Arsenal Banter Archive December 02 2014

 

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02 Dec 2014 19:23:56
Dags,

Just been reading through some old banter I had across the pages, (the search button works, who would of known).

It brought up a few posts from you during the dark start of the year for my family, even on Liverpool page.

Just wanna say what a top bloke u are mate, through your help in bringing together collective good vibes, my lad pulled through and today stood on his own lol.

Just thought I'd let ya know how thankful I am to u and others such as golds etc. Top guys mate.

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{Ed025's Note - lovely to hear that chris..

Thats brilliant news Chris, I've got a feeling you the misuss and your son plus all the rest of family might just have a fantastic and very special first Christmas together.
Congratulations to you all mate

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02 Dec 2014 20:21:32
Absolute pleasure mate,

Hope you, the Mrs and Jack all OK and looking forward to Xmas.

Although, at the time, if I knew you were a Manchester United supporter, lol only kidding fella.

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02 Dec 2014 20:54:31
Cheers g62 mate,

Oh dags, goes without saying lol

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Yeah, have a good Xmas with the little one mate, I've got 4 and just a tip for you, forget the presents they love the empty boxes, and the wrapping paper tubes best.

Doesn't matter how old you are an empty wrapping paper tube is so much fun, got to go now i'm making a light saber

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03 Dec 2014 15:26:04
To good health and good football :)

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02 Dec 2014 17:00:43
Can someone please explain where Abu Diaby is? Wenger doesn't even mention him, when talking about injured players.

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Do you really need to ask where abu diaby is?
abu diaby is where abu diaby always is, .

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{Ed025's Note - in the united emirates is,nt it?.. :)

Strength training I seem to remember hearing a while back, he's not injured but trying to build up some muscle/strength for his comeback, we did the same with Sanogo for about 4 months last season.

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02 Dec 2014 19:39:25
There was a report last month that he had suffered a serious hamstring injury and would be out for 3 months.

That was followed by a report in the Evening Standard that he had trained as normal the following day.

I haven't seen him in any team training photos for a few weeks where as he was regularly seen in them.

He has to be injured and the club are again not saying anything.

Amazed Wenger hasn't been asked the question in a press conference. Guess the press assume he's out injured or have simply forgotten him.

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02 Dec 2014 20:24:24
Ed,

That's Abu Dhabi mate not Abu Diaby, lol

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{Ed025's Note - oh right.. :)

No doubt upping his gamer score on his xbox as normal

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02 Dec 2014 16:09:34
Just a little post to add something to TWO posts further down.

Firstly AW's ability to get the best out of players has been questioned and secondly the Messi/Ronaldo debate, people have said that messi has much better supply line from midfield.

My point:

TH14

Goals for AFC - 1 GOAL IN EVERY 1.4 GAMES

Goals for Barca - 1 GOAL IN EVERY 2.2 GAMES

Just Saying, that's all

Btw I still think Ronaldo is better than Messi

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02 Dec 2014 16:23:43
Thats a little bit unfair as Henry was at Arsenal in his best years and he went to Barca as he started to decline.

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DG, don't get me wrong I agree, however if we sign Messi he will score 6 goals every game! By that thought train Ronaldo will score 8 every game.

Happy days

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Jeffers Chamack Gervinho, there a lot of Yang to match Henry's Ying under Arsene's leadership.

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Anelka, viera, petite, pires, sagna, RVP, fabregas, theo, ox, Ramsey, koscielny, Sanchez to name but a few, that's a very unbalanced ying and yang G62

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I thought we were only doing strikers 337 but Senderos Santos I could go on but I've got to be at work at 9am in the morning mate :-).
Little question his best days of spotting raw talent and making them in to greats were a long time ago.
Sadly for every Sanchez a 30 mil bargin there's an Ozil, a 40 mil man played out of position with the Arsene of today I'm afraid

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Good point, but I feel his days were when financially it was a level playing field, since then it's impossible

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Maybe mate, i'm not so sure but time will as always tell in the end.
I personally feel one of his biggest downfalls his his job security, everyone who achieves consistently at the very top knows they have to keep producing time after time, mourinho would be under massive pressure if he didn't win the league this season and I doubt Fergie would have survived 3 or season's bof finishing 4 th without some serious questions being asked about his continued ability.
The stadium and the wealth have made Arsene is untouchable and he knows it and feels it and to some degree he's lost that edge winners have because of it

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02 Dec 2014 14:34:36
Arsenal had a pretty good window but we was 3 players short. We needed a cb, dmf and a cf. We only ended up with one (welbeck)

Was the reason why we only have 2 cb at the club was because wenger felt that it was enough to have 2 cb or the board was like you spent all the money available you have too choose between welbeck or a defender.

If its the latter then it doesn't really matter who the manager of arsenal is because they would always be restricted by the board. I just feel that wenger wanted a cb but with giroud injury he was forced to sign welbeck and sacrifice the defence.

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I think Wenger messed up the window, from a centre back point of view. I believe he was trying desperately to get one, but couldn't conclude any of the offers the club made.
We apparently tried to sign Van Dijk & I recall made offers for a couple of other centre backs. Taking into account Chambers was signed as a right back, quite how he thought 2 centre backs returning from the rigours of World Cup duty, could play every match until January is beyond comprehension. I can't fathom out why we have no young defenders capable of playing in the first team. The best are Bellerin and Hayden, neither of which look ready.

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02 Dec 2014 17:13:47
Ed02 has said that wages and breaching FFP played a part in how many players we were able to bring in without other players moving in the opposite direction.

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02 Dec 2014 13:16:31
On the whole debate on the board vs wenger a friend made a good point. Basically a lot of fans complain about funds being spent but in the last few seasons arsenal have bought big just not in the right places. So the question asked was "if Wengers was manager of Real Madrid would they win the CL?"

Tbh I don't think they would, obviously have a good chance due to their players but winning it isn't just that it is tactics as well. The best team doesn't always win/reach the final look at Liverpool, Chelsea (sorry), inter, dortmund, & athletico madrid - all of them were no where near the best teams but either won or got to the final through managers getting the most out of players and tactics.

Could argue Wenger at one point did have the best team in the world (the invincibles) and still didn't win it (admittedly did get to a final). Always loved watching arsenal but been years since I've thought of them as a potential CL winning side. his status as a legend and what he has done for the club are obvious, but if you want to win leagues and the CL personally think you need a new manager to start with.

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02 Dec 2014 14:09:24
Agree with all of that. Good post

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02 Dec 2014 17:11:29
We played the majority of that final with 10 men for starters and if Champions League winning sides are buying at Harrods whilst we're buying from Lidl's what realistically do you expect.

I know the Wenger out gang love all this kind of stuff but try and at least put it into an honest perspective.

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02 Dec 2014 18:07:55
Well tbf he has been there for 18 years and got to the final once, although going down to 10 men is unlucky it doesn't change the result or that he hasn't gotten close to one since.

As for budget that should be taken into account but Mourinho won the CL twice, with Porto and Inter Milan - hardly the big spenders of the competition. Klopp has won 2 league titles with a similar budget whilst losing his best players to his league rival who has a much larger financial backing and got to a final humbling madrid along the way. Simeone won the league competing against the two most expensive sides in world football (with the two best players the world has probably ever seen) and got to the CL final. I respect Wenger for what he has done for your club and his consistency but the talk about the money he has to spend is just an excuse - managers who have been more adaptable to their situations and identified weaknesses have won with smaller budgets then him.

Respect your opinion but I don't think my view is too unrealistic tbf. in 18 years he has won 3 league titles (last one over a decade ago) and 0 CL titles yet still hasn't shown any signs of changing his approach or buying the players it is obvious to everyone you have needed for years (DM, GK, CB). To put it in perspective Wenger has managed for 18 years won 3 league titles (a few fa cups tbf) ferguson managed 25 years and won 13 titles & 2 CL - so if wenger won every title for the next 7 years and won the CL twice he would still have won less titles then Ferguson did in that same time.

Think a new manager could come in and with a few key signings make Arsenal compete for everything.

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02 Dec 2014 18:46:31
Klopp won 2 league titles before selling his best players to Bayern.

This season where are they having lost their best players.

What did Porto or Milan win with those quality teams after Mourinho left.

Have any of them maintained there positions in their respective leagues or did they drop like stones after losing their manager and best players.

Will Simeone win la Liga without Costa. Already a 23 goal difference between them and Madrid.

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02 Dec 2014 19:45:48
Sahin voted got voted bundesliga player of the season - sold him won the league. Kagawa got in the XI of the season sold him won the league. Fair enough this season isn't going well but has literally lost a star player every season for 4 seasons and been plagued with injuries this season.

What did Porto and Milan win. bit confused I didn't say they were quality teams, they weren't. You said unfair to judge AW due to the quality of players he can get and those are two examples that prove that's an excuse. Two teams of lesser quality that a manager got to win against better opposition with using his tactics, which AW can't do.

Simeone won the league lost his best player and then had his two rivals spend £80m on the best players and sits 4 points off top spot. Wenger got 4th kept the players he wanted spent £77m and is 13 points from top and you are criticising Simeone?

My point is that you can take the same budget and team and give it to two managers. One will be able to get the best out of them by changing his tactics and can win trophies whilst the other can't and in my opinion AW is the latter.

Klopp, Simeone etc may not win the league this season but if I had to back one of them or AW winning it anytime soon I wouldn't put a dime on AW.

Admire what he has done and how has kept the club whilst paying off the stadium. But that's done and now I think he needs to pass the torch

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{Ed025's Note - some fair points there roland..

02 Dec 2014 21:01:05
Your last paragraph is the one that says it all, let him get the club through the bad times, moan about a lack of trophies and no sooner than he has the funds to compete jog him off up the road.

I really love that thought process and all the excuses that get crammed in with it.

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03 Dec 2014 00:07:22
They aren't excuses just my unbiased view, I'm a Liverpool fan and would absolutely love AW - he is exactly what we need. Someone who can balance the books, get 4th and get out of the group stages. But arsenal have paid off their stadium, balanced the books, have w cash reserve and want to win titles. I personally don't think he can deliver that even if you gave him a blank check.

From what I see with arsenal is they tend to beat the teams they should beat (gets you 4th) but lose to the teams fighting for the title (why you lose titles). This reason for this IMO is he doesn't change tactics, ever. Arsenal play the same way (which is great to watch) whether they play burnley or barca, which means you beat the teams you are better then and then tend to lose to the ones as good as you or better - because managers know exactly what to expect from AW have a plan to counter it which works and he won't change it!

He hasn't beaten Mourinho in 11 games and has only one of his last 11 against United, even moyes out thought him and he got sacked that year. mourinho probably doesn't even bother planning against AW, just gets his plans out from when he first played him in 2005 and repeats. Look at the last United game, unlucky to concede a goal - everyone bombs forward with no defensive discipline and what happened? Conceded a second game over. At anfield last season fielded his strongest team, game over in 20 minutes for the exact same reasons. Chelsea played their B team and took all 3 points because they had a plan.

In regards to him now having money and deserves a chance to spend it to win something. this is his second season having money to spend and you are out of the title race before December. Ok he won an FA cup, but played hull and nearly completely screwed that up as well! Then move on to transfers, second season has money same problem. He bought Ozil who looks worse the chamberlain. This summer your net spent was £46m, Chelsea's was £10m yet the gap has widened between you. Because Mourinho saw the players who he didn't need (including Juan Mata which everyone called him crazy for) while AW kept players who don't have a future there (podolski, diaby, arteta, monreal, etc) heck took him how long to realise bendtner was useless? Then Mourinho saw the weak spots in his team and filled them with quality players, AW ignored the obvious weaknesses in your team and again arsenal have the same problems.

Hate to sound harsh as I do have a lot of respect for AW and love to watch Arsenal play as open football is entertaining. But this is the second season where he has money to spent and isn't any closer. Would love him to prove me wrong and will eat humble pie if he does, but personally from the outside looking in if you want league titles and CL trophies you need a new manager.

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03 Dec 2014 08:01:05
Very good post mate.

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RD I agree with every single word you just wrote. It's good to see it from an outsiders point of view.

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02 Dec 2014 09:14:09
£100million for 3 players who could turn us into challengers.

Go.

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Neuer (gk)
Gundogan (MC)
Nicolas N'Koulou (DC)

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Varane
Schneiderlin
Reus

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Pogba
Candreva
Hummels

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02 Dec 2014 12:56:31
Zeiler
Rudiger
Camacho
Alcacer

I know you said 3 but I think we need a completely new spine. That lot would come under 100mil

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M Hummels
L Bender
M Reus

or

Schar
Bender
Khediera and either bank approx spare £50mil for a rainy day.or get a4th player for your money, say Benzema. (or am I being greedy asking for 4?)

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Ronaldo. and two free transfers lol

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Unrealistic - Varane, pogba, vidal
Realistic - schar, bender, wanyama
Probable - winston read, kim kallstrom, diaby (nothing like a new signing who is a current player)

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02 Dec 2014 16:21:55
Either:

Pogba (£60m), Hummels (£30m), Cech (£10m)

Or:

Khedira (£15m), Benatia (£25m), Aguero (£60m)

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02 Dec 2014 16:55:35
Cech, Varane, Wanyama, Benzema - All potentially under £100 million

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Courtois (45-50M)- One of the best keepers and would weaken Chelsea a lot. Alternatively - De Gea. Same reasons.

Hummels - One of the best. Would complement Koscielny too.
Alternatively - Kompany - A leader on the pitch. Also would weaken City's spine.

Don't need a DM, 'cause we got Chambers.

Aubemayang - Pacy, strong and pretty clinical. He'd rip the league apart with our midfield
Alternatively - Lukaku - He'd do too.

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02 Dec 2014 18:48:04
Cech
Pogba
Lukaku

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K. Volland
Wanyama
Pique

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Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Javi Martinez. If not Martinez, Thiago Silva.

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02 Dec 2014 07:29:14
From the boards point of veiw Henry would be an ideal replacement for Arsene as he would be allowed to retain the 4th place trophy much longer than any other new manager would ever be.
Klopp, Gardiola or who ever would need to show progress within two seasons to retain the majority of fans support and two seasons where the title challange was over by Christmas would see them under immense pressure but turning on Henry no matter what would be difficult.
I guess we'll really see the boards intent in two years time when they name the new man

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Henry (or Bergkamp for that matter) would be a very clever decision by the baord indeed. As the fans would give them their undisputed support because of their status and the fact they will be a very cheap option they could be ideal candidates for the job. Not to mention getting them at a young inexperienced age they could be groomed as 'yes' men for years to come.

Most fans will love it if these guys take the reins. The true fans will be disgusted.

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Can bergkamp now fly??

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{Ed025's Note - even without wings..

Red bull could sort him out

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{Ed025's Note - love it 337..

Thanks ed, although due to recent compensation claims in America please read the following disclaimer:

I (337) wish to stress, that at no point have I claimed that red bull actually gives you wings!

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Well who knows, Henry could be our Simeone? Yes he would have undisputed back from both supporters and board but maybe that will be our 'second wind' in tough games, I'd love to go to the Emirates just too see the king walk out in the Arsenal suit :) that alone is worth the ticket price, I never had the pleasure of watching him as a player so seeing him as the manager would be epic!

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{Ed025's Note - you missed a treat essex..

Eds lol

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Ed after watching many Henry videos on YouTube I know how unlucky I was :( I think I started watching arsenal religiously when he was on his last couple of seasons with us. I mean couple you imagine Henry as manager winning the League with arsenal? That would be amazing!

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{Ed025's Note - it would essex, but thats a long way off mate..

02 Dec 2014 05:38:11
Not to open up a can of worms in regards to us having too many Wingers and Attacking Midfield players but it has officially been announced that Xerdan Shaquiri will leave Bayern in January. I know we need a CB badly, I know we MUST sign a DM but at a cut price deal of £15-16million should we be considering this guy? He has a wealth of experience under his belt, is only 23 years old and was very impressive in the World Cup. With United, Liverpool and Spurs reportedly interested I personally feel he could haunt us in the future.

What's your thoughts guys? If the money's there like we are told is he player we should consider?

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Excellent player whos become a bit part player and its effected him. I think whoever gets him next will see the best of it. i'd have him over cazorla but I don't think it will happen

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He is not a player we need. We have plenty of options in the wide areas: Walcott, Ox, Gnabry, Welbeck & Alexis. We also have Campbell & Podolski, who I can see being sold in January, with the funds reinvested in a centre back & a defensive midfielder.

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02 Dec 2014 08:57:33
Not needed.

Concentrate on the areas that need strengthening.

No point buying 3 beautiful wooden TV cabinets if you don't have a TV.

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Like Robbie said, we have plenty of options in those areas, if Podolski is to leave and Campbell go out on loan or leave also then i'd love to see him join

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TV dags? I'm lost, I thought we sold him to Barca?

Although from what I've heard he's out until April so maybe they would have been better giving us £15m for three tv units :-p

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02 Dec 2014 20:30:25
Lol 337,

I knew somebody would pick me up on that, and I kind of had a feeling it was going to be you :-)

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02 Dec 2014 05:28:20
Someone posted the other day about how Real Madrid and other clubs have been ruthless with their players over the years. I for one believe that this is Mr Wengers main flaw. If he could be or our club could be half as ruthless as clubs like Mardid I firmly believe we would have been challenging for the title in years gone by.

By not dropping under performers, getting rid of the deadwood and changing up certain areas in our squad year in year out I feel this has cost us dearly. I mean by no means should we not be loyal to our players but there comes a time when there is either something better out there for our needs or it's just time to say goodbye.

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I agree some players have been kept to long and its killed us abit

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Absolutely. For many seasons we carried players such as Bendtner. We seem in a better position this season. However, we still need to sell/dispose of Coquelin, Flamini, Diaby, Jenkinson & Miyaichi. If Wenger isn't going to play the likes of Campbell, Podolski & Rosickyt, we should look at selling them and replacing them.

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I mentioned this a while back too, VDG. its without a doubt one of his main flaws, Mourinho doesn't have wasters, a title winning side doesn't need them, Wenger has a lot of faith in anybody, and it worked with some players, (ramsey) but with players like Robbie mentioned they have had for to much money of us and it needs to stop

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I reckon I'd keep Jenkinson. He's had a fine season thus far.

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02 Dec 2014 00:39:28
Evening lads i'm a celtic die hard but supported arsenal since I was a wee boy back in the early 90's and just seen on bbc sport the rumour again about arsenal coming in for van dijk from us. He is going 2 leave us no question about it same as forster and wanyama. Financially we can't keep top players anymore and can't turn down the big fees offered and when he does leave wether it's jan or the summer I sincerely hope it's arsenal cause this guy is a class act and under the guidance of wenger he will become world class and a future holland captain I have no doubt it. As I said I support arsenal always have always will and the cb position has been a worrying area for arsenal for a few years I think most regulars on here would agree and I really think van dijk would a tremendous signing. Even ruud gullit, the holland fans and some dutch media have been shouting for him 2 get a start for the national team so shows how highly regarded he is and only 23. I don't know how true the rumour is or what the price being talked about is I know our board will look for 10m+ and 2 us that is a lot of money that we can't turn down but down in england it's not really a lot. For a player with this much potential it would be money well spent. Just wanted 2 have a wee say on it incase not many readers knew 2 much about him. Cheers lads thanks again and best of luck the rest of the season will be watching as always

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02 Dec 2014 01:46:49
Hi Gunnie,

Thank you very much for your post and good luck for the rest of the season.

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I have seen him play GB and I think with the right guidance he could reach the top. Very smart move on his part to experience British football in Scotland before making the move to EPL if that's his chosen destination. Look how it's worked for Wanyama? God I wish we had got Wanyama back then!

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I hope we sign him in jan. worth a punt like wanyama was

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I believe we will come in for him in January and if a deal can be struck around £10m, I believe we will sign him.

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I think your right Robbie. £10million and Celtic will sell.

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02 Dec 2014 14:47:52
10m and our board will sell no problem. I know our league isn't the best but he scored 2 goals on sunday and missed a sitter for a hat trick so he knows where the goal is, he is a beast in the air at corners. I agree about wanyama aswel I said 2 my dad before he left he would have fitted into arsenal no problem it's the position that's never really been filled since gilberto/vieria left

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