Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit

[Japan Shaking All Over]

wonder if one of those 2-3 WC players is Kaboul? :doh:

[AFC Leveller]

Kaboul, Kalou and Kalstroum on a permanent deal.

KKK tbh.

[I am invisible]

Tabloids are "suggesting" that we are in the hunt for 2-3 WC Players along with other squad Players.

If I were to dream, I would be happy if we got Balotelli, Draxler and Bender/ Pogba, sorted out Sagna's contract and perhaps get Williams if Vermaelen went.

It's hard to look at the squad and think we need anything less than that really? On my shopping list, I've got...


- A first-choice striker
- Possibly another younger striker on top of that?
- A goal-scoring winger/wide attacker (unless we find a second striker who can cover that role and this one)
- A long-term replacement for Arteta and/or Flamini in CM
- 2 or 3 defenders (in any one of several combinations of CBs and RBs, depending on what happens with Vermaelen and Sagna)
- And quite probably a GK too!

How much of that is realistic in one summer, and with a World Cup on, I don't know, but that's what I think we should be aiming for, even if it takes us 2 or 3 windows to put it all together...

[Özim]

You can just imagine us signing Kalou can't you, Wenger likes him he now plays in France where he's scored a few goals, won't cost too much, fits the bill perfectly.

It's doesn't bear thinking about!

[Niall_Quinn]

Possibly another younger striker on top of that?

Joel Campbell?

[Özim]

Joel Campbell doesn't look bad, not sure he's an out and out striker though, more of a wing type.

Would quite like him back next season, did some nice things for Olympiacos against Man U.

[Marc Overmars]

If he's qualified for his work permit now then we really should have him in the squad next season. He may even do well against England at the World Cup which would increase his rep.

[Özim]

I'm expecting a "waiting period" this summer, especially with the World Cup.

[Özim]

If he's qualified for his work permit now then we really should have him in the squad next season. He may even do well against England at the World Cup which would increase his rep.

Couple Turkish clubs after him apparently, who knows if he has a future with us, might be one of those players we sign and then never play.

http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=5803

[I am invisible]

Joel Campbell?

Yeah, maybe? Or someone like that Swiss lad who we were linked with the other day (Drmic?), or that Belgian lad, Batshuayi(sp?), who's name keeps coming up? Or even someone a little more experienced like Remy, if he's available at the knock-down fee that I keep seeing? I don't mind taking a punt on any of those kinds of players as a bonus striker, as long as we're looking at a real top name coming in as well...

[Niall_Quinn]

Transfer window just got easier - if this isn't overturned.


Barcelona have been thrown into chaos by a FIFA ruling that bans them from signing players for the next two transfer windows.
The club are in desperate need of summer reinforcements with goalkeeper Victor Valdes, defender Carles Puyol and possibly midfielder Xavi Hernandez all leaving in the summer.
Barca had earmarked up to £100million for new recruits with a new keeper, two defenders and a midfielder as their priorities but those plans will need to be shelved for a year after the game’s governing body banned and fined the Catalan club for illegally signing Under 18 players.

[Özim]

Will this affect signings on the last day of the transfer window then?

[Ollie the Optimist]

Zimm have you not just massively contradicted yourself in two posts here about signings? Moaned that we might sign Kalou because he is cheap and scoring goals in france yet want a young player back because he has scored goals in a crap league in greece? both are cheap options. Doesn't really make sense

[Özim]

Zimm have you not just massively contradicted yourself in two posts here about signings? Moaned that we might sign Kalou because he is cheap and scoring goals in france yet want a young player back because he has scored goals in a crap league in greece? both are cheap options. Doesn't really make sense

Kalou is sh*t IMO, never rated him.

Campbell is ours, he's free and he looked quite good against Man U (not just the goal but his runs and movement) makes sense to bring him back.

I don't understand why you couldn't see the difference and thought I was contradicting myself.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Get in Campbell, get rid of Sanogo and Bendtner.

Buy another top striker.

That means we have a top striker, Giroud as plan B and Campbell as the youngster playing the cup games/trying to impress.

[Munchies]

Get in Campbell, get rid of Sanogo and Bendtner.

Buy another top striker.

That means we have a top striker, Giroud as plan B and Campbell as the youngster playing the cup games/trying to impress.

Hope not, Giroud needs to leave.

Top striker.
Remy.
Campbell.

Also, will we finally land Kalou this summer ?

[Power n Glory]

Zimm have you not just massively contradicted yourself in two posts here about signings? Moaned that we might sign Kalou because he is cheap and scoring goals in france yet want a young player back because he has scored goals in a crap league in greece? both are cheap options. Doesn't really make sense

:doh:

Give up this vendetta. Let it go!

One is a young 21 year old with potential and happens to be our player already, the other is a 28 year old bum whose never lived up to the hype and couldn't cut it in the Prem. Kalou has only scored 10 goals this season. He's hardly in the form of his life.

[Power n Glory]

Hope not, Giroud needs to leave.

Top striker.
Remy.
Campbell.

Also, will we finally land Kalou this summer ?

Wenger could sign some unknown player for all I care. As long as he signs someone with power and pace. Giroud is the wrong sort of player for our system.

[Ollie the Optimist]

:doh:

Give up this vendetta. Let it go!

One is a young 21 year old with potential and happens to be our player already, the other is a 28 year old bum whose never lived up to the hype and couldn't cut it in the Prem. Kalou has only scored 10 goals this season. He's hardly in the form of his life.

Hes scored 8 goals this season, in the previous 3 seasons he has about 6 goals altogether. He might have potential but those stats are hardly stunning, I wouldn't say he is better then Sanogo either. My point was more, Zimm pointing out that kalou would be the cheap option and of course we will go for that as we prefer cheap options, and given his objection to project youth, to then suddenly say give this kid a chance is a bit contradictory no?

[fakeyank]

Realistically, I think we should go all out for Remy. Might not cost us the world and I think he is very good. Assuming we will be unfortunately stuck with the same manager next season, this makes more sense as Remy is french.

People hoping for Costa, Suarez, Sturridge type of players, dream on. Shit aint gonna happen!

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Hope not, Giroud needs to leave.

Top striker.
Remy.
Campbell.

Also, will we finally land Kalou this summer ?

Giroud is brilliant off the bench. Can change the complexity of a game due to his attributes i.e. tall and strong. Chasing a game he'll be good to bring on and we can change to a 4-4-2.

[Özim]

Hes scored 8 goals this season, in the previous 3 seasons he has about 6 goals altogether. He might have potential but those stats are hardly stunning, I wouldn't say he is better then Sanogo either. My point was more, Zimm pointing out that kalou would be the cheap option and of course we will go for that as we prefer cheap options, and given his objection to project youth, to then suddenly say give this kid a chance is a bit contradictory no?

For a start he plays as more of a winger so won't score a hatful, secondly he's only young anyway.

Your point is invalid, like I said I saw Campbell against Man U, he seemed to be quick, have good movement and decent skill and he got a nice goal too, his all round play was very good, he's also our player so would cost nothing. As for project youth, well yes I do have a problem with flooding the squad with loads of kids in favour of proven players, don't have a problem with bringing in players that might add something on top of proven players though, to me he looks like he could be an option and he's ours anyway so why not give him a chance, nothing ventured.

Kalou plays up front, has never been much kop and is in his late 20's, we also have to pay for him, no thanks.

I can't understand why you couldn't see the difference.

[Power n Glory]

Hes scored 8 goals this season, in the previous 3 seasons he has about 6 goals altogether. He might have potential but those stats are hardly stunning, I wouldn't say he is better then Sanogo either. My point was more, Zimm pointing out that kalou would be the cheap option and of course we will go for that as we prefer cheap options, and given his objection to project youth, to then suddenly say give this kid a chance is a bit contradictory no?

:doh: Go look up Sanogo's stats in that case. Those are unimpressive.

[Dein-machine]

Giroud is brilliant off the bench. Can change the complexity of a game due to his attributes i.e. tall and strong. Chasing a game he'll be good to bring on and we can change to a 4-4-2.

Giroud will be far more brilliant if he stays on the bench - for 90 mins.

[Bumble]

people are getting way too excited about Campbell just coz he scored against united something we struggle to do. he is not a goal scorer... has not set any league alight... lets remember he is playing for the biggest club in Greece and still not getting a huge about of goals.

Sanogo as people said before has won a prize to play up front for arsenal. Giroud won a modelling contest for the same prize.

Remy would make good sense, used to English football, good pace and gets goals. also think he is something who could play alongside giroud. we wont sign an absolute beast of a striker, unless Real sign Suarez and need some cash again.

[Niall_Quinn]

Campbell was mentioned as a bench option, obviously behind a top signing. Makes sense, we already have him on contract so hard to fuck that up.

[Power n Glory]

Campbell was mentioned as a bench option, obviously behind a top signing. Makes sense, we already have him on contract so hard to fuck that up.

Exactly. If we sign garbage like Kalou, I seriously doubt we'll sign another striker in the summer.

[Özim]

people are getting way too excited about Campbell just coz he scored against united something we struggle to do. he is not a goal scorer... has not set any league alight... lets remember he is playing for the biggest club in Greece and still not getting a huge about of goals.

Sanogo as people said before has won a prize to play up front for arsenal. Giroud won a modelling contest for the same prize.

Remy would make good sense, used to English football, good pace and gets goals. also think he is something who could play alongside giroud. we wont sign an absolute beast of a striker, unless Real sign Suarez and need some cash again.

It wasn't just his goal, it was the rest of his play, as for the goals, well he plays as a winger so you can't expect a hatful, hasn't he played in Spain already as well.

Anyway the point is he looks promising and looks like an option from the subs bench when we need something different, we lack bench options.

[Özim]

Exactly. If we sign garbage like Kalou, I seriously doubt we'll sign another striker in the summer.

I trust AW so little in the transfer market I can just imagine him signing Kalou, in many ways he fits the bill for a Wenger signing these days, what a disaster that would be.

[fakeyank]

So, looks like it will be Kalou :(

:rose:

[I am invisible]

people are getting way too excited about Campbell just coz he scored against united something we struggle to do. he is not a goal scorer... has not set any league alight... lets remember he is playing for the biggest club in Greece and still not getting a huge about of goals.

Sanogo as people said before has won a prize to play up front for arsenal. Giroud won a modelling contest for the same prize.

Remy would make good sense, used to English football, good pace and gets goals. also think he is something who could play alongside giroud. we wont sign an absolute beast of a striker, unless Real sign Suarez and need some cash again.

I think with Campbell, we're just seeing an extra/bonus option, that we can bring in to freshen things up a bit with no effort or expense. I know I said that I think we could do with bringing in a couple of forwards this window, but why not make it 3 with Campbell, and completely freshen up the attack?

As you say, none of our current forwards have totally convinced: I'm not as anti-Giroud as some, and still think he's a useful option to have in the squad, but he's clearly not a striker for all occasions, and doesn't have the stamina to play every game; there's something clearly not right with Podolski - don't ask me what, but the manager obviously isn't sure about something there; Bendtner is definitely going, so no point in even thinking about him; Sanogo is long-term gamble who may never come good; and Walcott is used more on the right, is injured quite a lot, and probably isn't built for playing as a lone striker through the middle. There's also not a whole lot of variety there either? Walcott's probably the only one who offers us anything drastically different from the other 4, and even he doesn't have a lot of power to go with the pace.

Purely from a playing POV, I could happily lose two of those players this summer (e.g. Bendtner and one of Podolski / Giroud), and replace them with a world-class striker and an additional wide attacker / occasional CF (like a Remy), or a goal-scoring winger / wide attacker (Griezmann / Draxler?), and I really couldn't give much of a shit about putting even more players in Sanogo's way, so I'd be more than happy to bring someone like Campbell in to compete with him and hedge our bets with the young/potential players.

And that wouldn't even take too much more work eitherr? Campbell would take no work and would cost us no money, someone like Remy is supposed to be available for knock-down fee of something like £7m, and would probably jump at the chance of joining us, so that pretty much leaves the big name CF as the only tough deal? We need that main CF anyway, even if we only go for one striker, so it's not really that much more effort...

[Munchies]

Transfer News: Johan Djourou has signed for Hamburg for £2.5m on a permanent deal after they activated a buy out clause in his contact.

:wave:

[Özim]

Didn't even know we still had him.

[Globalgunner]

Thanks and good riddance. Never got even 1 decent performance out of him. At least Swiss Tony looked good in the beginning

[LDG]

Thanks and good riddance. Never got even 1 decent performance out of him. At least Swiss Tony looked good in the beginning

Swiss Caesar did have a couple of decent games, but he was a pussy tbf.

[selassie]

I trust AW so little in the transfer market I can just imagine him signing Kalou, in many ways he fits the bill for a Wenger signing these days, what a disaster that would be.

Me too Zimm. The worrying thing is we came close to signing Kalou in the January window, direct quotes from Kalou himself.

For me Kalou represents everything that is wrong with Arsene's transfer policy and is nothing more than a "Vanity Project" type signing.

[I am invisible]

Me too Zimm. The worrying thing is we came close to signing Kalou in the January window, direct quotes from Kalou himself.

For me Kalou represents everything that is wrong with Arsene's transfer policy and is nothing more than a "Vanity Project" type signing.
Meh. If that's true, then it sounds more like a mid-season / January, 'oh shit, it's getting close to the end of the window and we've still got no one' panic-move (like Kallstrom), than a serious summer target? Chance gone for him, IMO.

I'm not convinced there is any truth to it though, even if it has come directly from the players' mouth? Seems like this sort of thing is pretty common practice amongst players and their agents these days: (very publicly) claim that [insert random big-name club] were close to signing them, just to remind the world that they still exist, and get other clubs thinking 'Hey, [insert random big-name club] were looking at this guy - maybe we should be looking at him too?'

[Japan Shaking All Over]

The Kalou rumour is just rehashed journalism, don't see any credence in it at all.....saying that Wumger will probably go out and buy him now. He is a lastmimute.com kind of signing that we would begrudgingly accept because we hadn't bought anyone

[Maestro]

Transfer News: Johan Djourou has signed for Hamburg for £2.5m on a permanent deal after they activated a buy out clause in his contact.

:wave:

Gay Lion is off, finally!

[fakeyank]

Bye Gay lion.. best of luck in whatever you do! :wave:

[fakeyank]

FFS NO! :banghead:

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9246323/transfer-news-romelu-lukakus-agent-says-he-has-spoken-to-tottenham-about-a-transfer

[Heisenberg]

Chelsea will be mad if they sell him.

[Power n Glory]

FFS NO! :banghead:

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9246323/transfer-news-romelu-lukakus-agent-says-he-has-spoken-to-tottenham-about-a-transfer

Don't panic. That club's cursed! :lol:

Even if he does well, they have a shit manager. I'll start to worry if they appoint someone really good!

[Marc Overmars]

That would be slightly disgusting if Spurs got him.

[GP]

He's not that good anyway.

People compare him to Drogba and to be fair they are both black so I can see the similarity.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

He's only 20 (inb4 Black African player age joke). He's improved significantly since he's been in England and will only get better. A future world class striker and a must buy if Mourinho was silly enough to sell him. I don't think he is though.

[IBK]

He's only 20 (inb4 Black African player age joke). He's improved significantly since he's been in England and will only get better. A future world class striker and a must buy if Mourinho was silly enough to sell him. I don't think he is though.

Spurs ain't where he needs to go to develop. Not worried by this.

[fakeyank]

Must get IMO.

[A Gunner]

Now Benteke is out with ACL, it's seems more likely that we'll buy him!!!:patrice:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Don't panic. That club's cursed! :lol:

Even if he does well, they have a shit manager. I'll start to worry if they appoint someone really good!

I think the rest of the world is cursed after they won the CL!

[Munchies]

FFS!!

Manchester United winger Ashley Young’s son signs for… Arsenal

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkiAxjDCQAAnJbN.png

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

He's only 20 (inb4 Black African player age joke). He's improved significantly since he's been in England and will only get better. A future world class striker and a must buy if Mourinho was silly enough to sell him. I don't think he is though.

Why do you have to be so racist? It really brings the forum down.

[Munchies]

Seems Cazorla wants to leave soon. :wave: . A bit shit in the big games, and too weak on the ball. Manchester has not called yet ? Fuck off :lol:


“I want titles and that is why I came to Arsenal,” he says. “Every football player wants to win titles. We’ve gone many years without winning one. And if not, what I’ll look for in my next destination is to have the chance to win.

“I don’t want to close doors, but nowadays I’ve a contract with Arsenal for two more seasons. When I’m turning 31 I’ll evaluate myself and I’ll choose the best option. In which case, I would be delighted to come back [to Spain].”

The Gunners have endured a torrid couple of months with their European exit at the hands of Bayern Munich compounded by some harrowing drubbings inflicted by their title rivals.

They now find themselves struggling to cling onto fourth place in the Premier League table following a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to fifth-placed Everton at the weekend. It has further reinforced the theory that Arsene Wenger’s side has an inate propensity to implode in high-pressure situations – a notion Cazorla struggles to dismiss.

“We’ve been unlucky in several games. We had a lot of chances to win against Manchester United and there was Ozil’s penalty (against Bayern),” he says. “We couldn’t recover after going out against Bayern in the Champions League.

“And the defeat against Stoke finished us. You can’t lose against Stoke if you aspire to be the next champion.

“We haven’t got a winning mentality and we have to believe in ourselves (more). Sometimes you can get used to not fighting, but we can’t do that. Arsenal is and will always be a historic football club, we have to look forward.”

By that Cazorla means everyone at the Emirates Stadium – particularly the club’s board who he wants to see invest heavily in the summer as they bid to close the gap at the top.

“Arsenal has everything to win,” he adds. “History, infrastructure, an incredible stadium and great players.

“But we have to improve at crucial moments and sign the best football players because if you don’t do that, you may lag behind others.

“That is what makes it different at other clubs. You’ve a good example in Manchester City who signed Fernandiho, (Alvaro) Negredo... or even Manchester United with (Robin) Van Persie and (Juan) Mata.

“Arsenal know what they need next season, but it’s almost impossible to win a title if we haven’t got these kind of things.”

The Gunners have long followed a policy of austerity as they coped with the cost of moving to the Emirates Stadium, yet the first signs of them dipping into the elite end of the transfer market came last summer with the €50million (Dh253.4m) club record capture of Mesut Ozil.

The German burned brightly at the start of his new chapter in London, but has visibly faded as the demands of the season have taken their toll. Cazorla has great sympathy for his team-mate and says the 25-year-old needs to be protected.

“He has come at a difficult time,”the Spaniard explains. “When he arrived in London, he did an extraordinary job and people demanded his best level every match.

“But when he decreased his performance, the team suffered.

“Besides, I read a lot of articles about Ozil in Spain that affected him. We need to give him confidence and to show affection.”

With Arsenal now completely out of the running for the Premier League title, Cazorla admits it will be dificult to predict who emerges victorious.

He feels Liverpool’s lack of continental distractions have helped propel them to the top, while Manchester City have an edge in the form of boss Manuel Pellegrini. Cazorla played for the Chilean at Villarreal and Malaga, and rates him as the best coach he has played for.

“Liverpool are just in one competition and that could be decisive,” he says. “Chelsea are a competitive and effective team and just to score a goal (against them) is very difficult.

“On the other hand, you have Manchester City with the best squad in the Premier League and a great manager.

“I learnt a lot from of all of the managers I have played for, but if I had to choose one it would be Pellegrini.

“He’s the coach that has given me the most during five to six years that I worked with him at Villarreal and Malaga.

“He was the first person who took me to Malaga. We have a great relationship and I congratulate him because he’s doing well. But Manchester has not called me.”

[Globalgunner]

Why do you have to be so racist? It really brings the forum down.

Its not funny. Besides the boy isnt even African. Born in Antwerp Belgium. Plays for Belgium........You might as well infer that Obama is not really American........Oh!

[Marc Overmars]

Cazorla. :wave:

Maybe we should replace you with someone who has balls, that could help our cause.

[adzzzbatch]

So carzola wants to go to man shitty, fuck off then you bottling twat. :wave:

[Power n Glory]

Cazorla. :wave:

Maybe we should replace you with someone who has balls, that could help our cause.

Deja vu. How many years until we're rebuilding again? Ozil next? It doesn't bode well that he invited Sagna and Bendy to that recent party.

[Dein-machine]

I have no problems at all with Cazorla saying that & trust me it will be Ozil soon. If these players come to Arsenal to play for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, giving some spiel about how we want to be the biggest club in Europe blah blah blah & then see your manager sign a free agent, a French postman, & an old Swede with a bad back whilst trying to tell you he's gonna be better than City then I don't blame them at all.

[Globalgunner]

Sad, if true but can we honestly say we couldn't see this coming, or that it hasn't happened before? ? The same shit keeps happening because we have forsaken winning for the lukewarm facade of merely competing. Players will only wait 2 or 3 years to see where things are going. If the cycle of tippy tippy bull continues, then the better ones are off and the mediocres will stay. Wenger wants the players and the fans to wait till glory comes. Fans have little choice, players unfortunately do. No point blaming the players, blame the manager who tells them to keep playing that way till the whistle blows. They are simply following his instructions.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Didn't he just sign a new contract with us?

I don't think you can have a go with the player too much. The mentality at the club as a whole is shocking and that starts of with the manager. He needs to infuse an attitude where losing is simply not tolerated.

[Marc Overmars]

There's nothing inherently wrong with what he's said, I just find it a bit rich coming from a player who's blown hot and cold more times than anyone else this season.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

What did Cazorla exactly say that's wrong? Seems as if the players are as pissed off at Wenger for not spending as we are.

The timing is completely wrong because saying that we don't have a winning mentality just before a cup semi-final is not exactly helpful. But at least he's honest, and said that if we don't win anything then he's off at the end of his contract. Fair enough I say, players are human too, it's not just fans that are pissed off :shrug:

[Niall_Quinn]

What are we doing today? Showing sympathy for a player who is supposed to be fighting his guts out on the pitch but is instead issuing come and get me pleas to the gypos now the going is tough? He's got a contract that ends in a couple of years and after that he's got the right to do what he wants, no problems there. What I question is his respect for the fans, there doesn't seem to be any. He should stop talking about Ozil and talk more about himself and how he's gone missing when the chips were down or how he routinely throws his full back under the bus because tracking back is beneath him. He should keep his mouth shut and deliver his self advertising on the pitch if he's keen to be away. That makes sense from every point of view.

[Power n Glory]

There's nothing inherently wrong with what he's said, I just find it a bit rich coming from a player who's blown hot and cold more times than anyone else this season.

I think all the midfield players have had mares bar Ramsey. Wilshere, Ozil, Ox, Arteta, Flamini, Pod, Rosicky....from attack minded to defensive...they've all struggled badly to impose themselves. The balance of the squad is all wrong.

[Niall_Quinn]

What did Cazorla exactly say that's wrong? Seems as if the players are as pissed off at Wenger for not spending as we are.

The timing is completely wrong because saying that we don't have a winning mentality just before a cup semi-final is not exactly helpful. But at least he's honest, and said that if we don't win anything then he's off at the end of his contract. Fair enough I say, players are human too, it's not just fans that are pissed off :shrug:

The fans pay the money - the players take the money. There's a huge difference. Even if you work at the post office (like Sanogo did) you don't post up a notice saying you want to leave for DHL, do you? The boss would have every right to fire your arse and stop your pay. But I suppose this guy wants to continue getting his ransom while he job hunts through the media. Not pleasant, we've seen it before of course. Even if Wenger's policies are 100% fucked, the fans pay this player and turn out every week to cheer him on. You;d expect at least a tight lip if he can't manage some respect and a simple thanks.

[Özim]

It's not the fans that pay the players, it's the manager and club that choose to pay them that much, the fans put their money in but have no say where it goes.

Players have been saying this for years and still nothing changes, noone at the club gives a toss about the fans or the reality about our situation, the only care about the profits.

Incidentally Wenger takes the money too, quite a lot and if you're going to blame the players you have to blame him too, if he's making the club money so are they are they're also involved in the picking up of points to achieve this and bringing the fans in to watch.

He's not said much wrong, he's talking about when his contract ends and what he might do, looking for a successful club would be logical, he's not saying he's moving on whilst still contracted, but I imagine it's frustrating for the players to see the same thing happen time and time again and no apparent changes in philosophy by the manager to try and address the issue.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

The fans pay the money - the players take the money. There's a huge difference. Even if you work at the post office (like Sanogo did) you don't post up a notice saying you want to leave for DHL, do you? The boss would have every right to fire your arse and stop your pay. But I suppose this guy wants to continue getting his ransom while he job hunts through the media. Not pleasant, we've seen it before of course. Even if Wenger's policies are 100% fucked, the fans pay this player and turn out every week to cheer him on. You;d expect at least a tight lip if he can't manage some respect and a simple thanks.

Comparing football to a job at the post office is ridiculous though. Yes they are contractually obliged to shut up and kick a ball but football seems to be a different complex compared to normal, everyday society. It's almost as if football is detached from reality and runs on a completely different moral/value system.

Also, the issues at this club are unusually unique so you can't expect players to just stay quiet. We're different in the sense that we've had chronic issues dating back years and years, that don't seem to be addressed. While a player at Man Utd (for example) may be frowned upon for speaking out as they've only had 8 months of mediocrity in 20 or so years, the issues at Arsenal are deeper and a little bit more thought provoking. You can't blame our players for speaking out.

[Niall_Quinn]

Disagree entirely with your white collar view of wealth generation. Nothing happens without the consumer, no business, no banks, nothing at all unless there's a demand. The myth that supply drives demand might be highly fashionable but simple logic dispels the theory. I didn't say the fans don't pay Wenger, that's something you introduced as a counterpoint to a non-existent proposal. Within the scope of the argument there's no need to blame Wenger, not unless there's an article out there where he's issuing pleas to the gypos. You're correct that Cazorla can do what he wants when his contract ends, I already stated that. Similarly Wenger can do what he wants when his own contract expires. I didn't say Cazorla isn't generating revenue for the club. So none of your points have any value when you examine them, not comparatively at least and certainly not in relation to anything I said.

Fact is Cazorla's contract has not expired and he's being paid to play for and represent the club. He's not doing either very well at the moment. His poor play and lack of judgement is undoubtedly useful to those who want to criticise the club at every turn, but if you look at the principle of the thing Cazorla is in the wrong. As somebody has mentioned already, right before a crucial match he comes out with this. He has no respect. Or he has been misquoted by the eternally shitty media. Doesn't look like it on this occasion though.

[Niall_Quinn]

Comparing football to a job at the post office is ridiculous though. Yes they are contractually obliged to shut up and kick a ball but football seems to be a different complex compared to normal, everyday society. It's almost as if football is detached from reality and runs on a completely different moral/value system.

Also, the issues at this club are unusually unique so you can't expect players to just stay quiet. We're different in the sense that we've had chronic issues dating back years and years, that don't seem to be addressed. While a player at Man Utd (for example) may be frowned upon for speaking out as they've only had 8 months of mediocrity in 20 or so years, the issues at Arsenal are deeper and a little bit more thought provoking. You can't blame our players for speaking out.

True enough, football is detached from the reality of most fans. But it is far from a fantasy existence and this sort of wrangling and politicking is commonplace at the upper tiers of business. It usually goes on behind the scenes though, not in the media. You've seen politicians leave for "health reasons", I'm sure. Behind the scenes will be a bloodbath of treachery and betrayal. It happened in our own boardroom.

There's a nastiness to all of this, isn't there? Fighting and bitching at the executive level with the fat Russian gangster always willing to stick a knife in, down through certain of the players who are evidently here for themselves and themselves alone, and now with the split in the fan base with some trying by any means to destroy the manager even if this requires defeat on the pitch. All the while there's this bullshit about spirit and unity while the very basic demand of any team based sport, togetherness, is missing. So many people shouting out their interests with a suffix of having the best interests of the club at heart. Do they hell. It's comical in a dark way. We've imploded in every way imaginable just as we reach the end of what has been a gruelling slog with very few moments in compensation. Is it irony or idiocy?

I can understand frustration both on the part of the players and the fans. It's easy to understand the frustration. But there are ways to go about expressing it, I think a job application in the national press is not a useful way.

[Power n Glory]

NQ, how has this been turned into another debate about class wars, politics and capitalism? I'm surprised you haven't gone for the the old 'anti Arsenal' media shit stirring story and on this occasion, I don't think you'd be far off. Rer-read that interview. We might be getting carried away.

[Niall_Quinn]

NQ, how has this been turned into another debate about class wars, politics and capitalism? I'm surprised you haven't gone for the the old 'anti Arsenal' media shit stirring story and on this occasion, I don't think you'd be far off. Rer-read that interview. We might be getting carried away.

Read through the thread and it will be readily apparent to anyone with sufficient wit. I read every line of the interview, particularly the last line which is loud and clear. In all seriousness, we give the players a pass when they leave or put the feelers out and slaughter the manager for staying. Yes we can say it's time for the manager to leave, but there's constant mention of the money he takes. But Cazorla can take the money and then advertise himself to a direct rival and that's okay, it is understandable. Suddenly he's just like a fan and another victim of Wenger. Cazorla reveals himself in that interview. He won't be a loss, we need better than him anyway.

[Power n Glory]

That interviews doesn’t at all sound led to you?


But Manchester has not called me.

I mean, how did they get on to that subject? Isn’t it possible the interviewer asked if Pellegrini had called him again, or if he’d like to work with him again considering he’s been with him for two other clubs?

He’s not shitting on his team mate.

“Besides, I read a lot of articles about Ozil in Spain that affected him. We need to give him confidence and to show affection.”

Accepting blame on his part along with his teammates.

“We haven’t got a winning mentality and we have to believe in ourselves (more). Sometimes you can get used to not fighting, but we can’t do that. Arsenal is and will always be a historic football club, we have to look forward.”

Whilst stating what the club need to do next season.


“But we have to improve at crucial moments and sign the best football players because if you don’t do that, you may lag behind others.

“That is what makes it different at other clubs. You’ve a good example in Manchester City who signed Fernandiho, (Alvaro) Negredo... or even Manchester United with (Robin) Van Persie and (Juan) Mata.

He’s pretty much in line with what you’ve been arguing about players doing more and it being difficult to compete against the oil money clubs.

[Dein-machine]

I think all the midfield players have had mares bar Ramsey. Wilshere, Ozil, Ox, Arteta, Flamini, Pod, Rosicky....from attack minded to defensive...they've all struggled badly to impose themselves. The balance of the squad is all wrong.

Correct - again we buy quality attacking players & then decide we want them to be defensive midfielders - is there any wonder we aren't getting the best out of Ozil. During the P.L season there should only be a few games where we need to be as defensive as we have become. With a decent back 4 & a DM why do we need defensive attitude against the likes of Fulham, Palace, Norwich etc - when did we do that in the era that we won things, Pires & Freddy were't known for their tracking back.

[selassie]

Didn't he just sign a new contract with us?

I don't think you can have a go with the player too much. The mentality at the club as a whole is shocking and that starts of with the manager. He needs to infuse an attitude where losing is simply not tolerated.

:gp:

[selassie]

Well as Arsene's like to say we live in a democratic society. The timing of this wasn't/isn't perfect and he is only stating what we all feel but he needs to do his talking on the pitch. He's been absolutely awful this season and once Theo returns I wouldn't have Cazorla in the team, his performances have been sub par this season.

[Power n Glory]

Correct - again we buy quality attacking players & then decide we want them to be defensive midfielders - is there any wonder we aren't getting the best out of Ozil. During the P.L season there should only be a few games where we need to be as defensive as we have become. With a decent back 4 & a DM why do we need defensive attitude against the likes of Fulham, Palace, Norwich etc - when did we do that in the era that we won things, Pires & Freddy were't known for their tracking back.

We need to rebalance the squad and avoid losing 1st team players. It's no good for morale when we keep losing players and then try to patch up their loss with a cheap equivalent. It's like 2008 all over again.

[Niall_Quinn]

That interviews doesn’t at all sound led to you?



I mean, how did they get on to that subject? Isn’t it possible the interviewer asked if Pellegrini had called him again, or if he’d like to work with him again considering he’s been with him for two other clubs?

He’s not shitting on his team mate.


Accepting blame on his part along with his teammates.


Whilst stating what the club need to do next season.



He’s pretty much in line with what you’ve been arguing about players doing more and it being difficult to compete against the oil money clubs.

I'm not discounting the possibility it's a media set-up looking for cheap thrills. Whatever the case, would much prefer if he sorted out his passing and covered his full back rather than be talking to the media. If you say nothing they can't use it. If you open your mouth and even drop a hint then you know that's going to be spun up. How does he have the time for this anyway? He should be on the training ground every spare minute with GPS so he doesn't go missing - like in the matches. We're all pissed to varying degrees about the flaws in the manager, his reluctance to change things, his reliance on tactics that haven't worked in the past. But this is a team game from the top to the bottom. About time our team sorted their shit out and worried about the collective nest instead of individual ones. His future aside, I don't really want to hear what Cazorla things about what we need to do either. I'd rather him do it and tell us about it after it's done.

[I am invisible]

Meh. Not too bothered by any of this, tbh - in 2 years time, and at 31 years old, I wouldn't begrudge him one last move in his career, if he still hasn't won anything with us by then.

But, by the same token (and I never thought I'd say this after watching his first season with us), I don't think I'd be that bothered if he moved on either? His form and consistency have dropped this year, he isn't getting any younger (or bigger!), I think the game is moving away from that undefined, floating role that he prefers to play, and, let's be brutally honest here, he's not really helped to win anything for us either, so that one kind of cuts both ways?

Don't get me wrong - I like Cazorla, and have nothing against him - I'm just no so attached to him that I'd shed too many tears if he wanted out (and that goes for quite a long list of recent Arsenal players, who have been talented enough, but haven't really done enough or been here long enough to deserve legend status)...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The timing is poor and I didn't like the bit about Manchester not calling but it is uncertain how that part transpired and the nature of the interview. I don't think he has been quite as poor as people often suggest this season and think he is as talented a player as you will find in this league. It's a little bit worrying that the speech of despondency has emerged and he has not even been here 2 years yet and had the time to get totally worn down by it all.

We need better players and I'm all for them coming in, even at Cazorla's expense....PROVIDING they are shown through the door first. Let's not lose the player...say there's nobody available for 2 years sitting on our hands and then belatedly replace him with somebody who is a shade below his level anyway. That is not progress.

If we have to lose a few I'd rather we started at the top of the scrap pile.

[IBK]

I like thinking about players we might sign, but I no longer trust Wenger to sign anyone who will make any real difference to his team. I know the risks, but the Summer would be much more exciting with another manager in charge of Arsenal.

[Power n Glory]

http://arseblog.com/2014/04/what-cazorla-said-should-be-embraced-not-criticised/

Spot on.

[Dein-machine]

I like thinking about players we might sign, but I no longer trust Wenger to sign anyone who will make any real difference to his team. I know the risks, but the Summer would be much more exciting with another manager in charge of Arsenal.

We all do this every year. I spend my summer holidays with my same mates & families in a hotel somewhere along the Turkish Riviera running for a English newspaper every morning to see if we've done anything. My mates are Chelsea & Fulham fans, they piss themselves every year at my expense. This year I will not be running for any papers - If he spends big money, it will be done begrudgingly & without the enthusiasm that a manager should have for the new season. However, because of his stubborness I do think I will drive to Colney with banners saying " Please buy Kalou, You must buy Kalou " or " Please buy another Sanogo, its what we desperatley need " - therefore ensuring that they have no chance of happening.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://arseblog.com/2014/04/what-cazorla-said-should-be-embraced-not-criticised/

Spot on.

In some respects, particularly this:


(which may be more down to when the quotes were released rather than the timing of the interview)

And if that's true then the Pellegrini worship can be forgiven. Nothing fundamentally wrong with a player answering a question about his favourite manager. Fairly dumb in the context of a fiercely competitive sport when it's an opposition manager and much better to say nothing considering his own club and manager is under such pressure. But if he said it a year ago then I guess it's old news mendaciously packaged as new by a typically shit so-called journalist. That's if it is true this is an old interview.

Arseblog doesn't mention the barely cryptic mention of the phone call right at the end. That would be the part that irritates a lot of people, surely?

[Niall_Quinn]

This summer will go one of two ways. Either Wenger will leave or move up and we'll bring a new guy in (2% chance) or we'll make some big signings. Unless we already have a replacement lined up, if we opt for a new guy then the summer will be consumed by that appointment and considering the World Cup sits smack in the middle there won't be any significant transfer dealings. Unless we've already done the business behind the scenes and are waiting for the window to make it official, but that's not our style.

[Dein-machine]

I personally don't think Wenger will walk. He will see the fact that we were top at Xmas as proof that his system works & the long term injuries to the likes of Rambo & Walcott as being the reason we couldn't last the pace.
He knows he has to add quality & depth to the squad, the problem is that he will do it his way which will mean haggling over price, wages etc & losing out to a competitor, making stupid bids for players that result in the selling club not taking us seriously & his ultra clever strategic scheme of leaving everything to the last minute to see who's left, leaving us paying over the odds because the selling clubs know we're desperate.
If he wants to seriously change our fortunes he needs to identify the targets, pay the transfer fee required in relation to what a proven, quality footballer costs in the year 2014, do his business early so the players can enjoy pre-season with the squad. The problem this year is that Wenger will now have the excuse of the world cup to do none of the above. The transfer window is open throughout the world cup, its the showpiece event that all agents love, they expect their phones to be busy during this time & deals will be done.- Mr Wenger has to be one of those callers.

[selassie]

I like thinking about players we might sign, but I no longer trust Wenger to sign anyone who will make any real difference to his team. I know the risks, but the Summer would be much more exciting with another manager in charge of Arsenal.

That's how I feel to.

It's not really about Wenger not "spending" big, it's more about Wenger making the "right" signings. If Wenger can significantly improve the team by bringing in free transfers then so be it. I don't demand he spend like Chelsea or City.

The issue I have with Wenger and his spending is that if he does spend it will most likely be on the "wrong" type of player...a player he likes personally and not one that will address the balance of the team/squad.

[selassie]

I personally don't think Wenger will walk. He will see the fact that we were top at Xmas as proof that his system works & the long term injuries to the likes of Rambo & Walcott as being the reason we couldn't last the pace.
He knows he has to add quality & depth to the squad, the problem is that he will do it his way which will mean haggling over price, wages etc & losing out to a competitor, making stupid bids for players that result in the selling club not taking us seriously & his ultra clever strategic scheme of leaving everything to the last minute to see who's left, leaving us paying over the odds because the selling clubs know we're desperate.
If he wants to seriously change our fortunes he needs to identify the targets, pay the transfer fee required in relation to what a proven, quality footballer costs in the year 2014, do his business early so the players can enjoy pre-season with the squad. The problem this year is that Wenger will now have the excuse of the world cup to do none of the above. The transfer window is open throughout the world cup, its the showpiece event that all agents love, they expect their phones to be busy during this time & deals will be done.- Mr Wenger has to be one of those callers.

:gp:

[Power n Glory]

In some respects, particularly this:



And if that's true then the Pellegrini worship can be forgiven. Nothing fundamentally wrong with a player answering a question about his favourite manager. Fairly dumb in the context of a fiercely competitive sport when it's an opposition manager and much better to say nothing considering his own club and manager is under such pressure. But if he said it a year ago then I guess it's old news mendaciously packaged as new by a typically shit so-called journalist. That's if it is true this is an old interview.

Arseblog doesn't mention the barely cryptic mention of the phone call right at the end. That would be the part that irritates a lot of people, surely?

Come on now. Think about how that part about a phone call got into this piece? What do you think the interviewer asked him when considering his connection to Pellegrini at Villareal and Malaga? Pellegrini took Cazorla from Villareal to Malaga. You’re fully aware of how the media try to manipulate a situation and but your falling hook line and sinker for this one.

[Özim]

I personally don't think Wenger will walk. He will see the fact that we were top at Xmas as proof that his system works & the long term injuries to the likes of Rambo & Walcott as being the reason we couldn't last the pace.
He knows he has to add quality & depth to the squad, the problem is that he will do it his way which will mean haggling over price, wages etc & losing out to a competitor, making stupid bids for players that result in the selling club not taking us seriously & his ultra clever strategic scheme of leaving everything to the last minute to see who's left, leaving us paying over the odds because the selling clubs know we're desperate.
If he wants to seriously change our fortunes he needs to identify the targets, pay the transfer fee required in relation to what a proven, quality footballer costs in the year 2014, do his business early so the players can enjoy pre-season with the squad. The problem this year is that Wenger will now have the excuse of the world cup to do none of the above. The transfer window is open throughout the world cup, its the showpiece event that all agents love, they expect their phones to be busy during this time & deals will be done.- Mr Wenger has to be one of those callers.

I agree plus he'll be working and getting paid by French television to watch the World cup like last time.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Wenger has a history of buying players in complete different positions at a time when everybody is asking for something else. I have sympathy for it and it has often served us well to an extent but buying the right player is more key than the actual position he plays in, because we could do with plugging a few holes up!

On position alone in the strictest sense, Draxler would make little sense....but on quality and the players skill set, he is the sort of player you'd want to bring in. I would like a player like Lucas Moura over here, though I'd be a little afraid we'd coach the little in the way of a propensity to shoot the player has out of him!

Wenger won't want to walk unless he is almost completey done with football at coaching/managerial level all together. How many top clubs will he get such a relatively modest level of pressure allied with such autonomy? I can't think of a single club. I also can't see him accepting a very stringently defined and restrictive role either with a load of meddling footballing charlatans to 'work' with so we're probably stuck with each other folks.

The board will only sack him if their minimum targets have significantly been raised too.

[Niall_Quinn]

Come on now. Think about how that part about a phone call got into this piece? What do you think the interviewer asked him when considering his connection to Pellegrini at Villareal and Malaga? Pellegrini took Cazorla from Villareal to Malaga. You’re fully aware of how the media try to manipulate a situation and but your falling hook line and sinker for this one.

Just as likely he said it word for word - we don't know. I'm not bothered about the journalist, journalists are whores full stop. Nothing will change that. I'm, saying Cazorla would do everyone a favour by not speaking at all. If you don't say shit then they can't pin your name to their shit. After a couple of seasons here Cazorla can't be under any illusions about the tactics used by the press.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger has a history of buying players in complete different positions at a time when everybody is asking for something else. I have sympathy for it and it has often served us well to an extent but buying the right player is more key than the actual position he plays in, because we could do with plugging a few holes up!

On position alone in the strictest sense, Draxler would make little sense....but on quality and the players skill set, he is the sort of player you'd want to bring in. I would like a player like Lucas Moura over here, though I'd be a little afraid we'd coach the little in the way of a propensity to shoot the player has out of him!

Wenger won't want to walk unless he is almost completey done with football at coaching/managerial level all together. How many top clubs will he get such a relatively modest level of pressure allied with such autonomy? I can't think of a single club. I also can't see him accepting a very stringently defined and restrictive role either with a load of meddling footballing charlatans to 'work' with so we're probably stuck with each other folks.

The board will only sack him if their minimum targets have significantly been raised too.

Watched Draxler a few times and he appears to be a decent player. That's all, we're not talking Messi or even RvP. I know he's young and has time to fulfil his potential, question is do we have the time to wait? We'll just see the players jumping ship again if we don't mount a proper challenge next season. And to do that we'd be better off with ready made talent.

[GP]

I like Draxler a lot, having never seen him play.

[Niall_Quinn]

I like Draxler a lot, having never seen him play.

He's got a lot of pace. Might as well bring him in, along with that goalkeeper bloke Stankalot who also has pace.

[Özim]

Watched Draxler a few times and he appears to be a decent player. That's all, we're not talking Messi or even RvP. I know he's young and has time to fulfil his potential, question is do we have the time to wait? We'll just see the players jumping ship again if we don't mount a proper challenge next season. And to do that we'd be better off with ready made talent.

Munchies our resident talent scout has watched him a few times and he's reported back that he's looked sh*t.

[Özim]

RE Draxler, it's the wrong signing for me, players should be signed according to a teams need not based on the fact they have talent, we don't need any CM does that mean we should sign one anyway if a top class one comes along?

We need a striker not a wannabe striker (not really fair as it's probably Wenger that thinks he could be a striker).

[AFC Leveller]

Also NO to Mandzukic, awful player IMO. Yes he gets goals (so would Giroud in a team like Bayern dominating their own league like never before) but whenever ive watched him he's looked slow and limited. His lack of pace was very evident yesterday.

[Özim]

Also NO to Mandzukic, awful player IMO. Yes he gets goals (so would Giroud in a team like Bayern dominating their own league like never before) but whenever ive watched him he's looked slow and limited. His lack of pace was very evident yesterday.

Agreed, Mandzukic is sh*t wouldn't want him anywhere near the club, that goes for Kalou too.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

He's not shit and would represent a minor upgrade on Giroud however he's not what we need.

It's becoming a cliche and repetative but we need someone with more pace and trickery.


As for Draxler, after seeing our deficienies over the past month I think there are much more important areas to strengthen first.

[Globalgunner]

He's not shit and would represent a minor upgrade on Giroud however he's not what we need.

It's becoming a cliche and repetative but we need someone with more pace and trickery.


As for Draxler, after seeing our deficienies over the past month I think there are much more important areas to strengthen first.

I think we should sign Draxler, hes a good looking kid. If Ollie (Giroud, the other Ollie would never leave excepting Wenger does) leaves we need someone to fill the handsome quota. Vermaelen might leave too, so we would be quite depleted in that sector.......And no Diaby cannot play there. Some say he cannot play at all

[Niall_Quinn]

We should also put in stupid money bids with huge wage offers for Suarez and Aguero. Say £60mill plus £300K per week. At the very least see if we can trigger a contract re-negotiation and unsettle the player. Make them spend big, fuck with them, piss around and waste their time, use every dirty trick in the book. Worst that could happen is the player would agree and we'd have to pay. But so what. In a couple of years £300K will be standard for top tier strikers, and even for wildly overrated players like Cavani. Everyone plays filthy with us and we should be giving it back big time. Press leaks, fake third party out of window tapping up that can't be traced back, nasty rumours put amongst the fans, the whole bag.

[fakeyank]

What we need is pace in the team. We need people ready to take on opposition defenders and run past them. We need more than one player attacking the box from crosses. We need a complete overhaul of our style of play. We need to have different plans for different teams, we need different tactics for different situations.

Look at the above and ask yourself if Wenger is going to do any of that? History says no. So the most important signing we can make this summer is a new manager with fresh ideas. I do not believe we will get the best out of most top players with our style of play and management. Once we can make this happen, I believe the rest will fall into place by itself.

[fari]

What we need is pace in the team. We need people ready to take on opposition defenders and run past them. We need more than one player attacking the box from crosses. We need a complete overhaul of our style of play. We need to have different plans for different teams, we need different tactics for different situations.

Look at the above and ask yourself if Wenger is going to do any of that? History says no. So the most important signing we can make this summer is a new manager with fresh ideas. I do not believe we will get the best out of most top players with our style of play and management. Once we can make this happen, I believe the rest will fall into place by itself.



thing is, wenger gained so much success with players who possessed those gifts (Anelka, Henry etc) that the shift to a slow player like giroud seems very strange. I get that he was bought to partner/sub for rvp but how come no one was bought last summer?

anywho, one of the guys that i had thought were worth a punt-Adrian Ramos from hamburg (3rd in bundesliga scoring table)was just bought by Dortmund. They've also signed Sahin on a perm deal. Swift, decisive action.

[I am invisible]

thing is, wenger gained so much success with players who possessed those gifts (Anelka, Henry etc) that the shift to a slow player like giroud seems very strange. I get that he was bought to partner/sub for rvp but how come no one was bought last summer?

anywho, one of the guys that i had thought were worth a punt-Adrian Ramos from hamburg (3rd in bundesliga scoring table)was just bought by Dortmund. They've also signed Sahin on a perm deal. Swift, decisive action.
Rumour has it we've already signed that Dr. Mic lad for 8m (or less), who was 2nd in the bundlesliga scoring table? Will have to see if that ones true or not...

[fari]

Rumour has it we've already signed that Dr. Mic lad for 8m (or less), who was 2nd in the bundlesliga scoring table? Will have to see if that ones true or not...

Drmic? hm...the plot thickens

[I am invisible]

Drmic? hm...the plot thickens
Well that's what everyone in Germany keeps insisting anyway? You sound like you watch a bit of German football - any good? I've only seen a few YT clips, but I thought he looked pretty good for a 20 year old at a weak club...

[AFC Leveller]

With Bendtner leaving we'll need at least 2 strikers this summer (assuming Giroud isnt sold) and i dont think we'll sign two world class players as Wenger doesnt do that. a player i really like is Bony at Swansea, he's a beast. I think he'd be a very good second choice/back up to whoever we sign as first choice. Bony for me anyway, is betetr than anyone we currently have and that in itself is an improvement.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Watched Draxler a few times and he appears to be a decent player. That's all, we're not talking Messi or even RvP. I know he's young and has time to fulfil his potential, question is do we have the time to wait? We'll just see the players jumping ship again if we don't mount a proper challenge next season. And to do that we'd be better off with ready made talent.
I should think so as if he was of that level we would probably not be in the running. It is clear though, as you've already suggested in another thread we will need more than 1 player this season anyway.

If we accept that we need a few in, it is probably fair to say we won't be expecting 3 Suarez' to walk through the door..... Lord knows getting one through the door is tricky enough. I would surmise the way to go would be to sign 1 x world class player, 1 x top class player and perhaps 1 x good/top player with world class potential.

One of those players can easily be Draxler, though if your arguing that it is too much of the budget on a player of his ilk right now, I agree. The problem is, there are no real obvious candidates left any more of world class quality (beyond Costa who's been brilliant) so we do need to be a little street savvy in the market now.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

RE Draxler, it's the wrong signing for me, players should be signed according to a teams need not based on the fact they have talent, we don't need any CM does that mean we should sign one anyway if a top class one comes along?

We need a striker not a wannabe striker (not really fair as it's probably Wenger that thinks he could be a striker).

You also have to look at the players individual skill set if you want to be forward thinking and integrate him into a new team. I think I heard gunnerblog say a stat about Draxler having the highest number of completed dribbles in Europe or something. Other than Chamberlain we are rather lacking on players who will really run at the opposition directly and have the finesse to be able to get beyond them. I know Walcott has escaped our attention somewhat due to his injury but he is more a runner than dribbler.

Part of the reason Bayern are so good is because their wide players are that potent and their midfielders ghost into advance positions from midfield.

I would welcome Draxler here with open arms on the basis of his skill set alone. It's a bit of a stereotype too but the German talents tend to be well balanced players, not least as a result of a well balanced league and generally having a good attitude and approach to being a pro. Give me more well balanced, talented mentally strong players here any day.

To rubber stamp the point we would all welcome Tony Kroos here with open arms even though he is a central player because he is that bloody good and his skill set means he can always get you a goal and is very good with the ball under pressure.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'd have no problem with Draxler being signed - provided there was still £70mill odd left in the pot for some ready made firepower and creativity. No more transition periods please.

[AFC Leveller]

Draxler is NOT what we need. I've seen him a few times and i know you cannot judge a player by watching him for a few games only but what im sure of is that he is another lightweight playmaker who is best in the number 10 position. He is another Wenger type player who can play Wengerball. Not only do we not need him but we also dont need to spend THAT much money considering we need 2 strikers, a winger and a DCM.

Last season our budget went on ANOTHER playmaker (a world calss one yes but we needed players in other positions) and where has that gotten us? 5th!

I do not trust Wenger to buy what we need.

[selassie]

Draxler is NOT what we need. I've seen him a few times and i know you cannot judge a player by watching him for a few games only but what im sure of is that he is another lightweight playmaker who is best in the number 10 position. He is another Wenger type player who can play Wengerball. Not only do we not need him but we also dont need to spend THAT much money considering we need 2 strikers, a winger and a DCM.

Last season our budget went on ANOTHER playmaker (a world calss one yes but we needed players in other positions) and where has that gotten us? 5th!

I do not trust Wenger to buy what we need.

Yep I agree with you.

Draxler would be a lovely signing to supplement a solid base of signings that this team NEEDS. Unfortunately it doesn't seem our manager works like that or shares the same views.

IMHO, this team needs the following...

2 top quality strikers (1 starting striker and another very good backup striker)
a top quality DM
a 3rd choice CB, one that will push Merts for a starting spot
a top quality right back if sagna leaves.

So IMO, we will need 4 fairly expensive signings before we even consider signing "luxury projects" like Draxler.

[pakgunner]

In a new era with puma we need the following;
INS
-KLOPP
-BALOTELLI
-MORATA
-LARS BENDER
-POGBA
-SEAMUS COLEMAN
-ASHLEY WILLIAMS

OUTS
-wenger
-bentdner
-sanogo
-arteta
-diaby
-podolski
-sagna
-vermaelan

and the starting 11 could look like this

shez
coleman BFG kozzer gibbs
bender
pogba ramsey
Walcott ozil(free roaming)
balotelli
subs; fab, Williams, monreal, flamini, jack10, cazorla, morata, rosicky, ox, giroud, jenko, (obviously only seven to be selected) but that's depth.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If Podolski is out of contract this summer (I was amazed to learn that for a second and then suddenly not amazed thinking about how much he plays) and literally nobody on this board fancies Cazorla wide left and the other half don't care whether he remains or not who exactly are we expecting to play wide left season unless we sign somebody?

I get that we need a forward and maybe even 2, but we aren't going to buy a perfectly suitable forward and play him left unless he is extremely versatile....and I can't think of many great forwards who are.

In the cold light of day we could have a heck of a lot to do this summer. Even taking Draxler out of the equation, anyone of any real quality we buy is going to cost a huge amount, UNLESS, the player is not that well known, in which case we aren't going to be that happy about said player coming in anyway!

Seriously though, how many top forwards can we seriously look at signing this summer?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'm not sure why we would be able to sign Pogba or Bender. Better off trying to sign M'vila!

[Globalgunner]

I'm not sure why we would be able to sign Pogba or Bender. Better off trying to sign M'vila!
Or we could go to Wolfsburg and sign Gustavo, who we should have signed last summer

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

At this rate anyone with 2 legs of a reasonable age and size would bloody do! No more Flamini type throwbacks.

[I am invisible]

If Podolski is out of contract this summer (I was amazed to learn that for a second and then suddenly not amazed thinking about how much he plays) and literally nobody on this board fancies Cazorla wide left and the other half don't care whether he remains or not who exactly are we expecting to play wide left season unless we sign somebody?

I get that we need a forward and maybe even 2, but we aren't going to buy a perfectly suitable forward and play him left unless he is extremely versatile....and I can't think of many great forwards who are.

In the cold light of day we could have a heck of a lot to do this summer. Even taking Draxler out of the equation, anyone of any real quality we buy is going to cost a huge amount, UNLESS, the player is not that well known, in which case we aren't going to be that happy about said player coming in anyway!

Seriously though, how many top forwards can we seriously look at signing this summer?
What I'd like to see is something like Liverpool's attack, where you have a 433 made up of 2 strikers, one central (Sturridge) and one who can play wide attack (Suarez) (have I got that the right way round?), a more traditional winger-type on the other side (Sterling), and a play-maker in the hole (Coutinho). We obviously have players queuing up to play in the hole (Özil, Cazorla, Rosicky, Ramsey, Wilshere, Zelalem, etc), we have a couple of budding wingers who could do the Sterling job (Chamberlain and Gnabry), and we have one wide attacker (Walcott) - beyond that I don't think our other forward options really cut it, so I'd be looking at ditching Giroud, Podolski and Bendtner (and sending Sanogo out on loan), and bringing in a new main CF, a younger understudy for him (who, ideally, would already have some decent experience under his belt), and another wide attacker like Walcott to compete with him. So 3 players.

Of those 3, I think only the main CF absolutely has to be a top signing (if by 'top' we mean an elite name signed for big money) - the others obviously need to be very good players, and add qualities we currently lack (e.g. pace, power, dynamism, hunger, etc), but I think they can be less well-known and/or signed for more modest fees? I reckon it could be done without too much hassle (IF the desire was there to do it, of course)...

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

In essence, yes.

Though recently it's been closer to just the two up front with Sterling in behind, Suarez pulling off to the right, Sturridge staying more central and Coutinho popping up here and there.

Though tbh, they do pretty much what they like.

[fakeyank]

In a new era with puma we need the following;
INS
-KLOPP

OUTS
-wenger


:gp:

I'll be happy with this only tbh. I think another manager can take this current squad and do even better.

[I am invisible]

In essence, yes.

Though recently it's been closer to just the two up front with Sterling in behind, Suarez pulling off to the right, Sturridge staying more central and Coutinho popping up here and there.

Though tbh, they do pretty much what they like.
Yeah, I've always thought formations are more about where you stand when you're defending anyway - when you have the ball, you pretty much go where the opening is. Glad I wasn't too far out though.

That's kind of the beauty of having a striker who's comfortable playing wide - at any given moment you can switch between 433 and 442 (especially if your play-maker is OK going wide as well as staying central)?

[selassie]

If Podolski is out of contract this summer (I was amazed to learn that for a second and then suddenly not amazed thinking about how much he plays) and literally nobody on this board fancies Cazorla wide left and the other half don't care whether he remains or not who exactly are we expecting to play wide left season unless we sign somebody?

I get that we need a forward and maybe even 2, but we aren't going to buy a perfectly suitable forward and play him left unless he is extremely versatile....and I can't think of many great forwards who are.

In the cold light of day we could have a heck of a lot to do this summer. Even taking Draxler out of the equation, anyone of any real quality we buy is going to cost a huge amount, UNLESS, the player is not that well known, in which case we aren't going to be that happy about said player coming in anyway!

Seriously though, how many top forwards can we seriously look at signing this summer?

IMO, the bare minimum we should be aiming for should be an elite or soon to be elite striker like say....Balotelli or someone of that sort of level and then someone like a Loic Remy type.

[selassie]

I'm not sure why we would be able to sign Pogba or Bender. Better off trying to sign M'vila!

I think Bender is a possibility, Pogba isn't though, wages, cost of fee and competition would put us out of the running for Pogba's signature IMHO.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Of those 3, I think only the main CF absolutely has to be a top signing (if by 'top' we mean an elite name signed for big money) - the others obviously need to be very good players, and add qualities we currently lack (e.g. pace, power, dynamism, hunger, etc), but I think they can be less well-known and/or signed for more modest fees? I reckon it could be done without too much hassle (IF the desire was there to do it, of course)...
I would only be up for us getting rid of Giroud once and only once, we have signed a few players. He's no world beater but he is the best we have right now. If Chelsea are set on someone other than Costa then I think we should be in for him.

I like the sound of the Drmic dude (as a back up to a world class player), though I've NEVER seen him play but a young guy who's scored a bag of goals in the German league sounds promising.

Antoinne Griezman (or however you spell it) sounds a good option as does Remy but if we were genuinely interested in him I sense we'd have moved a long time ago.

As always there is a huge discrepancy between what we want and think should happen and what Wenger thinks needs to happen so we all know we're never going to sign 1 world class forward, 2 top class attackers, a top class DCM with a quality CB, RB and goalkeeper. That would be 7 players alone at a considerable cost! There will need to be some picking and choosing for the club to do but to my mind the priority is a world class CF or a player on the verge. As I keep repeating a world class CF can often mask a multitude of sins and if you really want to win things....you can't be lacking in that position. Unless you are Bayern Munich, which of course Arsenal are most certainly not.



I think Bender is a possibility, Pogba isn't though, wages, cost of fee and competition would put us out of the running for Pogba's signature IMHO.

Bender is not beyond our price tag (neither is Pogba technically) but clearly Wenger is only willing to pay 23 million for him and no more and he doesn't go back in for players once he has given up. Unless of course another manager is at the helm and fancies the same player, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

It needn't be a tricky position to fill...we have just made it an issue through the years of inaction in singing someone there. Somebody like M'vila who is disciplined and a good distributor would be a good fit and he isn't exactly a light weight. I don't think he would cost too much either as it seems he is unsettled over there in Russia.

Matuidi's signed a new contract so that's a dud now too.

[selassie]

I would only be up for us getting rid of Giroud once and only once, we have signed a few players. He's no world beater but he is the best we have right now. If Chelsea are set on someone other than Costa then I think we should be in for him.

I like the sound of the Drmic dude (as a back up to a world class player), though I've NEVER seen him play but a young guy who's scored a bag of goals in the German league sounds promising.

Antoinne Griezman (or however you spell it) sounds a good option as does Remy but if we were genuinely interested in him I sense we'd have moved a long time ago.

As always there is a huge discrepancy between what we want and think should happen and what Wenger thinks needs to happen so we all know we're never going to sign 1 world class forward, 2 top class attackers, a top class DCM with a quality CB, RB and goalkeeper. That would be 7 players alone at a considerable cost! There will need to be some picking and choosing for the club to do but to my mind the priority is a world class CF or a player on the verge. As I keep repeating a world class CF can often mask a multitude of sins and if you really want to win things....you can't be lacking in that position. Unless you are Bayern Munich, which of course Arsenal are most certainly not.




Bender is not beyond our price tag (neither is Pogba technically) but clearly Wenger is only willing to pay 23 million for him and no more and he doesn't go back in for players once he has given up. Unless of course another manager is at the helm and fancies the same player, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

It needn't be a tricky position to fill...we have just made it an issue through the years of inaction in singing someone there. Somebody like M'vila who is disciplined and a good distributor would be a good fit and he isn't exactly a light weight. I don't think he would cost too much either as it seems he is unsettled over there in Russia.

Matuidi's signed a new contract so that's a dud now too.

:gp:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I don't really get why so many are convinced of Giroud's departure this summer. He's only been here 2 years is the best forward we have for how we play and has scored 20 goals. I get that he danced around in his pants with some hoochie mumma after hours but that kind of thing is hardly the gravest of all sins for past and present Arsenal players.

We spent half the summer trying to sign the bitey racist for goodness sake. Check out his rap sheet. Selling Giroud the moment the season ends will only ensure (if he remains) that Wenger has even more pressure to sign two never mind one forward. No sure who exactly is going to want Giroud either for any decent money.

[Power n Glory]

We should keep Giroud but sign another striker. It would serve his right to suffer a bit on the bench. These players have it too easy sometimes and get moved on too quickly.

[Dein-machine]

I don't really get why so many are convinced of Giroud's departure this summer. He's only been here 2 years is the best forward we have for how we play and has scored 20 goals. I get that he danced around in his pants with some hoochie mumma after hours but that kind of thing is hardly the gravest of all sins for past and present Arsenal players.

We spent half the summer trying to sign the bitey racist for goodness sake. Check out his rap sheet. Selling Giroud the moment the season ends will only ensure (if he remains) that Wenger has even more pressure to sign two never mind one forward. No sure who exactly is going to want Giroud either for any decent money.

We should be convinced of his departure because we should know by now that we cannot afford to have these type of players hanging around the club, taking wages & getting game time when they simply aren't good enough. We've put up with this for far too long, Eboue, Senderos, Djourou, Bendtner - players that should be nowhere near an Arsenal shirt and yet we take ages to get rid. Giroud is a Stoke player, not a player in a team of quick thinking, fast passing footballers - he is simply not good enough.
Don't delay the inevitable for his own sake aswell as ours. If we buy 2 strikers with the second one as back up, even this guy needs to be 10 times better than Giroud. Even our squad players need to be quality next year, no more Flamini's or Kallstrom's to fill gaps. Recent years tell us we need these players throughout the season, inevitably this will mean games against top teams - we cannot play these teams with poor replacements. Let's get spending - properly.

[I am invisible]

From what I've read, a lot of it seems to be based on the assumptions that a) we're definitely going to sign a big-name striker this summer, and b) having been demoted to back-up option, Giroud will chuck his toys out of his pram and demand a move.

Oh, and also his wife wants him to move, according to the rags - I'm sure her opinion carries a lot of weight in this, given how much of a shit he clearly gives about her...

[selassie]

I don't really get why so many are convinced of Giroud's departure this summer. He's only been here 2 years is the best forward we have for how we play and has scored 20 goals. I get that he danced around in his pants with some hoochie mumma after hours but that kind of thing is hardly the gravest of all sins for past and present Arsenal players.

We spent half the summer trying to sign the bitey racist for goodness sake. Check out his rap sheet. Selling Giroud the moment the season ends will only ensure (if he remains) that Wenger has even more pressure to sign two never mind one forward. No sure who exactly is going to want Giroud either for any decent money.

I think Wenger needs to sign two striker regardless, one top class, one backup. Giroud needs to fight it out with the backup striker. Giroud is not good enough to be first choice for Arsenal and would struggle to make the squads of any of our rivals and I include Man United in that list.

I have no problem with Giroud sticking around, he will be a useful squad player, but in reality he should be 3rd choice striker.

[Dein-machine]

I think Wenger needs to sign two striker regardless, one top class, one backup. Giroud needs to fight it out with the backup striker. Giroud is not good enough to be first choice for Arsenal and would struggle to make the squads of any of our rivals and I include Man United in that list.

I have no problem with Giroud sticking around, he will be a useful squad player, but in reality he should be 3rd choice striker.

No problems with that as long as he knows he's 3rd choice & that his wages relate to this.

[AFC Leveller]

Giroud is average and has been stinking the place up for 2 years already so i hope the manager finally decides to get beter options (assuming he has the ambition to) and take us to the next level. He is of the same quality as Chamakh and Bendtner and these guys have either failed to make it anywhere else (including the likes of Sunderland) or have found their level (Crystal Palace). However, as bad as they were, at least they were back up to the likes of RVP, Adebayor, Eduardo ect and not first choice.

Giroud typifies the current Arsenal team, slow, average, static and easy to defend against.

[Heisenberg]

Giroud is better than you guys are giving him credit for. We need an upgrade on him though.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

We should be convinced of his departure because we should know by now that we cannot afford to have these type of players hanging around the club, taking wages & getting game time when they simply aren't good enough. We've put up with this for far too long, Eboue, Senderos, Djourou, Bendtner - players that should be nowhere near an Arsenal shirt and yet we take ages to get rid. Giroud is a Stoke player, not a player in a team of quick thinking, fast passing footballers - he is simply not good enough.
Don't delay the inevitable for his own sake aswell as ours. If we buy 2 strikers with the second one as back up, even this guy needs to be 10 times better than Giroud. Even our squad players need to be quality next year, no more Flamini's or Kallstrom's to fill gaps. Recent years tell us we need these players throughout the season, inevitably this will mean games against top teams - we cannot play these teams with poor replacements. Let's get spending - properly.

My query was not about what we ought to do but what people think will happen and why. I'd be surprised if Giroud isn't an Arsenal player next season but in any case I agree with the majority....we need at the bare minimum 1 world class forward and probably 2 with the impending departure of Bendtner and Podolski (if his contract really is up).

Though I didn't want him near our club...with Suarez we might have been looking at doing a double he's that good. Liverpool who are currently top would have been much worse off without him and would have certainly been closer to Chelsea in second place too.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'm not convinced Wenger ever thought Giroud would be the long term and first choice answer though....which only serves to frustrate me at the fact that he has been for the last 2 years.

[Marc Overmars]

Telegraph are reporting Bayern, PSG and Monaco are interested in Kos. He's under contract until 2017 but is apparently only on 50k. Give him a pay rise tbf.

[Unai Tea]

Telegraph are reporting Bayern, PSG and Monaco are interested in Kos. He's under contract until 2017 but is apparently only on 50k. Give him a pay rise tbf.

Give him Bendter's £52k when that useless mug finally fucks away off and fades into anonymity

[Allahrsenal]

Wenger should sign Tom Huddlestone and Barry.

And sell Arteta. he can only pass sideways anyway.

The get Fletcher from Sunderland, if they go down. That would allow us to donate Sanogo to charity...if they'd have him.

[Dein-machine]

Wenger should sign Tom Huddlestone and Barry.

And sell Arteta. he can only pass sideways anyway.

The get Fletcher from Sunderland, if they go down. That would allow us to donate Sanogo to charity...if they'd have him.

Huddlestone, Barry & Fletcher! - are you Wenger in disguise?

[Dein-machine]

Telegraph are reporting Bayern, PSG and Monaco are interested in Kos. He's under contract until 2017 but is apparently only on 50k. Give him a pay rise tbf.

If that's true regarding his £50k, is it any wonder players leave us. Just imagine playing like Kos has been, knowing that Bendtner is on more money than you. Its a complete piss take that the powers that be haven't sat him down with a big pay offer.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Wouldn't that salary have been arranged when he was signed as a relatively unknown 10 million signing from a French Ligue Un team? It was one of the most obscure French signings the manager has made and yet one of the best arguably.

It deserves upgrading of course but I think it's fair enough that it stays as it is until the time of renegotiating/extending. We don't cut their wages if they're not playing well so we shouldn't increase it until the aforementioned.

[Niall_Quinn]

Telegraph are reporting Bayern, PSG and Monaco are interested in Kos. He's under contract until 2017 but is apparently only on 50k. Give him a pay rise tbf.

We could probably fend off Bayern but PSG and Monaco can just keep upping the offer until it's done. So hope there's no truth in it because we'll struggle to find a replacement.

[Dein-machine]

Wouldn't that salary have been arranged when he was signed as a relatively unknown 10 million signing from a French Ligue Un team? It was one of the most obscure French signings the manager has made and yet one of the best arguably.

It deserves upgrading of course but I think it's fair enough that it stays as it is until the time of renegotiating/extending. We don't cut their wages if they're not playing well so we shouldn't increase it until the aforementioned.

Not at all - teams realising a player is becoming important to the team or being looked at by others will renegotiate contracts before they're up - look at Rooney, he hints to leave & they up his money every year after he signed a 4 year deal!

[Niall_Quinn]

Not at all - teams realising a player is becoming important to the team or being looked at by others will renegotiate contracts before they're up - look at Rooney, he hints to leave & they up his money every year after he signed a 4 year deal!

Plus he looks like Shrek and dives a lot.

[Munchies]

Merts is on around £90k now, so I imagine he'll be bumped up soon enough.

He said in a few interviews a while back that he has no reason to leave the club, he just wants the club to be able to challenge for trophies. Hopefully he'll get his first one in the next few months.

[Niall_Quinn]

Merts is on around £90k now, so I imagine he'll be bumped up soon enough.

He said in a few interviews a while back that he has no reason to leave the club, he just wants the club to be able to challenge for trophies. Hopefully he'll get his first one in the next few months.

Or a few weeks because we could win the cup.

[LDG]

Not at all - teams realising a player is becoming important to the team or being looked at by others will renegotiate contracts before they're up - look at Rooney, he hints to leave & they up his money every year after he signed a 4 year deal!

It wasn't so long ago everyone was saying how shit he was, and that we should be doing better.

....and if he goes through a period of poor form for a few months, those same people would be going mental at the club if he was on a contract for 100k a week.

The internet is a daft place.

He hasn't even said anything about leaving, and the internet managers are adament he should be given a payrise. Just like that. 75k, 100k, whatever you like. Name your price Kos. You negotiated that last contract yourself, but we don't mind that. You want more now? Go on then....

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Not at all - teams realising a player is becoming important to the team or being looked at by others will renegotiate contracts before they're up - look at Rooney, he hints to leave & they up his money every year after he signed a 4 year deal!

That's what I was getting at. 50k looks relatively low now (naturally) but it was more than fair at the time. You're right, contracts need dealing with way before they have run their course a it is logical but the timing of renegotiating his contract should come as result of how long he has left to run rather than the need to pay him more imo.

So when it is renegotiated in good time (ie way before his contract ends) he should get more money as I think he has proved he is the real deal rather than a dud. Offering hi more will be part of that process in getting him to resign too which clearly is in the interests of the club.

[IBK]

I'm not convinced Wenger ever thought Giroud would be the long term and first choice answer though....which only serves to frustrate me at the fact that he has been for the last 2 years.

This. Wenger's thoughts have been too obvious to miss. Why he hasn't acted on his obvious desire for a top striker is a mystery.

[Niall_Quinn]

This. Wenger's thoughts have been too obvious to miss. Why he hasn't acted on his obvious desire for a top striker is a mystery.

He tried to, didn't he? He tried to get the best striker in the country. Maybe the next best option wasn't available in the January window and he wasn't prepared to blow a ton of cash on somebody he doesn't actually want. Could be many reasons, some of them not revealed to the public. We'll do big business for a top striker in the summer. Not winning the title in a year when nobody expected us to even compete is not the disaster it is being made out to be. Chances are the club is trying to do things properly, get the right player in. Especially given the huge amounts of money at stake and the fact we can't just keep buying players until we hit on a random formula that works - like the chavs and gypos have been doing. We have real business considerations to take into account.

[Power n Glory]

This. Wenger's thoughts have been too obvious to miss. Why he hasn't acted on his obvious desire for a top striker is a mystery.

This sort of story doesn't help either. It was pointless bringing in Sanogo and Bendy.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/18/olivier-giroud-needs-rest-50-fights-arsenal-arsene-wenger

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He tried to, didn't he? He tried to get the best striker in the country. Maybe the next best option wasn't available in the January window and he wasn't prepared to blow a ton of cash on somebody he doesn't actually want. Could be many reasons, some of them not revealed to the public. We'll do big business for a top striker in the summer. Not winning the title in a year when nobody expected us to even compete is not the disaster it is being made out to be. Chances are the club is trying to do things properly, get the right player in. Especially given the huge amounts of money at stake and the fact we can't just keep buying players until we hit on a random formula that works - like the chavs and gypos have been doing. We have real business considerations to take into account.

I was quite public about not wanting the bloke at our club so I am not critical of the simple fact he isn't an Arsenal player..... but I am critical of number of things in our procedure in any case.

Once Suarez had been made the target I am critical of our efforts in getting him as I don't believe it was concerted enough. Wenger could see he was the best forward in the country and possibly the world and that he would be coming from our very own English rivals. That all amounted to the fact that we wouldn't get him out of there easily. I think that when it was clear that Liverpool were going to dishonour their agreement / plead ignorance (and not be held to account for it legally) about the infamous clause, we should have been boxing a little more smartly.....or in effect, come in with a bigger bid beyond the 40 million pieces of silver plus a penny. Instead we just walked away from the deal, despite people like Giroud giving an interview with Arsenal tv about welcoming him here!

Moreover, given how ambitious a target Suarez was and bearing in mind that we had effectively abandoned the pursuit of another target (Higuain) to pursue him, a contingency plan should have been in place, should we fail, as we did to get Suarez. A contingency plan less likely to fail than the one enacted in getting Demba Ba out of Chelsea in the final hours of the window that is....

Afterall....none of us really believes he looked at Sanogo, Bendtner and Giroud and thought....right this is a new dawn and we are now ready to win major trophies.....but that is essentially the vision he sold to Ozil....though clearly he would have been reluctant to put a time scale on it to him.

I try and tend to disregard January as a window.....we know it is a complicated time and furthermore we know the club does not like to operate in it. That leaves us levelling the line of inquiry and seriously question last summers plans which however crafted should not have been contrived in such a way to not provide us with a top class/world class forward at the bare minimum. I know spending 70/80 million in one window on a few players is somewhat a shock to the system and perhaps we were reluctant to do so (though we spent a lot on 1 guy) but we only have that much to do because we have been shedding quality over the years. If it was the choice of one big signing or another one, then Suarez should have been made the priority over Ozil. Not just by hindsight, but by the simple fact we were far more lacking in quality in the forward area above any other position imo. The longer we draw out acquiring the playing staff we need the less likely and the longer it takes to achieve our goals.

I don't think the crime is so much not winning the league, but looking at the options at your disposal in the summer, knowing it isn't near to good enough, yet allowing it to be the finished squad you take into the new season was a grave crime. We all accept Ozil isn't a goal machine and it would have been unfair to expect him to be.....and clearly Wenger knew that too as he has followed his whole career, so he must have known we would come up short in terms of goals and attack....and that is without factoring in Ramsey's goal scoring prowess which surprised even the manager. Yet he still went into the season as he did.

If by some twist of fate we end of signing Diego Costa for example....and he happens to be Mourinho's target and instead of signing an alternative, Mourinho signs nobody or resigns Solomon Kalou. Chelsea then go on to next season and win nothing (again I hope). Mourinho will be royally and roundly criticised with a lot of justification....and not just because they have deep pockets over there. In fact he would be roundly criticised before he enters the season.

Obviously Wenger hasn't slagged his forwards off every week but it doesn't get away from the fact we know full well he doesn't believe the forward options he has are anywhere near complete.

[I am invisible]

Unfortunately, Costa looks pretty Chelsea-bound at this point, so I fear we might be wasting our time with that one. Who the hell are the other options though, if he does end up going to the filth? There doesn't really seem to be anyone else around of a similar standard (i.e. a big-name, big-money signing who also has that stats to justify the price)?!

[fakeyank]

I was quite public about not wanting the bloke at our club so I am not critical of the simple fact he isn't an Arsenal player..... but I am critical of number of things in our procedure in any case.

Once Suarez had been made the target I am critical of our efforts in getting him as I don't believe it was concerted enough. Wenger could see he was the best forward in the country and possibly the world and that he would be coming from our very own English rivals. That all amounted to the fact that we wouldn't get him out of there easily. I think that when it was clear that Liverpool were going to dishonour their agreement / plead ignorance (and not be held to account for it legally) about the infamous clause, we should have been boxing a little more smartly.....or in effect, come in with a bigger bid beyond the 40 million pieces of silver plus a penny. Instead we just walked away from the deal, despite people like Giroud giving an interview with Arsenal tv about welcoming him here!

Moreover, given how ambitious a target Suarez was and bearing in mind that we had effectively abandoned the pursuit of another target (Higuain) to pursue him, a contingency plan should have been in place, should we fail, as we did to get Suarez. A contingency plan less likely to fail than the one enacted in getting Demba Ba out of Chelsea in the final hours of the window that is....

Afterall....none of us really believes he looked at Sanogo, Bendtner and Giroud and thought....right this is a new dawn and we are now ready to win major trophies.....but that is essentially the vision he sold to Ozil....though clearly he would have been reluctant to put a time scale on it to him.

I try and tend to disregard January as a window.....we know it is a complicated time and furthermore we know the club does not like to operate in it. That leaves us levelling the line of inquiry and seriously question last summers plans which however crafted should not have been contrived in such a way to not provide us with a top class/world class forward at the bare minimum. I know spending 70/80 million in one window on a few players is somewhat a shock to the system and perhaps we were reluctant to do so (though we spent a lot on 1 guy) but we only have that much to do because we have been shedding quality over the years. If it was the choice of one big signing or another one, then Suarez should have been made the priority over Ozil. Not just by hindsight, but by the simple fact we were far more lacking in quality in the forward area above any other position imo. The longer we draw out acquiring the playing staff we need the less likely and the longer it takes to achieve our goals.

I don't think the crime is so much not winning the league, but looking at the options at your disposal in the summer, knowing it isn't near to good enough, yet allowing it to be the finished squad you take into the new season was a grave crime. We all accept Ozil isn't a goal machine and it would have been unfair to expect him to be.....and clearly Wenger knew that too as he has followed his whole career, so he must have known we would come up short in terms of goals and attack....and that is without factoring in Ramsey's goal scoring prowess which surprised even the manager. Yet he still went into the season as he did.

If by some twist of fate we end of signing Diego Costa for example....and he happens to be Mourinho's target and instead of signing an alternative, Mourinho signs nobody or resigns Solomon Kalou. Chelsea then go on to next season and win nothing (again I hope). Mourinho will be royally and roundly criticised with a lot of justification....and not just because they have deep pockets over there. In fact he would be roundly criticised before he enters the season.

Obviously Wenger hasn't slagged his forwards off every week but it doesn't get away from the fact we know full well he doesn't believe the forward options he has are anywhere near complete.

:gp:

He didnt need to blow a ton of cash for someone like Berba. What he got instead is the most baffling bit of transfer business in football history- Kallstrom. Got a player we didnt need, in a position we had cover for and all the while knowing he wont play for 6 weeks. WTF is that about? I cant even imagine what kind of drug deludes your thinking that way!

[Niall_Quinn]

LOL, the Daily Cyril Smith is speculating Lukaku's fee will be close on £40mill. Why not just say £400mill, or a million, million, million, million, millionillionillionillion+infinity (in my head) quid?

[Niall_Quinn]

Apparently Kos is in talks with the club - deal worth £90k pw being discussed to fend off interest from Utd and the chavski bottlers managed by that specialist in failure bloke.

Also Dick Law now allegedly going by the name "Dicky"

Source is the Daily Voldemort so none of it is true in any way.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Heard a rumour Allardyce turned down signing Lukaku for 13 million because he wanted Caroll. Not buying that one for a second though....

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Unfortunately, Costa looks pretty Chelsea-bound at this point, so I fear we might be wasting our time with that one. Who the hell are the other options though, if he does end up going to the filth? There doesn't really seem to be anyone else around of a similar standard (i.e. a big-name, big-money signing who also has that stats to justify the price)?!

Yeah, I don't actually think there's any chance we'll go and sign him. Wenger will look for something far more left field....but as you say, there are a real lack of obvious options what with all the forward movement last summer.

Jackson Martinez maybe?....but even his star is not that high.... A real goal scoring wide player like Griezmann may be the way to lighten that load. Not actually seen the bloke play but his goal tally has caught the eye and it would be nice to have a regular scorer from a wide position other than Walcott.

[Niall_Quinn]

Glaziers have issued instructions to get Cavani regardless of how much the chavs and the gypos bid. Wages speculated to be £300kpw like shrek.

This is a well established mainstream source - therefore utter bullshit.

Imagine if they did something like that though. They'd be paying more to two players per year than it is costing us to finance a stadium. That's how crazy it is getting. We can't be that far away from the billion quid a year wage bill.

EDIT: Posted here because of the irrelevant reference to our stadium.

[pakgunner]

Giroud is average and has been stinking the place up for 2 years already so i hope the manager finally decides to get beter options (assuming he has the ambition to) and take us to the next level. He is of the same quality as Chamakh and Bendtner and these guys have either failed to make it anywhere else (including the likes of Sunderland) or have found their level (Crystal Palace). However, as bad as they were, at least they were back up to the likes of RVP, Adebayor, Eduardo ect and not first choice.

Giroud typifies the current Arsenal team, slow, average, static and easy to defend against.Totally agree, Giroud is too one dimensional, lacks the ability to take on defenses on his own, too slow, no positional sense. We should follow the Liverpool attack structure and build a front three who can rotate at a blink of a eye, another forward player not a out and out striker, mobile and good passing ability, capable of dribbling and assisting, speed to burn. Imagine a front 3 of podolski, Walcott and Morata/ or Walcott, OX , and balotelli. In other words 2 acquisitions of balotelli and morata.

[Bumble]

Linked with smalling. We were interested when United signned him. Not bad third choice, also Micah Richards could be useful as back up RB/CB arsenal fan too.

[GP]

Smalling is fucking terrible.

[LDG]

Ashley Williams :haha:

[GP]

Swift :haha:

[Penguin]

The worrying thing is that we're going to lose key squad players for next to nothing. Fabianski and Sagna can go for free and Vermaelen will go for peanuts with one year left. It will probably cost us at least £15m net just to replace them... that will eat into our budget.

[I am invisible]

Yeah, I don't actually think there's any chance we'll go and sign him. Wenger will look for something far more left field....but as you say, there are a real lack of obvious options what with all the forward movement last summer.

Jackson Martinez maybe?....but even his star is not that high.... A real goal scoring wide player like Griezmann may be the way to lighten that load. Not actually seen the bloke play but his goal tally has caught the eye and it would be nice to have a regular scorer from a wide position other than Walcott.
It's a tough one, but as you say, maybe the answer is to get more goals from everywhere in the attack, and not get too hung up on finding a single, elite CF to solve all of our woes?

If we could get couple of goal-scoring wide players (one who leans more towards being a traditional winger, like a Griezmann, and one who leans more towards being a Walcott-style wide striker, like Remy or Drmic, or even someone like Campbell if we're all spent out), then maybe that would reduce the need to find one of the game's elite CFs? We'd still want somebody good there, of course - I'm not saying we should cheap out and buy someone crap - but perhaps we can start considering players in that next bracket down?

[I am invisible]

Linked with smalling. We were interested when United signned him. Not bad third choice, also Micah Richards could be useful as back up RB/CB arsenal fan too.
I think they're both Arsenal fans?

[I am invisible]

LOL, the Daily Cyril Smith is speculating Lukaku's fee will be close on £40mill. Why not just say £400mill, or a million, million, million, million, millionillionillionillion+infinity (in my head) quid?
I've heard it suggested that Chelsea need to sell Lukaku in order to finance the move for Costa (not because they're skint, but because they need to comply to FFP regs), so maybe that's where all these crazy figures are coming from?

What the hell is Mourinho's issue with him anyway? Anyone heard any rumours?

[Özim]

My predictions for the summer, frustration as we dither and sign noone except for some nobody we don't need and then drag the transfer drama until transfer window deadline day.

[saintnickle]

My predictions for the summer, frustration as we dither and sign noone except for some nobody we don't need and then drag the transfer drama until transfer window deadline day.

And that is exactly how i see it as well.Does anyone know whats happened to the 2 massive AKBs Jonas tc and ollie the optimist??

[Marc Overmars]

There won't be any strategy behind the signings, they'll just be born out of opportunity and convenience as usual.

[Özim]

And that is exactly how i see it as well.Does anyone know whats happened to the 2 massive AKBs Jonas tc and ollie the optimist??

That's the problem really, you just can't see us doing what we need to, I'd love it if we could have belief that we'd be going all out and signing the quality players we need, but we've seen this all played out countless times before so we know how it goes.

[Özim]

There won't be any strategy behind the signings, they'll just be born out of opportunity and convenience as usual.

I agree, don't know why it has to be this way.

[selassie]

I agree, don't know why it has to be this way.

Yep, agreed.

I kind of do think there is a strategy and it will pan out like this. We'll identify a striker we need, he'll be pricey...we'll go in with our customary "lowball" offer, the said club will get offended and tell us to up our offer, we'll do nothing with a view to dragging the price down on deadline day. Nothing will materialise with that deal.

We'll most likely then go on to sign one or two players in positions we don't need, most likely an attacking midfield/number 10 who we will look to convert into a winger or striker, basically any other position than his preferred.

On transfer deadline day, we'll be in need of a key player or two and will attempt to loan in those players but fail because we left it too late.

A typical "Arsene" Arsenal transfer window.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

It is a simple equation really.... Identify the targets you want and alternatives to those targets. The less likely you are to meet the demands of the selling club, the more alternatives/contingencies you need to those prime targets!

I would forgive the inaction in other areas if he only went out and bought a world class forward at last!

[JonasTC]

And that is exactly how i see it as well.Does anyone know whats happened to the 2 massive AKBs Jonas tc and ollie the optimist??

Got tired of grey weather, moved to Mallorca and started enjoying life away from the internet ;)

[Niall_Quinn]

Got tired of grey weather, moved to Mallorca and started enjoying life away from the internet ;)

Good for you mate.

[Slacker]

Got tired of grey weather, moved to Mallorca and started enjoying life away from the internet ;)

Bastard!!!

[Niall_Quinn]

Bastard!!!

Yeah, that's what I meant.

[Slacker]

Yeah, that's what I meant.

:haha:

[I am invisible]

Got tired of grey weather, moved to Mallorca and started enjoying life away from the internet ;)
Let us know if you see any decent strikers out there...

[saintnickle]

Let us know if you see any decent strikers out there...

And managers:trophy:

[AFC Leveller]

And managers:trophy:

and physios and qualified medics.

[LDG]

and physios and qualified medics.

And pics of hot young bints

[Niall_Quinn]

And a whole bottle bank full of bottles

[IBK]

He tried to, didn't he? He tried to get the best striker in the country. Maybe the next best option wasn't available in the January window and he wasn't prepared to blow a ton of cash on somebody he doesn't actually want. Could be many reasons, some of them not revealed to the public. We'll do big business for a top striker in the summer. Not winning the title in a year when nobody expected us to even compete is not the disaster it is being made out to be. Chances are the club is trying to do things properly, get the right player in. Especially given the huge amounts of money at stake and the fact we can't just keep buying players until we hit on a random formula that works - like the chavs and gypos have been doing. We have real business considerations to take into account.


Sorry, but an almost naive bid for Suarez and an attempt to sign Higuain that was blown away by Napoli does not excuse Wenger's behaviour. I mean fielding an embarrasingly deficient Sanogo as our second choice striker this season can and has been regarded as laughable.

[Niall_Quinn]

Not trying to excuse his behaviour, just pointing out additional possibilities many of which are never considered in the rush to assume signing a player is just like going to the supermarket and picking what you want. I emphasise, we need to run our club like a business, unlike the chavs and the gypos. We cannot just buy somebody in on a 50/50 chancer. We thought the Suarez bid was naive, but it has since been revealed it was completely realistic and laser targeted. If John Henry was a man of his word or had any integrity Suarez could have opted to leave. As it is, Henry is a liar whose word is literally not worth the paper it's written on. Wenger can't be blamed for that. We certainly went after the right player and we certainly did our homework. I guess because Wenger has principles he wasn't prepared to go beyond the bounds of the stated contract. In other words, he wasn't prepared to be robbed by a man whose word is valueless. That's the right attitude, unfortunately it's not an advantageous attitude in modern football. Actually fairly happy we didn't get Higuain either. I think he was a viable option back then because we didn't know what sort of cash the club was prepared to part with. Since the Ozil deal we can do a lot better than Higuain, who we would have had to pay extortionate rates to secure in the end. I think we'll do our first £50mill signing in the summer.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

and physios and qualified medics.

I think it's a fallacy that somehow our medical staff are incompitent, it's a combination of having players in our side who are susceptible to injury and having a manager who over trains his players and doesn't seem to have a proper rotational system to make sure certain players aren't overplayed.

Look how many injuries have occurred in training, it's not a coincidence.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

. I think we'll do our first £50mill signing in the summer.

Hmmm, that depends on whether we finish 4th which is in no way guaranteed....i just hope even if we do it's not on Draxler.

[IBK]

Not trying to excuse his behaviour, just pointing out additional possibilities many of which are never considered in the rush to assume signing a player is just like going to the supermarket and picking what you want. I emphasise, we need to run our club like a business, unlike the chavs and the gypos. We cannot just buy somebody in on a 50/50 chancer. We thought the Suarez bid was naive, but it has since been revealed it was completely realistic and laser targeted. If John Henry was a man of his word or had any integrity Suarez could have opted to leave. As it is, Henry is a liar whose word is literally not worth the paper it's written on. Wenger can't be blamed for that. We certainly went after the right player and we certainly did our homework. I guess because Wenger has principles he wasn't prepared to go beyond the bounds of the stated contract. In other words, he wasn't prepared to be robbed by a man whose word is valueless. That's the right attitude, unfortunately it's not an advantageous attitude in modern football. Actually fairly happy we didn't get Higuain either. I think he was a viable option back then because we didn't know what sort of cash the club was prepared to part with. Since the Ozil deal we can do a lot better than Higuain, who we would have had to pay extortionate rates to secure in the end. I think we'll do our first £50mill signing in the summer.

Hmmm - yes - but the 'naivity' lies in Wenger having no plan B (a desperate loan bid for Demba Ba excepted). Its the fact that (IMO) Wenger knew that an addition, proven striker was needed to contest the league over the season - and accepted the inevitable falling short in favour of sticking to his valuations. That's it, in fact. The fact that Wenger hoped against hope that his squad would do it, rather than equipping it to.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Not really convinced our entire medical staff are incompetent either despite the recent calls to replace the lot....

[Globalgunner]

Our medical team is known to often moonlight at Chessington Zoo. Rumour has it that s where most of them were recruited from

[McNamara That Ghost...]

At least at zoos they put the animals in peril to sleep.

[Heisenberg]

At least at zoos they put the animals in peril to sleep.

:haha:

[Özim]

Hmmm - yes - but the 'naivity' lies in Wenger having no plan B (a desperate loan bid for Demba Ba excepted). Its the fact that (IMO) Wenger knew that an addition, proven striker was needed to contest the league over the season - and accepted the inevitable falling short in favour of sticking to his valuations. That's it, in fact. The fact that Wenger hoped against hope that his squad would do it, rather than equipping it to.

Totally agree, a manager truly doing everything to win doesn't rely on pot luck and hope, if you miss out on one player you find another, the way we deal with transfers is shocking, we spend all summer chasing deals that are essentially not going to happen, we should go in bid what we're willing to offer and if it doesn't happen quickly move onto our next target.

[Bumble]

i wonder when Real will start sniffing around Ramsey to link up with Bale. As it seems evident that our performances tailed off when he was out injured and now he is back the results are picking up again.

[I am invisible]

Looks like Benzema-to-Arsenal season has started early this year in the gossip columns - apparently Real need to generate funds to buy Suarez, blah, blah, blah, zzzz... zzz... zzz...

One interesting question being posed over the last couple of days though: if Fabregas was available this summer (Barca fans really don't want him, by the looks of it), would you bring him back, or would you view it as a total waste of our time and money, given the other areas we need to strengthen?

[Bumble]

Looks like Benzema-to-Arsenal season has started early this year in the gossip columns - apparently Real need to generate funds to buy Suarez, blah, blah, blah, zzzz... zzz... zzz...

One interesting question being posed over the last couple of days though: if Fabregas was available this summer (Barca fans really don't want him, by the looks of it), would you bring him back, or would you view it as a total waste of our time and money, given the other areas we need to strengthen?

the fabregas question might only be answered if barca's transfer embargo is reversed. otherwise not much we can do. if we brought fabregas back it would be to play him further forward, we already have quite alot of central midfielders so perhaps turn him into the new bergkamp as he does get a few goals at barca.

for a striker option welbeck... he aint great but works hard and has pace and perhaps with regular games up front could improve significantly. we need pace in the side and he would provide it. we dont need a world class striker, just one who works well in the team and gives us something a bit pacey.

[GP]

Welbeck :lol:

[Heisenberg]

Does the transfer ban work both ways then?

If Cesc were available, I'd say go for it. There is always room for disgusting scrotes in our midfield.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZovQocCC0c

:bow:

[Power n Glory]

Forget Welbeck. We need end product. We might as well have kept Gervinho if need pace. Cheaper too.

Would love to have Cesc back but it's never going to happen. We have a lot of CM's but none are as good as Cesc. Paired alongside Ramsey....I don't even want to think about it.

Suarez won't leave Liverpool for Real next season. Why rock the boat when you have CL football and a title? He's the main man in Liverpool. His role would be reduced playing for Real.

[Özim]

Wellbeck no thanks, we don't need another striker that does all things but score goals.

Cesc won't happen, Barca can't even buy anyone at the moment.

[Marc Overmars]

Always said I'd like Cesc back if he became available but midfield is not the biggest priority.

Get some proper wingers and strikers in before we do anything else.

[Power n Glory]

Always said I'd like Cesc back if he became available but midfield is not the biggest priority.

Get some proper wingers and strikers in before we do anything else.

Yeah, that should be our main priority along with a DM.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'd have Cesc back any day.....Lord knows it would give us even more depth in midfield but as stated, he is not the priority and as I understand Barca have screwed themselves both ways anyway.

Welbeck I actually like but I agree that he doesn't score enough goals and isn't good enough for a starting role here, though his all round play is impressive.

[Munchies]

The Arsenal manager has decided he will stay on at Arsenal, and is planning a new era for the Gunners with big summer signings
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-contract-arsenal-manager-3447976

John Cross says we got £70m to spend again (each year :lol: )

And we're going to go after CLEVERLEY :haha:

Wenger is also keeping tabs on Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley who is a target for Everton this summer but his future is now unclear with a new manager set to come in at Old Trafford.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Even excusing the fact that he's meant to be a bit shit, Cleverly is the last type of player we need. We've got too many of them already!

[Özil's Panoramic View]

John Cross needs to f**k off, tbh.

That said:

Cleverly. :haha:

70 mil :haha:

You'd think they'd have retired that figure by now.

Spending spree. :bow:

ST renewal time upon us I reckon.

[fakeyank]

Cleverley!!! :haha:

70m Warchest :haha:

Arsenal :rose:

[hobson's choice]

There won't be any strategy behind the signings, they'll just be born out of opportunity and convenience as usual.

Amen

[Globalgunner]

If Wenger signs Tom Cleverly. I will go into 12 years hibernation. Emerge after its been proved that there are aliens among us and NQ is from Mars.

Hasnt this man learnt anything?. United cast offs are always crap.

[Marc Overmars]

So that's Welbeck and Cleverley mentioned on this thread now.

Dear god.

[I am invisible]

We don't even get linked with anyone interesting any more, even when you can make up whatever the hell you want... *sigh*

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bl-1IYdIMAAkZF_.jpg

[Dein-machine]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bl-1IYdIMAAkZF_.jpg

Was that picture taken from the entrance hall of his house?

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

So that's Welbeck and Cleverley mentioned on this thread now.

Dear god.
There would be something satisfying taking them [relatively] on the cheap and making them into decent players/banging the goals in a la Sturridge.

[Dein-machine]

There would be something satisfying taking them [relatively] on the cheap and making them into decent players/banging the goals in a la Sturridge.

Satisfying but in the case of these 2 impossible - we have enough problems on our plate trying to teach Giroud & Sonogo how to control a ball.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Looks like Benzema-to-Arsenal season has started early this year in the gossip columns - apparently Real need to generate funds to buy Suarez, blah, blah, blah, zzzz... zzz... zzz...

One interesting question being posed over the last couple of days though: if Fabregas was available this summer (Barca fans really don't want him, by the looks of it), would you bring him back, or would you view it as a total waste of our time and money, given the other areas we need to strengthen?

I love how lazy Journalism is when it comes to transfer specculation, you don't need to have any proof or evidence of what your claiming.

[Bumble]

we have are yearly £70m warchest and been linked with manzudkic the bayern guy who just reminds of giroud...

[I am invisible]

We always have a £70m warchest - I want a £140m warchest to not spend for once!

[Niall_Quinn]

I love how lazy Journalism is when it comes to transfer specculation, you don't need to have any proof or evidence of what your claiming.

To be fair, John Cross is always wrong about everything.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Amen

I think you may be misunderstanding the intention of 'amen'. :d

70 million is feasible, but whether or not we will spend it is another thing. I don't seriously think we can be interested in Cleverley and I'd much prefer Lallana.

[dazthegooner]

Just read on the BBC gossip page that Barca are going to offer £30m for Ozil lol.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Other gossip:

Podolski may be off - I fuckin hope not.

Sagna says there's no chance of him stayin and he might be off to utd or citeh - hmm

We are set to battle citeh to sign Iker Casillas - wtf for? Waste of money if true.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

[QUOTE=Heisenberg;390013]Does the transfer ban work both ways then?

If Cesc were available, I'd say go for it. There is always room for disgusting scrotes in our midfield.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZovQocCC0c

Why are the barca fans booing Cesc? I don't usually follow Arsenal players once they've left us. Alex Song?? Anyone? Hleb anyone, he's younger than rosicky no? Not sure I'd waste too much of our budget getting Cesc back though we most probably have first refusal on him. wouldn't spend more than 20million either…think his hamstrings probably won't last too long :)

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Some of our summer targets should focus a bit more on current premier league players in my opinion …we hardly ever buy from within our league. We should also sign a few of Southamptons scouts and maybe their youth team coaches because they are obviously doing something bloody right down there. Llallana (A Ramsey type midfielder) Shaw (Excellent left back) we have always done alright out of signing players from them..shame we said no to Walcott-Bale double swoop!
Realistic targets that will help us add depth from within the prem…

Goal keeper competition: Vorm, Begovic, Boruc
Centre Back possibilities: Jagielka, Caulker, Williams,
Left/right backs: Maybe a bit more limited to find good ones in the premiership... Luke Shaw, I'd take but off to chelsea.
Midfielders: Llallana would add depth when injuries strike AGAIN, Barkley would be a little unrealistic perhaps, I'd take Kagawa form Man Utd (they never utilised him properly), I'd put a cheeky bid in for Michu too and play him more as a striker…think people have forgotten about him this season due to his injuries (10million bid ;)
Forwards: We need a big name here …from outside prem….And I think we should have at least 3 good options up front. Keep Giroud as back up or tactical starter and add one or more of the following for depth... Lukaku (prob never gonna happen ;) Benteke, Remy, Dzeko, Jove tic

Signings from outside the league..any or all of:
Draxler
Mangala
Jackson Martinez
Pogba

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Cesc would be the perfect replacement for Arteta. A deep lying playmaker next to Flamini/a top top DM.

But let's be honest, Barca aren't going to sell.

[I am invisible]

Apparently Bercelona's transfer ban has been suspended while the matter goes to appeal, so that could make life interesting this summer? If it's still likely that they'll lose the appeal, then they may have to get enough business done this summer to cover themselves for the next year or two, while the opportunity is there!

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Yeah exactly so they're hardly going to sell Cesc are they.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Our main priority has to be a striker this summer, no exceptions.
Then defence, then wingers.

No need to waste money in goal.

[Niall_Quinn]

Some stupid rumour going around that Ozil goes one way and Cesc comes here.

Erm, no thanks. Would have both, but not either/ or.

[selassie]

So that's Welbeck and Cleverley mentioned on this thread now.

Dear god.

We've been quite strongly linked with Smalling too! :o

Sad thing is we would probably do business like this even though we are loaded now.

[I am invisible]

Yeah exactly so they're hardly going to sell Cesc are they.

Well you never know - this could be the last transfer window they'll have until January 2016, and they may be trying to get a crazy amount of business done while the opportunity is there? I can see there being a lot of ins and outs there this summer...

[I am invisible]

Our main priority has to be a striker this summer, no exceptions.
Then defence, then wingers.

No need to waste money in goal.

We might have to waste money in goal, with Fanianski out of contract, and Viviano's loan ending - can't go through the season with one keeper (well... most clubs wouldn't go through the season with one keeper, anyway)...

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

This is Wenger. We'll go through a season with one keeper.

[Özim]

We've been quite strongly linked with Smalling too! :o

Sad thing is we would probably do business like this even though we are loaded now.

Smalling, Wellbeck and Cleverley, reminds me of when we signed the geriatric.

[Niall_Quinn]

Just remember, the media tends to be the worst informed when it comes to these things. That's because they don't do their research and instead prefer to rape rent boys and suck off farm animals.

[milla]

Some stupid rumour going around that Ozil goes one way and Cesc comes here.

Erm, no thanks. Would have both, but not either/ or.

If Cesc comes home, he will take the central no 10 role. Ozil has to make do with wide role on the right or left. :coffee:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Think of how many players we were linked to last season in comparison with who we actually signed. The media generally don't have a clue.

[Munchies]

Seems Sagna is off :wave:

Being linked with Aurier, a right back from Toulouse

[I am invisible]

Think of how many players we were linked to last season in comparison with who we actually signed. The media generally don't have a clue.
Unfortunately, the media don't need to have a clue - when it comes to football rumours and gossip, Arsenal fans are the softest touch in town, and they know it. We simultaneously seem to be willing to believe the best and worst about our club at any given moment, so they can toss any old crazy shit out there and they know they'll get a win...

[Marc Overmars]

Unfortunately, the media don't need to have a clue - when it comes to football rumours and gossip, Arsenal fans are the softest touch in town, and they know it. We simultaneously seem to be willing to believe the best and worst about our club at any given moment, so they can toss any old crazy shit out there and they know they'll get a win...

It's because we're the most starved of all the top clubs of decent signings!

[I am invisible]

It's because we're the most starved of all the top clubs of decent signings!
Yup. It's a pretty easy formula for them really - chuck out some story that we all desperately want to be true, and then, when nothing happens, get a second story out of the inevitable backlash from the disappointment.

Or just link us with someone really shit from a hated rival - that's always good for days of indignant outrage.

[Özim]

It's because we're the most starved of all the top clubs of decent signings!

Sometimes spending money isn't the answer.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Think of how many players we were linked to last season in comparison with who we actually signed. The media generally don't have a clue.
I think someone looked into the BBC Gossip column specifically and of the ones that weren't already dealing in fact it was about 18% which turned out to have any sort of truth in them.

Unsurprisingly I think it was the Mail and Sun that did the worst.

But as I don't have a source this was all pretty pointless.

[I am invisible]

Seems Sagna is off :wave:

Being linked with Aurier, a right back from Toulouse
Can't see Fabianski or Vermaelen staying either, and we were already a CB short to begin with! What are the chances of us signing 3 defenders and a keeper this summer?

[Niall_Quinn]

Can't see Fabianski or Vermaelen staying either, and we were already a CB short to begin with! What are the chances of us signing 3 defenders and a keeper this summer?

17.6%

[Injury Time]

Can't see Fabianski or Vermaelen staying either, and we were already a CB short to begin with! What are the chances of us signing 3 defenders and a keeper this summer?

2%

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

So at the last count the potential departures or signed, sealed but yet to be delivered are;

Emiliano Viviano bonvoyageo
Flappy
Sagna
Vermaelen
Podolski
Bendtner
Giroud

....and that is before we even start to actually reinforce what we now have, buy the fabled centre forward, wide attacker, DCM, or back up centre back. We must have a lot of fuhking money to spend this summer.

[Globalgunner]

Of that lot I would only fight to keep Podolski...the rest are infinitely replaceable. Sagna I love but I can see why he would want to leave.