Contrasting Build Up For City And Ourselves
Aug 9th, 2013 by 'holic
There was one major disadvantage to my choice of holiday destination for the last few days. Aside from flaky wireless coverage in the hotel lounge I was largely incommunicado and almost totally unaware of what was going on. However there was an equal and opposite advantage to being there. I was largely incommunicado and almost totally unaware of what was going on.
It is not surprising to see feelings running high about Arsenal’s complete inertia in the transfer market. That infernal handbrake appears to have been made available to our negotiating team and they have pulled it up to the last ratchet. This situation is really not what Ivan was promising back in June.
I think it is fair to say that many were excited at the prospect of improved commercial revenues leading to a genuine investment in new playing talent this summer. The upbeat mood around that time was something the club had a great opportunity to build on. In the barren weeks that have followed we have lost an opportunity to sign one top striker who had reportedly agreed terms with us, and all parties to the Suarez debacle have been made to look more than a little foolish.
Things may, indeed probably will look a lot brighter by 2nd September. It is unfortunate however that we are not blending new players into the team ahead of the Premier League opener next Saturday, and the away leg of the Champions League qualifier a week next Wednesday. Yes, real football is that close.
Is there a more optimistic take on where we are at the moment? In as much as we do have a team right now that is capable of making a decent start while negotiations for new additions continue, then yes. We may struggle with the squad as it stands when injuries and suspensions start to bite (no, I didn’t mean him again) but we have the players that finished last season with such determination.
Tomorrow we get a last opportunity to tweak things in Helsinki. Manchester City provide tough opposition for the final pre-season friendly, and it will not be lost on any Gooners that the blue half of Manchester will be fielding considerable new talent against us. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing what sort of shape Santi Cazorla is in. The little man could be a big player for us in the opening weeks of the season.
After a week of inactivity I will be back tomorrow with a review of the City game. Here is hoping the mood has lifted a little after the match.
256 Responses to “Contrasting Build Up For City And Ourselves”
Can’t wait for the actual football
top 4 finish.
oddly … unsatisfying.
Turd.
Here here, Holic.
You didn’t miss anything Holic. Fuck all happened. I checked every day and nothing…… Diddly squat.
Ah cut off in my prime by the >>> . New names seem to be the new thing around here so just call me “Trev” π
Needn’t have bothered. ‘H just said it above in a much better way.
Good stuff ‘H.
Here’s to that hope you talk about at the end. Lars is on his way to Finland, so I’ll get ’em in.
Just this once mind! π
Nice stuff ‘holic, it’s nearing that time of the year again! Bring-on the meaningful action, on and off the pitch, and an end to the conjecture!
3 – 2 to the Arse ‘omorrow!
Ahh, a fresh post straight out the oven! Smells good Holic.
Pangloss from the previous drinks – just seen your 711 with the advice on how to save my thumb. I have literally struggled with that for over 2 years, so a beverage of your choice on the bar top, and I owe the Rosso management an apology for all the times I laughed at her technological ineptitude.
Whoops, how remiss of me – forgot to mention that I nabbed Liverpool’s finishing position for May 14.
Well said sir.
The Suarez/Higuain saga is and has been a complete mess in my humble opinion. I an with Hollands’ best barman from the last round of drinks. I doubt there is one person who frequents this establishment that if we had all been sat in the pub last May, discussing our wants list that would have mentioned Suarez. I would go as far to say that if his name had been mentioned then that person would have been shot down in flames. But here we are, as a club we seem to hinged all our hopes on his signing.
I have no idea what our playing staff will look like come September. I’m not sure anyone at the club does either.
Steve @ 10
In fairness, most of us wouldn’t have mentioned Suarez because everyone thought he was off to Madrid, and no-one would have guessed we’d be the only bidders and he’d publicly state his desire to leave.
If you’d offered me either Suarez or Higuain in May I’d have taken Suarez in a heartbeat.
Nice one ‘H.
Yes indeed, the spirit shown by the team at the tail end of the season was incouraging, that we managed to finish fourth was also quite the achievement, but it was not pretty, in fact it was gut wrenching, nerve racking stuff. It could of went either way, I know it, you know it and the management team at Arsenal sure as hell knew it, that’s why I felt the bold statement of intent from above was necessary. We knew we needed strengtheninng and so did they. The best way was to get it done and dusted, get the players settled and integrate them into the team………
This has not been the case.
Yes, there still is time, but it is never an ideal situation bringing players into a team that has already started the season. You yourself say that we will use tomorrow to “tweak the team”. What’s the point, if we will only have to tweek it again in a few weeks time? Sorry to be acting the pessimest, but I feel that we missed a major opportunity to strengthen and have a proper pre season without the distraction of losing one of our stars.
Tabs (from previous)
Maybe betrayed is a bit of a sstrong term, but I must confess, it is as close to how I feel as I can describe,, not just due to the fact of the three monthes of inactivity, but our pursuit of a player that we really should not want anywhere near our club.
(from these drinks) I’ll have a double whatever, cheers. π
Cheers Steve.
N7, I’ve had a dislike (putting it mildly) of the racist cannibal hybride since he was at Groningen, there’s no way I would of wantedhim over Higuin, damn, I’d rather have a front three of Park, TGSTEL and Chamakh with Lee Chapman as back up.
Gustavo?!?!
Not quite my cup of tea. I expected better, but I’ll take him.
Gustavo is a quality player! Is this from the reliable Twitter source Lurky?
Miquel to Leicester on loan. We must surely be close to a defender?!
H2H
Don’t get me wrong, the enthusiasm for Suarez would have been far from unanimous. I just think at least a few people would have been up for the idea in May if they’d thought it was remotely possible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_Gustavo
Sky – John Henry has “left it up to Brendan Rodgers to decide Suarez future”.
That information speaks absolute volumes. Owner has a big mouth.
Yep, N7, THE source!
Good stuff. He’s generally on point.
Gustavo would be a really good addition. Covers multiple positions, very accomplished DM.
On a less happy note, spotted Martinez has been promoted to the first team today, which suggests a keeper may not be incoming.
H2H @13,
“To err is human but to forgive is divine”.
I’ll always take a player with real edge and bite aligned with a phenomenal work ethic, talent and a desire to win over a choir-boy!
Being of black African origin myself, and after what Suarez did against Ghana in the last minutes of the World Cup quarter final and the Evra situation, I guess that he should have bred within me an irreversible revulsion but he has not as I think he’s arguably one of the top 5 players in the world at present. I believe with the correct direction and guidance from Arsene, he can challenge the top 2 of Messi and Ronaldo. After all, wasn’t VanCuntsy a petulant brat with an unsavoury history turned good???
N7, they have faith in Fabianski as a second choice. So, no keeper.
From what I’ve heard we aren’t signing CB this summer. Instead Sagna will be our fourth choice CB and RB cover. The club is looking for a quality RB. My preferred choice would be Seamus Coleman or even Rangel, but of course we will end up with some unknown bloke.
MR DanC.
There’s a difference between being a petulant brat and a total cuntbucket.
Practice makes imperfect. π
BTW, I actually understand what he did against Ghana, he did what he had to do to keep his team in the game and it paid off. A bit of a basterd thing to do, but not tantamont to biting a fellow professional. (TWICE)
Lurky, it seems Gundogan’s destination too is RM in the next few years and before that Dortmund not willing to let him go. Gundogan on the other hand should look at what happened to Sahin and Altintop and may decide that there are other clubs better suitable for his abilities. π
Gustavo is very solid. Unspectacular but solid and versatile.
But we had let both Djourou and Coquelin go on loan, we surely must need one more defensive addition?
N7 @18,
Seems your “posturing” remark may have been very perspicacious.
John Henry preparing to lump the buck firmly in Rodgers’ hands if that is a quote.
If only I’d been a lawyer rather than a physio – I might have enjoyed my recent summers a lot more. π
Gustavo – a defensive midfielder who can play at left back and centre back.
Arsene does it again – Buy One Get Two Free !
Current Brazilian international and Bayern Munich player.
Sounds excellent if true.
And “we’re” always pleased to see more Brazilians aren’t we Wolfie ? π
Trev
The key thing with Liverpool is that if you don’t like the noise coming out of them you need only wait 24 hours and a different noise will emerge.
Not for sale/Β£50m/Β£55m/Β£60m/Β£50m/not for sale/up to Brendan.
Ze German Gustavo………..
Herr Flick!?
Agree, Doctor Faustus. Gundogan has Arsenal written all over him. would have been perfect for us. Shame Dortmund refused our money, but you never know… maybe next year.
In other news, Miquel to Lester on loan. He is in his final year and I can’t see him make that strong impression there and came back to Arsenal. So, I guess the game vs Galatasaray was his last one in Arsenal shirt.
Gustavo the perfect replacement, though.
Sorry.
Ze Brazilian German Gustavo
Herr Deft Flick.
How can such a new blog have already 30 drinks?
TRANSFER NEWS:
Miquel joins Leicester on loan.
That’s aanother place free in the squad.
“Total cuntbucket”! A many certainly fit that bill!
If true, Gustavo’s not a bad addition! Would’ve preferred Gundogan but guess we’ll just have to wait for Klopp! Enjoy the drinks!
Good to see you back DapperDan – don’t be a stranger.
Sorry, should have said – Don’t be any stranger. π
Porco@8, I live only to serve. I believe I may also guarantee to keep your shameful secret from Porca.
I’ve been a frequent but passive visitor at this bar for a while now, and always been treated to fine blog posts and rational discussion/debates that follow. Decided to finally give it a try myself this season π
While the summer has been far from ideal, I would be amazed if we did not sign some quality players by the end of it, what with all the deadwood cleared and the money we have available. We have certainly not been decisive with our purchases, but we saw in that infamous summer and also with the recruitment of Monreal in January, we invariably get it done.
Anyhow, real football is a week away now, and with all its ups and downs, its something to look forward to!
Keep the faith; Up The Arse! π
Welcome TJ.
top 40?
TJ. You are like a new signing. π
Welcome TJ. I hope your contributions mainly follow wins, and are frequent. There’s a virtual drink on the virtual bar for you.
Welcome TJ, keep drinking away. Up the Arse!
Bloody hell, I look away for a few hours, and there’s a new post and two new signings to the bar! *waves*
Zico – terrible news on the changing of the meeting mate – there’s only one thing for it – arrange an additional meeting in London on the Monday π
Lars – have a great time on your trip.
TaBS – top drunken post. Here’s to many more of them from all of us over the forthcoming months.
Round of Mojitos with Jagerbomb chasers for all, I’m off out to get wasted. Pip pip chaps, laters
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-will-act-respectfully Arsene on Suarez.
Heh 8ball @41
Welcome TJ, I agree.
Till today this summer is a failure. But it can became the most successful one in recent history.
The spine of the team -preserved, the deadwood- cleared, add to that Luis and Luiz, good speedy RB (Coleman) and maybe one more creative midfielder (Valbuena) and we are not far away.
If we managed to sign Monreal in one day, I guess we can sign four players in three weeks.
Maybe if we lose 8-2 the purse strings will suddenly loosen.
We could solve a lot of problems by ignoring Suarez and going after Williams, Baines (perhaps, although we’d have one too many left backs in a few weeks time) and Fellaini.
From a negotiation perspective, I have to say that’s pure gold from Wenger.
when i was 10 years old, selling frank stapleton broke my heart.
Last year as a 40 year old, selling RVP done the same. I vowed not to give the club another penny till they showed ambition.
this summer I believed the rhetoric stated above (coincidentally before the season ticket renewals). It now appears we have not only been taken for mugs, but actually bent over and fisted by the club.
we now don’t even have enough defenders at the club to have a practice game.
Even if something drastic changes over the next few weeks, I feel my love for football and the club is waning. Just fucked off with the mercenary obscene nature of players and the ridiculous prices we are asked to pay.
I will not be attending any games again this season. my heart is just not in anymore. not sure who to blame for that, the club or the mercenary players. never thought I would be so disillusioned with something that has been the most stable and awesome part of my life.
He’s played it spot on.
There’s nothing we can do to force the sale. We certainly shouldn’t bid again at this stage. What happens next is that Liverpool need to come to terms with the fact that you cannot keep a player who is that unhappy.
Arsene has just focused their minds on the scenario where we walk away and they’re left with a furious Suarez and no dough. He’s also made both Rodgers and the owner look like dribbling morons for all their finger pointing over the last week or so. He’s also removed the one thing the club had to kick against – and when the rage and pride dies down they will have to face the reality of their predicament.
Obviously, it’s not 100% we’ll get Suarez, but he’s played this move exactly right.
Jhlf
Will you start going to games again if he breaks the transfer record for Suarez?
N7 agreed, whatever comes out of this, the Smashers have behaved like a proper bunch of bellends.
Hello all,
Hope it’s been a good summer ( outside of Arsenal). Real football to think about. I can’t wait. Lets hope the same squad hits the ground as we left it last season! We need new faces and I am holding out hope that 2-3 come in soon.
To all the regulars, a round or 2 on me please barkeep. Now that the games will be coming at a regular interval I hope to pull up a stool more regularly!
Cheers all.
I hate that self-obsessed hipster Guardiola. Overrated as a footballer, even more as a coach. Justin-wannabe-dressed poser. Average and mediocre but always had the luck to muddle up there with the best. God I hate him so much.
Howdy doody Trev!
Heh! Stranger things are afooty but rest assured, I’m always around in a Kroenke-esque fashion! Lubing away with Randy Lerner and J W Henry not far away!
Welcome TJ! A Suarez-like appearance! No biting comments please; H2H is somehow averse to such delicacies, even with a new a-la-cartΓ© in his bistro! π
Thanks for the welcome and drinks, my first (in the virtual world of course :))
Agree with N7 @ 50, excellent from Wenger. Increase the odds of the transfer by giving Liverpool some outlet to save face, and with some class.
The match with City should be interesting, two top clubs with the most contrasting transfer deals this summer. Though its only a preseason friendly, I can imagine the reaction and headlines that would follow if we lose, even at this stage. And the indifference if we win.
I’ve been back in the bar for 30 minutes before someone throws out a ” fans and fans like you are destroying the club……. ”
Give it a rest. Find a new hobby. Breathe in a little fresh air. But most of all go find another forum to attack other Arsenal SUPPORTERS!
Sorry H. I’ll ignore the rest.
Just reading some interesting stuff linking us with Eto’o. It is well documented that AW is a massive fan. A cheeky enquiry in that direction may well give Henry something to think about.
Not read anything about Gustavo other than the normal gossip. As I have said before, I will believe very little until it is all official.
Maryanne has completed his medical at Palace. Hopefully he won’t fail the hair gel test.
Another parasite off our back.
Now for TGSTEL aka Herpes.
Steve T,
All gossip until on the dot com. This summer so far has made my head spin, exorcist style!
Interested if anyone has thoughts on Jackson Martinez, striker for Colombia and Porto. Gossip that he is our next choice to Suarez. 26 yo. Seems to be a true goal scorer.
Hey Bath,
I say Herpes can clean the toilets at the emirates for his paycheck. Is there anywhere that says he has to play football?
Frankly the ‘ grapevine’ is so unreliable and our transfer negotiation so incompetent that I won’t get excited about Gustavo, Eto’o or any bugger linked with us. I also don’t accept Arsene is playing a blinder. This highly speculative transfer is distracting us from overall strengthening. It won’t happen and any more time wasted on signing someone who half the fans don’t want anyway is dereliction of duty by the Chuckle Brothers running our ‘ negotiating team’.
Gazidis will not be happy at the quote Holic repeated in the blog as it makes him look irresponsible and dishonest. I suspect a nasty political battle is going on behind the scenes , deflecting even more energy from onfield matters. Happy Days.
Know nothing about him NorCal.
Milk and alcohol, it’s the way forward you bastards!
Yes, 2 o’clock finish today and the Fringe – what could possibly have gone wrong?
I will send proper responses to those lovely people, snowy, tabs and ollie when I am less wankered!
And tell me, but tomorrow, did we sign anyone yet?
John hawley’s left foot @ 49
That is quite sad and I and a few others (especially if you’re over 40) will understand your pain.
But, you can’t fall out of love that easily and deep down you know it π
NorCal.
Bathlet Number 1 has been looking at Martinez and rates him very much. Could definitely do a job up front for us and improve the variety of forward options. No biting too.
A thought on the statements made by Gazidis about our new found spending power.. I think they were made more to attract top players than to appease fans or sell season tickets. Arsenal put in huge bids for the likes of Mata, which didn’t materialize into signings. While wages played a part, the clubs lack of appeal to players of that quality didn’t help. That may well have influenced players like Suarez wanting to join Arsenal (admittedly as a second choice to Madrid).
All conjecture, but seems more likely than a Chief Executive trying to convince the manager to spend money and improve his squad.
Frankly the βgrapevineβ is so unreliable and our transfer negotiation conducted so confidentially that I wonβt get excited about Gustavo, Etoβo or any bugger linked with us. I also donβt accept Arsène has put a foot wrong. This highly speculative transfer is allowing us to act even further under the radar than usual. If it doesnβt happen we’ll be able to recruit someone that doesn’t divide fan opinion so badly and will really show up the Chuckle Brothers in the Press. Gazidis will not be happy at the quote Holic repeated in the blog as it makes him look pretty silly. I suspect a everyone’s having a good, if disrespectful, laugh at Liverpoo behind the scenes, before turning their energy towards onfield matters. Happy Days.
Spot on Pangloss, I am sure the shitstorm of press rumours provides a smokescreen for our real negotiations. Maybe I’m not that sure but I am very much hoping that it is and Ivan and Arsene are going to surprise us big time before the window closes.
Nice one, Pangloss!
“If you build it, they will come.” And so they have, Goonerholic. Welcome to our family, all you lovely new holics π Nite everyone.
“I also donβt accept ArsΓ¨ne has put a foot wrong.”
So far this transfer window has been a shambles. The fact is that we don’t know who to blame for it. The fact is that we have no idea what the truth it.
What IG has said was not knew. We were told 5 years ago that we had identified the weaknesses and were talking to targets. That was before the season had ended. Regardless of what happens in the coming weeks, is it really surprising that fans feel let down?
If IG has learnt one thing this window it’s don’t start giving it the big one unless you can back it up. The locals don’t like it.
Basically, and from a metaphysicotheologocosmonigological perspective, everything may go horribly wrong. If it does, I will have to cope. I’m pretty confident that I will, somehow. I’m pretty certain that worrying about it from now until the start of the season, the closing of the window or whenever isn’t going to help me or anyone else.
I completely accept everyone’s right to follow there own path wherever it leads, and whether or not it involves a handcart. I do, occasionally wonder why they have chosen that path and would prefer it if they didn’t try quite so hard to persuade me to follow them. Sometimes it gets me down to the extent that I comment.
I will attempt to maintain a more trappist demeanour.
Good night all.
Pangloss. My take is really simple. There are people paid extremely well to run our club. They have a job to do. I would expect that for a club like Arsenal for those to be at the top end of their game. If they can’t do their job then they should put their hands up and exit side door on the left. All I want is for people to do their job. No more, no less. The fact that the season is a week away and the squad is paper thin is not good enough for me.
Fully admit I’m a little bit pissed now. Love my local, even if it is a bit too bloody loud on open mic night *grudgingly accepts age-induced morphing into Meldrew-like existence*
Anyhoo, before I embark on a proper back drink, I do wish to just put into the ether a thought for consideration in response to Steve T’s “utter shambles” comment which caught my eye as I returned.
Steve I am completely with you on the ‘it’s preferable to do ya transfer business early’ front. I think there would be few who would disagree, and I most certainly agree with you on that.
But isn’t it just a shade early to be calling it a shambles before we know who we’ve actually got come the new season?
Will most certainly agree it’s a shambles when the window slams shut, if it is as it is now, and we still have multiple vacancies. But right this second, even though we haven’t strengthened yet, it doesn’t mean we won’t in the next couple of weeks.
I won’t call your view premature prognostication, because I’m too drunk and can barely spell it. Also you might think it rude, and you’re bigger than me π But I do think we shouldn’t be too hasty in our conclusions, before the window closes.
Right, off for a quick back drink (if I can still focus)…
Premature prognostication?
I can see it coming…..
Heh @ zico π
Struggling to back drink because I appear to be having difficulty focusing. If everyone could just type IN REALLY LARGE type for a bit, I’ll be right. Thank you.
*wobbles a bit and tries closing one eye*
Looks like FIFA’s ‘brown envelope’ form of voting is starting to create problems for them as they’ve just checked the list of upcoming World Cup hosts, seen it’s Qatar in 2022, and gone, “Hang about. How can anyone play a tournament in midsummer in one of the hottest places on the planet?”
They’re talking about moving it to winter. Seriously.
Glad to see you too are well into pre-season trainng for next Saturday, Snowman. π
Can already taste it…..real football.
Fuck the transfer window and all the media whores that thrive on it……
Snowy. I accept that vast quantities of alcohol has entered your body but what I actually said was it had been a shambles SO FAR.
In 7 days time we play Villa. In 10 days we are playing in Turkey. Players should have arrived by now, should have integrated and should be ready to hit the ground running. But that is not even close.
I have said several times before that I will reserve judgement until the window closes. I have also said that I accept that certain deals are complicated and take time. But I don’t believe that to be the majority of them. Think back to the conversations we had several weeks back. In fact it was 5 weeks ago if memory serves me right. Then look at what has happened and where we are now.
zico – I am an ‘athlete’ and train constantly π
*wobbles a bit more and tries to remember whether the NHS ‘liver czar’ is on speed dial yet, and if not why not…*
Well said, Zico!
The transfer window can indeed take its rumours, scrunch them up into into a ball and sit on them.
Is there a transfer window open?
Shit!
SNOWY. TOTTENHAM SIGNED CAPOUE. REALLY. WAS IT YOU OR ONE OF THE OTHER HOLICS WHO WAS DROOLING OVER HIM IN AN UNSEEMLY MANNER ALL SUMMER? PROBABLY ONE OF THE OTHER ONES. NEVER MIND.
Fair point Steve. It’s not ideal, and it is starting to feel a very long time since Lars’s birthday bash when we were expecting some news.
But I do think that the landscape is more complicated than us outside observers might want it to be. Every target we go for (whether they are major targets or plan B or C or whatever), if successful creates a vacancy in another club which has to be filled from another target, which if successful has to be filled from another target from another club etc etc and so it goes on.
A few days ago I was just bewildered at trying to second guess our negotiating/transfer strategy full stop. On reflection (alcohol this evening aside) I think I might rather not have to consider it at all, because it is horrendously mind boggling. And aesthetically, I feel I have to believe that the club are trying their best in this, because I have no evidence otherwise and, gut feeling, I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t be trying?
8 ball – it wasn’t me because frankly, I’ve never watched him.
But thanks for typing in big letters, I got it.
And also I couldn’t give a shit who they sign because they’ll still be Spurs.
And another thing that is possibly an even bigger shambles than our lack of transfer dealings is our game against Fenerbahce. Why the fuck are we playing a side that is banned for two years??? We play the second leg on the 27th. Their appeal hearing is on the 28th. So they could be officially banned the day after we play them????? So we face the very real possibility of having players injured or receiving cards in a game that feasibly should never have been played?????? Whose brainchild was that one????
Pangloss
I take your note as the supreme form of flattery. Sadly we must differ on Wenger. He rates 1/10 with me so far this window and is running out of time to increase that score. It’s possible but unlikely I would say.
Snowy. Manuel Almunia played many games for us. He tried in every single one. I don’t remember him ever giving anything less than 100%. But it did not matter how much he tried, in the end we all knew the truth. He was just simply not good enough.
Never be afraid to ask questions of those in charge. It doesn’t make you disloyal. It doesn’t make you anti Arsenal. It just shows that it actually matters.
Our transfer window has become a complete pane, with tricky catches and deals hingeing on things we know nothing about. One target after another has been framed, only to then be missed as fans vent their feelings, and eyes glaze over confronted by the plethora of nonsense written about it all.
Some sill-y things have been said and done – are we being told the truth or have we been leaded up the garden path ?
We have so far grabbed a total of only one single player from the French window, and have made not even a stain, let alone a mark, on any other market.
It’s not only us though. At ManUre even the Glazers have not been able to manage their window successfully, and have used a fantasy bid for our old captain, Cesc Fibreglass, to smoke screen their other failed bids.
Don’t take this all too seriously though. I suspect most have already seen through it. π
Steve @ 88 – their alleged wrongdoings and potential censure for those wrongdoings – that’s not wholly down to us surely?
Blame us for not finishing higher than fourth, yes, but we can’t be held at fault for UEFA being slow in managing another club’s poor behaviour.
Just putting it out there, but how do Sky News get away with their blatant policy of only hiring hotties to do their newscasting?
I meant UEFA. How can they possibly sanction a game that a day later may be expunged from all record books????? It’s totally bizarre.
Porco,
No idea but it’s great isn’t it. π
It’s our Everest Trev.
Proco.
Who cares????
π
Ah, with ya now Steve. Nothing surprises me about that bunch of self-serving trough scoffers. We’ve been hosed enough times with their random decisions. Not sure what we can even do about it, constructively.
if only there were some lawyers on this site who could advise π
Just putting it out there, but how do Sky News get away with their blatant policy of only hiring hotties to do their newscasting?
Jim White – he’s so dreamy.
Cynic -@ 99 π
Not calling for Sky to change that policy, mind.
heh @ Steve T, Trev, Cynic
Snowy. Pissed and you’ve scored???? Not a bad Friday night then??!
Nice link play and good goal snowy. π
Heh @ Steve – π
And well in Porco for the properly coveted spot…
Awesome. 101 rules.
*celebratory glass of Pinot Grigio on the bar for whoever fancies it*
Puts a shot on goal for a return to the glory spot!!
Surely a few of Steve T’s drinks will be deleted ! π
Right Holic?! Holic? Hellllooooo.. .. Damn
Cheers Trev π
In other news, a certain meerkan seems to have remembered he’s taking about a ‘football’ club as opposed to some ‘franchise’ thing. Or baseball ‘uniforms’. Or whatever.
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/142149-john-henry-on-luis-suarez-situation?
Even if it weren’t that bunch, I’d still be laughing.
I think the landlord’s nodded off π
Speaking of which, bed beckons. Tomorrow will include a mission for a buggy and for that a man needs his strength…and his beauty sleep π
106 is now the glory spot!!
No one tell TaBs. π
Ahhh…and gaaah…’tis only with a little back-drink-ette that I realise that I missed Trev’s sterling punnitude on the subject of windows.
*hangs head in shame*
Snowy,
Don’t cry. It was just a little window pain. π
Think it’s curtains for me I’m afraid NorCal π
*slides off chair unable to consider matching Trev’s pun-geniusosity*
Night all, until the morrow
Just want to pay my respect to the tabmiester I’ve not seen the bar that busy since vortoggen capoue and an other we’re linked.
I see the ManCs left Barry behind when they set off for Helsinki and their weekend date with disappointment. I hope there’s no significance in that for us. A decent player, but at 32 hardly the dynamic DMF solution we’re all hanging out for surely?
If we can’t get Fellaini or equivalent we’d be better off bringing Song back from his Barca bench, imo.
I want to start a rumour that we’ve made another bid for Marco Reus, who has agreed subject to our also signing a class striker. Whatever happened to that Reus bid, does anyone know?
Oskar
Always thought Quagliarella was worth it just for the name. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23505733
βIt’s hard because they buy good players of course, but it’s exciting and stimulating as well,” Arsene talking about Citeh in the press conference.
You see, it’s comments like that that really don’t do us any favours. It’s hard because they buy good players??????? As much as I love and admire the bloke I do wish he would think about what he is saying.
Does anyone know if the game is on TV anywhere??
Have a good trip Lars.
‘Ello Holic’s.. Long time reader. .First time poster..
Seems like I know all your usual poster’s personally since I go thru’ all the comments.. (Now now – I’m not a psychic – Thou’ I wished I was)..
And Tabs – Why did you stopped ‘The Behind the Arses” thingy?? Big fan – big fan.
Sorry I’m blabbering or something like that.. English is my 17th language from where I come from – Do you believe that?? Fun facts??
Anyways – Goonerholic. Don’t need to say what other’s have said all along.
A toast to you and all the holic’s. It’s a pleasure being at your blog and your wonderful posters. Always leave with a smile. Thank you.
Porco @ 93
I actually know one of those girls very well.
She knows absolutely feck all about sport, you’ll be stunned to hear. Suspect the selection process is more swimsuit competitor than Question of Sport.
Not that anyone’s complaining.
A warm welcome to you, AL2.0, hope you drop by more often.
Apologies for my rudeness. There are a few new faces here. (Arsene, Ivan, please take note).
A warm welcome to you all.
Heh Steve @ 121.
Holics low profile is cos he’s been working on these new signings. π
Said it before, and I’ll say it again. You are really special. Money continues to arrive for the Terry stone. Thank you all.
Take a bow each and every one of you, not just son π
Holic. Did you get my e mail from about a week ago???
Fresh stew and rumblings in the Rooney saga!
I’m getting more convinced that if the Suarez deal continues to stall and ‘pool continue to play dirty-buggers, Rooney’s waiting on the wings!
At this stage in his career, realistically competing in the upcoming 2 World Cups and Euro Champs with England, and having a genuine chance of winning the damn things, means more to him than an extra Β£50,000 a week and/or more success at just club football. He’s highlighted this ongoing frustration during the international matches on several occasions over the past couple of years. Where better over the next 5 years for him to play regularly and telepathically gel with the new core of England than at the Grove! (ref. Wilshere, Walcott, Ox-Chamb, Jenkinson, Gibbs). That’s why he’ll reject a move to those cunts at the Bus Stop!
I have Steve, but was blacked out in Devon so will catch up with everything this weekend.
Apologies to all about my tardiness in responding if you have sent mail and/or donations. I’ll be in touch before tomorrow is out.
‘Holic, email me the details of the stone contribution for Terry. Cheers.
Can someone just enlighten me on something?
The window closes on September 2nd. Does that mean that the points available in the league before that point don’t count? Are the Villa, Fulham and Spuds games meaningless friendlies with no ramifications? Same question re the Fenerbache game. If we lose that game will they allow us to replay it after September 2nd cos that’s apparently when the season starts?
I remember commenting a few years back that what is the point waiting to the end of the window to do our business when we had tricky league games and a tricky CL qualifier. My point was that we could be off the pace in the league and potentially out of said CL by that magical date. I argued that we were unneccesarily gambling with fortunes of the club. I was told then by a fair few regulars that let’s all reserve judgement til the end of the transfer window. By the end if the window we were 8 points behind the leaders after 3 games and had scraped through to the CL proper.
Here we are two years later and we are telling ourselves the same lie. It actually does matter what happens between now and September 2nd. We are gambling again on the fortunes of the club when there really has been no need to. There are points up for grabs before the window closes. Points we will no doubt need come the end of the season. The CL tie is a tie we dare not lose if we want to attract super duper top top quality. It appears we are incapable of learning from our mistakes. A very worrying trait.
The time is now.
No problem Holic. As and when. Just checking it had not got lost in cyberspace.
Can’t disagree NB1. Seems somewhat dilatory.
Does anyone know if our match is on UK TV or do we have to hunt for a stream?
Morning all, welcome AI2.0,
Snowy, plink plink fizz, π
Bloggs this morning. Nail. Head.
Right down to the going for a walk with the dog.
It helped me the last couple of days.
For about an hour.
Just talk the dog for a longer walk then, Trev π
I think it is on Setanta in Ireland, bath. Streams should therefore be available.
I may wait for the delayed transmission on Arsenal Player. We shall see.
I dont usually agree with arseblogger. I like his style and humourl but he tends to discuss myths and rumours about our past dealings (or lack there of), passing half truths off as facts etc.
However, I concur, he is bang on the money today, but maybe that is just because I have sunk to his negative levels more than anything else.
Whatever, I cannot find any positives this summer, apart from the jettisoning of certain fringe players, surplus to requirements. And as H says, the words of gazidis after that dramatic last day gave encouragement and optimism to even the most jaundiced Gooner.
But all that potential good will has vanished in the club’s painful failures and a lack of desire to address woefully weak positions.
Where is the experienced keeper? The top notch versatile CB? The box to box, ,ore defensive minded midfielder? And that effin amazing goal machine of a striker?
This pointless, embarrassing pursuit of Suarez is frankly baffling, and the epitmoe of an ill judged, poorly thought out transfer strategy. WTF are we doing pissing about going for him when its clear we wont get him, unless we offer something akin to out totla tranfer budget???
We could have got Villa and Teves for Β£15m combined!!!
Bananas π
I was initially happy we didnt go for the players we were linked with early in the summer, as I thought we could get batter ones. But right now? I’d happily take Cesar, Williams, Fellaini and, erm, well, ummm, Mr A Worldclassstiker/
I achieved a personal first – one of my comments got kicked!
Then I lost 101. Boo.
Heh! Impersonation never pays, especially when responding to MNB π
Plink plink fizz? Don’t mind if do Trev π
Unconfirmed reports Liverpool have had a Β£24m bid accepted for Muriel of Udinese.
Good player, one we might take a look at as an alternative.
MNB??? Is he back. Has he put his hand in his pocket yet or is he still a TAC???
Morning Snowy. Nice to see you have surfaced. Well done.
‘Morning’ Steve – been up for hours, hard at erm ‘work’…reading the papers π
And for those of you who can get behind the paywall, there are a couple of absolutely cracking (but at the same time slightly depressing) articles by the always excellent Matthew Syed:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3838912.ece
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3838928.ece
These are themes he’s picked up before. The first article concerns the ways the super wealthy from questionable regimes are using popular cultural inconography (including football clubs) as a way to divert attention from/legitimise/normalise their regimes. The second is simply a chronology, starting with a 2010 dinner between Sarkozy, Platini and the then PSG owners, following subsequent events leading to the awarding of the 2022 world cup to Qatar, and the employment of Platini’s son by a Qatari-owned sports clothing company.
I’m not going to attempt to paraphrase, first because Syed makes some very interesting points far better than I ever could, and second because I don’t have the benefit of a News International lawyer to check my copy and I don’t want to get the Guv’nor into trouble.
And as for City’s ‘efficiency’ in building their squad this window, I imagine that’s it’s pretty bloody easy to be ‘efficient’ when you have effectively limitless funds and FFP rules that aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
I have no admiration for their way of doing business because I regard both the way that many of these sheiks and oligarchs made their money, and how they use their wealth to dispose of those who question them, pass legislation to permit the systematic abuse of dissenters, homosexuals, women and migrant workers (amongst a whole raft of other groups) as completely and utterly despicable.
All this, whilst generally inveigling themselves into the commercial life and power structures of liberal democracies, as if it were a perfectly acceptable of behaving.
Well frankly it’s not. Any countries that legitimise abuse against homosexuals, turn a blind eye to human trafficking or imprison female victims of rape, are just vile and completely indefensible. And the more I read about things, the less I like some of our own sponsors.
Anyway, I realise it’s a bit early in the day for a rant, and until the game later, there’s cricket to be watched. Laters all.
Hey, snowy’s back, hello, good morning and welcome ! π
I couldn’t get behind the paywall on the Times link, but did notice two things.
Sarkozy had a meeting with Platini, who seems to be wearing his pantomime mask in the photograph, and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, who has since become Emir.
That’s some shortening of a name, eh ? π
Having just returned from an even longer walk with the dog, I was amazed and disappointed to discover we still haven’t signed anyone.
Arsene himself said that it was very difficult to contact anyone while away on the Asia Tour, so it would be very surprising if we have left trying to sign someone until all the international players are spread all over the world.
Wouldn’t it ? π
snowy @ 144
Well said.
Leaving aside what may be right/wrong with our transfer policy it makes me physically ill to listen to pundits praising City while ignoring the gigantic elephant in the room.
They’ll get no credit for me. As a wise man once said; you can take all your medals and throw them in the bin, because you’ve won them all by cheating.
And ps, you work for the scum of the earth.
Nice rant snowy.
Doesn’t it just make you long for the good old days when the worst things happening in football were chairman fiddling the expenses a bit to keep themselves in G&Ts and fat cigars.
One player is now paid more in one week than it used to cost to run a top club for a year, thanks to the crazy sums of money pumped in to the game to publicise and romanticise dodgy owners and global communications corporations.
Still, as long as it keeps Niklas Bendtner in luxury, it’s ok with me. π
Interesting too, that having won their first title in god knows how many years, Citeh’s owners sacked their manager for not instantly repeating the feat.
Personally, I didn’t like Mancini but he did have a horror show to put up with in the dressing room, and still nearly did it again.
And so he should with the resources he had, but the response of their fans and owners, in their special circumstances, was as childish as it was predictable.
144 & 146, right on, agree completely.
Trev @ 149
The City dressing room could have been empty and Mancini would still have fallen out with it.
He was exactly the same as a player.
Blimey we’re allowed to field a potential signing.
Sebastian Perez http://www.francefootball.fr/news/Sebastian-perez-vers-arsenal/391869
Apparently he’s on the bench.
Trev 145, yeah π
Shame, apparently his dad (with a similarly short name) was a Gooner, the new one is PSG.
Well he’s the PSG owner.
Trev
Childish doesn’t even begin to describe it.
After the blue Mancs became successful, a previously unseen number of plastics – who just wanted to lord it over others like the spoilt kid with the best roller skates in the playground – came out of the woodwork and started throwing their weight around.
Theooooooo!
Stitch that you cnuts!
1-0 the Arse?
Yep!
COYRs!
People who are watching pls give us commentary.
Well said Cent.
If you’re watching can you also try and work amusing metaphors and football cliches into your comments, thanks.
Missed the goal.. but since then (started watching 15 min in), we looked … hmm.. comfortable.. have defended well, arteta is still a rock, kos is still in fine form with a couple of crucial interceptions.
for any one looking for a link
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=214159&part=sports
Ramsey looks tidy, really good b2b performance so far. We are lacking that CAM spark. Wilshere looks a little unfit in my opinion
the Goal was superb. Ramsey with a gedion pass for Theo to run on-to and finish with a chip over hart
Half ends 1-0 to the gunners π
Nice one
Thanks for the commentary, GPN.
I hate to say this, but Wilshere looks completely out of form.
Falls to easily. looses possession all over the pitch, misplaces passes, losses duels. The worst of all is that I think it is a psychological problem.
He needs to get back ans toughen up, we need him badly this season.
Come on you reds!!!
SANNNNTTIIII ..on for wilshere.
Fab on for schez
some arsenal reject on for the oily c*nts
Very true lurky. He looks out of form and fitness. I hope we get him into the team gently. He took a couple of hard knocks here as well. His game makes the opposition foul him a lot. Hope hes ok
Did i say Kos is amaazing. He is such a beast. glides over the pitch.
RAAAMMMMMBOOOOO
ramsey!!!!!
Ramsey!!!
Bravo. Well deserved
I must admit that from one of the committed Ramsey haters I converted to one of his admirers.
Made a run from mid, a pass to santi, continued his run, santi picked him with a gentle through ball, took hart out of the game with a couple of touches and placed it into the net. Boom ! take that city !
3-0 Giroud. Welcome to PL Pelegrini
Ramsey has been the most improved player for the past 6 -7 months. Has really grown into the mid role,. while im typing…
its GIRROOOUUUD
HAHAHAHAAHAA
3-0 Take that you City bellsniffs.
Pissing myself laughing at this.
Snowy – Great rant. You can stick our 30% shareholder in the cunt bin as well π
It would be better we substitute Ramsey with Handbrake. Put the god damn Handbrake on, Arsene.
Perez is on.
The Handbrake?
Interesting. Really intrigued by perez. I would sign him.. just for his hairstyle π
GPN, imagine him and Rosicky, couple of guitars, leather jackets and Harley’s. Right, off to get my coat.
Heh @ Lurky !
Jenks is on. The Finks love him.
This is beautiful.
3 – 0 !!!
You can stick your fcuking money
Stick your fcuking money
Stick your fcuking money up your Arse-n-al π
navas needs to man up. Cheating scumbag
Thank fuck football is still played on pitches and not on twitter/the back pages, eh lads?
Well done you gunners.
A Trophy presentation for Arsenal players. I like the sound of that.
I give it 2 weeks before Navas is back in Sevilla after suffering terribly with excruciating home sickness.
Well done boys, now kick on from here!
Very encouraging performance.
Now to add a few players.
we do have a team right now that is capable of making a decent start while negotiations for new additions continue
Mr Smug here π
We do need players.
But no one should act like what we have right now is shit. There’s just not enough of them is all. And if a worldy is available, that would be the cherry.
Wonderful result. Will give the lads and the fans a lot of hope. A couple of additions and we are gold.
For anyone who gets told “it’s just a friendly”, remember the effect the Bayern win had on the lads.
This side needs confidence, they are growing together as a unit.
Oh, and great stuff from Rambo. Got to say that if we add Gustavo the midfield options look really good to me.
heh smugholic
I dont think anyone could argue that the players we have arent quality, the run after the Munich game showed what they can do. But that was for 12 games, if we are serious, we need to do it for over 3 times that number and we frankly dont currently have enough players to last that course.
Plus, I think as well as adding to the squad, there are at least 2 positions that could do with upgrading.
And I agree, a defeat (that I saw being hoped for by a few so called Arsenal blogs and ‘fans’) would not have been any kind of help to the cause at all.
Up the Arse!
Job well done. Now to get drunk. For anyone remembering the “core” discussion the other day, this is what I’m saying. A few more of this kind of players to last four competitions is still what I want. I love stardust as much as the next supporter, but a solid team of likeminded players goes a long way. A few more bodies on the same level, skill- and commitmet-wise as these players and then add stardust when the right opportunity arises and I’m happy.
Don’t worry N7, if we’d lost it wouldn’t have been ‘just a friendly’ π
It was indeed important for the confidence, though we’ll need to be humble again against Villa.
Well in Toby!
Toby + Norris – agreed.
Were there really people hoping we’d lose this? Only makes the win a little sweeter.
Absolutely Ollie.
I think the Villa game could really set the tone for what follows, both on the pitch and in the stands.
A job well done. Now to get drunk.
Not that well done, then? π
Very heartening result.
Momentum is important.
And only 7 sleeps. 8)
N7, I fully agree that we should not diminish the result, and the committed spirited performance. The defense looked really solid and some very effective counter-attacking play with quality finishes. Excellent performances form Sagna, Mertesacker-Koscielny, Ramsey and Theo being very effective. Giroud scored a good goal, and was generally strong on hold-up play, but Poldi/Jack/Santi/Arteta were all a bit disappointing. Poldi especially. Ox and Gibbs were mixed, great athleticism but inconsistent passing.
The fault-lines were evident as well: lack of enough guile and individual quality in the attacking third, not enough coverage for defensive midfield. Perez looked like having enough skill and positional discipline to be signed as a prospect, but cannot be a first team sub option with so little experience.
However, unlike the last couple of seasons we can start with a great spirit and until the reinforcements arrive good enough first eleven to get going. My choice for the Villa game if everyone is fit:
Szczesny
Sagna-Per-Koscielny-Gibbs
Arteta-Rambo-Rosicky
Theo-Giroud-Santi
Poldi, Jack, Ox, Jenk on the subs bench.
Apparently just won another Gold medal, the first question he asked reporters after his race? ‘How did Arsenal get on?’
BTW, the stupidity of arranging international friendlies in this week really irks me. Arsene should do a Fergie and declare everyone unfit (knowing full well he would never do anything like that).
N7 Saw a few posts this morning. Sad but true.
Good work out for the lads, back home, before having to eff off on all those poxy internationals!
Think/hope we might see a bit of transfer related action next week.
Oh its amazing what a win, even a friendly can do to one’s outlook! π
I have purposely been avoiding all things Arsenal this close season, but things got to me, hence the need to vent earlier. I hope we sort it out, as I do believe the title is up for grabs this season more than in years and with 3 or 4 quality additions we could be right in the mix.
I hope that IF the spuds do sign Capoue, he isnt as good as I think he is! He was one of my transfer wishes for a position we desperately need adding to.
To be fair we haven’t played spectacularly. City were the dominant side in terms of possession, but we were composed and determined. In fact we looked just like the team that had that 10 games unbeaten run.
Almost all the players played their part in today’s victory. However it is obvious that there are two players that this side cannot allow to lose, not for a minute this season. Arteta and Koscielny. Every other player in the squad is replaceable. Even Santi.
It seems that Sagna and Ramsey are both back on form. Which is great news. The same cannot be said about young Jack. He falls to easily. losses duels and possession. We will need him to be on his best if we want something from the season.
I was satisfied with both of the goalkeepers. However Mertesacker. made couple of mistakes that other time might get punished. He has his qualities, but his slowness is a great weakness, and clever forwards exploits that.
The new boy Perez. What can I say, you always recognize a nutter when you see one. If we sign him, put your money on 10+ yellow and 2+ red cards in a season.
Zico, not saying I’ve been honouring my commitments, beer wise, but quite happy with the players. Actually, I hope they get a bit drunk tonight. One last big one before the seasons begin.
Seems City have added another lot of play-actors to their cast. Today’s Ref did us proud!
There was lots to admire, all 3 goals were class efforts. Pity Kos got caught out but the kids had only just taken over in the mid-field and hadn’t found their feet.
Promising, BUT this afternoon was not an excuse to do nothing in the xfr market. We still need defensive cover, a MF enforcer and another striker.
There were a number of really nasty tackles dished out by City, fingers crossed, Jack, who was on the end of many, is OK. He started well but his form dropped later in the match.
I can’t believe that with the current thin PL squad and the crucial CL play-offs just round the corner, AW won’t have reinforcements in place before the TWD. We are a bad tackle away from disaster.If we should loose Kos next week,heaven forbid!
As always COYRs
We don’t have to play spectacularly. We need to be composed and determined. To win the CL or the league, we need a few more players, and probably some extra quality. But I’m a huge believer in these players, pretty much all of them, and believe that even if we do buy a few players they will all have an important part to play this season. And I love that feeling. Not expecting much from this season just because I think injuries and fatigue will catch this squad, but at least I’ll have a great time until that point.
I hope we strengthen more to extends enjoyment than anything else. I’m not a hard-to-please supporter. I want to hang in there for as long as possible, and watch a few good games.
I enjoyed today.
And NOW to get drunk.
Ps. Cheers, pure luck with the goal today.
What a fantastic result. If we’d lost, the press and everyone would go to town on us. Obviously, now that we’ve won it’ll be “It’s just a friendly, it doesn’t tell us anything we need to know”
Ps, me writing posts on an iPhone shouldn’t be allowed. Sorry for the level of my language.
Lurky, completely agree that at this time Arteta and Kos are extremely vital for us. I am worried about arteta. We cannot make him run full 90 mins for over 35 matches. he needs a rest and and currently there is none in the squad who can do his job.
I like perez. His red-card was him being eager and a silly mistake. looks a tidy player and can be bought as one for the future. We need someone NOW and if rumours of Gustavo are true, i would be really pleased. Just the kind of player we need.
Yellow card *
Trev @27 – We certainly are Sir. De Rigeur. π
Impressive result. Not seen any of it yet. Tried to watch it on dot com but can’t seem to get it just yet. Nice to read that it was a decent performance. The long and short is that it was only a friendly, however it can’t do any harm at all to be Citeh so convincingly. Lets just hope the right additions can be made to compliment those that are left.
A few of the less reliable sources are reporting we’ve agreed a fee of 14m with Bayern for Gustavo. Obviously it means little as yet, but these kinds of rumors are the necessary preliminary for anything real happening. It would certainly be a lift if true.
Welcome TJ and Al2-0. Seems the bog is rather more adept at finding fresh talent than the Club at the moment.
Garsguns @114 – Heh, thanks for the kind words, but I think the Suarez shenanigans might have had more to do with the explosion of drinks than anything I said. π
N7 @50 Spot on, and @187 amen to that.
SteveT @72 – The tenor and substance of what IG said at the start of the Summer was completely different to anything that we had heard in the last 5 years. That is why he should be held to account if nothing comes to fruition.
Snowy @98 – Not me I’m afraid. The machinations of Uefa are way beyond the thinking of us mere mortals.
NorCal @110 – Oh no it isn’t! π
Holic @123 – Heh π
Norris @136 – Why is the pursuit of Suarez “pointless” or “embarrassing”? We’ve made bids. They were rejected. At the very worst, we’ve disrupted a Club that can’t wait to tell the World that they are one of our “competitors”. As Liverpool have staggered from one inept Press con to the next, I’ve loved every minute of it.
Great little work out today. Clinical in front of goal, and pretty solid at the back. Ramsey and Kos the stand outs for me. Also thought Theo had a good game. Unlike others above, I thought Jack had his most encouraging 45 minutes of the pre-season campaign thus far.
Sorry, N7 @189, not @187.
LO@211: We are going to have to give Jack a lot of time to get back to where he was, let alone to where he should be had he not had the injuries. Think how long it has taken Ramsey to get back to being the player he has become after his layoff.
Great result – good for the morale. Fair performance by most. Rambo stood out whilst he was on as did Kosser.
In truth we were fortunate to be 1 up at HT. Podolski looks no better now his ankle is less painful. Just didn’t seems involved.
The second half was a role reversal – we were pressed back and breaking forward. Fabianski made a brave save at Negredo’s feet to keep it 1-0 and our 2 second half goals were well taken on the break. Generally we defended well enough but Per was looking slow and his marking was sloppy at times. OG didn’t hold the ball up front well enough for me when we were being pressed to keep possession.
However despite the result, the performance demonstrates that if we are going to push on from last season and even finish in the same position we need a minimum of:
1) another top central defender
2) a top holding midfielder to relieve MA8 and allow him to play his natural game
3) a natural finisher.
Now you know Arsene – go finish the deals.
NBN ,
my point exactly, Jack needs time, it would be foolish to rush him back and expect miracles of him, he is clearly not at his best.
Arsene: “The strength of the squad is important. We want to play 55 games & we are maybe a bit thin squad-wise to go through a whole season.”
TaBs,
Way to crush my dream. I’ve been up for 28 hours now. Easy to crush.
Good performance. Now, Oi Arsene…..
Cheers all.
Heh Norcal π
We beat Man City with a good team performance and Liverpool lose to Celtic. Should stiffen Suarez’s resolve and maybe help close a couple of other deals in the coming week.
Snowy @ 144, top post.
Thanks tabs @ 222, the club will catch up soon I’m sure π
Couldn’t catch the game today, sounds like we put in a good performance. Had to be, to beat this city side. More of the same next week will do nicely.
Ramsey will play a big part this season if he keeps this up.
A few quality additions and we’ll be in good shape. Already an improvement over the last couple of years. Have a good feeling about this season..
Helsinki’s an expensive shithole with not one decent pub anywhere that we could find and the stadium was a prehistoric dump. But the win qas nice!
Right, back to the beer…
Heh, one of the world’s historically greatest teams lost to the Celtic reserve team. HeHeHe. Suck it up John W Henry.
haha zico 205, sorry can’t be arsed reading the other drinks.
They stole the ‘w’ on your keyboard too, Lars!
Enjoy the beer!
Anyway serious football has just started for the day, Bordeaux vs Nouveaux Riches (well Monaco were always rich though, how the fuck did they get relegated in the first place? They are now MEGA-rich though).
Top report Lars. I will cross Helsinki off of the list of places to visit.
I hope you find somewhere half decent for a beer.
Helsinki is a nice town….just very expensive to drink in. Clearly even for a minted Sede.
Food is ok. Well worth a visit.
+w
Ollie @235 – French football is not serious.
Lars @ 232
That’s the way I remember it too – and a seagull shit on me 5 minutes after I got there, so beware. π
Those Finnish seagulls are smart π
@237 – Solids are for softies Bath π
Heh tabs @ 242
Some of us cannot function without them – not all of us are vampires.
Eating’s cheating.
Heh Lars !
Great travelling support to be heard on Arsenal Player during the commentary today, and that for a pre-season friendly on the northern edge of Europe.
Didn’t hear anything for Citeh – big club my Arse-nal.
Although it was “only a friendly” the result was such a lift – found myself smiling and singing Arsenal songs for the next 20 minutes – after all the online angst of the last weeks.
Our Travelling support has been magnificent for such a long time and the home support – very quiet at times since the move to The Ems – has improved conversely with the state of the team.
Pleasingly, some of the best home support since the move has come when the team has really been in trouble – 0 -2 down to the Spuds springs immediately to mind.
Hopefully it’s not too self indulgent to say that the supporters, now that the club has the means, really deserve the very best chance we can muster to challenge for the top prizes again.
We may well not win them and, yes, today was “only a friendly”, but didn’t it feel great to think that we could be right back up there again.
Come on Arsenal – give us that chance.
When the seagulls follow the Scots …………..
It’s the fish, just the fish.
Indeed Trev, very noticeable today that the vast majority of the crowd appeared to be clad in red and white.
Money can’t buy you everything it seems.
We have had to live now in the shadow of Man Utd and the financial dopers of Man City and Chelsea for the past nine years.
As some, including myself at times, agonise over whether Arsenal are really prepared to spend serious money in the transfer market, now that we have some again, it is hopefully interesting to see that we have broken quite a few records over the last ninety years.
NB Ned, this is really a tribute to you, Sir. It is stats time.
I hope it does you justice.
Player Charlie Buchan
Year 1925
Signed from Sunderland
Fee Β£2,000
Record Arsenal’s first four figure signing
Player David Jack
Year 1928
Signed from Bolton Wanderers
Fee Β£10,890
Record World’s first five figure footballer
Player Bryn Jones
Year 1938
Signed fro Wolves
Fee Β£14,000
Record World’s most expensive footballer
Player Frank McLintock
Year 1964
Signed from Leicester City
Fee Β£80,000
Record Britain’s most expensive footballer
Player Bob McNab
Year 1966
Signed fro Huddersfield Town
Fee Β£50,000
Record England’s most expensive full back
Player Peter Marinello
Year 1969
Signed from Hibernian
Fee Β£100,000
Record Arsenal’s first six figure signing
Player Alan Ball
Year 1971
Signed fro Everton
Fee Β£220,000
Record England’s most expensive footballer
Player David Seaman
Year 1990
Signed from QPR
Fee Β£1,300,000
Record Arsenal’s first seven figure signing
World’s most expensive goalkeeper
Player Dennis Bergkamp
Year 1995
Signed fro Inter Milan
Fee Β£7,500,000
Record England’s most expensive footballer
Player Thierry Henry
Year 1999
Signed from Juventus
Fee Β£10,500,000
Record Arsenal’s first eight figure signing
Player Theo Walcott
Year 2006
Signed from Southampton
Fee Β£5,000,000 rising to Β£12,000,000
Record World’s most expensive teenager
Well, my spacing seems to have disappeared but the information is all there. π
Bet ‘holic remembers all of them Trev π
haha, snowy, I hope he doesn’t see that π
I saw that π >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Fine list there, Trev.
We are the Arsenal
Trev,
Great research and a point well made. At the end of my first season as a Gooner we signed John Charles’ brother Mel for Β£45,000 which was a record fee then I believe. Everyone was after him.
I thought Jimmy Greavesheld the record when we signed McLintock but we had recently signed Joe Baker for about Β£65,000 which was very big money then.
In fact we pushed the boat out until we built the new stadium which was built so we could…push the boat out.
Today was encouraging and frustrating a the same time. Encouraging because it shows we have a good core of players…. If only we could add the few players we need to make us contenders. Every deal we hear about seems to be followed by news tyt its a hoax. Gustatory seems to be going the same way….
COYG!
Austerity trevis as bob Dylan says the times are a changing.and that transfer thing a me jig is as dated as cba.