Arsenal Banter Archive December 30 2012

 

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30 Dec 2012 22:41:30
So funny watching Chelsea traffic on the web - it would seem that Demba Ba has several agents representing him and the Chelsea management team do not know whether they can conclude a deal with just the agent who has flown in from Dubai to speak with them.
Additionally, the talks were meant to be private but one of ba's agents have released details to spoil the deal and to promote a conflicting deal they have with another club.
No need for a pantomime!

Believable5 Unbelievable0

31 Dec 2012 08:52:06
No mata what happens, that's his likely destination anyway.

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What's Mata got to do with the deal?

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30 Dec 2012 22:31:14
Tom soares of bury and x teammate of Zaha has tweeted Zaha to afc. The. Backed up with not a bulls..........

Jakey

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30 dec 2012 22:10:27
evening boys and girls and all the eds...

im sitting here having a smoke and watching the darts.. were just under 30 hours to the transfer window is opened and i am shaking with anticipation...i believe that are time has come in the transfer window...
we have had it hard since the move to the emirates...
we have lost quality players season after season to help fund the stadium build...

in my opinion we should all be grateful to have a manager like arsene wenger...
there is not a manager any where in the world past and present that could of done what he has done...clough, saf, mourhinio, paisley, pep and any other manager of any renown in this day and age would of had a nervous break down and
failed...
we may not like it but football is about money and it still amazes me how hes kept us in the top 4 since we moved to the emirates..you have the understand before we moved to the emirates we went toe to toe with utd and then the money arrived at chelsea...
we are a club that thrives on tradition and arsene knows that and respects it, , this is why wants to manage the club...
saf is the most successful manager ever but could he do what wenger has done??i doubt it!!
we are lucky to have arsene "zippy" wenger!!

we go into january and i'm buzzzing!
its the 1st time in 8 years we have serious money to spend and even though it may not all happen in january i believe the summer is going to be huge for us...the plan has worked...

i would like to take this opportunity to wish all the old boys like metal, ike, usgooner, 1404, ezdee, 1732, nick, sy4, sheeny, n.carolina, d, watford, aussie, belfast, scooby, and any 1 else that bothers to sign there name a happy new year now because i say i will be fairly of me head tomorrow night..

to all the eds...
have a great new years eve and i hope you all have a prosperous and healthy new year..

happy 21st birthday to the future club captain.."captain jack" has a certain ring to it!!

malaga gooner

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Happy New Year and keep up the posts

Come on you Gooners!

SY4

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Cheers Malaga, and all the others... Including the eds.... I dunno about the other club sites but we all write on this forum with the passion of true gooners.... Win lose or draw there's just a feeling you get when you see the the players really give it their all and fight hard.

I discovered this Site about mid 2008 or so and it's become a daily routine to go on it and read.

I'm sure I'll continue to doing so for some years to come... Keep up the great work. And happy new year again

Scooby dooby K

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Happy New Year Malaga buddy.
Captain Jack does have a great ring to it for sure.
Question for ya, if Wenger spends in January but fails to keep us in the top 4 should he be replaced?

Ezdee
PS
I miss Charlie

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And flybo...
sorry buddy...
malaga gooner

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What happened to champagne charlie? its almost as if he disappeared just as malaga got off the wagon and came back :)

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Ask Tony Soprano?

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Thanks Malaga!

Happy New Year to all the readers and Eds!

I joined this site about 2 years ago where I along with a few others was very emotional about the club. I have become less attached now (I think!) and at that time there was a war on here, it was bizarre. There's a lot less of that crap now and even those who post the most bizarre rumours are welcomed on the site now instead of insulted like they were 2 years ago.

I love this site, love talking about the club, learning new things, and having debates. I hope 2013 brings new uses, more of the same from the regs and the Eds, but most importantly some bloody success for this club!

Happy new year everyone!

Metal Gooner

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30 Dec 2012 21:29:07
Just a hint here but its very highly possible thats after a pretty good december although being pitted against teams we should be beating mr wenger will sign knowbody or a 'unknown knowbody'........

The bit that gets me as a long time supporter i dont class myself as a fan but a supporter is that with the addition of a dominant defender and a dominant cdm plus healthy rotation of giroud and walcott we look fairly solid, and as everyone is speaking about the 'walcott saga' i would in no way sell him in this window not even for £50M and i dont see him getting what he says he wants at another top 4 club in the epl which is to play up top i just think its a way to gain favour like a bargaining chip for him

Gary

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30 Dec 2012 20:44:43
I hope we curb stomp Southampton and send a very real message to City about what exactly is coming....

This coming stretch, I hope the boys play as angry as they ever have. Time to send a message to all the haters...

Yesterday's win is out of my system...7 goals is a rarity....but our form sure as hell wasn't. That was very real...

Time for all the critics to line up one by one to take turns kissing Wenger's ass.....the class footy of the PL is back

Not Surprised!! Where are the doubters now? You think City or Chelsea are excited about playing us....let me correct that...HAVING to play us...

As good as its ever been for me folks....love this club. Time to kick ass and take names. Remember every snide comment and use them as fuel....and then watch the masses drool at the product we display....100% Arsenal all day every day...our way....OUR SHOW

(I wish we played city tomorrow, bring em all on)

Coyfg!!

US Gooner

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The "duke" is back!!!

this is what i am talking about...

stand up if you hate tottenham!!

malaga gooner

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Lol amazing

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Awesome! i could have sworn your last paragraph was a rap :)

Happy new year mate

Metal Gooner

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30 Dec 2012 19:19:06
Does anyone know if Nani is a likely transfer to arsenal.

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Please no

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30 Dec 2012 21:11:53
Please god tell me that that out of form can't be arsed has been is coming anywhere near us. We really don't need any of there dross.

Stoner

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Hardly likly red nose wouldnt sell toa rival knowin it would strengthen thier squad i.e being able to rotate nani and ox while theo plays up top we would look a hell of alot more dangerous with him in the squad

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Agree with stoner, we don't need any of their rejects

337

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No, he's brilliant, honest, please buy him

AJH

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AJH, we will swap him for Squid & Chamakh, they're fantastic, we've been keeping them a secret honestly!

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I cant exactly see him rolling up his shirt and getting stuck in on a cold pissy wet night in a cup tie can you? type of player when the game is coasting and we are 3-0 up he would showboat, goes missing when the going gets tough.....if he lost that image i might warm to him.

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And wot exactly did he do at united when we played the likes of crawly oxford leeds etc on cold wet windy cup ties? he played and we won most of them
CTR

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30 Dec 2012 18:46:21
Would anyone take Wellbeck from united, to Arsenal? He isnt getting much of a look in now with rvp + hernandez + rooney. Decent player. British. Cheap (ish).

Without giroud, we dont have a striker on the subs bench. We definitely need one..so...wellbeck?

Daniel

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He's a poor mans giroud x1000

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30 Dec 2012 21:13:57
I think it's really hard to get those special 20p shaped football boots he wears in London to hopefully not ffs.

First Welbeck then Nani, next it'll be Evra.

Stoner

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I think Danny Welbeck is one of Englands best young talents and i would love him at Arsenal.......really dont see Fergie letting him go.

poor mans Giroud x 1000, thats a pathetically ridiculous statement no matter who Welbeck plays for.

1404

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Overratted/overhyped in my Opinion for a young player that has not proven any sort of consistent performance as yet. To be fair I cant see him really getting many starts now for Utd mind.

Both Giroud and Podolski are much better all round strikers with proven track records.

He is maybe better than Chamakh but thts is nort really saying alot

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Daniel, is your surname Welbeck? Come clean it's you isn't it?

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30 Dec 2012 17:40:30
Theo has never had any intention of signing a new contract. Like RVP, it's the last year of his deal, he's playing well so he can get a decent move with a big signing on fee. He knows Arsenal will never break the pay structure which is why he's rumoured to have asked for an amount he knows they won't pay. When he goes it'll be all Arsenal's fault not his.

He's the same as every other player "money"!

So lets just not talk about him anymore, effectively he's an ex-Arsenal player.
Lets concentrate and give our support to the players that want to stay at the club.

Romford Gunner.

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I think you are possibly right and I hope you aren't! RVP IMO RVP deal was done 12 months before actual move.
Players like to be able to point the finger at the club or use a smokescreen like playing position or ambition of club but it's all about money!

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30 Dec 2012 17:31:57
Some games, it's about the fight, the pride and passion to play for the club. Did anybody watch the Everton vs Chelsea game? Can't believe Chelsea won that one....
GunUp.

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30 Dec 2012 17:20:38
In reply to Daniels comment earlier:

Im a dual UK/US citizen....and ok i believe stan has to go but to say there is no place for Americans is ignorant. 1. the Premier league is what it is today due to an international following. 2. whats the difference between an american billionaire and a russian or one from any other country?...NONE....the glazers have done a decent job so far at united so far...

shouldn't make negative ignorant remarks when you support a club that has counted on the talent of so many players from all over the world...its not the classy type of comment you expect from a classy gooner mate.

Scooby Dooby K

(im sure US gooner will back me up on this one lol)

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Scooby, fantastic post bud

US Gooner

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There hasnt been one Club in the premiership that has profited from American Ownership - united are slowly digging themselves out of debt so they might be a future exception. Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston villa, have all been shafted by american owners. Sunderland might be that one club with decent american ownership your looking for, but, hardly knocking doors down are they. Fans complained about Ellis Short.

So to summarise, Americans have been detrimental to the development of a football club in the premier league, and I for one, want our Yank to dissapear.

Of course, players and fans are a different kettle of fish entirely, and I often enjoy the banter of our American fans! Most notably US gooner, who most likely recites his own posts, on a stage, with a microphone - with an Arsenal flag draped over his shoulders.

Daniel

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Personally just want a good honest owner, not fussed by their nationality

Bergkamp's apprentice

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Scooby dooby k "buddy"...

you could be an alien for all i care!!

your a gooner and that is all that maters...

malaga gooner

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Ok so how many Russian/British owners are there in american sport ? I think you might have a different view if that started happening. Stan does`nt have a deep lifelong love of Arsenal, he see

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Daniel, Arsenal is actually just a small part of my sports following, but I am a die hard fan...

As per reciting my posts on stage, clearly you are not familiar w America, they could give a rubbish less about "soccer"

Just because American owners don't spend like persons and run a business like a toy from their childhood doesn't make them bad owners.

Don't fault businessmen for running businesses....say " I'm frustrated and want to point the finger at foreign businessmen" who exploit my nations overall inability to balance a book.

Is selling London to Moscow better? How's that working out? Houses still affordable?

Cheers

US Gooner

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This is getting stupid, we really should not 'tar' people with a brush because they are from a particular country, businessmen have there reasons for investing wherever they are from.

Now kiss and make up boys!

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30 Dec 2012 17:07:15
So who starts up front next game? Theo or Giroud?

Im hoping for Theo and Giroud... mix it up a little

R.O.B

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Theo for me

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Theo again. We have the perfect system with the ox and podolski on the wings. And tbh i think walcott is bringing out the best in podolski.

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30 Dec 2012 16:44:48
Who would you guys rather have? Its obvious we need a CDM, arteta is good be he can't be asked to do that job when it isn't his natural position.

Tiote- Hes brilliant at that position however lacks height.

Or someone like Mvilla very tall, but have never really seen him play to say how good he is.

I would like a diaby type player but would also be happy with tiote.

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Tiote is 5ft 11. M'vila is 6ft exactly. I guess you are right. Tiote is so much shorter. Get your facts right mate.

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And the irony is... Tiote is the same height as M'Vila.

StEvE

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M'vila is 6' even. Wouldnt call that "very tall"

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What a stupid debate 6ft is massive if you as 5ft but tiny if you are 7ft wtf who cares?

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30 Dec 2012 16:09:08
Essien will sign for the arsenal

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Simple. Not good enough.

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30 Dec 2012 16:05:35
Im not saying we should (Or shouldn't)
but I am going to ask the question.

If you had to choose 1 left-back to return, be it now in the january window, or in the summer. Who would you pick

1: Clichy (Agree)
2: Cashley (Disagree)

Daniel

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Neither tbh, cole is ageing although he is still a top lb.

And well clichy is not the player he used to be.

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No contest. Ashley cole

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30 Dec 2012 19:16:47
Apparently then, it's Cashley Cole... .

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Rather see nigel winterburn than either of those money monkeys


ljdyork

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30 Dec 2012 21:12:23
who would want cashley back? he was the first player to leave for the money and since he's been insulting us with various of twitter pictures and making fun of our club. hate it or love it, i would rather have nasri back than cole.

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How very dare you use the 'N' word? Disinfect your keyboard

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30 Dec 2012 15:46:17
If there are some world class strikers available, is it not better to let Theo go rather than take risk
on him becoming world class?

Believable0 Unbelievable8

Or just keep him, buy a world-class striker, and have competition for places.

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Who are the world class strikers who are available?

Stezza.

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David villa for one.

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31 Dec 2012 01:34:53
Fernando Llorente another

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Fernando llorente is not world class...

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30 Dec 2012 15:34:13
All the players signed Theo's match ball yesterday with many signing "sign da ting" whilst Ramsey wrote down "sign, you mug". Well said son.
Eman.

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30 Dec 2012 14:11:32
Luke Shaw of Southampton seems heavily linked with us and i dont think its a stretch to see Santos leave. Can i say though i wouldn't be upset to see Lescott come in if he is up for grabs from City i think we should go for him he is proven top level centre back and can cover left back for Gibbs. Midfield for me is difficult I personally believe we should cut our losses with Diaby, but it could come and bite us in the ass. He is world class when fit but with the likes of Coquelin and Frimpong coming through do we need him taking wages and squad places for a max 15 games a season it seems. I would also choose either Coquelin or Frimpong and sell the other along with Diaby and bring a proven defensive midfielder. I would keep Coquelin and go for Flamini though Wenger never will have him back so Strootman or cheeky bid for Khediera or Mascherano seem very good options. I dont see the need for a striker i think in Pod, Walcott, Giroud were covered there i think 2 wide men would be better suited after the sales of Arshavin and Chamakh. Zaha seems like an option though is going to be over priced purely as he is currently english and most of the top flight looking at him and on a good contract. Nani has been mentioned but dont see it myself think thats more paper talk than anything else. For me a big offer for Goetze and Diego Capel of Sporting would be good business. We need a top keeper to push Chez and i think Handanovic could be the man for us.

So in short the business i'd like to see Jan is
Outs: all the obvious no point in stating plus Frimpong and Djourou and Santos

Ins:
Lescott,
Strootman, or Khediera,
Goetze,
Capel
Handanovic

Holmesy

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Lescott? My nan is a better left back, why do you think they bought Clichy?

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Luke Shaw's link with Arsenal is from the Dail Fail! If you believe that sort of rubbish you will also believe you can hold on to Walcott after yesterdays performance.

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To the above post, lescott is not a lb, hes a cb

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Your nan is incredible Christopher Maloney.

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30 Dec 2012 14:05:54
I don't know who Gibbs was trying to sell a dummy to other than himself on their second goal. quite commical knowing that we won in the end.

Would just like to know what the hell game plan did we have in the first half. In fact it was quite weird all over. I've seen more excitement, movement and noise at my local park on a sunday afternoon than there was at the Emirates last night. It seems the players and the fans are feeding off of each others nervousness. We need to shake it off because boy, when we do get the bit between our teeth we can be awesome.

Well pleased for Walcott. I've been one that has slated him alot for not getting into games more, but last night he rammed that thought down my throat in the best way possible. Again once he and Arsenal got going Brilliant!

Even more pleased for Giroud. He will get better and better. Been really pissed off with the people slating him before he's even settled.

Overall more of the same second half performance the whole game.......minus the goals conceded. And let's breathe some life into the Emirates, that place could really rock.

Estepona gooner

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30 Dec 2012 13:39:23
Hope we can ease up on the disagrees for this one post today as its my birthday :)
But with Walcotts hattrick, i think some people are forgetting a player who also had a good game against Newcastle.
Olivier Giroud!
I mean 2 goals in 20 minutes is a pretty solid effort, and he even hit the woodwork once and on any other day, he would've had his hattrick.

Start of the season - any other day Giroud would've scored that (miss against Sunderland)

Mid season - any other day Giroud would've had his hattrick.

Spot the difference :)

Nick.

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Happy birthday buddy!!

malaga gooner

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Giroud has had plenty of chance up front and not scored, yesterday by the time he came on they were finished, my nan could have scored!

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30 Dec 2012 16:28:40
Happy birthday mate and Giroud is class and will do well for us I've no doubt.

Stoner

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Don't forget our own LPOD he was great all game

ljdyork

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30 Dec 2012 12:50:08
i see kieran gibbs getting some stick. deserves some from the third goal obviously but how on earth is the second goal his fault. sagna can't intercept it, kos can't intercept it, verm can't intercept it. even szczesny could have dived to get it. it shouldn't be possible to cross through one fullback, two centerbacks and a goalkeeper to the back post! gibbs does the right thing imo, marks the player behing vermaelen who was far more likely to get the ball and who was in a more dangerous position.

by the way i've been really impressed with oxlade-chamberlain lately. he seems to have got some confidence back. last season nothing was expected from him and it was okay if he lost the ball. this season he takes a lot more responsibility. he doesn't want to lose the ball and concede a counter-attack so he was probably playing it too safe. now he's getting back to the level he was but with a lot more reliability!

iceman

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Gibbs had an off day yesterday for sure, but the first poor game I have seen him have. Would much rather this happened in a game we won, if we can all see his errors yesterday don't worry so will he, AW and Bouldy - he will get slaughtered and his mistakes will be addressed don't worry.

337

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Gibbs positioning for two of their goals was poor. Szez was also poor in first half which nearly gifted Newcastle a couple of goals with his distribution.

Bergkamp's apprentice

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Gibbs didn't even look behind for their second goal

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Going forward he was top class sometimes one cancels out another

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30 Dec 2012 12:37:03
Chelsea fan here in peace. This is how a lot of football supporters see arsenal. We are happy to see wenger in charge, and when you have a bad spell, we start to worry because you might start talking about changing him. We know you will always end up qualifying for the champions league, and know that this will satisfy the board. We know you play the best football and pundits and journalists and everyone else acknowledges that. We accept all that. The worry we have is the fact that you have a russian on the board who is richer than roman, now if he was to gain control and get Dein back, then with your history and reputation for playing the best football, you could attract anyone and probably go on to dominate world club football. How does the average arsenal supporter feel, are you happy to play great football and have a club run correctly business wise or would you like to follow the likes of chelsea and city .

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Your pretty much spot on with your post..
the difference is there is money there now and we have run the club the right way by not getting into debt...
the future is bright for arsenal...

malaga gooner

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Great question! We are divided for sure.

I personally would like a happy medium, and here me out before you slate me please.

Nobody knows 100% how FFP is going to effect the EPL (although ed002 has kindly documented it) but there are going to be grey area's for sure, we are very well placed if all goes to plan.

I would like to see us spend say £100m NOW on 2-3 world class signings and putting pay packages together for our 10 best players to make sure they stay for the next 5 years at least. If we do not have this sort of money then I would be open to it coming from Usmanov or wherever, as in 5 years time we will be in a great financial position, but with this investment now we will compete between now and then.

Hope this makes sense?

337

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I speak for myself and no one else.

should the Uzbek come to power and pump money into the club and buy success the way Chelsea and ManCity have done, regardless of whether it be with Wenger at the helm or not, then i for one would have to take a step back and lower my voice when it comes to supporting Arsenal. there's a difference between spending that extra penny when it's worth it and wiping your arse with a 100 dollar note and i for one cannot tolerate the latter.

apart from us, there's a reason Liverpool and ManUtd and other clubs clamour on about their history (even if it's been decades since they came close to their former glory) and that's because they built their success with tears, sweat and blood, not by hiring mercenaries selling out to the highest bidder.

then again, i am an idealist and i'd rather see things come together in a manner they should rather than cut and run with whatever i can get. i'd rather wait another 7 years for a trophy that's won by players that roughed stormy weather and stuck by the club than expect some egotistical person to bankroll 300 million over a year or two so the club can stitch together 11 men who sold out for money and personal glory.
then again, i say this because for me, supporting a sporting club is more than just having something to gloat about when speaking to other plastic fans.

psychocyst.

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Like to dominate football but in correct way and not a crook owning the club. Eventually at some point down the line sugar daddys can't sustain running clubs at hundreds of millions in losses.

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PS forgot to mentiom your 1 goal down against the toffees

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I think your wrong about Arsenal playing the most attractive football. We may have done 2-3 seasons ago, but when we lost cesc (and even before that, for a while) the barcelona style football ceased to exist. Chelsea now, with hazard and oscar and mata, play far more fluently in attack than Arsenal do.

I dont think Any Arsenal fan wants us to go out and buy trophies, the same way man city and chelsea have done - but we do want to see the club spend the money that reflects the clubs stature.

If Arsenal are a top club, and AW and gazidis always say that we are, then WHY cant we sign any top players, WHY are we always considering the cost of a player over the players ability?

A happy medium of spending what we can afford, rather than holding onto money and being very weak in transfer negotiations, is what I would like to see.

And of course...I want Kroenke to leave Arsenal FC as soon as possible, Americans have no place in 'soccer' - especially owners who dont attend games or make any public statements.

Daniel

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Yes our bogey team

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Could not word it any better than psychocyst. So I'm not going to try. Flybo

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Im a dual UK/US citizen....and ok i believe stan has to go but to say there is no place for Americans is ignorant. 1. the Premier league is what it is today due to an international following. 2. whats the difference between an american billionaire and a russian or one from any other country?...NONE....the glazers have done a decent job so far at united so far...

shouldn't make negative ignorant remarks when you support a club that has counted on the talent of so many players from all over the world...its not the classy type of comment you expect from a classy gooner mate.

Scooby Dooby K

(im sure US gooner will back me up on this one lol) {Ed002's Note - And Ed002.}

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Glad to know a lot of people here share my opinion and Flybo, thank you for the kind words.

to the person who thinks a person's nationality has anything to do with the way their business is run- grow up, son. while you're at it, trying opening your eyes to reality.

people who're after money, be it by selfish means or cautious ones, are the same everywhere. it doesn't matter if you're earning it in pounds, dollars, yen or riyals. it's all about the bottom-line, the red and black.
when you're after a manager for a club, you'd be forgiven to go for a guy with better footballing brain than a financial brain (*cough* 'Arry, King Kenny, Sir Purple Nose, The Special One and even our very own Professor) but a club isn't shown mercy when you have complete dolts at the upper management who may or may not possess footballing knowledge but lack basic fiscal acumen. it's better having people who're good with numbers but useless with the ball running your club rather than the other way 'round, regardless of whether they refer to the sport as football, soccer or rugby (as Tony Pulis seems to have it confused).

for the owners, it's about the money (even the egotistical Roman Abramovich and the oil-soaked prince from the blue half of Manchester have been known to cut their losses at times); for us supporters, it's all about winning and for the players, now, it's a bit of both. a person's nationality doesn't picture into that equation and for you to think otherwise just shows why it's not advisable to spend far too long with your head up your own arse.

psychocyst.

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30 Dec 2012 12:27:49
Best thing about the performance was the desire to score MORE.

A lot of teams would have knocked the ball around when 7-3 up, but we kept going and Giroud was unlucky not to get 3 nd make it 8!

kev88

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30 Dec 2012 11:46:42
Have your side heard anything about tiote to arsenal, quite frankly we've had enough of him!

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You should be glad you have tiote in your side, Arsenal need to spend big money to get someone as good as he is.

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TIOTE would be my choice..

malaga gooner

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Trust me, if you watch him week in week out you realise he's nothing special, just a liability

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30 Dec 2012 11:22:47
Theirry Henry became a ST/CF at the age of 23 just like Theo, Henry was a winger and then became King, could Walcott be prince ?

Little Gooner

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I dont think Theo has the statue and strength to emulate Henry, and Thierry's football brain was one of the sharpest in the game and i dont believe that can be taught.
Theo gets muscled out of games, whereas Henry muscled his way into games, BIG BIG difference !
Now dont get me wrong i think Theo has a place at Arsenal but he is never going to fill Henry's boots.

1404

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Thierry didn't have a statue either until very lately.

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Bugger, i meant 'Stature' not statue.......either way Theo has neither lol

1404

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Theo doesn't have be the next Henry if he can be the first Walcott.

Henry made just over 150 appearances before joining us and moving into his most successful role. in this time, he had scored just over 30 times. having joined us at ages 22-23, he's made 378 appearances and given back 228 goals.

a'ight?

Theo's made 240 appearances just for us already netting just shy of 60, all the while having played on the wing.
he's made the switch up top just now, roughly the same age Henry did. Theo actually has the opportunity to carve out a name for himself here should he keep performing even half as well as Henry did. forget being in Henry's shadow, he can surpass him should he play his cards right.

but i digress. this is all moot unless he puts pen to paper.
as much as it is about Arsenal tying Theo down long term, it's also about him wanting to sign on. the 5 youngsters recently agreed contracts. Poldi, Santi and Giroud signed on this summer. the deals being offered aren't complete $hit from the looks of it. he's as much to blame for the delay if not more.

psychocyst.

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Love Theo to stay but he will never be as good as Henry.

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30 Dec 2012 10:25:17
With Walcott upfront, the defending team are forced to play deep or risk Theo beating the offside trap and like his first goal yesterday, running in and scoring. If they play deeper this creates space for the likes of Cazorla and Wilshere to create chances. Critics of Theo will point to his decision making and will be able to show many examples of him wasting chances. Walcott will continue to waste some opportunities but he is getting more clinical. But with Theo upfront we create more chances, it doesn't matter if he doesn't score every time because he creates the space to produce lots more. Sign him up.
BW

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Exactly!

daniel

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30 Dec 2012 08:27:04
Heard some interesting stuff about Walcott from a guy who has given me some good stuff in the past From the sound of it, Theo would rather play out the rest of the season and then decide.

However, Arsenal do not want to be on the back foot in these negotiations and if he does not sign a new contract by a date a few days before the end of the January window, they will sell. The rumoured destination is Liverpool, but apparently Chelsea are interested as they are looking for a Sturridge replacement. He could have his head turned by either.
Obviously I'd personally rather he just signed the damn thing, but sometimes as a club there just isn't much you can do about it.

PS I'd like to really compliment the eds on their fantastic job running this place. You guys are the reason this isn't another or . Great work

Believable2 Unbelievable6

30 Dec 2012 10:00:39
Neither teams make sense for Theo. At chelsea he will b behind Torres and they will still chase Falcao or Cavani which will just push him further down the line. And why would anyone go to Liverpool, no CL and no hope.

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30 Dec 2012 08:04:43
Keiran gibbs was at fault for 2 of the 3 goals awful positioning and for demba ba's 2nd he even knew he was at the back post and he still scored. Great going forward needs bould to teach him where to be and be more aware!

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This is why we need a more experienced left back

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As always we have to many positions where players, in this case Gibbs are guaranteed 1st choice. We need more quality in every position.

I do agree that Bould should be just allowed complete defensive control. Man-marking, set pieces, positional awareness, off-sides maybe even a deeper line. Whatever Bould thinks, then keep it consistent and the defence will drastically improve IMO.

Like I said though Gibbs complacency is merely because he subconsciously knows that even if he makes a mistake or 2 he won't be dropped, same in other areas of the team.

StEvE

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30 Dec 2012 07:09:45
I completely disagree with us trying to get demba ba, overrated, Newcastle get the ost outf any striker (any Carroll)

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Yes, exactly...Poldi and Giroud are both already better than Ba

Stats mean rubbish

Find me a club that chooses quality (barca, bayern) over hype (city, Chelsea) and I'll find you a club that will pass on Demba Ba

US Gooner

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Ba is Proven, and scoring 2 goals against us in a very weak team that lost 7-3 shows that. His finishing and movement are top quality, forget that he plays for a europa league side. We signed podolski from a relegation side afterall.

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He played well yesterday and can't think of an Arsenal player who has scored more this season.

Bergkamp's apprentice

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And that's why Ba is on his way to Chelsea..... he's class

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30 Dec 2012 07:08:11
I couldn't sleep last night after Giroud came off the bench and got 2 but then last min hits the woodwork! I was devastated
WilmslowGooner

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30 Dec 2012 05:00:18
All are games are televised in january so far except FA cup Rd 4, but i am sure that will be to... just need to get past Swansea next sunday im going for 1-3 in that (whats your predictions).
We need to keep Theo now more than ever, if only to tell manchester enough is enough, and we ain't gonna sell any more... but theo needs to want to stay for this to happen!
M'Villa and a LB cover will be the only 2 players to come in january but i would be happy with that!
with the deadwood we need to cut are losses and sell cheep to free up that wage bill... Chamakh, Arshavin, Djourou, Squillaci, Santos, Park, Bendtner & Denilson. This will free up over 400 thousand pounds a week, these players are not good enough and/or out on loan. even the players out on loan are costing us money because we are still paying part of the wages... so i say get what we can for them (the Arsenal blue cross sale) invest in proven players in the summer and keep the one's we have already!

SkaVadar72

Believable8 Unbelievable0

30 Dec 2012 12:16:53
The problem is we can't even give them away for free as the wages are two high.
The only way to do it is give them away for free with a golden handshake or agree to pay half the wages till there contact runs out similar to Crespo when he left Chelsea

So we lose out on a transfer fee

It's a bit of a joke how we got into this position if it wasn't for the overpaid players who don't play we could of kept van persie and nasri, signed mata and wallcott would have been given a new deal ages ago

Spanner

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30 Dec 2012 04:42:03
first of all hope all you fellow gooners had a great christmas.

i'll start by saying what a great way to end the year. we took a bit of time but once we got going there was no stopping us. but we've got to remember that we've got much bigger tests ahead come the new year so i'm hoping that aw doesn't think we don't need to spend in jan because we do. first thing we need to do is get theo's contract sorted because if we don't then i'd rather us sell him in jan and bring in a quality striker. we need a strong cdm ( a midfield bully) a lb and possibly another gk. i'm hoping that theo signs.
i hope i'm wrong but i've got a feeling that aw will have in his head that there's no need to spend in jan.

gooner mark

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30 Dec 2012 03:51:34
Sign Theo up, i know its been said a lot already but it needs to be done.
100k per week + some sort of goal bonus on top and the guarantee of a strikers role and i think he would sign.
Great way to end the year,
COYG.

Nick.

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30 Dec 2012 00:34:29
January is very simple for me:

- Get rid of Squillaci, Santos, Arshavin and Chamakh
- Sign a decent young LB to back up Gibbs (Willems?)
- Sign Zaha
- Sign up Theo to a new long term contract

We don't need to sign a new striker! We have Theo, Giroud, Zaha, Podolski. Would be a waste of money IMO.

Getting rid of the dead wood (Squillaci, Santos, Arshavin and Chamakh) would finally reduce the wage bill.

Easy!

Tommy Boy

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Totally agree with you, apart from Djourou as well, But getting rid of average players on big wages is not easy, id want A Defensive Midfield, as well as a LB, and feel if we got a Patrick Vieira type we`d win the league. We Have the making of a very good side, and giood promising players waiting in the wings, like Eisfield, Gnabry, Meade

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Still need a DMF; I love Arteta to death but he is NOT a DMF. Desperately need one to fill that role.

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