Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit

[Munchies]

:lol: What a fuckin idiot.

No wonder Bould chinned him.

Lol just searched that now. Didn't chin him, but he apparently 'grabbed him by his throat'

Bould :bow:

[I am invisible]

I think they still owe us for Song as well :lol:

No refunds!

In the words of Mickey the Pikey, Youboughtitasyousawit...

[GP]

In the words of Mickey the Pikey, Youboughtitasyousawit...

Whydafoookdoiwantacaravanthatsgotnofookinwheels?

[I am invisible]

We you start referring to clubs we sell to as 'marks'...

[Munchies]

£5m more than Lallana
£2m more than Fellaini

We have to get him, he'd massively improve Chelsea/City.

RAWK are going mad at getting Lallana now :haha:


I don't know how you can dispute that Fabregas is on another level compared to Lallana. It's not because it sounds more special, it's because it would actually be more special.

Fabregas is world class, Lallana is not.

[Munchies]

redcafe everyone:




If there's a situation where both United and Arsenal bid for him and Cesc has to chose where he wants to go i'm sure he would chose us. Our squad is much better than Arsenal's bar a midfielder or two. With some additions we will be back to the CL and on the top of the table in no time with him on the ship. Meanwhile Arsenal will still be sitting at 4th with Arsene.



http://www.redcafe.net/threads/cesc-f%C3%A1bregas.389689/page-35

:haha:

[I am invisible]

Dear oh dear... to be fair there's actually some reasonable United posters on there, but all of them seem blissfully unaware of the fact that we have first refusal, and a 50% sell-on clause, which pretty much means that any sale to another club would only be worth about half of what it would be worth to Barca if they sold to us. And it may even be worth next to nothing for them to sell to anyone else, if they still owe us money from when we sold to them?

Then there's the fact that his girlfriend and daughter are based in London, his connection with Wenger, his old team mates, the club, the fans, etc.

But none of that matters because apparently he must be itching to link up with van Persie again - by all accounts, one of the most abrasive, obnoxious, a-holes of a team mate that anyone could wish for, and someone who's clashed with anyone and everyone he's worked with at club and international level...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I've still not heard a conceivable reason why on God's green earth Barca would want to sell Fabregas. Is this the way to celebrate circumventing your transfer embargo?

Are we really going to sign a midfielder every time we intend/need a top forward!? :d

[I am invisible]

Who knows why Barca or Real do anything mate? Pandering to masses again I would guess, or trying to clear the way for this summer's flavour-of-the-month signing? I've heard Yaya Toure might fancy a move.

Isn't the lifting of their transfer embargo only a temporary stay of execution while they appeal?

[GP]

Worth pointing out he's also on Puma's books?

Probably not.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Who knows why Barca or Real do anything mate? Pandering to masses again I would guess, or trying to clear the way for this summer's flavour-of-the-month signing? I've heard Yaya Toure might fancy a move.

Isn't the lifting of their transfer embargo only a temporary stay of execution while they appeal?

They usually do whatever they do without selling their best players. I know Real sold Ozil, but they got fair dollar for him!

Ok don't mention the Eto'o Ibra deal, you've got me there!! Also if Fabregas' buyout is 30 million, why did Manure get nowhere with their 35 million offer?

Their transfer autonomy is quite possibly temporary, so you'd think they would be even less likely to use the time selling Fabrgeas.

[I am invisible]

...Their transfer autonomy is quite possibly temporary, so you'd think they would be even less likely to use the time selling Fabrgeas.

Well maybe not? If they've suddenly found themselves with this brief window of opportunity that they weren't expecting to have, then they may be frantically scrambling around, trying to get 2 seasons worth of signings and sales done in one go, while the chance is there?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

It's not like they're running a business there mate...! :d

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

£5m more than Lallana
£2m more than Fellaini

We have to get him, he'd massively improve Chelsea/City.

RAWK are going mad at getting Lallana now :haha:
And like 4x more in wages than Lallana.

And he probably wouldn't want to come to us anyway. It's a pretty pointless comparison for RAWK to get themselves in a tizzy over.

[fakeyank]

HAVE TO GET FABREGAS!!!! Sell Arteta... in fact, lets pay someone to take Arteta!

Remy.. YES to that too.

[Marc Overmars]

Time to bring Cesc home.

I know he's not exactly what we need but I don't want him to play for another Prem club.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I know it'd be sickening to see Cesc at another English team especially if ends up linking with that Dutch Skunk in Manchester but we need to be sensible here. We shouldn't spunk our money and resources (wages) on someone we don't really need purely out of sentimental reasons or because we're worried about him lighting it up at a rival. If we sorted out our own squad by filling it up with the requisite quality in a balanced way then there's no need to be so fearful of the competition.

Moreover, we need to focus on the areas we actually need to strengthen first and foremost such as:

1) Striker
2) Pacy LW (Greizzman :pray:)
3) DM (Bender :pray:)
4) RB
5) Backup CB
6) Backup GK

[Grebbo]

I really hope we get Fab even though part of me thinks it'll be a mistake. 'Never go back' and all that. But...

1. He was the best midfielder in the Prem
2. Wilshere hasn't progressed and is constantly injured. That Barca game of his is a distant memory now. He's still a good player but he's not the player that we all thought he'd be. There's still time of course but Fab is the finished article.
3. Ramsey's amazing but also has injury problems.
4. Cazorla and Ozil were very inconsistent last season.
5. Perfect replacement for Arteta seeing as Wenger is not going to sign an out-and-out DM.
6. You can't have too many good players.
7. Premiership proven.


I'd say he's an absolute must get based on the above.

You then have the romantic reasons.... remember that 16 yr old lad running around Highbury who went on to be our captain and best player? Do you really want to see him play for another Premiership team? We've gone through this so much with Adewhorebag, Nasri, Clichy now Sagna. RVP dumped us too. Cesc cried when he left us for Barca, I feel he loves the club unlike those other turncoats, I'd love to see him back here.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I really hope we get Fab even though part of me thinks it'll be a mistake. 'Never go back' and all that. But...

1. He was the best midfielder in the Prem
2. Wilshere hasn't progressed and is constantly injured. That Barca game of his is a distant memory now. He's still a good player but he's not the player that we all thought he'd be. There's still time of course but Fab is the finished article.
3. Ramsey's amazing but also has injury problems.
4. Cazorla and Ozil were very inconsistent last season.
5. Perfect replacement for Arteta seeing as Wenger is not going to sign an out-and-out DM.
6. You can't have too many good players.
7. Premiership proven.


I'd say he's an absolute must get based on the above.

You then have the romantic reasons.... remember that 16 yr old lad running around Highbury who went on to be our captain and best player? Do you really want to see him play for another Premiership team? We've gone through this so much with Adewhorebag, Nasri, Clichy now Sagna. RVP dumped us too. Cesc cried when he left us for Barca, I feel he loves the club unlike those other turncoats, I'd love to see him back here.

The reason why Santi didn't have as good of a season for us this year was that he was shoved out wide in the LW position which he simply isn't really that effective in. If Cesc comes in, it's going to end up in Wenger continuing to play Santi there or even forcing Ozil or Cesc there which isn't there position. Playing AM's in wide forward position's doesn't work!

1) 100% agree

2) We said the same thing about Ramsey a couple of seasons ago. Wenger's confident that'll he come good and he's a master at these predictions. I trust his judgement here.

3) I'd disagree with that statement. It's not small constant niggly injuries like the types that Diaby, Wilshere and even Theo always get. His main layoff was as a result of being assaulted by a thug at Stoke and he's only had one injury this season which was a result of Wenger playing him despite being in the red :doh: and then rushing him back when he wasn't ready which aggravated it.

4) It was Ozil's first season and Carzola was played out of position (see above). Plus the balance of the midfield was wrong which didn't help them shine; signing Cesc will only worsen that.

5) ehhh? I hope to god he isn't that naive not to have a defensively minded player in there. We've already been buttfucked by the big teams on the counter this season, we don't really need a repeat of that next season.

6) Definitely agree with that but the critical thing is having the right balance of players. Signing Cesc will strengthen an area we're already strong in and if that comes at the expense of other more critical areas then it becomes a problem.

7) Definitely agree.


Don't get me wrong I'd fucking love Cesc here as long as it doesn't end up in Wenger not strengthening the in the areas we need it strengthening in and for midfield that includes LW and DM. But I feel for Cesc comes back, the club would need to sell Santi to balance the squad and considering he's just signed a new deal, I can't see that occuring. I wouldn't mind that happening though because as much as I love Santi, Cesc is the better player.

[Grebbo]

Oh and one more thing.... Cesc never loses possession. We haven't had a player like that since Cesc!

You just give him the ball and he keeps it. That's why our game has gone downhill, because we struggle to keep the ball especially against the big teams.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I agree with Em Gallactico for the most part. Anyone who doesn't want to see Ozil play wide should think twice about whether they actually want it to happen.

He's world class though so if it did happen, which I still don't really see, I'd be delighted.

I do think signing a competent reserve GK and 3rd/4th choice CB should be a formality and not take up too much of the budget.

[fakeyank]

Whenever I have seen games live, Cesc easily stands out as the best player I have ever seen- including the opposition here too. That man knows his entire playing field and his passes are from another planet. I would love us to get rid of Arteta and have him play the Xabi Alonso role. Cesc, Ramsey and Ozil in the middle is pure orgasm worthy.. although, I am perfectly fine if Ozil is benched and Santi is played there.

[Power n Glory]

I agree with Em Gallactico for the most part. Anyone who doesn't want to see Ozil play wide should think twice about whether they actually want it to happen.

He's world class though so if it did happen, which I still don't really see, I'd be delighted.

I do think signing a competent reserve GK and 3rd/4th choice CB should be a formality and not take up too much of the budget.

Ozil drifts into wide areas anyway. He has too many quiet and anonymous games so I'm not worried about him being pushed wide. It may force him to dribble a bit more.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Perhaps but I do think there is a difference between players who have a tendency to move into positions as an option and players who must start in that position. I think as a starting point, Ozil like many others, needs the full scope of the pitch in view when he receives it to be at his best.

People are vehemently opposed to Cazorla playing left so it would probably be even worse with Ozil. It just so happens Cazorla didn't have his best season this year which is totally explained by being positioned on the left as he played there plenty of times in his first season.

[Power n Glory]

Perhaps but I do think there is a difference between players who have a tendency to move into positions as an option and players who must start in that position. I think as a starting point, Ozil like many others, needs the full scope of the pitch in view when he receives it to be at his best.

People are vehemently opposed to Cazorla playing left so it would probably be even worse with Ozil. It just so happens Cazorla didn't have his best season this year which is totally explained by being positioned on the left as he played there plenty of times in his first season.

Starting positions are important and having the freedom to drift doesn't always get the best out of a player or liberate them. I feel the same way about Theo and Pod playing out wide rather than in the centre. You're right about Cazorla and i feel he's better in the middle. In Ozil's case, I think we need to simplify his role. Get him running at defenders and using his trickery. Focus his role more because right now he's looking a little lost on a massive pitch. I'd like to see how he does from wide at least because I'm not impressed with what I've seen so far.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I meant isn't totally explained by being out on the left! Doh... I'm one of the few that is happy to see him there.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think Ozil just struggled to fully come to terms with his new playing environment and the changes in personnel around him didn't help, with the loss of Theo, Ramsey and the at times immobile Giroud. I think that is all it is really and he will be markedly better next year.

[I am invisible]

I don't really get this downer everyone seems to be on with Wilshere? He's not had the best season by his standards, but is that really that surprising? I think he spent longer out injured than Ramsey in the end, and the team he's come back into is completely different to the one he was in before we lost him (the rest of our midfield and attack at the time was Fabregas, Song, Nasri, Walcott and van Persie, and only Walcott, who's been injured himself most of the season, is still here out of that lot).

I also don't know where this idea has come from that the game against Barcelona was a one-off? Wasn't he voted our player of the season, and the PFA young player of the year that season? I certainly remember him being one of our best and most consistent performers that year. I just don't get why there's so little faith him in (especially after what we've seen with Ramsey this year)? Honestly, I think I see more optimism about Diaby at times?!

[I am invisible]

If the aim is to have two quality players in every position, then could we not be rotating Fabregas with Ramsey in CM, if we brought him back, and then rotate Özil with Cazorla in front of them, behind the striker? I kind of like having Özil or Cazorla in that position - the fact that they can both operate down either flank means that they can cover our wide attackers and wingers when they cut into the centre, and if you have CMs like Ramsey and Fabregas behind them who like to look forward, then it becomes quite a fluid, flexible system...

[I am invisible]

If any of the stories we've seen are to be believed, then there's some potentially amazing deals to be done this summer...

Remy - 8-10m is a bargain

Griezmann - 30m buy out clause, less the 12m we're asking for to write-off the clause we have on Vela, so that could go down to 18m (or just Vela for 4m)

Fabregas - 30m, less what Barca still owe us for selling him to them in the first place, less what they still owe us for Song, so that could end up being something like 15-18m as well!

(We could possibly get those 3 deals done for about what we paid for Özil last summer)

Aurier - 7-8m, which is also very reasonable

Williams - 3m (ok, he's not everyone's cup of tea, but that's a decent price for experienced, PL-ready cover)

...so that's 5 positions strengthened for about 57m (or less, depending on whether we're talking £s or €s), leaving us with roughly half our reported 100m budget to get a striker, a backup GK, and maybe a DM (although I don't think that's critical just yet)?

(Also, imagine if we went out and got Fabregas, Griezmann and Remy sorted straight away - all of a sudden the club becomes a lot easier to sell to a top striker, as they'd have Fabregas, Özil, Cazorla, Ramsey, Griezmann, Remy, Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski, Wilshere and Rosicky around them, with only Giroud as direct competition!)

[Munchies]

Telegraph reporting that we're not going to move for Cesc

Think he's off to City then

[Heisenberg]

The prospect of Cesc playing in another English team's kit is repulsive :sick:

[Injury Time]

The prospect of Cesc playing in another English team's kit is repulsive :sick:

As we watch him being bundled by Clichy, Sagna and Nasri as they win back-to-back titles :barfarama: :sick:

[RomfordPele]

Telegraph reporting that we're not going to move for Cesc

Think he's off to City then

Are season ticket renewals in yet?

Great, it's time to get the excuses ready for why the world class talent didn't arrive...

[GP]

I really want us to buy Fabregas.

[Gooner23]

I really want us to buy Fabregas.

If it stops another English team getting him, absolutely.

[Xhaka Can’t]

As much as it would be galling to see Fabregas back in the EPL wearing someone else's colours (and no doubt lifting trophies) we really need to concern ourselves with utilising our resources in a way that are most needed in a practical rather than emotional sense for our team.

I'd love to see him back, but not at the expense of the team moving forward.

[Slacker]

As we watch him being bundled by Clichy, Sagna and Nasri as they win back-to-back titles :barfarama: :sick:

on the last day of the season at the Grove after preventing us getting our 4th place trophy...

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

The people that say no to Cesc are the same people who complain that we have no players fit when people like Jack 'Glass Ankles' Wilshere and co are out injured.

And let's not forget, the most important aspect, which is that it would finally end the career of Average Arteta at Arsenal. Cue people saying 'Cesc isn't a DM'. Well neither is Arteta. Cesc shits on Arteta in every department so it's an instant upgrade.

[Marc Overmars]

NY Red Bulls are apparently set to sign Lampard and David Villa. :blink:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

NY Red Bulls are apparently set to sign Lampard and David Villa. :blink:

New York City FC.

Man City's franchise.

[Munchies]

New York City FC.

Man City's franchise.

Atleast it'll raise the MLS profile over there.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

To be honest this is a great argument.....and can fall either way.....by bringing back Cesc, a player in a position we already have strength in, do we risk again not strengthening other areas? Or do we bring in a 40+ striker?

I hear everyone's voice, to see him in another shirt would be sickening and I hope we do bring him in.....not because of that but because we will have a rotation in the midfield that would be up there with the best.

Now if we are to believe that we have 100 million to spend ( which we never will but....) Cesc in for 30 would leave us 70....
I believe Remy for the price is a non brainer! I think that would still leave enough to cover other areas....I saw Lar Benders brother, Sven, linked with us for around 15...add a RB and GK cover (isn't Craig Gordon back in the world of the living, worth picking up?!)

Lots of names, prices and slightly optimistic but Cesc brings goals, experience, and would add a big boost

[fakeyank]

To be honest this is a great argument.....and can fall either way.....by bringing back Cesc, a player in a position we already have strength in, do we risk again not strengthening other areas? Or do we bring in a 40+ striker?

I hear everyone's voice, to see him in another shirt would be sickening and I hope we do bring him in.....not because of that but because we will have a rotation in the midfield that would be up there with the best.

Now if we are to believe that we have 100 million to spend ( which we never will but....) Cesc in for 30 would leave us 70....
I believe Remy for the price is a non brainer! I think that would still leave enough to cover other areas....I saw Lar Benders brother, Sven, linked with us for around 15...add a RB and GK cover (isn't Craig Gordon back in the world of the living, worth picking up?!)

Lots of names, prices and slightly optimistic but Cesc brings goals, experience, and would add a big boost

:gp:

Getting Cesc would be cheaper for us, due to his remaining payments and also Song's payments. We could get him close to 20 million! That is a no brainer for a truly World Class player at 27! On current form, he will start alongside Santi, Ramsey and Ozil. Jack is good but just because Jack is 'improving' doesnt mean we let go off an exceptional opportunity like this. Rozza, Arteta and Flamini are just back up fillers. In fact, Arteta shouldnt be anywhere close to the first team... make it happen Arsene!

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

We lead the table for the amount of injuries in the premier league in the past 7 seasons.

Stockpiling on midfielders should never be dismissed.

100% go for Cesc.

[Injury Time]

Are season ticket renewals in yet?

Great, it's time to get the excuses ready for why the world class talent didn't arrive...
Yes deadline was today, paid mine earlier in the week :skint:

[Munchies]

Some 'ITK' insiders on twitter say that the move to City is done.
https://twitter.com/lucasammr


What I was told: - Cesc to City is done. - Does not mean Aguero or Yaya will come to FCB as part of the deal.



Arsenal turn down opportunity to re-sign Fabregas. [Daily Mail]

--
Hope not <_<

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I don't really get this downer everyone seems to be on with Wilshere? He's not had the best season by his standards, but is that really that surprising? I think he spent longer out injured than Ramsey in the end, and the team he's come back into is completely different to the one he was in before we lost him (the rest of our midfield and attack at the time was Fabregas, Song, Nasri, Walcott and van Persie, and only Walcott, who's been injured himself most of the season, is still here out of that lot).

I also don't know where this idea has come from that the game against Barcelona was a one-off? Wasn't he voted our player of the season, and the PFA young player of the year that season? I certainly remember him being one of our best and most consistent performers that year. I just don't get why there's so little faith him in (especially after what we've seen with Ramsey this year)? Honestly, I think I see more optimism about Diaby at times?!

Totally agree.


If the aim is to have two quality players in every position, then could we not be rotating Fabregas with Ramsey in CM, if we brought him back, and then rotate Özil with Cazorla in front of them, behind the striker? I kind of like having Özil or Cazorla in that position - the fact that they can both operate down either flank means that they can cover our wide attackers and wingers when they cut into the centre, and if you have CMs like Ramsey and Fabregas behind them who like to look forward, then it becomes quite a fluid, flexible system...

The main issue I perceive (if you can call it an 'issue' at all) is that Cesc and Ramsey are too good to not play in most games. That means ideally, they would both be on the field at the same time. That then means somebody plays alongside Ramsey in the 2 ahead of the back 4 which I guess would be Arteta and then Cesc would play in front.

The other option is to play Cesc and Ramsey in a 2 with Ozil in front but perhaps that is just a little too attack minded.... I can't see a situation where we are rotating Ozil in and out of the team, even if only because of how much we paid for him. What I would say is that, Cesc and Ozil in the same team would turn one of them into much more of a runner depending on who is playing where.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If I had to play chump manager (which I hate but love to do) then I would want something like.

Stekelenburg
Lescott
Aurier
Martinez/M'Vila
Draxler/Reus
and ideally a forward....Benteke, Bony.....somebody with a decent all round game, good age, not going to cost the earth and likely to score 15-20+ league goals given the games whilst Draxler is covertly learning how to be an all conquering, dragon slaying, fire and brimstone Centre Forward.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Some 'ITK' insiders on twitter say that the move to City is done.
https://twitter.com/lucasammr



Arsenal turn down opportunity to re-sign Fabregas. [Daily Mail]

--
Hope not <_<

:lol: Load of rubbish.

No deal has been done for Cesc yet.

[Munchies]

Yeah these twitter 'ITKs' are always full of shit most of the time.

Daily Mail and Telegraph say that City aren't going to move for him.

Between Liverpool, United and us if we decide to move for him.

[Niall_Quinn]

The buy back clause is nowhere near as strong as people are making out. What it really means is we get first option if the player requests a transfer and a bid comes in. According to reports the buy back cost is £35mill. If we pay that and there are no higher bids he's ours. But if there are higher bids the clause is blown out of the water unless we match it. The gypos would bid that without thinking and then add £10 mill on top without pausing to rape their sister. Oh so okay, maybe raping their sister would be too big a temptation and they'd do that first (second and third), but they could still outbid us during the cigarette lull. They'd also easily pay any outstanding amounts on the original fee. Remember, the dirty arab scum who have hijacked the club have stolen the wealth of an oil nation, money is irrelevant. They'd also be able to offer him a much higher salary. We are very much in second place if the sand dwelling filth decides to take an interest.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://twitter.com/lucasammr

Who is this guy? Just some cunt with an Internet connection. If it turns out he has any connections beyond that I'll season and devour my own tool.

[Niall_Quinn]

Didn't realise Bender was twins. No shit, Lars and Sven. If I'm getting this right, Lars already told us to fuck off, but his injured brother who wasn't going to make the German squad anyway is supposedly a possibility. Now it's confusing. I have seen Bender play, but which one? Two Benders and one Arse. It doesn't sound good.

[Niall_Quinn]

Apparently we've signed Remy for £4mill plus £4mill add-ons if he stays injury free for 5 minutes.

[Thierrymon]

Didn't realise Bender was twins. No shit, Lars and Sven. If I'm getting this right, Lars already told us to fuck off, but his injured brother who wasn't going to make the German squad anyway is supposedly a possibility. Now it's confusing. I have seen Bender play, but which one? Two Benders and one Arse. It doesn't sound good.

Does one of the twins have a little lip beard?

http://hollywoodhatesme.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/bender_flexo.jpg

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.squawka.com/news/sven-vs-lars-which-brother-wins-the-battle-of-the-benders/12009

[Globalgunner]

The people that say no to Cesc are the same people who complain that we have no players fit when people like Jack 'Glass Ankles' Wilshere and co are out injured.

And let's not forget, the most important aspect, which is that it would finally end the career of Average Arteta at Arsenal. Cue people saying 'Cesc isn't a DM'. Well neither is Arteta. Cesc shits on Arteta in every department so it's an instant upgrade.
Absolutely!!!!. I don't know why any sane person wouldn't want his quality back at the club. He's a better striker than Giroud and Sanogo and he's not even a striker

[hobson's choice]

I'm all for getting Cesc, but we have to ask ourselves this question, which Cesc Fabregas are we gonna get. The one we had before his head and heart got turned. Or the one who has been inconsistent since that period.

[hobson's choice]

To be honest this is a great argument.....and can fall either way.....by bringing back Cesc, a player in a position we already have strength in, do we risk again not strengthening other areas? Or do we bring in a 40+ striker?



We don't have good strength in that position, none of them have anywhere near the creative or savvy as Cesc.

[Penguin]

Guys, we don't have an unlimited budget.

I would take Cesc over Wilshere or Ramsey any day but we need a striker and a wide forward more than another CM. Those two alone could cost us £60m. Add in Aurier for £10-15m, a replacement for Vermaelen and Fabianksi and that's our budget gone. We don't even have money to buy an established DM, let alone get ANOTHER CAM.

It would only be plausible if we sold Ozil to fund it, and that aint happining. :lol:

[selassie]

Guys, we don't have an unlimited budget.

I would take Cesc over Wilshere or Ramsey any day but we need a striker and a wide forward more than another CM. Those two alone could cost us £60m. Add in Aurier for £10-15m, a replacement for Vermaelen and Fabianksi and that's our budget gone. We don't even have money to buy an established DM, let alone get ANOTHER CAM.

It would only be plausible if we sold Ozil to fund it, and that aint happining. :lol:

Yep. Cesc is undoubtedly a world class player but we literally have no room for him in the team and have other pressing issues to deal with first...like Centre Forward, DM and Sagna replacement.

I personally feel we need two new forwards. TBH I highly doubt we will get all the "necessary" business done... so Cesc should be bottom of the wishlist. If he goes to City or Liverpool so be it.

[Globalgunner]

I somehow think we have already signed our 2 forwards. Remy and rumour has it Etoo. both would cost in transfer fees less than 8m for Remy alone. (Etoo is free). Granted Etoo would be paid at least 100k pw but with Giroud Etoo, Poldi, Remy and the Postman I think we have seen all our forwards. I think I could live with that. Cesc is a must IMO. It would be a travesty for him to plays elsewhere in England not here

[Power n Glory]

Cesc is worth the hassle. His game is head and shoulders above everything we have in our current set up. We should make space. No spot should be reserved for anyone if we can make a significant improvement in an area and our midfield still needs work. Besides Ramsey, there isn’t a single player in the midfield that has made a strong enough claim to be starting next year. Cazorla was patchy and we have no idea where Wenger wants to start him. Wing or middle. Ozil only starts because of his price tag and form for previous club. Jack has fitness issues and a lot to prove. He losses the ball a lot, chases around a lot but hardly makes a tackle. Rosicky is old. Arteta is old….we have room for Cesc and what he brings to the table.

[I am invisible]

The main issue I perceive (if you can call it an 'issue' at all) is that Cesc and Ramsey are too good to not play in most games. That means ideally, they would both be on the field at the same time. That then means somebody plays alongside Ramsey in the 2 ahead of the back 4 which I guess would be Arteta and then Cesc would play in front.

The other option is to play Cesc and Ramsey in a 2 with Ozil in front but perhaps that is just a little too attack minded.... I can't see a situation where we are rotating Ozil in and out of the team, even if only because of how much we paid for him. What I would say is that, Cesc and Ozil in the same team would turn one of them into much more of a runner depending on who is playing where.

I know exactly what you mean mate, but that's also kind of the point of it - we need to get away from this way of thinking that tells us that we have to shoe-horn all of our best players into the starting XI whenever we can, and start thinking more along the lines of a modular squad that we can effectively rotate across a long season. On the face of it, it seems counter-productive to suggest that you only play someone as good as Ramsey in half your games, but if the guy coming in for him is someone as good as Fabregas then you shouldn't really feel the loss. And, of course, the pay-off is that you're making sure that those players will be as fresh as possible and on top-form whenever you do play them (and you'll also be keeping everyone happy with a fair amount of game time). Besides, as we've seen over the last few years, you only end up getting about half the game time out of your players anyway if you don't rotate them, as they inevitably start to break down through fatigue and injury, and/or start losing form as the games mount up - might as well do it out of choice, and have quality cover arranged in advance.

[Munchies]

How about:

4-1-2-1-2

----Chesney----
Aurier---Kosc--BFG---Gibbs
----- CDM ---------
--Ramsey---Cesc---
-----Ozil--------
Feo-----Striker

[Marc Overmars]

If we're going to sign Cisc it has to be the 1.0 version. The guy who would sit deep and dictate a game, that way he could feasibly replace Arteta and we'd have no selection headaches.

We don't need the 2.0 version who would join in up front and leave the midfield exposed.

[I am invisible]

The buy back clause is nowhere near as strong as people are making out. What it really means is we get first option if the player requests a transfer and a bid comes in. According to reports the buy back cost is £35mill. If we pay that and there are no higher bids he's ours. But if there are higher bids the clause is blown out of the water unless we match it. The gypos would bid that without thinking and then add £10 mill on top without pausing to rape their sister. Oh so okay, maybe raping their sister would be too big a temptation and they'd do that first (second and third), but they could still outbid us during the cigarette lull. They'd also easily pay any outstanding amounts on the original fee. Remember, the dirty arab scum who have hijacked the club have stolen the wealth of an oil nation, money is irrelevant. They'd also be able to offer him a much higher salary. We are very much in second place if the sand dwelling filth decides to take an interest.

My understanding is that the buy-back clause only entitles us to first refusal if they decide to sell, and nothing more. However, where it gets interesting is that I've heard it suggested that there may also be a sell-on clause, that would entitle us to 50% of any fee if Barca were to sell to another club? If that's true, then it would mean that any other club would have to bid over £60m for the deal to be worth more to Barcelona than a £30m bid from us. And, if they still owe us any money from the deal that took Fabregas there in the first place (and Song for that matter), then it makes our bargaining position even stronger still?

Edit: Although I should also say that I very much put Fabregas in the bonus / luxury signing bracket - if we can squeeze it in with everything else we have to do then far out, but if not then so be it...

[selassie]

Cesc is worth the hassle. His game is head and shoulders above everything we have in our current set up. We should make space. No spot should be reserved for anyone if we can make a significant improvement in an area and our midfield still needs work. Besides Ramsey, there isn’t a single player in the midfield that has made a strong enough claim to be starting next year. Cazorla was patchy and we have no idea where Wenger wants to start him. Wing or middle. Ozil only starts because of his price tag and form for previous club. Jack has fitness issues and a lot to prove. He losses the ball a lot, chases around a lot but hardly makes a tackle. Rosicky is old. Arteta is old….we have room for Cesc and what he brings to the table.

P'n'G I do agree that Cesc is an upgrade on anything we currently have in Midfield and that includes Ozil.

However...signing Cesc will most likely mean we neglect or compromise one of the other areas of the team. I.E. not sign a striker of sufficient quality or not replace Sagna.

Edited to add: If we do bring back Cesc to play second striker and move Ozil to the wings I fear we will resort back to tiki taka....and fail to utilize the likes of Theo and Ramsey correctly. Moreover moving Cesc back to CM/Deep lying playmaker would be a massive risk IMHO, it would leave our midfield lighter than it is now and without a dedicated ball winner, we don't have one a ball winner now but we would be worse off IMHO with Ramsey and Cesc. Square pegs and round holes...

[The Emirates Gallactico]

If we're going to sign Cisc it has to be the 1.0 version. The guy who would sit deep and dictate a game, that way he could feasibly replace Arteta and we'd have no selection headaches.

We don't need the 2.0 version who would join in up front and leave the midfield exposed.

If we could get that version perhaps it could just about work especially seeing as he'd be alongside Ramsey who's industrious himself and is prepared to defend and get stuck into the tackle. But honestly I'd still worry heavily about it - it's just seems sensible and sane getting someone in who specialises in the role instead of hoping that Cesc can revert to his old format.

Also, people are getting too bamboozled by the low transfer fee and like Bibbles pointed out aren't factoring in wages here. Cesc is a world class star. You're talking about 150 k per week minimum these days which'll mean he'll be on Ozil money if not higher. Unless you remove someone else of the wage bill to pay for that you're talking about a significant bite into the warchest there to budget for that which will affect other more necessary signings.





If he did come though, I hope it'd end up as:

---------------World Class Striker -------------

---Greizemann------------------------Theo----

--------------Ozil ----------Ramsey----------

---------------------Cesc-------------------

Bench: Santi, Podolski and Rosicky


As I said before though, most likely what would happen is that we wouldn't sign Greizemann or a LW and instead Santi will be forced there again.



================================================== ==========

Also, what's up with Barca always owing us money from past deals? Is this a standard operating practice from modern transfers or are they just always considerably late in paying us off? If it's the latter I hope we take them to court soon - it's disgraceful they can plunder our top stars (and Alex Song) and then delay in giving us the cash for it. If you're struggling to put money together, then stop taking our players!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Also what would happen to the captaincy situation if Cesc did return? As a past captain would he automatically be expected to get it or would it go to a more worthwhile candidate IMO like Mertesacker?


Edit - Assuming that TV5 leaves or loses the captaincy.

[Marc Overmars]

Also what would happen to the captaincy situation if Cesc did return? As a past captain would he automatically be expected to get it or would it go to a more worthwhile candidate IMO like Mertesacker?


Edit - Assuming that TV5 leaves or loses the captaincy.

Merts all day long.

Cesc was the leader of a different dressing room so shouldn't really be considered for it.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2645517/Cesc-Fabregas-England-film-advert-Arsenal-turned-chance-sign-Barcelona-star.html

Draper :haha:

Sports journo - easiest job in the world.

[Power n Glory]

P'n'G I do agree that Cesc is an upgrade on anything we currently have in Midfield and that includes Ozil.

However...signing Cesc will most likely mean we neglect or compromise one of the other areas of the team. I.E. not sign a striker of sufficient quality or not replace Sagna.

Edited to add: If we do bring back Cesc to play second striker and move Ozil to the wings I fear we will resort back to tiki taka....and fail to utilize the likes of Theo and Ramsey correctly. Moreover moving Cesc back to CM/Deep lying playmaker would be a massive risk IMHO, it would leave our midfield lighter than it is now and without a dedicated ball winner, we don't have one a ball winner now but we would be worse off IMHO with Ramsey and Cesc. Square pegs and round holes...

I hear you but if we neglect other areas like RB, keeper and striker, that’s just down to incompetence and us messing around in the window as usual. We need to be flexible and able to be quicker off the mark when doing business.

Regarding our style of play and us going back to tika taka lite….short, quick passing has always been a part of Wenger’s game. It will always be in our DNA. As the team becomes more proficient, the fluidity and passing gets better or if we’re against weaker opposition, we’ll pass them off the park. Our style looks different in certain games now because we’re struggling to pass the ball and hold possession and it’s not a part of the blueprint. We don’t have the players to pass the ball comfortably around the park and it’s why we struggled badly in the big games.

Speaking of Ozil, if he moves out wide, it may cause and issue, but it might help his game. What he’s doing in the middle isn’t all that fantastic. If Wenger restricts his role to creating space with his dribbling, final third passing and intelligent movement, he may have a more suitable role. If not, he’ll have to battle for a spot in the middle and that’s fine by me. Earn your keep. As for Ramsey, a more advanced role should harm him because he’s always buzzing around the pitch and getting into the final third with his shots and dropping back for tackles. Theo….well, I think he should be playing as a striker anyway but I don’t think he’ll be starting straight away when the new season starts because of his injury.

We’ll see what happens anyway.

[Power n Glory]

---------------World Class Striker/Theo -------------

---Cazorla/Theo------------------------Ozil/Ox----

--------------Cesc ----------Ramsey----------

---------------------Flamini-------------------

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Greizzmann scored last night for France in their 1 - 1 draw against Paraguay. Apparently he was mightily impressive and there's quite a lot of clamour for him to start over there now. :unsure:

Giroud also missed his customary chances as well. :rolleyes:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0x0ocBjKus

Been watching most of the videos uploaded by the French FA on their official channel of the French squad training and hanging out in preparation for the WC and I'm guessing because it's his first time but Greizzmann always seems quite shy and alone.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJlXGyEl7kBgQJKADAHM3A

Kosicienly and Giroud need to get in there, befriend him and start tapping him up like fuck!!! :penguin:

[Maestro]

Greizzmann scored last night for France in their 1 - 1 draw against Paraguay. Apparently he was mightily impressive and there's quite a lot of clamour for him to start over there now. :unsure:

Giroud also missed his customary chances as well. :rolleyes:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0x0ocBjKus

Been watching most of the videos uploaded by the French FA on their official channel of the French squad training and hanging out in preparation for the WC and I'm guessing because it's his first time but Greizzmann always seems quite shy and alone.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJlXGyEl7kBgQJKADAHM3A

Kosicienly and Giroud need to get in there, befriend him and start tapping him up like fuck!!! :penguin:


what is vinegar waiting for, his value to double?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Greizzmann scored last night for France in their 1 - 1 draw against Paraguay. Apparently he was mightily impressive and there's quite a lot of clamour for him to start over there now. :unsure:

Giroud also missed his customary chances as well. :rolleyes:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0x0ocBjKus

Been watching most of the videos uploaded by the French FA on their official channel of the French squad training and hanging out in preparation for the WC and I'm guessing because it's his first time but Greizzmann always seems quite shy and alone.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJlXGyEl7kBgQJKADAHM3A

Kosicienly and Giroud need to get in there, befriend him and start tapping him up like fuck!!! :penguin:

Giroud'd probably get that wrong too and start tapping his missus up.....

[Bergkampwonderland10]

If Barca are selling Cesc…and he only wants to come to England…then we have to sign him, he adds quality and it keeps him out of the clutches of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City. It would also allow us to rotate when needed. I can't see him ever signing for Chelsea or playing under Mourinho but to see him in a Man City shirt would be painful. We are definitely becoming Manchester's feeder clubs in that sense.
I have a feeling that there is something to the Balotelli rumours…and I think he's worth a gamble…hopefully at 23 he is starting to mature a little and realise what a talent he has before it's too late. I am still a fan of Draxler, so hopefully we can sign him for a sensible fee…If we can sign Begovic as a keeper and Caulker as a CB, Aurier seems to be on the cards and the talk of Lars Bender is very positive too. Hopefully we make some signings earlier rather than later.

[I am invisible]

How good exactly is Lars Bender? I've never seen the dude play, and everything I've heard from him / about him this season suggests he hasn't had the best year? What's he all about, apart from being a defensive / central midfielder?

[Munchies]

1. He has not agreed anything with Chelsea. His agent did not meet Wenger lately (havent spoken for a month)

2. Barcelona have told Cesc he has to find a team. They want the money to buy Koke. Cost: 35m euros

3. Arsenal dont want Cesc back and he has been told that already by Arsenal

4. He is being pushed out by Barcelona but will take his time to find the right club for him
https://twitter.com/GuillemBalague

:coffee:

[Munchies]

http://abload.de/img/cescnncu0.gif

[Marc Overmars]

:haha:

Cisc. :(

[selassie]

Nobody has a clue what is going on with Cesc. Balague is one not to trust, he is always wrong! I would have more faith in one of the Twitter muppets like Wayne Gooney. ;)

Oh and check out the story below...:lol:

http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Spurs-ready-stun-Arsenal-deal-30m-superstar/story-21176095-detail/story.html

[I am invisible]

Man, that's low... is retirement an option?

[selassie]

Man, that's low... is retirement an option?

:lol:

[Munchies]

Sp*rs no chance :haha:

Funny to even see them in the odds for Cesc's next team

[fakeyank]

Nobody has a clue what is going on with Cesc. Balague is one not to trust, he is always wrong! I would have more faith in one of the Twitter muppets like Wayne Gooney. ;)

Oh and check out the story below...:lol:

http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Spurs-ready-stun-Arsenal-deal-30m-superstar/story-21176095-detail/story.html

:haha: :haha: :haha:

[I am invisible]

Barcelona really are wankers, if any of this is true - makes you wonder if they even wanted Fabs back in the first place, or whether they were just doing it out of spite?

[Marc Overmars]

Barcelona really are wankers, if any of this is true - makes you wonder if they even wanted Fabs back in the first place, or whether they were just doing it out of spite?

It was spite. They believed they were taking back what was rightfully theirs. It was argued they didn't even need him but because Cesc wanted to leave it was an easy buy for them.

[Heisenberg]

They probably need him now more than they did when they actually bought him, with Xavi now 3 years older.

[Marc Overmars]

Chelsea are after Koke. :sick:

He's also wanted to replace to Cesc at Barca though.

[Power n Glory]

Nobody has a clue what is going on with Cesc. Balague is one not to trust, he is always wrong! I would have more faith in one of the Twitter muppets like Wayne Gooney. ;)

Oh and check out the story below...:lol:

http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Spurs-ready-stun-Arsenal-deal-30m-superstar/story-21176095-detail/story.html

Yeah, he's always wrong. According to him, we've agreed personal terms with Morata. We agreed terms with Mata in 2011. Last summer Higuain had agreed personal terms with us and Juve but a fee had to be agreed. Did he even mention Napoli?

He also said United had signed Herrera and the deal was done. Just waiting in a medical. Forget this clown.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Look at it this way. Buy Cesc and it takes us up another level.

We were 8 points away from winning the league. We had injury problems after christmas.

With Cesc we would have got 8 more points. And we would have won the league.

[Munchies]

:gp:

--

Dortmund sign Immobile, £16m
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpI74JZIYAAVznA.jpg

--
Well known twitter bullshitter indykaila:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpIsjRjCQAAmv3p.jpg:large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpIsjNyCcAA-QAD.jpg:large

Lol

[Ollie the Optimist]

https://twitter.com/GuillemBalague

:coffee:


I love that. Point 3 completely contradicts point 1. How can he says that Arsenal haven't spoken to him in over a month but then say two points later that Arsenal have told him they don't want him.

[Ollie the Optimist]

I can understand why some people might not want Fabregas back because of how he left but I don't understand people who say we don't need him.

If we had Fabregas last season, we wouldn't have run Ramsey and Ozil into the ground, we would have three world class options to rotate with and also, our injury curse struck and we didn't have Ozil or Ramsey at the same time, Fabregas would have been a god send. He improves not only us, but any other team so this whole notion of we don't need him, let him go somewhere else is just a bit odd.

Also, I don't buy that Arsene doesn't want him. Last year Arsene said that he would stay one more year at Barca but if Cesc was available, he would be on the case. That suggests they are still in regular contact (ok it was a year ago) but it does seem that Arsene was right, one more year. We know their relationship and why would we fight to put in first options and buy back clauses etc etc if we will just let him go to city/chelsea/united

[GP]

He'd improve us, but he's not coming back.

[Munchies]

Well he'd definitely fit in where Arteta plays right now.

But maybe the big away defeats have shown Wenger that he needs someone strong and fast in the middle.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I don't know about this really, I feel as though it would come at the expense of Ramsey's influence. The midfielder Cesc was hasn't been that guy for a very long time.

Having said that, turning down the opportunity to sign quality, quality we may not get elsewhere obviously has potential to make us look dim.

[Niall_Quinn]

Daily Mail in Made Up Shit Sensation.

Arsenal don't want to sell - tick
Ramsey doesn't want to leave - tick
Therefore, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2646168/Arsenals-Aaron-Ramsey-wanted-Barcelona-Bayern-Munich.html

[Munchies]

^ :lol:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJuEY34lIDc

:blah:

[Niall_Quinn]

These rumour merchants are all shit heads. We really need to get a rumour mill going here on GW. We could easily create a ton of shit and even though we wouldn't be paid (which for some unknown reason journalists are) it would still be fun to watch twats like John Cross and Dopey Draper lap it up and spew it out.

[GP]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpJvgZoIAAAEV1J.jpg

[McNamara That Ghost...]

These rumour merchants are all shit heads. We really need to get a rumour mill going here on GW. We could easily create a ton of shit and even though we wouldn't be paid (which for some unknown reason journalists are) it would still be fun to watch twats like John Cross and Dopey Draper lap it up and spew it out.

It's ridiculous. In the last few days the Telegraph have said we're front runners but actually no because we aren't interested but Man City are interested although they may not be so it's actually Liverpool.

Some other shitheads say Liverpool are the front runners whilst at the same time another papers says Chelsea are the front runners with Man Utd not interested but keeping a keen interest and then you have Balague contradicting what Sport in Spain say; that we're leaders in this 'race'.

[Munchies]

And now..

Barcelona have received three formal offers for midfielder Cesc Fabregas: [sport]
Manchester United 43M - Chelsea 40M - Arsenal 36M

This is going to drag on all summer isn't it ..

[selassie]

http://abload.de/img/cescnncu0.gif

:haha:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I know exactly what you mean mate, but that's also kind of the point of it - we need to get away from this way of thinking that tells us that we have to shoe-horn all of our best players into the starting XI whenever we can, and start thinking more along the lines of a modular squad that we can effectively rotate across a long season. On the face of it, it seems counter-productive to suggest that you only play someone as good as Ramsey in half your games, but if the guy coming in for him is someone as good as Fabregas then you shouldn't really feel the loss. And, of course, the pay-off is that you're making sure that those players will be as fresh as possible and on top-form whenever you do play them (and you'll also be keeping everyone happy with a fair amount of game time). Besides, as we've seen over the last few years, you only end up getting about half the game time out of your players anyway if you don't rotate them, as they inevitably start to break down through fatigue and injury, and/or start losing form as the games mount up - might as well do it out of choice, and have quality cover arranged in advance.

There's a lot to be said for rotation... and I'd understand if Fabregas and Ramsey were likely to share a relationship similar to that of Lampard-Gerrard over the years, but I actually think the product of Cesc-Rambo complimenting each other on the field is greater than the benefit of Ramsey replacing Cesc or vice versa, though I don't mind that happening from time to time when it needs to.

As it stands there are still a handful of very good players at the club who can replace the pair of them.....namely, Chamberlain, Wilshere, Rosicky and even Ozil and Cazorla which would free a place for Gnabry and Podolski.

Ramsey and Cesc would practically be the best two midfielders in the league and we would be fortunate to have such ability in 2 players that actually compliment each other. I think that whenever we dropped a point the decision not to play one of them would come into the question and probably for good reason given the capabilities of the pair. I think once one of them is in the fabled 'red zone' or showing signs of fatigue, that would be the time to give whomever that is a rest and switch it up a little.

I've heard it said a few times that Wenger will never let Cesc join another prem team but I am baffled by that. Wenger is not nearly so partisan about ex players or even current players playing for other prem teams.


How about:

4-1-2-1-2

----Chesney----
Aurier---Kosc--BFG---Gibbs
----- CDM ---------
--Ramsey---Cesc---
-----Ozil--------
Feo-----Striker

That is lovely but a little narrow perhaps....

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I can understand why some people might not want Fabregas back because of how he left but I don't understand people who say we don't need him.

If we had Fabregas last season, we wouldn't have run Ramsey and Ozil into the ground, we would have three world class options to rotate with and also, our injury curse struck and we didn't have Ozil or Ramsey at the same time, Fabregas would have been a god send. He improves not only us, but any other team so this whole notion of we don't need him, let him go somewhere else is just a bit odd.

Also, I don't buy that Arsene doesn't want him. Last year Arsene said that he would stay one more year at Barca but if Cesc was available, he would be on the case. That suggests they are still in regular contact (ok it was a year ago) but it does seem that Arsene was right, one more year. We know their relationship and why would we fight to put in first options and buy back clauses etc etc if we will just let him go to city/chelsea/united

I think the point is that a central midfielder is not the most pressing of concerns and I think that is pretty hard to argue with given the dearth of quality at Centre forward. We had a rookie who should have been out on loan lining up against possibly the best Bayern side of all time.....not to mention an impending departure at right back & cover CB, a our captain and still no stand out DM of note.

Arsene likes a lot of players and would be willing to bring them in...at a PRICE. He isn't the sort of Texas-hold em player that bluffs....... He has a price for a player....and he is seldom willing to exceed it. He will play the game, but he is often telling the truth about not exceeding the value he has for any given player.

I as much as anyone else would love Cesc back I want as far as saying that I believed Cesc to be a superior player to Ozil at the start of the season(there weren't too many agreeing then)... but I don't want us to sign a midfielder at the expense of a world class forward (I know there are hardly many around) or other positions we really need to strengthen in. That said, there's no doubt that Cesc back here is the stuff of dream but I am still sceptical about the whole thing.

Barca and Cesc have said next to nothing so far. It's all the media circus chomping at the bit so far....

[fakeyank]

SS had said yesterday that we agreed personal terms with Remy. Any updates on this? :(

Arsene, please dont make this a long shitty summer for us! :pray:

[Ralpheroo72]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2646548/Arsenal-keen-PSG-forward-Jean-Christophe-Bahebeck.html

Daily Mail I know, but bears striking similarities to the Sanogo chain of events. I hope this is just more bullshit by the DM :unsure:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/wilfried-bony-transfer-cost-arsenal-3638157

Are we really interested this guy? I used to watch a bit of Dutch football when I was in Japan and he seemed to score every week.....then he came over here and thought he would do the same kind of damage but 25 on the season is not a bad haul and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think he was first choice for swathes of the season?

He's strong, can score with both feet and head, not sure on his tech ability ie can he tippy tap! But he knows where the goal is and how to convert.

Worth a punt? 19 mil.....no doubt Wumger will have his usual underhanded valuation of him at hand but I would at least think about if.....would Big Sexy, Bony and perhaps Remy give us the fire power we crave and at the same time leave us with funds to strengthen elsewhere.....a 30+ midfielder?

[selassie]

I think the point is that a central midfielder is not the most pressing of concerns and I think that is pretty hard to argue with given the dearth of quality at Centre forward. We had a rookie who should have been out on loan lining up against possibly the best Bayern side of all time.....not to mention an impending departure at right back & cover CB, a our captain and still no stand out DM of note.

Arsene likes a lot of players and would be willing to bring them in...at a PRICE. He isn't the sort of Texas-hold em player that bluffs....... He has a price for a player....and he is seldom willing to exceed it. He will play the game, but he is often telling the truth about not exceeding the value he has for any given player.

I as much as anyone else would love Cesc back I want as far as saying that I believed Cesc to be a superior player to Ozil at the start of the season(there weren't too many agreeing then)... but I don't want us to sign a midfielder at the expense of a world class forward (I know there are hardly many around) or other positions we really need to strengthen in. That said, there's no doubt that Cesc back here is the stuff of dream but I am still sceptical about the whole thing.

Barca and Cesc have said next to nothing so far. It's all the media circus chomping at the bit so far....

:gp:

[I am invisible]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/wilfried-bony-transfer-cost-arsenal-3638157

Are we really interested this guy? I used to watch a bit of Dutch football when I was in Japan and he seemed to score every week.....then he came over here and thought he would do the same kind of damage but 25 on the season is not a bad haul and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think he was first choice for swathes of the season?

He's strong, can score with both feet and head, not sure on his tech ability ie can he tippy tap! But he knows where the goal is and how to convert.

Worth a punt? 19 mil.....no doubt Wumger will have his usual underhanded valuation of him at hand but I would at least think about if.....would Big Sexy, Bony and perhaps Remy give us the fire power we crave and at the same time leave us with funds to strengthen elsewhere.....a 30+ midfielder?

I'd go as far as to say it's not even that much of a punt at that price? It's certainly a lot less than I would have expected to pay for a proven, 25-goal-a-season, PL striker - normally you're looking at a £25-30m price tag straight away when trying to pry a player like that away from another English club?

Not sure how he'd handle the tippy-tappy stuff, but I'm also not sure it really matters so much with CFs - by the time the ball reaches them at the business end, you're pretty much looking for someone who can either finish, or who can hold it up under pressure and play others in, and he looks well capable of both those things. I'm not sure his final ball would be quite as deft and creative as Giroud's is at times, but I don't think we'd lose much of the best bits from Giroud's game either - I think we'd be getting a player who could still bring others into the atatck on a regular basis, whilst adding more pace and mobility, and some sharper finishing on one-on-ones. If we're focusing on attributes rather than names, then he ticks a lot of boxes.

[GP]

I'd be happy with My Little Bony.

Prefer him to Remy.

[AFC Leveller]

According to Guillem Ballague, We have not shown any interest in Cesc, Barcelona DO want to sell and have informed the player and City and Chelsea are interested.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJuEY34lIDc#t=114

[I am invisible]

I'd be happy with My Little Bony.

Prefer him to Remy.
We'd have to come up with a better song for him than that!

Would definitely prefer Bony to Remy as a CF, but why not get Remy too as competition for Walcott? We could probably get both players for about what spuds paid for Goaldado...

[GP]

Sure, why not?

We definitely need more depth.

[I am invisible]

AC apparently inviting bids for Balotelli - £20m or £30m, depending on who you read.

He's a bit of a nut job, but I'd be really tempted at £20m! For £30m though? He'd still be a serious option, but I'd have to see what else I could do with £30m first...

[Marc Overmars]

I really would love to see Wenger manage Balotelli.

Must get.

[selassie]

I'd even take him at 30million. IMO Wenger would develop him into a bonafide World Class Striker. Balotelli has massive upside.

He comes with baggage but I wouldn't say he is a trouble maker, he's just very eccentric.

I personally believe he's worth the risk.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Sure, why not?

We definitely need more depth.

Both would be good....bit of noise about Mario flying around. The thought of him at Arsenal scares the shit out of me....(are we capable of putting up with his mood swings etc!)

Saying that the thought of him at Arsenal probably scares the shot out of PL defences too....reckon he would love to take it to Citeh!

[Power n Glory]

I think the point is that a central midfielder is not the most pressing of concerns and I think that is pretty hard to argue with given the dearth of quality at Centre forward. We had a rookie who should have been out on loan lining up against possibly the best Bayern side of all time.....not to mention an impending departure at right back & cover CB, a our captain and still no stand out DM of note.

Arsene likes a lot of players and would be willing to bring them in...at a PRICE. He isn't the sort of Texas-hold em player that bluffs....... He has a price for a player....and he is seldom willing to exceed it. He will play the game, but he is often telling the truth about not exceeding the value he has for any given player.

I as much as anyone else would love Cesc back I want as far as saying that I believed Cesc to be a superior player to Ozil at the start of the season(there weren't too many agreeing then)... but I don't want us to sign a midfielder at the expense of a world class forward (I know there are hardly many around) or other positions we really need to strengthen in. That said, there's no doubt that Cesc back here is the stuff of dream but I am still sceptical about the whole thing.

Barca and Cesc have said next to nothing so far. It's all the media circus chomping at the bit so far....

It doesn’t look like there are many world class strikers around which is why I think we should sign Cesc. I can’t see Wenger tabling a bid for Cavani or any striker rated around the £50m, so I think it’s more likely we’ll go for someone like Bony or Remy. If that’s the case, we should be looking to add to our midfield because I’m far from convinced by what was on display last season. The final third passing was disappointing and I worry about the sort of service our new striker will receive. True, we need players to make more runs behind defenders but there should also be an understanding between our creative players and strikers regarding movement.

Our creative players should be signalling where they want the striker and hitting the ball into space anticipating the run. If it doesn’t pull off the first time, at least Giroud knows the type of ball that will be played and what they’re capable of. Instead, it’s Giroud that’s anticipating the runs of our players and trying to sneak in a pass with his flicks when someone like Ramsey or Wilshere make late runs into the box.

Giroud isn’t the most mobile of strikers but he can move when he wants to and I recall smart and intelligent movement when he first arrived. Now it seems as though everyone is looking for him to be our creative outlet. Cazorla and Ozil should be willing him on to make runs into space and building that trust so he knows they’ll deliver the ball he wants. Cesc was great at that and we need that back in the team. Cazorla and Ozil didn’t do enough to demonstrate their superior vision. It didn’t help Giroud and they just kept feeding him short passes so he’d attempt another flick on. If we don’t buy Cesc, we’ll need more players to really step there game up so our forward players aren’t feeding off scraps.

[I am invisible]

I really would love to see Wenger manage Balotelli.

Must get.

I actually have a sneaky feeling that Wenger is exactly what Balotelli needs? The general opinion seems to be that he wouldn't be able to tame him, but the way I see it, Balotelli has worked under strict disciplinarians for most of his career so far, and it hasn't done a damn thing to calm him down, so maybe he'll respond better to the the mentor / father figure approach? Someone who he feels is treating him more like an adult instead of a naughty child (even if that's how he acts)...

[AFC Leveller]

Having Cesc in your midfield is a huge plus no matetr who else you have in there. He has the highest number of assists in the last 2 season in la liga....despite being in a team with the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Messi etc.

Cesc, Ozil, Ramsey, Theo and Ox/Cazorla/Remy/Pod would be an incredible midfield.

[Power n Glory]

I actually have a sneaky feeling that Wenger is exactly what Balotelli needs? The general opinion seems to be that he wouldn't be able to tame him, but the way I see it, Balotelli has worked under strict disciplinarians for most of his career so far, and it hasn't done a damn thing to calm him down, so maybe he'll respond better to the the mentor / father figure approach? Someone who he feels is treating him more like an adult instead of a naughty child (even if that's how he acts)...

:gp:

A different approach could work. It's enough of a challenge for Wenger as well.

[selassie]

:gp:

A different approach could work. It's enough of a challenge for Wenger as well.

Yep, agree with ya both.

[Munchies]

ON THIS DAY: Manchester United announced they had agreed a fee with Cardiff to sign Aaron Ramsey. (3rd June, 2008)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpMv9gdIUAAcSZa.jpg

[I am invisible]

:gp:

A different approach could work. It's enough of a challenge for Wenger as well.

He'd certainly have his work cut out, although I see a few parallels with van Persie here, who was also a bit of a hot head in his early years, so he does have a bit of experience in this area? I just have a feeling that Balotelli is one of those troublesome players who would actually respond well to being given a bit of trust and responsibility - you know what footballers are like with their need for "respect"...

[Grebbo]

Not sure what everyone's seeing in Balotelli tbh. He doesn't have enough talent to justify all of the shit we'll have to put up with.

I'd rather have a cheaper striker eg Remy and buy Cesc. Cesc just needs someone with a bit of pace up front and he'll feed him all day long.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpNBckrCUAEwn-c.png

Phew!

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

why are we after fabregas?....i've honestly not seen him play that well for Barcelona in the three years since he joined he would cost more than what we sold him for and plays in a position that we don't need cover for.

The only reason we'd get him is in a swap deal where we sell Ozil to Barcelona, personally i'd rather keep the Brundlefly i know for all you metrosexuals with man crushes on Fabregas, the goggle eyed one doesn't compare to him in a competition of masculine beauty but the brass tacks are that when we have someone like Giroud playing up front, Fabregas will look pretty damned ordinary in midfield.

[Power n Glory]

Read this morning that Ozil was booed off again for Germany. Not sure how accurate the reports are but I certainly wouldn't rule out signing Fabregas based on Ozil's most recent performances.

[Munchies]

Read this morning that Ozil was booed off again for Germany. Not sure how accurate the reports are but I certainly wouldn't rule out signing Fabregas based on Ozil's most recent performances.

I didn't watch the game, but apparently he missed a sitter and played pretty shit. Joachim Low had to defend him after the game :coffee:

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpIn9CkCAAETWeY.jpg

Agent Cazorla ?

[Dein-machine]

why are we after fabregas?....i've honestly not seen him play that well for Barcelona in the three years since he joined he would cost more than what we sold him for and plays in a position that we don't need cover for.

The only reason we'd get him is in a swap deal where we sell Ozil to Barcelona, personally i'd rather keep the Brundlefly i know for all you metrosexuals with man crushes on Fabregas, the goggle eyed one doesn't compare to him in a competition of masculine beauty but the brass tacks are that when we have someone like Giroud playing up front, Fabregas will look pretty damned ordinary in midfield.

Exactly, Girouds lack of pace & ability can make anyone look bad. How about get Fabregas & a proper striker - problem solved.

[Dein-machine]

I didn't watch the game, but apparently he missed a sitter and played pretty shit. Joachim Low had to defend him after the game :coffee:

Wumger's ruined him.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Not sure what everyone's seeing in Balotelli tbh. He doesn't have enough talent to justify all of the shit we'll have to put up with.

I'd rather have a cheaper striker eg Remy and buy Cesc. Cesc just needs someone with a bit of pace up front and he'll feed him all day long.

I think the idea that Wenger is the type of manager he has been missing all along is a little flawed. To my mind, he is just as likely to give us the run around and get away with it because Wenger is a soft touch on his players. I think he has mellowed a little in general though....since going back to Italy.

That said, I don't really believe his ability is in question and on that alone he is a great acquisition.

[Özim]

Balotelli is a troubled character but make no mistake he has superstar talent and is a matchwinner, if someone can somehow harness his talent he'll be one of the best players in the world.

Is he worth the risk, players like him always are.

[Xhaka Can’t]

If Balotelli can't sort his shit out under Wenger - then he never will.

[GP]

Wenger :doh:

[Xhaka Can’t]

I love Wenger so much that I bought one of his rucksacks.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

No way Balotelli.

He:

1. is too confrontational
2. too divisive
3. has major behavioural problems
4. as a lone front man? No no no
5. will upset the harmony in the dressing room, which we've finally got right

He's the last person you need when you are battling in the trenches trying to dig out results.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

If Balotelli can't sort his shit out under Wenger - then he never will.

He couldn't sort his shit out under his mentor/second father, Mancini. He certainly won't for anyone else. He's just a nutcase. Stay well clear.

[Gooner23]

He couldn't sort his shit out under his mentor/second father, Mancini. He certainly won't for anyone else. He's just a nutcase. Stay well clear.

And his 'natural talent' is horrendously over rated!

[Xhaka Can’t]

Yeah, I wouldn't risk it - but I reckon Wenger would be his best bet.

But still....no thanks.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He couldn't sort his shit out under his mentor/second father, Mancini. He certainly won't for anyone else. He's just a nutcase. Stay well clear.

Mancini's father-son like relationship with Mario is a thing that is often forgotten or conveniently ignored.

He will click when he has matured enough and is ready to fulfil his potential more than as a result of being with the 'right' manager, imo.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He couldn't sort his shit out under his mentor/second father, Mancini. He certainly won't for anyone else. He's just a nutcase. Stay well clear.


Mancini's father-son like relationship with Mario is a thing that is often forgotten or conveniently ignored.

He will click when he has matured enough and is ready to fulfil his potential more than as a result of being with the 'right' manager, imo.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Mancini is a self absorbed cocksucker who can't manage to win while racing his ferrari against a mondeo and when all his self delusion crumbles all around him, he lashes out at everyone and everything.

About as good a father figure as Josef Fritzl.

[Munchies]

Brede Hangeland was released by Fulham, by email :lol:

Wenger signing ? We were linked with him alot a few years back. He's really slow now though.

[Niall_Quinn]

Mancini is a self absorbed cocksucker who can't manage to win while racing his ferrari against a mondeo and when all his self delusion crumbles all around him, he lashes out at everyone and everything.

About as good a father figure as Josef Fritzl.

All he need is more playa, then he is great manager.

[Marc Overmars]

He's the last person you need when you are battling in the trenches trying to dig out results.

If it wasn't for his work there would have been no 'Aguerrooooooooooooo' moment tbf.

[Munchies]

Arsenal have signed new fitness coach Shad Forsythe from the German national team.

Best signing of the summer ? Let's see :popcorn:

[Xhaka Can’t]

Arsenal have signed new fitness coach Shad Forsythe from the German national team.

Best signing of the summer ? Let's see :popcorn:

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120629225900/uncyclopedia/images/c/cf/Lugash.jpg

[AFC Leveller]

according to Graham Hunter (Spanish Footy expert) Barcelona and Chelsea have agreed a fee for Cesc.

[I am invisible]

Brede Hangeland was released by Fulham, by email :lol:

Wenger signing ? We were linked with him alot a few years back. He's really slow now though.

Getting on a bit now, but wouldn't be a bad occasional stand-in for Mertesacker in the short-term? Might buy us a bit of time to take a proper look at central defence next summer...

[I am invisible]

I think the idea that Wenger is the type of manager he has been missing all along is a little flawed. To my mind, he is just as likely to give us the run around and get away with it because Wenger is a soft touch on his players. I think he has mellowed a little in general though....since going back to Italy.

That said, I don't really believe his ability is in question and on that alone he is a great acquisition.

Yeah, of course mate - it's equally likely that it could all blow up in our faces, and that Balotelli is just a nut-job, that no one is ever going to be able to tame. All I'm saying is that the strict discipline approach has been tried for many years, and by many different top coaches, and has pretty much done nothing, so maybe a change in tact might get better results? No one should be under any illusions that it's not a risk though.

I suppose the two things we would have in our advantage are, a) at 23, he may be at an age where he's just naturally ready to calm down a bit anyway, and b) after being moved on by Inter, Man City, and AC in fairly quick succession, he must be starting to think that he can't afford another high-profile rejection on his CV, and that this might be last-chance saloon for him, if he really wants to be regarded as one of the world's best at the top level (or, if not him, then you'd hope that his representatives are at least starting to see the warning signs)? I know he'll probably always be good enough for some decent side to take a punt on him, but I'm not too sure the very best sides will look twice at him if he fucks up again...

[I am invisible]

Arsenal have signed new fitness coach Shad Forsythe from the German national team.

Best signing of the summer ? Let's see :popcorn:

Oooh, now that sounds promising!

[Grebbo]

according to Graham Hunter (Spanish Footy expert) Barcelona and Chelsea have agreed a fee for Cesc.

That bald bastard knows nothing.

[Power n Glory]

Mancini is a self absorbed cocksucker who can't manage to win while racing his ferrari against a mondeo and when all his self delusion crumbles all around him, he lashes out at everyone and everything.

About as good a father figure as Josef Fritzl.

:gp:

It's a bad example. Seedorf has the best advice which is why I think Wenger's style of management would be a better fit.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2014/04/28/4780994/its-better-to-leave-balotelli-alone-seedorf

[Penguin]

No way Balotelli.

He:

1. is too confrontational
2. too divisive
3. has major behavioural problems
4. as a lone front man? No no no
5. will upset the harmony in the dressing room, which we've finally got right

He's the last person you need when you are battling in the trenches trying to dig out results.

:gp:

He's also far too inconsistent to be relied on as your main striker. Even if he wasn't a childish, mentally deranged cunt it would be a gamble if he was the only striker we signed.

[Flavs]

Balotelli :lol:

Brede Hangeland is released by Fulham...Surely worth a punt as a 3rd/4th choice centre half? Big, hard, very experienced, calm, isnt Vermaelen...

[Flavs]

And his 'natural talent' is horrendously over rated!

I don't think it is personally, I think when he is in the mood on the pitch he is almost undefendable, big, metal, strong, fast, tricky, mental and mental

Although he must be on big, big money and there is no way would we pay that for him

[I am invisible]

Balotelli :lol:

Brede Hangeland is released by Fulham...Surely worth a punt as a 3rd/4th choice centre half? Big, hard, very experienced, calm, isnt Vermaelen...

Vermaelen and Hangeland - the poor man's Koscielny and Mertesacker!

[Penguin]

Balotelli :lol:

Brede Hangeland is released by Fulham...Surely worth a punt as a 3rd/4th choice centre half? Big, hard, very experienced, calm, isnt Vermaelen...

Why was he released?! :unsure:

He would definitely be a good signing on a free transfer.

[I am invisible]

Why was he released?! :unsure:

He would definitely be a good signing on a free transfer.

Probably because they got relegated and they want him off the wage bill - best solution for all parties...

[Flavs]

Fulham have binned off most of their senior pro's tbh. Heitinga, sidwell, Karagounis, Diarra, Hangeland Arne Riise have all gone. They have also agreed to sell Bryan Ruiz and Berbatoz as well.

and the 5 loanee's they had have all gone back

Holtby :pal:

[Munchies]

http://abload.de/img/specialtheongyy44.gif

[Munchies]

Spain striker Diego Costa has passed a medical at Chelsea ahead of a proposed £32m transfer from Atletico Madrid.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

First....,welcome back Flavs

Second......Skysports reporting that Costa has passed Chelsea medical.....not too worried about that but what's going on.....? FairPlay kicks in and teams like PSG and Chavs stick give it the bird! Costa must cost 40-50?

Must mean that they can't go for Cesc.....?

[Munchies]

Well they're selling David Luiz for ~£40m

Torres may leave for ~£15m too

I just read that Costa is getting £16m per year, £185,000 per week.

:faint:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Spain striker Diego Costa has passed a medical at Chelsea ahead of a proposed £32m transfer from Atletico Madrid.

Sorry didn't see this and obviously got price wrong....32? Where were we? Wages going to
Be silly right?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Well they're selling David Luiz for ~£40m

Torres may leave for ~£15m too

Fair point....balances things out.....still PSG are doing what they want....anything in their bins for us perhaps?

[fakeyank]

Spain striker Diego Costa has passed a medical at Chelsea ahead of a proposed £32m transfer from Atletico Madrid.

What??? They are not in the waiting period?

[Munchies]

That's on BBC's front page, so its more or less done now.

He could be as good as Drogba for them. Hopefully he flops.

[Munchies]

Former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos is set to join Aston Villa, pending a medical. (Daily Mail)

That's Villa relegated then.

Bet on it :coffee:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Here we go again......
http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/04/arsenal-make-transfer-offer-for-psg-winger-kingsley-coman-4750415/

[Letters]

What??? They are not in the waiting period?
They're in the infinite money cheat yet still specialists in failure period.

[Özim]

Good to see we're doing our business nice and early again so we can have everyone ready for pre-season.

[Özim]

Here we go again......
http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/04/arsenal-make-transfer-offer-for-psg-winger-kingsley-coman-4750415/

Don't mind this if he's quality, if he's dogshite like Sanogo though then :fury:

[Xhaka Can’t]

I really hope we aren't waiting until (if) we qualify for the CL group stages.

[Letters]

Sanogo is pretty young, I think it's a bit early to completely write him off just yet.
Doesn't look that promising though, it has to be said. :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Here we go again......
http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/04/arsenal-make-transfer-offer-for-psg-winger-kingsley-coman-4750415/

Who?

Fuck off, don't need him. Proper signings only please.

[selassie]

I really hope we aren't waiting until (if) we qualify for the CL group stages.

Most likely...I can't see this summer being any different to any other. We'll put in a few opportunist bids but will probably scramble around at the end of the window doing most of our business and I don't think it will be pretty.

[Power n Glory]

Don't mind this if he's quality, if he's dogshite like Sanogo though then :fury:

What's the odds on him being ready for first team football? It's our usual opportunist, bargin hunt move and he'll probably end up like the countless other youth players that failed to make a name for themselves. No thanks! It's a low risk, throwaway gamble. Just recall Campbell, develop Ryo or give Eisfield his shot. And what's happened to Wellington Silva? Tired of the rotating door we have with these cheap players. When we're willing to invest serious money like we did with Ramsey, Walcott and Ox, we work hard to develop that player. These free agents and cheap signings are throwaway players.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Agreed, I don't even want to hear about these crap punts that don't come off. The fact that we've been giving debuts to garbage like Yeah Yeah Stillnogoals against the likes of Bayern show we need major quality signings to bolster what is a reasonably solid base.

If we go cheap this Summer, the Club will instantly send any feelgood factor we have into intensive care with no hope of recovery.

[Munchies]

Video: Pique caught on mic telling Del Bosque "Cesc told me it's a done deal. He's off already. 33 millions, he said"

Vid: http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20140604/pique-somos-candidatos-pero-unicos-favoritos/948450.shtml

Wow. Please don't go to Chelsea.

[Munchies]

Courtois

Azpilicueta Cahill Terry Luis

Fabregas Matic

Willian Oscar Hazard

Costa​

Pretty strong team

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Wilshere and Chambo limp off injured. But we don't need Cesc :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

Cisc at Chelsea is just sick.

[RomfordPele]

It's okay Wenger going to wheel out Kalou in response...

That'll learn 'em.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wilshere and Chambo limp off injured. But we don't need Cesc :haha:

What happens when Cesc gets injured, buy somebody else?

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Yes.

[kas]

Wilshere and Chambo limp off injured. But we don't need Cesc :haha:

Don't worry Wenger will order a 'Root & Branch' investigation (taken him 8/9 years) into our injury prone players.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yes.

Ah good, we'll be doing a lot of buying then.

[Xhaka Can’t]

You've got to admit that it is difficult to see what should be a strong midfield in tact for any decent stretch of the season, particularly down the stretch for as long asit contains Ox, Rambo and Wheelchair.

It is understandable why some are calling out for Cesc. But if we aren't interested in signing him, we can hardly yap about where he ends up no matter how sickening his choice may be.

Another magical transfer window.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sure but I think buying players for the only reason being in case players getting injured is shortsighted. If we're not buying him to see where he actually fits in then I'd rather we didn't bother.

[Munchies]

He's being offered £200,000 per week.

Spanish media say Chelsea have signed him.

Fuck sake.

[Özim]

Sure but I think buying players for the only reason being in case players getting injured is shortsighted. If we're not buying him to see where he actually fits in then I'd rather we didn't bother.

What we should be doing is calling it a day with some of these players who always seems to be injured (Wilshere and co), passing them on to someone else and then replacing them with players with a much better injury record.

If we don't we're going to run into the same problem next season we always run into, crippling injuries.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I'm beginning to think he will fit in if only because there will be places available. He does not get injured much, and as talented as the players I mentioned are - add Theo into the mix, they are next to useless if we can't place some reliance on their availability.

We aren't talking about buying a player in case of injuries - these guys WILL be injured. A lot.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

How about a concept called adding quality depth to an injury prone squad?

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

I'm beginning to think he will fit in if only because there will be places available. He does not get injured much, and as talented as the players I mentioned are - add Theo into the mix, they are next to useless if we can't place some reliance on their availability.

We aren't talking about buying a player in case of injuries - these guys WILL be injured. A lot.

:gp:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

What we should be doing is calling it a day with some of these players who always seems to be injured (Wilshere and co), passing them on to someone else and then replacing them with players with a much better injury record.

If we don't we're going to run into the same problem next season we always run into, crippling injuries.

Buying Cesc means we don't have to rely on players like Kim Fucking Kallstrom.

No brainer.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I'm beginning to think he will fit in if only because there will be places available. He does not get injured much, and as talented as the players I mentioned are - add Theo into the mix, they are next to useless if we can't place some reliance on their availability.

We aren't talking about buying a player in case of injuries - these guys WILL be injured. A lot.

Well I remember Cesc's hamstrings going quite frequently for us!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

How about a concept called adding quality depth to an injury prone squad?

I'd rather we didn't have an injury prone squad firstly. It can still be achieved anyway, I'm just not sure Cesc is the midfielder I want for that to be achieved, certainly not just because others get injured anyway.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

One of the best attacking midfielders in the world. Stats right up there in La Liga over the past 2 seasons.

£26m.

No brainer.

[Munchies]

If we passed up on Cesc, we must be planning a big summer of spending...

Won't be surprised if we get Fakin-No-Wan again :coffee:

The Spanish source that says Cesc is going Chelsea is pretty big aswell. Seems like it's done.

[Munchies]

In a perfect world.. (if we didn't sign him)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpUTWfcIIAA7Sde.jpg

[GP]

If Cesc goes to Chelsea I'll punch Letters in the face.

[GP]

and balls

[Munchies]

Feel sick man.

Same player I made a highlight vid for on Windows Media player 10 years ago, for a school IT project.

Didn't mind too much when he went back to Barca.

:crying:

Playing for Chelsea ? Fucking cunts.

[Power n Glory]

Sure but I think buying players for the only reason being in case players getting injured is shortsighted. If we're not buying him to see where he actually fits in then I'd rather we didn't bother.

He fits in. Ramsey is the only of that core midfield trio that should be a dead cert to start if fit. The rest were average and there should be competition for places.

[milla]

If Cesc goes to Chelsea I'll punch Letters in the face.

Quoted :coffee:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

You could probably hit Letters' face and balls in one punch as they're close together #midget

[Munchies]

Anyways, fuck off Cesc.

Turning down Cesc, we'd expect big things from this transfer window, but I wouldn't count on it too much.

[Gooner23]

Ox to have a scan on knee tomorrow, it didn't look great on TV when his knee buckled. Why always our players!

[Munchies]

You could probably hit Letters' face and balls in one punch as they're close together #midget

:lol:

[Munchies]

Ox to have a scan on knee tomorrow, it didn't look great on TV when his knee buckled. Why always our players!

It's going to have a big effect on him if he gets injured again, he clearly has the talent but he's too fragile

[Xhaka Can’t]

Gutted for him.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He fits in. Ramsey is the only of that core midfield trio that should be a dead cert to start if fit. The rest were average and there should be competition for places.

I don't know, I feel as though the player Ramsey has become (or maybe still is to come) would be lessened by having a similar dominant player in Cesc next to him.

[selassie]

It's okay Wenger going to wheel out Kalou in response...

That'll learn 'em.

:lol:

[Power n Glory]

I don't know, I feel as though the player Ramsey has become (or maybe still is to come) would be lessened by having a similar dominant player in Cesc next to him.

If Wilshere or Ozil were on form and playing alongside Ramsey, why wouldn't it be a similar issue? Why can't we have two influential midfield players when other clubs manage to do it? Xavi and Iniesta....Real Madrid with Alonso and Modric or Isco....we can't rely on Ramsey all season.

[Munchies]

Exactly, when the fixtures piled up, the team faded with having to keep up with the fixtures.

It'll happen again next season too. If you have quality options from the bench to rotate, you'll be fine though.

We need a minimum of 6 players this summer, just to cover for the departures.


@SkyFootball : Ivan Gazidis says Arsenal are in talks with transfer targets - and is "confident" of adding to the squad this summer.

:yawn:

[KSE Comedy Club]

I thought Cesc was a bit of a cunt when he left, the way he clearly engineered the move back to Barca, but I forgave him for leaving the country and playing elsewhere at least.

But joining Chelsea???

Man....now he really will be a cunt.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Mancini is a self absorbed cocksucker who can't manage to win while racing his ferrari against a mondeo and when all his self delusion crumbles all around him, he lashes out at everyone and everything.

About as good a father figure as Josef Fritzl.


:gp:

It's a bad example. Seedorf has the best advice which is why I think Wenger's style of management would be a better fit.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2014/04/28/4780994/its-better-to-leave-balotelli-alone-seedorf

Mancini may suck cock and you may not rate him as a manager, but the father-son relationship was a sentiment that there is evidence they both shared. Both were quoted on saying as much, so regardless what we think of it, there is truth in it.

That Mancini had many ego's to deal with or that Balotelli couldn't be tamed by his biological pop, his step pop, his footballing pop, girl pop or his ganja rolling pop is another issue entirely.

On a side issue... Are we really calling Cesc a cunt for not turning down every team we hate, which is half the prem and various teams across the globe though more passively. I suspect we just like to call people a cunt a little too much in this playground.

But yes of course I'll be sickened if it is true. Though I do think people are naive for thinking there were absolutely no circumstances in which Wenger would pass up signing Cesc should he become surplus to requirements. That is putting it mildly.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If Wilshere or Ozil were on form and playing alongside Ramsey, why wouldn't it be a similar issue? Why can't we have two influential midfield players when other clubs manage to do it? Xavi and Iniesta....Real Madrid with Alonso and Modric or Isco....we can't rely on Ramsey all season.

Xavi and Iniesta have two different styles, that's the point. Same for Modric and Xabi Alonso; you can't include Isco, after a promising start, Real Madrid changed formation and ultimately hasn't really suited him.

I don't know why doubting Cesc should be the player bought seems to indicate that means nobody should be bought. To me, for Cesc to really thrive, he has to be the main hub of the team. You cite Xavi and Iniesta readily but then why has it been deemed unsuccessful with Cesc involved in that midfield too?

[fakeyank]

@SkyFootball : Ivan Gazidis says Arsenal are in talks with transfer targets - and is "confident" of adding to the squad this summer.

:yawn:

:lol:

Season ticket renewal time.. :pal:

[Grebbo]

I thought Cesc was a bit of a cunt when he left, the way he clearly engineered the move back to Barca, but I forgave him for leaving the country and playing elsewhere at least.

But joining Chelsea???

Man....now he really will be a cunt.

But if he wants to play in England and we don't want to sign him then what should he do?

I think it's very silly if we let him join Chelsea. Our midfielders are constantly injured and none of them are as good as Cesc - except Ramsey 2013/14.

I really don't know why we wouldn't sign him. The whole 'don't need him' argument is nonsense for the reasons explained above.

[Power n Glory]

Xavi and Iniesta have two different styles, that's the point. Same for Modric and Xabi Alonso; you can't include Isco, after a promising start, Real Madrid changed formation and ultimately hasn't really suited him.

I don't know why doubting Cesc should be the player bought seems to indicate that means nobody should be bought. To me, for Cesc to really thrive, he has to be the main hub of the team. You cite Xavi and Iniesta readily but then why has it been deemed unsuccessful with Cesc involved in that midfield too?

Cesc and Ramsey have two different styles. We used to play games with Ramsey, Wilshere and Arteta in the middle. Or Ramsey and Rosicky. How can you say Cesc isn't fit when we play such combinations already?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I don't say he won't fit, I only doubt that he would. I see Cesc and the new Ramsey as both players that would attempt to dominate all aspects of midfield play, I don't see the same kind of play from Wilshere, Arteta and Rosicky - I don't think that's how they play.

[KSE Comedy Club]

But if he wants to play in England and we don't want to sign him then what should he do?

I think it's very silly if we let him join Chelsea. Our midfielders are constantly injured and none of them are as good as Cesc - except Ramsey 2013/14.

I really don't know why we wouldn't sign him. The whole 'don't need him' argument is nonsense for the reasons explained above.
Play for reading, or derby???? :shrug:

:lol:

I would just hate to see him play for anyone else but us.
However, it's more a failure of the club to not take up the clause and resign him.

He's not really a cunt, that was just me messin.

He'd just be a wanker instead.

[Power n Glory]

I don't say he won't fit, I only doubt that he would. I see Cesc and the new Ramsey as both players that would attempt to dominate all aspects of midfield play, I don't see the same kind of play from Wilshere, Arteta and Rosicky - I don't think that's how they play.

Wilshere doesn't have the ability to dominate the midfield at the moment but that's the sort of player he'd be if he fulfils his potential. Rosicky in his pomp was that player but we still managed to find a way to play him and Cesc. Arteta probably dreams of being that type of player. :lol:

So what about Cazorla in the middle with Ramsey or if Ozil finally gets his game together? Wouldn’t they present the same issue your suggesting? Ramsey is a good player but he’s no pass master and can’t dictate the flow of the game with his passing. We were trounced by the big teams and it’s partly down to sloppy possession in the midfield and then getting hit on the break. Even in the FA Cup final we struggled to get going and not a single player in the midfield could dominate the opposition. Ramsey is good but he’s not that influential in terms of our passing and possession. He’s great off the ball with defence and attack, has a huge engine, gets beyond defensive lines….I think he’d form a great partnership with Cesc. Cesc would be smart enough to load Ramsey with the supply he needs.

[Power n Glory]

Mancini may suck cock and you may not rate him as a manager, but the father-son relationship was a sentiment that there is evidence they both shared. Both were quoted on saying as much, so regardless what we think of it, there is truth in it.

That Mancini had many ego's to deal with or that Balotelli couldn't be tamed by his biological pop, his step pop, his footballing pop, girl pop or his ganja rolling pop is another issue entirely.

On a side issue... Are we really calling Cesc a cunt for not turning down every team we hate, which is half the prem and various teams across the globe though more passively. I suspect we just like to call people a cunt a little too much in this playground.

But yes of course I'll be sickened if it is true. Though I do think people are naive for thinking there were absolutely no circumstances in which Wenger would pass up signing Cesc should he become surplus to requirements. That is putting it mildly.

A father and son relationship doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get on like the Brady Bunch. It may just mean, when they clash, it won’t be taken personally and things can get emotional. We’ll see if Wenger is willing to take the risk on Balotelli, but it might just be crazy enough to work. I’m not saying it isn’t a risk but Wenger may be the type of manager to deal with him. He’s got a good record when it comes to that and rarely has public bust ups with his players unlike Mancini and Mourinho.

Regarding Cesc, I hope he doesn’t move to another Prem club other than Arsenal but he’s not a ‘cunt’ if he does.

[I am invisible]

Agree about the Wilshere / Rosicky comparison - I've always thought that was the kind of player that Wenger was trying to get out of him. Where I probably differ with Wenger's thinking though is that I've always regarded both players' best position as being deeper, rather than further forward? For me, they're both at their best when they're in the thick of it, and have the game in front of them, robbing the ball off opponents, starting attacks quickly while they're on the back foot, and the best bits of play I see from them is when they're robbing opponents and quickly turning defense into attack while they're unprepared - to paraphrase Wenger, they're accelerators of the play. Which isn't to say that both players aren't capable of playing further forward, because they can both do a very good gob there - I just don't think they're quite as calculated and relentless as someone like an Ozil (at his best) or a Fabregas in their ability to pull off through ball after through ball? Those guys I would class as midfield schemers, whereas Rosicky and Wilshere seem to be a little more all-action, and their creative play looks more instinctive and improvised rather than planned, if that makes sense?

On a related note, if we don't get around to sorting the defensive midfield out this sumemr, or can't get the player we really want in that area, how would people feel about maybe using Rosicky as an option in the Arteta role?

[I am invisible]

Not sure how I feel about Cesc going to Chelsea? On the one hand it will be sickening to see him wearing that shit-bag kit of theirs, and working with some of the most despicable cunts in the game, but on the other, if he's effectively being kicked out by Barcelona, and we haven't made any efforts to sign him, then you can't really blame him for taking the best offer he can get? He's got to play somewhere...

[selassie]

I didn't take the Cesc to Chelsea rumours seriously at first but the rumour is everywhere now.

I have got to say I am very surprised about the possibility of Cesc joining Chelsea and working for Mourinho. Doesn't come across as a Mourinho type player to me and I am not sure how they will fit him and Oscar into their team but who knows....

[I am invisible]

I didn't take the Cesc to Chelsea rumours seriously at first but the rumour is everywhere now.

I have got to say I am very surprised about the possibility of Cesc joining Chelsea and working for Mourinho. Doesn't come across as a Mourinho type player to me and I am not sure how they will fit him and Oscar into their team but who knows....

Well a lot of Arsenal fans were seeing him playing in Arteta's role, so maybe Chelsea are thinking along the same lines?

If they're planning on playing him in behind the striker though, then it does seem a bit weird? Why go to all the hassle of getting rid of Mata just to bring in Fabregas in?

[Power n Glory]

Agree about the Wilshere / Rosicky comparison - I've always thought that was the kind of player that Wenger was trying to get out of him. Where I probably differ with Wenger's thinking though is that I've always regarded both players' best position as being deeper, rather than further forward? For me, they're both at their best when they're in the thick of it, and have the game in front of them, robbing the ball off opponents, starting attacks quickly while they're on the back foot, and the best bits of play I see from them is when they're robbing opponents and quickly turning defense into attack while they're unprepared - to paraphrase Wenger, they're accelerators of the play. Which isn't to say that both players aren't capable of playing further forward, because they can both do a very good gob there - I just don't think they're quite as calculated and relentless as someone like an Ozil (at his best) or a Fabregas in their ability to pull off through ball after through ball? Those guys I would class as midfield schemers, whereas Rosicky and Wilshere seem to be a little more all-action, and their creative play looks more instinctive and improvised rather than planned, if that makes sense?

On a related note, if we don't get around to sorting the defensive midfield out this sumemr, or can't get the player we really want in that area, how would people feel about maybe using Rosicky as an option in the Arteta role?

The way Wenger plays a three man midfield has always frustrated me. When we signed Rosicky, I thought we’d finally play 4-3-3 with both Cesc and Rosicky in the midfield. Instead we stuck with 4-4-2/4-5-1 and switched to a 4-3-3 much later. I preferred to see Rosicky in the middle but that never happened. That was disappointing because I think they’d have been a dangerous duo. But Rosicky was injured a lot and Wenger did find a role for Hleb in the middle behind the striker during the 4-5-1 days.

When we finally switched to 4-3-3, Wenger decided to push Cesc further up the field and trusted Song and trash bag Denilson to set things up behind him. I could never understand why we had garbage like Denilson playing when we had talent like Nasri, Arshavin and Rosicky. He stuck with Denilson for far too long and pushed Cesc further up when he should have been the deep laying playmaker. Nasri or Arshavin could have played the attacking midfield role of the trio with Cesc operating behind. I have no idea why that didn’t happen. When Wilshere got his chance in the team, it looked like we were close to correcting the balance but Cesc left and Wilshere went all shit. :lol:

I think we’re a bit top heavy at the moment with the core trio because we have players that are probably best suited to playing the attacking midfield role. Cazorla, Ozil, Ramsey even Wilshere all seem to look for space further up the field and drift too much. They leave Arteta exposed sometimes without a passing outlet so we’re forced to go to the wingbacks or back to Merts again. With the amount of open space we leave in the middle under the current set up, I think Cesc would naturally float to those vacant areas and giving us more of an outlet. That would make it easier to feed players further forward. I’m not sure where that leaves Wilshere but we can’t really worry about that.

Regarding Rosicky playing further back….I thought about it as well and it could work. He’s not soft in the tackle and has the intelligence to pick the correct passes. If Arteta can do it, Rosicky should be capable. I’ve seen him unleash some mean tackles and he’ll press an opponent hard when it’s needed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wilshere doesn't have the ability to dominate the midfield at the moment but that's the sort of player he'd be if he fulfils his potential. Rosicky in his pomp was that player but we still managed to find a way to play him and Cesc. Arteta probably dreams of being that type of player. :lol:

So what about Cazorla in the middle with Ramsey or if Ozil finally gets his game together? Wouldn’t they present the same issue your suggesting? Ramsey is a good player but he’s no pass master and can’t dictate the flow of the game with his passing. We were trounced by the big teams and it’s partly down to sloppy possession in the midfield and then getting hit on the break. Even in the FA Cup final we struggled to get going and not a single player in the midfield could dominate the opposition. Ramsey is good but he’s not that influential in terms of our passing and possession. He’s great off the ball with defence and attack, has a huge engine, gets beyond defensive lines….I think he’d form a great partnership with Cesc. Cesc would be smart enough to load Ramsey with the supply he needs.

I suppose you could say it worked with Rosicky, in 2007, for half a season anyway.

Ramsey has definitely been influential in terms of passing and interchanging. I remember one particular example last season of exchanging passes with Ozil but it wasn't Ramsey that was the one finishing that move. You mention the Cup Final and it was his passing that created two opportunities whilst not being particular near goal (tor when Cazorla was fouled but no penalty given) and the chance that Giroud headed on to the bar.

Also thinking about the home game against Liverpool, it was Ramsey that dominated the game. Of course we didn't have him for the game at Anfield and perhaps that's the point, to have somebody else there when he isn't that could dominate the game in the same way I am suggesting Ramsey does but in terms of when they are they together I see this as a Lampard/Gerrard situation. That is great in principle but ultimately they end up dulling the influence of the other.

We have been losing big games heavily frequently for some time, whether that was with Cesc involved or not so maybe on that side of it, it comes down to how Wenger sets us up.

Personally I love seeing Cazorla dominate because it is so good to watch but I have to recognise it doesn't happen often enough from him to warrant him being more central right now. I have vaguely mentioned it elsewhere but it is Rakitic from Sevilla I would buy, probably only would I buy Cesc to stop other teams from having him. Even to our detriment maybe.

[Power n Glory]

I suppose you could say it worked with Rosicky, in 2007, for half a season anyway.

Ramsey has definitely been influential in terms of passing and interchanging. I remember one particular example last season of exchanging passes with Ozil but it wasn't Ramsey that was the one finishing that move. You mention the Cup Final and it was his passing that created two opportunities whilst not being particular near goal (tor when Cazorla was fouled but no penalty given) and the chance that Giroud headed on to the bar.

Also thinking about the home game against Liverpool, it was Ramsey that dominated the game. Of course we didn't have him for the game at Anfield and perhaps that's the point, to have somebody else there when he isn't that could dominate the game in the same way I am suggesting Ramsey does but in terms of when they are they together I see this as a Lampard/Gerrard situation. That is great in principle but ultimately they end up dulling the influence of the other.

We have been losing big games heavily frequently for some time, whether that was with Cesc involved or not so maybe on that side of it, it comes down to how Wenger sets us up.

Personally I love seeing Cazorla dominate because it is so good to watch but I have to recognise it doesn't happen often enough from him to warrant him being more central right now. I have vaguely mentioned it elsewhere but it is Rakitic from Sevilla I would buy, probably only would I buy Cesc to stop other teams from having him. Even to our detriment maybe.

Come on now, the sort of influence Ramsey has on our game compared to Cesc is miles wide. He doesn't conduct play in the same way Cesc does with pass after pass. They're different players. You only have to compare our possession stats since he's left and the lack of cohesion and fluency we now have.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

You are comparing Ramsey to the player Cesc was, not the player he became latterly for us and at Barcelona and for Spain. I thought we looked fairly fluent between September and December, which of course is when Ramsey got injured.

I don't want to spend too much time comparing us to how we were with Cesc as the main guy. Basically because within one season of Ramsey being our main guy we have won the same amount as we did with Cesc in seven years, plus as mentioned above I think his game has changed from what it was then.

[I am invisible]

The way Wenger plays a three man midfield has always frustrated me. When we signed Rosicky, I thought we’d finally play 4-3-3 with both Cesc and Rosicky in the midfield. Instead we stuck with 4-4-2/4-5-1 and switched to a 4-3-3 much later. I preferred to see Rosicky in the middle but that never happened. That was disappointing because I think they’d have been a dangerous duo. But Rosicky was injured a lot and Wenger did find a role for Hleb in the middle behind the striker during the 4-5-1 days.

When we finally switched to 4-3-3, Wenger decided to push Cesc further up the field and trusted Song and trash bag Denilson to set things up behind him. I could never understand why we had garbage like Denilson playing when we had talent like Nasri, Arshavin and Rosicky. He stuck with Denilson for far too long and pushed Cesc further up when he should have been the deep laying playmaker. Nasri or Arshavin could have played the attacking midfield role of the trio with Cesc operating behind. I have no idea why that didn’t happen. When Wilshere got his chance in the team, it looked like we were close to correcting the balance but Cesc left and Wilshere went all shit. :lol:

I think we’re a bit top heavy at the moment with the core trio because we have players that are probably best suited to playing the attacking midfield role. Cazorla, Ozil, Ramsey even Wilshere all seem to look for space further up the field and drift too much. They leave Arteta exposed sometimes without a passing outlet so we’re forced to go to the wingbacks or back to Merts again. With the amount of open space we leave in the middle under the current set up, I think Cesc would naturally float to those vacant areas and giving us more of an outlet. That would make it easier to feed players further forward. I’m not sure where that leaves Wilshere but we can’t really worry about that.

Regarding Rosicky playing further back….I thought about it as well and it could work. He’s not soft in the tackle and has the intelligence to pick the correct passes. If Arteta can do it, Rosicky should be capable. I’ve seen him unleash some mean tackles and he’ll press an opponent hard when it’s needed.
Yeah, he's actually quite a ferocious tackler at times, and I think he'd certainly bring a bit more zip and urgency to the role than Arteta does (both in terms of defending and moving the ball around). Could we play him there every week? Probably not, but there's plenty of other players queuing up for games in CM who we could rotate him with (Arteta, Flamini, Wilshere, maybe even Diaby), so we might be able ensure he's available for the right games, if we manage the situation carefully (yeah, I'm laughing as I say it too)?

I do feel a bit sorry for Wilshere. As I was saying a couple of days ago, he was out of action arguably longer than Ramsey was, he's come back into a team that is completely different to the one he was playing in before he got injured, and he's largely been used all over the place, in different positions, and all the while he's been trying to get his match fitness and sharpness back - it's not really surprising that he hasn't been quite the same player! Personally speaking, I think he'll come good again, sooner rather than later - he'd shown more top-level consistency than Ramsey had before their respective injuries, and as I recall Ramsey was struggling just as much with his form when he first returned, as we did the same thing in playing him anywhere and everywhere to get his fitness up, and even farmed him out on loan. If Ramsey can do it, then there's every reason to believe that Wilshere can too - at this point, I think what he needs more than anything else is a regular, set position again to really make his own, and, for me, that would be one of those two deeper roles...

[Power n Glory]

You are comparing Ramsey to the player Cesc was, not the player he became latterly for us and at Barcelona and for Spain. I thought we looked fairly fluent between September and December, which of course is when Ramsey got injured.

I don't want to spend too much time comparing us to how we were with Cesc as the main guy. Basically because within one season of Ramsey being our main guy we have won the same amount as we did with Cesc in seven years, plus as mentioned above I think his game has changed from what it was then.

Cesc played as a second striker sometimes for Barca. If he's good enough and smart enough to adapt his game to what the team needs and still be effective, that should tell you something and answer all you need on where he'd fit in.

Also, I think you need to put things into context. If it wasn't for our dramatic improvement and attitude towards defending, we'd have won nothing. Ramsey is a talent but we've had players with more talent and in much better form but we couldn't win anything because our defending was really poor. The Almunia/Clichy/Gallas/Toure/Eboue was a complete shambles. Cesc had plenty of seasons like the one Ramsey has just had but the defending was terrible. Just think of the amount of last minute goals we'd let in when on the brink of victory because we couldn't defend a set piece.

[Marc Overmars]

Liverpool close to signing Emre Can.

[Power n Glory]

Yeah, he's actually quite a ferocious tackler at times, and I think he'd certainly bring a bit more zip and urgency to the role than Arteta does (both in terms of defending and moving the ball around). Could we play him there every week? Probably not, but there's plenty of other players queuing up for games in CM who we could rotate him with (Arteta, Flamini, Wilshere, maybe even Diaby), so we might be able ensure he's available for the right games, if we manage the situation carefully (yeah, I'm laughing as I say it too)?

I do feel a bit sorry for Wilshere. As I was saying a couple of days ago, he was out of action arguably longer than Ramsey was, he's come back into a team that is completely different to the one he was playing in before he got injured, and he's largely been used all over the place, in different positions, and all the while he's been trying to get his match fitness and sharpness back - it's not really surprising that he hasn't been quite the same player! Personally speaking, I think he'll come good again, sooner rather than later - he'd shown more top-level consistency than Ramsey had before their respective injuries, and as I recall Ramsey was struggling just as much with his form when he first returned, as we did the same thing in playing him anywhere and everywhere to get his fitness up, and even farmed him out on loan. If Ramsey can do it, then there's every reason to believe that Wilshere can too - at this point, I think what he needs more than anything else is a regular, set position again to really make his own, and, for me, that would be one of those two deeper roles...

Wilshere has a tough road back but he'll get better over time. At the moment, I think he's trying too hard. He needs to go back to the basics and he'll eventually get it back. He just needs to avoid picking up another injury. I really worry about how often he gets crunched for holding on to the ball too long.

[Munchies]

Liverpool close to signing Emre Can.

Top player on Football Manager :coffee:

[I am invisible]

We're "deep in conversations" to bring in new players, according to Ivan. Deep.

[Munchies]

@GeoffArsenal ·

Cesc is NOT joining Arsenal. Can we move on now.

[I am invisible]

We're "deep in conversations" to bring in new players, according to Ivan. Deep.

Plus, the guy on Le-grove (http://le-grove.co.uk/) reckons he's heard things that we should be excited about? Apparently we'll forget all about Cesc if whatever it is happens!

[I am invisible]

We're "deep in conversations" to bring in new players, according to Ivan. Deep.


Plus, the guy on Le-grove (http://le-grove.co.uk/) reckons he's heard things that we should be excited about! Apparently we'll forget all about Cesc if whatever it is happens!

Sorry - this is what passes for Arsenal rumours these days... *sigh*