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20 Aug 2013 23:33:12
Wish we had finished out the top 4 last season. There would have been a complete shake up and reality check. Yet we're here season after season because we do the Job the board want. It's an absolute disgrace
What good is qualifying doing for us? No chance of winning and no re investment. Feeling very let down at the moment.
20 Aug 2013 23:30:15
Always stuck with Wenger, thought he was the right man, but after seeing that press conference earlier today, he's insane, arrogant and blind. He really believes this team can win the league, they can't even win a fake cup at our own stadium, it's pathetic, both the board and him need to go, or we will watch spurs become more dominant than us, cause at the moment they have a better team.
Same here, I've always thought he'd do the best for our club but that conference made me so angry. Then to top it, it looks like spurs are adding another quality signing in Willian. I fear for us this season for the first time. I hope I'm wrong :/
20 Aug 2013 23:17:24
Arsenal Rumours site has been busy discussing dreams whilst the scums site is buzzing with truths!
It pains me to see the relaxed approach Wenger and co have taken now William is off to earn his corn at S***e hart lane.
Were all secretly hiding behind the hope that champions league qualification will secure signings, ask yourself why the seem to be doing fine in the market. Maybe a 3 or 4 goal lead tomorrow might answer our prayers by friday!
20 Aug 2013 23:11:30
I'm sick and tired of people saying I'm a troll. It's not on. If I say something seriously, I'm deluded.
If I say something in jest I'm a troll.
Can't people have different opinions and not get on.
Hey mate. If you put your opinion out there in writing people will respond to what you are saying by airing their views about what you are saying. I was the one that first called you deluded if I am not misstaken, and I stand by that statement. I don't have a personal grudge against you or anything like that. My opinion however is still the same. You do have the same right to publish your opinion as anyone else though and I like it to continue like that. Stand strong when the wind blows if you believe that your opinion is the correct one. If people call you a troll, it has to do with that your views are miles away from what they believe. Nothing more to it than that. I myself would be very interested to how you can have the views you do, because I seriously don't understand them at all. Fire away mate.
Well said mate. To be honest to back Wenger as vehemently as you do takes some guts at this point in time and like you I still believe he can do a job for us. I believe the fault is with the board and Gazidis. How can Wenger run, coach/manage and scout players for Arsenal. It's too much for one man to get results and nobody else seems to do anything at least Wengers there in the face of it all unlike the others especially that character Silent Stan, Non-existent Stan more like. Although I do believe Wenger should be far more transparent than he is about things, he obviously makes excuses about transfers to hide something and it can't seriously be that there's no talent out there.
20 Aug 2013 23:08:42
How the **** are we allowing Lamela to go to Spuds
Jesus Christ
Are we even trying anymore?
20 Aug 2013 22:55:25
Wish we could sign greizman from sociedad. watched the game tonight solely just to watch him. and once again didn't dissapoint. very young number 7. just what we need and it wouldn't take the earth to buy him.
Wolvo gooner
20 Aug 2013 22:50:40
Can we have a poll please:
Who's top Gooner Ed? ;-)
20 Aug 2013 22:48:56
Hey, newly registered!
In my opinion the best signing we could make is a Director of Football to complete deals for targets Arsene picks out. Unfortunately as I understand he is very much in control in most aspects, and would be unwilling for an appointment like this?
To the team, I believe we only need a few more signings from really competing! Arsene Wenger imo is top notch for his tactics, you don't beat Bayern 2-0 at home and then go unbeaten for no reason! He just seems to dither in the market! What has also encouraged me is that from social networks, Arsenal players seem to have a lot more team spirit and stating their desire to win over the last year! Signings I'd say we need is a CB, DM and Striker! It seems from the tactics that a disciplined DM is needed to fulfill Arteta's role as Wilshere and Ramsey play the similar Box to Box role. CB we need an experienced player who can come into the team and perform with no settling in, not necessarily to be first choice, as I believe Koscielny and Mertesacker are a good complimenting partnership. Striker we need something to Giroud (whom I rate highly), a fast technical striker in my opinion! or play walcott there and bring a RW into the team to play there!
Realistic signings I wouldn't mind:
CB - Williams 12m
DM - Bender 22m (optimistic) or Cabaye 14m (but played as DM) or N'Zonzi 10m? might be worth a look at for his PL experience, not sure on price or his temper
ST - completely unsure, not many realistic signings in the market! or play walcott and sign Lamela as RW for 25m
Total: 50-60m roughly
With the remaining money, squad players should be brought in for cover, such as Flamini on a 1 year deal (not as first team player). However the 3 signings above are important in my opinion and must be done ASAP, not necessarily big names. We don't have a bad first team! It's more our squad depth and subs to change a game!
Sorry for the big post, but cheers for reading! Correct me if I value players wrongly Eds!
Lamella for 25mil? Very optimistic. I'd imagine he'd be closer to 35.
Still roughly 60m total perhaps, plus remaining 20m
I think we should go for arda turan from atletico. 20 mill release clause & 26 perfect age the use Walcott or podolski as striker back up. Agree we have left it to late for a quality striker
20 Aug 2013 22:36:10
the ox just updated his twitter account stating that he is injured and is working hard to be back in 3 months.a little more than the 6 weeks that arsen said in today's press confrence with the world of twitter there is no sense in lying to everyone arsen.
20 Aug 2013 22:31:21
mourinho pellegrini moyes and ferguson before him and even avb
this weekend they showed wenger that it will be even harder to keep his head above the water and compete for a top 4 place.
they put out teams that were ruthless and strong, they believed in their ability and produced the goods.
they have strength in depth and know how to play a system that will get you 3 points, it may not be pretty but they get 3 points! they defend leads, put their chances away and play for the full 90 minutes.
then we have arsenal who lack depth, only know one system and have no plan b, they do not exploit the possession they have by missing numerous chances to kill off the game, players are always tired ( is it me or every other player for the big teams looks more hungrier and ruthless)
wenger needs to find his mojo again and use the resources that he has, Wednesday is a big game that could define our season. I don't care who he puts out I want 90 minutes of chasing down, creating chances, defending solidly, putting our chances away and not letting up until the final whistle. I want them to be ruthless and not care about the opposition and go on into the champions league draw.
imo we will only buy if we get in the champions league, the board are such c**ts that they will only spend if they can be assured of revenue from the champions league. total basta*ds that ivan and stan. they should resign if after the two legs we don't come up with the goods.
wenger should also go if he doesn't produce the goods by transfer deadline day.
im willing to wait till then even though I've slated the three of them, I've got no choice, but believe me you if we don't buy anyone then I think we should boycott the tight ars* c**ts who sit in the board until they resign.
lets get behind them tomorrow and then they have no excuse, at the end of the day its our beloved arsenal, we can voice our anger after transfer deadline day if things are not going to plan
The same tottenham that won by a penalty and liverpool who scraped a 1-0 aswell? Just as open as last year just see who we get ay I will be kicking up a stink if we haven't sorted anything by deadline! Remember we have negotiated a lot of deals clearing the deadwood out of the club which is what we have wanted to do for the last few seasons and now people are complaining about lack of depth because we have sold so many players?
Baz136
You say we have got rid of deadwood which is all good but with anything in life, if you take something out you put it back in.
Getting rid of numerous players and only having one addition are you telling me its reasonable?
We have taken hundreds and thousands of the wage bill, we pay the highest price for tickets and these amoebas can't even go out and strengthen the squad to challenge for honours.
Their thinking has come and bit them on the b:m now that we have a threadbare squad and injuries are mounting up.
It hurts to say but if spurs get Willian and lamela they will be challenging for trophies whilst we will be looking from afar. They are looking dangerous so are Chelsea, united and city. They know how to keep a lead and get the three points. we dont.
By the time deadline day comes we will be too far behind to catch up. Top Players will not come if they don't get champions league footy and arsenal are too tight to pay the going rate, it's a bad combination which will only change if the club adapts or stan, Ivan and arsene leave
20 Aug 2013 22:25:54
Wenger out! Wenger out!
Give it a bloody break,
It's tedious. Give him a chance the window is still open.
Blimey
He's had 8 years worth of chances & the result is the biggest shambles of a squad I've ever seen. Everyone's pleased with him getting rid of all the dead wood yet they were all his mistakes in the first place. Stop with all this pro Wenger crap, any other manager would & should have been sacked after the Carling cup final defeat.
I'm sure you're really a spud just coming on here to wind everyone up.
We've been giving him this 'chance' for the last 8 years.
I don't want him out. He's very good with the players and has a great track record BUT he's stubborn as well. I just want to see him to do the right thing, which means buy a striker and a defensive mid AT LEAST (a ST, DM, LW, CB, and GK would be ideal). (My picks would be
Muriel
Bender
Griezmann
Williams
Begovic)
When you say, "give him a chance, " I hope you're joking. He's had nearly 3 months to buy players. He should have gotten at least a few players by now and before the Villa game. This means paying the proper price for the player. We shouldn't quibble over a couple quid more. Now, most of the world class players are off the market.
Wenger is under the microscope and feels the pressure of spending after the Villa loss. I think we'll get a new player(s) but it's still too late. Waiting this long risks the quality of the player left on the market, risks that player integrating smoothly into our squad, and risks acquiring him at a fair price as prices may rise after seeing our desperation
WENGERISM. Are you and Wenger father and son or something? Don't keep saying give him a chance it's boring now. Even a few of the ex Arsenal players are saying its time for him to move on. Who? Well Ian Wright for one in his weekly column and he owed a lot to Wenger. So that says it all really and Ian Wright would be a little more in the know than any of us!
20 Aug 2013 22:18:36
Just heard that Guaita will cost us €20M.With that price we could buy Begovic and still get some change back.As much as players are overpriced right now We still should be reasonable and I think Wenger will splash on players we don't need to piss off the fans watch this space
20 Aug 2013 22:16:37
Now I'm not anti wenger here. But did that man really just say he doesn't have to justify his transfer business to anyone? How about us loyal been patient for years fans?
He was talking about the press!
Yea I saw it last night. Misleading titles as always from the press. Even papers say it was aimed at fans. They just live to take digs whenever pos
20 Aug 2013 22:04:00
I believe we need a change in formation.
Instead of 4.5.1 a little change to 4.2.3.1 would give us a better shape un less open at the back.
This would then free up jack, theo un Santi,
As in a 4, 5, 1 I think none of the midfield 3 have a clue who's doing what job.
But and a big but I still feel we need to spend at least £100mil to ever challenge for the league again.
I would love £55mil, Suarez £25mil, Fellaini, £2-5mil cesar, £10-15mil, Williams or Richards.
With those un what we have would be a title challenging team IMO
20 Aug 2013 22:34:34
Totally agree formation needs changing
No one in the midfield has a clue who is doing what job.
You're right on one account.
However, a change of formation doesn't sort that issue out.
Competent coaching does, tell the persons what to do.
Dont we normally play 4-2-3-1 anyway? Particularly if Arteta and Ramsey are playing together.
{Ed022's Note - Yes, our current formation is 4-2-3-1 which turns sort of 4-3-3 when we attack with Walcott and Poldi/Cazorla etc push up and support Giroud...}
20 Aug 2013 22:03:47
everyone has blown this weekend out of proportion, we have lost one match, i'm gutted too, however I believe wenger has cleared the squad to make way for a gk, a c/b and we all know we need a d/m and a quality striker, I think if we get the right result tomorrow we will make a push for suarez and players for the other positions but everyone is throwing there daggers at our club we must give wenger the next two weeks to see what he comes up with, and too everyone banging on about spurs they won at the weekend but I think they were quite lucky, as were l/pool the results nearly ended in late draws .they both have brought in new players it remains to be seen hether they really are so great, I remeberus buying a brazillian who had played for brazil, he was crap so let's see.
Surely as well as the positions you've just mentioned we need also need a left winger or another attacking mid (so cazorla can be moved out wide)?
Change martinez for michu who is £25m and I'd agree with you, defo begovic the mans a beast
20 Aug 2013 21:54:33
Everyone seems to be somewhat disappointed by our attempt at acquiring Cabaye. I for one would be relieved if we nabbed him. An experienced PL and international is what we need, not a starlet. He is very similar to Arteta but younger, stronger and with a edge defensively. If we also signed Kondogbia I'd be pleased as it gives us a lot of options in midfield.
Micah Richards, Williams, Sakho, Rami. I'm beyond care along as we get a Cb in. Rami for supposedly £7m!? Why haven't we snapped Valencia's hand off for that? The guy is a monster, very similar to Koscielny. If we end up with a RB and Sagna as CB cover I would be pleased with that also.
GK: today we've been linked with Guatia (Valencia) Begovic and Casillas (?) Villa game proved Szeszcney is a liability. He's not even in top 10 keepers in PL in my opinion. Begovic is a must for me.
With Ox out for afew months and Gervinhio gone surely Wenger will sign a forward? LW and ST are need in my opinion but can't see Wenger getting both. Michu £25m please no. Why not J.Martinez? He is a beast. Reminds me of Adebayor when he played for us. Also his link up play is superb.
Begovic - £15m
Rami - £7m
Cabaye - £16m
Kondogbia - £17m
J.Martinez - £25m
How hard can it be?
{Ed022's Note - Jackson Martinez will be £30m plus which immediately rules us out as Wenger will value him at £5 and a packet of cheese and onion crisps and won't go above that...}
Ed that's not too far from the truth either haha
20 Aug 2013 21:54:05
With our players desperately asking for reinforcements, our squad depleted, absolutely no action being taken by the club, we are in danger of blowing the season before the 1st September, a record even for us, I want action taken to remove Wenger and gadizis now, wenger has gone crazy, who on earth is advising him, Daniel levy!, he is destroying my club, we have missed out on so many players I have given up counting, while our competitors are strengthening, let be honest we are nowhere near the top three, so I mean spurs .Liverpool etc, we have done nothing, Wenger goes on tv and talks utter crap, gadizis is complicit by his inaction, where is silent Stan in this mess, counting his cash I presume, what as supporters can we do?, I for one will never buy merchandise again, no programmes food clothes etc from the club maybe a mass exit on a big tv game, all leave at half time and leave 60000 empty seats on tv, I now hope that the crazy Russian pays Stan a visit and makes him an offer he can't refuse, I honestly think it's our only hope, and how bad is that. We all saw this coming from afar away and 2seasons ago when man u spanked us, then the van persie sale, he wasn't wrong, his views about the club proved correct, the supermarket sweep transfer Windows, can you honestly say now that arsene knows, no now is the end for him, I can see no other alternative, he is losing the dressing room, it happens to all managers, some just don't know when to go, sorry arsene, have enjoyed the great teams you gave us but you can't move with the times, it's a very different game now, who takes over, well if silent Stan remains in charge, it's arsene, but I ask you all how long can this be allowed go on for. sorry for the rant, desperate times
20 Aug 2013 21:47:53
: arsenal tonsign nobody
- I mean news that will break our hearts. Arsenal will not sign any quality player who could turn us into a title challenging team. It's the same old rubbish by those who run our beloved arsenal. We have heard all lies so far. If the management of our club respected the club and it's fans they wouldn't have betrayed us by selling our best players and actually never replacing them. God help Arsenal
20 Aug 2013 21:44:58
Can I just put out a plea to Flybo, come on mate, register, we need your humour in this our not so finest hour, well the roughly 300 of our not so finest hours left.
Say yes to Flybo = best signing we (he) could make
20 Aug 2013 21:27:55
Ive seen many rumours over the last couple months linking us with most of Lyon's midfield. They look like they may have knackered up their Champions League tonight (fingers crossed) maybe we will go on the scavenge.? Personally Gonalons would be my favourite. Any thoughts?
I thought Gorcuff was very good:)
If we got Gonalons I'd be estatic. Would love him instead of Cabaye or Kondogbia.
I'm not sure it is always Wenger, Gavidis and Dick Law are too blame more so in my opinion
20 Aug 2013 21:01:36
Every day of this transfer window that goes by without us securing a top quality player makes me more and more angry.
I don't care what the 'In Wenger we trust' brigade say our business should have been done early in the transfer window. because it takes a new player a few weeks to bed in with their new team mates, and learn the strengths and weaknesses of the players around him.
Wenger has got to realise that he has no valuation sense ( offering 6mil for a 10mil player). but this is something he deliberatly does, maybe because he has no intention of buying that player, he just wants it to seem that he is active in the transfer market.
I couldn't walk into Mcdonalds an offer them 66p for a 99p cheeseburger. they will tell me to f**K off. so why does he do it.
I am beginning to believe that the 70mil quote was just a ploy to get more season tickets sold and there was never any intention to go out and buy 3 or 4 top quality players.
Wenger the only person stopping you from doing anything in this world is yourself. and i'm sorry to say I don't accept any of your excuses for not strengthening our team.
Your 7mil salary means that you must be a top quality manager. please can you do something to show that you are earning all that money we are paying you.
When you don't even have the foundation's of a world class team you need to buy early.
Man utd and Chelsea both need one player tops. We need five. Disgraceful that its gone this long.
Wenger out
20 Aug 2013 20:21:30
With the Fenerbache game tomorrow, the travel, then Fulham nothing will happen until next week. Then we have just over a week left.
The things we need to think on are:
What club is gong to sell a key player when they have no time to replace them? Unless they are already buying a replacement they at unlikely to sell. So spurs are signing Willian I suspect because Bale is off to Madrid next week.
Why after months are Arsenal suddenly going to be able to do business in a week when they haven't come close before? They self evidently have no negotiation strategy.
Who will be good enough for us? So far Gustavo, Higuain, Willian, and many others have failed to be as good as the talent we have. If they weren't good enough - who is? Clearly th names being mentioned now aren't of the same caliber so they all seem unlikely.
We clearly only want to deal when we think we have truly got a deal. In the last few days you only buy class if you overspend, how would that it with the rest of the summer.
If the players are there, if we know who they are why have we waited until the last moment. If Cabaye is right for us we could easily have signed him two months ago. Why didn't we? Why have we waited until Newcastle will struggle to replace him and when they know how desperate we are?
So here's a hunch. Tomorrow Chelski will move 6 points clear of us. While we struggle in Fenerbache. If we win thank god, anything else and our buying power will reduce as fast as our obvious desperation increases.
We then return with our clearly ne'er strength team to play Fulham. I suspect a loss tomorrow will mean a loos to Fulham as tired and no confidence. If we win tomorrow you'd hope at best or a draw against a fresh Fulham. Chelski win and we at 8 points behind. Is the premier league over then? No of corse nt but damned clse to it. Champions start fast and get points quick, 4th place teams are always catching up.
What real game changing quality player is going to come near us? Well I hope I'm wrong but no one is my answer. At best we will sign two or three desperate last minute mid range players that might just keep us fighting for 4th. But we will blow far too much money for far too little real improvement.
This is more than Arsene's fault, this is the clubs fault top to bottom. I'll keep loyal and hoping but none f it makes sense.
20 Aug 2013 19:39:45
everyone needs to chill out we have huge game tomorrow so get behind the team and in wenger we pray he buys 4 players
I'll 'chill out' when we start acting and heal our threadbare team.
Colin, I hear what you're saying but these frustrations are 8 years long and have been heightened as a result of the inactivity of the last two months. I was looking back at some of the quotes from Ivan Gazidis and his Q&A of 05.06.2013 where he famously made the 'escalation in financial firepower' comments. Reading into Gazidis' comments and the outcome of the transfer window so far, its no wonder some of us will think that it was all a ploy to get us to renew our memberships and season tickets and for the coffers to be stuffed to close to bursting point. I really feel that we've been duped and in those circumstances (and taking into consideration the last 8 years) it's sometimes difficult to chill out.
Well said, are you guys for real, chill out, chill out, we can't attract any new players, no club want to sell to us, this is looking like Armageddon, and you say chill out.
Maybe chill was too strong a word I was just saying we are screaming at wenger that he has done nothing this window maybe silent stan is behind this and wenger is powerless.The other option is wenger is an ego driven frenchman who won't see his players earn more than him
20 Aug 2013 19:17:19
Being reported that OX is out for up to 6 weeks. Possibly requiring surgery.
{Ed022's Note - They don't think he requires surgery, he has extended his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) It could have been a lot, lot worse. If he'd have done his anterial cruciate ligament (ACL) we'd be talking about him missing the season and World Cup...}
Wait until our medical team get at him it will soon turn into 6 months. {Ed027's Note - it's 3 months
20 Aug 2013 19:15:17
Hello Edds and people .
I know we missed out on many transfers over this Summer period already, but are we getting confused by the media. Whos to say that Wengers main transfer targets all along are still available and he is just being his usual frugal self? Although the disaster that happened on Saturday has spurred on this other 'trolley dash' but all those injuries are just bad luck really.
This window in particular has seen some astronomical money transfers, maybe they will sell for less coming to the end of the window, especially when players want out.
Chin up Gooners :)
This is the good positive attitude that all gooners need to have atm. Although these are frustrating time we need to stay strong and stick with the club
{Ed022's Note - I've said it before and I will say it again. Being an Arsenal fan is like being in a marriage... you stick with it through thick and thin! Yeah, she looked pretty fit in 2004, stunning you might say. Yeah her looks have faded a little but she does try! The point is, you've got to stick with it and hope with a bit of surgery, she might be a stunner again!}
Ed that might have just been the funniest thing I've ever heard :D!
{Ed022's Note - Thanks very much, I will be here all week...}
Unfortunately in this instance the bit of surgery required is a brain transplant.
The real issue comes when you need value for money surgery. I for one won't look to pay more than £40 and I expect the finished article.
20 Aug 2013 19:05:19
Really hoping the Micah Richards and Pogba rumours are true!
If there really are Roma reps in London and Toteenham are that close to Willian then I hope it puts us in pole position.
As much as I hate to admit it there is a slight sense of panic about anything Arsenal do now, whether or not it was always planned for this late in the window that is how it will be viewed.
Whoever comes in will have my full support.
Bring on Fenerbache!
20 Aug 2013 19:23:27
I think a couple of games away from home might do us some good. A bit less pressure than playing at the Emirates.
Our away fans are by far the best in the league and whilst at home every bad touch or mispalced pass is greeted by groaning, I'm guilty of it myself, it can't be good for the players.
We have high set ourselves very expectations in seasons past and we aren't living up to them at the moment. Still, I'm positive that we will make some key signings and goon a good run in the league.
20 Aug 2013 19:09:33
I think as many fans as possible should email the club even though I doubt they will get read.
This is my one tell me what you think and what points I missed.
To Arsenal,
A football club used to represent more than just a sport and a team. For some it offered hope of a chance to play for them one fay, a place where families and friends could unite and share moments together they would cherish. This is where football excels more than being a sport or a business. It offered a chance for fathers and mothers to pass something they were passionate about on to their kids. Which would hopefully be passed through the generations. The moments families will cherish are becoming less common the further time passes. Who is going to remember the days of placing fourth scraping above teams below us and drifting further away from where are great club once was.
With the huge financial gains that can be made through the sport the game has changed. Financially speaking there are clubs who have more funds available. We accept that we're not asking for ludicrous spending that could make us unstable. We just want to match the teams we are financially more capable than. I understand we have built a new stadium and that it would be a lean period. Which in the long run should benefit the club. However, this year we we're told things were different that we had a war chest of at least £70 million which some suggest is a conservative figure. I find it insulting and immoral that a single season ticket holder has spent more on there ticket, than the club has spent on new players.
As fans we are asked to spend a vast amount of money in relation to other clubs. I think it is reasonable to ask for this to be reciprocated in transfers. We have not been successful enough to warrant these price increases and pay rises to individuals at the club. When did we start rewarding failure and negligence. We have consistently sold the top talents at our club, who have mostly left because it was obvious we don't have any ambition to win. Wenger suggesting this squad could win the league is an insult to the fans intelligence. If the club has no intention in spending the funds available don't isolate them charging disproportionately expensive season tickets. In a business sense you are isolating your consumers in an emotional sense you are leaving them lost, empty and confused.
We used to be a club that challenged on all fronts and even went a season undefeated. How far do we have to fall before action is taken. Do the people running the club not see these problems or do they choose to ignore them. Why come out and tell the world about the money we could spend on transfers and then sign nobody of real intent. Arsenal is slowly loosing its ability to attract the top talent in Europe. We were in a position to gain on the teams above us that have all changed managers and there would of been a transitional period where we could have made real progress with good additions.
For all the talk of the club being economically intelligent we often act ineptly. If we had targets and a plan we could off acted quickly getting better value for our money. Yet we find ourselves one game into the season with a thread bare squad panic buying in desperation. Every club knows we are desperate and will now raise the prices of anyone we intend to sign it is essentially negotiating suicide. Why are we in this position? Who's fault is this? Why are players given salaries they don't deserve? Wasting money we could be spending on real talent. We then struggle to sell them even releasing some for free. Just look at some of our rivals who have acted coherently and bought smartly, who could over take us with ease.
Wenger talks about looking for top quality which leaves fans with a sour taste in their mouth. A selection of recent transfers have not been fit to wear the shirt and it's a disgrace. Chamakh, Squillaci, Gervinhio and Santos all stick in the fans minds if that is the quality Wenger is bemoaning we really are in trouble. Why hasn't a defensive midfielder been signed when it is so clear to everyone it is needed.
Offering Wenger a new contract is disgustingly misguided, the man has done great things for the club and should be respected for what he has done. But is he the man to move us forward? Is he still the person he was once? Has he changed to suit the modern game? Why is his principle and beliefs put above the squad and the fans in terms of priorities. If you offer him a new contract and he agrees half the fan base would be in disbelief that's how little faith is with him at the moment. All you have to do is visit sites such as www.arsenalrumours.co.uk to understand the fans views. Or watch a selection of interviews on youtube with fans on Arsenal fan cast you will see the burden you are placing on them.
If we can not be ambitious and show intent at least explain why be more transparent. Maybe Wenger should not be blamed maybe he needs more support. Someone as a director of football could be the biggest addition to our squad this year. Why has Usamov who loves the club not been invited to the board when he would welcome and rejoice in helping the club.
Regards from a disgruntled Arsenal fan.
Yeah I agree. I've written a few. If we all to it, it may help.
Can't hurt anyway/
Bloody hell! After they have read this letter they would have spent the transfer budget on Kleenex! I could virtually hear the violins playing in the background and the theme tune to the Hovis advert ( if you remember that one ) ha ha
20 Aug 2013 18:46:33
Why wenger didn't do his upmost to bring David villa to the club is beyond me, looking like he is going to find the kind of form he showed the world with Valencia and his country at At Madrid this season?
20 Aug 2013 18:06:55
I'm going with a 0-2 tomorrow. Love to see the medias reaction to that.
Cazorla and Podolski to score.
We should win tomorrow, however, your missing the point just like wenger does.
To compete all season in all competitions we need quality in the 1st team and as a squad, we are lacking in both in vital areas of the pitch.
If we get a great result the majority of us gooners and the media will not be fooled about our shortfalls that we so clearly have.
Its the fans reaction that counts we pay to attend the games and buy the merchandise. Sod the media.
20 Aug 2013 18:05:54
For the last 8 years we the supporters have been demanding the club to be honest with when it comes to our transfer budgets and whether we have the money or not so that way we knew where we stood we it comes to buying player X, why & Z.
Now that Gazidis has openly stated that the club will see "an escalation in our financial power" and that "we could afford Rooney wages and more" a lot of us are now slating the club for declaring to the open transfer market that we have a large pool of money to spend on transfers which has inflated player prices by the club.
i just really thought that this window the best thing the club could have done is bought our targets in early, and targets which would have clearly demonstrated our "escalation in financial power" that way there would have been no need to make this statement public rather the actions would have made those statements.
Feel really let down and decieved by the manager, Gazidis and the board.
Unhappy Gooner
20 Aug 2013 18:03:33
Wenger has come out and said the ox is out for atleast 6 weeks but won't require surgury.
20 Aug 2013 18:02:05
You people don't get it this is our current state from Felliani --> Bender --> Gustav --> Cabaye --> Barry
Thats who we will end up with Barry as a DM. (Much like what wenger did with Benayon but he saved our season).
Striker ---> Higuain --> Suarez --> Michu --> No one
(Finish with Songoo or some other League 1 French Striker)
Defenders --> Williams--->Sakho --> To Playing Sagna at CB?
Thats the sad state the Arsenal are in.
20 Aug 2013 18:00:22
why aren't we buying willian? I don't get this. there must be something seriously wrong behind the scenes. I've never seen such a poorly executed transfer window. from the enormous blunder of telling other clubs how much we had to the undervaluing of world class stars necessary for our clubs progression. i'm stunned. someone, and i'm not necessarily saying wenger, needs to held accountable for this. its ridiculous.
I agree I think he's just what we need, I would love to see him at the arsenal. Forget michu and cabaye
{Ed022's Note - Agreed. Forget Cabaye, Williams, Cesar, Michu...}
I was thinking the same today, something is wrong behind the scenes, very wrong. My heart is sinking just as is my club. We were prepared for some hard times when we moved stadiums, we all knew that but yet the teams kept pushing through those years and have us hope. The hard times are quickly turning into dark times. Something is wrong, very wrong.
20 Aug 2013 17:41:58
Ok here's one for you all. If you were Wenger or on the Arsenal board and you were getting over £7Million a year and you had the choice of saving your own ar*e or buying quality players what colour Ferrari would you get?
Anyone that buys a Ferrari in any other colour than Red is a ****. then again anyone who buys a Ferrari is also a ****
Agree with 1404 ferraris are for Jeremy clarkson and other persons
20 Aug 2013 19:37:06
By that reckoning 1404 Kroenke must have 5 or more Ferrari's because he is one of the biggest ***** I know.
{Ed022's Note - Dont be silly! That would involve him parting with cash!}
20 Aug 2013 17:33:42
If United, City, Chelsea, Pool or spurs lost match one, and then subsequently the referee of that match was promptly suspended by the FA
It would be front page news.
With us, it's totally acceptable it appears.
Those calls were utter dogrubbish. Glad to know it happened to us, again.
How many times is that now?
20 Aug 2013 17:28:53
Db7AFC. I support Arsenal. Then Wenger.
What's with the doom and gloom, the Spurs fans must be loving this.
We will sign players, and we will get top 4. I don't think we are going to win the title.
The reason spurs must be loving this is because they have bought some very good players an we're looking like being left miles behind! If they sign willian then we can more or less forget about CL next season.
Spurs are spending because their about to sell one of the best in Europe in Bale. Spurs are normally as prudent in the market as us.
{Ed022's Note - Selling Bale but signing Soldado, Willian (maybe) and Lamela (maybe) would be fantastic business, no doubt about it. Add to that Paulinho and Capoue (both of which could have done a job for Arsenal) and Spurs have done very well...}
20 Aug 2013 17:18:11
Just got this from my spurs workmate. Was kinda funny:
Arsenal's biggest signing: Yaya Sanogo
Arsenal's cheapest signing: Yaya Sanogo
Arsenal's most talented signing: Yaya Sanogo
Arsenal's first signing: Yaya Sanogo
Arsenal's most experienced signing: Yaya Sanogo
Arsenal's youngest signing: Yaya Sanogo
20 Aug 2013 18:13:59
Thank goodness he didn't say last signing!
Wenger signed 6 players already then, what all this nonsense about the squad being "thin"?
Ah, you really can't beat that good old Middlesex humour.
You forgot . Wengers newest injury prone signing . Yaya Sanago
20 Aug 2013 17:07:20
Perhaps a formation change is in need.
Perhaps we sign 2 defensive midfielders and switch from playing with 2 centre midfieders and an attacking midfielder to 1 defensive midfielder and 2 advanced midfielders.
I feel that this would do wonders for the team as it would give us great depth and an ability to account for injuries as Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsay, Rosicky and the ox could play in the advanced midfield role. Also it would allow Wilshere and Ramsay to flourish as they are better suited for this kind of role.
It would also help out youngsters like Eisfield and Zelalam as they are introduced to the team as they could be as creative as they wanted to knowing there is a failsafe behind them if they lost possession when they are introduced to the first team.
I would recommend for the defensive midfielder/anchor role 2 of Bender, Kongdobia and Gonalons. Then if needed Arteta or Frimmy could fill in as well. (Extreme case)
In conclusion I think that this change in formation would give the back for the protection it needs and it would give our creative players a platform to do their thing.
Comments?
20 Aug 2013 17:09:19
Hey eds, just a few questions, since kondogbia plays in Spain would I be correct in assuming he has a buy-out clause in his contract? If so, would other clubs have knowledge of the details of it or would that information need to be passed along through an agent?Lastly, what kind of fee do you think would be needed to encourage Sevilla to sell?
Thanks guys
{Ed022's Note - You would be correct, all players in Spain MUST have a buy-out clause. Kondogbia's is reportedly £17.2m...}
So, in that case, the Sevilla president is completely bluffing when he says they will only listen to a big money offer for kondogbia, as if say, arsenal were to activate that clause with a bid it would be out of their hands. Or is it just that in relative terms for Sevilla 17.2 mill would be a big money offer?
20 Aug 2013 17:08:54
Ed why won't wenger just sign sakho and are we in talks or likely to go for him ate all
{Ed022's Note - I really like Sakho, Wenger really likes Sakho, Sakho is available for a transfer as Blanc rates Maxwell, Alex and Silva ahead of him. Due to this he would be available for £10m-£12m. He's a beast, still only 23 and former captain of PSG (before the Qatari's came in). Milan are showing a strong interest, as are Liverpool...}
Problem is, PSG weren't such a great team before the Qatari's came in, so for a captain to be dumped to 3/4 choice speaks volumes about his quality.
On his day he is a brute of a defender. but then so is Vermaelen, and he doesn't have enough good days to oust even per mertesacker from our defence.
20 Aug 2013 17:01:40
The problem with all this launching bids for Cabaye etc is that he isn't the sort of player we should be targeting.
Would Cabaye walk into the Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham Midfield?
The answer my friends is no he wouldnt, therefore if we want to be up there overthrowing these sides for the top spots we should be buying players that would otherwise we are only building a Europa Cup team not a champions league team.
Why pay £25mil for Michu but not £29Mil ( 34Mil Euros) for Higuain one is a proven international and been part of a Real Madrid side that has won the La Liga and one is a player, though very good, cannot get into the spanish side and has had one good season in the prem?
Ashley Williams I think is worth £10mil ( though wenger obviously don't because he's offered £6mil but was happy to pay £8Mil for Squilaci . It says it all I think
I honestly don't know why you guys don't go for Fellaini as Utd have pi**ed Everton off that much that i'm sure Everton would rather sell to anyone but else at a cheaper price just out of spite.
20 Aug 2013 16:57:05
HI ed, just a quick question really - who do you blame for our lack of signings? There was a bloke on telly, a former agent, who believed that Dick law was the main man for arsenal in completing transfers and that Wenger had little input, except from highlighting potential players and a possible price. Am I just being horrendoucly naive in thinking that the board must be playing a major part in stopping our spending. I know Wenger has short arms and long pockets, but he does genuinely seem to know that something is wrong with the club. I also think he loves the club. So surely the board should have gotten their act together sooner and either freed up funds or actually placed bids.
After what Lady Bracewell-Smith said, I think Silent Stan must have something to do with all this inactivity, which we are all sick of.
It's easy:
Cesar,
Sakho,
Bender,
Lamela,
then a few unknown frogs who can bolster up the team!
20 Aug 2013 16:52:33
Poll
If Arsenal were to lose 2nd leg Champions League and go out, but are allowed back in due to the Fenerbahce ban being upheld, do you think Gazidis and Wenger's job's should be safe?
{Ed022's Note - I said this before on here but if Arsenal win over two legs they will go through. Fenerbahce will be banned from entering the CL next year and will obviously be out of this years competition. This is the easy way out for Uefa. If Fenerbahce win over two legs then I fully expect CAS to expel them from the Champions League and we will sneak in through the back door...}
If Fenerbahce win over two legs then another team from Turkey will get a chance to play in CL . logic . we will not sneak in through back door
{Ed022's Note - The word "logic" and Uefa are never used in the same sentence...}
No if we lose to Fener then no Wenger should not stay. Gazidis imo actually does his job, it's not his fault he either doesn't have a clue or isn't allowed to deal with transfers with total freedom. Wenger has the final say so how can we punish Gazidis. Reality is he's made this club massive off the back of sod all success in the last 8 years and he's landed and improved all our commercial deals when our football has declined, as has our reputation. Gazidis can stay, let's bring in some ambassadors and give Dick Law or someone else the freedom in the market that Wenger won't allow.
One paper reported that the team Fenerbahce knocked out in previous round, Salzburg, would be reinstated, and Arsenal would have to play the tie again, another £3 million in the bank!
So ed, are you saying that essentially we are in a "win, win" situation? We might very well need it. We would get some stick for getting through the 'wrong way' though.
{Ed022's Note - I am being very facetious but I have a sneaky feeling it could be a possibility if we were to go out over two legs...}
Dread to think what is going to happen in the stadium, or outside if we lose. And what's every home game, the rest of the season going to be like? I'm a miserable git!
OK fair enough, thanks ed.
Hopefully, it will be academic and we will get through on merit anyway. Fingers crossed.
Only thing Ed is Platini and English clubs don't seem to mix either.
{Ed022's Note - This is very true. In that case, we can expect to see a "lucky dip" draw where several teams (lucky losers if you will) go into a draw to be picked out to see who goes through in Fenerbahce's place. The draw is very official and made is Monaco in front of the tv cameras and surprise, surprise a French team is pulled out...}
Because are team is full of pretty boys who can't hack it
{Ed022's Note - Is that why Vito Mannone was sold? He wasn't blessed in the looks department...}
20 Aug 2013 16:34:44
hey Eds!
What is wrong with our medical centre? Are the staff and facilities rubbish or are we just unlucky to see our first team players get injured all the time?
In the last years we had so many injuries, and now Ox is out! And still other players as well, diaby arteta vermaelen! thank you
20 Aug 2013 16:19:01
Wot I don't understand bout wenger is I'm not saying he's going 2 but if he offers 20mil for cabaye surely it's worth just payin the extra for Lars bender the same with Ashley Williams just pay the extra and go for sakho I don't know arsene personally but he seems pretty bright so I really don't understand how he's let arsenal get this bad he's still livin off the invincibles
{Ed022's Note - Sakho is around the same price (if not a little cheaper) as he is not being used much at PSG. As for Bender, I agree, i'd pay that bit more and get a truly class midfielder, Cabaye for me, is not what we need nor is he good enough...}
20 Aug 2013 16:16:15
Some times I feel this guy Wengerism is Wenger himself because his comments are similar to wenger
Wengers comments
1. We can win the league with this team.
2. I am confident the team that played again Villa could have won (Even West ham can win against Barca in football what's your point).
3. Its difficult to find players who can improve arsenal (Nonsense. Bayern who were treble winners have found players to improve them).
I just don't understand, Does he consider us fools that we will buy that. We are no fools (apart from wengerism).
WENGER OUT
P.S: He says that the market is inflated and he does not like that and does not like to spend more money that what tit's worth. And the Irony is he is the highest paid manager in EPL and the ticket prices are also highest for our club in EPL and we have got nothing to show for it in the past 8 years. LOL.
Depends if your a tit man or not as to what tit's worth. A leg man or a bum man would presumably place a higher value on those particular parts of the female anatomy. You pay's your money as they say.
20 Aug 2013 16:12:22
We miss out on Higuian- wouldn't increase the fee (ok, in a way I don't disagree with that, but. ), we miss out on Gustavo- wouldn't meet wages. I suspect we could go on, if we know everything behind the scenes this summer.
Point is, we have the stadium, training facilities, resources, etc, etc of a big club, but the club is holding us back with its policies and slowly but surely turning us into top 6 side.
We should not be in a position, looking over our shoulders at the spurs and their transfer activity this summer (whether you rate their signings or not, they are acting like they mean business and oh btw without the promise of cl football this season) and thinking they are a head of us now.
That is a joke. There should be no excuses for this anymore.
The potential of our club is there to be at the least competitive.
That is what is so, so frustrating.
20 Aug 2013 16:11:02
Sad/but likely true prediction.
After continued dithering this week, we will miss out on Cabaye (PSG) and Kondogbia (Monaco).
Instead we will a player that has premiership experience, has won the title, is English, is a defensive minded midfielder. still not sure.
Gareth Barry.
This is the ONLY DM I see us buying.
For the love of God. NO!!
If we buy Gareth Barry, I will seriously lose my temper with the club, that's a certainty.
Why, will be SOOOO easy for Wenger to justify.
This is an experienced international player. LOL.
Gareth BArry is this season's Silvestre.
Also, I think we will buy a Squillaci-type defender. Maybe we bring Sol Campbell back again.
20 Aug 2013 16:09:53
I've had enough. Heads gone! Spurs could and probably will sign Willian and lamela? Wtf is going on here. We're Ment to the team that was doing what the people are. There's no way were getting in the top 4 if they sign! It's an absolute joke. Get rid of the stubborn arrogant top top quality I bid for Cabaye person and we can afford Wayne rooney wages but we ask gustavo to take a pay cut gazidas! OUT!
20 Aug 2013 16:05:15
is there any truth that Mourinho has a PLAN B if he won't get Rooney and that PLAN (B) is Nicklas Bendtner?
This is where I believe Wenger should be sacked, if Bendtner is sold to 1 of our main rivals, I will be livid
20 Aug 2013 16:03:59
As it stands now spurs and liverpool are ahead of us in quality this is getting real serious now when the window closes the club should be made come out and say what has really been the problem in this window I don't think it's arsene penny pinching I belive there is something much deeper the problem
20 Aug 2013 16:03:12
No disrespect, kondogbia looks decent. But if we had said at the beginning of the window that he was one of our main targets, none of you would be rubbing your hands in excitement. Now we are so desperate that anyone would do.
Sad sad story of how 3 men ran a club and killed it!
20 Aug 2013 16:01:56
Yohan Cabaye this is the guy who will sort out our problems? he can't sort Newcastle midfield out never mind ours. I used to adore Wenger but I think he has lost the plot, he thinks players get cheaper at the end of the transfer window, dear me he is so wrong. the players need to take most of the blame for being so lazy on a 100k a week Wiltshire and Ramsay let several players run past them with out even a challenge, they are ok at going forward but shocking under attack. effortless full stop. buy more experienced and leave them to play Carling cup until they grow some balls and stop embarrassing us.
20 Aug 2013 15:55:15
hey Eds, great work by all of you guys.just want to know about your thoughts on Schneiderlin(sorry if I spelled wrong) from Southampton. I rate him highly and he won't be that expensive.how much is he going to be worth?
fellow gooners, please give your views. thanks in advance. cheers
{Ed022's Note - Morgan Schneiderlin (yes you did spell it correctly) is a very underrated but highly effective player. Only 23yrs old but been with Southampton for the last five years making nearly 200 appearances. He signed a contract a few months ago up until 2017 but would still be relatively cheap in today's current market. (£15m would be rough valuation). A break-up the play midfielder but one who is comfortable on the ball...}
Southampton wouldn't let Schneiderlin go on the cheap, not anymore anyway. He would cost more then £15 million and Cortese would jack the price up because he knows Arsenal are panicking. Southampton aren't a selling club anymore, probably cost upwards of £20 million for you and Southampton would be very resistant to let their best midfielder go.
Someone posted stats last season that showed Schneiderlin to be the most effective defensive mid in the league, with the highest tackles per game/interceptions rates etc.
Great player.
20 Aug 2013 15:51:35
I'm really worried about the situation we are in now.
The squad is unbelievably thin. And if we are not going to buy players we are going to lose on the CL spot for the next year, considering all of our (literal) competitors have strengthened a lot.
We need a minimum of 5 good players who will improve us. I don’t really worry about the names; I just need players who can perform consistently well for us.
We are in an unrepairable state under the board and Wenger don't know about you people but I am worried about playing hull ahhhhhhh. better off out off the champs league to save more embarrassment to us loyal fans.bugger the money we lose we don't see it anyhow they are after medium low key players again at 10 mill we have no chance. we want ushmanov
I totally agree. But let's be frank here.
What does our club do with that CL spot?
It doesn't use the extra revenue on players and is seemingly unwilling to sign or attract the top players of an apparent CL "big" club.
In the pure footballing sense it is completely wasted and is just being used for commercial purposes.
I am afraid the clubs policies are and will continue to hold us back, until there is some shift or significant change at our club.
20 Aug 2013 15:43:16
When Hitler invaded Russia, Stalin didn't beleive it. When the border guards reported tanks on the border he dismissed it. When colenels and majors were reporting they were 50 miles into Russian territory he suspected it was misinformation planted by British intelligence. It was only when half the german army was in Russian territory that Stalin finally realised, hmmmm, bit of a problem here.
Now before you ask, yes I am comparing avb to Hitler, and yes, in this analogy Wenger is Stalin.
Its obvious to see the enemy are on the warpath, they're capturing villages (capoue and chadli) a few cities, (paulinho and Soldado) and now they're parked right outside Leningrad and Stalingrad (lamela and willian)
However unlike Stalin, who got his arse in gear by this time, Wenger is doing nothing. We should be signing Lamela - he's the best of the rest that's out there. Who else is available as good as Willian? No one.
Wenger is f***-a**ing around with the likes of cabaye. Last thing we need is diminutive midfielders. We should be hijacking these deals and kicking on. These are 2 world class players. Is cabaye world class? No. Will he ever be? No. Just another squadie.
Grrrr
That is a rather beautiful analogy.
But you answered your own question, who lost the war?
Ah. But who won the return leg in 1945?
Redbird
20 Aug 2013 15:30:50
Watched kondogbia against athletico madrid for the first time, and he played amazing. Really do think we should buy him, and then buy another CDM, cdm controll games and will help us when we get countered.
Tbh I wouldn't mind playing 2 cdm and 1 attacking mid with theo and ox on the wings. Would make us a lot more solid
20 Aug 2013 14:32:17
Why would you guys moan about not getting average players? Or overpriced players. Not saying I wouldn't like quality signings, but they need to be available and not be way overpriced. If we go on a city alike spending spree, Arsenal would be bankrupt in no time. Or would just go from a title contender to a mid-table club.
I know football manager isn't realistic, but people can play 2 different games there.
One of them is the I go on a shopping spree at the start of the season and don't really care how I stand financial after a year. Mostly winning a lot.
Or you can try and build your club. Buy the right players for the right price, Balance your income and expenses so you can expand your stadium. You can get better players the year after. This will result in lesser results for year one, but will give you the best results after a few years.
Now anyone who doesn't want Arsenal to be taken over by a sugar daddy and turn Arsenal into a new city, should support they way it is now. How long do you think spurs will keep this up? You think Liverpool will be able to be a title contender again? It will take years and years for them to climb up where Arsenal is now.
About selling our key players, I would have given RvP a huge salary boost, would have did everything I could to keep him, but sometimes you have to cut your losses. This is something you can be mad about, you can't be mad about running a football club with some common sense and a long term vision.
20 Aug 2013 15:53:27
Have you been stuck in a time warp. Ffs.
When you say 'long term' - I have the feeling you have no real idea of how 'long term' that would be. I'd say 8-9 years is more than long enough, and with money in the bank, the wait should have ended.
People are not demanding trophies, they just demand that Arsenal produce a competitve team that reflects the cost of going to watch them play.
By all means, drop the price of a ticket by £20 and people will start to complain a little less about watching mid-table performances.
20 Aug 2013 14:32:09
How on earth cannot Arsene see Willian, Tottenham are ready to fork out another 35 Million for him, why can't arsene?? Looks more likely bale going to leave allowing them to spend so much.
20 Aug 2013 14:30:25
Well I have sat here admiring our supporters from afar for several years now, (great site Ed's, really enjoy it.) I've laughed with joy at Malaga Gooner, and more so at folks that rise to the Banter, I've nodded in agreement with Metal Gooner. sometimes and been stunned by the comments of many.
But the time has come.
I for one am finally going to get out the old Puma Kings, blow off the dust, apply the dubbing and offer my services to my beloved boyhood club! and yep I 'm relatively old so that's been a whole lot of years!
I reckon I've got a bit of pace left to inject a few of my old right back / wing back esque raids into the game.
So although as a club it's a little bit pear shaped right now, let's man up, kit up, deep heat the crap out of ourselves and offer our skills to our once great club!
that is all for now, I'm warming up!
Pleased to meet you all fellow Gooners
{Ed022's Note - I am currently undertaking a medical in the hope of signing before the midnight deadline tonight and then im off on a plane to Turkey...}
20 Aug 2013 15:18:18
Southampton fan, posting in peace. You guys really have my, and many other fans, sympathies. The fans have been truly let down at the moment. I really do hope you do some good business before the end of the window, as right now I can see you getting pipped to fourth by Spurs, which I would personally hate as I've always liked your club and our two clubs have always done some good mutual business. So yeah, good luck for the rest of the window. Just keep your hands of Schneiderlin!
20 Aug 2013 15:17:52
Instead of Cabaye, why doesn't Arsenal make a £40 million double swoop for both Tiote AND Sissoko?
Yes £40 million is a lot; considering AW did almost nothing during the xfer window however, Arsenal will have to overpay for both. Getting both and putting them behind Wilshire/Rosicky would greatly help the front four and provide a strong spine to the squad
Thoughts?
My thoughts are that Tiote is garbage I wouldn't go near him with a barge pole. Sissoko is also pretty average.
So no.
Agree, Tiote is awful
40mill for both by that logic we can get 15mill for bendnter
Never liked Tiote. Frimpong is better.
20 Aug 2013 15:02:06
ANSA say that arsenal are interested in Lamela.
Spurs to wrap up Willian soon, and they look to add Lamela too.
With the way our summer has gone, we would lose a target to QPR, so losing out to spurs inevitable.
disgrace is not the word.
rumours of a bid for casillas doing the rounds too, starting bid of 8 mill.
anyone see the theme here?
the only thing we have consistently done, is get bids rejected.
20 Aug 2013 14:44:23
Encouraging news re injuries for tomorrow. AFC official website says Gibbs and Sagna should be available and Monreal is back and will travel. We still have only five defenders but at least we have a back four which was looking worrying.
Gibbs has a deep cut over his eye, not ideal for heading anything out of defence, one firm header will open that wound.
{Ed022's Note - I suggest a Petr Cech style crash helmet... although Monreal is travelling with the squad so maybe in an extreme solution, he plays...?}
20 Aug 2013 14:05:25
i hope frimmers gets a start tomorrow
-none of the other midfielder's are disciplined enough to protect the defence
-fresh legs
-just want to see him with the first team again!
That's his weakness isn't it, he is rash in the tackle, something which Wilshire is guilty of as well. I'd be worried that one or the other, or both will be red carded sooner than later.
I agree, I actually think Frimpong is a player who should play a lot more than just Capital one cup games. Against teams like Fenerbahce their fans will just egg him on to the point where he's unplayable.
20 Aug 2013 13:53:30
I am so worried for my club. I was in my usual seat on Saturday in block 9 of the north bank and I have never known in years an atmosphere of hatred and disappointment in our great club
Arsene wenger is bringing our club to its knees. He is stubborn, arrogant and does not know how to take our club on. There is money there we all know it and still he won't buy the players that every fan in the ground and every fan on this forum knows we should buy. I pay £1200 for my season ticket and I am not flush but it has never crossed my mind not to support my club every year because I bleed red and white but the board and the management have lost sight of who matters most for this club to survive - us.
If I asked anyone on this forum to name the positions and potential targets we should be looking at every one of you could name them. It would be churlish to think AW doesn't know either on his 7.5m salary so what is going on?
In front of our very eyes we are watching the spurs assemble a squad of challenging for the title - no stupid £40m +1 bids no bids for players on the morning of their games - no publicity stunts to appease what the board believe are stupid fans who will fall for this charade
I fear that we will get done comprehensively by spurs in the derby just before the transfer window is about to shut and we get panic buys like when we were done 8-2 at united. Andre santos anyone?
We may have to take the rough with the smooth but we have spent 6 years watching our best players leave and not be replaced, seeing second rate players donning the red and white and ticket prices remain the highest in the land. Don't believe that wenger will unearth a gem - his recent history is terrible and for every Henry there is a cygan, for every viera there's a stepanovs. We only got a star player in cazorla as Malaga were potless or else we wouldn't have got him
I am so upset with this club. This very post I am now going to send in am email to the club and I encourage every fan of the club to do the same. I will always cheer on whoever turns out for us but I cannot stand us as fans being taken for mugs filling kroenkes pockets and contributing to wengers £150k pw when we get nothing in return. We matter most to this club and the club need to listen!
Sorry for long post
Rant over
20 Aug 2013 14:32:40
Well Said Suffolk, back that 100%
Also like to add the truth is Tottenham are a good side and are getting better & better they have added good players as well, they have a good Manager that was Mentored by Jose Mourinho!
Arsenal have not moved forward at all! New Ground
thats it.
I really don't think it matters who Arsenal sign now, they have lost out on the Top players all ready.
{Ed022's Note - Poster I have only let this through as it was a decent response. You must register your name.}
Just how I feel Suffolk gooner good posting mate
Excellent post, I cannot afford to trevel to the Emirates, not to mention the match ticket, but I do attend when I can, the management are not up to it.
Arsenal F.C. is now big business globally, any other big business would have removed the manager by now.
Nicely put Suffolk
I don't need to add to this at all mate well said. I'm not a season ticket holder and these days that money would change my life, I can't imagine the feeling of despair for those who work their balls off and save up to buy tickets, be it standard or season tickets, only to be let down.
And the worst part is being stuck between a rock and a hard place. You know you don't get value for money, and people are rescinding tickets left right and centre. But there's always someone who loves this club who is dying to take that ticket, so it's meaningless in terms of the impact it has e.g. hitting the club where it hurts.
Maybe the club needs to wake up to the fact that 5 years ago there were something like hundreds of thousands of fans awaiting tickets and these days it's about 20'000 fans left in the season ticket list, or something along those lines. That is a scary, scary thought.
Echo your sentiments Suffolk. I don't think this board is going to take the fans anger and disappointment seriously unless it starts to affect revenues. The only way to do so is to show our affection via empty sits at the Emirates.
I know this is a tough ask considering what we pay to watch our team at the Emirates, but that's exactly the sacrifice that the fans must make to get the boards undivided attention about the direction of our club.
I have always had a soft side for Wenger given his accomplishments and will forever be indebted to him for what he brought to Arsenal. However, I ma not oblivious to his stubborn approach with no evidence to show that his strategy has worked for the past 8 years.
Over the last 6 years, a lot of us excused our lack of spending and lack of competitiveness for the league due to our investment in the Emirates and the resulting indebtedness. But now that we have sufficiently recovered from that we simply can't accept our manager telling us that there is no one available to buy even with 70 million available to spend.
Its unconscionable the level of mismanagement, planning and negotiating capacity that Arsene and his team have displayed in this transfer window (same as they did in 2011). I never thought I'd be one to say this, but I think its time for Wenger to go and for Arsenal to start afresh with a new manager and a new approach. I am not misguided to think that someone new is going to immediately win us honours but as fans we really need to know where our team is headed.
I apologize for the rant but I am one very frustrated gooner right now. Hope the boys get a good result tomorrow but it won't change my mind about how inept this transfer window has been managed.
20 Aug 2013 13:55:33
The summer might not be the 1 we wanted. I know people want to fight for titles. But comparing us with Tottenham is a joke . I don't care who they sign.
They can sign Lionel Messi. We could sign Lionel Blair. They would still balls it up and finish below us. It's in their nature.
{Ed022's Note - It's this sort of arrogance that really winds me up. You feel that Arsenal have some devine right to finish above Spurs just because we hate them? Positions in the league are earnt on merit. Yes, we've finished above them for years (only by 1pt the last two years). To think its inevitable just because of who we are? You're clearly deluded and completely wrong. It's this pathetic narrow-mindedness that gives real fans a bad name...}
I've been saying this for a while now, Ed that was well said.
{Ed022's Note - Thanks Nick, it just had to be said. I cannot stand this all consuming arrogance that seeps into fans thinking we are and always will be the top team in North London or even London in general. We are currently standing still whilst other teams jog or even sprint away...}
If lionel messi signed for west ham, I think they would be londons biggest club.
Have some respect mate.
we have been hating on them for years. for no reason. I understand football rivalry, but they have done an exceptional job with their squad and to keep their fans happy.
As they say. first look to keep your house in order, before telling the neighbour his wife's been slamming the postman.
{Ed022's Note - Our house looks like it's been tidied by a teenager...}
We will wait till the end of the season then. And il wait patiently for the apologies
{Ed022's Note - You won't be getting one from me. I have nothing to apologise for. your arrogance assumes you know everything and in reality you know nothing...}
Spot on Edd022 I for 1 & worried about St Tottinghams Day 2014. It's ok supporting Wenger but not blindly there are clear & worrying signs around the club. Plus he ain't produced a diamond for a few years now
Wengerism do you support the club or the manager?
Well said Ed, Wengerism is an ignorant troll. As much as I hate to admit it, S***s addressed their problems smartly. AW could've taken a page from them.
P.s. I don't know if you were born last season mate, hard to tell, but if you were you'd remember we could have been 3 goals down at home to Spurs in 10 mins last season and we lost 11 v 11. Get over yourself. I will be shocked if we beat Spurs this season.
I mean I'm all for banter, and I'm all for use thinking that you will finish above us, and who's team is better.
But there is one thing that at the moment is undoubted, whatever way you put it, we are very close in terms of quality, we had a new manager come in, and you finished last season extremely strongly, but it's only 1 point never the less.
You would like to think you're closer to the top of the table due to the stature of your club, but simply put it, as of right now, you are not.
Bring on the Emirates, we certainly owe you a spanking
Wengerism. you are one seriously demented and disillusioned dude. if I wasn't thousands of miles away. I would come over there and smack you upside the head
{Ed022's Note - "Say oops upside his head..."}
20 Aug 2013 13:54:03
Arsene wenger is expected to sign atleast one player before midnight. with the pressure mounting on wenger for tomorrow champions league play-off.
{Ed022's Note - Another speculation non-specific post "Arsenal Insider". Well done, now go sit down in a quiet room with a glass of milk and a cookie...}
20 Aug 2013 13:47:46
WOULD LOVE TO SEE FELLANI AND POGBA INFRONT OFF THE BACK FOR THESE TWO WITH WILLSHERE AND INFRONT OFF THEM MAKING THINGS TICK AND DICTATING THE TEMPO WOULD BE IMENSE.
I STILL FEEL WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER STRIKER UNLESS WE BRING IN SAUREZ AND PLAY HIM OUTWIDE.GIROUDS' WORLD CLASS SOON HE COULD BE NEARLY AS GOOD AS RVP IN MY EYES LOOK AT HIS GOAL RECORD ALREADY.
ALL WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS FOCUS ON BRINGING IN SOLID MIDFIELDERS AS I SAID ABOVE AND POSSIBLY RICARDS FROM MAN CITY AS HIS A REALLY GOOD, VERSTAILLE AND WILL WALK RIGHT INTO THE 1ST TEAM WITH EASE PLUS HE WILL BE DIRT CHEAP.
MY POST FOR THE DAY.
20 Aug 2013 13:42:14
Although I like Wenger, he's left it late again.
If there are more panic buys I will be very disappointed.
20 Aug 2013 13:33:38
SOS!!
we need saviour(s).
starting with the Board, AW and even the team.
1. the Board needs to understand that football has changed, investment isn't about profit alone, but also positive continuity.
Legacy should be allowed to die! we have been the force in the game, been the most attractive to watch, most entertaining to relax with. what is the way back to the legendary times.
2. AW needs to go!. all you "in Wenger we trust" should understand that AW is still living in the past. football is a moving faster than time machine. its not only about luck, the pitch, the referees. its about a manager knowing what to do, when to do and how to do it.
Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs and so many clubs have replaced their managers for lack of performance or achievement. yet we hang on to AW for over 8yrs. 8yrs of whats?
3. the team, is becoming lazier to me. how on earth would chamakh & co (thank GOD they've gone now) sit on the bench for season, collecting salary and no performance?
this has rubbed on the present team, and they are lazy. have they seen how RM trained? jeez. believe the whole team apart form few that (Ox, Kos etc) should be retained. even JW & Ramsey threats to our contemporaries. a player that cannot redefine is moves, skills, and better his lot is dead. to me Theo is fast becoming a dead wood.
to be cont'd
20 Aug 2013 13:23:30
Am I missing something here with Willian. World class player and would without a doubt improve our team. So why we not going in for him and if the papers are to believe its down to Spurs and Liverpool. Surely he'll be attracting champions league clubs
{Ed022's Note - He's on very high wages and comes with a hefty price tag which essentially rules us out!}
I think for around the same money and less wages Lamela would be the smarter buy.
Well he is above 10 million so I see why we are out. Lol. I'd hate spurs to get him. Quite annoying seeing your rivals strengthening a lot and us doing nothing
So Ed, you are telling us, that we can't afford him but Liverpool and Tottenham can??
{Ed022's Note - We can afford him sure, we can apparently afford Wayne Rooney (fee and wages) my point, so as to not be lost in translation is our manager is not so keen to spend the cash. AVB and Rodgers will...}
20 Aug 2013 13:19:14
Everyone's doing it, and everyone has their dream end to the transfer window. But for me, the signings we need to make in order to challenge for everything are as follows:
GK - We've been linked with Vicente Guaita of Valencia, and I'd be happy with him. He had a superb campaign last season and I think he'd certainly usurp Szczesny's unstable number 1 spot.
DF - I think we need a right-back and a centre half. Ideally we would get Micah Richards, a player I've wanted for a long while, as he would cover both positions. At the same time, I'd like to go for Sakho obviously, as he's perhaps the best player available and I'd rather have him for £10m than Ashley Williams for the same price. I would expect to pay between £18m and £25m for the City and PSG men in total.
CM - Here is where we need the reinforcements most. We've needed a defensive midfielder for so long now, so I'm delighted that we appear to be looking at Kondogbia - he'd be my personal choice. Just go all out and pay the £17.2m release clause. Failing that, I'd like to see us back in for Lars Bender, who I'd take equally as kindly to as Kondogbia, or also perhaps Marouane Fellaini if we can get in ahead of Manchester United. They would both cost more, but I'd be just as happy. I'd also like to see Flamini come back in on a free - versatility, knows the club, wouldn't cost anything and also recently played for AC Milan, so really we can't say he's nowhere near our level. Wouldn't make the first team, just supplies ample back up for a number of positions, a bit like Coquelin.
AM - We need a winger. With Chamberlain out for the foreseeable future, I'd like to go for someone cheaper but talented. Ideally we would plunder Real Sociedad and pick up either Antoine Griezmann or Carlos Vela for a small fee. I watched Sociedad intently last season and these two really impressed me, so if we could get even one to bolster our wide-play, then it'd be good - ideally we would opt for Griezmann, as he's a true winger - I'm tired of converted forwards who don't give us much width due to their insistence on moving central.
ST - Not as big a problem as I think people consider it to be - I'm a massive fan of Giroud and I think that he could genuinely play as our main striker if he carries on getting the service, we all saw his finishes against Villa and Napoli, I think that he looks a lot sharper in and around the box, plus he'll be used to the physicality. However, we clearly need another forward option up top and I think we can do better than Giroud, as much as I rate him. Let's face it, we're a top four side who should be challenging for honours, I say we go all out to get either A) Wayne Rooney. I think a bid of £30/35m would part him from United as they would be more willing to sell to us as they, quite reasonably, don't consider us a direct rival, whereas I truly believe selling to Chelsea would hand them the title. Failing this, I'd take option B) Jackson Martinez. For me, the best striker outside of the top 5 European leagues, and he's been deadly for Porto. I'd say a similar amount of money, perhaps slightly less (though he is believed to have a £35m release clause) but I'd say we test the water with a £25m bid and come back in if we're not far off. Either of these players would give us options up top, as we'd have Giroud who is more of a technically gifted target man, Walcott who plays off the shoulder and can feed off through balls from our midfield and then either Martinez or Rooney who would lead the line and are more rounded players than our other strikers.
I'm under no illusions that these would happen, but if we said £10m for Guaita, £20m for Sakho and Richards, £17m for Kondogbia, Flamini on a free, £10m for Griezmann and then £30m for one of the strikers, that would have us spend £87m. If anyone saw Swiss Ramble's superb blog, we have almost double that in reserve, so this really shouldn't be out of the question. Unfortunately, it simply is with the structure of our club, and the best signing we could possible make going forward would be to follow Tottenham and many other's example of a Director of Football.
20 Aug 2013 13:10:54
Lots of talk about Dick Law going to negotiate a deal for Valencia's goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. I must admit I know almost nothing about this guy, do any of the Eds or users know how good he is? Would he be a good buy? I must admit I had my heart set on Begovic, Ruffier, Adler or Cesar in that order.
{Ed022's Note - I know of him, but (IMO) think its merely speculation at this point, especially after discussing with other Ed's. I would agree with your GKs in that order...}
20 Aug 2013 13:14:53
So Spurs look like they are going to complete deals for Willian and Lamela in the near future, and Arsenal get Cabaye and Flamini. AW needs to wake up and realise that if we don't spend the £70m that spurs have spent, we aren't even going to get in Europe, let alone top 4.
I'm not calling for Wenger to resign, I'm calling that Wenger decides to spend the money that he has got, and actually start living in the real world that we won't win anything with the team that we have got, and that players are now expensive, and stop offering such low amounts.
20 Aug 2013 13:14:19
Ed - question?
Apparently we are looking at Valencia keeper: Vicente Guaita
Any chance we are there for Adil Rami as well?!
French, versitile, good on the ball - I would be very very happy with a Rami/Kos partnership.
{Ed022's Note - From what I hear Guaita is speculation, as for Rami, its been well documented that he is available for less than £10m so we will see...}
Personally, I would take Rami over Sakho/Richards.
Big, Tall, mobile, can play the ball on the ground, and has an excellent record in terms of staying injury free.
I think injury-record should be more important than PRICE for Wenger now!
20 Aug 2013 13:00:14
arsenal really need to pull finger out, sick and tired of the same ting every year, most we can hope for dis year is a top 6 finish at most. as much as it pains me to say it spurs are gona be way ahead of us. southamton's best hope dis season is probly top 12 yet they send 15m on a player, we're a bigger richer club so why can we just send the money!
Colin with your "dis" and "ting", you saved typing a whole 4 letters, well done for bringing the intelligence level of the page, Congratulations ;)
Did u mean to save four letters too by leaving out the word down
*Down, did it to myself, I'm going to sit in the corner for ten minutes and think about what I have done :p
20 Aug 2013 12:40:09
Been reading on various sites and papers that we are interested in Begovic, Richards, Williams, Cabaye, Pogba, Lamela and Michu. Ed, any truth to this?
{Ed022's Note - Personally, I would love Begovic to join, however, I have not heard of any concrete interest from Arsenal. Richards is paper talk. We all know about Cabaye. Pogba, Lamela and Michu is the same old same old...}
20 Aug 2013 12:06:30
Ed is this feasible:
Cb - sakho - 10m, bargain
Dm - bender - 20m, needed and better than cabaye
St - Martinez/ Rooney - 30m, need a world class striker
Lw - willian - 30m, need a decent lw
Total - 90m, 10m more than planned but we've got it in reserve and saved in wages
{Ed022's Note - I don't see us going for Willian. Liverpool and Spurs are very keen...}
20 Aug 2013 12:09:38
Pogba and Ibra is wating to CL qualification. Kondogbia and Sakho is almost done. Begovic is at the table. Aurier or Corchia to. Now that´s just me daydreaming reality Flamini, Källström, Tovoinen and Igor Stepanov.
{Ed022's Note - Ahhh the great Latvian himself. Igor Stepanovs. I think Oleg Lushzny might come out of retirement? Although he is 45 and currently managing Tavriya Simferopol...}
Haha actually wrote Lushzny first, but decided to leave him be. Only 45 you say hmm think he can contribute?
{Ed022's Note - Contribute might be a little bit too much to ask...}
20 Aug 2013 12:03:30
First post as a registered user. Don't know about anyone else but Kondogbia looks great. Big powerful defensive midfielder but with quick feet. Very much in the Yaya toure mould and IMO just what we need. Any interest ed and at what sort of price.
Thank You
Formerly kb however name has already been registered.
{Ed022's Note - Kondogbia does look very good for someone of his age and there is little doubt that with the right development he could become a beast. He could be a Wenger signing as it'll give him the chance to develop a good player and he will have a massive sell on value given the current transfer market prices...}
Would prefer Bender myself, not because I'd have a giggle watching a german running around the pitch with "bender" on his back (childish I know), but I think he will be and is the better player all round, looks much more disciplined as well
20 Aug 2013 12:00:21
Ed is this feasible:
Cb - sakho - 10m, has to be signed
Dm - bender - 20m, need a Dm and much better than cabaye
{Ed022's Note - Sakho is frozen out at PSG with Blanc preferring Maxwell, Silva or Alex in the CB pairing. He was an unused sub (Sakho) at the weekend. He would be available for around £10m. As for Bender, I think £25m would be the magic number. We bid £18.5m before and I think a compromise of about £22m could be found...}
22mln for Bender is money well spent, versus 20mln for Cabaye!
20 Aug 2013 11:58:30
Following my post last week Ed, you predicted a 2-0 win over Villa with Giroud and Walcott doing the business. You also predicted a win in the CL and the signing of 2/3 players. A week later what are your thoughts now?
Personally I think we will just about overcome Fenerbahce, it will be very tight similar to the Udinese game a couple of years ago.
As for players, I think we will end up buying 4/5 similar to 2 years ago.
The club unfortunately seems to not have learned their lessons and we find ourselves being the laughing stock of the football world. I just hope we end up buying the right players (especially a GK, DM and ATT) and not having to clear the books again down the line.
What are everyone else's thoughts?
{Ed022's Note - A week later, I don't think we'l win 2-0 against Villa. Although I was pleased Giroud was on the scoresheet. I still think we will get CL qualification. If we lose over two legs we'l get the lucky dip back in after Fenerbahce are officially booted out. As for players. I think its even more likely we will sign at least 3 players. Especially off the back of a beating from the Villa...}
We need more than 3 players to solve this mess.
I genuinely think we need two more players for each area of the team, ie. GK, DF, MF, FWD.
20 Aug 2013 11:34:22
Just a tenuous one: I understand that some consideration has been given to a bid for Benteke from Villa.
Yes, Benteke withdrew his transfer request and signed a new contract - but that is relatively meaningless nowadays. There are some indications that Benteke has a release clause. ahem.
Arsenal need a new forward and there is obvious concern at the club about the limited options available. Arsenal would have to pay a lot, possibly £30 million or more but given the lack of signings, Wenger may feel it necessary to spend more than he would want to.
I am guessing that this sort of deal is more likely to occur closer to deadline day, rather than imminently, albeit those dates are converging quickly
{Ed022's Note - We've heard about more clauses than a Father Christmas convention...}
20 Aug 2013 11:26:00
At the very start of the summer, Koscielny came out and said he would leave Arsenal if they didn't match his own ambitions to be competitive
http://tinyurl.com/mbt3w9u
Now that this transfer window is over, and Arsenal's season is pretty much over before it even started -
What do you see happening with Koscielny, will this be his last year, or could you even see him force a move THIS transfer window?
Its not looking good.
As I've pointed out to Stoner on several occasions, it could be a matter of time before Jack says the same thing
Its like people believing the Mayan Calender all over again! Losing 1 match is not the end of days. Get behind the team!
{Ed022's Note - Of course its not the end of days. However, it does highlight the lack of strength, quality and direction in the current squad. I will support Arsenal through thick and thin. However, it doesn't stop me being frustrated with the current situation...}
20 Aug 2013 11:18:34
kondogbia looks world class at times and he is only 20 has a buyout clause of 17.2 million so is affordable, why not just make a bid
No we have enough french in the team at the moment, I have nothing against french players but we are not newcastle . anymore :)
Bender, Bender, Bender!
20 Aug 2013 11:08:58
Just wondered if it might be worth a cheeky bid for Defoe. I think he would get more games at Arsenal and he is a quality player. With all the balls that we get into the box, he could score 15-20 a season I reckon.
{Ed022's Note - Have we fallen that low Sally? We've gone from Suarez, Rooney and Higuain to Jermain Defoe. I hear that Adebayor is available too. Why not double up?}
20 Aug 2013 11:33:43
Whilst we're about it let's get bidding for Lescott and gutted we missed out on Scott Parker!!
{Ed022's Note - It's ok because Gareth Barry is available...}
Haha! I'll take that as a no then Ed! You've got to admit though, Adebayor is about as useless as a chocolate fireguard!
{Ed022's Note - You are right to take that (IMO) as a stonking big no. To both. Im as frustrated as you guys to be honest...}
20 Aug 2013 11:05:05
I get a strong feeling that if we fail to go past Fenerbache this year, and then fail to get a top 4 position in the league, we will definitely lose Wilshere, Carzola and Koscielny. Bigger clubs will definitely come knocking and we won't be able to say no.
This is a defining season. Sink or swim Arsene/board/Kroenke/IG? Make a bad move and it's checkmate!
{Ed022's Note - If disaster did strike then I would be very worried about some players. We might have more loyalty from Wilshere given that he's been with us since he was 9. Koscielny and Cazorla worry me as they will be wanted by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern etc..and their heads could well be turned...}
Haha if that happens I think I'll get a bigger club too.
Of course I'm joking but your prob right about the players tough
20 Aug 2013 11:03:03
I'm not ITK, but I'm looking at what COULD be available to arsenal that would improve our squad and put us back to challenging for the title. I've read too many unrealistic rumours that although I would love to see, I would doubt that any of them would come to fruition.
For the "war chest" that we have available, I have compiled a list of players that would get us to where we should be.
Julio cesar
Sakho
M'Vila (yes, him again)
Gourcuff
Lamela
Benteke
All these players may not be transfer listed, but every player has a price.
IF we were to sign those players, which I believe could be reasonable signings, mixed with our current squad, then we could challenge for the title.
{Ed022's Note - Lamela will be £30m plus. No chance. Roma have just sold Osvaldo to Southampton so Lamela won't be going anywhere. Benteke is apparently an Arsenal fan, was on the transfer list and we didn't bid? He's now signed a four year deal so will be quoted at £25m plus. No chance. Gourcuff is injury prone and not what we need. Sakho is a definite. Begovic over Cesar anyday of the week. M'Vila chose money over football so stuff him. Don't want him... Just my opinion..}
20 Aug 2013 10:55:45
What concerns me is, Cazorla, Wilshere, Chambo and our other stars might be thinking, this club is a serious mess. No ambition, no goal for trophies, which probably would be a huge incentive for them to leave. It really gets me thinking that Van P was right to leave, he had been with this lack of ambition for years, so when a team that really wants to win comes in, can we blame him for going? I also feel Wenger lacks that motivational edge, you can't see him making his team passionate and have a winning mentality.
Also, why are we even looking at Cabaye?! We have creativity in all our midfield players. Its clear we need a striker, CB and DM, our club is so stupid not to realise that. I'm not expecting much this season, I think the spurs will finish above us, I think we will not win any silverware and I also think that the same thing will probably happen again next season.
20 Aug 2013 10:51:46
It's obvious that the magic combination was Wenger, Steve Rowley and his scouts and crucially Dein.
The ironic thing is that the board and Wenger thought the Emirates would be the icing on the cake.
But the Emirates was the reason why we lost Dein. He wanted to go to Wembley.
Wenger thought he'd be able todo it all by himself. The perfect combination would have been all the above with a little external funding.
But it looks like a mixture of boardroom politics and Wengers early success on and off the pitch took everyone's eye of the ball.
Wenger could have been a great. Things might be going terminal though!
He wanted to o to wembley. Lol
{Ed022's Note - We all want to go to Wembley. To watch Arsenal in a cup final... I watched Arsenal play "at Wembley" for the champions league way back and it was fine but for a home ground, no chance!}
Paul what's do funny, he wanted to rent Wembley, that's why he lost so much support. And people need to remember he was the 1 who pointed Kroenke towards Granadas shares in the club. Then sold his to Usmanov. It began the mess.
Wenger goes of stays. But the ownership of the club is where the problem lays.
That was never going to happen
Wengerism. Sounds like you are beginning to get into the program mate. You are now sounding like you are not as keen on Wenger like you were a few days ago. Welcome to the real world!
20 Aug 2013 10:29:05
Obviously we have missed out on some major players and cabaye would have had to have been a desperation move.
But am I the only one would would be pretty damn happy if we signed him?
I mean, we really need a winger, CDM and a striker but Cabaye is quality and those of you who think otherwise clearly haven't seen him play consistently.
Great passing, creativity, and can also play wide/deep if need be. French (can link up with French players and manager) cheap enough and a serious threat from free kicks.
Absolute class player, I would be happy if he were to sign for Arsenal.
Would anyone else go for Ben Arfa as well?
Let's be honest though, we won't sign anyone anyway haha Bit of banter is always fun though.
20 Aug 2013 10:27:38
So Mr Wenger has finally got the top top signing that he said he was looking for and scouting 24/7, and its Yohan Cabaye, LOL, I think he has lost it completely.
20 Aug 2013 10:18:02
People are saying that Arsenal are desperate but I think people on here are too with some of the names people are getting excited about. We've gone from Suarez/Higuain/Rooney/Bender/Gustavo to Michu/Ylimaz/Cabaye.
We are short of numbers which can be cheaply rectified. I'd happily get Flamini in but ONLY if we used the extra money to get Suarez/Rooney.
Ideally I think we need to splash out on 2 big players and maybe get two good players for cheap. Problem is good players have gone, or are now not available, or now don't want to come as we are a mess.
20 Aug 2013 09:58:19
I think we need 6 players to challenge
And I don't mean stars I mean good players; arteta types
A centre half; Richards can cover both there and rb
A centre half; Williams
A central midfielder; I'd be happy with cabaye
An attacking midfielder; michu
A wide midfielder; griezmann superb runner and striker of the ball with his left foot
A striker; ylimaz is big and strong with a good finish on him aswell
Then if there's time add a gk
Arsenal need to wrap up a deal every two days for us to be contending again
So J F D I
Challenge for what. Largest squad and payroll with no world class players?
Of those player none are really a step up from what we have (I've not seen Griezmann - he may be). Would any of those be one of the first names on the team sheet? No.
We'd challenge for little (maybe Carling/FA cup) with 6 more good but not great players. Have you seen the Man City squad!
Yilmaz is very similar to Giroud. Can't see wenger going for him.
20 Aug 2013 07:39:33
Anyone who doesn't think Wenger has a say in the financial running of arsenal just read the DM article today and the way he subs Chamberlain to work around his contract.
Its unbelievable.
{Ed022's Note - Although the DM isn't very good usually, I have read the article and it doesn't make good reading if im honest...}
It's tough to take in if it is true BUT I would be incredibly surprised if it is reliable, the DM have always had it out for Arsenal and Wenger.
Something does seem to be wrong with the club.
{Ed022's Note - Its a speculated article with no real evidence but the worrying thing is, it wouldn't surprise me to be true. Thats the scary part!}
Ed whilst I agree I would usually be referring to the fascist rag as the daily fail, however they're not speculating on transfer targets, what they say is potentially libelous if incorrect. There are a lot of unhappy people behind the scenes and it wouldn't suprise me to hear a disgruntled staff member has spilled his guts to the press. Its so bold in what it says that if it were not true you would surely expect arsenal toissue a press release countering it
{Ed022's Note - AG thats what I was saying, it wouldn't surprise me for it to be true...}
Sadly I wouldn't be surprised if this was true at all.
Wenger has been allowed to have far too much influence and power at arsenal.
It shouldn't be his concern at all, SAF, Mourniho, etc would be just focusing on what is best for the team and getting the right result .
Not worrying about saving £10,000 FFS.
This is just another demonstration of why we have stopped being competitive- a football manger needs to be mindful of finances ofc, but not to the controlling extent of wenger.
Time for change at our club on a systematic level.
20 Aug 2013 09:36:13
The arsenal players want new signings as well. If you recall what Arteta and jack said earlier in the summer and now Giroud, "In my opinion, it's necessary for the club to recruit another striker".
I suspect they were feeling excited about the prospect of some new top signings as well and are feeling as let down as we are.
This summer is a complete joke. The club has to pull something out of the bag- they need to dig ourselves out of this mess.
20 Aug 2013 09:06:40
Would love to belive the papers today re:michu Williams Richards and cabye realistic targets u would think
20 Aug 2013 09:06:34
Is Wenger now like the proverbial drunk husband on Christmas Eve at 4pm shopping for presents?
{Ed022's Note -
20 Aug 2013 08:58:46
Dear Mr Wenger,
Sign:
Begovic £15m
Williams £10m
Pogba £20m
Fellaini £23m
Cabaye £20m
Nani £10m
Rooney £40m
Total £138m
Then we will have a squad to challenge.
In reality:
Flamini - Free
Sonago - Free
Wenger, Gazidis & Co, need to be replaced. We have more funds in reserve than all the Premier League clubs put togther, its Wenger that doesn't like to spend & when he does Gazidis and the negotiating team are woeful.
{Ed022's Note - Robbie, we had £70m which is now £80m with player sales. Wenger hasn't touched a penny and you want him to spend £140m? Not gonna happen. I agree with your reality signings though sadly...}
Dont you think maybe Pogba, Fellaini and Cabaye is a bit much?
Hi Ed. Arsenal have huge capital reserves as we haven't spent much in years, if you take income from sales into account. I have no doubt we could fund the spend mentioned, without Kronke having to dip into his pocket.
Hi Sloth. No I don't think the 3 mentioned are too many. We have Abu Diaby & Ox ruled out until next year, by the time they regain match fitness. We have no true defensive midfield players, hence Fellaini & Pogba, with Arteta to cover/rotate. Wilshere should be pushed forward into the midfield trio with Cazorla & Cabaye. Rosicky should be a squad player. Ox when fit should play wide & Ramsey can also be part of the midfield options. I would forget Abu Diaby. My three big disappointments for the midfield births are Denilson, Frimpong & Coquelin, who all have talent, but never matured into the players we all thought they would.
{Ed022's Note - My point was not that we don't have the money. We have easily £100m to call on if we want to. My point was Wenger's reluctance to spend it!}
So in terms of our central midfielders we'd then have Pogba, Fellaini, Cabaye, Wilshire, Ramsey, Arteta (and also Cazorla and Rosicky who are best centrally too). That is beyond OTT.
Much better to sign only one of them (two at a push), get a RB and spend extra on a winger other than Nani.
20 Aug 2013 08:58:30
Like I said last night, I am not seeing the likes of Cabaye, Michu and Williams as even remotely where we need to be going. Squad players but nothing like the world class we need.
It just smacks of what's left on the shelf, we all know it and I think in honesty we've become somewhat short sighted to where we really are.
It occurred to me last night in all this continued joke of a transfer window and having watched City and Chelsea with players like Mata on the bench and Jovetic not even in the City squad that we are miles behind and if people really believe that the afore mentioned trio are what it will take to get us back up there then god help us all.
Something else to think about, which defensive unit would you honestly think was the better of these two;
Boric
Clyne Lovren Yoshida Shaw
Wanyama Schneiderlin
Or
Szczesny
Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal
Arteta Ramsey
I've no idea what Sept 2nd is going to bring but it needs to be something way better than is looking likely at this moment in time.
Cabaye, Michu and Williams would be ok but very unexciting.
Cabaye, Suarez, Williams, Cesar better.
Bender, Suarez, Sakho, Begovic almost perfect (and maybe realistic a few weeks ago).
20 Aug 2013 11:39:20
Sloth,
If we want to go anywhere then Bender, Saurez, Sakho and Begovic would have quite clearly said we intended to challenge.
Cabaye, Williams and Cesar say absolutely nothing to me.
{Ed022's Note - I have been banging on about Sakho, Begovic, Bender and a Suarez/Rooney style player (Suarez looks unlikely though...}
Crazy - I think I agree with you (I was agreeing with your original post) but I don't understand the wording of your reply.
20 Aug 2013 08:37:36
Whoever is responsible for negotiating Arsenal's signings should be shot. I know teams don't like parting with their best players, but we have upset Liverpool & now Newcastle with poor negotiating tactics.
Cabaye would be a useful acquisition, but we also need a keeper, a centre back, a defensive midfield players, a wide player and a forward.
This will be Wenger's last season at the club and the sad thing is we will remember the slow demise of his ability.
I would like to see Usmanov, Dein & Laudrup. The sooner the better.
20 Aug 2013 08:18:15
Why oh why oh why have we not made a bid for fellini, exactly what we need, strong defensive midfielder, strong in the air and in the tackle, upsets opposing players good strengh, at this rate spurs will hammer us as we'll . Also is Joan mata out of favour, wouldn't he be worth a cheeky bid,
20 Aug 2013 08:14:11
Under ufea rules we have untill midnight to register 1 player for tomorrow's game, defender a must, go get Williams ffs. think if it goes bad Ivan and wengers position will become untenable.
{Ed022's Note - I highly doubt, judging by this window so far, we will sign someone before midnight. That would involve agreeing a fee for a player which we seem incapable of doing recently!!}
Eds a long shot I know, that piece of straw has stretched a very long way now!
{Ed022's Note - That straw is as stretched as our lightweight squad!}
20 Aug 2013 06:24:41
Come on Mr Wenger going to work now please have two signings by the time I come home please please have a good day folks
20 Aug 2013 05:35:19
I am so disgusted in the way the Arsenal board have gone about their business that out of principle I will not be making any effort to go to the Fenerbahce game or even be bothered to watch it on TV. In over 50 years this is how much my emotions have been pushed. Please don't anybody come on here and tell me I'm not loyal . I've been loyal since I was 6 and I'm getting on for 57 now . But I won't have the piss taken out of me which is what I feel is happening to me and a club which I have stood by all these years. I support the team but not those that are running the club. Somewhere along the line us supporters have got to make a stand on this or what's going on will drag and drag on. If you don't believe me look at the last 8 years and we are now into our 9th. My gut feeling is that we won't qualify to the last 16 of the CL I know that's terrible but would anyone fancy putting on a bet that we will.?I doubt .
20 Aug 2013 09:55:36
Wish we would stop p***ing about and just bid for players we have interest in before the rest of them get snapped up.
What would people think about Quagliarella?
Gooner83
Quagliarella is getting desparate
20 Aug 2013 15:26:45
Luis Muriel then Matri would be my Seria A choices
20 Aug 2013 09:50:30
Pure speculation but is there any interest in Kheidra from Madrid? I remember Chelsea were linked with him earlier in the window and he would really add something to our squad.
{Ed022's Note - No interest whatsoever...}
Why are we not in for one of Kheidra, Ozil, Di Maria or Alonso? Maybe we are but I doubt it.
20 Aug 2013 09:48:09
Are starting line up for next year will be :
Begovic
Richards. Williams. Kosielny. Monr
Pogba
Cabaye. Wilshere. Cazorla
Michu
Giroud
{Ed022's Note - Next year? Who gives a damn about next year? This season has already begun!}
20 Aug 2013 11:23:47
Ed022 you are so right, next year is too late
20 Aug 2013 09:47:22
Buying Cabaye just smells of desperation, obviously he is a decent player but it seems he is one of only a handful of players that actually wants to join us.
We do not need another creative midfielder, however Wenger seems to want to play wth a passing player as the holding midfielder. This transfer for me does not make any sense.
Plus we are seriously becoming one of the worst teams to deal with, we seem to have no respect for other teams, I thought Arsenal stood for Class. Bidding £10 million for another teams best player who is clearly worth more and just before their first game of the season is just plain disrespectful.
There must be unrest at the board level because Arsenal seems to be a complete mess ATM. We as fans are treated with no respect, The players are given no help and are consistantly left under a state of panic and pressure. Wenger seems to be given to much responsibility with no accountability and no one to delegate too and the board cannot or will not close a transfer whilst treating other teams with utter disrespect, making money hand over fist out of us and reducing the clubs image to a mockery within most media circles.
We have big problems at the moment and for me, it's the board to blame. After the supposed comments by Nina Bracewell-Smith you can only summise that there are massive problems with the way Stan Kroenke is running the club.
I watched the Chelsea game on Sunday and was pleased for them to see there owner sitting at Stamford Bridge watching the first game of the season, looking after his investment! It leads me to think. How many games has our owner been to see? Where is his passion? Maybe its time Silent Stan cashes in and allows this great club to regain some of its class again.
20 Aug 2013 09:44:26
In the next two weeks we will sign:
Michu : 20-25 mil
Williams : 15 mil
Richards: 10 - 15
Begovic : 10- 15 mil
Cabaye 20 mil
Pogba : 15-20 mil {Ed022's Note - No we wont...]
15 mil for Williams - no I don't think so.
20 Aug 2013 01:21:48
- I mean news that will break our hearts. Arsenal will not sign any quality player who could turn us into a title challenging team. It's the same old rubbish by those who run our beloved arsenal. We have heard all lies so far. If the management of our club respected the club and it's fans they wouldn't have betrayed us by selling our best players and actually never replacing them. God help Arsenal
20 Aug 2013 00:25:07
Anybody else feeling like me? That Cabaye should most definitely not be signed?
The way I see it, we play with three central midfielders, Cazorla and Wilshere, when the two are fit are definite starters. We then need a holding midfielder, Arteta has done a very good job but to push on, I feel we need a solid CDM, and Arteta can play certain games, sub appearances, pulling the strings and adding some leadership and composure when needed.
But this isn't about Mikel, its about Yohan. Why? He is not the player we need, sure he would be a great addition, would allow for higher quality rotations in the first eleven, something we are desperate for. However, for me, he would not be in our first XI. that's the problem, sure he's a great squad player, but the top teams generally don't sign squad players. They sign players better than the players they currently have, and players that were in the first team fall down the pecking order, become the squad players and have to prove they should be starting.
When top clubs do sign squad players, players for rotation purposes, that is after the first eleven has been addressed. Cabaye would be fantastic, after the signing of a GK, CB, CDM, LW, ST. But we are never getting six players, so scrap Cabaye, and sign the players we need. Why sign players that won't start when by making those signings, suddenly Mertsacker, Arteta, Podolski and possibly Giroud are on the bench to bring on. that's how you build a squad.
Same exact reasoning goes for Michu, at £25million, I would be devastated if we spent that much on him. Good player, but completely under whelming after what we were promised.
Finally, if this utter shambles of a window wasn't enough to convinces everybody that our club is poorly run, think of the way we handled the bid for Cabaye. A derisory offer made hours before a match? Embarrassing.
Top post mate
More like terrible post. So you are saying definitely don't sign him even though he would be a good squad player. You are also assuming that by signing him he is our only transfer target and we won't sign anyone else? I'm pretty sure signing him wouldn't affect whether we signed a CB, GK or ST.
You are right that its not a priority but I'm pretty sure they can work on more than one deal at a time and we are capable of signing more than him.
£25mil for Michu is paper talk. So don't slate the club for that.
I don't think £12mil for Cabaye is derisory. It was poorly timed but who exactly told the player? Arsenal don't normally go public so its not necessarily Arsenal's fault the players knows about it.
That said it has been an absolute shambles this windows. Not sure if its bad luck conspiring or what but its probably Wenger or higher up bottling it.
Sloth I acknowledged he would be a good signing, would allow for rotation and improve the strength of our squad.
But don't tell me we need another, Wilshere/Cazorla/Ramsey/Arteta/Rosicky. Its not a creative midfield player we require. Its a holding midfielder.
Furthermore, are you really telling me you think we will sign Cabaye for £15M and then go out and a top class GK, CB and ST? Even if your delusions came true we would be lacking a CDM.
20 Aug 2013 00:20:06
I'll tell you all why we made a badly timed bid for Cabaye . It was so it would get maximum publicity like it has and it looks like Wenger and the board are trying to do something. In other words trying to pacify us supporters. Anyone that can't see that must have been born yesterday. The board are taking the p**s .
To me the board come across as too incompetent to have planned anything quite so devious.
Probably thought, its not the weekend therefore there won't be a match going on.
{Ed022's Note - To me it smacks on a panic/desperation buy...}
20 Aug 2013 00:11:53
Here we go everybody does this seem like De ja vu, Ground Hog Day or in plain English similar to last season . Desperation signing time again! CABAYE! What the f**k? We've gone from Higuain £25-35 mill? Suarez £50 mill Rooney etc etc to CABAYE! and there are actually people on here that are saying he would be a decent signing? I'm sure when people renewed their season tickets it was in the hope that we were going to get some world class in this team of ours the board must be laughing their balls off . It's like ordering some fillet steak from the butchers only to find out that he has given you some frozen burgers when you get home and then convincing yourself that it tastes the same . Well it doesn't to me!
20 Aug 2013 00:05:36
(Liverpool fan in peace)
I know you guys have been interested in Suarez or Higauin but as an outsider I seriously don't think that is your problem.
Your defence should have been the priority in my opinion. Gibbs is too injury prone and Monreal is not the answer. Koscielny, albeit rash and reckless, is s decent enough defender but Per is just too big of a liability and Vermaelen is nowhere near the player of 2 years ago. Sagna is ok but nothing special by any sense. Schzesny (Spelling) had huge potential but I personally believe he isn't good enough for Arsenal due to his very low attention span.
I am evidently not a manager and you will know more than me but surely the 40m for Suarez would be far better spent on Begovic, Sahko, Williams, Baines or players that would vastly improve your defending? Benteke had you guys on toast, I know the feeling, and what do you think Per and co will do against the Zlatans, Lukakus or Mandzukics of the world?
Does anyone agree with my assessment of your defence or am I wrong, don't throw stats about how little you conceded last season as that is irrelevant; obviously against a QPR you aren't going to concede many but top strikers and wingers over the years have really hurt you.
Also believe a Defensive Mid should be top of Wengers list but likely isn't.
Wish you guys luck this year to finish 5th above Spurs ;) ha (yes I'm dreaming)
2nd best defence in the league last year Ben. Every single one of our defenders would walk into your team.
Do your homework.
{Ed022's Note - Second best defence in the league means nothing when we lose to Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs etc... We don't concede many but we lost the big games and the ones that mattered. That is the point!}
Your spot on, are you free to take over tomorrow night?
Fair play, agree with u mate
19 Aug 2013 23:30:59
PSG offered £15 million for Cabaye, watch us lose out on this as well, we pussy foot around, it is pathetic
19 Aug 2013 22:04:58
Ed, excluding outgoings, what's your personal opinion on why we've been so dreadful in the market this year? {Ed027's Note - search function