Arsenal Banter Archive July 29 2013

29 Jul 2013 21:40:22
Arsenal move for Saurez looking increasingly unlikely due to Liverpool's unwillingness to sell, 3 bids have been made now all rejected out of hand, wenger starting look at other options, Muriel/Jackson MartinezDiego Lopez are now on the potentials list. Enquiries were made for Lewandowski and Reus but Dortmund made the decision to hold onto Lewandowski earlier in the summer and stuck by it, no interest in letting Reus go.

Muriel looks decent and I like Jackson Martinez a lot. Isn't lopez a GK?

It seems a lot of time and energy has been spent on suraez- if its not going to any happen, let's move on and sign other targets. {Ed027's Note - Diego Lopez is a Gk for Madrid. I think the poster meant Lisandro Lopez who plays for Porto,i doubt he meant Maxi Lopez

29 Jul 2013 20:28:04
Gooners,

No matter how desperate we all are to see new faces arrive at the club, the club have pretty much the first team squad of last season still intact baring Santos and Gervinho, who let's face it contributed little.

Taking this into account, the club will take things to the wire and gamble in what ever transfer business they intend to conclude if any. If we get dragged into the same mess we have found ourselves in in the past few seasons then on thier heads be it.

They will spin the same yarn and bleat about a new crop of youngsters pushing through and not wanting to hinder thier potential to get first team opportunities yadda yadda.

Just face it a leapord never changes his spots, whatever piddley business we may end up carrying out will be met with roars of he can do a job and you never know he may get the best out of him.

I hope and pray that I am wrong, but I can't see it to tbh, no precedent has been set to date with us showing real intent and s

29 Jul 2013 20:18:34
What is happening at arsenal F. C players leaving the club
that's fine as the players that have gone or going are not up to the job at arsenal but where are the replacements the squd is light as hell now I have looked every day at this site and other football sites still nothing we are signing this player then that player but still just one free transfer starting to get a bad feeling we will end up with panic buys like we did a couple of seasons ago

29 Jul 2013 19:55:34
Not arsenal related but what's the best pubs around wembley going there next month

The torch

The green man is quality

29 Jul 2013 19:16:04
Being an arsenal fan during the transfer period is depressing! Come on AW spend some money!

Patience big deals take time. You want top players right?

What club wants to sell their best players.

It will take weeks of negotiations to secure our transfer targets but we will sign some players.

29 Jul 2013 21:15:15
With our track record losing/linked with players cahill mata Higuain, I fully understand how you feel mate. Wenger has a value and its not always what the club what to sell at. So what if cahill had only had 12 months on his contract. 9m for a player of his talent and age, plus English. let's face it, the only players we get are the ones who have no one interested in but us. In the clubs defence Madrid were out of line regarding Higuian. km.

Crap, villa was sold in 3days if teams want action they will get it, Wenger is stringing us all along. again

Big deals don't take time for man city and others. Namely 'jovetic'
Sw18

Mate what have our negotiators been doing since June, we are 20odd day till the season starts, time has run out for us, do we want a couple of days to bed them in what have they been up to all

29 Jul 2013 18:46:56
Ok, so hear me out.
I agree with the widely known thought of fellow Arsenal fans, that we need a DM, to anchor the midfield next to Wilshere a choice of Cesc or a TOP defensive mid, would be really difficult, we need one more than the other, but. Cesc. well, I'd have him back in a heartbeat, the only player input current team I'd have over Fab is Jack, and that's a big call considering just how much I love Santi.
I'd love Fellaini, Bender, De Rossi or Vidal for that role so much, but out of those, I kinda see the first two as the only real possibilities, and I think Fellaini will stay, for a season more at Everton if nobody bids by tomorrow (1st of August his clause expires isn't it?) and thanks to the sale of Schrulle to Chelsea and Carvjal back to Madrid, Leverkussen don't NEED to sell any players.
So to be fair, I'd be happy with Ettienne Capoue (who is avaliable for around £10m, so I assume if we wanted him, we'd of moved by now) or Gary Medel, who I really like, even if he hasn't been standout this season.
His teammate Kondogbia has been linked with us, and people here really seem keen on him, but why!
Doesn't paying £12m for a 20 year old who could be completely hit and miss in England take us right back to square one in our transfer methods?!
If it was WITH someone else, I'd say go for it, but as the sole Midfield signing, I'm not sure.

I also agree that we need a CB, as we're currently short, and I just don't trust Iggy YET, he did well on tour, but Nagoya Grampus, etc forwards are hardly the same as having Hazard, Bale or Suarez running at you full pelt is it.
Ideally we need someone with EPL experience (though I will say we should of made moves for Albiol from Madrid.
Wenger should of gone all out for Higauin and Albiol, instead of letting Napoli go for them, but hey-ho, Le Prof works in mysterious, infuriating ways)
Williams has been put out there, and I'd take him no doubt, but would anyone else think that moving for Fulhams Hangeland (spelling sorry!) would be ideal?
Yes, he's like 31, but he's been solid at his time there, and is very Mertesaker-esque.
Alongside TV5 or LK6, he'd be ideal I feel!
Plenty of EPL knowledge and wouldn't cost a ridiculous amount, for what I think would be a good signing for us!
That said, I wouldn't mind moves for Marc Bartra or Victor Ruiz of Barca and Valencia respectivley, but hell pipe dreams!

Again I agree with the notion we need a GK, Cesar would be great, and I think Chelsea pulled a great trick to sign Mark Schwarzer.
I must say, I'm losing confidence in Szczesny as first choice number one.
He's still young, but he's had a fair time in the number 1 spot, and he still hasn't made it his own.
I'd like us to go out, buy an older, first choice and make Szczesny WORK his way back to number one.
Igor Akinfeev, Volkan Demeriel, Federico Marchetti, Emilliano Viviano and Steve Mandanda would all be up to the Job I reckon, but would be a bit pricey, especially Akinfeev, as oil rich Russian teams never have to sell!
But hey, maybe I'm wrong!

This long rant/statement/whatever you wanna call it, leads to my main point.

The striker.

I'd of taken Higuain in a heartbeat.
Because I class him up there with others I'd take instantly too.
Benzema, Balotelli, Eto'o, Huntelaar, Rooney (to a lesser extent).
I'd also take Ibrahimovic, but that's another dream!

Apart from those sort of players, I don't think a striker is priority.
(Pause for angry retorts)

I think, allowing Podolski to be used as a striker, played wide when NEEDED, would see us.
I think our priority needs to be a winger.
A winger who can score, create, draw runs, the whole package.
Walcott is great, but again, I can't help but see him as a striker forced wide now.

The other big teams in the country, in fact the world, all have wingers who will win you a game themselves.

Hazard for Chelsea
Silva for City
Lavezzi for PSG
Ronaldo for Madrid
Robben and Ribery for Bayern
Reus for Dortmund
Kagawa for Utd
Bale for them down the road
El Sharawaay for Milan
Giovinco for Juventus
Sanchez/Messi for Barca

And I could go on, maybe some of those aren't exactly top class, Giovinco and Lavezzi aren't exactly world stars, but I hope you get my point.

That's what Arsenal need in my eyes, and it's a case of who.

There's a few candidates, people will throw out names like the heavily linked Bernard, people will say Hulk, or Ayew or players of that Ilk.

But why not Di Maria?

Di Maria is on his way out of Madrid, that much is looking pretty certain.
He's apparently going to be offered to the spurs in P/E for Bale along with Coentrao.

I don't see levy selling this year, as much as I dislike him, you can't doubt he's a ridiculous negotiatior.

They want cash to go for Bale, and trying for Di Maria (though I'm convinced Madrid hate us for refusing to sell them Viera in his prime, Henry in his, and more recently Cesc)
Just go all out, test the water with a bid under £20m, see the response, then just go for it.
I can't see Di Maria costing more than Suarez, but I see him doing better, and offering more!

That's my stance anyway.

Sorry for the epic!

D

Intelligently written. Good points in abundance.

Excellent post and I've always rated Di Maria very highly - has the same technical ability as RVP.

The musts are:

- CB (preferably a versatile one who can play RB + LB).
- DM
- I'm getting used to the idea of Suarez and £50mil a no go so a versatile winger will do and push Podolski or Theo into the middle to replace Giroud pending injuries/rest.

In terms of names I have gone on and on about names in my head over the years and clearly mine and AWs ideas are different. I just hope the right acquisitions are made soon.

Nice one mate. I agree about Kondogbia - he looked average for France, and Medel has the better stats and apparently was the overall better of the two last season. I don't think Kondogbia is as good as Coquelin and he can't get into the side so this would be stupid imo, in fact I even think Yennaris is better.

100% agree we need a CB too!

29 Jul 2013 04:38:04
God am I the only one tired of hearing about Cesc going to United? what an insult this would be to the fans after last years van persie transfer!

At what point are we going to stop looking like persons next to these other elite clubs?

Scooby Dooby K

PS EDs I forgot the login and password associated with my auto login. can you guys help me?

{Ed033's Note - How about registering again if you have forgotten your username otherwise you could go to the forgot password page

Have you or anyone who is panic stricken about Cesc MAYBE going to Utd thought that MAYBE Arsenal don't want him back now?

29 Jul 2013 16:56:38
It appears that Wenger hasn't changed course at all. So far we have sold Mannone, are in the process of selling Gervinho. We have released Arshavin, Santos, Squilacci & Denilson. Loaned out DJourou, Campbell & Coqulein.
We have bought in, one low cost 20 year old forward.
The squad looks weaker than last season. Its frightening.
We are desperately short of centre backs, being down to our last two fit experienced ones and that's before the season starts. With Vermaelen out for 3 months and Miquel clearly not ready, we urgently need to bring in an experienced quality centre back. We also, need a defensive midfield player. In effect we don't have one true defensive midfield player. However, the excellent Arteta has made the transformation to this role. I would prefer Wilsher to play in a more advanced position. Abu Diaby is more offensive & out until December in any event. I am still not a fan of Ramsey, finding him lacking in pace for a top premier club. We also need a wide player to cover for the imminent loss of Gervinho. Neither Gnabry nor Miyaichi are ready yet to step up to the first team on a regular basis and we don't have cover for Giroud. I can see Wenger signing a couple of younger players, but that's about it:
Squad excluding youngsters: Szczesny & Fabianski
FB: Sagna, Jenkinson, Gibbs & Monreal
CB: Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker.
DM: Arteta, Wishere & Ramsey
AM: Cazorla, Rosicky, Walcott, Podolski & Chamberlain
F: Giroud

I have omitted the injured Abu Diaby.

That makes 18 1st team experienced 1st team players, when you are permitted 25 over 21 players.

We must not be hoodwinked by the results on tour, as they were against relatively weak opponents. Taking into account the 3 remaining friendlies and the additional CL qualifiers, I can't imagine what state our squad will be in by the end of September.
I wish Wenger would wake up and sign at least 4 quality, experienced players, other wise we will once again have a fight on our hands to finish fourth.

But we have excellent prospects in Eisfield, Gnabry, Akpom, Miquel, which are on the verge of 1st team football.

I'm excited by Eisfield. He looks the real deal!

Also. I actually want Suarez. We should pay the £50m Liverpool want. Keep him for a couple of seasons and make him better. Then sell him to Real or Barca for £80-90m!

I'd also pay £50m to see Liverpool in a relegation dog fight! HA!

Suarez will come! I can feel it!

cammy out!

xxx

We are not weaker than last year. We were very unsettled last year to start but now Giroud is settle and Pods is healthy, defence is confident - look how we finished last year. We are no worse than 3rd right now with chance for 1st with some signing (s) and health!

I think he well. As you noted a lot of players have gone. He must have intentions to sign a number of players.

In past seasons we have to balance the books and sell, with the profits paying off debt.

We don't have to do that any more- wenger is making room, getting rid of players with wages he doesn't see will add anything to the squad, etc.

I predict we will make 5 signings.

May sound crazy now, but I would not be surprised at all.

As to who these signings will be and how good they are, we'll have to see.

But we will make signings.

I agree with you Robbie G, the squad is painfully thin. The 2 positions that I thought needed to be looked at quite urgently in the transfer window (centre back and dm)have been put on the back burner due to Higuain/Suarez mini series. I know AW must have been peeved with RM for suddenly putting up Higuain, s price but what AW has to remember that most clubs when dealing with transfers do not have the business ethics that he holds so dear to his heart. At this moment in time I cannot see any major signings coming before the start of the season. If things go pear shape early on then the buck stops with him and this is one Gooner who won't be in forgiving mood. If players don't come in I would not want to see repeat of August 2011. On the bright side side Eisfeld/Gnabry, Miyachi, Akpom and Zellemem look good prospects and these I would like to see get their chance, but we need a quality cb and dm. One thing I would like to say on the Suarez thing is our club is run on strict financial guide lines and here we are willing to part with over 40 to 50 mill and pay a player almost a million in wages before he kicks a ball for us. Lastly if it came to personal choice for the striker mine would be Rooney
Thanks for the site Ed

The last game of the tour was the only team of half decent quality, and then Arsenal struggled a bit. Yes its pre-season, and no the results are not overly important, but still, certain weaknesses of our squad were illuminated, and need to be addressed.
Akpom is a natural goal scorer, but if he played a premier league game, he would get bullied out of the match. Miyachi would offer about as much defensive cover as giroud (none), and as you say, Miquel isn't ready yet.

You forgot we also signed a 16 year old from villa still plenty of time for signings

29 Jul 2013 16:28:54
In my opinion the best case scenario for current transfer affairs.

Real Madrid turn attention to Suarez and give up pursuit of Bale. Liverpool will be considerably weakened, and Tottenham don't receive enough money to buy 4-5 top class players. Think about it do we really need a ST? I can think of 4 position we need cover in more. Liverpool won't be able to attract top talent anyway. But with £80m+ Spurs could buy a lot of good players and become stronger than ever. Atleast with Bale they are one injury away from a collapse.

Instead of spunking £50m on Suarez we can greatly increase overall strength of squad and compete.

Cesar (£1m)
Rami (£9m)
Bender/Fellani/Cesc (£25m)
Muriel (£12m-£15m)

I would much rather the latter tbh than a volatile Suarez who will more than likely be in Spain 2-3 years from now.

Detroit Gooner

29 Jul 2013 18:12:52
Spuds are owned by Joe Lewis. that's where they get their money from. look how much they have spent in the last 2 to 3 years. Google him to see how much he is worth. They are close to signing a Spanish forward for 30m euros. so selling Bale doesn't affect their ability to buy players. km

29 Jul 2013 16:09:18
A rant on Suarez and the moral dilemma (of which there isn't one).

Arsenal stood by Wilshere when fighting outside a nightclub, Bendtner the same (several times). Chamakh smoking that Shish thing. RVP when he was accused of rape. Adams drink driving etc. There's more too.

Get off your high horse. All people like to do these days is claim they are morally superior than another, all from the comfort of their armchair.

Suarez is not a racist. Evra even said as much in his statement.

Now, onto my personal view of Suarez.

I hate diving. Unfortunately some players do it. Santi goes down easy, Walcott too, hell even Arteta rolls around like he's been shot on occasion. Point is, it's a small detractor when talking about someone who could rip defences apart.

The dive in front of (Moyes I think) was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing. Love that kind of humour. "Oh, you don't like me. You'll enjoy this then!"

Him biting Ivanovic. A bigger detractor. A grown man biting another is just funny to me, especially if he bit someone like Shawcross. Downside is that he'd miss a lot of games. Suarez giving Ivanovic a small flesh wound is nowhere near as bad as ending someone's career a la Keane or kicking a fan in the head a la Cantona. Perspective!

As for the Evra thing. As unpopular an opinion it may be. What he said is no worse than calling someone ugly. Still not nice but doesn't make you a racist. Racism is about oppression etc. Plus, Suarez own Grandmother is black. So.

Essentially, get off your damn high horse!

The way some of you go on, you'd think he should be punished by death.

Big players tend to have baggage.

How many of you know this?

Anelka left because Vieira slapped him in the face with his penis. It's true, in Anelka's book. To me that's hilarious BUT imagine how utterly humiliated he felt. And if we are this morally upper class club why didn't we treat it as sexual assault? As, in a court of law that would count.

Little joke: Anelka said it was 14" so you could maybe get assault with a deadly weapon too ;)

People losing their minds over the fact that he bit someone and called another a bad name. Oh dear, should we just stop football if these atrocities keep happening?

Fact is, people need to lighten up and move on. Just because the media big something up doesn't make it a massive issue.

From an Arsenal standpoint the ONLY issue is that he'll likely miss games. Risk vs Reward. Morals got bugger all to do with it.

Very honest and in parts funny post NI Gunner.

Totally agree. Having read the autobiographies of a few players (Adams especially) players do things wrong. We don't want angels (or as Gary Neville said) Robots on the pitch.

It would be bloody boring if he did nothing wrong as no-one would have anything to talk about.

Looking at it from a footballing point of view, its a no brainer. He's a footballing genius. Think about it? Would Man Utd, City, Chelsea or Liverpool (especially) want him on our team? No. Therefore, we'd already be 1-0 up in the tunnel. Think about it!

If your right, then I don't want to be.
Flybo

29 Jul 2013 19:47:54
Couldn't agree more, it's probably the same people who are slating Saurez who want Ashley Williams here and we all know he nearly killed RVP with a football for gods sake!

How soon some fickle fans forget, think how many games Williams would have missed on a lifer!

;-)

29 Jul 2013 15:55:29
I wish everyone would stop going on about Suarez and his 6 match ban.

The amount of our players who have missed large chunks of the season through injury, I mean we lost Jack Wilshere for well over a season. Who cares about 6 effing games.

He is exactly the type of player we need, with the amount of chances we create he would score a hatful each week.

When we had Henry, defenders would be sh*ting themselves, thinking how the hell are we going to stop him this week, because they were scared. Defenders would be scared to come up against Suarez and our attacking mob behind him. He would turn them late draws into wins. Stick a competitive DM in there as well and then its game on.

Between Me and my mates we have a selection of supporters of Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs etc, but not one of them fear us, it's always we should get 3 points today or when you going to win something. I will always back Arsenal to the ground but it does get a bit tiresome hearing the same thing over and over again.

Please Wenger, do the right thing and makes some of the deals happen. COYG

Think about it. Players will play 50-60 games a season in all competitions.

Say Suarez signs a 4 year deal. that's 240 games. He plays 234. Will anyone notice?

Also, has anyone thought about how fresh Suarez will be having an extended summer holiday leading into a new season. He's getting match fit and will train as normal like everyone else. Imagine a fit and firing Suarez with a point to prove?

He would be the difference between a 1-1 draw away at Stoke and 3 points. He would be the difference between getting beating home or away by Man Utd, City or Chelsea.

THINK ABOUT IT. ?

29 Jul 2013 15:48:05
Hi Ed,

Could you do a poll whether people would prefer a new signing or keep Gervinho? {Ed027's Note - of course mate, done!

29 Jul 2013 15:19:02
All this gooners sayin I hope we don't sign Suarez. R actually hopin/prayin/wishin that we sign Suarez. Being a big team (like we all want Arsenal 2 b) is bout dealin wit big egos.
Nam-gooner

29 Jul 2013 15:48:05
IDOTS. taking amoral high ground. we need quality. Suarez is quality. km

All Arsenal fans are actually spud fans.

Was just trying to come up with a response more rediculous then the original post.
Flybo

29 Jul 2013 14:52:08
Hi fellow Gooners. not seen any mention of it but has Sanogo been on the tour of Asia or was he given time off after the Euro's? {Ed027's Note - time off

He'l be in the squad for the Emirates Cup.

29 Jul 2013 14:24:14
'Its Christmas season Wenger playing Scrooge again.

29 Jul 2013 13:27:06
Not sure why people get annoyed at Wenger about the whole higuain saga. It's not his fault the price suddenly went up.

As if anyone buying a car starting to agree around 4000 would then accept seller turning round and saying actually mate I want 6000. You would walk away.

I'm glad we turned our back on the deal as it was disgraceful by Madrid to suddenly do that

True but iff were willing to pay 40 plus million on suarez I don't see why we should be put off paying 34m for higuain who is a class act. we will probly end up with neither now. gooner wayne

29 Jul 2013 15:56:57
Higuain is a great goalscorer. Suarez is both great goal scorer and great player. The later doesn't rely on good service but can generate chances himself. km

I was going to post the exact same yesterday. beat me to it.

totally agree

noobGooner

If we had stumped up the 27m they were after we could have had the deal tied up before PSG threw the cat amongst the pigeons by stuffing Napoli's pockets with cash therefore making Real think they could get more for him and upping the price

I can see both sides to this one. I agree with both. If we'd coughed up for Higuain I'd have been so happy but also felt Madrid pulled a fast one and didn't deserve our business. But we walked away and I would have done too whilst other options could still be explored so fair dos to Wenger.

29 Jul 2013 13:13:17
Some united fans think cesc has got a release clause of £35m-£40m but it is set at £175m (€200m).

He does actually. But unfortunately for them only we can activate it.

Buy back clause isn't the same as release is it?

also utd would have to bid that 200m for barca to HAVE to accept it, but then we'd get the chance to have him back for 35m.

this is all off the top of my head

The clauses with Cesc are as follows.

Arsenal and ONLY Arsenal can buy back Cesc Fabregas for £34.5m at any point, as long as Cesc wants to leave.

Any club in the world can buy him back for 200m euros. (All players who play in Spain MUST have a release clause in their contracts. Messi's is £250m).

Arsenal have first refusal, meaning that if Barcelona accept any bid, we must be informed and we MUST decline to buy to for above price of £34.5m. It doesn't matter what the other club has bid. Say Manchester United bid £40m and it was accepted. We could still buy him for £34.5m.

Finally, if Arsenal turn down the opportunity to sign Cesc. We would receive 50% of any monies Barcelona receive over £25m. Therefore if Barca accept a bid of £40m then Arsenal would receive £7.5m.

29 Jul 2013 12:10:31
Just had a thought (yes it is unusual. )

Just seen pics of Cesc on TV wearing a hoodie with the same sponsor that will be sponsoring our shirts from 14/15 season.
He wears the sponsors boots too obviously.

Barcelona, Martino, Wenger and Cesc himself have all come out and said that he's not going anywhere this season.

Could this mean that Cesc "comes home" next season as an Arsenal player to be presented at various kit launches etc for the new sponsor? The sponsors would be very keen for this, arsenal fans would be very keen and Cesc I am sure would be keen to stick it out one more season at barca, win a trophy or two and then come back.

Like I said, just a theory that just came to me.

Fabregas has a sponsorship deal with puma

HarryP

Sorry to burst your bubble but its a no as he already sponsored by puma so this means nothing at all
Ali

I posted this original post. Just wasn't signed in.

I know he's already sponsored by Puma Ali. That was half my point!

Puma could have Cesc as their poster boy for Puma AND Arsenal. It would link nicely with their sponsorship which starts next season!

That was my whole point!

29 Jul 2013 11:51:17
Two clubs that haven't made a significant signing yet - MU and Arsenal. Seems likely they'll go toe to toe for any remaing talent out there. I wonder who'll win?

I think Manchester United have lost some of their appeal since SAF has retired.

I really feel Moyes will struggle this year. SAF had a nack of squeezing an extra few percent out of his players. Think of how many "Fergie time" goals they scored to save or win games.

I really feel that, if we make the right signings, this could be a year to challenge. The only thing is IF!

29 Jul 2013 10:28:10
funny how people here have screamed for us to spend big for years now, and the moment we are linked with suarez they don't want him.
mr t

That's because he is Trouble. no one had a problem with the Hig or if we bid for Cesc but to spend so much money on such a gamble is why so many people have a problem

Think about the reasons why some of us don't want him. It's not just a black and White issue. ;-)
Flybo

Spend big does not mean OVERPAY. Yes, higuain would have been nice but suarez is arguably the most hated Premier League player and would miss the Spurs game due to 6 match ban.

Point being, spend yes but not on c****.

29 Jul 2013 09:22:11
Before the transfer window opened and also last January a lot of people on here were wanting us to sign Capoue to fill our DMF problems. I personally have not seen the guy play but I know a lot of people rate him highly.
We now know that a £9m move will get him (as he is not interested in Cardiff) so should we make an offer or is Wenger not interested?

Personally, I have only seen him a small amount but his name seems to be banded about quite a lot.

Maybe he's quality on Football Manager or Fifa 14 and people think that must automatically work in real life.

He's better in that d. m position then we've already got.
And would improve us, as Wanyama would have done.
Flybo

29 Jul 2013 09:07:29
I believe every player has a season that they come out all guns blazing and become the player that they are really going to be for the future. I believe TW14 just had that season for us because what last season has done is that it has set a benchmark for him now and even he cannot accept performances below what he had last season, ITS UNACCEPTABLE!

I have been watching that little boy develop and I think AW should put his trust in him as a CF. Spend loads of money in getting a quality winger or an AM because I am of the opinion that midfielders make the best wingers esp AM's.

Happy hunting season Gunners.

I agree with you on Walcott being a CF if we play with 2 strikers, because I think with his pace and finishing he would be very hard to handle, but he does not have the ability to hold the ball up, something that is needed in a lone striker.

In regards to signing an AM to play on the wing, I disagree because I am of the opinion that when playing wide, AMs tend to drift inside and force to team to play narrow

29 Jul 2013 08:44:46
Suarez looking for a school and house in london, Arteta has been advising him.

What has arteta been to asia with lfc. get a grip. suarez ain't joining arsenal. like higuain etc etc
5 gold stars

29 Jul 2013 08:15:05
Higuain's father; "Hopefully I will soon see my son in play in the premier league"

A few weeks later, moves to Napoli.

Bernard's father; "Arsenal are interested in my son"

Week later, hulk convinces him to move to Porto ahead of us.

Seriously, do players Dad's just hate arsenal?!

D

Higuain's dad didn't HATE Arsenal. He was very excited about the prospect of his son playing for us before Real Madrid added over £10m onto his price tag. We pulled out, Napoli used some of their Cavani cash and bought him. End of.

As for Bernard, i'm not fussed if we don't spend £22m on a small brazilian winger who would get lumps kicked out of him in the premier league. He's not a GK, CB, DM or ST that we DO NEED!

Based on this evidence I'd say the dad's are the ones who rate Arsenal, it's the players who need the convincing.

It's Arsenals inability to negotiate a deal quick enough. We had a price agreed with RM and we should have agreed terms with Higuain and wrapped it up in 48hrs and not given Real Madrid the opportunity to raise the price by faffing around!

28 Jul 2013 19:13:39
I guess this question is mainly directed to the Eds as they are more likely to know the answer. But anybody feel free to let me know if you do know the answer.
I often read that Barcelona still owe us money over the Fabregas and Song deals. Is that the case? and if so, how much money do they owe us? {Ed029's Note - Forget any discussion of money.}

I'm going to tempt fate here and go all out with my belief that is is nonsense they owe us a penny, other than maybe performance-based add-ons. People keep saying they owe us for Song and Cesc and Henry and just about every guy we've sold to them. Why the hell would we sell them Song or Cesc if they still owed us? We wouldn't, surely? And not a single person can substantiate this belief that they do.

29 Jul 2013 01:03:41
arsene wenger just bidding as a joke to boost fans support by bidding for suarez when himself he knows he wants a move away from England

Hi guys proper arsenal fans support their team have some faith, it sounds like you've been round some spurs and chelski fans. Coyg it's our year

Bergkamp5353

Exactly Dennis!

This is our year bits, big signings will come, trophies will follow!