609 replies to this topic

[mikeford]

Needs:

At least one CB
another DCM
possibly another MF/Wing if Nasri leaves or Arshavin is shipped away
Striker, preferably tall
possibly a new LB if Clichy is shipped out
possibly a keeper?

Goodbye:
Denilson
Cesc?
Bendtner?
Squillaci?
Arshavin?
Nasri?
Clichy?


Looking forward to a full season of Aaron Ramsey. Please get Mamadou Sakho.

Edited by mikeford, 13 May 2012 - 02:40 PM.

[soxfan121]

Possibly a keeper? Possibly?

Unless Jens found the fountain of youth, I'd say finding a legitimate keeper is the biggest priority for the Gunners.

[mikeford]

People seem to think Woj Sczesny (I will never be able to spell his name) is good enough. Unless theyre gonna make a big splash for a top 5 in the world keeper like Buffon or Lloris, I don't see them bringing anyone in.

[MarkInLondon]

People seem to think Woj Sczesny (I will never be able to spell his name) is good enough. Unless theyre gonna make a big splash for a top 5 in the world keeper like Buffon or Lloris, I don't see them bringing anyone in.

He will be good enough in a couple of years time, but the defence Arsenal deplyed last season needed someone trustworthy with experience and a big mouth behind them, and unless they sign themselves a decent centre back with the same assets then they'll suffer again next season.

[mikeford]

He will be good enough in a couple of years time, but the defence Arsenal deplyed last season needed someone trustworthy with experience and a big mouth behind them, and unless they sign themselves a decent centre back with the same assets then they'll suffer again next season.

Well, keep in mind they played the entire season last year without their defensive leader, Thomas Vermaelen. He fits that rolls you speak of at CB. Which is not to say they don't need another quality CB, I certainly believe they do because Koscielny and Squillaci are not the answers. But he (Verm) was formerly that big mouthed CB directing traffic at the back.

[mikeford]

Barca offers Alacantra in Cesc swoop

43 mil + Alcantra? Sold.

[Toe Nash]

I think Sczezczcnzcnzcny is fine. Something like half the goals Arsenal allowed in league play were scored on set pieces. Having Vermaelaen back plus another CB with height is a much higher priority than keeper.

[mikeford]

Hey great, we signed a defender!

Whats that you say? He's a 19 year old from Finland?

Oh.

[ElUno20]

ESPN report days Samba is also on there list. I've always been a fan of him. He's a damn monster and I guarantee you he'd bring down those goals conceded from set piece numbers.

[mikeford]

We've been linked to him before, during the January window most recently.

At this point I'm beyond sick of transfer rumors since we're linked to everyone under the sun and anyone of value on the club is linked to someone else and leaving Arsenal so... until someone actually signs with us... not really bothering with thinking about it.

[ElUno20]

You want news? Mr. Glass has balls:

"They [Spain players] always go up to referees in an attempt to get an opponent booked. They are trying to screw colleagues! That kind of behaviour really annoys me," Van Persie told Sport 1.

"People who are watching the game on television and fans really do not want to see these kind of things. If you want to witness a lot of complaints, you should just go the bakery or something. There's always people nagging there as well.

"Chelsea players are always bitching against the referees. I really cannot understand that. Just shut the f*** up and focus on playing football."

And on the club-foot front....

"I have decided 100% that I must leave Arsenal," Club foottold sporten.dk. "I've considered this for a long time and was quite clear when I arrived at my
decision."

that's worth 9 points right there. addition by subtraction.

Edited by ElUno20, 09 June 2011 - 11:51 PM.

[MarkInLondon]

We've been linked to him before, during the January window most recently.

At this point I'm beyond sick of transfer rumors since we're linked to everyone under the sun and anyone of value on the club is linked to someone else and leaving Arsenal so... until someone actually signs with us... not really bothering with thinking about it.

Best you avoid all electronic media until early August then.

[JayMags71]

Well, this should make Mike and Sach happy:

Arsenal reject £27m bid from Barcelona for Cesc Fábregas

The Spanish club had been expected to make a renewed attempt to sign Fábregas, who began his career at Camp Nou, after having offers rejected last summer. It is anticipated that they will return with an improved bid but they have stated that they will not pay more than £35m for the midfielder.

Is there a price that is too good for Wenger to pass up? I think eventually this is going to reach the same point that Inter did with Ibrahimovic, and they sell to get 2-3 really good pieces.

But its just as likely I'm full of shit.

[Tony the Pony]

Seriously, though - Barcelona doesn't really need Fabregas.

Nice PR to get him back on Catalan soil. Good player to have in addition to Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets - but Barcelona would be out of their minds to break the bank for a player they really do not need.

After spending 35M on that Chilean from Udinese, my take is Barca is comfortable spending not much more than another 10M orso, barring the sale of their own players. Meanwhile Real Franco is spending loads again (Varane, Neymar)

[mikeford]

I mean, I've been on the "sell Fabregas if you can get 40 mil for him" train since the Barca shirt incident. I dont think you can effectively captain and lead a side if everyone on the planet knows you want to be somewhere else. That being said, 27 mil is not enough unless theyre gonna give us a player in return as well.

[ElUno20]

Ricardo Alvarez is the newest gunner

[mikeford]

In news that qualifies as actual news and not just transfer speculation BS thats never gonna come true, Arsenal finally unveiled their away kits today and I kinda like them cuz theyre really goddamn ugly.

[JayMags71]

In news that qualifies as actual news and not just transfer speculation BS thats never gonna come true, Arsenal finally unveiled their away kits today and I kinda like them cuz theyre really goddamn ugly.

I liked last year's kit better.

[mikeford]

Yeah, I bought one of last year's away kits (Verm) and might do the same with this year's but for entirely different reasons.

[hube]

So as of this afternoon it looks like Denilson's staying (vomit), Cesc is off to Barca, and Nasri and Clichy are headed to City.

What the hell is going on with this club?

[Spacemans Bong]

So as of this afternoon it looks like Denilson's staying (vomit), Cesc is off to Barca, and Nasri and Clichy are headed to City.

What the hell is going on with this club?

The board are out to lunch, nobody challenged Wenger for too long and so the rot's set in. Nobody seems to know what to do because the owner isn't telling anybody anything on top of that.

[teddykgb]

So clichy to my beloved man city is complete, what do I need to know? Doesn't seem like gunners fans are all that upset, but not happy to see him leave, either.

While I patiently wait for ltf to make this years city thread, you guys mind going over strengths and weaknesses? Suddenly city has 2 left backs and I doubt kolarov is interested in the bench, although he was average at best last season, mostly because city's attack relies on attacking full backs who can dribble and cross, will clichy fit t hat mold?

[mikeford]

Dribble, yes. Cross, no.

[ElUno20]

I'm not delusional about our lack of improvements over the year but the way these dickheads are leaving is real annoying. All this talk of silverware as if they weren't on the field these past years with the ability to do something about it.

[mikeford]

Sky Sports Italia reporting that Nasri is off to City for 23 million pounds.

[JayMags71]

Needs:

possibly another MF/Wing if Nasri leaves or Arshavin is shipped away

Here you go.

[mikeford]

Well, that is more for a Nasri replacement now, unfortunately.

[ElUno20]

Arsene came out and said he won't sell Nasri and he will fight to keep cesc.

[mikeford]

Yeah, Arsene commented yesterday that it was "better to keep Nasri for one more season and lose him on a free than sell him now".

I cannot say I agree with that assessment. Especially if the player is wanting to leave.


Cesc is signed for like another 5 years though, we could keep him that long pretty much no matter what. The real question is whether keeping a guy who's heart lies somewhere else is really positive for the team, no matter how good he is on the pitch. Having Cesc as captain while it is public knowledge that he wants to go to Barca has never sat well with me.


I dont imagine anything transfer-wise will happen during the Asia trip though, so we'll have to wait and see if Arsene is true to his word on this.

[ElUno20]

We signed young Costan Rican Joel Campbell. Not a huge signing but he played well in the copa

[mikeford]

Denilson loaned to Sao Paulo in Brazil

SO LONG ASSHOLE.

[ElUno20]

Addition by subtraction

[JayMags71]

Why all the hate?

[mikeford]

Well for one, he's fucking awful. For two, he threw the club under the bus and said he already made his decision to leave the club BEFORE LAST SEASON EVEN STARTED after this campaign ended.


Good riddance to a RUBBISH player, possibly the worst in England.

[No. 19]

While i agree that Denny was not fit to wear the shirt, it wouldnt be too tough to find a handful of players who are much, much worse than him

[soxfan121]

Should bolster the backline.

Edited by soxfan121, 29 July 2011 - 10:04 PM.

[No. 19]

couldn't be worse than Squillaci

[mikeford]

We seriously drew Boca Juniors today. At Emirates.


I don't even have words.

[ElUno20]

Where are the defenders? Jag? Samba?!

[CJChap]

Just a few minutes left in the match vs. Red Bull.

Death, taxes, and Arsenal pissing away a lead...

[sachmoney]

I don't even have words.

You'd have some choice words if you actually watched the games.

My problem more than anything is that no one is stepping up. Pre-season is the time to get in shape or make an impression. It's the one time where the young players get a chance to show what they can do. It gives the fringe players a chance to prove they've returned to form. I'm really not very impressed with anyone outside of Gervinho. Ramsey and Wilshere (hurt today, but said not to be seerious, we'll see) have looked good. Frimpong looks like a suitable back up for Song, like he did last year (as I called). Van Persie is Van Persie.

There are still a number of questions with the back line, in addition to Cesc and Nasri, which has been a distraction for Arsenal from getting a player that might actually help them win. Samba, Jagielka, and Cahill are the names I've heard. I think Cahill isn't going anywhere. It sounds like Wenger is going to play chicken with a transfer fee for all of these guys. I don't anticipate any moves until they happen/get serious.

Benfica next week in the last friendly, out in Portugal. Domestic season starts in 13 days. Somehow, I am not excited.

[twhan1978]

Generally, I'm on board with Arsene's transfer policy and honestly think that the squad is highly talented - talented enough to compete with ManU, Chelsea, 'Pool and the best of the upstarts. But at what point do we have to acknowledge that the "stepping up" problem is really an Arsene problem? This is one of the most physically talented but mentally and psychologically disabled teams, regardless of sport, I have ever seen. I love watching them play and appreciate the commitment to playing aesthetically pleasing football, but at some point there needs to be a commitment to winning.

It's easy to blame all of this on the defense (and we do, all the time), but there is a teamwide lack of commitment to closing out games. Arsene talks all the time about the team having "belief", but "belief" isn't enough - the team lacks WILL. I hope that guys like Wilshere and Ramsey will help the team toughen up mentally, because I seriously question whether anyone else on the team has the spine to do so.

[mikeford]

I'm pretty much pining all my hopes on Verm filling that role this season since he was gone all of last year.

[No. 19]

I'm amazed the fans at the emirates booed the team off the pitch after a draw in a FRIENDLY. I really wonder how different atmosphere around the club would be had Kos and Szcz not screwed the pooch in the CC final.

[soxfan121]

Forgive me - not a Gunners loyalist - but isn't the fans booing the team really more of an indictment of Arsene's recent form than the teams'? From the outside, and not being connected, it seems that he's grown stale and complacent and the fans know it. While they may be venting their spleen on Squillaci, isn't it more likely they are booing the guy who buys players like him, doesn't make moves to replace him and seems to be living exclusively off past glory?

[twhan1978]

I'm amazed the fans at the emirates booed the team off the pitch after a draw in a FRIENDLY. I really wonder how different atmosphere around the club would be had Kos and Szcz not screwed the pooch in the CC final.

It was the Carling Cup. So probably not that different.

Having Verm back will help, at least insofar as the backline should be better organized and more confident this year. That still doesn't address the need for the midfielders and forwards to toughen up and defend the whole pitch better at the end of games. When Arsenal get a lead, especially in the final few minutes, they don't close out the match - they survive it. We all know it, every other team in the Premiership knows it and the team itself looks like it knows it. Someone needs to instill some backbone into the players. That SHOULD be Wenger's job, but he seems to want to kvetch and moan about refereeing decisions and other teams' tendencies to play physical football against Arsenal more than he wants to mold his side into winners.

As I said in an earlier post, I'm totally on board with the transfer policy - I like cheering for a fiscally responsible team that wants to earn, not purchase, glory. I'm not on board with cheering for a team that bemoans its misfortune rather of working its tail off to change it. Over the last few years, Arsene's Arsenal have trended dangerously towards the latter.

Oh, and Sach, good to see you posting again.

Edited by twhan1978, 01 August 2011 - 12:49 PM.

[Terras]

Arsenal drew Udinese Calcio in the play-off round of the Champions League and is tentatively hosting the first leg August 16. I know dick about Serie A, but Udinese qualified for the Champions League on the last day of the season with a draw against Milan. Hopefully someone else has actually seen them play before and can tell me if this is the type of team that the Gunners should be shitting all over yet will make a close game nonetheless.

[sachmoney]

It looks like we're finally closing up a deal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

I question the timing of this deal. It's not going to go over well. More than anything, this team needs a player who can make an impact now. You have two of your three top players with their foot out the door. You have your best defender in the physio room. There are serious problems at the club right now and you're buying another kid on potential? I'm a fan of the deal, but I don't think it's in our best interests at the moment. It seems like the money that we'd get from Nasri and Cesc will be used to band aid positions of concern rather than to truly replace them. I've been trying to limit my exposure to Arsenal news because I honestly think we'll have a rough start to the season. The only things to look forward to based on preseason are Wilshere, Ramsey, and Gervinho. I don't know how long we can hold onto Van Persie when Nasri and Cesc are going.

[Lukiewerle]

Not sure why people are upset about the timing. They've been interested in him for some time, they got a deal done. Who cares when it happens? I understand there are far more pressing needs for the first team, but it shouldn't deter Arsenal from signing a quality player for the future just because the supporters want them to sign a defender first. You get a deal done when you can get a deal done.

Anyway, quality signing for the future especially considering the pending home grown status rules.

[Snakebauer007]

Not sure why people are upset about the timing. They've been interested in him for some time, they got a deal done. Who cares when it happens? I understand there are far more pressing needs for the first team, but it shouldn't deter Arsenal from signing a quality player for the future just because the supporters want them to sign a defender first. You get a deal done when you can get a deal done.

Anyway, quality signing for the future especially considering the pending home grown status rules.

For a team that doesnt spend a lot, why waste the 12 million and instead spend it where it is better needed?