Arsenal Banter Archive May 01 2013

 

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01 May 2013 22:04:23
Is it just me or is this when we see, this transfer window if it was worth keeping Wenger? It's been 7 years since we have moved in to the emirates and if i'm not mistaken all the debt's are repaid. This is when arsenal are meant to remerge set us apart from that at white hart lane the ponces up in Stamford bridge. After that in the next season or so we should challenge Manchester. In my opinion this transfer window and the seson ahead of us will define us for the next 20 years. Weather we look like a team that can actually challenge for the title next season or the season after that, or will we do liverpool and continue in the downhill spiral? If we do a Liverpool in my opinion we will not win the title in the next 20 years. It takes a season to fall it takes many more to come back.

sorry if this sounds like gibberish.

Bergkamp5353

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We are a long way off being debt free. The Emirates will be payed off in 2031. 15 million a year goes to paying it off, the majority being interest. Reports at the end of January stated are gross debt is 253 million. However we possess cash reserves of 115.2 million, leaving us with a net debt of 99 million.
But we have turned a corner. With our new Emirates sponsor which is worth around 150 million over the next 5 years. Add to that 35 million extra from the premier league deal. We will have more money to play around with.
Getting the revenue from being in the Cl since we've been at the Emirates has been massive for us. As a club we planned for getting in the Cl 3 out of 5 years. That's why we have good reserves just in case we had failed to qualify there would still be funds available to us.

I know I won't be liked for this comment, but to others top 4 isn't a trophy, but for us over the last 8 years it really has been. Just hope we can scrape through again. It would be nice for Ivan to take his missus away somewhere nice this year.
Flybo

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I'm with you Flybo. Fact is we didn't have the money to compete and I was happy at least being in the CL. A domestic cup would have been nice but I'd take top 4 first tbh. This summer hopefully will change things.

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01 May 2013 19:55:18
Hi Eds,
Fabregas and Villa are again being mentioned and I'm sure we won't want to pay the asking prices. I seem to recall we were owed money from various transfers including Hleb and Henry. Have all the Barca debts ever been cleared against purchases from us? If they haven't surely we should be demanding they are offset against any players that we may want.
Cheers
Gooner1920 {Ed007's Note - All the money will have been paid, buddy.}

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Actually they still owe us 11m GPB for Cesc. They also still owe us money for Song.

Those are facts.

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The definition of owe is difficult one here. The deals were struck with staggered payments, as nearly all transfers are. ie a £30m deal might be £10m up front then £10m per season for next 2 seasons. There is money outstanding but we can't get it out of them before the agreed dates.

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01 May 2013 21:42:03
We were better in BOTH legs against Bayern than Barca could have dreamt of being

At home we had a stretch where we could have taken the match back. At their place we shut them out.

Without Messi, Barca were average and their run is over, old legs are gone and new guard isn't ready

Fabregas and Song were awful. Buying even one of them back suggests we're are willing to buy back scrubs who have regressed

Our midfield was an entire class above theirs versus Bayern

I am very confident going into next season with our squad. let's win the last 3 and onward and upward

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Just to confirm. Are you saying if we made no signings this summer you think we would compete better than we have this season?

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Dude, you just can't compare two games like that. It's the whole we beat stoke, stoke beat utd but utd beat us conundrum.

I wouldn't read too much in the match. Barca have some behind the scene tightening to do, they weren't closing down fast enough. Messi ofcourse. Their manager has been away for the longest time. (plus they bought Song :P).

Wenger was probably watching the game and thinking about starting us on the road from poor man's Barca to poor man's Bayern now :D

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What? I'm saying we don't need rejects from Barca who left us

Sign players who want to be here and deserve a shot at playing for Arsenal

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Sorry but Fabregas wants to be here. Just not as much as at Barcelona. Which is understandable given his history.

I'd take him back in a shot.

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01 May 2013 21:28:47
Lakerville,

Sorry to say it but your reply (down the page) to me was 'gibberish' as you put it, well done on all the figures and research but you're looking at everything in a pro Arsenal/anti United light.

What does the ratio of debt/revenue have to do with anything when United make a profit via their self sufficient model each year? All the individual figures are meaningless, at the end of the day we live within our means, as do Arsenal, but Chelasea (usually) and City don't.

The individual income/outcome figures only count towards the profit or loss at the end of the year.

You think City/Chelsea are OK because they 'make the most of the situation' of external financing but United are not OK to make the most of their massive branding and commercial revenue?

I also think you're being hypocritical - you keep citing big transfers United have made yet I'm pretty sure you'd like Arsenal to make a few of their own? Perhaps a Jovetic or the return of Fabregas? Who cares about how much debt you've got - at the end of the day if there's money in the bank you'll be glad to make them big signings!

To pretend otherwise is just hiding behind Wenger's appetite for young, unproven players IMO.

All United have done is spend part of the money they've made from 'their situation' as you put it. Just like I'm pretty damn sure every Arsenal fan is dying to happen at their club this summer! I know you said 'what's right for me may not be right for you' and that's true - but the way you are spinning the 'facts' as you put it leads me to believe you just have a grudge with United and the success they have had.

I do hope Arsenal spend some of the cash they can afford to in the summer, I'd rather be competing with you guys than the money clubs. I'm sure most Arsenal fans would like to see the money spent too this summer on 1 or 2 recognised quality players.

HB

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HB,

good stuff. it is what it is.

congrats on the win.

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Whoah, would have rathered you just insult me or something, that response has unnerved me, lol. Thanks I guess :o

I'm off now to reconsider the meaning of life.

HB

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Meaning of life is the number 42. don't ponder too much

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01 May 2013 21:25:50
Not really of much relavence but using the BBCs game/table predictor my PL table has ended up looking like this.

1. Manchester United - 92 pts
2. Man City - 83 pts
3. Chelsea - 75 pts
4. Arsenal - 73 pts
---------------------
5. Spurs - 71 pts
6. Everton - 63 pts

For our fixtures I predicted:

1-2 Win QPR
3-1 Win Wigan
0-1 Win Newcastle

Aslong as we win our games it is impossible for both Spurs and Chelsea to finish above us. Chelsea playing Spurs is a godsend,


Detroit Gooner

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Actually there is a way for both of them to finish above us if we win our games. I think

If spurs win all their games including Chelsea fixture and Chelsea win all their other matches then their is nothing we can do, any other scenario would see us in the top 4

I think that's right

noobGooner

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Not true, If chelsea win 3 of their remaining 4 games, they finish on 74 points.

If spurs win 4/4 games they finish on 74 points.

We can only finish on 73 points.

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If Spurs win all their games and Chelsea win all theirs apart from the Spurs game we come 5th no matter what

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BUT Chelsea play UTD (A) and Everton (H) plus Tottenham and have the Europa League to worry about. And a Villa team that are still not safe.

We have the best run in. I guess we will see how Chelsea do this weekend.

If Chelsea lose or draw our top 4 destiny is back in our hands so long as we win our remaining three games.

And I am just going to assume Spurs will collapse.

- James R.

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Yeah, as the previous posters there is a scenario which is outside our control.

squeeky bum time.

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01 May 2013 21:17:50
For those who watch Spanish football, how good is this Alcantara kid? Would he have recieved as much hype had he played for Valencia or Bilbao?

I personally don't think he is any better than Sergio Canale.

Wengers Rain Jacket

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01 May 2013 18:49:31
This is 99 % going to happen.

Heard on very good authority Arsenal will sign Remy! It will happen!

Mat

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Giroud is better than Remy!

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He's of to liverpool

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Some of Remy's goals have been sensational.

None of Giroud's goals have been sensational.

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01 May 2013 18:45:33
We look like desperate losers with this "bring Cesc back rubbish"

Do we all forget he quit on us? Faked injury down the last stretch of the season and then refused to go on tour. Made us sell him 15m below market value. This is how a captain acts? Are we such losers we will bring him back? Jesus Christ!

Do we all forget that? Our club captain quit on us?

I'm glad he loves Arsenal. He should. He is ONLY the player he is because Wenger gave him a shot at 17, whereas Thiago, Mr. Future Xavi, still doesn't play

I hate Barca, but the only people I hate more are the losers who go there, don't play, and regret what they left

Ya I'm talking to you Alex Hleb, Alex Song, and yes, to you Mr. Fabregas

You made your bed, now sleep in it. This is Jack's team now

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01 May 2013 19:32:01
One of the best players I've ever seen in an arsenal shirt. He left because the club didn't match his ambition. He wasn't born in the Whittington or grow up in Somers Town, he didn't have a season ticket in the north bank with his dad and his grandad. This talk of loyalty in football is complete bow locks. If we had won a few things or bought a few more players like him it would probably be a different story.

AG

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Do you have actual proof that he faked his injury?

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We didn't match his ambition?

Our ambition was a lineup of Nasri, Fab, Song, RVP and Hleb who would all be in the prime

The went to ride coat tails rather than win themselves

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01 May 2013 20:30:29
He was always destined to leave at some stage. He was Barcelona born and bred. Obviously he would never have got the same chances at Barcelona as he did at Arsenal, Wenger made him a world class playmaker. He certainly stayed longer than I expected him to. You think how hard it must of been for him to see all his friends from Barca winning trophy after trophy, dominating Europe.

You could argue the manner in which he left was disgracefully, especially as he was our captain. But ask yourself should he have been Captain when we had V. Persie, Gilberto, Toure etc. He was homesick and the lack of ambition at the club must of been a huge factor aswell. Give the young guy a break.

However now I don't think us wanting him back is desperate at all. I think it is extremely unlikely, but in 2-3 years time who knows? Atm I think the £25-30m we could spend on him would be much better spent on a GK, CDM, Winger or Striker. We have a surplus of CAMs right now.

Detroit Gooner

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BOLLOX! Agree whole heartedly with the US gooner on this one.
These players chose to leave Arsenal, and don't give me that ambition bull. You telling me we were not competing for titles and finals while Fabregas was at Arsenal? Was it not Fabregas who buckled in a game against Barca where he back heeled a ball to Iniesta? Had that been Bedntner, Eboue or Denilson we would have murdered them with abuse.

Some of these players need to take a good look at themselves, they expect trophies by riding the coat tails of others. How many times did Fabregas grab a quarter or semi-final by the neck ala Drogba or Gerrard?

We could have won 2 league titles under Fabregas' tenure but he and his friends bottled it, and don't tell me they were too young because Dortmund won back to back titles with a younger squad.

Maybe i'm just bitter ( that's how I am with my ex girlfriends aswell) but I firmly believe you never appreciate what you have until its no longer there.

Fabregas had Arsenal at the palm of his hands, it frightens me to think what sort of legend this guy could have become, but its all history now

Just my opinion

Lwi

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Come on people this isn't an adeybayor this isn't a nasri this is like ronaldo we all knew that he would leave Manchester United for madrid as we all knew cesc would leave to Barca I would love to see him back. A world class player at Arsenal he loves us we love him. Infact we should make a campaign the bring back cesc. comment if you agree and we can get some weight behind it.

Bergkamp5353

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Lwi spot on

Bergkamp, why did we know he was going to leave?

Why does a captain at a top club have to leave? Because he can't play at home?

Is this a joke? Does Messi play in Rosario? Does Ronaldo play in Portugal? Does Toure play in the Ivory Coast?

Get off Cesc's balls, he didn't want us anymore

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As an outsider and a United fan I have to agree with 'Bergkamp5353' the Fabregas and Ronaldo scenario's are very much alike.

No footballer owes their whole life/career to a certain club, it's a profession after all. Fair enough have a grudge about players who leave for money like Adebayor/Clichy (as I do with Pogba!) but Fabregas is Barca through and through and as it happened - they were the best team around when he went there whilst Arsenal were winning nothing! To hold that against him is crazy IMO.

As a United fan if Ronaldo wanted to come back I'd welcome him with open arms but only because he's a great player - not because I think he 'loves the club'. Yet I wouldn't disregard him just because 'he left us for Real'. That would just seem a sappy outlook to have, so long as they give their best whilst in the shirt, who cares?

Football is a pretty cut throat industry and TBF to Fabregas and Ronaldo they both gave Arsenal/United an extra year before moving on to where their heart was. Either club would be lucky to get them back at a decent price.

As an aside - I can't understand the hatred for RvP either. Sorry to bring this up lol! BUT - he's a great player turning 30 soon and only winning his 2nd trophy since being in England and his 1st EPL title. Like I said above this is a career at the end of the day, players will admire clubs and enjoy playing there but they don't owe anything to the club - to begrudge RvP moving on to win a few top trophies before he retires seems harsh to me. And I honestly don't mean to offend with this last point but no way would you have won the league this year IMO even with RvP (before anyone says so), you've had many years to do so and many good players around him (Fab/Nasri) yet didn't achieve it. I thought RvP and Arsenal was a good partnership but he was right to make the move he did at the time he did. You can argue about what he said or didn't say all you want but the reality is he won the league title in his 1st season at United and Arsenal are fighting for 3rd/4th again - so to some extent he was proved right. Some will say he 'owed' Arsenal because of the injuries but 1) he's to near the end of his career to let that hold him back, and 2) he actually played a fair few games for Arsenal during his time there, he certainly made a valid contribution.

HB

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It's Wenger who "feigns" injuries for them. He also did for Henry when he knew Tt had marital problems. Remember also Almunia's mum-in-law's accident that had a "terrible effect" on him? He realized Cesc was mentally and emotionally "off", so he claimed the boy was injured. It's amazing between him and his players!

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Had Wenger mixed some experienced winning players with the kids we would have won some and none of the superstars would have left (Cesc, Nasri, RVP). There were 3-4 seasons where we were almost there but not quiet. Now there is a chasm between us and the trophies.

A stitch in time saves nine!

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I'll throw my two cents in. I've said this before but feel it is necessary to say it again.
Cesc played for Arsenal the day after his grandfather died, played with a broken leg for 15 minutes against Barca and was also by far the most passionate player about Arsenal the time he was captain. Look at his celebration when he scored the second against Tottenham at the Emirates please I'm begging someone to show me a celebration from an Arsenal player that shows they love the club more.

Anyone who is a professional in any field and has moved job will tell you it's not just about whether you like what you are doing at the moment, he is a human being just as anyone else and has a family etc. to think about.

At the time he joined Barca they were widely considered the best team in Europe, it is possible he had a personal challenge to see if he is good enough to play with the best players in the world, deep down we know that wasn't going to happen at Arsenal for at least 5, 6 years at the very least.
I really don't see the need to be bitter about his departure.

Also about his faked injury (im guessing this is at the beginning of the new season when he left not his clear leg break at the end of his last season) it is quite possible Wenger thought his mind wasn't in the right place to play and that it would be best for the club to say he was injured instead so the media didn't have the field day they love to have when anything bad happens at Arsenal.

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Fabregas always said he was going back to Barcelona. It was a matter of when and not if.

Conor

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Great great post US Gooner. Tooootaly agree.


DrchoGooner

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01 May 2013 16:17:24
Does Podolski deserve another chance up front or should we try another option? (I have no opinion yet would like to hear others' opinions)

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Definitely deserves another go, but I'd like us more with 2 up front as the single striker doesn't get the service they need. Not this season though as he's reputed to haver been nursing injury for a long while

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We don't really have much choice. But 2 games he's played upfront and I counted 1 shot on goal.

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We have, Pod and Walcott as front 2 AOC on the wing

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I don't call sprinter walcott a choice when QPRs ground is one of shortest in league and will sit deep

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01 May 2013 15:26:42
Yet another partnership created with Arsenal.

Good news, the future looks bright.

Increased commercial revenue, reducing debts, many a future star in the squad.

My only worry is the next 4months or so. The end of this season and the transfer window have to be dealt with efficiently and effectively.

We must win three games and buy smartly like we have done over the last couple of windows.

Yes we have bought some stinkers over the last few years. but our latest transfers? I would argue they are pretty good:

Monreal has been solid
Giroud has split opinion but has by no means been a flop
Podolski is a beast with limited game time due to something or other
Cazorla has been exceptional
Jenkinson on a free was a great shout
Arteta smelt of desperation but look how well that turned out
Mertesacker is slowly changing everyones opinion on him

none of these broke the bank either?

I suppose my point is I am happy the club seems to be coming out of this dark period and slowly things look to be looking up.

But we still have to be smart.

The 'Emirates' era has been for the future of the club and everything has been about the long term. And whilst I am not the biggest believer in the 'spend £70mil on world class players and we will win the league' type mentality, but we have to be braver now with transfers.

Perhaps a spending spree to boost the squad for the short term is better for the long term also? Success breeds Success right? Look at Man U, how much of a Financial Powerhouse they have become with regards to commercial revenue and also their Global fan-base is off the charts! There is only one reason why though. Success, Success, Success.

New footballs fans whether you like it or not want to support winners, Commercial giants want to be affiliated with success. Improving this team short term is now crucial for our long term before we start becoming a club like 'Liverpool' who have such great pedigree but just haven't been at the races for so many years.

The sooner we achieve 'success'
The easier it will be to achieve in the future.


If you read this gobledeegoook, hats off to you (bored at work)

noobGooner

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I hope your not an air traffic controller :-)
Flybo

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As a neutral I enjoyed reading that mate, good insightful (yet realistic) post.

HB

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Good post. totally agree.

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01 May 2013 15:19:46
Hi Ed. Can u please explain to us how much each team will earn from tv rights. {Ed029's Note - You need Ed02 to answer that one and there is no chance of that.}

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01 May 2013 11:53:24
the problem we'll have in the summer even if we do spend is we prob won't sign top world class players. city want their title back so they'll spend their millions and pay top money and wages. mourinho will prob end up at chelsea and no doubt he'll do same, I think fergie will sign some players to. we do have a decent squad but not world class. I hate to say this but I think we could end up like liverpool eventually

gooner mark

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Their title?

Are you Sheik Mansour?

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Funny enough I ain't sheik mansour. I just meant they want title back. who are you mr no name?


gooner mark

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Na u will never end upm 5 times european champions, and liverpool nab trophies.

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We will only end up like Liverpool if we waste money on English talent. Liverpool thought they were great for spending money on Caroll, Henderson, Downing etc but truth is they f-ed up and got ripped off. We seem to pick up the English talent for cheap or they come through our youth.

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01 May 2013 11:47:31
Would Damiao be worth a punt at £16m? Or would it be too much of a risk for someone whos only played in Brazil?

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Not much better than giroud

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01 May 2013 11:22:08
Does any one know what wages Lewandowski is on?

I just wanted to sound the idea out if he is actually viable?

cant see him going united unless they move on Rooney which they may struggle with, he may not favour a move to Bayern if he has strong loyalties to Dortmund and city and Chelsea see to bee looking at more south American players

if he's on 60k we could double that and guarantee him 1st team football and CL (providing we finish 3rd), depending on other signings (defensive players) he may actually seem we could have a title winning team next year?

do you think its viable? if other situations fall in line? Or am I dreaming?
dandan

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I'm not 100% but I think he is on a surprisingly low amount for someone of his quality

Anhowa

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He is on a average to below average wage mate.
He is currently on the last two years of the contract Dortmund signed him up on when they got him, so I would not be surprised if he is on something like €30k per week.

Thats why Munich is such an attraction for these young Bundesliga players because thay get a MASSiVE pay rise and a 50% shot at the title every season

Lwi

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Yes, Robert Lewandowski, his bank manager, the chief accountant at Borussia Dortmund and possibly Lewandowski's fiancee, Anna Stachurska.

CECEGUaW

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01 May 2013 10:25:06
People who are saying Wenger is leaving and Fabregas is returning are seriously failing to consider the fact that Wenger is loved by Fabregas and if he wasn't at Arsenal, it wouldn't be the same place that Cesc would want to return to.

However, if Wenger stayed, plus Arteta, Cazorla and Monreal currently at the club, it might be a good fit for him.

Nick.

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01 May 2013 10:08:58
Agree, Remy is a good second or third striker and offers us something different from giroud or podolski, however we need a class striker to score with limited chances or supply. If we can get Remy for a good price fine, but we need a lewandowski or jovetic as well.

James R

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Sounds good, although the problem as I see it, is it worth spending 70-80k a week for someone who would be used as a 2nd or 3rd choice striker?

N. Wales Gunner

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We spend 50 -60k a week on diaby who never plays

tommo

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01 May 2013 09:56:24
Good to see Santos plying his magic at Gremio by skying a penalty for them. What the hell did Wenger see in him.
Flybo

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He fooled us all mate. You, me and 95% of Brazil

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01 May 2013 08:28:02
Made a point on Remy being a worrying signing to which many people disagreed.

To clarify, I don't think Remy is a bad player, but I don't think he adds the level of "class" we were all hoping for.

At the moment, our squad has several "good" forwards players, but no one that is 'player of the year' level; no superstar.

Question is - can we afford such a player?

Billybob

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I 100%. We don't lack squad depth anymore we just lack star-quality.

We probably can afford it but won't and also finding those players and ones that don't want to go to Madrid, Barca, ManU, City etc is hard.

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01 May 2013 08:36:46
I heard harry r said that the Qpr pitch is diabolical and that you cannot play passing football on it. This is the only problem we may have on saturday.

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We will also have the problem of having to finish of clear cut chances. due to the non clinical strikers we possess.

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01 May 2013 02:54:05
Anyone know why MOYES is favourite in NEXT ARSENAL MANAGER markets with most bookies? not only that but clear favourite by some way?

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01 May 2013 09:24:31
If that's what Stan Kroenke has in store for us he can take a running f**k to himself. Only that clueless tit could be thinking that's a good idea.

David Moyes, please god do me a favour!

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Because the bookies need t make money and he won't be next arsenal manager

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Wenger will stay until end of 13/14 season as he NEVER breaks a contract. Replacement will be either Remi Garde or Dragan Stojkovic - both Wenger proteges.

Moyes has no chance.

CECEGUaW

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01 May 2013 00:23:38
Draxler, papadopolos and griezman all to sign for us. Possibly! However I would like to see wanyama (still not sure he is good enough, but worth a risk) also isco is pure class! And why don't we take a gamble on someone like Torres? The chances we create most strikers will score! We just need a proper striker! I would bet Darren bent would score 25 a season for us! let's sort defence and midfield out and get a solid foundation!!

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Can't see Schalke selling Draxler and Papadopolous to us, two of their most coveted players

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