Arsenal Banter Archive January 08 2013

08 Jan 2013 23:30:09
If fellaini costs 25mil its 25mil well spent. There is no one I can think of that we could do with more, strength, presence, athleticism, the ability to break down the opposition aswell aspower through midfield with the ball and score... If we don't make a real effort to get him there should be an inquiry as to why we didn't.
AG

08 Jan 2013 18:09:07
Hi Ed, what's the latest on Yann M'Vila, is he a likely arrival this January? Or have arsenal dropped their interest in the defensive midfielder.

Cheers! {Ed027's Note - we could of got him in the summer, i doubt we will get him now, interest was dropped as far as im concerned

08 Jan 2013 23:14:48
For god's sake offer Everton 30m and Santos and go get Baines and Fellaini...

No midfielder on the market is better for us than Fellaini..

Time for this board to wake the **** up...

Fellaini.....please

US Gooner

Funny how so many people say we need fellaini as a strong holding midfielder.
but from what ive seen is he has been playing as a 2nd ST behind jelevic.
would he come to us and play as a holding mid?
i think it has to be either wanyama or mvila, simply because they have both played against strong opposition and done very well,
mvila vs england,
wanyama vs barcelona
yes they may be few matches but the signs are there.
we don't need a top quality holding mid, just one that will sit back, put in tackles, win headers, let other mids do the work on the ball and provide that physical presence, which would tell other teams its not going to be easy.
also i feel one key position we need to look at is winger who is very skillful and efficient, and can play, obviously none other then gotze. but there are other options, like isco, munain, draxler, eriksen.
with one of those we could have a starting line up as follows;
schezny
jenkinson(sagna past it) kosc verm gibbs
arteta mvila/wanyama
gotze/isco/munain wilshere cazorla
podolski/giroud/walcott

with this line up we would be soo dominate.
some may say theres no width, but with a DM or 2(arteta) the full backs will have no hesitation pushing up providing width, hence allowing gotze, cazorla etc to get in the box.
all it takes is 2 signings, although possibly expensive.
Waq

Fellaini has said his best and favourite position to play is defensive Midfield. He may play a second striker role at Everton but we all know he can dominate defensively.
Chess

08 Jan 2013 22:17:02
Gunners alerted to buy-out fee of Germany international and could now look to bring him to Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are considering a swoop for Lars Bender as German newspaper Express have revealed that the Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder has a �15million (£12.2m) release clause in his contract.
Istanbul Gooner !!

08 Jan 2013 21:26:59
It's time for arsene to buy the player we have been desperate for since vieira left. If he misses out on the opportunity to sign fellaini then he has truly lost the plot. His nurture and development philosophy has only benefitted Barcelona, the Manchester clubs and kroenke and his cronies. All the qualities we were revered for are sadly lacking. Pace, power, a mean streak and a inert belief we could beat anyone. Fellaini would be the platform for us to own the midfield and enable our mini maestros the time and space to weave their magic. When arsene says "we are looking for only the right player", was santos, was chamakh, was gervinho, was mertesacker, was arshavin the right player. He has bought appaulingly. Every transfer window is more anti climatic for arsenal fans than the debut single of an x factor winner. I for one hope fellaini and two more top players join as we have been to long on the outside looking in. Fellaini, damaio and mapou yanga mbwia would be a great trio. Alex p.

Alex,

I think Martesacker could be the right player if only for his experience and his reading of the game/situation. You just have to have the right blend of players around him to make up for his lack of pace.

Arshavin was deinitely the right player when we signed him - he had been absolutely magic for club and country in the 18 months before joining. Something definitely happened after arriving in London though as laziness and complacency soon replaced industry and match-winning ability.

Fellaini alongside Arteta and with Baines fighting with Gibbs for the LB slot would be a great bit of business but I fear it will not come to pass. Somehow with Dein's departure Arsene lost his mojo and we lost our capacity to surprise in the transfer market.

CECEGUaW

08 Jan 2013 21:02:40
i feel like we as arsenal fans are being totally duped by wenger and kronke they say the club is being run properly, they say we are effectively a safe club finanancially, however safe for who i for one try and support our club with purchase of merchandise tickets, etc all because i want to watch our great brand of football, because this is the only club i want to support, in repayment from our loyalty it would be nice to see some ambition on the football field, kronke is clearly only in it for the money and i wonder whether wenger actually has more to gain from our financial stability than we are told, i am getting really tired of seeing other clubs ho are substantially less wealthy than us making strides to improve there squads, west ham, tottenham, liverpool,, just to name a few are all active we just keep getting the same crap from wenger, if we are not going to buy anyone just say so and we know what we have, i remember waiting the last few days of summer window for the big signing gazidis had promised only to be told the early purchases were it.

wenger clearly doesn t see our january fixtures as difficult i for one thought the purchase of a def mid was essential for us to compete, i hope he prooves me wrong but i really fear for us this season, i will continue to support my team but the manager and the board no longer have my support they listen to nothing we say .

ty.1

08 Jan 2013 18:39:58
Wilshere 'we all want a trophy'. See, I predicted this yesterday. I'll give him this season and next season before he asks for a transfer.

AJH

But he's right, and a club like Arsenal should win trophies. No trophies next 2 years is totalt unacceptable.

As stated yesterday, get behind our team or get on your bike, doom and gloom merchant

08 Jan 2013 18:22:48
My prediction
Walcott will not sign and leave at the end of the January transfer window for about £8ml.
Wenger will not buy anyone this transfer window.
We will finish 6th.
Winger will get sacked and Pep Guardiola will replace him if Usmanov will get his way (for once) or we will get a nobody and do worse than ever.
The bad thing is that it sounds that it could happen.

Little Gooner

The only thing you got right there was Pep coming in the summer

1404

I'm not even convinced if that did happen, that the board would have the bottle to sack him. Wenger will go when Wenger wants to go. Hope it doesn't end up as you've described, but could easily see it.
Flybo

Agree with everything there apart from the wenger getting sacked part
Yorkshire Gooner

My prediction
Walcott will sign a new contract to 2017
Wenger will sign 2 players (not huge stars)
We will finish 3rd
Wenger will stay another season
Usmanov - Still no influence. Silent Stan is gonna stay.

08 Jan 2013 17:56:03
Dont for one minute think Wenger would of paid 15m+ for Villa....a 31 year old and 100k per week...and then ask him to pay 25% more tax.....His agent more than likely put the rumour out.Wenger did offer around 26m for Mario gotze around 18 moths ago.....it was turned down....Wenger also made a 15m+ offer for Liverpools Pepe Reina....that came from Bob Wilsons....So far far our record transfer fee remains the 15m we paid for Arsharvin.....Carzola was 16m euros which is around 12.5m pounds.....The spuds paid between 15m- 17.5m for Bentley....How many years ago did Shearer join Newcastle...over 10......and Darren Bent join villa for 18M with add ons up to 24m......Just some food for thought....km

08 Jan 2013 17:32:13
I wish people will stop coming out with silly comments regarding Barca still owing us money on the song sale.....most transfers between clubs are paid in instalments....The larger part of the fee is paid upfront followed by two further payments.......They also owe us money from the Fabregas deal.....The amount of money Barca have to pay for Cesc is structured around the clubs success over 3 years......The exception to this rule is chelsea whos russian owner pays the fee upfront.....im not sure about city.....km

Thats fine you saying this my friend, but when we enquire for one of barca players we get turned away immediately

08 Jan 2013 19:32:48
how can some one disagree hes right, its a fact, the only annoying thing is teams like barca hound us for our players wenger gives in and sells but on the other hand barca are akward and don't sell us any body they do us no favours they got fab for 35mill and they expect us to pay 16mill for villa or their not selling him and other players we wanted in the past barca just don't sell or have that buy back clause if they turn out good,
i just wish wenger would be as stubborn at selling players than he is at buying players.... dj gooner

How can you press disagree when its true.....

08 Jan 2013 17:11:28
If we were to sign Villa and M'vila, do you think they both will start at Villa Park Against Villa?

I would hope they would start before next season, or at the very least before the fa.cup 5th round.

No played there already.

Well let's at least hope that Messi and Xavi finalize their paperwork in time for the Chelsea game eh. Pillock!

Willesden Gooner

Are next game against Villa is at the Emirates

I think he was playing on the words.

StevieK

It was a satirical play on the word Villa, or M'vila, or sign, or something like that. Pony anyway!
Bit like, if we signed Carlton Cole, Ashley Cole and Jo cole, would we play them in the next round of the FA cup against Colchester, at the Colchester Community Stadium?!

Willesden gooner

08 Jan 2013 16:56:30
Guys lets get real. We get has said we will only sign the right quality player if a available. That's basically saying we will not sign anyone. Taxi for wenger??

No its saying that it would not benefit the club to bring in a player who does not add talent to the club

No need to read between the lines, its Jan 8th not the 31st!

08 Jan 2013 16:06:33
If you look at our midfield attacking options of Wilshere, Cazorla, Rosicky, Diaby, Ox, Eisfeld and Arteta and a front 3 of Giroud, Podolski and Walcott doesn't it just make sense for now to bulk out our defence with a few of Howedes, M'bwia, Micah Richards, Baines, M'vila and possibly Strootman.

We get a seriously solid defence and a nails CDM which gives us not a good defence but a great one, would also say ditch zonal. We've shown we can score but still get a bit harem scarem at the back.

With a truly rock solid base and those attacking options we'd look way better.

Stoner {Ed035's Note - spot on stoner

Have to say i agree we have attacking options though would like to see an out and out left winger come or Ryo recalled. Defensively we are in need of a change dump Per, Dump Zonal. Let Bould work properly with the defenders for a couple of weeks

Holmesy

After dragging his feet for this long, Wally's making a bad case for himself. personally, i'd have flogged him off to Liverpool at midnight on new year's eve, but we do need him to sign. no want, we need this to go through. senior-most player, part of what's left of the old core, understands the style of play, has a different outlet in his pace and basically has created a bit of a reputation for himself despite his inconsistency.

a real mess at the club right now.

psychocyst.

08 Jan 2013 15:11:42
Ed,

Seems as if snieder would be a smart buy, seems keen on premiership move and would really bolster attacking options,
any thoughts?

Optimistic gunner {Ed035's Note - it would be a good move especially if the rumors are true about inter letting him go for free, his crazy wage demands are the only sticking point...

His wages would b high but considering there is no transfer fee would still b a great signing and wouldn't cost too much

In a perfect world, we would buy fellani for £22 mln.

Send Ramsey on Loan.

That is asking a LOT mind you.

If it's true that Shneider wants 200,000 and Inter are willing to let him go for free then it's a great deal on a three year contract.

Put it this way

Cost of Shneider on 200,000 for 3 years (i.e. 156 weeks) = 31.2 m

Alternatively we can buy a good player for 15m and pay him 100,000 for 3 years which also comes to approx 30m

Which would you choose Shneider or a lesser player for the same total ?

There may be no transfer fee, but old be huge wages and the massive signing on fee which people seem to be forgetting.

08 Jan 2013 13:53:11
Spurs smell blood and are launching a bid for Damaio for 15mln.

Meanwhile we continue to do jack-

You speak for yourself, i, m not doing anyone called Jack!

Why get worked up, is he good enough?!? And do you think 15m + Gomes (who person levy rates at 5m!!) is going to be enough when last summer they were quoting 60m.

Breathe deeply fella there is better out there!

Believe me, we have smelt alot more than blood coming from the woolich nomads for some years now !
COYS !

Much love {Ed035's Note - behave mate, typical spurs always jumping the gun!!

Thanks for the advice - feeling calmer.

Probably not the player we need, but itching for some GREAT news. Not good news, but great (excluding THEO).

Spurs say this every year and the result is always the same

Youve been apparently in to him for 2 years now each transfer window you say you'll get him and...

Lol
a warm welcome to our spud,, its the first signs that yr not happy on yr ship,, looking over at wat big brother is doing,
please don't go on about being better than us,
i what way, you havent been above us for god i can't remember when,
u won the carling cup trophy in 20 yrs
mate as a spud you lot need to keep ssshhh
Lets hope the health and saftey officer dosnt go around to you ramshake
pleae point out in what way you are better then us, look forward to see ing your reply
In Lord wenger we trust

08 Jan 2013 11:55:45
walcott to sign a 4 year deal of 90k wages by the end of the week.
hopefully we can start our activity in the transfer market now that this seems to be sorted.

08 Jan 2013 11:41:49
Ive said before an i'll say again let's all try an be positive give or take there are 17.5 days left in the transfer window

Now my point is this wenger knows what he's gotta do which is 4th minimum

Buying new non premier league players ain't the way to go IMHO in January I struggle to name any success stories from a jan transfer

Ask the likes of giroud podolski etc I will bet my last £ on they say it's a harder league than they expected

So I think the best option would be premier league players that are upto speed not needing 6/12 months to get upto speed

Been quite encouraged by some of the names linked to us but think majority will struggle given the situation we are currently in and should be signed june not January

My next question is how many premiership players that are available will come to us or would improve us think I could count them on one hand

So I think we need to ease up and see what the window brings and start worrying 25/1/13 onwards as that's likely to be when no players are coming

Just my thoughts

Goonertillidie

I seem to recall Arshavin arriving form outside the premier in a January window & driving us onto a top 4 finish...

Our season could be over in 17.5 days we need to buy now

Cisse was a January transfer

08 Jan 2013 17:49:38
And where is arshavin now ? Hardly a success IMHO

Goonertillidie

08 Jan 2013 11:28:21
I would love to see us make the following signings & revert to our successful 4-4-2 formation:

Reina £7m, Fellaini £22m, M'Biwa £7m, M'Vila £10m, Shaw £10m, Zaha £10m. Total = £66m

Line ups:
Reina
Sagna M'Biwa Vermaelen Gibbs
Wilshere Fellaini M'Vila Cazorla
Giroud Podolski

Szczesny
Jenkinson Merte Koscielny Shaw
Oxlade Arteta Abu Diaby Zaha
Walcott Gervinho

Frigtening! Come on Wenger wake up....

08 Jan 2013 11:13:49
I am normally the one telling others to be patient and that transfers take time, however looking at our January fixtures if AW really is going to bring in 2 or 3 players he needs to pull his finger out.

We have a lot of hard games in the next 3 or 4 weeks and the squad needs a boost sooner rather than later.

Before anyone comments on the 'Doom and Gloom' front and says "we won't sign anyone blah blah blah" please keep quiet unless you actually know for sure. The signs are there as he has moved on a couple of players early to make room in the squad.

337

08 Jan 2013 10:44:52
Hi All,

Firstly Happy New Year to you all...

Haven't posted for a while but i don't come on here reading from the papers or having a cousin who cleans the tyres from a player down the local car wash..

Just my opinion on who i would like to see at the club

1. L Bains - Everton - Proven EPL player, strong, quick, skilful.
2. J Lescott - Man City - Proven EPL player, steady, solid and again can read the game well.
3. Nani - Proven EPL player, quick, skilful and offers much more than Ramsey down the wing!!
4. I do agree that a proven goalscorer would be great but all of the guys and names that have been flying around with joining our club have never played in the prem and would all need time to adapt to this.

So ! i would either move Poldolski in to the middle or keep the faith with Giroud and give him a run in the team, he holds the ball up well and will be a constant threat, just needs games, he can score goals.

Here's to a active transfer month - i wish....

Merchy Boy

Not interested in numbers 2 and 3

08 Jan 2013 10:40:04
Just seen unchained melody by righteous brothers in black and white i swear its rvp and jack in disguise

08 Jan 2013 09:10:01
"There is interest from a lot of clubs. Yann has a good contract at Rennes - it is possible that we can stay there and be patient, " Tim Hager his client said.

"Every transfer window we are asked about Arsenal because of what the newspapers say, but I have not spoken to them about Yann."

SIGN HIM UP!!

AustrianGunner

08 Jan 2013 08:38:44
Hi everyone .
Zaha, fellani, belhanda sneider, cabela, R�my, mbiwa, mvila, sisoko are all willing to move, i think arsenal should go for them as it will make us a strong squad, even better bench .
Qpr and dirty Spurs signing players we supposedly hve for target but Ars�ne lets this happen . We have to sign players

Spurs are in talks to sign belhanda.

08 Jan 2013 06:09:10
Two signings this window - Theo signs new contract and Diaby returns for a game which will be "like a new signing", same old Arsenal, same old story.

08 Jan 2013 10:16:33
Not even a whole game mate. I trully expect Abu Diaby will only be available for 2 weeks of training and then limp off at 50 minute mark on his latest come back/debut

I really hope you are wrong when it comes to this, but sadly you are probably right. He could really be the bad ass super mid we desperately need. So sad.. so sad.

The Swede

08 Jan 2013 01:40:10
My take on the Walcott situation:

I think Theo and AW agreed last summer that Theo would get the contract he wanted at the end of this season, especially if he could improve his form to justify the big money deal to replace RVP.

AW needed this season to shift underperforming players on high salaries. The club also saves £3m by keeping TW on his 40k deal, instead of improving it to 100k.

AW also thinks you get the best performance from players trying to earn new contracts, and needed Theo to step up this term.

Arsenal take the risk of taking Walcott on his word that he won't leave on a free.

Theo gets the big deal he wants, but has to take the hit this year. And gets to stay at the club he loves.

Both the player and the club know that this is going to be a media distraction, and the story will be the focus of Arsenal's transfer activity. They knew they would be asked about it every week, which AW loves because there would be less attention given to new players coming in. I believe AW is stepping aside at the end of this season, so wants to limit the spending this year so as to give the new manager a hefty budget (I'm almost convinced it's Pep).

What they thought would happen:

At the end of the season, Theo signs, he is praised for his loyalty and not slandered by the press for being just another mercenary.

Arsenal FC look as if they have moved heaven and earth to secure their man, and beating rivals to a key player (who was never really going anywhere).

However, I think this has been a PR disaster, and the club and player both come out of this mess with tarnished reputations.

Arsenal look like they have had yet another player bully them over wages, ambition and playing position/style.

And has Theo really stepped out of RVPs shadow to be the main man? No. He does however still appear to be stubborn and selfish in having to be the club's top earner.

But as mentioned, he is being used as a pawn by the club to distract attention away from signings, so I blame both the club and the player for stringing everyone along with this crap.

He hasn't been the replacement for RVP that we needed, and his inconsistent displays are representative of the whole team.

The poor team form may force AW to make signings, or at least push forward the Theo contract earlier than anticipated, to appease the fans and rescue the season.

Mr Mister

08 Jan 2013 01:28:21
my dream signing would be for arsenal to all out and get cesc fabregas back....

KAY9

08 Jan 2013 10:50:12
And then play him where mate? Will he sit in front of the defence and chase after the ball for us? Will he hug the left touch line and whip in balls for our strikers? Will he back be Gibbs back up?

As much as i still love the idea of Cesc Fabregas in an Arsenal shirt, we have more pressing agendas to take care of. Like reinforcing our defensive game and getting a left winger to play left wing. Not deploying strikers and midfielders to play out wide.

Im not shooting down the idea of a Fabregas return but not if its going to be at the expence of us getting our squad in order.

Thats one position we have plenty of talent in, we need a striker a DM and a LB.

Think we need a top striker a DM and a LB more than Fab myself.

07 Jan 2013 23:41:27
The transfer market is almost a week old.....out of the top clubs we are the ones in a crisis....our defensive play is non existant and our manager has not made a move....the press are having a field day winding up fans with names culminating us into a frenzy......but it is down to wenger to put our minds to rest and sign where our obvious weaknesses are

GS

07 Jan 2013 20:51:08
Ed I have a question, with 5 or 6 teams vying for a top 4 finish, what would actually happen if we finished outside the top 4.

I think we need it to spark a board takeover from Usmanov, and we need to have to offer wages just a little higher.

I look forward to your thoughts

Rog da Dodge {Ed002's Note - I can't see that everything hinges on such an issue.}