Summer transfer joy and happiness

[Niall_Quinn]

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).

Not sure this a team transition this time, it's a transition for everything else at the club. New people everywhere, a whole new philosophy (hopefully). Winning teams aren't just chucked together, managers like Pep and Klopp have spent time getting their backroom together as well as the team on the pitch. And both are enjoying the results.

To expect us to go from the Wenger era (where he had a say in literally everything) to the post Wenger era (where the whole model for the club seems to be changing) is a big ask. What I have seen so far I like. Proper people coming into key roles. The manager's role becoming a coaching role. The CEO actually running shit and making decisions. Like the grown ups do. I'm okay with a transitional season because we're literally rewriting Arsenal Football Club, which had come very close to being Arsene FC.

I honestly don't think it matters who we sign or don't sign at this stage. I'm very confident our game will improve dramatically just by doing the very simple things Wenger refused to do.

[Marc Overmars]

Looks like Cazorla is heading back to Villarreal. :rose:

Hope he gets back to the player he was before the horrible injuries.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

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.

I would agree with you on Oblak. If we could bring him in for a club record fee of around 70 million I would....he is that good. Top goalkeepers and their value has been underrated since football began. I've only seen him a few times and despite that I think he is every bit as good anything I've seen perhaps barring De Gea, Neuer (on a good day/season).

As frustrating as our game was against Atletico at home, I stood in the stands (the first game I've actually been to in a few years now) watching Oblak and thought wow.....now there's a fuhking hell of a goalkeeper.

Having said that, I think we are going to need to be clever as there is more work to do than money available to do it. We need to do something canny like a Chiellini, Max Meyer, Iniesta, Alderweireld type signing.....someone who's contract is running out or out this summer.

Imagine the difference Jean Michael Seri, Jan Oblak and some defensive coaching AND drilling would do to this team......

Really hope we make Seri happen. I can't even remember seeing him play but he sounds like the sort of player we need at last.

[Mac76]

Looks like Cazorla is heading back to Villarreal. :rose:

Hope he gets back to the player he was before the horrible injuries.

well it would be annoying if he came good again having left us

[I am invisible]

I would agree with you on Oblak. If we could bring him in for a club record fee of around 70 million I would....he is that good. Top goalkeepers and their value has been underrated since football began. I've only seen him a few times and despite that I think he is every bit as good anything I've seen perhaps barring De Gea, Neuer (on a good day/season).

As frustrating as our game was against Atletico at home, I stood in the stands (the first game I've actually been to in a few years now) watching Oblak and thought wow.....now there's a fuhking hell of a goalkeeper.

Having said that, I think we are going to need to be clever as there is more work to do than money available to do it. We need to do something canny like a Chiellini, Max Meyer, Iniesta, Alderweireld type signing.....someone who's contract is running out or out this summer.

Imagine the difference Jean Michael Seri, Jan Oblak and some defensive coaching AND drilling would do to this team......

Really hope we make Seri happen. I can't even remember seeing him play but he sounds like the sort of player we need at last.
Don't do it to yourself, mate - we ain't signing Oblak!

Sounds like the Meyer boat might have sailed now - shame because he really sounded like the kind of player we could have done with to help us beat the high press (and would have been free).

Seri sounds like he might be a bit more offensive, but then again I suppose Meyer was too until a decent coach spotted that he'd work better in a deeper role - maybe previous experience in specific roles is less relevant than the skills needed to make it work and the willingness to give it a try (Cazorla being the perfect example)?

[Bumble]

I still think butland could be an option. cheaper as stoke are in the championship and still frees up money for the many other weaknesses we have.

I cant see why oblak would come here although he would be kept busier than at atletico.

[GP]

I still think butland could be an option. cheaper as stoke are in the championship and still frees up money for the many other weaknesses we have.

I cant see why oblak would come here although he would be kept busier than at atletico.

Butland would cost more than Pickford cost Everton. Way too much for a fairly average goalkeeper.

[selassie]

Butland would cost more than Pickford cost Everton. Way too much for a fairly average goalkeeper.

Aye, I don’t particularly rate him that highly either. He looked great a couple of seasons ago but seems to have lost his way a bit.

Pickford is another one who is pretty average, he’s solid-ish but has a “clanger a game” in him.

[I am invisible]

Leno and Casteels are the 2 names that I keep seeing menrioned for GK - I guess they make sense given Mislintat's favoured hunting ground. A lot of German football watchers also keep suggesting Pavlenka, although I've nor seen a single rumour about that outside of forums.

I'm almost at the point where I'd give anyone a go, tbh - as long as it's not Cech or Ospina...

[Mac76]

Leno and Casteels are the 2 names that I keep seeing menrioned for GK - I guess they make sense given Mislintat's favoured hunting ground. A lot of German football watchers also keep suggesting Pavlenka, although I've nor seen a single rumour about that outside of forums.

I'm almost at the point where I'd give anyone a go, tbh - as long as it's not Cech or Ospina...

although i'd prefer to have Ospina as back up than Cech

any talk of 'Sir Chezney' still or is he out of form again?

[Özim]

although i'd prefer to have Ospina as back up than Cech

any talk of 'Sir Chezney' still or is he out of form again?

Chesney is going to be Juventus' number 1 with Buffon moving on.

[Özim]

Just seen that Wilshire may sign on again, was hoping the guy would leave at last, 10 years of his injuries and mediocre displays is enough for me, we should have got him off the wage bill, he brings next to nothing to the team, Southgate had the right idea when he left him at home.

Think he's realised no decent club is interested in him and that he's onto a good thing staying here where he gets paid for being injured, think we have the new Walcott on our hands.

[I am invisible]

although i'd prefer to have Ospina as back up than Cech

any talk of 'Sir Chezney' still or is he out of form again?

Long gone, mate - signed a 4 year contract with Juventus last summer.

[Niall_Quinn]

Nabil Fekir set to 'speak to Liverpool following Champions League final' as potential Anfield move edges closer

We need to beat Klopp to this.

[Özim]

We need to beat Klopp to this.

We won't, Liverpool have got a lot more to offer players now, CL football, exciting football, the chance to play with players like Salah, a progressive manager who knows how to build a team, on top of that they're in the CL final and could win it.

Fekir will probably turn out to be a worldie, had a great connection with Lacazette at Lyon as well, but if Liverpool want him, Arsenal and their brand spanking new mickey mouse manager can kiss any chance of getting him goodbye.

[I am invisible]

Just seen that Wilshire may sign on again, was hoping the guy would leave at last, 10 years of his injuries and mediocre displays is enough for me, we should have got him off the wage bill, he brings next to nothing to the team, Southgate had the right idea when he left him at home.

Think he's realised no decent club is interested in him and that he's onto a good thing staying here where he gets paid for being injured, think we have the new Walcott on our hands.

I don't mind keeping Wilshere on, but it has to be on the condition that the new coach gets ahold of him and actually gives him a defined role that he can concentrate on. If I were him, I'd forget about being a No.10 - that's just not happening - and have a long hard look at this trend towards deep-lying playmakers. All of his best performances in the past have come when he sits deeper, with the game in front of him, and there's been a Santi-shaped hole in the side for a couple of years now that he could have gone after.

Unfortunately, this is where I fear that he will turn out to be another Walcott - instead of seeing the opportunity in front of him (with Theo, it was playing out wide) and putting everything he has into making it his own, he'd rather waste his career waiting for his dream role to become vacant. Which it won't. What is it about British players that makes them so damned unwilling to adapt? The foreign lads do it without a moment's hesitation.

[Marc Overmars]

The club have confirmed Cazorla will be released. :rose:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Crushed. :(

[Xhaka Can’t]

We really lost out on a big big talent because of those injuries.

If we had a fit Santi, Wenger would be in post next season.

Assuming he played him of course.

[Goonermerree]

That's two class players the we didn't get the best out of through bad injuries, Santi and Rosicky. I'll add Eduardo to that list, he was never the same after that leg break.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm glad Cazorla is going. Loved him as a player, but he was another long term injury that Wenger insisted on carrying. Wenger leaves, Cazorla goes too. If Wenger had stayed, Cazorla would have stayed and probably spent most of the season in the treatment room again.

I think it's a positive (as in sane, sensible and what every other club somehow already figured out) not to be carrying fundamentally unfit players. It could be pure coincidence, but it also might be another one of Wenger's fatherly policies being binned. Then again, we're keeping Jack, another player who can't seem to make it through a season.

[Goonermerree]

I'm glad Cazorla is going. Loved him as a player, but he was another long term injury that Wenger insisted on carrying. Wenger leaves, Cazorla goes too. If Wenger had stayed, Cazorla would have stayed and probably spent most of the season in the treatment room again.

I think it's a positive (as in sane, sensible and what every other club somehow already figured out) not to be carrying fundamentally unfit players. It could be pure coincidence, but it also might be another one of Wenger's fatherly policies being binned. Then again, we're keeping Jack, another player who can't seem to make it through a season.

Has Jack signed or still just thinking about it?

[GP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7WRjLiPZz0

:crying:

[GP]

Here's some news...

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/998641336407478272

[GP]

And this one

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/998642453753290753

[Goonermerree]

The bad news about these numbers is that we're clearly not looking for a new goalie.

[selassie]

The bad news about these numbers is that we're clearly not looking for a new goalie.

Aye, it's a major concern IMO. New GK, Central Defender and Central Midfielder should be the absolute bare minimum.

[Cripps]

Let's give the players a chance under Emery. A proper manager.

[Gooner23]

Aye, it's a major concern IMO. New GK, Central Defender and Central Midfielder should be the absolute bare minimum.

All this chatter about a 50 mil budget worries me. Could be bullshit of course, but addressing those 3 key positions alone won't be cheap. Not to mention other additions we could make. I can't see any obvious outgoings that will bring in serious funds either. I guess the likes of Ospina and Mustafi would generate some funds. I'd also bin off Xhaka as well, although he did improve as the season went on.

[Niall_Quinn]

And this one

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/998642453753290753

That flake should get 99.

[Niall_Quinn]

All this chatter about a 50 mil budget worries me. Could be bullshit of course, but addressing those 3 key positions alone won't be cheap. Not to mention other additions we could make. I can't see any obvious outgoings that will bring in serious funds either. I guess the likes of Ospina and Mustafi would generate some funds. I'd also bin off Xhaka as well, although he did improve as the season went on.

Arsenal definitely rang up the papers and announced we have a 50 mill budget.

[I am invisible]

All this chatter about a 50 mil budget worries me. Could be bullshit of course, but addressing those 3 key positions alone won't be cheap. Not to mention other additions we could make. I can't see any obvious outgoings that will bring in serious funds either. I guess the likes of Ospina and Mustafi would generate some funds. I'd also bin off Xhaka as well, although he did improve as the season went on.

Good article here that explains it in detail...

https://shewore.com/2018/04/25/the-truth-behind-arsenals-50m-war-chest/

Basically £50m is the amount that we can afford to raise our operational costs by each year and still break even - the amount that we have to spend on transfers could be anything.

[Marc Overmars]

I wouldn't be surprised if our spending is capped to some extent, we've spent a hell of a lot by our standards in recent years on contracts as well as transfer fees. I don't expect much big money spending this summer from us, we'll have to be a little bit clever with how we do our business.

[Gooner23]

Good article here that explains it in detail...

https://shewore.com/2018/04/25/the-truth-behind-arsenals-50m-war-chest/

Basically £50m is the amount that we can afford to raise our operational costs by each year and still break even - the amount that we have to spend on transfers could be anything.

I get the difference between net spend and total spend, I would just question how much we could generate from player sales this summer. Hopefully the new guys behind the scenes can help us maximise player sales and improve other revenue streams..

[Mac76]

I get the difference between net spend and total spend, I would just question how much we could generate from player sales this summer. Hopefully the new guys behind the scenes can help us maximise player sales and improve other revenue streams..

we desperately need Welbz to have a good World Cup and then we can a) actually sell him and b) for more than £5

[I am invisible]

I get the difference between net spend and total spend, I would just question how much we could generate from player sales this summer. Hopefully the new guys behind the scenes can help us maximise player sales and improve other revenue streams..

I think it's more about the how much extra we can add to our operational costs each year as a result of the structures of the deals that we agree (both incoming and outgoing)?

Let's say we agree a £40m fee for a player on a £100k/week, 4 year contract - if that fee is being repaid in 4 annual instalments of £10m, then we're only committing to an extra £15m/year in additional operational costs (10m in fees, 5m in wages), leaving us with a further £35m out of our £50m budget.

Losing Cazorla will probably slash around £5m/year from our wage bill, so that takes that remaining £35m back up to £40m.

If Wilshere were to move on then that's another £5m in wages that we claw back, so that £40m goes up to £45m.

If we're looking at tying any players down to new deals then those wage increases will also have to come out of out budget, so it goes back down again.

And so on, and so on.

The point is, it's not quite as simple as "if we buy player X for £50m then that's our whole budget gone" or "if we sell player Y for £30m then we'll have another £30m to spend on transfers" - yes, spending will still have to be carefully balanced with income, but it's all little more complex than it looks, and that £50m budget increase will probably go a lot further than people think.

(At least I hope that's what it all means - you can never really tell with Arsenal.)

[Mac76]

presumably Mertesacker's new backroom role will not be at whatever ludicrous sum he was getting as a player, so that's a saving at least?

[I am invisible]

Mate, if Per can turn our academy into a constant conveyor belt of talent then I'll happily pay him what he likes! Ditto for Mislintat with scouting.

Maybe we should have these two on commission?

[Cripps]

Heavily linked with Seri. Apparently Emery is a big fan and wanted him at PSG.

The guy is a rock. Exactly the type of player we need in the middle to add strength + power.

[GP]

VISIT RWANDA

[Letters]

VISIT RWANDA

No :angry:

It's a shithole #trump

[selassie]

Arsenal definitely rang up the papers and announced we have a 50 mill budget.

:lol:

[selassie]

Heavily linked with Seri. Apparently Emery is a big fan and wanted him at PSG.

The guy is a rock. Exactly the type of player we need in the middle to add strength + power.

He's a midget CM. Good player though.

[Niall_Quinn]

He's more of a pebble than a rock. We're probably signing him to make the rest of the squad look tall.

[selassie]

He's more of a pebble than a rock. We're probably signing him to make the rest of the squad look tall.

:lol:

[Cripps]

Yeah true, Kante is pretty crap because he's only 5 ft 6. :lol:

[I am invisible]

Not sure where I stand with Seri? His size isn't an issue for me, but he does look very attack-minded, which I'm not sure we need?

Then again, so was Cazorla before we pushed him into a deeper role, and he's done the job better than anyone else I've seen there in recent years - maybe Seri is exactly what we need in terms of skills and attributes, and he just needs to be told how and where we want him to play?

[Cripps]

I thought he was more defensive minded :unsure:

[Niall_Quinn]

Yeah true, Kante is pretty crap because he's only 5 ft 6. :lol:

Kante towers over Seri.

[Niall_Quinn]

Not sure where I stand with Seri? His size isn't an issue for me, but he does look very attack-minded, which I'm not sure we need?

Then again, so was Cazorla before we pushed him into a deeper role, and he's done the job better than anyone else I've seen there in recent years - maybe Seri is exactly what we need in terms of skills and attributes, and he just needs to be told how and where we want him to play?

But surely we don't want to see the Cazorla role retained? No more of this billion pass and eye of the needle miracle ball. Get a big bastard in there who can play a bit. It's what the PL is made for. Has the time come to actually replace Vieira? Cheaper option too, so more likely to happen. It'll take years to assemble 11 players of sufficient quality to realise what Wenger was trying to achieve. Not a route I want to see us go down.

[LDG]

We've signed a GK.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-make-first-signing-of-unai-emery-era-as-new-chapter-begins-a3846501.html

He's 17.

He's about 4ft.

Just want we need.

[Syn]

Probably still better than Cech and Ospina. Meanwhile Szczesny, who loves Arsenal, is about to take the reigns as Juventus' top keeper. And we let him go because he's a bit of a twat and had a fag in the changing rooms after a bad day. Merci, Arsene.

[Letters]

He's about 4ft.
Nothing wrong with that :angry:

[Goonermerree]

Probably still better than Cech and Ospina. Meanwhile Szczesny, who loves Arsenal, is about to take the reigns as Juventus' top keeper. And we let him go because he's a bit of a twat and had a fag in the changing rooms after a bad day. Merci, Arsene.

I seem to recall him having some howlers for us.

[Syn]

I seem to recall him having some howlers for us.

There's not a GK in the world that doesn't. Szczesny's mistakes were less technical and more about inexperience. It was never like Cech at the near post or Ospina flapping at a cross. He was commanding without being flashy. And we'll see how he gets on for Juventus, a team far better than us. The smart money's on him killing it over there.

[Niall_Quinn]

We've signed a GK.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-make-first-signing-of-unai-emery-era-as-new-chapter-begins-a3846501.html

He's 17.

He's about 4ft.

Just want we need.

We signed him to make Seri look tall.

[I am invisible]

But surely we don't want to see the Cazorla role retained? No more of this billion pass and eye of the needle miracle ball. Get a big bastard in there who can play a bit. It's what the PL is made for. Has the time come to actually replace Vieira? Cheaper option too, so more likely to happen. It'll take years to assemble 11 players of sufficient quality to realise what Wenger was trying to achieve. Not a route I want to see us go down.

I'm thinking more of Cazorla's exceptional control under pressure, and being able to turnover opposition attacks - we've really missed that when trying to beat the high press, and I think it's caused us just as many defensive headaches as our lack of a big bastard in the middle. Maybe we wouldn't actually need to win the ball back quite so often if we could stop being pressured into so many stupid mistakes?

In terms of style, yes Seri likes a pass, be looks like more of a give-and-go, box-to-box type to me - very nippy and covers a lot of ground.

[KSE Comedy Club]

There's not a GK in the world that doesn't. Szczesny's mistakes were less technical and more about inexperience. It was never like Cech at the near post or Ospina flapping at a cross. He was commanding without being flashy. And we'll see how he gets on for Juventus, a team far better than us. The smart money's on him killing it over there.

I was always gutted that we let him go :(

[Power n Glory]

There's not a GK in the world that doesn't. Szczesny's mistakes were less technical and more about inexperience. It was never like Cech at the near post or Ospina flapping at a cross. He was commanding without being flashy. And we'll see how he gets on for Juventus, a team far better than us. The smart money's on him killing it over there.

Szczesny said he had learned more in Italy than what he had learned at Arsenal. In fact, I think he said this whilst on loan to Roma.

[Niall_Quinn]

Szczesny said he had learned more in Italy than what he had learned at Arsenal. In fact, I think he said this whilst on loan to Roma.

Yep. Roma. After his first training session.

[Cripps]

:lol:

[selassie]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bTt1lpiNCI/RpeGYxfoA4I/AAAAAAAAAJM/d6_WzNBtov8/s400/cox.jpg

Jean Seri's taller brother!

[I am invisible]

Leverkusen have just signed Frankfurt's keeper, so that could be Leno on the move?

[I am invisible]

Talk of Perez getting a second chance with Emery - LANS!

[Chippy]

Talk of Perez getting a second chance with Emery - LANS!

Good idea. Better than Wellkack!

[I am invisible]

Good idea. Better than Wellkack!
Joking aside, it could actually be a really shrewd move? He must be desperate to prove Wenger wrong, and we wouldn't even have to worry about persuading him to come here and be 2nd or 3rd choice because we already own his ass!

[Mac76]

Joking aside, it could actually be a really shrewd move? He must be desperate to prove Wenger wrong, and we wouldn't even have to worry about persuading him to come here and be 2nd or 3rd choice because we already own his ass!

i'd be happy to have him back he looked good but never got a decent chance with wenger

[I am invisible]

i'd be happy to have him back he looked good but never got a decent chance with wenger
Yeah, I never understood why he was frozen out? Always looked a dangerous option when he played, and chalked up some lovely goals and assists despite limited game time. Seems like an easy win to me - spend the money elsewhere...

[Cripps]

Perez willing to come back as soon as a proper manager comes in :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Yeah, I never understood why he was frozen out? Always looked a dangerous option when he played, and chalked up some lovely goals and assists despite limited game time. Seems like an easy win to me - spend the money elsewhere...

He could cross a ball and he was prone to unauthorised shooting. More than enough reason to get frozen out of a Wenger team.

[LDG]

“I believe we can grow with the players we have”

He’s been wengerised already.

[I am invisible]

I'll be royally pissed if we don't get at least a new keeper and one CB, but I am kind of curious to see if a modern coach can get another level out of this group of players? It doesn't look like we've practiced defence for about a decade, and there's at least 4 midfielders there who I think would improve instantly just by having clearly defined roles and an actual gameplan to follow (beyond "go out and express yourself").

Ultimately I think we'll still need more investment (possibly a 2nd CB, a Cm and a 2nd RB), but I'm glad that our new head coach actually knows how to coach (and is willing to do it).

[Özim]

I'll be royally pissed if we don't get at least a new keeper and one CB, but I am kind of curious to see if a modern coach can get another level out of this group of players? It doesn't look like we've practiced defence for about a decade, and there's at least 4 midfielders there who I think would improve instantly just by having clearly defined roles and an actual gameplan to follow (beyond "go out and express yourself").

Ultimately I think we'll still need more investment (possibly a 2nd CB, a Cm and a 2nd RB), but I'm glad that our new head coach actually knows how to coach (and is willing to do it).

I'm not really, half of these guys are rubbish IMO, Wenger buys we should have never made, we just need to get rid and start again and erase the memories of this awful time for the club.

The likes of Xhaka Mustafi, Welbeck, Chambers, Elneny were players we should have never bought in the 1st place, then you had the likes of Cech, Koscielny we also need to replace and hopefully we let Wilshere move on, just not professional or good enough for a club like Arsenal (not sure about Holding and Iwobi either to be honest).

I'm not interested in us perservering with these guys, the new manager has to build the team in his image, not us old parts that didn't work properly and try to fit them in somehow.

The only players I'm really that bothered about keeping are Lacazette, Aubameyang, Ozil if I'm honest, if we got rid of anyone else it really wouldn't bother me.

[KSE Comedy Club]

I'm not really, half of these guys are rubbish IMO, Wenger buys we should have never made, we just need to get rid and start again and erase the memories of this awful time for the club.

The likes of Xhaka Mustafi, Welbeck, Chambers, Elneny were players we should have never bought in the 1st place, then you had the likes of Cech, Koscielny we also need to replace and hopefully we let Wilshere move on, just not professional or good enough for a club like Arsenal (not sure about Holding and Iwobi either to be honest).

I'm not interested in us perservering with these guys, the new manager has to build the team in his image, not us old parts that didn't work properly and try to fit them in somehow.

The only players I'm really that bothered about keeping are Lacazette, Aubameyang, Ozil if I'm honest, if we got rid of anyone else it really wouldn't bother me.
That just isn't going to happen though Zim.

In an ideal world, yes, but the reality is, Emery will have to beat the shit out of the squad and teach them how to play football again.

[Goonermerree]

“I believe we can grow with the players we have”

He’s been wengerised already.

No, he's been Arsenalised. He's been told there isn't much money, so make do with what you've got and toe the party line.

[selassie]

That just isn't going to happen though Zim.

In an ideal world, yes, but the reality is, Emery will have to beat the shit out of the squad and teach them how to play football again.

Aye, I would be looking for us to make 3 solid additions, a new keeper, centre back and central midfielder.

We shouldn’t be skimping in any of these areas, we should be looking to purchase the absolute best available options within our budget. With these additions and Emery implementing a structured system I think we will see huge improvements. Emery has already stated that high press is a fundamental part of how he wants / demands us to play, that in itself will mean certain members of our existing squad will be discarded / sold.

Our squad as it is does need work, but I do think we have some current first team players that can go at least a level above their performances of last season. The performance level last season was unacceptable.

[I am invisible]

That just isn't going to happen though Zim.

In an ideal world, yes, but the reality is, Emery will have to beat the shit out of the squad and teach them how to play football again.

:good:

I'm still hoping to see a decent level of investment this summer - given the sheer number of players that would need development, I think it makes sense to cut our losses with some of them, to reduce Emery's work load a bit. However, we also have to be realistic here - most of our budget is probably going to be eaten up on the defensive rebuild, and I'm not sure it's going to leave much for anything else.

Might be wrong, but I suspect that the majority of the midfield and the attack will get a stay of execution this summer, and we'll see a lot of work going into tactics, shape, positional discipline and really nailing down and learning clearly defined roles.

[Özim]

That just isn't going to happen though Zim.

In an ideal world, yes, but the reality is, Emery will have to beat the shit out of the squad and teach them how to play football again.

No I agree, just goes to show what a mess Wenger left us in by spending money on players that weren't up to it (sometimes large amounts).

[I am invisible]

No I agree, just goes to show what a mess Wenger left us in by spending money on players that weren't up to it (sometimes large amounts).
I think it's mostly a tactical and cultural mess that he's left - I'm not saying that I'm expecting all of our players to suddenly turn into the very best in the world in their positions, but I don't think half of them are as bad as they've been made to look with our casual, make-it-up-while-you're-out there approach, where there's never any consequences or incentive to improve. Most of the problems I see aren't necessarily down to a lack of talent - it's that we constantly get caught with our pants down because our players aren't prepared, and don't have a plan to deal with anything less than perfect playing conditions.

Come on Zim, you've got to be a little bit excited to see what a proper coach can do with this group? If for no other reason than to prove that Wenger was holding us back.

[KSE Comedy Club]

No I agree, just goes to show what a mess Wenger left us in by spending money on players that weren't up to it (sometimes large amounts).

My guess is that we can easily generate £30-£40m by shifting 2-3 players that are dross.

That gives us £80-£90m to spend and then bring through some a couple of the promising youngsters, Riess Nelson, Nketiah, AMN to help bulk out the squad.
Now we have someone who is good at developing talent and actually utilising it, we have the option to bring them into the team successfully and use them when we need to.

[Bumble]

My guess is that we can easily generate £30-£40m by shifting 2-3 players that are dross.

That gives us £80-£90m to spend and then bring through some a couple of the promising youngsters, Riess Nelson, Nketiah, AMN to help bulk out the squad.
Now we have someone who is good at developing talent and actually utilising it, we have the option to bring them into the team successfully and use them when we need to.

well both chambers and holding are young to so maybe with the right coaching these guys could become our centre back partnership for years to come. they aren't no hopers like mustafi and have time on their side.

we could do with some defensive midfield beef and I wouldn't be adversed to getting rid of Ozil if someone comes in with a £40m-50m.

[Özim]

I think it's mostly a tactical and cultural mess that he's left - I'm not saying that I'm expecting all of our players to suddenly turn into the very best in the world in their positions, but I don't think half of them are as bad as they've been made to look with our casual, make-it-up-while-you're-out there approach, where there's never any consequences or incentive to improve. Most of the problems I see aren't necessarily down to a lack of talent - it's that we constantly get caught with our pants down because our players aren't prepared, and don't have a plan to deal with anything less than perfect playing conditions.

Come on Zim, you've got to be a little bit excited to see what a proper coach can do with this group? If for no other reason than to prove that Wenger was holding us back.

I'm excited about the new manager and what he can do with the club, I'm not excited at the prospect of keeping hold of these sub par Wenger signings, to change this club we also need to change the players Wenger brought in, they just don't fit into the project and the new manager need to bring in his own players not re-use those of the previous manager, he needs to build his own team, IMO a number of the players the club aren't good enough and never will be, Xhaka and Mustafi are two of the worst signings in the clubs history pound for pound.

[Özim]

My guess is that we can easily generate £30-£40m by shifting 2-3 players that are dross.

That gives us £80-£90m to spend and then bring through some a couple of the promising youngsters, Riess Nelson, Nketiah, AMN to help bulk out the squad.
Now we have someone who is good at developing talent and actually utilising it, we have the option to bring them into the team successfully and use them when we need to.

Yeah that would be good, just think that the new manager needs to bring some of his own players in to make the team his, selling the dross works for me :lol:

I'm keen on a total shift away from the past, which for me was an awful period in the clubs history, much of the team are part and parcel of that.

[Özim]

well both chambers and holding are young to so maybe with the right coaching these guys could become our centre back partnership for years to come. they aren't no hopers like mustafi and have time on their side.

we could do with some defensive midfield beef and I wouldn't be adversed to getting rid of Ozil if someone comes in with a £40m-50m.

Chambers and Holding are Wenger signings and we know that he really knows little about defending so I don't hold much hope for them, think we need some new players at the back, neither of those two have shown they are good enough in any way and I'm not convinced they are, you need the talent in the 1st place a manager can't make that magically appear.

[I am invisible]

I'm excited about the new manager and what he can do with the club, I'm not excited at the prospect of keeping hold of these sub par Wenger signings, to change this club we also need to change the players Wenger brought in, they just don't fit into the project and the new manager need to bring in his own players not re-use those of the previous manager, he needs to build his own team, IMO a number of the players the club aren't good enough and never will be, Xhaka and Mustafi are two of the worst signings in the clubs history pound for pound.
Yeah, I'm not really fussed about Mustafi - I suspect he'd look considerably better in an organised defence, but I'm not sure I can actually be bothered going to all the effort, especially if we're rumoured to be after a couple of new CBs.

I'd be OK with giving Xhaka a chance under Emery - I think a lot of his problems stem from Wenger asking him to get up and down the pitch (like he did with all of his midfielders) when he just doesn't have the athleticism for it. If we camped him in front of the CBs, reduced the miles he has to cover, and let him quarterback the play, I think we'd see a big improvement in him.

BUT... I think there's a very good chance that you might get your wish with Xhaka. One of the consistent themes in all of Emery's teams is a defensive midfielder who can drop back and almost become a 3rd CB when the fullbacks get forward, and that just doesn't sound like Xhaka. Not sure where that leaves him really...

[Marc Overmars]

Italian press reporting that we are after Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini.

:shrug:

[Mac76]

Chambers and Holding are Wenger signings and we know that he really knows little about defending so I don't hold much hope for them, think we need some new players at the back, neither of those two have shown they are good enough in any way and I'm not convinced they are, you need the talent in the 1st place a manager can't make that magically appear.

Not sure i agree i think Chambers showed promise and also Holding.

Surely Per can also help with defensive coaching as well as his other duties, he knows a lot more about it than Steve Bould

Just proper organisation in front of them will help too, remember Wenger turned Kos, an extremly good defender, into an injury-prione wreck, getting sent off for desperate challenges as the side fell apart around him

[Chippy]

Chambers and Holding are Wenger signings and we know that he really knows little about defending so I don't hold much hope for them, think we need some new players at the back, neither of those two have shown they are good enough in any way and I'm not convinced they are, you need the talent in the 1st place a manager can't make that magically appear.

Yep! Get rid. Not good enough.
We can offload them to West Ham for 15m each.

[I am invisible]

In talks with Lichtsteiner on a free. Allegedly.

Anyone watch Juve much? Does he still have the legs to do a job in the prem? I'm guessing he'd probably be a backup for Bellerin, so maybe it doesn't matter too much...

[Cripps]

6 foot tall, 7 time Seria A winner, played 32 times for a title winning Juve last season.

Under Wenger I'd be against it but now we have SAS + Ivan + Emery, yes please.

SASIE :bow:

[Gooner23]

Ornstein confirms we're in for Lichtsteiner. I guess at 34 he will just be experienced back up to Bellerin. If it saves money for the more important additions we need to make I'm ok with that.

[Goonermerree]

Ornstein confirms we're in for Lichtsteiner. I guess at 34 he will just be experienced back up to Bellerin. If it saves money for the more important additions we need to make I'm ok with that.

34 seems a bit old to me.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ornstein has zero credibility at the moment. He should take a break so people forget, and then slink back in to play his ITK bullshit.

[Goonermerree]

It is exciting to see how it will all pan out. I hope Bellerin gets back to where he was, he had such potential.

[I am invisible]

The move does make a lot of sense? We need another RB, and I wasn't sure we'd have enough in the budget for it, so a freebie would be great business for us (and buys us a couple more years to look into it again later). He'd provide solid competition and guidance for Bellerin. He's a serial winner who would be a good example to have in the squad. And I can see us having to field 2 inexperienced, young CBs fairly often next year, so being able to bracket them with a couple of old pros like Nacho and Lichtsteiner (if we need to) might ease my nerves a bit!

All hinges on whether he's still got the legs for it at 34.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/pictures/rsteiner2.jpg

Destroyed both the Spuds and Marketing when he came on. :popcorn:

[Marc Overmars]

We do need some RB cover. Rather get a specialist in than keep putting Chambers out there.

[I am invisible]

https://youtu.be/ahV255kfC3Q

[Gooner23]

Looks to still have a bit of pace

[I am invisible]

Puts most of our lot to shame!

[AFC Leveller]

Good player with bags of experience and won’t cost anything and will sit ok the bench and do a job when called upon.

Can’t wait for us to sign a GK and a CM (a CB too but with only 50m in the back I can’t see us signing any of of note)

[Cripps]

The more new defenders we bring in the better. Especially experienced title winning ones that can make us mentally stronger.

[Niall_Quinn]

https://youtu.be/ahV255kfC3Q

I think these football videos are a sneaky way for seriously shit "music" to get airtime.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The Torygraph have suddenly decided that Kroenke has given us an extra £20 million for the transfer budget. :lol:

It'll be back down to £40 million in a couple of weeks.

[I am invisible]

It's almost like they're making things up, but that can't be right?

[Penguin]

Ornstein confirms we're in for Lichtsteiner. I guess at 34 he will just be experienced back up to Bellerin. If it saves money for the more important additions we need to make I'm ok with that.

Might be able to give Bellerin one or two tips too. Especially on his crossing.

[Niall_Quinn]

It's almost like they're making things up, but that can't be right?

Fiction can still be lucrative if you find the right publisher, especially for the likes of Ornstein and the BBC who literally force the consumer with menaces to buy their (very, very organic) produce.

[I am invisible]

Fiction can still be lucrative if you find the right publisher, especially for the likes of Ornstein and the BBC who literally force the consumer with menaces to buy their (very, very organic) produce.
Any publisher will do on the Internet - all you need is the right audience.

http://elderprops.com/wp-content/uploads/elderprops-xfiles-i-want-to-belive-670x1024.jpg

[SMatthews]

A 34 year old defender who will turn 35 years old midway through the season? Played for Juve who dominate their league and notably was only trusted to play twice in CL - both as a sub. We would've laughed Wenger out of town for this sort of signing and if true, this is some statement of intent to make for the first signing - a freebie old man full back who would get the run around in this league. Bellerin can sit back without a worry.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He made 32 appearances.

In fact I'd rather have him playing ahead of Bellerin.

[Cripps]

Damn straight we would have laughed at Wenger. Because we wouldn't be signing this accomplished 34 year old, it would have been an unaccomplished, mediocre 34 year old.

And that player would 100% have regressed and been a disaster under the old goat.

[Marc Overmars]

A 34 year old defender who will turn 35 years old midway through the season? Played for Juve who dominate their league and notably was only trusted to play twice in CL - both as a sub. We would've laughed Wenger out of town for this sort of signing and if true, this is some statement of intent to make for the first signing - a freebie old man full back who would get the run around in this league. Bellerin can sit back without a worry.

Who cares what would have happened under Wenger? It doesn't matter anymore. Also, the fact he didn't play much in the CL is of no concern to us.

[Goonermerree]

Who cares what would have happened under Wenger? It doesn't matter anymore. Also, the fact he didn't play much in the CL is of no concern to us.

I still think he's a bit old.

[Mac76]

I still think he's a bit old.

must admit i think you're right - Cech proves what happens when you get someone towards the end of their career - they can lose effectiveness and reaction times quite quickly

it's fine if you're someone like Villa taking John Terry but we need to invest in longer-term bets

[Niall_Quinn]

My guess is Emery is fully aware of just how much shit Wenger has left the defence in. This signing is obviously an emergency stopgap. A quick and cheap import of experience that can be done immediately and influence the pre-season without protracted negotiations for a 50 mill quid Johnny Bumblefart from Crewe who will be the next big thing (again). The real transfers will come, but there's major surgery to do in the meantime just to get the patient off life support. Hopefully this old guy can bring some knowhow to our know nothings and won't die of old age in the process. I don't expect to see him playing many games, but I'm sure he'll be a permanent fixture on the training ground.

[Globalgunner]

Bellerin has become really shit. See how our former LB Debuchy has prospered since leaving us, almost making the WC squad. Not surprised Bellerin didnt make the Spain squad. He was wholly ineffective for us. The new guy at least should be able to tell him how to do the basics like cross the ball and be in sync with your teammates.

[Cripps]

Think one thing we've learnt is not to question SASIE because their judgment has been pretty damn good so far.

[Goonermerree]

I'm really looking forward to see how they all shape up to a new manager. Who will make it and who will be out? We are stepping out into the unknown.

[Niall_Quinn]

Think one thing we've learnt is not to question SASIE because their judgment has been pretty damn good so far.

So was Wenger's in the early days.

The new team should be treated like any other. Supported when they are giving 100% and getting results, hounded to the ends of the earth if they let things drop by even 1%

That's how it works at the very top of any competitive sport. That's how you get out of the also-ran league.

[Cripps]

Yep, let's give them a chance. I know you and PnG are eager for it to come crashing down but lighten up :lol:

[Mac76]

Yep, let's give them a chance.

Absolutely

Except Welbeck of course

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Isn't Chiellini out of contract too? Why wouldn't we be trying to bring him here first!?

[Niall_Quinn]

Emil Forsberg for 50 mill?

Why would we need him? Unless one from Laca, Ozil or Mikki are heading out.

[GP]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XJKUITfiv4

[I am invisible]

So crates!

[AFC Leveller]

Arsenal are close to signing centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £16m.

The 29-year-old Greece international has a year left on his contract with the German Bundesliga side.

It is the latest step in Arsenal's drive to rebuild their defence with experience and leadership.

The Gunners are also working on a deal to sign Switzerland right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, 34, on a free transfer from Juventus.

The Premier League club intend to bolster their squad with signings who are immediately ready for first-team football and, over time, continue to recruit younger players for the medium to long term.

An example is Papastathopoulos' countryman Konstantinos Mavropanos, 20, who joined in January and was the first signing overseen by new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, formerly chief scout at Dortmund.

That month Arsenal also brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund and Henrikh Mkhitaryan - yet another ex-Dortmund player.

Former Genoa and AC Milan defender Papastathopoulos continues the trend and will help compensate for the loss of captain Laurent Koscienly to an Achilles injury.

The departure of manager Arsene Wenger and arrival of head coach Unai Emery has seen Arsenal adopt a continental model in which Mislintat will lead on recruitment alongside Emery, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Emery will contribute to the decision-making process and retain power of veto, while it is understood proposed signings were discussed with head coach candidates during the interview stage.

[Globalgunner]

We are going to have to reduce the font we use on the players names at the back of the shirts. Those Greek names are long.

[Özim]

We're going to have the oldest defence in the world at this rate. Read a bit about Sokratis and it seems he's been really poor in the last couple seasons, not too sure about this signing.

As someone said Chiellini may well be available on a free if someone made him a decent offer, top class player and if we're going to go for ageing players he'd be the kind of player we should look at.

[Gooner23]

I'm ok with the Lichtsteiner deal as he's just a bit of experienced back up.

Bit underwhelmed by Papastathopoulos though, think we need to push the boat out and sign a top class CB.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

We're going to have the oldest defence in the world at this rate. Read a bit about Sokratis and it seems he's been really poor in the last couple seasons, not too sure about this signing.

As someone said Chiellini may well be available on a free if someone made him a decent offer, top class player and if we're going to go for ageing players he'd be the kind of player we should look at.

I mentioned Chiellini.

I don't get the need to sign a load of mid range players. I don't even recall how good either of them are, but seriously aren't we supposed to be trying to reach another level? The Juve guy fair enough if he's out of contract but this Sokratis guy?

I know Arsenal aren't going to sign him but if money really is tight I'd rather we spunked 60-80 million on a truly world class keeper in Oblak, offered Chiellini and Iniesta offers they cannot refuse (I think Iniesta has agreed on a Japan team though now) then try and bring in Dembele of Barca on loan. Then use the funds of next year January/Summer to sign another world class player. We aren't going to make up the difference with average players rotating in for some of the average we already have.

[I am invisible]

So crates could be just the first of a couple of CBs - still being strongly linked with that Turkish lad, Soyuncu (amongst others) so let's see what happens.

Looks like we're definitely chasing a certain personality type with these early moves - Lichtsteiner and Sokratis both look like serious fuckers who have more than a bit of the Lehmanns about them! I don't imagine many players slacking off in training with these guys around, and I'm hoping this is as much about addressing the casual attitude in the camp, as it is about replacing tje experience we've lost and providing quality cover...

[selassie]

I'm ok with the Lichtsteiner deal as he's just a bit of experienced back up.

Bit underwhelmed by Papastathopoulos though, think we need to push the boat out and sign a top class CB.

Beggars can't be choosers.

I don't think we have the pull anymore of signing a top class CB, we are no longer a CL club.

Honestly, I think we are going to need to improve our squad with buys like Sokratis and unearthing decent young talent that are going under the radar.

We can't even compete with the likes of Liverpool and Spurs to a lesser degree for highly rated young talent, I don't think we struggle with the transfer fees or paying the player wages...but we no longer have the pull, I don't think players see Arsenal as an attractive option at the moment.

[Chippy]

Arsenal are close to signing centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £16m.

The 29-year-old Greece international has a year left on his contract with the German Bundesliga side.

It is the latest step in Arsenal's drive to rebuild their defence with experience and leadership.

The Gunners are also working on a deal to sign Switzerland right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner, 34, on a free transfer from Juventus.

The Premier League club intend to bolster their squad with signings who are immediately ready for first-team football and, over time, continue to recruit younger players for the medium to long term.

An example is Papastathopoulos' countryman Konstantinos Mavropanos, 20, who joined in January and was the first signing overseen by new head of recruitment Sven Mislintat, formerly chief scout at Dortmund.

That month Arsenal also brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund and Henrikh Mkhitaryan - yet another ex-Dortmund player.

Former Genoa and AC Milan defender Papastathopoulos continues the trend and will help compensate for the loss of captain Laurent Koscienly to an Achilles injury.

The departure of manager Arsene Wenger and arrival of head coach Unai Emery has seen Arsenal adopt a continental model in which Mislintat will lead on recruitment alongside Emery, head of football relations Raul Sanllehi and chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Emery will contribute to the decision-making process and retain power of veto, while it is understood proposed signings were discussed with head coach candidates during the interview stage.

Fuck me! Is Wenger back??

[AFC Leveller]

Arsenal made a late attempt to sign Fabinho before he joined Liverpool from Monaco, according to Sky sources.

The 24-year-old midfielder is admired by the Gunners' new boss Unai Emery, who tried to sign him at Paris Saint-Germain.

It is understood Arsenal made attempts to land the player over the weekend but he had already decided to join the losing Champions League finalists.

[hobson's choice]

So we are signing a defender who played on one of the worse defensive units in a league with really terrible defending:doh:

[A Gunner]

Fuck me! Is Wenger back??

I think these are times where we see what was really Wenger's doing and what was the club's doing.

[Goonermerree]

I'm not happy and, to be honest, very disappointed that we are signing old players, don't care if they're on a free or not, they still require wages. If we want to get 'back up there' we need to be signing younger, proven players. These old players will be out with long term- injuries be fore you can blink twice. Where is the ambition???

[Power n Glory]

There is no point in jumping to conclusions until we've seen what the new coach is capable of. We've appointed Unai Emery for a reason. I think we're going to continue to try and develop youth talent. We have Chambers, Holding and that Greek kid. I think the strategy behind these older signings is to bring in players that can help mentor the youth but also steady the ship and pass on their experience.

I want to see how Emery can improve the current defence before we decide to spend a huge sum on players. If Unai has done his research like they said he did in the interview, this should be part of the plan on how to improve Arsenal and some of the current players.

[Globalgunner]

Koscielny needs to be let go. He is not half the player he used to be and that isnt even world class to start with. Mustafi is a lost cause so lets get what we can for him. I would keep Chambers and Holding. They may be redeemable under a manager who actually knows how to coach. That gives us 3 young CBs with the kid just signed. Lets get 2 wise heads like Chiellini and Lichstensteiner to show them the nuances of defending. Dont know why we after the other 2 Greek guys unless we are dumping both Chambers and Holding.

[Goonermerree]

It's a bit of a gamble though.

[Power n Glory]

It's a bit of a gamble though.

You have to look at Unai, Sven and Raul's track record when it comes to signing players and development. They have a track record of taking risks. I don't expect us to do what Liverpool did and sign a defender for £75m.

[selassie]

I'm not happy and, to be honest, very disappointed that we are signing old players, don't care if they're on a free or not, they still require wages. If we want to get 'back up there' we need to be signing younger, proven players. These old players will be out with long term- injuries be fore you can blink twice. Where is the ambition???

I am not entirely happy either but I do understand the logic behind it. We are trying to stabilise the team with experience and make a push for top 4 / Europa league win before going down the route of spending larger amounts on top quality young talent.

Right now we don't have the pull of a Liverpool or any of the other CL clubs in PL, we have been out of CL for 2 seasons now and are going through quite a big transition. Going to a CL club such as Liverpool or dare I say even Spurs is a far safer bet for a player right now, especially a younger one with bundles of potential.

It will take a few seasons and a marked improvement before we are going to be in the mix for the likes of your "Keita" and "Fabinho". We don't have that pull right now.

[Cripps]

For years people wanted solid experienced players and now we're signing them they're moaning and want young unproven players :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Seems to me Wenger left us in a lot more trouble than we thought. The away form became a bit of a joke because we'd long given up the season, but for a supposedly competitive sports team it should be a deafening alarm.

Wenger kept trying to write it off as bad luck - "We dominated, we had possession, we don't know how we lost that game, lacked little bit sharpness in final third..." But what it really was is a lack of spine, a failure of courage under fire, fear and collapse at the slightest pressure. Wenger transformed us slowly but surely and with the determination of a deranged zealot into the gun shy gunners.

This squad is weak. The individuals are weak. Coddled. Cosseted. Lied to about the failings and deficiencies. Our star player can't be bothered to turn up - where else would that be tolerated? Our wingers can't cross. Our defenders can't clear a ball. Our midfielders have no discipline. All of them are afraid to shoot at goal. None of them learn from their mistakes because Wenger never accepted the ongoing calamity as a mistake.

So what do you do when your foot soldiers are soft as hell and can be overrun and flee the battle when the enemy says BOO? You get real fighters in to kick their arses. Drill sergeants who are more frightening than the enemy. This is surely what we are doing. Taking the first steps in halting the terrible decline in the competitive spirit of the club.

Wenger used to go on all the time about spirit. Such bullshit. He didn't mean fighting spirit, he meant happy and cuddly (we all get along famously) spirit. Big words and promises of big deeds before and after the battles, and an arse kicking on the battlefield. We saw it time and time again, Wenger prattling on about the best spirit ever and spokesmen emerging after each embarrassment to assure us how different it would be in the future. I called Wenger the worst manager in football, because he was. Look at our squad of millionaires if you want the proof.

It was often said, at the height of Wenger's nonsense, it wouldn't make any difference if we signed Messi. And in the early days of this new regime the same remains true. It was often said the squad lacked even the basic requirements to be competitive. True. Emery has to start at the very beginning. From scratch. He has to rebuild every player that Wenger ruined. He has to reverse the happy families mentality and instil the competitive bastard in every player and then into the squad as a whole. And then his biggest challenge is to build a team from a collection of wet lettuce individuals.

So we see old heads arriving rather than Messi. It was inevitable. The squad can't be refined or improved at this stage, it needs to be created.

I'd say Emery and the team have one of the toughest challenges in football. I'm going to give them plenty of leeway and a fair amount of time to make a go of it. And I think they will. I'm not worried by any of this because I know with absolute certainty nothing could be worse than one more season under Wenger. He would have absolutely destroyed us had he managed to cling on. Now there are people who know what they are doing in charge. That can only make a huge difference for the better.

[selassie]

Seems to me Wenger left us in a lot more trouble than we thought. The away form became a bit of a joke because we'd long given up the season, but for a supposedly competitive sports team it should be a deafening alarm.

Wenger kept trying to write it off as bad luck - "We dominated, we had possession, we don't know how we lost that game, lacked little bit sharpness in final third..." But what it really was is a lack of spine, a failure of courage under fire, fear and collapse at the slightest pressure. Wenger transformed us slowly but surely and with the determination of a deranged zealot into the gun shy gunners.

This squad is weak. The individuals are weak. Coddled. Cosseted. Lied to about the failings and deficiencies. Our star player can't be bothered to turn up - where else would that be tolerated? Our wingers can't cross. Our defenders can't clear a ball. Our midfielders have no discipline. All of them are afraid to shoot at goal. None of them learn from their mistakes because Wenger never accepted the ongoing calamity as a mistake.

So what do you do when your foot soldiers are soft as hell and can be overrun and flee the battle when the enemy says BOO? You get real fighters in to kick their arses. Drill sergeants who are more frightening than the enemy. This is surely what we are doing. Taking the first steps in halting the terrible decline in the competitive spirit of the club.

Wenger used to go on all the time about spirit. Such bullshit. He didn't mean fighting spirit, he meant happy and cuddly (we all get along famously) spirit. Big words and promises of big deeds before and after the battles, and an arse kicking on the battlefield. We saw it time and time again, Wenger prattling on about the best spirit ever and spokesmen emerging after each embarrassment to assure us how different it would be in the future. I called Wenger the worst manager in football, because he was. Look at our squad of millionaires if you want the proof.

It was often said, at the height of Wenger's nonsense, it wouldn't make any difference if we signed Messi. And in the early days of this new regime the same remains true. It was often said the squad lacked even the basic requirements to be competitive. True. Emery has to start at the very beginning. From scratch. He has to rebuild every player that Wenger ruined. He has to reverse the happy families mentality and instil the competitive bastard in every player and then into the squad as a whole. And then his biggest challenge is to build a team from a collection of wet lettuce individuals.

So we see old heads arriving rather than Messi. It was inevitable. The squad can't be refined or improved at this stage, it needs to be created.

I'd say Emery and the team have one of the toughest challenges in football. I'm going to give them plenty of leeway and a fair amount of time to make a go of it. And I think they will. I'm not worried by any of this because I know with absolute certainty nothing could be worse than one more season under Wenger. He would have absolutely destroyed us had he managed to cling on. Now there are people who know what they are doing in charge. That can only make a huge difference for the better.

:gp:

[selassie]

So we are signing a defender who played on one of the worse defensive units in a league with really terrible defending:doh:

To be fair it was only last season that Sokratis's performance dipped a bit, Dortmund as a whole struggled defensively. Prior to that, Sokratis had a rep as one of the best CB's in Bundesliga.

I personally would have preferred someone younger but I am more than satisfied with this signing.

He is a no nonsense experienced defender, he has played at the highest level and won stuff, he is no slouch either and will come and organise our defence.

He is absolutely an upgrade on what we have with exception of Kos, assuming Kos isn't clapped out after all his injuries and his poor form last season.

That experienced Swiss full back from Juve who we are signing on a free will also bring much needed experience and a will to win.

I have faith that these guys will come in and help with organising the defensive side of our team, right now it is a complete mess.

[hobson's choice]

I'm not happy and, to be honest, very disappointed that we are signing old players, don't care if they're on a free or not, they still require wages. If we want to get 'back up there' we need to be signing younger, proven players. These old players will be out with long term- injuries be fore you can blink twice. Where is the ambition???

There is no ambition, Emery is our manager. That should be all you need to know bout our ambition.

[GP]

Dortmund fans opinion of Socrates

https://www.reddit.com/r/borussiadortmund/comments/6phnl8/player_review_sokratis_papa_papastathopoulos/?sort=top

[Mac76]

Koscielny needs to be let go. He is not half the player he used to be and that isnt even world class to start with. Mustafi is a lost cause so lets get what we can for him. I would keep Chambers and Holding. They may be redeemable under a manager who actually knows how to coach. That gives us 3 young CBs with the kid just signed. Lets get 2 wise heads like Chiellini and Lichstensteiner to show them the nuances of defending. Dont know why we after the other 2 Greek guys unless we are dumping both Chambers and Holding.

I had my doubts about signing older players, but what you're saying does make some sense as long as we can be reasonably certain that whoever we do sign is in as good shape as possible

i agree Holding and Chambers are worth trying to develop

I actually do think Kos could have been world class, because despite playing under Wenger, he showed great awareness, and timing, though the old goat broke him down in the end

[I am invisible]

...This squad is weak. The individuals are weak. Coddled. Cosseted. Lied to about the failings and deficiencies. Our star player can't be bothered to turn up - where else would that be tolerated? Our wingers can't cross. Our defenders can't clear a ball. Our midfielders have no discipline. All of them are afraid to shoot at goal. None of them learn from their mistakes because Wenger never accepted the ongoing calamity as a mistake.

So what do you do when your foot soldiers are soft as hell and can be overrun and flee the battle when the enemy says BOO? You get real fighters in to kick their arses. Drill sergeants who are more frightening than the enemy. This is surely what we are doing. Taking the first steps in halting the terrible decline in the competitive spirit of the club...

I think this is a problem that goes right back to the fabric of the club, and its need for everyone involved to feel like they're part of the Arsenal 'family'. I mean, I get what they're going for - they want a culture where everyone is more than just work colleagues, and will go that extra mile for each other - but unfortunately the family vibe is all wrong for a competitive environment. All it really does is create and comfortable, cozy atmosphere, where everyone knows that they can fuck up as many times as they like and the 'family' will always forgive them, welcome them back with open arm and shield them from criticism. The family is their safe place.

The vibe we should be aiming for is more like that of a group of soldiers - you still get that sense of brotherhood and comradery, and you know the guy next to you will always have your back if you get in trouble. But the key difference is, if you keep getting in trouble - if you become a constant liability - then the rest of the group will drum you out of the unit (for your own good as much as everyone else's).

As you say, hopefully the moves for guys like Sokratis and Lichtsteiner mark the first steps in that kind of switch in thinking - get a couple of drill sergeants in to help change the culture at the club (as well as do a job on the pitch).

[Goonermerree]

For years people wanted solid experienced players and now we're signing them they're moaning and want young unproven players :lol:

I did say we should be singing younger proven players, you can knock 8 years off that one bloke and get a guy who is 26 and is a bit more established than a 'kid'. I don't think Chambers and Holding will make it, that's my view.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Just shows you the decline in our status from not having CL football for two years in a row if the stories about Fabinho rejecting a last minute intervention by us for Liverpool. I remember four years ago, we managed to get Alexis ahead of Liverpool because we were still regarded as the more desirable team - not the case anymore. We've fallen behind Liverpool and possibly even Spurs for young players (Pochettino is a huge draw).

That being said none of the journos had a clue about Fabinho until Liverpool announced it and likewise none of them knew shit about Emery so it's probably all bollocks. Either way, the most important thing to do next year is to get CL football at all costs and display progress, so we start improving our standing and are able to attract the calibre of players to make a league push.

[Mac76]

Just shows you the decline in our status from not having CL football for two years in a row if the stories about Fabinho rejecting a last minute intervention by us for Liverpool. I remember four years ago, we managed to get Alexis ahead of Liverpool because we were still regarded as the more desirable team - not the case anymore. We've fallen behind Liverpool and possibly even Spurs for young players (Pochettino is a huge draw).

That being said none of the journos had a clue about Fabinho until Liverpool announced it and likewise none of them knew shit about Emery so it's probably all bollocks. Either way, the most important thing to do next year is to get CL football at all costs and display progress, so we start improving our standing and are able to attract the calibre of players to make a league push.


Yeah Emery's task next season must be top four, forget cups etc, total focus on the PL is what's needed

[Özim]

Chambers and Holding won't make it, we shouldn't waste our time on them, signed by Wenger a guy who doesn't have a clue about defending and you can see how good they are, we should get rid and bring in proper young players with potential.

Personally I ditch almost the entire defence, it was selected by Wenger and has shown it's below par time and time again.

[Özim]

Yeah Emery's task next season must be top four, forget cups etc, total focus on the PL is what's needed

You don't aim for top 4 you aim to win, if we aim for top 4 we'll be in the same boat we were with Wenger where it becomes the holy grail and one of the major trophies.

[Penguin]

To be fair it was only last season that Sokratis's performance dipped a bit, Dortmund as a whole struggled defensively. Prior to that, Sokratis had a rep as one of the best CB's in Bundesliga.

I personally would have preferred someone younger but I am more than satisfied with this signing.

He is a no nonsense experienced defender, he has played at the highest level and won stuff, he is no slouch either and will come and organise our defence.

He is absolutely an upgrade on what we have with exception of Kos, assuming Kos isn't clapped out after all his injuries and his poor form last season.

That experienced Swiss full back from Juve who we are signing on a free will also bring much needed experience and a will to win.

I have faith that these guys will come in and help with organising the defensive side of our team, right now it is a complete mess.

My thoughts exactly. I haven't been following Dortmund recently but he used to be a rock at the back for them. At his peak he was leagues away from all of the defenders we have at the moment.

Nothing wrong with getting an experienced head at the back. If anything he might be exactly the type of defender we've been missing. Strong, good in the air, and has his positioning down. If he can also become a leader and whip all our other defenders into shape it would be a great signing.

Remember he doesn't have to be the only defender we sign, but he would be a good start.

[Niall_Quinn]

Yeah Emery's task next season must be top four, forget cups etc, total focus on the PL is what's needed

The goal is to win every match we play. Anything less should be totally unacceptable. Doesn't mean we'll win every match. Wenger's speciality was mediocrity. That's one of the key things we need to see change under Emery. The desire to be competitive at the highest level.

[Mac76]

@ ozim and NQ

Yes of course but top four should be the minimum and what i'm really saying is we should focus on getting at least top 4 for the reasons the other guy made

Of course we try and win every game, that's how it works, but in particular it's the PL that coumts and if necessary forget the cups

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

:d:d:d
I'm not happy and, to be honest, very disappointed that we are signing old players, don't care if they're on a free or not, they still require wages. If we want to get 'back up there' we need to be signing younger, proven players. These old players will be out with long term- injuries be fore you can blink twice. Where is the ambition???

:d

[selassie]

My thoughts exactly. I haven't been following Dortmund recently but he used to be a rock at the back for them. At his peak he was leagues away from all of the defenders we have at the moment.

Nothing wrong with getting an experienced head at the back. If anything he might be exactly the type of defender we've been missing. Strong, good in the air, and has his positioning down. If he can also become a leader and whip all our other defenders into shape it would be a great signing.

Remember he doesn't have to be the only defender we sign, but he would be a good start.

Aye, from what I’ve been reading from Dortmund fans it seems he is still there best CB by some distance.
They have a couple of younger defenders who were highly rated when they bought them but haven’t quite worked out yet.

I’m confident Sokratis will be a decent addition, like you said he is basically a rock, I think he will be very well suited to PL and will do well under Emery assuming he sorts out the Defence.

[I am invisible]

I've been pleasantly surprised by what I've seen of / read a out Sokratis over the last couple of days. A lot of the compilation videos make him look like a bit of a nutter who loves diving in with a hard challenge, and who appears to play the more advanced, aggressive CB role (like Kos and Mustafi) - however, when you watch one of those videos that follow his contributions across a single game he comes across as the exact opposite: a very calm, composed presence who comes across as more of a Mertersacker type. (I think his stats show that his interception rate is quite low, so that's a good indicator that he probably plays as the more withdrawn CB in a pairing.)

Don't know if it's true or not, but I heard someone say that he's only made 1 defensive error in the last 4 seasons! I can't even imagine what that must be like after watching our lot for the last couple of years?

[Cripps]

Arsenal have offered Aaron Ramsey a five-year contract - here's @MattHughesTimes with the exclusive news that Unai Emery wants to build a team around the Wales midfielder
https://t.co/0ZTYozTiYD

Em dog :bow:

[I am invisible]

I have a sneaky feeling that Emery wants to play Ramsey behind Aubameyang in his favoured 4231 - a kind of second striker who can also drop back to form a 3-man midfield when needed?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

meh about Sokratis. I hope Sven knows what he's doing.

Also really like Lucas Torreira and ecatastic that we're being linked to him. Just what we need! Right age & profile of player.


I have a sneaky feeling that Emery wants to play Ramsey behind Aubameyang in his favoured 4231 - a kind of second striker who can also drop back to form a 3-man midfield when needed?

R.I.P. Ozil :rose:

[Özim]

I have a sneaky feeling that Emery wants to play Ramsey behind Aubameyang in his favoured 4231 - a kind of second striker who can also drop back to form a 3-man midfield when needed?

I hope not, Lacazette needs to be int he 1st 11 and will score loads more goals than Ramsey, don't want a Wenger like midfielder in the place of a striker, Wenger did this for years with players who could never score enough goals.

[Globalgunner]

I hope not, Lacazette needs to be int he 1st 11 and will score loads more goals than Ramsey, don't want a Wenger like midfielder in the place of a striker, Wenger did this for years with players who could never score enough goals.

Agreed, Dont want the team built around Ramsey a just above average player with the constitution of a stalk of Rhubarb. Ramsey would not be on the radar of any of the teams who finished above us. Nobody wants him. If he signs a new contract its because none of the top 4 are interested.

I hope all this Ramsey talk by the new manager was just a pitch to the management. I fail to see Ramsey's ceiling being much higher than what it already is. Play Laca with Auba and Ozil or Ramsey behind them. Get a new DM and a clearout at the back. New keeper needed, or get Martinez back and dump Ospina.

[Cripps]

Ramsey showed what he was capable of in the 13/14 season and I think under a good manager that guides him and provides him with tactical assistance he'd improve. I'd be happy to keep him.

[I am invisible]

I hope not, Lacazette needs to be int he 1st 11 and will score loads more goals than Ramsey, don't want a Wenger like midfielder in the place of a striker, Wenger did this for years with players who could never score enough goals.
It's a long old season, mate - plenty of games for everyone. I'm expecting to see a lot more rotation under Emery, and a lot more tactical flexibility, so I'm sure we'll see plenty of Lacazette with Auba (or on his own, or with Auba on the left, etc, etc).

For the big games though, I just have a feeling that Emery will like having that immediate option to switch between 3 in midfield and a second attacker.

[Cripps]

Who is Torreira? Is he any good?

[I am invisible]

meh about Sokratis. I hope Sven knows what he's doing.

Also really like Lucas Torreira and ecatastic that we're being linked to him. Just what we need! Right age & profile of player.



R.I.P. Ozil :rose:
Just get Ozil to fit his holidays around Ramsey's injuries and they can share the job - problem solved!

Besides, the wide attackers come pretty narrow in a 4231, so there's plenty of space there for Ozil, even if he has to go slightly off centre.

[I am invisible]

Who is Torreira? Is he any good?
https://www.esdfanalysis.com/player-analysis/lucas-torreira/

[Cripps]

Physical tough tackling player? Sounds good to me

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Who is Torreira? Is he any good?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSZzVF95sHk

Great tackler and passer.

Only thing is that he's only 5ft 6' so height may be a problem when dealing with long balls. Then again look at Kante.

Has a 22 million clause allegedly but we have to move before the WC because there's a good chance he's going to boss it for Uruguay in the central midfield.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

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

Bellerin ------ Sokartis ----- Mavarponos/Chambers ------ Kolosanic

------------------ Torreira ----------- Xhaka -------------------------

--------------------------Ramsey ------------------------------------

Lacazette ---------------Aubaymang -----------------------Ozil


Would be satisfied with that being our line up for the first game of next season tbh.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I would be very nervous about that team indeed....

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I have a sneaky feeling that Emery wants to play Ramsey behind Aubameyang in his favoured 4231 - a kind of second striker who can also drop back to form a 3-man midfield when needed?

Ozil will be on annual leave half the time and Ramsey will be injured the other half....

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Haha, just seen you made that point/joke/quip/con yourself!

[Marc Overmars]

Would prefer someone younger and with a higher ceiling but if this Greek guy is capable of making an immediate impact then I’m fine with it. The main thing is that hopefully we can implement a system where the defenders aren’t constantly exposed and run ragged.

[Goonermerree]

Just get Ozil to fit his holidays around Ramsey's injuries and they can share the job - problem solved!

Besides, the wide attackers come pretty narrow in a 4231, so there's plenty of space there for Ozil, even if he has to go slightly off centre.
As long as their wages reflect that!

[I am invisible]

Haha, just seen you made that point/joke/quip/con yourself!
If only it was a joke!

[I am invisible]

As long as their wages reflect that!
When was the last time any footballer's wages reflected the "job" they do!

[Globalgunner]

When was the last time any footballer's wages reflected the "job" they do!

You are not seeing the "invisibles". There`s a lot more to it than meets the eye.

[I am invisible]

You are not seeing the "invisibles". There`s a lot more to it than meets the eye.
That must be why Ozil needs so many holidays - nobody works harder than Mesut.

[Goonermerree]

When was the last time any footballer's wages reflected the "job" they do!

Not for a very long time.

[Letters]

When was the last time any footballer's wages reflected the "job" they do!

No-one's does really, if they did I wouldn't be earning more than a nurse. My job is meaningless compared to theirs.
But market forces dictate salaries, not logic or reason.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

No-one's does really, if they did I wouldn't be earning more than a nurse. My job is meaningless compared to theirs.
But market forces dictate salaries, not logic or reason.

Didn't realise GW admin pays so well tbh.

[Letters]

Didn't realise GW admin pays so well tbh.

:lol: If only.

I actually have to pay to put up with the nonsense and abuse from you twats <_<

[Globalgunner]

:lol: If only.

I actually have to pay to put up with the nonsense and abuse from you twats <_<

Masochist:. He gets it at home and on GW

[Niall_Quinn]

Masochist:. He gets it at home and on GW

Actually he doesn't get it at home. That's why he's so grouchy here on GW.

[Globalgunner]

Actually he doesn't get it at home. That's why he's so grouchy here on GW.

and he lives in a dustbin.

[Cripps]

#Arsenal are interested in Steven Nzonzi. The player has a €40m release clause and wants to leave this summer. https://t.co/0TpHcQLpUu

Yes please

[Marc Overmars]

Any chance of getting some younger players in please?

[Özim]

Any chance of getting some younger players in please?

Yeah would be nice, think we need some younger players in their mids 20s we can build a team with, older players are only going to be around so long.

[GP]

Any chance of getting some younger players in please?

Sounds like we're doing both, actually. Experienced players that can make an impact now, mixed in with young players who can grow into the role.

[Cripps]

I'm happy with older, experienced players with a strong mentality.

Hopefully it'll eradicate Wenger's weak minded mentality from the club and send a bolt through Colney creche.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Football is all about the here and now. Developing young players is a mugs game for managers that like getting sacked.

[Globalgunner]

Football is all about the here and now. Developing young players is a mugs game for managers that like getting sacked.

Or managers that think they cant be sacked

[Cripps]

#AFC | Express say Wilshere has rejected a contract offer from Arsenal.

West Ham along with Everton, Palace, Wolves and Newcastle are said to be interested in him.


Meh

[The Emirates Gallactico]

West Ham along with Everton, Palace, Wolves and Newcastle are said to be interested in him.


Speaks volumes to his actual level.


No big loss. Ramsey on the other hand though ......

[I am invisible]

Yeah, sorry Jack - I used to care, but I'm just not fussed anymore. Still too much work to do with him, and I'd rather put the effort (and wages) towards a younger (fitter) player who already knows their role in the side.

Shame - he was outstanding in that breakthrough season, and pretty much carried our midfield after Cesc and Nasri decided they were fucking off, and Song decided he'd rather play as a no.10 for most of every game. Never kicked on from there, though, and at 26 still hasn't made any role in the side his own.

[Marc Overmars]

Wheelchair is why I won’t trust any young player again until they prove me otherwise. I had so much faith in him as I’m sure many others did.

It’s all well and good showcasing potential but to actually find some consistency and elevate your game to another level is something different altogether.

[Goonermerree]

Wheelchair is why I won’t trust any young player again until they prove me otherwise. I had so much faith in him as I’m sure many others did.

It’s all well and good showcasing potential but to actually find some consistency and elevate your game to another level is something different altogether.

I felt that about Walcott and Ox, all potential, never really made it for us. I know Ox moved on when he was younger, can you blame him really?

[I am invisible]

We've had the same problem with Jack as we've had with a lot of the British lads - he'd rather watch his career fade away, waiting for his preferred role (preferred not best) to become available in his ideal system, rather than adapting to what's actually in front of him.

He should have set his sights on making that deep-lying playmaker role his own, imo - it's arguably the role he was given in his breakthrough season, and he was pretty good at it (even at 19?). Plus he was doing it pre Arteta and Cazorla, so he could have been an established first choice there by now (for club and Country). I'm sure it would have cut down on his injuries too. So many attacking midfielders are making that same switch now, and are proving to be real assets there, especially when it comes to beating the high press and transitioning play...

[I am invisible]

I felt that about Walcott and Ox, all potential, never really made it for us. I know Ox moved on when he was younger, can you blame him really?
Walcott and Ox... 2 more players who should have put all their efforts into really learning the winger role - the role that was there for the taking - instead of pining after the CF and CM roles...

[Cripps]

Wheelchair's career was destroyed by WUMger. Overplayed at a young age and not protected enough. His body is broken.

With Santi gone and Wheelchair looking like he's leaving we'll be in the market for a midfielder. Time to upgrade and bring in someone reliable.

[Özim]

Not fussed about Wilshere, overhyped, overrated, overpaid, glad we'regetting rid, this guy was always injured and was never going to achieve anything, his off the field issues just show the lack of dedication, as someone mentioned the clubs linked with his just shows his level, no top club would go near him.

That's the end of the good times for him, he's had it too good with us, years getting an easy (undeservedly high) payday are over, watch him disappear jut like Walcott has at Everton, been very lucky that he had a manager like Wenger who lacked any kind of ruthless streak and gave certain players chance after chance after chance.

[GP]

Walcott and Ox... 2 more players who should have put all their efforts into really learning the winger role - the role that was there for the taking - instead of pining after the CF and CM roles...

Walcott especially. He was really effective as a wide forward, but clearly wasn't suited to playing centrally. He should have either knuckled down and played out wide, or left much earlier.

[Niall_Quinn]

There's fundamentally two types of players, or two types of people. Those who can self motivate and strive to be better and those who need to be guided along. Ox, Theo and Jack all seem to be the latter. Which meant they had no chance whatsoever of realising their potential at Arsenal. Henry, Vieira, these were self motivators - to such an extent they helped create the myth of a certain manager being a leader in developing young talent.

[Cripps]

At a young age everyone needs to be guided. We had a manager that didn't do that and the youngsters wasted their talent 1 by 1.

[Penguin]

Oh Jack. For all his talent, and I believe he did have a lot of it, he got stuck at a very low level. What a waste.

Maybe he wasn't given the right coaching but he's a professional footballer. In his spare time he should be studying his position, looking at the best CMs and figuring out why he's not as good as them. He obviously didn't bother doing that because he stopped improving a long time ago.

The injuries played a big part too but he can't keep hiding behind that excuse.

[Power n Glory]

Walcott and Ox... 2 more players who should have put all their efforts into really learning the winger role - the role that was there for the taking - instead of pining after the CF and CM roles...

It's not a case of lack of effort. They tried and tried for years. They grew up idolising Gerrard and Henry with dreams of paving out similar careers. Both were mature for their age and came from good families with footballing backgrounds. They never went off the rails and started partying too much or stopped paying attention to their fitness. From what I heard, these two were focused on football and I could always see that on the pitch. Never an attitude problem with either. Effort can only get you so far. See Danny Welbeck.

To look at Wenger's treatment of a player like Lacazette or Perez and see how that can damage confidence but not see similarities in what he did with Walcott and Ox is what I find strange when it comes to Arsenal fans. Early on in their careers, both players would either get left out of major games after a good performance or hooked after 60 minutes despite playing well. That's enough to mess with the confidence of a young player. Then think about the injuries and how that effects the players confidence.

In Theo's case, he had major surgery on both shoulders and that effected his game. He adjusted and spent less time on the ball and focused more on off the ball runs because I don't think his body could take the physical punishment. Or at least I believe that was what he was advised. When you hear Wenger say he has told Theo to study Freddie Ljunberg, along with the ridiculous comparisons to Messi, saying Theo's off the ball movement is better than Messi's, it became clear to me that Wenger was trying to develop Theo into a 'wide forward'. It's a term he's use a lot to describe Theo. He stopped being a winger. I remember Wenger once saying Theo was struggling to score goals and be as effective in attack because he's using a lot of energy tracking back to defend.

When Wenger publicly question Theo's defensive ability, we saw another change in Theo's game where he actually proved he could defend and score goals. That was his last full season for us at Arsenal before being left on the bench and then sold to Everton.

Ox was wise to move on after seeing all this. Wenger wanted to push him to playing as a wing back. Why the heck would you trust him to do that when he can't even develop a natural wingback like Bellerin?

[Cripps]

Oh Jack. For all his talent, and I believe he did have a lot of it, he got stuck at a very low level. What a waste.

Maybe he wasn't given the right coaching but he's a professional footballer. In his spare time he should be studying his position, looking at the best CMs and figuring out why he's not as good as them. He obviously didn't bother doing that because he stopped improving a long time ago.

The injuries played a big part too but he can't keep hiding behind that excuse.

Even Ronaldo needed tutoring and guidance

Fergie turned him into the best player in the world

Then look at our lot.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Wilshere has also been linked to PSG recently and is better than Drinkwater at Chelsea and was linked to City a few years back, so I think it is something of a flawed argument and a little revisionist to marry the medicore clubs he has been linked to recently to his fundamental ability.

He's obviously no angel on or off the field but I don't think his career woes are all on him. Even recently he has been played further forward (Wenger's decision not his) when he clearly operates better deeper from midfield. If he's playing in the wrong part of the pitch its the manager's job to curb that or redirect him. I've always been of that belief. Wenger failed to do that with several highly talented players we've had in midfield.

If he doesn't sign da ting, I will make my peace with it, but Lord knows we already have enough business to get over the line primarily before the world cup starts and Ramsey who people seem to think has had a majestic season has also been far from Mr reliable fitness wise and also hasn't signed a new contract yet.

[GP]

Linked with Fellaini

Emery OUT

[selassie]

Linked with Fellaini

Emery OUT

It's a strong link too...being reported everywhere.

I personally don't believe we would be stupid enough to move for him. He's 31 in November, turned down a 140K per week contract extension from United, and would only come here if he is promised first team football, that's why he is leaving United right?

Surely we wouldn't be stupid enough to spunk big wages on him.

Also...I am getting concerned with the amount of older players we are being linked to....

[Niall_Quinn]

Can't see how it would be possible to support the team if Loobrush was stinking up the shirt. Can't see it happening. Why would we need a mule like him? Where would he playpub? Would he be a chavvy style Plan B, bring him on, batter the ball into the box and pray? Half the fan base would hate the bloke from day one and the other half would eat their sandwiches in silence.

I'd rather have Sanogo back. That was funny, in a way. But Fellaini is no laughing matter.

[Niall_Quinn]

Jeez, this is across all the papers and almost sounds like a done deal.

Fortunately it's prominent in the Metro so must be fake news. I was getting worried there for a minute.

[Niall_Quinn]

Naturally, the rumours of Fellaini heading to the Emirates had fans of both United and Arsenal reacting on social media.

One United fan excitedly tweeted: "OH MY GOD IF THIS HAPPENS."

While an Arsenal fan simply posted: "I have bleeding eyes..."

Needless to say, the two sets of supporters had conflicting feelings on the rumours.

[Goonermerree]

It's in the Telegraph that 'Elbows Fellani' is an Arsenal target. If he comes to Arsenal, he won't get away with all that elbowing s==t, he'll be sent off every match he plays. If he comes to Arsenal, I'll sulk or something.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm trying to think of a worse signing. And I can't come up with anything.

Some papers are spinning this as the player (sic) trying to get a better deal at Utd by using the Arsenal interest. But why would we be interested in the first place? Sounds like because he's a freebie. I hope that's not the case. And anyway, he wants 6 figures a week so he'd be a bloody expensive benchwarmer. I can only interpret our interest as a willingness to actually play him. In OUR team FFS! Which makes me wonder what style of football we'd be looking to play.

[Xhaka Can’t]

It is everywhere. I’m even getting goaded about it by a West Ham fan. Elbows isn’t even worthy of their level.

Please for the love of god, this HAS to be bullshit. It simply has to be.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I'm trying to think of a worse signing. And I can't come up with anything.

Some papers are spinning this as the player (sic) trying to get a better deal at Utd by using the Arsenal interest. But why would we be interested in the first place? Sounds like because he's a freebie. I hope that's not the case. And anyway, he wants 6 figures a week so he'd be a bloody expensive benchwarmer. I can only interpret our interest as a willingness to actually play him. In OUR team FFS! Which makes me wonder what style of football we'd be looking to play.

You were warned to be careful what you wished for.

[Globalgunner]

Im Ok with the Nzonzi rumours, essentially a Felliani with a bit more about him, a bit younger and without the odious reputation. One of the more hopeful rumours was that we may be able to get Mbappe if PSG are collared on the fair play rules. Maybe we could get Ivan to prevail on Sam to dip into his pocket at last and boost that 50p transfer budget of ours.

Here's hoping anyways. Felliani just makes me morbid

[Niall_Quinn]

You were warned to be careful what you wished for.

I was misquoted.

Clearly I never said Wenger out, Fellaini in! There are certain things that have to be taken for granted. Like you don't go around saying, now breathe in, and now breathe out... Not signing Fellaini is too obvious to be worth mentioning.

[Syn]

Emery is getting that 34 year old Swiss defender, a shit Dortmund CB, and, potentially, they're after N'zonzi and Fellaini. He's also identified Ramsey as central to his plans. :lol:

Thanks, Gazidis.

[Syn]

Btw, the sensible tactic to getting into the top 4 is to gun your way there with a top forward line (cf. Liverpool). Re-constructing a new midfield and defence will take 6-7 good players. Adding the funds from selling Lacazette and Ramsey, getting a top class CF to go alongside Aubameyang and Ozil might be more efficient.

But Emery's a smart guy. I'm sure Fellaini knockdowns might do the job at home to Cardiff.

[Niall_Quinn]

No, no, wait. I've thought of a reason for this.

We're lowering expectations.

We're on the verge of signing top talent and this is just a way to throw rivals off our scent. Trouble is, this particular scent is one that nobody would want to follow.

[Goonermerree]

We're not even pretending anymore that we're not mid-table mediocrity, we're going all out for it!

[Goonermerree]

Btw, the sensible tactic to getting into the top 4 is to gun your way there with a top forward line (cf. Liverpool). Re-constructing a new midfield and defence will take 6-7 good players. Adding the funds from selling Lacazette and Ramsey, getting a top class CF to go alongside Aubameyang and Ozil might be more efficient.

But Emery's a smart guy. I'm sure Fellaini knockdowns might do the job at home to Cardiff.
Fellani is very good at knocking down the opposition with his elbows.

[Niall_Quinn]

We're not even pretending anymore that we're not mid-table mediocrity, we're going all out for it!

Still don't want to count chickens... But it seems there's the same old one chicken, it's hard not to count it by accident.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Honestly don't understand the transfer strategy at this club.

Liverpool show us how to get back into the top four and to even get to a CL final on low wages ...... identify & invest in a lot of talented 20 - 22 years old, a few 25 year olds in key positions and perhaps the odd 28 year old +. Huge upside and if a player comes good then you can if necessary sell him for mega bucks and reinvest that money to improve the squad (Coutinho).

We've seemed to have gone for the complete opposite approach and so if we don't get top four next season we're going to be lumbered with a lot of old players on big contracts and with no CL football. Dumb strategy from Sven/Unai/Ivan.

[Özim]

From what I can see we're being linked to free transfers and cheaper players, many of those of course are older players.

Bernard is one we've been linked with, he's a winger, youngish and free so would be worth a punt IMO. Some of the others I'm not sure about, if we do go for a few olders players I do agree it would be odd as we'd need to replace them in a couple years which will cost money, we also can't build a team by signing a lot of older players, we've already signed Auba and Mkiti who are both in their late 20s.

Not sure who we're going to get right now though, there seems to be number of players we're allegedly about to sign but none of them have signed on the dotted line yet, so who knows.

[Marc Overmars]

Fellaini???

I’m willing to give the new regime a chance but jeez...

[I am invisible]

Anyone got a problem with stringing fellaini along all summer and then withdrawing the offer? Leave the c*** without a club?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Anyone got a problem with stringing fellaini along all summer and then withdrawing the offer? Leave the c*** without a club?

The only way this will be a master stroke is if this causes Mourinho (who loves Fellaini) to increase Utd's contract offer for Fellaini to 200k a week or some absurd figure meaning they spunk all their money on him, leaving us free reign to get a better & younger CM ahead of them.

[I am invisible]

The only way this will be a master stroke is if this causes Mourinho (who loves Fellaini) to increase Utd's contract offer for Fellaini to 200k a week or some absurd figure meaning they spunk all their money on him, leaving us free reign to get a better & younger CM ahead of them.
It would almost be worth offering him a 200k/week contract just to freeze him out of the side and end his career.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

A top Right back, a top CB and a top CM....... and we don't even have Wenger to thank for this.

Whoever's repeatedly pressing snooze you can stop now....

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Signing the Premier League runners-up best outfield player. :bow:

Seriously though, WTF is this?

Nzonzi is fine, Fellaini barely qualifies as a footballer.

[Cripps]

Honestly don't understand the transfer strategy at this club.

Liverpool show us how to get back into the top four and to even get to a CL final on low wages ...... identify & invest in a lot of talented 20 - 22 years old, a few 25 year olds in key positions and perhaps the odd 28 year old +. Huge upside and if a player comes good then you can if necessary sell him for mega bucks and reinvest that money to improve the squad (Coutinho).

We've seemed to have gone for the complete opposite approach and so if we don't get top four next season we're going to be lumbered with a lot of old players on big contracts and with no CL football. Dumb strategy from Sven/Unai/Ivan.

We're signing experienced solid players. Players that slot right in and make a difference right away. That's the strategy. And what's bizarre is after years of buying young players that's led us to absolutely nowhere, we are now buying ready made players but fans are still moaning :lol:

One thing we've learnt is we probably shouldn't believe a word the media says, everything is for clickbait. The second thing is we should probably trust SASIE.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We're signing experienced solid players. Players that slot right in and make a difference right away. That's the strategy. And what's bizarre is after years of buying young players that's led us to absolutely nowhere, we are now buying ready made players but fans are still moaning :lol:

One thing we've learnt is we probably shouldn't believe a word the media says, everything is for clickbait. The second thing is we should probably trust SASIE.

No experienced solid players would be in the 25-26 age bracket. We're signing old players in the last throngs of their careers who are looking for one last payday. They have zero resale value and so will be difficult to replace in a few years when they fall off a cliff or in the case of Fellaini that point is already here.


And because Wenger failed with some young players we shouldn't sign young players is a dumb argument. We actually have a coach now who can improve players and make them better by giving them guidance. We should be signing the best 22 - 24 years around and giving Emery the tools to work with them to make them into world superstars.

[GP]

Wenger in!

[Cripps]

No experienced solid players would be in the 25-26 age bracket. We're signing old players in the last throngs of their careers who are looking for one last payday. They have zero resale value and so will be difficult to replace in a few years when they fall off a cliff or in the case of Fellaini that point is already here.


And because Wenger failed with some young players we shouldn't sign young players is a dumb argument. We actually have a coach now who can improve players and make them better by giving them guidance. We should be signing the best 22 - 24 years around and giving Emery the tools to work with them to make them into world superstars.

We're signing men. Lichtsteiner has won 7 league titles and 9 cups. We're adding a solid, title winning pro to a mentally weak defence that was crap last season. And it'll give Bellerin some competition and it's something he needs because he went from being the best right back in the league to one of the worst. It ticks so many boxes and is a very shrewd signing. If Man City made this signing Pep would be hailed a genius for adding a mentally tough, solid pro to his ranks.

As for 'and because Wenger failed with some young players we shouldn't sign young players is a dumb argument', where did I say we shouldn't sign young players? I'm saying I can see why they're going with it. It's clear shift in transfer strategy from one that hasn't worked to one where we rely on those that have experience and can deliver. Wenger was hell bent on destroying our mental fortitude in the space of 24 months by selling all of the invincibles, it seems the new regime are hell bent on restoring it.

[Ralpheroo72]

Doesn’t matter who the head coach is, Kroenke is giving the head coach fuck all money. They’ve hired Sven, and he has used all of his experience to ‘find’ Fellaini. Other top clubs will blow us out of the water in the transfer market.

[selassie]

Honestly don't understand the transfer strategy at this club.

Liverpool show us how to get back into the top four and to even get to a CL final on low wages ...... identify & invest in a lot of talented 20 - 22 years old, a few 25 year olds in key positions and perhaps the odd 28 year old +. Huge upside and if a player comes good then you can if necessary sell him for mega bucks and reinvest that money to improve the squad (Coutinho).

We've seemed to have gone for the complete opposite approach and so if we don't get top four next season we're going to be lumbered with a lot of old players on big contracts and with no CL football. Dumb strategy from Sven/Unai/Ivan.

I am happy enough with us signing Sokratis who I believe is still a very good CB, I am satisfied with us signing the Swiss Full Back as a rotation option...but I am not happy about us being strongly linked to Fellaini or even Nzonzi for that matter.

I totally agree with your post too, if we do make all these signings and are lumbered with old players on big contracts without CL then we are in serious trouble.

Fellaini wasn't good enough for our wretched team last season, why are we even entertaining this now?

[Cripps]

N'zonzi is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe :blink:

He completely ran the show against Liverpool and Man Utd :blink:

[selassie]

N'zonzi is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe :blink:

He completely ran the show against Liverpool and Man Utd :blink:

He isn't really a Defensive Midfielder, more of a box to box type.

He is a very good player, I like him and understand why folks hype him....but I don't think he is what the team needs...the balance is wrong as it is in Midfield, we need more of a Defensive minded player if we are going to persist with Ramsey.

Nzonzi is getting on a bit too, he is 29...it's a risky signing...because if it doesn't work out then we will have a lot of rebuilding to do...we already have the likes of Ozil, Mkhi, Auba, Sokratis and Kos in there late 20's / early 30's....

I want us to sign a player in there mid 20's who is good enough now but has plenty of upside.

We missed the boat with Fabinho IMO, he would have been a perfect fit for us.

[Özim]

I think the issue is more to do with his age, we've been waiting to sign a decent DM for years, now at last we seem to be interested in getting one in, but Nzonzi is 30 in 6 months so not too sure how long he'll have left at the top, we should have signed him a few years ago logically.

Problem with bringing in pretty much all older players is that in a couple years time we'll have to find lots of money for replacements again and realistically won't be building towards success, realistically a team takes a year or two to gel and by that time a few of them will be all but finished at the top level.

I can see the logic in signing a couple older players as they come cheap and have experience, but it's also possible to find quality DM who are ready now but will also be around in 5 years, given our budget constraints it kinda mkes even more sense to not need to replace them in a couple years.

[selassie]

I think the issue is more to do with his age, we've been waiting to sign a decent DM for years, now at last we seem to be interested in getting one in, but Nzonzi is 30 in 6 months so not too sure how long he'll have left at the top, we should have signed him a few years ago logically.

Problem with bringing in pretty much all older players is that in a couple years time we'll have to find lots of money for replacements again and realistically won't be building towards success, realistically a team takes a year or two to gel and by that time a few of them will be all but finished at the top level.

I can see the logic in signing a couple older players as they come cheap and have experience, but it's also possible to find quality DM who are ready now but will also be around in 5 years, given our budget constraints it kinda mkes even more sense to not need to replace them in a couple years.

Yep :gp:

[Goonermerree]

Most of us seem to agree that buying lots of older players is a bit suspect. All of us think Fellani, what the hell. I hope this guy does know what he's doing, I'm fully behind him, but keeping my fingers crossed too.

[Cripps]

He isn't really a Defensive Midfielder, more of a box to box type.

He is a very good player, I like him and understand why folks hype him....but I don't think he is what the team needs...the balance is wrong as it is in Midfield, we need more of a Defensive minded player if we are going to persist with Ramsey.

Nzonzi is getting on a bit too, he is 29...it's a risky signing...because if it doesn't work out then we will have a lot of rebuilding to do...we already have the likes of Ozil, Mkhi, Auba, Sokratis and Kos in there late 20's / early 30's....

I want us to sign a player in there mid 20's who is good enough now but has plenty of upside.

We missed the boat with Fabinho IMO, he would have been a perfect fit for us.

He's a defensive midfielder. A 6 ft 4 man mountain that's tough and sticks his foot in. He's exactly what we need.