Seven Goals In The Seventh Month – Arsenal Are Back
Jul 14th, 2013 by 'holic
What a week that has been. A rare spell of astonishingly good weather has kept me out of an abode that suffers the double whammy of smelling of fresh paint and being unbearably hot. Not that I am complaining, you understand. Spending the weekend in the garden with gallons of various thirst-quenchers and chucking lumps of delicious meat and poultry on burning charcoal has hastened the urge to retire. Sadly, we can’t afford it!
The idyllic lifestyle was broken only by short sharp spells in front of the test series that must not be mentioned, and that most wonderful of treats, the Oxon Gooner birthday challenge match against the Indonesia Dream Team. Fortunately for Oxon the boys put on quite a show and gave him seven more reasons to raise a glass to his lips in celebration.
I am guessing from the drinks today that most of you have seen what transpired earlier. The first-half was so typically Arsenal. In control, showing moments of great inventiveness, and yet lacking that killer instinct. In other circumstances one might be inclined to be more curmudgeonly about the slenderest of advantages we took into the break, courtesy of a classy Theo Walcott sidefoot after excellent approach work by the Ox.
Those other circumstances do not extend to the first friendly of a mini-tour designed to win hearts, minds, and Asian customers. To be fair, over the course of ninety minutes the best available players saw some of the action as they were carefully managed through a first semi-serious performance of the summer. The playing objective of the trip is to get payers back on the road to match-fitness for the season ahead. The results at this stage are secondary to the sharpening of basic skills and lung power in a carefully managed fashion.
With that in mind the second half was a bonus. Six more goals, some action for the likes of Bacary Sagna, Lukas Podolski, and Olivier Giroud in difficult conditions, and the enthusiastic vocal support from the locals. It all added up to an enjoyable watch as long as we are not carried away with the result against a side for whom the standout performer in a 0-7 defeat was the goalkeeper!
It’s great to see the boys back at it again. I absolutely love that new away shirt. There is a bit of a feel good (or is it Feelgood?) factor about the club at present, I do hope there will be some movement in the coming days to take that optimism to another level. Winning, or indeed losing, today would not have had any bearing on what we may or may not achieve in the coming ten months. Building on the positive air around the club by supplementing this squad with real quality will.
Cheers for now ‘holics.
151 Responses to “Seven Goals In The Seventh Month – Arsenal Are Back”
nicely said, holic. I only saw the extended highlights, but that z kid and Giroud stood out with the ox. starts the old heart beating, yes sir.
and many happy returns, oxon.
Guv’nor, I truly am not worthy.
First match report of the (pre) season. May they all be as upbeat.
Thanks Scruz.
As Le Boss would say, I did not see it. But I heard Ramsey was in full control, which is very good to hear. He’s begun to win back the haters. So if there’s a noted Welsh drink, put it on my tab.
There were a lot of fine performances, Uncle Mike, but I have played in a couple of teams who would have given the opposition a game today.
All you can ask is that the boys produce the goods against what is put in front of them, and they did.
Ten out of ten on that score…
I’ve just spent half-an-hour reading Uncle Mike’s really entertaining blog; mainly about baseball, a sport about which I know next-to-nothing. God, I love this place.
Night all.
Evening Holic,
may we presume a return to full connectivity ?
Indonesian Dream Team ?
At least we had a happy ending. π
Just off to have a quick look at Player.
I didn’t see it either being at one of the simultaneous Oxon ago owner birthday BBQs all around the country. My 5 year old grandson who has yet to be infected by the Gooner bug( Gooneria?) was much impressed as my text service kept dinging as the goals went in but I have been told by my mate the opposition were ‘ not all that’. I suspect that is an understatement!
I also suspect that if Gedion Zelalem makes the sort of impact we expect him to he may be the most misspelt Gooner star of the future. It’s. a challenging name to chant but hell we are creative when we need to be.
What a great day! Full sunshine and a lovely seafood
festival in Weymouth! Reading about the 7-0 on the bus back to
London! Happy days.
I of course meant Oxon Gooner- IPads have limitations !
Didn’t watch the first half so I will mainly comment on the 2nd half.
Theo’s finish for his goal was as professional as they come, he placed it without too much thought.
Zelalem surprised me with his calmness on the ball, he’s just too calm for his age, the kid is a natural footballer, I think he will develop in the mold of a Pirlo or Xavi.
Olson too caught the eye with his forward thinking.
Miguel needs to calm down and calculate his moves a bit better.
Sagna looked a bit faster and more comfortable.
Rosicky was sleek as is par for his course.
Giroud looked sharp and determined.
Shout out to every other member of the team, they did what was asked of them well without fuss.
Special mention to the Indonesian Gooners, I share in their joy and I’m very proud of them.
I will end with a question; do Germans ever place the ball into the net?
‘Night Oxon.
lol, cent. i doubt they do, at that.
Been a while since I posted but I see some things don’t change around the summer transfer dealings: promises to the fans we will add quality, hope then quickly fades to suspicion. Patience is requested as eagerly as new signings. The IFS and BUTS game is then played with loads of conjecture but no one knowing feck all in reality. ‘I had lunch with this persons daughter who washes the car for Gazidis….’ blah blah blah. Still no one knows feck all.
What we do know is that during this time the pre season starts and invariably no new ‘world class’ additions have arrived. Same shit different year. Different sound bites this year but thus far still amounts to the same old same old: nada. Yet.
Something that has been interesting to note from the back drinking is the clamour by some I would expect better of calling for the signing of Suarez. Are you serious??? So is it the case that we don’t mind he’s a racist as long as he’s our racist? For those that question whether he is a racist and questioning Evra’s character, your not really that funny and oh yeh….grow up. Read the FA’s report on the incident.
I find it staggering that supporters of The Arsenal would even entertain the notion of that biting, filthy, cheating, racist pulling on an Arsenal shirt. Fuck his goals, fuck his assists. The man, and I use that term very loosely, has shown time and again what kind of character he is. Whether he’s cheating at a world cup, biting, diving, kissing his wrist, or saying words he shouldn’t be saying on a pitch one thing remains true. He’s a scumbag plain and simple.
Not to mention the fact that despite ruining their reputation in support of this fool, the ungrateful low life has well and truly shafted the bin dippers. This only further highlights the pond life he is, although Liverpool have got what they deserve in many respects. And here’s my point: if lie down with dogs, don’t be surprised when you gets fleas.
Honestly, if we sign this clown how long before he is batting his eye lids and showing a bit of leg to Spain’s top 2 clubs?
As fans and as a club have we learned nothing?? ‘oh no, this time would be different.’ He (the racist) wouldn’t be like all the others….’ give me a break.
Finally, game changers come in all shapes and sizes. I believe Buffon in his pomp was worth a few points a season to Juve. Same with Schmeichel to the Mancs. Vidic, Rio, Makalele, Desailly, and Vieira were all players that people may call defensive minded but all had the potential to be game changers. All worth every penny spent on them, or whatever there present value would be.
At top level football he who controls midfield generally gets the 3pts. Ofcourse firepower counts too but with Fellani in the team the spine immediately looks stronger. In the run in at the Emirates Fellani bossed midfield and made Jack look like a 5’8″ boy playing against a 6’4″ man.
Did I mention ‘no’ to Suarez….
As far as I can see, and rumours confirm, Suarez is the ONLY player we have actually put in a bid for. Given Higuain would probably be cheaper, albeit more like 30m than lower estimates so far suggest, I don’t get it. Does AW really prefer the Liverpitbull? Seems like it to me.
From a practical pov I think he’d make a better partner for OG, but he’d have to wear a dog muzzle before I’d risk him not seeing red.
Then again it would make a great story if AW could tame him and he ends up a legend. Dennis knows we need another one right now.
Oskar
Hmmm, a word of truth there from Redtruth. I always watched Vieira with heart in mouth expecting yet another foul in a bad position at any moment. A great player on balance, but always prone to unnecessary fouls.
Oskar
Didn’t someone once say seven is a lucky number? Just wonderin’.
I watched the game live from the terraces last night in Jakarta, it was a truly wonderful spectacle, especially the second half. The only shame is that the Indonesian Dream Team were no match for the collective pace, movement and technical ability of our Gooners in Yellow. Here’s a few comments from my pitch-side observations:
Fabianski looked comfortable and made no mistakes, although chances for Indonesia were few and far between, but he still did what he had to do very well.
Ignasi Miquel looked good and composed as a CB in the first half, but struggled as a LB in the second half. Looks far more comfortable playing as CB to be honest, and with Nacho coming back into the team I don’t see a problem in the LB area.
Ramsey was commanding in the first half, driving the team forward and generally dictating play in the opposition half of the field. Showed some good skill and touches, and had a long shot drift just wide. If he can add a decent shot to his game he could be brilliant. Faded a bit in the second half.
Ox was outstanding – played in CM in the first half he looked hungry, sharp, and showed some fantastic skill. Assisted for Theo’s goal with a good piece of skill. He looks to be particularly good in instigating counter attacks with his pace and decisiveness.
Theo always looked for the ball in the right wing, and finished superbly for his first goal. Solid game.
Chuba – missed 2 good chances in the first half, but finally made up for it with a goal in the second half. His partnership with Gnabry, who also had a very good game, seemed to blossom especially in the second half.
Arteta was Arteta. Without anyone pressing him, he was led free to dictate the game with his calm influence and passing game.
Poldi – I was screaming for Poldi to shoot when he had the chance, but opted instead to play cute little passes outside the box. When he did choose to shoot, though, he’s very lethal. Surely he’s the best finisher in our team.
Giroud – first goal was a cool tap in, the second was an impressive shot on the turn that went in the top corner. Also assisted for Eisfeld to cap off a very good evening. If he can add a little bit of acceleration and calm in his finishing (which I think he will after a year of adjustment to the EPL), he can be a real force this season.
Zelalem – I watched the youngster’s game with particular interest, donning the #35 jersey, and he looked to be a real player at CM. Very assured in possession, and seems to know what to do with the ball before it comes to him. Needs to work on the physical aspect of the game, though, which will come as he continues to age & develop.
Special mentions also to Jenko, Sagna (2 assists for Giroud!) and Kris Olsson who all had a great game as well. Overall a cheerful night for the Gooners (especially those in Indonesia), and it really looks like this team is very comfortable playing with each other. I contrast this performance to last year’s friendly in Hong Kong, which I attended, where our team looked disjointed and tactically confused.
This could be our season. Arsene, Ivan, please do everything in your powers to ensure this will be.
Cheers
Mondays. π
Nice link H – well kept out of sight. π
Do Arsenal fans have any concept of reality ? There have been no improvements in the squad and not likely to be and people think this could be our year ? We barely managed to scrape Champions League football back in May and all of the teams around us have strengthened their squads. I have no faith in Wenger and Gazidis whatsoever – all this talk of big money signings is just a rue to ensure ticket sales. This season will be no different to next season…
Well done on beating the footballing might of Indonesian Dream Team – bit of a gap in quality between the Indonesian Dream Team and the Premiership though – thats where Arsenal will be found out to be nothing more than a team fighting for fourth place again…
In response to Vieira vs Ruddock let me say this. Vieira was out of order. No doubt. The difference is the player and club showed their class immediately in the aftermath of the incident. Taken from the BBC website:
“My behaviour after being sent off was inexcusable,” Vieira said.
“Although I was subjected to provocation, I am ashamed of my action.
“Spitting at a fellow professional is something I sincerely regret. It was a reaction in the heat of the moment and I apologize to everyone involved in the incident.”
In a statement, Arsenal said it would take action against the French international.
“Although Patrick Vieira was severely provoked during the game and at the time of the incident, his response to being sent off was wrong.
“Patrick’s reaction was unacceptable and is something that Arsenal Football Club does not condone. The matter will be addressed by the Football Association and dealt with internally by the club.”
Just in case you forgot Ruddock said immediately after the incident that whilst Vieira had missed he could “still smell the garlic”. Twitch then accused Wenger of stirring things up between the players in order to get Vieira out of trouble when Wenger remarked Ruddock comments were shocking and should be looked at by the FA.
Please compare and contrast that response to Suarez and LFC after the Evra’s incident and it’s ludicrous you would put Vieira and Suarez in the same conversation.
In his statement, Suarez said: “I will carry out the suspension with the resignation of someone who hasn’t done anything wrong and who feels extremely upset by the events.” Dalglish went as far to say “Luis has made a brilliant statement and we stand by him.”
Players spit. Messi and Ronaldo have recently been caught exacting this disgusting habit. I’m sure players are racist on this pitch a lot too. At least be man enough when you get caught hold your hands up say your sorry and do your best to repair the damage done to the club and the fans.
Patrick was a hot head on the pitch and no doubt spitting is disgusting, but Vieira was man enough and had the decency to recognise he was out of order and immediately apologised to all parties involved.
Suarez was found guilty by an independent body but to this day has never issued an apology to Evra. He then follows that up with the biting incident and then engineering a move away from the club and fans that have stood vociferously beside him through it all.
Vieira in the same conversation as Suarez? Shame on you.
Disingenuous is a big call by the way. Bit presumptuous no? Why is it insincere to suggest a player of Suarez ilk is one that we shouldn’t entertain the idea of signing, let alone for a club record fee.
I see that the patronage in this bar hasn’t become any less aloof in the time I’ve been away. Like I said, some things alas always remain the same.
Nice removal of @13 Redtruth’s words bartender. Luckily Oskar saw the comments too before they were taken off site.
Thought I was going mad there for a moment.
Be a good chap and circle them wagons.
Some things truly never change.
NBN
For what it’s worth, I’ve read the panel’s report on Suarez/Evra.
I read it at the time the verdict was first announced. When I started reading it I shared your view that Suarez was probably guilty. By the end, I had changed my mind.
There was no real credible evidence to suggest that Suarez racially abused Evra, beyond one player’s word against another. Added to that, the panel acknowledged that the fact that Evra spoke fluent English and Suarez could barely get a word out may have impacted on their approach to their respective evidence. I have to say, I found the judgement one of the least persuasive I have ever read – I really don’t believe that the word of a single player, much less Patrice Evra, should suffice and I think a dangerous precedent was set.
Just to add, the report also includes a statement from Evra that he does not believe Suarez to be a racist.
I still think there are lots of reasons to hope Suarez doesn’t join us; you’ve pointed out his clear lack of loyalty and his diving is also worth a mention. I don’t believe he’s a racist, and I don’t believe that there’s a material risk he’d racially abuse someone in an Arsenal shirt. If either of those were otherwise I would be absolutely 100% with you.
As for what actually went on between Suarez and Evra, I don’t think we’ll ever really know. As I’ve said, it’s one player’s word against the other and I don’t think either of them is sufficiently reliable as to be trusted.
Happy to agree to disagree and let’s just hope we end up with Higuain
The Zalalem kid caught my eye….n that sublime through pass was mos def onside…
Monday and the (Dr.)Feelgood factor continues.
Another scorcher and we’re one day closer to signing somebody BIG.
What’s not to like?
PS: Giroud’s second goal. WOW! I want to see him do that on a rainy Wednesday night up at The Old Toilet.
Meanwhile behind the closed doors of the arsenal boardroom
http://m.guardiannews.com/football/2013/jul/15/football-transfer-rumours-luis-suarez-arsenal
Arsenal in Indonesia. BTM would be so proud.
Me – who do you support?
Sunny Days – “Just a rue” – you’re so right. A cunning little ‘rue’ indeed. (http://dictionary.com)
Maradona had his issues but would you guys turn down the opportunity of signing him in his hey day ? Sure Suarez is a character but he should be judged on his footballing talents. He scored a lot of goals for a team that lacks the creativity of Arsenal so imagine what he would do with the likes of Wilshere and Cazorla behind him. I cannot see Wenger being that ambitious and signing him anyway but if he did I would not object at all…
Morning all.. a cooling drink for the irregular regulars… π
Nicely put, Catalan, nicely put.
Cheers for the report ‘H, and thanks for the pitchside view Derrick.
As many others have already said, I don’t think there’s much to be gleaned from what was little more than a glorified training exercise against vastly inferior opposition. That said, one can only imagine the hysteria that would have greeted a similar result to the one that Man Utd suffered at the weekend, so it is perhaps understandable why some will take more than they perhaps should from the comprehensive nature of the win.
Despite the PR nature of the game, one couldn’t help but be enthused by the cameo performance of Zelalem. He will clearly need a programme of sustained Guinness drinking at The Tollie before he is ready for rather more demanding games but, despite the gentle surroundings, it was clear that he has the sort of calmness and vision on the ball that simply can’t be taught. One for the future.
I needed a bit of time to recover from the excitement of the last wicket at Trent Bridge so decided to watch a game “as live” on player for the first time. I can’t say it was an experience that I am anxious to repeat. The picture kept buffering every 3 or 4 minutes. As a complete technophobe I realise that the problem may have been at my end, so I would be interested to hear if anybody else had similar problems?
Suarez? I formed pretty much the same view of the panel’s report as the one excellently expounded by N7 above. That said, he’s not for me, either as a man or as a footballer. Stranger things have happened in the mad world of Football than Suarez moving to Arsenal, but I would be very surprised if the recent talk was anything more than newspaper gossip, and truly flabbergasted if it actually happened.
Happy Birthday for yesterday Oxon.
“Flabbergasted” is a brilliant word. And it describes what I too would be if we signed Suarez. I shall not go into the FA report because I haven’t read it, but it is worth remembering that Suarez initially did admit to having called Evra “negro” and then he hid behind “but in my country it’s a tearm of endearment” but then changed his story once the shit hit the fan about that claim. Regardless of the truth or lack thereof in that, I don’t want him anywhere near our club. He is a disruptive player who I steadfastly maintain does not improve the team he plays for. He is 26 now and you can’t blame his lack of discipline on youth or inexperience. He is very unlikely to improve his behaviour.
Also…
It’s been said by many that Suarez is such a fantastic player. Often (but not always, of course), the same people say Olivier Giroud is just not good enough for Arsenal. Suarez, it’s being said, has been great for Liverpool since signing for them.
OK then. Fair enough, opinions are opinions as always.
But what about a statistical comparison between the two?
Suarez, first full season: 11 goals in the league, 3 in the FA Cup and 3 in the League Cup for a total of 17.
Assists: 4 League, 1 FA, 3 LC for a total of 8.
That “donkey” Giroud, then? (Yes, Alan Davies, I am looking at you.)
First season: 11 goals in the league, 4 in the FA Cup and 2 in the Champions League for a total of 17.
Assist: 4 League, 3 FA Cup, 2 CL for a total of 9.
And bear in mind that Suarez had about half a season’s worth of a head start on Giroud. And yet in their respective first full seasons they scored the same amount of goals and Giroud got one more assist. Both also missed a bunch of really good chances.
Now, they are rather different types of players but ultimately they are both primarily attackers, and why should Giroud not be able to improve his efficiency in front of the net in his second, more settled season? Is a Suarez type of player really what we need? We already have the players who can have a lot of possession and create from that and if we should manage to land Cesc then even more so. And if we include on-pitch disciplinary issues in the footballing qualities, how long do you think Suarez’ next suspension will be? He got a long ban for his bite in part because he is a repeat offender, so what will the next one (because there WILL be a next one unless he makes a rather complete u-turn in his behaviour) be? 15 games? 20?
For all the reasons stated above I still find it incredibly difficult to believe that Arsene is really bidding the money the papers claim he is. I find it incredibly difficult to believe that he is bidding at all, actually.
“Flabbergasted”. Yes, that is what I would be if we signed him.
NB1 @ 13
“Rio is a game changer.” Have I missed something or are you alluding to holidays in South America?
Someone please help me out of this funk.
ManUre bidding for that Spanish Bloke?
We “evidently” keep bidding for the Uruguayan Hannibal Lecter instead of sealing the Higuain deal (just pay RM their fee and get the deal done already).
I swear, if we actually employ the Cannibal, I will be forced to watch all our games from the safety of my basement (padded walls).
7 goals past a “challenged” Indonesian outfit? Nah, that won’t do it, mates. I’m seriously worried about the club’s summer transfer objectives.
BMBD
Us bidding on Suarez is like me asking the bloke at the shops if he’ll take 50p for four pints of milk. I can come home and tell the mrs I tried to buy milk, but he just wouldn’t sell it to me, and I might convince her that I really did try. But all the time I didn’t really want the milk or I’d have handed him his Β£1.29.
As long as she believes the illusion of milk, while she’s drinking her water, that’s the main thing.
The Guardian sums it up nicely.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jul/15/football-transfer-rumours-luis-suarez-arsenal
Cynic. Milk is better for you than water. Documented. π
Whiskey even better still, of course. What was your point again?
Actually, most doctors (Feelgood?) would leave milk and water out of the equation altogether but I meant to say it’s documented that water is better for you than milk. Just for the record.
Milk turns quicker than some of the centre halfs we have had over the years.
Sky reports say the Mancs have bid Β£25 million for Cesc. No signs of us bringing anyone in as yet.
Lars, Tabs, do you remember that conversation of 10 days ago?????
Just saying like.
Don’t we have first option on cesc anyway plus can’t see them selling after thiago leaving.but if they are selling I’d give them 5 pints of breast milk the wife said she would give it to me but I’d have to pump it. π
Fun game…for Arsenal fans! Felt bad for the Indonesian Dream Team but happy to see the boys playing again π
How good did that yellow strip look, eh? Can’t wait to splash out and get some kits when they go on sale…
Wise patrons, if we were to take these Higuain-Suarez rumors seriously (which I don’t and I would suggest grown-ups should not) there can be an ‘alternative’ explanation for what you are all worrying about.
Arsene knows we need another goal scoring forward, but someone who can play in multiple positions in the attacking third. That is, someone whose movements and skills on the ball from wide areas are as important as being the Giroud-esque target man. And with that qualification there really are not that many players who would improve us. Lewandowski is very much a Giroud like player, but simply more advanced in scoring abilities at this time in their respective careers (Giroud’s link-up play being better), and maybe Bayern bound anyway. Falcao-Cavani-Benzema-Aguerro are unrealistic, and that leaves us with not many options.
Higuain would have been perfect, but all along I thought (which I had expressed in this bar before) Madrid would be rather stupid to let him go. He fell out with Jose, but a more astute manager like Ancelotti may persuade him. He has a few years left on his contract anyway and RM may simply not want to sell a player of that ability who grew up in their ranks, coming to the best years of his career and they always had high hopes for.
If you find it puzzling why Arsenal won’t shell out a few more million quids for Higuain but instead would go for Suarez for such an exorbitant amount, it may be because Higuain may have stopped being an option.
Add to that if you also believe in the rumors that Jovetic has chosen to stay in Serie A and Juve is close to tying him up, that leaves you with not much of choice, right? Unless you want to take a punt on Michu or Benteke or Cisse …
If Arsene at all is making a ‘serious’ bid for Suarez in that amount (which I really doubt) then it may be slightly out of desperation.
We might well have first option but I don’t see that stopping him talking to manure if he wants yoh
Wants to even..,,
Which one Steve?
It was a long day π
The one about done deals and 99% with your best mate???!
It was a good day though.
Take it or leave it π
“Best mate” ??
That’s what I have told everyone….
π
Now there’s a surprise π
Heh apparently one vietnamese fan ran 5 kms along the coach with our players which impressed Arsene to the point that he let him on board to meet our squad, now thats some commitment π
I am one of the few on here that hopes we sign Suarez.
Heβs wonderful player, great work ethic and has tremendous movement.
I donβt know if Suarez is a racist or not. And the very last thing Iβm going to do, is read a report on the matter, from an institution that not only sold its soul to SKY but one that has persistently displayed its inability to administer the game in an even manner. Citing an FA report as some form of authority on racism is just comical when theyβre not even competent on football matters!
Saying that, thereβs no doubt that Suarez comes with baggage. Whether its more baggage than say Adams spending time in jail, or Henry clearly cheating in a world cup qualifier (when no penalty was granted), or Eduardo diving in a CL qualifier orβ¦β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦..is a topic of manipulation by the press which of course then becomes somebody’s opinion.
Thereβs really no point in talking about Ethics in football. Sadly, that day has long since disappeared as the entire industry is rotten to the core. Wenger remains a leading light in the otherwise murky world of transfers and agents because he’s a man of his word. I trust him to make his own deliberations on Suarez or Rooney or whoever. At the end of the day, his opinion is the only one that really counts! And given all that he’s done for the club, he should be supported if he thinks signing Suarez is the best option for the club.
Joe, As always I value your well reasoned opinion. But if there’s no longer any place for Ethics in football, is there not at least a place for ethics with a small “e”? With each passing year Suarez will have a smaller amount of testosterone in his body, which might make him less likely to bite (or worse) again. But maybe not. Your point about Wenger seems to make him an anachronism or an irrelevancy, and I believe he is neither.
Joe @ 51: I agree with the assertion that we should trust Arsene’s judgment on a player he wants to buy him.
However, I would not go so far as saying that I hope we sign Suarez. If he ends up playing for us I will cheer him of course, but I am not particularly looking forward to it.
Personal Ethics aside — and you are right that this is a murky water as many great footballers have much more colorful history, the best of the modern generation Maradona himself was as unsavory as they come in personal life — my biggest worry would be that he is an accident waiting to happen which can derail your season. He would be under intense scrutiny and the next mishap may see a really lengthy ban which can have profound impact on the season.
Interesting sounding game. Haven’t even seen highlights as I am on an excavation and internet access is primitive.
Annoying news from Manure. Optimistic interpretation is that it may loosen the ties from Farca and allow us to activate the ‘option clause’. But I have a deep fear that our focus is elsewhere and the resource cannot or will not be diverted.
Why would Hwmnbn sign for that no mark Jock git?
If he does then he is exactly what esso has long said he is as well as being a hypocritical betrayer of his ‘second father’.
I’m with Dr F on Suarez. My only real problem with our signing him would be the potential for some sort of explosion which disrupts our season. I still can’t see Arsene going through with the deal for precisely that reason.
The Fabregas thing – I remain confident that there is no chance of his going to Utd.
If he were to do so I think it would be a kick in the teeth that would positively dwarf the Van Persie departure, and I think it’s probably the one external event that could massively derail our summer and the feelgood vibe that seems to have descended on the club (if not on Twitter).
I got a call from the club, I think they’re really keen on shifting those season tickets.
What were you on the waiting list Ollie?
N7: exactly, Suarez is a massive liability. What will his next idiocy be? Something that gets him suspended for half the season? His current suspension amounts to more than 25% of a season, let us not forget. It was only coincidence that it happened to be with a summer break in between. And comparisons with the Henry handball for France, Eduardo diving v Celtic or Adams going to jail are wide of the mark because these were isolated incidents that were never repeated while Suarez is a serial offender.
I still can not belive Arsene would really want him. I still find it more likely that these rumours all come from the Liverpool or Suarez camp.
They’ve only recently updated it (compared to last season), I’m not even sure if I’ve gone up and down, but I’d say somewhere between 12,000 and 14,000. That doesn’t necessarily mean much, as I was offered one (only by e-mail though) last year too.
And it’s not completely impossible that they check tickets you buy just to have an idea of how many games you’re attend and so if you’re likely to buy in.
They might have thought I was a dead cert! π
minus the stray ‘re
I mean I think I only moved up maybe about 1,000, maximum 2 in a year.
Fair enough. Still quite a lot not renewing though.
Lars – apparently Liverpool have just confirmed that they’ve refused a bid for Suarez from us. It would appear to be real.
Ultimately, if he’s the one Arsene wants then fair play. He was arguably the best striker in the country last season and makes goals from very little, so I can see the logic. I also think that the fact he can play left wing might be a factor – it would be a great shame to see Giroud starved of game time this coming season.
I still don’t believe it’ll happen, and I still think the resources might be better deployed elsewhere, but wouldn’t it be a mad moment if we suddenly doled out 40 million sheets for a loopy, goal-grabbing bastard like him?
What a strange, strange summer this may yet become.
I still refuse to believe anything ‘Liverpool’ says. π
Ollie
Comments are from their managing director to Bloomberg.
Could be an elaborate ruse, but I don’t see it myself. It would seem we’ve genuinely bid for him.
That fan that ran 5KMs alongside the team bus is my hero!
We could still bid for him and then instead of signing say…’ Naaaaaaaaaaaah’.
Or we bid knowing the bid would not be accepted.
It all seems a bit bizarre.
You know, allegedly we had agreed terms with Higuain, but the problem is with Real.
With Suarez, this is just out of the blue, for a player who says he wants out of England.
Something doesn’t add up.
Evening all. I spend more time in the garden than Charlie Dimmock these days.
I have successfully grown tens of empty cans and bottles…
Perhaps I should move to Swindon, looks like a nice place for summer!
Neighbours this time?
Considering that Liverpool have confirmed the offer, then it verifies just how highly Wenger must rate Suarez if he’s prepared to pay north of 30m for him. Furthermore, if its just an opening bid on a negotiation like this, then I think its only logical to conclude that the club intend on taking it further. Of course that’s no guarantee that it will happen as RM I feel will still compete but they might not have the money in real terms that AFC do. I think RM have bounced us around on the Higuain deal. As soon as you see Perez coming out in public about AFC not lodging a bid, you just feel that there’s something smelly about how RM have handled it all.
And I could be wrong about this, but I think that the relations between Liverpool and Arsenal may well have softened. Dein was the consultant who helped the Fenway group appoint Rodgers. And I certainly know that I’l be in the minority on this front (too!) but I don’t think its beyond the realm of possibility either to maybe see Dein Snr come back onto the Board to represent Usmanov’s interests. If you look at it from Kronke’s perspective:
It would be in his interest to keep one of the world richest men on-side should he ever want to sell the club at some future point down the road. Usmanov is the second largest shareholder and possibly the most likely to purchase the club outright. Of course Kronke may never sell. But keeping the option open by granting a token position like this would be smart.
Dein was and remains very close to Wenger. Wenger trusts his opinion.
Love him or hate him, Dein is an Arsenal man through and through.
Dein was responsible for bringing Kronke to the club.
Darren Dein is currently the agent for Cesc and bringing Cesc back would be hugely in the clubs interests.
It would be better to have him inside the tent pissing out…………
Now I know Tabs, for one, will probably think I’m trying to piss in his beer by saying such things………but its just a minority opinion! π
Hellollie, neighbours indeed π
Just saw that, N7. Still find it hard to believe…
Clearly we have made a bid but the reports saying Liverpool will sell him on NewsNow come from the Sports Direct website. I have been watching this closely since it appeared and everything it says is sensationalist fabrication. There is no truth in anything it says.
We have a number of reasonable scenarios which I have tried to assess.
— we are genuinely interested in Suarez and he is our priority. Nothing else will happen until we know the outcome of our pursuit. Arsenal have probably received encouragement from his advisors to keep in pursuit.
–Fabregas may also be a genuine target. Our position is so strong due to the clauses in his contract ,if he leaves it is likely he would come to us. Can Cesc be persuaded we are viable contenders? He wouldn’t come if we only signed him.so other stars must be lined up.
— the costs of resigning Fabregas are fairly clear but if he comes it might affect who else we sign . He is likely to want to play in the hole and he would presumably sign with a top striker. We won’t go for a high- cost DM if Cesc is an option as our budget is unlikely to stretch but Capoue and Kondogbia might be in our ballpark.
–Higuain is obviously a serious option but Real Madrid are more difficult to deal with than Barca ( in this instance) because we have got strong contract clauses and the price on Suarez keeps rising. It is easy to see us horse- trading Suarez for Higuain with Real but Wenger seems to genuinely want to sign Suarez before Higuain.
–This may all be an elaborate smokescreen by Arsenal which will disperse when the deals prove too difficult to do but Arsene and Ivan know that if this transfer window is a failure ,any poor start would put them under enormous pressure and they would lose enormous fan’s good will. As we know many other fans are already at the end of their tether with Wenger so one would assume,however hard it is for him to do we need to do something spectacular for fan goodwill not to evaporate.
The other problem is that Arsenal are not famed for their fleetfootedness in the market and this is an elaborate and difficult plan which might backfire. Arsenal might have back- up options like Michu,Soldado etc but as we saw two seasons ago late desperate swoops don’t always end well. Deals planned too close to the window can stall because replacements can’t be signed.Added to this Wenger is known to change his mind at the eleventh hour. But we need to add to the squad and he knows it.
Which leaves us hanging on the news as per usual…..!
Ok, who said this about whom?
“We haven’t got money burning a hole in our pocket but we have got a strategy on player purchases and if [X] wants to go after a stellar player he can do that,” said [Y] over the weekend.
If you haven’t read it and know the answer, take a guess.
Haha Joe, fair enough, piss away π
You may yet be proved right re Dein, but I think there’s an awful lot of joining the dots for it to come true.
As for the Higuain/Suarez situation, I can honestly say that I’m truly baffled as to what has gone/is going on.
Signing Suarez would be a huge risk on so so many levels, irrespective of what one thinks of him as a player.
All the noise about him does appear though to be coming exclusively from Liverpool, so until Arsenal start talking I’m firmly in the Lars/Ollie camp of thinking it’s all smoke and mirrors.
Lars – Real Madrid chief exec and Manager?
Just to provide a little context. Park and Santos were “late desperate swoops”. So were Mertesacker and Arteta.
tabs@76: no, not them!
Hearing liverpool’s confirmation that we have bid for Suarez is enough to move me to post here for the first time in almost a year (evening all).
The Arsenal are known across the globe as a club of class and high standards, if we sign a racist (I’m married to an Argentine and I know the use of the word is derogatory in South America) cheating, bleating diving, BITING (!!!) disgusting excuse of a human being then I shall turn my back on a 40+ year love affair.
If we sign him the club that has been such a huge part of my life will in one signing cross this supporters rubicon
Haven’t got a scooby.
Last guess – ManU?
Sir chips lars?
Haha, Garsguns π
Tabs,
Agreed. Suarez will go to the highest bidder, which is why I’d still be reticent about it happening. Citeh / Chelski / RM could all enter that deal and scupper any bid we make which is why I feel Liverpool are blabbing about it publicly.
Granted Suarez is a risk. And I can see where Lars is coming from when he highlights his repetitive nature of his indiscretions. (btw Lars, I for one, have always supported Giroud, but I just feel that Suarez would be technically more clinical that Giroud in an Arsenal team). But I really do think he’s a superb player.
Agree Joe that Liverpool are clearly trying to invite an auction. Whether Arsenal are “in” on that strategy or whether they are seriously bidding for the player, your guess is as good as mine. So many possible scenarios that it’s not worth worrying about, until it all becomes clearer.
Que sera sera.
I am firmly in camp “I dont want Suarez nowhere near Arsenal”. Yes, he is really good footballer but his on-pitch behaviour is just so bad that I would rather see Rooney playing for us than him (and I really cannot believe I am writing this since I despise Rooney on so many levels).
Higuain looks to be much better deal on all levels that if the deal was pretty much done and dusted I can only see RM being difficult/assholes for no real reason.
ManYoos bid for Cesc is well…just wrong, should he go there it would be worse than what van Pigsty did and young Cesc would be dead to me. I have had some understanding for his desire to play for his boyhood club, but if he joins Mancs, now that would turn me in to really bitter person about him (and people from my surroundings know how pissed off I still am about whole RvP thing when its discussed)
My personal wish for this summers outcome is Higuain and Fellaini/Capoue, that would make me really happy. No Suarez, No Rooney and definitely not Garreth Barry.
Joe, if you’re worried about been clinical in front of goal then I hate to break it to you but Suarez is NOT your man! Go to who scored . com and have a look at his shot per-goal ratio.
Ok. Before I watch the second half, just have to wish Oxon, a very Happy Belated Birhday! Cheers Oxon π Now for the 2nd half ! π Haven’t read any of the drinks, but very delighted to see Delia back at the bar π Laters, Mates !
Higuain, Fabregas and Capoue/Kondogbia please.
No Shrek, no ‘bitey, divey racist’ and no ‘curly mopped, lanky, Scouse, can’t be arsed against Wigan and their like’ git.
Sort it aht, Holic. Talk to your contacts at the club please.
Thank you
Campbell was granted work permit, I guess he will be loaned in PL or Championship.
In other news, I decided to ignore all the noises regarding us signing striker, it is too complicated at the moment.
We don’t want racists diving scums at our club, because Arsenal is too classy which of course implicates that we as fans are too classy, and all that, which in the end makes us- what? Well, the same- racists!
We do not want Rooney at our club, why? Because he is past his prime, is no good anymore … Who are we kidding?! He is ugly, fat bloke, who cheats his wife, diving shyt who ended our unbeaten run. Classy fans, you can tell.
Bring back Carlos Vela I say, he scored almost the same amount of goals than that overrated Higuain last year, providing 7 assist more than the glorious Argentine. All that in a competition such is Spanish Primera, where if we can only loan Chamack to Levante or Betis, I bet he is going to be in the top 5 scorers in the League, and we can sell him to Monaco for 30 mill.
Rant over.
As far as I am concerned, the real problem in the squad are the CB and DM positions where we are very thin. I read somewhere that Kos and Cazorla are both suspended for the first CL qualifier ( don’t know if true). Vermaelen is injured, which leaves us just Mertesacker and absolutely unreliable, based on yesterday’s performance- Miquel. So, we need cover in CB position desperately, especially for the CL qualifiers. Can Higuain or Suarez play at the back? Rooney maybe?
If they can’t than we are in deep trouble.
Good points, Lurky.
No, Lurky, no fucking way! Calling out someone for abusing someone else racially and saying that you don’t want such a person to represent an institution you have an interest in does NOT make you a racist! It might make you an unforgiving cunt but not a racist.
Sorry, got a bit distracted but tabs got it right. It was a quote that some ManU exec (can’t remember his name) said about Moyes. It does sound an awful lot like what Gazidis et al have been saying for the last few years, doesn’t it? Now, it’s still all guesswork and conjecture, but it has been suggested by some that Alex Ferguson spent money like there was no tomorrow to win that 20th title before he retired and the statement above does indicate that money has become a lot tighter at ManU. And it makes sense, at some point they will have to start paying off all that debt.
Lurky, they are not suspended. Suspensions only follow on to the next season if you are sent off in the last game in the previous season or is suspended for disciplinary misdeeds where you are suspended by UEFA after the game.
is it just possible that we have interest in the biter (and i apologise in advance if someone else mooted this and i missed it) because RM have an interest in him? and that because they’re playing with us around higuain we decided to put in an offer for the striker they want, to say “fine, mess with us there, we’ll just take this guy”? as a way of forcing RM’s hand to put in a higher (established price) bid for the biter and *need* us to take higgy off their hands for the money we’re interested in, if they want the biter?
if that makes no sense, please ignore π
Lars @74,
Was it The Management about Holic ?
I haven’t got a clue what’s going on on any transfer front, so I’ll do you all a favour and say nothing.
Eandy,
RvP clearly felt no loyalty, or anything for Arsenal on an emotional level when push came to shove. Being bitter about what RvP did, or Cesc might do, will change nothing and damage your wellbeing.
Might as well relax ’til the season starts, and then support whoever is in the shirt and forget whoever is not.
As Holic said last summer – love the club and support the hired hands. No point forming any sort of emotional attachments to players any more.
We all do though. π
Cent, quotes from this bar today. I don’t even bothered to go to twitter.
“I find it staggering that supporters of The Arsenal would even entertain the notion of that biting, filthy, cheating, racist pulling on an Arsenal shirt. Fuck his goals, fuck his assists.”
“Heβs a scumbag plain and simple.”
“cheating, bleating diving, BITING (!!!) disgusting excuse of a human being”
Are they enough, because I can provide more?
And that is good news Lars, I can now calmly go to sleep, such a nervous day.
He’s not that kind of person ……..
Lurky, is he been accused wrongly? Did he or did he not berate a fellow professional with the use of a word that insults the colour of his skin and/or Race ? Has he ever bitten a fellow professional in the field of play? Is he a serial diver? If a random fellow in your immediate environment was guilty of all this accusations will that be enough to make you feel the need to refer to him/her as a “biting, filthy, cheating racist” or a “scumbag plain and simple” Or a “cheating, bleating, diving, BITING (ing) and disgusting excuse of a human being”, or at least make you not want to have nothing to do with him/her?
If your answer to any of the above is a “no” then I’m sorry to disappoint you but most of us, imperfect human beings, are not that kind.
Gets away from the controversial comments and get back to rsl football with andet chip into the area……
*if your answer to any of the above questions *apart from the first question obviously ;)* is a “no”.
*fails to notice he scored and continues ranting*
Scores when he wants. π
Another cent.urion goal..well in cent.
Cheers Trev.
Thanks for the assist Uply.
And goodnight all.
It becomes clearer. Apparently Real are trying to do a deal with Pool … Higuain plus cash for Suarez. Since both players seem keen to leave their respective clubs I’m surprised this hasn’t been mooted before. If true we end up with neither and, imo, a question about our negotiating skills given the only logical alternative, Jovetic, looks bound elsewhere already. Hence Rooney in the mix?
Our chances of acquiring a top class striker are looking shaky indeed.
Oskar
One to note for the future is Uruguayan teenager Nico LΓ³pez, who looked all class in Under-20 tournament. Apparently signed by Udinese three days ago. Where were you AW?
Oskar
good read gooners…the stuff about suarez is a really interesting discussion. I just have this to say, and I don’t think it’s been said before in this thread:
Those who have argued that we don’t support footballers for their personal morality, et al, have a decent point to make. If suarez ends up wearing the arsenal shirt I’ll begrudgingly support him. But for those of us who don’t like dirty players, divers, possible racsists etc it’s perfectly rational that we don’t want this particular player on our team, nor do we have to be perfect people ourselves to express that preference.
It’s been said recently on this forum, in reference to the Rooney rumors (I forget by whom), that Rooney is an exceptionally talented footballer, but that arsenal are more than just a football club. I thinks that’s a good way to say it… There are those who pooh-pooh the idea that arsenal do stand for something, that we have generally (not without exception!) stood for a higher ground in the way we play, conduct our business, etc. But if you really believe there are no ethics in football, that it’s just about winning at all costs in the end, then you’ve ceded your right to complain about the likes of suarez, terry, cole, etc when they do things to disgrace the game and their clubs.
Personally that idea, that arsenal stand for something, that we’re more than just a football club, means a lot to me, and is a big part of the reason I love this club so fucking much. So while I’d support the likes of suarez as long as he was wearing the shirt, I’d hate every minute of it…
And just to clear, I harbor no ill will toward suarez himself. I’m in no position to judge the man myself. He’s a complex man just like the rest of us, with a background and culture etc. etc that we know nothing about…I sincerely hope he can straighten out his shit and live a happy, productive life…but it doesn’t follow that I want him to represent arsenal.
But I speak in purely theoretical terms. It’s all stuff and nonsense till something happens. Screw the summer. We’ll see what’s to see on aug 17.
The thought of cesc going to united is gut wrenching. It would just confirm the fact that after the invincible s team we had the worst bunch of players character wise.
The only reason I want him back is so that he doesn’t end up at OT. What a shit season the next one might turn out to be..
Sky reporting that the chavs are now asking Madrid about Higuain.
Morning everyone.
Am I the only one sat here wondering what the fuck we are playing at? I know there is still considerable time left in this window but the season starts in just over 4 weeks time. For some considerable time now I have had serious reservations about our abilities in the transfer market. The only words I have read from the club about official deals is a possible new deal for Arsene?????? Well Arsene, if you want a new deal then may I suggest that now is the time to earn it???
As I have said, the season starts in just over 4 weeks. I would have hoped that we would have been some way to bedding in new players by now. I had hoped that we would have had something more to cheer about than a fan managing to run 5 km along side the team bus.
What Steve T said.
Oskar
Steve T
The only consolation is that our domestic rivals appear to be experiencing similar delays in getting their deals done. We have, at least, had some small success in shifting out unwanted players.
I have a (totally unsubstantiated) feeling that things will start to move on several fronts next week. The comparison to musical chairs above is a really good one: there’s a small pool of available players, a slightly larger pool of clubs, and a general feeling that when the music stops, someone is going to be left unhappy.
Is it possible that we’ve bid on Suarez to kick start the chain that sees Madrid make their move so they no longer need Higuain who can then go to Chelsea and we end up keeping Gervinho, Bendtner and Chamakh? π
As for Fabregas, I don’t see us going back in for him unless we get rid of someone like Ramsey. To Cardiff perhaps.
Fuck the transfer window
Genuine question: if Ancelotti has come in at Madrid and decided that he wants to keep Higuain and therefore doesn’t need to spend Β£40m on Suarez (freeing up said money to buy that Spain U21 lad they signed last week), then what would we all want Arsenal to do re: a new forward?
Jovetic? Rooney? Benteke? Suarez? Live with what we’ve got?
Purely idle speculation, obviously, but who knows what our real options are at this stage.
N7. The chavs, spuds and Citeh have already strengthened. In my opinion we are lagging behind. I do think there is some mileage in the argument that we are bidding for Suarez to force Madrid’s hand re Higuain. But I also fear that our dealings in the transfer markets in recent years, for whatever reason, have left us somewhat of a wounded animal when it comes sealing a deal or selling the club to real top quality. I genuinely hope I could not be more wrong and really hope that we do start to kick into action right now. But am I confident that will happen????? No, not at the moment. As I said, I really do hope that all my views are totally without substance, but if we go into the start of the season under cooked then I really don’t see any hiding places for those sat on their lofty perch.
Steve T
Totally agree that if the window closes without some significant signings there is going to be a real reaction from the support.
Ivan and the manager have seen to that with their comments. If all we achieve this summer is to tell the world that we now have money, without actually spending any of it, then that would pose some serious questions about the stewardship of the club.
I still believe we’ll spend though.
Steve T
You are right but I understand it is because Wenger keeps changing his mind. Arsenal got rid of Bruce Rioch because David Dein said ‘ I am fed up with looking like a cunt all over Europe’ . He had teed up several deals which Rioch suddenly got cold feet on . ( Eg,Ronald De Boer)Rioch wanted to go for Alan Shearer when there seemed little chance of getting him. Sound familiar?jAnd before people say Rioch signed Bergkamp and Platt they ought to realise that was Dein’s doing not Rioch’s. I think Dein was good for Wenger in helping him tie up deals. It’s not working like that with Ivan.
This is a game of high stakes poker where we haven’t got the same stake as the top players so have to bid trickily but we should be in a decent position if we bid decisively. There is also a lot of rubbish circulating eg,Does Higuain want to play for a manager who he thinks was ruining his career( and does Mourinho want to invest in him when he could get Rooney or Suarez and has Lukaku, Torres and Ba?) Does Fabregas really only want to come to United? If he goes to United Barca have to sell him for 50 mill to get the same net return as selling him to us for 25 mill.
A first deal might help others fall into place because until that first deal is done as far as fans and potential signings are concerned it is all talk.
“And before people say Rioch signed Bergkamp and Platt they ought to realise that was Deinβs doing not Riochβs. ”
Please don’t perpetuate that myth.
Rioch had a list of players he wanted to sign, like any other manager, and it was Dein’s job to do the deals. Dein negotiated those deals but please don’t try to tell me that he went and signed Bergkamp and Platt on his own initiative.
TTG. If that is true that Wenger keeps changing his mind then should we be offering him a new contract ????? I think he has been the best manager we have ever had. His achievements have been monumental, but if we are mid July and he is still not sure about certain targets then that surely raises many questions.
I have not heard that he can’t decide so it will be interesting to see how it all pans out. I just think that if it continues it just makes us look weak.
Does anyone actually believes that the reason we do not have any signings till today is Wenger constantly changing his mind?
To underestimate Arsene’s intelligence and dedication with that kind of twitter spin, come on, we are better that that.
I’m going to sit and wait to see who’s in the shirt come the start of the season.
In the meantime I’m going to sit here and spout bile about the club and everyone involved with it.
Not me.
Transfers are a messy business, both to us on the outside, and to the ones on the inside. I hardly ever believe it is as easy as “meeting the asking price” because, generally, the asking price is too high, and even if met, it might get other clubs to bid higher (or any of a number of other reasons for a deal to fall through). Most of the clubs capable of selling us players we seem to think that we ought to be looking at are in direct competition with us, either in the CL or the PL or both, as are most of the other buying clubs interested in said players. They all want to throw a wrench in plans, while at the same time, look out for their own clubs. Then we’ve got players and agents as well, making the whole business even more tasteless and quite frankly absurd. That no-one ever stops to think that we are selling human labor for ridiculous sums of money. Ah, football. All I’m saying is that I just can’t stand people saying “If we just pay THIS the player is ours!” which is only true when it comes to astronomical sums, both in transfer fees and wages. Most deals don’t work like that and involve things like work permits, medicals, family, and numerous other factors.
Wenger usually does A right thing. Not saying he does THE right thing. But usually, when he does something it is A right thing on some level. Point being he always has sound reasons for what he does, even if the result is sometimes a disaster. This is not me saying he is perfect and I often wonder about his decisions. But through the years I have learned that he always does what he thinks is the best for the club and that he always thinks things through. He has his reasons and they are logical. I would love to be able to do just that, since me myself, most of the time don’t even have a good reason for the things I do.
I can’t see that reason with bidding on Suarez. Yet. Perhaps I never will. But for all the aforementioned reasons, I’ll not crucify anyone just yet over that apparent bid. It might be down to that transfers are a messy business. It might be posturing and scheming. It might be down to Wenger having any other sound reason. It might provide us with A solution if not THE solution I want.
Most likely it won’t even happen so I won’t waste my keyboard anymore right now.
Can you even imagine the sense of relief when we do eventually sign someone of note?
I think actual tears might be shed, not least by me.
This summer has become very taxing – what first looked as if it might be a welcome relief from previous years when we’ve watched key squad members leave has morphed into something entirely new and unexpected: a transfer window in which the club deliberately and repeatedly raise fan expectations through the roof before going ominously quiet, leaving a whacking great void to be filled by the rumour-mongers.
Very hard for a humble Gooner to know how to process this. It’s the hope that kills you, after all.
ttg, so the man who for years and years has been castigated as stubborn to the point of idiocy now all of a sudden is claimed to be changing his mind constantly?
Sorry mate, not buying that.
Afternoon all,
Catching up on the latest drinks is better than reading a John Le Carre novel. I can’t wait for the final outcome, trusting there will be a happy ending!
I was leaning to “anyone but Rooney” but the thought of that little man from Liverpool joining us is equally repugnant. As for Cesc going to OT, that would be the final straw. Can’t think why I bought a Napoli ticket.
This morning, at 09.30hrs, the handbrake on my car failed when parked on a slight slope outside the Victoria Hotel at Holkham in North Norfolk. It managed to slide down the slope, some 50yds and ran into and knocked over a metal bollard outside the hotel! No one was hurt and no other vehicles were involved, thank Dennis.
Things can only get better on all fronts!
What N7 said @124.
Summers seem to always find a way to make life purgatory for Gooners.
We are either watching our latest recomposed team decompose again or, when we are finally (again) promised that the hard times are over and something very exciting is about to happen, we relax, sit back and lap up, er, nothing.
I haven’t a clue what chance we have of signing Gonzalo Higuain or Giuseppe Bloggsio or Fourfingers Fernandez in goal, or why, or why not, or even if the club really wants to.
But, despite all other advice in previous posts, our apparrant inaction is really beginning to get to me. I know, I know, I know there are hundreds of ifs and buts we don’t know about but, what we do know is that all the people that matter are on the other side of the world to all the good players.
After recent summers and the promises and raised expectations of this one, the current state of affairs is almost sadistic to anxious fans.
What was that Fulham sing again ???
*runs for cover as Oxon fires peanuts across the bar. At least it got him worked up about something though* π
Delia,
It’s that old Holkhus Pokus. π
Still trying to get through the drinks. Tabs, me too, had the same problem with player! Even post game interviews π Suarez ?! See Arseblog, he speaks for me. Now I notice, many of you say our opposition was inferior, but I beg to differ. Our real opponent was the stifling heat and humidity. Kris Olsson remarked how the ball bounced a lot and they needed to take more touches because of that. OG’s 2nd goal was a bit special and Eisfeld was Robinesque with his (both feet off the ground!). Bac’s crosses, OMG, very happy that display. And Kos, god bless him, this was no friendly, for him!He sent a msg. to Arsene loud and clear, “I’m your man!” Zelalem, he’s one cool dude, very nice indeed π
I am ITK with regards to Barca matters in as much as I am in Barca enjoying a Cerveza right now. My sources tell me there is a better chance of Rooney shagging someone born after the Spuds last PL title than Cesc going to United.
Lurky,Lars
Let me clarify my position on Wenger. As I said recently this man is responsible for building the financial base of the modern Arsenal. He as done some remarkable things and certainly in his early years revolutionised football.
Without Wenger can any of us imagine Fat Sam Allardyce poring over Opta data( can we imagine Opta data even ?) and his instincts on players were remarkable.
He changed the modus operandi of football management. So can I now imagine this colossus losing confidence, having doubts and being less effective? Yes,of course I can. For one thing he is older,almost the same age as me and I would be kidding myself if I thought that I do everything as well as I did. The experiment with youth or the Emirates Years,call them what you will, have presented different challenges to Wenger. There is more pressure on transfers, new,very well- heeled rivals with bigger bank balances all over Europe and at the same time he lost his confidante , David Dein who was a tremendous source of reassurance to him. I think Wenger has been less effective and less decisive without Dein and although I am far from closely in the know at Arsenal I have spoken to several people who know him well. They are extremely loyal and extremely supportive of his methods but they have indicated to me that he wrestles with decisions in a way he never used to.
It is hard to make sense of the close season two years ago when we made noises about not selling our biggest assets,then sold them and after scraping into the CL main draw lost 8-2 at Old Trafford. Our transfer activity subsequently was desperate. Who planned that? Why did it happen? Even on transfer deadline night Wenger agreed a deal with Moyes for Arteta and then dropped the deal because of Arteta’s salary. Arteta himself revived the deal by taking a pay cut. Can you imagine the problems we would have had without signing Arteta?
So while I have enormous admiration and respect for Wenger I do not believe either that he is a tin god. In my experience you can be indecisive and stubborn in failing to recognise the problems this is causing.
Although I don’t like the comments section of the blog,I would direct Holics towards today’s Le Grove blog. The writer who has spent a lot of time with Gazidis this summer takes a very contrary view to most of us panicking as we do about the lack of transfer activity. Read it if you want to be reassured– and if you believe he is right. It certainly puts a very different perspective on transfer politics.
As for fellow Holics who take the relaxed view that we will see who turns up in red and white on September 2nd I would say two things. Firstly we could be out of the Champions League by then and secondly I rarely turn the TV of when we are paying and the oppo are swarming around our goal with us 1-0 up with ten minutes to go feeling that I will turn on at full time to check the lads have won. I think this close season is immensely important for Arsenal in many ways and they have to get it right. A large part of the supporters already don’t trust them to. I have greater faith but its not a given. I’d like to feel that our strategy is credible and well- directed. Apart from seeming to be focusing on possibly the most controversial signing we could make,one which a large number of fans would be very alienated by, we also appear to be losing momentum while our rivals are developing it. This may be a press construct but I am sufficiently concerned to feel that decent,well- balanced supporters ,some of whom pay large sums of money to follow the club are entitled to raise some constructive observations on the direction of our transfer activity
TTG,
I disagree with much of what you’ve said above, but that’s fine and I wouldn’t bother to write to state my disagreement.
I must, however, raise my voice with regard to your final sentence “… supporters … are entitled to raise some constructive observations on the direction of our transfer activity”. I don’t disagree with this, and I appreciate that views expressed on other blogs may well be much more rabid than they are here. I confine myself to this blog and I read many observations about Arsenal’s transfer activity and related policies. I cannot, however, recall many that I would characterise as “constructive”.
Please, fellow holics, make me eat my words. Make constructive observations about our transfer activity.
Oxon, it’s very easy to pick out isolated words like that.I personally don’t remember reading many that spout bile. (See @122)
Some opinions I have agreed with, some I have disagreed with, and some I have thought a tad reactionary, but “bile”?
If you have a problem with certain contributions then have the courage of your convictions, take ’em on and make your point, rather than tarnishing the whole blog with vague and general accusations.
In short, and to use your own words, time to grow a pair.
How’s that for constructive?
Oh for those golden summers of yore when all we had to worry about was which obscure european league’s second division would be supplying our new signing that none one but AW had ever heard of…
Oxon @ 132: I maintain that there is a fundamental disconnect among us supporters about the positions in which strengthening is needed, the available candidates, and the true quality of those available candidates and there acceptability.
Lot of our reactions to transfer silence is actually a kind of replaced desire that advertising excels in manipulating. In this case instead of product advertisement it is the so-called ‘football journalism’ that stirs it up.
Assuming that we have no Gervinho, and maybe one of Eisfield/Gnabry (most likely Eisfield) as a regular sub in the domestic cups in the attacking third, what are the positions we really *must* fill in with descending order of priority?
My takes are:
a. A technically strong DM (tackling and passing) with established defensive qualities and experience who can, if needed, cover in the center of defense.
b. A forward with established goal-scoring records who can play fluidly across the positions in the attacking third.
c. Another mobile defender who can play in the center as well as deputize in at least one of the the wing back positions.
What are the options that are out there that would really add quality? Once we start seeing along those lines it might become relatively self-evident to us that it would be extremely difficult to find these necessary candidates and I won’t be surprised at all if we end up signing multiple ‘underwhelming’ names instead which would ensure we have enough cover but for the first eleven will rely on what we already have.
My hopes on the upcoming season are built on the players we already have, and if players like Ramsey and Ox and Giroud can really make the next step forward with Jack-Santi finding a way to play off each other, and if we can keep key veterans like Rosicky and Sagna fit and firing then we can be surprised.
Anyway, that is my optimistic way of looking forward to the season. If new ‘sensational’ signings come in, great. If not, I will hold my judgment until the season seriously commences.
@ 135: I meant ‘their’ acceptability…
Fair enough TTG, I completely understand where you coming from. I just refuse to believe that Arsene changes his mind constantly about potential targets.
Just an hour ago the author of the famous 30 million bid in January, revealed on twitter that it was bid for Cavani. That is not a big news today, following the 35 mil bid for Suarez and 23 mill bid for Bender. But it was a very big thing back in January, when we don’t had a clue about financial power of the club and were still considered a selling club.
What I am trying to say is that it is evident that the club is trying all their best to buy class this summer. World class. The only problem is that the market is mad, and will only get worse till the big boys spend all of their money. Maybe Monaco and PSG finished their business, maybe not, but where are Real, Chelsea and Man Utd. They hadn’t even started.
The board duplicated the biggest ever transfer fee in Arsenal history and got rejected. Two times. Cavani and Suarez. That’s a significant step for a club used to actually sell their players this past couple of years.
So, is Arsene changing his mind constantly? Once again, I don’t think so. He gets constantly outbid, eaten by a bigger fish. Is his strategy of going for the best strikers available at the moment- wrong? Maybe, but what he is supposed to do, since the fans know that the money is there for the first time in years. Buy us Darren Bent or unproven Benteke. Maybe he will in the end. But I don’t think so.
I still believe this will be the best summer in years, transfer related. Even if we do not buy “stars”, we will hopefully don’t sell any of the players which made that 10 games unbeaten run. But, I’ll be more optimistic and say that we will break our transfer record for two times minimum. The thing that frightens me is that stupid CL qualifier. If we manage to balance well, bring the right players and get into the CL without significant turbulences, that can be a start of a great year, year to remember.
Oxon,
I don’t subscribe regularly to any other blogs than this simply because it contains a whole range of entirely constructive commentators who are clearly very passionate Arsenal fans. Most of the other blogs do ‘spout bile’ which is highly unfair and ill- considered. Almost everything. I read on here is thoughtful , intelligent and Arsenal- focused.
The fact of the matter is that Arsene could cock up in spades,we could suffer three successive relegations and come the kick- off of the 2016/17 season I’d still be there supporting the team. That doesn’t stop me agonising over the strategy for making this team better because there are real opportunities to improve our position.
In terms of real constructive solutions I will design a wish- list of players which any supporter could do. Happy to do this although conscious it will only add to the angst being felt.
Action:
We need to clear the decks of the players taking up squad spots who are inadequate- even if this means paying up contracts as we did with Denilson.
This would mean exits for Frimpong/Park/ Chamakh/ Gervinho / Afobe/Bendtner and I’d like to see first team squad spots for Bellerin, Eisfeld ,Gnabry and Sanogo.
I’d send out Campbell, Martinez, Miyaichi , Olsson , Possibly Miquel and Akpom on loan and I would focus on buying
A striker—Higuain/ Bentheke/ Soldado
A strong defensive midfielder—Fellaini/ Capoue/ McCarthy
An experienced goalkeeper—Adler/ Rui Patricio/ Marchetti
An experienced utility defender– Williams/ Jagielka/ Lescott
Then I’d happily await the start of the season with excitement.
I think that’s constructive,but not necessarily original. I hope that Arsene and Ivan are working to a similar but vastly superior plan
Ttg and Tabs @131, 133,
Several nails hit squarely and fairly on the head.
Oxon,
You continually request people here to be calm, patient and now constructive. I think, on the whole, those are qualities displayed in this bar in spades.
I have to say that the impression I am left with of your own contributions, is generally critical and not very constructive at all. The tone of them is typically ‘don’t say this, don’t be impatient, don’t get over excited’, with little positive comment of your own other than some approximation of ‘i’m saying nothing until the season starts’.
This would be a dull blog indeed if every contributor followed your advice to say nothing until September.
In other news, TGSTEL is back in training. Wasn’t he ready to get the fyck out of Arsenal in two weeks (his own words) about a month and a half ago? Is he this years LANS?
Lurky,
Very solid reasoning and the news about TGSTEL is like a new signing!
This is a bar containing by and large good supporters who trust the club and this is the differentiator. Glad we can differ in good humour
@TTG 131
Sorry but Pedro is an absolute mong. Might have changed his tune, but I’m a firm believer that leopards cant change their spots, to mix a metaphor. Or once a window licker always a gormless clown if you’d prefer. Some of his previous missives have made the Online Gooner look informed and moderate in its opinion.
Also don’t get this ‘we might be out of the CL’ stuff either. This possibility is bandied around every time we’re in the qualifying rounds and seems to ignore some very pertinent facts; we’re always seeded, we’ve always cruised through to date and we are very, very experienced in doing the necessary business.
I’d rather have Bendtner than Suarez.
At least with Nick I would know that the look he gave me wouldn’t mean “there’s lunch”
No new shiny ones then?
I kinda have a gut feeling that new signings are going to be announced after asia tour, bit late for my taste but still not that late. Really want that to be true π
Esso, totally with you on the CL qualifiers. All the teams that we can be drawn against this year are teams that we shall beat over two legs every day of the week, new signings or not.
Eandy,
I agree – i don’t think any signings are going to be announced before the Asia tour now π
You’d have to think that Madrid had agreed a fee with Arsenal before Higuain was given permission to negotiate his own terms directly.
Thinking Arsenal were hooked, Madrid decided to then play their own game by increasing the price. Higuain’s options seem to be to team up again with Maureen, play second fiddle to van Persie at Manure, or us, assuming Citeh are already well furnished in the striking department.
That seems fairly positive for us, but it could take a while yet playing silly buggers with Perez.
Suarez seems so anti everything that you associate with Arsene Wenger, it’s hard to believe that our “bid” is truly intended to snare the player.
Madrid must need to recoup some money after their spending and especially if they intend making a serious bid for Suarez.
So, here’s a conspiracy theory – just for entertainment purposes.
Arsenal and Madrid have devised a plan whereby the Spaniards “cave in” to our pressure and sell Higuain to us for our previously bid Β£23 million. Arsenal then withdraw their Β£35 million bid for Suarez, panicking Liverpool into letting him go for Β£27 -Β£30 million to Madrid, rather than getting stuck with him.
Everyone’s happy. Simples. π
Lars,
Bradford and Blackburn bot in the draw then ?
Sorry π
Fortunately not, Trev!
Esso
Boy do I admire your confidence! That’s a Β£30 million tie and I’d like us to be as strong as possible for it. The last time we were in it I didn’t feel too confident at half- time against Udinese and by the cheque book was opened we were eight points behind United with a negative goal difference of eight after three games and three players sent off in three games.
As for Pedro I don’t know the guy but his editorial is interesting and he has been given a degree of access by Gazidis denied to most of us.By the way I also object very strongly to the word you used to describe him. That could cause considerable offence to many people .
And I write quite often for Online Gooner and try to achieve the sort of balance we have here.
I think this would do it.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10184058/Arsenal-ready-to-offer-40m-to-lure-Luis-Suarez.html
Feisty you lot, eh?
I’m finding it frustrating in the heat too.
Try some light reading about nothing much really, but informed by people I don’t pretend to have a greater degree of access to than others…
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