Lies, Damned Lies

June 13, 2010

“It is understood” …. a euphemism for “the reserve team coach’s hairdresser’s boyfriend believes that…….. ” or even more likely “this reporter is stuck for a story line and has made this up ….”.

Summer transfer rumours drive me mad.  So much of what we read is pure fantasy, a product of a fertile imagination, the addition of two and two to make five. The examples are endless as seen by the rumoured transfer bar on this very site.

One may believe that these fabrications are innocent but they have a direct affect upon the poor saps who read  them, and the reason I am writing this post is because I am one of those poor saps. Today I read a lengthy article on our favourite subject this summer, the will he/won’t he go to Barca saga. In this article it stated that Arsenal were sick of dealing with Laporta and had started negotiations with the incoming Barca President (Rosell) with a view to selling Cesc next summer. My first thoughts were “OK, we get another season”, my second thoughts were “how has this journalist sourced this story?”. I re-read it. No quotes from any one involved, no statement from either club, much innuendo and one “it is understood.” Who understood?

Let us look at the Joe Cole story. Apparently it is almost certain he will be playing at the Emirates next season. Who says so? Admittedly there is some logic to it, the fact Cole is a good player on a free makes him an attractive target for our parsimonious manager, but we are well blessed in his chosen position (AA, TR, Vela) and are we likely to pay €100+k a week to him? Most probably these are stories placed in the press by Cole’s agent to alert other clubs to his availability, using the Arsenal name to strengthen their negotiations. But I am a pawn in their game. I go to work thinking  “How will Joe Cole fit into our current team? Who gets dropped? Where will Arshavin play if Joe signs? etc etc.” I can’t help myself!

May I take a paragraph of your time to go back in history?

Around 2500 years ago a Greek philosopher named Plato wrote  “The Republic”, in which he looked at the perception/nature of justice within the individual and the State (The Greek Republic). Based upon the teachings of Socrates, he notes that one’s viewpoint is dependent upon whether one is “inside or outside,” that is, whether one has direct knowledge (inside) or one’s knowledge is second hand (outside). His point being that unless one has direct knowledge there is always a tendency towards a skewed version of the facts, and that one bases one’s opinions and perceptions based this mis-truth.

We are definitely “Outsiders” and as such base our opinions upon the fallacies produced by journalists with questionable agendas. ( I must point out that The Republic is a treatise on happiness and justice and I have used a small section of the book to make my point! ).

As I wrote in a comment a couple of weeks ago. “Until you see Mr. Wenger smiling at the camera with his shiny new player holding an Arsenal shirt, it is just bulls**t”

On a serious note, I ask myself this – “If the back pages are full of lies and fantasy, is it likely that the front pages are equally fanciful?” Now that is a frightening prospect

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Posted by Erik the Red

Samba de Denilson

June 11, 2010

If there is one player who divides the Gooners it is Denilson. A young man in whom Mr Wenger continues to have faith in whilst the vast majority see nothing above the ordinary. Why?

Some history. Denilson was born in the poverty stricken favelas of Sao Paolo, raised by his father – his mother dying when he was 10. Footballing ability kept him out of the drug gangs though many of his contempararies died in street gun battles. This is a tough kid. He came to Arsenal on the back of fine performances for Sao Paolo in the Copa Libertadores, as an 18 y.o. reserve team player the fee of £3.4m appears very generous to say the least. Arriving at Arsenal with no English, he must have been terribly homesick and fearful. Denilson seems to be a very shy lad and has consequently struggled to establish his persona on the team.

Denilson has played over 100 games for Arsenal which comes as some surprise. In fact he scored on his 100th appearance – the cracker against Standard Liege. He would seem to be an integral member of Wenger’s squad and as such it is interesting to analyse his input, because many do not see how he improves the team.

AW says of Denilson that he is a cross between Rosicky and Gilberto Silva. He can play “the Invisible Wall”, and be creative. He certainly has a powerful and accurate shot. It is often pointed out that statistically Denilson is one of the most efficient midfielders in the PL, his pass completion is excellent, he is one of the most succesful tacklers and his pitch coverage is also very good – though it is in this area that Denilson has come under the most scrutiny. That the referee beat his trackback for the Rooney goal at THOF last season opened him up to damning condemnation, this was proof of Denilson’s laziness and lack of application. Poppycock. Lack of concentration – certainly, rank poor defending – definitely, but laziness? Not in my opinion. Denilson is one of the hardest working players in the PL ….. and his stats prove it 😉

Of course people say his excellent pass completion is due to him passing sideways and delivering short balls to Cesc or Nasri/Diaby. Well, that is his game and what he is paid to do, Cesc has better vision and part of Denilson’s job is to get the ball to his Captain as often as possible and as quickly as possible.

Our no.15 scored 5 goals in 25 appearances last season and all were from outside the box. Surely this is evidence of his value to the team, for aside from RvP, who else shoots?

What Denilson lacks is the ability to impose himself upon the game, his slight physique is a major negative compared to Song, and he hasn’t huge pace. Nonetheless, he is a fine tackler and it should be recalled that he at just 22 y.o.  he is very young for a DM. Plus he has suffered with back injuries over the past 2 seasons which have hindered his development.

I am not suggesting that Denilson is the answer to our DM problems, but he is a fine back-up and will hopefully continue to develop. He was our 6th highest scorer from only half a season’s games and that from a deep lying position. Furthermore he will surely learn to concentrate for 90+ minutes after his MU humiliation.

As to his future at Arsenal there must be some doubt. The purchase and initial development of Ramsey will caste a shadow upon Denilson’s future. Ramsey (assuming a full return to fitness) is a wonderful prospect and sure to be an integral member of the first 11. He has what Denilson lacks – visibility – you know when Ramsey is on the pitch, whereas Denilson like Silva is “invisible.” Will Denilson accept a bench role?

I see a fine player in the making but a player in the wrong League. Sadly for Denilson, he is too lightweight for his position in the team and Song has proved this. I would keep him for another couple of seasons to see if he bulks up, and to shepherd in the arrival of Ramsey. Then sell him to Spain where I would expect him to have a fine career.

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Posted by Erik the Red

Cesc Has Done Nothing To Be Ashamed Of.

June 10, 2010

I am getting more and more alarmed by a growing number of Arsenal supporters turning up on blogs and leaving hateful comments about Cesc.

“Fabrégas is just a money grabbing wannaway. Sell him now and get some players in who appreciate what wearing the Arsenal shirt means!!”  (JSP)

Has Cesc ever said that he wants to leave? No, is the answer to that question and more pertinent he has never said he wants to leave to play for Barcelona; that being the case, he has done nothing to be ashamed of in my opinion and I for one would welcome him back with open arms.

GnarlyGeorge9 suggested that there is no smoke without fire. This is often the case but it is worth remembering that it was two muck raking journalists Guillem Balague and Graham Hunter based in Spain who lit the match and our very own manc loving media fanned the flames along with a few blogs whose principle writers claim to support Arsenal. Cesc has never said he wants to leave.

This should not be confused with the answer he gave to the question posed by a sneaky journalist while being interviewed in his home town Arenys (on the coast, about twenty miles north of Barcelona), which went: “Where would you like to play after Arsenal?”, now as I said this was in his home town, which is as pro Barcelona FC as the Holloway Road is pro Arsenal on a Saturday afternoon; he answered sheepishly “to Barcelona”. But as I said this is not the same as saying that he wants to leave.

If you think about it Cesc’s position is far more difficult than first meets the eye because he cannot be sure that Arsenal will not sell him if the price is right and that possibility is incredibly important when assessing the rights and wrongs of this situation.

We all know that when it comes to selling a player every club has their price, a fact that both Cesc and his agent, David Dein’s son, are well aware of; they are also equally aware that Barcelona are capable of making an offer that Arsenal cannot refuse. So, let’s not kid ourselves, if the price were right Arsenal would sell him. As to the amount, my guess would be seventy million pounds.

This being the case it is impossible for Cesc to simply come out and say that he wants to stay at Arsenal and see out the rest of his contract. The problem with making that statement is that if Arsenal subsequently choose to sell him the Barcelona fans will think of him as a player who didn’t really want to join them which I am sure you would agree would not be the best way for any player to endear himself to a new set of fans.

The only thing that Fabrégas has said on this subject is that he wants to focus on the World Cup and that he is leaving his future in the hands of Arsène Wenger. Now this is where the fact of having David Dein’s son as an agent pays dividends. There is no doubt in my mind that this statement was arranged in conjunction with someone who really understands Arsenal.

Here’s my long shot: Barcelona are not serious about this signing; they were forced into it by the muck raking journalists and only out of shame have they made the derisory offer of 35 mill. My hope is when the incumbent president Joan Laporta leaves at the end of this month and Sandro Rosell arrives that he very quickly makes clear that it is not his intention to pursue this signing. With that being established, I then expect Cesc to be presented to us by the club as the biggest summer signing – something that as a season ticket holder would make me very happy.

Not convinced — Barcelona really want him I hear you say, well do they?

Much has been made about how we stole him from under their noses with offers of houses for family members here in London and reassurances of first team football but if that was all it took I see no reason why Barcelona couldn’t have made the same offers — and a whole lot more for that matter; I mean, there has never been any doubt who he and his family support so what would it take for you to give up an opportunity to play for Arsenal?

Cesc was not wanted by Barcelona then and while this laughable offer of 35 mill is on the table (and it is) I am not convinced he is wanted now, something that will not be lost on Cesc himself.

It is off course possible that Barcelona could increase their offer to 70 mill a figure as I said that Arsenal would not be able to refuse, a figure that would force Cesc to ride off into the sunset, not a happy scenario but one that raises the question:  would that then make Fabrégas the bad guy? Not to me it wouldn’t.

By London

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Posted by LB

Joe Cole for Cesc Anyone?

June 7, 2010

Rumour has it we’ll take £60m for Cesc – I’m not sure how keeping your cards close to your chest during negotiations allows such information to leak out but thats the word out there on the street.

Bringing in Joe Cole shows a certain lack of ambition on Arsenal’s part in my opinion. We get £60m for our captain, the player that this young(ish) team has been built around and we take a 29 year old on a free. Lets take Joe Cole by all means if we can get him to accept our wage ceiling but lets also buy a player thats going to take the team forward.

Gourcuff has been scouted by Arsenal and hand picked by the supporters as a replacement for Cesc, he currently plays for Bordeaux and following our signing of Chamakh the two could team up effectively. He’ll cost us about £22m so we’d be quids in for sure even after spending £10m on a new French centre-back rumoured to be  Laurent Koscielny.

We already know that Arsene will turn these young frenchmen into superstars and Real Madrid, Barcelona or one of the Italian giants will want to tap them up in a couple of years so while Ramsey, Wilshire and Theo grow into their roles let them have some real competition for their places. If Arsene is happy to break up this team by allowing Cesc to go and he’s accepted that ‘you don’t win things with kids’ then lets buy some proven quality and show that he can be flexible.

Maybe we won’t be ravaged by injuries again next season but how good would it feel to put out a top class 11 and have players on the bench that we want to see come on and play.

It seems all the rumours are about who we want to buy but surely we need to sell players to make a bit of room in the treatment room. It seems to me we have squad of players that no-one else is particularly interested in, am I the only one that thinks it’s a weird situation for a top club to be in. Only our superstars are attractive not our utility players?

Arsenal should be thinking about how to butter us up, not adding fuel to the fire that many of us feel is raging about not spending money on transfers. There were reports earlier of a warchest which we wouldn’t even need to be touched if we sold Cesc so the question remains, Where is the ambition? Why are we being offered Joe Cole as a replacement to Cesc?

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Cesc and the Spanish Press

June 6, 2010


Morning all,  picking through the rumours today, it was hard to decide what to use as post as all the stories seem to be equally ridiculous. We are no nearer to knowing if anyone else will be signed before the World Cup or decisions about the future of Almunia, Gallas, Campbell, Silvestre or Senderos – a lot of centre-backs in that list!!

However London put on this interesting comment for us to share ………………..

For all those who are unaware, Spain has two main sports news papers: Marca which is as good as owned my Real Madrid and El Mundo Deportivo (the world of sport) as good as owned by Barcelona.

The Cesc saga doesn’t feature in Marca there simply is no interest but as you would expect our Captain gets top billing in Barcelona’s very own version of Pravda.

On today’s front page they have a big picture of Cesc with his hand on his head and a woe is me expression on his face, above it the headline reads “Vendedme ya” which translates to mean, sell me now. The story goes on about how he has tried to get in touch with Wenger, but to no avail, to plead for his release; he is portrayed as some hard done by Catalan held by those nasty English against his will, desperate to get home.

The other interesting thing on the front page is a poll asking how much they think Barça should pay for him. These are the figures to date.

Less than 20 mil 20%
Between 30 and 40 mil 32%
Between 40 and 50 mil 31%
Between 50 and 60 mil 6%
Between 60 and 70 mil 2%
More than 70 mil 8%

I was quite surprised to see that over 70 mil was as high as 8% but then I thought about it a bit more and came to the conclusion that it must be mostly Arsenal supporters….. I have voted for more than 70 mil five times already.

Well, if we are going to lose him I want to see them be made to bleed.

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

A Belated Happy Birthday – the Renaissance of Football

June 5, 2010

Posted by BigRaddy

May 26 1989, a day never to be forgotten in Gooner history, but also a preface to the modern Arsenal. Here is my story of the evening and why I think it changed the face of our fabulous club.

The run up to the game is embedded in the history books, but no-one can effectively describe the disbelief and despair that echoed around Highbury following the 2-2 home draw to Wimbledon. We had a 12 point lead over Liverpool at Xmas and had seen it whittled away to being 3 points behind. We had thrown away 5 home points in two games against poor opposition. We had choked. Goodness knows the furore had there been blogs in those days – Samaritans would have been busy!

The drudge home after the Dons game was very long. I gave little hope for our chances at Anfield and didn’t even try to get a ticket, but approaching the game I dug deep, sought some “mental strength,” found some fighting spirit.

It should be noted that the game was on a Friday night…. unheard of in those days and rare now.

My wife, thinking that football was a Saturday sport, had booked us to go to a dinner party at her new Boss´s (let’s call him Rupert) flat in the centre of Hampstead. She worked in the media business, and all the guests were from Saatchi & Saatchi.  I told her that I couldn’t attend unless I could watch the game through dinner, her response was to tell me to call Rupert. And here we come to the huge social change that came about that night, and in my opinion changed the face of football forever.

This was the season of Hillsborough, the reputation of English football fans was at an all-time low. If you liked football you were either violent or ignorant and uncultured. Football was for Yobs. Rupert, being cultured and polite, was delighted to hear from me and said that as a guest of course I could watch the game, but ….. I would have to sit at the table with the sound off and participate in the conversation.

We arrived and were shown into a beautiful dining room with a long table and I was sat at the end with a separate table for my 14″ TV. I felt humiliated and less-than, however my addiction came first and I was satisfied. The host had caterers to do the food and serve the wine allowing him to concentrate on his guests. Needless to say., I was at the opposite end of the table to him, due to his assumption that my passion must mean I was incapable of enriching any intelligent conversation.

Seriously, to those youngsters who read this, football fans were viewed as stupid. There were no University courses in Sports Management, no Soccer Academies etc et

So, the first half comes and goes and I am getting tense. At half time people were very “nice” to me, commiserating as though I had lost a pet. Champagne was flowing around the table, some guests went to the toilet to “powder their nose” and I sat there non-communicative, wishing I could find somewhere dark to be alone.

Second half kicked off. Smudger scores. I jump up shouting; they look at me as though I have escaped from a Psychiatric Unit, BUT and here is the start of the change – they got caught up in my passion. Rupert asked me to turn the TV so he could see it. Questions were asked “Who is the tall bloke who keeps raising his arm?”, Why don’t they shoot more? ( 😉 )”, “Why , when Arsenal play in red & white are they playing in yellow and blue?” Needless to say, I was incapable of speech.

The Mickey T moment. Never ever to be forgotten. It replays in my mind in slow motion (as I am sure it does for you). The whole table went mental. Jumping in the air, hugging, back-slapping and shouting. My main recollection was thinking “Where is my coat, I have to get to Highbury…”. but Rupert and his friends were high on the game. They had really enjoyed watching a half of football. They connected! If Big Raddy  – a less thuggish man you could never meet – was a football fanatic, it couldn’t be just razorblade toting thugs that went to Highbury.

I am ashamed to say that I “liberated” a couple of bottles of bubbly, grabbed the wife, and scedaddled as fast as I could to N5. I was dropped off outside the Gunners Pub carrying the champagne which lasted about 4 minutes.  The Fever Pitch film got it right, there was an enormous street party, a feeling of comraderie never repeated. The noise was deafening and I stood on the Marble steps until around 3 a.m. Even at that time the Holloway Road was awash with jubilant Gooners , sharing laughter and booze. Fantastic.

I met Rupert and a number of the fellow guests over the following seasons. All had bought season tickets at Highbury and were as knowledgeable and connected to the Arsenal as any Gooner. Football had become the Cocaine of the Masses!

This is what the Guardian write of the game and the social effect….

“Many cite the match as a pivotal turning point in English football. Writing in The Guardian, Jason Cowley notes how instead of rioting, as had occurred at Heysel with fatal consequences, Liverpool fans stayed on after the game and applauded Arsenal “as if they understood that we were at the start of something new; that there would be no returning to the ways of old”. Cowley describes the match as “the night football was reborn” and that the event “repaired the reputation of football”.

The match is not only seen as the starting point of a renaissance in English football, but also the moment where people started to see the untapped commercial potential of live football on television.”

“Good Old Arsenal We are proud to say that name”

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Could Cesc become a Legend?

June 3, 2010

Posted by andy

This post was written by andy before Barcelona made their offer and Arsenal told them where to shove it .

What makes a legend ?

All this talk of Cesc leaving got me thinking of his standing in comparison to some of his predecessors. Is Cesc a legend ? and what makes a legend ?

I was born in 1972 so my opinion of The Arsenal greatest players probably varies from that of some of the older and some of the younger guys (and girls) on here, but here goes…

I probably really started taking an interest in the team in the mid eighties and can remember Sansom and Anderson but to me then the heroes started to emerge. O’leary as a father figure bringing on the ultimate in Tony Adams.

If I had to name legends to me it would be Adams, O’Leary,  Merse, Rocky, Bergkamp, Pires, Freddie, Bould, Smith, wright, Parlour, Dixon, Vieira, Henry but why ?

Is it just the time that you were at your most interested or is it that they were better than what we have now. My thirteen year old son thinks Cesc is the best thing ever but to me I personally wouldnt put him up there with the greats that I remember. If I think back to the side of the late nineties i’d struggle to fit him in. It may be that as we get older we think of the past greats with far higher esteem than perhaps they deserve and I do remember old guys talking to me as a young man about players of the past who were legends at the time but quite frankly look s**t compared to the players of today.

Maybe its attitude, I’m not great with stats so dont bother to dis-prove me but O’Leary played over 600 games for us, Adams his entire career. Dixon, Winterburn, bould, Seaman over 400 games each.The likes of Bergkamp, Pires. Henry and Llungberg were foreigners who made The Arsenal their club and we made them heroes.

So is it this that makes you a legend or winning trophies?

Do I remember Rocky because he won ‘X’ number of cups? No.  Could I tell you how many winners medals Adams has? No. So is it about being successful?

Is it commitment? Adams = Arsenal, Pires , Bergkamp and Thierry still talk of the Arsenal with absolute love, not for the honours, but for the memories.

In my opinion there is no rule for whether you are a legend or not. It isn’t about success, it isn’t just about time served. I personnally think it’s about belonging. As a fan its about a player looking like he’s fulfilling your dreams (sounds a bit wanky I know but thats the best way i can descriibe it).

If i could have 1 wish it would be to play for The Arsenal (It could never happen coz im crap) but I want to see those there play like its an honour to wear the shirt.

Is Cesc a legend. IMO not yet. But he could be ? Who would be your Arsenal Legend?

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

Where did it all go wrong – Cesc?

June 2, 2010

Where did it all go wrong……………………………….

Most football fans are aware of the story George Best loved to tell of how he was staying in a top London Hotel, where having just quit football he had enjoyed a few drinks and a particularly good night at the tables in the Casino,

To celebrate he phoned room service and ordered a couple of bottles of Champagne. The waiter who delivered it happened to be an Irish Man Utd fan. On entering the room he was confronted by a huge bed on which lay a half naked Miss World, surrounded by bundles of twenty-pound notes with the thousand pound bank wrappers still on them.  He looked, placed the tray on the dressing table and as he presented George the bill to be signed asked. “ George where the hell did it all go wrong”

To me that sums up the Arsenal predicament at the moment, having come through some seriously stringent times, virtually owning their new purpose built stadium and training facilities, in the best financial position of the any of the top British clubs with the possible exception of Chelsea and City both of whom owe there good fortune to rich benefactors from abroad.

The Arsenal now find themselves with cash available to refresh their injury ravaged squad and add an experienced player or two to encourage and the lead the phalanx of talented players assembled at low cost by Arsene Wenger.

Yet there is an element of their support that keep asking in whatever way possible, where did it all go wrong?

Every negative that can be found, rumoured, imagined or invented is gleefully dished up, as proof of our imminent demise. Forget the cruel injuries at crucial times, forget some diabolical refereeing that has halted momentum and cost us vital points. Forget that Champions league qualification has been achieved year after year.

Disregard a lazy press, that delights in disrespecting the club for refusing to pamper to their desire for easy headlines, by employing rent-a-quote PR men to fire ten-a- penny sound bites, designed to appease those whose demands that we chase the improbable or impossible, are only matched by there inability to understand which is which.

Ignore all these, along with the fact that our key players have for years been the subject of shameful tapping up, by overseas clubs and affiliated press, designed at the very least to unsettle and destabilise but mainly aimed at enticing them away.

Where did it all go wrong? It didn’t we punched above our weight given the financial constraints, put upon us by the property development so vital for our future. We negotiated all the perils and pitfalls outlined above. We played our way into the hearts of a new generation of fans and delighted a vast army of older fans, brought up on the cynically predictable football, of the Pre Wenger years.

Despite this in recent weeks since the season end and before the Transfer Window even opens, every blog, paper and media outlet has again witnessed an outpouring of opinion as to how soon our captain and playmaker will leave the club, maybe he will, maybe he wont and just maybe if he does, he will do as many of the Wenger boys before him have done, wake up one morning, review his career and say “sod it, where did it all go wrong?”

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Posted by dandan

William Gallas: Should He Stay Or Should He Go?

June 1, 2010

The day it all came crashing down!

On that faithful day in February 2008 do you remember where you were?

I do! I was in my college abode, going home, home (i.e. to the parents) for the weekend because I had a terrible chest infection.  So there I was, plonked in the couch waiting for my drive – feeling sorry for myself. My housemates felt sorry for me too and said to make me feel better I could turn on Sky Sports and watch Arsenal play while I waited.

Oh, how I wish I hadn’t….

The first bit of commentary I heard was “And we have come to the decision not to show that injury again, it’s so horrific.”

Cue the footage of Eduardo lying on the pitch.

The day only went from bad to worse. Just when it seemed Theo was coming of age, we gave away a penalty that wasn’t which saw our Captain go mad – Gallas was on the halfway line (instead of giving some sort of encouragement to our keeper) kicking the hoardings, shouting and I reckon didn’t even see the penalty hit the back of the net. Gallas then planked his arse on the pitch and Le Boss had to go soothe him into the dressing room after the game.

*Poof* went the three points! *Poof* went Eduardo’s season! *Poof* went our season! *Poof* went Gallas’ time as Captain.

Of course that’s not to mention Gallas’ book where he ripped many of his teammates to shreds – not least Samir Nasri.

Back then, many would have understood if Wenger sold him to the first taker. However, he instead stripped him of the armband and what emerged was a much more mature, more driven Gallas. He became the leader he never was for us as Captain. Toure and Gallas never saw eye to eye. Toure left and Gallas formed a far better partnership at the back with Vermaelen.

Now though his contract is up and we must ask ourselves, is he worth keeping. Should Wenger stop this over 30s nonsense and give Gallas more than a one-year-deal or is it time for Gallas to move onto pastures new.

The simplest way to do this is look at the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Gallas is experienced. We need experience.
  • He knows what it feels like to win the EPL. We need that winning mentality in our squad. When you win once, you have an even bigger urge to do it again.
  • He has been one of our most consistent performers over the last season and a half.
  • Despite his tantrums, he has become a real leader in the squad. Arsenal lack leaders.
  • He pops in with his fair share of important goals.

Cons:

  • He has become very injury prone (His calf injury could rule him out of the World Cup). Considering his age, it is taking him longer to recover. It is best for Arsenal that he moves on and Wenger is forced into signing a new center back much in the mould of Tomas Vermaelen – mid 20s, experienced, tough, nicks some goals, committed.
  • He is not well liked by the squad – Samir Nasri has openly said so and nothing has been done to refute this statement. Adebayor was causing problems and the squad seemed happier after his departure – would the same happen if Gallas were to leave?
  • He has no problem scoring goals where the ball was “passed” via two handballs and I think tha….. 😳 wrong post 😛

There are many reasons why Gallas should stay or go.

Personally, I think Gallas has been a top defender for us and has formed a good understanding with Vermaelen. However, his injuries do worry me. He has been getting them increasingly over the last two seasons and can no longer be relied upon.

The best situation would be for Gallas to sign a contract extension at the Grove while Wenger also brings in another top class defender so we have three international class center backs. However, this is Arsenal and as I don’t see that happening it might be best that Gallas goes on to pastures new and forces Wenger’s hand into the signing of a new CB.

William Gallas – Should He Stay Or Should He Go? Well, if he goes there could be trouble but if he stays there could be double.

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Posted by criochnaithe

Why is Cesc Leaving?

May 31, 2010

Morning all. With still no clear answers to the ‘Cesc is going, Cesc is staying’ debate – disastrous PR really from a top English club – I thought we could guage the feeling among supporters by having a poll.

Obviously we know that he has a deep love for Barcelona and that a return to his boyhood club was always on the cards. But why now? Barcelona have come calling but he is our captain and well loved by all at Arsenal.  I don’t believe he loves Barcelona more than Arsenal so we have to look for another explanantion.

We have watched him being targetted by opponents for some harsh treatment during the past season. Of course if you’re playing against Arsenal you need to be able to stop Cesc having possesion and working his magic but too many fouls without retribution must surely anger the young man. Where’s the protection?

Cesc and others in the team have consistently gone public over the need to sign a couple of world-class players to complete the jigsaw.  What has Arsène promised him? Does he believe that Arsène will deliver?

How important is money to our Fab4? Barça can offer him higher wages than we ever will and make him a very rich man. But look what we can offer him ………………

At Arsenal he is loved, he is our Captain. If Arsène can fulfill his promise to add to the squad players that will help bring out the best in this team then we will go on to win silverware. But if he leaves we’ll never know.

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Posted by peachesgÖÖner

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