Arsenal Banter Archive August 05 2013

05 Aug 2013 23:08:46
Just read today's , once again talking complete sense, if we can see this surely the people running our club must see it, I hope there are God awful rows going on behind the scenes to try and sort it out if not we are in big big trouble

Should read . sorry

I hope so too mate

05 Aug 2013 22:23:15
Edd is toby alderweild (spelling) available and is there interest from Arsenal as we will need another Defender being bought in? Thanks keep up the good work {Ed027's Note - yes he is available, he wants to move to a bigger club, and that's why he turned down Norwich

Ramin, how I wish and pray you were AW or could magically switch mentality!

05 Aug 2013 21:58:49
Anybody else feel that this transfer window is going to end in a flurry similar to a couple of years ago? I am confident of new signings I just don't have a clue who!
I would like to see:

Fellaini
Suarez
I'd take a Williams type centre back
Would love to see Rooney in an Arsenal shirt

Yeah agree- we will see signings, no doubt. I can understand ppl's stress about it, but it will happen.

05 Aug 2013 21:55:33
Any chance of Arsenal hijacking AC Milans attempts at signing Honda from CSKA? I'm positive that last summer there was reported interest from Arsenal. He would be a great addition in my opinion. Attacking midfielder that can play across the midfield and as a support striker. He would be cheap too as his contract is up in January.

05 Aug 2013 21:35:34
In my previous post I wasn't saying we should pay over the odds for players. This isn't as am GUNNER but 100M for Bale is bloody ridiculous. He isn't twice the player of Falcao. But we could sign top level players for far less who would improve our squad Erikson of Ajax, Huntelaar, Belhanda before his transfer, Rami, Alberwield, Yilmaz. All these players would make us a better team and not one of them would be over 18M. In fact most would be under 10M. There is popadoulis of Schalke who is highly regarded and could be bought tomorrow.

We all know what we require, is Suarez it? No. Would he be a fantastic signing YES. Would he deliver the title no. I would rather sign 4 top players than 1 world star.

Holmesy

05 Aug 2013 21:19:14
So what happened with Lars Bender?

Did we actually bid and have we just given up on him now?

Nobody knows.

05 Aug 2013 20:18:57
The champ league draw is on Friday at 12. 45 CET. We are seeded but there are a few tricky teams. This tie could have a massive affect on our ability to get some big players. that aside, it's been a Frustating transfer window as usual. km

05 Aug 2013 20:05:51
Ted

He is bidding for players he has no intention of signing, stop believing this rubbish.
just so he can act like he is spending money when really all they want to do is make as much money as possable.
I reckon he gets a cut of transfer profits

Are you going to tell me signing Remy even on loan or signing Waymanama for £12mill or Capoure for 9mill or Cesar 4mill would not improve the squad and give it more options and strength. Also why wait so long all the good players are getting signed up and we will be panicking buying the players no one wants- we are a football club not a business for crying out loud we should not be treated like this, iam very fed up its time for a change.

Remy wouldn't improve the squad. {Ed027's Note - register please

You have an appropriate name.

Bidding for players we don't want to sign sounds pretty illogical and stupid. If I was a football manager and I had no intention of signing a player, I would just not bid for that player.

Also, "all the good players are getting signed up". I think with that statement you have vastly underestimated the amount of good players in the world. I actually made a post on the 'Arsenal Teams' page a couple of days ago outlining just a small fraction of how many good players are still available.

The season hasn't even started yet and you're complaining of being fed up. Why don't you read a book or go outside or something and not pay any attention to the rumours until the game against Villa.

05 Aug 2013 21:49:08
so do do you dicky - Almost

Remy

he is a average player

capoue is overrated

which is why he is joining cardiff and not real madrid

wanyama said arsenal are a stepping stone

man united didn't decide to buy him

neither did we because they are better targets

signing big players takes time stop moaning as if you have the slightest clue what's going on when we do make our signings then you will regret your words. {Ed027's Note - register please

Ok, Ted I hope your right, but something seems very wrong with the way the club is being run, if we had all this ambition why did Van Persie leave, claiming the way the club is run, being the motivation?

Something is rotten in Denmark

05 Aug 2013 19:53:58
I cannot be the first person to note the absurdity of the claims surrounding the 'clause' in Suarez' contract. First, if there is a clause stating he needs to be 'informed only' of bids in excess of £40m, it must be the most ridiculous clause in football history. Second, if there is indeed a caveat allowing him to go to a 'qualified' CL club for £40m, then LFC are playing a very dangerous game. It's unlikely that we will fail to qualify and that would leave LFC less than two days to source a replacement. Having already had their fingers burned when Torres left for Chelsea and they desperately paid way over the odds for Carroll, my guess is they know exactly what the contractual situation is and they will not budge for less than £50m. If we want him let's just cough up and get him. If not move on.

He will move on, hence the signing of Aspas and the contact over Diego Costa. They will replace him before he leaves so that situation doesn't arise.
Currently they are just holding out for more money and hoping that once the Bale saga concludes that Madrid will come in for him since they don't want to sell to a rival club.
If Madrid don't come in for him, I expect him to come to us. That said, it seems so unlikely to me that we would actually sign a worldclass player for an astronomical fee so I'm not getting too excited. No reason Monaco wouldn't spend £50mill even if they have signed Falcao.

Very clearly put my friend.
heybridge gooner

Spot on mated this we only have to inform Suarez if a 40Mill + bid is made is nonsense as that is no clause atall as players and their agents know when bids come in regardless of clauses.

The clause is no doubt actually any bid over 40Mill from a champions league team and Suarez is free to talks to them and he we wants a move to the bidders they have to accept that bid that is a proper clause. Basically it is in players hand once bid is over 40Mill from a champions league team.

The trouble is ofcourse we are not technically in the champions league yet until we qualify, which we should do god forbid.

Liverpool are playing a awaiting game for us to panic abit thinking somebody else might come in and up our bid to 50Mill plus. Or that another party from abroad comes in as they would hate to sell to a rival.
With R. Madrid going all out for Bale that will take just about all their budget even with the Higuain sale aswell, so I can't see them making a bid. I don't see were the other bidders might come from mind.

I suspect Suarez first choice would be R. Madrid mind (I is maybe hopeing the Bale deal does not happen) and we would be his 2nd choice, but if he can't get Madrid he rather us than stay at Liverpool.

So eventually Liverpool will buckle and give in and we will get him but it will be a drawn out saga, which could ultimatly hurt Liverpool more if they will not have time to get a replacement.

I would personally call Liverpool's Bluff a bit and make a a cheeky 25 Mill bid for Ledenowski (Spelling). One year left on Contract and all that.
Regardless we should also be making moves for a DM and a fast strong CB to play alongside Kos in the meantime.

05 Aug 2013 19:20:40
I for one don't know why Arsenal don't take a punt on Darren Bent the guy know where the back of the net is and has bags of premier league experience. Also the whole Suarez thing, if he's trying to engineer a deal to get out of Liverpool because he "wants" to come to us if he had a good season for Arsenal in both the league and CL and RM want him what to say he won't do exactly the same. He's a class football player but a disgraceful sportsman and I would not be too disappointed if we didn't sign him. I feel that we would be far better strengthened by getting in Cesar, Fallaini. Wenger may suprise us by pulling a rabbit out of the hat but most of the good rabbits have been sold.

We all know where the back of the net is, the problem is finding it.

05 Aug 2013 18:45:11
How do I register {Ed027's Note - you already have mate

Haha classic

05 Aug 2013 17:57:40
You can't say we aren't trying. We've bid for these players this window:

Suarez
Higuain
Grenier
Lars Bender

Those are four top players, and they are definitely not the only ones we've gone in for.

Can we not be patient until the first game? Or do we all have to cry like spoiled children? I realise that we all want the best for our club, but until the end of the window I for one won't be calling for anyone's head. And in the very unlikely circumstance that we don't sign anyone, we then have the right to be peed off.

Just my opinion, but could we do away with all the negativity just for a while? We win pre-season games and they don't matter. But as soon as we lose one game we automatically will fail in every aspect this season. Doesn't make sense to me.

I would also like to remind everyone that Wenger is a football manager, and a very good one at that. We, on the other hand are just fans who probably know very little about the way a football club is run and how transfer dealings are conducted.

So try and stay positive for a while, please.

"word", bruv good points

Mofaya

Couldn't have said it better myself. Surely players must be coming in just because of the ludicrous number of players who have left, and even if they aren't the big names we all want such as Suarez, higuian etc I still trust wenger to make decent signings to strengthen the squad. Although if he doesn't ill be the first to have a good b**** and a moan on the 2nd of September haha

Anhowa

See, optimist in me, says your right, were trying, so just hold on for now!

The pessimist says, that what if we're going with bids we KNOW won't be accepted.
If we bid under what clubs are quoting, of course we won't get them, but at least Wenger, Gazidis and Law can say "well we tried"

And then there's the realist, who says trying means NOTHING, only succeeding counts.
I could try to chat up Mila Kunis, doesn't mean it'll happen, we know it won't happen!
But I can say I tried!

Won pre-season games? Giroud scoring for fun? I bet my local team would give better then what we have played so far. It's a complete joke on you all and me included!

We play against the REAL teams of Napoli and possibly an okay team on Galatasaray and I didn't see a win. Waiting with baited breath for our Saturday kick off with Manchester City - that'll be an eye opener.

Excuses, excuses. The team got tired because they played two games. I'm sorry, Napoli and Gala only played one game? Arsenal obviously played more minutes. BS

05 Aug 2013 17:35:08
It's the same old story from Arsene, won't spend big till after CL qualification is sorted, the problem then is clubs know we have cash and are desperate. We would also be stronger having these players in now. It's interesting to hear about tension between Ivan and Arsene about transfers with Ivan wanting some big signings brought in now to progress the club. Our new chairman needs to show some balls and get a grip.
This situation is going to cost us big time, we are just falling further and further behind our rivals. We all hope with the managerial changes to the top 3 were hoping they'll suffer but they won't. Look who they brought in Pellergrini at top level coach, Mourinho a top 5 manager in the world, Moyes a proven PL manager who always overachieves with his squad. Man City also adding quality to the squad whilst getting rid of big earning under performers. Chelsea looking very solid with great strength in depth. Man U let's not forget are champions and aren't getting weaker, they will sign players after Moyes has properly assessed his squad. spurs are signing top level international players, Boas is now settled in the club and I don't see them capitulating again. Liverpool strengthening as well they will be challenging this year. We are only at best level pegging on last year and that got us 4th 17 pts behind. Yes we're stronger with the deadwood gone, yes some young players will step up but we need to make big signings to show the outside world and in our squad 4th is no longer our target, we are genuine title contenders and we are now capable of competing.

Can Wenger do this? Yes I believe he can. Will Wenger do this? Am not sure. He is now so set in his ways with this policy of not spending and producing playershe wants to be champions so he can say look at me I was RIGHT


Holmesy

I think the signings will come, if we was not in the market for players we would not have made offers for higuain, suarez and bender. When we have secured champions league we are set to finalise our deals.

05 Aug 2013 18:27:29
Maybe Bender and Suarez are waiting to see see if we qualify. or maybe Arsenal are waiting to qualify before the activate the release clause. I hate the way Madrid go about their dealings. You can be like Madrid who might have history, but lack class. Or Arsenal who try and keep things confidential. We never announced the Suarez offer, or the Bender offer. You can't have it both ways. I thi k the champ league draw is soon km

Its a difficult balance though- IF arsenal have potential signings lined up and they are waiting for us to be in the cL proper, what can the club do?

Go elsewhere, I guess, but what IF these are the quality signings we've been waiting for and the one's that we will allegedly break our highest transfer fee 3 times for?

If the club told us its true intentions it would no doubt placate fans anxieties, but it wouldn't exactly be good business.

Therefore, we have to wait.

05 Aug 2013 17:20:14
Wenger speaking yesterday after the emirates cup on transfers before the CL qualifiers:

"If we can add we will, but it's difficult to predict. We have to count on what we have firstly, but if we can add some more players before the qualifiers that would be even better".

I don't know why it's taking so long, but as many people keep saying we are working on bringing players in. Wenger knows we need signings and I believe we will get some new signings.

I know it's not good, the waiting and ofc its frustrating and for some people anxiety provoking. But we will strengthen. Hang on in there, it will happen.
LG1

Totally agree. People need to be patient. Signings don't happen overnight.

05 Aug 2013 16:59:42
Hey I'm a arsenal fan just want to speak about per mertsacker I think he's the main reason arsenal are so vulnerable in defence he's too slow and never knows when to play offside he was at fault in both matches when I watch arsenal play I'm just waiting for mertsacker to do something silly like fall over and let the opposition score like the Sunderland match against Napoli he did a sliding tackle and missed the ball and I kno we had a good defence last season when per was playing with kos but that was mainly due to koscielny being world class I think koscielny is first choice cb an we need a second choice to partner him with tv5 dip in form he's 3rd choice and mertsacker being 4th choice is mertesacker better than hangland or shawcross I don't think so . {Ed027's Note - register please

Mert and Kos are a good pairing, they've developed an understanding and work together well. I think you're underestimating what Mert does.

Mertsacker played brilliantly much of last season. He does indeed lack pace but his positioning and tactical awareness are fantastic. The problem I feel arises when the team push too high. They have cdm cover and full backs tend to very high up or stretched very wide leaving a lot of space for the opposition to run at. And of course when we have corners both Kos and Mert go up, leaving Jenk and Gibbs to cover, who aren't the best "defenders" We have lost a LOT of goals to counter attacks the last couple of seasons

Ahhhh, the slow debate, THIS ISN'T FIFA!

Look, I know the point your making, but first off, if you've got 90 caps for Germany, especially with the team they've had over the past few years, culminating in their current super squad, then your ok by me.

Secondly, yes, he's slow.
But he has fantastic positioning, he judges play, he is unbeatable aerially, he's subtle in his work, he's strong, clever and played fantastically with Koscielny last season, Per Mertesaker is essentially Tony Adams, but not at that level.

He's a fantastic defender, and if you've ever watched the interviews with players, when they talk about him, everyone loves and respects him.
To be quite honest, he's my choice for captain after Wilshere.


D

05 Aug 2013 16:40:25
After the game Yesterday waiting to climb the steps outside the stadium and on to one of the bridges. Now for those that have never been to the Emirates, your met with pictures of past players connected to posts above you.
So with my frustration and disappointment I looked up and was met with pictures of legends. To my right, Adams, Brady, Mclintock, Viera. To my left Bergkamp, Fabregas, Pires etc.
By the time I had crossed the bridge my bottom lip was going.
So as I walked away using pigeon steps so not to tread on anyone's feet, you can't help but over hear other fans conversations. One went like this.
"Adam, have we brought anyone yet?" Adam looking at his internet machine which also turns into a phone responded
"No!"
I thought bloody hell. I don't know Adam from, well Adam, but I took an instant dislike to him just with that one word.

So as fans went their seperate ways. Some queing at Arsenal station, while others continued to Finsbury park. My one thought about my fellow GOONERS was a simple one.
"Now's the time. "
Would I swap our position with the Orient? Obviously not, and of course I am aware of every club apart from three who would swap with us in a heartbeat, but us fans who follow and pay the highest in world football. When we walk below the pictures of past greats, should be able to say to ourselves.
"The players that we have just seen on the pitch, will bring us the success that those legends did on those posts. "
If not then my Psychiatrist will probably recommend I avoid bridges at all cost. :-)

Make it happen Arsene. Pleeeaassseee
Flybo

I connected with that post, looking at the past legends is depressing when you consider the current crop of players.
Its time we sign some players who are worthy of wearing the crest of Arsenal.

05 Aug 2013 16:22:12
In the hope that Wenger might come onto here for some advice, I've written up a few of the possible transfer targets for our DMC problem. I think Arteta was amazing last season but what happens if he gets injured? We would really struggle!

1. Lars Bender, Bayer Leverkusen, 24, 184cm, 77kg.
Played 32 league games last season scoring 3 goals and assisting 6. He tackled an average of 4. 1 times per game and intercepted 2. 5 times per game, with a pass success rate of almost 80%. Also, he has champions league experience. Looks a good player for the future.

2. Milan Badelj, Hamburger SV, 24, 186cm, 76kg.
Played 30 games last season, scoring 1 goal and assisting 5. Tackles 3. 7 times per game, and intercepts 3. 5 times per game, with a pass rate of 80% per game. He was one of Hamburg's best players last year but I have no idea how available he is!

3. Arturo Vidal, Juventus, 26 years old, 180cm, 75kg.
PLayed 30 games last season scoring 10 goals and assisting 8. Tackles 4. 9 times per game an intercepts 1. 5 times per game, with a pass rate over 87%. Probably one of the best midfielders in the Serie A, but he may not be available.

4. Blaise Matuidi, Paris Saint Germain, 26 years old, 175cm, 70kg. PLayed 35 games, getting 5 goals. Tackles 3. 3 times per game and intercepts 3. 5 times per game, with an 88% pass rate. Plays for PSG though so we may have to pay a stupid sum to bring him to the EPL.

5. Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton, 23 years old, 181cm, 75kg. Played 36 games last season scoring 5 goals. He tackles at an average of 4. 1 times per game, whilst intercepting 3. 9 times a game, passing the ball successfully 85% of the time. He's French so could see Wenger doing for this lad but I'm not convinced he would be able to step up his game at Arsenal.

Anyway here are 5 options - let me know who you would like to see, and Eds - are any of them likely? Who would you go for?

Admire the time and effort put in to your post sally.
Flybo {Ed027's Note - register you're name Flybo, so people can't impersonate you

We should have got wanyama! At his age he was a fantastic price. He's not the most technically gifted player but Wenger trains that into every player. He is a bruiser, exactly what we've lacked for years now

Cheers Flybo - who do you favour out of those guys? I've no idea really who is available {Ed027's Note - sorry Sally must of missed you're comment at the end. Vidal is more or less no chance, he is ahppy at Juve, we'd be competing with the very best if he were available. Matuidu is in contract talks with PSG his future will become clearer soon. Bender is of interest from Arsenal, but Leverkusen don't want to sell, it would have to be a 20m+ fee to tempt them, I guess this scared Arsenal off. Schneiderlin is very much in Southampton's plans, he signed a new deal recently, and the only place Southampton are going is upwards. I don't know about the other lad, so it could well be him lol

05 Aug 2013 15:59:40
{Ed027's Note - hey guys I encourage you all to register, like on the Liverpool page, no name posters are slowly not going to get posted, I will do the same, also people who have sign-offs please register. With registered users you can see how credible they are with rumours etc.}

Btw, great idea. Will mean less abuse and better banter.

Here here ed, that would root out a lot of persons coming on here spouting drivel. {Ed027's Note - sure will

05 Aug 2013 15:08:46
Players I think Arsenal should sign,

Ginter
Kondogbia or Gustavo
Abdulrahman
Bernard
Suarez
Fabregas if we can

i know thts a lot of midfeilders but i'm sick of our inconsistant **** performances so strength in depth in the midfeild is what I think we need also someone to take the lead in the defence and pull it together because they are brilliant at their best, ginter is the versitile great defender that we need though to fill the gaps and is a very promising talent now and for the future, Suarez is the clinical finisher, ruthless striker, that we need who has bags of skill and flair and the marquee signing we need.

I would be happy with that! I just can't see wenger buying that big!

05 Aug 2013 14:57:07
Hie Eds and fellow gooners. Does anyone know where Essien is? I know he was loaned out to Madrid last season. Is he still at Madrid or is he back at Stamford bridge? For me he has been a beast of a player over the last 5 seasons or so and would jump on the opportunity to sign him if I was coach {Ed027's Note - bridge

05 Aug 2013 14:11:05
Spurs have spent 51 million at least they are showing intent we are being left benind in a minute it will be too late

Because they are selling their best player Bale for £80m +, Caulker & Dempsey.
We have made a promising signing in Sonago and are working on other signings with until September 2nd to go.

05 Aug 2013 13:29:19
wenger out out out. has to be soon.

We can see the light at the end of the financial tunnell,
Wenger led us into it, he should be the one to lead us out and reap the rewards.

Nick.

Seriously I feel as frustrated as any true fan who went to the Emirates cup, but anyone that says this is very fickle and ungrateful for what the man has done for Arsenal. How do we know Wenger is the problem. I feel its the board. I think a lot of people that say stuff like that are not true supporters and the transfer window is still open for a month

Nick

You are part of the problem just like the other fans still believing in all this rubbish

The first somewhat positive comment I've read in a long time Nick!

As frustrating as it is, I'm sure there are deals being made, BEHIND the prying eyes of the media. By the time the end of the transfer window comes, I am confident our team will be strong and capable of doing great things this season.

05 Aug 2013 12:38:25
Sick to death of hearing the doom and gloom coming from the Arsenal fans. I used to think we had the best set of fans in the country but we turn on our own kind to easy.

Their are people slating Walcott saying we need a proper winger. He had his best season by far for us and looks a threat every time he drifts in. I think the wingers we have can step up. Gnabry is growing in confidence and is not scared to take on his man and we have Podolski and Ox.

We need a cdm which I know has been said before plenty of times but the emirates cup showed even more. Our full backs are a crucial part of our attacking game but Ramsey has no discipline and Arteta just doesn't have the strength and positioning of a true defensive midfielder. I would prefer Fellaini but can't see that happening.

The defence speaks for itself! Miquel isn't good enough and due to a lack of CDM we are getting tortured on the counter attack time and time again. I think Ginter is worth the transfer fee and could be a cracking bit of business.

We all know we need another striker but in my opinion we must bring someone in with a bit of creativity! Suarez would kill two birds with one stone if we could pull off the deal of the summer! Cazorla is class but if he got injured or had a bad game I have no faith in any other player to stand up and make things happen. This was our biggest down fall last year and when teams parked the buses we could not break them down

Just my opinions would love to hear other peoples thoughts

You say we need this and that well my old son where are we getting the quality from ox and pod are not the quality every one thinks we are well short of that. The one quality player we have is jack and to be honest he is injury prone now can you see why fans have the gloom and doom in their minds Devon gunner

A winger isn't someone who drifts in.

wen people say proper winger they mean somone who hits in 10 or so killer crosses a game easily

Do we need a 'proper' winger?Think Wenger is not looking for that otherwise he'd play 4 4 2.

We play 3 interchangeable attackers who are supposed to drift in. The full backs are the ones that provide the crosses.

05 Aug 2013 12:23:37
Bit of fun!
With our bogey man haunting us yet again yesterday. Can you remember other players who always seemed to haunt us. Hear's a few names I thought of.
Robbie Fowler
Steve Mcmanaman
Robbie Keane
Jimmy Floyd HASSLEbaink
Any others?
Flybo

From inside our own ranks:

Niklas Bendtner
Philipe Senderos



;-)


Norwegian Gunner

Wayne Rooney
Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi! Little git always seems to score against us.

05 Aug 2013 12:10:31
Arsenal aren't signing no one, i'm a true fan and know AW well enough now, we have our ways. bring up youth and make them in to stars, that's Arsenal the only real Football club left, rest are sell outs.

05 Aug 2013 11:48:02
I love you Eds but think of this for a post.
Are you ready? Here goes. If you were Louis Suarez and were at the Emirates Cup over the weekend watching us play this tournament do you think you would want to sign for us? My vote would be that I would run as far away as my legs could carry me.
SAM

If I were Suarez i'd be licking my lips at how much my agent could demand now. we look toothless up front (no pun intended)

05 Aug 2013 11:36:04
Does anyone think that fellaini is better at CAM rather than CDM so I think that our best option for a CDM is luis gustavo?

He's a good player but I can't see him coming to Arsenal

No, he's better in CDM.

Totally concur

Fellaini plays well at AM, yes, but the man himself says he prefers to play in the CDM role.

All in all, I think he's kinda like (yes it's thrown out here a LOT ) Viera, in that he's a real box to box midfielder, with energy, aggression, and eye for goal and a real desire to be involved.

It's ridiculous how perfect he would be for us.

D

I think Gustavo is probably a more one dimensional player class in the cdm role. But I think Fellaini is a lot more of a handful and would be a fantastic box to box midfielder. He is more physical and add would add height to a small midfield and team. Personally I think Fellaini would suit Arsenal well. Has premiership experience and has come out and said his preference is to play a more defensive role.

Bournemouth Gooner

Fellaini did say he prefers to play the CDM role. But is he tried and tested in that role? I think he is just desperate for a move. Bring in Gustavo or Lars Bender, natural defensive midfielders

05 Aug 2013 10:40:45
Brendan Rodgers is sounding more desperate by the day. If I read the situation correctly, Arsenal have triggered a clause, whereby Liverpool have to allow Suarez the opportunity to move, if a team that has qualified for the Champions League makes an offer above £40m, hence the £40m + £1 bid. Liverpool are claiming, possibly correctly, that we haven't qualified for CL, until and only if we win the CL play off. Wenger is now playing his patient waiting game, which suits Arsenal to a certain degree. The main advantage of signing Suarez now, is that he could play in the play off matches. However, he has the remaining 6 domestic game ban to serve and Wenger could believe that we have a good chance of winning the play off, without Suarez. Hence, if we win we sign him late in window, after the 2nd leg on the play offs on 27/28th Sept. If we don't win, it gives us the opportunity of not signing him and saving the £40m transfer fee, to compensate the loss of CL earnings. The danger is a team could come in and try to sign him. For Liverpool, if Suarez, as I believe has told them he wishes to leave, then they need to sell him fairly swiftly in order to use the funds to replace him. Getting £40m right at the end of the window will make signing a replacement extremely risky & more costly. Hence, they are now trying to line up the signing of a suitable replacement. I seem to recall that Sturridge is injured, making it all a bit more desperate. I do not believe that we will increase offer, but wait & see.

Sorry but doesn't the transfer window close on 2nd Sept? Being honest i'm not sure what dates the Champs Lge Qualies are, so i'm guessing you may have meant 28th Aug? If not, then we will not be able to buy Suarez using this logic as the window will be closed?

Does anybody know when the draw for the 4th Qualifying round is made and who we can/cannot face?

CECEGUaW

Yes Boogz - I did mean 28th Aug, which leaves until 2nd Sept to make signings.

C L Play offs are at the end of August, leaving enough time for Wenger to get his man

Ah cool. This actually makes a lot of sense then. I have every confidence that we can qualify, so fingers crossed we will see him in Gooner red soon enough :)

05 Aug 2013 19:00:18
you arsenal fans are making the clause sound as you want it to be. please take some time and read on the lfc page Ed02 has explained the clause many times.
it merely states if a club bids more than 40m ls can speak to that club -this is according to his agent. while lfc state he can't talk to the club but just has to be informed that so and so bid has been made by this club.
while you people have taken the clause to another level. {Ed027's Note - yeah i'd do the same, chech the lfc page

05 Aug 2013 10:15:15
People, calm down abit. The transfer window is far from over. And our future in the champions league is not clear yet. That is probably why the big signings are taking some time. Deals can be sorted out in advance, and then completed after our place in CL is secured.

I like the thought of a clause in Suarez contract that let's him leave for 40mill to a CL-side. So the only think we need to do is beating the sh*t out of who ever we draw this friday.

I expect something big, if not I think the club realy has played us. Going out and say we have big money to spend, on the 'likes of rooney', and then do nothing would be unbearable. But I have enough faith in the club to believe there will be big names coming to emirates this summer.

COYG

mr t

And if we fail to qualify for the champions league, when buying early and getting somebody integrated into the team might have changed that? All this wait for qualification is a double edged sword.

05 Aug 2013 10:09:16
I am sure that many fans agree with me that we MUST strengthen the squad SIGNIFICANTLY! We do not want squad players, we want two or three proven talents that will help us escalate to a new level. I understand that people may call for patience in the dealings, which is fair and fine. But to all who support the theory that ". it takes time to complete the signings of worldclass talent. ", my question is how do the other clubs do it? How is it that Bayern Munich managed to sing Goetze so quickly? how is it that we wanted Jovetic and Man city got to him even though we trekked him for eternity? how is it that we lost out on Higuain and Napoli were able to snap him up? why is it only arsenal that leave it till the last minute?

Arsene Wenger has made it clear, the number one priority for the club is to make a profit. Fan satisfaction is second on the list. As a fan, I am not demanding that we win anything, but at least for Pete's sake we must make an effort. Some of our shortcomings are so glaring, a big Gunners fan would be able to get the money available and strengthen the team

Sad times, but I will never ever leave my beloved Gunners.

I actually have an arsenal tattoo on my chest (am 29, have had it for 11years), so don't you dare ever call me a plastic fan

I completely agree with you, we should be working on improving the squad ASAP, it lack depth, and I don't it good ennough to compete at the top level, sadly.

Thank you for the welcome Rue1025, and I totally agree with your comments, I believe we could create a whole new team from the ''alleged'' transfer targets we have let slip over the last couple seasons and its very fustrating seeing us seemingly fall further behind.
i like you of course wish us to be winning trophies but if not at least be in the mix with finals, last day excitements and seen to be progressing

05 Aug 2013 09:13:53
I'm really hoping that our momentum from the end of last season isn't lost by dithering with our transfer dealings. If we were to sign:
Cesar,
Williams,
and Bender (lars)

I'd be fairly happy. I think they are the three areas of the squad that really need sorting and they seem like players who aren't too difficult to get hold of. IF, and it seems a big if at the moment, we could get those players in we could add attacking players to the mix. I'd like to see more of the younger players coming through the ranks to see what they're made of. But, in my humble opinion, a striker isn't too high on our priorities. Surely getting an AML who could blaze up the wing is more important? Then we can play Giroud up front and have podders as cover.

I'm really hoping the last few games have opened wenger's eyes to the problems we are facing!

Sallly

We all hope AW has seen what we all see but its whether he wants to do anything about it.

Funkey Monkey

05 Aug 2013 08:51:32
I am concerned about the levels of negativity that exist around Arsenal. It gets worse season on season. So I just want to stop and think about what is good and bad about us:

Good
- Arsene has been our greatest ever manager - better even than Chapman who defined us for the best part of a century - and I think as with Busby and Fergusonat United has re-defined us as a club.
- The talent of Cazorla and Wilshere. If they stay fit they are the best creative midfield partnership in the country.
- The young british talent we have bemoaned not existing which is now giving a new heart to the club. Yes they aren't perfect but Chamberlain, Walcott, Wilshere, Ramsey, Jenkinson and Gibbs give us a nuclues to build on. Stop being so negative we have the best young british talent it's a good thing.
- The Emirates is a fantastic stadium built for the 21 st century and other than perhaps Old Trafford the best club stadium in the country and one of the best in the world.
- Koscielny who just may be the best defender we have had since Sol Campbell and a rival to our very best.
- Year after year of ECL football, entertaining, exicting, and vital for any really top club.
- The reality that the last generation have been lucky enough to watch our greatest ever players and teams - Henry, Cesc, Pires, Overmars, Vieira, Wilshere, Ljungberg, Cazorla, RVP, Gilberto, Lauren, Adams, Campbell, Seaman, Bergkamp and many more - we are and forever more will be - indebted.

Bad:
- We are simpy rubbish at what we used to be good at - transfers. We can't compete, don't know how to compete, and shw no sign of improving. I just struggle to believe Suarez will end up here.
- A lack of definitive action. The ECL is upon us and our squad does not look strong enough if we get a tough tie. The Emirates cup is all too early days and doesn't matter but we show no signs of getting a head up of speed. We needed to sign quickly and effectively not just have another saga that saps the very life from us.
- No CDM - our best was built on that - I like Arteta but he is not vaguely a Vieira or Gilberto or indeed a Petit. Without one we cannot win trophies, and yet again we are going to fail to resolve that.
- Fans who have lost their way, overcharged yes, taken for granted yes (but since when didn't clubs do that?) but we have developed a negativity that floods through us and on into the team at the drop of a hat. So much anger, so much misery, come on it's a game, what happened to us? Wow we were more positive back when we had Hawley, Kiwomya, Helder and a certain Mr Mancini.
- Arsene keep telling us what everyone knows to be rubbish doesn't help. No we DO NOT have a team that can challenge for the championship. It is three players seriously short of thinking about United, City and Chelski. It might be more as I think we need another CD alongside Koscielny, the obvious game changer forward, the even more obvious CDM, and I think a midfielder other than Santi who can score.


There are lots more bad and good things of course, but it serves to show what I kind of set out to do. This is a great club. We are somewhere on the cusp between something excellent and something a whole lot healthy. The next few weeks I think may be a big impact on that.

My own view remains either be very very confident we can get Suarez and do it quickly (for once I think sod the £5-10m), or move onto the few others that can truly take this squad to another level - and that includes a really hard targetting of Cesc and Lamela.

The Ghost of Terry Mancini

Absolutely spot on mate

05 Aug 2013 07:09:04
As a Chelsea fan who watched the cup yesterday, you still have one major problem which has been the case since you lost the invicibles defence. No one is prepared to step up and man-mark or take charge of following a powerful centre forward. I'll be honest, I was appalled at the penalty and I never liked seeing Drogba do it for Chelsea, but the second goal was exactly what I mean. A ball towards his chest which your centre halfs allowed him to chest down (rather than get infront of him) and then turn back. One of them needs to be get tight to him and the other needs to be ready to throw themself in for a block on the shot. To be honest, I think you have one top class CB in Koscienly and I really rate his quality and commitment. Vermaelan and Mertesacker always look like they could make a mistake at the minute and I don't know enough about the youngsters like Miguel. I think you need to somehow solve the odd air of fear they have when they face players like DD11 because otherwise they will always get chances and consequently score goals.
Only my honest opinion and you can take it however you like but a lot of old-fashioned style centre forwards have this amazing goal record against you for this reason. Rooney and Drogba spring to mind but I'm sure others can boast similar stats.
Good luck for the season, maybe your noisy neighbours will finally shut up when they lose their talisman and realise they will always be in your shadows and I think a third or second place is definitely possible for you. (behind us of course ;) )
EH17
P. S: If you do sign Suarez, I can't wait to see his reception at SW6 when we play!

Your spot on, Needed it ever Since Adams and Campbell.
Its a sham because I believe given the chance Micah Richards could have been our monster cb. Wenger likes defenders who play the ball out and have control, rather then a machine like Terry, Kompany, Vidic ETC

I think our main problem is our tactics we play to high a line and to close together! when ever arsenal are in the opposition s box there's always like 10 people there and its crowded out no space! now if you look at most other teams when they score goals there is usualy only a few players in and around the box, ( unless its acorner or free kick) which allows for more individual skill! have a look at all goals scoredc against us last season 1 on 1s or freck goals due to skill and taking chances not walking it into the net!

05 Aug 2013 06:24:54
People may disagree but Wenger is as big as the club maybe bigger. Arsenal is completely different from your regular teams. We owe a lot, maybe everything to Wenger. He should be given time

He's had 8 years, how much more time do you want to give him

Give him time? Big deal. He's scraped through to 4th place and been happy with that. This club is being ruined by a once great Manager who has completely lost it. Piss-poor squad.
Joke defending. Go on somebody, please plead the case for the current regime? Fed up, hardly explains my concerns. Unless miracles do happen and we buy quality, I'll turn up game after game with the usual apprehension.
We used to be called "Mighty Arsenal". No Longer!

Why say something so provocative (ie, one that will split opinion) and not have the balls to sign off?you the same person who said wilshere should be sold? Or just trolling for the hell of it?
Original AG

That's the most stupid post ever.

Wenger should go if he can't get it right what are we going to do keep him there for another few years because he says the right things!? 8 effing years without anything to show for it. All those people with the IN ARSENE WE TRUST cobblers get a life. You lot should get a life if you think he is doing a good job. We can't even scrape 2nd place in the Emirates Cup!
SAM

05 Aug 2013 01:20:39
What would you lot make of Tom Ince as LW cover?

Dan dan {Ed027's Note - RW*, he will stay in Lancashire if he moves

East to see why English players are no good.

Afraid to move abroad and now afraid to move out of their home county

04 Aug 2013 22:50:33
Hello Liverpool fan here in peace. Just to let you know ther e is no way your going to get suarez for that type of money. Brendan has come out and said that bale and suarez were the best players in the prem last season and if bale goes for 100 mil then suarez would have to be worth close to that amount which I think is true and I hate to say it but you all know as well as me if not better that wenger will not spend that type of money.

Good luck for the new season.

Brendons a person. say no more, got yourselves a real classy manager there nate

You've (yous have) accepted 45m mate. He's coming.

Perhaps BR has point, but transfer fees are crazy and all over the place anyway.

But who does have that money or rather who is willing to pay that?

RM? Forget them. By the time the pay for bale, they won't have a lot left.
So at least BR will keep hold of [an unhappy] suarez cause no one will pay what he thinks he's worth.

Lets see what happens.

04 Aug 2013 05:12:08
can u make a new pool ed?on whether we should keep or sack wenger. i'll vote that we keep him.

JustAGooner {Ed027's Note - I did one on whether he should get a new contract a few days ago

04 Aug 2013 22:03:42
Says in the telegraph that wenger is finding it difficult to get players in, of course it is if you do **** all to get them, how long does it take for us to get a player, we can sell them quick enough, nearly 18, yes18 players out and a wannabe postman in, could we be the first side to sell their entire squad? I for one have had enough of a battle for 4th place, we have we no vision and more importantly no plan, if he can't compete at this level anymore get out now

04 Aug 2013 21:41:39
Ed is this Matthias ginter any good your reply would be appreciated thanks man {Ed027's Note - he has serious potential, one of the top young centre halves in Germany, Freiburg's best defender, I believe Dortmund had him down as a Hummels replacement. he'll be 4th choice for now, but if he develops as fast as Varane did, he'll be a first team player, I can see him being a first team player in a year

Let's say if he was english, he would be worth 20 mill.

GoonerMKD

If he was English he may be worth £20m but he'd be no good.

04 Aug 2013 21:20:12
Was at the game today and just got in. Reading some of the posts below commenting on the players and where we need strenghening. I haven't got a great deal to add as it's already been said.

Heard Drogbas' interested in buying one of the flats being built next to the Emirates. He seems to really enjoy that part of London.

You'de think after years of going down so easy, that refs would be a little more, well "better" at realizing it. Obviously not.
Lastly on refs, Is it a requirement for them to carry an inflatable ring round their waist?. Keep hearing how fit refs are, and how hard their fitness test is, but they look as if they've just relised their dream of becoming P. D. A darts champion isn't going to materialize, so enter the profession of football officiating. What a joke!

Drogbas second was class. Hate him, but you have to admire his affectiveness. Shame he's such a diver (Let it go Flybo)

We REALLY need to buy some QUALITY. Not cover, not potential, not competition, but class first team players, because from what I saw today, the thought that the really good players seem to get before they leave might just be passing through Cazorlas' mind as well, I. e "is this it"

Sorry my question mark button seems to be playing silly buggers. I just need to find out if it's still working.
Jenkinson? Flabianski? Scez definately ready to be number 1? Theo crossing? Theo taking ALL the free kicks? The Ox in the middle? Do my legs look good in this dress? Miguel?
Yeah it seems to be working :-)

Flybo