Arsenal Banter Archive July 29 2016

 

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29 Jul 2016 23:52:13
Would just like to say thanks for all your hard work eds you make this a fun and good site to come to the best site there is for me I mainly come here to dee the arsenal rumours.

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{Ed018's Note - thanks, we appreciate it. We enjoy the sites as much as the posters do}

30 Jul 2016 00:33:16
Echo that.

Top site with top Ed's and top poster's.

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30 Jul 2016 03:02:52
I'll raise my nonexistent glass to that. Thank you, eds.

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{Ed001's Note - cheers all of you.}

30 Jul 2016 08:53:15
I'll definitely drink to that. I'm raising a glass of Glenfiddich in honour of all the hard work the eds do, it's much appreciated. Cheers!

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{Ed001's Note - cheers Outback, have one for me too as I don't drink.}

29 Jul 2016 22:22:14
Apparently, Leicester will be making an announcement at 10:30 tomorrow.
(Not sure if it's true, so don't take my word for it! )

See, the hopeful, blissfully ignorant side of me, is hoping to check my phone tomorrow morning, maybe after a nice weekend lie in and see 'Leicester City confirm an agreement is in place with Arsenal for the transfer of Riyad Mahrez'

The part of me that's an ageing, cynical realist, expects to see 'Leicester city are please to announce the extension of Riyad Mahrez's contract till 2021' followed by a subsequent social media meltdown.

Like I said, i haven't actually seen anything confirming there's something at 10:30, it's something floating around online, but if it is, I wouldn't be surprised to see the final nail in the (supposed) Mahrez coffin.

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29 Jul 2016 23:47:18
Not saying its right or wrong but i don't think they would hold a presss conference for that.

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29 Jul 2016 23:59:27
Heart says yes he's coming head says no he's staying.
Rumours now about Mandukic (Spelling) from Juve as possibility what with Huiguin arriving there not sure how much mind and he is 30 but most definitely a upgrade on Walcott.

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30 Jul 2016 00:38:20
Have been saying for ages, would love Mahrez.
He would take us up another level.

But, as usual, Wenger dithers around, won't spend the money and Mahrez stays at Leicester.

Chelsea wanted Kante, BOOM, they signed the player in 48 hours.

Pi55ed off.

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30 Jul 2016 08:54:12
You are correct Steve!
It turns out it was Chinese whispers, as the original story was that Leciester based papers would release a story at 10:30 last night, which people expected to be about Mahrez.

Which, in the end never happened, but now a lot of people think he's signing a new deal at Leicester any ways.

I mentioned Mandzukic literally the second Higuain was confirmed Ryan, he's 'experienced' surplus and would be relatively cheap, I assume Arsene has already readied the pound.
To be honest, he's just a slightly more clinical Giroid, I wouldn't be the impressed.

I know Dags, I wonder who'll be next at the Arsenal heartbreak hotel?
It'll be interesting when we draw with Liverpool on the opening day after starting Holding, Chambere, Akpom, Jeff and Bielik, leading Arsene to declare no more signings for the rest of his reign.

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29 Jul 2016 21:35:15
We have heard so much about players coming in and deals falling though, but what about departures.
What will happen to Szczesny and Debuchy and Walcott and Gibbs? How about older players like Santi and Per who wanna go back to their home country?
Any idea Eds if anything is happening, or if its all stagnent when it comes to players leaving?

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29 Jul 2016 22:01:54
Cant see Dubuchy hanging around, will be sold/ loaned out. Szczesny Roma have gone cool on him so I think another loan somewhere else. Can see him making it with us.

Walcott needs to be sold but who will fork out his wages. Liverpool would be best bet I would not argue with Walcott + 10 Mill for Sturridge. Santi will stay hopefully stil has plenty to offer. Mert this will be his last season.

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29 Jul 2016 22:39:42
I'm not an Ed and I have zero, maybe less than, knowledge of what goes on at our club, but from a sort of 'common sense' and process of elimination, I'd guess the following.

Szczesny will go back to Roma on loan (I think that's confirmed isn't it) and will come back next year, either to challenge Cech, whilst Ospina leaves or Shezza himself will leave for first team football.

Debuchy will be allowed to leave for a reasonable bid as Jenko (when fit) Chambers and even Holding will be cover for any potential Bellerin injury (please god no) but he's 30/ 1 and on relatively high wages for the type of club that would want him, so could be another loan deal.

Walcott will stay with Arsenal till he's 40, having average seasons till the final year of his deal, at which point he will play like a man possessed, forcing our fans to forget the past 3 years of mediocrity and rage about Walcott not being signed to a new deal, which in turn he will finally agree, each time adding £50k on to his wage and repeating the process till the aforementioned 40th year.

Gibbs I think will remain with us for a while, unless a really tempting price comes in, he's homegrown, been with us since he was a kid and is our only other LB.
With Monreal at the ripe old age of 31 and coupled with the fact Gibbs usually does pretty well when called upon, he Gibbs could have a future at Arsenal as a first teamer, if not certainly a capable deputy.

Per I'm not sure about, he's a big presence in the dressing room, a lot of players like him and he's trusted by the manager (there's a little quote somewhere about how Per is Arsene's debt collector for fines, because of his German effeciency ) so it wouldn't surprise me to see him be made captain even with his longish term injury and stick around a bit longer.
That said, he's mentioned before how he'd like to maybe return to Hannover before he retires and give something back to the club where it all started.

Santi, I really hope retires at Arsenal!
He's just genuine quality and I think he's really under appreciated by not just other fans, but ours too.
He leads by example on the pitch, whilst not really vocal, the way he can move on the ball and how he can use it, is something special.
That said, we now have an abundance of midfielders and there are rumours that Santi could even be used as a makeweight in any potential deal for Shkrodan Mustafi.
Considering Valencia just lost a centre mid in Andre Gomes and Santi's apparent desire to return to play in la liga, it could make sense.

To be honest with you mate, I don't see many if any first team lads leaving this window with the exception of a potential santi swap and debuchy.

But I hope that helped a little, that being said, considering my aforementioned lack of insider info, I could just be talking utter tosh.

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29 Jul 2016 18:27:35
Loic Remy anyone? We was linked before his chelski move.

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29 Jul 2016 20:07:45
Please take him!

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29 Jul 2016 20:10:32
Oohh, did somebody mention Loic Remy? :-)

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29 Jul 2016 20:20:30
Saim, you don't mean that mate :-)

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29 Jul 2016 20:46:21
Is it April fools day.

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29 Jul 2016 21:48:05
Please no, But it would be typical Wenger a bargain basement option compared to someone like Lacazette so it would not surprise me.

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29 Jul 2016 15:16:57
I get the distinct impression that's us done transfer wise, maybe a defender but I think offensive wise that's it. What you think ed?

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{Ed001's Note - Arsene wants a striker and a defender, but it is difficult to see the club getting either.}

29 Jul 2016 16:47:29
That'll be such a pain if none come in. You not even see us getting mustafi ed?

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{Ed001's Note - I would like to think another signing would be made, because otherwise being on here will be horrible, but no, I don't expect anything to happen.}

29 Jul 2016 17:12:38
Haha I'd avoid this page at all costs if this is it 😂.

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{Ed001's Note - sage advice.}

29 Jul 2016 17:22:09
Don't wind em up ed! You know they hang on every word the eds say, you could push people into hanging themselves.

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{Ed001's Note - I am preparing them for the worst. I could build them up like all the clickbait sites if you prefer? I would make more money that way too!}

29 Jul 2016 17:30:13
Hi Ed001 if Arsene wants them what is the sticking point mate?
We won't pay the wages or fee's needed or the players we want don't want to come to us.

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{Ed001's Note - depends, sometimes the club won't pay the fee or wages and sometimes players don't want the move.}

29 Jul 2016 17:38:21
Well of course that is true ed. it is what it is mate. I'm not to worried about it we will still finish in the top 4 and see what change happens next summer. I am past getting worked up about it. If we get someone I would prefer it to be quality players. I obviously want us to challenge but it's no surprise anymore and don't just want us to get anyone. There has been some pretty crazy suggestions on here of who we should get if the big names don't come but none of those suggestions are any better than what we got.

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{Ed001's Note - I think almost anyone would be an improvement on the likes of Walcott though!}

29 Jul 2016 17:43:23
OK cheers mate, keep telling it like it is please mate as there's more than enough fictional info out there.

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{Ed001's Note - always mate. The whole point of the site when it started was to share the rumours with the idea of debunking the crap, rather than just to increase them. There are too many sites who just want to make up crap to get hits these days, it is ruining the internet. They should not be allowed on news aggregators.}

29 Jul 2016 17:45:43
One thing is for sure and we are becoming less attractive to players.

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29 Jul 2016 17:49:52
Best site going eds ;) 👍🏻.

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{Ed001's Note - cheers JEG, I really appreciate that.}

29 Jul 2016 18:27:03
Easily the best site to go as a football fan. I moan on here about the people moaning about Arsene. But in truth it's so great to come on here and talk about a club we all love.

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{Ed001's Note - cheers mate.}

29 Jul 2016 18:29:22
Can't argue with that ed. my only criticism is that players like Walcott weren't moved on and freshened up with potentially good players, like move out Walcott get boufal etc.

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{Ed001's Note - I think the club need to look at their injury problem first and foremost. Buying young players to develop is difficult if those players can't train for long periods of time. They have to recover sharpness before they can improve. Until that is sorted, you are always going to have players like Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain struggling to reach the level expected.}

29 Jul 2016 19:14:12
Just commenting to second that Ed. If you genuinely appreciate our feedback then i must also say that this site is absolutely spot on sir!

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{Ed001's Note - I do genuinely appreciate feedback, good and bad. Good is nice, but bad is also useful to know where we can improve. So all feedback is appreciated. I am glad you like it as is, but hopefully it will be better when Ed033 gets the notifications working, so you can see when someone has replied to a thread you have started or commented on. Fingers crossed that will be up and running soon.}

29 Jul 2016 19:31:55
That will be a good idea! Just out of curiosity which are your top three busiest pages. I frequent a few but not all so wouldn't know.

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{Ed001's Note - Liverpool is the busiest, then usually it depends, but Forest, Leeds, Man Utd on average, though Wolves is currently pushing Liverpool for being the busiest site.}

29 Jul 2016 20:02:56
The wolves one supprised me.

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{Ed001's Note - the takeover stirred things up. Though it was quite busy anyway, they are a very well supported team.}

29 Jul 2016 20:44:05
I'm still supprised at Leeds as well. Been a Yorkshireman I used to go regular to elland road on the barmy army bus but pretty much 2 years after they dropped form the epl that bus stopped and the proud wearing of the shirt soon disappeared round my town and was slowly replaced by Middlesbrough tops! Shame what's happened to them really, maybe the barmy army feel safer behind the keyboard now that there's no days out to old Trafford anymore.

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{Ed001's Note - a lot comes down to having an editor for that site at the right time as well. They went through a lot of troubles, with Ken 'Master' Bates and a number of takeovers. We have not had a dedicated Arsenal one for a while, which does hold back the site a lot. It is something we really need to fix this season.}

30 Jul 2016 08:29:36
so ed001 u can't get an arsenal editor, wenger can't get players for arsenal, it seems recruitment issues is a universal theme with anything related to arsenal.

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{Ed001's Note - hahaha it does seem that way.}

29 Jul 2016 13:21:02
Hi gooners
I don't usually post, cause I live in the lands of the live chat mostly, so i decided to pay you a visit.
I watched the game yesterday on a stream which wasn't very good in the first half with a lot of delays, swearing and arguing (for waking up my gf) .
Well the game in my opinion was good, the youngsters got a nice run against a quality team of pensioners. Drogba as usual scored against us, nothing new there.
The only two players in my opinion that looked out of their depth were Walcott and Debuchy. When Bellerin came in he looked 1000 light years ahead of Debuchy. I would rather keep Jenkinson then Debuchy, I believe he will be sold soon.
Now Walcott
If Wenger thinks he can rely on Walcott in the absence of Giroud he truly needs his head checked. One of the most useless players I have ever seen. I bet he would struggle to keep place in a championship team, let alone a premier league club. How is he still at Arsenal is beyond me. I am really disappointed in how he regressed in his career. I really thought he could be a decent player at one point, but that ship has sailed now. He needs to be sold or loaned, such a waste of a squad spot.

It was interesting to see Holding against Drogba. He managed himself quite well, although he and Debuchy made a real mess for Drogba's goal.

Campbell had a good game also. He needs to work on his awareness when he is receiving the ball, to see the players coming from behind him.

Chambers I think needs to be loaned out for a season. He needs playing time. His positioning in my opinion is often poor. I don't really know what position on the team really suits him.

Xhaka was introduced in the second half, and I think he absolutely bossed the game. Always in good positions, asking for the ball, superb passing and vision didn't get forward much. I personally love those kinds of players. I think he is a superb signing for us.

It was a fun game and nice to see the Arsenal again, can't wait for the next game.

ED001 happy birthday mate, you know if you feel a bit lonely, forgotten, or just need someone to cheer you up remember. You can always change your birthday on facebook!

Have a nice day.

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29 Jul 2016 14:52:09
Walcott Walcott Walcott how on earth did you ever manage to convince arsene and the board to pay you such ridiculous wages. The game last night I must say he looked well out of his depth. He's a waste of a squad number and a waste of a hell of a lot of money, and with the wages he's on there is no way we're getting shot of him.

He's unessessary baggage and everytime he plays the rest of the team have to carry him because he hasn't got a clue what he's doing. Ox and Joel are far far better than Theo.

We need to somehow palm him off to someone.

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29 Jul 2016 14:14:26
Hey MKD

Good to hear from you.

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29 Jul 2016 15:19:06
For me he's always had good little patches. But off late he has been useless.

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29 Jul 2016 15:19:37
I don't think cash converters would buy him and they buy absolutely everything lol.

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29 Jul 2016 15:42:54
Walcott is a strange one, a few years ago it always felt like he could be an impact player at any moment.

Defenders don't fear him as much. I think beyond his skill (or lack of) developing, the bigget problem is his confidence.

This is a player who clearly has been sapped of his confidence over the years, between injuries and errors he looks like someone playing with fear and uncertainty in his decisions.

For his sake, I think a loan at the minimum would be best, so he could get a fresh start. I ould be so bold as to say MLS! :P.

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29 Jul 2016 15:57:10
I think we would sell but he is pricing himself out of a move with his wage demands! The boy needs to choose money or a career. He's been woeful.

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29 Jul 2016 17:08:46
ship him off to china.

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29 Jul 2016 17:51:10
China would be good NE 😂.

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29 Jul 2016 09:58:39
Impressive performance yesterday. I was really pleased with new signings Holding and Xhaka. Holding has already gone ahead of Chambers in my opinion. Xhaka is class. What was so pleasing was the amount of young talented players coming through. If Wenger signs a CB and a striker, we have a good strong squad.

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29 Jul 2016 09:06:41
Has anyone seen Kloop's latest interview about how it's a team sport and he would never spend 100mln on a player. That there is a vast number of lesser known but good players who can add a lot to a squad.

Interesting stuff. says a lot of the things we here from Wenger, expect the big difference is that fans seem to be praising him for it.

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29 Jul 2016 09:25:16
mate its fine if Manchester United have the resources to spend 100 mill, we are not hassling wenger to spend 100 mill. not asking for messi or ronaldo.

just a defender and a striker, yes they may cost a bit, but perhaps somehwere between 60-80 mill for both those players is not being greedy.

liverpool have spent quite a few bob and so have chelsea, not asking him to outspend them, just fix our issues.

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29 Jul 2016 10:07:59
Let's not forget that lots of Arsenal fans saw Klopp as wengers natural successor for his beliefs and buying unknowns!

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29 Jul 2016 11:17:11
Fair shout Laker.

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29 Jul 2016 12:59:14
Laker, I know what you mean - it is frustrating, but there aspects of the manager we completely right off.

If Mourinho ever came to Arsenal, he would win the league and then leave the club in shambles, with an older group of 'stars' that are good for 1-2 season (look at Inter and Chelsea) .

We have a manager that always keeps the long term interest of the club in mind. We always have a pipeline of youth (I do not understand how anyone disagrees) .

Klopp's second point was there are lots of players that don't cost 30mln, that are still very good.

Dortmund signed Lewandowski for 3mln.

We have signed players like Sagna, El neney, Monreal for very little as well.

So Personally, I think we need to accept that if the manager isn't paying EUR 50mln for Lacazette, its probably because its not actually in the interest of the club longer-term.

If Wenger were as selfish as Mourinho, he would have made all these rash expensive signings, riddled us with debt and have moved to PSG or Real by now.

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29 Jul 2016 08:43:46
Utd are having a clear out to fund the Pogba move, although I'm not saying we want any of their players who are let go but it might start the transfer merry go round into action as other teams are more prepared to let players leave once they have replacements for them.

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29 Jul 2016 09:53:37
I am not a huge fan, but would Blind be a useful signing?

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29 Jul 2016 15:12:24
Rg what sort of statement is that? . i'm not a huge fan and he wouldn't be a good signing. that's my perspective.

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29 Jul 2016 16:57:40
Steve r. I wouldn't choose him as a first choice, but as a utility player he has his merits.

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29 Jul 2016 08:02:41
Anyone else feeling a tad more optimistic this morning. Rumours coming out we're in talks for a very good young CB and now Arsene saying after our friendly that we need one more experienced CF.

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29 Jul 2016 10:51:59
I have this gut feeling its mandzukic, I know its been mentoined in some papers, but he is looking more realistic wenger buy, espacially after he said experienced CF. not too sure about him but he did pretty well for juve last season.
Whats your thoughts on him?

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29 Jul 2016 11:13:25
I'm assuming (hoping) that the talk of Mandzukic is just people putting two and two together.

Juve have too many strikers.
Arsenal need a striker.

Mandzukic would be cheap.
Arsene is cheap.

Look, he's a decent player and he would reinforce us, but he's just an older, slightly more clinical Giroud.
If we're going down that route, we may as well go throw some money at West Ham for Andy Carroll.

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29 Jul 2016 06:20:33
I just read this post written by an Arsenal fan who was airing his opinion in frustration about Gazidis. I thought this about sums it up about Arsenal.
' If you're a fan then you have a choice to financially invest in the club, you have the freedom to complain but what you don't have is the right to have the club run according to your vision. '
Well put in my opinion .

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29 Jul 2016 06:09:44
Hi Everyone.
Just want to clarify something.
Around a month or so ago I published a post from an accurate financial report going back to the early part of this season which clearly showed that Arsenal had ONLY around £50 odd million pounds available to spend this season on transfers, UNLESS! they dipped into their £50 million pound overdraft,
So taking that into account and deducting what Arsenal have already spent there was no way that Arsenal were going out to buy 60,70 80 million pound players, We may try and find a few in the bargain basement out of desperation but I think we need to try and come to terms with the fact that this is pretty much it again as painful as it might be.
The excitement about Higuain going to Arsenal has been going on, especially! on football sites for about 3 years now to my knowledge and has fast become boring to say the least.
Arsenal had their opportunity to get him and blew it so forget it. That ship sailed ages ago.

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29 Jul 2016 09:29:54
most transfer fees are amortised over the lenght of the contract if i remember the eds saying, in terms of FFP.

and the buying club makes payment over time, unless we give away money in chunks which i don't think they would, it makes no business sense.

so even if we had say 50-80 mill we could buy 3 players and spend 100 mill.

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29 Jul 2016 09:26:50
Absolute drivel in respect of Arsenal's finances. Every year the surplus in the accounts has grown and now stands at over £250m. However, of course this doesn't mean that the club can spend £250m. Arsenal have a self-sustaining policy, which includes bringing young players through and Wenger always has an eye for a bargain.

I agree that Arsenal will not purchase players for hugs sums, as the club is not funded by a billionaire, which is the case on Man C, Chelsea and Man United. The net spend will probably be around the £50m mark, which in all likelihood will include signing a CB and a striker and players departing to close the net spend to around £50m. I suggest you look at your club's finances, before worrying about your superior North London neighbours finances.

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29 Jul 2016 01:27:36
No cazorla in the squad?
He wasn't at the euro's and he's back from injury I thought?

Heading out the exit door?

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29 Jul 2016 08:52:06
Yes heard he's off back to Spain my current fav player
I also fear bellerin may be next
Common sense says there will be departures to
Balance the books - no one on here seems to mention that
Far too busy dreaming of signings that will never happen
Higuain and benzema stones etc.

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29 Jul 2016 09:31:00
I believe Cazorla is in the squad. During his comeback from his knee injury, he suffered an Achilles problem and I am wondering if the club are being careful with him.

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29 Jul 2016 09:55:19
I have heard he is being included in the deal for Mustafi.

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29 Jul 2016 14:38:02
Interesting stuff

He was sorely missed when he was injured, it would be a shame.

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28 Jul 2016 23:51:03
With all the talk about Mahrez and lacazette, there's one player who comes to mind that could fill both gaps.

Paulo Dybala.

No talk about him linked anywhere, so he may be slipping under the radar. I assume he could be picked up for around the same price as one of the two above, and can play both wings and up top.

If we signed him and a CB like Mustafi, I would be very happy with our dealings in this window.

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29 Jul 2016 00:36:14
G-man I think everyone would agree with you mate but there's no way on hells earth we'll get him.

• He only just moved to Juve last summer
• He is looked upon as Juve's golden child
• He is a huge huge talent playing for one of Europe's elite
• If he were to leave he'd be £50m no doubt
• If he were to leave he would have the choice of any club
• He chose Juve over us last summer (apparently)

It would be a dream if we actually pulled off such a coop because he is one of the most exciting talents out there and still has plenty time on his side and time to improve even more so. Just can't see us even bidding tbh (test the waters)

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29 Jul 2016 00:41:24
No mate, Dybala will never be sold for 40-50 mil.

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29 Jul 2016 01:43:54
Sorry to burst your bubble mate, but Juve signed Dybala for something like £30m and he's now the jewel in their crown, so to speak.

No club, let alone us could get him for a similar price to Mahrez or Lacazette.
If Juventus sell Dybala, expect to pay a Pogba level price.

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