Something is going on at Arsenal.
Behind the scenes there is plotting and planning on a scale that has not been seen at the club for over a decade.
Of course I have no proof of this: it’s pure speculation just like 99.9% of what you read in the newspapers and in the Arsenal blogosphere (all sound and fury signifying nothing, to quote old Bill Shakespeare).
But call it a feeling in my water, a tingle from the old war wound, the way the tea leaves are lying at the bottom of my cup: to my mind there’s no doubt – Arsene is up to something.
I really think he is going to pull a transfer rabbit out of the hat – something to surprise and delight the Arsenal faithful and to stick two metaphorical fingers up at his critics.
What could it be?
A secret move for the N17 MonkeyMan himself? He would be an ideal replacement for either Clichy or Nasri. It would be the greatest coup since we landed Big Sol.
Or a marquee signing like Ibrahimovic or Falcao? I know the conventional wisdom is that we don’t ‘do’ marquee signings, but I wouldn’t rule it out this summer.
Maybe it could be a big triple announcement of quality players like Gervinho, Cahill and Mata.
Whatever it is, something’s brewing and I am eager to see it.
So far all the press coverage has been about some of our young, overpaid players who, having failed to deliver when the chips were down, now want to move away for money, glory, or both.
Brats leaving a sinking ship?
Not really, because the good ship Arsenal is a tough old bird and she has weathered bigger storms than this. She will still be afloat long after those players’ careers have sunk into obscurity.
But the concerted media onslaught to incorrectly suggest that we are a club in crisis and facing an exodus takes a hard toll on us supporters, who so far have had a rough summer.
First we got a glimpse of the new away kit. When I saw that strange pattern and colour I thought it was a pigment of my imagination. But no. It really was our away strip.
Then there was the re-ignition of the Cesc-to-Barcelona saga, with all its tedious, morale-sapping predictability.
Then Samir Nasri got kidnapped by that odious scumbucket Patrice Evra on the Riviera (if you don’t believe me, just consider that an anagram of Evra’s name is “Rare Captive”, which is exactly what he had in Sami). Evra proceeded to pour poison in his ear and suggest he should leave Arsenal if he wanted to win things.
Then we had to look on as other clubs (Liverpool, Man United and Man City) appeared to be acting fast and decisively in the transfer window.
Meanwhile at Arsenal… nothing.
I can understand fans’ frustration with the radio silence coming out of our club, but we ought to have more faith. Arsene Wenger has repeatedly said he will be active in the market this summer and I believe he will be. He has known for a very long time that Clichy was leaving – do you really think he has not planned a replacement?
He clearly wants Nasri to stay – but not at any cost. If Samir leaves I would be disappointed, but not devastated. As many have said before me, he had a good half a season and was poor when it really mattered at the business end of things. He’s a quality player, but not as good as he appears to think he is. In fact I wouldn’t be entirely surprised if a move away turned out to be a disaster for him and he was back playing in France in two years time.
If we can get £20m+ for a player with one year left on his contract then that’s pretty good business in my book.
In the mean time I’m prepared to wait it out and let Arsene and Ivan Gazidis do things in their own way: quietly, purposefully and intelligently. I am sure they are doing it – it just remains to be seen what ‘it’ is.
But if you are of the “we won’t sign anyone, we never do” persuasion, get your napkin, knife and fork out and prepare for a big helping of humble pie.
RockyLives
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Haha Rocky, captures my mood perfectly this morning.
From last post, the pictures are on that Sun link I posted, Peaches.
Welcome back Rocky!!!!!
We’re always quiet at the start of the transfer window, I don’t understand why some think our business should be done already just because other clubs do.
Nasri thinking he’s better than he is is so true in my book too, although we’ve seen a lot of fabulous football from him he didn’t manage to keep it up for a whole season.
Have we signed Gervinho yet?
Wage structure at the club badly needs addressing. Too old fashion.
Only one difference between Sol and a potential move for Bale, Sol came on a free transfer, Bale would cost money and thats where it all ends.
Arsenal are running wthe club for the benefit of the under achievers, the phisosophy that you can have pay scales and not go over them , lets compare Denilsons 60,000 pounds a week ,compared tp VaN Persies 80,000 pounds a week ask the fan base , if Denilson is worth 60,000 a weel what is Van PERSIE worth , or if Van Persie is worth 80,000 pounds a week what is Denilson and others worth , think you might find this is where our problem lies.
Dat makes u an ardent wenger fan,a hear dat refuses 2 heed 2 warning goes down with d head wen it’s been cut off,dats d case of arsene & d board members
A very witty and I think thoughtful article today. I as a wrinkly old Gunner think you may be right. Something is going on at AFC. My own take is that Arsene has been given this season to succeed or go. I also think he has given this target by himself. So I expect a few shocks along the way before the month end.
You Know that you are going to be besieged by the great unwashed down the road now don’t you??
Prepare yourself Rocky.
if we got cahill benzema gervinho and a left back kept cesc, and have players like ramsey and ryo miachi playing this season I think we would storm the league
On a side note. Does anyone have any idea what Wenger is doing sliding off boats in San Tropez when the squad are back in training and other clubs are nicking our best players?
Is it just me or would you expect him to be negotiating at the moment.
We are all sitting here wondering why our club is crumbling and he looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
I hope so!
Hi Panic,don’t panic, it’s not come up on their NN page so we could ok – it’ll be our secret 😉
Bale would be an awesome signing, you’re right that there is a strange feel to the air, such like has not been felt since maybe dennis bergkamps arrival?
this summer will be huge and will set the stall for the next few seasons.
That’s the least of my concerns Peaches.
The fact we needed 4 new players at the end of last season and now look to be losing 3 more is of far greater concern..
Never mind though, the club will be about 70 million richer and they have all our season ticket money in again so silent Stan will be happy.
Couldn’t agree more. The press speak of this “mass exodus” of our “best players” – were they watching us last year? Clichy – although generally speaking I am a fan – hardly had a good season, and cost us vital points. Nasri, as you said, had a decent half of one season in all his time with us. I would like him to stay, simply cos I think he’ll be a better player if Cesc goes and he takes on a more central, play-making role, but certainly if he goes it’s not the end of the world. So surely, when they say our “best players”, they can only be referring to Cesc who, admittedly, is one of them, but for whom we have known now for years would end up back in Catalonia sooner rather than later – and I think most of us are ready to cash in and get some replacements. Oh, and as for Walcott and RVP leaving – what utter rubbish. Just shows the crap that the media can make up. RVP is one of the most loyal players in the league, an old breed of player who genuinely cares about the club and fans. Walcott is improving each season and will be a mainstay at the club for seasons to come. Some people are even speculating that Wilshere will get fed up soon, when all the others leave. Wilshere! The boy’s most recent comments about Arsenal told of his love for the club and the badge, and he’s just signed a new deal. ‘nough said.
The media worries us by talking of how other teams are going straight out and buying and how we haven’t done anything, but who exactly are these big signings that other teams have made? Jordan Henderson? Phil Jones? Ok, quite possibly good signings in the long run, but no doubt if we’d paid over the odds for young unproven talent, we’d be getting a hounding over that too. David De Gea and Ashley Young are exceptions – I have no doubt those are good signings (although Utd seem to have loads of wingers and no steel in the middle), so we can say well done utd for a couple of good early signings, but that’s all. Where are chelsea’s big signings? City’s? (surely Clichy isn’t their statement of intent for next season!) Spurs? No, it’s all just rumours and waiting with them too.
We’ve been linked with so many players over the last few weeks (and then some), and whilst most of it is probably nonsense, some of them may well turn out to be true. AW has publicly stated that we will be active this transfer window. He’s not a complete idiot – he wouldn’t say that and then not do it. Yes, like many of you I am worried – I should say hopeful – about the quality of the players that we sign. But my point is that we should be no more worried than any other teams, or at the very least most other teams – or at the very very least, we shouldn’t be anywhere near AS worried as the media would like us to be.
Remember last year, Harry Redknapp spoke of his desire to build a team around Bale and Van Der Vaart. That’s 2 players. And spurs are being tipped by some tow finish above us this year. We’ve got a hell of a lot more than 2 players to build the team around. We only need a few to perfect it. Yes, those few will be important, so hopefully the signings will come and will prove successful.
I won’t say keep the faith, cos not everyone will. Just don’t panic.
Yet.
Rocky, you still believe in Wenger? I am very disappointed. Only a fool believes in Wenger. After all he has done?
Hey Rocky, great post. You might well be right: something is brewing – you just wait for the big bang! ‘Rare Captive’ an anagram of Patrice Evra: brilliant, how did you get to that?! Deep down Evra is of course an Arsenal fan; even his parents have called him after an Arsenal hero (Pat Rice) 😛
we must trust Wenger he will sort it . don’t let the papers get you down ,
Morning all.
Nice post Rocky.
Hec…..show me proof of the wages you refer to. Quotes or public written statements from club players or agents.
Rocky….now then old chum, take some paracetemols and have a lay down in a dark room you will feel much better after a long rest.
Arsene Wenger/Arsenal paying top dollar for Bale?????? If you keep making these statements you might find the men in white coats coming after you.
DM, let’s not go down the road of deluding ourselves that we are better off without the likes of Fabregas/Nasri/Clichy. Nasri may have only had an excellent half season, but that was 1/2 more than most.
I’d rather have Fabregas fit for 1/2 the games than most of the others fit for 50.
Clichy was a first choice left back and he’s likely to replaced with a kid from Charlton and another player that looks good but is often injured.
Wenger has stated on many occassions that he doesn’t like to integrate more than 2 new signings into a team at any given time.
I have always loved Wenger and trusted his judgement. I hope I feel the same next season.
DM, that is a very well-balanced comment. I enjoyed reading it 🙂
I wrote this earlier.
I hope I am wrong but I wouldn’t put it past AW to put Vermaelen at left back(where he played for Ajax) and then only buy one central defender and have Gibbs as reserve.
I have a lot to say about why the media are linking nearly all our good players with a move,something I have never seen before in one Summer. It can’t all be idle gossip or headline articles just for hits.Why is Kroenke deafening by his silence.Many more questions I feel need answering but I still maintain that Wenger is the mouthpiece for the BoD and that there is unrest in the camp as never before.
Wenger is many things but an idiot he is not.The Clichy,Nasri and Fabregas situation has been on the card for a long time,My only fear is that we have to sell first before we buy..
I am sure Wenger is working out the different options but more importantly the players he wants to fit into his system.
By and large he buys good attacking players but not so well with defenders or keepers, of course Sagna and Vermaelen were exceptions.
When cesc goes we have to alter our game plan somewhat, but i may be in the minority on here but players who want to move nowadays are purely in it for greed not trophies.
I will reserve judgement at the end of August.
Its time for a wish list or two….mine are below:-
IN: Chellini & Cahill, CB
Mbia & Tarabbt ..MF.
Gervinho , O-Chamberlain & Hazzard… FWDS
OUT: Nasri, Bentner, Denilson, Eboue, Almunia, Diaby, Rosicky, Squillaci, CESC.
We need a real clear out of the failures and the stars who do not want to be Gunners. This would revitalise the whole club and supporters.
Notice to ARSENAL Funs,
It is not time to feel you tingle or etc. The truth is in front of us. The media are only responding to what is actualy happening. The Arsenal communique can respond if they have any thing to say. But they have nothing to respond.
My brothers and sisters, we all know Arsen and the board work only for profit. We know Arsen is looking for a last minute bid and gamble. He recons after all buy then there will be left over and change of mind by other clubs and he will enjoy the cheepest burgain. That is hanckidori. But the world of greedy business men and agents does not work like that. he definately lost it as he lives in the past.
His actions are sending signals that Arsenal could not make it even to Europe and might be relegated. The politics is that if he bought Benzema first and could face Nasri, Nasri would be left agar as Arsenal looks like looking for trophy. But that did not happen.
This vicious man will hold on Nasri even losing the £20 mil. now and let him go as a free transfer. This is only to make sut=re that he want be sacked by us the faithful fun. Noe it is not a fools game.
Let we start to get rid of him. Please let we campain to stop him from destroying our club. Let we get rid even the board. The only decent one is the russian.
Get up stand up stand up for Arsenal!!!!! No fun no cry get up stand up for your right.
A very valid and interesting post ’98 but i’m split on this view.
Yes the double team in ’98 was built on the defensive foundation that Wenger inherited but not since ’91 had they won the league so Wenger’s input was vital in getting the best out of them.
Also, no other manager would have had the balls to leave Wright out and bring in a kid (Anelka) to compliment the guile and poise of Bergkamp et al.
The problem is that he has never created a good defence. Thinking back, his only really good defensive aquisition was Campbell and he was a proven Premier League player of immense stature already. Vermaelen may prove another, only time will tell.
We are now in a position where we need to build a whole defence. To do this he’d have to spend ‘championship manager’ amounts and let’s be honest, it’s not exactly his style is it?
Add to that the thought of losing 2 of the best midfielders in the world and the fact that RVP will need back up we have a very fragile situation to handle.
How does Rocky do this? I put up a post and it attracts spectrum he puts up a post and we get some of the best comments we have had in ages……….meeeeow.
When you are a big hitter you are a big hitter, another clever post Rocky.
Rasp – Is there anyway you could send that on to me? It could do with a rewrite so no probs..
Double 98,
Has just posted a comment of such detail and quality that I have removed it from today’s post to be published shortly as a headline article so it will receive the attention it deserves.
D 98,
I’ll get the admin dept. to send it back to you, we never publish without the author’s consent.
So much for signing Alvarez. He’s going to Inhter. I’m beginning to think Nasri and Cesc will stay. (and bendy and lego head) We’ll probably have the same squad.
London, maybe you should opt for Cruise holidays in future, rather than semi-kill yourself on a bike in the Alps 😉
Wenger should act fast in the market and allow samir & cesc to go. Please buy quality players that want to play for arsenal. i know wenger is a good coach.
😆 London,
You can’t help courting controversy. It amazes me that one or two have still not realised that the Bale thing was tongue-in-cheek.
Trouble at camp you say Kelsey, bloody hell man there is trouble here, her indoors wants to know why Peaches and others want to see my holiday pic’s, dunno says I perhaps I am becoming a sex simple or someink any way she says she gonna ave words with that kelsey.
As for the Arse Am I bovvered naaaaah early days an it, Arsene aint stitched Barca up for a few quid yet, he will, dont worry.
Panic what kind of andle is that “Panic” thats what Arry does when his misses puts his sarnies in a brown paper bag. You know he has always worked down the Lane dont yer, it used to be Petticoat Lane e was one eck of a weeler deeler back in them days. Bet Gunner 5 remembers and kelsey well e used to by his schmutter there and as for bling Why Arry invented it.
Now that arsene he was in monaco back then where everyfing is megga expensiv so he learned, yes let the fat wallets come in and buy the showy bits all the spendy managers like it there, While Arsene he chatted up the prince and dined at the top table for free and used his royal connections to get good stuff at the right price. Thats Arsene in the know and looking round under the radar, lots of good contacts and some megga talent gonna come in at the right price. So fear not (unless your kelsey and my missus is after yer) we got some good stuff coming,
Arry finks he will lift the spuds up to finish above us, Pfffff not unless he buys a crane he wont but then they say down that Petticoat Lane he always would buy anyfing that was going cheap,so dont put it past im yer now wat i mean Arry. 🙂
Rasp – the Admin Dept ????
It certainly looks like we may end up as usual… with no one coming in.
With our amazing stingy transfer bidding, the clubs who are not willing to let go of the players simply jack up the price. Either we pay or we hands off…simple as that.
It’s all defeats after defeats on the transfer front with little to cheer about. No wonders the stars are leaving too. Who wants to be a lone star in Emirates?
Higher tickets’ fees with no stars… I think the BOD needs to answer to the fans. Is it a fair deal? Are they doing their job? And most importantly, are we moving forward? What is their plan to move the club forward? And the list goes on…..
I just cannot the fact that we are outbid by Inter Milan for Alvarez for a mere GBP 1.7 m if as reported? It is just unbelievable that we are not only behind Chelski, Manc,Man U but also a bunch of foreign clubs as well.
I feared to say my earlier statement about no one coming in. But AW’s statement about he is busy on the phone now begins to sounds like PHW’s ‘we have the money’.
Where is our beloved Arsenal F.C. heading to????
Can bale n marcelo work! God pls,speak to wenger
Jeremy – top of the league, of course
kelsey is correct, in reality we have to sell or be certain we are going to sell before we buy players. Gervnho could be viewed as the player we have bought with any budget we have = not reliant on sales.
evonne, admin = peaches 😳
evonne 🙂
My sone went from 41000 to 30000 on the ST waiting list. (someone asked a while back) 11000 in one season is much bigger that the last two years.
That should read my “son”. I don’t have a sone.
dandan, sex simple or simple sex 😉
Did you see Kelsey they want DD’s holiday pics, er indoors aint appy mate.
GM.
Ithought you would have a SONY 🙂 In house joke.
Sky reporting Gervinho having Arsenal medical
What a lovely post RL! Following yesterday’s upbeat piece and this rather good read: http://t.co/0FrKUgB I feel much more sane and positive about all things Goonerish! Loved the Brats leaving a sinking ship and a pigment of my imagination lines. Top drawer as per! 🙂
If you believe the BBC, Gervinho is having a medical today
I hate there being so many posts and so little time to comment back with everyone as busy with a very thick bookkeeper.
But just a few quick replies.
Panic …… Lauren, Campbell, Toure, Cole = Invincibles defence built by Wenger.
GunnerPete : if we can’t sell the players you mentioned for decent money we will fall foul of FFP with the targets you suggest, don’t forget as a plc still we can only be £5m overspent. If we use a lot of money this transfer window we will be limited in future season
TotalArsenal – thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Panic – I don’t think it’s about deluding ourselves. Of course Cesc is a fantastic player, we know that. But what image do we portray of ourselves if we keep a player (again and again) who so obviously wants a move back to his home. Cesc is not Mr Arsenal, he’s a seriously good player but I think it’s time to move on. I honestly think once he’s gone we can put a barren spell behind us and look to the future.
As for Nasri, yes he was pretty awesome for half a season or so but that doesn’t make him irreplaceable at all. Honestly, if he stays I’d be happy, but if he goes and we get a decent replacement I’d be equally happy.
Clichy. Our starting LB yes, but let’s not forget that there were some occasions last season that had us all wondering if it was time to get rid of him anyway – but all of a sudden, now that an “ambitious team” like City want him, he’s such a big loss. I don’t buy that. I like Clichy, I really do, but Enrique, Baines, et al, will do just fine (woulda loved Fabio Coentrao but now it seems other teams have picked up on him). The most upsetting thing about his departure is that he is the last remaining member of the invincibles, and for that he has to be held in the highest esteem, even though he was only a sub then.
In reality, we need at least 2 defenders – this could be 2 CBs, with Verm on the left (not sure why someone was so against that), or it could be a new LB and at least 1 CB, poss 2. We need a left winger in my opinion to replace the disappointing, if sometimes magical, Arshavin. We need some steel in the middle of the park, someone to command the centre of the pitch. And we need someone up front to complement RVP and step in for him when he’s unfit.
Sounds like a lot, but it’s do-able. We don’t know who could be on the brink already. Also, whilst most people would turn their noses up at the prospect of some of our youngsters stepping up to the plate in certain areas, just remember a certain Mr Jack Wilshere. You just never know how many more of them there could be. Rumour has it there’s at least a couple more..
Great post. Makes a nice change from the normal dross and Wenger bashing. I totally agree about Nasri half season if he wants away let him go I to am sure he will regret it.
Hi DM, Coentrao has been signed by Real. I believe the deal was done yesterday.
I like the way you are pointing towards Jack Wilshire as possibly stepping up to the plate. Next to Jack there is Rambo. What are we going to do with these two players if both Cesc and Nasri would stay for another season? They are so good that they have to play in the first 11 next season imo. Then there are Diaby, Frimpong and Lansbury. They need games too, especially Diaby.
Song for me is a certainty in midfield as our DM: he is getting better every season and his very best is yet to come in the next few seasons. That leaves us with either one other central midfield role in a 4-4-2 or two in a 4-2-3-1. So for that/those position(s) we will, as it stands, have available: Cesc, Nasri, Wilshere, Rambo, Diaby (Frimmpong and Lansbury). With Gervinho possibly playing on the wing (in the Pires/Overmars style) and also Arshavin and Theo available for the wing positions, we do not have too many options to move our central midfielders wide either. That’s why I believe that Wenger will let either Cesc or Nasri go and not buy anybody for those positions. Like you said, we might get another CB and possibly an LB, although it would be very tempting to move either TV or Koz in the LB position with the arrival of Cahill or similar.
So I would be happy with us getting Gervinho and Cahill. Anyting on top of that would be great, but I believe that these two (sort of) players will move us towards the cups. Oh and I would love it if we could get Vieira back for a year, especially if Cesc would indeed leave. Just to play the ocassional game and to mentor the boys into warriors.
TotalArsenal – not surprising about Coentrao. He looked awesome at the world cup.
I agree with a lot of what you say. Lots of fans call for so many signings but fail to think where we’d actually play these players. The only thing I would say is that I’m not sure Diaby, Frimpong, Lansbury or even Ramsay are good enough YET to have a regular starting position in such an important season. I reckon our starting XI could be something like:
Sczcesny
Sagna – Verm – Cahill – Enrique
– Song –
Walcott – Wilshere – Hazard
Gervinho – RVP
I know Hazard is unlikely but boy would I love someone like him. Ryo Miyaichi is always a possibility but a) no guarantees on work permit n b) he’s also still young, could be a good idea to give him one more season on loan. Maybe not though.
The thing with this sort of line up is that we could adapt it so well. So many players can comfortably switch positions, and we’d have excellent back up coming from the bench. Walcott might get an opportunity coming into the middle a bit, Gervinho could go out wide. Hazard could try a free-role for a while. Ramsay and others can be given frequent game time too. Also some have suggested moving Koscielny up to DM if we need him, so we could play 2 men deep in our own half to stop the Barcelonas, etc.
The only place I disagree is in the case of Parker. He’s a proven player at the top of his game, he’s just got relegated, he wants out. He already plays next to Jack in the England set-up (ok not a lot yet but no doubt we’ll see it more). He’d be a really good, AFFORDABLE addition to the squad. Likewise, Keisuke Honda has expressed his desire to leave and he’s one of those players who always looks impressive and gives it 110% every game, and I reckon wouldn’t cost the Earth. It would pose a small problem to Arsene in terms of who to leave out of the starting line up, but that’s never the worst problem to have.
Amongst other tweets from Jack about pre season there is now this deleted tweet that someone else I follow retweeted.
“Bit of golf with big Gaz Cahill…….trying to convince him to join me at Arsenal haha #gooners”
I wouldnt mind us going for Charlie Adam.
DM, I like your thinking and team structure. You have 4 new players in the new line-up, and why not. Realistically, cannot see Wenger buying four new players in one go, spending best part of £50m. Ramsey is pure class. You can see it already: he reminds me of a young Steven Gerrard or Ballack. He just now needs to play regularly and we cannot send him on loan again. Here are my two ideal line-ups, assuming Cesc is leaving (for the moment):
4-2-3-1 (most away games and big teams at home)
Sagna – Cahill – TV – Koz
—- Song – Ramsey ——
Nasri — Wilshere —- Gervinho
———-RvP——
4-4-2 (most home games and some away games)
Sagna – JD – TV – Koz
Walcott – Wilshire – Song – Gervinho
———– RvP ———
———– Chamakh ——–
Ernest- I’m with you- I wouldn’t mind at all 🙂
TotalArsenal, ur 4-4-2 doesn’t include any new defenders and I think that’s a high risk. Koscielny could well prove to be class but to play him on the left, when he had an only-ok debut season for us in the middle, well I just don’t see that happening. If anything I’d put Vermaelen on the left and play choose the best 2 of the following CBs: Cahill, Djourou, Koscielny, Samba/possible 2nd CB signing.
Also I don’t think it can be a given that Chamakh starts upfront. I’m not one of these Chamakh-bashers, cos truth is he certainly has promise, but I think he’d be best used next season as a better Bendtner (hoping NikkiB does go!) until we see what he can consistently offer. That’s why I think we should put Gervinho up with RVP and we need someone on the left..
I’m most likely to be in the minority here (not unusual I guess) but I would not be disturbed to see both Nasri and Cesc leave.
You see, I believe that Nasri is vastly overrated based on a few brilliant goals scored and a handful of superb games.
When Cesc was injured is when we needed him the most and he simply disappeared – or hid.
Another concern is that he has been injured for around 30% of his time with us – although it is a tad heavy to criticize him for being injured.
If Cesc were to leave then we would expect Nasri to pick up the slack and the record shows that he is not capable.
Now to Cesc, you gotta love him perhaps one of the top five players I have enjoyed playing for Arsenal.
That said he has become another Vieira – will he stay or will he go? This is causing a major distraction for those players whose hearts are set on playing for Arsenal.
Our Captain needs to be the heart,soul and conscience of Arsenal and not have his heart set on playing elsewhere.
Injuries have taken a toll on him and last season we only saw glimpses of his brilliance and , far too often, he played when injured and played poorly.
I say let them both leave and trust in our management to spend the funds received on viable long term replacements who have their hearts in the right place – ARSENAL.
gunnern5 – if u read thru some of the comments, you’re not as much in the minority as you think.
Agree with all you said.
A different subject but based on 20/20 hindsight I would offer that perhaps the biggest mistake made was the policy of only offering 30 year old plus players a one year contract.
One can only imagine what we could have achieved if we had kept Gallas and Vieira longer. Both continued to play at a high level after leaving and our replacements for them were so insignificant that I can’t even think who they were?
Oh yea I remember now Squil… and Denil……
DM, I agree we need another CB, I was just mixing and matching the players a bit. Koscielny? I am a big fan, and given the facts that last season was his first in the PL and he came into an unsettled and continuously changing defence (4 goalkeepers, 3 CB’s!!! Merde, Merde), I think he was simply fantastic. Next season, in a more settled team structure he is likely to futher improve. But, I am very wary of fatigue and injuries to our CB’s and we need four quality players CB’s and that’s why I hope we get Cahill. Players like Chamakh and Bendtner are wrongly criticised based on a few, infrequent game performances. Give Chamakh ten games in a row with RvP in the hole, and he will prove his worth again. I think he deserves it.
But DM, in general we seem to be thinking down the same lines.
Gunnern5 – The team is built about Cesc – The lack of age and experience is intentional, Wenger wanted to engineer Fabregas as the new Henry – a leader on and off the pitch and that’s tough when you have him surrounded by older players who have, you know, won stuff.
I think the 1998 team was too confronational for Wenger – They had that big bust up in November of the double winning year and although that spurred them on to great things, wenger set about building “entourage” teams for his star players.
great post rocky loved it……..
certainly hoping wenger has surely lined up something for the fans….who knowns wenger wants to come back with a bang and its about time….
bale would be great signing but can play as lb and left midfield……
Total – I agree on your assesment of Kos – In fact i would say that if we could find a CB that is as aerially natural as Kos is on the floor (he is excellent in one on ones) then we would have the best CB pairing in the PL.
The Samba Story has cooled as of late…. as has the Cahill one. Is that good or bad news… Damn transfer windows they mess with your head – last month we were in advanced stages of talks with both
TotalArsenal – defs we are on the same lines. Koscielny I thought was good in as much as it was his debut season, and he had some excellent performances notably against Barcelona, but there were also some poor performances. Would be very happy to see him become a dominant CB for us for years to come, but don’t think any harm will come of buying Cahill and playing the best 2, as well as having excellent back up for injuries and squad rotation.
Anyway, nice discussing with u!
And good original post Rocky.
D98, agreed the TW is very frustrating. This year, I am hardly reading NewsN anymore. It just makes me frustrated. On average only 5% of all the stories contain a significant element of truth, but we get sucked in time and time again. It is just not worth our precious time.
Total – I console myself with the knowledge that Arsene’s surprise signings are always the best.
I keep expecting wenger to pick up a broken player like Kanu or Overmars and shine them up before our eyes.
Good day everyone.
Thanks for the comments. Quite a lot to respond to so apologies for the mass reply:
Panic: Wenger on a boat in St Tropez? Brilliant! I wrote a post a while ago saying I really hoped he had a proper holiday so he could clear his head and take stock.
DM: Excellent comments. Hard to disagree with anything.
TA: Pat Rice Evra 🙂
VCC: Calm yourself down: the Bale thing was tongue in cheek, but I used it as the most extreme example of the surprises I’m expecting this summer.
Kelsey: why so down on Verm at LB? For me, it would be Verm at LB, Kozzer at DM and two of JD/Cahill/Samba at CB. We would have some real height and defensive bite. Don’t think it will happen though.
London: your piece yesterday also attracted great comments – and anyway, there’s plenty of time for Spectrum to put in an appearance (unless Captain Scarlet gets him first).
dandan: 😀
Jeremy: “It’s all defeats after defeats on the transfer front”. Really? You should stop believing all you read in the hysterical media. You (and they) have no idea what transfers we’ve been seriously in for and therefore have no idea whether we are winning or losing.
Ernest: Charlie Adam would be interesting – I wonder who he would replace in our team?
Gn5: Like you, I’m coming round to the ‘let Cesc and Nasri go’ position. Nasri is good but not great and can be replaced. Cesc is a genius, but you can’t have a captain who clearly doesn’t want to be at the club. And I also think the experiment of building the team round him hasn’t worked. You’re also spot on about the over 30s policy. At some point I will write a post called “Arsene Wenger Regrets…” in which I will speculate on the things he would change if he had his (Arsenal) time over again.
Non – non – non – Rocky – Je ne regrette rien – – tut -tut -tut
By the way, really enjoying my vacance en St Tropez: am getting rid of all the rust 😉
AfStT
Excellent mon ami.
Ne pensez pas des knockeurs et enjoyez vos vacances.
RL, the wonder headline post maker.
I am not down at all about Vermaelen at LB, I think you misunderstod.
Evening all. Now I know this is a football blog, although Rasp I and one or two others do occasionally divert briefly to discuss cricket.
That being said, the article below should be read by all who believe they understand the dynamics of sport, team, self, club, country, but above all a the force for good a love of sport can be. A truly inspirational and sobering read. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/srilanka/8618261/Kumar-Sangakkaras-2011-MCC-Spirit-of-Cricket-Cowdrey-Lecture-in-full.html
Hi Kelsey
Have re-read your comment and realised I probably did misunderstand. I thought you were disapproving of the idea of TV at LB, when in fact (I think) you were disapproving of the likelihood of us not sufficiently strengthening our defence with new CBs…
Rocky, c’est impossible. Les knockeurs sont partout et mon maillot de bain est une tente tout le temps. Maman!!!
I was looking at one of my Dad’s cigarette card albums called ‘Hints on Association Football’ issued by John Player and Sons, price one penny and thought some of you might be interested in some scans.
The ‘centre half as third back’ made me think of you, Micky, and your love of 2-3-5.
If you hover over the picture and click ‘view full size’ you may be able to read the text a little easier.
http://twitpic.com/5m4ld3
http://twitpic.com/5m4lps
http://twitpic.com/5m4m2o
Still no word from RA.
AfST
Zut Alors!
Attention, vous donnerez un jour de champ pour les paparazzis!
mmmm there has been recent articles showing Wenger on a boat with Dein and they seem quite happy………does anyone think that could be one of the surprises? It did seem like a work/holiday because dein had tonnes of paperwork in his hands. It just seems weird that all of a sudden they are seen together and i thought Arsenal were against Dein!
Maverick
Interesting thought.
However, I believe Dein and AW have remained friends ever since DD left Arsenal, so there’s probably not too much to be read into it.
I know DD is marmite, but I wouldn’t mind him coming back in some sort of Director of Football role, although with the current ownership that seems about as likely as ‘Arry keeping his face straight for 5 minutes.
Maverick,
yes they were both recording seperate programmes for Desert Island Discs and discussing their choice of music. 🙂
Most probably RL, Wenger is going to Barca not Cesc. It’s all a ploy.
Chas,
Thanks for the pics, brought back some memories. Wing halves and inside forwards playing the WW formation, those were the days.
Perhaps we should adopt a back 3 formation, but I think we would need a couple of wide players who can run up and down the line for 90 minutes. DanDan can we clone a couple of Geordie Armstrongs from your gravatar ?
kelsey 😀
Geoff Strong…..
George Armstrong…now THATS what we need.
VCC – I only just realised what your initials stood. Nice one 🙂
Arsene from St Tropez……Thank you, i’m old school, been supporting the mighty ARSENAL for 55 years
Chas Number 28 should be given to all our opponents – it talks about passing the ball through the middle but warns to keep the ball low as the defence can simply head high balls clear… Not our defenders..
Is there nothing cigarette boxes can’t teach us?
V.C.C., I love our ‘strapline’. I guess it is the last remnant of the old socialist in me. 55 years, wow!! What has been your favourite period of those years?
Cracking post Rocky
Can I belatedly welcome you back ?!
Cheers Sharkey
No Gervinho announcement yet then…
Welcome back Rocky.
Great, as ever, to have one of your posts.
I wish I shared your optimism as I don’t think we will get the players “I” want, but then that is probably a very good thing and the reason real football managers exist.
Armchairst me.
Morning all,
What’s up, feeling a little bit down? Cheer up guys, it is only 6 days till the Malaysian game 🙂
I actually feel optimistic today and to prove it I am going to march the German and the little Chinese fellow to Paddy Powers and place £40 on Arsenal to win the league. At 15/2 I am going to win £300, easy money
Morning evonne, Micky,
Micky, I am beginning to sway heavily in the same direction as you – if you’ll excuse the exprerssion 🙄
Hiya Rasp – don’t worry, it is normal for old men to be grumpy 🙂 Just as well your admin dept is all young ladies
Can’t even spell a word that doesn’t exist. Armchairist looks better though.
haha evonne,
I’m afraid its deja vu all over again! (tautology) 😦
Sway my way Rocky. All aboard, and how good will it feel to be wrong.
How’s about ‘slipperarian’ or ‘pipesmokerist’
Where did Rocky come from?
Me, very in and out today. Mostly out, as trying to clear the desk before heading off on holiday tomorrow. Its not going well.
Blimey, Arsene has bleached his hair blond!
http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20110707/fichajes/wenger-mojate-ya_54181829943.html
New post……….
Morning all I’m with Evonne in the happy camp, but maybe that’s because after two days of driving in Londinium I’m back on the peaceful and empty Norfolk A roads.
Bored with this mornings mediots already “it is understood Nasri will ask to leave”
Understood by who?
Hi TotalArsenal.
Nice of you to ask…….I have to say I like winning, so it must be the Invincibles team. I can remember saying to my Son that it doesn’t get any better than this. Although I have a soft spot for George Graham, he looked the part and was ARSENAL through and through, and contrary to many critics I thought we played some mean football under him. BOY could we do with his expertise in coaching defenders the art of defending at the moment. If I were Arsene Wenger I would employ George Graham and Frank McLintock and sort the defence out. The midfield and attack can sort themselves out, I think we still have enough going forward to hurt most teams, unfortunately its our defence that lets us down MOST of the time. Don’t worry ArsenalArsenal site fans we won’t miss Clichy, IMO he had become a liability and let us down on many occasions. If we got Cahill AND Samba together with Sagna and Vermaelen at left back this would put us in pole position for next year. I know all the comments about how good Vermaelen is at Centre back but he can perform just as well at left back, thats what you would call a proper defence IMO.
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