Arsenal Rumours Archive July 31 2011

31 Jul 2011 23:49:58
I am a positive person and have been positive the last 6 seasons without a trophy but this year I just know we'll win nothing. Wenger's stubbornness/pig-headedness or idiocy whatever you want to call it regarding our playing staff confirms it.

What we need at minimum regardless if Fabregas or Nasri leave:

A 20 goal a season ST
2 tough, mistake free CB's with captain like attributes
A consistant defensively sound LB
An experienced relatively mistake free GK
A tough tackling experienced versatile CDM/CM/CAM

The reason I know we won't win jack all is because Wenger won't buy a new LB or GK maybe not even a new striker... or he will but buy 19/20 year old's ie Joel Campbell.

What we'll most likely get:

Mata (great player that we don't really need unless Fabregas or Nasri leave)
Joel Campbell (won't help at all yet)
Jagielka (good but we need 2 CB's not one)

So... No 20 goal ST, No CM/CDM, No LB, No GK and only 1 CB

Basically if that happens we won't win anything as we will have not really strengthened anywhere near enough. I just have a feeling in my gut that says this is it for Wenger.. last season for him in my opinion.

He still has a month to prove me wrong and strengthen more. Also in January but he's so stubborn I can't see it.

Anyone share my doubts or gut feeling that this is Wenger's last hurrah?

StEvE

You are obviously not a positive person any more...are you StEvE, just another poor soul who has been brainwashed by the constantly negative ramblings of...the clique

arsenalyeti

I think you maybe the most negative "positive person" in the world.

Well said arsenalyeti i'm sick to death of all these part time supporters. im nt happy we aint won anything in six years but im still behind arsenal no other team in england i support. thers no point saying u support a team if your not going to back them

Gunner&atim

Who are you to tell me who I am arsenalyeti I have a brain of my own I can't be brainwashed by idiotic media trying to create tension and scare monger. I have perfect vision and can tell what's we lack on the pitch for myself not what I'm told to believe off it.

I am 200% 'behind' the team so to say someone who would willingly bleed for the team is a part-time supporter is hilarious. The reason my positivity has almost diminished is the fact that the club that I LOVE hasn't won anything due to the same flawed logic and mistakes every year for 6 years straight.

I have taken the rough with the smooth and visa versa and will support the team til' the day I die.

Yet I am realistic, if the wrongs that prevented us from winning anything for the last 6 years are not righted then how will we win anything? Fairly simple.

I'll back the team for eternity and I'll watch every game humanly possible. I really want to believe this will be the year I really do but I have seen nothing to suggest that this coming season will be any easier than last season, in fact it's looking harder.

I don't want Wenger to leave but I feel he will be forced out if we don't win anything.

The point of my post was to ask if anyone had the same bad feeling I do? It's not a contest to see who is the 'best' fan for christ sake grow up We are all here because we all love this great club

StEvE

If its that bad go support a different team and stop moaning

Ha Ha, seem to have touched a nerve with the AKB brigade there. To be honest if Wenger does not strengthen and there is money available, we will start badly and he will be gone before Christmas. Again we get the moronic comment that if somebody does not worship the ground Wenger walks on they are part time fans or second rate in some other way, you'd think the way you go on that the club was formed by Wenger. Most of us are old enough to know managers come and go, we support the club not blindly worshipping any manager or player as they all move on eventually

Yes sir, exactly my point. Thanks for a coherent reply without questioning my loyalty as a fan. To the person who said to stop moaning and support a different team... let me guess Utd fan Chelsea fan or the new breed Man City fan? Or will you wait til' City win the league before jumping ship.

This will be wengers last season.theres no backbone to the team.thats not moaning thats a fact.wenger inherited a top back five lets not forget that.we should sell nas and fab and get some top replacements in before its too late.with the right three or four signings this could have been a memorable season.but we are running out of time the clocks ticking wenger lets get the spine of the team right everything else will take care of itself. brummie gooner come on arsenal.

31 Jul 2011 23:23:03
Arsenal are plotting an unexpected swoop for Wolves' pacy winger Matt Jarvis, reports the Daily Mail.

31 Jul 2011 23:14:52
On a lighter note, saw Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on the London underground at Holborn today on the way to final day of the Emirates stadium. Glad too see he's still behind the Arsenal and supporting them :)

31 Jul 2011 22:53:51
Also according to the Sunday Mirror, D news doing d rounds 2moo is dat Arsenal have agreed a fee with Valencia over Juan Mata.
BOSSARSENAL...

31 Jul 2011 22:46:13
Ed -any news or rumours on Jagielka or another defender ?

We are getting a bit worried

TV and Kos are worthy Arsenal players, maybe Bartley can make it but after that its looking a bit suspect.

Tim B

31 Jul 2011 22:22:01
Who would you prefer arsene to saign; Karim Benzema or another striker which could come at a cheaper price and score the same amount of goals, someone like Abel Hernandez or Fernando Llorente as they can score and could make good partnership with RVP? Comment on what you feel?

We dont need a striker. deal with it
BD

2 top defenders no strikers

we could be so good - he is hoping that Wenger is going to shock us

Tim B

We Dont Need A Striker? So What Do We Do If Van Persie Gets Injured

{Ed022's Note - Pray, Cry, sulk, moan, dispair. Repeat until signing is made...}

What to do if RVP gets injured? play chamak or vela or even blood youth like sunu, murphy or freeman. if walcots fit play him :)

Gunner&atim

I think give Chamakh and Vela their chance, and we always have Gervinho and Walcott who can come into the centre. We have a very high volume of goals coming from midfield anyway.

However, if Chamakh continues at this rate, I would personally like to see him replaced with Papiss Cisse in Jan/next year.

{Ed022's Note - Ah the most unfortunately named Papiss Cisse. Don't know much of him but my German contacts tell me he has done very well for Freiburg scoring 28 in 38 over the last two seasons. He also has 7 in 9 since playing for Senegal in 2010...}

31 Jul 2011 22:18:26
3 Signings That Would Make Sense But Probably Wont Happen.

1. Gary Cahill - Talller, Youngerand Cheaper Than Jagielka
2. Emilio Izaguirre - Quality Left Back, Reasonably Cheap Too
3. Juan Mata - Can Replace Nasri, who has looked disinterested so far in preseason

Rough Valuations

Cahill - 15million
Izaguirre - 10million
Mata - 20million

31 Jul 2011 22:06:51
Has Mata signed for Arsenal of are these guys talking crap?

He is gonna apparentely sign sopmewhere round this week after he agreed personal terms last week

31 Jul 2011 21:58:27
just thought I would drop by for a look after the weekends games...and my suspicions are confirmed....it's still same old same old...all the usual muppets revelling in having a right old moan up...and shooting down anyone who dares disagree or say something good about the club, mind you...you usually get little cliques forming on forums like this..
classic example of unfounded whining : apparently Gervinho is greedy, a diver, selfish, poor passer, poor finisher, another Walcott (double dig there) another Chamack (another double dig) ...errrm, 2 debut goals, an assist in his next match...remember that anybody?

Today started off as a Henry love-in (and rightly so, the man is class) some people even going as far as saying things like 'I hope Henry scores' yet ends up with everyone pissed off as he helps set up the leveller.

anyone (well, those that didn't go home early again) who booed at the end should be ashamed of themselves, you are a total disgrace...also it was a nice way of giving the boys a bit of a lift before the new season starts...it was only pre-season.
I'm not completely blinkered, I know we need changes and tweaks here and there, but this will happen.

I'd love to see us win something next season, not just for Arsenal Football Club, but also to see most of you lot being shown up for a bunch of hypocritical, moaning pr*cks

and as for the person that wrote 'who thinks if we dont sign Mata it will be the last straw' your loyalty to Arsenal hinges on the signing of one player does it? LOLOL and you lot tell me I'm not a 'proper' fan

jokers, the lot of ya

arsenalyeti

you tell it like you see it. We suck and there is nothing to be optimistic about AW and AFC are pulling a confidence trick.

Couldn't agree more, fair play, people need there heads checked

Your spot on mate, love Henry and although we lost the cup this year it might be a god send keep worrying about silly things and thats where the uncertainty comes in, I think we could build a title winning side yet go on you gunners

This is the smartest thing i've read on here in a while, people moaning and booing can go support another team

Best post on here for ages. You're so very right about all these "fans".
Stand behind your team for better or for worse...

Arsenal till I die (Even if we don't get Mata)

You are right with most of what you say but maybe the boo-ing is to put pressure on wenger and the board as they have under performed over the last few season with the constant moan about not being able to compete - time to spend on the needed (only a few) players required to make us win the league

31 Jul 2011 21:05:33
Watched the Emirates cup today and i know its a friendly...but....it would of been great if we looked as though we wanted to win , i thought our performarmance was poor really....and if we do not buy a Jagielka/Cahill type defender and another left back we are going to give loads of goals away this season.....also playing RVP up front on his own without a decent target man is wrong...Chamakh looked like he was playing with clogs on his feet ...

31 Jul 2011 21:00:31
Mexican Wave went round four times without stopping. Shows how boring we are

31 Jul 2011 20:16:25
Mata will only be signed if Fab and/or Nasri are going. So there will be no overall improvement to the squad. Maybe AW will get his head out of his A**E after today and get a CB or two in pretty sharpish.

31 Jul 2011 19:16:21
Balague: Everything is agreed for Mata to join Arsenal.
I believe cesc or nasri's future will b sorted out first b4 d juan mata story hits up again. Wenger is playing poker will cesc n nasri which i think it's brilliant frm wenger.
I have already said dat Mata is Arsenal bound.
He has chosen 2 continue d beatiful game with Arsenal.
2moo's news shd give more info on transfers overall.
BOSSARSENAL...

Just saw man utd barca match on tv, Thiago was wearing the no.4 shirt, wasn't that shirt specially saved for cesc?

I thought exactly the same thing when I was watching SSN this morning.....

Well thats what pepe said no4 shirt saved for cesc lol

you clearly know nothin
BD

31 Jul 2011 18:40:29
Hi,
Did anyone saw when Nasri covered his mouth after the game and said something to Henry. It lasted at least 20 sec probably was something that he didn't like to be read from his lips. We can only speculate what did Nasri told Henry but from look of Henry face he was not(Henry) happy to hear.

Thats just crazy talk now, dnt read too much into things like that, he could have easily been saying somthing like "you know you should have shot when you were over there".
if we start gossping about this then theres going to be no end to it and people are just going to get fed up

Yeah, crazy talk. I'm a Gooner and if I had any talent and was in this current AFC squad under AW & PR with the current shareholders and board - I'd bail - pfq. Samir and Cesc should take their s**t somewhere they might win something.

31 Jul 2011 17:57:31
Holly dooly Bartley is a monster

So glad i finally get to see him in an arsenal shirt. I've always thought that to impress in rangers defence you have to be tough but i know nothing about Bartley. When i asked about him on here a few weeks ago it was very mixed reviews Could he be part of what we're looking for?

31 Jul 2011 17:54:46
frimpong is a much better shotter than song check him on youtube he is also a freekick taker

Never mind, his day will come and I'm sure he will feature heavily in the cups. Song has been fantastic today, no question he is our number 1.

Seriously you have issues if you think youtube proves anythin. the lad has potential but song is quality, be realistic
BD

True. Also true: Song needs to get the lead out and stop being a wage-taking, lazy fecker.

31 Jul 2011 16:43:53
according to spanish reporter on talk sport just now he speaks to mata and fee of 22m euros agreed, wages agreed 70k just needs to sign. so sounds done and dusted, it was breaking news on talk sport radio. so ed22 our wishes have came true by the looks of it

gooner1010

I don't see how they could agree this during a watch, but I hope your true mate. Wouldn't it be brilliant if Henry played for 15 minutes against NY and mata was announced after the game, reports did say he was a guest at the emirates, has anyone seen him?

People have said they have seen him but who knows, maybe it was agreed before the match and the radio just got to speak to that spanish bloke. he didnt say it was going to be announced after the game just that all agreed and just needs to sign.

gooner1010

It will be a good strategy to lift the fans spirits if they'd kept Mata behind closed doors just in case we failed toi impress today, which has been the case again. If they were to announce the signing of Mata anytime today I feel it will lift a bit of a weight from Wenger's shoulders and the fans might look at this signing as positive news instead of another draw again today.

The problem with talk sport is they not very reliable so would take this as a pinch of salt, not saying hes not going to sign just wouldnt take too much notice of talk sport.

Arsene wenger has just said again he will try to strenghen but he has no names at the moment. Beyond a joke now

But when has AW ever came out and publicy say im after "this perso, or that person" he dont he just say we have signed This person. he has never publicy said any targets name and never will

31 Jul 2011 16:35:11
Just seen Mata poke his head out of thee directors box door but was quickly hasted back inside by a man in a suit. Will upload a picture when i get back from the Emirates.

Why did you not leave a name {Ed002's Note - You mean like you did?}

I doubt this is true but please prove me wrong

True.. true Ed.
Bossarsenal...

Upload the picture please if your telling the truth :)

Serious , , coz i was sitting next to the directors box , no sign of mata , i doubt this as wenger was in the box most of the day apart from the arse game,

Hope to god he wasnt there to see that 2nd half performance.

Please upload the picture..mate...

Haha I bet this is the same guy from yesterday- go away sad git.

31 Jul 2011 16:08:13
Spurs have matched Arsenal's bid for Juan Mata. The decision is up to Mata, he chose Arsenal for the Champions League.

Talksport say weve got him

Talk sport not reliable.

31 Jul 2011 14:53:23
I've been really impressed with Frimpong he could be a answer to the holding mifielder role hes got moree bite then Song. Theres to many dreamers on here the benzemas and kaka's for example are never going to join arsenal Wenger will never touch them with a barge pole to much money we all know Wenger dont spend money.END OF

31 Jul 2011 14:35:55
Just seen the comment below that says there will be a suprise for gooners at the emirates? This right? Or just twitter nonsense. Wouldnt mind seeing Henry play for Arsenal he deserves to wear the 125th aniversary shirt.

31 Jul 2011 14:17:58
Ive kind of noticed that most people on this site have kind of dropped their expectations with transfers, which is fair enough because when you do hope for a big transfer, arsene wenger only lets you down and signs young players that 3/4 times eventually dont even get a regular first team spot. I mean, you guys are hoping for people like Samba and Scott Parker to come in? We dont support a mid-table team guys, we support a top three or four team, a team in the champions league every year, a premier league title contending team. We should be expecting names like Benzema, Mata etc not bloody Samba? Scott parker is a good player but he should only be signed if we fail with bigger targets. Its players like Chris Samba that wont win us the title, its players like Cahill/Jags/Sakho that would win us titles. You have to spend money to make money.
So in my opinion, we shouldnt even be considering players like Samba, we shouldnt be settling for second best. We should be signing the big players to win us titles. Im not asking for messi and ronaldo, i just want some top quality.
Sign Cahill, Mata, Baines, Schwarzer (only as cover) and Benzema.
Then sell fabregas, nasri, eboue, bendtner, almunia and denilson.

------------Sczezney/Shwarzer------------
--Sagna------TV-----Cahill-----Baines-----
--------Song/Frimp------Wilshere/Ramsey---
--Gervinho---------RVP---------Mata------
-------------Benzema/Walcott--------------

The good thing about this squad is that it has depth. We have to threats on each wing. Two strikers which are both lethal. Push Rvp up a bit. This squad would keeps player on their toes and ready to compete for a place in the squad. The defence is solid. The midfield creative and lethal. The attack is superb and will send shivers down defenders spines.

Nick.

U must b mad 4 even naming Shwarzer...
bossarsenal...

Great team, what i had in mind, just i think if jags is valued at 18m then baines must be more than that, maybe enrique is more suited or gibbs/traore

Your right we do support one of the biggest clubs in the world and we should be signing top class players but that is not the wenger way. His statement was we dont sign superstars, we make them.

People have 'dropped' their expectations about some of the transfers you have listed becuase Wenger has ruled them out. He has categorically stated that he will not sign an LB and it looks very unlikely that he will sign a GK, becuase he has young players who he thinks are ready in these positions. I dont think he will sign Benzema either considering his '30m or more' statement.

I would hope for him to bring in Mata and Biglia, so we have extra cover in DM (Biglia) and can bring Wilsh forward. Then he will probably bring in Joel Campbell & give Chamakh another chance to cover RVP until Jan. (if he is still not cutting it then I hope Wenger would bring in a new CF for the trophy push. For that purpose, someone like Papiss Cisse would be great IMO)

I agree with you about CBs though. The 'settling' for a mediocre player is exactly what happened last summer - after Koscielny was brought in we were linked with several CBs for extra cover. After Wenger was priced out of moving for any decent player he just went with Squillaci as the affordable option, which is more of a waste of money than spending 15-20m on a solid CB. I think he may be coming round to the 'spend money to make money' attitude though.

31 Jul 2011 13:35:15
Ive watched some of the highlights as well, since I couldnt find the game online. Thanks for the analysis Ben/Raz, from the little I saw they were pretty accurate. So basically... Same old Arsenal yh?
Im really worried about Djourou though, he seems to really have gone backwards. Im not sure if its a confidence issue or what?
Eman.

If you wanna watch there was free streaming on al-jazeera yesteday (good quality), hopefully they'll do it again today. Shame about the outcome but better that happens now than in 3 months. May be the push AW needs to buy 1 or 2 CBs.

31 Jul 2011 13:24:47
How would it go down if Mata signs for Tottenham?
Would it be the last straw for many gooners?
LincolnGooner

Mata says he'd rather stay at Valencia than join tottenham according to hunter. Arsenal or another CL club are the only ones he'd move to
Mhc503

There will NEVER be a last straw. Arsenal for life not just for xmas .

Been said many times, he won't- his father/agent has already said so- he wants to play cl football. forget about the spuds

31 Jul 2011 12:03:55
Hi Eds, I wondered what your thoughts are on the prospect of Nasri leaving this summer? I ask because it would appear that we are 'desperate' to hold onto him but I really feel we simply don't need him at all.

He has been below average since xmas, and he has been arguably our second most ineffective player in pre-season behind Chamakh (discounting our usual defensive comments). For me he looks like the he's got the face that brings the team spirit down (sulky), he isn't performing and he certainly isn't consistently brilliant. We are full to the brim with attacking mids, if we consider the younger prospects who are quality as well - Arshavin, Wilshere, Diaby, Ramsey, Lansbury, Rosicky, Miyaichi, Walcott, and if Mata did come....

I would rather he was sold now, get his miserable ass out of the club, I genuinely see very little in standard between his performances and Denilson's sometimes, but I feel because it's 'Samir Nasri, Superstar' this is being overlooked.

Would be nice to hear people's thoughts - no rudeness though please.

Raz {Ed002's Note - Once Fabregas goes I suspect an effort will be made to get Nasri to stay.}

As in, what would you like to happen? I know that is the general consensus but for me he hasn't stood out once since xmas, and certainly not in pre-season, and at any rate seems incapable of coming anywhere near close to filling Fab's boots. Wilshere and Rambo though? Well...

So was looking to see what people think about Nasri going? I for one would not mind at all.

Totally agree i think a harder line with cesc until at least he is entering his final year and sell nasri even for a cheap price (18m) to get rid - sulkyness will cost us points we can not be carrying passengers in this team

"No rudeness please" No chance, you're a know-nothing muppet, you denigrate the the best player we have in the squad, the player that gave his all and led by example last season, unlike Cesc who a lot of the time really didn't seem too bothered. Cesc should have gone by now and you are basing your fatuous comments on how you think Nasri looks in pre-season and a bunch of b*llocks written in the press. Plum

Actually mate I couldn't give a toss about the press which is why I come on here. If you can tell me one good game Nasri had since Christmas then be my guest, I'm calling it the way and some others see it. Talented? Undoubtedly. Consistent? Certainly not. There hasn't be one moment worthy of mention from Nasri in the last 6 months, and I'd suggest you remove your rose-tinted goggles and stop basing your version of events and current necessity for him being in the squad on what he did for half a season out of 3. I see way more threat from Arshavin and he gets nothing but slated... I guess sometimes you just can't win when trying to have a discussion with 'fellow' Gooners. You can't put a price on a good team vibe and Nasri looks happy to drag it down too.

Best player in our squad = Wilshere. Nasri? Not quite. Wilshere and RVP then Nasri so keep words like 'denigrate' on the downlow.

You and your comments are laughable.

After seeing Wilshere yesterday I agree that we dont even need Nasri that much. I would like to see him stay, but if he wants to leave then let him.

If he and Fabs went and Wenger bought Mata and someone like Biglia, then we can choose between Biglia/Song/Frimpong to hold, Wilshere/Ramsey just ahead and Mata/Gerv/Walcott/Arshavin for wide positions. Then there's Rosicky & Diaby for squad depth, and hopefully Miyaichi. It seems less glamorous without Fabs and Nas but could still be a very strong midfield.

Head in the clouds ... no longer wants to be here... easily replaceable...
just a few things that come to mind re nasri...

The Night Doctor..

Ok thanks all. Interesting to see a variety of opinions. Shame some people can't give them without being c**ts.

Ha You slag someone off, ask people for their opinion and not to be rude and sign-off in the manner you did when someone tells you different. As I said in the first place; you know nothing. I bet your mum is well proud of you.

31 Jul 2011 12:22:01
Gervinho wore the number 22 shirt for the Emirates Cup yesterday. Now I may be looking too far into this, but it could mean:

1. Gervinho is going to be more of a winger, or play behind the striker, rather than being the main man in attack.

2. Another striker is being targeted to be the new number 9, perhaps someone like Benzema, Falcao etc

3. I am looking far into this, and that I am just being hopeful that we bring in another striker.

A deadly striker to come in like Benzema would be a fantastic signing, as we need that deadly goal poacher up front, which we have lacked since Henry, but, the most important area is obviously defense, 1 or 2 CB's are a must Jagielka, Cahill, Samba, Vertonghen, Sakho etc any of them would be great additions. If Mata comes in, then Fabregas can go (maybe even Nasri but hopefully not) as we will have enough quality in the team, and if Gervinho does play in the wing position along with are back up players, we should be fine. A new LB, a back up keeper, and a back up CDM aren't urgent but would be much appreciated.

I think Sahko showed yesterday that he is good but not what we need sadly. I don't think there's too much to read into over the shirts but you never know. Thought Falcao was 30m or so? Doubtful. Would be nice to see another striker, but the thing is AW looks set to always play RVP as the lone, which is annoying as I thought Walcott was going to be brought into the centre and we'd go 433. Yday Gerv was roaming all over the place so god knows what's going on

Maybe mata would be number 9 if he signs?

Arsenal have said that the numbers worn during this competition mean nothing as squad numbers are yet to be sorted....

Numbers don't really mean anything these days, if a number is available that a player wants they can have it.

Current squad number are not official yet so best wait until club photo before conformation will be sent to FA then buy your shirts

I did not think sahko was anything special. i would sell nasri why keep him - you really want to poor 20m down the drain when we are a club without funds to compete providing this money is really available for wneger fine but if all it wil do is pay off debt or go to silent stan then maybe keep nasri but i can not help t

i think nasri has twigged i leave now and get 130-150k week at city / united, i leave it 12 months and either/or get a big fat signing on fee and 200k a week so i am better off financially waiting it is not because he wants to be at arsenal and that is destructive and selfish and wenger is being hood winked

Gervinho will probably wear 27 next season anyway when eboue leaves, as that is his favoured number

31 Jul 2011 10:27:07
Now Graham hunter is saying that spuds offer was a good one that Valencia liked, but the player didn't.

GoonerGooner

31 Jul 2011 10:01:15
Graham Hunter is also now saying the Mata is done. The player is ours. Two Spainished based reports can't be wrong.

GoonerGooner

Believe it when it when its on arsenal.com

If that's the case why do you bother visiting a site such as this, my friend ?

You have to have faith.

GoonerGooner

I still think that the Mata deal depends on Fabregas going to Barca.Unfortunately Barca have the upper hand on this deal, because they know he wants to go back to them.Hopefully I'm completely wrong about this and Mata becomes an Arsenal player very soon, and perhaps Fab might decide to play alongside his fellow countryman for the gunners.instead of on the bench for Barca.

Live in hope thats why, my friend

Two spanish based reports can be wrong.....

31 Jul 2011 06:58:55
The word from guillem balague from an article he has written today is the Mata is ours.

GoonerGooner {Ed002's Note - At least proofread translations please - Juan Bush!}

Hey man, I'm not going to change the translation made. It is what it is.

GoonerGooner

Ed - if you use Babel fish then translate Mata from Spanish into English it comes up with 'bush' so it is correct. Sorry I was sad enough to do it. :) {Ed002's Note - I appreciate that is the translation, I was suggesting that you proofread it afterwards.}

31 Jul 2011 00:42:35
The reason Mata has not signed yet and might not even join is because Wenger is waiting for the sagas of Nasri and Fabregas to reach a climax; no ''big moves'' (if any) will happen until the future's of the two are resolved. Wenger said that he'll move for ''a replacement'' (Mata) if Fabregas AND Nasri leave. He didn't mention what he'd do if only one left, which is worrying. He might not bother replacing if only one of the two leaves. Wenger must set deadlines on deals and sales; the season is approaching and we are faffing around. Either way I expect the club to be different in 10 days, one way or the other.

Ben

Dear Ben
Mata if he comes will be replacement for Arshavin who might go to Turkey.
If Fabregas leave wich I doubt, AW will sign Mata, Gourcouff&Benzema istead of Bendtner&Arshavin. RVP will play LW (sometimes central ST) Mata will be his back up on LW. If Nasri leaves expect Diego.
Doc

Really frustrated with Wenger here. If Nasri won't resign, we really have to sell him now. Let him go to City if we have to, he'll realize his mistake soon enough and be miserable there like many others. Mata is a upgrade in the LW spot imo. Sure Nasri has massive potential but its clearly not his best position, and if he wants to person us about then he can leave. We have more power in terms of the Cesc transfer due to his length of contract, and he's more important to how we play.

In all fairness id love to see mata come in asap as i personally dont think fab will leave this year and nasri once mata is here will sign another contract. would love to say benz will come too but i really dont think he will leave madrid this year. not claiming to have a source or anything. just the way i see things panning out.

I agree on nasri better to sell him his mind will not be all there if he does not sign and contract and i think this is also financially irresponsible, he will leave for free and then be told there are no transfer funds next summer you can see it now. so i would sell now to be honest to either city who have integrated or got the best out of few of their big signings (de jong, tevez and silva), even for united he is not a scholes type replacement and will be fighting the wide places with young, nani and valencia good luck. i also believe he can not play the cesc role as others seem to think.

so sell nasri buy mata and at least 1 cb (would love 2 as djourou is worrying me, kos is ok, scqullaci no comment)

out: nasri (20m), eboue (4m), bendtner (9m), almunia (1m), scquillaci (2m), vela (5m) = 41m + 35m budget = 76m
in: gervinho (11m done), jenkinson (1m done) mata (18m), cb (jags/cahill) (16m) = spent 46m , 30m still left

possible deals: only lb if we sell/loan traore (baines would be 12-15m and doubtful if we get jags or enrique (8m), hazard (20m) (if arshavin goes = 14m), lukaku (20m) (or benzema (25m)) so based on having only 30m left over from above unless arshavin goes could only see 1 of deals happening if arshavin goes then 2 (hazard and a fwd, see wenger holding off on a lb)

for cesc we can dig our heels in a bit more and

31 Jul 2011 00:25:24
On the subject of Juan Mata, obviously he would be an amazing signing and just the sort of maurqee signing us arsenal fans are crying our for. But i personally don't think he is that needed unless we lose both nasri and cesc. i honest believe nasri will stay this season. Today at the emirates cup we looked great going forward as per usual, but again our cb we're horrible. A cb or 2 is far more important than Mata or Benzema

Tell it like it is.

I totally agree. jags and cahill in then we'd have 4 top quality cb. if AW would stretch then maybe enrique but wouldnt hold my breathe.

Agreed. I'd love to see Mata sign for us but there is no major necessity. We are full to the brim with attack-minded mids and the two key problems we still have are that we don't seem to ever shoot from the edge of the box ( I counted at least 5 'SHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT's yday that didn't happen) and our second string defence is AWFUL. If Frimpong discovers he's got a rocket on him then that's great but we need to sign at least one cb. Kos is looking better and better though. Squillaci and Djourou need to make way for Miquel and Bartley, the latter whom, despite varying opinions, surely can't be any worse