Before you tell me to scrub my mouth out with soapy water read on, there is much method in my madness.
So coming off the back of a complete no news week we have in theory one week left of the non football bit and then we begin pre season, so I guess we have a week to sign the defensive midfielder we need or go with what we have.
Last season we had Denilson and Song as our defensive midfielders, this season we have a few options but one of them isn’t Alex Song, Wenger has said he we be competing for the centre back role.
So who have we got to choose from? Well Diaby is bulking up so there’s him, Ramsey could be another and Nasri has said he could do it and of course there’s Denilson.
Denilson may have bulked up a bit and Ramsey will be a bit older but who will the boss put in there. My guess is Nasri or Diaby with Denilson and Ramsey as back up.
How will the team shape up then? These are some possible line ups.
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Vermaelen Clichy
Walcott Cesc Diaby Rosicky
Arshavin Robin
Or perhaps
Almunia
Sagna Senderos Kolo Vermaelen
Walcott Cesc Nasri Vela
Adebayor Robin
Or maybe even
Almunia
Eboue Song Vermaelen Clichy
Nasri Cesc Arshavin Rosicky
Bendtner Eduardo
I have included Vermaelen in all the line ups not knowing what he’s like, but as the boss has just spent £10 million on him, I have to figure he will start, we do seem to have a few options in the team especially up front and strangely enough in the middle, I know that a few of the centre back pairings are both left footed but so what, many pairings in football are all right footed, and although we have a lot of midfielders we don’t have too many options in the defensive role, but when did we ever? Petit wasn’t really a defensive midfielder and nor was Edu, not in the strictest sense anyway, so maybe he’s going for the exciting attacking midfield and banking on a solid back four to …well, defend.
I know that’s a little novel, defenders defending, but what we’ll lack defending we’ll make up for winning the midfield battle and going forward, who knows maybe he has Cesc earmarked for that role as well.
What I would like to see Wenger do this season is what Maureen did so successfully in his time with the chavs, make a substitution when we need it and not on 67 minutes, when the opposition are expecting it.
I would also like to see see the boss switching the forwards at half time if it isn’t working, that way the other team will be confused and we will be resting our front line, we will also be rotating and therefore not getting players moaning about lack of playing opportunities.
It may just work and with such a long season, it could save on injuries too. We could also rotate the back four now we have a plethora of centre backs and two spare full backs.
What do you think, have we enough? I believe that with the players we have, another year on and the criticism they received last term, we may just come of age, we’ll know soon enough, I would buy that DM and I would get shot of Ade but if we don’t then at least the team will know each other, realise it’s their last chance and maybe, just maybe they’ll push on and repay the faith our manager has put in them, so today Le Grove is backing the squad to deliver.
We will soon be past the point of signings, and the time for supporting what we have will be upon us, so one last week of speculating, then that’s it.
A word of deep joy aimed at our much loved antipodean chums and how they must have felt like the mancs did after we stuffed them in the 2005 FA Cup final, and it makes up for that cheating Red Bull driver that punctured Theo’s rear tyre when he overtook the field at the first corner in the German Grand Prix, shit happens boys and so does Karma!
Have a great day Grovers, the sun is shining!
the team is unchanged thing is funny, for me there are 4 players in the side who weren’t at the start of last season, 5 with a new DM!
I’ve watched Lyon a few times and whenever France play and if we want someone with the mobility and stamina of Flamini, Toulalan isn’t it, he just seems to sit there, but Lyon seem to be a pretty boringteam to watch.
And who the fuck are these 3 players the dippers bought? 20m on johnson, some youth left back and who else?
It’s at that point it’s not worth the effort anymore stu.
Fair enough if people have a different opinion because they see the facts in a certain way, but when someone decides what their opinion is, then makes up facts to try and defend it, rather than rationally analysing facts, the debate becomes pointless.
The facts are:
1. We are unbeated in the premier league while arshavin started…
2. We have Eduardo and Rosicky back.
3. Our captain is not injured anymore.
4. All the young ones are a year older stronger and wiser.
5. Arshavin now understands the EPL and will be unstopable.
6. Vermy.
7. We will sell ade and buy a good CDM.
8. Ancelotti is not that good, chelsea’s lads are getting old and slow.
9. Liverpool is quite dependent on Gerrard and Torres for goals…if one of them goes, bi bi. Kuyt is getting older.
10. Man u lost ROnaldo. ROnaldo won all the games for Utd. THerefore, Utd loses.
11. FUck ethan’s quantity bullshit.
Toulalan can go a game unnoticed but its not a bad thing. He hangs back, excellent in the tackle and has a read for the game that I rate with cesc.
Im pretty sure toulalan is vice captain for france national.
imo that’s not what we need luke – we need energy and tenacity, not someone sitting back
luke Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:14
How is MAtuidi? Ive never seen him? Anyone have a good take on the lad?
——————————————————–
Sion De Freitas Says:
July 13, 2009 at 19:16
I’ve seen Matuidi play quite a few times for St Ettiene, and I think he would be good (if not better than Cana), He is a little machine, never stops running, imposes himself on games despite his size. Very understated but great passing ability too.
Would like to add that he is very quick.
How long before Ancelotti gets sacked eh?
Liverpool are getting pretty old aswell. Not as old as the chavs obviously but a lot of their best players are in and around 30. Gerrard, Carra, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Alonso, Benayoun, Kuyt. And as we say in the youht cup they are shite there too.
Sion De Freitas Says:
July 13, 2009 at 19:16
I’ve seen Matuidi play quite a few times for St Ettiene, and I think he would be good (if not better than Cana), He is a little machine, never stops running, imposes himself on games despite his size. Very understated but great passing ability too.
Would like to add that he is very quick.
—————————————–
Sounds good and for the money is a more realistic and perhaps better option than my boy toulalan. I have to admit, i have a little “man crush” on jeremy.
C’mon lads, seriously! Who did livershit buy? I cant for the life of me think who else they bought.
I cant believe they dropped 30 million for johnson.
Luke – I agree with A, we’ve got Song who can sit back or Denilson and it didn’t help all that much, for our game we need someone mobile who can get up and down the pitch as quick as Flamini used to.
Zsolt Poloskei (loan, MTK Hungaria) lol maybe that’s who ethan meant stu
Keyser and A-You turned me. Im with you both.
Wel thats hardly a great signing now is it A. Basicaly all the signed was the over rated and over prices Johnson.
Damn it luke, dont give uo so easily. Stick to your guns!
Luke – How can you have man crush and be turned soo easily ? Heh.
cant believe people are pleased we are selling Adebayor. I know everyone hates him but dont you hate all footballers? they earn a fortune for messing around with football all their lives for insane amounts of money, fuck them, I hate them all.
Get your head round that then say you want a top talent in our tream to be sold to another team we have to play against.
its got nothing to do with him being a cunt it’s to do with the fact that he is a top striker, we are weaker without him.
We will regret selling him. Mark my words.
oh i dunno stu, if only we’d signed zsolty boy we’d be in with a shout, but as liverpool got them we’re buggered….
Heh Stu exactly.. What would Jeremy think.
According to the mail, Vieira wants to join the scum and play for Redknapp! WTF???????????????
HAHA. you guys. I think Toulalan is one of the best in Europe, however team first. We do need the tenacity and constant running. Box to box etc. Toulalan is the man no doubt. However, I wonder if matuidi isnt a more realistic and efficient option.
I’m not really pleased we’re selling Adebayor, though it’s only rumours soo far, for once we would have had a full squad with everyone fit, where the players would have to fight for their place, we haven’t had that for a while, next year we could have streamlined.
AA23, I agree mate. This is not a good move. However if we use the money to buy a couple of decent players such as a DM and a new experienced goal scorer, then i won’t be too upset by it
certainly not a top talent aa23, nor a top striker….
He’s someone who can cause defences problems on his day when his head is really in the right place and he’s focussed and determined, but that won’t happen again with us, and City have offered us more than he’s worth.
How can you call yourself aa23 and defend ade?! Arshavin (one of the most intelligent footballers around) must absolutely hate playing with someone like ade (one of the most unintelligent footballers around), must be so frustrating!
Why dont geoff/pedro every do podcasts?
There is one on arsenal action about player greed etc etc. Nice change from having to read shit….
I would love to see adebayor go, but i think arsenal would be better off keeping him. Unless, w/o that money, we cant buy matuidi. Too many changes will fuck us up. Im with bill and aa23
Bill and keyser you are dead on and I’d love to agree but we will not buy anyone.
we will just lose Ade.
If he’s used properly in rotation with our strike force he is fucking deadly. Him and Cesc can be magical together and the bloke has scored some of the best goals we’ve ever seen.
Adebayor coming on in the 60th minute scares the shit out of any side and they are happy to admit it.
Big mistake if this is true.
I hope its not.
this will never end.. hehe..
night all…
Good idea stu – should get le grove to film a sunday supplement type thing too, have six of us sitting round a kitchen table eating their breakfast chatting about arsenal!
luke your a fucking loser
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A Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:08
you have indeed said that ethan, that we need and are gonna sign a striker, does that mean we’re gonna sign 2 if ade goes?
———————————————
of course not A , we always needed 1 , because we have no plan A !
no clinical finisher ..
——————————————
stu
its not bullshit , these kids made way obviously because it shows arsene’s project youth is largely failing ..
(and wages for tomas)
its pretty relevant !
SO BUY SOME FUCKING PLAYERS !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRc2Zvw1ZtI
I dont think someone like Ade will make or break the squad however, he would be nice to have as the impact player for the 60th minute. I think Bendtnder is up to it and as much potential as Ade has, 25 million also has some potential especially with our budget.
That is who we should sign..
ethan eduardo is one of the most clinical finishers around….
A he’s not a top talent?
Again you may dislike the man but he is a top player.
AA23 Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:32
cant believe people are pleased we are selling Adebayor.
—————————————-
hahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahaha!!!!!!!
Has Arsenal borrowed too much?
Robert Peston | 00:00 AM, Tuesday, 14 July 2009
I’ve obtained a copy of the financial analysis of Arsenal that was made by the investment bank Lazard Brothers in support of Alisher Usmanov’s proposal that the club should raise up to £150m in a rights issue.
It’s a chunky 35 page document. But its conclusion can be summed up very simply: Arsenal has too much debt to pose a serious challenge to Europe’s biggest clubs; or to use the jargon, it is over-leveraged, too thinly capitalised.
This is a verdict that has been rejected by Arsenal’s board, which has been advised by NM Rothschild.
The North London club’s directors argue that paying down debt would have only a marginal impact on the availability of financial resources.
Of course, as an Arsenal-supporting BBC journalist, I couldn’t possible take sides in this dispute between the Uzbekistani plutocrat and Arsenal’s directors.
But some of you will be interested in Usmanov’s point of view.
Here are a few bullet points from the Lazard document:
1) It believes that Arsenal’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) will fall from between £55m-60m in 2009 to £35-40m in 2010. The most striking contributor to this squeeze that it cites is a 12-14 per cent increase in costs to £179m “as a result of players being compensated for tax changes and a number of step ups in wages for individual players”.
2) It predicts that cash flow will fall by more than that because of some pre-payments on assorted deals that were taken in 2007.
3) It says that Arsenal’s fans are already paying 40 per cent more than the average for the big four English clubs for match tickets and 24 per cent more for season tickets – implying there’s little scope to increase gate revenues, especially in a recession.
4) It calculates Arsenal’s gross average annual spend on new players as £18m, compared with £37m for the big four; and the net annual spend, including sales, as precisely zero, compared with a £20.2m big four average
5) Perhaps most germanely of all, it fears that redevelopment of Arsenal’s former Highbury stadium into luxury apartments may not turn out to be profitable – and that refinancing £140m of property-related debt over the next couple of years will be neither cheap or easy.
So Usmanov – the second-biggest shareholder in Arsenal with a 25 per cent stake – suggests that investors stump up a maximum of £150m via a rights issue of new shares.
This would provide additional funds for Arsene Wenger to augment the playing squad, and/or pay off some of the property debt, and/or pay down a substantial portion of the £242m of separate debt incurred to fund the development of the new Emirates stadium.
As I say, Arsenal’s board has said no to all this, following detailed scrutiny by bankers from Rothschild – which included those bankers sounding out the most important individual at the club, Arsene Wenger.
The advice to the board from Rothschild was;
a) paying down the Emirates-related debt would save a maximum of £5m a year;
b) there are better ways to rehabilitate the Highbury redevelopment, including a putative cunning plan under negotiation right now – and even if the worst came to the worst, there should be no direct financial contagion to the club, since the providers of the property loans have no recourse to the footballing assets;
c) perhaps most controversially, the chaps from Rothschild don’t believe Arsene Wenger is seriously constrained by lack of finance in his ability to develop the playing squad – and, more importantly, they don’t believe that he feels fettered (if you see what I mean).
All of which would be described by some as a courageous blocking tackle: turning down equity finance during a sharp recession, and while the worst conditions in living memory for property developers prevail, well that’s quite ballsy.
piss off ethan. If you lose your faith because you are too weak, go support madrid. we dont need you. we dont want you.
ethangunner Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:40
AA23 Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:32
cant believe people are pleased we are selling Adebayor.
—————————————-
hahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahaha!!!!!!!
Nice one Ethan, you are consistently wrong about everything so you actually lend weight to my point.
Man…yikes…
No AA23, he’s nowhere near a top talent, nor a top player. He’s a very good goalscorer, but a level below being a top goalscorer.
He’s someone who’s very tall, quick, and strong, and as a result he makes life very very difficult for defenders when he’s really determined, but he’s not got a great deal of natural talent, and really lacks a natural understanding and footballing intelligence.
He’ll score goals anywhere when he’s really on it, because of his physical attributes, but as an all round player, he’s very limited and always will be.
lads stop being rude. Just disagree nicely….
A Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:39
ethan eduardo is one of the most clinical finishers around….
——————————————-
yes i saw that in his come back game in the reserves ..
or his 8 goals until jan 08 ….
he might be against the croat league ..
but he is a support striker for arsenal ..
well aqt least that’s what he played to nikb – and ade ……
please tell me where you saw him play a different role ??!?!?!??!
1st rule-love thy players.
…except ade cuz he wants too much bank. gotta break the 1st rule…damnet
Ethan – So in all the games you’ve watched Eduardo play and from all the goals you’ve seen him score, you’ve never thought gwaan this boy can finish ?!
He broke his leg btw, just in case you missed it.
but Eduardo really is a clinical finisher.
Fair enough A, I rate him you dont. Used correctly he will win us games.
the combination of- cesc/nasri/arshavin/walcott/bendtner/RVP/eduardo are going to fuck shit up next year. If Ade stays, well have the height of Ade and Bendtnder. RVP is the purest most genuine and hard working gunner for me. Eddie is an extremely clinical finisher. Walcott’s pace. Need I say anything for cesc and our boy andrey?
Ethan, Eduardo is very clinical. Of course he wasnt going to be scoring hattricks straight away but he did score a fair amount for us before his leg break. It takes time to settle for most players and Eduardo was settling well. He doesnt have many shots but the ones he does have tend to go in.
I seem to recall a stat, even if its not for arsenal. Eduardo, in euro 08 qualifying, had 10 shots and scored 10 goals. If thats not clinical then i dont know what is.
I think Ade would be a great impact player. same with Niklas
Stu- thank you.
Yep ethan, since he joined the club i’d bet that his shot to goal ratio ie how clinical he is, is probably the best around.
this season he scored 3 goals, and had 4 shots!
last season he scored 7 goals in the league and champs league, in 25 shots!
Who in england do you think would be more clinical, or in europe for that matter?! i’d be happy to bring up their stats for you
I dont think of Van Persie as a hard worker at all. He isnt one to “bust a gut” in any circumstances.
A- thank you.
Your welcome Luke?
Stu- maybe i phrased it wrong. The determination I see in him is the strongest in any gunner In my opinion. He seems so genuine in his love for football and so intent on winning trophies. I have a deep admiration for footballers like that.
i was talking bout the eduardo stat that proved our friend ethan was quite mistaken Stu. just so ya know
Oh yes luke. Well then VP is certainly one of those players…determined or whatever.
So is the Adebye-Bye-or move to man city on. ethan must be on cloud 9 with this potential transaction.
I can see it all now, Ade sitting on the bench; Ade coming off the bench; Ade sitting on the bench; Ade watching The Arsenal in the CL on tele. Ade having a spat with the other 6 strikers @ man city. Followed by Ade set for loan to Tranmere Rovers.
i was thinking somethin similar about ade over here george
could man city really be going for another striker though. This rumour seems to defy all logic but im happy enough to buy it for now
A, i was think etoo might be more clinical. if u fancy getting his stats
luke, if he does go to city, surely Le Gaffer will use the dosh to get in a top rank type.
Bye the way Geoff, talking of hobbits, its good to see your hobbit Hamilton back with the trolls. What a fine figure of a man Marky boy is standing up there on the podium. More please
My pleasure Dan – 34 goals, 174 shots, so a goal every 5 or so shots, very impressive, but not a goal every 2.9 shots which is what eduardo currently is with us!!
Incidentally looking at Barca, Henry was 24 in 129 which is 5.4 shots per goal, Messi 32 in 146, 4.6 shots per goal
Eduardo is a facking legend. Most clinical striker.
Going to Madrid, Raul is still incredibly clinical, 21 in 82, so a goal every 3.9
Higuain 22 in 125, 5.7
Huntelaar very impressive with 8 in 27, 3.4
Stu Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:47
Ethan, Eduardo is very clinical. Of course he wasnt going to be scoring hattricks straight away but he did score a fair amount for us before his leg
—————————————–
yes so you admit yourself he hardly hit the ground running .. im not debating his quality .
he is the best striker we have without doubt ..
but in the roles you saw him play during his brief period,
(because remember arsene used him sparingly to begin with ) he was hardly prolific ..
clinical when he had his chance yes , but his positioning was slightly poor in my opinion .
and who knows how he will be now ..
oh of course other than the delusional squad who still think he was away 1 year with a cold instead of a career ending injury !
it is foolish to put all your eggs in 1 basket
and pray he doesnt get injured further or even that he is the same player that he was …
it can go 50 -50 imo …
whoever he partners next year, our offence is off the chain
id be interested in what vela’s are A
Of course i would agree he took a while to settle somwat Ethan. But that was to be very expected.
And i dont agree on the positioning. Wenger used him as a left midfielder quite a bit so naturally he wouldnt be in the box all of the time. He has very good movement when played as a striker. Playing left wing was a hinderence but i dont think he will play there again.
The much hyped Dzeko, 26 in 124, 4.8 but you’ve gotta remember it’s in a shite league.
Back in England Torres 16 in 101, 6.3
Owen 8 in 35, 4.4
A
Th14 was more clinical , bergy was more clinical
id say torres has a good conversion rate , but not only that can make his goals count , villa is damn good and eto’o ronaldo ….
there are plenty of better over all players than dudu who has had a career ending injury and might not even make the grade any longer …
you presume too much paddawan !
Germany isnt a shite league A. Granted its not the best but the level of football and competitiveness over there is near the top imo.
Dan in all comps 6 in 29, 4.8
2009/10 is Vela time. If he is to be the man, we should find out in just under a month. & I can’t wait
he recovered ethan, we’ve seen that he recovered and was as clinical as ever….
bergy was pretty unclinical, and henry wasn’t that clinical i doubt either, i’ll have a look though
A, Forlan and Fabiano?
anyone watched Vela in gold cup?
A, Ibesevic or however its spelt. You know who im talking about.
A Says:
July 14, 2009 at 01:09
The much hyped Dzeko, 26 in 124, 4.8 but you’ve gotta remember it’s in a shite league.
———————————–
so the croat league is better than the bunder’s liga , do you really believe what you erite half the time ???
A Says:
July 14, 2009 at 01:09
The much hyped Dzeko, 26 in 124, 4.8 but you’ve gotta remember it’s in a shite league.
———————————–
so the croat league is better than the bunder’s liga , do you really believe what you write half the time ???
Remember how the africans were missing from pre season training? Well apparently they had WC qualifiers or something.
Just thought i would say that in case it wasnt already said.
Id actually really like to see stevie g’s stats and that fat tosser lamps.
02/03 32 in 169 5.3
03/04 39 in 175 4.5
04/05 30 in 121 4.0
05/06 33 in 172 5.2
06/07 12 in 130 10.8
Total 146 in 767 5.3
Bergy
02/03 7 in 43
03/04 5 in 41
04/05 8 in 51
05/06 3 in 35
Total 23 in 170 7.4
Stats only start in the 02/03 season so couldn’t start before
fuck A ade would be clinical if he played in the coke a cola league !
giving me dudu’s stats in his croat league mean very little ..
again its what you do best ,manipulate stats ..
lets put TH14 from 4 years ago in the croat league and see what he would score ,or ade for that matter …
dudu scored 7-8 goals in his 1st season prior to being cut down in jan /feb.
hardly a ball – busting goal tally for that time of the year when ade the failure was on 19 at the same time , and we know how crap he is ..
until he has a 1 complete season id end this conversation now ..
because if he fails , i will bring it up every time we speak
so your comparing DB10′s stats in the EPL
to dudu’s stats in the Croatian league …
fuck that’s fair isnt it !!
Ade started every game and never got subbed. Eduardo rarely started and if he did it was at left midfield. Hardly comparable imo. Thats all im adding.
Night all…
GG9
spot on …
vela will probably be our best by the end of next season ! SPOT ON SON !
huh ethan?! I did Eduardo’s stats only since he came to England, got nothing to do with the Croat league, pay attention for pete’s sake….
Dan – Fabiano this season 10 in 93, 9.3
last season 31 in 137, 4.4
Forlan 33 in 146, 4.4
Stu – Ibesevic 19 in 70, 3.7, very impressive!
Elsewhere in the German league Grafite 32 in 79, 2.5!!
Mario Gomez 30 in 140, 4.7
Arsenal stats Arshavin scored 6 in 15. Jay simpson scored 2 in 3 games
lol
Ethan not one of Eduardo’s stats were from the Croat League, nor internationally, there were just playing for us, since he came to England
Arshavin 6 in 45, 7.5
Simpson 2 in 5 for us, 2.5
2 in 16 for WBA, 8.0
yes stu but he was always behind ade / nik b
regardless of formation , which means he hardly EVER played as the main striker for us !!!
so how people can know he will be our spear head is beyond me !
so if ade played 1 game for us and got a hat trick he would beat dudu then ?
Bloody hell luke freeman scored 9 in 16 for the reserves. i know its only the reserves but he can only score against the teams he’s playing
If he did that every game ethan, and did it in only a few shots then yeah, he would. Doesn’t matter how many games, how many shots it takes you to score is how clinical you are, games to goals isn’t the same things.
Who said that Dan, he’s barely played for the ressies, maybe one or two sub appearances, and not scored. Scored a fair few for the U18s though
must be reserves and youth together then A
Ah ok Dan. I like Freeman, he and Afobe could tear the U18 league apart next year. I can’t believe Wilshere could still play as well, that’s crazy
In fact those two supplied by Ozyakup, with Miguel in defence too, our youth team could walk the league and cup again!
luke Says:
July 14, 2009 at 00:40
piss off ethan. If you lose your faith because you are too weak, go support madrid. we dont need you. we dont want you.
————————————
Go FUCK YOURSELF !!!!!!!!!
you piss off to ACLF where you can talk like a delusional whack job and not have an opinion !
if the truth is so hard for you to swallow then take up knitting you big school blouse !
Right boys you two can carry on debating im off to bed. I’ll leave you with this one ADE IS SHIT, EDDIE THE FUCKING BOLLOCKS!!!! Peace
A
thats my point ade had a great purple patch for 4 months .. if you chose to use those stats between only that period he would have looked like twice the player ronaldo was ….
stats can be manipulated ..
but as stu has always said if dudu wasnt on the left wing he was behind ade …
it hardly makes him our TESTED CF !
No he wouldn’t ethan, he would probably have looked like a more clinical finisher than ronaldo was, that’s all those stats show, and you were saying we lack a clinical finisher, and the stats show categorically that Eduardo is the most clinical finisher in the league.
Also, remember the PL was shit when Bergkamp played in it. It was 3rd best, if not worse.
Now its 2nd best still. Discounting the top 4, La Liga shits all over the PL from 5th-20th.
Ethan, aka statsman, if you know your football you should be able to tell a classy finisher from actually watching the game.
Based on your comments on Eduardo, I take it that you don’t know too much. He is a magnificent finisher.
have some faith boy
are we going with a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 you think?
im convinced it’ll be 4-2-3-1 luke
i think the formation depends on if we bring in a dm. if we dont i’ll go 4-2-3-1 if we do bring in a quality DM then its gotta be 4-4-2. fab is alot better in a 4-4-2, personally
i think the formation depends on if we bring in a dm. if we dont i’ll go 4-2-3-1 if we do bring in a quality DM then its gotta be 4-4-2. fab is alot better in a 4-4-2, personally,
luke Says:
July 14, 2009 at 01:44
have some faith boy
————————-
so how much longer will you lot have faith after 4/5 fruitless years ..
calling yourself a top flight club usually means you win things … and if you would rather READ as against telling the most loyal of arsenal fans to become a real madrid fan
( which is a number 1 NO-NO rule on le grove)
you would have read the post by ‘man’ ….
Only thing that worries me about Eduardo is his pace. Will he still have it after that injury? We havn’t had a chance to see yet.
I’ve obtained a copy of the financial analysis of Arsenal that was made by the investment bank Lazard Brothers in support of Alisher Usmanov’s proposal that the club should raise up to £150m in a rights issue.
It’s a chunky 35 page document. But its conclusion can be summed up very simply: Arsenal has too much debt to pose a serious challenge to Europe’s biggest clubs; or to use the jargon, it is over-leveraged, too thinly capitalised.
This is a verdict that has been rejected by Arsenal’s board, which has been advised by NM Rothschild.
The North London club’s directors argue that paying down debt would have only a marginal impact on the availability of financial resources.
Of course, as an Arsenal-supporting BBC journalist, I couldn’t possible take sides in this dispute between the Uzbekistani plutocrat and Arsenal’s directors.
But some of you will be interested in Usmanov’s point of view.
Here are a few bullet points from the Lazard document:
1) It believes that Arsenal’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) will fall from between £55m-60m in 2009 to £35-40m in 2010. The most striking contributor to this squeeze that it cites is a 12-14 per cent increase in costs to £179m “as a result of players being compensated for tax changes and a number of step ups in wages for individual players”.
2) It predicts that cash flow will fall by more than that because of some pre-payments on assorted deals that were taken in 2007.
3) It says that Arsenal’s fans are already paying 40 per cent more than the average for the big four English clubs for match tickets and 24 per cent more for season tickets – implying there’s little scope to increase gate revenues, especially in a recession.
4) It calculates Arsenal’s gross average annual spend on new players as £18m, compared with £37m for the big four; and the net annual spend, including sales, as precisely zero, compared with a £20.2m big four average
5) Perhaps most germanely of all, it fears that redevelopment of Arsenal’s former Highbury stadium into luxury apartments may not turn out to be profitable – and that refinancing £140m of property-related debt over the next couple of years will be neither cheap or easy.
So Usmanov – the second-biggest shareholder in Arsenal with a 25 per cent stake – suggests that investors stump up a maximum of £150m via a rights issue of new shares.
This would provide additional funds for Arsene Wenger to augment the playing squad, and/or pay off some of the property debt, and/or pay down a substantial portion of the £242m of separate debt incurred to fund the development of the new Emirates stadium.
As I say, Arsenal’s board has said no to all this, following detailed scrutiny by bankers from Rothschild – which included those bankers sounding out the most important individual at the club, Arsene Wenger.
The advice to the board from Rothschild was;
a) paying down the Emirates-related debt would save a maximum of £5m a year;
b) there are better ways to rehabilitate the Highbury redevelopment, including a putative cunning plan under negotiation right now – and even if the worst came to the worst, there should be no direct financial contagion to the club, since the providers of the property loans have no recourse to the footballing assets;
c) perhaps most controversially, the chaps from Rothschild don’t believe Arsene Wenger is seriously constrained by lack of finance in his ability to develop the playing squad – and, more importantly, they don’t believe that he feels fettered (if you see what I mean).
All of which would be described by some as a courageous blocking tackle: turning down equity finance during a sharp recession, and while the worst conditions in living memory for property developers prevail, well that’s quite ballsy.
yea thats what i was thinkin too. Im losing faith we will buy.
pat
Ethan, aka statsman, if you know your football you should be able to tell a classy finisher from actually watching the game.
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more like anti – stats man …
of course he can finish . so can torres , lampard rooney .. etc. but the fact remains he didnt even really play half a season for us , and it was when the spice boys where providing even the most clumsy of rock apes goals !
so factor in reality and what transpired instead of glossing over the top ..
my point firstly is he was never played as a CF! FACT …
and secondly he has had a career ending injury
and after being passed as fit still WASNT !
didnt know there were internet rules? sick of your bullshit is all ethan. we will win something this year.
Right i will leave you lot with this little cracker….
Harry redknapp has sanctioned talks with Inter about the signing of ex arsenal captain. one paddy viera.
hahahahahahahaha dream on you mug!!!!!!!
Read in the daily mail. enjoy hahahaha
I don’t see why not Pat, it was a bone break, not a muscular injury, we’ll have to see come pre season, but I see no reason why not
how can you claim his injury is career ending?
Ethan, even if you watch stupid youtube(bad source, I know) but listen to the commentary(thats my point, btw), the commentators always say things like:
“He doesn’t miss, does he”
“He’s taken it with all the coolness we’ve already come to expect”
etc.
You mention that 4 month spell before he actually started scoring. BUT, take into account that foreigners usually need to adapt AND he was played on the wing quite a lot.
I think he’s starting XI material for us, ESPECIALLY if Ade leaves.
mos def pat. well put
Ethan, career-ending, what are you talking about? What on earth…?
Excuse the vulgar, but who the hell are you to say that? Cisse broke both legs and he’s still an exceptional striker.
Eduardo is a CF. Honestly, I don’t care where he played for Arsenal b/c in our system a lot of players interchange. When was the last time we actually had a straight out CF? Ian Wright? Thats my point.
so after reading all that . please dont tell me your so blind to ignore the facts ,
i am being realistic !
not negative ..
know the state of finances of the club before
you have delusions of grandeur ..
its a simple fact that the chev’s and man U are running the race whilst we are walking it …
and the reality is teams like villa – man shitty – pompey will catch up !
being a fan is short for fanatic !
all im saying is dont let the passion over ride the facts
The injury to Eduardo was most similar to Henrik Larsson’s – the following season after he did it he had his best season for celtic
“i am being realistic !
not negative ..”
lol, yes ethan, of course you are. And certainly, Usmanov will have put together just an unbiased overview of the clubs’ finances, as he didn’t have an ulterior motive in putting together that financial date did he??
some of the things you come out with are downright laughable
Did you miss my comment at 2.00? He’s having a bubble
luke Says:
July 14, 2009 at 01:59
didnt know there were internet rules? sick of your bullshit is all ethan. we will win something this year.
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and im sick of bullshit losers like you being optimistic every year , debating the point like
your life depends on it then you go missing when
AGAIN we win nothing ..
AGAIN read the above report ..
looks rosy doesnt it !
ethan, not they won’t. Maybe this season if all goes wrong but not in the long term. I think regulations will be brought in within 3 years at most. Everyone sees what madrid and City are doing. The governing football body will put an end to it, I’m very confident.
ethan you realise this blog is known as being very pessimistic and negative, and on this board, you’re viewed as being irrational and negative, doesn’t that tell you something?!
Remember when Liverpool were apparently in a crisis? Whatever happened to that? Some people are making this much bigger than it is.
Making what Pat? Noone I know bar ethan and bbk think we’re in a crisis now do they?! I’ve not heard that said
oh sure A , you seem to know who to trust and who not to trust … like your such a good judge of character … like ade will stay … i spose !
Usmanov sits on the board FFS ! , and quite a number of points fill in the gaps !
its upto you if we wish to bury your head in the sand ! …
but for me ..
i see us not spending . i hear the lies from the board , wenger comes out and said if he had 100 mil you think he wouldnt spend it !
we take punts on injured players because we cant afford a decent player , then 9- 10th of you losers think somehow during a month off with no football these kids will come back fucking super men ?!??!
hahahahahahaha , thats laughable !
ethan, simply sticking to football facts, not taking into account financial issues because I dont think anyone has enough information to do so except the people in charge, the following are true.
1. In premier league games, Arsenal are undefeated when Arshavin started. He only played 12 games, some as a sub. He will make a huge impact next year and I think he is still being overlooked.
2. All the kids are 1 year older/wiser/stronger
3. New signing of Vermy, hopefuly we’ll get a CDM
4. We have even more depth with our best striker Eduardo coming back, and Rosicky coming back. Rosicky adds depth and can score from distance, adding to the arsenal of arsenal’s attack options.
5. Man Utd wont challenge unless they start bringing in players better than Owen.
6. Chelsea has a new manager, and they’re all getting older.
7. Liverpool has always been too dependent on Torres/Gerrard for goals. Gerrard’s getting older, TOrres has been in and out of injuries.
8. Man shitty wont do anything next year.
The stage is set. youre not being realistic, youre going out of youre way to find plot holes.
Ethan-the kids might not comeback as supermen. But…There were articles about how Diaby spent his holiday training day in day out to try to get stronger for the EPL and more prepared. Theo played for england u21 and national and now has made statements that suggest he is 100% determined. Van Persie signed the new deal and is 100% determined. We all know Cesc is determined. THe squad is angry, the squad is hungry for trophies. they have the talent, the have the desire. the rest will come
A,
your viewed as argumentative and thick headed id say ..
what have i said that’s irrational ?
i dont take punts on players that have been injured for over a season , i dont defend players like ade , like you did when we 1st met ,
im not delusional enough to think we have enough class or depth to win the EPL title this season ..
the only irrational one here is you and your optimistic view of our team which has had only 1 new player added too , when we need about 3 or 4 to compete !
training up youth takes YEARS ~!
not sure how you think nik b or vela will turn into a super star in 1 month of drinking beer !
they MIGHT ! and i mean MIGHT come of age this season .. by by then you will be out of tyhe title race and no doubt’s injuries and the ACN will cause some problems for our squad ..
if you cant see it then it only proves me correct , your vision is limited to seeing what you want to see !
Huh ethan, what’s it got to do with trust?!
You do realise the purpose of the dossier??
Usmanov compiled a dossier to make the financial situation look AS BAD as is humanly possible in an attempt to persuade the board that they needed his money. He made estimations based on worst case scenarios.
What on earth does my saying the other day that I thought ade would stay have to do with the fact that Usmanov had a very public motive for creating the dossier??
Are you really so thick and incapable of rational debate that you have to try and score points against other people with things that have no relevance whatsoever?! (I dunno why I asked that as a question, because everyone knows that’s what you do, as well as the opposite, trying to claim that because you said a rumour was true in the past and it was, you’re somehow right in something that has no relevance)
I didn’t predict ade would stay, or say he’s definitely going to stay, I said it looked like he was gonna stay which he would have if City had gotten Etoo, it’s simply stupid to try and claim that as having any relevance in my ability for rational debate!
You’re very lucky that there havn’t been more people on here at this time, because you’ve made yourself look on the whole very very silly, as alot of people have said.
A, some complain about finances and such. Off-field issues.
I really think Matuidi is ours and I cannot wait till its official.
training up youth takes YEARS ~!
not sure how you think nik b or vela will turn into a super star in 1 month of drinking beer !
Vela just played the gold cup eh.
speaking of matuidi, anyone heard anything regarding him?
I defended ade when we first met ethan, what were you saying that I felt the need to defend him?!
We have 5 new players currently who we didn’t have at the start of last season. Even if you don’t want to count Rosicky, that’s four. If you don’t want to count Eduardo that’s pretty silly but then it’s still three.
Since we signed Arshavin we’d actually be ahead of Utd, the champions, in the league, so you can’t not include him as a new player.
We’ve gotten much much stronger, both in personnel, and in terms of the team’s development, since the start of last season.
On the contrast Utd have gotten much weaker
All those statements are facts, non debatable, and I don’t see how anyone with one iota of analytical ability could fail to see the positives in them.
luke
1. In premier league games, Arsenal are undefeated when Arshavin started. He only played 12 games, some as a sub. He will make a huge impact next year and I think he is still being overlooked.
CONVENIENTLY THOSE STATS OMIT WHEN PLAYING THE TOP 4 !
2. All the kids are 1 year older/wiser/stronger
STAIGHT FROM THE AKB HANDBOOK !
3. New signing of Vermy, hopefuly we’ll get a CDM
HOPEFULLY BEING THE KEYWORD ! MOST EURO PLAYERS TAKE OVER 6 MONTHS TO BED IN DONT HOLD YOUR BREATH !
4. We have even more depth with our best striker Eduardo coming back, and Rosicky coming back. Rosicky adds depth and can score from distance, adding to the arsenal of arsenal’s attack options.
IM YET TO SEE IT .. MORE OPTIMISM I PRESUME !
5. Man Utd wont challenge unless they start bringing in players better than Owen.
PARTIALLY CONCUR WITH THAT !
BUT THEY STILL HAVE MORE OVERALL DEPTH AND CLASS
6. Chelsea has a new manager, and they’re all getting older.
YOUR DREAMING IF THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE !
7. Liverpool has always been too dependent on Torres/Gerrard for goals. Gerrard’s getting older, TOrres has been in and out of injuries.
THATS ANOTHER BULLSHIT BIT OF OPTIMISM !
8. Man shitty wont do anything next year.
AGAIN YOU ARE DREAMING !
All of those 1-0 United wins are GONE!!! without ronaldo. Gone! There is no spark in that team right now. None
Ethan- Arshavin didnt start the chelski game. He had the flu. Even if we dont get a CDM, we’ve added. How am I being optimistic with Rosicky and Eduardo? Man Utd might have more depth but NEVER more class than arsenal. It takes time for a new manager to get the just of a new league. Chelski are gonna start slow.
Chelsea’s fucking captain might not even be there next year!
anyways i’m off people, heres to awakening to the sale of ade and purchase of matuidi!
take care