You aren't making the compelling case you think you are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
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You aren't making the compelling case you think you are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
:haha:
Epic burn
Why?Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve French
Mert was excellent throughout the seasonQuote:
Tony Adams praises Koscielny & Mertesacker partnership
The pair formed a strong defensive bond as the club sealed Champions League qualification on the final day of last season
Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams believes the consistent centre-back partnership between Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker could be key to the club's on-field successes.
Arsene Wenger has struggled with defensive pairings of late, with Thomas Vermaelen struggling for form and Sebastien Squillaci released at the end of last season after making just 23 Premier League appearances in three seasons at the Emirates Stadium.
However, both Koscielny and Mertsesacker came to the fore, conceding just four goals in the 10 games they started together as the season drew to a close, and Adams has backed the pair to thrive again next term.
"It's the only position where you need familiarity," Adams told the club's official website. "You need to play with your mate on a regular basis to gain confidence and I think that really worked for Arsenal defensively.
"[Wenger] left that alone and they gained confidence. It's the fact that they play regularly with each other that they've learnt [about] each other's game.
"I used to play with Steve Bould. We used to play zonal defence. Steve was a zonal defender and he knew how that system worked. Playing with Martin Keown was different. He was a man-to-man marker and when I used to play with Martin, I used to play differently alongside him.
"To keep changing that scenario is very difficult. If I was playing with Bouldy one week and then Martin the next, it would have been very difficult for me to go from one to the other.
"I think that's what really helped Koscielny and Mertesacker - that they got to know each other's game. For me, Mertesacker is a zonal defender and Koscielny is a man-to-man marker. They got to know each other's game because they played with each other week in, week out."
Koscielny's impressive displays in north London have attracted interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, with the centre-back expected to fetch up to €20 million if sold.
True, but all the interest from other clubs is for Kos.
In the last 10 games, Kos was better, just.
Flavour of the month. Nothing more.
Hopefully if he's still here come the new season, he continues on the excellent form
Here is a picture of a planet that the rest of us are on.
http://i.imgur.com/enx1iMS.gif
I tried turning it rightside up, but you get the picture.
So you don't think Kos was better than Mert?
Kos and Merts are both getting to be a bit over rated. Merts is slow as fuck so he'll never, ever be a reliable defender in this huff and puff league. Kos is hot and cold, not your Bould, Adams or Keown by any stretch. But both are better than the incredible shite we've had over the last few years so that has to be classed as progress and I'll take it. They'll do. For now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
get seaman in as GK coach.
Should have played much more last seasonQuote:
Arshavin slams 'boring' Arsenal
The Russia international was allowed to leave the club on a free transfer after losing his place in the side, and has expressed his frustration with life on the substitutes bench
Zenit winger Andrey Arshavin has claimed he "nearly suffered depression" because he was so bored during his final season with Arsenal.
Arshavin became the clubs’ record signing after arriving in a €17.5 million deal from Zenit St Petersburg in 2009 but re-joined the Russian club on Thursday following the expiration of his Gunners contract.
The 32-year-old featured in just seven league games in the 2012-13 campaign and suggested it felt like "punishment" to train each week knowing a first-team place was out of reach.
"The fact is I didn’t want to stay in England, this was clear since January," Arshavin told Sport Express.
"I don’t regret anything, but I had to leave.
"It was a punishment sat on the bench. To train even though you know you won’t play – it is psychologically difficult.
"I nearly suffered depression, but I didn’t because I’m mentally strong. The monotony of life there was crushing me."
Arshavin was the highest profile name in a list of 14 players not offered new contracts at the club this summer, allowing him to officially join his former club on July 1.
Zenit are looking to regain the Russian Premier League title from rivals CSKA Moscow, who trumped them to the prize by just two points last season.
You reckon! Sure having a player running -or even walking - around the pitch disinterested the moment the ball is not within 5 yards from his feet really would have helped the cause. He was a mistake we just have to live with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Come on, now your just being silly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
If you just don't like him for some irrational reason, just say so - don't start making up shit to justify it.
One of Messi's main attributes thats recognised throughout football is that he - for all the times he gets kicked around during a match - just gets up and gets on with it, no moaning or diving around, he doesn't need to - why dive when your capable of scoring over 90 goals in a calendar year - he'd probably end up with fewer goals if he did. unlike players like Bale and Neymar - the later being especially embarrassing during the ConFed tourney. You never see that with Messi.
:blink:
He dives every game. I've seen him more than enough to make that claim.
in modern football most players dive from time to time - remember Owen v Argentina, but few go on about that one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Not so far back Pires, Reyes and Freddie loved a tumble at the first opportunity.
All im saying is for a modern attacking flair player (in which diving unfortunately has become part of their armoury) Messi at least for a vast majority of the time his primary motivation is to ride a tackle and advance on goal - as his stats testify - there's little benefit in him wanting to cheat a free kick/pen when his almost certainly gonna score if he gets a chance.
Yes. His one goal in nineteen league appearances the season before certainly make a strong case for regular first choice football.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Remember, coming on for 2 minutes as a sub counts as an appearanceQuote:
Originally Posted by Letters
Pretty much. He would have played more had he not been a lazy shite.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
he would have played more last season, if he accepted a lower pay offer from another club. he didnt, he also would have known last summer that he was not wanted here given he was sent on loan for the second half of the season before. so he stayed because he was going to get money and then he has the balls to claim he was close to depression. disgusting. good riddance to himQuote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
:gp:Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
Get bothQuote:
Arsenal need Fellaini not Rooney to win the Premier League, says Stewart Robson
The former Gunner feels the Everton midfielder could bring balance to the north Londoners and believes the Manchester United man is "on the wane"
Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson feels the Gunners should buy Marouane Fellaini and not Wayne Rooney if they are to end their trophy drought this season.
The north Londoners have not tasted glory since claiming the FA Cup in 2005 but, as exclusively revealed by Goal, have joined the scramble for the England international’s signature.
Goal understands Rooney is determined to leave the Red Devils this summer, but Robson feels he is not quite the right fit for Arsenal.
“To take Wayne Rooney, who everybody says that the problem he had with Sir Alex Ferguson was concerned with his fitness levels and how he was looking after himself, now I’m not sure that Arsene Wenger is the sort of confrontational manager who is going to pull Wayne Rooney to one side and say, I’m not happy with this I’m going to leave you out of the side because of this," he told talkSPORT.
“So I think it might be be a problem and Wayne Rooney I think, is slightly on the wane, he’s lost a yard of pace. Would he be a good player for Arsenal? Would he take them to the next level? I think he would improve them, I’m just not sure he’s the player Arsenal need to go on to become champions of Europe or champions of the Premier League."
Arsenal have already made Fellaini a contract offer after activating his release clause and Robson feels he would be a great signing and would bring balance to the Gunners.
“Arsenal need a real strong backbone in that midfield. I would go and get Fellaini if he’s available," he added.
"I’ve seen him play many different roles for Everton. I’ve seen him come to the Emirates before and play a defensive role and he’s been the outstanding player on the field. I’ve seen him go and play as an attacking midfielder and go and show good strength and win balls in the air.
"He does things simply on the ball. He’s not going to be an expansive passer but Arsenal have got those expansive players, they need to now get a balance between the creative side and the more destructive side, the more dynamic side of the game, you can't have one without the other."
indeedQuote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Same thing said every summerQuote:
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes manager Arsene Wenger is still the right man for the job but needs to improve the squad this summer to challenge for top honours next season.
Wenger’s future as Gunners boss was put into doubt during the last Premier League campaign, with a section of the club’s fans calling for his exit after eight trophyless seasons.
The Frenchman’s current deal expires next season, with Paris Saint-Germain touted as a possible destination following 18 years in charge in north London.
But Wenger has recently committed his future to Arsenal but announcing he is set to hold preliminary talks to extend his contract, something which Parlour believes is in the club's best interest.
“I worked under Arsene Wenger for eight years and he was absolutely fantastic,” the ex-midfielder told the Transfer Tavern. “You can look at it and think, ‘we haven’t won anything for eight or nine years’, but he's done a wonderful job.
“He’s a great manager, not just on the training field but off the pitch as well. He’s got a great sense of humour and had a laugh with the players.”
Arsenal have endured a barren run in both domestic and European competition, but despite coming to blows from the rising challenge of neighbouring foes Tottenham, the team have continued to maintain their top-four status.
But Parlour believes now is the time for change, adding that Wenger has to add quality to the side in the summer transfer window to ensure Arsenal contend for titles next season.
“The fans want to win something now, they need to start challenging Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea next season,” he said.
“They need to get back up there again. That’s Wenger’s main job now and it’s a big challenge.
“He’s got a massive summer in front of him where he needs to bring in three or four players to improve the side and maybe challenge for the title again.”
Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...#ixzz2Z0sdlhG9
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Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...hiPmOUwgEQy.99
I was done reading right there, tbh.Quote:
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes manager Arsene Wenger is still the right man for the job
I like Parlour and thought he was a terrific player for us, but change the f*cking record FFS he says this all the time and what has Wenger actually done to show he's the right man?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
He's the right man if you want to limit yourself to 4th place yes, but not if you value silverware.
Come back Stewart Robson, all is forgiven.
Unusual cos we have actually heard of him tbhQuote:
Former Arsenal forward Perry Groves believes Arsenal’s interest in controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is “very curious”.
Arsenal have already had a £30m bid for the Anfield star rejected by the Merseyside club, with Liverpool previously stating that they expect to hold on to Suarez despite ongoing speculation about his future.
The north London outfit are expected to continue their pursuit of the Uruguayan along with Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, though Reds manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted the club would not sell Suarez to the Gunners even if they upped their bid to £55m.
And Groves told talkSPORT that the striker is an unusual target for Arsene Wenger.
“The Suarez bid is very curious to me,” Groves told The Sports Bar.
“Arsene Wenger doesn’t normally target players with big egos, or players who bring trouble or baggage to the club.
“He obviously thinks all the risks are worth it with Suarez.
"But I’d be amazed if Liverpool sold Suarez to one of their main competitors.
“Brendan Rodgers is under pressure to break into the Champions League and Arsenal are their main competitors for that fourth place.
“So if he did leave the club, Liverpool fans would want him to go abroad so he doesn’t come back and hurt you.”
Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...#ixzz2ZhXZhH6N
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Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...ExZP3s87mpA.99
This is easily explained by the fact we know we have no chance of getting him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Why do any of these guys think one signing makes us title contenders? Five, six, seven signings maybe. One? That'll be some player we sign. Messi?
I think 6 minimum
Nah.
Keeper, CB, LB, DM, AM and a striker.
Some are more important than others but ultimately that is where we need strengthening quality and quantity wise
Two strikers minimum.
We got Sanogo already....:haha:
He'll play what, 3 first team games before he's moved on?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Moved on to the treatment table, yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Not even that tbh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Il give it a game
Or 3 games before he's moved to the long term, can't get rid of him list.
Said this a few weeks back and it was dismissed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cripps
Squad has been systematically stripped of quality over the years and 1 or 2 signings won't see us competing.