Arsenal Banter Archive July 26 2013

26 Jul 2013 23:39:00
Greetings and Salutations my fellow Gooners,

The silly season is now in full effect. Declarations sweeping across the continent of players coming and going.

The discontents moaning about the lack of transfer activity, the purists finding the positive in each sweeping media declaration.

So with all this which fascinates us so the underlying question is. have we moved one step closer to our goal of returning to the elite of European football?

Here's my two pence:

1. Financially - Clearly we have moved in a more positive direction than where we were 12 months ago. New commercial deals have been signed and continue to be signed. As a supporter we can only hope that these funds are in some proportion invested within the club. As such we clearly have done well in this regard. The debt of The Emirates and our poor commercial deals no longer appear to be a factor in our future dealings and this is very positive.

2. Structurally - We remain the most stable of clubs in England and Europe. While some may bemoan the lack of changes in ownership and within our contingency of coaches I for one applaud our stability. In particular when one examines the landscape of the clubs whom to which we are competing with. Bayern, Real, Barcelona, United, Chelsea and City have all changed their managers this off season. While in some instances the transition may be seamless in others it will not and this should bode well in our endeavors.

3. Player stability - For the first time in a long time our core group is not being subtracted from. In addition those who are not in our future have been moved. Of course we still have some work to do but this is a positive difference in comparison to recent years.

4. Buzz - There's something very different about this off season. In the past stories were about other clubs taking our players this year its about ours taking theirs. Now while there is no one on this site who is in the know I for one am enjoying the difference in the media's presentation of our club this off season.

All in all I am very optimistic about this upcoming season. Last year despite the raid on Van Persie the club still brought in Carzola, Podolski, Giroud and Monreal. all fantastic buys. Thus my faith in Arsene remains absolute.

Lest we should all remember we finished last season on an impeccable high. I believe we have some phenomenal young talent on the verge and those around us have many questions to be asked of themselves. I believe we can and will be returning to our days of glory very soon.

And finally with all the Cesc and Suarez talk I believe that if they are meant to be part of our club they will, if not I never doubt the sincerity in approach of our club as it has served us all very well!

Remember we are Arsenal, the greatest football club the world has ever seen!

Gunners4Life, In AW we trust!

That's a fair summary.

I would agree, off the pitch arsenal have done very well.

We even managed to make the forbes top 10 rich list of all sports franchise's in the world (in company with the likes of man u, RM, new York yankees, top nfl teams etc, etc)!

Its now on the pitch that arsenal need to focus their attention.

Lets hope they can pull off that aspect, as well as the financial side.

see what the rest of the summer brings.

But I agree the potential is there, its up to the club and wenger to fulfil that promise now.
LG

26 Jul 2013 23:05:47
Can all the Cesc talk please stop now. He isn't moving anywhere. Suarez is probably going to be on running till the last day. More troubling is our perceived lack of activity at strenghing other areas. We need a GK, CB, DM and a striker though some youngsters have stepped up we still need to sign at least one true world class player to show we aren't a feeder club anymore.

Just read an interesting piece on a website about FFP saying how The oil backed rich clubs like PSG, Monaco, city etc, and the government backed RM will take Uefa to court if they try and enforce punishment and such against them for over spending. The author of the article says how teams like Arsenal should come together and refuse to play these teams. Yes we would get punished, but then if next week the next team also refused where does that leave us? These mega false rich teams would lose all income and Uefa would be forced to act.

Holmesy

One for the voting page ed, 'Who is favourite family member from duck dynasty, mine is Jase thugs I a legend

Holmesy

26 Jul 2013 22:13:27
The funniest thing about Suarez is he was never sent off in the Premier League.

The funniest thing about him is his big rat teeth

Does anyone have respect for footballers? I'm sure you're just perfect aren't you?

Completely agree Ted. The lad is pure class. The racist situation only happened once (Although it can not be condemned. ) South american football players are known for it. MESSI an Higuain have both done it before. but they have not been done for it. So please stop making stupid remarks like this. If he is going to be a gooner. we have to make him part of the gooner family. Personally I don't see it happen. but hEY HO.

26 Jul 2013 21:38:47
Hi ed, still can't believe we have not bought a top defensive midfielder, how we have not activated the Fellaini buy out fee mystifies me. A player like that is a wonderful option, strong, talented, dominant and very versatile. When we have to play our main rivals, I would feel a lot more confident if we had a Fellaini in our team. I can see all our little playmakers loving having a big boss man in our ranks. When things get heated I would love to see him impose his size and power against all those players who try to knock the crap out of our talented ballers. Why are we waiting for him to end up at man utd, we should have exploited there futile chase for cesc. If I could have one signing this summer, it would be Fellaini. Thanks ed. Buck rogers {Ed027's Note - I have been told, we will not sign a holding mid until the Cesc situation is cleared up. Holding mid or Cesc is the question, in Wenger's mind only one answer

Hi, sometime back I did post about 2 things I was told and people did not believe me. I am again stating this:
1. Wenger's first choice of strikers was premier league experience and hence interest in Saurez and Rooney, higuain was a back up plan
2. Midfield situation depends on Cesc, he is not sure whether he will stay at barca, if he does not then we get him and if he does stay at barca then we go for Fellaini.
And that is what is causing delays to our signings.
SM

26 Jul 2013 21:42:17
just curious, do all of you Ed (s) know each other, or just through this website? {Ed027's Note - Some through the website, some in real life

26 Jul 2013 21:29:47
Higuian deal to Napoli has supposedly hit another snag have u any news on this ed?maybe we are still in the running


ty. 1 {Ed027's Note - it'll be done soon

26 Jul 2013 21:00:41
please put where it will fit as its a history article

There has always been one thing that has me in fits when ever I see a spurs fan write,
Arsenal go back to woolwich as spurs a the true north london club.
well I have done a lot of research on this matter and I will share it with you.

The Metropolitan Borough of Islington was a Metropolitan borough within the
County of London from 1900 to 1965, when it was amalgamated with the
Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury to form the London Borough of Islington.
when arsenal moved to higbury in 1910 it was already part of london, which means
arsenal have been in north london for 103 years,

now let's get to spurs
In 1888 Tottenham moved their home fixtures from the Tottenham Marshes to Northumberland Park
In 1899 Spurs made their final ground move to a former market garden in nearby High Road,
Tottenham. In time, the ground became known as White Hart Lane, so spurs have moved twice.
Tottenham developed from a parish in Middlesex into an Urban sanitary district in 1875,
after a local board of health had been established in 1850, then divided in 1888 so that
Wood Green became a separate authority. [11] In 1894 Tottenham was reconstituted first as
an urban district then as a municipal borough in 1934, before being subsumed into the
larger London Borough of Haringey under the Local Government Act 1963.

so with facts, it proves one thing, arsenal have been a north london club a lot longer than the spuds,
spurs have only been a north london club since 1965, now I know it seems to much to read with just facts
thrown at you, but the fact is, spurs fans choose to ignore real facts and it shows how stupid they
really are, to actually say they are a true north london club is just a joke, arsenal have been classed
as a north london club a lot longer than spurs, but you will never get a spud to admit this, but whenever you
see a spud shout spurs are a true north london club, you now know that in fact they are not and only
been in north london since 1965.

As much as I love putting spurs down, especially my best mate! I don't think it is fair to call them stupid for not knowing all of that lol

noobGooner

26 Jul 2013 20:28:51
Ed027 is it true that fabregas has a 34.4mil release clause only arsenal can activate? {Ed027's Note - maybe, I can't say for certain, but it is likely

26 Jul 2013 22:32:53
It was on sky it must be true

26 Jul 2013 20:02:11
Anyone else think if we do get LS it will be for a lot less than what's being thrown around I remember crazy numbers being quoted for Henry Cesc and Rvpr! (k and look what we got in the end for them I think we will get him for the 40 mill Liverpool just trying to stand there ground like we did and failed

I'm thinking £40M too but don't care if its £50M, just do SOMETHING, get SOMEONE!

The fee will be over 45 million and likely to be closer to 50 million. You have to remember that John Henry is a hard nosed sob who does not take prisoners in money matters.

Tommy Gunn

Did he not sanction the Andy Carroll Jordan Henderson stu downing moves
He wasnt so smart then was he

Chelski paid for Carroll when we got 50 million for Torres and oh yes we signed Suarez for 22 million at that time. The deal looks a bit better now I think. As for Henderson he is coming on in leaps and bounds and has even started scoring at away grounds. he was pretty good at the Emirates last time around I recall. You might mention Downing but you don't mention Coutinho. very selective.

No hard feelings with Arsenal because you are a proper club. Just watch out when you bid for Suarez because the euphoria of getting a big name big price signing might turn into a bit of a nightmare.

Tommy Gunn

Haha love it cork city gooner (good to see some Irish gooners btw).

26 Jul 2013 19:01:06
hello all first time on this site die hard goner I must say every summer for last 8 years the board say we have money we don't buy I will not be surprised if wenger comes out and says I am happy with my team its a joke but gess wot all the fans that moan will still buy season tickets we sd stand together its the board not wenger. wenger is a great coach we ha spent less money than stoke city and gess wot we get in cl everytime. but I must say I will be amazed if we spent money big money

26 Jul 2013 21:07:09
If Wenger feels that 4th place is acceptable and that 15-20 points behind utd is ok then he should not be at the club. The fact we have spent much less than our rivals and lost all our best players, including 4 of our captains. I accept the financial constraints have been the main reason, but this year, there could be no excuses he has to buy Proven quality players. i'm sure the Suarez deal will become more clearer in the next 72 hoursI still don't understand why we haven't signed a defensive midfielder yet. even taking into a count Ramsey has improved enormously as a deeper midfield, both he and Arteta are not natural defensive midfielders and this will tell in the big games next season. I think the fact the QPR keeper hasn't gone to to Napoli gives me the impression he will sign for us before the start of the season. It's prob a question over wages. Wenger did indicate that he might need to change the way the club is run last season regarding wage structure and Fees payed for players. The fact that a lot of dead wood has gone is a positive indication that things might finally change. I think a signing like suarez would be a massive lift for the club, players and most importantly supporters. I can't remember the last time assigning really excited me since Overmars or Bergkamp, maybe sol Campbell. Bearing in mind Henry and Viera established there careers at Highbury. Maybe Arsharvin was the last. Come on Arsene, if you want those new away shirts to fly of the shelf get Suarez ASAP. plesae. km

Die hard goner! hope you pull through mate. lol
trev the gooner

26 Jul 2013 18:25:14
Ed do you believe cesc will stay this summer and if he leaves will wenger do everything to sign hima and would you expect him to get him thanks {Ed027's Note - I think Cesc will stay, if he leaves he will come to Arsenal

26 Jul 2013 17:48:54
I red through a banter post here that state "Santi Carzorla is only a second best to Juan Mata in EPL" I strongly suggest that the dude that post that should use his search Engine well as Santi Carzorla is currently quoted as the BEST ATTACKING MIDFIELDER IN EPL according to: The Current Player Rating With Respect to Their Positions

Come off it.

Current player rating where?

Cazorla is excellent, but Mata is better.

So what?

Mata had a better season last year but remember it was Cazorla's first in the prem and he nearly got more assists in the league and goals than Mata. Next season will decide.

To be honest when you track back their development as players Mata started representing his country at U16's and was playing for his country through all the following ranks in steady progression up to the first team. Cazorla only started representing his country for the u21's. Mata outscored Carzola in the league and all competitions and also got more assists in the league and in all competitions compared to Cazorla. I absolutely love Cazorla and he would moonwalk into either Manchester team and at Chelsea would probably play with Mata in the team but I honestly have to admit all throughout his career Mata has done better in terms of stats and what he does on the pitch for his team compared to Cazorla.

26 Jul 2013 17:26:51
I am going all out here, we have earned our money honorably, why should we not spend it the way we want. As for Surez (spelling lol) he is an artist, Cantona, Dicanio, you name them, all magicians. So please if we get Suarez, I will.

Mofaya

With you all the way and then

Defiantly the craziness of dicanio, but he is still a fantastic striker and will really give arsenal that needed boost and a winning mentality.

26 Jul 2013 16:53:10
So what happen 2 Bernard having his medical 2day! More lies. Wish we would just start buying players, world class players. some1 that comes on and wins the game. Not Suarez!

Gunners. Suarez or Rooney?


Fellieni or cesc?

I would love cesc bk, but I can c him stayin at barca 4 a couple more years yet! Rooney maybe, Suarez if played without cheating! Fellieni if he got a hair cut! Lol.

We need a goalkeeper, a solid cb, DM and a cf or lw!

Lets c if anything happens b4 next wkend!

Roll on the emirates cup.

And we get 2 c higuain play at the emirates! But not 4 the right team!

26 Jul 2013 16:18:06
Watching the game today I remembered Fabianski got married recently.
I just had this vision of his bride cracking her head open after Fabianski drops her over the threshold.
We need another keeper. A Good one!
Flybo

He's a decent backup.

Amen!

Jus4He is a bit ugly as well. Only joking Flybo, just a bit bored with lack of activity and trawling site looking for things to pick up on, peace out! Up the gunners

We really need an experienced keeper like marchetti, Ceasar and Adler.

26 Jul 2013 16:12:56
Why do people think Real Madrid's strikers would drop out of one of the most competitive teams in the world right now, genuine CL contenders, to go play for Liverpool? Is it just me who thinks this is just sad? Please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks it's awkward to even think Higuain, for example, and now Benzema, would want to leave Madrid to play for Liverpool? I can't be.

Good point

Of course they won't go there. KJ huntelaar last year labeled Lfc as Not a European address anymore. He's right. Until they reclaim a place in the top 4 they will struggle to attract those big names. Lfc spurs Everton or any team who wants a bigger stadium will all go through years like the 8 we have gone through. Fortunately we held that top 4 position. Could any of them do that from there current position? I doubt it

26 Jul 2013 15:26:44
Has anyone actually watched much of Capoue?

He is really average, Arteta and Ramsey are both better. Capoue would not improve us one bit.

Personally, I think someone like Matuidi is the kind of player we need, probably won't get him though.

Matuidi is a good player but too small we need height and strength, and Rambo and arteta are great players but capoue, kondogbia, fellaini and gustavo are very good and have power and heading ability and are very defensive.

26 Jul 2013 14:59:31
mixed reports- some are saying RM are bidding for suarez, while others say they are out of the running- not sure what to believe.


IF RM are bidding; Soldaldo anyone? jackson Martinez? Huntelear? etc, etc.

Huntelaar can f off. He deliberately flirted with us, a club in need of a forward, to land a better deal at Schalke. He can go do himself imo. He wouldn't play for the badge. If we're going to sign someone who will only play for himself then it should be someone better than him, like Suarez or Ibra!

Yeah hunelaar can F off he only sits up to and doesn't help the team too LAZY!

26 Jul 2013 14:58:32
Do you think there is a possibility of us signing bernard and not signing a forward, but instead playing podolski up front. I just can't see Suarez coming to us. He doesn't seem like the usual wenger signing. Have we got any other center forward targets?

God I hope your right.

I'd rather get Bernard and Cesc than just Suarez.

Great possession, not so many goals though.

26 Jul 2013 14:13:04
I live in Wales and the Suarez transfer and Brendan Rogers getting on his high horse about loyalty, has got loads of people talking about the loyalty he showed Swansea the team that then went on to get into Europe this season and win a trophy unlike Liverpool, whether you agree or not with his move still made me smile to hear a load of Cardiff City fans joking about it in a pub. If this Suarez saga has made me do one thing its laugh hearing all the Liverpool fans talk about how they are as big a club as us yes in terms of History they absolutely are, but what they can offer now million miles apart, 7th, 6th, 8th, 7th they've finished the last four season and they still think they are our biggest rival to a champions league place. But seriously if Arsenal could sign some players that would be great.

Plus we have money now.

Very good point. I guess loyalty is relative to some people.

I think there are very few real examples of loyalty in football today.

Loyalty - Ryan Giggs!

Rodgers is a joke he was unloyal to watford then swansea and all suraez wants to do is play for a club that is in the champions league and a chance to win trophies

watford gooner {Ed030's Note So Cazorla is a joke for leaving Malaga,If you change you're job for a better higher paid job you're a joke,You're argument is invalid. }

26 Jul 2013 14:00:07
It's looks like we could be signing Suarez now that Real Madrid are no longer interested. Madrid aren't looking to sign a striker, even though Higuain is leaving, as they still have Benzema and they also want to give Jese Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata a chance in the first team.

I certainly hope so. If we are the only interested club, then am sure we can be guaranteed to get him.

26 Jul 2013 13:51:51
Daily star reporting that liverpool will be intrested in benzema for suarez an cash {Ed030's Note - You summed that up with the first to words,Daily star. }

Benzema would never join Liverpool!

Don't believe the press and certainly not the 'red tops', they are nothing but comics.

You'll be telling us all next that you watch all the soaps and haven't missed a single episode in 30 years

26 Jul 2013 13:42:40
Arsenal have just signed Suarez, Rooney, and have gone back in for Higuain again!. If only, Sorry all I was having a Carlsberg moment.

Haha. Seems more like a whiskey moment to me

26 Jul 2013 12:30:18
Am I the only arsenal fan who thinks signing Suarez is a bad move?

He has had one good season at lfc and they played to his strengths, it's a lot of money for a player who might not produce the same performance for arsenal

Suarez doesn't seem to have any loyalty so who's to say next summer he wants to leave us if we don't Finnish top 4

He is one of if not the most disliked players in England maybe the world he comes with a lot of baggage and you can be sure he will do some crazy thing this season
To get banned so for me stay away muncher


Scott

To be honest I would suggest that about 50% of the Gooners don't want Suarez to come. I'm also one of them. There´s more available strikers that can be as good or even better and for less money.

Name them

26 Jul 2013 13:32:16
We should forget about Suarez anything over 40mil is stupid we should strengthen other areas what about 35mil for lewadonski? Dortmund don't wana sell to Munich {Ed030's Note - Lewandoski wouldn't cost £35 million,He will sign for Bayern on a free next summer probably. }

Really so they will let him go for free to there fiercest rivals

S***, where have you been. Lewe' is now entering the last year of his contract. He refuses to leave because he will join Bayern next year on a free.

26 Jul 2013 13:05:27
FC Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Cesc Fabregas' future: "It doesn't matter what any offer from Manchester United is - we're not selling him. We're counting on him. He's not for sale.

"If there was a higher offer would we accept it? No. He's a great player. It doesn't bother us that Manchester United want him. We're proud that a club like that wants one of our players. "

26 Jul 2013 12:57:02
VERMAELEN. If the stats are correct Vermaelen joined Arsenal in 2009 and has made a total of 96 appearances. That's a lot of injury time out in my book. Hypotheticaly if he had an ordinary job that would equate to nearly 2 years that he was not at work in a four year period/season 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012, 2012/2013. and already he is injured again! Now you all know where I'm going with this! It's not good enough.! {Ed030's Note - Fabulous defender on his day though,The problem is keeping him fit. }

Ed 030. Couldn't agree more mate but what would you do with him? Problem is everyone knows he is injury prone so how much is he worth? {Ed030's Note - Probably around £10 million. }

I couldn't care less. If we hadn't signed Vermaelen we would not have remained in the top 4 over those seasons.

Ed 030. Do you know what mate if I was in charge and I was offered £10 million for him I would snap their hands off wouldn't you?

Exactly Ted, he's a brilliant defender. Look at United with Rio and Vidic, two guys who are always injured but you hang on because when they're fit and on form they're some of the best in the world.

26 Jul 2013 12:40:09
Just relax, we are atill in Japan, wait till next week to start moaning.

PTG

26 Jul 2013 11:19:08
Hey Eds- I know I've been going on about Suarez a lot! But do you think that there's a realistic chance that he could be in an arsenal shirt come the start of the season?

Thanks a lot! {Ed030's Note - It's possible,But not likely. }

26 Jul 2013 12:22:13
Is it me or is iggy a really average player I know he's playing of position but he's making mert look like usain bolt!


SM1996

I agree. Won't make it. Looks perpetually anxious, like Djourou. You're always waiting for the mental lapse to come. Unnerves the rest too.

He is young and out of position. What concerns me is that he doesn't appear to be progressing in his chosen centre back role. Mind you centre backs often don't mature until around 24 years of age.

26 Jul 2013 11:35:56
I think I am losing my mind! I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't let go of my bottle of Johnny! the only thing that is keeping me sane is the very thing that is driving me mad. Anticipation!

Luis the Cannibal
Benard
Cesc
Bender
Sakho

Is that too much to ask for?

I need HELP!

Gunner forever!

I share your pain - I am going to have to ween myself off constantly checking every possible site that may give a hint of news. please wenger - for our collective sanity, throw us a crumb.

26 Jul 2013 11:15:45
arsenal will not sign any big name player. suarez, rooney, fellaini, will not happen. its typical wenger make a bid which he knows full well is short of the valuation then turn round and say well we tried to bring the players in. please post this so arsenal fans know what's going to happen. same old arsene i'm afraid guys!

JJGOONER

Stop being such a whinger will you. Why on earth would we bid 40000001 just for a laugh?? I have been skeptical in the past admittedly however I genuinely believe AW wants Monster munch at AFC and I say bring him on. Up the gooners

I think you are wrong, if indeed Arsenal bid 40 mil for Suarez, then do you not think the intent is there. I think we will sign him and 2 other players. I believe this will include a goal keeper.

26 Jul 2013 10:47:14
"Bernard will be sold if �25m bid arrives", says Atletico Mineiro director Maluf

let me guess, we made a LOW initial bid.

Yeah we will probably bid £24 million 999 thousand and loose the deal.

Ofc! I hope we get this guy, he looks like he could be the real deal.

IF this is true:

Ed, do you think Porto would offer such a large sum since their business model is to buy low and sell high?

Do you see him going to Porto or joining Arsenal?

Thanks mate,
Trinidad-Gooner {Ed027's Note - I'm not to sure, I hear Poruguese clubs are in trouble, the league had to pay the players wages in the last two months of the season. Porto are seen as a good stepping stone by Bernanrd, they wouldn't pay 20m+ they would buy 50% of him so paying maybe 10m, 3rd party ownership is why I don't see any English club signing him

26 Jul 2013 10:13:41
My mothers great aunt is at Heathrow and no sign of Bernard stepping off the BA flight from Brazil.

Obviously not you fool, he's at Gatwick!

This is obviously made up. Nobody would say "My mothers great aunt" when there is the personal relationship to use ie "My great great aunt".

CECEGUaW

Stansted man, Stansted!

That can't be right, I saw him coming off a boat at Southhampton.

Just heard he's at stanstead

No imagination - flew to Norwich!

26 Jul 2013 09:58:49
It's very clear to me that Arsene Wenger has no experience what so ever in buying highly rated footballers.
He must be one of the best when it comes to the game, but SUCKS big time in negotiations.
The strategy before was easy, buy loads of promising kids for a cheap price and hopefully some of the kids will develop into a football star and then sell him and make 100000% profit.

Now is different, and so far AW is doing a terrible job.

Do you not remember a bloke called Henry? Oh and then there's Petit, Viera, Overmars. I'm sure Cesc as a youngster. YOUNGSTER?

Estepona gooner

26 Jul 2013 08:08:54
Hi ed, Ivan gazidis's boastful claims regarding our war chest and our ability to buy wayne Rooney, if we so wished, has massively hampered our ability to secure deals for our transfer targets. Declaring our cash rich situation, has made any seller think "bingo, let's take this lot to the cleaners". The stupidity of his statement, has scuppered the grenier deal, no doubt. The Lyon chairman wanted 25 mill for a player in the last year of his contract. Now liverpool's stance is founded on the knowledge "loadsofmoney" arsenal, have a very big piggy bank. Gazidis admissions were made to get beleaguered season ticket holders to renew, in the promise of a influx of galacticos coming in this summer. I don't want suarez at 40 or so million, not worth it, not for a player who yearns to play in Spain. You can thank ivan the terrible for the lack of transfer activity, I wonder if gazidis is being charged 20 quid for a pint of milk, by his local newsagent. We could have gone about our business quietly and efficiently but thanks to Ivan, everyone wants to empty the satchel. Unbelievable! Ray barboni

Totally agree- should've kept his mouth shut and just got on with business. Then perhaps we may been pleasantly surprised by the signings.

When the win closed, he could've then spoken about that arsenal have turned a corner financially etc.

Instead we have been getting the sugar daddy treatment! £$££$£$£$

Really stupid.

Are you sure this statement did not come from pressure of supporters to spend money? you can't have it both ways! supporters want the club to spend money be linked to big names and know everything about all transfer activity, then when this is afforded to them they moan that, doing business's this way is stopping us from signing players pfffft!
RD

You do realise all that financial information is open to the public so any person could work out our cash reserves

26 Jul 2013 09:48:17
There is a huge waiting list for both season tickets and silver membership. I think he made the comment about having 70m per season to put the ball in Wengers court. In my opinion is Wenger who has not wanted to spend the money over the last few years. Our CEO gets the stick hence the comment. km

That statement was to ensure that people renewed their season tickets

The 'pressure from supporters' is a weak argument. Ivan is paid to do the job to the best of his abilities - not placate supporters. If he can't do that - maybe he shouldn't be on the board.

26 Jul 2013 11:39:25
As reported in figures released November 2012 cash reserves of £123.3m and no short tem debt. I think the long term debt is fixed in a low interest loan over 20 years which is very low. The wage bill has been trimmed down to allow for new players.

I view it as the final end to all those AKBs declaring it was the board who refused to spend money - A very clear statement of available money and "it is up to the manager to spend it" laying the responsability firmly at Wengers door to get out and get the business done.

26 Jul 2013 12:08:15
As reported on November 2012 cash reserves of £123.3m up from the last years £115m. this is not taking into account the new stadium and kit logo of around 30m x 5 years. this is up from the upfront payment we got from emirates of 40m which went to the building of the stadium. The new kit deal which should come into force in 2014 is worth 30m per season which is £21m per season more than we receive from our present deal from Nike. The fact that we have not been going on pre season Asian tours for many years unlike utd, and not won any silverware in 8 years tells you that there is huge room for improvement in financial terms. Taking this all into account we have plenty of money to buy top players. At a guess I think we have trimmed around 250k to 300k of our weekly wage bill and if we sell gilvinho we could save more as well as banking some more money. Also we are still owed money from both cesc and song deals which is the 3 instalments. As for season tickets, the waiting list is around 10 years at present. So even if 800 people don't renew, there would be plenty of people waiting in the wings. KM

Does anyone think that any of the worlds top clubs don't know exactly how much money all the other clubs have? What Ivan said was for the fans benefit and for the media-

26 Jul 2013 06:45:43
I am off to the Thailand all stars v Liverpool match on Sunday. I will be running the rule over Louis Suarez. I will post on Monday about his body language and greeting from the local fans. I'll report on his play in general too as that might reflect his current thinking, though I expect a professional display from him.

Il be surprised if you see him at all

If he comes on for a short period he is maybe definitely leaving Liverpool. If he doesn't come on that's a definate. If they say he sustained an injury that's a double guarantee he is leaving.

26 Jul 2013 03:30:03
I never understood fellow Arsenal fans love for Fabregas, after he engineered his move to Barcelona despite being captain and having 3 years left on his contract. I believe he will move to Man U, encouraged by Van Persie to join. Perhaps Arsenal fans will wake up and see Fabregas for what he is. I hope that this paves the way for us to step up and sign Fellaini, although I have a horrible feeling Wenger thinks he has sufficient central midfield options. I believe we will make 3 signings at best, being a central defender, a wide player and a forward.
I think we will stick with the keeping options we have. With a 4th centre back, we will have two options for each of the defensive positions. We will use Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Abu Diaby (when fit) & Ox. For the wide positions, Walcott, Podolski, Ox & a new signing. Up front, Giroud, Sonago & a new signing. A few youngsters will complete the squad. I have a feeling Szczesney & Fabianski will have done enough during the friendlies to convince Wenger to stick with them for the first half of the season and review this decision during the January window, if necessary. In order for us to compete I believe we need an additional powerful defensive midfield player, as Abu Diaby is expected to be out until December and even then is so injury prone he can't be relied on. I would make every effort to sign: Williams, Fellaini, Nani & Suarez. All experienced Premiership players, who would transform our squad into one that can compete at the top for honours. They would cost an affordable £90m ish, with some funds coming in from the sales of Mannone, Gervinho, Bendtner (fingers crossed), this would bring our net outlay to somewhere in the £70ish million region.

You almost had me until you said Nani

Baysie Gooner

I agree with you. We may not need Cesc, our mid has enough quality. Even Rambo who many thot was the weakest has been impressing since the latter part of last season and pre-season. Both Cesc and RVP were with us, what did we win?
I do not agree on Nani though, very incosistent.

REALITY CHECK! Our midfiel does not have enough quality, we came fourth last season, not first. Improvements are a must!

Nani! Nani and Suarez! Oh my god we'd only ever have nine players standing at any one time.

The Ghost of Terry Mancini

We always knew and it was just a matter of time before cesc went to barca.

I understand that and have never had a beef about that.

If he wants to come back, he would be welcomed by me, that's for sure.

I find the comments relating to my original comment interesting. Firstly, the Fabregas love in continues! don't forget he walked out on his beloved Barca as a 15 year old to join us. Then he craftily engineered a move to Barca, which didn't work out. He hasn't been a first team regular and his lack of pace is apparent. Now he seems to be leaving his beloved Barca to join his mate Van Pussy at Man U. In respect of Nani, he is one of those players you love to hate, a bit like Suarez, but he is a very good player & would improve our squad.

26 Jul 2013 00:58:36
Ed - do you know if Arsenal still have an active interest in Capoue?

I read that he is perhaps stalling on a move to Cardiff?
For a fee of 8 million, he would be a top addition to the midfield for any team {Ed027's Note - I don't know what we are doing holding mid wise, seems we are concentrating on Suarez. If Cesar accepts our wages we will get him as GK if not I don't think we will get anyone. No CB imo Wenger thinks we've got enough, that leaves a Gervinho replacemet...

I don't think Wenger believes we need any central/defensive midfield reinforcements. He has seen an improvement in Ramsey's form and having Wilshere fit and being able to use Oxlade, as well as Rosicky & Cazorla. So, no midfield player will be signed. Unfortunately, as I would love to see Fellaini signed to protect the defence alongside Arteta. Allowing Wilshere to push forward and link up with Cazorla, where I believe he is best played.

26 Jul 2013 00:31:44
we lost out on higuain over a matter of 3 million quid (no surprise there). forget 50 million for the racist, we only need to go to 45 mill. julio (window cleaner ) cesar is not happening, and as of now, nothing else is in the pipeline. this information I have gleaned from a very good friend of mine who works in the "football agent" industry. I usually post skeletal meanderings and abuse, but this time it is purely truthful I promise!
willesden gooner

No it isn't. It's made up bull**** to annoy the fans and turn them against the club.

I agree with Ted. also what's this ONLY need to go to 45million. at the start of all this it was expected he would go for between 20 and 30. biut of a difference!! especially for an unproven player as far as prem goes

26 Jul 2013 00:28:16
Bernard going to porto? :s