Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit

[GP]

Mmmmmm....fresh breath.

I meant fruit polios.

[Özim]

Rather have a bowl of Choco Krispies.
I'd rather have a bowl of cocoa pops.

[Munchies]

I'd rather have a bowl of cocoa pops.

Dat's racist.

http://www.rangercentral.com/database/1993_mighty_morphin_power_rangers/images/mmpr-rg-zack.jpg

[GP]

Power Rangers was racist as fuck.

The yellow ranger was chinese as well. And she couldn't drive for shit.

[Munchies]

Power Rangers was racist as fuck.

The yellow ranger was chinese as well. And she couldn't drive for shit.

:run:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

:rolleyes:
He isn't a 16 year old from the swiss 4th division, he's been playing in the Bundesliga for years and has tons of caps with Romania. He was rated when he first broke through but fell off the radar.



You forgot to mention he made 223 league appearances in those 12 years (with a lot of those appearances off the bench). Putting him on a par with Bendtner as a 1 in 5 striker, except Marica also knows how to control a football. As I said, nothing special but he could tide us over until the January window.

So not good enough for us.

Glad that's sorted.

[Cripps_orig]

Romania striker Ciprian Marica's agent says the 27-year-old is close to joining Arsenal. Maric is a free agent after leaving Schalke. Shakhtar Dontesk, Lazio and Inter Milan have all been interested.
Full story: Daily Mirror


Better than Sanogo and Bendtner.

[KSE Comedy Club]

So after the amazing coup of Ozil, we rummage around the back of the sofa and pull his out?

Meh.

[Harland]

So after the amazing coup of Ozil, we rummage around the back of the sofa and pull his out?

Meh.

Don't think we are spoilt for choices right now...

Pretty sure he's just a stop gap option until January when we buy Suarez and Wayne Rooney.

[Munchies]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/11/article-2417009-1BBEE8BB000005DC-980_308x204.jpg (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2417009/Sanogo-injury-leaves-Arsenal-Olivier-Giroud-fit-striker.html)

Sanogo is injured :lol:

[KSE Comedy Club]

Again?!?

How can this be? He was like iron man before he came here :coffee:

Or was he bitten by a dog whilst he was delivering the post this morning?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Rather have coolio

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr7v9aZsXG1qkrs7xo1_500.jpg

after you.......

[Özim]

Again?!?

How can this be? He was like iron man before he came here :coffee:

Or was he bitten by a dog whilst he was delivering the post this morning?

It was the dog, I can confirm my next door neighbours Chihuahua bit his trouser leg yesterday, he rolled around in agony for a good couple of minutes after it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I've lost count of how many 'crises' Daily Mail have plunged us in to now.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I've lost count of how many 'crises' Daily Mail have plunged us in to now.

Sounds like another crisis to me.

[Özim]

I've lost count of how many 'crises' Daily Mail have plunged us in to now.

True we still have Feo and Chupa Chup as backups. Crisis...what crisis.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

You know WUMger, he can get 10 goals out of any pub team striker.

[Niall_Quinn]

The only crisis is we signed Ozil. A lot of people don't like that. Definitely they would have been happier if we signed Holt or Bent on the cheap, but Ozil has killed a lot of their boilerplate material. "Wenger refuses to spend", "Top players leaving Arsenal", "Arsenal have no ambition", "Levy is not a cunt" - all gone, wiped away by this selfish transfer.

[Munchies]

Look at what PingPong posted: Bench Edition

http://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/gallery/gimages/screen-shot-2013-09-10-at-8-35-22-pm.png

:haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Frimpong is a bit of an expert when it comes to the bench. And the treatment table.

[Cripps_orig]

Agent: Marica 'close to joining Arsenal

The striker is available on a free transfer after leaving Schalke at the end of the last season and his representative has revealed a move could be in the offing "next week"

Former Schalke striker Ciprian Marica is set to join Arsenal on a free transfer, according to the player's agent.

Arsene Wenger failed with big-money pursuits of both Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain during the summer window, before smashing the Gunners' transfer record with the €47 million capture of midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho also blocked a loan switch for Demba Ba to the Emirates Stadium on deadline day, leaving Wenger with limited options up front, but Marica's agent, Ioan Becali, insists his client is close to a move.

"He's close to joining Arsenal, but we have to wait for the next week," Becali told Prosport.ro.

"Marica is a really great striker who has already got experience in western European football and so it's natural that big clubs are eyeing his career."

Marica left Schalke at the end of last season after notching just five league goals during a two-year spell.

Back to normal we are I see

[Xhaka Can’t]

Well, we are limited as to choices now the window has SLAMMED SHUT! But if he keeps Bendtner off the pitch for the League Cup games, he is almost as good a signing as Oizil.

[Özim]

Iaquinta is available, he's a better option surely.

[Syn]

Don't see the point of adding another shitster on our books on a probable 3+ year contract just because he might be marginally better than Bendtner right now. After removing most of the disease, we've got a likeable squad of players with only one scrubber left to eradicate. Let's not double our workload.

[Master Splinter]

Yeah, Dennis Bendtner aside, we have unproven young players now, but no-one truly shit/beyond repair in the squad. Only Vermaelen could fall into one of those categories if he's not careful. I don't include Park because he doesn't exist on this physical plane.

[milla]

Don't see the point of adding another shitster on our books on a probable 3+ year contract just because he might be marginally better than Bendtner right now. After removing most of the disease, we've got a likeable squad of players with only one scrubber left to eradicate. Let's not double our workload.

Tis :gp:

We have Bendtner in our payroll, use him. We should go quality over quantity, save it for Reus when we bid for him next summer. :coffee:

[GP]

Tis :gp:

We have Bendtner in our payroll, use him. We should go quality over quantity, save it for Reus when we bid for him next summer. :coffee:

http://i.imgur.com/gaG3ArG.gif

[Munchies]

http://i.imgur.com/gaG3ArG.gif

http://i.imgur.com/sZm8bUu.gif

[fakeyank]

Is Park Chu still with us?

[Munchies]

Is Park Chu still with us?

http://i.imgur.com/PUbI9a2.gif

[Marc Overmars]

The South Korea coach has told Park to leave if he wants a future with the national team but apparently he's unwilling to terminate his contract with us.

****.

[Munchies]

The South Korea coach has told Park to leave if he wants a future with the national team but apparently he's unwilling to terminate his contract with us.

****.

These fuckers are living the life, 1000x more weekly pay and they don't even have to go sign on like benefit scroungers!

[GP]

I could contribute the exact same thing to Arsenal Football Club, and I'd do it for half the price.

Sign me up!

[Munchies]

Is he so bad we won't even play him if we had 0 strikers ? WTF is he doing here ?

[GP]

Shirt sales, tbh.

[Marc Overmars]

Quite unbelievable he can earn as much as he does without even getting out of bed. I mean, he doesn't train with us, so what the fuck does he do?

[Munchies]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14692916
Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign South Korea striker Chu Young Park from Monaco.

Park, 26, who was a former target for Premier League rivals Fulham, will cost the Gunners between £3m and £5m.

Thought it was on a free :haha:

[milla]

http://i.imgur.com/gaG3ArG.gif

http://img.pandawhale.com/40158-gay-seal-gif-9YWi.gif

[Munchies]

http://img.pandawhale.com/40158-gay-seal-gif-9YWi.gif

http://abload.de/img/awzmdpq_460sayush6.gif

[Cripps_orig]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14692916
Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign South Korea striker Chu Young Park from Monaco.

Park, 26, who was a former target for Premier League rivals Fulham, will cost the Gunners between £3m and £5m.

Thought it was on a free :haha:
Tbf, he wasn't a Wenger signing....:haha:

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BT6Uo6iIUAEP6c2.jpg

We're doomed ...

[Munchies]

Tbf, he wasn't a Wenger signing....:haha:

Either way, he's being paid shit loads to eat chow mein all day ffs

Whoever signed him should be sacked

Either fuckin shape up or gettowt :getcoat:

[GP]

Either way, he's being paid shit loads to eat chow mein all day ffs

Whoever signed him should be sacked

It's barely worth getting upset about. He's an irrelevance. Like Letters' face.

[Munchies]

It's barely worth getting upset about. He's an irrelevance. Like Letters' face.

I know :lol:

Probably the first time he's been mentioned in whole year, no one really cares, and for that reason no one has a clue where he is , if we did, some journalist for the daily mail would have a article on it by now.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Surely not turning up to training breaches contract and as a result we can with hold his wages?

To some extent unlike Bendtner I do kind of feel some sympathy for the lad though. He was going to sign for a club more his level (Lille) before we barged in at the last moment and hijacked the deal, with Wenger and Gazidis probably seducing him with promises of decent game time at a premier CL Club. Yes I suppose he holds the ultimate responsibility for deciding to sign but the lure of us for a player of his level is difficult to turn down. He probably spends every day regretting it, wasting away the prime years of his career. In the end he barely even got a minute of game time, that's how much he must of stunk it up in training.

I don't know what the deal is with him going missing but I suspect he's probably having some real mental issues right now in which case I do hope the club are trying their utmost to locate him so they can give him the help he needs and rehabilitate him so we can move him on to a new place in January.

[Niall_Quinn]

I know :lol:

Probably the first time he's been mentioned in whole year, no one really cares, and for that reason no one has a clue where he is , if we did, some journalist for the daily mail would have a article on it by now.

Nah, I was fighting with him in a thread just a couple of days ago and it's a bit of a stretch to say the Daily Mail would be interested in his whereabouts. He's a big fish on GW but that's about it in the grander scheme.

[Niall_Quinn]

Surely not turning up to training breaches contract and as a result we can with hold his wages?

To some extent unlike Bendtner I do kind of feel some sympathy for the lad though. He was going to sign for a club more his level (Lille) before we barged in at the last moment and hijacked the deal, with Wenger and Gazidis probably seducing him with promises of decent game time at a premier CL Club. Yes I suppose he holds the ultimate responsibility for deciding to sign but the lure of us for a player of his level is difficult to turn down. He probably spends every day regretting it, wasting away the prime years of his career. In the end he barely even got a minute of game time, that's how much he must of stunk it up in training.

I don't know what the deal is with him going missing but I suspect he's probably having some real mental issues right now in which case I do hope the club are trying their utmost to locate him so they can give him the help he needs and rehabilitate him so we can move him on to a new place in January.

He's cooking with family members in his hotel room, I don't see what more he can be expected to do. Even so, next week he's planning to take the entire family on a trip in his mini, which will be a new world record. Hardly underachieving. Plus he's sold 3 shirts.

[Cripps_orig]

Sochaux defender Sebastien Corchia, 23 has refused to rule out the possibility of leaving the French club for Arsenal in the winter transfer window.
Full story: talkSPORT


Who?

[Penguin]

Tbf, he wasn't a Wenger signing....:haha:

Whose signing is he then? :unsure:

[Niall_Quinn]

So what's happening, are we just rolling on to the January window without a pause?

[Cripps_orig]

Whose signing is he then? :unsure:

'twas sarcasm.

Park not being a Wenger signing is was said by someone on here to defend Wenger.

[Nayan]

Either way, he's being paid shit loads to eat chow mein all day ffs

Whoever signed him should be sacked

Either fuckin shape up or gettowt :getcoat:

he's korean. not chinese. Kimchee, dog meat and gang-nam sty' would've been better stereotypes

[Japan Shaking All Over]

He's cooking with family members in his hotel room, I don't see what more he can be expected to do. Even so, next week he's planning to take the entire family on a trip in his mini, which will be a new world record. Hardly underachieving. Plus he's sold 3 shirts.

and they were his own too.......

[Japan Shaking All Over]

So what's happening, are we just rolling on to the January window without a pause?

http://www.vh1.com/sitewide/promoimages/shows/h/hip_hop_honors_2009/video/hhh_full/seg_7/320x240.jpg?width=140&height=105&enlarge=false&mattecolor=white

you said it.....

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal are monitoring the progress of 19-year-old Danish midfielder Patrick Olsen at Inter Milan and may return to the Italian club with an improved offer after a loan deal was rejected.
Full story: talkSPORT

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that Arsenal "paid heavily" when signing playmaker Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid and that his side and Manchester City have done the best transfer window business.
Full story: the Guardian


No thanks

Spuds :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

No thanks

Spuds :lol:

Anyone got news on when all the crying about us signing Ozil is going to stop? Probably when he slams 4 goals in against them I suppose. And anyway, shouldn't AVB be concentrating on trying to get his team to score from open play?

[Xhaka Can’t]

Anyone got news on when all the crying about us signing Ozil is going to stop? Probably when he slams 4 goals in against them I suppose. And anyway, shouldn't AVB be concentrating on trying to get his team to score from open play?

I'd be fairly happy if he didn't.

It would also be nice if refs would stop gifting them penalties.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

AVB isn't that negative in what he says of it tbf. It can't be really, they've paid £9 million for someone yet to get a work permit.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/13/andre-villas-boas-ozil-arsenal-tottenham

[BOBN]

Only player im worried about is Lamela. The rest :pal:

[Munchies]

Gareth Barry had a good game today :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are among a host of clubs monitoring Juventus striker Fernando Llorente, 28. The Spain international has struggled since joining the Serie A side on a free transfer this summer.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Arsenal will test Manchester United's determination to keep Wayne Rooney by offering the Old Trafford club £30m for him in the January transfer window.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Mathieu Flamini has warned Arsenal that he wants to finish his career with the "club of his heart" Marseille. The 29-year-old midfielder started his career with the Ligue 1 side before moving to Arsenal in 2004.
Full story: Metro


Llorente and Wazza up front :bow:

Flamster to do a Cesc? :popcorn:

[Niall_Quinn]

When is somebody going to inform the media (and agents no doubt) the transfer window is closed and now it's time for some football? Obviously if the agents had there way there'd never be a game played and the entire season would be spent on transfers and contract negotiations. Then again, agents are blood sucking leeches that exist to steal from football. If the media isn't careful it'll be viewed that way too...

[Cripps_orig]

And Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's concerns over his lack of cover up front was the reason he blocked 25-year-old striker Nicklas Bendtner's move to Crystal Palace.
Full story: Sunday Express


Wy not just buy a striker?

Wenger :doh:

[JonasTC]

Lewandowskis agent has confirmed that he have been having meetings with Napoli and talk positive about them, maybe its just a trick to make Bayern raise their contract offer, but we should seriously go all in for this guy in January, offer him like a 15mil+ sign-on bonus and same pay as Özil as minimum.

[Penguin]

I thought he had his heart set on joining Bayern Munich. If he would consider joining Napoli then surely he would love to join Arsenal with Ozil supplying him.

:pray:

[Syn]

Agent talk. Everybody knows its a done deal with Bayern. Trying to sign him is almost as pointless as trying to sign Suarez.

[I am invisible]

Pointless bids are our speciality? If we can somehow make it derisory and/or insulting too, then I reckon we have the makings of a solid Arsenal transfer saga here...

[Syn]

Pointless bids are our speciality? If we can somehow make it derisory and/or insulting too, then I reckon we have the makings of a solid Arsenal transfer saga here...

:lol:

Fair point.

[Marc Overmars]

Lewandowski would be be little bit special but I'm pretty sure he's Bayern bound.

[I am invisible]

Incidentally, is anyone else getting really bored of the word 'derisory' now? Surely there must be other words and phrases out there to describe our insulting offers?

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Incidentally, is anyone else getting really bored of the word 'derisory' now? Surely there must be other words and phrases out there to describe our insulting offers?

Shit.

[milla]

Shit.

Spurs

[LDG]

Spurs

:gp:

[I am invisible]

How is it Holly put it in Red Dwarf? A steaming pile of Hotspur?

[Nayan]

who said that? I can't see anyone

[BOBN]

Luis Gustavo has 2 red cards in 3 games :lol:

This is what happens when you join a small club like Wolfsburg. Should have come here and got that Big 4 protection :threaten:

[Ollie the Optimist]

that big four protection? you mean united protection

[BOBN]

that big four protection? you mean united protection
Flamini should have been sent off against Spurs after 5 mins tbh.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Flamini should have been sent off against Spurs after 5 mins tbh.

for doing what? making a tackle and winning the ball?


you are talking about big four protection. explain to me these 2 things. mike dean and anthony taylor

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I was boring the ahfc lot with it all summer but I can't understand why Lewandowski to Bayern should be set in stone a year before it is even being purported to happen.

It is Stone until we make our money talk to all parties loudly enough. Just like any deal.

But if we can pull off another greatestpanicbuyofalltime Ozilesque type signing in January and sign one of the top 5 strikers in the world who isn't Lewandowski or Suarez then by all means....bring him in. Please. Cheers AFC.

[BOBN]

for doing what? making a tackle and winning the ball?


you are talking about big four protection. explain to me these 2 things. mike dean and anthony taylor
Never heard of them tbh :shrug:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

I was boring the ahfc lot with it all summer but I can't understand why Lewandowski to Bayern should be set in stone a year before it is even being purported to happen.

It is Stone until we make our money talk to all parties loudly enough. Just like any deal.

But if we can pull off another greatestpanicbuyofalltime Ozilesque type signing in January and sign one of the top 5 strikers in the world who isn't Lewandowski or Suarez then by all means....bring him in. Please. Cheers AFC.

Spot on. Money talks and if we make a huge bid he'd come here.

[JonasTC]

http://www.teamtalk.com/arsenal/8926331/Transfer-news-Atletico-Madrid-defender-Juanfran-claims-Arsenal-summer-interest

Apperently this guy turned down our contract offer this summer.

[Dr Singh]

I was boring the ahfc lot with it all summer but I can't understand why Lewandowski to Bayern should be set in stone a year before it is even being purported to happen.

It is Stone until we make our money talk to all parties loudly enough. Just like any deal.

But if we can pull off another greatestpanicbuyofalltime Ozilesque type signing in January and sign one of the top 5 strikers in the world who isn't Lewandowski or Suarez then by all means....bring him in. Please. Cheers AFC.

I know I've firmly stated he's off to Bayern, but you do have a point.

6 months left on his contract? He's currently on 60k/week. We could literally treble it. We'd happily pay 180k/week to Rooney/Suarez. Given the knock back price we could get Lewendowski for, why the hell not? We probably wouldn't even need to go above 120k.

[Penguin]

How much is Ozil on?

We wont go higher than we're paying him, at best we'll match it.

[I am invisible]

How much is Ozil on?

We wont go higher than we're paying him, at best we'll match it.

£180k/week, I think?

[Ollie the Optimist]

How much is Ozil on?

We wont go higher than we're paying him, at best we'll match it.

supposdly not taht much. well in football terms not that much. around 130k i think from reports

[AFC Leveller]

Ozil is on 150 a week i read somewhere.

i agree with Blink, we should at least pretend to show interest. We knew Surez was gonna be tough as hell but we still bid 3 times so why not go for somebody who we can genuinly attract?

[JonasTC]

Mata still not playing for Chelsea, we should go for him... Cazorla, Ozil, Mata covering our wings/am position would be sexy on a barca level :D

[milla]

Mata still not playing for Chelsea, we should go for him... Cazorla, Ozil, Mata covering our wings/am position would be sexy on a barca level :D

This is :gp:

[Transplanted Gooner]

Mata still not playing for Chelsea, we should go for him... Cazorla, Ozil, Mata covering our wings/am position would be sexy on a barca level :D

Maureen vetoed Ba coming here. Does anybody think he'd sanction transferring Mata here?

[Munchies]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-08VEsVKb-tw/Uj3VqgQuEHI/AAAAAAAAJvg/JEz3IYM02eA/w525-h367-no/Screen+Shot+2013-09-21+at+8.22.02+PM.png
Not sure he really means it. Just got to wait and see him wear the shirt again I guess :doh:

[JonasTC]

Maureen vetoed Ba coming here. Does anybody think he'd sanction transferring Mata here?

I think it was because it was in the last minute and only a loan deal... If we actually made a proper bid, and made Mata's camp put pressure on Chelsea, for not getting any playing time, i dont think Chelsea could afford having an expensive player on the bench and say no to a 20mil+ offer.

[GP]

I think it was because it was in the last minute and only a loan deal... If we actually made a proper bid, and made Mata's camp put pressure on Chelsea, for not getting any playing time, i dont think Chelsea could afford having an expensive player on the bench and say no to a 20mil+ offer.

Money means nothing to them. They'd happily keep him frozen out.

[Syn]

Money means nothing to them. They'd happily keep him frozen out.

Silly to even contemplate it. It's a bit ridiculous that we tried to get Ba as well - regardless of whether you rate him or not. Fucking us over at the last minute...everyone at the club should've been able to see that.

[milla]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-08VEsVKb-tw/Uj3VqgQuEHI/AAAAAAAAJvg/JEz3IYM02eA/w525-h367-no/Screen+Shot+2013-09-21+at+8.22.02+PM.png
Not sure he really means it. Just got to wait and see him wear the shirt again I guess :doh:

Nick, welcome back :good:

[Munchies]

Nick, welcome back :good:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/21/article-2427881-1822CBE400000578-84_634x744.jpg

Worlds best striker :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

What a freak.

I bet he's on the bench tomorrow, that's probably why he tweeted about being involved again.

[Munchies]

I fecking hate the fact that he's playing again for us.

Yes we got Ozil, but ffs, we only really spent around £32m net in the summer, still had £40m+ supposedly left.

[Boss]

Bendtner :bow: :bow:

Off the bench to score a 90th minute winner tomorrow.

[Ollie the Optimist]

if he actually has changed, put his head down and worked hard and continues to work hard on the pitch whne playing then he will be a decent back up option. he has scored quite a few goals for us.


however, i dont think he will put his head down etc. his attiude stinks and i cant see it changing

[milla]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/21/article-2427881-1822CBE400000578-84_634x744.jpg

Worlds best striker :bow:

West Brom would be a good place to get his first start for Nick IMO. :coffee:

[Xhaka Can’t]

West Brom would be a good place to get his first start for Nick IMO. :coffee:

Against who?

[GP]

Did he change his squad number?

[Marc Overmars]

Looks like it, I don't think keeping 52 would have been the brightest idea if his aim is to build some bridges.

[milla]

Against who?

Me :doh:

Wumger said Bendtner would start in CC against Brum this Wed, a good place for Bendtner to restart his Arsenal career. :coffee:

[milla]

Looks like it, I don't think keeping 52 would have been the brightest idea if his aim is to build some bridges.

He changed to 23. :coffee:

[Munchies]

Santi Cazorla is set to return to Arsenal action in 10 days time against Napoli. (mirror)

[Marc Overmars]

Hope so. Going to that game so I hope I'll be there to witness Özil and Cazorla's tag team debut.

[Dr Singh]

ANR with a scary yet realistic point :

Myles says: In January, Mourinho would love to sign a power No.9.

He wants a Shearer, a Batistuta, a Van Nistelrooy. In fact, the centre forward he needs right now is Lewandowski, who can score, link and bully.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/21/article-2427881-1822CBE400000578-84_634x744.jpg

Worlds best striker :bow:

Is that a chinaman or a lesbian?

[GP]

He's turning into Leonardo Di Caprio.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

So a lesbian.

[GP]

A Chinese lesbian.

[alexander]

I thought he would be a decent player for us. OK, he went off the rails, but he is back, and if he still wants a move, maybe he will put in the hard work to secure it.
Before he was often played out of position imo, often came on and played on the wings. good option to bring on when we are struggling and fire some long balls up to him?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Performances are all that counts.

He can still carve out a role for himself as a decent 3rd/4th choice if he wants to. Despite all that's been said and done if he's willing to knuckle down and put the performances on the pitch then there can still be a future for him here.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

All hail the Kingslayer. :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

He's got the touch of a rapist and his finishing is erratic at the best of times.

He's garbage but hopefully he is serious about proving his doubters wrong as we need viable options.

[Munchies]

ANR with a scary yet realistic point :

Myles says: In January, Mourinho would love to sign a power No.9.

He wants a Shearer, a Batistuta, a Van Nistelrooy. In fact, the centre forward he needs right now is Lewandowski, who can score, link and bully.

Isn't Lewand going to Bayern ?

[LDG]

Arsenal and Juventus are weighing up a move for Basel centre-back Fabian Schar, 21

I have no idea who this is.

[Ollie the Optimist]

ANR with a scary yet realistic point :

Myles says: In January, Mourinho would love to sign a power No.9.

He wants a Shearer, a Batistuta, a Van Nistelrooy. In fact, the centre forward he needs right now is Lewandowski, who can score, link and bully.

you mean the guy who told us this year that when at a BBQ this summer he found out Fabregas was a done deal?

yeah he talks nothing but bullshit

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

ANR with a scary yet realistic point :

Myles says: In January, Mourinho would love to sign a power No.9.

He wants a Shearer, a Batistuta, a Van Nistelrooy. In fact, the centre forward he needs right now is Lewandowski, who can score, link and bully.

Mourinho hasn't just found out about Lewandowski though...... If anything I'm surprised he didn't pursue him in the summer if only to annoy Guardiola....

[footloose, the wanderer]

He's turning into Leonardo Di Caprio.

Try Delorean Di Crapio

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

you mean the guy who told us this year that when at a BBQ this summer he found out Fabregas was a done deal?

yeah he talks nothing but bullshit

:haha:

[BOBN]

Looks like it, I don't think keeping 52 would have been the brightest idea if his aim is to build some bridges.
52 is beneath him. Only Micheal Jordans number will do now. Bendtner is the great of greats :bow:

[LDG]

Arsenal are set to sign Basel defender Fabian Schar, 21, in January as boss Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his backline

I still have no idea who this is.

[milla]

I still have no idea who this is.

If we are to sign anyone from Basel, we should go for Mo Saleh. Excellent player and would sell a lot of shirts in ME & Africa. :coffee:

[Dein-machine]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/09/21/article-2427881-1822CBE400000578-84_634x744.jpg

Worlds best striker :bow:

Looks like a young Ray Winstone in Scum - funny that.

[footloose, the wanderer]

If you wanna sell shirts, Zhang Linpeng (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Linpeng)*

* He was highly praised by Italian manager Marcello Lippi who described him as "the best Chinese footballer in the Chinese Super League"

Q - Would that make him good enough for EPL?


If we are to sign anyone from Basel, we should go for Mo Saleh. Excellent player and would sell a lot of shirts in ME & Africa. :coffee:

[milla]

If you wanna sell shirts, Zhang Linpeng (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Linpeng)*

* He was highly praised by Italian manager Marcello Lippi who described him as "the best Chinese footballer in the Chinese Super League"

Q - Would that make him good enough for EPL?

Chinese market is well covered by Park IMO. :coffee:

[Nayan]

Chinese market is well covered by Park IMO. :coffee:

korean

[GP]

Oh like there's a difference.

[milla]

korean

Potatoes tomatoes :coffee:

[AFC Leveller]

we should sign suarez, he's chomping at the bit according to Rodgers.

[footloose, the wanderer]

Park is NOT Chinese - South Korean


Chinese market is well covered by Park IMO. :coffee:

[footloose, the wanderer]

1.351 billion Chinese and 50 million South Koreans think so, but hey what do they know?


Oh like there's a difference.

[GP]

but hey what do they know?

Math and StarCraft.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Math and StarCraft.

Old Boy :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

Lewandowski has confirmed he'll join Bayern next year and will sign a pre-contract in January.

[Gooner23]

Shame, but at least the chavs wont be getting him.

[Munchies]

Lewandowski has confirmed he'll join Bayern next year and will sign a pre-contract in January.

What a cunt.

Rather get Suarez though, lets hope LFC crash down now

[milla]

What a cunt.

Rather get Suarez though, lets hope LFC crash down now

Suarez would suit us best plus he is a cunt. :coffee:

[JonasTC]

Doesnt the rule state, that he is not allowed to speak with other clubs, until he has 6 months left?

[milla]

Doesnt the rule state, that he is not allowed to speak with other clubs, until he has 6 months left?

Big clubs can do whatever they want. :coffee:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I wonder how much Bayern will pay if he goes in January....

[Ollie the Optimist]

Doesnt the rule state, that he is not allowed to speak with other clubs, until he has 6 months left?

think i read somewhere in that in germany its differnt. you can sign up to a year in advance?

[Marc Overmars]

The negotiations were probably done in the summer anyway.

[GP]

Time to throw some money at him to change his mind.

[Syn]

http://31.media.tumblr.com/efb6599025bcd58a5b7763e347c88848/tumblr_msjecugqqN1qdm5ngo1_400.gif

[Özim]

Short term option could be Di Natale, the guy scores bags of goals, he's getting on a bit but as a mid season option he's not a bad option.

[JonasTC]

Short term option could be Di Natale, the guy scores bags of goals, he's getting on a bit but as a mid season option he's not a bad option.

Question is how long he can keep doing it, he's turning 36 in 2 weeks, pretty amazing that he's still going strong on the highest level.

[milla]

If we can't get Suarez, we should go Michu. He is not out and out striker but a perfect fake no 9, typical Wumger striker IMO. :coffee:

[Marc Overmars]

I think Michu is actually little bit top quality. He rarely seems to waste the ball and is a bit of a tank as well which seems to go unnoticed.

20m bid in January tbf.

[milla]

I think Michu is actually little bit top quality. He rarely seems to waste the ball and is a bit of a tank as well which seems to go unnoticed.

20m bid in January tbf.

:gp:

Michu can do pretty much everything, he got pace, strength, technique, vision, excellent header, can score from inside and out of penalty box. 20 mil is just about right imo, I am sure Laudrup would let him come home. :coffee:

[Dein-machine]

Michu seems to be a good fit especially as he's poved he can handle P.L football. If we're gonna go down Di Natale route for short term striker of quality Klose would be better option. Rather go mental to get Suarez or even Falcao if the Monaco dream turns sour

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

No thanks to bitey racist. Michu is okay. I'd prefer Benteke if we're going to spend 20-25 million....

[LDG]

Fuck all that shit.

If we're spending, and Özil was first....

Time to go big and take the title home.

Gomez?

[Dein-machine]

Fuck all that shit.

If we're spending, and Özil was first....

Time to go big and take the title home.

Gomez?

Not Gomez, too much like Giroud, too static - we need a livewire making runs for Wheelchair, Santi, Rambo & Ozil to feed

[JonasTC]

I think Michu would become class for us, if he was willing to play up top, but i think he said he favors the role behind the striker.

[Master Splinter]

Michu is a good player, but he would most likely operate in Giroud's position. Is he an upgrade? We need someone who offers something different. Someone explosive with more pace. If we're serious about becoming an elite club, that means buying elite players. Which, as impressive as he has been, Michu is not.

In the wide positions, we have Theo, Podolski, Oxlade, Cazorla and Gnabry. They all are more suited there and offer a good mixture of play styles.

[Master Splinter]

Arsenal will offer central defender Per Mertesacker, 29, a new contract to keep him at the Emirates for the next three years after impressing Arsene Wenger this season.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
(http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenals-per-mertesacker-offered-new-2314855)

Liverpool want to give manager Brendan Rodgers a new contract as the Merseyside club are wary of taking risks over his future. The Northern Irishman has two years left on his current deal but has admirers at Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Full story: Sunday Mirror (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/new-liverpool-contract-rodgers-agenda-2314796?)




BFG :bow: :bow:.

Rodgers has admirers? :lol:

No, he doesn't.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Sign BFG asap, not that I think he'll be going anywhere at his age now.

Get Sagna and Rosicky signed as well. It's vital we keep these experienced players in the squad.

[milla]

:gp:

Need to keep all the experienced players :coffee:

[Özim]

Michu wouldn't be a bad call, but I prefer Benteke, he's a really explosive striker.

[Özim]

Question is how long he can keep doing it, he's turning 36 in 2 weeks, pretty amazing that he's still going strong on the highest level.

Probably not too long, the reason I mention him though is because he'd be a cheaper option, it's likely we won't want to spend big.

[Munchies]

A striker is a priority in Jan, Benteke/Suarez . I read that Suarez will stay until the end of the season though, so maybe even Chicharito if Moyes keeps benching him.

[GP]

I'm not keen on Benteke.

[Özim]

A striker is a priority in Jan, Benteke/Suarez . I read that Suarez will stay until the end of the season though, so maybe even Chicharito if Moyes keeps benching him.

Hernandez is a great little player but I can't see Man U selling him to us. Suarez is out, Liverpool won't sell to us IMO. Benteke, scores is quick and powerful so would be good IMO.

[The Ogg Monster]

I'm not keen on Benteke.

He'l be devestated to hear that :lol:

Rekon AW will go for Ba again in Jan, presuming that Sanogo doesnt turn into a beast b4 then.

[fakeyank]

Sign Thierry back in January.. he is having a good season this year! :dance:

[Zerlathon]

Suarez isn't coming to Arsenal, there's no chance of that (and to be honest, I prefer it that way)...

I'm a little confident that Arsene may surprise us again in January, and I'm going to take a punt and suggest that it may be Lewandowski.

Outside of the Bundesliga, we are the best suited for him in my opinion. We have a world renowned Manager who speaks fluent German, have a good number of German & Polish Players (well a couple of Polish) and he will be fed by the best No 10 in the World.

Manchester United don't have the same appeal now, and look how they've wasted Kagawa (they've ruined him in my eyes).

[Penguin]

Or Lewandowski can wait and move to the European and Bundesliga champions - the team he was desperate to move to this summer. I would love us to get him but I can't see it.

[Zerlathon]

Or Lewandowski can wait and move to the European and Bundesliga champions - the team he was desperate to move to this summer. I would love us to get him but I can't see it.

I agree that it is unlikely, but so was the Ozil signing and look how that turned out. :woohoo:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Wenger will certainly have his eyes open to Lewandowski as a player in the last 6 months of his contract on (relatively) low wages, but I don't think he will pull that one off I'm afraid.

That is a shame as I think some aggressive wheeling and dealing could scupper his path to Bayern.

[selassie]

Suarez isn't coming to Arsenal, there's no chance of that (and to be honest, I prefer it that way)...

I'm a little confident that Arsene may surprise us again in January, and I'm going to take a punt and suggest that it may be Lewandowski.

Outside of the Bundesliga, we are the best suited for him in my opinion. We have a world renowned Manager who speaks fluent German, have a good number of German & Polish Players (well a couple of Polish) and he will be fed by the best No 10 in the World.

Manchester United don't have the same appeal now, and look how they've wasted Kagawa (they've ruined him in my eyes).

Lewandowski has already announced he's off to Bayern at the end of the season, it was on BBC the other day.

[JonasTC]

Lewandowski has already announced he's off to Bayern at the end of the season, it was on BBC the other day.

He took it back later on and said it was misunderstood, and that he will only talk about his future club when the transfer window opens again.

[GP]

I think he's made up his mind where he wants to go. The Ozil signing has a set a precedent that we're now after elite players, so if not him, then someone at that level. Not Benteke or Michu.

[selassie]

He took it back later on and said it was misunderstood, and that he will only talk about his future club when the transfer window opens again.

Ah my bad, didn't realise he did that.

[Dein-machine]

He took it back later on and said it was misunderstood, and that he will only talk about his future club when the transfer window opens again.

Only to save face with Dortmund fans - he's gone to Munich, done & dusted.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think he's made up his mind where he wants to go. The Ozil signing has a set a precedent that we're now after elite players, so if not him, then someone at that level. Not Benteke or Michu.

Nothing is done and dusted a year in advance in football.

All the evidence thus far points to Benteke being a top class premier league striker who will continue to score. Secretly I'd love Lukaku which is never going to happen but in terms of talent, determination, age, attitude, humility and all that other good stuff that could make an Arsenal legend, Lukaku is the proverbial pipe dream. And for good measure I think his attitude towards Chelsea is increasingly estranged.

Who do you think is of the quality of Lewandowski that might be available. Please don't include Suarez!

[JonasTC]

Only to save face with Dortmund fans - he's gone to Munich, done & dusted.

Just like Özil wasnt gonna leave Madrid, a couple of days before we signed him :)

[Marc Overmars]

and that he will only talk about his future club when the transfer window opens again.

So in other words he'll announce his contract with them when he's officially allowed to do so.

[Dein-machine]

Just like Özil wasnt gonna leave Madrid, a couple of days before we signed him :)

Don't get you - tha's what I'm saying he's gone - like Ozil was already gone when they were saying he was staying

[GP]

Nothing is done and dusted a year in advance in football.

All the evidence thus far points to Benteke being a top class premier league striker who will continue to score. Secretly I'd love Lukaku which is never going to happen but in terms of talent, determination, age, attitude, humility and all that other good stuff that could make an Arsenal legend, Lukaku is the proverbial pipe dream. And for good measure I think his attitude towards Chelsea is increasingly estranged.

Who do you think is of the quality of Lewandowski that might be available. Please don't include Suarez!

Well, Suarez is several levels above Benteke.

Benzema? Mandzukic? Someone like that.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Well, Suarez is several levels above Benteke.

Benzema? Mandzukic? Someone like that.

And RvP is a cut above Demba Ba but many gooners would happily have seen Ba back Giroud up. Suarez shouldn't even be an option period, in my view for all manner of reasons. Benzema and Mandzukic are not at the level Lewandowski is even if the former is similarly talented imho. Mandzukic is not even close to his level. Why Benzema would be even remotely available as the only recognised forward at Real is anybody's guess.

Unless Suarez's goal ratio is at least twice as good as Benteke's come the end of the season I'm not sure how Suarez can be several levels above.

[GP]

The difference is, Mandzukic, Benzema and Suarez are all proven at the highest level, Benteke and Ba are living off one half decent season.

You're probably looking at £30m for Benteke. No way.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Benteke or Suarez. Benteke or Suarez. Benteke or Suarez. Benteke or Suarez. Benteke or Suarez.

Why not both?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

GP is right here. You're a lot better of spending the extra 12 or so million on an actual proven class player instead of spending 30 million on someone on the rung just below whenever you can. It's much better value for money.

Take for example the Fellani vs Ozil transfers. Both went for approximate market value yet for approx 50% more than what Fellani went for, we got someone at least 3 times better. Unless you have a ridicolous Real/Bale situation there's usually a tailing of in the price vs quality curve once you go past 25 million these days. Players in the Soldado, Bentenke, Fellani are grossly overpriced for what they are - it's very reassuaring we and Wenger aren't going down the Liverpool, Spurs route of just stockpiling these sort of players anymore and instead hunting for actual quality. It's better business and it's also better from a footballing p.o.v.

Suarez should be the first target, Lewandowski if he's available though if Bayern are after him that's going to be very unlikely. If Liverpool falter away from their "title challenge" we can try again in January with hopefully him agitating for a move to a bigger team. Best of all, he won't be cup tied in Europe because Liverpool aren't in the thing this year.

[hobson's choice]

Benteke is just Ba 2, good strikers, but not quite top level, would be good for depth, but not consistent starters at a club like Arsenal

[Marc Overmars]

Bentekkers is definitely better than Ba.

[GP]

I don't think there's much between them tbh

[Özim]

We spent 42 odd milllion, I can't see us doing that for a while now, I think we did it partly to appease the fans now that's done we'll sign some cheaper players IMO.

I wouldn't want Suarez the guy is trouble, Lewandowski would be great but I think he's Bayern bound.

[Syn]

Would prefer Michu to Benteke, and Benteke to Ba.

Benteke could beast it like Drogba but I don't think we would get the most out of him.

Go for El Shaarawy.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The difference is, Mandzukic, Benzema and Suarez are all proven at the highest level, Benteke and Ba are living off one half decent season.

You're probably looking at £30m for Benteke. No way.

Mandzukic is a decent striker in a fantastic team. Nothing special. How much do people think a player like Suarez is going to cost? Liverpool have suggested 50-60 million and in my view the bitey little piece of shi* should be in some sort of self help program. Not giving Arsenal the run around with his idiot agent for the second transfer window in a row making us look like mugs.

I won't pretend Ba is of the level Suarez is but I accept that and the modest fee we would pay reflects this. He would be excellent in the absence or place of Giroud. Nobody is suggesting we should pay a kings ransom for him but when Giroud is off it he has shown the quality in this league to be able to step in.

Benteke is 22 and has several years to improve and he did not have a 'decent half season' he has had a relatively very good full season and a few games before he got injured. The 20-25 million he would cost (in my opinion) is a gamble but it is a gamble worth taking. I accept not everyone will see that though.

If we're going to spend 50-60 million just go and scupper the Bayern deal on Lewandowski. He is younger, on low wages, just as talented, and not a fuhking lunatic. A 50 million offer immediately gets Dortmund's attention he might want to put pressure on him to accept our offer. He might not change his mind but it's not impossible that he will and certainly more worthy of our time than the cannibal.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

My boy Lukaku's just scored 2 tonight....

[GP]

Cannibal? He hasn't eaten anyone.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He doesn't dine in front of the likes of us. He has a home with blacked out windows for that.

[Penguin]

We spent 42 odd milllion, I can't see us doing that for a while now, I think we did it partly to appease the fans now that's done we'll sign some cheaper players IMO.

I wouldn't want Suarez the guy is trouble, Lewandowski would be great but I think he's Bayern bound.

Sadly I agree that we wont spend mega bucks. Just because we bought one player for £42m doesn't mean we'll do it every window, especially in January where there'll be a limited pool of players that will be sold. Most clubs want to sell in the summer so it doesn't disrupt their season.

[Dein-machine]

Sadly I agree that we wont spend mega bucks. Just because we bought one player for £42m doesn't mean we'll do it every window, especially in January where there'll be a limited pool of players that will be sold. Most clubs want to sell in the summer so it doesn't disrupt their season.

None of us should expect any more spending from Wumger - only if we start losing games & dropping down the table. We are in a strong position at the moment with some quality returning to the side after injury but it doesn't hide the need for another quality defender & striker. He will see the return of Verm & Pods as good enough. Same mentality he used after winning the league, didn't see that we still had weaknesses & we have to add additional quality because our competitors will. This is why we've never retained the league.

[BOBN]

Gervinho scored 2 to send Roma top and now has 3 in 4 starts.

Meanwhile we are one striker injury away from disaster, Wenger fooked up.

Also Michu is a mediocre sloth and is a million miles away from the Spain squad even tho their strikers are shit. Do not want.

[GP]

Gervinho is terrible.

I'd rather give Chuba a chance.

[BOBN]

If we're going to spend 50-60 million just go and scupper the Bayern deal on Lewandowski. He is younger, on low wages, just as talented, and not a fuhking lunatic. A 50 million offer immediately gets Dortmund's attention he might want to put pressure on him to accept our offer. He might not change his mind but it's not impossible that he will and certainly more worthy of our time than the cannibal.
Once upon a time Blackburn were well in for this guy.

Wouldnt shook me if he returned to Alladyce calibre form once hes out of his comfort zone. He doesnt strike me as a genius.

[selassie]

Benteke is just Ba 2, good strikers, but not quite top level, would be good for depth, but not consistent starters at a club like Arsenal

Benteke is much better than Ba IMHO, he's also a lot younger. There is room for improvement in Benteke IMHO, not Ba. If Benteke continues to develop he has the potential to turn into an Elite Striker IMHO.

[BOBN]

We're talking about strikers but I dont think we can afford to let Ross Barkley go to United, Chelsea or the like. This boy is the most talented English midfielder since Scholes. Must get.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caughtoffside.com%2F2013%2F09 %2F19%2Farsenal-set-to-join-chase-for-in-demand-everton-starlet-ross-barkley%2F&ei=8GtLUsrxBMiw0wWP2YGYBg&usg=AFQjCNGAwc8vI20PJD0-ezSrgaTEqlnVtQ

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Once upon a time Blackburn were well in for this guy.

Wouldnt shook me if he returned to Alladyce calibre form once hes out of his comfort zone. He doesnt strike me as a genius.

Lewandowski? Are you having a laugh?

I don't know what his chess playing skills are like, but I was talking about his footballing ability.

[selassie]

We're talking about strikers but I dont think we can afford to let Ross Barkley go to United, Chelsea or the like. This boy is the most talented English midfielder since Scholes. Must get.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caughtoffside.com%2F2013%2F09 %2F19%2Farsenal-set-to-join-chase-for-in-demand-everton-starlet-ross-barkley%2F&ei=8GtLUsrxBMiw0wWP2YGYBg&usg=AFQjCNGAwc8vI20PJD0-ezSrgaTEqlnVtQ

Yeah that Barkley kid looks awesome. I thought he looked good towards the tail end of last season too, he had a great game against us at the Emirates.

[Dein-machine]

We're talking about strikers but I dont think we can afford to let Ross Barkley go to United, Chelsea or the like. This boy is the most talented English midfielder since Scholes. Must get.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caughtoffside.com%2F2013%2F09 %2F19%2Farsenal-set-to-join-chase-for-in-demand-everton-starlet-ross-barkley%2F&ei=8GtLUsrxBMiw0wWP2YGYBg&usg=AFQjCNGAwc8vI20PJD0-ezSrgaTEqlnVtQ

I mentioned this in a thread a few weeks ago. But I'm afraid its the Rooney situation all over again, Wumger will sing his praises but do fuck all, the Mancs will buy him for £25 mill & we will offer £50 mill in a few years time if he's unhappy.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Barkley looks a good player I must admit although similar noises were being made about Rodwell once upon a time..... Barkley does have an equally good physique looks more mobile and has superior shooting ability so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Is he likely to get any playing time with the group we have here though in central midfield? Ramsey, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Ozil Arteta, Flamini, Rosicky...... and that is even without mentioning Cazorla who to be fair surely must stay on the left permanently now.....

[Bumble]

Barkley looks a good player I must admit although similar noises were being made about Rodwell once upon a time..... Barkley does have an equally good physique looks more mobile and has superior shooting ability so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Is he likely to get any playing time with the group we have here though in central midfield? Ramsey, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Ozil Arteta, Flamini, Rosicky...... and that is even without mentioning Cazorla who to be fair surely must stay on the left permanently now.....i suppose Rosicky and Arteta might be the most vulnerable considering there age but it would really be a luxury signing unless something happens to wilshere. Ozil, Ramsey, Wilshere and Chamberlain all 24 or less. I am still amazed Real sold Ozil, he is much better than Modric or Di Maria... they are mental.

[Marc Overmars]

I think Barkley is a pretty good prospect but he needs to stay at Everton for now. I just hope he doesn't go to the young talent vacuum that is City/Chelsea.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Why spend 25 million on Barkley if we could spend that on Benteke or at least a proper CF where it will really count too. I don't know how much Barkley would actually cost obviously, but Everton signed McCarthy for 15 million so it clearly would be in excess of that amount you'd imagine.

We did pay the best part of 50 million for Ozil and Isco I tell you is truly amazing even if you lot don't think Bale is.

[JonasTC]

I dont think we should go for Benteke he is too similar to Giroud and i think Giroud is better teamplayer, we either go for a world class striker who is clearly better than Giroud and gets the starting position or we get a proven talent who is willingly to be a #2 behind Giroud and fight for his spot (and by talent i mean golden boy top10 nominee and not a postman from the 2. french league).

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

The last thing we need to do is spunk £25m on another young AM. Spend the money on a top class striker.

[fakeyank]

The last thing we need to do is spunk £25m on another young AM. Spend the money on a top class striker.

:gp:

[Ollie the Optimist]

i reckon we should go all out for benezma or rooney. offer 40 million for each and see if there is a bite. you wouldnt have thought madrid would let Ozil go, so why not?

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

i reckon we should go all out for benezma or rooney. offer 40 million for each and see if there is a bite. you wouldnt have thought madrid would let Ozil go, so why not?

How was the away day ollie? I'm going to try and do palace then old trafford the following month.

[Ollie the Optimist]

How was the away day ollie? I'm going to try and do palace then old trafford the following month.

was awesome mate. especially after Ramsey scored! his chant, and then followed by we are top of teh league sung at top of our voices. awesome stuff. swansea is a very friendly place to go too. great day.


would love to go to OT, because right now, we are going to fucking hammer them. watch as OT empties within 3 minutes around the 70 minute mark when they realise they wont beat us

[JonasTC]

i reckon we should go all out for benezma or rooney. offer 40 million for each and see if there is a bite. you wouldnt have thought madrid would let Ozil go, so why not?

Benzema is overrated as a striker, he is a good footballer, but he's never really been a good goalscorer.

Suarez, Rooney and Lewandowski are probably the only top strikers we might have a chance to get, but i dont think any of them are available.

[fakeyank]

I think we should just go ahead and spunk the money on someone like Michu or Benteke. They are both solid powerful strikers.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I dont think we should go for Benteke he is too similar to Giroud and i think Giroud is better teamplayer, we either go for a world class striker who is clearly better than Giroud and gets the starting position or we get a proven talent who is willingly to be a #2 behind Giroud and fight for his spot (and by talent i mean golden boy top10 nominee and not a postman from the 2. french league).

I'm not usually one of those fans who expect other fans to both have an idea what we should do personnel wise and know the player we should pursue as if they were actually a professional scout, however........................

Which world class strikers are out there that are remotely available? That has been the main conundrum of the transfer window. There are no clear cut world class strikers left apart from Lewandowski and even then most people on here think he is completely unattainable.

Unless you are simply suggesting we part with Gareth Bale money which I am surmising you aren't.

The proven talent alternative you are talking about is exactly what Benteke is. A proven talent who would accept being #2 because he is young, supports Arsenal (allegedly) and has openly spoken of his desire to come here. He scored a boat load of goals in a team fighting relegation last season and continued to do so this season till he got injured. He has as many as Giroud in the league this season who generally is seen to have been fantastic so far. He might be a little like Giroud (although I think the comparison is a little lazy) but so what? Give me two Ozil's or Cazorla's in the squad if they are available because you can never have too many good players.


Your postman from Ligue 2 reference (which I got was a joke) was rather similar to Drogba's path ironically. He is clearly the exception rather than the norm but sometimes it helps to see the talent regardless of the surroundings.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If Manure agree to selling us Rooney, who's fans even till this day chant ROOOOOONEY ROOOOOONEY ROOOOOOONEY.... and want to deify him when he is ever on the ball then they may as well be handing us the title like we did to them with RvP.

[JonasTC]

If Manure agree to selling us Rooney, who's fans even till this day chant ROOOOOONEY ROOOOOONEY ROOOOOOONEY.... and want to deify him when he is ever on the ball then they may as well be handing us the title like we did to them with RvP.

You never know, tho i dont believe it will happend in January, but next summer he only have 1 year left of his contract and if United ends up having a bad season, i dont see it as being impossible. Plus we can offer him being a striker again, i think he would love to run around on top doing 25+ goals a season again, instead of playing all over midfield. The only (and big) obstacle is his bigass wages, even with our newfound transfer/wage policy i dont think we'll pay that much.

[I am invisible]

I dont think we should go for Benteke he is too similar to Giroud and i think Giroud is better teamplayer, we either go for a world class striker who is clearly better than Giroud and gets the starting position or we get a proven talent who is willingly to be a #2 behind Giroud and fight for his spot (and by talent i mean golden boy top10 nominee and not a postman from the 2. french league).

I used to think that if we brought in another striker then he should offer us something different to Giroud, but Giroud is starting to look pretty integral to our style of play now? Maybe a second player who can do a similar job to a similar or better standard wouldn't be a bad idea? I kind of think that our wide attackers are meant to be our main goal-scorers these days anyway (or, at the very least, they should be scoring as many as the central man), so maybe we need to be looking at 2 players: some effective competition / cover for Giroud (e.g. a Benteke or a Costa or someone), and a world-class (or potentially world-class) wide player who has a few goals in them (e.g. Reus, Draxler, etc - feel free to throw any names into the hat here)?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Do you reckon another wide player ala Draxler/Reus is a wide player too far mate?

It will give us Cazorla, Podolski, Walcott, Chamberlain (let's face it, he's going to have to play wide for the next year or two) Gnabry. In honesty I think you make room for a player of Reus' quality and potential but I wonder if we are perhaps overloaded. I suppose Dortmund if they have any sense would make it extremely hard for Reus to leave considering he is arguably their next best player after Lewandowski has vamooosed.

Benteke is a lot more nimble and mobile than Giroud (although Giroud has improved on this) and he does less of the hold up play. He's a little more likely to get in behind whilst Giroud is keener to flick on the first ball to a team mate and then feed off the second ball which means it isn't a straight race between him and a CB which he might otherwise lose.

[I am invisible]

Numbers wise we're probably fine - I'm thinking more quality wise here, and what happens if we can only find another CF who is very good, but not-quite-world-class? Should we then look at getting more world-class somewhere else in the attack? Don't get me wrong - I'm happy with all of our current wide attackers, and am happy to stick with them if we can get an awesome striker, but I do think we need a little bit more 'awesome' somewhere in the attack, if we can't get it there...

[milla]

Do you reckon another wide player ala Draxler/Reus is a wide player too far mate?

It will give us Cazorla, Podolski, Walcott, Chamberlain (let's face it, he's going to have to play wide for the next year or two) Gnabry. In honesty I think you make room for a player of Reus' quality and potential but I wonder if we are perhaps overloaded. I suppose Dortmund if they have any sense would make it extremely hard for Reus to leave considering he is arguably their next best player after Lewandowski has vamooosed.

Benteke is a lot more nimble and mobile than Giroud (although Giroud has improved on this) and he does less of the hold up play. He's a little more likely to get in behind whilst Giroud is keener to flick on the first ball to a team mate and then feed off the second ball which means it isn't a straight race between him and a CB which he might otherwise lose.

Reus would make a great CF, the only reason he is on the left for Dortmund is Lewandowski. The latter is limited to CF whilst Reus can practically play everywhere up front. He would make a perfect fake no 9 for us, could easily surpass RVP IMO. :coffee:

[I am invisible]

Reus would make a great CF, the only reason he is on the left for Dortmund is Lewandowski. The latter is limited to CF whilst Reus can practically play everywhere up front. He would make a perfect fake no 9 for us, could easily surpass RVP IMO. :coffee:

That No.9 comparison is exactly why I'd be looking at him playing much the same role for us as he currently plays for Dortmund (although I'm thinking more of a traditional no.9 than a false 9)? IMO, those wide attacking roles have become the modern-day equivalent of traditional No.9s / finishers, whilst the CF role has become more of a foil for them to play off (unless you're lucky enough to find a monster of a player who can do the lot) - the trouble is, I don't think a lot of players who fancy themselves as goal-scorers have got their head around this change (Walcott, for example, still seems to pine after playing through the middle even though he's arguably already playing the best possible role for scoring goals), but Reus looks like one of those rare top-class players who 'gets it', without any argument or resistance, and offers you that perfect blend of goal-scoring and width when needed.

Having said all that, I think Draxler is well worth keeping an eye on too - he's a bit younger than Reus at 20, with more to prove, and he probably sits more on the 'goal-scoring attacking midfielder' side of the fence than 'converted No.9', but I can see him becoming one of those monster players in a few years time, that a lot of clubs are going to be wishing they'd signed while they had the chance. His buy-out clause is already pretty hefty as it is, but even so it could end up being a bargain...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The only diminutive player to play centre forward in a 433 type formation OR the 'false 9' that I can think of is Messi and Messi is the greatest player there has ever been according to Ossie Ardiles.......Ardilles who played and trained as many times with Maradonna as practically anyone. On a side note I was also interested to hear SAF say that regarding the Pele Vs Maradonna debate that 'it was always Pele' for him. You have a few small but powerful players capable of doing it like Tevez and Aguero but you need that power to pull it off or so talented that nobody can barely touch you.

Reus doesn't look like he has the physical prowess or stature to play CF even if he is technically sound. I'd be interested if such a player could do it in the prem but I have major doubts at present. I think he would do well to match RvP's level never mind easily surpass it. That is a real high level to say the least.

I agree that the attack needs another dose of amazing to put us in the hemisphere of genuine challengers for ALL honours, short and long term and we may as well make the next one through the door a world class one, OR, world class potential. I think we would reap the most benefit if that guy was a CF though, unless of course you're looking at a super elite player who is so good he would score 30 goals from Left back.

Out of interest, what is Draxler's buyout fee?

[I am invisible]

It varies from anywhere between €35-45m, depending on what you read, but it's high. Although it's possible he could still be sold for less? Buy-out clauses only really come into effect when the other club doesn't want to sell - if Shalke are open to selling, then there might be room to negotiate a lower fee?

With regards to the no.9 thing, I was thinking more of traditional no.9s rather than false 9s, i.e. your old-school sharp-shooters and finishers who used to play with a partner in a 2 man forward line - where do you put those kind of strikers in your modern day 433? I think there's still a place for them, but I think it's in wide-attack (and especially if you have a CF like Giroud in your side).

Going back to what I was originally saying, I agree that it would be ideal if we could find that kind of truly world-class CF who can score you a goal out of nothing and win a game single-handed, but they're looking a bit thin on the ground at the moment? There's some very, very good options around, like Benteke, who I'd be more than happy with as our other CF (so we're probably on the same page there), but I'm not sure how many of them have that bit of magic about them that elevate them above being very, very good? I think we may need to look at other areas if we want that, given the current CF options that are available...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I was referring more to Milla's point about Draxler and him specifically playing the false 9.

In terms of old sharp shooters, I kind of see Sturridge that way who has had to play wide right to his dismay. I actually think he should stay in the middle and Suarez should be played wide (if they play 433). I get that the wide players are essentially forwards depending on how you play the system but whilst our main back up for Giroud is Sanogo I will be concerned about that position in particular. Not least because Giroud himself still has a lot to prove in that position.

I genuinely believe that the pair of Benteke and Lukaku are both going to be world class in time. If (although it is when to me) that happens our decision to not pursue one of them is going to look pretty sheepish, unless Sanogo really is the real deal as well as Giroud.

There are a whole host of premier league strikers I would have had over the Arsenal despite not being world class as they were top class premiership strikers. Saha, Solskjaer, Andy Cole (when it mattered). Obviously you might not have paid 25 million for that lot but the Belgium two are 20 and 22 and both are far from peaking.

To use a Wengerism they will mature with age and get better. The top talents are few and far between as Invisible says so we probably shouldn't dismiss the odd occasion when they are swanning about right under our noses.

People were going on about Diaby destroying Liverpool single handedly.... and he practically did. Benteke did that last season too in a far weaker team than Diaby did.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

We don't really play 433... I'm not really sure what we play anymore since Rodgers has gone off on some weird experiment to play every CB we have fit all at once.

The aim of our forward play is to be like a blob anyway, so there isn't really anyone who "plays down the middle" or who "plays out wide" when they play together, they just go where they like and I guess use their own nous and instinct to find space.

[Munchies]

Being linked with a Jan move for Jackson Martinez, how good/shit is this guy ?

[GP]

Having never seen him play, I can honestly say He is a must get.

[milla]

We don't really play 433... I'm not really sure what we play anymore since Rodgers has gone off on some weird experiment to play every CB we have fit all at once.

The aim of our forward play is to be like a blob anyway, so there isn't really anyone who "plays down the middle" or who "plays out wide" when they play together, they just go where they like and I guess use their own nous and instinct to find space.

Liverpool has finally embraced Wenger ball. :title:

[JonasTC]

Being linked with a Jan move for Jackson Martinez, how good/shit is this guy ?

Well he had a similar 1. season in Porto as Falcao and so far he has continued in his 2. season. He might be the next to step up into the class of falcao, suarez, cavani, lewandowski, etc.

So i just read some reports on this guy, and he seems like a more athletic version of Lewandowski, he's the kind of guy who needs creative players around him, but when those players are around him and give him the ball, he will score in whatever situation you put him in, last season he had 4 with his right foot, 8 with the left, 7 with his head, 4 on penalties and 3 categorized as "other" in the portuguese league, amongst those a bunch of spectacular goals, where he get the ball in bad/awkward positions and still manages to get the ball in.

He seems really interesting, his buy-out clause is around 30mil (i think, i saw the number in danish valuta).

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Liverpool has finally embraced Wenger ball. :title:

I prefer multiball!

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aKzjyeg_460sa.gif

[The Emirates Gallactico]

This Januzjaj bloke at United. Read that he's on the last year of his contract.

Well they're a bit shit now and we're on the up. Working under Wenger, surrounded by world class talent at a trendy fashionable club in London well known for developing youth into superstars is surely much more preferable than staying in Manchester at a club that's rapidly slipping down the table with getriatic players and getting yelled at by a Scot who doesn't have a clue what he's doing.

Any chance of us sounding the waters on whether he's open for a move? If he hasn't signed a new deal by January we'd be legally able to talk anyway but we can underhandly initiate contact before that.

I would aboustely love to nab him after the RVC affair.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

http://i.minus.com/ibqq1a6gZkQ932.gif

[Marc Overmars]

This Januzjaj bloke at United. Read that he's on the last year of his contract.

Well they're a bit shit now and we're on the up. Working under Wenger, surrounded by world class talent at a trendy fashionable club in London well known for developing youth into superstars is surely much more preferable than staying in Manchester at a club that's rapidly slipping down the table with getriatic players and getting yelled at by a Scot who doesn't have a clue what he's doing.

Any chance of us sounding the waters on whether he's open for a move? If he hasn't signed a new deal by January we'd be legally able to talk anyway but we can underhandly initiate contact before that.

I would aboustely love to nab him after the RVC affair.

I think he's still on youth terms. Quite a few big clubs are sniffing around him at the moment, it's not unheard of for them to lose promising young players however I think given the impact he's made and their dire need for something fresh he'll probably stay and become an important part of their squad. When Pogba left he wasn't guaranteed game time but I think this kid is.

It would indeed be hilarious though if we nicked him.

[hobson's choice]

My transfer wishlist for next summer, nothing significant is gonna happen in January. I would like to have one Fullback who can really contribute in the attack, preferably a Left Back , two more CB's(1 experienced, 1 young budding talent), maybe Ignasi Miguel can be that young CB talent, rate him on the performances I saw from him. And lets get a real CDM, Flams, and Mikel, are just temporary solutions. Lets finally replace Gilberto, and of course a striker.

I expect two out of those three things to be done next summer, mainly the striker and CB things, which will be fine with me.

[GP]

We're not getting a LB

[hobson's choice]

Being linked with a Jan move for Jackson Martinez, how good/shit is this guy ?

Good player, has all the tools, pace, power, good finisher, but if have any real interest in him, we need to act fast, with the WC coming up. Cause Colombia are looking good, and with a good WC showing, his price will sky rocket.

But i'm always weary about Colombian players, it's strange with them, there's lots of talent in that country, but when they get the money they tend to ease off, and they tend to have a bit off the crazies. But so far this generation of Colombians players are representing themselves well.

[hobson's choice]

We're not getting a LB

We need one, I like Gibbs, haven't seen much of Nacho at Arsenal to really have an opinion, but we need more going forward, with the amount possession we get. I don't mind Sagna not being good at all going forward, cause he's good at defending. But we can't keep having two fullbacks on the pitch, who are useless going forward.

I want Gibbs at Arsenal for sure, but not as the main starter, has to provide more in attack, he waste so many good opportunities.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We need one, I like Gibbs, haven't seen much of Nacho at Arsenal to really have an opinion, but we need more going forward, with the amount possession we get. I don't mind Sagna not being good at all going forward, cause he's good at defending. But we can't keep having two fullbacks on the pitch, who are useless going forward.

I want Gibbs at Arsenal for sure, but not as the main starter, has to provide more in attack, he waste so many good opportunities.

You realise that Monreal is a Spanish international? In the same Spain squad that have been winning everything on the face of the planet and he can't get into our starting line up because Gibbs has been exemplarly.

We don't need a LB. We'll need a RB if Sagna calls it quits at the end of the season because as much as I like Jenks, I don't think he's of the sufficient quality to start weekly for a title competing team. Though keeping him is essential as he's a valuable squad player - someone who'll sit on the bench, won't complain, do a job when asked and being a life long Arsenal fan, not likely to move anywhere.

[Marc Overmars]

We need one, I like Gibbs, haven't seen much of Nacho at Arsenal to really have an opinion, but we need more going forward, with the amount possession we get. I don't mind Sagna not being good at all going forward, cause he's good at defending. But we can't keep having two fullbacks on the pitch, who are useless going forward.

I want Gibbs at Arsenal for sure, but not as the main starter, has to provide more in attack, he waste so many good opportunities.

There isn't a better pair of left backs in a Premier League squad than Gibbs and Monreal IMO.

Becoming sharper in the final third is something that full backs can work on and Gibbs has plenty of time on his side for that.

[hobson's choice]

There isn't a better pair of left backs in a Premier League squad than Gibbs and Monreal IMO.

Becoming sharper in the final third is something that full backs can work on and Gibbs has plenty of time on his side for that.

But I haven't seen any improvement in his attacking, too many deer in the headlight moments with him in dangerous position. And I have to disagree with you on Fullbacks improving their attacking game. For most part with FB's and attacking, they don't improve much, what you see from the beginning is pretty much what you are gonna get for most of their career.

The only FB whose attacking game improved was Maicon, that's it.

With the way football is now, you need one who can provide something in the attack, we don't have that, and games like the one yesterday, shows that over and over again.

[Globalgunner]

The sad thing is that Gibbs started out as an attacking midfielder, now he has no attacking prowess at all. aAs for improving, it is not likely, Under Wenger players rarely improve on what they never had, look at Clichy. 5 years with us and only 1 goal also a complete bag of nerves under pressure. Gibbs gets into attacking positions but is hopeless with the goal in his sights. Ashley Cole was the best combo of both attack and defence. Sad thing for Gibbs is that he will be behind Cole till 2016 and will likelynever play regularly for England with Baines and the Tottenham players getting ahead of him too

[Penguin]

Cole was pretty useless for us in the final third. Good link up play with Pires to get there but it usually came to nothing. He was better than Gibbs defensively though. Taught by the legendary back four themselves.

It's been a mixed bag this season for Gibbs. He was terrible against Villa and Spurs but he did noticeably improve and turn in a MOTM performance against West Brom in the COC. But time will tell if he's good enough. For me he has to nail the defensive side of the game down, it doesn't matter how productive he is going forward if he's a sieve at the back like Clichy.

[JonasTC]

Fernando Llorente being linked with us in a January loan move

[I am invisible]

Wouldn't be a bad loan move to get us through to the summer, I guess? How come he's not getting a look in at Juventus?