Welcome to another fantastic addition of the weekly Guest Blog. This week long time Grover, Gunner8 has contributed a piece.
This piece follows on from Pedro’s fabulous politico blog on Friday, thanks for teeing me up!
I am going to try and show in a chronological time line how the rise and fall of Arsenal mirrors the rise and fall of our current government since 1997.
Of course Wenger joined in 1996 and had a pretty good season for the (then) rarest of beasts, a foreign manager. After releasing Dickov, McGoldrick and the prolific (sic) John Jensen, Arsene took over the famous back five and added a young Vieira and a not so young Remi Garde to the mix.
97-98: The real good stuff starts to happen in 1997 though, as Arsenal and New Labour showed that change can be great, both PM and AM (Arsenal Manager) gave us the vision of a brave new world order. The PM showed that we would not be forced into the EMU at the detriment to our economy. Wenger cleared out more dead wood in Hartson, Morrow, Helder, Selley, Linighan and Merson while bringing in the hard tackling Grimandi and Petit, plus the speedy wingers Overmars and Boa Morte, the lethal striker Anelka and the equally young Upson to relieve the tired Arsenal back 4. The result, a famous League and Cup double. The gooner faithful could not believe their luck, who was this man who made Adams, Bould, Dixon and Winterburn look 10 years younger?
98-99: Losing Arsenal Legend Ian Wright (and loudmouth), ex-England Captain David Platt and replacing them with the unknown Freddie Ljungberg and Nelson Vivas was Arsene’s first gamble. After a great start to the season with the Charity Shield and a debut goal for our new no.8 we lost the league by 1 point with little thanks to ex-gooner O’Leary’s LUFC. A cabinet reshuffle and airstrikes against Iraq dented the opinion polls, all in all things were still looking strong.
99-00: Bould, Garde and Boa Morte were no loss, but the transfer of Anelka to Madrid for £23million (22.5mil profit); whilst allowing us to build a training ground to make every team jealous signalled that Arsene-al were ready to sell their stars to the highest bidder.
Did we care though? Did we hell, Wenger’s genius gave us Henry, Kanu, Silvinho, and then a past it Suker, Luznhy and Pennant. We started brightly winning the Shield again while capitulating in the league and losing on penalties in the UEFA cup final. This was the year the Millennium dome cost the country a fortune as did Gordon Brown’s blunder in selling ½ of the nations gold reserves at a 20 year low (it has since trebled in price) costing us £2 billion, Anelka’s value had gone down in the meantime!
00-01: Overmars and Petit to Barca followed by Suker and Winterburn all left. Winterburn was replaced by Lauren, Overmars by Pires and Suker by Wiltord… Arsene’s legendary transfer policies continued to amaze everyone.
As foot and mouth breaks out, we are again runners up in the league and FA cup. Arsenal do announce the new stadium project to keep up with the competition.
01-02: Silvinho leaves after being replaced by the biggest twunt to wear our shirt, as does Vivas. Arsene strengthens his squad by adding Edu, Campbell, Van Bronckhorst and the young Richard Wright to take over from Seaman.
Labour win a second term and the government launch attacks on Afghanistan which were popular due to the Sept. 11th attacks on NYC.
The result, some strong additions to complement the team end up in Wenger’s second double, AKB’s abound, interestingly Labour decided against joining the EMU (just like the last time we won the double).
02-03: 3 Legends left our club Big Tone, Lee Dixon and the Grimster, in came Kolo, Zinedine Cygan, Gilberto and Swiss Tony? The club changed the crest to make it more modern and dropped the famous Victoria Concordia Crescit (Victory Through Harmony). We win the charity shield and the FA Cup, meanwhile Labour is suffering a 1 million people strong march against the aggression in Iraq and the BS about the WMD’s (jeezus we all knew that you are after the black gold!).
03-04: The real divine ponytail leaves and is replaced by a mad German. Luzhny, Upson and Van Bronckhorst all leave, while Clichy, Djourou and Fabregas step in.
Labour again vote against the EMU and the Invincibles walk the league. Blair becomes the longest serving Labour PM and Saddam is captured.
04-05: Parlour, Kanu, Wiltord, and Volz are replaced by Almunia, Bendtner, Flamini, Reyes and van Persie. After the early promise of winning the Charity Shield again Labour’s policies see them lose 450 seats at local council’s and even though it’s a rough year we they win a third term and we win the FA Cup our last piece of silverware to date.
05-06: We lose Vieira and Edu from our experienced midfielders, also Pennant and Taylor from the youths they are replaced by Eboue, Song and Hleb. Runner’s up in the Charity Shield we do go against all odds to within 20 minutes of winning the Champions League. Labour have been living off the fat of the good times just like Arsenal were living off the fat of the Invincibles oh and Greedybayor joined halfway through the season.
06-07: We move to our soulless concrete arena Ashburton Grove which made Highbury sound like an Iron Maiden concert. Yet while losing the experience of Campbell, twuntley, Bergkamp, Pires, Bentley and er Cygan we sign Rosicknote and Gallas. The dawn of project youth was upon us. Traore, Walcott, Denilson, and Diaby were all purchased.
Brown assumes control of the government and we lose in the league cup final.
07-08: Henry, Ljungberg, Lauren, Reyes and Aliardiere all leave while Diarra, Fabianski, Sagna and Eduardo join. Somehow the team gels without the sulkiness of our leader and we sit atop the league in February as the recession starts to bite Arsenal drop away and end up fourth. Dein quits and Kronke becomes a shareholder. Diarra who couldn’t wait to leave does, bye dolphin’ead.
08-09: While every gooner on the planet could see that all we needed was to keep the team together and get a decent CB, maybe a keeper and a winger, we lose Hleb, Flamini, Gilberto, Lehmann and Hoyte whilst signing Vela (finally), Nasri and Ramsey. We look a shambles and the signing of Arshavin helps us get to two cup semi finals that we subsequently lose. Our dynamic Russian was missing for both, most believed he should have been signed in the summer… I’d agree. The government get’s whacked by the expenses scandal.
Some people still support project youth despite it’s failing, just like some people (miraculously) still support Gordon Brown!
Labour who have always stood for the working class had milked this country dry while helping the rich get richer, Arsenal have milked us fan’s (the working class) dry by charging us a fortune. At the same time, the corporate wankers leave early and ruin the experience. We are told to shut up and sit down whilst forking out for extortionatly priced tickets in the crap, uber-pc world of the Emirates.
Why do you think we all call it Ashburton Grove Arsenal? Labour have also gone down the PC route so that in this country we have no rights but terrorists do?
This is the brave new world order that we live in today!
I am voting BNP (Buy Now Party), you should to!
Gunner8.
P.S. The results are in from the polling station…
- BNP 59%
- Continuity Party 27%
- Uspend 15%
It’s nice to see that despite there being overwhelming support for investing in the team at sensible levels, there is still varying support for other ideologies. I guess that variety is what keeps the debating so spicey in the comments!
Have a great day Grovers!
Le Grove is now smart phone compatible!
Pedro
Geoff
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanocon
Wow, some read Gunner8, it sure did take me down memory lane, great post!
nice post gunner 8!
nice post gunner8……wraped up evry ins and outs – almost
Guess the uncommon player:
Suker, Henry, Eto’o, Kluivert, Petit, and Sylvinho
Hypochondria?
Kluivert!!!!
gooner-pak, nah its not kluivert
eto’o
Suker never played for Barca
or is it one of these who havent played for arsenal and barca? and tht i dont know
Did you know:
Seaman is left-handed, but throws the football with his right arm and kicks with his right foot.
goonerpak, u must also say why!
and eto’o is a wrong answer
Duckster, u got it!
Where did we get him from?
An interesting article that makes some good points. But isn’t football generally moving into a soulless period? Money has always been important but when you see someone like Tevez now offering himself to the highest bidder after walking out on a decent deal at Man Utd and see that Chelsea and Man City are the only 2 clubs that could offer him the ridiculous wages he knows he can get you wonder if money is his only motivation. Will Chelsea really offer £50 million for Torres or £30million for Alonso? Will they pay Aguero the £200K a week he demands? Clubs like Arsenal are going to be left behind big time if buying these players at these prices becomes the recipe for success. This season is going to be important for the future of football as well as Arsenal because, if £ equal results then the only way to trophies is to have more £ than anyone else. And forget player loyalty. It’s a thing of the past.
got to help in the garden, so i’ll catch ya later
Suker
thing with tavez was he never was manu guy……i mean like players are bought or come through the academy there will be hopes of fan for the player to shpw loyalty……..not in this case
Well said Lou,
Fine post Gunner8. A good read. If we follow it to it’s logical conclusion, AFC are in for a rough ride for the next decade, Mr Brown’s shenanigans have doomed Labour to a number of years in the wilderness, ……
Tevez is clearly not his own man, nor is Mascherano. Having sold their souls as youngsters to greedy bastards, they will always be on the move to the highest bidder.
Nice post, gr8 memories. Cheers.
morning all…
great post gunner 8…
hi folks.interesting post. Been slaving away in the garden since 7am.now for breakfast, then cricket practice,then the twenty20 final (go pakistan!) then footy.hope to squeeze le-grove in there somewhere
big raddy – i think tevez is thinking which club is best for him – i dnt think money is important for him.
hatrick!
I got up today in a slightly spaced-out, contemplative mood and read the blog. This started me thinking that the predictions that the Arsenal board must have taken into consideration before oking the Emirates project probably didn’t take into consideration the current financial climate and the rise of the Billionaire-owned plaything. How could in all fairness. We have become a bargain-basement club where transfers are concerned. We may develop players to world-class level but we will rarely be able to hold onto them when you see the money that is spilling around at some clubs. This is depressing and I suppose it is a matter of when rather than if we sell out and join the throng of those clubs, like Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City etc who just want to buy success. We, and I mean us, already pay the highest ticket prices and we have a great manager and a great history but Arsene will find it increasingly difficult to pull rabbits from the hat as time goes on. If Man City get a decent manager in and back him financially and Liverpool get sold to the Arabs that top 4 place will not be easy. On a lighter note, I believe we will win the league this year.
G8
It’s nice to see that despite there being overwhelming support for investing in the team at sensible levels, there is still varying support for other ideologies. I guess that variety is what keeps the debating so spicey in the comments!
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more like that thinking will keep us in 4th or even worse spot !
U- spend or get ready for another season
of 4th or worse !!
MARK MY FUCKIN WORDS ! now !
this is a E-gunner warning Broadcast !
I can’t understand Man City’s policy. They have all this cash, and so far they have only signed average players for inflated prices. Needless to say I hope this trend continues. They can have all the Barrys and Bellamys they like
Evening all
Gr8 post Gunner8. Wow there are some parallels indeed.
I wonder what government Spud’s fortunes follow since they changed managers? Ofcourse, it would have to be the country that has had over 50 goverment changes since WWII, Italy
km
Which Club, I’d like to answer that foe Tevez, its The Arsenal
Tevez won’t be coming to Arsenal, Wenger wouldn’t pay anywhere near the asking price, Nor would Tevez fit in to our system
honest bill
yes average players like ..
barry – elano – petrov – jo – robinho – tevez – irish and richards ..
whilst we have starts like song- eboue- ade
Yes i hear what your saying !!!
VOMIITTTTTTTT!
man shitty are leading the race on tevez ..
Red nose wont even let the chev’s bid …
not when man shitty is tabling 30 mil ..
If we get 25million for ade, plus the others for 40 million, Tevez is in range.
if i was red nose , id do it ..
reject the chev’s (his main competition’s)
bids …
why not when you know man shitty will table more anyhow !
Ethan. They don’t have Tevez yet. Besides, which of those (except maybe Robinho) would you choose given unlimited funds?
At least we paid peanuts for our monkies
ethan
……then 10 million for Melo, we are smoke’n
= 40 million
GG9 ,
tevez isnt out of contract ..
red nose can pick and choose which bids he listens too ..
why would you send a great player to your direct rival if you didnt have to .. it would be a fundamental mistake ..
he us on loan ethan… which gets over in about 10 days… red nose has no say in where he goes.
*is
Good point. But my point is Tevez is a good player & would fit in nicely.
jo – Valeri Bojinov – Shaun Wright Phillips -Elano-richards-kompany-Javier Garrido-petrov …
id prefer a good number of there team ..
thats without tevez and robinho ..
a lot on here also like irish ..
shay given is also better than big Al IMO …
choy can you expand on your point please
gnarleygeorge9
Good point. But my point is Tevez is a good player & would fit in nicely.
totally agree !!!!!
150%
but you know prior to us getting silvestre the last arsenal – man U transfer was like 22 years ago
a lot of people also like benjani – Caicedo
wanye bridge is a useful sub also ..
man Shitty have got depth ..
and very close to a good squad ..
its scary for us when you rifle thru the names ..
Nice well thought out post Guner8.Not easy to write such a well constructed item
Ethan can’t wait for you post.bet you can’t right one without the word ADEBAYOR
We came 3rd in 07-08…Other than that good post…
gg9… tevez is owned by a third party which has then since been banned by the FA.
manu took tevez on loan for two years, a further loan is not an option.
hence the asking price is about 25 mill, and as such manu do not own him at the moment, his loan period gets over in about 10 days time and he is free to go wherever he wants, provided his owners meet the asking price which is about 25 mill.
A player like Tevez could be the X factor in winning a CL Final.
fack..
*provided the buyers meet the asking price of 25 mill!!
Ethan. Yes but what i’m saying is, given the funds that City have available, how many of them would you buy? There are so many better players available, and so far they have bought average players, for more than they’re worth. It seems like a decent plan to challenge for a spot in Europe. But I can’t see them seriously contending for the league.
Although I would take Given.
Good one choy. Well in that case Le Gaffer needs to up the ante in finding a buyer for ade & co.
Get Tevez
geoff sent my post on thru ! GG9
i expect you to get busy and write your guest post ASAP !
A post. Geez
Mornin guys.Great post gunner8.
Why do we want tevez when we have Nik let alone dudu, RvP… just cause a player plays for man u doesn’t automatically make him better than all of our players…
Honest Bill
well they do need to win things first , but it only takes money to get big names ..
robinho is already there and tevez probably whats to go there to play along side him ..
and so forth .. its a snow ball effect , but if wenger isnt careful soon we wont be able to attract any big names even if one wanted too !
whilst man shitty are climbing the scale ..
the chev’s are a testament to prove proof of concept that throwing obscene money at players will win you titles …
Mayank. Totally agree. He’s more goal shy than our lot, and that’s saying something
tevez has great work rate.. and he is fackin strong.. but he’s a second striker and he would be fighting with arshavin rvp nikki b for starting places.
mark hughes has to just get them to the europa leagua or whatever its called this season.
thats what he is expected to do.
Even with Chelsea their return on investment was poor initially and they didn’t win in their first season even with Mourhino… If man city don’t come 4 this season the player may leave and it could leave the club in ruins…
He gets important results for man u thats why he’s valued… but most have been as an impact sub we have too many of those nik tw14 even ade…
Little off topic but damn,am watchin cnn and its crazy in iran right now.
Mourhino won the PL and the League Cup in his first season Mayank. That was 2005, when we were supposed to defend the PL at last. We lost the unbeaten run to Man U and it fell apart for a few games.
Wenger wont he double in his first FULL season mind!
Ethan, True enough, but Chelsea were buying better players for their money.
And Wenger has never bought big name players. Why spend obscene amounts of cash on big name players, when you can buy unknowns with just as much quality?
Who was throwing huge amounts of cash at Thierry Henry? as just one example.
A big name doesn’t make you any better.
Mourhino did have a ready made squad due to Tinkerman’s signings and him agreeing to go there on the night Porto won the CL!
Mayank you are forgetting the keeping West Ham up season, when he first joined the PL.
The only player i’d have from citeh would be Ireland, perhaps richards too.
The ‘big name signings will win you the league’ line of thought is media inspired… when chelsea wonthe league their squad was very balanced, since then they’ve collected CMs and ruined that balance… the point i’m trying to make is that the team has to gel only then can it have hopes of a top4 finish no matter how many big names you have…
Tevez is more than just a manure player. In fact he was choked as a player for manure. Let off the leash he could be a star @ THOF
Enjoyed today’s post. It puts the reason for our recent failing into more perspective.
Signing’s aside, I still think we need a specialist defensive coach. They (whoever “they” are) say that Keown’s influence in 2005/6 was the reason for the clean sheets in the CL run.
We haven’t got the superstars we used to have going forward (although we do have some good and exciting players) so to win games consistently we have to be fucking mean at the back and not offer the Stokes and Hull of this world unnecessary encouragement with an easy goal in teh first 20mins.
The Verm is a start. But its my feeling the deep rooted problemis in the coach and defensive practise they’re not currenly getting. Thats my feeling, of course I don’t know how they train day in day out of course…
WHU had him as his main striker and as a slightly bigger fish in a smallish pond he shone there… He’s a good player but not for us…
you guys just don’t get it do you?
manure are fucked without ronaldo, he accounted for 72 goals and 31 assists over the last 2 seasons.
who can they buy to replace that? kaka? NO
ribery? NO
who eles? they can have a 1 billion budget… who the fuck are they gonna buy now real have got them all?
talk to me
I think a little less impotence in front of goal would be helpful too. It’s all very well scoring as many as Man Utd, but if half those goals come in one game against Acrington Stanley, then it does very little good
Faceman.
Well that’s great, now we just need to close the embarrasing gap between Liverpool and Chelsea and we’re sorted
chelsea? i’ll shit em
they ain got cack, ancelloti aint all that, their team is full of 30 somethings who wont go the entire season… who they going to spend 200m on? lol
liverpool are dangerous… but we wont give them a lead this season.
we are up there next season mark my words
real madrid have done us the biggest favour… when will folk realise this ???
Wenger cannot splash £25mil on tevez or anybody else for that matter,but i would really love it if he one day just risked it all on a superstar.it would lift us in a massive way,the fans the players just look at how arshavin was recieved at the club.
arsenalised… is arshavin not a big enough superstar for you?
Faceman. I reckon Red Nose et all knew they were selling this summer. I think thats why they paid 30m for Berbatov last summer whilst hardly playing this season. He’s bedded in now.
Agree though, they’ve lost alot of pace and alot of goals.
I think as a team they’ll have to push forward collectively alot more with no Ronaldo to terrorise on his own as his used to.
Teams like us will be able to hit them on the break a bit more now
….anyway, Carlos Tevez is on the market, but it won’t be for long coz he will be snapped up. Not to worry if he goes to one of our rivals, coz as of tomorrow the days start getting longer.
Faceman, Well that may be, But Chelsea still did better than us didn’t they. I agree that Ronaldo leaving will hurt United, but we will need to drastically improve still. There were three teams above us, not just Utd
Melo in and Ade out rumours today…
yes they did, but they have aged another year over 30
whilst our young guns have aged another year into their twenties
start to believe, i am taking all the 10/1 i can at the bookies…
underestimate wenger at your peril
next season is the first season in years where the title will not be bought by manure or chelski
the fuckers aint got nobody left to buy, real madrid you superstars
Thanks all, I did finish it quite late on so I hope it reads well.
Big Raddy, yes and no… …I am a irm believer that there needs to be a change in the direction of the club. That we need to go back to mixing established players with youthfull prodigies. I do not think Wenger will still be in a job if we end up outside of the top 5 or get knocked into the UEFA cup. The club are happy with their performance model, solong as the stream of cash continues. Without CL football the club will miss out and so will Arsene. I also took a lis tof Arsenal buys during the Wenger reign that did not work out, it is long and costly for the most part (in wages at least).
Faceman:he is,and i love him.
Faceman
I agree, The Arsenal will be champions in May 2010. I’ll see you in Islington for the parade, coz evo & I will be there for it. Hope the pubs around there sell Captain Morgan & cold beer
go on son, thats more like it
Top stuff Faceman.
And you are right. Plus Villa will go to Real, Benzema to AC.
Ethan Red nose doesn’t own Tevez’s contract, it is Joorabchian’s consortium, he is a Gooner and offeered them both to Wenger b4 West Ham (at really high prices) and Wenger passed then, shit Mash would be nice for us, better than T anyway that ship has sailed
serious?
benzema is being chased by milan?
that would be ruddy marvellous
Don’t get me wrong. I am optimistic for the new season. But i’m just saying, we will not win it by relying on the weakening of Man Utd’s squad. They are still a good squad. We will only win it by being much better.
I think the tough start will work in our favour. We will not be able to start the season in the lazy and complacent manner we did last season. But we will have to play harder than we did last year
G8
That sounds promising. Sell ade eboue etc like Geoff mentioned, & bring in Tevez. The squad has got to be better for it. A sale/purchase like that could add an FA Cup to the PL Title.
Thanks Kelsey, it took a couple of days, and I don’t think I could do it every day so you have to respect the effort that the real bloggers go through. That is what makes the guest spot so nice this time of year when the news is slow, cheers Pedro and Geoff
Mayank
Why do we want tevez when we have Nik let alone dudu, RvP… just cause a player plays for man u doesn’t automatically make him better than all of our players…
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thats like saying why do we need david villa when we have ade ! or eto’o …
good point, bill
the tough start will get us up for it from day 1… this was lacking last season and we had the loss of pleb and flamini to overcome along with the bedding in of nasri.
i see nasri and cesc being our iniesta and xavi… dictating things from the middle of the park
i like song and denilson… but would love a melo/inler type to just sit in behind and ruff up any fucker who dares challenge our lads for the ball
fuck me… cesc, nasri, arshavin and rosicky in one midfield
bring it right fucking on
Ethan so were Blackburn once upon a time, throwing obscene amounts for titles that is.
I have no evidence that AC will buy Benzema, but they are in the CL, have money from the sale of Kaka, and Berlusconi will be insisting upon a high profile signing, having lost their main man.
Plus they have a seriously old front line. Pato cannot carry the attack (IMO). Shev is due back at the Chavs, Inzaghi is close to his pension …. it just makes sense.
lets just hope benzema sticks around at lyon for another season as he has promised… although i could easily see him bought by fergie
he terrorised them something rotten in the champs league 2 seasons ago and went straight on to the pissheads radar.
shit hot player.
faceman / terry tibbs ..
talk to me
red nose will find someone with 80 mil in the olde sky rocket ..
eto’o – benzema ..
huntlaar – most german strikers
its not hard finding someone with that sort of cash …
sure they might be down on ronaldo’s goal tally
but 2 players at 40 million would make up for it …
plus the tevez money …
i can see man U getting in 3 real ultra quality players prior to aug 09
who ethan?
talk to me.. no good just saying he will find em…. tell me who the fuck is available now?
they wanted ribery… nope
benzema is class but does not play as a winger
they will sign valencia, who is good but aint gonna score 40 goals and get you 20 assists.
Hello! Faceman- I respect Your opinion but I still think that we are 2-3 players away from being great and ready to complete.
Almunia- is he good enough to win us the CL or Premiership?
Gallas/Vermalean or Toure/Veramaelen- will it be a good enough partnership to win us many matches?
I still think that we need a typical winger, someone who can break the defense.Zhirkov for example.
And brand, new central def. mid.- someone like Cana or Melo.Even if we will sell Ade, we don’t need another striker since we have 5 (Bendy, Eddie, Robin, Theo and Carlos).
So, sell Ade, Diaby, Silvestre and Toure.
Buy- Cana, another big, strong defender( Juhasz from Andrlecht, Zapata, Bruno Alves, Hangeland) and a winger(Zhirkov) and a keeper- Gordon, Akinfejev, Amelia, Adler, and we are sorted.
Just my humble opinion. And bring back Keown or Adams to improve our defensive play.
Yes Red nose, will have someone lined up. Not to mention they do have a quality squad as is. But Arsenal need to focus on their own squad. You have to be able to pick up points against the ‘minnows’ to be in with a shot at winning the league
ethan there is no Tevez money, United do not own him they just borrowed him for two seasons and hav to pay for him
geeeez, it’s simples
right then arsenal diehards
choose which midfield you want.
giggs, scholes, carrick, anderson, nani, gibson, hargreaves
or
cesc, arshavin, rosicky, nasri, denilson, song, walcott, vela
Gunner8
Ethan so were Blackburn once upon a time, throwing obscene amounts for titles that is.
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sure and thats why theyve been in the top half of the table in recent years .. and not in the championship by now like boro – west brom – newcastle and all the other up and down pony’s in the EPL …
getting in some quality in helps your chances of survival in the EPL .
silly money chev’s / man U / pool , and now man shitty , ensures results …
sure the jury is out on man shitty and the spuds but lets just see how the gap closes this season shall we …
spuds have been outspending us for years,, for a decade
where they fuck they got to?
a relegation battle, thats where
don’t forget fletcher, but I agree they are poor & relatively old when you take out Ronaldo.
Man shitty is full of ego’s it is only a matter of time b4 Bellamy beats up a teamate.
right I need to get ready… …after midsummer’s in Hyde Park the Aquavit, Koppaberg and Wine have given me a little headache!
Faceman, if the do get Villa and Silva, or Ribery and Villa or Benzema, they will be strong.They are Manchester United. Back to back champions, champions league finalists and Fergie will get every player he wants. Don’t belive that they must invest those 80 milion pounds to repay the debt. They will improve their squad.
Faceman
How come you are up vibed about this seasons chances, have you been reading my comments from past posts
ok lets give them fletcher
and we will take wilshere
ferking bring it right on…. you wenger knockers had better start preparing to taste a fucking mammouth slice of humble pie
maciek – when will you understnad villa is done and dusted to real as is ribery once zidane tapped him up
and silva will go to barca.
Maciek, there was a time when Liverpool were spoken of in the same way, but nothing lasts forever, especially when you have a 650 billion pound debt hanging over you
Nasri will be better for the intro season, as will Arswaxin for his cameo. An extra 5-10 goals outa Cesc, bingo, I reckon it will be the press who will be eating most of the humble pie. Chamone
chamone
Add Tevez into the mix & Melo, with TV, well if anyone is still deliberating over seating arrangements @ THOF, get you payment sorted.
Faceman, Gnarle- I would love to see United being done and dusted but I still thaink that they will buy quality repalcements and our nightmare will last.I really hate them but even with their debt they are still attractive enough to find company eable to repay their debt. It’s sad but true. We are not far away from being great again but we need another cd and cdm and there is still chelski and the Pool. City are stronger and stronger and the spuds are looking quite strong( they are still s***t though, but maybe one day they won’t).I fear thst the gap will be bigger and bigger.
Who is going to score 30 goals for us next season? Really, really good teams have a striker who is world class and will get you that single goal that turns a draw in to a win, How many games did Man Utd win by the odd goal last year?
heard of eduardo da silva?
I had a dream last night about seeing a supplyer who was based in to$$enh*m, I could not even muster to venture that far North to see the factory.
Yes we do have a team which can challenge. But just suppose we pick up a few more injuries to first team players. Do we have adequate cover for any lenghty periods of time?
I don’t think so. At least not cover with enough experience. This is why i believe we must keep all the players this summer. Including Adebayor and Toure.
Would anyone like to rest thir hopes on Rosicky or Eduardo playing a whole season without picking up some knocks early on?
Maciek
Manure will not win this coming Title. The yhave won the last 3, & have lost their best(by a country mile) player. It will take time for the new inclusions to gel, & Giggs & scholes are getting too long in the tooth. The Curtain is about to come down @ The Theatre of Dreams.
Faceman. I like Eduardo but I do not believe he will score 30 goals next season. Do you?
no i don’t either
cos he will bang in 40
The odd goal men in Tevez & Ronaldo have gone. The Italian guy at Chelski does not understand the PL, & Liverwurst are not going to strengthen. That leaves……………..
come on come on
lift yourselves gooners
FOOTBALLS COMING HOME
He could even score 60 goals and that’s before Christmas
George and Faceman- I like You optimism. It’s a shame taht my faith is so weak.
*that
Now too all goons who may not yet be convinced. Savour everything Gooner from now till the end of may, coz this will be a time you will be able to tell your grand kids, or in kelsey’s case Great Grand kids about in years to come. This one will taste sweeter than all the others.
No one needs to actually score 30 goals on there own coz id you add the extras coming with Eddie, Rosicky, Cesc, Ramsay, Tevez (hope) RVP & Nicky, then you have a great team, not a team of greats.
Titles are won in defense. Man Us is good enough. Chelsea’s too. Liverpool conceded the least goals last year I think?
Thats where we have to improve. By that I mean defending. The difference between us and the other 3 is the protection the back 4 get. Last season any team that can string a few passes together got behind our midfield leaving our defense exposed.
That, along with dodgy defending from set peices and high balls, was the difference.
We’ve got the defender the deal with the ariel threats (we hope), now we need to give the defense the protection it needs in front of them.
Our attacking midfielder and striking options are almost embarrassing if everyone is fit and on form
Cesc
Nasri
Arshavin
Vela
RVP
Ade
Eddie
Walcott
Rosicky
Bentner
Diaby (yes I think he has a future)
even Wiltshire
So we need defensive stability in front of the defense, and IMO behind them. Why not go after Buffon?
Buffon is totally out of our price range. Don’t think for a second that Wenger will spend any more than 10 million between now and the start of the season. And especially don’t be surprised if Vermaelen is our only signing, besides some new youth players
The promised list of failures at the club:
Black, Grey, Riza, Vernazza, Rose, Taylor, Weston, Wreh, Caballero, Diawara, Grondin, Halls, Stack, Garry, Tonga, Malz, Ricketts, Danilvicious, Spicer, Stepanovs, Svard, Larsson, Simek, Juan, Jeffers, Inamoto, Thomas, Tavlaridis, Skularsson, Cregg, Shaban, Quincy, Karbassiyoun, Gilbert, Papadopulous, Stokes, Conolly, Lupoli, Poom, Bishoff, Fonte, and of Course Silvestre.
They all cost money in contracts and with the exception of the view gave nothing back.
This in not just academy players, that list is much longer these all have played in one 1st team game!
Anyway the hope of my post is that we again turn down joining EMU and win another farkin double.
Good pont Maq, but Buffon is unrealistic.
That would be a shame Bill as without at least one more player we’ll fall short again.
If we sign that agressive midfielder we need then I’ll start to get excited.
By who knows, maybe Denilsong will be better for last year and do a Flamoney. I hope thats not what he’s relying on. Flamoney had a few years learning from Vieira… not sure who mentored Denilsong
I don’t know Buffon’s contract situation. Perhaps someone knows?
But I read recently he might be up for a new challenge. I know its unlikely, especially as Italy’s best players rearely leave Italy, but my God it would be a statement…
Thats a thought. What was our last statement signing?
Was it Campbell?
I think Song can do an adequate job at filling the hole temporarily. He cam on in leaps and bounds towards the end of the season. After that game when the fans began to jeer him for his negative passing, he seemed to buck his ideas up and became more creative. But again, if anyone gets injured, then we are exposed again.
I hope we will sign a new DM, but I don’t think we will. I think Wenger only signed a centre half as a concession to the fans
I don’t think Wenger would make a concession signing. He’s far too stubborn.
Its an area that needed improving and not one you can do with youth typically. Even he had to recognise that and I’m glad he did!
True but it needed improving last summer too, and he didn’t sign anyone. He may be stubborn, but he isn’t stupid. He knows the fans would have gone mad had he not signed anyone. This is of course just speculation.
Even so. I don’t see hime “Killing Denilson, Song, Diaby” to paraphrase the man himself
As I’ve said before what do you think of:
Sell Toure in a deal of 12M+Richards.
With that 12M we could offer it for MELO with senderos in a PX.
Sell Adebayor for 25M to Chelski…
Buy Benzema or Tevez with the money.
Then sell Eboue for 6M and buy Ibrahim Afellay with the money.(6ft 1, 23yrs old and scored 11 in 16 this season)
By doing this we would have only lost 11M on the Very deal, and our squad would be a lot stronger…
Losing 3 Africans could only be a good think seeing the ACN is on this season.
Their replacement would all be younger and better.
Samir. There’s no way we would get 12M+Richards, for Toure. And i doubt Adebayor would sell for 25M to be honest
we actually finish 3rd in 07/08..and only 4points off
Here are some possibles, Kolo for Rchards, straight swap, Eboue + cash for Sacko, Gallas + cash for Cana, Senderos plus cash for Melo, Adebayor for Alex and Mikel, straight swap.
The season before last summer we weren’t far off winning the league. We were all crying out for more combative midfielders after losing Flamini, Gilberto and Diarra. We were wuite happy with CB.
I agree with yuo to a degree. We would have gone mad. But because everyone knows it needs improving. A bit chicken and egg I guess.
IMO its all a moot point if we don’t get that midfielder. I don’t take what Wenger says in the press too seriously. Over the course of a season (especially one like last year) he contradicts himself so much. Although I am at a loss for examples at the minute.
But my head is with you. The Wenger of the last few years will not make this season. By my heart says things are a little different (Gazidis?) and he might actually give the team what it needs (and what Cesc, RVP and old players has asked for)
* last para season = signing
If Citeh are paying 15M for Santa Cruz I believe we could get 10-12M+Richards for Toure, also seeing they have money coming out of their ears.
I read somewhere City would sell Richards for 5M. Toure is deffo worth 15M of anyone’s money.
And the papers are reporting the 25M for Ade.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/85736/Ancelotti-is-25m-Adebuyer/
I just hope its true…
I just went on FM, and noticed that fiorentina signed Melo from Almeria for 11.75M! he had a good last season in Italy, so you would expect he’d be double that still!
as much as I’d love we signed him up, it is very unlikely i think.
Maq. Well i hope you’re right and that we do sign a good DM, but he also needs to have some creativity, just like Flamini did. A lot of games, we need someone to break through defenses and just don’t have enough creativity. All we need is some confidence and we can do well.
Samir.. 12M + 5M= 17M. I just don’t think they will pay that much for Toure. I can see them paying 10M. And as for the papers. I never believe what they report.
After a successful first season at Almería, Melo agreed to transfer to Italian side Fiorentina in an €8 million transfer for the 2008-09 season.
From WIKI…
I read it was 6.7mil for Melo.
I think we’ve got loads of creativity Bill.
See my list above from 12:04. There’s pace, skill, power, height, left, right…
Maq. I’m not saying we don’t have creativity. I’m just saying, against the likes of Sunderland, when their defence is packed. Sometimes last season it was hard to see where a goal was going to come from. I think that confidence and drive was lacking more than creativity.
I just believe that a DM, has to be able to attack with proficiency too. Like Viera and Flamini could
Also. Verminator seems very confident. I like his attitude
One injury to Arshavin and we lack creativity again. If Rosicky doesn’t play again, we need another creative wide man.
Fair point Bill. In those situation we need the tall lads to step up. Too many times I see Ade on a wing trying to work a cross situation when he should be the man on the end of the cross. I don’t know a team that creates crossing situations so easily but with so little effect. Bents is better at staying in the width of the penalty box.
We also need shooters from distance so the new DM should have that in his locker.
Agree on the Verm. Solid attitude!
Agree there Honest Bill. More of the same please…
I think it’s a good signing in all honesty. Robin Van Persie has stated that moves like this are not done on a whim and he (Vermaelen) would have been watched 30-40 times by Steve Rowley.
Must be the right time where the scouting team and manager feel he will make the step up.
I’m also liking the Senderos + 15m deal for Melo and at 25 and a brazilian international who, to be honest, has looked very classy in the games i’ve seen him looks very good business and was mooted alot last season also.
Also think we can clear out Silvestre, Randall, Simpson, Adebayor, Diaby, Gallas/Toure & Eboue to free up wages and funds to renew contracts and bring in some talented youth aswell, (which Wenger never misses a trick on) I.E Edge, Sakho, Hazard, Saviet I think we will have an exceptionally talented squad.
Plus possible promotions for 1st team action for the likes of wilshire, merida, hoyte, nordviet, conquelin and je thomas…
Hopefully the more concrete transfer targets (Vermaelen, Melo, Sakho, Hazard, Huntelaar) may convince Van Persie to sign a new contract also… Plus Rosicky & Eduardo can come back in and hopefully stay fit.. That’s like 2 brand new signings whichever way you want to look at it.
Looking forward to pre-season if we can wrap up our transfer dealings early..
Squad 08/09:
Almunia/Fabianski
Sagna/Hoyte
Gallas/Sakho
Vermaelen/Djourou/Nordviet
Clichy/Gibbs
Arshavin/Walcott
Cesc/Denilson/Ramsey
Melo/Song
Nasri/Rosicky/Wilshire
Van Persie/Bendtner
Huntelaar/Eduardo/Vela
Looks pretty good to me…
I understand what you are trying to and what u are trying to say but your use of the letters BNP is very offensive and provocative, no matter how you dress it, if you have been a victim of BNP beliefs as a gooner it leaves a bitter taste when an otherwise excellent site stoops to such sensationalism. It is offensive, insenstive and disappointing.
Yeah I agree Maq, most of our players seem afraid to shoot. It really winds me up. Still Arshavin, Nasri, Fabregas Don’t mind a shot from distance.
Armourist, I too have noted that, but let’s not make a big deal out of it.. It wasn’t well thought out, but makes no reference to the fasict politcal faction… Just leave it!
i feel this summer wenger has recieved alot more backing and funds to build up the squad which has not been the case in the past few seasons,despite what hill wood has claimed wenger has fullbacking i dont think that been the case,i feel wenger will get backing to get top midfielder this summer.i feel wenger will bring more defenders but that will depend on who leaves big question markes over gallas/toure silvestor and senderos,there is also a chance that eboue and ade leave
Leon I hope your right.
If we do not get rid of the dead wood and replace it with some quality. E.g.
OUT:
Silvestre
Senderos
Toure
Eboue
Adebayor
Traore
IN:
Richards/Sakho
Affelay
Huntelaar
Melo
If Wenger is not given the financial backing we may be in store for a boring fighting for 4th season….
If we can win the PL and CL this season the money that we spend this season (20-35M)would be replaced with payments from the prize money. Therefore I cannot see why we don’t spend….
Armourist, sorry you feel that way… you can’t please everyone.
I’m not a fan of the BNP… but at the end of the day, they aren’t an illegal group and they represent in the UK political system.
If I’d stuck up the KKK or Combat 18 party up… then you’d have a case…
We’ve got a hugely diverse group of bloggers and they all saw the funny side… no offense was intended.
Faceman, United wont replace Ronaldo… I think they’ll change their system based around what they have.
If they bring in a really prolific striker and a creative midfielder and I think they’ll be ok.
Rooney is capable of upping it… Berbatov is easily a 30 goal a season striker… and he is incredibly creative.
They’ve got to find 25 goals with £80million in the bank… I’m sure Fergie has been addressing this issue all year… I’m sure he wont disappoint.
Samir. It’s because, spending the money is no guarantee of victory.
But just for the record, I’d keep Ade, Toure and Eboue
Samir, I don’t think I’d put Traore in the dead wood category!
Armourist, that’s how I feel about the Labour party (I am a Tory) but you know what, we live in a democracy where we have a right to vote for whoever stands, while I don’t agree with the BNP or the Communists, I find none of them offensive, that’s why I have my own mind.
I find religious fundimentalists that hate my country far more offensive, perhaps if you did I would agree with you.
Might i suggest that politics be better addressed somewhere else entirely?
After all it has very little to do with football. Though for the record, People ought not to get so offended by a little thing like that. And if all you get is offended today, you can probably consider yourself quite lucky
Well said Bill that really was my point entirely, and it was posted 3 days ago.
http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/Football/2009/06/21/Prem-Diabys-personal-trainer/gnid-57766/
interesting
I have been critical of this guy this season as his performances have not been up to scratch (Although an insistence to play him on the LW has not helped his cause). But fair play, this is the kind of attitude I want to read about, well done Abou
Instead of spending his holiday on the beach, Arsenal’s Abou Diaby is working on his fitness with famous French personal trainer Renaud Longuevre.
The Gunners midfielder has opted against resting this summer, as he wants to gain muscle power and reach the next level, Longuevre has revealed.
As a consequence, the France international, who has been widely compared to Patrick Vieira, will practice with the track and field trainer for four weeks.
“When I feel that a sportsman is ready to give it all in order to reach a stage, it suits me,” Longuevre told Les Dessous du Sport.
“He is motivated and wants to reach the next stage on the physical level.”
He added: “The English league is very demanding; as a consequence his objective is to improve physically in order to be stronger and more resistant.
“He wants to be stronger in challenges. That is why he needs more muscle power.”
Great news from DIABY:
Instead of spending his holiday on the beach, Arsenal’s Abou Diaby is working on his fitness with famous French personal trainer Renaud Longuevre.
The Gunners midfielder has opted against resting this summer, as he wants to gain muscle power and reach the next level, Longuevre has revealed.
As a consequence, the France international, who has been widely compared to Patrick Vieira, will practice with the track and field trainer for four weeks.
“When I feel that a sportsman is ready to give it all in order to reach a stage, it suits me,” Longuevre told Les Dessous du Sport.
“He is motivated and wants to reach the next stage on the physical level.”
He added: “The English league is very demanding; as a consequence his objective is to improve physically in order to be stronger and more resistant.
“He wants to be stronger in challenges. That is why he needs more muscle power.”
Lets hope he starts pre season well. I really think he could be a top player.
Just remember he’s still only 23 and suffered that horrible injury…
geoff – the BNP have an open policy to only recruit white people and made a very public backtracking on sending home those who are not white faced even if they were born here.
anybody who does not realise that this mob appeal to the white van man sun reading chav up the british empire, 3 cans of stella and packet of fags guv, sign on the dole every other week, loser in life…. has issues.
Good attitude.But often during this season his work rate has been really poor.He needs to improve his passing big time if he wants to make it here
Geoff, I find religious fundamentalists equally as offensive however the BNP are also fundamentalists pushing a nationality enevelope they are in effect no different, both camps seek to restore their respective countries to what they believe they should be.
Just because the agenda of the equally fundamentalist BNP is politically legitimised does not make it right, it just means that we live in a free society but for anyone who isnt of their social remit it is an extremely uncomfortable subject.
If you were to ask most people who live in the countries that religious fundamentalists come from, i’m pretty sure they find them equally non offensive as you do the BNP, not because you or they agree with idiom but they arent a threat to them and as such theres no offence just merely a view point, but for me they are a real threat.
Whilst Geoff I appreciate you have your own mind, i’m sure you would agree that there are a few impressionable people who read your blog as it is widely successful.
It is a mantle you may not have chosen to take on but success brings with it expectations and responsibility much like Wenger has brought on himself. I am hoping you can see my point of view as much as I understand yours, as it was extremely uncomfortable for me to read those three letters on you blog.
Pedro, I appreciate your sentiments and understand you cant please every one, but surely there must be a line?
I’m glad to hear that about Diaby. He could just be lounging around and relaxing, but he’s taking the time to try to improve himself. He has also had the presence of mind to isolate a particular area in which is weak, and work on it. Full marks to Diaby
I see where you are coming from Bill but I just had to get it off my chest is all, rather than go bitching about it on other blogs. Hope im not ruining anyone’s sunday dinner reading. I think this is an excellent blog that allows all types of opinions and on this matter im just sayin my piece, I dont want an argument or anything like that at all. Just say my piece on it and thats all.
Not ruining my afternoon Armourist.
But think we should put a line under it now. I dont think it was meant to offend but unfortunately it has. I guess in blog world your audience is that vast and from so many backgrounds that post will always offend someone.
Back to Arsenal Chat me thinks
If Diaby those improve and is stronger maybe he can still attract the two ther players it takes to tackle him but be strong enough to release the ball earlier thus creating space or is that a pipe dream? I like the kid and I really hope its not, someone like TR7 could be good for diaby as a mentor, it would mean however both have to remain fit which seems a tall ask at the minute!
Does anybody agree with me that Vela should be getting more games?
It seems to me, that out of all the young prospects, he is the one who looks most promising, and most ready to play premiership football. But he isn’t getting as many games as he should
Honest Bill where would you fit him in?
Not sure about the Diaby news. Of course it’s good that he’s trying to improve a weakness in his game but I fear with this news that Wenger is about to once again do what he always does at this time of year, which is to get caught up in his dream world, a where Denilson, Diaby and Song are on the verge of becoming superstars.
The longer we go without getting a defensive midfielder, the less chance of it happening IMO.
Armourist and faceman, the BNP obviously have their issues, I don’t agree with them, but a bit of tongue in cheek is what makes us the British unique.
If anyone read Pedro’s post and wanted to join the BNP, then they obviously can’t read, and if they could, would have seen that BNP in this instance meant buy new players.
You need to move on now, you have made your point, I don’t agree, but being the way I am, respect you have issues. As Bill said we’ll talk football, not politics.
So for you I will change it to NPB, new players buy, it doesn’t have the same impact, but it it doesn’t offend you then I have achieved something today.
Armourist;
I had a problem with it too mate, but quietly moved on, being called a cunt obviously didnt offend me in the slightest..
And let’s not spoil the day for Gunner8, it’s his post.
Armourist, He can play as a great left winger, or as a striker. In fact i’d say he’s the only real left winger we have.
Paulinho, I agree with you. this does seem to be a portent for a DM quick fix. I had suspected this would happen though, so it will not come as a shock
ManGoonian you’ve been called worse! And by me probably.
Bill I completely agree with you, he’s the only one we have that I would call a winger, he’s not been given enough playing time in my book.
Geoff;
Too right! Haha!
Paulinho;
Id be hugely surprised, not to mention pissed off if we didnt sign a central midfielder to partner Cesc… Who it’ll be is anyone’s guess tho…
Nah I disagree he is about as left winger as Theo is right winger! I think however he is a great striker waiting to happen…
Thank you Geoff for being all gentlemanly about it all.
Now this is what I mean, If Wenger had given Vela and Ramsey as much time as he has Song, Denilson, Diaby and Eboue in the middle and on the wing, we might have two class acts in the team right now.
I know Eboue has mostly been out wide right and Vela out wide left, but in my opinion both Vela and Ramsey are twice as good as the above.
I do however like what Diaby is doing, good for him, he warrants another chance.
Armourist, nice doing business with you, you are a gentleman!
Geoff, Ramsey isnt anywhere near strong enough to play yet neither is Vela and to a degree maybe Denilson but at least he bulked up last season and is better equipped to play, AW only lets them bulk from 22 to 23 yrs and upwards, its rare that he has let both Denilson and Theo start bulking so early.
I just think that both are better than Denilson and Song and had he given them the same time, they may be so much better than we currently have, he gave Cesc plenty of games at that age.
I agree. And Vela may be lightweight, but he has amazing pace, and a decent cross on him. Besides, physical strength is not quite so important on the wing as it is in the centre.
He could have been gaining much more valuable experience than he has. Besides, every time he’s come on, he’s looked threatening
I think Denilson is very good personally, not because of stats but because for a player in his first season at the roughest, toughest league he has done very well, I honestly think he is miles better than Ramsey at the moment, however Ramsey given the same chances as Denilson would also have a steep learning curve and be better for it, so it then comes down to physicallity and thats where Denilson trumps Ramsey I think.
Vela is awesome, but the way we play he’d have no one to cross to! Plus, I think he is wasted if he isnt playing at no 9.
good post, armourist
concur totally re:denilson
Fantastic post Gunner8! Thanks
Ferguson has absolutely no choice on who bids for tevez. He doesn’t belong to the mancs. I was gutted to see Ray Parlour say Ronaldo was more important than Henry this morning on shitanta.
Parlour actually said that? How incredibly lame. Not to mention patently untrue
Hey what’s up Doc?
Slow day today huh.
Happy fathers day to any fathers on here. Im only a son so i got mine a lotto ticket. I know what you’re thinking…”how thoughtful” right?
Anyway….any news on arsenal floating around. Vermaelens number or anything?
Bill, what did Parlour say?
He certainly did bill. I was quite angry to put it midly. livid wouldn’t be too strong a word.
Stu
This morning on shitanta Parlour said ronaldo the tranny was a more important player than th14.
Fiorentina’s Felipe Melo has admitted he is flattered by reports of interest in his services.
A number of clubs are said to be considering offers for the Brazil international, with Premier League side Arsenal one of the teams mooted as suitors.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is believed to be in the hunt for a defensive midfielder and could see Melo as an ideal acquisition.
The 25-year-old Melo is pleased to hear of the rumoured interest but remains focused on giving his all to the Viola.
“Obviously it is a good thing that great clubs are interested, as it shows that I worked well,” Melo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“But as I said, I have a good relationship with Fiorentina, with the directors and the fans.”
it’s good to see that diaby’s training over his fitness during his holiday
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2473451/Ronaldo-defends-himself-after-being-criticised-for-wearing-pink-hat-and-flower.html
Sure you’re not gay lol
He makes julian clary look like fucking rambo.
camp as frilly knickers.
You have got to be fucking kidding!
Ronaldo is a fucking diving bitch, baby player who cries when things dont go his way. He goes missing in most games and is a cunt.
Henry is a legend worldwide, not only in the sport but also what he did for kids etc.
Ronaldo is a cunt who does fuck all except shoot anywhere near goal and does fuck all except increase the size of the hole in the ozone layer.
Parlour must have been off his fucking rocker or had a gin to his head!
Only in the world of Premier League football could CRISTIANO RONALDO think his fashion sense is acceptable.
It should read
Only in the world of battymaticians etc
Last night The Sun asked gay comic ALAN CARR for his verdict on Ron’s wardrobe.
He said: “Come on Ronaldo, you wear stuff even ELTON JOHN would say ‘That’s too much’ to!
Ohh, today’s father’s day! here its the second week of may.
wow ronaldo’s soooo ‘sexy’
Alan Carr is Frank Carr’s son (ex Forest manager) If you didn’t know.
stu, got the parlour link?
it was on shitanta this morning cartman
No its OK cartman, i’d rather not read it.
was asking u if U have the link!
Vermaelen interview link on arsenal action.
http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/sports/watch/v18650392TFxmfKFp#
Yeah i got that afterwards. No i dont have a link tho.
So……………….
Noone around so im just gonna start talking about anything…….
Numbers for next season (using the players we currenty have and not including new signings):
1 Almunia
2 sagna
3 clichy
4 fabregas
5 kolo
6 vermaelen
7 rosicky
8 nasri
9 eduardo
10 arshavin
11 vp
12 vela
13 gallas
14 walcott
15 denilson
16 ramsey
17 song
18 gibbs
19 wilshere
oops, i hit submit be accident
*20 djourou
21 fabianski
22 traore
23 silvestre
24 mannone
25 ade
26 bendtner
27 eboue
28 senderos
thats in order and the reserves coming up can just take the numbers after it. I dnt see the point of players having numbers all over the place. 58, 71 etc etc
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, i defeated a pro
Whats that now Cartman? Whos the pro?
23 for fish head, r u mad??? that’s my birthday date!
So what? Give him 22 so.
a chess pro and considering that i’ve started to learn only last week, HELL I’M GOOD 8)!
yeah if u want!
hey, where’s the irish lady?
How should i know.
thought u were friends
Not really. Never met.
hey stu, che-che or death?
Dont know what the first one is so i feel i shouldnt answer.
its a french clip, if i post it, i dont think u’d understand
yeah, i doubt i would seeing as i dont know french. oh well.
ohh, i think i’ll have some sleep then! see ya stu!
laters cartman.
Anyone around to talk about anything?
Vermalene said he likes the physical side of the game. Im now hoping that he flies into a few tackles in the prem. Show all those who think arsenal are soft that we have a new hardman in the team and we arent to be messes with. Vermaelen will be cracking heads and putting the boltons, stokes and blackburns in their places.
Speaking of soft:
What else? Hmmmmmmmm……… i was watchint the lions lose yesterday. I was naturally disappointed that they lost but it was still a great match and i admired the control and discipline showed by the players.
When a decision was made, be it right of wrong, the players on either side just accepted that the ref mind wasnt going to be changed and they moved on.
It was a nice change from seeing the chavs, mancs etc etc etc crowding around the ref when he gives something against them.
IMO chelski are the worst of the lot. Not just because of the CL debacle but anytime a decision doesnt go their way you can rest assure that Ballack, Terry and fat lamps will create a barrier of lard around the ref and try to convince him he was wrong.
It bever works so i dont see the point of doing it. Well….when i say what i mean it never works for arsenal.
But if ye will recall Hull vs Villa near the end of the season. There was a header that hit the crossbar and went over, Ashley Young raised his hand, didnt touch the ball, but th ref awarded a PK. The linesman didnt say anything against the decision but the whol villa team surrounded the ref and low and behold he change his mind and reversed his decision and played on.
Absloute cock face, spineless bastard of a ref!
In summary: we should sack all the football refs and get in the rugby refs. They take no bullshit andthe rugby players resect them. Its surely the refs own faut, as well as the FAs that noone respects them. Especially with all the crazy decisions they make on a regular basis.
Bacary Sagna and Robin Van Persie are both members of the Le Grove Facebook Group,
Is that for real or are they Identity Thieves?
No takers huh….i’ll keep going so because i have little else to do anyways.
Teams for next season without anymore ins/outs. But hopefully we will get melo and juhasz?
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Song
Fabregas Rosicky
Van Persie Eduardo Arshavin….Nice!
Fabianski
Eboue Toure Djourou Gibbs
Denilson
Ramsey Nasri
Vela Bendtner Theo
Subs for either: Mannone, Silvestre (hopefully not tho), Senderos, Traore, Diaby, Wilshere, Adebayor, Simpson and the reserve kids.
Not a bad squad by any means as long as we keep them all fit and fighting. We could still stengthen in some places but if everyone is fit (which is unlikely) thenwe will more than cope.
PTG, im not on fb but i’ll assume they are fakers. And everyone should too until proven otherwise.
I would rather play bartley or nordtveit than silvestre
The talented Russian is revered at the Ukrainian giants after his nine-year spell there, between 2000 and 2009, which coincided with the capture of the Russian Premier League, Russian Cup and Uefa Cup.
Apparently sky believe that Zenit are ukranian. And even managed to contradict themselves in the very same paragraph. Nice!
Good read, Gunner8
i think wenger is hoping to keep toure/gallas and gradualy bring our new defender and just use dj and silvestor for carling games unless he can sell silvestor on a free,senderos is gone i think. i am not sure what he is going to with noviet the defender from norway he is still only 19 but should at least play in the carling cup games
any1 watching brazil vs italy.Going forward melo is impressive.Good distribution
Lwon, 19 for any defender is very young. Especially a CB. Starting in the CC is too much for Nordveit imo.
IN the CC it should be JD/Song and either Toure or whoever the 3rd choice CB is for the first team.
Nish, i’ve got it on. Not really watching tho…music instead.
how many chances does fabiano need
He is brazils Ade.
hahah… evening stu
Good evening Choy……….
anyone else watching Brazil v Italy at the confed?
when are the finals for the confed cup?
Well, this is the last game before the semis. So it cant be that far away.
evening confident… yup am watching…
sagna type crossing going on.
stu
i just think its time to this kid noviet at least runout in cc see how does,i have never sen him play is he any
doesn’t he look like a japanese samurai?
Leon, as i said. He, as a defender, is too young imo. We played Senderos from a young age and look what happened with him.
I would prefer to wait a little longer with Nordveit. Unless a player is special..like Cesc, then i dont think they should be exposed to early. Ramsey was exposed at an early stage and remember what happened to him against cardiff.
Nordveit should get no firther than the bench for now imo. Then assess how he does.
lol
is chiellini playing?
Apparently he is playing Choy. Wouldnt know it tho. Wasnt he supposed to be a good defender. Brazil are having so many chances on goal.
I think I’m sold on melo.I’d be delighted if we got him. The Eboue-Sakho swap seems fairly reasonable as well…but then we don’t have a back-up for Sagna
well brazil are running rings around the entire team
Silky skills on Lucio!
oooh.. almost
look like arsenal… don’t they… missing soo many chances!!
whats up pat.
Its about time.
good finish
Nothin much Choy. Just came back from my match and checking news in the ARsenal world.
ok pat… hope you won
he scores again
Tied the 1st place team. mexicans. Dirty bunch. 0-0 while we were playing 10 men from the 40th minute. Thanks though.
wow, Italy is getting destroyed
spotted any future dm’s for le arse?
Italy have gone to shit. They have been using more of less the same players for the last 5 ot 6 years.
Just like the top Italian teams.
Exactly Pat.
meant to say “playing WITH 10 men”
Italy look very average albeit Brasil can control with the quick, quick, slow sexy soccer which can take any team apart even the Spanish would struggle! Melo looks very robust… but I don’t think we’ve even approached him yet so I can’t see anything happening atm!
Hi folks. El i disagree…. the spanish are the best passing team in this tournament and in the world
If its a Spain v Bazil final Spain will win unless they are really unlucky
I’m so lookin forward to Brasil vs Spain then.. could prove to be a classic encounter!
Chiellini is the worst CB ive ever seen
heheh
brazil are gonna rape them on the counter.
LOL Did ye see the weird child rubbing ice cream all over his face! It cant be THAT hot.
Evening all!
Italy bore the pants off me! How did they win the WC last time out?
BREAKING NEWS:
Michael Schumacher is The Stig!
Prove it Samir.
Samir, I saw that but I can’t believe it. How would he have had time? Although he has the personality to be the Stig, i.e. none!
Was it just on Top Gear a minute ago? The one on bbc2 now?
Apparently it is true!
Stu it was just on TV, he took his helmet off.
@Zorro LOL! and I have no idea where he found the time…
holy shit as it stands the USA are going through!!!
It’s gonna be a tense finale!
Or is he?
Ha! Kleberson!
Italy on the verge of elimination!
Kleberson gets called up ahead of Denilson. Umm….
Well Klenerson was in the WC winning team so he has experience on his side i suppose.
Who does he play for anyway?
Bye bye Italia!
So Italy are out? Ha!
Italy out! Unless Egypt nick a goal!
Another Billionaire in the PL. I wonder who the club is?
DUBAI, June 21 (Reuters) – A member of a ruling family in the United Arab Emirates has bought a majority stake in an English Premier League soccer club, the official WAM news agency reported on Sunday.
WAM did not name the club but said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr al-Qassimi has bought 60 percent of it, adding that details would be announced in a few days.
Sheikh Ahmed, a member of the ruling family Ras al-Khaimah, will be honorary chairman of the club.
Ras al-Khaimah is one of seven members in the UAE federation which also includes key oil producer Abu Dhabi and regional trade and tourism hub Dubai.
Last year Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Masnour bin Zayed al Nahyan bought Premier League club Manchester City, while Portsmouth is the subject of a bid from another Abu Dhabi investor, Sulaiman al-Fahim.
Bolton?
Fuck knows Stu, probably some run of the mill Brazilian side.
Says alot though that World Cup winning defensive midfielder Dunga is not sold on Denilson, despite him being first choice for most of the season at a club like Arsenal.
wonder if its tottenham
West Ham? Everton?
Erm…. Pompey I thought? Maybe not…
Kleberson is an experienced player who has previous with the Brazil squad…. Im sure Denilson will get into the squad soon enough…
I hope not Incesc, and surely not with the Emirates Sponsorship of us.
Could it be us? Whose shares would they be if true?
USA are through!
I thought it was someone else at Pompey, and I thought he had bought 100%
My money is on it being Liverpool. I bet he has bought one of them out
Have you all been watching Melo for Brazil just now??
Such calm and quality…and even a bit of pace!
I hope we get him…really do…
Stu. Kleberson plays for Flemengo in Brazil
Good news about Diaby too….could this be a giant awakening?!
Rankings:
Felipe Melo: 8 – Dominated the midfield, and is really starting to look like one of the strongest players in his position in the world.
Nightman, was the good news about Diaby>?
Stu
Diaby has not gone on Holiday, instead he is working with some specialist in France to bulk up and improve his speed. Scroll up for full story.
Fair play to him, great attitude
Dont think the Confeds Cup is any good way to judge a player, IMO. Not saying Melo is shite tho…
Yep, fair play to Diaby, hope he can improve his fitness, but, what position he will be fighting for?
Wow, just read the guest blog…. Mmmmm not a great read and pretty dull conformist yadda yadda …. IMO.
Just read todays guest post. Good…apart from the political aspect…which not being english, i didnt really get.
Other than that it made me think about Suker being bought in his twilight years. Why dont we do that anymore? Im not sure how he fared during his time because i wasnt an avid arsenal enthusiast like i am now. But surely he added a touch of class.
United had Larsson help then to the eague title a few seasons ago. Barca had him do likewise against us in the CL. Not saying we should get him but surely someone like that. Someone that could help us like they did. Also there was Montella for Fulham a few years ago aswell, Litmannen at Liverpool before hand.
Get it? Booya!
He’s gona be great next season for us!
What kind of shite questions are these!
Well still tho….he had some great answers.
Batman and Jessica Alba.
When they asked about fighting i immediately thought of him and Ade “fighting”.
oh dear politics , race , gender .. kkk nazi’s
what ever .. lifes to short to worry about it ..
you could count the white jokes a say about myself every day and you would at least need 2 hands to count them ! ! people are to sensitive about themselves .. you are what you are .. accept it and embrace it ..
and most importantly FUCKING GET OVER IT !
then if you have a sense of humor make fun of it !
im a white minority in a non-Caucasian nation ..
i see asian’s side with asians every day ..
and muslims side with muslims , thats racist!!!
so when black people come on here and defend ade or asians in the street tell me to go home to the UK thats what i find offensive because your not judging people on ability or what they do for the community your generalizing with racist motives .
why am i bringing it up ? because racism , politics and all that have nothing to do with football .. football is based on ability and adaptation to a squad ..
ade is rubbish and its not because he’s African
its because he is JUST CRAP ..
cesc and RVP this season for me haven’t been far behind either … and for the prices they’ve been quoted transfer wise this season i would be just as happy if wenger cleans house and gets in a new squad ..
because keeping this one together is a recipe for being long term mediocre ..
On a different note:
Hate the new away kit btw! It’s a bit “to wear with jeans when not going to watch football”… urgh!
I actually quite like ir Rev. I like a dark away kit.
me too i prefer black
i liked the black with red stripes last season .
(3rd choice kit ) or was that the season prior to that ..
for me that has been my favorite kit over the past few years …
i would actually wear something like that ..
that Bendtner highlight package is quite good, some good stuff of his in there that i had never seen before, i hope he takes Kanu Jnr’s spot this season and makes his own!
ahhhh the days of freedom from exam study
finally i can blog again 
If barndoor to chavs has any truth to it we are on the way folks.
Melo and a winger type forward without the need to sell anyone else, yes, Ebooooue included. He’s decent back up.Chamone!!!!
hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (alpachino, scent of women)
Pakistan wins t20 world cup
ice i cant see it myself ..
ade is so crap that i was sure any EPL club couldnt be interested in him ..
well not a for a top dollar move anyhow ..
surely the chev’s management see how often he is off side and how clumsy he is with his 1st touch .
gee if he joined the chev’s they would never score again ! they only get like 3 chances a game
and ade will screw the pooch on all 3 of them !
Mornin’
It’s so so good, ManUre supposedly have all that money, but can’t buy anyone! Benzema is DEFINITELY staying at Lyon for another year and Ribery is either going to Barca or Real Madrid and is NOT coming to the Premiership, and they can’t even agree the deal for Valencia from Wigan ha ha ha!!
On top of which, there’s every possibility that they might have to hand that over that £80m to the banks, now that would be comedy!
However, i did hear that they aren’t even getting the £80m up front, they will get it in £20m instalments, even funnier……
Have i missed summink? Have the Ade to The Chavs rumours resurfaced??
I actually had it on “loose” authority a few weeks back that Ancelotti’s No.1 target was indeed gonna ba Ade…… Maybe, just maybe there is something in this then???
It’s been a perfect morning, so far……..
A large capuccino and two sausage rolls with HP sauce for brekkie, a post brekkie clearout of industrial proportions, and a hatrick in the old Onion Bag!!
Me, myself, and i
And now me, morning Dennis!
Thank Christ for that, wotcha Geoff, i was starting to feel like Robinson fucking Crusoe this morning….
Morning fellas
Morning Rob and morning Friday, what’s happening?
No news today. Apart from arshavin wanting to finish his career with zenit
I can’t believe he said that can you? It was only 5 months ago he was refusing to train with them!
All professional footballers are tossers……
Rich tossers.
Yea I know, I’ve always been a bit wary of him. Quality player but I always thought he could stab u in the back at any moment
and post arrival to grove he said he would like to end his career as gooner
Now he’s saying he’s very happy at Arsenal, but one day he would like to end his career at Zenit, Bergkamp said the same regarding Ajax once, I think he’s being miss-quoted by the Daily (we hate Arsenal) Mail.
I’m going to post earlier today as I have a 9am meeting.
Well it was apparently on zenit radio but yea you can’t believe any of them, anything to sell their rag of a paper
Fucking Dail Mail, i’d gladly burn those cunts, most if not all of their so-called football ‘writers’ are either Chav or Spudz supporters….
Ok I’m going to post, catch you later!
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