Mandzukic it is then.
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Mandzukic it is then.
:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sterling Archer
Seems like we're not getting him then, can't say I'm too fussed
yeah and just because Sanogo didn't cost 50 million...
:gp:Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve French
I'm starting to come around to this view now as well. Mainly because there isn't really anyone easily identifiable and gettable out there and the more I think about it, the more the prospect of Ballotelli absolutely frightens me. He's not Suarez level quality to persist with that stupidity and poor attitude. He just gave up in the second half of the Costa Rica game and was equally as poor yesterday.
Giroud for all his faults (and we've identified them already on here) is still a top player and looked quality for France which shows you the benefit of giving the guy a break once in a while. Looking back, it's no real surprise that Giroud's poor form coincided not only with losing runners from midfield (Ramsey + Theo) but also after being exhausted after Wenger ran him into the ground by playing him for 90 mins week in week out because we had no backup.
Meh, I wouldn't be too devastated if Giroud was first choice next season as long as we brought in a world class quality wide player to supplement him such as a Sanchez or even a Greizemann. And also, as you say, in addition to bringing back Campbell we brought in decent solid cover for him just so Giroud can take a break once in a while. Ideally that would be a promising youngster, like Campbell, who had the potential to become special in a few years .... e.g. like that Drmic kid at Nurenberg (though he's signed for Bayer Leverkusen).
1) Giroud
2) <Similar level cover>
3) Campbell
Don't think Sanago should be even close to featuring for us yet.
Remy and Pogba - sign them now and they'll become legendary figures over the next 5 years. Balotelli, sign him and he'll be infamous within days.
Sanchez
Remy
Pogba/Schneiderlin
Joel Campbell is already better than Sanogo so there's an upgrade already.
Bony looks useful every time I see him - I'd have him high on my list if we can't get someone like a Benzema. Would allow us to retain some of what we get from Giroud in terms of hold up play, but with some added pace, and maybe a bit more sharpness in the box.
Bony, Sanchez and Campbell, added to Giroud, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain (or Gnabry, if we move the Ox to the centre) - I'd be happy with any 3 out of those 6 for most games.
Incidentally, whoever is in charge of fitness and conditioning for France has done a cracking job! I heard Benzema has dropped 14lbs for the tournament, and he looks fitter and faster than I've seen him for a long time, and even Giroud looks a lot lighter on his toes?!
Who do I think would be a good signing and attainable:Quote:
Originally Posted by selassie
1. Remy – I think it was the first game of the WC (or a friendly match just before) where he played alongside Giroud drifting in from the wing and they looked absolutely sublime. Their coordination and understanding was incredible. We’ve all said that Giroud would work better alongside a smaller, more agile alternative and I seriously think this could be a devastating partnership.
2. Sanchez – I think he could be converted into a striker, and in fact, he reminds me a bit of Suarez. Very quick with his feet and unpredictable, he loves making those mazy runs to leave defenders in limbo. Apparently on his way out of Barca too. I think if you stumped up £30m they’d sell.
3. Benzema – if Falcao moves to Madrid then this guy would surely be up for grabs. Good player who gets a lot of unfair stick IMO.
4. Mandzukic – has he already gone? If not he’s another that could be bought for £20m-£25m.
5. Pedro – always rumours of him being available. I know he’s playing a lot more games than what he used to but if you went in with a £25m bid I’m almost certain Barca would sell.
There’s 5 forwards off the top of my head all of which would be available if Wenger decided to bid and negotiate. That doesn’t even encompass the far-reaching scouting network Wenger has at his disposal, covering countries like Argentina, Brazil, the whole of Africa, and ‘lesser’ leagues like the Belgian/Portuguese league. The list above is compiled by a guy sitting in an office in North London picking them off the top of his head. Wenger has a whole system behind him. That’s why I don’t quite get this idea that ‘no-one is available’, why is it always our club that makes excuses when it comes to transfers?
I bet you didn’t think that Man Utd were going to sign Mata in the January transfer window? No. But guess what, they did. It’s called bidding, unsettling players and negotiating.
Quote:
Originally Posted by She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
Out of that list I would like Sanchez or Benzema if they were available, I think both of them would improve our team, as in our starting XI.
The others? I don't think Pedro...who is not really a striker, Remy or Mandzukic would improve us one bit.
Pedro is like a more refined version of "Theo", though he would obviously need to adapt to PL...not sure he is what we need to improve, Remy would not improve our starting XI IMO, he is "Arsenal" squad player type standard. Mandzukic? Is he really any better than Giroud? What qualities does he offer that Giroud doesn't give us? Sure he is a marginally better finisher but I really don't see him giving the team this extra bit of quality.
I think each of those guys would represent very good to great rotation/squad players, but if we are to bridge the gap between 4th place to geniune challengers we need "REAL" quality.
I really suppose it depends what we need, if we actually need a bonafide world class player to upgrade the attack then I only think 2 of those 5 are sufficient, if we just need squaddies then we might aswell go for Remy or Bony.
Let's not go into the converting someone into a striker debate, just buy a natural striker like everyone else does.
Benzema would be my choice out of that list, not convinced the others would give us what we need which is essentially goals.
Mandzukic, forget it he's dogshite.
Maybe, but when Sturridge went to Liverpool a lot of people thought he would just be a 'rotation' type player yet he has become central to their team. I suppose it’s the risk you take. I know we should be going for world class players but sometimes a player might be an invaluable addition to the system you play. That’s what I think about someone like Remy. Sure he isn’t a big name but he’d improve us hugely IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by selassie
But anyway, the point is all of them named above would put their heads down and give it their all. We can’t say the same about Balotelli. If you look at training pictures you’ll see players doing stretches and warm ups yet Mario just sits there staring into the oblivion. That’s a lack of commitment and the last thing we need, after a failed youth project where we had nothing but uncommitted idiots at our club, is another uncommitted idiot at our club.
Sanchez and Benzema would come in and instantly improve the squad, I agree. Remy may take a month. Pedro might take half a season to fully convert into a striker and Mandzukic might be similar to Giroud, but if we bought them it would improve us and lead to greater depth.
We were top for half a season with Giroud up front. I really think those named above would help us sustain a longer run and even help us win it.
Oh it's £32m! Saw headlines quoting £50m and that must be both contract and fee. That makes a world of difference. We should have snapped him up. :lol: In all seriousness, you know I don't rate the guy that much. I just think he could be having a great run. Reminds me too much of Adebayor.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice
But in general, I agree with your post and hope we have a plan. This needs to be a planned and well thought out summer. Our scouts should be paying close attention to certain attributes and think of what we're missing on the field. A big name would be great but there needs to be some thought behind our deals. I still can't understand why we'd buy Giroud and Pod but not play them as a duo. They'd compliment each other if combined together but lose a lot when their isolated. We need to be paying attention to how they're game will affect the rest of the team and how we're going to get the best out of them. I don't want us to spend another season saying we need players A and B in order for C and D to perform.
I think I've cooled my interest in Balotelli as well tbh. I mean ideally he ticks all the boxes for us (strong, athletic, quick etc) but he's guaranteed hassle and frankly I think he's a bit of a fairweather as well.
We have a lot of money to spend now but it needs to be spent wisely and not on uncalculated risks like Balotelli.
Thank. God.
Wenger :bow:
My bro tells me apparently Arsene categorically denied Podolski in a similar fashion a few windows ago before signing him the next week, so I wouldn't put too much stock into that. He's hardly gong to admit it publicly if we were interested in him. What was more refreshing to see however was that Wenger seemed very in-line with the what we're saying on here and general consensus ......... "Balotelli hasn't been convincing" ..... I don't know why I'm surprised as he's clearly an intelligent guy but there was the worry his stubbornness may cause him not to acknowledge the obvious.Quote:
Originally Posted by Munchies
Also that chick in that video was giving Arsene the eyes there. I bet he gave her the D after the interview. ##
He also claimed he'd never heard of Cazorla :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by The Emirates Gallactico
Tbf he was hard to spot hiding behind the bottle bank...Quote:
Originally Posted by Sterling Archer
Wenger is a world class WUM, we know that. The bit in the video that makes me think we're not in for Mario though is when Wenger said he hasn't done much in this WC. Ignore the transfer denials as Wenger says that about every player that we then go on to sign.
I really don't see Balotelli's qualities like some of you do. For me he's a £15-17m player and most of that is for his potential and due to lack of strikers/inflated market. He's nowhere near world class and he's not even as good as Giroud so the signing makes no sense to me. He'd annoy the fuck out of us if we signed him, moody, lazy, always offside etc
Mandzukic is not only shit but he is a class A ****.Quote:
Originally Posted by Özim
ebayer?Quote:
Originally Posted by AFC Leveller
Drug?
Mercedes-Benz?
cunt?
I would be flabbergasted if we managed to land either Sanchez or Benzema. I wouldn't understand why either or them, pursued by clubs who will pay more and offer more silverware, will choose to come to us. Only if it's another last minute buy where they know they are surplus to requirements and nobody else has stumped up the money, like Ozil.Quote:
Originally Posted by She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
Pesto? Yes please. Extremely underrated but also seems to be thoroughly committed to Barca and Barca only. I would much prefer we buy a striker to play as a striker rather than converting and playing that game of Russian roulette. Remy would be a smart buy but he picks up too many injuries to be relied upon, we need him and another very good/excellent striker. Top four will be even harder next season - let's not kid on about the title with Wenger in charge - so we can't mess around on players who have to learn a position.
Pesto :bow:Quote:
Originally Posted by Kano