Arsenal Banter Archive August 16 2013

 

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16 Aug 2013 21:28:34
What would people make of ibrahimavic?

Yea it would be a rash signing but there's no doubt he's WC and even if he stayed for 2 season it would turn a lot of people's heads?

Yes wages would be high but don't think transfer fee would? So that would cover each other

Why would he come Arsenal? Well we know who PSG just brought, and he likes to change clubs every couple of seasons and is yet to play in England.

Desperate times call for desperate measures and if we could pick him up for under 20m personally think it will be a huge transfer and one of the signings of the summer?

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I don't see what's desperate about signing Ibra, he's one of the most lethal strikers in the world. I've never seen a player on earth get the wrong side of a defender, who then jumps to try and clear a cross, and Ibra, from behind him, doesn't jump yet takes the ball perfectly on his chest. There's world class talent everywhere but there's nobody quite like Ibra! If we signed him I would finally believe all of the tripe that Wenger has spouted about ambition and being to spend.

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Metal

I really like him but his name came up on the United site and my fellow reds seemed to think he has an attitude problem.

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I agree. I think Zlatan is on a par with the likes of Ronaldo and messi. His agility for a man his size is unreal, and his technique is brilliant. I'd love him at Arsenal

Gooner83

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16 Aug 2013 21:22:49
am I the only one who actually like ramsey more than jack?

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I always liked Ramsey. even when he was crap you had to take notice of his work rate. I really hope this will be his year.

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I'm in-between. I get Ramsey on my shirts but I watch England play for wilshere and for wilshere only.

Think they both will be the difference for us this season.

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Should be Yes. :)

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At the moment yes. in a couple months once Jack hits his form, no

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Honestly? Right now, the way they're playing, I like Rambo more than Jack.

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16 Aug 2013 20:42:21
anyone with a fantasy.premierleague league want to put their codes here? pretty please haha? {Ed007's Note - One of the posters on Man Utd runs one I play in every year, everyone is welcome to play. The pin is 15522-6942 and the one ran on the LFC site is 7640-85781.}

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16 Aug 2013 20:40:50
WTF!, saurez looks set to stay at Liverpool and gustavo has signed at wolfsburg and I thought this window couldn't get any worse, don't you think it's funny that wenger/ Ivan /stan, will stay with the modern times for ticket prices to the fans yet refuse to pay the modern price for the players, where do you think all are money goes because it doesn't go back into the club and plus selling all are best players aswell, I've been an arsenal fan for 15 years and I've never seen a club so corupt behind closed doors, it's about time we force wenger and stan out, usomnov (spelling) and landrup in for me, I love wenger don't get me wrong but for the last 5-6 years I've seen no drive or ambition in him to want to really push for a major honour and seems more focused on his target yearly profit to fund his luxuary lifestyle

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16 Aug 2013 20:36:05
We have a relatively easy run of matches to start the season compared to:

A. Our schedule last year
B. schedule of our competition at the top

Point being: we should be table toppers 4-5 matches into season

AND

Don't panic buy, but get the right guy. Contact his club now, and you've got half a month to get the deal done

Players like Pastore and Di Maria, who are being marginalized by their clubs, should top the list

There are world class players at top clubs not starting every week. Find them and sign them, like Inter did getting Sneijder from Madrid. how'd it work out for them?

How'd it work out for Madrid and kaka?

Similarly, if Madrid sign Bale, who loses playing time?

Ronaldo, Isco, Ozil, Bale

Our targets: Benzema and Di Maria

This is how a front office at a world class club operates.

I bet IG is getting a massage as we speak

Pathetic

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Jesus, US Gooner is back in business these days. Couldn't agree more. Gustavo should have been approached the second Pep signed Thiago. In fact forget that, he should've been approached before the confeds.

Di Maria should've been approached in May with the angle 'It's all change in your camp, come over to us, new chapter in your life, starting spot, etc etc'.

So so so many players out there, even average ones, who would improve us.

I will admit I thought Jovetic was not worth it, but having seen the way he plays for City just in pre-season I'm beginning to think we missed a massive trick. If you take money out of the equation i.e. so I have no idea about his price and wages, would I be happy we signed him? 100%

That list sadly is far too long.

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16 Aug 2013 20:30:08
Ed, If fenerbache beat arsenal in the play off but then their appeal is rejected regarding European ban, would arsenal automatically take their place or would it be a representative from turkey?

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16 Aug 2013 20:27:47
Like every other corporate organisation during a quadruple dip recession, we have streamlined our organisation to get rid of the "top earners" and maximise our profits. Chelsea have spent big bucks, as have City, Moyes is out of his league, and Arsenal are just a business ran by a yank who never spent a second in the Clock End or the North Bank, let alone the East and West stands. Stop lying to us, and if you're not lying, you're clearly inept and should be fired for "gross misconduct"! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY BELOVED ARSENAL?

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What has happened? You answered it yourself:

"Arsenal are just a business"

We still have, well 17 days now, so I am still trying to be patient.

I am season tix holder and I have noticed in the last few seasons the crowd growing more hostile.

I fear, if significant signings are not made, after the first one or two defeats the back lash is going to be immense - which in many ways will be tragic to see wenger be on the receiving end of after he gave me my best ever moments at afc and has given a lot to arsenal.

But the club needs to wake up- the fans are not prepared to continue to pay top prices and fed on BS anymore. It will not be accepted.

Could be an arduous season and on many levels ahead.

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16 Aug 2013 20:23:54
PSG coach Laurent Blanc confirms to L'Equipe that Mamadou Sakho is looking at moving clubs.

Sources: L'Equipe, tv

Not saying that we will sign him at all, but I know Wenger has kept a close eye on him for the past few seasons!

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16 Aug 2013 20:09:38
actually disgusted at how arsenal are in such a state! I keep saying to myself arsene has done so well for arsenal.but that was absolute ages ago! somebody wrote on this page "in arsene we rust" and i'm starting to believe that!

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Jaty it was me who wrote that line, I also used to believe that arsene will turn evey thing around, was being patience this entire tranfer window even after we missed / didn't try to sign all the player that we should have signed but when the of Gustavo to wolfsburg broke 2 days back I totally lost it and don't have patience any more

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In last 10yrs gone from LE PROF into LE PROFIT, think his wage is paid in shares, Not cash time for this dictatorship to end. klopp or laadruup please

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16 Aug 2013 20:04:05
4 simple transfers AW has to make Sahko $20M CB, G. Kondogbia $18M DM, J. Martinez Striker $27M and finally F. Thauvin $14M AM 3 of them are young french players. Grab these 4 players and the Gunners are set. Cheers from Canada

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Well said. I like your picks. I would do:
Suarez>Rooney>Martinez
Bender>Khedira>Kondogbia
Papadoupolos>Sakho>Williams
Thauvin>Griezmann>Ayew

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Nice!

For me, given our style etc, using your choices TheMessenger I'd go

Suarez>Martinez>Rooney
Bender>Khedira>Kondogbia
Williams>Papadopoulos?Sakho
Griezmann>Thauvin>Ayew

But in honest I'd have way different players to those options! lol

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16 Aug 2013 09:07:51
Hi Ed

Have u done a voting survey on best managers to replace AW? if not, let's do it. Atleast let's have around 10 options (don't include JM, AVB, Guardiola, rafa benitez).

cmon guys suggest some names, except the names mentioned above.

Ed accordingly choose the 10 most viable candidates. it will BE fun.

i suggest Klop, Joachim Löw, bergkamp, frank de boer, Ancelotti.

lets do it. {Ed027's Note - it would be best to do it here mate, come on guys put your suggestions forward

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Why no Rafa? He's a damn good manager.

Him, Laudrup, Klopp, Loew, basically the usual suspects.

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16 Aug 2013 20:24:47
Klopp by a country mile, with money to spend too.

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Dragan Stojković, Michael Laudrup, Jupp Heynckes, Slaven Bilic or Rémi Garde?

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Atleast Rafa would spend some money.

Louis Van Gaal? Or my first choice Vincente Del Bosque

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Ancelotti WTF. He's with Real and I'm sure he wouldn't choose us over Real.

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Usual suspects of course: Loew, Klopp or de Boer would be top of my list for safe choices.

But if Arsenal wants to do something different like they did in hiring some guy from Grampus, I would look seriously at: Diego Simeone, Vincenzo Montella, Sami Hyypia, Ole Gunner Solksjaer.

The fact the last two played for Liverpool and United would just add extra spice.

I notice I have no British managers there. Anyone's thoughts on potential a British manager out there?

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Remi Garde, Martinez ( Everton manager) would probably be considered

I wouldn't mind Laudrup, he's probably most realistic and seems good choice Klopp wouldn't leave Dortmund for Arsenal Loew depends if he'd welcome club job. Carlo Ancelotti I would of loved as he just oozes class but recent RM appointment probably rules him out

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He is off to Bayern Munich . they now have the 20 million from Gustavo as well. Guardiola actually wants Suarez not Lewandowski.
He is willing to play with Mandzukic, as Suarez suits his style of play. he likes players like suarez, villa, pedro, sanchez who play on the left side as winger as well as can come inside as a striker and score goals. Suarez is nightmare for defenders in one on one situations, plus a great finisher (which is also very important for his 4-3-3 setup).

Mandzukic is also a decent goal scorer and physically is nightmare for defenders, (Drogba kind of) plus does a lot of running and defending when not in possession of the ball, a trait which is crucial for his step. He can play Suarez as a central striker (then Mandzukic as Sub), Just like Messi, who use to play on the wings earlier) and Suarez can also come deep and provide assists as well (Similarly what Messi used to do) as well and use Ribery on the left and Robin or Muller on the right. This gives them - 4-3-3 .

if this happens Lewandowski is coming to AFC. He is the 30 million + add ons signing which was spoken few months back (i think by a person).

Source - Germany (Friend working at Volkswagen, Germany. Bayern Board HAS Volkswagen CEO as one of Directors. Wolfsberg is owned by Volkswagen owner. (POINT IS GUSTAVO)

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Would say Klopp, Laudrup or Remi Garde.

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Heynecks?

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British managers? No. Only Rogers, so no!

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16 Aug 2013 19:36:45
starting to suspect that suarez was just using us to try to engineer a move to real madrid. either that or he's seen the complete lack of other world class signings and has got cold feet. I think we can safely say this is one transfer that definetly won't be happening!

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Hig is quality, we wouldn't pay the money. Suarez is quality, we paid £1 over what we thought was needed. If we didn't pussy foot around and went in with 50m we would have him. Gustavo, very good (what we need) we wouldn't pay the money. My point is if we won't pay more than £1 over what we think is reasonable how are we going to go and sign 3 players in the last days of the transfer window. We all know the prices go up as the window nears. Teams are reluctant to sell the best players as they know they will be charged through the roof for a replacement. Do you really seeing AW spending what clubs will demand now? No, he will be priced out of moves and we will end up with the next park, santos, squalatchi. We will then spend the next 3 years trying to move them on to save the 50k wages they get paid! JOKES

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16 Aug 2013 19:16:51
If by some small chance we were to lose against the Villa tommorrow expect 3 or 4 new players signed by Sunday night.
However if we beat Villa, don't expect any new signings as. 'The Nutty Professor' would think our squad is strong enough to challenge on all fronts.

I just don't know what to say anymore about this transfer window. As a life long supporter I some how feel let down by the Manager and the Board because we should have built on the good second half of last season and already secured at least 2 or 3 top quality players to push the team on.

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Do you actually listen to what Wenger says? He has said multiple times that he knows we need to sign players, and that we will do so.

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I am sure many agree with you, I have supported Arsenal since I first visited Highbury ( 1973) and feel hugely deflated by Arsenal policy during a transfer window, if there is so much money available then bloody well spend some please

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TED

It is the quality of players people are arguing about though, big deal 3 players, it's no good if they are fit for the Championship is it?

Look at the players we have missed out on.

We all hear what Magoo is saying

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16 Aug 2013 20:26:09
Why is it so difficult to wait until the 2nd September?

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How many times are we going to fall for this crap, I have supported arsenal long before Wenger and will long after. Time to change has gone 1more season of this shot. sorry have had enough.

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I don't understand how people are complaining about the quality of players we haven't even signed yet.

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TED

SAYING and DOING are two different things

I just can't bring myself to believe Wenger anymore

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Because we've had since 1st June to sort it out, to late now, wenger at fault, who pays? US.sack him before he ruins our club

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16 Aug 2013 18:03:53
What's the betting on us resigning Flamini( wouldn't be to upset ), and the other 2 new signings being Diaby returning to training soon and Bendtner coming back into the first team squad as no on else wants his wages.
Haha

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16 Aug 2013 17:57:36
Wenger inexplicably to strengthen our squad will cost us entry to the cl and with it any chance to progress the team, should be removed asap, sport his time is up.

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16 Aug 2013 17:32:45
hey edd, why the banter page 2 & 3 doesn't have the name of the. guys who have posted it, please do some thing with those 2 pages because they look stale {Ed027's Note - that will change soon mate

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16 Aug 2013 17:32:35
So, here's the (apparently) reason for our transfer dealings mishaps.
I'm not sure as to the reasoning, or the level of truth, but as always, make of it what you will.

At the beginning of the window, Wenger 100% intended to spend big, to use all the money available to him, on players who'd genuinely strengthen the squad.
With this reassurance in place, Gazidis felt comfortable announcing to us fans, that "we're spending big this summer" and "of course we could afford Rooney".

Apparently Wenger was furious Ivan went public with this, as it put unwanted pressure on him, to deliver them.
Of course, that was the plan from Gazidis and co, to force Arsene's hand into action.
And that genuinely was the intention of all parties, Higuain, Lars Bender, Fellaini, Williams, all targets at the start.

Here's where the issue happened.

Higuain was well along the way to being done.
The player was keen, we were keen, Madrid were happy with our initial offer.
Then Napoli came knocking with Cavani cash spare, and Madrid upped the price to around £35m
Which, in fairness, was a a bloody good price still.
At the same time, Suarez was thought to be available and Wengers admiration for him, coupled with his annoyance at Madrid made us lose the interest in Higuain.

With Fellaini, Arsene wasn't convinced he warranted the fees and wages, and didn't activate the clause, this was partially due to there being a small chance Cesc was for sake, and we would of brought him back.
As it played out, the clause has expired, Everton are under no obligation to sell, and Cesc is going nowhere.
Bender was a similar issue, Leverkussen have money from the buy back of Dani Carjval and sale of Schrulle to Chelsea, so aren't in need of funds, so want to keep the players they can.

During the Asia tour, we displayed some good football, attacking, defending, working as a team, great cohesion and coupled with the spirit shown to draw 2-2 with Napoli, and the 3-1 win over city, with our only loss being to a Drogba inspired Galatasaray, Arsene Wenger truly believed this team could win the league, with maybe 1-2 low key signings, players to bulk it out.
There was little intention to spend big after the tour, and Wengers ideas for the window changed.
The saving grace has (unfortunately) been the loss of several key players for the first few weeks.
Cazorla, Arteta, Monreal, Sagna, Walcott, Ramsey, Sanogo all carrying knocks, some short term, some longer, Arteta for maybe 6 weeks.

This fact has forced Wenger to up the ante for signings and we will see 2-3 before the end of the window.
It's a case of who, what quality, what standard, and will they be the right players?

A loss v Villa tomorrow would benefit us massively.
And before it comes to "a real fan wouldn't say that" etc etc, I love the club, I'd back us in league 2 under threat of administration, but Wenger reacts to what he sees.
Losing 8-2 to Utd made us sign players, wouldn't of happened without that.
I'd rather lose 2 or 3-0 to villa tomorrow, and Wengers hand be forced, than win and him think we're fine, and then be humiliated by them down the road.

As for Williams, he wasn't mentioned, but I assume this is down to Wenger deciding to revert to his old ways.

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If it takes us losing to villa to wake the Manager up to buy then he is a very poor manager!

Wenger doesn't know how to spend big no one at arsenal does that's why we struggle with deal transfers contracts u name it

We will sign players but only players that really want to join us as they will push the move through like Arteta as the club obviously can't

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Your post was good up untill the "loose at home to villa bit " snap out of it loosing at home on the opening day would never help us "MASSIVLY" I'm not saying your not a real fan but when people say things like that and the old " we need to fall out if top 4 " line it really gets on my t!ts

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Good post however, win or lose, we`ll still bring in `2 or 3 players, maybe more` (Wengers words, not mine) by the end of the window.

The squad is woefully thin atm and aside from maybe a world class keeper and holding midfielder, the rest of the incomings can be the usual `young talent` punts Wenger is so fond of, like the 2 from Feyenord he's after. Its amazin what 1 or 2 brilliant additions would make to the overall look of the team.

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I don't want us to lose tomorrow but I have to admit there is a massive part of me that agrees with D in that if we lose to a team who were involved in a relegation battle, at home on the first day, the crowd will go absolutely spare.

It is exactly the sorry kicking our manager needs before he acts. It scares me that we are even in a situation that makes us consider that as a possibility, let alone believe it! Just shows what a mess we're in.

I watch his pressers and always gain confidence but then I go away and just get that feeling of 'but he's always said this and never backed it up.'

There is no question that even though it would suck massive balls, a loss at home on the first day to a bottom half team like Villa is the sort of catalyst we need to wake up our manager.

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16 Aug 2013 17:26:24
Laurent blancs come out and said Sakhos looking for a transfer (tv). surely he must on his way to arsenal?eds? {Ed027's Note - why surely?

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16 Aug 2013 16:40:37
Wenger said in his interview today that he plans to sign 2 or 3 good players by the end of the window. Have no fear, pessimists.

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Newsflash.
We need 5 players. Just as we have done all summer

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16 Aug 2013 16:27:53
Is Santi likely to play tomorrow? If not, could someone give me a replacement for fantasy football?

Cheers ladies and gents!

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16 Aug 2013 16:23:12
Greetings my fellow gooners,

I am new here but I've been looking at this site for quite a while and have decided to join your community. Now, to introduce myself, I am Arsenal till I die, my heart bleeds red, and as far as I'm concerned, I was born with the crest tatted on my chest.

Over the years, I have seen my club shine with the brilliance of Dennis Bergkamp, with the constant threat of Ian Wright, and with the leadership and passion of Tony Adams. This club, or may I say this lifestyle has provided me joy, and the desire to be the best and to see the best.

I have been there through the rough times, I have seen us lose a great number of great players and still keep up. RVP, Fab, Nasri, Song, to name a few but still, with Arsene, we have managed to nourish our players with strength and belief.

In those dark days, as most may argue, I do see a ray of light, piercing through the ash clouds above us, seeking our wings to be deployed, should they be shined upon. I could feel the passion of the players when we beat Bayern and deserved to go through. I could feel it when a young Wilshire, bursting through the scene, made a joke of Barcelona's midfield a few years ago. What a Lad.

To be honest, even though the window hasn't gone as I, and many gooners thought it would, I BELIEVE. Though there is still time to sign a few players, I am in awe when I think of the British core Wenger is building. Jenkinson, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Ox, Walcott. Those 6 players. We have seen them grow from kids into men. I know them, and you do as well. Now, let's wait for them to spread their wings and unleash the beasts that lie within.

That is why I'd rather share my shirt with Rooney over Suarez. Not only would this be good for Arsenal, but for England as well. The way they link up would terrorize any defence. Hopefully, this British core bleeds Arsenal for many years to come, and we should be witnessing the making of another, dare I say Invincible team.

Believe with me my friends

In Wenger we trust

Don_Magliore

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16 Aug 2013 16:22:39
Gustavo has said that he likes Germany and after consulting Scolari, he chose Wolfsburg. So everyone blaming Wenger and Gazidis and Law for missing out on him, could you stop? It wasn't their fault.

I think we should give them until the end of the window. If no players are signed we shall riot. (Not literally)

Keep the faith lads and party like it's 1-1 at Newcastle.

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Keep the faith lads and party like it's 1-1 at Newcastle.

Are you mad Ted

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16 Aug 2013 16:01:42
I am so bored with Wenger that I thought I would post his stupid comment and my take on it. Evidently he is going to wait to see if we qualify for the Champions League before he starts doing anything concrete or words to that affect. What the effing hell is that supposed to mean? and if we don't qualify WHAT THEN? as a matter of fact even if we do qualify what is the DIV and the board of DIVS going to do? wave a magic wand and all the class acts are going to be beating a path to the Emirates kicking and screaming to play for us?
I hate saying this but WENGER & Co are slowly but surely ruining this club with their penny pinching tactics. I believe we have a problem signing because the Arsenal board must be hard work to deal with whereas other teams see a price for a player and make realistic offers. Unfortunately I beleive when we go in for a player the Arsenal board and Wenger try to have everybody's pants down and end up getting jogged on. We are obviously too difficult to deal with. We need change ASAP.

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16 aug 2013 15:56:45
hi guys,
i feel the frustration of fellow gooners here and i am still hopeful though that the next 2 weeks of with what seems the longest transfer window in history, that we can strengthen the team with 4 or 5 players of quality.
with the change of managers to the top 3 teams i felt going into this new season it would be an opportunity for us to challenge for the top spot more than ever in recent times. given the promise of new signings plus the quality of players we have and add into this the experienced manager at the helm, who knows what it takes to win trophies in his career at arsenal, it really filled me with confidence at the end of the last season.
i do not believe the top3 sides are any weaker but i was working on the theory that ot may take time for those new managers to bed in and implement their styles on their new teams, hence giving us a chance to get off to a good start and hopefully establish a gap whilst those teams bed into their system etc. this would have them playing catch up to us (for a change) and once again hopefully have us see our early lead through to the end of this season. with the quality squad and new signings i had hoped for i felt sure this could push us over the line, given also that the new signings would be experienced and had that winning mentality and the confidence to get us there.
with wishful thinking i had hoped we would have strengthened through the spine of the side with the following options:
gk cesar/adler
cd williams/ginter/sakho
cdm gundagon/bender/gustavo
st (still don't know, but would have liked higuian)
lw/am fabregas/vadillo/ di maria/sanchez
all a bit of a pipe dream i know but have to think positive.

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16 Aug 2013 15:58:26
Isn't Sakho the defender we need? Wants to leave PSG, young and talented, doesn't cost much? A typical Wenger signing.

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16 Aug 2013 15:27:27
I have held faith with Wenger believing that no other manager would have consistently achieved Champions League football with the squad of players that we have and then I think that no other manager would have assembled or persisted with this squad of players. It is almost like post George Graham we really do need to go back to start coming forwrads again. Forget Champions League we are not going to win it and if we think it will allow us to attract quality players then where are they?, we can count on one hand the real quality players we have brought and subsequently sold over the last 14 years.
Let Wenger have this season, write it off as I and many gooners already have I ahte to say it but I can't seeing us competing with Mancs, Chels and even the spuds.
Find a young ambitious manager who wants to take us where we need to be there are plenty out there waiting for a chance, don't shout Wenger down let him leave with some grace so we can begin to progress again. I would take Klopp or Laudrup for starters with PV4 or Big Tony as an assistant.
Any takers
SG

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Time has moved on we have money, we need players, there is a market price & yeah it is higher for British players.
I think Arsene has forgotten how to spend the money now. Get someone else to negotiate, or we will start to slip down the table. He is now showing all the signs of a manager with too much power. They won't allow any other view it is doomed to fail & fail badly. We need well everyone knows what we need. Just get it sorted.

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I have supported Arsenal since my very first match ( 1973 ) I have never been so frustrated with the set up that I am currently seeing. I totally agree and think Arsene has to move on, when you look back his start at the club was very fortunate, he had Seaman, Dixon, Bould, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Parlour, Platt, Merson, Wright, Bergkamp, he was lucky enough to see French football suddenly produce a fine crop of players all at once. It is no coincidence that Arsenal have lost their way when it comes to buying players since David Dein left the club. IF and it is a big if we don't buy any players then Arsenal are looking at 5th 6th or even 7th, only then will Wenger have to go.

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SG I couldn't agree more. We've missed out on most of the top transfers. We should keep most of the money. Let Wenger have this year. Then move on get either of the managers state they would be my choices as well. Let him spend the money and rebuild in his vision. That way I think we could become trophy winners again.

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I agree. Do a Liverpool. Fall out of the champions league and bring in a young, hungry manager with new techniques and tactics. Allow him to rebuild the team the way he sees and sign the players he feels he needs.
Like Brendan Rodgers has done at Liverpool. For those saying Rodgers hasn't done a great job, Dalglish set Liverpool back a good 3 years, imagine Rodgers had the £120mill to spend that Dalglish did. Don't tell me Liverpool wouldn't be a top 4 side.
My preferred choice is Klopp, missing out on him I would like the current Ajax managers, De Boer and Bergkamp because I feel having Bergkamp back would be great for us. If not, then Laudrup is another good choice, either way I would love to see Bergkamp back.
I agree with everything you said, this season looks to be a write off, honour Wenger to one more season and at the end of the season, let him leave.
Only thing I disagreed with was the mention of Tony (I'm assuming Adams) as the assistant. After seeing his Portsmouth attempt and other interviews with him, not sure I want him in a position of power, even if he was a legend. Bergkamp or Viera for me, preferably both!

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Dennis is the one, working at Ajax . doing well, perfect replacement for the old fart

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16 Aug 2013 14:57:03
I challenge Ivan Gazidis to come on and explain this transfer window disaster, I want to know who is responsible for negociating potential transfers?.

If its Wenger, then he is clearly not fit to do so as we are getting knowhere and the squad is weak for the opening fixture!

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Yeah! He'll have to register first mind. Derrrrrrrr.

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16 Aug 2013 14:38:16
Being reported on the radio that Suarez has made an apology to the L'pool squad. This transfer window amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. To allow the squad e so threadbare on the eve of the new season almost looks like negligence. Missing out on Gustavo, derisory offers for others - make Wenger look out of touch and deluded. Really hope he proves me wrong but it's beginning to look like mismanagement.

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16 Aug 2013 14:31:34
A very well known search engine has got Ashley Williams on the arsenal roster of players. Search 'arsenal players' on it and he is on the string of pictures at the top of results page. Not sure who edits this but its there all right. Weird!

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Seen it too. got to be a mistake.

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I see it as well. Squad #29.

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16 Aug 2013 14:30:24
guys I know it's been a disappointing summer so far. but I think it can still turn to a good one.

it's not a crisis yet. we can field a strong squad against villa and many injuries we have are very minor. we can manage the first games with these players. however we need to make the signings. bender hasn't moved yet, neither has kondogbia. and there are always good defenders who we could sign. i'm not worried about these. but we also need a quality striker and getting that will determine whether this is a successful summer or not. if we get these three class players, we have a solid team. imo it'd still be too thin to win the league but on the other hand you never know.

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Totally agree with this post, I do think we'll end up with either Kondogbia or Bender, Williams or Sakho and Lamela, Martinez or Michu. Signing any of those players would for the repsected positions not be a crisis.

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16 Aug 2013 14:29:05
At this point, Wenger and Gazidis have to look at what has happened this window and and then look back at what has been done succesfully in the past.

Arsenal do not have a good history with South American players joining. Gilberto and Edu aside, where have the top players been really? Vivas? Sylvinho? Let's face it, but Suarez, Higuain, and Bernard were never favorites to join the club as there realy is not a Latin American culture within it. Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese clubs are much closer to their culture and are easier to attract the players and families to the lifestyle. United and Liverpool have a bigger recent history in introducing Latin American players in their sides and will be easier to sign these players.

Arsenal's past successes have come from western Europe for the most part. Mainly France and to a lesser extent, Spain, Holland, and Germany of late. They obviously have a better scouting system in place there and have a strong reputation based on past successes. I am sure players on national sides can also help in the recruiting of players when gathering for their respective countries.

Saying this, in the next 2 weeks, Arsenal should be pressing hard to sign players from these countries. They should have work permits and not have to worry about going on loan for years. The adaptation period should be less as well.

Geoffrey Kondogbia, Florian Thauvin, Adil Rami, Lars Bender, Sebastian Rode, Antoine Griezmann, Ignacio Camacho, Mamadou Sakho, Jeremy Menez.

Lots of strong players available, but time is running out.

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16 Aug 2013 14:25:11
Wenger thinks Liverpool have a chance of wining the premier league. What is he smokein over there at the Emirates?

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In case you have forgotten that Liverpool has won 6 trophies since arsenal won last trophy

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More chance of Liverpool winning the league than you lot with yer 12 fit players and no signings. Oh wait, wenger will buy plenty French youngsters to help out.haha

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16 Aug 2013 13:32:16
Desperate to buy me and my boy a new Arsenal shirt but can't bring myself to part with my hard earned cash when I feel it's just a small addition to hat huge bank balance, (£101 for two shirts), feeling cheated!

I love Arsenal but the current board are a waste of time

COYG give us something to be happy about a good win against will go a long way

Adam P

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Money from shirts sales does not go to the club but to the kit suppliers, Nike.

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Say you will buy, but negotiate a lower price, they refuse try again at 23'55 on the 2Sept, May get a bargin

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16 Aug 2013 13:25:29
Where's champagne charlie and tony soprano, ezdee, ike and some of the other old posters, I wus just wondering how long some of the other posters have been on here.

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Champagne Charlie is tony soprano, he changed his name from the latter after receiving abuse about him being a murderer.

not sure about the others.

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Have a theory that tony soprano, khal drogo and ray barboni are the same person

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16 Aug 2013 13:19:49
Arsenal Banter

Supporters go on about winning a trophy!!

What would you prefer come the end of the season?
You can only pick one

F.A cup winners and finish 10th
League cup winners and finish 5th
Finish 4th

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Champions league and relegated!

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Of those three, finishing fourth.

But it's a ridiculous question, we should be able to finish top 4 and win a trophy. The reason people lambast the '4th as a trophy argument' is not because it isn't an achievement, but because we are well within our means to invest in a team that can finish top 4 (or higher) and win a trophy, but we don't.

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Finish 4th, obviously want more than that (at least 3rd), but 4th is the minimum.

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I'll have the League title please.

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16 Aug 2013 13:14:31
This is how I see it, Arsene Wenger knows that this squad is good, looking at the unbeaten run in the last 11 games of the season before. With new 2-3 quality additions he could easily be challenging for the title bringing that 11 games unbeaten mentality into the new season. However, I think Wenger is simply comfortable with just challenging for the top four as its a less of a challenge while using the excuse of not spending money to back this up. Maybe its a fear of failure, he's done well and he knows he can do better. Fergie is retired, he is the most experienced manager in the league right now, why he doesn't want to just take this oppurtunity and win the league, that is what baffles me.

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16 Aug 2013 13:08:30
the british media's attempts at throwing wenger under the bus as well as holding him to standards never expected of his peers is lapped up by the sheep dressed up as arsenal fans.

no manager is bigger than the club he manages however some transcend the narrow description of a head coach and mould the club in their own image and leave an undeniable legacy that has forever changed the identiy of their club.

a truly rare breed which arsene wenger is at the forefront of. he truly is part of an exclusive niche, accompanied by the likes of shankley, sacchi, arragunes, cruyff, lippi, fergie, busby, marion zagallo, clough and ofcourse wenger!

undoubtly everybody makes mistakes and should be judged on current performances as well as past glories however we get has been in control of arsenal at a time in football unseen before where not only technological advances were constant but unsustainable financial injections, ever growing player power, pyshicsal and tactical improvement by all teams including the smaller ones, as well as a schedule which is frankly absurd.

and through all that if we take stock of were arsenal fc are right now heading into the next decade, than opposed to bayern munich there isn't q team i'd rather be the the gunners!

in all aspects were a healthy club on the cuspt of winning trophies and doing so on all fronts and on a regular basis.

what's missing a lot of us can see and are constantly banging on about, but my two cents are we should apply the bayern model where by past legendary players (who don't chat rubbish and aren't bitter which discounts merson, adams, wrighty etc) such as bergkamp, henry(after retirement) should be invited back and given meaning full roles in driving the club forward not like ljunberg who's a face with little impact.

apart from that reinforcements that will allow us to continue to play flowing football but will also address the deficiency we have, whilst also not disturbing the great team spirit we have developed of the last season or two.

a tough task, but one am sure wenger is up to.

how will this transfer window pan out none of us can be sure? but I for one hope wenger is vindicated and signs a new long term contract!

viva le proffessor

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16 Aug 2013 13:06:12
How can we only have 24 players in the first team and 8 of them are injury prone and 2 are deadwood so when they all get injured at the same time we will only have 16 and if the other 2 get sold that will leave 14 wtf are we doing

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16 Aug 2013 12:55:01
Our lack of transfer activity is bordering on insanity. We have shifted a lot of unwanted players, that was a great start but now we are losing players where we are very short on cover.

If Wenger hasn't made any signings by the end if the window I will most likely have an epileptic fit. This is ludicrous.

CB - Mert, Kos, Verm (Injured) Miquel (Loaned)
RB - Sagna (Injured) Jenkinson (Soon to be loaned)
CDM - Diaby (Injured) Coquelain (Loaned)
LW - Podolski, Myiachi (Injured)
ST - Giroud, Sanogo (Injured)

These positions all 100% have to be strengthened with a top quality first team player. Preferably with PL or CL experience. Wenger cannot rely on youths such as Gnabry, Myiachi, Sanogo, Aneke etc to fill in when the first team players are injured.

My suggestion as most of our speculated targets have been snapped up. (In order of preference)

CB - Williams/Rami/Sakho/Papadopoulous
RB - Lichsteiner/Gamez
CDM - Bender/Fellani/Kondogbia/Gonalons
LW - Nani/Payet
ST - Suarez/Rooney/Michu/Torres

I am praying signings are lined up and pending on CL qualification. Sadly this was the case 2 years ago and nothing happened after we beat udinesse. It took an obliteration from Man U to open Wengers eyes.

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16 Aug 2013 12:53:50
Torres on loan is the deal Wenger is chasing. Stumbling block, as always, wages. We have no intention of paying more than 10m for a player, and the Suarez thing is nothing more than duping the fans. I hear his agreed release fee (agreed between him and the club) is 50 million. Watch Arsenal go very public with a 49m bid, that'll be rejected. Wenger and the board will then publically bemoan the fact that all of our targets were scuppered by other clubs and agents. Woe is us! I'm sorry we need to prove something to the fans here. Gustavo deal was there on a plate and we baulked at £115 a week. The guy's a regular for Brasil, and like it or not, that's the market wages for this kind of talent. I was going to add we're in danger of falling years behind the top clubs, but in truth, that happened about 8 seasons ago.

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16 Aug 2013 12:43:31
Wenger looking to strengthen 3 positions, CB/DM/FW

CB - Bid placed for Ashley Williams, Swansea very unlikely to sell as even if they get the £12 million they want, there isn't enough time to strengthen and Laudrup values team strength over the money (Rami is backup option)

DM - Wenger wants Lars Bender, he has already bid this summer and will return with an improved offer, he is confident of getting his man this is why he has allowed Capoue/Gustavo and several other DM targets pass

FW - Saurez is still the key target, improved offer due after Villa game, Matri and Osvaldo are now being considered as an alternatives

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16 Aug 2013 12:22:04
Luiz Gustavo has signed for Wolfsburg on a 5 year deal!

Back to the drawing board!

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16 Aug 2013 12:11:44
17 days left, not time to panic just yet. I have been up and down, but feel calm now.

a couple fo points - Gustavo is not a 115k a week player - full stop. that's crazy money for a 5/6th choice Bayern player, who most had little knowledge of before the rumours started. Many are clutching at straws - those saying a month ago that Higuain/Fellaini and Cesar would be there dream have now switched to Suarez/Gustavo as preferences. there's still loads of top quality playersout there that we could get.

And as fro metal and Wenger does not develop players - what hogwash. We may not keep these players, but the quality of football and training he instigates gets the best from the players he has. You can hardly find a player with a bad word for his methods. we may nt have bought anyone yet this year, but keep the sweeping negative comments to a minimum would you?

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I'm sorry but this rationale is ludicrous.

17 days left? Really? When Man City and S***s can lock up their targets before August 1st, no one in their right mind should use that as an excuse.

Sorry but Wenger must go. He's made an absolute mess of this transfer window. Agree with Higuain on personal terms but never tell Real, ask them to quote you a price or table an offer?! Believe what Suarez' agent says but don't do your due diligence and figure out what's really going on?!

That gross negligence, that to me if a fireable offense to me.

Wenger out.

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16 Aug 2013 12:09:35
I'm not going to post too much today for fear of inciting the delusional Wenger lovers who always seem to be out en masse to prove a point whenever the club bitterly let's us down. I just want to say the following:

Bender - Value approx £22-25m - Wenger bid 19m euros. Failed.
Maxime Gonalons - value approx £15m (as club captain etc) - Wenger bid £9m. Failed
Clement Grenier - the new Nasri, valued at at least £10m by Lyon, will be worth twice that at least in a year. We bid £6m. Or £15m for both Grenier and Gonalons if you like. Laughed off.
Fellaini - a player I am sure Wenger said was a £30m player around the jan window - wouldn't meet his £22m clause. Insane.
Gustavo - took us a week to agree to offer the 20m Euro/ £17.2m fee - asked the player to step down from Bayern to us whilst taking a PAY CUT whilst Wolfsburg offered to double his wages and slot him straight in.
Ashley Williams, the best CB in the league that would come to us - club captain, Wales captain, very experienced, top CB, value approx £10-15m - we've offered £6m?

I can't imagine how awkward it is between Wenger and Gazidis today. And people STILL think Wenger is the man for the job? I think his delusions of grandeur are ruining his own legacy, and our future.

If we don't finish top 4, we're going to have to pay well over the odds for the players we are currently able to sign fairly easily in order to get them to join. This was the summer we were meant to bring in 3 or 4 world class stars so that in January or next summer players are falling over themselves to get to us.

I have to say, apart from being testicularly-absent, Gazidis has done a massive job improving our commercial revenues off the back of sod all success on the pitch. He can stay in my book. He's not the lying sod I once had him down as being. The rest can go. Our ageing board, deluded manager and absent majority shareholder. This is not how you run Arsenal. See you guys tomorrow for the game.

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Chill out mate. You'll do yourself a mischief with all that unnecessary worry.

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Agreed this transfer policy is terrible. i'm furious about bender. he's probably our 1st choice dm target. would be a starter for us. we bid 19m (which I think was a reasonable start). and then nothing. we couldn't raise our offer for a player who would be instrumental for us just to get that man. would it have been so bad if we came back with a 22m bid? or 25m? it's 6m difference and we weren't willing to make the deal happen with our 70m+ kitty. that's a disgrace. luckily for us bender is still there. maybe wenger surprises us as the deadline comes closer.

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16 Aug 2013 12:08:17
Liverpool have apparently open talks with Willian. So as far as I'm concerned now if they get him they have to sell suarez to balance the books. As there debt is increasing anyway Correct ed? {Ed027's Note - I don't think William would sign if Suarez isn't sold

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16 Aug 2013 15:56:31
Ed027, spot on. as per this window liverpool haven't spend anything, they coverd all their cost with the sale of 4 players.
willian might join and suarez would stay. and that would be a formidble lineup

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16 aug 2013 11:36:31
a comment like this from wenger amkes my blood boil, same thing every year:

"at us, chelsea, machester united, it is difficult to find the quality players to strengthen the team and the squad who are available at the moment but there are a shortage of top, top, top players who are available."

really:
falcao
cavani
strootman
jovetic
negredo
navas
tevez
higuain
gustavo
isco
fernandinho
asier illarramendi
soldado
henrikh mkhitaryan
bernard
andré schürrle
paulinho
mario gómez
aubameyang
ogbonna
capoue
mignolet


absolute joke. these are all players that are stark improvements on bendner/chamakh/park/etc. and equally on the gaping holes in our squad.

wenger is playing a dangerous game.

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Nice post billybob, every transfer widow he moans about lack of top top talent in the market and when time comes to make bid for a really top top talent the likes of Bender, Suarez etc the guys who are going to cost more than 15mn he pe*'s in his pants

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16 Aug 2013 11:29:10
google got something weird on there at the mo. If you type 'arsenal players' into the search, Ashley Williams comes up in the string of images of AFC players at the top of the results page. Not sure who edits that but its definately there, try it!

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16 Aug 2013 16:03:35
and if you click on his picture this comes up:

ashley williams
footballer who plays for swansea city and the wales national team as a defender. he is also currently captain of both teams

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16 Aug 2013 11:19:11
Hi Ed's - instead of all the random name dropping and the "We will sign someone tomorrow 100%" comments could you give us a bit of an idea to what you think Arsenal have up their sleeve with the rest of the transfer window? We all know we need Defensive cover including potentially a GK and our midfield and attack need boosting - any knowledge at all?

Also why aren't we going for Willian? At this rate Liverpool will have the better squad then us!

Cheers

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16 Aug 2013 10:25:37
Another target gone - Gustavo officially confirmed by Wolfsburg to be their latest signing. (Source: Wolfsburg official site).

Arteta out for up to 6 weeks with a thigh injury.

The window keeps getting better for us! Ed, any chance of Arsenal signing some quality players (ASAP) or do we think there will be a supermarket sweep sort of thing on 2nd Sept? Cheers {Ed027's Note - you know my answer

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16 Aug 2013 11:19:03
Well it's official Gustavo has gone to Wolfsburg on a 5 year contract (reported by the beeb), that's another one that bites the dust, Wenger oh Wenger please sign Bender even if it means spending a little extra, I am one very frustrated gooner :(

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To be honest he has picked the easy option, staying in a league that he knows well and guaranteed to play every game. Whereas if came to us he may have struggled to adapt quickly and because of the WC wants to make sure he is noticed for good reasons.

In my opinion didn't have enough balls.

Estepona gooner

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16 Aug 2013 11:14:35
Liverpool have officially opened talks with Anzhi over the signing of Willian (app. in the £30 million region).

Whether this is to just to bolster their squad, or to cover for the games Suarez is banned for OR to cover him should he depart, it remains unclear.

Although Arsene also seemed to avoid questions regarding spending money, when asked whether he was optimistic about signing "one of those top players", his response was "yes, I am optimistic".

I can only hope now that these two reports are linked as I am becoming desperately worried for the depth and quality of this current Arsenal squad.

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16 Aug 2013 10:40:05
Gustavo confirmed going to Wolfsburg. 5 year deal according to espn.

Seriously, who else is left? Pretty sure the transfer market is running out of players.

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I'm pretty sure you've underestimated the amount of footballers that actually exist.

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16 Aug 2013 10:37:06
Just look at what you are writing people! I'm a victim, I'm depressed. It feels like God has sent me here.

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I admire your optimism. keep it up. it should rub on us soon. i'm not really happy about the transfer window, but I will get behind the team and support it. its the club I have supported all my life.

Just that most of us feel, that we had the opportunity to play with the big wigs, but we have been reluctant to be brash and continue the safe approach.

im glad wenger has said he does realise the squad is thin, so i'm hoping he can bring the 2-3 players that we need.

Julio Ceasar, CDM, CB, RB, and striker. so 5 positions. if he is going to buy 3 then they would be ST, CDM, CB.

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Do you expect everyone to be positive. How can this transfer window be seen in any good light only the most deluded nonce could still be backing Wenger I don't know who I dislike more at the moment him or you. Every time I see one of your comments I am filled with rage. Are you that blind or stupid.

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Thumbs up buddy!

We are all depressed and sitting on the angry side of the fence. After listening to Wenger conference, I have to say the articles on the official site didn't do justice to the context of his statements.

One thing Wenger is completely right about, was to telll the media NOT to create a crisis before the first game (which onyl serves to add further pressure by fueling the boo-boys). From now until tomorrow night, 3 points is all the matters. Not anyone signing.

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16 Aug 2013 10:25:18
do not understand why everyone wants a new signings. can't u see? Arsene can (and now I can too). WE have Gnabry! who will eat Vidic and ask for Suarez bones. Zelalem who will do the same with Luiz and RvP. Eisfeld, Olsson, Chuba and Zak. They will simply torn EPL apart. We could not do it with experience team like Gervinho, Arshavin or Chamakh last year we will definitely do it with those 16-17 year olds this time. It must work out this year! Surely! Professor can't be wrong.
Years passing by and still the same . nonsense. a vision of playing with youngsters - who when got older and more known refuse to sign new contracts and move to someone like Madrid, Barca, Chelsea, City or Utd.
So if someone expected that after 16 years in the club AW will suddenly (after waking up one morning) start spending big think again.
On the other hand I really expect 1 signing - a CB, can not imagine playing whole season with only 3 1st time CBs'. but it won't be anyone who WE all be cheering about.

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Bcuz we did that 4 th past 8years & didn't win a thing.

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16 Aug 2013 10:21:45
With the way things have gone with spurs, they have a net spend of 40 million with in's and outs.

and as AVB said, there are still more players to arrive.
spending another 30-40 million is not impossible, I can see the spurs doing so.

but that effectively means they have sold their star player bale to madrid. and I honestly believe this has already been agreed.

Liverpool have a net spend of -2 million, but the players they have acquired are in my eyes not better to the ones tottenham have. add an unhappy suarez and their season could implode like ours for different reasons.

then we have us.

The players we released that everyone is soo worried about.

Arshavin, Gervinho, Mannone, Squillachi, Chamakh, Santos, Denilson, Le Coq, Djourou, Miquel.

So let me start.

Arshavin barely played last season, was an injury backup at best and did nothing when he came on. Loss? NO

Gervinho needs confidence to play. might as well breast feed him, scored some goals, but mostly inconsistent. keep him and stop the Ox from developing with more game time? Loss? NO

Mannone, Squillachi, Chamakh, Santos, Denilson - please is someone really complaining about these people needing to be replaced? by what exactly? Loss? HELL to the NO

Le Coq - really did not progress last season, a loan move was necessary, miquel is the same. loan move necessary, and djourou wanted to play more so good move, with future option to buy him and hopefully we buy another CB.


Most supporters and myself have been agitated by the transfer window, yet the truth is that we don't need more average players, the shopping tottenham and liverpool are doing, that's not for us, we want top players, and they don't come easy and they don't come cheap either.

there is a reason, chelsea, and man united have not had as much success as us.

City have overspent, but that because they have more money than sense. 30 million for fernandinho? please Paulinho and gustavo are better if you take only 2 toenails each.

So let's review our squad.

Sczesny, Sagna, Mert, Kos, Rosicky, Poldi, Wilshere, Giroud, Walcott, Ox, Ramsey, Cazorla, gibbs, fabianski, Jenkinson.

Injured : monreal, Frimpong, Arteta, Ryo, Vermalen.

So that's 14 1st team players not injured, and 5 injured, and I really do see ryo playing a role this season.


From 11 starting players only 3 substitutes can be used, and nacho will be back next weekend.

Numbers looks low, but key players are available.


There is time for the window to close, and i'm certain we will buy some players. we are not championship favourites anyway. we just need to win some sort of trophy this season and build.

for me our objevtive is to stay in the top 4, and with a bit of luck and some strong support from the fans we can do that again., over spurs and liverpool

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Great post mate.

People moaning about the amount of deadwood then moaning our sqaud is too thin.

People are needed and I, like you believe they will be brought in.

Top 4 is essential, and should be the primary objective. After that a trophy is a bonus and when we do have great players come in a trophy will be expected by fans, not demanded.

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Ed - Can we report this at the top.

Well done lakerville; you jsut talked me off the cliff. I think one important positive for us, is that there is a much stronger togetherness in the squad. No saga involving a star player leaving.

Watch our pre-season and you will see that our players have a good understanding with each other.

Now the most important thing is 3 points!

COYG!

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16 Aug 2013 10:07:49
Come on Wenger and the boys!
Prove the doubters wrong.
A lot of who have been posting over the last few days

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In wenger we rust

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How would beating Villa prove us wrong if that is our aspirations we are in serious trouble. There a poor side beating them can not be seen as progression.

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16 Aug 2013 10:03:37
I can't wait for tomorrow

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16 Aug 2013 09:57:59
Gustavo is off to Wolfsburg. So we miss another good player. Buy someone wenger

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16 Aug 2013 09:44:06
Question:

No Suarez, Michu, Gustavo, Higuain, Jovetic, Lewandowski, Mata

Rooney seems a far off possibility and I personally can't see him leaving by the end of the window. Gundogan won't go anywhere. Cesc isn't leaving.

So who's left that's still 'gettable' and of the quality we want and need?

The only out-and-out 'No' we haven't heard is Bender.

Wenger says 18 days and they'll still be busy. But who could we actually get at this stage?

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Shot ourselves in the foot. Will have to overpay now. But I think 2-3 new faces will be seen.

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16 Aug 2013 09:44:01
Why arsene why. Another one that has sliped
Through. I so hope we pull something out soon

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16 Aug 2013 09:36:03
It's official Luiz Gustavo has joined Wolfsburg, got to say I'm really disappointed, hope we make a move for Lars Bender now.

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16 Aug 2013 09:33:10
I'ts official. Gustavo is a Wolfsburg player. Press conference at 13.30 (german time)

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16 Aug 2013 09:51:57
Original AG I am not trolling. Have a proper look at my posts and you'll see that. It's typical of you Arsenal pessimists, that when someone's positive about our club and manager they are trolling. Everyone's aloud to have their opinion. It's not my fault I'm positive. Do much doom and gloom, it's a joke.

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What we don't like about you is your post asking for apologies for anything we have written when our team wins a friendly as if that validates all of your AW support. I don't mind reading your opinions but for god's sake keep them sensible and without malice and friendly after all we are all Arsenal supporters. You just seem to be one of the few on this site who will defend AW no matter what.

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Agree, I am nervous about the new season yes but should I start bashing the team and manager after exactly 0 games NO. You support a team for the love of the club we all want the best from Arsenal but to get on their backs is just too much.
How does anyone think they care more for the club than the manager and the players themselves, its crazy to think you do.
They are professionals and its their job so i'm pretty sure they are well aware of what is needed and if its feasible they will do it, of course they will its just common sense.

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16 Aug 2013 09:17:06
We are in deep trouble if Arteta is out for the 4-6 weeks, we are crap wo him

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16 Aug 2013 08:46:33
We are being hampered, strangled by AW's one man crusade against high transfer fees.

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So you would rather we turn into Chelsea and City. Do me a favour. We've got a bit of class. And when we win, victory will taste even sweeter. Look at Henry when he piggy backed Barca for the Champions league. RVP to Utd. He will regret that move. Because when we win he'll feel like a right mug.

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16 Aug 2013 13:18:40
wengerism honestly what the f is wrong with you?every post just stupid nonsense why on earth would rvp regret leaving he won the league in his first season!henry didn't piggy back anything was best player in the world when he was at arsenal he got bit older and wanted to try different league.
Why do you insist on going on with this rubbish wake up were going backwards fans like you obviously don't care once we keep our "classy" way

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Chelsea and City win things - I couldn't give two $hit$ how much we pay for world class players, we should just sign them. Our problem has been wasting money and high wages on average players.

We have a good first 11 and maybe 3 good subs but after that we are in trouble

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16 Aug 2013 08:30:46
ed and fellow gooners, who do u think should be our captain for the match again villa because tommy v and arteta is injured?the boss?mert?jack?

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Metersaker has been given the armband. He deserves it too

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16 Aug 2013 11:00:32
okayy. its mertesacker.

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Mert04 will be captain

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Per will captain the side apparently

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16 Aug 2013 12:06:49
Mertisacker

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16 Aug 2013 08:24:47
Sorry guys search function didn't help, if anyone can post the fantasy football league code please. That would be great thanks. P.S Forget about the gloom and doom, let's focus on supporting the lads we do have tomorrow

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16 Aug 2013 07:58:42
Congratulations to Wengerism. You are the most delusional Arsenal fan I know. Possibly in the whole world!

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You have the wrong information.

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16 Aug 2013 10:33:31
He is the Alter ego of the once famous poster who went by the name, in those days, of Tony Soprano.

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Agreed

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16 Aug 2013 07:40:30
Just a quick question - what is the point of a medical? When we sign a new player they are not available due to fitness or an injury, surely a medical would highlight these problems or look at the players injury history to look at the risk of another injury.

Look forward to any reply.

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If a player is not fit then they will not be allowed to sign.

May find an irregularity in the players fitness as well.

Clubs may hide ailments of their players so they can sell high, a medical allows for a team to do a personal assessment and see how fit the player in question is.

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16 Aug 2013 05:08:18
luis gustavo to arsenal is still on. after he told close friends that he wants to taste the BPL.the only problem aresenal cn have wil be his wage. its understood that wolfsburg are willing to him 110 PW

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Hmm strange. then who will be at the press conference in Wolfsburg at 13:30?

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He's signed for Wolfsburg. Preferred the easy option of high wages at a smaller club

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That's funny because Wolfsburg have confirmed the transfer today.

Guessing the 'insider' part of your name isn't correct.

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Already gone to Wolfsburg dude.

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16 Aug 2013 04:43:08
When I typed Jackson Martinez into google the reply game back as " Please don't take the p*ss" give us an easy one to search! " But anyhow it says that last season he scored 26 goals from 30 appearances for Porto. Eds can you tell me was that on the pitch or was it on Playstation 3 and X Box?

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16 Aug 2013 01:56:47
Absolutely gutted to find out my wife's mate won 15 executive tickets to arsenal vs man city and the emirates cup games .

She only took 6 friends and none were arsenal fans .

Speechless, absolutely speechless .

She then informed me "oh yeah I was wondering about that red top you wear, I would have invited you if I know that was arsenal"

Argh

Ed, how much to make this girl 'disappear'?

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Sort me out with 2 tickets to a home game we're likely to win and I'll get it dealt with mate :D

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15 Aug 2013 21:12:05
One of the eds spoke about big changes at arsensl. This was a few months ago. Is this still likely and anymore info.ta.

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16 Aug 2013 13:06:32
Ed02 has the info on this but unfortunately has been driven away by a select few of abusive posters.

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16 Aug 2013 08:28:29
Gustavo has signed for Wolfsberg. newsfeed reporting

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16 Aug 2013 04:22:55
It's looking more likely now that we may sign Mr Flamini to cover arteta.Not a bad thing if you ask me! I'm sure he is fit having trained with the squad in pre season? Good squad player with a lot of experience.

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16 Aug 2013 03:37:32
Ki Sung-Yueng aka Kisy. No rumors at all about him, but that's how we do it, quiet and out of nothing.
I have a feeling that might happen with Ki

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Look I think Wenger was thinking about KIM JONG UN the North Korean leader when he got word that there was somebody he could have cheap. As the player you are talking about is a central midfielder and scored ZERO goals last season! GOD WE ARE SCRAPING THE BARREL

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16 Aug 2013 01:40:19
I have a different theory. Some players if thye put in the work will become world class, others won't. Wenger signed some and now the whole world sees him as a genius. They ignore the players who have digressed terribly. If he's this magician player developer then our team would be full of academy success stories, Oxlade would be a £40m-rated player or at least considered in the same terms as Hazard and El Shaarawy. Walcott would be able to beat a man with the ball at his feet, etc etc etc. It's the biggest myth going that Wenger turns players into world class stars. He might find the ones who are destined for it, sure, but in 17 years as AFC manager he's produced only a clutch. And it totally lacks any regard for the talent the player already has. Zalalem for example is incredibly talented - that talent was blatantly there before Wenger was on his scene. But he'll likely become world class and then it's wow look at Wenger. No, look at Zalalem. It doesn't take a genius to recognise world class talent and let it flourish. I'll admit we give them an incredible platform but when we can count the world class star success stories on one hand for a 17 year period I think it's time to put that myth to bed.

Metal Gooner

Metal I thought I'd go to the trouble in copy and pasting this to the top of the page, because its bloody brilliant and totally spot on.
Well said sir

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In my opinion, by giving players that platform we're still player developing, and learning high quality tactics and training etc is only beneficial, also development,
we may not be churning them out, BUT to look at the players we've sold and kept over the 17 years, we're doing a great job at being consistent in developing great talents into even greater talents

PdotY

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This logic is incredibly flawed because obviously no manager ever makes a player world class, the player has it in him and the manager gives him the opportunity to flourish which wenger has obviously done with young players like fabregas, wilshere and zelalem (not sure who this zalalem guy is you mentioned). And the fact that is recent seasons we have made a profit while maintaining the same league positions ( with a little fluctuation shows that the arsene has had more progression with players rather than degression. I know you were simply forwarding the original post just thought I would put my point in :)

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One of the worst comments about Wenger I ever saw.
not said well at all

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Just like Wenger he is a World Class bull sh*tter!

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Absolutely, Wenger has ruined many a player & very few have been successful in comparison.
Please list your nightmare 11 under Wenger:
Almunia - Squilacci, Stepanovs, Cygan, Santos - Gervinho, Bischoff, Denilson & Traore - Park & Jeffers.

Shocking!

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16 Aug 2013 10:13:35
Pi55 poor post in my opinion. The old I hate Wenger what can I slag him off about today post.

Each to their own.

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Totally disagree. The mans a genius. Just go through the names he has developed into world class players. And compare it with other top managers. Apart from SAF he is unparalleled

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It's just a question of perspective. For example, some private school are well known for having highly talented musicians or artists etc. When the artists gains recognition the school takes the credit. While I don't doubt their hand in it, to take allt he credit for the talent another person possesses is imo not right. And I think there was a time when Wenger was getting it right so often that the credit was justified. But now we have the benefit of hindsight over a much longer period than, say, 2002-6 for example, and it's clear this really isn't true in the main. There will always be players you can use to back it up, e.g. Koscielny, plucked from nowhere and no starting for France and our best CB. But for every one of those, there are maybe 30 players who showed just as much potential and became comparatively nothing. It's not logical to solely give praise for the successes and gain a reputation off that without considering all the flops or players who never did develop. Most people think Wenger is this magician developer, I don't. I bet The Ox would be streets ahead of where he is now if he'd stayed at Saints when they got promoted. He'd have started every game for them in the last two seasons and he'd be unreal. Right now he's just a good player.

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16 Aug 2013 01:22:14
Wonder what happened to Gustavo announcement or was it just a date he was going to make his decision?

Either way I not confident we will be able to attract a player of his pedigree, just because we won't break the bank and we don't have a winning team which would make us an appealing proposition to play for. The simple fact of the matter, which was clearly articulated by Wenger, is he has full control of the playing side of the club and has final sign off on all signings.

We are embarking on another project where the core nucleus players of the squad are British. Wenger's intentions were made clear when baring Walcott all of the young british players signed long term contracts together. Don't gets wrong I am pleased as punch we have a nucleus of British players, however is this doomed to failure if they are not competing for the big prizes? I mean Walcott only signed a 3 year contract because he wants to be challenging for major honours. All this summer has turned out to be is another money making exercise, plain and simple.

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16 Aug 2013 00:44:40
If this Arteta injury is as serious as people are suggesting then we could be in trouble. Wasn't there some stat last year to do with us not winning a league game without him in the team? Or is that my imagination.

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Not sure if the stats are true but it was for all to see in the Napoli game. We got raped on the counter for the plain reason we had no man holding. Ramsey and Wilshere disappeared and left us short time and time again. The performance in the Man City game was with Arteta back in the team.

Villa will score tomorrow its just whether we can be clinical and out score them

Panic buys are on the horizon

Welcome to Arsenal Park and Santos mk2

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Hi,
yep, M Arteta is so underated I feel. will be missed for sure.

big day tomorrow!:) hope we do fine and for the rest of season too. wow, feels like it has been such a long time, now we have proper football again:)

regardless what we all think of AW and transfers etc etc, please get behind the team:) we will be fine:) (hopefully!)

COYG andi:):)

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16 Aug 2013 00:17:31
Really pissed off with this window and it's out of all our hands and in wengers and our boards. Great also I'm working this weekend! So ill have to settle for MOTD even better. I hate being an arsenal fan during transfer periods
Hope these next couple of weeks prove me wrong but a very sensitive Gooner is writing this

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16 Aug 2013 00:07:56
Khedira has been offered to PSG by his agents.

PSG considering Bid.

And Ronaldo Vetoed Di maria sale.

my only question is if Khedira is available. is he not quality to spend 25 million on and sign compared to say fellani?

and I read sometime back that podolski had recommended khedira to wenger.

surely we can't be gifted options and turn them all down.

Coentrao wants to play champions league football and wants to leave real too. I know he is a LB, but I've seen him play RB many times.

surely if the suarez bid fails, trying to get players like khedira and di maria won't be bad.

someone needs to mention this to wenger.

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16 Aug 2013 09:48:10
Arsenal lost gustavo for 15 mill, what you kidding on 25 mill deal for kahdeira.?

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15 Aug 2013 23:59:28
I've been a loyal Wenger supporter even through last three hard years, but I have to admit I'm losing patience.

Spuds have spent £60 million which I assume means they are selling Bale to balance the books, just signed Capoue. I thought we had some kind of master plan, but I'm slowly starting to think our club is run by complete incompetents. One things for sure - if we panic buy again I am going to go mental.

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I completely agree. I always believed my faith was absolute but now it is being tested along with my patience.

"Matrix, light our darkest hour"

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15 Aug 2013 23:29:19
I know this has been asked before but is anyone doing a fantasy league/ dream team if so let me know please wanna join 1



.

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Barclays fantasy premier league

league - BAD COMPANY
code - 613244-257804

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15 Aug 2013 23:45:10
Does anyone else think its very strange/sad that Moyes decided to criticise the premier league fixtures today? I mean they only came out on the 19th of June! Another SAF on our hands. I expect him to be tapping his watch until the 97th minute whenever they are loosing!

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15 Aug 2013 23:02:55
AW is waiting for the outcome of the champions league qualifier before moving for his targets, as usual he will have his category A and B targets. We have a tough match against Fenerbache, no doubt about that.

The main problem for me lies in the fact most of the category A players will have either signed for another team or there will be a fight for their signature with the big clubs which we will be priced out of.

AW's biggest problem for me is he won't pay a penny more than what he feels a player is worth, we have lost out on a lot of real talent for the sake of a few extra quid and replaced them with sub standard alternatives.

We have the money, we have reduced the wage bill massively, am I missing something here, AW give your head wobble and strengthen the team, the fans can see it, the whole world can see it,

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