Arsenal Banter Archive May 09 2014

 

Use our rumours form to send us arsenal transfer rumours.

09 May 2014 19:27:13
Arsene feels city should be excluded from the CL! What has it got to do with him?
I would have thought he would have been busy trying to win the cup and get us ready for next season, let uafa do their job Arsene and concentrate on doing yours, don't pick fights you don't need with other clubs that's mourinho job surely.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

Like you gunner I think his nasty streak is coming out lol

Agree0 Disagree0

Bit harsh mate, he was asked a question and he answered. simples

Agree0 Disagree0

G62 - cone on, you can't fine City if they have endless funds. They need to impose proper sanctions! This is in the best interest for all especially us. In that case he should be shouting about this and making noise - good on him.

Our model supports FFP so why don't you want FFP with teeth?

Agree0 Disagree0

To be fair Waq there are plenty of questions Arsene side steps when asked!
We have over the years been criticised for times when we have failed to name any English players in either the team or squad and Arsene wasnt keen on others having a view on that

Agree0 Disagree0

SY I agree with the rules and for uafa to implement them how ever they see fit, I just don't agree with Arsene getting involved or allowing himself to become involved in a fight that doesn't involve us.
What is he hoping for! To avoid a qualifying round by default, I want to stand or fall by our own effort

Agree0 Disagree0

Considering Arsene has done more to maintain status as a top 4 club whilst staying within the rules, I think he has every right to voice his opinion whien asked. also he has been very complimentary of man city's success recently, I think what he says on both accounts are coming from a very genuine place, you can't critices wenger for that

Agree0 Disagree0

I agree fully with Saint Arsenal.

Agree0 Disagree0

Ban City!? Ha ha just like they tried to ban Barcelona from being able to buy or sell any players this summer. That lasted about 2 minutes. Barcelona appealed and so far that is that for the time being. People should start realising cash is now the King in football if we were talking about a cash strapped team it might happen but don't hold your breath on the big clubs. And Arsene should keep his nose out. We might want to trade with City at some time over players.

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed025's Note - im with you on that goldie..

Pretty obvious that the media will target Arsene with ffp related questions, with him being the only manager in the top 4 within the ffp budget he'll probably be the only one with an opinion worth printing

Agree0 Disagree0

This is what Wenger said:

"I think the punishment is sophisticated, " he told the press. "I would like a more simple one that makes more sense, although they have studied that for a very long time certainly to be in accordance with the legal side of it.

"You would think that you accept the rules and you're in the competition or you don't accept the rules and you're not in the competition. Then, everybody would understand it.

"There are rules and you respect them or you don't respect them. If you don't respect them, you have to be punished. When Uefa doesn't want to kick the clubs out of the Champions League, they have to find a more subtle punishment."

Which basically amounts to
-Either play the rules or don't play the game-
We all share that sentiment with the exception of cheats.

Wenger was making a statement about the ambiguous nature of the rules as highlighted by the rest of his statement.

"To me and all of us on the outside, it looks a complicated punishment, " he added. "Nobody understands, really. Today people are informed. We live in a society where everyone is informed. The rules have to be clear so that you can inform people well.

"But if I go out in the street now and I ask a hundred people what you think of the fair play punishment, how many do you think can explain it to you? I'm in the job and I cannot do it. They have to clarify the punishment. We all agree that, if we don't respect the rules, you have to be punished but to explain to people how that works is very difficult."

He never once mentioned City or PSG.
But the headlines will show otherwise because they rearrange his statements to suit their argument.

Don't be fooled

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 18:43:34
Big thums up to kos for committing to the club, could be a great. On the other side of the coin, if sagna is leaving do we let him play in the cup final. For me if he won't commit then don't play him. Let jenko get a medal and raise his profile. What do others think.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

I agree, same goes for fabianski. maybe we should give them a ultimatum; sign the contract, or not play in the final for what is going to be the start of a new era :)

Agree0 Disagree0

I do think it is a little different for fab. He isn't no1 and thinks he should be and I understand there is some sort of agreement about fab being the cup keeper. Like manonne he is good enough to be playing in the prem or another top league. Good luck to him.

Agree0 Disagree0

Agree Steve, superb news on Kos, well done AW on that .

As for Sagna, if he doesn't want to commit, I am sure he can find a TV to watch the final

Agree0 Disagree0

I think Sagna has earned the right to play - we should respect loyal players

Also - I want the best players to play as I want to win

Agree0 Disagree0

Imo I disagree, I think sagna has been an excellent player for us for many years, if he doesn't want to sign a new contract then fair enough, he has been good for us and should at least be given the chance to play and hopefully lift some silverware

Agree0 Disagree0

I get what your saying, but i'd prefer schezny to play in the final, especially if fab don't sign a new contract. mainly because this is a huge opportunity for him to 1) make up for the bham loss. 2)to instil a winning mentality into him.

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 18:33:32
Would just like to take a minute to praise one of the bricks in our wall of a centre-back partnership, Laurent Koscielny.

When he joined he was a bit shifty and after the mistake in the Carling Cup final I thought we all called for a better CB to be brought in as we thought he couldn't hack it.

Well how wrong we all were, he has put his head down and worked hard, and in my opinion has turned into one of the best of the best.

I for one am ecstatic he has signed a new contract extension.

Well done Laurent!

Believable0 Unbelievable0

Here, here well put.

To the boss!

Would like to see a promising understudy behind Boss and BFG.

Agree0 Disagree0

Was just going to post pretty much what you wrote, well done Kos.

Agree0 Disagree0

Totally agree The bloke is a class act, how he never made the PL team of the season is beyond me, Ramsey was robbed by injury but Kos?

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 18:06:40
I see Philip Roberts has joined Dundee on a free!

Believable0 Unbelievable0

09 May 2014 17:29:10
My take on the whole "Is Giroud good enough" debate.

I saw the poll was split exactly 50:50. But in all honesty "Is he good enough" could mean a lot of things. I like him, he has great touch, in the box finishing and heading. Its NOT HIS FAULT he is our only striker.

Is he good enough to be a back up or plan B? Most certainly. Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and Everton would all take him over their second choices (Aspas, Adebayor, Torres/Ba and Traore/Kone) He'd offer a lot to the team no matter where he was in the pecking order.

Is he good enough to rotate with another Striker? Yes he is. If we had Remy, Hernandez, Vela or a fit Walcott to rotate with him our attack would be lethal. His style of play brings other fowards into play. And with pacey wingers and a second striker he would be much better.

Is he good enough to lead the line on his own? No, ofcoursr not. But is that his fault. Aguero couldnt, look how often he's been injured from being rushed back. RVP just about could at Arsenal. Its extremely difficult.

So short answer. Giroud is very much Arsenal and top four quality. Will we win the league with him as our only striker? No. But with a fit Ramsey, Ozil and Walcott behind him we might have done.

So Wenger, get in a CDM (Bender), a natural winger (Griezman/Draxler) and a second striker (Remy) and watch Giroud flourish.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

Agreed, in my opinion he is the best at what he does out of any one in the past 5 years when he's fully fit & that's including zlatan ibrahimovic and fernando Llorente. The problem is that he can not always participate at 100% because of the reliance and resulting use of him

Agree0 Disagree0

I'm not so sure Giroud is making the bench at City or Chelsea, and the bench is all he could expect at Liverpool and Utd tbf.

Agree0 Disagree0

But if you look at his performances against clubs with top class centre halves, he struggles to make an impact.

Despite that though, i'd still want him to lead our line, although I do wish he wouldn't keep shaking his hand when he goes down injured. and sticking his tongue out, but I do that when i'm concentrating, so I ain't got no real room to talk! lol

Agree0 Disagree0

Actually negrado is better than him at what they both do he is the only player. I would expect him to start for chelsea without a doubt, probably not city, liverpool don't play girouds style of football, united :'D who cares

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 22:40:56
1404

Giroud is better than Torres or Ba, so would make the Chelsea bench (imo). Man City no ge wouldnt. But then again no Chelsea or Spurs striker would.

But that isn't really the point. He is a class forward. The lack of pace in the absence of Ramsey/Walcott/Ox for extended parts of the season makes him look bad.

When we are missing key players and we fail to score, who gets the blame? Giroud. When we play well, score 3/4 goals and win Giroud gets little praise or recognition. That goal vs West Ham, if Suarez or Aguero did that we would cream be heaping praise on him.

I think he is very much Arsenal quality. He was as good as Adebayor or Eduardo. But he is missing a strike partner.

Agree0 Disagree0

I'm sorry Detroit but Giroud isn't class, he is an alright striker, a good back up and if Torres or Ba had the chances he had this year I think they'd score more tbh.

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 17:04:16
Apologies if I offended Sadface with my reply. We r all Gooners and we all love the club. Opinions differ mate, and u r entitled to urs. I guess the point or rather the question is: If Ollie stays with us for another 6 seasons or so, will we look back 20yrs from now and remember him in the same light as Henry, Wright etc?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

For me the only reply you should give should be serious or funny, not in anyway personal, your opinion is your opinion and it should be respected even if you don't agree. This is a banter site and I definitely don't expect everyone to agree with me, but that's the point. Dags and gunner stop being so serious, lighten up a bit.

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 14:27:52
Although I just voted YES on the poll of the day from Remy. Would sticking Walcott Upfront not be the same?
Remy may be a better finisher but Walcott has defo got better.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

I think you under estimate theo as a finisher, he is top draw.

Agree0 Disagree0

I have though for a couple of years Theo will become a very good out and out striker, I think its why Liverpool wanted him for when they enquired about him

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 12:22:18
On the giroud debate, he has scored 16 goals in the league this year, ok a fair tally, but the highest placed team he has scored against is totteringham. That is probably why he splits peoples view, he's annonymous in the big games. Due to, I believe his lack of pace and agility. Against the lesser teams he is a threat, but if we are going anywhere we need class.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

I agree we need someone better or different upfront, but wouldn't be too upset if we signed a backup to him instead and got a quality goalscoring left winger.
And tbf I don't think Suarez has scored against any of the top 4 either, does it make him poor too?

Agree0 Disagree0

Waq not sure of suarezs record against the bigger teams, but he has got twice as many as giroud and is a menace whoever he comes up against. In my mind giroud has a place in our squad but we need better.

Agree0 Disagree0

Suarez is a menace even when he doesn't score. A little footnote here, If I was still betting I would fancy a bet on giroud scoring twice in the fa cup. But i'm not I got fed up of paying for my bookmakers holidays to the maldives.

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 11:05:52
Getting emotional.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

09 May 2014 11:03:28
Eds can we have a poll so that we get a true reflection of fans position.

Which player in our full strength starting 11 urgently needs replacing (assuming noone leaves that is)?

Sczezney
Sagna
Koscielny
Mertesacker
Gibbs
Flamini
Ramsey
Walcot
Ozil
Santi
Giroud

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed033's Note - The above poll is now on the Arsenal Voting Polls page.

Bit of a daft poll;
The obvious answer is Sagna as he's out of contract and highly likely to leave.

Agree0 Disagree0

{Ed001's Note - only daft if you can't read the question! He clearly states that it is assuming that no one leaves.}

Should've added "no one" option.

Agree0 Disagree0

Ah Ed001 well played sir. I'll read more carefully next time.

Regardless, it's still a daft poll as Sagna's future is beyond assumption. He is gone.

That starting 11 is not even one that has been commonly used by Arsenal. Arteta played more than Flamini so why wouldn't Arteta be in there instead. Wallcot has been injured for an age also. Daft antics by the anti-giroud brigade.

Agree0 Disagree0

Great question, but shouldn't Arteta be in the starting 11 instead of Flamini?

My choice is Giroud though, that and a tough CDM alone would improve us significantly IMO.

Agree0 Disagree0

Horses for courses, depends which team we are playing. Ferguson, like him or hate him, had a starting 18-21 from which he'd pick depending on the team. That's how we should be thinking about to.

Agree0 Disagree0

None of them need replacing at all, they need adding to. Replacing them would do nothing whatsoever

Agree0 Disagree0

Thanks for that Saint Arsenal. I didn't mean replacing all together. I meant replacing in our full strength starting 11. I agree we need depth and selling off players and buying new ones would not be solving the situation

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 10:05:33
Hi folks
An article around the web got me wondering. The Brazilian kid Bernard who plays for Shakhtar, whom we were linked with last summer claims that Arsenal was in for him last summer but since they couldn't match his valuation by the club, the pulled out. He were sold to Donetsk for 25M. As you all know, at the end of the window we surprised everyone and brought in Ozil for 45M. A midfielder which in my opinion was not needed at the time. To me it sees that at the time, we didn't want to splash big money since we couldn't afford this guy whom I believe could help our attacking force more than what Ozil has done.
Further it rings a bell that, Wenger and the board were forced to act in rush and bring in someone to calm the fans down after the Villa game. Hence, I wouldn't keep my breath for any BIG signings this summer. There will be some in and outs, but no MAJOR MEGA signing as last year. it will be same old Arsenal and Wenger! What do you guys think.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

09 May 2014 09:29:42
Giroud is not the man for me. Lacks pace, has no skill, can't shoot from outside the box. Can't see to use his feet for anything else tap ins. He doesn't have what it takes to make it into our closest rivals. He has scored 22goals okay, but how many clear cut opportunities has he missed?

How many of his goals have been magical? Do the likes of Terry, Skrtel, Kompany etc get sleepless nights when they see his name on the teamsheet? Sorry but for me, that is one of our weakest positions, if not THE WEAKEST! He does give 100% but at such a level, you need SKILL. A really good striker should always be one of the top 4 players in the team. For me Giroud is one of the worst 2 in our starting 11

Believable0 Unbelievable0

I think you're being a bit mental here, do you even watch football?

Giroud, a player who has scored 22 goals for us this season, who has worked relentlessly is spearheading our attack and who has created many assists is one of our worst players!?

I've no idea why the spate of attacks on Giroud, he's a solid player and plays for the shirt. Yes we all want a new striker but the abuse Giroud is getting is uncalled for. Outside Ronaldo and Messi there are a handful of strikers I'd have over Giroud. I bet when Giroud scored against West Ham last month you thought he was the dogs b0ll0cks.

Your comment about not scoring from outside the box is also ridiculous; how many Arsenal players do score from outside the box!?

Yes this site is for banter but you're just being daft on this one.

Agree0 Disagree0

Whilst I agree that Giroud has worked hard this season the fact remains that how many of the top 6/7 sides would he get into? ( as first choice)
He has done well this season but much like the team is found wanting against bigger stronger sides.
He has been unfortunate that the likes of Ramsey and Walcott have been missing for large parts meaning like Ozil he hasn't had off the ball runners.
I feel if he was back up or rotated with a quicker more prolific striker that would benefit the side greatly.

Agree0 Disagree0

I reckon every top side would take a player like Giroud. City are the only team who have a variety of strikers, with varying attributes I mean.

Guys bear in mind here, i'm not for a second saying we don't need a new striker, we do. Just saying the press Giroud is getting is massively unjust. He plays for the shirt, he loves the club, he scores goals. what's the problem?

Agree0 Disagree0

He's a great back up that's for sure, I also think he could do very well in a 4-2-2 with Benzema/Remy/Costa!

Agree0 Disagree0

There are very few classic centre onwards who play that limited role better than Giroud. Problem is, City and Madrid have the obvious upgrades in Dzecko and Benzema and Ibra I the best, even if he's an ass

22 goals is fair return for We need AN OTHER as an additional striker who adds a different dimension, and we need fast deep wing play to complement him. With Walcott, Ramsey and Gibbs fit, Giroud is the perfect foil. We need proper cover and upgrades in the wings so we have plan A and Plan B.

Podolski is equally one dimensional but we love him, go figure.

Agree0 Disagree0

Sad face if we had the Giroud your describing we would have won the league this year, but we have the average Giroud that actually exists instead.

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 05:26:22
Just finished watching Arsenal Legends : Thierry Henry and while it was pretty sentimental reliving all those goals and moments throughout the years, it still hurts when it got to the part when he departed for Barca.

This got me thinking. Where will our next legendary Gunner come from? Cesc was on his way but he skipped town. Dutch skunk was on his way. until a little boy started whining.

Where is our next TH14?

Cheers lads.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

Jack, Rambo then Dan Crawley in my opinion. What's happening with Zalalem?

I was hoping to see him in the last home game, I thought Giggs was quite clever giving the lad at united a start, I would have done similar at the Emirates.

At risk of sounding like a spurs or liverpool fan - next season is going to be great!

Agree0 Disagree0

As much as I love all the midfield generals that we have had over the years and we will continue to have (fingers crossed)

the one position which embodies the fans spirit and passion is the striker, he runs, jumps, bumps and grinds, but at the end he is the one who will have the most weight on his shoulders to deliver and the fans will make him their hero.

not to keep repeating myself, we need a world class striker.

Agree0 Disagree0

09 May 2014 00:09:39
As I am now in the mood, so many on here lay into Giroud

Lets look at our midfield
Rosicky 24 app + 13 as sub 3 goals
Arteta 36 + 5 . 3 goals
Wilshire 28 + 5 . 5 goals
Ozil 35 + 3 . 3 goals
Ox 12 + 8 . 3 goals
Ramsey 28 + 4 . 14 goals
Walcott 13 + 5 . 6 goals
Podolski 18 + 7 . 12 goals

Only 3 players in double figures and Ramsey scored most of his in 2013, so before many on here batter Giroud again, I think he kept his part of the bargain and done very well, if we are to be a force we need more goals from the midfield crew.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

Totally agree Banbury.

Agree0 Disagree0

How many of that midfield have been available all season.

Agree0 Disagree0

Steve, the top 5 on that list have scored 17 goals in 135 games, what a poor return

Agree0 Disagree0

@Bunbury I agree with you and was going to post something similar.

Giroud works very hard for the team, he started the season incredibly well scoring and providing assists. Unfortunately as the season went on he began to tire (whether from his off-field antics or being overplayed) but there's no doubt at all that he's a good player.

I think the problem is he misses a lot of chances but what people fail to see is that he also scores a lot and is more often than not in the right place at the right time. Confidence is a huge part of the game and with the backing of the fans he can go on to be even more valuable to the team.

I'm excited to see Giroud being supported by a fully motivated Ozil and two speedy wide players - Walcott and in my dreams Draxler.

Agree0 Disagree0

I think the players we end up with will depend on the players that are available on the transfer market without inflated prices

with the likes of Muller, Cavani, Diego Costa, Jackson Martinez, Lukaku, Benzema, Aguero, Suarez, Hernandez, Alexis Sanchez, Pedro, Dzeko just to name a few big names possibly on the move for the forward positions

then the likes of Javi Martinez, Lars Bender, Sami Khedira, Paulinho, Alex Song, John Obi Mikel, Pogba on the move from the holding midfield position.

im quite certain we can land the players we need to improve the team.

lets hope we can land a few.

I would not mind sami Khedira and Thomas Muller moving our way to complete the squad, along with the signings to complement the squad with a RB, GK, and CB.

I do hope we have an interest in muller, he can play on the wing and in the middle and would be an ideal utility forward. Although I see man united as front runners should LVG sign on for them as expected.

just hope with the likes of Wilson james, Welbeck, Rooney and RVP muller is not their priority. not to forget hernandez who is still there.

Also if I am right in saying, if Javi Martinez does move, i'm going to guess toni Kroos will be given the money he wants and signed on.

Agree0 Disagree0