Winter Transfer Speculation and Shit.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Costa is no saint and comes with baggage as well. He's just as much of a risk.

I would politely disagree with the final part mate, but yes I hear Costa struggled with disciplinary problems last season, which doesn't seem such a big deal this season.

I don't want to make it sound like I want holy than thou players all toeing the line.....but I just think when you get a player who is pretty much disruptive in area of his football on and off the field, collectively it just amounts to too much.

I think a lot of what Dr Singh mentioned about team spirit and the camaraderie amongst the group rings true. The other day Mertesacker blasted Ozil in full view of everybody. Ozil didn't try and challenge him about it, he just accepted it, apologised and everybody moved on.

It would be a shame to have a player who turned something like that into a bigger thing than it needed to be. We don't need mutiny amongst the ranks or factions emerging and I like the feeling of unity you get within the club these days. This is just a small example.

[I_Killed_Kenny]

Every promo/training session/clip I see Chamberlain in, he looks like he is banging them in from all over the place. With the recent hype around Barkley I have actually been wondering how people feel the two compare.

I would be slightly concerned about Berbatov's ability to keep up with our counter attacks.....such is the lethargy of his game at times these days. I'd still take him over nobody though, because if you give him the ball in front of goal, he is capable of coming up with that little bit of skill, footwork or a strike to make the difference.

My concern too. Great on the ball but fast counter attack? Nope. Yes he cud feed the likes of theo for that but thats if he is fit. And esseentially we want someone to score not play the ozil role which berbs is good at. If we dont play with theo, gnabs, pods or chambo then we have no pace at all with berba

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

And cheers. Quite enjoyed seeing Costa mug off Ramos who is well on course to break the record for red cards in La Liga. No he actually is, look it up.

[Dr Singh]

Never seen that video of Costa. Quite enjoyed it in a bizarre way. Costa comes with a reputation of being a monster to play AGAINST. Balotelli has a reputation of being terrible to play WITH. Costa is the type of guy you want in your team for sure, like Suarez. Balotelli? I'm not so sure.

Very surprised people would rather have Balotelli here over Costa. I get that he hasn't played EPL football, but he's a big nasty bloke and certainly looks like he'd have no trouble settling into the EPL from the little I've seen.

[Dr Singh]

My concern too. Great on the ball but fast counter attack? Nope. Yes he cud feed the likes of theo for that but thats if he is fit. And esseentially we want someone to score not play the ozil role which berbs is good at. If we dont play with theo, gnabs, pods or chambo then we have no pace at all with berba

I think we'd be signing Berba purely as an alternative for Giroud. They are both pretty damn slow, but Berba is light years quicker mentally.

I don't want to turn this into a comparison between the two (Giroud comes out on top for me), but quick thinkers are devastating on the counter attack generally. Arsenal fans need no finer example thank Dennis Bergkamp to remember that.

I'd also disagree that he will clash with Ozil. He does drop deep, he still maintains his position as the focal point of an attack. He'd be lethal if flanked with Poldi and Theo for me.

[Power n Glory]

Costa doesn't seem that impressive. I can't see him pulling out anything special when teams park the bus. I could be wrong but that's just how I feel. Balotelli is a risk but he has the potential to be a sensational striker. I can't see Costa leaving sunny Spain for England. We also need a player that will have an immediate impact. I have my doubts about Costa.

[Power n Glory]

Cheers for that blink. Even at 32m i would still take balo. Someone has said about his strike rate not being great but as also pointed out, he is young. Plus was he a starter at all those teams? He wasnt a definate at city and still got a 1 in 2 record for them i think. Proven to hold his own in the prem. Physically strong, tekkers, eye for goal. Can play lone man.

I dont think he is project at all. He will come in and get right in there. Unlike a costa or someone who will need the time to adjust. Cant afford that if we are going for title this year.

I agree.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I sorta want him at Liverpool.

Him and Suarez, if only for a few months, could be proper -worthy.

[JonasTC]

Costa only has a bad rep on the field (and its got alot better this season, as far as i know), have never heard of him being a nutcase off the field. Isnt he just kinda like Suarez? Doing anything to win on the field, even if it means acting crazy?

Balotelli just needs to grow up, i think most of his stupid shit will go away with age. Wouldnt mind him here, i think he will become a beast when he gets older and sorts out his childish behavour.

[fakeyank]

Are we debating Costa again?

This is the winter transfer speculation thread and there is no chance in hell he will be coming here. Let's talk about realistic targets please... ktnx!