27 Jul 2016 23:25:27
Originally, the club were taking some flak, from a lot of people (myself included) for offering a bid for Lacazette which was lower than one that had already been rejected.
Then later on it came out that apparently we'd bid that ages ago and the West Ham bid was the more recent.
Now, L'equipe (I'm never sure if I've put the apostrophe in the right place there) are saying that our bid was actually submitted Monday night.
Now, I'm not sure of the validity of their claim, I know they're a big football publication in France and that's about it.
What I will say, is I hope it is true.
It'd be stupid with regard to the lower bid, but to me, if we bid 2 days ago and failed, there just seems more of a chance we'll go back.
But if the bid was say during or pre-Euro's and we haven't gone back since, I'd say it's a dead deal.
Now the bid is public, I almost expect Arsene to bail on it, but I really hope we go back in for him.
I know people are saying that 'he's only scored in a lower quality league' or that 'Giroud got into the Euro squad and he didn't'
Quite simply, the response I'd make to those comments is:
1: With his finishing, being supplied by Özil, a blind man could score 25+ a season.
2: Gignac also got into the France squad and he was god awful.
Arsenal Banter Archive July 27 2016
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27 Jul 2016 22:49:51
Right I'm quite aware a few times he hasn't impressed. But seeing we need a new forward and we seem to be struggling to get one how about we just get a new winger. Mahrez if we can or any other suggestions. Seems a winger is easier to come by that a forward. Then that way we can stick Theo up top.
I'm kidding! Really though perhaps Alexis up top and a new winger to take his place. Other side we'll have the usual iwobi/ ox/ Theo/ Ramsey? Know it's not ideal but I just cannot see us getting the right forward.
27 Jul 2016 23:01:05
Not sure Sanchez could play on own up front against two big centre halves
Think he could partner an "Alan Smith" type striker up front but not sure he would be clinical enough based on his shooting for us. This would mean a 442 and not sure how our midfield and Ozil would adapt to that : (
I would prefer Theo in the 442 than Sanchez but that said, I would prefer a new option as an alternative and upgrade on Giroud.
My opinion - to get an upgrade on Giroud and drop him. That's an expensive player, hence the challenge we are in at present.
27 Jul 2016 23:17:06
Theo is the obvious choice in Ollys absence as is Monreal as cover for Kos both of which say it all about us as any kind of competitive force.
27 Jul 2016 23:32:04
What worries me, is that Lacazette played a lot of games as a right winger or right forward for Lyon last season.
It wouldn't surprise me if we signed Lacazette, played him rw, then moved him up top either as a different option to Giroud or as partner to him.
That way, instead addressing our issues and getting say Lacazette and Mahrez, for £80m, we get Lacazette, use him as a winger primarily and only pay £45m, saving Arsene, Ivan and Stann £35m to go towards that new ranch Stan always wanted, or maybe a velcro coat for the gaffer!
It's all a moot point really, this is literally all its, buts and maybes, but it seems the Arsene way.
27 Jul 2016 22:18:27
Evening standard suggesting that Wenger won't look to buy another centre back straight away and will attempt to convert Coqeulin.
Meaning out potential centre backs for the season would be:
Kos,
Per,
Chambers,
Holding,
Belik,
Monreal,
Coquelin.
27 Jul 2016 22:50:27
If you take kos off that list who would utd city or Chelsea want as a CB if we made them available?
Or Liverpool Spurs West ham or Everton?
Or Southampton or Stoke?
27 Jul 2016 23:34:03
I for one look forward to our pairing of Chambers and Coquelin against Liverpool.
The ensuing rage afterwards as fans do their nut and Arsene assures we're still active, before promoting Bielik and throwing him in at the deep.
28 Jul 2016 03:08:01
I get your point lads but maybe a run in the 1st team might actually do these kids some good. We never complained when Bellerín got his run in and became a regular now did we. I know he had a great run of games but to be honest we were also on a half decent run of form which helped to build his confidence also. Given the same circumstances maybe the other lads may prove there worth also.
Keep smiling and stay behind the team we have people (we may not get anymore players so best to praise what we have) .
27 Jul 2016 22:12:38
I am going to put this nicely, if we don't sign a forward and a CB and challenge for the title then we can say goodbye to ozil, Sanchez and kos next season. why would they want to stay with a club with no ambition. but I have faith in Wenger.
27 Jul 2016 22:17:47
Now that's what you call a contradiction in terms.
28 Jul 2016 03:08:46
lmao that made me chuckle so hard =)
27 Jul 2016 21:53:26
Is this why we dither in the market when it comes to big signings and miss out on players:
That means we can't afford to make huge mistakes in the transfer market. We can't afford to outgun competitors that have far more money to splurge on transfer fees than we do. So we have to be very careful, very selective about how we do things. "
We let them eat first and do things on the quiet. Our success in the past, growth in agents and money in the game makes that harder to do.
Certainly seems to reflect how we do in the windows as we look like a shopper trying to buy a house on location location location with a limited budget, in a buoyant market place but with high demands on where they want to live and requirements for the house. I shout at them and tell them they can't afford to buy the house they want in the area they want unless the seller is desperate or you compromise! They end up looking at 100s of houses but never but. 😭.
27 Jul 2016 21:49:40
I can put an end to the CB speculation ladies and gentlemen, the top class, experienced CB we want, nay need, has found his way to the Emirates.
Francis Coquelin has been training at CB in the US, he's revealed.
Joking aside, there's all chance that he's just playing there in training to make up the numbers, but it would worry me if we decided to try to convert him, instead of buying.
27 Jul 2016 22:18:56
D do you think he will make him captain as well.
27 Jul 2016 22:37:33
On thre plus side he was never a DM but turned out to be a fantastic one when asked to play there.
I doubt he will be as good a CB as he is a DM but I've a feeling we're going to find out :-)
27 Jul 2016 22:50:02
He's too small, I can't see it happening. Pretty confident we'll buy a CB, even if they aren't of the highest quality.
27 Jul 2016 23:38:24
Thing is Lime, our Cb's haven't been the tallest recently, except the BFG, of course!
Vermaelen, 6'0
Koscielny 6'0
Gabriel, 6'1.
Coquelin is 5'11, so he's not a world away.
Plus I wouldn't be surprised to see people start bringing up Cannavaro being like 5'9 and one of the best Cb's ever.
I hope we're going to sign a CB, a Manolas or Musacchio.
The more likely is Vermaelen back on loan or Coq at CB.
27 Jul 2016 21:02:14
Steve,
I sound like a broken record but here goes.
Our business model needs to change to buy the players everyone wants. NOT the manager.
e successful if we simply went out into the transfer market and tried to outgun our competitors, " said Gazidis.
"We're run in a self-sustaining way, and a way that we believe in, because we believe it gives us certainty for the future, and enables us to plan our future with confidence.
It also makes me laugh when we are linked with players scoring goals in French 1st division for fun that we moan. Yet everyone wants Mahrez and moans we didn't buy him. Where did he come from, is he another midget who was technically good but playing in a crap league when Leicester signed him? What would you all have said last season if we had signed Mahrez and Vardy! Moan moan moan.
May be this guy could be the next star. Weren't some of us praising Utd for signing the young striker last year.
Let's accept that in our existing model that our hands are tied and Wenger is the best option plus loves our club, fundamentally changed it for the better and has been the most successful mAnager in our history to date. Let's expect him for his last year and get behind his signings - expensive or bargains as he is what we have!
27 Jul 2016 21:20:33
And my reply would be like a brokwn record too. I accept you have your opinion and so do I. And others.
27 Jul 2016 21:34:11
I meant "respect him"
27 Jul 2016 21:48:35
Spot on sy.
27 Jul 2016 21:55:15
Marhez is now proven, there is no gamble .
The French league is one of the weakest in Europe, PSG won it with 10 games to spare
I also wouldn't be too sure this is Wengers last year
Just an opinion.
27 Jul 2016 22:13:27
Well said sy4 most of our players have come from France and look how some of them turned out. I for one think lacaztte will be great and if he does sign for us, I hope he proves them all wrong.
27 Jul 2016 22:19:59
Lacacette is not signing for us.
27 Jul 2016 22:23:36
Steve loves a broken record.
28 Jul 2016 03:18:40
Sorry to butt in but to state Mahrez is now proven Banbury I think is a little premature. Yes He certainly looks it and I would not turn down the oppertunity to sign him at 30 mill. I am just saying this cause I have seen so many gooners slate players even on these pages as they gave us 1 decent season (which is what Mahrez has done in the PL thus far) .
So although i agree he is and could be a great player, I think that to say he is a proven player is a little early. let's give him another season (preferably in Arsenal red and white, though it won't happen) .
{Ed001's Note - Mahrez has been outstanding for years, it is just the big clubs looked past him as he was felt to be too slim and would get bullied at the top level. I am not sure how many years a player has to play well before they can be considered 'proven'.}
28 Jul 2016 10:02:41
Ed01 if he's available and Arsenal can get him then it's a no brainer.
{Ed001's Note - I think that would be January or next summer when he is. You missed your chance before he joined Leicester when the scouts were screaming about him but the club decided he was too skinny to cope in the Prem.}
27 Jul 2016 18:49:44
I said at the time that i would have been suprised to think that xhaka and vardy were wengers plan and only plan. But it was and since then our window has been pretty much thrown into turmoil, trying to get top players at mark down prices and missing out on other targets because of it. don't ask me why but "rigsby" sprung to mind. That will test most of you but not the older and more intelligent.
27 Jul 2016 19:04:21
No test for me Steve
I said from the off Xhaka would be our only major signing TFI will again say
" we tried but inflated prices stopped us from dealing, we tried to find a player to suit the Arsenal way "
Of course one thing we can't be totally sure of is, are our methods in the window down to TFI, the board or all?
I suspect mainly the former with the board saying top 4 thanks TFI.
27 Jul 2016 19:08:35
Mate I'm only 33 but rising damp is a classic! Anyway who knows what bloody plans wenger has. To weigh up my view, I was disappointed last year as I have been for years I said the proof of the pudding was how we did last year and that it would be the final straw for me with wenger and it was, but he isn't going anywhere for a year as per the oracle so now we have come into another pre season and I will now reserve judgement until the window is shut, it's the only way Steve and with the best of respect to you, I know you like to be this pages Nostradamus with your fire and brimstone predictions but I won't be getting my knickers in a twist all summer like Henny Penny! I have water parks, the Dorset coast, theme parks and spending time with my loved ones to cram in before the world ends on September the first or when the window closes! Then and only then will I take a fatal dose of heroin and go out like a rock star 🤘🏻.
27 Jul 2016 19:23:18
You never just get Nostradamus you always get the Mayan Callander at the same time . I'm depressed.
27 Jul 2016 19:45:01
I agree With Banbury, I don't believe there are going to be any majors singings just maybe another cheap CB backup option with Mert out for a while.
After the 30 Mil spend on Xhaka Vardy was Wenger's one and only genuine striker transfer target as that was best striker option for the 20 Million approx we had available as surplus cash.
Arsenal will never spend to get into a loss and recent transfer window history tells us we spend around 50mill max per window no more as that is what is available unless player sales are made to boost free funds.
Sure Arsenal will play the game and pretend they are still active in the market by offering sums they ultimatly know will not be enough secure the players just keep the fans onside and to say we tried. If there is to be striker signing it will be max 20-25Mill so you can forget Mahraz and Lacazette will be some unknown and un-tried and tested option that will be no better than what we have.
27 Jul 2016 19:47:21
Yes Miss Jones.
27 Jul 2016 20:02:58
Quality retort. I tip my hat to you sir.
27 Jul 2016 20:30:47
Right I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone here. But Banbury and Steve you seem the most vocal and disapproving about Wenger here. As of right now which CB and CF would you buy. Being realistic.
27 Jul 2016 21:05:18
I like it D16. It's easy to pick a CB and a striker that anyone would like but who would they pick with their view in mind of how Arsenal operate . Good question.
27 Jul 2016 21:10:23
D16 let's say fabien schar and draxler. Most of the strikers we've lost or let slip now. that's as realistic as I can be this late in proceedings. I would also try a punt on sturridge.
27 Jul 2016 21:16:43
Feel free to answer yourself sanogo. I'm still trying to think because the absolute most we'd spend on s CF is 40 mil. If that. Who can we get to upgrade our team?
27 Jul 2016 21:16:43
Feel free to answer yourself sanogo. I'm still trying to think because the absolute most we'd spend on s CF is 40 mil. If that. Who can we get to upgrade our team?
27 Jul 2016 21:40:55
Diego Godin and Wissam Ben Yedder
Cheap fast goal getter and spend more on centre half
Think of the money Utd spent on Vidic and Rio - they changed their side.
27 Jul 2016 21:52:51
Van dijk and Benny boy.
27 Jul 2016 21:53:22
Are you yodas agent sy. We have a 5'7 " striker already in sancez, why would we want a worse player just because he's cheaper and wenget won't play sanchez there because he doesn't think he works well for us up top. Me I would rather sancez play striker and buy drax or mahrez. Than yoda, may the force be with you.
27 Jul 2016 21:57:35
Oh I'm not too sure 16
Malaga might have something to say about that lol
:)
27 Jul 2016 21:59:00
I too am consistent in my "Wenger Out" stance but I have two perfectly good answers:
Van Dijk. How the heck did Spuds get Wanyama for thrupence ha'penny? If they can do it, why can't we?
Striker? We have one. He's called Sanchez. Play him up top/ through the middle.
Or Carlos Bacca. 210 goals in 405 games.
And get rid of The Emperors New Clothes (Wheechair) , Gibbs, Chambers (on loan) , Mertesecker, Szczesny (I believe he has gone) and possibly Walcott (though I'm sad to say it - why not actually play him up front as he is keen to do? ) .
Harrumph!
27 Jul 2016 22:29:40
I'm from a different stance so I could be optimistic . For strikers aubameyang and CB manolas.
28 Jul 2016 09:28:12
for a change i am with steve on this
Schar - CB
Draxler Or sturridge - Striker.
27 Jul 2016 17:43:08
Hey
What are people's thoughts on gazidas recent comments about how "this summer" we can't keep up with the big guns in the market.
Why not?
We came higher than last year, we're in the champs league, we've got a huge TV deal, a bigger sponsorship with puma.
All the "smaller clubs" (respect) are spending decent amounts of money yet Arsenal sruggle.
Why? What's happened?
27 Jul 2016 18:10:36
Nothing
It's been the same as previous Windows
It's no surprise.
27 Jul 2016 18:35:08
Nothing has changed, that's the point, like you say we finished second and everything should have been done by now, identifying targets and buying the quality to improve to make sure we are leading contenders rthis season. It seems our targets have gone or we won't pay the rate they demand. I have said it before, we are a big club but don't think or act like one. We seem now to be scouring the market for back up players who can't and won't cure the problems fully.
27 Jul 2016 19:58:07
He said that we can't "outgun the likes of United citeh and chelski" and tbh I agree with him, from my aspect he was saying that spending money aimlessly just too beat our rivals has far greater risk than picking your targets and spending the money more effectively. Now it could be a load of codswallop but if that is how he feels then I'm all for it but we will never know.
I know a lot of people are saying " why don't we just pay the £40mil for lacazette!? " Well the first rule of negotiation is never go in with your highest offer start low and get the ball rolling, the fact we've actually put a bid in makes a change! How many times have we had "arsenal are in talks with ________" then it turns out we never were, at least we have put a bid in so that's positive. No one wants too pay full price no matter what it is you're buying and it's no different in football. Keep your heads boys and if we don't sign anyone come September 1st then by all means shout at Arsene until your blue in the face but give it till the end of the window, now that Higuain has gone to Juve I think that will start a chain reaction of loads of transfers!
27 Jul 2016 21:30:01
I cannot believe anyone on here really believes we could have spent the same amount of money as City, Chelsea or Utd over the past 10 years. With the exception of Utd who I have a lot of respect for as a business, the other two are funded by sugar daddy money and Chelsea have a ridiculous amount of debt owed to the owner. They are not comparable. Chelsea have spent 300m on strikers in the past 5 bloody years. Seriously - read our damn Accounts and investor reports. Look at our stagnant cash in the bank, our business has been propped up by real estate and player sales since our move. Wenger has worked wonders and all the "disagrees" after this comment won't change that fact.
Please understand our restriction and judge Wenger on that. If you want Chelsea signings -> support them or find a sugar daddy to buy the club. To be honest, I don't want a sugar daddy ruining another club but they won't because we are too well run and not a great investment.
I get frustrated with Wenger and agree he should have signed two outfield players last year but I also believe we are lucky to have him and he tries to do the best for our club.
Some are frustrated with him and want change - fine, we all have opinions and that's great banter.
Some love Wenger and think he does no wrong - fine
I believe he is the best we can get and is still a great manager but has one hand behind his back due to the ridiculous funding a few clubs have. Add to that it normally ONLY those clubs that finish above us.
We are all right and wrong but one thing is for sure - he is there for this season and we need to back the team at home and away to give us a better chance.
Wenger loves the club so much that he will hand over a club with a strong squad, up and coming players, youth system plus money in the bank for the future. How did GG leave the club? How did Rioch leave the club? How were our league positions before Wenger.
27 Jul 2016 17:10:36
Hi eds, any idea where Mario Gomez is going to end up as he is leaving Turkey? Not a bad striker to have on the books, IMO.
Cheers.
{Ed001's Note - try Euro pages mate.}
27 Jul 2016 17:32:24
Dortmund mate 👍🏻.
27 Jul 2016 18:36:16
There is interest in Mario Gomez from Dortmund, Wolfsburg, West Ham and Leicester. Lyon would like to do a deal if their first choice is not available. There is also some residual interest from Napoli although that might have gone for now. Everything else is unimportant so don't ask.
27 Jul 2016 16:50:54
I never understood why we didn't go in for Van Dijk when he was at Celtic. I wouldn't mind us trying to buy him now from Southampton.
Forward-wise, I haven't a clue. Lacazette looks similar to Callum Wilson and having to pay a reported £40m for him is absurd.
I like Jovetic, but is he available and at what price? If we are going to pay a high fee, then we should go for Lukaku. I would also love to see us sign Mahrez, but I doubt that would happen and Rodriguez at left back.
I expect 2 more signings, a CB and forward.
27 Jul 2016 17:48:13
RG I don't get why we wouldn't pay £40m for lacazette and get the deal done tbh, he's made for us. The season before last he was outstanding and every fan wanted him, last season he didn't achieve the heights of the previous but he still had a good goal return.
£40m could be a bargain 😳.
27 Jul 2016 18:51:53
He also looks just like the Bbc sports reporter Ore Oduba. And that's the British Broadcasting Corporation before you all hang me out to dry. Spitting dab of the bloke.
27 Jul 2016 19:06:03
Lol
Sanogo.
27 Jul 2016 19:24:30
It's uncanny mate. That's the only reason I want us to sign him lol.
27 Jul 2016 21:30:34
I think Van Dijk would be worth a shout RG. Otherwise I think Scott Dann would also be worth considering. Both have premiership experience and are at clubs who are approachable. When I see rumours that city are trying to get Stones for £50 million which would get you Van Dijk and Dann plus change in the bank I know what I would choose.
27 Jul 2016 21:58:45
Agree on Van Dykstra, he's exactly what we need right now, should have saved money and taken him from the bhoys.
27 Jul 2016 22:10:42
Lukaku! are you serious? giroud is better the only thing lukaku has on giroud is pace! Giroud has everything else better than him and we all seen how jovetic has done in the Prem; dreadful.
27 Jul 2016 14:16:19
Do we REALLY believe Wenger is going to pay 30mln for Mustafi.
I for one don't believe it at all!
I think experience = loaning a 30yr old striker from [ ] or maybe signing someone like Loic Perrin.
27 Jul 2016 14:29:58
loic Perrin was on our radar for a while.
He's not a bad defender at all, though he's certainly not an improvement on our current crop.
It wouldn't shock me if we did go for him now as cover for Per, but it would be very annoying, if anything, use this as an opportunity to improve upon Per, he's 31, out for 5 months and has been in a bit of a decline recently.
I love the BFG, but I think it's time to maybe phase him out slowly.
27 Jul 2016 14:37:37
For Me, Mert's Arsenal Career is pretty much over now.
We should let him leave at the end of next year when his contract expires (giving him the most flexibility for him next club) .
Agreed, that wenger should use this opportunity to sign his long-term replacement, but alas he wont.
27 Jul 2016 17:15:12
He should sign someone in their prime here. I know we need a CF but having 2 world class CB's will go a long way. I still think that lack of a decent CB with kos has cost us more than only having giroud up top.
27 Jul 2016 12:23:45
Does anyone truly know the state of our finances? If we are not able to compete for the very best players and pay the going rates, why are we paying the highest ticket prices in Europe? Also, how much of the new tv deal money is actually available for players? Our transfer policy makes no sense at times and I feel there are issues with the club that the fans are unaware of. Anyone else thinking along the same lines?
27 Jul 2016 13:56:24
I think it's down to wages, for some reason we pay our fringe player to much which all adds up. It's not good enough because he is basically saying we can't challenge for the league. I don't like gazidis, very untrustworthy.
27 Jul 2016 14:22:48
I think you're nail on the head there mate.
That's one part (of many) to our problem.
The only people who truly know how much cash we have, are Arsene, Ivan, Stan, Board members and the banks.
So when papers come out with 'Arsenal with record £204847939474837 cash reserves' we all get up in arms that we aren't using it.
Then someone comes out of the club later (like Ivan just has) with a 'we don't have the finances to compete with City, Utd and Chelsea. (or apparently Leicester, Spurs, Palace, West Ham, Liverpool and others) and the fans are mad again because it feels like we're being lied to.
If we didn't have or knew we wouldn't have money, why build the Emirates?
We could just as easily of kept Highbury for a little while longer,
I know a lot of fans preferred Highbury anyway (personally I think the Emirates is a superb stadium, but I agree it's not got the feel Highbury did. )
I know it's an old argument, but the club needs a David Dein character.
Arsene has too much control over pricing, he treats players like I treat pizza's in sainsburys (£3 for a ham and pineapple?! ) refusing to go a penny over budget.
He needs someone to help him, who he can give a list of 3-4 players and sat, get me one of those.
(I'm grossly over simplifying the process, but you get the picture)
Believe it or not, I'm not on the side of 'Arsene out' or even the 'one AW' I'm more a 'Arsene please adapt' side.
It's like this Lacazette thing.
When you go to buy a car, if the bloke wants £4K you offer him a lower price and you negotiate.
But if your mate has also gone for the car before you and had offered £3k and was told no, you don't turn up and then say 'how about £2,800?'
Lyon have played it brilliantly.
They've apparently said or it's thought, they'll take £40m for Lacazette.
But by announcing it, Aulas has got Arsene where he wants him.
If we don't go back in for him, Lyon keep one of their stars (don't forget, they aren't struggling for cash any more, plus the sold Umtitti) and our fans will lose their nut.
If we do go back for him, Lyon have named their price, they either get £40m for player who maybe isn't worth that, or they don't sell him and once again, our fans do their nut.
Not to mention Aulas also says they bid for Ben Yedder who we apparently want, good mind games.
I've gone on a bit of a tangent once again, so apologies, but the club does frustrate me.
I'm still positive, I think we'll sign someone, but I said the same last season and look how that went.
27 Jul 2016 14:26:52
According to our board we can buy anyone except messi and ronaldo. But now i think a few more players are on that list.
27 Jul 2016 15:23:27
I am a bit confused about this whole Lacazette thing.
Are the eds able to shed any light, i thought we had bid 30 million a while ago and since then others have bid and also been rejected.
Lyon recently came out with a statement which was to deny that they had rejects a bit of 48million euros and then also said that hey had received an offer of 30 but that it was not even answered, but they did NOT say that the bid of 30 mill was a recent one and one that was made after they had already rejected a higher bid from another club if that make sense.
do the eds know if our bid was a recent one as we are all suggesting and slating wenger for or weather it was infact a bid from the start of the window and people have just jumped all over wenger?
27 Jul 2016 16:50:34
Breal, high chance I'm incorrect here, but apparently, it's looking like we actually bid before West Ham (apologies if so, my mistake! ) and it was turned down, then West Ham bid and it was also rejected.
Lyon deny we've made any further approaches after the original bid.
So it's a case of wait and see if we go back for him or if we've decided to not pay the money.
Arsene didn't want to talk about Lacazette earlier today, simply saying that he prefers to do business in secret and that the Lyon statement was their perogative (I don't remember the exact words, but that was the gist of it more or less)
27 Jul 2016 12:07:14
Are Juventus crazy for buying Higuain for 99mill?
Are Madrid crazy for paying around 160mill for Ronaldo and Bale?
Is Man U crazy for wanting Pogba for 100mill?
Your thoughts gents.
27 Jul 2016 12:13:01
The market is the market, if we don't bite the bullet the we will drift further and further behind.
Trouble is we are in a league with M City, M Utd and Chelsea who will splash the cash .
27 Jul 2016 12:13:28
It's a sellers market so the prices are higher, TV money has raised everyone's albity to pay, just not Arsenals willingness :-)
27 Jul 2016 13:14:22
Its all crazy. The wages, the fees, the charges but that's the way it is and teams are flooded with money each year.
27 Jul 2016 13:22:20
i think it makes sense if the players are young and have time to repay the fee and prove their quality which those players are.
pogba may cost 100 mill but i think its still a bargain when in 3 years time a player of similar calibre will cost 150 mill.
the deal that does not make sense is higuain for 75-80 mill for a 29 year old who has 2-3 years maybe 4 at best.
27 Jul 2016 13:24:08
Let's not be dramatic. We haven't fallen behind for the past 12 years! That's the problem we have stayed the same and not got better that's why things are the way they are.
27 Jul 2016 16:23:31
exactly sanogo, Would everyone be happy if we just went free spending and do a leeds?
27 Jul 2016 17:04:43
Thing is Sanogo, that's a double edged sword mate.
On one hand you can say 'Chelsea had a poor season, Utd have fallen, Leeds went down, Liverpool dropped off, but Arsenal stayed the same'
And that's great, it shows stability and is something we should certainly be aware of.
On the other hand, you can say 'Leicester won the league, Spurs came 3rd (and in honesty only finished below us by the grace of God. or Newcastle) Palace, Stoke, West Ham are spending big, Everton now have a big financial backer but Arsenal stay the same'
And that's scary, because in honesty, we've gone from being an English football powerhouse to a good English team, not because we've got worse, but because now teams are closing the gap rapidly and we aren't trying hard enough to regain the gap.
Unfortunately, the game is now more about the money than ever.
You have to address the problems and do it aggressively or you risk falling behind the pack
When Sir Alex left Utd, he left them in a shambles.
People can blame Moyes all they want, but he was left an ageing squad of players who, to be honest were mostly very mediocre, but Sir Alex was a fantastic motivator.
People respected him, but they were also afraid of the consequences of a bad game.
I desperately don't want that for Arsene, I want him to leave us with a legacy for his successor to take over.
And to do so, we need some investment in the squad, because Arsene doesn't get the same level of play from our average players, the Campbell, Gibbs, Walcott, of the world, because they don't worry about his reaction, he's almost like an overbearing father.
I can only remember once reading about Arsene giving the players a dressing down, with SA, it was twice a week.
Arsene deserves respect and fond memories from our fan base, but he has to meet us half way.
The only way to truly improve ourselves right now is to spend.
If the we had the answer, we'd of used it and unfortunately, we don't, so we have to go find it.
I don't think this is Arsene's last season, I think it's close though, I'd bet another 3 year deal will be his last and I really want these last years to be great, for our fan base, for our Club and for Arsene!
27 Jul 2016 17:28:58
Great post D mate.
27 Jul 2016 17:43:21
Like I said that's as much the problem. We certainly ain't falling behind year after year.
27 Jul 2016 18:40:02
Very good post D well put.
27 Jul 2016 11:38:40
I feel dirty typing this but, Benzema anybody? Real have knocked back a lot of money for Morata, seems he could be #1 there now.
27 Jul 2016 11:49:32
Things are getting desperate now :-) we've been through our higguain phase now we're into him territory.
What will do when they both retire:-)
27 Jul 2016 12:51:44
No Thanks - will cause too much Squad disharmony.
Koscielny and Giroud will immediately be unhappy.
And remember this is a place that laughed at Arsenal's interest last year.
27 Jul 2016 13:25:21
Is he unpopular with the French players.
27 Jul 2016 14:24:32
I don't think Morata is their first choice forward, I think it's more about their upcoming transfer ban, they're not going to sell anyone unless it's unavoidable.
Plus I imagine Benzema wouldn't be well trusted around the camp.
I'd stay well away.
27 Jul 2016 11:28:57
i really would like to know if arsenal are looking at defensive options.
mert is out, and we are linked with mustafi.
and in this window being linked to manolas who the eds said does not want to sign a contract,
im not sure if there are any other defenders who we have inquired about.
im not too worried about the striker because i do believe there is a shortage.
Chelsea signed a striker yes, but Manchester United signed Zlatan who let's be honest is great but we would never pay those wages, and with mihitaryan also on his way there it would only strengthen their bargaining power with the agent, and it shows the same with pogba.
i don't see PSG being able to pull off a replacement for Zlatan, i do not see man city being able to get aubameyang, i do not see real being able to get their desired striker hence morata, and i do not see Barcelona being able to get a striker they desire as a bloody cover.
i do understand that all the clubs do have a capable first team strikers of quality, but besides lacazette who i am not convinced by i do not know if there is anyone there for us to have a real go.
perhaps higuain but that boat has sailed yet again and definitely for the last time he will be linked with arsenal.
maybe juventus and their glut of strikers, but going by previous comments dybala would only move to barca.
last year we were after kylian mbappe from monaco wonder what happened to that.
sad that we can't find out since the eds dont' want to post on here, due to some unnecessary hostility towards them.
27 Jul 2016 14:26:36
Arsene said earlier he's looking for an 'experienced' defender.
So maybe someone like Mustafi, who's won the WC, or maybe someone older, who's been there, done that, like. well, I made a joke about Sol coming back for a 3rd spell the other day.
27 Jul 2016 11:11:02
Seeing that Athletico are set to pay EUR 30mln for Gamiero along with the EUR 80mln Juve are paying for Higuain.
The market has really gone a bit mad over the past few years.
A 28yr old Higuain is worth Double Sanchez in 2yrs?
I want signings as much as everyone, but there is a balance to striker here.
Suddenly Ben Yedder (who I was initially furious about) doesn't feel like the worst use of money.
27 Jul 2016 11:43:13
Yedder is another player with "potential"
27 Jul 2016 12:53:29
Is he a 'potential' player? He is untried in rgw league - but I feel like he has been scoring in a top flight.
He's NOT world class - I agree, but can he score 8-10 goals in a season. probably.
27 Jul 2016 13:16:14
Banbury may the force be with you.
27 Jul 2016 11:00:17
Well Arsene has confirmed we are looking for a new CB. That's something to think positively about right? Lol.
27 Jul 2016 11:35:56
D16,
It's been made absolutely clear by those that know that we 100% will not be winning the league or champions league whilst Wenger is in charge, so no matter if Messi, Kante, Draxler, Varane or anyone else you care to mention walks through the doors at London Colney it won't make one iota of difference.
He is senile, tactically clueless and is outsmarted by managers not even in a job, so chill, relax, enjoy the English summer and immerse yourself in the good old battle for 4th or maybe 5th or 6th. 😱
😂😂😂😂😂😂.
27 Jul 2016 11:44:37
Your now finally seeing the bigger picture Red. welcome aboard :)
27 Jul 2016 13:17:46
Thats the most sensible post you have ever written red.
27 Jul 2016 13:32:16
That's such a massive picture. It's almost inconceivable. And in other news Kim kardashian touches blac Chynas baby bump on Instagram photo 👍🏻.
27 Jul 2016 13:43:29
Wenger said he wants experience so it'll likely be an older cheaper cover option in defence.
27 Jul 2016 14:21:54
D16, i hate to be negative but if wenger thinks we are forced to buy a center back, then that's just another excuse to use when we buy our bargain striker, if we buy our bargain with potential striker, instead of the title challenging one we sould have got. Even though we have needed another center back for ages anyway. i'm afraid this window is failing to excite or cure the main problems we have had for years, the high wages our under performing staff ard on means we can't move them on and our poor buying skills are restricting our purchasing.
27 Jul 2016 09:20:18
I haven't posted anything here for ages but today I woke up with a desire to get something written. It's the second day of my two week vacation before my studies begin. Exciting times.
It's also exciting from an Arsenal point of view but not because of our dealings regarding a new striker. Like all of you I think we need to find another striker to win something this season. Whether it's a big money signing or a relatively unknown rising star I don't care as long as it's the kind of player Wenger believes in.
I'm excited for Arsenal because of Granit Xhaka. I think he'll suit us a lot better than Kante would have. Xhaka is a playmaker who can also do the defensive work. I'm hoping he can combine Cazorla's and Coquelin's best qualities. This will leave one extra spot open in our midfield.
And who will fill that spot? For me it's Aaron Ramsey. Fresh from a hugely successful Euro campaign where he flourished alongside another playmaker, Joe Allen. Ramsey's best season occurred when he partnered another deep-lying playmaker, Mikel Arteta. Now he can rediscover that form with Xhaka.
That partnership is what I'm looking for the most. What's the most exciting Arsenal thing this season for the rest of you Gooners?
27 Jul 2016 09:48:30
Hi Iceman, long time indeed
I see in your team there is no space for Ozil. Just out of curiosity, what sort of formation will we be playing with these players?
27 Jul 2016 10:15:13
Rue, i reckon he means that Xhaka is like a combination of Santi and Coq, to partner Ramsey in the middle of a 4-2-3-1.
27 Jul 2016 09:16:22
I think we should bid for Martial if we fail with everyone else. He seems unsettled enough to me.
27 Jul 2016 10:02:00
Arsene in his own words didn't bid for him last season because he didn't think he would be available, I doubt he's more optimistic about asking Mourinho about him :-)
26 Jul 2016 23:56:03
If Wenger were sane rather than deluded - i. e. if he said to himself this is my last year and I want to go out with a bang as well as leave the club strong, then this is what he should now do, and this is doable.
Spend £100m on Lacazette and Mahrez - it will take this much. Spend up to £30m on a quality cb (who can hopefully cover RB too) .
Recoup around 40 to 50 by selling the Ox, Theo and Joel. All of these are at an age where they should not be happy on the bench. Gnabry and Iwobi should be our backup wingers.
I think a first team squad of
Giroud/ Lacazette
Sanchez/ Iwobi
Mahrez/ Gnabry
Ozil/ Wilshire
Cazorla/ Ramsey
Xhaka/ Elneny/ Coq (could even sell one of these last 2)
Monreal/ Gibbs
Kos/ New CB/ Gab/ Chambers
Bellerin/ Chambers backup or hopefully new CB to cover
Cech/ Ospina
Would win the league. May even scare some people in the UCL.
So why doesn't Wengr get this done?
27 Jul 2016 03:03:03
I get your enthusiasm but one question, who would in there right minds buy Theo on the wages he is on. Yes clubs maybe would shell out 20-25 mill but would they take on his wages as well. I don't think so. As for selling the Ox, well I understand peoples frustration but I still think he brings a lot of pace to our game and is still young. I think he still has a lot to prove/ offer to the main squad so don't write him off just yet.
I think the Ox has more to offer for us then Gnabry does at this time. That said I would like to keep both as I think they both can bring a lot to the team. Hey that's just my opinion. If you can find a club to take Theo then please I will come back from Sweden myself and go back to that mess called Britain and drive him there myself. Otherwise a good post, and I understand your frustration as I feel it also.
27 Jul 2016 09:32:43
My idea to sell Ox, Theo and Campbell is predicated on us getting Mahrez. If we got Mahrez none of them would play when he was available and they are all at a stage in their careers where they should not accept that. Gnabry and Iwobi are young enough to have patiebce. Gnabry may not be as good as Ox but even though we'd prefer all our backups to be world class, is that realistic? Have Barcelona got a backup who is the same standard as Messi?
I think as a club we need a superstar first 11 and reasonable backups. Then if we get a year with not too many injuries we can really do something. I think that was the sort of squad we had 2002 to 2004. Very very storng first 11 but can anyone really even recall who were all of the second 11?
27 Jul 2016 09:50:20
Theo and Ox are British, seriously doubt Wenger will let them go. Mahrez is far superior to the two of them combined, agreed, but then again, that's two British players replaced by non-British. In short, won't happen.
26 Jul 2016 23:52:26
I have been coming here for the stories for ages now but never posted so thought I would chuck one up and see what you lad thought.
Personally I think OL had the media package out to force Arsenal in to a better offer (knowing how dramatic our fans can be! )
So I think Arsenal went and looked at the player OL see as a replacement (Ben Yedder) in a very public way, which I think then pushed OL to return negotiations.
As I keep seeing banded about. it's poker, and I think AW is on his final hand at the table for Arsenal so he will make it a big one.
Faith doesn't have to be blind, he has been building for years, was just never what we wanted but what we needed in this climate of football I think.
27 Jul 2016 03:09:58
Nice post and i hope you are right. For me its the same old same old tho. I think Wenger is doing his usual "well we tried, but the players available wernt at a sensible price/ or was not good enough to improve our squad routine". Thankfully I don't have to juggle the books at Arsenal so it isn't my problem, I know it gets us all down but let's be honest, we haven't had a change at the helm in years so why would he change now.
I know people seem to think we have x amount to spend but I think there is a lot more to the books then most actually realise and that's what holds us back from a lot of big deals.
27 Jul 2016 09:21:47
Cangoon, decent post. I believe fans can be a tad naive in respect of the complexity of the transfer of top players. They talk about paying millions in transfer fees, as though Arsenal have a bottomless pit of funds. It is not only the transfer fees that must be taken into account, but the wages, agents fees, etc. A players initial transfer fee can often double over the course of a 5 year contract.
In respect of Lacazette, is he really, even today's inflated market, worth £40+m and wages to match? Quite frankly is he an better than Bournemouth's Callum Wilson? I am at a loss, as to which striker we should sign. It's such a shame that Welbeck is out for the majority of next season. We also need a CB, which is probably a slightly easier task than signing a quality forward.
Unless Debuchy stays, we need a RB. With the season soon to start, we have little time to buy and integrate the CB and striker that we so desperately need.
It's a big season for Walcott, Ox and Ganbry, three excellent footballers who have a lot to prove.