Summer transfer joy and happiness

[Cripps]

Torreira seems almost confirmed as per Skysports :wave:

What a difference a real football manager makes!! :dancingman:

:gp:

[Marc Overmars]

So what you are saying is that Emery has no say in what position he wants filled? Sven and the rest of the crew just go and buy whatever player they fancy?! Sure, I can accept that he is not sitting at the negotiating table like Wenger would, but it wouldnt make the slightest sense if Emery didnt have a major say on what roles he wants filled. Unless you know for sure otherwise.

I'm sure he has a say in what areas of the team he wants strengthened but I believe it is Sven and co who are pushing things over the line. Emery was even put in front of them during the hiring process, they are the king pins now. Things are moving quickly because of them and not necessarily Unai.

Your post should be rephrased as what a difference behaving like a proper football club makes. :dancingman:

[Cripps]

He may not be calling the shots but a massive bottleneck has been removed :patrice:

[SMatthews]

During key stages of his bodily development Wilshere didn’t take care of his body, the smoking and drinking were clear signs of that. You can either be a lad or a footballer nowadays - not both. Jack chose the former. He’s tried to change that with his new diet recently and seems more settled but it’s too late in his career to ever come close to the potential he once showed. He blew his chance of an amazing career and will now see it out in mediocre clubs where he will only ever show flashes of what he can really do - much like the season just gone.

[Özim]

Emery may not be doing the negotiating but he would have input into whether he'd want a player or not, sure scouts and others might suggest someone but then he'd decide if he wanted them or not, he also probably made suggestions himself.

Nothing wrong with others suggesting potential signings to be honest, probably better than one person doing all the donkey work, just as long as the manager has the final say that is.

[SMatthews]

He probably won’t have the final say as that’s rarely how sporting directors work. He’s been given the title of Head Coach specifically. It’s probably a system he’s used to working in, especially after his time at PSG. Look at Klopp, he didn’t even want Salah but he got him and the rest is history.

[Özim]

He probably won’t have the final say as that’s rarely how sporting directors work. He’s been given the title of Head Coach specifically. It’s probably a system he’s used to working in, especially after his time at PSG. Look at Klopp, he didn’t even want Salah but he got him and the rest is history.

Not quite right, with Salah he was convinced to take him


“This is one where Klopp has just stepped aside and said, ‘I didn’t really want Salah, but he convinced me to take him.’

So he did get final say, he just got convinced it was the right move which can happen.

[SMatthews]

Fair enough, like someone said above, he perhaps targets the areas and they come back with options. Sometimes he’ll have final say, other times not I’d imagine. Only success will give him more say in the long run I’d imagine.

[I am invisible]

I would imagine Emery would be consulted regarding the general kind of player/s that the first team is lacking (e.g GK, CB, DM with X, X and X attributes), but it will be up to Sven to come up with the list of candidates. Emery may then get to have a say on who he would pick from that list (and may get a veto, if there's anyone, but he'll have sod all to do with the recruitment process.

And really that's exactly how it should be - the club should be making long-term hires for the club, not signing players who are bound a the coach who could be gone at any moment. The players (and the backroom ream and the academy) are the constants, and with each new first team coach that comes in the club absorbs new ideas and keeps growing and evolving.

[I am invisible]

Jesus, the editing on that last post was shocking! It wasn't me though - I blame the tools! It was the android phone, and the stupid train with the stupid narrow seats and no shoulder room!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The jury is very much still out on this window..... Of course there's loads of time left but clearly we are looking to put things in place over the next month.

We've signed a keeper of a good age with a decent reputation but with varying reports on his quality.....we are yet to confirm any CB as of yet....signing a diminutive CDM who sounds a good player but none of us have seen, we still don't have a wide player, have extended a terribly profiled player in Xhaka and got rid of an Arsenal boy with a chequered injury record.

Not going to start vehemently bell aching or sing anyone's praises just yet.... and we will need to watch a lot of football to really evaluate where we are now.

[GP]

Bale wants to sign for us, according to his agent.

[Marc Overmars]

:lol:

As amazing as that would be, it’s pure fantasy.

[dazthegooner]

So do I bit Ain't gonna happen either...

[Mac76]

Bale wants to sign for us, according to his agent.

His agent has also said there's no chance of it actually happening... :(

[Özim]

We couldn't afford his wages or transfer fee anyhow.

[Marc Overmars]

Only the Manchester clubs could realistically sign him. Maybe Spurs if his affinity for them remains.

[Xhaka Can’t]

We could turn him into another Feo!

[Bumble]

We could turn him into another Feo!

didn't wenger nearly sign Bale once but we had clichy at the time.

[Cripps]

:lol: I've lost count of how many players he nearly signed

[GP]

didn't wenger nearly sign Bale once but we had clichy at the time.

Don't think so. Bale was just a bog standard left back at the time. Spurs nearly sold him to Birmingham.

Remember that long record where Spurs didn't win with Bale in the team? Earned himself the nickname Gareth Fail.

Then he got his ears cut off and the rest is history.

[Cripps]

Questioned about whether he could have signed Bale, the Frenchman admitted: "Yes, but we had full-backs at the time. We had [Gael] Clichy, we had [Ashley] Cole. We were more on Walcott. Walcott was a lot of money."

http://m.goal.com/s/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/02/25/2927883/arsenal-boss-arsene-wenger-admits-he-could-have-signed

[Marc Overmars]

It would be Bale slumming it at Everton now had Wenger got hold of him at that age.

[Power n Glory]

Questioned about whether he could have signed Bale, the Frenchman admitted: "Yes, but we had full-backs at the time. We had [Gael] Clichy, we had [Ashley] Cole. We were more on Walcott. Walcott was a lot of money."

http://m.goal.com/s/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/02/25/2927883/arsenal-boss-arsene-wenger-admits-he-could-have-signed

:haha:

[SMatthews]

We need a team now. Not an ego plus ten others. Bale can go and be overrated elsewhere.

[Marc Overmars]

I don't think Bale is an ego maniac, in fact he's probably one of the more grounded players at Madrid and if anything that's worked against him.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bale wants to sign for us, according to his agent.

His agent wants him to join Arsenal as he is a Gooner but says that's as likely of him going to the moon. Elon Musk, you know what to do.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

His agent wants him to join Arsenal as he is a Gooner but says that's as likely of him going to the moon. Elon Musk, you know what to do.

https://cbsnews2.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2016/01/29/0d953c4e-0b98-4a78-9a3c-2bd0e9f9f52a/thumbnail/1200x630/9d5dce80e5d655fee3bb9e81d5a9aed4/ham-the-chimp-biopack-couch-nasa.jpg

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Roy Hodgson has a funny story about that...

[Cripps]

Nagelsmann decides to join... Leipzig :blink:

[I am invisible]

Nagelsmann decides to join... Leipzig :blink:
Guess that means the Meyer-to-Hoffenheim deal isn't as done as everyone thought? Can't imagine he'd be keen to sign when the the club's major selling point will be gone in a year...

[I am invisible]

Good summary of where we're at with our "£50m" summer budget so far..

https://shewore.com/2018/06/23/lucas-torreira-set-to-cost-arsenal-nothing/

(...and those figures are based on only Wilshere and Cazorla departing.)

[SMatthews]

Good summary of where we're at with our "£50m" summer budget so far..

https://shewore.com/2018/06/23/lucas-torreira-set-to-cost-arsenal-nothing/

(...and those figures are based on only Wilshere and Cazorla departing.)

This is why net spend is always such an empty argument. Every contract is amortised, so the costs are spread for accounting purposes and there is no way of knowing how much is being spent each season until the accounts are released 12 months later.

[Marc Overmars]

Apparently the Sokratis deal is very close to being completed.

[Cripps]

Marouane Fellaini agrees new two-year deal at Manchester United https://t.co/peiFccPUtX https://t.co/BvhAfP6RtE

Phew.

Utd :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

How can they still want him? :haha:

[Cripps]

Rumours we're in for Banega.

Looks like SASIE are adamant on bringing in characters and making us a hard, nasty team.

Love it.

[Bumble]

Rumours we're in for Banega.

Looks like SASIE are adamant on bringing in characters and making us a hard, nasty team.

Love it.

although Seville have done the not for sale at any price press release.... well apart from when we offer the right money.

[Unai Tea]

although Seville have done the not for sale at any price press release.... well apart from when we offer the right money.

...and he has a 17m release clause

[Cripps]

Bumble :pal:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Marouane Fellaini agrees new two-year deal at Manchester United https://t.co/peiFccPUtX https://t.co/BvhAfP6RtE

Phew.

Utd :haha:

Bogbrush using Arsenal to get a better contract deal at Man Utd. How low can we both go? :haha:

[I am invisible]

United fans praying that Fellaini signs for us :pal:

[I am invisible]

Rumours we're in for Banega.

Looks like SASIE are adamant on bringing in characters and making us a hard, nasty team.

Love it.
Also buying in mentors and role-models in areas where we have promising younger players like Bellerin, AMN and Mavropanos...

[Coney]

Bogbrush using Arsenal to get a better contract deal at Man Utd. How low can we both go? :haha:

Not as low as Low at the moment.

[Cripps]

Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claim Unai Emery is considering activating the €25m release clause of Real Betis left-back Júnior Firpo. #Arsenal https://t.co/mpvGPOEJDg

Is he any good?

[Cripps]

Strong reports that Wilshere is joining... Fenerbahce :unsure:

[SMatthews]

Fenerbache and Galatasaray are the European retirement homes for footballers past their best, while keeping a good wage Makes sense.

[Özim]

So much for all these big clubs that were aparently after him, even West Ham wouldn't offer him more than a year :lol:

Think he's found his level.

[Globalgunner]

Fenerbache and Galatasaray are the European retirement homes for footballers past their best, while keeping a good wage Makes sense.
Lets hope he doesnt end up like Eboue

[Cripps]

Arsenal release 12 players https://t.co/8VfdMX8S6G https://t.co/1wqfGF7lcK

More of Wenger's dross released :partytime:

[GP]

Calum Chambers will today sign a new 4yr contract with Arsenal to keep him there until 2022. Only signed 2yr extension in Oct 2017 that tied him down until 2021 but new head coach Unai Emery sees huge potential in 23yo + wants him to compete for starting berth at centre-back

https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/1012649582533185537?s=19

[SMatthews]

Arsenal release 12 players https://t.co/8VfdMX8S6G https://t.co/1wqfGF7lcK

More of Wenger's dross released :partytime:

M. Bola is pretty unfortunate.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Sad about Hugo Keto & Vlad Dragomir. There was some hype when we signed the pair of them.

[GP]

M. Bola is pretty unfortunate.

Not as unfortunate as his brother, E Bola.

[Penguin]

:lol:

[LDG]

Not as unfortunate as his brother, E Bola.

Not forgetting his younger brother, Tom

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Banega is the only Arsenal player / potential Arsenal player I've been impressed with during the world cup so far. Though I haven't seen anything of Torreira yet....

[I am invisible]

Banega is the only Arsenal player / potential Arsenal player I've been impressed with during the world cup so far. Though I haven't seen anything of Torreira yet....
Torreira vs Ronaldo tonight (if he starts) - that'll be something to keep an eye on!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Yes quite!...I can't work out if all of this is killing my social life or creating me one....probably the latter.

[I am invisible]

The world cup or the transfer window?

[Edinburgh Gooner]

Torreira vs Ronaldo tonight (if he starts) - that'll be something to keep an eye on!

Think ronaldo is still in his pocket!! He was immense tonight. Very good at getting back to cover centre halves. Puts in a decent corner too.

[I am invisible]

Think ronaldo is still in his pocket!! He was immense tonight. Very good at getting back to cover centre halves. Puts in a decent corner too.
I thought his covering was exceptional - everytime one of the CBs stepped out, or the fullbacks got pulled out tracking a runner he was straight in the gap. Looks really disciplined and tactically aware.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

The world cup or the transfer window?

:d

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Starting to hope we get this midget axis of Banega-Torreira sorted pronto....

[Cripps]

Lucas Torreira after the game:

"I had cramp in both legs in the last few minutes, but I couldn't stay down, I had to continue. We could not let the victory escape us."

[Özim]

Torreira deal not sure anymore apparently, he's an option but negotiations ongoing, looking at alternatives and a guy from Lyon if this falls through which considering his performances so far it could.

[I am invisible]

Sampdoria's president says he's sold, so I reckon the only hurdle now is the medical.

Besides, anyone coming in with a late bid at this point will have to pay a shit sight more as I think the period for his release clause has expired...

[Mac76]

Thought Torreira looked really good for Uruguay today, hope we do get him

[I am invisible]

We need him, that's for sure! Ramsey needs someone like Xhaka to be at his best, and Xhaka needs a player like Torreira - the whole midfield falls apart without him!

[Penguin]

Torreira definitely has that combative edge that none of our CMs have. His distribution is good too and he's not afraid to smash the ball out of play when he needs to. Good first impressions.

[Cripps]

He's the midfielder we've been missing since Gilberto.

[Gooner23]

Shame the deal wasn't wrapped up before the WC. Would imagine other clubs will be sniffing around now given his performances. He's exactly the kind of midfielder we need!

[KSE Comedy Club]

From what I gather, the deal is done but won’t be announced until after the WC. I’m sure we flew out the team to do a medical before Uruguay played their first game :shrug:

I don’t believe the meedja shit anyway.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Have we signed Socrates yet?

[Marc Overmars]

Sounds like that will announced soon as he is in the country this week to finalise the move.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Have we signed Socrates yet?

You asked Maccy and it seems Arsenal heard your request.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1013815002720014336

CONFIRMED!

https://i.imgur.com/G5zu88B.jpg

[Marc Overmars]

What a man. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Best philosopher of all time. :bow:

[GP]

Socrates!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

And they say we don't sign the big names anymore. :haha:

[Özim]

Apparently he's pretty decent, good solid but he does lack pace.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Apparently he's pretty decent, good solid but he does lack pace.

Waits for Wenger to play him in a high line then.


Oh wait. Never mind. :trophy:

[Marc Overmars]

Isn't it great to just see shit getting done and not having to read comments about waiting periods, an inflated market, no one being available and not wanting to kill a current players development.

[fakeyank]

Isn't it great to just see shit getting done and not having to read comments about waiting periods, an inflated market, no one being available and not wanting to kill a current players development.

:gp:

Someone finally bridging that gap of 20% away from domination to something more reasonable.

[Cripps]

Waits for Wenger to play him in a high line then.


Oh wait. Never mind. :trophy:

:haha:

[Penguin]

Finally a no nonsense defender. Good signing.

[Gooner23]

Isn't it great to just see shit getting done and not having to read comments about waiting periods, an inflated market, no one being available and not wanting to kill a current players development.

Yep, it's really refreshing and for the first time in years I can't wait for the season to start.

I really hope we can get the Torreira deal wrapped up as well. He's been very impressive this WC.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If our business was done for the season I'd be disappointed.

Also as an aside.... I think I have finally hopped off the fence and come round to thinking that Kasper Schmeichel is actually a top keeper.

[Cripps]

3 signings and it's only 2nd July :faint:

[Unai Tea]

If our business was done for the season I'd be disappointed.



To be fair, we're still very early in the waiting period.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Isn't it great to just see shit getting done and not having to read comments about waiting periods, an inflated market, no one being available and not wanting to kill a current players development.

I agree, it’s like we are suddenly having all our gripes, grievance and annoyance cleared up all at once.
At last the club is trying to sort out the things that piss us off every season.

I genuinely believe that something special is happening and we are about to see our rise to the top again.

I cannot wait for the season to start again :scarf:

[Keith]

I cannot wait for the season to start again :scarf:

But then, those first two fixtures :yikes::sulk:

[Static]

:gp:

Someone finally bridging that gap of 20% away from domination to something more reasonable.

Believe it or not it was actually 2% away from domination!

[Unai Tea]

Believe it or not it was actually 2% away from domination!

Just like gorillas are 2% away from being human

[McNamara That Ghost...]

New contract extension for Chambers.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/calum-chambers-signs-contract-extension

Legacy of the homegrown ruling I'd think.

[SMatthews]

But then, those first two fixtures :yikes::sulk:

Emery’s response was a good one - facing the best team in the league will help him get the players up to speed and playing the way he wants to straight away, rather than trying to build momentum by playing some mid-table garbage first.

[Globalgunner]

New contract extension for Chambers.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/calum-chambers-signs-contract-extension

Legacy of the homegrown ruling I'd think.

Chambers deserves a chance under proper guidance and with seasoned defenders to show him the ropes as does Holding. Wenger would drive even Maldini crazy.

I expect Emery to mix and match our 6 defenders. Hopefully dump the German and convince our perennially injured captain to seek pastures new by January.

[Globalgunner]

Just like gorillas are 2% away from being human

Some Gorillas are smarter than a bulk of humanity

[Marc Overmars]

Mahrez to City is finally happening. :faint:

[GP]

Why?

[Letters]

Why?

They need more playa

[Cripps]

Ozil given no10 shirt.

NQ :bow:

Goonersweb :pal:

[Globalgunner]

Mahrez to City is finally happening. :faint:

They will replace him with Musa....I guess.

[selassie]

New contract extension for Chambers.

https://www.arsenal.com/news/calum-chambers-signs-contract-extension

Legacy of the homegrown ruling I'd think.

I am happy with that. I actually quite like him, he started to look pretty good towards the end of last season and that says something about him considering the state of our defence.

I think under proper guidance he will develop well.

I think he has a genuine chance of cementing himself as first choice, I'd have in the team over Mustafi who is a abomination of a Centre Back.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We're dangerously low on our homegrown quota having lost Jack, Theo, Ox already and with Welbeck & Ramsey's futures not certain either.


Chambers seems to have enough intelligence & quality to be a decent squad player for us so I'm happy with this.

[Özim]

We're dangerously low on our homegrown quota having lost Jack, Theo, Ox already and with Welbeck & Ramsey's futures not certain either.


Chambers seems to have enough intelligence & quality to be a decent squad player for us so I'm happy with this.

Not even sure the club have even noticed, wouldn't put it past them to forget about that.

[KSE Comedy Club]

But then, those first two fixtures :yikes::sulk:
Fuck it, we’ll smash em both :)

[Mac76]

I am happy with that. I actually quite like him, he started to look pretty good towards the end of last season and that says something about him considering the state of our defence.

I think under proper guidance he will develop well.

I think he has a genuine chance of cementing himself as first choice, I'd have in the team over Mustafi who is a abomination of a Centre Back.

yes to all of that, i thought he was showing good signs last season and that was under a clueless manager

[Static]

You have to remember that we bought him on the back of his performances at right back. He was converted to a centre back by Arsene.

[I am invisible]

You have to remember that we bought him on the back of his performances at right back. He was converted to a centre back by Arsene.

I think his long-term plan for Chambers was actually to mould him into a defensive / holding midfielder, wasn't it?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

You have to remember that we bought him on the back of his performances at right back. He was converted to a centre back by Arsene.

I thought it was the other way round? Only last season did we (even then only occasionally) see him at centre back.

[I am invisible]

We're dangerously low on our homegrown quota having lost Jack, Theo, Ox already and with Welbeck & Ramsey's futures not certain either.


Chambers seems to have enough intelligence & quality to be a decent squad player for us so I'm happy with this.
Yeah, I've got a lot of time for Chambers - never heard him complain about where he's played, lack of game time, or getting sent out on loan. Just quietly gets on with it.

Easy enough to sort out the homegrown quota with a couple of academy promotions - guys like Nketiah, Nelson and Willock are already hovering around the first team, and we've added Iwobi and AMN to the senior squad in recent years. I don't think we have any real worries there.

Pretty confident Ramsey will sign too - I think a lot of the delays surrounding his new contract are down to him switching agents. Plus at 27, going on 28, this is likely to be his last big contract in his peak years, so he'll probably be negotiating a bit harder than he would have done 4 or 5 years ago...

[Globalgunner]

Ramsey can do one as far as I'm concerned. He is not a 200kpw player. We should not be holding out the entire boat and harbour to keep him. No other team in world football would pay him more than 150.

[Bumble]

Ramsey can do one as far as I'm concerned. He is not a 200kpw player. We should not be holding out the entire boat and harbour to keep him. No other team in world football would pay him more than 150.

Ozil is on £300k. Ramsey is the goal scoring midfielder.

[Marc Overmars]

Always felt like Ramsey would be one of those who would potentially benefit most from a better coach.

[Globalgunner]

Ozil is on £300k. Ramsey is the goal scoring midfielder.

Ozil isnt worth more than 200k either. but shit like Sterling are already earning 200k so what can be done

How many did Ramsey score anyway 7 fucking goals in the league. Pool are just about to pay Salah 200kpw, go figure

[Marc Overmars]

Juve have apparently bid 88m for Ronaldo. :lol:

[Letters]

Always felt like Ramsey would be one of those who would potentially benefit most from a better coach.

Dunno. Maybe. He had that one season where he looked like the real deal but hasn't done much since.

[Özim]

On the one hand pretty happy we're doing our business efficiently this year, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm not bothered that top players are completely out of our budget these days, would be good to get one marquee signing if we could.

[Letters]

I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm not bothered that top players are completely out of our budget these days.
What a confusing way to write that sentence :blink:

[Cripps]

Cheeky bid for Ronaldo? Would be good to have the 2 best players in the world in the premier league.

[Mac76]

Cheeky bid for Ronaldo? Would be good to have the 2 best players in the world in the premier league.

you mean along with Welbeck right? ;)

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

What a confusing way to write that sentence :blink:

A double negative equals a positive so just shut up before he corrects it.

[Letters]

A double negative equals a positive.
So...if we sign two crap players then they'll be brilliant? :unsure:

Maybe that's what Wenger was banking on all this time.

[Globalgunner]

So...if we sign two crap players then they'll be brilliant? :unsure:

Maybe that's what Wenger was banking on all this time.

Strawman anyone?

[Letters]

Or a joke. Maybe that. :rolleyes:

[hobson's choice]

Juve have apparently bid 88m for Ronaldo. :lol:

Will easily make that back in shirt sales and other image rights stuff.

[Bumble]

Will easily make that back in shirt sales and other image rights stuff.

and goals and titles. good player that ronaldo

[GP]

£88m for a washed-up 33 year old :lol:

[Globalgunner]

£88m for a washed-up 33 year old :lol:

Don't let Cripps hear you. He`ll send one of those those scary clowns after you. Not worth the risk.

[Letters]

Don't let Cripps hear you. He`ll send one of those those scary clowns after you. Not worth the risk.

More likely go round with one of his suicide bomb vests tbh.

[GP]

More likely go round with one of his suicide bomb vests tbh.

Allan's Snackbar

[Özim]

If scoring 44 goals in 44 games (including 13 in the CL) in their last season means someone is washed up, then I wouldn't mind us signing a few washed up players! :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

He’s got nothing to prove so I think it would be a good move for him really, wind down his career while picking up an easy title or 2. Real Madrid need the cash if they go after Neymar or Mbappe.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Disappointed it seems like we won't get Banega.

[Cripps]

Sounds as if we're in for 2 midfielders though which is a positive

Club clearly think we're light in midfield so will probably bring in Torreira + another.

[Özim]

Disappointed it seems like we won't get Banega.

He's 30 years of age, we've already brought 2 30+ players in, in reality we want some younger guys now otherwise our squad will be ageing in no time, so I'm not too disappointed personally.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Age is not on his side I grant you..... but I am in a minority in thinking that we needn't have bothered with the Swiss captain. I think though AMN's best position may not be full back he is more than capable of giving Hector a run for his money there now and was last season had Wenger had been more willing to play him.

Sokratis.... is a welcome addition, but as a slow CB of some considerable age he is no better a fit than Banega. Given that we have lost Santi and Wilshere, I cannot stand Xhaka and Ramsey is STILL yet to sign (though he is no creative nucleus anyway) I'd have liked to see Banega come in. Of all the players we've bought or been linked to he is the one I've been most impressed by this world cup.

He has the passing range of Xhaka, the eye of a needle through ball ability of Santi and is perhaps not quite as mobile as Santi but 3 times as mobile as Xhaka. He would have been a very healthy addition indeed.

[Cripps]

Banega is an animal. You don't say no to him.

[Özim]

Age is not on his side I grant you..... but I am in a minority in thinking that we needn't have bothered with the Swiss captain. I think though AMN's best position may not be full back he is more than capable of giving Hector a run for his money there now and was last season had Wenger had been more willing to play him.

Sokratis.... is a welcome addition, but as a slow CB of some considerable age he is no better a fit than Banega. Given that we have lost Santi and Wilshere, I cannot stand Xhaka and Ramsey is STILL yet to sign (though he is no creative nucleus anyway) I'd have liked to see Banega come in. Of all the players we've bought or been linked to he is the one I've been most impressed by this world cup.

He has the passing range of Xhaka, the eye of a needle through ball ability of Santi and is perhaps not quite as mobile as Santi but 3 times as mobile as Xhaka. He would have been a very healthy addition indeed.

It's a moot point as Banega isn't happening anyway.

I do agree with what you're saying, the point for me is we have signed older players now, on top of those we already have (Auba and Mhkiti and Ozil are no spring chickens either in football terms and Koscielny and Cech are getting on as well), the more we add the more costly/problematic it will be a few years down the line when we need to find replacements.

[Cripps]

Who cares? For years we wanted to spend on players and bring in experience and it's finally happening. We bemoaned Wenger for acting like an accountant so why are we all suddenly interested in future value and replacements? We're rolling in money.

[Özim]

It seems our budget is pretty limited, if it wasn't it wouldn't matter, but as it is spending wisely is important so we get the most for our money and get the best team possible moving forward.

If we need to replace players with no market value we have to find the cash from somewhere and it seems to me we don't have a whole lot of that (however odd that seems), whilst other top clubs are looking are the top class proven talents, we seem to be looking at cheaper alternatives. Would like us to build a team and then add some top players to this ocasionally to give us some star quality and matchwinners.

My criteria was never to bring experience incidentally, it was to bring in quality in areas we need, ideally players who can stay in the team for years to come so that we can have them around for a while and build a team around them.

[Unai Tea]

It seems our budget is pretty limited, if it wasn't it wouldn't matter, but as it is spending wisely is important so we get the most for our money and get the best team possible moving forward.

If we need to replace players with no market value we have to find the cash from somewhere and it seems to me we don't have a whole lot of that (however odd that seems), whilst other top clubs are looking are the top class proven talents, we seem to be looking at cheaper alternatives. Would like us to build a team and then add some top players to this ocasionally to give us some star quality and matchwinners.

My criteria was never to bring experience incidentally, it was to bring in quality in areas we need, ideally players who can stay in the team for years to come so that we can have them around for a while and build a team around them.

We're essentially doing that though. In addition to more experienced players like Lichtsteiner and Sokratis, we have brought in Leno who is coming into his prime and the probables like Torreira and Soyuncu, and possibles like Pavon and Gomes are all young or enterring their prime. So to me it's a healthy mix of experience and players in their early 20's with the right talent to lead the team in future years.

[Özim]

We're essentially doing that though. In addition to more experienced players like Lichtsteiner and Sokratis, we have brought in Leno who is coming into his prime and the probables like Torreira and Soyuncu, and possibles like Pavon and Gomes are all young or enterring their prime. So to me it's a healthy mix of experience and players in their early 20's with the right talent to lead the team in future years.

So far we've signed 2 30 somethings, if we were after Banega that would have been 3, we're not though which is good IMO. Leno is a bit younger which is good, but for keepers it's not quite as important as they can play into their 30s.

So far noone else confirmed, Torreira looks like he's coming which is great, the others are just links so not sure if they will happen or not. Regarding Pavon thought he looked awful in the World Cup incidentally, Gomez didn't really stand out for Portugal for me either to be honest, Carvalho was their most impressive midfielder IMO.

[Marc Overmars]

Wheechair is off to West Ham. :rose:

[Unai Tea]

So far we've signed 2 30 somethings, if we were after Banega that would have been 3, we're not though which is good IMO. Leno is a bit younger which is good, but for keepers it's not quite as important as they can play into their 30s.

So far noone else confirmed, Torreira looks like he's coming which is great, the others are just links so not sure if they will happen or not. Regarding Pavon thought he looked awful in the World Cup incidentally, Gomez didn't really stand out for Portugal for me either to be honest, Carvalho was their most impressive midfielder IMO.

But it's essentially a mix of experienced with players entering their prime. If we assume Torreira comes in, that's 50/50. If we brought in 4 over 30's and no younger players than it might be a concern. But clearly the recruitment has a wider scope in terms of profile. We'll land what we land but as far as I can see we're barking up the right trees.

[Özim]

Wheechair is off to West Ham. :rose:

Let's be honest, much like Wenger all supposed big clubs being after him was a pipe dream, not big club would touch him. He'll be at West Ham for a few years here he'll fade out into obsurity just like Walcott at Everton, he's been lucky to get so long at Arsenal, good times are over for him, so are the big pay days for being injured.

[Goonermerree]

Wheechair is off to West Ham. :rose:

His England career is definitely over.

[Globalgunner]

Let's be honest, much like Wenger all supposed big clubs being after him was a pipe dream, not big club would touch him. He'll be at West Ham for a few years here he'll fade out into obsurity just like Walcott at Everton, he's been lucky to get so long at Arsenal, good times are over for him, so are the big pay days for being injured.

Agreed. Few English players ever want to develop, ever wanted to iron out the kinks in their game. Never want to abroad, never want competition for their place in the starting team. Think playing for England is a shoo-in once they have scored 3 goals. Wilshere was giving it large when he was only 19 years old. No big loss. West Ham will be his last Premier club before moving down the league.
Banega for Ramsey would have been nice, hope he (Ramsey)refuses to sign.

[Özim]

But it's essentially a mix of experienced with players entering their prime. If we assume Torreira comes in, that's 50/50. If we brought in 4 over 30's and no younger players than it might be a concern. But clearly the recruitment has a wider scope in terms of profile. We'll land what we land but as far as I can see we're barking up the right trees.

Yes but if you believe reports we were after Banega, he was 30, so that would have been 75/25, clearly we're not too bothered by the age thing, hopefully we now sign some younger players.

[Özim]

His England career is definitely over.

Probably, they seem to get into England squad for just being at a big club and putting in 1 or 2 decent performances, at a smaller club they really have to prove they're good enough, bit of a hitch for him though.

[Letters]

Wheechair is off to West Ham. :rose:

Where old Arsenal players go to die :rose:

[Özim]

Agreed. Few English players ever want to develop, ever wanted to iron out the kinks in their game. Never want to abroad, never want competition for their place in the starting team. Think playing for England is a shoo-in once they have scored 3 goals. Wilshere was giving it large when he was only 19 years old. No big loss. West Ham will be his last Premier club before moving down the league.
Banega for Ramsey would have been nice, hope he (Ramsey)refuses to sign.

I think moving abroad might have been a better option, he needs to improve his game and that will only happen abroad, I guess he only had Fenerbahce after him so not a great choice, but better than nothing I guess.

Should have sold him to City a few years back.

[Cripps]

It seems our budget is pretty limited, if it wasn't it wouldn't matter, but as it is spending wisely is important so we get the most for our money and get the best team possible moving forward.

If we need to replace players with no market value we have to find the cash from somewhere and it seems to me we don't have a whole lot of that (however odd that seems), whilst other top clubs are looking are the top class proven talents, we seem to be looking at cheaper alternatives. Would like us to build a team and then add some top players to this ocasionally to give us some star quality and matchwinners.

My criteria was never to bring experience incidentally, it was to bring in quality in areas we need, ideally players who can stay in the team for years to come so that we can have them around for a while and build a team around them.

The aim is to get us into the top 4 to generate more revenue and open up more streams then we can think about longer term and younger players. But in the short term it's all about experience + getting us back into the top 4, and for a squad lacking toughness and experience, buying tough experienced players is good news IMO.

And if the club really wanted to they could add more to the transfer kitty. But they want to do it on a tighter budget. Nevertheless we are rolling in money.

[Marc Overmars]

I have no problem with a bit of short-termism. It seems like all we ever did under Wenger was plan for a future that never came to fruition, so if some old cunts are what we need to bring us back to life that's fine. Besides, I think these days you can get way more out of a player who's hit 30 than you used to be able to.

[Bumble]

I think moving abroad might have been a better option, he needs to improve his game and that will only happen abroad, I guess he only had Fenerbahce after him so not a great choice, but better than nothing I guess.

Should have sold him to City a few years back.

A move abroad for him would have been good develop plus the leagues shouldn't be as physically demanding which would suit him his fragile body but I guess he and his family are very settled in London. Same reason Cech demanded to move to Arsenal and not move abroad. People and families are settled and not everyone wants to move countries.

[Cripps]

I have no problem with a bit of short-termism. It seems like all we ever did under Wenger was plan for a future that never came to fruition, so if some old cunts are what we need to bring us back to life that's fine. Besides, I think these days you can get way more out of a player who's hit 30 than you used to be able to.

Agreed

There's a clear profile they're going for with the players that are being linked/signed already:

Lichsteiner
N'zonzi
Banega
Torreira
Sokratis

Nasty, hard bastards. And that's exactly what we're missing.

[I am invisible]

Like it or not, the players that we've been bringing in do address our current needs, which for several areas is a crippling lack of experience, leadership, professionalism and basic depth. Where an area needs a more long-term solution then I'm sure that's what we'll go for (e.g Torreira, Leno, possibly a winger)...

[Unai Tea]

Like it or not, the players that we've been bringing in do address our current needs, which for several areas is a crippling lack of experience, leadership, professionalism and basic depth. Where an area needs a more long-term solution then I'm sure that's what we'll go for (e.g Torreira, Leno, possibly a winger)...


I like it. It's much nicer than the usual aimless meandering around the transfer market, buying a random bargain here and there, generally ignoring obvious needs.

[Power n Glory]

Wheechair is off to West Ham. :rose:

Jack must be desperate to play first team football. He's done at the top level after this move.

[Cripps]

Ornstein has spoken:bow:

Arsenal hope to complete Lucas Torreira deal next week. Agreed with Sampdoria & 22yo. Medical + signing imminent - depends if he flies straight from #WorldCup to London or via #URU Finishes 1st team recruitment but a younger player for future also likely before window shuts #AFC https://t.co/LHkXid7Rda

[GP]

Buffon has signed for PSG.

Bit weird.

[Marc Overmars]

The ever reliable Sky Sources say we are trying to sign N'Zonzi.

[Cripps]

Buffon to PSG makes perfect sense.

He's missing one trophy and PSG are going all out to win it.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I don't think we should get carried away when the signings yet. The current lot aren't anything Unimaginable under Wenger.

The fee for Leno might have surprised but not the player himself. Similarly Sokratis and the Swiss dude.

Torreira would have felt an abberation under Wenger......
But the top dollar signing of Leno has a huge amount to prove and the jury is well and truly out on him. I'd have liked Banega because of all the names above his actual quality right now is fairly apparent to the eye. He'd have a new league to adjust to but all of the names mentioned do.

[Gooner23]

Torreira has been brilliant in the world cup, exactly the kind of disciplined & tenacious defensive mid we've been crying out for.

[Cripps]

I don't think we should get carried away when the signings yet. The current lot aren't anything Unimaginable under Wenger.

The fee for Leno might have surprised but not the player himself. Similarly Sokratis and the Swiss dude.

Torreira would have felt an abberation under Wenger......
But the top dollar signing of Leno has a huge amount to prove and the jury is well and truly out on him. I'd have liked Banega because of all the names above his actual quality right now is fairly apparent to the eye. He'd have a new league to adjust to but all of the names mentioned do.

Whiskey :bow:

[I am invisible]

I don't think we should get carried away when the signings yet. The current lot aren't anything Unimaginable under Wenger.

The fee for Leno might have surprised but not the player himself. Similarly Sokratis and the Swiss dude.

Torreira would have felt an abberation under Wenger......
But the top dollar signing of Leno has a huge amount to prove and the jury is well and truly out on him. I'd have liked Banega because of all the names above his actual quality right now is fairly apparent to the eye. He'd have a new league to adjust to but all of the names mentioned do.
Qualitywise, maybe not, but the quantity is something new. As is the immediate pinpointing and addressing of problem areas (with appropriate players who might actually make a difference). Take it in context with all the new faces behind the scenes who are making the decisions and you've got to be at least hopeful for an improvement.

Agree about Banega - I think there's still room for an experienced CM in the group, and he looked like a good option. Hope we're still looking there - I'd maybe take that over the bonus winger at the moment...

[Cripps]

As if Wenger would have signed Lichsteiner or Leno :lol:

[Power n Glory]

We're not trying to replicate a PSG model here. I'm not concerned by the names. It's all about how Unai gets this team playing together. It's why we signed him up in the first place. He didn't spend that much at Valencia or Sevilla but still managed to get performances out of players that would earn them a move to a bigger club.

[Penguin]

I don't think we should get carried away when the signings yet. The current lot aren't anything Unimaginable under Wenger.

The fee for Leno might have surprised but not the player himself. Similarly Sokratis and the Swiss dude.

Torreira would have felt an abberation under Wenger......
But the top dollar signing of Leno has a huge amount to prove and the jury is well and truly out on him. I'd have liked Banega because of all the names above his actual quality right now is fairly apparent to the eye. He'd have a new league to adjust to but all of the names mentioned do.

I agree but I don't think we are getting carried away, if anything most people seem to be underwhelmed by the signings we've made.

Nothing's guaranteed with any new signing but I rate Sokratis, he's a good defender and has the right mentality. Torreira looks good too and he's the type of player we've been missing for a long time. Lichsteiner's just a +1 to give us cover for Bellerin and hopefully to help him improve too.

Leno I'm not sure about. Can an error prone keeper suddenly stop making them?

[Cripps]

Yes. Wojciech Szczęsny.

[I am invisible]

Stegen, from the bits I've read, was very much like Leno before his move to Barca.

[Power n Glory]

David De Gea was error prone.

[SMatthews]

I don't think we should get carried away when the signings yet. The current lot aren't anything Unimaginable under Wenger.

The fee for Leno might have surprised but not the player himself. Similarly Sokratis and the Swiss dude.

Torreira would have felt an abberation under Wenger......
But the top dollar signing of Leno has a huge amount to prove and the jury is well and truly out on him. I'd have liked Banega because of all the names above his actual quality right now is fairly apparent to the eye. He'd have a new league to adjust to but all of the names mentioned do.
I think it’s the fact that areas of concern in the squad are being addressed as a priority that is making it seem more promising. Very unflashy signings but getting in some experienced faces is a good move. Far from convinced about the back-up right back but time will tell over the season. Kante was a nobody when he came to the PL, but he’d get into any team in the world now. Hopefully our new guy is a similar find. We need the Ramsey situation sorted either way too, not only for it hanging over the club but so Emery can organise his core guys he can rely on. Ramsey’s presence/absence will play a big role in how we’re set up and ideally we need a clear idea of our shape ASAP.

[Cripps]

Yes. Wojciech Szczęsny.


Stegen, from the bits I've read, was very much like Leno before his move to Barca.


David De Gea was error prone.

Penguin :haha:

[Cripps]

I would have liked a winger before the window but now that Perez is staying I suppose we don't need to address that problem anymore.

[SMatthews]

There aren't many specialist wingers in the modern game. Everyone along the front line is a forward now. We saw Aubameyang do well from the left last year. Liverpool are one of the best examples of it at the moment.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Whiskey :bow:

Mines a brandy actually Sir Crisps.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Qualitywise, maybe not, but the quantity is something new. As is the immediate pinpointing and addressing of problem areas (with appropriate players who might actually make a difference). Take it in context with all the new faces behind the scenes who are making the decisions and you've got to be at least hopeful for an improvement.

Agree about Banega - I think there's still room for an experienced CM in the group, and he looked like a good option. Hope we're still looking there - I'd maybe take that over the bonus winger at the moment...
Definitely hopeful of improvement me old fruit.....I like the continuous assertions that we will work hard coming out of the club...and I think it would be churlish to underestimate that.

It's partly due to the fact that I hadn't been to a game in bloody ages before Atletico at home....so when I saw Jan Oblak live I just fell in love especially with that save he made. Gutted....absolutely gutted we won't be signing him!

[Mac76]

I would have liked a winger before the window but now that Perez is staying I suppose we don't need to address that problem anymore.

Good news re Perez, i'd love to see Unai give him a decent chance

[Penguin]

Penguin :haha:

:lol:

Those must be the exceptions though. Hopfully hope Leno is too

[Cripps]

Arsenal and FC Lorient have reached an agreement over the transfer of 19yo midfielder Matteo Guendouzi. The France youth international is expected to have his medical on Monday ahead of the €8m+bonuses move to North London. [@MohamedTERParis] #AFC https://t.co/UDfMnTJOeF

Loads of outlets reporting this. No idea who he is but he's a 6 ft DM apparently. Could be the young player Ornstein hinted at. This probably means no N'Zonzi but this kid is supposed to be good :shrug: A few have compared him to Rabiot.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Is that Weird Al Yankovic's son?

He was born in Poissy. :lol:

I'm sure he's the next Vieira (no idea).

[Cripps]

Arsene Wenger selling Olivier Giroud to Chelsea for him to get some game time and that he’d help France beat Uruguay in the 1/4 finals of the World Cup & that’d see Lucas Torreira exiting the World Cup in order for him to finalize his Arsenal deal.

:lol: Big Weng has done it again :bow:

[I am invisible]

Definitely hopeful of improvement me old fruit.....I like the continuous assertions that we will work hard coming out of the club...and I think it would be churlish to underestimate that.

It's partly due to the fact that I hadn't been to a game in bloody ages before Atletico at home....so when I saw Jan Oblak live I just fell in love especially with that save he made. Gutted....absolutely gutted we won't be signing him!

There's no reason why we can't aim for the Oblaks of this world - we just need to get them before they go to the Athleticos of this world! This is where Sven really needs to earn his corn - I'm happy for him to go for a few easy raids from his old club in his first couple of windows, because we need an instant hit of players who can turn the mentality in the group around, but long-term we need him to be unearthing the worldies before anyone else even knows about them.

If there's anyone we should be chucking money at to pry away from Athletico it's the guy who keeps unearthing all these wizard-good goalkeepers and strikers!

[I am invisible]

Is that Weird Al Yankovic's son?

He was born in Poissy. :lol:

I'm sure he's the next Vieira (no idea).

He's definitely the new Vieira, tbf.

Who is he?

[I am invisible]

Good news re Perez, i'd love to see Unai give him a decent chance

Ditto - never understood why he was frozen out.

Always looked like a reliable player who could score and create, play central or wide. Probably won't kick up a stink at being rotated, as long as he's a serious part of Emery's plans. Should fit in well with the other attacking players.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

There's no reason why we can't aim for the Oblaks of this world - we just need to get them before they go to the Athleticos of this world! This is where Sven really needs to earn his corn - I'm happy for him to go for a few easy raids from his old club in his first couple of windows, because we need an instant hit of players who can turn the mentality in the group around, but long-term we need him to be unearthing the worldies before anyone else even knows about them.

If there's anyone we should be chucking money at to pry away from Athletico it's the guy who keeps unearthing all these wizard-good goalkeepers and strikers!

I agree....

However I do think something around the 70 million mark for a world top 3 (IMHO) goalkeeper aged 25 is a fair price. Fair is of course a relative word here. But alas....I'll concede that our budget of a few packet of frosties, werthers orginals and some magic beans will only go so far.

I've recently gotten off the fence and feel Kasper S at Leicester is a top goalie too.

[KSE Comedy Club]

A family friend of mine’s son has just been signed up to the youth squad so I am told.

He is supposed to be signing a contract shortly, he used to play for Portsmouth under 21’s.
His name is Will Heywood, GK. He is only 20 but is already not far off being 7ft tall !!

He said he has already done some training with Nelson and AMN :good:

I hope the information I have been given is true, I guess we will have to wait and see :shrug:

[I am invisible]

I agree....

However I do think something around the 70 million mark for a world top 3 (IMHO) goalkeeper aged 25 is a fair price. Fair is of course a relative word here. But alas....I'll concede that our budget of a few packet of frosties, werthers orginals and some magic beans will only go so far.

I've recently gotten off the fence and feel Kasper S at Leicester is a top goalie too.
Oh yeah, I'm not saying he wouldn't represent decent market value by today's standards, even at that price - just that there's a smarter play that we should be following. I'm assuming Atletico got him from somewhere else first, for considerably less than 70m, and I feel like that's a more realistic, sustainable strategy for us to aim for (and one that also fits in with that identity of the club that we all proudly bought into 22 years ago, when we were doing smarter business than everyone else)...

[GP]

Oblak had played a handful of games for Benfica and Atletico paid a La Liga record for a goalkeeper.

[I am invisible]

Nuts to that Athletico guy then - we need to get us Benfica's goalkeeping scout!

[Özim]

Athletico paid 16 million Euros probably about 12 million pounds or so at the time (in 2014), not a lot of money, Giroud cost 12.4 million Euros (in 2012), puts some perspective on it.

[Power n Glory]

Athletico paid 16 million Euros probably about 12 million pounds or so at the time (in 2014), not a lot of money, Giroud cost 12.4 million Euros (in 2012), puts some perspective on it.

Context is everything. Very misleading to talk about La Liga records being broken for a keeper when it's only £12m and Atletico have slapped a release clause on him that's reported to be around £70m -£80m.

A lot of clubs dropped the ball on this kid. We definitely dropped the ball. The year Oblak signed for Atletico, we signed Ospina so we were definitely looking for a keeper at the time. Scouts and Wenger dropped the ball on this one. Nothing new.

[Özim]

Context is everything. Very misleading to talk about La Liga records being broken for a keeper when it's only £12m and Atletico have slapped a release clause on him that's reported to be around £70m -£80m.

A lot of clubs dropped the ball on this kid. We definitely dropped the ball. The year Oblak signed for Atletico, we signed Ospina so we were definitely looking for a keeper at the time. Scouts and Wenger dropped the ball on this one. Nothing new.

Spot on, the original statement whilst true was very misleading (intentionally so IMO judging by what I know about that poster). 16 million Euros isn't a lot, Real and Barca who are the big spenders never really spent much on keepers, so clearly the La liga record was low.

Totally agree, not sure about other clubs but we certainly needed a keeper at the time, so to fail to spot his potential is disappointing. Atleticos' scouting network has over recent times been light years ahead, you only need to look at their team and the players they've found to see that.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

We've know for a while that our scouting has been pants. Oblak is just one of a handful of stars who were well within our price range & availability that we completely let slip (Salah, Van Dijk, Alderweid etc).

Hopefully the new regime fares a lot better.

[Power n Glory]

Spot on, the original statement whilst true was very misleading (intentionally so IMO judging by what I know about that poster). 16 million Euros isn't a lot, Real and Barca who are the big spenders never really spent much on keepers, so clearly the La liga record was low.

Totally agree, not sure about other clubs but we certainly needed a keeper at the time, so to fail to spot his potential is disappointing. Atleticos' scouting network has over recent times been light years ahead, you only need to look at their team and the players they've found to see that.

It's the transfer activity and development of players from clubs like Atletico, Dortmund and even Leicester and Spurs for the club to realise how wrong we have gotten it over the years. We dedicated the majority of the Wenger years on identifying undervalued players and developing young players. That's over 10 years. The amount of 'gems' we found at the end of it is really really disappointing.

[Özim]

It's the transfer activity and development of players from clubs like Atletico, Dortmund and even Leicester and Spurs for the club to realise how wrong we have gotten it over the years. We dedicated the majority of the Wenger years on identifying undervalued players and developing young players. That's over 10 years. The amount of 'gems' we found at the end of it is really really disappointing.

Yes I totally agree, we spent so much time on that and it was a huge failure which is disappointing, hopefully the new team can put that right. Apparently Keown scouted Maguire for us but thought he wasn't mobile enough, another one we could have snapped up before his value rocketed!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I like Maguire but let's not go that overboard for him.

Honestly think Chambers & Holding can be just as decent with the right setup & coaching.

[Özim]

I like Maguire but let's not go that overboard for him.

Honestly think Chambers & Holding can be just as decent with the right setup & coaching.

Time will tell, personally don't really rate Chambers or Holding, Maguire though looks like a old fashioned CB and has been top notch for a while, he's been getting rave reviews at Leicester.

[Goonermerree]

Time will tell, personally don't really rate Chambers or Holding, Maguire though looks like a old fashioned CB and has been top notch for a while.

I don't rate Chambers or Holding, they seem a bit lightweight.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Time will tell, personally don't really rate Chambers or Holding, Maguire though looks like a old fashioned CB and has been top notch for a while, he's been getting rave reviews at Leicester.

He's had his share of stinkers for Leicester this season as well in amongst the decent performances. And Keown was right about his lack of mobility though it's not going to be that much of an issue if you're playing three at the back compared to the typical Wenger setup where the CB's are left exposed.

[Özim]

I don't rate Chambers or Holding, they seem a bit lightweight.

I agree, Chambers is a right back anyway, that's where he played his 22 games at Southampton, what made us think we could turn him into a CB? Holding was plucked out of a lower division from a side that got relegated, there's no real evidence he's any good. It reminds me of the Jenkinson signing, people were raving about him for a while until they realised he was not much good.

[Özim]

He's had his share of stinkers for Leicester this season as well in amongst the decent performances. And Keown was right about his lack of mobility though it's not going to be that much of an issue if you're playing three at the back compared to the typical Wenger setup where the CB's are left exposed.

I think Maguire is pretty mobile to be honest so I disagree, Keown has been raving about him as well incidentally.

I'd prefer us to be play a 4 at the back and move away from 3 CB's, if we have good enough players a back 4 works perfectly.

[Goonermerree]

I agree, Chambers is a right back anyway, that's where he played his 22 games at Southampton, what made us think we could turn him into a CB? Holding was plucked out of a lower division from a side that got relegated, there's no real evidence he's any good. It reminds me of the Jenkinson signing, people were raving about him for a while until they realised he was not much good.

I think we ruined chambers by playing him out of position when we had a lot of injuries and not enough cover. He scored a lot of OGs at that time, his confidence was shot.

[Power n Glory]

Hard to change the majority of the young players that had to play under Wenger. Ruined psychologically, physically (most are injury probe) and none have matured tactically. Every last one of them were tactically naive.

[Özim]

Hard to change the majority of the young players that had to play under Wenger. Ruined psychologically, physically (most are injury probe) and none have matured tactically. Every last one of them were tactically naive.

I agree, they've had to conform to certain methods, train a certain way, be played out of position, often players whose confidence is ruined never comeback to what they were before. I personally think we needed to start again in a number of departments, I'm not convinced many of these players can recover/adapt to the new methods, this wasn't some normal club where managers came and went, one guy was here for 22 years deciding everything.

Not a surprise the guy still doesn't have a job despite these reports that everyone was after him.

[Marc Overmars]

Juve are very close to signing Ronaldo. :popcorn:

[Özim]

Juve are very close to signing Ronaldo. :popcorn:

33 year old 44 goal has been tbf.

[Marc Overmars]

33 year old 44 goal has been tbf.

:unsure:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I don't agree with Zim on everything but in total agreement on Maguire and Oblak. Pundits were raving about the former years ago and yet nobody had the balls to take the punt....till Leicester.

I would really question Keown's scouting skills on the strentgth of his report on Maguire because he looks plenty mobile to me.....and has easily been as good as any CB in the league at passing the ball out of the back line for at least 2 seasons now minimum.

If we don't get top 4.... then this stop gap strategy we have mostly employed would have been a failure.....and banking half your budget on a goalkeeper with conflicting reports when you only have 50 mill is a big gamble. Really hope he is th business else we will look silly and be no better off next summer.

[Mac76]

Wilshere gone to West Ham

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44766806

Good luck to them keeping him fit

Even in that photo with his shirt off he looks like he's plugged into some kind of life support :lol:

[I am invisible]

...If we don't get top 4... then this stop gap strategy we have mostly employed would have been a failure.....and banking half your budget on a goalkeeper with conflicting reports when you only have 50 mill is a big gamble. Really hope he is th business else we will look silly and be no better off next summer.
Really hard to call what the target is for the coming season? My suspicion is that Emery's brief for his first year is to conduct a thorough audit of the existing playing staff and see what he can bring up to the required standard, before the board authorise any kind of serious spend-up (probably next summer, with maybe an early move in January). The players that we've recruited so far do all fill glaring gaps in the squad, to be fair, but while a couple of them have clearly been brought in to be long-term starters, others have the definite whiff of being there primarily to aid Emery in the task of whipping Wenger's players into shape. I expect there will also be a lot of public talk of top 4 finishes and CL football being the minimum target, blah, blah, blah, but I also think that, privately, the people running the club will be playing a longer game here, and that they'll be looking more for progress across the next 2-3 years.

I really do think the '50m budget' is all bollocks though. Or, to put it another way, I don't think it's quite what is being implied? Either way, I reckon there's a lot of money sat there if/when we need it.

[Özim]

:unsure:

Someone on here described him as a 33 year old has been, yet he scored 44 goals last season.

[Cripps]

Really hard to call what the target is for the coming season? My suspicion is that Emery's brief for his first year is to conduct a thorough audit of the existing playing staff and see what he can bring up to the required standard, before the board authorise any kind of serious spend-up (probably next summer, with maybe an early move in January). The players that we've recruited so far do all fill glaring gaps in the squad, to be fair, but while a couple of them have clearly been brought in to be long-term starters, others have the definite whiff of being there primarily to aid Emery in the task of whipping Wenger's players into shape. I expect there will also be a lot of public talk of top 4 finishes and CL football being the minimum target, blah, blah, blah, but I also think that, privately, the people running the club will be playing a longer game here, and that they'll be looking more for progress across the next 2-3 years.

I really do think the '50m budget' is all bollocks though. Or, to put it another way, I don't think it's quite what is being implied? Either way, I reckon there's a lot of money sat there if/when we need it.

First year: top 4
Second year: top 2
Third year: it's ours :bow:

[dazthegooner]

Think your right on the budget we have we're hardly going to let clubs know that we have loads of money available it would push transfers fee's up as soon as we showed interest.

[I am invisible]

Think your right on the budget we have we're hardly going to let clubs know that we have loads of money available it would push transfers fee's up as soon as we showed interest.

Personally speaking, I think it has more to do with us expecting the new head coach to, you know... actually do some coaching before we give him the best part of a quarter of a billion pounds to go and spend on players (players we may not even need, if we put in a bit of work on the training ground). We may very well be able to afford it, but it's still not the kind of money you chuck around lightly...

[Letters]

The accepted wisdom was that Wenger wasn't a good coach, didn't get the best out of his players and didn't set us up tactically differently depending on the opposition.
That suggests that this squad is capable of better given the above things being addressed.
Ergo, I'd be reticent to write off our squad and claim it needs completely rebuilding right now.
I think the squad as is is capable of pushing for the top 4, with some additions it could be challenging.
We need to manage expectations though, not being revisionist but when Wenger came in the only really good manager he had to go toe to toe with was Ferguson.
Now there are a bunch of good managers at clubs with considerable resources, a good manager isn't a guarantee of success any more.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think the budget we have is actually in part reflected in the targets. I don't think heads will roll if it is slightly surpassed....football clubs can't be that anally rigid but I do believe there is truth to it....otherwise there's absolutely no reason not to make a stellar signing like Oblak when he would improve the first team no end. I will lend you an ear if you want to tell me Leno can improve.... but I couldn't seriously currently imagine him being a top 3 world keeper which Oblak is. Similarly we need a top Centre half and yet sign Sokratis who would need replacing in a few years himself anyway and is unlikely to get significantly better. If the budget isn't limited, the strategy would seem at odds with that.

The target will be top 4 but if we miss out on it in relatively credible fashion Emery will be persisted with....if only to save face. They also have limited the sort of hard line they can take when signings are a decision that he is only part of and not solely responsible for and the fact the budget to my mind is clearly limited.

Nobody seems to be mentioning the elephant in the room that is AMN. He seems to have been disregarded by the current regime. Torreira isn't much older than him and Gunzuelo (whatever his name is) is a similar age and there is still talk of Nzonzi. He won't fill in at full back now we have brought the Swiss captain here unless that was a pointless signing. Very concerned we won't see him progress.

[Cripps]

Seri moving to... Fulham :blink:

[GP]

I think the budget we have is actually in part reflected in the targets. I don't think heads will roll if it is slightly surpassed....football clubs can't be that anally rigid but I do believe there is truth to it....otherwise there's absolutely no reason not to make a stellar signing like Oblak when he would improve the first team no end. I will lend you an ear if you want to tell me Leno can improve.... but I couldn't seriously currently imagine him being a top 3 world keeper which Oblak is. Similarly we need a top Centre half and yet sign Sokratis who would need replacing in a few years himself anyway and is unlikely to get significantly better. If the budget isn't limited, the strategy would seem at odds with that.

The target will be top 4 but if we miss out on it in relatively credible fashion Emery will be persisted with....if only to save face. They also have limited the sort of hard line they can take when signings are a decision that he is only part of and not solely responsible for and the fact the budget to my mind is clearly limited.

Nobody seems to be mentioning the elephant in the room that is AMN. He seems to have been disregarded by the current regime. Torreira isn't much older than him and Gunzuelo (whatever his name is) is a similar age and there is still talk of Nzonzi. He won't fill in at full back now we have brought the Swiss captain here unless that was a pointless signing. Very concerned we won't see him progress.

AMN will be the understudy to Torreira.

[Marc Overmars]

AMN just signed a new deal so I’m sure he will get a fair chance this season. Emery will want to have a close look at everyone before deciding what his preferred options are. Don’t be surprised if we see a lot of tinkering going on with the first 11 this season.

[Penguin]

Nobody seems to be mentioning the elephant in the room that is AMN. He seems to have been disregarded by the current regime. Torreira isn't much older than him and Gunzuelo (whatever his name is) is a similar age and there is still talk of Nzonzi. He won't fill in at full back now we have brought the Swiss captain here unless that was a pointless signing. Very concerned we won't see him progress.

Wenger passed up on signing great players so he wouldn't 'kill' players like Wilshere, Ramsey, Theo and Ox. Look where that got us.

If AMN is talented enough he will surpass Torreira and/or the French kid and make the most of his opportunities when he gets them. If he can't do that then why do we even want him in the team?

[Power n Glory]

I think the budget we have is actually in part reflected in the targets. I don't think heads will roll if it is slightly surpassed....football clubs can't be that anally rigid but I do believe there is truth to it....otherwise there's absolutely no reason not to make a stellar signing like Oblak when he would improve the first team no end. I will lend you an ear if you want to tell me Leno can improve.... but I couldn't seriously currently imagine him being a top 3 world keeper which Oblak is. Similarly we need a top Centre half and yet sign Sokratis who would need replacing in a few years himself anyway and is unlikely to get significantly better. If the budget isn't limited, the strategy would seem at odds with that.

The target will be top 4 but if we miss out on it in relatively credible fashion Emery will be persisted with....if only to save face. They also have limited the sort of hard line they can take when signings are a decision that he is only part of and not solely responsible for and the fact the budget to my mind is clearly limited.

Nobody seems to be mentioning the elephant in the room that is AMN. He seems to have been disregarded by the current regime. Torreira isn't much older than him and Gunzuelo (whatever his name is) is a similar age and there is still talk of Nzonzi. He won't fill in at full back now we have brought the Swiss captain here unless that was a pointless signing. Very concerned we won't see him progress.

I think we have the budget to spend £70m on a goalkeeper. We’ve had a couple of seasons where we’ve spent £90m-£100m and the money didn’t come from player sales. But how many times can we afford to do it each season before the wage bill starts to swell to a ridiculous amount?

Our aim is to be like an Atletico or Dortmund in terms of transfer policy and strategy. If a rival club signs a player for peanuts but is able to sell them on for money that can amount to teams transfer budget for the whole year, we just have to chalk it up to a loss and move on. So early in Emery’s career, it makes no sense to allow him to spend that much on a player.

Klopp wasn’t given that sort of money until he had proven what he can do. I’d totally agree with spending a massive amount on a player if it’s clear we 100% need that player because we’re missing out on major trophies because of one or two key areas, but that’s not our position.

[Globalgunner]

Some forum members are deeply wedded to some players so much that you tend to think maybe they are relatives of said player. If you are good enough you will rise to the top. Reminds me of the old Cripps who thought the sun itself shone out of Walcott's arse.

What is key for players like AMN is for him and the manager to identify his best position and play him there. Given a fair opportunity he will show his worth. AMN is no elephant in any room.

[I am invisible]

The accepted wisdom was that Wenger wasn't a good coach, didn't get the best out of his players and didn't set us up tactically differently depending on the opposition.
That suggests that this squad is capable of better given the above things being addressed.
Ergo, I'd be reticent to write off our squad and claim it needs completely rebuilding right now.
I think the squad as is is capable of pushing for the top 4, with some additions it could be challenging.
We need to manage expectations though, not being revisionist but when Wenger came in the only really good manager he had to go toe to toe with was Ferguson.
Now there are a bunch of good managers at clubs with considerable resources, a good manager isn't a guarantee of success any more.

Let's face it, City / Pep look like they're going to be pretty dominant in this league for a few years to come, so we probably have a bit of time to figure this out before expectations get serious - might as well use it.

[Globalgunner]

Ronaldo joins Juve officially for E100m:o

Worlds gone mad.

Serie A is finished. Juve will probs be champions by Xmas or at worst Feb.

[GP]

Desperate to finally move out of Messi's shadow.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Matteo Guendouzi official.

https://twitter.com/Touchofozil/status/1016715938325041152

Sven & Huss :bow:

[Özim]

Juve are doing it to win the CL, to be the best you have to buy the best and the guy is clearly that, goals galore at every level and in every league he plays in. Expect he'll score a shedload more for Real and further prove rather than staying in the comfort zone.

Credit to him, could have stayed at Real where he's already a legend, but instead he chooses to move on and try to prove himself elsewhere, that's what stands him apart from the others.

[Letters]

I’m not sure how much credit he deserves for getting a massive signing on fee and, possibly, a pay rise.
100m+ for a 33 year old :wacko:

[Özim]

I’m not sure how much credit he deserves for getting a massive signing on fee and, possibly, a pay rise.
100m+ for a 33 year old :wacko:

He doesn't need the money and was on a shedload at Real, he could have stayed in the comfort zone as Messi has, it would have been the easy route. At Juve he has to prove himself again by scoring goals, it's clearly the harder path.

There's a lot of pressure on him at Juve now, they want to win the CL and expect him to help them deliver them. Say what you like but this guy doesn't rest on his laurels, he's constantly tryng to push himself.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

it is naive in the extreme to think simply because you are good enough you will surpass all those around you. If that were the case players will never leave clubs they love.

Yes AMN has to compete but we have gone from no CDM's to having 3 within a 3/4 year age range. Then they have to mix in with Xhaka, possibly Ramsey and others. He's almost better off on loan at this rate. But hey....if Emery doesn't think too much of him despite his contract maybe there's hope he doesn't actually think much of Xhaka!

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I think we have the budget to spend £70m on a goalkeeper. We’ve had a couple of seasons where we’ve spent £90m-£100m and the money didn’t come from player sales. But how many times can we afford to do it each season before the wage bill starts to swell to a ridiculous amount?

Our aim is to be like an Atletico or Dortmund in terms of transfer policy and strategy. If a rival club signs a player for peanuts but is able to sell them on for money that can amount to teams transfer budget for the whole year, we just have to chalk it up to a loss and move on. So early in Emery’s career, it makes no sense to allow him to spend that much on a player.

Klopp wasn’t given that sort of money until he had proven what he can do. I’d totally agree with spending a massive amount on a player if it’s clear we 100% need that player because we’re missing out on major trophies because of one or two key areas, but that’s not our position.

I think we have the money for a 100 million budget. I simply think we have self set it at 50-70 million. If we signed Oblak and he is a top keeper for 10 years then it's money well spent. It's also not a gamble quality wise as his quality is as obvious as any and we've faffed around with keepers far too many years.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Matteo Guendouzi official.

https://twitter.com/Touchofozil/status/1016715938325041152

Sven & Huss :bow:
How come they haven’t officially announced him as well?

[Power n Glory]

He doesn't need the money and was on a shedload at Real, he could have stayed in the comfort zone as Messi has, it would have been the easy route. At Juve he has to prove himself again by scoring goals, it's clearly the harder path.

There's a lot of pressure on him at Juve now, they want to win the CL and expect him to help them deliver them. Say what you like but this guy doesn't rest on his laurels, he's constantly tryng to push himself.

That's been my argument for Ronaldo. He's proven himself at Utd, Madrid and helped win a Euro with Portugal.

I would have liked to have seen Messi move outside of his comfort zone and do something similar. We' ve seen it happen before with players like Shevchenko and Kaka. Great success at one club but fail to replicate that form with another club.

[Marc Overmars]

I don’t think Messi will ever leave Barca really and if he does it will only be to earn a mega pay packet in somewhere like America when he’s washed up

[Penguin]

Messi doesn't have anything to prove either tbf.

[Power n Glory]

I think we have the money for a 100 million budget. I simply think we have self set it at 50-70 million. If we signed Oblak and he is a top keeper for 10 years then it's money well spent. It's also not a gamble quality wise as his quality is as obvious as any and we've faffed around with keepers far too many years.

£70m on a keeper is too much and especially for a club in our position. That's a world record fee on a keeper and more than double on the current record.

Not trying to devalue the role of a keeper but for me, this isn't the area where I'd want us to spend the bulk of our transfer money. Not for a new manager joining a club and trying to forge a new identity on our style of play. Nobody starts off by building around the keeper.

[Marc Overmars]

Messi doesn't have anything to prove either tbf.

I agree he doesn’t. It’s one of the key differentials though if a Messi v Ronaldo debate is to be had.

[SMatthews]

He doesn't need the money and was on a shedload at Real, he could have stayed in the comfort zone as Messi has, it would have been the easy route. At Juve he has to prove himself again by scoring goals, it's clearly the harder path.

There's a lot of pressure on him at Juve now, they want to win the CL and expect him to help them deliver them. Say what you like but this guy doesn't rest on his laurels, he's constantly tryng to push himself.

The richest people in the world stopped needing the money years ago but that doesn’t stop them scooping up even more. I can see why Juventus have bought him, for the reason you mentioned. I’m not sure I believe him wanting a new challenge is the single reason for the move. His relationship with Perez has been fractious for years now and he’s pretty much guaranteed the league at Juve. They aren’t a million miles away from winning the CL already - is taking a giant team one or two extra steps to the trophy enough of a motivation? That said, he has nothing left to prove so why not scoop half a million each week for the last few years if someone is mad enough to pay that?

[fakeyank]

I agree he doesn’t. It’s one of the key differentials though if a Messi v Ronaldo debate is to be had.

:gp:

Ronaldo >>>>>> Messi

[I am invisible]

Feels weird having all our main business done this early.

What the hell are News Now going to do now Wenger has left? Their total advertising revenue will probably drop by about 90% without Arsenal fans there hammering the refresh button all summer long!

[Özim]

The richest people in the world stopped needing the money years ago but that doesn’t stop them scooping up even more. I can see why Juventus have bought him, for the reason you mentioned. I’m not sure I believe him wanting a new challenge is the single reason for the move. His relationship with Perez has been fractious for years now and he’s pretty much guaranteed the league at Juve. They aren’t a million miles away from winning the CL already - is taking a giant team one or two extra steps to the trophy enough of a motivation? That said, he has nothing left to prove so why not scoop half a million each week for the last few years if someone is mad enough to pay that?

He's a footballer not a businessman, he has loads of money already, huge sponsorship deals and a huge salary at Real an increase will be a drop in the ocean for him.

Going to a new country is a big challenge, different country, different players, different style of play, different culture and lifestyle, he also has to move from somewhere he's been for 9 years and where he won't know anyone, it's a big change and a big challenge, especially when Juve want to win the CL.

Staying at Real would have been easy, he's already a legend, he's the main man in the team he's won leagues and CL's, he could just play out his last days there, instead he's chosen to make the move and take a chance, credit to him. Too many footballers stay in the comfort zone like Messi, never changing anything and never trying their luck in a different country, which is far easier.

[Power n Glory]

He's a footballer not a businessman, he has loads of money already, huge sponsorship deals and a huge salary at Real an increase will be a drop in the ocean for him.

Going to a new country is a big challenge, different country, different players, different style of play, different culture and lifestyle, he also has to move from somewhere he's been for 9 years and where he won't know anyone, it's a big change and a big challenge, especially when Juve want to win the CL.

Staying at Real would have been easy, he's already a legend, he's the main man in the team he's won leagues and CL's, he could just play out his last days there, instead he's chosen to make the move and take a chance, credit to him. Too many footballers stay in the comfort zone like Messi, never changing anything and never trying their luck in a different country, which is far easier.

Yeah, absolute bullshit. We've seen what happens when players start caring more about money than football. See the other Ronaldo as a prime example. See Ronaldinho. The easy option would be to sign a new contract at Real Madrid, get fat and stop training as hard.

The fact that Ronaldo is still in peak condition at 33, gone to a top club that's willing to pay that much for him speaks volumes about his work ethic. Anyone that attempts to discredit that I can't take seriously. Just give credit where it's due. Most players are preparing to retire at this age and return to their home club because their bodies are wrecked or out to America.

[GP]

Is anyone discrediting it?

[Letters]

It's a common misconception that people who think that Ronaldo is a c*** also think he's no good at football. One can believe both that he's a c*** and an exceptional footballer. Those two things are not mutually exclusive, they're often complimentary.

[Power n Glory]

It's a common misconception that people who think that Ronaldo is a c*** also think he's no good at football. One can believe both that he's a c*** and an exceptional footballer. Those two things are not mutually exclusive, they're often complimentary.

What are you talking about? That has zero to do with the discussion. :lol:

Since your cheerleader jumped in, I'm guessing my post may have struck a nerve?

[Letters]

What are you talking about? That has zero to do with the discussion. :lol:

Since your cheerleader jumped in, I'm guessing my post may have struck a nerve?

:lol: What is wrong with you? Your response to any post of mine is so Pavlovian :console:

You said "Anyone that attempts to discredit [what Ronaldo has done]". I don't think anyone is doing that. There seems to be a feeling that people on here who think he's a cock are trying to discredit it him. They're not. They just think he's a cock :shrug:
I honestly find the Messi vs Ronaldo debate boring. As I've said before, too many people on both sides of it pretend that their favoured player is clearly the better one. Truth is there's nothing between them but I've already agreed that Ronaldo testing himself in different leagues is a decent argument for giving him more credit in certain ways.