Arsenal Banter Archive June 19 2013

19 Jun 2013 20:30:46
Hi there first post and sorry to be negative here but all I keep hearing is we will sign Higuin! his having a medical! really! The transfer window isn't even open yet and correct me if I'm wrong but unless a player is out of contract then we can't sign them till July 1st. I would love this guy at arsenal just to throw one out there as arsene don't like anyone knowing his business wouldn't it be funny if he done a sol Campbell and nicked Gareth bale off the spurs lmfao

Funny bale f×××ing hilarious, more chance of signing neymar, fernandinho, navas and carroll, oh, hang on a minute

Window's been open a while now. Players can have medicals now.

The only thing that can't happen until Jul 1st is the registration cards being handed over from selling club to buying club, etc.

They may not sign officially but everything can be agreed. Look at city they've already got fernandhino or is that just a rumour because the window isn't open yet? And what about navas, and then you have shurrle (spelling).
Waq

19 Jun 2013 00:34:22
Eds is the reported interest in illarramendi from arsenal true? Or is it just paper talk?
I did mention him few days ago asking people of their opinions on him. As I compared him to x. alonso.
And then days later he's linked to arsenal. Think someone from the papers is reading this site lol :)
Waq {Ed027's Note - I would have to ask about

I am the one you will ever no my name boss wenger has sent me here for a massive job. here is a hint of a new player BELGUIM

We have a new malaga on our hands, of course there is only one malaga that nobody could replace lol

BELGIUM = fellaini?

definitely not kompany or hazard, most likely not benteke with that price tag.

i'm calling b*ll**** lol

Trinidad-Gooner

19 Jun 2013 18:47:02
No matter what signings we make I reckon we'll finish between 3rd-5th;

For starters, if you look at the tables from the last last three seasons, we've finished 12, 19 and 16 points off the top of the table in 2010/11, 11/12 and 12/13 respectively; I think to suggest we can make up that sort of gap in the space of a single season with just one or two seasons is a little fanciful, even with managerial changes at other teams (especially when in two of the three teams in question, the managerial change could easily be argued to be a progressive one) - or at best very dependent on the notion of other teams under-performing. Secondly, to say that a team has stayed at the same level because they finished in the same position as the previous season is a bit misleading. If we finished fourth again but (i) played more 'attractive' or just more strategically coherent football and (ii) finished more comfortably ahead of the chasing pack and much closer to the leading trio, I'd class that as progress - which, because of our model of club-running, would hopefully continue as actual growth rather than a flash-in-the-pan. I do have hopes and optimism that we'll do better next season than we did in the last; I'm just not sure that progress will manifest itself in the standings just yet.
Eman

Surprised to hear you say we in your post. I would suggest we are going to finish between 1-3 because finally sorted the defense, have no major departures and a couple (but not many needed) of key additions. COYG

To be honest if we had won the easier games like Aston Villa, Norwich, Fulham and Southampton we would have been much closer to the top. Just winning all those games would have been 9 extra points.

With the exception of two season last, I've always gone into every season with romantically stupid hopes on where we would finish up. Last season I didn't think we had a chance of top 4 and the points margin has painted a very telling picture.
However there are positives I feel and all our oponents have obstacles to mount tthis season.
Starting with man utd.
- I've felt that man for man they've been pretty average for a number of seasons. They rely on a few exceptional players who are ageing. I've felt its been SAF's genius that has won them their last 3 titles which were with pretty mediocre squads and moyes will be coming in having never won a thing and under huge pressure and scrutiny.
Man City
- player for player theyhave by far the best team in the league, but they have a new manager with no epl experience and a team of prima Dona individuals. It could go either way with them imo
Chelsea
- these are the big favourites for me. Mourinho is messiah returned, he knows the league, he's always had the better of Wenger and is a winner: however they lack mourinho players. They don't have drogba anymore, they don't have essien and although lamps still bangs em in he's not the player he was 5 years ago. He will want to bring his own players in and this may take time.

As for us, well, if we don't invest we don't have a chance. But if we invest wisely we will be in a strong position. the arse end of last season we had pretty good form, we have a good mix of youth and experience and with world class additions I put us amongst those competing.
Cesar is still world class, Fellaini is world class, Higuain is world class, Williams is a beast and has shown he's a class prem league performer in the mould of the great Sol Campbell.
If we sign these players I am optimistic of at least top 2
AG

Totally agree with almost everything you say ag , moyes will be fighting for last Europa spot with the scousers (fingers crossed) as is tradition, too many egos at city (should be good, just are not. ) The return of the messiah is the troubling bit as I believe with the right signings this is who we will be fighting for theleague, current bunch Oscar, Mata, hazard etc under good management could thrive, think current bunch just as good if not better than last time he took over and can imagine his transfer budget probably makes ours look like chump change

Assuming we actually buy some decent players and at least one real star (and I think we will) I think we will anywhere from 1-4. I think it will be very close between ManU, Man City, Chelsea and us. Reasons:

I think Man United will be weaker without Fergie, plus Rio and Vidic are getting on a bit and RVP might crock himself again.
Man City I think will be the weakest.
Chelsea will be stronger under Mourinho and they will sign some good players.

AG you and I usually seem eye to eye on a lot of things, but I don't share the same positivity you possess at this moment. While I think we are still on a par for top 4, I can't see us doing much better than that, and that's only if we don't screw it up somehow, and even if we sign Higuain. For me it's a formation change as much as anything else. We need to be playing with a DM, 3 mids capable of playing wide e. g. Mata and Hazard, capable of scoring and assisting, and feeding not one but two strikers.

I still feel it's always a case of 'when' Man U, City and Chelsea will bang in a goal, with us it is always 'if'.

We need to some serious additions if we are to even keep top 4. That said, I do have faith Wenger will make some necessary additions, for sure. But unless we sign a top GK, a top DM on top of Higuain (if we sign him) as well as signing a better player to replace Gervinho, and another attacking player to replace Arshavin, we will be lucky to get top 4.

19 Jun 2013 17:30:15
Higgy and Fell will sign. Those two willl make us special.

Szs
Jenk don't like Sagna
BFG
Kos
Gibbs
Ox
Theo
Fellani
Willshere
Caz
Higgy

However, AW does like Ramsey so OX might not play. We will have an good spine and a great gk and striker #AVIT.

Arteta as captain and first on the sheet no matter how you have to fit him in.

Totally agree with RR. arteta was immense for us, and doesn't really get enough credit I feel.

COYG:) andi

I disagree

Captain, yes, like Kehl on Dortmund. But first name on sheet, no way

his legs are old and by the end of the season most of his tackles seemed to be fouls.

We need a faster, quicker midfield. In the big matches, midfield has to be Fellaini, Jack, Santi or Rambo, Jack, Santi if we don't get Fellaini or a DM

Agree with Red rooster. If captain, Arteta definitely first on the team sheet. If not captain, would definitely be the 2nd midfielder I would choose after Santi. He doesn't play a fast paced game so can get another 2 or 3 seasons out of him

20 Jun 2013 17:52:16
"higgy and fell will sign"

sorry but how do you know this? you seem so confident. paper talk, twitter, etc? if you really do know, then fair play to you.

i am hopeful that this summer will different, but I am really cautious about it (been there-done that) at the same time. be careful not to get sucked into media hype and counting chickens. you will only feel very disappointed come sept 1st.

19 Jun 2013 16:06:53
Olympiakos 2m bid for rosicky. 3 year well paid deal apparently on the cards.

As good as he is giving him a 3 year deal is a big risk in my opinion.

If we sell Rosicky and bring in someone who will contributes more in terms of goals and assists then why not. If Grenier really is the next Nasri then we should have no problem making this sort of move. We can't offer him the game time he deserves, even when he's fit and we need him he doesn't get games so it won't surprise me if he leaves.

Rosicky has an old school level of commitment many of our younger players lack.

He has been crucial to us getting 4th last two seasons. He plays with urgency always.

If he goes, he has to be replaced with a like for like, experienced world class player.

You are usually pretty solid but not htis time. Its not the goals and the assists, its his movement and the way he understands the game that makes Arsenal tick better when he plays - one little guy makes 4-5 better and he's low maintenance.

Wouldn't want to lose rosicky as good squad player, but would not offer him big deal as metal says not sort of player that would be difficult to replace, that said with a run of games could be proven wrong but mid table quality in my eyes

19 Jun 2013 22:41:05
Totally agree with US Gooner. The experience of players such as Rosicky, Podolski, Mertersacker, Arteta etc is invaluable. Bringing back Henry last year apparently really helped Theo and Myiachi with their finishing.

Two years in a row he's helped us gain top 4. Imagine the impact he would have if he stayed fit all year round. We don't need Grenier or any other CAM. We are in desperate need of a good winger. Dimitri Payet anyone?

Detroit Gooner

I think Rosicky at CM is unbeatable but Wenger hardly ever plays him. I don't want Rosicky to be sold ever but when we play some wack formation or with someone not ready, and he doesn't even come off the bench, it drives me insane. For that reason, if we were to sell him and sign someone who would be allowed to contribute more then fair enough. But to be honest I would prefer Rosicky to start games for us as CM. I think Jack and Santi should be rotated, and Rosicky and Arteta should be rotated. Ramsey and another DM should be rotated but the point is then we would actually have bench options. Rosicky seems to either start or not even make the bench and he was fit for 5 weeks and not being played while Santi and Arteta were run into the ground after xmas - what is the point in this? So sad but he really does deserve playing time, he is pure class, and I don't know a player in the league that pulls off a sliding tackle coming away with possession like he does.

Detroit Gooner, exactly

We need pace and width, not more cental AM's

I say winger after DM and Striker

Di Maria anyone?

So agree there. Little Mozart is a class player with experience. Would try him out a lot more in the CM position. although age is catching up with him, he seems to be out most mobile and urgent midfielder.

And he is one of our few midfielders who can shoot form outside the box

19 Jun 2013 15:16:21
cant get on to LFC rumours is the site down again?

Scottybhoy 1888 YNWA {Ed029's Note - Must be because there is really big news being lined up.}

And I really can't get on its saying the server isn't found.

Scottybhoy 1888 YNWA

19 Jun 2013 14:50:54
With Higuain and Fellani deals seemingly done and dusted and Arsenal due to complete a deal for Cesar after the Confederations Cup, what promising youngster do you Arsenal fans think we should go after now?

Believable = yes for Grenier of Lyon

Unbelievable = yes for Ruben Garcia of Valencia

Done and dusted is a bit over-confident i'll say?.

Grenier. Also, take note of the fact that there IS NO AGREE/DISAGREE BUTTON!

Ruben Garcia doesn't play for Valencia - plays for Levante

Apparently grenier is planning on signing a year's extension with Lyon

19 Jun 2013 13:54:55
We should get amx points in Oct, Jan, Apr and May, but nothing is guaranteed. We should win the majority of matches thru the season, but we have a fair run in. Thoughts plz.

I think our next season all depends on signings this summer. The strength of a squad comes from quality and depth. Both of which we need work on

3434

Zachariah, presume you mean Amex points? Well that would only be in January when the transfer window re-opens and then only if we buy someone and then only if the other club takes Amex.

CECEGUaW

It's MAX, you would be pants on countdown :)

19 Jun 2013 13:04:30
A little football trivia for you.
can anybody name 10 players from the premier league era who have scored a minimum of 20 goals in the league, who have every vowel in their name?
ill kick it off with Yossi benayoun. not arsenal related but thought people might enjoy the challenge!
Try without googleing first, had this question in the pub last night, had a lot of people stumped!
sw18gooner

Sergio Aguero and Marouane Fellaini?

Players who have scored less than 20 goals:

Gervinho, chamakh, arshavin, SQUILLACHI, bendtner, denilson, fabianski, vito manone, andy caroll and tom cleverly.

im still working on the second part.

Ruud van nistleroy

Faustino Asprilla
Gustavo Poyet
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer
Emmanuel Adebayor

How am I doing?

Luis Boa Morte?

19 Jun 2013 19:30:46
you got only one out of three there. reckon you could call them italian and add an I to the end of their names tho

In a couple of years' time: Laurent Koscielny!

20 Jun 2013 17:56:45
aguero and fellani, yes!. @ lakerville, good joke but has to have all 5 vowels in their names!

19 Jun 2013 12:01:45
I am sort of skeptical of the Higuain deal. As much as I want him to sign, I see all the trademark signs of an Arsenal transfer window with him. We had signed Cahill for sure, so was Mata a done deal.
I will only believe it when I see him standing with an Arsenal jersey getting his pictures clicked.

Also does anyone have any concrete info on Bergkamp being brought in to take over the youth setup. I personally feel this could be a signing as importnat as any player?

19 Jun 2013 11:45:13
Good news and bad news with the opening fixtures. Aston Villa will be without benteke as he is suspended. He got sent off at the end of last season. The bad news is that we have a champions league qualifier 2nd leg three days before the sp*ds game.

I would expect the spurs game to be on the Sunday. Also will spurs have a euro game that week too on the Thursday?

19 Jun 2013 15:23:06
Could look at the spurs game more positive and say we would of had more competitive games and will be sharper

19 Jun 2013 10:49:51
Arsenal's 2013-2014 Premier League schedule!


AUGUST
17/08/2013 15:00 Aston Villa (h)
24/08/2013 15:00 Fulham (a)
31/08/2013 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur (h)

SEPTEMBER
14/09/2013 15:00 Sunderland (a)
21/09/2013 15:00 Stoke City (h)
28/09/2013 15:00 Swansea City (a)

OCTOBER
05/10/2013 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (a)
19/10/2013 15:00 Norwich City (h)
26/10/2013 15:00 Crystal Palace (a)

NOVEMBER
02/11/2013 15:00 Liverpool (h)
09/11/2013 15:00 Manchester United (a)
23/11/2013 15:00 Southampton (h)
30/11/2013 15:00 Cardiff City (a)

DECEMBER
03/12/2013 19:45 Hull City (h)
07/12/2013 15:00 Everton (h)
14/12/2013 15:00 Manchester City (a)
21/12/2013 15:00 Chelsea (h)
26/12/2013 15:00 West Ham United (a)
28/12/2013 15:00 Newcastle United (a)

JANUARY
01/01/2014 15:00 Cardiff City (h)
11/01/2014 15:00 Aston Villa (a)
18/01/2014 15:00 Fulham (h)
28/01/2014 19:45 Southampton (a)

FEBRUARY
01/02/2014 15:00 Crystal Palace (h)
08/02/2014 15:00 Liverpool (a)
11/02/2014 19:45 Manchester United (h)
22/02/2014 15:00 Sunderland (h)

MARCH
01/03/2014 15:00 Stoke City (a)
08/03/2014 15:00 Swansea City (h)
15/03/2014 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur (a)
22/03/2014 15:00 Chelsea (a)
29/03/2014 15:00 Manchester City (h)

APRIL
05/04/2014 15:00 Everton (a)
12/04/2014 15:00 West Ham United (h)
19/04/2014 15:00 Hull City (a)
26/04/2014 15:00 Newcastle United (h)

MAY
03/05/2014 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (h)
11/05/2014 15:00 Norwich City (a)

Very good start for us. But December through March is going to be difficult. Especially if Arsenal have their usual mid season slump in December and January. But fortunately, we have a good run in.

March especially is a hard month

It depends, on what this summer goes like.

I'm not going to say we will win the title, its been 8 years now. only a drastic transfer will make me believe we can do so.

There is Liverpool, who could loose Jaws.

There is united, with a new manager, and still not signed anyone to address their issues.

Chelsea have signed schurrle and it depends if mata and luiz will stay or go, and they need a striker bad.

there is city who had added fernandinho and navas. I would rate them at arsenal as their style of play compliments ours, but its left to see how pellegrini incorporates his team.

then there is us, sleeping on transfers, drinking sangria and having a steak before the argentine is even signed. Either we make some signings of intent, or we make excuses and cross the finish line at 4th.

then there's the spurs. that's it

Not too bad March is hard one with Spurs away then Chlesea away then City home in that run of 3.

The last 5 games in the final run in after Everton away are good with 3 out of 5 as Home games and the two away being lower ranked sides in Hull and in Norwich final day. No desrespect to them but we should be getting max points from those last 5, which may prove vital in the run in.

It will be interesting to see where the mid-week euro games will fit into the fixture list schedule. To see if we get more home games than away straight after the euro games.

19 Jun 2013 09:41:42
Arsenal have activated Fellaini release clause for 23million and having his medical in the upcoming days.
Glenn The Gunner

I certainly hope not! Fellaini is a good midfielder but not world class. would try for either one of the Bender twins

19 Jun 2013 09:39:37
Tottenham their game of the season, what a start! But in march, we play spurs away, Chelsea, man city, then everton.

Come on you gunners!

19 Jun 2013 09:05:53
First match of the season is Aston Villa at home people.

See you there!

19 Jun 2013 09:59:22
We're at home against Aston Villa for the first game

19 Jun 2013 09:23:04
First 6 games are

Aston villa home
Fulham away
Spurs home
Sunderland away
Stoke home
Swansea away

Does not look too bad. The last 5 games final run in after Everton away looks good which could prove crucial. December and March in particular are the two hardest Months on Paper. In March we have Spurs away then Chelsea away then Man City at home.

Dont forget the games in and around the euro games are always key I feel where you want home games as much as possible after a mid week euro game.

19 Jun 2013 09:16:44
If all goes to plan next season, December and March will be the months in which our season will be defined.

G95

Yes they are defo the two hardest months, But overall it is not too bad with quite a fair even spread. The last 5 games in the run in look good with 3 out of 5 Home games (after Everton Away) With teh away team being Hull then final day At Norwich.

19 Jun 2013 08:37:58
Thr Rooney interest was just or show so that we could get Real Madrid to lower their price for Higuain which seems to have worked.

Secondly we are in for Nani, the fact that we will sell Gervinho shows this as Podolski was regularly subbed due to fitness. Nani will be the target
Arsenalboii46

I don't want nani. he is inconsistent. and he wants to be paid like a star player.

Also i'm quite sure they won't sell him to a premier league rival.

If they want gervinho then I would listen to what they have to say.

19 Jun 2013 07:33:58
Omg spain is so good u21 would love Wenger to trigger thiago´s clause of 15m give him 80 a week.

Man city is building a spanish team. as much as United may get him, there is city waiting to take him, just so that they can't have him.

19 Jun 2013 04:36:45
Seen as people are guessing our 1st game of the season i'm guessing our 1st game will be against newcastle away or hull at home
Ali