Arsenal Banter Archive June 09 2013

09 Jun 2013 23:02:15
I do enjoy reading the posts on here now and again, I suppose it goes hand in hand with the end of the season and supposed incoming transfers.

Seriously though, these guys posting stuff saying "my sources" or "my friends in the know". Catch a grip, there is no way any agent, coach, manager, reporter, or footballer, is going to spill the beans to a person who checks a rumour site for information.

I like to think, maybe the editors do have a sneaky bit of information. However, there is none of us normal Joes that can possibly claim to know the ins and outs.

Why would any professional, that has a position in the world of football even contemplate risking their career or reputation for the sake of some gossip gobbler?

Sorry for sounding harsh, I too, am a gossip gobbler, but I read this stuff basically to get my hopes up and make the summer a wee bit more interesting.

Ha ha ha love this post but actually, some of us do have people

Speak for yourself some of us have got links in football through adolescent friends who've gone to make it big and keep in contact still.

Sports agencies? if perhaps you were a prospect at one time in your life and the friendship remains.

its not like everyone has insider info. but as for myself. i'd like to think there are times I know much more than some websites.

although lately its been 0/0 for me.

I have got links in football but they are about as useful as a kick in the balls when it comes to transfers.

Just so you know who they are: one is a youth coach at Bolton. He's also doing his UEFA badges, just got his B, and he really rated Miyaichi.

The other was Wales U17, 18 and U19 captain, used to play for Aston Villa youth and had a sponsorship deal with Umbro for about 4 years. He now has ties with Man U and scouts for Everton youth. So far he has also been about as useful as a kick in the nuts! He's a United fan so he lives in cuckoo land.

One other was head of security at The Etihad for the last 3 years until last month - and he's a gooner. He used to be a doorman at a live music venue I worked at in Liverpool called the Picket, before being whisked off to Manc. He is also pretty useless, save for the fact that he let's me know when the new signings have arrived e. g. the morning of an announcement he'll text me to say 'about to meet Sergio!' But that's it. He's one of the ones who has to be there when his car pulls up and the media go wild for a photo. He also gives me hilarious stories about the team e. g. food fights between Zab and Yaya (random!) - but alas, sod all transfer news except, like I say, on the morning of a new arrival, which is basically the exact point an official story breaks.

The other one is a lad who works in marketing for Liverpool FC. They know NOTHING.

Just thought I'd share as I'm bored, and just to see who else might have random links, however tenuous. Mine have never given me a shred of info!

If you do have insider information, it's awful

09 Jun 2013 22:28:04
Why are Arsenal trying to sign a new keeper?

I think Szczesny is a fantastic young keeper who simply had a shakey season.

I understand being worried about Fabianski, etc. as back up but why not just get Schwarzer on a free?

from an Outside view I just don't get it. I'm a United fan and although I obviously prefer DDG, I think Szczesny is better than the likes of Begovic, Mignolet, etc. {Ed027's Note - Hey mate, I made a mistake with your other post so i'll post it here, as it was getting lonely:
Hey Guys,

My favorite ever player is Dennis Bergkamp (I'm a United fan btw).

So I was just wondering who do you think is a bigger Legend for Arsenal?

Dennis Bergkamp or Henry?}

Shez is not ready to be a no1 at our big club yet, but definatly has the potential

Shez is very questionable, the team could be in great form and then he makes a blunder and the whole team then sinks with him, plus he hasn't really developed as much as hoped I mean look how much De Gea has come on, then look at Shez. No doubt one day he'll be top quality but right now he needs to learn from and older experienced GK like Cesar to really get him on track.

My biggest Arsenal Legand has to be Henry he was at the forefront of Arsenals greatest moment ( te invincible season) and if only we won the CL that year I think that could have been considered one of the greatest team ever

As for United Peter Schmeichels greatest goalie ever, scholes is a legend and one of my faviourate ever united player Stam

Dandan

Sophies choice mate. Obviously love King Henry. He scored loads and scored some absolute stunners, but Dennis is the best player the club has ever had in my opinion.
Flybo

Cheers Ed.

I think bergkamp is just as good as King Eric.

he could do thnigs which a ball which were just incredible.

As for Szeczny I get what you're all saying with that. but I believe his confidence has suffered from all the Keeper speculation and the fact he hasn't had the same back 4 playing infront of him.

I think he's going to be as good as Cech in a few years, but he needs game time to iron out his floors.

Much like DDG, I think if you get a settled back 4 the mistakes will stop and his confidence will grow.

funnily enough his save against Liverpool (the penalty and then the rebound at the other post) is my favourite save ever!

I think the lad oozes class, but I think he just needs game time to iron out his flaws.

I agree completely with this comment. People say Shez makes a lot of mistakes. Did anyone see Caesar last season. There is a reason why Inter sold him. Don't get me wrong, he is a good keeper but one thing he isn't is reliable. I would prefer Adler from Hamburg. An experience goalkeeper who is only 28. Would be a good mentor to Shez. {Ed027's Note - The reason was there poor financial situation and his big wages, Shez had his chances to woo AW last year, obviously never wooed the boss

I'm not sure how you can read into the Cesar comparison really. He's a top keeper playing for the poorest prem side. Their team spirit and desire to win was surely in the minus points. And when you pay them well, they don't have anything to play for. Pride goes out of the window because they're all getting paid.
Cesar also would have known if QPR did go down, he's be one of the first to leave.
He basically just had a year off. And he was still better than Szcz. I think we'd see a different Cesar if he was here.
I'll be gutted if we sign Schwarzer, for me he's not better than Szcz. He makes worse mistakes. He might be better in some areas but he's hardly an improvement overall. If Fulham aren't keen on renewing his contract that should tell us all we need to know.

09 Jun 2013 20:53:24
Hi ed heard from a source that were linked with ba, if we sign him would we still get another striker, or would it leave room for a marquee signing any where else? Banter please
Thanks,

Beegkamp5353 {Ed027's Note - There is room for one first team striker

We only really have one out and out striker in Giroud so in my opinion there is room for two.

G95

09 Jun 2013 19:55:19
Say Arsenal have this £70Million transfer budget. If Arsenal signed Ronaldo and nobody else how would people feel?
It obviously isn't going to happen, I would be over the moon but would prefer multiple signings such as Gundogan/Higuain/Robben for example as opposed to Ronaldo.
Topic for discussion so discuss!

None of the players you mentioned there are going to be Arsenal players next year. But, I would rather an 80million spent wisely with multiple signings to strengthen the team as a whole instead of one huge signing.

As I said it was an example, definitely don't expect Robben, don't think we will get Gundogan and there is a chance of Higuain.
But I agree with you, I think that money spent on multiple signings would be more beneficial, simply because we aren't a great team lacking the final ingredient. Instead we are a decent team lacking maybe 4-5 players.

09 Jun 2013 19:00:23
Eds, I know it's a very hard question to answer but do you think that with the signings we're looking at we'll be able to compete with Chelsea and Man Utd/City next year? As always your reply is appreciated :) {Ed027's Note - Course, remember all those clubs have new managers, chances of all of them being a success isn't very high, Fergie gone is massive for everyone, gives every club in England a chance against Utd, so be it 1% more lol. It'll be tough for Pellegrini at City, as it was for Mancini when most thought he did a good job. Then Mourinho, very rarely do 2nd comings out do the 1st

09 Jun 2013 18:56:16
Juventus' president said that they couldn't negotiate the Higuain tranfer before madrid finds a new manager, so propely neither can we. Sounds like they still is ahead of us, but sure hope we can push this one through.

/aros

09 Jun 2013 18:46:19
Abidal hinted at guadiola could this meab a cdm role for alaba at arsenal?

09 Jun 2013 18:10:51
been reading the site every now and then but haven't posted really anything constructive for ages. but i've been thinking a lot recently what wenger should do in the market and here's my preferred targets.

1. julio cesar.
this one's perfect for us. obviously the most important thing is he's quality. but he's in the perfect age as well. he has experience and wouldn't push szczesny out of the team. on top of it he's cheap.

2. aleksandar dragovic
we have three good center backs and need to add one more when djourou (hopefully) leaves. enter dragovic. like cesar, he's good age as well. our other cb's are all 27/28 so signing a five years younger cb to grow into a starter by time would be imo the best move for us. this is manly the reason why I want dragovic and not williams. we don't need a starter cb.

3. ilkay gundogan
i'm a bit pessimistic gundogan is within our reach. however we could splash a serious amount of cash in him. for me he's in the top 5 of dm's right now and he's only 22.

4. stevan jovetic
there's something in jovetic that fascinates me. I get that higuain would be a safer bet. he's more like a traditional striker and has banged goals for years with a good record. however, I watch jovetic and think he could tear anyone apart, like suarez. surrounded by cazorla, wilshere, walcott etc he could really blossom.

thoughts?

Good post mate! I would prefer Higuain, but that would be an exceptional transfer window

09 Jun 2013 17:26:08
Doubts over higuain to arsenal after juventus have reportedly had a �25million offer accepted. Would love to see dzeko, however, if podolski gets more games this season, I think we could all see him as a huge threat.

09 Jun 2013 15:57:22
hi ed, banter please, is it true are top target is ilkay gundogan from dortmund, thanks

Bergkamp5353 {Ed027's Note - No

09 Jun 2013 15:08:20
Do you guys think AoC is ready for the first team next year if so what position?
And God Forbid but if we don't buy any first team midfielder or potential first team midfielder who would be in it?
E. g
Arteta Wilshere
Cazorla

09 Jun 2013 14:46:32
cesc fabregas' girlfriend, has put on twitter. "love changes everything".

will this mean love is bringing back to london to be with his girlfriend and kids, I very well hope so.

ni gunner

Imposter!

To be fair it's quite a generic name ;)

She was misquoted. apparently gold diggers can't spell.

I think you're reading too much into that mate!

it could mean anything in many different contexts.

Maybe she's a Michael Ball fan ;-)
Flybo

Maybe they have broke up

09 Jun 2013 13:07:27
Guys, I'm far from ITK, but I can't seem to put my ipad down during transfer season and "a website" posted a "leaked" pic of Fellaini in an Arsenal kit.

Has anyone seen it? It's a very professional fake if it is one as I used to work in print and can normally spot the signs a mile off.

What are your thoughts? Would this website really go that far when they have such a pants rep anyway?

Often there would be a headline claiming whichever player in whichever shirt but the story always confesses the mock up, just not this time.

Sorry for being naive - I see the world through red coloured glasses.

Iv seen one too, pretty sure its fake though mate.

Apparently it's the BFG and I'm a sucka!

Sorry guys.

I'll keep hoping.

09 Jun 2013 14:43:29
ive seen that too, but it was edited by someone on twitter who regularly does arsenal edits. that pic is of mertesacker with his number taken away and fellaini's head expertly put on.

09 Jun 2013 12:38:16
Just a quick word on paper talk.

A reporter/editor can print whatever they like in a newspaper. Their bottom line is sales, that's it.

The front few pages of news can be made up, purely fictional. However if the story is libelous they are often taken to court, although usually there is a payout and it's all settled before it reaches the court.

The sports reports work differently, as there is very rarely a 'victim', especially in the cases of transfer rumours. Certain words can be used and headlines twisted in a manner which leaves the reporter free from any possible legal action.

My favourite terms are 'a source said' and 'linked with'. These can mean anybody and anything.

To summarise: newspapers write stories to sell copies. Let's stop believing what we read.

Could not have said it better myself

Trinidad-Gooner

09 Jun 2013 12:09:29
I know this is very unrealistic, but hear me out. With the news that Mourinho wants to sell Mata to bring in Luka Modric, we should look into signing. Arsenal are know to be intrested.

The midfield could look like this.

Cazorla-Mata-Walcott
Arteta-Wilshere

Mata and Cazorla are interchangable

I don't think Chelsea will sell to Mata to Arsenal. In fact I think he won't be sold this summer.

That's very attacking minded and I don't see much defensive cover.

Arteta has struggled with runners through the centre- he's picked up countless yellows due to lack of pace and a lack of a defensive midfielder with good situational awareness.

If we're playing a three of Cazorla - Mata - Walcott then we'd need to get someone like Fellaini who can sit in front of our back 4.

Jack - Fellaini
with an attacking three in front and a clinical striker, now that's one hell of a team

Defensively weak

Maybe Mata doesn't want to join Arsenal

Mata wanted to join Arsenal a few years ago, the problem will be convincing Chelsea to sell to another Prem team.
If he goes I can see him in Spain, pushing for that starting position in the national team for the world cup

09 Jun 2013 10:51:25
Random question, not banter related, but does anyone know how much arsenal membership costs? I'm really interested for the coming season but it doesn't say how much on the arsenal website. Thanks!

Hi ya its cost 36 pounds 4 red membership 25 4 junior gunner

09 Jun 2013 06:10:45
Before I start I'd like to see I am not a RamseyGervinho etc hater at all.

So with Arsenal apparently looking to spend big this summer I think we must get rid of Ramsey and Gervinho and maybe even Sagna.

The money spent no doubt will be in a movement to win Arsenal a trophy in the near future which is great that the club is finally doing this after 10 years of a slipping slope we may be going uphill once more.

Gervinho- He seems t run around like a headless chicken in some games but when he has played behind the striker I think he's been a lot better but we have too much competition in this area and well there is no need to have him in the squad next year, Maybe loan him out to Marseille as they are reportedly interest in a year loan.

Ramsey- He may show heart and courage but does he really have the class of a title challenging team?
He seems so un-agile passes out of play often, runs into trouble and tries way to many fancy skills that simply don't work 9/10. He is still 22 so maybe he could develop but I reckon we should cash in on the lad.

Sagna- This is a 50/50 one considering his experience and his current dip in performance could be due to being rushed back into the team through injuries and that may be why he hasn't being playing up to standard but he has been appalling towards the end of the season and we can't have inconsistent players.
Thank you EDs for this site

Ramsey is class and played extremely well towards the end of the season.

Mate let me ask you something:
Does Darren Fletcher has a class of a title WINNING team?
People forget that football is a squad game, a team game. Than again tell me does Theo has the class of a title challenging team? I don't think so

Absolutely no way we should sell Ramsey. I also would not like to see Gervinho leave. He is more than decent for a squad player and I think the point is to strengthen the squad with some quality players. Not replacing the decent players with quality players. I would not like to see any players leave, except for the "deadwood" if I could call them that.

People need to get past this idea of Ramsey being class, he simply isn't. He is an average player in what is currently an average with a couple of superstars.
I mean in comparison to his performances of the last few seasons he looked like Zico, but at the end of the day he isn't at that level.
Maybe he could reach it one day but I'm beginning to give up hope.
Tries passes he doesn't have the ability to pull off, he is too weak and once he sees a pass he wants to make he is going to make it, even if a second later there is a much better option.

Ramsey is not class, if we have real ambitions he should not be a regular starter. Squad player maybe.

Shaneyd

Manc u for years had O'shea, Brown, P Nevill, Evans. None world class, but all could do a job when called upon because they were professional. Players like that are important to have throughout the seasons. You can't have 25 world class players in a squad.
Flybo

Flybo all defenders, with a solid world class defender alongside them.

Shaneyd

Anderson, Cleverly, Park, Fletcher
But I get your point Shaneyd
Flybo

09 Jun 2013 02:35:07
Any of the eds, can you answer this for me. When the owner of arsenal said we have had a financial firepower boost does that mean that there has been other investors? {Ed027's Note - Which owner has said this?

Gazidis is not an owner, and he was referring to the new Puma and Emirates sponsorship deals.

09 Jun 2013 01:06:05
Ed, who's most likely to come to the Emirates this summer:

Fellaini/Bender/Capoue/Wanyama/Gonalons/Ginter?

Higuain/Rooney? {Ed027's Note - Don't know on the first one it's hard to say 'likely', second one Higuain doesn't mean he'll sign just means I don't think we'll get Rooney

Which bender

09 Jun 2013 00:24:52
Any signings that are going to be done need to be up through and sorted quickly and early so any new players have time to adjust to Arsense life and do they can make an immediate impact at the beginning of the new season

3434

08 Jun 2013 23:50:31
if we could sign Williams, gundagun (borriuisa Dortmund) fellani, higuain


il be so happy.

su nutin

If we signed higuain 23m gundogan 20m cesar 4m rami 7m grenier for 10m there is no doubt i'm my mind we would win silverware. p. s dear eds this means that you need to tell us that these deals will go through by the end of the week

Bergkamp5353 {Ed027's Note - No can do