Printable View
Replacing RVP won't be that easy tbh. It's not just his goals that we'd need to replace, but he also assisted quite a few goals as well, so getting a "fox in the box" wouldn't be a like-for-like trade and we'd be losing something upfront if that's what happens.
It's by no means impossible to replace RVP, but we would need to pay top dollar to get the sort of player who would give us everything RVP did, and possibly more.
We're losing both Theo and RVP this season. That's why we're signing two first team attackers.
I keep on reading (granted from no reputable sources, then again what are reputable sources?) that Kenny agreed a deal for Walcott before he left.
Can't see it myself.
Then...Quote:
Martin Lipton
Arsenal signing of Yann M'Vila effectively confirmed by statement from Rennes on French Stock Exchange. So that's Podolski, M'Vila and Giroud, all heading for the Emirates. If anything can persuade Robin Van Persie to stay at the club, surely these statements of intent will. Three big and important signings, which will surely please Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans. Major contrast to last summer when it was all about exits. Onus now on RVP to clarify his position
:haha:Quote:
Martin Lipton @MartinLipton
Am told by both @BFairthorne and the estimable @Darren_Can that M'Vila stock exchange story is hoax. Sorry, all. But will still sign
Wouldn't surprise me. Everyone looks at this in footballing terms, who would be a good replacement, what sort of cover do we have, etc, etc. But for me the question is how far can Kroenke push things before he has a revolution on his hands. That's assuming he's in this to bank the deficit between the current commercial deals and the new deals that can be signed in the near future. If selling is an integral part of the business plan (which it seems to be), then getting that CL spot and also attracting the sponsors makes it a difficult balancing act for the board. And this makes Wenger the most perfect manager for the situation. He can achieve that crucial CL goal, leave Ivan and the rest of the American crew coming in to sort out the shirts and billboards and Stan is quids in if he can keep the whole ship afloat for 4-5 years. Even if it's sinking by the end (or the plan allows for submersion) they can dump the whole mess of Usmanov who has already said he's a fan of kicking cash in to buy success.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
I really can't figure how things look for us on the pitch any more. You could say that if we can keep RvP and add a few reinforcements we could challenge - at least for some insignificant pot like the CC. But from Stan's point of view, if he can keep things rolling using Wenger to build the assets until they become ripe to be flogged off, it all looks pretty achievable based on the past record. Could it really be as cynical as that? I would think so. Would love to give Stan the benefit of the doubt but it's hard to imagine he's here to build a team of champions.
We've been a selling club for ages, before Stan's arrival and the fact is players want to leave, they're not being sold off because offers are coming through and we just can't say no.
Of course he isn't. He's here to milk every last drop dry before he sells to the fat russian.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Who will then own 99.9% of the club.
What is still keeping me in it, is history, and clinging to the vague hope that Wenger still has some magic powder left to sprinkle onto the team for one last hurrah, doing it the proper way, before we become the next City/Chelsea etc.
Didn't say we haven't been a selling club. In fact I'm saying our success in that respect (as defined and enjoyed by crusty old men) is probably what attracted Stan in the first place, along with our apparent incompetence on the commercial side. Either that or he's realising his boyhood dream to own his favourite "soccer" team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
Can't wait 'til we lose the "Nando's Chicken Bones"™ of Theo. Eboue had it right. Theo's an average player with occasional shows of effort which make him look better than he is.
BBC:
Shame Gary Neville wasn't around to secure this deal for us.Quote:
A bit of news back on the domestic front for you, and Manchester United have signed teenager Nick Powell from Crewe for an undisclosed fee.
Djourou on twitter:
Sort of feel bad for him, a decent player and a decent guy, just not good enough for us and will never be a starter. Do hope he moves on.Quote:
I just wanted to deny all what have been said in the press about my transfer. It isn't true at all. I have been at Arsenal since 10 years now and I m always commited to this club.
We've been linked with this dude for a month or 2Quote:
Arsenal are in pole position to sign Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud, 25, according to his club coach Rene Girard.
Full story: Metro
F all happening
Not true. . .I would say two months is about right for us to pluck up the courage to ask for a danceQuote:
Originally Posted by Ach
Worried we're getting the next Bendtner here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ach
Another example of Arsenal`s failed policies. 10 years and still crap. think back to the game at Barca in 2010 when we all felt the worst when he went off with an injury, He was then seen as our best available defender. Not hard when we had the fantasticSylvestre, closely followed later by the amazing Squillaci. He doesnt want to leave cos hes probably on 50k and no one in his right mind will pay him more than half that. Wenger......the last word when it comes to defenders and defending.Quote:
Originally Posted by Young Guns 11
Nah.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Giroud can actually score goals.
Djourou is eligible for a testimonial soon :rose:
And while I think Giroud is a very decent player, I do fear that if him and Podolski come in it has to mean Van Persie is off. That said not sure who could sign him since the Spanish clubs don't need him and he won't move to an English club or Juventus.
I think you underestimate the amount he contributed to other players' goals last season; he got 9 assists, the most in the squad behind Song the Destroyer (tm).Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG
His goals can be replaced, but he is much more than a "stick it in the back of the net after everyone else does the hard work" guy. Much more.
podols will play on the left and giroud would be much needed back up for rvp, especially as robin will not go through another whole season like this one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss
that would be true if rvp was staying. but he isn't. so ignore me.
Nah. Not really. Top quality player. And yes, he does have a lot more to his game than goals....Quote:
Originally Posted by Where's my username gone?
But we play as a team, and someone else will step up to provide the assists. We don't have a problem creating chances, we have a problem finishing them. Luckily for us, RVP was here this year to finish them.
Of course, I want him to stay. Goes without saying.
My worry is that we will have problems creating chances without him. We can't rely on StD ™ too heavily.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG
Wilshere will be like a new signing. DO NOT FORGET.Quote:
Originally Posted by Where's my username gone?
:lol:
I don't think making chances will be an issue with or without RvP.
When you've got Gervinho trying to stick them away though... :ilt:
If no one seemed to be coming in, we'd be worried RVP was off anyway so I'd rather we'd be proactive and care less about him fucking off than the opposite.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
We had a real problem with creating chances last season. We looked really bad in some games. If we lose RVP along with Theo, that's our 1st and 2nd highest goal scorers gone in one season along with their assists. Theo set up 13 last season and Robin got 17. I don't think that can easily be replaced. We struggled badly without Cesc and Nasri. Our fluidity of play disappeared. It all fell on the shoulders of our most consistent performers after Cesc and Nasri and luckily the pair were able to stay fit last season. We really can't afford to lose both and expect our style of play to continue. Last season was bad enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
Keep the faith dude! :d
I think we'll be alright. At least one of the pair will stay I should think.
If Wally goes, then Chambo will auto-start there I reckon.
We scored more league goals last year than the year before :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
There were times we looked poor, other times we looked pretty good.
Obviously losing the top 2 scorers wouldn't be good for any team.
It's really hard to considering what we did last season.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG
Finish 3rd? :unsure: (Higher than the previous season and with more league points and more goals scored too...)Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
No :angry:Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
Are you forgetting we were relegated with zero points?
I'm not talking about our league position. I'm talking about how we let two of our best performers leave in one summer. It's not impossible for the same to happen again this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
What, coming from 17th to finish 3rd?Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
We battled that out last season. I admit it wasn't pretty at times, but we showed some backbone for the first time in years. The quality let us down on occassion, and we clearly didn't have enough quality back-up.
But as I said at the end of the season. If we can build on that, there's room for optimism.
Of course, if we get rid of RVP and Smallcock, it really is a sad state of affairs, as it would nail the final nail, that we are a selling club.
I'm still excited to here that we are looking to get some business done though. Podolski is an excellent signing. And if rumours be true that we are in the hunt for MmmmmmVilla, and Girod, well, this isvery positive.
Also looking forward to AOCand Wilshere's contribution next term.
It ain't all negative.
OK. Well obviously if that happens we're screwed. Really properly screwed this time. Wenger, good as he is, can't keep us up there if we keep on doing that. We were a RvP injury away from a far poorer outcome last year. We're not going to get relegated if he goes but with City and Utd sure to be up there, Chelsea buying their way back in and Spurs and Liverpool sure to spend again it's going to be very tough to finish top 4 next year even with RvP. Without him I think we'll really struggle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
Ah. Just seen your other post.
Anyway. Still optimistic that we're looking to improve the squad and cull some of the deadwood.
Unless we replace hime with equal quality, of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
But essentially, if we let him and Walcott go without replacing them properly....well, we are in a pickle.
Unless of course, someone else starts being superstar. Which, judging by teams past, is a pretty good possibility.
it never is all negative but one thing is for sure, as long as wenger sticks around we'll keep going round in circles.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG
Even if they both leave, I'll be excited to see who we bring in and how we look as a team, but we'd still be on this never ending project where vital building blocks keep getting taken away. We just need some stability for once.
Well yes, but it would be further stagnation at best. We really have to start pushing on.Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG
Whatever anyone says on here, Wenger's done a great job to keep us qualifying for the CL every year. It's not as easy as it looks, other clubs have spent shitloads to try and achieve it and failed (not City, but when you go throwing that much around you'd wanna be up there).
But we have to push on at some point, challenge harder for trophies and the title. I don't think we can win it in the current climate but we can push a lot harder. We have a good platform right now, a few right signings and keeping our best players and we could really push on. Let our best players go and don't replace them and it's another season of frustration.
Maybe. The question is when Wenger leaves and we stop going round in circles which direction will we head in...?Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Tuffnutz
definitely. we'll never know until we find out. unless wenger is immortal then we'll have to some day. after the end of last season i struggle to take much more of it.