Arsenal Thread

[azania]

First topic message reminder :

Surprised the isn't one yet.

In

Carzola
Giroud
Podolski


Out

Deadwood (exept Squilacchi and Chamakh)
RvP/Berba clone hopefully

I actually believe that Arsenal are stronger than last year. Carzola is a great buy for us. Giroud, although he hasn't scored yet makes terrific runs and in time will score 15+ per year.

Our defense has been tightened by Bould's astute style.

My prediction? Arsenal will end up 2nd behind City. UCL semi and win something (CO-Cup).

Discuss.

[Stella]

Wenger must be up for manager of the year for finishing fourth with that squad.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

I wouldn't go that far Stella, think Arsenal generally do have the fourth strongest squad in the league. He does deserve great credit for turning the form around after losing to Spurs in February

He seems to have rediscovered his ruthless streak, dropping Sczhezny and Vermaelan are the type of tough decisions he's shied away from in the past.

This will be his biggest summer. A lot of the deadwood needs shipping out. Arshavin and Scqullachi are out of contract, and hopefully Djourou, Park, Denilson, Santos, Bendtner and Chamakh will go permanantly as well.

I'd like to see a new keeper brought in, a young centre back to challenge Per, Koscienly and Vermaelan, and most importantly a real poacher. Ideally Lewandowski, but more realistically Higuain.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Just seen that Sky bet have suspended betting on Julio Cesar joining. Anyone be happy with him coming in?

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Great news. £50k a week in wages saved.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8755111/Arsenal-midfielder-Denilson-has-cancelled-his-contract-with-Premier-League-club

[Crimey]

How the hell was he on £50k a week? I don't remember him ever playing well for Arsenal or even having a long run in the first team.

People say that Arsenal are run very well, but things like that suggest differently.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

He started off ok, but lost his way after having his contract extended in 2009.
Looking back with hindsight, he probably got overpaid due to Flamini leaving because Arsenal wouldn't stump up the bigger cash for him, and Gilberto Silva and Lass Diarra also departing. Wenger probably thought he had a ready made replacement in Denilson who would florish like other younger players previously had

Wenger does work using a socialist wage structure, so there's not a big chasm between the big earners, and the squad players. There's an urban legend that after signing his contract Nicklas Bendtner changed his squad number to 52, to signify how many thousands of pounds a week he was getting paid.

Wenger's thinking seemed to be this pay structure would improve spirit in the camp. What has happened is that certain players have become too comfortable.

Whilst there have been some poor decision made over the last five years regarding contract extensions, Arsenal's turnover to wage % is still around 60%. I believe only Man Utd have a better ratio.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Pretty comprehensive report of the Q & A session between Arsenal fans and CEO Ivan Gazidis yesterday

http://davidoudot.com/2013/06/11/arsenal-end-of-season-conference-ivan-gazidis-v-fansshareholders/#more-203

[Nakatomi Plaza]

No movement in the squad, but some at boardroom level. Peter Hill-Wood has stepped down as chairman, to be replaced by current director Sir Chip Keswick.

This ends a 75 year association between the Hill-woods and Arsenal, Peter's grandfather, Sir Samuel, and his father Denis had previously held the chairman's role.

What effect, if any does anyone think this will have on Arsenal?

[Fernando]

The Gonzalo Higuain deal has been put "on hold" as we're after a "better striker" and no it's not Rooney

[GSC]

Juve signed Tevez because the Higuain to Arsenal deal was done.

The better striker is Lewandowski

[Fernando]

Aye your correct there i don't think he'd join us no matter how much Podolski tells him to  

Juventus signed Tevez because they couldn't afford Higuain according to his brother

It's all rather perculiar id rather get the Higuain deal done then try for Lewandowski atleast if that fails we'd still have 1 quality forward

[Bull]

The Gonzalo Higuain deal has been put "on hold" as we're after a "better striker" and no it's not Rooney

What is your source?

[GSC]

Juve decided to back out and sign Tevez because Arsenal had more on the table.

Those 2 were the contenders for Higuain.

[Crimey]

They could go for both really, £40 million outlay for Higuain and Lewandowski wouldn't be bad considering the prices strikers go for.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The Gonzalo Higuain deal has been put "on hold" as we're after a "better striker" and no it's not Rooney

Good backing of Higuain that.

[GSC]

Closer to 50m than 40m. Higuain is 30m euros (about 25m) on his own.

[Fernando]

The Gonzalo Higuain deal has been put "on hold" as we're after a "better striker" and no it's not Rooney

What is your source?

Tomato

[Bull]

So you have no source, so the deal is not on hold and will be done.

[mystiroakey]

A better striker than Higuin??

If it isnt rooney then I am not sure who Arsernal are going for!

Not many better strikers tbh

[Fernando]

Looks like Per Mertesacker is set to become permanent Arsenal captain makes sense considering Vermaelen barely plays....

On the odd side of it he's giving up his no.4 jersey guessing a german thing although id expect this will set off many Cesc rumors.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

I know Mertesacker acts as fine collector in the Arsenal dressing room. If this is true, then it does look like another midfielder will be brought in considering Arteta captained the side in Vermaelen's absence.

Interestingly this story's doing the rounds. Disappointed they didn't go with Gunners big Bender bid blocked by Bayer, as a headline.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-lars-bender-2015358

[Nakatomi Plaza]

First signing of the summer, Yaya Sanogo's been confirmed.

[Ent]

Realistic signings Arsenal fans?

Please redevelop and become our main rivals again - best period in PL in my opinion 97-03 so exciting

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Higuain, as we've been 'on the verge' for ages.half, Another centre half, in the ilk of Jones or Smalling. What I mean by this is a young centre back who won't expect to play straight away, but won't be out of his depth when needed. Who that is I don't know.

Julio Cesar and Clement Grenier look probable as well. Cesar's a bit hit and miss for me. I'd prefer Begovic. Don't know a great deal about Grenier

[GSC]

Higuains hold up has been Madrid waiting for Ancelotti to sign off on it no?

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Supposedly so. Some reports in Spain say he wants to bring a striker in before letting him go.

[Fernando]

According to the Espn guy who did the confed cup final Cesar to arsenal was done before tournament just needed to be signed off, No idea about Higuain anymore seems to change on a daily basis.

Bender seems unlikely Leverkusen won't sell. Payet was an option if Gervinho leaves. Although Arsene is coverting after El Shaarawy along with Citeh.

[mystiroakey]

I rate Higuin highly- A tevez/rooney type player.

I really do want to see arsernal make these sort of signings.. I think its time ...Surely it must be time................. 

[TopHat24/7]

NEWSFLASH: Arsene Wenger signs virtually unheard of French-African youngster.

This happened this week but the headline could probably be applied to any transfer period of the last 10-15 years.

Wenger really does have a 'type', doesn't he.....?

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Coquelin gone out on loan to Freiburg, which is good for him, as he should get regular first team football.

On squad numbers, some fan sites are reporting that Diaby will wear 24 instead of 2, and Sanogo will wear 22.

[Fernando]

Apparently we're in for a 30m winger for when Gervinho leaves 

Rumors suggesting El Shaarawy/Reus before his release clause comes in to play and Angel Di Maria to accompany Higuain into England

[compelling and rich]

without being insulting, cant imagine why rues would want to leave dortmund for arsenal

[Fernando]

Id sack whoever their contract person is just for giving them low buy out clauses.  I wouldn't rule it out he's an Arsenal fan when he was younger apparently

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Arsenal's 24 man squad for the Asia tour have flown out this afternoon. Notable absentees are Monreal, Cazorla, (given extra time off following Confederations Cup), Vermaelan (back injury), and Gervinho (illness apparently, but he was fit enough to attend training on Monday). Bendtner, Park and Chamakh have also been left at home, which hopefully means they'll be leaving soon.

Youngsters Chuba Akpom, Kris Olsson, Serge Gnarby, Chuks Aneke, and 16-year-old Gedion Zelamen have been included.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-name-24-man-squad-for-asia-tour

[TopHat24/7]

Park left at home? Thought Arsenal had paid out his contract and written him off? Or was that just a provision in the accounts??

[Nakatomi Plaza]

First game of pre-season saw a comfortable 7-0 win against the Indonesian 'Dream team'. Theo Walcott opening the scoring in the first half. Chuba Akbom scored after the break. The floodgates open after 70 minutes. Oliver Giroud scored two in two minutes. Lukas Podolski added a fifth, before youngsters Kris Olsson and Thomas Eisfeld completed the scoring.

[Fernando]

Chamakh is off to Palace on Loan 

Bobblehead to Roma is nearly complete 


An a Board Meeting is currently taking place at the Emirates as we speak.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

The Sun are reporting that we've agreed a £6.1 million fee with Freiburg for German 21 defender/midfielder Matthais Ginter. I've read a few reports that we've targetted Serder Tasci if the Ginter deal doesn't come off.

[Fernando]

HT Arsenal 1-0 Man City - Walcott after 9 mins

Fairly full strength sides for both teams.

Citeh missing Aguero/Nastasic , Arsenal have benched Santi Cazorla. Have triallist Sebastien Perez on the bench aswell.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

7 days till the season starts

Arsenal spent grand total of £0

LOL

[Fernando]

It'll change after 1st game of the season

Arsenal 2-0 Citeh - Ramsey - 60 mins

[Fernando]

Arsenal 3-0 Citeh - Giroud

Been a good game so far defended well, fairly competitive Citeh looking awful at the back without Nastasic.

[Guest]

- - - - - - - -SUAREZ- - - - - - - -

PODOLSKI- -CAZORLA- - WALCOTT

- - - -WILSHERE- -KONDOGBIA- - -

GIBBS -WILLIAMS - KOSCIELNY - SAGNA

- - - - - -BEGOVIC/CESAR- - - - - - -

September deadline Arsenal will look like this...... 

[Fernando]

Yes because that's such a terrible side isn't it  


Arsenal 3-1 Citeh - Negredo.

[Guest]

Fernando, it's a relatively good side. I was laughing because, let's face it, it's not going to look like that. That front six gives anyone a run for their money.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Nando, how the the trialist Sebastian Perez do?

[Fernando]

Looked a decent player Naka. Seems to like a good tackle and a good passer. Can see him being given a contract tbh.

Zelalem looked class yet again and Theo seemed to be playing like Xavi with accurate long balls


Yeah it won't look like that John, Williams/Kondogbia won't sign, Suarez if we pay out 50m will tbh, expect a different DM will come in the way he was talking on the radio yesterday in Germany seems likely to be Luiz Gustavo.

[Champagne_Socialist]

We are winning 1-0

[Guest]

Congrats on the win last night, I thought we did enough to beat you, especially when Amalfitano came on and hit the bar and had that shot cleared off the line

Hope you stuff Chelsea in the next round!

[mystiroakey]

reading this thread at the moment is cracking me up!!

[Sponsored content]