Arsenal Rumours Archive January 05 2013

 

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05 Jan 2013 22:18:48
Arsenal have made a £13.8 million bid for david villa, as confirmed by ESPN. Also, wanyama offered to us, by celtic? These could both be fantastic deals, wanyama is amazing, and only 21, whereas villa would be good for the improvement of the ox, walcott etc. what's your views ED? {Ed013's Note - If Arsenal can find the right way to use him, he will be a great signing. I would play him with Walcott up front}

Believable45 Unbelievable16

I highly doubt Celtic would offer Wanyama around clubs especially when the have champs league next month - undoubtedly his agent be putting stories out. No doubt he will move on from Celtic but no way are they offering him to clubs. Steveomac

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I posted the rumour about wanyama offered to us, by celtic? and got a load of unbelievable clicks did you read the same thing I did lol

Bryan

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Wenger spending that money on a 31 year old doesnt make sense, what happened to the one year rolling contract for players over 30.

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Celtic looking to off load their best player while still in thd champions league.....rubbish.....

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As an arsenal supporter, but a Celtic fan first, i can categorically guarantee you we did not OFFER Wanyama to Arsenal. Arsenal is were I hope he will end up as I think he will be quality but we made like £15m off champs league and are set to make more with last 16 tie. We are in no rush to sell any of our best players especially with Juve round the corner although i do hope arsenal bid a large sum for him in the summer and both the teams i follow will be winners.

Jaiza1967

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Can't find where this was confirmed by ESPN. I saw that they said that the tabloids have suggested we are in for Villa, but nowhere do they confirm that we have made a bid or suggest any figure for a deal. This is on the website anyway. Did they confirm it on ESPN Press Pass? Hopefully our first piece of incoming business is concluded soon.

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05 Jan 2013 20:07:52
hmm strange stuff floating around edd arsenal interest in wanyama hered he has been offered to us sounds like agent pushing rumors

Believable47 Unbelievable7

Sounds like they are trying to russle up some interest before selling at an inflated price to Man U.

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06 Jan 2013 08:05:24
sounds likely Arsene could be using this to keep down Mvilla transfer too maybe? cause we all know if wass Arsene choice it will always be cheapest player

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05 Jan 2013 18:47:44
I truely don't understand the Theo interest. Take away the space for him to run into and he is basically played out of the game. Ok I know he got a hat trick against Newcastle however they were tired and leaving alot of space. Play against a team that rush us and dont leave any space and he's useless. I have no idea whom we will go for in January, if anyone at all but I feel we need a spine within the team again. Center back, a strong holding midfield general and a top quality out and out striker

Believable39 Unbelievable11

It doesn't matter what Walcott looks like on the pitch, he has 14 goals and 10 assists.
Not many players in Europe with stats like that.

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I agree we need a spine in the team and I also have the answer.

Lars Bender. Quality player all around. Good passer, great awareness, great work ethic, great stamina, and just great overall attitude. He isn't a player who will drastically improve from his current self (not that he needs to, he's already a consistent German international), but he is extremely reliable and mentally he is exactly what we need in the team.

There are some rumours going around about Arsenal's interest in him and I just pray they're true.

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I really think it is time to call time on Walcott and show him the door and in the name of reason take Ramsey with him.

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A team plays to deep to counter act walcott, leaving space for santi to run the game podolski and ox will be picked out arsenal win. teams lead a high line to take out the threat of santi walcott will punish on the break its a team game need several weapons to take on several opponents

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It people like you who put doubt in Theo wanting to stay. He is easily our best striker. I have no idea why Arsenal fans do not like him. He creeates and scores and without him this year we would be in the bottom half of the Prem. He also creates 80% of Giroud's goals
Chess

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Didn't have a lot of space for that third goal did he?

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05 Jan 2013 18:43:03
I for one would be thrilled if we signed David Villa. Hes still quality, great finishing and passing, ready made for Arsenal. We seriously need reinforcements. He would be 3x better sub than Gervinhio or Chamahk. I would rather a loan than a buy but still great to have him. I hope we really have approached him and interest is genuine.

Detroit Gooner

Believable37 Unbelievable12

Friend of mine in Spain, Antonio Doves, says there's loads of talk out there that Villa will end up in England in this window. Arsenal are his preferred club as he wants to live in London and play Champions League.

Donald Stewart

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Nothing will happen until Walcott situation is resolved. Also a smoke screen for Lopez.

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I like Villa. Hes old, but hes still very class. I would love it if he came.

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05 Jan 2013 18:25:01
Ed, in your opinion right now, who do you think are the most likely arsenal signings?

Yorkshire Gooner {Ed002's Note - Most likely is tough to answer, but if I were to stick my neck out and give my opinion, perhaps Adrian Lopez, Walcott and M'Vila.}

Believable28 Unbelievable1

Lopez, Theo, M'Vila plus a left back and central defender and I am very happy

SY4

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Ed thank you for your in put
welsh gooner

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05 Jan 2013 18:08:53
I think we should break the bank and go for Sanchez from Braca because he is not happy because he isn't beig involved enough with the new manager. He would cost a lot but he is a proved finisher, quick and maybe Fab can put a good word in.

Little Gooner {Ed002's Note - Attempts to buy Sanchez in the summer were met by a 40M euro asking price although I suspect 30M will be nearer to what will be paid next summer for him. Juventus have very clear targets and a significant budget to buy a player to play off their main striker. They have identified three possible players - Sanchez is one, and perhaps the most likely one.}

Believable8 Unbelievable15

Arsenal can afford any transfer fee slapped on a player. The problem with Arsenal is that they don't wanna entertain £100K + wage demands.

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Dont need someone who dives more than Bale on this team.

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05 Jan 2013 18:06:59
Ed is true arsenal have bidded 17million pounds for barcelona's david villa {Ed002's Note - Arsenal are certainly interested in David Villa but I am not aware of any specifics of any bid at this time.}

Believable10 Unbelievable12

05 Jan 2013 17:48:50
I work for the Colorado Rapids in MLS and just heard through some league connections that Arsenal is close to agreeing the transfer of CJ Sapong from Sporting Kansas City for about 3 million pounds. I'm not in the know or anything but it seems plausible because he is young with plenty of potential. Not sure if he's Arsenal quality though.

Colorado Gooner

Believable9 Unbelievable31

He is definitely worth a shot. Low wage demands. Cheap transfer and loads of potential.

Got to be better than forking out stupid money for another flop.

Purchase

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I read this this morning too

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He's 25, no spring chicken, i say by that sort of age you know if somebody's good or not and this guy has a poor goal scoring record in a very poor league

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If this were to materialize, how would Sapong's lack of experience with the USMNT affect his ability to secure a work-permit? Clearly not an extreme talent to merit special consideration...

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05 Jan 2013 17:25:26
Hi ed,
Is there still interest in Gourcuff at Lyon, I know we are always linked to him but is it a possible move?

Thanks EJT97 {Ed002's Note - Not right now.}

Believable4 Unbelievable14

05 Jan 2013 16:55:38
Here's my issue with the David Villa rumour.

David Villa will get you goal, regardless of his age, fitness, past injuries, Villa will get you a goal.
He has superb finishing, great movement and works hard.
He's still a top player at 31.

My issue, is it good business?
Yes, that's a Wenger thing to say, and yes, I should be pleased we're (allegedly) going for a relativity "big" signing.
But I look at Villa, and £16m for a 31 year old, with questionable fitness records is poor business, add into it the unreliability of our physio team, how much playing time will we really get out of him?

My next issue is position.
At Valencia he played as an out and out striker, he was the big deal, the free kick taker, penalty taker and the captain.

At Barca he's been made to play LW, as Barca don't do "conventional" strikers.
He did well there in his initial season, but since then (injury allowing) his form has been hit and miss.
We're looking to offload Arshavin, a 31 year old CAM we made into a LW, because he isn't performing well enough, and we may replace him with what would be our record signing (or near enough) to play a Striker, on the LW, where he doesn't perform well.
Absolutely no logic to that at all.
The other option, brining him in to play as a striker, either means Theo is definitely leaving, or Wenger wants three strikers, in which case, why not rotate Podolski, Giroud and Walcott?

Villa isn't happening in my eyes, and I'm not overly fussed about it.

If he is joining, then Theo's leaving.
But I think if anything, Wenger is using "interest" in Villa as a screen for someone else.


D

Believable35 Unbelievable10

It's a screen for Adrian

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Good post.....age and cost is still a issue....

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Spot on
NI Gunner

PS I would still love him in an arsenal shirt

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Cheers for the replies guys.

N.i gunner, me too man, but due to age, it definetley has to be at the right price.


D

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Shava plays and has done 4 years lw for russia stop talking nonsense we didnt make him lw

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05 Jan 2013 15:14:33
I've got this suspicion that Villa will come. All the extra wages being offloaded, and no one else thinking of a 31 year old who can give us 3 years before Theo hits prime age. Villa is Spain highest ever goalscorer - he's as good as RVP, with the Euro Cup, and the World Cup. It's a no brainer at 26 million

Baggins

Believable14 Unbelievable26

Apparently barcelonas asking price is 16 million not 26 million and i think walcott is ready now

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Walcott aint good enough as we will see against swansea.

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Raul is spain's top ever goal scorer!!


KAY9

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NO your right villa is top spanish goal scorer 100% my bad

KAY9

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05 Jan 2013 14:42:11
Ed, can we talk about players that haven't been linked with the club. Half the time, people mention names and none of them ever come. Is there any chance that we will see Pepe Reina, Michu or Marouane Fellaini. Possibly, even Remy Cabella.

Miniyorkgunner {Ed002's Note - I would not expect Liverpool to sell Reina in January. An approach for Michu by another club resulted in a very high valuation - so no. Fellaini I would very much doubt. Cabella continues to interest from a number of clubs including Arsenal but the summer seems a more likely time for a move.}

Believable8 Unbelievable4

05 Jan 2013 14:41:56
Ed, is there any other news on players leaving the club, now that Djourou and Chamakh have gone out on loan.

Thanks.

JH. {Ed002's Note - I expect Arshavin to leave, and perhaps Rosicky.}

Believable11 Unbelievable1

05 Jan 2013 14:21:27
Ed any truth in David villa rumours?
Cheers {Ed002's Note - Please RTP.}

Believable3 Unbelievable8

Haha Ed I believe the correct response to that is RTFP. No need to be so polite when 90% of what is on this page is about Villa ATM

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05 Jan 2013 14:31:48
Arsenal using Villa as leverage to help land another striker.

Believable30 Unbelievable5

05 Jan 2013 13:53:43
Djourou has been loaned to Hannover 96.

While Theo looks set to stay and either Villa or Lopez will join.

Believable17 Unbelievable4

I can honestly see Walcott going and the reason Wenger is chasing Villa is so there is no backlash from the fans.

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We need both strikers.

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05 Jan 2013 13:24:37
Some West Ham fans are already slating Chamakh, I have to say I really hope he does well there and finds his form. He did seem to work very hard when he was given the chance and lets face it the better he plays for them the more chance we have of selling him on - win / win

337

Believable31 Unbelievable4

The first slate was the owners 11 year old son, ouch.

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The guy has a lot to offer just hasn't worked out for him at Arsenal.

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Saw that, bet he's grounded!

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If Chamakh can pick up his form from Bordeaux, he's way too good for West Ham so who knows.

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He'll do well in fat sam's long ball team i think, arsenal pass on the ground too much for chamakh

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05 Jan 2013 13:23:43
djourou's gone. i said i'm 99% sure wanyama or m'biwa will now be signed. but may i add m'vila to that list now. thought he was out of the picture because he could have been ours in the summer. i'm still a little surprised we're being linked with him to be honest but i'm curious to see how he'd do if we sign him.

m'vila, wanyama or m'biwa. if not i'll be furious!

by the way which one of these three would people want? i have to say m'biwa impressed me big time as both cb and a dm.

iceman

Believable12 Unbelievable16

No wonder other club's fans say we (arsenal) fans are spoilt....ppl like to bandy these names of players around as if they are playing fifa12...no concept of planning, negotiation, finance involved in paying for players etc...

To say you'll be furious is a bit dramatic non?
I would interested to see wanayama or Capoue personally

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If Celtic sell Wanyama it will be to Utd.

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I think we'll get the player that can cover CDM and CB - particularly if squilicci goes too (we'll be short of centre back cover).

Like you, I'd be surprised we don't get a cdm in this window.

Of the 3, I'd get m'biwa.

Andy

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Well i'm furious if we let djourou go on loan and don't replace him. we have 3 pl proven cb's now. if wanting another one is being spoilt then so be it.

iceman

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Guy's M'vila was a top player 2 years ago. Unfortunately his level has considerably dropped. Even worse, he's became a party animal and act like he's the king. So no one seems to want him anymore beside Russian clubs. We do not want that kind of guy at the Emirates...

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05 Jan 2013 13:09:19
Djourou has completed a loan move to Hannover for the rest of the season, that'll free up some wages- about a third of a top striker/winger's pay.

Djourou signed a 5 year deal in Feb 2012, I just don't understand why! The decision making at our club is so strange, I'm sure Ramsey will be sold soon- and he's only just signed a deal.

Paul

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Though i agree that it's ridiculous to sign a player like Djourou to such a long contract, it gives us the power when we want to sell him. The more time on a contract the more money we can get. Say Djourou would have got more playing time and found a good bit of form, we could see him for a decent price. unfortunately that didnt happen. sometimes clubs sign players to long term contracts with a sale already in their minds.

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Lets hope he is sold he awful

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It adds to there value if they have a longer contract ! that is the only reason we done exactly the same thing when we sold Eduardo !

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Djourou didn't sign a new deal, he used an option which became available when he played certain amount of games.

iceman

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Ramsey sold would be a dream come true. That guy is the worst player the Gunners have ever seen.

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05 Jan 2013 13:04:25
thank god it looks like Johan Djourou has gone to germany, long may it last

Bryan

Believable12 Unbelievable3

05 Jan 2013 13:00:49
givemefootball are suggesting we have been offered Victor Wanyama from Celtic they say he has been touted to a few teams but not Man utd

Bryan

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05 Jan 2013 12:51:14
Convinced Chelsea are piggy backing on Arsenal transfer targets. They wait for us to identify a talent then simply out bid us on price and salary = Mata, Cahill, Hazard and now Ba.

Believable27 Unbelievable16

Or maybe because we are European Champions and win things...

PR!

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These players were not hidden gems but well known players playing in top leagues......

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I think you will find they have their own scouting network. When a top player becomes available their agent(s) will offer them around to the highest bidder, it's their job!

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When was cahill and ba our target?

Ba was in the summer, but wenger said he is too similar to giroud and we opted for giroud because of ba knee situation.

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Spuds and Man City are doing this too!

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Identify a talent? Mata and Hazard were known to all big clubs as top players for several years before making their moves. Yes, AFC were tracking them but do you think they were the only ones? And identifying Ba as a talent?! You only had to watch his goals on MOTD to do that!

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But that happens with every1 tbh

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Mata had a buy out clause of around 17m Euros that AW wouldn't meet. Chelsea paid around 24m after the clause ran out, Typical AW.

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05 Jan 2013 12:43:47
Players coming in January will be Mvila, Lopez, and Villa....Howedes to join in the summer as he will not sign a new contract at Schalke, however he will want to see out their CL campaign.

Wengers comments that the talent is coming from Spain and Germany suggest that transfer dealings will come from those leagues with the exception of Mvila.

Project Arsenel

Believable14 Unbelievable15

I would love all of these signings..
Its important we do keep walcott and sagna tho

wg

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05 Jan 2013 12:22:19
can someone explain why david villa is going for 15m? He is 31, THIRTY ONE! And he cant get into the barca team atm at all and fair enough, he is competing with the best in the world, but why would anyone risk 15m on an injury-prone, 31 year old striker, no matter how good he used to be?

Believable15 Unbelievable12

He is still a world class player being kept out of the best team in the world by the best player in the world (Messi).

Did'nt we sell an injury prone player at almost 30 who had spent 7 out of 8 seasons on the physio table for 24m and he gets paid 200k+ per week.

I'm no mathematition but it looks like Villa will cost almost half as much in fee and wages, and he is not in his last year of his contract, plus he is only a year older than rvp and he has only had the one injury.

Would you like any more explanation?

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It's meant to be 6-8million that he will go for which is still high but if he keeps us in the top 4 then it would be a bargain.

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I dont understand why people are complaining so much! The same fans that scream for high profile signings are the same ones that seem to be more picky than even Wenger!
Look. Villa just turned 21 a month ago. He is not injury prone. Last years injury was the first major injury of his entire career. He recovered from the injury faster than usual with no signs of relapse. his form has been good since returning from injury also. He is still a world class player that will still be at top level for another 2-3 season at least. Even if he could only give us 2 seasons, they would be two seasons that would help us substantially! his talent could almost assure us a top 4 finish and put us in the title race next year. Even if he is a short term fix, we have the money. he would boost our squad and give us plenty of time to add other quality signings.

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Coz hes better than anybody we have so it kinda makes sense

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Injury prone? he's had 1 bad injury...he's back and has been healthy...how does that make him injury prone.

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Look at Utd. They spent 24 million on a 30 year old with glass ankles.

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05 Jan 2013 12:14:46
Walcott has held 'positive talks' with Arsenal and is expected to sign a £90,000 per-week deal which might rise to over £100,000 per-week factoring in bonuses.

AustrianGunner

Believable18 Unbelievable6

If there is truth to the Villa & Lopez rumours...then for sure Walcott is gone. It's the same modus operandi as the RVP saga.....bring in the replacements, then sell the player.


North Carolina Gooner.

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05 Jan 2013 12:12:17
This is in my mind the best we can realistically hope for:
Adrian Lopez 13.5 million.
M'Vila 12 million
Shaw 7 million.
Provided we shift Seb Squil and Djourou a new CB around 5-10 mil.
Outs:
Squillaci
Djourou
Chamakh
Arshavin

I would take it.
BW

Believable18 Unbelievable4

M'biwa :) {Ed002's Note - Mbiwa had been of serious interest to AC Milan, Lille and Fenerbahce but having signed a new deal at Montpellier they will not be looking to sell in January unless a significant offer were made and Montpellier may then look to start an auction. The summer may see further interest from Milan and both Chelsea and Arsenal may bid for Mbiwa.}

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Seems a bit optomistic for arsenal tbh

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05 Jan 2013 12:07:25
I understand that Lopez and Shaw are the 2 main targets but there are caveats. Lopez is the primary target but Arsenal may wait until the summer for Luke Shaw

Probably time for Arsenal fans to look at the evidence out there, especially the comments from Arsene and then moderate expectations. Arsene has made it clear that he intends to resist pressure from the club, fans and media and will not be forced into spending money just to appease others.

Whatever fans think, I understand that Arsene remains interested in Stewart Downing - a good signing; most fans are wrong on this - but Arsene will not spend £10 million on him. Expect Arsene to move for Downing when his contract runs down further.

We all know how stubborn Wenger can be. It looks like no more than 4 signings in January, more likely one or two. Those players are Lopez and Shaw, as discussed but also Zaha and an interest in Villa on loan.

We need to be realistic and forget extravagant expenditure

Believable9 Unbelievable7

If he go's for downing, i will shoot myself

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05 Jan 2013 11:58:22
Wenger has apparently shown interest in pastore from Psg

Ed have you heard anything on this as u seem to be a man in the know!

Pat rice {Ed002's Note - Not at all.}

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05 Jan 2013 11:24:15
Gutted, but i think Theo might be off to Chelsea and think it has been in the pipeline for a while. when they beat us 2-1 at home he was seen shaking hands not only with the English boys on the chelsea bench but everybody else also. If we are going for Villa he will obviously play through the middle so we are going to lose a young English talent who is only going to get better and better for a 31 year old who will only be a short term fix. Our transfer policy stinks and we are left behind in every window. I still do not who to blame but as a season ticket holder I feel we should be building a team for the future and Theo should be part of it, his performance against Newcastle was first class!

Believable17 Unbelievable24

Absolutely noone said that Theo will leave, not even the media! Don't believe everything you hear from some boring persons!

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WOW! A player shaking hands with the opposition after a match, that's hard evidence of him preempting a move to our London rivals. Chelsea may be interested but Theo will be staying. Not sure why all these fantasy rumours have to be negative. Why not make up nice stories instead!

GibGooner

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Theo might go, but no way it will b chelsea. He has torres and ba playingthe striker role, while they have Hazard, Moses etc who can play on the right.

If united get Zaha, they wont need him

City dont have room for him

So unless he wants Liverpool lol...or overseas he aint going anywhere

Marty

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Normally you do shake hands at the end of a match
89'gooner

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I'd be a lot more upset if Jack wiltshere had decided to sling his hook.walcott if he was half the player Rooney is I could understand your comments. The truth is he's nothing special and not fit to be mentioned in the same breath as Henry.
If he does go Stuff him/

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05 Jan 2013 10:55:03
David Villa has pleaded Barcelona to let him to move to Arsenal in a £15M move as he wants to end his career playing in England.

Believable23 Unbelievable19

Villa has got bags of quality

He'd be a great signing

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Great player with quality

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05 Jan 2013 09:54:59
Not sure I understand these David Villa reports. To my mind, he'd only come if Theo leaves. I see Villa wanting to play on the right, nor would Theo sign a new contract and play on the right.

Is Villa's overall game good enough to play in Santi's position? I don't know.

I've always backed Arsene - even I would be very disappointed if we don't get that DCM we know we all need. It's early days yet, just hope we do the right thing this transfer window with the CDM.

Andy

Believable12 Unbelievable7

Bugger just realised Nick said the same thing, Sorry Nick, Genuinely good idea though

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05 Jan 2013 09:53:30
Hi Ed can you confirm that Arsenal are finalising a deal for David Villa? {Ed002's Note - I can confirm there is interest - nothing more.}

Believable14 Unbelievable4

He's got a lot of quality that's what we're lacking

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I'd consider a loan deal until the end of the season, of course barca would have to pay the majority of his wages. Though this could be yet again a temporary solution to a problem we've needed since Henry left. I think any money should be invested in subtly taking over Sega FM and Fifa Footbal franchises in order to make the Arsenal the best virtual team ever. I should hazard a guess that it would placate a certain section of our supporters!

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05 Jan 2013 06:03:17
Does anyone else think, given his age, given the transfer fee, given the wages and given his injury record, that signing David villa is just a bit toooo risky?
AG {Ed002's Note - Given Villa has never wanted to play outside of Spain, is 30+ and no doubt be expensive in terms of insurance and wages, I am not so sure it would be a great move by any EPL club.}

Believable12 Unbelievable4

I beg to differ, if he is still the same player he was before his injury them I would love to have him! Finally buying a real world class player

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We need to take a risk on players! Man u did with RVP and look how that turned out...

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His injury record ??!!?? Have u even looked at it? he was injured once with a broken leg. and was out for 4 weeks all in all besides that! Besides his broken leg he was hardly injured. do some research before you write such b*

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Van persie was a injury risk for man u but its paying off, there is a few years left in villa he is a proven big game winner so why not.

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05 Jan 2013 08:03:00
why are so many ppl bleeting on about david villa he is a 31 year old diva coming back from a really bad injury dont get me wrong he is class but unfortunately we all get old and the english prem will be to demanding. for me yann m'villa or a dm in general would be priority but once agian our fringe players are causing problems (wages been the main)oh.... and theo sign or move on its simple you can play down the middle but then you want more cash make yer mind up son

Believable10 Unbelievable5

12 games 10 goals still class after the injury.

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05 Jan 2013 05:52:23
Although a lot has been said about Holtby, I have something to add.

1. Do you think the Juve's, Bayern's, Madrid's, Chelsea's, or Manchester clubs are concerned about not landing this German?

2. If you really think we are the same level as these clubs and I'm sure a lot of you think we are, you should not be too concerned.

We are looking for great talent who will immediately improve our situation, not squad players. Players of the pedigree of Jovetic or Sanchez. Perhaps he was on a shortlist, but he wasn't a primary target.

Young Gunner

Believable21 Unbelievable2

Well said mate

Billybob

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05 Jan 2013 16:55:39
Holtby at end of the season to Tottenham (free transfer)

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None of the big clubs were gutted to miss out on Michu but look what he achieved. It's not all about the stellar name.

In Arsene I Trust.

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05 Jan 2013 03:58:53
wow this site is getting busy with window shoppers and their rumours. good job eds particularly ed002 and ed027

Just wanted to make a point that there is a reason that the same players get linked to the same clubs, and the stories go around and around for long time: it is Player Power that dictates moves nowadays, the clubs have very little leverage.

Us Arsenal fans know better than most that forcing transfers in and out is too difficult these days, even with the relatively high fees and salaries we dish out. These "Brands" like Rooney even had the richest club in the world over a barrell, and they caved into his demands. na$ri obviously comes to mind for us, and we can actually take a little pride in the fact that we didn't roll over and take it from that whinging horrible little wuss. really it isn't going to change unless FFP restrict the obscene money the top clubs are paying out.

A player (and their parasitic agents) will decide to make themselves available, nowadays it can be with as much as 2 or even 3 seasons left on a contract, so they hold their club to ransom over a new improved contract, or refuse to sign, thus forcing their club to accept a reduced price, which leads to all the club and player prolonged negotiations with every club that could afford him, and they eek out the best possible deals.

Also in defence of players, transfers are big lifestyle changes; moving homes, families and schools, new languages, colleagues and freinds, contracts, new advertising deals, etc is a lot to take on, and many people say these infrastructure issues are what contribute to January transfers being a lot harder to complete and often more expensive. There is simply more time in the Summer window to sort out the details.

To say, "we should go for x" or "so and so joined them over us" or "we should get rid of him" is far too easy and fans need to remember that a highly paid & happy player who is on form somewhere else, particularly abroad, won't move to us unless he has decided he wants to move. When he does want to move, a top quality player prices himself out of a move to a reputable club like AFC who operate within their own generous standards.

Like politics, hate politicians. Love football. Hate footballers (with a few exceptions like DB10, TH14, TA6, PV4, IW8, JW10)

redgoon

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Nice points but there are no rumours here! Shouldn't this be in banter?

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Well said my friend - then add cost of living in London ( house prices ) and the 50% tax plus NI they pay plus there was a time recently when the euro made players and the UK expensive.

SY4

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05 Jan 2013 03:06:30
It could get worse before it gets better - "the right deals" may not be available, Theo may decide to run his contract down/be sold/get injured again, and therefore not see much game time - and over the 2nd half of the season, if he plays every game for West Ham - Chamack may well be Arsenal's top league goal scorer!

FFS it's insult to injury stuff

gunnerS

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05 Jan 2013 02:56:23
Wouldn't mind Villa on a 6 month loan, then maybe a permanent move at the end of the season.

I know he is in his twilight years, but he would add some serious quality to our team.

Negotiations shouldn't take too long, I mean we've had negotiations with them so many times we probably have their number on speed-dial.

Back on to the topic of serious quality, despite his wage demands, with the right negotiating I think we could get Wesley Sneijder.
Put him as CAM and push Cazorla out wide maybe?

Idk, all I know is, we could do with a big name signing like Sneijder.

Nick.

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05 Jan 2013 02:50:17
Other big clubs are targeting Falcao.

We are targeting the cheaper teammate Adrian Lopez.

Typical, says it all really.

Nick.

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Well if you have citeh and chelski wanting falcao too, there's no way you can compete with them. throw 40 million for falcao and both teams will happily throw in 10 more. they are just on another level come in transfer power

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04 Jan 2013 18:30:40
ed could you tell me of the situation concerning eric lamela. His contract expires in 2016 and according to gab marcotti he has been exceptional at Roma this season. Is there any interest in the player from Arsenal? Seems a shame that we have missed out on Ba and Holtby in a day when the combined transfer fee would have been 7.5mil and a pre contract, neither on particularly high wages, one nearing the top of the scoring charts in the prem, and the other one of the hottest properties in the bundesliga. Seems ridiculous when wenger has just come out and said that there is nobody on the transfer market that will help us win games hmmm

jg {Ed002's Note - Lamela has horribly complex ownership issues and would need a work permit - that will perhaps not be as easy to get as some imagine. One English club were interested but stepped away because of these complexities. I would not hold your breath about a move to Arsenal.}

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05 Jan 2013 00:33:31
David villa in London tomorrow for finalising his deal with arsenal only small details to be confirmed.

Total Gunner!!

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If it is true then arsenal will only be getting him because he is a name in the hope of getting a big name in the summer.

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Maybe to sign for QPR!

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05 Jan 2013 03:10:25
God knows its all there for us to see that we have too many players that want to play through the middle. I take you back to the likes of Pires, Overmars, Freddie and even Henry when he can down from the left wing. Gervinho is not a winger nor is Theo really. Rosicky, artea, carzola, jack, coquelin, ox, poldolski, frimpong, ashavin all want middle of the park roles.

If theo goes so be it, lets compliment carzola with villa who can cut in from the left and score and Jesus navas (right wing) where there was interest before.

We then have gervinho and the Ox for cover. With poldoski being played as a striker with Lopez or grouid.

And please please wenger let's try 442.

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Personally I would rather see the money spent else where, perhaps meeting Walcott's wages. What will we get out of villa? He's a class act for sure but being 31 we'll maybe get two seasons out of him if we're lucky, you guys think its worth it?

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05 Jan 2013 13:00:36
If Villa can give AFC 2.5 good seasons and produce what he's capable of then yes, he'd be worth it.

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05 Jan 2013 00:09:36
Arsenal bidding a club record fee for Jovetic. Close to £20m.

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04 Jan 2013 23:44:43
Reports from suggest arsenal have tabled a bid of 13.8million for David Villa are are willing to meet his 110k a week wage demands. Interest is still there in Adrian Lopez, Would be great if arsenal signed these two spanish players

Ads995

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04 Jan 2013 23:18:26
Arsenal are offloading players like chamakh, arshavin etc

To make way for David villa and for his wages

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