Mario Balotelli

[I am invisible]

I haven't seen enough of Campbell to have formed a really strong opinion about him yet, but on the few occasions I have seen him, he has looked like he's got something about him?

I just don't see why it needs to be a one-or-the-other choice though? We have the money to buy Balotelli outright, and we don't need to sell Campbell - AC migtht have asked for him to be included in the deal, but that doesn't mean we have to agree to it. I'm sure if we said no, they'd be happy enough with the big pile of money instead - that's what they'd be looking at from most other clubs they try to sell to, so it's not really a huge setback for them. I think they're just trying their luck here (assuming there's any truth to it).

I also don't think that keeping Campbell would leave us too overloaded in the wide areas? In fact, I would go as far as to say that I think we could recall Campbell AND sign a big name wide-attacker, like a Sanchez or a Reus, and that would leave us just about right in terms of numbers and the balance between youth and experience:

- Gnabry is still very young, and I think he'd probably benefit more from going out on loan than Campbell would (again)

- Oxlade-Chamberlain fills in everywhere, not just out wide, and will probably me moved central sooner rather than later (maybe even immediately if the stories about Cazorla going back to Spain are to be believed)

- and Walcott is fairly injury prone, and will already miss the first few months of the season (and probably then struggle for match fitness for weeks/months after he's back)

(I know there's also Podolski, but I really don't know where he fits in at the moment? His goal return is fantastic for the minutes he gets, but I'm not sure he offers enough to be considered a genuine wide-man? I'd consider him to be more of a utility man, who can fill in anywhere across the entire front line, but even he might fancy a move back to Germany, if some of the rumours are right?)

So, playing fantasy football for a second, if we bring Campbell back AND make another big-name signing in the wide areas, I'd be looking at something like this as our wide options...

[Johnny Big-Name]
Walcott
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Campbell

...with Gnabry as an additional option, who we can either send out on loan for the experience if he's not needed just yet, or who we could keep, and include as part of our wide options in the event that we either don't make that additional big-name signing that I'm hoping for, or we decide to move Chamberlain into the centre. But whatever happens, we're basically looking at 4 decent options for 2 positions here - 2 more experienced players, and 2 younger ones - and I think is about right for a long season at the highest level (especially when you factor in international matches too). And in terms of effective rotation (which is ultimately the point of this), I'd be happy to split the games more or less equally between those guys all season, which would hopefully keep everyone fresh and happy...

[I am invisible]

We’ll probably end up signing Mandzukic and bringing back Joel Campbell. That’s the cheap and cheerful option.

Campbell has potential but we crap potential around Arsenal. We either cough up the money or set up some sort of loan/buy back option for Campbell. I wouldn’t want us to walk away from a priority signing just to make way for Campbell. That doesn’t make sense consider we have Ox, Walcott and Gnarby. Campbell would have to be a clear world class star with his name on the first team sheet before I’d comfortably say we should walk away.

Good thing we’ll get to see more of both player later today. But we need to moving a lot quicker and decide on what we’re doing. I just have a feeling Wenger will want to see how we do in pre season training before making major moves.

I wouldn't actually be unhappy with Mandzukic IF we beefed up the wide options too - having a second, sharper version of Giroud could work well for us, if we were packed out with enough pace and goals all around them. That kind of set-up hasn't exactly done Munich any harm these last couple of years...

[Power n Glory]

I haven't seen enough of Campbell to have formed a really strong opinion about him yet, but on the few occasions I have seen, he has looked like he has something about him?

I just don't see why it needs to be a one-or-the-other choice though? We have the money to buy Balotelli outright, and we don't need to sell Campbell - AC migtht have asked for him to be included in the deal, but that doesn't mean we have to agree to it. I'm sure if we said no, they'd be happy enough with the big pile of money instead - that's what they'd be looking at from most other clubs they tried to sell to, so it's not really a huge setback for them. I think they're just trying their luck here (assuming there's any truth to it).

I also don't think that keeping Campbell would leave us too overloaded in the wide areas? In fact, I would go as far as to say that I think we could recall Campbell AND sign a big name wide-attacker, like a Sanchez or a Reus, and that would leave us just about right in terms of numbers and the balance between youth and experience:

- Gnabry is still very young, and I think he'd probably benefit more from going out on loan than Campbell would (again)

- Oxlade-Chamberlain fills in everywhere, not just out wide, and will probably me moved central sooner rather than later (maybe even immediately if the stories about Cazorla going back to Spain are to be believed)

- and Walcott is fairly injury prone, and will already miss the first few months of the season (and probably then struggle for match fitness for weeks/months after he's back)

(I know there's also Podolski, but I really don't know where he fits in at the moment? His goal return is fantastic for the minutes he gets, but I'm not sure he offers enough to be considered a genuine wide-man? I'd consider him to be more of a utility man, who can fill in anywhere across the entire front line, but even he might fancy a move back to Germany, if some of the rumours are right?)

So, playing fantasy football for a second, if we bring Campbell back AND make another big-name signing in the wide areas, I'd be looking at something like this as our wide options...

[Johnny Big-Name]
Walcott
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Campbell

...with Gnabry as an additional option, who we can either send out on loan for the experience if he's not needed just yet, or who we could keep, and include as part of our wide options in the event that we either don't make that additional big-name signing that I'm hoping for, or we decide to move Chamberlain into the centre. But whatever happens, we're basically looking at 4 decent options for 2 positions here - 2 more experienced players, and 2 younger ones - and I think is about right for a long season at the highest level (especially when you factor in international matches too). And in terms of effective rotation (which is ultimately the point of this), I'd be happy to split the games more or less equally between those guys all season, which would hopefully keep everyone fresh and happy...

Yes, I agree, keeping both makes sense and if we have to send them some extra money to do that then fine. We made £8m off that Vela clause. It shouldn't be a problem.

But I disagree with anyone that says it's a deal breaker if we have to throw in Joel. That's if Milan are being absolute dicks about the deal.

[I am invisible]

Yes, I agree, keeping both makes sense and if we have to send them some extra money to do that then fine. We made £8m off that Vela clause. It shouldn't be a problem.

But I disagree with anyone that says it's a deal breaker if we have to throw in Joel. That's if Milan are being absolute dicks about the deal.

Yeah, I can't see it being a deal breaker - I reckon they're just trying their luck. From what I've read, it looks like they're having to sell because they had a shit season, missed out on the CL, and now need to slash their wage bill and bring in cash - if that's true, then they should be more than happy with just the cash if we say no to Campbell...

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Balotelli shite the other night.

What an awful decision it would be to invest all that money in him.

[I am invisible]

I don't think it told us anything about him that we didn't already know - potentially fantastic player, but one moment he's up and the next he's down. Sorting that out was always going to be part of the deal, and it's not something we're going to see miraculously change before our eyes while he's playing for Italy - it's something that we'd have to do ourselves, IF we signed him.

At least he had a decent game in his first match (which is more than some big names have done so far this tournament), and, to be fair, I didn't think he was any worse than most of the Italian side against Costa Rica, who all looked like they'd been thoroughly outfought and outplayed by a side who wanted it more. I also don't think he's a particularly good fit for the way the Italians play in general? They tend to knock it around the back, very cautiously and patiently, and he cuts a pretty isolated figure up front on his own for long spells - if you put him in a more direct side like Germany, who get a lot of men forward quickly, I reckon you'd see a lot more from him...

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

I don't think it told us anything about him that we didn't already know - potentially fantastic player, but one moment he's up and the next he's down. Sorting that out was always going to be part of the deal, and it's not something we're going to see miraculously change before our eyes while he's playing for Italy - it's something that we'd have to do ourselves, IF we signed him.

At least he had a decent game in his first match (which is more than some big names have done so far this tournament), and, to be fair, I didn't think he was any worse than most of the Italian side against Costa Rica, who all looked like they'd been thoroughly outfought and outplayed by a side who wanted it more. I also don't think he's a particularly good fit for the way the Italians play in general? They tend to knock it around the back, very cautiously and patiently, and he cuts a pretty isolated figure up front on his own for long spells - if you put him in a more direct side like Germany, who get a lot of men forward quickly, I reckon you'd see a lot more from him...

We won't.
Mancini won't.
Mourinho won't.
Ancelotti won't.
De Boer won't.
Hoddle won't.
Dot Cotton won't.

No-one will. He is a nutcase.

Forget it.

[selassie]

We won't.
Mancini won't.
Mourinho won't.
Ancelotti won't.
De Boer won't.
Hoddle won't.
Dot Cotton won't.

No-one will. He is a nutcase.

Forget it.

I'd rather Balo than Loic Remy or presumably nobody....

[Xhaka Can’t]

There can be no more a damning statement of our transfer policy than the desire of some of our fans actually anticipating and wishing for a signing of the likes of Balotelli. It is simply desperation for something - anything even though if it happens, it is odds on to end in complete disaster and acrimony.

[Niall_Quinn]

There can be no more a damning statement of our transfer policy than the desire of some of our fans actually anticipating and wishing for a signing of the likes of Balotelli. It is simply desperation for something - anything even though if it happens, it is odds on to end in complete disaster and acrimony.

It's like stepping in front of a bus and thinking not only will you survive but it's gong to be fun.