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31 Aug 2013 22:20:06
Sakho going to Liverpool. interesting how pretty much every other team in the league is getting these deals done and we are finding it so difficult.
maybe we will try and hijack the deal with an offer of 2 million and a curly wurly
Nah, that offer is far too generous.
31 Aug 2013 21:36:31
just changing subject slightly, has anybody noticed when a manager is being interviewed after the game he never says premier league but always "b*rclays premier league". do you think they get a bonus for using the sponsors name at the start?
31 Aug 2013 21:24:43
All this negative talk lads has to stop.we do have a great team at the moment and yes I agree we need to strengthen for the long season ahead.
But we do have enough to beat spurs tomorrow that's for damn sure.we are settled in our play and confident and we look good.they are not gelled yet and it will take time for all those mugs to know the story on how they need to play.
Don't forget they talk about us panic buying late in the season, but the spurs have totally panicked and although got one or two decent players cannot hide the fact that they lost one one the best players in world football at the moment.that my friends cannot be papered over. imagine if the state of that club it AVB didn't do it,, he had to.
We will win tomorrow, we have enough in the team, the squad however needs help.
31 Aug 2013 21:06:25
A team is going to a massive match with their local rivals, after 3 brilliant wins in a row. Brilliant performances, with players performing to their best.
And so what do we do?
What we are good at!
Complain!
Cry like little babies.
Grow up. We've got a massive game tomorrow.
I wrote a pretty horrible message about you and your views on your other post. Although it does reflect my view on the matter the bits aimed personally at you were written in a moment of anger. As I had some bad news today and I shouldn't take that out on others and for that I do apologize. If it does come through i'm sorry.
Wengerism - This is a platform (or self-help group) for people who want to discuss ways that our beloved club might improve itself. We no longer win trophies and the best we can manage is a 4th place finish. We are under-performing - most clear thinking people can see this. You want to maintain the status quo. The rest of us are looking for improvement - it’s called progress. It’s people with vision and fire in their belly that will save our club. Not a bunch of ‘yes men’ like you.
It’s time you grew up!
Gunnergo, what a load of crap. You lot don't discuss anything on here. You spout the same sarcastic comments to any kind of positive post, you moan, you whine and you complain. Don't try to take the high ground and claim to be having discussions about the club. You are not, you are acting like children on the playground, believing every bit of false hope put in front of you, which is designed to incite this pathetic behaviour when player X, Y, Z don't have their 'booked' medicals.
Perhaps you should be taking your own advice about growing up.
We're the Arsenal.
Let's support the boys and see what happens before Tueday.
COYG!
Disclaimer: My use of the word 'you' is more meant as a general you, and not specifically aimed at you. if you get me :)
31 Aug 2013 21:05:53
Kevin- Prince Boateng and Julian Draxler have the same agent. Roger Wittmann
Very interesting. Will have to see what happens both of them played in today game. Draxler recently signed a new contract so its going to have to be a huge bid to prize him away.
31 Aug 2013 20:40:37
If Arsenal win tomorrow and everyone is jumping up and down like a bunch of a bunch of Man city fans doing the Poznan.
Who will it be owned to, the team created by Wenger, the squad created by Wenger, the club created by Wenger. Or Wenger.
Just fast forward for a minute, if we win you'll all be giggling like a bunch of adolescent schoolgirls.
A word comes to mind,
HYPOCRISY!
That's a big if, the fact remains this window wenger has weakened our squad not strengthening it.
31 Aug 2013 22:22:25
And what if we get beat who's fault is that?
Give it a rest will you please until after the game, as suggested in a post below. 20 hours of peace and tranquillity not Wenger, Wenger, Wenger and Wenger again and trying to pit people against and for you. We are all fellow supporters so let's get behind the team for the next few hours and then you can continue your view after the game.
As I say give it bloody rest please.
You want Arsenal to fail, you can't bear the pressure of success. Go and support Barnet and hope they don't get to the 2nd round of the F.A cup, don't want you getting vertigo. How dare you think you are above other Arsenal fans!
"the club created by wenger" This club was created by workers at the Woolwich Arsenal back in the 19th century. You really do show yourself up for what you are. An Arsene fan boy. You don't support Arsenal FC you support Arsene Wenger. Pathetic!
In that case who is it owed to we lost to Aston Villa 3-1, Wenger, Who is it owed to we lost to Bradford, Wenger, Who is it we owe a humiliating 8-2 defeat to one of our bitter rivals, Who is it we owed to we have had 8 years without a trophy, Wenger, Who is it who has failed and lied to the fans consistently, celebrated 4th as a trophy, lead us through the worst transfer window ever, Wenger.
What's your point get your tongue and mouth out of Wengers arse and of is cock.
Every post you right is deluded. You support Wenger more than the club and you call us fickle.
Even if we win 3-0 tomorrow I would still be displeased with this summer and want Wenger gone. One game is nothing it's about a season.
Wenger talks about brainwashed fans, the only brainwashed fans are the Arsene knows best brigade and your the champion bum bandit. Fickle fans more like are not blind to the truth. The sooner the parasite Wenger is gone the less bolloc*s I have to read like yours.
The last thing I need when i'm fuming about the club is for persons who should know better judging are support calling us fake fans. Just because were not blind, fools. You should know better your 30-40 years old and a cabbie your meant to know loads bout football. Yet you write more shi*e than Malaga.
Everytime I come on this site I have to log in just to write replies to you. You drive me nuts
Yes, but that doesn't mean we won't all be p*ssed if there are no quality additions to the squad
If we win we will all be happy but any decent supporter knows we need to strenghten our squad.
I have nothing against wenger but he has to strenghten. finishing 4th every season is a great accomplishment considering how much we spend. wenger has said many times finishing 4th gives the club a lot of extra revenue to enable us to strenghten. bearing in mind we have qualified for the past 16 years, that has given us huge extra revenue for team building. have we? no we havent, we have only spent the money that we have generated from selling our best players. wenger, gazidis, kroenke and usmanov are like a secret coven of witches who do everything under the cover of darkness and behind closed doors.
we, the fans, know nothing about the club we love and support and indeed keep afloat by paying the highest season ticket prices in europe. officially, arsenal supporters invest over £90 million per season in season tickets, merchandising and matchday sundries like food, drinks and programme sales. £90 million per season, every season. where does that go? certainly none has been spent in this transfer window.
somebody is grinning from ear to ear and I don't think its the arsenal supporters.
Bit harsh there mate, what happened to all that family stuff you posted earlier
Oh Wengerism. You occasionally make good points but then go say something as personic as this.
Very few people are denying that our 1st team is great. It's just that we have barely anything beyond that. We could trounce Spurs tomorrow and still have a poor season due to insufficient quality throughout the squad. The way Wenger and the board have behaved this summer would be a huge contributing factor if that were to happen. Wenger will always be a hero of mine but I am not too dim to ignore this.
People have a right to support some aspects of their manager's work and criticise others. That is not hypocrisy.
I will be fully behid the team tomorrow but still want more than a derby win from the next 2 days. I want us to have the best opportunity to win trophies this season because I love my club. Wenger has created a great side but he and the board need to commit to creating a trophy-winning team.
Ty1 how has he weakened it? He's essentially kept it the same and removed those who were a waste of space and not playing anyway.
What you think squillaci should have stayed.
Wengerism - your blind faith lacks intelligence. Your blinkered opinions are tedious and your puerile remarks are offensive (other than that you’re ok).
Wengerism, give the cheerleading a rest your getting boring now.
Did you honestly say the club was created by Wenger, that is an insult to over 100 years of fans players and traditions
I could accept that sort of self-righteous horse Manchester United if we had even challenged for honours over the last few seasons but we've been nowhere near. We have a good first XI but we don't have a squad to compete with the Manx, Citeh or Chelski in the league let alone Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern in the CL. I don't understand how you can justify the inaction in the transfer market over the last couple of years when you look at our bench and see youngsters. When Citeh make a substitution they bring on Negredo, the Manx bring on Hernandez. We bring on Bambi. We will beat the spurs but we need World Class players back at the Emirates to provide a spark, galvanise the starters (Wilshere and Walcott have looked ordinary so far) and allow us to rotate our squad over a whole season. So, let's have some reality rather than the one-eyed rtheroric extolling the virtues of a system that is potless over the last 8 years. I love Le Prof but his record would not have been accepted at any other top 4 club. Still, no matter what happens, I'll pay my money, shout like buggery and watch The Arsenal mash the spurs tomorrow! COYG!
14 players, 17 tops does not make a team capable of hitting 4 competitions. Winning against spurs, which I think we will do, makes no difference when we are screwed on injuries again.
There is no logical argument for your stance on things, if three or for signings come in, then we will at least have a squad - at the moment we don't have a squad.
To be frank, making calls of Hypocrisy is a bit out of order, as to be fair have been a few of the post on here over the last few days.
Still, let's get tomorrow sorted, which I think we will win, then get some transfers in and we'll see if Wenger can deliver.
8 years of sticking up for him, but my patience is running thin - we have to hang on but if he screws the pooch he's gone.
31 Aug 2013 23:51:19
I am not one of these fans who want Wenger out yet. I am reserving judgment on him until after the window closes, but I think your being a little harsh on those who do.
The 'Wenger dilemma' is a complex one which obviously contains so much emotions (only football). The dilemma being. " We as fans have high standards. Why? Due to the early success, and attractive football that Wenger has brought to the club." Added to that never failing to achieve champions league football, at a time where the finances of other clubs have changed, and us building a new stadium without a sugar daddy and at a time where the economy entered a coma.
On the stadium/sugardaddy note. Man city pay rent on a stadium built for a commonwealth games that was in their city, and chavski haven't even started. Wengers achievement in that respect has been remarkable, and will only be fully appreciated in 20-50 years time in my opinion.
However in this time Wenger also shown some glaringly obvious blindspots to certain issues. Namely never replacing Lehmann and sticking with Almunia for far too long. Never replacing Gilberto with a player of equal ability in that position (discounting the one season Flamini had in that role the season after). His indercisiveness at bringing in players that would have improved us (Mata), and his somewhat naive approach to the art of defending which has blighted us for quite a number of years. Last year finally allowing a new voice (Bould) to sort out up to a point. Through gritted teeth I may add.
So there are weaknesses, and some fans have weighed all this up and come to the conclusion that they believe someone else can do a better job. Like I say I haven't reached that point myself as yet, but I completely understand those that have.
As to your point about those fans being hypocrites who have that view, but will go nucking futs if we beat the spurs is a little unfair. We are all fans of the club, we all want to win every game, derby, trophy etc. And whatever the individual believes is the best way for our club to be run. The fans that disagree with how it is run right now and therfore doesn't cheer when we beat the spuds, is by definition not a fan. In that respect they can not win.
You may be a pro Wenger, you may be an anti Wenger, you may be a fickle fan, but we are all fans. If we weren't then we simply wouldn't care, and we do. BIG TIME!
Let's beat the Middlesex mob. As ever
COME ON YOU GOONERS
P.S I do admire your support for Wenger. You are not alone Wengerism, but we are a dying bread. That can be turned around within the next 2 and a bit days though.
Flybo :-)
Wake up wengerism a club created by wenger that is an insult I don't mind you being his cheerleader but this great club was here before and will be here after he goes.
2 things hopefully to look forward too on the last day of the transfer window. If we sign some decent players it will be fantastic but if we don't then Wengerism has promised that's the last we will hear of him.
Excellent post Flybo
31 Aug 2013 20:25:03
I have checked this site nearly everyday since the windows opened the only thing I have realised is, we are very unlikely to buy anyone .so I wondered why maybe there is soon to be a new manager, a new ceo and a new owner they will spend like we all want them too, can't see any other reason why we haven't strengthened, I think wengers remit is to try and get fourth then next year `the new regime will kick on and try and improve what wengers left.
really thought wenger was going to sign sakho, cesar, cabaye and a reasonable striker instead we get flamini, bendtner, and sonogo, says it all.
31 Aug 2013 20:20:22
does anyone know why Clement Grenier was not in Lyons matchday squad for todays game
Not sure heybridge but he is definitely staying at lyon for one more year. cross him off your list as well mate
31 Aug 2013 19:14:08
Hey guys could we not have an "i told you so" rant come the end of the window, irrespective of whether things go really well or really badly.
Additionally could we rather than berate and ridicule some of the members of this site, tolerate them as we are all apart of the same Arsenal family.
Lastly, could we remove the negativity. Let's go in the last couple days of the window with our heads up and hope for the best.
Look at all the other fan boards. It's only ours that is filled with hate and negativity.
True That
I didn't see any other club bragging about how much they have to spend did you?
And if they did I am sure they would have spent some by now.
If you are a true Arsenal fan you would be livid about how the club has conducted itself during this window.
Shambolic sums the bloody lot up
So you should wonder why is that is the case. Definitely something is majorly wrong with the club and what's happening.
31 Aug 2013 19:08:38
Apparently, Wenger has found a player who he thinks is a very quality addition to the Squad. He is Brazilian, he is called Nobodyinho and guess Wat, He is a free agent. Wenger is such a genius.
That's not funny my friend, I suppose you were making such jokes when we signed Anelka, Viera, and Toure.
Joke
Change the record
Actually it is funny.
31 Aug 2013 19:06:21
Gazidis is to be relieved of his duties and replaced with malaga Gooner with immediate affect, . Carling don't do Arsenal appointments but if they did!!
That would be carlsberg
Ah so it was carlsberg who appointed Gazidis All makes sense now
31 Aug 2013 19:02:03
I think things are not as but as most people think, we have several young good players, which if given playing time will be world class in few years.
Eight years title drought is overrated, over that period we have been to Champions league final, fa cup final, and Carling Cup final. Plus we have performed better in champions league as compared to previous years.
People need to stop pressuring Wenger he knows what he is doing. This transfer market, player prices have hiked up by desperate buyers like our neighbors.
As for selling star players most players wanted to go, I don't thing is a good thing to hold players against their will.
We don't need bog player signings, we need Wenger type of signing.
Last thing we need to stop abusing our own player some players need a little bit time to adapt.
Very well said my friend. Its great to see someone with an iota of football knowledge. Your very welcome. It's quite lonely on this site.
If he had ioata if football knowledge he would know we were in no Fa cup final in the last 8 years
31 Aug 2013 18:57:52
This is real life not fifa!
Just because other clubs have spent great sums of money and brought in lots of players it doesn't mean that they will have immediate success. Players take time to gel and tactics take time to perfect.
This is why Spurs and Liverpool will not be instant threats. However the spurs next season and the future definitely will.
What we have over them is that are squad is in sync and has gelled. Everyone knows their role and we have set tactics. We will play as 1 team, rather than 11 individuals.
Ultimately, it's actually ridiculous to see that some people are placing us in 6th and in some cases 7th in their projected standings this year. Judge transfers and squads changes at the end of the season.
My friend you speak so much sense. Totally agree, a little bit of foresight has to be seen.
You will bet abuse, stay strong. Certain fans just don't get it.
Chelsea and Man City's spending has never improved them your right we're persons you definitely can't see a pattern of high spending teams being successful.
Can people stop suggesting Spur's haven't made good transfers. They have. Time to gel that's what pre season is for. That's why you sign early.
Wenger came out with this crap the other day. " More than 3 signings can ruin a team" or some bollo*ks. Absolute garbage don't fall for his sh*t
Mxchxxl . You are quite right mate it does take a while to gel. But in our case it would be nice if there were a few players for our team to gel with son. Word of warning! We noticed that Wengerism is trying to be your pal! He could be leaving soon!
31 Aug 2013 18:57:27
Saw this as part of a longer post on Le Grove today, but it just about sums it up:
"A manager corrupted by power and delusion. A CEO with no balls. An owner who lacks interest.
A recipe for anti-progression.
. who is accountable? No one."
I think the guy's spot on. Hence the reason we are in this position and probably the position we will end up in the league come the end of the season.
But as my fellow gooner mate said today, who is usually ranting, but was strangely calm today (acceptance you could say)- our only hope that is left now, is that at the end of this season we will see the real change we need at the arsenal.
31 Aug 2013 18:48:16
So Kalou is rumoured and immediately you think we're signing him?
And why you can't even attempt to spell Wenger properly? Is that too much for you?
This was a reply to a post made earlier by some Spurs fan. Needless to say that it annoyed me, despite that blatantly being the intention of the original post.
31 Aug 2013 17:41:50
No transfer b******* for 24hrs just us absolutely thrashing the dirty spurs so badly all there new recruits go home crying wondering what they have joined.
31 Aug 2013 17:39:04
on the eve of the derby, let's examine what our neighbours have actually done.
at first glance, it's obvious they have spent lot's of money, but look at the players they've got.
paulinho - this was a solid buy imo. he seems to be a good player and i'd have taken him to arsenal as well. however there are risks as he's played only in brazil before.
chadli - meh. a guy from belgium. I watched him against swansea and he wasn't looking like a threat at all. still only 24, but wouldn't have been good enough for arsenal.
soldado - another meh. apart from two nice penalties this guy seems useless. he's 28 and has played in spain only. sure he's a good finisher but there's nothing more in him. i'm surprised if he turns out to be something else than an expensive flop.
capoue - average. we always complain when a player comes from france because it's not a very tough league nowadays. this one comes from an average team in france. in my eyes he wasn't even the best dm in the ligue 1. surely he's better than sandro but that's not a big compliment.
chiriches - so he's an almost 24 year-old defender from romania. that's where he has played. don't know anything about him but if he turns out to be a worthy defender for a top 5 team i'm amazed. or maye in 2-3 years if everything goes well for him.
lamela - the second spurs signing i'd have wanted. he's not going to carry them like bale did though. not yet.
eriksen - same as lamela.
so as you may guess i'm not that convinced about spurs. sure they have spent a lot of money, but have they actually strengthened their starting 11? not much imo. when you take bale out who's their attacker we should be scared of?
now let's look at us. we haven't lost anyone of our better players. the first team has been together for a long time now and we're playing like a proper team. the back four is superb, ramsey is superb, giroud is in-form and walcott and santi can do wonders. i'm going for a win.
You know what? I was going to post the same thing. If we make a few decent signings I wouldn't be that worried about them. The loss of Bale will mean they lose a lot of points from last year, and they need to make up for that.
Also Chadli is 24? I thought he was around 19 after all the hype he is getting. Nothing special IMO.
Great post.
Top post iceman. I agree and They haven't had time to gel yet either. I would've liked us to make a signing for morale at least before the game.
Paulinio was a failure on his first transfers to europe he played in romania I think then went to poland then went back to brazil so he has already had a go ineurope and was not successful.
i don't know why everyone is bigging up the spurs they are losing their best player who made the team tick without him they have looked average in both their games and won because of penalties not scored in open play yet.
I agree Lamela, Paulinhio and Erikkson are good buys. Capoue good squad player IMO.
You lost podolski, chadli is a squad player as is chiriches. capoue is to help sandro and cover for back four as a matter of interest sandro is a beast. lamela and erikson SHOULD be two real stars that could well light the premiership up. soldado is a recognised spanish international they are the best team in the world right now so I wouldn't underestimate him especially when erikson and lamela start to gell with him, which I accept will take time. as for paulinho he looks like he could be similar player to lampard and doesn't look lightweight which would be my only concern from brazillian players but he also is an international. I agree arsenal haven't lost much (podolski) but surely this time round it was about gaining some players not feeding others again. 6 of the seven players are all full international players from spain france brazil argentina you can deny their quality all day long if this makes you feel better because of your lack of signings but you can't get away from them playing for some of the greatest nations in the land and if your truly honest you would love them to come and help you guys out of the sticky situation you are presently in. your ins so far flamini (free) bendtner (back) sonago injury plagued unheard of french kid and now you chasing kalou meh and venga isn't panic buying that is right because these signings are free meh
Pauliniho played in Ukraine at a very young age but flopped
31 Aug 2013 17:16:37
can I ask you guys if there is no panic buys like venga says, was kalou always on his wish list or is he a smoke screen
Gotta be a smoke screen. NOT good enough for arsenal
31 Aug 2013 16:39:18
July I would have been gutted to have signed Barry, Kaluo and the likes even Nani seemed like a bac wards move but now! I wouldn't be so sad. Please close the window NOW before I start hoping for Almunia to come back. I'm already thinking positively about Betner staying
Arsenal wouldn't know the meaning of the word serious Kalou, Cabaye all panic bids and then the icing on the cake offer 26m euros plus a crocked footballer for a player who has 40m buyout clause, you couldn't make the f-----g farce up.
Heybridge Gooner
Cabaye is quality, we just need defenders and a striker a lot more. I still want fellaini as well.
31 Aug 2013 16:34:52
Sakho is having a medical at Liverpool. What is happening at Arsenal? This window is 2 days from being the worst window in recent years. Both spurs and pool have a really strong squad and we will battle with everton for sixth (which I am afraid we will lose unless Baines and fellaini will be sold).
Arsene and Gazidis are completely pissing in the wind now!
Everton are falling apart under martinez, I think they will finish around 8th.
31 Aug 2013 16:22:15
if anybody hasn't read Le Grove today I suggest they do just about sums the whole e----g mess up
Heybridge Gooner
Depressing post today. One of my daily Arsenal fixes guy knows what he's on about
I read it.
Pathetic really.
Talk about a drama queen. It's so easy to over dramatise things.
31 Aug 2013 15:53:33
It must be boring being a fan of other clubs, all quite transparent if they have money for players they buy the best they can afford plain simple, no scratching your head trying to work out the plot , no mystery no puzzles no being kept on the edge of you seat feeling sure something will happen that never does!! They haven't a clue what thy are missing lucky us
Transfer policy is a mess.
Wenger and / or the Board should have been sacked weeks ago to give a new team the chance to make changes. This would happen at any other club after the last few years and the latest window so far.
Even if we beat the scum, this team is too lightweight and frankly not good enough to challenge for anything
Lol gunner62 i'm not feeling very lucky at the moment
Gunner62. That's the funniest post i've seen in a while. We preparing for League cup final, FA cup final, End of season and champions league final. We are having fun. Thank you Arsene Wenger!
31 Aug 2013 15:30:07
Malaga Gooner - are you going to comment on any of your previous posts? None have come off, even players out which is ridiculous because we got rid of around 20. For those who aren't aware - Theo and Rosicky were the two he was saying are "100% leaving".
Is there any explanation to your source being so bad at guessing transfers?
It's a genuine request by the way, I don't think ITK's should get away with all these claims then not come back with an explanation when they don't come off.
The window isn't closed yet! Theo and Risisky could still go and malaga could yet be right
But malaga clearly isn't in the know
He has already explicated before that he just best guess s and post what he hope will happen most people know this which is why we laugh with him most of the time!
Its generally understood on here, that what malaga gooner says can be totally ignored without risk of missing important information. Let him make his posts if that's what he wants to do.
Stop picking on Malaga!
Well I heard Malaga's 2 planes have been stuck in a holding pattern above Heathrow or Gatwick or Luton or Stansted or some other airport since Friday. Or was it they never took off.? :)
31 Aug 2013 15:10:38
We love you Arsenal, We love you Arsenal. Damn right we do, now let's go give Spurs a good thrashing!
31 Aug 2013 15:07:40
I really don't buy this 'Levy delaying the Bale TF so it stuffs the sale of RM players to AFC' theory.
Spuds have spent over £100m this window. This means they have sold Bale and received money. End of story. For me this is a classic case of the media making up any old random yet plausible story just because it can. IMO Bale has been sold, paid for, and Madrid could quite easily sell us any of their players right now if they wanted to, but I'm guessing we're just dithering.
Also, £40m for Draxler is absolutely absurd.
If Bale had been sold Spurs would hardly call him back to London would they
Metal what's absurd? the valuation or the thought that WE are supposed to have bid that for him?
i know you follow the bundesliga so no doubt youve seen more of him than me - on the occasions I have seen him he's impressed me and I like that he has a bit of presence about him.
my opinion is he ain't worth £40m if goetze is woth £30m and reus and schurlle are worth £20m, however given the current circs I couldn't give a toss what we spend just as long as we get some quality in.
that being said i'm sure Mata wouldn't cost £40m and I know who would be the safer bet.
31 Aug 2013 14:36:32
So it appears we offered 30m euros plus Podoski for Draxler yesterday.
If this is true this must also mean we are in for a top class striker or why would Podolski be allowed to leave as well?
Fingers crossed
How can we offer pods? He is injured.
But Pod is injured how could that be
Doubt they'll want a player whos out for 10 weeks.
Cant see schalke taking a punt on Poldi who is out for 10 wks and their already lost Huntelaar
Heybridge Gooner
31 Aug 2013 14:29:09
A question to help lighten the somber mood a little bit.
I know there are quite a few on here that did'nt want Song to leave and would take him back (not me btw) and some of you thought he was worth more than we sold him for as well, so the question is:
Would you prefer Song or Flamini?
I would prefer flamini any day, even if they were both free, due to his work rate and versatility alone.
I would prefer coquelin
Totally agree plus always thought there was a red card in song
I think song is better going forward, he did have the best assists rate 2 seasons ago when rvp scored 35 goals. he's also a better passer of the ball and better at spotting "runners" but I think flamini is more of a worker and better at tracking back and staying with his marker. he's a bit more disciplined than song was. both very good though, hard one to call.
I would take both on different merits so I guess if there's a player out there called alex flamisong we should sign him (sorry, this post somewhat got silly towards the end but I think you get my drift lol)
31 Aug 2013 14:22:14
the excitement is killing me.
i need something to calm me down.
flamini to score the 1st goal 22/1
dont worry about what the sspuds do they always f**** it up.
beep-beep
eie
31 Aug 2013 14:00:36
Anyone see 'orange Phil' on Sly Sports the other day saying that he is sure Arsene has deals in place? 'Chippy' Brady and Lee Dixon saying the same thing. Is Wengers casual attitude a smoke screen for trouble within or does Arsene still know?
Anyway as true Gooners let's all get behind the boys tomorrow, the last thing we need are voices of discontent regardless of what many think - not tomorrow guys and girls, we need unity!
COYG!
31 Aug 2013 13:23:23
I'm expecting it to explode Monday. I think mata is available. Why not play him last night for a single minute so close to deadline? I expect us to get someone from madrid. **** I can't wait until Monday night going to get the beers in just incase so I can drown my sorrows lol
31 Aug 2013 13:22:41
I am still keeping the faith. I don't agree that we need wholesale changes.Fed up of reading we need goalie, centre-back, midfield, winger and a striker. Get real, we were not relegated. Look at the team we put out tomorrow. I agree we need at most two top quality signings. We desperately need a forward, but then I read that they will partner Giroud. It's not going to happen. I would love to see a pairing like MacDonald and Stapleton ( shows my age), but he only ever plays one up top. The difficulty is that we need quality on the bench and we are not going to pay 100k a week for that. I do think that Wenger has got some deals lined up.He is too relaxed and smug, to be that stupid.
We don't need wholesale changes Hootie, we need some fine tuning with 3-4 quality proven players. that's all, it ain't rocket science, we have the money, so why ain't it happening?
Oohh hootie how can you say mcdonald and stapleton? sunderland and stapleton every day of the week for me. the original SAS (for those of you who are old enough to remember?)
31 Aug 2013 13:13:39
I reckon we are going to complete smash Spurs to pieces tomorrow
I'm going 1-0.
Completely smash us 1-0 wow some hammering
I hope you are right wengerism. I don't care even if they smash us to pieces as long as we win 1 nil
For good measure penalised should get a penalty. strike.it with all his might. hit the cross bar and go the length of.the field backwards and into his own net. and we win by.that goal. I'll take it
God you Spurs fans are a simple bunch.
Heard of sarcasm!
31 Aug 2013 12:28:07
Bid for kaka and draxler? also will bentner come back?
No a chance
i'm sure he~s not a freebie
but hey,
there is still time for wenger
to do some magic.
to be honest, he all ways tries his best for the club.
hopefully get a result a against spurs 2moro.
not all dome and gloom lads.
were still gunners.
31 Aug 2013 12:18:07
Ok at the beginning of the window Saloman Kalou wouldn't have been top of my list.
But due to the injuries we've sustained, I think he'd be a great addition to the squad.
Play both wings, support for Giroud. Good age, good experience.
I'd say get him into the squad .
Yep, you're definitely Arsene Wenger.
Really was he not part of Wengers masterplan all along? Is it not Wenger proving he is such a genius and the fans have been foolish?
He may be an ok signing now to add some depth and cover but in reality only because the people paid to manage things within the club have neglected to do their job this summer.
OR, we could get Di Maria. That'd be better.
Why is it that when a good rumour comes up that no-one believes it. But as soon as we're linked with Kalou or Barry it's a dead cert?
Not on my list at all and never will be.
Bit of a contradiction from Wenger. Only wanting to bring in super quality that is better than the players we already have. Chelsea's 3rd hand cast off cannot really fall into that category.
By the way Wengerism I have had an e-mail from a Nigerian business man who apparently has exclusive rights to drill for oil on the moon, sounds good eh? Are you in, or is your blind optimism strictly limited to things Arsene Wenger says and does?
Seriously though keep up the posts a bit of controversy improves the banter.
31 Aug 2013 14:31:36
I'm guessing and please correct me if I'm remotely wrong but you would also like, Lescott, Barry, Gallas, perhaps we should have picked up Sinclair or Huddlestone, maybe pursuaded Phil Neville not to hang up his boots or even get Squillachi back, I mean desperate times call for desperate measures. This sums up everything that this club has brought us to believe is remotely acceptable.
This club needs at least 2 world class players, we have none, we need them and nothing less than the likes of Saurez or Bender will suffice. I believed this team would challenge last season, they didn't and every manager and every pundit along I'd bet with most of our current squad know it won't this season either.
We should not be worrying about some team down the road but we should have Citeh, Utd and Chelski worrying about how they were going to beat us instead of laughing at how easy it is to do just that.
Last season was the most painful for me to watch more than the 7 before, this one has no reason to be and at this moment it has all the hallmarks of being the worst of them all.
Any less than those 2 quality players and the queue for the final nail will only be surpassed by your unacceptance of some home truths.
I want Arsene to do great things with this team but if he doesn't buy that top top quality this window he will have personally taken the pi55 out of me and every other Arsenal fan and assumed we are ignorant peasants.
Lmfao
i want to cry
Kalou. Just being linked with him ouzes desperation! What a master stroke on wengers behalf! Players like kalou, if they're not good enough for Chelsea's squad he should not be for ours! F#*king embarrassing! #jogonwenger
Sw18
Kalou - you've just shredded any respect I had for you Wengerism.
Signing kalou would be confirmation that there was no transfer plan. Utter desperation if true.
31 Aug 2013 12:11:12
I'm slowly bubbling over into a fit of rage and despair that will explode at Midnight on Monday. This lack of transfer activity is absurd. With the exception of this time 2 years ago, this is the lowest I have felt as an Arsenal fan.
Right now a panic buy or two would be a relief. We are in desperate need of a versatile defender, commanding CDM, LW and Striker. There is no way with this current crop of players we will finish 4th. What makes it worse, is it was our chance to compete while other clubs were swapping managers. Why hasn't Wenger learnt and wrapped up these deals earlier. Higuan was worth that extra £6-7m. Eriksen for £12m? Why didn't we latch onto that? Gustavo was available, as was Kondogbia, Capoue, Strootman, Sahko, Alderwiereld. All these would have greatly improved us.
The only thing that can turn this window from a disaster to a success is 2-3 signings of World class talent.
Draxler, Benzema, Di Maria, Ozil, Mata, Torres, De Rossi, Rooney, Suarez, Pogba, Yilmaz. There are still some players out there.
I personally think we should take the £40m we had for Suarez and bid for Rooney. We have more chance of getting him and he would link well with Wilshere, Walcott and Ox. Also we should try get Di Maria or Mata for £25m. Unlikely yes but not impossible and it's totally necessary.
Detroit, great post mate, absolutely agree with you mate
31 Aug 2013 11:38:52
Be good when the window is closed and we can all get behind the team we have for a while. Like most people I am very disappointed with our transferless summer but come Tuesday all the moaning in the world will be pointless. So roll on Tuesday I for one have had enough of false hope for one year. I think I will cancel my broad band porn my TV and stay away from papers in Dec Jan as I have wasted so much time over the last 3 months looking for hope and need to save myself from it next time
31 Aug 2013 11:27:46
anyone worried that we will buy nobody
Limerick Gunner
Agree, I was convinced that everything was hanging on CL qualification and really thought Wednesday and Thursday would bring signings as everything would be in place to pull the trigger on lined up signings.
If we have been working hard on signings like we have been been told for weeks, then everyone involved needs to be shone the door, because that's the only thing they can close.
Yes mate me I am seriously worried that's their is obviously a very bad underlying problem that AFC choose not to tell their fans about, but then again who are we only the paying public.
I don't want to believe it. But at the same time, sadly, I wouldn't be surprised at all.
We will buy.
when bale moves you will see big movement all around.
relax boi
Na. Worry and anger left my mind days ago. I'm in a state of acceptance and bemusement
31 Aug 2013 11:22:32
I think there will be big players coming in before Monday night
I think we have agreed 2 if not 3 of the Madrid targets (benzema, ozil, di Maria ) but Madrid are waiting for bale to be confirmed
I think there is something in the theory that spurs are holding up the bale transfer so we can't register anyone or give the fans a lift before the game - I think we have agreed to this as these players are game changers and terms are agreed with them but we don't want to miss out so have asked them all to say they don't want to leave to avoid a bidding war. This works for all the clubs involved
I would not be surprised at all if this happened Sunday night
I think if we do get these players we may see a bid for mata on Monday and begovic and maybe sakho. We will be a far better option with champs league and some class players arriving
Might seem far fetched but wenger looked confident to me about something going on. Add to this people like Liam Brady and lee Dixon who on tv have said they see big players coming in they must know something
I think that the Real Madrid connection has been going on all summer - maybe we were never in for higuain- we have just been waiting for bale to go to secure these players
Just a theory but it will stop me crying for the next 36 hours!
You could be right about Spurs dragging out the Bale deal until the last moment to stop us getting one of those Madrid Players.
Ozil has already stated he is staying though. I think Di Maria is the best bet out of the three as winger we need, will he be willing though.
Xabi Alonso will be a good pick as a kind of deep lying playmaker that can dish out those sweeping long passes he is good at. Kaka has been mentioned but he is past his best and would be a luxary signing to be honest on his wages, not a priority.
I have more a feeling that we will end up with Kalou and that French chap from St Etienne. Wenger knows the French teams the best and is likely on a good stranding with the managers in that league so he will revert to type kin the limited time we have.
31 Aug 2013 10:34:46
I fear for the future fan base of this great club. It just seems to me that over a period of time a majority of our fan base is just becoming more fickle.
The prospect In 10-15 years I honestly despair!
I really wouldn't like to go into war with some of you guys. We would have a lot of deserters.
Be fair when General insists on going into battle guns unloaded some of the troops will question his sanity. We all want the same thing just disagree with the direction we are taking
If this was a war, we would have mass casualties, low manpower, under armed, running out of ammunition, no food, constant bombing, disease. While the Officers are sat in an underground bunker surrounded by women, television, internet, hot tube, beds, baths, personal doctors. Using the money that was for the soldiers to buy exotic food and cars. You would be sat there saying how great they are and that we're the persons. Fickle more like realistic stop being a mug.
It's people like you that are the problem with this club. Too many sheep blindly supporting Wenger & the board no matter what they do & believing whatever BS they tell you without question. No other clubs fans would have put up with it
Yes he has made the club a lot of money but I'm a supporter not a shareholder & I want to see results on the pitch not on the bank statements.
You need to explain how the fans that do not share your views are fickle. They all still support the club even after 8 barren years. A lot of them still spend significant amounts of their hard earned money supporting the club. They just want Arsenal to do what is necessary to get back to the top.
True fans support the club not one individual in that club.i think you struggle to distinguish the difference between Arsenal a football club for over 100 years and Arsene a employee of the club for 17 years.
31 Aug 2013 10:30:45
We have missed out on some decent players! It looks unlikely we sign any1 that is world class Liverpool are closing in on sakho really we should be going for him toby is going to athletico he would of been a decent signing erickson for 12mil is cheap we should of hijacked the deal so 2 days left dose arsene have a master plan? And sign 3 world class players doubt it
31 Aug 2013 10:30:06
James R. Cheers buddy.
You make some very valid points.
31 Aug 2013 10:22:54
If Levy is spinning things out in order to screw us up then whatever the result on Sunday I'll still have that very unpleasant feeling that we've received a spanking - if not in the league - in the transfer window.
31 Aug 2013 10:10:19
We as fans are the Arsenal family.
Arsenal is our mother. And Arsene Wenger is our father.
We go through the good times and bad times together.
Our dad was great at the beginning, but now he's going through a bit of a rough patch. What are we going todo? Ditch him.
Well regrettably it's always the mouthy brats that normally win this battle. And the good kids like myself that have to endure the pain.
It looks like our fathers going to go and find himself a new wife next year.
Cheers guys!
Bruv, you should consider writing a book, I will definitely buy the first 20 copies and just maybe you can buy Arsenal a player or two.
Seriously, I enjoy your posts bruv, keep them coming
It's weird, you couldn't make this stuff up.but you are in fact, making this stuff up.
Do you actually believe what you write?
1404
Thank god. Wenger is not the father of Arsenal have a day off. Are you part of a PR machine paid to protect him. Do you enjoy scraping fourth when we have the funds to challenge. In all honestly I am starting to believe you are either related to Wenger or sexually attracted to him.
My Father never lied to me
Maybe his new misses can blow wenger so u don't have to any more?! You talk so much rubbish it's unreal!
Sw18
This rough past is now more than 50% of his Arsenal career. It's not a patch. He has degraded the club.
Don't worry, you'll be put in a childrens' home. You'll be fine.
Imagine if wengerism is Wenger. Trying to get some internet cred by posting positive things about himself. Buy some players old man. we may just ease the noose then.
31 Aug 2013 10:07:08
I have tried to be patient. I've taken my stress pills to calm myself down. but now I just can't do it anymore. just over 3 days left. and we are being linked with Solomon Kalou, Kaka and there is a strong possibility that B52 is going to stay as back up. what have you been doing all summer Wenger!
It feel like Wenger and the board are 'Mugging' the fans off. spurs are buying players like if they are picking them off the shelves at Tescos. and all summer long we have negotiated 2 FREE TRANSFERS. wtf!
I don't think Wenger had any intention of buying any of the players he put silly low offers on, he just want it to look as though we were busy in the transfer market.
If you want a top player you have to pay the top price, but what they fail to understand is that you make that money back when you start winning trophies.
I fear for our team this season. we are in a very tough Champs league Div. we are now in a real battle for 4th spot with spurs and Liverpool. and as for the cups let's hope we don't meet a Bradford or a Blackburn Rovers.
Its going to be another season without silverware, all because Wenger and the board did not invest the millions sitting in our account on top players.
But let me remind all the Wenger faithfull, of this quote, 'We are moving to the new stadium and in a few years we will be able to compete with the best teams in europe'. Do any of you think we have got closer or further away from the best teams in europe. When that quote was made we were certainly the 2nd best team in England (pushing Man U very hard for the top spot). now we are the 4th best team and there is a real possibility that we may slip down further
Spot on mate right on the money
31 Aug 2013 10:03:08
Heard we are signing Nichts by Monday. If you have never heard the name google it. Will be a typical signing for us and fit in quite nicely.
Very good!
Although I have it ze good authority that we will sign ' eins zwei-drei ' by monday night.
31 Aug 2013 09:28:24
So the club who promised to have a huge summer signing big players left right and centre (us) have been utterly eclipsed by the club who were promised a summer of losing their best player (spurs) who have been signing players left right and centre. Fellow gooners this is awful.
31 Aug 2013 09:28:10
I´m actually excited this season. First time in years we have the squad intact. Deadwood gone. Flamini great signing!
Sanogo maybe in a couple of years.
Think AW will add some quality in the end, great Cb, winger and striker will come. Gk needed Courtois
would be a Dream. but we will manage.
The Arsenal never 'manage' we are too great a club for that.
Squad intact is this a wind up?
We have Vermaelen, Diaby, Artery, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Podolski and Wilshere all out with injuries. I think you need to revise your idea of intact.
31 Aug 2013 06:07:46
So I'm a spurs fan coming in peace (till Sunday that is ;p)
While I know a lot of you are getting worried over your lack of transfer activity, I reckon come the end of deadline day you lot will be exited about someone coming in.
Wenger seems so confident, he has a manner about him recently which suggests to me that he has one or 2 signings just waiting. My guess would be at least one from madrid, likely di maria, is ready to be announced as soon as we sell bale to real. or maybe he really has finally gone utterly mad.
Either way I expect you guys to bring in a big name attacking player, if for no other reason than a window can't possibly keep going this well for spurs :L
We'll see soon enough, one way or another whether wenger has something up his sleeve or he has gone completely bonkers! Not long for the waiting now.
Steed, don´t be too sure of yourself. you´ll still be behind us end of the season no matter how much millions you will spend this summer.
You are forgetting that Wenger only buys quality players if they are available, such as Chamakh, Gervinho, Santos, Park.his smugness is probably from signing Flamini.
31 Aug 2013 09:00:31
Just reading the rumours on the site, it suggests we are after at a dozen players, and I just wonder how many will we actually sign. I think desperation is the word I'm looking for! The whole structure for transfer negotiations MUST be altered.
31 Aug 2013 07:47:46
I suffered mediocrity through the mid-70s and the early 80s. It was horrible at times and only a couple of cup runs kept the North Bank going. I agreed with Arsenal's strategy in the late noughties and we were very close to creating perfection again in 2007-8. Since then we've slowly eroded the squad and although we have a good 1st XI we don't have anyone to rotate / reinforce / compete with the starters (less left back). I don't give a monkeys about the Spuds, but the Manx, Citeh and Chelski have squads that have competition all over the pitch. They also pay their youngsters the going rate until they've won something and deserve more. Our economic strategy does not attract the top stars and we reward potential not performance - not a great combination. Now, on the positive side, we have the money to change that and we have a good core on which to build. We are at a tipping point though. If we don't reinforce our paper thin squad with proven winners - they galvanise the squad (the Bergkamp effect) - it will be a long hard season. Whatever happens though, every morning I thank my lucky stars that I was born a Gooner! See you in the Twelve Pins on Sunday boys; COYG!
Totally agree Herrick. Sadly can't join you in The 12 Pins before the game but will be enjoying a pint in The Tamal & watching the game there. Any gooners around feel free to join us
You should be worried not only about Spurs but Liverpool as well can't see Arsenal finishing top five this year look at this way your squad lacks in depth and your manager has less pulling power than a clapped out ford capri all talk no action in the transfer market face it Arsenal will struggle this year end of!
I remember the Brendon Batson and Brian Hornsbury times of the 70s and they were very tough times to go thorough. Things are no where near as bad as that now but we are slowly becoming a uafa cup team as we lose ground on on the teams both above us and around us
Well, am glad am not only an Arsenal fan but also a huge fan of Chelsea. Goodluck gooners!
Not sure how I'll recognise you Herrick but 'see' you in the Pins on Sunday!
31 Aug 2013 07:35:22
Watched Bayern crush chel$ki last night, Mata's face at the end was like thunder. He will be in an Arsenal shirt next week
In an arsenal midfield of Santi, jack and Rambo. Who would be dropped to accommodate Mata?
Thought Chelsea were unlucky to lose myself.
Rotation?
31 Aug 2013 07:20:58
We will most likely sign no one
Transfer negotiation team needs revamping and the power to approve targets needs to be taken off Wenger's hand
Di Maria, benzema remain our strongest targets but it is too late
31 Aug 2013 05:08:08
I don't understand why we were told at the beginning of the transfer window that we had loads of money to spend and have only got in 2 free transfers. Why Wenger waits till the last min of the transfer window ill never know. We should of secured our targets earlier in the summer and shouldn't be messing around now. We need a few decent players and if they don't come in we are going to have such a weak squad. We haven't got a decent Sub for Sunday for gods sake! Realistically i'd love to sign someone like Rooney, Suarez, Benzema, Jackson Martinez or lewandowski as they are proven goal scorers but it just isn't going to happen. I bet we are going to try and bully Swansea for Michu on the last day as its typical Wenger! He probably won't get another DM as we resigned Flamini and I really can't see us picking up a quality defender or winger either. I hope I'm wrong because we have a pretty decent starting team and without injuries and a top quality signing we have the potential to be right up there at the end of the season. Challenging for 4th place and turning up for some Cup appearances every season just isn't good enough for Arsenal football club anymore. Something needs to change soon.
31 Aug 2013 04:21:19
"Signings are unbalancing spurs" -Wenger. I think I've just got to spare my little hope.
-The boss should have a little respect and avoid promising any signings because his actions don't seem like he will be spending a thing out of the club's transfer funds.
It's true I would be more worried about Spur's if they weren't signing any quality players and were relying on youth and fringe players for their bench. That is obviously the way forward for a club. Wenger is setting a new trend. Watch
Summer of 97 Wenger made 8 signings. All be it not all starters but he created a depth to our squad. We won the double that season not that I need to remind people of that. Hypercritical to pick at spurs ambition to take the top 4 spot by creating a deep squad.
31 Aug 2013 03:40:42
I think everyone needs to take a breath. Why do we need to sign players? Personally I wouldn't be happy with Wilshere carzola Walcott or the ox sitting on the bench, and Ramsey and giroud are confidence players that need game time and both are coming into their top form. If we did sign players in these positions they would have to either be bench players or much much better than what we already have. Who would you bench for new players? Our defense is the biggest worry but was 2nd best in the league last year! Tottenham are spending because they have just lost the premier leagues best player. They need to sign to keep up. The other top prem teams are signing for depth, and we get that from these smart flamini transfers. It would be amazing to buy a world class player but look at our last 3 games up against Tottenham and man citys. Then calm down. Wenger knows what he is doing
Well I'm blown away by the ambition you show. The ox is out injured, wilshire will not get through a full season and we are bound to get injuries, suspensions. These are professional athletes and should earn their place in the team instead of we can't buy quality players because they might displace a current first team member. Top teams have quality in depth so they can rotate, keep players fresh and account for suspensions and injury and that is why they win things.
Why do we need to sign players? Please tell me you had a few last night and are still abit pi$$ed up?!
We are thin, all competitions included we could potentially play up to 60 games. We need cover as along the way, As already injury's will occur, fatigue will be an issue, suspensions etc! Even on FIFA that stuff effects teams so I can only conclude you are not a real doctor and know sweet fa about football. Wenger in my eyes doesn't know best and as soon as people like yourself realise this, the better! Your question has annoyed me more then hearing about the spurs adding yet another decent player today (eriksen).
Sw18
Thank God! I'm not alone!
DOH!
so those players are going to play 60 games are they, it is called squad rotation and competition for places.
Go back to your surgery Doc
Flamini does not gives us depth were one injury up front from Sanogo starting and Miyachi or Gnabry on the wings. We have no squad. We have a first team with youth players and injury table specialists. You need to rotate players to win anything, what do you thinks going to happen to Wilshere if he has to play over 40 games. We should of had players in weeks before our first game. Wenger has let us all down and he definitely winging it now. Come on stop kidding yourself he's done for, We can't keep supporting someone who keep's letting us down.
Some strength in depth would be nice. When the players that you mentioned inevitably get injured, will you still be happy? Or how about playing players out of position because of those injuries? Let's put Bendtner back on the wing shall we? Not to mention players get comfortable and rest on their laurels with lack of competition. For those reasons and more Wenger will refer to not have bought more during this off season.
Wengersgizm and dr jones. Maybe you can both jump off wengers balls and play with each others? You clueless brainwashed persons!
Sw18
31 Aug 2013 02:46:46
Liverpool spending again, Mr Suarez must be on the move. Fingers crossed, never say never.
31 Aug 2013 02:14:05
Now Tottenham have signed Eriksen.
This is the signing I'm most worried about.
Lamela, Soldado, Paulhinho are all good
But Eriksen, mark my words, will be one of te beat players in the Prem within 2 years.
I'm actually spewing we didn't get Eriksen, and at such a low price too.
Agreed! Eriksen will be world class. A season under his belt in England and he will be a beast! And for 11 mill. We spent that on gervinho! Bargain!
Sw18
31 Aug 2013 12:25:32
If £12m is the correct price they got him for then it is an absolute bargain, completely agree that he will be the one to watch over the next couple of years.
31 Aug 2013 02:10:36
If Spurs really are playing brinkmanship over the Bale deal by only sanctioning it at the last moment to stop RM selling to us, surely that is almost suicidal tactics.
RM have proven themselves to be shrewd if not nasty negotiators. If I were the RM president, at that last moment when Spurs say the deal can go ahead I would say, "sorry - we cannot afford it now that we do not have time to sell players. So either the deal is off or we will take Bale of your hands for 30 mill."
See how Levy feels about having spent 122 mill then.
Juan Mata, Sami Khedira, Julio Cesar, Mamadou Sakho and Karim Benzema (or Mesut Ozil). Of all the available players, if we could get these players, we'll be a team to beat. 😊
31 Aug 2013 01:43:55
the best signings I think we could get now if all go's well.
Draxler
di maria
guilavogui
31 Aug 2013 01:16:13
The post has moved onto the Banter 2 page so I've forgotten who I was talking to about who does transfers, sorry!
But yes, it's pretty common knowledge that Stan takes a massive back seat from running the club (be it down to lack of sporting knowledge, total faith in his management, or both), and that Wenger does EVERYTHING. It hasn't always been this way, but it has certainly been this way for several years.
I do believe that when Wenger said Gazidis was coming in to do transfer negs, he was being truthful. But we've all heard about the horror show where he messed up the Reina deal. The irony is that apparently Gazidis asked him to take a paltry salary, yet now this is what Wenger does.
It took us a week to agree to meet Bayern's £17.2m /20m Euro fee for Gustavo. A week! For a Brazil international. Then we wouldn't pay him over £100k. I know it's a lot but Podolski is on about 96kpw and he's a sub. Theo is on 100k. Nobody else at the club is, and we can afford to do more than double. If we won't do it for a Brazil starter who keeps the likes of Fernandinho out of the squad then we won't do it for anyone. Wolfsburg landed Gustavo because they offered to pay him more.
Wenger's tactic is to go in with a low bid, hope that the player is somehow flattered that we're interested to the point where they kick up a fuss and ask to leave their club that's developed them, waiving any bonuses in the process, and come for measly wages. Oh, and fail.
But, there is still time left so let's just see. I must admit I just p1ssed myself reading the headline that we're bidding £40m for Draxler, what a joke.
31 Aug 2013 00:17:54
Yes!! Finally. It happened. New signing!
The one WE were all waiting for!. And its . Diaby. His injury was not so serious as WE were worried, he is back in training in several months.TG. I started to worry WE won't get anyone, specially that transfer window is nearly closin.
31 Aug 2013 00:00:54
Paul Rochester, I said I won't come on here after 3rd sep unless the boss gets 1 big signing.
Also I don't know why the likes of you, Original Ag, Rue are so personal with me.
I know we've got different opinions, but I've never got personal. We still support the same team, and I'm with you guys on Sunday. let's hope we beat the scum.
Wengerism,
I agree, I feel the personal attacks on you are unwarranted. I believe you are overconfident in our management; but at the same time most of the posters on this website are overly negative.
The truth lies somewhere in the middle.
In your favour:
1. The claim that Wenger has underachieved by some posters: Clearly, he is meeting the board's expectations as he is still employed; but is he meeting the expected results based on the resources expended? Well, he has the fourth highest wage bill in England and the 20th highest transfer net spend and he consistently places 3rd or 4th. Meaning he is achieving the result or slightly above the result expected, so at least in the league he is meeting his expectations.
Keep in mind that Chelsea, United (excluding Ronaldo), and Citeh, generally do not sell their star players whereas Arsenal had done so every year and you begin to see what Wenger has done as pretty impressive.
2. The thought that we have over 100 million pounds to spend: Yes, there is over 100 million pounds in the bank; but does that mean we can spend 100 million pounds? Has anyone ever thought that Arsenal have to maintain certain cash balances to satisfy our creditors of our liquidity? I imagine if you look at the minimum balance that Arsenal have held in the bank since the move and the loan documents signed, it is probably a requirement that Arsenal keep a certain amount of ready cash.
3. The myth that Wenger does not want to spend. On many levels, I am sure Wenger does not like spending like Chelsea or City (mainly the economist in him I suppose), but as he is paid to win, I doubt he is adverse to spending money to improve the squad. I think that at least until this year he was told by the board he had to sell before he could buy.
You may question why Wenger would not make this public knowledge or not walk out on Arsenal if this were the case.
I think there are many potential reasons why Wenger would not come out and say we cannot spend any money, but most likely he agrees with the approach of long term sustainability and he is classy and would air any grievances in private and show a united front in public.
4. Wenger has lost his touch in spotting talent. To this I say, if you have to shop at a discount store and are only willing to pay discount prices and wages, the risk of a defective good is higher, but Wenger has still brought in Kos, Arteta, Mert, Jenkinson, AOC, and Pod and none of the flops have really cost Arsenal a tonne of money (I take the point that the wages could usefully have been spent elsewhere, but that is ex post facto reasoning).
I think that everyone forgets that all teams have horrendous flops. Allie Ferg was notorious for buying stinkers Djemba Djemba, Veron, Forlan, Bebe, etc. (I agree that some were great players that could not settle, but the fact remains they added nothing to the team.) The difference between Arsenal on the one hand and Chelsea, Utd, and Citeh on the other is that Chelsea, Utd. and Citeh can just discard the flops for huge losses or continue to pay their wages while still recruiting, whereas Wenger has had to try to mold them flops into something useful over a longer period of time or minimize the loss on any sale.
In other words, since Arsenal pay lower wages and lesser transfer fees you would anticipate that Arsenal would have more flops than Chelsea, Citeh, or United, however, I think that Arsenal generally do as well as or better than the other three teams in the market (when Arsenal actually choose to buy).
5. We are the fifth richest club in the world. This is just false we are the fifth most valuable club in the world and we have the sixth highest turnover. The problem is the teams that make less money than us, are not attempting to run at a profit or even neutrally. The teams below us are happy to run at huge losses and so we have a lot less clout in the market than a lot of other teams.
6. We should buy so and so. WE should buy players that improve the team. Just because you play championship manager or fifa does not qualify you to make that determination. The fact of the matter is that Wenger is right it is difficult to find a player that suits the English game and our style of play and if you buy foreign you may end up with a lemon. (See Veron, Schevchenko, etc.)
There are probably many that I have missed, but I just thought I would lend some support to you.
Negatives:
1. We have so far had a shambles of a transfer window: This is true, maybe sanogo is good and maybe Flamini is good, but our squad is too thin for a premier league season, a champions league run, and two domestic cups. There are obvious holes that need plugging and we should not be doing it midstream. Even if we buy players at this point they will be thrown immediately into the BPL without time to learn our system and their teammates as well as the pace of the BPL. (So, all around bad work).
2. Wenger's socialist wage structure does not work: The reason we cannot shift some of our deadwood is simply that we offered them contracts that were too good for their value to the team. (I get that for younger players this is trade off, but it is still his fault).
3. We should have won something: Wenger has been in a number of finals over the past 9 years. We have a squad that should be able to win an fa cup or carling cup from time to time, even if the CL and BPL are currently beyond us. (IMHO, I would also prioritize the CL to either competition, but we should be able to qualify for the CL and win a cup).
4. Wenger shows too much loyalty to his players. I agree he should be more ruthless in dropping players, although, I think that his public support of players sometimes does not match his private treatment of the players. Again, I think he is a behind closed doors person.
5. We should have locked down first team players to longer contracts so that we would not lose them in their prime. We lost Nasri, RvP, Edu, and Flamini, simply because we did not ensure that these players were under long term contracts.
6. Wenger should be more open to changing his philosophy for results at times. I love that we try to play beautiful football; however, when we play Aston Villa and their approach is essentially to attempt to win the ball deep in our half by pressing and failing that to foul our players to prevent any break we might have, we need a big scary Paddy-esque player to give a stern word to the A. Villa players about that sort of treatment to our flair players and yes, also to get in the refs ear and tell him that he is losing control of the game. (And, of course, to cleanly but strongly challenge the A. Villa players) and if necessary take a yellow card to show that we will not be pushed around.
Everyone on here was belittling our efforts against A. Villa, but to be fair if we played in Spain or Italy, A. Villa would have been left with six players on the pitch at the final whistle, but the fact is Wenger knows we play in England and Wenger knows that, even if it is unfair, Arsenal have a reputation for diving or embellishing and, so, we will not get any sympathy from the refs in England (unlike the other big three). I totally sympathize with his post match comments on the spirit of the refereeing as A. Villa were not even trying for the ball at times, but it happens to us every year, we just need to expect the ref to not help us as much as the other teams.
Wenger's post match comments about allowing the treatment to occur is not going to fix the problem. What is going to fix the problem is having a big steely midfielder to intimidate the players from other teams from intentionally fouling our players and, if necessary, to take a yellow card for getting into said other players face after a rash challenge on ramsey, cazorla, wilshere, or rosicky takes places.
(it would also help if he sat in defence to aid our full backs on their marauding runs)
We're not blind to the poor management within our club. You say Wenger has a plan? Why not have that plan ready for the START of the season. Have a sufficiently numbered squad that can cope with injuries. You will see tomorrow that yes the 11 that start will be a pretty good line up. But the lack of further game changing quality on the bench will be for every one to see. If it goes wrong on Sunday I will have Zero sympathy for Wenger Gazidis or any one of the board for the reaction that they get from the clear Majority of fans. As other people have stated. This club is stagnant. It hasn't evolved. We are stuck in the late 90s early 00s.
By all means defend your hero Wenger. He is a manager I will always respect for that he has achieved. But again that is zero in the last 8 years. And before you go on about finishing top 4 and saving money I don't care. That should be a minimum target. Fans want trophies. Players want trophies. Ask RVP!
James R.,
nice post man, well reasoned.
30 Aug 2013 23:08:19
Mata must be off! This was mourinho'a chance to prove he was staying and he didn't play a single minute. What u think ed? {Ed027's Note - hmm very little time left
30 Aug 2013 23:06:15
We will sign, and we will sign big. We've unfortunately found out that we're the most patient fans going. Only three more days left to remain so. If I'm wrong then they'll be a riot, and the powers that be at our club know this.
You don't get rid of the amount of players we have, make 30 million a year in wages available, have 70-100 million at your disposle and then do nothing.
If that happens I will stop dressing up in women's cloths on bank holiday weekends.
Remember it could be worse. You could have a mullet like Gerry Francis, and a lump on our testicle. Your welcome.
COME ON YOU GOONERS
Flybo
Good to see flybo back and into it!
A riot it is then! .
SO be it
Arsene you have brought this on yourself!
The end of an era. a tragic sad end!
Arsene Wenger . the modern day Nero
He fiddled while spurs strengthened!
30 Aug 2013 23:02:53
What a absolute joke this really is.
£0 pounds spent on a team that needs it, arsenal on the decrease every year,
No top 4 finish for us
Spurs know what they are doing
AW is to blame, he past record cannot be held up to suggest we still need him
30 Aug 2013 22:37:34
The transfer tension is unbearable, so much so that I could crush a grape! I am getting the beers in for the Jim White transfer show down on Monday.
30 Aug 2013 22:30:26
spuds signed erikson. when will it end:)
FFS.
COYG (sunday!) andi :)
30 Aug 2013 22:20:30
I believe once Gareth Bale transfer to Real
Is sorted, everything with regards to our transfers
are concerned will fall in place. don't know if we
be able to sign all three benzama, ozil & maria,
but I am sure one will definately be signed.
Not raising mine and anyone's hope but I
feel it's seems like that. Also since we have
Key players injuries and major positions not
Covered expect Wenger to make 3 to 4 signings.
I don't know anyone nor connected to anyone
at Emirates but just going with what I feel.
This is Arsenal we talking about the Greatest
Club in the world and I am sure Wenger will do
whats required.
30 Aug 2013 22:15:20
Spurs fan in (relative) peace. Should be an intriguing game on Sunday as it always is lately. Anything could happen, we haven't had time to gel yet and you haven't added a lot so who knows. Just interested about how many of you are actually worried about Wenger and the board using a victory to paper over the cracks and justify not doing much business on Monday? "Well Spurs spent £100m and we beat them so we are good enough" - a win could be a curse in disguise for the rest of the season. Mind you, when Bale goes for £85m+ added to the £23m ish already made, we'll have spent nothing as well.
Simmo
30 Aug 2013 22:05:43
Geoffrey Kondogbia signed for Monaco another one bites the dust.
30 Aug 2013 22:05:25
Christian Eriksen to Totthenham for £11.7m.
Tottenham signed 7 player for over £100m. and Arsenal 2 free players. what is going on here?
30 Aug 2013 22:04:56
I agree with you mate, I think our club would fall apart without Wenger. I watched his press conference today, the man is too calm not to have something big lined up. I think he has a few aces up his sleves and will shut up the media and these so called fickle supporters once and for all. Get behind the boys for Sunday.
Really? Funny how the club existed long before wenger, and won things, pretty sure it will exist and prosper long after wenger is gone. I am constantly amazed by the personality cult of wenger, and the inability of wengers supporters to see its a football club and should not be wengers personal plaything
These Wenger disciples really are funny. Do they have half a brain between them all?