just fabricate lies , i know myself i wouldn’t want to tell lies on a weekly basis and have my name at the bottom of my rants each week if they were ..

    sooner or later your reputation would catch up with you .. and your career, livelihood is then soon over

  430. irishgunner Says:

    Mayank – Thing is, he has been scouted for a while, wants to play CL and if Adebayor is going AW will probably make the move now to sign him.

  431. samir Says:

    Plasyed as wolfsberg on fifa. Dzeko scored 2!!! He’s rated 78 and is quite fast, 6ft3 and a half. A real handful on corners. LOL

  432. samir Says:

    P.S. England really are playing crap. Suppose cause its away.

  433. Stu Says:

    Ethan, Ade did more than double his money if rumours are to be believed.

    No ay he was on more than 30k and asked for 100k+. Eventually getting either 80k or 110k…whichever you believe.

  434. samir Says:

    Barry yellow card! HA HA!
    Money grabbing ****.

  435. Stu Says:

    England are trying too hard to win. If they just play their regular game then they would walk the game but for whatever reason they are panicing because they havent gotten past a “shite” defence.

  436. Mayank Says:

    But he’s already playing CL without qualification worries. Anyway i wouldn’t be too bothered if we didn’t sign him, we have enough strikers.

  437. Stu Says:

    HSHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

  438. Stu Says:

    LUCKY FUCKERSS!!!!!

  439. samir Says:

    1-0 to borat…….. OHH not offside………

  440. Stu Says:

    This is just awful!!

  441. Stu Says:

    We should buy that guy. Either the striker who scored or the free kick taker.

  442. samir Says:

    LOL that would be embarrassing. Having a Kazakhstan player lol.

  443. Franchise Says:

    ethan cut ade some slack wld u? 99.999999% of ur posts are re ade and hw he went on a gol drought

  444. Sion De Freitas Says:

    lol bloody england, im glad i dont support them haha

  445. samir Says:

    I don’t mind keeping Ade. But if we get a bid of around 20-25M then sell the bugger.

  446. Kevin Says:

    Englands lack of technical ability is disturbing. And glenn johnson emphasises my point. The lack of movement from there midfield is shocking.

    God bless Arsene wenger for the football he has given us.

  447. Stu Says:

    I wouldnt mind keeping Ade if he tok a pay cut and wasnt a starter. Plan B at best.

  448. KM in WALES Says:

    .

  449. Sion De Freitas Says:

    streams gone lol

  450. Stu Says:

    Lucky England. The Kazakhs biggest threat goes off injured.

  451. Stu Says:

    *having said that tho…Bendtner is better in the air than Ade so we dont really need him for that either.

  452. Stu Says:

    For a former Gunner…Cole has pretty average technique aswell. I dont remember him being this bad when he was with us. weird. Its as if chelsea broke him.

  453. Stu Says:

    What a fucking save!

  454. Mayank Says:

    We should sell Ade and invest the money on training facilities. Haha, but maybe we could buy a completely new medical staff complete with dentists for RvP.

  455. samir Says:

    If anyone has TVU player the games on danish delight 2.
    heskey hit the post….:(

  456. Mayank Says:

    Yup if chelsea can break Sheva they can break a cole or two.

  457. Nick Says:

    when it looked like ade was going last year we must have had someone lined up,maybe it was dezko.
    wenger wanted to give him one more year else where and this is all part of the plan.
    keep ade for one year then fuck him off, wenger knew last year was a fluke but wanted to be sure and vice verse with dezko knew he would be world class but wanted to be sure ,simples :grin:

  458. samir Says:

    If you have not got TVU:
    http://www.justin.tv/dragongator/popout
    OR
    http://www.justin.tv/dragongator

  459. Mayank Says:

    Anyone got a better stream? Justintv maybe. I normally wouldn’t watch an England match but i’m bored as fuck.

  460. Mayank Says:

    Wow smir you’re quick.

  461. Stu Says:

    Indeed Nick, indeed.

  462. Kevin Says:

    http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch3.html

  463. samir Says:

    LOL. I admit I’m psychic.

  464. Nick Says:

    wow home time off to the gym i go yippee,England will fuck me off if i watch it :) bye all

  465. Stu Says:

    bye bye nicky.

  466. Mayank Says:

    Shit club. No history.

  467. Stu Says:

    Fuck that!

  468. samir Says:

    Barry scores.
    Also have you lot seen what Usmonov said before:Wenger’s Arsenal have gone four seasons without winning a trophy and Usmanov believes significant investment in the team is required if that run is to be stopped. A spokesman for Red and White said: “We originally decided to invest in Arsenal based on the manager and the ability of Arsenal to compete at the very highest levels. If the manager and the board decide that the club requires additional funds to invest in the squad then we stand ready to support them.”

    Why don’t we just ake his money and run.

  469. Mayank Says:

    Oh no…”Wenger misses out on England star”

  470. Stu Says:

    Samir, i suppose its because noone wants him having anything to do with the club. Be it those on the board investing his dirty money or the vast majority of fans for more of less the same reason.

    He is a scumbag thug and if he is allowed to get involved with anything he will think we condone his thugery.

    Or something like that. I just dont want arsenal having anything to do with him.

  471. KM in WALES Says:

    agree on England’s style of play-it seems v.similar to Bolton’s long ball or l’pool’s percentage football.i dnt think they’l win a tournament unless they change their style of play-hold onto the ball more,possession is key. Keep the ball on the deck & wtf is heskey doing playing for england?its why i hate watching england play-they are so overhyped by the media its like watching paint dry.why is it players like Gerrard & Rooney (world beaters)look awful for england?i think the only way to change is get a coach like wenger who plays technical football but it really starts at the grassroots where the technique has to be nurtured thats why there are so many foreign players over here.

  472. OmniFootball » Le Grove Saturday Guest Blog: Loose Lips (Sink Ships) - Football Blog Says:

    [...] the original post on Le Grove VN:F [1.4.2_694]please wait…Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes [...]

  473. Stu Says:

    KM, getting someone like Wenger in now would be pointless because he would have very little to work with.

    Once our kids get to the england side things will change because Wenger has nutured them to play proper football. Ironically Wenger will be the saviour of the england team.

  474. patthegooner Says:

    I agree with you Stu

    problem is Arsenal already have something to do with him, he owns more than 25% of our football club.

  475. The_Arshavin_Show Says:

    when is Sweden vs denmark?

  476. Stu Says:

    Unfortunately yes ptg, but not by our own choice. We cant stop him from bying stares but the board certainly can stop him getting to the board level…and have done just that so far. He is excluded from all meetings and such, so i hear. The less influence he has the better imo.

  477. Stu Says:

    When did France play Turkey?

  478. irishgunner Says:

    ” Ironically Wenger will be the saviour of the england team.” – i wonder will they ever admit it though

  479. Stu Says:

    Dont hold your breath on that one Irish.
    They will give the credit to the grass routes and the Fa will take all the credit undeservingly. Or more like Sky, they will probably praise Fergie or some bollocks like that.

  480. irishgunner Says:

    Last night – they won 1-0, Benzema from a PK

  481. Stu Says:

    *undeservedly.
    That looks like it fits better.

  482. Stu Says:

    Thanks Irish, just saw the highlights on eurosport and wondering how old it was.

  483. irishgunner Says:

    Think you are right Stu – sadly.

    It doesn’t fit in with their “Arsene Wenger is a foreign bastard that can do no good for England” agenda.

  484. incesc Says:

    has feo scored for england??

    man im bored, it feels too early to start drinking but…

  485. Stu Says:

    No incesc. Theo has actually been pretty wank. Touched the ball about 5 times and done fack all with it.

  486. irishgunner Says:

    Arshavin – tonight at 7

  487. incesc Says:

    theo? wank? lol never

    heskey just scored i see.

    Arshavin on at 7??

    i suppose i could sky plus bear grylls

  488. Samir Says:

    Kick off at 7PM.
    And Stu ye I suppose I agree with you. (Im only 15 so I dont really know as much about arsenal as you “experienced lot” No offence. I would say Im a Proper supporter though. I’ve watched nearly every second of our games for years now. Last game I went to was the Liverpool-Arsenal one. 4-4 What a game. But we should have won really.

  489. Stu Says:

    Ha incesc.

    Seriously tho? Bear Grylls is shite! Absloutely shite! Survivor man is a thousand times better.

  490. Stu Says:

    15 huh? I guess im not the youngest on here anymore.
    Damn!

  491. Samir Says:

    @Stu LOL. If Toure is off to city then I reckon Richards would be a good swap. But with around 5-8 million on top.

  492. incesc Says:

    survivor man can uck bear grylls balls.

    who are russia playing? is arshvin captain?

  493. Stu Says:

    How do you mean?

    Toure plus 5m = Richards or
    Toure = richards and 5m?

  494. Doublegooner Says:

    Afternoon Goons:
    Watching bits of the game. Theo is so hit & miss. I wonder whether he’ll end up being known for the hype as against becoming a top player.

  495. KM in WALES Says:

    i’m really intrigued by our pursuit of Dzeko.we’v been watching him for a year now. Wenger has sent his right hand man to watch him so this is v.serious.but Wenger has said that we’d only buy a striker if RvP leaves as well as Ade.Does our offer mean RvP is leaving?Or does that mean he doesnt believe Eduardo will be injury free nxt season?has he learnt frm the Rosicky saga?or he has recognised a gem in Dzeko?whats ur opinion guys?also do u think the quote from ‘Dzeko’s agent’ is genuine?

  496. Samir Says:

    Toure = richards and 5m?

  497. incesc Says:

    *suck

    and toure is a bit crap, but better than richards

  498. Stu Says:

    Incesc! You are facking deluded man! Bear Grylls has a whole crew with him and usualy sleeps indoors or in a tent. Survivor man is all real, does all his own camera work and does everything himself. Grylls is a right gowl! FACT!

  499. irishgunner Says:

    Incesc – No ha ha Denmark are playing Sweden at 7 “The_Arshavin_Show” wanted to know

    Awwww Stu isn’t the baby any more :)

  500. Samir Says:

    New News:Ajax skipper Thomas Vermaelen should be an Arsenal player soon after sources in his home country revealed that the Dutch giants have given permission for the 23-year-old’s agent to begin negotiations with the Gunners’.

    Vermaelen is currently on a plane to Mauritius, while his agent Sören Lerby forges out a £10 million move to the Emirates Stadum. Ajax directors reportedly met with Ivan Gazidis on Wednesday where they were said to have accepted Arsenal’s offer.

  501. Stu Says:

    Neither Toure nor Rishards are top CBs and thats what we need. So i would prefer to hold onto Kolo because of experience and such. Richards is meh and a partyboy who loves his money and getting into trouble. No thanks imo.

  502. incesc Says:

    bear grylls makes me laugh and he is still harder than me or you stu.

    i would go gay for him.

  503. irishgunner Says:

    Bear Grylls has been found out as a phony

  504. incesc Says:

    lol irish

    denmark sweden hey? think i’ll give that one a miss.

  505. Stu Says:

    Im not so sure if thats a good or bad thing Irish. Lovedup thought i was in my thirties so…..i doubt anyone realised i was young anyway..

  506. incesc Says:

    how old are you stu

  507. Stu Says:

    Well that says it all then Incesc. You are just gay for him. And i am sure that im harder than him. His name says it all. Bear is a shite name to start off and Grylls is weird too. Hes a gowl!

  508. KM in WALES Says:

    irishgunner-bang on abt wenger coaching england. There’s too much media bias against him although he’s done so much for the english game….

  509. Stu Says:

    The big 19.

  510. irishgunner Says:

    Samir is only a minor so you lot will have to mind your language :)

  511. irishgunner Says:

    KM – AW should manage Ireland when IL Trap retires, that is a neat idea I think :)

  512. Stu Says:

    Whats that Irish? Bollocks, cunt, gowl, fucker, shithouse, fuckface, cheesetits etc etc!!!!!!!!!!!

  513. Samir Says:

    Personally KM I reckon that Dzeko’s agent is using Arsenal as a stepping stone whilst he renegotiates his contract with wolfsburg – handy bargaing tool.
    I don’t think he will move this season. But If I were him I would be on the plane now. Arsenal are a far more superior team to his current one.

  514. incesc Says:

    anyone recommend a good film i can download for after bear grylls (the greatest man aliveeven if hes fake)

    something obscure maybe ive seen a lot of films

  515. irishgunner Says:

    For Fuck Sake mind your language Stu

  516. incesc Says:

    yeah i agree samir

    agents often use us to booster deals. If we were interested arsene would have told him to keep quiet

  517. Samir Says:

    A great film?? Deffo try Hotrod. LOL. Funniest film ever.

  518. irishgunner Says:

    Incesc – The Girl on the Bridge (La Fille sur la Pont) its in French but very good.

  519. incesc Says:

    Cheers samir

    looks good, ill give it a go

  520. Stu Says:

    Incesc, try Ace Ventura: Pet detective. Brilliant film

    Either that or go for the series of Dexter, House, or the Dog Whisperer. All classics. ;)

  521. Samir Says:

    Would any of you be happy if Wenger only bought 1 CB?
    I really think we need at least 2. Vermaelen 5ft11+Zapata 6ft 1+1⁄2inch. Zapata to replace Big Phil and Vermaelen to replace Shitty Silvestre.

  522. patthegooner Says:

    Bear Grylls is a fake.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6911748.stm

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-474866/Bear-Grylls-faked-toxic-volcanic-fumes-smoke-machine-new-Born-Survivor-fake-row.html

    Apparently faked stories of injuries in the reserve SAS as well.

  523. incesc Says:

    irish

    amazing film, saw it a few years ago, i might check that out again as well

    stu

    might check dexter everyone says its great. you watched the wire?

  524. Stu Says:

    OH Oh oh oh oh that reminds me. Get Lola Rent! Also known as Run Lola Run in english. Its a german film tho. Subtitled.

    Or try “The Edukators” aka Die fetten jahre sind Vorbei. Your days os plenty are numbered – in english.
    Also german with subtitles.

  525. Samir Says:

  526. Stu Says:

    Never in my life watched the wire.

  527. irishgunner Says:

    It is a top film Incesc, have it on DVD

  528. incesc Says:

    oi

    stop ruining my bear grylls fun.

    i dont wanna know.

  529. gooner786 Says:

    Hello Grovers,

    We have signed Vermaelen according to the media in Belgium.

  530. incesc Says:

    Everyone needs to have the wire in their life, its the best series i have ever watched.

  531. incesc Says:

    how do you pronounce vermaelen

  532. patthegooner Says:

    Gooner 786 is this a new report or still that report from this morning.

  533. Stu Says:

    Incesc – ver-mail-in.

  534. Samir Says:

    Wow He’s a great Jumper

  535. gooner786 Says:

    PTT this is the link I dont know if it’s the same one or not.

    http://arsenalaction.wordpress.com/2009/06/06/arsenal-sign-10m-vermaelen/

  536. Pedro Says:

    Pat, all that Bear Grylls stuff… I do it for real most weekends.

  537. gooner786 Says:

    Sorry I meant PTG NOT PTT

  538. irishgunner Says:

    What Pedro – stay in a hotel while pretending to be battling wild bears :lol:

  539. Pedro Says:

    Irish… you’ve met me… you know the score.

    I’m doing this from a mountain range in Africa… just fought off two hyennas with a tent peg… but I still make time to blog.

    So, what do you all think of the guest blog idea? A keeper in the preseason?

  540. irishgunner Says:

    I didn’t want the other men to feel soft around you Pedro that was all ;)

    Its a great idea, Chary’s is really good, gives you and Geoff a break too – I hit writers block for a week, it can be hard to think of things to write at times.

  541. leon Says:

    i dought wenger is in market for striker he already stated that his attcking options are very good and that cleraly the case,unless i club comes up with 25 mill offer for ade is going nowere,i think there fear chance wenger is going this player from ajax,i highler suspect wenger will sell senderos, but i just not sure if silvestor will still be there,and as for gallas its up in air i hope he stays but he only hasft 1 year left and wenger is going have find replacement for him because is going either this or next summer

  542. Stu Says:

    Leon, so you believe what Wenger said? You are a lost more trusting in him than most. I tent not to believe what he says unless its 100% sure and nothing is that sure with Wenger.

  543. Pedro Says:

    Leon… if Wenger sells Ade… he’ll need to sign someone of potential pedigree.

    Dzeko is in the nearly mould of Pires, Henry and Vieira.

    These are the sort of players we should have been signing years ago… Dzeko, Vermaelen and Matiudi are the sort of players who with a bit of luck, can win you trophies.

    I’m excited!

  544. Pedro Says:

    Leon, Ade costs too much for what he does… he’d sell out for £18million… by selling him he gives himself another £18million to spend and another £3.2million to play with on the wage budget!

    Irish, I appreciate what you did there…

  545. Stu Says:

    Its shocking to think that Ade, being valued at about 20m, is valued at the same price as the likes of Arshavin, Huntelaar etc. But then again, its also the same price as Bents, Bentleys and Keanes of this world. Football is a weird!

  546. irishgunner Says:

    Pedro – not worried that those mentioned are quite young?

    Personally I’m not cos they have plenty games under their belt, its a bit like Fabregas – only 22 but plenty of experience.

  547. Mayank Says:

    Archie’s marrying Veronica! Bad news day.

  548. Maciek Says:

    Has anyone watched Vermaelen? Is he really worth 11.5 milion euros?

  549. incesc Says:

    has Sweet little boy scored yet? or is he still playing pants? my stream was a bit crap

  550. leon Says:

    stu-pedro

    its not matter of trusting him the fact manu only scord 2-3 more goals than use,we have edwardo,nikkib,rvp,aa,vela,theo evon without ade we have more enough players who can score its something thats urgent,and if he sells it will very much the offers are on the table, remember no one is going make 30 mill offer after the season he had and ade is not going take paycut he is on 80k a week very few clubs will offer that,as for matiudi he is around 22 i dont wenger going for someone that young when he has delinson and song at 21,plus we need midfield general someone very experienced not this guy

  551. Mayank Says:

    Are we actually worried about Wenger paying too much for a player. The world hasn’t come to that yet i’m afraid.

  552. Pedro Says:

    Irish, it’s the right sort of young.

    22, 23 and 23 I think? That’s the perfect age… experienced to a degree… the right type of build and ready to move up to world class.

    I trust Wenger with those types of signings, because if he believes they have the right attributes all the players have to do is work hard.

    Stu, £20million for strength, speed and 20 goals a season is a snip really… buying from Arsenal is like buying a suit from Harrods, you have to pay a premium for the quality that went into the development!

  553. Pedro Says:

    Mayank, why would you worry about that?

    If we’d paid £20million for Arshavin, would you be worried?

  554. incesc Says:

    just checked

    3 absolute cocks and one donkey scored for england today. Sweet little boy didnt get on the scoresheet. Motd can be avoided.

  555. leon Says:

    pedro

    thats the big question who will be willing to pay 18 mill or more not going to many clubs out there and wenger will not take less than 20 mill

  556. Stu Says:

    Wenger will sell Ade for as little as 15m if he knows whats good for him. :mad:

  557. Mayank Says:

    No, i was replying to maciek. He’s worried whether Varmealen(sp) is worth the money we’d be paying for him. If there one thing Wenger’s good at its this.

  558. Maciek Says:

    Samir,
    As much as I would love to see it happen, we will probably sell Gallas and Senderos and end up with Toure, Djourou, Vermaelen and Song. You know Wenger. And it’s a shame because I really rate Zapata.

  559. incesc Says:

    if wenger could afford to buy rio ferdinand or ribery i’m sure he would.

    im sure hes done his homework on vermaelen.

  560. Stu Says:

    Fuck sake, 12m is nothing anymore, especially for a uality player. Its better than letting someone else buy him and if he gets good then we will all be saying Wenger should have gone the extra mile.

  561. incesc Says:

    he better not sel gallas.

    pedro

    when do the results of le chump come out?

    my moneys on phil brown

  562. David Says:

    incesc what game is that?

  563. Maciek Says:

    Mayank-it’s not about the money. If player is valued for example at 25 milion and he is great and can improve us, we should get him. I would love to see someone like Hangelaand, Bruno Alves, Zapata. Big, strong, tall,etc.

  564. Mayank Says:

    Stu’s right as much as i hate to admit it Wenger’s turned us into cheap lil cunts. In today’s football market 12m is money you might pay for the likes of Bentley.

  565. leon Says:

    stu-pedro

    it wont happen no way he let him go 15 mill an he would be crazy to,i may like his attitude but ade is very very gifted player but very lazy if gets his right he will score 20-25 goals,wenger already has enough players with potential he needs players with experience and this matiudo i think she brings much more to table than song

  566. Stu Says:

    Im gonna go for Vermaelen, Chiellini and Hangeland. Simples!

  567. Stu Says:

    Mayank, whats wrong with admitting im right? :???:

  568. incesc Says:

    david

    england kazakstan

  569. Arindam@KOL Says:

    Maciek , if I am not wrong Zapata is a poor man’s Kolo Toure – he was Udinese’s RB for most of the season anyways.

    Its Bruno ALves that we need/

  570. Pedro Says:

    Leon, Mayank… the repercussions of Madrid spunking £300million will mean someone will stump up £20mill for Adebayor.

    I don’t think he is particularly gifted… what he was, was a hard worker with a presence.

    Now he is just an average player with a low work rate.

    Time to go I think!

    I like what he gave us last year… but unless he can recreate that, I’d rather see the back of him.

  571. Stu Says:

    Matuidi isvery likely to be a better footballer than Song. BUt we dont need footballers in defensive positions imo. We need defenders back there.

    And anyway, Song offers us versatility. Matuidi doesnt. I’d rather keep Song instead of Matuidi because its cheaper that way and less complicated. But obviously i would rather a DM better than both of them.

  572. incesc Says:

    mayank

    i dont think wenger has changed us into cheap lil cunts

    lol

  573. Pedro Says:

    Incesc, next Sunday.

  574. Mayank Says:

    Well my point is IF Wenger is even considering spending that kind of money on one player i trust his judgment. He might make the odd dubious signing but they’ve mostly been very cheap. Just because we haven’t seen much of a player doesn’t mean he’s a nobody. This guy for instance is supposed to be the best defender in Holland. Their league might not compare to the PL but if he’s the best there he must be at a good level.

  575. Mayank Says:

    Stu – No there’s nothing wrong with admitting you’re right, i don’t like admit i’m a cheap lil cunt.

  576. incesc Says:

    someone put a y0utube video of ades 2008/2009 season on here yesterday. he looked like the shit. i was thinking for about 10 minutes we should keep him.

  577. Stu Says:

    Less than a year really. Ade stopped being effective after january imo. Ethan has a stat that says Ade scored 5 goals in the last 5 months of the season.
    Without the midfield productivity that we had with Rosicky, Hleb and an on form Cesc Ade is fairly poor. He needs everyone else to do the work for him to score. We cant sell him soon enough.

  578. Stu Says:

    Incesc, i saw the same video and dont be fooled. It was the music that made Ade seem great.

  579. Maciek Says:

    Thanks Arindam.I have thought that Zapata has played as a cd for most of the season.Well, anyway he is tall, strong and could became a great player( the same as Vermalaen). Hangeland, Alves, Vidic mark II will do for me.

  580. Samir Says:

    So Leon Matuidi is a girl now? LOL

  581. Stu Says:

    Samir, you are so immature! :lol:

  582. Mayank Says:

    Well there are some strikers who are creators like Henry and some who are just finishers like Inzhagi. Ade is obviously of the second sort. He was bought as pat of the famous plan B that we were lacking. To be honest he was successful as that, but now that Nik is there we might be able to cope w/o him. If we didn’t have Nik i’d be worried.

  583. Maciek Says:

    Stu, Matudi can play as a right back, too.

  584. Stu Says:

    Mayank, thats a tad harsh on the likes of Inzaghi. He is one of the createst finishers around. He is very clinical. Manu “8shots per goal” Ade is nowhere near as good.

  585. Stu Says:

    You sure about that Maciek because im pretty sure he is a leftie.

  586. incesc Says:

    it was pretty sweet music stu

  587. Maciek Says:

    -Gordon or Akinfjejev
    - Hangeland,
    -Cana,
    - a winger( typical one, not cdm who can play as a winger).
    Please Arsene!!!!!!!!!
    P.S. We do not need Dzeko, we have Bendtner who has improve and Walcott whould be played as a striker. Just my humble opinion.

  588. Samir Says:

    Jeez 586 comments on here, we sure talking alot.
    All these rumours are crazy! Here’s a vid to cheer you up…

  589. Stu Says:

    But Maciek, if Theo goes up front and Arshavin will want to play up front then who plays on the wings? and who gets sacrificed up front? Any signing depends on so many other circumstances.

  590. Stu Says:

    Samir, obviously you are new and have never seen the some 1500 comments on a good day. Or the 2000+ on Arshavin signing day. Le Grove is a legend!! FACT!

  591. Samir Says:

    Maciek– Hangelaand is too slow for our game. Imagine how many mistakes he would make. We play high defensive line unlike Fulham who basically live in their box. The offside trap just wouldn’t work with him.

  592. Maciek Says:

    Yes Stu, my mistake. I have mistaken him with Dabo.

  593. leon Says:

    i am trying look at from wenger point of view he is not desrarate for ade to leave infant he wants to keep all of his players if he can,this all about ade and if he wants to stay,i think he wanted leave last season,i know he said he happy at arsenal but i have no dought if a team like milan make a big enough offer there is nothing wenger can do,

    when it comes to midfield signing i think it is clear that he going keep faith with delinson,song and diaby so signing around 21-22 is not going to happen,he will be looking for someone with lots of experience around24-27

  594. incesc Says:

    arshavin isnt god it doesnt really matter where he wants to play

    im pretty sure if wenger sees him as a winger he will play him as a winger.

    i actually think arshavin would be better as a free roaming midfielder so he can create things and be involved in everything

  595. Stu Says:

    In the middle is Arshavins best position…he even said so himself. Its not a matter of where he wants to play but where he should play. To get the best out of him he should be in the middle because its where he is at his best. Simples!

  596. Maciek Says:

    Stu, that is why I have called for a winger.But to be fair Traore can be a great left winger,and Little Jack is a special talent so maybe we don’t need anyone.
    Ok, remember this Dimitrov guy? Or maybe Di Maria, Elia. I do not know.

  597. Samir Says:

    Leon yep I agree but I think Wenger only says he wants to keep his squad together to boost up Ade’s price. If he were to say he don’t want him then his value would most probably fall. Clubs would question why we were selling him, and soon realise if he’s not good enough for Arsenal nor is he good enough for themselves.

    Incesc– Arshavin is god. Well he is mine anywayz!

  598. Stu Says:

    Leon, whether or not Wenger wants to keep everyone is irrelevant. Im sure he never wants players to leave but they go anyway because he is powerless to stop them.

    I wouldnt be suprised if he said exactly the same most summers only for players to leave. Player sales are inevitable imo.

  599. incesc Says:

    traore and wilshere should not be arsenal wingers next season. neither is good enough. Wilshere could be but traore is not

  600. Stu Says:

    And Wilsheres best position is also behind the striker. Not on the wing because he doesnt make the pace to beat anyone in a 1 v 1. He will end up in the no.10 role. Wenger has said so himself.

  601. Maciek Says:

    Samir. If not Brede than Bruno Alves,Zapata or Vidic II. Only FC Seville has got more scouts than we, so I have a right to belive in their ability.

  602. Stu Says:

    Sevilla? What makes you think that Maciek?

    Also, Zapata was their right back and i hear he isnt all that great in the middle. Felipe is good tho…actually is a CB for udinese…not sure what he’s like tho.

  603. Maciek Says:

    How about Matty Upson? I have read that we have signed him. It’s probably a stupid hoax but it’s shows that Wenger want to bring at least one new central defender.

  604. Stu Says:

    That was a great set piece by Ireland of all teams. 1-0.
    Whats the score in other matches?

  605. Stu Says:

    Maciek, where did you read that? He is away with England so it probably is a hoax after all.

  606. incesc Says:

    lets face it whoever becomes our new midfielder will probably end up having a breakdown.

    Look at

    campbell
    gallas
    senderos

    wenger has a history of fucking up centre backs mental stability

  607. Maciek Says:

    Well Stu I have heard that only Sevilla have more scouts than we do have.

  608. Samir Says:

    No way to Upson. Zapata, Bruno Alvez and Chilleni would all be better.

  609. Stu Says:

    Thats because any good defender he gets in goes to shite because he doesnt give 2 fucks about the defensive side of football.

  610. leon Says:

    i do agree that aa can play any were in midfield and evon better in central just behind the striker i not sure were risicbky will play but he can play either wide or central and nasri can econ play dm role,but alot of attacking options there not tomany defensive players there though

  611. Maciek Says:

    Stu, give me a minute and i will try to find it.I have read it yesterday.

  612. Stu Says:

    The only Porto player i rate (that i know about) is Lucho. I’d have him in a second. Great midfield general.

  613. incesc Says:

    i meant defender not midfielder

  614. Samir Says:

    Talking of Sevilla Aquivaldo Mosquera is a great CB. Hes 27 and 6ft 1.

  615. incesc Says:

    right laters

    stu, im off to watch bear grylls!!

  616. Stu Says:

    Leon, Nasri cant play DM. Maybe a few games if its a serious emergency but he is anything but a DM.

  617. nishanth Says:

    Best player in sevilla is navas.He is an awesome player who should be playing for a better club

  618. Stu Says:

    Incesc, do what you like. But bare in mind that its all a hoax, faked, cheating. He is a LIAR! But enjoy it anyway…….

    Samir, Mosquera doesnt even get on for them. He is the ultimate utility man. A real beast of a player but if he isnt good enough to be a regular for them then he isnt good enough for us.

  619. Samir Says:

    Another GREAT CB IS Federico Fazio. 23 years old and 6 ft5in? Also plays for Sevilla.
    But I think I must have played on Football Manager too long…

  620. Maciek Says:

    http://arsenalspot.net/2009/06/tribute-to-emmanuel-adebayor/
    Look at the comments section and read CHRIS THORNTON comment.

  621. Stu Says:

    Navas is a right cheating bastard tho. He dives like noones business. Screaming and roling around on the ground trying to get someone booked and cheat the ref. Disgraceful! Decent winger tho :razz:

  622. Maciek Says:

    Yes Samir, he is good. Wasn’t Wenger interested in signing him last year?

  623. Stu Says:

    Well Maciek, im gonna assume its just someone messing about. Nothing whatsoever to back up a claim like that.

  624. Samir Says:

    Nasri said once before he can play DM. But I don’t think he would be good enough there.
    “I think so, yes,” Nasri said, when asked if defensive midfield could be his future position.

    “In any case, I am more at ease in the middle. I have more influence on the game. Even if it isn’t up to me to do the dirty work, I feel capable of doing it.

    “In England, I have learnt to take the knocks. But I still need to adjust to the positions you need to take up because you have different demands to when you play on the wings.”

  625. nishanth Says:

    I am not sure STU.Capel is more like that.

  626. nishanth Says:

    How did ramsey play for wales

  627. Stu Says:

    Nish, both of them are bad. Its just the typical spanish (based) player. Diving and cheating, they all do it.

    Samir, that interview was on Arse.com if i remember correctly. It was probably Wengers idea and him trying to calm us about not signing a DM.

  628. Stu Says:

    Dunno Nish, im hoping he did well.

  629. patthegooner Says:

    Especially as Upson is in Kazakhstan isn’t he?

  630. Maciek Says:

    Stu, Lucho is great. Can he play out wide as a winger. Also 1 year ago we were interested in signing some big Turkish defender from Galata or Fenerbache. I have forgotten his name but he has impressed me at the Euro’s. Also, do You remember guys Rumunian defender(Radu?). He was great.

  631. paul Says:

    Wenger is in China

  632. Maciek Says:

    Yes Pat, he is. But like I said, it’s just a hoax. Nothing more or less.

  633. Stu Says:

    Not really Maviek. He is a CM leader. Dont know much about him tho apart from CL games and some internationals from a few years ago.

  634. patthegooner Says:

    Samir are you player suggestions based on you watching them in the real world or from the virtual PES/FIFA/Championship Manager World?

    There are some names there right out of nowhere.

  635. Stu Says:

    *c

  636. Stu Says:

    LOL PTG, i was thinking the same.

    But dont be so suspect. I saw many a great player in PES before i ever saw them in real life.

  637. Maciek Says:

    It’s ok Stu.

  638. patthegooner Says:

    I know Stu, I was a Marc Overmars fan from Fifa, I then started watching him in real life and was over the moon when we bought him. great player

  639. nishanth Says:

    Hope bendtner can knock a few past sweden today

  640. Samir Says:

    LOL@patthegooner. Ye suppose so. Football Manager Live really is an addictive game. And fifa… Don’t get me started on that.

  641. patthegooner Says:

    Nasri was another I picked up on in Championship Manager.

    And I remember for years I kept buying an Argentine called Marcelo Gallardo. The reason being he was touted as the next Maradonna and was runoured to be joining us but went to Monaco instead. I was gutted at the time but alas he was pretty shit in Championship Manager and he turned out to more the next Perry Groves rather than the next Maradonna in real life too. Fuck knows where he ended up.

  642. Stu Says:

    http://www.justin.tv/azzurronapoli3/popout

    Denmark Sweden match.

  643. patthegooner Says:

    Given up on Championship Manager though. I think I was on the verge of divorce at one stage, i used to spend whole weekends on it and could not sleep at night trying to figure out why I just lost. It got to a stage where a poor season was as bad as Arsenal losing for real, it used to ruin my day

  644. Samir Says:

    To be honest there don’t seem to be many “Amazing” CB’s around. Vidic is probably one of the best. Still when he comes up against a top striker in Torres or Eto’o he gets demolished.
    Defenders are real hard to find unlike Attackers.

  645. goonerpress Says:

    PTG, Samir has named two very good players. Mosquera and Fazio are great players. Fazio is for me a very very good future CB. He just needs a move to a bigger club. Same with Navas.

  646. Stu Says:

    I’ve only ever played PES and back in 05-06 i remember buying Tevez and Mascherano for arsenal not knowing who they were.
    It was a huge fluke i suppose because i used to play mascherano on the right wing.

  647. Stu Says:

    What amazing timing from me. 1-0 denmark!

  648. nishanth Says:

    One of the players who i really liked was maxi moralez.Saw him play in u20 world cup.I liked his game more than sergio aguero.He is really short though 5ft3 or something

  649. goonerpress Says:

    I play FIFA on PSP and in the manager mode there is a bit where youth players are discovered from within the club. I had to offer a young striker called L.Severin a contract and hes an amazing player. A bit like Rooney. Don’t know where the hell he popped out from.

  650. Samir Says:

    goonerpress:) Fazio’s 23 and 6 ft 5in. That is a crazy height for a 23 year old don’t you think. Either he is that tall or some dumb ass has edited Wikipedia..?

  651. patthegooner Says:

    Heard of Fazio GP, and have watched him on SS a few times, he does look ok,

    But the other fella, never heard of him. Just had to google him and apparently he is looking for a move to Mexico.

  652. nishanth Says:

    Samir ignasi miquel is apparently 6ft3 and he is only 16 or 17

  653. Samir Says:

    Rodney Sneijder (brother with the real madrid lad) seemed to turn amazing also Henri Saivet.

  654. goonerpress Says:

    Yeah Ignasi is very tall. Federico is around 6ft5. He is very very tall.

  655. incesc Says:

    Stu

    you dont know what your missing

    bear was hunting beavers and he he put his arm in its entrance ffs

  656. Samir Says:

    WOW nishanth thats mad.
    Did we ever sign him? I got a link here from 2008 http://youngguns.wordpress.com/2008/02/22/arsenal-sign-ignasi-miquel-from-cornella/

  657. Stu Says:

    Beavers huh! Fucking pussy! It was probably a rabbit hole or something gay like that. They probably even gassed the poor little bunnies before he stuck his hand in to be “safe”.

  658. Maciek Says:

    Pat. Is CHamp. Manager better than Fifa Club manager?Is it the best PC game manger available?

  659. Stu Says:

    Samir, Miguel played for the reserves a few weeks ago. We did sigfn him.

  660. nishanth Says:

    He has featured for our u-18’s this season and i heard he was good.

  661. Samir Says:

    Maciek– Football manager live is a great game BTW. Its online with thousands of other people. You like have a 500k Budget and have to buy a squad of 16. You can then play against other teams (real people around the world).
    When you get good enough and have enough cash you can buy the best players.

  662. Arindam@KOL Says:

    Macie , you are taling about Diego Lugano – a hard-as-nails motha-fungler. But not our class.

  663. Arindam@KOL Says:

    *Maciek
    *talking
    :P

  664. nishanth Says:

    So is vermaelen going to be an arsenal player?Gooner talk says he will sign according to reports in belgium.I remember they said the same about some player last season and it never happened

  665. nishanth Says:

    He was pretty average against us

  666. Samir Says:

    LOL Bendtner on girls:
    “It is difficult to answer whether I prefer Danish or Swedish girls, because they are both lovely. Scandinavian girls are excellent and it is a subject which I often discussed with team mates at Arsenal, a topic that often comes up in the changing rooms, the Nordic girls have a good reputation around the world as beautiful and sweet girls who are easy to get in touch with.

    Perhaps most of the rumors yesterday that Swedish girls are delicious and they are also exceptional, but I chose therefore the Danish, because they hold just a really high standard – and I have to not annoy the Danish too much!”
    Bendtner was then asked for his opinion on English girls.
    The Dane went out with Steve Bruce’s daughter, Amy, during his time at Birmingham City a couple of seasons ago:
    “There is no doubt that I would prefer both the Danish and Swedish girls, rather than the English.”

  667. Stu Says:

    Well you cant say he is wrong Samir.

  668. goonerpress Says:

    http://www.soccermanager.com

    that is the best!

  669. Maciek Says:

    Thanks Samir and Arindam.

  670. nishanth Says:

    I really think bendtner will go on to do well with arsenal if given a proper oppurtunity.If dzeko comes it will limit his oppurtunites.Don’t really see the need for a new striker

  671. nishanth Says:

    Arshavin has started in 14 matches for us and we have scored 34 in those 14 matches

  672. Stu Says:

    Thats because arshavin is fucking brilliant!

  673. nishanth Says:

    hows bendtner playing stu

  674. Stu Says:

    Good i suppose. Not paying close attention to anyone really.

  675. Stu Says:

    WHAT THE FACK! My denmark stream switched to Italy! FECK

  676. nishanth Says:

    would love it if portugal don’t qualify.I think the portugese players dive more than the spanish ones

  677. Stu Says:

    I agree and disagree there Nish.

    I dont want Portugal to qualify because they are a bunch of cheaters, whiners bla bla bla but if they do qualify its more games for their players and less rest for the likes of Ronaldo, Carvalho, Bosingwa. Good and bad in different ways.

    Also a lot of spanish clubs are full of divers but if you look through the spanish national team there isnt many, if any at all, divers. Whether or not thats just a coincidence or that the coaches dont pick players of poor character like that is anybodys guess. But Spain dont have divers like their clubs do.

  678. Stu Says:

    Oh….and nice blogfart!

  679. David Says:

    Henrik Larsson just did a Nicklaus Bendtner….incredible miss.

  680. David Says:

    Howz Bendtner playing? Mostly anonymous but otherwise shite.

  681. Stu Says:

    lol David, i saw it. Worse than Bendtner! At leas when Bendtner misses its a keeper stopping him, Larsson, at the ripe age of about 40, had an open goal.

  682. David Says:

    “bendtner….couldnt keep it down….how often have we seen that”

  683. David Says:

    Lol…Stu…you really are Indenial.

  684. David Says:

    Sorensen is incredible…how did we end up with the spanish 4th String keeper?

  685. Lovedup Loner Says:

    There’s a saying… There are 2 definites; death and taxes… make that 3 things; death, taxes and david slating bendtner!

  686. Lovedup Loner Says:

    And Sorenson is garbage… David, you really are a goldfish fella! Almunia is quality mate… get with the programme!

  687. David Says:

    Yes. THats right Loner. Sorenson is garbage and Almunia is world class…ROFL…Thats why i love Le-Grove…you guys always cracking jokes.

  688. kingsley Says:

    Anyone watching the brazil game? felipe melo is looking very good. He’s like an essien/gilberto love child.

  689. David Says:

    Someone asked the question….

    nishanth Says:
    June 6, 2009 at 19:47

    hows bendtner playing….

    ===============

    It needed an answer. An honest one.

  690. nishanth Says:

    Bendtner is playing as a lone striker.That role just doesn’t suit him

  691. nishanth Says:

    howz cana playing for albania

  692. Stu Says:

    Fack Sorensen, Cesar is the keeper to have atm. He is top class.

  693. Stu Says:

    Julio Cesar that is.

  694. choy Says:

    wtf is wenger doing in beijing?

  695. Lovedup Loner Says:

    Sorenson had 1 decent season about 8 years ago…

    Anyone who rates him is a complete jibbering , droolin basket case who likes dressing up in his dead grannies underwear…

    David, you were sayin…

  696. Lovedup Loner Says:

    Choy;

    We have Gazidis now. As long as potential targets have been identified by AW, the new chief exec should be the one who sorts the tranfers out, otherwise, whats the point of employing him?

  697. Stu Says:

    Yes, true Lovedup. Wenger has done his bit (hopefully) of identifying the players he wants. Its up to Ivan to get the deals done.

  698. David Says:

    He;s still class compared to almunia.

    And you can call his performance today class…as well…..no coincidence when he came off the bench in the Stoke city game the scoring just about stopped.

  699. nishanth Says:

    I don’t remember us creating any chances in the second half against stoke.Alumnia this season has been solid.

  700. choy Says:

    thats true loved up..

    he was there for castrol duties..

  701. Stu Says:

    Yeah, we stopped scoring when he came on because the game was more or less over and we started taking it wasy. Not to mention the keeper he came on for was absolutely awful. He should have saved at least 2 f the goals with ease.

  702. nishanth Says:

    How come kirkland didn’t get picked for england

  703. Stu Says:

    He’s probablu injured Nish.

  704. nishanth Says:

    No way he could have saved beatie’s strike stu

  705. Stu Says:

    Cracking goal by Fabiano!

  706. Stu Says:

    lol Nish, that was unstopable.

  707. David Says:

    Thomas Sorensen
    2008/09 Premier League
    Games Saves Clean Sheets
    36 112 12

    International duty…Clean Sheet in last 5 games (commentary says its an International record…dont know about that)

    Manuel Almunia
    2008/09 Premier League
    Games Saves Clean Sheets
    32 84 14

    International Duty ——-> N/A

  708. Stu Says:

    Exactly

    Sorensen 1 clean sheet every 3
    Almunia 1 clean sheet every 2.3 games(if my math is right).

  709. Stu Says:

    And really 4th choice keeper for Spain is nothing to be ashamed about. Casillas, Reina and Valdez are all great keepers.

  710. nishanth Says:

    well according to arsenal.com stats he has 15 clean sheets and has made 147 saves

  711. Stu Says:

    Not that im in favour of Almunia, but he is just much better than Sorensen.

  712. Maciek Says:

    What about 18 milion bid for both Marchena and Albiol?
    Anyway I’m off to bed. Night guys!

  713. Stu Says:

    Even if we get Vermaelen Maciek? 3 new defenders would e a bit much unless we are selling Senderos, Silvesre and either loaning or selling someone else.

  714. bk Says:

    Id be just as keen to know who we are going to sell and by fuck do we need a bit of house keeping.The squad in general has no balance. Wenger seems to be collecting attacking midfeilders and trying to fit them in other positions.We have no natural wingers,you have the likes of ebuoe,diaby,bentner,denilson and eddie playing there and for arshvin,walcott and nasri its not there position. We havnt one natural wide man.Its like hes afraid to sell fringe players in case they turn good but quite a few have to go

  715. Stu Says:

    Vermaelen and one of Marchena/Hangeland/Chiellini would be great.

  716. Dan Says:

    Stu, Valdez doesnt get into the spain team. I think villarreals goalkeeper does

  717. Stu Says:

    Completely agree there bk.
    We are like a better version of spuds atm. They have an array of attacking players all for the same positions and a shite defence unless everyone is fit. But obviously with everyone fit we are a billion times the team they are.

  718. nishanth Says:

    In-Vermaelen,Chiellini,a DM(Cana or matuidi)

    Out-Silvestre,adebayor,diaby

  719. Stu Says:

    I know Dan, i just chose 3 spaniards that are ahead of Al anyway. I think its Palop thats their actual third choice for tournaments.

  720. David Says:

    Actually thats

    Sorensen 1 clean sheet every 2.11 games

    and Almunia 1 clean sheet ever 2.3 games…

    Sorensen has about 3.11 saves per game…

    Almunia has 2.625 saves per game.

    What is funny is that if A, had said that Sorensen was class and ALmunia was the shite..im pretty sure you wouldnt argue with that Stu. Just cuz its A that said it…but since its David……

  721. RayGooner Says:

    well, Ibrahimovic has still not done anything right for the Swedish National team…
    It’s games like these i’m ashamed i’m swedish…

  722. Samir Says:

    Lorik Cana does’nt seem like anything special in this game…

  723. nishanth Says:

    We have got fullbacks.Clichy is not the greatest but i can hardly think of any good LB who is playing currently.Gallas is an excellent defender.Wenger makes it look a little unbalanced at times.Playing diaby wide left.Eboue right.I am sure ramsey,vela,arshavin,and nasri ar capable of playing in the wings

  724. Stu Says:

    How did you work that out David? 12 clean sheets in 36games is 1 in 3.

    And i dont know what A said but i dont think Sorensen is top class. He is good, not great…just like Almunia. We should be looking at far better keepers than both of them.

  725. David Says:

    Sorensen’s international record is unquestionable…when he has a real defence infront of him….the likes of Stoke and Aston Villa.

  726. Samir Says:

    NOOO portugal scored in 93 mins….. 1-2 to them

  727. Stu Says:

    We have good fullbacks until they are asked to contribute going forward. thats when they become average…in the final third.

  728. David Says:

    Stu

    Youre forgetting that International duty.

  729. Stu Says:

    That international record. Who were the games against….just out of curiosity?

  730. Dan Says:

    I heard that Cana’s passing isnt the best and thats something we defenately need as a possesion team

  731. nishanth Says:

    who scored

  732. Maciek Says:

    Stu, before I go. Marchena can play as a cdm. And he is a good def. mid.

  733. Stu Says:

    I’d have Sorensen at arsenal as a back up keeper at best. Not as a starter. No way.

  734. KM frm WALES Says:

    hi guys

    just watching Uruguay v Brazil and its a gr8 match.
    its being played at a crazy pace – end to end. Uruguay are playing like Chelsea – long balls etc but Brazil are just amazing in attack and defence.

    i was looking at the players etc —

    Forlan for all his goals this year just has not got involved but Luis Fabiano has impressed me he would fit right in at Arsenal. Brazil’s defence has been really good but i havent been impressed by Melo – he seems strong but would struggle to fit into our fast paced football. i’d rather have Flamini or someone similar in terms of playing style.

  735. nishanth Says:

    portugal are still behind hungary by 4 points

  736. KM frm WALES Says:

    what was the russia score?

  737. bk Says:

    No wonder we cant afford wages.I think its time to let some staff go.who would yal let go? At least they will find gainful employment and its tough out there job seeking

  738. David Says:

    nishanth

    I dont know about ramsey playing on the wings…i’d much prefer to play Eboue on the wings than Ramsey or Bendy…what we know is that Bendy cant play on the wings…cant play as a lone striker and only seems to perform well in the SS role linking up behind the striker…but thats Arshavins natural position….we should play Eboue on the wings imo…good defensive cover for Sagna when he drops those occasional odd clearances..

  739. Samir Says:

    B. Alves scored. And we should not really buy Cana he’s not good enough.

  740. KM frm WALES Says:

    Denmark beat Sweden 1-0

    so Bedntner had the last laugh. Although he missed a sitter (nothing changed there) & Ibrahimovic came close with a free kick.

  741. David Says:

    Out of Curiousity???

    Hungary, Malta, Albania…and Sweeden.

    You want to compare countries to EPL teams?

    heh. Ok end of conversation.

  742. nishanth Says:

    But eboue gives us nothing going forward david.Sagna is a much better defender than clichy.I would rather have some cover for clichy than sagna.I am not saying ramsey is going to be a world beater playing in the right wing but it will be a good option.If wenger can try diaby left wing why not just give ramsey a chance?I think he played RM for wales today

  743. KM frm WALES Says:

    Samir

    i’m just curious. why do u think that CANA is not good enough for us? who would u recommend? how abt this matuidi kid? was he playing for france U-21’s today?if he was i didnt spot him….

  744. David Says:

    RayG

    it wasnt just Ibrahimovic imo…Larsson missed the best chance of the game…imo….honestly i think it must have been Nikki Pink boots that got in their heads talking about how he’s going to be the greatest or greater striker in 2 years time…fair play to the boy he got in their heads…its a shame he cant do it against United….he’d be laughed off the planet.

  745. nishanth Says:

    There are not many DM’s out there within our budget.It looks like wenger will sell ade.I would rather buy a world class DM with that money than buy another striker

  746. Stu Says:

    I was just wondering David. Nothing more. Who was the ther team tho? You only named 4.

    ANyway…Nish. I agree re Ramsey playing more if Diaby gets so many games. Ramsey is defo better that Diaby but i guess Diaby plays because of “physical presence”. Rambo played DM for Wales today and they won 1-0. Young guns say he did pretty well there but gave the ball away a small bit by trying too many difficult passes and trying to beat his man too often. He will learn tho.

  747. Samir Says:

    Wales played 5-3-2 With Ramsey CM.

  748. David Says:

    I disagree Nismanth

    In those very tight games…Eboue gives us decent crosses into the box and Van Persie free kicks.

  749. David Says:

    nishanth***…heehee sorry :D

    Oh and i believe matuidi is within our budget!

  750. incesc Says:

    lol

    david

    come on eboue usually runs for a bit then get confused and loses it, he never gets the chance to cross, but i guess those free kicks that van persie never scores from are invaluable

  751. KM frm WALES Says:

    Anyone watching the Portugal v Albania game?????

    it should give us an indication on CANA’s ability.

    btw i cant believe Portugal are on such poor form!!! they have so many good players ?!?

    the brazilian keeper Caesar is REALLY good – he just made some cracking saves. Brazil have a gr8 defence now.

    btw that villareal DM Eugeren plays for Uruguay and he hasnt been so good 2day….

  752. nishanth Says:

    eboue gives us decent crosses?When was the last time we scored from a decent cross by eboue?And we don’t really score from free kicks.

  753. bk Says:

    thats what im talking about trying to fit players in and seeing if it works.shit it hasnt worked for last few years why persevere

  754. Stu Says:

    Eboue is better going forward as a right back than as a midfielder. Thats what i find so frustrating about him. If Sana wasnt so much better than him at defending he would start most of our games imo.

    He is best as a wing back but we dont use them so tough shite for him.

  755. incesc Says:

    where do you reckon arsene gets hes scouts from?

    imagine if he started recruiting on le grove

  756. David Says:

    nishanth you cant argue that point mate.

    Eboue crosses the ball fairly well into the box…it sure as piss is better than Sagna crossing it!

    We dont score from free kicks?

    Blame that on Robbin and Wenger who cant seem to get Nasri or Arshavin to at least TRY a freekick.

  757. Stu Says:

    KM, i agree wholeheatedly about Cesar but their defence is shill distinctly average. Otherwise Cesar wouldnt have had so many saves to make.

  758. David Says:

    incesc…

    Point is…the oppurtunity for those freekicks is there…its a terrible shame we cant seem to score from it…if it was anyone else…the Mancs, Shavs…heh…even Stoke city..that had as many freekicks Van Persie has had theyd have scored more…

    Van persie didnt score from a freekick all season…that is worse than terrible. Its shameful.

  759. Stu Says:

    We dont score from Free kicks because VP usually shots and misses AND none of our players attack a ball well. It has to be right on their heads for them to connect. Hardly anyone shows any desire to beat his man to the ball.

  760. nishanth Says:

    Most of the free kicks he earns is by falling down too easily.I don’t really appreciate that.I sometimes wonder we criticize some of our younger players a bit too much like denilson,ramsey,walcott etc.We keep 4getting how young they are.

  761. Stu Says:

    *shoots.

  762. KM frm WALES Says:

    ok guys

    Argentina match is abt to start. hope they kick some ass

  763. Samir Says:

    KM-Cana did not have such great passing today. With our passing game he would just wreck it, but maybe he just had a bad day today? He is highly rated in France but I don’t watch him regularly so…
    Im not sure who we could buy for a DM. I don’t think we really need someone that big in there, if we can sort out our defence(someone big in there) I think a player in the mould of flamini would be great as DM. A runner would be perfect. Someone who runs all day long always putting pressure on the opponents with the ball. It will force them into errors allowing us to keep possession.

  764. Stu Says:

    Oh and Arshavin has set up 2 headers from free kicks since arriving. Against Newcastle and WBA. The man is just a legend!

  765. nishanth Says:

    Having said that i will continue to criticise them

  766. Stu Says:

    Battlagia(sp) and Falcao are on the subs bench for Argentina and Columbia. And Zapata started for Columbia. The argies would be a good test to see how he does against good attacks.

  767. KM frm WALES Says:

    Samir

    i agree with u. we need a flamini/essien type of DM.
    not sure abt Melo/Cana. we need an energetic player for our fast paced game & watching Melo tonight its a good thing we didnt go for him – he’s very much suited to the Italian league

  768. nishanth Says:

    I really wish we signed tymoschuk.He is an excellent player and really experienced.Bayern have made a lot og signings recently

  769. KM frm WALES Says:

    Stu

    whats the score with Russia?

    & who’s that guy on the left for Columbia? have they got any good players?

  770. Samir Says:

    Blaise Matuidi is 22 so he cant play in U21’s KM. He’s 5 ft 9 in which is really quite small don’t you think. Even im bigger than him… But he could still be good for us if hes a runner.

  771. Samir Says:

    Km you from wales then…(Obiously)
    Im from North.. Ruthin you heard of it?

  772. Stu Says:

    Bayern have done exactly what we needed to do.
    Now that they have probably all of their transfers sorted their fans can be happy and safe in the knowledge that there wont be any drama or anything to worry about until the season starts.

  773. KM frm WALES Says:

    nishanth

    bayern have made a lot of signings but not signings like the european elite are after. a lot of unknowns…. bar Gomez

    and if Ribery goes i dnt think theu’r gonna do so well in the Champs league. however i do like that russian DM but he’s abt 30 therefore not a Wenger signing.

  774. Stu Says:

    Dont know about the russia match KM. Who they playing?

  775. KM frm WALES Says:

    Samir

    someone mentioned that Matuidi was playing in the french U-21’s so i believed so but oh well.

    not heard of Ruthin….i’v been to snowdonia etc for camping trips etc. v.beautiful.i live in Newport,S.Wales

  776. Samir Says:

    I think Veloso would do the job. He’s recently had a fall out with his manager etc. He’s most certainly moving. It was reported that Bolton were after him for 6MILLION!!! We should get in there with a 6-12 million pound bid.

  777. Stu Says:

    KM, Tympschuk is actually the Ukranian Captain and won the uefa cup last season. Hardly an unknown but i see your point.
    And Olic is a great player too. Not a bad player at all.

  778. finestcuts Says:

    Hey chary, interesting article, just back home after a few glasses of wine so I’ll keep the post short and sweet, I read it earlier but had not time to comment, one of those hectic saturdays….

  779. Stu Says:

    Samir, its possible for 3 players over the age of 21 to actually play for the u-21 national team. Hence why Milner, Onuoha and Steven Taylor always play for the england u-21s despite being 23, 22 and 23.

  780. KM frm WALES Says:

    Stu

    i dnt really know (thats why i was asking)

    Argentina game is really scruffy – v.much like a premiership game. argentina’s formation seems wrong somehow. they’r defence is everywhere – Columbia are on the offensive from the start. Argentina look very beatable.

    why have Bayern bought the russian DM when they have DEmachaelis???btw Argentina have a lot of DM’s.

  781. Stu Says:

    *and also why the dutch even contemplated bringing V Nistelrooy and Seedorf to the last u-21 tournament.

  782. charybdis1966 Says:

    I tried my best Finest. Np wine here though – it’s a long time till the next Peroni fest at the S + B. :(

  783. Samir Says:

  784. KM frm WALES Says:

    Stu

    whats the name of the russian DM?

  785. Samir Says:

    Oh Stu thanks for telling me. Sorry KM. My bad..

  786. Stu Says:

    Tymoschuk, Ukranian!, is a proper DM holding midfielder. Demichelis is a defender that can play DM is needed.
    And V.Bommels contract was up so they had to get someone in.

  787. KM frm WALES Says:

    chary mate

    great post today mate. delighted to read it. very engrossing.

  788. Man Says:

    looks like a 3-4-3 by Argentina

  789. KM frm WALES Says:

    ah right! thnx Stu.

    its ok Samir :)

    apparently Matuidi is a powerful DM & Grimandi has been watching him for us. i hope he’s Essien MkII

  790. Man Says:

    tevez-aguero-messi

    gutierrez-mascherano-veron-gago

    heinze-demichelis-*******

  791. charybdis1966 Says:

    Glad you liked it KM – or at the very least had a bit of a giggle when you read it as I seek to entertain if possible.

    I wonder what we’ll get next Saturday. I’m looking forward to that.

  792. KM frm WALES Says:

    Man

    i’m not impressed by Argentina. they just don’t seen as well oiled as a team like Brazil.

  793. Stu Says:

    KM, not really sure who their regular DM is. Could be one of Semshov, Zyryanov or Semak. Dont know who is the premanent DM is tho.

  794. gazzap Says:

    I would drive van persie to Milan myself for £25m. Steve Stammers is normally right about stuff like this. massive money for a player that flatters to deceive.

  795. KM frm WALES Says:

    isn’t Gago a DM for Madrid?

  796. Man Says:

    yeah he is KM

  797. Stu Says:

    He sure is KM.
    The right sided CB is some fella from Getafe i think. Or some spanish side that narrowly avoided relegation. Cant remember his name tho.

  798. KM frm WALES Says:

    chary

    i think ur post brought a breath of fresh air from the regular fare. although i prefer Pedro’s posts to Geoff’s.

    Gazzap

    whats that abt RVP????

  799. Stu Says:

    Daniel Diaz is his name.

  800. Stu Says:

    Yeah, whos Steve Stammers?

  801. Man Says:

    Maradona is being quite brave going with a back 3 esp when that includes Heinze…the guy is an ex footballer!

    suppose that’s why he is playing a dm like gago on the right and a hardworking player like gutirrez on the left…

    think he’s trying to fit in all his best players in a system…

  802. Stu Says:

    Zapate got VERY lucky not to give away a PK there.

  803. Stu Says:

    Maradonna should have played 4-6. 4 defending like usual with Mascherano and Gago at DM and allow everyone else to just play, with the full-backs roaming forward too.

  804. Man Says:

    with over a year to the world cup I would boldly predict that they would not win the world cup! Demichelis is the only ‘ok’ defender they have

  805. Truth Says:

    KM, the Mirror are running a story claiming ac milan are about to bid 25m for RVP.

  806. David Says:

    I think Columbia might win this…

  807. David Says:

    3-4-3 is too much of a gamble against a strong defensive team.

  808. Man Says:

    the other defenders are pants

  809. gazzap Says:

    Steve Stammers is a reporter for the Mirror who has an inside track on Arsenal. His rumours usually at least have some basis in truth, Used to work for the Evening Standard and was Arsenal’s mouthpiece for years.

    Mourinho bid £25m.

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/06/06/inter-milan-bid-25million-to-lure-robin-van-persie-from-arsenal-115875-21420521/

  810. gazzap Says:

    Inter Milan.

    Steve Stammers (mirror) can usually be trusted.

  811. David Says:

    Why bid 25 mill for a player whose bout to be out of contract?

  812. Stu Says:

    What has he been right about in the past?

  813. Man Says:

    i think robin’s got 2 years left i might be wrong tho

  814. gazzap Says:

    I’m supposed to remember specific stories? lots of Gooners know Steve Stammers to be the mouthpiece of the club.
    He even appeared on the Friday night phone in with Tom Watt a few weeks ago. the club dont consider him to be any old hack. and he is an Arsenal fan.

    RVP does have 2 years left. he will still fetch full value with 2 years left.

  815. Stu Says:

    Alright like! Calm down! I just didnt know who he was. Crikey!

  816. LAzer Says:

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/06/06/inter-milan-bid-25million-to-lure-robin-van-persie-from-arsenal-115875-21420521/

  817. LAzer Says:

    I really hope RVP does NOT leave. He is nearing his peak as a player and we have quite a lot more to see from him if he stays imo.

  818. Man Says:

    if the hack is right, something i seriously doubt, 25m is quite a tempting proposition even for a very good player like RvP

  819. Stu Says:

    Is it supposedly a bid of 25m pounds or euro? Or is there even a difference anymore?

  820. LAzer Says:

    Pounds

  821. LAzer Says:

    True 25 mill is 25 mill and some would argue Arshavin can play that role of second striker just as effectively if not more. Regardless of all of that, I think he is a player who has done the job for us and is Arsenal through and through now and is nearing the peak of his career. We should not cash in on him because we would be nothing short of a selling/feeder club at that point.

  822. Pat Says:

    25 million pounds for RVP might be hard to refuse especially if he fails to sign a new contract. 25 million for a player with 1.5-2 yrs. on his contract is a lot of money.

    Personally, I’d keep him. This season he’s matured a lot. He was the only one counseling Gibbs after THAT slip. 20 goals and 15 assists in his 1st WHOLE season with minimal injuries.

  823. choy Says:

    keep rvp…

    he loves arsenal.. he will sign his extension if we sign some players..

    the player of the season for me.

  824. dutchman Says:

    I think he will stay. I think adebayor leaves and dzeko come in. Than we sign vermealen,zapata and a DM.
    Wenger looks for good buys. We have a really good team if dzeko, zapata,vermealen and a Dm comes in.
    But i think senderos and silvestre leave the club, I don’t care!!!

  825. Lovedup Loner Says:

    That RvP story is bullshite IMO. Wouldnt be surprised if it eminated from Mourinho, just wanting to fuck with Wenger! The guy is obsessed with AW!

    £25m for him would definitely be hard to turn down though!

  826. Lovedup Loner Says:

    To back gazzap up a bit, Steve Stammers, isnt normally your usual lazy hack, not when it comes to Arsenal, well normally anyways.

    Saying that, he has put out a few spurious rumours of late. As has John Cross of the Mirror, who is also a Gooner…

    They still have to put shit out to earn their corn tho!

  827. incesc Says:

    steve stammers

    blimey

    give him a chance

  828. incesc Says:

    stu

    are you north of the river or south.

  829. Pedro Says:

    Evening all!

  830. LAzer Says:

    Stammers also recently wrote Wenger will cash in on Fabregas. That’s a load of bull imo and Stammers is wrong about RVP as well hopefully. I don’t think he would want to play for Mourinho and Inter at this stage of his career. The only way I see RVP leaving is if Arsene wanted to show him the door or he felt we have no potential as a team. It is clear AW wants to keep him, but it remains to be seen if he feels we are going in the right direction. With a few signings I think he will be convinced and sign a new contract. Also keep in mind this is perhaps his most important contract as it determines his long term career since he already is 25 and nearing the peak years soon so I can understand him delaying till he sees ambition from the club, and isn’t that what all of us have been asking for anyways.

  831. LAzer Says:

    Ola Pedrito

  832. Lovedup Loner Says:

    incesc;

    He also stutters, drools and has a tick too

    LAzer; True dat. I knew he had wrote 1 sensationalist story recently.. Couldnt remember which 1 exactly!

  833. Lovedup Loner Says:

    Its funny how transfer stories come to light just when players are re-negotiating contracts… Happens all the effin time. Funny that.

    How doo Pedro

  834. Pedro Says:

    Evening Lazer and Lovedup!

    RvP to Inter for 25 MILLION!

    That has to be a lie… right?

  835. Pedro Says:

    Wow… so Liverpool are going to outspend everyone bar ManU this summer!

  836. Lovedup Loner Says:

    ManU wont be spending loads. WEll, not without selling 1st. They need to balance the books more than we do… seriously! When those yanks took over Liverpool, all you could here oop north, was how they were gonna sign every player goin… hasny really turned out that way tho.

  837. Pedro Says:

    Lovedup, I reckon they’ll spend again… but if they can sell Ronaldo for a fortune… they won’t need to spend much of their own stash!

  838. Pedro Says:

    I think the Madrid £300mill is going to destabilise the old transfer merry go round this year.

    Where does Perez get his cash from?

  839. LAzer Says:

    Manc bastards want Benzema, that’s why they don’t see the point in paying 20 odd for Tevez when Benzema might come for that much as well. Or they are wishing to get Ribery AND keep Ronaldo. Of course if they sell Ronaldo then all bets are off and anyone would be fair game. Anderson and Nani have not been the sort of buys that they hoped would have panned out the way they have, Hargreves was obviously a disaster as well. Although in all fairness that chubby faced Brazilian prick always seems to have a good game against us.

  840. Lovedup Loner Says:

    Real’s finances are dodgy as fook! They also can negotiate individual TV rights, unlike over here. Them and barca earn shit loads more than the other La Liga teams put together.

    I dont think Real will sign Ronaldo. Just a hunch, but enough about my personal health problems

  841. LAzer Says:

    Yeah plus add to that Shitty and Chavs needing to rebuild Pedro and its going be quite an off season this year imo. RM haven’t really spent big in some time so they have a kitty built up. Plus I don’t believe they have any sort of debt so can splash every few years.

  842. Pedro Says:

    Lazer… they’ve spent big consistently I think.

    Pepe, Gago… Robben… nowhere near what they used to… but comopared to Arsenal, they’ve been doing ok!

    Lovedup, I’d love to know how dodgy there finances are… I mean, they turnover about £300mill!

  843. LAzer Says:

    Yeah I agree LL. I think RM will go in for Ribery, Villa, Silva, and if they get two of those along with Kaka they will be satisfied.

    For them it was either Ronaldo, Kaka or Messi since those are probably the best 3 in the world right now. Messi is impossible and Mancs have been yanking their chains for years now on Ronaldo so Kaka it is.

  844. Pedro Says:

    Btw, I didn’t mean Arsenal should be competing with Madrid!

  845. LAzer Says:

    Yeah no doubt they spend consistently Pedro but just not in that Ronaldo, Kaka, Zidane level. They do that kind of splash every 3-4 yrs.

  846. Pedro Says:

    Where do they get it from LAzer?

    Personal wealth… or company wealth?

  847. LAzer Says:

    Btw I didn’t mean to compare Ronaldo and Kaka as players to Zidane since imo he is a cut above anyone playing the game right now.

  848. Lovedup Loner Says:

    I thought it was effin hilarious how Perez turned round and said they werent goin for Ronaldo as they valued their friendship with United more! Shit, what friendship?? Fergie said he wouldnt give em a virus FFS!

  849. Pedro Says:

    In fairness Lovedup… if that virus was swine flu… that would be a pretty kind thing to keep to yourself.

  850. LAzer Says:

    Company wealth I believe. It pains me to say this but I believe they are the largest club in the world in terms of supporters. Also I think they have won 9, yes 9 European Championships. We see the age of the superclub in England now but the superclub has existed at Madrid for a long long time therefore all the accumulated wealth and support base I reckon.

  851. Pedro Says:

    Lazer… one day we’ll be there!

    Right… I’m hitting the hay… I look forward to a Geoff post tomorrow morning!

    Adios!

  852. Lovedup Loner Says:

    Pedro; I aint an expert on Real’s finances, erm, obviously! But, I think they have had a fair few favours down the years by the local council and the government. They aint called Franco’s team for nuffin. They probably have money from licensing, merchandisin, TV rights etc, not to mention the revenue based on marque signings. Shit, Beckham made back his transfer fee in shirts sales pretty sharpish. They are excellent at marketing, it helps having their history

  853. LAzer Says:

    The EPL phenomena is a relatively new one Pedro, I think just because we are now used to seeing the richest clubs here it wasn’t the case for decades with the likes of Barca, Milan and RM claiming that mantle.

  854. LAzer Says:

    Peace my man.

  855. Lovedup Loner Says:

    buenas noches!

  856. LAzer Says:

    Am off too Lovedup…as always the pleasure is all mine. A few more quiet days till international week is over and the feeding frenzy begin anew.

  857. Top Posts « WordPress.com Says:

    [...] Le Grove Saturday Guest Blog: Loose Lips (Sink Ships) It’s summer and therefore that time of year when most Goons with internet access will click onto their favourite news [...] [...]

  858. Lovedup Loner Says:

    I think there is a lot of superior complex shit goin down with English clubs right now. The media, sky, pundits etc are basically either lazy or agenda driven. It helps sell the concept as well as sky dishes if people think the Premier league is the best one etc. I imagine its a comfort to the little englanders too. Even tho, the league wouldnt be worth a shite without the foreign talent here…

  859. Lovedup Loner Says:

    Lazer;

    Laters fella…. On my own…. once again…

  860. ethangunner Says:

    Franchise

    ethan cut ade some slack wld u? 99.999999% of ur posts are re ade and hw he went on a gol drought
    ———————————————-
    fran,

    im just referring to the post , and if you dont know his poor form started at the goal drought and hasn’t stopped since …

    Stu

    yeah i believe it is 110k ..
    after the airport incident nothing more was said , so im sure he wasnt saying anything else but the truth ..

    the facts are he was flirting around last season wanting to name his wages or he was walking .. i cant see him being content with 80k

    what made the prick stay was a nice fat pay packet .. fuck him i wouldnt want him in the team sucking up that sort of salary . nik B is fine as our plan B .. i said it wouldn’t be long until nik b surpassed ade 4 talent.. and it looks like that day is almost here less than a year after i said it ..

  861. David Says:

    Christ Ethan…

    Milan wouldve and will pay Ade more than anything we are offering him at the moment…and he mustve taken a paycut to stay with us…FACT…which player doesnt “flirt” with a bigger club…God…Ronaldo cried that he was a slave and wanted to feck off to madrid…do you hear their supporters slagging him off as shite…even when he was offsides like a bastard during the EUFA finals and just about facked off every chance United had to score???

    It is pure idiocy to suggest Pink boots is close to ade…heh…

    What a laugh. But i hear it too often now…and its not getting funny.

  862. Stu Says:

    Yes Ethan, the silence is deafening. The fact that Ade or the club never said anything probably means it was true and they dont want to bring the matter up.

    Also agree that Barbie has more talent. Its just a matter of showing that. He did well in the second half of the season. And if he can progress at the same rate he will be one great forward pretty soon.

    Even better than Ibrahimovic ;)

    Also David, i seriously doubt he took a paycut to stay with us. Especially considering what he would have been on before gettin his much improved contract. You dont know how much they would have offered him so its definately not a FACT that he sacrifices anything to stay here.

    And the united fans dont slag Ronaldo because he wins them things but apparently they all think he is a cunt but obviously stick by him because the trophies keep coming.

  863. ethangunner Says:

    david
    you ade lover , you and fran should swap phone numbers ..

    Nik has made more of an impact coming from the bench this season , than ade has at any time on the pitch ..
    Your lack of our teams play books and your blind love for this fellow makes me wonder what personal battle your fighting here ..

    he is well over paid , and crap to the bargain .
    ac milan was probably putting 110k a week on the table and arsene had to match it ..or he would have walked !

    he is valued at 15 mil this year and last year was quoted at 25-30 ..

    just as well he’s had a good season in your eyes , because i dont know how many players half there value in 1 year and double / triple there wages ….

    he is a big oaf who doesn’t suit our style of play and had a 4 month purple patch when he tried when he 1st got his break back in 2007 once th14 left . scoring 19 goals in 4 months ..

    once the Christmas cheer started and the cold weather set in that form left him and never returned . and hasnt since .. if you were a real fan of our club you would have noticed that ..

    and if he didnt have over 90+ offsides in 1 season people wouldnt question him ..

    his poor 1st touch and lack of ability now cannot be denied ..

    his agent has to make noises just to get some interest registered ..

    but he wont be going for the massive fee’s that were quoted last term and there is a reason for that …

    laugh all you want be 90% of us know the truth .

  864. David Says:

    How wont you know the Story when you hate the man so much.

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-adebayor-made-sacrifices-to-stay

    And I am sick to my balls of the Ade – Bendy comparisons…there is NOTHING that Bendy does better than Ade….PERIOD! TAlent my Left Arse.

  865. David Says:

    ethangunner Says:
    June 7, 2009 at 02:53

    david
    you ade lover , you and fran should swap phone numbers ..

    Nik has made more of an impact coming from the bench this season , than ade has at any time on the pitch ..

    ===================

    I dont even have to read far…to bring out the garbage you started speaking?

    WHAT?

    Ade’s Hatrick?

    The Villareal Goal?

    The 6 goals in 7 matches?

    Hahahahaa….Ok…I see youre fully prepared to tell jokes tonight.

  866. ethangunner Says:

    stu

    Even better than Ibrahimovic ;)
    (even if he has t say so himself)

    hahahaha

    ————————————-
    also ade was quoted prior to getting the pay rise saying ‘football is all about money ‘… if you remember .. so i dont think with at sort of attitude for a second ade did us any favors by staying .wenger obviously tabled the wages he required not to walk !

    some people can see skill develop , david you are obviously not one of them ..

    nik b has gone upward in season 08-09
    and ade had regressed .
    that is the main difference when dealing with both of them one offers you promise , whilst the other gives you a fucking big head ache !

  867. Stu Says:

    Of fucking coarse Wenger is gonna defend his player.

    Seriously, did you think Wenger was ever gonna come out and say….”i had to beg ade to stay” No fucking way. He said that so the fans would think he wanted to stay.

    The realiy is that not one club made a bid for the twat last summer and he HAD to stay. Noone bid because he was overpriced by Wenger at 30m.

  868. ethangunner Says:

    ade’s hat tricks against Sheffield united ?
    touted as the worst team to EVER grace the EPL ???

    you mean those hat tricks?

    yes i suppose any middle of the road EPL player can have a good day out
    against a glorified championship side cant they ?

    - yes all joke telling aside , funny at the share holders meeting ade’s name was applauded
    when someone mentioned to sell him !

    ps : its not garbage its humor ..
    :)
    its Le grove humor :)

  869. David Says:

    also ade was quoted prior to getting the pay rise saying ‘football is all about money ‘… if you remember ..
    ==============

    Bollocks give me an Article…he said…she said…i dont buy it…and it is true…if Arshavin came out and said football was all about money…you wont be bitching….what the fack…Wenger said Ade took a CUT TO STAY WITH US…and i what is this shite about again?

    Skill and progress…and talent and the way the sun is shinning in the light on a sunny day…

    Rubbish.

    Maybe you didnt hear it so i’ll say it again..

    THERE IS NOTHING BENDY DOES BETTER THAN ADE. FACT.

  870. David Says:

    Emmanuel Adebayor had a hatrick against Blackburn.

    Stop embarrasing yourself…

  871. Stu Says:

    ethan, i think you meant Derby. The only team they DIDNT lose to was Newcastle. How embarrassing.

  872. David Says:

    The shareholders meeting?

    Heh…Read the article Chary wrote today….it touches all points…when its the media that linking Ade to Milan even though both player and agent keep saying there are no offers and he wants to stay?

    I am not against Selling Ade…but for far better quality..and pink boots? Heh. What a joke.

  873. David Says:

    ethangunner Says:
    June 7, 2009 at 03:05

    ade’s hat tricks against Sheffield united ?
    touted as the worst team to EVER grace the EPL ???

    =================

    No genius. That would be Carlos Vela…and Pink boots almost scored a hatrick himself…if he wasnt so prolific infront of goal as we all know how prolific he can be.

  874. ethangunner Says:

    yeah david ,
    well we shall see in the Arsenal halls of fame who goes on to score more goals for the arsenal then shall we ? ade or nik b …

    i actually agree with you stu , i think wenger made up the 30 mil to keep the ac milan wolves at bay .

    there is no way ade was EVER worth that even when he had the 1 freak season ..

    you only need to look at how many people where above him this season on the top scorers chart to see where he lays in the pecking order .

    even RVP pipped him in the last game of the season , and i thought RVP’s season was crap also by his standards..

    but goals aside , he disrupts our team on and off the pitch , he is classless with poor ball skills and has no nerve in front of goal .. he gets himself marooned out on the wings this season and cant even get himself into the 6 yard box anymore , where we all know thats the only place he can score .. the defense know how one dimensional he is and they just shat him down this season …

    he cannot hit a fat girls ass from 3 feet away with the ball .. he’s a fucking hack …

    he’s like me at golf, 1 in 10 swings i look like a pro…. the other 9 times i look like an amateur with a heavy swing .

  875. David Says:

    Stu

    So youre saying Wenger is lying then?

    So he is lying to “defend” his player then?

    ==================

    ethan

    nik b has gone upward in season 08-09
    and ade had regressed .

    —————–

    NO shit! Its pretty dificult to keep up with 24 goals in the EPL…fack…Anelka who won the golden boot didnt get up to 24 goals this season….

    And ofcoarse pink boots has progressed….YOu cant get more shite than stopping a definite goal on the goal line in a champions league quarter final…Its FACKIN IMPOSSIBLE!

  876. ethangunner Says:

    yeah stu derby – Sheffield united ;)
    relegation bait from the start of the season to the end of it …

    he scored 6 times out of his 24 against that team , thats all i remember ..
    not really a true reflection on how he can score important goals is it ..

    when 6 of his 24 goals or 25 % of them were scored in 2 games ..

    3 were penalties 2 gifted by hleb and one by theo .

    so when you take 9 goals over 2 games off his stats he really didnt create much that season ..

    that is my point ! its always been my point .
    it must be nice to camp in the 6 yard box and be thrown in a bone every so often ..

    if you cal that a Arsenal class striker david you need to get your eyes checked out !!!!

  877. Stu Says:

    Of course im saying wenger LIED. He does it all the time. Mosr revently he said he wasnt buying a striker, then it comes out that we have actually bid for Dzeko. If that aint lying then i dont know what is.

  878. Stu Says:

    *most recently

  879. David Says:

    ethangunner Says:
    June 7, 2009 at 03:17
    but goals aside…

    1. he disrupts our team on and off the pitch

    Yes…it was definitely Adebayors disruption off and on the pitch that made us 4th place this season…thats exactly what it is.

    2. he is classless with poor ball skills
    And pink boots first touch is better yes? ROFLMFAO

    Oh..stop it please. Comic.

    3. and has no nerve in front of goal ..

    What?

    4. he gets himself marooned out on the wings this season and cant even get himself into the 6 yard box anymore

    Which Arsenal player do you find in the box. Tell me.
    I am curious to know.

    If you arent tired of spewing this garbage im easily entertained.

  880. ethangunner Says:

    So youre saying Wenger is lying then?

    So he is lying to “defend” his player then?
    —————————————–

    i class it more as damage control ,
    wenger knows how fast the fans will turn on someone who isnt pulling there own DEAD weight .
    - what wenger hasnt lied to us before ?
    you should see 3 class players in this season ,
    and youll all say your happy as larry when we get them ?

    that was even before hleb – bert and flamini all left ..

    yes wenger doesnt lie does he ?

    we are not in a transition period was another
    non – lie ..

    hahahaha

  881. David Says:

    ethan

    I never said Arsene was class.

    And ffs. If you are going to count out the goals Ade scored against shite teams and the one’s that he was “gifted”

    9 goals in the EPL.

    6 against Relegation teams.

    2 against Bolton.

    1 “gifted” header against chelsea. Cuz he certainly didnt “create” that one…and i believe he was “6 yards out”

    In other words… Bendy didnt score any goals this season.

  882. ethangunner Says:

    david your delusional ..
    plain and simple …

  883. David Says:

    I never said Ade was class*

  884. David Says:

    Milan wouldve paid more in wages than Arsenal did and does.

    We dont know how much Ade is on. FACT.

    And whatever it is…Ade himself has always stated he wanted to stay a gunner…I find it amazing that the others that actually facked us off to Milan and Barca are thought of more fondly.

    I am delusional?

    ahahahaha….Well only 1 of us is actually bringing up stats here…and I am the one being delusional?

    I guess Ade’s hatrick against sheffield united isnt delusional i must have got my stats wrong.

  885. LAzer Says:

    David and Fran sitting on a tree… sharing fond memories of Ade Badeyy.

  886. David Says:

    Its such a shame…gone are the Ray Parlour days where we would score outside the box for fun.

  887. ethangunner Says:

    Lazer

    hehehe … yes funny , even more funnier is how some people defend players who dont really deserve respect , gone are the tony adam’s es and dennis berkamps ,Th14’s that make fans proud to call them
    Arsenal players , with guts and sublime skills , natural born leaders , yet now im reduced to scraping the bottom of the biscuit barrel trying to make delusional people see sense …

    its not my job to defend what i can see in plain view , if others cant see it , or just are born arguers then bark up another tree .. its not worth wasting the keyboard mileage .

    one fact ill leave you with is , wenger will try his best to move ade on this summer .
    he has failed at this level regardless of what people say , he has painted himself into a corner and soon hopefully will not be my /this clubs problem any longer …

    good ridden’s to bad rubbish ..

  888. ethangunner Says:

    and milan obviously didn’t pay more wages , or ade would have been playing there this season ..

    As Adebayor said, once you’ve reached a certain pinnacle it’s simply about the cash. … only stating an economic fact: anyone who wants to make real money …

    in fact the real quote was more like this ..

    You are talking about in life and it is about money,” the … If it is not because of money I don’t think I would go to Arsenal to play. …

    http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/05/13/1262812/arsenals-emmanuel-adebayor-professional-footballers-are-motivated

  889. ethangunner Says:

    and milan obviously didn’t pay more wages , or ade would have been playing there this season ..

    As Adebayor said, once you’ve reached a certain pinnacle it’s simply about the cash. … only stating an economic fact: anyone who wants to make real money …

    in fact the real quote was more like this ..

    You are talking about in life and it is about money,” the … If it is not because of money I don’t think I would go to Arsenal to play. …

    http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/05/13/1262812/arsenals-emmanuel-adebayor-professional-footballers-are-motivated

    The Gunners striker says if he was not concerned about his pay-packet, he would have stayed in his native Togo…

  890. LAzer Says:

    Yeah no doubt Badey has a bad team attitude. I am not a told you so type but going way back when he was breaking in to the team I always felt he was one player who had remarkable physical assets in height, strength and speed but was/is an absolute crapshooter when it came to first touch and marksmanship. Then he went and had a 30+ season and I guess gained believers everywhere but you have to look at the team he was playing in. Btw Pleb, Rosicky, Cesc he had a boatload of playmakers and in RVP, Eduardo good goal threats and second strikers themselves. Plus the flamster added the ball winning mentality and it all seemed to click that year. I thought it was bizarre Wenger didn’t bite someones hand of for him for 25-30 mill but imo that had more to do with the fact we had lost Pleb and Flamster and am sure AW did NOT want to lose 3 starters since the wolves were already talking of “feeder/selling” club status.

  891. kelsey Says:

    Good Morning,

    I mentioned 3 weeks ago that RVP was leaving his options open,and I heard that he and his advisers were talking to Real Madrid. I now understand that Inter Milan are going to put an immenent bid of 25 million for him .

    I hope Wenger weighs this up carefully, as there are others I would prefer to leave before RVP, if anyone at all.

    RVP must be stalling for a number of reasons,even with 2 years left on his contract,yet Wenger may feel that to cash in now would probably be the optimum price we would get for him.

    Alternatively, RVP may feel that the quality required to challenge for next season may not be bought in.

  892. LAzer Says:

    Hello Kels,
    I feel it would be a step back in intent and apparent quality in the team if we moved him on despite the price being offered, if we believe the 25 mill. Although Arshavin might be able to play the second striker role we would then need to add a class act for the starting left midfield role, I hope we do not end up relying on Rosicky for that.

    In an earlier post I mentioned this is perhaps RVPs most important contract coming up as he is near his peak and this one will probably decide his long term future so I understand the delay and weighing up the pros and cons. I for one am a fan and hope he wants to stay and we keep him.

  893. ethangunner Says:

    lazer

    im only a told you so type because i copped so much shit over having an opinion ..

    its nice to stick to your guns and let logic prevail in the end ..

  894. ethangunner Says:

    if RVP left for a reasonable sum of money and we did in fact replace him , i would not be distraught either . he is a 2nd striker really , and AA is the best one we own so providing dudu who is also in the same mold came good and AA was put in his rightful spot RVP can be replaced like ade with 2 goal scoring threats .. dzeko or what ever his name is is one , and maybe some EPL reject like owen could be the other ..

    not that i rate owen , but wenger in the past has .

    and martins .. it will be interesting if Le boss goes for any of the borro/newcastle throw outs …

  895. kelsey Says:

    LAzer/ethan,

    I am not speculating,but surely the first priority is to sort out who really wants to stay and who should be made redundant,before the club considers acquasitions,but at the same time looking for back up in quality in vunerable positions.

    i wouldn’t like to be in Wenger’s shoes,as he may decide if either Ade or RVP were to leave,he would not strengthen in that area,PROVIDING we get back a 100% fit Eduardo.

    By the way I found out that the story about Arshavin wanting to re negotiate his contract due to the increase of tax of 5% was again spin by the tabloids,as he is paid net of tax anyway.

  896. LAzer Says:

    Who would play on the left then if we plugged Arshavin up top as second striker? Since Arshavin is versatile at least this way we get him on the left and RVP as second striker which is a lot of quality in attacking positions we should not give up imo.

  897. LAzer Says:

    Plus I think if he stays we have depth and quality so at least for once we should have enough strength in attack to last all competitions throughout the year. Remember we always just think of the first 11 but nowadays it is more about who has the best “squad” not the best first team.

  898. LAzer Says:

    Nick Says:
    June 5, 2009 at 14:34

    DUKE dont mention yanks LAzer will shit himself in rage

    I just dropped the kids of at the pool. :-)

  899. kelsey Says:

    Real Madrid used 33 players in la liga last season,to no avail.

    I still feel that we play beter with inter changing forwards without neccessarily a big lone striker,we surely model ourselves on Barcelona, and that maybe the plan.how often are we effective with Ade od Nic as the sole striker ?

  900. kingsley Says:

    anyone seen the wenger interview on ssn this morning? talk about depressing. all he basically says is that he thinks man city could make top 4 and chelsea will be even stronger. Apparently rufused to comment when questioned on ade’s future.

  901. Geoff Says:

    Sorry everyone I hit the publish button in error, so it’s a new post early!

  902. LAzer Says:

    Here is my imaginary team- (I just went with the usual back 4 as its really hard to predict who will be added and where they play)

    Sagna-Toure-Gallas-Clichy

    Class DM- ( someone who can handle the role to protect the back 4 and break up play by himself, not as a dual DM like Alonso-Masch partnership)

    Walcott/Nasri-Cesc/Ramsey-Arshavin/Rosicky

    Rvp-Dzeko/Eduardo

    So like a 4-1-3-2. I like the looks of that, 3 or 4 of our players can interchange roles near the top and we have bench strength for once in Nasri, Walcott, and Rosicky. That would be an amazing lineup imo.

  903. Wevers Says:

    mmmmm… bookmarked :-)

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