Use our rumours form to send us arsenal transfer rumours.
19 Jan 2013 23:41:38
why is it that certain peoples posts are not posted on the forum edd...it seems to me that there is an old pals act going on here {Ed002's Note - A conspiracy then?}
Maybe leave a name?
Willesden Gooner
Maybe in dodgy rumour category. Check it out.
19 Jan 2013 21:14:09
Diaby is the answer to a lot of our problems. The only problem is can we take a chance on him staying fit.
Limerick Gunner
Simple answer no same with Gibbs we need a DM and LB as they are injury prone
Who has ever seen enough of Diaby to make a judgement whether he is the answer or the problem? With chronic injuries like his....he should have been moved out of the squad years ago.
North Carolina Gooner
19 Jan 2013 18:25:23
A relation of one of the Editors sadly died a while back in a swimming pool, he was only 12, but could have been saved with a diffibulator. His father is trying to get support for an e-petition for diffibulators to be available in all public buildings. If this is something you consider worthwhile, perhaps you would think about signing it:
epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29399
Sorry ed this is my email and name I posted about this story. I'm the one with the 3 kids.
20 Jan 2013 11:38:44
low life who clicked on disagree, how would YOU fill if it was someone close to you!
spanner
Only on this page
19 Jan 2013 18:19:07
Curiouser and curiouser - alleged Arsenal 'targets' are landing at QPR, Newcastle and Spuds. Not convinced these players were of the quality that would make a significant difference to us (Ba is the exception).
Either we're in for some top class signings or Theo is as good as it gets in the Jan window. So which way will Wenger jump - buy big or buy nothing?
Deepthrow
Buy nothing
So wait .. you don't think Mbiwa is Arsenal quality? if you don't then there's something wrong
Mbiwa would have been quality for us...hard tackler and has the presence with his strength...just hope wenger isn't fobbing us by making walcott and an injury free diaby our only signings
It is obvious we need to strengthen..its just convincing wenger and the stooges on the board
Dont paper over the cracks fix the damn thing!
GS
19 Jan 2013 17:49:50
Dear Mr Wenger,
we need to get rid of players on ridiculous wages like Arshavin (80k), Rosicky (80k), Park (50k), Squid (50k), Chamakh (60k), Santos (60k), Flappyhanski (50k). All of these players must go, they are pointless wages and the money could go to much greater use! Don't really understand why you are paying our second choice left back double gibbs' salary and you are paying flappyhanski the same as shez. Makes no sense. Maybe if you kept better control of the wage budget you might be able to bring in some top class talent! ie cavani
Scottish goon
Why is Rosicky lumped in with these players again, this happened the same time last season!! Such short memory, when he replaced ramsey in the team last season he was the spark that helped us get top 4. He's not played this season due to injury and cazorla but he is a great player to have in the squad!
Im sure arshavin could still play a part in our team, he got 10 goals and 17 assists last year in 52 appearances. this is better than walcott last year.
He may be fustrating to watch but he can still create something out of nothing as he has a great footballing brain.
Shame wenger doesn't give him a chance anymore as he could easily be used to get cazorla a well deserved rest
^^ did you make those stats up?
Way off with your stats mate, last season being 2011-12 his stats were played 26 - goals 2 - assists 4
Are you his agent?
Rosicky is injured at least 70% of the time, while the club still pay his wages. it's ridiculous to say he's a great player to have in the squad when all he's managed is 4 games this season -
even when he was brought into the team last season he was only alright - it's only because everyone else was so pish that he stood out, 1 goal and 6 assists in 28 games is not a good return for an attacking midfield player.
AG
19 Jan 2013 17:23:39
edd ? I ask you are arsenal at the Montpelier game tonight {Ed002's Note - I don't know - they were represented at the game on Wednesday.}
19 Jan 2013 16:13:49
Chris Kamara " Chamakh has just missed 1 of the sitters of the season!"
Is anyone surprised?
Paul - Rochester
That's why he's at west ham
Johnny
In all fairness to him he never missed a sitter at the Emirates he always managed to find his seat.
Bergkamp's apprentice
19 Jan 2013 15:50:41
Im gutted Newcastle have agreed a transfer fee for Mbwia all he needs to do is sign a contract and he will be thiers however; I still think we should move in for. The wrost thing is aswell is Newcastle are fighting rele.
---
Last night I watched the liecester city game and I kept a close eye on Knockaert he looks a bloody good player and I would love us too buy him. He could get in our 1st time and we would make abit of money on the deal because, we would sell Arshavin and replace him with young talented Knockaert.
Looked a selfish player to me, lacked end product.
Wasn't that thrilled with him.
19 Jan 2013 15:41:18
newcastle have had a bid accepted for Yanga-M'Biwa pull your finger out wenger
Manchester gooner
19 Jan 2013 15:22:31
Praying there's no more issues with Arsene and the dreaded zipper on that coat of his tomorrow.
Come you gunners lets cap off a good week!
The start of the week is a Sunday
we lost to City in the league
Beat Swansea in the cup
Extended Walcott contract
I'd agreed it would have been a good week if we'd had beaten City.
But disagree as we didn't
19 Jan 2013 14:40:23
Newcastle United have agreed a fee with Montpellier for defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Source: tv
Irish Gooner
19 jan 2013 14:35:46
ed, is there any reason why my recent posts are not going through? {Ed002's Note - You have not posted for two days. Prior to that 10 of 11 posts contained only two words and were always the same. You are not one of the world's great communicators.}
19 Jan 2013 14:17:24
First time post.
I assume Theo got some assurances as to where he'd be playing if he signed. As such isn't it more likely that we'll be in the market for a winger rather than a striker?
Deepthrow
19 Jan 2013 13:53:42
Hi everyone, just wondered if anyone else watched the Schalke vs Hannover match last night?
It was pretty mad, ended up Schalke winning 5-4. It was their first game with their new manager, and it was Djourou's first game with Hannover I think. As a neutral it was great! But on closer inspection:
Holtby - well I said it about a year ago when I first started watching, there's something alright about him but back up player at best. Last night was exactly the same. He strikes me as a player who just does basics pretty well and that's about it. He actually had a good game last night but even so, I fail to see the hype. I dare say if he wasn't U21 German captain nobody would care about him much. Spuds can have him, trust me we need far better to improve upon what we've got.
Djourou- he was pretty poor. He is a very nervy defender. I would have put it down to new club nerves etc if it wasn't such a carbon copy of every arsenal performance. He kept rushing out of defence too late, selling himself, leaving gaps behind him. He would get way too tight to defenders at the wrong times when they had their back to goal, he got turned, or he stuck to the player like glue when they moved away from goal, leaving a big hole behind him....there is a time and place for these things and he does not get that. There was one moment where instead if sitting in the hole of their high line, he left his position to close down a player surrounded by other Hannover midfielders and the wing back (so he didn't need to), he went really tight to him, the gap behind was huge, the ball broke to Holtby who charged through, it was 2 on 1 against the other CB and Holtby squared it for Draxler to score. Almost entirely Djourou's fault. Then there was another time where he could have got onto the goal line to make a clearance but for some strange reason he hung back on the 6 yard line or so, as though he was a striker trying to stay onside! he had time to get back, the shot came in, beat the keeper and he watched it roll into the goal when he could have saved it. It was just bizarre.
That's what I saw anyway!
I am not sure why we won't sell Djourou. People say he's a great 4th choice but is he? He hasn't improved in the last 3 years, he is such a panicky defender, so error prone...you look at the 3rd/4th choice options at other clubs and they are so composed compared with him. He may improve but I can't see it at all.
I only caught the second half, that being said I didn't seem to miss much. Just wish Shalke's defence had played like that when we met them in the champions league, certainly would have topped our group! I agree with you about Holtby, when he plays in the hole he reminds me of Ramsey (when he is in form) and personally I'm not too bothered to see us miss out on him. Another diminutive, technical midfielder who can pick a pass isn't really what we need.
I don't think djourou was as bad as you make him out to be last night, by that I mean the rest of the back four were a shambles as well. with regard to the goal where he looked like he could have reached it and got it clear I think on a replay it shows he had ran along way to get back and was still a good few yards away from it. All that being said, the guy still needs to go, can't we give him to QPR they seem to love very average players on huge wages.
Anhowa
19 Jan 2013 13:51:58
I think it is time us gooners looked forward rather than the past. We have been spoilt by the success that Arsene has bought us. The invincibles team were unique but we need to stop holding on to the past and back our current crop of players AND our manager.
Yes Wenger has made mistakes, show me a manager that hasnt, but he is making changes as a result. Wenger is now putting his faith in a core group of British players, supplemented by some solid overseas players. I think Arsenal have a very good future ahead of us. The current squad is better than people give it credit for, and does have room for one or two improvements but which squad doesnt.
The club has learnt its lesson on letting contracts run down before trying to resign players, it will be more careful in paying too much for players not good enough to wear the short, and I genuinely believe that if the right player came along Wenger would spend big (£25m plus!).
I would ask the fans to stop the negativity, the boos and the complaints. The players and the management know when they have messed up, by piling on the pressure the fans make the situation worse. Past players and respected footballing figures all talk about the Arsenal way and the integrity, respect and manner in which the club stands for, its about time the supporters followed suit and become a twelth player for the team and encourage them on, even more so when times are dificult.
CW
19 Jan 2013 12:16:48
Wallcot signing means no star signings for Arsenal this month!
RobJ
19 Jan 2013 14:55:03
Please go away and take your pointless, negative rubbish with you!
19 Jan 2013 13:35:24
just watching Diaby in his first couple of matches;
when he wins the ball or whatever he brings it to the final third so quick and 'unnoticed', like players are letting him do it
he really is the difference/balance of our midfield
PdotY
COYG for tomorrow
19 Jan 2013 12:52:33
So we are now paying Walcott £100,000 a week. He's not a patch on the player than van persie is! Why didn't we offer him that much and maybe he would of stayed?! And I'm sure we could of been a lot more happier with our season than what we are now!
19 jan 2013 14:18:32
what a complete 'person'!
rvp was offered 150k and did not want to stay!
please please please, get this in to your dense head.
Van Persie is on close to 300k a week at united, so offering him 100,000 a week would of done little. And he wanted a move as well city thought they had agreed terms with him over a move in April, he released that statement there was no way he would stay at Arsenal.
I've offered him 130k, but he wanted 260k and that is ridiculios. Now he is having his 260k at ManU. The difference is 130k and that is more than the highest wage in our team. 260k is too high, he was too greedy, no one deserve such salary...
Didn't we offer RVP 135k per week?
Nick.
I find people's powers of deduction remarkable.
We offered RVP 150K. He didn't want it. It didn't want to stay at Arsenal. We got what we could for someone who would have left on a free.
You think van persie wasn't offered that? I heard he was offered 150,000 per week! But still wasn't enough!
It wasn't just about the wages. he wants to win trophies
19 Jan 2013 09:25:10
Is this the start of the end of our socialist pay structure? Clearing the excessively paid deadwood and rewarding the stronger guys so that we can compete in new signings as well as maintaining players WE want to maintain
Hope so!
We have enough money to pay superstar wages if we sort this philosophy out.
SY4 {Ed002's Note - I always find it a pity that certain fans have so little respect for some players that they refer to them as "deadwood".}
I agree with ed slightly but ed you have to look at it from our view, we see world class players leaving because we can't afford big wages yet we pay over the odds wages for average players who when plays frustrates us to hell and just aren't arsenal quality! I care a lot more about the arsenal than I do for players feelings. I mean why should we feel sorry for a guy who "earns" millions when they're just not worth it. {Ed002's Note - It is the lack of respect that annoys me.}
Ed002 - I find it sad that fans who pay an absolute fortune have to see the club spend millions on players like Park, who hardly kick a ball for the club, but are paid huge wages and signing on fees that could be better used to reward players who actually contribute towards the club.
It is not the players fault, but I feel fans are still entitled to be happy when squad places are freed up by the "deadwood" moving on, and money then available to either extend other players stays or pay a little more for new players.
I chose to cheer on whoever puts on an Arsenal shirt, but can understand why some want players out who can offer nothing to the club in the way of football.
How many times did you actually see Park to judge him? Now Chamakh that's something else...
Signing for arsenal (or any club) is not an automatic pre- requisite for respect.call them deadwood or surplus to requirements, if they don't perform then they aren't important. just because arsene sees something in a player doesn't automatically mean we fans need to blindly follow.
ditching djourou is the way to go, he's finished with arsenal.
Daniel
The term deadwood is a little harsh on players, Squallchi for example was regarded as proven experienced defender in France before coming here. I just think he could not adapt to the pace and physicality of the EPL that is all. Djoruo was considered one of the best young defenders around a few years back, and I remember him and Sendoros forming a very resilient partnership in Europe a few years back . He just lacks game time and hence confidence for me. I think we can be a little too quick to judge players and dismiss them as has-beens.
On the wages front Arsenal are banking on the Fair play rules really starting to kick in in the next few years with the PL also bringing in similar rules aswell (Although not sure what would be the punishments at this stage -It needs to be points deduction other wise it will be worthless).
I think with our current projected income our max. wage level on a long term deal for any single player would be around the 100-120k per week mark to remain in stable financial state. I think this is what our top proven players should be on.
Weather Walcott deserves to be classed as one of our top players is another argument, but at present times that is what you need to play to keep this level of player. The current over-inflated market dictates this.
The only worry is that if wages of the Sugar Daddy clubs are not brought more into line with the rest through FFP, is then where do we go from there when Walcott's contract next runs out as we are at our limit for him.
People seem to get the
mis-conception that Arsenal are poor payers when infact most of our players deserved or not are on well over the average PL wage. It is just you hear of these crazy 200k wages at the likes of City and Chelsea and the norm gets distorted. Apart from RVP, Ferdinand and Rooney most players at Utd are on fair bit under 100k and that is a club that has
one of the biggest incomes in the world.
Ed, I am sorry, you are right and deadwood was a poorly chosen word. We have squad players on extremely strong money which inflates our wage bill and removes our ability to keep our squad flexible for when we want to change it. It also means we risk loosing stars as we don't pay stars enough.
SY4
19 Jan 2013 08:04:29
Theo Walcott,
He has genuinely driven me nuts at times with some of his performances and to a degree still does. He however has this season improved, still a way from the finished article, especially as a CF, if only the rest of his game matched some of his finishing, that's down to him now to work exceptionally hard to achieve it. I also imo think he'd be better in a 442.
The money is a side issue, arguments for and against re the £100k, but the 3 year contract is his and Arsenal's proving ground, he'll develop into what we want over the next 2 years, we'll then tie him to a longer contract or that'll be him, off to a lesser light.
So I'm happy we tied him up, stops the rot of players leaving and the next 2 years is make or break time to show what he's really made of as per Thierry. that's not a direct comparison as a huge act to follow but just in the age that Thierry developed.
Stoner
Stoner as you know I was all up for selling Theo UNTIL this season. However, his 10/11 season was Played 38, Goals 13 Assists 9. In 11/12 it was 46, 11 and 10.
Already this season he's on 14 goals and 10 assists. We could be about to see a magical season from Theo. To have these stats when he has been a sub for most of the season/a good chunk, and been injured once or twice, is remarkable. Plus I read just now that apparently he has the best chance conversion rate of any player in the league! Can you believe that?! 31%.
Any club would be insane to shift a player who has bettered his goal and assists tally halfway through the season. Plus he is one of our most senior players, and the fans, well especially the younger ones, absolutely idolise him. Someone pointed that out to me once and it was a really good point.
I am really glad he signed. I am glad we're paying him what we are too, because what this means is we will pay another player this much some time...then another....
Metal Gooner
19 Jan 2013 13:15:11
Metal,
I was like you in the shall we keep him or not, but he has like those stats show moved up a level, some of his finishing is sublime and if he works hard he could be huge for us. I really hope so.
I was in the Stadium on Thursday, work related, but popped into the shop and heard a group of young guys in there going on about him, they do love him.
On another note, sneaked a look in a few of the boxes, including what they call super boxes, couple have changed the original outside seating for these plush leather ones and one lot are wired up with heating. Cool as you like.
Stoner
19 Jan 2013 02:27:05
Anyone else really impressed by the Coq? Don't think it's worth spending loads on a midfielder unless they are versatile and can cover CB.
That said I would like to see a striker come in--really hoping Wenger switches to a 4-4-2
I thought Coquelin was brilliant the other day. One thing I love about him is he really puts himself about. People say Arsenal lack grit and fight but we actually don't, we just don't play these players enough or we play them in odd places.
Ramsey is one of the hardest working players on the pitch, he's like our Milner. He is mis-used and we suffer for it. But he is a fighter. So is Coquelin but he hardly plays. Giroud for me is outstanding in this respect, he has that real never-say-die attitude and I love it. Then of course we have Jack, and now even Gibbs is becoming like this.
I think this element is starting to appear and it has been growing slowly in the last few months. Singing Podolski who usually always puts in a typical German shift has and the slightly cocky Giroud has rubbed off on the others a bit. These guys want to WIN.
Metal Gooner
Would also like to add jenk to the above post, when I have seen him play this season/ pre season he has that never say die attitude and its a shame he isn't getting picked over sagna as he has really grown as a player, bombing forward to support the attack and then back to help defend, just like sagna used to do before his injury, but credit to sagna altho he has been poor recently he upped his game against city in the second half, best he has played in a while
GCGunner
I thought he was great too, but I really thought Diaby, Coq, Gibbs, Wilshere all played well and it really showed how much football they have played together over the years, they all seemed to play with a lot more freedom which Cazorla really benefitted from..............would have loved to have seen Podolski play in the Walcott role, think he would have stuck a couple away!
And have to say Ramsey has played with much maturity over the last few appearances too
1404
Its not coquelin we need to replace! arteta's injury has been a blessing in disguise - I know it sounds bad but it made wenger play coquelin and diaby in the middle and gave us the balance in the team to go out and attack without the worry of not covering counter attacks.
arteta wilshere cazorla are all attacking players and are 'playing in their shells' week in week out covering the defensive mid position -it leaves us wide open at the back with no cover for the back line. with coq in their it will give them licence to roam - which we saw in the swansea game, jack ran the show and cazorla had one of his better games of late. arteta can be rotated and inflict more damage to the opposition with his attacking game. with diaby as good as he is, his injury record is poor - we need a capoue like player to be there as a guarantee and back up in which we will not lose our momentum or have to change our formation, which has proved successful against a good swansea team. with this formation we can press the opposition with jack santi walcott giroud or podolski and still have the 2 defensive mids patrolling the back line supporting the back 4.
we will have to use pace against a dodgy chelsea back 4, I don't think using giroud aerial game will work against chelsea - walcott and podolski are fast and will cause problems - wilshere and cazorla will give us the guile and diaby and coquelin can be our enforcers against a strong chelsea midfield - the back 4 probably picks itself, maybe kosci for merti but consistency and fighting spirit will be needed tomorrow like we showed against swansea.
ps: signing up theo sent out a good positive message, I don't agree with the money side but if that's what it takes then so be it, other teams will now realise we will hold onto our high profile players and we are not easy pickings anymore, it will bring confidence to the squad -
lets fry the fat spanish waiter and his team tomorrow, chase every ball fight to the final whistle and get those 3 points
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
GS
19 Jan 2013 00:43:31
Im pleased Theo has signed however tbh I don't think he's worth anywhere near 90-100k, Wilshere is.At least it shows were heading forward and not backwards.To me Theo is a very lazy player, if I was as fast as him I'd be running at defenders 24/7 almost like a poacerwinger and creating a lot of space for my forwards to op in.I really like this formation were playing with at the moment and I know if we brought a world class cb and dm in this window we would get our 3rd spot back.
Dont worry jack will get more money in a couple of years when he's captain.
19 Jan 2013 00:09:48
Speaking hyperthetically, if the 30m bid was for gotze and we managed to land him, where do you tjink he would fit into the side eds? Push cazorla wide or play him on the wing and do you thing he would be worth that price tag?
Clock end gooner
I think we'd end up with Goetze on the left and use Poldi as a striker, rotating him, Giroud and Theo
But Goetze prefers the Attacking mid role, behind the striker, so it'd be like Arshavin all over again
D