Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Sorry Herbie, missed this one earlier. Now you want to blame the other midfielders for Arteta's inadequacies - aren't they the same players that have played infront of Coq?

Even though Coquelin and chambers never really played together?. Coquelin came into the team when Chambers came
Out of it.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Yeah, I agree. The Campbell Toure partnership worked. Sol was no slouch and quick off the mark but he wasn't the one charging into tackles and nipping ahead of attackers to steal the ball. That was Kolo's job. He was the more aggressive one line Kos is now. We got ourselves into trouble when we had two overly aggressive cb's. Galas and Toure were bad so were Kos and Verm. Once Merts stepped in, Kos looked a million miles better and I think Verm looked a little better too. You need someone to cover. You need that organiser and I think we found that in Merts. I

Precisely

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Benteke may get then goals but does anyone think 'pool may have a few strikers Sturridge, Ricky, Firm, Ings and the Belgien they bought last year.......and Mario but it's doubtable if he is anything but a liability

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Firminho is more a replacement for Sterling and Lambert and Balotelli will most likely leave either on loan or permanent deals.

[Penguin]

Sturridge and Benteke would be the obvious first choice pairing but they are both crocks who will probably spend more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. I think Firmino will play more as a number 10 than as a striker, leaving Ings and Lambert as the back ups.

I hope Balotelli fucks off back to Italy tbh. Cant stand him.

[Power n Glory]

Sorry Herbie, missed this one earlier. Now you want to blame the other midfielders for Arteta's inadequacies - aren't they the same players that have played infront of Coq?

Funny enough, I partly blame the guys playing with Arteta. I think I've said this a few times in the past. The way our midfield can sometimes look so lifeless and flat has always bothered me. We had the tip tappy phase with Cesc and co where we held possession and did nothing with it but since he's left we've struggled to even do that. We're only just starting to get that fluency back and at first I blamed Arteta for really slowing down our play. The side ways passing, the way he panic passes when under pressure or avoids collecting the ball all together if under the slightest bit of pressure. That bothered me a lot and you could see us struggling to get the ball over the half way line.

But a few seasons back, I noticed the big difference Rosicky would make when playing alongside Arteta in that CM role. It's a world of difference and the fluency just came right back. Rosicky did that for a couple of seasons and I started to see that Wilshere and Ramsey were also a big part of the problem. Not just Arteta. That core trio of Arteta, Wilshere and Ramsey should never ever play together. Arteta has his flaws and weakness but it really doesn't help when Pinky and Perky are in the mix. They don't track back, they don't come back to play deep and collect the ball, they have no partnership at all when playing together and that needs to be sorted. It puts extra pressure on an already flawed player so I agree with Herb's on this one. I think if we played Arteta alongside Cazorla he'd be fine. He hasn't played next to Cazorla in that role and I think the pressure would be eased off Arteta slightly if we had to play him.

But I also see the point you made earlier about that Barca kid. If Wenger decides to sign a young inexperienced DM whilst passing up on players that can provide something for us now, I'll be pissed. For starters, we just bought that young Polish DM last season and although it's a small fee, it's a waste. Wenger has a habit of collecting youngsters and the majority of young players amount to nothing. Look at that situation where we had Dick Law fly out to Costa Rica to sign Campbell who wasn't even eligible for a passport. We also had Vela waiting on the bench to get game time, who was supposed to be a superstar and we had also just signed Ryo and Wellington Silva, two other players ineligible for British passports, a year before and we also just signed Ox. There is no way we could accommodate all those wingers, develop them or monitor their progress and it seems like we have a potluck system going on. Just look at Coquelin's emergence as an example. We seemed totally unaware of what he could offer the team and was just shipping him out of the squad on loan so he could run down his contract and then leave the club. He would have suffered the same fate as Vela and Campbell if it weren't for that injury crisis. It's frustrating to watch especially whilst we pass up on established players. I just don't get the obsession of collecting young players and not actually developing them. We're just casting a wide net and hoping something special will emerge from the pack and be distinct enough for us to notice.

[Dein-machine]

Anyway - back to the thread - Have we bought anyone yet!!!!

[Marc Overmars]

Diaby close to signing for West Brom. :lol:

Pulis to turn him into a world beater?

[fakeyank]

Watch him stay fit the entire season..

[Static]

Watch him stay fit the entire season..

In sha Allah he will!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3172642/Arsene-Wenger-sign-wants-200m-bank-m-glad-didn-t-buy-Raheem-Sterling-says-Arsenal-director-Lord-Harris.html


Interesting interview in the Mail with Lord Harris of Peckham who's a board member at the club so privy to the inside info.

Apart from the admittedly crigneworthy Wenger love lines, there are few interesting tidbits in there. Basically all but confirms that Wenger wants to buy a world class centre forward but is hamstrung by lack of availability of one. Apparently he has his eyes set on one in particular but he's just waiting for that club in particular to buy a replacement before going in with a bid and apparently the player in question wants to come as well ...................... most likely he's referring to Benzema.

Very forthright about Szecheny and Ospina in this comment, "Since Jens Lehmann or David Seaman, we've not really had a world-class goalie. We made enquiries about Cech last summer but Chelsea couldn't sell him because they didn't know how Courtois was going to settle in" ................. can't imagine either Ches or Ospina being happy about that, or probably Wenger or Gazidis for that matter. It's probably not a good idea to talk about the shortcomings in certain areas publicly.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

So, now it's the money is there but the players aren't available. :haha: Propaganda machinery well oiled and in full operation.

Even if remotely true, why can't we go in and try to prize away the player we want from a club. Must we always wait for cast offs who have become surplus to requirements or are seen as means to recoup funds? :shrug:

[Maestro]

i'm euphoric just euphoric, we've signed Gabriel Babosa from Santos for £30 million!.......nothing can beat this!!!!!!! .....until I woke up in sweats at 5:30am and realise this was just a horrible tease dream I was having.

...so no we still haven't signed anyone.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/arturo-vidal-signs-bayern-munich-6125163

flamini gag is funny in that link

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Probably not the smartest move to reveal we have 200million' in the bank! Particularly with Walcott playing games and us trying to find players for decent prices! Don't think Wenger is going to wake up too happy.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

To be honest, if Walcott doesn't sign, I'd replace him with Pedro. A snip at 22million.

[Özim]

Basically all but confirms that Wenger wants to buy a world class centre forward but is hamstrung by lack of availability of one. Apparently he has his eyes set on one in particular but he's just waiting for that club in particular to buy a replacement before going in with a bid and apparently the player in question wants to come as well ...................... most likely he's referring to Benzema.

Which other club would sit and wait for a player to become available and wait for their club to sign a replacement before bidding?

It's absolute nonsense, clubs go after players they want regardless of whether their club has someone else signed up, I'm sure we've got some guy employed just to put this cr*p out so that it makes people believe we're actually doing everything we can but we're hamstrung by players not being available.

More often than not the best transfers are the unexpected one for players who don't appear to be available until you try to sign them.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I get the frustration and agree to an extent, but 'timing' could be key if we assume that one significant signing somewhere on the continent will be the key to a merry go round of transfers.

That said, we really should be going into next season able to challenge for the title in any case.

[Power n Glory]

"We get a list of the players that Wenger wants," Harris noted. "On the list is a centre-forward, but I'm not going to tell you who he is. You've got to get the other team to want to sell him, but I think he wants to come. It basically comes down to whether the other team can find a superstar to replace him, because they don't have to sell."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2529998-arsenal-director-lord-harris-speaks-on-transfers-arsene-wenger-and-more

This is where it gets silly. If we offer the team the right sort of money they'll go out and find a replacement straight away. As suspected, we'll gamble on deadline day and hope chess pieces move in the final hours so we can get our man. If we're a top striker away from winning the league I don't think we should be relying on such a risky strategy especially when we have the money for it.

[AFC Leveller]

Vidal for 26m is great business for Bayern.

Such a quality player.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

So, now it's the money is there but the players aren't available. :haha: Propaganda machinery well oiled and in full operation.

I don't think there's anything egregious in that; it's basically what we've all been saying on here already.

The strikers who are notably better than Giroud/Theo e.g. Lewandonski, Aguero, Suarez etc are all simply unattainable.

Given how we've swooped in for proper class like Alexis and Ozil when they've been available, I'm fully confident that if one for some reason became available we would pounce immediately.

The alternative is to go for a talented youngster who has the potential to explode into that category (Lacazeette) but that's a lot more risky.



Even if remotely true, why can't we go in and try to prize away the player we want from a club. Must we always wait for cast offs who have become surplus to requirements or are seen as means to recoup funds? :shrug:

This is a fair point though.

If Wenger is as actively interested in Benzema as Lord Harris is hinting at here we should be trying to force the issue. We have a lot more leverage and appeal than the club and some fans may think.

Real Madrid is a circus right now - they're owned by a pompous idiot and currently managed by an even bigger idiot. Sergio Ramos wants to leave, Ronaldo is already throwing his toys out of the pram and dislikes Benitez, they've just treated their homegrown long serving goalkeeper like shit, their fans are morons who boo a player if he doesn't score in a few games ....... etc etc

As ridicolous as it would have sounded about 5 years ago but there are plenty of reasons why a player may prefer the stability and normality of being here than the circus that is Madrid, especially one who already has gone through the phase of being lured by the "dream" of playing for Madrid and also a French player to boot. It's not like they would be getting paid any less either here.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2529998-arsenal-director-lord-harris-speaks-on-transfers-arsene-wenger-and-more

This is where it gets silly. If we offer the team the right sort of money they'll go out and find a replacement straight away. As suspected, we'll gamble on deadline day and hope chess pieces move in the final hours so we can get our man. If we're a top striker away from winning the league I don't think we should be relying on such a risky strategy especially when we have the money for it.

Nah. As silly and dumb as Real are at times, even they wouldn't willingly sell their only premier striker (I'm assuming it's Benzema Harris is hinting at) unless they had someone already in too replace him

Only other way to force the issue as I hinted above is to make the player want to come here and request a move.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Because of what I see as the paucity of available top quality strikers there is very little incentive for top clubs to sell theirs, and if we are honest....other than money what can we offer him at Arsenal that he doesn't have already at Real Madrid?.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Oh and he's just scored against City

[Power n Glory]

A club without Rafa maybe? He'll piss a lot of people off at Real Madrid with his management style.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

A club without Rafa maybe? He'll piss a lot of people off at Real Madrid with his management style.

Which poses an interesting debate on whether people think Benitez or Wenger is the better manager?

[Power n Glory]

Wenger all day.

[Letters]

There you go, always leaping in to defend Wenger at every opportunity :sulk:




:run:

[GP]

Rafa in!

[Özim]

There's been plenty of opportunities to buy top strikers in the past we've always let them slip by, if there aren't many strikers available it's our own fault, now we just need to make it happen.

If he money's right the player will be available.

[Letters]

Rafa in!

Meh. He's no Tony Pulis.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

There's been plenty of opportunities to buy top strikers in the past we've always let them slip by, if there aren't many strikers available it's our own fault, now we just need to make it happen.

If he money's right the player will be available.

Don't disagree about us turning our nose up at past opportunities, but if for example it is Benzema we are after (says a lot about the striker dirge that he's probably one of the best options out there) Real Madrid are not a club that needs the money, they will want to know they can get a replacement in (they don't have that many strikers themselves you know).

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Wenger all day.

In terms of trophies won there isn't a great deal in it, but in my opinion I agree because I think if Wenger had the squad that Benitez had with Liverpool in 2008/2009 I actually think he would have gone on to win the title.

[Power n Glory]

In terms of trophies won there isn't a great deal in it, but in my opinion I agree because I think if Wenger had the squad that Benitez had with Liverpool in 2008/2009 I actually think he would have gone on to win the title.


I'm not sure about the squad comparison because I think we had a really good squad in 2007/08. On the trophy count, Wenger pips him even if he doesn't have the CL. But the main reason I say Wenger is because Rafa has a rep for rubbing the players the wrong way. The tinkering and cold approach wouldn't work over here and I think he's going to struggle at Real if he doesn't have the players backing him. It's a club with serious player power and he'll need to have a warmer approach otherwise he'll have a mutiny on his hands.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/cristiano-ronaldo/11757560/Cristiano-Ronaldo-unhappy-with-Rafael-Benitez-training-at-Real-Madrid.html

And it's the second time he's had to follow Ancelotti. A coach that doesn't do the cold shoulder approach and gets on really well his his players. It's one to watch.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Hmm dunno Hleb and Flamini had left by 2008/2009, Nasri and Arshavin were good signings but we didn't have that core solidity of players like Gerard, Xabi Alonso and Torres at his peak in the side.
Wenger probably wouldn't have pissed off Robbie Keane to the point where he'd go after half a season as well.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Press conference - Nice how you get hope that Arsenal will do something to improve the squad and then when you speak to Wenger he pisses on the bonfire, although I do agree with him that we need more goals from the "non strikers"

[Fist of Lehmann]

What did he say?

I can't imagine anything said in a press conference would effect what we are doing in the background (i.e patiently observing the waiting period and being open to whatever life brings us).

[fakeyank]

Which poses an interesting debate on whether people think Benitez or Wenger is the better manager?

Both are idiots

[Marc Overmars]

Sounds like we'll make an opportunistic signing if it's possible, which seems to be our strategy most of the time anyway.

[Letters]

Both are idiots

You think Arsene Wenger is an idiot?

[Power n Glory]

Hmm dunno Hleb and Flamini had left by 2008/2009, Nasri and Arshavin were good signings but we didn't have that core solidity of players like Gerard, Xabi Alonso and Torres at his peak in the side.
Wenger probably wouldn't have pissed off Robbie Keane to the point where he'd go after half a season as well.

I was comparing the 2007/08 squad when we came close to winning the title with Hleb and Flamini. That was a very good squad but we didn't win so can't really say for sure if Wenger would win the title with Liverpools squad. All speculation but I never saw their squad as something really amazing.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I was comparing the 2007/08 squad when we came close to winning the title with Hleb and Flamini. That was a very good squad but we didn't win so can't really say for sure if Wenger would win the title with Liverpools squad. All speculation but I never saw their squad as something really amazing.

The team was, the squad wasn't.

But yeah, Wenger. Although had Rafa been your Champions League manager with your best teams...

[Niall_Quinn]

Which poses an interesting debate on whether people think Benitez or Wenger is the better manager?

More a short debate than an interesting one. Wenger, by a wide, wide, margin.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

The team was, the squad wasn't.

But yeah, Wenger. Although had Rafa been your Champions League manager with your best teams...

We still wouldn't have won?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

You think Arsene Wenger is an idiot?

No he's referring to his identical twin brother who is a clinical idiot and was locked in a vin cellar and fed poisson heads

Arsene has no knowledge of his existence

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

We still wouldn't have won?

:shrug:

[fakeyank]

You think Arsene Wenger is an idiot?

He is 2% away from being a bumbling idiot.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

As a brief and completely irrelevant aside I passed Anfield the other day, I have family who live in the city etc etc

So how are you looking upon the upcoming season, trepidation, cautious optimism....

I personally think you need to sort your defence out, and also think Mignolet is not good enough for you (would be interesting if a prat fall mid season leads to the Ginge becoming your no1 guy)

Benteke could potentially pay off really well if he stays fit and the midfield gets him the service, your style of play is not too dissimilar to ours and I rate him higher than I do Giroud.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

As a brief and completely irrelevant aside I passed Anfield the other day, I have family who live in the city etc etc

So how are you looking upon the upcoming season, trepidation, cautious optimism....

I personally think you need to sort your defence out, and also think Mignolet is not good enough for you (would be interesting if a prat fall mid season leads to the Ginge becoming your no1 guy)

Benteke could potentially pay off really well if he stays fit and the midfield gets him the service, your style of play is not too dissimilar to ours and I rate him higher than I do Giroud.
Lucky man.

I can't answer that, since I invariably get it wrong anyway.

I think our signings have more thinking behind them this summer than last. We actually had to replace important players so that gave us more focus than sheer numbers. I hope we go back to a 433 or a variant of. Sakho and Skrtel are solid enough, they have their moments of insanity but are unfairly mocked for dodgyness, Clyne will hopefully be an improvement on Johnson and Moreno is decent enough at left back, though he definitely needs to improve defensively. Kinda important for a defender really. I actually like Mignolet. Ever since he was dropped he has come back and has looked a different keeper. Now he'll just plough through anyone and doesn't give a shit who is in his way, in turn helping his confidence and the defence's confidence in him. I can't for the life of me see Bogdan challenging him though. But then I haven't really watched him much either.

Without Gerrard, hopefully Henderson will step out of his shadow somewhat. He often looked stunted with him in the team. Certainly him, Milner and Can will be absolute engines in the middle; I thought the our pressing game was our biggest failing last season because it was one of our biggest assets the season before so hopefully they can help with that.

It does all depend on whether Benteke fits in and if Sturridge can find a donor leg. If they click well together and adding in the likes of Coutinho and Firmino then we potentially have a decent attack with plenty of pace, power, movement, pace and power. If they don't fit (Benteke especially) then it's curtains for Brendan.

We're more than likely hoping for one of the top 4 to cock up, but then we were briefly in race last season without a functioning striker, so who knows.

Where do you guys need to strengthen above all else? It still seems as if you're 1/2 players away?

[Penguin]

We still wouldn't have won?

We would have had more of a chance than with Wenger. If nothing else, Rafa knows how to set his teams up to be hard to beat, and you need to do that in the Champions League. It's suicide to play as open as Wenger has done against the likes of Barca, Bayern, and Real. It's no coincidence that Wenger's best run in the competition came when we parked the bus every single game. Shame he didn't learn from that...

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We would have had more of a chance than with Wenger. If nothing else, Rafa knows how to set his teams up to be hard to beat, and you need to do that in the Champions League. It's suicide to play as open as Wenger has done against the likes of Barca, Bayern, and Real. It's no coincidence that Wenger's best run in the competition came when we parked the bus every single game. Shame he didn't learn from that...

Perhaps but that would have been tempered with finishes outside the top four which would have impacted our prestige, status and revenue streams at a time we could ill afford to, bizarre transfers (wanting to swap Alonso for Barry) and a transfer merry-go-round, adopting a flawed short term approach to things, and most likely publicly falling out with the players and the board, the latter about a lack of funds. Less not we forget he also managed to destroy a Mourinho treble winning Inter team in the space of six months. Plus there's also the fact he's fat.

I don't think it's even a contest between the pair of them tbh. Wenger will go down as one of the greats, idolised by Arsenal fans and well respected by the entire footballing community for his work revolutionising the PL alongside Fergie whereas as Benitez just won't.

It really isn't a surprise that Wenger's done a lot better the last couple of years when we've as a club have finally had the same or close to the same resources as our rivals at the tops.

I await to see how Bentiez does at a massive club like Real but given the signs so far I suspect it won't be that well. I doubt he'd even survive one year let alone the three years he's been given.

[Globalgunner]

Perhaps but that would have been tempered with finishes outside the top four which would have impacted our prestige, status and revenue streams at a time we could ill afford to, bizarre transfers (wanting to swap Alonso for Barry) and a transfer merry-go-round, adopting a flawed short term approach to things, and most likely publicly falling out with the players and the board, the latter about a lack of funds. Less not we forget he also managed to destroy a Mourinho treble winning Inter team in the space of six months. Plus there's also the fact he's fat.

I don't think it's even a contest between the pair of them tbh. Wenger will go down as one of the greats, idolised by Arsenal fans and well respected by the entire footballing community for his work revolutionising the PL alongside Fergie whereas as Benitez just won't.

It really isn't a surprise that Wenger's done a lot better the last couple of years when we've as a club have finally had the same or close to the same resources as our rivals at the tops.

I await to see how Bentiez does at a massive club like Real but given the signs so far I suspect it won't be that well. I doubt he'd even survive one year let alone the three years he's been given.

Benitez won the league 2ce with an unfancied team like Valencia with half the resources of the duopoly. He also won the UEFA cup with them. So he too will be idolised at that club.

Benitez won the CL and reached the final again in 2007. He again won the Europa cup and with Inter won the Club world cup.

Wenger has never won a European cup of any type. Has never managed any of the big teams (We arent really in the top 10 in Europe) and went 9 years without winning diddly squat.
So in the real world Rafa rules over Wenger.

[Penguin]

Perhaps but that would have been tempered with finishes outside the top four which would have impacted our prestige, status and revenue streams at a time we could ill afford to, bizarre transfers (wanting to swap Alonso for Barry) and a transfer merry-go-round, adopting a flawed short term approach to things, and most likely publicly falling out with the players and the board, the latter about a lack of funds. Less not we forget he also managed to destroy a Mourinho treble winning Inter team in the space of six months. Plus there's also the fact he's fat.

I don't think it's even a contest between the pair of them tbh. Wenger will go down as one of the greats, idolised by Arsenal fans and well respected by the entire footballing community for his work revolutionising the PL alongside Fergie whereas as Benitez just won't.

It really isn't a surprise that Wenger's done a lot better the last couple of years when we've as a club have finally had the same or close to the same resources as our rivals at the tops.

I await to see how Bentiez does at a massive club like Real but given the signs so far I suspect it won't be that well. I doubt he'd even survive one year let alone the three years he's been given.

Oh, I completely agree with you. I was only talking about the Champions league (in reply to Firmino and Herbert's posts).

[mastermind84]

Which ten teams in Europe are bigger than Arsenal?

[GP]

Arsenal are easily top 10.

Easily.

[Globalgunner]

If we are truly top 10. How come we cant make it past the round of 16 each year

[Letters]

Who are the top 10 then?

[Globalgunner]

The teams that usually make it past the round f 16

[Letters]

OK, let me make the question a little clearer.
List the teams you regard as in the top 10.

Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern and Dortmund, I guess. Who else?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Which ten teams in Europe are bigger than Arsenal?

Historically or currently?

[Letters]

UEFA think we're 7th

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/

And while I'm suspicious of FIFA and UEFA rakings, looking down that list I don't think there are many clubs below us who I think should be rightfully be ahead of us.

[Power n Glory]

Not sure what point there is in listing a top 10. UEFA rankings currently have us 9th ahead of Utd. But Porto, Benfica, Schalke are ahead of us. Man City, June and Dortmund didn't even make the top 10.

[Power n Glory]

UEFA think we're 7th

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/

And while I'm suspicious of FIFA and UEFA rakings, looking down that list I don't think there are many clubs below us who I think should be rightfully be ahead of us.

That says 9th!

[Letters]

No it doesn't :unsure:

[GP]

Eh? Porto and Schalke aren't ahead of us.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Benitez won the league 2ce with an unfancied team like Valencia with half the resources of the duopoly. He also won the UEFA cup with them. So he too will be idolised at that club.

Benitez won the CL and reached the final again in 2007. He again won the Europa cup and with Inter won the Club world cup.

Wenger has never won a European cup of any type. Has never managed any of the big teams (We arent really in the top 10 in Europe) and went 9 years without winning diddly squat.
So in the real world Rafa rules over Wenger.

And Wenger's won several league titles over here in the past, defeating Man Utd's stranglehold on the league at the time despite them (and plenty of others at the time) spending considerably more money than us. His standards only starting slipping when unsurprisingly money became tight after the stadium move and two petroclubs with unlimited money also showed up.

Club world cup. :lol: .... we might as well start including our Emirates Cup and Barclay's Asia Cup wins then.

The only thing Benitez really has over Wenger is his CL trophy and a few fine margins either way and that could have been a different story. Henry putting away that chance for us or the ref not falling for Stevie G going over easily to win that penalty.

He failed at Inter and struggled to find work after that for a few years and was forced to accept a humiliating "interim" position at Chelsea where he was abused and jeered on a daily basis by their fans who hated him. At Napoli he spent a shit load of money to turn a team that was qualifying for the CL into a team who didn't and yet bizarrely that was enough for Perez to offer him the Real job mainly because they had no one else to turn to after sacking everyone else already.

He may be revered by Valencia fans and a section of weird deluded Scousers but for a lot of the footballing community he'll always be considered a clown.


The teams that usually make it past the round f 16

Pretty arbitrary way to determine things. Real had a similar issue during the 00's after the 02 triumph and before Mourinho came in going for a long stretch without getting past the last 16 and no one questioned the status as a top club during that time.

Fact is that we're easily a top ten team in terms of money, fanbase, infrastructure, appeal etc etc. The only teams definitively ahead of us are the four mega clubs: Bayern, Real, Barca and Man Utd.

[Niall_Quinn]

Eh? Porto and Schalke aren't ahead of us.

It's UEFA.

[Niall_Quinn]

The Headline:


Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey flattered by talk of Barcelona interest after revealing he wants to experience playing in Spain

What was actually said:


'Obviously it's very flattering. One day I would like to go over to Spain to play just to see what it's like and to experience that, but at the moment I'm with Arsenal and I feel like this Arsenal team can go and be successful and challenge for things.

The media:

http://www.getpaybacks.com/images/dog%20poop.jpg

[Power n Glory]

No it doesn't :unsure:


It says 9th and Talksport.com has the same listing with us 9th.

http://talksport.com/football/europes-top-10-football-clubs-ranked-uefa-150421143980?p=1

[GP]

Honestly don't know what you're looking at.

http://i.imgur.com/FiozngX.png

[The Emirates Gallactico]

It says 7th for me, though in reality Benefica shouldn't be above us and likewise PSG and Juve probably shouldn't be below us.

http://i.imgur.com/UC6hXp2.png

[Power n Glory]

It's UEFA.

It's meaningless like the Fifa World Rankings.

[Niall_Quinn]

It says 7th for me, though in reality Benefica shouldn't be above us and likewise PSG and Juve probably shouldn't be below us.

http://i.imgur.com/UC6hXp2.png

PSG aren't a real football club and nor are the chavs or gypos, so they should be below us.

[Power n Glory]

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/

It says 9th on my mobile.

[Özim]

The below clubs are definitely better than us:

Barca
Real
Chelsea
City (not done well in Europe but have been above us every season for a number of years now in the league)
Dortmund
Athletico
Juventus
Bayern
Man U

Let's throw in Monaco after they knocked us out of the CL last season for good measure and PSG for being far superior to Monaco.

[Özim]

The UEFA rankings are a joke though, we haven't been past the last 16 for years and yet we're 7th. Don't think a team who can't get past the last 16 for 5 years should be 7th, clearly there's too much emphasis on getting into the last 16.

Getting to the final 1 in those 5 years should outstrip finishing in the last 16 for 5 years as it's much more of an achievement.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Probably need to get a new phone P&G.

Throw away that Iphone crap tbh.


The below clubs are definitely better than us:

Barca
Real
Chelsea
City (not done well in Europe but have been above us every season for a number of years now in the league)
Dortmund
Athletico
Juventus
Bayern
Man U

Let's throw in Monaco after they knocked us out of the CL last season for good measure and PSG for being far superior to Monaco.

Seriously Zim, what a joke of a post.

Swansea beat us home and away last year. Are you going to include them as a bigger club like you've just done to Monaco? :lol:

Dortmund? The same Dortmund that nearly got relegated last year and consistently loses their best players. The same one who've had some of their top players linked to us the past two seasons.

Athletico have only turned the past two years. Far too early to even consider them bigger than us as well.


However objectively I'll admit Chelsea have probably just edged ahead of us now given their more recent success however because of their lack of history pre 2003, unlike say a Man Utd who can go a while without success and still be considered a big club, they're in a lot more of a precarious position than others.

[Power n Glory]

IPhone? I switched to a Samsung S6 my friend! How can I upload screen grabs from mobile?

I don't think it's a stretch to say PSG and Dortmund are better than us. They've done better in their Leagues and Champs league over the past few years.

[Letters]

Probably need to get a new phone P&G.

Throw away that Iphone crap tbh.

:lol:

I clicked on the link he posted and it still had us in 7th.
And that was on an iPad :cool:

[Power n Glory]

http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=52280/profile/

What does it say in the top right hand corner under uefa ranking on this page?

[Power n Glory]

Ahhh, even more reason to discard UEFA rankings. Mobile site says we're 9th and but switch to desktop mode and it says 7th. Trash!

[Letters]

Either way, we're all agreed we are in the top 10 :trophy:

[GP]

Top 1 tbh

[Özim]

Probably need to get a new phone P&G.

Throw away that Iphone crap tbh.



Seriously Zim, what a joke of a post.

Swansea beat us home and away last year. Are you going to include them as a bigger club like you've just done to Monaco? :lol:

Dortmund? The same Dortmund that nearly got relegated last year and consistently loses their best players. The same one who've had some of their top players linked to us the past two seasons.

Athletico have only turned the past two years. Far too early to even consider them bigger than us as well.


However objectively I'll admit Chelsea have probably just edged ahead of us now given their more recent success however because of their lack of history pre 2003, unlike say a Man Utd who can go a while without success and still be considered a big club, they're in a lot more of a precarious position than others.

Dortmund topped our group and have been in a CL final in recent years, I'd definitely say they're above, again Athletico made it to a CL final which is far better than getting into the last 16

[Globalgunner]

Typical Wengeritis mentality on display here. Never wanting to be the best, but ecstatic to be merely mentioned in passing.
In Europe, you are not what you say you are but what your history says you are
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/photos/other-galleries/gallery=2204005.html
Read em and weep

[Letters]

And typical goalpost moving from you. You claimed we weren't in the top 10, have failed to name the 10 or more teams who are bigger so now you're just changing your argument.
It doesn't matter *that* much whether we're in the top 10 but right now we definitely are.

[Power n Glory]

Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Bayern, Dortmund, PSG, Barca, Real, Atletico, Juve. No order.

I think we might be just outside the top 10. Not saying we can't beat any of these guys because we have beaten some of them recently but they've all had better runs than us in the CL league recently or have at least won the league in the last 3 or 4 years.

I think a lot rides om this season coming and we should be in a top 10 position without question. We should be looking to overtake Dortmund and Atletico for sure.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If it's 'better' we have to be above Man Utd; if it's 'bigger', Man Utd are obviously miles ahead but they're miles ahead of most other clubs in that sense.

It's largely irrelevant though - the better indicator is that players like Alexis and Özil wanted to join, that to me still shows we're thought of as a top club.

[Power n Glory]

If it's 'better' we have to be above Man Utd; if it's 'bigger', Man Utd are obviously miles ahead but they're miles ahead of most other clubs in that sense.

It's largely irrelevant though - the better indicator is that players like Alexis and Özil wanted to join, that to me still shows we're thought of as a top club.
That's a much better indicator but I also think finances and the strength of the league comes into play with that one too. I think if Serie A weren't in such a poor poor state, there would be more players moving over to Series A and Juve.

Also, historical consistency makes a difference and Wenger has to get credit for keeping us consistent. Clubs like Dortmund and Atletico will have a very good run for a few years but won't maintain that level once raided of their good players. I'm not so sure top players will be in a hurry to sign for them just yet.

[Özim]

Financially we're one of the top 6 or 7, on the pitch however I wouldn't even say we're top 10, we're maing very poor use of our resources.

[Power n Glory]

We need to step it this season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Di Maria didn't get on the plane for Man Utd's tour seemingly. :lol:

He'll be off soon I'd have thought.

[GP]

Money well spent.

[Niall_Quinn]

With van Genius in charge Utd may well pass the chavs and gypos this season as the biggest joke in the history of British football. This obviously incompetent twat has spent £300mill in the last two seasons but still relies on Fellaini as his main man. You have to be a mile out of your depth and still digging to end up in a mess like that. Utd would be scary if they had even a semi-decent manager in charge of all those resources. Hilariously they have van Gaal. Hot on the heels of van Moyes. If they were trying to make Fergie look good then those fat beggars in charge have succeeded beyond the boundaries of belief.

[Maestro]

Di Maria didn't get on the plane for Man Utd's tour seemingly. :lol:

He'll be off soon I'd have thought.

That was one hell of a bust, or serious money laundering ...probably a case of both

[Niall_Quinn]

That was one hell of a bust, or serious money laundering ...probably a case of both

Hardly a surprise, trying to find a place in the team for talented players when the team is built around Fellaini is a pointless challenge. van Idiot will just keep chucking cash until probability goes his way. Then he'll be lauded as the genius they told us he was when he first arrived. A monkey throwing shit at a canvas will eventually emulate Picasso if you feed him enough to keep his bowels active.

[Syn]

It'll be annoying if he goes for the rumoured £45m. Just don't know how the hell he can command that sort of fee. Then again, PSG bought David Luiz for similar money.

Man Utd are surely clearing the way for an epic signing. I'm guessing Bale for a world record.

[Özim]

Wenger after the friendly:


Arsenal director Lord Harris said earlier this week (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/After%20watching%20his%20side%20emphatically%20bru sh%20aside%20Lyon,%20Wenger%20suggested%20that%20p erhaps) that Wenger has the backing to break the club's transfer record for a top striker.

But after watching his side emphatically brush aside Lyon, the Frenchman played down the need to strengthen the club's attacking options.


"When you score six goals you don't have a desperate need for a striker," Wenger added.


"We scored four goals in the FA Cup final, we create chances and score goals. We are open-minded, everybody is in the market and many clubs have big, big money."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33666033

6 goals in a friendly and it's all good, this guy irritates the f*ck out of me, is he really that blinkered or does he just enjoy winding people up.

If he doesn't sign a striker he's a fool, relying on inconsistent, unreliable, injury prone prone bottlers up front won't win you any major trophies, you won't win top prizes without a consistent, reliable goalscorer.

I hate the way it only takes a couple results to convince him everything is fine, this was a game of no significance FFS, it was merely a runout for the players nothing more, the result is meaningless and doesn't reflect on your chances when the real sh*t begins.

[Özim]

Hardly a surprise, trying to find a place in the team for talented players when the team is built around Fellaini is a pointless challenge. van Idiot will just keep chucking cash until probability goes his way. Then he'll be lauded as the genius they told us he was when he first arrived. A monkey throwing shit at a canvas will eventually emulate Picasso if you feed him enough to keep his bowels active.

Di Maria's family hasn't settled in Manchester hence the reason he wants to leave, he's on hell of a player at his best however.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger after the friendly:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33666033

6 goals in a friendly and it's all good, this guy irritates the f*ck out of me, is he really that blinkered or does he just enjoy winding people up.

If he doesn't sign a striker he's a fool, relying on inconsistent, unreliable, injury prone prone bottlers up front won't win you any major trophies, you won't win top prizes without a consistent, reliable goalscorer.

I hate the way it only takes a couple results to convince him everything is fine, this was a game of no significance FFS, it was merely a runout for the players nothing more, the result is meaningless and doesn't reflect on your chances when the real sh*t begins.

Fuck it. I'll try not to get wound up by it all this season.

If he's right we'll do really well this season and win something major. If he's wrong there will be a shit storm from the fans that have put faith in him. It's on him to make the right decisions. It's make or break.

[Static]

Just pretend this says Wenger.

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140727070403/pokemon/images/6/6d/DPP_SmokeScreen.png

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger after the friendly:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33666033

6 goals in a friendly and it's all good, this guy irritates the f*ck out of me, is he really that blinkered or does he just enjoy winding people up.

If he doesn't sign a striker he's a fool, relying on inconsistent, unreliable, injury prone prone bottlers up front won't win you any major trophies, you won't win top prizes without a consistent, reliable goalscorer.

I hate the way it only takes a couple results to convince him everything is fine, this was a game of no significance FFS, it was merely a runout for the players nothing more, the result is meaningless and doesn't reflect on your chances when the real sh*t begins.

Stopped reading here:


The 26-year-old Germany international's form has been inconsistent since he joined Arsenal from Real Madrid for a club record £42.6m in September 2013.

Because that's entirely untrue so doesn't bode well for the rest of the article.

[Niall_Quinn]

It'll be annoying if he goes for the rumoured £45m. Just don't know how the hell he can command that sort of fee. Then again, PSG bought David Luiz for similar money.

Man Utd are surely clearing the way for an epic signing. I'm guessing Bale for a world record.

Anichebe, I'm guessing. He'd gel perfectly with Fellaini and I reckon they could get him for around £40mill, or £3.50 if they pretended to be a different club.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It'll be annoying if he goes for the rumoured £45m. Just don't know how the hell he can command that sort of fee. Then again, PSG bought David Luiz for similar money.

Man Utd are surely clearing the way for an epic signing. I'm guessing Bale for a world record.

Bale is Perez's trophy, no chance of him being sold. It'd be more likely to be Ronaldo, I cannot see how he and Benitez is going to last.

[Globalgunner]

In an ideal world Madrid would buy Ibra and let Benzema come to us. They are all about drama and haven't bought any "name" player yet this season. However, I am not sure a whole continent is big enough for Ronnie and Ibra to fit in let alone the same club. Ibra could come to us for a swansong but we cant/wont pay his wages. United would have to offer at least Euro130m to get RM interested in selling Bale.

[Letters]

I hate the way it only takes a couple results to convince him everything is fine, this was a game of no significance FFS
Unless we'd have lost of course in which case it would have been very significant...

[Özim]

Unless we'd have lost of course in which case it would have been very significant...

No what's significant is 3rd place last season and getting knocked out of the CL by Monaco. All we've changed is the goalkeeper, hardly a major improvement, especially seeing as other clubs above and below us have already spent a fair amount.

[Letters]

Yep, that's what people will remember about this season in 20 years, 3rd place and getting knocked out of the CL.
Nothing else happened last season which will be remembered...

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Just pretend this says Wenger.

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140727070403/pokemon/images/6/6d/DPP_SmokeScreen.png

Although I am probably going to be proved wrong......and I am not convinced that the guys wants to leave but I do think there is a smidgen of intent to get our hands on Benzema

[GP]

I'm certain we'll sign a striker.

[Özim]

Yep, that's what people will remember about this season in 20 years, 3rd place and getting knocked out of the CL.
Nothing else happened last season which will be remembered...

One things for sure, everyone remembers the fact we've never won the CL and not won the title in over 10 years.

[Letters]

One things for sure, everyone remembers the fact we've never won the CL and not won the title in over 10 years.

Yep, that's what Spurs fans will use as sticks to beat us with, Arsenal fans will be proud of the fact that thanks to the last 2 seasons we're now the most successful side in FA Cup history, and half of those have been won under Wenger.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

News is we upped our bid on Benny......still low balling but what do you expect.....tbf 35 is not that far off.....is there a release clause

[McNamara That Ghost...]

There will be a buyout clause but they can get very complicated in Spain; not sure what it is set at in Benzema's case but a lot higher than what they paid for him I would have thought.

[BOBN]

Stopped reading here:



Because that's entirely untrue so doesn't bode well for the rest of the article.
This insecurity regarding Ozil is one of the weirdest things ive seen from our fanbase. Believe it or not Ozil HAS been inconsistent, which is why neutrals don't suck him off. If he changes that this season, great.

[Niall_Quinn]

This insecurity regarding Ozil is one of the weirdest things ive seen from our fanbase. Believe it or not Ozil HAS been inconsistent, which is why neutrals don't suck him off. If he changes that this season, great.

He's a huge player who, in the eyes of the media, picked the wrong club. They would have loved him at one of their clubs. But he picked Arsenal hence the relentless campaign. In terms of consistency, if you judge him by the very highest standards, he's a had the odd off-day here and there. If you judge him against virtually every other player in the PL then 5 minutes from him has been worth 90 from them - so what do you prefer, their 90 minutes of consistent dross? Where some people have gone wrong is expecting him to win every game single-handedly. Messi, on his best day, could maybe pull that off, nobody else though. So the expectations are already ludicrous. That's where the charges against him stem from, he can quietly control a game but if he hasn't beaten four opponents and rammed it in the net he's been anonymous. It's just the media and a section of the fan base, who wouldn't know football if they were hit in the face by it, that have these weird ideas about performance levels.

[GP]

If you like football, you love Ozil.

A pure player. A joy to watch. And he's ours. Aren't we lucky?

[BOBN]

He's a huge player who, in the eyes of the media, picked the wrong club. They would have loved him at one of their clubs. But he picked Arsenal hence the relentless campaign. In terms of consistency, if you judge him by the very highest standards, he's a had the odd off-day here and there. If you judge him against virtually every other player in the PL then 5 minutes from him has been worth 90 from them - so what do you prefer, their 90 minutes of consistent dross? Where some people have gone wrong is expecting him to win every game single-handedly. Messi, on his best day, could maybe pull that off, nobody else though. So the expectations are already ludicrous. That's where the charges against him stem from, he can quietly control a game but if he hasn't beaten four opponents and rammed it in the net he's been anonymous. It's just the media and a section of the fan base, who wouldn't know football if they were hit in the face by it, that have these weird ideas about performance levels.
To be honest I much prefer David Silva.

[Niall_Quinn]

To be honest I much prefer David Silva.

Of course you do.

[Özim]

News is we upped our bid on Benny......still low balling but what do you expect.....tbf 35 is not that far off.....is there a release clause

Think we've been here before, going after a player at a club who don't need to sell, don't have anyone else lined up, on top of that they are loaded so unless he's surplus to their needs he won't be going.

If we don't have someone else lined up and are relying on signing him we're fools.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

There isn't anybody else better than Benzema that we could get - it may well end in tears but isn't this what people wanted for Arsenal, to show 'ambition'?

[Özim]

May as well go for Lewandowski, Cavani, Suarez, Aguero as well. If we're going after a Real 1st teamer when they are already short of out and out strikers why not go for some of the others?

How about Griezman he seems to be able to get 25 odd goals a season, or Lacazette (as has been mentioned before), they seem to have goals in them.

Benzema is good, but I don't think he's in Aguero or Suarez's class, he's below those kind of strikers, his record at Real is very good but not phenomenal. Would be good to have him here, but there's other options who wouldn't represent a downgrade IMO.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I think Benitez is going to play Bale and Ronaldo a closer to each other and probably more centrally, which fits with what he did in the case of Stevie Me and Torres.

Plus, Real Madrid have yet to make their new toy signing yet, which could be Reus, although it's oddly quiet for them this year. I can't imagine they would let a summer pass tamely by after Barcelona won the Treble again though.

Benzema would be signed for his link play which is very, very good. His goalscoring is a little erratic, it's still good but I think it's his link play it would mainly be for but unlike Giroud he isn't slow on the ball.

[Özim]

I think Benitez is going to play Bale and Ronaldo a closer to each other and probably more centrally, which fits with what he did in the case of Stevie Me and Torres.

Plus, Real Madrid have yet to make their new toy signing yet, which could be Reus, although it's oddly quiet for them this year. I can't imagine they would let a summer pass tamely by after Barcelona won the Treble again though.

Benzema would be signed for his link play which is very, very good. His goalscoring is a little erratic, it's still good but I think it's his link play it would mainly be for but unlike Giroud he isn't slow on the ball.

Benitez seemed to say Benzema wasn't leaving two days ago, so it would appear he is in his plans, so I can't imagine he wants to sell him.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/9923407/karim-benzema-will-stay-at-real-madrid-according-to-rafa-benitez

We've done this numerous times so I'm very wary, we seems to go after players clubs aren't interested in selling and categorically say aren't leaving and always fail to sign them in the end (after a long drawn out saga) and have noone else lined up.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I hope, I'm sure isn't discouragingly definitive. It's Real Madrid anyway, things change very quickly there.

[Niall_Quinn]

We do have an alternative lined up, Aubameyang. And he's not available either.

[Maestro]

we should take our bag of money, head to south america and buy the best young striker out there.

[mastermind84]

Historically or currently?

Should be a mixture of both, no?

I would put Inter and Milan over Arsenal but you would be hard pressed to find 10 teams that are bigger unless you want to name drop Ajax or Nottingham Forrest.

[Marc Overmars]

Chesney confirms he is joining Roma on loan. :wave:

United sign Sergio Romero... De Gea. :wave:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Here's to hoping. Romero is a bit crap.

[GP]

I've a feeling Utd will try to get Lloris.

[Marc Overmars]

Stoke are on the verge of signing Ibrahim Afellay. :lol:

[BOBN]

Arsenal are ready to clinch the signing of Juventus striker Fernando Llorente, according to reports.
The Gunners are claimed to have joined Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham in the race for Llorente in recent days.
And while some claim a £5.6million offer has already gone in, the Daily Telegraph says Arsenal are now looking to finalise a deal for about £8.5m.
It comes after a Juventus source apparently told the Sun that Arsenal are keen on a deal.
‘They have made an inquiry but there is no bid yet,’ he said.
‘But it is clear they are interested and it is also clear that Juventus are ready to listen.’
Tottenham have also been linked with the 30-year-old who is famed for his ability in the air and to score goals with either foot.


Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/27/arsenal-to-seal-fernando-llorente-transfer-as-source-reveals-interest-5314215/#ixzz3h750Sp7F

disgusting if true.

The new Soldaldo except older.

Just get Berahino dummy. Will be accepted as a top 3 striker in the league within 2 years that boy.

[Niall_Quinn]

disgusting if true.

The new Soldaldo except older.

Just get Berahino dummy. Will be accepted as a top 3 striker in the league within 2 years that boy.

Llorente? You have to hope that's media bullshit. If not, this club is in a really bad place. Signing nobody is preferable to signing this guy. Bif is twice the striker so all I can see this transfer doing is providing a third string break glass in case of emergency option. What's the point. We have a ton of players who could play up top and are between 2x and 300x better than Llorente.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

The Metro :lol:

We don't need another Giroud especially for 8 million.


It'll be annoying if he goes for the rumoured £45m. Just don't know how the hell he can command that sort of fee. Then again, PSG bought David Luiz for similar money.


Yep it's really rather irritating. I was expecting them to take a bigger loss on that fee considering Di Maria's age and also based on just how shit he was last year. Absolutely no reason for PSG to pay 45 million ..... they probably could have got him for around 30 million especially considering that Di Maria has just gone awol for Man Utd's summer tour,



In an ideal world Madrid would buy Ibra and let Benzema come to us. They are all about drama and haven't bought any "name" player yet this season. However, I am not sure a whole continent is big enough for Ronnie and Ibra to fit in let alone the same club. Ibra could come to us for a swansong but we cant/wont pay his wages. United would have to offer at least Euro130m to get RM interested in selling Bale.

Ideal world would be Real Madrid going all in for Aguero, someone who they've been linked to and who's also seems to want to join, leaving us to then take Benzema.

It weakens a direct rival to us and strengthens us at the same time.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Trying to find a true transfer rumour on the Metro site is like trying to find a diamond in a sewage reclamation vat. Not impossible, but you'll need to swim through 300 cubic metres of shit, piped in directly from Jamie Sanderson's rancid hole.

Isn't the Metro the site that only pays it's "journalists" if an article garners a certain number of views? 3 years ago Llorente might have have some kind of sense. Now? Just one more turd for the turd pile.

[Özim]

Llorente smells like a Wenger signing to me, he'll be cheap and at 30 a short term fix who wouldn't stop the kids developing and doesn't score many goals. Was flavour of the day on here a few years ago. Worrying.

[Marc Overmars]

I'm still holding out hope for Benzema. Real Madrid only need to identify a striker they want and he'll be yesterdays news to them. Though I concede I'm not really sure who would be available and fashionable enough for them right now.

[Maestro]

Though I concede I'm not really sure who would be available and fashionable enough for them right now.

Gabriel Barbosa from Santos, if they know what they are doing

[Master Splinter]

http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/27/arsenal-ready-to-grab-rolando-aarons-transfer-after-newcastle-contract-row-5315025/

I'm for real worried now bruvs. Looks like paedo-breath is hunting down another kid. Another typical Jamaican-English winger from Newcastle. Classic Wanker behaviour. Classic Wanker signing. He'll probably omit Sanchez from the squad to include this guy.

Worrying times.

[Master Splinter]

http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/27/arsenal-clear-to-complete-julian-draxler-transfer-5315591/

He could have signed Dralxer when he was wanted by all the top clubs. But he signs him now when only a few average clubs like Juventus want him. Instead of paying the money for Neymar or Aguero, Mr. Garlic will shoo-horn this injury-prone crock up front and think he's found the new Bergkamp! What an idiot.

What a disaster this season will be.

[Master Splinter]

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/17/arsenal-weighing-up-imminent-transfer-for-ex-chelsea-midfielder-lassana-diarra-4872998/

Not good news guys. Now we're after Diarra! While United buy Schweinsteiger and Bayern get Vidal, Wenger is looking through his bargain bin to see what crap he can find rather than strengthen the team with real top quality he would rather penny pinch and keep the 8 million for himself he's losing it and he should resign from his 8 million job.

Going by Wenger's recent history of buying free agents called Lassana who have failed here every month for the last 6 years it looks like this is true. Wouldn't put it past him at all.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Ah the Metro, you really have to be bored shitless on the morning commute to countenance reading it

[Edinburgh Gooner]

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/17/arsenal-weighing-up-imminent-transfer-for-ex-chelsea-midfielder-lassana-diarra-4872998/

Not good news guys. Now we're after Diarra! While United buy Schweinsteiger and Bayern get Vidal, Wenger is looking through his bargain bin to see what crap he can find rather than strengthen the team with real top quality he would rather penny pinch and keep the 8 million for himself he's losing it and he should resign from his 8 million job.

Going by Wenger's recent history of buying free agents called Lassana who have failed here every month for the last 6 years it looks like this is true. Wouldn't put it past him at all.

Check the date of the article fella.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23139745

WTF????? I thought we'd already signed this guy :wacko: :doh:

[Fist of Lehmann]

I love it GW becomes a parody of itself.

[Munchies]

I'm still holding out hope for Benzema. Real Madrid only need to identify a striker they want and he'll be yesterdays news to them. Though I concede I'm not really sure who would be available and fashionable enough for them right now.

Seems if Reus is available, it'll be him

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Check the date of the article fella.

You've ruined the joke

Granted it wasn't a great joke but still

[Özim]

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/17/arsenal-weighing-up-imminent-transfer-for-ex-chelsea-midfielder-lassana-diarra-4872998/

Not good news guys. Now we're after Diarra! While United buy Schweinsteiger and Bayern get Vidal, Wenger is looking through his bargain bin to see what crap he can find rather than strengthen the team with real top quality he would rather penny pinch and keep the 8 million for himself he's losing it and he should resign from his 8 million job.

Going by Wenger's recent history of buying free agents called Lassana who have failed here every month for the last 6 years it looks like this is true. Wouldn't put it past him at all.

Its funny coz Wenga bise duds for cheep and den day fail badly.

LOLZ just LOLZ at Wenger.

[Özim]

http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/27/arsenal-clear-to-complete-julian-draxler-transfer-5315591/

He could have signed Dralxer when he was wanted by all the top clubs. But he signs him now when only a few average clubs like Juventus want him. Instead of paying the money for Neymar or Aguero, Mr. Garlic will shoo-horn this injury-prone crock up front and think he's found the new Bergkamp! What an idiot.

What a disaster this season will be.

We've been on the verge signing Draxler for about 2 years now, it's certainly what you call a long drawn out transfer saga :lol:

[AFC Leveller]

Benzema is traveling alone on a private jet while the Real madrid team traveled somehwere for pre season and he tweeted "the past is the past, look to the future" which has alerted twatter and its community.

[Özim]

Benzema is traveling alone on a private jet whole the Real madrid team travveled somehwere for pre season and he tweeted "the past is the past, look to the future" which has alerted twatter and its community.

From this it definitely looks like he has a private jet.

[I am invisible]

Benzema is traveling alone on a private jet while the Real madrid team traveled somehwere for pre season and he tweeted "the past is the past, look to the future" which has alerted twatter and its community.

Good God people, how much more proof do you need! Starting rolling out the 'Benzema 9' shirts...

[GP]

Good God people, how much more proof do you need! Starting rolling out the 'Benzema 9' shirts...

http://www1.thesportbible.com/images/content/55b6ae5404318.jpg

[LDG]

According to some Spanish rags, we're also going in for Segrio Biscuits too

:haha:

I hate this bullshit. I really find it difficult to enjoy football anymore.

[I am invisible]

http://www1.thesportbible.com/images/content/55b6ae5404318.jpg

Fucking A!

[Niall_Quinn]

Benzema is traveling alone on a private jet while the Real madrid team traveled somehwere for pre season and he tweeted "the past is the past, look to the future" which has alerted twatter and its community.

This is all the proof I need.

Utd are buying Benzema :doh:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Might be flying his plane into a building?

Allahu Akbar!

[fakeyank]

:haha:

[GP]

Might be flying his plane into a building?

Allahu Akbar!

Well his name is Karim so it checks out.

Apparently he also recently bought a job lot of tea towels and hates women.

[Dein-machine]

The Benzema situation - can anyone tell me why, when the guy hasn't been at a world or European cup & we would have had the opportunity to integrate him pre-season, are we bidding for him now. If we're going to pay £35-£40 mill, why couldn't this have been done a month ago.

[fakeyank]

The Benzema situation - can anyone tell me why, when the guy hasn't been at a world or European cup & we would have had the opportunity to integrate him pre-season, are we bidding for him now. If we're going to pay £35-£40 mill, why couldn't this have been done a month ago.

Because..

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01108/wenger_1108448c.jpg

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Benzema and the fact that some fans are drooling over him, is equivalent to a senile degenerate pervert in a nursing home ogling some middle aged care worker with saggy boobs whose been completely ruined down there by child birth.

He really isn't that great for my money, and I think he proves that there is a dirge of top quality strikers out there other than the half dozen top quality superstars that even with silly money we'd never prise away from their current clubs.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Well his name is Karim so it checks out.

Apparently he also recently bought a job lot of tea towels and hates women.

Wait a minute. I know you. You're Kareem Abdul-Benzema. You play football for Real Madrid.

[Özim]

He really isn't that great for my money, and I think he proves that there is a dirge of top quality strikers out there other than the half dozen top quality superstars that even with silly money we'd never prise away from their current clubs.

I agree I don't think he's all that either, his goal record at Real isn't that great considering he's playing for a team with some of the most creative players on earth. Whenever I've watched him he's been very wasteful.

Wouldn't mind taking a punt on Lacazete instead.

[Maestro]

Gabriel Barbosa and get Guevanio whilst we are at it.

Dick Law + Wonga + Flight To South America ......the place is awash with young brilliant forwards, it's silly!

[Master Splinter]

http://www1.thesportbible.com/images/content/55b6ae5404318.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CK2oQieW8AEXHMp.jpg

[GP]

Wait a minute. I know you. You're Kareem Abdul-Benzema. You play football for Real Madrid.

I'm sorry, son, but you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Roger Murdock. I'm the co-pilot.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gabriel Barbosa and get Guevanio whilst we are at it.

Dick Law + Wonga + Flight To South America ......the place is awash with young brilliant forwards, it's silly!

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/pirates/images/6/6e/CaptBarbossa.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20130108135814

:unsure:

[Niall_Quinn]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CK2oQieW8AEXHMp.jpg

Yanks :haha:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Adebayor looks like he's linking up with Sherwood again and joining Villa.

He's got a point to prove so he'll probably do well for 6 months or so, get something like 10 in 10, Tim will be hailed a genius, then he'll go missing for the rest of the season.

Still, not a bad signing for Villa I guess. Ah it might well be on loan. Even better for them then.

[Master Splinter]

Villa have signed almost as many players as Liverpool.

Ade has gone from being wanted by Beyonce, to accepting Sonia and now finally, slumming it with Conchita Wurst.

Although tbf, I'd rather listen to Conchita's music.

[Syn]

Ade has gone from being wanted by Beyonce, to accepting Sonia and now finally, slumming it with Conchita Wurst.

:haha:

[dostoy]

As Chuba Akpom is going to stay here and not go on loan, the chances of a striker being signed here are zero now.

I would say there would be one more incoming player and it could be that Barcelona player Sergi Samper.

That would mean that Flamini would leave and Arteta would play very little this season outside of the League cup.

[Dein-machine]

As Chuba Akpom is going to stay here and not go on loan, the chances of a striker being signed here are zero now.

I would say there would be one more incoming player and it could be that Barcelona player Sergi Samper.

That would mean that Flamini would leave and Arteta would play very little this season outside of the League cup.

Agree with you on the striker front - Akpon is very young & unproven, Giroud & Welbeck aren't good enough to win us the league, so we start another campaign without a world class striker. Some things will never change!
Flamini should have already left along with the likes of Campbell - again getting rid of costly deadwood is as much of a failing on Wenger's part as his non-ability to strengthen where necessary.

[KSE Comedy Club]

So, when do we star the benzema thread?

He will soon be an arsenal playa

[Power n Glory]

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2015-2016/arsenal-sign-16-year-old-striker-donyell-malen-from-ajax_sto4838015/story.shtml

We signed a striker.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

So, when do we star the benzema thread?

He will soon be an arsenal playa

It can take pride of place along with the Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez, Julian Draxler, Luis Gustavo and Arturo Vidal threads

[Dein-machine]

whilst waiting for any news of Wenger opening his wallet - its always nice to be tonking the Aussies at cricket. Jimmy just taken 5 wickets 97-7.

[Syn]

Join us here fella. http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3318&page=6&p=466727#post466727

[selassie]

As Chuba Akpom is going to stay here and not go on loan, the chances of a striker being signed here are zero now.

I would say there would be one more incoming player and it could be that Barcelona player Sergi Samper.

That would mean that Flamini would leave and Arteta would play very little this season outside of the League cup.

Yep, think we're done now, I have thought that for a while regarding new signings. I think we'll only make moves in the market If an opportunity presents itself. This means one of two things in my mind, if someone like Samper or Rabiot becomes available for a knock down price, basically a highly rated talent trying to break through at a big club.

Or if one of the big clubs are willing to sacrifice a slightly more established good young attacking midfield talent like say Isco of Real or Goetze of Bayern, we obviously don't need either of those players but if they become available Wenger will chase them and buy them and somehow try and fit them into the team along with the other 8 Attacking Midfielders we currently have and are trying to fit in!

[Power n Glory]

Wenger dampened hopes of a big signing months ago.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/9871687/arsene-wenger-not-expecting-big-money-arrivals-at-arsenal-this-summer

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger dampened hopes of a big signing months ago.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/9871687/arsene-wenger-not-expecting-big-money-arrivals-at-arsenal-this-summer

Wenger doesn't and never has understood momentum. If he was a racing driver he'd break the new engine in at 50mph for the first 20 laps and then complain the others cheated by ignoring the instruction manual. We needed to spend £100mill this summer to fill in those final pieces and usher in this new post-debt era, which was what the stadium move was all about. We won't do that. Instead we'll patiently inch forward until the top players want out again.

The guy's a bank manager, not a football manager. Nice guy, still has a great legacy, but he long ago forgot what this game is about. He looks inwards all the time. What about the club, what about the players, what about anything bar the fans.

Ozil, Alexis... nothing. It's stupid. We could have still snagged 4th without those two so I'm not sure why he bothered.

Goalkeeper is taken care of now, at least. But we're short one at the back, we're possibly short in the middle (depending on whether Ramsey can be world class every week and stay fit), and as we know and as usual we are short one up top.

Wright, Henry, RvC,.. Giroud - no, not good enough. Wenger knows this.

But it's not just that. The club has relied heavily on the loyalty of the fans (wallets), mainly because our shareholders are the tightest gits on the planet. When is that loyalty (investment) going to yield a dividend? The fans don't want cash back, they want performances on the pitch. That's the other side of the deal. The club is breaking that deal if they don't do everything possible to deliver that performance on a consistent basis.

[Özim]

Wenger rarely disappoints in the transfer window, the board and owner are almost always thrilled with his performance he almost always gets it right.

Shame about the fans, but they don't matter anyway.

With an ambitious manager in charge we could well in with a great chance of the title, sadly though with Wenger 3rd or 4th is about as good as it gets, but we should all be happy with that as we coud have done a Leeds.

[KSE Comedy Club]

He's talking about bale and pogba..... Players with magical transfer figures of £70-£80m plus, with teams like the gypos interested.

Of course we wouldn't be getting involved in any of that shit, it doesn't mean we won't be be spending anything

[fakeyank]

Wenger doesn't and never has understood momentum. If he was a racing driver he'd break the new engine in at 50mph for the first 20 laps and then complain the others cheated by ignoring the instruction manual. We needed to spend £100mill this summer to fill in those final pieces and usher in this new post-debt era, which was what the stadium move was all about. We won't do that. Instead we'll patiently inch forward until the top players want out again.

The guy's a bank manager, not a football manager. Nice guy, still has a great legacy, but he long ago forgot what this game is about. He looks inwards all the time. What about the club, what about the players, what about anything bar the fans.

Ozil, Alexis... nothing. It's stupid. We could have still snagged 4th without those two so I'm not sure why he bothered.

Goalkeeper is taken care of now, at least. But we're short one at the back, we're possibly short in the middle (depending on whether Ramsey can be world class every week and stay fit), and as we know and as usual we are short one up top.

Wright, Henry, RvC,.. Giroud - no, not good enough. Wenger knows this.

But it's not just that. The club has relied heavily on the loyalty of the fans (wallets), mainly because our shareholders are the tightest gits on the planet. When is that loyalty (investment) going to yield a dividend? The fans don't want cash back, they want performances on the pitch. That's the other side of the deal. The club is breaking that deal if they don't do everything possible to deliver that performance on a consistent basis.

:gp:

Wenger has lost his winning edge ever since we moved to Emirates. Like you said, he is a great bank manager.

I will add though that as and when he leaves Arsenal (cant wait!), he will have left us on a solid platform, and I say this despite the fact that I think he could be doing much better. I see organizations and people constantly scared of change, and thats exactly the problem with our fans and the board. I am ok with persisting with this above average manager, as long as we can get the right person in. I just hope in the 2 years left in his deal, the board grows a pair and does not offer him a new deal!

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Wenger dampened hopes of a big signing months ago.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/9871687/arsene-wenger-not-expecting-big-money-arrivals-at-arsenal-this-summer

To be fair, this is a classic example of the media taking something Wenger has said and contorting it, he frustrates the hell out of me for sure. But you read the headlines and you brim with Anger at his myopia, and then you actually read what he has said and its far more equivocal.
He's ruling out signing anyone in the bracket of a Gareth Bale or Paul Pogba (did anyone realistically think that we would) that doesn't rule out spending in the kind of price bracket we have now began to get into (the 30-40 million mark).

[Power n Glory]

To be fair, this is a classic example of the media taking something Wenger has said and contorting it, he frustrates the hell out of me for sure. But you read the headlines and you brim with Anger at his myopia, and then you actually read what he has said and its far more equivocal.
He's ruling out signing anyone in the bracket of a Gareth Bale or Paul Pogba (did anyone realistically think that we would) that doesn't rule out spending in the kind of price bracket we have now began to get into (the 30-40 million mark).

I'm not brimming with anger. I expected this. He's cooling expectations. What part of what I said can be taken as anger?

How about these? Forget the headlines and read what he's saying. What is he emphasizing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3160490/Arsene-Wenger-suggests-Arsenal-not-make-major-signings-summer-securing-Petr-Cech-Chelsea.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11616997/Arsene-Wenger-tells-Arsenal-fans-not-to-expect-a-marquee-signing-this-summer.html

The noise coming from the camp is different to what it was when we signed Ozil. Back then it was the big talk and we could afford anyone. This summer Wenger is being coy. There is no build up for a another big signing because it might not happen. If an opportunity presents itself at the end of the window and it makes sense we'll move on a player but if not he won't panic. I've been saying this all summer.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Again I think we all know he's happy with the squad, I'm not expecting anything to happen now....but the point I'm making is that the article you cited only rules out the signing of a player of the bracket of a Pogba or a Bale, which no one expected to happen anyway. So for that reason the headline is misleading.

I still think ideally we need a holding midfielder and a striker, but quite honestly I am quite relaxed about where we are compared to two years ago anyway.

I think the point seems to be whether we agree with him or not, I think It's more about Wenger being happy with our squad currently than not wanting to spend the money....i personally would never have expected him to spend what he did last season (definitely glad he did).

[Power n Glory]

That part about Bale and Pogba is misleading because he mentions no names when he says astronomical fees. That's Sky making a assumptions. It's just an example of Wenger being coy. What's an astronomical fee and does he really think there is that sort of pressure on him for a Bale type signing? He knows what he's doing. Managing expectations. You can see it in many of his comments and this is just one of the early examples.

You could see as far back as May that a DM was being ruled out the way he rates Coquelin in that last article. You can sense where he's going with these type of stories and the vibe this year is different.

Do you think your expectations has anything to do with some of the stories coming out of the camp? You're not expecting much and that's the point I'm trying to make. The message being pumped out is that we won't make major moves this year and he's happy with the squad.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sport (Barca affiliated rag in Spain) are associating us with Busquets. :lol:

Can't find a direct link for that although it is reported in most UK based rags.

Also, I see Everton rejected a bid for £25 million for Stones from Chelsea. :wacko:

[LDG]

Sport (Barca affiliated rag in Spain) are associating us with Busquets. :lol:

Can't find a direct link for that although it is reported in most UK based rags.

Also, I see Everton rejected a bid for £25 million for Stones from Chelsea. :wacko:

Also, I see

Tell us! Tell us! What else do you see Maccy?!?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Trees of green.

[LDG]

Wonderful

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Not dead people all the time?

My mates girlfriend has that problem but she works in a funeral home.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Coney. :bow:

[Letters]

I heard some sad news about Coney recently.






He's still alive.
:(

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Also, I see Everton rejected a bid for £25 million for Stones from Chelsea. :wacko:

And right they should as well.

If Shaw, who was less proven than Stones is right now, commanded 30 million and likewise Sterling 49 million there's no way Everton should accept anything less than 35 million for a guy who could easily go onto be their next Terry and go on to be in the heart of their defence for a good decade to come. Chelsea have plenty of cash as well.

He's a great talent and I would love him here but obviously we're not going to bid those silly figures either. Just hope Chambers can step up for us the same way Stones has at Everton.

[LDG]

I heard some sad news about Coney recently.






He's still alive.
:(

:haha:

[Power n Glory]

And right they should as well.

If Shaw, who was less proven than Stones is right now, commanded 30 million and likewise Sterling 49 million there's no way Everton should accept anything less than 35 million for a guy who could easily go onto be their next Terry and go on to be in the heart of their defence for a good decade to come. Chelsea have plenty of cash as well.

He's a great talent and I would love him here but obviously we're not going to bid those silly figures either. Just hope Chambers can step up for us the same way Stones has at Everton.

Makes sense but this is how the market stays inflated.

[Munchies]

Di Maria leaving for £44m

Guillem Ballague says it's all done

[Dein-machine]

Di Maria leaving for £44m

Guillem Ballague says it's all done

if he's getting 10% of his transfer fees, he's done pretty well in 2 years for basically doing f--k all.

[Munchies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vCd5s-U3lQ


Looked a different player in the middle. (assist to Mata/run through lob against Leicester)

On the wing he looked clueless.

LvG :pal:

[Marc Overmars]

Think he's a much better player than what we saw last season. Just glad United have failed to extract the quality out of him. Their loss.

[Power n Glory]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/fernando-llorente-to-arsenal-strikers-agent-holds-talks-with-gunners-10426818.html

Llorente rumours heating up. His agent is in town according to Italian press.

[Özim]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/fernando-llorente-to-arsenal-strikers-agent-holds-talks-with-gunners-10426818.html

Llorente rumours heating up. His agent is in town according to Italian press.

Seems feasible due to the minimal outlay, odd time to buy him tho, should have bought him about 5 years ago not now if we were ever going to. Can't see Benzema coming, all we're hearing are BS rumours about him being on a private jet to London etc, turns out he's in the Real squad for their next match.

[fakeyank]

Llorente!? He has been shit recently, plus he is 30 and I dont think we'd go for such an old player. Rather give Walcott and Welbz time in the middle than buy someone useless like him.

[GP]

We're not signing Llorente.

[KSE Comedy Club]

I would rather we took negredo on loan than buy llorente :sulk:

[Marc Overmars]

Llorente hasn't done anything since he had that one prolific season worth Bilbao. Giroud is better.

[Niall_Quinn]

Even Wenger wouldn't sign Llorente, this must be his agent trying to make something happen.

[fakeyank]

I would rather we took negredo on loan than buy llorente :sulk:

:gp:

[Power n Glory]

Even Wenger wouldn't sign Llorente, this must be his agent trying to make something happen.

We signed Kallstrom with a broken back! :lol:

[I am invisible]

If Llorente's agent is in town, then he won't be for us. Honestly, what would need him for? He'd only be adding numbers, and we're not looking for a new striker for the sake of numbers.

Just my opinion, but I think there's 2, maybe 3 forwards out there that we'd be interested in, and if one of them isn't available then we'll leave it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Spanish rags are really running with this Busquets thing.

Must be bored.

[Dein-machine]

Busquets & Lewandowski - that'll show Wenger is trying to win it.

[I am invisible]

Spanish rags are really running with this Busquets thing.

Must be bored.

Might at least stir things up with that younger lad, Samper, that we were looking at? If Barca come out and declare that Busquets is going nowhere, then Samper's got to be left thinking that his path to the first team is going to be blocked for a number of years yet...

[Power n Glory]

If Llorente's agent is in town, then he won't be for us. Honestly, what would need him for? He'd only be adding numbers, and we're not looking for a new striker for the sake of numbers.

Just my opinion, but I think there's 2, maybe 3 forwards out there that we'd be interested in, and if one of them isn't available then we'll leave it.

I think Wenger may be looking for Giroud back up. More height up front and a physical presence.

[GP]

I like biscuits.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I think Busquets to this Barcelona team is the equivalent of David May to Man United at his peak

[Özim]

Even Wenger wouldn't sign Llorente, this must be his agent trying to make something happen.

He signed Wellbeck and the guy was dogshite and still is, he paid 16 million too total ripoff.

[Munchies]

Walcott/Santi sign new deals

Walcott on £140k a week

[Letters]

He signed Wellbeck and the guy was dogshite and still is, he paid 16 million too total ripoff.

As always, you massively exaggerate. Clearly he's not that bad, but he's not that good either.
I quite like him, he works hard and has some ability, but it's hardly a signing that shouts "title contenders" at you.

As for the fee, in a world where Benteke and Sterling are 'worth' what they went for, £16m isn't that silly. I mean, it is silly, but it's all relative in today's market.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Walcott/Santi sign new deals

Walcott on £140k a week

I hope Walcott doesn't go off the boil like he did two and a half years ago after signing a new contract, lazy little bollocks

[Kano]

Money down the drain on walcott. great about santi though.

[Power n Glory]

Walcott's the one player in the squad that has to constantly prove himself over. He's got his work cut out for him this season.

[Fist of Lehmann]

As always, you massively exaggerate. Clearly he's not that bad, but he's not that good either.
I quite like him, he works hard and has some ability, but it's hardly a signing that shouts "title contenders" at you.

As for the fee, in a world where Benteke and Sterling are 'worth' what they went for, £16m isn't that silly. I mean, it is silly, but it's all relative in today's market.

And to think, we could have got Balotelli for that money. :doh:

[Niall_Quinn]

He signed Wellbeck and the guy was dogshite and still is, he paid 16 million too total ripoff.

£16mill a total ripoff? In today's market I'd have to agree. But I like it when we rip Utd off, I have no problem with it at all.

[Power n Glory]

Welbeck needs a very good season as well. He won’t get many chances up front unless injury permits it and he’ll never be a first choice winger. Really needs to work his way back into the squad. I don’t see him doing it because I just don’t rate him.

[Kano]

Walcott's the one player in the squad that has to constantly prove himself over. He's got his work cut out for him this season.

whatever the reasons, he is injured too much and played out of position so he's doomed to fail at arsenal. he's got his money so he's got that at least.

[Power n Glory]

whatever the reasons, he is injured too much and played out of position so he's doomed to fail at arsenal. he's got his money so he's got that at least.

We’ll see what happens this season. If he gets games down the left at least or in the middle, I think we’ll see more of his true potential. Glad he’s signed up because he usually gets important goals against any opponent.

[Gooner23]

Welbeck is the perfect squad player. Will never be prolific but he adds qualities other players don't have in terms of his athleticism and movement. I like him.

Great news about Theo and Santi, keeping the squad together is crucial right now to keep the momentum going.

[Static]

Welbeck has all the tools to be a top, top striker.

He'll come good.

[Özim]

As always, you massively exaggerate. Clearly he's not that bad, but he's not that good either.
I quite like him, he works hard and has some ability, but it's hardly a signing that shouts "title contenders" at you.

As for the fee, in a world where Benteke and Sterling are 'worth' what they went for, £16m isn't that silly. I mean, it is silly, but it's all relative in today's market.

The guy was rubbish at Man U so much so people on here use to take the p*ss out of him referring to him as Wellsh*t, just because we signed him he doesn't suddenly improve.

IMO he's average and we really shouldn't have wasted money on him.

[Özim]

Walcott/Santi sign new deals

Walcott on £140k a week

£140k a week really, seems you don't have to prove anything to get big money these days, this is totally ridiculous.

[Özim]

Welbeck has all the tools to be a top, top striker.

He'll come good.

Not convinced, he's not improved one bit since he arrived, he's still the erratic player he was at Man U, he'll never be top class just doesn't have the ability, signings like him wind me up as we could have kept the money and used it to put towards a real top class forward, instead it's looking like we won't be getting one once again despite a desperate need for one.

[Özim]

Welbeck is the perfect squad player. Will never be prolific but he adds qualities other players don't have in terms of his athleticism and movement. I like him.

Great news about Theo and Santi, keeping the squad together is crucial right now to keep the momentum going.

Good news about Cazorla, he's a top player and can't play well into his 30's.

As for momentum, we lost that we eased up at the end of the season and lost 2nd place.

[Static]

Not convinced, he's not improved one bit since he arrived, he's still the erratic player he was at Man U, he'll never be top class just doesn't have the ability, signings like him wind me up as we could have kept the money and used it to put towards a real top class forward, instead it's looking like we won't be getting one once again despite a desperate need for one.
He hasn't played in his preferred position for a proper run of games.

Give that to him and he'll come good I believe.

[Letters]

IMO he's average and we really shouldn't have wasted money on him.
I'd go with average, you don't need all the hyperbole.

[Letters]

As for momentum, we lost that we eased up at the end of the season and lost 2nd place.
I think our last game of the season rather made up for it. And momentum doesn't carry over from one season to the next anyway - we ended 2013/14 on a high with a good run and the FA Cup, started the next season with the Community Shield and then the start of the league season was a car crash.

[Kano]

We’ll see what happens this season. If he gets games down the left at least or in the middle, I think we’ll see more of his true potential. Glad he’s signed up because he usually gets important goals against any opponent.

It's all a bit Wengerish - give him another season and then we'll see. He might have a cracker next season but he won't avoid the injury table in the long run. Could've done with getting shot of him. Hardly irreplaceable.

[Özim]

He hasn't played in his preferred position for a proper run of games.

Give that to him and he'll come good I believe.

I doubt he will either because in reality he's not good enough and his finishing isn't up to scratch, if you're going to play up front you need to take your chance when you get it and score goals, he just doesn't and so I see no future with him as a striker.

He never got his chance at Man U and won't get it with us, there's a reason he never established himself up front for Man U they never felt he was prolific enough and I've seen nothing to suggest different since he moved to us.

[Static]

I doubt he will either because in reality he's not good enough and his finishing isn't up to scratch, if you're going to play up front you need to take your chance when you get it and score goals, he just doesn't and so I see no future with him as a striker.

He never got his chance at Man U and won't get it with us, there's a reason he never established himself up front for Man U they never felt he was prolific enough and I've seen nothing to suggest different since he moved to us.

Fair enough. You're entitled to your opinion.

However, I trust both Fergie's and Wenger's opinion on Welbeck ahead of yours. Fergie clearly saw something in him and so did Wenger - he still does.

[Kano]

Welbeck is a good squad player and that's it. He had a good run upfront last season and didn't set the world alight. He's lucky he got that long because at most big clubs he'd get a game or two maximum. We've passed this development stage of waiting for people to come good. If we want to push on we have to join the rest of the soulless, mercenary clubs and buy in players that are ready to go.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I think his goal tally for us last season was an embarrassment frankly

Eight goals? That's two million a goal so far, and putting it really into perspective he scored a hat trick so only scored in six fixtures.

[Munchies]

At least with Welbeck, if he does get sold, we'd get the majority of the £16m back

Walcott has done nothing to warrant the new upgraded deal. He was injured for 18 months and has probably only had one good season with us.

Guess Wenger won't be signing another striker

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Welbz was worth it for the Old Trafford win tbf.

He can Sanogo it from now on if he wishes.

[Power n Glory]

I think his goal tally for us last season was an embarrassment frankly

Eight goals? That's two million a goal so far, and putting it really into perspective he scored a hat trick so only scored in six fixtures.

His goal tally was bad but he did play a lot of games on the wing and it's not easy to get goals from there.

He really should have made his case to play up front but he looks lost in the middle. He isn't a physical presence or someone that can link up play like Giroud and his movement is really bad. He's got pace but we can't use it because he has no idea how or when to make runs like Theo. Reminds me of when Podolski would get games for us. Just looked lost. The fact that he hasn't featured at all in our previous season prep is a blow for him as well. I was hoping he'd at least get up to speed with our game and improve.

He's got an up hill battle for next season. Wenger gave him a lot of games over Theo and that won't happen this year.

[GP]

Akpom to Hull on loan.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'll throw myself under a bus if we sign Sergio Biscuits.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

At least with Welbeck, if he does get sold, we'd get the majority of the £16m back

Walcott has done nothing to warrant the new upgraded deal. He was injured for 18 months and has probably only had one good season with us.

Guess Wenger won't be signing another striker

And how much do you think Theo is worth in an open market? A packet of peanuts. He has his faults and is far from perfect but I don't get why some fail to see/acknowledge his qualities and value.