Winter Transfer Speculation

[hobson's choice]

:doh:

22 and still playing in Ligue 2

[Kano]

Is this like the new contract Wilshere signed back in January?

The Internet :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He looks like Marlo Stanfield.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cd1wlrmW8AAu4m8.jpg

man like reyes still dominating a decade later whilst we're stuck with f'n feo and oxlade

should make a move

[GP]

Reyes never dominated anything.

[hobson's choice]

I wonder what Amauri Bischoff is up to?

[Kano]

He looks like Marlo Stanfield.

You want it to be one way.

But it's the other way.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

One day soon, I'm walking out with a Rolls, hear?

[AFC Leveller]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/arsenal-board-tell-arsene-wenger-spend-big-summer-sun/

This journo has links at the club apparently.

cant see it myself though (wenger being told what to do).

[Niall_Quinn]

Whilst The Sun does not have the greatest reputation for transfer gossip, this particular Arsenal story is sourced by Mark Irwin, who does have good links with sources at The Emirates.

Irwin claims that the Arsenal board have told Arsene Wenger to spend big this summer, and if he doesn’t his future at the club could be in doubt.

A host of big names are linked with Arsenal by The Sun, including: Toni Kroos, Gonzalo Higuain, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and John Stones.

Certainly, the signing of Pogba or Zlatan would be a huge statement from the Gunners but seems unlikely considering the sides they will go up against.

Plus, both are represented by notorious agent Mino Raiola, who may not have particularly good relations with Arsene Wenger.

More worryingly for Arsenal fans, Irwin suggests that Mesut Ozil is looking to leave Arsenal and wants to a return to Real Madrid.

Unlikely stuff is marked in blue. Pure fantasy in purple. Highly likely stuff is in red. True stuff in green.

Hilarious = orange.

[Özim]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/arsenal-board-tell-arsene-wenger-spend-big-summer-sun/

This journo has links at the club apparently.

cant see it myself though (wenger being told what to do).

Think they tell him that every summer so not expecting anything much.

[Niall_Quinn]

Think they tell him that every summer so not expecting anything much.

I'm not being conned into playing this summer. Every time the same, scanning the news for a hint of a rumour we may be on the verge of thinking about discussing the possibility of maybe signing someone worthwhile. Every other club buzzing with speculation, us lot sitting here unable to find a mention. Some 15 year old kid from Gabon signed early, rumours created by the club we are chasing Messi, Wenger saying he will be busy, a couple of months of nothing and the Wenger saying nobody is available. The only difference might be Alexis and Ozil leaving, if they can find a way to get out. Not playing along this time.

[Gooner23]

Most likely leaked by the club to try and get some good PR going. I don't want Wenger to spend any money this summer, he needs to go.

[Özim]

I'm not being conned into playing this summer. Every time the same, scanning the news for a hint of a rumour we may be on the verge of thinking about discussing the possibility of maybe signing someone worthwhile. Every other club buzzing with speculation, us lot sitting here unable to find a mention. Some 15 year old kid from Gabon signed early, rumours created by the club we are chasing Messi, Wenger saying he will be busy, a couple of months of nothing and the Wenger saying nobody is available. The only difference might be Alexis and Ozil leaving, if they can find a way to get out. Not playing along this time.

Spot on, wait till we hear about the 150 million warchest Wenger has to spend on new players this summer :lol:

[Power n Glory]

Most likely leaked by the club to try and get some good PR going. I don't want Wenger to spend any money this summer, he needs to go.

That's how I feel. Money pissed up the wall. For once Wenger is right about spending not being the answer.

[Power n Glory]

Most likely leaked by the club to try and get some good PR going. I don't want Wenger to spend any money this summer, he needs to go.

That's how I feel. Money pissed up the wall. For once Wenger is right about spending not being the answer.

[Letters]

Someone on here (I haven't checked the figures) said we had the 3rd highest net spend over the last 3 years.
It's certainly been high, compare and contrast with the 3 years before that when we actually made a net profit.
It's a complete myth that the new money hasn't made any difference to our transfer dealings.

[Power n Glory]

Someone on here (I haven't checked the figures) said we had the 3rd highest net spend over the last 3 years.
It's certainly been high, compare and contrast with the 3 years before that when we actually made a net profit.
It's a complete myth that the new money hasn't made any difference to our transfer dealings.

I don’t think anyone is really arguing the difference in net spend. It’s the comparison to performance that most people have a problem with. And shouldn’t take record breaking net spending to win the FA Cup.

Also, it’s the fact that even though we’ve spent more, we’ve still been slow to address issues in the team. Striker situation is a clear example.

[Bumble]

Someone on here (I haven't checked the figures) said we had the 3rd highest net spend over the last 3 years.
It's certainly been high, compare and contrast with the 3 years before that when we actually made a net profit.
It's a complete myth that the new money hasn't made any difference to our transfer dealings.

I know I have mentioned that before. It does show a change in attitude however league wise it really hasn't seen much change in end result.

however this happens every year about spending big up until about May when season ticket renewals go out and then things go quiet. The problem is the Euros this summer, we need to push for signings early as afterwards the players wont always get a chance to bed in and it could be a wasted opportunity. I don't think we even need much in the way of signings really, another centre back to replace Mert, maybe another central midfield to play alongside Elmo/Coq again with energy and more defensive in nature. And an goalscoring midfielder. I like Welbeck up front, he has the right attitude, right physique for what we want. He can be hit and miss but I think the more he plays the more he will hit. We don't have any other consistent goal scorers.

[mastermind84]

Granit Xhaka would be a GREAT signing. We can finally start 4 central midfielders and not need to play Coquelin. (squad player and thats all)

If we keep Ozil and can bring a center forward in to the team, we back! Of course Wenger would still be there.

[Marc Overmars]

I don’t think anyone is really arguing the difference in net spend. It’s the comparison to performance that most people have a problem with. And shouldn’t take record breaking net spending to win the FA Cup.

Also, it’s the fact that even though we’ve spent more, we’ve still been slow to address issues in the team. Striker situation is a clear example.

We've spent a lot and remain nowhere near winning the league or being competitive in the CL. That's the problem.

No amount of money will help us now, not with him in charge.

[I am invisible]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/arsenal-board-tell-arsene-wenger-spend-big-summer-sun/

This journo has links at the club apparently.

cant see it myself though (wenger being told what to do).

Wow, season ticket renewal time already! That's come around quick...

[Power n Glory]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/transfernews/7017772/Arsenal-transfer-news-Mesut-Ozil-wants-exit-if-Arsene-Wenger-stays-as-he-pursues-silverware.html


MESUT OZIL will leave Arsenal if Arsene Wenger stays, according to reports in Spain.

:lol:

Has to be bollocks.

[fakeyank]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/transfernews/7017772/Arsenal-transfer-news-Mesut-Ozil-wants-exit-if-Arsene-Wenger-stays-as-he-pursues-silverware.html



:lol:

Has to be bollocks.

Probably is. Most logical players would do this though.. If I were Ozil, I'd regret the day I signed for AW.

[Power n Glory]

I feel more sorry for the younger players that have wasted a lot of years. Theo was the first of a botched experiment. Gibbs, Wilshere, Ox and Rasmey are the others.

Ox is still young, Wilshere and Ramsey have a little time to turn things around but Theo just turned 27 and Gibbs is up next. It's looking bleak for them. Theo especially. Bought to be developed as a striker but is no mans land. Not a winger. Not a striker. He'll end up like Podolski and Wiltord. Maybe worse.

[Power n Glory]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2626763-arsenal-transfer-news-mesut-ozil-responds-to-gunners-exit-talk-latest-rumours

Ozil responds.


Have seen the media reports today. Arsène Wenger was a big reason for me joining Arsenal – this hasn’t changed! #Respect #AFC

Of course it hasn't changed, Ozil. It's impossible to change if he was the reason you joined. :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

It would be pretty ironic if Ozil left because of Wenger. :lol:

What a horrific message that would send out.

[I am invisible]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2626763-arsenal-transfer-news-mesut-ozil-responds-to-gunners-exit-talk-latest-rumours

Ozil responds.


Of course it hasn't changed, Ozil. It's impossible to change if he was the reason you joined. :lol:

It's almost as if, and bear with me here... it's almost as if the press and the gossip sites are making these stories up?

[Power n Glory]

It's almost as if, and bear with me here... it's almost as if the press and the gossip sites are making these stories up?

Say it ain't so! :lol:

It's bollocks and speculation but I don't see Ozil in hurry to sign a contract so we'll continue to get these stories until he signs. Same goes for Sanchez.

[I am invisible]

Say it ain't so! :lol:

It's bollocks and speculation but I don't see Ozil in hurry to sign a contract so we'll continue to get these stories until he signs. Same goes for Sanchez.

Are any players in a hurry to sign their contracts these days? Seems like they all run them down to the last 6-12 months before they'll even think about talks - gives them a stronger position to negotiate.

Call me an old cynic, but I'll bet this is more about strong-arming themsleves a bigger cut of the new TV deal than anything else - chuck enough money at any of these players and they'll go / stay anywhere...

[Niall_Quinn]

Are any players in a hurry to sign their contracts these days? Seems like they all run them down to the last 6-12 months before they'll even think about talks - gives them a stronger position to negotiate.

Call me an old cynic, but I'll bet this is more about strong-arming themsleves a bigger cut of the new TV deal than anything else - chuck enough money at any of these players and they'll go / stay anywhere...

What a horrible thing to say about professional footballers. Haven't you ever seen them kissing the badge?

[Letters]

I don’t think anyone is really arguing the difference in net spend. It’s the comparison to performance that most people have a problem with. And shouldn’t take record breaking net spending to win the FA Cup.

Also, it’s the fact that even though we’ve spent more, we’ve still been slow to address issues in the team. Striker situation is a clear example.

I don't disagree with that, but the perception is still that he's penny pinching.
I know people think that I do ANYTHING to defend Wenger but some to ANYTHING to attack him: "He's a skinflint, he'll do anything to avoid spending money". "He keeps paying players far too much money..."

Er...

[Power n Glory]

I don't disagree with that, but the perception is still that he's penny pinching.
I know people think that I do ANYTHING to defend Wenger but some to ANYTHING to attack him: "He's a skinflint, he'll do anything to avoid spending money". "He keeps paying players far too much money..."

Er...

It's not simple. I'm pretty sure this has all been explained and argued to death but it never seems to sink in with you. The situation with our finances doesn't make sense at all and nobody really knows what to make of it. We say Stan and the Board are tightfisted with the cash when it comes to transfers but they also approve the wages and our wage bill is pretty high. When looking at Wenger, you don't have to look too hard to hear him scoff at transfer market transfer fees for players. He makes his position well known on that front but he's also made it known that he likes to have a wage structure that pays players equally. This shouldn't be a myth or mystery. He places too much faith in his players and his ability to turn players into something more than what they are. So that explains why he often doesn't look to the transfer market for solutions but overpays in wages for the current squad.

Stop generalising and being so vague with who has said what. Name names or bring that argument to whoever said it so they can defend and explain themselves. Too often you come up with an extreme point of view from fictional posters. The forum isn't that big.

[Letters]

Ah, the old "you're not very bright" tactic. :sleep:
Stopped reading there. Stop behaving like a child :good:

[Niall_Quinn]

Ah, the old "you're not very bright" tactic. :sleep:
Stopped reading there. Stop behaving like a child :good:

You should only use that avatar when you can troll properly. Until then, use this:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLVCw07O0vE/UezMJG6FFYI/AAAAAAAAD-I/g_2WxzZecK4/s1600/3.jpg

[I am invisible]

What a horrible thing to say about professional footballers. Haven't you ever seen them kissing the badge?
I have, but I just assumed that badges must be some kind of legal tender, like stamps?

[Kano]

Some rumours popping up about letting Gibbs go in the summer. Wouldn't be too surprised. Solid squad member but only injury or resting Monreal will see him get game time now.

[selassie]

We've spent a lot and remain nowhere near winning the league or being competitive in the CL. That's the problem.

No amount of money will help us now, not with him in charge.

Yep :gp:

[Özim]

Some rumours popping up about letting Gibbs go in the summer. Wouldn't be too surprised. Solid squad member but only injury or resting Monreal will see him get game time now.

I wouldn't personnally call him a solid squad member, the guy is injured much of the time, this is just the kind of players we should be getting rid of, they take up space and wages in the squad and are rarely ever fit to play.

He's not all that good a defender either, but to be fair to be him he was a winger by trade so it's understandable.

[Power n Glory]

Reports also saying Merts won't receive a new contract.

[Dicks and chicks]

i hope we decide to build a team with players that just try, I wanna see Campbell and Iwobi playing together next season as I feel they've earned the right to be here. I dont want us really splashing the clash foolishly but rather buy 1 or 2 good quality players and imbed the youth.

[Keith]

Probably already been considered but with TR and MA leaving midfield, do you think there could be a move for an out of contract Carrick?

[fakeyank]

No thanks! We dont need another slowing sideway passer in the team. Besides we have Cech who can little bit play there too.

[fakeyank]

i hope we decide to build a team with players that just try, I wanna see Campbell and Iwobi playing together next season as I feel they've earned the right to be here. I dont want us really splashing the clash foolishly but rather buy 1 or 2 good quality players and imbed the youth.

Only thing we need to do is remove Wenger as manager. Everything else will fall into place.

[Kano]

Didn't know Mertesacker only has a year left on his contract. If we do let him go, then Van Dijk would be a perfect upgrade.

[Niall_Quinn]

Probably already been considered but with TR and MA leaving midfield, do you think there could be a move for an out of contract Carrick?

Way past his sell by date and injured all the time?

Sounds perfect.

[Dicks and chicks]

Only thing we need to do is remove Wenger as manager. Everything else will fall into place.
we will suffer more than Man united did when they lost fergie.

[mastermind84]

we will suffer more than Man united did when they lost fergie.

we have a better squad than United did when Ferguson left..

[Static]

we have a better squad than United did when Ferguson left..

Plus and also, Fergie made that team work. It doesn't look like much is working under Wenger.

[Niall_Quinn]

No similarities between Ferguson's exit and a potential (not really) Wenger exit. Fergusin compromised the long term future of the squad for one last hurrah, Wenger is engaged in a never ending squad restructuring, always failing to add the final pieces and call the project complete. A new manager could do that quickly with the right backing from the club. Ferguson relied on his assistants, Wenger relies on nobody. A new manager and his team could quickly organise our squad and develop the tactics to get the best from what we already have. Ferguson was at the end of the line, Wenger is at the start of something with potential, but he strings that start out and never moves on to the next logical step. I'd expect to see almost the opposite of the Moyes effect if a new manager was brought in at Arsenal.

[Letters]

I'd expect to see almost the opposite of the Moyes effect if a new manager was brought in at Arsenal.
I think that depends who the new manager is. It's bullshit to suggest that Wenger is such a bumbling idiot that any idiot could come in and we'd improve.

[GP]

I'd expect to see almost the opposite of the Moyes effect if a new manager was brought in at Arsenal.

I agree. Wenger is such a bumbling idiot ™ that any idiot could come in and we'd improve.

[Letters]

<_<

[Dicks and chicks]

Hope we sign Gotze Kroos and a Dm

[Niall_Quinn]

I think that depends who the new manager is. It's bullshit to suggest that Wenger is such a bumbling idiot that any idiot could come in and we'd improve.

I don't think bringing in another idiot will help so of course it has to be somebody suitable. A coach that knows a bit about man management and has a bit of tactical know-how up his sleeve, that would do. There are plenty around but we should be going for the best option available.

[dostoy]

We all know that Wenger will still be here next season.

Lets just hope he spends a lot in the summer on proven top class players and lets some of the current idiots go.

Ospina or the Polish goalkeeper

Arteta

Rosicky

Flamini

Debuchy

All the above certainly out.

Walcott

Giroud

Mertesacker

Maybe the above 3 names as well.

[Kano]

We all know that Wenger will still be here next season.

Lets just hope he spends a lot in the summer on proven top class players and lets some of the current idiots go.

Ospina or the Polish goalkeeper

Arteta

Rosicky

Flamini

Debuchy

All the above certainly out.

Walcott

Giroud

Mertesacker

Maybe the above 3 names as well.

Walcock and Bif will still be here. Merts may be out the door seeing as he has one year left.

[mastermind84]

Plus and also, Fergie made that team work. It doesn't look like much is working under Wenger.

exactly.

A better manager would win the league by double digits with this squad.

[Power n Glory]

We’ll probably succeed at clearing out the deadweight but fail to replace what we sold.

[Niall_Quinn]

We’ll probably succeed at clearing out the deadweight but fail to replace what we sold.

Wenger is going nowhere.

[alexander]

We all know that Wenger will still be here next season.

Lets just hope he spends a lot in the summer on proven top class players and lets some of the current idiots go.

Ospina or the Polish goalkeeper

Arteta

Rosicky

Flamini

Debuchy

All the above certainly out.

Walcott

Giroud

Mertesacker

Maybe the above 3 names as well.

Oliver and Per still deserve a place in the squad. The rest I would be happy to see gone this summer.

[selassie]

We’ll probably succeed at clearing out the deadweight but fail to replace what we sold.

Yep, I'd be shocked if this didn't happen. I suspect Wenger will promote a few fair players from within as a lot of players leaving are at the end of their careers.

I highly doubt we'll be buying any first XI type players.

[fakeyank]

we will suffer more than Man united did when they lost fergie.

:lol:

You seriously comparing Wenger to Fergie? Mate, this is not 2004.

[Dicks and chicks]

:lol:

You seriously comparing Wenger to Fergie? Mate, this is not 2004.

Wenger got us in the top 4 with absoloutely awful squads something which fergie wouldnt have achieved. I dont think another manager will do as well as he did and when that other manager does eventually come he will do badly and silent stan will be put under more pressure

[Marc Overmars]

Wenger got us in the top 4 with absoloutely awful squads something which fergie wouldnt have achieved.

You seen the squads Fergie won his last 2 titles with? :unsure:

I remember the only won something like 5 away games in 2011.

[fakeyank]

Wenger got us in the top 4 with absoloutely awful squads something which fergie wouldnt have achieved. I dont think another manager will do as well as he did and when that other manager does eventually come he will do badly and silent stan will be put under more pressure

Fergie would have won the title with a bunch of school kids in the 07/08, 09/10 and 13/14 season when we were top of the table for most parts of the season. There is no way in hell that his squads would have the weak ass mentality that AW has embedded in his squads. And you really think Fergies squad wouldnt be at the top or right behind the leaders arses this season when every major team has slipped off?! Only AW can mess things up like he has this season.. frankly he is so clueless, I can see him getting lost on a straight road!

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeVHn2zXIAAr5ZU.jpg

S'il vous plait Agent Laurent

[Power n Glory]

The weak ass mentality is our stumbling block and that comes from our manager. When flying high, we've seen fantastic football but one slight knock and it's like we lose total confidence. It's been a hallmark of every Wenger team.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeV-O0KXEAAQYeG.jpg

:doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We signed only one first team player in summer of 03/04 and then Reyes in January. I'm not sure we signed that many in 01/02 either.

Wherever that is from - what a load of shit, it's clearly including youth players.

[I am invisible]

We signed Big Sol in 01/02, and a few others, but i don't think the others really amounted to much - Richard Wright, Francis Jeffers, Gio van Bronckhorst, etc. I'm sure there were others too - I remember it being a rare spend-up for us, even if we only ended up with one useful player out of it...

[Kano]

Lukaku talking about moving on and wanting to play in the CL.

If he stays in the UK, he won't go back to Chavs, he won't be first pick at Utd with Martial, Rooney and their new wonder kid knocking around. Citeh need another striker as do we, although he won't be first choice there ahead of Aguero. We are the best choice, he has said in the past he'd like to play under Wenger, he is quick, holds up the ball, good technically, scores goals and would be first choice. £50m bid would seal it.

Definitely not going to happen.

[fakeyank]

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10219172/profile-of-reported-arsenal-target-granit-xhaka

Will Wenger sign him? Or will he go for Kallstrom? Seems like Kallstrom is the answer..

[Marc Overmars]

Xhaka is supposed to be very good, definitely the kind of player we need in our team.

[Gooner23]

Not going to happen now we have Elneny

[Marc Overmars]

Elmo and Xhaka CM pairing tbf.

[Gooner23]

Would be good but not holding my breath

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Xhaka is supposed to be very good, definitely the kind of player we need in our team.

He's another one who has been linked to Liverpool as well. :rolleyes:

He certainly knows how to pick up the cards.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I think the Granit Xhaka story is indictive of Wenger and his relationship with the board, Ozil was bought because of the fans being on the cusp of mutiny after failing to buy a player during the summer and the 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa.

In buying Sanchez, Ozil and Cech....this club has proven it can bring in top players with a very minimal hassle and conclude business in a timely way, in a way that the Suarez and Higuain farago suggested we could not.


But it appears only once the pressure is placed on Wenger does this happen, it would be nice to think that we will be proactive with Granit Xhaka and also get in there and sign up a clearly unhappy Romelu Lukaku whilst Chelsea, Man City and United are still in a state of flux.

[alexander]

I think the Granit Xhaka story is indictive of Wenger and his relationship with the board, Ozil was bought because of the fans being on the cusp of mutiny after failing to buy a player during the summer and the 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa.

In buying Sanchez, Ozil and Cech....this club has proven it can bring in top players with a very minimal hassle and conclude business in a timely way, in a way that the Suarez and Higuain farago suggested we could not.


But it appears only once the pressure is placed on Wenger does this happen, it would be nice to think that we will be proactive with Granit Xhaka and also get in there and sign up a clearly unhappy Romelu Lukaku whilst Chelsea, Man City and United are still in a state of flux.

Its been a frustration of mine that so often (although not always) we are slow to get our transfers in. Now I dont know if this is Wenger or the board, but its always a tad frustrating. I know it isnt always possible, but I think it would be good to get our signings done before pre-season training/games. So often we are already 1,2,3 games in before we are having players come in.

I can see the excuses wenger has already this summer "its a little bit difficult when the players are at the Euros" etc etc. Im sure there is a list of players he wants already, that they have been watching. Tell you what Arsenal, get them signed up BEFORE the Euros, that way I wont have to listen to his usual "prices are a little bit inflated after a major tournament" crap he usually spouts.

As for Lukaku, get him in, great talent and proven in the league. Love to see him here.

[Niall_Quinn]

One for the future #BuildingATeamForTheFuture #Yawn


Chelsea starlet Domingos Quina is on the verge of joining Premier League rivals Arsenal this week.
The Portugal Under 17 midfielder is in advanced talks with the Gunners and could sign in the next 48 hours.


More details on whataboutnow.ffs

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Is Lukaku more desirable than Aubameyang? They'd probably be similar in price....

[Gooner23]

Would prefer Aubameyang but don't think there's any chance of that happening.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

It is simply a question of money as it would also be with Everton who flat out refused to sell Stones only last year.

Pay no mind to what Aubameyang told his Grandparents.

[Kano]

Gotze to Pool? Not sure where he'd play though.

[Marc Overmars]

He'd play anywhere Klopp wants because he's comfortably better than what they already have.

[Kano]

His best position by far is behind the striker, which is where he came to prominence at Dortmund. Out wide he's far less effective as we've seen for at Bayern. Firmino and Countinho already work those positions, so the move wouldn't make sense from that perspective. For such a flagship signing you'd want him in his best position. I can't see either of the two Brazilians excelling out wide either. Anyway, just rumours for now.

[GP]

His best position by far is behind the striker, which is where he came to prominence at Dortmund. Out wide he's far less effective as we've seen for at Bayern. Firmino and Countinho already work those positions, so the move wouldn't make sense from that perspective. For such a flagship signing you'd want him in his best position. I can't see either of the two Brazilians excelling out wide either. Anyway, just rumours for now.

Well, Gotze is easily better than those two.

He's a great player so it would be surprising if he landed at Liverpool.

[selassie]

Is Lukaku more desirable than Aubameyang? They'd probably be similar in price....

We won't sign either of them, we won't even be in the mix for them.

[I am invisible]

Is Lukaku more desirable than Aubameyang? They'd probably be similar in price....

Different strikers, but both would add an extra dimension to the team in their own way.

£50-70m though?! I'm not convinced either player is in that bracket...

[Niall_Quinn]

Different strikers, but both would add an extra dimension to the team in their own way.

£50-70m though?! I'm not convinced either player is in that bracket...

They might not be in that bracket as we understand it, but understanding and sanity fell into the PL black hole a while back. We're seeing £50mill average Joes who can do the basics because a lot of the dross in football today can't even do that. Lukaku can run, fight, jump, shoot, take on a defender, bog standard stuff from just a few years back. If Heskey was playing today he'd be a £50mill playa.

The Gotze thing is interesting too. He's one of the superstars (slightly better than average) players who has lost out in the game of musical money chairs. He could well join Liverpool just to get his seat back. We're heading fast for the £1mill per week contract. It has almost happened in China and when the new Euro League kicks off and the the PL starts sucking all the new TV cash down to the agent/ player singularity insanity is going to be the norm.

I don't think we can even come close to competing for these big names. I think we've missed that boat. It'll cost maybe £60mill for that top striker we want to see. A top CB might cost £50mill, we've seen the devastatingly mediocre Luiz go for that twice already. If we go the big name route we may need to spend £200-300mill to put all the pieces together and there's no way Kroenke and crew will sanction that, let alone our "I'm staying" manager.

Whoever (or whatever) spotted Elneny is probably our best bet now. I'd settle for a whole team of Coquelin, Bellerin, Elneny type finds. Not the top level but then again I think the difference between the top level and the second tier (excluding your Messis and Ronaldos) is blurring. Leicester and West Ham and Southampton etc are demonstrating that.

[Marc Overmars]

Different strikers, but both would add an extra dimension to the team in their own way.

£50-70m though?! I'm not convinced either player is in that bracket...

No point scoffing at the prices in the transfer market anymore. Every club in the PL is filthy rich, they're inevitably going to be milked, if not by each other then certainly by foreign clubs.

[GP]

There's a company called StatDNA that analyses player performance and stats. The company is owned by Arsenal so we're getting all that data.

Apparently Gabriel and Elneny were StatDNA signings.

[Power n Glory]

The Gotze thing is interesting too. He's one of the superstars (slightly better than average) players who has lost out in the game of musical money chairs. He could well join Liverpool just to get his seat back.

His own making and a complete asswipe for the way he left. Dortmund were stitched up with the CL final. Bayern played dirty and he allowed it.

[Niall_Quinn]

There's a company called StatDNA that analyses player performance and stats. The company is owned by Arsenal so we're getting all that data.

Apparently Gabriel and Elneny were StatDNA signings.

The laptop said yes.

[Niall_Quinn]

His own making and a complete asswipe for the way he left. Dortmund were stitched up with the CL final. Bayern played dirty and he allowed it.

Of course. But he's only one dirty little bastard ingrate from a whole bunch. You'll see them all whoring their arses around in Euro 2016. I'll be looking out for the players who agree to stay before that shop window/ marketing/ corporate jolly kicks off in the summer.

[Power n Glory]

Of course. But he's only one dirty little bastard ingrate from a whole bunch. You'll see them all whoring their arses around in Euro 2016. I'll be looking out for the players who agree to stay before that shop window/ marketing/ corporate jolly kicks off in the summer.

I think that was probably the worst of them. Disrupted his teams CL final preparation. Unforgivable stuff.

[mastermind84]

I think that was probably the worst of them. Disrupted his teams CL final preparation. Unforgivable stuff.

The deal was made before the first leg match against Real Madrid in the semi finals. Dortmund won that match 4-1.

Don't think it disrupted them at all. I think Goetze's injury in the second leg was more a disruption to the plans.

[selassie]

His own making and a complete asswipe for the way he left. Dortmund were stitched up with the CL final. Bayern played dirty and he allowed it.

Yeah that was underhand from both Bayern & Gotze. I think Gotze is a good player that looked great in the system Klopp built at Dortmund. Gotze strikes me as one of those types who only thrives if the team is built for him, he's basically a bit of a luxury player, similar to Isco when he was at Malaga before he went to Real. Gotze isn't the kind of player you can stick on the wing and hope he performs, he's not that versatile.

I know we have been linked with him but don't want him, he'd be shoved out wide for us.

[I am invisible]

No point scoffing at the prices in the transfer market anymore. Every club in the PL is filthy rich, they're inevitably going to be milked, if not by each other then certainly by foreign clubs.

The price doesn't bother me in itself - I'd spend £70m+ in a cold minute if we were talking about someone like Lewandowski. I just don't think those two are worth it. Good players, but they're not that good.

If you get a chance, try and dig out a compilation of all of Aubameyang's goals from this season - there's a couple of screamers in there, but the vast majority are tap-ins from a couple of yards out after his team mates have put it on a plate (and even then a lot of them are kind of scuffed in)? No disrespect intended to the lad - I've often said that you don't need to be an amazing finisher if your movement and timing are good, and he's kind of proving the point. It just doesn't feel like something we need to be paying that kind of money for? The players we already have should be able to arrive 2 yards out and take a swing at it!

If we're going to get milked, then get proper-milked for someone phenomenal...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

We won't sign either of them, we won't even be in the mix for them.

Reality go home!

Whatever Aubameyang has must be in serious short supply as there are few who have scored at his rate and lets not forget he's outscored Lewandowski himself. The only players left that have already proven to be worth more than 50 million are at Real, Barca or Bayern......and even then Real is debatable.

We need the StatDNA machine to pull a few forward names up because we've been without a truly top forward for far too long now(just as we were without a world class keeper too damn long)....and the rest of the team is far from making up for that.

[I am invisible]

They might not be in that bracket as we understand it, but understanding and sanity fell into the PL black hole a while back. We're seeing £50mill average Joes who can do the basics because a lot of the dross in football today can't even do that. Lukaku can run, fight, jump, shoot, take on a defender, bog standard stuff from just a few years back. If Heskey was playing today he'd be a £50mill playa.

The Gotze thing is interesting too. He's one of the superstars (slightly better than average) players who has lost out in the game of musical money chairs. He could well join Liverpool just to get his seat back. We're heading fast for the £1mill per week contract. It has almost happened in China and when the new Euro League kicks off and the the PL starts sucking all the new TV cash down to the agent/ player singularity insanity is going to be the norm.

I don't think we can even come close to competing for these big names. I think we've missed that boat. It'll cost maybe £60mill for that top striker we want to see. A top CB might cost £50mill, we've seen the devastatingly mediocre Luiz go for that twice already. If we go the big name route we may need to spend £200-300mill to put all the pieces together and there's no way Kroenke and crew will sanction that, let alone our "I'm staying" manager.

Whoever (or whatever) spotted Elneny is probably our best bet now. I'd settle for a whole team of Coquelin, Bellerin, Elneny type finds. Not the top level but then again I think the difference between the top level and the second tier (excluding your Messis and Ronaldos) is blurring. Leicester and West Ham and Southampton etc are demonstrating that.

Totally agree. Leicester are showing what you can do with good scouting, spufs are showing what can be done with good development, and any number of teams in the league are showing what you get when you properly define your players' roles and knit them together into a team with a clear vision. I'd like to think we'd still be in the mix if anyone genuinely world-class who comes along, but you've really got to sift any big money signings carefully these days - more and more I'm finding myself spectacularly underwhelmed by what you get for your money.

The only thing that blurs the issue for me is the fact that I know the saving won't be passed on to the fans - as much as I'm all for putting more focus on good scouting and coaching and development, and I know it makes sense on almost every level, it still pisses me off to think of Kroenke and chums just trousering the profit...

[Marc Overmars]

The players we already have should be able to arrive 2 yards out and take a swing at it!


None of them do though! If it was that easy we wouldn't be talking about needing a striker.

[I am invisible]

None of them do though! If it was that easy we wouldn't be talking about needing a striker.

That's the thing though - it should be that easy. If we can't coach our strikers to put the ball away from a couple of yards, then maybe that's a bigger problem than the personnel?

[Kano]

That's the thing though - it should be that easy. If we can't coach our strikers to put the ball away from a couple of yards, then maybe that's a bigger problem than the personnel?
If we are saying that nothing has changed on the pitch in terms of Wenger’s approach, then it makes sense to say that same about the training methods. We had the exact same team last season and this problem wasn’t there when it came to scoring so few, a similar amount of chances are being created, so it all comes down to nerve on the pitch. That is certainly an area the manager has to earn his keep but he isn't doing so. Alexis not scoring is a noticeable big miss for us, as is our general lack of goals from midfield.

[selassie]

Reality go home!

Whatever Aubameyang has must be in serious short supply as there are few who have scored at his rate and lets not forget he's outscored Lewandowski himself. The only players left that have already proven to be worth more than 50 million are at Real, Barca or Bayern......and even then Real is debatable.

We need the StatDNA machine to pull a few forward names up because we've been without a truly top forward for far too long now(just as we were without a world class keeper too damn long)....and the rest of the team is far from making up for that.

:lol:

Yeah Aubameyang looks the real deal to me, he certainly knows where the goal is, has lightening pace, his hold up play looks pretty decent and he's fairly strong, he pretty much ticks all the boxes for what we need in a top class striker.

He'll go for major money, though it seems he has his heart set on La Liga, so Real I assume.

Lukaku is really the one we should be going for, I think he's obtainable but we'll have to break our transfer record to get him.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Well, Gotze is easily better than those two.

He's a great player so it would be surprising if he landed at Liverpool.

Signing a Mario for between £15-20m, what could go wrong?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I just question whether the current African player of the year with a funny hair do and buck teeth is Hollywood enough for Real.....even if the kid has got his heart set on them.

For clubs like Real it is as much about the statement as it is the quality of player.

[mastermind84]

Yeah that was underhand from both Bayern & Gotze. I think Gotze is a good player that looked great in the system Klopp built at Dortmund. Gotze strikes me as one of those types who only thrives if the team is built for him, he's basically a bit of a luxury player, similar to Isco when he was at Malaga before he went to Real. Gotze isn't the kind of player you can stick on the wing and hope he performs, he's not that versatile.

I know we have been linked with him but don't want him, he'd be shoved out wide for us.

this is also why im not sure why Liverpool would want him unless they are dumping Firmino and Coutinho.

[mastermind84]

:lol:

Yeah Aubameyang looks the real deal to me, he certainly knows where the goal is, has lightening pace, his hold up play looks pretty decent and he's fairly strong, he pretty much ticks all the boxes for what we need in a top class striker.

He'll go for major money, though it seems he has his heart set on La Liga, so Real I assume.

Lukaku is really the one we should be going for, I think he's obtainable but we'll have to break our transfer record to get him.

I think Morata is hte best option.


Lukaku got shaky tekkers and does not make smart runs off the ball.

[I am invisible]

If we are saying that nothing has changed on the pitch in terms of Wenger’s approach, then it makes sense to say that same about the training methods. We had the exact same team last season and this problem wasn’t there when it came to scoring so few, a similar amount of chances are being created, so it all comes down to nerve on the pitch. That is certainly an area the manager has to earn his keep but he isn't doing so. Alexis not scoring is a noticeable big miss for us, as is our general lack of goals from midfield.

It's the same squad of players (more or less), but that doesn't mean that it's always the same team - each season's casualty list kind of dictates what we end up with on the pitch at any given moment, so whilst the training methods stay the same, the challenges we face are always going to be different. That's probably a large part of the problem.

One of my biggest gripes with the coaching at the moment is that we have far too many players who have no defined role in the side, and who don't seem to be learning how to do any job properly? Guys like Walcott, Ramsey and Ox are all kind of drifting at the moment - we're asking them to do one job for the team, but instead of telling them in no uncertain terms that that's gonna be their main role, we allow them to carry on thinking of themselves as something else, and they end up not really mastering the specifics of anything. They don't see themselves as right-sided players - they just think they're filling in there for a bit, so they don't really commit to it. What's happening with Chambers? Is he a CB or a RB, or a defensive midfielder? What are we actually teaching him, and training him to be? Has anyone actually taken Flamini to one side and explained the role of a defensive midfielder to him? He talks a good game, but he still just seems to wander about wherever he wants. Have we nailed Wilshere down to long-term role? I know where I'd play him, but I'm not sure Wenger has made up his mind yet. I still don't even know what Rosicky's main role in the side is after all these years! I'm all for a bit of flexibility and adaptability, but I think that kind of intimate knowledge a specific role is important - it gives you something to fall back on, that you can almost do on auto-pilot because you've practiced it to death, when you're out of form, or just not up for it. It gives you confidence, and it can carry you through tough patches.

I also think we've allowed certain players to feel a little too safe and secure in their places in the side. I see a noticeable difference in guys like Coquelin and Campbell, who have come into the side after being farmed out on numerous loans, and look like they're playing for their Arsenal lives! They've been given any place in the side, and they look determined to make it their own, regardless of whether it's how they imagined their careers going when they started out. Iwobi is another one where you see a difference - he looks like he can play anywhere across the front 3, but whichever role you give him, he sticks to it, does the job well, and doesn't continually drift into other areas because that's where he'd rather be playing. This is his big chance, and he knows it. Bellerin is another good example of what you get when you focus a player on one role - there's no question that he's anything other than a RB: he does nothing but learn that one role inside out, and he's already starting to look world-class. That doesn't mean he couldn't fill in somewhere else, like RW, if we ever needed him to, but that flexibility comes second to his main role. If we could apply that same kind of focus and motivation to every member of the squad then there's a lot more that we can squeeze out of this group of players.

Which isn't to say that we don't need a massive spend-up in the summer, because we do. Regardless of all of the above, we're probably going to need at least one more CM and a new RB, probably a new CB and LB, and possibly a new back-up keeper, and that's just replacing players that will likely be leaving or retiring! My gut feeling is that we'll need either another CF or another world-class wide attacker, with one high-profile casualty making way, but I'd like to get a more complete picture of what's going on with the attack first before making that call - as it stands, I think a lot of players have been massively underperforming, and others have been going to waste, and I kind of fear the same thing happening to anyone new who might come in unless we get a grip on the coaching.

[I am invisible]

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10219172/profile-of-reported-arsenal-target-granit-xhaka

Will Wenger sign him? Or will he go for Kallstrom? Seems like Kallstrom is the answer..

Bild seem to think the Xhaka deal is pretty much done, for whatever that's worth...

[alexander]

One of my biggest gripes with the coaching at the moment is that we have far too many players who have no defined role in the side, and who don't seem to be learning how to do any job properly? Guys like Walcott, Ramsey and Ox are all kind of drifting at the moment - we're asking them to do one job for the team, but instead of telling them in no uncertain terms that that's gonna be their main role, we allow them to carry on thinking of themselves as something else, and they end up not really mastering the specifics of anything. They don't see themselves as right-sided players - they just think they're filling in there for a bit, so they don't really commit to it. What's happening with Chambers? Is he a CB or a RB, or a defensive midfielder? What are we actually teaching him, and training him to be? Has anyone actually taken Flamini to one side and explained the role of a defensive midfielder to him? He talks a good game, but he still just seems to wander about wherever he wants. Have we nailed Wilshere down to long-term role? I know where I'd play him, but I'm not sure Wenger has made up his mind yet. I still don't even know what Rosicky's main role in the side is after all these years! I'm all for a bit of flexibility and adaptability, but I think that kind of intimate knowledge a specific role is important - it gives you something to fall back on, that you can almost do on auto-pilot because you've practiced it to death, when you're out of form, or just not up for it. It gives you confidence, and it can carry you through tough patches.

I was talking football with my barber on saturday who is a Spurs man. He was saying something similar. He said about how many good players we had, but he always sees them playing all over. He said that Spurs have a much more defined structure to the team. Maybe, like you say above we need them focused on one position. I have always thought that Wenger is still loving the `Total football` thing, where players can play anywhere. Maybe not the best example, but I remember when we had Bendtner about and he used to come on as a sub, Wenger often put him on the wing. I can remember saying to my old man that he needs to be played up front, that is clearly his best position (he was still shite, but Im using it to make a point!) and not on the wing.
There does seem to be a continuing saga of us trying to find our best formation and first 11.

[Power n Glory]

It's the same squad of players (more or less), but that doesn't mean that it's always the same team - each season's casualty list kind of dictates what we end up with on the pitch at any given moment, so whilst the training methods stay the same, the challenges we face are always going to be different. That's probably a large part of the problem.

One of my biggest gripes with the coaching at the moment is that we have far too many players who have no defined role in the side, and who don't seem to be learning how to do any job properly? Guys like Walcott, Ramsey and Ox are all kind of drifting at the moment - we're asking them to do one job for the team, but instead of telling them in no uncertain terms that that's gonna be their main role, we allow them to carry on thinking of themselves as something else, and they end up not really mastering the specifics of anything. They don't see themselves as right-sided players - they just think they're filling in there for a bit, so they don't really commit to it. What's happening with Chambers? Is he a CB or a RB, or a defensive midfielder? What are we actually teaching him, and training him to be? Has anyone actually taken Flamini to one side and explained the role of a defensive midfielder to him? He talks a good game, but he still just seems to wander about wherever he wants. Have we nailed Wilshere down to long-term role? I know where I'd play him, but I'm not sure Wenger has made up his mind yet. I still don't even know what Rosicky's main role in the side is after all these years! I'm all for a bit of flexibility and adaptability, but I think that kind of intimate knowledge a specific role is important - it gives you something to fall back on, that you can almost do on auto-pilot because you've practiced it to death, when you're out of form, or just not up for it. It gives you confidence, and it can carry you through tough patches.

I also think we've allowed certain players to feel a little too safe and secure in their places in the side. I see a noticeable difference in guys like Coquelin and Campbell, who have come into the side after being farmed out on numerous loans, and look like they're playing for their Arsenal lives! They've been given any place in the side, and they look determined to make it their own, regardless of whether it's how they imagined their careers going when they started out. Iwobi is another one where you see a difference - he looks like he can play anywhere across the front 3, but whichever role you give him, he sticks to it, does the job well, and doesn't continually drift into other areas because that's where he'd rather be playing. This is his big chance, and he knows it. Bellerin is another good example of what you get when you focus a player on one role - there's no question that he's anything other than a RB: he does nothing but learn that one role inside out, and he's already starting to look world-class. That doesn't mean he couldn't fill in somewhere else, like RW, if we ever needed him to, but that flexibility comes second to his main role. If we could apply that same kind of focus and motivation to every member of the squad then there's a lot more that we can squeeze out of this group of players.

Which isn't to say that we don't need a massive spend-up in the summer, because we do. Regardless of all of the above, we're probably going to need at least one more CM and a new RB, probably a new CB and LB, and possibly a new back-up keeper, and that's just replacing players that will likely be leaving or retiring! My gut feeling is that we'll need either another CF or another world-class wide attacker, with one high-profile casualty making way, but I'd like to get a more complete picture of what's going on with the attack first before making that call - as it stands, I think a lot of players have been massively underperforming, and others have been going to waste, and I kind of fear the same thing happening to anyone new who might come in unless we get a grip on the coaching.

:gp:

I read somewhere this morning that Ramsey played more games on the right than in the centre for 2015. Ox gets switched from right to left and even the centre. Theo has only played one game up front since coming back from injury. Most of his starts have come as a left winger this season and the odd subs he’s come on as right winger. He’s hardly ever played on the left wing through his career so he was bound to struggle. But on the other hand, Joel Campbell gets dropped after a couple of good performances and never gets a chance to build on those good performances.

Wenger just doesn’t know his best team and it shouldn’t take injuries for him to see a player like Elneny is the better option over Flamini and Ramsey. It’s frustrating to watch us stumble upon our best team each year only for injuries to disrupt it and then having to fumble our way through until we stumble upon a winning formula again. Last year it took injuries for us to play Coquelin and Cazorla in the middle. We were mucking around with Arteta, Flamini, Ramsey and Wilshere for ages and it was clear that none of them were playing well in the centre no matter the various combinations we tried. But what’s really annoying is the fact that he’ll try those same players again and again if we pick up more injures and they’re his first point of call when they should be the absolute last resort.

The Giroud situation is another running joke. We’ve been stumped again by his dry patch and loss of confidence. Why didn’t Wenger react earlier? It’s not as if we haven’t seen Bif like this before. He needed to be dropped much earlier. Why not experiment with Walcott or Sanchez up front again? Campbell is supposed to be able to play as striker as well. Where are our young players from the academy? How comes they get shipped out without a chance to play up front? Why not try two up front? I’m looking at Liverpool’s situation with Benteke and Klopp has cut him out quickly because he doesn’t fit the style. He’s trying Origi and Firmino instead. Even trying two strikers if that what it takes. Wenger’s inflexibility for certain troublesome areas always turns out to be our undoing.

[Power n Glory]

I was talking football with my barber on saturday who is a Spurs man. He was saying something similar. He said about how many good players we had, but he always sees them playing all over. He said that Spurs have a much more defined structure to the team. Maybe, like you say above we need them focused on one position. I have always thought that Wenger is still loving the `Total football` thing, where players can play anywhere. Maybe not the best example, but I remember when we had Bendtner about and he used to come on as a sub, Wenger often put him on the wing. I can remember saying to my old man that he needs to be played up front, that is clearly his best position (he was still shite, but Im using it to make a point!) and not on the wing.
There does seem to be a continuing saga of us trying to find our best formation and first 11.

Exactly. How is Bendy playing on the wing when we're chasing a goal in the last few minutes. He'd be whipping in crosses instead of getting on the end of them.

[I am invisible]

I was talking football with my barber on saturday who is a Spurs man. He was saying something similar. He said about how many good players we had, but he always sees them playing all over. He said that Spurs have a much more defined structure to the team. Maybe, like you say above we need them focused on one position. I have always thought that Wenger is still loving the `Total football` thing, where players can play anywhere. Maybe not the best example, but I remember when we had Bendtner about and he used to come on as a sub, Wenger often put him on the wing. I can remember saying to my old man that he needs to be played up front, that is clearly his best position (he was still shite, but Im using it to make a point!) and not on the wing.
There does seem to be a continuing saga of us trying to find our best formation and first 11.

It's got to be one or the other. Total football works if you train every one of you players to play the same way, like the Barcelona of a few years ago, and your position more or less becomes a zone that you occupy rather than a specific job - anyone can do a decent job anywhere in that kind of set-up.

Or you go for something more structured, with more specialist, traditional roles and more reliance on planning and tactics - not quite as spectacular at it's best, but probably a far safer bet.

We seem to be stuck somewhere in the middle though - half the team have defined roles, the other half just kind of do whatever, and everyone has their own unique playing styles. I can see the appeal of a 50/50 approach - an interchangeable total football surround grafted onto a defined core of essential roles - but in practice it's very hit and miss, and it gets exposed quite badly when the injuries start to mount up, and we have to shuffle the back. The players who have the defined roles cant really cover anyone else, and our total football utility men, or whatever you want to call them, can't really cover the defined roles properly without thorough training.

[I am invisible]

:gp:

I read somewhere this morning that Ramsey played more games on the right than in the centre for 2015. Ox gets switched from right to left and even the centre. Theo has only played one game up front since coming back from injury. Most of his starts have come as a left winger this season and the odd subs he’s come on as right winger. He’s hardly ever played on the left wing through his career so he was bound to struggle. But on the other hand, Joel Campbell gets dropped after a couple of good performances and never gets a chance to build on those good performances.

Wenger just doesn’t know his best team and it shouldn’t take injuries for him to see a player like Elneny is the better option over Flamini and Ramsey. It’s frustrating to watch us stumble upon our best team each year only for injuries to disrupt it and then having to fumble our way through until we stumble upon a winning formula again. Last year it took injuries for us to play Coquelin and Cazorla in the middle. We were mucking around with Arteta, Flamini, Ramsey and Wilshere for ages and it was clear that none of them were playing well in the centre no matter the various combinations we tried. But what’s really annoying is the fact that he’ll try those same players again and again if we pick up more injures and they’re his first point of call when they should be the absolute last resort.

The Giroud situation is another running joke. We’ve been stumped again by his dry patch and loss of confidence. Why didn’t Wenger react earlier? It’s not as if we haven’t seen Bif like this before. He needed to be dropped much earlier. Why not experiment with Walcott or Sanchez up front again? Campbell is supposed to be able to play as striker as well. Where are our young players from the academy? How comes they get shipped out without a chance to play up front? Why not try two up front? I’m looking at Liverpool’s situation with Benteke and Klopp has cut him out quickly because he doesn’t fit the style. He’s trying Origi and Firmino instead. Even trying two strikers if that what it takes. Wenger’s inflexibility for certain troublesome areas always turns out to be our undoing.

Yeah, I really don't get the way he stands by so many of his senior players - we're talking about a man who ruthlessly canned off a legend like Ian Wright for an 18 year old here, so why this current bunch of do-nothings get so many chances, I have no idea. Maybe he's just been stung once too often by high-profile departures or something, and it's all just a misguided show of loyalty to the players who have stuck by him (seriously Arsene, the money these guys are paid is plenty!), but whatever the reason, we need to get back to being a meritocracy again, and cut out all the free rides.

I think a big part of the problem with Giroud is that he can literally only play one position - he almost retains the mantle of CF by default when we start losing wingers and wide attackers to injury, because his competition for the role can all provide cover for the wide areas, whereas he becomes little more than a £130k-a-week paperweight if we're not playing him there.

It'll be interesting to see what happens now we have Campbell and Iwobi as additional wide options though - that instantly reduces the need to play Walcott and Welbeck on the flanks (and Ramsey and Ox for that matter), and gives us a bit more flexibility to play around with Sanchez. I think Giroud's going to find the competition a lot fiercer from now on, even if we make no new attacking additions.

I can also see there being a very disappointed trio of Walcott, Ramsey and Ox next season, if they don't wake up and see what's happening with those wide roles - Campbell and Iwobi are making a much stronger case for them right now, and they're just letting them go without a fight. That's a massive mistake, IMO - they're probably looking at it thinking it's great news, because they can finally play their preferred, central roles, but I don't think any of them get close to starting as a CM or CF at the moment, with everyone else fit. They may not like playing on the right, but that's by far and away their best route to a guaranteed place in the starting XI...

[Bumble]

when does winter speculation transition to summer speculation?

I would play Welbeck up top... I don't think we need a striker just find goals from midfield. I would look to sign Kante to play alongside Emo. Iwobi will press to play more next season. Campbell has done well but I still think he is more of a squad player than regular first teamer. But I do think like IAI that one of Ramsey, Ox or Walcott will be very disappointed and probably look to move on. I have always been a fan of Walcott and always wanted him to do well but he just seems to be regressing instead of progressing and at 26 that shouldn't be the case. The Ox still has time on his side and has more natural ability I think. he just makes bad decisions and struggles with injuries both things that can be overcome as the player gets older.

I would sign another centre back as well.

[Kano]

Spring Transfer Speculation?

Absolutely, positively, 100% need a striker. Giroud is limited and Welbeck is still far from proven as a guy you can rely on. He’s full of energy and looks useful at the moment but we only need to look back across recent times to see how frustrating he can be. Plus he has a poor injury record. We need someone who can move us on from Giroud upfront, a key figurehead we can rely on throughout the season. Then some goals from midfield would be very handy again too.

As Iai said earlier, a new CB (van Dijk would be nice), LB (if Gibbs goes), RB (Debuchy out the door), at least one CM (Rosicky/Flamini/Arteta going), a striker and a useful wide player. Quite a bit to do in the summer. The smart money is on quite a lot of it not taking place.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

That's about the size of it yes....

[GP]

Linked with Mkhitaryan today.

[alexander]

Linked with Mkhitaryan today.

had to google him....

`Mkhitaryan is Armenia's all-time top goalscorer` does seem like a good midfield goalscorer though. We could do with that.

sign him up.

[selassie]

had to google him....

`Mkhitaryan is Armenia's all-time top goalscorer` does seem like a good midfield goalscorer though. We could do with that.

sign him up.

He's a really good player, having a very good season for Dortmund, was decent last season too.

He'll cost a fair whack and TBF we don't actually need him as he is an AM but I'm sure we'll find a way to sign him and ignore the other issues in the team. :rolleyes:

[Marc Overmars]

Mkhitaryan is really good. We'd probably have to move a couple of players on first though, Walcott and Oxlade spring to mind.

[Power n Glory]

Times up for Theo. He should be the first one to go but Ox is still young. He may have a future here once Wenger has gone but Theo is in Podolski territory. Whoever he goes to will have a hard time figuring out what to do with him. Hasn't established himself as a winger or striker.

Mkhitaryan - we should go for him.

[Niall_Quinn]

We've been linked to at least 800 players already. It's almost as if the agents and the media are colluding.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kante said: 'I will fight for Leicester this season, next season we never know and we will see. At this moment I am focused on Leicester. We have to finish well this season but I don't mind about [being linked with] the other clubs.'


Shocking shit when he's on the verge of winning the unlikeliest PL title in history. Wouldn't want him anywhere near Arsenal.

[I am invisible]

He's a really good player, having a very good season for Dortmund, was decent last season too.

He'll cost a fair whack and TBF we don't actually need him as he is an AM but I'm sure we'll find a way to sign him and ignore the other issues in the team. :rolleyes:

Plays anywhere across the front 3, behind the striker - I could see him fitting in. 20 goals and 24 assists is the sort of output that you find a place for.

It might even indirectly solve (or at least ease) out striker problems too? Sanchez + Mkhitaryan + Iwobi + Campbell (supplemented by Ramsey and Ox) = Welbeck and Walcott can concentrate on being strikers = Giroud not just getting the CF role by default because everyone else is always covering other areas. It may even give us the numbers we need to experiment with Sanchez as CF? Options...

[I am invisible]

Times up for Theo. He should be the first one to go but Ox is still young. He may have a future here once Wenger has gone but Theo is in Podolski territory. Whoever he goes to will have a hard time figuring out what to do with him. Hasn't established himself as a winger or striker.

Mkhitaryan - we should go for him.

:good:

Although Ox really needs to work out that he's not a central midfielder, and he needs to do it fast! He's already about 8th in line to play CM before we even think about new signings, and the competition is starting to look pretty fierce in the wide areas and behind the striker - if he doesn't get himself focussed soon, he's going to find himself obsolete...

[Power n Glory]

:good:

Although Ox really needs to work out that he's not a central midfielder, and he needs to do it fast! He's already about 8th in line to play CM before we even thing about new signings, and the competition is starting to look pretty fierce in the wide areas and behind the striker - if he doesn't get himself focussed soon, he's going to find himself obsolete...

I agree on that one. But with Ox, he at least tends to stick to trying to play as a winger. He doesn't try to fudge the roles and drift too far into the middle. This is where Theo has gone wrong. He's trying to play as a wide striker and not in a way that anyone else in football plays it and it's not even successful for us.

[Özim]

Mkhitaryan is really good. We'd probably have to move a couple of players on first though, Walcott and Oxlade spring to mind.

Seems like a good signing, but read yesterday Juve were interested but his agent said it's not going to happen (nor the move to Arsenal) as Dortmund have put a very good deal on the table.

[Dicks and chicks]

We've been linked to at least 800 players already. It's almost as if the agents and the media are colluding.
Werent we even linked with a birmingham city reject striker at one point

[alexander]

I would be happy to see the back of Theo, Arteta, Rosicky, flamini, and to an extent, Ramsay. I think Joel looks like he offers plenty in the wide role, with the option of moving to CF at times. Ozil and Alexis are keepers, Alex Iwobi looks a good talent, and like Ox has some power, skill and speed to his game, and at the mo he deserves his place in our starting 11. Welbeck I like, much the same as Iwobi with what he offers. Ox deserves a little longer, but time is running out, 2 seasons back I thought he was well ahead of Theo, offering not only the pace of Theo, but also skill to beat a man and the strength to go with it. Sadly he has plateaued and not really kicked on. Think he will get there though. As for Wilshere, like the way he plays, his desire is clearly there, but with his injury record, will he ever really make it? he has missed so much football, and he seems to have a style of play that induces injuries. He tends to hold onto the ball that little bit too long and that invites the tackle. Elmo looks good so far, but i dont like to get carried away too soon, but he and Coq could for a good solid partnership in there. Santi, well he is a great player, and one we have really missed, two footed and gets stuff moving for us, but he is getting on a little now.
As far as I see it, our midfield really needs some work, but I cant see all this happening, its just not Wengers style. Cant see another DM coming in as he bought Elmo and has Coq, that will be enough for Wenger (although we know they will both be out for months next season, its the arsenal way). We are desperate for a decent CF, Olly is good, but he isnt quite there, and his goals come in patches, although I do think we overplay him. Theo i just dont trust to get enough goals. Welbeck will get them, and I think if he had had a full season at CF with us, he would have put away more of the chances Ozil made for Giroud, and given Giroud the break he looks like he needs at times.
Plenty of work to be done this summer, so I expect Wenger to come out with 1) Not enough top top quality. 2) difficult to do business with the Euros. 3) Dont want to `kill` players coming back. etc etc.

[Power n Glory]

I would be happy to see the back of Theo, Arteta, Rosicky, flamini, and to an extent, Ramsay. I think Joel looks like he offers plenty in the wide role, with the option of moving to CF at times. Ozil and Alexis are keepers, Alex Iwobi looks a good talent, and like Ox has some power, skill and speed to his game, and at the mo he deserves his place in our starting 11. Welbeck I like, much the same as Iwobi with what he offers. Ox deserves a little longer, but time is running out, 2 seasons back I thought he was well ahead of Theo, offering not only the pace of Theo, but also skill to beat a man and the strength to go with it. Sadly he has plateaued and not really kicked on. Think he will get there though. As for Wilshere, like the way he plays, his desire is clearly there, but with his injury record, will he ever really make it? he has missed so much football, and he seems to have a style of play that induces injuries. He tends to hold onto the ball that little bit too long and that invites the tackle. Elmo looks good so far, but i dont like to get carried away too soon, but he and Coq could for a good solid partnership in there. Santi, well he is a great player, and one we have really missed, two footed and gets stuff moving for us, but he is getting on a little now.
As far as I see it, our midfield really needs some work, but I cant see all this happening, its just not Wengers style. Cant see another DM coming in as he bought Elmo and has Coq, that will be enough for Wenger (although we know they will both be out for months next season, its the arsenal way). We are desperate for a decent CF, Olly is good, but he isnt quite there, and his goals come in patches, although I do think we overplay him. Theo i just dont trust to get enough goals. Welbeck will get them, and I think if he had had a full season at CF with us, he would have put away more of the chances Ozil made for Giroud, and given Giroud the break he looks like he needs at times.
Plenty of work to be done this summer, so I expect Wenger to come out with 1) Not enough top top quality. 2) difficult to do business with the Euros. 3) Dont want to `kill` players coming back. etc etc.

Agree with a lot of that. Shame about Rosicky. So injury prone and I wish he'd have been given more games as CM or AM. Talented wasted.

I like Welbeck but I'm not sold on him playing as CF just yet. His finishing is iffy. Seems like the type that can't his footing right before striking the ball. The absolute sitter he recently missed is an example of what I mean. Seems a bit clumsy. He needs to play the rest of the season though. Giroud shouldn't be an option.

[alexander]

Agree with a lot of that. Shame about Rosicky. So injury prone and I wish he'd have been given more games as CM or AM. Talented wasted.

I like Welbeck but I'm not sold on him playing as CF just yet. His finishing is iffy. Seems like the type that can't his footing right before striking the ball. The absolute sitter he recently missed is an example of what I mean. Seems a bit clumsy. He needs to play the rest of the season though. Giroud shouldn't be an option.

I can remember us signing Rosicky (10 years ago now!) and was really looking forward to him playing, sadly didnt quite work out, real shame.
Agree about Welbeck, but at the mo out of the realistic up front options we have (him, theo, and oliver) he is the one, although he does miss some sitters, but so does Olly, and dont get me started on Theo!

[Power n Glory]

I can remember us signing Rosicky (10 years ago now!) and was really looking forward to him playing, sadly didnt quite work out, real shame.
Agree about Welbeck, but at the mo out of the realistic up front options we have (him, theo, and oliver) he is the one, although he does miss some sitters, but so does Olly, and dont get me started on Theo!

I was super excited when we made that signing. Was hoping we’d play him and Cesc in a 4-3-3 formation but we stuck him out wide in a 4-4-2 ;). The frustration with Wenger goes back a long way. :lol:

I think Welbeck is the best option right now. I’ve always said Theo should play as striker and thought he did well before getting injured again but on current form, he doesn’t even deserve a shirt. He’s been woeful and really needs to have a strong finish to this season. Welbeck has really come out the gate firing. If he can polish up his game a little and finish strong, he may put aside any doubts I have about him.

[Niall_Quinn]

Depends what the ambitions of this club are. Do we want to win a title in the argy bargy PL? We should already have a squad good enough to do that.

Do we want to go toe to toe with Bayern and Barca and Marketing (or even Monaco :doh:) in the CL? Well then sorry, but let's forget about Walcott and Welbeck and Campbell and Coquelin and just about every player in this squad. Who do we have that could seriously hold down a spot at the very top level? Ozil, Alexis, Bellerin, Cazorla, Cech, maybe Kos at a push. There's our squad to build on if we want to step up. We were closer ten years ago than we are having realised the so-called benefits of this big finance project. Elite football has passed us and moved off into the distance over the last decade under Wenger and the leeches in the boardroom. A sustainable profit making machine in an industry where sustainability is the biggest handicap you can suffer. That's just not how football works any more, regardless of Wenger wanting it to be so.

[mastermind84]

It's the same squad of players (more or less), but that doesn't mean that it's always the same team - each season's casualty list kind of dictates what we end up with on the pitch at any given moment, so whilst the training methods stay the same, the challenges we face are always going to be different. That's probably a large part of the problem.

One of my biggest gripes with the coaching at the moment is that we have far too many players who have no defined role in the side, and who don't seem to be learning how to do any job properly? Guys like Walcott, Ramsey and Ox are all kind of drifting at the moment - we're asking them to do one job for the team, but instead of telling them in no uncertain terms that that's gonna be their main role, we allow them to carry on thinking of themselves as something else, and they end up not really mastering the specifics of anything. They don't see themselves as right-sided players - they just think they're filling in there for a bit, so they don't really commit to it. What's happening with Chambers? Is he a CB or a RB, or a defensive midfielder? What are we actually teaching him, and training him to be? Has anyone actually taken Flamini to one side and explained the role of a defensive midfielder to him? He talks a good game, but he still just seems to wander about wherever he wants. Have we nailed Wilshere down to long-term role? I know where I'd play him, but I'm not sure Wenger has made up his mind yet. I still don't even know what Rosicky's main role in the side is after all these years! I'm all for a bit of flexibility and adaptability, but I think that kind of intimate knowledge a specific role is important - it gives you something to fall back on, that you can almost do on auto-pilot because you've practiced it to death, when you're out of form, or just not up for it. It gives you confidence, and it can carry you through tough patches.

I also think we've allowed certain players to feel a little too safe and secure in their places in the side. I see a noticeable difference in guys like Coquelin and Campbell, who have come into the side after being farmed out on numerous loans, and look like they're playing for their Arsenal lives! They've been given any place in the side, and they look determined to make it their own, regardless of whether it's how they imagined their careers going when they started out. Iwobi is another one where you see a difference - he looks like he can play anywhere across the front 3, but whichever role you give him, he sticks to it, does the job well, and doesn't continually drift into other areas because that's where he'd rather be playing. This is his big chance, and he knows it. Bellerin is another good example of what you get when you focus a player on one role - there's no question that he's anything other than a RB: he does nothing but learn that one role inside out, and he's already starting to look world-class. That doesn't mean he couldn't fill in somewhere else, like RW, if we ever needed him to, but that flexibility comes second to his main role. If we could apply that same kind of focus and motivation to every member of the squad then there's a lot more that we can squeeze out of this group of players.

Which isn't to say that we don't need a massive spend-up in the summer, because we do. Regardless of all of the above, we're probably going to need at least one more CM and a new RB, probably a new CB and LB, and possibly a new back-up keeper, and that's just replacing players that will likely be leaving or retiring! My gut feeling is that we'll need either another CF or another world-class wide attacker, with one high-profile casualty making way, but I'd like to get a more complete picture of what's going on with the attack first before making that call - as it stands, I think a lot of players have been massively underperforming, and others have been going to waste, and I kind of fear the same thing happening to anyone new who might come in unless we get a grip on the coaching.

Its down to Wumger thinking guys like Alexis and Oxlade and Theo are much more intelligent players than they are and allowing them the freedom to make decisions when they clearly are not that smart.

Only Ozil and Ramsey and Iwobi have that attacking intelligence. (I know Ramsey's name is gonna get someone's piss boiling, but his late runs are chaotic and paralyzes defenses. His problem is where Wumger puts him on the pitch)

The rest of these guys need proper instruction and Wumger does not do that.

[Power n Glory]

Ramsey isn't an intelligent player. If he were he'd know how to adjust his game so his late runs were more effective without compromising the team.

[Marc Overmars]

Ramsey isn't an intelligent player. If he were he'd know how to adjust his game so his late runs were more effective without compromising the team.

Like Scholes in his younger days.

[I am invisible]

Its down to Wumger thinking guys like Alexis and Oxlade and Theo are much more intelligent players than they are and allowing them the freedom to make decisions when they clearly are not that smart.

Only Ozil and Ramsey and Iwobi have that attacking intelligence. (I know Ramsey's name is gonna get someone's piss boiling, but his late runs are chaotic and paralyzes defenses. His problem is where Wumger puts him on the pitch)

The rest of these guys need proper instruction and Wumger does not do that.

I'll probably be in the minority here, but I actually like Ramsey on the right (in theory, at least) - it feels like a better fit for his marauding, cavalier style, than putting him in a critical position like CM, where I think his eagerness to get forward will always get the better of him. A little unpredictability in your attackers is a good thing - unpredictability in your central midfielders = another Diaby.

I'd also consider using him as someone we could rotate Özil with, behind the striker? Not as a like-for-like replacement as a play-maker, but as more of a second striker of sorts. Having Özil feeding through-ball after through-ball in to Giroud in open play seems like an exercise in futility, but having Giroud holding the ball up in and around a packed area, and providing lay-offs to a runner like Ramsey could work? In that situation, Giroud almost becomes the play-maker and Ramsey the goal-scorer?

[Power n Glory]

Like Scholes in his younger days.

Scholes is a good example.

Its down to Wumger thinking guys like Alexis and Oxlade and Theo are much more intelligent players than they are and allowing them the freedom to make decisions when they clearly are not that smart.

(I know Ramsey's name is gonna get someone's piss boiling, but his late runs are chaotic and paralyzes defenses. His problem is where Wumger puts him on the pitch)

That’s a contradiction. You could make the same case for Ox, Theo and Alexis in that case.

[selassie]

Ramsey isn't an intelligent player. If he were he'd know how to adjust his game so his late runs were more effective without compromising the team.

Totally agree, Ramsey is firmly in the same camp as Theo & Ox, his positioning is chaotic and off, he runs down blind alleys and does that stupid dribbling in the centre of the pitch that more often than not leads to us conceding possession.

[mastermind84]

I'll probably be in the minority here, but I actually like Ramsey on the right (in theory, at least) - it feels like a better fit for his marauding, cavalier style, than putting him in a critical position like CM, where I think his eagerness to get forward will always get the better of him. A little unpredictability in your attackers is a good thing - unpredictability in your central midfielders = another Diaby.

I'd also consider using him as someone we could rotate Özil with, behind the striker? Not as a like-for-like replacement as a play-maker, but as more of a second striker of sorts. Having Özil feeding through-ball after through-ball in to Giroud in open play seems like an exercise in futility, but having Giroud holding the ball up in and around a packed area, and providing lay-offs to a runner like Ramsey could work? In that situation, Giroud almost becomes the play-maker and Ramsey the goal-scorer?
I like Ramsey on the right too

Our best attacking play this season came with Rasmey on the right. Allows us to play 3 central mids including Ramsey. He pinches in to outnumber other teams when we have the ball. It doesn't destroy the shape either and he is able to get forward and help defensively with little repercussions.

I think the biggest problem next season will be Alexis.

[Power n Glory]

I like Ramsey on the right too

Our best attacking play this season came with Rasmey on the right. Allows us to play 3 central mids including Ramsey. He pinches in to outnumber other teams when we have the ball. It doesn't destroy the shape either and he is able to get forward and help defensively with little repercussions.

I think the biggest problem next season will be Alexis.

Which game did we show our best attacking display?

[Kano]

Totally agree, Ramsey is firmly in the same camp as Theo & Ox, his positioning is chaotic and off, he runs down blind alleys and does that stupid dribbling in the centre of the pitch that more often than not leads to us conceding possession.

I wouldn't go as far as to place him alongside Ox and Theo. At the start of 2015 when we had that very good spell, he was very useful on the right, forming a good understanding with Bellerin. Like people are saying above, he works well there. He makes mistakes but he also contributes positively to games, far more than Theo or Ox who can disappear altogether in games. Mostly his mistakes come from trying to do too much on the pitch, you'll find him deep, out wide, in the middle or in the box throughout a game. Playing him alongside Flamini is no gauge really because Mattheu had no interest in defence. When he was out wide against Spurs he had a more effective game too and that is where his future lies I think, even if he believes otherwise.

[selassie]

I wouldn't go as far as to place him alongside Ox and Theo. At the start of 2015 when we had that very good spell, he was very useful on the right, forming a good understanding with Bellerin. Like people are saying above, he works well there. He makes mistakes but he also contributes positively to games, far more than Theo or Ox who can disappear altogether in games. Mostly his mistakes come from trying to do too much on the pitch, you'll find him deep, out wide, in the middle or in the box throughout a game. Playing him alongside Flamini is no gauge really because Mattheu had no interest in defence. When he was out wide against Spurs he had a more effective game too and that is where his future lies I think, even if he believes otherwise.

I agree he put in some decent performances out wide but I just don't feel comfortable with him out there as our first choice option, I know Iwobi is flavour of the month and I know it's still early days but he is pretty much doing what Ramsey has been doing out wide already. I personally think Iwobi is a much better footballer too, in terms of intelligence, passing etc.

I think Ramsey is a useful player to have but only as a squad player.

[I am invisible]

I like Ramsey on the right too

Our best attacking play this season came with Rasmey on the right. Allows us to play 3 central mids including Ramsey. He pinches in to outnumber other teams when we have the ball. It doesn't destroy the shape either and he is able to get forward and help defensively with little repercussions.

I think the biggest problem next season will be Alexis.

Mate, if our biggest problem next season is Alexis then I'll be over the moon!

It'll be interesting to see what our plans are for him going forward? Iwobi and Campbell give us more freedom to play around with how we use him, and that might open up the list of potential targets for the summer? If we're thinking that Alexis could be the top striker that we're looking for (with a bit of work), then that switches our focus to recruiting another goal-scoring wide attacker to take his current spot, which could be easier?

[Power n Glory]

We'll probably just promote Gnabry. What's happened to that guy?

[I am invisible]

We'll probably just promote Gnabry. What's happened to that guy?

Or Toral. Or Maitland-Niles. Or The Jeff.

I think Gnabry is back with us now, after having his loan cancelled?

[Marc Overmars]

Got injured after he made that impact a couple years ago and hasn't had a sniff since. :shrug:

He'll probably find himself on loan again next season. Or maybe if we have an injury crisis Wenger will fluke him into the team and he'll be like a new signing.

[mastermind84]

Mate, if our biggest problem next season is Alexis then I'll be over the moon!

It'll be interesting to see what our plans are for him going forward? Iwobi and Campbell give us more freedom to play around with how we use him, and that might open up the list of potential targets for the summer? If we're thinking that Alexis could be the top striker that we're looking for (with a bit of work), then that switches our focus to recruiting another goal-scoring wide attacker to take his current spot, which could be easier?
It's a big problem because he thinks he is a creator and not a finisher. Alexis should be out center forward but he has that Ramsey-must do everything complex.

People are over the moon of him playing right but he should be doing he same on the left but he drops too deep and wants to create.

He is a tactical problem.

[alexander]

Or Maitland-Niles.

My boss is a season ticket holder at Ipswich and he said this guy is a cut above, he said he is clearly going to do well somewhere, be it arsenal or another premier league club, said he clearly has it. Better than the last Arsenal cast off they had, Jay Emmanuel thomas, who he said seemed very talented, but "the laziest player I have ever watched" :yawn:

[Power n Glory]

It's a big problem because he thinks he is a creator and not a finisher. Alexis should be out center forward but he has that Ramsey-must do everything complex.

People are over the moon of him playing right but he should be doing he same on the left but he drops too deep and wants to create.

He is a tactical problem.

He's scored 11 goals and has 10 assists. Far from a tactical problem. He just needs to do the simple things more often so he's not losing the ball.

As for Ramsey on the right, again, what was our best performance? Man Utd comes to mind for me but I'd hardly credit that only to playing Ramsey on the right. He played there in the earlier games against Palace and Liverpool but we didn't look good. Once we benched Giroud, our attack started to look more threatening. Our biggest problems are central midfield and the striker position. Keep Ramsey away from the middle and Giroud on bench and we'll do a lot better.

[alexander]

It's a big problem because he thinks he is a creator and not a finisher. Alexis should be out center forward but he has that Ramsey-must do everything complex.

People are over the moon of him playing right but he should be doing he same on the left but he drops too deep and wants to create.

He is a tactical problem.

What about Alexis in a more central role, bursting through like lampard used to do, id like to see more of that type of thing from him, rather than one side or another. Its also a role Rasmey could play, but like you say the `must do everything` kind of messes it all up.

[mastermind84]

He's scored 11 goals and has 10 assists. Far from a tactical problem. He just needs to do the simple things more often so he's not losing the ball.

As for Ramsey on the right, again, what was our best performance? Man Utd comes to mind for me but I'd hardly credit that only to playing Ramsey on the right. He played there in the earlier games against Palace and Liverpool but we didn't look good. Once we benched Giroud, our attack started to look more threatening. Our biggest problems are central midfield and the striker position. Keep Ramsey away from the middle and Giroud on bench and we'll do a lot better.

United, Bayern (he didn't play the away leg and we got outnumbered in the middle)

I don't want Ramsey deep either. But he helps us outnumber teams. And he is a workhorse.

And Alexis is very much a tactical problem as he has been crap most of this season due to the position he keeps popping up. (He should be closer to goal and not deep and attempting to create)


What about Alexis in a more central role, bursting through like lampard used to do, id like to see more of that type of thing from him, rather than one side or another. Its also a role Rasmey could play, but like you say the `must do everything` kind of messes it all up.
Alexis is a forward. Like the world midfield needs to be taken out of his position and mindset.

[fakeyank]

Keep Ramsey out of the starting XI altogether. He offers running like a headless chicken and leaving your midfield open... he can piss off tbh.

[Power n Glory]

United, Bayern (he didn't play the away leg and we got outnumbered in the middle)

I don't want Ramsey deep either. But he helps us outnumber teams. And he is a workhorse.

And Alexis is very much a tactical problem as he has been crap most of this season due to the position he keeps popping up. (He should be closer to goal and not deep and attempting to create)


Alexis is a forward. Like the world midfield needs to be taken out of his position and mindset.

He has 10 goals and 11 assists compared to Ramsey's 6 goals and 4 assists. It's a performance and consistency issue with Alexis. That's a good season for most players in his position but we've come to expect a lot more from him.

Utd and Bayern were our best performances but that had a lot to do with us playing on the counter and having the ability to break with Theo leading the line, stretching and getting behind teams. Alexis had good games for both those ties and scored twice against Utd. Theo had two assists so it's pretty odd to single odd Ramsey as an important factor but Sanchez as the problem. Even against Leicester City when we beat them 5-2, Sanchez got a hat trick and that was a Theo up front and Ramsey on the right. Not sure how much credit can be given to Ramsey attack wise because he didn't score against Leicester, Utd and Bayern, no assists in of the ties, created 1 chance against Bayern, nothing against the Utd and Leicester and was subbed at 57 mins against Bayern. Not saying those stats are the be all end all but I'm not sold on him holding a spot in the team over Campbell and Iwobi.

Also, I don't think Sanchez and Giroud play well together and I don't think Giroud plays well with Ozil either. He's probably the biggest problem in terms of tactics. Alexis' form dried up as soon as Giroud came into the squad.

[Dicks and chicks]

Keep Ramsey out of the starting XI altogether. He offers running like a headless chicken and leaving your midfield open... he can piss off tbh. our british core needs to be the first out tbh. all useless, bring in some more hungry costa ricans

[I am invisible]

He has 10 goals and 11 assists compared to Ramsey's 6 goals and 4 assists. It's a performance and consistency issue with Alexis. That's a good season for most players in his position but we've come to expect a lot more from him.

Utd and Bayern were our best performances but that had a lot to do with us playing on the counter and having the ability to break with Theo leading the line, stretching and getting behind teams. Alexis had good games for both those ties and scored twice against Utd. Theo had two assists so it's pretty odd to single odd Ramsey as an important factor but Sanchez as the problem. Even against Leicester City when we beat them 5-2, Sanchez got a hat trick and that was a Theo up front and Ramsey on the right. Not sure how much credit can be given to Ramsey attack wise because he didn't score against Leicester, Utd and Bayern, no assists in of the ties, created 1 chance against Bayern, nothing against the Utd and Leicester and was subbed at 57 mins against Bayern. Not saying those stats are the be all end all but I'm not sold on him holding a spot in the team over Campbell and Iwobi.

Also, I don't think Sanchez and Giroud play well together and I don't think Giroud plays well with Ozil either. He's probably the biggest problem in terms of tactics. Alexis' form dried up as soon as Giroud came into the squad.

I've always thought that Giroud works better with Ramsey and Wilshere behind him, in a slightly different take on a 433 - in that kind of system, he almost becomes the creator for overlapping players moving off him and around him, rather than just a limited goal-scorer. It's not an option for every game though, and only really works when we're trying to break down opponents who sit deep.

He and Özil can sometimes combine well, but it's usually from indirect free-kicks, so I'm wondering whether it would be worth switching Özil to the right, and have him firing in some of those laser-guided crosses, when Giroud ends up as our only CF option? Özil acting as a no.10 for Giroud just seems like a waste of time, so if we can't put someone more dynamic in front of him then me may have to come up with a workaround...

[I am invisible]

My boss is a season ticket holder at Ipswich and he said this guy is a cut above, he said he is clearly going to do well somewhere, be it arsenal or another premier league club, said he clearly has it. Better than the last Arsenal cast off they had, Jay Emmanuel thomas, who he said seemed very talented, but "the laziest player I have ever watched" :yawn:

I've not really followed him in any great detail, but every time I hear him mentioned, someone is singing his praises. If his loan manager is happy, then that usually means he's acting like a professional - that's the first thing I look for when we send these kids out for these things.

Lot of promising young attackers waiting for their chance at the moment - Maitland-Niles, Toral, Zelalam and Reine-Adelaide are all sounding like they've got a decent future. Given how Campbell and Iwobi have come straight into the team and immediately impressed, I'd be looking over my shoulder quite nervously if I were some of these senior players...

[mastermind84]

I've not really followed him in any great detail, but every time I hear him mentioned, someone is singing his praises. If his loan manager is happy, then that usually means he's acting like a professional - that's the first thing I look for when we send these kids out for these things.

Lot of promising young attackers waiting for their chance at the moment - Maitland-Niles, Toral, Zelalam and Reine-Adelaide are all sounding like they've got a decent future. Given how Campbell and Iwobi have come straight into the team and immediately impressed, I'd be looking over my shoulder quite nervously if I were some of these senior players...
Out of the names you mentioned, I only expect Iwobi and maybe Uncle Jeff to push through.

And Maitland-Niles.


Zelalem looks like he could be a deep lying playmaker but apparently Rangers are using him as an 8 and he is struggling. Toral is 22. Not sure about him. Same for Crowley and a few others.

Bennecer (sp?) has apparently been really good too.


Theo and Ox are probably done here although I really think Ox just needs instructions on what to do and not do on the pitch and Wumger doesn't do that.

[Dicks and chicks]

Iwobi and Akpom are the future

[Power n Glory]

It's a big problem because he thinks he is a creator and not a finisher. Alexis should be out center forward but he has that Ramsey-must do everything complex.

People are over the moon of him playing right but he should be doing he same on the left but he drops too deep and wants to create.

He is a tactical problem.

Still think he's a tactical problem? We forget he's more familiar playing as RW. It's another good game for him without Giroud on the pitch. We'll see if he can keep things going.

Key elements for our attack imo - a quick striker that's mobile. A CM that distributes the ball well, smart positioning and keeps the ball moving. If neither player has those key components to their game, we're going to struggle to break teams down.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'd be surprised if any of them have a significant impact on the senior team besides Crowley and of course Iwobi...

[GP]

Looks like we're in for Lukaku...

http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/03/arsenal-monitoring-jordan-lukaku-ahead-of-potential-transfer-5792694/

:coffee:

[alexander]

Looks like we're in for Lukaku...

http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/03/arsenal-monitoring-jordan-lukaku-ahead-of-potential-transfer-5792694/

:coffee:

Arsene takes the cut price option shocker.

[Niall_Quinn]

Is this the Stats robot again? If so, fine. It's done a much better job than Wenger and our blind scouts. But if Wenger is driving this as another one of his bargain bucket adventures then fuck right off.

[Gooner23]

I know it's from the Metro but to be fair we probably will be looking at getting in a young left back if Gibbs moves on in the summer.

[selassie]

Looks like we're in for Lukaku...

http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/03/arsenal-monitoring-jordan-lukaku-ahead-of-potential-transfer-5792694/

:coffee:

Classic Wenger :haha:

You can just imagine it when we sign him...

Wenger "Look...everybody tell me to buy Lukaku and I buy Jordan Lukaku and you still reproach me" "I like Romalu Lukaku but we are not in the market for strikers, we have 3 world class strikers, I have Welbeck, Giroud & Walcott, where would I put Romalu Lakuku?"

[Niall_Quinn]

Question: Did we need to buy a clinical finisher in the summer?

Answer: PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE IF ALL SHOTS THAT HIT WOODWORK FOUND NET

Team P W D L GD PTS
Arsenal 31 18 5 8 31 59
Leicester 32 16 11 5 23 59
West Ham 31 16 9 6 18 57
Man City 31 17 5 9 26 56
Liverpool 30 16 5 9 11 53
Spuds 32 15 7 10 27 52
Man Utd 31 14 7 10 7 49

[dostoy]

I agree but who.

I would like Lukaku but Wenger does not have the balls for that.

It might be Milik, I think it is, from Ajax.

Realistically, who do you think ?

[Niall_Quinn]

I agree but who.

I would like Lukaku but Wenger does not have the balls for that.

It might be Milik, I think it is, from Ajax.

Realistically, who do you think ?

Depends.

If the limit of our ambition is the PL then Lukaku would be useful but he's still second tier for me. I don't think he gives us much more than we already have and at a quoted £50mill I'd even agree with Wenger in saying he's not worth it. For me - Vardy. Best striker in the league by a mile this season and he gives you a lot more outside the box than Kane (who wouldn't be available anyway). I think Vardy would tear it up for us and he'd be a lot cheaper than the alternatives. Plus he brings PL "know how" that we seem to lack. In other words he'll punch, kick, dive and do whatever it takes and as far as I'm concerned, if you can't beat them then join them.

However, if we are talking about competing in the CL - properly competing - then a money no object move for Lewandowski. An ideal player for us and finally a replacement for RvC. That said, I wouldn't stop there if we are going for the CL. We'd need some world class additions in the middle and at the back. Reckon on getting little change from £150mill. So will never happen. But that's what we're going to need and that's what our rivals are going to spend.

What I don't want to see is a Wenger project who needs a season to get up to speed.

[alexander]

Depends.

If the limit of our ambition is the PL then Lukaku would be useful but he's still second tier for me. I don't think he gives us much more than we already have and at a quoted £50mill I'd even agree with Wenger in saying he's not worth it. For me - Vardy. Best striker in the league by a mile this season and he gives you a lot more outside the box than Kane (who wouldn't be available anyway). I think Vardy would tear it up for us and he'd be a lot cheaper than the alternatives. Plus he brings PL "know how" that we seem to lack. In other words he'll punch, kick, dive and do whatever it takes and as far as I'm concerned, if you can't beat them then join them.

However, if we are talking about competing in the CL - properly competing - then a money no object move for Lewandowski. An ideal player for us and finally a replacement for RvC. That said, I wouldn't stop there if we are going for the CL. We'd need some world class additions in the middle and at the back. Reckon on getting little change from £150mill. So will never happen. But that's what we're going to need and that's what our rivals are going to spend.

What I don't want to see is a Wenger project who needs a season to get up to speed.

Lukaku would do for me as he is a proven goalscorer in this league and with Ozil, Alexis and Iwobi feeding him could achieve much more.

We will need a left back as back up, not sure about Gibbs, but maybe backup right back? Add to this the CF we desperately need, and maybe a DCM because Elmo and Coq cant play every game and have no real backup for them with Rosicky, Arteta, and Flamster off. CB? maybe we need extra cover here too, Im not sure about Chambers, if he is a CB or DCM, if he is CB, we need the CDM cover, or the other way round.

As usual there seems to be so much to do in the window, but it doesnt help we only bought Cech last summer.

Do i think we will buy all or any of these? no. Very much doubt we will.

[Niall_Quinn]

Lukaku would do for me as he is a proven goalscorer in this league and with Ozil, Alexis and Iwobi feeding him could achieve much more.

We will need a left back as back up, not sure about Gibbs, but maybe backup right back? Add to this the CF we desperately need, and maybe a DCM because Elmo and Coq cant play every game and have no real backup for them with Rosicky, Arteta, and Flamster off. CB? maybe we need extra cover here too, Im not sure about Chambers, if he is a CB or DCM, if he is CB, we need the CDM cover, or the other way round.

As usual there seems to be so much to do in the window, but it doesnt help we only bought Cech last summer.

Do i think we will buy all or any of these? no. Very much doubt we will.

We already know we won't buy what we need. That much is guaranteed. I hope we can at least trick Ozil and Alexis into staying. But with all the cash pouring in from the TV deals it would be nice to think they might kick back at least a few quid for a marquee signing. The thing with Arsenal and Wenger though, just when you think they wouldn't dare rub the fans' faces in it any more than they already have, just when you think no, not even they would do that - they do it. So it is entirely conceivable Wenger will claim we already have what we need and then sign a couple of kids and a journeyman to replace what's going out. Entirely possible.

[alexander]

We already know we won't buy what we need. That much is guaranteed. I hope we can at least trick Ozil and Alexis into staying. But with all the cash pouring in from the TV deals it would be nice to think they might kick back at least a few quid for a marquee signing. The thing with Arsenal and Wenger though, just when you think they wouldn't dare rub the fans' faces in it any more than they already have, just when you think no, not even they would do that - they do it. So it is entirely conceivable Wenger will claim we already have what we need and then sign a couple of kids and a journeyman to replace what's going out. Entirely possible.

cant argue with that, going on past actions. Its a shame, as we are close, we have the money, we have CL, we are in london. We should be able to attract the very best easily.

[dostoy]

I am not saying you are wrong NQ but there is no chance of Wenger going for Vardy.

He is just not a Wenger type of player and is nearly 30 as well.

We need a CB and to get rid of Mertesacker who can hardly run and gets beaten in the air far too often for a beanpole.

We also need another defensive midfielder to cover Coquelin although that might be Elneny if need be.

Also a striker and to get rid of Giroud who is simply not good enough.

Of course, Arteta, Flamini, Rosicky and Debuchy will leave and either Ospina or the Polish goalkeeper will go on loan or leave permanently, probably the Polish one.

If we get it right, two major signings might be enough, preferably three.

[Gooner23]

I'd be happy with 3 top signings, CB, CM and ST. Of course it won't happen mind.

[Özim]

I'm not going to dream about big signings, transfer windows are generally disappointing because Wenger never does what is needed and settles for unknowns most of the time, not exciting and not progressive, the guy just never learns his lesson, he's still harping on about our mental strength after a calamitous collapse FFS.

I don't expect much in the summer and I reckon he'll once again harp on about the crocks and how they'll be back and will be like new signings.

[fakeyank]

Forget new signings.. we need to have some sort of tactical overhaul to even remotely have a chance at challenging for the PL. The biggest and the best transfer out of Arsenal would be the manager leaving.. but thats not going to happen. Regardless of who we buy, we will not challenge for any major trophy with the moran we have in charge.

[selassie]

I'd much rather Wenger leaves the squad as is if it means a new guy can come in at the end of Wenger's contract next season and make the necessary signings. As others have said Wenger won't buy what we really need this summer, I've no doubt he'll make a few signings and they will probably be good players just not great players that we need to push on.

[Niall_Quinn]

I was utterly gobsmacked by Wenger's transfer activity last summer. Amazed. He passed up the opportunity to win us the league and he'll do it again and again and again.

That was a posting from Grebbo in 2011, btw.

[Gooner23]

I'd much rather Wenger leaves the squad as is if it means a new guy can come in at the end of Wenger's contract next season and make the necessary signings. As others have said Wenger won't buy what we really need this summer, I've no doubt he'll make a few signings and they will probably be good players just not great players that we need to push on.

It's depressing, probably means Alexis and Ozil will be off end of next season as well as it will be same thing again. A new manager is needed to make the ruthless decisions needed such as getting rid of Walcott.

[Marc Overmars]

That was a posting from Grebbo in 2011, btw.

:lol:

Nothing changes, ever. It's like one big circle and we always meet back at the start.

[selassie]

It's depressing, probably means Alexis and Ozil will be off end of next season as well as it will be same thing again. A new manager is needed to make the ruthless decisions needed such as getting rid of Walcott.

Aye, it's going to be interesting to see what happens with Alexis and Ozil and their new contracts, there have been talks of them both extending but it's been dragging on for a while now.

I'd get rid of Walcott this summer if I was in charge, Merts too.

[Power n Glory]

It's depressing, probably means Alexis and Ozil will be off end of next season as well as it will be same thing again. A new manager is needed to make the ruthless decisions needed such as getting rid of Walcott.

I think there is a possibility of losing both Ozil and Sanchez regardless of our transfer activity. With Wenger's future being so uncertain it makes no sense for either of them to sign a long term contract. It's a double edged sword because I can't see them staying to play under Wenger even if he committed to another contract.

As for players we might lose this summer (Theo, Ox, Gibbs, Wilshere) sours things further to think we wasted years and resources on these guys. Not entirely their fault, but it seems like we have flushed a class of talent right down the toilet. Project youth failed to live up to expectation.

[Özim]

:lol:

Nothing changes, ever. It's like one big circle and we always meet back at the start.

and it will never change, Wenger is allergic to change and the bloody irritating to be honest, I don't I've ever see anyone more blinkered or stubborn in football.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Kante's release clause apparently 20mil......anyone got a spare quid to add to that do we can seal his transfer?

[Kano]

Arsène Wenger says Arsenal’s summer transfer activity will be limited

Arsène Wenger has suggested supporters should retain a sense of realism if Arsenal finish below Tottenham Hotspur for the first time under his stewardship, with the manager’s faith in his squad likely to result in limited business in the transfer market this summer.

Arsenal could be 16 points behind the Premier League leaders, Leicester City, when they kick off against Crystal Palace on Sunday as they attempt to eat into the six-point advantage enjoyed by second-placed Spurs. The last time Tottenham, who play at Stoke on Monday, finished above their north London rivals was in 1995, when the teams finished seventh and 11th respectively under Gerry Francis and Stewart Houston.

The Frenchman is hoping a pristine end to the season could mean his side will be involved in the title pursuit, for all that he doffed his cap to Leicester’s remarkable campaign, but finishing below their neighbours would not necessarily signify a definitive tip in the balance of power in the capital. “First of all, we are not behind Spurs yet,” he said. “Anyway, Tottenham have been 18 years behind us and they’ve survived. So let’s be realistic.

“ If Leicester win on Sunday it does not affect us, it does not change the fact that we absolutely have to win our game against Palace. Let’s prepare for that no matter what the result is.

“We need a perfect run. They can drop points on Sunday but if they go until the end of the season having lost only three games what can you say [other than] well done, congratulations, even if it’s Leicester that nobody expected.

“At the moment it’s difficult for us to accept that we are not completely there [at the top]. Leicester have lost three games, it is exceptional. They lost two games against us, and then you have Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, all of whom you’d think they would lose more than one game against. Barcelona has lost four games this season, Real Madrid five and Leicester three.”

Arsenal are expected to sign the Borussia Mönchengladbach captain, Granit Xhaka, this summer with £35m being sought for the Switzerland international. Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini will leave under freedom of contract and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be sold, with further eye-catching incoming business likely to be limited.

Wenger said: “If you look at the top three teams, you will see they have not changed their team a lot. We have to strengthen our squad but it’s not obvious to find the players despite the money the English clubs will have. We are already working but we have to find the players and that is not easy.

“You cannot dismiss that the players are young: Alex Iwobi is 19, Mohamed Elneny is 23, Francis Coquelin 24, and they will be stronger next year but you need to keep a core of players and strengthen where we can. The team is going the right way.”

Wenger’s transfer policy could potentially be further influenced by the UK’s vote on leaving the European Union, with the implications Brexit would have on football still unclear. “It raises many questions,” he said. “Will the European players be considered as they are now? For example, if England votes for Brexit, will the French be considered like South Americans players [who require work permits]? That would completely re-question the influx of foreign players.

“Will England go that way? If they did, that would leave the Premier League with some questions.”

:lol:

[alexander]

:lol:

Why does he hate us?

"the team is going in the right direction" No, No its not Wenger, we are literally standing still at best, and could say going backwards as we had the FA Cup last season(s). To rely on Iwobi who has come in and had 3-4 good games is madness.

Using the Brexit as an excuse now too :censored:

[I am invisible]

[long, weary exhale...]

I mean, he's right - this summer is going to be a total cluster-fuck when it comes to signings, and we need to brace ourselves for that. Not only are we going to have all the traditional big-spenders around Europe to contend with - we've also got every other team in Prem to compete with now too! Competition for even the most mediocre of players is going to be fierce, and with prices likely to sky-rocket, even a budget of £100-200m could disappear on just 2 or 3 players!

(And, to be fair to him, at no point does he say our summer transfer activity will definitely be limited - just that it's going to be tough.)

That being said, I don't really have too much sympathy for him, as this is largely a situation of his own making. Whilst there's nothing much he can do about the economics of the situation, it has to be said that, if he'd been more proactive in recent summers, and addressed some of the problems that have been obvious to everyone for years, then the spend that we're looking at this summer would be minimal, and we could afford to be a bit more discerning with the moves we make.

And I'm sorry, but you can't afford to bemoan things like value for money and the clamour for signings when you've basically allowed the standard of the scouting network and the academy to go down the toilet on your watch! Fair enough, it looks like we're taking steps to address both to those issues, but it could still be a while yet before we start seeing the kind of output that we expect from both? Until then we've just got to get on with it, I'm afraid. If that means having to burn away that entire £200m of savings that have taken him 10 years of scrimping to build up, then tough! Use the whole experience as a lesson, and make sure we don't end up in the same situation again!

[Niall_Quinn]

Nowhere near the window yet and he's already come out and said business as usual. NO CHANGE.

Doesn't matter what happens during a season, doesn't matter if all the grand plans go out the window. Doesn't matter if it happens season after season. Just keep on doing the same thing every time.

This is why he has to go. It may well be getting more difficult in the transfer windows, but like everything else that doesn't affect us in any meaningful way because we have no ambition anyway. They are sitting on a pile of cash, they haven't performed this season, they are sitting in the stadium that was supposed to propel us to the top tier of football. Everything is in place. Except the most vital components - a manager with guts and an owner with ambition.

2016/17? You could literally go to sleep for a year and when you woke up there we'd be. in 4th place with the fans complaining we should have done something in the summer window.

[RomfordPele]

:censored:

I seriously wonder who is advising this clown. A quick glance at Twitter or any fan forum will tell them people ain't happy, and are particularly miffed about transfer strategy. So even if he doesn't intend to spend big, why go out with such a punchy, fuck-you sort of statement now. What's the benefit?

We have basically thrown the league and FA cup away in a matter of weeks, got shat on again in Europe, and are about to finish below Spurs for the first time in a generation, despite having well over £100 million in the bank and not investing a penny on an outfield player over the summer. A bit of humility might be order under the circumstances.

He talks about fans not getting behind the team. It's pretty hard to when the manager spends most of his time insulting our intelligence with this sort of patronising bollocks.

Wenger out.

[Maestro]

:censored:

I seriously wonder who is advising this clown. A quick glance at Twitter or any fan forum will tell them people ain't happy, and are particularly miffed about transfer strategy. So even if he doesn't intend to spend big, why go out with such a punchy, fuck-you sort of statement now. What's the benefit?

We have basically thrown the league and FA cup away in a matter of weeks, got shat on again in Europe, and are about to finish below Spurs for the first time in a generation, despite having well over £100 million in the bank and not investing a penny on an outfield player over the summer. A bit of humility might be order under the circumstances.

He talks about fans not getting behind the team. It's pretty hard to when the manager spends most of his time insulting our intelligence with this sort of patronising bollocks.

Wenger out.

This is why I have no problem calling him a cunt, he is very patronising to us fans and regularly insults our intelligence just as the owner and board do. No respect for any of them because of this, utter cunts.

[Globalgunner]

I dont know why we still get upset about who he buys or what he buys. How many players will it take to overcome Wengers innate deficiencies. Even if we get Xhaka now he will put him on the bench till Xmas as he deems him not yet ready foe the EPL. Only when Sir Jack gets his annual 6 month leave in january will he bring the new boys in. Best mindset i believe is to cast both this season and next to the dustbin and hope the new and improved managers next season will open Wengers eyes to seeing that he is just not good enough and find the decency within himself to resign. in the meantime lets all invest in white hankies to wave at him at the home games next season. They can hardly stop fans from waving hankies can they?

[selassie]

I dont know why we still get upset about who he buys or what he buys. How many players will it take to overcome Wengers innate deficiencies. Even if we get Xhaka now he will put him on the bench till Xmas as he deems him not yet ready foe the EPL. Only when Sir Jack gets his annual 6 month leave in january will he bring the new boys in. Best mindset i believe is to cast both this season and next to the dustbin and hope the new and improved managers next season will open Wengers eyes to seeing that he is just not good enough and find the decency within himself to resign. in the meantime lets all invest in white hankies to wave at him at the home games next season. They can hardly stop fans from waving hankies can they?

Yep, can't be bothered to get worked up about it, he'll do the bare minimum like he does every window, nothing will change in terms of the teams performance and Arsenal moving forward as a football team until he's gone.

[alexander]

There cant be any other fans that get less excited about transfer windows than us Arsenal fans.

Every Arsenal fan, fans of other teams, the media, can all clearly see where we need to add, but Wenger cant or wont address this situation. Its so frustrating.

[Power n Glory]

If this is his last year, it's best he doesn't spend a huge amount and shit our funds down the toilet.

[AFC Leveller]

If we finish in the top 4 next season then I think he will sign a new deal. He is addicted to management and loves the fact that he has a whole club to run without any real pressure or challenges from the top.

[Özim]

We already know the guy is a clown so what's new, always harping on about us being good enough etc, he can't be taken seriously by anyone with any football knowledge because he just doesn't know what he's doing.

He's footballs funny man.

[selassie]

There cant be any other fans that get less excited about transfer windows than us Arsenal fans.

Every Arsenal fan, fans of other teams, the media, can all clearly see where we need to add, but Wenger cant or wont address this situation. Its so frustrating.

He won't address it, do you hear any other manager of a big team that has failed to win their domestic league for 10 years talking like Wenger does about not needing to add to the squad? The team only needs minor strengthening according to Wenger, everything is there.

Wenger can't manage the current squad as it is, so in some ways he is right saying it doesn't need anything because he'll only add more players to the squad to add to the chaos.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgPCAF3UYAESyMH.jpg

@AFCAMDEN
Hear the Xhaka deal, if completed, is to be around £24m. Told today it's pretty close. #afc

https://twitter.com/AFCAMDEN/status/722112313118060545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

@fkhanage
Not done yet; there is competition from another Premier League club (outside of current top-4), so fingers crossed.
https://twitter.com/fkhanage/status/722119071005859842

---

This guy any good?

[Munchies]

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

[Niall_Quinn]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgPCAF3UYAESyMH.jpg

@AFCAMDEN
Hear the Xhaka deal, if completed, is to be around £24m. Told today it's pretty close. #afc

https://twitter.com/AFCAMDEN/status/722112313118060545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

@fkhanage
Not done yet; there is competition from another Premier League club (outside of current top-4), so fingers crossed.
https://twitter.com/fkhanage/status/722119071005859842

---

This guy any good?

No idea. His agent thinks so ad that's what the media and the pundits usually go with. That said, if Monsieur Le Cheapskate is prepared to have £24mill surgically extracted from his wallet then the guy must be fucking spectacular. On the other hand, why is nobody else in the top tier after him? On the third hand, Wenger will probably try to get the price down again and piss everyone off.

[Niall_Quinn]

Hope this is our only signing so L'Idiot doesn't blow money that could be used by a real manager the season after.

[Gooner23]

Can't get excited about any signing until Wenger goes as better players have not meant better results.

[Niall_Quinn]

Can't get excited about any signing until Wenger goes as better players have not meant better results.

They've meant worse results :haha:

Even with the chavs and the gypos out of the running. :haha:

What an incompetent fool.

[Munchies]

They've meant worse results :haha:

Even with the chavs and the gypos out of the running. :haha:

What an incompetent fool.

Sign Ozil and Alexis to win you trophies? nah to secure top 4!

[KSE Comedy Club]

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

Sprinting towards goal, shooting from outside of the box, quick & clever passing and play..........

:rose: Granit Xhaka

For the player he was and not the player he will be by the time Wenger has fucked him up with dire tikka takka shite

[Munchies]

Most prolific scorers in European football: Icardi 30.6% goals/shot Chicharito 27.1% Benzema 26.2% Zlatan 24.6%...Messi 17.1% Ronaldo 14.8%


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4aYKCtt6qk

there is no one available

[Gooner23]

I would look more at total goal's scored as opposed to conversion rate. According to Wiki over the last 3 seasons for Inter he has 51 goals in 101 games. Is that a significant upgrade on what we have? Cant say I've seen enough of him to pass judgement.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Mauro Icardi would be an excellent signing for us, pacey and good goal instincts

[GP]

Italian Serie A - Top scorers
Goals Played Player
30 31 Gonzalo Higuaín
15 29 Mauro Icardi
15 33 Carlos Bacca
14 30 Paulo Dybala


Higuain has 30 in 31 games.

Sign him up.

[Power n Glory]

Icardi scored more goals last season. 27 in all comps. Only 23.

I can't see us moving for Higuain. The price will be crazy. We messed up not paying £25m for him in 2013.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Icardi scored more goals last season. 27 in all comps. Only 23.

I can't see us moving for Higuain. The price will be crazy. We messed up not paying £25m for him in 2013.

That's my thinking, plus whilst i don't have any problem us paying a premium for a player at their peak....i think as a younger player Icardi will only get better

[Power n Glory]

That's my thinking, plus whilst i don't have any problem us paying a premium for a player at their peak....i think as a younger player Icardi will only get better

Yep. If we're going to invest, it's wise to go with a young player at this point.

[selassie]

Yeah agree on Icardi, very good player, he's not been as prolific this season but I'm still high on him. He would cost a fair bit though, whether Wenger is prepared to pay the fee is the question.

[Bumble]

I would rather sign Griezmann to play alongside Welbeck and Sanchez. I like Welbeck and I think he is a good fit for the team, also thinking we need a world class striker to win the league. Look at Spurs and Leicester neither have world class strikers. United, Chelsea, Liverpool. The only team with top drawer striker is City.

We need to make ourselves harder to beat, another CB and another energetic tackler CM. Plus Griezmann.

The problem is that it doesn't matter who we sign as we wont win the league next season. Chelsea and City will be under new management so players will be out to impress plus there will be investment in the squads. United could have a new manager plus they will spend big as well. Liverpool need to invest but they have Klopp who seems to be dragging Liverpool in the right direction although slowly. I wonder if Pochetino will go down the Wenger route of saying he has a young team and one more experience is like a new signing.

[GP]

No chance we can get Griezmann.

[Niall_Quinn]

No chance we can get Griezmann.

And that's the problem. We still can't compete at the top level even after all the pain and nonsense since the stadium project kicked off. When the big clubs all start identifying their targets it represents a list of can't gets for us. It's not just the money, it's the intent. Crazy shit like Neymar for £100mill shouldn't even be considered, but players like Vidal were up for grabs for reasonable fees and we never got a sniff, never lifted a finger.

We need something to happen at this club to announce we are finally in the game.

[Marc Overmars]

The only top players we will look at are the ones deemed surplus, like Ozil and Sanchez were. If no one is readily available then we won't be signing anyone of note.

We're pretty much the tramp that goes rooting around the bins of the top clubs.

[Kano]

I would rather sign Griezmann to play alongside Welbeck and Sanchez. I like Welbeck and I think he is a good fit for the team, also thinking we need a world class striker to win the league. Look at Spurs and Leicester neither have world class strikers. United, Chelsea, Liverpool. The only team with top drawer striker is City.

We need to make ourselves harder to beat, another CB and another energetic tackler CM. Plus Griezmann.

The problem is that it doesn't matter who we sign as we wont win the league next season. Chelsea and City will be under new management so players will be out to impress plus there will be investment in the squads. United could have a new manager plus they will spend big as well. Liverpool need to invest but they have Klopp who seems to be dragging Liverpool in the right direction although slowly. I wonder if Pochetino will go down the Wenger route of saying he has a young team and one more experience is like a new signing.
No but Spurs and Leciester have strikers that suit the league and their style of play, we don't. Welbeck needs to start scoring. That's the primary objective of a player in his role. All the pace, positioning and assistance with the team is all well and good but we need someone who when he gets a chance, we have confidence he can bury. That isn't the case with Welbeck. A good squad player but not the longterm solution at all.

[selassie]

The only top players we will look at are the ones deemed surplus, like Ozil and Sanchez were. If no one is readily available then we won't be signing anyone of note.

We're pretty much the tramp that goes rooting around the bins of the top clubs.



:lol: True dat!

[selassie]

No chance we can get Griezmann.

Yep, I've read in quite a few places that we were after him when he was at Real Sociedad but he chose Atletico Madrid over us, no surprise really.

[Niall_Quinn]

Arturo Vidal wants fellow Chile international Alexis Sanchez to join him at Bayern Munich. The pair have played together for their country's youth sides right through to the senior team and at club level for Colo-Colo between 2006 and 2007.

Arsenal forward Sanchez has been linked with a move away from the Premier League this summer and Vidal is hoping that Bayern will be heading the queue for his services.
Speaking after Bayern's Bundesliga win over Schalke at the weekend, Vidal told reporters: 'We've played together since the Under-20 international team, so it would be nice to play with him.'

Of course we should have been using Alexis to tempt Vidal our way last summer.

There have been plenty of rumours of us making Mahrez a number one summer priority to replace Walnut. This has prompted Wenger to deny everything. And I believe him. Apparently we had first offer on Mahrez when he moved from Le Havre, for the exorbitant sum of £400,000, but I guess he lacked little bit quality compared to Theo. Price being touted now is £25mill+

[Kano]

Arsène Wenger admits he does not know what the future holds for Theo Walcott with the England forward currently a bit-part player at the Emirates Stadium.

Walcott has not started a Premier League game since the 3-2 defeat at Manchester United on 28 February and has been limited to substitute appearances of late. He has fallen behind the teenager Alex Iwobi and a fit-again Danny Welbeck in the pecking order, with just five league goals this season.

With his place in Roy Hodgson’s squad for this summer’s European Championship in the balance, Wenger conceded he is unsure where Walcott will be plying his trade next season. Asked if Walcott could leave, Wenger replied: “I don’t know yet.

“I’m not in transfer mode at the moment but I think he has gone through a bad spell. He has responded very well, because he said: ‘OK, I will work harder and more.’ When he comes on now, you see he is motivated and focused. Let’s see how well he finishes the season.”

Despite a number of first-team regulars missing Thursday night’s 2-0 win over West Brom, Walcott was again restricted to a four-minute cameo off the bench. Wenger admits Walcott, as well as other players not featuring regularly, are frustrated at their lack of game time. “Of course. Tonight you have seen the team,” he said when asked if he could understand Walcott’s frustration at not playing much.

“You have the emergence of a guy like Iwobi. But the players that did not play [against West Brom]: Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and I forget a few that weren’t even in the squad. All these players will be frustrated, or the guys who go out will be frustrated. Welbeck didn’t play, Campbell didn’t play.”

Maybe some good news at last.