Am I the only one who chuckled when we signed Podolski? I mean the signing at that time and of that grade of player didn’t just pull the carpet from those who love to criticise Arsenal’s transfer policy, it yanked it so hard that they were thrown in the air and silenced upon landing.
Wenger only signs kids………
…..can’t accuse him of that this summer.
Wenger hates spending money……
..…Looks a bit silly as Podolski was no bargain basement signing.
Wenger in last minute supermarket transfer dash…
……Not this time, Podolski: signed before the season ended.
Wenger never signs proven internationals…………lol.
I am sure you can think of quite a few more, but you can see the point I am making; this signing has crushed so many anti-Wengerites it still makes me chuckle.
But the signing of Podolski does bulge the lateral options available to Wenger to breaking point and in my opinion something or someone is going to have to give.
Podolski has not been signed to sit on the bench; he is going to have to play and by that I mean start.
Furthermore, Wenger can no longer expect Oxlade-Chamberlin to sit on the bench; he also has to start.
So that is two of the three offensive positions taken up, the other obviously being taken by van Persie and even if he leaves it does not change the fact that those two players above are going to expect to play.
That leaves Gervinho, Arshavin, Vela, and of course a certain Theo Walcott. Now, most of us expect that Arshavin and Vela will go but that still leaves Gervinho and Walcott, maybe Gervinho might accept some bench time but Theo?
Don’t think that the Ox will wait on the bench for his turn if and when Theo is not available as that could be the whole of the season, unlikely I know but it could be and if I was 18 and my name was Oxlade-Chamberlain I would be worried that the latter possibility might happen.
And besides the history tells us that Wenger will not leave out a young player who is ready for the first team: A Cole, Fàbregas, Walcott, Wilshere, Szczesny, you can probably think of others but the pattern is clear and the Ox will be playing.
So what are we going to do with Theo coming to the last year of his contract and looking as good as his is in these Euros?
Written by LB
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
[…] Something Has Got To Give. […]
Morning, LB wrote this article before it became apparent that the signing of Giroud was probably a done deal. Adding to Giroud to the attacking options makes the question posed even more relevant in terms of Theo’s future.
LB,I’ve been eyeing Podolski off a decent 18 months,so I did a bloody jig when we signed him.
Yes,in a small way,I was happy to see some people eat crow,but I genuinely think they guys a stars,and even now is underestimated by most.
The guy is a gun,and will prove it.
Giroud I know little of,but what I’ve seen shows a big,strong yet still highly skilled striker.
It’s looking very good so far.
a short but sweet post, good morning LB
Add Giroud to the mix and Wenger will have a welcome headache, nobody can complain about having options.
I hope Theo’s time isn’t up, neither will RVP.
Following the Rock Star is no easy task, I feel like a bloke with a pair of spoons for instuments trying to entertain the audience just after the Rolling Stones have left the stage but hey ho someone had to do it.
Morning all.
Morning Tommy
It is good to still see you around, I remember quite clearly that you were one of the first bloggers to start visiting this site regularly.
Morning all, pertinent questions raised by London in today’s post however I’m quite sure Vela is off to Real Sociedad.
It’s clear more midfield attackers will need to be moved on in addition to Chamakh and Park but I’m sure with the injuries we get and the number of fixtures we have those expecting first XI places(the Pod,Rvp & Theo,if they stay,) will get games.
It’s nice to get back to actual football after yesterday’s personality based open warfare, I have to admit I watched the emotive comments flying back and forth with a bemused detachment.
Good point LB and a really good article. It is hard to expect players to sit on the bench (especially when we don’t pay obscene wages compared to other teams, and some football players egos are through the roof), however, they should use it to draw motivation when trying to better their game. Hopefully they understand that a position on a pitch must be earnt, and with squad rotation and injuries their time will come. It’s what they do when that time comes that should reflect on Arsene’s mind.
So basically I hope they understand the need for a bigger squad and fight for their spot on the field, as opposed to whining and sulking. No we don’t want players who are happy to sit on the pine because that breeds complacency, but there is a right and a wrong way to show the manager!
Too many forwards there some have to be leaving and Wenger knows who
hahahaha, dont worry LB, i prefer the spoons.
Great article. My answer is, let them fight for there places.
@ Scott
Podolski has been a favourite of mine since the 2006 world cup when he was partnering Klose. So I raise your jig and give you:
Exactly Mr Syrup – it’s about time we had some competition for places to squeeze anyone out of their comfort zones.
Yeah,I was THAT happy!!
Best jig I’ve seen Oz was Tadgh Kenneally after the Swannies win in ’05 GF.
Then again,Barry Hall could’ve waltzed and I’d have loved it that day 🙂
that was a brilliant jig Scott, my favourite was the one Bruce Willis did in ‘The Last Boy Scout’ after he killed the bad guy. Forget all these Usher’s and Chris Brown’s, I’d take a good jig any day of the week
i think it’ll be down to performance and consistency for anyone, i repeat anyone to hold down a regular place in the first team. This is what we’ve so craved for these seasons… We also seem to forget this guy, just like wilshere in 2010/2011 season, that can be a revelation next season: Joel Campbell. So I expect a fun filled season for us as everyone will be trying to keep his place, hence greater commitment and better productivity. COYG!!
Udehsam,I saw Campbell play over 12 months so and thought he’d be a star one day.
He’s got everything.
Oz,Bruce did a great version!!!
Never heard of those other tossers lol.
Thanks for the article, and thanks to all the AA stalwarts who made my first time commenting such a pleasure! Stayed up way past my bedtime following the emails.
I sometimes think we overestimate the negative effect rotation has on player morale. We have all seen the “end of season slump” that grates on our nerves so often. We see players sometimes unwilling or unable to step up and be counted during certain games.
The players themselves must wish for more impact from the squad at times. Walcott said he was pleased with the ox and looked forward to playing with him next year.
No player wants to be ignored I’m sure, but they also don’t need to play every game to feel like they’re making a contribution.
Remember when Nasri made those comments about being played too much at Arsenal? I dismissed his comments as putting a smile at what I assumed was an embarrassment for him sitting the bench.
I now wonder.
I think the greatest frustration expressed last season was the lack of impact the squad had outside the starting XI. I see this being addressed and have a feeling the players may feel the same.
Maybe Theo is off. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. I think he’s better from the bench anyway.
Podolski, Giroud, Walcott, Ox and Gerv as our attacking options in that order.
Can’t see RvP staying tbh.
If we can get M’Vila aswell then I will be very excited for next season.
Good Articel LB.. Many good news come to us recently..
Giroud and m’Villa is really are Arsenal now..
Tonigth maybe we will see them both playing for france..
Some Arsenal players must sit on the bench and some go home earlier.. But that still good news for us..
Walcot and Rosicky can rest more before the seasons begin.
Szsceney will learn from his mistakes.. and start stronger this season..
Arshavin and Bendtner will surely leave for other teams.
And for RvP I’m sure that he will decide to stay.. He surely understand that he can only shine with the 4-3-3 formula.. and that Arsenal and Wenger can give him..
Look what happened when Holland played two strikers for 4-4-2.. Two best striker in the world (topskors of EPL and Bundesliga) are barrened.
And that also what happened when we playa again Milan that day.. with four midfielders and put RvP and Walcott as two strikers. We lost 4-0..
And I still wondered why Van Merwick didn’t give Luuk de jong and Narsingh any single change to played.
I still hope that we bring Dempsey in and also Kalou for free if RvP is really gone..
Can’t wait for this season to start.. It will be very funtastic for us..
Go Gunners..
If RvP stays then the signing of M’Vila becomes key because a midfield 2 of Song and M’Vila could potentially allow us to play RvP or Ox behind the front 3 whilst Wilshire gets fit. Thus meaning 4 of the 6 attacking players could start.
The arsenal.com website gives a link to the cologne site for tickets for the friendly. The Cologne site says away fans can’t buy tickets there and the away section is blanked out. The cologne site says you have to buy away tickets from your own club. I call the arsenal helpline and the twat tells me they won’t be getting any tickets and there probably isn’t an away section as it’s a friendly. This is typical of arsenal.
LB,
Typical bloody Wengerite AKB loser. Never read so much claptrap in my entire life. It’s not the type of player we sign that matters, it’s how much we spend. £11m on Podolski is nothing short of pathetic. I would be far happier had we spent £30m on him. At least.
Plus, we need to blow another £120m this summer otherwise what’s the bloody point in paying the highest prices in world football. Frankly, if we are not up to our arse in debt then I, for one, am not going to a game again.
Morning Micky
What are you doing on this AKB site?
lol
I believe 2012-2013 will be a physically gruelling season and it will prove that the size and strength of the squad is just right. At least we won’t have to buy new players mid season to strengthen the squad.
MickiDidIt89
Hilarious!
Can you please explain your handle? New here.
LB,
I’m thick as a whale ommlette and got lost.
I agree Swiss, yes it’s good to have consistency but players need rest also. Look what happened to Ramsey, he played far too often at the start and burnt out. This coupled with other variables appeared to have shot his confidence to pieces. Perhaps the same sort of thing with szcz towards the end of the season. A bigger squad with a good run injury wise and like Slim I’m excited for the new season to get under way
Nice one LB 🙂
It is a theme I recognise from discussions we had last summer. Does something have to give? Some have mentioned competition is needed and I agree to a certain extent.
What is more important, Arsenal will be playing around 50 games again next season. With injuries and suspensions i reckon an attacker will be able to play between 30 and 40 games on average, if we are lucky. Including the AM position, we need to cover 4 x 50 = 200 games. Divde that by 35 (average per attacker) and is clear we need about 6 attackers, in order to properly cover this area.
If RvP will stay, it looks like he will play in the nr10 position next season, and I reckon the Ox will be the nr2 for this position, if that were to be the case. On the left, it will be Gervinho and on the right Theo, with one of Giroud and the Pod upfront and the other cover for the wings. Ryo and Campbell could be used this year to develop to senior level and provide some additional cover.
I hope we will have enough strength in depth for Wenger to be confident to rotate more next season. This is the best way to keep everybody as fit as possible and to be able to still perform/peak towards the end of the season. And all our main competitors have a similar strength in depth in those areas and are somehow capable of keeping everybody reasonably happy.
I really hope Theo signs a new contract and does not move to the Chavs or a manky Manc club. However, my gut feeling tells me he will leave this summer (mostly because of personal preference and not Wenger pushing him out / the club wanting to cash in) and you might be right then that it will be the Ox who will take his place.
@ Micky
No comment on Draxler? I suppose I too would dismiss him if my pick was a sub-par version of him haha
ASG,
On the afternoon of May 27, 1989, I saw Mickey Thomas in the Highbury area wearing a baseball cap with the words “Micky Did It” on the front. And that’s how Micky was spelt as well.
Seriously Oz, nothing you could possibly unearth would come close to a Brasilian called Oscar.
I don’t think the mancs or chavs would want Theo. He’s too inconsistent. If he was consistent he’d be going to Madrid.
GM do you want to make a bet with me?
What on TA?
4 -3-3… gervinho,rosicky,oxlade in midfield, van persie,podolski,walcott up front. oxlade goes forward, walcott drops back into midfield..seems pretty logical to me. or you have van persie, podolski up front with the other 4 rotating in midfield. rosicky can play a deep midfield role picking up the ball and slotting it through for the likes of oxlade or walcott to run down the flanks, as can gervinho. all the need to do is get a solid defence happening like the old days of george graham, and to me we have a team that not only should start winning silverware, but dominate in europe. you then revolve your squad around those players.
giroud to me will work off the bench and eventually take van persie’s role. chances are van persie will go. after the holland debacle, a lot rests on his shoulders. he may stay this season by giroud would be a future project in waiting. henry,anelka days. a forward that can score well. but are podolski and giroud players that will take the EPL by storm, or will we end up with a Torres or Ballack that never really had an impact like they have prior to coming over.
It’s cool that you think that this “shuts up” the “anti-Wengerites”. Most would just see it as the club finally doing exactly what we’ve been saying they should be doing for a few years now. As in…maybe the club finally acknowledges that we were right? When you add in their admission that the wage structure is out of kilter…it doesn’t make a good case for his last few years…just that he finally acknowledges that somethings were wrong and had to change…
As for Podolski? Seems like a bargain to me…£10m or so for a 100-cap German international? Daylight robbery…
Your point about Theo is an interesting one…there’s a lot of competition down the wings and I don’t think AW thinks he’s anywhere near ready to play in the centre (as he ever moved into that position, even late in the game?)…he’s as frustrating as anyone in the first XI. When he wants to, when he doesn’t overthink it…he’s capable of giving the best FBs a torrid time…he just doesn’t get into that “zone” anywhere near enough, for me…
LB – great post, thank you. I think the time has come that there is money in the kitty, that was not available previously and Wenger can buy whom he wants. But rest assured, the critics will only say ‘We were right all along and finally Wenger had seen sense and listes to us’..yeah right!
Your post is as good as Rocky’s, just different style
Hi GM, do you want to bet with me that the Chavs or the Manc clubs will be going for Walcott if he decides he wants to leave Arsenal/ not to sign a new contract this summer?
Hi Rhyle,
Walcott had a goal/assist ratio of 0.52 per game (11 goals and 13 assists in 46 games) this season. Last season it was 0.58. He scored against the Mancs, the Chavs and had two goals and two assists in he CL this season. I think he gets into that ‘zone’ pretty well now. He is also only 23. Letting him go now, after all that investment in him and him finally starting to deliver big, would be a real shame.
TA – you’re obviously entitled to your opinion but I trust my own eyes more than your stat, each to their own! I’ve acknowledged that he can do it, just for me that he’s not doing it enough. You say he’s only 23…when does he become…I don’t know…not “only” an age? When are we allowed to question his consistency without giving a nice, big, Henry sized hug over his age? I don’t question the Ox because, for me, he’s a bit ahead of Theo in terms of consistency (which isn’t to say he’s consistent yet, you understand!) and, yes, his age is a consideration…at 23 and as an established first teamer of many years shouldn’t we be allowed to expect more of Theo?
Rhyle,who thinks we’ve shut the psychos up???
The club could sign Messi and Ronaldo and you lot would still complain a foot underwater with a gob full of marbles.
Do you think for one second Podolski was signed as the club realised you lot were right?
You’re a little rapt in your own importance there.
inept gibberish.
Podolski is a bargain basement signing. A good player, but at a bargain basement price.
Arsenal often buy one player early, and then fail to builid on that momentum. See the past few summers. Nothing has changed thusfar in that respect. Indeed, of the players that are strongly linked with the cllub, only the signing of M’Vila would be a deviation of any kind from the clubs standard way of doing business. If M’Vila signs, you may have something to justify the strange excitement that comes through your blog, but neither Podioski nor Giroud are anything spectaculalry new for most of us level headed fans.
As for the OX, if any of us can take off the English media driven youth obsessed hype, Walcott is currently a far superior player than the lad. For all his inconsistency, he is capable of moments of realy class, and he is the only player of real dynamism in what is an extraordinarily one-paced squad for Wenger team. If we sell Theo (warts and all), it will potentially have a huge effect on our attacking options.
It is the triumphal anti arsenal tone of your blog however that has driven me to comment and represents exactly the kind of divisive garbage that would almost make an ‘anti-Wengerite’ our of any sane fan. An ‘anti Wengerite’ – what a stupid concept.Most of us support the Arsenal, and have no interest in winding up fans who might have a different view of how the club wants to go forward.
If you think Wenger is the man to lead the club forward, fine by me. If you think its time for a change, fine by me. But this flag waving jingoistic crap (either for or against the manager) is self defeating and, mark my words, makes your blog a more useful and beneficial vehicle for fans of other clubs than of ours.
Hi Rhyle, I agree the wage structure needs to be revised. It does appear that there has been a change in the pattern of recruitment and salaries and not before time.
None of us know for sure whether the policies for the 6 years after the construction of the Emirates were adopted by necessity or simply because AW/the Board thought it was good man management, but what can’t be denied is we overachieved in that period if you judge success against spending on players.
It’s not a new argument and I suspect we will only learn the truth if/or when AW ever decides to write his autobiography.
Nice one LB, Podolski is without doubt a quality signing.
Time was when a signing of this magnitude would have been celebrated by all Arsenal fans alike, as was the case with Dennis Bergkamp. It seems quite depressing that it is held up as an example to prove one section of the support was more right or wrong than the other section.
Does any one else feel that our time has finaly come? I can feel it in my bones. Sure, our transfer business hasnt finished and there is uncertainty over Robins and Theos contracts, but there is a general persuaivness that for me spells a genuine tilt at the title.
i have always belived that the way Arsenes team plays the answer lies in having as many offensive weapons at our disposal as possible. Last year, this fell short, but as LB’s post demonstrates this season looks, and as ive said, feels different. It will be game on next season and with a little bit of luck we will finish it as Champions.
Hi herb, some people have been disappointed by what they’ve seen of Podolski because he hasn’t banged in 10 goals – well I’m not. He’s done exactly what his manager has asked of him. He’s been disciplined, supported his fullback and played an important role in one of the best teams in the tournament.
TA.. Altough I like Walcott, but I don’t feel sorry if he left us for Chelsea or City.. We got Ox and Miyaichi to replaces him.. Or go for Kalou and Hoilett for free..
I’m also like to see Ramsey and Diaby also leaves.. So that we can use youngsters like Eisfeld and Lansburry.
But I will feel very sad if RvP leaving.. why..?? Besauce we always losses our Captains every years.. And I don’t want to see Vermaelen for our Captain..
RvP is still our best striker, and fits with 4-3-3 that Wenger’s created.. Giroud will be good but still unproven yet.
So let’s sell Diaby, Ramsey, Chamahk, Arshavin, Squilacy, Almunia, Fabianski, Vela, Denilson, Park, Bendtner and also let go of Benayoun. And bring back Miyaichi, Lansburry, Campbell and Afobe.. It will be great..
Go Gunners..
Hi Rhyle, fair enough. For me, the thing with wingers is that they always have to deal with periods of inconsistency: often as a result of a lack of form and/or confidence, niggling injuries etc. I think it comes with the territory. Having said that, I genuinely believe Theo is as good as any winger in the PL, with the exception of Valencia at MU, but he is older, plays in a system that is better suited for wingers and was serviced rather nicely by the Granny Lover.
Hi Rasp,
couldn’t agree more, I think he’ll prove to be an excellent signing for us, and one that should be celebrated rather than used as an excuse for in-fighting and the opportunity to score cheap points off each other.
Hal…another wanker who considers us not to be level headed because we disagree with him.
Hal,we’ve seen the likes of you several times over in the last 24 hours and none of them turned us to the dim,dark,dreary and gloomy side of life….what makes you think you’re any different??
Podolski……you probably didn’t know him six weeks ago!!
Anyone whose actually watched him for for longer than he period Arsenal showed interest in him knows exactly how good he is,and are smart enough not to let narks like you devalue his signing.
A “good” player doesn’t represent Gemany 100 times,so you’re ignorance was exposed that early in your post.
hal, just because your pessimistic and others wish to express there views as optimistic dosnt make it “inept giberish”. You also have a short memory or just choose to distort reality to your thinking. When Arsene bought Petit, Viera, Pires etc to the Club did you and all those other level headed gooners you menton feel irate because they were not “spectacular” enough?
TMHT,I too am a delusional one such as you who thinks we can have a decent crack next season!!
Bring it on.
Hi Henry, losing Theo and replacing him with the names you mentioned would not fill me with confidence at all. Theo will get better and better over the next few years, but even if he stagnated, a return of 0.5 assists/goals per game is not a bad return at all.
Fully agreed on the need for our captain to stay at least another year. Do you think he will?
Giroud, Podolski, Gervihno, Walcott, RVP, Chamakh, Park
Wilshire, Ox, Rosicky, Song, Arteta, Ramsay
are we going 4-4-2?
Ta
I’ve never won a bet in my life so I’ll pass on it. I’m very often wrong :. Would he be a regular starter at either of those clubs? Isn’t that meant to be an issue?
Hal @ 12:06,
Today’s post reflects the views of today’s author who is unashamedly a fan of AW and as such is simply being honest in the way he sees things.
There is no jingoism because he does not state or imply that their is any bias in terms of nationality.
In offering his opinion for discussion in this post, he has given you the opportunity to have your say on the matter – and that you have done. So far from branding it ‘inept gibberish’, you should be thanking him for the opportunity to let thousands of other supporters read your view on the subject.
Hal
You don’t really make sense
Scott are you attracted to red and white teams?
Gus,nah…..I’m also a long suffering Parramatta Eels fan….the line is broken lol.
I was born in Parra hospital,and dad never missed a game for over twenty years,so that’s the Eels link.
I started playing football in 1977 for a brand new club nicknamed the Gunners,so became an Arsenal fan that early.
I’m a sports fan in general,so began going to Swans matches in ’82 when they first moved up to Sydney.
If Parra would only change colours lol.
One player you are all forgetting, Nicklas Bendtner! He of the “pants” goal celebration (and £80,000 fine), In his own mind he knows that he could be the ideal striking partner for any combination of van Persie, Podolski, Giroud and uncle Tom Cobley and all.
By the way, That £80,000 fine puts into perspective Uefa’s stance on racism in football, considering the trivial amounts of fines handed out by Michel Platini’s minions to Spain, Porto, Serbia and Croatia.
Ok GM, good point about TW being a first starter. I just have a strong gut feeling we will not be able to keep him / to get him to sign a new contract.
TA.. you love Theo verymuch did you??
I agree with you Walcott and Song is RvP best assistants..
But Kalou was before a couple with RvP wasn’t he?? I don’t think he played bad in Chelsea.. Hoilett is also fast and a great winger..
Walcott is 10-12 mil.. And yet Kalou and Hoilett are for free..
And if RvP stay we can buy Affelay for 6 mil..
So one go, three in and still have 6mil.. isn’t that great?? hehehe..
But I don’t really agree with you about Walcott will getting better.. I see in the opposite way.. Walcott and Ramsey will getting worse.. Diaby also.. So we must let them go..
But to many players also make some problem.. hehehe..
NG
Everyone is talking about the relative size of fines for racist behaviour. Bendtner has 100% control over showing off his pants. A club or national association will have problems stopping all wankers that go to matches.
Gee not a good time to be an eels fan. I’m a north melbourne and Canterbury buldogs fan, myself. But I prioritize Arsenal over them all.
TA
I think he’s off. Probably Robin too. We’l still be Arsenal. Once they’re gone they are history 🙂
GM, we are still Arsenal. You are totally right! 🙂
HeheheheheHenry 🙂 You should join Oz and Micky in AA’s Player Scouting Team! 🙂
Gus,suffice to say I spend no time on any forums other than Arsenal.
Henrychan……a little naive mate.
3 in,one out and 6 million in the bank…….what out paying 3 wages for the 3 players compared to one????
If only everything was so simple as we sometimes believe.
Afobe has to get some game time this coming season as well!
Scott…”…yanked so hard that they were thrown in the air and were silenced upon landing”…not a huge leap to read “shut up” in that, is it?!
As for your other “balanced” accusations…if we signed Messi and / or Ronaldo I will honestly post a photo of cooking and eating the Arsenal Handbook with tears of joy in my eye. We’re not all irrational! Some of us have reasonable expectations…and the end result is that if Wenger delivers that most of us would tip our hat, say fair play and admit we were wrong. Many, including me, did that at the end of last season. Lastly…your point that I honestly believe the club have used anything sharted out on a blog as serious…even I draw the line there, fella!
Rasp – The finances thing has been going ’round and ’round for a few years – the board and those asking questions of Wenger (not all completely anti-Wenger) insisting that there’s money there, Wenger and those pro-Wenger insisting that there’s no money. I’ll be honest…it wouldn’t be my first rodeo on that one if it were to kick off again, but…I have little to no interest in reopening / reinterpreting what is, we can presume by actions in the transfer window this year, history. As you say…the truth will out one way or another. If you’re expecting any sort of truth to come out in AW’s autobiography, ask Tony Attwood on UA about Arsenal manager autobiographies…he did a piece on Leslie Knighton which highlights some of the creative accounting he employed in his version of his tenure as manager!
How can anyone expect us to know the whole truth outside of what we hear from those in charge or see on the balance sheet on the Arsenal website is beyond me…
It is what it is – what’s next! Hopefully a LB and DM…maybe a right winger…and maybe a sustained tilt at the title…
😉
@ Andy
I agree, it looked like he was ready to get some more game time in the pre-season but unfortunately his 6 month injury delayed his progress. I look forward to seeing him in the cup games. I hope he’s develops because we’ve had so many promising young strikers who just haven’t developed (simpson, JET, watt, bendtner, jeffers, ect).
Our youngsters have had a tough time of it in the past. I mean look at the injuries to gibbs, frimpong, jack, ramsey, afobe, lansbury (no doubt missed some), but all during key stages of development.
Rasp,
My use of the term ‘jingosim’ is to shine the light on the creation of two ‘camps’ within a body of supporters. It is absolutely a valid way of describing the dangerous divide that is emerging, and one which this blog has been written purely to reinforce. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion on the direction the club is going. But blogs like this open up with spurious interpretations of the facts (admittedly as the author sees them), but instead of any effort to makea valid point with those facts(which is there to be agreed with or disagreed with), the attempt is to fire a shot across the bows across the other ‘side’ in this perceived divide. If the wording of my comment was too stong, then perhaps I owe the author an apology. But I will not make any apology to you, the author or anyone else for poining out the outrageous perpetuation of divisions within our own fanbase. Disgusting and unacceptable.
…two words which could be used to describe the commentor known as Scott. This is precisely the kind of little man who hides behind the anonymity of hte internet to use insults at someone who he thinks he understands, becaues again he has no opinion of his own on Arsenal or football. He just uses the flag of convenience of one side of the perceived Arsenal split to degenerate into insults and name calling.
Not that its any of his business, I know more abut Podolski than you know about RVP. And I have forgotten more about Arsene Wenger than you will every know. And I cannot see any part of my comment that is in any way devalues Podolski. He is a very good player, purchased at a bargain basement price.
And for the record Scott, I have seen what this kind of name calling leads to when it happens on the terraces first hand. Maybe you haven’t had hooliganism in Australia, but trust me on this, you can’t hide behind a keyboard when a group of skinheads are coming at you simply because they dont like your club. The fact that this is happening among the fans of one club should make anyone who is happy under the flag of one of the sides in this ‘split’ ashamed of themselves, and I honestly hope, will make them consider going off to some other sport or team where this form of partisan insulting and bating is appreciated.
Thanks Rhyle,
There are 3 times more Arsenal blogs than any other club. TalkShite have a piece called ‘The Daily Arsenal’ because their research has shown that more Arsenal supporters than any other club tune in and are thirsty for ‘any’ kind of info.
The demographic of Arsenal supporters is part of the problem.The result is that a lot of speculation ends up being accepted as gospel.
None of us have a crystal ball and so predicting whether the self-sustaining model is the way forward is pointless, only time will tell.
In the meantime we have the best stadium in the country, fantastic training facilities, CL football every year and the ability to compete with teams that are the plaything of billionnaires and should rightfully be out of our league.
Have to LOL at the typically classless Chavs, three of their employees have been suspended for damage incurred to the Champions League trophy.
No doubt the damage occuring during one of John Terry’s “Cash up front, exclusive tours of Chav FC”.
What a bunch of scummy, pikey, gypo, chav front bottoms.
That kind of “high jinks” has JT’s name all over it.
Rhyle,you are an imposter,and you know it.
You’re typical method of operation is to come in and attempt to be a friend to all,but people soon enough will realise what others on other forums you’ve tried to invade all discover……you’re nothing but a feeble,weak little shit stirrer.
It will take a week or so,judging on history,for people to realise how gutless and smug you are,and they’ll start ignoring you.
Until then,people will try to sway you into a decent and supportive line of thinking,but here’s no way you’ll ever change,because you know it all.
Enjoy this time,as it will be your moment of success……interrupting a site is all you are truly interested in,and anyone who has dealt with you before knows this!
Once people see you in your true light,you’ll drift back to your beloved Le Grove until you latch on elsewhere,and then the cycle begins again.
Save us all the trouble!!!
Little mans syndrome……it must be a bugger 🙂
Apologies to all the regulars,but sit back and watch it unfold…..the guy is just crud!!!
Thanks hal, I find myself in the same position as yesterday – conversing with someone who doesn’t understand the way this site works.
Today a guest author has presented his take on things, tomorrow someone else will submit a piece with which you may entirely agree. We offer a platform for decent Arsenal supporters to air their views on anytopic related to the club. We don’t judge the piece before publication in terms of the opinion expressed, only as a piece of writing.
So I take exception to your ‘blogs like this’ classification. Have a look back through the archives to see the diversity of output.
Most blogs do have an agenda. We don’t. The tone of the site is ever changing and derives from the outlook of those who are involved at any particular time. The fact that we have become friends through the site (even when we don’t always agree) is an added bonus and testament that how you say/write something is as important as what you say/write.
City want Walcott? Give us Adam Johnson, straight swap. I’l take him over Theo any day.
More Chav ineptitude – where there should be a pic of Yossi, it says “No player found” lol. http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268~33816,00.html
Sorry Hal,but if you play with it,youre a wanker.
I don’t hide behind a keyboard champ….
On Podolski,you rate him as good…..your words,so don’t backtrack,as it’s there for everyone to read.
I’m a positive person Hal,or refuses to sit back and listen to people who have nothing decent to say aout the club try and pass themselves of as wise,sage supporters,whilst the rest of us are morons,delusional etc,etc.
You showed which side of the fence you sit on,and thats fine,but don’t expect everyone to sit on their hands and do nothing when you attack the club.
Skinheads…..Hooliganism….what the hell are you carrying on about??.
Talk about being melodramatic lol.
Rasp,someone touched on it yesterday,but read LG and several of their guys have discussed hijacking this forum…….wonder who they are lol??
Rasp…..out of respect for this site,I’ll back off on this……..
Scott – several of us also defended the piece…but you can ignore that if you want…
Rasp,
Apologies if I dragged you into something you didn’t want to be doing. And I will take a look through your archive to see if I have indeed been unfair to your blog – I read a lot of blogs, but don’t have a list of favourites or pariahs, so I hope I have not mispreresented or misunderstood your work in general.
If this is the case, it would indeed be good to see your (or any other) blog, coming out in no uncertain terms against this schism in the supporters ranks. It surely dosnt matter if you think Wenger is God or crap. Those who advocate Wenger presumably do so only because they think he is good for the team. Similarly, those who want shot of him do so in the expectation that someone else can do a better job? Either way, can people not see that we are all on one side? Arsene WEnger will be gone one way or another in a few years and what then? I certainly wouldn’t be calling someone a wanker just because he wants the same aim as I do, but has a different way of going about it.
But perhaps this is just the ‘internet generation’ and the likes of me are too old for all of this. The infighting seems base, pathettic and sad,
…and it was ONE person who discussed hijacking this place…and he was pretty much the only one, judging by names, to have from LG…
Hi Scott,
I had a look on LG yesterday and Pedro supported the article when others on there were getting a bit carried away.
I’ve met Pedro several times and he’s a decent guy.
LG has become a more tolerant site than formerly but with the amount of traffic it gets it is impossible to police comments (even if you wanted to) and when things aren’t going well with Arsenal it goes a bit balistic. I don’t criticise other sites in general. We are lucky to be populated by bloggers who take collective responsibilty for what goes on and that makes it easier to maintain the equilibrium.
At least Rhyle now says us, instead of them, about Le Grove, eh Scott? Come on, that’s progress.. 🙂
Fucking hell Scott…didn’t read your earlier little outburst until just now…
Think the sun’s gone to your brain, fella…if you can find an example of me getting offensive feel free to share it…
I have no idea why I get caught up with halfwit’s like you. It’s the same on the train…I always get stuck next to the nutter…
Hi Hal,
I agree the in-fighting is tedious and does no-one any good.
Football is a reflection of society in general. We are in an era when fame and money can be gained through notoriety not talent, and that brings out the worst in people.
One of the things we try to achieve is to get bloggers to at least consider the merits of the opinions of others instead of steadfastly maintaining a stance. Things change, people change, managers and players come and go – in the end, we all support The Arsenal.
No, Shard, I say “us” about those who don’t blindingly follow Wenger. As always. But good of to you to join in…
I think there are plenty of games to go around all those players, as some excellent comments have already indicated. Poldi and Gervinho on the left (and the latter will go to the ACN), Theo and Ox on the right. With RVP (I’m thinking he’ll stay) and Giroud through the middle. You can add the likes of Afobe, Joel Cambell and Miyaichi to that list if they are ready/get work permit. For the Am position, Wilshere might not be ready, Rosicky as well (both cos of injuries), Diaby..well… no comment. So we can even play Poldi there, or RVP and the Ox.. We’ll need all those options even if we don’t pick up any long term injuries.
Haven’t I always joined in with you Rhyle? It’s you who ran away with talk of you overstaying your welcome or whatever instead of being able to explain your stand. As always, you assume you are better by saying ‘blindingly’ (sic) . But let’s leave that be. I’m done going round and round the mulberry bush with you.
Scott, you truly are a funny funny person. And all your bluster is false – Tough to hear it pal, but you you do hide behind your keyboard, I know it, you know it and so does everyone else who is unfortunate enough to read your insults. – You wouldnt last very long in any company if you spoke like this to people to their face, so you cower behind your keyboard and insult them. So drop the hands in the air self justification. You are a (presumably) grown up equivalent of a self-righteous cyber-bully. It is self evident from the language and aggressive tone of all of your comments. Face facts.
There is a world beyond your jaundiced narrow views Scott. One where there are no ‘sides’. One where the majority of Arsenal fansl stand. One where Arsenal fans want Arsenal to succeed. You people who perpetuate the ‘us’ or ‘them’ schism within the ranks of Arsenal fans are nothing short of a disgrace to the club you claim to support.
I presume you are actually an Arsenal fan so get used to the fact that other Arsenal fans have different views to yours. But in the real world (not little SCottieland) there views are completely disparate and do not some down to ‘your side’ and ‘the other side’. Thats right. A whole spectrum of colours beyone your black and white.
And yo want to hear something positive? Ok. Yes I do think Poldi is a good player – let me juess, you have a problem with that? Right? Ok. Keep RVP., sign M’villa and I think Arsenal will be top 2 next year. What? Nothing controversial. Oh yes, thats right, nothing to do with creating hatred amongst fellwo gooners. No petty fan bun-fights. Nothing to do with trying to rise fellow fans of my own club?
Thats right Scott. Jutst positive words of a fan who wants the best for my club. And not one who needs to perpetuate divisive sides in an argument just because its the only way they can feel like a big man.
Rhyle, Hal, Scott, to me you all sound like great Gooners, full of passion for the club. 🙂
The post has a provocative start, and after the spicy post of yesterday, we should not be surprised to see some bloggers challenging it. I have no problems with that as long as there are no personal insults being made.
Both Hal and Rhyle have made some good points today and I hope we’ll see more of you. I agree with Hal that division in our fan base should be avoided at all cost.
Shard – I can quote you, Bob and a couple of others who were getting a little tired of discussing things with me…that’s fine, we were going round in circles…but it’s why I felt I was outstaying my welcome there. It’s there in black & white! I was enjoying our chats, particularly with you as you strike me as rational compared to some on UA…they are, I’m sure even you’ll admit, the flipside to the mentalist element on LG, seeing conspiracy everywhere instead of attaching responsibility…but it’s by the by and I’m sure we can spare the good folks of Arsenal Arsenal the airing of our dirty laundry in this public forum…lol….
I’m at least consistent in both my views and approach…I’m a friendly guy but oi’ll foight ye if ye’re startin’….lol…
Scott – they are Jehova’s witnesses. They feel an urge to the world as depressing as theirs. Never open the door to a Jehova’s witness
…or world’s angriest bhuddist
Does anybody know what the status is on us signing M’Villa?
wenger has indeed showed that he intend winning a silver ware for arsenal comes next season.wit the signing of podolski and girioud and many more to come i strongly believe next season is for alsenal.up gunners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Rhyle, I do not agree with you about that. I do agree with you about not spoiling the debate on AA.
This is a quote from 1926 and it’s highly unfortunate that it’s still topical in 2012.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
The mysteries of creation are marvelous. When two persons meet at any time or place, the differences between them are patent. Their forms and manners differ. They differ in their cleverness and intelligence. Their opinions also vary.
Without understanding what underlies these differences, the materialist thinker emphasizes the differences. Today, a growing number of intellectuals, ignoring the unity that underlies the diversity, propagate the cult of differences.
The good persons who realize the unity behind the apparent diversity are dwindling in numbers from day to day.
.
I like the sound of those spoons LB !!
I’ve long since given up on working out Theo. When I’m ready to cut loose he terrorises a team, and then not long after makes me really wonder how long he has actually been playing football.
Someone else (TA?) divvied the games up between six attackers at 35 each, and I think I lean towards that as ‘my’ final answer.
Walcotts undeniable point of consistency is in making the oppo defence drop 10-15 yards deeper, giving others more room to play in.
Thats a massive benefit
Quote from Hillary Clinton.
…………………………………………………………………………..
What we have to do… is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.”
Hi Sharkey – I agree. I have done a 180 as regards Walcott. I think he can be a very important player in the new set-up. We need to use him in a way to maximise his potential. He’s not a player who should receive the ball when static and in front of 3 defenders. He needs the ball to be played into space so he can run on to it – then he can be devastating.
If we can get the ball out of defence more quickly and bring Theo into the game, we will se the best of him. He will never contribute a lot defensively I’m afraid but what he can do is change games.
Hi GN5, you’re in good form today – I bet she’d have liked to fracture something on Bill over Monica Lewinsky 😆
Rasp:
Yea, I wonder if she made the quote before or after Bill came to a sticky end in the Oral office.
LB, good question. I think that we need to remember, that in the thick of the pl season, it wont matter what what theo does in internationals – the question is, is he worth the big raise he wants, for his production in season. Do you think he will improve ? Im not so sure arsene thinks he is worth the big salary, but i might be proven wrong. But we do have to decide this summer, because only one year left for theo. I do want to see more of ox and gervinho for sure. most important is to take care of business with robin and song. Gonna be an interesting transfer window for us.
😆 GN5
Thanks for the post LB and the last paragraph intrigues me.
Someone quite rightly mentioned that Wenger’s way is all about attacking which has held us in good steed in the past,but we had a different squad with the now known invisibles.
We can all play football manager but it is obvious that rotation or not we can’t accomodate all the attacking players we have on the books at present.
None of us know the situation with RVP and Walcott.Some believe they are joined at the hip,others that RVP may stay or not and Walcott is also weighing up his options.
We all look at things differently and in the back of mind watching Podolski play in the euros he could be a natural replacement for RVP though I am sure others will disagree. Players have different egos and characters and IF Walcott gets a deal that suits both parties I believe he would stay and still be used in a cameo role more often than a regular starter.
When we started this site we had honest good debate and not one blogger trying to gain points over another,and some of the posts I read are really not necessary and all it does is increase tension between certain keyboard warriors.
Anyone who knows the full picture cannot argue that Wenger has done a brilliant job and has added a lot of income for the club, kept us in the CL, and we have a stadium second to none,, and it is also apparently clear that we now do have money this season to strengthen the squad and off load certain players who (without quoting actual figures) are a drain on the club and do not add enough in general terms to give us deeper squad strength.
I have my own ideas but for now will keep it general. I still think priority should be given to re inforce the defence and after a year out Wilshere will need plenty of time until we see the best of him.
Support means support and all I wish for is a fully committed squad of players,giving the best, entertain when necessary, avoid as many injuries as in recent years and hope for the best.
It amazes me how slippery and snake like politicians are. “Read my lips, i did not have sex with that women”, according to Bill he did not lie because a blow job dosnt constitute full sex. These reptilian bastards play on words to cover up there lies and hypocracy constantly.
The anchient Greek word for a politician is “Diplomat”. I think my ancestors sussed out these gits early because the word broken down is:
Diplo, means TWO
Matte, Means FACE
Sorry for the rant. hahahaha
I am both amused and appalled that anyone can visit this blog and think for one second that we all speak as one, in matters Arsenal.
There are many differences of opinion on AA, some of them heated, but almost always most of us remain friends, with a common interest in being Gooners, at the end of the discussion.
Hal, take a deep breath and come back onto the site with a less entrenched view. None of us like being preached at or ‘grouped’ as ‘this’ or ‘that’, we are all individuals and do not toe any ‘party line’.
Give us a try, air your opinions, stop proselytizing and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Rhyle, if you are really prepared to put your opinions out there, without acrimony, for others to agree or disagree with, then you too are welcome.
Clearly there is some history between you guys,(Rhyle, Hal and Shard, Scott respectively), but put that aside and either agree to ignore each other, or start afresh and enter into the spirit of this site by chatting amicably.
Both Shard and Scott have been a breath of fresh air since they have been on AA, and it would be great if that could continue with new arrivals.
[Disclaimer: I am no saint, I am opinionated, I am occasionally frivolous, I can get on peoples’ wicks, but I do try hard not to be aggressive (unless provoked) or objectionable, because AA is important to me and others I have grown to like on this site!]
OK, St Red Arse has finished his homily for the day! 😳
A very enjoyable read Kelsey, good to see you back even if it turns out to be for a short time.
The last point above was no more than an attempt to create conversation.
Although it still does seem to me that with the attacking ranks at bursting point we could well be in for a surprise departure.
As for this idea that RvP and Walcott come as a pair, I say tosh. I don’t think that has any depth to it at all.
Hi Kelsey, 🙂
Blimey! You have become as verbose as that Red Arse fella since your vacation/semester!! 🙂
All of our bloggers may do well to realise that —
Unsolicited advice equals criticism and criticism is undesirable.
The problem is…as I mentioned on another blog yesterday…that each side of the divide have carved out their own little corner of the internet and really do not like anyone with a different opinion coming around and debating it. A few try…and are often shouted down. Even if you are sad enough to poke your head out of the trenches you’re either shot down with abuse (at LG) or questioned, sometimes abused and inevitably doubted as if you’re some devious, malevolent troll…bore off…and that goes to the lunatics on both sides…
I agree with y’all – the divisiveness is no use to any of us. We should be able to debate our differences without what oztensibly amounts to mentalists shouting you down…
TerryM, 🙂
You certainly have homed in on “two faced” politicians.
Did you know that the Roman god Janus, for which the month of January was named was seen as both looking back to the past, and forward to the future, and thereby was deemed to be ‘two faced’.
That’s what Bill told Hilary and she believed him………or not! 🙂
That sounds about right, Rhyle, so give it a try on AA. 🙂
Rhyle
Most of us on here usd to be regulars on LG. I (like many others on here) have met Geoff and Pedro for a pre-match drink. Everyone is entitled to an opinion that’s not a problem. The problem I have with LG (and the reason I stopped posting on there) is the abuse aimed at our manager, players and board. Critisism is one thing but hoping people die and saying people have altheimers is just pathetic. There are also definitely some trolls on there.
Wow! I feel like I have accidentally walked through the wrong front door and found myself in the middle of a “domestic” in someone else’s house.
My two penn’orth: the regulars on here know that this site does not approve of personal abuse, therefore we should all try to resist being abusive, even if we feel personally provoked or if we have “previous” with someone.
New contributors often seem to start their first comment with an unpleasant insult about the Headline Post, before going on to make some quite reasonable points (this is what Hal did today). Once they realise that this is not an “abuse” site, they usually settle down. We’re all articulate enough to make our points and defend our respective corners without gratuitous insults.
Hal – your point about the divisiveness is fair enough and I agree with you. I wrote yesterday’s Post, which you would also probably put in the bracket of being the sort of thing that stirs divisiveness. I don’t make any apologies for it. The negativity that was generated from the small minority of supporters behind the anti-Wenger campaign caused some real problems last season at a time when things were hanging in the balance for us. The atmosphere at the ground was unpleasant and the negativity undoubtedly seeped through to the players to detrimental effect.
My only camp is to support Arsenal and I will always oppose people who seek to damage my club or who seem to take pleasure in my club’s difficulties.
Ashley Young and Milner … hmmmmm …. I suppose Roy has got it about right so far, but I can’t help thinking that judging by the 2 previous performances, Walcott or the Ox would bring more to the team than either Young or Milner. I expect to see them both make an appearance at some point in the second half.
LB
“Playing the spoons” my arse 🙂
The only difference between your Post and mine is that yours is less pretentious 🙂
And you raise a GREAT question. Something does have to give. For me the “giving” will be the departures of Vela, Bendy, Park, Chamakh and Arshavin. Then we can accommodate all the rest.
I am staggered by how under appreciated Theo is by so many supporters. He plays at the “pointy end” of things, where he is always having to beat the defender, put in the killer ball or make a perfect cross. The very nature of football means that he cannot possibly be successful all the time. But I suspect his effectiveness is not much different to, say, Marc Overmars’. It’s just that we have become harsher critics these days.
I will be gutted if Theo goes and (in my opinion) we will miss him a great deal.
The only thing I disagree with in your Post LB is that I don’t think the Ox is ready to be a first team regular yet. He is still young and learning and it would be a mistake to pile too much pressure on him.
Rasp
I suspect there might be a question mark over how fit Theo is.
GM…completely agree. That’s why I post there less and less. Normally when I post there these days it’s to counterpoint those more extreme views. I’ve always said (and I’m sure even Shard and Scott could back me up here) that it’s taking it waaay too far wishing death and disease on people. That usually comes from one person and his mentalist entourage…and it’s impossible to ignore. I have no idea why he’s allowed to carry on like that on there as no one else is…
It’s a shame that people like Raddy, yourself, GG9, Chary and the likes have had to abandon it as it used to be far better than it is now…it still has a few a few good, interesting peeps on there that bring me back – Keyser, Mayank, one or two others who make it worth your while…and Pedro’s posts are still good…though joke Friday’s aren’t as funny as they used to be and there’s a lot less chat about KFC…
Excellent advice Rocky and very well put! 🙂
As Will Shakespeare said;
“Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice Hath often stilled my brawling discontent.”
Or as Samuel Coleridge said;
“Advice is like snow — the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind.” 🙂
Hi Rasper, 🙂
I hope you have turned a blind eye to the above, I have just remembered I got banned/binned by LG for elitist stuff similar to that.
Poor old Will, a man of the people portrayed as elitist! 😀
‘Alles Hat Ein Ende Nur Die Wurst Hat Zwei’ (Everything has one end(ing), only the sausage has two) 😆
Sorry, LB, I owe you an apology for my ill manners in not remembering to thank you earlier for your excellent Post. 😦
I really enjoyed today’s Post today and thought it blended seamlessly with the Rocket’s from yesterday. Thank you. 🙂
I didnt know that Redders. I suppose January been the first month signifys end and beggining. I was also surprised to read that there is no Greek predescor to Janus.
Its great what you learn on this site, hahaha
Hi TA, 🙂
You seem to have got over your disappointment with the Oranges!
Isn’t that quote a Germanic terminological inexactitude? 🙂
Or are sausages not included in the German definition of ‘everything’!
Terry
The Greek predecessor to Janus is Hugh.
Redders 🙂
With quotes like that, I’m sure that rather than being ‘binned’ you must have been Bard.
Sssh, Terry, you will have me unfairly kicked off AA too, and I won’t be able to kiss Glic and say “goodbye, mother”. 😦
(and he owes me royalties, even if he pinches them from you).
Rock, I must politely disagree with you about the Greek word Hugh being the predecessor to the Roman god Janus.
The Greeks are an old, old people, and I believe I read somewhere the word was Uggh, as Terry will confirm, when he has paid my royalties for being the trannie in his latest show, written at your behest!! 🙂
And by the way, that was not a bard pun!! 🙂
Rocky, hahahahaha. I forgot about Hugh.
Hi RA, I guess a better translation would have been ….except for the sausage which has two 🙂
I like to sing in order to put things in perspective.
I don’t believe you are a singer, TA, I think you are just a very naughty boy! 🙂
Schoolboy jokes are still the best Terry 🙂
Help me please.
If both England and France win tonight, am I right in thinking that we need to win by two more goals than them to finish top. Two more and we’d be level on GD but have scored more.
I’m desperate to avoid 3rd as that’s a Saturday night KO, and that’s very bad news for me.
Are you saying naughty boys cannot sing, hehehehe?! 🙂
Dont worry Micky, England will beat Spain. I think Italy will pose a similar threat but England are more than capable of beating them both.
Sign in camping shop window:
“Now is the winter of our discount tents.”
Micky,
I think England are desperate to avoid 3rd place too, as that would mean they are kaputski! 🙂
Terry, you are making the cardinal mistake of raising expectations far too high. Can’t you see the English are copying Mancini’s – the one with real, wavy hair – clever trick of saying they have no chance of winning the championship until they have actually won the final…. They are all getting into this psycho-babble now! 😉
A thug, a footballer, a racist and an adulterer walk into a bar.
The barman asks, “what would you like Mr Terry?”
Rocky, I am removing TA from the very naughty boy stocks and putting you in there instead.
Hanging is too good for a blogger who makes puns; he should be drawn and quoted. 🙂
RL 🙂
It seems that the latest rumour is that Theo is on the bench tonite.
Raising expectations to high TA?, i think you have me confused with some one else. hahahaha
Redders 🙂
Did you know that buying counterfeit Shakespearian manuscripts has its prose and cons…?
I’ll get me coat.
What was I talking about? I need England to avoid 2nd as I cannot watch tv on saturday. Jeepers Micky, do concentrate 😦
No Ox, no Theo, hardly worth watching 😦
I have a question for those Arsenal fans who constantly criticise Arsene, the board and players – what do you say to Spurs fans when they remind us of no trophies, saying that Wenger is shit, players useless mercenaries, etc etc etc – do you actually agree with them? I bet you do, makes my blood boil
How many coats have you got, RL 🙂
Kelsey 🙂
All I have left now is my mac(beth)
Redders, Theo is a strange player, dont you think? He polarises opinion at Arsenal and now hes doing it with England.
Rocky – yes, as long as you don’t tell Raddy 🙂
Micky – don’t worry, I still don’t understand why Russia went out
kelsey, good to see you back.
Right, off home to watch England thrash Ukraine.
Terry,
It will probably get a bit rough tonite and Theo is not too good at the defensive stuff.
He will come on as an impact sub, and blast the Ukes out of the tournament…………………or he might be useless! 🙂
Polarize? Theo? Surely not………..and make sure you tell TA the singing pundit that I did not say that!! 🙂
Rocker, you are the master of the great pun.
Indeed, you are an incorrigible punster. I just wish you would not incorrige me! 🙂
evonne I noticed you mentioned usmanov being an Arsenal fan. He’s a manc as far as I’ve heard. He had a box at old trafford. He’s very rich. That’s about it with him and all most people care about. I’d prefer stan anyday.
GM – hi! I don’t want either of them, but I feel uncomfortable when people are slagging him off without a valid reason.
Abramovitch has a huge box at the Warsaw stadium, it doesn’t make him a Polish fan 🙂
He’s a criminal evonne
evonne
I don’t want Usmanov because I don’t think the Sugar Daddy model is a healthy way of running a club. If the SD gets bored in a few years time he can take his money out and leave us in crushing debt.
Also, as GM says, he was a Manc supporter before he realised he had no chance of buying into them and then suddenly realised he was an Arsenal supporter.
hahahaha, dont pull your punches GM. To be fair he was found guilty under the old Soviet system. You got sent to a Gulag for having a good dress sense under them.
Spot on Rocky. Thats the be all and end all of our self sustaining model. It gaurantees the future of the Club.
GM – we don’t know that. He was jailed by the biggest criminals that the world has ever seen.
Rocky – the fact that he dropped ManU for us, surely goes in his favour?
I don’t want a sugar daddy either (always preferred younger men), but I don’t think Kroenke is any better, just less rich
LB. I have been wondering about the same. I think that if money is available we shall see a forward exodus out of AFC.: Bendtner, Vela, Park, Chamkh, and perhaps Theo and RvP. Very exciting times ahead.
evonne. Don’t tell Raddy, what?
RL. Can I book you for the Wiff Waff Club Year End after dinner speech?
Rhyle. Good to see you here on AA.
Seems like Usmanov claims to have always been an Arsenal supporter.
……………………………………………………………………………
Red and White is co-owned by Usmanov and longtime business associate Farhad Moshiri, a London-based investor.
Usmanov, ranked 278th in Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s richest people in 2006 through his involvement in mining, telecoms and natural gas in Russia, claimed he and Moshiri initially held talks over investing in Tottenham and Liverpool.
‘But something stopped me from going ahead with these projects,’ Usmanov said. ‘I always said to Farhad, ‘You’re a Manchester United fan, I’m an Arsenal supporter: why get a third club
Raddy – that Rocky is getting some counterfeit gear 🙂
GN5 – thank you
BR 🙂
Wiff Waff always makes me think of Boris Johnson.
Which always make me think of this:
evonne
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/267191/Gunners-boss-is-a-Man-U-fan.html
Have you ever seen a more boring England team? Only Cole and Rooney have real quality – the others are just water carriers. Welbeck has potential but this team must be the most boring side in the tournament.
Thank goodness we have some talented kids coming through …. Hart, JW, Ox, Welbeck, Rodwell, Jones, Gibbs, Theo, Cleverly etc etc
RL. Not seen that before. Boris is a very funny man – no idea if he is a good Mayor but he has a wonderful sense of humour
Rasp – you did a 180 on Theo ..just the once..??? Lol
Thankfully I very rarely have a ‘final answer’ on any player (especially in the negative sense)..but with him I find my self leaning one way then the other…several times a season (tempted to say ‘month’)
I tend to keep quiet with my views on Theo, cos I know I’ll soon have to retract at least half of what I’ve recently said.
Rocky;
Re. your 6:35.
The Daily Mirror is first and foremost a Red Top and very little of what it states is fact.
As a point of fact just read that very article again – it states that Usmanov owns 14.58% of the Arsenal shares – the fact is that he owns 29.72%.
They write whatever strikes their fancy in order to sell papers.
SS. It is part of the fun of football fandom. Today’s hero is tomorrow’s lemon and vice versa
Gn5
I think it’s on old story (presumably from when he owned 14.58%). Doesn’t mean any of it is true though, but I had a feeling the “Man Utd fan” stuff had been printed somewhere and I did a quick Google search to find it.
Notwithstanding the casual relationship between tabloid journalists and the truth, I doubt they would have just made up that stuff about such a notoriously litigious (and rich) individual.
Hi Angel, you can tell us your views on Theo, we won’t tell anyone
A good read, seems like we`re trying to get strength in depth.
It`s over a year now and I`m still waiting for the ” Super Quality” we were promised and I dont mean Pod and Giro. The millions that was being saved In case we did not make CL surely can now be spent !.
I will reserve my judgement a long way into the season on Pod and Giro but personally I`m not excited by them, hope they prove wrong big time. 🙂
Even though I`m a Sun reader, I dont believe everthing they write, so Rocky and GN5, who do I believe Uzzy supports, first I need to know where GN5`s quote came from, was It the Sun aswell ?. 🙂
Boris is fantastic! He probably does as little as that idiot Livingston, but at least he’s such a character!
Hello everyone,
All this talk about transfer made me think: it seems rich clubs have a really big advantage because of this Bosman rule, yes? (Sorry this is probably a really old, well discussed topic. I’m just new.)
As I understand it::
1. When a under-contract player transfers, a transfer fee is paid to previous team, and a new contract is drawn up.
2. A player cannot transfer without his club’s permission until his contract is expired. (Prior to Bosman, the player could not transfer at all without permission, even if the contract ran out.)
Let’s say some good player is coming toward the end of his contract, but there is still one year to go. The rich clubs can dangle a really large salary in front of the player to make him discontent and want to leave. At the same time, these rich clubs could knock down the valuation of the player and refuse to pay a high transfer fee. Since these rich clubs are probably full of good players already, what’s one year of waiting…
The current club would be faced with a problem: the player is discontented, yet it cannot get a decent transfer fee. Worse, next year the player could go for free.
Sounds all quite familiar of course, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal have used similar tactics to get players.
Seems to me there has to be some adjustment to the rule to prevent this sort of behavior? Anyone know what have been proposed please?
For example, perhaps we could tie min transfer fee to salary? If you’re going to pay £250k a week for 2 yrs, then you would have to pay a minimum of £250k * 52 * 2 = £26m? This amount probably should be tied to the current salary. Perhaps something like some ratio of new salary to old salary? The more you pay the higher the minimum. 🙂
Enjoy the games today all.
Cheers Raddy…”water carriers” is putting it politely for some of ’em in my books but I feel strangely more confident in this team than I have in England teams over the last few years. I think it’s cos more than half of them play like they actually want to be there…
My main issue with this side is supporting any team that’ll give Terry a number…classless prick…
Glic…excited by Podolski – he reminds me of when Bergkamp signed (not that I think he’ll have that sort of impact but we can hope…). An established international with a solid record but largely written off by the big boys because of a bad patch with a big side (Bayern and Inter respectively). Do want to know who IG was talking about when he mentioned something “exciting” going down…
Giroud I don’t know enough about to draw a conclusion either way, if I’m being honest – I’ve seen him 3 times for Montpelier…
Hi Rhyle, I too would like to know what IG was on about ?. Who out there would be someone who is “exciting” ?. For me It would have to be someone along the lines of Hazard, but he`s spoken for. Who would do it for you ?.
It’s a big question…’cos there’s no one “exciting” I can see us bringing in to the two positions I’d like to see filled (LB / DM), although M’Vila looks a class act from the half a dozen or so games I’ve seen him play…I’d like to see someone like Schmelzer or Cissokho come in to the LB slot…or if we’re playing fantasy football…Jordi Alba – who looks like one of the few LB’s who can play the role from box to box…have a feeling he’ll stay in Spain, though…
However, with Podolski and Giroud in, fill those two spaces on the team sheet with world class players and keep everyone fit and we’ve one hell of a first XI…
Come on Ingerland
Set up not to concede…job done for 45 minutes – need to push forward and hold on to the ball in the 2nd half though…
The worse thing that could happen is for England to get Italy in the next round…*yawn*…
Set up nicely for some Young Gun or other
Right LB, only just had time to comment on your post, read this morning but work actually had to be done so here goes (without reading all comments do apologise of its already been covered).
Firstly a good read and well balanced piece.
Now on to the more pressing issue raised do you remember when Arsene would sub Thierry and Bobby and there waiting to come on was Wiltord and Kanu, or taking off Freddie to be replaced by Parlour. Remember the looks on opposition faces. Well I think Arsene does too so wants to bring it back. Theo hopefully will stay and demand his place like RvP I hope this tournament has shown them that it’s good to be at a club where football is good and attacking and the system suits you. They should have a look at Torres, and a glance at What became of Flamini and Hleb and realise they should stay where they are. It has to be about more than money and game time doesn’t it? Surely you have to enjoy it.
As for that half of football it makes me appreciate what Arsene has created, watching that shower struggle to make themselves available for a five yard pass and for the other player to be able to play that pass is a shocking indictment of what has been wrong with the academy system in this country for years.
GiE,
Entertainment it ain’t
Come on Roy, just bring on someone from Arsenal, you know it makes sense.
Evening all,
I’m very happy with got Podolski – not quite Schweinsteiger but good enough 😆
Rhyle. Wish I could agree. That they can’t trap a ball without it bóuncing 2 yes away nor pass 10 yards to a team-mate is an indictment of English football.
We are predictable, slow, and without purpose.
Thankfully, this will be the last hurrah for most of these players.
Well ….. that worked! All we needed was 2 deflections and some awful goalkeeping.
I have no problem with being setup not to concede, but would be good if we could do that by controlling possession rather than inability of the opposition to capitalise on chances.
We’re organised and relaxed, Raddy…a 6/10 team giving 7/10 performances! Won’t be sorry to see the back of some of these players, though, I agree…but, defensively in particular…what’s next?
Be interesting to read Shard’s comments on VR tomorrow – can imagine he’ll have something to say on Terry’s “clearance”…nice to benefit from it for once, though…
GIE…that was point for 2nd half…you can only ride your luck for so long, as we’ve seen(ish)…
Apparently this game is being commentated by the BFG…”whizzbanger” indeed…
No doubt in my mind whatsover that the Ukrainian Manager is a Buddhist
And an overeater
Can’t say I’m excited by the prospect of this side playing Italy – but think England will be in the semi-final’s after it…I’m telling you…I’m getting the weirdest feeling about this tournament…
Spain haven’t been impressive, French could go out v Spain, Dutch out…Portugal, Czechs and Greeks don’t frighten me. It’s the German’s I’d worry about…but this is a big moment…could see us into the final…and then anything could happen!
micky 😀
I’m surprised this site is still working.
Weren’t we going to be reported to the Overlords for being like the Nazis’?
Eamon Dunphy just said England won’t go much further – now ye’ll win cos he always gets it very wrong.
I hope Balotelli starts against ye – that’ll be fun 😆
Well we will see how far this approach can get us now. Will anyone venture out of their own half against Italy. I predict penalties.
The way Ukraine played out of their own corner flag to have the chance that Terry “cleared” off the line was beautiful stuff, we showed towards the end that we can actually do it on occasion but the money our lads earn on a weekly basis from their clubs should mean we can do the simple things.
Let’s do Italy, then 11 men behind the ball against The Hun and we’ll take ’em on pens
Morning fellow Gooners.
Evonne,your 2.46 absolutely nailed it.
I’m not happy,so nobody else should be….Boo bloody hoo….
Well,the fact is I’m a happy Gooner,always have been,and I look to the positives in everything,and everyone though often its very difficult to find.
Too many people think the world,or in this case a football club,owes them everything they’re missing in life.
Me,I’m just a supporter of the club.
As long as the eleven on the pitch are giving their best,I have no complaints.
I do not feel I,or any other fan,has the right to dictate which direction the club should head as far as it’s spending on players is concerned…yes,we entitled to discuss it,but it’s always the antis who attempt to drive home their opinions.
Shard,were you the one who opened the door……I told you not to 🙂
Rhyle,as for you attracting “nutters”,well,since I was posting on other sites before you joined in with your attempts to shake things up(that’s as polite as I can be) and its the same thing here,you are the blow in AGAIN,maybe its a case of you arguing with some loony in the mirror lol.
Don’t bother with your preaching the point you are simply trying to give us the other side of the coin…..we all are allowed to think for ourselves without you telling us that you’re entitled to a opinion.
You are,of course,entitled to believe what you want,but you are so busy telling us you’re allowed an opinion,you don’t actually listen to anyone else’s.
Again,I know you’ll only last a week or so before everyone sees the real you,so I can wait it out……just hope you don’t do the damage you have elsewhere in that short time.
Hal,mate,how old are you???
Would you like me to prove my manhood in some way….is that what you want??
Would you believe I had a right to post if I came over and belted a skinhead??
How about if i Just come and give you a big kiss Hal??
You think pommy football thugs are a tougher breed than dickheads anywhere else in the world?
You don’t know a thing about me champ,so don’t presume to tell me I’m a keyboard hero!!
You’re right,it’s a new world,so just deal with it.
Oxo proving that he’s not a first team starter yet.
Theo got one pass in 15 minutes. Why bring on a speedster and not use him?
Irish, I hope he starts as well. Balotelli is brilliant entertainment
Rocky,I heard they found the snitch slumped over his keyboard whilst typing on LG and wrapped in a Spuds flag and…..do you know anything about that 🙂
Lighten up GiE. We’ve got a talentless mob who start, so what do you expect. Enjoy the ride I say. Let’s bore the pants off them all 🙂
Er… I thought Stevie Me was quite good tonight. (Tin hat on).
What’s also brilliant is topping the group as I’m out saturday and we’re now on telly sunday. All good.
Yesterday a Princess, today a “champ”. You have a fine way with words Scott
RL. 4 minutes and one run was hardly enough to make a judgement. But I agree a few cameo’s will be great for his confidence and keep him nicely tuned
“Overweight” indeed Raddy 🙂
BTW. It’s Coming Home
micky. Thanks for the correction ;-D
My telly’s gone wonky, Wayne looks handsome. 😉
RL – Gerrard was very good.
This is a bloody goal and a half:
BR,plenty more up the sleeve lol.
Off to work…have a great evening all.
Scott…words fail me for once…bore off you angry wee man…like you actually know anything about me…and then you spout off at Hal for the very same thing as you’ve just done to me? Genius…get a life and go and stalk someone else. Lots of folks at Her Majesty’s Pleasure who’d be glad of the attention…
Rocky…thought the entire MF worked their arses off tonight…they had to…
All graft and little craft but it’s getting the job done…
Rhyle, Scott
No offence intended, but could you continue your private discussion elsewhere?
Rhyle
I thought England were pretty good tonight, given the players we’ve got.
I think Theo would offer a lot more than Milner, but apart from that they were well organised, solid and disciplined.
We can’t play Rolls Royce football when we’re a team of Ford Escorts.
Apologies Rocky…I tend to respond when provoked…will do my best to ignore it…
Rhyle, Scott
Sorry – I was unclear.
I meant, please stay on here and chat – you both make very good points and make them well.
But the other stuff probably belongs elsewhere.
exactly…there’s little in the way of top drawer players, and few coming through in CF or CB positions from what I’ve seen. But I’ll take squeezing out 1-0 wins…it’s not like I haven’t been here before…
Henry Winter @henrywinter
Oleg Blokhin now challenging a Ukraine journalist to continue their argument ‘outside’. We don’t get this with Hodgson
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Just my opinion Rhyle. I’m not involved in the running of the site and (probably rather childishly on my part) I just want everyone to get along with a degree of respect.
But we probably all do it from time to time. I’ve said things to other bloggers that I have regretted, same as most people I suspect.
This England does remind me of Late Period George Graham Arsenal.
God we were dull, but we still won a few cups 🙂
it’s fine, Rocky. I’ve already moved on…heh…agree with you said as much to Shard earlier…although if it gets personal I’m not one to roll over and let someone insult me without reacting…
Sam Wallace @SamWallaceIndy
Blokhin now in major ruck with Ukraine journalist. Offering him outside for a ‘man conversation’. Reporter rises from his chair. Crikey
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10:11 PM – 19 Jun 12 via Twitter for BlackBerry® · Details
Rocky,
Saw your Wiff Waff comment earlier, so just for you:
Thanks Micky
Stirring stuff 🙂
I think our Boris sees himself in a Churchillian light.
Sharkey, i totally get what ur saying about theo, u never know when he will get hot and play like a superstar. Just not often enough for my liking. i have been among the detractors, andi say that he wouldnt worry me as opposition if he left us—-,
BUT i have to admit, the way our fullbacks play(style) ,we are the type of team he would excel against. Unlike most of the pl. A good example was against chelsea under avb.
Believe me, behind the buffoonery lurks a ruthlessly ambitious man. So I’d agree.
I used to live round the corner from him in Highbury Micky. He was often going here and there on his bicycle.
It was only later that we realised that “here and there” meant to certain ladies’ homes while their hubbies were out 🙂
jnyc…spot on – his inconsistency is frustrating as he’s clearly capable…and your point about our FBs is a good one…can you imagine Santos charging after him??? He’d need an inhaler…
Yip plenty of that. The man likes a long luncheon hour 🙂
I bid ye goodnight – if I’m not on before the quarters, good luck against the Italians.
Nite Irish. No problems against the Italians. Bunch of panzies. We march straight on to Germany 🙂
Have to say that I think if Redknapp had been at the helm, we’d be going home. He’d try his clever dick type of football which only works if you have heaps of Arsenal DNA oozing about the system, and England just don’t. So well played Roy.
Time to hit the hay.
Nite all.
Hi GIE
Thanks for commenting, your views always interest me.
As fans we would like the squad to be as big as it possibly can, I certainly do but I am not convinced that it will stay the way it is now, hence the post.
And well, hey, someone had to lower the bar a bit so others can join in after a certain ex pat sent it into the stratosphere yesterday 😉
Arsenal wins 14th title (May 2013)
M’Vila signs (July 2012)
RVP won’t leave the Champions (June 2013)
Theo wants back 2 back titles (June 2013)
Boys had great spiwit – Wenger (May 2013)
These are my predicted headlines
GG9 – your lips (or fingers…whatever…!) to god’s ears…
LB I fear you are right and of course a certain element of the fan base will be pleased to see the back of him as they don’t rate him anyway. Won’t stop a few crying over it though I’m sure.
I think Theo has a future with us, I think Pod does too, I hope RvP has one as well but it will be shorter. And that’s something that happened in a couple of seasons we went from a young squad to an average aged squad quite quickly. Yes we still have Szczesny, Ramsey, Ox and Jack but at the top end we have RvP, Sagna, Santos, TR7 and Arteta. With Gerv, Song, Pod, Theo, BFG, Kozzer, TV5 in between. I can see why TMHT is starting to get a bit excited. And I hope he is right.
No danger of any inverted snobbery from you LB, eh?
Nice one GG9 🙂
Last shot….incredible you refuse to accept personal insults Rhyle,yet dish them out with gay abandon…..
You’ll be gone soon,as everyone will tire of your arrogance quick enough….then back to LG.
Rocky,apologies,but this guy just goes forum to forum doing the same thing……done now….i promise 🙂
No worries Scott.
Did you watch the England game?
No mate,I don’t have Setanta and it’s televising all games.
Also,I need a break from 2am games….
Arsenals off season is my sleep catch up time lol.
I will definitely watch some of the finals games,as I can get Setanta on a month by month basis…..and they’ll likely be a weekend…hopefully.
There wasn’t a lot to see from an Arse perspective. Theo had 15 minutes and one touch. Oxo had seven or eight mins and a couple of ineffectual touches.
Forgot to say.
Nice post, LB.
Giroud rotates with Robin.
Podolski rotates with The Swerve
and Theo rotates with The Ox.
Everybody’s fighting for their place but fit and rested, too.
Sorted.
Chas,
Seems fairly obvious to me as well.
I do think there will be some book balancing beyond the Chams and Velas. I think only three people could be sold who would raise the cash. Robin, Song and Theo.
I have a sneaky feeling that Arsene would find selling Theo the hardest because of ego, potential and time/money invested.
Chas,
All those options you list make one massive assumption that everyone appears to have overlooked. Maybe Arsene sees Ox central and will simply ease him in over the next season with Rosicky as first choice.
That of course leaves Theo as first choice with Ox having two back up roles, not just one, and therefore plenty of playing time.
Micky,I reckon he’s staying for sure.
Morning lads.
I reckon Ox wll make a great CAM.
He’s got everything except experience.
Chas 🙂
He’s about 10 and really knows his tactics bollocks.
Scott hi,
I think its widely assumed that if you are quick then you’re out wide and that’s it.
I agree with you. You clearly know your tictacs as well.
The pass for RVP’s goal v Utd showed me right there and then how good this kid will be.
Cesc would have been proud of it.
Morning Micky and Scott,
The Ox as a CAM…….why didn’t I think of that? 🙂
There’s something about Ox that makes me think, battering ram rather than lock-picker. Perhaps it’s just his physique. Then again perhaps Arsene’s new master plan is to go very direct. Certainly, Podolski and Giroud seem to suggest a less tippy tappy approach. Maybe The Ox in behind those two on occasion?
Then again, that 10 year old lad knows more about tactical bollix than me. 🙂
I also think RVP may get a gig in the hole,with any two of Giroud,Podolski and Theo up front.
We have so many options not its scary.
Quite a contrast to last season.
Chas,imagine a CAM with Ox’s pace,strength,dribbling ability,ability to beat a man and can give a pass??
He’s still a baby,but two or three years down the track,he’ll be pretty formidable,I reckon.
Having seious back up quality in all positions is what we have been lacking, so to my mind, one more addition (DM) and we are ready to challenge.
Scott there speaketh a man who isn’t watching the Euros. RvP was asked to play off of Huntelaar in their last game. We didn’t see him. Then again that could be as much about his teammates.
GiE,
In fairness, if a Scout was watching Holland, he would not be rushing to get the chequebook out, and yet we know they have some very talented players.
I think Robin wants to stay and was simply putting off potential interested parties 🙂
GIE….you’ve raised more questions than you’ve answered lol.
Scott, agreed he’s going to be one hell of a player. I’m just not sure he’s an angles man with that 360 degree capability. But then again, I know feck all and Ox is only 18.
Off to work. ;(
Ox = Rooney but thankfully we will play him deeper than Rooney plays for United and England.
Plenty to look forward to for next season,isn’t there?
Bang on GiE, which now leaves us a little thin on the right!!! Exit the Theo problem 🙂
Lets hope Ryo shapes up quick smart.
What do you us know of Silva?
I’ve only seen a highlights package,admittedly,but he looks awesome.
Chas @ 6:34 – is that your voice on the recording?
School run for me today. Beware GiE, coming your way soon 🙂
Back shortly.
Hi Micky, Chas & Scott from 6:58 and on,
Wenger himself has said he can see Ox as a midfielder back in March this year, after the Milan game:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-alex-will-develop-into-midfield-role
He made this comment after the Ox played roughly in that position. At the time, Wenger said:
“He will play [there in midfield] again but I think he has to play where he is needed basically. The most important thing at the moment is that he develops well.”
With more player coming in, our needs would be less, and with another year of development, maybe Wenger still has this transition in mind for Ox?
Ox is not yet consistent or experienced enough to be a regular starter,so I stand by my opinion that he’ll be great at some point.
Maybe that will be next season…who knows??
That’s the equivalent of suggesting a keeper making a great save is world class.
Consistency will come with age and experience.
Evonne,can’t that kid talk??
Thanks TT…
Ox is a true footballer,with a footalers brain so is certainly versatile enough to play in several positions….this can only help his education.
And a FOOTBALLERS brain,as well.
Mark Chamberlain, Ox’s dad, who himself was a decent footballer, has said many times that Alex feels best playing in the middle.
Mark also said “He likes to read about himself in the papers and watch himself playing on television but he’s a level-headed boy. After games he doesn’t like fuss.” – so Alex, if you are reading this – WE LOVE YOU!!
I still can’t see it unless we can play 13 players.
We are not going to sign 2 players at over €10m to sit on the bench. which was the beauty of Chamakh and Park who cost almost nothing. Gervinho has done the hard yards and should come good next season. Theo is RvP’s assist-ant
How are we going to fit the Ox into a midield that is already defensively light? At whose expense? Wilshere (if fit) is an automatic starter. Rosicky has recovered his early career form. Arteta is a starter. Song is a starter. Ramsey needs more pitch time, Diaby could recover (!!). Arshavin has yet to leave.
Interesting July ahead…..
I reckon he could even play as a striker,he’s just that talented.
BR,I reckon Jack will take time to get back to his best…..I’d give him at least til Xmas,maybe longer to get close.
Still,better to hae too many options than not enough.
Do I hear squad depth and Arsenal in the one sentence……without the word “lacking”…..
. Scott. I hear the words “sustainable financial model”
Morning Dudes, 🙂
Good to see Rhyle and Scott playing nice.
I agree with what Rocky said last night, you both make really interesting comments when you cut out the personal stuff! 🙂
Just to put my two cents into the midfield puzzle, I know lots of fans are baying for a” hard mid-field enforcer” i.e. M’Vila, but altho he played OK for France, yesterday, at 21 y.o he is still a tyro, and I am not sure he is that much better than Le Coq skillwise or Ping Pong physiquewise.
What do you think guys?
Morning all
@ RA
bang on, why pay 20+ when we have Coquelin. He is chomping at the bit and is ready to go! It’s his and the Ox’s turn to break out young jack style.
also you forgot the dudette RA, Evonne can’t be dismissed!
@ Scott and Micky
Ox as a AM along with Rosicky. Personally i think the Ox can choose where he wants he is that gifted, Striker, winger, AM, centre…the world is his oyster!
Morning Daddy,
Are you saying that if we have bought Pod and Giroud, we have to sell two out of Robin, Theo or Gerv to fit with the “must start” theory?
Morning all, get your thinking caps on…..
…. New post ……..
Oz and RA,
I do like your thinking on Coq. I’m going to leave that one to AW despite me calling for an experienced midfield beast and leader.
Didit. I am not saying anything, just questioning. (where is 26 when I need him in the face of a cross-examination?)
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!