Summer Transfer Misery and Recriminations.

[Power n Glory]

Monsieur L'Incompetent dug his heels in over 3 years/ 4 years apparently. This is the sort of shit he does. Like some sort of Rain Man, if the precise details don't tally with his requirements in every way then there is no room for movement. You can almost see him banging a fist off his head, "Oh-ho, of course it should be 3 years and not 4 years. 3 years, Has to be 3 years. Oh, oh, S, T, A, N, of course I need my pencils..."

It really makes things twice as difficult. Even if we get to a point of agreeing a fee with the club, we have to then agree a free with the player.

I still can't understand how in the heck and why we paid so much for Xhaka and that was our first major signing. He wasn't essential to our needs. He wasn't even a bargain so I don't get get how we can make such quick work of signing one player that wasn't essential. It's not even an obvious buy where I can firmly say he's head and shoulders better than our other midfielders. It's marginal. Especially when talking about what he'll bring to the team. So looking at the striker situation is really confusing because it's clear as day we need someone very different to Giroud. We need a quick, technical striker up front. There candidates out there but we go some kid in Japan.

[dostoy]

Wenger will not sign another striker this summer.

He says there is no-one out there better than Giroud and as we have this new Jap and Walcott, Campbell and Akpom, I'm sure there will be nobody else.

That might be it this summer.

The bloke does not want to win does he.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger will not sign another striker this summer.

He says there is no-one out there better than Giroud and as we have this new Japanese kid and Walcott, Campbell and Akpom, I'm sure there will be nobody else.

That might be it this summer.

The bloke does not want to win does he.

Correction! PC police! :lol:

This conversation just goes back to last season. Wenger is going to start Giroud again. In fact, I'd accept that if he'd change the system to play two strikers up front but it's unlikely.

It's likely I'll be tuning out next season. If not changes, we're just wasting time and money.

[Niall_Quinn]

It really makes things twice as difficult. Even if we get to a point of agreeing a fee with the club, we have to then agree a free with the player.

I still can't understand how in the heck and why we paid so much for Xhaka and that was our first major signing. He wasn't essential to our needs. He wasn't even a bargain so I don't get get how we can make such quick work of signing one player that wasn't essential. It's not even an obvious buy where I can firmly say he's head and shoulders better than our other midfielders. It's marginal. Especially when talking about what he'll bring to the team. So looking at the striker situation is really confusing because it's clear as day we need someone very different to Giroud. We need a quick, technical striker up front. There candidates out there but we go some kid in Japan.

Because Mr Autism has been after Xhaka for 3 years and when he sets his mind on something he really wants then he can't be swayed. His mind is focused, drilled in, on a horrible brand of ultra efficient and mechanical football that is excruciating for the average fan to endure. But Wenger loves it. It delivers the averages that sees him secure that CL spot every season, his proudest achievement I am absolutely sure. Xhaka is a natural replacement for Arteta. Both good players. But now we are not forcing a player into the wrong position, we have the real deal. The ultimate sideways passer that will consistently achieve the 96-97% completion rate that Wenger wants in that position. The possession retainer. The consumate tippy-tapster. Absolutely irresistible to Wenger. Everything he hoped Denilson would be. Money does not seem to be so big an issue when Wenger is getting exactly what he wants. But introduce the slightest grey area and his indecision leaps to the foreground. He would probably discount Messi because he is 0.03 inches shorter than the ideal.

[Bumble]

Come on lets just bid £100m for Griezmann (sp) and offer him £250k a week. There is plenty of cash around. we aren't going to go bust because of this even if other players walk in wanting more money.

he is French, he is used to playing with Giroud so wont be expecting too much. lets really make a statement.

[Niall_Quinn]

Spuds now in with a £38mill bid for Icardi. I guess they are chasing multiple players so that if one deal falls through they have another lined up. It's a very interesting approach. I didn't know you could bid for more than one player at a time. When did that rule come in?

[Niall_Quinn]

Come on lets just bid £100m for Griezmann (sp) and offer him £250k a week. There is plenty of cash around. we aren't going to go bust because of this even if other players walk in wanting more money.

he is French, he is used to playing with Giroud so wont be expecting too much. lets really make a statement.

Trouble is, Theo would want £300k if we did that.

[Kano]

Come on lets just bid £100m for Griezmann (sp) and offer him £250k a week. There is plenty of cash around. we aren't going to go bust because of this even if other players walk in wanting more money.

he is French, he is used to playing with Giroud so wont be expecting too much. lets really make a statement.
The guy who just signed a new contract with Atletico? Hardly likely.

And we won't spend that sort of money on a single player because it isn't in the budget. That's if we don't want to buy anyone else on the wing, or in defence.

[selassie]

Spuds now in with a £38mill bid for Icardi. I guess they are chasing multiple players so that if one deal falls through they have another lined up. It's a very interesting approach. I didn't know you could bid for more than one player at a time. When did that rule come in?

Leicester have just broken their transfer record to sign Musa, a new striker.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36703847

What exactly are we waiting for in this market or does Wenger just not want to sign a starting striker?

[Bumble]

The guy who just signed a new contract with Atletico? Hardly likely.

And we won't spend that sort of money on a single player because it isn't in the budget. That's if we don't want to buy anyone else on the wing, or in defence.
My comment wasn't about what I expect us to do but just something we should do as a club. We are a very big club. We have alot of money in the bank and are due to get a huge increase in TV funding from this season. So why not just go for broke. Every player has a price. Why not bid. If they reject then fine move on to the next top drawer player. We need to start acting like the massive club we are.

[Niall_Quinn]

Leicester have just broken their transfer record to sign Musa, a new striker.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36703847

What exactly are we waiting for in this market or does Wenger just not want to sign a starting striker?

Well let's just hope we're paying thing extremely close to the chest. The usual signs are starting to emerge though. Those two goals by Bif probably sunk another title challenge.

[dostoy]

If Van Persie was available, which he is, for about 5 million and 100 grand a week.

Would you want him here for one season maybe two ?

[Niall_Quinn]

My comment wasn't about what I expect us to do but just something we should do as a club. We are a very big club. We have alot of money in the bank and are due to get a huge increase in TV funding from this season. So why not just go for broke. Every player has a price. Why not bid. If they reject then fine move on to the next top drawer player. We need to start acting like the massive club we are.

We've had the big statements in the past, but I think they were coincidental. Misinterpreted by the fans maybe. A big statement in isolation with no plan to keep pushing onwards is of little value or consequence. Wenger doesn't deal in things like statements or momentum or ambition. He deals in painful averages and minimums. Our goal this season will be to qualify for the CL, make a shed load of money in the process and keep everyone at the club well fed whilst ensuring the financials all point in the right direction. Anything else will be an unplanned bonus. But we won't achieve less, we will achieve that much as the minimum and in most ways the maximum.

[Kano]

My comment wasn't about what I expect us to do but just something we should do as a club. We are a very big club. We have alot of money in the bank and are due to get a huge increase in TV funding from this season. So why not just go for broke. Every player has a price. Why not bid. If they reject then fine move on to the next top drawer player. We need to start acting like the massive club we are.

There's what we want, what is realistic and what is going to happen. I'd say we could potentially spend just over £100m based on the money that is supposed to be sitting the cash reserves. How the TV money works I have no idea whether that means the money is available right now to spend or if it arrives in stages. Or whether we are the sort of club that waits until the money is there before spending it, or laying down the money on the basis it will be replinished later. I'd wager we are probably the former. We can't compare ourselves to Utd, who have even bigger incomes coming in and growing debt, or City/Chelsea for obvious reasons.

[Niall_Quinn]

If Van Persie was available, which he is, for about 5 million and 100 grand a week.

Would you want him here for one season maybe two ?

Yes. So we could stick him in the reserves.

[Gooner23]

Hell no, he burnt his bridges and is past his best now anyway.

I know it's unlikely but why not throw a massive wadge of cash at Dortmund for Aubameyang and see what happens? A too much to turn down offer. Offer him silly wages as well.

With Mikatarian going to Utd I'd be looking at Mahrez or Draxler as a wide forward.

We of course will probably be sitting on our asses hoping something falls into our lap.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

We've had the big statements in the past, but I think they were coincidental. Misinterpreted by the fans maybe. A big statement in isolation with no plan to keep pushing onwards is of little value or consequence. Wenger doesn't deal in things like statements or momentum or ambition. He deals in painful averages and minimums. Our goal this season will be to qualify for the CL, make a shed load of money in the process and keep everyone at the club well fed whilst ensuring the financials all point in the right direction. Anything else will be an unplanned bonus. But we won't achieve less, we will achieve that much as the minimum and in most ways the maximum.

Looks for the goldilocks deal, everything has to be just right for him to do the deal.

This is why the club long ago should have had the balls to take him out of the transfer process, said "Arsene name me a player you want, and if that player is not avaliable a fall back option and we will buy that player for you". This is roughly what Dein did.

[GP]

Apparently Mkhitarian is on 200k a week.

Obscene.

[I am invisible]

If Van Persie was available, which he is, for about 5 million and 100 grand a week.

Would you want him here for one season maybe two ?

Turning emotions off completely, then as a player, if he's still got a decent couple of years in him... I don't know... maybe?

Speaking as a fan though, it would be just about the final insult! I mean wouldn't that just be Arsenal all over? If our 4 year search for Robin van Persie's replacement yielded a 32/33 year old Robin van Persie?!! It would be such a cosmic piss-take, I'm almost certain it's going to happen...

[GP]

Not a prayer.

He'll end up somewhere shit like Palace.

[Marc Overmars]

RVC can do one. Unbelievably good when he wasn't on the treatment table but he's past it now.

[Power n Glory]

RVP? Make it happen, Wenger! :lol:

Still plenty of time to retire an Arsenal legend.

[Niall_Quinn]

RVP? Make it happen, Wenger! :lol:

Still plenty of time to retire an Arsenal legend.

If he can, he will do it. But it is not easy finding quality RvCs you know.

[mastermind84]

You idiots really believe Wenger said that about Giroud. Troll Cross next tweet said it was a joke on his part.

[Kano]

Brilliant.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Loads of talk linking us to the same group, Morata, Lukaku, Lacazette.........can we stop talking and stump up, at this stage I don't really care just as long as we get one of them. We need a mobile striker and not sure if Morata is the best of the three with that in mind.....Lacazette maybe? Just do it!!!!!

[Niall_Quinn]

Loads of talk linking us to the same group, Morata, Lukaku, Lacazette.........can we stop talking and stump up, at this stage I don't really care just as long as we get one of them. We need a mobile striker and not sure if Morata is the best of the three with that in mind.....Lacazette maybe? Just do it!!!!!

Not sure how anyone can be interested in signing Morata or Lukaku after they exposed themselves so crudely in the shop window. And at the ludicrous prices being quoted, stay well clear is the only sane policy. LaCasseteTape - saw him a couple of times. Didn't look like anything special, more of the same that passes as quality these days. Then again, only saw him twice so maybe he's been brilliant the rest of the time. There's no sign of Bif being displaced. He's it for next season I suspect. So I'd hunt down the sofa and have a whip-around and get the cash together for a bid for Draxler. He could solve multiple problems for us next season. At least he's genuine quality instead of agent inspired quality.

[Kano]

Loads of talk linking us to the same group, Morata, Lukaku, Lacazette.........can we stop talking and stump up, at this stage I don't really care just as long as we get one of them. We need a mobile striker and not sure if Morata is the best of the three with that in mind.....Lacazette maybe? Just do it!!!!!

Phillipe Auclair seems to know his stuff about the French league and doesn't seem to rate Lacazette too highly.

[Niall_Quinn]

And we should bid for Pogba. Just to fuck Maureen up.

[Gooner23]

Morata is basically another Welbz. Good technically but all hustle and no end product. 60 mil my ass.

[Gooner23]

Agree on Draxler though, he'd be good. Or go for Mahrez. We need some extra quality out wide.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think Draxler could be converted into a top tier striker over time. Reminds me of RvC. And in then end, isn't that who we are still missing? Our last top tier striker, everything since has been second grade.

[selassie]

I think Draxler could be converted into a top tier striker over time. Reminds me of RvC. And in then end, isn't that who we are still missing? Our last top tier striker, everything since has been second grade.

Yeah he reminds me of RVC too. I like Draxler, think he's a very good player now with room to improve.

[Bumble]

when welz gets fit though it would be like a new signing.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmmesgZW8AAo7Wn.jpg

:haha:

[Penguin]

I think it would be well worth the gamble to try Draxler up front. Even if it doesn't work out we would be lethal on the counter with Sanchez and Draxler on the wings.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cmmh7tqXEAAnlaw.jpg

[Niall_Quinn]

when welz gets fit though it would be like a new signing.

Even better than that, he'll only be fit for a week so he'll be like a new signing of a new signing when he gets back from his encore injury. Definitely has the potential to be our new Theo.

[fakeyank]

we would be lethal on the counter

:haha: :haha:

Is this 2003?

[mastermind84]

Morata is basically another Welbz. Good technically but all hustle and no end product. 60 mil my ass.
If you havent watched Morata, its cool.

Guy is going to be great. Nothing like Welbeck.

[Niall_Quinn]

If you havent watched Morata, its cool.

Guy is going to be great. Nothing like Welbeck.

We've had too many, "the guy has great potential", types turning up at the club. We don't have a manager who can take advantage. Wenger needs tried and tested players who can deliver today to prop up his fading star, players who are also gullible enough to listen to his plans for greatness and buy into them. Not so many names to choose from then.

[Niall_Quinn]

And finally, the Daily Star claim Man United, Arsenal and West Ham are set to go head-to-head to sign Legia Warsaw and Slovakia midfielder Ondrej Duda.

The Polish club are reportedly unwilling to do business for anything less than their £5m valuation, with the 21-year-old having impressed at Euro 2016 this summer.

As ever... who?

[Niall_Quinn]

The Gunners are now 6/4 favourites to instead sign Barbosa - dubbed the ‘next Neymar - and are leading the chase to sign Lacazette at odds of 12/5.
Brazilian broadcaster Radio Bandeirantes (http://esporte.band.uol.com.br/futebol/times/santos/noticias/100000812072/elia-clube-ingles-vai-pagar-multa-rescisoria-de-gabriel.html?mobile=true) reported yesterday that a Premier League club made a £15m bid for the 19-year-old, which triggered a release clause in his contract.
While the Mirror (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-alexandre-lacazette-transfer-battle-8280117) claim Wenger is set for talks with Lacazette’s representatives this week, with West Ham (3/1), Paris Saint-Germain (7/2), Tottenham (4/1) and Real Madrid (9/1) also keen on his services.


And it looks like we have "missed out" on Lukaku. For once our transfer policy working in our favour.

[Özim]

As ever... who?

Uh oh, he were are possibly wasting a couple million on a nobody who'll never play for us.

[mastermind84]

We've had too many, "the guy has great potential", types turning up at the club. We don't have a manager who can take advantage. Wenger needs tried and tested players who can deliver today to prop up his fading star, players who are also gullible enough to listen to his plans for greatness and buy into them. Not so many names to choose from then.
I agree, the problem is established strikers are not moving because big clubs sign the potentially great ones early. That is why Arsenal has to make a move now and gamble on one of these or take an L by buying bandaid strikers.

[Özim]

And it looks like we have "missed out" on Lukaku. For once our transfer policy working in our favour.

Thank god, the guy is absolutely awful, Mourinho did Chelsea a massive favour when he got rid of this lump.

[Power n Glory]

I agree, the problem is established strikers are not moving because big clubs sign the potentially great ones early. That is why Arsenal has to make a move now and gamble on one of these or take an L by buying bandaid strikers.

Surely he has lost his eye for a player. He keeps talking about the players he could have signed but if he really had an idea of the type of player they'd be, he'd have signed them and spent the money.

[Niall_Quinn]

Thank god, the guy is absolutely awful, Mourinho did Chelsea a massive favour when he got rid of this lump.

The chavs are signing him back apparently :haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Surely he has lost his eye for a player. He keeps talking about the players he could have signed but if he really had an idea of the type of player they'd be, he'd have signed them and spent the money.

Spent the money? Who are you talking about? Wenger? This is is the guy who was hot on the heels of Suarez and pulled a one pound coin out of his chastity wallet to secure the deal.

[Munchies]

Lacazette talks heating up

Telegraph say his fee would be £34m

Get it done ffs

[Power n Glory]

http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/03/has-arsene-wenger-just-confirmed-that-olivier-giroud-isnt-the-right-man-for-arsenal-5921632/

Old news but only just caught it.


And now Wenger has described the archetypal modern striker as the absolute antithesis of Giroud, lending weight to reports that the French coach is in the market for a pacey new forward.
‘What has happened is in the last 10 years, strikers have become quicker and quicker,’ Wenger explained.
‘What happened then? The defence responded by creating defenders who are quicker and quicker. So now to put in strikers who are slow, you have really a big problem.’

He has to be looking at Lacazette as an option. When did the penny drop for Wenger? How comes it's now he sees that we need a pacey striker?

[Marc Overmars]

United are after Matuidi. I suppose Maureen wants another Makelele at the centre of his latest reign of terror.

[Marc Overmars]

http://metro.co.uk/2016/06/03/has-arsene-wenger-just-confirmed-that-olivier-giroud-isnt-the-right-man-for-arsenal-5921632/

Old news but only just caught it.



He has to be looking at Lacazette as an option. When did the penny drop for Wenger? How comes it's now he sees that we need a pacey striker?

Maybe he himself is fed up of the abject failure. Better late than never I guess.

[Thierrymon]

United are after Matuidi. I suppose Maureen wants another Makelele at the centre of his latest reign of terror.

Hopefully that is true. Matuidi is a clumsy oaf just like Fellaini.

[Marc Overmars]

Juve reject a £38m bid from City for Bonucci. :wacko:

[Power n Glory]

Juve reject a £38m bid from City for Bonucci. :wacko:

They just don't want to sell him which is fair enough. Or it would take a much bigger fee for them to consider selling. I think this is where the market goes crazy and other clubs start valuing their players at a ridiculous amount. No point in being cash rich if the talent for a replacement isn't out there.

[Özim]

Must be nice for your club to be linked to players and not writing this off as BS rumours or having to wait an eternity for a deal to be completed.

[Kano]

Juve reject a £38m bid from City for Bonucci. :wacko:

Juve won't let him go cheaply. Their recent titles have been built off that backline and replacing someone like Bonucci is not going to be easy, no matter how much money you have to spend.

[selassie]

Juve won't let him go cheaply. Their recent titles have been built off that backline and replacing someone like Bonucci is not going to be easy, no matter how much money you have to spend.

Yeah, he's a world class CB IMO, the best of the Trio, Cheillini and Barzagli are both top drawer though.

[Özim]

Mkhitaryan joins Man U, they're not wasting any time with signings.

Honestly we should have tried harder to sign this guy and got rid of some of our midfielders, goalscoring midfielders are like gold dust.

Man U aren't even in the CL, but then apparently he preferred them to us, still we could have tried at least.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36726880

[Özim]

WTF are we doing in the transfer window, all we're hearing is some most likely BS rumours, when do the real signings arrive?

Or are we just going to waste all of our until the end of the transfer window doing nothing as usual?

[Özim]

Liverpool being linked with a move for Lacazette if they sell Benteke.

[I am invisible]

Fuck all by the sound of it!

The worst part is we should have a pretty clear run at any strikers we're interested in now - all of the names that have been mentioned so far are still up for grabs, and Manure, City, Chelsea and Liverpool have all made striker purchases already, meaning they're either done in that area, or will have less money to commit to any further moves...

[Kano]

City thinking of a £51m bid for Bonucci apparently :lol:

Juve will sell at that. All comes down to whether he wants to come and money of course. Not many Italian defenders have come here.

[Kano]

It's on the internet so it's definitely true.


Mkhitaryan has just stated on ArmRadio FM107 that he rejected a €10m signing fee and €350k p/week from Arsenal.

Mkhitaryan:"The basic wage from Arsenal was €350k p/week, but that's not factoring in image rights. The total package equalled €400k p/week"

:lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Not many Italians have flourish outside of Serie A these days really. Off the top of my head Pelle is the only one that has had any sort of impact in recent memory.

[Ralpheroo72]

Said it before, we wont be signing anyone of note. Vardy was Wengers punt, it didnt work out, and so he will make do with what we have.

[Marc Overmars]

United are reportedly prepared to bid £100m for Pogba. :blink:

[Kano]

£100m for Pogba? :haha:

But I thought he'd signed for Real Madrid during the tournament? Must've got my sauces wrong.

Looks like he's ready to leave tbh

http://content.footy.com/blog/2016/May/juventus-and-adidas-present-the-new-2016-17-home-shirt/Juventus-adidas-home-shirt-16-17-pogba-cool.jpg

[Globalgunner]

Clubs like United, Barca, Real see it as a badge of honour to spend these ridiculous sums on players. It could be termed a marketing strategy by some but its just stupid one-upmanship at play. We have the money, so why not spend it they say. The other thing is...Mourinho is a football faker. He only wants a sure bet. He will do his best to buy all the best players available so that failure is eliminated and success is more or less guaranteed. Even his ultra defensive tactics cant obliterate the prolific talent he has usually been able to hoard. Other managers like Klopp, Conte, Pep actually have a vision of how they want to play and put players together to achieve it. Mourinho likes to buy up all the guns available in the shop. M16s and all, to go out on a safari. Sometimes 2 or 3 of the same gun. You never know.

[selassie]

Said it before, we wont be signing anyone of note. Vardy was Wengers punt, it didnt work out, and so he will make do with what we have.

Yep, totally agreed.

[Power n Glory]

Clubs like United, Barca, Real see it as a badge of honour to spend these ridiculous sums on players. It could be termed a marketing strategy by some but its just stupid one-upmanship at play. We have the money, so why not spend it they say. The other thing is...Mourinho is a football faker. He only wants a sure bet. He will do his best to buy all the best players available so that failure is eliminated and success is more or less guaranteed. Even his ultra defensive tactics cant obliterate the prolific talent he has usually been able to hoard. Other managers like Klopp, Conte, Pep actually have a vision of how they want to play and put players together to achieve it. Mourinho likes to buy up all the guns available in the shop. M16s and all, to go out on a safari. Sometimes 2 or 3 of the same gun. You never know.

What's wrong with that? Isn't that what you're supposed to do? Isn't that what we want from Wenger?

Also, a lot of Mourinho signings I don't rate. He overpays for a lot of players because he knows that particular sort of play is what he needs for his system to work. He always goes for a particular type of player. You can see it in the strikers he signs, the DM and CM combo......if he went for the best in every position, I think we'd see a more attack minded team.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Yeah that's an odd criticism, I don't like Mourinho for the footballing style he forces teams even with players with genuine technical ability to play personally but you can't criticise him for doing everything to guarantee sucess.

Mourinhos narcassism, lack of respect for fellow professionals and the spirit of the game is why I don't like him. He's like the Schumacher of football management undoubted talent but tainted by horrible cynicism.

[dostoy]

Said it before, we wont be signing anyone of note. Vardy was Wengers punt, it didnt work out, and so he will make do with what we have.

Agreed

There will not be anybody else coming here this summer, anybody who is waiting for a big transfer is deluded.

This is Wenger we are talking about, the man is so tight and so stubborn it is beyond belief.

I can just hear him saying Welbeck will be like a new signing when he returns and where would I play all these players and we must give Akpom and maybe Sanogo another chance, and there is nobody out there better than what we have etc.

I cannot wait for him to leave, his dated ideas and his locked principles are restricting this club now.

[Globalgunner]

What's wrong with that? Isn't that what you're supposed to do? Isn't that what we want from Wenger?

Also, a lot of Mourinho signings I don't rate. He overpays for a lot of players because he knows that particular sort of play is what he needs for his system to work. He always goes for a particular type of player. You can see it in the strikers he signs, the DM and CM combo......if he went for the best in every position, I think we'd see a more attack minded team.

What I want from Wenger is probabaly too uncouth even for these boards. Maybe i put it across inelegantly. Basically my criticism of Mourinho is that he is all about the glory. Yes that is probably a virtue to some but he will never go down as a great manager if all he does is rock up at the most minted club in each league and buy all the best players and set them up to soak up pressure and counterrattack. Effective maybe, but certainly not pleasing on the eye. Great managers get extraordinary things out of ordinary players OR build legacies at unfashionable clubs.
Mourinho now may have reached a point in his professional career and be at a club that demands something different than his normal fare. Maybe we will see something different from him this time. I certainly hope so.

[Power n Glory]

What I want from Wenger is probabaly too uncouth even for these boards. Maybe i put it across inelegantly. Basically my criticism of Mourinho is that he is all about the glory. Yes that is probably a virtue to some but he will never go down as a great manager if all he does is rock up at the most minted club in each league and buy all the best players and set them up to soak up pressure and counterrattack. Effective maybe, but certainly not pleasing on the eye. Great managers get extraordinary things out of ordinary players OR build legacies at unfashionable clubs.
Mourinho now may have reached a point in his professional career and be at a club that demands something different than his normal fare. Maybe we will see something different from him this time. I certainly hope so.

I apply the exact same criticism to Pep. In fact, I’m even more sceptical of Pep. I can’t respect his achievements at Bayern. They were at the top of their game before he arrived and he never won the CL with them. Same goes for Barca. Mourinho….Porto were the top dogs in Portugal but he won the UEFA Cup and CL with them and they’re a pretty small fish in that CL bowl. Chelsea…they were super minted but you can at least say he won them their first title and set the foundation. Inter….won them the treble. Serie A was rocked by corruption but he won them their first CL trophy. I respect that more. Not a huge fan of his brand football but it gets the job done.

With Pep, I respect his brand of football, the tactics and his philosophy more than his achievements. But if we’re saying great managers have to build legacies out of unfashionable clubs and ordinary players, does that make Wenger a great manager but rule out Pep, Mourinho and Fergie? Ancelotti? Is Claudio Ranieri up there as one of the greatest for what he did with Leicester City?

[Globalgunner]

Its all a matter of opinion. Mourinho is a great manager. I just dont like him as a person. All winners of the CL could be classified as great because the damn thing is so hard to achieve. Winning it twice is greatness without a doubt, but lets not forget Roberto DiMattteo won it at his first attempt. As for Wenger, he is not even Arsenals greatest manager, not even in the last 30 years
If Ranieri can keep Leicester competitive next season, maybe qualify for CL despite all the other clubs in it. that surely reaches the level of greatness.

As for Pep, when you can be credited for inventing a signature type of winning footie. That certainly is greatness. His spell at Bayern cannot be classified as a failure IMHO. Bayern have been around for over a hundred years and only won 5 CL. Does that mean every manager except those that won it are crap?. No. Even if he fails to win the CL at City he will still be considered a legend in the game.

[Power n Glory]

Its all a matter of opinion. Mourinho is a great manager. I just dont like him as a person. All winners of the CL could be classified as great because the damn thing is so hard to achieve. Winning it twice is greatness without a doubt, but lets not forget Roberto DiMattteo won it at his first attempt. As for Wenger, he is not even Arsenals greatest manager, not even in the last 30 years
If Ranieri can keep Leicester competitive next season, maybe qualify for CL despite all the other clubs in it. that surely reaches the level of greatness.

As for Pep, when you can be credited for inventing a signature type of winning footie. That certainly is greatness. His spell at Bayern cannot be classified as a failure IMHO. Bayern have been around for over a hundred years and only won 5 CL. Does that mean every manager except those that won it are crap?. No. Even if he fails to win the CL at City he will still be considered a legend in the game.

Wenger has to be our greatest manager. These last 10 years has knocked him down a peg. He should have won the CL league but going a whole season undefeated.....hands down our best manager.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

His problem is that he hasn't adapted to the way football has changed in the last ten-twelve years of instant ready success. Yes it's not a pleasant spectacle but it's the soup he swims in so after he has credibly kept us stable during slim periods his attitude to recruitments and tactics have not altered since he joined the club, and the gems he brought to the club for cheap can no longer be brought in under the radar in the world of you tube, foreign leagues and champions league football on tv everywhere.

[Marc Overmars]

Pogba to United might be legit then.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/10494470/manchester-united-in-talks-over-paul-pogba-transfer-sky-sources

Jesus.

[selassie]

Pogba to United might be legit then.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/10494470/manchester-united-in-talks-over-paul-pogba-transfer-sky-sources

Jesus.

Yep, the amount of money they have spent over the past few years and are spending is nuts but it's what they do.

I'm not surprised this one has legs, doesn't Pogba share the same agent as Zlatan and Mkhi?

If they get Pogba then Mourinho will be under immense pressure to win PL and properly challenge for CL too.

[GP]

Let him go on a free in favour of a 68-year old Scholes.

Buy him back for £100m

Brilliant.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Yep, the amount of money they have spent over the past few years and are spending is nuts but it's what they do.

I'm not surprised this one has legs, doesn't Pogba share the same agent as Zlatan and Mkhi?

If they get Pogba then Mourinho will be under immense pressure to win PL and properly challenge for CL too.

He's Mourinho and they are Man United i think it goes without saying they will expect a PL title challenge and CL challenge from it either this coming season or next.

[Özim]

Yep, the amount of money they have spent over the past few years and are spending is nuts but it's what they do.

I'm not surprised this one has legs, doesn't Pogba share the same agent as Zlatan and Mkhi?

If they get Pogba then Mourinho will be under immense pressure to win PL and properly challenge for CL too.

Man U don't shortchange their fans, they want to be the best and are willing to spend to sign the top players, players know this and also want to go there, it's an admirable stance if you ask me, it's not all about pocketing the proceeds, most big clubs behave this way because winning is their primary goal.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Man U don't shortchange their fans, they want to be the best and are willing to spend to sign the top players, players know this and also want to go there, it's an admirable stance if you ask me, it's not all about pocketing the proceeds, most big clubs behave this way because winning is their primary goal.

On one hand all well and good, but haven't exactly given the fans much even with their big spending

It's not an excuse to do nothing, but there's making signings and being proactive, and then there's spending 100m on Pogba??

[Penguin]

Spending to an extent is admirable. The amount United have spent in the last few years has been shameful in that they are trying to spend their way back to the top. No different to how Chelsea or Man City bought themselves titles.

United have always spent money buy usually in a bit more moderation than they have recently.

[Kano]

They can just pile it up with the rest of the £300m debt the Glazers have shoved onto the club.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth have had a £15m bid accepted for Jordan Ibe.

£15m? :lol:

[Globalgunner]

Ibe..I thought he was supposed to be the next best thing.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

He was touted as the new Sterling. And he is. Runs into the advertising board or an opposition defender with unerring accuracy.

[Gooner23]

I thought Utd were in a load of debt, how do they seem to have an unlimited transfer fund?

[Özim]

I thought Utd were in a load of debt, how do they seem to have an unlimited transfer fund?

I think they've massively reduced their debts via marketing deals and on the field success. I think it's a case of speculate to accumulate, they spend money and it increases interest and marketing sales etc

Some clubs like to spend to increase revenue in other forms and also compete, others prefer to hoard and at the same time limit off the field marketing success.

[Kano]

I thought Utd were in a load of debt, how do they seem to have an unlimited transfer fund?

Stands at around £300m but since Platini bottled it and UEFA lifted those fragile FFP restrictions, none of that matters anymore.

[Kano]

Valdes to Middlesborough :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

I thought Utd were in a load of debt, how do they seem to have an unlimited transfer fund?

Massive sponsorship and the new TV deal, on top of an already huge existing commercial presence. A club like United will always be in a position to push the boat out if needed.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Priority is CF and CB.....add to that Sissoko pleaae

[GP]

Valdes to Middlesborough :lol:

They are after RvC as well.

[Özim]

Priority is CF and CB.....add to that Sissoko pleaae

Sadly I think their priority is money in the bank.

[Özim]

Being linked with Draxler for 43 million.

2 things, firstly if we wanted him we should have gone for him last summer when he was going on the cheap (it's just plain dum to pay big money for him now), secondly I do think he's decent but again he's not an out and out striker and I'm not sure that's the route we should go down, wouldn't surprise me though, Wenger seems so reluctant to buy a proven out and out goalscorer it's untrue.

Draxler is a very good winger with potential, but a striker he is not.

[Penguin]

Stuttgart wanted £40m from us for Draxler the summer we bought Ozil, so his price hasn't exactly rocketed. It's probably wishful thinking that he can be converted into a striker but it might be worth a try if we can't get a genuinely top quality CF. Realistically none of the established names are available, and even if they are, there will be 4 or 5 other clubs who are lurking like vultures and will be a bigger draw than us.

[Penguin]

They can just pile it up with the rest of the £300m debt the Glazers have shoved onto the club.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth have had a £15m bid accepted for Jordan Ibe.

£15m? :lol:

Sounds about right - £1m transfer fee + £14m English player tax

[Özim]

Stuttgart wanted £40m from us for Draxler the summer we bought Ozil, so his price hasn't exactly rocketed. It's probably wishful thinking that he can be converted into a striker but it might be worth a try if we can't get a genuinely top quality CF. Realistically none of the established names are available, and even if they are, there will be 4 or 5 other clubs who are lurking like vultures and will be a bigger draw than us.

It was last summer when he went to Wolfsburg, think he went cheap, £25.5m form what I saw.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Linked to Lacazzette for 42 million today.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3679690/Arsenal-pay-42m-prise-Alexandre-Lacazette-Lyon-make-approach-Lille-Djibril-Sidibe.html

In a world where Batshuyi is going for 33 million, it seems like a steal.

Don't hesitate Arsene!

[Özim]

Considering the vast sums being spent, clearly the TV money is making a different, 42 odd million on that basis must be like 10 million in the old days, next to nothing.

Just get the feeling we're not willing to pay the market rate, you either do or you get left behind, that's the choice.

It's a lot of money of course, but we've needed a striker for ages and have never managed to get one, so we kinda borught it on ourselves, if we'd signed someone a couple years ago it would have been better value for money.

I mean come on Xhaka whos is unknown costs 33 million, so 42 million isn't really that bad for a striker who is a much more important position in a team.

[dostoy]

Linked to Lacazzette for 42 million today.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3679690/Arsenal-pay-42m-prise-Alexandre-Lacazette-Lyon-make-approach-Lille-Djibril-Sidibe.html

In a world where Batshuyi is going for 33 million, it seems like a steal.

Don't hesitate Arsene!


He never hesitates, he just flat out refuses.

[Özim]

He never hesitates, he just flat out refuses.

I can see this being another long summer, as usual.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Xhaka wasn't an unknown Zim. :lol:

He was one of the hottest properties in Germany, linked to Man Utd the season before and a host of other top teams the past year. Looking at some of the transfers now, 35 million is a bit low tbh and probably due to us moving in very early in the window before a precedent and marker could be fully established tbh.

Good work Gazidis. :bow:

[Özim]

Xhaka wasn't an unknown Zim. :lol:

He was one of the hottest properties in Germany, linked to Man Utd the season before and a host of other top teams the past year. Looking at some of the transfers now, 35 million is a bit low tbh and probably due to us moving in very early in the window before a precedent and marker could be fully established tbh.

Good work Gazidis. :bow:

If he was one of the hottest properties why was nobody else in for him as well? Not saying he's not a good player, but players who are the hottest property generally have several clubs after them.

I can see why he wasn't chased by a lot of clubs, he's a DM at the end of the day, it's not a prestige position like a striker or a winger, clubs don't pay big money for DM on the whole, they pay big bucks for players they deem to be matchwinners.

Let's not kid ourselves, very few people outside of Germany knew anything about him.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

They were. Read all the stories linking him to Man Utd the season before. We just moved fastest and tied him down before anyone else got seriously interested and decided to move in themselves.

Look just because we sign a player doesn't mean no other top club was interested or rates him. Circumstances can change; our rivals may have that position already filled or maybe be concentrating on concluding another deal before turning towards a DM.

It's like implying Ozil or Alexis were bad players because we managed to sign them.

Besides we never usually get into a bidding war with a financially richer club so it's all rather a moot point.

[Özim]

They were. Read all the stories linking him to Man Utd the season before. We just moved fastest and tied him down before anyone else got seriously interested and decided to move in themselves.

Look just because we sign a player doesn't mean no other top club was interested or rates him. Circumstances can change; our rivals may have that position already filled or maybe be concentrating on concluding another deal before turning towards a DM.

It's like implying Ozil or Alexis were bad players because we managed to sign them.

Besides we never usually get into a bidding war with a financially richer club so it's all rather a moot point.

We signed Ozil and Sanchez for one reason, they weren't really wanted by their clubs anymore.

Doesn't mean they aren't top players, they are but their clubs were willing to let them go, Real had signed a few top players and Ozil's position was uncertain and Sanchez didn't work out at Barca.

We never sign top players at the top of their games which other big clubs are interested in, basically because they'd rather go to other clubs, due to the prestige and chances of success.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Yes they weren't, but none of Chelsea, Man Utd, City etc etc moved in for Ozil or Alexis when they had the opportunity to as well and we had a free run at them. By your logic that diminishes how good Ozil and Alexis are because none of our rivals went in for him. :rolleyes:

I seriously don't get what you're whining about here.

Are we a more attractive proposition than Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern? Of course not. And we're never going to beat them to a player. But everyone already knows that and complaining that we're not beating them at transfers is silly and just futile.

[Özim]

Yes they weren't, but none of Chelsea, Man Utd, City etc etc moved in for Ozil or Alexis when they had the opportunity to as well and we had a free run at them. By your logic that diminishes how good Ozil and Alexis are because none of our rivals went in for him. :rolleyes:

I seriously don't get what you're whining about here.

Are we a more attractive proposition than Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern? Of course not. And we're never going to beat them to a player. But everyone already knows that and complaining that we're not beating them at transfers is silly and just futile.

I'm not saying they aren't good players, just that had those clubs moved for them we'd have never got them, moreover with players like Xhaka who are at smaller clubs, generally if they are hot property a number of clubs are chasing them, I'm just challenging your ascertion that Xhaka was one of the hottest properties in Germany, if he had been other big clubs would have moved for him as well, they didn't. The reason clubs didn't move for Ozil and Sanchez is because, certainly in the case of Sanchez he hadn't been a big success at Barca. Ozil was different, perhaps the fee and the fact those clubs weren't specifically looking for players in his position so late in the window let us in.

We won't beat Man U, Man City or Chelsea to a player either.

Not even convinced we'd beat Juve, Athletico these days either, but thats of our own making.

[selassie]

Xhaka wasn't an unknown Zim. :lol:

He was one of the hottest properties in Germany, linked to Man Utd the season before and a host of other top teams the past year. Looking at some of the transfers now, 35 million is a bit low tbh and probably due to us moving in very early in the window before a precedent and marker could be fully established tbh.

Good work Gazidis. :bow:

I read Bayern (Pep) were trying to buy him last summer, they had bids of 35Mill rejected so he was obviously very highly regarded in the Bundesliga.

He's a good player, I think it's a good signing but Wenger is going to need to add more quality to the team/squad for it to be a successful window.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I'm not saying they aren't good players, just that had those clubs moved for them we'd have never got them, moreover with players like Xhaka who are at smaller clubs, generally if they are hot property a number of clubs are chasing them, I'm just challenging your ascertion that Xhaka was one of the hottest properties in Germany, if he had been other big clubs would have moved for him as well, they didn't. The reason clubs didn't move for Ozil and Sanchez is because, certainly in the case of Sanchez he hadn't been a big success at Barca. Ozil was different, perhaps the fee and the fact those clubs weren't specifically looking for players in his position so late in the window let us in.

We won't beat Man U, Man City or Chelsea to a player either.

Not even convinced we'd beat Juve, Athletico these days either, but thats of our own making.

Calling him "one of the hottest properties in Germany" is far more accurate than you calling him an "unknown" earlier Zim. :rolleyes:


And I think we're on a par with Man Utd these days considering they're missing out on CL yet again and have generally been crap post Fergie. They can offer ridicolous wages though which will tempt players who otherwise normally may not be interested, e.g. Di Maria.

Chelsea probably still shade us though likewise, more non CL seasons would diminish their prestige.

City have the Pep factor now which is attractive to players plus like United, ridiculous wages.


Juve and Athletico though? :lol:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I read Bayern (Pep) were trying to buy him last summer, they had bids of 35Mill rejected so he was obviously very highly regarded in the Bundesliga.

He's a good player, I think it's a good signing but Wenger is going to need to add more quality to the team/squad for it to be a successful window.

Yeah I read those reports. Pep saw him as the successor to Alonso iirc.


And fully agree. It's a very good opening signing but we're got more work left to do to make this a successful window; I was just irritated with Zim calling him an "unknown".

[Özim]

Calling him "one of the hottest properties in Germany" is far more accurate than you calling him an "unknown" earlier Zim. :rolleyes:


And I think we're on a par with Man Utd these days considering they're missing out on CL yet again and have generally been crap post Fergie. They can offer ridicolous wages though which will tempt players who otherwise normally may not be interested, e.g. Di Maria.

Chelsea probably still shade us though likewise, more non CL seasons would diminish their prestige.

City have the Pep factor now which is attractive to players plus like United, ridiculous wages.


Juve and Athletico though? :lol:

Who in England had heard of him, most people on here who follow football hasn't, he was hardly a household name.

I don't think we're on a par with Man U, they have real prestige based on years of success domestically and in Europe, we don't, Mkhitaryan preferred them to us and they aren't even in the CL.

You have to face the facts, our stock has fallen a lot, we aren't the draw we once were, even Vardy turned us down and that would have never happened 10 years ago.

[AFC Leveller]

Who in England had heard of him, most people on here who follow football hasn't, he was hardly a household name.

I don't think we're on a par with Man U, they have real prestige based on years of success domestically and in Europe, we don't, Mkhitaryan preferred them to us and they aren't even in the CL.

You have to face the facts, our stock has fallen a lot, we aren't the draw we once were, even Vardy turned us down and that would have never happened 10 years ago.

Atletico Madrid were seriously interested in him last season a made serious offers but but turned them down (the player himself said so).

[Özim]

Atletico Madrid were seriously interested in him last season a made serious offers but but turned them down (the player himself said so).

Athletico don't sign the top top players to be fair, as good as they are.

[Özim]

Juve and Athletico though? :lol:

Juve have outdone us in the CL quite a few times and have actually won the thing, as for Athletico, 2 CL titles and a Spanish title recently certainly gives them some draw, though they don't sign the very best players.

Griezmann signing a new contract tells you all you need though, he could sign for any top club and yet he's chosen to stay there becaue he knows they are a very good team who compete.

The only thing that goes for us is we're in the PL which is full of money, it's certainly not our worldwide appearl which has fallen dramatically in the last 10 years due to lack of success.

[GP]

We've been linked to Subotic today.

[Kano]

Never heard of him

[Özim]

Subotic for 12 million is a no brainer, 27, a very good defender.

Seems surprising Dortmund would let him go for that tho.

[GP]

Never heard of him

:haha:

[Özim]

Seems very feasible from our side, 12 million is something we'd be happy to pay, not sure if Dortmund will accept that though.

According to the papers, 12 million is 8 million more than Dortmund want, so they only wanted 4 million for him, that's less than we pay for unknown kids :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

Alexis linked with Juve.

I don't know why but I can imagine him moving on sooner rather than later.

[Özim]

Talk is he wants to leave, who can blame him.

They offered 26 million and then 30 million apparently, less than we paid.

Maybe that's why Draxler is being heavily linked.

[Kano]

Alexis linked with Juve.

I don't know why but I can imagine him moving on sooner rather than later.

Nah he's not going anywhere. This season at least.

But £30m? :lol:

If it's true and Juve manage to con someone to splash out £100m on Pogba, then they need to come back with £70m in this market.

[selassie]

Subotic for 12 million is a no brainer, 27, a very good defender.

Seems surprising Dortmund would let him go for that tho.

He was brilliant around 3 or 4 years ago but he's gone backwards, he's a crock, he is literally never fit.

He's damaged goods now and that's why Dortmund are trying to shift him, they may aswell just give him away...considering the price they want for him!

Trust us to be interested. Classic Wenger :lol:

[GP]

Nah he's not going anywhere. This season at least.

But £30m? :lol:

If it's true and Juve manage to con someone to splash out £100m on Pogba, then they need to come back with £70m in this market.

His stock is high right now having just won the Copa America. £30m is insulting. Triple it and we'll still say no.

[Toronto Gooner]

Seems very feasible from our side, 12 million is something we'd be happy to pay, not sure if Dortmund will accept that though.

According to the papers, 12 million is 8 million more than Dortmund want, so they only wanted 4 million for him, that's less than we pay for unknown kids :lol:
From the reports I read, Dortmund want 16 million, so the 4 million figure is the difference.

[Toronto Gooner]

His stock is high right now having just won the Copa America. £30m is insulting. Triple it and we'll still say no.

While I like Sanchez, if Juve offered £50 million, I would take it. I fear that he is in line for a very long period down time thanks to having played so much football over the last 3 years (especially the summers).

[Kano]

That's crazy in this market TG, when you've Lukaku and Morata touted at similar prices.

[GP]

While I like Sanchez, if Juve offered £50 million, I would take it. I fear that he is in line for a very long period down time thanks to having played so much football over the last 3 years (especially the summers).

Pointless selling at £50m. You'd never be able to replace him for that.

[Özim]

I read Bayern (Pep) were trying to buy him last summer, they had bids of 35Mill rejected so he was obviously very highly regarded in the Bundesliga.

He's a good player, I think it's a good signing but Wenger is going to need to add more quality to the team/squad for it to be a successful window.

I think if Bayern really wanted him they would have got him, they're not short of a few bob and most players would sign for them, plus 35 million being rejected seems odd considering we got him for 33 million.

[Toronto Gooner]

Hi Kano and Douglas,

I completely agree that he is probably worth more than £50 million, given the figures being bandied around for other players. However, my concern is that he is going to have a significant injury leading to a long spell in the treatment room.

[AFC Leveller]

Alexis is worth 45m+ easily in the current market. Juve were told to cough up 50m for Lukaku (a donkey IMO) so they should know what really quality like Alexis costs. Don't think wenger would sell him as we don actually need the money these days but I get the feeling that Alexis wants to go.

[Niall_Quinn]

While I like Sanchez, if Juve offered £50 million, I would take it. I fear that he is in line for a very long period down time thanks to having played so much football over the last 3 years (especially the summers).

If we lose Alexis then write the next decade off. Same goes for if we lose Ozil. The message that would send out would do incredible harm to the reputation of the club. They say no player is bigger than the club, but when the club is so small time in everything it does then maybe it doesn't apply. We have two players who can make a difference when they step on the pitch, and that's only if they can escape the manager's shackles. Ozil will be straight out the door after Alexis if the latter quits. And who would want to come here after that? It's not as if we compensate with the mega wages. This is why it's so important to make a statement in the transfer market this summer. If we don't do that then the game is up anyway. The again, with some of the shite we are being linked with maybe the game is up anyway. This club really is going nowhere fast under this manager and this board. Sad stuff.

[Niall_Quinn]

Pointless selling at £50m. You'd never be able to replace him for that.

You'd never be able to replace him for twice that. Who is there? Nobody that's not already sorted. It would be insane to entertain any offer, regardless of the amount. We desperately need to bring quality in the door, not see it leave. Wenger had best sort this out pretty damn fast.

[fakeyank]

Wenger had best sort this out pretty damn fast.

:haha: :haha: :haha:

[alexander]

Im really being turned off of football. These transfer fees are getting mental now, couldnt be further from the average fan these days. Couple of years time we will be seeing players go for £200 million. Just seems to have moved on so quickly from the mid 90s when we signed Bergkamp for a £7.5mil fee!
I suppose all sport is the same now though.

One day it will all just eat itself.

[GP]

Alexis is worth 45m+ easily in the current market. Juve were told to cough up 50m for Lukaku (a donkey IMO) so they should know what really quality like Alexis costs. Don't think wenger would sell him as we don actually need the money these days but I get the feeling that Alexis wants to go.


You said it yourself. In the current market 45m+ gets you Lukaku.

Alexis is worth twice that.

[selassie]

I think if Bayern really wanted him they would have got him, they're not short of a few bob and most players would sign for them, plus 35 million being rejected seems odd considering we got him for 33 million.

Fair play, I can't claim to know the details and can't find any links but it was reported they offered for him last summer and Gladbach flat out refused to sell him to another team in their domestic league. I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that he's as high profile as we're gonna get this summer. Have you seen who we've been linked to recently? We're battling it out with the likes Middlesboro & Monaco for new signings.

[Niall_Quinn]

:haha: :haha: :haha:

We have Sanogo who can post letters where Alexis plays.

[Kano]

Im really being turned off of football. These transfer fees are getting mental now, couldnt be further from the average fan these days. Couple of years time we will be seeing players go for £200 million. Just seems to have moved on so quickly from the mid 90s when we signed Bergkamp for a £7.5mil fee!
I suppose all sport is the same now though.

One day it will all just eat itself.

It will absolutely. It seems like it will go on forever like this but something will happen unexpectedly to have reign it in or send it to the wall completely. I wish I could say try to ignore all this bollocks and concentrate on enjoying the games but the quality of football seems to be getting worse in direct correlation to the rising prices.

[Kano]

Fair play, I can't claim to know the details and can't find any links but it was reported they offered for him last summer and Gladbach flat out refused to sell him to another team in their domestic league. I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that he's as high profile as we're gonna get this summer. Have you seen who we've been linked to recently? We're battling it out with the likes Middlesboro & Monaco for new signings.

Battling it out in the media. The percentage of bullshit stories compared to actual, real transfers is disproportionate to say the least. That's the reality. Not the garbage stories a journalist decides to scoop out the bin on any given day.

[Özim]

We've allegedly given up on Lacazette due to the fee :rolleyes:

I can see what's happening here, we're not going to get anyone are we, we've been here before. Just pay the bloody money FFS, even clubs like West Ham and Palace are coughing up!

[fakeyank]

We've allegedly given up on Lacazette due to the fee :rolleyes:

I can see what's happening here, we're not going to get anyone are we, we've been here before. Just pay the bloody money FFS, even clubs like West Ham and Palace are coughing up!

Are you surprised? Our only real hope for things changing is if we drop out of the top 4. Otherwise you know the 3 year contract extension is on the table for the dinosaur.

[I am invisible]

I'm not even sure the top 4 matters much any more with this new Sky deal!

[Andreas_AFC]

Today i have read in the german newspaper, that Arsenal want Draxler and make Wolfsburg an offer of 50 Million Euro. I hope he sign for Arsenal.

[I am invisible]

Would be nice - haven't quite worked out how to best use him yet, but I think there's something special there waiting to happen with Draxler, if someone can get it right...

[alexander]

We've allegedly given up on Lacazette due to the fee :rolleyes:

I can see what's happening here, we're not going to get anyone are we, we've been here before. Just pay the bloody money FFS, even clubs like West Ham and Palace are coughing up!

As much as I really dislike these massive transfer fees, and actually pisses me off, its how it is now. We need to pay up or miss out on these players. If we dont pay it, someone will.

[Kano]

And yet there are more reports saying we're in discussions with Lyon.

Anyone would think the media is full of shit or something.

[alexander]

The trouble for me is I only watch the premier league, and really only see the arsenal games, and have no idea if any of these players we are linked too are even any good! Prices dont really have any correlation with quality it seems.

[saintnickle]

Just take a look at this pro wenger site.You wont believe some of the comments http://untold-arsenal.com/archives/54332

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Phillipe Auclair seems to know his stuff about the French league and doesn't seem to rate Lacazette too highly.

I found that interesting too!

[Munchies]

We've allegedly given up on Lacazette due to the fee :rolleyes:

I can see what's happening here, we're not going to get anyone are we, we've been here before. Just pay the bloody money FFS, even clubs like West Ham and Palace are coughing up!

:gp:

Icardi seems to want out now too

Mauro Icardi’s wife – and agent – Wanda Nara declares “Inter put him up for sale and we hope they won’t ask for a sum outside the market value.”

http://www.football-italia.net/87127/wanda-inter-put-icardi-sale

Strikers are available. Spend some f'n money ffs

[Marc Overmars]

Real Madrid have reportedly pulled out of the Pogba race. Too expensive for them. :lol:

Says everything about how financially strong the PL is now.

[Niall_Quinn]

The trouble for me is I only watch the premier league, and really only see the arsenal games, and have no idea if any of these players we are linked too are even any good! Prices dont really have any correlation with quality it seems.

All depends. By today's standard most of them are "decent" players. Not great, just decent. I mean they can't cross a ball, can't take a free kick, half the time they can't pass a ball unless it's square or backwards. But occasionally they batter it into the net and it catches the news clips and the agents add another £10mill to the fee. There's a piece in the paper saying Pogba is no Zidane - yet! This is how silly and hyped it has become. Pogba is half the player Vieira was and nobody is running around suggesting Paddy was Zidane. What would Alan Shearer be worth in today's market? £500mill? Yep, it's pure crazy and hopefully it collapses soon and we can return to proper football played for the love of the game.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnCNFx-XYAAVgI_.jpg

???

:getcoat:

[LDG]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnCNFx-XYAAVgI_.jpg

???

:getcoat:

He wanted Bobby's autograph.

[Niall_Quinn]

He wanted Bobby's autograph.

This must be Arsene almost signing somebody again.

[Özim]

Jean-Michel Aulas confirms we haven't shown any interest in Lacazette, looks like this one is dead, even though it didn't even start.

Fake rumours seem to fly about every summer about signings, then nothing happens, wonder if this is another example, last summer is was the Benzema rubbish, not convinced any of that was ever true. Really beginning to think this is it until the end of Augut when we make some sort of opportunistic (but sh*t buy) that isn't a striker.

[dostoy]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnCNFx-XYAAVgI_.jpg

???

:getcoat:

Where can I get a cheap striker, I don't care if he is any good but he must be cheap ?

[selassie]

Just take a look at this pro wenger site.You wont believe some of the comments http://untold-arsenal.com/archives/54332

The article is ridiculous, the author has just listed transfer flops as a justification to why Wenger is inactive/shouldn't buy in the current market.

He's waffling on about balance and buying the right player to fit our system which I find quite ironic considering Wenger has built an inbalanced team in the first place, it's quite comical really.

[GP]

That site looks like it was made in 1992. By Letters.

[Marc Overmars]

Pelle signs for some Chinese club. His wages? 6m a year. :doh:

[selassie]

Jean-Michel Aulas confirms we haven't shown any interest in Lacazette, looks like this one is dead, even though it didn't even start.

Fake rumours seem to fly about every summer about signings, then nothing happens, wonder if this is another example, last summer is was the Benzema rubbish, not convinced any of that was ever true. Really beginning to think this is it until the end of Augut when we make some sort of opportunistic (but sh*t buy) that isn't a striker.

It's the same as always Zim, Wenger won't and can't change. :sulk:

[Kano]

Pelle signs for some Chinese club. His wages? 6m a year. :doh:

Southampton :rose:

[dostoy]

You can just imagine at the next AGM people will be saying, we all know we needed a striker so why did we not buy one.

Wenger will reply, I could not find any striker better than what we already have.

This is why we are also rans every season and we will never win another PL trophy or even get close to a CL trophy with that man in charge.

[I am invisible]

Southampton :rose:

Football :rose:

[Kano]

Football :rose:

WENGER! :fury:

[Niall_Quinn]

You can just imagine at the next AGM people will be saying, we all know we needed a striker so why did we not buy one.

Wenger will reply, I could not find any striker better than what we already have.

This is why we are also rans every season and we will never win another PL trophy or even get close to a CL trophy with that man in charge.

Unfortunately, Giroud looked about as good as anything rolled out during the Euros. Does that mean he's a good striker? He's average. In a world of average players. But if you said bring Benzema in or get Morata or Lukaku, where's the big advantage? We can see the big transfer fee and the big wages, that's easy to see. But the advantage on the pitch? It's wafer thin if there at all. I can sort of see Wenger's point. But that doesn't excuse the fact he should have acted in the past when there were better players up for grabs. Any excuses he makes now point back to his prior excuses. He's left us short over a long period of time.

[selassie]

Unfortunately, Giroud looked about as good as anything rolled out during the Euros. Does that mean he's a good striker? He's average. In a world of average players. But if you said bring Benzema in or get Morata or Lukaku, where's the big advantage? We can see the big transfer fee and the big wages, that's easy to see. But the advantage on the pitch? It's wafer thin if there at all. I can sort of see Wenger's point. But that doesn't excuse the fact he should have acted in the past when there were better players up for grabs. Any excuses he makes now point back to his prior excuses. He's left us short over a long period of time.

Why should we base our transfer strategy on the Euros? What are we paying our scouts for if they can't identify strikers better than what we currenty have?

I can't see Wenger's point at all, he's failed window after window to improve our team, he would be sacked if he was doing this at any other rival club, it's ridiculous that we are even discussing this.

[Niall_Quinn]

Why should we base our transfer strategy on the Euros? What are we paying our scouts for if they can't identify strikers better than what we currenty have?

I can't see Wenger's point at all, he's failed window after window to improve our team, he would be sacked if he was doing this at any other rival club, it's ridiculous that we are even discussing this.

I said I can perhaps see his point in the context of this rather dull and uninspiring shop window. But of course not in the bigger context of seasons gone when he should have acted. Then again, when he's acted we got Sanogo, Chamakh and a crock who never plays.

[Özim]

Why should we base our transfer strategy on the Euros? What are we paying our scouts for if they can't identify strikers better than what we currenty have?

I can't see Wenger's point at all, he's failed window after window to improve our team, he would be sacked if he was doing this at any other rival club, it's ridiculous that we are even discussing this.

The guy is incompetent when it comes to transfers, time and time again he's failed to address problem areas, we have the same thing every f*cking summer with this fool and frankly it's shameful we still have to put up with him and perhaps may see him being offered yet another underserved contract.

[Munchies]

It literally is dead right now

No links to any players even

:tumbleweed:

[Munchies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5JvgoO-vxs

Spurs have signed this guy for £18m. Nothing.

Clinical finisher it seems ffs

[Niall_Quinn]

Well we have already landed 3 players IIRC. 2 nobodies and a £33mill player who will make us even more unbearable to watch.

[Özim]

This club is an absolute waste of space when it comes to transfers, as usual it's a massive disappointment so far, just watching other clubs sweep up all the possible targets whilst we put some BS stories out there about players we're interested in.

Nothing ever changes does it and nothing ever will, that much is clear, I think our scouts are on their summer holidays, we already know Wenger is, he was enjoying the Euros and now he'll probably disappear on his yacht until August.

[Özim]

Well we have already landed 3 players IIRC. 2 nobodies and a £33mill player who will make us even more unbearable to watch.

Exciting times :coffee:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

A little concerning...... Sean William Scott looked pretty good....

[Thierrymon]

After making a big signing right at the start of the window I naively thought we might be in for a busy summer. At the moment it seems like we are going to be leaving until the last minute again, feeding off the scraps.

[fakeyank]

After making a big signing right at the start of the window I naively thought we might be in for a busy summer. At the moment it seems like we are going to be leaving until the last minute again, feeding off the scraps.

Did you momentarily forget who our manager is?

[Thierrymon]

Did you momentarily forget who our manager is?

Must have done :crying:

[Özim]

After making a big signing right at the start of the window I naively thought we might be in for a busy summer. At the moment it seems like we are going to be leaving until the last minute again, feeding off the scraps.

Think Wenger was too busy watching the Euros and enjoying himself to be bothered with the small matter of signing players, he also seems to think that just because the transfer window closes at the end of August we should wait until then, ignoring the fact that most players have moved by then and that unless you're lucky clubs won't really want to sell players then unless they have a replacement already as they won't be able to replace them.

Our whole transfer system is flawed, suits us though because we don't really want to spend money, so if we can avoid it all the better.

[Munchies]

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

There is no one available

:doh:

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger wanted two players. Xhaka, because he's the ultimate tippy tappy player, Vardy because he could do a job and the fee was low. He got one, the other one snubbed him because Wenger and Arsenal have been sussed by the top players. Wenger will see a 50% hit rate as success, and on top of that he got a player he has been chasing for a while. So he'll probably be delighted and perplexed at why the fans aren't doing cartwheels. He'll take us into another season with Bif, Walnut and an Alexis who is feeling out every nook and cranny for an escape hatch. Oh and Welbeck who is injured forever. And we have restocked on Far Eastern nobodies too. So all is good. I can't see how the sheer amount of quality we already have can be bettered.

I also think it's worth the risk going into the season with that barge Mertsesacker and Gabriel who didn't take his chance when it was handed to him on a plate. After all, we have Chambers, who Wenger has already destroyed, and other players can be crammed into that role if need be. Can't see what more we need in that department.

Might be worth hunting around for a few more lightweight, midget attacking midfielders though. We are a bit short in that area.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Oh well, as there's no hope of Wenger ever committing the 70 odd million for Higuain it's got to be Lacazette or nothing.

Really hope Janseen flops though I've got a worrying feeling he's going to be the new RVN.

[Kano]

Really hope Janseen flops though I've got a worrying feeling he's going to be the new RVN.
He does look like a bit of cunt tbf, especiialy in that new shirt he'll be wearing.

[Özim]

When Wenger does sign young strikers he goes for players who have barely scored a goal, so Janssen was never going to happen, had Janssen played 45 games and scored 9 goals then maybe he might have been interested.

He seems to be want to be the one who discovers the player, it's an ego thing I think.

So really as mentioned there's just Lacazette left, who we're allegedly not interested in anyway (logical as he'd cost a lot) well their might be others but our scouts are about as useful as a wooden spoon when you need to chop a tree down so that's unlikely.

Sapogo, Quiff and Walnutt it is then oh and Bambi whenever he returns (probably sometime in 2018 for 3 games before he's injured again)

[dostoy]

There is something out there.

I still say Janssen for about 18 million.

We can cross him off the list.

I really hope he turns out to be useless.

[AFC Leveller]

We have agreed terms with Higuain according to the daily star. A better goals corer than Giroud obviously but he does miss his fair share (arguably cost Argentina the world cup 2014, and the last 2 Copas).

[Niall_Quinn]

When Wenger does sign young strikers he goes for players who have barely scored a goal, so Janssen was never going to happen, had Janssen played 45 games and scored 9 goals then maybe he might have been interested.

He seems to be want to be the one who discovers the player, it's an ego thing I think.

So really as mentioned there's just Lacazette left, who we're allegedly not interested in anyway (logical as he'd cost a lot) well their might be others but our scouts are about as useful as a wooden spoon when you need to chop a tree down so that's unlikely.

Sapogo, Quiff and Walnutt it is then oh and Bambi whenever he returns (probably sometime in 2018 for 3 games before he's injured again)

Draxler is a better bet I think. Because we have signed Xhaka it is painfully obvious how Wenger intends to set the team out. So we'll need talented, potentially multi-purpose players in as many positions as possible to counteract the shit drivel that Wenger calls football, and actually rescue some football out of the mess. Draxler has plenty to his game and also has the potential to develop into a world class striker. And the Wenger could claim he converted him and get all the plaudits and keep his myth rolling on for a while longer, so it could work. Meanwhile we'd get a decent player who could make things happen on the pitch. And he'd be decent cover for others when they get injured for a whole season during pre-season. If Draxler's fee is £1 then I think we should go all guns for him.

[Özim]

Only 66.7 million apparently, not going to happen in a month of Sundays, we'll never pay that.

Also says we were trying to include Giroud in the deal but Napoli weren't interested, again now way Wenger would offer Giroud up.

[Özim]

Draxler is a better bet I think. Because we have signed Xhaka it is painfully obvious how Wenger intends to set the team out. So we'll need talented, potentially multi-purpose players in as many positions as possible to counteract the shit drivel that Wenger calls football, and actually rescue some football out of the mess. Draxler has plenty to his game and also has the potential to develop into a world class striker. And the Wenger could claim he converted him and get all the plaudits and keep his myth rolling on for a while longer, so it could work. Meanwhile we'd get a decent player who could make things happen on the pitch. And he'd be decent cover for others when they get injured for a whole season during pre-season. If Draxler's fee is £1 then I think we should go all guns for him.

I'm on the fence with Draxler, on the one hand he looks very talented, but on the other hand he isn't a striker so once again we'll be trying to put square pegs in round holes.

[Gooner23]

I'd love Draxler, but to play as a wide forward. We need a striker as well. Higuin is just a lazy attempt by the media to churn up an old rumour again.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm on the fence with Draxler, on the one hand he looks very talented, but on the other hand he isn't a striker so once again we'll be trying to put square pegs in round holes.

RvC wasn't a striker either, until he became one of the best in the business. And I see a lot of similarities, excluding the cuntishness hopefully.

[dostoy]

What about Milik from Ajax, although he's a Man Utd fan apparently ?

[Kano]

What about Milik from Ajax, although he's a Man Utd fan apparently ?
Did you see him play during the Euros?

Then again, he'll probably fit right in.

[selassie]

Oh well, as there's no hope of Wenger ever committing the 70 odd million for Higuain it's got to be Lacazette or nothing.

Really hope Janseen flops though I've got a worrying feeling he's going to be the new RVN.

I agree regarding Higuain, will never happen. I don't think we'll go for Lacazette either, Wenger won't pay upwards of 40million for him especially as his stock is really low at the moment.

[selassie]

I'm on the fence with Draxler, on the one hand he looks very talented, but on the other hand he isn't a striker so once again we'll be trying to put square pegs in round holes.

I doubt we'll sign Draxler, he went for a reasonable fee last summer, 25mill...that was our chance to secure him. Wolfsburg will demand huge money for him now so that basically rules us out.

[AFC Leveller]

Draxler didnt impress me at all during the euros, look a bit weak.

[selassie]

Draxler didnt impress me at all during the euros, look a bit weak.

Yeah he's definitely a project, I think he's a talented player but as Zim I think said, "a square peg in a round hole" type solution. If we're going to spend 50million which we won't! We should spend it on a Striker, not some talented conversion job.

[dostoy]

Did you see him play during the Euros?

Then again, he'll probably fit right in.

I saw him and he looked quite good.

I would rather have him than not as there is no chance of signing Lacazette, Higuain, Aubaymeyang, Benzema etc.

[Kano]

I saw him and he looked quite good.

I would rather have him than not as there is no chance of signing Lacazette, Higuain, Aubaymeyang, Benzema etc.

I'd rather pass thanks, we've got Sanogo, who can also do that.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8OjwctBR0k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VgrxRtR9E0

[dostoy]

Every striker does that sometimes.

It won't happen anyway, nothing will.

[selassie]

Slight off topic but............related to our striker search :rolleyes:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-news-chuba-akpom-start-season-only-fit-striker-olivier-giroud-time-off-alexis-sanchez-a7132756.html

[Power n Glory]

Every striker does that sometimes.

It won't happen anyway, nothing will.

We can't have that guy here. Why have you picked him out? He was a shambles at the Euros. What's he like at club level?

[Özim]

I'd forgotten about Chupa Chup. Apparently we'll need him in August because we have no strikers.

This is some sort of joke isn't it, a top PL club with barely a striker at the start of the season, totally ridiculous and just highlights the sheer incompetence of the man in charge.

Quiff will be recovering from the Euros and Bambi is out for god knows how long, that leaves Walnutt and Chupa who has never scored a goal for us, give me strength, you couldn't make this up.

[selassie]

I'd forgotten about Chupa Chup. Apparently we'll need him in August because we have no strikers.

This is some sort of joke isn't it, a top PL club with barely a striker at the start of the season, totally ridiculous and just highlights the sheer incompetence of the man in charge.

Quiff will be recovering from the Euros and Bambi is out for god knows how long, that leaves Walnutt and Chupa who has never scored a goal for us, give me strength, you couldn't make this up.

Yep, it's tragic Zim. You know the sad thing is that this story is more believable than us being linked to buying a quality striker.

Wenger has form for this, many times he has left us totally short in positions going into the season so I'm pretty much resigned to the fact he won't buy a striker or at least not one that will upgrade our team.

[AFC Leveller]

Been supporting the Arsenal for 20 years + and can honestly say this is the first time i haven't missed the football/club/next season to start during the summer. I honestly see nothing to get excited about.

Man ure, City, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Spuds have signed top quality players/managers while our manager is in France doing punditry. This season should be his last, i really hope so anyway.

[Özim]

Yeah he's definitely a project, I think he's a talented player but as Zim I think said, "a square peg in a round hole" type solution. If we're going to spend 50million which we won't! We should spend it on a Striker, not some talented conversion job.

I wouldn't mind Draxler here, but for me he'd be in addition to a striker and then maybe we could get rid of a midfielder or two instead. But he'll cost too much I think anyway, as I said before if we wanted him we should have signed him when he was going cut price last summer, we didn't and now that boat has sailed.

I've not interested in us signing him as a striker though, he's unproven there, would take time to get use to it, he's a long way from that IMO, he's not really scoring with any regularity so it would take him years to become a striker, if he's even able to play that role.

[Özim]

Yep, it's tragic Zim. You know the sad thing is that this story is more believable than us being linked to buying a quality striker.

Wenger has form for this, many times he has left us totally short in positions going into the season so I'm pretty much resigned to the fact he won't buy a striker or at least not one that will upgrade our team.

If he didn't do anything of note it would be the norm, so noone would be surprised, we're only ever surprised when he does sign someone decent.

[Özim]

Been supporting the Arsenal for 20 years + and can honestly say this is the first time i haven't missed the football/club/next season to start during the summer. I honestly see nothing to get excited about.

Man ure, City, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Spuds have signed top quality players/managers while our manager is in France doing punditry. This season should be his last, i really hope so anyway.

I doubt it will be his last, there's been talk floating around of a new contract, the discontent has died down now and there was talk of the England job, he'll get a new contract, I'm pretty sure of it, he's like a bad smell.

[Özim]

RvC wasn't a striker either, until he became one of the best in the business. And I see a lot of similarities, excluding the cuntishness hopefully.

He was much younger when we signed him to be fair, but Wenger loves pet projects, doesn't like to just buy players and play them in their intended positions, that would be too easy of course, plus his ego wouldn't allow it as he wouldn't get enough credit for just doing that.

I'm done with signing players and moving them to a different position, now bear with me, I know this is a bit way out there and everything......but why not sign someone and play them in the position they are use to playing in, just an idea.

[Marc Overmars]

Unless Wenger is planning something left field I reckon we're heading for another opening day shit show I'm afraid. Giroud, Kos, Ozil, Ramsey, Alexis...they won't be fit.

We're probably rooting around the bins again waiting for the scraps of the top clubs to be thrown out.

[Munchies]

Unless Wenger is planning something left field I reckon we're heading for another opening day shit show I'm afraid. Giroud, Kos, Ozil, Ramsey, Alexis...they won't be fit.

We're probably rooting around the bins again waiting for the scraps of the top clubs to be thrown out.

~30 days before new season

13 days before the squad go on the US tour

FFS

[Chippy]

~30 days before new season

13 days before the squad go on the US tour

FFS
Don't forget our new signing Asano can play there!!

[Gooner23]

I'm resigned to next season being a write off, very little chance of Wenger competing against the likes of Pep and a motivated again Jose. Just hoping he will leave with dignity next summer, and the damage done will be repairable. Unfortunately Alexis and or Ozil will most likely leave, but our set up should be enough to attract players still.

Would still like some better players this summer though. And maybe even some better football to watch as well. I'll get behind the team regardless, but won't be avidly following as I have previously.

[Özim]

Let's be honest, that season where we received a record amount of thrashings didn't move him on, so clearly nothing will, we were literally repeatedly humiliated in that season and not a peep from anyone at the club, there's just no pride at the club anymore.

He's clearly more interested in watching the Euros than doing his job, it's laughable to say he lives and breathes the club, he just enjoys the easy life he's got.

[Niall_Quinn]

Slight off topic but............related to our striker search :rolleyes:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/arsenal-news-chuba-akpom-start-season-only-fit-striker-olivier-giroud-time-off-alexis-sanchez-a7132756.html

:haha:

You have to hand it to WUMger though. When he WUMs, he doesn't mess around.

Criticised for leaving the team short?

No problem - let's give them no strikers at all!

Give the bloke a 3 year deal, just for the nerve and the comedy value.

[Niall_Quinn]

~30 days before new season

13 days before the squad go on the US tour

FFS

Yeah, but the US tour will be big money and it'll make Stan look good. So silver lining. We have to stop banging on about football and remember what the point of this club is.

[Niall_Quinn]

He was much younger when we signed him to be fair, but Wenger loves pet projects, doesn't like to just buy players and play them in their intended positions, that would be too easy of course, plus his ego wouldn't allow it as he wouldn't get enough credit for just doing that.

I'm done with signing players and moving them to a different position, now bear with me, I know this is a bit way out there and everything......but why not sign someone and play them in the position they are use to playing in, just an idea.

Because Wenger won't leave, that's why.

[fakeyank]

Been supporting the Arsenal for 20 years + and can honestly say this is the first time i haven't missed the football/club/next season to start during the summer. I honestly see nothing to get excited about.

Man ure, City, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Spuds have signed top quality players/managers while our manager is in France doing punditry. This season should be his last, i really hope so anyway.

:gp:

Hopefully the fans show this out in match attendances. Unfortunately till there are bums on the seats, Lord Wenger will still be here selling his 'achievements'.

[Niall_Quinn]

:gp:

Hopefully the fans show this out in match attendances. Unfortunately till there are bums on the seats, Lord Wenger will still be here selling his 'achievements'.

Nah, we'll splash some cash at the last minute on a player nobody is sure about. Then Theo will come out and tell us how this is going to be the year. Everyone will settle down and around we go again. Some people will fall off, most will remain. And then Wenger gets his contract and we do it all again for 3 more years. Might win a cup, might challenge into August for a title, might get to the quarters of the CL if we don't come up against mighty Monaco or some other powerhouse. Football will be tip tap all the way. Ozil and Alexis will eventually find an escape route and scarper. Barca will buy Bellerin for a knock down fee. Wenger will take out an ad in the papers calling Bergy a massive cunt. We'll almost sign Messi in a couple of interviews...

On rails.

[alexander]

The annoying thing is we are not asking for the world! All we want is 2-3 decent signings, in the positions every man and his dog can see we are short in. Im not wanting him to buy 3 £60mil players, just some decent quality.

It will lift the whole club to get these players in, put us all in a positive mood (for a little while anyway, until it all goes to shit again)

[Munchies]

The annoying thing is we are not asking for the world! All we want is 2-3 decent signings, in the positions every man and his dog can see we are short in. Im not wanting him to buy 3 £60mil players, just some decent quality.

It will lift the whole club to get these players in, put us all in a positive mood (for a little while anyway, until it all goes to shit again)

Exactly

Signings give a lift and introduce competition again

That Spurs striker would've been perfect

[Munchies]

@AFCAMDEN
Per Mertesacker set to be named club captain
https://twitter.com/AFCAMDEN/status/752962847961939968

Fuck off!!

Guy is a fucking liability

[GP]

You're a fucking liability.

[Munchies]

You're a fucking liability.

Go suck wenger's c0k

[GP]

You're a fucking liability.

[Munchies]

The club is finished

Enjoy next season


Wenger - just leave. Please. F'n leave.

[Niall_Quinn]

@AFCAMDEN
Per Mertesacker set to be named club captain
https://twitter.com/AFCAMDEN/status/752962847961939968

Fuck off!!

Guy is a fucking liability

Maybe this means we're getting rid of him. Wenger never understood what a captain is. There's no room on his ship for anyone who isn't hauling three bags full sir. This season is going to be toxic. We haven't even started yet and Wenger is making all the same dumb moves. Even after a decade of pure gash he still thinks he's right and absolutely refuses to budge an inch. He's by far the weakest link at the club.

[Ralpheroo72]

Club is Arsene FC, what he says goes, and all the cigar smoking fucks on the board just watch the cash come rolling in. We are signing no one else, there are players around, there is record money in the game, and we are sat on our hands..AGAIN. This could be any pre-season for the last 10 fucking years.

[Gooner23]

I like Merts but the captain should be one of the first names on the teamsheet. If we want to progress we need an upgrade at CB, sounds like that wont be happening then.

[Marc Overmars]

With Arteta on the scrap heap Merts took over the captaincy ages ago anyway.

[Power n Glory]

No problem with Merts as captain. He's vice captain so it's expected.

[Gooner23]

I think Cech would have been a better choice.

[Kano]

You're a fucking liability.

:haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

With Arteta on the scrap heap Merts took over the captaincy ages ago anyway.

Sounds like he's the ultimate yes man too. Collects fines for the boss and hunts down the back of the sofa in case players drop the odd £10K by accident. Very efficient lapdog by all accounts. Shit player, but you can't have everything.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think Cech would have been a better choice.

Of course he should, it's a cert. Best professional in our squad by a country mile. But I get the feeling he might have his own mind, so in some ways entirely unsuitable.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Club is Arsene FC, what he says goes, and all the cigar smoking fucks on the board just watch the cash come rolling in. We are signing no one else, there are players around, there is record money in the game, and we are sat on our hands..AGAIN. This could be any pre-season for the last 10 fucking years.

You can't smoke cigars at Board Meetings.

[Xhaka Can’t]

You're a fucking liability.

You're off the force Bobrovsky!

[Ralpheroo72]

You can't smoke cigars at Board Meetings.

You can at the Emirates. No one would ever know anyway, as the place is a virtual closed shop.

[Marc Overmars]

Kante linked with a £30m move to Chelsea. Some rags saying a deal has been agreed.

[Munchies]

Kante linked with a £30m move to Chelsea. Some rags saying a deal has been agreed.

Would be as big as Makelele for them

FFS :doh: :doh: :doh:

Arsenal :rose:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

to be fair how many central midfielders do we need?

[GP]

Absolutely don't need Kante.

[Power n Glory]

We just signed Xhaka.

[Özim]

I'd get rid of Wilshere, Gibbs, Walcott, Jenkinson, Coquelin, Sanogo, Mertersacker that's on top of Arteta and Rosicky leaving.

We're then saving loads on wages and can bring in a few more new faces.

Then I'd bring in Lacazette, Draxler in (Cazorla is getting on as well and isn't going to be around too much longer), Varane (try my luck with him), Mahrez and some full back from somewhere.

Will never happen of course, but we can dream.

Too much deadwood in this squad, but isn't there always and we never get rid of replace them, it's not that hard to improve this team, you just need a proactive approach, trouble is we're only intestest in saving money and keeping hold of crocks and underperformers becaue of Wengers' pipedreams that they will come good.

[Özim]

Not in the least bit excited about the new season to be honest, pretty much the same squad so far other than Xhaka (I'm not really that excited about him based on what I've seen, sure he'll be a decent DM, but not really a player to get you out of your seat) and some Japanese kid noone has ever heard about, cares about and probably will ever hear anything about.

Disappointing doesn't start to describe the summer so far.