Arsenal Banter Archive May 24 2013

24 May 2013 23:49:27
Hey Guys,

What a season! and what a way to end it beating our local rivals! . However we are after all the mighty Arsenal FC of North London and 4th is simply not where we should be!.

So how do we do this? Well invest carefully in high quality star players and position staff members of higher calibre in certain positions.

1) INVESTING IN HIGH QUALITY STAR PLAYERS.

Year in, Year out Arsenal always come out of the Transfer window having had a good dip where we don't buy top notch players, we buy the players who may have shown some talent throughout the previous season or have 'Potential'. Well, in order for the team to challenge we need to push that our way out. Our Marquee signing has to be a proper 'Marquee' signing. We have to be the team, come the shutting of the window, we are the first team the press analyse in detail over our buys, because we took a risk.
So who should these signings consist of? Well in my opinion. (Not saying this will happen or buying all these guys at once is a must, but this is the kind of calibre required. )

1. Higuain (Manchester United have shown the value of adding a star striker to your ranks)
2. Levendoski (The rest of Europe's elite is after him, why don't we have a punt? )
3. Fabregas (If he decides to leave, we should be the first port of call)
4. Maxime Gonalons ( This is Wengers preferred investment)
5. Richards ( Can Play RB and CB, so right down Wenger's street in terms of capability)
6. Julio Cesar ( Van Der Sar was the perfect example of buying an experienced keeper working)
7. Isco ( The next Santi, but already very advanced)

Although I appreciate the chances of any of these happening, I think everyone would agree these are the kind of players arsenal fans want and arsenal really need at the club to raise the profile and calibre of the squad.

2) APPOINTING APPROPRIATE STAFF MEMBERS
The staffing at AFC is at a good level, however in my opinion I think we need some new faces in these to add some new life into the club, and take the habits of the staff, such as buying to produce, to a club that is totally focused on the here and now.

I'm talking about bring in people such as
1. Jens Lehmann as a goalkeeper coach or another staffing position.
2. Tony Adams and Martin Keown coming in to sort out the defensive issues
3. Henry coming back as a player coach role until he can take the reigns as assistant from the next manager
4. Dennis Bergkamp coming in as the assistant if Bouldy goes to Stoke! Or just bring him in for his pure class.

We need faces in the club that remind the team of what Arsenal once was, and what it can once again be. I'm not saying this will happen, or even a chance of it happening, but I'm saying this to me would be a sign of the club moving in the right direction.

Thank you for your time if you got this far into this article, and please feel free to have an opinion on my post, this is a great community, so thanks to the Ed's for constantly developing on it.

Totaly agree with you although I would like Arsenal to buy young talented players along with more experienced players.

24 May 2013 22:06:18
Am confused I keep seeing articles saying howwe should dump Fabianski, Squillacci, Arshavin. Etc. I thought these players were out of contract therefore come 1st July no longer ours anyhow. Am I wrong?

Holmesy

They are I saw picture showing squallici ad arsharvin saying their goodbyes. let's hope wenger is not going to renew fabinaski

24 May 2013 23:11:49
the same Fabianski who showed great form in his cameo towards the end of the season, i'd give him another years contract personally, the defence seemed a lot more secure in front of him

N. Wales Gunner

Played 5 Won 5 Let in 3 goals (1 a pen)
Please try and judge a player on his performances now, not 2 years ago.

Tom.

24 May 2013 20:23:37
Cesar
Williams
Rami
Capoue
Benteke

I would love to see these players at Arsenal. Ed, on a scale of 1-10, what do you rate the possibility of these players coming to Arsenal? Thanks {Ed027's Note - 7,8,4,6,4

24 May 2013 18:32:02
I feel the key pieces needed to fill in this offseason are.

Striker Depth
Midfield 'Steel'
Backup Centerbacks
Backup Goalie
Replace Sagna

"Striker Depth"
With the inevitable loss of Bendtner, Chamakh, Park, and possibly Gervinho, this leaves us with Giroud and Podolski. If we want to be title contenders we would need 2 more fowards. The 2 strikers that I feel can fit the bill are Roberto SOLDADO and EDUARDO. Wenger has been a long time admirer of Soldado, and it could be said he is the best spanish striker right now. Another positive is Valencia's club president resigned and left the team in major debt, in desperate need of money. 15 million pounds would be enough to sign him. Now to Dudu, personal favorite of mine and could see wenger bringing him back as a 4th string finisher for cup games. His deal would cost 3 million pounds.

Soldado/Giroud/Podolski/Eduardo

Now onto the 'man of steel' this is where we should look to france and germany. Two options are Lars Bender and Maxime Gonalons. Both would cost around 15 million pounds, but I would prefer gonalons as he is a leader (captain of lyon) and one best tacklers in the world. Also most germans don't want to leave their league.

Gonalons/Arteta/Ramsey/Coquelin

. I will end it at that for now, because this is taking too long to write.

Tell me what you think :)

What about a winger on the left to compliment the goals and assists Wallcot is getting on the right?

Lwi

I don't know about eduardo coming back. but Soldado would be perfect imo

LW=Cazorla
AM=Wilshere
RW=Walcott

Mertens as a LW?

I would love eduardo to come back and soldado is a class striker and defo the top spanish striker at the moment, I saw someone mention mertens for LW and he would be a very good addition to the team, pace, flare and agile

24 May 2013 17:45:51
I definitely think Benteke is the wrong player for AFC. He`s had a great season, looks strong and scored a lot of goals for a poor team but really, AFC standard? I`d honestly be disappointed if he was the `marquee` signing or our only attacking signing this summer.

Two words; Grant & Holt.

I wouldn't touch him until he's had atleast 1 more season and repeated this seasons performance, AFC need players who can raise us to compete with Bayern, Man Utd, Barca etc, not simply raise us to top 3 or win a cup.

/Son1ka

Had me worried; for a moment I thought you were implying we should get Grant Holt

HP

I think he looks the real deal. To compare him to Grant Holt is ridiculous

AJH

He is being compared to a recent `one season wonder`, of which there are countless examples.

We signed Giroud off the back of one good season in the French league, surely the premiere league is a harder league to score 18 goals in

Lwi

24 May 2013 17:31:36
Anyone else rate Seydou Doumbia? I can't pretend I've seen a great deal of him, but he has a good record albeit in not especially highly rated leagues.

I've been as keen as many on Jovetic for a while but he doesn't seem to be an out-and-out striker to compete with Giroud. I would play Theo up front with the Ox on the wing but this seems unlikely, and since we'd probably all agree we do need at least one more striker might he be an answer?

Seydou Doumbia.
Ilkay Gundogan.
Micah Richards.
Alexei Sanchez.

These four for me would be wonderful with the 19 or so "deadwood" etc going to free up wages, squad places etc for Eisfield, Gnabry, Yennaris and Martinez.

I wouldn't waste money on a right back or keeper. use jenkinson and Bellerin (or Yennaris) and although this may be unpopular and anyway he may have had enough, I'd offer fabianski another contract: he looked much improved when he came back to cover for Szczesny and if he hadn't been injured he would have possibly kept the spot till the end of the season.
Soxy M. F.

So you people went on about van Persie not being an out and out striker. He is a No 10, Wenger should have bought so and so. etc. Well.?

24 May 2013 17:18:15
Banter please ED

REDman,

The point was chances, jeez you are beyond thick. No wonder you get slated on your own page you class 1 buffoon.
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ohh no name once again my point has by passed you AGAIN! So let me try and put it in simple terms.
My point is arsenal are not a team that plays with what you would call normal wing play, its more of a 451 come 433 with theo and cazorla on each side and 1 up top, are u keeping up? Cazorla cuts in an theo drives into the box, now my point is do arsenal get the ball in the box early enough to utilise Hernandez's movement in the box? NO, they play neat short passes around the box. Its quite scary I know more about your team than you do really!
Slated on my own page? well I have people disagree with me yes but not every1 has the same opinions hence the reason its called a banter page. i'm sure if u were brave enough to leave a name people would disagree with you too.
You keep hiding behind your no named responces scared of any critical responces, at least other on here I have had banter with are brave enough to leave a name, even Malaga/charlie or watever he calls himself does that.
I suggest you use that brain of your in future before replying to me and calling me childish names. If there's anything u disagree with that I say that's fine ill live, I was not trying to wind any1 up with my point about chances, as you said giroud, caorla, podolski and theo have all scored more than Hernandez this season so obvisouly u dnt need him I was simply replying to a post where someone obvisouly suggested Hernandez would be a good signing for you and I think u need a different style to accomidate him and I dnt believe Wenger do that.
I dnt for one second exepect u to get this either as if I suspect u have tried it with me before and failed, so you will keep missing my point and leaving childish remarks, but dnt worry no one will ever know who u are.
Chris the REDman

24 May 2013 18:36:52
REDman,

Your original post talks of the excellent movement of Hernandez and that he is a proven poacher.

We have 3 players in the top 6 of most assists this season, Podolski, Cazorla and Walcott.

No player scored more goals from inside the six yard box than Arsenal's Olivier Giroud (8)

No team scored a greater proportion of their goals from inside the six yard box than Arsenal (31%)

Add this stat to it, the most prolific goal scorer in the Premier League this season (of all players with 1,000+ minutes on the pitch) was Manchester United's Javier Hernandez, with a goal every 103 minutes on average.

So Hernandez would be a great addition to our team, we make the chances and he is lethal enough to put them all away so your argument like you, sucks.

If you say geez man engage your brain before you reply I would suggest the above warrants you engaging what little you have before you once again spout off drivel.

He would score more here than he does for United. Buffoon is probably not quite strong enough and don't believe for a minute you've ever got the better of any one.

No ure right no name giroud and podolski are exactly the same as Hernandez as is walcott and cazorla, geez man get a grip and stop trying to spin the argument in ure favour! Hernandez relies on quick balls into the box to make his short 5 yard runs, Walcott relies on pace and tbh a lil bit of luck, giroud is a target man! Podolski is a powerful striker that likea the physical side of the game and is a decent finisher, ill say he is the closet to Hernandez but that just futher proves my point as he plays on the left side of a 3 and cazorla is a attacking mid! I dnt know how u are not understanding that Hernandez would not come and sit on ure bench and for the price u wouldn't expect that! So in order to play Hernandez u would have to go to a more orthodox 442 and whip crosses into the box, WHICH U DNT DO, ITS NOT WENGERS STYLE! He relies on intricate short passes and see's a striker not just as a goal scorer but as a link up man and such.
Hernandez does not give u this he is just a poacher, he is great goal scorer not a scorer of great goals, a luxary player if u like, all good teams have that striker they can throw on to grab a goal and wenger would not pay the price for that luxury.
You have been linked with benteke and that futher prove my point.
Its that sort of striker in the lewendoski mold wenger wil be looking at.
I have no doubts if u signed him he would score 15 goals, but u already have that in your strikers at the club.
Wenger will only spend crazy money on a striker to replace giroud not compliment him!
You can continue to throw your stats at me they mean zilch in terms of describing a player or team, after all jon obi mikel is up there amongst the best passers in Europe and has been for a few seasons but u wouldn't call him a play maker would u?
Chris the REDman

24 May 2013 20:31:57
I'm not comparing them though am I, I'm pointing out that we make chances and you said we don't get the ball in the box. The stats simply prove that we do, which you said we didn't. Hernandez would finish those chances. Wtf Mikel has to do with that I'm guessing only you know.

You then attempt to accuse me of spinning the argument as you like to put it. lmao.

We were talking about making chances and a player finishing them, you have just waffled on about a pile of irrelvant tosh boy.

God! I said u dnt get the ball in the box quick enuff to make proper use of hernandez's strengths!
His quick runs in the box away from defenders is his strength not his build up play hence why he doesn't start as many games as his STATICALLY he should! But in reality he is best used when the opposition are a bit more mentally tired.
I said he would no doubt score goals at arsenal because he's a goal scorer. But for the price u would have to pay to get him arsenal won't pay, because u play with one 'proper' center forward as do most teams now because the extra midfielder makes it a lot easier to dictate a game, hence the reason for the, 'you have more chance of seeing a rocking horse take a dump than him arriving at the emirates' qoute.
I can't see your argument to this! U have totally gone off the handle because u saw my name at the end of the post, without thinking through what your arguing about u just came on and started arguing for the sake of it!
of corse u get the ball in the box, u don't come 4th for not, i'm just arguing ure not a team that plays to hernandez's strengths. U might prove me wrong and sign him, but then i'd expect 2 out and out wingers and and strong holding midfieder, switching to 442 and then on top if that u can't play your highest earner up front with him in Theo, the ball would just keep coming back at ya.
So ill repeat my statement again.
YOU HAVE MORE CHANCE OF SEEING A ROCKING HORSE TAKE A DUMP THAN HERNANDEZ AT ARSENAL!
How can u disagree with any of that?
Chris the REDman

24 May 2013 14:09:56

Can I ask why everyone is so intent on jovetic?

He's a good player but in our formation he is not the striker we need. He is far from prolific. Even in the Italian league.
Only 12 in 33 this season.

Even his younger counterpart Adem ljajic has a slightly better ratio 12 in 31

But would much rather see Aubameyang join he can play as a winger or striker, would love him on the left and leave giroud up top

Even Rooney would be a significantly better purchase than jovetic, guaranteed 20 goals a season.

Or benteke would be a more viable option.

24 May 2013 18:21:22
12 in 33 ain't bad in the Italian league for a second striker don't forget it's a very defence minded league

24 May 2013 13:00:56
Anybody else realize Vermaelan's form dropped once song left? Vermaelan loves bombing foward but without the security of song back there, he's leaving gaping holes in the back line.

This could be the problem, but I would still give vermaelan another year to fix his arsenal career.

It seems the first deal of the summer has been done, Ashley williams for 8.5 mil pounds. B- grade {Ed027's Note - That was the problem last year, Song wasn't covering ffs

Well said ed, clearly TV5 could of just stopped going forward so much if that was the problem, but it's not it's just that Kos and BFG have been great together.

BTW, please explain ffs. lol

337 {Ed027's Note - People think Song was great when he wasn't, that's why I said ffs, which is 'for flips sake' :)

Song was, and still is a Donkey!

and nice get out with the ffs ed.

337

Song was toilet, anyone who has an idea on football knows this.

1404

24 May 2013 12:35:07
mignolt Williams ganalons sanogo benteke.

this is what we need for me this could win the cup our mid is full now way do we need anymore.

but our strike with chamakh gone and sqid gone that's giving us some wages or strike will have lots more coming in and just have willams there to help and mignolt is a superb goal keeper.

BUT OUR YOUNG PLAYERS NEED TO STEP UP NOW ITS THERE TURN TO TAKE OVER ARSENAL

secret rider

Yeah add those to our current squad and it screams trophys.

1404

24 May 2013 12:15:19
Does anybody else think that next season, Giroud will tear the league apart?
I ask this because if you look at his career so far, he has gone from struggling in the french Ligue 2, to a Ligue 1 team. He took a season to settle and the following season set the league alight. So this season was his settling season. And next. ?
I also feel he may have a good season based on the success of LK6. They were both playing for Tours in Ligue 2 in the not so distant past, and they were rated by nobody, but if LK6 can copme on leaps and bounds top be hailed as one of the best defenders in league, could Giroud not have similar success up front?
Now I'm not saying that we don't need to sign a striker, because I think we do, but either to play alongside Giroud in a newly organised attack, or as a squad player with Walcott playing up top.
If I was in charge (many of you will probably be glad that I'm not having read this), my key areas for investment would be the wings, although I love the ox and Podolski (who has played the bulk of his games for Germany on the left, and still taken an impressive amount of chances). A winger with proper class and drive who can beat his man and whip in a cross, or cut back and pass the ball to feet, I would like to see Isco, or Jesus Navas, but I doubt either would ever happen.
A defensive midfielder, just as another option, preferably someone young such as Wanyama who can be eased into the team as Arteta is eased out.
And finally a goalkeeper. An old hand, who is willing to tutor WS, and isn't afraid to bring him back down to earth. I feel our young keeper has the potential to be top class, but if his ego keeps inflating and his attitude doesn't change, he will be one of those players touted for success who never made it. I would like to see Buffon or Casillas who both command their areas and could really tutor WS, but I think if we are going for experience Cesar is more likely.
Final point now, I promise. I would keep Vermaelen. He no doubt has quality, loss of form doesn't mean loss of class. If he was truly unhappy with all the sales, I would think that would motivate him more to be the exception, ie the one who stayed despite everything. I think he gives our defense a different dimension when he plays, which is always good for mixing things up if we are struggling or in need of rotation. But if he wants to go then it will be a real shame, he will be difficult to replace.
Sorry that this has been long winded but I have been a long time reader who has never put their view accross in a post so I'm just letting evverything out at once. If you made it this far then thank you :)
KenDoddsDadsDogsDead

Great post, and I would agree with all your points. Shayman

24 May 2013 10:33:22
Im from Sweden and I tell you Rasmus is not even close to be good enough for Arsenal! Lacking the pace and the work rate needed in the PL.

24 May 2013 10:25:53
£93,000 a week for Chamakh. WOW. I knew he was on serious money but sheeeeeiiiiiiiiiit.
Bendtner, Djourou, Squid, Denilson etc on £50k+, just goes to show that we do have money to spend - its just spent very poorley.

If we can afford to give a player who adds precisely nothing £93k a week then we could surely afford to give one of the best strikers in the world (Cavani) £200k a week?

-------------------------

Ashley Williams reported to have agreed terms - so TV5 looks on his way out.
I like TV5 but he's never been an outstanding defender - not bad playing on the ground and bombing up the front to throw a spanner in the opposition's defence - he's more of a sweeper or defensive mid in my opionion, unfortunately he doesn't possess the skill or composure to play in midfield full time.

Williams is a pretty good acquisition - he's no Subotic or Hummels but he is a very good defender. I really like the Kos-Mert partnership at the moment and I think Williams will add much better support than Verm.

24 May 2013 12:04:30
Have you no idea of the cost of hair gel these days?

24 May 2013 07:46:34
We should sign benteke, he wants to play for us and will give giroud and theo big help

24 May 2013 10:48:41
Lets just go for a better class altogether shall we, Benteke scored once against Chelsea this season, nowt against us, city or Chelsea.

Is he just another Darren Bent type striker. Good but not that good.

And I don't mean Rooney, if there was ever a player that's not coming back to his best its probably that fat ugly lump.

That guy who runs PSG seemed like a real nice sensible bloke, no way would he pay £40 million for lover boy Rooney.
Sure I read somewhere Rooney is now the face of the World Gurning finals to be held in Buttugly Town. Grimsville.

Stoner

Agreed he would be a good signing, but probably would not help Giroud more like replace him.

24 May 2013 06:43:25
Read an article that Chamackh is on 93k a week, is it true?

zeet

Probably as he was a free transfer, same thing happened with Sol when we signed him on a free, because there is no signing on fee they get more in wages, and why not?

He could have been good and did start off that way, but then when RVP came back he could'nt get a game.

337 {Ed007's Note - There is a signing on fee and that is usually quite high because there is no transfer fee to be paid.}

No I understand he is on £60k per week and had a healthy sign on bonus.

It might work out as the equivalent of £93k per week if you include his signing bonus.

No, no it's not

24 May 2013 11:28:53
Chamackh is on £60k, criminal but true.

http://arsenaltruth. squarespace.com/arsenal-truth/2012/11/4/arsenals-1434m-wage-bill-exposed.html

/Son1ka

Not sure of the exact amount but he will be on a high wage yes. Reports say he's cost a total of 14m. We didn't pay a transfer fee hence the high wage.

Sorry ed, meant 'transfer' fee

337

24 May 2013 13:32:46
oh god. I read that absolute rubbish from Darren lewis in the mirror. one arsenal truth (rubbish one sided website) say he earns £60k the mirror says £93k. honestly how are fans supposed to pull together, there are supposed to be brighter times ahead and utter crap like this gets posted. ok we all know he is a waste at the club at the moment but we don't need to be reminded of this. either way he is going, on a free if the club can't get a fee. same with others with a drain on the clubs resources.
talk like crap like this takes the gloss off the summer we may have.
ally