Gunners And Coventry Lighten The Gloom
Jan 25th, 2014 by 'holic
On a strange night Arsenal progressed into the last sixteen of the FA Cup and landed the ‘holic pound into the bargain. It being an evening fixture I was condemned to join the poor souls subjected to BT Sports presentation. Those of you who were there must have enjoyed it much more.
It was encouraging to see such a strong eleven selected to start, and particularly the combination of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the defence. They were needed, particularly in the second half as the visitors grew in confidence and ambition.
By now most will have seen at least the goals and other excellent reports of what happened. Suffice it to say in the first half Coventry started by applying pressure only in their half, and in so doing invited us onto them. It was a risky tactic and not unexpectedly with intelligent movement and intricacy of passing we were able to engineer a number of opportunities.
The opening goal owed a great deal to the vision of Mesut Ozil, once again. He fed Lukas Podolski with a slide-rule pass and his German international team-mate finished with style. The Arsenal midfield, lacking the recognised deep-lying players, displayed even more rotation than usual, although Jack Wilshere took his defensive responsibilities a little too seriously and picked up the only yellow card of the night for what could only be called a ‘Scholes’ of a tackle.
The second goal was a throwback, a near post corner flicked on by Mertesacker for Poldi to head home at the far post. It was no more than we deserved. The visiting supporters protests started shortly afterwards and it was heartening to see and hear the generous applause of the home crowd in support of their plight. As if that wasn’t unusual enough the partial floodlight failure that followed caught the imagination as the quick-witted turned their mobile phones into candles. Well played the crowd!
The second-half was an entirely different affair. Coventry abandoned the shackles that had constrained them before the break and will consider themselves unlucky not to have netted a consolation, particularly when Leon Clarke side-footed against the post. Credit too to Lukasz Fabianski for a couple of instinctive saves as the pressure mounted.
Arsenal regained control with the substitutions of Santi Cazorla and Gedion Zelalem for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nicklas Bendtner. More important (for the ‘holic pound) was the arrival of Olivier Giroud who took just five minutes to get his name on the scoresheet. There remained sufficient time for Cazorla to notch the fourth, perhaps insignificant in the context of the tie, but so important for my wallet.
A word about Zelalem is in order. It feels compulsory to warn against excessive praise for players so young, but he showed enormous composure and speed of thought when making his cameo last night. His emergence will only add to the competition for places in a midfield already rich in talent, and that must surely be a good thing.
Also worthy of additional mention are the Coventry supporters, one idiot aside. They made their voices heard, and their protest was impressive. That they came in numbers to support their club at a time when the owners are steering them in the direction of ruin was a credit to them. I hope they will be rewarded by Sisu coming to their senses and making a deal with Coventry Council that will benefit all sides.
All in all, that was a very good, if unusual, Friday night. Have a good weekend, ‘holics.
166 Responses to “Gunners And Coventry Lighten The Gloom”
TOP OF THE SHOP!!
2nd?
Nice one ‘holic.
I thought yestrday was a pretty business like performance, no fireworks, just job done. Coventry came and played their part, maybe they were a bit overawed in the first 45 but they definetly went fot it in a good section of the second half, all credit to them for that.
Their supporters were great and I wish them all the best in their goal to return their club to the city where it belongs.
——–
Many Happy Returns TTG!!!
Nice report ‘Holic
Nothing to add to this. Like H2H I think we were so confident that fireworks was not needed. Özil’s assist was one of a player worth 40+ mills. Also the rest of his game was good.
A brace for Poldi probably just what the doctor ordered. This could do his confidence only good and that, along with his calmness in front of goal is really encouraging.
Bring on the next, looks like the team is ready for it 🙂
If Ozil could just add shooting to his game, we have a future Ballon d’or winner. That said, the match was a bit of a training session except for maybe Jenkinson. He really took the match seriously the boy. He deserves praise too. I hope we win our next match. Everything looks so good for us ATM + poldoski just hashtagged #lord on twitter for Bendtner. The boys are having fun. Next Stop: Southampton
Nice report, ‘h. I only got to see a bit of the second half.
Ttg, have a good one, mate.
Congrats on the ‘Holic pound. Nice write up. Win the next match.
BMBD
Hopefully, our first top ten finish in this bar!
‘holic, your match reports are like that pass from Ozil to Poldi for the first — straightforward, precise, elegant despite its simplicity.
Don’t spend it all in one place!
The Holloway Road pub crawl started at The Cock Tavern by Highbury and Islington station. 7 pints later we arrived at the ground just in time to complete the pre match gallon. Various establishments had been visited on the way. As I exited each one I realised more and more why I use the Tollie.
The game itself was pretty much business as usual. I’m not sure we ever really got out of second gear.
The Coventry protests were well supported by all at the ground. The lights dimming was followed by the phone flash lights and a chorus of “spend some fucking money.”
4 nil was as convincing as it needed to be. Holic cleaned up as many others will have done too. No new injuries and a nice warm up for Tuesday.
The after match discussions continued in the Tollie. A brief encounter with TS and a couple of pints followed. Then it dawned on me that this had not been a normal Saturday game but a game on a Friday evening and one I needed to make sure I didn’t miss my last train for.
This morning has involved tea, nurofen, kids football training and sausages. All in all an enjoyable way to spend a Friday night and Saturday morning.
Nice write up Holic. Now on to Tuesday. Happy days.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ytYBCOTUluo
Very funny. Typical classless Chav fans.
Come off it Steve – you could go to any ground in the country and find plonkers like that.
But funny all the same. No wonder the human race will soon be extinct.
Good write up, Governor.
Very encouraging stuff last night. Goals from Santi and Poldi very important; they’re only really getting going now in January, and their goals are likely to be vital in the months ahead.
Thought Gedion looked sharp, and look forward to seeing him get some more minutes before the end of the season. If you watch our third goal, his ball to Santi on the edge of the box is superb; very nicely spotted and executed, cut through the entire Cov midfield and set up the overload. He’s going to be a player. As is Gnabry – hard to believe that the pair of them are so young.
Finally, the clean sheet. We’ve now let in one goal in our last ten home games (Everton). After years of profligacy we are finally properly tight at the back, and it gives us a great platform to go on and win something this season. I certainly don’t think anyone will want us in the next round.
Now to sit back and hope for a weekend full of cup upsets.
COYG
I’ve never understood why we don’t regularly have a Friday night match in England. It would be a great way to start a Premier League weekend under the floodlights, and is surely a prime viewing slot for both TV viewers and those in attendance. It’s a regular feature of leagues in Spain, Germany, France, Turkey etc
FIRST !!!!! ( Spuds equivalent ) 😉
Steve T – “Various establishments had been visited on the way”
Most of them conveniences I should imagine. 😉
Nice one, Holic.
Looking forward to seeing the ‘phone lit stadium’ on the highlights. I missed the first half due to misbehaving streams – cheers for rescuing the seond half to dkgooner.
Thanks all,
Off to start the Burns supper prep.
But mark the Rustic, haggis fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Go Watford!!!
Outstanding post Holic. Thank you …
City have squeezed by Watford.
However, they’ve also shipped more goals. At some point soon they’re going to slip up, mark my words – they’re nowhere near the team they’re being made out to be.
Friday game- strange
half of the lights going off- strange
zalalem on the team sheet-strange
chambo deep midfiel- strange!
Poldi brace- strange he’s on the bench
the win- now thats not strange!
COYGs
I agree with N7.
Citeh are very leaky at the back. That will cost them sooner or later.
Oops.
Not in El Gouna, in Hoorn.
No where near as warm.
Great result, great review. By all account, great away fans too.
COYG
Firstly many thanks to those wishing me many happy returns. Nice of the lads to give me an early present last night.
Holic has done a stalwart job in making sense of a match covered by BT Sport. They have not added much to the pantheon of great football reporting.
I mentioned the ref yesterday. I thought he was a good common sense, non flashy official despite the errors that DK picked up. I mentioned the offside rule. As far as I am concerned you can’t have two blokes on the line from the attacking side ,beyond the goalkeeper , one of whom had to get out of the way of the ball as it passed him and claim they are not offside. It occasioned no argument because it made very little difference to the game but the rule is daft and needs sorting. I always remember letting attackers run behind me knowing they were offside. You can’t do that now and the rule is both confusing and nonsensical. We saw the difficulties that the recent Tiote goal caused at Newcastle. Very soon it will affect a game of great importance in a crucial way. I hope it doesn’t bite us
ttg: I’d argue that our fourth goal would have stood even under the offside rule of the 80’s – because under those rules Giroud and whoever else it was would just have moved inside the goal instead of standing there.
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race!
Prep’d, cooked, scoffed, washed up. Let’s party 🙂
The squad builder is done and operational on http://www.arsegonian.com. Check it out and give a score prediction while you’re there. Thanks.
A Scottish tale – for Holic’s party – or not, as the case may be ! ;
Will Shakespeare and his friend Tim were on a walking holiday in Scotland, and chanced on a local hostelry where they stopped for a drink.
It turned out to be Robbie Burns’ local and soon an argument raged over who was the better poet.
The landlord came up with a plan to settle the dispute, with which they both agreed.
“You each have ten minutes to come up with a poem”, he said, “but it must contain a word of my choice. That word is Timbuktu”.
They retired to their respective corners and set about composing their verse. After ten minutes they were called to the bar to each recite their own efforts. It was decided that Robbie Burns would go first.
He stood atop the bar and began:
“Last time when on the Isle of Skye
I saw two ships go sailing by,
One was red and one was blue,
Aye, they were bound for Timbuktu !”
The whole pub went berserk with the assembled Scots shouting, cheering, stamping their feet, and banging beer mugs on the tables to acclaim their champion.
Will Shakespeare then climbed up on the bar, held his hand up for quiet and began:
“Last time when we were down in Kent
Tim and I a-roving went,
We met three birds from Waterloo,
So I bucked one and Tim-bucked-two !”
And Happy Birthday tag 😉
tag ? – sorry, ttg 😉
Ttg here’s more happy returns. 🙂
Holic and prominent Scottish holics hae a happy haggis. 🙂
8ball, what about we far less prominent ‘holics with Scottish blood?
Trev – hilarious stroy. I’m soo going to use that.
Ttg – cheers – enjoy the day!
Happy Birthday, ttg, and Many Happy Returns
Back on topic…
COYG
Heh Trev 😉
Many happy ones indeed ttg.
Chilled evening. Surprisingly.
Holic…..chilled evening? Get some more whisky inside thee 😉
Happy birthday ttg.
Trev 🙂
Thanks chaps. I was hoping Arsene would buy me Draxler for a present but no luck so far!
Nice write up Holic and only some additional praise for ozil to add.
This guy is a true footballers footballer.
Calm, precise, beautiful ball control under pressure, quick over 10 metres (which is all you need) in the midfield, unselfish and has the best football vision in the game.
Arsene was spot on to spend the full month on this guy as now arsenal is a place full of competition for positions and a place where other pros want to be.
arsene himself also deserves some big credit for believing in his way and sticking to his guns when under fire from all and sundry (including myself).
The squad is starting to look very tidy indeed.
Happy birthday, ttg.
Not to Trev’s standards, but:
http://www.guy-sports.com/funny/funny_scottish_jokes.htm
Re: GAWMI69. I always considered you one of the prominent ones.
But less prominent Scottish ‘holics are included too. 🙂
Nice report ‘holic. The camera phone flashlight thing at the emirates was fantastic
On to Southhampton
Southampton of course*
Happy birthday TTG. Belated am I? Have a great day nonetheless …
Belated HBTTG.
And happy day after the Burns Supper, all.
NBN@38 – nice link. Particularly like no. 2.
The one about the taxi meter – stolen from Woody Allen (Manhattan) or did Woody steal it?
@N7 Gooner: But City came back from 2 goals down at half-time to finish comfortably.. True it was a low-level opposition who generally tire out near the end but still you gotta get the goals, right?
No offense but that is what our own lot DIDN’T do last year against Blackburn (at home) and even this year, I don’t expect our CF to score a hat-trick to turn around the situation..
Just like us in the PL, people expect the overly attack-minded City approach to fail at some point (it well might), but it is scary to see them able to score at any point in a match..
@46 Arsenal fan?
I’m confused – if City can score at any point in a match, how come it took them an hour to score against Watford?
Happy returns TTG!
Congratulation Stan the man! Don’t stop dreamin’, it might come true!
@46.
I think you’re grabbing the wrong end of the stick there mate.
There’s no denying that Citeh are great going forward, but all the truly great teams were built on the foundations of a solid defence. It’s all very well scoring a hatfull, but conceeding two goals to a championship team and the likes of Cardiff and Sunderland must be, in the very least, a little worrying for their management team. Sooner or later they will get found out.
ArsenalFan @ 46: “and even this year, I don’t expect our CF to score a hat-trick to turn around the situation..” Why? I am not comparing Giroud to Aguero, both very different types of players but Giroud is well capable of scoring a hat-trick against Watford.
Last year against a much better Championship side in Brighton he scored two very good goals away from home.
Giroud, Podolski, Santi, Theo are all capable of scoring hat-tricks even against quality oppositions … I believe Santi and Theo both have PL hat-tricks. And Giroud and Poldi have a few braces. We have turned around quite a few matches after going 1-0 down. We didn’t need to turn around from 2-0 downs as we haven’t often been (this season only Chelsea at League Cup and Napoli comes to mind).
As H2H mentioned, a great team needs a solid defensive foundation where City is yet to convince. We went there on Saturday early morning after a Wed away trip to Nepali, and with injuries in the side, and even then we scored three goals (would have been more if the decision making from the officials were correct)…there is a fragility in their defensive make-up which may or may not be fully exposed this season, but if it does they will find it much harder to regroup.
Something that we all Arsenal fans are acutely aware of as we have suffered from defensive fragilities in otherwise high-flying teams over the years.
@ 51: I meant Napoli, of course, and not citizens of the small Himalayan nation …
What a goal by Gervinho.
Still gutted we sold him.
Reminded me of abb. Nursie hope everything is ok.
Cheers for the report ‘H.
Belated happy birthday Ttg – hope you had a good one.
Trev 🙂
Looked good on Friday, albeit against clearly inferior opposition. A stronger team selection than I had certainly envisaged pinged the ball about in the first half in a way which was at times mesmeric. The 2 goals were the least we deserved.Fair play to Poldi – came up with the goods and perhaps should have taken home the matchball.
Took our foot off the gas in the second half, but always felt that a Coventry goal would merely have prompted Arsenal to rapidly go up the other end and add to our tally, rsther than any sustained effort at a comeback. A word for the much maligned Fabianski. He has been largely excellent (albeit injury interrupted) since 2011. Excellent again on Friday, he will be a very good signing for someone in the Summer.
The depth of our squad, so often given as the reason why we won’t last the pace, was more legitimately displayed with the luxury of Santi and Giroud coming on as Subs, and it was no surprise that they were able to add late goals against a tiring Coventry that had been largely chasing shadows all night. With Ramsey and Rosicky on their way back and a fresh wave of Draxler rumours into the bargain, there looks very little wrong with our ‘depth’ from where I’m sitting.
And all that without mentioning our third sub, bang a gong Gedion, (thank you Dr C ;)). Shouldn’t really overload a kid with hyperbole, but … come on, fuck that … this boy is special. Given a fair wind, he’s gonna make it. He looked to have grown physically since pre-season, and he reminded me a bit of Ozil the way he glides over the pitch, instinctively takes up the right positions, and knocks the ball about with both assurance and insight. He looked immediately at home. Can’t wait to see more of him.
Good luck to the Coventry fans in standing up to the uber cunts that are their owners. A dignified protest against people who have no right to be involved in the game and are simply trying to use it to line their own pockets (by acquiring a council owned asset on the cheap) by nefarious means. The more you read about it the more scandalous it becomes. It could happen to any Club. That the FA have sat back and allowed it to happen should fill every Football supporter in the land with fear.
Gutted that City got away with it y’day, and make no mistake, they got away with it. They’re due a bad day at the office and it’s coming. They won’t keep getting out of gaol and for all their attacking flair are even more reliant on Kompany staying imjury free (they had to bring him on at ht yesterday) than we are on OG staying fit. I actually quite enjoyed watching the Prince of Denmark play on Friday – with the result assured, he gave me a couple of real belly laughs.
Last 16, AW picking strong sides, I fancy us for this competition.
Altogether now, “She wore …”
h2h@50, I think it’s you that’s missing the point. I believe that ArsenalFan@46 is seeking to remind us that last year, in the FA Cup we lost to lower league opposition. He doesn’t even have to mention how we fared in the League cup last season.
Why, only 52 years and 9 months ago, as the fine sidebar on this page reminds us, T*ttenham H*stp*r won the title, while we haven’t won anything for, oooh let me see, 6 years is it? We might as well not bother…
Checks league table, oh, well, maybe then…
COYG
@46
The point is that teams with decent defences don’t leave themselves having to score four. Or relying on opposition keepers to chuck a winner into their own net at the death.
Arsenal fans know a team built on sand when we see one – we’ve had a few ourselves. This City team is built on sand; very impressive going forward, ropey as hell at the back. At some stage, that will cost them. It may not have been yesterday, but they will play better sides in the months ahead.
Tabs… You’re too kind.
Just put your 10% against my 10% 😉
its a good morning here on the south east coast of the states, hope all ‘holics r having the same weather…
how about the Draxler transfer rumours, does anyone think it will happen?/ atleast this month?? we sure need to do some business to give us the best chance of winning the league
cheers mates
Catalan,
“Tabs… You’re too kind.
Just put your 10% against my 10% 😉 ”
Ooh err ! 😉
Tabs@54. re Coventry’s owners. Isn’t there still a “fit and proper” requirement for ownership of a league club? Sisu is a vulture fund making a property play. It has no interest football, or even running the club as a profitable business. It is after a large capital gain, which is why it will not come to a reasonable accommodation with Coventry city council to get the team back to its ground. Why was it allowed to even acquire the club?
Ned, I believe the Fit and Proper Person test goes like this:
FA: Hello, Sir/Madam. Are you, in your own mind, a suitable owner?
Greedy Bastard: Why yes, certainly so!
FA: Congratulations, you have passed our rigorous assessment procedure! Feel free to rape and pill… I mean run the club in a responsible manner!
Ned,
the same reason a Premier League club owner was allowed to acquire his club, i.e. to make himself too famous to be bumped off.
Just purely a rumour I heard which I am sure has no basis in fact 😉
Dr C – Haha, done! 🙂
Ned – Couldn’t agree with you more. I think Lars and Trev have got it right when it comes to the stringency of the test. Sadly.
Tabs/Dr. C: Get it on Gedion. 😀
Lurky: Did Gervinho harness something?
Thanks again for the good wishes.
Revelation from the seer? That is Myles Palmer.
We are just about go sign a German and I think an Italian. No named mind you?
So you heard it there first …or maybe we didn’t cos it doesn’t really tell us anything and I’ve never known him get a piece of gossip concerning Arsenal right
FA CUP FIFTH-ROUND DRAW
Arsenal v Liverpool
L’Pool at home! Not really what I was dreaming about 😉
Manchester City v Chelsea 5th round too!
🙂
If we win two very strong teams will have gone out. We beat the Scum and have already thrashed them this year. And we play them two weeks running!
Wonder if our German and Italian will be available? I’ll ask Myles!
Liverpool, Utd, Liverpool, Bayern from 8 – 19 feb!
…but only first one away!
Let’s hope we have no injuries….!
Would feel much better if we got someone in this window, if just for that depth that we need in times like these!
Beat the Mickeys (and we will) and we win this competition.
I have exactly the same feeling tabs.
Hmm, first v fourth and third v second. Conspiracy theory, anyone?
What tabs said@72.
It’s on.
COYG
Liverpool @ 5th round would mean we will play a very strong team, most likely first choice defense except for Fab (who has been rather good in his limited appearances) in the goal and first choice forward line, with midfield rotating. Having a weaker opposition would have helped in better rotating especially ahead of Bayern, but this would ensure no ‘looking one match ahead’ and full concentration on the match.
I think if we beat ManU mid-week at home, which I think we will, we can build enough momentum to take care of Liverpool and then Bayern. Hopefully FA would not fuck around with the schedule too much and we will have enough rest between FA cup and Bayern at home.
Fit and Proper Lars: 🙂
Liverpool at home in the Cup is very winnable. And one of Citeh and Chel$ki will go out. I’d prefer it to be the Chavs. Beyond that Everton looks the next biggest threat.
Dr Faustus: your faith in the FA is touching but probably misplaced.
Ahh, four home games in a row: ManU, Liverpool, Bayern, Sunderland. Four wins and we get to March with huge self-belief.
The hardest sequence is in March: Bayern (A), LWCs (A), Chelsea (A), City (H). With Swans at H thrown in-between if we get to the FA Cup QF, which we will.
NBN @ 76/77: Faith? My skepticism is so strong it bent under its own weight and veered a bit in the opposite direction. 🙂
I too would prefer Chelsea out of the way. And I think Everton would be quite a challenge, they are a good cup team, and Martinez would feel confident after winning it with a much weaker Wigan.
On Friday’s game, it was highly enjoyable but a bit subdued for me (and I felt that was shown in the goalscorers’ celebrations), partially because of the Friday fixture date possibly, and partially because of everything ongoing with Coventry.
I was pleased to see how well Podolski took his chance in the starting line-up and by extension, his chances with the ball. The 1st, after an split second, excellently weighted ball from Özil was calmness personified, and the 2nd showcased a great quality for any forward player to have, the ability to strike like a viper in any situation, Lukas was waiting and ready for the near post flick on for Mertesacker after the initial Gnabry corner, in both goals the German connection was strong 🙂
It was a shame that Lord Bendtner, the Prince of Denmark, couldn’t make the most of his chance on his 1st start since his relatively recent injury against Cardiff, I was full of optimism for him as I left the Emirates that day but it’s a shame that he couldn’t rule the box on this occasion. Memorable moment in the game was that ‘whiffed’ shot attempt, as funny 😆 as it was sad 🙁
Fabianski made a great save from their captain, he was everything you’d want in a back-up keeper and as has been mentioned above, surely will be plying his trade as another team’s No. 1 after the summer.
Gibbs surely gave Wenger more food for thought on the matter of the starting LB berth with a great attacking performance, on the other wing Jenkinson played with much verve all game, both fullbacks on the day made excellent crosses in that deserved better finishes than just Giroud’s for the 3rd goal.
Gnabry earned another consecutive start on the back of this performance, surely he will start against Southmapton on Tuesday also. Wilshere had a really productive game in my eyes, the personal highlight for me being that spectatular turn he made around the 59-60 minute mark.
A word for Zelalem’s performance, 16 on the day of his debut, 17 today, and that word is comfortable. Comfortable on the ball, comfortable with the occasion, comfortable with playing with the 1st team. Tempered enthusiasm would be best in the long term but I look forward to seeing more of him this season if Wenger decides to use him in the league, his ball to Cazorla to start the attacking move for our 4th goal was impressive enough.
The floodlights going out and the subsequent flash mob from the crowd will make the game more memorable, along with Coventry’s two protests, I hope they can get back to playing football in Coventry soon, where they belong. Enheartening to see the Arsenal faithful warmly applauding their efforts 🙂
Onto Southampton away, come on Arsenal!
Very nice Wind. Good stuff.
We have a ridiculous run of fixtures starting Tuesday. If we come out of that intact we breeze through April ( Everton (A), West Ham (H), Hull (A), Newcastle (H) and seal the title at home May 3rd against WBA. No problem! I really would like to see Arsene pull the trigger, any trigger, before Friday though.
It’s not “a ridiculous run of fixtures”, Arsegonian. It’s the type of run of fixtures that you get towards the end of the season when you’re challenging for top, top honours. It’s something that we’ve not had for too long (6 years, is it? It’s been a couple of weeks since the meeja reminded me).
Best get used to it folks, it’ll be happening more and more in the next few years.
It’s on.
COYG
Thank you tabs 🙂
After the crazy night out I had last night and about 8 hours of rest, I had achieved excellent clarity by the time I posted my thoughts on the match, although it was my 2nd attempt, the 1st being delayed by tiredness at 9am 😛
I agree, Pangloss. If we want to win things we can’t worry about who we’re playing in what order. Whoever we’re playing when we must go into every game aiming to win them.
Bring it on, is what I say.
Wise words Pangloss. Frankly from experience of 1971, 1989. 2002, 2003 and a few other years I’ve forgotten games against anyone at the end of the season are tough. This league will also add to that. Only one team ( Southampton) are in mid- table. Everyone else is fighting against relegation or contending to win the League get into the CL and in the LWCs case, the Europa League! So nobody will have easy games and Citeh will start to make much harder work of their games at the Etihad. So it’s a bit illusory to speak about a bad run of games and if they are games that you win you stuff the teams contending against you. Every game us worth three points but the games against Citeh and Chelsea are huge.
If I were Arsene this might prompt me to look at any potential weaknesses in the squad. The only real one is back- up striker so it would be wonderful to see us address that this week.
The thought of TGSTEL playing a run of massive games is too tough to contemplate and I think Wenger would go with the false number nine option that we took with Arshavin a few years ago. Let’s hope we give ourselves greater squad scope in that respect now.
While the Draxler signing would be a great boon for the club if it happens in January (as I think we’d have to fend off every club in the world if we wait until the summer now that Wenger has made his interest known), what I find a little concerning is that we need cover for Giroud now and that means having a proven player who can step into that role as opposed to one who has yet to be converted from an attacking midfield player if that makes sense?
Therefore as much as I’d love to see Draxler sign next week, I think we need another player too. Or am I just being greedy…? 🙂
I’m thinking that the conversion of Draxler to a CF is more a long term prospect. In the short term he helps add what we lost with Theo. He’s pacey and is currently playing on the wing. ( Although I read somewhere he had words for the Schalke manager about not liking it. ) Anyway he can add another dimension on the left side of attack. As I said before, we have nobody now who can get in behind ( Serge needs to learn to time a run ) and that’s what we desperately need so Mesut can find them with a through ball. Otherwise we are letting sides get back, set up and we will have to breakdown every defense to score. … Btw Pangloss, never said I was scared, worried whatever. Just noting a bunch of high level matches every 3 days for two months. Bring it!!! And I implemented your suggestion as well. Thanks for that. 🙂
And check out the squad selector on my site. It’s pretty cool.
Joe,
I don’t know who is a dead cert to come straight into the team/this league/this country and start bangibg in goals. I do think that the way we tend to score our goals, a midfielder who is capable of scoring is just as likely to be a success.
Draxler, for example, if fit, is a very strong athletic player who could probably play in an advanced role as well as anybody, and would be as likely to quickly integrate into our system as anybody.
I do think that if we are to get Draxler, it will need to be now because unless he has a real desire to come to Arsenal we will find ourselves priced out after the World Cup.
As usual it’s all ifs, buts and maybes. Five days to find out.
Apparently Jim White is saying that a Draxler to Arsenal deal is in the offing. No chance then!
On a more serious note one thing that we must give enormous credit to Wenger for is his ability to see that players can be converted to play in different positions. We have Petit, Lauren, Henry and Van Persie as the best examples and in a way Sagna has shown the ability to be a top class cB as well. If he believes that Draxler can convert he has to take him now for the reasons Trev gave. If he gives the squad the lift that Ozil did that’s another reason as well. Joe has a good point though. If we could get a dependable back up striker like Vucinic or a tyro with real quality like Morata that is a deal well worth doing AS WELL. We are in a great position and the more attacking options we have the better. Most teams have four we really have one. So I don’t think you’re being greedy Joe. I suspect that Draxler if he comes will lead to us selling Poldi which I think will sadden many of us as he has done very well this season and changes games like the West Ham encounter on Boxing Day. But Im not sure Wenger fancies him.
Wenger is a very good judge of a player. Let’s not forget the quality and value he has brought in recently in Koscielny, Arteta, BFG and Monreal. And Giroud and Cazorla have been excellent value for money too
I think the Poldi sale won’t be until next summer but if Schalke want a replacement I think Wenger would let him go now if it meant we could get Draxler
Agreed, ttg.
It would be a great shame to see Poldi go. He does give us something different and is a real battering ram of a player in contrast to most of our refined ball artistes.
When fit and on form his direct, elbow pumping runs down the left hand side really bust defences apart. If we are to have four attacking options, a good’un like him from wide is more than handy, I think. And someone following in his pile drivers wouldn’t go amiss.
He seems to be regarded as a bit of a failure but his stats, particularly given the amount of playing time he has had, are very good.
Whether his “under utilisation” is due to injury or a lack of overall fitness, I have no idea, but I would love to see a fully fit Podolski ripping it up.
@87. Not greedy is my vote
Another vote for FFP, that is fully fit Podolski. Hell I will take him at 80 percent as he scores almost when he wants.
What ttg said @91.
And selling Podolski before the summer would be shooting ourselves in the foot. I don’t want him sold at all – there’s 2 or 3 good seasons left in him yet. He’s a real poacher and, as Wind said, cool-headed with it.
That’s unanimous re Podolski then :).
In fact, I don’t want ANY of this squad to go. More please, not less.
Why on earth would Draxler even contemplate joining a club like Arsenal.
A Club with no Class,no ambition,dodgy Froggy manager who probably eats snails for God’s sake,supporters who only turn up when they are winning,a very very average stadium to play in.
He would have to be mad.
Probably ruin his career.
The only reason he could possibly sign for the Arse,is because the other German players at the club have heard on the grapevine that he might be joining,and they have been bombarding him with text messages begging him to sign because they feel there are safety in numbers,and the more Germans at the Club the better.
Because then they feel they will have sufficient clout to go en masse to th Arsenal head chef and demand Bratwurst be added to the breakfast menu.!!!
cheers
The Sweeper.
Totally agree Trevor- bang!
Clive knows @99.
Night all
COYG
Trev,
The point you make about our goals coming from attacking midfielders as opposed to Strikers is a very good one and very valid too concerning our performance this season. The only minor point I would offer in deference is that not all attacking midfielders can lead the line. And while I have no doubt Draxler has all the raw materials to eventually do this, probably even in a spectacular fashion (I have long been an advocate for his signing), leading the line is something that takes a little time and playing in England is very very different.
Ttg,
Belated Happy B. I note there are a number of people born in January (I’m supposed to say Aquarian but alongside religion I’m afraid I don’t believe in any of that stuff either!…..).
I can’t see Poldi being sold. How could we sell a guy who scored 17 goals in his first season in England? He’s one of our prolific and proven goal scorers and since Theo is now out, he is going to be even more vital in the run-in. I do think Wenger is a little concerned about how laid back he seems to be and as such, is putting him under pressure. And its telling too, given his reaction to Oxlade getting some game time ahead of him. Remember, apart from just travelling to the World Cup, Germany are short odds to win it so making the team will be a big thing for Poldi. I also feel he has yet to do his talent the justice it deserves. He’s an incredible finisher and so far to date, his career has underachieved I feel. He really has the capability to be world class and I think Wenger is giving him the push he needs.
I think Podolski stays.
Myles Palmer transfer rumour: We will be signing one German and one Italian. A good mix of pragmatic endeavor and dramatic creativity, I should say. 🙂
Joe
Thanks mate! I do hope you’re right. I spend a lot of my life trying to sense Wenger’s moods and my instinct is that he has issues with him. I can’t for the life of me see why because I think he and Mertesacker have helped to create a terrific team ethos and he has performed well for us when played out wide. It would be daft to let him go now but if it is true thatSchalke want a replacement before they let Draxler go a top class German international who plays wide left would seem to fit the bill and if Wenger is prepared to pay a big sum for Draxler he is clearly keen to acquire him and won’t want an auction next year. We also might be running up against the little known TMG rule. – too many Germans because from what I saw of Zelalem in his brief cameo and given the promise of Gnabry we are likely to have half a team of then soon. Imagine us in a penalty shoot out !
Too Many Germans ?!?!?!
Unmöglich !
I feel sorry for all those teams who have to face Arsenal in February/March. Points dropped so late in the season are really hard to make up.
Öskar
Just don’t mention the war…
Öskar
According to several reports Schalke need the cash and are keen to cash in now.
Öskar
We could end up with half the team German and half English (plus a Welshman). Would make ‘friendlies’ between the nations more like training ground matches!
Öskar
Poldi’s productivity stats:
A goal every 2.4 games and an assist every 3.6 games for us, against career numbers of 2.5 games and 4.4 games respectively.
In terms of minutes played, it is a goal every 142.1 minutes and an assist every 213.2 minutes against career stats of 176.3 minutes and 314 minutes respectively.
His numbers for us are his best in senior football — better than those when he was with Cologne, Bayern Munich and Germany.
He’s scored 179 goals in 448 senior games, so he is no flash in the pan.
By comparison, Draxler’s career numbers are a goal every 251.5 minutes played and an assist every 373.8 minutes.
Joe @ 102: I see the Poldi dilemma pretty close to the way you do. A fantastic player who hasn’t quite lived up to his potential, not because he is lazy on the field or in training, but maybe because he is not absolutely driven to keep on improving.
To look at it slightly differently, he is probably one of those players who to succeed needs a personal/emotional connection with a club more than just pure professionalism, and his rather extraordinary loyalty to hometown club Cologne where he is quite the cult hero speaks of a type of player who needs that sense of belonging to truly thrive. Maybe that, in addition to his relative immaturity, explains why he didn’t make it at Bayern though talent-wise he had all the ingredients to.
From all appearances, it does seem like that something about Arsenal resonates with him, and having his friends around from the German national team definitely helps. I think when Arsene bought him he wanted him to become a player of the match-turning calibre like the other left-footer who was on the verge of leaving at that time. He hasn’t yet, could be due to the injuries but also could be due to maybe a tiny bit of lack in self-application. Maybe that is what Arsene meant when he said last season that he thinks Poldi is holding himself back a bit and he would like to see a bit more.
I love him in Arsenal shirt. A very efficient and effective player and just a fantastic positive no-nonsense attitude.
NBN @ 111/112: 46 international goals for Germany in 111 matches speaks of a player who is a super quality goal scorer. However it is interesting that with Germany his goalscoring form in last 2-3 years have dropped significantly. Partly because he plays more and more as a left winger but maybe equally significantly because of not being able to raise his game especially with so many fantastic talents now pushing for the first 11 position for Germany.
I think his combination play with Santi-Giroud-Gibbo/Monreal is excellent whenever he plays down the left wing for us and he is one of the best crossers we have in the team.
Half English, Half German = Blood and Teutonic Thunder?
Classic video when Arsenal visit the Queen and she meets Mad Lens. She says ” So you’re from Germany ” so funny
I think some of the challenges for Poldi have been niggling injuries last year and the hamstring this year, combined with the Arsenal approach of trying to walk the ball into the goal, and an abundance of talented mid-fielders.
Before his injury this season and over the past couple of matches, I think he has played as well as ever for Arsenal. His movement has been outstanding and he understands his role on the left wing, keeping the pitch wide and moving in only when it is time for him use the lefty hammer.
Plus I think he is at is best when he is moving toward the goal near the top of the box. He is not someone who is going to beat defenders one-on-one, he doesn’t have tremendous pace, and he doesn’t play well with his back to the goal. Which is why he will struggle in the striker role with the current Arsenal tactics.
And then there is the selection choice when everyone is healthy. Assuming Arteta/Flamini in the defensive role, we have four midfield positions available for Ozil, Santi, Jack, Aaron, Tomas, Theo, Ox, Poldi, and now Gnabry. Great that we have that much depth, but also means one or two are even not making the bench!
I love Poldi. I love his attitude and he clearly enjoys playing at Arsenal. But I also think he will have to accept the fact that his main role will most likely be a “super-sub”. And I’m not convinced he is going to be happy with that role, but I hope he stays at Arsenal for the near future.
And by the way, I haven’t back drunk in detail (there is something weird about that statement but I will let others sort that out) but I noted in a discussion with another Gooner that we have 51 points in 22 matches. In 03/04 we had 52 points in 22 matches. And that included a 1-1 with Everton, with Everton scoring late in the match. Coincidence? I don’t think so…
Why oh why are people quoting Leopold Mendacious the aging beatnik? No good will come of it. Mark my words.
I don’t think there is anything to the Poldi in exchange rumours. It has all the hallmarks of “red-top hack adds two and two and makes 85”. Also, the talk yesterday about a German radio show talking about it was not saying it was part of the deal, it was a question from a listener to a phone-in.
Furthermore, I really don’t get where this idea comes from that Arsene would somehow have something against Poldi. Last season he played 45 matches for us in all competitions, 35 of which as a starter. He started 25 PL games and was subbed on in a further 8, so he featured in 33 out of 38 PL games. Yes, he was subbed off a lot (23 times) but do any of you really think he would be participating in all but three league games if the manager didn’t like him?
This season he hasn’t been available for that many games. He was subbed on in the 90th minute v Villa in the opener but started v Fulham, came on v Fenerbache in the away leg and started the home leg which is when he got injured. He has then been available for a further 8 games after returning from a four-month long injury and has been on the pitch in five of them, and started on Friday and against Cardiff on January 1.
Now, as for the stats of a player that Arsene clearly holds in the highest regard, Ju-Young Park…
I don’t really understand all this Draxler discussion.
Wenger has said that those who say they saw him at London Colney/Emirates probably also see UFOs. And about the “imminent” signing, he says it’s an illusion.
Schalke say they have had no contact from Arsenal.
Much is made of AW’s smile at a question which he’s been asked a thousand times before and given a clear, unequivocal answer to. His smile could just be at how stupid journalists are or at how desperate they are for sensational headlines.
Yet still people prefer to believe the rumour mongers and click addicts who pollute the internet.
Beyond my comprehension.
dk, normally I would agree but Jan-Aage Fjortoft is adamant that a fee has been agreed (which is far from the same as “done deal”, they may very well have agreed a fee with many clubs and it is up to the player to choose) and he is extremely well-connected within German football and he never says anything without having very solid info. These are a few things he said today:
Re: Draxler
– Has a meeting with Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt tomorrow. Declared fit?
– Some at Schalke says: He is off!
– Others: Off in summer
1/2
Hard to get the whole picture now. I have always said “most likely in the summer”. And “what do Bayern do?”. Will keep on digging.
2/2
——————
“@fLyTeEmEe: @JanAageFjortoft Schalke say no bid, you say a fee has been agreed! ..what sort of confusion is that??”
Just wait
——————
“@DennisIghodaro: @janaagefjortoft but Schalke claims no contact has been made by any club for him”
Dont believe it. Period!
——————
That a club says no bid has been made means nothing. Remember the “I don’t expect anyone to leave” about Cesc and Nasri just days before they left? Remember “Cazorla? No, I don’t know him” two or three days before he was seen with the Arsenal squad in Germany? Etc etc. Also, there were rumours on Thursday last week that a delegation from Arsenal were in Germany to try and hammer out a deal, and on Friday Fjortoft tweeted about a fee being agreed for the first time so those two rumours do add up.
Will we get Draxler? No idea. I dare not hope, to be honest, in fear of being disappointed. But there is no doubt in my mind that we are trying very hard to get him.
Re Draxler:
I have gesprochen mit dem agent, Izzy Offornot, and I can state quite categorically zat I haff no idea.
ecg@117: with most top clubs having four strikers of the highest class, isn’t it the fate of half of them to be super-subs these days?
4 days and 10 hours to go.
Have we signed anyone yet ???
Lars – spot on! I choose to never believe anything what AW says (and the club we are negotiating with) about transfers until the window is closed.
He is still used to play his cards close to his chest, which, in the age of “now” generation, might look bit silly but old habits die slowly.
This could be very wild speculation but lets say that we have gentlemans agreement with Schalke that they will be also adamant about him going nowhere, that there is no bid etc., while the fee they are alright with is already agreed and whole smokescreen is to prevent other clubs to try get involved in the deal.
Part of said agreement might be that we will wait for him till summer, but as Feo is out, AW tries to get him now, even while injured.
This is what I somehow think about whole situation, and as much as I am usually “will believe when confirmed on .com” regarding our transfer activity, I just have strong feeling that we are working very hard to get Count Drax into our team.
It makes perfect sense that AW will obfuscate about any prospective buys. He doesn’t want other clubs trying to gazump deals or otherwise make mischief in them, or let lazy clubs use his eye for undervalued talent as their scouting system.
Nico joins Brentford on a permanent transfer. Good luck to him! He must be 20/21 and there was no way he could break into that midfield, and for RB position he not only has the established duo but also Bellerin ahead of him. Looked promising the couple of times he had to deputize for the first team, wishing him a successful career.
BBC saying Yennaris sold to Brentford. I thought he was meant to be one who was thought to have a shot of making it to our first team.
Think we may lose Sagna…!
What with PSG, Monaco, Galatasaray and now apparently City looking to see if he’s available.
Whats holding sagna’s deal? Two or three years contract. I mean common, if he wants three yrs contract just do it. This is not the time to lose a player of his experience,i still dont think jenkinson is ready.
Lars@122 “All that twitters is not gold”. Old English saying. Reading what you say, I’m just glad I’m not on Twitter – just think of all the time I would spend on it when I could be doing something productive, like picking my nose :).
Maybe I’m naïve but I don’t believe anything until it’s fact. What concerns me is that all this speculation just gets everyone’s expectations up, and then when it doesn’t happen, those same people take out their disappointment on the manager. Maybe he is playing games with the media – can hardly play him wanting to have a bit of fun. If it were me, I’d just say, “I don’t comment on media speculation. Next question.”
Rather listen to Dr Wholefart.
PS. Just had some really nice Swedish sill for lunch, washed down with a couple of glasses of Skåne. Helan går! Skål.
BB – yes, I suppose it might very much be the case.
He is never going to get offered 100k+ Galatasaray is reportingly offering him at us..and that makes sense.
I still hope he and AW will find common ground and he says, but I believe should he leave for pastures new, it will never be to Sheik City (as he apparently turned them down _twice_ already).
Me@132 “can hardly blame him”
dk: skål 🙂
And Fjortoft isn’t just anyone. If he says we are in serious negotiations for Draxler then we are. He’s never said it’s a done deal (on the contrary, he has stressed repeatedly that nothing is done) and all I am saying is that you can be damn sure we are trying to get Draxler on board.
My one hope is that at least this once we have all our key players fit for the next crucial months. Barring that i do hope we get some real reinforcements, that’ll fit right into the team now and not for the future.
I feel it is really imperative that we maintain this challenge, we should be able to win a (few) trophies this season, best opportunity we’ve had in ages.
Where’s Draxler ?
The worst kept secret in the entire history of the world is now official 🙂
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/puma-and-arsenal-announce-partnership
As good as Draxler may or may not be is there any reason why we are not trying to get in a genuine striker???? Someone with pace who will run at and passed people??? Draxler, if he comes, may well develop into a player in the same league as an Henry or an RVP but surely the need for a top quality striker is as much for the now as it is in the future????
Arsene to sign a new deal…
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2014-01-27/wenger-to-sign-new-arsenal-deal/
Yeah, best to Yenaris. Liked the look of him. Hope he does well.
And don’t get me started on Sagna.
Well, there is this that rankles: Club announces new, lucrative deal with PUMA, but they cannot/willnot slap another 10,000-15,000 a week on one of the first team’s most reliable defenders (if not the most)? And arguable one of the best 5 or so rightbacks in world football? Ludacris.
I’d be pissed if I were him. Bigtime.
Now, I’m off before my unbalanced, subject admiration goes all … icky.
Never mind Bacary Sagna leaving, I have reliable information from Karl Ove Burntoast that Mathieu Debuchy is lined up for the summer – or was it Seamus Coleman?
Aghh, you know these bloody Norwegians – can’t spell for toffee. In either of their languages.
And that other Viking, Jan-Aage whatsisface, got it all wrong. It’s Dracula not Draxler we’re signing. Management is fed up with Charlie George’s ghost haunting the Emirates. Fight fire with fire. Or blood with blood.
What? Charlie not dead?
The Count will soon sort that out.
I will have whatever you are on dk 😀
I can’t understand why the club isn’t making genuine efforts to sign Lionel Messi. I mean, it’s not as though he is settled at Barcelona. FFS if we can’t find the £100M or so it would take to tempt him, how can we consider ourselves a “big club”? We seem to be perfectly happy to offer Wenger a new contract, I mean, how many times has he managed this club to the double?
Sheesh.
COYG
Pffft. Let’s all relax and refrain from getting our panties in a wad about things that are far from decided. The window is still open. Bac isn’t gone yet, and let’s not forget the club played hardball with Theo for a long time before finally meeting his demands a year ago. A little faith, gentlemen! There’ll be plenty of time for moaning later if our fears are realized. In the meantime there’s plenty of reason for hope, on all fronts.
Sake all around!
Meanwhile, fantastic news about le boss. No surprise but it’s a relief just the same. That man is Arsenal right now, and the next real crisis this club will face will be when we’re looking to replace him.
Heh at pangloss @146
GL @ 147: Exactly. Let us see where it all ends, the contention may not be about the money but the length of the deal. Or whatever. It will be sorted with best interest of the club in mind. The days where we have to let out better players go, who are otherwise happy to stay, simply because of a relatively small difference is salary are over.
Another aspect might be Sagna wanting to win a senior level trophy and maybe he would see how the season unfolds and may have in back of his mind something like PSG where one or two French domestic competitions are now guaranteed.
Great news about Arsene staying for a few more years (some wise ass in arseblog commented “Is infinity a number?” :-)) . Maybe Gazidis was not meant to reveal that in such a manner to the wider world? Seems a bit strange that it was not officially published in the Arsenal web-site first.
Dr F. Yes indeedy. And to those worried about big clubs showing interest in Sagna, that’s neither here nor there. Of COURSE there’s interest. He’s a tip top player coming to the end of his current contract. But the Bac is not a mercenary. My feeling is that he wants to stay at Arsenal, but he also wants to win and he wants the pay raise he so richly deserves. Shouldn’t be hard to convince him that we can win trophies in the next year or two, and I would hope that, when push comes to shove, we will give him whatever’s necessary to keep him on board. Wait and see. No need to panic.
Pangloss@146. Fully agree. After all, according to their manager, Schalke are interested in CR7.
Dear Holic
As I watched Podolski against Fulham and Coventry it struck me that he is the modern equivalent of one of my past heroes at Highbury. Don’t you think he is an uncanny modern reincarnation of ‘the Bomb’ Alan Skirton. Charging in from the wing, unleashing devastating drives or charging in from the wing to head home. I do hope he comes good for the rest of the season and keep him for the future. He adds a buzz (you could feel it when he came on against Fulham) that is worth it’s weight in gold and hopefully silverware!
Being interested is one thing, getting is another, i think draxler looks a long blown saga going away from us, the same way a lot have gone away. Not that i am complaining, i rather have poldi being here than using him to get draxler. For the kind of money we are talking for draxler which is close to 35 million, i rather havre Reus/Gundogan.
Saints up next, lalllana, shaw and schneiderlin, this will be a tough one.
Lars @ 122 nails it.
Twitter is a medium, like any other. You work out who the charlatans are, and who are the people whose information tends to prove correct. It’s not rocket science, although the latter category are clearly a minority.
Fjortoft called the Ozil deal early, his information is generally spot on (i.e. he doesn’t usually speculate or seek attention), and he is extremely well connected in German football.
None of which means the Draxler deal will happen, but all of which means that if he says something is happening, it’s more likely than not that something is happening. His information on Draxler is likely to be better than any available UK source.
I agree that people shouldn’t get their hopes up, but I think that’s the responsibility of the individual, isn’t it? It’s possible to receive the above info, feel vaguely excited about it, and keep your fingers crossed, while recognising that it can’t be a done deal yet or it would have been announced today.
@ Steve T
Nothing to say we’re not trying for Draxler and a half decent back up striker. Still the best part of 5 days to go, and we know that the last 48 hours of a window are often the most active.
Saw a Gooner mate of mine who says that a deal for Gourcuff is in place if we don’t get Draxler.Sounded convincing until I learnt the Mail are saying the same. Whether it is a loan or cash deal I have no idea. Should this be true it means that Wenger is looking for a non- traditional centre forward rather than a fox in the box not that OG for all of his admirable virtues is that. I also understand Bac’s preference is to stay but he wants three years. I see him becoming a centre back in due course but I’d love him to stay.
Good points goonsterham and Dr. F.
Boring Monday evening?
Arsenal 21 vs Chelsea 21 online
http://www.flashwebtown.com/mediaplayer/mediaplayer.swf?backcolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xFFFFFF&file=rtmp://cp96798.live.edgefcs.net/live/&id=ChelTV_Ch01_1000k@26291&autostart=true
I’d love to see Bacary Sagna stay too, but three years is a long time for a 30 year old full back.
In terms of fitness it is probably the most demanding pisition in a modern team – making lung busting runs forward or back in defence, and putting in big challenges at the end of them.
Maybe the sat-nav thingy they all wear now is showing signs of Bac slowing down a bit, or makung fewer long runs late in games.
As usual we don’t know, but I think the club is past the stage of letting top players go without good reason.
As a very well connected German agent I can tell you that Sagna will leave and will be replaced by Bundesliga hard man, Gunnar Avislegsov.
See Twitter for updates ……
Trev- he has mentioned himself that he can’t see himself playing full back for much longer. He has the intelligence, skill and ability in the air to be a top quality central defender but I’m not sure we could offer him first team football in that position. So it’s a. Implicated one.i would like him to stay on our terms but might he do better elsewhere? The Star story about him sounds like rubbish. They have Zabaleta and Micah Richards but PSG might offer him more cash and a place in their team. But I don’t believe he wants to leave if he can secure a good deal with us.
Trev@158. Yes, it’s a difficult one. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bac feels at present that he’s got 3 years left in him, but the statistics speak against him. He could indeed be a back-up at CB but Per, Kos and TV5 are all younger than him. I would imagine we’d be looking to get a younger guy (25/26) in there to grow into the role. Maybe two of them.
Same at full-back. Bellerin a bit young as yet, Jenks not entirely convincing but bags of will and enthusiasm. Coleman would be a good acquisition.
But I expect Le Prof has eyes on players we’ve never even heard of yet.
Spoke to an insider in Munich. Said Chelsea apparently have told Bayern to “name the price” for Tony Kroos. Told player “wages no problem”
The source is Jan-Aage Fjortoft. Just so everyone know what we are competing against. Chelsea just don’t care, they can spent whatever it takes. And they are pissing all over FFP in the process as an added bonus.
Source is Twitter Lars, Fjortoft or not.
Don’t get carried away.
2 tweets down on my TL has Man Utd offering 25M for Kroos.
Reacting to twitter…..that way lies madness. 😉
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What’s up, its fastidious paragraph regarding
media print, we all be aware of media is a enormous source of
information.
[…] A word about Zelalem is in order. It feels compulsory to warn against excessive praise for players so young, but he showed enormous composure and speed of thought when making his cameo last night. His emergence will only add to the competition for places in a midfield already rich in talent, and that must surely be a good thing. – Goonerholic. […]