Arsenal FC thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

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Use this for the Arsenal debates and such

[socal1976]

You can bet your bottom dollar CS that if we lost to spurs and sat three points above them in the table people would be talking about what a disaster it was. This victory all but assures champions league football for next year and keeps us in contention for the league. With Chelsea losing this was a huge win.  As for arsenal's performance lets remember we were missing 4 of our 5 best attackers. If we had half of this group Ramsey, wilshere, theo, or ozil and got a bogus redcard and penalty like Chelsea then we would have won by three or four goals.

But you didn't. That's like a team I played against the other night. A few said "If you didn't have your keeper we'd beat you". But he's our keeper so saying that is a waste of oxygen.

You claimed it was a poor performance by Arsenal and you pointed out the Chelsea and Benfica result. You made the comparison about how many goals Spurs gave up in the last couple of games. Well the difference between the Chelsea result and Arsenal result was plain to see. You guys got a bogus penalty on a dive and a bogus redcard that was later rescinded that blew a 1-0 game open. Also you didn't have 4 out of your 5 best attackers out injured. These are facts that bear mentioning when you contrast our game against Spurs at WHL and Chelsea's.

What I'm saying is ifs and buts aren't worth mentioning. You have to play the cards you're dealt.

I didn't compare the previous games. I merely mentioned the goals given up because even a weakened Arsenal should have gotten more. Plus if Spurs had their shooting boots they could have won.

I never claimed it was poor performance by anyone but it was on the eye a general disappointment when you think back to previous NL derbies.

The match was not as entertaining as 5-2 wins, but in many ways it was highly significant to the season. Late in the year a match between the 4th and 5th place team is a big match in league especially with Arsenal travelling to the bridge and with team Abu Dhabi coming to London in successive weeks. It was the match that probably sealed up champions league and knocked Spurs out of contention. I thought the match had its moments frankly, in the first 20 minutes Arsenal was cutting them up on the counter and really should have 2 or 3 by the break. Spurs' best chance of the whole match was when Scz had a brain fart and gifted them something. Otherwise their attack was pretty much controlled by our defense. One other Adebayor chance early after a nice build up in the first half that went wide by a few inches and that was it for Spurs.

The fact is that you did compare this game to the Chelsea loss and if you bring it up then it is fair to point out the 800 pound gorilla in the room that one of your players got a penalty and had Spurs reduced to ten men on a dive. And the fact is that everything was in Spurs' favor going into the match. With the players missing comprising the majority of Arsenal's attacking threat not playing. I mean Spurs play that line against theo with Ozil there to deliver the ball to him would have for sure seen two or three more chances fall our way and a couple of the chances spurned in that match could have easily been taken.

[CFCNick]

You can bet your bottom dollar CS that if we lost to spurs and sat three points above them in the table people would be talking about what a disaster it was. This victory all but assures champions league football for next year and keeps us in contention for the league. With Chelsea losing this was a huge win.  As for arsenal's performance lets remember we were missing 4 of our 5 best attackers. If we had half of this group Ramsey, wilshere, theo, or ozil and got a bogus redcard and penalty like Chelsea then we would have won by three or four goals.

But you didn't. That's like a team I played against the other night. A few said "If you didn't have your keeper we'd beat you". But he's our keeper so saying that is a waste of oxygen.

You claimed it was a poor performance by Arsenal and you pointed out the Chelsea and Benfica result. You made the comparison about how many goals Spurs gave up in the last couple of games. Well the difference between the Chelsea result and Arsenal result was plain to see. You guys got a bogus penalty on a dive and a bogus redcard that was later rescinded that blew a 1-0 game open. Also you didn't have 4 out of your 5 best attackers out injured. These are facts that bear mentioning when you contrast our game against Spurs at WHL and Chelsea's.

What I'm saying is ifs and buts aren't worth mentioning. You have to play the cards you're dealt.

I didn't compare the previous games. I merely mentioned the goals given up because even a weakened Arsenal should have gotten more. Plus if Spurs had their shooting boots they could have won.

I never claimed it was poor performance by anyone but it was on the eye a general disappointment when you think back to previous NL derbies.

The match was not as entertaining as 5-2 wins, but in many ways it was highly significant to the season. Late in the year a match between the 4th and 5th place team is a big match in league especially with Arsenal travelling to the bridge and with team Abu Dhabi coming to London in successive weeks. It was the match that probably sealed up champions league and knocked Spurs out of contention. I thought the match had its moments frankly, in the first 20 minutes Arsenal was cutting them up on the counter and really should have 2 or 3 by the break. Spurs' best chance of the whole match was when Scz had a brain fart and gifted them something. Otherwise their attack was pretty much controlled by our defense. One other Adebayor chance early after a nice build up in the first half that went wide by a few inches and that was it for Spurs.

The fact is that you did compare this game to the Chelsea loss and if you bring it up then it is fair to point out the 800 pound gorilla in the room that one of your players got a penalty and had Spurs reduced to ten men on a dive. And the fact is that everything was in Spurs' favor going into the match. With the players missing comprising the majority of Arsenal's attacking threat not playing. I mean Spurs play that line against theo with Ozil there to deliver the ball to him would have for sure seen two or three more chances fall our way and a couple of the chances spurned in that match could have easily been taken.

I'd like you to point where I directly compared the Arsenal-Spurs game to the Chelsea-Spurs game. I'm fascinated to know when I made that comparison.

Really. You and CS are impossible.

[socal1976]

Achievement? You scored one goal against a side that gave up an average of 3.5 in their last two games. Both teams were awful today. I do not have some anti-Arsenal agenda like you claim. You're just a little paranoid and a touch delusion about certain "achievements".

Who were those 2 teams Nick? Benfica and Chelsea. You directly reference Spurs' last two opponents, you don't name Chelsea by name but you reference the last two opponents and the last two opponents one of which was Chelsea. As for the Benfica match I didn't talk about it because I didn't watch it. Europa league doesn't interest me till the final really and even than very little. When you compare this Arsenal result to the previous two spurs opponents then the match I watched, I commented on it. Your guys win against Spurs was not that great either in that Eto's cheating blew that game open and after being reduced to 10 men and having Chelsea's lead doubled on the same play the Spurs fell apart.

[CFCNick]

You do you there's a difference between referencing and comparing?

Eto'o didn't cheat. The ref shouldn't have sent off Kaboul but it was a penalty.

I can't take you seriously just discounting the Europa League. There are great matchups. There are some great sides in it. Napoli, Juve, Benfica, Porto, Valencia, Fiorentina, Sevilla and Lyon are in it. Plus at the end of the day it's football. Hell, I even watched Luton v Woking last night.

[TRUSSMAN66]

You do you there's a difference between referencing and comparing?

Eto'o didn't cheat. The ref shouldn't have sent off Kaboul but it was a penalty.

I can't take you seriously just discounting the Europa League. There are great matchups. There are some great sides in it. Napoli, Juve, Benfica, Porto, Valencia, Fiorentina, Sevilla and Lyon are in it. Plus at the end of the day it's football. Hell, I even watched Luton v Woking last night.

This guy probably thinks Ramirez went for the ball..

[CFCNick]

Yeah mate. Read the premier league thread posts from Saturday.

[Fernando]

Santi Cazorla,Aaron Ramsey & Gedion Zelalem sign new extended deals at the Emirates.

[socal1976]

That is great news 3 players that arsenal need to have wrapped up. I hear great things about zelalem although he has only been capped once for the senior side everyone raves about him. With him and Gnabry developing and the other young players we have at the club the production line looks great

[socal1976]

So poor, what a terrible couple of day the massacre at Chelsea and now giving up an own goal to lose 2 points at home against the Swans. When the fccuk is Ramsey coming back, and Ozil for that matter.

[CFCNick]

Also lucky the ref blew for full time when Swansea were through on goal.

[socal1976]

We sucked Nick, played good football for like 2 minutes in that match, thank god for Podolski.

[LivinginItaly]

what are the chances of your boys turning up against man city at the weekend? An arsenal victory would keep things very interesting at the top.

[CFCNick]

Liverpool last night is just what you've described Socal.

[socal1976]

what are the chances of your boys turning up against man city at the weekend? An arsenal victory would keep things very interesting at the top.

With the current squad we have I am not optimistic. People get angry when I talk about Arsenal's injuries but I think it is pretty silly to think that injuries of the nature Arsenal have suffered this season hasn't impacted their form. I simply don't see where the goals are going to come from if we lack Ozil, Walcott, Ramsey, and Wilshere. 4 of our 6 best attackers aren't playing and even if Ramsey does comeback it will be his first match in over 3 months. I think at home we can beat City but it will be very difficult. Ox still lacks the distribution skills of the players I mentioned although he is a great prospect. Arsene needs to play Podolski from the get go. And he needs to play flamini in there with Arteta to try to contain City. I would say there is at best a 30 percent chance Arsenal beats city at home. At best.

[socal1976]

There you go the hard way but were in the final now, got to love it.

[NickisBHAFC]

Congrats to the best team in the world for reaching the fa cup final, after a grueling match against an extremely difficult top side.

[socal1976]

Boring Nick, nobody has claimed anything about best team in the world. When you can't win an argument just pretend like your opponent is saying something silly don't worry about the fact that no one said it just make it up as you go along

[socal1976]

Happy St. Totteringham's day to all gooners, well it was really a couple of days ago but I was travelling for work and unable to check in. 4th place is looking good, and an FA cup final to look forward to. This team is a whole different team when we have Aaron on the pitch and in good form. He is the one player we can't afford to lose in our squad and unfortunately he was out for so long. Still we got Champions league football to look forward to and quite possibly the end of a very long trophy drought.

[Duty281]

Despite season ticket prices rising once again in English football's corporate home (or is that Wembley?), Arsene Wenger is in no rush to spend heavily...again.

Defence and attack need strengthening, Wenger, in case you hadn't noticed.

According to the Times, Morata, Bender and Schmeichel are the players that Arsenal covet most in the summer.

[Guest]

I can see Bender replacing Arteta & fitting in quite easily next to Wilshere. Then it's a toss up between Mandzukic, Morata or Balotelli, depending on how involved Puma want to be involved in the deal for the Italian.

Lose Sagna & it will be a straight replacement in the form of Serge Aurier. I don't see Schmeichel joining Arsenal.

[socal1976]

Despite season ticket prices rising once again in English football's corporate home (or is that Wembley?), Arsene Wenger is in no rush to spend heavily...again.

Defence and attack need strengthening, Wenger, in case you hadn't noticed.

According to the Times, Morata, Bender and Schmeichel are the players that Arsenal covet most in the summer.

I will be shocked if we don't make at least 1 or 2 big time additions to the squad and possibly 3. I doubt an interview with Wenger or press conference is going to reflect much valuable info on Wenger's future transfer intentions. The guy just doesn't like to show his cards. For me if we don't upgrade at striker and DM then I will be critical as the next person of Wenger.

[socal1976]

I can see Bender replacing Arteta & fitting in quite easily next to Wilshere. Then it's a toss up between Mandzukic, Morata or Balotelli, depending on how involved Puma want to be involved in the deal for the Italian.

Lose Sagna & it will be a straight replacement in the form of Serge Aurier. I don't see Schmeichel joining Arsenal.

I'd like to see them keep Sagna as I think he is still one of the best RBs around. Of the three to be honest I would like Balotelli as risky a move as that would be I think he gives you everything as a striker if he has his in the game. He has the most physical and technical upside. The problem is his attitude and lack of consistency. That being said he is the type of player that can do things single handedly to win matches in a way that our current striker can't. (ahm cough). My second choice would be Morata. Morata also is a complete package type forward with a good touch on the football who just can't find himself a striker role at Madrid. Manzukic would be an upgrade on Giroud but I feel like I have some of the same concerns that Bayern and Guardiola have about his quality with the ball played at his feet and fitting into our style of play.

[Guest]

Yeah, Mandzukic is an upgrade but nothing spectacular, hence Lewandowski's arrival. I would go for Balotelli to bring that physically strong but pacy option to the attack. He also would bully defenders & make Arsenal a tougher outfit all-round, who wouldn't shy away in the big games.

- - - - - - - - -BALOTELLI- - - - - -
OXLADE/OZIL- OZIL/RAMSEY- - WALCOTT
- - - - -BENDER-- - - - WILSHERE- - - - -
-GIBBS-MERTESACKER-KOSCIELNY-AURIER-
- - - - - - - - -SZCZĘSNY- - - - - - - - -

Back-up - CAZORLA, GIROUD, ROSICKY, FLAMINI, PODOLSKI, GNABRY

[socal1976]

Yeah, Mandzukic is an upgrade but nothing spectacular, hence Lewandowski's arrival. I would go for Balotelli to bring that physically strong but pacy option to the attack. He also would bully defenders & make Arsenal a tougher outfit all-round, who wouldn't shy away in the big games.

- - - - - - - - -BALOTELLI- - - - - -
OXLADE/OZIL- OZIL/RAMSEY- - WALCOTT
- - - - -BENDER-- - - - WILSHERE- - - - -
-GIBBS-MERTESACKER-KOSCIELNY-AURIER-
- - - - - - - - -SZCZĘSNY- - - - - - - - -

Back-up - CAZORLA, GIROUD, ROSICKY, FLAMINI, PODOLSKI, GNABRY

The big knock on Giroud is he lacks pace well Mandzukic is no speed burner either. So Balotelli would bring you much more pace and probably be physically more imposing than either of those two guys. I think he is worth the risk as well. It is not so much the transfer issue with Mario as whether Arsenal is willing to buck their wage policy for the guy. I think Balotelli would be 40-50 million in transfer fee and at least 150 a week type of signing. That just seems to go against what Arsenal have been about the last few years. Unfortunatly, that culture has been the main reason we haven't won any trophies in that period.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Wouldn't touch Balotelli with a barge pole. The occasional piece of brilliance isn't worth the trouble his attitude would bring.

[socal1976]

My dream wishlist for transfers next season as I think we need one wide player with versatility, a holding mid, and a striker (also most likely a RB) goes something like this.

Striker-Balotelli
Winger-Di Maria (or Griezmann)
Holding mid-javi martinez.

That should be only about 90-100 million pounds worth of transfers but of course highly unlikely

[Crimey]

I'm still not sure why Arsenal fans and non-Arsenal fans think Balotelli would be a good idea. His attitude is awful and I just don't think Wenger is an authoritative figure who can control somebody like Balotelli and get the best out of him, he struggles with Bendtner. If Balotelli was a really good forward who suited Arsenal's style of play than perhaps there would be an argument for ignoring his off the field behaviour, but I don't even think he'd be that good on the pitch for Arsenal. They need a forward who is going to run beyond the last defender and through the lines, Balotelli doesn't do that. 

Di Maria would be a fantastic signing, but not sure where he fits into the Arsenal side, other than for depth? Podolski, Walcott, Chamberlain, Cazorla, Rosicky are all preferred on the wings or can play centrally like Di Maria. It would be a poor signing considering the need for probably a sitting midfielder (Martinez would be fantastic, and a possibility if he is unhappy being moved into defence at Bayern) a right back, probably a decent centre back cover if Vermaelen leaves.

[socal1976]

I think Balotelli can be physical up top and trouble defenders with his pace. He combines speed, power, and technique in a Drogba type fashion. Although admittedly he has yet to show the desire and consistency Drogba has. Although as I remember in Drogba's first season he was not the beloved legend at Chelsea he is today and he got off to a slow start. To me the combination of pace, shot, good touch, and power make him worth taking a risk

As for Angel Di Maria I know that Wenger wanted to sign him last year and was hoping to get any combination of either Benzema, Ozil, and or Di Maria in the Bale fall out but he was only able to sign one. And this year he has shown he can even play in the middle. As we saw this year that despite having great depth in the midfield at times Arsenal was left shorthanded and licked width in their attack. Rosicky isn't a winger although he can play wide his best position is centrally, the same goes for Ozil and Cazorla. Where as Angel has got blistering pace and the work rate that Mesut, Santi, and Tommy Ro simply don't have.

Javi Martinez is another all around footballer that can help us in Defensive midfield, centerback and even like you said could cover at times at right back. But since these three would probably be 100 million pounds worth of transfer fees I doubt any of them would happen.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

If we can't get Martinez from Bayern, then I think Schneiderlin from Southampton would be a good alternative for the holding midfield role.

[socal1976]

I agree with Schneiderlin as well and also I still think we could tempt Bender from Leverkusen.

[Guest]

Bender is the primary option. Bayern would want to recoup around £30m+ for Martinez & do you think Southampton will suddenly want to sell after losing Shaw & Lallana. No chance.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Bender's recently stated his contract runs til 2019, so it'll take a massive offer for Leverkusen to consider selling him. Didn't realise Southampton had announced they'll definitely sell Shaw and Lallana.

[Fernando]

Wish List
Serge Aurier/Sebastien Jung
Diego Ribas/Jeremy Menez (Available on a free)
Carlos Vela (Can re-sign for 4m)/Juan Cuadrado
Javi Martinez (Bayern have signed DM Sebastien Rode)
Mattias Ginter (Replace Vermaelen)
Cesc (If available as saying although doubt it)
Balotelli/Benzema/Dzeko/Morata id even settle for Torres as strange as it sounds he needs to be running in on goal not the way Chelsea play.

Don't want Mandzukic.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

In priority order, I think we need;

Centre forward
Defensive midfielder
Right back - replacement for Sagna
Reserve centre half - replacement for Vermaelen
Reserve Goalkeeper - replacement for Fabianski

Hopefully Gnabry, Zelalem and Dan Crowley will have good pre-seasons, and challenge for places in the first team squad next season.

[socal1976]

Wish List
Serge Aurier/Sebastien Jung
Diego Ribas/Jeremy Menez (Available on a free)
Carlos Vela (Can re-sign for 4m)/Juan Cuadrado
Javi Martinez (Bayern have signed DM Sebastien Rode)
Mattias Ginter (Replace Vermaelen)
Cesc (If available as saying although doubt it)
Balotelli/Benzema/Dzeko/Morata id even settle for Torres as strange as it sounds he needs to be running in on goal not the way Chelsea play.

Don't want Mandzukic.

I agree Mandzukic isn't much of an upgrade over Giroud and Benzema I don't think Real would sell unless they are likely to get Suarez and Karim becomes surplus to their needs. Vela coming back seems like a good fit in that he doesn't cost much and has played well in Spain. I would love to get Cesc back my only concern though is that Ramsey and Wilshere still have the opportunity to play centrally and continue to develop.

[LastDamnation]

In an ideal world the likes of Cavani and Javi Martinez would be available and that would solve most issues, but trying to be realistic:

Mandzukic
Griezmann
Schneiderlin
Aurier
Caulker
Schmeichel

Think vermaelen will stay, but Sagna is definitely gone.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Your fans are weird

[socal1976]

Griezmann is a great shout and one that will attract interest from all the big clubs. I saw him play a few times this season and he never failed to impress. The question as always will be whether Arsenal will be willing to fork out big transfer fees and salaries to get these type of players, hopefully the Ozil signing is a sign of things to come.

[Nakatomi Plaza]

Interesting comments from Mikel Arteta, which'll appear in tomorrow's papers;

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/15/arsenal-mikel-arteta-arsene-wenger-contracts

[whocares]

assuming that Remy does come to Arsenal then no need for Griezman. Vela might come back as well. still too many wingers and not enough top strikers. Is Higuain still a possibility?

[Ent]

He joined Napoli for huge money last year so I'd say no.

[GSC]

Benzema would probably be available for a similar deal to Ozils, with Real going after Suarez

[Ent]

Would be overpaying by a significant amount for benzema.

[GSC]

Possibly, but he also has 1 year to run on his deal and Real won't extend it if they sign a striker. Selling him to fund a Suarez move would make sense.

Think it'd be a great move, but I'm biased as a big Benzema fan

[Guest]

------------------Benzema-----------------
Ozil-------------Ramsey----------Walcott
------------Bender---Wilshere-----------
Gibbs-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Aurier
--------------------sczczsny--------------------

  

[GSC]

Ozil wide? Think he has to play central really. Especially in the up tempo PL. More likely Ramsey, Bender and Wilshere rotate.

[whocares]

PSG looking at benzema and hazard (which would end up being swapped with Cavani) unless FFP rules them out of the transfer market. unlikely to happen but would make more sense than benzema going to Arsenal. he doesnt score a lot of goals anyway so doubt he would fix Arsenal problems. Hulk also seem available, might be a better fit.

[GSC]

PSG will be linked with everyone.

[whocares]

PSG will be linked with everyone.

fair statement   

[GSC]

Such is life when you have plenty of money. Its a lazy story for journalists and papers.

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