Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit

[I am invisible]

Would people accept us not getting a DM if that meant we splurge on Reus?

Ideally we'd get both, but we'd be much more likely get neither, so if faced with a choice, where would your priorities lie?

God, that's a tough one! I think we could possibly just about muddle through another year without a DM signing if we had to, but it wouldn't be ideal. Honestly, I do to know - the DM is more needed, and Reus would be more of a cherry-on-the-top signing... but he'd be an absolutely f**king amazing cherry, that could put our attack amongst the best in the world! Sanchez, Reus and Walcott - 3 strikers who can all play either wing - seriously, how would you mark them?And with Özil behind, who can also drift out to either wing, that's a pretty fluid system.

I know it won't happen, but it just feels like there's a real opportunity this summer to get some big deals done while the chance is there, evenif it means going a little out of our comfort zone with the spending - the players are available, we've been hording cash for years, we're getting an extra £60-70m a year from Puma and Emirates, and even the team that finished bottom last year made £60m because of this new TV deal, so I reckon our share must have been getting close to the £90-100m mark? We're probably making more than enough now to get both deals done without sweating it.

Here's a counter question for you though: instead of making this an either/or choice, would you accept making no signings (or minimal squad signings) next summer if we got a bunch of major deals done now?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I did wonder that too but they hardly ever spend money and have full houses most weeks, develop there own fair share of players and have all that TV money and high position money each season. So I guess at some point they should be able to spend big.

Good signing for them the chavs would never have sold to us.

Damn straight.

Lukaku is only going to get better and I seriously doubt his resale value is going to diminish for a very long time so even from a financial point of view it isn't a huge risk. He got 16 league goals without even being the finished article or being at a top 4 side. He definitely has things in his game he needs to work on but I'd have taken him any day and despite what Moron says, his attitude on and off the field is 1st class.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Don't think there's much in it but I think Reus is marginally the better player.

Though if Wenger plans on making either a striker than Sanchez is the one to go for because of his physicality.


Javier Mascherano: Alexis Sanchez asked me should I move to Liverpool, I told him "they aren't the team they used to be. Join Arsenal.


Always liked Mascherano me

The online Scouse militia will be all over him for that. Expect his twitter/facebook/myspace account to be subjected to a volley of abuse and death threats.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bt3xmrZIAAAudGF.jpg

dat pace!!!

[selassie]

Would people accept us not getting a DM if that meant we splurge on Reus?

Ideally we'd get both, but we'd be much more likely get neither, so if faced with a choice, where would your priorities lie?

I personally think it was Reus or Sanchez, no way would we sign both of them.

Priority right now is Midfield and we can assess the striker position throughout the season.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'd omit a new DM if it meant getting Reus. If we have Reus, Sanchez and Walcott on the field at the same time we aren't going to be the ones defending. As invisible says too, all 3 of them can play across the forward line.......they would drag defences all over the place. Plenty of runs and movement for Ozil to aim for then. He won't even need to cross the half way line.

Even if we annihilated 16 of the 20 teams and got embarrassed by the remaining four that might still be enough to win the league.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Don't think there's much in it but I think Reus is marginally the better player.

Though if Wenger plans on making either a striker than Sanchez is the one to go for because of his physicality.



The online Scouse militia will be all over him for that. Expect his twitter/facebook/myspace account to be subjected to a volley of abuse and death threats.

Chortle :lol:

[Bumble]

Why hasn't Wenger signed anyone in the last couple of days..... what is wrong with him.

Still fancy us to sign another couple of players and that would be a crazy summer especially by Wenger standards.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'd omit a new DM if it meant getting Reus. If we have Reus, Sanchez and Walcott on the field at the same time we aren't going to be the ones defending. As invisible says too, all 3 of them can play across the forward line.......they would drag defences all over the place. Plenty of runs and movement for Ozil to aim for then. He won't even need to cross the half way line.

Even if we annihilated 16 of the 20 teams and got embarrassed by the remaining four that might still be enough to win the league.

Liverpool failed with that plan, they had enough offensive power to take on anyone but not enough in the middle to keep out the better attacking teams. We already have the weapons up front, our back five is shaping up nicely. It's the defensive middle where we need reinforcement. We aren't winning the league this year, if I put a cold realism hat on for 5 seconds. We'll win it the following year though, and the year after that. Once we have added that crucial component, a monster in the middle, and allowed him a season to bed in. If we have £45mill for Reus then we should spend £60mill on Pogba. Everyone thinks he can't be got this year, so we should go and get him before the oil and drugs cash comes into play next summer.

[Niall_Quinn]

Also Reus vs Sanchez. If FIFA can't agree a new deal with the European clubs we'll be in complete control of when we release Sanchez for Internationals - we won't have to release him at all if we don't want to. Same isn't true for Euro nations who have a different deal with UEFA whereby the clubs have no power. Not that it would be smart to stop Sanchez playing for his country, but we'd certainly be able to get better terms. Shame we were denied seeing Reus in the World Cup, but Sanchez looked one of the best in that tournament and I think we've pretty much stolen him from Barca. Everyone seems to think he was a bit part player there, he wasn't. They already had Messi so Suarez is about the only player I can think of who's an upgrade on Sanchez. We wait to see, but it may not be that big a gap and we won't have to put up with the baggage. All in all a great deal.

[Syn]

He wasn't a bit part player but he was in the shadows a bit. Everyone is a sideshow for Messi, everything goes through him and you don't see the best of other flair attackers. For Chile he seemed to play with a lot more freedom. The thing that made Suarez so effective was that he was a bit of a battering ram. Just completely relentless in getting involved, hassling defenders, twists and turns and all that. If Sanchez gets that part sorted quickly in a central role then we've solved the major problem from last season.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Liverpool failed with that plan, they had enough offensive power to take on anyone but not enough in the middle to keep out the better attacking teams. We already have the weapons up front, our back five is shaping up nicely. It's the defensive middle where we need reinforcement. We aren't winning the league this year, if I put a cold realism hat on for 5 seconds. We'll win it the following year though, and the year after that. Once we have added that crucial component, a monster in the middle, and allowed him a season to bed in. If we have £45mill for Reus then we should spend £60mill on Pogba. Everyone thinks he can't be got this year, so we should go and get him before the oil and drugs cash comes into play next summer.
You mean like Palace :d

We don't have Gerrard either..... Most of us agree the humblings we were given were deeply rooted and down to more than the DM in the team at the time, though that is a big part of it.

In that regard Wenger was naive as were a few individuals like Chamberlain..... With the attacking threat we might have, we might actually get the first goal in more of these bigger ties and that alone could be the difference.

Having said this I absolutely want us to sign a DM despite playing champ manager fantasy land.

Honestly if it was choice between Schindler's list and Reus, it's Reus every time.
If it was a choice of Javi Martinez and Reus I might take a while longer to choose.

If he wasn't black I'd put money on Pogba being your offspring.

[BOBN]

Think we got the better player in Sanchez IMO.

Reus is still welcome though...
Yep, Reus looks a bit tippy tappy for a wideman. Sanchez is a show stopper.

If Reus is so good, why did Dortmund allow him to leave a few years back only to buy him back? Now all of a sudden hes a genius :blah:

These Germans are in fashion right now. Theyre all worth about 40 mill apparently.

[Munchies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rUiwTMG4BqQ

I watched most of this now and he makes it look so easy.

With Sanchez, Ramsey and Feo in the team, the best is yet to come!

The intro alone :bow:

[Fist of Lehmann]

DM for me. Strengthen the spine, address your most pressing weaknesses.

Arteta has been a fantastic servant to the club but he's 1-2 seasons past his sell-by date. Age is a factor in his decline, but the ACL injury he suffered means it's going to be vertiginous from here on in.

Unless Santi fux off another AM/LW, even one as good as Reus isn't going to bolster us as dramatically.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Apparently you guys are signing Juan Quintero, some midget Colombian from Porto, for a fee "believed to be" about £16m.

:unsure:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Apparently you guys are signing Juan Quintero, some midget Colombian from Porto, for a fee "believed to be" about £16m.

:unsure:

i always get confused between quintero and cudrado, if we are signing this guy and i am not convinced we are that might be the end for Cazorla

But on the positive note, i like these Colombian players....by far and away they were my favourite team at the world cup to watch.

[Syn]

Apparently you guys are signing Juan Quintero, some midget Colombian from Porto, for a fee "believed to be" about £16m.

:unsure:

A silky, young, talented, midget no.10 that can't find the net? Exactly what we need!

Wumgering is an art form.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

i like it personally, anything that brings back into our side is welcome as far as i'm concerned.

[Marc Overmars]

Don't understand this move in all honesty, if it's true course.

But he's Colombian, so that's good.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Probably the future Santi replacement ...... though personally I would be all over Isco as Madrid seem to want to sell him.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Probably the future Santi replacement ...... though personally I would be all over Isco as Madrid seem to want to sell him.

well I tend to think if we sign him, it means we have already agreed to sell Cazorla, which would be a shame but at 29 if Atletico Madrid are offering us over 20 million for him it'd be just ridiculous not to sell.

[Syn]

Tbf why would a well run club like atletico spend 20m+ on a 29 yr old Cazorla who is showing signs of arshavinating? And why would we spend £16m on a player who is a replica of 10 others we have? And why would Porto accept a £16m bid when his release clause is £35m? this all smells like horseshit. Which means it's probably going to happen.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Confirmed that Corporal Jenks has joined the 'Ammers on loan.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140731/jenkinson-joins-west-ham-united-on-loan

[Niall_Quinn]

That'll probably end up being permanent now that Depardieu and that kid are here. Bye Jenks.

[Syn]

That's a great move for Jenks. He'll be valued there and made first choice for the season. Should learn a lot from regular game time in the league.

[AKBapologist]

https://twitter.com/ItsPatgro/status/494945002406281217


:crying:

[GP]

Bantered him off.

[Syn]

http://www.arsenalsite.com/media/galeria/102/6/4/6/6/n_arsenal_fc_carl_jenkinson-3616646.jpg

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

http://www.arsenalsite.com/media/galeria/102/6/4/6/6/n_arsenal_fc_carl_jenkinson-3616646.jpg

hope he does well whether he comes back to us or not

[BOBN]

Why dont people want another playmaker? Rosicky is done.

Were not still on Cescs nuts are we?

Quintero come home :bow:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Tbf why would a well run club like atletico spend 20m+ on a 29 yr old Cazorla who is showing signs of arshavinating? And why would we spend £16m on a player who is a replica of 10 others we have? And why would Porto accept a £16m bid when his release clause is £35m? this all smells like horseshit. Which means it's probably going to happen.

Can't say I'm inclined to believe it either....

Back on to Reus..... I've stated I don't think he's a CF which seemed a fashionable thing to say earlier this year but if he were here I just couldn't see how Giroud could remain in the team. He wouldn't be just an expensive sub he would start. I don't think Sanchez has quite the power of an Aguero but he holds his own nonetheless and as suggested by Wenger, could play up top....


------Ramsey-----Arteta------

Walcott------Ozil---------Reus

--------Alexis Sanchez--------

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bt6DREfCYAAdEKG.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bt6DRe1CMAAoX3p.jpg:large

Maybe next time Griezmann

[Thierrymon]

Why dont people want another playmaker? Rosicky is done.

Were not still on Cescs nuts are we?

Quintero come home :bow:

I would just rather we were spending the money on a centre back or central midfielder. If they come as well as the colombian guy then all is good.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

http://www.arsenalsite.com/media/galeria/102/6/4/6/6/n_arsenal_fc_carl_jenkinson-3616646.jpg

Good luck fella.....from boiled chicken to pie and mash aka fat Sam

[Penguin]

Can't say I'm inclined to believe it either....

Back on to Reus..... I've stated I don't think he's a CF which seemed a fashionable thing to say earlier this year but if he were here I just couldn't see how Giroud could remain in the team. He wouldn't be just an expensive sub he would start. I don't think Sanchez has quite the power of an Aguero but he holds his own nonetheless and as suggested by Wenger, could play up top....


------Ramsey-----Arteta------

Walcott------Ozil---------Reus

--------Alexis Sanchez--------
That team... :cloud9:

[AKBapologist]

From this http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/31/juan-fernando-quintero-set-to-fly-to-london-ahead-of-15-8million-arsenal-transfer-4817285/?
To this http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/01/arsenal-told-they-must-pay-31-7million-to-complete-juan-fernando-quintero-transfer-4817508/

[Syn]

Who's the arsenal itk at the metro? LeGrove? Sanderson's a clown.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Players like Jenkinson and Arteta, thank you for steadying the ship over the past few years but it's time to push on and in order to do that we need better players.

Jenkinson is a true gooner but it's time to leave the sentimental crap, we need to be ruthless like the rest of the big boys if we want silverware. Glad that we signed Debuchy and Chambers. If Carl does well at West Ham then I can see him coming back in 2-3 years time and becoming our back up RB when Debuchy departs, with Chambers stepping up as first choice. For now though, he's not the quality we require.

[I am invisible]

Stupid, signingless friday...

[Maestro]

Can GW re-sign Cripps ...heck just for the fuck of it.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Stupid, signingless friday...

It's a joke we haven't signed anyone in almost 100 hours

[GP]

Can GW re-sign Cripps ...heck just for the fuck of it.

haha lol no

[Maestro]

haha lol no


oh come on, we can make it a season's loan on a pay as you wum basis

[The Emirates Gallactico]

oh come on, we can make it a season's loan on a pay as you wum basis

Don't think Cripps would be able to pass a medical. :unsure:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

He'd be a fucking millionaire.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

He'll definitely need a visa.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Heard he is the force behind Ryan Shawcrosses PR machine

[Harland]

God, that's a tough one! I think we could possibly just about muddle through another year without a DM signing if we had to, but it wouldn't be ideal. Honestly, I do to know - the DM is more needed, and Reus would be more of a cherry-on-the-top signing... but he'd be an absolutely f**king amazing cherry, that could put our attack amongst the best in the world! Sanchez, Reus and Walcott - 3 strikers who can all play either wing - seriously, how would you mark them?And with Özil behind, who can also drift out to either wing, that's a pretty fluid system.

I know it won't happen, but it just feels like there's a real opportunity this summer to get some big deals done while the chance is there, evenif it means going a little out of our comfort zone with the spending - the players are available, we've been hording cash for years, we're getting an extra £60-70m a year from Puma and Emirates, and even the team that finished bottom last year made £60m because of this new TV deal, so I reckon our share must have been getting close to the £90-100m mark? We're probably making more than enough now to get both deals done without sweating it.

Here's a counter question for you though: instead of making this an either/or choice, would you accept making no signings (or minimal squad signings) next summer if we got a bunch of major deals done now?

I think your question is extremely interesting and I thought about it a fair bit.

My answer would be yes.

Assumption would be that the major signings now would take into consideration both factors of (a)quality and (b)an adequate squad depth to challenge on the fronts a club like AFC should be challenging on, mainly the PL and CL.

Every signing brings potential benefit and risk to the team. I think the biggest consideration of risk is essentially the 1) 'gelling in' period, inability to adapt (to both the PL and London) and 2) disruption to the existing squad that offsets the benefits of individual brilliances.

Bringing in players early with a long term plan would negate consideration (1), at least in the second season, whilst accentuating consideration (2) in the first season they are brought in. Essentially, consideration (1) can be negated with an early bedding in process but if we were to face a Reyes type of situation, in which adaptation is simply not possible, buying him one season early or later would not have any difference.

I am assuming that this scenario leverages on money that is expected but not realised materially (CL qualification for e.g being a variable) and for this reason, from a financial point of view, this situation will almost certainly never play out. However there is also an argument to be made that the transfer market inflates much more rapidly than the GBP does, but that is difficult to quantify and appreciating assets will always be accrued from a young player's potential rather than through forex dynamics anyway.

I just feel that hedging for success is our best bet to actually compete in that second season, because if we were to go toe to toe with spending with the oil clubs we would probably not be able to compete. We have to rely on footballing translations (in terms of squad synergy) that are not directly correlated with spending to be able to surpass these oil clubs on the pitch.

Of course, I do not have an in depth understanding of AFC's financial model in relation to our competitors' and therefore I am unable to substantiate my response with hard empirical evidence.

Your question is really intriguing and I would love to hear further responses from other posters indeed.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Lampard looks like he may well be joining Man City on a short term loan. :wacko:

Football is just getting too stupid for its own good now. Fucking pointless.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Lampard looks like he may well be joining Man City on a short term loan. :wacko:

Football is just getting too stupid for its own good now. Fucking pointless.

This.

[Munchies]

Chelsea fans turning on lampard :haha:

[GP]

Firstly,why bother going there?

Secondly, why would they want him?

Weird.

[fakeyank]

Firstly,why bother going there?

Secondly, why would they want him?

Weird.

English player quota

[Ralpheroo72]

Lampard looks like he may well be joining Man City on a short term loan. :wacko:

Football is just getting too stupid for its own good now. Fucking pointless.

The amount of players city, and the chavs especially, have on loan or 'developing' at their feeder clubs is a joke. Just taking players off the market.

[Xhaka Can’t]

There is definitely a mechanism for abusing the system. There isn't anything you can do about it though. Even if football's governing bodies weren't as corrupt as fuck and decided to do something about it beyond the half assed efforts surrounding FFP, these clubs would always remain one step ahead of them.

[Injury Time]

The amount of players city, and the chavs especially, have on loan or 'developing' at their feeder clubs is a joke. Just taking players off the market.

Anyone have a definitive list?

[Injury Time]

Oh we haven't signed this guy after all...
http://www.givemesport.com/491322-georgios-spanoudakis-signs-for-stuttgart-not-arsenal?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Van Gaal sounding like a rehashed version of Wenger....."we may not need to sign any more players"......welcome to our world Mancs

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Metro (I know....I know) say the gap in talks between Sporting and us over Carvalho us narrowing.....know nothing of this guy.....any thoughts?

[I am invisible]

Nope, no thoughts one way or the other about the player other than, on paper, he sounds like the sort of player we need.

As I understand it, any deal for him hinges on how much the buying club could pay upfront, because of some sell-on clause that entitles his former club to a chunk of any fee? Something like 24m might sound like a good fee for a relatively unproven young player, but if we're looking at one of those half now, half later deals, then I think Sporting would only end up pocketing something like 7m, which, in that light, isn't such a great incentive to lose one of their best assets...

[I am invisible]

I remember one poster on here was keen for us to buy him, but I can't remember who it was, and can't be bothered trawling back through the posts...

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

defensive midfielder, bulky and according to the papers long sought by Man United

[AKBapologist]

In terms of players I want for the CDM position my preference is this:
Pogba > Carvalho > Schneiderlin > Bender > Khedira

But then again, maybe I'm just racist and think tall back guys are best for that position.

[Munchies]

In terms of players I want for the CDM position my preference is this:
Pogba > Carvalho > Schneiderlin > Bender > Khedira

But then again, maybe I'm just racist and think tall back guys are best for that position.

Bouba Diop :bow:

[I am invisible]

This guy on Bleacher Report seems to rate him...

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2146780-arsenal-transfer-news-william-carvalho-exactly-what-the-gunners-need

...although a lot of those gushing words were from when Man U we're linked with him, so no doubt he's all kinds of shit now it's us involved...

[I am invisible]

Van Gaal sounding like a rehashed version of Wenger....."we may not need to sign any more players"......welcome to our world Mancs
What do they need more signings for anyway? It's not like they're in Europe or anything...

[AKBapologist]

Just in case you have 24 minutes or so to burn on a player we probably won't sign...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGs6QGag5Ng

[I am invisible]

Where have all these 24 minute videos come from all of a sudden?!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The first 20 seconds was a nice prelude and then the actual first discernible clip was of him winning the ball and then almost immediately losing it. Just cut it after he has won the ball and move to the next clip for heavens sakes! Isn't it supposed to be biased in his favour, not balanced!...... 24 minutes I won't need to get back in my life as I'm definitely not watching it all. :d

At this point I just want Wenger to identify whoever the hell he thinks can play there and sign him. There is a list of about 500 players who could perform the role.... I almost don't care who....though there is more chance we will sign a monkey from the ebola forest than of us signing Pogba. Though somewhat tragically I suspect Wenger's reasons for not getting in there first with Pogba was that he had Diaby at the time. Ooops.

[I am invisible]

The first 20 seconds was a nice prelude and then the actual first discernible clip was of him winning the ball and then almost immediately losing it. Just cut it after he has won the ball and move to the next clip for heavens sakes! Isn't it supposed to be biased in his favour, not balanced!...... 24 minutes I won't need to get back in my life as I'm definitely not watching it all. :d

At this point I just want Wenger to identify whoever the hell he thinks can play there and sign him. There is a list of about 500 players who could perform the role.... I almost don't care who....though there is more chance we will sign a monkey from the ebola forest than of us signing Pogba. Though somewhat tragically I suspect Wenger's reasons for not getting in there first with Pogba was that he had Diaby at the time. Ooops.
To be fair, I'm not sure a 24 minute clip will actually do any 22 year old many favours? They won't have been around long enough to fill the whole thing with great moments, so a large part of it will probably be padded out with bits from games from when they were really young and inexperienced. A shorter, 3-4 minute clip of his last season would probably tell you more about what he's actually like now.

Apparently, since Shad Forsythe officially joined the club, Diaby has been available for selection every day - nice one Shad!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Even if the player is 42, 24 minutes is an eternity and does nobody any favours purely out of tediousness and boredom. If it's a mixed bag, at least start with some of the best clips at the start and end. Like a comedian's show!

I'd like nothing more than for Diaby to get a season of football. Honestly. Whether he needs to lick on a charmed toad or eat horse placenta..... He must not be allowed to retire before John Terry.

[Niall_Quinn]

A 24 min Diaby video, to celebrate his 100th birthday.

[AKBapologist]

To be fair, I'm not sure a 24 minute clip will actually do any 22 year old many favours? They won't have been around long enough to fill the whole thing with great moments, so a large part of it will probably be padded out with bits from games from when they were really young and inexperienced. A shorter, 3-4 minute clip of his last season would probably tell you more about what he's actually like now.

Apparently, since Shad Forsythe officially joined the club, Diaby has been available for selection every day - nice one Shad!
it was all from last season, first 5 or so minutes are all you really need to see.

[Syn]

Lampard to Man City... can anyone make some sense out of that move? :blink:

Out of New York, Man City and Lampard there isn't a single party that benefits from this.

[Munchies]

Lampard to Man City... can anyone make some sense out of that move? :blink:

Out of New York, Man City and Lampard there isn't a single party that benefits from this.

Lampard definitely does!

£100k+ each week

He must've known about it before he signed the nyfc deal

[Niall_Quinn]

Lampard to Man City... can anyone make some sense out of that move? :blink:

Out of New York, Man City and Lampard there isn't a single party that benefits from this.

This will be some underhand method to get around FFP. What does it matter which of your clubs is paying the wages when there is unlimited money. But I bet there's some advantage for the gypo's books. They're a farce of a club, operating in a different environment to everyone else bar the chavs.

[Injury Time]

A 24 min Diaby video, to celebrate his 100th birthday.

I already did that but got negative feedback after showing that 1 goal in the chumps league, that kick to Terry's head, and 23mins 56 seconds of life support monitors going "beep" :(

[Penguin]

Lampard to Man City... can anyone make some sense out of that move? :blink:

Out of New York, Man City and Lampard there isn't a single party that benefits from this.

Well it pisses off Chelsea fans so it kind of benefits everyone :lol:

[I am invisible]

it was all from last season, first 5 or so minutes are all you really need to see.
If that's all from last season, then this lad looks a bit of a beast?! Amazing how cleanly and casually he manages to win everything, without diving in or coming off his feet, although I did enjoy the bit on 2.42, where he cleans out 2 or 3 players with one tackle!

How good is he in the air, do you know? I only made it to about 7 and a half minutes before I gave up...

[Syn]

Lampard definitely does!

£100k+ each week

He must've known about it before he signed the nyfc deal

He can't play any sort of meaningful role for a club with league and champions league aspirations. He is seen as a god at Chelsea - the same way someone like Henry is seen by Arsenal fans. As for money, he has been the main man and highest earner at Chelsea since Ambramovich took over 10 years ago. I can't understand why he'd trade off even a little of Chelsea legacy for a bit more money on just a 9 month contract.

Thinking about it, the only way this makes sense to me is if he fell out with Chelsea for not offering him a one year contract. And this is his way sticking 2 fingers up at the club if he's able to score a couple of penalties and Man City end up winning the league again.

[Penguin]

If that's all from last season, then this lad looks a bit of a beast?! Amazing how cleanly and casually he manages to win everything, without diving in or coming off his feet, although I did enjoy the bit on 2.42, where he cleans out 2 or 3 players with one tackle!

How good is he in the air, do you know? I only made it to about 7 and a half minutes before I gave up...
I know you shouldn't judge a player from a youtube video but you're right, he looks like he has it all. He seems very similar to Yaya Toure with his combination of close control, composure and sheer strength on the ball. His distribution looked great too. Is he really only 22? :o

The £37m buy out clause is probably too steep for Wenger though.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Signs that FFP is affecting clubs.

Man City resigned to loaning a has-been like Lampard because they're financially restricted in what they can do.

Blatter :bow:

[I am invisible]

I know you shouldn't judge a player from a youtube video but you're right, he looks like he has it all. He seems very similar to Yaya Toure with his combination of close control, composure and sheer strength on the ball. His distribution looked great too. Is he really only 22? :o

The £37m buy out clause is probably too steep for Wenger though.
It sounds like Sporting would accept less than that (money troubles or something), but the stumbling block could be that they want most of the money upfront? That could be what makes us such a good potential buyer for them though - I doubt there's too many clubs around that have cash reserves like ours at the moment...

[Harland]

Just in case you have 24 minutes or so to burn on a player we probably won't sign...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGs6QGag5Ng

just watched the first 7 mins of the clip but the number of timess he goes shoulder to shoulder with an opposing player and leaves with the ball, and the opposition on the floor is rather impressive.

I know its a highlight reel but still....

[Munchies]

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

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I do like how he doesn't go to ground needlessly and often gets really tight to his man but resists the urge to just lethargically foul him. It is easy to underestimate the knack of being able to do that.

So when can we have him?

[Power n Glory]

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

That's a disgrace! I didn't realise City owned the NY club. Besides City being cheats, Lampard is a disgrace if he and his agent knew this one on the cards. It's just crooked.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's a disgrace! I didn't realise City owned the NY club. Besides City being cheats, Lampard is a disgrace if he and his agent knew this one on the cards. It's just crooked.

Third club they own now, their ambition is to own five. Will make it child's play to shift players around on loan so they can bypass FFP. Some of these big transfer fees for shit players, particularly the Luiz transfer, are also highly suspicious. The chavs did very well persuading other clubs to buy their shit for well over the asking price. Except to see a lump of shit come from PSG to chavland for £50mill-ish in the next few seasons. Of course they are cheats, they are arab princes and russian mafia, what else would they be? This is why they shouldn't have been let into the game. This is just the start, they'll eventually corrupt and destroy every aspect of the game.

[Bumble]

Third club they own now, their ambition is to own five. Will make it child's play to shift players around on loan so they can bypass FFP. Some of these big transfer fees for shit players, particularly the Luiz transfer, are also highly suspicious. The chavs did very well persuading other clubs to buy their shit for well over the asking price. Except to see a lump of shit come from PSG to chavland for £50mill-ish in the next few seasons. Of course they are cheats, they are arab princes and russian mafia, what else would they be? This is why they shouldn't have been let into the game. This is just the start, they'll eventually corrupt and destroy every aspect of the game.
the champions league has already done that. making the desire of every half decent player go to only a select few clubs. and the only way for smaller clubs to get into the CL is to be bankrolled by billionaires.

on this lampard thing in theory it does by pass FFP however, its not like NYC have signed Neymar, Aguero etc and loaned them back to City. If Lampard wins them the league after being on loan to January I will be stunned.

[Niall_Quinn]

Arsenal closing in on £24m move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho

According to the Daily van Gaal.

[Niall_Quinn]

the champions league has already done that. making the desire of every half decent player go to only a select few clubs. and the only way for smaller clubs to get into the CL is to be bankrolled by billionaires.

on this lampard thing in theory it does by pass FFP however, its not like NYC have signed Neymar, Aguero etc and loaned them back to City. If Lampard wins them the league after being on loan to January I will be stunned.

Sanogo scored 4 goals. Anything is possible. It's not the specific player, it's the loophole. Of course it will be difficult to plug all avenues for the gypos to cheat considering they have literally limitless funds.

[Zerlathon]

Lampard was probably a "test" into seeing what UEFA would do. If they don't do anything about it then its sets a precedent. Give it 1-2 seasons and oil the sugar daddy clubs will be doing it to work around FFP.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Carvalho

http://austinrfnd.github.io/labrubyconf_backbone/img/yayyy.gif

[Power n Glory]

Lampard was probably a "test" into seeing what UEFA would do. If they don't do anything about it then its sets a precedent. Give it 1-2 seasons and oil the sugar daddy clubs will be doing it to work around FFP.

The players should have some more integrity. A player like Lampard shouldn’t be involved with such a murky deal. He should know better and he doesn’t need the deal. He’s not some naive kid looking for his first major money contract or someone in need of a another major trophy. It sets a precedent.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Keep it to transfers, Munchies, please.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Munchies :lol:

Awful Cripps.

[Bumble]

Sign a defensive midfielder and a centre back and it would be a great summer of strengthening. TV will leave and Arteta doesn't cut it anymore, decent player but you don't want him to start regularly.

[LDG]

I don't think we need a defensive midfielder as such....we did alright defensively last year (barring the obvious calamity matches where the whole team fell apart).

We need someone to carry the ball forward, as apposed to picking it up and passing it sideways.

Arteta steadied the ship, but I agree we need to get someone more incisive in to bring the team on the next step. I would have said it was Wilshere, but unless he rolls his sleeves up, he'll kill his career sooner rather than later.

[I am invisible]

CBs - who's out there, and who's realistic? What sort of player will we be looking at: experienced or younger; cheap or expensive (or medium)?

The more I think about it, the more I think it was worth spending what it took to get Chambers in - the fee may have raised a few eyebrows, but the fact that he can cover CB and CM as well as RB means that we can now hold our nerve going into the final month / couple of weeks of the transfer window (if we need to), and push for the best possible deals on anyone we're still looking at?

[sibreen]

Yeah, I think Chambers has been brought in primarily as a CB, too.
We've got two right backs and Jenkinson already.

[Niall_Quinn]

Afobe off to MK Dons for season long loan.

[Fist of Lehmann]

He's done for Arsenal. Chuba already looks to have a bit more.

Expect Coqbloquelin to go the same way soon.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Shame about Afobe. I remember back in 2008-2010 there was massive massive hype surrounding him and Chucks Aneke. Allegedly Wenger had made a comment that they were in a group of youngsters had not much left to learn "technically". People were raving about them ....... expecting them to be Arsenal regulars in a few years but sadly it looks like they've gone down the same route as many other talented youngsters from the academy.

Just shows you how difficult it is to predict the outcome of talented youth players and that coaching and continued development is essential at that point in a players career. Dan Crowley is the current "wonderkid" of the academy and he signed his first contract the other day. We've got a new academy head in now (Jonker) so hopefully that results in changes that allow talented players like Crowley to flourish and become assets to the first team.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

TBF Afobe hasn't been given a chance. It seems Sanogo's been given the preference to be Wenger's guinea pig. Shame that because I'd rather see an academy player who actually cares about Arsenal being given the chance instead of some disloyal half-hearted twat.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Come off it She Wore. You should know by now that Wenger is one of the best in the world at judging and facilitating young talent and had he seen the requisite potential in Afobe, would have certainly kept him. There's no element of bias involved here.

Besides, it's hardly like Afobe was lighting it up in his numerous loan moves prior to now to a point where he could demand starts. Just seems to me that like a lot of other promising teenagers his growth stagnated, not helped least by some bad injuries. Time for him to make a name for himself a lower league club and establish a career.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

He persisted with a striker that ended up scoring 0 goals last season.

Your argument is completely and utterly invalid.

[fakeyank]

:popcorn:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Crowley... I forgot about him! What a player he is going to be!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Skysports taking time to cover TV5 potential sayonara.....with more than just a line or two....could be that this has got the legs to actually happening......Hummels? Yeah right! But seriously we would need to bring someone in because not matter how versitile Chambers is be can't play more than one position on any given match!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

What would an ideal scenario look like? Just going by the rumour mills.....

TV out (10mil) - Hummels in (30mil)

Arteta out, I would not be unhappy to see him stay but if he does it doesn't go, we need a DM IMO - with that in mind why are we not after Bender more? We put a bid in for him last year, do we not think he is good enough anymore?

Well we won't get more than 10mil probably more like 3 so paper talk fuelled 24 mil for Cavahlo? Will take our spending to a lot indeed but we address a lot if areas......can't see us spending any more on a striker as we will go with what we have....Walcott back etc

TBF I already have a nose bleed from what we have done and spending 30 mil on Hummels would make it like it gush like Niagara

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

We aren't getting Hummels in a million years and there are still 2 gaping holes in the squad as far as I am concerned. Don't think I'm being particularly harsh either....

[Harland]

Really don't think we'll see more activity until the final day(s) of the window.

It has been pretty good so far, but it has the potential to be awesome (or still terrible if we sell Cazorla, Podolski and TV without bringing anyone in)

[Munchies]

Really hope we get a CDM and a striker in.

Heck, I'd rather have Henry back instead of Giroud.

We're being linked with Daniel Agger as Vermaelen's replacement (Daily Mirror) , no point getting in another crock.

[Dein-machine]

Need to look at a pacier CB, Hummels is no quicker than Merts - strong defensive midfielder that can also click into our passing game - proper finisher upfront, the goals Sonogo scored at the weekend were one's Giroud wouldn't have got because he's too slow to keep up with play. Getting the likes of Walcott & Sanchez in behind defenders is how to break Premiership defences but unless you're CF is in or around the 6 yard box its mostly pointless. Giroud showed again at the weekend that he is not what we need. He breaks down 80% of our attacks with a stupid flick, bad pass or lack of control - he is simply not clever enough to be in a team with some of the other attacking talent we have. Wumger says that he wasn't ready after 3 weeks of rest but it was the same player we saw for most of last season, when he was supposedly fit.
If we don't sign a striker, I would start with Walcott (if fit) on the right, Sanchez down the middle & OX/Campbell on the left. If we don't play Sanchez as CF, then Campbell should start with Sanogo ahead of Giroud in pecking order.

[Fist of Lehmann]

I do hope the Agger rumours are bullturd. This chump is only half a step up from Squillvestre.

Nastasic has been allegedly put up for sale, which has led to some speculating wildly in our direction.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

TV out (10mil) - Hummels in (30mil)


In a market where David Luiz goes for 50 million, Hummels should go no less than 80 million.

Nah as Blink says there's no way in hell we're getting Hummels. Dortmund won't sell after already losing Lewadonski (and possibly Reus) and it would take a David Luiz style bid to even get them interested.



Really like Nastastic but would City be silly enough to sell them to us? They're mental to get rid of him in the first place but to then give them to a direct rival?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Can't say I've seen Nastastic play that much.....if he is useful though he's worth a punt.....lot of promise when it comes to making songs that rhyme with his name

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Agger isn't a bad player at all....I don't totally get why he would be such a bad option. Even if he is a crock, it is better to replace an injury concerned player with another than not replacing him at all.


Dein machine, you can't honestly think Hummels is marginally quicker than Mertesacker. Hummels is as complete a CB as you will find IMO. Bringing the ball out of defence he is as good as I've seen and reads the game exceptionally well. Dortmund have quietly turned down at least 2 massive bids for him in the last few years, including one from Chelsea.

I said earlier this summer that I wouldn't have minded somebody like Lescott and understandably people cited his wages....and now he is at West Brom. He may not be the cream of the English crop any more but we are talking about a third/4th choice here. Unless you get some young upstart, you may as well go for steady experience. Not not like Squillaci, as he had not won a premier league before he came and had no premier league experience.

Anyway.....let's just make sure we don't get someone who has to adapt to a new league and do so whilst being the slowest player on the field.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He was one of the less detestable of the legion of Spanish Imps.... fantastic player. Always amazes me how small he actually is without strangely looking so small when playing.

[fakeyank]

Agger isn't a bad player at all....I don't totally get why he would be such a bad option. Even if he is a crock, it is better to replace an injury concerned player with another than not replacing him at all.


Dein machine, you can't honestly think Hummels is marginally quicker than Mertesacker. Hummels is as complete a CB as you will find IMO. Bringing the ball out of defence he is as good as I've seen and reads the game exceptionally well. Dortmund have quietly turned down at least 2 massive bids for him in the last few years, including one from Chelsea.

I said earlier this summer that I wouldn't have minded somebody like Lescott and understandably people cited his wages....and now he is at West Brom. He may not be the cream of the English crop any more but we are talking about a third/4th choice here. Unless you get some young upstart, you may as well go for steady experience. Not not like Squillaci, as he had not won a premier league before he came and had no premier league experience.

Anyway.....let's just make sure we don't get someone who has to adapt to a new league and do so whilst being the slowest player on the field.

:gp:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Agger would not be a bad back up option.....money spent on him would give us some left for other positions

[Penguin]

I would be happy with Agger but why would Liverpool sell him to us?

[I am invisible]

Agger's not a bad player - I'm just not sure that signing another 29/30 year old would be the best move for us? Currently, all our options are around the same age - Koscielny and Mertesacker will be 29 and 30 (respectively) in September, and Vermaelen will be 29 in November - so, if we're going to let Vermaelen go, then it feels like we should take the opportunity to stagger the age of our options a bit better, with a view to planning for the day when Per and Kos have to take a step back? I'd be looking at someone in the 20-25 year old bracket...

[I am invisible]

More 'Reus to Arsenal' blurb in the "news" today - some German paper (Welt?) suggesting that we're favourites to sign him, and that his release clause (that kicks in next summer) is actually only £19.8m (25m euros)?! Which doesn't mean that that's the current asking price, but, if accurate, then any bid above that amount might be tempting for Dortmund? Go on Arsene - you know you want to!

[Penguin]

If it's true, it sounds like we signed Sanchez instead of Reus so I doubt Wenger would still be interested. I just hope he goes to Madrid and not to Liverpool/United.

[I am invisible]

If it's true, it sounds like we signed Sanchez instead of Reus...

Or did we? Hmmm...

Edit: yeah actually, we probably did, tbf...

[BOBN]

Thursday 07 August 2014

Juventus are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Standard Sport understands the Serie A club have sounded out English-based agents to explore through informal channels whether the Gunners would be willing to sell the 22-year-old.

No formal enquiry or offer has yet been made after the suggestion was rejected by manager Arsene Wenger, who earlier this week challenged the midfielder to become a “consistent presence” in the team this season.

It is believed that Wilshere is also happy to remain at Arsenal assuming he holds down a regular starting berth and Juventus are therefore waiting for more encouragement from the Gunners or the player before making an opening bid.

However, their interest remains genuine and they have instructed intermediaries to keep close tabs on Wilshere’s situation.
Sell for 16mill with option to buy back in 2 years for 17mill like Barca did with Bojan, just in case he learns something.

Spend the 16mill.

Watch him join Stoke in 3 years like Bojan.

Wenger, you have my blessing :good:

[Marc Overmars]

Can't say I've seen Nastastic play that much.....if he is useful though he's worth a punt.....lot of promise when it comes to making songs that rhyme with his name

Just the sort of young CB we should be going after if/when Vermaelen goes IMO.

[I am invisible]

Looks like Wenger has pretty much rubbished ever being after Khedira, so I guess we can strike him off the list now...

[KSE Comedy Club]

Rumours seem to suggest he's goin to go with wilshere and take a gamble on diaby staying fit again.

Don't fuck things up now wenger, for gods sake!

[Globalgunner]

Rumours seem to suggest he's goin to go with wilshere and take a gamble on diaby staying fit again.

Don't fuck things up now wenger, for gods sake!
Thats like gambling that lottery win will help pay your oversized mortgage.
Yup!. Wumger is alive and well, it seems.

Wilshire is what he is enthusiastic but incapable of anchoring a midfield. He loses the ball and sits on his arse plaintively appealing toi the ref. While the counterattack on our goal is on.
Diaby is like a procelain bat. Lovely to admire but nit fit for purpose. It was the mere threat of a bad tackle that led to his blow-up that day up at Newcastle leading to the infamous 4-4. That and that pot bellied louse manning the whistle, of course

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Agger is still a good player, though his positional sense has gone a bit off. I know the Squillvestre are a bit of hyperbole, but he really isn't that bad.

I don't really get why we preferred Skrtel over him, but you can't really rely on Agger to stay fit even as a backup.

I can't see why we'd sell him to you though. Same goes for most players. Abroad or nowhere.

Latest hilarious Liverpool rumour du jour: Falcao.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Djourou officially gone to Hamburg. No longer on our books. Think that's the last of the deadwood gone now.

[Injury Time]

Djourou officially gone to Hamburg. No longer on our books. Think that's the last of the deadwood gone now.

No I'm pretty sure Fakeyank is still here...
:run:

[fakeyank]

Ass.. <_<

[GP]

:haha: It's funny cos Fakeyank is deadwood

[LDG]

:haha: It's funny cos Fakeyank is deadwood

Racist!

Though he's more walnut than dark oak, granted.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Agger is still a good player, though his positional sense has gone a bit off. I know the Squillvestre are a bit of hyperbole, but he really isn't that bad.

I don't really get why we preferred Skrtel over him, but you can't really rely on Agger to stay fit even as a backup.

I can't see why we'd sell him to you though. Same goes for most players. Abroad or nowhere.

Latest hilarious Liverpool rumour du jour: Falcao.

It's true, I don't actually want him at him at the club.

And that's more to do with my personal fear that going short term, stopgap, aging, injury prone centreback will bite us in the hole once again. I don't think anybody would have too many complaints if we were in for a 27 yr old version of Agger, but at this stage of his career? Given the role we'd need him for?

We know that the older you get the more injuries you tend to accrue and the longer it takes to recover. And Arsenal fans know as well as anybody how injuries can fuck with your form.

Would he be as calamitous as those aforementioned? Not at all. Should we be looking at someone younger, better and more physically reliable? 100%.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

It's true, I don't actually want him at him at the club.

And that's more to do with my personal fear that going short term, stopgap, aging, injury prone centreback will bite us in the hole once again. I don't think anybody would have too many complaints if we were in for a 27 yr old version of Agger, but at this stage of his career? Given the role we'd need him for?

We know that the older you get the more injuries you tend to accrue and the longer it takes to recover. And Arsenal fans know as well as anybody how injuries can fuck with your form.

Would he be as calamitous as those aforementioned? Not at all. Should we be looking at someone younger, better and more physically reliable? 100%.
:good:

No qualms with your reasons for not wanting him, the only thing I was picking up on the Squillvestre thing was that they were both shit players at their best, never mind when you signed them. At least Agger is still pretty decent even if there are probably better options out there.

[GP]

Racist!

Though he's more walnut than dark oak, granted.

Ebony and Ivory

Live together in perfect harmony.

On a council estate.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Thursday 07 August 2014

Juventus are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Standard Sport understands the Serie A club have sounded out English-based agents to explore through informal channels whether the Gunners would be willing to sell the 22-year-old.

No formal enquiry or offer has yet been made after the suggestion was rejected by manager Arsene Wenger, who earlier this week challenged the midfielder to become a “consistent presence” in the team this season.

It is believed that Wilshere is also happy to remain at Arsenal assuming he holds down a regular starting berth and Juventus are therefore waiting for more encouragement from the Gunners or the player before making an opening bid.

However, their interest remains genuine and they have instructed intermediaries to keep close tabs on Wilshere’s situation.
Sell for 16mill with option to buy back in 2 years for 17mill like Barca did with Bojan, just in case he learns something.

Spend the 16mill.

Watch him join Stoke in 3 years like Bojan.

Wenger, you have my blessing :good:

That may well be the worst article of all time.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

That may well be the worst article of all time.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2578661/INSIDE-TRACK-Mesut-Ozil-cost-Arsenal-42-5m-isnt-worth-two-bob.html

/thread.

[Globalgunner]

That may well be the worst article of all time.

Can you imagine Jack trying to learn Italian?. Never going to happen

[GP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95YdE89nTgI
Can you imagine Jack trying to learn Italian?. Never going to happen

[McNamara That Ghost...]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2578661/INSIDE-TRACK-Mesut-Ozil-cost-Arsenal-42-5m-isnt-worth-two-bob.html

/thread.

Second worst article of all time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Can you imagine Jack trying to learn Italian?. Never going to happen

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Btd3-9pCMAACZrt.jpg:large

[GP]

:haha:

[BOBN]

Ive had Agger down as technically the best central defender around for ages, but that probably due to some superficial fancydan crap he did on MOTD.

Kos-Agger wouldnt work. We need a defender who requires a 44" chest dinner jacket or above.

[selassie]

Rumours seem to suggest he's goin to go with wilshere and take a gamble on diaby staying fit again.

Don't fuck things up now wenger, for gods sake!

I hope not, recruiting a midfielder is the number one priority for me. Without one we won't strongly challenge for the title or advance to the latter stages in CL.

[Gooner23]

He talks about Khedira being box to box and not needing one of those, so I still think we are in the market for a holding mid i.e. Carvalho.

[Ralpheroo72]

I hope not, recruiting a midfielder is the number one priority for me. Without one we won't strongly challenge for the title or advance to the latter stages in CL.

All the noises coming from Wenger indicate that we have signed our holding midfielder already - Calum Chambers.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/330563.html

[Bumble]

All the noises coming from Wenger indicate that we have signed our holding midfielder already - Calum Chambers.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/330563.html
isn't he also our back up right back and centre back

[Xhaka Can’t]

I thought he was playing a support role for Gazidis.

[selassie]

All the noises coming from Wenger indicate that we have signed our holding midfielder already - Calum Chambers.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/330563.html

Yeah I am getting the impression that Wenger will "stick" with what we have got because for one reason or another it seems all of his primary targets are unavailable.

It would be a risky strategy going into the season with Arteta, Flams or Chambers as our first choice DM's.

I think it's one position he may need to overpay in if he wants to add a quality addition.

[I am invisible]

All the noises coming from Wenger indicate that we have signed our holding midfielder already - Calum Chambers.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/330563.html
Interesting. I'm not necessarily opposed to that idea - by all accounts, he's spent most of his footballing education training as a defensive midfielder, and has only really started covering RB and CB for the Southampton first team and England U19s. And, to be fair to the lad, he's looked very composed and competent in every senior opportunity that he's been given so far, be it as a RB, CB or whatever, so I don't want to dismiss this idea out of hand. Wenger could very well be right, and this lad might be a top-notch DM in the making?

If that is the plan for him though, then it makes a CB signing the overwhelming priority now. Interesting to hear Wenger say that he was in the market for another one, and maybe two players - I'd just assumed that the two players would be a CB and a DM, but if Chambers turns out to be the DM then what other area might we be looking at other than CB? Another attacker? Maybe yet another RB, if we don't fancy Bellerin as cover? LB? A second CB?

[AKBapologist]

David Ornstein (BBC) Arsenal continue search Vermaelen replacement & also in market for DMF, but may sign 1 player who can perform both roles #afc #bbcsportsday

[LDG]

David Ornstein (BBC) Arsenal continue search Vermaelen replacement & also in market for DMF, but may sign 1 player who can perform both roles #afc #bbcsportsday

David Ornstein (BBC) Arsenal may sign a player, but they may also not. It could be in any of the following positions. GK RB LB CB DM LM RM CM ACM ST WB #sources #afc #stealingaliving

[Penguin]

:lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

isn't he also our back up right back and centre back

And reserve striker, backup manager and stand-in for Gunnersaurus.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Chambersaurus :bow:

[Asthmatic Kitty]

sky sports' transfer centre video roundup saying cavani's agent has said the player is listening to offers from liverpool and us.
yet he's still 10/1 to join us on sky bet (?)
can't see this one happening tbh.

[Niall_Quinn]

Don't really need a lazier Giroud.

[Syn]

Nah, no chance. Sky Bet should be investigated for malpractice. It's not illegal to take money from idiots but they've got it all locked down with a monopoly on it. Don't see the other major sports bookmakers having a market on player transfers. "Odds of Reus joining Liverpool have been slashed from 5/1 to evens!". They don't offer odds on Reus not joining Liverpool or staying with Dortmund, so they can't lose with it. They also make the headlines because they're a part of Sky. It's a money printing machine.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Ive had Agger down as technically the best central defender around for ages, but that probably due to some superficial fancydan crap he did on MOTD.

Kos-Agger wouldnt work. We need a defender who requires a 44" chest dinner jacket or above.

Won't get a footballer with a chest that big mate. Pigeon chests out here.....

[Maestro]

Won't get a footballer with a chest that big mate. Pigeon chests out here.....

yes you can

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/beast-mode-akindfenwa-looked-like-an-nfl-professional-next-to-chelseas-players-pictures/

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bs7HAp0CQAIU3Ep.jpg

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Well that didn't take too long. Hummels linked to us now that Vermelean is gone by the Daily Mail.


They put the value at 25 million ............ what a crock of shite. :doh:

[I am invisible]

Anyone else a little concerned by the lack of CB names being suggested? And that's not just in the gossip columns - even the fans seem to be struggling for ideas?! Hummels and Agger can't be the only options out there...

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

To be fair, is it just the case that there aren't that many good defenders out there right now?

When the supposed best is Thiago Silva then it's not exactly a high bar.

Or is it the case that there is just an odd generation of very good attacking players, making the defenders look bad. Or the opposite, that the lack of properly good defenders is making these forward players look better than they actually are.
:shrug:

[Slacker]

Pointed this out two weeks ago and got shouted down for being a fanny. We conceded pretty much all our goals last season (and last weekend's free header) through the CB and CM areas and AW hasn't invested there. Not sure how we'll fare before we get BFG back but hope AW's gamble doesn't prove too costly. Monreal and Vermaelen aren't good enough and Chambers and Miquel are young and raw. If AW leaves it like it is we'll struggle to get in the top four. Frank McLintock called it right on Talksport on Friday - we need a CD, a DM and an out and out striker, all top quality. Hope we get all three but knowing AW, think we'll get 2 at best.

[Niall_Quinn]

You fanny!

[GP]

You fanny!

Top post

[Slacker]

Top post

:crying:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Anyone else a little concerned by the lack of CB names being suggested? And that's not just in the gossip columns - even the fans seem to be struggling for ideas?! Hummels and Agger can't be the only options out there...

We were linked to Fabian Schar from Basle in January and Konstantinos Manolas at the start of the summer but apart from that it's been pretty empty on the CB front.

Balanta from River Plate is meant to be amazing according to Tim Vickery so I wouldn't be surprised if started hearing some smoke around that soon.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Hummels looks set to be named captain of BD so should forget that one that was never going to happen anyway!

[selassie]

Anyone else a little concerned by the lack of CB names being suggested? And that's not just in the gossip columns - even the fans seem to be struggling for ideas?! Hummels and Agger can't be the only options out there...

Yep. Worried we're going to panic buy now. The few names we are linked to seem to be a unrealistic target in Matt Hummels or a washed up crock in Dan Agger.

I hope Arsene has something lined up.

[ARightTouch]

Pointed this out two weeks ago and got shouted down for being a fanny. We conceded pretty much all our goals last season (and last weekend's free header) through the CB and CM areas and AW hasn't invested there. Not sure how we'll fare before we get BFG back but hope AW's gamble doesn't prove too costly. Monreal and Vermaelen aren't good enough and Chambers and Miquel are young and raw. If AW leaves it like it is we'll struggle to get in the top four. Frank McLintock called it right on Talksport on Friday - we need a CD, a DM and an out and out striker, all top quality. Hope we get all three but knowing AW, think we'll get 2 at best.

:good:

We have the worst DM out of all the top teams. Id say this will be the reason we cant win the title this year. Chelsea and Man City are the strongest in this area (Matic/Mikel and Fernandinho/Fernando) whereas we have Arteta/Flamini, absolutely no comparison there. Is Arteta even a DM? Flamini is a dog and does well but I wouldn't say hes a physical presence.

As a DM id probably take Sandro, Barry, Carrick and Gerrard over Arteta/Flamini. This is without doubt our weakest area but Wenger doesn't seem bothered and hasn't for years. Which is strange after seeing the likes of Vieira/Petit and Gilberto. What we would do for a Gilberto now!!

And if Wenger is still relying on Diaby to be the new Vieira then we have no hope.

Chambers for the future maybe but what about now??

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Problem with signing a defender is we're effectively signing someone to sit on the bench. Most players won't come to be 3rd choice.

Difficult one.

[Master Splinter]

Citeh finally sign Eliaquim Mangala for £32m:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28280454

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2014/August/Eliaquim-Mangala-signs-for-Manchester-City-FC


Mangala will wear the number 23 shirt with 'Quim' on the back. #welcomemanagala

[Injury Time]

Citeh finally sign Eliaquim Mangala for £32m:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28280454

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2014/August/Eliaquim-Mangala-signs-for-Manchester-City-FC

Lot of love for quim according to google

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Porto manage to get another insane fee, although this may be their most impressive one yet given it is for a defender, I think.

[Niall_Quinn]

Santi confirms he's NOT leaving this summer.

[I am invisible]

Lot of love for quim according to google

Have City baked him a welcome cake though?

[Thierrymon]

Lot of love for quim according to google

:lol:

[AFC Leveller]

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/manchester-city-transfers.html

[Syn]

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/manchester-city-transfers.html

As a great moderator once said, it's like buying a prostitute off Craigslist.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/manchester-city-transfers.html

The gypos reserves that let Arsenal win at Wembley.


Willy Caballero - £6,000,000
Gael Clichy - £7,000,000
Dedryck Boyata - None
Matija Nastasic - £12,000,000
Aleksandar Kolarov - £17,000,000
Fernando - £12,000,000
Yaya Toure - £24,000,000
Jesus Navas - £22,900,000
Stevan Jovetic - £25,800,000
Samir Nasri - £22,000,000
Edin Dzeko - £27,000,000

TOTAL - £175, 700,000

Bench

Joe Hart - £1,500,000
Micah Richards - None
Karim Rekik - £400,000
James Milner - £26,000,000
Scott Sinclair - £8,000,000
David Silva - £25,000,000
Bruno Zuculini - £1,500,000

TOTAL - £62,400,000

SQUAD TOTAL: £238,100,000 (a paltry quarter of a BILLION quid)

So you can see why they lost. They had no playa.



Wojciech Szczesny - £50,000
Mathieu Debuchy - £12,000,000
Laurent Koscielny - £10,000,000
Calum Chambers - £16,000,000
Kieran Gibbs - None
Mikel Arteta - £10,000,000
Alexis Sanchez - £35,000,000
Aaron Ramsey - £5,000,000
Jack Wilshere - None
Santi Cazorla - £20,000,000
Yaya Sanogo - None

TOTAL - £108,050,000

Bench

Damian Martinez - None
Nacho Monreal - £8,300,000
Tomas Rosicky - £6,800,000
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - £12,000,000
Mathieu Flamini - None
Olivier Giroud - £13,000,000
Joel Campbell - £700,000

TOTAL - £40,800,000

SQUAD TOTAL - £148,850,000 (or around 60% of the gypo squad cost)

So there you have it. The hard proof of how disadvantaged the gypos were going into that game. With such a massive advantage, it would have been remarkable had Arsenal NOT won. The fact they could only score three should be a cause for concern, if anything.

[ARightTouch]

Ramsey only cost 5m? Unbelievable. Whats he worth now? 20m? 30m? 40m?

Its taken him a few years to get there mind you, no thanks to Tony fuckin Pulis, but my god was it worth the wait. :cloud9:

[Syn]

Ramsey only cost 5m? Unbelievable. Whats he worth now? 20m? 30m? 40m?

Its taken him a few years to get there mind you, no thanks to Tony fuckin Pulis, but my god was it worth the wait. :cloud9:

Best CM in the league. Incredible transformation. There will be those who maintained he wasn't that bad (including myself) but let's face it no-one thought he'd turn into Gerrard/Lampard so quickly. Before injury he looked like a top talent but as a Beckham/old Fabregas style long ball specialist. But he worked his bollocks off with his fitness levels and has done a similar thing to what Bale did. As long as you can run further than everyone else and can shrug Yaya Toure off the ball, the English league is yours.

Barcelona and Real Madrid will come in with £60m bids next season and we'll tell them to fuck off and pick up Bale for £40m.

[I am invisible]

Ramsey only cost 5m? Unbelievable. Whats he worth now? 20m? 30m? 40m?

Its taken him a few years to get there mind you, no thanks to Tony fuckin Pulis, but my god was it worth the wait. :cloud9:
I'd say he's in the £30-40m bracket at the moment, and that's pretty much only because injuries robbed him of the chance to prove his consistsency over a longer period - if he managers to stay fit all season, and keep this same level of performance going, then I don't see why we shouldn't be talking about £60m+ by next summer...

[Marc Overmars]

Always thought Ramsey would be nothing more than a midfield worker, his quality in the final was erratic at best. The improvement since then is unprecedented, every goal he scores these days is taken with such aplomb, all that on top of his already impressive athleticism and work rate essentially makes him the complete player.

His profile is only going to grow so lets hope he doesn't have Bale-esque visions about Madrid.

[Niall_Quinn]

Benzema signs contract extension with Marketing.

[Syn]

Benzema signs contract extension with Marketing.

No-one cares. Talk about Ramsey ffs.

[Injury Time]

Best CM in the league. Incredible transformation. There will be those who maintained he wasn't that bad (including myself) but let's face it no-one thought he'd turn into Gerrard/Lampard so quickly. Before injury he looked like a top talent but as a Beckham/old Fabregas style long ball specialist. But he worked his bollocks off with his fitness levels and has done a similar thing to what Bale did. As long as you can run further than everyone else and can shrug Yaya Toure off the ball, the English league is yours.

Barcelona and Real Madrid will come in with £60m bids next season and we'll tell them to fuck off and pick up Bale for £40m.
Oh come on he did go through a shit period, but to be fair we lacked depth to take the pressure off him, can only applaud him as he toughed it out- I wonder if the break made him get his shit together mentally? He needs to have a word with Wilshire...

[Injury Time]

Benzema signs contract extension with Marketing.

Who? :shrug:

[Syn]

Oh come on he did go through a shit period, but to be fair we lacked depth to take the pressure off him, can only applaud him as he toughed it out- I wonder if the break made him get his shit together mentally? He needs to have a word with Wilshire...

He definitely was frustrating, especially in front of goal and the stupid flicks that never used to come off before but now do. But he wasn't as useless as people thought. You're right I think it was a mental issue and he lacked confidence. On the Wilshere note, now he has been the target for a while when he hasn't been a bad performer at all. All he needs is an injury free season and people will be looking silly again. It was different 3-4 years ago when we had a poor squad but with the options available now, Wenger won't keep picking shit players to start. When they're fit, Ramsey and now Wilshere were always involved and it's not because Wenger is an idiot.

[Fist of Lehmann]

So there you have it. The hard proof of how disadvantaged the gypos were going into that game. With such a massive advantage, it would have been remarkable had Arsenal NOT won. The fact they could only score three should be a cause for concern, if anything.

When you factor in wages as well Arsenal were actually humbled in this embarrassingly narrow victory.

[Injury Time]

He definitely was frustrating, especially in front of goal and the stupid flicks that never used to come off before but now do. But he wasn't as useless as people thought. You're right I think it was a mental issue and he lacked confidence. On the Wilshere note, now he has been the target for a while when he hasn't been a bad performer at all. All he needs is an injury free season and people will be looking silly again. It was different 3-4 years ago when we had a poor squad but with the options available now, Wenger won't keep picking shit players to start. When they're fit, Ramsey and now Wilshere were always involved and it's not because Wenger is an idiot.
Looking silly...hmm. Tired of him getting pushed off the ball like a toddler, giving away possession especially when we've committed to the counter attack, his failing to play the simple ball...his off pitch antics (although tbf Özil had more coverage e.g. In LA with DJs), but if he gets his head in the game/ on the wavelength with the players around him :trophy:
It's okay we have Monreal, Diaby, Özil, Sonogo and Giroud we can scapegoat there ;)

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

yes you can

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/beast-mode-akindfenwa-looked-like-an-nfl-professional-next-to-chelseas-players-pictures/

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bs7HAp0CQAIU3Ep.jpg

I said a footballer....

[Penguin]

yes you can

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/beast-mode-akindfenwa-looked-like-an-nfl-professional-next-to-chelseas-players-pictures/

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bs7HAp0CQAIU3Ep.jpg
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bs6-5CuCMAA42Em.png
:lol:

[Gooner23]

Doesn't look like we'll be getting a CB in any time soon, bit worrying really. God help us if Monreal has to play there in a league game.

[Penguin]

The good news is that Merts and Kos aren't very prone to injuries. But that will probably change this season.. <_<

[Power n Glory]

Kosielny has an Achilles problem and will miss the opening game. Merts isn't 't match fit. Could be a bumpy ride if we don't buy decent cover because we'll be rushing players back.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Other than a last minute 'bargain', I think we are done in this window.

[Dein-machine]

Much depends on opening couple of games, if we'd stuffed Villa in opener last year I doubt we'd have bought Ozil. Very dissapointed we haven't got the CB cover & a proper DM - all was clear about the limitations of Arteta in that role last year & Flamini is not good enough quality wise - its a huge mistake to not have strengthened here because it will affect us in an attacking sense as much as defensively.

[Letters]

Much depends on opening couple of games, if we'd stuffed Villa in opener last year I doubt we'd have bought Ozil.
You think they spent £40m (or whatever) on a panic buy?!
The Ozil move was contingent on the Bale one, until they'd sorted that out Ozil wasn't going anywhere.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Yeah, it is easy to make the link between the Villa game and the Ozil signing. But it is totally wrong to do that.

[saintnickle]

Doesn't look like we'll be getting a CB in any time soon, bit worrying really. God help us if Monreal has to play there in a league game.

So has Wenger really done all he can to to get the best squad to mount a title challenge???What will the AKB's excuse be if we fall short this time because it sure as hell isnt about lack of finances because we have over 60m in reserve.

[Power n Glory]

If we'd have bought Suarez, would we have gone for Ozil? I know we're saying the deal with Real was dependent on Bale leaving Spurs, but I'm not sure it was in our plans all along. We needed a striker and didn’t get one. Things can happen quickly in the window but I’d like to think we’re planning ahead and not leaving things to chance. It’s why this defender situation is a concern. I have a feeling we’ll see more movement out that in with Coquelin seeing the exit, which is a shame because he can also play RB as well as DM.

[Dein-machine]

You think they spent £40m (or whatever) on a panic buy?!
The Ozil move was contingent on the Bale one, until they'd sorted that out Ozil wasn't going anywhere.

The atmosphere after the Villa game would have totally shocked Wenger, who as per usual had done nothing in the transfer market during the summer, so yes it was a panic buy. If you are suggesting we only got Ozil because of Bale move it doesn't defend Wenger -what would have happened if the Bale move didn't go through? - would we have spent £40 mill on someone else on the last day of transfer window or got nobody at all. If you are making your club record transfer, you don't buy on the last day whilst being dependant on other clubs, its too much of a lottery - anything other than that is a panic buy.

[Niall_Quinn]

No chance was Ozil a "panic" buy. An opportunistic buy, maybe. Lots of things have to be juggled for a transfer to happen these days, it's no surprise at all if one move depends on another. I guess Ozil wouldn't have been available at all if Bale had not moved. We must have done plenty of groundwork beforehand on the offchance everything fell into place. Inconceivable a move like that would be hashed together at the last minute, too many palms to grease and lawyers to appease. I'd agree though, we'd probably have signed nobody if the Ozil deal fell through.

Of course the transfer window should be shut before the season starts.

[Globalgunner]

In other news...we are being linked to Chiek Tiote again. Before you go out to hang yourself.....remember. It may never happen.

[Niall_Quinn]

Having watched the World Cup, is anyone still convinced there are more than a handful of strikers out there who are better than Giroud (or Campbell)? Suarez, no argument there. Benzema, I think he showed enough to be considered a grade above.

Neymar - LOL
Cavani - LOL
Rooney - LOL
Balotelli - LOL LOL ROFLMAO


Who were the strikers that really stood out and you could say yes, that guy would really make the difference? How many of them are available? How many cost less than £60mill? Down the pecking order is Remy, but he apparently wanted £100kpw! LOL. So I don't think we'll see a striker coming in.

DM, maybe. CB maybe, but it's tough to find somebody who is happy to sit on the bench. That's the reason Tommy left. The same World Cup has exacerbated things for the start of the season. Normally you wouldn't see a group of players out because they had just finished playing in the final of a major tournament. But Merts will be back, Kos apparently only has a niggle and Chambers has already show he can provide the cover. Monreal is of course an issue, but we have Miquel and Bellerin. Up top we also have Akpom. Not ideal, but not a complete disaster either.

Wenger says he may bring in one more. Let's wait and see. If he doesn't, I still think it is the strongest squad we have had in a long time.

[saintnickle]

Having watched the World Cup, is anyone still convinced there are more than a handful of strikers out there who are better than Giroud (or Campbell)? Suarez, no argument there. Benzema, I think he showed enough to be considered a grade above.

Neymar - LOL
Cavani - LOL
Rooney - LOL
Balotelli - LOL LOL ROFLMAO


Who were the strikers that really stood out and you could say yes, that guy would really make the difference? How many of them are available? How many cost less than £60mill? Down the pecking order is Remy, but he apparently wanted £100kpw! LOL. So I don't think we'll see a striker coming in.

DM, maybe. CB maybe, but it's tough to find somebody who is happy to sit on the bench. That's the reason Tommy left. The same World Cup has exacerbated things for the start of the season. Normally you wouldn't see a group of players out because they had just finished playing in the final of a major tournament. But Merts will be back, Kos apparently only has a niggle and Chambers has already show he can provide the cover. Monreal is of course an issue, but we have Miquel and Bellerin. Up top we also have Akpom. Not ideal, but not a complete disaster either.

Wenger says he may bring in one more. Let's wait and see. If he doesn't, I still think it is the strongest squad we have had in a long time.

"DM, maybe. CB maybe, but it's tough to find somebody who is happy to sit on the bench"

That is where you have been brainwashed by wenger.Surely at a club as big as arsenal you want to buy players for competition so that your 2 starters merts and kos dont go stale.Chelsea didnt go for a midfielder just to sit on the bench whilst oscar and hazard played every week.No they bought fabregas to give them competition .Rememver competition for players is healthy and brings the best out of a player.

[saintnickle]

Having watched the World Cup, is anyone still convinced there are more than a handful of strikers out there who are better than Giroud (or Campbell)? Suarez, no argument there. Benzema, I think he showed enough to be considered a grade above.

Neymar - LOL
Cavani - LOL
Rooney - LOL
Balotelli - LOL LOL ROFLMAO


Who were the strikers that really stood out and you could say yes, that guy would really make the difference? How many of them are available? How many cost less than £60mill? Down the pecking order is Remy, but he apparently wanted £100kpw! LOL. So I don't think we'll see a striker coming in.

DM, maybe. CB maybe, but it's tough to find somebody who is happy to sit on the bench. That's the reason Tommy left. The same World Cup has exacerbated things for the start of the season. Normally you wouldn't see a group of players out because they had just finished playing in the final of a major tournament. But Merts will be back, Kos apparently only has a niggle and Chambers has already show he can provide the cover. Monreal is of course an issue, but we have Miquel and Bellerin. Up top we also have Akpom. Not ideal, but not a complete disaster either.

Wenger says he may bring in one more. Let's wait and see. If he doesn't, I still think it is the strongest squad we have had in a long time.

You really don't think that one of the above would make a massive difference to our team???No you probably dont that is why i think you've definitely been brainwashed.

[Power n Glory]

It's rare for the elite players to really shine in the World Cup these days but with that sort of argument, you can come away with all sorts of crazy conclusions.

Henry had a terrible World Cup in 2002 that doesn't define his overall quality. Ronaldo didn't do much for Portugal again, Messi wasn't great and it's not the first time these two haven't lived up to the World Cup hype. You can't draw too many conclusions.

[Dein-machine]

Having watched the World Cup, is anyone still convinced there are more than a handful of strikers out there who are better than Giroud (or Campbell)? Suarez, no argument there. Benzema, I think he showed enough to be considered a grade above.

Neymar - LOL
Cavani - LOL
Rooney - LOL
Balotelli - LOL LOL ROFLMAO


Who were the strikers that really stood out and you could say yes, that guy would really make the difference? How many of them are available? How many cost less than £60mill? Down the pecking order is Remy, but he apparently wanted £100kpw! LOL. So I don't think we'll see a striker coming in.

DM, maybe. CB maybe, but it's tough to find somebody who is happy to sit on the bench. That's the reason Tommy left. The same World Cup has exacerbated things for the start of the season. Normally you wouldn't see a group of players out because they had just finished playing in the final of a major tournament. But Merts will be back, Kos apparently only has a niggle and Chambers has already show he can provide the cover. Monreal is of course an issue, but we have Miquel and Bellerin. Up top we also have Akpom. Not ideal, but not a complete disaster either.

Wenger says he may bring in one more. Let's wait and see. If he doesn't, I still think it is the strongest squad we have had in a long time.


Lets just look at who's where when it comes to out & out strikers - World Cup or NO world cup.

Man City = Dzeko, Aguero, Jovetic, Negrado.
Liverpool = Sturrudge, Lambert,
Chelsea = Costa, Torres
Man Utd = Van Persie, Rooney
PSG = Faclao, Ibrahimovic
Madrid = Ronaldo, Benzema
Barca = Suarez, Messi, Neymar
Bayern = Lewandowski, Muller, Mandukic

& then Arsenal = Giroud,Sonogo,Campbell.

These are the teams we have to compete against in the PL & CL - we have been linked with good strikers like Suarez, Benzema, Hugiuin & recently Martinez but Wenger won't pay what's required to get a world class striker.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

If you want to classify the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and Muller as out & out strikers then you have to put in Alexis for us.

[Letters]

You really are having to scrape the barrel now to find things to criticise Wenger for
:hug:

[Syn]

If you want to classify the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and Muller as out & out strikers then you have to put in Alexis for us.

And Walcott.

Enough firepower in the squad. I don't think we'll have a 30 goal a season player but between Walcott, Sanchez, Giroud, Podolski, Campbell and Ramsey there's enough there to spread out the goalscoring burden. Where we suffered last year, especially in the big games, was no pace. If we can get a good season out of Walcott when he returns, and now adding Sanchez and Campbell we've got players who can run in behind.

Keeping the goals out is more likely to be a problem. Hopefully we can press harder this year with maniacs like Sanchez and Ramsey closing down.

[Dein-machine]

No chance was Ozil a "panic" buy. An opportunistic buy, maybe. Lots of things have to be juggled for a transfer to happen these days, it's no surprise at all if one move depends on another. I guess Ozil wouldn't have been available at all if Bale had not moved. We must have done plenty of groundwork beforehand on the offchance everything fell into place. Inconceivable a move like that would be hashed together at the last minute, too many palms to grease and lawyers to appease. I'd agree though, we'd probably have signed nobody if the Ozil deal fell through.

Of course the transfer window should be shut before the season starts.

When you have between £40-£50mill to spend in order to strengthen a squad you do not leave it till the last day to spend - its the ultimate panic buy. Wenger knew we needed a quality striker because he had already worked out that Giroud was not very good.
We made the bid for Suarez, a club record but a pathetic attempt to activate the buy-out clause & Wenger couldn't understand why Liverpool wouldn't sell him. He got very upset by this & decided the transfer market is a horrible place where nobody wants to play his games ( mainly because he hadn't played with the big boys for so long ), so he did fuck all for the rest of the window when we were desperate for a striker.
We get humiliated at home to Villa & the fans want him out - low & behold we buy an attacking midfieder when we already have enough of them for £43 mill to show the fans he can spend money - apparently £3 mill more than we were prepared to offer for Suarez who unlike Ozil is a proven match winner. Come on Wengerites pull the wool from over your eyes.

[Letters]

And Walcott.

Enough firepower in the squad. I don't think we'll have a 30 goal a season player but between Walcott, Sanchez, Giroud, Podolski, Campbell and Ramsey there's enough there to spread out the goalscoring burden. Where we suffered last year, especially in the big games, was no pace. If we can get a good season out of Walcott when he returns, and now adding Sanchez and Campbell we've got players who can run in behind.

Keeping the goals out is more likely to be a problem. Hopefully we can press harder this year with maniacs like Sanchez and Ramsey closing down.
That's what I think. We haven't got a Suarez (thankfully, frankly, we could do without that level of mental) but we've got plenty of firepower. Still not sure we've got a player who can nick a goal in a big game when it's tight but otherwise we've got plenty of goals in the squad.

[Niall_Quinn]

Lets just look at who's where when it comes to out & out strikers - World Cup or NO world cup.

Man City = Dzeko, Aguero, Jovetic, Negrado.
Liverpool = Sturrudge, Lambert,
Chelsea = Costa, Torres
Man Utd = Van Persie, Rooney
PSG = Faclao, Ibrahimovic
Madrid = Ronaldo, Benzema
Barca = Suarez, Messi, Neymar
Bayern = Lewandowski, Muller, Mandukic

& then Arsenal = Giroud,Sonogo,Campbell.

These are the teams we have to compete against in the PL & CL - we have been linked with good strikers like Suarez, Benzema, Hugiuin & recently Martinez but Wenger won't pay what's required to get a world class striker.

Man City = Dzeko (marginally better at best - MBB), Aguero (not gettable - NG) , Jovetic (MBB), Negrado (MBB).
Liverpool = Sturrudge (NG), Lambert (We'd have shit ourselves in rage if we signed this guy),
Chelsea = Costa (Deal was done long ago), Torres (LOL)
Man Utd = Van Persie (NG), Rooney (NG)
PSG = Faclao (Overpriced x 4), Ibrahimovic (NG)
Madrid = Ronaldo (NG), Benzema (NG)
Barca = Suarez (NG), Messi (NG), Neymar (NG)
Bayern = Lewandowski (NG), Muller (NG), Mandukic (Most agreed, no upgrade)

So Dzeko, Jovetic, Negredo, Mandukic and even Lambert for argument's sake. Doubt the gypos would have sold to us at all but say they did, are we now winning the league with one of those players up top? Not for me. Dzeko was mentioned for a while. For every good game he has has he's beyond awful in another.

I don't see the big striker options that were out there and available. Fair enough, Giroud, Campbell and Sanogo is inferior to all the strike forces mentioned. But stick Walcott and Alexis on the list and we aren't as bad as some make out. Surely with Alexis in the team, Ozil in his second season and more games from Walcott it has to be good news for whoever ends up playing front man? We were within 7 points last season. Why should things suddenly be catastrophic if we add Alexis and Walcott to the mix. Plus I think we're going to see a huge season from Ox. He could turn out to be the pick of the squad this year. The signs are there.

For me, there's a lot of wildly overrated players in football these days. I think the World Cup showed us exactly that. Super hyped players like Rooney who can produce in ideal circumstances versus genuine talents like Muller who couldn't give a shit what stage he's on - he performs. Doesn't mean all these players are shit, just means the gap between them and the rest isn't as wide as the pundits make out.

[Dein-machine]

You really are having to scrape the barrel now to find things to criticise Wenger for
:hug:

The last decent striker we had left us for our rivals because of our lack of ambition - Giroud, Campbell & Sonogo, if we don't play Sanchez as a striker - its possibly one of the weakest forward lines in the EPL.

[Niall_Quinn]

"DM, maybe. CB maybe, but it's tough to find somebody who is happy to sit on the bench"

That is where you have been brainwashed by wenger.Surely at a club as big as arsenal you want to buy players for competition so that your 2 starters merts and kos dont go stale.Chelsea didnt go for a midfielder just to sit on the bench whilst oscar and hazard played every week.No they bought fabregas to give them competition .Rememver competition for players is healthy and brings the best out of a player.

I don't think you need to be brainwashed to watch Tommy walking out the door. The chavs and gypos can throw around massive bribes to get players to trade in their starting spot. Like most others, we can't. We'll see what happens with the chavs and Fabregas, no conclusions can be drawn yet. You;d have thought they could find some rotational action for Mata, but they didn't.

[Letters]

The last decent striker we had left us for our rivals because of our lack of ambition - Giroud, Campbell & Sonogo, if we don't play Sanchez as a striker - its possibly one of the weakest forward lines in the EPL.
Syn has already dealt with that. We have plenty of goals in the squad.

Also, last season Giroud got 16 PL goals. Dzecko got the same, Aguero one more.
Obviously I think both are better than Giroud but he's not as bad as some make out.

[Niall_Quinn]

The last decent striker we had left us for our rivals because of our lack of ambition - Giroud, Campbell & Sonogo, if we don't play Sanchez as a striker - its possibly one of the weakest forward lines in the EPL.

But it wasn't a lack of ambition, was it? It just looked that way as the financial plan wound out. Ozil and then Alexis isn't exactly a lack of ambition. In the end it was van Cash who lacked ambition. Instead of sticking it out as the plan unfolded he ran off for the instant gratification. How is that ambitious? It's the easiest of easy options. And then he saw that you can't predict anything in football. I wonder what decision he'd make given hindsight? How about Fabregas? And all the others who scarpered? When you have to run a business rather than a circus sometimes it's not possible to instantly satisfy every overblown ego.

[Niall_Quinn]

This is what happens when we go a whole week without signing a multi-million quid player, or go several days without winning a trophy.

[Letters]

We get humiliated at home to Villa.
:lol:, by the way.

[Dein-machine]

the concern for me is that our signings whist being £70 mill + may not be much of an improvement. Debauchy is no better than Sagna, Chambers is cover for RB & CB & Sanchez may not give us any more as an attacking right side player than a fit Walcott can give us. The 2 biggest issues for us last year was the need for a top defensive midfielder & a proper finisher up top. We have done nothing to strengthen in these areas. Yes we have more options as an attacking force but how much of the ball will we win against the better teams with Arteta in the team & how many chances will Giroud miss or not be on the end of in these games. Others have strengthened where they needed to - we haven't.

[selassie]

Kosielny has an Achilles problem and will miss the opening game. Merts isn't 't match fit. Could be a bumpy ride if we don't buy decent cover because we'll be rushing players back.

I do believe we are working on deals just not convinced we will bring in the right players. I dunno...maybe I have been spoilt with the signings of Ozil and Sanchez over the past few summers and with us being linked to geniune quality.

I was hoping/expecting that we would sign a top class DM or CM and at the very least replace Tommy V properly. The CM/DM is looking unlikely, though I do feel we will bring in a 3rd/4th Choice CB, we have been quite heavily linked with that Greek lad at Olympiakos, Manolas. He played in the World Cup for Greece, looked pretty solid. Seems a typical "under the radar Arsene" type signing....

Here's hoping we do some more business.

Edited to add: I see we have Everton away 2nd game of the season, I know Arsene likes a gamble but even he wouldn't go there with Chambers and Monreal lining up as CB's? Surely not?.....

[Letters]

We weren't a million miles away though last year. We finished what, 7 points off the top? And we won the Cup (and no, we didn't get easy draws, we got home draws but we had to play 3 of the top 6 so we earned that). Had Ramsey not have got injured we'd have been closer still IMO. I would have liked a real top class striker but they don't grow on trees, with Walcott back, Ramsey hopefully staying fit, Ozil hopefully bedded in more and Sanchez adding some firepower I think we've got a real chance this year.

[saintnickle]

But it wasn't a lack of ambition, was it? It just looked that way as the financial plan wound out. Ozil and then Alexis isn't exactly a lack of ambition. In the end it was van Cash who lacked ambition. Instead of sticking it out as the plan unfolded he ran off for the instant gratification. How is that ambitious? It's the easiest of easy options. And then he saw that you can't predict anything in football. I wonder what decision he'd make given hindsight? How about Fabregas? And all the others who scarpered? When you have to run a business rather than a circus sometimes it's not possible to instantly satisfy every overblown ego.

Lack of ambition is when you are told you have 100m to spend and only spend 35m of it when you are short of a striker dcm and a centre back.Do you not agree?

[Letters]

Why is spending lots and lots of money ambitious?

[Globalgunner]

Why is spending lots and lots of money ambitious?
Because hoarding the money makes no sense

[Niall_Quinn]

Lack of ambition is when you are told you have 100m to spend and only spend 35m of it when you are short of a striker dcm and a centre back.Do you not agree?

Goes back to the old argument about funds, do we have £100mill for transfer fees - or £100mill for transfer fees, agent fees, wages, etc, etc? And when do we have to pay? Are the payments spread over years? Do we get paid immediately for players heading out? Who signed new contracts with better terms. Would be nice to think it's just £100mill and then do a fantasy football jigsaw to use up the funds, but it's probably not like that.

We are not short a DM or striker. Some think the ones we have aren't good enough, which is a different thing and a matter of opinion. We are short a CB since Tommy left. I hope we replace him too and there's still time to do that.

If the media has anything right they say we tried to sign Khedira and have been chasing Carvalho. Also said we were after a CB swap deal for Tommy with Utd. So (if true) it's not as if these positions are being ignored. It's just we haven't landed anyone yet. There's still a job interview aspect to this, don't forget. Employers don't just ring somebody and say we're hiring you, be here on Monday. The prospective employee has a right to say yes or no and set out the terms required to do the deal. Then add an agent (and sometimes the whole bloody family) and all their demands. Then the lawyers. Then the doctors. Then the Home Office, and so on. We've pulled off four deals so far, all for decent players. Maybe we'll do a fifth and a sixth.

[Niall_Quinn]

Because hoarding the money makes no sense

We aren't hoarding it. We're balancing the books with it. The chavs have happily lost £800mill or something like that, we can't afford it. There would be no Arsenal if we did that.

Why has this all started again now? We were all understandably nervous during a decade of transition, but the board said the funds would come on tap and they have. And they have been used. Wenger said we'd win trophies again, and we have. We were worried we were a selling club instead of a buying club. That has turned around. Did anyone seriously expect an instant transformation in one season or even two? But isn't everything in progress, heading the right way? What's the deal here, what is it going to take for a certain section of the fans to say fair cop, things are on the up?

[Letters]

Because hoarding the money makes no sense
Agreed, but looking at what we've done this summer it doesn't seem like that's what we've been doing. We've hardly accrued hundreds of millions which is now just sitting there.
Wenger has clearly been taking a long term view and until the new financial deals were in place was unwilling to (what he saw as) over-spend. We can debate whether he was over-cautious, I think maybe he was a bit, but although we all want success NOW this won't be the last season in the history of Arsenal Football Club. I'd rather him put us in a position where we are stable financially and able to compete long term than over-do it, achieve some short term success and get us in financial bother which means we can't sustain it. It's always a difficult balance to strike, I don't think Wenger's got it too far wrong. We won the Cup last year, we've made some good signings this summer and I believe we're in a good place to push on this year. Not sure we'll win it but for the first time in years I believe it's possible.

[KSE Comedy Club]

We aren't hoarding it. We're balancing the books with it. The chavs have happily lost £800mill or something like that, we can't afford it. There would be no Arsenal if we did that.

Why has this all started again now? We were all understandably nervous during a decade of transition, but the board said the funds would come on tap and they have. And they have been used. Wenger said we'd win trophies again, and we have. We were worried we were a selling club instead of a buying club. That has turned around. Did anyone seriously expect an instant transformation in one season or even two? But isn't everything in progress, heading the right way? What's the deal here, what is it going to take for a certain section of the fans to say fair cop, things are on the up?
:gp:

I really can't fathom why some fans are still moaning :shrug:

I hated our transfer policy of previous years, but they have done what they said they would do this season.

We have bought some quality players, one for the future and haven't yet sold anyone important. That comes off the back of an FA cup win & then we went out and Citeh with only 5 playa let us beat them for the community shield.

I have nothing more to complain about and things are looking up.

[Syn]

It was interesting what Alan Sugar said yesterday:


“It’s right that you promise the manager the proceeds of the Bale sale and say he would be given all to spend on players. That’s great.

“But I would guess if you had made that promise to Arsene Wenger then he would have gone, ‘Thank you, Mr Chairman. That’s good. Stick it in the bank and I will use it when I find somebody who I think is worthy to buy.’

“But they went out like a kid in the sweet shop. He (Villas-Boas) bought anything in sight and went and spent the money straight away.

“That told me that the management beneath him were delinquent in some way. You can’t do that. It doesn’t make sense that you can go and pick seven players. What does that say about the rest of the squad?

“You can’t criticise Daniel because as the chairman you are under pressure when you have an untenable situation of having to sell Bale.

"He did a great job in negotiating the world record. Then he promised the money to the manager. What more can he do?”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/tottenham-blew-gareth-bale-cash-4041984#ixzz3AHs6Mg00

[Injury Time]

http://www.soccerex.com/industry-news/arsenal-and-indesit-agree-three-year-renewal/? :coffee: *kerching*

[GP]

:gp:

I really can't fathom why some fans are still moaning :shrug:

I hated our transfer policy of previous years, but they have done what they said they would do this season.

We have bought some quality players, one for the future and haven't yet sold anyone important. That comes off the back of an FA cup win & then we went out and Citeh with only 5 playa let us beat them for the community shield.

I have nothing more to complain about and things are looking up.

Until we lose to Crystal Pulis...

[Marc Overmars]

This summer has gone swimmingly, the only thing I'm bothered about is padding out the defence because we are laughably short there. WUMger is still alive and well despite all the good we've seen so far.

[Syn]

This summer has gone swimmingly, the only thing I'm bothered about is padding out the defence because we are laughably short there. WUMger is still alive and well despite all the good we've seen so far.

We're one good CB short. And we're probably going to sign one.

[saintnickle]

Goes back to the old argument about funds, do we have £100mill for transfer fees - or £100mill for transfer fees, agent fees, wages, etc, etc? And when do we have to pay? Are the payments spread over years? Do we get paid immediately for players heading out? Who signed new contracts with better terms. Would be nice to think it's just £100mill and then do a fantasy football jigsaw to use up the funds, but it's probably not like that.

We are not short a DM or striker. Some think the ones we have aren't good enough, which is a different thing and a matter of opinion. We are short a CB since Tommy left. I hope we replace him too and there's still time to do that.

If the media has anything right they say we tried to sign Khedira and have been chasing Carvalho. Also said we were after a CB swap deal for Tommy with Utd. So (if true) it's not as if these positions are being ignored. It's just we haven't landed anyone yet. There's still a job interview aspect to this, don't forget. Employers don't just ring somebody and say we're hiring you, be here on Monday. The prospective employee has a right to say yes or no and set out the terms required to do the deal. Then add an agent (and sometimes the whole bloody family) and all their demands. Then the lawyers. Then the doctors. Then the Home Office, and so on. We've pulled off four deals so far, all for decent players. Maybe we'll do a fifth and a sixth.

Not that old chestnut .100m is for transfers not wages, agents, houses expenses,food eleccy etc. With your analysis if we bought a player for 5m on a 10 year deal all our transfer kitty would be used up..utter rubbish .I don't mind debating with you but dont use that for an excuse for wenger not spending.

[Letters]

http://www.soccerex.com/industry-news/arsenal-and-indesit-agree-three-year-renewal/? :coffee: *kerching*
I had literally no idea we had any deal with them.
Indesit :pal:

[saintnickle]

We aren't hoarding it. We're balancing the books with it. The chavs have happily lost £800mill or something like that, we can't afford it. There would be no Arsenal if we did that.

Why has this all started again now? We were all understandably nervous during a decade of transition, but the board said the funds would come on tap and they have. And they have been used. Wenger said we'd win trophies again, and we have. We were worried we were a selling club instead of a buying club. That has turned around. Did anyone seriously expect an instant transformation in one season or even two? But isn't everything in progress, heading the right way? What's the deal here, what is it going to take for a certain section of the fans to say fair cop, things are on the up?

We are hoarding it if we are told theres 100m over the 2 summer windows and we only spend 35m each one.

[Power n Glory]

Not that old chestnut .100m is for transfers not wages, agents, houses expenses,food eleccy etc. With your analysis if we bought a player for 5m on a 10 year deal all our transfer kitty would be used up..utter rubbish .I don't mind debating with you but dont use that for an excuse for wenger not spending.

It rears its head again. Had the same debate last year during the winter window. We had serious money to spend but apparently, we spent it all on Ozil plus wages and even with the new sponsorship deals, we'd be just treading water because of the wage bill.

Obviously, that's bullshit considering the amount we've spent in this window.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We aren't hoarding it. We're balancing the books with it. The chavs have happily lost £800mill or something like that, we can't afford it. There would be no Arsenal if we did that.

Why has this all started again now? We were all understandably nervous during a decade of transition, but the board said the funds would come on tap and they have. And they have been used. Wenger said we'd win trophies again, and we have. We were worried we were a selling club instead of a buying club. That has turned around. Did anyone seriously expect an instant transformation in one season or even two? But isn't everything in progress, heading the right way? What's the deal here, what is it going to take for a certain section of the fans to say fair cop, things are on the up?

:gp:


It was interesting what Alan Sugar said yesterday:

Not sure why Alan Sugar is having a go at Villas Boas for those transfers. I thought it was widely documented that Franco Baldini with Levy's support was the one responsible for that massive spending spree the previous summer.

[Globalgunner]

:gp:



Not sure why Alan Sugar is having a go at Villas Boas for those transfers. I thought it was widely documented that Franco Baldini with Levy's support was the one responsible for that massive spending spree the previous summer.

Because he doesn't have the balls to have a go at Levy. Picked the easy target because otherwise he`d probably be banned from the Shite hart lane