Summer Transfer Speculation and Shit

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm not Suarez is that pacy. He's just always making intelligent runs and is able (and happy) to run forever.
Though, that'll do handsomely.

Yeah but he has a bit of pace and it makes a huge difference. Sterling isn't the best player in the world but the fact he can get to the ball a fraction before the defender and retain possession is huge and brings players like Suarez more into the game. When the front man has no pace at all it's very difficult to stop the offensive game bouncing off the opposition defence. You need much better players (expensive ones) to compensate for a lack of pace. Losing Ramsey and Ozil killed us because we effectively lost Giroud too. He can't make anything happen on his own like Suarez can.

[sibreen]

Yeah but he has a bit of pace and it makes a huge difference. Sterling isn't the best player in the world but the fact he can get to the ball a fraction before the defender and retain possession is huge and brings players like Suarez more into the game. When the front man has no pace at all it's very difficult to stop the offensive game bouncing off the opposition defence. You need much better players (expensive ones) to compensate for a lack of pace. Losing Ramsey and Ozil killed us because we effectively lost Giroud too. He can't make anything happen on his own like Suarez can.

Yup, agree with that.

[Power n Glory]

This isn't a new problem. The balance has been wrong for a very long time and we look to play the ball into feet all the time. Too players on the field that are good at retaining possession and not enough looking to get behind the defence or take shots on goal. Wenger bought in Giroud for his passing and unselfish game and wasn't looking for predatory instinct in front of goal. It's why we don't see Podolski or Walcott up front in that role and unless we get a shift in that mentality, we'll always have this problem.

[selassie]

This isn't a new problem. The balance has been wrong for a very long time and we look to play the ball into feet all the time. Too players on the field that are good at retaining possession and not enough looking to get behind the defence or take shots on goal. Wenger bought in Giroud for his passing and unselfish game and wasn't looking for predatory instinct in front of goal. It's why we don't see Podolski or Walcott up front in that role and unless we get a shift in that mentality, we'll always have this problem.

Totally agree P'n'G.

Wenger needs to address the balance in Central Midfield and possibly on the wings. I personally feel there is a geniune need for a specialist DM if we are looking to play Ramsey and Ozil in Midfield too, Ramsey as the box to box and Ozil as the AM/2nd striker.

I am not sure there is a need for Santi on the wings, you could argue that he addresses the balance when Theo is fit, but without Theo, we need a proper runner/dribbler on one of the wings, maybe OX?

[Niall_Quinn]

This isn't a new problem. The balance has been wrong for a very long time and we look to play the ball into feet all the time. Too players on the field that are good at retaining possession and not enough looking to get behind the defence or take shots on goal. Wenger bought in Giroud for his passing and unselfish game and wasn't looking for predatory instinct in front of goal. It's why we don't see Podolski or Walcott up front in that role and unless we get a shift in that mentality, we'll always have this problem.

You're trying to trick me into starting a 17 page discussion on this when you know fucking well I finally absolutely as a last resort before every bucket of shit ever dumped by mankind hits every fan ever manufactured (including the now broken ones) have to get a drink do some work today.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Totally agree P'n'G.

Wenger needs to address the balance in Central Midfield and possibly on the wings. I personally feel there is a geniune need for a specialist DM if we are looking to play Ramsey and Ozil in Midfield too, Ramsey as the box to box and Ozil as the AM/2nd striker.

I am not sure there is a need for Santi on the wings, you could argue that he addresses the balance when Theo is fit, but without Theo, we need a proper runner/dribbler on one of the wings, maybe OX?

[I am invisible]

Totally agree P'n'G.

Wenger needs to address the balance in Central Midfield and possibly on the wings. I personally feel there is a geniune need for a specialist DM if we are looking to play Ramsey and Ozil in Midfield too, Ramsey as the box to box and Ozil as the AM/2nd striker.

I am not sure there is a need for Santi on the wings, you could argue that he addresses the balance when Theo is fit, but without Theo, we need a proper runner/dribbler on one of the wings, maybe OX?

If we build the attack out correctly (i.e. get a first choice CF, another wide forward to compete with / cover Walcott, and a more traditional winger to compete with Oxlade-Chamberlain / Gnabry), then Özil and Cazorla should end up as competition and cover for each other in the same role. 2 good options for each position should be the aim, so we're keeping everyone fresh, and full of ideas.

[Niall_Quinn]

Bender is apparently the top target, a dedicated DM. Not sure if I want a player in the team called bender. To many easy opportunities for opposition fans. I can think of a lot of hard to counter wordplays revolving around arse and bender.

[Munchies]

ARSENAL

Accounts for the year to 31 May 2013

Ownership: Arsenal Holdings PLC major shareholders are: Kroenke Sports Enterprises UK (registered in Delaware, owned by US resident Stan Kroenke) 62%. Red and White Securities Limited (registered in Jersey, owned by Russian resident Alisher Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri) 27%

Turnover: 2nd highest in league, £283m (up from £245m in 2012)

Gate and Matchday income: £93m

TV and Broadcasting: £86m

Retail: £18m

Commercial: £44m

Property Development: £38m

Player Trading: £2m

Wage bill: 4th highest, £154m (up from £143m)

Wages as proportion of turnover: 54%

Profit before tax: £7m (down from £37m)

Net debt: £93m

Interest payable: £14m

Highest paid director: Ivan Gazidis: £1.825m

The state it's in: With their pricey seating at 60,000 capacity Emirates Stadium, commercial income up, and £38m still being made from property development, Arsenal's income was a massive £283m. Still Arsenal argue they struggle to compete against Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, with a wage bill at a sensible 54% of turnover and a profit made every year. Owned by the mostly absentee American Stan Kroenke, Arsenal abide by the "self-sustaining model", meaning shareholders made millions selling up, but are not expected to put any of their gains into the club.

Other clubs:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/...lub-david-conn

Chelsea £900m 'in debt'

[Niall_Quinn]

The biggest headline from that report is football is no longer primarily a live spectator sport. It's all about TV now. This is a pay per view sport. Very big shame and can only end one way.

And the gypos should be kicked out of football. Those figures are beyond lunacy. A billion dumped in and 86% wage bill. There can be no financial fair anything with these doping bastards in the game.