Arsenal Banter Archive January 16 2013

 

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16 Jan 2013 23:40:08
Tonight we saw what having a proper holding mid can do to our game...it allows jack and santi to dictate play further up the pitch...jack was awesome......coquelin and diaby gave us balance but still think we need a defensive mid to replace diaby when injured why not give frimpo some minutes or get capoue
Lets not get carried away.....lets try and stick to this formation we still got poldolski ox arteta ramsey jenko arshavin for strong bench..need to keep momentum and new found fighting spirit for chelsea
Well done

GS

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17 Jan 2013 00:49:58
I'd take out Theo and play Pod, Pod will score 80% of time Theos 50 50 for me..

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16 Jan 2013 22:48:20
Really impressed with gibbo tonight. Looked unbelievably sharp. He's in the best form he's ever been.

Jack the lad had an awesome game.

Things are looking up.

Purchase

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16 Jan 2013 22:22:51
People need to forget about us not signing remy he's in the worst form he's in the worst form he's been in for a few years and he is struggling to even get in the marseille team, besides if he was as good as everyone is makins out then there would be a lot more teams after him than qpr and newcastle, so people forget about us not signing remy, between walcott, podolski and giroud we already have 3 better strikers than him.

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16 Jan 2013 22:09:55
Great result tonight and played some good football second half!

I know he was a no show today, but am I the only one who thinks that podolski looks our most lethal player in the box and the closest we have to Judas?

Josh

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Super Jack by a mile the best on the pitch.

Bergkamp's apprentice

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Arsenal fans thank god we have got JACK WILSHERE that's all ive got to say

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How can you disagree ? 2 games 2 man of the match...what ramsey diaby arteta in midfield you perfer them ?

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16 Jan 2013 22:09:24
I've watched Giroud for the last few games and have to say he is becoming a very frustrating player. Wenger has definitely made the guy less ruthless since his move to us, the amount of times he tried to go for the assist instead of taking the shot is becoming so annoying. He's there to score the goals not set them up so why doesn't he have a pop now and then?! He never used to be like that at montpellier and that's when he was at his best. Maybe its a confidence issue but lets be honest he's not the striker we thought he was and i just don't see the point of him when we barely play to his strengths. Podolski through the middle would be much more worthwhile.

Bradders

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On the whole I believe Giroud to be a really good buy- he is a lot quicker than people think and has good feet as well as good heading ability- Having just watched the arse win against swansea we again managed to hit about 99% of crosses either along the ground to the first defendeer or into row z on the other side of the stadium....why do other clubs players manage to put in crosses away from keeper but dropping into 6 yard box.....Simples... yet we still can't do it

yorky gooner

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What about Newcastle were he came of the bench and scored 2

JW.10

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WOW...Giroud got an assist today. He is what a proper CF is. Gets the assist and goals, great link up play, strong, wins about 7/10 aerial battles. This is his first season and i think he has already got 9/10 assists? 8 goals? that isn't too bad, infact that is wonderful to see from him. Yes he might not be as clinical as Podolski or as quick as Walcott, but he is certainly exciting and I'm glad we bought him

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I have always found Giroud frustrating and I do not think he will be the answer to our striker prayers. In fact I have been as harsh as to say he will be Chamakh V2 on this site which received much flaming. I do believe now that he is OK, he tries hard and can win the flick ons however he does not shoot or score enough to be our sole CF. Theo had a disaster yesterday but still was in the position to score many more times than Giroud. I agree I would like to see Pod play upfront or Giroud in a 4-4-2. I hope Giroud improves as many Arsenal fans love him (as he tries hard), but I honestly do not think he will ever be prolofic.
Chess

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16 Jan 2013 22:08:43
Tonight showed why theo is not a centre forward however I think we need to start getting the correct players in so that we can play a 442 and let theo work on his finishing. Giroud offers very little IMO. Look at the strikers we've had in the past, how is it that we don't have a world class striker anymore. Chris wreh used to do more than Giroud !

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Strikers in the past had wingers who could cross

yorky gooner

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Giroud was poor in the first half (not one to drop deep and effect play) but I was impressed again with his touch and intelligent movement in the final third.

His assist was bloody sumptuous and was unlucky to not to score.

Hackney Gooner

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Have to agree with you hackney gooner- mainly because while I now live up norf I was born and bred in E8


yorky gooner

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16 Jan 2013 22:00:51
Any else think Coquelin's a really useful player? He's pacy and can really tackle.

Macc Gooner

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I think that if he continues to develop he will become one of the very best - fast, clever and has ability with both feet

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16 Jan 2013 21:55:49
Yes!! Finally wengers said he will spend big if he finds the right player!

Glad he's finally seeing sense. You get what you pay for.

From watching his interview just I'd say he has something up his sleeve.

Purchase

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16 Jan 2013 21:54:02
In my opinion the players we should sign should be Mbiwa, Wanyama and Emenike.3 class players who would move our team to a new level.Thoughts people?

Sparky83

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16 Jan 2013 23:23:59
Yep exactly the players i would choose. 3 very powerful players with a huge presence on the pitch.

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16 Jan 2013 21:40:04
Could not have more love for Jack Wilshere.
The guy plays his heart out, EVERY match, and that's what arsenal need.
A lion heart in the centre of the park.
Got a sense of joy seeing his passion after scoring.
Hand on the badge, right to the crowd.

So much love.

D

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Rock on D- He is the REAL deal- what a player - is it me or has he got much faster of late?

yorky gooner

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16 Jan 2013 21:32:17
anybody who has been keeping 1 eye on utd vs west ham should notice diame whos been out for a number of weeks bossed the midfield battle imagine if he hadnt been out wat hed have done wenger should sign him up now 3.5mill is a bargain.

Tom

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16 Jan 2013 21:30:45
1-0 good dominate play in 2nd half after cagey first half, should have been more.

Wilshire MOTM always on the go driving team forward. Walcott could have easily got a hatrick, Giroud a few chances aswell. Perhaps we still need another striker?

The midfield balance looked better with having more physicality there with Couqulin and Diaby. This gave a platform to dominate and allow fullbacks to get forward more.

Your're Always nervous that they may have nicked a jammy goal on the break near the end but we kept the momentum up well.

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16 Jan 2013 21:30:35
The two big signings wenger is talking about is two sponsorship deals, he is looking at the finances not the football.

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16 Jan 2013 21:25:47
16 shots on target

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16 Jan 2013 21:23:40
Diame been amazing for west ham tonight, very clever and strong on the ball, might be a steal at £3.5mill

Carlisle gunner

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16 Jan 2013 21:03:33
will they announce 60k at the emirates

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16 Jan 2013 21:02:53
Ok its official

Jack Wilshere is our best player by miles.

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16 Jan 2013 21:01:00
i would take ba any day wenger 7.5m
u should have got rid of walcott

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16 Jan 2013 20:59:45
please sell walcott 100k really

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16 Jan 2013 20:55:34
Diaby run out of breath on 40 minutes why is he still on the pitch?!
AG

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Lack of match fitness....still looked a better balanced team...with two sitting......jack looks much better in the more offensive position....the most complete performance for this talented young man.....Carzola looked back to his best......Can you imagine having a winger who puts the defence on the back foot like Wishire does in the middle.....Gibbs had a fine game....and a special mention to young Coquelin, he had a really strong game for us....In the second half we upped the tempo and looked much stronger physically.......What a dignified man the swansea manager is....A real class act.

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He had a great game

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16 Jan 2013 20:53:02
Gibo's having a quality game.

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Great point great game gibbo

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16 Jan 2013 20:47:30
Make jack captain

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Our best player is a 21 year old whose had a whole season out injured. He's been outstanding.
AG

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One in a million, will be world class, although apparently barca have 10 jacks in their reserves!

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16 Jan 2013 20:44:29
arsenal ins
david villa 15m
james McCarthy 8m
jack butland 6m

jack

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16 Jan 2013 20:42:23
Was that a suitable advantage to play for Theo or was he off balance so should have had a penalty and the defender a red card for professional ( very timid) foul?
Where is the reward for staying on your feet?
Definitely contact and a pull back and TW definitely was off balance when he shot
SY4

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16 Jan 2013 20:23:48
I'm starting to think Sagna is related to girvinho. gets into good positions then holds up the play. just run at the defence. not as if your you Bolt. and have to wait for everyone to catch up LOL. what a joke. and bartley sold for £1M?

Den

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Hmm sorry for the typo I typed you Bolt as in Usain Bolt. seems there is some spell checker in place. sagna did play better in the 2nd half. but overall arsenal where rubbish.

We will get cained against chelsea, and I Hope so. maybe the powers that be at arsenal will wake up. But I doubt it when 50k doughnuts keep turning up at the ground. speak with your pockets.

Den

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W t f match were you watching tonight then ? Swansea are a good team and we totally out played them, could have scored a hat full and you think we were rubbish ! have you ever played football ??


brentwood gooner

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Yes, let's wish for our team to fail. What sort of supporter are you??

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16 Jan 2013 20:03:37
What is Walcott doing taking all the free kicks again? Vermaelen is a centre back and has a better free kick, fair enough Arteta is our main man and he's out but surely Cazorla could do better??

Trev179

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Www.fromsport.com

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16 Jan 2013 19:48:23
Does anyone know a site that will be showing the game tonight? Cheers in advance.

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Before the game just type into to google "Arsenal vs .......... Stream" you can find loads

Yorkshire Gooner

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16 Jan 2013 19:08:17
Happy with tonight's selection looks to have a decent balance. Would of preferred to have the of in for Santiago to give him a breather but hey we will see what happens! COYG!

Gooner 84

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16 Jan 2013 19:08:09
Wenger is crumbling why?
he used to under value these cups by playing the kids so why after all this time is he playing his best?
he now knows how most of the fans are feeling apart from a few deluded ones if there happy then well, can't be a true fan as when we lose or draw i can hardly speak for a few days, i don't know about you guys if then i get a clown at work or in the pub im ready for war. so do you really think wenger feels this way sorry i don't he thinks 7.5 mill.
( he has got to big for his boots)

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We have always played with good squad in the fa cup...

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16 Jan 2013 18:50:45
the news on twitter is that arsenal have agreed framework of new 3-and-a-1/2 year deal with theo walcott.
to be announced next week.
hope this is true!

Believable2 Unbelievable2

16 Jan 2013 18:36:27
been a while since i posted.

really aren't you guys fed up with all the thrash being thrown to us (fans) by the Board & Wenger?

clearly we all (board, management, Arsene, the team, the fans, all football lovers, and even oppositions) knows that Arsenal needs reinforcement.
over 7yrs agao, we were a threat to all teams, we were loved by opposition with our style of play dominating.... what has happened? some claim it was the move to the Emirates others blame it on Arsene, and some on the Board.

lets call a spade a spade.... we have serious issues and if its not tackled we may end up like looserpool!

Arsene Wenger isnt hungry for a cup (this clear now)... all he's aiming at is the top 4... while other average clubs too are... that makes it crazy for such a manager to think low of his club.

AW should be axed by january, if he fail to strengthen the team... and the board should go if we fail beyond their dream top 4 place...
Open your eyes fellow gooners... doom looms for the club...

Aj

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16 Jan 2013 18:10:40
Pep has signed a 3yr contract at Bayern.

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Care Bears

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Looks like we've got Wenger for another three years then

1404

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16 Jan 2013 18:04:12
That big player that the very reliable source Geoff arsenal is claiming is... Schweinsteiger, I told you all.
Frank

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Utter rubbish. Under no circumstances why would he leave a world class Bayern side for 6th place? Oh and how exactly would he fit in the wage structure? Why did you bother posting this?

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Can you honestly see them selling one of their best players before the new manager arrives.....think not......km

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It's willian

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Why would he leave Munich top of the league and now Pep going there

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16 Jan 2013 17:32:24
I believe Arsene will be buying Affrican players this January.

Diame, and Bony.....both would be very good signings.

Diame would be a bargain, so hurry up and buy.

Bony has a great scoring-ratio in Eresdivision for Vitesse.

If we also sign Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, this will be a very good window for us.

These players will not empty Arsenals wallet eighter.


Norwegian Gunner

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But all would use arsenal as a stepping stone and if they do well will jump ship
spanner

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16 Jan 2013 16:48:14
The board really do need to take some initiative here. Two weeks into the window and despite the cheap talk of 'spending big', there has been no sniff of quality players being signed. If there is no injection of steel in the defence and defensive midfield, we will be in serious trouble. Everyone can see what the problems are and as we all know everyone is available at a price. So cut the rhetoric and spend big if necessary. The alternative is life outside the CL, which the board and Wenger have held up as success over the last seven years. Sort it out!

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16 Jan 2013 16:29:09
No Rosicky tonight as he has a calf problem as well as Mikel Arteta both expected to be short term. However, Diaby will start.

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16 Jan 2013 16:11:20
Wenger to become player manager

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He might have to! Taking into account how few 1st team players we have with many out on loan, Gervinho away on international duty, Arteta & Fabianski injured and outcasts such as Squilacci, Santos & Arshavin.

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Player Manager, Waterboy more like !

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Some people are obsessed with us signing tall players

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16 Jan 2013 19:42:32
It's about balance - a team of midgets are going to be bullied. Even barca recognise this.

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16 Jan 2013 15:25:51
I don't think Arsenal are going to buy anybody in this window. What Wenger is trying now is to get some unity and current squard to start believing in there ability to perform at the highest level. 1 or 2 additions to the team might take time for those players to adjust when and if they do arrive, and to be honest they do not look united in there fight to climb that league table, the problem lies within the teams lack to communicate and there work rate. Look at Wilshere and his desire to work for the team, who says a new striker, defender, midfielder is going to change all that. There's only so much a Manager can do and rite now Wenger is tryn to pick his boys up, if they can hammer teams 5-2, 6-1, 7-5 etc with this current squard, something you cannot find fault in other than there drop in concerntration. Zaha is an Arsenal fan for 1, if they do bid he will hold out for that move to the emirates, Arsenal have youngsters at there disposal to feed into the current squard and I'm sure they are willing to prove there abilities on the pitch. What Wenger needs to do now is rotate his squard and keep these players playing with heart and sole for positions, and reducing fatigue.

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The lack of cohesion is down to the formation Wenger uses. Too many central midfield players virtually tripping over each other. Spread out into a 4-4-2, where everyone knows their position & strengths. I would like to see Cazorla & Wilshere rested for Sunday. Tonight I would start with: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos. Use a 4 man midfield of Walcott, Coquelin, Ramsey & Oxlade. With Walcott & Giroud up front.

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Walcott is so good he can play two roles at once. Nice!!
Chess

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Walcott upfront and midfield

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16 Jan 2013 16:45:13
I know Walcott is quick but come on two positions at the time, that is indeed pushing it!

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16 Jan 2013 16:45:53
I know Walcott is quick but come on two positions at the same time, that is indeed pushing it!

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^^^ Rest Cazorla & Wilshire on Sunday ?????
Are you fricking mad? Our 2 best players, good one.
Our best chance of a trophy and you want to rest our best players. Brilliant. You couldn't make it up.

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Wenger rotates to much that's our problem they need to learn to link.
defence is changed weekly, bring jenkinson in at left back he played very well in that position plus he put brill balls into the box and even shoots.
people call merts but watch him closely in games he wins more balls than anyone sagna is leaving him exposed with to many players to mark. also you can't say fatigue dear me what about man you swansea and the rest of the prem they need to man up and be men not boys. podolski is on 90k aweek im starting to feel sink FATIGUE.

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^^ so good you posted it twice, lots of doubles tonight involving Walcott, that's an omen so a brt on 2 goals for him then.

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16 Jan 2013 15:07:44
If we miss out on ucl qualification at the end of the season, i think wenger should go.
Geo ob

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We won't, so why even mention it.

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^^^^^^^take of your rose tinted googlies mate we have a good chance of not finishing top 6!

spanner

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16 Jan 2013 14:49:24
Hi Edd's :D why not add a table on this page where you specify in which players Arsenal have shown an interest in and/or are talks ongoing, are they scouting the player, are they in talks... just to avoid answering these questions over and over during any transfer window?.... bye the way GREAT work guys, the is a source for some reliable information!!

COYG!! KEEP THE FAITH, WE'LL GET THERE!! {Ed002's Note - We tried it before and all we got is "what is the latest on ..."}

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Cos the page would be empty! Any scouting system that came up with Mannone, Squilacci & Park, should be ditched.

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16 Jan 2013 14:42:31
The media will be happy if we don't go through tonight. You get the feeling it's the only thing that gets them out of bed of late, but it's understandable. With every disappointment piles more pressure on our club. Confidence and momentum is priceless when matches come thick and fast ( even if there was a price on confidence and momentum, i'm sure Wenger would wait until the summer to see if he could get it on the cheap. Sorry couldn't resist.) Wenger is to blame for this, but it's the players who need to go out there and perform, with the knowledge that there will be the potential of the most severe criticism awaiting them. All we can ask is that even with this pressure on their shoulders that they play with desire, organisation and the ability to fully express themselves. I hope that however the match is going, they get full support from our fans until the final whistle. After that who knows.

Then it starts all over again with another super Sunday against chelski. It never ends. How am i ever going to quit smoking. See you all on the other side ladies and gents.

as ever UP THE GOONERS. Flybo :-)

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I just can't see us winning we are losers not winners.thought i would never say it
the management is bringing the club down like the twin towers.
who would ever think wenger is so powerfull.

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16 Jan 2013 14:18:35
Players who are there for the taking and would improve our squad and starting 11.

Stekelenburg
Santon
Mbiwa
Wanyama
Arda Turan
Fellaini

These players are either available or are pushing for a move within the next two transfer windows.

Everyone of the above mention would fancy a crack at who ever they are up against in our squad.
Someone like Mbiwa might take a look at our midfield and think "yeah, I could take Diaby or Arteta's place.

All these players are up for grabs and would be an improvement to what we currently have. Whether its Mbiwa partnering Vermaelen at the back and Wanyama anchoring our midfield. Or Turan, Wilshere and Cazorla floating behind striker while Fellaini and Diaby sit in centre of midfield doing their box to box thing.

The fact of the matter is that there are and always have been decent, good, quality and top quality players available to us if we were/are willing to cough up the cash. What Atletico Madrid proved is that even a world class player like Falcoa is available if the money is right.

We are not expecting the Falcoa's or Ronaldo of this world just yet. But a sign of some bloody ambition would be nice. Show us that our Arsenal is no longer moving backwards by selling their top players every season and replacing them with decent and good players.

Surround the likes of Wilshere, Ox, Jenks and Szczesny with top quality players while keeping the Cazorla, s and Podolski's who represent top sides internationally.

I will not get into the manager issue because everyone seems to have an opinion on the matter lately and we all have our particular side on that matter. Wenger won't get sacked or resign from the job tomorrow or in the near future. So until then lets forget about that and focus on the Arsenal

Lwi

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Is Stekelenburg really that much better than Szczesny?
And would he sit on the bench if not?

We just won't get him, I'd put money on it!

The rest, I'd love, but M'bwia wants Ac Milan, I fear Man Utd would beat us to Wanyama.

And Wenger won't pay £22m for Feliani.

Sorry to be a negative Nigel, but, you know.


D {Ed002's Note - Fulham bound.}

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If only Wenger would wake up. Silly attempts to sign Villa or telling us one day Fabregas will return or Im working on signing a deal with Walcott, above anything else. The wry smile when asked about Walcott extending his contract irritated me. What was meant by it? Has he agreed to stay or not?

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Fellaini and Turan are not available and we are talking 25+m in January. Beside them only Wanayama would improve us...

BGGOONER

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Fellaini has a trigger in his contract, which can be activated, then it us up to Wenger to pay the necessary salary and convince him to join us.

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16 Jan 2013 12:39:41
Out of the people who are jumping on the "why aren't we signing m'villa when qpr are?" band wagon-

How many of you have actually watched him play? He is not good enough for Arsenal. He's hardly ever performed well in the games I've seen and although yes he plays for his country, this is a very poor France team, possibly the weakest I've seen in my lifetime.

We need to be signing players who will challenge the first team for places and add quality. This means spending and we have the funds, this has been stated on several occasions.

Let's stop wishing for new players just for the sake of making signings.

Paul

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Couldn't agree more! Great post!

I have been wondering why we are looking at Adrian Lopez to be honest - from what I have seen of him he is fast but that's it!

Sally

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Think it was largely to do with the fact that when the French beat us in Wembley he was the single best player on the pitch. One of the most complete DM performances I'd seen.

Has realy declined since the whole French ban debacle and basically tried to force a move from his club and then the buyers pulled out so not very happy to be fair.

There is a very good player locked away in there but like many before think his ego and personal life could lead him to never really kick on.

Hackney Gooner

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16 Jan 2013 12:20:13
I have a feeling that Wenger, in his ignorance, thinks that we have only 17 more Premier League matches left & with only Arteta injured, we can finish top four with the existing squad. He is simply deluded.
I believe Walcott is stringing the club along & will sign on a free for United in the summer.
I have always defended Wenger in the past as he won trophies for us and provided Champions League football. This season I can't see the Toot imploding, nor a change of fortunes for us. Its sad to see Wenger, a shadow of his former self, having lost the plot. Moyes or Benitez please. Ideally Mourinho, but highly unlikely.

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I don't want the fat spanish waiter. Cheque please.
Flybo

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16 Jan 2013 12:07:50
Wenger's transfers targets are secret because there simply arent any. Alas, Wenger has lost the plot tactically, in respect of the players he signs, playing players out of position, incorrect salaries (too high for mediocre players & too low for top players). When Dein & Fiszman were dealing with matters we managed to hold onto the likes of Vieira & Henry until it suited us to sell them & at high prices for players of their age. Now we sell players in their prime. To think that our midfield should be: Flamini, Song, Fabregas & Nasri. With RVP & Adebayor up front, Cole or Clichy at left back. Slot in players from our current squad (Szczesny, Sagna, Merte, Vermaelen) & the team would be able to compete.

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I think Dein was very much 'at fault' when Cole left

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16 Jan 2013 12:05:52
It seems that Villa would want a move to arsenal, his representatives have said it, but edd do you think that they are trying to force barcelona's hand for a move or just to play more?

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Play more or a longer deal. Why would he want to move to us from Barcelona!

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16 Jan 2013 11:54:11
Wenger to announce two world class signings by the end of the week..
Walcott and Diaby.

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No chance of Walcott signing, he has simply run his contract down & will turn up at City or more likely United in the summer.

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If anybody else wanted him, it would be well know by now.
There is either no interest from anyone for him, or his agents have refused speak to anyone, as he is wanting to stay at Arsenal.

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16 Jan 2013 11:53:43
Guys who would you prefer for holding midfielder

Moussa sissoko
Diame
Capoue

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Capoue out of those three. Wanyama will be exceptional. Flybo

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Capoue.

Diame is just Diaby basically.
A tall, powerful midfielder with good feet, good pace and a technical quality.
Who spends most of his time on the treatment table.

Sissoko, isn't a true DM, he's a bit more advanced, he's quite small height wise, but he's strong and quick, he just hasn't got the real ability to be a DM for me.

Capoue, doesn't have the aggression I think we need, but he's disciplined, strong, quick in the tackle, and can start moves from deep.

That said, id take someone like Lars Bender or (unrealistically) Khedira over them anyway.

D

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16 Jan 2013 11:50:12
after the full first team failed to win against Swansea in the first match I'd like to see some youngsters given a chance defo esfeld and gnarby ( if he's not injured ... and surely Jenks deserves a game given Sagna s poor form . and if rosicy is nt given a game tonight I think he is being saved from injury to be sold, there's no other reason he is not getting game time !

R.D ...

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We have run Arteta & Cazorla into the ground. Why on earth we haven't used Eisfeld or Rosicky? Tonight we should use Jenkinson, Santos, Rosicky (if fit?), Coquelin & Arshavin. We need our team to be as fresh as possible for the Chelsea match.

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16 Jan 2013 11:25:55
Wenger won't sign anyone & we will have less players in the squad to choose from having let two players depart in the window. We are hearing the usual Wenger nonsense, I will sign players, followed by I only want special players who can add to the team (this is the man that signed Park & Squilacci!), it is difficult to sign players in the January window, we tried but were unable to make quality signings. Result, we will miss out on 4th place & hopefully Wenger will resign at the end of the season. He has become increasingly embarrassing making inane statements, the latest being Fabregas will return to the club in the future. His body language is awful, bent double clutching his stomach entrenched in his big red chair, rather than coaching the team for the sideline. More & more excuses.... I would like to see David Moyes or Rafa Benitez as manger, ideally Mourinho, but that isnt going to happen. I loved Wenger's Arsenal until the team that went unbeaten was disbanded. Now I simply don't understand his tactics, nor the players he signs. The basis of his great teams of 1998 & 2004 were playing a solid 4-4-2 formation with a strong defence & a powerful midfield.The current defence needs a left back in the Winterburn or Cole mould & a strong tall English style centre back in the Adams or Keown mould. It needs two tall strong central midfield players. I worked out that we only have 16 fit players to choose from, until Arteta & Gervinho return. Its poor, time for Wenger to change course or leave.

Believable7 Unbelievable3

It really winds me up when people say players are being over played.
They earn 50+ grand a week for 90 minutes (sometimes 180 minutes) work a week.
I'm sorry but that is not hard work, get a grip.

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Posted on wrong post, sorry, just of been in reply to the post above.

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16 Jan 2013 11:16:14
Why are none of my post's being posted on this site?

I am never rude nor do I insult others or the eds but I haven't had my previous two rumours posted, and before I'm told it may be on one of the other pages, I've checked them and its not on there either. I doubt this will be seen but who knows {Ed002's Note - You haven't sign the post - how do I know who you are? Hopeless.}

Believable0 Unbelievable0

Very funny, moaning without signing off.

Think you have chosen their name ed.

Hopeless!

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16 Jan 2013 11:11:34
Lets face it, since David Dein left, Wenger has assumed total command & the team has steadily weakened. He is headed down the wrong path. We may beat Swansea at home tonight, but we don't stand a chance against Chelsea at the weekend & I can't see us finishing top 4, unless we sign players & alter our formation.
1) Revert to 4-4-2
2) Sign two tall midfield players that can defend.
3) Sign a proper left back

These are essential, Wenger has simply lost the plot.

Believable7 Unbelievable3

16 Jan 2013 11:08:43
Wenger's newest quotes:

"My plan is to keep all of the players we have and then to add maybe, if possible, two new players to the squad, " Wenger told Al Jazeera Sport in an interview broadcast on on Tuesday.

"We will spend big (again) because we had restricted finances because we had built the stadium and had to pay that back.

"Now we have come out in a much stronger position financially again, so we can spend.

"But our way is a bit like Barcelona as well, to produce the core of the team from inside and add from outside the players who give really a plus."

Believable2 Unbelievable0

AW's way of saying he will NOT spend on a known player but will pick up another unknown and probably useless. I'm sorry but it is time AW went upstairs and we brought in another manager who WILL improve the team by buying top players and spending what is necessary to get them here.

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16 Jan 2013 11:06:59
Unless Wenger is playing a clever game, the 2 signings he mentions are not enough. We need: a 4th centre back, a proper left back, at least one if not two tall defensive midfield players & a further forward. We can possibly wait until the summer to sort out the goalkeeping situation, as well as look to ship out Squilacci, Santos, Rosicky & Arshavin.
I would like to sign:
Buckland - He is English & under 21, so won't affect the 25 man squad, nor the amount of foreign players in it.
M'Biwa - Can play on the right side of the centre back pairing & at right back. My only concern is that he is another 6ft centre back, when we need one who is dominant in the air & at least 6'2". or
Jonas Olssen - Tall commanding centre back & used to the Premier League.
Coentrao - Ideal at left back, but expensive.
Fellaini - Great player
Wanayama - 6'2", would form a great central midfield partnership with Fellaini.
Cavani - awesome.

These signings would fit perfectly into a 4-4-2 formation.

Believable13 Unbelievable9

I don't understand why people still think Wenger is 'playing a clever game' - when has he ever shown us he does this?

Arteta should have been done years before it happened. Gervinho should never have happened. There were better alternatives to Vermaelen and Koscielny. Santi was not a secret. It took us a year to finalise Podolski. Giroud was signed in mindset in March last year.

The only secret/clever signings we have made where Wenger has truly pulled the rabbit out of the hat because he knew he wanted the player and not for any other reason e.g. Man you thrashing us was Santi. That is in all honesty the minimum I expect from a world class manager. He should be aware of all the financial implications at other clubs, and players he can get hold of for cheap. He chooses not to. He doesn't wait til the end of the window to pull of some magic once the dust has settled - he waits til the end of the window because he doesn't like to be active in the market. You think he didn't know about Michu? A guy who got 17 goals as a second striker in La Liga, for £2m? You think he wasn't aware? Of course he was - he just did nothing about it. Do you not wonder why Wanyama/Capoue/A.N.Other is here? Because Wenger took a gamble on a player whilst simultaneously selling another! What a bellend!

There is no magic in the market from Wenger.

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Keep dreaming mate never plays 4-4-2
Expect diame an zaha if we are lucky

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Yeah we should also sign Messi, ronaldo, thiago silva to sure up things at the back and isco.......Give me a break. We don't need jack BUTLAND we need an experienced 'keeper to challenge szcsesny for the gloves. Yanga Mbiwa is a must, like to see Diame or Capoue. that's all we need. 1. experienced keeper 2. Yanga Mbiwa/Diame/Caoue. Would like to see yanga Mbiwa and Diame together but that's certianly wishful thinking

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16 Jan 2013 10:52:17
Sorry Ed didn't finish my text about AW signings
I was going to say like Le Grove said this morning their is hope on the horizon if we can get a new manager in.Well i off to the game tonight and i hope to see Jenks, Arshavin start and even Eisfeld on the bench.
Thanks for the site Ed
The Heybridge Gooner {Ed001's Note - I am hoping to see Eisfeld myself, I like what I have seen of him.}

Believable5 Unbelievable2

I hope you are right, maybe even le coq, the reason areta is now injured is because he over played em.bring in the fringe players

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16 Jan 2013 10:44:42
Hello Ed and fellow Gooners, the latest ramblings of AW over the last 2 days seems to be in my interpretation of Wengerspeak that he will use the Walcott contract saga not to be active in the transfer market.He goes on to say we get Theo sorted then we will do something, are we to assume
if Theo signs he won't buy and if Theo doesnt he will.
In my opinion the squad isnt the greatest but its far from poor AW should be doing better with what his got.
As i said on here before, things will not change on the pitch until a new manager with fresh ideas, motivation and so forth is brought in.The board have give him money, not as much as the Russian or The Sheik have their managers but still money.
Podolski(played out of position)
Giroud(not top notch striker but can't fault his effort)
Santi(quality, but badly needs a rest)
Eisfeld(needs to be given his chance)
Mertesacker(due to his lack of speed will always be suspect but we have worse cbs)
Chamakh(cant find a word in the dictionary)
Squillacci(ditto)
Santos(ditto)
Ramsey(cant see him getting any better)
Jenkinson(should have never been dropped)
Arshavin(worth a place on the bench at least, just might turn a game)
Ox(needs more games, the wrong one substituted on Sunday
Gervinho(another ditto)
Fabianski (ditto)
In the above list is you must agree is some woe ful signings that are not the fault of Stan, Ivan but lay firmly at the feet of AW,

Believable10 Unbelievable4

Mertesacker is not only slow but if he is challenged he cannot win a header, he also has no stregth and falls to the ground anytime he realises he will not get the ball or loses it. He is shocking and is definately not as good as Kos and Verm even though their form has dipped this year. Merte needs to be sold will Squillaci.
Chess

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I was extremely worried when we signed Mertesacker as having seen in action, I didn't think he was at all suitable for the rigours of the Premier League. Surely after so many years in England Wenger must be aware of this fact, if he isnt it worries me even more. He missed out on Gary Cahill, as he wouldnt pay the fee. We desperately need a 4th centre back, who must be able to play on right hand side of the pairing, be at least 6'2", quick and able to defend & head the ball. We need to abandon the failed 4-3-3 formation. If Wenger wants a chat on tactics, I'm available. In a 4 man midfield, when defending the midfield double up with the defence, meaning the attackers have to beat two players not one. If the fullbacks fly forward the right & left wingers stay back to cover. The simple fact is we won all our trophies under Wenger using a 4-4-2 formation with tall, powerful midfield players in the centre. Even, Wengers beloved Barca have Busquets & Mascherano (spellings?) who can put a foot in. We have dwarves, such as Wilshere & Cazorla, great players, but not in a premiership central midfield. They should play wide or in a free role off a main striker.

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16 Jan 2013 10:05:03
Couple of things I have noticed around here - we ask for a signing, another club signs them, everyone says that player wasn't good enough and people start saying 'Arsene knows'. In brief, that list includes Remy, Sahin, M'Vila. Already the output on here has turned from 'he's one of Europe's finest young players, he's an absolute beast!' (M'Vila) to 'every time I have watched him he's been awful'.

Now, I am so disappointed we haven't signed him. BUT - every time I have watched him, he really has been awful! So how does that work?

I was furious we didn't sign Sahin - a player who seemingly can't get a look in at Madrid purely because of the glut of talent they have ahead of him - but he comes with high wages, and is a dead cert future player of Madrid according to them. He went to Liverpool and has been about as average as Joe Allen whose £15m tag was quite frankly an embarrassment, despite him being a relatively tidy player. Months later, we're all saying 'wow Wenger got that right' - but firstly, he may not have flopped here and secondly it's still annoying AW signed nobody.

Remy is a player I really cba with. He seems like another all-hype player and I thought his £18m (or was it Euros) price tag was a joke in the summer. I think he's a good player. He is probably an improvement on some of what we've got. I do not care if we don't sign him though - so why does it sting when we see QPR/Newcastle are signing him?

I will be honest here and say this - if we had signed Sahin and M'Vila in the summer and they'd both flopped I would be happier than I am now, because I would feel like the club is trying. Liverpool sit mid table and their fans are practically Euphoric - they've got young players coming through who are getting game time in big matches, they've one or two world class players, a squad who play like they will die for the club and a manager with a plan. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's back to the drawing board. But I do not hear a single Liverpool fan complaining, because they feel as though their club is doing what it can to climb the table and that starts with investing in the team and having a manager with a vision. I read on Le Grove yesterday that they think Gazidis is not stupid enough to allow Wenger to choose his successor, or become a director at the club. I am praying this is true or nothing will change but I am not so sure they are correct in that belief - Wenger has said enough times he will choose his successor (which to me is disgraceful).

But back to my point, Liverpool fans are happy because their club is doing what it can. I feel as though we aren't. The ocean between the club and the fans is getting larger.

Am I happy we let Cahill and Mata go to Chelsea for the sake of a few bob? No. Am I proud we didn't throw money at those two? Not at all. I think we are a massive club with huge financial clout and we refuse to flex our muscles, and I find that pathetic actually.

So I won't be happy if Remy, M'Vila and any other crap players go to other clubs, but not because I desperately want them here - simply because, they're our targets and we aren't signing them.

I find it strange that Wenger will admit to knowing where the squad has weaknesses (AT LAST!) yet won't make the signings?

It's hard to gauge levels of expectancy on here. I actually don't expect us to spend £30m on a player, I really don't. I believe we could, and if we did it would be incredible, and I believe it would be with 'cash' rather than 'finance' so to speak. But there is nothing stopping us spending good money on top players. We could bring in two a £20m forward, £20m midfielder and a £10m CB if we wanted to, this month, and the calibre of those players would almost certainly wipe the floor with most of what we've got - but we won't do it.

People keep saying 'who out of the current team would get into the invincibles?' and I think that's a pretty misguided question. That will be like Barca in 6 years saying 'who would have got into that midfield of Xavi, Iniesta etc' when realistically those players appear once a decade and at that time, it was our time. I don't expect us to ever have another striker at the club as good as Henry, nor someone who'd be an improvement upon Dennis Bergkamp. Those players simply do not exist for under £80m and right now I am only convinced that possibly Messi could rival them.

So it's kind of silly when people keep saying that. Instead it would make more sense to say 'which players are the best in that position in the EPL? Or in the top 3?' I am a firm believer that the quality of your squad should be relative to your financial position. So I do believe that ideally our squad should have one of the world's top 5 most prolific strikers, and then for example, if each team had 3 midfielders then we should have 3 of the top 15 in the world, 1 of the top 5 def mids in the world, etc etc etc because that is relative to our financial position as the 5th richest club in the world. But we don't. We have players who are outclassed by teams that are built up with the same money that we received for RVP, Song and Nasri.

This is why I want change at the club. It's not that I don't like Gibbs. It's not that I think The Ox doesn't have talent. It's that our squad is crap, there is not enough top talent, and there is zero direction. I'm hearing more and more negative press (that's figurative btw) about the training methods we use. Who is advising our coach?

How many other managers spout about finances? As a club desperate to sell, do you not find it strange that we have not sold or released any players this window? I find that shocking. Let us say we were to release Fabianski, Squillaci, Park, Djourou, Denilson, Diaby, Arshavin and Chamakh. That's 8 players on an average of about £50kpw. That's £400kpw. Buying out their contracts would mean an outlay of about £10-15m. Fine, that's an outlay - but that's £20-30m per year off the wage bill, and more importantly, 8 slots opened up. How has this not been done? Apparently loaning Djourou to Hannover and Chamakh to WH took 'hard work' - I fail to see that. I think very little 'hard work' is being done and I certainly don't get the feeling as a fan that people at the club have all their heads in the same zone when it comes to transfers. Other clubs ooze this. You get the feeling Fergie, Moyes, in fact most managers are doing what they can to bring in players. If there's a way of making it happen it happens. Abromovich almost hand picks his targets, such is his involvement. Mancini always has a list as long as his arm and he goes cap in hand to the owners and makes signings. But here, we seem to have a manager who really doesn't want to spend money.

I am learning in other areas of life that when you look at the evidence you are given, if things seem off, or a certain way, and your instincts are telling you something isn't quite right, it is usually correct. I get this feeling with Arsenal. We make all the opposite noises to the other clubs in the league. Every other club cannot wait for Jan and managers openly express how they are doing what they can and working with their bosses to bring in players. How many people on here can say they have seen the same from our club?

When was the last time we heard 'our position in the league is not good enough, we're desperate to climb the table, we know we need the signings to do it and January will be a very busy month for us, we'll be bringing in new players for sure.' Why are we so secretive? Why does the club never hold its hands up and say 'this is not good enough'? Instead we get 'yes but if we fail to reach top 4 we can cope financially' - who gives a flying F*** if we can 'cope financially?!!' Seriously? Who goes to a match believing the result is not important as long as behind the scenes we're financially LOADED.

It's becoming harder and harder to support the way the club is currently being run. I am all for financial stability. But we've just landed a guaranteed income of £30mpa for the next 5 years. So why in holy hell are we not borrowing £60m this month, bringing in some immense players right now and climbing the table, getting us to top 4, and rebuilding in the summer? We can afford to do that. If we get top 4 we recoup almost have of that expenditure. There are just so many ways we could do things differently, safely and ethically, whilst not over-paying players but paying some of the world's best high salaries in keeping with current times but we won't. What's also stupid is that if we were to invest say £40m this jan, and £50m in the summer, based on the kitty that is there along with some juggling, we could bring in such quality players that we wouldn't have to pay mad prices or wages for the world's best. Chelsea could probably offer someone £40k a week and that player would sign because they're going to a team littered with stars who are at the competitive end of football. One mega investment in a squad refurb could provide the platform for more world class talent wanting to join us instead of having to be persuaded.

Believable15 Unbelievable2

Look lads... All the clues point to Wenger not wanting to spend. This is either pig headedness, arrogance or complacency. Or perhaps all three?
One of Wengers greatest assets was
Boro Primorac, first team coach. It seemed to me that somehow his coaching is not having the same effect as it did during the years when we really competed. Do the Eds. know if his influence has waned or is he being allowed to coach as he once did ?

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16 Jan 2013 09:35:23
He's basically a french Joey Barton

Believable2 Unbelievable0

Who? Wenger? At least Barton occasionally talks some sense. Wenger spouts nonsense these days. Fabregas will return one day! We are trying to make signings that will improve the squad, from the man that signed Park (only he knows why?) & Squilacci. He persevered with Almunia & the woeful Mannone. He sold our sole defensive midfield player in Song and didn't replace him. Is Wenger intentionally destroying the team?

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16 Jan 2013 09:26:12
Currently watching a replay of us 3 years ago. Can't believe we were able to field a team with the likes of song, nasri, fabregas, wilshire, Walcott, persie, clichy. We were under rated and not performing. It's the exact same story now. Well be talking about our current crop of players in 3 years time and will be saying the exact same thing wishing we had them players. Appreciate what we've got and don't be arrogant

Believable5 Unbelievable3

And what did those players win?

RVP aside, we have better players now, the problem has been that our rivals also have better teams.

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16 Jan 2013 09:11:50
This is why arsenal are poor last 7 years.
Dein leaving and french side being poor and spain taking over.

Wenger could pick cream from france as he was respected. Dein command respect all over the world. That why we got our players.

Dein gone and frnch side decling has caused all wengers headaches.

Believable3 Unbelievable6

As much as i'd like it, Dein and France have nothing to do with Wenger selecting Gervinho in the squad for games.

psychocyst.

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Dein & Fiszman departing was a major reason for our decline, as is Wenger thinking he can dominate all processes at the club. His days are clearly numbered. The worry is that there is a void at boardroom level, with no leaders.

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Dein was a nasty piece of work and investigated for a lot of dodgy off shore dealings.

Dein made good money selling his shares to a company that he then had shares in (Red & White Holdings). When R&W finally sell to Stan (or another) Dein would then have sold his club shares twice - how in the hell has that helped anyone except for himself? And as for his son, well he is mainly responsible for our recent stars leaving before they have reached maturity with us by holding us to ransom - Arsenal FC have said they will never work with him or any client of his again, nor any agent similar to him.

David Dein got deals done before the Euro even existed. He would be out of his depth nowadays, not the miracle worker you seem to think he is/was. Times have changed, Dein would make no difference with the money other clubs throw at players that we are after.

He and his parasitic son should not be alowed anywhere near the club ever again. Wenger needs some help, both on the pitch and in the boardroom, but not from that weasel family.

Mr Mister

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Pure drivel. Dein was a very smooth operator, who was responsible for Graham and Wenger managing Arsenal. It is no coincidence that since his departure we have struggled. He correctly advised the board that we needed an oligarch as owner, in order to compete with Chelsea & Man U, Man City hadnt arrived on the scene yet. As for his son, he is an agent & is working for his clients, not for Arsenal. It would be far better to have Dein & son on board to orchestrate matters. I cannot blame Dein for selling his shares once he had left. I pray Usmanov makes a takeover bid, bringing Dein & son with him.

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16 Jan 2013 09:09:28
bergkamp and bould as arsenal next managers

Believable7 Unbelievable2

Again, and how does Bergkamp go to European games when he won't fly.

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16 Jan 2013 09:08:28
Why can arsenal spend big now. Is it down to the shirt sponsor increase recently and ticket price increase

I don't get it, the emirates (250m debt) is a 25 year fix rate of repayment 35 million per year. So this has nothing to do with it. We have debts of 120m on top

My thought wenger will buy but nothing big. The fact that he wants to keep the existing players like squallici etc says it all

I find wenger the board very bizarre. The next 12 days and bayern will define wenger season.

Believable6 Unbelievable5

Arsenal can spend, its Wenger that resists the urge to spend. We had £150 million in the bank, it has been reported that this has grown to as much as £250million. The funds are there, the willingness to spend is not.

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"The fact that he wants to keep the existing players like squallici etc says it all"

you, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.
we've wanted the Squid out for a while now (shhh...don't tell him) but the silly wage demands he has makes it impossible to offload him because no clubs are willing to stump up that kinda money.
we could pay up and get rid of him but that leaves us thinner than things stand. it's a numbers game and we're losing. deal with it.

psychocyst.

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There's no way were paying £875m including interest for the stadium.

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The stadium debt repayments are only £17m a year & are well under control, with £150m + in the bank. It is Wenger's personic vision that is causing mayhem at the club. He is living on past glories and this is the season we will fail to finish top 4, hopefully he will depart.

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16 Jan 2013 09:07:30
The Sun is reporting that Capoue is off to Everton to apparently replace Fellaini. So maybe there is a chance and Arsenal are in for him. Especially after Wenger has stated that the debt-time is over and he can take a lot of money to sign world class players again!

AustrianGunner

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I pray you are correct, I would love to see us sign Fellaini. In addition I would like either Diame or Wanayam, so we can revert to 4-4-2 with two beasts in central midfield. The small technical players must be used either wide in midfield or off the main striker. Midfield options could be:
Walcott, Fellaini, Wanayama & Cazorla or
Oxlade Arteta Abu Diaby & Zaha.

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16 Jan 2013 09:07:20
Wenger says he is going to buy BIG, that means 2 players around the 10-12 million mark who will go straight into the team. Fergie and Mancini buy 10-12 million pound players to sit on the bench !

Believable3 Unbelievable1

What a pointless thing to say

city and utd have £25-30m players on their benches and some £5-10m players starting every game.

Transfer Value takes everything into account (contract length, player hapiness, etc), it is not Actual Value.

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16 Jan 2013 08:59:43
ed. im sure it must send you around the bend with some of these most stupid questions?
how many times do you get asked about yann m villa. come on guys go to Google then type name then search, easy i don't think most read the site because every third question is yann m villa with answer, but then they ask again.

Believable3 Unbelievable2

16 Jan 2013 08:54:54
If we sign diame it won't be because he's the best available, it will be because he is cheap. Yeah he's a good player but is he world class? No he is certainly not, and we need players who are world class and are better than what city, utd and Chelsea have in order to compete with them.
Same old story were shopping at Tk maxx whilst everyone else is up Selfridges

Believable2 Unbelievable3

Diame would be a starter for Arsenal straight away. He would then be in the next France squad, the same as Kos.

If Diaby can stay fit this season (a big if, i know) alongside Diame, suddenly we have France's centre mid pairing (along with Cabaye who i rate highly), and then Diame will be considered WORLD CLASS very quickly.

Diame could work out very nicely, just cos he's costing only 3.5m doesn't mean that is his actual worth. I know some people on here including Metal Gooner agree that we should have picked him up for free in the summer when West Ham did. We didn't because Diame hadn't fully returned from injury, and wenger can't justify another injury prone signing, even though Diame isn't actually injury prone, he just had a bad injury in his last year at Wigan.

gun44

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Just because the players are cheap it doesn't mean there poor this post is very short sighted. Viera petite where cheap as chips they turned out ok. Demba ba 7m buy out he is not crap and I honestly think 3.5m for diame is great business and better than what we have

Bergkamp wonderland

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16 Jan 2013 07:53:48
We need to sell Walcott and instead play Podolski striker and switch him with Giroud depending on fixture.
Sign a real winger to provide service and we have a lethal partnership.
Walcott has only scored in 3 of 4 matches playing striker.
That is appalling for a striker.
Wilmslow Gooner

Believable2 Unbelievable7

We need to play with two strikers:
Giroud with Walcott.
Podolski with Gervinho.
The lone striker has to end, it hasnt worked.

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3 in 4 is appalling?

That would work out as 29 league goals over the season. Its approximately the same ratio as van Perise.

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Spot on mate!
Ezdee
Don't sign Da Ting Teeo!

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How is it bad you can't expect someone to score everytime the play

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Yes....yes...yes!


north carolina gooner

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16 Jan 2013 14:23:31
'only scored in 3 out of 4 games, disgraceful for a striker'. What are you on about.

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How dare walcott not score in every game and he has only had 3 assists as well what a joke

watford gooner

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16 Jan 2013 07:51:05
Don't understand why everyone wants M'Vila to be honest, average player with a bad attitude and a stupidly high price tag, would much rather see Fellaini or Capoue at Arsenal Football Club

Bailey

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16 Jan 2013 07:05:19
If M'villa is so good then why is it that he is so close to signing for QPR and other teams have not come in for him? Maybe wenger is right not to go for him....for whatever reasons that might be. We still need to strengthen though!

Josh

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I think he is overated, and most people on here are just jumping on the bandwagon, expecting us to sign him.
To be fiar if he does sign for QPR and has a good few months before QPR get relegated, then I'm sure there will be a clause inserted into his contract that will let him leave in the summer, probably on the cheap. Who knows ?

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Diame & Wanayama please, ideally Fellaini, but I can't see him joining us. I would pair them in central midfield, alternating them with Abu Diaby & Arteta. I would look to play Cazorla & Wilshere off the main striker or wide in midfield. Podolski could play off Giroud. We could use Oxlade wide & Walcott, wide or off the main striker. Gervinho could also play off the main striker. Loads options, merely by reverting to 4-4-2 & playing two beasts in midfield, rather than dwarves.

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Yeah he's so bad he is a regular for France, whereas as Coquelin is so good Arsene doesn't trust him in the league and Ramsey is so good he plays at RW instead of The Ox.

At the end of the day they have a better keeper than us, SWP is a better winger than Theo and Gervinho (and Podolski) and Taraabt is better than most of our squad in terms of talent, drive and ability.

QPR may be bottom of the table but they have some great players there and just because M'Vila has chosen to go there doesn't make him crap. Suarez currently plays for a mid table team does that make him crap?

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16 Jan 2013 05:57:14
Okay not so long left and we are typically no nearer signing anyone than we're were 20 days ago, months after it was clear we HAD to sign to stay in any vague hope for 4th. Sadly the poor recent performances have done nothing to increase any urgency.
City outclassed the worst Arsenal side in a generation, Chelsea will beat us with ease this weekend, and I fear Swansea will remove our last chance of a trophy tonight. By the end of the week season over. By the end of the season I would guess 6th place at best and decline confirmed.
Now the issue is you have broadly two types of players. Those out of our class who will go to one of the big European 12 clubs. So any talk of Sneijder, Schweinsteiger, etc is nonsense. Then you have a whole host of players who just aren't up to it and that's why they will be sold - Remy and M'Vila wouldn't be talking to QPR if they had the class we need.
The hope has been for ages now that if you weren't one of the top clubs you had a manager with contacts, and a world class scouting system. We had both in spades once and hence we rose to the top. We seem to have neither now and he players we have signed in the last few years have in the main been mundane.
So why will things change? Don't believe the money or hat we will spend big, it will not happen. Don't think any game changers are on the way, they aren't. Don't believe suddenly we will discover a gem and have any chance of him coming to us rather than United, Chelsea, or sadly even Spuds. Oh and don't listen to the standard Arsene distractions, particularly the rubbish about Cesc returning one day, not only doesn't it matter, but he won't.
So my transfer gossip? No one s on a plane, no one has been seen by a mate at Colney, no superstar is about to rock our world, and quite probably another no show transfer window, or at best another squalid sad last minute rush in the last week nice our season is well and truly over.
We need to be clear how incredibly lucky we have been to have the last 12 years and to have had Arsene. We need to be careful about wishing for someone with a one hit wonder season behind them to replace him - just look at Rodgers and Lambert. But this summer change has to happen or our deline will become terminal.

The Ghost of Terry Mancini

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Spot on, its time for Wenger to depart, he hasnt a clue any longer.

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16 Jan 2013 03:44:54
hi every1 i would just like to say it is proper doing my nut in when every1 keeps saying we need world class players in this position that position I'm sorry but the term world class gets use to much there is only and handful of players that you can say are world class no one has a whole team of world class players you get the odd world class player with great or good players around them so people that keep saying we need to buy a world class striker and a lb and a cdm no team will go and buy 3 world class players maybe 1 and good and great player. Also you get people saying we need world class players then the players they suggest aren't even near world class like people keep going on about m'vila yea he's a strong good tackler but he ain't world class. i agree we need some players that are mention but please stop calling them world class because they ain't.
i know not all people will agree with me but it's just my opinion.

Charlie Gooner 4 Life

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Barca/Spain come pretty close to a team of world class players

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16 Jan 2013 01:57:04
I have to say that at this very moment i would be really disappointed if i finish college tomorrow and Mvila has signed for QPR. Have we not chased his signature for a couple of seasons now.? Not really bothered about Remy and to be fair fellow Gunners neither should you, he aint that good. Podolski, Walcott, Giroud over Remy any day.
But Harry nicking Mvila...........

I cannot see us buying anyone in January. And i will not be suprised if we do not. However if i had a magic cheque book then Hamsik at Napoli would get a bid.

Wilshire was class against Man $ity, all they could do was foul him.

A message to all those fans who turn up at the emirates just to boo and whinge, hand in your tickets for those who want to cheer and support our club.

What a disgrace. And then you have the nerve to go on 606 and complain even more.

Arsenal FC and the players of Arsenal FC will be better of and will probably achieve again when there are 60,000 who cheer us to win. Not jeer us when we are on the back foot.

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I don't rate Mvila that highly. Why don't City, or United or Chelsea go in for him then? The fact is that he is known to be a bad influence in the locker room and although he has potential, he is at best another balotelli...

its not about football its about the glamour of football...these players have all the talent...just not the desire...ravel morrison is another.

The big managers know it best...they have seen many players in the past and they know the trend...

for harry it is about saving his season.

what we should be doing is getting a world class striker...which we have not done. Wenger said he will spend big...but unless its falcao or cavani i am not too excited about any other garbage that will just give us that 4th place trophy

Lakerville

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I agree with the above posts reference to the supporters supporting not jeering and bleating sure constructive criticism but not down right negativity. some fans are just so fickle and it just adds insult to injury help support your team not constantly witter on about how you didn't sign this player or that player. get behind the players you have or as mentioned above stay at home and let the real supporters go and support

dave

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Well said mate

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16 Jan 2013 01:11:13
I love Arsenal, and for what he's done in the past I love Arsene Wenger. But something is seriously wrong, we've had exactly the same weaknesses for absolute years now and they have never even come close to being adressed. How can it be that in all honesty, Sol Campbell and Patrick Viera have never been replaced as leaders, fierce competititors and even more importantly, as world class defensive players. Were not going to sign anyone this january, at least no one that will change our situation, everyone knows that we need to work on our defense by either signing someone or working on drills, and everyone knows we need to sign a really good ball winning midfielder that will give us some bite and presense in the middle of the park so that Wilshere, Arteta and Cazorla can play their stuff in the opposition half. As results have blatantly shown, as much as Wenger clearly wants it to, the combination of Wilshere and the two Spaniards does not work as a midfield, however good it looks on paper. M'Vila, Wanyama, Capoue... they'd all jump at the chance of joining Arsenal... I hear that Wenger decided against signing M'vila because of his attitutde. So what? Van Persie's attitude was horrendous when we signed him, Patrick Viera used to spit at people! ... these are two of Wenger's greats... and they both had pretty bad attitudes, but it didn't mean they weren't winners. I don't buy it, the lad is a one man wrecking ball of a midfielder who is lovely with the ball at his feet and is exactly what we need. Also, if we were so close to signing him... as well as apparently Wanyama... as well as apparently apporaching Vertonghen about performing an Petit-esque switch from centre half to tough tackling midfielder, Arsene Wenger was clearly aware that this particular weakness exists within our squad. He clearly saw this as being problematic, yet did nothing. He obviously knows that Coquelin isn't up to much otherwise he'd play him more, likewise Frimpong obviously isn't trusted or he wouldn't have been loaned out. I don't care that he'd had an injury, so had Wilshere and he came straight back into the first team and has outperformed most. I just don't really understand the direction that my beloved Arsenal are going in, we have some really good players, but were not getting anywhere. I've been reading on this site for about two years and almost once every day someone posts that we need to get rid of the dead wood (Squillaci, Denilson, Chamakh et all... I know they're on loan but we are still playing a large part of the wages). I don't understand why Arsene Wenger, previously a fierce winner, seems to have become content with a group of largely mediocre players, of which mediocre achievements are expected.

At the end of the day, Harry Redknapp was right, Spurs do have a better squad than us. Levy recognised what they needed over the summer window and he went out and got it at a cheap price, whilst also selling his best player for a massive sum (a season after cannily ensuring that he didn't end up at a rival English club). Whereas we never seem to sign the players that we actually need, and have sold our best player to the man that was Wenger's greates rival. Do you think Fergie would have sold us Rooney if our fortunes had been reversed and Roon was coming to the last year of his contract? Not a chance.

It would be nice if we showed some ambition. I would say the future with our young players looks bright, but I've said that for years... I remember thinking that Seb Larsson, Havard Nordveit and Aurturo Lupoli were going to be the next Arsenal greats. Anyway if anyone managed to get this far, thakyou for reading my post and I hope we win against Swansea, because we really really need to.

Fab

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M'vila? Have yoy seen him playing? He is mediocre, it's not about his attitude...Football is not only about transfers. stop playing fm or fifa.

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With no arteta in the defence area i can only see swansea attacking every two mins, 3/1 draw swansea 5/1. £10.00 on each looks a good bet i find it settles the pain if we get beat.

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16 Jan 2013 01:10:23
how comes QPR Harry is signing players we were interested in.. Remy and M'Villa....
Wenger says he's gonna make 2 big signings..
are they Theo and Diaby..??
season ticket holder, always faithful to the club..
but even I am completely disillusioned with the complete inactivity of the board and the manager...
how much longer..??!!
Jed da Gooner..!

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We have looked at both players & clearly don't consider them to be of the quality we need. Remy isnt a prolific scorer & M'Vila has looked very ordinary each time I have watched him. We need, as Wenger states to add quality and I would like to see us make every effort to sign Fellaini, Wanyama (spelling from Celtic), Buckland, M'Biwa, Baines & Villa.

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Riemy and m'villa are not that good, they are not at cl level. i don't think that we were really after them...

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Think about it -those 2 will probably end up at QPR (very likely to go down), are they really the quality of players we need to make the difference?

I saw an Ed comment asking if a poster had actually seen M'Villa play and I totally agree - he's useless. Saw another comment about M'bwa being the big hard as nails defender we need - that's not his game, he's classy but he's no Keown. As for a DM - without a doubt we should go all out to sign Wanyama.

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16 Jan 2013 00:38:02
Fulham have reportedly told Jon Arne Riise he can leave the club after a fall out with Martin Jol. I think this could potentially be a good signing as cover for gibbs, so we no longer have to rely on Santos when gibbs is (inevitably) injured again. Lives in London as well.

Gaston the Goon

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Not a bad short term solution, assuming we revert to a 4-4-2 formation, as Santos is woeful & Gibbs is not a left back & should revert to his original position on the left side of midfield.

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He is 90 lol

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16 Jan 2013 00:56:52
Hi everyone, I've read through this site every few hours the past month looking for something concrete. Here are some players that I think arsenal could and possibly may sign due to interest show in the past.

Yohan Gourcouff - 4million very technically gifted and an AW style player with quality, only aged 26. Does have an injury history.

Siem de Jong - 9m probably the player I found most interesting during the CL group stages. A reasonably tall and skilful player with a physical side. Similar to RVP. Is currently captaining Ajax with his older brother playing in Bundesliga. Newcastle have identified him as a possible Ba successor.

Younhes Belhanada - 10m a skilful dribbler and great passer made Belhanda and Giroud a lethal duo last year in Ligue 1. Aged 22 AW shown interest in past. Could he replicate this at Arsenal?

Mapou M'biwa - 8m Strong and versatile Montpellier captain play as CB or CDM. Looks good on ball and has a good physical presence off the ball. We need someone more defensive to replace Song.

Victor Wanyama - 10m+ A 21 year old Kenyan bought on the cheap by Celtic from Belgian. Outplayed Song when Arsenal met Celtic last year. A versatile and physical player, with steel needed in current Arsenal team.

Stoplia Sunzu - 23 Zambian Defender that played pivotal roles for club and country in winning both African Champions League and Cup of Nations. Looks a great defender and a handful going forward.

Mentions to players I would like to see in red and white but I don't think AW would choose to buy - Lewandowski, Cavani, Hummels and El Sharaawy.

Thanks for reading, REDgooner.

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Yohan Gourcouff was good, when he was 20. Now it is very far from being good enough for arsenal. Belhanda is very good player, but I think he is a bit lazy and with our 4-3-3 we need midfielders, which wil run and run and run from the 1 to 90 min.

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15 Jan 2013 23:50:56
It's going to take alot more than £50 million for us to challenge for the prem, the champs league and fa cup, more like £150-£200 million. We need world class RB, LB, CB, CDM, RM and ST.

Chas_80

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15 Jan 2013 23:46:48
Just been told that M'vila is close to finalising his switch to QPR for 8m. Has Wenger missed a trick here as he clearly is the type of player we are crying out for atm? Come on Arsene we need reinforcements sharpish!!
Az1984

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