Bet knowing Rafa he hasn't even spoken to him
The guy is so aloof and standoffish makes Howard Hughes seem gregarious
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Bet knowing Rafa he hasn't even spoken to him
The guy is so aloof and standoffish makes Howard Hughes seem gregarious
Cheeky bid for Kalou tbh.. :coffee:
:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
Of course he will have.
Via Skype.
With the video turned off.
Wenger on the Benzema rumours:
No, nothing is happening. Honestly no. I don’t know who brings that up. Is it Spanish media or English media? I don’t know.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...elsea-and-cech
Regarding Benzema reports now saying Benitez' words are a big blow to our chances of signing him.
We have a history of failing to secure players we chase for months, in the end we always miss out, other big clubs more often than not get their man, I'm not sure why is it the fact we chase players who aren't realistically available, the money we offer or the fact we just aren't appealing enough due to our lack of success in the major trophies in the last decade?
I have to say I thought it was an unrealistic target given Real have signed no other forward and the fact they have money to burn.
But that's if he's even a target. Wenger has gone on record saying he doesn't think we need a striker and he's said again there is no truth in the Benzema rumours. Smoke and mirrors maybe.
I think it's time to face facts and acknowledge we've already made the stand-out signing of the summer, right up until Mad Uncle Roman pushes the kill-switch implanted in Cechs head that is.
Ah I love those things....when I was a slave owner I was able to install these rather than pay for guards. No one even tried to escape because they knew what would happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by PGFC
Well he is a stand-out signing at least. The guy exudes class and confidence. But if that's it for our summer business then it really does fall on Cech to make up the 12 points. From what I have seen so far, that's not as implausible as I first thought. Dave was the last keeper we had who took personal offence at conceding. We have another player in the goal with the same attitude now. It's good.Quote:
Originally Posted by PGFC
But what would be great is if Wenger took a chance, splashed some cash and brought in somebody who can convert all those chances Bif and Theo miss. We need somebody like that to maximise the quality we have in players like Ozil, Alexis and Cazorla.
Have you noticed Feo playing upfront recently? This Benzema shit was never going to happen, just like we aren't buying a DM or CB. We're done for the season in the market.Quote:
Originally Posted by Penguin
We've signed 3 world class players in the last 3 seasons, so we can't be getting it completely wrong. As said, wouldnt rule out any signing yet, but also wouldn't be surprised if we stick with what we have. All this paper talk, 'reports', insider information etc is all bullshit anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Özim
And just to add, I'd personally like us to sign an upgrade on Theo/Giroud but don't think that's as easy as it sounds. My vote would be Reus if he could be converted. If anything happens it's likely to be at the end of the window, and for once we're in a good position where we can bide our time and make sure we get the right player. None of the bargain basement desperation signings we've had before.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gooner23
1 summer signing never has and never will be good enough, we've done that in the past even after winning the title and ended up short, so doing it after being 12 points behind and being sent packing by Monaco in the CL isn't going to be good enough IMO.
We've had all summer to work on this so we should have been able to do something by now. Cech is a very good signing (though I can't help but feel a bit strange that we've signed a player Chelsea agreed to let go because they had someone they thought was a better decision to keep) but he's not going to win us the title by himself, with him in goal last season we wouldn't have won the league or CL.
Akpom has now gone to Hull officially.Quote:
Originally Posted by dostoy
That does increase the chances of us signing a striker, it does not make it certain though.
It seems that, unless he's going to pull off an 11th hour coup which is looking increasingly unlikely, that Wenger is looking to spread the goals out more. We don't have a 30 goal a season player but we have several 20 goal a season players. I'd feel happier with a real top class striker but they don't grow on trees and we should have enough goals in the team. Once we got going last year we matched Chelsea stride for stride, we've got the ability and the winning mentality to go all the way this year IMO. It's going to be tough because any of the top 4 could credibly win it but I think we'll be in the mix.
There are no excuses now, we have to properly challenge this year.
No it doesn't. He was never going to get game time this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by dostoy
Maybe I am deluded but I must say I'm far more relaxed and content than i thought I'd be right now without us having signed a holding midfielder and a striker.
That’s an exaggeration. Stride for stride?Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
After 12 games with our awful start we were something like 15 points behind them.
We finished about 15 points behind them (Maybe closer? Upsettingly my favourite site to check this sort of thing, statto.com, is no longer with us)
So yeah, I know you have to take the season as a whole but after our awful start we got going and matched them for over two thirds of the season.
We have to do it for a whole season, obviously.
I'd be surprised if we get anyone else major this window. I think we'll see Theo play up front primarily this season, since he got a raise in his new deal. He'll be like a new signing, as everyone's favourite £8m pocketing, soft cheese eating, Bastille storming manager would say.
Would you not agree though Letters that it is easier to match a team stride for stride as you put it when we are no longer in a position to challenge?.
Personally I think last season is not a good blueprint going into this season, only scored more than two goals twice away from home and comfortable victories were made nervy by the side coming back into the game to half the deficit, came no where near beating Chelsea when we played them at home, and failed to score in three consecutive home games for the first time in six years when we had second place up for grabs.
Whilst last season wasn't a disaster by any means, it's a season to improve upon rather than a launchpad, the squad is settled, if we use our squad well and utilise the training methods of Shad Forsythe we can keep injuries to a minimum. And whilst getting more goals from our non strikers is not a mitigation for a need for a top striker, I think it's a definite necessity.
Every season it's the same we either have a disastrous start and recover strongly or start well and stumble at the end, don't see why it would be that different this year, essentially bar one player we have the same squad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
We beat Man City 3-0 in the Charity Shield last year as well after winning the cup so I don't see a huge difference between now and then, we were short then and we remain short now having signed just a keeper.
I'm frankly amazed that after last season and ending up miles behind the eventual winners and getting knocked out by Monaco in th CL a goalkeeper suddenly makes us serious title contenders, that's the trouble this is exactly what Wenger thinks, he looks at a short run of results as confirmation that we're the muts nuts, the fact is we had a poor start and that can't be ignored.
That's not stride for stride. It’s just another statistic that looks good. Stride for stride implies a neck and neck race and we were never in that race. That’s the difference. This season we have to be in the race and put the pressure on our opponents so it’s us out pacing them. That consistent run you talk of needs to happen when we’re top of the table or just a few points off the top. I can’t take much solace in the run we put together last season. What’s the use in setting the fastest lap time if you can’t finish top of the podium? I want to see how the team reacts when the pressure is on and we have an aggressive opponent on our tails. That’s the test.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
You are correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
I forgot about Welbeck.
Oh, Wilshere is injured again. Just in case you haven't heard. We need to have a lucky break with the injuries this season. We can't afford long term lay offs to too many key players.
Still think we should have sold him to City, then again I'm biased against both him and RamseyQuote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
It's not a short run though, is it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Özim
As for what is different this year, it's the same squad of players but that squad was good enough to challenge last year, they just made a right hash of the start of the season.
There does seem to be a different mentality about the squad now, it's hard to define but some of the games we won last year - especially those two games in Manchester - we wouldn't have won those a few years ago. And I do think Cech will make a difference.
I'd be happier with another striker but there should be plenty of goals in this team and I don't think we'll be far away come May.
We won't steer clear of injuries, we never do and when we haven't brought in much over the summer we'll end up paying for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
They didn't challenge, they made of hash of it yes, but we've seen that many time before as well, with squad after squad, I don't see why that will magically change when we really haven't invested much in the squad over the summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
We have the same players who couldn't perform last season and when I say that I mean they failed to challenge for either big trophy, we might start well this season but history tells us we'll then probably finish badly, it pretty much always seems to be that case, injuries will no doubt play a part as well.
I think they way you make things change is by making a few solid signings who add to what you had before and give you a real reason to believe it could be different.
Hmm. Maybe. I dunno. I don't think so for most of the season, actually. Maybe in the last 10 games it is - if you're close. That's when the pressure starts to built. Till then I don't think it makes too much difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
Agree with the rest of your post.
We always have these young strikers. Lupoli, Anthony Stokes, Jay Emmanuel Thomas…last year wasn’t it Afobe? We always hear about these young promising strikers moving through the ranks and they usually end up being sold.Quote:
Originally Posted by dostoy
I see most reports however, seem to conveniently forget to miss the facht that Rafa opened that line with 'I think' :coffee:
I don't think Wenger could be much clearer in his denial that he is after Benzema.
In fact I don't think he's looked at anyone, I think if he signs anyone he will wait to the deadline to see what agent touts a player he likes.
And that's because he's happy with the squad he has, do I think we could improve on what we have (I don't think there is a team out there that couldn't) but neither do I think we are desperately lacking.
I actually think we could potentially buy a striker in January without doing ourselves much harm
I largely agree with this, although I can't see us signing anyone in January, the only time we have is when we've been in danger of missing out on 4th place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
My view is you can't trust AW in the transfer market, ultimately his preference is to spend the minimum and take his chances rather than giving himself a better chance of success by gambling on a signing brining him that success, IMO that's not the way to win the major trophies.
He does a lot of good things, but this apsect of his management is one of the biggest hindrances to us being top of the pile again.
I don't disagree but at the same time, especially where strikers are concerned I think there is a dirge of top quality.
Benzema(?) sorry just don't rate him at all, same with Cavani
Should we have been quicker off the mark and gone for Jackson Martinez....maybe but at 29 wasn't really worth his price tag.
Ideally if we are to spend 40million + I'd rather it be for someone mid twenties at oldest who is going to have the best years of his career with us.
Wenger's been too indecisive with our strikers and it's why we're scrapping the barrel and looking at ridiculous prices for questionable players. Benzema, Cavani, Higuain.....talented players but there is no way we should be paying £40 to £50m for any of them. All a lot better than Giroud and can be developed into beasts but they're not young and for that money they should be match winners already. It's a gamble so I understand the hesitance from Wenger, especially when he may be able to solve the striker problem internally.
But he's been too indecisive on that front as well. We're going into the season with question marks over all our striking options. Walcott, Welbeck, Giroud and throw Sanchez in the mix as well as he could play through the middle. Wenger just has to commit to someone playing that role. Anyone other than Giroud. Giroud is too frail mentally and the Monaco game was the last example we need. We should have been playing Walcott as striker way back when he had his first round of contract talks or we should have stuck with Sanchez or Welbeck. I don't like the fact that we're going into the season with a huge question mark over this one position. It should have been addressed years back when we were looking at Higuain and Suarez.
I think that what we will see this season is an interchangeable front three, it would help if we had all our attacking players available to test this though, in the cup final you could see Sanchez and Walcott swapping positions throughout the game and I think this could work very well. Giroud also is a very good squad player if not a starter, and can be brought off the bench to bring a physical dimension.
Has Wenger been too indecisive? Of course he has, the man probably prevaricates over what to have for dinner for hours and then settles on a piece of toast at ten o clock at night, that's how he is and it's one of his managerial and character flaws.
So .. Lacazette?Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
Hmmm not saying no, but would be a big gamble.Quote:
Originally Posted by Static
He's someone i would say wait till January to sign but with Lyon in the Champions league it makes him ineligible for us then.
Talk about Wenger prevaricating, he's got me at it.
Frankly if it was me, I'd chance my arm with Bayern Munich and offer them silly money for Robert Lewandowski