Arsenal Banter Archive June 13 2017

13 Jun 2017 12:11:34
For all the transfer 'noise' regarding Arsenal, I can't envisage us following any other route bar the usual one. We will release/ sell/ loan a number of players, without bringing in sufficient quality players in numbers in order to improve the squad.
If Szczesny is considered good enough to be a Juventus target, then surely he should be brought back to the club and Ospina sold.
If we are to continue with playing 3 at the back, we should bring Chambers back, so we have the following options in this position: Koscielny, Mustafi, Holding, Gabriel, Mertesacker and Chambers ( can also possibly fill in as a wing back) .
In the wing-back position, we can play Bellerin or Ox on the right, with Monreal or Kolasinac on the left, Gibbs should be sold. In the DM pairing we have Xhaka, Coquelin, Elneny and others who can fill in. If either Sanchez or Ozil depart then we must sign top quality replacements. My own options, if possible, would be to break the bank to sign Bale and Diego Costa. If they stay, we still need a top quality forward and possibly a replacement for Cazorla. Why we extended his deal is beyond me, as he no youngster and has a very serious injury.

13 Jun 2017 13:50:26
Couldn't agree more with you on which players we need to keep but bring in Costa and there will be little squabble among the players. Bale on the other had, I don't would want to more to our club.

13 Jun 2017 14:38:17
Should have read I don't think would want to move to our club.

13 Jun 2017 08:22:13
Reports suggesting Arsenal are looking to block Sanchez's move to a PL rival, namely Chelsea and City

Just a thought, we are after striker, wouldn't a Diego Cost swap deal make sense?

13 Jun 2017 08:44:16
Sanchez was visibly unhappy with our lack of competitiveness last and wasn't shy about showing his disappointment in his team mates and the clubs lack of fight, I can't see Costa being anymore understanding and happy to go through the motions than Sanchez was and if he did join us I think his frustration would get the better of him more often than not seeing him suspended more often that Xhaka.
Bad fit for Arsenal for lots of reasons imo.

13 Jun 2017 10:44:21
Arsenal have not been a rival to Chelsea or Man City for years, so why would Wenger block it?

13 Jun 2017 13:52:50
I'm with you g62. There will be Lots of tension within the group.

13 Jun 2017 17:04:59
5Hbombs, every team in the league is a rival of every other team. I take it you mean we haven't challenged Chelsea or Man City for years. I'd like to remind of the season before last where plenty of teams, including Stoke, managed a challenge on Chelsea.

On a more serious note:

2013/ 2014 Season we were 7 points off winners Man City and 3 points behind 3rd place Chelsea.

2014/ 2015 Season we were 12 points behind winners Chelsea and 4 points behind 2nd place Man City.

2015/ 2016 Season as discussed above, we finished 2nd ahead of both clubs. (21 point gap to Chelsea)

And last season we were a mere 3 points behind City and a massive 18 points behind Chelsea.

We're always in the mix as our "usually" very consistent top 4 finishes show. I feel we're about 6-7 quality players short of mounting a proper challenge.

14 Jun 2017 11:23:00
so more than half a team away lol. in other words chasing a dangling carrot we won't catch.

14 Jun 2017 18:12:12
Not sure how you come to that conclusion Derby. If we sign 3 players this term and 3 players next term, that's the team sorted. Maybe it won't work out that way but saying it's not achievable is nonsense.

Having said that, I don't get paid 8 million a year for very obvious reasons. Arsene will probably feel we need 4-5 players or 3-4 players. Lest you forget, Chelsea purchased an entire team, and a bench, the first 2 seasons of Abramovich's ownership. It has to start somewhere .

13 Jun 2017 07:41:40
It's beautiful here in sunny Spain.
Ole' 😆.

{Ed001's Note - glad to hear it dagala, it is a bit chilly here, I think the missus turned up the AC before she left. Oddly she went off to work with a cushion under her arm, strange girl, I wonder how long until she notices she picked that up instead of her jacket. Either way, I am sure it will be my fault!}

13 Jun 2017 08:28:55
dagala love it.

13 Jun 2017 10:19:54
That wouldn't be Malaga in Spain by any chance? 😂😂.

13 Jun 2017 13:21:58
Thanks boys,
Yeah Malaga where are you?
I'm in sunny Murcia. Gorgeous here.

13 Jun 2017 13:43:11
Lol Ed001,
Us blokes always get the blame.

{Ed001's Note - she is due home in a minute, I can tell because I have received a whole bunch of texts asking why I didn't tell her she had a cushion. I knew it would be my fault that she can't tell the difference between a cushion and a jacket....}

13 Jun 2017 19:00:42
Easy mistake to make. I once went to the pub with my my beanie (hat) in my pocket. On my way home after the pub, I tried to put it on and it just wouldn't fit. Obviously not because for some strange reason it was my dog's kong toy.

{Ed001's Note - I would not expect anything better of you mate to be fair.....}

14 Jun 2017 13:08:39
You're in Murcia? I actually live in Torrevieja.