Finders Keepers
Jul 25th, 2010 by 'holic
A flurry of invites have kept me away from the keyboard. In all honesty I am only now starting to recover from a very boozy golf day on Friday and a quite magnificent dinner out last night. I’m not sure four different fish on a plate isn’t being a tad greedy, but that sort of diet never did whales much harm, did it?
As my eyes have started to focus today I noticed it is goalkeeping Sunday, if you are following all of the tedious Arsenal speculation. At the same time I have to expect that it will continue until we find a home for Manuel and resolve the issue of his successor.
To be fair I have been drawn into reading the articles that have linked us to Maarten Stekelenburg and Igor Akinfeev, simply because they represent much more sensible targets than others that have been suggested. With all due respects to Mark Schwarzer I doubt there is any intention on our part to accept Fulham’s invitation to bid silly money on someone who may just be on the wrong side of the hill.
The other ‘flavour of the month’, Hugo Lloris, does not inspire me with confidence when I have seen him, and it would take a king’s ransom to prize him away from Lyon. Popular opinion today would suggest that the Russian and Dutchman will end up at Manchester United and Arsenal, but that is based on the flimsiest of evidence, sadly. Well, none at all actually, other than the fact that both clubs are looking to recruit a quality custodian, allegedly! You get my point, I’m sure.
As someone who spent his formative years watching the likes of Ian McKechnie, Jack McClelland, and Jim Furnell struggle to fill the void created by the injury to Jack Kelsey I can only confirm we have never won anything without a top class player between the sticks. It is a position that needs strengthening, and fast.
Bob Wilson, Pat Jennings, John Lukic, David Seaman, Jens Lehmann. These were all first-class stoppers who filled those in front of them with confidence at their peak, and who cajoled performances from those around them. They were as important in our triumphs of the last forty years as the George’s, Brady’s, Smith’s, Bergkamp’s and Henry’s.
I’m encouraged that we are appearing to be actively doing something about the current situation. Fabianski, or Mannone, or Szczesny, may be the future, but they are not the now.
The Tapping-Up Petition
I promised a ‘holic reader I would update you on his petition to have Barca reported for tapping up over the summer. Snir has now got over 1250 signatories (and rising) from all corners of the globe, as well as over 600 people on Facebook who ‘like this’.
Not bad for four days work that.
59 Responses to “Finders Keepers”
Hi ‘Holic, re: the petition, aren’t the board waiting for any deal or otherwise to be completed before reporting them?
Cesc & advisors would also be implicated/investigated during the process, possibly leading to ill feeling between him and the Arsenal.
First drink?
Would be rude not to.
Mine’s a rum&coke. Cheers. And congrats on the box š
Oh, pint of Blandford Fly please!
Or second but I got the first order š
Hello R, you won’t see Arsenal report Barca, or any of the big European clubs report each other. That doesn’t mean the petition doesn’t serve a very good purpose in highlighting that some people are fed up to the back teeth with what is happening.
Large rum and coke for the Belgium fellow, on the house š
Just signed the petition. Thanks for link ‘holic.
The petition is a great idea, just a shame about the way it’s written. Shoddy grammar and sentence structure makes it seem a bit amateur and rushed out. If someone’s going to the bother of getting a petition together for something they feel so passionately about i’d expect them to take a bit more care.
jimmy rimmer. cheers holic. we need a female keeper with very big jugs
Wilie, not everybody has English as their first language. As long as they are conveying what they feel passionately about, that is good enough for me.
Amending that at this stage would invalidate what people have already signed up for.
yeah , true *shrugs*
jugs. I might trade CL football for that!
Sunday dinner is served. Off to knacker the diet again.
Laters.
You said: Ian McKechnie, Jack McClelland, and Jim Furnell
I forget we are of a similar age and we both had to suffer these. We also had Geoff Barnett.
I think the issue is Wenger doesn’t know if Chesney can step up to the plate this season, but he does think he will in a year or two. He doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a similar young, but with more experience keeper. My guess is he will start with Fabianski and have Mannone as back-up, send Chesney out for another year and sell Almunia.
I would be inclined to take David James for a year and then use Chesney, but I doubt we will see it.
Hope you enjoyed dinner.
Big Willie Young, I actually wrote here a couple of days ago before I opened the petition that if anyone wants to help me with the writing I’d be glad to write it.
I’m still open to a different statement and I’ll update it on the petition once someone actually does send me another statement.
You can write it here or at Snir_Geuli@hotmail.com
Good to have have you back holic…bit unlucky getting invites for slap up fish dinners……I think Stekelenburg and Mersteker* would make a couple of great signings before the transfer window closes! Oh and the last minute signing of Orzil…..ahhhhh fading off into a drunken stuporrrrrrrrr
‘Holic watch the excessive consumption of protein…. ha!
If Igor Akinfeev (Had to copy and paste that) will not hinder the growth of Chesny then bring him in, no harm in having 2 amazing goallies. (Good to see Sharva doing the recruiting!). No alcohol on a Sunday evening guv, thanks!
Thanks people.
Not just fish, Rob. The management reported the fillet of lamb was to die for. I settled for fillets of plaice, haddock, salmon, and cod. Not forgetting perfectly cooked roast beef on Friday night. Very good weekend. Diet needs kickstarting.
Have to tell you goonerette that Fabianski is highly regarded at Shenley. Those calling for Chesney to get his chance will be disappointed to hear he is behind his countryman in the pecking order.
i’d take the Dutchman Steklwhatsit, he was quality at the world cup and looks confident and calm when dealing with set pieces. Mertesacker is a bit slow but he’d be perfect for CB who plants himself and stops anything getting past him.
The Russian or the Dutch guy would do nicely.
Can’t see it happening somehow though.
Fabianski starting will turn me to drink……..again.
A Millers draught original please ‘Holic.
The last Barca player not to have said anyting so far says that Cesc will stay another year with us to win silverware:
“Cesc wants to be with us, but he told me how close the Arsenal fans are to his heart,” said Iniesta.
“He is a special player and I hope he wins the title at Arsenal this season.
“For them to win Cesc will have to stay fit and injury-free but he deserves to finish with a title.
“For all the work and effort he has put in at Arsenal it would be a shame if it was all fruitless.
“I have seen time after time Lionel Messi win games for Barcelona when the rest of the team have not been on form and Cesc can do that for Arsenal this season.”
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/887778/CESC-STAYS.html
Iniesta – who snatched Spain’s World Cup final winner against Holland – said: “Arsenal are not as strong as Chelsea. But they try and play football the way it was intended to be played and that should be rewarded.”
And Iniesta, who has made it clear he wants to link up with Fabregas at the Nou Camp, added: “Cesc is such a special player that he could carry a team to the title on his own and I hope he does it this coming season.
“It would be brilliant if Arsenal’s hero could lift the title as captain during his last season.
“I think that it would be fantastic for everybody.”
Speaking of whales, what say we stick Moby Dick in the Arsenal goal?
Chesney it is then, until such time as he gets enough exposure for me to remember to spell his name right!
Chesney it is then.
Goal.com (or Talk even more shite than metro as a like to call them)
‘Fabregas signs five year deal if arsenal agree transfer fee’ – correct me if i’m wrong but
is that biggest pile of bull shit this summer!
Would FIFA not ban barca from transfers like they are supposed to have done with chelski
and would cesc not be banned aswell?
Surely breach of contract if this story has any iota of truth behind it!
Cant imagine that it has so will just boycott it!
Just signed the petition . . . I linked it to my facebook for all other Gooners to do the right thing and urged ALL football fans to do the same because it could be their club next . . .
So, what is the name of the page I need so I can like on Facebook, since I can’t find it on any search ?
Cheers !
Hello Adam, there is a link on the petition page.
@dizzy – what about Emma Byrne in goal? She’s experienced, has won everything club level can offer and she is already listed as an Arsenal player. She doesn’t look bad either, not that it has anything to do with it, of course. š
1 more signature added to the petition.
i think that the bigger the jugs, the better, they would bring a real feel good factor to the whole goalie problem
Matt – hate to disillusion you about Iniesta, but he was interviewed on Sky Sports News (surprise) just after the WC, apparantly for the sole purpose of turning up the pressure on Cesc to join him at
Bar(assi)celona, as no other topic was discussed. Quite amazing it was.
Not one word played, during the bit they showed, about winning the WC, or anything else. Just 2 or 3 minutes of pure tappy-uppy.
Sadly, another bloke I held in high regard as a player, turns out to be a tosser.
I must admit that one of the few things I have found really frustrating over recent years is the way we conduct our transfer business. Why have we not a new keeper at the club already? We have all known we have needed one for years. Arsene seemed to accept it at long last at the end of last season. So why with only 3 weeks to go are we still short? Why are we still all saying that we are definitely a centre half and a holding player short? Surely we must have had firem targets in mind? Surely it would be better to get the players we want in and get them working with their new team mates???? It will always be one thing that truely baffles me.
So Arsene, if you are reading this then get your finger out and get it sorted. There’s a good chap. You know it makes sense my old son.
Keep the faith.
agreed. shay given was the big miss for me. wouldve been a perfect solution for the chesney situation. too many wouldve couldve shouldve
but maybe Russia not being in the world cup helps us out on the price. another solid summer piece though holic, must drive you a little mental for info to write about.
Round of Bulmers , barman
Not fair, Hardly three weeks left for the big kickoff and we dont have a CB or GK yet. this is depressingly start to look like previous transfer windows – where Arsene kept delaying for basement bargains and finally we were left hurting.
Im already really nervous – CB and GK are the two positions where preseason football is absolutely necessary, and we are still fretting over possible replacements.
@Trev: Too right, I looked it up after I wrote that bit and Iniesta did blatter quite a bit recently. Thankfully I’m not disillusioned š
@SteveT: The keeper situation has been debated quite a lot here already. To make it short Arsene, his staff, Cesc, Seaman all think Faioanski and Woj have what it takes to be great keepers. You may or may not agree but that’s the most likely explanation why another GK hasn’t been signed.
DM: There has never been even an hint we were ever going to by a DM. It could have made sense to years ago but today given that Song is among the best in that position we are not going to bring another Silvestre to watch him from the bench and play (badly) the odd games.
CB: AW said one more signing and I believe it will be a CB, even if Sol extends his contract.
Sorry for all the spelling mistakes, was too much in a hurry š
‘Matt ā hate to disillusion you about Iniesta, but he was interviewed on Sky Sports News (surprise) just after the WC, apparantly for the sole purpose of turning up the pressure on Cesc to join him at
Bar(assi)celona, as no other topic was discussed. Quite amazing it was.
Not one word played, during the bit they showed, about winning the WC, or anything else. Just 2 or 3 minutes of pure tappy-uppy.
Sadly, another bloke I held in high regard as a player, turns out to be a tosser.’
Insiesta will always be great, simply for him stopping Chelsea from boring their way to a European Cup final.
Thanks for the link ‘Holic and to Snir for putting the petition together – sorely needed at this point of Barca’s disrespectful tapping up campaign of our captain.
1,545 signatures as of now – well played.
make that 1,600. keep it going you gooners!
I know it was just Brentford, but boy this lad can keep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vV7caRLDrw
I know Youtube can make Diaby look like Zidane, but still, this is impressive stuff.
Because it’s Brentford it’s a good clip cause it shows he did that with a shitty defense, just like at arsenal š
It’s easy to look good when the shots are coming at you thick and fast. It’s like training and you have to be on your toes. But what is he like when there is nothing to do for 90 mins then there is a sudden break away and he’s one on one with a PL quality striker? How is he at keeping his concentration throughout a game? How would he cope with the pressure of keeping goal for a top 4 PL club? It’s not easy to extrapolate from Brentford to Arsenal. All you can say is he looks promising.
Well done Snir ! 1250 and raising good work.
@1971 – 1653 as of now š
I’m still looking for someone who can write a better statement… Will be glad to change it.
It’s really all about who keeps their nerve. Fab is definitely keeping a lower profile. He has had his confidence shaken quite firmly. Woj on the other hand is untested at PL level, but he is the young buck with nervous energy and not short of confidence. My money is on Woj. I think he will usurp Fab this season, that is of course if we don’t buy another keeper.
And yes I know it’s only YouTube, but he fucking rocks!
Anyhow I’ll get to see both keeps upclose hopefully this Sat against the mavericks of Milan! And of course a look at our new boys Cham and Laura. I’ll have to be on my best as I’m going with my lad and getting thrown out drunk and disorderly is no way to behave š
Were we not going to have all of our deals done before the world cup???
Have just watched the you tube clips of Szczesny and it confirms my belief that Shwarzer is definitely the right option. Szczesny looks real class and a star in the making. But at 20 and with just one season at a first division side I have to ask if he is ready for the top level just now? He does not look far away. I would send him out on loan again. but this time at a higher level, possibly to a Premier League club.
I do feel for Fabianski. At the end of last season in the games he played he looked shot to pieces. He looked like a 14 year old kid playing in goal. I feel for him because unlike outfield players he is unable to gain experience with sub appearances. 10 mins here, 15 mins there does not happen for keepers. They are then thrown in at the deep end. I honestly think he is someone else that would benefit from a loan spell and regular games.
Matt, I hear what you are saying but my understanding is that last season we as good as had an offer accepted for Melo before Juve outbid us. That tells me we intended to strengthen the middle. As much as Song has improved I do not think he is the finished article just yet. I also think that he does not get adequate support and back up. We have all questioned the amount of goals we let in last season. Well several in my opinion would have been avoided had we had a better and stronger holding player in the middle of the park. We lack power and strength in that area and I believe it needs addressing.
Something to distract us a bit, have any of you followed the Ashley Cole to Madrid story?
In short Mou wants Cashley but Ancelotti is ‘100 per cent sure he will be at Chelsea this season. I don’t need to talk to him. He is happy to stay at Chelsea. He never said he wanted to go. There is no chance he will go. No way.’
100% sure? No chance? No way?
You will have to explain that one Matt. I have no idea who you are talking about? Never heard of him……….
Steve T – have to say i’m with you on the Felipe Melo thing. While i agree with Matt that Song is fast turning into one of the best around, it is vital that someone else of experience at the highest level is available in that position.
Given our injury record, and in any event, you cannot expect a player who has to run almost non-stop and then stretch and tackle, and concentrate as hard as any player on the pitch, to play every game.
I was around to see Brady, Rix, Stapleton and O’Leary emerge from the youth system, and there is no greater pride in your club than to win trophies with your own players.
I do think though, that some of our younger players have been there through financial necessity, and some of our current youngest players are a bit too young to seriously challenge for the Premier League title.
That, is what we now seriously must do, even if it is at the expense of a few difficult decisions.
Arsene has done a brilliant job in delivering the likes of Song, Wilshere, Gibbs, and lets not forget Fabregas himself in that list.
But they can’t all be Wilsheres and Gibbses, and some are not going to make it at Arsenal, sad as that may be.
Arsenal has structured itsself to be one of the biggest clubs in the world. The make-up of the team must reflect that, now that our debt is under control and we actually make a healthy operating profit.
That does not mean spending Ā£25million on James Milner, who is probably worth about Ā£8 – Ā£9million, but it does mean having a proper defence and a top goalkeeper.
‘Holic, you caused me the loss of a fair bit of sleep last night, having read the post.
Just drifting away nicely when I started to dream of the team running out for the first game of the new season.
Second in line, as they ran onto the pitch was our new ‘keeper – Fingers Furnell.
Thanks a lot!
Another one signed-up for the petition, urge you all to do the same.
Holic you mention our greatest ever spuds coo in your notes the GREAT Mr Pat Jennings still the best I have seen between our sticks, Iād even go as far as to say between any sticks.
Who next, well if we can’t get Julio Cesar then the next best option has to be Maarten Stekelenburg.
Oh just watched Jet against SK Sturm Graz, have a look guys he is just going to be so so good, don’t mean to disrespect the boy, but it was a shame Theo was on the end of a few of Jet’s carving runs or it would have been a cricket score…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYJ-kVKIP9w
@Steve: I think Song has a good margin of progression left in him (he’s not yet 23) but he is already among the best in his position. There are better players don’t get me wrong (Essien in my view) but only a few and not for long. He’s already in the top 3-4 of the premiership, wouldn’t you agree?
I believe the main defensive problem lies ahead of Song, we have too many players who don’t try hard enough when we are not in possession. Arshavin is a deadweight who leaves all the defensive work to Clichy and Walcott doesn’t help Sagna much either.
I liked than in all the recent interviews, players have been talking about more aggression this year. If the higher 5 players start reacting earlier and more aggressively when we lose the ball we can pair Sol, Nordveit and Almunia at the back and still concede less goals than last season.
Melo is a failure at Juventus, he was voted worst player of the league by Italian fans and had a terrible World Cup where he made Gilberto look like he’s as fast as Theo. I don’t know if our interest was genuine but we obviously dodged a bullet. Good luck to Juve as they are desperately pimping him left and right but for 25 millions, even with a steep discount there won’t be too many prospective buyers. For a fifth of the price we could get Flamini back. He should be used to watch games from the bench by now…
I used Melo as an example but I do agree with you re cover. My view of last season was the balance of the side just was not right. I thought we were set up wrong and far too lightweight, especially in the middle. I for one would not have let Gilberto go. If he was capable of playing in the world cup for Brazil then he was more than capable of still being able to play for us.
This season will be a really massive season for the likes of Diaby and Denilson. They need to make the same kind of strides that Song has made. Song still has a way to go but my fear is the same. If Song is out for a number of games we will be over run far too easily. We can play all the wonderful passing football in the world, but if we are unable to get the ball back and defend it is not worth a great deal. Minor adjustments are all that is required. I just hope thet happen sooner rather than later.
In total agreement regarding Diaby and Denilson. Diaby needs to finds more consistency, he’s 24 now even if he had almost 2 seasons written off after his injury. Denilson was the most gifted of the 3 two years ago, although the youngest at 22 and he is now reaching the right age to develop into an adult footballer. If they can have a run without injuries at least one of them should come good this season.
I’m sure `Holic will write at length on the topic before the start of the season but it really looks like it’s going to be a really competitive league (the exact opposite of Spain).
United: entering a transition period, slowly phasing out the last soldiers of their golden generation and replacing them by yet immature youngsters.
Chelski: counting on ageing players, a few tweaks but basically the same team one year older past 30.
Liverpool: interesting reshuffling by Hogson, not finished yet. Could be a tough challenger if they can keep the (good) core of the team.
Citeh: Hard to say, again a lot of new signings but not that much better than what they already have. Will they gel?
Tottenham: They will build up on their CL spot but they may find it hard to compete on all fronts.
Aston Villa and Everton: Depending how much they get plundered by the bigger clubs but in any case tough opponents for everyone.
With us that’s 8 clubs that on their day can beat any team in the league. The days of the “walk in the park”-league for the top clubs are definitively over!
After a couple requests in the comments, I cleaned up the English a bit for the petition if you’d like to update Snir. I am confident though my own lack of grammatical prowess is surely still on display below. Tried to not change much. 1732…
We, the fans of Arsenal Football Club, have been subjected to severe transfer speculation this summer regarding our captain Cesc Fabregas’ future with our beloved club.
As fans, we have the utmost respect for our board but have been forced to watch their inaction as FC Barcelona publicly tap up our captain in a thinly veiled media campaign. We feel as if our club is being severely disrespected and cannot tolerate this sort of behavior.
Over the years and especially during these past few months, we have seen and heard every person related to FC Barcelona talk about our captain’s desire to leave the club (including Players, Coaches, Board Members and Presidents of FC Barcelona) without showing any respect to the club Cesc is under contract with ā Arsenal.
FC Barcelona is trying to make it easier for itself by burning the bridges built by Cesc himself over the years between himself and the Arsenal fans. We will not yield to or stand for these attempts.
We expected Arsenal Football Club to report FC Barcelona for their behavior a long time ago but this has yet to happen.
We hereby expect the respected board of directors of Arsenal Football Club to report FC Barcelona to the authorities as soon as possible.
This HAS to stop!
Holics, can you HELP?
I’m travelling to London tomorrow night for the Emirates Cup games but (“dunderheed” says Her Nellieness) I left it late to buy tickets, only to find that Saturday was sold out!
If anyone has a spare, please drop me a note at (contact ‘holic)
Holic, sorry to use your site as stubhub. Won’t happen again.
McClelland, McKechnie and Furnell. Ah, memories, memories, although ones I’d rather forget! Thanks for dredging them up again! I’m joking, but we’ve obviously both been around long enough to remember times when Arsenal fans didn’t expect silverware as a right. and when I think of some of the defenders who played in front of those keepers, McCulloch, Magill and David Court it makes me appreciate Wenger all the more.
So it looks as if Sol has changed his mind and will sign for the black and whites to be closer to his nearest and dearest. Fair play fella, just don’t let her call all the shots. Where does that leave us exactly? Shorter than a short thing that has no peers in the short department. It kinda forces Arsene’s hand a bit, however don’t be surprised if Nordvelt is pushed up the evolutionary ladder so to speak.
Hey ho, fun and games it is then…
No worries BtM,
Let me know when you are sorted and I will edit your mail out.