Summer transfer joy and happiness

[Mac76]

Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho plots summer transfer for Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey - EXCLUSIVE https://t.co/21e8SgDjMs

Laca looks SO pissed off at being third in the Cube...

i guess we should take that as a positive sign of his competitiveness, though I'm sure Wenger will knock that out of him soon enough...

[Mac76]

so we might be looking to sign Bernd Leno - or is this Wenger just pretending that we're actually interested in signing a player but not really going to do it at all...?

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-eye-25m-bernd-leno-12216987

[Cripps]

SAS :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Player signings are all just random and ultimately of no value while Wenger stays. We should just sell all our players, all the fans should give Kroenke and Wenger all their money, sell our houses, sell everything. Give it to them.

Then they'd have no reason to stay any longer and they might fuck off.

Once they had sold the stadium.

And we wouldn't be any less competitive. That's the beauty of the plan.

Why doesn't he fuck off so we can get on with being a football club?

[Letters]

Why doesn't he fuck off so we can get on with being a football club?
You really think we'll become a football club again when Wenger leaves?

[Niall_Quinn]

You really think we'll become a football club again when Wenger leaves?

Not overnight. But I can't think of another manager who would ignore the football to such a degree of negligence.

[selassie]

You really think we'll become a football club again when Wenger leaves?

Yes, a more competitive one.

[Letters]

Yes, a more competitive one.

I think we would be more competitive but not because Wenger isn't interested in the football side of things and a new manager would be. Wenger just isn't up to it when it comes to the biggest competitions.
But whoever our manager is the club will be a business first, such is the reality of the modern game. Changing manager isn't going to fix that.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think we would be more competitive but not because Wenger isn't interested in the football side of things and a new manager would be. Wenger just isn't up to it when it comes to the biggest competitions.
But whoever our manager is the club will be a business first, such is the reality of the modern game. Changing manager isn't going to fix that.

What are you trying to say? We shouldn't get rid of him because it won't make any difference?

You think a new manager wouldn't be able to get a whole lot more from the players?

That would make a difference.

You think a new manager wouldn't be more tactically competent?

That would make a difference.

You think a new manager would be content fucking around with that tippy tappy possession bullshit like a more boring version of Maureen?

Proper football would make a difference, wouldn't it? In fact we know that for a fact because our best moments always come when the players slip back into proper football and dispense with that utter shit Wenger wants them to play.

So much could change at this club in terms of what happens on the pitch, if only that selfish cunt would relinquish his grip.

True enough, Kroenke won't change, but he's given us fuck all up to this point so him giving us fuck all in the future won't be anything we aren't used to. There has still been money to sign (and waste) two 50mill+ strikers.

A new manager might be able to set up the team to utilise those strikers.

That would make a difference - a huge one.

Wenger's the number one, all consuming problem.

So many things open up again in terms of the football if he fucks off.

[Letters]

What are you trying to say? We shouldn't get rid of him because it won't make any difference?
Dude. I explicitly said it would make a difference.
If you can't be arsed reading my posts then I won't bother to read yours.
Try again and if you want to reply, reply to what I actually said, not what you're pretending I did. :good:

[Niall_Quinn]

Dude. I explicitly said it would make a difference.
If you can't be arsed reading my posts then I won't bother to read yours.
Try again and if you want to reply, reply to what I actually said, not what you're pretending I did. :good:

Here's what you said.


I think we would be more competitive but not because Wenger isn't interested in the football side of things and a new manager would be. Wenger just isn't up to it when it comes to the biggest competitions.
But whoever our manager is the club will be a business first, such is the reality of the modern game. Changing manager isn't going to fix that.

The ORIGINAL statement to which you originally replied spoke of becoming a "football club" again.

Then Selassie added we'd be competitive.

And THAT'S the part you agreed with - "I think we would be more competitive". So let's get that straight.

The two apologies on behalf of Wenger:

"...but not because Wenger isn't interested in the football side of things", a sneaky and subtle shift in emphasis, I'm talking about the shit football we play, you try to expand it out to football matters in general thus creating the new context.

"...Wenger just isn't up to it when it comes to the biggest competitions." Qualifying his failure, tempering it, implying he is up to it at all bar the top level.

And then, having attempted to frame the argument you state, "But whoever our manager is the club will be a business first, such is the reality of the modern game. Changing manager isn't going to fix that.". So we've now moved as far away as possible from the intent - Wenger is a fuck up in the transfer market and needs to fuck off so this club can get on with things - to Wenger is up to it at all bar the top level and even if we get a new manager the business side of things won't change.

Nobody claimed the business side would change. We were very specifically and clearly speaking about the football side of things. You're so deceitful, aren't you?

Obviously the reasonable question then becomes, so what, don't bother get rid of the manager? Because that's what you are trying to plant as a seed. Sure, get rid, sure, keep. Makes no difference. Oh, and be careful what you wish for because our guy is up to it at all bar the top level.

Then you climb on your high horse and project your deceit on to me, mirroring my own admonitions of you from the past when you have tried this shit (over and over again tbf). When I do it, I'm talking to you. When you do it, you seem to be talking to you too. Trying to convince yourself maybe?

Meanwhile, my prior post gets lost in the haze. Was that the point? Or are you just practicing your techniques prior to launching a new "It was the money wot sunk us" campaign?

[Letters]

:lol:

Do you spend your whole day walking into empty rooms and having an argument?

[Cripps]

:popcorn:

[Niall_Quinn]

:lol:

Do you spend your whole day walking into empty rooms and having an argument?

Are you saying I shouldn't waste my time on you?

[Letters]

I'm saying if you reply to things I didn't say, rather than things I did, then you're wasting your time :tiphat:

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm saying if you reply to things I didn't say, rather than things I did, then you're wasting your time :tiphat:

And yet there's what you said, plain to see.

What's the next move? Get a few posts up and move the page count on?

The usual?

[Marc Overmars]

I think we would probably become more competitive under a new manager, providing he is the right guy of course as there are no guarantees. I don't think it's going to get any worse than it currently is anyway because we're part of the establishment, however we're a club stuck in the past and only after a change of manager can we even begin to think about taking the required steps forward.

[Letters]

And yet there's what you said, plain to see.


Me:


I think we would be more competitive

You:


What are you trying to say? We shouldn't get rid of him because it won't make any difference?

Have another at my post and see if you can see the bit where I said that Wenger going would make a difference. :tiphat:

[Niall_Quinn]

Me:



You:



Have another at my post and see if you can see the bit where I said that Wenger going would make a difference. :tiphat:

Still trying to pretend I haven't already responded to you?

What is it you need? A different response? One you prefer?

[Niall_Quinn]

I think we would probably become more competitive under a new manager, providing he is the right guy of course as there are no guarantees. I don't think it's going to get any worse than it currently is anyway because we're part of the establishment, however we're a club stuck in the past and only after a change of manager can we even begin to think about taking the required steps forward.

Exactly. It's the one vital step that opens up the door on everything else.

All doors are closed while he's here. With him standing guard over every one.

[GP]

We would be 10 points clear with a different manager.

[Niall_Quinn]

We would be 10 points clear with a different manager.

We'd be 10 points better off, without a doubt. Those garbage performances where we handbagged and tapped our way to losses against pubbers would have never happened.

[Cripps]

How quickly we become a dominant force again depends on who were hire as manager.

If we go for an Allegri I can see us doing very well quick time. I'm not saying we'd win the league the following season because it usually takes a season for a manager to find his bearings and mould the squad into his own... it even took Pep a year (and a few quid) to find his bearings at City and he's a genius. But we'd be a dominant force in a very short space of time.

If we went for an Arteta or Thierry then I'm not even sure we would improve. We'd probably go the other way after an initial 1 month honeymoon victory period.

[Özim]

There's no guarantee we'd be more competitive under a new manager, because in the end if depends who we employ, if we pick a top notch guy who has proved himself there's a very good chance we'll become more competitive and challenge again, maybe not immediately as the first thing that has to be done is to sort out this mess Wenger will leave behind:

a) Sell the players who aren't good enough
b) Bring in quality in the areas we need
c) Change the losers mentality at this club, with players being too comfortable in their positions
d) Drill the players tactically and on how to play as a team
e) Change the style of football
f) Change the training programs
g) Instill more discipline at the club

Longer term:
h) Overhaul the youth setup
i) Sort out the medical side of the club

There's a lot to do and it will take time, Wenger has really made a hash of this club IMO.

If we don't employ a guy who is top notch, we might not be competitive BUT we'd have hope unpredictability and excitement back and probably a manager who will be a whole lot flexible and who will want to prove himself.

It'll be so refreshing to change this stale, dull setup we have right now.

[Letters]

Still trying to pretend I haven't already responded to you?

What is it you need? A different response? One you prefer?

Once more for the back row:
If you’re going to reply to me, reply to what I did say, not what you’re pretending I said.
I don’t know what your reply was to, but it wasn’t to what I said.
Stop wasting my and your own time. :good:

[Özim]

NQ has a point tbh.

What was the point in saying "not because Wenger isn't interested in the football side of things", I don't understand how that's relevant, all you had to say is yes we'd be more competitive, the 2nd part is totally pointless and it basically seems to be a defence of Wenger.

The way I see it, I don't entirely agree anyway, IMO Wenger puts finances first and football second and on that basis he's not that interested in the football side of things, not as much as a manager should be, a managers job is to manage the team and try to make it successful, not to balance the books and make sure the clubs makes a profit.

[Niall_Quinn]

Once more for the back row:
If you’re going to reply to me, reply to what I did say, not what you’re pretending I said.
I don’t know what your reply was to, but it wasn’t to what I said.
Stop wasting my and your own time. :good:

Reflection. The last desperate hope when nothing else exists. Claim the win by heaping your loss on your opponent and scarpering as fast as you can.

My earlier response stands.

Maybe spend less time sucking Wenger's cock and people wouldn't call you out for being a cocksucker.

[Niall_Quinn]

NQ has a point tbh.

What was the point in saying "not because Wenger isn't interested in the football side of things", I don't understand how that's relevant, all you had to say is yes we'd be more competitive, the 2nd part is totally pointless and it basically seems to be a defence of Wenger.

The way I see it, I don't entirely agree anyway, IMO Wenger puts finances first and football second and on that basis he's not that interested in the football side of things, not as much as a manager should be, a managers job is to manage the team and try to make it successful, not to balance the books and make sure the clubs makes a profit.

That's right. Wenger doesn't give a fuck about the football beyond the absolute bare minimum required to keep up the absolute minimum team that can trade off the back of past glories and keep the cash rolling in. He had some sort of mental breakdown back when the stadium move kicked off. He became obsessed by his value illness - the Wenger measurement of how football should be and who was playing fair and who was cheating and who was worth what and who was overpaying - even though nobody else gave a shit because reality is reality. So Wenger built his fantasy world with himself as undisputed, unquestioned emperor, and his dream of egalitarian (almost communist) idealism infected every corner of the club and wrenched it off the competitive map and into limbo. And we've been floundering around here ever since. Same emperor. Same bullshit. Same fucked up transfer windows. Same stream of opportunities slipping through our fingers because guess what, Wenger has a different way of playing football too - tip tap.

So would a manager who came in and said do what it takes to win the fucking match make a difference? I would think so. That fantasy has to end and the business of becoming a competitive football club has to start. It will be hindered by having Kroenke as owner, but nowhere near to the extent having the fantasist Wenger as a manager holds us back. He's so off the map now we wouldn't be competitive if we were the only team in the league. He'd still find a way to do less. And he'd boast about it.

[Mac76]

There's no guarantee we'd be more competitive under a new manager, because in the end if depends who we employ, if we pick a top notch guy who has proved himself there's a very good chance we'll become more competitive and challenge again, maybe not immediately as the first thing that has to be done is to sort out this mess Wenger will leave behind:

a) Sell the players who aren't good enough
b) Bring in quality in the areas we need
c) Change the losers mentality at this club, with players being too comfortable in their positions
d) Drill the players tactically and on how to play as a team
e) Change the style of football
f) Change the training programs
g) Instill more discipline at the club

Longer term:
h) Overhaul the youth setup
i) Sort out the medical side of the club

There's a lot to do and it will take time, Wenger has really made a hash of this club IMO.

If we don't employ a guy who is top notch, we might not be competitive BUT we'd have hope unpredictability and excitement back and probably a manager who will be a whole lot flexible and who will want to prove himself.

It'll be so refreshing to change this stale, dull setup we have right now.

i agree with all those things except possibly the youth setup - from what i can see it produces good players like Willock (the one we sold to Celtic not his brother) AMN, Eddie Nketiah, Riess Nelson etc, so it's not doing too bad a job IMO

i also think there's the makings of a decent goalie in Macey

but a genuine question, what do you think are the improvements needed to it?

[Letters]

How quickly we become a dominant force again depends on who were hire as manager.
I'm not even sure it's possible to be a dominant force any more. There are too many sides who have too much money for any one of them to be dominant for any period of time IMO.

[Marc Overmars]

I think it's unlikely that we'll ever see another era like Liverpool in the 70's/80's and United in the 90's/00's. The title is most likely to be hot potato'd between City, United and Chelsea. The rest may get a sniff every other year but that's about it.

There hasn't even been a title race to speak of since 2014, all the winners since then have led from the start and never looked back.

[Özim]

i agree with all those things except possibly the youth setup - from what i can see it produces good players like Willock (the one we sold to Celtic not his brother) AMN, Eddie Nketiah, Riess Nelson etc, so it's not doing too bad a job IMO

i also think there's the makings of a decent goalie in Macey

but a genuine question, what do you think are the improvements needed to it?

Regarding the youth setup, to be honest we haven't really brought through many outstanding players who could play in the first team and develop over the last 10 years, the players you mention are decent but that's about it AMN has potential but at the moment that's nothing more.

Can't remember the last time we brought through a player who remained a mainstay in the team for years afterwards (I mean players we brought through not players we grabbed from other clubs at 16-17 as we do). When he arrived Wenger has a 10 year plan to overhaul the youth setup (not sure why as we'd brought through a lot of top quality in Adams, Parlour, Merson, Andy Cole etc), that's been an utter failure as we've barely brought anyone through and those we have have been vastly overhyped and have never really made the grade.

If you're asking what improvements with the team, there are loads, we need better training/coaching so that players know what they are suppose to be doing on the pitch, we need some proper tactics, a more flexible approach to games/opposition, work on set pieces, more discipline and punishment for poor discipline there's a lot of work to be done.

Player wise we need a new keeper, a CB or two (preferably in mids 20s so we can build a team with them), a top quality DM, a right back, I'd overhaul the centre of midfield as well to be honest, Wilshere is not up to it and gone and Ramsey may well do the same, I'd also consider a genuine winger a young one we can bring along slowly.

Personally would play Laca and Aubameyang together as well, we've got a decent set of players going forward but not enough options on the bench IMO, which where perhaps a winger who could score goals would be handy, we really need competition for places so that noone gets too comfortable.

[Özim]

I'm not even sure it's possible to be a dominant force any more. There are too many sides who have too much money for any one of them to be dominant for any period of time IMO.

It's not even about being dominant, it's about trying to be in the mix every season, you won't win them all but would be nice to compete, to be able to go into the CL and think we have a chance of winning this would be good too.

I actually think we've really been left behind badly in the last 10 years, we could have built on what we already had and have been a real force by now, at one point we were amongst the best sides, instead we just make up the numbers, it's a big change.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I think it's unlikely that we'll ever see another era like Liverpool in the 70's/80's and United in the 90's/00's. The title is most likely to be hot potato'd between City, United and Chelsea. The rest may get a sniff every other year but that's about it.

There hasn't even been a title race to speak of since 2014, all the winners since then have led from the start and never looked back.

I actually think Chelsea are going to fall into the same camp as us, Liverpool and Spurs. Based on their recent signings it seems Roman has had enough of throwing away his money at stupid causes.

The only difference between them and us as it stands is the manager and having a more ruthless board.

[Cripps]

It's not even about being dominant, it's about trying to be in the mix every season, you won't win them all but would be nice to compete, to be able to go into the CL and think we have a chance of winning this would be good too.

:gp:

That's exactly what I meant.

[Cripps]

According to Sport, #Arsenal have made a €50m offer for Nabil Fekir. https://t.co/GPmIvnEbFp

SAS :bow:

[selassie]

I think we would be more competitive but not because Wenger isn't interested in the football side of things and a new manager would be. Wenger just isn't up to it when it comes to the biggest competitions.
But whoever our manager is the club will be a business first, such is the reality of the modern game. Changing manager isn't going to fix that.

Wenger is mismanaging pretty much every aspect of his job, he doesn't setup the team properly, doesn't train them properly, doesn't develop our players, was / is lousy in the transfer market...or at least not able to utilise any of his recent signings properly.

He's a relic, he's not able to pragmatically manage this team and has let our standards slip to a very low level.

Any half decent ambitious manager with a plan would be an upgrade on Wenger IMO.

[Niall_Quinn]

According to Sport, #Arsenal have made a €50m offer for Nabil Fekir. https://t.co/GPmIvnEbFp

SAS :bow:

Should have signed him 3 years ago.

[Letters]

:gp:

That's exactly what I meant.

Well say that then :lol:
I have no argument with Zim's post, it's realistic to think that a club with our resources should be competing for the biggest prizes.
It's not realistic to think we will be dominant.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger is mismanaging pretty much every aspect of his job, he doesn't setup the team properly, doesn't train them properly, doesn't develop our players, was / is lousy in the transfer market...or at least not able to utilise any of his recent signings properly.

He's a relic, he's not able to pragmatically manage this team and has let our standards slip to a very low level.

Any half decent ambitious manager with a plan would be an upgrade on Wenger IMO.

Even one without a plan would have enough of a brain to spot the problems in the defence and midfield and try to do something about it. The basics, anyone but Wenger can do that much. The next manager doesn't have to be here long term, he just needs to plug the holes and set the ship back towards land instead of steaming in circles hunting for la-la land.

[selassie]

It's not even about being dominant, it's about trying to be in the mix every season, you won't win them all but would be nice to compete, to be able to go into the CL and think we have a chance of winning this would be good too.

I actually think we've really been left behind badly in the last 10 years, we could have built on what we already had and have been a real force by now, at one point we were amongst the best sides, instead we just make up the numbers, it's a big change.

:gp:

[selassie]

Even one without a plan would have enough of a brain to spot the problems in the defence and midfield and try to do something about it. The basics, anyone but Wenger can do that much. The next manager doesn't have to be here long term, he just needs to plug the holes and set the ship back towards land instead of steaming in circles hunting for la-la land.

Oh aye, I agree.

[Cripps]

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-and-rumours-14434537

Who?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-and-rumours-14434537

Who?

>Doesn't even have a wiki page.

That's how known he is lol.

Mind you, we did sign Amaury Bischoff who was equally a WTF signing.

[Cripps]

We'll add this one to the bin then

Along with HCZ :rose:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We'll add this one to the bin then

Along with HCZ :rose:

Along with your face. :rose:

[Cripps]

:rose:

[Mac76]

Regarding the youth setup, to be honest we haven't really brought through many outstanding players who could play in the first team and develop over the last 10 years, the players you mention are decent but that's about it AMN has potential but at the moment that's nothing more.

Can't remember the last time we brought through a player who remained a mainstay in the team for years afterwards (I mean players we brought through not players we grabbed from other clubs at 16-17 as we do). When he arrived Wenger has a 10 year plan to overhaul the youth setup (not sure why as we'd brought through a lot of top quality in Adams, Parlour, Merson, Andy Cole etc), that's been an utter failure as we've barely brought anyone through and those we have have been vastly overhyped and have never really made the grade.

If you're asking what improvements with the team, there are loads, we need better training/coaching so that players know what they are suppose to be doing on the pitch, we need some proper tactics, a more flexible approach to games/opposition, work on set pieces, more discipline and punishment for poor discipline there's a lot of work to be done.

Player wise we need a new keeper, a CB or two (preferably in mids 20s so we can build a team with them), a top quality DM, a right back, I'd overhaul the centre of midfield as well to be honest, Wilshere is not up to it and gone and Ramsey may well do the same, I'd also consider a genuine winger a young one we can bring along slowly.

Personally would play Laca and Aubameyang together as well, we've got a decent set of players going forward but not enough options on the bench IMO, which where perhaps a winger who could score goals would be handy, we really need competition for places so that noone gets too comfortable.

ok, fair enough re youth setup and yes am fully aware of the problems with the first team haha - you could basically sum it up as 'complete failure of management'

[Niall_Quinn]

He's trying for one more Sanogo before he goes.

[Power n Glory]

Regarding the youth setup, to be honest we haven't really brought through many outstanding players who could play in the first team and develop over the last 10 years, the players you mention are decent but that's about it AMN has potential but at the moment that's nothing more.

Can't remember the last time we brought through a player who remained a mainstay in the team for years afterwards (I mean players we brought through not players we grabbed from other clubs at 16-17 as we do). When he arrived Wenger has a 10 year plan to overhaul the youth setup (not sure why as we'd brought through a lot of top quality in Adams, Parlour, Merson, Andy Cole etc), that's been an utter failure as we've barely brought anyone through and those we have have been vastly overhyped and have never really made the grade.

If you're asking what improvements with the team, there are loads, we need better training/coaching so that players know what they are suppose to be doing on the pitch, we need some proper tactics, a more flexible approach to games/opposition, work on set pieces, more discipline and punishment for poor discipline there's a lot of work to be done.

Player wise we need a new keeper, a CB or two (preferably in mids 20s so we can build a team with them), a top quality DM, a right back, I'd overhaul the centre of midfield as well to be honest, Wilshere is not up to it and gone and Ramsey may well do the same, I'd also consider a genuine winger a young one we can bring along slowly.

Personally would play Laca and Aubameyang together as well, we've got a decent set of players going forward but not enough options on the bench IMO, which where perhaps a winger who could score goals would be handy, we really need competition for places so that noone gets too comfortable.

Hard to judge the youth set up with Wenger in charge. Senderos, Djourou, Clichy, Vela, Denilson, Wilshere, Bellerin, Iwobi...they all seem to have a promising first season debut. They look the business but after training with Wenger for a while they lose all purpose to their game, then goes the confidence and then it's over for them. Whether it's kids he poached from other academies to play in our reserves or players we've had since they were kids, he hasn't improved any of them. Even with Cesc, I'd argue he never reached his full potential because he inherited that frail, can't defend for his life trait from Wenger. That one flaw to Cesc's game has stopped him from being a regular in central midfield for Spain, Barca and Chelsea.

With Sven and Raul on board, I think we have guys that can spot talent. Now it's about overhauling the coaching staff and getting rid of Wenger and his cronies.

[Cripps]

He's not going anywhere :lol:

We're winning the Europa :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

I have huge confidence in Wenger being able to fuck up in Europe. I'd back him against anyone to fuck it up.

[Cripps]

I have huge confidence in Wenger being able to fuck up in Europe. I'd back him against anyone to fuck it up.

The competition are average :coffee:

Atletico are the only good team and in a one off game you wouldn't put it past the old goat to do it :coffee:

[Power n Glory]

Wilshere in the papers talking about the contract offer. He had a conversation with Wenger and was told he could leave if he finds a better offer.

[Globalgunner]

Wenger is poison. Even our Womyns team have turned to shit.

[Marc Overmars]

Poor old Jack, the one player who’s desperate to represent Arsenal is told to do one. :lol:

[Cripps]

Wenger is poison. Even our Womyns team have turned to shit.

Wenger is novichok.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger still calling the shots on contracts, I see.

[Globalgunner]

Poor old Jack, the one player who’s desperate to represent Arsenal is told to do one. :lol:

Too much passion, same thing that did for Alexis. Just get with the programme Jack.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger also talking to the press about why he sold Theo and Giroud. He couldn't guarantee them game time. Giroud going to Chelsea was a dumb move. He's hardly starting games there.

[Cripps]

Serves him right for letting his wife call the shots.

[Cripps]

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere facing heartbreaking decision to leave as club insist they have made final take-it-or-leave-it offer https://t.co/SxjpnzoxaB

[Marc Overmars]

Giroud. :lol:

I remember him.

[Power n Glory]

Poor old Jack, the one player who’s desperate to represent Arsenal is told to do one. :lol:

Been thinking about this one. Jack has a contract offer on the table. I understand the clubs position and would say we have definitely overpaid players like Jack for a number of years. I was about to say he shouldn't take a wage cut but then again, if he's been overpaid for years and has hardly played, it's not unreasonable. He has a chance to earn more through bonuses and it's not as if he'll starve on the reported £80k being offered.

I want Jack to stay but he's been paid too much too fast like a lot of our players. The ball is in Jack's court. He can stay and I would also like to know how long this deal is. Maybe he could get a clause to say he can renegotiate the deal after a year or two.

The problem the club have now is the fact that we just gave Ozil £350k a week contract. He doesn't deserve that money at all but we were forced into a corner. But we shouldn't make that the rule for the underperforming players. If you want more you should have to earn it on the pitch and not just because you're deal is running out.

[Marc Overmars]

It’s a tricky one with Jack and I agree it’s not unreasonable to ask him to take a pay cut given his history. I just find it a little ironic that given half the squad would probably rather be elsewhere, the one who’s proud to be here is the one we’re pushing out.

With the huge contracts the likes of Ozil, Auba, Laca and Mkhi have, it’s bound to put a few noses out of joint, so asking someone to take a pay cut to essentially subsidise that won’t go down well.

[Power n Glory]

It’s a tricky one with Jack and I agree it’s not unreasonable to ask him to take a pay cut given his history. I just find it a little ironic that given half the squad would probably rather be elsewhere, the one who’s proud to be here is the one we’re pushing out.

With the huge contracts the likes of Ozil, Auba, Laca and Mkhi have, it’s bound to put a few noses out of joint, so asking someone to take a pay cut to essentially subsidise that won’t go down well.

It's unfortunate. But if he really wants to stay, I don't get why he hasn't signed. It's not as if we haven't offered him a deal and it's not unreasonable considering his injury record. He should understand why he's not getting a massive pay rise. He hasn't got a leg to stand on to argue otherwise. :lol:

We should take the same approach with Ramsey and all the young prospect players going forward. Lower the basic pay or keep it low but offer performance based incentives that could get them earning more. It's funny how Wilshere has said that he needed to prove his fitness in order to win his place back and get that contract offer so you have to wonder what he's doing that's different to his usual routine.

[Özim]

It's unfortunate. But if he really wants to stay, I don't get why he hasn't signed. It's not as if we haven't offered him a deal and it's not unreasonable considering his injury record. He should understand why he's not getting a massive pay rise. He hasn't got a leg to stand on to argue otherwise. :lol:

We should take the same approach with Ramsey and all the young prospect players going forward. Lower the basic pay or keep it low but offer performance based incentives that could get them earning more. It's funny how Wilshere has said that he needed to prove his fitness in order to win his place back and get that contract offer so you have to wonder what he's doing that's different to his usual routine.

I'm with you on this, with bonuses he can earn more than he was earning so no excuses really. The issue is he probably realises he'll have to work for the money and nt just sit there and pick up a big wage for doing nothing, like you said though he won't be going short on the 90k a week offered.

Footballers are so greedy these days, if he loves the club that much then he should just sign the deal and be done with it, he'll soon get another rise if he proves himself and performs.

I'm tired of us overpaying kids and crocks who haven't proven themselves, you have to stop sometime.

[Power n Glory]

Serves him right for letting his wife call the shots.

He didn't move for footballing reasons. He just wanted to stay in London where I've heard he is now earning £120k a week.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Wenger also talking to the press about why he sold Theo and Giroud. He couldn't guarantee them game time. Giroud going to Chelsea was a dumb move. He's hardly starting games there.

Stupid at the time.....and still stupid now.

[Cripps]

He didn't move for footballing reasons. He just wanted to stay in London where I've heard he is now earning £120k a week.

The bint was behind that apparently.

[Power n Glory]

Stupid at the time.....and still stupid now.

I see a lot of Arsenal fans berating Ox and Sanchez for leaving but some of them should take a closer look at Giroud. That move had zero to do with football and I wouldn't go as far as Wenger when saying he is an Arsenal man. Fan favourite maybe...

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger also talking to the press about why he sold Theo and Giroud. He couldn't guarantee them game time. Giroud going to Chelsea was a dumb move. He's hardly starting games there.

Wenger admitting he has no clue how to manage a squad. It has taken him long enough to figure out what the rest of us have know for years.

[Niall_Quinn]

All of this comes down to Wenger's mismanagement.

If players have been overpaid at too young an age, are we saying the player should have told Wenger to pay less? The idiot Wenger pays more when less will do, and he offers less when more is required. Not a surprise because he has that policy in the transfer window too, underbidding for genuine talent and signing up shite for millions over the going rate. Who else was in for Xhaka and Mustafi at 35 mill a piece?

Jack won't have a problem finding a club or the pay he wants because he's a talented player that just needs a bit of direction and some proper coaching. The fact he's got this far is a testament to him. He's survived Wenger's bullshit all these years and he's played himself back into contention for the world cup. Might be the smartest move to get off this ship that is still sinking. A win over a parody of the once great Milan has papered over a lot of cracks for pundits and a section of the fans, but the main issues are still all there, waiting to fuck us again next season.

When Wenger eventually leaves there won't be much of an Arsenal left. We'll be this yank owned operation putting out teams with zero connection to the past in a soulless, corporate hell hole of a stadium. Wenger's legacy.

[Power n Glory]

The bint was behind that apparently.

Giroud's fault again. He was caught cheating so will a few years of grovelling to make up for it. :lol:

[Power n Glory]

All of this comes down to Wenger's mismanagement.

If players have been overpaid at too young an age, are we saying the player should have told Wenger to pay less? The idiot Wenger pays more when less will do, and he offers less when more is required. Not a surprise because he has that policy in the transfer window too, underbidding for genuine talent and signing up shite for millions over the going rate. Who else was in for Xhaka and Mustafi at 35 mill a piece?

Jack won't have a problem finding a club or the pay he wants because he's a talented player that just needs a bit of direction and some proper coaching. The fact he's got this far is a testament to him. He's survived Wenger's bullshit all these years and he's played himself back into contention for the world cup. Might be the smartest move to get off this ship that is still sinking. A win over a parody of the once great Milan has papered over a lot of cracks for pundits and a section of the fans, but the main issues are still all there, waiting to fuck us again next season.

When Wenger eventually leaves there won't be much of an Arsenal left. We'll be this yank owned operation putting out teams with zero connection to the past in a soulless, corporate hell hole of a stadium. Wenger's legacy.

It was a flawed wage policy. I've never understood why we'd need to pay so much for youth players. It was really stupid and the people that left Wenger in charge of that need a slap too. Backwards economics.

It's as if the club and manager didn't realise that these players were coming here for the opportunity to play. We didn't need to overpay to keep them here and the wages would never be enough to ward off our rivals from bidding for them if the performances were that good. It really back fired against us. I can't believe Wenger has a Masters in economics. Someone needs to look that up and up and find out if it's genuine.

[Niall_Quinn]

It was a flawed wage policy. I've never understood why we'd need to pay so much for youth players. It was really stupid and the people that left Wenger in charge of that need a slap too. Backwards economics.

It's as if the club and manager didn't realise that these players were coming here for the opportunity to play. We didn't need to overpay to keep them here and the wages would never be enough to ward off our rivals from bidding for them if the performances were that good. It really back fired against us. I can't believe Wenger has a Masters in economics. Someone needs to look that up and up and find out if it's genuine.

Wenger's an old fool who has been extremely fortunate over the years. Fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. That's the theme that keeps emerging. He got away with his crackpot policies that would have killed the club much faster were it not for the unprecedented mountains of cash that poured into the game. Now he's lucked into another year, at least, by the look of it. The coincidence of a terrible Milan team surviving on the reputation of the past and playing in a stadium that conjures up memories of that past - in a second tier tournament, somehow this has been spun as a revival. And the fixture list he moans about conspires to give us this break that allows everything to settle back to the normal drudgery. An almost unbelievably lucky manager. The gods must have it in for Arsenal fans.

[Özim]

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere facing heartbreaking decision to leave as club insist they have made final take-it-or-leave-it offer https://t.co/SxjpnzoxaB

My heart bleeds, poor old Wilshire has to live on a guaranteed 90k a week, how on earth will he manage it :crying:

[Cripps]

It was a flawed wage policy. I've never understood why we'd need to pay so much for youth players. It was really stupid and the people that left Wenger in charge of that need a slap too. Backwards economics.

It's as if the club and manager didn't realise that these players were coming here for the opportunity to play. We didn't need to overpay to keep them here and the wages would never be enough to ward off our rivals from bidding for them if the performances were that good. It really back fired against us. I can't believe Wenger has a Masters in economics. Someone needs to look that up and up and find out if it's genuine.

Spot on.

Selling the invincibles within the space of 24 months and the youth project were 2 of his biggest mistakes IMO.

[Cripps]

Is someone above Wenger making decisions? :unsure:

I can't imagine Arsene would want to let Jack go. Jack is his little pet. It makes me think Ivan or SAS may be calling the shots.

[Power n Glory]

Is someone above Wenger making decisions? :unsure:

I can't imagine Arsene would want to let Jack go. Jack is his little pet. It makes me think Ivan or SAS may be calling the shots.

I don't think so. Jack said he had a conversation with Wenger and this was in the summer. Since that talk with Wenger he's been offered a new contract which could be the influence of SAS to structure the deal so it's a lower basic wage but performance based bonuses. Would be great if Wenger was taking orders but I doubt it.

[Cripps]

I don't think so. Jack said he had a conversation with Wenger and this was in the summer. Since that talk with Wenger he's been offered a new contract which could be the influence of SAS to structure the deal so it's a lower basic wage but performance based bonuses. Would be great if Wenger was taking orders but I doubt it.

Why is he looking to move Jack on then? That's weird. Jack and Cesc are his two little darlings.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think even Wenger has twigged he's in the shit and needs to start managing things in line with reality rather than his utopian empire.

Wenger's primary objective will be to save his own arse. Doubt he'll have any problems throwing people under the bus to do that.

[Cripps]

I think even Wenger has twigged he's in the shit and needs to start managing things in line with reality rather than his utopian empire.

Wenger's primary objective will be to save his own arse. Doubt he'll have any problems throwing people under the bus to do that.

This is a guy that gave Diaby pay cheque after pay cheque. He's also giving Santi plenty of time to recover. So letting Jack go just doesn't make sense.

When Ox told Wenger he wanted to leave Wenger apparently went ape sh*t and told him people above wanted Ox gone but that he believed in him. So there's definetly strings being pulled from above. I think it might be the case here too.

[Power n Glory]

Why is he looking to move Jack on then? That's weird. Jack and Cesc are his two little darlings.

Because Wenger has now fallen head over heels for Xhaka. I think Wenger is still holding it against Jack for going out to Bournemouth on loan instead of fighting for his place at Arsenal last year. Why would Wenger bench Jack and have him work his way back into the first team if Jack was still his darling? Jack has said himself that he held the conversation with Wenger.

[Özim]

I think Wenger has lost patience with Wilshire (yes it doesn't very occasionally happen), he's doesn't believe the hypetrain he created anymore, he's finally the guy is an crock you can't rely on.

The offer on the table takes that into consideration, the guy is 26 and have been with us for years and never stayed fit, it's a fair offer IMO, 90k and if you perform and stay fit you'll earn more than before, can't say fairer than that.

Wilshere plays on the fact he loves Arsenal and yet he seems happy to walk away because his basic isn't as high as it was, despite the fact his earning potential is higher than before, he was overpaid before so this is more in line with what he should have got, if he wants to stay that badly then he can sign and earn the extra by playing and performing.

If the guy believes in his ability he wouldn't even doubt signing on, moreover he'd realise the club have supported him and paid him handsomely for all the time he's been injured and that he owes them something for that, trouble is with these modern day footballers is they have a sense of entitlement, they don't feel the need to prove their worth and think the big money should just land on their lap for turning up.

I'm all for this contract, think the guy is vastly overrated tbh, he's not as good as some people claim, his career is testament to that, certainly wouldn't make him captain of the team, the only reason he's back in the England team is because, let's face it this is the worst England team in decades, there's barely any talent to pick from (other than up front), getting picked for England is no big deal these days.

[Cripps]

I think Wenger is still holding it against Jack for going out to Bournemouth on loan instead of fighting for his place at Arsenal last year.

That could well be the case actually. Although this is a guy that brought Flamini back in the frame after the guy walked out on him.

[rodders]

Seems to me Wenger's situation needs to be resolved so the new man if there is one has an input into departures

[Power n Glory]

That could well be the case actually. Although this is a guy that brought Flamini back in the frame after the guy walked out on him.

No logic to Wenger's behavior. He brought back Flamini but refused to sign Cesc who could and should have easily the role Xhaka and Wilshere currently occupy. He only brought Flamini back because he was available on a free. The cheapskate in him overrides the ruthless streak he sometimes has.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Where I would go some way to agreeing with Zim is that I think Wenger became somewhat indifferent to Jack a few years ago. I don't know why precisely and don't need to go into it too much, but I think to an extent he just lost faith and let go of the ideals he held in the 'British core of which Wilshere was arguably the centrepiece of'.

Allowing him to go to Bournemouth demonstrated this indifference and the fact Wilshere both sought and enacted it shows his own feelings were not too dissimilar. If we are setting a precedent with Wilshere fine......but I don't think that is really what we are trying to do here and feel he has been treated differently to other members of the squad which is essentially where his grievance probably stems from. Unfortunately, football is not the realm of the fair and 90k a week standard is still a lot of money. I'll accept the clubs stance but I do feel they should be more flexible. Not out of solely a sense of fairness or being 'just', but for some of the reasons MO has alluded to. He is genuinely an Arsenal boy, a talented Arsenal boy at that and one that would prefer to play for us than not.....unlike most of the rest of them who are simply biding their time and many of whom aren't good enough for where we want to be anyway.

Xhaka is a terrible signing, Ramsey has almost as many injury issues as Wilshere and is yet to sign his deal, Elneny isn't progressive enough and Maitland-Niles isn't being tried out in midfield anyway and there is little transfer talk of us with other midfielders. We flogged our only defensive midfielder a couple months ago to top it too.

It's not saying that much this year but after Ozil and Monreal, Wilshere has probably been the most consistent performer in a horrible season too.

[Cripps]

Alexander Hleb joins BATE Borisov for a FIFTH time https://t.co/zx9XjkEnmL

:lol: :rose:

[Cripps]

Lucas Perez is bound for Arsenal comeback this summer as he looks to turn around his career | ✍ @jamesbenge https://t.co/2MVRNa0ycX

[Niall_Quinn]

Seems to me Wenger's situation needs to be resolved so the new man if there is one has an input into departures

This is the key. Nobody should be coming in, nobody should be going out. Not until Wenger is gone. He has to go or else all of this will be just another summer of fuck-ups.

I don't know why he hasn't been sacked already after such a shambles of a season, on the back of so many other crap seasons. It's fast becoming the greatest mystery in the universe.

[Power n Glory]

Where I would go some way to agreeing with Zim is that I think Wenger became somewhat indifferent to Jack a few years ago. I don't know why precisely and don't need to go into it too much, but I think to an extent he just lost faith and let go of the ideals he held in the 'British core of which Wilshere was arguably the centrepiece of'.

Allowing him to go to Bournemouth demonstrated this indifference and the fact Wilshere both sought and enacted it shows his own feelings were not too dissimilar. If we are setting a precedent with Wilshere fine......but I don't think that is really what we are trying to do here and feel he has been treated differently to other members of the squad which is essentially where his grievance probably stems from. Unfortunately, football is not the realm of the fair and 90k a week standard is still a lot of money. I'll accept the clubs stance but I do feel they should be more flexible. Not out of solely a sense of fairness or being 'just', but for some of the reasons MO has alluded to. He is genuinely an Arsenal boy, a talented Arsenal boy at that and one that would prefer to play for us than not.....unlike most of the rest of them who are simply biding their time and many of whom aren't good enough for where we want to be anyway.

Xhaka is a terrible signing, Ramsey has almost as many injury issues as Wilshere and is yet to sign his deal, Elneny isn't progressive enough and Maitland-Niles isn't being tried out in midfield anyway and there is little transfer talk of us with other midfielders. We flogged our only defensive midfielder a couple months ago to top it too.

It's not saying that much this year but after Ozil and Monreal, Wilshere has probably been the most consistent performer in a horrible season too.

I hear you and think Wilshere is a good player as he is right now with the potential to be better. But my stance on the wage bill has always been that it's too high and I've always thought we gave too much too soon for most of these players, even the ones I like and wanted to stay at the club. By paying too much too soon, we've boxed ourselves into a corner and we're forced to make hard decisions. Pay these kids around £80k-90k too soon, the next contract you're looking at will be around £100k - £120k the minimum. That's the sort of money where you're not a promising player. That's delivery money. You better deliver the performances on the pitch with that salary or you're out.

I don't think it's just Jack being singled out either. We gambled on Theo, gave him the wages and he didn't live up to the billing and Wenger started looking at him in a different light. He was shown the exit quite quickly and for the first time we saw some public criticism of Theo on his defending and indecision on what position he wants to play. We cut our loses with Gibbs. We're close to cutting the cord on Jenksinon and Chambers. We thought long and hard about offering Ox a new deal and allowed him to get down to his last year. When we finally made an offer, Ox said 'no thanks' and went to Liverpool. For less money! It doesn't look like it's just Jack.

Jack going to Bournemouth is what probably soured the relationship with Wenger. The day he was dropped from the England squad, Jack was desperate to play and decided to move away from Arsenal, his boyhood club. I really like Wilshere. Country should mean more than Club but the fact that he'd up an leave Arsenal to pursue his own agenda must have earned him the side eye from Wenger. I really like Jack and want him to stay but he has to decide what's more important to him. The pay cut story stings a little, but if I were to find out that he wants to earn the same amount of money as the top earners, the narrative changes. I'd definitely start questioning his loyalty to the club. It shouldn't come to that but when money is the only barrier to him staying or going, I can't really stand on him being Arsenal through and through. Heck, I was just saying earlier today that Giroud left for the money and London lifestyle instead of the footballing reasons. To Chelsea of all clubs. He should get more stick for that. If Jack leaves for another club because he doesn't like the contract offer, what does that say about him?

It's not a great situation. I hope he signs the deal. I think it's important we keep players like Jack but it's a two way street.

[selassie]

I hear you and think Wilshere is a good player as he is right now with the potential to be better. But my stance on the wage bill has always been that it's too high and I've always thought we gave too much too soon for most of these players, even the ones I like and wanted to stay at the club. By paying too much too soon, we've boxed ourselves into a corner and we're forced to make hard decisions. Pay these kids around £80k-90k too soon, the next contract you're looking at will be around £100k - £120k the minimum. That's the sort of money where you're not a promising player. That's delivery money. You better deliver the performances on the pitch with that salary or you're out.

I don't think it's just Jack being singled out either. We gambled on Theo, gave him the wages and he didn't live up to the billing and Wenger started looking at him in a different light. He was shown the exit quite quickly and for the first time we saw some public criticism of Theo on his defending and indecision on what position he wants to play. We cut our loses with Gibbs. We're close to cutting the cord on Jenksinon and Chambers. We thought long and hard about offering Ox a new deal and allowed him to get down to his last year. When we finally made an offer, Ox said 'no thanks' and went to Liverpool. For less money! It doesn't look like it's just Jack.

Jack going to Bournemouth is what probably soured the relationship with Wenger. The day he was dropped from the England squad, Jack was desperate to play and decided to move away from Arsenal, his boyhood club. I really like Wilshere. Country should mean more than Club but the fact that he'd up an leave Arsenal to pursue his own agenda must have earned him the side eye from Wenger. I really like Jack and want him to stay but he has to decide what's more important to him. The pay cut story stings a little, but if I were to find out that he wants to earn the same amount of money as the top earners, the narrative changes. I'd definitely start questioning his loyalty to the club. It shouldn't come to that but when money is the only barrier to him staying or going, I can't really stand on him being Arsenal through and through. Heck, I was just saying earlier today that Giroud left for the money and London lifestyle instead of the footballing reasons. To Chelsea of all clubs. He should get more stick for that. If Jack leaves for another club because he doesn't like the contract offer, what does that say about him?

It's not a great situation. I hope he signs the deal. I think it's important we keep players like Jack but it's a two way street.

:gp:

I’m with you on this. I like Jack, I like the fact he is one of our own and despite his problems with injuries over the years he has come back and delivered decent performances this season.

If we had a plethora of quality options in Central Midfield I wouldn’t be so bothered over the Jack contract situation, we haven’t though and as it stands right now Jack is more than good enough to start for us and is a quality squad / rotation player.

It’s all very well us putting on some principled stance over contract renewals of our existing players but if we don’t have ready made replacements or upgrades lined up then we are just shooting ourselves in the foot.

As it stands, Central Midfield is a major concern for me, the last thing we should be doing is weakening it!

[Özim]

If Wilshere left Arsenal I'd be confident he'll achieve nothing in his career like Walcott, reckon he's vastly overrated and has been hyped something chronic, even at Bournemouth last season he was nothing special before he got injured again, the reality is he's not delivered anything in hs career apart from the odd decent performance (which any player can do), he's been OK this season but let's be honest we've been awful so any half decent performance would stand out.

Incidentally, he's got injured again and won't be playing for England against Holland and may not play against Italy, now there's a surprise! :lol:

For me if he leaves I won't be fussed, I don't think he has the discipline or attitude to make it at the top level, he's definitely not grounded enough for someone who hasn't achieved anything, if he's only interested in momey then let him move, he needs to show some loyalty IMO after years of us carrying him on big wages, like I said he can earn more than he does now if he stays fit and performs, trouble is he's not interested, he wants his guaranteed basic for the easy life, so there's no pressure for him to actually perform on the pitch. Our CM is rubbish with or without him in the team tbh, we need to start again there.

[Mac76]

Lucas Perez is bound for Arsenal comeback this summer as he looks to turn around his career | ✍ @jamesbenge https://t.co/2MVRNa0ycX

i must admit, i thought we'd sold him outright, but either way does he really want to be frozen out by Wenger a second time?

he could do better than that surely - I thought he looked good on teh odd occasion he actually played, but Wenger won't give him any chances so he'd be better off going elsewhere i'd have thought

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I hear you and think Wilshere is a good player as he is right now with the potential to be better. But my stance on the wage bill has always been that it's too high and I've always thought we gave too much too soon for most of these players, even the ones I like and wanted to stay at the club. By paying too much too soon, we've boxed ourselves into a corner and we're forced to make hard decisions. Pay these kids around £80k-90k too soon, the next contract you're looking at will be around £100k - £120k the minimum. That's the sort of money where you're not a promising player. That's delivery money. You better deliver the performances on the pitch with that salary or you're out.

I don't think it's just Jack being singled out either. We gambled on Theo, gave him the wages and he didn't live up to the billing and Wenger started looking at him in a different light. He was shown the exit quite quickly and for the first time we saw some public criticism of Theo on his defending and indecision on what position he wants to play. We cut our loses with Gibbs. We're close to cutting the cord on Jenksinon and Chambers. We thought long and hard about offering Ox a new deal and allowed him to get down to his last year. When we finally made an offer, Ox said 'no thanks' and went to Liverpool. For less money! It doesn't look like it's just Jack.

Jack going to Bournemouth is what probably soured the relationship with Wenger. The day he was dropped from the England squad, Jack was desperate to play and decided to move away from Arsenal, his boyhood club. I really like Wilshere. Country should mean more than Club but the fact that he'd up an leave Arsenal to pursue his own agenda must have earned him the side eye from Wenger. I really like Jack and want him to stay but he has to decide what's more important to him. The pay cut story stings a little, but if I were to find out that he wants to earn the same amount of money as the top earners, the narrative changes. I'd definitely start questioning his loyalty to the club. It shouldn't come to that but when money is the only barrier to him staying or going, I can't really stand on him being Arsenal through and through. Heck, I was just saying earlier today that Giroud left for the money and London lifestyle instead of the footballing reasons. To Chelsea of all clubs. He should get more stick for that. If Jack leaves for another club because he doesn't like the contract offer, what does that say about him?

It's not a great situation. I hope he signs the deal. I think it's important we keep players like Jack but it's a two way street.

I think it was more than just going to Bournemouth though. Wenger is one of the best managers at not holding a grudge and putting his feelings aside when it comes to his own players. As I think you have pointed out in a previous post...he has welcomed back Flamini with open arms amongst others in the past despite the way he left and losing him in his prime.

Not sure if it was just something behind the scenes or just one of those things....maybe we'll find out one day in the fabled 'book' but until then we can endlessly speculate for years to come!

I hope he signs too, but it looks like he is well prepared to leave and not just calling out bluff.

[Power n Glory]

I think it was more than just going to Bournemouth though. Wenger is one of the best managers at not holding a grudge and putting his feelings aside when it comes to his own players. As I think you have pointed out in a previous post...he has welcomed back Flamini with open arms amongst others in the past despite the way he left and losing him in his prime.

Not sure if it was just something behind the scenes or just one of those things....maybe we'll find out one day in the fabled 'book' but until then we can endlessly speculate for years to come!

I hope he signs too, but it looks like he is well prepared to leave and not just calling out bluff.

Vieira made the point about Flamini being welcomed back. But I responded to that. Wenger would never have welcomed Flamini back if he wasn't available on a free transfer and training with us. He'll put aside a grudge if it's a cheap deal. But when it came to having the opportunity to bring Cesc back and pair him with Ozil, he rejected the moves.

Besides the Bournemouth move, Jack was caught smoking and partying on two separate occasions in one season. Wenger has a limit and will get rid of you if you keep taking the piss. Look how quickly Theo was taken out of the first team after his public comments. Chesney was given the boot for smoking in the showers and wasn't recalled from loan. Gibbs is another one shown the door quite quickly...

I hope Jack stays but it's really down to him. He's not in a good position and after picking up ankther injury whilst on England duty, he better hope the Arsenal offer is still on the table.

[Cripps]

Something doesn't add up with this Wilshere situation. This is a guy that gives players with a broken back contracts.

Jack is his little pet. He's invested so much time and effort in him, and now he's supposedly had enough of him? It just doesn't make sense. There has to be more to it.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I don't think Arsenal will rescind the offer...but yes his position certainly isn't strengthened by a timely injury that could actually work in our favour.#

Re: Vieira's last comment. I think he has been indifferent to Jack for some time. He was a similar way with Coquelin too before he had a stormer....then when that ended, Wenger was indifferent to him again.

[Cripps]

One theory could be that Wenger had to accept certain stipulations when signing a new contract as part of the 'catalyst for change' comments. Refreshing the squad and letting go of players that are overpaid and haven't delivered could be one.

Wenger saying people above him wanted Ox gone certainly ties in with that.

[Power n Glory]

One theory could be that Wenger had to accept certain stipulations when signing a new contract as part of the 'catalyst for change' comments. Refreshing the squad and letting go of players that are overpaid and haven't delivered could be one.

Wenger saying people above him wanted Ox gone certainly ties in with that.

If that's the case, last summer Wilshere was told he could leave and that he won't be offered a new contract. Why would they now offer him a deal? Also, Wenger personally told Wilshere that he wouldn't get a new deal whilst training and that he had no plans for him in the current set up.

It's odd that they decided to offer him a deal and if Wenger were fighting for Wilshere to stay and prove his worth, wouldn't he keep him in the team instead of benching him?

[Cripps]

If that's the case, last summer Wilshere was told he could leave and that he won't be offered a new contract. Why would they now offer him a deal? Also, Wenger personally told Wilshere that he wouldn't get a new deal whilst training and that he had no plans for him in the current set up.


Nothing adds up in the world of Arsenal and the nutty professor, as you say :shrug:

This is a club that gave Coquelin a £100k a week contract then sold him 12 months later. Maybe in the summer they thought he's just come back from another long term injury and the guy won't be able to handle the demands of a season, so let's offload him, but now he's played 30+ games they've had a slight change of heart and decided to give him an incentive based contract :shrug:

I dunno I'm as confused as you are, but all I know is Wenger doesn't let players go easily and I'm not convinced he'd willingly let Jack leave :shrug:

[Cripps]

Bellerin's agent Albert Botines: "There's no contact for Bellerin, no-one has sought me out. He's happy, he's recently renewed & he's playing consistently. Its true every player always wants to grow, but right now its difficult [to see him leaving]" #Arsenal https://t.co/J0omqdOxJN

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

We all heard the recording....

[GP]

The fake one?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

You really think that was fake?

[GP]

Bro...

[Cripps]

Thomas Tuchel is in talks with Arsenal about becoming manager in the summer. [@MartinVolkmar] #afc https://t.co/2mWCiXLg6S

Tuchel on inspirational clubs: "I think Barça, Arsenal, maybe Ajax - they represent something special regarding their football approach." https://t.co/b832Oew1Rt

No chance of this happening now Sven is here.

[Power n Glory]

Thomas Tuchel is in talks with Arsenal about becoming manager in the summer. [@MartinVolkmar] #afc https://t.co/2mWCiXLg6S

Tuchel on inspirational clubs: "I think Barça, Arsenal, maybe Ajax - they represent something special regarding their football approach." https://t.co/b832Oew1Rt

No chance of this happening now Sven is here.

Wenger is staying.

[Özim]

Thomas Tuchel is in talks with Arsenal about becoming manager in the summer. [@MartinVolkmar] #afc https://t.co/2mWCiXLg6S

Tuchel on inspirational clubs: "I think Barça, Arsenal, maybe Ajax - they represent something special regarding their football approach." https://t.co/b832Oew1Rt

No chance of this happening now Sven is here.

Tuchel is a terrible manager, got to hope this never happens.

[Özim]

Wilshere the crock out of Italy game, never far away from the next injury this guy, can't blame us for wanting to pay him based on how much he plays as he spends most of his career in the treatment room, you'd call it unlucky but the guy tends to be pretty reckless in challenges, over stretching and not knowing when to pull back.

[Cripps]

Former Bayern Munich & Germany midfielder Lothar Matthäus has revealed he knows Thomas Tuchel is in talks with Arsenal. [SportBILD] #afc https://t.co/IKV7no1TQc

:blink:

[dostoy]

Tuchel is a terrible manager, got to hope this never happens.

The speculation is pure shit anyway.

A terrible manager is slightly better than an absolutely diabolical one though which is what Arsenal have at the moment.

Wenger is staying until at least June 2019 which means next season is fucked already.

[Cripps]

The speculation is pure shit anyway.

A terrible manager is slightly better than an absolutely diabolical one though which is what Arsenal have at the moment.

Wenger is staying until at least June 2019 which means next season is fucked already.

NQ's 8th account:bow:

[Özim]

The speculation is pure shit anyway.

A terrible manager is slightly better than an absolutely diabolical one though which is what Arsenal have at the moment.

Wenger is staying until at least June 2019 which means next season is fucked already.

Spot on on all counts, neither is the answer if you're serious about challenging for anything.

[Cripps]

Arsenal have held discussions over a possible move for Freiburg's 21-year-old centre back Çağlar Söyüncü, a player admired by Sven Mislintat. [@MailSport] #afc https://t.co/FxVOY94kNF

Sven :bow:

[selassie]

Arsenal have held discussions over a possible move for Freiburg's 21-year-old centre back Çağlar Söyüncü, a player admired by Sven Mislintat. [@MailSport] #afc https://t.co/FxVOY94kNF

Sven :bow:

If Wenger stays he'll ruin this guy assuming we buy him!

[Cripps]

Thread title changed :patrice:

[Cripps]

Lacazette on whether Wenger leaving affects his future: "Its strange because it was him who wanted me to come to #Arsenal. I signed a long contract but now he has left it will be different. We will see after the season" https://t.co/8s64d8qHPZ

[Özim]

To be honest any decent manager would use Lacazette and Aubameyang together, they can both score goals and are different kind of players, Wenger hasn't given Lacazette much of a chance.

I think any player will be unsure of their future as noone wil know what the new manager will do or whether they will want them, think he'll be OK though he's a very good player and finisher and those don't grow on trees. We may actually see two up top after years of this one up top formation Wenger loves so much.

You need two top strikers at least in your squad, you'd be foolish to get rid of either of them.

[KSE Comedy Club]

We might actually do something revolutionary too, like having balls played through the middle to the strikers and, (wait....wait) and, see the strikers shooting instead of trying to lay the ball off to midfield/defenders/GK...... !!!!! :faint:

[Marc Overmars]

We have a strikeforce good enough to win the league and CL.

It's the rest of the squad that is a sack of poo.

[Master Splinter]

A new keeper is beyond a no-brainer. If we go into the season with Cech as our number one, we might as well keep Wenger as well.

In the other positions, it's not necessarily about getting loads of expensive players, it's more about getting them to play with an identity again and finding a balance. I mean, Wenger got midfields including Denilson, Flamini and Song to play the best football in the country. And we had Arteta and Ramsey both combining excellently for a season before the rot really set in.

[Cripps]

New Arsenal manager restricted to £50m summer transfer budget https://t.co/qUvcGPXxBe

:lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Kroenke Out!

[Goonermerree]

New Arsenal manager restricted to £50m summer transfer budget https://t.co/qUvcGPXxBe

:lol:

There's incentive, right there, to get in a good manager.

[Goonermerree]

Kroenke Out!

Wouldn't that be great? Be careful what you wish for though!

[scallywag]

New Arsenal manager restricted to £50m summer transfer budget https://t.co/qUvcGPXxBe

:lol:

Mmmm thats a bummer, we need a lot more than that, we need a few players.

[Niall_Quinn]

Daily Telegraph with all the inside news on Arsenal - except the Wenger news where they were as "in the know" as your average fan.

Did any of the "experts" call events last week?

It's an easy enough assumption the new guy will want to sell off the deadwood anyway and in this crazy market we'll probably get another 50, 60, 70 mill from selling junk. Bet we'd still get 25 mill for Mustafi.

We might not even need to buy any defenders, we could end up with as good as 6-7 new signings just by training up the guys we have.

This will be a summer of wide open possibilities, so I don't place any stock in what the so-called experts are twittering on about.

A good central midfielder though, that's a must.

[Goonermerree]

Daily Telegraph with all the inside news on Arsenal - except the Wenger news where they were as "in the know" as your average fan.

Did any of the "experts" call events last week?

It's an easy enough assumption the new guy will want to sell off the deadwood anyway and in this crazy market we'll probably get another 50, 60, 70 mill from selling junk. Bet we'd still get 25 mill for Mustafi.

We might not even need to buy any defenders, we could end up with as good as 6-7 new signings just by training up the guys we have.

This will be a summer of wide open possibilities, so I don't place any stock in what the so-called experts are twittering on about.

A good central midfielder though, that's a must.

Exciting times though, something to look forward to.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Daily Telegraph with all the inside news on Arsenal - except the Wenger news where they were as "in the know" as your average fan.

Did any of the "experts" call events last week?

It's an easy enough assumption the new guy will want to sell off the deadwood anyway and in this crazy market we'll probably get another 50, 60, 70 mill from selling junk. Bet we'd still get 25 mill for Mustafi.

We might not even need to buy any defenders, we could end up with as good as 6-7 new signings just by training up the guys we have.

This will be a summer of wide open possibilities, so I don't place any stock in what the so-called experts are twittering on about.

A good central midfielder though, that's a must.

Come on now...don't be daft.....

[Cripps]

According to the Times, Boro Primorac, Tony Colbert & Gerry Peyton are all set to leave the club in the summer. #Arsenal

Ivan :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Come on now...don't be daft.....

Or more. It's a crazy market and he's a German international.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

No club would be stupid enough to buy him for anything close to what we got him for now. Only the petro dollar clubs can waste that sort of money and none of them will be wasting their time on the likes of Mustafi...unless Wenger takes him with him to PSG.

I didn't understand the reports last summer that we tried to sell him,....but I certainly get it now.

[Gooner23]

According to the Times, Boro Primorac, Tony Colbert & Gerry Peyton are all set to leave the club in the summer. #Arsenal

Ivan :bow:

No real surprises there, Wenger's old boys club.

By all accounts Peyton isn't a great keeper coach at all. And would assume that fitness guy we got from Australia will take a bigger role when Colbert goes. No idea what Primoric does?!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Hearing a number of players out of contract this summer including Chiellini (inexplicably) and Robben. I don't think we could pull off the former but I would certainly be sniffing around the divey robot Robben.

If we only have 50 million that will easily be blown on a keeper, CB and DCM. If we are really unlucky we could spend that on the just one of those alone. I think we need to be creative this summer.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

My wishlist:

1) Big powerful tall CB. Possibly two.

After watching Koulibaly head every single ball Juventus tried to launch into the box on Sunday and seeing how Van Dijk has gone a long way to stemming Liverpool's defensive woes, I'm more convinced than ever that we need to start signing powerful and tall CB's once again.

You get away with midgets like Mustafi & Vermaelen if your team is built around defence but ours never will be. That Mainz guy we're linked to sounds promising.


2) Athletic powerful CM

Naby Keita would have been perfect if we hadn't let him piss off to Liverpool.

3) Right sided goal scoring winger.

Wouldn't mind a left sided one as well but this side is especially barren.

4) GK

Cech is past it, though I still think we can eek out another season out of him if we don't have the money to replace him - he should still be enough to get us top four. Less of a priority than the other positions.


Sell/Release: Wilshere, Iwobi, Lacazette (I'm afraid we need the money and he's one of the few that actual has some sell on value), Mustafi and possibly Xhaka.



According to the Times, Boro Primorac, Tony Colbert & Gerry Peyton are all set to leave the club in the summer. #Arsenal

Ivan :bow:

Fantastic news! Though I don't think Colbert is as bad as the other two dinosaurs. I'd kick out Banfield as well - another one of supposed "first team coaches" that appears to be utterly useless when it comes to coaching & improving players.

[KSE Comedy Club]

My wishlist:

1) Big powerful tall CB. Possibly two.

After watching Koulibaly head every single ball Juventus tried to launch into the box on Sunday and seeing how Van Dijk has gone a long way to stemming Liverpool's defensive woes, I'm more convinced than ever that we need to start signing powerful and tall CB's once again.

You get away with midgets like Mustafi & Vermaelen if your team is built around defence but ours never will be. That Mainz guy we're linked to sounds promising.


2) Athletic powerful CM

Naby Keita would have been perfect if we hadn't let him piss off to Liverpool.

3) Right sided goal scoring winger.

Wouldn't mind a left sided one as well but this side is especially barren.

4) GK

Cech is past it, though I still think we can eek out another season out of him if we don't have the money to replace him - he should still be enough to get us top four. Less of a priority than the other positions.


Sell/Release: Wilshere, Iwobi, Lacazette (I'm afraid we need the money and he's one of the few that actual has some sell on value), Mustafi and possibly Xhaka.




Fantastic news! Though I don't think Colbert is as bad as the other two dinosaurs. I'd kick out Banfield as well - another one of supposed "first team coaches" that appears to be utterly useless when it comes to coaching & improving players.

We can't sell Lacazette you idiot :lol:

We have two decent strikers for the first time in years, we need them to be working together to push us on :rolleyes:

[Bumble]

We can't sell Lacazette you idiot :lol:

We have two decent strikers for the first time in years, we need them to be working together to push us on :rolleyes:
If we continue with 2 good strikers then we need to look at playing 2 up top. one of them out wide doesn't work and I don't think playing one at a time works either as the other will be disenchanted. I do think we could play 2 up top, 5 across midfield and 3 at the back.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We can't sell Lacazette you idiot :lol:

We have two decent strikers for the first time in years, we need them to be working together to push us on :rolleyes:

Unless the new manager is going to commit to playing two up front then he's unfortunately expendable.

We aren't in the luxurious position of keeping a valuable CF on the bench when we've got major holes in our CM & CB that desperately need to be filled and going by recent reports, we don't have the money to plug them without selling first. And if it's straight choice between playing Aubeymang or Lacazette upfront then it's no brainer tbh.

One of the biggest problems we've faced recently is that we don't know how to sell well to get maximum value, instead getting too attached to players, giving them too many chances and not being ruthless enough - e.g. we really should have got more money from Alexis & Ox and we've squandered other player values. Look at Liverpool - they sold Coutinho for mega money at his prime and reinvested the money to plug up a major hole in defence - that's exactly the squad building approach we need to emulate.

[Niall_Quinn]

Don't forget, we may end up with a manager who plays different systems depending on the opponent. Or a manager that knows how to operate a rotation policy. Strange concepts at Arsenal but everything is back on the table.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Unless the new manager is going to commit to playing two up front then he's unfortunately expendable.

We aren't in the luxurious position of keeping a valuable CF on the bench when we've got major holes in our CM & CB that desperately need to be filled and going by recent reports, we don't have the money to plug them without selling first. And if it's straight choice between playing Aubeymang or Lacazette upfront then it's no brainer tbh.

One of the biggest problems we've faced recently is that we don't know how to sell well to get maximum value, instead getting too attached to players, giving them too many chances and not being ruthless enough - e.g. we really should have got more money from Alexis & Ox and we've squandered other player values. Look at Liverpool - they sold Coutinho for mega money at his prime and reinvested the money to plug up a major hole in defence - that's exactly the squad building approach we need to emulate.

NQ just said it all in the post above

But the point is the new manager is more likely to try and utilise the two decent strikers we have properly.

[KSE Comedy Club]

TEG you also failed to include Welbeck in your list and possibly release Cazorla to generate extra funds

[Flavs]

weirdly the best way to counter this new 343 or 352 nonsense is to play 442 with deep wingers....stick Lacazette and PEA up front together against those teams

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm just enjoying the prospect of seeing something different next season.

Of course if the new guy rolls out the same formation and we start tipping it around in triangles I'll kill myself. After I have killed everyone else.

[Flavs]

I'm just enjoying the prospect of seeing something different next season.

Of course if the new guy rolls out the same formation and we start tipping it around in triangles I'll kill myself. After I have killed everyone else.

or see Bellerin tear down the right wing....stop....wait.....play it inside and drop back....ball goes back to DM....across to the left....Monreal tries an overlap and fails....back to the DM.....out to the right....

:ilt:

[KSE Comedy Club]

Or we make a brilliant pacy counter attack, beating the opposition defence, two on one and the GK to beat......then inexplicably, stop outside the box and pass it out wide....then back to the centre.........then back to the wing......then back to DM.....then back to Kos.....then back to Cech.....

[Niall_Quinn]

Or the ball falls perfectly to the striker in the opposition box... he's facing the goal... the shot is on... he draws back his boot...

... and taps it square to a team mate who is...

...in the opposition box... he's facing the goal... the shot is on... he draws back his boot...

[Mac76]

Unless the new manager is going to commit to playing two up front then he's unfortunately expendable.

We aren't in the luxurious position of keeping a valuable CF on the bench when we've got major holes in our CM & CB that desperately need to be filled and going by recent reports, we don't have the money to plug them without selling first. And if it's straight choice between playing Aubeymang or Lacazette upfront then it's no brainer tbh.

One of the biggest problems we've faced recently is that we don't know how to sell well to get maximum value, instead getting too attached to players, giving them too many chances and not being ruthless enough - e.g. we really should have got more money from Alexis & Ox and we've squandered other player values. Look at Liverpool - they sold Coutinho for mega money at his prime and reinvested the money to plug up a major hole in defence - that's exactly the squad building approach we need to emulate.

no any big club needs more than one top class striker for the number of league and cup games played, even without injuries

if we sell the deadwood we should raise a decent amount even if it's not as much as we paid for them

as for Ox, a lot of people questionned whether 'pool paid too much for him but he's shown his ability under a better manager - shame for him about the injusry btw, he'll be gutted if he misses the World Cup

[The Emirates Gallactico]

NQ just said it all in the post above

But the point is the new manager is more likely to try and utilise the two decent strikers we have properly.

I don't think anything he said really counters anything. Rotation & changing systems is good and much welcomed but the fact of the matter is that you can't afford to have two Ferrari's parked in the garage when the foundations of your house are crumbling and you don't have the money to fix it.


And to play two up front you need to have two strong athletic CM's behind them. Leicester had that with Kante & Drinkwater in the year they won it and the last time we played two up front we had the likes of Vieria & Gilberto with Edu & Parlour supporting them.

We simply cannot do that right now because of Ozil's position as the number ten - you can't play him in the CM behind two strikers - he's not strong & powerful enough for that role. And we've just committed a mega contract to him so he's not going anywhere.


And Welbeck won't fetch much money being on the last year of his contract & well ...... being kind of shit. Similar thing to Mustafi - we'd be lucky to get 15 million for him. It's not like opposition scouts haven't been watching us play and seen how hopeless he's been. Lacazette is one of the few that still retains his value and where we can have a capable replacement (Aubeymang).

[The Emirates Gallactico]

no any big club needs more than one top class striker for the number of league and cup games played, even without injuries

if we sell the deadwood we should raise a decent amount even if it's not as much as we paid for them

as for Ox, a lot of people questionned whether 'pool paid too much for him but he's shown his ability under a better manager - shame for him about the injusry btw, he'll be gutted if he misses the World Cup

Yes I'd love to have two top class strikers but what's far more important is having a functioning central midfield and central defence. I'd much rather have Welbeck as the backup striker than go yet another season without having the those areas fixed ...... look how well that's worked out this calendar year in the away games?

And no not really. As I said above do you not think other teams have been watching us play and are going to pay top dollar for tripe like Mustafi, Chambers, Iwobi etc? Whereas any player we will want with any pedigree & hype the selling team will be able to extract major money considering the current market.


And we kind of lucked out that there was a bidding war with Chelsea which raised the price. But the point is that had we sold him a year before that we could have easily got 50 million if not more as a young talented English player.

[Niall_Quinn]

It would be insane to sell Laca or Auba, especially as we have them on RELATIVELY low wages. We're looking to step up a level, not stabilise our current also-ran status. We need both of them, and Ozil, and Miki and I'd say Ramsey too. These are the players on which we build, and I have a sneaky feeling we may already have a top class midfielder in AMN anyway.

I doubt there will be many big changes when the new guy comes in. He needs time to look at what he's got. I expect to see every player jump up a level once we get proper coaching, training, tactics, in place. Who knows who we should keep or sell considering we haven't seen any of them at their best under Wenger. Even Xhaka and Mustafi could work out. We need to give the new guy a bit of time to find out.

Sell-on fees should be a thing of the past. Being a selling club should be a thing of the past. A whole new mindset is required. A winning one.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

RE EG on Auba and Laca: I think You're jumping the gun a little and I would keep the pair of them here as options for all that is good in the world!

Let them fight it out over the next season and see what the new manager has in store. If it doesn't work out Laca is still old enough to have a sell on value the season after and we do need depth in the squad.

I think we are going to need to accept that the new guy + team Ivan won't sort this mess out in one summer...and a summer in which a world cup is on at that.

I say if we have to prioritise then a top CB has to come in. Cech can blag it a little on experience and top GK's can be found that are affordable with very astute scouting unlike with attacking players. The rest we are going to need to pin on some good solid coaching, drills and a coherent system that the individual parts and whole all understand.

Koulibaly by all means. Obviously an expensive option but we need to stop pissing around.
Show a little more faith in Holding with a proper system in place and new talent around him.
Fire Mustafi out of a cannon and out of the club. If he hasn't hustled himself a brain from the wizard of Oz by now, he'll never have one.
A creative option with a top player out of contract.....Alderweireld...Chiellini?

Monreal, Kos, Koulibaly, Holding and possibly another as the CB's. Chambers I don't think will make the grade.

Sign a central midfielder. I don't care if he is a true defensive midfielder like Kante....or someone like Dembele who can retain possession in any situation on the field no matter how much pressure he's under......both types will MASSIVELY help us control the game from midfield. I like Savic at Lazio but he's probably going to cost a kings ransom. If he went to PSG however I'd be on the phone to them to nick Rabiot and help them balance their FFP books. Tall, rangy good passer and quite mobile.

I would try and sign Robben whilst his contract is about to run out, though obviously I'd have doubts over whether he'd come. It's not going to cost a huge transfer fee and he is old enough to not seriously block the path of any other players we might be worried about and we have virtually no real width in attack anymore. He's also a goal machine and still pretty bloody quick.

[Marc Overmars]

Offer Iniesta a cheeky contract tbf.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I did mention that a while back. It wasn't that popular....though I was being quite serious.

[Mac76]

Offer Iniesta a cheeky contract tbf.

i'm in :clap:

[Power n Glory]

I don't think anything he said really counters anything. Rotation & changing systems is good and much welcomed but the fact of the matter is that you can't afford to have two Ferrari's parked in the garage when the foundations of your house are crumbling and you don't have the money to fix it.


And to play two up front you need to have two strong athletic CM's behind them. Leicester had that with Kante & Drinkwater in the year they won it and the last time we played two up front we had the likes of Vieria & Gilberto with Edu & Parlour supporting them.

We simply cannot do that right now because of Ozil's position as the number ten - you can't play him in the CM behind two strikers - he's not strong & powerful enough for that role. And we've just committed a mega contract to him so he's not going anywhere.


And Welbeck won't fetch much money being on the last year of his contract & well ...... being kind of shit. Similar thing to Mustafi - we'd be lucky to get 15 million for him. It's not like opposition scouts haven't been watching us play and seen how hopeless he's been. Lacazette is one of the few that still retains his value and where we can have a capable replacement (Aubeymang).

A new manager may be able to get something out of Aubameyang on the wing or maybe he can play two strikers with a 3-5-2 or go back to a 4-4-2 as Flav said. If we want to incorporate Ozil, he may have to play out wide or play in a diamond shape. The new manager will demand a lot more from him. Depending on who we get, I've seen plenty of managers deal with this sort of selection issue when it comes to strikers. Look at Barcelona. Too early to say who should be starting, who we build the team around or who we can't accommodate.

[Bumble]

A new manager may be able to get something out of Aubameyang on the wing or maybe he can play two strikers with a 3-5-2 or go back to a 4-4-2 as Flav said. If we want to incorporate Ozil, he may have to play out wide or play in a diamond shape. The new manager will demand a lot more from him. Depending on who we get, I've seen plenty of managers deal with this sort of selection issue when it comes to strikers. Look at Barcelona. Too early to say who should be starting, who we build the team around or who we can't accommodate.

3-4-1-2 could work
keeper
new defender Koscielny Monreal
Bellerin Ramsey New Nails CM left wing back
Ozil
Auby and Laca

[Flavs]

Offer Iniesta a cheeky contract tbf.

:gp: i was looking att he free agents in the summer and thought this, also Chiellini and Barzagli both out of contract in the summer :unsure:

[GP]

Max Meyer will leave Schalke in the summer.

We should get him to replace Jack.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Offer Iniesta a cheeky contract tbf.

There was one news article that mentioned if Enrique got the job he would bring Iniesta with him, don't know which one it was though

[selassie]

There was one news article that mentioned if Enrique got the job he would bring Iniesta with him, don't know which one it was though

He's still a very good player but he is the last area where we need improvement.

We are stacked in that position, Ozil and Mkhitaryan are amongst our best players.

[selassie]

Yes I'd love to have two top class strikers but what's far more important is having a functioning central midfield and central defence. I'd much rather have Welbeck as the backup striker than go yet another season without having the those areas fixed ...... look how well that's worked out this calendar year in the away games?

And no not really. As I said above do you not think other teams have been watching us play and are going to pay top dollar for tripe like Mustafi, Chambers, Iwobi etc? Whereas any player we will want with any pedigree & hype the selling team will be able to extract major money considering the current market.


And we kind of lucked out that there was a bidding war with Chelsea which raised the price. But the point is that had we sold him a year before that we could have easily got 50 million if not more as a young talented English player.

TEG, I get what you are saying and I agree we need to implement some sort of spine to the team because we currently don't have one!

We need a keeper, central defender and central midfielder as a priority. One of those areas could possibly be filled by an internal solution, but I think at a minimum we will need 2 signings for those 3 positions.

Where I agree with the others and disagree with you is sacrificing Lacazette. Having 2 very good strikers is a must if we want to get back up to challenging top 4 / trophies.

We need to keep both Auba and Laca irrespective of our budget.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He's still a very good player but he is the last area where we need improvement.

We are stacked in that position, Ozil and Mkhitaryan are amongst our best players.

I would love it just to see him play for us. Even though he is Old Man Iniesta he is still on occasion amazing to watch.

As it is, he is very likely to be going to China.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think Iniesta is the calibre of player you make an exception for even at his age. If he was willing to come here, Arsenal should absolutely bring him here. He'd be able to play the holding role much better than Xhaka just by not giving the ball away in the worst positions and being an infinitely better footballer. There's is literally nothing we would lose, other than maybe the odd cynical tackle.

Not that he should play that role...but just making a point!

[Niall_Quinn]

Papers were reporting Pep wants Iniesta in gypoland. They definitelycould have made that up out of thin air.

[AFC Leveller]

Arsenal closing in on Dortmund CB Sokratis for 17m.

According to the Sun.

[Cripps]

Arsenal 'favourites to sign Sokratis' with Borussia Dortmund prepared to cash-in on £18m-rated Greece centre back https://t.co/KkfygveYXC https://t.co/tOLhAHbbjQ

[Bumble]

Arsenal 'favourites to sign Sokratis' with Borussia Dortmund prepared to cash-in on £18m-rated Greece centre back https://t.co/KkfygveYXC https://t.co/tOLhAHbbjQ

who has made that decision? surely a new manager should have a say.

[Goonermerree]

who has made that decision? surely a new manager should have a say.

Maybe we have a new manager but everyone is sworn to secrecy until Wenger has left.

[Marc Overmars]

who has made that decision? surely a new manager should have a say.

Not when you've got specialists working above the manager. This is normal at a lot of clubs I would have thought.

[Niall_Quinn]

who has made that decision? surely a new manager should have a say.

Newspapers will have us signing everyone between now and a new manager actually sitting down. Problem this year is the World Cup. The top players who want a move will try to use it as a shop window so they'll leave their moves until late. In prior seasons we were signing Mbappe, Lemar, Fred, Bob and Joe. None of them are here now.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Arsenal 'favourites to sign Sokratis' with Borussia Dortmund prepared to cash-in on £18m-rated Greece centre back https://t.co/KkfygveYXC https://t.co/tOLhAHbbjQ

ugghhh don't like this at all. I think he's a bit crap and it's more Dortmund looking to get rid.

Plus he's the wrong profile of player .... 29 years old and on the wane. I can understand doing that for world class attacking quality (e.g. Aubeymang) but I'd much rather sign an promising, tall & powerful highly rated CB in the 22/23 range who can improve under the coaching of a new manager.

I hope there's more to Sven then simply going in for ex Dortmund players. :rolleyes:

[Cripps]

I trust SAS

SAS > TEG

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I trust SAS

SAS > TEG

How many posts on a dieing Arsenal forum have SAS made?

[Cripps]

:lol:

[Bumble]

Jack Butland as the new keeper? As Stoke will get relegated.

[Globalgunner]

The Deportivo la Coruna keeper Ruben Martinez is also worth a look. He played a blinder yesterday against Barca. Notwithstanding that Messi got a hattrick. Would be cheaper than Butland too

Also Lucas Perez was as sharp as a razor yesterday. Its utterly mindboggling how Wenger can drop Perez and Keep Welbeck. Then again the man is a complete boondoggle.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Heard on Arseblog's podcast that Perez has been terrible this season.

[GP]

Heard on Arseblog's podcast that Perez has been terrible this season.

He has, and wasn't that good on the odd occasion he played for us. Bang average.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I liked the account he gave of himself when he was here....but not enough to be gutted we don't have him now, or think we need to be making a special effort to make him a part of future plans.

It was one in a long list of weird Wenger signings made in recent years.

[Mac76]

I liked the account he gave of himself when he was here....but not enough to be gutted we don't have him now, or think we need to be making a special effort to make him a part of future plans.

It was one in a long list of weird Wenger signings made in recent years.

i got the impression Gazidis told Wenger to sign Perez because we were really short of strikers at the time, and that's why he was mostly ignored by Mr W...

i thought he showed real attacking promise and a desire to take on defenders, plus he could hit the target - i'd swap him for both Welbeck and Iwobi - in the same deal...

[Cripps]

Perez was good. He was a real threat when he played and looked decent.

Wenger :rose:

[Xhaka Can’t]

When he played for us, he looked good. He simply wasn’t given a real chance. Contrast that with the chances provide to Sanogoals and it doesn’t make sense at all.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

i got the impression Gazidis told Wenger to sign Perez because we were really short of strikers at the time, and that's why he was mostly ignored by Mr W...

i thought he showed real attacking promise and a desire to take on defenders, plus he could hit the target - i'd swap him for both Welbeck and Iwobi - in the same deal...

When I say 'weird' I somewhat mean half arsed. Same category as Welbeck. There was never a strong chance of them being a world beater so it's kind of one part hoping to be a world beater to 9 parts squad filling.....but it's the amount of these kind of signings we've made that have annoyed me. If you bring in 2/3 you've suddenly wasted enough to have just bought a worldie to begin with and make a real signing of conviction.


I don't mind if the flaming player costs a fiver......just show some conviction and be sure of what you believe the player can be......rather than the halfway house punts.

[Marc Overmars]

Perez was a lively striker in the small cameo's we got of him, it's a shame he wasn't given more chances and had to feed off scraps.

As Quince said, just another weird Wenger signing that makes you question whether he was even a Wenger signing at all. Just a waste of time and money.

[Niall_Quinn]

When he played for us, he looked good. He simply wasn’t given a real chance. Contrast that with the chances provide to Sanogoals and it doesn’t make sense at all.

Agreed. He was direct, seemed to know how to do clever shit like pass and cross, knew which goal we were attacking (unlike half our squad) and had a shot on him. An industrial player, functional, ill suited to our Bambi on ice routine that was very much favoured at the time.

[Mac76]

Perez was a lively striker in the small cameo's we got of him, it's a shame he wasn't given more chances and had to feed off scraps.

As Quince said, just another weird Wenger signing that makes you question whether he was even a Wenger signing at all.

Well as i say i think he was more of a Gazidis buy, hence Wenger's shoddy treatment of him

[AFC Leveller]

According to Cadena SER reporter, Bruno Alemany, we're in ‘advanced negotiations’ to sell Hector Bellerin to Juventus, with the figure to be around €50m.

[Marc Overmars]

That would be stupid.

He's on a long term contract and his best years are way ahead of him.

Though if that leaked audio is anything to go by, maybe it's he himself who wants to move on.

[GP]

If the leaked recording was him, and I'm not convinced it was, his problem was with the coaching.

That problem has been solved now. He can't be sold.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

If the leaked recording was him, and I'm not convinced it was, his problem was with the coaching.

That problem has been solved now. He can't be sold.

:gp:


And I'm pretty sure the leaked audio was the AFTV muppets who were out to expose to him after he basically called them out in his Oxford Union interview.

Selling Hector for peanuts would be the dumbest move ever especially as we've got no replacement. Walker went for 52 million FFS .... Hector under a decent coach & system is worth double that.

[Bumble]

:gp:


And I'm pretty sure the leaked audio was the AFTV muppets who were out to expose to him after he basically called them out in his Oxford Union interview.

Selling Hector for peanuts would be the dumbest move ever especially as we've got no replacement. Walker went for 52 million FFS .... Hector under a decent coach & system is worth double that.
€50m isn't peanuts unless you are a billionaire. £50m wouldn't be an unreasonable bid for a full back and money the board are likely to take. But we have no back up right back. We already have enough holes in the team that we don't need to create another and £50m isn't really going to allow us to plug 2 gaps in the side. If we sold a player and were able to plug 2 holes then yes that is a good deal.

[Niall_Quinn]

Maybe it's 50 mill and a player coming the other way. In this market though, 50 mill is indeed peanuts.

[Cripps]

The audio was definetly him. But he's going nowhere now.

[Penguin]

I'd like to see Bellerin stay at least one or two seasons under a new manager and see how he does.

At the moment he's not good enough. He's terrible at both ends of the pitch. He was never a natural defender and he rarely produces anything in the final third. But maybe a new coach could teach him what Wenger could not.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If somebody can explain coherently how a voice that distinctive and difficult to mimmick can be hoaxed I'll consider the recording was a fake....but as far as I'm concerned it was him. It's not like half the squad haven't wanted out of here...so it's hardly difficult to believe.

I fear that often when a player's mind is made up it's made up and their heart is simply set on leaving and will only stay if the buying club doesn't quite do enough to make it happen. He could view Wenger's departure as something that will make it easier even. If the Giroud deal is anything to go by, he'll probably be asking Wenger to help it happen before Wenger goes!

Having said that we hold the cards. He's on a long contract (I think still...) and we don't have to sell.

[Cripps]

Arsenal want a new keeper and a whole new back four this summer. Story: https://t.co/gP8mT6GYgt

SAS:bow:

[Marc Overmars]

If somebody can explain coherently how a voice that distinctive and difficult to mimmick can be hoaxed I'll consider the recording was a fake....but as far as I'm concerned it was him. It's not like half the squad haven't wanted out of here...so it's hardly difficult to believe.

I fear that often when a player's mind is made up it's made up and their heart is simply set on leaving and will only stay if the buying club doesn't quite do enough to make it happen. He could view Wenger's departure as something that will make it easier even. If the Giroud deal is anything to go by, he'll probably be asking Wenger to help it happen before Wenger goes!

Having said that we hold the cards. He's on a long contract (I think still...) and we don't have to sell.

I believe it’s definitely him and I’ll continue to believe so unless I see a denial. The fact he kept quiet when it would easily have been brought to his attention tells me everything I need to know.

He’s one of the more salvageable members of the squad so I hope he’s made to stay and hopefully kick on under the new coach.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/30m-rated-centre-back-set-to-join-arsenal-claims-club-president


Apparently we're on the verge of signing Caglar Soyuncu from Freiburg. Beat of Bayern apparently.

Between Mavraponos & Holding's new contract I legit think we're going to flog Mustafi this summer. :partytime:

[Cripps]

SAS :bow:

[Mac76]

i really hope the new manager has a clearout:

Mustafi, Welbeck, Wilshere, Welbeck, Xhaka, Welbeck, Cech, Welbeck...

and Welbeck...

[Xhaka Can’t]

Don’t forget Welbeck.

[Mac76]

Don’t forget Welbeck.

damn, i knew there was someone else...

[KSE Comedy Club]

What about....erm, well.. Wellington... no, welcome...no,
Erm....er..... wel...beck......

Welbeck ?!

[Marc Overmars]

Did you see that ridiculous thing Mkhi did? He had a shot.

Glad Welbeck justified his inclusion over him tonight. He contributed a lot with his lovely smile.

[AFC Leveller]

We will need to replace at least 5 players from the starting 11 (Mustafi, Kos, Xhaka, Cech and possible Jack) and depending on who is sold (Bellerin) it might be more.

We need two new CBS as Kos is now too crocked to be relied on and Mustafi is a liability. Xhaka has been done to death, he is not a DCM (actually don’t understand what he is good at apart from decent passing). Cech needs to go as well and Ospina cannot be trusted, he is rash and makes other around him nervous.

[Mac76]

We will need to replace at least 5 players from the starting 11 (Mustafi, Kos, Xhaka, Cech and possible Jack) and depending on who is sold (Bellerin) it might be more.

.

And WELBECK!!!!!

[fakeyank]

Would you?

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11364150/yaya-toure-wants-premier-league-stay-after-man-city-exit

I would..

[Marc Overmars]

10 years ago, yeah.

Now he's an unmotivated sloth who's going to steal a living wherever he goes next. No thanks, we have enough of them.

[Bumble]

10 years ago, yeah.

Now he's an unmotivated sloth who's going to steal a living wherever he goes next. No thanks, we have enough of them.
I had to go back to the previous page as I thought you were talking about Wenger.

[Niall_Quinn]

Would you?

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11364150/yaya-toure-wants-premier-league-stay-after-man-city-exit

I would..

No chance.

[Goonermerree]

Would you?

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11364150/yaya-toure-wants-premier-league-stay-after-man-city-exit

I would..

No he's past it and petulant, especially if the club doesn't give him a birthday cake.

[hobson's choice]

No he's past it and petulant, especially if the club doesn't give him a birthday cake.

What exactly makes him petulant?

[Niall_Quinn]

What exactly makes him petulant?

His petulance.

[Penguin]

10 years ago, yeah.

Now he's an unmotivated sloth who's going to steal a living wherever he goes next. No thanks, we have enough of them.

My thoughts exactly. Toure's just another Ozil, talented yeah but he just wants an easy life and a big paycheck. We wont get anywhere unless we sign players with drive and ambition.

[Mac76]

Shaqiri needs a new home - i know the key areas for shoring up are at the back but if we sold ozil he'd be a good replacement and constitute a saving - he might actually want to, er, play football matches too...

[Power n Glory]

My thoughts exactly. Toure's just another Ozil, talented yeah but he just wants an easy life and a big paycheck. We wont get anywhere unless we sign players with drive and ambition.

Toure is a player approaching 35 years old and has won almost everything there is to win in football. Two La Liga titles, Copa del Rey, Champions League, two Premier League titles, FA Cup, League Cup, African Cup of Nations.... Toure is not another Ozil.

Ozil is still 29 years old, still hasn't won the Champs League and has only ever won the league with Real Madrid. The World Cup is a great achievement but for a player of his ability, I have no idea why he's downing tools now when there is still so much to play for. Toure is approaching retirement age and more injury prone. He's had a great career and has made the most of it. Nothing like Ozil.

[GP]

Shaqiri needs a new home - i know the key areas for shoring up are at the back but if we sold ozil he'd be a good replacement and constitute a saving - he might actually want to, er, play football matches too...

lol

[Penguin]

Toure is a player approaching 35 years old and has won almost everything there is to win in football. Two La Liga titles, Copa del Rey, Champions League, two Premier League titles, FA Cup, League Cup, African Cup of Nations.... Toure is not another Ozil.

Ozil is still 29 years old, still hasn't won the Champs League and has only ever won the league with Real Madrid. The World Cup is a great achievement but for a player of his ability, I have no idea why he's downing tools now when there is still so much to play for. Toure is approaching retirement age and more injury prone. He's had a great career and has made the most of it. Nothing like Ozil.

I meant he's another Ozil in terms of his attitude and laziness on the pitch. MO quite rightly said we don't need any more of those. We won't get anywhere no matter what manager takes the reins.

But even in terms of trophies won there's nothing between them apart from the Champions League. It's pointless comparing what they've done in the Premier league because all that proves is that Toure made a better career choice than Ozil. Do you really think Toure would have won the league if he joined Arsenal? :lol:

[Power n Glory]

I meant he's another Ozil in terms of his attitude and laziness on the pitch. MO quite rightly said we don't need any more of those. We won't get anywhere no matter what manager takes the reins.

But even in terms of trophies won there's nothing between them apart from the Champions League. It's pointless comparing what they've done in the Premier league because all that proves is that Toure made a better career choice than Ozil. Do you really think Toure would have won the league if he joined Arsenal? :lol:

You may want to look a little closer at what they've won. Toure has won league titles for three different clubs and has 2 La Liga titles and 2 Prem titles (I'm discounting this year's title under Pep).

Ozil has only ever won the league once and that's with Real Madrid in 2012. I can't understand why he thinks it's ok to take time off at 29 years old with that record.

Would we have won the league with Toure? Maybe. He's the sort of CM we've needed for years. But that's besides the point. Most players in Ozil's position leave and don't sign new contracts if the club can't match their sporting ambition. Henry, Cesc, RVP, Sanchez....Ozil signing a new deal and then downing tools not too long after ink has dried is something else. I wouldn't put him in the same category as Yaya Toure.

[Penguin]

I think we're both arguing about different things. I'm not trying to compare their careers, I'm comparing their play styles on the pitch.


You may want to look a little closer at what they've won. Toure has won league titles for three different clubs and has 2 La Liga titles and 2 Prem titles (I'm discounting this year's title under Pep).

Ozil has only ever won the league once and that's with Real Madrid in 2012. I can't understand why he thinks it's ok to take time off at 29 years old with that record.

That's not a fair comparison because Ozil hasn't played for a club capable of winning league titles apart from Real Madrid. Even Real's title in 2012 came at a time when Barca were by far and away the dominant team in the World.

Yaya won titles for three clubs - Barca, Man City and Olympiakos. Barca speak for themselves, Man City bought the league and Olympiakos (just googled it) were already champions when he joined and won the league another 3 times in a row after he left. I'm not belittling his contributions to those title wins but he was at clubs capable of winning with or without him. Ozil on the other hand played for Schalke, Werder Bremen and Arsenal.


Would we have won the league with Toure? Maybe. He's the sort of CM we've needed for years. But that's besides the point. Most players in Ozil's position leave and don't sign new contracts if the club can't match their sporting ambition. Henry, Cesc, RVP, Sanchez....Ozil signing a new deal and then downing tools not too long after ink has dried is something else. I wouldn't put him in the same category as Yaya Toure.

Not sure about that. CM has never been the only problem area. We went three or four years with Giroud as our main striker and our defence has been a joke since 2004. Then there's the keepers, the tactics, Ramsey on the wing, Sanogo, Gervinho. Forget Toure, we wouldn't have had a chance even if we had Messi. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

'Talks with his representatives' (Jean Seri) whatever the hell that means, also this has the yellow bar treatment on SSN also.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11373960/arsenal-hold-talks-with-jean-michael-seris-agents-ahead-of-potential-deal

Who?

[Marc Overmars]

Heard the name a lot in recent transfer windows.

No idea if he's any good but I'm all for new CM options though.

[Niall_Quinn]

'Talks with his representatives' (Jean Seri) whatever the hell that means, also this has the yellow bar treatment on SSN also.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11373960/arsenal-hold-talks-with-jean-michael-seris-agents-ahead-of-potential-deal

Who?

Apparently a very good but miniature CM. This might mean Ramsey is going.

[GP]

We were linked with Seri last year.

All I know of him is he's 5 foot 5

[Niall_Quinn]

We were linked with Seri last year.

All I know of him is he's 5 foot 5

In high heels.

[Master Splinter]

A Big Black DM.

Who's not big.

Or a DM.

What's the point of him?

Arteta already off to a dreadful start.

[I am invisible]

I'd be surprised if we weren't seriously sniffing around Max Meyer on a free? Wasn't that keen on him before - sounded like another lightweight AM - but apparently Tedesco has reinvented him as a deep-lying playmaker this year, and he's really taken to it...

https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/schalke-s-max-meyer-xabi-alonso-s-royal-blue-heir-bayern-munich-tedesco-474104.jsp

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-max-meyer-cazorla-schalke-14230237

Comparisons to Xabi Alonso and Santi Cazorla? Sounds like something we could do with, assuming they're accurate.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Thought about him too buddy..... but like many other was put off by not needing another AM. However if he's anything like Alonso or Santi....sign him on a 10 year contract!

[Keith]

I'm not one of those weirdos who stalk footballers, so it may always have been like this... But Jack on Twitter "Professional footballer. @NikeUK athlete. Proud father to son Archie and daughter Delilah. Instagram: JackWilshere"

[Globalgunner]

Jean Reno >>>Jean Seri

[selassie]

Heard the name a lot in recent transfer windows.

No idea if he's any good but I'm all for new CM options though.

Pretty much a Santi or Jack replacement. He’s a technical CM, very good passer and quite mobile. He looked the real deal a couple of seasons ago and almost joined Barca last summer. He has had a fairly poor season so his stock isn’t as high right now but if he gets back to the level of two seasons ago then we will have some player on our hands.

I’m for it as long as we bring in a new Keeper, Central Defender and Defensive Midfielder.

[I am invisible]

Thought about him too buddy..... but like many other was put off by not needing another AM. However if he's anything like Alonso or Santi....sign him on a 10 year contract!
Well the price is right! Guess it all hinges on whether he actually wants to carry on in that role at his next club or revert back to AM? Is that why he's run his contract down? Or is he just looking for an easy move and a big pay day?

If he is happy in that deeper role, then he could be walking into a dream coaching setup for him here if Arteta gets the job, and he's possibly looking at Cazorla as one of his assistants - won't find too many better mentors than that. There was even talk of Arteta wanting to bring Alonso in as an assistant, as they're BFFs or something!

Of course the big shame here is that Jack should probably have made that same switch as soon as he broke into the first team - feels like he's wasted his career holding out for the number 10 role.

[Marc Overmars]

Who is this Ryan Sessegnon kid? Championship player of the year at 17 is quite impressive.

Our left side could do with an upgrade, maybe worth a punt? He sounds like another Bale in the making.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Who is this Ryan Sessegnon kid? Championship player of the year at 17 is quite impressive.

Our left side could do with an upgrade, maybe worth a punt? He sounds like another Bale in the making.

In the old days, we’d have turned him into Feo.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Really worried about both the Sokarities & Leno rumours, especially the later.

Apparently we're going to pay about 15 million for Sokarits who's in the final year of their contract, who's getting old and has been shit for the past few year. I suppose the only thing to say is that with both Per & Kos effectively no more we desperately need some experience at the back ...... but still. Shows you how bad it was getting rid of Gabriel.

And everyone I've spoken to who watches Bundesliga quite regularly says that Leno is shit. Honestly wouldn't mind taking a punt back on Fabianski or even sticking with Cech for another season than this guy.




Who is this Ryan Sessegnon kid? Championship player of the year at 17 is quite impressive.

Our left side could do with an upgrade, maybe worth a punt? He sounds like another Bale in the making.

He's really good though I don't think we could get him.

It'd be an us getting Theo from Southampton situation except even worse given current prices and the fact they'll be competition.

[Syn]

This is why Wenger was incredible for the majority of his tenure. Ferguson never had this problem of finding unknown players, he could just buy the best young talents. It seems Kroenke won't give us £100m+ to play with (which is the absolutely minimum needed to be competitive for CL places), so it makes sense that we made such a big effort to get Mislintat. Sven hardly missed the mark for Dortmund; signed unknown gems who became great. Although, the current Dortmund bums we're linked with appears to be a bit silly. We need technical ability back; blow the budget (inc. selling Ramsey for £40m) on a top class CM. Isco, if there's a hope in hell. It not, take a punt on Grealish who has been incredible playing box to box for Villa.

[Syn]

Phenomenal talent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JVKL3JIUwo

[I am invisible]

And everyone I've spoken to who watches Bundesliga quite regularly says that Leno is shit.

Not a problem - just stand mad Jens behind our goal on match days until he's not shit. I find nothing keeps you focussed quite like a healthy fear of having your face stoved in with your own water bottle.

[I am invisible]

This is why Wenger was incredible for the majority of his tenure. Ferguson never had this problem of finding unknown players, he could just buy the best young talents. It seems Kroenke won't give us £100m+ to play with (which is the absolutely minimum needed to be competitive for CL places), so it makes sense that we made such a big effort to get Mislintat. Sven hardly missed the mark for Dortmund; signed unknown gems who became great...

:good:

Dortmund's only real problem was not being able to keep hold of the players that they found, so they were rarely able to gain any traction from year to year when building teams. Worse, their best players usually ended up going to their biggest rivals!

Hopefully our Dortmund 2.0 project (if that's what it is) will have a little more financial muscle behind it, and we'll be better equipped to resist moves for our players in future. Plus, the more we can save through clever scouting and solid development, the more we'll be able to chuck at genuinely big moves when we need to.

[selassie]

Really worried about both the Sokarities & Leno rumours, especially the later.

Apparently we're going to pay about 15 million for Sokarits who's in the final year of their contract, who's getting old and has been shit for the past few year. I suppose the only thing to say is that with both Per & Kos effectively no more we desperately need some experience at the back ...... but still. Shows you how bad it was getting rid of Gabriel.

And everyone I've spoken to who watches Bundesliga quite regularly says that Leno is shit. Honestly wouldn't mind taking a punt back on Fabianski or even sticking with Cech for another season than this guy.





He's really good though I don't think we could get him.

It'd be an us getting Theo from Southampton situation except even worse given current prices and the fact they'll be competition.

Agree with all of this!

It concerns me that we seem to be going for a lot of players in their late 20's. Sokratis isn't even a great CBr...he had a couple of very good seasons at Dortmund but has been very average for two seasons now, I really don't get why we are going for him. It worries me....

Same with Leno, he was touted as the natural successor to Neuer when he first broke through but he has stagnated for a good few seasons now. He makes a helluva lot of mistakes too, don't want him!

That Sessognon kid is out of our reach, City and United are apparently scrambling for his signature, he will go for a lot of money IMO, looks a real talent.

[Power n Glory]

Agree with all of this!

It concerns me that we seem to be going for a lot of players in their late 20's. Sokratis isn't even a great CBr...he had a couple of very good seasons at Dortmund but has been very average for two seasons now, I really don't get why we are going for him. It worries me....

Same with Leno, he was touted as the natural successor to Neuer when he first broke through but he has stagnated for a good few seasons now. He makes a helluva lot of mistakes too, don't want him!

That Sessognon kid is out of our reach, City and United are apparently scrambling for his signature, he will go for a lot of money IMO, looks a real talent.

We’re not in a great space for transfers. We never have been to be honest but you sum it up in your post. The high profile players will cost too much and most likely go to the bigger CL clubs so we’re having to take risks. It’s question of whether we can find those unglamorous players, polish them up and get them looking like world beaters.

Not too far off to how we got players like Bergkamp, Overmars and Henry. We’ll have to take risks on players with blemished CV’s but may turn out to be top quality and just need a change of environment.

[I am invisible]

Re: Sokratis, I'm wondering if we're (at least partly) looking at him as one of those Remi-Gardesque signings that you bring in when you're trying to implement new standards, and want to let the other players know how shit is going to be done in training from now on? We certainly need an injection of experience somewhere at the back with Kos and Merts gone, and Mustafi doesn't seem to add much beyond chaos?

[Niall_Quinn]

There's a massive job to do on the back 5. Maybe the first step they are trying is to get solid, if unspectacular, and cheap journeymen in that haven't been exposed to Wenger's defensive weirdness and make a start there. Shoring things up. And then reintroduce our prospects like Chambers and Holding in the proper manner and over time.

Couple this with the Arteta appointment and this seems to be more about undoing the Wenger era rather than pressing on to the next one. And maybe it's necessary. We could be seeing many departures in the summer.

This could also be about getting the wage bill in control, or realigned, where average players on big money are replaced by average players on realistic money. That too would be a sensible move it it frees up cash on the wage bill, which is another factor in determining summer activity. No point having transfer budgets if you can't afford the wages.

This is a new kind of waiting period I guess. We'll know soon enough, the pre-season will come around quickly, especially with the world cup to boredistract us.

[Özim]

IMO we shouldn't be messing about, we should be bringing in quality players now to create a strong spine to the team, keeper wise, Oblak, if he cost 70 million he cost 70 million, at the end of the day he'll be there for years and we've seen the difference a top keeper makes.

Likewise CB and DM, I'd sell off the likes of Mustafi, Xhaka, Welbeck, Cech, Chambers (he's a no hoper IMO), Iwobi, I'd even consider selling Bellerin to raise funds. This signing ageing players is a false economy, buy cheap buy twice as they say, just look at Aubameyang, he's come in for big money but scored plenty already.

We've been buyig 2nd rate players for years and that's one of the reason we are where we are.

[Özim]

We’re not in a great space for transfers. We never have been to be honest but you sum it up in your post. The high profile players will cost too much and most likely go to the bigger CL clubs so we’re having to take risks. It’s question of whether we can find those unglamorous players, polish them up and get them looking like world beaters.

Not too far off to how we got players like Bergkamp, Overmars and Henry. We’ll have to take risks on players with blemished CV’s but may turn out to be top quality and just need a change of environment.


Thing is you're not going to polish ageing players, they are what they are, the likes of Bergkamp and Overmars we top notch, they'd shown that, they were just having a rough time at their new clubs at the time, the players we're being linked with don't fit into that category tbh.

Got to admit if this stuff is true and we're going for Arteta and then looking at the likes of Leno and Sokratis it's a bit disappointing, real chance for a fresh start and instead of trying to build a team we're just trying to bring in players who you just know aren't the answer (as we were with Wenger).

[I am invisible]

There's a massive job to do on the back 5. Maybe the first step they are trying is to get solid, if unspectacular, and cheap journeymen in that haven't been exposed to Wenger's defensive weirdness and make a start there. Shoring things up. And then reintroduce our prospects like Chambers and Holding in the proper manner and over time...
Makes sense. The immediate problem we have with the defence is that we can't actually say with any certainty just how good / bad any of the individuals are because they haven't been playing with any real plan or structure. First job is going to be get that plan and structure in place, maybe augment it with a couple of solid, old pros to shore things up, as you suggest, and then run with it for a few months so we can see what we're really dealing with.

I guess one thing we have working in our favour at the moment is that City and Pep are so dominant right now that we can afford to take a bit of time to assess things properly without it really costing us anything. We're already out of the top 4 so that can't get much worse, and we're unlikely to topple City straight away, so might as well use this time to get some new foundations in place while we have it...

[selassie]

IMO we shouldn't be messing about, we should be bringing in quality players now to create a strong spine to the team, keeper wise, Oblak, if he cost 70 million he cost 70 million, at the end of the day he'll be there for years and we've seen the difference a top keeper makes.

Likewise CB and DM, I'd sell off the likes of Mustafi, Xhaka, Welbeck, Cech, Chambers (he's a no hoper IMO), Iwobi, I'd even consider selling Bellerin to raise funds. This signing ageing players is a false economy, buy cheap buy twice as they say, just look at Aubameyang, he's come in for big money but scored plenty already.

We've been buyig 2nd rate players for years and that's one of the reason we are where we are.

This! :gp:

It makes no sense to have to go through some kind of transistion again in a few years time when a lot of our best players will be in their 30's!

We should be targeting players in their early to mid 20's to supplement some of the experience we currently have, experience as in (Kos, Ramsey, Ozil, Mkhi, Auba etc).