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30 Jan 2013 23:37:31
From the interview post match, Wenger was asked at the very End 'No villa?' 'NO VILLA' very adament as if he was angry, Barca obviously not budging, need defensivce reinforcements .
Worrying thing is our top defensive target was Mbiwa who went to Newcastle.
30 Jan 2013 23:36:41
im sick to the teeth of the so-called arsenal fans on here, either back the team or jog on over to the spuds page.just a bunch of moaning minnies
30 Jan 2013 23:35:14
I think if we had Leighton Baines in the team now, we would be complete.
Braintreegooner
Gibbs was the only def not to make mistake yday
30 jan 2013 23:33:23
god how we miss bergkamp
Any team in the world would miss him
30 Jan 2013 23:30:52
Just watching diame on tv getting his foot stuck in good on the ball got tackled squared upto sidwell got a lot of fight in him we need that 3.5 million get him signed he will improve the squad get him signed arsene
30 Jan 2013 23:25:46
WTF was bould moved up for, that's not defending its a shambles ACT NOT
30 Jan 2013 23:24:59
Ramsey? As far as I'm concerned, he's the least of our worries at the moment. We put him in an unnatural defensive position and he wasn't exactly great in that aspect. People need to get off Ramsey (who is widely recognised as a rotation player) and concentrate on our starters.
I'd accept that over the calamity that is our defense - primarily the past it Sagna, the slow and clusmy Mertesacker, and our 'captain' Vermaelen. All of who regularly make stupid errors to give up soft goals. The kicker is that it happens all the time, we never learn from it, but I'm sure Wenger and co will find a way to gloss over it by chatting some nonsense about the great spirit we had in the second half to comeback. It's not good enough.
Our defense is literally atrocious. We make the most errors out of everyone in the league.
Funny thing is that our best defender right now is Gibbs (yes, the injury-prone Gibbs who is apparently out for 3weeks) and his backup is Santos - otherwise known as perhaps the worst defender professional football has ever seen.
Over reaction? Yes. But we're **** at the moment. And we're not going to get 4th unless Spurs and Everton choke IMO.
Eman.
30 Jan 2013 23:23:20
Really disappointed with big Mertesaker today. Really poor, as a centre half myself I was squirming every-time they were attacking. Anyone notice how Vermaelen resorted to going in front of Merte on the cover, leaving the LCB position open.
We cannot have a weakness like that at the back, I think we need to give Koscielney another chance.
JW
Mertesaker is the white djourou
30 Jan 2013 23:20:56
It's quite simple. Our midfield is full of quality footballers going forward. Our forward line is coming together nicely. The problem is not our defense, it's the lack of cover in front of them. Petit, Gilberto, and for a season flaming. . and now? All I ask for is one signing. . . .a quality holding midfield player. . .Ed's, am I deluded?
EIE
30 Jan 2013 23:16:32
Again here we are with the most common used word that comes out of every one of us Arsenal fans. . WHY?
My why for tonights game is WHY did we not bring on Koscielny and move Vermaelen to left back?
I pray if we don't sign a left back (which we won't) that this is what we go with until Gibbs is back, barring injuries/suspensions.
Project Arsenel
Or why not sub Karl on to play leftback?
topgunner
30 Jan 2013 22:37:45
We have Walcott, Giroud, Poddy, Gervinho we don't really need another forward (okay it would be nice to have another, but we don't need another that desperatly). Yet we see all sorts of forwards linked to our club.
On the other hand our defense is in shambles, yet we hear no name linked to us in that deptt. Wenger maybe you need to take lessons from Redknapp on how to 'work hard' in the transfer window.
Ash
30 Jan 2013 22:35:34
just got in from the game and still fuming.
It has already been said about our defence, with the exception of Gibbs, are useless.
My main point is that some of you reckon Shezza is top drawer, is he bollox. He should be commanding the area and defence and inspiring them with confidence.
All this talk about the defence needing cover, they should read the damn game. What ALL of them lack is passion for OUR club. Would Adams accept what is going on?
Start playing for the club with a history that is the envy of the world and some day you may be part of it, otherwise FO.
Bones
30 Jan 2013 22:33:11
Santos was going to be leaving but what happens now?? a loan for a LB is needed urgent if Gibbs is serious. hopefully they were planning to replace the outgoing Santos before Gibbs got injured, Was off to Turkey I was told.
How bad is our defence or organisation/shape. I know the phrase Sunday League is thrown around loosely, but International players are defending/organising worse than Sunday League teams.
I would be happy if we signed no striker if that meant a DM and a defender or 2.
30 Jan 2013 22:29:48
Marks for tonight:-
Sczcesey 5:- Shaky to say the least makes some reckless silly descisons and could have cost us more goals tonight with that silly turn from Sturridge and and half coming out to Henderson on that lob effort. I think he is too confident for his own good and perhaps needs dropping to make him re-focus.
Sagna 6:- A bit better going forward tonight and did produce some good crosses, but as with rest of defence shaky defensivly at times.
Mertasaker 5:- Just looks so clumsy and awkward and for his size does not have enough strength in the challenge. Not suited to our high line.
TV5 6:- Partly at fault for 1st goal, tried to hold it together but needs more aggression and focus.
Gibbs 6:- Not much to say pity had to go off for that muppet Santos surely we should be promoting Meade or Miquel.
Ramsey 6:- Safe but undynamic as usual, did his job nothing more. Still slows the play down too much for me not as sharp as Arteta.
Wilshire 8:- One of our better performers driving team forward with some good runs.
Cazorla 7:- Got better as game went on links play well, although he needs to take a shot more often when in good positions.
Walcott 7:- Pace did worry Liverpool without doubt and forced them deeper and deeper as game went on. excellent drilled finish.
Podolski 8:- Good performance really got at Liverpool and got in behind in good positions. good passing and interchange. Again like Cazorla needs to shoot more often when gets a chance as he has sweet left foot.
Giroud 7:- Well taken goal, but also had other chances were he could have scored or at least make keeper work more. Provides threat in air which gives us another option to get more crosses in.
Subs:-
Santos 3:- Just not good enough we just does not fit enough almost like he is playing after a night on the tiles the night before. Needs booting out as he has big screw up in him every game.
30 Jan 2013 22:28:19
Malaga have tied star asset Isco to an improved contract which includes a buy-out clause of 35 million euros - almost £30million. What a Shame really wanted isco at arsenal
Imranredman
30 Jan 2013 22:25:49
tv just said Kieron Gibbs out for 3 weeks with a thigh injury. . Great means Santos will be playing.wont be watching those horror shows then.
Kernow Gooner
30 Jan 2013 22:22:15
Jake butland defo going to mighty gunners top keeper and should get him cheap please mr w go get the lad
30 Jan 2013 22:16:23
Our back line
Mer . . turning radius of a aircraft carrier
Santos . . Wenger's Bebe
Sagna . . Heart not there, doesn't put in a shift
TV/Kos . . Good but not super
. yet that plank doesn't see any value in the market.
Ash
30 Jan 2013 22:19:37
People go on about Shezza needing a "mentor", "someone to teach him"! Wrong! He needs to be sitting on the bench watching and waiting for his chance to EARN the number1 spot not have it handed to him on a silver platter.
Ezdee
Well, have you seen the defense in front of him. Can't blame him for having a rush of blood now and then when he has the likes of Santos, Sagna, Per in front of him.
Ash
Its not strikers we need. defence-denfenc-defence
Yes he has got too big for his boots lately and has become too cocky and casual in his ability and hence why he is making these silly errors of judgement he was not making previously. He could have easily cost us a few 2/3 more conceded goals tonight with his stupid errors.
I think we need to but a safe experienced keeper to put pressure on Szczensy and keep him more focused.
Yes Ash I know the defense isn't great I just didn't feel like typing an essay.
Ezdee
30 Jan 2013 22:14:32
We play like a team that doesn't practice defending I.e cluless and confused which leads to individual errors. There's no plan, no continguency and a serious lack of communication.
I wish Cazorla played with jacks passion. he goes missing far to often in these big games.
Wenger will buy trust me. he would not have loaned out chamack or djourou.
Although Bendtner comming back probably means no striker. .
30 Jan 2013 22:13:01
The sorry fact is - there isn't much to choose between Arsenal and Liverpool these days. We'll be fighting them for a Europa cup place.
30 Jan 2013 22:10:38
When does santos's contract expire anyone? I think its going to be very hard to sell a player of his "calibre"!
brighton gooner
He won't leave he is one of genius wenger exceptional buys. .in wenger we trust. . .NOT
GS
30 Jan 2013 22:10:25
Wenger has ignored reinforcing are defence for 6 seasons now. Replacements have never been found for both sol and Gilberto. Yet time and time again we reinforce are offence. We have missed out on numerous players who could have bolsters are defence adequately. Even hangeland in his prime a few seasons ago, would have been better than are lot( not to mention the obvious choices). Is this man deluded. Shame, but beginning to think so. To move with the times you have to adapt. Something mr wenger seems inept at. Think it's time for younger fresher ideas.
Donny gunner
Gilberto was class DM and brought a degree of calmness to the side. Somebody you could always rely on to be first to the loose ball in front of the back 4. He was a player you only realise how important he was when he is not playing.
Sol was a proper Aggressive CB that takes no prisoner something we have missed. CB that attacks the ball and strong in the challenge. A leader in the back line.
2 more players like this would make a huge difference for us.
30 Jan 2013 22:09:20
21 points behind manchester utd.
1 win in the pl in january.
jamie carrigher was better than any of our defenders.
6th in the league.
and this is suppose to be progress.
champagne charlie
Yep Charlie, PROGRESS is the keyword, it is all we can ask for, go through the squad and who has made any progress?
Walcott & Wilshere have made progress and loom the real deal and poud to wear the shirt.
Giroud, Jenkinson and Gibbs do what is expected of them with inconsistent game time (Gibbs because he is clearly a player that has to be used sparingly or will simply break down)
Every other player has gone backwards, not even a sign of any progress. AW reflects this.
gun44
30 Jan 2013 22:01:21
Santos gave me about 10 or more heart attacks against Liverpool. Haha gah dang!
-LacedUpGooner
30 Jan 2013 22:00:41
Wenger won't sign no one . Same old story .Was villa at medrid tonight ?
30 Jan 2013 21:59:22
Good strike by Walcott.
Wilshere as fantastic as ever, his "leave it" to Mertesaker, shows leadership we've missed.
Podolski put a lot of effort in I feel, I can't fault him, I think he's gets unfair slack a lot of the time.
And the fact he's now going to have Santos behind him, isn't going to help matters at all, he's not naturally defensive.
Other than that, poor showing.
And we can't say a good draw, because it wasn't.
It was a shabby two points lost.
Both goals were shambles, Ramsey involved in both cock ups, and Santos is a liability.
I mean, I'm an overweight diabetic, who's only played rugby, and has the grace of a sandwich, and i'd fancy my chances against him.
The sticking point for me, is we've suffered Wengers "exceptional quality" line once again this window.
But if we can't find players better than Ramsey and Santos, there's an issue.
Yes, Ramsey and Santos are everyone's scapegoat, but the point is, I have no faith in Ramsey anymore, and I literally cannot defend santos.
I've always said "he's a winger, not a LB" but come on, there's out of position, and there's that.
I will always appreciate what Wenger did for us, always.
But football is about results and the NOW.
And Wenger isn't cutting it.
I'm sorry guys, but I really think he's taken us as far as he can.
It's time for a change.
I hate the board, but if they went and Usmanov came in, would Wenger change?
Let Stevie Bould sort out the shambles at the back for a start, and in the summer, we need a CM, LB and RB.
Jenkinson isn't first team quality yet I think, even with his superb form at the start of the season, and Sagna has lost it completely.
We need that holding CM, Arteta is fantastic, really a great part of our side, but we have nobody who has a real defensive mind
And LB, well, santos has to go, I'd prefer Meade or Bihmoutine in!
Sorry for the length of the post, got carried away!
Look forward to replies!
D
30 Jan 2013 21:55:35
David Villa was an unused substitute in this evenings game vs Madrid. . Possible sign of the end for him at Barca, and leaving for us tomorrow?
Sussex Gooner
30 Jan 2013 21:55:33
Gazidis. . . . we will be going for the league
Gazidis. . . . we have some exciting transfer news for the fans (then we sold RVP)
Gazidis. . . . think we are 21 points behind man united tonight
MMM
30 Jan 2013 21:55:14
We need a striker, we need a striker, we need a striker. NO WE DON'T ARSENE. NO WE DON'T! Why can't he see it. Everyone else does. He's always had a problem seeing things, but this is unacceptable. He's the man in control of everything. If you can't coach the errors out of them, step down. If we don't make the errors we win the game. We must be the most error strewn team in the league. Teams know if they defend well against us then they have a very good chance of winning because we gift everybody chances. I seriously worry about the bayern game. We've yet to turn up in a big game and play for 90 mins.
Arsene I defend you to everyone but I can't any longer.
Time for a change I think.
Alsager Gooner.
30 Jan 2013 21:55:05
More disappointment. Santos is simply shocking and plays at pub football level, we had no midfield and our defense was a shambles. We need a defensive midfielder so badly as despite Ramsey's efforts he was out of position many times. The positive was that we were creative going forward and really should have won the game with some better finishes.
Time to pray that Wenger has 2 or more decent transfers lined up, preferably a versatile defender, defensive midfielder and striker. I really doubt this will happen but we live in hope (for 24 hours ateast)
Chess
30 Jan 2013 21:53:41
this is a joke the 2 players with injury problems are Gibbs and Diaby yet Wenger has no replacements for them we are stuck with Santos, now with Gibbs out again. Also I think we need a new goalkeeper and center half the long German is not worth a s### very pis### off
Limerick Gunner
30 jan 2013 21:52:34
defencive midfielder with a good one we would finish fourth without we will finish 6th surely wenger can see this.
30 Jan 2013 21:50:36
When are us Arsenal fans going to actually do something. .
We are pawns in a corporate world, abused by the shareholders and lied to by middle management.
Sport ?
No my friends, this is not that muddy, grassy, footy feeling of times gone by, a bit of deep heat filling the air of the dressing room.
No, this is exploitation of an industry, those from across the pond, rubbing their hands, killing our dreams and leaving us out with the trash.
RIP
30 Jan 2013 21:47:15
Actually thought the front 6 played extremely well - 2 goals at home should mean a win. we controlled midfield and created a few good oportunities.
It's the defence and individual f***-ups that cost us YET AGAIN.
Andre Santos could've easily lost us the game - as well as the second goal where he failed to get goal-side and let Henderson stroll into the box he messed up at least thee other occasions, either diving in, getting drawn out of position or giving the ball away. He is such a liability - just hope Gibbs isn't out for too long...
AG
Yep we are basically having to score at least 3 goals a game now to actually win games, which you simply can't do game after game. Our defence is just shocking at times.
The think is it is not down to talent(Santos excepted) but down to the basics of focus determination and aggression and basically taking responsibilty to clear your lines. Our defenders look almost scared to defend and put there boot or head on it. Mertasaker is a giant he should be smashing the forwards in challenges, but goes in too weak.
We need to wake up from the start of games and stamp our authority on the game.
31 Jan 2013 00:02:04
Yeah and the worst is when he wanders in the middle of the pitch, I mean stick to your position.
Armakedon
30 Jan 2013 21:46:52
Does wenger expect us to belive that there has been no player that he could of brought in to play back up left back ....how many alwful games does santos need to play before wenger wakes up he will never be good enough half herted defending for second goal jumping in again and again when all he has too do is stay on his feet. All over the place can't even head clear as I type this he skies a header under no pressure in the box luckly jack has been wiping his arse all game where the hell is he on that final liverpool attack....... i'd rather play with ten men at least the other arsenal players would not need to worry about him
Do you think any other team would give him so many chances when he cleary hampers the team ?
Wenger knows ...... I would like to know can anyone fill me in with a pro santos comment...... Hopefully the guy who posted he is world class on the wing can tell me
Spanner
Vertoghen was the answer mate
30 Jan 2013 22:43:17
The thing is we don't even need to bring someone in, the very few minutes I have seen of Meade in the first team has convinced me he is a better option than Santos and can only get better whilst Santos can only get worse. I saw some comments from Wenger recently about letting youngsters play instead of bringing in players and I can honestly say I would have preferred either Meade or even Jenkinson out of position over Santos not just today but in every match Santos has played in except perhaps one when I remember Santos scoring.
The thing that absolutely bugs me the most is that the players turn up in the second half just to show us they are good just not good for the whole race, which sums Arsenal up over the past 5 seasons.
I would like to end this post by saying that I absolutely hate being critical of Arsenal players and the manager but when it is needed, it is needed.
Bermy Gooner
We all know that Santos is crap, but the biggest disappointment is definitely Sagna his crossing is terrible.
Armakedon
30 Jan 2013 21:46:13
Here we go again........
Why can't we defend?
Week in, week out we keep conceding crappy and easy goals.
I thought Steve Bould was bought in to stop this....
I think that this will cost us a place in the CL and what was Sagna and Santos like tonight. God it really makes me mad watching them two play.
MerchyBoy
Mate Bould and Wenger look like divorced couple!
Armakedon
30 Jan 2013 21:46:09
if Gibbs injury long term buy Luke Shaw. NNNNOOOWWW
Its up to 8 months out
30 Jan 2013 21:44:38
2-2 frustrating worked hard to get back into game, but sloppy defence lets us down yet again.
Why do we start so poorly, the defence needs more focus and aggression earlier on to stamp more authority on game. No enough defenders taking responsibilty and the first goal summed this up.
We made Liverpool look decent tonight they only looked dangerous from our mistakes. With a more focused start we would have won this game easily tonight but made it hard for ourselves
Good points Giroud looking sharp and front 3 seem to link up well. Liverpool were in fear of Walcott all game.
A point not really good enough but at least Spurs drew aswell so as were were behind them.
30 Jan 2013 21:40:29
The same problem is there yet again, for years now... We need to bye some decent defenders, the bunch we have now is woeful. It is an insult that santos wears an arsenal short
30 Jan 2013 21:39:18
Imagine if we could defend. Maybe I'm asking too much.
Flybo
Don't even think about it
Armakedon
30 Jan 2013 21:38:32
What a truly terrible footballer Santos is.
30 Jan 2013 21:33:04
No one will be coming in this window aw gives all the talk at the start of it and no end product
30 Jan 2013 21:25:47
Can someone please explain the jackel and Hyde performance from arsenal? Can wenger not give his half time team talk before the start of the game?
30 Jan 2013 21:19:49
I'm gobsmacked what happens it the half time team talk!!
30 Jan 2013 21:12:44
What a finish by walcott. However I don't know why we haven't invested in a dm yet, the defence is left horribly exposed and there not the best defence to begin with.
30 Jan 2013 21:43:18
Andre Santos was good tonight!
I critisise TW14 a lot, but, well done tonight, smashing goal, and saved us from defeat. you got an important goal tonight, keep it up lad!
back 4, AW? come on! get your selves sorted out.
anyway, draw better than getting beat. COYG.
andi
30 Jan 2013 21:11:04
Santos WHY .... I have supported the Arsenal since a little kid but I have to question why we have not bought any players... Is it because there are changes coming in the summer or is it the board and their philosophy of being self sufficient but with no reward....as a fan I am very concerned but I have faith in Wenger but not the board... Please let Wenger get the players to drive on for the rest of the season to secure fourth and the challenge for the premier league...
Santos, the most unfit player i have seen in 45 years of watching football, what the hell did wenger see in in him?
I was worried when he came on because you just know he is going to make at least one major screw up, and although unlucky it was his leg that deflected the ball into Henderson for the 2nd. He just breaths more uncertainty into a already shaky defence.
He just look fit enough for a start, Wenger must start using Miquel or Meade as backup to Gibbs.
Why would you disagree with this?
Wenger has lost it. The more fans that finally realise that the better
30 Jan 2013 21:09:38
all the time we are moaning for Wenger to buy a defender and he does not because he does the opposite thing.maybe time to start saying DO NOT BUY ANY DEFENDER - there is a chance he will!
30 Jan 2013 21:07:52
good luck tonight eds never been embarrassed about being a gooner, but I think my arsenal shirt will be kept in the closet for a while. dunno what else to say, i'm truly lost for words.....as always I will be a gooner for ever tho!!!
goonerdazza
30 Jan 2013 21:07:41
Oh dear god...what did we do to deserve that p**** Santos?? Pls someone tell me! The whole back line is dire but **** me Santos is attrocious! So very very sad right now.
30 Jan 2013 21:07:26
Mertezaker is worst defender ever...i hope they will get him out of the club...every single goal and every chance that opponents have while he is in the team is his fault
The last 4 goals arsenal have conceded pers could and should have done better, the only defender who deserves his place is Gibbs the other 4 including our keeper awful.
Positive note jack is looking immense again and giroud is looking class, his link up and cushioned passes are outstanding.
Shaneyd
30 Jan 2013 22:26:28
1name. . SANTOS
JW.10
30 Jan 2013 21:07:12
How many more big games are we going to lose before he buys big or gets sacked!
How can you disagree? you have 2 forget all the glory years un look at last 7 years won nothing. we haven't even bin close to contening for the league how many clubs would stick up with that.
He is bigger than the board and that is the problem.
Ash
30 Jan 2013 21:05:50
This is laughable, where are the wenger lovers, booooo
Waiting for the match to finish may be useful for you next time sunshine!
Its a 90 minute match, and when it finishes only then should one make judgement. . .muppet!
30 Jan 2013 21:05:06
I've said it since day 1, Mertesacker is a big useless lump and an absolutely guff footballer! Santos, well we all know..
G95
I agree bout Santos. But our defence don't communicate and Verm is Kent to be our captain and he can't even captain the defence he never opens his mouth only to moan at the ref.
Bradgooner
30 Jan 2013 20:59:42
if We fail to win today it will leave us with awesome 41, 66% winning ratio in EPL this season.10 wins from 24 games and only 22 points behind united as it stands at the moment.yet still we have 2 players for every position, we can buy any player we want but we will not because none of the players have special quality and we still progressed this season compared to the last one.sometimes I wish I could wake up and it was september 2003.
30 Jan 2013 20:47:32
I hope wenger has his letter typed in an envelope and ready to hand it to gazidas once the game is finished.
do not care if we win the game in the 2nd half enough is enough.
the transfer window has been open 30 days and he try's to tell us he's happy with this squad.
yet another half time whistle where the BOOS have been heard as far as the "SEWER".
Yet another game where people can't be bothered to turn up.
out played by players like henderson and downing who we all slagged of when liverpool signed them last year.
well done brenden rodgers for out doing the "famous" arsene wenger at his own game.
ED001 your team is looking good buddy.
champagne charlie
ps...gunner4life I have a lot of time and respect for you but this is beyond a joke and is no longer working...REGARDS BUDDY..
30 Jan 2013 20:47:22
I'd like to see these players in the summer
Julio cesar
Matt hummels
Capoue
Mertens
Isco
And get rid if these fools
Fabianski
Djourou
Squilaci
Santos
Sagna
Arshavin
Park
Bendtber
Denilson
Well we can't get Isco but we get Jovetic
30 Jan 2013 20:44:45
New striker? new back four needed why is Kos not playing instead of per playing against to fast forwards an he plays someone my mum would beat in a Sprint look at per on the goal he turned his back on it sums are back four no bollock wouldn't want to be on the front line with them 4 that's for sure half time not happy
30 Jan 2013 20:44:38
Been outclassed is some acceptable but been out worked and out fought at home is unacceptable and that is wenger fault as he has created this culture of laziness! Wenger think he can't find players out there that can improve this squad? Who the hell is he kidding he is a disgrace!
30 Jan 2013 20:44:06
WTF is going on in our defence-line?? They are all acting like headless chickens! Forget buying a new striker Arsene, you to must see where we need to reinforce! With Gibbs yet again out, and Santos as cover, it is obvious that we need a good left-back.
Norwegian Gunner
Santos not at fault its all the f****n defence including the s**t keeper. He is terrible at times really is.
30 Jan 2013 22:09:01
Santos IS AT FAULT ALL THE FU€$¥!G TIME. He is a terrible left back, awful going forward and his reading of the game and positioning is some of the worst I've ever seen.
I'm waiting until 11pm tomorrow but if we've not made some moves for defensive players seeing that frimpong has gone on loan, I'll go nuts.
Arsene your time is running out.
30 Jan 2013 20:43:02
Anyone who thinks that we have a world class keeper is off their head...that includes you mr wenger.
Man U, man c, Chelsea and spurs all have a better keeper than us and guess what...they're all above us!
Arsenal were famous for having the best back 4/5 in the business and now we must have one of the worst
Bookie
30 Jan 2013 20:42:51
Just wouldn't be an Arsenal game without a mistake from the captain and so called first choice right back!
Seriously I couldn't care less if Sagna goes in the summer, he's a shadow of the player he's been over the years. Anyone else feel slightly embarrassed at how easy Suarez barged him off the ball?
As for Shezz - he needs a mentor. He's a good keeper but his game seems to be getting worse with no one there to coach him. I think we should seriously look at getting Valdes in the summer, because you need a world class keeper to win things, and Shezz aren't close to being world class.
AG
30 Jan 2013 20:41:57
It is so so clear that Wenger is the boss and anyone who says or does anything otherwise will not stay for long....
The defence that was looking so solid at the start of the season is now b*******.... It is clear that Steve Bould has no say anymore... at the beginning of the season he was always standing in the tech area, shouting inst... now he just sits like par rice used to....
DG
30 Jan 2013 20:41:37
How awful was that? Are we in need of a whole new entire defence?
Our keeper is too rash
Our right back is no longer up for it
Our big centre half is not good enough
Our left back looks like will be injured again
Our back up left back is useless
We have no defensive midfielder
When will it all end?
30 Jan 2013 20:40:35
What a disgrace. All of Liverpool's chances have been created by Arsenal defenders. Wenger continues to kid himself that we don't need defensive reenforcements choosing to focus on David villa. This performance typifies everything that is wrong with Arsenal. It's utterly soul destroying. I don't care what happens in the second half. The writing is well and truely on the wall. Wenger's run out of steam. Heartbreaking.
30 Jan 2013 20:39:21
sloppy defending letting us down yet again making Liverpool look a decent side.
The gaol was just a comady of errors. Nobody takes responsibility and clers their lines. Schenzy all over the place aswell.
30 Jan 2013 20:38:24
Maybe at halftime they'll take the magic juice and go on to win 5-1...
30 Jan 2013 20:34:01
one down after 5mins..
santos on for gibbs...
no one being brought in...
feel sick:(
COYG!! and you AW! make things happen.. we are going backwards:(
andi
30 Jan 2013 20:23:04
Santos is on, there goes any hope of winning this..
Not just him its the whole f****n defence
Per can have good games, this wasn't one of them. Sagna is terrible, Jenkinson needs to start instead. Verm was fantastic last season but just hasn't lived up to it this year, could be the pressure of being captain. Would love Wenger to sign a cm and a left back tomorrow!
30 Jan 2013 20:22:21
Santos is on... Bed is calling me thinks
30 Jan 2013 20:15:55
We honestly need a goalkeeper, a centre back, a left back and a defensive mid more than we do a striker at the moment..
Mertesacker and Santos are guff.. TV5, Kos and Sagna are out of form and Szczesny is getting too cocky because he has no-one to push him for the No.1 jersey!
G95
We need a new manager
champagne charlie
If he doesn't invest heavily in the defence then yes, we need a new manager.
G95
30 Jan 2013 20:15:43
I thought sczeney was meant to be a good keeper, this guy is terrible, the whole back five are useless.
Where's the defensive coordination?
I think he has 2 grand on Liverpool to win by 4 clear goals
1404
Vermaelen has become a liability, and sir chesny ha ha
30 Jan 2013 20:14:43
It's is painful to watch, get chez and per mer out of this team
Glad to see I'm not the only 1 who thinks mertesacker should be sold he'd too slow and can't jump he's always playing the opposition onside
Imranredman
30 Jan 2013 20:09:06
Our defense is not looking good, i'm on my nerves every time we have the ball in our own half!
30 Jan 2013 20:01:46
1-0 down again, surely wenger must see we need a keeper who doesn't take risks and a new back line that can defend and clear a ball when needed, it's bloody frustrating
30 Jan 2013 19:52:50
Villa on the bench tonight, looks like he's not on the way to arsenal then. Sad as I feel we won't buy anyone now until summer.
30 Jan 2013 19:52:02
Time to drop Vermaelen and Sagna.. Been shocking all season!
G95
Agreed, everyone is all over Merts all the time, TV5 isn't any better in my eyes, has been all over the place all season
1404
30 Jan 2013 19:38:22
Arshavin not even on bench will be gone tommorow
so someone will come in o yes
JERSEY KEV
30 Jan 2013 19:33:01
Barcelona's website team line up for tonight against Real Madrid has Villa on the bench!
He better get his arse on the plane after the game to sign up!
30 Jan 2013 19:28:13
Great news that the ageing legs of carragher is playing, need to get Walcott playing on his shoulder, giroud we need you to continue your recent good form, show those doubters that are saying you have not done it against the bigger clubs. 2-1 arsenal Walcott 1st goal
Shaneyd
Fair play to him he was man of the match.
champagne charlie
30 Jan 2013 19:20:10
David Villa named as substitute for tonights game.. Won't be signing for anyone..
30 Jan 2013 19:17:44
think I would rather diaby START tonight, bring on rambo in second half, other than that, I am HOPING for a good game. Giroud the machine should have some fun tonight
goonerdazza
30 Jan 2013 18:56:52
Generally I liston to in the mornings keyes and gray are quite good. But in the evenings that Pratt Adrian Durham is on bad mouthing arsenal. please tonight can we chant something at him as he will be at the game
Yanmano
Rather we just boycott that sh!t station all together.
AG
30 Jan 2013 18:41:18
Arsenal, particularly Arsene and Ivan are playing games with us. They don't want to sign anyone and never did. They had NO intention of signing Villa but EVERY intention of being linked with him.
Just look how quick we BLAMED Barca for not wanting to sell him.
This is sports politics and quite frankly it stinks. I am no fool and like most of us fans Arsene, we know this game.
Intel Gooner Inside
30 Jan 2013 18:34:30
we will not make any signings tomorrow, wenger is too stubborn and won't make last minute panic buys, expect some very angry fans in the coming months.
north london gooner
30 Jan 2013 18:21:49
Maybe Arsenal did try to sign players but players not interested in joining an average team
Limerick Gunner
30 Jan 2013 18:05:10
Good feeling about tonight..reckon we score 3, they will score so prediction 3-1. Come on!!
30 Jan 2013 18:05:01
Wenger may be many things but he is not a fool. He knows that if he fails to bolster the team now - and then fails to achieve 4th place, then the gig is up. Don't believe the 'we allow for missing out on CL qualifiation' line, because if we're not good enough this season, we certainly won't be attracting anyone who can make a difference next season.
So last minute buys = Wenger stays, no buys = all change next season.
Deepthrow
30 Jan 2013 18:03:55
Just heard on radio, Spud's in for Villa giving Barca 1st option on Bale. To be honest I'm not too fussed really, liking the look of Giroud at the moment. Last thing we wanna do is bench the lad when he's just coming good. We did that to Chamakh after a really good start at the club and look at how that one ended up. We've got a top four squad and we as fans need to help them achieve this. If there was a table for fans we would be knowhere near top four and that's just an honest observation from a true gooner!!
30 Jan 2013 17:52:32
got a horrible feeling we will lose tonight...then what, no signings and no chance of getting any.. maybe they should have brought in on the 1st!!
30 Jan 2013 17:39:23
i did say this a week or so ago but have to say it again. we will not sign butland because he wants first team football and he turned down chelski today for that reason so I don't see why people think we will sign him
gooner mark
30 Jan 2013 17:27:44
Leroy Fer deal to Everton has broken down. Gutted for them. This is always interesting - Eds have any of you got any idea of why this has happened?
Metal Gooner {Ed001's Note - knee issue was found, from an old injury.}
Ah right, thanks.
Metal Gooner
30 Jan 2013 20:24:45
He failed the medical. Everton suggested paying in installments based on appearances - turned down.
30 Jan 2013 17:25:23
Arsenal and Newcastle have failed in their bids to sign French wonderkid Florian Thauvin after the youngster agreed to join Lille.
Source: .com
30 Jan 2013 16:07:28
ed when does wengers contract run out
dave {Ed001's Note - 2014.}
30 Jan 2013 17:05:42
Big match tonight....we have a healthy and full squad...
Time to play like it tonight.....we need to be on the offensive immediately and take Suarez out of the game
Max points a must..
Coyfg!
US Gooner
30 Jan 2013 16:54:10
I know this is a rumours page but to be honest no media and no fan have a clue of who arsenal might be getting or if we are even in for anyone...
Because it seems like their might be late movements but may not go through so we should see how it goes in the last few hours...
Arsenal are very good at keeping their transfer secret especially in January
30 Jan 2013 16:26:27
There is one thing I can not understand.. Why everyone here and many "experts" from the media think that we are not capable of top 4 finish. Last year after 23 matches we had exactly the same points, but we had scored 6 goals less and we had 7 goals more in our net.. Now all of the very hard tasks(besides ManU) had passed. Last year at this stage Tottenham were 12 points ahead, now they are only 4 ahead. Even Chelsea are in our range now. I think that 4th spot is already ours and we can fight for the 3th. Then, when we have Cl football, in the summer AW will make 2-3 transfers and next year we will compete not for the 4th spot, but for the 1st. Now all we need is patience. One or two panic buys at the closing stages of the transfer window wouldn't help for the main goals... I am sure that, if a player with big quality is on the market AW would make a bid. But I don't think there is one now. Why one club would want to depart with their star at the middle of the season? There is on answer- one crazy bigmoney offer. I personally don't like those kind of deals. Arsenal never was(even before AW) and should never be such a club and throwing money like teenage billionaire daughter. When you want to add a real asset to the club January is not the time. And that is the reason why all the clubs aren't making transfers. Only Newcastle, Reading and QPR are buying average players from France just because they are in relegation battle. And finaly take a look at the past. How many big winter transfers were actually a good ones. I can't remember many...
BGGOONER
Last year we had r.v.p we now got giroud and walcott that could be the reason
I love the enthusiasm and hope to god you're correct, but looking toward the future is all we get told to do as arsenal fans and its beginning to wear thin, and arsene's constant accusation that there is no quality available in the january market is complete rubbish and even you must be able to agree with that BGGOONER. Take fellani for example, the guy plays pretty much as a striker for everton and that's what wenger is after, he also plays dm in his natural position which is a position we need to recruit in badly. He is not cup tied for champs league, he is premiership proven, and taking into account I agree that clubs will not want to sell their biggest asset in the middle of january, but unfortunatley for everton this guy has a 22m buy out clause and this means everton have no say in the matter as long as this valuation is met. now yes 22m is a lot of money but so are our ticket prices mate. Cmon open your eyes and please stop defending the blindingly obvious fact that there are players out there for us.
We need strength in depth and players of this calibre are around. Take demba ba for example again. 7m. Yes he's a very similar player to Giroud, but so what? if giroud is knackered youve got a ready made replacement, it doesn't matter if its not changing the way we play its about having a similar strength player to come off the bench, and he would have fitted that role perfectly.
The players are out there mate, just wenger thinks we're all stupid enough to not see it.
Bradders.
3 letters should suffice my friend.
RVP!
30 Jan 2013 19:54:17
Last year Spurs imploded - we won't be that lucky again.
30 Jan 2013 16:15:39
To say i'm unhappy with the transfer saga, is an understatement, to be fair we have been teased too much. Is there still a dying hope that we might land a marquee signing like Villa?... No. Lets be honest its never really in Barca's interests to let him go until next season, and I'm unsure but would he not be cup tied in the Champs League if he joined us anyway? Such a drawn out anticlimax as always. Anyway what we have needed all season is a big unit, to add strength to the defensive midfield, for when Diaby breaks down again, unless we want Coquelin and Ramsey to be citadels infront of our reliable back 4 against Bayern Munich... Yes, so that's why we have signed up, bargains like, M'Villa, and Diame right? And in time for the games against Chelsea and Man City right?... No. Oh well, at least it seems all the investment for the 'future' is in place, with the 6 young stars signing extended deals. Yay, so we can keep our good players for a couple more seasons... What's the story with Liam Brady leaving as the academy coach? Is he not happy about something? Is Wenger going to stick around after this season? Or is he tying up the youngster contracts for the next boss to have a safety net? Is that why the money is being saved? I want answers... JR
The difference is we had RVP last year who could win any game at any time - he scores when he wants to. Also last season we drew a lot of games we should of won, This year there have been very inconsistent performances and we drew games that maybe we should have lost. Still believe we will finish 4th but its definitely going to be harder than last season!
30 Jan 2013 15:44:59
Andrey Arshavin is on his way to Everton Thank GOD !! Chris Gunner
30 Jan 2013 14:26:49
Shame Brady is leaving his post as head of youth development, I know he's going to continue having a role at the club, but it must be great for youngsters to see a legend like that, have a key role in your development.
In a side note, I'm worried that's going to be the only news that comes out if the emirates regarding arrival and departures.
I felt the club had a chance to make a difference in Janurary, as some good players have been about, Holtby, M'villa, Capoue, Adrian all could of helped us I think.
Still, ours is not to reason why.
Maybe the club will suprise is, pull a deal out the hat.
Or maybe not.
Either way, I hate Gazidis and the board.
D
Maybe Brady is moving to take up the reins when Wenger's contract runs out. He never walks out of a club remember.
30 Jan 2013 14:21:05
Can't see us buying anybody now after Wengers comments about not having some many members of his squad fit in January! Fingers crossed I am wrong!
Looking forward to tonights game and feeling a 3-1 win.
COYG
TomS
30 Jan 2013 18:08:37
This sounds like Wenger threatening to walk away from a deal rather than pay up. Is he any good at cards? - we'll find out.
Deepthrow
30 Jan 2013 14:04:58
tv reporting that Liam Brady has handed in his notice to Arsenal as head of youth development! There has to be something in that, he has been at the club for so many years now and has been the man to bring on talents like Fabregas, Wilshire, Gibbs etc
A sad day for AFC in my opinion.
Alfie_gooner
Very sad, no sadder than Pat Rice leaving but sad all the same, the club seem very keen for Liam to stay on in some capacity so maybe its him just wanting to take things a bit easier rather than he has had a problem with the club..........they should offer the post to Sir Dennis of Bergkamp
1404
Dennis would be a first team coach/assistant manager, or even a manager...doubt he will want to be in the youth set-up for a long time.
30 Jan 2013 13:46:12
We should be in for samba. We missed out due to big money from anzhi. Reports are saying he's in talks with qpr. He's the defender we wanted and still need.
30 Jan 2013 13:27:19
i am fairly confident that if villa is not in the team for tonight game against real madrid, he is going too be an arsenal player come 11pm tommorow.
Fingers crossed he plays tonight then
1404
I agree 1404 villa is not the answer, would rather we bought a defensive minded player
goonerdazza
30 Jan 2013 13:25:04
I was born in Avenell road ... I'm 43 years old and I have Arsenal blood.... If you love your club...is that not the most important thing!!... Being a proud gooner is how my father brought me up... Regardless... Who the boss is ... Or who the playing staff are.... Yes I'm upset at the lack of silver ware... But really, asking arsene's head if we don't sign anyone ...it's like "really "? You guys need to grow up'... My first games were with terry Neil.... And don Howe.., and the pay structure was tight then.... The philosophy is. "If you wanna play for " the Arsensl this the terms ".... If you don't they play else where..... So chill out relax....
Foys !!!
Stockers 8
Villa WANTS to play for Arsenal but we won't cough up the money!
It's not the players fault. It's the Arsenal board and Wengers fault!
StEvE
Well said..... If you don't want to play for our great club, go elsewhere.
Top lad, well said - MIKEE
Well said mate!
Gunners4Life, In AW we trust!
30 Jan 2013 19:21:20
really??is that true??
problem with this site, its all rumours and gossip!!
get real if we want him, and he wants to play...the fact is we will get him....£10 million for a 31 tr old...maybe
but aq leopard never changes his spots..
fact
stockers8
Here here foys, my sentiments exactly.we seem to have a lot of plastic fans these days.
steve
i would suggest its the barca board that are playing hard ball.some of the numpties on talk sh$te where saying arsenal should play 20mil for villa, lmao like HELLO, the guys 31 hasn't played for donkies ages will prob take the rest of this season and the summer pre-season to get up to prem fitness, by that time he's 32.we would be lucky to get 2 seasons out of him with virtually no sell on fee.so the question is steve, how much would you pay for him?. 5-6mil tops is what I would pay but I suspect barca are looking between 12-15mil, NO WAY JOSE
30 Jan 2013 13:23:35
Just a question...
If Fabregas, Nasri, Adebayor, Clichy, Van Persie and Flamini all got together and made the decision to all come back to Arsenal to win trophies,
Would you accept them back or would you tell them where to go?
Personally I'd only take back Fabregas (for sure) and depending on how apologetic they are van Persie, Clichy and maybe even Nasri.
Just a fun thought.
Nick.
Yes I would - if they repaid us on the pitch! That said, we have better than Nasri here, Clichy on current form YES, on last arsenal season form no, I would rather have Gibbs who plays for the shirt. Adebayor as a back up sure thing. Fabregas and RVP yes.
Metal Gooner
Only Fab and maybe Nasri. In my eyes RVP is the biggest traitor of all. I would never take him back. And why Clichy, Gibbo is much better and younger...
BGGOONER
I fail to understand the continuing Fabregas love affair. He was our captain, who had 3 years left on his contract, when he basicvally walked out on us!
I'd take back fabregas and flamani, all the others no way lol.
No, apart from Cesc.
If Flamini and Fabregas came back together I wouldn't mind that as they had an amazing partnership in 2008, and showed some level of respect.. I think however Nasri and Van Persie can go and suck balls. The thing that grates with Van Persie is the fact that he was on the treatment table for 8 years and was given so much respect by fans and also the staff, when he could have easily been written off. He then decides to leave the club after he has a superb Season and a half, and feels that £150,000 per week isn't enough, I don't warm to that... Nasri is also a greedy rat and to be fair isn't as good as what he used to be I think. Wilshire, Walcott, Cazorla are better and don't have rat-like features, although Cazorla does look odd. He is immense. JR
Fabregas only- went back home but didn't leave anything in the dressing room whjen he played... RVP left a lot of his career at Arsenal in various doctors rooms and treatment tables...plus he only really put in the effort when he wanted a move (money driven)...nasri -don't care we got as good, adebayeor not in a million years, clichy no- money only god
Left off this bit....
exiled clock ender
30 Jan 2013 13:12:34
Any one with a brain knew that Wenger and the Arsenal board would not do anything to improve our squad, that would cost money ! They are living in hope of winning the 4th place trophy, cannot see that happening. That is why Van Persie transfer fee has been kept back, to make up for the loss of Champions league football next year. We are a club on the way down, we will stuggle to attract the 'TOP, TOP' players needed once we are in the Europa cup - at best. WHAT A SHAMBLES
MarkyMark
Because the window is closed, the only shambles is your assumptions!
30 Jan 2013 12:58:36
In other news: WE HAVE A GAME TONIGHT!
Let's talk about that for the rest of the day. Massive game, wonder if we'll turn up? I know Jack and Giroud will be up for it. And Gibbs and Podolski. The rest are hit and miss. I expect a win, and a good one at that actually. Cannot wait for this game!
Metal Gooner
Theo with a brace tonight in a 2-1 win. Mertesacker with a mistake to cost us a goal but we will all be smiling by the end of the night.
We will come back from a goal down after 22 minutes scored by Suarez.
The Future!
Hope your right metal. I'm nervous just thinking about it. Can't afford to turn up for just 45 minutes. Suarez is going to be a pain. Hope Wilshere overshadows Gerrard. Plenty of goals I reckon. Pray for the three points.
UP THE GOONERS
Flybo
2 - 1 to the Gunners!
Burtonwood Gooner!
30 Jan 2013 17:20:03
Got a feel tonight is going to be a kick in the teeth - followed by news of a no signings kick in the nuts tomorrow.
First time in a long time I haven't been nervous Flybo! Not sure why, maybe I should be, but I am excited that is for sure!
Metal Gooner
30 Jan 2013 12:47:15
hi ed looks like no one will be signed.can expect a sky reporter and a tumble weed flyin around d emirates 2moro...cud villa deal happen ?is wenger hopin villa ask for transfer.every jan we hop 2 sign at least one player and it never happens.harry comes out of mcdonalds drive thru, rolls down window havin signed 4 players wit a big mac meal.why is every signing like a eposide of eastenders ?sligo gooner
30 Jan 2013 12:11:31
Eds, have noticed the story about Liam Brady leaving his post as head of the academy and thinking is this the first of many changes at the club? Cant help but feel its time for a shake up behind the scenes {Ed001's Note - I am told that certain members of the coaching staff are not sure of their position for next season. It definitely seems to be building towards something big.}
Not to mention PHW and his health concerns...
Metal Gooner
Ed you seem to be relatively switched on to the idea of changes at the club....can you give us any more?
Rice out Bould in, Brady Out...who had replaced him? Head of Youth Development, isn't that similar to what Vieira does at City? Or is Football Dev. Exec. all encompassing?
Would be great to see another ex player take over from Brady. It says they're considering what he can do to stay involved with the club...whether that comes to anything or is just filler for the article remains to be seen but how about Brady as our youth scout seeing as he knows all about the youth....surely this could be good?
People have started talking about Kroenke selling up this summer...do you think it would happen that soon?
People are also saying it's Wenger's last season in charge. Although I believe it should be for various reasons, I can't see it happening this summer - would they really pay him off? I can imagine us getting into Europe (hopefully not but if we did) and the club saying 'Arsene has earned the right to try and get us back into the champions league' if we don't finish top 4 this season.
I agree it does feel like a new age is dawning for the club....massive new sponsorship deals, debt eased, new manager sometime in the next 18 months, 'FFP' lol, and maybe a change of ownership...
I hate the fact that we can't force Kroenke to sell.
Metal Gooner {Ed001's Note - different clubs have different roles, but usually Head of Youth Dev will be in charge of the scouting teams that identify and sign new talent for the academy. Also in charge of the hiring and firing of the coaching staff as a rule. The Football Dev Exec role is more of a outside of football role, such as dealing with the FA, setting up links with other teams academies, organising tournies and travel etc. Both are more overseeing others, rather than hands on jobs.
I am not sure about Kroenke, but I do believe Wenger is preparing for his time as manager to come to an end.}
Hmmm, I sent in a reply to this post before that Hill-Wood comment....
Metal Gooner
30 Jan 2013 11:58:29
Hi Ed, love the site keep up the good work. Odemwingie not playing tonight due to personal reasons. Think he's on his way. Got an awful feeling we may put late bid in for him. Hope not, what's your feelings guys?
Butty
Good player who can score 15-17 on a season. Not Arsenal quality, but way better backup than guys like Chamakh, Park and Bendtner
30 Jan 2013 11:57:46
The only purchase Arsene Wenger will make in this window is a new zip up coat at the right price he will have to move quick or they may be all sold out.
Zip it........
:P
Hackney Gooner
He was going to buy a new one but couldn't improve on the quality he already has.
Well whatever happens, the replacement coat will have a key weakness or flaw.
30 Jan 2013 11:27:57
The official Arsenal website has just posted comments from Wenger regarding how well Santi, Pod & Giroud have adapted to the EPL. He also had this to say ;
"I have never been in this situation in January, with so many players available or so few injured, "
So there you have it ....................... we aren't going to sign anybody.
We have been lied to yet again.
TM
After Wenger stating we are looking for one or two, flirting with the media on Cavani, Zaha, Diame, Villa... And saying "we are no longer in a period of financial restriction"
Also stating at the weekend we need another option upfront, then he has made the biggest mistake of his managerial career, Wenger lovers will turn on him!!
I think the "management" at The Emirates inhabit a parallel universe . It's like The Wizard of Oz. Pay fortunes for useless Munchkins (Squil. Santos Gerv. etc.) and promise the earth to the supporters (the new stadium will help us to compete etc.) AW is the Great Oz, telling porkies, Gaz. is the scarecrow, and we, the genuine fans collectively, are "Dorothy" believing all the claptrap about the financial fair play rules and how things will be better "over the rainbow" ! Get real. It's all a dream.
Never mind if we thrash you tonight then maybe he ll have a busy deadline day
tomlfc
Has he ever been in this position in january, so far behind the top of the table?
Daniel
Told you people.. ARSENE ain´t going to sign anyone AT ALL... :-))
Buds
30 Jan 2013 11:23:51
SO who thinks we are going to make any transfer in the next 2 days??
I don't! I think Wenger is mugging us of!
TomS
No I don't, I really thought we would and would have by now...............would have liked Lopez, Diame and think Hangeland would have been worth a contract
1404
30 Jan 2013 11:06:49
Let's be honest boys we will all be tuned in to tv tomorrow night watching that hyper active Scotsmen go from training ground to training ground and when they go to Arsenal the only action will be a tumble weed rolling past in the background. Jan is not the window for Arsene and not a great window for value either. I shall be tuned in in hope rather than expectation as always, and have even booked Friday off so I can sit back and have a few beers to soften the blow of what has become an all too familiar Jan 31st
Realistic Gooner
Utd fans know how you feel lol
Chris the REDman
30 Jan 2013 10:47:18
The remaining time left in this transfer window maybe the most important period in Wenger's career. Champions League football looks unlikely come the end of the season, and without an attempt to bolster our squad in this window, he and the board will be severely criticized at the end of the season. The next year or 2 at an Arsenal is going to become very interesting - Wenger's contract - further hostility between Usmanov and Kronke - an increase of disgruntled fans...Something will give!
Unlikely? We're four points back, and its the mighty perenial cl spur we're chasing!!
Usamanov and Kroenke - Usamanov talks a big game, but talk is cheap, if you want the club make an offer to the man who ownes the shares!
Till then keep Henry's name out of your mouth. Surely with his vast wealth and resource tabeling the name of a true great was simply a headline grab!
30 jan 2013 10:33:27
wenger out
there will be 00's of rumours but none with any substance. cast your mind back to the m'vila saga. £20 mill down to £8 mill. still no movement. the problem isn't transfers, the prob is wenger.
4-4-2 invincibles
4-3-3 trophyless
get back to a 4-4-2. we have the wingers and wilshere
in the wprds of mike basset " ladies and gentlemen. england will be playing four-four- two"
I think Mike Bassett actually said "England will be playing 4-4 f*****g two" - bold manager though Mike!
30 Jan 2013 10:25:52
Does anyone know the situation with the chairman position. We all know hill-wood had a heart attack but has he resumed his position and if so would you expect a replacement in the near future
30 Jan 2013 09:28:45
its being reported this morning that high level talks have taken place between wenger and gazidas over the failure to secure players in this transfer window.
can any 1 that is a supporter of the current manager and board please tell me they are not going to carry on giving the green light to this comedy show.
we were told around xmas time we were after 2 players in this window so we always had our targets and yet again we still can't conclude these deals.
does the club enjoy leading their loyal supporters down the garden path?
does club really believe the supporters are fools and can't see what's going on.
the AST has reported we have a projected 80mill to spend and they are usually spot on.
very annoyed.
tick-tock-tick-tock
champagne charlie
Could not aggree more mate, I would have said the same but with a lot more profanity! Padraig Irish Gunner
Window isn't over yet
I think Gazidis went to the training ground to get Beckhams autograph for the Mrs and that's it
1404
We've really missed your negativity, good job we've had that clown Malaga gooner to entertain us, mmmmmm....... I wonder if you know him?
Anyway, lets wait until the window slams shut before we hang AW shall we, you never know he may suprise us!
As for targets, as you mention these are the fans and the media targets not the clubs and rightly so.
So, give the manager until friday morning and then you can shout as much as you like, oh and say hello to our little Spanish friend Malaga.
Yes but we have Rosicky and Diaby back and they're like new signings, and Ramsey had a good game against west ham, so he's a new signing as well, and Giroud scored in 2 consecutive games so he's also like a new signing, and Podolski can also play up front as well as left wing, which no one else knew except Wenger, so he's also like a new signing - and Gervinho is the best striker in the whole continent of Africa so he's like a new signing - even if he's not here! So when you think about it we've actually signed SIX players this month - more than anyone.
AG
I did say at the very start of January that our two "signings" would be 1- Walcott signing new deal and 2 - Diaby back from injury. He'll also consider 3 to be Rosicky back. It is Wenger after all, we all know what he's like, nobody should be really surprised at this stage. Shayman.
And from where is that "reliable" info of "high level" talks betwen wenger and gazidis..
Has Wenger been betrayed by the board?
Stan
Charlie,
You're always complaining but the window is not even closed yet!
Understanding that to make a deal requires all parties involved to accept.
And ask any club in the world about our manager and ask if they believe he would be an asset to their club!
The board and/ownership, fair enough, but what gives us the right to assume trophies should be ours?!?!
Charlie I appreciate the frustration, but perhaps it would be prudent to wait until the window closes, to wait until the season ends before eternal condemnation is placed on everyone!
Lighten up mate, in the grand scheme of life its still only a game!
Gunners4Life, In AW we trust!
30 Jan 2013 09:06:36
I can't quite figure out what's worse, the fact that we know next years ticket prices will still be the most expensive in the country, or the fact the board actually think they're being good to us by not raising them!
I would say the fact that the price freeze was a big PR stunt to appease us for lack of signings which a) was so transparent it hurts and b) didn't work.
It's also a scam- it is very likely we will be playing in Europa League and a price freeze means people will be paying the same money for Europa League games as they were for Champs League games - unless the club reduces all European ticket prices and adjust the price of season tickets accordingly.
Well will know exactly how much is wrong at the club when things pan out more.
Metal Gooner {Ed003's Note - They missed a perfect opportunity to lower them with tv revenues rising next season imo,that goes for all Prem clubs.}
Stop moaning, if you don't like the price don't buy one. You've probably never been to a game in your life.
My nephew got 2 tickets for the Hammers game last week for £25 each, great seats and money well spent.
No one is forcing anyone to attend the games.
Ed I didn't even know that they were rising! And well said! Just out of curiosity, is this from the money Sky are pumping into it?
Metal Gooner {Ed001's Note - not just Sky.}
I would agree there are loads of cheaper tickets available, I can understand the system we have now - but it doesn't justify the cost of the most expensive or 'Category A' prices, that's all. Some of our prices are good, credit where it's due...but if the club thinks it is fair to charge the same for lesser football etc then they may find they have a fight on their hands.
Metal Gooner
Ed,
Why would they lower ticket prices? As stated earlier its your choice to go!
Its a supply and demand market and every business attempts to earn greater profit.
TV revenue increasing does not have any correlation to whether the club should alter their ticket prices.
You have the freedom to choose, if demand drops so will prices!
Gunners4Life In AW we trust! {Ed001's Note - Arsenal will have to, or accept they won't be filling the ground every week.}
30 Jan 2013 09:02:06
Edds great job this site is quality.
David Villa will only leave Barca to get regular first team football which we can offer and City cant. it has nothing to do with money as he is on £120k per week at berca and they pay less tax than us. if it was about money city would have to offer him at least £180k pw to match what he is on.
I would like to see him at arsenal along with Beckham and wanyama . yes beckham is old but he can change a game more than santos, coqulin and Arshavin could.
Papey
The tax situation in Spain has changed, footballers are no longer dealt with as special cases. That's why so many are looking for a way out.
30 Jan 2013 08:55:24
Just another 24 hours thereabouts and whether we wouldve signed anyone or not, life will go on. I suggest rather than lick our proverbial wounds and sulk about this last month, which I trust like myself, has totally and utterly consumed my data charges all for nought, that we rally behind the troops, cheer as loud as we can and remember that the Arsenal is bigger than AW and why we support, in my opinion still the best club in the world. On a better note, I hope we rip the arses off the reds today! :-P
Lollipoppins
30 Jan 2013 08:49:44
Many people don't realise what the january transfer window is about.
We want "X" amount of players, we have them listed and then we inquire. then the same agent goes public and the inquiries from other teams step up, agents need to be paid and they influence the players decision hugely.
Ba for example was offered the same money, however his agent got paid more than what arsenal were willing to pay, he said no to arsenal and it was a walk to chelsea.
from my source in the early 2000's man utd were the king of transfers, since chelsea and then city came in they have a bigger hand in playing underhand tricks.
Arsenal unfortunately operate as a legit business so they have to account for everything. Money is used from the club.
for example...a certain sheikh wants a silva. Wenger wants a silva, then the sheikh pays the agent something in (kind) and silva ends up going elsewhere.
transfer fees are not the end of the transaction and the illegality of the agents in the transfer makes it hard for a pure legit business to thrive.
Man utd has been known to twist the arm and pull out some tricks, so does newcastle and even west ham.
I can't divulge my source, but the reason wenger is frustrated is probably the fact that all the players he wants are targeted by him and then sold to other teams when the agent and player get paid like a ransom.
from that end, I must admit I have no idea about any signings but it looks unlikely.
I did post awhile back a list of all the players and why they did not come or if we looked into them and with a source however it was not posted probably for some legal reason so this time I hope this gets posted so that you guys can understand.
I was frustrated too, its just that I have been introduced to a different perspective and basically the truth has set me free.
Lakerville
Lakerville,
That's all very well and good, however the real problem here is we do not compete. Who cares what the agent does if it's the same for everyone? It isn't as though Chelsea don't face this problem, man united don't face this problem. They all do - the trouble is, when it happens to us we walk away. This will never get you the kinds of players who are usually good enough. It is madness that we are the 5th richest club in the world, have £70m+ lying around in the transfer kitty, yet we can't sign Demba Ba, or Butland, or Fellaini, because man united offer a few bob more. As people keep saying, we have the funds to compete, so we should. 'We can't compete' is nonsense.
'We won't compete' is more like it. That's the simple truth. To approach a deal with 100% refusal to pay more than X amount which is usually lower than what the club wants, is just arrogant, but the player will choose the club who wants them most. We clearly wanted Cazorla the most - there's no way his talent and price went unnoticed by other managers but the truth is hardly anyone came in for him so we got him. Same for Podolski, and remarkably we paid more than his buyout clause! Anyone saying we were better off spending £12-15m on the Ox instead of £19-20m on Mata is crazy. Mata plays all across the front. He's an attacking mid who plays wide left, wide right, centrally behind the striker and as a striker alongside Torres. The Ox plays wide right, sometimes wide left (more last season) very occasionally centrally, never as a striker, hardly gets games, and is simply nowhere near as good or as sensible a purchase as Mata. Our problem - we wouldn't compete. We wouldn't go that little bit further to land a young player is undoubtedly world class because we have our stubbornness that we should never ever go above and beyond for any player no matter what, and in a market as fluid as football that is sheer lunacy. Still, we'll look at the figures and clap our hands that we went 18 months with WELL over £50 million, and at times £70million, in the bank and aren't we better than all the other clubs.
People talk about agents' fees like this is some new development that has suddenly derailed the transfer process for our club. It hasn't. The agent will always try and get the best deal for their player. Yes they will play clubs off against each other. If we are not big enough to cope with this then maybe we should consider a league other than the best league in the world and a competition other than the Champions League, because our continued involvement in both, without coming close to success in either, with the wealth we have, is making us a laughing stock. And in 20 years when people look back, absolutely nobody is going to say 'Remember those days about 20 years ago when we qualified for the champions league 14 years running? yeah that was amazing....' in exactly the same way nobody even now says 'Wasn't that such a great season when we got to the Carling Cup Final and lost to Birmingham and finished Top 4 - what a season that was!'
Being the fifth richest club in the world, yet only making up the numbers in the league and champions league, is quite possibly one of the most embarrassing things ever. I would be immensely proud of the way the club is run if we actually spent money we earned on a better team instead of looking at it. Nothing to do with agents fees or competition or anything else. There are only 4 clubs in the world we should technically not be able to compete with regularly - they are Chelsea, City, Madrid and Barcelona. All the rest we should be able to go toe to toe with in the market and more often than not come out victories because of our manager, stadium, facilities and history. But we don't. If we're the fifth richest and therefore arguably fifth best run, where is the fifth best striker on the planet? And the fifth best keeper? Fifth best RB and LB? Some may consider that slightly idealist but it doesn't have to be, it's pretty simple but doesn't make it a dumb way of looking at it, it's logical. There are several factors in a player joining of course but by rights the fifth richest club with brand new everything and a world class manager should on the whole have the 5th best team and we certainly don't have that.
Metal Gooner
Well said mate
30 Jan 2013 08:43:24
It will be extremely interesting to see if we make any last minute signings.
The essential positions for reinforcement are: A 4th centre back, a left back, A true defensive midfield player & a forward. Other positions such as a back up keeper can wait until the summer.
I have a feeling either Diame or Fellaini may arrive & a forward.
Backup keeper is hugely important now.
If Szczesny falls over with a long term injury we are in a bit of trouble with the backup we have available.
Aussie Gooner
30 Jan 2013 08:04:11
Florian Thauvin has snubbed England and joined Lille on a four year deal.
Another play off the transfer list
There was no bid made for him, only an inquiry...think about it this way...2 mill in agent fees + his transfer fees and your looking at nearly 10 million for someone who is at best a prospect.
rather expensive risk to take in january.
sad but we are being blown out of the water for the reason of money...
I am not sure if you guys heard about rolando to napoli...but there is an example of tony fernandes flying out there to convince and sign him and then he gets a sign on fee of something near 2 mill + agent fees + transfer fees and he is off to napoli.
Lakerville
30 Jan 2013 07:49:59
If we want Ben Arfa, now is the time to get him...
The fact that Newcastle are not doing so well, the fact that we are on the up (sort of), the fact that he could play CL football, the fact that he could play under a French 'hero' Arsene Wenger, the fact that he might have some French teammates he would want to link up with (I know Newcastle has a lot of French players too), the fact that he could be playing for a bigger club and the fact that he could make a greater name for himself, might be enough to persuade him?
Great player, eds just out of curiosity, how much do you think it would take to get Ben Arfa in an Arsenal shirt?
Transfer fee/wages?
Nick. {Ed001's Note - I would think 10m and 75/80k a week would do it.}
Would be abrilliant buy at that price
Really ed, that cheap?
10 mil for a top class player seems like a good deal.
Nick.
30 Jan 2013 07:43:47
If according to AW there is no value in the transfer market, targets are too expensive etc etc, I havnt seen one player move that is out of reach for us.
Lille have signed Thauvin, who AW has been looking at closely, Emmanuelson (sp), is supposedly on his way over to sign for Fulham on loan, plus many others we have missed out on.
To buy a player, you have to sell the club to them, make them feel wanted, give them a decent wage, and reach an agreement with their parent club.
Now... do we say to them, wanna play for arsenal?
We will get the groundsman to show you around as the men upstairs can't be arsed, too busy counting their money. How does £50,000 a week sound because most of the other bench warmers get that, and as for the transfer fee, well how about we haggle to the point we miss out on signing you so some other team can nip and can sign you.
To me that's what it seems like, the amount of times we miss out on a player for the sake of a million or two, our scouts are working globally filing countless papers on our targets, yet we bought a fat, slow, lazy Brazillian lb, who by chance can't defend...
The point is, until AW realises he can't be Mr Arsenal we are going nowhere, he needs to loosen the grip on the club, let others with more expertise than himself help him out, AW should concentrate on dealing with the players we have here, let the others deal with the financial aspect of the club, (get rid of Law and Gazidis) get some proper money men who know what they are doing, speculate to accumulate, For the sake of 20-30 million now we have a better chance of making top four which in turns presents a better revenue come Champions league.... And I thought AW was supposed to be a clever man!!
N. Wales Gunner
You talk about Arsenal targets and then you mention Thauvin and Emanuelson... Thauvin is at best a good prospect to the future and Emanuelson is not something special. Ordinary player maybe a bit better than Santos. I am pretty sure that we weren't really interested in them. Wenger said at the beginnig that he will search for top class players and by now no club in Pl have made top class purchase, because in January there is not true quality for sale... Or you want another Chamack, another Squid in the team... The goal must be signing a player who would add something new, something special to the team, not someone who after 6 months will be referred as deadwood. We have enough deadwood and they are unsaleable... We don't need more...
BGGOONER
And when this signing became benchwarmer people like you will moan, our benchwarmer get payed too much.
That is the same person that says, we crave experience and happy when we sign squillaci. Also when chamack got his early season goalscoring form, people say if he is this good why wenger delay to transfer him? Just pay that 8million!
And now people also says arshavin get too much, when he is our mega signing of course he will get too much.
Good post agree with all your points... although I just have this little thought that Chamakh - when he has maybe had a run of games and possibly beefed up a bit could be a lot more of a player than currently thought.
exiled clock ender
30 Jan 2013 07:30:25
We need in the summer
1 x goalee backup fax and man not good enough
2 x central defenders Mert/Squalli out
2 x CDM - Diaby/fringpong (who I love) out injury prone
1 x left back - santos sucks
1 x right back - sagna past it now
1 x right winger - real one. Ramsey not good there
1 x left winger - real one
1 x world class striker
dotn think we will get any with wenger
Why do we need a backup FAX - is this so all the agents can get through to AW with all the latest discards from QPR and Newcastle?
exiled clock ender
30 Jan 2013 07:26:19
what annoys me is that ia am reading in the papers where some chairman have said wenger has contacted me. Why on earth is wenger contacting them what the heck is the vice chairman paid a really massive wage doing. Would this have happened in dein days?
I preffer wenger than gazidis.. In recent years Gazdis have messed up many deals(Jones, Mata).. Besides that it was a french chairman... Ofcourse Wenger would contact him... He has such big respect there.... Stupid post...
BGGOONER
What are you going on about? So wenger want to ask about the player he interested in, is that wrong?
Florian Thauvin already go to lille by the way.
Good thinking - maybe also the original statement from the Chairman in question might have been a bit of a porky... designed to liven up interest if the player concerned
exiled clock ender
30 Jan 2013 07:17:14
wouldn't it just make your day if Wenger revealed 1/2 players at the Liverpool game?
MrD.
I'd rather he revealed all eleven!!
30 Jan 2013 07:07:22
Come on guy's, stop pinning all your hopes on Villa coming or not coming. When has Wenger ever paid over £10 million for someone over 30?
Plus villa has never played in the premierleague and there is no guarantee that he will play well in it. The pace is different and it is so much more physical than Spain. He was a top top player but had that bad injury, it would be ludicrus to believe that he could make a mssive difference for us.
There's always a first time.
30 Jan 2013 02:12:55
If Wenger is like this with the club's money, imagine what he must be like with his own! I bet his family gave up wishing for good birthday and christmas presents years ago!
He gets his secretary to write their cards out also.
Secretary? haha...too expensive...he probably has a monkey doing abstract art and sending that.
30 Jan 2013 01:35:00
Hey eds. Firstly, top work with this site. Have had it in my bookmarks for a good long while and it makes for a great daily read. Had a question out of pure curiosity. I wondered if Arsenal ever had any interest in Jordi Alba before he went to Barca?? He seemed like an absolute steel at £10 million. Thanks! {Ed001's Note - he is one of many that were scouted, I seem to remember he was playing for Spain's U19 or U20 side at the time. At the time you had either Clichy or Cole on the left so nothing was ever done (I think it was Clichy, though it was a few year's ago so I wouldn't swear on that, it is hard trying to keep track of dates!), but he was being watched. I think it was an U19 World Cup, it was defo a tournament of a similar standing and a friend of mine, who was out there scouting for another club, got chatting to an Arsenal scout, who was there to watch Alba.}
Ah ok. Thanks for the info! Nice to know he was at least being scouted. He's a quality left back.
30 Jan 2013 01:22:53
In a parallel universe we buy Wanyama.
In a perfect world we buy Capoue.
In a sensable land we buy Diame.
In reality Wenger believes Arteta, Ramsey, Coquelin and Diaby can all do a job as a d.m.
I think what I'm trying to say is, BUY A F##KIN TOP CLASS, COMMANDING, NO NONSENCE, BUILT LIKE A BRICK S##T HOUSE, QUALITY, BALL WINNING BEAST.
Er..emm. Sorry about that. Don't know what came over me. I just want it to end.
Flybo
30 Jan 2013 00:46:11
Sportsmail understands that chief executive Ivan Gazidis arrived at the club's London Colney training complex on Monday for crunch discussions with manager Arsene Wenger to map out the closing stages of the transfer window.
Gazidis informed Wenger that the club have been unsuccessful in trying to secure the club's primary targets. And there is now a growing sense that Arsenal will not make any signings this month, instead opting to save the money for a massive splurge in the summer.
Why again are we paying this Gazidis and Dick clowns a penny ? They arent even worthy enough to mop the floor on the Emirates. What a bunch of persons.
I'm really surprised that you haven't been contacted and given a huge salary to do what you see is an easy job - just get a gigantic bag of cash, pick out the player you want and then pay anyone who asks as much money as they ask for to that end and give the player the keys to the old lady of threadneele street.
Of course they would have trouble contacting you as you are anon!
exlied clock ender
30 Jan 2013 00:38:15
If man city get David villa I will be very pissed off if he does go to man city he won't play every week but they will pay him more than us that will be why he would go there an wenger said barca won't sell we will see arsene just hope giroud an Theo are not injured at the same time else we will be in trouble get graham from swansea wenger good back up if we get injuries don't think most arsenal fans will be to happy with that after all the cavani villa jovetic rumours but we will see Thursday night might be abit mad hope we are involved in it with a big name but I don't think it will let's beat Liverpool make us feel better if we loose we are in trouble if we sign nobody either
Are you serious- chamakh is 10 times the player graham is
exlied clock ender
30 Jan 2013 00:20:20
Just watching some old videos of Arshavin...
He used to be one of my favourite players and to think that he is rotting on the bench now is horrible.
Surely if he worked on his fitness a little more and got back into shape, he could get a few more minutes on the pitch?
Nick.
That's what a normal motivated human being would do, yes!
Paul
I am disappointed for two reasons - because Arshavin clearly does not push himself to keep fit enough and on the ball enough to be in contention for a decent amount of playing time - and because the club seem to be happy to squander the wages on an 'asset' that is currently being 'mismanaged' - if he weren't being mismanaged then he would be fit and on the ball, not the shaky bumbling person that walked onto the pitch the other day. Just seems like all the fire has gone from him. I mean he tries to make things happen but I guess we saw again that he likes playing in one position and that's in the middle, and his excellent cup games weren't enough to see him get rotated in the first team.
I don't know what to think really, I feel way more could be done on both sides to keep his talent relevant. We have needed players of his calibre badly. How did it go so wrong? How can you sit there and pay such a good footballer so much money and not do everything in your power to make sure he is useful around the first team? And as a player how can you let it slip so much that the manager doesn't want to use you in a position where you got more goals and assists combined than most strikers in the league?
If he needs a tailored training schedule then give it to him. If he won't train and improve his fitness then release him. But I can't stand this nomans land that the club has allowed him to slip into where they don't want to play him, certainly not in the middle, and he is earning a fortune.
Metal Gooner
30 Jan 2013 10:38:11
IMO Nick he never fulfilled he true potential at Arsenal due to mismanagement, thou the player himself never endeared himself to the fans with so many lacklustre performances! On his day a wonderful player to watch but constantly played out of position had he played a full season his the AM role we may have seen him reach the levels at Arsenal.
OnlyOneGilbertO
30 Jan 2013 00:09:55
wenger went to the shops to buy a packet of match attax cards. the shopkeeper only had 2 left because rafa, avb, fergie and mancini and even harry had been a few weeks earlier. he debated with the shopkeeper for hours to let him see whose in the packets saying he will buy both of them. in the end after opening them he only bought one to the shopkeepers annoyance.
in the first one was squillaci djorou gervinho santos denilson chamakh and bendtner
in the second was wanyama jovetic diame fellaini hummels villa and capoue
can you guess which one wenger bought?
GS
Omg... now this is really lame
get a grip
asyd
I think the wenger brigade need to get a grip
I am simply makung the point this club is dying a slow death...we arent too far from a decent team only need a few defensive quality additions but wengers stubborness of not buying or buying second rate players frustrates many ticket paying fans
Other teams see a weakness and strengthen
GS
30 Jan 2013 00:00:44
I really think we should sign Toby Alderweireld from Ajax. The guy is a beast and is better than any centre half that we have at the moment. He is the answer to our defensive problems