Time to vote on this week’s strikers pre 1956 as we compile our own Arsenal’s Greatest Team.
If you’ve missed this weeks posts we have profiled 10 strikers from between 1923 and 1956. If you check the side-bar you can re-read them. Votes can be cast for up to three players.
This weeks profiles written by GunnerN5 and compiled by Gooner in Exile
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
My vote is in – I voted for three players who I never had the good fortune to see play live, Pathe newsreel flicks and family folk lore were enough the convince me that they were three of our greatest forwards,
Two of them appeared in the 1930 FA Cup Final, our 1st Trophy win namely Alex James and Cliff Bastin, with James, our playmaker supreme, scoring one of his rare goals in our 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town.
My third choice was Ted Drake, Bastin and Drake were our goal scorers, many of which were set up by the cunning skills of James.
Oh how I would have loved to have seen them play!
Now this is the type of article that I would hope become reality.
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Wenger to remain at Arsenal
Saturday 13th July 2013 7:06
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he is ready to commit his long-term future to the club.
Wenger’s current deal with the Gunners expires next season, and he has held preliminary contract talks with chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
The Frenchman was linked earlier this summer with Paris Saint-Germain, who eventually appointed Laurent Blanc as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
“I am committed to staying longer at this club. I’ve already had a chat with Ivan. It went very well, not a problem,” Wenger said.
“The link with PSG is there because I’m French and I know the owners. But if that was the case then I would be there already. I’m not at PSG because my heart is with Arsenal.”
Meanwhile, Wenger has hinted the club are in a better position to spend some money in the current transfer window.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Liverpool’s Luis Suarez have been mentioned as possible attacking targets along with Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain.
“They are all realistic targets quality-wise, but not all of them are available to join us,” Wenger added.
“We have better financial resources than the years before and it is resources we have created ourselves. That is massively important to us.
“For years we were out of the race for the top-level transfers but we are coming back now because we are in a better financial situation and also because of Financial Fair Play.”
.
David Jack, Alex James and Boy Bastin for me.
When there’s no fish, snails are crabs.
And when there’s no crab’s = STD’s?
Jack, Lambert and James for me.
Encouraging quotes from AW there Gn5. I was getting a teensy bit worried about the PSG reports so I’m glad he has scotched them.
Obvious 3 for me, same as GN5. but I could have chosen any of them – heroes to a man.
Raddy,
We seem to be in sync on many of our choices – might have something to do with our Highbury backgrounds.
I, dear colleagues, have only lodged one vote, despite GN5’s sterling bios, as I had really only heard of one of the players before.
My vote has gone to Ted Drake, because of his Arsenal goal scoring prowess, but also, I am sure I heard his name mentioned in conversation, around about the time he died, in relation to “Drakes Ducklings”, which although a Chelsea related moniker – yikes- has ensured he has stuck in my memory because it is cutely catchy. 😀
For anyone interested, ESPN are carrying the Arsenal pre-season friendlies versus Indonesia and Vietnam, tomorrow and Wednesday respectively.
[Sunday 2.45 p.m. and Wednesday 1:00 p.m. UK times]
I’m interested Redders 🙂
Hopefully they’ll be showing them on ESPN over here too.
My vote will go to Ted Drake
Drake, Lewis and James got my vote. Lewis purely on
GN5s bio.
My votes were all based on Gn5’s bios too, which is why I went for a couple of the chaps from the early period.
Ericko
You’re allowed to vote for up to three different players. We’re compiling a squad, not just a team.
Drake, Bastin and Lishman, purely on looks and Drake’s demolition of Villa.
GN5 – you wonderful, wonderful man! You shortened this long boring summer for us considerably! What would we do without you?
I bet you are a handsome devil 🙂
That Suarez bid looks increasingly plausible, are we really going to get him?? I am prepared to buy a white dog with more hair than Kelsey if we do.
Evonne,
Thank you for your comment – it’s greatly appeeciated.
Even though the profiles took 30 plus days of preparation, research and around 40,000 written words – it was very fulfilling. It bought back some wonderful memories, of games that I had attended, players that I had watched and many family discussions, so it was a labour of love.
Even though the comments have been minimal there have been over 1,000 individual votes and it makes me happy that it has helped to fill in the drab off season. It is also gratifying to know that people like yourself have enjoyed the experience of “meeting” some of our otherwise forgotten old time greats.
Two more weeks left and then we can put together our all time “A” and “B” squads plus our top 50 greatest players.
GN5 – you and your generosity are next to none. You spent all this time and effort to entertain us and we are forever grateful for that.
I am not sure if you know, but today was the hottest day of the year, first time for a very long time that the temperature hit 30 mark. I am sure that is the reason that many AAers didn’t visit the blog today – they went all merry out in the sun, few bewerages, BBQ with friends and family, and are now a tad too tipsy to vote. Some are better off not voting, for we know the state they get into 🙂
Thank you GN5 and GIE
GN5, i apologise but i could not bring myself to vote. All those guys on that list are stiring spirits of the past that are about to be bought back to life by future teams. I can not place one above the other.
I have also decided that our time is nigh and that we shall wn something this year, hopefully the league.
Its great that the moaners have now gone from whinging about selling players to having a pop as to why we have not bought a £20 million player yet.
Those players are coming, make no mistake about that.
Time for me to laud our great manager. He is one of the main reasons we are in this postion were we can finaly compete again and chase these big name players.
Despite all the bullets, calls for his head, and some terrible personal insults, he kept his powder dry and rode the waves
The Ghosts of the Thirties are Stiring
Speak for yourself Evonne….my day consisted of Espresso, a sales call to a potential new client (a deli I choose them carefully) and capped off delivering a 10ft tree to my Father in Law in my car.
Tomorrow Norfolk’s sandy beaches are calling.
Well said Terry
Neck and neck between Ted Drake and Cliff Bastin.
Evonne,
Right now you are most likely enjoying a good night’s sleep but it’s only 8:15 pm here in London, Ontario.
Thank you once again for your kind words, they really are appreciated, who knows one day there may be a statue of me on the AA side bar, (LOL)
We can chat when we are both awake tomorrow.
Sleep well – I assume surrounded by your dogs.
GN5 and GN5 – no, i am scouting in Warszawa. Lewandowski still on honeymoon and Szczesny’s dad not available for comments yet
Phew, made it.
Off to voting booth. Back in a mo.
Comments not appearing again.
Happened to Peaches yesterday, so I’m not alone. Hope my vote got through. Hulme, Drake and Bastin.
Evonne,
You’re in Warsaw? For God’s sake don’t eat a thing!!!
ps Love the fact that you vote on looks alone 🙂
I voted for Alex James, Ted Drake and Ciiff Bastin.
I have read tactical descriptions of Herbert Chapman’s WM formation, and it’s subsequent misuse by the rest of the English game. Apparently Chapman himself said that the difference in why the WM worked to create an attractive attacking side was Alex James.
The other two have the most remarkable scoring record, and particularly in Bastin’s case, the World War cut short his career, robbing him, and Arsenal, of many potential glories. I wish I could have seen them play too.
A question GN5. How big were squads in those days? Did players face much competition to get into the team every week?
Latest Transfer News from Red Tops:
Arsenal Target Higuain willing to stay at Madrid
Hope for Arsenal as Madrid want Higuain to back down
Arsenal call a halt with Real over Higuain price
Arsenal weighing up audacious bid for Newcastle star Tim Krul
Busty Jodie Marsh spills out of skimpy bikini
Morning Shard,
The best way of getting an idea of that bygone era and putting it into context, is to hit Ebay and buy a genuine (there are replicas everywhere) 1930’s Football. Leave it out in the rain, then try kicking the damn thing, or worse, dribbling with it at speed over bumpy terrain. “It’s why I voted for Hulme and Bastin, two speedy wide boys, as they were the most skilful).
Plus, you end up with a thing of beauty.
Micky think there is only one truth I those headlines 🙂
GiE
Driving about with a 10′ tree in the motor. Hearse or stretch limo?
Question: why did Arsenal announce that AW may very well stay for an awful lot longer when they did?
This thought crossed my mind this morning and the only explanation I can come up with is that there is a negotiation going on and the club need to reassure a certain player or players that one of the principle reasons they are considering joining Arsenal, namely AW will be here not only next season but for the foreseeable future.
This is an insight as to how I spend my mornings.
The other thing is of course there is a monsterous stage in the Tour today and England could win the first test. Yippeee
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/football-ball-manufacture-aka-football-story
Morning All,
Is Jodie Marsh a holding midfield player or an ugly little ankle kicker like Jodie Morris? Never heard of him.
http://arsenalonetwofive.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/040-1938-11-26-picture-post.jpg?w=500&h=1189
The battle of Highbury 1934.
Not taking anything away from the fantastic series, but I too cannot possibly vote about players I haven`t seen. Even by stats alone It would be like saying Henry and Wright were better than God for scoring more goals than him !.
LB. As you say – why now and why is AW saying his heart is at AFC? – we all know that. Hope he isn’t playing hardball for more money because his wages are huge as they are.
Could he be angling for more power or guaranteed transfer budgets?
Who knows???
As you say an exciting days sport. I have tried to cycle Mt Ventoux in Spring and couldn’t summit – goodness knows how they do it after 200+ kms and in the summer heat.
Ian. Use the evonne method.
LB
Just been reading about the Ventoux Stage. Blinkin’ ‘eck!!!!
Raddy
I think Jodie Marsh could play any position you asked her to 🙂
Micky 😀 Don’t think I could do her justice
Raddy
Depends which discipline. I’m sure she’d be happy to enter The Sprint every now and then.
Really is time to change the subject.
I`ve give it some thought and voted for them on who I thought had the best anagrams !.
Alex James : Ale, Jam, Sex ( or whatever order you prefer )
Jimmy Brain : Jimmy in Bra
Doug Lishman : ( a few here ) Gonad Mulish, Dun Limo Shag, Mild Hog Anus, Him Dun Goals ( I suppose more appropriate )
OK
This is Big Raddy’s last day of blogging before he heads down to his mountain retreat to enjoy a painful pre-season fitness regime (wine and pasta)
So perhaps I should talk football ……
AFC are playing today in Indonesia and I understand it will be shown on EPSN.
BR
Morning yes it’s on ESPN @ 14.45pm uk time.
Sheep hagger
Morning all
Sorry to be late, I was performing domestic goddess duties 😉
New Post ………………………