Arsenal Banter Archive June 16 2013

16 Jun 2013 23:21:22
Does anyone think that this has got possibilities. A transfer between Arsenal and Liverpool involving Walcott and Suarez?
Bit mad I know but I remember reading something ages ago which made me think that behind closed doors a discussion about this had been going on. Would it be a good thing or bad I don't know. What does anyone think? {Ed027's Note - Suarez>Walcott, but it isn't going to happen, no chance

He's a class player but has got far too much history. Needs and wants to get away from the PL

16 Jun 2013 22:39:24
Caught-Offs!de linked us with a 10m + Gervinho bid for Valbuena.

They are incredibly unreliable, however, theoretically speaking, how would everyone feel about this?

Wouldn't be too bad a piece of business IMO, would rather a smaller fee though. Say around £6m.

Way to overpriced. I would of thought a bid of around 12m would get him.

I have never liked him and I personally hope that is not true. On other hand today other unreliable blogs and news sites are linking us with Dimitri Payet. That is something that I would like.

With the way gervinho plays were lucky to get 2000 let alone 2 million

Bergkamp5353

16 Jun 2013 20:41:13
Numerous sources are reporting that Jack Wilshere's surgery was a success, and he should be fit for pre-season.

16 Jun 2013 19:05:37
I am new to this but am a life long Arsenal fan. I do agree with Stoner on the Rooney saga. I also don't believe Rooney to be a world class player and for the salary he evidently would be asking for I am certain there are quite a
a few better players out there more suitable. Rooney is ok in the Prem but let's face it on the world stage he doesn't to me justify £250 grand a week! and even at £170 grand I think he is well over the top. Maybe they are thinking of shirt sales etc who knows, but he would not be for me.

16 Jun 2013 19:46:32
agree mate.

16 Jun 2013 17:42:40
Evening Eds,
Just wondering whether valdes saying he is honouring his barca contract means he is off the cards now, or is there still a chance he will be going to Arsenal or Monaco?

Thanks {Ed027's Note - Like he said, he his honouring his contract

16 Jun 2013 19:11:06
Monaco was in the running. gone quite. km

I honestly think he's rubbish anyway. I can think of 10 keepers in England I'd rather have then him, god knows how many in Europe.

Chimney sweep Josh

16 Jun 2013 16:00:10
Wenger spotted in Tescos. Spending several hours choosing potatoes. Fear is he will miss the transfer deadline in his top, top, top potato quest.

Wayne is that you? Are you going to come to Arsenal?

For potato - should we read 'Rooney'?

Haha no the poster is Rooney

16 Jun 2013 15:07:08
A tv chief reporter has said:

Higuain is our number one target. We will also be trying to sign a defensive mid and an attacking mid. A defender will only be brought in if one leaves.

I don't see the need for an attacking midfielder, but I suppose Arshavin has gone now, so when Rosicky isn't fit we don't have much on the bench.

I hope the defensive mid brought in is Fellaini.

Could do with a 'keeper too. That would give us 2 good GKs, 3 good centre backs, two good left/right backs, great midfield choices and Higuain/Giroud upfront.

If those come in, I don't see the need for Rooney. If Giroud hasn't improved on his debut season by Jan, then maybe someone will be bought in Wenger's much disliked January transfer window.

David Ornstein I think it was.

I reckon, if this is true, then the following would probably sign:

ST-Higuain
CDM-Fellaini
CAM-Grenier

Here's hoping.

Those three would be great. And yes, but I didn't want to mention him by name!

He can be hit and miss occasionally, but I think he's pretty reliable.

16 Jun 2013 12:28:01
Just read that soldado maybe looking to move to the premier league from Valencia. Do you think there would be interest on our end? He could be who we need

16 Jun 2013 12:18:54
Silent Stans really showing he has no interest in Arsenal other than for financial gain eh? Replacing Hill-wood with a bank manager! We all know your cheap son but now your CHEAP AS CHIPS!

Happy retirement Peter, you have true arsenal blood

Uninformed posting!

16 Jun 2013 12:10:04
Fellaini is quality but is he the right midfielder for us?we need a disciplined CDM

SY4

I agree. No denying he is great, but I doubt he would protect the back four more than Arteta does.

Oleg Maputo

I personally don't think he is coming, however he has himself stated many times that he prefers the dm role

I actually feel he would be the best fit for us play him and Ramsey as 2 holding mids with jack and santi in front and 2 up top I will put my neck out abs think Ramsey will be massive for us next year he really was solid towards the end and think he can own that position rotating with arteta when required. If we sign (Rooney/higuin?) play behind giroud or play either one of them with theo/podolski that's a amazing forward line and some real presence in midfield

Really good idea Ramsey looked brilliant towards the end of the season, I personally thin fellani is the best option for us, we'll be a real threat from corners and he's the kind of dirty player we need. With wilshere in a free role we could win the league or at least silverware next season

Bergkamp5353

I struggle to think of anyone with better stamina than ramsey. the guy can run all day. wouldn't ramsey be an effective defensive midfielder? he can pass (needs to improve) and he can tackle. is fellaini so much better as a DM? sure he scores goals. but alex song liked to get forward and set up goals, and got heaviliy criticised for doing so at the expense of his defensive duties. We would see fellaini doing the same thing at arsenal surely?

Sign him up! Now!

DrchoGunner

16 Jun 2013 12:03:38
I seldom post on this site, but regularly visit the site. Good job by the eds, plus all the regular posters like malaga, metal and US etc.

This is what I'd like to see happening this summer:

A left-winger:
Of all the players I've read about on the site recently, Antoine Griezmann is the one that interests me the most.

It's be a long time that we had a out-and-out winger on the left. This player is pretty quick, hard-working but the final ball / cross is far from the finished product.

The fact that he is so busy getting up and down the flanks would also allow us to switch to 4-4-2 during the games as well. Appreciate that we've played with 3 central midfielders over recent seasons, but a player like this would allow a plan B - so we can play 2 strikers up top should we need to chase a game.


Right-back
Bacary Sagna has one year left on his contract. I'd prefer to extend his contract has he has been exceptional for us at Arsenal. Yes - he's had poor games last season, but generally remains solid. Micah Richards would be a player I get in irrespective whether Bacary stays or goes. He can cover right-back and centre-back, plus would be a good addition to the English core we have at the club.

Defensive midfielder and striker roles:
Our squad is clearly lacking a genuine defensive midfielder. Bender would be my preferred choice, but there a wealth of talent out there.

Looking at the existing squad, I only have confidence that ONE of our strikers can fulfil the central role - and that's Giroud. Walcott needs to remain as a right winger come right-sided forward. He's too light-weight as a main striker and he couldn't play the second striker role as he doesn't have football abilities to perform there. However, Walcott is a huge asset to the team on the right side.

I like Podolski a lot, but I don't know his best position. Wide left would be it, but not as winger. A front 2 partnership of Giroud + Podolski I can't see working either.

So I can see why Arsene is after another striker - probably as that second striker. But also someone who could play up front with Santi just behind. I just have a sneaking suspicion that Rooney will be heading our way. I have nothing to base this on. But I think this would only happen if Arsene was convinced that Wayne was not on the wain and demonstrated that he is determined to succeed. With the world cup 12 months away, what better motivation would a Wayne of this world need?

And finally. I hope that our transfer business is not held up our need to secure CL qualification. I'm hopeful (rather than confident) that this year will see a change in our transfer philosophy (more income, players and wages being released) and can see at least 2 players coming in for more that 15 million.

Over to you Arsene

Andy

Great post andy, agree with everything you say, but I am a little pesimistic that once again that CL qualifier will be a breaking point on our negotiations. I don't think we want to commit any money untill we have qualified.

16 Jun 2013 19:41:43
Really good football comments mate. someone who has a good understanding of the game. Good point on width on the left, Podolski and Segna. km

Thanks for the shout out mate :)

I haven't seen Griezmann but I have had a fair few people saying he is the real deal. That said, I think we should bring in Nani regardless. I know he tends to start in Theo's position at United but that's only so he can cut in on his left foot. IMO he just needs a bit of a kick, some mojo, and a change of scene, I think he'd be amazing at AFC.

Secondly, I'd love us to sign a proper DM and line up in a 4132 at home. It's the formation Wenger tends to turn us into on the 70th minute in order to grab the winner when we're drawing. It's the formation City start almost every game with, and they go ahead early.

Just as an example of something people may want to change in terms of personnel, no worries, but this would be amazing:

. GK.
RB. CB. CB. LB
. Bender.
. Theo. Santi. Nani.
. Higuain. Podolski.

Mad team!

But also having those players allows for tactical changes and amazing rotation/bench options. The Ox, Jack, Rambo, Mikel, Giroud etc rotating.

Our cup teams would be strong as well. My fear is that Wenger won't want to phase players out e. g. Ramsey/Arteta/Rosicky. So hard to try and predict what we will do this summer.

16 Jun 2013 11:14:50
So while the transfer news of the first team appears to be being kept under wraps, the Academy has been very active. After releasing 10 players and with 5 more moving on, the Academy has secured Dan Crowley, Julio Selva and now 16 year old Swedish striker Jamaal Raage from Swedish club IF Brommapojkarna. I'm guessing they are building a youth squad that will give a memorable performance in the NextGen Series and really start to push on in terms of promotions to the 1st team. With Eisfeld, Toral, Bellerin, Akpom, Gnabry, Yennaris, Martinez Kristofsson and Miquel already at the club, it looks like the Academy is really looking to motor on.
HarrowGooner

I hope so too. I miss the days when the arsenal young guns where the bogeyman team of the carling cup

16 Jun 2013 11:12:09
Nani in Gervinho out? I would. Thoughts?

Agreed. Wouldn't want him in the starting XI, but he would add depth.

Its a bit like for like, but definately an upgrade. The system we play suits an out and out winger on one side and although Nanis inconsistant there aren't many available that are better than him. On his day he's a bloody good player.
AG

Nani? Pass. Andre Ayew on the other hand.

16 Jun 2013 10:45:21
Signing Nani! I'd actually take that to add strength and depth

I'd love it if we signed Nani!

There's a lot of weight to the argument that when players like him leave, they play with a point to prove. I was banging on about how Sturridge would be an amazing signing because the raw talent is there, he just needed a change of club and he needed coaching. Almost nobody on here agreed, he moved to Liverpool in the end and had an absolutely amazing half a season and he really stepped up his team play as well.

I'd say the same for Nani, if we miss him we'll regret it, and if we sign him it could be a master stroke. I am literally praying we sign him.

16 Jun 2013 08:45:30
My personal opinion on Rooney.

I believe the rumours. If we want him, pay enough (£25m makes sense) and offer him enough as an average weekly salary (£170k plus £4m signing on fee = £236k a week) then he is ours. I also believe he would be happy with a move to Arsenal, his personal life would certainly point to him staying in England and I don't see Chelsea being 'his sort of club'.

However, I do not want him to join. Since his personal life erupted in the media due to his extra-marital goings on and the birth of his two children he has not been the same player. Constantly battling with his weight and fitness, temper issues on the pitch etc. Having said that, maybe Wenger can turn his career around and get it back on track.

If it's a straight choice between Higuain and Rooney, we should go for the Argentine- younger, hungrier and more of the type of player we need. Creativity is not what we are lacking.

If he does sign, I will be the first to give the United fans the same stick they gave us over the sale of RVP.

Glad we are being linked with players of this caliber

I would take either - Rooney or Higuain

I think both would give better speed and mobility up front. For a 433 both would be fantastic and allow the front 3 to switch around which is important

Both add more threat to goal

Rooney has baggage but is proven in the league

Happy either way

SY4

If you sign Rooney then win the league then feel free to give us all the stick you want! Thing is, whether you sign Rooney or not I still can't see you winning the league or CL.

HB

16 Jun 2013 14:37:53
HB,

I have a feeling we will finish above you next season, what that position will be I don't know.

Of all the top teams you are most at risk. Hence the desperation for Ronaldo. Even young Kloot is flapping.

16 Jun 2013 14:58:41
@HB- be fair, you were giving us stick way before winning the league last season- so in a way your comment is irrelevant.

btw we will be back challenging for the league again- we haven't completely disappeared! It might not be next season, or even the season after that- it could even be after silent stan and/or wenger leaves, who knows, but arsenal will be back at the top of the league again I assure you of that.

LG

16 Jun 2013 03:43:44
we've been linked with all these big games and it does get exciting to be linked with them but gazidis said there's money IF arsene wants to spend it. let's face it we'll probably have another disappointing transfer window. wenger always says if the right players become available well higuain is available, fellani has a release clause so why don't wenger just stop being stubborn and tight and say I want those players? I hope I am wrong and we do strengthen significantly but we need to get transfer deals done early. look at city for example they have already splashed out over 40 million and wouldn't be surprised if there's more to come, no doubt jose will have a big kitty at chelsea. bottom line is we need to break our transfer records and do whatever it takes to compete at the top or it'll just be the same old story again out the title race before christmas, out of every cup by march and scrapping for top 4 again.
opinions always welcome



gooner mark

Not much to add tbh- a part from that I agree with you.

Although. Wenger will be judged on this transfer window and I predict he will be facing a pretty hostile crowd at the emirates if he doesn't make quality signings (quality, not necessarily how much they cost, although these days the two generally seem to go together. ).

so the crowd will be just waiting for one glitch and it will turn ugly imho (wenger out stuff etc). Patience at the emirates is already wearing thin.

For his own sake, I hope he does make some significant signings- I would hate for him to leave on a bad note- that would be a sad day.
LG