Summer Transfer Misery 2017/18

[Letters]

No, we've underspent, but what we have spent we've waste on rubbish.

Our net spend has been the 3rd highest over the last 5 seasons

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier-league-last-five-seasons/transfer-league-tables/premier-league-table-last-five-seasons

[Niall_Quinn]

It's been in pretty much every paper and news source, I picked a broadsheet to demonstrate this is not simply red-top tittle tattle. It's been widely reported.
What evidence do you have for thinking the story false?

So we bid 87mill when another bid of 100mill had already been rejected. Anyone can do that without risk. If I see a guy buying a Rolls Royce and rush in and offer to pay 50K less, does that make me a big spender or a fantasist? The whole Mbappe thing is beyond ridiculous. We're fucking around again instead of identifying realistic targets and getting the deals done. We haven't even sat down with Alexis and Ozil yet. We're ignoring Ox. And we're putting out stupid sob stories about wage regulations as a huge come-and-get-me flag for Barca and Bellerin. In other words, we're fucking it up. Again. We'll go into the next season unprepared, as usual.

[Niall_Quinn]

Our net spend has been the 3rd highest over the last 5 seasons

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier-league-last-five-seasons/transfer-league-tables/premier-league-table-last-five-seasons

Yes, Operation Desperation. We had no choice but to patch the ship for fear it would sink faster. It must have burned their souls to waste so much cash on silly old football related stuff. Fortunately it all came out of extra TV revenues so never fear, they still have their millions stashed.

[Letters]

Well, whether it was a sensible or realistic bid is a different argument, but Zim was questioning whether it happened at all when it clearly did.
I'm not sure what other bids have happened and the order of events.

[Letters]

Yes, Operation Desperation. We had no choice but to patch the ship for fear it would sink faster. It must have burned their souls to waste so much cash on silly old football related stuff. Fortunately it all came out of extra TV revenues so never fear, they still have their millions stashed.

Again, fine but a different argument from Zim's which is that we haven't spent enough. I do agree with him partially in that we have wasted a lot of money.

[Özim]

It's been in pretty much every paper and news source, I picked a broadsheet to demonstrate this is not simply red-top tittle tattle. It's been widely reported.
What evidence do you have for thinking the story false?

No official sources have confirmed it (either club), papers will tend to re-hash information form other places to fill their pages, this article actually says according to the telegraph which is what you posted a link for:

http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/02/monaco-reject-87-million-arsenal-bid-for-kylian-mbappe-6679367/

Looks like nonsense to me.

[Power n Glory]

Our net spend has been the 3rd highest over the last 5 seasons

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier-league-last-five-seasons/transfer-league-tables/premier-league-table-last-five-seasons

We've overspent on players like Xhaka(£35m), Mustafi (£35m) and Chambers (17m) but haven't spent enough on bringing in a top class striker. The striker position is the one position where you're unlikely to unearth some hidden talent on the cheap. You need to sp

We've probably spent around £40m on strikers in total anyway. Welbeck and Perez cost around £20m each, we wasted around £4m for that Japanese kid. Factor in the wages we’ve blown….we should have just coughed up the asking price for Lacazette years ago. We’ve spent £40 to £50m on garbage and it’s cost us over the years and prices have kept on going up.

[Özim]

Our net spend has been the 3rd highest over the last 5 seasons

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premier-league-last-five-seasons/transfer-league-tables/premier-league-table-last-five-seasons

In the last 10-12 years we've underspent, maybe it's been better in the last few seasons, but it's largely been wasted on rubbish to be honest, last summer was a shamble with us overpaying for players who aren't good enough and aren't worth half that, Mustafi for example we had to overpay for because we left he deal so late and Perez was just a panic buy to try and keep fans happy.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well, whether it was a sensible or realistic bid is a different argument, but Zim was questioning whether it happened at all when it clearly did.
I'm not sure what other bids have happened and the order of events.

Point is, it makes no difference whether it happened or not. It was an entirely irrelevant bid. Typical Wenger. How much is this Mars bar? A pound. I'll give you 50p. If we have 87mill to spend, then why not put in a big bid for Aubergine? Get him here, get him integrated, get him and the team ready for pre-season.

[Özim]

We've overspent on players like Xhaka(£35m), Mustafi (£35m) and Chambers (17m) but haven't spent enough on bringing in a top class striker. The striker position is the one position where you're unlikely to unearth some hidden talent on the cheap. You need to sp

We've probably spent around £40m on strikers in total anyway. Welbeck and Perez cost around £20m each, we wasted around £4m for that Japanese kid. Factor in the wages we’ve blown….we should have just coughed up the asking price for Lacazette years ago. We’ve spent £40 to £50m on garbage and it’s cost us over the years and prices have kept on going up.

Spot on, in the past we hardly spent, in the last few seasons we have, but in an attempt to not buy quality we've spent on 2nd tier players and ironically massively overpaid!

We could have spent that money on maybe buying less players but better ones.

[Niall_Quinn]

We've overspent on players like Xhaka(£35m), Mustafi (£35m) and Chambers (17m) but haven't spent enough on bringing in a top class striker. The striker position is the one position where you're unlikely to unearth some hidden talent on the cheap. You need to sp

We've probably spent around £40m on strikers in total anyway. Welbeck and Perez cost around £20m each, we wasted around £4m for that Japanese kid. Factor in the wages we’ve blown….we should have just coughed up the asking price for Lacazette years ago. We’ve spent £40 to £50m on garbage and it’s cost us over the years and prices have kept on going up.

Look on the bright side. Soon Wenger will be able to go back to claiming we don't have the money to compete.

[Letters]

No official sources have confirmed it (either club), papers will tend to re-hash information form other places to fill their pages, this article actually says according to the telegraph which is what you posted a link for:

http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/02/monaco-reject-87-million-arsenal-bid-for-kylian-mbappe-6679367/

Looks like nonsense to me.

Cognitive dissonance :bow:

[Özim]

Point is, it makes no difference whether it happened or not. It was an entirely irrelevant bid. Typical Wenger. How much is this Mars bar? A pound. I'll give you 50p. If we have 87mill to spend, then why not put in a big bid for Aubergine? Get him here, get him integrated, get him and the team ready for pre-season.


Reason is because if we did bid the money Dortmund want we'd then have to sign him and stump up, or find some other reason not to sign him. The club doesn't want to spend big money, it wants to buy 2nd tier players for smaller amounts, it doesn't care about competing, only about the balance sheet.

[Letters]

In the last 10-12 years we've underspent, maybe it's been better in the last few seasons, but it's largely been wasted on rubbish to be honest, last summer was a shamble with us overpaying for players who aren't good enough and aren't worth half that, Mustafi for example we had to overpay for because we left he deal so late and Perez was just a panic buy to try and keep fans happy.

Some of that time our spending was affected by the new stadium though - David Dein has backed that up in interviews.
Since the new sponsorship deals there has been a clear change in our spending, but I do agree some of the spending has been in the wrong places.

[Özim]

Some of that time our spending was affected by the new stadium though - David Dein has backed that up in interviews.
Since the new sponsorship deals there has been a clear change in our spending, but I do agree some of the spending has been in the wrong places.

What's clear to me is that this club penny pinches, instead of going out and signing genuine quality for decent money it goes out and signs 2nd tier players for less but overall the cost of those 2-3 players would have been enough to sign that top quality player, it's a false economy.

I honestly don't know if it's because Wenger doesn't want to buy star players or because of pure stupidity.

[Letters]

Aren't Ozil and Sanchez star players?

[Özim]

Aren't Ozil and Sanchez star players?

Ozil was a panic buy, no doubt about it in my mind, the club were under a lot of pressure and went all out (very out of character), a bit like the summer when we signed about 5 players at the end of the transfer window (most of them rubbish).

With Sanchez, Wenger probably saw him as a bit of a project after his not overly successful spell at Barca where he wasn't a starter, he certainly wasn't at the peak of his powers and wasn't a player who had just had a great season.

Even if those two are, they are the exception rather than the rule, 2 players in 12 years after losing countless of our best players at the peak of their powers.

[Power n Glory]

Ozil was a panic buy, no doubt about it in my mind, the club were under a lot of pressure and went all out (very out of character), a bit like the summer when we signed about 5 players at the end of the transfer window (most of them rubbish).

With Sanchez, Wenger probably saw him as a bit of a project after his not overly successful spell at Barca where he wasn't a starter, he certainly wasn't at the peak of his powers and wasn't a player who had just had a great season.

Even if those two are, they are the exception rather than the rule, 2 players in 12 years after losing countless of our best players at the peak of their powers.

With Ozil, we spent all summer chasing Higuain and then Suarez, ended up with neither, still needed a striker but sign an attacking midfielder we didn’t need. It signing that didn’t solve the goal problem. A Star player but a wasted opportunity.

[Letters]

Even if those two are, they are the exception rather than the rule, 2 players in 12 years after losing countless of our best players at the peak of their powers.
But it's not 2 in 12 years, it's 2 in 2 or 3 years (was it 2? Can't remember if we signed them in consecutive seasons, I think we did).
For most of those 12 years our spending was restricted by the stadium move, as I said Dein has backed that up. Since the new sponsorship deals were sorted out there has been a clear change in our spending.

[Letters]

With Ozil, we spent all summer chasing Higuain and then Suarez, ended up with neither, still needed a striker but sign an attacking midfielder we didn’t need. It signing that didn’t solve the goal problem. A Star player but a wasted opportunity.

Do we need him? :sulk:

[Power n Glory]

Do we need him? :sulk:

Considering the seasons Suarez and Higuain had that year and how our lack of goals killed our title run…you tell me? We set up to sign a star striker that year, we failed and still haven’t signed the striker that we were searching for back in 2013.

[Letters]

Considering the seasons Suarez and Higuain had that year and how our lack of goals killed our title run…you tell me? We set up to sign a star striker that year, we failed and still haven’t signed the striker that we were searching for back in 2013.
Well yes, we do. But we need a top striker as well, not instead of.

[Marc Overmars]

We've spent a lot in recent years, with the exception of 2015 where we inexplicably only signed Cech.

I don't think there is a reluctance to spend in general anymore, probably more of a reluctance to compete with the biggest clubs because they can outspend us. For us to make a top signing, all the stars have to align. Ozil was sold last minute to fund the Bale transfer and Sanchez was out of favour with only Liverpool for us to compete with.

[Power n Glory]

Well yes, we do. But we need a top striker as well, not instead of.

Back in 2013 not a single soul here said we needed an attacking midfielder. We had so many options for that position we were playing Jack, Ramsey, Rosicky or Santi wide just to give them game time which had the knock on effect of making our wing play much weaker. It was great to see us spend that sort of money on a star player but it wasn't what we needed.

[Letters]

Back in 2013 not a single soul here said we needed an attacking midfielder. We had so many options for that position we were playing Jack, Ramsey, Rosicky or Santi wide just to give them game time which had the knock on effect of making our wing play much weaker. It was great to see us spend that sort of money on a star player but it wasn't what we needed.

Players like Ozil and Sanchez can win you a league, with the right supporting cast. So we absolutely do need players who are at that level, but we haven't had a really top striker since RvP.
And we probably need a new manager too.

[Özim]

We've spent a lot in recent years, with the exception of 2015 where we inexplicably only signed Cech.

I don't think there is a reluctance to spend in general anymore, probably more of a reluctance to compete with the biggest clubs because they can outspend us. For us to make a top signing, all the stars have to align. Ozil was sold last minute to fund the Bale transfer and Sanchez was out of favour with only Liverpool for us to compete with.

I'm not too sure, if a player has a price you either pay it or don't, we know the price for Lacazette, we knew for Higuain and Suarez (or had an idea), we weren't competing we just didn't want to stump up, we seem to want to buy players for under the market value and seem to go after players who realistically are unattainable for us, either they've said they're staying at a particular club or are courted by the likes of Barca/Real.

Ozil was a last minute panic buy after a disastrous window, Sanchez like you say we only competed with Liverpool over and they had no CL and the price wasn't extortionate.

Seems to me we'll buy players up to a certain price but when it comes to the best players who come with a premium, we won't pay the rate the market dictates and just sit there in the hope the selling club will lower it's demands until someone else snaps up the player.

Last summer was another joke, pretty much every summer is a joke at this club, we never seem to have a plan in place, never get what we need in early and never really get the players we need.

From what I can see our buys are opportunist buys rather than thought about planned transfers in a lot of cases.

[Özim]

Players like Ozil and Sanchez can win you a league, with the right supporting cast. So we absolutely do need players who are at that level, but we haven't had a really top striker since RvP.
And we probably need a new manager too.

I think the point he was making was that we didn't need a player in that position particularly at that time, we needed a striker desperately and ended up signing a player in a position that we weren't really looking to fill. Pretty poor show to be honest, if you go out and need a new washing machine you don't come back with a dishwasher instead.

[Power n Glory]

Players like Ozil and Sanchez can win you a league, with the right supporting cast. So we absolutely do need players who are at that level, but we haven't had a really top striker since RvP.
And we probably need a new manager too.

What's the right sort of supporting cast? Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema, Higuain, Di Maria, Xabi Alonso, Khederia, Pepe, Ramos, Macelo....?

Ozil is great support player but if he's not around the right sort of players it effects his performance. A player like RVP, Suarez or Ronaldo...regardless of who they were playing with they'd find a way to score goals.

[Letters]

A player like RVP, Suarez or Ronaldo...regardless of who they were playing with they'd find a way to score goals.
Of course, but a player who has consistently good assist stats will obviously help them score more. Ozil creates lots of goal scoring opportunities, with the right people on the end of them more of them would become goals.

[Niall_Quinn]

...Barcelona have courted the help of their midfielder Denis Suarez, who is currently playing with Bellerin in Poland. Speaking to local radio, he admitted he would love to see the Arsenal star return to Catalonia.

'The people want the best at Barcelona and I hope Bellerin can come,' Suarez told Radio Marca. 'The players of a top level are welcome.'

Barca tapping up a player under contract again. Xhaka will probably be fined for that.

[selassie]

We've overspent on players like Xhaka(£35m), Mustafi (£35m) and Chambers (17m) but haven't spent enough on bringing in a top class striker. The striker position is the one position where you're unlikely to unearth some hidden talent on the cheap. You need to sp

We've probably spent around £40m on strikers in total anyway. Welbeck and Perez cost around £20m each, we wasted around £4m for that Japanese kid. Factor in the wages we’ve blown….we should have just coughed up the asking price for Lacazette years ago. We’ve spent £40 to £50m on garbage and it’s cost us over the years and prices have kept on going up.

:gp:

Yep, nail on head. Wenger has mismanaged pretty much every window for the past 5 or 6 seasons.

[fakeyank]

Kallstrom was a good buy though.

[Niall_Quinn]

:gp:

Yep, nail on head. Wenger has mismanaged pretty much every window for the past 5 or 6 seasons.

Who knows? He may even mismanage this one too.

[Özim]

Barca tapping up a player under contract again. Xhaka will probably be fined for that.

No chance, things hae changed now, Gazidis/Wenger and co have seen the light and big changes are taking place, look at the changes in our backroom staff at long last......oh wait :unsure:

[Power n Glory]

Of course, but a player who has consistently good assist stats will obviously help them score more. Ozil creates lots of goal scoring opportunities, with the right people on the end of them more of them would become goals.

Has he helped Giroud score more goals? We were looking for a striker at the beginning of the season to score more goals. Did Ozil’s arrival solve that problem and to the extent where we say feel we’ve solved that problem?

It’s good bit of business but it hasn’t addressed a key area that’s needed addressing. If purchasing Ozil could turn a 15 goal a season striker into a 25+ goal striker, then great. But that hasn’t been the case. We still have to buy a striker and I have no idea why it’s taking so long to invest some serious money in this area.

[Letters]

Has he helped Giroud score more goals?
Well, Giroud's goals/minutes ratio was better than anyone bar Kane last season so I guess you'd have to say yes. I don't know how many of those were assisted by Ozil.
But Giroud, as much as I like him and feel he gets an unnecessary amount of stick from Arsenal fans, isn't at the level who will win you a title.
Get a striker in who can and we will challenge. Well, maybe we won't under Wenger but we will have a squad who can - I think we pretty much already do.

[Power n Glory]

I think the point he was making was that we didn't need a player in that position particularly at that time, we needed a striker desperately and ended up signing a player in a position that we weren't really looking to fill. Pretty poor show to be honest, if you go out and need a new washing machine you don't come back with a dishwasher instead.

Exactly. It’s a good bit of business if you find an upgrade for a good price but you still have to find space for the new model. We didn’t have a clue. Piss poor planning.

[Power n Glory]

Well, Giroud's goals/minutes ratio was better than anyone bar Kane last season so I guess you'd have to say yes. I don't know how many of those were assisted by Ozil.
But Giroud, as much as I like him and feel he gets an unnecessary amount of stick from Arsenal fans, isn't at the level who will win you a title.
Get a striker in who can and we will challenge. Well, maybe we won't under Wenger but we will have a squad who can - I think we pretty much already do.

So 16 goals is enough to win the league?

I'm not even talking about last season either. Has there been a significant improvement to Giroud goal tally since Ozil arrived?

[selassie]

Who knows? He may even mismanage this one too.

We're in the waiting period...judge him at the end of the window. :coffee:

[Letters]

So 16 goals is enough to win the league?
I honestly don't know how you got that from "Giroud isn't at the level who will win you a title.
And there was only one season when Giroud was at Arsenal and Ozil wasn't so I'm not sure how sensible comparing that one season with the others is.
EDIT (Although yes, his stats are better in the other seasons than the one without Ozil.)

[Letters]

judge him at the end of the window. :coffee:
No. Judge him when you like. Judge the window at the end.

[selassie]

No. Judge him when you like. Judge the window at the end.

I knew you would bite. :lol:

[Letters]

It says a lot about this place that the idea of judging how a game/season/transfer window at the end, not the beginning or even half way through is thought worthy of ridicule :lol:
Logic :rose:

[Power n Glory]

I honestly don't know how you got that from "Giroud isn't at the level who will win you a title.
And there was only one season when Giroud was at Arsenal and Ozil wasn't so I'm not sure how sensible comparing that one season with the others is.
EDIT (Although yes, his stats are better in the other seasons than the one without Ozil.)

So why are you tap dancing around the issue by talking about last seasons goal ratio? We didn't need Ozil in 2013 and now that we have him, we still haven't bought a player to help get the best out of Ozil or Giroud. The overall point relates back to poor planning in the summer.

[Letters]

So why are you tap dancing around the issue by talking about last seasons goal ratio?
It was in response to your direct question :shrug:

But the more general point is we need to get a player who can compliment Ozil's strengths, not get rid of Ozil. Getting rid of a player of that quality would be a backwards step.

[selassie]

It says a lot about this place that the idea of judging how a game/season/transfer window at the end, not the beginning or even half way through is thought worthy of ridicule :lol:
Logic :rose:

Yeah let's just forget about the last 10 seasons, reset everything....I mean if something happens 10 times we can just forget about it right and not put it down to a pattern of how we do or don't do things correctly?

[Letters]

Yeah let's just forget about the last 10 seasons, reset everything....I mean if something happens 10 times we can just forget about it right and not put it down to a pattern of how we do or don't do things correctly?

I literally have no idea how that is a response to my post :lol:
When do you judge how a game has gone?

[Power n Glory]

It was in response to your direct question :shrug:

But the more general point is we need to get a player who can compliment Ozil's strengths, not get rid of Ozil. Getting rid of a player of that quality would be a backwards step.

Goal ratio isn't more goals. Giroud has yet to equal the amount of goals he's scored in France.

I'm not even talking about getting rid of Ozil. This is about the 2013 transfer window specifically.

[Letters]

Goal ratio isn't more goals.
It isn't, but it's only fair to take into account the fact he wasn't always first choice last season and still scored a good number of goals when he played.
I've no idea what we're arguing about, I don't care what happened in 2013, we've been needing a really top striker for years, I don't think anyone would argue with that.

[fakeyank]

Is Mbappe here yet?

[Power n Glory]

It isn't, but it's only fair to take into account the fact he wasn't always first choice last season and still scored a good number of goals when he played.
I've no idea what we're arguing about, I don't care what happened in 2013, we've been needing a really top striker for years, I don't think anyone would argue with that.


I'm not even talking about getting rid of Ozil. This is about the 2013 transfer window specifically.

You're being a dick. Put stuff in their proper context and we'll be able to have a proper conversation. If you can't follow how this is about transfer windows and how we mismanaged the 2013 window despite making a record signing for a star player than I can't help you. We're going back to 2013 because we've been looking for a striker for far too long.

[Niall_Quinn]

Well, Giroud's goals/minutes ratio was better than anyone bar Kane last season so I guess you'd have to say yes. I don't know how many of those were assisted by Ozil.
But Giroud, as much as I like him and feel he gets an unnecessary amount of stick from Arsenal fans, isn't at the level who will win you a title.
Get a striker in who can and we will challenge. Well, maybe we won't under Wenger but we will have a squad who can - I think we pretty much already do.

It's Wenger's fault Giroud gets stick from the fans. Wenger insists on challenging for titles with second rate players. As we saw, Wenger doesn't have the guts to go out on the pitch during the bad times. So the players take the stick.

[Power n Glory]

It's Wenger's fault Giroud gets stick from the fans. Wenger insists on challenging for titles with second rate players. As we saw, Wenger doesn't have the guts to go out on the pitch during the bad times. So the players take the stick.

Of course. Giroud isn’t a bad striker. Wenger just hasn’t got a plan. We can make use of Giroud’s strength if crossed the ball more and paired him with a striker. If the striker we require is too expensive and he’s reluctant to spend the money then he has to adopt a system that gets the best out of all of players. Instead, Wenger has stuck with the same and just hoped something clicks with these guys mentally instead of making a tactical change to help them.

[Niall_Quinn]

Of course. Giroud isn’t a bad striker. Wenger just hasn’t got a plan. We can make use of Giroud’s strength if crossed the ball more and paired him with a striker. If the striker we require is too expensive and he’s reluctant to spend the money then he has to adopt a system that gets the best out of all of players. Instead, Wenger has stuck with the same and just hoped something clicks with these guys mentally instead of making a tactical change to help them.

I guess with all his other roles he's just too busy to pay much attention to the football thingie. Those constant phone calls talking dirty to Stan must eat up a lot of the time.

[Letters]

I guess with all his other roles he's just too busy to pay much attention to the football thingie. Those constant phone calls talking dirty to Stan must eat up a lot of the time.

"Would you like me to penetrate the Asian market? It'll make your share price rock solid. Get a load of those dividends"

And so on.

[rodders]

As usual Arsenal and Arsene continue to fiddle whilst potential targets opt for others and existing players are anxious to join other clubs with more ambition

[selassie]

I literally have no idea how that is a response to my post :lol:
When do you judge how a game has gone?

I assumed your post was a response to my post?

Judge how a game has gone? My post was aimed more at our inability in the market to complete deals or even shop around for players in positions we need to strengthen given our past history.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Is Mbappe here yet?

Almost signed.

Again.

[Niall_Quinn]

Almost signed.

Again.

Wenger was in his house, according to French police.

[Letters]

I assumed your post was a response to my post?

Judge how a game has gone? My post was aimed more at our inability in the market to complete deals or even shop around for players in positions we need to strengthen given our past history.

Well, no-one is disputing that. But ultimately we'll only know how this window has gone at the end. Not exactly going brilliantly so far.

[Özim]

People should be questioning Arsene really, asking him stuff like

Did you have a plan in place for who you wanted to sign, if so why aren't they signed up yet?
Will the signings be made before the season starts rather than scrambling for panic signings several weeks into the season?
Why after such a poor season has there been no changes are Arsenal, is the club happy to have come 5th?
Why do you struggle to sign players every transfer window when most other clubs seems to identify and sign their targets without too much fuss?
Why did you allow Sanchez and Ozil to run down their contracts?
Why have you not signed them up again yet, what's the hold up, surely it's in your interests to sign them up quickly, or if they choose not to to find replacements quickly?
Is this going to be yet another frustrating transfer window for the fans where nothing seems to happen until the last minute?
Will you be signing a striker after needing one for the last 4-5 years?
Why is Walcott still here despite years of underperforming?
Why are you so reluctant to sign established players rather than unproven players like you did last summer, do you not think its counterproductive when those unproven players don't perform?

etc etc

But of course ll that will be asked is "Are you close to signing anyone", are you after "Mbappe, Lacazette" etc to wish he'll answer you'll know when the club confirms the deal :SNOOOOOOOOOOOOZZZZZZZZE:

Would be good to see the guy put on the spot, of course, he'll probably get angry and walk off, but at least it will be more worthwhile to watch than the standard questions he's always asked, may as well have a recording asking him the questions.

[Ralpheroo72]

Now he stays

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11806/10929566/alexandre-lacazette-expected-to-stay-at-lyon-according-to-president-jean-michel-aulas

[Özim]

Now he stays

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11806/10929566/alexandre-lacazette-expected-to-stay-at-lyon-according-to-president-jean-michel-aulas

So typical of Arsenal this, we get linked to allsorts of players and the deals never happen, that's what makes me think it's all planned to make it look like we're trying by marketing nonsense and putting in lowball offers that will never be accepted.

Going to be another one of the summers....what a surprise.

[Marc Overmars]

We're after Thomas Lemar from Monaco now.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4646282/amp/arsenal-thomas-lemar-30m.html

[Özim]

We're after Thomas Lemar from Monaco now.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4646282/amp/arsenal-thomas-lemar-30m.html

Not too expensive, French and young, very feasible.

The sceptic in me says now that the Mbappe and Lacazette rumours are all but dead we need a new go to rumour flying around and this could be it.

Wonder whether we're going to miss out on a striker again this summer and end up with players in other positions.

[Niall_Quinn]

We're after Thomas Lemar from Monaco now.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4646282/amp/arsenal-thomas-lemar-30m.html

Would much rather this kid than Cassette. He was the player that caught my eye on the couple of occasions I saw Monaco play. Strong, direct and technical. Weirdly he reminds me of Vieira, same sort of languid style followed by a punch in the face. If we could bring this guy in and convince Alexis to stay, we'd be in business. I wonder why Monaco are letting him go.

[Özim]

Would much rather this kid than Cassette. He was the player that caught my eye on the couple of occasions I saw Monaco play. Strong, direct and technical. Weirdly he reminds me of Vieira, same sort of languid style followed by a punch in the face. If we could bring this guy in and convince Alexis to stay, we'd be in business. I wonder why Monaco are letting him go.

Probably aren't, some guy most likely saw people talking about him on Goonersworld and thought it worthwhile to put it in the paper. The 30 million price tage seem pure fantasy, why would they sell him that cheap anyway, seems odd.

[Özim]

So far the below has happened:

Mbappe fantasy bid - check
Lowball Lacazette bid - check


Considering we've allegedly (according to the BS rumours) tried to sign Higuain, Suarez, Benzema in the recent past and failed are we the unluckiest club in the history of the world in the search for a striker or totally incompetent and uninterested in signing a quality striker, whilst being all too happy to go along with the BS rumours about strikers we've tried to sign so we can keep the fans happy and Wenger can add to his list of the worlds best team he never signed?

[Power n Glory]

Is French Kendrick a winger? Or a winger that can play through the middle? 21 years old, 14 goals ain't bad for a first season but is he a goal scorer? Not convinced. Same conversation we had with Martial. Same conversation as yesterday. The search for a goalscorer must continue even if we sign this kid.

[GP]

There's been a lot of talk over Lemar for a few days, this one has legs I think.

The Mbappe chase continues. Wenger is apparently friendly with his family so it's not impossible. I think he's the first choice.

Lacazette is the backup, I feel. I don't think Wenger really rates him that highly so will only go for him if Mbappe if isn't interested.

[Özim]

Here we go:

https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/28/arsenal-bid-thomas-lemar-monaco

Another player not for sale we're after...

[Marc Overmars]

Half of Monaco's team are being courted. They won't all be sold.

[Xhaka Can’t]

With a bit of luck they may all be almost signed.

[Power n Glory]

This one had legs. ;) It's the same running joke more like. I can't recall a case of the press getting wind of us being in for a player so early on in the negotiating stages. In most cases, if our opening bid hits the headlines, we've failed to land that player or speculative bullshit.

[Özim]

This one had legs. ;) It's the same running joke more like. I can't recall a case of the press getting wind of us being in for a player so early on in the negotiating stages. In most cases, if our opening bid hits the headlines, we've failed to land that player or speculative bullshit.

:lol:

Totally agree, another one we're not getting!

[Marc Overmars]

With a bit of luck they may all be almost signed.

Soon there will be 2 generations of players we almost signed.

[Niall_Quinn]

Here we go:

https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/28/arsenal-bid-thomas-lemar-monaco

Another player not for sale we're after...

Ah. Didn't think they'd be letting this guy walk out, if Mbappe to Madrid is true.

[Power n Glory]

:lol:

Totally agree, another one we're not getting!

Even if a manage to match a club's valuation of said player, we still have to agree wages with the player. No point attention to who we've 'bid' for. Fact that we have no CL football next season makes this process even harder. Can't really afford to low ball players. If Vardy can turn us down I wouldn't get too excited about this summer. The club will find a way to fuck things up.

[selassie]

Is French Kendrick a winger? Or a winger that can play through the middle? 21 years old, 14 goals ain't bad for a first season but is he a goal scorer? Not convinced. Same conversation we had with Martial. Same conversation as yesterday. The search for a goalscorer must continue even if we sign this kid.

I really want us to sign this kid, I personally think he has world class potential and he was brilliant last season in CL for Monaco. He's a Winger/Wide forward, though is very technical so could definitely play as a 2nd striker/Ozil role.

From what I have seen of him he seems quick, fairly strong, very technical...very good with set pieces and a decent passer, he's also quite direct and has a killer left foot, he certainly knows how to finish.

I'm shocked more teams aren't after him and I'd be surprised if we get him for anything less than 40-45mill, he's easily worth that in this crazy market.

[GP]

Ornstein has spoken.

Says we are negotiating for Lacazette and Lemar.

[selassie]

Ornstein has spoken.

Says we are negotiating for Lacazette and Lemar.

Negotiating for Lacazette. He thinks Monaco are reluctant to let Lemar go and any deal won't be easy. I've read in various other places that Monaco have told us Lemar is not for sale.

[Power n Glory]

I really want us to sign this kid, I personally think he has world class potential and he was brilliant last season in CL for Monaco. He's a Winger/Wide forward, though is very technical so could definitely play as a 2nd striker/Ozil role.

From what I have seen of him he seems quick, fairly strong, very technical...very good with set pieces and a decent passer, he's also quite direct and has a killer left foot, he certainly knows how to finish.

I'm shocked more teams aren't after him and I'd be surprised if we get him for anything less than 40-45mill, he's easily worth that in this crazy market.

They're not selling, if they were, he's not joining us. If he joins us, he won't reach his potential. :lol: Yeah, I'm cynical and jaded when it comes to Arsenal. Can't even enjoy a game of Fifa or Pro Evo anymore.

[Chippy]

Ornstein has spoken.

Says we are negotiating for Lacazette and Lemar.

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/891779628?-19387:844:0

Oh dear :(

[Chippy]

sad but true :(

[Niall_Quinn]

Barcelona fuming with former star Carlos Puyol after he helps Eric Garcia join Man City

LOL

[Xhaka Can’t]

The lack of transfer activity will be easily fixed when we've had our opening day humiliation.

[Niall_Quinn]

The lack of transfer activity will be easily fixed when we've had our opening day humiliation.

There's a hint of cynicism within the fanbase going into this season. At least that's what I'm sensing.

[Power n Glory]

There's a hint of cynicism within the fanbase going into this season. At least that's what I'm sensing.

Plenty still falling for the same tricks.

[Özim]

Plenty still falling for the same tricks.

Yup, no helping some people, if you still believe that's things have changed and we're about to sign all these top players now you'll never learn!

[Letters]

I personally haven't spoken to anyone who thinks that.

[selassie]

They're not selling, if they were, he's not joining us. If he joins us, he won't reach his potential. :lol: Yeah, I'm cynical and jaded when it comes to Arsenal. Can't even enjoy a game of Fifa or Pro Evo anymore.

:lol:

FWIW I don't think he will come, I don't think Lacazette will either...we are doing our usual, dragging our feet over player valuations....

[Gooner23]

I reckon we will sign Lacazette, but only after a summer of faffing. Meanwhile Sanchez will be sold (to City if they throw enough cash at us) and we'll be a poorer team for it.

There is just nothing about this club right now to get remotely enthusiastic about. I got over the anger stage a couple of years ago but that doesn't make it any easier to follow.

[Özim]

I personally haven't spoken to anyone who thinks that.

I've spotted someone on here, so you don't need to have spoken to them. If anyone actually believes these pipedream signings like Mbappe have any chance of happening they are frankly delusional. Lemar is possible but seeing as Monaco have said he's not for sale, pretty unlikely.

As for Lacazette, well if we won't pay the money Aulas wants we won't get him, I reckon we want him on the cheap and we won't get him on the cheap. Aulas seems content to wait till January when Athletico will buy him at the price he wants and he dislikes Wenger so won't do him any favours.

Not conivnced that deal will happen either, like someone said it will probably drag on all summer and we may sign him if we lose Sanchez and are desperate (as we are every summer it seems).

[Letters]

You said people think we are "about to sign all these players".
No-one thinks that.
Have a chance of doing so? Well, not all of them but I live in hope (if not expectation) we'll sign someone of note.

[Özim]

You said people think we are "about to sign all these players".
No-one thinks that.
Have a chance of doing so? Well, not all of them but I live in hope (if not expectation) we'll sign someone of note.

Yes that's right, some people clearly think we have a good chance of signing them, that's what I meant.

I don't live in hope, Mbappe no chance, this will never happen in a month of Sundays, we won't pay the money and realistically there are better clubs out there for him.

Lemar Monaco have said is not for sale and we're not about to go in with a huge offer above the market rate to tempt them.

Lacazette is the one we may have a hope, but we've been here before with him and not signed him, we were first linked with him in 2010, that's 7 years ago! I can't see us paying the asking price unless we're forced to and lose Sanchez, if not we'll continue to make lowball offers and eventually he'll end up somewhere else.

You can't live in hope with this club anymore, they don't offer you hope, just disappointment, every transfer window and summer without fail!

[Xhaka Can’t]

I personally haven't spoken to anyone who thinks that.

TBF, you're a hermit troll living under a bridge with wifi.

[Letters]

I don't think we have any chance of Mbappe and to be honest for the sort of money being talked about I don't think I want him.
I don't really follow football enough to know much about him, have looked him up on YouTube and yeah, he looks good but £100m good? At 18? Dubious...

[Letters]

TBF, you're a hermit troll living under a bridge with wifi.

Obviously when I said "spoken to" I meant "argued with online" :p

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I wouldn't be happy at paying 57million for Lacazette, and you have to think when only 5-10 million more might land you Aubemeyang why would you go for it?

This is a guy whose club have priced him out of a move for years, and if he was absolutely top of the line you think so some would have already bit the bullet and signed him.

The problem with Wenger he has a handful of targets and invariably if he fails with them he will sit on his hands for months, partly a failure of scouting, mainly a problem with his mindset.

[selassie]

I wouldn't be happy at paying 57million for Lacazette, and you have to think when only 5-10 million more might land you Aubemeyang why would you go for it?

This is a guy whose club have priced him out of a move for years, and if he was absolutely top of the line you think so some would have already bit the bullet and signed him.

The problem with Wenger he has a handful of targets and invariably if he fails with them he will sit on his hands for months, partly a failure of scouting, mainly a problem with his mindset.

Herb, it's not our money, if he costs 57million so be it. I do see your side of things and do question whether he is that much of an upgrade on Giroud...but 50million buys you that calibre of striker these days. If Wenger has identified him as the solution then he needs to go and buy him, we are no longer in a position to drag our feet over valuations, we need an improvement on what we have and must just pay the price.

Would Aubemeyang want to come here? That's one of the issues I believe we have now...players are not overly keen on coming here.

[Özim]

Ahtletico were willing to pay the price, but unfortunately they're under a transfer ban at the moment.

We're not interested in Aubemeyang, moreover hes a few years older, since we're not interested it's not an either or for us, it's Lacazette or nothing it seems.

At the end of the day Aulas wants top dollar for a player who's scored goals regularly, why would he accept a lowball offer when another club were willing to pay more and he's in no hurry to sell, he's hardly going to do Arsenal any favours seeing as he's not a fan of our manager.

Problem with Wenger is he has no plan and will never pay the going rate, this means we end up spending all summer doing nothing but signing cheap nobodies and then scramble at the end of the transfer window a few weeks into the season (totally illogical) to sign anybody we can. At the end of the day you either pay the asking price or move on to someone else.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Herb, it's not our money, if he costs 57million so be it. I do see your side of things and do question whether he is that much of an upgrade on Giroud...but 50million buys you that calibre of striker these days. If Wenger has identified him as the solution then he needs to go and buy him, we are no longer in a position to drag our feet over valuations, we need an improvement on what we have and must just pay the price.

Would Aubemeyang want to come here? That's one of the issues I believe we have now...players are not overly keen on coming here.

No it's the clubs money, and we know that Wenger prevaricated over Mustafi for so long because he wanted more money to buy a striker with.

Even with more money to work with, it's fair to say Wenger has to operate within a budget, now that doesn't absolve Wenger, nor am I suggesting we can't afford to go on a spree this season but it's fair to say that if we spent above and beyond on X player we have less to spend on others. The trouble with Wenger is that he's always willing to overspend in some areas, but then under spends in others.

[Özim]

If we weren't lumbered with players like Gibbs, Debuchy, Jenkinson etc basically players we can't get rid of we might have more money. The reality is we dragged our heels for years not spending on what we needed and now we've been stung because prices are sky high and we're in desperate need with 2/3 of our best players with jsut a year left on their contract, all of our own making really.

There's no excuse really.

[selassie]

No it's the clubs money, and we know that Wenger prevaricated over Mustafi for so long because he wanted more money to buy a striker with.

Even with more money to work with, it's fair to say Wenger has to operate within a budget, now that doesn't absolve Wenger, nor am I suggesting we can't afford to go on a spree this season but it's fair to say that if we spent above and beyond on X player we have less to spend on others. The trouble with Wenger is that he's always willing to overspend in some areas, but then under spends in others.\

Wenger is basically the reason we are in this mess through years of dithering and lowballing. We have had plenty of opportunities to buy a Striker....it's of no coincidence that we haven't done to date.

I agree with your points though, Wenger has to work with a budget and has form for overspending in areas and on players that we don't necessarily need.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

\

Wenger is basically the reason we are in this mess through years of dithering and lowballing. We have had plenty of opportunities to buy a Striker....it's of no coincidence that we haven't done to date.

I agree with your points though, Wenger has to work with a budget and has form for overspending in areas and on players that we don't necessarily need.

Precisely it's not about absolving Wenger, it's why spend 57 million on Lacazette if decent scouting could find us an equivalent player for less and have more to spend on other areas.

[Niall_Quinn]

I personally haven't spoken to anyone who thinks that.

That's because you have no friends.

[Power n Glory]

Precisely it's not about absolving Wenger, it's why spend 57 million on Lacazette if decent scouting could find us an equivalent player for less and have more to spend on other areas.

Like Perez? Like Welbeck? Like Podolski and Giroud? Haven’t we tried this for the last 5 years? The talent pool has gotten smaller whilst the fees have risen by a considerable amount. We really need to stop with this bargain bucket mentality because it’s costing us in the long run. Buy cheap, you buy twice. We’ve spent enough money on dud cheap strikers to be able to afford a top class striker.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Like Perez? Like Welbeck? Like Podolski and Giroud? Haven’t we tried this for the last 5 years? The talent pool has gotten smaller whilst the fees have risen by a considerable amount. We really need to stop with this bargain bucket mentality because it’s costing us in the long run. Buy cheap, you buy twice. We’ve spent enough money on dud cheap strikers to be able to afford a top class striker.

Again I think that's a problem with scouting as much as it is mentality.

Lacazette has done well in scoring terms but at 26 has never been tested in a top league and for 57 million?. I maintain that if he were really that good, we wouldn't be having this discussion because he'd already be at a top club. At the very least it isn't just us baulking at his price tag, Atletico Madrid agreed to buy him but I wonder how much they agreed with Lyon for his services.

Podolski was a top player before he joined us, and with Lucas Perez it's only Wengers intransigence that has stopped him playing more.

I'm just frankly not convinced that Lacazette is the answer to our lack of an out and out league winning goal scorer to part with that cash for him, I'm just not.

[Marc Overmars]

In fairness we still need to operate within a budget, that budget might have grown now but it doesn't mean we can really spunk 40-50m on multiple players like other clubs can. Wenger is not the right man to spend that money but I do think if/when we spend big, it has to be the right player, because we don't have someone handing over signed blank cheques to go again if it's not.

[Power n Glory]

Again I think that's a problem with scouting as much as it is mentality.

Lacazette has done well in scoring terms but at 26 has never been tested in a top league and for 57 million?. I maintain that if he were really that good, we wouldn't be having this discussion because he'd already be at a top club. At the very least it isn't just us baulking at his price tag, Atletico Madrid agreed to buy him but I wonder how much they agreed with Lyon for his services.

Podolski was a top player before he joined us, and with Lucas Perez it's only Wengers intransigence that has stopped him playing more.

I'm just frankly not convinced that Lacazette is the answer to our lack of an out and out league winning goal scorer to part with that cash for him, I'm just not.

It’s a mentality problem. You say he’s unproven and getting on a bit at 26 years old but we put in a bid for Vardy last season! We’re cheap and spend freely on the cheapest option. Lacazette probably isn’t the solution. But that’s because we have a poor manager. I personally think we could get a hell of a lot more out of the current squad. But as far as how much we spend on a particular player, I’ve gone past caring. We’re doing the exact same thing as we did last season and going through the same motions. I was involved in the same discussion last summer when it came to our strikers so I understand where you’re coming from but something has to change at the club. So far, I don’t see that.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

It’s a mentality problem. You say he’s unproven and getting on a bit at 26 years old but we put in a bid for Vardy last season! We’re cheap and spend freely on the cheapest option. Lacazette probably isn’t the solution. But that’s because we have a poor manager. I personally think we could get a hell of a lot more out of the current squad. But as far as how much we spend on a particular player, I’ve gone past caring. We’re doing the exact same thing as we did last season and going through the same motions. I was involved in the same discussion last summer when it came to our strikers so I understand where you’re coming from but something has to change at the club. So far, I don’t see that.

The problem is you are equating my opinion with supoorting Wengers stance which I clearly don't.

Because I think we should be looking elsewhere, isn't the same as supoorting Wengers purchases or his transfer policy at all. It's saying for that kind of money we can be doing a lot better. It's also being mindful that we aren't Man City, we can't make that kind of gamble and write it off so easily.

It's possible that it will be the same story wherever we go, teams in foreign leagues will want to rinse premier league clubs for every penny they have (and I can't say I really blame them).

For what it's worth I agree on one hand, that this summer will be like many others where Wengers dithering will result in once again not strengthening the squad in the way we should and making panic signings when we invariably lose Alexis.
However if as we suspect Lacazette is a replacement for Alexis, is that any less of a panic signing as we will most likely pay more than what we receive for the Chilean for what is essentially an inferior player?

For a player so prolific he hasn't generated the interest you would expect, before the transfer embargo it seemed that Atletico were biting the bullet because they were certain to lose Antoine Griezmann.

[Letters]

That's because you have no friends.

So's your face :p




:(

[Özim]

However if as we suspect Lacazette is a replacement for Alexis, is that any less of a panic signing as we will most likely pay more than what we receive for the Chilean for what is essentially an inferior player?

That may or may not be true, you can't really judge the player until he plays in another league, as for the price though, that's our fault, we let Sanchez run his contract down to a year, so naturally he's worth a fraction of what he was.

As for Lacazette, when we bought Sanchez only Liverpool other than us were interested, he hardly had a whole host of teams after him despite playing for Barcelona and not being too expensive.

[Power n Glory]

The problem is you are equating my opinion with supoorting Wengers stance which I clearly don't.

Because I think we should be looking elsewhere, isn't the same as supoorting Wengers purchases or his transfer policy at all. It's saying for that kind of money we can be doing a lot better. It's also being mindful that we aren't Man City, we can't make that kind of gamble and write it off so easily.

It's possible that it will be the same story wherever we go, teams in foreign leagues will want to rinse premier league clubs for every penny they have (and I can't say I really blame them).

For what it's worth I agree on one hand, that this summer will be like many others where Wengers dithering will result in once again not strengthening the squad in the way we should and making panic signings when we invariably lose Alexis.
However if as we suspect Lacazette is a replacement for Alexis, is that any less of a panic signing as we will most likely pay more than what we receive for the Chilean for what is essentially an inferior player?

For a player so prolific he hasn't generated the interest you would expect, before the transfer embargo it seemed that Atletico were biting the bullet because they were certain to lose Antoine Griezmann.

Yes, because that's what I said. Clearly, you're a Wenger supporter! That's exactly what I said and think. ;)

[Xhaka Can’t]

That's because you have no friends.

Hermit trolls rarely do.

[Power n Glory]

That may or may not be true, you can't really judge the player until he plays in another league, as for the price though, that's our fault, we let Sanchez run his contract down to a year, so naturally he's worth a fraction of what he was.

As for Lacazette, when we bought Sanchez only Liverpool other than us were interested, he hardly had a whole host of teams after him despite playing for Barcelona and not being too expensive.

I agree. Where he plays and what other clubs he plays for doesn’t really matter when comparing where we’ve turned to for the alternative. Which top club wanted Perez? Who wanted Welbeck, Giroud or Podolski? These things weren’t considered when we bought them. What was the main appeal when making a bid for Vardy and what stopped us from signing Vardy? It’s all about that price tag.

If we could get Lacazette on the cheap we’d have snapped him up ages ago. We place a higher emphasis on the transfer fee value over footballing values and what a player can contribute to our season. We always have. I get all the arguments about certain players not solving our footballing problems. I did the same with Vardy last summer. But if the club have identified a target so early on, planned and thought about what we need to win the league, you’d think we’d make a wholehearted effort to sign that player, right?

This is the difference between other clubs and managers to ours. This is why prices are so inflated. When a manager wants a player because they are convinced they need this player to win, they push to make it happen. Wouldn’t anyone else? Wenger keeps coming up with these silly anecdotes about nearly signing World Class player A, B and C and it just makes him sound silly because if he had any real inkling about what they player could be, he’d have stumped up the money. The man that knows the winning lottery numbers each week but too cheap to buy the ticket.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Yes, because that's what I said. Clearly, you're a Wenger supporter! That's exactly what I said and think. ;)

:rolleyes:

My point is you're arguing using examples of Wengers poor moves in the transfer market. I'm not saying you're calling me a Wenger supporter. I'm suggesting you're equating baulking at Lacazettes price tag with ending up with the kind of purchase Wenger has made in the past.

Well that might happen anyway because we have Wenger as manager.

[Özim]

To add to what I said, noone has come in for Sanchez, noone has made a bid yet, Bayern's interest seems to have cooled, only Man City are supposedly interested now.

[Özim]

I agree. Where he plays and what other clubs he plays for doesn’t really matter when comparing where we’ve turned to for the alternative. Which top club wanted Perez? Who wanted Welbeck, Giroud or Podolski? These things weren’t considered when we bought them. What was the main appeal when making a bid for Vardy and what stopped us from signing Vardy? It’s all about that price tag.

If we could get Lacazette on the cheap we’d have snapped him up ages ago. We place a higher emphasis on the transfer fee value over footballing values and what a player can contribute to our season. We always have. I get all the arguments about certain players not solving our footballing problems. I did the same with Vardy last summer. But if the club have identified a target so early on, planned and thought about what we need to win the league, you’d think we’d make a wholehearted effort to sign that player, right?

This is the difference between other clubs and managers to ours. This is why prices are so inflated. When a manager wants a player because they are convinced they need this player to win, they push to make it happen. Wouldn’t anyone else? Wenger keeps coming up with these silly anecdotes about nearly signing World Class player A, B and C and it just makes him sound silly because if he had any real inkling about what they player could be, he’d have stumped up the money. The man that knows the winning lottery numbers each week but too cheap to buy the ticket.

Totally agree, price tag is the primary criteria, we always want players on the cheap and take other clubs for mugs, they're not and won't have any of it we're professional lowballers and that's why other clubs take a dislike to us, the £1 bid a few years back was a debarcle and sums us up entirely.

I also think these rumours suit us, makes people think we're serious about going after these big signings, I mean come on Mbappe for 100+ million when we won't even spend half that, it's just total nonsense, that guy was never going to come here and we were never going to pay the transfer fee, apparently Wenger is "in" with his family now, guess it will come in handy if he needs somewhere to stay outside Paris :lol:

Let's not pretend though, we know the script, we know how it works as the same thing happens every single summer, I can't get my head round some people still believing it's changed, not after over a decade of the same thing.

Lacazette is now given our position the best we can get, who knows he might turn out to be a great goalscorer in the PL, we made our bed and have to lie in it, yes it would be great if we could get the worlds best but realistically given our position and our lack of ambition we're not going to get the superstar players, they can take their pick of the club they want to go to and would have to be a fool to come to us the worlds stalest club.

[selassie]

I agree. Where he plays and what other clubs he plays for doesn’t really matter when comparing where we’ve turned to for the alternative. Which top club wanted Perez? Who wanted Welbeck, Giroud or Podolski? These things weren’t considered when we bought them. What was the main appeal when making a bid for Vardy and what stopped us from signing Vardy? It’s all about that price tag.

If we could get Lacazette on the cheap we’d have snapped him up ages ago. We place a higher emphasis on the transfer fee value over footballing values and what a player can contribute to our season. We always have. I get all the arguments about certain players not solving our footballing problems. I did the same with Vardy last summer. But if the club have identified a target so early on, planned and thought about what we need to win the league, you’d think we’d make a wholehearted effort to sign that player, right?

This is the difference between other clubs and managers to ours. This is why prices are so inflated. When a manager wants a player because they are convinced they need this player to win, they push to make it happen. Wouldn’t anyone else? Wenger keeps coming up with these silly anecdotes about nearly signing World Class player A, B and C and it just makes him sound silly because if he had any real inkling about what they player could be, he’d have stumped up the money. The man that knows the winning lottery numbers each week but too cheap to buy the ticket.

:gp:

Especially the part highlighted, it's basically what I was trying to say earlier to Herb. We most definitely place the valuation of a player above the needs of the team and it's why we are in this mess.

[Power n Glory]

Totally agree, price tag is the primary criteria, we always want players on the cheap and take other clubs for mugs, they're not and won't have any of it we're professional lowballers and that's why other clubs take a dislike to us, the £1 bid a few years back was a debarcle and sums us up entirely.

I also think these rumours suit us, makes people think we're serious about going after these big signings, I mean come on Mbappe for 100+ million when we won't even spend half that, it's just total nonsense, that guy was never going to come here and we were never going to pay the transfer fee, apparently Wenger is "in" with his family now, guess it will come in handy if he needs somewhere to stay outside Paris :lol:

Let's not pretend though, we know the script, we know how it works as the same thing happens every single summer, I can't get my head round some people still believing it's changed, not after over a decade of the same thing.

Lacazette is now given our position the best we can get, who knows he might turn out to be a great goalscorer in the PL, we made our bed and have to lie in it, yes it would be great if we could get the worlds best but realistically given our position and our lack of ambition we're not going to get the superstar players, they can take their pick of the club they want to go to and would have to be a fool to come to us the worlds stalest club.

Same shit, different toilet. So far it looks like we have the same mentality and strategy for transfers.

[Niall_Quinn]

This fishing around the premium shelves is probably for the benefit of current players who are looking to get out, Ozil, Alexis, Bellerin, Ox. Our real business won't begin until Alexis is back from the Confederations Cup.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

On the other hand, it's becoming harder to know what counts as genuine quality anymore

If we wanted three world class players we would have to spend possibly up to 250million

Everton who are big spenders now, have been adding wank to their squad 80 million on Jordan Pickford, Davy Klassen and Michael Keane. In what rational world are those three costing you more than 15 million combined?

[Power n Glory]

[/[/B]QUOTE]

:gp:

Especially the part highlighted, it's basically what I was trying to say earlier to Herb. We most definitely place the valuation of a player above the needs of the team and it's why we are in this mess.[/QUOTE]

Yep. If true about us having £200m to spend, that’s enough for at least two World Class signings. A striker and maybe a central midfielder or winger. We don’t need to spread that £200m so thin that we end up with cheap players. It’s what we’ve done in the past and the squad’s not really in bad shape. 3 players in from this transfer window should be enough if we don’t sell.

[Özim]

In the world of massive TV deals.

[Letters]

In the world of massive TV deals.

Pretty much. I blame Sky. They started all this nonsense.

[Niall_Quinn]

Yep. If true about us having £200m to spend, that’s enough for at least two World Class signings. A striker and maybe a central midfielder or winger. We don’t need to spread that £200m so thin that we end up with cheap players. It’s what we’ve done in the past and the squad’s not really in bad shape. 3 players in from this transfer window should be enough if we don’t sell.

This story about us having to sell to allow us to bump wages for Alexis and Ozil isn't going away. Supposedly the PL has rules that prevent clubs raising combined wages by more than 7.5% in a season, unless the difference is made up in additional revenue. Because we've dropped out of the CL we aren't going to realise any additional revenue. So we need to trim the wage bill first or else we can't secure contracts for existing stars, let alone bring new ones in. All in all it sounds like we have been mismanaged into a shit state.

Le Grove also reckons Chesney is on 100K a week. That can't possibly be true, can it? If that's true then it tops all the other insanity in football.


Mind-blowing numbers show how player hoarding is crippling AFC transfer ambition
http://le-grove.co.uk/2017/06/23/mind-blowing-numbers-show-how-player-hoarding-is-crippling-afc-transfer-ambition/



The Dross 11:

Jack Wilshere – 0
Chezzer – 0
Ospina – 13
Gibbs – 18
Jenks – 5
Santi – 3
Theo – 29
Debuchy – 1
Giroud – 17
Perez – 9
Yaya – 0
Total starts: 95

Average starts per player: 8.6
Total Arsenal Games played last season: 55
Average first team utilisation of Dross 11 – 15.6%

So what we’ve learned from above, is these players barely touch the sides, bar two who contribute goals in Theo and Giroud.


Here’s what these guys cost us.

Jack Wilshere – £90k p/w
Chezzer – £100k p/w
Ospina – £40k p/w
Gibbs – £65k p/w
Jenks – £45k p/w
Santi – £90k p/w
Theo – £110k p/w
Debuchy – £70k p/w
Giroud – £100k p/w
Perez – £70k p/w
Yaya – £40k p/w

= £820k per week
= £42.64m
= £448,842 per appearance

If these numbers are even close to being true we are in deep, deep shit unless we start getting rid of players immediately.

I know he's gone now, but 3 years paying Sanogo 40k a week. Can that be right? An absolute fucking scandal if true.

Anyway, we desperately need somebody competent to come in and sort out this mess. If left to Wenger and if this problem is real and can't be bypassed, what we're looking at (unless we take a combine harvester to the current squad) is nobody who would attract large wages coming in unless significant players head out. It may be we HAVE to sell Alexis and Ozil if we want to do any business in the window at all.

[Power n Glory]

This story about us having to sell to allow us to bump wages for Alexis and Ozil isn't going away. Supposedly the PL has rules that prevent clubs raising combined wages by more than 7.5% in a season, unless the difference is made up in additional revenue. Because we've dropped out of the CL we aren't going to realise any additional revenue. So we need to trim the wage bill first or else we can't secure contracts for existing stars, let alone bring new ones in. All in all it sounds like we have been mismanaged into a shit state.

Le Grove also reckons Chesney is on 100K a week. That can't possibly be true, can it? If that's true then it tops all the other insanity in football.







If these numbers are even close to being true we are in deep, deep shit unless we start getting rid of players immediately.

I know he's gone now, but 3 years paying Sanogo 40k a week. Can that be right? An absolute fucking scandal if true.

Anyway, we desperately need somebody competent to come in and sort out this mess. If left to Wenger and if this problem is real and can't be bypassed, what we're looking at (unless we take a combine harvester to the current squad) is nobody who would attract large wages coming in unless significant players head out. It may be we HAVE to sell Alexis and Ozil if we want to do any business in the window at all.

:lol: Piss poor management. Just when you think it can't get any worse!

[Niall_Quinn]

Pretty much. I blame Sky. They started all this nonsense.

They didn't start it without the help of the greedy pigs in football, Arsenal's board being one of the key conspirators. And now even this shit isn't enough for them, they are to the fore in plotting this 2019 Euro league. Clubs like Arsenal, Utd, Liverpool and more recently the chavs and the gypos have been working against the public good for a long time now. It's been all about stuffing their pockets with as much cash as possible, regardless of how much damage has been done to the game. And they'll keep on stuffing until the whole shitty heap melts. They know it's all coming down, that's why they are manoeuvring to eradicate most of the lower tiers in football and secure permanent spots in this abominable Euro cash cow. A few clubs with all the cash, everyone else reduced to Sunday park level. Scumbags.

[Niall_Quinn]

:lol: Piss poor management. Just when you think it can't get any worse!

All of Wenger's shit storms are converging into this coming season. The only thing propping this club up is the desperation of one fat Uzbek to own it. He alone is keeping the share price afloat. That's what allows Stan to sit there and permit Wenger to proceed, until we get to 2019 when the lock-in will either provide a glorious opportunity to sell up, or the crazy concentrated revenues will see Stan the leech's worth double, treble or quadruple. The bastard might be hateful, but he sure knows how to lock in a profit. Such a shame the football industry dropped its knickers and spread its butt cheeks for "his sort". Well I guess with FIFA and UEFA running the show it's little wonder cash and corruption is the main driver.

[Niall_Quinn]

Santi has been signed up, hasn't he? So there's 90k tied up for a player who will be injured all next season. Another 90k tied up in Wilshere, who also never plays. These are not the worst players, in fact it'd be great if we could get a season out of either of them. But the fact is we can't, so what the fuck are they still doing here? Get rid of two players who never play anyway and we can pay Alexis. If we can get Alexis to sign then that's the best business we can do in this window. There's nobody being touted around who is better.

[Niall_Quinn]

Lemar was the prime cut, but he's off the menu so supposedly we're back in for stewing steak in the form of Mahrez. Yes, that lazy bastard who can't be bothered unless he fancies it. Move along, this is not the leader you are looking for.

We should go back in with a 50mill bid for Lemar. Or, more likely, add an extra pound to our last offer.

[Özim]

This story about us having to sell to allow us to bump wages for Alexis and Ozil isn't going away. Supposedly the PL has rules that prevent clubs raising combined wages by more than 7.5% in a season, unless the difference is made up in additional revenue. Because we've dropped out of the CL we aren't going to realise any additional revenue. So we need to trim the wage bill first or else we can't secure contracts for existing stars, let alone bring new ones in. All in all it sounds like we have been mismanaged into a shit state.

Le Grove also reckons Chesney is on 100K a week. That can't possibly be true, can it? If that's true then it tops all the other insanity in football.







If these numbers are even close to being true we are in deep, deep shit unless we start getting rid of players immediately.

I know he's gone now, but 3 years paying Sanogo 40k a week. Can that be right? An absolute fucking scandal if true.

Anyway, we desperately need somebody competent to come in and sort out this mess. If left to Wenger and if this problem is real and can't be bypassed, what we're looking at (unless we take a combine harvester to the current squad) is nobody who would attract large wages coming in unless significant players head out. It may be we HAVE to sell Alexis and Ozil if we want to do any business in the window at all.

Mismanaged to the highest degree, this is all Wenger, totally screwed us over with his dum ovepay dross policy and sitcking to sh* players, the guy is incompetent beyond belief, we're now seeing the effects of having this overrated control freak in charge for far too long.

Well done Mr Wenger I hope you're pleased with yourself. Yup the guy definitly loves the club.

[Niall_Quinn]

Tough news this morning. Apparently we may be out of the race to sign Mbappe. The media is reporting Madrid seems the more likely destination. They also reported that grass is green and water is wet.

[Niall_Quinn]

Some fans are saying Mbappe should start ahead of Zlatan in the Almost Signed 11. At 18 years of age? With only the one season under his belt? Sorry, but he's on the nearly signed bench for me.

[Özim]

Tough news this morning. Apparently we may be out of the race to sign Mbappe. The media is reporting Madrid seems the more likely destination. They also reported that grass is green and water is wet.

:lol: Never saw that one coming!

Some people actually believed we had a chance of signing this guy :lol:

[Özim]

Some fans are saying Mbappe should start ahead of Zlatan in the Almost Signed 11. At 18 years of age? With only the one season under his belt? Sorry, but he's on the nearly signed bench for me.

No way, we should ease him into the almost signed team, almost give him games now and again and maybe a few almost sub appearances until he's ready to play for the almost first 11.

[Özim]

Tough news this morning. Apparently we may be out of the race to sign Mbappe. The media is reporting Madrid seems the more likely destination. They also reported that grass is green and water is wet.

Do you think we'll still sign his family? :unsure:

[Özim]

There's some news about Lemar today as well apparently:


MONACO have been left 'surprised' by Arsenal's low £31million bid for Thomas Lemar and do not think Arsene Wenger is serious about signing him, reports claim.

:lol: Wouldn't be a real surprise if this was true would it, if we're being honest!

[Niall_Quinn]

Test their resolve by bidding £30,000,001

These "signings" are part of the negotiating process with Alexis and Ozil I think. Mbappe was the biggest non-starter in the history of football transfers. And Lemar may well be as talented a player as Mbappe, so if the likes of Sterling are 50mill we may have to go just a bit higher to get this player (who is not available at any cost).

Or, we could try identifying players who are genuinely available for transfer and put in realistic bids. Just an idea I'm kicking out there.

[Özim]

Or, we could try identifying players who are genuinely available for transfer and put in realistic bids. Just an idea I'm kicking out there.

Problem with that is we may end up having to pay up and sign them, can't risk that.

[Niall_Quinn]

That kid we signed, Henry Onyekuru, is not as signed as we thought. He had a medical with Everton on Monday and will sign for them instead. Not a huge loss, we don't need another prospect. But the fact he supports Arsenal, wanted to play for Arsenal, and we apparently wanted to sign him hints we might not be as efficient in the transfer market as we ought to be.

[Özim]

That kid we signed, Henry Onyekuru, is not as signed as we thought. He had a medical with Everton on Monday and will sign for them instead. Not a huge loss, we don't need another prospect. But the fact he supports Arsenal, wanted to play for Arsenal, and we apparently wanted to sign him hints we might not be as efficient in the transfer market as we ought to be.

:lol: Spot on, not fussed about missing out on him, totally unproven but getting beaten by Everton to signings seems a tad embarrassing, maybe he met Wenger and realised it would be a bad idea to come!

What's more worrying is what's been happening so far, nothing, well that's unless you count that freebie nobody we signed, also worrying is being lumbered with players like Wilshere, Gibbs, Debuchy, Jenkinson, Ospina Wellbeck, Walcott, Coquelin, Chambers, Giroud all players that cost us a huge amount in wages which we need to offload with the new wage structure in place for all clubs...we don't seem to be able to shift any of them, probably because they are on big wages and very very overrated.

[Niall_Quinn]

The Giroud to West Ham talk seems to have a bit of substance. Lyon want him too. A gift horse for our donkey.

[Niall_Quinn]

Alexis Sanchez claims he knows whether he will stay at Arsenal or leave this summer - but the Chile international is refusing to make his decision public.

According to the Mail, who reached this conclusion based on Alexis stating, "Right now I'm focused on the Confederations Cup. When this is finished I will see if I stay of if I go. I don't know."

#FakeNews

[fakeyank]

Is anyone taking bets on how much longer Wenger is expected to live? That number = the number of years or decades we have to deal with this kind of shitty window.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's not exactly a shitty transfer window quite yet. There's still plenty of time and the tournament in Russia is complicating things. At any normal club there would be no cause for alarm. This is Arsene FC though. So the anticipation of a thoroughly shitty window is warranted. The disaster hasn't panned out yet. But inevitably it will.

[GP]

Linked with Troy Deeney.

[Niall_Quinn]

Linked with Troy Deeney.

What, did you ask him out or something?

[GP]

No, I'm too shy.


Ornstein says Lacazette is close.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

How many of you even knew who Lemar was a few weeks ago? No doubting the quality but the hysteria over him suddenly is peculiar.

He has no more a reputation than Xhaka did when we signed him....

[Özim]

How many of you even knew who Lemar was a few weeks ago? No doubting the quality but the hysteria over him suddenly is peculiar.

He has no more a reputation than Xhaka did when we signed him....

To be fair, he was part of Monacos run in the CL, so certainly higher profile than Xhaka who was unknown to most, but in essence I agree.

[GP]

How many of you even knew who Lemar was a few weeks ago? No doubting the quality but the hysteria over him suddenly is peculiar.

He has no more a reputation than Xhaka did when we signed him....

Both have a decently high profile if you watch football outside the PL.

[Power n Glory]

What the fuck does high profile mean? :lol: Media attention? The question is if anyone has watched him play regular football and not just CL highlights or the odd CL game.

Surely anyone watching Lemar in the French also has more of opinion on Lacazette also?

[GP]

What the fuck does high profile mean?

What the fuck do you think it means? It means they are highly rated because of their consistently good performances. Same goes for Kolasinic. Anyone calling anyone of them unknown are just revealing their own ignorance.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

He was part of that exciting Monaco side....and still is, but until a few weeks ago I heard a lot more about at least 4 other Monaco players....now all of a sudden some are almost suggesting we're arsewipes if we don't bid at least 50 million!

Not sure there is resounding evidence it's any better a deal than Mahrez other than being younger and being with the hipsters team of choice.

I watched Monaco play more than once last season and still had little idea about him until very recently.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Im quite happy to plead ignorance on both the German tank and the French pop singer. Anybody who remembers the latter..... what are we talking here.....Iwobi with much better end product? If he's the real deal by all means....let's get him in.

[Power n Glory]

What the fuck do you think it means? It means they are highly rated because of their consistently good performances. Same goes for Kolasinic. Anyone calling anyone of them unknown are just revealing their own ignorance.

How much football do you actually watch? French league football.

[Power n Glory]

Im quite happy to plead ignorance on both the German tank and the French pop singer. Anybody who remembers the latter..... what are we talking here.....Iwobi with much better end product? If he's the real deal by all means....let's get him in.

I hardly watch football at all these days so no idea what this guy is worth. But I'm guessing people commenting have watched him a regular basis to say he is worth it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Reputation, profile, ratings in the French league, media opinion, transfer value, counts for nothing once the player hits the pitch. As we have seen with Pogba. Mahrez wouldn't be a success at Arsenal because he's lazy and we give lazy players a free ride. He'd supply moments of brilliance and everybody would say wow, what a signing. But those moments would be few and far between over the course of a season. Lemar would be the opposite. He's got an engine like Alexis', he'd still be running when others have given up, apart from his physical attributes, his stamina and his willingness to contribute to the team he's also technical. So a rare combination very suited to the PL and Arsenal in particular. If Mbappe is 130mill and Lukaka is 100mill FFS, we know that transfer fees are make up a number, double it. So just pay what is required to get him here and make sure we keep Alexis whatever the cost. That way we now have two leaders on the pitch that will fight for the club. That's a real improvement.

I've seen Lacazette play quite a few times and, even though he scores goals (usually poaches them), he's very easy to contain. I suppose he'll get goals here too, just like Giroud does. But is he a player that will add something of significance? Not on what I have seen so far. Strange we'd pay 50 mill for him when we could have got Defoe for a fraction of the price. Defoe's the better player IMO. That's the sort of level we are talking about and I bet everyone would be disappointed if that's who we ended up signing. Just like Vardy last year - I mean why not? If we are going second tier, which is what Giroud and Lacazette are, then Vardy is up to that level.

Veratti is another player we should have been in for. Ideal replacement for a player we've missed for a long time, Santi.

It's very irritating when we refused to put in a bid that would have landed Suarez, then we end up blowing a ton of cash on players like Mustafi, Xhaka and potentially this Cassette bloke. None of these players are good enough to take us to where we want to go. All they do is hold the line and slow the decline.

I wonder how much cash Arsenal could really spend if there was some intent at this place? Lots of complacenecy in the past means a big bill to fix the problem now. A price we aren't prepared to meet. Unless you believe the Mbappe bullshit. Which is don't, for a second.

[Niall_Quinn]

Lacazette deal nearly done apparently. That's it, our big piece of business for the summer. What a disappointment.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kolasinic looks okay. Another player who should be suited to this league, apart from one huge factor. The refs and their cheating. Which is real and can't be denied based on the match by match evidence. How many cards will this guy pick up? Will he ever be allowed to play his game - which is basically intimidating his opponent into submission? Doubtful. Not in this league, not for this club. Utd, no problem, but here he should get ready for long spells in the sin bin.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If he (Lacazette) was capable of adding enough to make us title contenders (though I think we should have been so last season in any case) then he may well be worth it. That is the end goal rather than simply having somebody we can say is world class.....it just so happens that somebody who is world class, is most likely to allow us to challenge.

In any case I'd have preferred Aubemeyang though I feel I don't have a concrete idea of the player Lacazette is either from not actually having seen him play that much.

[Marc Overmars]

Don't know anything about Lacazette other than what I've seen from short highlights packages. I sure as hell don't watch Ligue 1 or the Europa League so fuck knows if he's worth the money or not.

[KSE Comedy Club]

We are supposedly preparing a £125m bid for Mbappe now :coffee:

[Niall_Quinn]

We are supposedly preparing a £125m bid for Mbappe now :coffee:

Are we really doing that poorly with season ticket renewals?

[GP]

If he (Lacazette) was capable of adding enough to make us title contenders (though I think we should have been so last season in any case) then he may well be worth it. That is the end goal rather than simply having somebody we can say is world class.....it just so happens that somebody who is world class, is most likely to allow us to challenge.

In any case I'd have preferred Aubemeyang though I feel I don't have a concrete idea of the player Lacazette is either from not actually having seen him play that much.

Apparently PSG refused to pay Aubamayang's wage demands, which probably tells you all you need to know.

He'll probably end up in China.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Greedy git if true......wouldn't have thought his wages at Dortmund were actually that high relatively speaking.

[Ralpheroo72]

Other teams manage to sign players in a timely manner, why does it take so long for Arsenal to sign anyone?

[GP]

Other teams manage to sign players in a timely manner, why does it take so long for Arsenal to sign anyone?

Does it?

2 in the bag already, barely into July. It's a pretty good window so far.

[Letters]

I suspect other sagas go on just as long but people don't follow those as closely as with other clubs they don't care that much.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Possibly, but the perception is similar to mine. Probably based on experiences from years past, where things dragged on forever and more often than not, fruitlessly.

[Letters]

Things do often seem to drag on endlessly, admittedly. But I think part of it is we pay more attention to Arsenal-related stories.
Well, I don't really any more.

[Ralpheroo72]

Does it?

2 in the bag already, barely into July. It's a pretty good window so far.

What 2 are you. Referring to? Also worth noting how often we let 'major' players contracts hit final 12 months.

[selassie]

How many of you even knew who Lemar was a few weeks ago? No doubting the quality but the hysteria over him suddenly is peculiar.

He has no more a reputation than Xhaka did when we signed him....

Lemar is big news in France and has developed a big reputation in Europe after the season he had in Ligue 1 and CL, he just broke into the French national team too which is no mean feat considering the amount of talent they now have in the attacking positions.

We need Lemar a lot more than he needs us and he is a level above Mahrez IMO.

He is a priority signing for me, I desperately want us to sign him because he is the real deal, he creates and scores a bucket load.

[Özim]

What 2 are you. Referring to? Also worth noting how often we let 'major' players contracts hit final 12 months.

Yeah I'm wondering too, so far all we've signed is some freebie who was simple to sign as we didn't really have much competitions and which involved no trnsfer of money.

Mind you this from the same guy who said Mbappe was our primary target which is laughable considering the cost.

[Letters]

Assuming we do sign Lacazette, and it seems that's going to happen, then we have signed 2 players.
And free or not, the other chap seems to be highly rated.
Are we now reduced to debating whether 1+1 = 2 on here?

[Power n Glory]

Judge at the end of the transfer window. ;)

Early days. If we have to lower our wage bill before being able to resign Ozil and Sanchez, we may be pressed into a corner considering our recent new additions.

[Letters]

Ozil and Sanchez would be the best signings we can make this summer, the additions so far look good. One more major signing would be nice.

[GP]

Ozil and Sanchez would be the best signings we can make this summer, the additions so far look good. One more major signing would be nice.

Lots of talk around Mahrez. That one should be doable if we can move on some of the dross like Walcott and Gibbs.

[GP]

https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/882239511081738240

[selassie]

Lots of talk around Mahrez. That one should be doable if we can move on some of the dross like Walcott and Gibbs.

One of our biggest problems is all the dross we have on big wages, we are gonna have a real problem shifting the likes of Walcott, Gibbs, Jack and Jenkinson. :(

[Power n Glory]

Ozil and Sanchez would be the best signings we can make this summer, the additions so far look good. One more major signing would be nice.

Sanchez is attracting attention and considering he's away for the summer on intentional duty again...I think this one will drag on until deadline day. Ozil could stay because it's been said nobody has come in for him.

We should keep both regardless of who makes a bid a take a risk. I don't want to see under rebuilding project. We always get to this stage where we almost have the full picture to the puzzle and just need one or two more pieces but we fuck it up by chucking a few keys pieces which means we can't complete what we were originally building. We end up having to start again with a different puzzle to solve and we'll repeat the same mistake when we've almost got it nailed.

Regarding more signings, we need a replacement for Cazorla. He's an essential piece.

[Marc Overmars]

Get Alexis to stay and it's been a good summer. If he leaves then it doesn't matter who we sign because we'll be weaker and certainly won't be signing a better player than him this summer. Mahrez isn't fit to lace his boots.

[Özim]

Assuming we do sign Lacazette, and it seems that's going to happen, then we have signed 2 players.
And free or not, the other chap seems to be highly rated.
Are we now reduced to debating whether 1+1 = 2 on here?

Yes but at this point Lacazette has not be signed, so it's not in the bag yet!

Highly rated means little in my book, so was Xhaka and he's been hopeless, prefer to judge a player when I see him play.

My point stands, 1 freebie signing thus far.

[Özim]

With only being allowed to increase our wage bill by 7.5% if it's not covered by an increase in revenue, we're going to have to get rid of a good number of players (hopefully some of the rubbish we have), seeing as noone seems interested in them we may have to end up buying them out of their contracts.

Thus far there's seems to be no interest in the likes of Walcott, Gibbs, Wilshere, Jenkinson, Debuchy, Welbeck, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Chambers, all players we could happily get rid of with little impact (oh and Giroud but maybe we can flog him as there seem to be a couple clubs looking at him :pray:)

[Letters]

Yes but at this point Lacazette has not be signed, so it's not in the bag yet!

Highly rated means little in my book, so was Xhaka and he's been hopeless, prefer to judge a player when I see him play.

My point stands, 1 freebie signing thus far.

In the other thread you were saying you were happy with the signing of Lacazette :lol:
Technically you're correct of course, 1 signing so far. But this is looking like a done deal in which case it will be 2 quality signings so far, so GP's point stands.
If it falls through then fine, it's only 1, but it doesn't look like it this time.

[Power n Glory]

In the other thread you were saying you were happy with the signing of Lacazette :lol:
Technically you're correct of course, 1 signing so far. But this is looking like a done deal in which case it will be 2 quality signings so far, so GP's point stands.
If it falls through then fine, it's only 1, but it doesn't look like it this time.

:doh: Read it properly. You said the freebie signing was highly rated, so who do you think Zim is referring to?

[Özim]

In the other thread you were saying you were happy with the signing of Lacazette :lol:
Technically you're correct of course, 1 signing so far. But this is looking like a done deal in which case it will be 2 quality signings so far, so GP's point stands.
If it falls through then fine, it's only 1, but it doesn't look like it this time.

Yes I am if it happens, but nothing has been confirmed, with Arsenal it could still all go pearshaped, don't count your chickens.

So yes as I said 1 signing so far, good to see you agree.

[Letters]

:doh: Read it properly. You said the freebie signing was highly rated, so who do you think Zim is referring to?

Thanks for joining in but I'm not sure what you're talking about.
This conversation started when Ralpheroo said why do we take forever to make signings.
GP responded saying we've signed 2 good players already and it's only early July so we're not doing too bad.
Ralpheroo responded by asking which two. And Zim chimed in saying he was wondering the same.
It's obvious which two.

Kolasinac and Lacazette.

I don't care how much Kolasinac cost and I personally don't know much about him but those who do have said nice things about him and he sounds promising. Lacazette has an excellent scoring record so could be a very good signing. While he's not signed yet (well, maybe he has but it's hasn't been officially announced) by all accounts he was having a medical today, a fee has been agreed so it seems pretty much in the bag. And Zim who was declaring himself happy with the signing is now doing his trademark goalpost shift for the sake of having an argument.

[Letters]

with Arsenal it could still all go pearshaped, don't count your chickens.
Well that part I certainly agree with but this one is looking pretty much done. Never quite believe it till it's on the Arsenal site though.

[Power n Glory]

Thanks for joining in but I'm not sure what you're talking about.
This conversation started when Ralpheroo said why do we take forever to make signings.
GP responded saying we've signed 2 good players already and it's only early July so we're not doing too bad.
Ralpheroo responded by asking which two. And Zim chimed in saying he was wondering the same.
It's obvious which two.

Kolasinac and Lacazette.

I don't care how much Kolasinac cost and I personally don't know much about him but those who do have said nice things about him and he sounds promising. Lacazette has an excellent scoring record so could be a very good signing. While he's not signed yet (well, maybe he has but it's hasn't been officially announced) by all accounts he was having a medical today, a fee has been agreed so it seems pretty much in the bag. And Zim who was declaring himself happy with the signing is now doing his trademark goalpost shift for the sake of having an argument.

You're not following. It's the German left back, Kolasinac, Zim was referring to when saying 'highly rated' means nothing until seeing him play. Not Lacazette. Happy with Lacazette but that signing hasn't been confirmed. I see no goal post shifting.

[Letters]

It's the German left back, Kolasinac, Zim was referring to when saying 'highly rated' means nothing until seeing him play.
I know who he is referring to, it is you who is not following.

The goalpost shifting is declaring himself happy with the signing in the other thread and then when GP says we've signed two players (a little presumptuous, admittedly, but it looks pretty much a done deal) playing dumb and asking which two when it's obvious what GP meant. If we do sign Lacazette then what he says will be right.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Yes but at this point Lacazette has not be signed, so it's not in the bag yet!

Highly rated means little in my book, so was Xhaka and he's been hopeless, prefer to judge a player when I see him play.

My point stands, 1 freebie signing thus far.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170704/e0533bdd258625ce6ee63bfa525e92ab.jpg

[GP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoiQx3-XGzc

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I said to someone it's comparatively a good deal

When you consider what Liverpool paid for Salah, this does seem far better value

I'm not convinced he's the answer to the world class striker we are looking for. But frankly we just don't have the pull to get an Aubemeyang and strikers in general are in such premium.

[Özim]

I know who he is referring to, it is you who is not following.

The goalpost shifting is declaring himself happy with the signing in the other thread and then when GP says we've signed two players (a little presumptuous, admittedly, but it looks pretty much a done deal) playing dumb and asking which two when it's obvious what GP meant. If we do sign Lacazette then what he says will be right.

No goalpost shifting, I would be happy with the signing if it happens as he's a goalscorer, he hasn't as of yet signed yet though however.

Well no he won't be right, because he's said two in the bag today, however thus far only 1 player has been signed, even if he signs tomorrow his original statement would be incorrect.

Anyway my point is whilst it's all looking good nothing has been confirmed yet, we've had failed medicals before (didn't we have this for that Uruguayan keeper we thought we'd signed) and until it's signed and confirmed nothing is a certainty.

Anyway I don't think making 2 signings, one free by May 5th if it is tomorrow is that great going, standard stuff really or should be.

[Power n Glory]

I know who he is referring to, it is you who is not following.

The goalpost shifting is declaring himself happy with the signing in the other thread and then when GP says we've signed two players (a little presumptuous, admittedly, but it looks pretty much a done deal) playing dumb and asking which two when it's obvious what GP meant. If we do sign Lacazette then what he says will be right.

Happy with Lacazette, you fool. :lol: That's what we've been discussing in the other thread. You still don't get it. If we sign Lacazette It's a good signing but not sure about the left back until we see him in action.

[Marc Overmars]

Wazza linked with a move back to Everton. :lol:

Giroud has also been linked with them.

[Andreas_AFC]

Is it true, that Jens Lehmann get a job in the coaching staff?

[GP]

Is it true, that Jens Lehmann get a job in the coaching staff?

Apparently. 1st team coach working with AW and SB.

[Özim]

Is it true, that Jens Lehmann get a job in the coaching staff?

If it is would have preferred David Seaman, much better goalkeeper.

[Letters]

Better goalkeeper doesn't necessarily make a better coach. Not that I think Crazy Jens will be a particularly good coach.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

He wasn't an especially great keeper he just had a good defence in front of him

[GP]

He wasn't an especially great keeper he just had a good defence in front of him

Who? Seaman or Lehmann?

[Letters]

Happy with Lacazette, you fool. :lol:
I know. :blink: In my previous post I said I was clear I knew who Zim meant. It's you who, once again, aren't understanding. Sit down and concentrate, I'll try to explain this slowly:

In the other thread he declared himself happy with the signing. He didn't say he would be pleased with it if it happened, he seemed to be accepting it was a done deal, which it looks like it is.
Now, when it suits him, he's casting doubt on it to score internet points (which, as we know, are worth their weight in space). There's the goalpost shift.

Whether Kolasinac is a good signing is more debatable but that's not the point I'm picking Zim up on. I don't care what his price is, there have plenty of very highly priced flops, by all accounts he's a good player and he sounds like the sort of player we need. I personally think it's a good signing. Whether he will fit in to the way we play and be effective for us remains to be seen but you could say that for any player, even Lacazette.

[Letters]

Who? Seaman or Lehmann?

Well, quite.

Seaman was brilliant. Lehmann...well, he could be amazing but he was very eccentric and a bit inconsistent.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Who? Seaman or Lehmann?

Lehmann didn't read the bit about Seaman

Seaman was a great keeper who could have been one of the all time greats but didn't have the impregnability of Peter Shilton

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Seaman was never going to be impregnable.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Is Lacazette the first black player we've signed for the first team since Welbeck?

Does Elneny count as black?

We used to sign loads of black boys but Wenger lost his jungle fever.

[Letters]

I think Seaman was one of the all time greats, Schmeichal was even better. Lehmann was a big part of getting us to the CL Final but he wasn't consistently brilliant.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Seaman was never going to be impregnable.

Emough of your smut

[Letters]

What's pink and full of sea-men?
Your mum.

[Özim]

I know. :blink: In my previous post I said I was clear I knew who Zim meant. It's you who, once again, aren't understanding. Sit down and concentrate, I'll try to explain this slowly:

In the other thread he declared himself happy with the signing. He didn't say he would be pleased with it if it happened, he seemed to be accepting it was a done deal, which it looks like it is.
Now, when it suits him, he's casting doubt on it to score internet points (which, as we know, are worth their weight in space). There's the goalpost shift.

Whether Kolasinac is a good signing is more debatable but that's not the point I'm picking Zim up on. I don't care what his price is, there have plenty of very highly priced flops, by all accounts he's a good player and he sounds like the sort of player we need. I personally think it's a good signing. Whether he will fit in to the way we play and be effective for us remains to be seen but you could say that for any player, even Lacazette.

Once again, as I've said about 5 times now (are you not reading it properly?), despite saying I was happy with the signing (which I would be), the signing was NOT completed, this doesn't change the fact I'm happy with it if it does indeed happen (which it looks at the moment it will), but I knew then, like I know now he's not signed yet.

Nothing to do with suiting or not suiting me, it's pure facts.

As for the free transfer, I'd suggest you have more chance of getting a top player if you pay for him than if you get him for free, moreover despite the fact he was free he didn't exactly have loads of top club after him, which if he was a top top player he would because he would cost them nothing.

IMO Lacazette is a safer bet than that other guy, because he's proven he can score goals regularly for several season, this other guy, well I'm not too sure what he's proven, he's relatively unknown.

[Letters]

Internet points :bow:

[Power n Glory]

I know. :blink: In my previous post I said I was clear I knew who Zim meant. It's you who, once again, aren't understanding. Sit down and concentrate, I'll try to explain this slowly:

In the other thread he declared himself happy with the signing. He didn't say he would be pleased with it if it happened, he seemed to be accepting it was a done deal, which it looks like it is.
Now, when it suits him, he's casting doubt on it to score internet points (which, as we know, are worth their weight in space). There's the goalpost shift.

Whether Kolasinac is a good signing is more debatable but that's not the point I'm picking Zim up on. I don't care what his price is, there have plenty of very highly priced flops, by all accounts he's a good player and he sounds like the sort of player we need. I personally think it's a good signing. Whether he will fit in to the way we play and be effective for us remains to be seen but you could say that for any player, even Lacazette.

Try to follow…..in other threads, the debate was on whether Lacazette would be a good target. Zim has said he’d be happy with that signing if we get him. I’ve said the same despite some people saying he’s the ‘French Welbek’ - Following? There was no declaration that we’ve had a good summer with that signing. So early on, you’d have to be an idiot to declare something like that so early on considering we haven’t sorted business out with Sanchez and Ozil.

We haven’t even confirmed the deal for Lacazette so we should even hold off from talking about signing two players already.

[Letters]

Try to follow…..in other threads, the debate was on whether Lacazette would be a good target. Zim has said he’d be happy with that signing if we get him.
He has now, but that's not what he said at the time I was making my point. He just said he was happy with the signing.
GP didn't say we'd had a good summer, all he said - this was in response to the question about why we take so long to sign players - was that we'd made 2 signings already.
Yes there is an assumption there that the Lacazette deal is in the bag so GPs comment was a little premature but this isn't paper-talk, it looks like this one is going to happen.
I'm sure we'll all feel happier when it's on the Arsenal site though.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Internet points :bow:

Correlate rather highly with virginity.

[Power n Glory]

Once again, as I've said about 5 times now (are you not reading it properly?), despite saying I was happy with the signing (which I would be), the signing was NOT completed, this doesn't change the fact I'm happy with it if it does indeed happen (which it looks at the moment it will), but I knew then, like I know now he's not signed yet.

Nothing to do with suiting or not suiting me, it's pure facts.

As for the free transfer, I'd suggest you have more chance of getting a top player if you pay for him than if you get him for free, moreover despite the fact he was free he didn't exactly have loads of top club after him, which if he was a top top player he would because he would cost them nothing.

IMO Lacazette is a safer bet than that other guy, because he's proven he can score goals regularly for several season, this other guy, well I'm not too sure what he's proven, he's relatively unknown.

Pretty much. It’s not hard to follow.

If the deal is confirmed, this would be the first time I’ve seen us pursue a player so publically. From the bid to the medical, we don’t usually see deals played out in the open like this and we often fail to get our target when it’s like this. I would say things look to have changed but if we lose Sanchez and Ozil and repeat the same mistakes of the past, it paints a very different picture.

[Power n Glory]

He has now, but that's not what he said at the time I was making my point. He just said he was happy with the signing.
GP didn't say we'd had a good summer, all he said - this was in response to the question about why we take so long to sign players - was that we'd made 2 signings already.
Yes there is an assumption there that the Lacazette deal is in the bag so GPs comment was a little premature but this isn't paper-talk, it looks like this one is going to happen.
I'm sure we'll all feel happier when it's on the Arsenal site though.

You really need to go back and read.

At first I thought you’d take sentences out of context to suit your argument but now I’m wondering about your eyesight.

GP

Does it?

2 in the bag already, barely into July. It's a pretty good window so far.

Ralph

What 2 are you. Referring to? Also worth noting how often we let 'major' players contracts hit final 12 months.

Zim

Yeah I'm wondering too, so far all we've signed is some freebie who was simple to sign as we didn't really have much competitions and which involved no trnsfer of money.

Mind you this from the same guy who said Mbappe was our primary target which is laughable considering the cost.

[Letters]

Exactly. "What 2 are you referring to" :lol:
It's bleedin' obvious which 2 GP meant. What's with all the playing dumb? Or are you not playing? ;)

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

What's pink and full of sea-men?
Your mum.

One sperm says to the other "how long till we get to the ovaries?"

The other sperm replies "hold your horses we haven't passed the tonsils yet"

[GP]

This is all really boring.

[Letters]

This is all really boring.

:gp:

[Power n Glory]

Exactly. "What 2 are you referring to" :lol:
It's bleedin' obvious which 2 GP meant. What's with all the playing dumb? Or are you not playing? ;)

:doh: Because the Lacazette deal isn’t a done deal.

Who is switching goal posts now? How exactly do you equate that question to not being happy with Lacazette?

[Letters]

This is all really boring.

:gp:

.

[Letters]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/824844/Riyad-Mahrez-Arsenal-Talks-Positive-Ongoing-Gunners-Close-Leicester-Transfer-News-Gossip

:popcorn:

Think that would be a pretty good signing, although I hope these aren't replacements for Ozil and Sanchez.

[Power n Glory]

:lol: Goal post switch.

[Özim]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/824844/Riyad-Mahrez-Arsenal-Talks-Positive-Ongoing-Gunners-Close-Leicester-Transfer-News-Gossip

:popcorn:

Think that would be a pretty good signing, although I hope these aren't replacements for Ozil and Sanchez.

Not too sure what to make of Mahrez, he had a great season when they won the title, but last season he wasn't great.

Not sure why this Italian guy would know anyway, sounds like tabloid nonsense to me.

[Letters]

:lol: Goal post switch.

No, subject switch. As GP said, this is boring, it's not good debate from either of us. Let's talk about something worthwhile :good:

[Power n Glory]

Considering the shit those Leicester players pulled under Ranieri, all the players should rot.

[Letters]

Not too sure what to make of Mahrez, he had a great season when they won the title, but last season he wasn't great.

Not sure why this Italian guy would know anyway, sounds like tabloid nonsense to me.

Probably is tabloid nonsense but a more worthy topic of discussion. Leicester as a team were ordinary last year, not sure if Mahrez is a one season wonder but he looked the real deal a couple of years ago and it would be interesting to see how he would perform in a team with better players around him.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Huddersfield Town, there is a team doing business. TBF, out of necessity, but proactive all the same.

[Letters]

Huddersfield Town, there is a team doing business. TBF, out of necessity, but proactive all the same.

My new favourite thing (thanks to GP) is to tell Spurs fans that Huddersfield Town have won more titles than Spurs. :d

[Niall_Quinn]

Not too sure what to make of Mahrez, he had a great season when they won the title, but last season he wasn't great.

Not sure why this Italian guy would know anyway, sounds like tabloid nonsense to me.

Means we've given up on the hard to get targets and will go for the flawed (but cheaper) option. Mahrez is one of the laziest sods in football, turns up when he fancies it, sulks and tries to get the manager fired when he's... NO WAIT!

Brilliant signing if we can get him. MUST GET.

[GP]

My new favourite thing (thanks to GP) is to tell Spurs fans that Huddersfield Town have won more titles than Spurs. :d

Not only that, they are one of only four sides to have won 3 titles in a row.

[Özim]

Means we've given up on the hard to get targets and will go for the flawed (but cheaper) option. Mahrez is one of the laziest sods in football, turns up when he fancies it, sulks and tries to get the manager fired when he's... NO WAIT!

Brilliant signing if we can get him. MUST GET.

Probably right, couldn't sign him last summer when he'd actually had a good season and looked to be a good signing, so probably after him now his stock has fallen and we can get him cheaper.

Bit surprised we haven't dragged the Lemar rumour out for the whole summer, though it might still happen, with him or Mahrez.

[Letters]

Not only that, they are one of only four sides to have won 3 titles in a row.

Hmm. Us. Utd? And...Liverpool?

[Marc Overmars]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/824844/Riyad-Mahrez-Arsenal-Talks-Positive-Ongoing-Gunners-Close-Leicester-Transfer-News-Gossip

:popcorn:

Think that would be a pretty good signing, although I hope these aren't replacements for Ozil and Sanchez.

Talented but a massive fairweather. If we get him and Sanchez goes then it's a huge downgrade.

[GP]

Hmm. Us. Utd? And...Liverpool?

Yes, though Utd have done it twice.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Yes, but we did it second and second is right after first!

[Özim]

Hopefully it puts to bed that ridiculous Mbappe rumour if we sign Lacazette, what a nonsensical runour that was, total pipedream we'd never be interested in.

[Letters]

Buzz :bow:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Hopefully it puts to bed that ridiculous Mbappe rumour if we sign Lacazette, what a nonsensical runour that was, total pipedream we'd never be interested in.

I think we actually made a bid for him....85million or something like that. It was rejected. After that everything else is just where rumours take on a life of their own.

[Letters]

Pretty sure we did make a bid but we were never going to get him and tbh for £100m+ I don't think I want to.

[GP]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40496970

In the bag.

Now fuck off.

[GP]

https://www.arsenal.com/news/alexandre-lacazette-agrees-join-arsenal

[GP]

https://www.arsenal.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_16x9/public/images/laca2.jpg?itok=-7i0huWO

[Letters]

Two good signings :bow:



:run:

[Marc Overmars]

Welcome. :wave: