Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Higher wages. 131k apparently.

[Marc Overmars]

Ambition. :bow:

[Grebbo]

If the Gustavo transfer fee was only about £14m couldn't we therefore justify paying him bigger wages?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Higher wages. 131k apparently.

To be fair if that's the truth than we have done the right thing, it would be ridiculous for us to offer him those wages when players like Cazorla are on about 80-90
Frankly don't see how a club that has been flirting with relegation can afford those wages

[Cripps_orig]

Julio Cesar & Luiz Gustavo in limbo

The Brazil international duo insist no decision has been made over their potential summer moves

Julio Cesar and Luiz Gustavo have admitted that their futures remain undecided.

QPR goalkeeper Cesar was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal at the beginning of the summer, while Goal exclusively revealed on Monday that Arsene Wenger's side were closing in on a €20 million move for Bayern midfielder Gustavo.

Speaking to SporTV following Brazil's 1-0 friendly defeat to Switzerland on Wednesday, former Inter goalkeeper Cesar insisted he is talking to clubs but that nothing had been finalised, while Gustavo wants a quick resolution over his future.

"We have two weeks until the close of the market, but nothing is decided yet," Cesar said. "I'm talking to some clubs, but we still haven't reached an agreement. If I have to stay at QPR and play in the second division, I won't have any problem."

Gustavo added: "I still don't know what will happen, but hopefully my future will be decided as soon as possible so I can prepare better for the next [international] friendlies and the main objective; the World Cup."

Matthias Ginter, meanwhile, is another player who has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium although the Freiburg star is adamant that the rumours of a switch to north London have no truth.

He told SID: "I learned about it [the rumour of a move to Arsenal] only in the media. I even heard that I was on a plane to London and had a medical there. There is nothing to this, it is nonsense."

Why aren't we getting them both?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Perhaps we'll offer less thinking he is more inclined to take that given our position is the better one to strenghen his place for Brazil. It'd be daft if Scolari told him that playing for Wolfsburg is the best thing for him right now. :lol:

[Grebbo]

To be fair if that's the truth than we have done the right thing, it would be ridiculous for us to offer him those wages when players like Cazorla are on about 80-90
Frankly don't see how a club that has been flirting with relegation can afford those wages

If you want the player you have to overpay or you end up with no-one.

We have the money and we have no squad. We therefore have no excuses not to overpay.

Do you know how much we paid Henry or Sol? Fuck loads.

You either overpay for Gustavo or you end up sticking with Arteta as your DM and a squad that is a few injuries away from finishing mid table.

[Özim]

Scolari has said he'll get picked even if he's not playing at Bayern.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

To be fair if that's the truth than we have done the right thing, it would be ridiculous for us to offer him those wages when players like Cazorla are on about 80-90
Frankly don't see how a club that has been flirting with relegation can afford those wages

to be honest, I was fucking screwing when I first saw the story but for that kind of wages best we dont, it would blow everything everybody out of proportion but if Felliani wants 100K, fucking give it to him you tight minges

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Why aren't we getting them both?

this. to add, get all three.

[Ollie the Optimist]

In this day and age 130k a week is nothing. If we want these top players, then pay the rates. Gazidis said we can afford to pay a few players 250k a week without problems, so just fucking do it. 14 million amd we are missing out? Nope, there's no excuse for that, complete fuck up

[Marc Overmars]

If Wenget doesn't feel a player is worth it he just won't pay it. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that stance, it makes you question his eye for a player given the amount of expensive deadwood racked up over the past few years.

The wage bill is lighter now so in theory there's no reason why we can't pay a premium. Again it boils down to him not being comfortable with this sort of money because IMO he is blinded by his outlook on the game.

[Özim]

131K a week is £6,812,000 million a year in wages.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Apologies if this is old, but shows how the Bank of Arsenal are fairing:

http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/
I had to stop reading after I saw that we had almost as much money available as all of the other PL clubs combined, makes me too fucking angry!!!!

[LDG]

If Wenget doesn't feel a player is worth it he just won't pay it. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that stance, it makes you question his eye for a player given the amount of expensive deadwood racked up over the past few years.

The wage bill is lighter now so in theory there's no reason why we can't pay a premium. Again it boils down to him not being comfortable with this sort of money because IMO he is blinded by his outlook on the game.

He feels, I believe, a moral obligation toward the club, in that he wrestles with his conscience on whether he is spending the clubs money wisely. This, combined with his ego and belief that his players will come good, mean that it's a tough ask to get him to spend.

It's also his most vaulable excuse, should he not deliver. That we are out gunned in the money stakes.

Now that is not there, I think he's struggling to take the plunge.

I can honestly see good things and improvement from all over the place, from the current squad. Theo, AOC, Ramsey, Giroud....I think will all have good seasons if injury free. But.

We need two good squadies in defence.

And two worldies in attack.

[Niall_Quinn]

£131K per week? Sounds wrong or crazy. That's probably full of clauses like winning the CL, being voted world player of the year. But even if it isn't there's no way the board and manager are going to spend a whole summer cleaning up their wages mess and then wreck it again by paying a decent but hardly world beating player silly money. So I guess they are right in this respect and you have to question a player who wouldn't mind being relegated as long as he gets a barrow of cash. QPR mercenary mentality. Then you have all the other players crying to their agents and agitating for more cash.

Higuain was the deal. World class, wanted to come here and his wage demands appeared to be reasonable. Missing that one fucked everything else. Actually seeing Higuain turn up and put the shirt on would have been a much bigger message that pretending we are ready to spend £40mill on a player. Seems to me the Higuain transfer was achievable rather than a fairy story like Suarez.

[Özim]

£131K per week? Sounds wrong or crazy. That's probably full of clauses like winning the CL, being voted world player of the year. But even if it isn't there's no way the board and manager are going to spend a whole summer cleaning up their wages mess and then wreck it again by paying a decent but hardly world beating player silly money. So I guess they are right in this respect and you have to question a player who wouldn't mind being relegated as long as he gets a barrow of cash. QPR mercenary mentality. Then you have all the other players crying to their agents and agitating for more cash.

Higuain was the deal. World class, wanted to come here and his wage demands appeared to be reasonable. Missing that one fucked everything else. Actually seeing Higuain turn up and put the shirt on would have been a much bigger message that pretending we are ready to spend £40mill on a player. Seems to me the Higuain transfer was achievable rather than a fairy story like Suarez.

Totally agree with this to be honest.

[Gooner23]

Yeah that's the one that riled me the most. We fucked up big time on that.

[LDG]

Yup. Me too.

[Gooner23]

Arteta (thigh strain) and Cazorla (late return from international) are doubts for Sat according to AW. Its started..

[Niall_Quinn]

Park's big chance.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

£131K per week? Sounds wrong or crazy. That's probably full of clauses like winning the CL, being voted world player of the year. But even if it isn't there's no way the board and manager are going to spend a whole summer cleaning up their wages mess and then wreck it again by paying a decent but hardly world beating player silly money. So I guess they are right in this respect and you have to question a player who wouldn't mind being relegated as long as he gets a barrow of cash. QPR mercenary mentality. Then you have all the other players crying to their agents and agitating for more cash.

Higuain was the deal. World class, wanted to come here and his wage demands appeared to be reasonable. Missing that one fucked everything else. Actually seeing Higuain turn up and put the shirt on would have been a much bigger message that pretending we are ready to spend £40mill on a player. Seems to me the Higuain transfer was achievable rather than a fairy story like Suarez.

Nothing that I can add to that...sums up my feelings entirely

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Park's big chance.

That sounds like one of a series of kids book published involving Arsenal and it's football players

"Girouds left foot" "Chin up Theo" and "Where are you Lukasz?" also feature

[Power n Glory]

Nothing that I can add to that...sums up my feelings entirely

He plays for the European champions. If we want to sign players that will be happy on £90k-£100k, we’re going to have to look lower down the division. If we make a mega signing this summer, it’s going to swell up the wage bill regardless. Money shouldn’t be a factor for the fans. All I care about is the quality. Is he good enough? If we’re saying he’s not worth £130k he’s not worth purchasing at all.

[Niall_Quinn]

He plays for the European champions. If we want to sign players that will be happy on £90k-£100k, we’re going to have to look lower down the division. If we make a mega signing this summer, it’s going to swell up the wage bill regardless. Money shouldn’t be a factor for the fans. All I care about is the quality. Is he good enough? If we’re saying he’s not worth £130k he’s not worth purchasing at all.

Whole point of his move is he won't be playing for the champions any more. Of course, the club has fucked up in this window but there's nothing to be gained from going crazy now and wildly tipping the wage structure. The other players would accept a Suarez on big money, but this guy getting what was close to our offer to RvP? And then the next guy to come wants the same, and then the next. Pretty soon we can't compete for a whole different reason.

[Power n Glory]

Whole point of his move is he won't be playing for the champions any more. Of course, the club has fucked up in this window but there's nothing to be gained from going crazy now and wildly tipping the wage structure. The other players would accept a Suarez on big money, but this guy getting what was close to our offer to RvP? And then the next guy to come wants the same, and then the next. Pretty soon we can't compete for a whole different reason.

Then we really shouldn't be looking at him at all if he's not worth that money.

[Niall_Quinn]

Then we really shouldn't be looking at him at all if he's not worth that money.

Agreed, if his demands were known. But then again we thought Suarez has a release clause and we let a trialist play when we didn't know his work permit status so we are a little light in the due dilligence department.

[Power n Glory]

Agreed, if his demands were known. But then again we thought Suarez has a release clause and we let a trialist play when we didn't know his work permit status so we are a little light in the due dilligence department.

Even if he only wanted £80k-£90k, I wouldn't want him if he's not a major upgrade.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Trouble with a lot of these douchebag players is, they want a pay rise when they move on, even when they're been downtraded.

He's on £81k at Bayern, Wolfsburg are fucking idiots to offer £135k, but they're willing to pay the money in order to improve.

Our principles are admirable in an idealistic world, out here, in greedy unscrupulous real life, it gets you left behind.

[Özim]

Why go out for burgers when you've got fillet steak at home?

We've got fillet steak right, it's not rump or anything?

[Power n Glory]

Trouble with a lot of these douchebag players is, they want a pay rise when they move on, even when they're been downtraded.

He's on £81k at Bayern, Wolfsburg are fucking idiots to offer £135k, but they're willing to pay the money in order to improve.

Our principles are admirable in an idealistic world, out here, in greedy unscrupulous real life, it gets you left behind.

If that's what it costs to keep them safe from the drop zone and challenging for a Euro spot, so be it. That's the price they're willing to pay. I don't think they're idiots if they now this player is going to add value to their squad. Plus he's coming from a CL winning team. They can't offer the market value and expect to get him.

If there are players out there that we know will really improve the team and unit by quite a distance, we need to really up our game to secure those players. Market value shouldn't come into it. If Wenger is saying there isn't anyone out there of that quality, then someone needs to question his judgement.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Never could understand fans being overly concerned about player wages.

[Grebbo]

Would people rather we pay players (that are better than what we have) high wages or stick with the players we've got and keep the money in the bank?

There's no point in charging the highest ticket prices in the world and receive healthy sums from commercial and TV revenue just to keep it in the bank.

We're not a bank, we're a football club. The money the club generates should be spent on the players because that's who we're paying our money to see.

Now if Wenger thinks he can get a better player than Gustavo for the money that's another thing. We'll soon find out. History has told us not to get our hopes up though.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Would people rather we pay players (that are better than what we have) high wages or stick with the players we've got and keep the money in the bank?

There's no point in charging the highest ticket prices in the world and receive healthy sums from commercial and TV revenue just to keep it in the bank.

We're not a bank, we're a football club. The money the club generates should be spent on the players because that's who we're paying our money to see.

Now if Wenger thinks he can get a better player than Gustavo for the money that's another thing. We'll soon find out. History has told us not to get our hopes up though.

:gp:

[Kano]

Never could understand fans being overly concerned about player wages.
well if you are a paying customer, you are helping to fund the upkeep of the club and its players, whether its through wages or the facilities available. so you have a vested interest. if you see some prick like chamakh scrambling around picking up 60k+ then you worry about value for money.

but for everyone else, which is the vast majority of fans, then no, it doesn't make sense to worry. we are only 'supposed to' because the finances are spoken about much more than 20 years ago and we all think we're the best manager/ceo/chairman in the world who needs to address the ROI.

[Munchies]

Spuds complete the transfer of Capoue for only £8m

FFS

[Cripps_orig]

Another player we have looked at but didn't buy cos it would mean spending money

[Munchies]

well if you are a paying customer, you are helping to fund the upkeep of the club and its players, whether its through wages or the facilities available. so you have a vested interest. if you see some prick like chamakh scrambling around picking up 60k+ then you worry about value for money.

but for everyone else, which is the vast majority of fans, then no, it doesn't make sense to worry. we are only 'supposed to' because the finances are spoken about much more than 20 years ago and we all think we're the best manager/ceo/chairman in the world who needs to address the ROI.

Spot on really, some of these fuckers like Park Chu Young has made more in one week than most of us have done in a year. Yet he's AWOL and no one really knows where the fuck he is

[selassie]

If that's what it costs to keep them safe from the drop zone and challenging for a Euro spot, so be it. That's the price they're willing to pay. I don't think they're idiots if they now this player is going to add value to their squad. Plus he's coming from a CL winning team. They can't offer the market value and expect to get him.

If there are players out there that we know will really improve the team and unit by quite a distance, we need to really up our game to secure those players. Market value shouldn't come into it. If Wenger is saying there isn't anyone out there of that quality, then someone needs to question his judgement.

:gp:

I was thinking about what I have highlighted in your post a lot this morning and I think market value and principles from Arsene is pretty much what is botching up our transfers.

The thing with Arsene is that IMHO he puts too many caveats and variables in the way when approaching the transfer market, hence why so many of our deals fall through.

If you look at all his idealistic policies he has enforced since the move to the Emirates I wouldn't be at all surprised if he approaches the transfer market with a set of idealistic views hence why there is been minimal incomings this summer.

To close the above points, Arsene and Ivan have repeatedly stated that all aspects of the Technical side of the club are in Arsene's hands, essentially he has complete control of the player recruitment policy and whilst funds are provided he ultimately has final say on what we pay a club for a player what we pay the player for a wage.

We are at the mercy of Arsene and his principles when it comes to the Player recruitment policy.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

well if you are a paying customer, you are helping to fund the upkeep of the club and its players, whether its through wages or the facilities available. so you have a vested interest. if you see some prick like chamakh scrambling around picking up 60k+ then you worry about value for money.

but for everyone else, which is the vast majority of fans, then no, it doesn't make sense to worry. we are only 'supposed to' because the finances are spoken about much more than 20 years ago and we all think we're the best manager/ceo/chairman in the world who needs to address the ROI.

Sorry. I should have been clearer in saying that I'm arguing from the standpoint of getting in proper players capable of strengthening us and making us a bit more competitive with the league's elite. Why should we be overly concerned about paying them wages close to, or in line with what they'd get at other clubs. Bear in mind that some of these other clubs are even smaller than Arsenal in size and balance sheet.

We really can't expect to have it both ways. We are either big club that are going to sign a few quality players expecting to pay near the going rate in transfers and wages, or we accept that we are just a pretentious and pathetic wannabe.

[Munchies]

Arteta (thigh strain) and Cazorla (late return from international) are doubts for Sat according to AW. Its started..

Arteta could be out for a month now...

[milla]

Arteta could be out for a month now...

Dont worry Diaby and Fripong are walking again. :coffee:

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Arteta could be out for a month now...

Could be a blessing in disguise.....

Perfect opportunity now for Wenger to get in a proper replacement.

[StamfordBrdige]

Sorry. I should have been clearer in saying that I'm arguing from the standpoint of getting in proper players capable of strengthening us and making us a bit more competitive with the league's elite. Why should we be overly concerned about paying them wages close to, or in line with what they'd get at other clubs. Bear in mind that some of these other clubs are even smaller than Arsenal in size and balance sheet.

We really can't expect to have it both ways. We are either big club that are going to sign a few quality players expecting to pay near the going rate in transfers and wages, or we accept that we are just a pretentious and pathetic wannabe.


The whole point of moving stadium and then charging the highest ticket prices was to rake in money, lots of it. Odd thing is that now there seems to be no intention of spending it. AW can't complain about player wages as he's on 6-7m a year. If he feels so strongly about the wages perhaps he should take a pay cut. It's like those CEO's who always say they can't raise a worker's wage from 22,000 to 24,000 while the SOB's salary goes up by over a million the same year.

From the financial info available, Arsenal CAN afford to pay the wages being talked about they just refuse to for some daft reason. The irony of course being that if you did get quality players in, you'd compete for and likely win stuff which would then result in higher revenues.

[LDG]

The whole point of moving stadium and then charging the highest ticket prices was to rake in money, lots of it. Odd thing is that now there seems to be no intention of spending it. AW can't complain about player wages as he's on 6-7m a year. If he feels so strongly about the wages perhaps he should take a pay cut. It's like those CEO's who always say they can't raise an worker's wage from 22,000 to 24,000 while the SOB's salary goes up by over a million the same year.

From the financial info available, Arsenal CAN afford to pay the wages being talked about they just refuse to for some daft reason. The irony of course being that if you did get quality players in, you'd compete for and likely win stuff which would then result in higher revenues.

Yup. So frustrating :banghead:

[Keith]

Arteta could be out for a month now...

Ox will take his place

[Ollie the Optimist]

Ox will take his place


not if theo is injured like rumours have it.

[Özim]

It's like those CEO's who always say they can't raise an worker's wage from 22,000 to 24,000 while the SOB's salary goes up by over a million the same year.

Yeah but that's perfectly reasonable as the SOB will move to another country and find a new job if you make him take a pay cut. Plus without him there would be no company :coffee:

[Gooner23]

Wenger - We'll be active before deadline

"We are active," he told Arsenal Player. "We are in a situation like Manchester United, like Chelsea, where everybody expects signings and at the moment not a lot has happened.

"There are 18 days to go, so that is a long time in the transfer market and we will be active.

"I cannot certify what the number [of players coming in will be] but we will be active until the end, that is for sure."



What a prat. We are not in the same situation as United and Chelsea because they already have far stronger squads than us. I despair.

[Kano]

not if theo is injured like rumours have it.
didn't he play last night?

[Munchies]

Wenger - We'll be active before deadline

"We are active," he told Arsenal Player. "We are in a situation like Manchester United, like Chelsea, where everybody expects signings and at the moment not a lot has happened.

"There are 18 days to go, so that is a long time in the transfer market and we will be active.

"I cannot certify what the number [of players coming in will be] but we will be active until the end, that is for sure."



What a prat. We are not in the same situation as United and Chelsea because they already have far stronger squads than us. I despair.

Not only that, they have far bigger squads at the moment. We're at 13 players for Villa...

WENGER OUT

[Ollie the Optimist]

didn't he play last night?


yeah he did, but some rumours that he got a slight knee injury. hopefully its nothing

[Cripps_orig]

Chelsea have made signings :doh:

He is the biggest muppet in football. Just go

[Munchies]

Schurrle £18m
De Bruyne (back from loan)
Van Ginkel
Schwarzer (fucked up against Roma, but a good no2 keeper)

Atleast players are coming in, Wenger is mad

[Ollie the Optimist]

dont worry guys, the arsenal twitter account has a solution. if you buy a program this week, you get 8 stickers of the first team squad.

buy next weeks, and you have the whole squad

[Munchies]

I wish I could see all the messages the people at the Arsenal twitter are receiving now

[Ollie the Optimist]

I wish I could see all the messages the people at the Arsenal twitter are receiving now

its actually quite funny. yesterday they celebrated a signing we made 17 years. thats how desperate they are getting for hits. (in fairness though, Vieira was a fanstatic signing, player, captain, winner)

[Cripps_orig]

I wish I could see all the messages the people at the Arsenal twitter are receiving now

No point.

They'll never let the messages of the true fans get through. It'll be all of the ones showing support which they have no doubt made up themselves

[LDG]

Arteta could be out for a month now...

Flamini will be playing there.

[Munchies]

West Brom haven't paid anything and have got four decent players.

Anelka,
Lugano,
Popov
Vydra

[Özil's Panoramic View]

No point.

They'll never let the messages of the true fans get through. It'll be all of the ones showing support which they have no doubt made up themselves

You do know you are too smart for your own good.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Potential club record bids for Gonzalo Higuain, Lars Bender, Luis Suarez and now Luiz Gustavo have been lodged and, one by one, rejected.
The first preference of recruiting major new signings before the start of pre-season has already passed. The second target will have been Saturday’s start of the new Premier League season but that moment is about to pass.
All that remains is the closure of the transfer window at the end of August. Will Arsenal have added the two or three “world-class” player that they budgeted for by then?
It looks increasingly unlikely, with targets currently proving either unwilling to join, unavailable or, perhaps most galling of all, valued at a significantly higher price by their competitors.
With only Yaya Sanogo recruited so far on a free transfer from Auxerre, the club’s available transfer balance of £70 million sits untouched.
Related Articles
Arsenal blow as Wolfsburg pounce for Gustavo 15 Aug 2013
Rodgers looks to end Suarez transfer saga 15 Aug 2013
United prepare £40m offer for Fabregas 14 Aug 2013
Arsenal consider final bid of £49m for Suárez 14 Aug 2013
Suarez denies 'I'm staying' claim 14 Aug 2013
Moyes: how I keep modern players in check 14 Aug 2013
An analysis this week by the blogger ‘Swiss Ramble’ (whose grasp of football finances is admired within boardrooms across Europe), estimated that Arsenal had an available cash balance of £154 million. To put that in some context, the combined cash balance of the other 19 Premier League clubs was put at £181 million.
The situation is clear: Arsène Wenger does have big money at his disposal but has simply not spent it. The caveat of course is that a definitive judgment can only be made in September and arguably not until the end of season.
Yet even for those who have become accustomed to Arsenal’s caution, this summer is threatening to end in major disappointment. It certainly seems a long time since Ivan Gazidis, the club’s chief executive, addressed the media in June to talk about the club’s off-field strength.
“This year,” he said, “we are beginning to see something we have been planning for some time, which is the escalation in our financial firepower.
“We have a certain amount of money which we’ve held in reserve. We also have new revenue streams coming on board and all of these things mean we can do some things which would excite you.”
So what has been happening? The answer is complicated but does continue to raise questions about the off-field structures at Arsenal.
The first thing is to debunk the conspiracy theories. There are no restrictions placed on Wenger or Gazidis by the club’s owner Stan Kroenke.
His priority is to develop the club’s commercial streams precisely so that Arsenal have the maximum possible spending power. He is no sugar-daddy owner in the style of Roman Abramovich or Sheikh Mansour but there has been no suggestion of him placing debt on the club or taking dividends for himself.
Put simply, the club’s resources are available to Wenger and Kroenke’s philosophy is that it is down to his manager, with the support of the chief executive, to decide on the transfer priorities. There is little interference.
The concerns, then, are two fold. Firstly, following the departure as vice-chairman of David Dein back in 2007, there is still the nagging sense that Arsenal lack a personality with the contacts and guile to thrive in what Gazidis has called the “wild west” of European football, with its many layers of agents, presidents, chief executives and managers.
From a distance, the decision to pursue the unlikely acquisition of Suarez at the expense of Higuain appears naïve. Surely Arsenal’s summer strategy was not really shaped by Suarez’s interpretation of a contract clause?
The other concern relates squarely to Wenger. He, after all, is the most powerful man at Arsenal and generally the ultimate arbiter of who comes and goes.
Wenger’s desire to make signings is not in doubt but what appears to have become outdated is his valuation of top players. There is a certain strength in walking away from a deal once the bidding gets out of hand but, if you find yourself in that position too often, does there not come a stage where you question whether it is your own valuation that has become unrealistic?
It is all very well for Wenger to make the valid complaint about the ineffectual financial fair-play regulations but, all the time that he sticks to his own valuations of players, the best talent goes elsewhere and Arsenal’s bank balance simply swells further.
The market dictates the cost of footballers and, in a world where Edinson Cavani is £48 million, Gareth Bale is £86 million and Radamel Falcao £55 million, surely it was worth going to £31 million for Higuain?
There is the suspicion that the outside frustration with Wenger’s transfer strategy is being felt just as acutely inside Arsenal. The sense of momentum that was building last season is already under threat and, unless Arsenal start well, it can be safely predicted that the Emirates crowd will be quick to register their displeasure.
The danger then is of the club being sucked into a downward spiral of negativity.
In Arsenal’s defence, there is still much to admire about the young squad that Wenger has been rebuilding. Arsenal were the best team in England during the final third of last season and they are not the only ones struggling in this transfer market. Just look at Manchester United.
Wenger would surely argue that his squad lacks only a sprinkling of established world class talent and that it would now be counterproductive to add signings from the second tier of world football simply to appease supporters.
Arsenal’s recent record in the transfer market is also better than generally perceived. To remain even in touch with Manchester City and Chelsea, while spending around £500 million less over this last decade, could not happen without some shrewd management.
Similarly, Arsenal are far better placed than Liverpool despite almost identical spending. As Wenger never tires of explaining to the media, the challenge is not quite as simple as walking into a supermarket and choosing a luxury product.
A large part of Arsenal’s problem is that they are genuinely trying to shop in a rather more exclusive store this summer. People might say that Tottenham have been more effective but there is a difference in closing deals for Etienne Capoue, Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli to the more ambitious targets that Arsenal have chased.
The final result, however, is that Arsenal could find themselves with a weaker squad than their north London neighbours and their Champions League place under serious threat.
From a position where they actually had the chance to push upwards and mount a legitimate Premier League challenge, that would only be the result of poor management. And with Wenger in the final year of his contract, a summer that is remembered for missed opportunities could yet prove defining for all the wrong reasons in the career of Arsenal’s most successful ever manager.

this article has just been published by the telegraph. i cant argue with a single thing he says. its a brilliant article that sums us up completely

[Unai Tea]

this article has just been published by the telegraph. i cant argue with a single thing he says. its a brilliant article that sums us up completely

i.e. we're shit

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

i.e. we're shit

Or Wenger would haggle in a supermarket about what he considers the true value of a packet of Bertoni fusilli pasta is

[Unai Tea]

Or Wenger would haggle in a supermarket about what he considers the true value of a packet of Bertoni fusilli pasta is

Which explains why he's nothing but skin and bones...

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Which explains why he's nothing but skin and bones...

He did an economics degree, so was tutored in such a way that he went to bed having nightmares about macroeconomic policy....the idea of spending money to generate money.

[Munchies]

Lol the daily mail have a big article now

Arsene Wenger has let 17 players leave this summer. He has brought in only one (and he was free). Now Arsenal have just 11 fit senior stars ahead of their opening game. So, what IS he doing?

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/15/article-2394585-1B4FEB6D000005DC-564_964x297.jpg

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2394585/Arsenal-crisis-brewing-just-11-senior-players-fit-opener-Aston-Villa.html

[Cripps_orig]

Someone write an open letter to Wenger telling him to go.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

arteta out for 6 weeks apparently


:haha: :haha: :haha:

[Munchies]

arteta out for 6 weeks apparently


:haha: :haha: :haha:

You can't make this up ??

........can you ?

:haha:

Wenger :pal:

What the fuck is he doing

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

:haha: :haha: :haha:

i dont know whether to laugh or cry. this is a fucking disgrace :haha:

[Munchies]

Just laugh man, Wenger is out this time next year, lets laugh at how far south he's gone :haha:

Players we have for Villa, red is injured/doubtful to play

Chesney
fabianski

Sanga
Monreal
BFG
Jenkinson
Vermaelen
Gibbs
Kosc

Arteta
Rosicky
Cazorla
Diaby
Wilshere
Frimpong
Ramsey
Miyaichi

Podolski
Sanogo
Giroud
Walcott
OX
Park ( AWOL )
Bendtner

[Munchies]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/15/article-2394545-1B4C3738000005DC-243_636x502.jpg

Fucking hell, Newcastle are bieng linked with Valbuena, fucking Newcastle , £8m for a world class player

This image made me :lol: though

[Munchies]

@piersmorgan
No new signings, not enough players fit...what a shambolic start to the season. Shame on Wenger/Gazidis/Kroenke. Buy NOW, and buy BIG. #AFC

:bow:

[Unai Tea]

@piersmorgan
No new signings, not enough players fit...what a shambolic start to the season. Shame on Wenger/Gazidis/Kroenke. Buy NOW, and buy BIG. #AFC

:bow:

It's gotten to the point where sacking is no longer a strong enough response to this state of affairs.

I'd thought it was a bit disrespectful of John W Henry to ask 'what are they smoking?' earlier. But now I think he was spot on...wtf are they smoking?

[Kano]

It's gotten to the point where sacking is no longer a strong enough response to this state of affairs.
At least a couple of savage murders would be a start.

[Master Splinter]

At least a couple of savage murders would be a start.

Robbie and Lily?

[Munchies]

Robbie and Lily?

Looked at your avatar just now, and saw that cunts mug...

Thank fuck Tony Pulis has fucked off, imagine if we faced him the first game :haha:

[Munchies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRjfh8t-AAU

Spend some fucking money :haha:

Chances of seeing this on Sat ?

Poor guys, being taken to the cleaners by Wenger and Co

[hobson's choice]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/15/article-2394545-1B4C3738000005DC-243_636x502.jpg

Fucking hell, Newcastle are bieng linked with Valbuena, fucking Newcastle , £8m for a world class player

This image made me :lol: though

:lol:

[Munchies]

:lol:

He's not that bad is he ? Whenever I see him play, he does good.

[AKBapologist]

I remember when some of you said that this guy > walcott
:haha:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/15/nicklas-bendtner-opens-talks-with-trabzonspor-over-transfer-from-arsenal-3925221/
Still refusing to lower wage demands even though he hasn't played in a year...

[Özil's Panoramic View]

I remember when some of you said that this guy > walcott
:haha:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/15/nicklas-bendtner-opens-talks-with-trabzonspor-over-transfer-from-arsenal-3925221/
Still refusing to lower wage demands even though he hasn't played in a year...

seems he'll get another chance very soon to prove he's actually > Wally.

who would have thought? :haha:

#PaperThinSquad

[Niall_Quinn]

I remember when some of you said that this guy > walcott
:haha:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/15/nicklas-bendtner-opens-talks-with-trabzonspor-over-transfer-from-arsenal-3925221/
Still refusing to lower wage demands even though he hasn't played in a year...

He's easily a better player than Walcott technically, but then again who isn't? But his character is worse than anyone I can think of. As such, a non-footballer and he has the non-appearances to prove it.

[Niall_Quinn]

With Arteta gone we have no choice but to sign somebody. Hopefully it won't be a stop gap, but chances are that's exactly what Wenger will go for. Mind you I'm sure he's already thought about throwing one of the youngsters in at the deep end as a desperate bid to stave off the mounting requirement to spend money.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/15/article-2394545-1B4C3738000005DC-243_636x502.jpg

Fucking hell, Newcastle are bieng linked with Valbuena, fucking Newcastle , £8m for a world class player

This image made me :lol: though

Get the guy with the Afro and give him what he wants

[Munchies]

The solution:
http://www.arsenal.com/academy/players/alfred-mugabo

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

@piersmorgan
No new signings, not enough players fit...what a shambolic start to the season. Shame on Wenger/Gazidis/Kroenke. Buy NOW, and buy BIG. #AFC

:bow:

It really comes to something when i find myself agreeing with that insufferable dickhead

[Munchies]

Clicked on that Van Bronkhorst article on the side, lol:

And you came back to haunt Arsenal in Paris in 2006…

Sometimes things can go very strangely. Being in the Champions League final against Arsenal, facing your old colleagues, was strange and different. It was one of the best moments in my career, winning a trophy like that against my former team. It was a bit sad for Arsenal because I knew what being in the Champions League meant to Arsène. But I was happy for myself that I got the medal and won the cup.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Clicked on that Van Bronkhorst article on the side, lol:

And you came back to haunt Arsenal in Paris in 2006…

Sometimes things can go very strangely. Being in the Champions League final against Arsenal, facing your old colleagues, was strange and different. It was one of the best moments in my career, winning a trophy like that against my former team. It was a bit sad for Arsenal because I knew what being in the Champions League meant to Arsène. But I was happy for myself that I got the medal and won the cup.

Fair enough really....don't harbour the slightest ill will towards Gio.... and to be honest it's not like a) we missed him as we went through an entire season unbeaten after the summer we sold him or b) Barca wouldn't have beaten us without him in the side. It's interesting though how we played him as a central midfield yet at Barca he became a left back. Always played ok for us, never really remember him having a bad game but to be honest never really remember him having a spectacular game for us either.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Actually i say we sold him, not sure there was an actual transfer fee involved we pretty much gave him to Barca to stop them reporting us to Fifa over Cesc Fabregas

[Munchies]

Fair enough really....don't harbour the slightest ill will towards Gio.... and to be honest it's not like a) we missed him as we went through an entire season unbeaten after the summer we sold him or b) Barca wouldn't have beaten us without him in the side. It's interesting though how we played him as a central midfield yet at Barca he became a left back. Always played ok for us, never really remember him having a bad game but to be honest never really remember him having a spectacular game for us either.

Yeah, he was a decent enough player, gave it all while he was here, I just chuckled a bit seeing that on the site :lol:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

He's one of those guys i forget actually played for us from time to time

Anelka is another one of those types of players, not so much because he was unspectacular when he was with us but because he's become a bit of a journeyman in the Premier League....us, liverpool, city, bolton, chelsea and now west brom.

Richard Wright, Matthew Upson, Jermaine Pennant...just not really players i associate with us that much

[GP]

If Anelka had stayed with us he'd be a proper club legend. Now he'll never have that anywhere.

Still, we came out on top in that one.

[Kano]

Robbie and Lily?

I couldn't imagine a better place to start. Throw in Fred and Oliver Stones last flick and we're laughing.

[Özim]

Actually i say we sold him, not sure there was an actual transfer fee involved we pretty much gave him to Barca to stop them reporting us to Fifa over Cesc Fabregas

Yeah that's right after we poached Cesc from them.

[Grebbo]

Is Scott Parker still available?

[GP]

Is Scott Parker still shit?

Yes.

[Özim]

Is Scott Parker still available?

Think he's gone on his way to QPR, was having his medical.

[Grebbo]

So lets say Arsene comes out of his coma and buys 3 or 4 players. Is it true only one of them can be named in our Champs Lge squad? So we can't offer Champs Lge football to any potential signings other than one?

Seriously what's the point of us qualifying for the Champs Lge??

Unless we get an extension as we haven't actually qualified yet?

[Ollie the Optimist]

So lets say Arsene comes out of his coma and buys 3 or 4 players. Is it true only one of them can be named in our Champs Lge squad? So we can't offer Champs Lge football to any potential signings other than one?

Seriously what's the point of us qualifying for the Champs Lge??

Unless we get an extension as we haven't actually qualified yet?

only can be added into the qualifying squad for the CL, if we make it through we then re register.

besides, in a transfer window, having to register a squad a week before with only addition is just plain stupid.

[GP]

So lets say Arsene comes out of his coma and buys 3 or 4 players. Is it true only one of them can be named in our Champs Lge squad? So we can't offer Champs Lge football to any potential signings other than one?

Seriously what's the point of us qualifying for the Champs Lge??

Unless we get an extension as we haven't actually qualified yet?

No, just the qualifying match.

[Özim]

Seriously what's the point of us qualifying for the Champs Lge??

It's for Champions, that's why the top 4 qualify.

[Grebbo]

only can be added into the qualifying squad for the CL, if we make it through we then re register.

besides, in a transfer window, having to register a squad a week before with only addition is just plain stupid.

Ah ok, that's good.

Lets all pray for Wenger to come out of his coma.

[Munchies]

A BS competition that we'll never win.

Best chance was 03/04, Wayne fucking Bridge beat the best team we've ever had.
Or 06, had Henry been focused on the game.

Might aswell get into the Europa

[Ollie the Optimist]

It's for Champions, that's why the top 4 qualify.

thinking back over the last decade of CL football. apart from barcalona, who else has won it that was in the CL because they were champions season before?

off top of my head, bayern, chelsea, inter milan, liverpool, milan all won it despite not being champions the year before

[Özim]

thinking back over the last decade of CL football. apart from barcalona, who else has won it that was in the CL because they were champions season before?

off top of my head, bayern, chelsea, inter milan, liverpool, milan all won it despite not being champions the year before

Yeah makes a mockery of the competition really, especially letting 3-4 teams per country in.

[GP]

Best chance was 03/04, Wayne fucking Bridge beat the best team we've ever had

Yeah, that was our year. Utter turd burglars in the semis and final.

Oh well.

[Munchies]

Yeah, that was our year. Utter turd burglars in the semis and final.

Oh well.

I still remember sitting in one spot for like an hour straight after that, I was shattered

[Ollie the Optimist]

Yeah makes a mockery of the competition really, especially letting 3-4 teams per country in.

i wasnt having a go, it was a genunine question. you always say its for champions, yet i was jsut wondering how often champions actually win it.

[Munchies]

Listening to Wenger saying he's going to be adding players, how many exactly ?

We need quite a few for the first team and for the bench.

We were all alive when he signed 5 shit players on one day, such is the rarity of him signing players , chances of signing another dog shite 6-7 aren't out of the question.

[GP]

Hold on to your arses...

Both respectable ITKs WayneGooney and DarrenArsenal1 have said there's a player signing TONIGHT!

Someone get Brian Swanson down there ASAP!!!

[Munchies]

Wayne Gooney ‏@WayneGooney18

Cesc and Rooney, maybe Suarez too (if we can negotiate a deal), maybe Gustavo too (if he picks us), maybe Cesar too (if AW…chooses to push the deal through) and a defender (I have no idea who the final choice will be).

LOL :haha:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

i wasnt having a go, it was a genunine question. you always say its for champions, yet i was jsut wondering how often champions actually win it.

2011,2010,2008,2006,2004,2002,2001,1998,1997,1996, 1995,1994, 1993

(every one of those years the winner of the champions league had won their domestic league the season previous)


2013,2012,2009,2007,2005,2003,2000,1999
(years where the champions league winner wasn't the domestic champion in their own country the year previous)

[Ollie the Optimist]

2011,2010,2008,2006,2004,2002,2001,1998,1997,1996, 1995,1994, 1993

(every one of those years the winner of the champions league had won their domestic league the season previous)


2013,2012,2009,2007,2005,2003,2000,1999
(years where the champions league winner wasn't the domestic champion in their own country the year previous)

:good: thanks for that.

[Munchies]

I heard exactly what D1 did, so I don't know who it is. I did hear "It's a big signing" so I don't expect it to be Flamini. GUESSING: WR18. @WayneGooney18

Not falling for this shit again

[GP]

I heard exactly what D1 did, so I don't know who it is. I did hear "It's a big signing" so I don't expect it to be Flamini. GUESSING: WR18. @WayneGooney18

Wayne Gooney ‏@WayneGooney18 6m
It's not Cesc. I told you, he's already signed. It only makes sense that it's Rooney.

:haha:

[Munchies]

Wayne Gooney ‏@WayneGooney18 6m
It's not Cesc. I told you, he's already signed. It only makes sense that it's Rooney.

:haha:

:haha: :haha: Just saw that !!

[Grebbo]

Gustavo? He hasn't officially signed for the Germans yet has he?

[Munchies]

Moyes has said in every interview ROoney is staying, will he really leave to us ?

[Munchies]

This WayneGooney fella seems to be trolling everyone. Wouldn't be surprised if he's a spud

[LDG]

Is Scott Parker still available?

Afraid not. He ran away with his wing commander.

[Munchies]

Afraid not. He ran away with his wing commander.

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5398/ouzc5hjpg.gif

[GP]

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/5398/ouzc5hjpg.gif

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRpfIDgCcAA0Wif.jpg

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRpfIDgCcAA0Wif.jpg

LOL , oh my, even the pose is spot on :haha:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Jesus fucking christ.

That's just disgusting.

[LDG]

:haha:

[Munchies]

Jesus fucking christ.

That's just disgusting.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QjARWd5a84/T3OXHJJbe1I/AAAAAAAAA34/OVtLNvwpMvI/s190/nod-of-approval.gif


I literally laughed alot on that pic, fucking hell

[LDG]

This WayneGooney fella seems to be trolling everyone. Wouldn't be surprised if he's a spud

From his twitter name, you wouldn't have thought it. He seemed such a genuine guy.

[Ollie the Optimist]

this wayne gooney guy going on about how cesc is one million % done. i cant wait to see him on saturday, we need a good midfielder

[Master Splinter]

this wayne gooney guy going on about how cesc is one million % done. i cant wait to see him on saturday, we need a good midfielder

Cisc is a striker though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hmm new signing tonight? Perez must have got through as an outstanding talent. :bow:

[Ollie the Optimist]

Hmm new signing tonight? Perez must have got through as an outstanding talent. :bow:

its flamini :good:

[Özim]

Has he still got that wart thing on his nose?

[Niall_Quinn]

its flamini :good:

The Arsenal Way™

[Ollie the Optimist]

if we arent going to sign anyone of note, can we jsut go and resign Henry? you dont need any reason, because its Henry. he just makes everything better.

Henry :bow:

The King :bow:

[Özim]

I don't think Henry wants to join us, he's happy at Liverpool with his pal Suarez.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

what's geoff saying?

[Ollie the Optimist]

what's geoff saying?

whatever the Arsenal PR lot want him too....

[Cripps_orig]

We sign anyone yet?

[selassie]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRpfIDgCcAA0Wif.jpg

:haha::haha::haha:

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRvQK75CQAAKiJi.jpg

[Japan Shaking All Over]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRpfIDgCcAA0Wif.jpg

I give up, which one is array

[GP]

Arsenal.com ‏@Arsenal 23s
Wenger: "It's not a question of spending money, it's a question of buying the right players" #AFCvAVFC

:lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Unfortunately Wenget's idea of the right player is very different to ours.

Last time he said that we ended up with the likes of Park, Santos and Gervinho.

[Power n Glory]

:gp:

I was thinking about what I have highlighted in your post a lot this morning and I think market value and principles from Arsene is pretty much what is botching up our transfers.

The thing with Arsene is that IMHO he puts too many caveats and variables in the way when approaching the transfer market, hence why so many of our deals fall through.

If you look at all his idealistic policies he has enforced since the move to the Emirates I wouldn't be at all surprised if he approaches the transfer market with a set of idealistic views hence why there is been minimal incomings this summer.

To close the above points, Arsene and Ivan have repeatedly stated that all aspects of the Technical side of the club are in Arsene's hands, essentially he has complete control of the player recruitment policy and whilst funds are provided he ultimately has final say on what we pay a club for a player what we pay the player for a wage.

We are at the mercy of Arsene and his principles when it comes to the Player recruitment policy.


This is why we need a change in management. Unless we were to replace Ivan with Dein, I can’t imagine Wenger taking on advice from someone else unless he really respects their opinion. We don’t have enough young blood on the board with a brain for football. We need someone that knows the technical side as well as financial. It’s why Wenger holds so much power. Who there can challenge his valuation of a player or the quality? He’s totally misguided. From the valuation of players on the market all the way down to our own players and his estimation of their abilities. I think deals have been held up because he overestimates the quality of the current crop.

For example, I was reading his comments about the sale of Gervinho this morning. He was supposed to be a super quality signing yet he lost his confidence quickly and had to be sold. If you read Wenger’s comments, he says he suffered especially when playing at the Emirates. So is he blaming the fans for his poor form? Where is the accountability? Surely it’s his duty to manage that situation better and get him back to form and confident? He scouted Gervinho and snapped him up early in the window, which suggests he was an early target and a player Wenger was very keen on signing . It wasn’t a last minute decision, it was a calculated move. To sell him off so quickly after a blip in form suggests to me that Wenger has lost his touch. To suggest the hostile atmosphere at the Emirates is to blame is pretty arrogant. He completely misjudged Gervinho’s ability and mental strength and also needs to question his own judgement for buying him.

We’ve become a vanity project for Wenger. Something has to change quickly after this summer. We may have outgrown him. I feel we need to change manager and bring in someone that can reshape the vision for Arsenal like Wenger did when he first arrived. We could always try changing Board members and changing the backroom staff but I can’t imagine Wenger being open to others challenging his authority all the time. It ruffles his feathers so badly when others challenge him like that. We’ll see how this plays out this summer. But it’s at the point now where I’m worried we’re about to panic buy and blow a chunk of cash for rubbish players. I think Wenger is lost.

[Özim]

Wenger in "I blame the fans" shocker.

What's new, the guy has done it before, it's never his fault is it? He signs duff players under the premise that they are super super quality and when they fail because they weren't good enough in the 1st place (usually the cheap option rather than the right option), he points the finger at the fans.

The guy has no shame seriously, he should have more respect for the people who indirectly put money in his pocket and a lot of it at that and by in large stayed loyal to him (not everyone of course ;) ) for years when he's delivered f*ck all.

[Marc Overmars]

You'd think after 2011 we wouldn't make the same mistake again but here we are in an almost identical situation. Depleted squad, frustrated fans and sheer incompetence in the transfer market.

I expect another ramshackle group of players to come in over the next couple of weeks as we scrape around the bins.

[GP]

I fully expect at least 4 to come in.

4 turd burglars, mind.

[Grebbo]

I expect another ramshackle group of players to come in over the next couple of weeks as we scrape around the bins.

And then we ship them out the next summer. Rinse and repeat.

Our club's a joke tbh.

:lol:

[Grebbo]

I think we'll buy several players but they'll be under 21's. If you look at our squad it's pretty shit but it's actually pretty experienced. I think Wenger will go for Project Youth MkII.

[GP]

I still think we'll smash our transfer record tbh.

[Özim]

You're unlikely to find top quality players late on in the window for the simple fact that they have either usually moved or their clubs don't want to sell as they have no time to find a replacement.

So yeah we'll end up with the usual panic buying cr*p and Wenger will pretend he's wanted these players for years and that they are super super quality.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger in "I blame the fans" shocker.

What's new, the guy has done it before, it's never his fault is it? He signs duff players under the premise that they are super super quality and when they fail because they weren't good enough in the 1st place (usually the cheap option rather than the right option), he points the finger at the fans.

The guy has no shame seriously, he should have more respect for the people who indirectly put money in his pocket and a lot of it at that and by in large stayed loyal to him (not everyone of course ;) ) for years when he's delivered f*ck all.

Gervinho lost it after the ACON final. That’s when his confidence took a hit. It got worse because Wenger decided to start playing him as a striker after an extended period on the bench after the competition. Gervinho hardly played during the second half of his debut season. The following season he’s playing as a striker and Wenger has already bought Podolski to replace him. He’s out of order to blame it on the Emirate crowd. I suppose getting benched, Podolski’s arrival and being played as a striker had nothing to do with it.

[GP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRx1CpzCAAAszPf.jpg

[PGFC]

:haha:

[Ollie the Optimist]

Wenger in "I blame the fans" shocker.

What's new, the guy has done it before, it's never his fault is it? He signs duff players under the premise that they are super super quality and when they fail because they weren't good enough in the 1st place (usually the cheap option rather than the right option), he points the finger at the fans.

The guy has no shame seriously, he should have more respect for the people who indirectly put money in his pocket and a lot of it at that and by in large stayed loyal to him (not everyone of course ;) ) for years when he's delivered f*ck all.


I don't think he blamed the fans actually for gervinho but rather the player himself for not being able to handle it. The fans have been on Ramseys back yet he is still here because he fought through it. After listening to him again, I'm certain he isn't blaming the fans but actually gervinho for not coping and being weak.

I know he has a lot of faults, but lets not twist his words to add more faults to him and create more anger. That's not what we need

[Letters]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRvQK75CQAAKiJi.jpg

:haha:

[Munchies]

So Gustavo has gone then, ffs

'Julio Cesar ✖Rooney ✖ Fellaini ✖ Jovetic ✖ Fabregas ✖ Higuain ✖ Bernard ✖ Suarez ✖ Gustavo ✖'

[Power n Glory]

I don't think he blamed the fans actually for gervinho but rather the player himself for not being able to handle it. The fans have been on Ramseys back yet he is still here because he fought through it. After listening to him again, I'm certain he isn't blaming the fans but actually gervinho for not coping and being weak.

I know he has a lot of faults, but lets not twist his words to add more faults to him and create more anger. That's not what we need

How else can you interpret ‘especially at the Emirates’? Why make such a comment? It’s not the first time he’s said something like this.

[Ollie the Optimist]

How else can you interpret ‘especially at the Emirates’? Why make such a comment? It’s not the first time he’s said something like this.

Then he would have shipped out a lot more players blaming us the fans. In my mind and many others, though while there was pressure from the fans as such, it was the players fault for not being strong enough to deal with it

[Munchies]

Last night , with all those stories of a big signing, fuck all was happening:

GeoffArsenal

For those asking there wasn't a medical at Arsenal last night.

New season is tomorrow :run:

[Özim]

I don't think he blamed the fans actually for gervinho but rather the player himself for not being able to handle it. The fans have been on Ramseys back yet he is still here because he fought through it. After listening to him again, I'm certain he isn't blaming the fans but actually gervinho for not coping and being weak.

I know he has a lot of faults, but lets not twist his words to add more faults to him and create more anger. That's not what we need

It's not twisting his words, he says Gervinho lacked confidence at the Emirates (not in general), this is a thinly veiled dig at the support for sure otherwise he would have just said he lacked confidence and needed a new challenge.

[Özim]

Then he would have shipped out a lot more players blaming us the fans. In my mind and many others, though while there was pressure from the fans as such, it was the players fault for not being strong enough to deal with it

Like who, most of the others didn't play so he could hardly blame the fans for those? He's got previous with this with the Adebayor transfer, it's nothing new here.

He probably doesn't like the reaction of some of the fans to the fact he's not delivering and so wants to have a little subtle dig...nothing too obvious mind.

It always seems to be someone else's fault, transfers, performances, players underperforming, he shifts the blame away from himself and his precious players.

[tjmill]

Still think Wenger is doing the right thing by getting in quality over just quantity as we did before which didnt pay off.
Im confident he will bring in the right type of player to improve the team before the end of August.

[Power n Glory]

Then he would have shipped out a lot more players blaming us the fans. In my mind and many others, though while there was pressure from the fans as such, it was the players fault for not being strong enough to deal with it

It’s not as if Wenger hasn’t said similar things in the past. The Emirates is hostile, there is no denying it, but Wenger needs to stop deflecting the attention away. He could have said many other things without mentioning the Emirates. Stuff like that doesn’t help. Ramsey came back to form because he kept on getting games despite having continuous poor performances.

[Özim]

Still think Wenger is doing the right thing by getting in quality over just quantity as we did before which didnt pay off.
Im confident he will bring in the right type of player to improve the team before the end of August.

He's not getting quality over quantity, he's getting neither. As we've seen in the past his idea of quality is not exactly what other people's idea of quality is...these end of window bargain bucket buys aren't going to help us at all in any way other than numbers and I certainly don't trust him to bring in the right players, he's got it wrong too often.

We get lumbered with his "quality" players for years most of the time as noone wants them when we eventually realise they're not up to scratch.

[Munchies]

Who the fuck thought paying Bendntner 52k to match his shirt number was clever ?

At the end of the day, I'm not buying into the excuse that Wenger had no money to spend over the last near decade. He did. He wasted it on shit players, obscene amounts on wages, and not strengthening the team each season and allowing it to get in such a state where so much investment is now needed. Wenger out.

[Keith]

Good players can move at the end of the window, RVP, Robinho, Berbatov, Arteta, Nasri, etc.

I still think he'll get the players in we need, those who have gone won't really be missed.

[Munchies]

Good players can move at the end of the window, RVP, Robinho, Berbatov, Arteta, Nasri, etc.

I still think he'll get the players in we need, those who have gone won't really be missed.

Pretty much, all of those who have gone, we have been crying out for them to leave (Bendtner is a parasite though, he just won't go).

The problem is, we're severely lacking in squad depth, and in such instances, I'd rather those that we've shipped out remain with us, I'd rather field Gervinho than a reserve player from the bench. Wenger likes comparing our transfer dealings to Chelski / United, but they have a squad which is much stronger.

[Power n Glory]

Good players can move at the end of the window, RVP, Robinho, Berbatov, Arteta, Nasri, etc.

I still think he'll get the players in we need, those who have gone won't really be missed.

That's cheating. 3 out of those 5 transfers involved Arsenal. :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-market-situation-different-now

Making excuses again.

[Unai Tea]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-market-situation-different-now

Making excuses again.

Is he basically saying the context of football has changed in the last few years and he's no longer competent to deal with it? Based on the evidence that seems to be the logical conclusion to draw from that.

[Özim]

Looks like he's spent all summer writing new excuses, I haven't heard these before. Perhaps he realised the others were becoming a bit stale and hard to believe.

[LDG]

Arsène Wenger says he understands the fans' frustrations but has called for calm as he looks to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

The Arsenal manager has been linked with a number of potential signings and the Club is working hard to gets deals done as the team prepares to kick off the Premier League season against Aston Villa.

Wenger wants to sign top-quality players but, in the meantime, he believes his current squad is in good form.

"I understand every frustration, you have so many frustrated people, but what is important is the quality of what you do on the pitch, so let's not create a crisis from nothing," he said.

"We just played a good game last week [against Manchester City] so let's transfer that to the next game and not start to convince everybody that the quality of the team that starts on Saturday will be linked with the number of players we buy between today and tomorrow.

"The quality of the team will be linked with the performance of every player who plays [against Aston Villa]."

Wenger is focused on Saturday's game - and also his desire to bring in new signings.

"I am optimistic of course [of making signings] but it is very difficult for me to give you a number.

"We look more for quality than for numbers. The first request is to have the quality to play for Arsenal Football Club, after the number comes in. Yes, we would like two or three players if possible but we will not compromise on the quality of the players."



:haha:

[Letters]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-market-situation-different-now

Making excuses again.
Well he's right, obviously. But the market is what it is. If we're serious about competing in it then we have to have people who are competent in working in the current market. We clearly don't.

[Marc Overmars]

:haha:

What a dick, he's compromised plenty of times on the quality of players.

[Özim]

The first request is to have the quality to play for Arsenal Football Club, after the number comes in.

:lol:

So he's saying he doesn't know what positions he needs to strengthen then right, if you did then you would know the number of players you would need.

[LDG]

What a dick, he's compromised plenty of times on the quality of players.

The press spend so much time being wankers, yet they'll never put him on the spot.

I would have asked him point blank, if that was the case, then why the fuck have we needed to shift Chakma, Bender, Denilson, Squilacci, Santos, Gervinho etc etc.

[Ollie the Optimist]

The press spend so much time being wankers, yet they'll never put him on the spot.

I would have asked him point blank, if that was the case, then why the fuck have we needed to shift Chakma, Bender, Denilson, Squilacci, Santos, Gervinho etc etc.

what was it benitez said in his first conference at napoli? something like, in 20 minutes here, i have been asked more about tactics then i ever was in england.

the press here are just shit, they go for headlines and headlines only. they dont put pressure on managers by calling them up on why they played x player in y position etc. they just ask, are you signing suarez, and go with taht. fuck everything else

[Özim]

He says he understands the fans frustrations, he doesn't understand anything that's why he never addresses the issues.

That whole interview is patronising, I wish someone would put him in his place by questioning his answers, there's plenty of questions to be asked and they never seem to ask them!

[Niall_Quinn]

Fuck - he's gone from we WILL make signings to being OPTIMISTIC we'll make signings. So Sanogo it is then because this is the same guy who is optimistic we can challenge for trophies with a squad of 4 players.

I see his point though, nobody else has managed to make transfers if you exclude the blizzard of transfer activity in this window. So it's not just us. And I can see where we were forced to buy before as we had lost players. This time we have only lost 20 players and there are barely enough fit players to make a team, so if you consider that then there's no real urgency to buy. I would think Villa will lend us a player on Saturday if anyone else gets injured so that's fine.

While it's true we provide no entertainment on the pitch any more nobody can say we aren't the most entertaining team during the transfer window.

Leaving the world of Wenger and coming back to reality there's a word that sums this up.

THIEVES.

[Munchies]

"I understand every frustration, you have so many frustrated people, but what is important is the quality of what you do on the pitch, so let's not create a crisis from nothing," he said.

"We just played a good game last week [against Manchester City] so let's transfer that to the next game and not start to convince everybody that the quality of the team that starts on Saturday will be linked with the number of players we buy between today and tomorrow.

I knew the fucker would use that win to not spend a penny, what a tightwad, you just can't get the fucker to spend money, like getting blood out of a stone ffs. He doesn't mind blowing a load on wages, as long as there is no transfer fee.

[Ollie the Optimist]

He says he understands the fans frustrations, he doesn't understand anything that's why he never addresses the issues.

That whole interview is patronising, I wish someone would put him in his place by questioning his answers, there's plenty of questions to be asked and they never seem to ask them!


thats teh problem with the press. they wont call anyone up on anything. they go in, get their headline and go. dont care about tactics etc, all they want is gossip. they're shit

[Munchies]

Part of me is looking forward to conceding a goal early on (we win in the end though) , and are losing until half time. Would be entertaining :haha:

[Gooner23]

I used to find AW's interviews quite interesting.

Now I can't bare them. Some of the nonsense he comes out with is ridiculous.

[Marc Overmars]

what was it benitez said in his first conference at napoli? something like, in 20 minutes here, i have been asked more about tactics then i ever was in england.

the press here are just shit, they go for headlines and headlines only. they dont put pressure on managers by calling them up on why they played x player in y position etc. they just ask, are you signing suarez, and go with taht. fuck everything else

Who cares about tactics?

The only thing on our minds right now is what the hell is going on this summer and the press are right to call him up on it.

[Özim]

thats teh problem with the press. they wont call anyone up on anything. they go in, get their headline and go. dont care about tactics etc, all they want is gossip. they're shit

Pretty much agree, this has been going on for a long time now and this summer has been a disaster and yet they just ask about transfers, wait for the answer jot it down and them move on. There's got to be a journalist who's an Arsenal supporter somewhere that will snap and ask him the questions the fans really want answers to!

Have to say though I want them to question his transfer policy this summer, not his tactics, there's plenty of questions to be asked.

[Munchies]

We just lack a little sharpness...

[Munchies]

Just saw this on twitter:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIMBuORLpc

:haha:

[Ollie the Optimist]

Pretty much agree, this has been going on for a long time now and this summer has been a disaster and yet they just ask about transfers, wait for the answer jot it down and them move on. There's got to be a journalist who's an Arsenal supporter somewhere that will snap and ask him the questions the fans really want answers to!

Have to say though I want them to question his transfer policy this summer, not his tactics, there's plenty of questions to be asked.

at the moment yes, i would rather they questioned him on transfers and why he is being slow/missing out etc etc. but i was making a general point about the press too. after a game, they dont ask him or any other manager for that matter, why he played x in y posistion, or why he made that sub, etc. they just ask, was it a penalty? and move on, or why do you think the crowd booed or whatever it was. no one actually challenges anyone of decisions made in the match.

in regards to wenger and the press this usmmer, they have been awful. are you signing suarez? at the moment, no but we are workinghard. then they move on, they dont question why he bid the £1 or why he wont pay 50 if it means getting him. the press are just full of twats.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Who cares about tactics?

The only thing on our minds right now is what the hell is going on this summer and the press are right to call him up on it.

it was more a general point about hte press overall then now. my point is, they wont question anything really. they jsut ask the one question and leave it at taht when they get their headline. they arent calling him up on anything at all. they should be, but htey arent.

[Syn]

It's not the job of the press to call him up on anything. Arsene is employed by board and upper management, and they're seemingly happy with his performance. If that changes, they'll sack him. Short of spewing racial slurs, he can talk all the shit he wants, it has no impact on what happens on the pitch. What has happened on the pitch is that he has been consistently meeting the minimum requirements of his job.

[Cripps_orig]

The guy is so embarrassing, it's unreal.

Surely he knows he's a laughing stock in football and with arsenal fans as well

[Munchies]

The guy is so embarrassing, it's unreal.

Surely he knows he's a laughing stock in football and with arsenal fans as well

He's ruined his own legacy, sad really.

[Kano]

it was more a general point about hte press overall then now. my point is, they wont question anything really. they jsut ask the one question and leave it at taht when they get their headline. they arent calling him up on anything at all. they should be, but htey arent.
they have no vested interest to ask those questions. their job isn't to ask for the benefit of all the arsenal fans across the world what is going on behind closed doors. their bosses want the basics covered, quotes taken, job done. slap it on the net/paper and next please. in italy the culture is not the same so they ask different questions as more readers than not want to hear that.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

In any organisation or company if you fuck up a project this badly heads would role. The negotiating and player transfer team including Dick Law needs to be replaced - it's clear none of them have the competency or the skills to sign a top quality player. Unfortunately I don't really have faith in Gazidis in making such a bold move and the same clowns will be in place next window. Jobs for the boys and all.

Not excusing Wenger completely but I'm sure he's not naive enough to think the squad is ready. I do honestly believe that he's just as frustrated with what's gone on, I mean the fact that we've been after so many players with him admitting to want Suarez does indicate he wants to get these players in and I don't think it's as clear cut as him personally vetoing transfers because they exceed his personal valuations. I think the failure is down to sheer incompetence and a lack of any real strategy and clear identification of feasible targets and for that my fury is more with the people who are responsible for arranging transfers.

The signs were there early one in the window when our rivals were strengthening and we were quiet, with people daring to express worry and concern about it told to be patient by others. It's far too late now at any rate, pressure needed to be applied from early July.

[Cripps_orig]

He's ruined his own legacy, sad really.

Pretty much

He could have been regarded as one of the greats

[Power n Glory]

In any organisation or company if you fuck up a project this badly heads would role. The negotiating and player transfer team including Dick Law needs to be replaced - it's clear none of them have the competency or the skills to sign a top quality player. Unfortunately I don't really have faith in Gazidis in making such a bold move and the same clowns will be in place next window. Jobs for the boys and all.

Not excusing Wenger completely but I'm sure he's not naive enough to think the squad is ready. I do honestly believe that he's just as frustrated with what's gone on, I mean the fact that we've been after so many players with him admitting to want Suarez does indicate he wants to get these players in and I don't think it's as clear cut as him personally vetoing transfers because they exceed his personal valuations. I think the failure is down to sheer incompetence and a lack of any real strategy and clear identification of feasible targets and for that my fury is more with the people who are responsible for arranging transfers.

The signs were there early one in the window when our rivals were strengthening and we were quiet, with people daring to express worry and concern about it told to be patient by others. It's far too late now at any rate, pressure needed to be applied from early July.

It doesn’t seem that way. Especially when you consider the recent comments about City and the changes in the market.

[Nayan]

(daily mirror)
we have bid 6million for swanseas ashley williams.
After swansea paid 8million for caulker and dont want to sell anyway.

Glass of whisky and revolver for Mr Wenger

[Unai Tea]

wenger has bid 6million for swanseas ashley williams.
After swansea paid 8million for caulker and dont wnt to sell anyway.

Glass of whisky and revolver for Mr Wenger

Based on this summer, I'd be happier with giving him a bucket of warm pish and a rusty spoon.

[Özim]

(daily mirror)
we have bid 6million for swanseas ashley williams.
After swansea paid 8million for caulker and dont want to sell anyway.

Glass of whisky and revolver for Mr Wenger

Christmas at Wenger's house:

Wife asks for iPhone 5, Wenger deems it too expensive and buys an Airphone from China and says it's the quality not the name that matters and that just because it doesn't cost £600 it doesn't mean it's not top class.

[Grebbo]

(daily mirror)
we have bid 6million for swanseas ashley williams.
After swansea paid 8million for caulker and dont want to sell anyway.

Glass of whisky and revolver for Mr Wenger

Caulker went to Cardiff not Swansea.
And we've supposedly bid 300% more than Swansea paid for Michu so it's a pretty good offer if you want to use comparisons.

My problem isn't the bid it's that Williams is not good enough. We should be buying a top class defender, we have the money, not squad fillers.

[Niall_Quinn]

Christmas at Wenger's house - silence. He's at the Emirates trying to light his one lump of goal in the disconnected gas fireplace. Ivan Cratchit is at his desk mourning the death of Tiny Diaby and three defeated ghosts are outside muttering, "That's a seriously tight bastard!"

[Özim]

Caulker went to Cardiff not Swansea.
And we've supposedly bid 300% more than Swansea paid for Michu so it's a pretty good offer if you want to use comparisons.

My problem isn't the bid it's that Williams is not good enough. We should be buying a top class defender, we have the money, not squad fillers.

6 million quid is peanuts, you get kids for that, we'll never sign one of their first teamers for that kind of money. I don't want him anyway.

[Grebbo]

6 million quid is peanuts, you get kids for that, we'll never sign one of their first teamers for that kind of money. I don't want him anyway.

I don't want him either.

[Niall_Quinn]

Better to have nobody than bring in more shite. It'll be tough for any player who isn't quality because the expectations were so high. Just get Henry and Benayoun back on loan and be done with it.

[Özim]

I don't want him either.

That's not good news, we have a habit of signing players none of the fans want us to sign.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's not good news, we have a habit of signing players none of the fans want us to sign.

Okay, we definitely want him then. But we want Gareth Barry even more.

[Grebbo]

Better to have nobody than bring in more shite. It'll be tough for any player who isn't quality because the expectations were so high. Just get Henry and Benayoun back on loan and be done with it.

Yeah I agree, no point buying more shite during the supermarket sweep that is transfer deadline day. Our current team should be the squad fillers. We need world class players or there's no point in signing anyone.

[Niall_Quinn]

:tumbleweed:

As always.

[Letters]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/15/article-2395135-1B511430000005DC-701_634x608.jpg

:ilt:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Where's the icon for minimum first-team involvement last season from the players that left?

[Özim]

Bumbling idiots > Wenger

[Unai Tea]

On the bright side, the team practically picks itself these days...no concerns about who is performing well, just need to take whoever's fit and put them on the field in whatever position they're most used to. Any gaps can be plugged with random academy kids or, in extremis, passers-by

[Niall_Quinn]

Where's the icon for minimum first-team involvement last season from the players that left?

Yes the media is having some fun at our expense. But we tend to set ourselves up for it.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

It doesn’t seem that way. Especially when you consider the recent comments about City and the changes in the market.

I dunno, I've learnt not to take anything Wenger says at face value.

He's just trying to save some face and diffuse some of the fan pressure. I don't think he's been partying about our lack of ability to secure and close deals.

[Niall_Quinn]

I dunno, I've learnt not to take anything Wenger says at face value.

He's just trying to save some face and diffuse some of the fan pressure. I don't think he's been partying about our lack of ability to secure and close deals.

Whatever the details behind the scenes there always seems to be one consistent fact - a transfer window profit. Coincidental of course but handy for the recipients. You could pretty much rename the transfer window to pay-day.

[Power n Glory]

I dunno, I've learnt not to take anything Wenger says at face value.

He's just trying to save some face and diffuse some of the fan pressure. I don't think he's been partying about our lack of ability to secure and close deals.

You should. Plenty of clues and hints to suggest he's not in a panic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yes the media is having some fun at our expense. But we tend to set ourselves up for it.

I don't see why. We're taking a stand against bringing in more of those nasty foreigners!

[Niall_Quinn]

I don't see why. We're taking a stand against bringing in more of those nasty foreigners!

And for all we know the Sun could have a front page of a Union flag, our badge and some stomping Nazis - but it's subscription only now and seeing as no sane person would pay to endure the Sun we'll never know.

[Grebbo]

Wenger says he was on the phone to Fergie today. Talking about Rooney or most likely how long before we sell them Wilshere.

[Munchies]

Wenger says he was on the phone to Fergie today. Talking about Rooney or most likely how long before we sell them Wilshere.

Wilshere :lol:

Over-rated and can no longer hide behind the injuries excuse. He runs past a few players, then loses the ball or does a shit pass.

[Grebbo]

Wilshere :lol:

Over-rated

Any English player with an ounce of technical ability is overrated. Wilshere is good, he has the potential to be great.

[Munchies]

Any English player with an ounce of technical ability is overrated. Wilshere is good, he has the potential to be great.

Not great enough for United to come in for him

[Cripps_orig]

Nah Wilshere isn't that good yet.

He'll still be here for a couple of year

[Grebbo]

Not great enough for United to come in for him

Yeah you're right. He doesn't have the potential to be as good as Carrick, Cleverley or Fletcher.

[Munchies]

Yeah you're right. He doesn't have the potential to be as good as Carrick, Cleverley or Fletcher.

Well when you put it that way, I guess you're right :lol:

[Master Splinter]

Just get Benayoun and be done with it.

:gp:

Benayoun :bow:.

[Munchies]

What about putting in a £70m bid for Bale ?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qic0sPS6-Xs

[Marc Overmars]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRzbHk1CAAADpMe.jpg:large

[Munchies]

LMFAO !!!

GP's one yesterday still tops it, but :haha:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BL_O4WvCIAEcGxU.jpg

[Cripps_orig]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRzbHk1CAAADpMe.jpg:large

:haha:

Best one so far

[Munchies]

Remember this one ?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BHaeeTCCQAAGUnZ.jpg

:haha: :haha:

[GP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRzbHk1CAAADpMe.jpg:large

what am I looking at?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

what am I looking at?

Probably a picture of you, Simon Cowell and Paul McKenna in the days where you went cruising together

[Cripps_orig]

Probably a picture of you, Simon Cowell and Paul McKenna in the days where you went cruising together

:haha:

[GP]

I've never met Paul McKenna

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Probably a picture of you, Simon Cowell and Paul McKenna in the days where you went cruising together

:haha:

[Özim]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRzbHk1CAAADpMe.jpg:large

:lol: You're a really funny guy Cock Nose

[Özim]

Remember this one ?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BHaeeTCCQAAGUnZ.jpg

:haha: :haha:

Wenger on what of his secret shopping trips, everyone thinks we're signing one player but he's off in disguise going to tie up a deal for someone else.

Wenger smokescreens :bow:

[Nayan]

window shopping. fucking typical

[Japan Shaking All Over]

I still think we'll smash our transfer record tbh.

Not exactly difficult that......

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Wenger says he was on the phone to Fergie today. Talking about Rooney or most likely how long before we sell them Wilshere.

Why would he be talking to Fergie on the phone today about Rooney and Wilshere?

[GP]

Not exactly difficult that......

It is if he doesn't buy anyone.

[Grebbo]

Why would he be talking to Fergie on the phone today about Rooney and Wilshere?

What??

:lol:

Wenger said on Sky Sports that he spoke with Fergie on the phone today. I added the other shit.

[Özim]

What??

:lol:

Wenger said on Sky Sports that he spoke with Fergie on the phone today. I added the other shit.

Dirty git should keep his hands off, she's married!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

It is if he doesn't buy anyone.

ahhh right!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

What??

:lol:

Wenger said on Sky Sports that he spoke with Fergie on the phone today. I added the other shit.

ahh right!

[Niall_Quinn]

ahhh right!

What he meant was WHEN he doesn't buy anyone.