Summer Transfer Misery and Recriminations.

[Power n Glory]

If we are interested I don't get why it's taking us so long, this is how it should work:

Club A: We'd like to offer 30 million for Lacazette.
Lyon: No this is too low for a player of his calibre
Club A: We'll offer 35 million then
Lyon: Still too low sorry
Club A: OK 40 million
Lyon: We accept how do you want to structure it
Club A: 30 milllion up front etc etc

This is how it seems to work for us:

Arsenal: We'd like to offer 29 million
Lyon: No this is much too low for a player of his calibre

2 weeks later.....
Arsenal: We'd like to offer 30 million
Lyon: No this is much too low for a player of his calibre

2 weeks later.....
Arsenal: We'd like to offer 31 million
Lyon: No this is much too low for a player of his calibre

1 month later.....
Arsenal: Is Lacazette still available
Lyon: Not officially, but money talks as they say
Arsenal: Interesting

3 weeks later:
Arsenal: Is Lacazette still available
Lyon: We already told you, no not officially
Arsenal: Hmmmmm, we'll get back to you

2 weeks later:
Arsenal: Is Lacazette still available
Lyon: Why are you wasting out time, are you going to make another offer or not?
Arsenal: We'd like to offer 31 million 1 pound
Lyon: Get lost, we're not interested in selling to you

Next day:
Lacazette signs for PSG.

:lol: Sounds about right.

[Özim]

Not that i'm saying Wenger is right and his judgement on players is particularly astute, but the fact that we haven't increased the bid despite almost being invited so to do suggests he doesn't rate him that highly and that the speculation of our interest in him after our original bid comes completely from Lyon.

Yes odd though as he rates players like Giroud, Walcott and Welbeck who aren't exactly great and are inferior to Lacazette.

Probably right though, doesn't seem to be a big fan of players who score goals on the whole.

[Letters]

I don't think he's blind to the fact that we need better than those players, whether he's willing to spend the money necessary to get one though...well, it's not looking good.

[AFC Leveller]

40m for a player with almost 40 league goals in 2 seasons is about right in the current market. Proper goals corers are a are bred these days and we need one desperately, so i hope we get this done and move on.

We offered 30m and they want 40, is 10m really gonna make a difference to a club like us? we have loads of money anyway.

[Özim]

40m for a player with almost 40 league goals in 2 seasons is about right in the current market. Proper goals corers are a are bred these days and we need one desperately, so i hope we get this done and move on.

We offered 30m and they want 40, is 10m really gonna make a difference to a club like us? we have loads of money anyway.

It's the difference between signing him and not signing him, that's the problem.

[selassie]

If we are interested I don't get why it's taking us so long, this is how it should work:

Club A: We'd like to offer 30 million for Lacazette.
Lyon: No this is too low for a player of his calibre
Club A: We'll offer 35 million then
Lyon: Still too low sorry
Club A: OK 40 million
Lyon: We accept how do you want to structure it
Club A: 30 milllion up front etc etc

This is how it seems to work for us:

Arsenal: We'd like to offer 29 million
Lyon: No this is much too low for a player of his calibre

2 weeks later.....
Arsenal: We'd like to offer 30 million
Lyon: No this is much too low for a player of his calibre

2 weeks later.....
Arsenal: We'd like to offer 31 million
Lyon: No this is much too low for a player of his calibre

1 month later.....
Arsenal: Is Lacazette still available
Lyon: Not officially, but money talks as they say
Arsenal: Interesting

3 weeks later:
Arsenal: Is Lacazette still available
Lyon: We already told you, no not officially
Arsenal: Hmmmmm, we'll get back to you

2 weeks later:
Arsenal: Is Lacazette still available
Lyon: Why are you wasting out time, are you going to make another offer or not?
Arsenal: We'd like to offer 31 million 1 pound
Lyon: Get lost, we're not interested in selling to you

Next day:
Lacazette signs for PSG.

:lol:

[selassie]

The problem is that Wenger's rating of players is based upon transfer values that no longer exist within the current climate.

If he is not prepared to adapt and move with the times both off the pitch and on it so as to maximise out potential with the resources we have available to us, he has no business managing this Club.

:gp: This!

[Power n Glory]

I don't think he's blind to the fact that we need better than those players, whether he's willing to spend the money necessary to get one though...well, it's not looking good.

He’s not blind to it. That’s what makes it worse.

[selassie]

I don't think he's blind to the fact that we need better than those players, whether he's willing to spend the money necessary to get one though...well, it's not looking good.

I knew this would happen, we aren't going to and haven't signed a striker for 4 or 5 seasons now because of Wenger's reluctance to pay the market prices. It's actually ridiculous.

[Power n Glory]

The problem is that Wenger's rating of players is based upon transfer values that no longer exist within the current climate.

If he is not prepared to adapt and move with the times both off the pitch and on it so as to maximise out potential with the resources we have available to us, he has no business managing this Club.

Yep. You also have to question what outstanding quality did he see in Asano to want to sign him up but he’s hesitant with players that have more experience.

[Power n Glory]

I knew this would happen, we aren't going to and haven't signed a striker for 4 or 5 seasons now because of Wenger's reluctance to pay the market prices. It's actually ridiculous.

I still can’t understand why no offer was made for Janssen considering the price he went for.

[Marc Overmars]

Yep. You also have to question what outstanding quality did he see in Asano to want to sign him up but he’s hesitant with players that have more experience.

No expectations on these random kids. He's probably too worried about the possibility of the bigger money players not working out. His reputation would be in the gutter if he spent a lot and the players didn't work out.

[Power n Glory]

In fact, just thinking of that Vardy deal, quality wise, Lacazette and Vardy are similar types of players except Lacazette is younger, more variety to his goals and a longer history of scoring at a higher level. Why the heck aren't we moving for this deal?

[Letters]

I knew this would happen, we aren't going to and haven't signed a striker for 4 or 5 seasons now because of Wenger's reluctance to pay the market prices. It's actually ridiculous.

I'll judge him when the window SLAMS shut :d


:(

[Marc Overmars]

In fact, just thinking of that Vardy deal, quality wise, Lacazette and Vardy are similar types of players except Lacazette is younger, more variety to his goals and a longer history of scoring at a higher level. Why the heck aren't we moving for this deal?

The manager lives and operates in his own bubble when it comes to market value. £30m was the price he deemed fair but now he's probably looking elsewhere before deciding whether to go in higher.

[Power n Glory]

The manager lives and operates in his own bubble when it comes to market value. £30m was the price he deemed fair but now he's probably looking elsewhere before deciding whether to go in higher.

He really does. If 20 year olds with one season behind them are going for over £30m, that price will double if they actually turn into something special. For a guy that brags so much about knowing future star players you would have thought he’d be able to calculate that some of these players will be worth the fee when fully developed.

In fact, thinking from a tactical stand point, I don’t get why he isn’t searching for players in a similar vein to Vardy if that was his target. I wasn’t in favour signing Vardy but there was an argument there that we bought Xhaka and went for Vardy so we could launch attacks from deep and counter quickly. I highly doubt but let’s assume that were the case. Since the Vardy deal has failed, shouldn’t we be looking for a similar player. We have a player here that has pace, similar size and stature, good finishing….shouldn’t our tactical needs outweigh the valuation?

This is where Wenger differs from other managers. When certain managers pay crazy fees for one certain player, it’s because that player is essential to their blueprint. Us on the other hand, we let the valuation dictate everything and fudge the tactics when the season starts. In fact, it’s worse because we’ll still try to play Giroud up front with midfield players that can’t feed him assists because he’s too slow and play wingers that don’t cross so we make no use of his aerial ability. :doh:

[Özim]

No expectations on these random kids. He's probably too worried about the possibility of the bigger money players not working out. His reputation would be in the gutter if he spent a lot and the players didn't work out.

Yeah exactly, he's scared to spend money because if the player fails there will be more pressure from the board as we all know they value money over anything else. Ironically though his reputation is already in tatters, you can't go as long as he has without success without it having a negative impact on your reputation, even players like Vardy are turning their noses up at him.

[Özim]

He really does. If 20 year olds with one season behind them are going for over £30m, that price will double if they actually turn into something special. For a guy that brags so much about knowing future star players you would have thought he’d be able to calculate that some of these players will be worth the fee when fully developed.

In fact, thinking from a tactical stand point, I don’t get why he isn’t searching for players in a similar vein to Vardy if that was his target. I wasn’t in favour signing Vardy but there was an argument there that we bought Xhaka and went for Vardy so we could launch attacks from deep and counter quickly. I highly doubt but let’s assume that were the case. Since the Vardy deal has failed, shouldn’t we be looking for a similar player. We have a player here that has pace, similar size and stature, good finishing….shouldn’t our tactical needs outweigh the valuation?

This is where Wenger differs from other managers. When certain managers pay crazy fees for one certain player, it’s because that player is essential to their blueprint. Us on the other hand, we let the valuation dictate everything and fudge the tactics when the season starts. In fact, it’s worse because we’ll still try to play Giroud up front with midfield players that can’t feed him assists because he’s too slow and play wingers that don’t cross so we make no use of his aerial ability. :doh:

He's an awful manager for the simple reason that he's more interested in finances than anything else, football is very much secondary and you can see that on the pitch and in transfers, his job is to build a winning team but he's more concerned about profits, he's really more of an economist than manager, in pure football terms he's way down the list of talented managers, the only reason anyone else would offer him a job would be to increase profits.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Yes odd though as he rates players like Giroud, Walcott and Welbeck who aren't exactly great and are inferior to Lacazette.

Probably right though, doesn't seem to be a big fan of players who score goals on the whole.

Paying 13million for a player who you don't believe fits into the style your team wants to play is different than spending £35million

I don't agree with how Wenger makes his decisions, but there is no sense in saying i don't understand it. Although interestingly was Arseblog Arsecast the other day that suggested that the club had to persuade the manager to up the amount he was prepared to spend on Xhaka.

I personally don't see the value of bringing in a striker before addressing why we seem to only have the one outlet for chances created and that's Mesut Ozil, the lack of goal scoring chances creating down our right hand side is especially problematic when you consider Giroud is a striker who gets a lot of his goals by ghosting in at the near post.

For me, we should be going all out for Mahrez, and if the club is cheap enough to not want a striker on top of us than we have the option at least of rotating Walcott, Giroud and Alexis up front.

[Özim]

Christ Sutton is spot on:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0438xyq

[Kano]

I knew this would happen, we aren't going to and haven't signed a striker for 4 or 5 seasons now because of Wenger's reluctance to pay the market prices. It's actually ridiculous.
Every team has a budget and valuation they place on things. A story has come up that City aren't willing to pay the price Everton have set for Stones. Of course no one knows if that is a bullshit story or not, most probably is. However change the team to Arsenal and it becomes certified truth. Alexis was around £35m for us, for a player that wasn't an absolute essential part of Barcelona's set-up (like a Suarez or Neymar type) and was probably overpriced by a good ten million. His value has probably increased at Arsenal due to his ability becoming crucial to our team and more of a spotlight on him because of that, so his profile has increased. So I honestly think he would pay the figures being quoted here. However the press simplify everything seem far simpler than it is.

[Özim]

If he paid the prices quoted, we would have signed a lot more players throughout the years, you don't need to press to tell we're cheap, 4 years without a decent forward tells you that, as does the majority of players we've signed.

[bignev]

Not that i'm saying Wenger is right and his judgement on players is particularly astute, but the fact that we haven't increased the bid despite almost being invited so to do suggests he doesn't rate him that highly and that the speculation of our interest in him after our original bid comes completely from Lyon.

I suspect that Wenger doesn't think he's that good. He's trying to find someone better for the same money. If we don't then we'll go back for Lacazette.

The question is, will it be too late by then?

[Power n Glory]

Paying 13million for a player who you don't believe fits into the style your team wants to play is different than spending £35million

I don't agree with how Wenger makes his decisions, but there is no sense in saying i don't understand it. Although interestingly was Arseblog Arsecast the other day that suggested that the club had to persuade the manager to up the amount he was prepared to spend on Xhaka.

I personally don't see the value of bringing in a striker before addressing why we seem to only have the one outlet for chances created and that's Mesut Ozil, the lack of goal scoring chances creating down our right hand side is especially problematic when you consider Giroud is a striker who gets a lot of his goals by ghosting in at the near post.

For me, we should be going all out for Mahrez, and if the club is cheap enough to not want a striker on top of us than we have the option at least of rotating Walcott, Giroud and Alexis up front.

You've lost me there. So we need to create more chances for a striker hadn't scored in 18 games or something like that despite Ozil apparently setting the created chances record that year?

No way. The striker situation is the most urgent position we need to address. The lack of clear cut goal scoring chances boils down to the type of striker we have leading the line. Our best attacking displays came against Munich and Man Utd and that was down to Theo leading the line. Pace. It's essential and if we have a threatening striker, it opens up avenues for others. With our style of play, a wide player can struggle just as much to create chances if we have no movement in the box because of a static striker.

[Power n Glory]

Christ Sutton is spot on:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0438xyq

For sure and I hope the media keep the pressure on this season.

[Özim]

You've lost me there. So we need to create more chances for a striker hadn't scored in 18 games or something like that despite Ozil apparently setting the created chances record that year?

No way. The striker situation is the most urgent position we need to address. The lack of clear cut goal scoring chances boils down to the type of striker we have leading the line. Our best attacking displays came against Munich and Man Utd and that was down to Theo leading the line. Pace. It's essential and if we have a threatening striker, it opens up avenues for others. With our style of play, a wide player can struggle just as much to create chances if we have no movement in the box because of a static striker.

I agree, problem is our forwards don't put away their chances,we do get chances but fluff them often, so having someone more prolific will help a lot, quality forwards can also score goals out of nothing which only adds to our need for one.

I'd love Mahrez but for me it would be as well as a striker not instead of one.

[selassie]

I'll judge him when the window SLAMS shut :d


:(

:lol:

[Power n Glory]

I suspect that Wenger doesn't think he's that good. He's trying to find someone better for the same money. If we don't then we'll go back for Lacazette.

The question is, will it be too late by then?

He's waiting for a deadline deal bargain but I can't see many strikers leaving on deadline day. It's a bigger gamble because the type of striker that moves might not fit into our set up.

[Özim]

I suspect that Wenger doesn't think he's that good. He's trying to find someone better for the same money. If we don't then we'll go back for Lacazette.

The question is, will it be too late by then?

You won't find anyone better, we've left it so late again the options have really dried up, you can't expect to sit on your arse all summer and still have a huge array of options.

Lacazette is our best option now, his goal record is good, he's 25 so will be around a fair few years and has pace, he's the one we should go for. If you leave it to Wenger he'll find some unknown no hoper who can't hit a barn door with a banjo, after all he shocked us all and signed Wellbeck and many laughed at before he arrived, Wengers' idea of top quality is way off the mark.

[Özim]

He's waiting for a deadline deal bargain but I can't see many strikers leaving on deadline day. It's a bigger gamble because the type of striker that moves might not fit into our set up.

It's very foolish and makes absolutely no sense, last time we had to make do with Wellbeck another misfiring forward, this is Wenger idea of quality sadly, cheap, poor finishers.

[Power n Glory]

Paying 13million for a player who you don't believe fits into the style your team wants to play is different than spending £35million

I don't agree with how Wenger makes his decisions, but there is no sense in saying i don't understand it. Although interestingly was Arseblog Arsecast the other day that suggested that the club had to persuade the manager to up the amount he was prepared to spend on Xhaka.

I personally don't see the value of bringing in a striker before addressing why we seem to only have the one outlet for chances created and that's Mesut Ozil, the lack of goal scoring chances creating down our right hand side is especially problematic when you consider Giroud is a striker who gets a lot of his goals by ghosting in at the near post.

For me, we should be going all out for Mahrez, and if the club is cheap enough to not want a striker on top of us than we have the option at least of rotating Walcott, Giroud and Alexis up front.

Let me come back on the bold point. £13m on a player that clearly doesn't fit into our system is a huge waste compared to paying £35m or over for a player that clearly fits the requirements but is a bit price. Besides wasting money, it wastes the energy and talent of players that are actually pulling their weight in this team and we end up losing again because those players leave.

[bignev]

You won't find anyone better, we've left it so late again the options have really dried up, you can't expect to sit on your arse all summer and still have a huge array of options.

Lacazette is our best option now, his goal record is good, he's 25 so will be around a fair few years and has pace, he's the one we should go for. If you leave it to Wenger he'll find some unknown no hoper who can't hit a barn door with a banjo, after all he shocked us all and signed Wellbeck and many laughed at before he arrived, Wengers' idea of top quality is way off the mark.

Tell Wenger not me! :crying:

[bignev]

It's very foolish and makes absolutely no sense, last time we had to make do with Wellbeck another misfiring forward, this is Wenger idea of quality sadly, cheap, poor finishers.

I don't think Wenger particularly wanted Welbeck. His injury problems aside he's always been looking for a striker even after we signed him.

I think he was our best option at the time.

[selassie]

Every team has a budget and valuation they place on things. A story has come up that City aren't willing to pay the price Everton have set for Stones. Of course no one knows if that is a bullshit story or not, most probably is. However change the team to Arsenal and it becomes certified truth. Alexis was around £35m for us, for a player that wasn't an absolute essential part of Barcelona's set-up (like a Suarez or Neymar type) and was probably overpriced by a good ten million. His value has probably increased at Arsenal due to his ability becoming crucial to our team and more of a spotlight on him because of that, so his profile has increased. So I honestly think he would pay the figures being quoted here. However the press simplify everything seem far simpler than it is.

Kano, It doesn't matter if City won't meet the valuation for Stones and it doesn't really matter if the press have a problem with Arsenal over meeting Player valuations.

What matters is that we need to strengthen our team and we're not doing that. All evidence points to us not being prepared to pay market value for the players we have targeted as solutions to our problems.

[Özim]

I don't think Wenger particularly wanted Welbeck. His injury problems aside he's always been looking for a striker even after we signed him.

I think he was our best option at the time.

He wasn't our best option, again we left it last minute and if you do there are no players available, I just don't understand why we would wait till the end of the transfer window.

One the one hand he talks about super quality and only buying players better than he has, on the other he signs players who don't cut it, really odd behaviour.

[Power n Glory]

Kano, It doesn't matter if City won't meet the valuation for Stones and it doesn't really matter if the press have a problem with Arsenal over meeting Player valuations.

What matters is that we need to strengthen our team and we're not doing that. All evidence points to us not being prepared to pay market value for the players we have targeted as solutions to our problems.

The evidence is clear when we start each season without the required numbers and quality. If City don't get Stones they'll find another target if they're really desperate for CB.

[Özim]

The evidence is clear when we start each season without the required numbers and quality. If City don't get Stones they'll find another target if they're really desperate for CB.

Exactly, other clubs don't go for one player and leave it there if they don't get him, they have a list and go after the next option, the way we conduct transfers is laughable, there's no excusing it, everyone else manages to get players in without too much fuss.

It's only hard to sign players if you don't want to pay the asking price.

[Power n Glory]

He wasn't our best option, again we left it last minute and if you do there are no players available, I just don't understand why we would wait till the end of the transfer window.

One the one hand he talks about super quality and only buying players better than he has, on the other he signs players who don't cut it, really odd behaviour.


Welbeck wasn't an option at all. It was a deadline day gamble which is what we'll probably see again this season if we don't act soon.

[bignev]

He wasn't our best option, again we left it last minute and if you do there are no players available, I just don't understand why we would wait till the end of the transfer window.

One the one hand he talks about super quality and only buying players better than he has, on the other he signs players who don't cut it, really odd behaviour.

I did say he was our best option at the time

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Let me come back on the bold point. £13m on a player that clearly doesn't fit into our system is a huge waste compared to paying £35m or over for a player that clearly fits the requirements but is a bit price. Besides wasting money, it wastes the energy and talent of players that are actually pulling their weight in this team and we end up losing again because those players leave.

I'm not convinced Wenger agrees otherwise he'd have stumped up the money. That's the point i'm trying to make, i don't agree with the conclusions he comes to but to say it makes no sense is something else. If Wenger rated him and thought he would fit into the style of football he wanted to play i think he'd have stumped up the cash or at least considered going in for a higher offer.

I think with Giroud he was spending less money, he scored a lot of goals for Montpellier in their title winning season so because of the price tag it made it much less of a risk for him. That's how he works....it's always how he works.

He is basically obsessed with this stats database which is his bible, apparently he went for Welbeck based on it's advice.

For what it's worth i don't rate Lacazette either, i think it's telling that besides West Ham no one else is in for him.....and that Lyon appear to almost be pushing him on us because they know the player wants to leave.

If we are determined to only spend money on one attacking player i reiterate i think it should be Mahrez

Failing that i'd be tempted by Daniel Sturridge if i had any faith that he wouldn't be beasted in training by Wenger or knobbled by the backroom staff

[LDG]

Wenger doesn't speculate to accumulate.

He accumulates guff to speculate.

[bignev]

Failing that i'd be tempted by Daniel Sturridge if i had any faith that he wouldn't be beasted in training by Wenger or knobbled by the backroom staff

I was with you until this point.

Sturridge has looked average (and injured) since Suarez left. No thanks

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Injured yes, average no don't agree....i think he is one of the most naturally gifted goalscorers in the premier league.

[Power n Glory]

I'm not convinced Wenger agrees otherwise he'd have stumped up the money. That's the point i'm trying to make, i don't agree with the conclusions he comes to but to say it makes no sense is something else. If Wenger rated him and thought he would fit into the style of football he wanted to play i think he'd have stumped up the cash or at least considered going in for a higher offer.

I think with Giroud he was spending less money, he scored a lot of goals for Montpellier in their title winning season so because of the price tag it made it much less of a risk for him. That's how he works....it's always how he works.

He is basically obsessed with this stats database which is his bible, apparently he went for Welbeck based on it's advice.

For what it's worth i don't rate Lacazette either, i think it's telling that besides West Ham no one else is in for him.....and that Lyon appear to almost be pushing him on us because they know the player wants to leave.

If we are determined to only spend money on one attacking player i reiterate i think it should be Mahrez

Failing that i'd be tempted by Daniel Sturridge if i had any faith that he wouldn't be beasted in training by Wenger or knobbled by the backroom staff

We bid £20m for Vardy because of the buyout clause. He’s a similar player to Lacazette but older, cheaper and less history at the top level. Now if Lacazette was available for £20m would Wenger jump at the chance to buy him? I think so. If Vardy’s buyout clause was £40m I doubt we’d have bid for Vardy. If Giroud was being sold for £40m I seriously doubt we’d have bid for him either. It seems like the price tag dictates who Wenger rates. It’s not about quality. If so, I can’t see what Vardy has that Lacazette doesn’t have. Wenger said last season we need a 20 goal striker to win the league. Lacazette has scored over 20 for the past 3 seasons. That’s more than Vardy’s one season. Wenger also said a striker needs pace. Check for Zette again. He’s French. He’s the right age. It’s just not the right price. That’s the sticking point and where Wenger has his priorities around the wrong way.

The whole argument of whether Wenger rates him or not….if we really bid £30m then he rates him. Just not enough to bid £40m. Why? When I go to shop and feel like I’m being overcharged for a product I know I can get cheaper or can get something better at the same price, I’ll move on and won’t pay. So unless Wenger has a target in his mind that he knows he can get for his desired price, I really don’t know what he’s playing at. It makes no sense. He has said we need a striker. As for not rating a player because of who else made a bid…who else bid for Giroud? Who else bid for Xhaka?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

We bid £20m for Vardy because of the buyout clause. He’s a similar player to Lacazette but older, cheaper and less history at the top level. Now if Lacazette was available for £20m would Wenger jump at the chance to buy him? I think so. If Vardy’s buyout clause was £40m I doubt we’d have bid for Vardy. If Giroud was being sold for £40m I seriously doubt we’d have bid for him either. It seems like the price tag dictates who Wenger rates. It’s not about quality. If so, I can’t see what Vardy has that Lacazette doesn’t have. Wenger said last season we need a 20 goal striker to win the league. Lacazette has scored over 20 for the past 3 seasons. That’s more than Vardy’s one season. Wenger also said a striker needs pace. Check for Zette again. He’s French. He’s the right age. It’s just not the right price. That’s the sticking point and where Wenger has his priorities around the wrong way.

The whole argument of whether Wenger rates him or not….if we really bid £30m then he rates him. Just not enough to bid £40m. Why? When I go to shop and feel like I’m being overcharged for a product I know I can get cheaper or can get something better at the same price, I’ll move on and won’t pay. So unless Wenger has a target in his mind that he knows he can get for his desired price, I really don’t know what he’s playing at. It makes no sense. He has said we need a striker. As for not rating a player because of who else made a bid…who else bid for Giroud? Who else bid for Xhaka?

The pricetag does dictate, however the point is he is more likely to spend more on a player he rates

You're completely correct that if Lacazette had a 20million buy out clause he'd have tried to activate it, simply because it presents far less of a risk for a player he doesn't rate that highly. There was no prevarication over the fee for Sanchez because Wenger decided right away he'd fit into our style of play and rated the player.

Whether he is right or wrong, Wenger does not see Lacazette as an upgrade on Giroud

[selassie]

The pricetag does dictate, however the point is he is more likely to spend more on a player he rates

You're completely correct that if Lacazette had a 20million buy out clause he'd have tried to activate it, simply because it presents far less of a risk for a player he doesn't rate that highly. There was no prevarication over the fee for Sanchez because Wenger decided right away he'd fit into our style of play and rated the player.

Whether he is right or wrong, Wenger does not see Lacazette as an upgrade on Giroud

The problem with this approach is that we are essentially searching for players in a market that doesn't really exist.

Everybody wants value for money and I totally accept that but Wenger essentially wants world class players at budget prices. Wenger probably rates the likes of Pogba, Griezmann, Dybala etc really highly but he wouldn't pay the market price for them even if they begged him to sign them.

This is where I think his philosophy and his approach in the market is all wrong and pretty much leads to summers of frustration and a lack of progress in resolving problem areas in the squad.

[Power n Glory]

The pricetag does dictate, however the point is he is more likely to spend more on a player he rates

You're completely correct that if Lacazette had a 20million buy out clause he'd have tried to activate it, simply because it presents far less of a risk for a player he doesn't rate that highly. There was no prevarication over the fee for Sanchez because Wenger decided right away he'd fit into our style of play and rated the player.

Whether he is right or wrong, Wenger does not see Lacazette as an upgrade on Giroud

So Vardy is an upgrade on Giroud at £20m but he's not an upgrade on Giroud if he'd cost £40m?

[Özim]

The pricetag does dictate, however the point is he is more likely to spend more on a player he rates

You're completely correct that if Lacazette had a 20million buy out clause he'd have tried to activate it, simply because it presents far less of a risk for a player he doesn't rate that highly. There was no prevarication over the fee for Sanchez because Wenger decided right away he'd fit into our style of play and rated the player.

Whether he is right or wrong, Wenger does not see Lacazette as an upgrade on Giroud

It's not his job to worry about the fee, it's his job to improve the team, at the end of the day with his method of rating signings, we'll rarely end up with anyone, because as someone alluded he's working in a market that doesn't exist, star players cost big money these days, if you don't want to pay that then you go for young players like Janssen, yet Wenger didn't want him either.

His measure of whether a player is good or not is way off the mark anyway, you only need to look at some of the players he deems better than anyone else around to know that.

[Letters]

It's not his job to worry about the fee, it's his job to improve the team.
LETTERS IN 'AGREEING WITH ZIM' SHOCK EXCLUSIVE.
Isn't this where we're missing David Dein? Didn't he used to deal with all this sort of thing once Wenger had identified a target?

[Marc Overmars]

Yeah that's the trouble with how we operate, Wenger treats the clubs money like it's his personal wealth. All he needs to be doing is identifying the players he wants and telling someone to go get them. Unfortunately we're saddled with a board who don't give a fuck and are happy to delegate everything to Wenger as long as the money keeps rolling in.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

So Vardy is an upgrade on Giroud at £20m but he's not an upgrade on Giroud if he'd cost £40m?

I don't think he looked at Vardy in the scope of whether he was an upgrade on Giroud, he was a player with premier league experience who costs 20million and if he didn't blend into our team he at least wasn't a massive outlay.

[Kano]

If he paid the prices quoted, we would have signed a lot more players throughout the years, you don't need to press to tell we're cheap, 4 years without a decent forward tells you that, as does the majority of players we've signed.

Or it tells you that he continues to foolishly place his belief in a team and strikers that aren't sufficient. That said, last season we should've done better than a distant second and the squad was there to win it. But Wenger wasn't and hasn't been good enough to manage the squad to achieve that for a good while now.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

It's not his job to worry about the fee, it's his job to improve the team, at the end of the day with his method of rating signings, we'll rarely end up with anyone, because as someone alluded he's working in a market that doesn't exist, star players cost big money these days, if you don't want to pay that then you go for young players like Janssen, yet Wenger didn't want him either.

His measure of whether a player is good or not is way off the mark anyway, you only need to look at some of the players he deems better than anyone else around to know that.

There is a difference between me describing how Wenger makes his decisions and agreeing with it

It's the clubs money therefore as far as I'm concerned the transfer fee isn't really something he should concern himself with full stop.

I doubt Mourinho has had any part in the transfer negotiations for Pogba, I think his involvement stopped at "this is the player I want....try and get it done". Which is of course as it should be

But then you have to ask yourself of the club hierarchy, why have they allowed this for so long.

I don't want the manager who comes in after Wenger having any day over transfer fees because it's outside his remit

[Kano]

Kano, It doesn't matter if City won't meet the valuation for Stones and it doesn't really matter if the press have a problem with Arsenal over meeting Player valuations.

What matters is that we need to strengthen our team and we're not doing that. All evidence points to us not being prepared to pay market value for the players we have targeted as solutions to our problems.

It does matter completely. The narrative has become, nearly exclusively through press running stories, that Wenger will not spend over a certain amount no matter what.

We need to improve our squad and I tend to believe the reason we haven't is misplaced faith again and again from Wenger. There is far more evidence of that being the case - going by his endless quotes about that over the past number of years - rather than numerous empty press reports providing no insight beyond what we want to believe or not believe.

[Power n Glory]

I don't think he looked at Vardy in the scope of whether he was an upgrade on Giroud, he was a player with premier league experience who costs 20million and if he didn't blend into our team he at least wasn't a massive outlay.

Could be true but factor in what Wenger has said about modern day strikers needing pace and us needing a striker that can score 20 in the league, I'd say that's an improvement on Giroud. He just wouldn't spend £40m on him. It boils down to price and if he thinks he's getting a bargain. His priorities are backwards. If Real Madrid were selling Ozil for £55m we wouldn't have paid that much for him.

[Power n Glory]

Napoli have wrapped up their deal for Milik.

[bignev]

The whole argument of whether Wenger rates him or not….if we really bid £30m then he rates him. Just not enough to bid £40m. Why? When I go to shop and feel like I’m being overcharged for a product I know I can get cheaper or can get something better at the same price, I’ll move on and won’t pay. So unless Wenger has a target in his mind that he knows he can get for his desired price, I really don’t know what he’s playing at. It makes no sense. He has said we need a striker. As for not rating a player because of who else made a bid…who else bid for Giroud? Who else bid for Xhaka?

But that's exactly it. Wengers wants to move on and not pay just like you do in your analogy. Except he knows we need a striker so he has to either;

(a) Find someone better or who is available at closer to their perceived value. This is what he has been trying to do I think.

or

(b) accept that that's the price we need to pay and do the deal. This is the stage we will eventually get to. Except it may well be too late by then.

[Power n Glory]

But that's exactly it. Wengers wants to move on and not pay just like you do in your analogy. Except he knows we need a striker so he has to either;

(a) Find someone better or who is available at closer to their perceived value. This is what he has been trying to do I think.

or

(b) accept that that's the price we need to pay and do the deal. This is the stage we will eventually get to. Except it may well be too late by then.

Not quite. Considering he's had 5 transfer windows to get this right, I really don't know if he'll do A or B. You're right about it might being too later and it's exactly how Utd were able to offload Welbeck on to us.

We shouldn't still be shopping around for bargains so late on in the window. The season kicks off soon and our new signings should be training with us now. In my scenario, when I'm shopping, I know how much and where I can get the alternative from. Especially if I'm pressed for time. I don't move on looking for a bargain that might not ever pop up. That's like looking for a specific gift on Christmas Eve knowing stocks are low but walking out of the shop not knowing if you'll come across anything better. We shouldn't be in this position. You've seen how Napoli sold their striker and had a replacement signed and confirmed in less than a week. What the heck is going on with our camp?

[selassie]

It does matter completely. The narrative has become, nearly exclusively through press running stories, that Wenger will not spend over a certain amount no matter what.

We need to improve our squad and I tend to believe the reason we haven't is misplaced faith again and again from Wenger. There is far more evidence of that being the case - going by his endless quotes about that over the past number of years - rather than numerous empty press reports providing no insight beyond what we want to believe or not believe.

Because it's true! Even David Dein said he had to force Wenger to buy when he was at the club, it is well known that Wenger is known for dithering and procrastinating over deals like he's spending his own personal fortune.

The misplaced faith and market valuation issue kind of go hand in hand in as much as Wenger sees someone like say Walcott or Welbeck and believes that they can't be improved upon in the market. What he actually means is it would cost what 30 or 40 million pounds to upgrade on them and he isn't prepared to do that. It's not Wenger's job to worry about that, he should focus on identifying players that improve the team and let the negotiators and bean counters worry about the fees.

[Kano]

Forcing to buy is different than the actual reasons behind his reluctance. There is a distinction between the two. The reason I gave the overpriced Sanchez deal was because he clearly wanted the player and was prepared to pay over the odds for him. Dein has pushed him to go to the market before because he knows Wenger would stick with the same squad he has utter faith in. Dein has also come out in the past to say that Wenger won't buy because he believes he can turn youngsters into world class players - we saw this for ourselves in the early days at the Emirates. So Dein's message hasn't been wholly consistent and I can't rely on that for a source.

The reason we didn't win back to back titles was because he didn't add to the team after winning it. As Fergie would always do. This was in a period when he was ahead of others, having a keener eye for the talent around the world, bargains were there to be had without paying stupid prices, well within our old Highbury budget. But what we all know with Wenger is that he hasn't changed, he remains stubborn to his old ways which is a massive problem and I think the key one being his belief in the squad at his disposal. Too much belief in them. He did it when we won titles and he's still doing it now. The problem I have with going with his refusal match current rates angle is it heavily led and informed by the press, which I am loathe to do. If they brought out something credible other than a a number of paragraphs written from the authors perspective and I'm happy to change my tune. They have their own clear agenda in creating those stories. Whereas listening to Wenger say the same thing for years, even when we were at our height under his guidance, creates a more believable story for me because it's based on hard evidence.

[Letters]

Yeah that's the trouble with how we operate, Wenger treats the clubs money like it's his personal wealth. All he needs to be doing is identifying the players he wants and telling someone to go get them. Unfortunately we're saddled with a board who don't give a fuck and are happy to delegate everything to Wenger as long as the money keeps rolling in.
I don't think the board get half as much stick on here as they deserve. For all his fault Wenger at least cares. He wants us to succeed even if he's no longer able to deliver that. As you say the board couldn't give a monkeys so long as the money keeps coming.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

It's not crucial to the points made but if broadly speaking, if Wenger pays 5k for a player he believes him to be 'potentially' worth at least 10k and if he pays 20 million he believes him to potentially worth 40. He just doesn't want to pay the potential value.

I can easily believe he sees Lacazette as potentially a 50mil+ player but he won't pay that.

I am in a minority in thinking managers (particularly ones strongly tied to their clubs) should be concerned about value and price......but not to the detriment of the club or its best interests.

[Munchies]

I'm ready to return to playing on the wing... Theo Walcott makes U-turn on striker ambition to keep Arsenal place


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3720622/I-m-ready-return-playing-wing-Theo-Walcott-makes-U-turn-striker-ambition-Arsenal-place.html

:blah:

[Power n Glory]

I'm ready to return to playing on the wing... Theo Walcott makes U-turn on striker ambition to keep Arsenal place


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3720622/I-m-ready-return-playing-wing-Theo-Walcott-makes-U-turn-striker-ambition-Arsenal-place.html

:blah:

After last season, he needs to buck up his ideas. Even when playing on the flanks he was operating more as a wide forward and wouldn't focus totally on getting into the box with his runs. We missed his goals and assists from the wing but he has to contribute a heck of a lot more when playing there.

[Marc Overmars]

He must be pretty desperate to stay at the club.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

He must be pretty desperate to stay at the club.

He realises that no one else is dumb enough to offer him 120k a week.

Also we're heavily linked with at 50 million euro bid for Draxler right now. Apparently he's told Wolfsberg that he wants to leave.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/695963/Arsenal-Transfer-News-Julian-Draxler-Wolfsburg-gossip

[Özim]

He realises that no one else is dumb enough to offer him 120k a week.

Also we're heavily linked with at 50 million euro bid for Draxler right now. Apparently he's told Wolfsberg that he wants to leave.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/695963/Arsenal-Transfer-News-Julian-Draxler-Wolfsburg-gossip

We've been linked with Draxler for years and it's never happened, we could have bought him last season for 25 million but didn't, just can't see us signing Draxler, sounds like a trendy name to band around.

[bignev]

Not quite. Considering he's had 5 transfer windows to get this right, I really don't know if he'll do A or B. You're right about it might being too later and it's exactly how Utd were able to offload Welbeck on to us.

We shouldn't still be shopping around for bargains so late on in the window. The season kicks off soon and our new signings should be training with us now. In my scenario, when I'm shopping, I know how much and where I can get the alternative from. Especially if I'm pressed for time. I don't move on looking for a bargain that might not ever pop up. That's like looking for a specific gift on Christmas Eve knowing stocks are low but walking out of the shop not knowing if you'll come across anything better. We shouldn't be in this position. You've seen how Napoli sold their striker and had a replacement signed and confirmed in less than a week. What the heck is going on with our camp?

I agree with you. However I think our aim is to get a better striker than Milik which is where the issue lies.


We only want a top quality striker
There are a dearth of top quality strikers who we could potentially sign anyway.
We don't want to pay over the odd for a striker

The above three things are not a good combination considering how desperately we need to make this signing. Especially because from the clubs perspective (not the fans) we don't want to pay over the odds for someone who Wenger doesn't consider top quality. Then we've signed someone who isn't a big improvement to the squad and we've spent lots of money doing it.

Therein lies the problem.

[LDG]

It does matter completely. The narrative has become, nearly exclusively through press running stories, that Wenger will not spend over a certain amount no matter what.

We need to improve our squad and I tend to believe the reason we haven't is misplaced faith again and again from Wenger. There is far more evidence of that being the case - going by his endless quotes about that over the past number of years - rather than numerous empty press reports providing no insight beyond what we want to believe or not believe.

If you look at the history, from day one there has been a reluctance to buy ready made quality. Instead you have a series of punts and cheap solutions. Even Henry was a punt, and this gets lost in the mix because of how good he became.

When you look at strikers he's bought, you have to say that most of them were cheap stop-gap types, rather than actually buying the player we need.

Anelka (unknown)
Suker (Past it, stop gap)
Wiltord (hardly top of the range)
Boa Morte
Henry
Jeffers (FFS)
Kanu (punt)
Baptiste (fat punt)
Eduardo (punt)
Podolski (cheap faded star)
Adebayor (unknown punt)
Chamakh (FFS)
Aliadiadiaidiaire (unknown)
Gervinho (Don't make me piss my pants)
Van Persie (Young unknown)
Bendtner (punt)
Park :shrug:



He has a long history of being a cheapskate. Albeit, he found great players in Henry and RVP.

[Letters]

Baptiste (fat punt).

:lol:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

If you look at the history, from day one there has been a reluctance to buy ready made quality. Instead you have a series of punts and cheap solutions. Even Henry was a punt, and this gets lost in the mix because of how good he became.

When you look at strikers he's bought, you have to say that most of them were cheap stop-gap types, rather than actually buying the player we need.

Anelka (unknown)
Suker (Past it, stop gap)
Wiltord (hardly top of the range)
Boa Morte
Henry
Jeffers (FFS)
Kanu (punt)
Baptiste (fat punt)
Eduardo (punt)
Podolski (cheap faded star)
Adebayor (unknown punt)
Chamakh (FFS)
Aliadiadiaidiaire (unknown)
Gervinho (Don't make me piss my pants)
Van Persie (Young unknown)
Bendtner (punt)
Park :shrug:



He has a long history of being a cheapskate. Albeit, he found great players in Henry and RVP.

That's true of every position really....it's only in the last few years that he has spent the money on established players

[Power n Glory]

I agree with you. However I think our aim is to get a better striker than Milik which is where the issue lies.


We only want a top quality striker
There are a dearth of top quality strikers who we could potentially sign anyway.
We don't want to pay over the odd for a striker

The above three things are not a good combination considering how desperately we need to make this signing. Especially because from the clubs perspective (not the fans) we don't want to pay over the odds for someone who Wenger doesn't consider top quality. Then we've signed someone who isn't a big improvement to the squad and we've spent lots of money doing it.

Therein lies the problem.

I really wasn’t impressed with Milik at the Euros. Napoli can have him. But I think we can learn from the way they’ve sold their two best strikers for massive fees and gone on to find replacements within a week of selling. Look at that turnaround compared to ours. We’ve had seasons to find a new striker whilst Napoli have lost two of their best strikers over the past 3 seasons but have replaced them within a week of losing them. That says a lot.

But you’re right. We only want top quality but won’t pay the price. As Blink implied, we’re only interested in identifying undervalued players. There aren’t many top quality players available but I doubt we’d even sign Aguero or Suarez if offered to us at the going rate.

Heck, I think we need to really consider bringing Van Persie back. If Flamini can be forgiven along with Sol Campbell.....

[Power n Glory]

If you look at the history, from day one there has been a reluctance to buy ready made quality. Instead you have a series of punts and cheap solutions. Even Henry was a punt, and this gets lost in the mix because of how good he became.

When you look at strikers he's bought, you have to say that most of them were cheap stop-gap types, rather than actually buying the player we need.

Anelka (unknown)
Suker (Past it, stop gap)
Wiltord (hardly top of the range)
Boa Morte
Henry
Jeffers (FFS)
Kanu (punt)
Baptiste (fat punt)
Eduardo (punt)
Podolski (cheap faded star)
Adebayor (unknown punt)
Chamakh (FFS)
Aliadiadiaidiaire (unknown)
Gervinho (Don't make me piss my pants)
Van Persie (Young unknown)
Bendtner (punt)
Park :shrug:



He has a long history of being a cheapskate. Albeit, he found great players in Henry and RVP.

Very true. Wiltord was probably the only striker we’ve bought that had some hype behind him when we signed him because of the Euro 2000 and he was our record signing for years. Yet he was played as right winger.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Co2iUqxW8AAt_7Q.jpg

That Bergkamp signing is equivalent to near £100m today on a transfer.

[Ralpheroo72]

Draxler wants to leave Wolfsburg? Get it done Gazidis you cock!

[Niall_Quinn]

Draxler wants to leave Wolfsburg? Get it done Gazidis you cock!

Ivan has no money - didn't you hear him the other day? Poor sod is broke. Down to his last hundred mill.

[Power n Glory]

We're not signing Draxler since we're not selling Theo or OX. Forget it.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Draxler wants to leave Wolfsburg? Get it done Gazidis you cock!

Yeah he just gave a pretty damning interview to Bild (German version of The Sun) where basically he said he wanted to leave and was pretty scathing about Wolfsberg. Seems to have made his position untenable though we've seen footballers and their clubs reconcile from much worse in the past (Rooney with Man Utd, Ramos with Real etc etc).

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10521049/arsenal-target-julian-draxler-says-he-wants-to-leave-wolfsburg-this-summer

After they've just let Schurle go I can't see them easily parting ways with Draxler easily nor as evidenced by Wenger's history, I can't see him ever paying how much Wolfsberg would demand (probably at least 40 million plus).

Wouldn't mind him at all and I'd personally have a front three behind the striker of:

Draxler ------ Ozil ------- Alexis

Moves Alexis to his preferred right hand side position and we can have Ox as the first backup, with Campbell next in line.

Theo can fuck off. :coffee:

[bignev]

If you look at the history, from day one there has been a reluctance to buy ready made quality. Instead you have a series of punts and cheap solutions. Even Henry was a punt, and this gets lost in the mix because of how good he became.

When you look at strikers he's bought, you have to say that most of them were cheap stop-gap types, rather than actually buying the player we need.

Anelka (unknown)
Suker (Past it, stop gap)
Wiltord (hardly top of the range)
Boa Morte
Henry
Jeffers (FFS)
Kanu (punt)
Baptiste (fat punt)
Eduardo (punt)
Podolski (cheap faded star)
Adebayor (unknown punt)
Chamakh (FFS)
Aliadiadiaidiaire (unknown)
Gervinho (Don't make me piss my pants)
Van Persie (Young unknown)
Bendtner (punt)
Park :shrug:



He has a long history of being a cheapskate. Albeit, he found great players in Henry and RVP.

Ouch! That makes bad reading.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We're not signing Draxler since we're not selling Theo or OX. Forget it.

I wouldn't be so absolute about it.

It's public knowledge that Wenger has rated him for a long time and when he does rate a player he usually is prepared to pay the going rate for him (see Xhaka, Ozil, Alexis etc). It's only when he has doubts about a players quality (Lacazette for example) is when he becomes reticent to part money and then stalls & delays, probably in the hope that something better appears.

Clearly it's unlikely, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if we agreed a 35 - 40 million deal with Wolfburg with Wenger then giving up on the striker hunt again and persisting another year with Giroud and Theo as our two main options.

[bignev]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Co2iUqxW8AAt_7Q.jpg

That Bergkamp signing is equivalent to near £100m today on a transfer.

Wenger didn't sign Bergkamp which adds doubt to how much fact checking was done to produce that table.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

That was always disputed, Dein i think hinted that Bergkamp was signed on Wenger's recommendation. Dein had wanted Wenger as manager after George Graham had left.

[Marc Overmars]

City to sign Gabriel Jesus. Some Brazilian wonderkid apparently.

[selassie]

Forcing to buy is different than the actual reasons behind his reluctance. There is a distinction between the two. The reason I gave the overpriced Sanchez deal was because he clearly wanted the player and was prepared to pay over the odds for him. Dein has pushed him to go to the market before because he knows Wenger would stick with the same squad he has utter faith in. Dein has also come out in the past to say that Wenger won't buy because he believes he can turn youngsters into world class players - we saw this for ourselves in the early days at the Emirates. So Dein's message hasn't been wholly consistent and I can't rely on that for a source.

The reason we didn't win back to back titles was because he didn't add to the team after winning it. As Fergie would always do. This was in a period when he was ahead of others, having a keener eye for the talent around the world, bargains were there to be had without paying stupid prices, well within our old Highbury budget. But what we all know with Wenger is that he hasn't changed, he remains stubborn to his old ways which is a massive problem and I think the key one being his belief in the squad at his disposal. Too much belief in them. He did it when we won titles and he's still doing it now. The problem I have with going with his refusal match current rates angle is it heavily led and informed by the press, which I am loathe to do. If they brought out something credible other than a a number of paragraphs written from the authors perspective and I'm happy to change my tune. They have their own clear agenda in creating those stories. Whereas listening to Wenger say the same thing for years, even when we were at our height under his guidance, creates a more believable story for me because it's based on hard evidence.

Hmmm....I'm not sure it is so different. He dithers because he's not sure that the purchase represents value for money in terms of upgrading existing team members, this is just my personal opinion of course.

Was Sanchez really a "paying over the odds" deal? We signed him off the back of him having a fairly decent season at Barca, he was only moved on because they had bought a new shiny toy and told him he wouldn't be first choice. Sanchez was always a good player, even at Barca.

I do agree with you in that Wenger has utter faith/belief in the squads he manages and he believes he can get a few more gears out of his young players, that's fair enough and I have nothing against him for thinking like that. What I have a problem with is when he perseveres with players for season upon season and as part of this process moves them all over the team. The evidence points to that it is stagnating their development, especially with a lot of the young brits.

[Power n Glory]

I wouldn't be so absolute about it.

It's public knowledge that Wenger has rated him for a long time and when he does rate a player he usually is prepared to pay the going rate for him (see Xhaka, Ozil, Alexis etc). It's only when he has doubts about a players quality (Lacazette for example) is when he becomes reticent to part money and then stalls & delays, probably in the hope that something better appears.

Clearly it's unlikely, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if we agreed a 35 - 40 million deal with Wolfburg with Wenger then giving up on the striker hunt again and persisting another year with Giroud and Theo as our two main options.

Well, that's just it. We had a chance to sign Draxler before his move to Wolfsburg and there were murmurs of us signing him the season we signed Sanchez. Or what it Ozil? Nah, I don't see it happening now if he didn't sign him up before.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Well, that's just it. We had a chance to sign Draxler before his move to Wolfsburg and there were murmurs of us signing him the season we signed Sanchez. Or what it Ozil? Nah, I don't see it happening now if he didn't sign him up before.

Linked with him both the summer transfer window of 2013 and winter transfer window of 2014

I more expect him to go to Juventus, but i wouldn't be massively surprised if we ended up signing him

He's got potential, but again i am worried about what happens when he decides to retire early from the game to take up ballet dancing.

[Power n Glory]

Linked with him both the summer transfer window of 2013 and winter transfer window of 2014

I more expect him to go to Juventus, but i wouldn't be massively surprised if we ended up signing him

He's got potential, but again i am worried about what happens when he decides to retire early from the game to take up ballet dancing.

Yep. Reports were saying we didn't want to pay £30m back then. What's his fee now? That's probably €30m.

[Özim]

City to sign Gabriel Jesus. Some Brazilian wonderkid apparently.

Yeah he's supposed to be very good.

[Niall_Quinn]

How many more days of this do we have to go through before the window shuts? Seems like it's better to just ignore football for that period of time and tune in after the window closes to pick up the discussion on the implications of going into another season without a decent striker. Wenger not going to part with "his" money, unless some bargain bucket deal falls out of the sky and hits him on the head.

[Marc Overmars]

How many more days of this do we have to go through before the window shuts? Seems like it's better to just ignore football for that period of time and tune in after the window closes to pick up the discussion on the implications of going into another season without a decent striker. Wenger not going to part with "his" money, unless some bargain bucket deal falls out of the sky and hits him on the head.

Another month to go.

We won't sign anyone until we've been given a good kicking by Liverpool and Leicester.

[Letters]

How many more days of this do we have to go through before the window shuts? Seems like it's better to just ignore football for that period of time and tune in after the window closes to pick up the discussion on the implications of going into another season without a decent striker. Wenger not going to part with "his" money, unless some bargain bucket deal falls out of the sky and hits him on the head.

It doesn't just shut, it SLAMS shut. Get it right :sulk:

[Kano]

If you look at the history, from day one there has been a reluctance to buy ready made quality. Instead you have a series of punts and cheap solutions. Even Henry was a punt, and this gets lost in the mix because of how good he became.

When you look at strikers he's bought, you have to say that most of them were cheap stop-gap types, rather than actually buying the player we need.

Anelka (unknown)
Suker (Past it, stop gap)
Wiltord (hardly top of the range)
Boa Morte
Henry
Jeffers (FFS)
Kanu (punt)
Baptiste (fat punt)
Eduardo (punt)
Podolski (cheap faded star)
Adebayor (unknown punt)
Chamakh (FFS)
Aliadiadiaidiaire (unknown)
Gervinho (Don't make me piss my pants)
Van Persie (Young unknown)
Bendtner (punt)
Park :shrug:



He has a long history of being a cheapskate. Albeit, he found great players in Henry and RVP.

Absolutely, because he believes he can turn unknowns or kids into superstars, rather than doing the 'easy' thing of buying in the quality. He is a purest who believes in traditional methods of training technical abilities from the ground up. Which is probably why he believes too much in his squads because they are a reflection of himself. They mostly represent the moulding and work he believes has gone into moulding the group. But Wiltord, Reyes, Sanchez, Chambers and Xhaka are all examples of when he sees someone he believes in, he'll pay over the odds. His mantra for years has been about believing in the squad, even not adding to it when we've won titles. That hasn't changed one bit and it is the overriding factor above all others as to why he doesn't get the players we've needed for so long.

[Niall_Quinn]

Put another way, he's a delusional megalomaniac and that delusion has been reinforced by the broken clock syndrome represented by the few successes he's had - those successes being the product of exceptional individual characters rather than the result of his input.

[Niall_Quinn]

It doesn't just shut, it SLAMS shut. Get it right :sulk:

I thought it fizzled out in a big long Jim White yawn, or does it only look like that and in reality it's all as exciting as Sky claims?

[Power n Glory]

Absolutely, because he believes he can turn unknowns or kids into superstars, rather than doing the 'easy' thing of buying in the quality. He is a purest who believes in traditional methods of training technical abilities from the ground up. Which is probably why he believes too much in his squads because they are a reflection of himself. They mostly represent the moulding and work he believes has gone into moulding the group. But Wiltord, Reyes, Sanchez, Chambers and Xhaka are all examples of when he sees someone he believes in, he'll pay over the odds. His mantra for years has been about believing in the squad, even not adding to it when we've won titles. That hasn't changed one bit and it is the overriding factor above all others as to why he doesn't get the players we've needed for so long.

Sanchez was a good price. About right for the market or maybe a bargain when you think about his game. We overpaid for the rest of the players you mentioned but not Sanchez. A goal scoring winger that can score 20 odd goals and 10 plus assist a season is pretty good. Aggressive on attack, no slouch and committed to defending, a match winner when the team need something special....

An unpopular opinion but I think we overpaid for Ozil. Not by much but a player that only assists, doesn't score on a regular, not aggressive on attack or consistenly threatening when on the ball, can't defend, goes missing in big games.... I expect more.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Sanchez was a good price. About right for the market or maybe a bargain when you think about his game. We overpaid for the rest of the players you mentioned but not Sanchez. A goal scoring winger that can score 20 odd goals and 10 plus assist a season is pretty good. Aggressive on attack, no slouch and committed to defending, a match winner when the team need something special....

An unpopular opinion but I think we overpaid for Ozil. Not by much but a player that only assists, doesn't score on a regular, not aggressive on attack or consistenly threatening when on the ball, can't defend, goes missing in big games.... I expect more.

You don't rate Ozil???......I never knew that

[Marc Overmars]

We definitely didn't overpay for Alexis. He had been established as a very good player for several years and was coming off the back of some decent World Cup performances. Not quite good enough for Barca's high standards but still an excellent player that would improve most teams. Don't forget Lallana went for a similar price in the same summer and you'd have to be insane to think he's anywhere near as good as Alexis.

I'd say Alexis is every bit a £30m player and more.

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis is worth around £60-£70mill in the current market. A genuine marquee player. The 30 odd mill we paid for him was criminal, we robbed them. We just got lucky that Barca had such an excess of talent. Much the same as Madrid who could afford to let Ozil go, a player easily worth £150mill if Pogba is worth £100mill. Alexis and Ozil are obviously not typical Arsenal signings, they were the right time, right place, right price anomalies or else we'd never have signed them. Now we're hoping some other alignment of the stars occurs so that a decent striker that represents value in Wenger's tortured mind somehow materialises. Else we'll end up with another Welbeck to replace Welbeck, or nobody at all which is probably the most likely outcome as things stand.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Mangala was £42 million. Keep that in mind at all times. :lol:

[Power n Glory]

You don't rate Ozil???......I never knew that

You learn something new everyday.

[Power n Glory]

Mangala was £42 million. Keep that in mind at all times. :lol:

We really need one of these idiot clubs to take a look at some of our players. Can you imagine if someone was willing to pay that much for Gabriel?

It all depends on whose buying. Such a wide spectrum with prices. Can still pick up talent for cheap but you've got the other side of things where prices are nuts..

[Xhaka Can’t]

We really need one of these idiot clubs to take a look at some of our players. Can you imagine if someone was willing to pay that much for Gabriel?

It all depends on whose buying. Such a wide spectrum with prices. Can still pick up talent for cheap but you've got the other side of things where prices are nuts..

He must be worth at least £40m on image rights alone.

[Kano]

City have signed Jesus for £27m which sounds like a bargain.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Alexis is worth around £60-£70mill in the current market. A genuine marquee player. The 30 odd mill we paid for him was criminal, we robbed them. We just got lucky that Barca had such an excess of talent. Much the same as Madrid who could afford to let Ozil go, a player easily worth £150mill if Pogba is worth £100mill. Alexis and Ozil are obviously not typical Arsenal signings, they were the right time, right place, right price anomalies or else we'd never have signed them. Now we're hoping some other alignment of the stars occurs so that a decent striker that represents value in Wenger's tortured mind somehow materialises. Else we'll end up with another Welbeck to replace Welbeck, or nobody at all which is probably the most likely outcome as things stand.

Varane is available....

[Niall_Quinn]

Varane is available....

We know that availability isn't enough though. Wenger has additional criteria, desperately unrealistic ones that nonetheless materialise in the real world from time to time and have allowed us to land Alexis and Ozil. If Varane is available and surplus to requirements at his current club and cheaper than might be expected in this market and if nobody else wants him or is in a position to bid for him then, maybe, perhaps...

[Ralpheroo72]

Everton apparently in for Draxler

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/696415/Arsenal-Transfer-News-Everton-Julian-Draxler-gossip

[Xhaka Can’t]

We can't compete with those Merseyside moneybags.

[Niall_Quinn]

Everton apparently in for Draxler

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/696415/Arsenal-Transfer-News-Everton-Julian-Draxler-gossip

Wolfsburg are saying they won't sell and supposedly they don't have to. Can't see him moving to anyone, his club don't have an incentive to sell right now. I guess he could force his way out, but if he was to end up with us we'd have to be the only club in the hunt or else we wouldn't match the bids other clubs are prepared to make. Lacazette seems more likely, I'd rate that transfer as 0.0000000000001% certain. Ten times as likely as Draxler coming here.

[Maestro]

City to sign Gabriel Jesus. Some Brazilian wonderkid apparently.

They've got their man, would have loved him here. A really talented forward and a bargain given the current
market. Really gutted about this one.

[Power n Glory]

Gabriel Jesus is a striker too?

How many strikers have we seen move this summer?
Zlatan
Higauin
Janssen
Milik
Gabriel Barbosa?
Gabriel Jesus
Yedder
Batshuayi
Gameiro.....

Anyone else?

[bignev]

Gabriel Jesus is a striker too?

How many strikers have we seen move this summer?
Zlatan
Higauin
Janssen
Milik
Gabriel Barbosa?
Gabriel Jesus
Yedder
Batshuayi
Gameiro.....

Anyone else?

Ade Akinfenwa :yikes:

[Niall_Quinn]

Gabriel Jesus is a striker too?

How many strikers have we seen move this summer?
Zlatan
Higauin
Janssen
Milik
Gabriel Barbosa?
Gabriel Jesus
Yedder
Batshuayi
Gameiro.....

Anyone else?

All of them are not good value and none of them are as good as Giroud. And I am sane, I promise you.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

All of them are not good value and none of them are as good as Giroud. And I am sane, I promise you.

Then what are you doing on this board, surely you should be training with your new team mates at city

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Higuain not as good as Giroud? What are you smoking NQ?

Despite the age I'd probably take Zlatan over Giroud as well. The rest you have a point on though.

Still the "we have to sign a player already better Giroud" is a false choice. No we don't have to sign a already better than Giroud, we have to sign a player "who has the potential to become better than Giroud".

[Marc Overmars]

Still the "we have to sign a player already better Giroud" is a false choice. No we don't have to sign a already better than Giroud, we have to sign a player "who has the potential to become better than Giroud".

Exactly what I think as well.

We need to take a punt on someone younger. Maybe with more goals to date than Giroud, maybe less, I'm not bothered. The point is you need to speculate to accumulate, there's nothing to say a different kind of striker can't improve and flourish with us if he doesn't already have better stats than Giroud.

Wenger should earn his money and get back to basics and do a bit of old fashioned coaching, instead of believing only a ready made player can improve us. His best signings have always been players with an ordinary track record.

Either we try something new or stick with what we know isn't good enough.

[Power n Glory]

Higuain not as good as Giroud? What are you smoking NQ?

Despite the age I'd probably take Zlatan over Giroud as well. The rest you have a point on though.

Still the "we have to sign a player already better Giroud" is a false choice. No we don't have to sign a already better than Giroud, we have to sign a player "who has the potential to become better than Giroud".

Is he serious? Thought he was mocking Wenger. :lol:

Might be worth checking out clips on the two Gabriel's. They look pretty impressive.

The better than Giroud argument....we need a player that's different to Giroud and won't be so static in the box. That's what people need to hold in mind when discussing strikers.

[Gooner23]

Is he serious? Thought he was mocking Wenger. :lol:

Might be worth checking out clips on the two Gabriel's. They look pretty impressive.

The better than Giroud argument....we need a player that's different to Giroud and won't be so static in the box. That's what people need to hold in mind when discussing strikers.

Agree with this. At this stage I'd take another 20 goal striker with completely different attributes, mainly pace and willingness to run with the ball.

[Niall_Quinn]

Higuain not as good as Giroud? What are you smoking NQ?

Despite the age I'd probably take Zlatan over Giroud as well. The rest you have a point on though.

Still the "we have to sign a player already better Giroud" is a false choice. No we don't have to sign a already better than Giroud, we have to sign a player "who has the potential to become better than Giroud".

How many substitutions have you made in your distinguished career as a top, top, top manager?

[Kano]

Higuain not as good as Giroud? What are you smoking NQ?

Despite the age I'd probably take Zlatan over Giroud as well. The rest you have a point on though.

Still the "we have to sign a player already better Giroud" is a false choice. No we don't have to sign a already better than Giroud, we have to sign a player "who has the potential to become better than Giroud".

A younger player would be good for the future but to rely on now as a source or guaranteed goals? No way. If an improvement on Giroud isn't immediately available, we should be looking to get someone that can provide something similar. It we have two strikers that can knock in 15-20 goals, one ready to step in when the other one dries up that would improve our current options of Giroud and no-one else.

[Ralpheroo72]

I repeat, we are not signing anyone else.

[Maestro]

Gabriel Jesus is a striker too?

Currently leading the scoring charts in the Brazilian league and can play anywhere across the front line. Gabriel Barbosa is maybe less lethal but very skilled with the ball at his feet. They both offer something very different to Giroud i.e. they are very mobile, very skilled technically and can beat a man or a few... quite embarrassingly, go beyond the defensive line and play the game that gets fans off seats and on their feet.

Mentioned the two Gabriels on here before and got the customary, "not good enough, will never get a work permit" bollocks

Take a bag of cash to South America and pick the very best young talent.

[dostoy]

There is no way we will sign Mahrez, Lacazette AND a defender.

It will only 2 of those MAXIMUM and it would not surprise me if we only signed one of them.

None of them is not totally out of the question either.

[Power n Glory]

Currently leading the scoring charts in the Brazilian league and can play anywhere across the front line. Gabriel Barbosa is maybe less lethal but very skilled with the ball at his feet. They both offer something very different to Giroud i.e. they are very mobile, very skilled technically and can beat a man or a few... quite embarrassingly, go beyond the defensive line and play the game that gets fans off seats and on their feet.

Mentioned the two Gabriels on here before and got the customary, "not good enough, will never get a work permit" bollocks

Take a bag of cash to South America and pick the very best young talent.

I remember you mentioning them too and never thought they'd get a work permit. City signing Jesus says it all. Why the heck didn't we move for them? I thought the only logical explanation why we didn't move for either was down to work permit problems. Yet we sign some kid from Japan who most certainly won't get a work permit. Wasn't Wenger talking about South American strikers being the best? We dropped the ball on this one.

[Maestro]

I remember you mentioning them too and never thought they'd get a work permit. City signing Jesus says it all. Why the heck didn't we move for them? I thought the only logical explanation why we didn't move for either was down to work permit problems. Yet we sign some kid from Japan who most certainly won't get a work permit. Wasn't Wenger talking about South American strikers being the best? We dropped the ball on this one.

If they are top quality and have featured in their under 20's, 21's or national team, they can get a permit. South America for me remains the home of quality forwards and attacking players. The list of world class forwards from that continent over the years is endless, and to think we've never signed one top one at all? Well Eduardo I guess, technically speaking and Baptista was just that ..bap

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I heard that Gabriel Jesus was going to be followed to Man City by his team mate Gabriel Judas after a fee of 30 pieces of Silver had been agreed, but apparently Gabriel Jesus felt betrayed by Gabriel Judas overshadowing his move, and Gabriel Judas hung himself from a goal post in training.

[Power n Glory]

If they are top quality and have featured in their under 20's, 21's or national team, they can get a permit. South America for me remains the home of quality forwards and attacking players. The list of world class forwards from that continent over the years is endless, and to think we've never signed one top one at all? Well Eduardo I guess, technically speaking and Baptista was just that ..bap

Let's not forget Wellington Silva. But we just got rid of him. Ohhh and Sanchez! There has to be more?

We seem to only go for more defensive players from that side of the world. I'm guessing it's a lot to do with their technique on the ball.

[Maestro]

I heard that Gabriel Jesus was going to be followed to Man City by his team mate Gabriel Judas after a fee of 30 pieces of Silver had been agreed, but apparently Gabriel Jesus felt betrayed by Gabriel Judas overshadowing his move, and Gabriel Judas hung himself from a goal post in training.

Obviously preferring hanging from a goal post as opposed to being forced to walk the plank by Gabriel Barbosa

[fakeyank]

We need a pacy striker? We have Theodore Walcott.

Game. Set. Match.

[Power n Glory]

We need a pacy striker? We have Theodore Walcott.

Game. Set. Match.

Wenger has 'convinced' Theo that he is best on the right as a winger.

Has Sanogo come back?

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger has 'convinced' Theo that he is best on the right as a winger.

Has Sanogo come back?

Theo on the right with a special delivery into Sanogo at the post. Won't happen. Both are second class.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Arsenal played at its best last season when Walcott played up front, which meant someone on the right providing more in the way of chances/assists than Walcott would himself.

[Power n Glory]

Theo on the right with a special delivery into Sanogo at the post. Won't happen. Both are second class.

Not sure why Campbell hasn't been given a shot there.

[Niall_Quinn]

Arsenal played at its best last season when Walcott played up front, which meant someone on the right providing more in the way of chances/assists than Walcott would himself.

Just as with Wenger, it's time to finally accept Theo is very limited. 10 years and he hasn't improved at all. We may have looked our best when he played up front, but that didn't have much to do with him other than the fact Wenger had to open up the play a bit. Put a decent striker in there who has a bit of pace and he'll do the same job but twice as effectively. I suspect Wenger will be looking to play even more tippy, tappy this year so it's a moo point anyway.

[fakeyank]

Not sure why Campbell hasn't been given a shot there.

Wenger.

[Niall_Quinn]

Not sure why Campbell hasn't been given a shot there.

I'll bet because Wenger sees a fault with his ball retention. Too many shots from more than 1 yard out. Too many take-ons, too many one-twos, not enough on the possession stats. Which of course makes you wonder why Theo ever gets a game.

[Power n Glory]

Arsenal played at its best last season when Walcott played up front, which meant someone on the right providing more in the way of chances/assists than Walcott would himself.

Best game of the season was Man Utd. Ramsey was on the right but created 0 chances with 0 assists.

Giroud would have probably benefited more last season from Theo playing on the wing. But our best games with Theo up front had little to do with who is playing on the right. It's more to do with having a pacey player up front that's mobile.

[Marc Overmars]

Personally I've always felt Theo is most effective from the right. I don't think he's anywhere near good enough to lead the line, far too one dimensional and not savvy enough in tight areas.

Sure he's had some decent performances up top but you can probably count those on one hand. For me his most consistent and productive football has come from the right. RVC wouldn't have had the season he did in 11/12 if it wasn't for Theo.

Bottom line for me though is that, well, he's just not very good and 6, 7, 8 years on we shouldn't still be talking about his role. He's had his chances. I'd sell him if the right offer came in. Lost count of the amount of times I've sat in the stands and completely forgot he was on the pitch, he was the butt of all jokes every game I went to last season. No one takes him seriously anymore.

[Power n Glory]

Personally I've always felt Theo is most effective from the right. I don't think he's anywhere near good enough to lead the line, far too one dimensional and not savvy enough in tight areas.

Sure he's had some decent performances up top but you can probably count those on one hand. For me his most consistent and productive football has come from the right. RVC wouldn't have had the season he did in 11/12 if it wasn't for Theo.

Bottom line for me though is that, well, he's just not very good and 6, 7, 8 years on we shouldn't still be talking about his role. He's had his chances. I'd sell him if the right offer came in. Lost count of the amount of times I've sat in the stands and completely forgot he was on the pitch, he was the butt of all jokes every game I went to last season. No one takes him seriously anymore.

We really shouldn't be discussing this. He should have moved on years ago if he wanted to develop as a striker. He has the attributes but it all needs fine tuning and we don't have time for that now. He now realises he's on the road to nowhere with Arsenal and has to take what he's given in terms of position. He has bad advisors around him.

[bignev]

it's a moo point anyway.


https://dn3pm25xmtlyu.cloudfront.net/photos/large/742828231.png?1362930474&Expires=1470414461&Signature=Joh7FYW7CwUS6RReZHltM~N8jigh8kolZw4c1NBj Wp3rIeKyilFrj1g-vuXdENJ~TrpKAtukJqrnjgqr9AGtmSo9WKWRUYNrOfDOD~G7hL WrldD442SxJE-Wdf7CV~G-pJHNfDA1s76wj1QeecDvRwwIbVdtgrYAGIEYakKKul4_&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Is he serious? Thought he was mocking Wenger. :lol:

Might be worth checking out clips on the two Gabriel's. They look pretty impressive.

The better than Giroud argument....we need a player that's different to Giroud and won't be so static in the box. That's what people need to hold in mind when discussing strikers.

I cannot believe anybody thought he was being completely serious there.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Gabriel Jesus is a striker too?

How many strikers have we seen move this summer?
Zlatan
Higauin
Janssen
Milik
Gabriel Barbosa?
Gabriel Jesus
Yedder
Batshuayi
Gameiro.....

Anyone else?

Possibly Fernando Llorente now as well

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Personally I've always felt Theo is most effective from the right. I don't think he's anywhere near good enough to lead the line, far too one dimensional and not savvy enough in tight areas.

Sure he's had some decent performances up top but you can probably count those on one hand. For me his most consistent and productive football has come from the right. RVC wouldn't have had the season he did in 11/12 if it wasn't for Theo.

Bottom line for me though is that, well, he's just not very good and 6, 7, 8 years on we shouldn't still be talking about his role. He's had his chances. I'd sell him if the right offer came in. Lost count of the amount of times I've sat in the stands and completely forgot he was on the pitch, he was the butt of all jokes every game I went to last season. No one takes him seriously anymore.

In fairness you may be able to count the games he's had at CF in recent years on only two hands. I think he is only slightly less limited a CF than Giroud is in the context of the squad we actually have.

Giroud, despite his finger wagging whilst rolling on the ground is fairly robust and unlikely to sustain the type or frequency of injury incurred by speed/power players. That has aided his case.

[Power n Glory]

Personally I've always felt Theo is most effective from the right. I don't think he's anywhere near good enough to lead the line, far too one dimensional and not savvy enough in tight areas.

Sure he's had some decent performances up top but you can probably count those on one hand. For me his most consistent and productive football has come from the right. RVC wouldn't have had the season he did in 11/12 if it wasn't for Theo.

Bottom line for me though is that, well, he's just not very good and 6, 7, 8 years on we shouldn't still be talking about his role. He's had his chances. I'd sell him if the right offer came in. Lost count of the amount of times I've sat in the stands and completely forgot he was on the pitch, he was the butt of all jokes every game I went to last season. No one takes him seriously anymore.

Just to add on Walcott, I still don't think he's been given a fair chance up front. He played the majority of last season on the wings and that's where we was at his worst. Anonymous performances and embarrassing at times. He has his work cut out for him if he wants to claim that position back because he really lost it last season. I'm the reverse I think he's had long enough playing there to say enough is enough.

When playing as striker, it's not as if his performances tailed off and we needed to bench him. Far from it. He played a total of 11 games as striker last season. It's not a lot.

- Chelsea - Community Shield - set up a goal but struggled to get into game.
- Newcastle - Struggled again. 0-0
- Stoke. It was a better performance. Scored the opening goal we win 2-0
- Zagreb - We lost 2-1. Theo subbed on but scored.
- Chelsea we struggled with 10 men.
- Leicester City - Good performance and made it 1-1 when losing. Win 5-1
- Olympiacos - Lose 3-2. Theo scores one and gets an assist.
- Man Utd - 2 assist for Theo, best performance of the season.
- Watford 3-0 quiet game for Theo.
- Bayern - 2-0 always dangerous on the counter. Good game.

Then he picks up an injury and spends the rest of the season playing LW/RW with only one game as striker in the FA Cup against Hull.

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/theo-walcott/leistungsdaten/spieler/33713/plus/0?saison=2015

It's really not a lot of games. As ever, he gets injured and that slows the momentum but it's not as if he went on a run of games up front where he was woeful. He never had 3 back to back games of bad performances where he produced nothing at all. On the wings, we saw plenty of that. I think his career is over if he goes back on the flanks. He'd need a complete shift in mentality and get back to attacking wing back, taking them on and not just trying play off the shoulder. He needs to buck up his ideas. Still not sure why Wenger wants to develop him as a winger and gives him back to back games there after bad performances but up front he's not really given the same chance.

[Power n Glory]

In fairness you may be able to count the games he's had at CF in recent years on only two hands. I think he is only slightly less limited a CF than Giroud is in the context of the squad we actually have.

Giroud, despite his finger wagging whilst rolling on the ground is fairly robust and unlikely to sustain the type or frequency of injury incurred by speed/power players. That has aided his case.

Agreed. Was just comparing the stats in my previous post and thinking back to the season. He doesn't play a lot of games up front. He seems to get one window of opportunity gets dropped for the rest of the season once that's over. It's just as he's warming up as well. I think back to 2012/13 the only other time he had a run in the team he gets dropped after one bad game against City. But he got an assist against Stoke (a goal in Wenger's book ;)) and a hat trick with two assists in the previous game against Newcastle. Why so quick to shift from that position as he's finding form?

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/theo-walcott/leistungsdaten/spieler/33713/plus/0?saison=2012

[Özim]

Let's not forget Wellington Silva. But we just got rid of him. Ohhh and Sanchez! There has to be more?

We seem to only go for more defensive players from that side of the world. I'm guessing it's a lot to do with their technique on the ball.

That's really odd because countries like Brazil are known for attacking football not defensive football.

We never really seem to go for the right players, Wenger has a poor record with South American players, we never seem interested in the top up and coming talent, usually these top young players from Brazil turn out to be very good, players like Neymar etc.

Somehow though we always manage to go cheap and sign players like, Denilson, Wellington who don't cut it, problem is we don't want to pay up for the top young talent.

I agree with Maestro, Brazil is the place for top attacking talent, they've produce an endless list of stars, instead we choose Japan who have barely had a star player, Nakata was perhaps the pick of them.

If someone signs that Barbosa guy, or that player City signed turns out to be top class, we'll just be watching with envy again. Would really love to have a top Brazilian attacking player for a change, just think they are magical to watch with their dribbling, finishing, passing and clever play.

[Power n Glory]

That's really odd because countries like Brazil are known for attacking football not defensive football.

We never really seem to go for the right players, Wenger has a poor record with South American players, we never seem interested in the top up and coming talent, usually these top young players from Brazil turn out to be very good, players like Neymar etc.

Somehow though we always manage to go cheap and sign players like, Denilson, Wellington who don't cut it, problem is we don't want to pay up for the top young talent.

I agree with Maestro, Brazil is the place for top attacking talent, they've produce an endless list of stars, instead we choose Japan who have barely had a star player, Nakata was perhaps the pick of them.

If someone signs that Barbosa guy, or that player City signed turns out to be top class, we'll just be watching with envy again. Would really love to have a top Brazilian attacking player for a change, just think they are magical to watch with their dribbling, finishing, passing and clever play.

Typical Wenger isn't it. Always looking for the undervalued so who else is more undervalued than Brazilian defensive players? I swear he does this sort of thing just to be different and break new ground. Leave his mark on the game as some pioneer.

[fakeyank]

Leave his mark on the game as some paneer.

:gp:

[Keith]

I'm guessing Theo's comments have come as he's been told who we're in the market for and knows it's either flanks or leave

[Özim]

Typical Wenger isn't it. Always looking for the undervalued so who else is more undervalued than Brazilian defensive players? I swear he does this sort of thing just to be different and break new ground. Leave his mark on the game as some pioneer.

Yeah it is, like you say he always wants to be different, even when doing so is a very foolish thing to do. Be nice when we have someone in charge who makes the logical choices rather than the ones noone else makes.

[Niall_Quinn]

Typical Wenger isn't it. Always looking for the undervalued so who else is more undervalued than Brazilian defensive players? I swear he does this sort of thing just to be different and break new ground. Leave his mark on the game as some pioneer.

He's been eyeing up another Brazilian defender in this window too. Can't remember the name now, saw it in passing, did a head slap, moved on.

[Özim]

I'm guessing Theo's comments have come as he's been told who we're in the market for and knows it's either flanks or leave

Thing is we've lost Welbeck which is why we're looking for a forward, had we not I'm not convinced we'd even be looking. Moreover, right now we're close to signning noone so he hasn't got anything to worry about and even if we did, we've only got Giroud and him, that's only 3 forwards, if you want to compete on all fronts you really need 4 to be able to rotate.

He'll have more to worry about if we sign someone, which right now isn't looking to likely a week before the season starts, a shocking state of affairs once again, I think he's more concerned that the fans got on his back last season and he was a it more popular on the wing (not to mention the fact he lost his England place).

[Özim]

He's been eyeing up another Brazilian defender in this window too. Can't remember the name now, saw it in passing, did a head slap, moved on.

Honestly just don't rate Brazilian defenders, they play in defence but really they just want to attack, Brazilian kids all want to be the next Ronaldo/Neymar.

Just look at Luis, hopeless in defence but in midfield doesn't look bad, maybe that's the criteria, must be able to be converted to a CM, Wengers' favourite position.

[Power n Glory]

Thing is we've lost Welbeck which is why we're looking for a forward, had we not I'm not convinced we'd even be looking. Moreover, right now we're close to signning noone so he hasn't got anything to worry about and even if we did, we've only got Giroud and him, that's only 3 forwards, if you want to compete on all fronts you really need 4 to be able to rotate.

He'll have more to worry about if we sign someone, which right now isn't looking to likely a week before the season starts, a shocking state of affairs once again, I think he's more concerned that the fans got on his back last season and he was a it more popular on the wing (not to mention the fact he lost his England place).

Probably bs but daily mail say Sanchez could start this season as our striker if we don't bring anyone in. If so, he has to commit to that decision and not revert back to Giroud at the first sign of trouble.

[Marc Overmars]

Swansea to sign Llorente.

He's not been great for a while but still. :wacko:

[Niall_Quinn]

United have owned the summer, absolutely beasting everyone by wrapping up deals for the best players across 4 leagues last season (assuming Pogba drops)

City have signed 4 players and look like adding John Stones and Gabriel Jesus… to a pretty damn talented squad.

Chelsea are rebuilding a title winning side under a manager who worked wonders with a super average Italian side.

Juventus have signed 6-7 players

Dortmund have signed 6-7 players

Sevilla have signed 10 players

Barcelona have signed 4 players

Atletico have signed 6 players

Leicester have signed 5 players

Liverpool have signed 6 players (MANNINGER IS ONE)

What have we done?

http://le-grove.co.uk/2016/08/03/arsenal-leak-story-to-pressure-manager-to-spend/#more-22087

That story also suggests the board are covering their arses in anticipation of another WUMger special. More than £100mill to spend apparently. Funeral music to Wenger's ears.

[Özim]

A quote from Wenger, sums the guy up really, always wants to give bottlers chance after chance, because he thinks they deserve it, they don't pal. :coffee:


“I work every day with Ivan, believe me he is highly motivated to bring players in,” said Wenger ahead of tonight’s friendly with Chivas de Guadalajara.
“Sometimes I have to calm him down. I believe as well this is a period where everybody wants to dream, and transfers bring dreams.
“But we live in a realistic world and part of our job is as well to rate the players we have inside the club. One of the values of our club is to give chances to players who deserve it.”

So yeah, Wenger doesn't believe in dreams, in his real world you work with what you have and never make dreams come true or even contemplate bringing an air of excitement to the club. Do people in the real world get 8 million for failure as well? Good to know.

They should employ him to cure insomnia, he'd be a whizz.

[Marc Overmars]

How dare all those clubs not observe the waiting period.

But seriously, if they can all find players deemed good enough for their teams, why can't we? We're just horribly negative and don't want to take chances even though we can easily afford to.

[Munchies]

A week or so to go!

Starting Akpom/Sanogo upfront

No one in defence!

[Kano]

It's a madness bruv

[Kano]

https://youtu.be/Evm5TaMcrG4

This Jesus kid looks good

[Munchies]

It's a madness bruv

Geoff said Wenger is cooking steaks

:rolleyes:

[bignev]

It's ridiculous. I just don't understand what is going on.

How have we not managed to even make offers for players yet? The season starts in just over a week.

[Özim]

It's ridiculous. I just don't understand what is going on.

How have we not managed to even make offers for players yet? The season starts in just over a week.

It's nothing new, we do this ever single summer, in the end we either drag it out and sign noone or panic buy and settle for the scraps.

I agree though, nothing stops us bidding for players, except for the fact we might not want to spend money, in that case it makes perfect sense not to bid.

[Gooner23]

Nothing really ever changes, last summer I got my hopes up but not this one. Even if we sign better players we will still be stuck with the same rigid formations / tactics and an inherent ability to self destruct at any given time!

You would think though that some lessons might have been learned by now, yet we are facing another last minute trolley dash. Probably after the season has started. Not sure if its complacency or incompetence.

[Marc Overmars]

Nothing really ever changes, last summer I got my hopes up but not this one. Even if we sign better players we will still be stuck with the same rigid formations / tactics and an inherent ability to self destruct at any given time!

You would think though that some lessons might have been learned by now, yet we are facing another last minute trolley dash. Probably after the season has started. Not sure if its complacency or incompetence.

Has to be complacency. Surely a man as entrenched in the game as Wenger can't be stupid enough to make the same mistakes over and over again? Misplaced faith in a squad that has consistently let him down.

[Power n Glory]

Has to be complacency. Surely a man as entrenched in the game as Wenger can't be stupid enough to make the same mistakes over and over again? Misplaced faith in a squad that has consistently let him down.

:haha: This is Wenger we're talking about. He’ll never learn. Even if we somehow pull off some signings and get off to a good start this season, if we need that extra boost to get us over the line in January, he won’t sign anyone. He’s an idiot that won’t learn. He did it last season when we needed players in January to topple Leicester. He did in January 2013/14 where he brought in Kallstrom :lol: We needed a striker and CM just to keep us ticking over after leading the league most of the season. We had it in a couple of January windows during RVP’s era where we were flying but did nothing to sustain the momentum so we dropped off. Heck, this goes as far back as the 2007/08 season where we finished on 83 points but were rocked by injuries and fell apart. He’s stupid enough to keep repeating the same mistake. We have at least 4 or 5 occasions where he’s had a chance to correct the mistakes from 07/08 and he’s yet to do it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Over the seasons I've gone through chronic bemusement, rage, incredulity and all the other extreme states Wenger induces. Not this time. I'm not even frustrated. I'm not falling for it again.

It's all very amusing when you really stop to think about it. This man, Wenger, he's right up there with the greats. Jacques Clouseau. Johnny English, Frank Spencer, Mr Bean. You have to try to see the humour in this or else what else is there? Everyone else is laughing at our club, we need to start getting the joke ourselves.

[Niall_Quinn]

Take this, for instance:


Arsenal have made enquiries for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi and West Brom's Jonny Evans but have yet to make a bid.

Go on. Admit it. Jonny Evans. Can you see any of our rivals coming up with humour on this scale? They aren't in our league.

[Chippy]

Take this, for instance:



Go on. Admit it. Jonny Evans. Can you see any of our rivals coming up with humour on this scale? They aren't in our league.

Mugs will still go the games when the season starts, and Letters will still love Wumger if we fail to buy any players :lol: We are a laughing stock :banghead:

[Özim]

Relax everyone, we've just signed Kelechi Nwakali, Wenger has not let us down, all this waiting period wasn't for nothing.

Akpom isn't going out on loan, we have the striker we were desperate for, Wenger is right you have to be realistic and give the players at the club that deserve it a chance.

[Özim]

Take this, for instance:



Go on. Admit it. Jonny Evans. Can you see any of our rivals coming up with humour on this scale? They aren't in our league.

You can never discount stories like this, people laughed when we were linked with Silvestre, then when we did they had to pretend he was good despite them taking the p*ss out of him for years cos he was sh*t, we also did it with Wellbeck, again we use to laugh at how bad he was and then we signed him and of course there's players like Chamakh as well.

[Niall_Quinn]

Relax everyone, we've just signed Kelechi Nwakali, Wenger has not let us down, all this waiting period wasn't for nothing.

Akpom isn't going out on loan, we have the striker we were desperate for, Wenger is right you have to be realistic and give the players at the club that deserve it a chance.

We don't have any money either. Apart from having more money than any club in the world, we are totally skint.

[Power n Glory]

Relax everyone, we've just signed Kelechi Nwakali, Wenger has not let us down, all this waiting period wasn't for nothing.

Akpom isn't going out on loan, we have the striker we were desperate for, Wenger is right you have to be realistic and give the players at the club that deserve it a chance.

Another midfielder? :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Another midfielder? :lol:

We are desperately short in that position.

Cazorla is only five feet tall.

[dostoy]

What we have now is who will face Liverpool.

There will not be any new players coming in now who will play against Liverpool because its too close now.

I cannot see anything happening for at least 3 weeks yet.

[Ralpheroo72]

Anyone on here got any tips on how to survive the waiting period?

[Niall_Quinn]

Anyone on here got any tips on how to survive the waiting period?

Yes. Olympics start today. Watch that and forget about football.

[selassie]

It's ridiculous. I just don't understand what is going on.

How have we not managed to even make offers for players yet? The season starts in just over a week.

"Look, we have world class strikers, we have Giroud, Walcott and let me tell you...Sanogo & Akpom will surprise you, they are super top qwalateeee!...zee solution is not always to buy buy buy"

[selassie]

Over the seasons I've gone through chronic bemusement, rage, incredulity and all the other extreme states Wenger induces. Not this time. I'm not even frustrated. I'm not falling for it again.

It's all very amusing when you really stop to think about it. This man, Wenger, he's right up there with the greats. Jacques Clouseau. Johnny English, Frank Spencer, Mr Bean. You have to try to see the humour in this or else what else is there? Everyone else is laughing at our club, we need to start getting the joke ourselves.

Aye, I've gone past the point of anger, it's actually laughable. There are blokes in the office here where I work who laugh about Arsenal, they've been calling me Jonny Evans for the past few weeks, the sad thing is we are more likely to sign Jonny Evans than we are say Mahrez or Lacazette.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

So we looking at something like...

----------------Cech----------------

Bell------Gab----Chambers---Nach

--------Ramsey-----Xhaka----------

The Ox-------Cazorla--------Alexis

--------------Walcott----------------

[Chippy]

So we looking at something like...

----------------Cech----------------

Bell------Gab----Chambers---Nach

--------Ramsey-----Xhaka----------

The Ox-------Cazorla--------Alexis

--------------Walcott----------------

:unsure

[dostoy]

If thats Gabriel in defence then he won't play because he is ill.

Surely Kos, Ozil and Giroud will be available.

[dostoy]

If thats Gabriel in defence then he won't play because he is ill.

Surely Kos, Ozil and Giroud will be available.

Gabriel is playing tonight which is strange because he has been ill for the whole of the pre-season so far.

Its good to have him back.

Maybe he will play against Liverpool.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Arsenal secured the services of highly-rated Nigerian teen Kelechi Nwakali on Friday, signing the prodigious talent to a five-year deal.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Gabriel is playing tonight which is strange because he has been ill for the whole of the pre-season so far.

Its good to have him back.

Maybe he will play against Liverpool.

Only Out with tonsillitis so he will mos def play against Liverpool.

[Kano]

I'm not sure if that's a good thing tbh.

[Özim]

Arsenal secured the services of highly-rated Nigerian teen Kelechi Nwakali on Friday, signing the prodigious talent to a five-year deal.

Who decided he was highly rated? Was it that guy who has 7.6 milion dollars to transfer but needs a bank account?

[hobson's choice]

So we looking at something like...

----------------Cech----------------

Bell------Gab----Chambers---Nach

--------Ramsey-----Xhaka----------

The Ox-------Cazorla--------Alexis

--------------Walcott----------------

Somehow Ramsey will always be in the lineup<_<

[fakeyank]

Arsenal secured the services of highly-rated Nigerian teen Kelechi Nwakali on Friday, signing the prodigious talent to a five-year deal.

VE VILL VIN BPL 2016-2017 :scarf:

[Xhaka Can’t]

Who decided he was highly rated? Was it that guy who has 7.6 milion dollars to transfer but needs a bank account?

The Canadian website that sent me the notification.

Thescore.com

[Keith]

Why are we in the waiting period? I thought we only had the waiting period when we hadn't qualified for Champions League?

[Niall_Quinn]

Why are we in the waiting period? I thought we only had the waiting period when we hadn't qualified for Champions League?

We had an extended wanting period this year.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We've given the transfer window four weeks to recover from the Euros.

[LDG]

"When we played hide and seek as young children, I was always winning the championship of hiding. I must tell you, to hide well, you must be patient and as well quiet.

The transfer window is sometimes a little bit the same. Sometimes you have also to be the last person to be found.

The same as Theo Walcott"

[Özim]

We lack a little bit of sharpness in the transfer window, but we have great spirit and togetherness.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CpIQhE5XEAUeLd9.jpg

:ilt:

Find the fucking player then. Stop topping up your £8m a year salary working as a pundit in France FFS

[Marc Overmars]

He really makes it sound like it's the most difficult job. You can tell he hates having to sign players.

[Niall_Quinn]

The fact he concerns himself with the resale value and ranks that equally as one of his "must haves" says everything. What's it to him what the resale value is? Just get the players we need and let the bean counters worry about resale values.

Oh wait, he's the ultimate bean counter. No wonder.

[Globalgunner]

I heard Wenger was given a sword as a present before the game with the Vikings. Could be fate handing him a way out. He really seems to hate this football universe.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Talking about resale value publically is idiotic.

[Gooner23]

'When the right opportunity comes up' i.e if a worldwide happens to fall into our lap at a bargain price like with Ozil.

Absolutely no aggression, no pro-active work. It's painful!

[Marc Overmars]

He's waiting to see if the elite clubs need to raise any money for their new toys so he can take the cast offs. He's probably hoping Madrid hijack the Pogba deal, then maybe he can get Morata.

[Munchies]

The fact he concerns himself with the resale value and ranks that equally as one of his "must haves" says everything. What's it to him what the resale value is? Just get the players we need and let the bean counters worry about resale values.

Oh wait, he's the ultimate bean counter. No wonder.

Same manager who'll let Feo nick a living here for 10 years!

Sell him ffs

[Goonermerree]

The fact he concerns himself with the resale value and ranks that equally as one of his "must haves" says everything. What's it to him what the resale value is? Just get the players we need and let the bean counters worry about resale values.

Oh wait, he's the ultimate bean counter. No wonder.

Profit for Kranky is the only thing anyone cares about in this club. I agree, just get he players we need!!:fury:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Somehow Ramsey will always be in the lineup<_<
We better hope he is at this rate...

He's waiting to see if the elite clubs need to raise any money for their new toys so he can take the cast offs. He's probably hoping Madrid hijack the Pogba deal, then maybe he can get Morata.
Or/and Varane :unsure:

[dostoy]

Lacazette is playing for Lyon tonight so he is not on the way here yet.

[Ralpheroo72]

Lacazette is playing for Lyon tonight so he is not on the way here yet.

He got injured, already in the Arsenal mould

[Kano]

We still look up front, we still look at the back. It’s a long period until the end of the transfer market, sometimes things move in the last week. You never know when you have an opportunity, so you have to always be on alert, day and night, and when it comes you have to catch it.

Strikers:


I like Walcott in that position and I like Alexis in that position as well. I might start Alexis on Sunday because Walcott played a large part in Friday’s game. I don’t know how ready Alexis is physically for that intensity.


(Theo) is not a great defender. On the flank, today there is much defensive work asked from the players that you lose a lot of his qualities when you put him there. I believe that he has all the ingredients to be a great striker, because of the quality of his runs. He is an intelligent player, a good finisher. I believe that to use his runs in the final third for us could be very efficient.


(Away to Utd last season) On the day he didn’t perform well, but it was not only Theo Walcott who didn’t have a great game, it was everybody. From then on, people became sceptical. You know a year ago he was more confident to play through the middle and I’m convinced that changed his mind, the fact that he was not selected for the Euros was a big blow for him.

[Özim]

We're not signing anybody before the season starts, how do hell do they get away with it year after year with so little comeback, it's always IF with Wenger isn't it.

He's already talking Walcott up as a striker, but he's awful and it's embarassing we're relying on him now, totally incompetence by Wenger and co once again,but where's the incetive to change, the fans are happy to put up with it at the end of the day, it's win win for them.

[Kano]

He mentions Alexis, so hopefully he gets the position.

Looks like Feo is being told no fucking way about playing on the wing.

[Power n Glory]

(Theo) is not a great defender. On the flank, today there is much defensive work asked from the players that you lose a lot of his qualities when you put him there. I believe that he has all the ingredients to be a great striker, because of the quality of his runs. He is an intelligent player, a good finisher. I believe that to use his runs in the final third for us could be very efficient.

This guy is a contrary mofo.... :lol: How Wenger like. Now that Theo wants to make his position known as a winger, Wenger is suddenly convinced Theo can be a great striker! Really? I swear Wenger just wants to do the opposite of what people tell him. Why freeze Theo out from playing up front last season when we were struggling? Why keep playing him on the wing?

We're not buying a striker. I see why he's budging on Lacazette. He thinks Theo can do what he does. Well, at least he's considering playing Sanchez as striker. That's really good news because I think, if given time, he could be a real asset playing through the middle. We'll probably see more of Ox, Iwobi and Campbell on the wings too.

[Marc Overmars]

If Alexis up front is going to work he probably has to change up his game a little. As admirable as it is watching him hunt down everyone, if he's too busy trying to win the ball back he won't be in position to score when the ball is moved forward. He can continue closing down from the front but you don't want him dropping back doing the midfielders jobs for them.

[Kano]

If reports are to be believed, Pogba is due to have what would now be his fifth medical at Utd ahead of a £110m move.

Maureen already putting in his get out clause yesterday, saying it will take time to alter the methods used by Van Dull. No Jose, when you spend this much on a player, it's the Prem and or the CL at least. Can't wait for him to fuck it up once again.

[Power n Glory]

If Alexis up front is going to work he probably has to change up his game a little. As admirable as it is watching him hunt down everyone, if he's too busy trying to win the ball back he won't be in position to score when the ball is moved forward. He can continue closing down from the front but you don't want him dropping back doing the midfielders jobs for them.

He'll need time to adjust. Same goes for Walcott if Wenger is going to go down this route. He'll have to resist reverting back to Giroud at the first sign of trouble. The pair will need some game time to work out how to cope in different situations. When to come short and when to stay on the shoulder. How to link up play, what to do when up against stronger opponents.....

The only time we saw Sanchez play up front, he made great runs but nobody got the ball to him and he wasn't really dropping back to receive the ball to link up. With Walcott and his run of games, we had games where he'd show all those elements but never in one game where he looked like a complete striker. But I think it's a case of time, adjustment and confidence. The problem with Giroud is that we know it's not a case of adjustment. When he hits a low point and when he plays against certain opposition, he's out of the game and no amount of games will help him conquer that. With hit a ceiling with his ability. I'd much rather Wenger go all the way with someone new this year.

[mastermind84]

If Alexis up front is going to work he probably has to change up his game a little. As admirable as it is watching him hunt down everyone, if he's too busy trying to win the ball back he won't be in position to score when the ball is moved forward. He can continue closing down from the front but you don't want him dropping back doing the midfielders jobs for them.
Alexis loves the ball too much

But it really should work. We have the guys to get him the ball. He just needs to be patient.

[Niall_Quinn]

The only time we saw Sanchez play up front, he made great runs but nobody got the ball to him and he wasn't really dropping back to receive the ball to link up.

That's right, and that's a problem lurking beyond the most pressing issue of getting a decent striker or converting one. Unless Wenger changes his tippy, tappy demands then even with an accomplished striker or an Alexis doing the role they will struggle. They'll spend the whole time getting involved in that infernal tip, tap routine rather than receiving the ball in decisive areas or going in behind the defence to take a longer pass.

The problems we have with Wenger are multi-layered. Solve one and you hit then next one. Overcome that and he'll do something to take us back to square one - like playing Walnut (at all). No thanks. Theo has had how many chances now? And the fucker still can't drag anything other than pure randomness from his game. That cross against the Norwegians - fucking hell. What goes through a player's mind when they end up booting a ball like that? I'd be personally embarrassed to put in a cross like that and I'm an old fat bastard that can't play. Can we have a player who is so shit so consistently anywhere near the starting line up? If Wenger has Walnut in his plans (and of course he does) then we're fucked until Theo's long term annual injury arrives.

[mastermind84]

He needs to make runs off the shoulder which he has not shown he is willing to do.

[mastermind84]

That's right, and that's a problem lurking beyond the most pressing issue of getting a decent striker or converting one. Unless Wenger changes his tippy, tappy demands then even with an accomplished striker or an Alexis doing the role they will struggle. They'll spend the whole time getting involved in that infernal tip, tap routine rather than receiving the ball in decisive areas or going in behind the defence to take a longer pass.
Alexis doesn't make runs behind the defense.

That's been the case since he was at Udinese. He is an old school #10 in his mindset, but has a center forwards frame and skill set.

We bought Xhaka to play penetrative balls from deep between the seams of a formation. He can do that.

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis loves the ball too much

But it really should work. We have the guys to get him the ball. He just needs to be patient.

Yes, but Wenger needs to learn that occasionally a risk won't pay off. He has to accept that as a consequence or risk. The midfield isn't allowed to risk losing possession by being a bit more adventurous. It just kills our game and leaves the guy up front feeding off scraps, relatively speaking when you look at the players we have who can make chance after chance. We still don't have a lethal finisher either. I don't know what the hell happens when players arrive here. They forget how to stick the ball in the net and instead find 1,001 ways to almost score without actually doing it. It's like a curse. The way past it is for Wenger to pick a guy and stick with him. He'll do that with Ramsey but you can't help feeling that the minute Alexis missed a few we'll see Bif sauntering back.

[Niall_Quinn]

He needs to make runs off the shoulder which he has not shown he is willing to do.

Which takes us back to needing some activity in this transfer window. But if we can't have that then who would you rather have? Bif, Walnut or Alexis. There can be only one choice from that trio and yet whoever gets the role will struggle because of the game we play. You also mention Xhaka. I bloody hope you are right, but instead I see a reinforcement of our tip, tap routine. More accuracy left, more accuracy right, more accuracy with the aim of retention. Just as he was played by the Swiss. He's a very good player but I fear we bought him to become the most boring player on the planet.

[mastermind84]

Which takes us back to needing some activity in this transfer window. But if we can't have that then who would you rather have? Bif, Walnut or Alexis. There can be only one choice from that trio and yet whoever gets the role will struggle because of the game we play. You also mention Xhaka. I bloody hope you are right, but instead I see a reinforcement of our tip, tap routine. More accuracy left, more accuracy right, more accuracy with the aim of retention. Just as he was played by the Swiss. He's a very good player but I fear we bought him to become the most boring player on the planet.
Xhaka has a beast passing range. It's his greatest gift. I doubt Wenger bought him to stifle that. If he has, then he is an idiot.

But none of that has to do with Alexis constantly chasing the ball. That's just his game.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Perhaps but Xhaka is very good at finding people from long passes from deep, he is a bit of a vicious cunt and has Coquelins ability to break up opposistion play he's just better on the ball, so that you don't have to have another midfielder who drops deep like Cazorla did when he partnered Le coq.

If it works who knows, but that appears to be l'ouisseaus thinking that a player like Xhaka is better at turning defence into attack quicker.

[Marc Overmars]

United confirm Pogba to have a medical.

:sick:

[Power n Glory]

Alexis doesn't make runs behind the defense.

That's been the case since he was at Udinese. He is an old school #10 in his mindset, but has a center forwards frame and skill set.

We bought Xhaka to play penetrative balls from deep between the seams of a formation. He can do that.

You may have missed the one game Sanchez played up front for us during a pre season. He was making good runs behind but the service wasn't there. If he plays up front again today we'll see what happens.

[Niall_Quinn]

United confirm Pogba to have a medical.

:sick:

Must be having his head tested for joining up with maureen. Players will have taken note on how Schweinsteiger has been treated. Such an arrogant fuck is our maureen.

[mastermind84]

You may have missed the one game Sanchez played up front for us during a pre season. He was making good runs behind but the service wasn't there. If he plays up front again today we'll see what happens.
One game preseason game? Of course I missed it lol

That matters more than the 100+ games he has played with us since? He is not a patient player and is kinda thick. He has that freedom now to make runs behind defenses and doesn't.

FTR, I think Alexis mastering CF makes him a POY contender. I have always felt that but Alexis wants the football too much and lacks patience.

I hope I am wrong and he does become a CF.

[Power n Glory]

One game preseason game? Of course I missed it lol

That matters more than the 100+ games he has played with us since? He is not a patient player and is kinda thick. He has that freedom now to make runs behind defenses and doesn't.

FTR, I think Alexis mastering CF makes him a POY contender. I have always felt that but Alexis wants the football too much and lacks patience.

I hope I am wrong and he does become a CF.


It's the one game where he played as a striker. I'm not talking about the 100+ games he played as a winger. Hence, why I think he may adjust his game as a striker and be more patient.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Must be having his head tested for joining up with maureen. Players will have taken note on how Schweinsteiger has been treated. Such an arrogant fuck is our maureen.

It'll be a few weeks at most before he begins to put the blame on someone United fans actually care about, or before he pisses off a player with some influence in the squad.

I still can't see how United's squad isn't completely unbalanced nor full of egos who want to place in the same space, but then I'm sure they'll bore their way to 1 goal wins every weekend as well.

[mastermind84]

It's the one game where he played as a striker. I'm not talking about the 100+ games he played as a winger. Hence, why I think he may adjust his game as a striker and be more patient.
Alexis plays high up the pitch now. He plays wide but it's not in the same vein as Overmars.

Alexis likes to drop back and create. I hope I'm wrong but making him a CF won't change his mindset.

[Power n Glory]

Alexis plays high up the pitch now. He plays wide but it's not in the same vein as Overmars.

Alexis likes to drop back and create. I hope I'm wrong but making him a CF won't change his mindset.

If he plays today against City up front today then watch him. I was wrong about it being a pre season, he had a few games up front during the season. Early when he first started. CL qualification and against Everton I think. I'm going off what I saw and he doesn't play like how he does on the wing when up front.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think we would be relying too much on other squad members stepping up in Sanchez's stead if he plays CF...

What we gain in the way of a CF we are losing in the way of a wide player with a consistent contribution.

Ox, Theo, Chamberlain, Campbell......the jury is still out on all of them and 2 of them would probably start..... Makes me uneasy...

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

It'll be a few weeks at most before he begins to put the blame on someone United fans actually care about, or before he pisses off a player with some influence in the squad.

I still can't see how United's squad isn't completely unbalanced nor full of egos who want to place in the same space, but then I'm sure they'll bore their way to 1 goal wins every weekend as well.
Why do you suppose its unbalanced....?

[Power n Glory]

I think we would be relying too much on other squad members stepping up in Sanchez's stead if he plays CF...

What we gain in the way of a CF we are losing in the way of a wide player with a consistent contribution.

Ox, Theo, Chamberlain, Campbell......the jury is still out on all of them and 2 of them would probably start..... Makes me uneasy...

That's my worry and more so if we try to play our CM's out wide. We'll need Iwobi, Ox and Campbell to really perform this season. Taking Sanchez off the flanks leaves us really short of experience.

[mastermind84]

If he plays today against City up front today then watch him. I was wrong about it being a pre season, he had a few games up front during the season. Early when he first started. CL qualification and against Everton I think. I'm going off what I saw and he doesn't play like how he does on the wing when up front.
I know it was during that season.

It didn't work because of what I said prior.

[Niall_Quinn]

He's a bit too overweight to make much of an impact today.

[Master Splinter]

Mustafi/Manolas :pray:.

I'm dreading little bit Ashley Williams deal hijack though, because of Wenget's insistence on experience.

[Power n Glory]

I know it was during that season.

It didn't work because of what I said prior.

Did you watch the game today?

[Niall_Quinn]

Jonny Evans, time to come home :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Jonny Evans, time to come home :bow:

Always rated Ashley Williams.

[Marc Overmars]

Get Mustafi and Mahrez in you silly old goat.

[Munchies]

Wenger not having his squad ready for the start of the season as per usual :woohoo:


FFS

[The Emirates Gallactico]

It'll probably be Monreal and Chambers at center half for Liverpool tbh.

[Munchies]

It'll probably be Monreal and Chambers at center half for Liverpool tbh.

Not surprising, we started Monreal at CB last season on the opening game

Wenger :bow:

[Power n Glory]

Chambers and Kos should be fine at the back. Good chance for Chambers to make his mark as a first teamer.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Has Kos even returned to the squad yet? There's no way he'd be ready for next week.

I think he'll try a bid for Mustafi but won't go beyond his valuation as he'd think he'd be able to wing it with Kos + Holding/Chambers and Monreal if need be until one of BFG or Gabriel comes back.

[hobson's choice]

I just dont want another panic discount aisle buy session, if we get off to a bad start.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

It'll probably be Monreal and Chambers at center half for Liverpool tbh.

As Koscielny isn't injured I think he will start.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He stated that Koscielny, Giroud and Ozil won't start the season but his hand is somewhat forced.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Get Mustafi and Mahrez in you silly old goat.
Have to agree. Mahrez looks out of sorts at Leicester now...and
Chelsea lost Terry too so they will want to sign someone quick.
Makes no sense to wait on either.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Kos hasnt been in training - so he will be well short of match fitness. He`ll need at least 2 weeks training surely?
If vermalen is off to roma perhaps they will sell Manolas.