Written by FatGingerGooner
Much has been written recently in both the tabloids and on blog sites about Arsenal’s need for a striking partner/understudy for RvP, so with the transfer window well and truly upon us, I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to look at the possible candidates for the position.
Lukasz Podolski
Age 26
FC Cologne
Games 27(3)
Goals (assists) 15(5)
Value £15m-£20m
Germany’s very own Polish Van Persie (are you still following me!?) . Podolski has been in excellent form this season for his club and looks to be finally fulfilling his early promise. He’s strong and quick with a rocket of a left foot, a perfect cover for RvP. His contract is up at the end of next season and his club have already said they would sell in the summer, so could be available at a knock down price. Wenger has already said he’s not interested, but we have all heard that before!
Ricky van Wolfswinkel
Age 22
Sporting Lisbon
Games 14(3)
Goals 10(0)
Value £10-£15m
Wenger is due another Dutch master after DB10 and RvP (oh, and don’t forget van Bronckhorst!) and this kid could be the real deal. He has started this season in top form and at only 22 has bags of potential. Has the abitu to play as a lone striker or just in behind, he made his full International debut last season in a very talented Dutch team and has everything going for him. Only recently moved to Sporting so may be difficult acquire, but if a top team comes knocking he may be persuaded to pack his bags for top level European football.
Moussa Sow
Age 25
Lille
Games 21(3)
Goals 9(3)
Value £10m-£20m
Senegalese striker Sow was top scorer in the French league last season thanks, in part, to our very own Gervinho. With only Hazard left to supply the chances, the strikers goal tally this season is not quite up to the level he would want, but a ratio of nearly 1 in 2 is not to be sniffed at. At 25 he could be looking to take his career to the next level and Wenger has a decent relationship with the French club which could be used to his advantage. Could be the target man we are looking for.
Gabby Agbonlahor
Age 25
Aston Villa
Games 20(0)
Goals 5(5)
Value £10m-£15m
Gabby has been proving himself in the Premier League for a number of years now, but with a number of niggling injuries and managers playing him out of position, he has never quite fulfilled the early promise. This season Gabby has been mostly used as a wide player, but with blistering pace and tricky feet, the lad could be a great understudy to RvP and would give us a slightly different option at the top of the attack. With Villa seemingly happy with mid-table mediocrity, Gabby may see the recent sales of Young and Downing as his cue to leave. He must have International ambitions and a move to Arsenal could see those dreams come true.
Thinking outside the box!
Salomon Kalou
Age 26
Chelsea
Games 5(5)
Goals 3(0)
Value £5m
Still only 26, Kalou has bags of European and Premier League experience. With the arrival of Torres and the emergence of Sturridge, Kalou’s chances at Chelsea have become limited, and with his contract expiring in the summer, he would be available at a knock down price. Not everyone’s cup of tea, he looks lazy at times and is by no means prolific, but his record at Feyenoord and his early seasons at Chelsea show he has the ability to score and set up goals. He is still relatively young and a fresh start could be just what he needs. He wouldn’t have to move home and Wenger has already been sniffing in previous windows. Would be a good option in January as can play anywhere across the front 3 and at a small price Arsene would still have money to buy a proper striker come the summer.
I’m sure many of you will have your own ideas as to who Arsene should purchase, but the more I look at the option of Kalou, the more it makes sense. Cheap, experienced and with knowledge of the PL, he would be perfect to take us through to the summer when Arsene can take his time to purchase one of the others as a longer term replacement for the misfiring Chamakh. His record isn’t great this season, but if you look back at his history you may be surprised:
10/11
Games 29(21)
Goals 15(6)
09/10
Games 30(16)
Goals 12(3)
08/09
Games 37(14)
Goals 14(10)
07/08
Games 32(14)
Goals 9(10)
06/07
Games 25(33)
Goals 9(10)
05/06
Games 36(2)
Goals 15(0)
04/05
Games 32(6)
Goals 24(0)
As you can see he often chips in with 10 or more goals and a good amount of assists, not bad for a player who is often second or third choice at his club.
He’s by no means our next star striker, but as a second choice, for the money, I don’t think we could do much better.
FatGingerGooner
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
What does a wolfswinkel look like, just asking 🙂
Haven’t read FGG’s latest opus yet (I will do, promise), but just wanted to comment on the mini discussion on racism and anti-semitism.
Personally, I don’t like the term anti-semitism; it’s all racism, and to use one term for one group creates an impression that prejudice in relation to one group (in this case, Jewish people) is either not as bad as other forms of racism or, on the other hand, is more serious. Prejudice and discrimination are the same, no matter who the object is. Some people seem to think it’s ok to use derogatory terms about someone on the basis of jewishness or being a gypsy, but not on the basis of someone else being black or Asian. Makes no sense to me, it’s all racism and it should all be cut out.
One of the nice things about AA is its point-blank rejection of racist abuse of Spurs fans based on supposed Jewish identity. The fact that many Spurs fans use as a badge the “Y” word (I’m not scared to use it, it will just cast my post into the pits of spam) is no excuse for us to descend into the gutter of racism.
Anyway, being pedantic, the term anti-semitism is wrongly used: a semite is someone from a basket of old middle eastern cultures, only one of which is the Hebrew ancestors of today’s Jews (or rather, some of today’s Jews). Other semitic people include Arabs and Samaritans. So anti-semitism is really prejudice against middle eastern people, only a small minority of whom are Jewish.
Anyway, now to FGG’s post and the juicier topic of football.
Nice post but wishful thinking.
If we did sign player over the next year and If Arsenal want to compete again they should buy at some stage In the next year Vertongen who can play across the back four and holding midfield. Ole Toivonen who plays for PSV, who is similar to Pires in style. More affordable than and realistic than Goetze.
Sow who would add some power when RVP is not around or beef us up late in the game.
Squillaci,Djourou,Arshavin and Chamakh should be shown the door.
Kalou is a donkey.
Arsenal won’t sign anyone this window, if they do I’ll buy you a pint in the tavern.
I’m not including loan signings.
Bigotry and discrimination are all the same 26,. However if you’re black you’re black. You can choose to be Jewish as well as being born Jewish so maybe that’s why it’s been seperated from racism. Faithism is a buzzword now due to the anti Islamic movement. Muslims can obviuosly be any colour and come from any country.
26th i would love to debate this with you but this is not the place.
FGG:
How can one ever second guess who Wenger is targeting. he most probably has the hardest decisions to make in this window than at any other time say since we last won a trophy.
You have to consider the other 5/6 clubs in the mix and regardless of the constant denials by their respective managers i am sure they will all be trying to strengthen be it by buying but as you say with further loan deals.
We have a slightly different position to the others in that our leader and kingpin (RvP) needs some assurances and other contracts have to be sorted out.
Who any one of us want and who we actually get are two entirely different things.
Talking about strikers – or goalscorers – did anyone see the game last night on TV between Huddersfield and Wycombe ? That kid Jordan Rhodes got 5 . That’s 27 for the season !! I know it’s not the Premier League but it’s British football as opposed to a European League so would he settle quicker that ,say , Podolski ?
He’s only 21 so has years ahead of him . No travelling away to Copa America or African Cup of Nations etc . He has apparently stated that he will , if selected , play for Scotland – not exactly a foreign country ?!
He really put in a shift last night so he’s not just about putting the ball in the net . What sort of price tag he would command I have no idea but surely he’s a home grown option .He was at Ipswich Town before but Roy Keane moved him out as he was “surplus to requirements”. Another flawed decision Roy .
There was also a kid called Grant playing for Wycombe who impressed me , not a striker but he looked the real deal .
Just think that if we can find home grown then that’s what we – for several reasons – should be buying . Think “little Jack”.
January is difficult because some of the top strikers are ECL cup tied and may not want the upheavel themselves when playing for a team in this competition. Podolski is the one for now as (I think) he is elligible for all competitions. Good goalscoring and assist record and at international level also. Has that blend of pace and strength that would suit the EPL also. If he doesn’t want to come now then we will have to do the best we can with what we have and hopefully TH will give us enough of a boost while he is with us. In the long run for next season Ba looks a great option but I would also not be unhappy with a big bid on Pato or possibly Cavani.
Morning all,
Apoogies FGG, I wasn’t around last night or first thing so I have only just been able to put the pics in your excellent post.
I must admit I was surprised that the stats make Kalou the favourite, but I still think we will be signing Moussa Sow in the summer.
Nice summary FGG, thanks for the stats too.
In order of preference, Podolski, Podolski, or Podolski. Then Rooney (!), Torres, Ba, Agbonlahor or possibly Bent.
But we have money burning a hole in our pocket (with few others around having much), and a need to fulfil, so there’s little excuse for not at least trying, though I accept January signings can be tough to make.
I thought that this was a serious examination of distinct possibilities, that is until I got down to the final two suggestions, Agbonlahor and Kalou, when I had to check the date which turned out to be 07/01 and not 01/04.
It’s nice to speculate on striker options but equally important is the full-back crisis and let’s not forget that we are only a smidgen away from having to play Squilacci at centre-back.
Kalou might be good a good cover but he’s also tied with ANC.
I agree with GoonerB, we (AW) should convince Podolsky come to us and not to worry about his starting XI spot at Arsenal.
I don’t expect us to sign anyone else in January.
The budget for players (in the eyes of the management) is exhausted and we wil only purchase in the summer once we have managed to sell a few. So we’d better hope that clubs come in for Almunia, Bendtner, Vela, Denilson and Chamakh (to name the most obvious) or we may find ourselves making last minute signings again.
26,
Please, pretty please don’t launch into an off piste rant on my rare post days. Cheers!
Nice one FGG, 🙂
Certainly from our current position of being short in the striking department, other than RVP, that list is lip smacking, in part.
Being totally subjective (and in case there are any lawyers reading this — I mean a personally biased appraisal of a players worth, not necessarily based on established fact) I think there are 3 players on that list I would be disappointed to see transferred to us.
I have seen Podolski in Internationals (like Bendy he scores at that level) and looks OK, but I have seen him play, on occasion, in the Bundesliga and not been impressed.
Really not interested in Agbonlahor or Kalou. OK players, but don’t really ring ma thang!
The others are very acceptable! 🙂 — Doh — that’ll be the Winkle and the Sow then. 🙂
FGG,
Great stuff, and its nearly impossible to argue the case aginst a man by the name of Perriwinkle.
Oh no, its the hard to buy in january line now. Kinda like World Cup years, and then European Championship years and bad weather years.
In my opinion we can easily afford any of the above price tags, its simply a question of dealing.
Rasp, I will be happy if we could sell some players even if we don’t/failed to sign anyone (not including loan in players). So we could invest the money for the (big) signing in the summer.
mr wenger we need martin suarez,vertoghen,either kalou or poldoski
I agree Mickey, dealing with the deadwood in our own squad would free up a tidy sum in wages.
RA,
I think I’m on your side in terms of quality. It would appear pointless to buy a squad level player, when it is our 1stXI that could do with a light dusting of magic.
Rasp,
I shall hold out until the clock strikes midnight on the 31st!
We will sign an International 🙂
Haha Micky, keep taking the pills – its not gonna happen. A loan deal for someone is the best we can hope for and that will be a defender not a striker. TH12/14 is going to surprise a few when he gets on the pitch… trust me
Rasp,
Noooooooooo!!!!
TH then clears off. Robin gets injured and our season is finished. Nope, not allowed to happen.
On another topic, a poser for you technical guys….
Paul McGrath, Ledley King and now Demba Ba are 3 top class players who really make/made a difference to their teams and yet hardly ever trained/trained as they are/were injury prone and had chronic cnditions which limited the amount of punishment their bodies could/can be subjected to …… should we adopt the same approach to managing Diaby?
Have a good day all. Off out.
At the risk of being a party pooper – and to be candid, I like indulging in wishful thinking too, occasionally – it is worth reflecting on what Arsene’s great nemesis the purple nose one said recently.
When questioned on Sky about the manure ‘run’ of injuries, he said that it was a problem but would not be solved by buying in the January transfer window.
Pressed for his reasons he said that it was not a question of money, but that top quality players are simply not released by their clubs in mid season because those clubs have their own ambitions to fulfil. Even if players might want to move then, unless their contracts are nearly expired, the clubs will still refuse to deal.
It is worth remembering those words before the “skinflint” Wenger mob start to bray about him or Arsenal being too tight to get out there and buy.
My only reason to cavil about the lack of striking cover, is that in the Summer this dearth could have been anticipated, and sticking with a misfiring Chamakh and an unproven Park (anyone heard of him before we bought him?) may in retrospect appear somewhat cavalier.
Who knows, Arsene may still surprise us and work his magic – but don’t bet LB’s (London’s) house on it. Bet Rasp’s instead!! 🙂
Micky, for the last few years we’ve been (management and fans) thinking OK, just get through this season and next year we’ll be miwyonaires – no sorry, world beaters. For the last 5 or 6 years we’ve been patching a squad together rather than speculating and its all down to finance …. boring I know
I don’t think we’ll buy anyone this TW
This is merely my opinion on transfer matters and certainly not my attempt to second guess who Arsenal will buy. I don’t know if I made it clear but the majority of the options I listed would be for summer transfers, only Kalou was seen as a short term option.
It’s interesting how, in the space of a few hours, someone has posted that the club has money burning a hole in its pocket and someone else has said the transfer budget is exhausted! Who to believe!?
Believe me FGG I’m always right 😆 I’m not sayimng we haven’t got the money, just that the money we currently spend just about keeps us even and if we spend more we will begin to build up a deficit. Hopefully improved commercial deals will eventually create a larger pot to fund players but I believe (the accountants will teel me if I’m wrong) we currently break about even and one £20m player + wages would tip the balance
The murky water that runs out of the Emirates these days does go some way to explain the in house fighting between Arsenal fans. They really need to work on the press department and the mixed messages that the club provide to the fans. We are not the only club who has this problem, but it doesn’t appear to be improving.
hey guys, ladies!! how are we all?? Firstly, i missed yesterdays post or chance to comment on sum points made and after reading through was sad to read @bigraddys’ bad news. i would just like to give you and your loved ones my condolences, and let you know (and im sure i speak on behalf of all of us here at AA that our thoughts n prayers are with you in this very difficult period in your lives..be strong mate!!
Secondly, i suck at computers and technology so i was fartin’ round with gravatars n pics and stuff and im not sure wots gona happen after i post this but im hoping i will be now known as @ robbinURpersie and if thats the case i jus wana let you know that im Tony from Australia who only started commenting the other night on @ Totals’ blog.. COOL<so thats sorted, (fingers crossed)..
Thirdly, interesting comments on the 4th vs cup win n 5th plc yesterday.. il wait for TA 2 get back n we'l see wot i think (NOT that any1 cares (",)) but still undecided…tell you wot, freaky dreams last nite… @ chas said it the other nite/ day (not sure with the time diff') " THE GHOSTS OF THE 1930'S R STIRRING!!!! hence the reason behind wanting the name change..
Lastly, thanks @ FGG 4 the post 2day, gr8 food for thought!! this mite sound wacky, but after a long day it feels good to get back on AA n pickm sum brainz..dont get me wrong, i do have a life!! ITS known as ARSENAL nd maybe over time il figure this technology thingamajigg out n start writing my own blog on certain things Arsenal..keep up the good work AA n the GUNNERS!!!!
OH YEAH BABY it WORKED!! (pretty sad i am.. i know.lol)
I can’t see the chavs loaning us Kalou any more than selling Lumplard to manu FGG. I don’t believe any of the players above would be available on a loan.
Micky harbours hopes for Goetze but he’s out of our price bracket already.
how come my picture doesnt come up??? grrRRR
@ Rasp, big chance..il get there, slowly..
FGG. Nicely researched piece. Being primarily a watcher of PL football I cannot offer an opinion on Sow etc
I don’t think Agbon is the answer – he is too like Gerv,. Kalou is constantly berated by Chelsea fans and one has to trust their opinion.
I think we have to go back to our own squad and find the answer as to why Chamakh has diminished and why Park hasn’t been given chances.
If one had to sum up the qualities needed it would be for a bustling big man, good in the air, and best playing with his back to goal. MC is that man. It is up to Wenger to get him back to the player we saw Autumn 2010
Rasp,
The only way to “manage” Diaby is to ship him out. How long must we be expected to wait for him to even begin to fulfill his potential? Even before the broken ankle he was subject to an amazing number of minor niggles. With the wages we have paid him, over the last several years, we could have bumped up Na£ri’s salary by enough to prevent his defection. Now the money saved may help towards retaining van Persie or Walcott.
Rasp,
I’ve just written a similar post looking at the attacking midfield options and I share your opinion on Goetze (though with the way this blog has been received I might yet withdraw it!!! Lol). I fear the Goetze ship has sailed. We won’t be able to compete in the bidding war that Dortmund will undoubtably create, and so they should.
Robbin – I think you need to get a wordpress account.
http://wordpress.com
LG. With his injury record who would sign Diaby?
FGG, I love these sort of posts. Great stuff and great pictures as well. Ricky van Wolfswinkel (it means wolves shop and a shopping centre/mall is called winkelcentrum btw) is a promising talent, but Wenger would have bought him last Summer if he rated him. I think he is still a bit lightweight for the PL. Sow looks like the ideal striker for us and I am with Rasp, we probably get him this summer, possibly in exchange for Marouane. Not sure about Podolski or Agbonlahor: it could work or fail. Both don’t get me excited anymore.
I can see where you are coming from with Kalou. Do you remember that a few years ago he openly stated he would love to play for Arsenal? He loves the way Wenger makes Arsenal play football, and has been waisted by Chelsea. His stats are great and so is his age, he can play on the wing and centrally, and you are spot on re his price leaving us with the option to get a bigger striker in during the summer. So Kalou is a strong option, and I would not be surprised to see him join us this month.
BR,
Fair point, but Arsene is often berated for holding onto players too long. How long would you give MC?
Personally, I hope he comes back from the ACN as top scorer and starts looking like the player of old, that way we can strengthen other areas, but I don’t see it happening.
I liked the look of Streller for Basle when they played United, but at 30 he might be too old.
Rasp, if u were to take away all the injuries diaby has had, have you seen enough to be able to judge wether his potential is good enough to be a force in the arsenal engine room.. jus wondering cos a few yrs ago people were saying it was time to let go of van persie bcos of his lack of minutes on the pitch.. maybe he does indeed come good wen we least expect it n need a staunch like he! But i tend to agree with you, at best he comes back one day n plays a rosicky style role-10 min cameos- i say use all the money from his potential transfer and throw it all in van persies direction..RVP will write another chapter in the arsenal history
Big Raddy,
I’m not suggesting that we sell him, merely terminate his contract and make him a free agent as in the case of Owen Hargreaves.
Wenger’s loyalty to his players is commendable but in Diaby’s case is over done.
TA,
I was shocked to see that Wolves shopping centre went to Sporting for only 5.2m euros! Like u say, we may have missed the chance to get him cheap. I think Sow does look the most realistic long term option, but I do believe that if Henry hadn’t signed, Kalou would prove good short term value.
FGG,
I hope both Chamakh and Gervinho rediscover their goal-scoring mojos and come back as joint top scorers, more likely is that they will both be knackered and distraught about being dumped out of the tournament and so will need months of counselling to get them ready for next season.
LG. I agree but who knows how long Diaby is contracted for? Let us assume he is on €50k a week (not unreasonable) and he has 3 years left – AFC would have to pay €7.5m to end his contract! €5 for 2 years.
They just will not do it so AFC are forced to sit with him and hope he can get a run free from injury.
I
Lifelong Gooner,
i think ivory coast r favourites n expected to go far?? i think they r a certainty for a semi final show in which case we might be short without a new signing. i think gervinho will hav a cracker 4 ivory coast, n the manc’s will miss the 2 Toures..n yaya is special..
Not sure bout morroccos chances, they might cum back early n chamakh mite never put on the red n white again..if we do sign anybody its sure to be in the last minutes..after all itis in wenger style..
BR,
I’ve not read anything about a renewal for Diaby, over the last few seasons, so his contract can’t have that much to run. If he has had an upgrade recently someone in the legal department needs a kick up the arse.
The question is do we take the loss now or keep paying the wages and take a similar loss when he leaves on a free.
Just heard an interesting stat on SkySports. RvP hasn’t scored 12 times this season and iArsenal have won only 2 of those games.
That’s scary!
Afternoon all – FA CUP weekend 😀
Do you think there’ll be any chance of Blackburn tickets going to General Sale or of me picking up 3 from somewhere?
It is always easy to try and second guess Arsene, so few have ever been right.
Diaby’s injuries have been a terrible blow not only to him and his career, but also to the club.
Arsene probably reasons that having persevered this long with Diaby it would be stupid to dump him now, only to benefit another club, just as he is almost recovered.
Diaby has always been recognized by the other players at Arsenal, including Henry and Cesc, as the most skillfull player at the club.
But LG seems to be saying what the hell do the players and Arsene Wenger know? Let’s just say fuck it and get rid of him now — and bollocks to Wenger’s better judgement.
You might not be surprised to learn that I support our great, knowledgeable and intelligent manager and prefer his professional opinion?
Just heard on Sky sports that in the 12 games last calender year that RVP didn’t play, we won 2. says it all that we need one if not two clinical striker/attacking midfielders.
Diaby would have filled one of those positions but enough is enough.
Nicholas has a point when he says “don’t they have shooting practice in training”.
The moral of the story is that a Reliant Robin inevitably breaks down.
Afternoon all nice post FGG with a few good possibilities.
For me it’s Sow but not this year, if we need now and PL ready we go with Abonglahor or Kalou….or Rhodes. Despite being Scottish he counts as homegrown as he played at Ipswich for more than 3 years under the age of 21.
I’m pretty sure TR7 and Almunias contracts expire this summer. Almunia signed a LongTerm contract in 2008 and TR7 signed a 2.5 year deal in January 2010, so by rights all up in June. Arshavin probably has another year to run as he too was signed on a LT deal in January 2009 so I fully expect that to take him to end of 2012-13 season, with Theo, Robin, Squillaci. I think Song is signed up beyond then as he signed a LT Contract at the end of 2009, so hopefully until at least 2013, maybe longer.
@ FGG
very good post, i started to do one on strikers (based on TA’s idea) but you beat me to the punch haha.
For me it’s quite simple: if we don’t finish in the top 4 we lose 30 million dollars thanks to a lack of champions league football. This could also prompt walcott and RVP to leave, not to mention making it harder to sign players in the next window.
The arshavin signing rejuvinated the team and helped us finish fourth,without him we probably wouldn’t of done. Without RVP we are in big trouble (those stats on him are scary). The fullback positions and striking position needs to be fixed. It’s too risky not to. Injuries have cost us to often in previous seasons, without them we would of won trophies, it shouldn’t happen again
@ GiE
You are correct AA’s contract expires 2013
Song’s contract needs renewing.
For those who haven’t seen much of him
he would be a great addition, seems like a good poacher who is always in the right place at the right time.
@ GM
isn’t song signed on until 2015?
sorry no it’s 2014
Song has probably progressed more than any Arsenal player in recent memory imo
They don’t help themselves do they? Those t-shirts must be the biggest fuck up of 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sPgGoe0ygI
oz gunner,
agree with you completely on this..i think our top priority should be to finish top 4 nd we might fall jus short if we tempt fate n turn down the chance to sign a decent back up to rvp..really do worry wen it comes 2 rvp’s contract extension..the man knows that the next long term contract he sighns may be his last..an although there is no doubt he loves the club very much, it may be whispered into his ear that the europa league is beneath him..
Finishing 5th would be very disappointing to say the least, liverpool is proof the damaging effect it can have on any of the top clubs, and in the event (knock on wood) it should happen, we jus dont have the money to entice top talent to play europa legue wen so many clubs are starting to produce crazy money..ie PSG. Malaga, manC, even chinese clubs…
Teams will be sniffing around for song, so hopefully we can tie him down. However, it’s arsenal like to make a big profit on him as we have the very promising coq and frimpong in his position. In an ideal world i wish we had all three, unfortunantly we can’t keep them all happy.
signs (typo)
I think Frimpong is a good bit off becoming a first team regular, he still has a lot to learn and I don’t see a few months in Wolves been enough. Maybe a full season loan would do him the world of good.
@ RVP
exactly, we can’t offer crazy wages like other teams can. Liverpool have climbed back but look at the money they are throwing around (carrol,suarez,downing,henderson, and so forth).
We have that ace in always playing champions league football. I have all the faith in the world in wegner and i still think we could win the league if man city start to faulter and we get an unbeaten run going (not to mention the champions league), but why risk it?
@ Irishgunner-2.47pm.. i think koscielny will surpass song in terms of quick progression and development.. i wouldnt give up song for goetze at the moment such is his importance to the team, but boy has loscielny come a long way…
I don’t doubt that irish, he does need to learn alot in a positional sense. A bit of experience behind him and he can be that enforcer that we need against the stronger/bigger teams. Not to mention he seems arsenal through and through which is always a good thing
Good shout rUp, very good shout. To be honest Koscielny took me totally by surprise – not because he was a player playing in a B league who Wenger (scouts) found and brought and did well, but because he’s a DEFENDER who Wenger (scouts) found and brought and did well.
Frimpong has been with us since he was 9 I think. Would be really nice to see the academy pay off and have him and Wilshere as our midfield core in a few seasons and for a long time.
sorry but i’d give up song for goetze, goetze is 19 and already top notch. Song is a key cog in the arsenal line-up but i think coquelin will pass him in a year or two.
oz gunner,
very true m8.. id tend to think that in this transition period for us, the wise thing to do would be to get in the top quality now before any other clubs bite, and if we were to fail (which in my mind we wont) but hypothetically speaking, the players would be tied down to long term deals. an investment for the future and to show RVP that we mean business.. bit worrying that 4th place has such an importance as opposed to winning the league but this is make or break time in our history thus far..we need a player with a snipers shot.. podolski is the man for me nd very versatile..bugger it, if hes hesitant on a move, its time to dangle a bigger carrot..
koscielny is a gem. To go from french third tier (at right back), to best XI in ligue 2, to 100% tackle rate in ligue 1. He could have a movie done on him.
@ Irish
what are you saying that cygan and squidge aren’t good spots? haha
Ha ha ha Oz, I might just be 😆
oz,
my emphasis on song over goetze at the moment is purely because song is the key to top 4 this season even with everybody fit..against the big clubs which we play at home in the 2nd part of the season song is our guard dog if you like..hes one player who will break up any teams play..i ask myself “with our defence tightening up in recent times (bar a few), can our attack score more than we leak in?? if WE swap the 2 players, do we leak in more than we are able to score?”.. without any additional signings, and frimpong on loan, arteta eventually needing a break, song should not be underestimated this season..
my order would be:
-torres (if drogba and anelka were on form we’d be able to snatch him up, unfortunently with them leaving we have no chance. But what a dream signing he would be)
-ba : he is blitzing the league
-Podolski : always been a big fan of him, very versatile, and an absolute cannon of a left peg.
– Girould : leading the scoring in ligue 1. Offers something different to RVP, powerful header of the ball, big and strong.
– Sow : already knows gervinho well, together they with hazard they won the league for lille, lets re-unite them
– gabby : very quick and strong. wanted to see him at arsenal a few seasons ago when henry left. he deserves better than Villa
My dream signing : Bastian Schweinsteiger
@ RVP
i completely agree, song is one of my favourite players without a doubt. However, given the choice i’d chose Goetze any day of the week. A goal scoring winger/ attacking midfielder is more of a requirement atm. Song is highly underrated by non-arsenal fans. It makes me laugh when all those fans wanted him gone, and were calling for a ‘essien-type’ player. Song is always improving, and always shocking us each game (the villa through ball was amazing). RVP, songs, and walcotts contracts need to be sorted quick smart. Judging by how well we have handled contract situations before we could be in trouble.
I’m with you on that one Irish. He’d have to be my favourite non-arsenal player. Him and a fit Robben would do just nicely
Nice post fgg.
I dont want Kalou, It`s like a chav saying ” Chamakh might be available, He`s worth a punt “, I dont want anybody`s cast off`s, I want “super quality “!. To me, It`s down to availability and price, pay top dollar and they will become available. I feel that we have to do It now, while we have the money. We need to get some quality in, to help us push for 4th spot. If scrooge doesn`t and we fail to get 4th, then we will be snookered in the summer, a lot less to spend and my MiL will be more of an attraction to potential players. If the Chavs spend and we dont, It`s hello Thursday`s. 😦
Me too Oz – right classy player in defence and attack
Why is Fleetwood’s home ground called Highbury?
@ OZ Gunner
Torres belongs at arsenal. PERIOD. his style and class is too much for chelsea..hes not out of form, chelsea collectively are.. but i think it would take him a full season in his current form and avb’s job b4 roman sells and at a discount we could afford.. Roman A likes him as much as we do n i believe he will turn over 3/4 of his squad to watch him bang in sexy goals like he did for atletico..but like you said..DREAM signing..
I am hesitant on Sow and BA. it would be true to say that our GeneraL Mr wenger signs players based on stats as well as within budget and resale value and both these two make perfect sense, but theres a thing in aussie rules football called 2nd yr blues where young up n comers blitz the league 1 yr and then go cold when great expectations are imposed a yr later..although ba did shine inconsistently for a mediocre west ham i do put these to in the maybe bracket , nd ba being unavailable right now..
Girould i dont know much about, (wil do my research} but im convinced that playing balls in the air is not the gunners game, never has, never should be.nd forget that extra dimension crap, we dont have attacking fulbacks to whip them in consistently( i like coquelin though) leave that to the defenders to fluke some in, count on TV5 n koscielny is butching up..therefore Girould may work out depending on price and faith shown by wenger..
Kalou? PL experience, but only really shines wen chelsea are firing, almost the opposite to torres>(isnt he away AFC?).
For me, it would be friggin awesome to see a combination of podolski and Granero..or..podolski nd.wait 4 it…..KAKA!! spend that teeny weeny bit extra jus once please..
my favourite, All Guns Blazing, podolski nd Affellay.. arsenal dont need players to play in the air..we lack finishing power, consistent shooting from all ranges..and we lack width and pace with mixed with confident decision making and above all i want our creative flair back..THE SEXY arsenal that i fell in love with…sorry for the rant dude but for the record, those 3 podolski combos signed up long term would 1.keep us above 4th and guarantee tying in RVP 4 life jus like DB…now thats the DREAM!!
Red Arse 1.51pm,
I know that you consider it to be almost sacrilegious to criticise anything to do with Arsenal in general and Wenger in particular but the line must be drawn somewhere. If, as you say, Diaby is on £50,000 a week it takes some justification to retain him in the face of an horrendous injury history, much more than some snippet of hearsay that he is the “the most skilfull player at the club”. Unless that skill can be put to use on the pitch it is worthless.
If, again as you state, he is “almost recovered” then a stay of execution is appropriate but how long will it be before the next injury puts him out of action.
I don’t have the statistics maybe someone can tell us in how many games Diaby has played the entire ninety minutes during his career so far at Arsenal, and if he has ever played two such games on the trot.
@ Irishgunner,
great call!! Bastian Scweinsteiger, my pick for euro final is spain v germany..bastian has it all, nd built for the PL.. get the german combo happening.. Wenger did it with the french players…thats the lick your lips stuff that would make the spuds crap their panties..
Heres a dark horse 4 ya.. maybe in sum quarters opinions lacks in class, his work ethic n shooting skills are top notch, he has a contract running out at bayern and hes refusing to sign..goes by the name of Ivica Olic..ive seen him hav stunning performances with croatia nd even last yr with bayern..very cheap fox in nd out of the box
Ivica Olic-Bayern Munich anyone? typical Wenger curve ball signing, and saving $dosh 4 the owner i mean club (“,>..
Its on Highbury Avenue Irish
rURp,
Ivica O lic my what ? . Sounds like one of them bondage doggers, chary and Terry were on about !. 🙂
‘How many things I don’t need!’ – Socrates, walking through an Ancient Athens market place.
Like anybody else, I would love us to sign up a top quality, or even a quality, striker in January, but if we don’t, and even if RvP would get injured, we will cope with it. Arsene would tweak the system and it might actually do us good.
Our overreliance on Robin is almost certainly unsustainable. The question remains whether it is better to bring somebody from outside, in January, to solve this problem, or whether we need to solve the problem from within. Both carry risks and there are no guarantees. I’d say, if Arsenal can do good business, let’s go for it, but let’s not expect too much from whoever is brought in. For every Arshavin there is a Carrol or Torres.
At some point Park and the Ox will come into the frame this season, and there is Ryo as well. Chamakh and Gervinho might return full of confidence and focus and make a real difference towards the latter part of the season. We all know that Wenger builds his teams on trust in his players, and is less effected by the addictive and, initially easy, solution of shop-therapy. Whatever way it goes, I have a lot of confidence that it will come good this season.
I hate this blog! you go away for a few hours and miss great debates! or end up sitting all night catching up
Ginga – solid as usual! Great stuff.
I doubt very much AW will buy a striker in January, buit for the sake of this debate I will agree with majority and ask for Podolski. I don’t particularly like Volksdeutch, but he is a good player and could do well for us.
Micky – you don’t write enough posts to justify the attack on 26! The wiff waff club gets preferential treatment again
Total,
Are you saying Ashavin was a good signing ?. Overall I think the three of them have been poor !. With Torres, It could have been much better, he chose the wrong club in London, but alas we couldn`t afford him !.
Nice one FGG, cant see wenger spending any money……….
I agree with TH12 signing, no brainer, short term stand in thats fine by me…….
He’ll get a LB or utility defender on loan and thats it………..
@TotalA yes At some stage Park / Ox / Ryo should get in the frame, but cope with RVP injury and no other signing? not sure about that. Unfortunately for us, we have too many under performers / injured players. Its a shame Benik Afobe is injured, he would give us a great option off the bench.
Ryo might be going on loan, would rather see him and Ox given some impact slots, both have pace and tricks……..
as Jamie said earlier, the one player we should break the bank for is Vertongen…………
I agree with the comment that Torres is not a chelsea player and would thrive at THOF.
I think against Leeds, Wenger should play Walcott through the middle, supported by the Ox and Ryo.
No surprises in the FA-cup today. Tomorrow the Manc clubs will be battling it out for their reputations. That should be a hell of a game!
e va va vonne,
Your first sentence, so true, and you could have added ” and by the time you`ve caught up, everyone`s gone “! 🙂
and just like moses calmed everyone down in the desert, step in TOTAL with some words of CALM.. love ur work Total.. I am starting to believe Park was brought in as a marketing ploy. How many shirts have we sold in Korea with his name on it??
harry,
That would be a mouthwatering gamble up front, needs some inventiveness ( is that a word ? ) in midfield to feed them.
IS IT BAD KARMA TO WISH FOR A FEW GOOD KNOCKS N MAYBE a FEW SUSPENSIONS OR FIVE for the MANure FC GAME??
Glicster, initially he was a good signing. I think it was Oz who referred to him having a big impact in saving the season for us when he was bought in January.
Harry, I know what you are saying but we would have to change the system a bit, maybe go to some sort of 4-4-2 with Park up top and the Ox in the hole and two of Gervinho/Theo/Benny/Ryo on the wings in the second ‘4’. It might work out or not, but buying Podolski or Torres or Sow etc might also not work out initially. Vertonghen is a fantastic player, but we have enough CB’s and he would want to play every game: I cannot see it happening myself.
rURp,
With the amount of Injuries we get, I dont wish it on others, I think it`s bad Karma, but hey, wish as much as you like and if we get more injuries, i will know who to blame ! 🙂
Robin – absolutely not. It is a very good thing to wish the Mancs all ill, the greater good of football in general. If you are in any doubt ask GM or Chas.
GLiC – yes 🙂 and you end up talking to yourself making others think that you are mad or something 🙂
RURP, your avatar is working! Nice to see the maestro at the table! 🙂
Re Park – I cannot image Wenger doing something as cynical as that, but I must admit it has crossed my mind as well. To deny Park a footballing career at Lille, just so we can sell his shirts in Korea, does not seem logical to me. I think Park is not ready yet and the coaches are working on him in training. Every game is so important that Wenger cannot experiment with Park or even Chamakh too much, as he does not want to break the mighty RvP goal-scoring-machine formula. Hopefully we’ll see him against Leeds and steal the show! 🙂
LG,
Apologies for not getting back to you earlier – been out.
I have no problem with you voicing your opinion — of course.
My opinion is rather different to yours, is all.
I never mentioned Diaby’s salary, because, like everyone else I do not know what it is, as those details are confidential and not specifically disclosed in the Arsenal Annual Accounts.
I did mention the players’ views on Diaby’s skill level, because I heard an interview between Perry Groves and Cesc on the old Arsenal TV about 3 years ago and it stayed with me. If you prefer to set that aside, that’s fair enough, it is not important.
My main point was that Arsene Wenger clearly does not want to simply dump Diaby, whatever the cost, which you were demanding he should do.
I do not not know the full details, anymore than you do, but I would rather trust his professional judgement than yours. Sorry.
You give me credit for never questioning Arsenal or Arsene, but frankly I do not deserve that credit, because I do occasionally have my doubts and I do voice them. No one is infallible!
If you read my comment at 12:09, you will see that I said;
— “My only reason to cavil about the lack of striking cover, is that in the Summer this dearth could have been anticipated, and sticking with a misfiring Chamakh and an unproven Park (anyone heard of him before we bought him?) may in retrospect appear somewhat cavalier.”
I do not blindly follow or accept anyone or any thing.
I DO enjoy exchanging views with others, as I am sure you do too.
GLIC, my friend, have you been at the sauce already? 🙂
How many Arshavins do we have?
To quote you — “Are you saying Ashavin was a good signing ?. Overall I think the three of them have been poor !.”
You are having a Cornwall moment I suspect!! 🙄
Harry, 🙂
Good comment.
I would like to see Theo at CF too. He has taken a lot of stick – much of it unfair – and maybe he could be our striker cover for RVP, with the Ox coming in on the wing.
Theo might pull it off – ouch – and put two fingers up to the doubters, by scoring buckets of goals – I hope so, and that would release money for jan Vertongen!! 🙂
RURP,
I like you already — your gravatar shows you are uncannily like AW – tall, grey and ancient! 🙂
TA, 🙂
All commercialism is, at heart, cynical – you know that – but it falls on its proverbial arse if the player (Park) never gets on the pitch!! 🙂
The rest of you keep up — otherwise Kelsey will give me grief for hogging all the available words!! 😳
Hasn’t Olic just moved clubs? I saw him in the Emirates cup. He’s good
TA, its january of course the maestro is at the table!.. wishful thinking?
what to say bout Park id like a game from him similar to those for his country.. i was expecting much greater things from this one, maybe more to the extent of his manURe cousins’ impact(s). in terms of the revenue scheme, wenger wouldnt experiment with someone of his age and the defense service for his country only two yrs later if he didnt come recommended to make an impact straight away!..one of our scouts made a boo boo on this one, or perfect execution for our fifa fair play revenue returns for our investment in the future?? il reserve my thoughts on wenger and his men making a mistake on this one and use his shirt sales for RVP’s contract extension..still i hope he plays his part to help keep the ARSENAL machine moving??
RA, agreed. 🙂 What is your stance on his arrival by Arsenal?
It would be quite a feat if Park becomes a success eventually. To be a squad player is one, or to work hard like ‘MU’s Park’ and earn your stay is an even bigger achievement, but to become a successful striker at Arsenal, coming from such a small footballing nation, would be astonishing. It would take a lot of self-belief for Park to claim that position.
GM, his contract with bayern munich is up in june..hes a fox in the box and can shoot.. works as hard as if not harder than ramsey in terms of ground covered.. the only club publically interested and willing to bid atm is Lazio fc.. ive followed him 4 a while having a croatian background, and he had a stellar season for bayern and their run in europe.. i know my scouting skills may not be up to par but ive followed wenger 4 a while.. typical signing, cheap, cross between eduardo and podolski, maybe not in that class, but hes a dark horse in my book..
RURP, what time is it in your part of the world, and what is the weather like?
Redder`s
We only have one Arshavin ?. What have you done with the other Two ?. VCC did say the other day, that your in the “scrubs”, he gave me your postcode. So you are an evil mastermind who collects Meerkats !. I thought you were inside for “handling swollen goods”!
RURP, Olic is a fine player: you could be on to something!
@ RA,5.38pm, aren’t you forgetting wise, genius even. they say ur the comedian of this bunch, the smart arse.. il pay no attention, jus like the old grey guy running our club and forget all the opinions of everyone else n say that i like ya too..(“<)
TA, its 5am. pretty cool for a summer nite.
TA,
My fall back on the Park situation, and not having seen much of him, is that I cannot believe AW got it so wrong with him (Close your eyes LG I am just being kind) 🙂
I suspect Park has been in intensive training to get him up to the required EPL standards and will come good in the last part of the season. Could be the star we need!!
If you were referring to Theo — I know what I saw when he was a kid, and I was overjoyed when we signed him. I have no idea why he has not been consistent — but the fact is he can be brilliant.
Other players ‘flat-line’ and have never been brilliant – ever – and never will.
Theo has it in him to be a superstar and I can see why AW does not want to sell him for another club to benefit. (Think I have said that before in a different context) 🙂 But it is true nevertheless!
RURP, RA is our very own homme fatale/totale on AA. The Dennis Bergkamp of this blog.
Got to go for now — otherwise it will be WAR!!! 🙂
rURp,
If we sign Olic, he will fit in fine on here, as were all Arsenalolic`s on here. 🙂
Is it tea time on cellblock H ? 🙂
TA, Plenty of respect to RA..ive always loved arsenal, but wen Bergkamp put on his ballerina boots i FELL in Love with them.. i pray every day that dennis comes back to mould our future with Arsene.. seems only fitting one would think?? and the fairy tale would be for RvP to follow the LEAD!
RA, I was referring to Park, but you are so right about Theo. I just wonder how many wingers are able to maintain consistency over a long period in a season. If they can do it, then they are top class, but they are difficult to find. As soon as it goes a bit wrong for a winger, they become very exposed and only those who can overcome the criticism, on and off the pitch, quickly, are able to maintain a good level of consistency. Theo does not have a thick skin and criticism seems to affect him a lot. That’s why I am always a bit protective over him.
I think he is missing Fabregas a lot and in teams like MC and MU he would get a lot of direct/good service from Silva and Rooney. I would be gutted to see him go there and do really well.
A big strapping Aussie falling in love with Ballerina boot`s !, Dont let it go outside this blogsite rURp. Dont let your Aussie Rule`s mate`s know ! 😆
RURP, you live the nightlive! Dennis was special: he was addicted to beauty and perfection and brought football onto a higher level. He will come back to Arsenal at some point, and it will give us all a lift when it happens.
TH12 in the Guardian today:
‘When I left this club, I cried. I cried for the statue. I haven’t cried a lot in my career but when I do, it seems that something is happening with Arsenal. I can be a pain at times but I love the club. They say love is blind but it is difficult for me to say ‘No’ to Arsenal.’
Welcome back Thierry and thanks for the tears!
GLiC, my aussie rules mates could never understand a passion 4 Arsenal and alwys make fun of the great acting qualities in world football, yet i could never understand awarding a team a point for missing the goal..
TA, i work a late shift..
i appreciate the innuendo but there’s a bigger chance of getting blind drunk with Tony Adams. (“,>
6 o clock is slopping out time, but since Redders is the Daddy some one else is taking care of his slops.
Interesting post FGG, i would take Poldoski in an instant.
time to call it a nite..catch up soon, hope i can wake up to some solid transfer activity!!
A question to you Emirates regulars. What is the best place to sit at THOF for the Atmosphere and home singing ?. I always seem to end up near the away fans and have to listen to their amusing chant`s !
Nite rURp
Any were lower tier Cornwall, the north bank has some sort of singing section i think. I like it upstairs and insist every one sits down, stays silent, and concentrates on the game. hahaha.
Terry,
Your little bondage thingy with chary brought back memories.
When I first moved down here ,it was my goal to get the semi-retirement job i have now, it took me nearly 13 years to finally get it !. Anyway, one day ,I was in Tesco`s and I saw a card on the advertising board, there was a “vacancy, for a cutter of rubber costume`s”, being The West Country, I thought it was for surffing wet suit`s. I phoned the number and spoke to a sweet talking Irish lady, I explained that i had a lot of previous experience in the “Cutting trade” but not in the “wet suit trade “, she said it wasn`t surf suit`s, I said, what was it then ?. she replied, your a cockney, use your imagination, it clicked straight away, ohh ,I said .
The interview was at her house, complete with dungeon, stocks, gagging masks, whips ,the full monty !. I got the job and was for a while making Rubber and latex costume`s for her. The story`s of her party`s will only give you a Semi and may not be fit for AA consumption ! 🙂
If you google “westward bound ” you will get a jist of it, aparrantly quite a well known company of it`s kind.
Thanks terry , I will try the North Bank next time, minus the red and white rubber all in one suit ! 🙂
ESPN are banging on Arsenal v Leeds Utd featuring the Thierry Henry! Everybody is excited about it, but not half excited as me 🙂 Silly old moo
hahaha, you never fail to surprise me Cornwall. Did you ever go one of the partys ?
Is he going to play Evonne?, it will be great if he starts.
TA,
I am all dressed up, ready to go out for dinner at the invitation of one of my clients. As I still cannot drink alcohol it could be a long evening! 🙂
Just shutting my laptop down, but had to say that you have shown what a decent and exceptionally nice guy you are.
Comparing me with the revered Denis rather than the more bog standard Stepanovs has cheered me up immeasurably, even tho I have to say it is a totally undeserved accolade!! 🙂
Thank you for the kindness! 😳
No terry, I was invited, but if you didn`t wear the outfits, you would not get in !. When i was making the outfits , I was sometimes asked to try them on but they were a bugger to get on and you needed baby powder to help slip into them, and then i wouldn`t come out of the changing room, because i would get a semi and get embarressed.!
Funny it`s the sort of thing I could imagine Redders being into, all them strapadicktome`s ! 🙂
hahaha, well he did just say he was “all dressed up”
What timing, Redders is all dressed up ! 😆
Terry , our minds are linked ! 😆
Off now to watch a Bondage…..sorry Bond film . 🙂
Dandan – thanks for the earlier info on Fleetwood and Highbury Stadium
Someone mentioned Vertonghen earlier – a Dutch friend of mine is an avid follower of the league there and goes to any game he can, including a lot of Ajax ones. He reckons that he is like Vermaelen …. only better.
Just on the Diaby debate. There is a guy of similiar age who has also been plagued by injuries throughout his career, always showed potential, would go on a good run, then get injured. Clubs were probably thinking why are they keeping him, some tried to sell him but he failed medicals … anyway seems he has put those problems behind him and has gone on a bit of a run of late. He’ll be playing in the ACN soon and you might have seen him up front for Newcastle scoring the odd goal or two this season. Many clubs got tired of waiting for Demba Ba to come good before he even reached his peak, are we doing the same with Diaby? Diaby has massive natural ability, I just fear he over thinks on the field and that leads him to do stupid things.
RobbinUR,
In answer to your question of much earlier (sorry, I’ve just got back from drivimg to the south coast), yes I have seen glimpses of brilliance from Diaby and firmly believe he should be played in the advanced midfield role – maybe a No.10.
No-one is going to buy him if he doesn’t get time on the pitch, I was just wondering whether he might be able to turn out more performances if he only did light training.
I would perserve with Diaby for as long as it takes…….Think we need to keep him in a cryogenic cell in between matches…….The guy is immense, yeah he holds onto the ball too long at times and to be honest I am suprised this hasnt been coached out of him by now…….He would be an asset right now in the attacking point of midfield, he knows where the goal is…….Fenerbache away was a prime example………My favourite diaby game was the CC final against a full strength chelsea, he dominated it until John Terry headbutted his foot…….
@TA I would take Vertonghen in a heartbeat, he is more than just a CB and whilst for once we have a good selection of CB’s they are all very versatile, quality World class versatile players are very rare…..So to have Vertonghen, Vermaelen and Kozzer that would give us so much………
Kalou is cheap. No frills just a propper player. Good shout
What an evening of debate, GliC and his rubber suits has got to be the most worrying comment I have seen posted by an AA regular! 😀
As others have suggested Lower tier is pretty good atmosphere inmost parts of the ground. North Bank is good if you can get near singing section. Clock End a little quiter as there are a lot of irregulars and first timers in there. There is a section to the right (looking at the pitch) of the away fans that is becoming more vocal and responsive to away fan chants.
When I went for the Wolves game I was sat to the left of the away fans and there were a few around me standing and singing….problem was our steward kept coming to sit everyone down. Which was a little annoying and the first time I’ve experienced it so regularly….right little jobs worth. And it was killing any hope of atmosphere.
don’t even start evonne, that happens to me on an everyday basis. I wakeup and everyone is asleep. I’m not complaining because i get half a days worth of great comments to read but nobody to respond too.
Henry’s been away,
But now he is back to play……
We all wish he was here to stay,
but its only for a few days…..
8 games at the most,
lets hope he gets the ball between the posts….
He holds our record for goals scored,
When he’s on the pitch, we werent bored…..
He’s back because he loves this team,
For me, he will always reign supreme……
So for now he is the man,
All part of wengers master plan……….
Harry,
That’s some good rhyming!
Are you H from Steps!!!? Lol
Cannot wait to see Henry in the latest Arsensl shirt. I will be almost as turned on as when my missus puts it on!!! Lol
Henry looks better in the knee high socks though!!!!
Harry, you are in fine form tonight!
rumours flying around Arsenal wants Demba BA. he has a 10 million release clause in his contract.
I love Demba Ba, did I say it before? Probably 🙂
Morning Oz, you know what to do! Big Oz community in London, cheaper food and clothes and Emirates round the corner. And the weather is not bad, 12 degrees all year round 🙂
Rocky is back today 🙂 I bet he wrote a post or two while holidaying in Miami
Who do we want to win today in Manchester? Hm, draw, extra time and some serious injuries would make this fixture delightful
Happy bithday to David Bowie, a pensioner today .God do I feel old.
Hi Kelsey – but would you want to be young again? I wouldn’t
Morning evonne.
hard question to answer but IMO the world was a safer and better place when i was younger.The sixies and seventies were great.
I am disturbed to see yet another arrest at Anfield on friday night, with racial abuse yelled at an Oldham player.
I always maintain even though we now live in a multi national society that when there is high unemployment and a deepening recession racism tends to rear it’s ugly head until things get pretty nasty.
Football unfortunately has always attracted a small minority of narrow minded people but though one knew it was always there it wasn’t perhaps highlighted as it is today.
The Internet,facebook,twitter and alike haven’t helped.
Morning all,
How do you know a thing like Bowie’s Birthday Kelsey? Anyway, legend in my eyes.
Evonne,
Young again? Yes please. All that S,D & RnR. Those were very, very good days.
Mind you all overshadowed, as it looks like my Daughter is being let out of hospital today, so I’m over the bloody moon. Off there now. Bye.
Micky,
because it has been on every news channel since last night 😉 and I join the club in 9 days time.
Kelsey. Both you and Bowie have been fortunate in the hair department!
I love Bowie. First time I saw him was at the Finsbury Rainbow 400yds from THOF. Brilliant – the Hunky Dory tour.
The Station to Station tour was IMO best. I saw him play at Empire Pool Wembley. Went every night of his weeks residency.
Just looked it up ….. 1976 😦 Tempes Fugit.
Man City win as I have them in my bet!
I’m not sure wether a Man U defeat will see them crumble all together, or fire them up for the league.
Wouldnt it be nice to see Fergie scrambling to win the Europa League so that his season isn’t a complete disaster!
bowie is a legend, love his stuff.
great news Micky
Kelsey you may be right about recession bringing the ugly side to the game through society’s struggles. But Liverpool by not condemning Suarez have condoned the behaviour of their fan. Fans holding Luis Suarez scarfs aloft and wearing his t-shirt are only doing it because the club sanctioned it. That the Kop broke out into singing Luis Suarez’s name when Adyemi was complaining is again further evidence of Liverpool’s mismanagement of the situation.
Young again? No thank you. Though another horizontal night in the arms of Vivenne Harding would be spectacular.
hey people how we doing?
FGG, i think manC will get turned over in one of their 2 cup matches against either manUre or liverpool.. regardless of injuries or form to them or their opponents..IMO it will do them a favour and theyll just nick the PL in the end.. of course id like to be SO wrong bout the latter but hey! where are they playing 2nite?
GIE Well said.
G’day Robbin.
A draw would be best. Preferably a violent game with a number of cards
Rasp. Before your time?
Morning all
New Post ……….
I’m going to double post today so look out for another one in a while.
All the young dudes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sadly not Raddy
I saw Mott the Hoople play All the Young Dudes – Bowie wrote it for them
Big Raddy,
i definately see a red card(injuries are part and parcel this time of yr) coming in the game tonight, and that from the blue half..with yaya out and barry suspended i think we’l see De Jong…NEED I SAY MORE!
info promo…
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