When it comes to publishing posts, this site can be as underhand as Darren Dein. Respected blogger chas, placed a comment during yesterday’s debate that we felt illustrated perfectly the way in which we are going to be tortured by the media in the next few days.
He wrote ……….
I’ve had a quick look and can’t see any of the current players “demanding” signings.
This from Giroud
“In my opinion, it’s necessary for the club to recruit another striker. Obviously, I think about it a little bit. It may change the play one day, especially if it’s a high profile signing. It’s useless lamenting this though. I know what I have to do and what I’m capable of. I’m focusing on me and my work. The coach is counting on me, so I don’t think too much.”
Obviously talking about his position as no 1 striker gets turned into this…..
“Arsenal striker Giroud broke cover to voice his concerns and Mirror Sport understands other players have been left bemused, unhappy and questioning whether Wenger really wants to make big signings.” by John Cross of the Mirror.
This from Arteta
“I’m convinced there will be signings this summer. We already have a very strong team – and if we get new faces they will be welcome.”
….. becomes this from EatSleepSport
“Arteta calls for new signings”
This from Wilshere
“You look at the type of players, like Higuain, we’re trying to bring in, and you’ve got to be encouraged. I think we need a few more – not to step right into the team but to add to the squad.”
……….becomes this from some other dick at the Mirror.
“Arsenal’s Gonzalo Higuain swoop is great but we need more like him says Jack Wilshere
chas’ observations are nothing new but should serve as a reminder to us all to just stop and think for a second before we rabidly stab our fingers into our keyboards and post vitriolic comments based on journalism that is calculated to mislead. We should avoid reacting in the way the authors of our discontent have envisaged. Let’s not give them the pleasure.
Rasp
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Morning all – well pointed out Chas. We should be used to press subterfuge by now but people who should know better get taken in by the distortions, myself included at times !
I fear this could be the scene at Gooners homes at 11.01pm on Monday night if we still haven’t spent a penny on transfers:
PS – just seen that Wenger has said in his Presser that we may yet see Big time Bendtner play for us again. Yay !
It’s too late. Arsenal fans are the gift that keeps on giving. The way the fans just bend over and take it means they will continue to be bullied by the journos and fans of other clubs.
It’s depressing.
Its obviously factual to had signed before now looking back at our previous seasons characterized by injuries and other setbacks for Wenger to had waited till now is not fair to the fans and players after a number os rumoured interest in quality players and not even one was effected but I believe its still not out of place but he needs to sign 4 quality players, tanx
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.
Goonerwife……well said
I really enjoyed this comment when Chas posted it, it is not even the misleading I object to its the fact that headlines are so powerful, they become the fact rather than the content of the article.
We see it many times here, comments that respond to the headline not the post.
Rasp
When you say “Respected blogger Chas”, my first thought was “Speak for yourself, Mate 🙂
Oh, alright then, very well made point Respected Blogger
Wenger should sign quality players and we all can see the group that we are now at the champions’ league. If Wenger wants us to perform well this season,it is time for him to do the right thing by bringing in new faces. He should quit being naïve.
Some morons love to stir and create shits out of nothing. I wonder how these so call journalists are able to work and survive by reporting false information. Most from Mirrors?
Most Arsenal fans who belong to the ‘In Arsene We Trust’ brigade seem to be forgetting the facts. At the end of last season AW said it was important that we do our transfer dealings early and that he will sign top quality players. Lies! We have 48 hours left of the current window and nothing has changed. I’m open minded about the return of Flamini because if we get anything like the player that left it’ll have been a coupe. You all have to remember that the problems we faced against Aston Villa have not been addressed. There has been no improvement. What is Gazidis doing to rectify this? Seemingly nothing.
I’m speculating but what I don’t understand is why Arsene has so much power at Arsenal. AW has a valuation of a player and if he thinks that player isn’t worth the money, then he won’t pursue him. It’s not his job to value the players. His job is to identify a player and it’s down to the board to decide whether the player is too expensive or not. This is the difference with most clubs in the EPL.
Now I’m not saying spending £50m on one player is the solution. Far from it. But if you have money to spend (which we do. Just look at our financial figures from last year) you have to spend it in order to improve the squad. It’s better to have spent some serious money and fail that not to have tried and failed
Jason
The transfers will happen. There is no way on earth we will not be strengthening. As you say, we have the cash, which puts us in a very strong position, and with all the exits there is ample for the extra weekly fat envelopes.
Jason,
We signed Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla. How can you say the squad was not improved?
OK, we sold RvP but that was not because AFC wanted him to leave. RvP forced the sale
As to your speculation …. it is pure speculation and once again portrays the club in a damaging light. If we as Arsenal fans don’t back the club then who will?
Other than that 🙂 I like your comment
Transfers are likely to happen. Just like the ‘trolley dash’ a few years back.
As for the squad being improved? We’re still fourth aren’t we. And finishing further and further behind the leaders.
Our squad improving doesn’t preclude other wealthier team squads improving.
Hmmm. I actually disagree with the article. I had to go and find the quotes from Arteta, but he said this on July 15th.
“The club have said they are going to be very ambitious in the market and have got the financial resources to get big players.
“I think it’s about time.When you compare us to other top English clubs and the money they have paid, we are very far apart.
“The value of this club is the class and what it means is very difficult to match. Now, financially, they are very strong so maybe we will be more aggressive in the transfer market. I am excited. They made it public that they are going to go big. The sort of players they have been linked with makes me happy.
“Big signings create a good atmosphere and we need to do something because other teams are doing it and I think we will.”
Wilshere, the next day
“If you look at Man United, they won the Premier League and yet it wasn’t the best Man United team we’ve ever seen,” Wilshere said. “But they had a big squad. In some games, they rotated the whole back four. Football never stops and that’s why you need a big squad. It’s impossible for one player to play the whole year. I’ve learnt that myself and you’re always bound to get injuries. There are areas where we can improve but I feel it’s more about having the depth of squad to see us through.
“Everyone talks about the names [that Arsenal are chasing] at the training ground. We’re saying: ‘You heard about this player or that player?’ It would give everyone such a massive lift. If we can show the consistency and play well in the big games, then I don’t think we’ll be too far away. I feel we can win trophies this season.”
Arteta, a few days later, sometime early August
“It will happen.”
“I have no doubts about it. It takes time but I know the boss is working really hard on it, and the board as well. It will happen for sure.
“I am very convinced but the great players normally come at the end of the transfer window. The clubs work hard to keep their best players and I think Arsenal will do well in the transfer window.
“I think we are going to start the season with new faces. That is what we are all hoping for. That will give us a big boost and everyone is very positive.
“We need to close the gap with the teams that are trying to win the titles. We have been too far in the last few seasons. We will start and see how it goes. We won’t be as far this season.”
———————————————————————————-
My reading of it at the time was that Arteta (who is basically the leader of the group) set the tone in July, and then received some assurances from the club as to what was happening behind the scenes. His statement about how it’ll happen towards the end of the window is something that was said 3 or more weeks ago, and I took it on board then. It is also possible that he was simply reminded of his responsibilities and told to say what he said, but following what he said in July, I don’t think he will be given false assurances and hopes. Nor do I think he’ll lie just because he’s told to. And what would be the point of him being told to lie? Get people off their backs for a few weeks? What then?
I don’t disbelieve for an instant that there has been some twisting around of words, putting them out of context etc by the newspapers, but I think the gist is the same. Our players (and also our manager as per him) want new signings to be made so that we can challenge for the title.
By the way, Arteta also gave an interview yesterday or day before, and the relevant part was
Q. A few signings would help, wouldn’t they?
“It’s still going to happen. Not letting any big players go this summer was important and we can only get better as a group as we’ve been playing together for a few years. A lot of stuff will take place at the last minute.”
Q. Like your transfer did a few years back?
“Mine was the most dramatic ever! We don’t want to take it that far! But you do see plenty of activity in the final few days before the market closes. I’m very keen for us to sign someone and I’m positive that will be the case.”
So to conclude, the way I see it is that it isn’t a fabrication that players want signings, and they have been pretty vocal about it. Most of all Arteta. But he’s also (in my view) been given some assurance about what is happening behind the scenes, and he has been saying for weeks that it’ll happen towards the end of the window. I’m loathe to suggest that people be hopeful, because hopes can be dashed (and not necessarily through Arsenal’s fault) and this inevitably leads to anger towards the club, but I’m keeping the faith, and statements like Arteta’s, Brady’s (‘a few surprises) or even Dixon’s (‘two big players’) give me hope, not just to the fact that transfers will happen, but that they’ll be of the requisite quality.
Bendtner back? What a shambles this must be if after 2.5 years of trying to flog the wanker we need him just for numbers. Desperate times, require desperate measures.
Who starts up top with theo and giroud tomorrow?
Wally, we can use the Ligue 2 postman, ha ha.
(That’s if our LANS B52 isn’t fit enough.)
Wally
I reckon Santi left, and Rosicky in the centre of midfield.
Mind you, it’s only Totteringham, so we won’t be needing the expensive signings for this type of a game.
Well-respected, my ar*e. 🙂
Shard,
Not one of those quotes you’ve posted suggest the players are “demanding” new signings which was the point of the original comment.
Those quotes by the players talk of ‘excitement’, ‘a massive lift’ and ‘big squads’, not of demanding the current management to buy players.
Semantics, I suppose, but if you accept that the players are against the club in some way, then what hope is there?
Obviously I cherry-picked which parts of interviews I used to make a point but, as GIE said, the headlines do the damage and lead to misconceptions about the club that I’m not happy with.
The myth of players demanding signings is just an extension of bsr’s statement.
Respected Blogger,
I’d just like to put it on record that I do not respect you at all.
Having said that, I don’t respect myself all that much, which may or may not say something, or indeed, nothing.
I do, however, what to be crystal clear on this.
Just like you didn’t respect Toyah (in the morning). 🙂
Well done Chas for pointing out the right thing.
Far too simple an analysis in the article. The players can’t come out and ‘demand’ a player. To do that would present a seriously negative image of the internal mood to the press. What they can and have done is give these quotes where they express their excitement and desire to see new signings and the press have then made a fairly logical step. The Arteta and Wilshere interviews reveal just how much the players want to see new players. They talk about it being about time and about how other big teams have big squads and how being linked to players like Higuain gives the whole squad a lift. I feel so desperately sorry for our players. It seems like we have the makings of the squad who really care about and want to win things with the Arsenal and our amateurish business dealings have let them down this summer. It appears like some of you are so determined to support the suits behind the scenes that you are taking leave of your senses.
Let me put it another way, if the players are just making pleasant noises then why haven’t we seen quotes like this in seasons before. And frankly who cares if it paints Wenger, Gazidis etc in a bad light. I only care about and support the XI on the pitch and the way our transfer business has been conducted this summer has been beyond shambolic.
Have any of you seen this interview by Arsenal fan tv. An informed, passionate gooner who really comes across well and explains just how messed up things behind the scenes are in terms of wage structure and the self congratulory mood the suits behave:
chas,
“Fight the good fight with all your might” It should always be remembered that Red Tops and the media in general have a need to sell their trash talk and their accumulation of mindless, minnows need something to fill the void in shallow lives.
The minnows have never been taught to think for themselves and need to be a member of a pack, “spouting their latest version of the facts” in order for them to appear knowledgeable.
There’s an article on BBC Sport with this headline –
“How Uefa’s seeding system helps Arsenal & hinders Celtic”
It goes on to give the impression that the co-efficient and seeding system used by UFEA is only of benefit to Arsenal and no other team and that our gain is Poor Old Celtic’s loss.
It’s simply nauseating no matter what you pick up to read or what you hear about us it’s invariably portrayed in a negative sense.
It almost seems like there is a concerted effort to brainwash those mindless, minnows and convert them into Arsenal home supporters.
My coat is already on……………………..(LOL).
Too Simple,
You say,
“The players can’t come out and ‘demand’ a player. To do that would present a seriously negative image of the internal mood to the press.”
But that is exactly what the press are saying which presents a seriously negative image of the internal mood to the supporters.
You post a comment against the premise of the post only to go on and confirm its premise.
Chas,
I’m saying that if the players had straight up demanded a player then the club would be completely slaughtered in the press. By making these noises they are showing that they want new players in without being totally explicit about it. It’s them being subtle. Otherwise I would ask you why you think the players have come out with statements like this. Surely they’re not just chatting bull. What reason would you attribute to them saying this. The default response has always been something along the lines of yeah it would be nice to get new players in but we leave it to the boss etc. For the first time we have seen players come out with much stronger statements endorsing bringing in new signings. Of course let’s dismiss our players and put our trust in the board…
The point of the article is that Arsenal players are not really properly demanding new signings but the press are latching onto quotes and presenting them as if they are and hence creating a negative image of the club’s dealings. I’m saying the players are quite clearly demanding signings but doing it in a roundabout way because to do it completely candidly would mean the press could pull no punches in trying to slaughter arsenal.
Simple,
When a player is asked a purposely misleading question my a member of the media, the player feels compelled to give an answer. As we all know footballers are not known as the most articulate people and their attempts at an honest response can and will be used to the advantage of the media.
Come on lets not be “to simple” and give credit to the media.
Too Simple,
I do see what you’re saying. I don’t in any way put my trust in the board over the players. I can understand with all the noises made by the club that it would be a big window for signings that the players would be excited by that prospect. I don’t agree that it’s right to infer from that that the players are demanding new signings, whereas you do.
The club are being completely slaughtered in the press already the balance of which I was trying (in my simplistic way) to redress just a little.
Thanks for commenting.
Here is a prime example.
How can what Arteta said be construed as the ‘Arsenal dressing-room crying out for big-name signings’?
http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/05/mikel-arteta-arsenal-dressing-room-is-crying-out-for-big-name-signings-3911997/
Respected Blogger,
I’m getting seriously cheesed off with your nasty little comments.
1. I would/have never slept with someone as ugly as Wilcox
2. I have never respected a woman in my life. How dare you.
3. I come on here to discuss football, so leave it out.
Chas,
thanks for your reply, I guess it’s just a difference of opinion regarding my inference and that’s fair enough. My inference is just based on my personal reaction to the player quotes from this summer and interviews with Arsenal players when Dennis Bergkamp arrived back in 1996. I remember an interview with Wright where he could barely contain his excitement. In fact I remember the whole buzz around the club that summer. Again I would ask though why you think Wilshere, Arteta and Giroud said the things they did. Like I said in my previous post there is a ready made answer to deflect such questions that has been employed by players at Arsenal and world over for years. Why did the players feel they should say more?
GN5,
I would ask what the ‘purposely misleading questions’ were. If a player is asked about the club bringing in new players there is nothing misleading about it. And as I said to Chas the questions can be deflected with a simple response. Instead they went in to far more detail than normal. Giroud saying ‘it’s a necessity’ to bring in a new striker, Arteta saying ‘it’s about time’ Arsenal spent big, Wilshere saying how it created a positive buzz to be linked with ‘players like Higuain’ and noting how united have a big squad and how it enabled them to compete.
Rasp,
You should have definitely used GIE’s post. 🙂
Too Simple,
I wish we’d made a marquee signing early on in this window and can see why the players were excited by that prospect too.
In answer to your question.
Wasn’t Giroud talking about a new striker in relation to how it affected him as no.1 choice?
Don’t Jack’s recent comments belie the inference you take from his comments about a bigger and better squad?
Isn’t Arteta toeing the party line by saying keep calm, business will be done before the window closes?
Micky,
It’s a mithtery why you thould get tho thirty about your thordid patht.
You didn’t mind anyone thinking you’d disrespected Wendy James, I notice.
I am not suprised that all Gunners fans are still ranting about failed transfers rather than focus on supporting the team for the north London derby. I am still worried that we may have failed to see and indeed realise that we have a very good team currently and only need to add a few new players with (Quality) to make this squad title contenders. Wenger has tried his best to get in quality players but is being resisted by those who are scared of such players joining the gunners. He agreed a fair price for Higuian but Real Madrid kept shifting the goal post until Napoli sold Cavani and approached Real with an outragious bid. Right now Spurs are trying to frustrate Arsenal, s bid for Benzema and De maria by stalling Reals bid for Bale till the last minute knowing fully well thatReal will not sell until and unless the Bale deal with Spurs is sealed. Jose does not need Mata inspite of what he claims to the contrary. No one wants to sell to Arsenal even when Arsenal by popular opinion, is not good enough for the top four let alone the premiership title. The question that begs for answer is who is so afraid of a club that has been so written off by the world. This is a crucial weekend for Arsenal football Club. All Gunners please rise up and support our dear own Arsenal
Respected
ROLF
Nicely fashioned Post Rasp 🙂
A further example of media cherry picking is evident today in the reporting of AW’s comments about the flood of new signings at the Spuds.
Every story has a headline something like “Wenger: signings may unsettle Sp*rs.” Now he did say that – and I hope he’s right. But in the same interview he also said that their new signings may click immediately, so the media could just as easily have gone with “Wenger: signings may make formidable impact straight away.”
But they deemed the first to be a better story (and they’re probably right in the run-up to a NLD).
Orlando,
Everyone loves and supports the team. What we don’t love is crap management that puts the team in this position.
Your bench tomorrow consists of Miyachi, Frimpong, Jenkinson, Monreal, Sanogo, Flamini and Fabianski. wtf is that?
Giroux takes a kick or rolls his ankle and then what? And the fact that we have to ask this question is down to management ineptitude.
My interpretation of the Arsenal players’ quotes about new signings is that it’s possible that they were trying to nudge the management into bringing in some big names.
Demanding? No, of course not.
But nudging, yes.
Micky
Were there any other 80s pop stars with whom you did a bit of “nudging”?
Annie Lennox?
Sheena Easton?
Siouxsie?
Boy George?
Tiffany?
Bonnie Tyler?
Enya?
I agree with too simple on some points.
Firstly, if the players didn’t want new signings, they could have very well said something like “it’s up to the manager” but Arteta saying things like “that’s what we are hoping for” and “I’m keen for us to sign someone” or Jack saying “everyone talks about it on the training ground” clearly shows that the players want signings but are not stupid enough to go all out and say something like “We want new signings” or “I don’t understand why we haven’t signed anyone yet”
I personally think we will see some new faces before the window closes and although I don’t know why we haven’t seen any “non-frees” yet, I think Wenger and the board can do better.
Don’t stoop to his level, Rocky.
I don’t know whether you’ve met The Respected Blogger, but while I’ll admit there is a certain charm, the word sleazy just won’t shift.
Sheena Easton?
Lynsey De Paul?
Marc Almond?
Sleazy and simplistic, I’ll have you know.
Too Simple.
A “misleading question” or a “leading question” is one that is asked
for the sole purpose of getting players, especially when English is the players second language, to stumble over a response that is then quoted out of context. It’s a stunt pulled by all reporters looking to please their editors with a “juicy” story.
Please don’t tell me that you actually believe what they write?
I hear Kaka wants to leave Madrid. Hmmm………
Great player, can operate out wide too….
Let’s snap him up.
Sorry for not really joining the debate on today’s post, but my problems lie within the Giroud quote: “It’s useless lamenting this…” and: “….so I don’t think too much.”
Don’t believe he said the first line, but I do believe he said the second.
Really, my message to footballers is this
“Shut up, unless you’re going to pop down the boozer after the game and have a chat with the lads, rather than jump into your nasty blacked out Range Rover Sport and clear off to your equally nasty mansion”.
Micky,
You forgot to add with their equally nasty money grabbing WAG!
GN5
I have absolutely nothing against some of them Wags whatsoever.
🙂
Micky.
Does that mean that you would like to hold “something” against them?
Too Simple I think you give the players too much credit if you think they understand the subtlety of their words having some bigger impact.
Wally take any other PL squad remove 4 first teamers and show me their bench would be stronger than ours will be Sunday.
Crikey, it might be approaching happy hour or something, but I’m sounding borderline sexist. Kinda surprised that yesterday I got away with referring to the French as small slippery amphibians.
It’s just the excitement of the NLD as well as the big signings.
Off to cool down.
Also assuming there is any truth on the NB story it has zero effect on our 25 man squad as that does not have to be named until 2 Sept, so he could play Sunday and sent back to Copenhagen Monday.
GiE – no supposition on the truth on the Big Time Bendtner story required, Wenger said: “The chances for him to leave now are very small….If he does not leave and prepares well, and is fit, really fit, then I will use him.”
But I’m all for packing him off to Copenhagen, we should pay him some cash to sod off.
GIE;
I thought Bendner had been sent to Coventry to remain in permanent exile?
Talking of Copenhagen, I remember watching Panorama back in the ’80s regarding a debate on Europe in the House of Commons when The Blessed Thatch pronounced Copenhagen in the continental way, i.e Co-pen-harrr-gun (rather than Co-pen-hay-gun), to which the opposition MP’s gleefully stated singing
: “Wonder-ful, wonder-ful Co-pen-harr-gun”
Much ROLFing at that memory.
😆 ‘Respected chas’ GiE’s post would have whipped up a real storm. We’re going to have to find a way of diluting the title if we publish it tomorrow – but it is very good and the day before the NLD is the perfect time
RASP, i get what youre saying. They are not demanding publicly, fine.
what im saying is that our players will be very disappointed if we dont do something fairly big before the end of the window, as many of us here will be.
its actually a bit embarassing so far, but it can all be fixed with a couple of big moves.
our players are not stupid, and neither are the fans. The excuses given so far for not adding quality players are unacceptable.
if this window ends in disaster, which i pray it doesnt, we will have more players wanting to move on. Cazorla, koscielny, maybe others.
if im embarassed to talk about our clubs failure to improve to compete, imagine how our players feel when they talk with other footballers, or agents or clubs looking to unsettle them.
we have a unique chance this wiindow to go from a selling club being diminished to a buying club on the upswing, adding to our solid talent.
lets see which Arsene leaves us as. It may have a big effect on his legacy.
Thanks jnyc, in reality it was not my post. The points made were from chas, I just added a brief paragraph at the start and finish.
I’m bursting !!!!!!!!!
I’ve just heard 2 pieces of proper inside info from people very close to the top and I can’t tell you either 😦 😦 😦 how annoying is that.
Remember everyone………….don’t let media-inspired, panicky, knee-jerk prejudices interfere with the anti-Wenger ignorance some of our so-called supporters have. How stupid are some Gooners anyway? They know that;
1) The media puts a spin on everything Arsenal,to get hits and readers,
2) Arsenal are the favourite whipping boys in the UK,
3) Few if any bloggers have ANY inside knowledge of what is actually going on at the Club but that doesn’t stop them from pontificating about their opinions.
4) Wenger, despite tha bove, DOES know what he is doing and has done it far longer than anyone outside the Club..so ..we need to chill out, not get into hysterical hissy-fits about something we have no control over.
This weekend will give us a better idea of where we are at when it comes to team solidity and competitiveness…..I predict a tie game!
RASP!!!! How can you do this to us!!! Are we getting Messi and Ronaldo on a free? Is it Dennis who is coming out of retirement ,along with a season long loan of Thierry???
Rasp please just say its positive 😀
Not sure how you are going to water down the headline for tomorrow 😀
Although you could of course quickly stick it in Draft posts for us with power to have a look at and then, we will never talk of it again……..honest 😀
Rasp
Is it good news or bad?
Even i am curious Rasp. Positive or negative. *whine*
You little tease Rasp
Is it good or bad, chough it up.
don’t worry guys, I am on my way to his work
I’ll get it out of him
I’m not teasing guys I promise you. It’s not particularly positive I’m afraid
One thing I can say is that the rumours that the spuds are not only strengthening but specifically trying to prevent Arsenal from strengthening are 100% correct and by means which would make your blood boil.
The other info simply relates to any news (from the inside) of imminent signings – and that is not encouraging.
you are not teasing??!! So why say anything at all Rasp?
Evonne feed him to the fish.
Hmmm… You’ve just successfully depressed me Rasp. I will now also have to ponder in what ways Spurs can look to sabotage us. Especially ways that are so underhand that would make my blood boil…
evonne, because I was bursting and really want to tell you all. Peaches will tell you when its all over I’m sure, but you still can’t repeat it on here as the source will become evident.
The bad news is that we are placing a lot of faith in RM playing ball and they’re not able to 😦
This does prove something to me. Sometimes rumours do have substance, but they are so diluted by all the lies its impossible to tell them apart.
Rasp
is that a ruse to get us to take the bait and make a convincing point on the subject of todays post?
I’m hoping that is the case. Really. Or the other pieces of info you missed have to do with dealing with the shortcomings of the 1st two
Holy cow, now Rasp has joined the ranks of depressive reporters of half stories about “inside” information.
I’m off for the day in a silent protest.
It’s easy to guess
Madrid will only sell to us once they get Bale.
Totts know this and are either quoting astronomical fees or waiting until the last minute to sell to Madrid.
So we take the risk and hope something happens and Madrid get Bale early or we have to go for less quality.
But Tottenham could also lose out if Madrid give up on Bale once we sign other players and Totts end up in debt
You’re bursting to tell us bad news, Rasp?
Shame on you.
Jamie
But that has been commented on earlier, and it’s not enough to make my blood boil, as Rasp put it. That would just be brinkmanship. If indeed that’s all it is, that’s fine. I don’t think that would cause Rasp to burst though..
Rasp, in agreement with chas. When you said you’re bursting, I fully expected good news. Which is why you depressed me. Sigh… 😦
There are only two possible things that spuds can do to harm us in the transfer market.
One is delay the sale of Bale so that Real won’t release any of their players before Sunday, I am of course making the huge assumption that we would want to buy some of the players.
The second thing which I suppose is connected is to delay the Bale deal until the last second; his sale will free the log jam but will make it very difficult for us to do any business.
The best thing we can do I suppose is to give them a good thrashing on Sunday.
Rasp
Now you have this inside information about spuds I hope that if things don’t turn out the way you expected in the transfer market that your anger is directed at them rather than Wenger.
If we really want Madrid’s surplus players, surely we can just have everything sorted out with the players, so as soon as Bale has signed, all we need to do is get the players to sign on the dotted line too.
It is no different to Madrid waiting to sign Bale.
Jamie
I agree, if this is the big inside story, it’s bollacks.
Surely we should just arrange the deals for January?
Bryan
It probably isn’t any different to Madrid wanting to sign Bale but look how long that is taking.
Don’t go there Slim it’s too depressing.
Spot on, LB. True, bad news all round.
1. Release of Flamini info yesterday suggests no high profile signings expected.
2. Bendtner announcement today suggests no decent ST either.
3. Spuds holding on till the last moment, or playing even more nasty tricks …
Solution. A win on Sunday, even a narrow one, and lets see how this pans out. Let use see what mettle this Arsenal side is made of.
And let us what quality on the pitch 100m can buy.
On with the show!!!!!!
Why would one be surprised that Spurs will do anything they can to depress a direct opponents chances?
I am sure we would do the same if we could (apart from RvP 😦 ). The days of gentlemanly conduct disappeared with the arrival of the Premier League.
Furthermore, RM would have to pay the players they are stuck with until January.
There’s a lot more that Spurs, or anyone, can do, if they so wish LB. I obviously don’t know what Rasp means, and maybe it is what you think it is. But the transfer market is basically agent driven. You get the powerful agents on your side and you can get good deals for yourself. Presumably, you can also prevent good deals being made by others, as long as you are prepared to make it up to the agent for any potential gain he might have had from the other deal.
I probably am over thinking it, but football is essentially business, and a very loosely regulated one at that. These kinds of deals to sabotage are in no way unheard of in business.
Bendtner to return
You have got to laugh or you would cry.
Shard
I agree with the part where you say that you are probably over thinking it.
I have been told that Daniel Levy has told Real Madrid that if they sell any players to us the price for Bale goes up to 130m. So it’s really up to Real Madrid now …………. if i were them and some little shit like Daniel Levy was playing hard-ball I’d go out and buy Suarez and sell us whoever we want.
Apparently it’s good business by Daniel Levy.
Arsene: “The chance for him to leave now is very small. … If he comes back well and gets fit, I will use him.”
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-bendtner-is-unlikely-to-leave
and apparently it is some fecking payback for a Nike deal which excluded Spurs
I hope it is not true; I cannot see how could that be legal, unfair business practice, holding someone to ransom……Anyway, would Real Madrid really stand for that??
Peaches
Can’t see that being true, to be honest, I don’t think you can change your price because of players the buying team is selling.
LB
yes it took long because Spurs played hardball but Madrid want to offload the players so shouldn’t be hard.
Think the problem may be the players not wanting to leave more than anything
I was just looking at the fixtures to try and work out when we are likely to first see Flamini take to the field. I thought the CC was sooner in which case he would be a banker to start in that but while I was doing that in dawned on me that Flamini is Wenger’s new Grimandi, he was the player who always came on after 70 minutes to shore things up, in that case we should see him on Sunday at you know what time.
LB – thank you for your post yesterday, I didn’t get a chance to comment but I do agree that buying a fourth choice CB is always a real problem. I remember you defending the purchase of Squillaci for the reasons you put forward yesterday.
I love the idea that having utility players gives us more flexibility. Flamini will get a lot of credit for being able to step in to so many different positions where needed. I hope he does really well.
LB
I agree that I am. But if it’s possible to do, you can bet someone, at some point will try to do it.
Anyway, I was merely speculating because that is what I said I’d do. I am not convinced that is ALL Spurs can do. But maybe as of now, they can’t. Or maybe it’s not possible.
If what peaches says is true, then if I were Real Madrid, I would tell Levy to eff off. If Madrid have any spine, they won’t have their transfer policy dictated to them by Spurs..
Where it leaves us, is ok by me. We’re trying to buy quality players. It’s not entirely in our hands, and that is just how the market works. We hopefully, have some backups, because the squad is too thin to even get through to January, and the abuse from the fans will just grow.
I did read a comment somewhere that Spurs haven’t actually bought anyone with the Bale money. I’m not sure that’s true, but apparently the Modric money. and the money they got through selling the likes of Parker, Huddlestone etc is all they’ve spent. Or at least, according to the comment. Which could be totally wrong. I could check, but I can’t be bothered to go through Spurs’ accounts and dealings. I just say this to make the point that maybe Spurs are in a better bargaining position that thought.
I think its clear Flamini will have some role on Sunday. And utility man as well. Just depressing that this may be the last piece of good news, until …… January?
Ok Bryan
I see your point.
Bryan – Daniel Levy is a very successful businessman, he’ll know exactly what he’s doing – if the gods are on our side RM will be fed up of all the shenanigans and they’ll switch to Suarez. If not then it depends who blinks first.
Shard
Spurs must of spent some of the Bale money as they have spent more than Modric & co money made them
Shard, on the Spuds bargaining position, you may be right. But too many players has a downside as well. It is not easy to keep top players on the bench. It will spoil the atmosphere in the changing room. If you rotate every week, you have to make too many adjustments. If they can do it, well and fine. But, maybe not…..
Thanks Peaches
Peaches
Yes Levy is good, almost wish we had a nasty b**stard negotiator like him at our club but I’m sorry I’m not having that story at all, just can’t see that he could tell Madrid their buisiness
Peaches, not easy for a club like RM to switch targets. They will be perceived to be weak…..
Lets hope.
Its true, Real Madrid won’t want to look like they’ve given in to pressure from a much lesser club 😉 I’ve just seen reports on twitter that Bale will be announced tonight so maybe Levy blinked first 🙂
I think Flamini might even start on Sunday, considering that both Ramsey and Wilshere are carrying some knocks. Rosicky and Cazorla will probably start along with Giroud and Walcott.
So our bench will include Fabianski, Monreal, Jenkinson. Wilshere (?), Sanogo, and probably Frimpong and Miyaichi.
arnie
I agree with that. It’s not easy rotating so many players. And they don’t pay their players enough for them to be happy to just sit on the bench. If we can buy players like the Madrid trio, we’d be much better off as compared to Spurs. None of their signings are great (although I like Lamela), and we have a great team, but lack depth.
Wahey, now get them Madrid players on board Arsene 😉
Oh please let it be over and done, that Bale deal is like watching paint dry.
I don’t see why we have to be inconvenienced. Bale will be sold. So let’s just work out the details of our signings with RM NOW. Then when the Bale deal is finalised we can just submit the paperwork and do the medical.
Arsenal signing a player is like having a tooth extracted
Bryan
Even I felt Spurs spent more money, but like I said, I couldn’t bother checking.
I think I said yesterday (can’t remember whether it was on this site though) that Spurs will sell Bale by tonight, which will leave us the weekend to get our business sorted, and have the registration done on Monday.
I actually think Spurs, if they are planning to make a stadium, are going about it wrong by spending so much on players. But I suppose they see the CL as important in that regard too. Just like we did.
Yes Shard
That is the only position in doubt: is Wenger going to start with Wilshere or Rosicky, the rest pick themselves.
GN5, you do me a disservice. Peaches has just explained part of what I was alluding to.
There is one very salient point many of you are overlooking. You all think the spuds need to sell Bale. They don’t. They are quite happy to keep him for another year.
They have done their sums and in the context of being pipped by us for the last 3 years by the slimmest of margins, they are now going all out to finish ahead of Arsenal, which is just another way of saying, getting CL football.
They are working under the theory of what weakens us strenghtens them.
To quote AW’s right hand man until recently ….. there will be hell to pay if we lose to the totts on Sunday.
And Peaches, I can’t believe that Levy can hold RM to ransom like that. Otherwise clubs would do it all the time. And how does it stop RM from flogging us players AFTER the Bale deal has gone through?
I think it’s the simplest explanation. RM won’t let anyone go till they’ve definitely signed Bale.
I don’t believe for a minute that spuds are serious about building a new stadium, they only talk about it so their fans don’t feel left out.
njstone, believe it. We may like to think that the process of buying and selling players is all very sophisticated, but where money is concerned, its cut throat and open to all kinds of duplicity.
Rasp
Bale is going to Real Madrid, I have no doubts about that
LB, they’ve bought up land around the stadium and had plans approved. You are partially right, the difference is that they are in no hurry to build the stadium.
LB 😆
njstone9 – the only problem is that the bloody source is very reliable 😦
I’m not saying it won’t happen Bryan, I’m saying that the totts are in the driving seat and not vice verse and if it doesn’t go through they won’t be unduly bothered.
Us confirmed as interested in Madrid players has to be good news I would think. Sure, they can stall until after we win on sunday, but no way can Madrid have Bale and keep Di Maria.
I like my logic 🙂
The point is that Daniel Levy thinks that he can hold Real Madrid to ransom, whether he actually can is another matter. The transfer is being held up, we are led to believe by Daniel Levy ………. what’s not to like from his point of view?
Next question. Do the Madrid players want to come to us? We might have to pay over the odds for that, especially since I think England has a higher tax rate than Spain. Benzema is on 155k apparently. Ozil was apparently demanding 200k. We’re going to need to add about 500k to our weekly wages just to get the three players that have been mentioned. Which we can do I suppose, especially because we’ll be getting a lot more commercial income.
Which reminds me..Rasp.. How much do you reckon Spurs have added to their wage bill? What sources of income do they have apart from the TV money? Have they signed any new sponsorship deals? Because as per the league FFP rules, they can only add 4 million in wages to their existing wage bill from the Tv money. So that’s about 77k per week. They did let a few players go, but surely they’ve added more than that. I’m not disputing your statement. I’m just asking for more information.
Oh gosh Micky’s here and I haven’t done a fixtures list yet 😳
Rasp, nah, does not make sense to me. If you aim to play ball with then top clubs in Europe, you do not hang the snag in front of RM, and then remove it. Yes, financially, you may be able to do it, but you will have trouble in negotiations in the following years. Its a repeated game thing ……
It’s already been delayed enough that we can’t play any new signings on Sunday.
I think once Bale goes the wheels will be set in motion. Surely Levy can’t be delaying all this just on the say-so that Arsenal MIGHT be in for RM players.
How would he know if we were and would he really jeopardise his own transfer just to spite Arsenal?
Spurs can’t afford to pay all these new players big wages and their transfer fees without selling Bale. To say they could is like saying they’ve got Man City levels of cash.
Of course the stipulations about wages can be gotten around by simply paying high signing on fees, so there’s that.
Rasp
I will believe it when I see it. Until then I remain negative over everything to with spuds.
Sorry Rasp,
Only just read your line about Spuds not having to sell Bale this window.
That sounds very nasty indeed.
Mata it is, then.
Ok guys, we all believe what we want to believe. Levy is on a mission backed by Joe Lewis’ money. They have only one objective – finish fourth or higher and that means ahead of Arsenal.
“Surely Levy can’t be delaying all this just on the say-so that Arsenal MIGHT be in for RM players.” (nj)
This is pretty much where I stand.
Well, we know that is a fact Rasp
Afternoon Peaches.
Won’t be joining the gang on sunday as my sister is coming down tomorrow. Love her…but
Hi Micky, the main objective for the puds was to bring in a lot of decent quality players to improve their squad, selling Bale was a different agenda – almost a smoke screen. They could not have been certain Bale would be sold when they started buying. They proceeded because they knew it wasn’t dependent on his going.
They finished close to us with last year’s crop of players and although we can say their new signings would not get into our team, we must admit they are better than the players they are replacing in theirs.
Oh no, will she let you sneak out to watch it?
The reason why Arsenal get a top seeding in CL, for whatever it is worth, is CONSISTENCY. Yes, qualifying 16 years in a row, getting to knockout stages every year (or is it almost every year), quite a few QFs, 2 SFs and a Final.
It may just be possible to get to CL qualification one year by splashing a lot of money, or playing nasty games. But, as far as I am concerned, I am not worried about this. Because, this will not get Spuds (or anyone else) teh consistency that Arsenal has shown. Period.
Bring on Sunday.
My impression is that spuds might have started buying before they were certain that Bale was wanted by Real but once it did become clear they stepped up their purchases. They were going to buy Willian, so we are told, for 30 mil. I don’t believe they could have done that without the certainty of knowing the Bale deal would go through.
Rasp. You have forgotten the following:-
Spurs can give it all they like. They have always been and always will be in our shadow
All they do is look down the 7 Sister’s and weep with jealousy, have done since 1960/1 season.
Any suggestion that the snakepit should behave in anything but a reprehensible manner is laughable.
In our lovely rhyming slang …. You cannot polish a Richard.
Rasp
Who knows whether Spuds are a better side than last season, and how they gel as a team.
What I don’t believe, is that we are better than last season. Yet!
If Spuds dare, and if they are really serious, let them play Bale on Sunday. I bet they will not.
As pointed out earlier, the real problem may be that RM players may not want to move to Arsenal. Understandable. Disappointing, but we will survive!!!!
Rasp
As Pat Rice says “there will be hell to pay if we lose to the totts on Sunday”
There is a lot of truth in that, for sure.
I made a similar comment before the season kicked off.
Best thrash them, then make the team even stronger 🙂
Micky – I’ve put the September and October fixtures in a widget. Do you want me to go further ahead?
Micky: so far as the team overall is concerned, yes, agreed, because the bench is weaker (read empty). But the 1st team is essentially the same, and should be better gelled, so better than last year, really!
Let’s not forget that we have a better side than last year.
Ramsey, Gibbs, Walcott and Wilshere in that order have improved so much they are almost like different players.
Yes, thrashing Spuds will be good, a narrow victory acceptable. Unfortunately, a draw or narrow loss will be carnage, given the atmosphere surrounding the club!!!!!
I agree Raddy.
LB, In reality the spuds are not taking a great risk. The players they have brought in are the right age and will have sell-on value. No doubt their contracts are dependent on CL football next season and if not they will have a high buy-out clause that is guaranteed to make the spuds a profit.
Peaches
I want you to go all the way Dear.
Planning is everything, as I have found out to my cost this weekend.
I believe our best 11 is better than theirs and that it will take time for their new players to bed in – and there’s no guarantee they will. I’m pretty sure we won’t have signed any players before the game.We will win on Sunday, we have to.
Gosh. Lets remember that the season is a marathon.if we loose to spurs ( for some crazy reason), that says nothing of how the season is going to end. I think we will come 2nd and win a trophy.
Remember how spurs beat us last season and everyone was going on about how they are better than us now. Look how that turned out. Spurs can buy all they like. It’s not our problem. We should not be meekly looking to not give up fourth, we are gunning for first.
Our job is too loose as few games as possible and win so we can shove some pies down media mouths.
I’m feeling mouthy today.
Oi LB
We’ve lost Gerv!
But I agree the team has matured.
Goonerwife
Well said… The reason we’re so antsy about Arsenal is because we’re all worrying about us not challenging for the title. The reason Spurs are so over the moon is because they are hopeful of having a squad good enough for 4th. There’s a big difference there, and we shouldn’t forget it.
Micky: Still falling short, mate. Better than last year: YES or NO?
And we have gained the Flamster
Arnie
Probably the same. Not forgetting the side, defence in particular, really sorted themselves out over the final nine games.
Obviously I’m worried about our fragility, especially with Giroud, Theo and Santi.
OK, Micky, thanks a lot. That makes me happy enough. Its been a tough couple of days on AA, and outside ….
Micky: And yes, I agree generally, though I would say the 1st team is perhaps slightly better than last year.
Raddy
The biggest fear I had at the beginning of the summer was losing Sagna, and him staying is a major plus in terms of attitude, maturity, versatility and hair.
(yes, her as well 🙂 )
The Flamster
That is going to stick.
Micky 😀
I remain positive about our team. Yes, we need a couple of signings but even without we can get 4th given the run of the ball, decent refereeing and few long-term injuries. Unfortunately, I cannot see us getting any higher – and there is the rub.
It is typical Arsenal that we get two injuries in his position immediately after we sell Gervinho.
We must hope our luck turns quickly
A lot has been made about this Madrid business. No way will we be looking at getting 3 of their players. This week in the press we have been linked Casillas, Alonso, Modric, Ozil, Kaka, Di Maria and Benzema!!!
All that tells us is the press don’t have a clue. It’s more likely that we have put a bid in for 1 player, my guess is Di Maria, and the rest is bollo*ks!
Spurs dragging their heels probably does have something to do with the game at the weekend, but we will still beat them! Our first team XI is better than theirs even after they’ve spent £100m and we have lost Arteta, Ox and Podolski! Says it all!
Bale won them 24 points last season on his own, you can’t just buy that sort of return from someone who’s never played in the PL. If you look at their signings, how many are 1st choice internationals?
One more rant before I go back to work!
Think of the goals and assists Bale got last season. These weren’t tap ins that you can replace through Soldado, or simple passes that Capoue will do. These were 20-30 yard screamers and brilliant crosses or through balls when nothing looked on. You can’t just expect the new signings to pick up the 40% of goals that Bale was involved in last season. They will be lucky to get half of those this year.
fgg
The stat I found amusing in Spurs’ win over Swansea was that Soldado, their striker, had only one shot in all the time he was on the pitch. And that was the penalty he took.
If anything, this is a good time to play them. They won’t have gelled yet, and reworking an entire squad isn’t quite so easy. But they have a clear goal. 4th place. That’s what they are pushing for. We must make sure that even if they make it, it won’t be at our expense. At the same time, our goal has to be, and is I’m sure, higher than that. We need something to go for us, both in the transfer market, and maybe in Sunday’s game. Such as no new injuries. (I’m sure Spurs will be kicking us because of our lack of bench strength.)
Cheers for the post Rasp.
Personaly i pay no attention to the press. There all sniveling rats who get excited by slease and dishing out mis information.
I met a journalist once and didnt like the way he looked at me. It was the look of a man who would gain extreme satisfaction from stabbing me in the back. He was also an ugly git.
I share your respect for chas. Last season in the Tavern i held his coat for him and made sure he had a nice seat. I also offered to exchange phone numbers but he explained he had mislaid his phone.
He then got up to go Loo so to make sure he was alright i offered to go with him, but he then explained he didnt have to go after all. What a guy.
What ever Levy trys it wont get his team above us. Wenger is different class and will do him again.
A succesion of managers, players, and wasted money. Keep it going Levy
They say Levy is the toughest negotiator around !, bollox, he hasn`t met me !. I would stare him down for so long that he would wilt and his nasal and ear hair would grow so long that he could use it like a Ralph Coates comb over !. I would then charge him the Bale transfer money for this procedure and he will be so over joyed that he may be able to pull a Kings Cross prossie with his new look that he will gladly hand over the cash and call me his bestest friend ever !.
Just a quickie on Spuds, buying the land didnt cost a lot it’s in N17….they are building Sainsburys before the stadium and I believe they will be leading the site to Sainsbury’s so have some good revenues, either way it’s part of their funding plan, one that we couldn’t do in N5 or were unwilling to because we didnt want a supermarket on our ground.
And the deferrment thing made sense for this weekend. We want superstars not Europa League players, if Madrid had sold us anyone before today then they could have been registered in time for Sunday, that passed at midday today I believe.
Haha..I just saw the press conference.. and the part about bendtner. For me, that was Wenger’s way of saying ‘no chance’ to Bendtner being back in the team.. When asked if his sale was likely and if not would he use him Wenger said something like
The chances of him leaving now are very very small…. But if he doesn’t leave… and prepares well…. and is fit… really fit…. I will use him
Might as well have added as a coat hanger right at the end…
Heard tonight Palace may be in for NikB….that’d be good 🙂
Again maybe just maybe Arsenes comments aimed at potential purchasers 🙂
Also another thought occurred….I saw a comment earlier saying Spuds didnt have to sell this summer, I think if they wanted guaranteed £80m they did/do….they cannot risk:
a) injury
b) people realising he is overhyped
Agreed GIE. I wonder what the Real supporters will do when they realise Bale aint all that. Cant wait to see him and Ronaldo have a fight on the pitch over whos the biggest ponce. It will look like Julian Clarey vs Emu
I reckon Madrid and Levy are in this together. Makes perfect sense. Levy has been driven mad by Arsene and has resorted to stroking a white cat whilst plotting his next failure.
As for Madrid. They know Barca have lost there invincibility and plan to become Europes top dog. To there credit they realise that Arsenal will emerge as the main rival to there wicked plans and are trying to put a spoke in our wheels.
None of this will work. Now we can keep our players i am convinced Wenger will mode a team to beat them all.
Some of the fees in this TW are just beyond belief! Apparently Liverpool are going to pay £20m to PSG for Sakho!
I would piss myself if FFP actually worked, even a little bit, because some of these clubs will be losing millions on the value of these players.
It does annoy me seeing all these other clubs spending shed loads, but when you look at the quality of what’s available, you can sort of understand why Wenger chooses to take a bit of a step back. There are very few value for money buys out there.
And by the way, went past there ground the other day and that Sainsburys looks magnificent.
ive heard a rumour that Levy will reward all corporate members with a micro wave and ready made meal at all future home games. Class.
Cant wait to see him and Ronaldo have a fight on the pitch over whos the biggest ponce. It will look like Julian Clarey vs Emu
Biggest ROLF of the day
Cracking post chas.
Did anyone watch the super cup? Lahm as DM?
Bayern looks like a poor man Barca so far.
Chelsea put 10 man behind the ball as usual.
On Spuds,
Many people forget that this is not the first time Levy spend a lot of money to finish above Arsenal. It simple, as long as Arsene in charge, they can’t.
Someone said above that Levy is a successful businessman. Well, Wenger has been just that since he came to Premier League. How much profit that Spuds get from all the player that they bought with Levy? They just got lucky that Bale exceptional form come in a fuck up transfer window where above average player cost 20m and decent player cost 30m.
How Townsend is defending Ramires for his second yellow I have no idea….he was lucky it wasn’t a straight red. Goetze was lucky to get up.
Rob you’re right about the prices but it still doesn’t explain Bale’s value:
Cavani age 26
2010-11 P47 G33
2011-12 P48 G33
2012-13 P43 G38
Falcao age 27
2010-11 P42 G38
2011-12 P52 G36
2012-13 P40 G34
Bale age 24
2010-11 P41 G11
2011-12 P42 G12
2012-13 P44 G26
I don’t get why Madrid want to spend £80m+ on him.
I think you will find Ginge that FFP under Gazidis means F**king False Promises !.
It’s crazy GiE.
Ronaldo was £80m because he was tearing up Europe and the PL at a time when the PL was top quality and had 3 English teams in CL semi finals.
Bale is doing it at a time when the PL has dropped in terms of quality and we can barely get a PL side in CL quarter finals!
Just checked Ronaldo’s stats in 3 seasons before leaving OT.
06/07 P53 G23
07/08 P49 G42
08/09 P53 G26
He sulked for the first half of the 08/09 season from memory.
And Madrid had to pay premium to take him from a competitor.
Well played Chelsea senior pros letting Lukaku take the last penalty.
Yep, I know Gie.
Its not just Ronaldo have won a treble, he also won Ballon D’or. Bale can’t even finish above a poor Arsenal side.
you watch the game Gie?
Morning
This might seem a slightly irevelent point but with only 2 days to go and the fact that out of all clubs we are playing Spurs tomorrow has made tension and frustration on various keyboards all over the net go beserk.
I would guess that a very big percentage of mainly Spurs players don’t understand the fierce rivalry between the two clubs but it is evident more than ever that the fans do.
This site is becoming more and more divided in the way the club has acted this Summer in the transfer market.
Pleas by many to get rid of many players has been achieved except for one or two and I cannot accept that even if we were still to purchase players that will make our squad stronger,by buying at the eleventh hour is the right way to prepare for this season.
I honestly believe the only player we have admitted to have bid for was Suarez. The media has linked us with numerous names on a daily basis,none of it substantiated.
Think about it. Wenger has his faults but he will have hopefully targeted certain players months ago and if that doesn’t come to fruition is he going to move on to his second choice,then third etc.in pne specific position. Surely not..To say the least it is all very strange and to me disturbing.
Morning Kelsey
We are not alone with the last minute thing. Bale, Utd and the Everton duo, and by all accounts RM have three players they want to shift. Then there is Mata, possibly the best player in the league last year, completely frozen out at Chelsea.
From a personal point of view, I only ever wanted a DM and Wide Boy of top quality, and so far, my two top targets are still available 🙂
Cannot wait for 4pm tomorrow. I am convinced we will win, and it will be massive, as like it or not, this is simply cannot be seen as just another game.
The outcome will determine the atmosphere at home games for both teams for weeks to come, and of course, we have a two week International break to really stew on things.
GiE
Can we assume that the title of your post is inviting angry swamp dwellers on here?
And can we also assume that you are staying in to talk nicely to them? 🙂
Morning All,
The one signing Chavs have made that really improves them is Mourinho. They played last night and looked balanced even without Mata.
Signing Oscar and Hazard when you already have Mata was a signal that something was going to change, and with the arrival of Schurrle it has. I still expect them to buy a striker.
kelsey. As Micky says, others have problems that are directly linked to the Bale saga, but don’t worry – we have already made two stellar signings.
Only Kaka and Draxler being “eyed” by Arsenal according to Newsnow this morning. 🙂
Ah ha Raddy
Check this out. We have a couple of experts on here at interpreting signals. Apparently AW said it’s always hard buying more than three players because of balance in the side.
Well, my interpretation of that little gem is: We’ve “bought” no-one yet, so brace yourselves Lads for three massive signings” 🙂
Raddy
Mata was left out of a five man midfield against Utd and that was before they signed Willian.
Where the heck could he be going, as he won’t bench warm at Chelsea?
Another interpretation is the the powers that be are delighted with the TW as is. 10 million profit, two signings – the balance sheet looks excellent.
And we will hear AW say once again “Until I write my autobiography, you will not believe what happened. We tried our best”
My guess is that MU are desperate for Mata, but Chavs want to sell abroad.
Talk about a massive three days. Imagine:
a. Beating Spuds, and
b. Signing a brilliant forward.
Then, don’t think about the opposite of both a and b.
Two weeks to dwell and gloat on option 1 🙂
Nice goal by Torres 🙂 well that most probably ends that speculation.
Morning Raddy AW will never reveal the truth ,autobiography or not.
Ah Micky but both Chelsea and United have already got much more depth than us
Mmmm, back to my theory of a Rooney/Mata swap. Suits both parties with neither getting egg on face.
Morning all
I reckon whatever the title of today’s post we’d be invaded, the scummy trolls will be out in force.
Do we need Mata? We’ve got Cazorla ……….. he would give us depth in numbers though, naaah they’ll never sell him to us, but why would they let him go to MU?
Did Real Madrid announce Bale as their new signing last night? No, I didn’t think so.
I wish Wayne wanted to come to us 😦
Morning all, the Bale deal is obviously done, but the totts will string it out until the bitter end.
We need a keeper, an enforcer oh no we have got Flamini and a striker.
Morning peaches
Do you honestly think Flamini was on the shopping list ? He may well do the job,we will see.
Morning Rasp
Morning kelsey 🙂 I think we need a striker who gives us another option up front more than anything now. That man is Michu but there is nothing to suggest we are interested.
Peaches
Can’t wait to see the title of today’s post, and delighted that GiE has promised to stay in and deal with the fallout 🙂
He’s either said “We don’t need no more signings” or “WHL is a home for Special Needs”.
Either way, I will observe from the safety of the beach 🙂
Morning peaches. I agree, Rooney’s style of play would be ideal for Arsenal. I think the obvious stumbling block is his wages and their reluctance to sell to a rival.
FFP has been shown to be the sham it really is by this summer’s transfer dealings. If it had any teeth, clubs would have to sell to rivals.
Morning kelsey and Rasp
Flamini was defintiely not our shopping list …… so he’s a bonus 😆
Michu?
Oh no, not at all Rasp. A fiddly and fast dribbler first and foremost.
Morning Micky, where did you see GiE promise to be on duty today? 😛 I’m playing my last cricket match of the season so shan’t be about. The sad thing is that when we publish an article of this nature, the Arsenal fans are always outnumbered by the miscreants 😦
A keeper would be nice but I won’t be too worried if font get one. A striker and an Ozil/Mata type would do me.
I always enjoy listening to AW’s take on where Arsenal are right now. He talks a lot of sense in a footballing world that’s gone pretty mental over money! I just hope he’s not too sensible for this modern football trolley dash and that ultimately we get left behind.
Well Fergie should have done the deal for Rooney before he retired ………….. cowardly cop out if you ask me 😀
OK Micky, who is that player? Michu is ready to go. He is quicker and more mobile than Olly and attacks the box really well. We’ll have played 3 games by the time anyone joins us, we need someone who can be effective immediately. Michu should be around £20m so affordable.
I know how all this is going to end and it is not good 🙄
GiE is a Gent, and as such would do no such thing as drop the site in the filth and not stick around to tidy up.
Micky – who’s your fiddly fast dribbler of choice? Are there a few options, I’ve got time today to pay a visit if they’re not too far away.
I think young George may be making a more pressing demand on his time these days 😉
Rasp – we need someone on the wing, does Michu play there too?
Is LB off to the mountains with his bike today?
Hi peaches. We all know what we need. A wide left payer who is quick and tricky and can deliver a cross …… same question as I asked Micky …. who is that player?
The scouts have been bombarding AW with potential targets for months now, Di Maria is the high profile signing but I seriously doubt we will land him. My guess is we’ll get no one in to fill that position and Santi will play there some of the time.
Rasp,
If we do not sign anyone, I for one, will hand in my Season Ticket (which I haven’t had for 20 yrs), stop attending games (even less than I already do), quit blogging (like everyone else has threatened to do, but like me, can’t because they are addicts) and start my own black scarf movement (well, a dull pastel perhaps, just to show that I am livid).
Rasp – we need a miracle, any floating around in your neck of the woods? 😉
Rasp Peaches
Can’t think of a reason why we can’t go out and pay market price and market wages for Di Maria.
Mind you, like Santi, there must be many players out there who are excellent, but I’ve never heard of them. In other words, no excuses. We needed more speed down the left last term and now Gerv has gone.
nothing again
Rasp,
Shaqiri, Muniain, Draxler, Di Maria, Ben Arfa, Moses, Nani?
I take it the fact you are still speculating about transfers means the news you heard yesterday wasn’t all bad!? 🙂
Evonne
“nothing again”
Does that mean you didn’t score last night, or what?
Micky, there are loads of players out there. We just need to take the plunge! Paddy Barclay described AW now as someone who carefully inches up to the edge of the high diving board and peeps over and thinks ‘that’s a long way down’ … meanwhile others just jump right off.
I’m not suggesting a ridiculously cavalier approach but we are conservative in the extreme. We have bought late in the window and bought well – we have also bought unwisely. What is true is that our late buys are circa £10m or less and that money doesn’t get you the exceptional quality we are told we look for.
Good list FGG, so I think we can all agree that there are players out there who will strengthen our squad ……. why haven’t we bought one?
Rasp
I won’t let myself get upset until window closes. They cannot be so unprofessional as clearly we need at least one quality signing.
I haven’t scored for many years now Micky 🙂
No new players.
Can they really do this to the fans – no reinforcements?
Micky – I agree, there’s no reason at all why we can’t, except that so far we haven’t and we have had plenty of time 😦 All this on the eve of the NLD is very stressful ………….
…….. except, the sun is shining and my garden is a very beautiful place to spend the next few hours 🙂
Morning,
If the site is going to be deluged in sewage, why don’t you put moderation on for first time posters just for one day?
Then again, I suppose that would nullify the ‘fun’ effect of the post.
Early morning session does need a Respected Blogger 🙂
I’m just dreaming FGG, I have no news of us targetting anyone in particular.
Suarez was always a red herring, we had no intention of buying him. It was a political move, nothing more.
We will most probable resign Eduardo and Senderos on a free so that Flamini doesn’t feel alone and maybe Henry might take a pay as you play deal.
Oh the joy of supporting one of the richest clubs in the world 🙂
I have changed my pug’s name to Nasri and not only because he is fat. He is the most disloyal dog I had. Van Persi is too long a name for a little dog. Samir is perfect
Micky, we have Cabaye in the bank as a last minute appeasement buy. He’s a good player but not one we really need. Pardew has pretty much come out and said, improve the offer and he’s yours.
You haven’t bought anyone because it’s very apparent that Wenger has turned into a dithering, senile, deluded, penny-pinching, £7m a year earning, procrastinating fool.
Morning all…..Micky I have a good festival to go to….but will be around up until 10….and back some time this afternoon, I will check in occasionally.
Kelsey Arsene has admitted he wasn’t looking at Flamini, but seeing his fitness and mental state he decided it was a no brainer. Draxler is 19 and around £40m according to reports….. That’s massive money for a teenager.
Wow, 8:04, that’s spooky
The Draxler rumour doesn’t have an authentic ring to it either.
Mystic Micky
Just to say it was not my intention to generate hits a plenty from the swamp dwellers. But there is no way of writing about them without them appearing.
The outcome of Sunday’s game will have a massive effect on the mood of the supporters but in reality it will not change anything. Win or lose, we need to reinforce the squad, that’s obvious.
GiE, can you suggest a rewording of the title so it doesn’t come up on their NN?
I get the distict feeling that a lot of PL managers don’t like dealing with AW when we want to buy and that is why he is reluctant to buy from the PL not because he thinks many players are overpriced.
If Rooney stays a serious no nonsense bid for Hernendez would be a good bet as United don’t regard us as rivals but I suppose I am dreaming.
I don’t think so Rasp. A loss could turn into something really nasty, there are too many ‘dissatisfied’ louds about.
See, the spuds are out already and they haven’t even seen the title of the new post 😆
Maybe I should change it to ….. Come and laugh at the tiny totts 🙂
I’ve changed the ‘T’ word to spud already but I reckon NN open the floodgates and let all Arsenal blogs appear anyway ………
evonne, that’s what I said “Sunday’s game will have a massive effect on the mood of the supporters” my point was that the outcome is not as relevant to our need to shore up the squad.
GiE – I’m assuming that’s a ‘food’ festival 😉
yes Rasp, my bad 😦
Peaches, what exactly have you got in store for us today? I am not ready for a war yet
Evonne
Sounds like we are inviting some neighbours over for a quiet chat.
My advice to you: “Take Fatso (Nasri) down to Burger King for a large one for the day 🙂
I can put the moderation on evonne, just need everyone to agree really.
nay Peaches, let’s effing have them!!! Go on!!
Kels – your man Torrez scored a lovely goal last night
Micky – poor little Nasri is on a diet of mashed spuds
By the way the Flamini transfer is unique in the way that Wenger had a really good chance to run his eye over Flamini against his current players, if he was stopping Santi and TR7 make 1-2’s for fun it really would have been a no brainer.
Also loved what Wenger said about Santi, born to play football, no strapping or special medication, just puts his kit on and plays he says that’s why he can endure so much football because its natural.
Both Torres and Mata have been left out of the Spanish national squad, if thy down at get them moving in a WC year nothing will.
Mourinho is missing his speed merchants though, it effects the way his park the bus team can win games.
Yes Peaches a food festival.
Rasp I can only think of more incendiary ones 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UgJ14AJ3mM
chas!!!! 😆
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=MSL3x5hTJAA
Anyone know who the ref is for tomorrow?
See how time heals, I can even enjoy the dutchman making it 2-2 now 🙂
Many ROLFs…..btw in light of current news should we be ROLFing as much?
chas 🙂 classic! what year was it No 1?
Every year?
Do you know what, they may have the 4-4 (and the video) and the 4-1(carling cup) but we have thrashed them twice 5-2 in the space of 10 months
Don’t read Untold Arsenal’s assessment of the referee for tomorrow if you want to carry on feeling upbeat 😦
This will make most gooners smile
http://t.co/ibRbZ0bSdv
Here I am trying to keep you all lighthearted and you leave me all on my own …………… shall I just publish?
New Post …………..
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