Arsenal Banter Archive June 27 2013

27 Jun 2013 22:47:01
Anyone watching the Italy Spain game? Unbelievable penalties.

The frightening thing is how, if this is the level of penalty accuracy for the Italians and Spanish, then the Germans must be on another planet when it comes to 12 yards!

28 Jun 2013 07:11:59
Makes you realise how far behind the England team is, last time I had hope of us winning anything was when Gazza and the boy Line Acher, as Mick Channon used to say, played for us.

The standard was amazing. Up until the last Italian

27 Jun 2013 22:13:22
What do people think about Joel Campbell going on loan to Westham for a season. It's been rumored to be a possiblity. Personally I'd like to him play in England (Prem standard) and see how he fairs against the big clubs but mainly score against the Yids.

On the whole AFC is looking up quality signings supposed to becoming coming in before the windows ends.

Next year will be the year we get abit of sliver. By the way the fixures look we could pip first but I'll obviously be happy with just getting Champions Leauge Football.

Thought I'd post was abit bored lol.

Yeah agree, makes sense. I could see him doing well for west ham.

Didn't do jack any harm going to Bolton for a season did it?

Born and BRED!

WG

27 Jun 2013 22:11:34
Some sites stating Arsenal are yet to submit a bid and trigger the release clause whilst other clubs are saying Arsenal have released his buy out clause and even offered an initial wage package at 70k which being lest than the 75k Fellani is already on.

The likely truth is somewhere between there that Arsenal have actually done both released the buy out clause as reported on tv. tv said Arsenal have reportedly released his 22m buy out clause, the player is on holiday now with Arteta in Spain and has agreed terms with Arsenal already.

Arsenal have secured terms with Higuain and Fellani, Higuain will join by Monday, Fellani should follow him and sign before the 4th July.

Higuain's deal is being held off as Madrid have tried to negotiate Higuain in other deals but the player prefers Arsenal and has agreed terms and a fee in principle a deal should be tied extremely soon.

Tito

27 Jun 2013 19:05:12
I see some 'old gunners' are expressing their concern about us not having signed anyone and that we are trying to negotiate cut-price deals. Didn't you expect this? All the talk about big spending is shown to be a sop to the supporters when the club is after Fellaini and he wants to come to us (allegedly) but we are baulking at paying him the going rate for his services! Every other club decides who they want and GETS THEM SIGNED. We show our hand then try for a lesser deal. This is all well and good but we've seen over the last few seasons where this has got us, ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE! Get Fellaini and if it means £100k a week +, so what, all the top teams pay the rate, so are we a top team or not?

You can't say 'Fellaini wants to come to us (allegedly)', as if it's not true, but then take what the most unreliable papers have written about us 'baulking' at his wages as gospel. You, me and just about every other gooner knows next to nothing about what is going on with the fellaini deal, so just be patient, I know it 's hard, but try!

Top teams win things.

27 Jun 2013 18:25:09
Allow me to explain some financial thoughts behind our transfer dealings -

Players are currently on holiday. We want to avoid paying players for essentially being on holiday. That's why we try and tie our deals up as late as possible. It is a risk because it allows us to be gazumped by other clubs. But in a month 3 players like Rooney Higuain and Fellaini for example would be on a combined £450k per week costing us £1.6m for holidays.

Personally I'd prefer us to just take the hit. But I see the logic.

Also, after all these years of transfer failures and having targets snatched from under our noses, ever get the sneaky feeling that Arsenal are planning a big "I'm sorry" gesture by wrapping up and presenting three top players such as Higuain, Rooney and Fellaini.

Now I'm not for one minute suggesting this will happen or I have insider knowledge like bullshizzing Malaga but the idea is a nice thought.

27 Jun 2013 17:20:18
Just seen an interview where dumbf**k Stewart robson is at it again he gave a list of players that should leave on this list were arteta, mert, rosicky, poldi and Verminator! The bloke is mentally ill!

Also the constant attacks on arsenal make me f**cking sick alright you got sacked by us get over it you bitter p**ck! As soon as I see his face I want to punch something!


Anyway I'll stop it there I'll be late for anger management session! :p


SM1996

Woosah. Woosah.

Find your happy place. and breathe!

27 Jun 2013 19:46:46
Walked out on us years ago. should never of employed him again. Bitter individual. Km

I'm with you mate. If I ever ran into him I'd happily give him a slap round the chops.

27 Jun 2013 21:17:02
What a wonderfully refreshing post and an aside from the transfer merry go round. Can I hold the A1 tw4t while you hit him.

Maybe me you and mhc could tag team the bowel nugget!

Stoner

With pleasure mate he's one of the few people I could beat the s**t out of and not feel bad! :p


SM1996

27 Jun 2013 16:32:26
If this Higuain deal does not come off. this proves that my beloved Arsenal are not a 'big team'. Chelski, City and Utd. go into the transfer market and buy players as if they are picking them off the shelves at Tescos. we go into the transfer market and try to haggle the price (Mata, Cahill, Hazzard) like if we are bartering in a market. then we lose out.
We have to realise. Pay the price get the deal done. and make the money back when you win trophies

A very worried Highbury Old Timer

Another Highbury "Old Timer' agrees!

You could write the script.
"Arsenal interested in" . oops! Another club pounce. Here we go again. Seven years and counting.

Spot on- I agree its more costly in the long run, especially if (in footballing terms) we're only talking about a few million.


Ofc as fans we are always the most impatient/anxious when it comes to signings- we just have to hope that get the deal done.

We will not sign any tops players. arsenal only want the fans to buy season tickets fact.

I too am worried. It made me laugh and angry at the same time when Juventus agreed a fee with Man City for Tevez, agreed personal terms with the player, flew him out for a medical and presented him as a player with a shirt in 48hrs.

Higuain saga has been rolling on what seems like 48 days!

You guys make me giggle you should try being a spurs fan. this paulhino saga is killing me good luck with your signings. I personally think he (higuain) will come but it does seem as if RM want anybody but you to have him

dave- keep up the banter

27 Jun 2013 15:58:44
I for one am a realist, and totally understand that the transfer window is not even open yet, and we still have 2 months to tie down some players.
Still, I feel totally depressed today with all this Higuian news. What with betting suspended, numerous news outlets stating the deal is basically completed, his brother and agent directly linking Arsenal and claiming a deal is 'close', and finally the great malaga gooner stating a medical has been completed. Yet, news today claiming RM want to do a deal with either Napoli or spurs for Higs + cash for Bale or Cavani, just hits me hard. I have a horrible feeling, that its the same old Arsenal, great expectations with an all too familiar sad ending. i'm not asking for Messi, i'm not asking to spend 100mil, I just want the might gooners to relieve all the fans stress and announce some news. Rawr!

27 Jun 2013 14:27:39
Anyone else think Swansea signing Wilfried Bony was a great bit of business on their part?

Crawf

Awesome bit of business especially if the rumoured fee of 10, 2m is to believed.

It seems to be the season of strikers so far with Falcoa, Cavani, Higuain, Tevez, Negredo, Bony, Soldado, Lewandowski, Jovetic, Bent, Llorente, Rooney, Villa and Suarez all moving or wanting to switch clubs

Interesting Summer

Lwi

27 Jun 2013 13:14:00
Isco 2 Real Madrid £23 million! Hopefully this means the higuian deal will go through soon as! Then on 2 next signing!

27 Jun 2013 12:56:45
Isco has signed for Madrid for 5 years, come on Arsenal what is holding up the deal with Higuian?

27 Jun 2013 12:32:24
tv : Real Madrid confirm signing of Isco from Malaga.

This could be a good sign. If Madrid are starting to confirm signings and Higuain is coming to Arsenal, hopefully it won't be too long until that's announced!

Gooner Mike

27 Jun 2013 11:47:06
Am I missing something? Higuain is a decent goalscorer, but his overall game as a striker is not great. People on here are foaming at the mouth at the idea of him signing, but the reality is if you really watch him and analyse his game, he isn't that good. Were he to come to Arsenal and play alongside a partner who can hold the ball up and bring others into play then I could sort of understand it, but he will be playing as a lone striker and he isn't up to it as proven by Real Madrid's lack of confidence in him.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but he isn't anywhere near as good as you lot are making out.

Shut up he can beat players and finish very very well on form he is lethal and has scored over 100goals in Laliga at 25

Depends how we play. If we played the long ball and needed a striker to bring it down and bring midfielders into play then you may have a point. But even though it's always nice to have that as an option, chances are that will not be plan a. We play with the defenders bringing it out, and the creative midfielders getting on it and trying to create. That being the case we will need a finisher. Which is Higuain. Add to that with attacking wide players from the back (Gibbs, Sagna) and our wide attacking players (Theo, Podolski) whipping in crosses, we will need a finisher, Higuain.
On top of that, players have been known to improve, yes even under Wenger. What I'm saying is if we do get Higuain you shouldn't be too depressed about it.
Flybo

Not sure about any of that.

My only concern is injuries, would be happy for someone to shed some light, but I seem to remember that Higuain has 1 or 2 longer-term injuries (yes, I am paranoid about any injured players, even a papercut counts)

Billybob

If he comes to arsenal he'd be the 2nd best striker in the league? next to judas
possibly 3rd next to aguero

The potential signing of Higuain worries me as well.

27 Jun 2013 12:46:54
Yeah your clearly missing a hell of a lot to be honest.

Since 2007 till present only Messi has a better shot Coversion rate. He has an excellent record for Madrid in one of the Top Leagues in World Football against some of the best players in World Football. Oh and did I mention he is an class player?

I agree higuan is a good player but 100 goals in la liga is like scoring 100 goals in the spl. Apart from the big two some of the teams in la liga are substandard at best. The EPL will be a good test to him but he may come up short as the original poster stated he is a goal poacher/scorer not an up top on your own striker

dave

Yep, you're missing something. footballing knowledge by the sounds of it.

I quote; 'Were he to come to Arsenal and play alongside a partner who can hold the ball up. ', that would be Giroud then.

Honestly, anyone would think that people would do a little bit of research on things before making these benal statements.
As far as I'm aware Arsenal don't utilise a lone striker, we have a front three including a CENTRAL STRIKER, with parties making runs into the box from midfield. With regard to holding the ball up, Higuain is more than capable of this as he possesses something called 'upper body strength', he's six foot and not built like a wall flower for goodness sake. He also has something else called 'technique'.

Let's not also forget that he is comfortable carrying the ball from deep on the counter, drawing players and creating space for others. but you'd know this from all this 'research' you've conducted.

Higuain is far more than just the goals he scores, he is a team player, that links well with others and makes intelligent runs and can use both feet to more than good effect.

The point I'm trying to make is that he (Higuain) could play anywhere across the front three or even sit behind a main striker.

I personally think that IF Arsenal do buy Higuain and he gets an extended run in the team he will prove many doubters wrong.

I am excited by this, because I think he will bring far more than goals to the team, so no bubble burst here, and I think he is precisely as good as people think.

Kermit79

"100 goals in La Liga is like 100 goals in the SPL"

*facepalm* decides to end all.

G95

Sorry did someone really just say 100 goals in LaLiga is like 100 goals in the SPL. Okay so Messi 40 something goals are to the same standard of an SPL player then yes?

Or in your eyes the SPL is equal to LaLiga for quality of football.

Guys please let's not be ridiculous. If you don't personally like Higuain fair enough but facts are he keeps Tevez and Aguero out of Argentinian squad. He has played for Real Madrid for 7 seasons and scored more goals than Benzema last season in less appearances his International tally is 20 goals and 9 assists in 32 games.

He has won LaLiga 3x, Copa del ray once and the Supercopa de Espana twice.

27 Jun 2013 11:27:43
Before I get abuse - just want to make it clear I don't think Everton are better than us, I just don't think them saying we're about as good as them is that far fetched in particular when said on their own page. Ok moving on

27 Jun 2013 10:42:59
dont believe the rumors about exchange of bale and higuain.

1)why would a player of that quality settle for europa league, for a team without their star player (bale)
2)in the end it is the player himself that deside if he want to go, and where he wants to sign
3)higuain is playing for his spot in the agentine-team in front of the world cup, and would realy like to play at the very hghest level to strenghten his odds.

conclusion:

arsenal is a team that higuain would be happy to join, spurs not so much. though the papers say real will offer higuain and cash it is the player who desides. and when it comes down to gunners and spurs the choice isn't that hard realy.

norwegian gooner

Hmmm I even wonder why you are debating this.

dave

27 Jun 2013 09:40:52
##Banter##

With Payet set to head off to OM, it looks like the key suitor for Gervinho has found an alternative.

Gervinho is a player many of us are frustrated with, but without any clear alternatives that would be an upgrade. what would you have Wenger do?

It begs the question, is Mr. Barney Stinson right, is "New always better"?

I would argue that in football, this is not always the case. Each new player to the league requires an adjustment period, to match the pace of the premiership, form an understanding with his fellow teammates, adjust to the rainy weather, etc.

So everyone new player is a "one step back, two steps forward" situation, with the managaer's objective to make the 'step back' as small or rather for as short a time as possible.

So what does the above rant have to do with Gervinho. ? Well, in him, we have a frustratingly confused/inconsistent player who is now entering his 3rd year in the league. And while he drives us mad, I would gladly prefer him "good" players from other leagues (note: not great).

For example talk of Belhanda, Diego, etc. would not be an improvement to the squad all things considered. The point.

"New is not always better. BETTER is always better".

So trust wenger to sign a replacement, if quality is a available. (Apply same rationale to all the players you would like out of our squad: CBs, DMs. GKs.

Billybob

I can think of plenty of alternatives mate.

Moses
Remy
Ba
Ayew
Cisse
Griezmann
Vela
Sinclair
Aubameyang
Mo Abdellaoue

Don't think any of them would cost more than he did either.

Ah metal. in a lot of ways you are just confirming my point. None of those are currently class players (although you mention some good youngsters).

Not sure they would dramatically improve our squad at this point in time.

Rather your list is more driven by a NEED to see new faces at the club.

Billybob

Wow, thank you for the most patronising response ever.

Firstly, it's not driven by a need for anything except replacing players we think aren't good enough with better players. I don't care about new faces - we've signed about 15 players in 3 shop windows. If anything I'm sick of it, but we need decent players to replace a handful of turd players who don't contribute enough, and there's no escaping that.

If Gerv isn't good enough, which imo he isn't, we could replace him with Remy whose all-round game is better and whose goal-scoring is vastly superior. Moses is by far a better footballer. What you just said is basically nonsense!

Have you watched Aubameyang? His overall play wipes the floor with Gerv. Griezmann is one of the brightest young talents in Europe and plays down the left, considering we have the Ox and Theo on the right a move for him would be an improvement on Gerv. If any of those players replaced Gerv then we will have improved our team.

Although I am happy to take Sinclair off the list.

Haha -

Firstly, patronising or not, the fact remains, that you gave such a typical response. Vela for example was at our club for quite some time and didn't develop - so why bring him back.

I have seen Aubameyang, yes - as in actually watched many of the teams games, not just his youtbe clips. What guarantee do you have that he can perform any better than gervinho on a big stage after one good season.

That is not to say that there aren't classy players that would have a very high probability of out-performing gervinho, but that list does not include a few of the names you mentioned.

Even Griezmann, where I 100% agree with your assessment of the players potential. this is another player that is not a ready-made improvement on gervinho.

Now if one becomes available. absolutely we should sign. But I will pass on average players all day.

Billybob

Metal - reading your response again, I think we are saying the same thing in different ways. (Olive Branch)

All I mean to say is that IF we are replacing Gervinho or any other players, let's all hope its with quality and not average players.

Fingers crossed for Lyon to Magically sell us Clement Grenier.

Billybob

Gerv needs to go because he's not good enough for the Arsenal. Simple as that. There are plenty better for the same sort of price. On the left cutting onto his right, hmm let me think. Villa.
Yeah he'll do
Flybo

Griezmann is an infinite improvement on Gervinho.

27 Jun 2013 09:09:24
Higuin hold up is completely on arsenals terms not madrids. Arsenal have agreed fee and wages package but are waiting on rooneys talks with man u. Wenger wants rooney as number 1 striker target and would take rooney over higuin so waiting for an update from old trafford. Also current targets are reina, felleini and mica richards. All rest paper talk kb888

Higuain is a far better player than Shrek at the moment, if this was to be true about Wenger waiting on Shreks meeting with Moyes, then Wenger needs a kick up the arse.

I think no manager would be that stupid.

Arsenal want higuain, and that's the no1 priority. I would take him over rooney, and he is not a diva.

The stalling is coming from madrid, and them wanting better offers for higuain. if nothing comes in a week to 10 days, they will sanction the move, but if there is a hint of interest, this will go on till the team with the highest fee wins, and we know that's not us.

27 Jun 2013 07:24:29
Sorry to say this but Higuain to totenham for money plus bale will happen in the next two weeks.
89'goonrt

Why on this earth would Higuain go to spuds?

Much as I think Higuain is a great striker I believe that the open market value of Bale is currently much higher. Accordingly if this sort of deal were to happen I suggest it would be Bale to Madrid for Higuain plus money and not the way that 89'goonrt has expressed it.

Having said that I agree with the first reply. Cannot see Higuain settling for Thursday night frolics on Channel 5.

CECEGUaW

27 Jun 2013 05:52:23
Guys Come on be realistic forget about rooney, we all know only wenger knows who he is going to sign expect 2 or 3 players from french league, HIGUAIN? Possibility. but what about his long term targets? Gourcuff, Gonalons, Grenier, Jovetic expect wenger to built a strong team this season but he is waiting to offload before he recruit someone.

If we wanted Gourcuff we'd have signed him years ago. If Wenger spends a penny on Gourcuff now then imo he really is done as a top manager, we have zero need for him in our squad, all our midfielders including Coquelin play better than he does! Gourcuff has just lost his place in the starting 11 to Grenier - if that makes him good enough for us then we really are going backwards.

My guess is he isn't a target - once upon a time, like 3 years ago when he was actually good, he perhaps was.

Gonalons situation is tricky. He's their captain, they don't want to sell, they're trying to sell Gourcuff and Gomis in order to avoid having to sell Gonalons or Grenier, and they won't let him go without a fight.

Grenier we all know they don't want to sell at all even though he's got one year left. My own take is that he will move but Lyon want him to sign a new deal first so they can demand a fee closer to £20m.

I don't think Jovetic is a target any more. I think his price was too high for Wenger, richer teams then came in for him, we need a goal scorer not Jovetic, whole transfer has a feeling of?! to it.

26 Jun 2013 23:49:01
all talk of higuain, if it comes off with arsenal 6 goals less conceded than 1st place 14 goals less scored an out & out striker would be the finishing touches for me. other signings would be good in central midfield, as the above stats show that our goalkeeper & defenders have a better record than 1st place last season, even though the point tally was big its only a number of goals which make up the points, if for example rvp stayed last season that's 25-30 goals of united is good enough reason for me arsenal to romp the title next season @12/1. we are only stable team in the top 4