Yesterday was a tough old day for many Arsenal players and ex-players as they saw their contracts come to en end and were released from their clubs.
Some, like Kolo Toure, have the chance to go to a top team and continue their highly successful careers. Others like Connor Henderson are left wondering what happens next?
Conor
We have released 14 players which compared to last season’s 5 is a huge reduction in staff. It calls into question the efficacy of the youth system and perhaps explains why Liam Brady is retiring.
How must it feel for those young aspirants who have been at Arsenal since they were children?
Imagine: You are thrilled to be asked to join the Arsenal as a child, all your mates are excited for you. Everywhere you go people know you as a future star, your parents are beyond ecstatic and help you in every way, your school hold you up as shining example and you wake up every day as a member of one of the biggest football clubs in the world. You are one of the elite.
You work hard and progress through the youth teams, and have articles written about you. You are top of the Google list for your name; it looks so great and you are planning how to spend your millions. You have an agent who tells you that you are the Dog’s B’s, and have a swarm of willing ladies who follow you. You have access to VIP areas in night clubs because You are Arsenal.
Then you are called in to see Mr Wenger. It can go one of two ways – either you are going to be offered an improved wage and a contract extension or you are out. Imagine the nerves. You sit and listen to what is said, the managers kind introduction and words of consolation, but all you hear is rejection. You walk out of the office in a stunned silence. You have to tell your parents and your friends that you are no longer an Arsenal player – imagine making those phone calls. At the age of just 18/19.
To those young players who today must scramble around and find new clubs and rebuild your careers, please remain strong and resolute. Just getting as far as you have shows there is a future for you. Perhaps not at the top level, as statistically few who are released come back to the Premiership, but a decent living nonetheless.
My heart goes out to you
written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Happened to my Mate, he now works as a painter and decorater, football is a cruel game haha.
Who wrote this post?
Are we to assume it was Bill Clinton?
When Arsene Wenger is going to sign player to the club now is the time ?
Yeah it’s tough but footballs a tough world. I remember seeing a reserve game at Barnet and marvelling at the skills of Jerome Thomas yet he didn’t make it. Hopefully most will have a good career just not with us.
I have a different slant on this and that it is purely a cost cutting exercise as we still have a number of players who have been out on loan but we have no takers for them at this moment of time and therefore they are still on the wage roll.
If we really are going to buy one or two quality players at the going rate with wages to match,despite the extra revenue that we are getting from our new deals it makes sense as very very few of these youth players ever make it to the standard required but they will in the majority maintain a professional football career but at a lower level.
Big AL. I don’t get the Bill Clinton line – explain.
kelsey. Of course you are right in saying it is cost cutting and it is true that like many other businesses football is a tough environment. And very few people have lives without pitfalls and hardship.
But … just for a change in this site of hard-nosed businessmen, I chose to take a look at the human cost. Imagine it was your son ….
Excellent post. Raddy. Puts into perspective the highs & lows for these budding young footballers and also there families. As Kelsey says, we hope they can carve out a professional career elsewhere as many of our other youngsters have done over the years.
Excellent, BR.
I sort of feel sorry for the ones that get rejected, but when I see some of the journeymen that do make it, it makes me wonder if the said player has put in the required application. (I think Conor Henderson’s career was wrecked by a knee injury, btw)
Then again, making it at Arsenal must be much harder than at 95% of British clubs so, in a sense it goes with the territory.
The issue of paying the youngsters too much too soon could have an effect also (though whether we do pay more than the mancs, chavs and citeh, who knows?). The old stories of the apprentices cleaning the boots of the first team seems a practice unlikely to happen these days. Too demeaning perhaps?
chas. Good points
Take a look at Southampton and the players that we bought through their youth system.A loss to them but most probably kept them afloat. One has to look at it from all angles.
Then you have the flip side of the coin, players like Bentley who thought they were bigger than the club.
Raddy, of course I would be devastated but the boy moreso.
Fine post Big Dandy.
Yes, its very sad. I myself am familier with the shattering of young dreams.
At school i was a good friend of Martin Hayes who went on to don the marvelous red and white. When it was announced he had a trial at the club he was so excited, but not as excited as me.
One morning his dad was to drive him to London Colny for the trial so i announed i would come to. Martin and his old man looked a bit shocked when i arrived in my replica kit and boots.
After a while in the car, Older Hayes asked “Terry, why the f*ck are you wearing that kit?”. ..”To offer my support sir”, i replied.
When we got there, we were greeted by that Steve Rowley geezer, who shoock hands with Hayes father and son, and gave me a suspicious look
It was a practice match, and as Rowley sorted out the teams, i jogged out to warm up.
“What the hell you doing?” Rowley shouted…..”Just supporting sir”. Anyway, after a few minutes, Hayes senior and Rowley frog marched me to the car park. They were very angry, saying things like “you need help boy” and “your a prize nutter son”.
For a month after, i waited for a letter from Rowley to tell me if i had made it or not, but nothing ever came. I was so upset that i wrote a letter to him looking for answers but again, got no reply.
I realise on hindsight what my mistake was. During this period i had a strong infatuation with this girl at school called Carol and used to write her love letters doused with Brute aftershave. I think i might have got the addreses mixed up and Rowley got the love letter and Carol the football one.
I never got a reply from Carol either. hahaha
Swansea city have a good youth set up they have a good left back called Ben Davies a local lad.
Sheep hagger
Raddy,
Wow, that post put a big knot in my stomach. I remember back in the 40’s/50’s my life was consumed with football at the expense of pretty much everything else, including school (which just got in the way of practising). My hope was to be noticed by a scout or coach and kick start a football career.
Playing on a very muddy and sticky pitch I got the ball, feigned right, and went left, but my left foot got stuck in the mud and the momentum of my body ripped my left knee out of joint.
The doctor’s told me that I would need an operation but the odds were that I would end up with a stiff leg, so I refused hoping it would heal on it`s own somehow my dreams would still come to fruition.
Well I did play again, but always with a knee brace and never as effectively – I was only 15 and it broke my heart.
Boy oh boy, making it as far as they all did and then being rejected must have been even more heartbreaking – I sure can emphasize with those young lads.
Great post.
Probably being VIPs at various night clubs have something to do with the exits…
Frankly some aren’t good enough for a top 4 (though we aspire to be top) team. Rather early than late if let go as a youth player.
They have glowing references for new clubs. They should use the rejection to motivate them. No matter who you are or where you play you will find your level. Someone will see you and pick you up ‘if’ you’re good enough. For them it is not a time to solke. They should cherrish the memories and use it to propell their dreams for success. Use the rejection to prove the Arsenal wrong. How many players have done that at Barca?…
TERRY MANCINI HAIR TRANSPLANT that was brilliant, had me in stitches. Start your own blog mate
Sure its a big cull but so far it is actually 18 players that have left the club that includes the 3 first teers and the scholar fagan. That is actually 1 more than last years record of 17 departures but we still have the whole summer transfer window. It is not as dramatic as it sounds as 8 new scholars and yaya sanogo are set to replace half of those players left and I am sure that burton and wenger have their eyes on a few more. However I expect that figure of 18 will increase to around 25 once new homes are found for the deadwood the likes of park bendtner chamakh santos djourou mannone. I also think that one or two more youngsters will yet move on. Ansah galindo wellington being prime examples
That is a very young age to have to experience that kind of heart break.
A clever heart felt angle for a post BR.
Reblogged this on Arsenal BPL.
Big Raddy
Your name wasn’t at the bottom of the post.
And there was an ad with Clinton’s face on it which has now disappeared.
TMHT
Weird.
The times I’ve been tempted to say things like “you need help boy” and “your a prize nutter son”, after reading some of your posts… 🙂
Big Al. Strange – I never get ads on AA.
Sad to see a number of promising starlets being cut loose. Cruel to an extent but not the end of the world for them. Even at clubs with less pressure to win, they’ll be on very good wages. The hounding of the manager by the press, pundits and a lot of supporters manager about the trophy drought.
We can’t have it both ways. With the pressures to start filling the trophy cabinets at the new stadium coupled with the manager/board’s apparent mindfulness of not endangering long term competitiveness – ala Rangers, Leeds, Newcastle – youngsters hoping to rising through the ranks will have to put in 200% just to get noticed.
I am sure a lot of them give it their all but sometimes it’s making the most of that first opportunity (like Yennaris Man U home game season before last/Meade’s CL debut) and even then luck needs to come in with a 1st teamer being unavailable: injury, match ban.
Hopefully once the trophy drought ends and the belief returns, I am hoping more youngsters would be break through. The youngsters should seriously consider the dutch, german, spanish, french top and/or lower leagues for experience.
Would really love to see the likes of Yennaris, Aneke, Akpom eventually get successful breakthroughs along with Gnarby, Einsfeld, and the other promising talent in the reserves. (Still hoping Meade would have couple of blinding years away that will force the club to bring him back).
Kudos to all the players whose contract expire and they are ask to leave…believe me its for ur own good…i see a shining future ahead of u…best of luck
Nice, thought-provoking Post BR.
Some great comment too (Terry 🙂 )
I played with some really gifted players at amateur level but they never had the right attitude to succeed. They were more skilful than some pros I’ve seen, but football wasn’t their whole life.
Let’s not forget a certain Andrey Arshavin too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt6xEKmvZl0
Watched the vid and realized he’s scored some amazing goals for us, was a shame his career with us went on a downward spiral gradually. Oh and we used to play some absolutely beautiful football as compared to now.
Great post, Raddy and a nice method, in a roundabout way, of reminding those that call out our players as not being good enough for the Gooners at the game that these boys are just that…boys…
We’ve seen some great players come through the ranks who just lacked that little bit extra to make it with us and then seem to have gone off the rails…Stephen Hughes, Paolo Vernazza, Fran Merida…I could go on. Great shame that many of the kids we raise end up plying their trade in non-league footballing backwaters, if at all, when they graced our first XI with such ability at times.
I can speak personally, as well…my brother was captain of Brentford’s youth team in the ’90s…he was a fantastic, hard tackling CM…but instead of signing him on pro terms, they took on Paul Davis on a free. The irony, I know. He was never the sam about football after that. Trials at Brighton, Wimbledon and a few others never came to anything, he’ll admit to it being because his heart wasn’t in it at the time. He lost all passion for the game he’d dedicated most of his life to learning…the game he loved…and has never been the same about it since.
Anyhoo…glad to see the quality here is as good as always!
My next door neighbour’s son is working in the café and he had his heart set on becoming a pro. One of my client’s son was a GK at Watford but was told that he wouldn’t make it unless he grew 2 inches. It’s a very cruel game.
Good afternoon to you all,
It’s sad, Big Raddy, that young footballers are shown the door before they can really start their careers as professional sportsmen. But they have their health and their future before them. Contrast this with the youngsters who sign up for a different profession, they train hard, they accept a very strict discipline, they pass all the tests and move on to their first assignment. They are shipped out to a foreign country where they may be severely injured, many will lose a leg or even both legs, they may lose an arm or their sight or even their life.
These young men and women will never have had the high wages and the access to VIP areas in nightclubs, equally they will never have had the expectation of earning millions of pounds and being feted in the newspapers and everywhere they went. Instead they face a life of pain, hardship and heartbreak.
These are the young men and women who deserve our sympathy and respect.
https://twitter.com/MickTheGooner/status/343366429854273536
I did someone’s hair years ago that was kicked out of Arsenal for illegal drug use. He went on to be kicked out of several other London clubs for the same reason. He ended up being a drug dealer. He said he supplied a few at Arsenal but that’s a different story. 🙂
Thinking about it…that last comment isn’t particularly fair to the guy…
yes Rhyle, it isn’t
Thank you Raddy for another good post. It never crossed my mind what happens to those rejected by the club, but if I did stop and think I would probably guess that they are going to continue with their footballing career somewhere else. You are right, it must be a terrible blow to a young lad; at that age they are very proud and full of themselves, but also very sensitive. It wouldn’t surprise me if some never got over it.
Mind you, it must be hard on the old ones too, being told that their contract will not be renewed, but at least they never have to worry about finances or about telling the parents
Rhyle – I checked Ricketts and he is still playing. He has his own online magazine and appears on sports shows regularly. The rumours are probably completely untrue. In fact I think it might be better if we remove that comment?
thanks
Thanks for the compliment Robbo, but doing ones own blog sounds like hard work, so i think i will give it a miss.
It pains me to this day that Carol thinks i wrote her about how my mum would not allow me to head a ball, and that Rowley thinks i wanted to meet him behind the Bike Sheds.
Very sad. hahaha
If you listen to Talksh!t radio there are plenty “goons” who want a certain longer serving Arsenal regular to leave! I never heard such vitriolic attacks upon someone who has achieved soo much! …”I’m effin’ giving up my 30 year season ticket , I’ve had enough of WENGER!”
These in disguise sperz fans have really taken to heart this latest St.Totterings day massacre methinks L☺L!
William – some time ago I posted a comment very similar to yours. One of the regulars responded ‘What is a Gunner doing listening to the TalkShite radio?’
I don’t any more and my mental health has greatly improved, don’t need them to drive me crazy
because he is the best and he loves the Club too much to let someone undo years of his great works
Listen Loonies. Take talkSPORT with a pinch of salt and laugh along, if you can`t laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at !. They have some cracking guests and stuff on the shows, in fact the other day, I drove up and down the M5/M6 for hours with a boner as all they would talk about was how much Arsene had in his wallet for this TW and that he would have £70M every summer from now on !………Damn….I need to go for a drive…… BOING !
BR,
I understand what you are saying, and I agree with you that there’s a human cost involved when it comes to modern football. But honestly, I am feeling incapable of feeling any real sympathy for these youngsters. I wish them well, and hope they find happiness in their chosen careers, whether it turns out to be in football or not. But, a little shamefully, my overriding emotion, if there is to be one, is one of envy. They had a chance I (and I suppose millions like me) never had. I was always interested in sport and was decent at football, and good at basketball, which was my first love. Trouble is I never could quite seriously pursue a career in sports since it wasn’t a viable option. There were virtually no facilities, and no coaching or guidance, no scouts were around taking an interest. I would have loved to have the chance these kids did.
Now, clubs like Arsenal, ManU, Barcelona, Bayern Munich etc are taking an interest here, and conducting coaching camps and scouting for talent. The NBA too. I wish they were here about 15 years ago.
But, that’s just my selfishness there, and what no doubt can also be referred to as excuse making. Still. These young men had a chance very few in the world get. And although they didn’t quite get their dream, they were a lot closer to it than most ever get. They were luckier than most.
Arsene – no good me taking medication for your verbal diarrhea darling 🙂
Hello Shard
Did I spot you talking NBA over on 7am Kickoff?
Yes Rocky. And I found out that you’re a Raptors fan. My commiserations 🙂
I’ll be in the UK soon. Leaving here on Monday morning. I’m there for barely 2 weeks, but I’ll b trying to fit in a lot of activity in that period.
I’m hoping to go on some good walks. Maybe around the lake district, or Hadrian’s wall (Really really need to start working on my fitness. I’m terribly out of shape). I think I’ll also want to go to the charity match at Barnet that GIE told me about. Might also take a few short day trips to Bath (missed it last time. Went to Longleats from Bristol instead), and maybe even to Scotland. Don’t really have my trip planned out, although I think Stonehenge during the solstice is happening. But I’ll be based in London. Any AAers have the time and the inclination to meet a fellow Arsenal fan from afar? I would love if we could work that out somehow (although I’m often told I’m boring, so be warned)
Forever alone 😦
Haha – too right Shard.
I’m a newby to basketball but I enjoy it much more than I would have expected. In a strange way I think it’s an easier game for footy fans to enjoy than baseball or American Football. I say strange, because the first (and biggest) difference is that in footy any score is a precious thing, but in basketball the scoring is non-stop. Once you get your head round that, it’s OK.
I adopted the Raptors as they’re the local team. Rudy Gay was a good acquisition mid season and if they can make a couple of smart moves for new players this summer I fancy them to make the play-offs next season.
Shard
Stonehenge is great but (unlike when I used to visit it as a youngster) you can’t touch/climb on the stones etc. And at the solstice it will be a bit of a pantomime with visitors kept well away from the actual site.
Parts of Hadrian’s Wall are a great hike and there are some great remains of Roman military garrisons (Chesters Fort is good and in nice countryside).
BR…..good point of view….but here a few things that these aspiring Gunners surely realize:
1) Like life, there are no guarantees in Football,
2) I am sure Wenger and his staff remind these kids of this truth everyday,
3) These adolescents and young men are often more upset about disappointing others, not necessarily just themselves,
4) Adolescence is a period of discovery about oneself and how one reacts to challenges and disappointments…all part of the game,
5) Life doesn’t end at AFC, as you rightly point out,
6) Like being in the military, the Academy prepares you well for a future in Football, even if it isn’t at AFC…a free school for a potentially professional career,
7) If a kid goes into the Academy expecting glory and only that and maintains that attitude throughout, he should not likely be there in the first place….that is why they do psycho-social assessments as well as skills and fitness reviews….to weed out the narcissists and emotionally unfit.
8) If they’ve done their best but it wasn’t good enough to get a contract then they can feel proud and successful….their reach exceeded their grasp for awhile.
Yaay..Company!!
Rocky. As regards the basketball in the NBA, it’s such a different game now to when I first started watching it. It was so much harder to score before they disallowed handchecking and changed the defensive area rules. Big men ruled earlier and driving into the lane wasn’t for the faint of heart. Okay perhaps that is too romantic a notion, but in my view, the league lost something when they did that. Though they probably did gain a lot more viewers because the scoring makes it more fun for the casual viewer.
I incorporated some aspects of football into when I played basketball, and vice versa. Although there are some major differences, for example, in how to defend in both sports (and I’ve known footballers struggle to adapt to basketball) I always instinctively felt both cross over quite well. Obviously I enjoy both sports.
About stonehenge. The information I had that around the solstice time (midsummer’s eve or something?) is the only time when they allow you to go near and touch the stones. Is that info incorrect?
The other options that were recommended to me where Yorkshire, and Cotswold. Any idea whether any of those areas are worth visiting?
Shard
You’re never alone on AA, even if you might spend the odd hour talking to yourself 🙂
As for Stonehenge, you CAN get to the stones on solstice but only (I believe) if you can demonstrate you are a practising Druid.
Now I love India and one of the things I love about is the range of religions (I spent a great couple of hours in a Jain temple in Mumbai). But I didn’t think Druidism had really caught on in India yet. However, if your full name is Shard Albion Pendragon I stand to be corrected 🙂
The Cotswolds are class English chocolate-box countryside. The Yorks Dales are more rugged. Depends on what you like. I love the Lake District.
Rocky,
I actually LOLed at the requirement for getting near the stones. How exactly do you go about proving that? 🙂
Raddy, I think we would all love to see some youngsters progress I had hoped that this crop would produce many for Arsene, but I guess there is just too much pressure for players to be as good as Jack on arrival in the first team.
GIE,
I still have hope for the likes of Yennaris and Miquel. Maybe Aneke as well. The way I see it, there’s a sort of competition between Yennaris and Olsson (now that Coquelin and Frimpong are probably leaving) to be the eventual successor to Arteta, and between Eisfeld and Aneke to be the same for Rosicky. Of course, the pressure to get more established players might play havoc with that, but I still think they have a chance.
Shard, I think it’s heart of the midges* season in Scotland so be prepared.
As Rocky says Stone Henge is a bit of a bind these days, you can see it from the roadside without paying and by paying you are entitled to walk close to it. Lands End is also a disappointment these days as they have turned it into a theme park virtually.
Just arrived home from the West Country and I can heartily recommend the South West Coast Path as good walking but maybe a long trek from London. If you can get to anywhere on the south or north coast of Cornwall you can be assured great walks and amazing scenery. Pembrokeshire Coast Path equally as stunning on Western tip of Wales. From London the quickest and most directly reachable maybe the Dorset coast line, still beautiful but for me the Atlantic Ocean has created a far more beautiful setting.
*Small flying biting insects
Shard, I think that’s my biggest concern, the pressure from fans to sign the world class talent and then the shock that they don’t want to stay when another offer comes in.
Recently we sold Bartley to Swansea, and I’ll admit he didnt get many games there either, but one has to ask would he not have been as good as Squillaci as 4th/5th cover at centre back? Maybe the lad wants to play, but Miquel is going to have a similar problem if TV/Djourou do not move on.
Wow. Lots of options for going around the UK for me to consider. Thanks for the warning about the bitey insects. Will keep that in mind. Was thinking of going to Edinburgh, but have been there before.
2 weeks is not a whole lot of time though, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to do too much. Can always come back though. Maybe during the football season too 🙂
GIE, with miquel, it depends on whether he’s deemed ready, but I think he could be Mertesacker’s understudy. TV and Kos seem quite interchangeable, but Per seems to be indispensable. Miquel has a lot of similarities physically. Maybe he could be a good 4th choice. But the rumours surrounding Williams might suggest that Miquel could be on his way out (at least on loan) I think we should keep TV. Make Miquel 4th choice, and buy a DM who can also occasionally cover at CB as insurance.
Shard,
If you are going to Hadrian’s Wall, do the middle bit. The beginning and the end are rubbish and don’t really constitute a wall at all!!!
Thanks IRG. Will keep that in mind. How long is that portion of the wall? Or rather the walk..
😀 the middle bit
I think I’ve been to the ends of the wall from memory a few stones on the ground which I guess is what IRG refers.
Don’t think you’ll have too many problems with Midges in Edinburgh, it’s when you get to the hills and lochs you find issues allegedly….although I’ve never been.
There certainly is a lot of Britain to try and cram in 2 weeks, it’s taken me 37 years to do about 10% of it, although its my fault for keep returning to Cornwall….last week I finally found the place I want to live….I always thought it was Newquay, but Porthleven has won my heart. When I’ve got my Hard Discs back from my Dads safe I’ll start loading up some pics, and stick them on Flickr.
I was at Porthleven yesterday ( The Harbour Inn ), but what is really surprising is that they let you in Cornwall in the first place !. Did you have a passport ? . There`s already enough nutters in the Duchy and there`s a waiting list to let more in !. hahaha
Shard
I agree with Cornwall fans: the Cornish coastal path is brilliant. I would recommend the area around Boscastle and Port Isaac (Micky can give you better advice, I’m sure).
IUF I wandered past Harbour Inn yesterday, drank in there earlier in the week but spent yesterday evening on beach with little man and the wife so missed any night life.
I’ve been to Porthleven several times.
A friend’s Mum used to live in the house two or three doors up to the right of the church.
On big stormy days she said the sea used to come over the house.
She also used to see dolphins swimming in the sea from her front window.
This was the video I made for her son when she died.
She lived to be 100 years old. The pictures at 3.00 with the sea reflected in the glass were taken at the front of her house
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amV-wgGwrB4
Shard,
I once spent a wacky Midsummer’s at the Nine Ladies in Derbyshire at Stanton Moor.
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=125
On that night a group of protesters/revellers lit a ball of rags soaked in petrol in the middle of the stone circle and proceeded to kick it to each other.
It was quite memorable. 🙂
Morning chas, that is a really moving video
Big Raddy,
Thanks for stepping up at the last minute.
Interesting angle, and it prompted some research from me! While I share your thoughts on the personal level, it’s interesting to consider what the future might hold financially for these Young Guns. Here are (roughly) average per annum earnings for those rejected.
Prem £1.2m
Champ 240k
Div 1 100k
Div 2 40k
Loved reading people’s Guide to Britain for Shard.
Most stunning Scenery, by some considerable margin, West Coast Scotland, but as GiE rightly points out, beware midges end June-beginning Sept.
Lobsters for Lunch 🙂
It never ceases to amaze me how a completely non football day and yesterday was a completely non football day can still produce so many interesting comments.
Bastard
Sorry that was aimed at Mickys lobster for lunch 🙂
GiE
Hunt and you may find 🙂
Off to get the pots out in two hours, so it may not be just the two enormous ones 🙂
Got things a bit wrong yesterday. Bit late, and missed the low tide, and with an off shore wind, my floats which are on six metre lines were 20m off shore, so had to peel off and go in commando styley and it was f’ing cold. Taking wetsuit today!
LB
It’s never a non footbally day when you’re a transfer gossip tart. I look at the Sky News transfer Odds.
Makes great reading just now if you are a Higuain or Fellaini fan 🙂
GiE
Are you back in Norfolkshire?
I am indeed Micky can’t you tell by the speed of responses 🙂
Actually I was shocked to see Helston had bloody super fast broadband, not a sniff of it in my quite urban part of Norfolk
Micky – don’t you think GiE would look silly hunting for lobsters in Norwich?
Spuds have better chance of winning the League
FT we get lobsters off the Norfolk coast, just not as plentiful, we do much better with crabs though.
Cornwall qualified for many EU handouts due to its low av income, and unlike the Irish, spent it wisely on things like high speed connections. It’s why there are many growing and dynamic media type businesses down there.
It allows the creative surf dude to hang out 🙂
when will we know who we are playing in CL play offs?
I have thinked my bestest for an idea for a post and null I’m afraid.
If a crisis looms, why not stick up transfer to Arsenal Odds and Discuss.
Poor idea I know, but…
Go hunting then GiE 🙂
Any news on Shrek?
That EU funding is so unfair. In Poland beekeepers get 70% refunds on anything they buy for bees. Here you get sweet eff all. oh well, they get nothing for surfing there
Love it Evonne
I’ve heard many reasons for unfairness of EU funding, but your bee angle is the best by far 🙂
Beekeeping is very expensive, and hard work. With all the talk about bees declining in UK you’d think there’d be help, but no, that’d be too obvious
You lot are really dull/too mature for serious transfer gossip, so I’ll leave you with my current bedtime thinking.
One big signing. Cesc, Rooney, Higuain or Fellaini. Which one?
Consider that Rooney wants to play as a lone striker, not the deeper lying role behind the dutch bloke, and Fellaini wants to play as a DM.
Now, where’s my wetsuit?
THank you all for the ‘guide to Britain’ as Micky put it, yesterday. I’m not going to be online much today because I have some last minute chores to do before my flight tomorrow.
I think I have a bit of a wishy washy wacky post written somewhere. It was written a few months ago, but had no idea where it was going, so abandoned it. I’ll modify it a little and mail it to arsenalnuts.
I also read in the papers today that Gervinho is off, and that the money fro his sale will be used to up the bid for Jovetic. I would love Higuain to come as striker, and Jovetic as an upgrade on Gervinho. Fellaini or Fabregas? I think Fabregas, but that’s a tough one.
Of course, it’s just a bit of fun. Transfer rumours are nothing more than that.
Mark my words – AW will not buy this summer. And I for one cannot blame him, he has a good squad. Could add to its depth, but not by buying stars. Stars want to shine, not warm benches.
If Wenger was to buy stars, he would have to sit one of current players on the bench. Who would you like to become the next FBW?
Morning all.
I think Wenger has had enough with shall we say “problem players” regardless of ability so for me Rooney is a no brainer.
I really think the Fabregas rumour is fabricated (no pun intended)
I am more interested in Gazidis’s latest comment as it is not the Arsenal way to publically declare that the club are going to bring in one exceptional player as well as the fact that there is more money than ever to plough into the squad.
Apparetly Bendtner is talking to six clubs 🙂
Shard. Can I throw in a suggestion for a lovely day or two day walk?
The Cotswold Way is magical although it may not be as spectacular as Cornwall or Scotland,. Within easy access from London and with many traditional country pubs for an overnight stop, it is the essence of what foreigners think of as England.
Another beauty is the Thames walk from Oxford which follows the river into the heart of London.
night clubs Kelsey
He was in trouble while boogying the night away again
I’m all for Rooney, I like Fellaini but his performances failed of last summer, fatigue or found out by oppositions?
I read Cisse wants out of Newcastle because the shirt sponsorship goes against his Muslim beliefs.
Evonne, aka Friendly Troll
Wenger said you need 2 players for every position, but not more.
GK: Szcz, Fabianski. If Fabianski leaves for somewhere where he can be no.1, then we might buy someone like Cesar.
LB: All set with Gibbs and Nacho
RB: Ditto unless Sagna goes.
CB: Per, Kos, TV. Need one more. Whether that is Miquel or someone else remains to be seen.
CM/AM: Arteta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Cazorla, Diaby. Considering Diaby and WIlshere’s injury worries, and that Cazorla is also used out wide at times, I think we will buy here. We definitely need more creativity. That could be provided by buying a DM to provide the other midfielders with more freedom, or by buying a creative midfielder.
LW: Podolski, Gervinho (We could do with an upgrade on Gervinho)
RW: Walcott, Ox.. All set.
ST: Giroud, occasionally Podolski. We need someone else in here.
I don’t think we have enough of a good squad to not buy.We probably won’t buy too many players (unless some players leave), but I think we’ll use our new wealth well and buy the right sort of players.
Thank you BR. Cotswold was one of the things potentially on my itinerary.
The Thames walk from Oxford to London also sounds nice, but since I’ve been to Oxford, I’ll probably leave that out of this ever expanding list. Thank you all the same. All of your suggestions have been wonderful and helpful.
Despite being the butt of our jokes Nik B is an established International CF – I can see him doing well at Stoke or Hull.
kelsey. I agree. No way will AW sign Rooney.
FT. I bet you LB’s sofa we sign a player for over 15m
Raddy – £15m is hardly a star 🙂 I am talking £30m+
Shard
Amongst your many points the one that stands out is Wilshere.I hope he goes against the grain of others with long term injuries as he could be vital to us next season.
I am also concerned that even if he stays injury free he will get a limited amount of game, and the same applies to Rosicky
Then there is Diaby.
Looking at our Far East programme I really hope any deals are done a lot quicker than in recent seasons.
in blog world there is a big shout for David Dein to be back possibly even as Chairman and it was unusual for him to speak publically last week.
Like many fans I can’t wait until Wenger’s autobiography comes out when he eventually retires so that the whole truth comes out or will he remain tight lipped even then as whatever one thinks of him he is an honourable man.
kelsey
I would be surprised if Dein is made chairman, even though it’s not completely outlandish. As for Wenger’s tell-all. I’m not sure he’ll ever tell us everything, but he does keep mentioning writing a book, or revealing some details of discussions and events someday.
I’m not sure I understand kelsey. Are you saying you hope that we don’t sign a midfielder so as to ensure Wilshere and Rosicky (and maybe even Diaby) get enough game time? I think there is a need for another midfielder in there. There’s plenty of games to go around. Arteta might not stay fit throughout the season either.
No Shard
i think it is imperative we sign a midfielder an out and out striker and a mentor in goal. i though fabianski’s contract was up but he has a year to go and then RB will not be resolved until the Sagna situation becomes clearer.
Okay.. Mail sent to Arsenalnuts to use in case of emergency. I’ll try to be around, but might not be possible over the next few days.
BR,
When will you be in London?
kelsey
I think we are in total agreement. Although I’m fine with Fabianski staying on as I think he’s done ok. At least, I wouldn’t call a keeper an imperative.
A sad day at Arsenal Arsenal……….
A sunday at Arsenal Arsenal……..
Apparently Shard has sent something in if we still want to get a Post up today…
Any bosses out there who want to upload it?
It would be a shame to have the first ever day without a new post…
Can’t find it but there is a New Post
It’s really sad, but believe me, there still bigger hope when compared with other club player’s, because Arsenal is counted among the best club in the World likewise there player’s.