So Softly, The Window Closes
Sep 2nd, 2015 by 'holic
โI am always confident that a last-minute situation or solution is available, because the transfer market is especially moving in the last four or five days, but at the moment I cannot promise you that.ย We have specific targets but sometimes you get an idea from somebody because you didnโt know that the player you like was available and if you get an opportunity you do it.”
Not so prophetic words from the boss ahead of the trip to Newcastle at the weekend. Those who listened to the final hour of the ‘A Bergkamp Wonderland‘ live podcast yesterday (Tuesday) will know that my mood was best described as disappointed, but no worse than that.
For those who bought into the ‘we have to move to a bigger stadium to compete with Europe’s best’ line yesterday was the culmination of a summer of frustration. The last two summers had set a level of expectation. The arrivals of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez sent out a clear message that we could compete for top talent.
Now I am no more privy to the inner workings of the clubs negotiators than you, so I have to take Arsene at face value when he speaks of specific targets. We were in the market to strengthen, of that I have no doubt. In the end the players with whom we were most strongly linked didn’t move. Karim Benzema remains at Real Madrid, apparently because of his wish to stay there rather than any huge desire of Rafa Benitez to keep him. Edinson Cavani, to whom we allegedly switched our attention, is still with Paris St Germain.
There aren’t many strikers in the world-class bracket around, most accept, so that we were supposedly window-shopping at that level is as heartening as our failure to conclude a deal is exasperating. Having not completed on our preferred targets it would appear that Arsene wasn’t prepared to take a punt on another less than stellar striker, preferring instead to stick with the current incumbents, and I understand that too.
Olivier Giroud for much of last season was an improving international striker and it is unfortunate, to say the least, that currently he is searching desperately for form and confidence. Theo Walcott finished last season in exciting fashion, but has yet to convince many his place is in the centre rather than on the flank. Danny Welbeck too, a match winner at Old Trafford in last season’s FA Cup, has been denied the opportunity to establish himself by injury. Unfortunate timing? Let’s hope that is all it is.
The squad we have is decent. The one addition, Petr Cech, hinted against Liverpool that he will indeed earn points for us this season. We can argue that we are stronger, but with the cash we have now it is no surprise that people think we could have strengthened in midfield too, where we are an injury to Francis Coquelin away from losing the balance that he brings to a key area in a side geared up to attack.
I don’t go along with those who believe that by not acting more positively this summer we have ruled ourselves out of the title chase. The players we have are developing a winning mentality, born out of two consecutive FA Cups. If the injury gods are kind to us we most certainly have a squad that could go on a run and compete with the other major contenders, but that is a big if. Already we have lost Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Tomas Rosicky, and of course Welbeck, for one or more matches.
Yet for all that our title ambitions remain very real it still irks that weย have not given ourselves greater strength in depth, and put ourselves in an even better position over the coming months. The consolation is that the money will still be in place in January. Should that elusive top notch striker become available we have the ammunition in place.
In the words of one of ours, are we the best we can be? Right now it is fair to say the jury is out on that. With those words I turn my back on the window. It’s done and dusted. I’ll get behind the side, as will all of the various factions that comprise the Arsenal support. Like them I will also be praying we surprise those who have written us off. For as it was confirmed again last night we all want what’s best for the club, even if we don’t agree on how to get there.
188 Responses to “So Softly, The Window Closes”
Bang
What he said.
Cheers H!
You about for Everton? By no means definite yet, but could just be my first appearance of the season.
Yet another well-balanced, reasonable post. Have a care, Guv’nor, we’ll start to expect it.
COYG
Evening all. Must read the Guvna.
I like to think it sent a clear message to other clubs and football agents around the world that we won’t pay over the odds, my only disappointment with it is that there weren’t any players demanding to sign for us because we are an incredible club in an incredible city with incredible cannons as a badge
We have, in theory, a whole season of Coquelin this time round, not just a half. Same for Walcott. Same for Arteta. Same for Giroud. Same for Wilshere. Same for Debuchy.
Our injuries, Rosicky’s excepted, are short-term. If we can keep it that way, I say we can mount a serious challenge.
It has not been a breathless start, but no one fires on all four cylinders for 38 league games. Even the Invincibles had their off days like Portsmouth at home (1-1) and Fulham away (0-0).
Rational, measured, wise and logical as ever Guvna.
Onwards.
Well said Graeme.
Glad Everton remind Stones they awarded him a long contract when he was unknown. Glad West Brom said the same to Berahino. Glad Man United had the keystone cops in the office on deadline day. Glad we didn’t spend silly money on unproved or overrated players we can’t move on when everyone sees they’re useless.
softly softly ‘hol
or
Zzzzzzzz cars ?
.
To some extent you are right. If we stay clear of injuries we could be competitive but we all know how injuries have crippled us in the last few years. The amount Man U paid shows there were no top quality strikers available at anything near a sensible price but a couple of squad players, in defence and DM, might have helped us cover the coming injuries.
Feel a bit sorry for Wenger because now only winning the league will be enough. Come second and the fans response will be if only we had bought …… We would be champions.
Prediction third I’m afraid.
If you are going to be there Esso, I’ll be there. ๐
Thanks all.
cba, you got me chuckling’ again. Sharted indeed ๐
Fine words Holic, and nice article there vinagunner.
I’ll try not to re-hash the debates of yesterday, but I generally feel our transfer activity needs to be viewed in more context (over say a couple of years), rather than on one day or window. I’m a huge believer in our squad (more than a lot on this forum, evidently), and feel certain that if a top-class striker had been available this window, we could have moved swiftly and laid down however much money it cost. I don’t think it’s down to the negligence of Wenger or our ‘negotiators’ (the fatuous remark that Dick Law & co don’t earn their money is irrelevant if the clubs that own the top-tier of 8-10 world class strikers don’t want to sell. Don’t forget – Man City, Real Madrid, PSG & Barca are as rich and ambitious as us, so don’t need our money per se, and want to hold on to their prime assets if they are to compete). The biggest irony of yesterday’s debate was that certain people were moralising about the grotesqueness of money in football and the transfer market, yet were whining about our inability to splash any sort of token cash on deadline day – even though they readily admitted they couldn’t offer reasonable names of who we should buy, players who were genuinely available, or players who would actually improve the squad. There’s a reason why no top clubs in Europe bought any strikers this summer – because none were available, simple as! The best one could do is gamble a fortune on an unproven French teenager (could easily be another Sanogo, or certainly no better a prospect than Welbeck/Akpom).
I was interested to note the way the Beeb reported on the transfer window this morning, along the lines of: Football’s transfer window closed yesterday with Premier League teams spending a record ยฃ870M on new players. About 40% of this was by Arsenal, Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs.
So much punchier than Football’s transfer window closed yesterday with Premier League teams spending a record ยฃ870M on new players. About 39% of this was by Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs or Football’s transfer window closed yesterdat with Premier League clubs spending a record ยฃ870M on new players. About 41% of this was by Chelsea, the two Manchester clubs and Tottenham.
Sigh, editorial decisions, editorial decisions. Lucky I don’t have to make them.
COYG
PS Drink on the bar for Gregoire – make it a half since he did, in fact, almost end up re-hashing the debates of yesterday.
Indeed Pangloss, apologies for the re-hash!
I’ll get my coat….Not before saying McNulty’s up to his usual “undermine Wenger” shtick on his assessment of the transfer window. Does that guy ever have an original thought?!
Good one H
Cannot add much to what you have already penned.
My thoughts are well documented anyway.
I am more interested in how the fixture gods have conspired to give us 4 successive away games in Sept,after we play Stoke at home on the 12th.
That game is followed by a CL game away on the 16th,followed by a lunchtime kickoff at the Bridge on the 19th,then a CC tie at the Lane on the 23rd,then away to Leicester on the 26th.
The 2 away league games are at grounds where we picked up only 1 pt last season,so improvement is required there.
But given our away form at the moment is light years ahead of what we have shown in our 2 home games,it might work in our favor.
Only bonus for the Stoke game is that football’s 21st century version of Vinnie Jones,won’t be around to commit GBH on our players due to suspension.
What’s not to like.!!
Thanks for reminding me to go and look for McNulty’s latest piece of, err, umm, writing. It’s well up to his usual standard. I’m beginning to get a little bored with it actually, but I clearly have a lower boredom threshold than most of the population.
Actually, I am remarkably patient; I still haven’t given up on the hope that Mihir Bose will apologise for his 2010 report that Fabregas had been transferred. (Yup, that’s right, a year before it happened.) I’d settle for an acknowledgement that he’d got it wrong. Still, if it’s good enough for one BBC Chief Football Writer, it’s good enough for all of them.
And a drink on me too Gregoire…!
An accurate summation of yesterdays hullaballoo.
May I say one thing though, I think if you did a straw poll of most people at this bar, there would be a pretty large majority in support of the club, manager and squad. Most of these people just couldn’t be arsed with the transfer market hype and recognise it for all its materialism and pretentiousness. They generally avoid the bar during times of such negativity (like yesterday or anytime we loose) when people become emotive or angry as a result of the media manipulation of what football is supposed to be: a source of fun, entertainment, camaraderie and enjoyment.
It’s the huge photographic header of Wenger with his head in his hands that betrays the nasty bent of McNulty and the Beeb’s editorial. Why not use a picture of Mourinho (who publicly ballsed up on deals for Stones and Pogba, as opposed to Wenger who never directly said he wanted Benzema or anyone), or better still Van Gaal who by common consent has fronted an utterly shambolic and panicked close to the window?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34123378
Nice words Holic but I sense more than a feeling of frustration.
171 outfield players were bought by premier league clubs in this window. Nearly 900 million spent. Every side in the top division of the top 5 leagues in Europe brought at least one outfield player in.
We finished third last season and again did not get passed the last 16 of the champions league. We have a manager who made a career out of unearthing top talent. We have people working around the clock on targets and despite all of that we can’t identify and sign one player that will add strength and depth to our squad??????
Really???????
I’m sorry but I just don’t get it anymore. We have more than a healthy bank balance yet could do nothing that can strengthen our squad.
I for one am very disappointed in our lack of activity. I think it shows a lack of ambition and a lack of desire. What do we do if Ollie G and Le Coq get injured against Stoke?
I was tempted to say yesterday “are we the best we can be?” But I know how upset and offended it makes some people. With hundreds of millions available I would suggest that it is a fair question to ask. With our recent finishes in the league and champions league, to suggest that there is not one player available that will improve our squad I would suggest is naive in the extreme. Those who have allegedly been scouring the planet both day and night may want to sit back and ask if they are really up to the task.
What the neighbour’s neighbour said
Gregoire and Joe – bravo to you gentlemen!
Gregoire. I’m genuinely interested to know who you consider to be a top class striker and that we should go for. Also, in this day and age, what you consider their value to be.
Steve T: I think I mentioned it somewhere in the last thread. To guarantee an improvement on Giroud, Walcott and Welbeck, to take us to that last ‘world class’ level that will get us up the last rung of the ladder from 3rd to 1st, we need one of: Suarez, Messi, Neymar, Ronaldo, Benzema, Ibrahimovic, Aguero, Lewandowski, Mueller. We could actually afford any of these with our reserves (I genuinely think the money is there IF warranted – we have actually spent loads in the last 24 months), but these clubs aren’t selling – this summer at least, and the players are naturally quite happy where they are. The list you provided yesterday was really more of what we’ve got -2nd tier (Mandzukic, Martinez, Llorente etc.) Not bad players, but really no better than Giroud, and not going to take us that final step we all want. Unfortunately, it’s just a weird summer, where the domino of one world-class striker moving on or being dissatisfied never happened…
It’s been a long time… I’ve been tempted numerous times but my glory hunter side compels me to come back mingling among the elite right now just in time before the glory days.
Can’t say I’m too disoriented, another great reasoned post, Steve T wishing for more and Clive dubious and optimistic at the same time. A blast from the past ๐
And I forgot the recurrent plastics pollution, the picture is almost complete now. Danish due any minute to let us know we’re getting relegated at the end of the season.
Gregoire. You are totally missing my point. I don’t want a replacement for Ollie G. I rate the man highly. But he won’t go on all season. We have no quality back up or alternative. Yes we can score goals all over the pitch but he needs support. If he is missing the only credible option we have is Welbeck and let’s be honest, he is hardly prolific. Look again at the list I provided yesterday. A list just off the cuff. I’m sure there are many other additions that could have been made. Then look at our bench against Liverpool for example. If we are chasing the game would you prefer to see a Mandzukic, Martinez or a Dzeko warming up? Or would you rather see a Sanago, Wellington or Campbell warming up?
That is the point I am trying to make.
Manzukic has proven a shitstirrer everywhere he played, City was never going to sell Dzeko to a rival and Martinez at 28 and no experience outside the portuguese league is not worth 35M.
Frankly I have high hopes Walcott will reach his form of two seasons ago and with Shad Forsythe’s magic hopefully provide us with an uninterrupted spell of a goal per game.
Nice summation Maestro . I’ve thought long and hard and I think there were three deals I would have liked us to have done
Jackson Martinez from Porto
Andre Ayew from Marseille
Yohann Cabaye from PSG.
We could then have let Campbell and Flamini go and given Ollie G the back- up that Steve T craves.
All were affordable ( Inthink Ayew was free!) and happened early in the window.
Let’s get on with it now but I think those who crave a higher level of ambition may have a point.
Our squad with those changes would compete with anyone in this league
Guys, let’s accept that there was no World class striker available/willing to come to Arsenal. What’s the excuse for not getting a DM?
Same reason as for not getting a right winger: we already have 3 DMs.
Absolutely no reason at all SAG.
Matt. Where did you get that about Manzukic? I’ve never heard that before. Citeh have had 5 players from us in recent years. What is there to say they would not have been prepared to do business with us again?
I am a fan of Theo but at this stage I don’t see him as a regular central striker. He is 26 and has been here for 10 years. I would have expected him to have filled this role for a few years now if this was really his best position. 1in 4 is a decent goal ratio for a winger but I don’t quite see that converting into a goal a game striker.
Mandzukic has never lasted more than 2 seasons at a given club, only one at Atletico. He didn’t get along with Simeone, was dropped from the german cup final by Pep “for disciplinary reasons” before being shown the door.
Why would City sell us Dzeko, we’re direct rivals and they don’t need the money. Plus he rotted on the bench for too long and he’s a shadow of the player he was, hopefully for him Rudi Garcia will give him game time and confidence at Roma. But in any case I can’t see how he’s better than Walcott, perhaps as a third striker but Wenger won’t give up on Wellbeck so soon imho.
Matt. How does that mean he had been a problem everywhere he has been???? Almost every move he has made has been a step up. His goal scoring record is excellent, including scoring in a champions league final. From memory he left Bayern as he did not feel that he fitted in with Pep’s system? He is a top quality striker with a top goal scoring record. He signed for Juve in June for โฌ19 million. If that does not tick a great deal of the boxes then I really don’t know what does.
Dzeko? The fact is that there is no evidence to support that. It’s pure speculation.
Google “Mandkuzic issues ” and you’ll see he’s been shipped out of his last 2 clubs after falling out with the manager. I’m pretty certain that disqualifies him straight away from AW’s perspective.
As for Dzeko, City have flogged more players than any other top club in the last 5 years. How many to a direct competitor?
Anyway agreed it’s speculation either way and getting Dzeko as a third striker or not won’t make a difference to our standing in May.
The reason I’m back and so upbeat about this season is this: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-improved-injury-record-25-6054218
That and an all-time FA cup record looming ๐
Don’t agree Matt, and for โฌ19 I would have taken him in a heartbeat.
Agree. Manduukicz highly overrated.
Theo’s last full season he bagged a hatful of goals, 20 something? He’s got it in him. Yes, he recently fluffed two chances at Newcastle, but, FIRST: Krul is a top keeper, and beating him is not as easy as one might think (though the man acts like an utter ass. Krul, not Theo that is.); and SECOND: um … i wish Theo had not shin-balled that Alexis rebound into row Z. Damnit!
The boy’s rusty, he’ll sharpen up if he gets minutes. (and on the right, please, enough of this center forward stuff.)
Ironicially, Harry Kane fluffed the same sort of one-on-one chance against Everton and Tim Howard snuffed him. Noones calling Kane a bottler. Not a great comparison, I know, but, Let’s not write Theo off yet.
Cheers holics. Lots of debating lately ‘holics, and not enough drinking!
Agree about what? It’s a fact that he was shipped out of Atletico and BM, not a debate. And that’s a dealbreaker for AW and many others. Why do you think he was such a bargain in the current market?
Seafront
2 seasons ago Arsenal was on top for the first half of the season.
Last season Arsenal was on top for the second half of the season.
We didn’t lose any players, we got a top notch GK, our younger players are getting closer to their peak years, we should have less injuries and we won 2 FA cups and 2 charity shields in a row. You chose to despair but objective people have plenty of reasons for hope.
Agree (Mandukicz seems to move alot and) probably toxic in the dressing room. AND that he is highly over rated – a mid-teens goal striker or thereabouts. That’s what Theo should be [will be] doing at least, and OG can do 20+. Not an improvement and damaging team chemistry. As you say, AW rightly stayed away. (in case it was not well put earlier, I’m actually agreeing with you….)
My bad Homer I meant this for Steve.
Don’t agree Matt. He didn’t get on with Pep. He won’t be the first or last player not to fit in to a managers plans or playing system. If he was the we would never have signed the likes of Henry or Bergkamp.
Not going to labour the point. His price and goal scoring record are out there for scrutiny. He looked a top quality player at Bayern in my opinion and would not now be at Juve if he was that poor or that much of a problem.
Still, as long as you are happy with the squad. First round on you in the Tollie when we celebrate the title in May then?? I will look forward to it.
Summed up in one sentence: you regret that last season we had less points than the one before, I’m happy we finished one spot above.
Glass half-full or half-empty, 2 different philosophies in life. You can keep frothing at the mouth and I’ll keep smiling.
Matt-
Three DM’s? Are you kidding me. Arteta main position wasn’t even a DM until he came to Arsenal. We can’t even get the captain of the club in the first eleven are you kidding me? I don’t want to start arguing all over again. All we can do now is support the team.
Steve T: I was in London 2 years ago in December and hopped by the Tollie after our draw with Everton hoping to meet you but all I had was your self-description as “portly” and a picture of Holic from BtM in his glory days at Highbury and unfortunately no data on my cell so no chance to contact Holic on the spot, should have planned it better but it happened unexpectedly.
SAG: Coquelin is our stand-in DM, Arteta was our DM for 2 seasons before that and Flamini is our backup’s backup DM. That’s 3 DMs at Arsenal. Maybe not the ones we all would like but that’s another story.
Seafront: AW will be at the helm for another 5-7 years, your tantrums won’t make a difference to anyone except yourself and those around you who have to deal with your recurrent angry rantings.
Seafront: just find yourself a blog with like-minded people. Le-Moan is very likely in meltdown because we didn’t buy Balotelli you’ll fit in straight away.
Seafront: Exactly! Conceited self-unaware people just like you, plenty of them all unhappily ranting about what the manager should do to win all the silverware there is to win and even more, each one of them adamant that they know so much better than everyone else without having ever proven anything. It’ll be so much fun!
*awaits fumigation*
Unsure about fumigating, it’s top-notch parody don’t you think?
Those who profess to have all the answers, generally know nothing.
The great tragedy of the success, yes historically success, of Arsene’s Arsenal is that it has trawled in a sizeable number of leeches.
Just an observation, but this week it’s been suggested in this bar that Welbeck is insufficient back up because he only scored 4 league goals last season.
I make no judgement one way or another on that statement, but I do point out the following: Edin Dzeko also scored 4 league goals last season, from a near identical number of games. He’s also about to turn 30 and City would never have sold him to us.
Other than that, perfect for us.
COYG
Welcome back Matt,
Try not to engage with our pet troll. We are starving him of oxygen.
Cheers.
Good plan H, but he’s stealing it ๐
In other news from other planets (The Star is not of this earth anyway)
“The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust will make an “official complaint” about the club’s lack of transfer activity when they next meet with the Gunners’ board.”
Stan Kroenke must be shitting himself after the severe kickings he has received over the years about transfers…. Or maybe he’s sat there thinking, “Remember the Golden Rule. He who has the gold makes the rules”
I wonder which is most likely ๐
Welbeck and Campbell are this year’s Coquelin and Bellerin.
No duck season, no rabbit season and certainly not Elmer season. It’s Welbeck season, gents.
Interesting to those who follow our younger players that Bielik did not make the Champions League squad and lots of others like Kamara, O’ Connor and Moore did as well as Jeff. I wonder what is happening with that lad?
havnt called in for a drink for a long time
I would love to see us play a top four of sanchez welbeck Walcott ox
I would love to see any PL team or European team deal with that pace across the front line…the catch being we would need to by=pass the tippy tappy and lump it in behind which would mean a tactic change along way from what I imagine AW would enjoy. so no need for huge signings a tactic change could bring sucess
TTG, as far as I know Bielik didn’t impress playing as a CB so far this season.
Playing him as a CB seems strange in the first place, because I think he never played in that position before coming to Arsenal and from what I’ve seen from him he was perfect as a DM. Why they insist playing him as a CB is a mystery, but there must be a good reason, maybe there are not enough CB options in yhe club at that level.
Excellent piece ‘H.
Good to see the bar in a, generally, optimistic mood even though some habitual pessimists are been their usual self but once you understand the age old saying “Potatoes gon’ potate” everything makes sense.
Morning all. I sense a degree of cautious optimism is brewing in this fine establishment.
Sure, there are a few concerns. Sure, there are players (largely unavailable) who would have added considerable further optimism to the mix. However we have a good squad built over the last few windows who have recently been majorly under performing yet stay ‘in touch’ with the top of the table at this very early stage of the season. They will certainly regain their collective mojo.
I share Lurky’s optimism about Danny Welbeck taking a significant step up this season and being a major contributor.
Great comment @53 Flint. Exactly right.
I do believe that this squad will put in a real challenge this season. We’re certainly not a nailed on top team however. It’ll no doubt be a bumpy ride (we are who we are) so hang on for dear life.
COYG
The organisational abilities of the folks protesting about the club’s abilities in the transfer market seem to need an upgrade too:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/arsenal-protest-fans-organise-protest-outside-the-emirates-stadium-because-of-lack-of-transfer-activitynoone-turns-up-10482397.html
You & Arseblog have a very sensible take on affairs ‘holic. Disappointing that a couple of additions have not been found but I still think this squad has more than enough to give us a good season’s entertainment. Not the best of starts but no disaster, it is foolish to judge any team on the first few games.
Shame it gives the ammunition to those who think we have a divine right to glory & only shiny new toys can bring it. We need a performance against Stoke or the poison will be back to destroy what has been a decent atmosphere at the ground.
baff – nitwits
thankfully and not surprisingly
they couldn’t
run a get laid drunken bath at a piss up in a brewery’s brothel
or some such
๐
Fine read, as ever, ‘Holic.
Consider
De Bruyne Silva Sterling
Aguero
vs
Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez
Giroud/Walcott
Not a lot in it beyond the difference between the out-and-out strikers. Title tipping? Possibly. Rules us out from title contention? Certainly not.
Cautious optimism, yes, that’s it ๐
Just to let you know tonight I will be with others recording a new Bergkamp Wonderland podcast talking to John Cross about his forthcoming Arsene Wenger autobiography. I’ll post the link when it is live.
Bath, my expectations of Welbeck arent based just on optimism.
I prefer him to be our main striker, he has the ability.
He is not a finished product, his passing and particularly his finishing need to improve. Also he needs to learn to bring up his teammates to attack and more importantly to improve his decision making.
But with him in the starting line up, we can play the way I like us to play, and I am sure Arsene wants us to.
While Giroud has strengths that allow us to play possession football and while with Theo we can play counter-attacking one, with Welbeck we can play both of them and more importantly we can play pressing football.
I think that in today’s football, especially in the PL, playing possession based football is suicidal, as the high number of away wins shows. Counter-attacking one is a possibility, but at home we need to add that extra aggressiveness and pressing up front wherever the opponent has the ball. I think that from all our attackers Welbeck is the one that suits that strategy the most.
If we can’t find a solution and score a goal, then a fresh Giroud around 64 minute in the game against tired defenders would do wonders with his strength. I think that Giroud is a good player but can’t stand fighting two opp defenders on his own for 90 minutes with the style he prefers to play, while Welbeck can tyre them to death with his pace and running behind them.
If he can stay injury free I expect a great season from Danny.
I agree 100% Larry. Hope he’s fit next week.
In Canada there is a Sea Front
On the web he would troll for a punt.
His drinks weren’t a hit
Because he’s so full of shit
So he’s Canada’s number one Cunt.
Just saying.
:-).
Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck faces a further spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
The club says he is now expected to be out “for a period of months”.
————
Well thats not good!
And Danny undergoes a knee surgery.
‘hol
weren’t ye just on A Bergkamp closed Windowland ?
get you ๐
pretty soon
we’ll have to make an appointment
with ‘your people’
to leave a drink
proper order
fuckin riff raff us ๐
some clearly more than others
Well, fuck
I wonder why the announcement of Welbeck’s opp. and lengthy rehabilitation period was left until after the xfer window closed?
Another Wenger biography? What’s happened of any significance since the last half a dozen came out?*
If you have Myles Palmer’s book, you have everything you need.
On a day when you run out of arse paper.
*(and no I won’t listen to the podcast to find out) ๐
So, the Welbeck news (kind of) explains why Campbell was not moved on. And if the news was revealed before the window closed, it likely would have added a few million quid to the price tag on even the more middling strikers who would have been on the market.
And don’t be surprised if Alexis is thrown into the mix as a central striker, especially given the upcoming fixture congestion. So he’s on the small side; remember AW having Arshavin (?!?!?) lead the line?
He is done for the season that’s it…
Thanks ‘Holic. I really loved his last line though…
So no Welbeck for us this season meaning Walcott as our rotating striker, Ox our main man on the right wing with Campbell his backup and the occasional Ramsey cameos there.
If one is into player development it’ll be a very interesting season with big hopes for our Southampton forwards.
what ye’ll never know
what a chav
what a spud
what a dandy*
think
70s gooner me
been a fuckin brilliant
aggravating time
shoot me if it gets easy!
๐
.
*crazydaisyscottynutloops
minus think
plus feel
for above
๐
“and relax”
“breathe”
“seaweed smoothies at the back of the hall”
“bourbon cream brenda will sort ye “
http://i59.tinypic.com/2uyj6ub.png
@windmill in the last drinks.
TILT
Just as well our fitness record is improving then? Sad news about Danny. I wish him well. You can only assume that the club had no idea he was injured? Not sure he will be fit for next week Bath.
We’re only 7th now in the injury table with 4 injured players, just like City. After a decade of topping the table it’s quite some progress, let’s see if it’s sustained after another 10 games but it’s promising.
Hope Danny didn’t have the same surgeon who operated on a recent patient of mine.
A lad who has just been selected for the England U18 Rugby team had a cartilage tear repaired in March this year. It was not improving in rehab, with the private hospital physios giving him mainly cycle and treadmill work with a little bit of massage thrown in occasionally – in the wrong place !
The lad consistently pointed to the fibular head, not the joint line, as the seat of his continuing pain. On examination the tibia was found to be medially rotated thus pinching the cartilage between the heads of the tibia and femur. A 30 second manipulation was all that was needed to completely relieve his pain.
Hope that wasn’t all that Danny needed. How does a surgeon carry out a cartilage repair and not notice that one of the major bones is not aligned properly ?
Sorry for sharing / boring. Just exasperated with our injuries and needing a little therapy myself.
Tomas still has no return date either. ?
Promising, Matt ?
Two knee surgeries with no return dates; Jack’s three weeks growing longer every week; Mesut Ozil with a “small” knee problem ???
Kos with a suspect back and Mertesacker ill.
We’re four games in ………..
Trev. We will be fine. There’s loads in the bank so all is well, remember??
๐ ๐ ๐
Bad news re Welbeck. A case of mismanagement of an injured player? I defer to Trev on these matters.
The injuries are building up worryingly and if Joel Campbell is deemed to be a replacement for Welbeck that would only be in Arsene’s eyes. More reason to consider my old mate Charlie Austin as we won’t see much of Danny this season. I’m pretty certain this was known about for a little while but not released partly because it would inflate prices of strikers and partly because it would increase the expectation we would bring a replacement in.
I believe Akpom’s loan is only until Christmas but another window opens then and we know how good we are at transfer windows?
From Arsenal’s press release re Welbeck
‘ the decision was taken last week for him to undergo surgery by a leading specialist in the field ‘
Quelle surprise. Wenger indicated at his pressed last week that he was expecting Welbeck back soon.
Haven’t a clue, TTG.
There are some remarkable people doing remarkable things in fields such as neuro-, cardiac surgery and we have our own haematologist in the bar who has been a huge, reassuring help to me personally.
Some of the things I come across in the world of musculoskeletal conditions do make you scratch your head though. Fingers crossed for Danny but this has already dragged on since March /April. Doubtless it was only another three-weeker.
Trev@87: Is that because medicine is becoming so specialised that surgeons no longer know anything about the parts of the body six inches away from where ever their specialty lies?
Akpom to do a Coquelin and save the day.
Ttg@58: Bielik doesn’t qualify as a B list player under UEFA rules, unlike Kamara, Oโ Connor and Moore, or Bellerin come to that. A club can have as many B list players in its squad as it likes. Bielik would have had to displace one of Rosicky, Arteta, Wilshere, Ozil, Ramsey, Cazorla, Flamini or Coquelin to get a place in the CL squad. Highly unlikely, especially as all the first-team squad are in the CL squad. Bielik was effectively contesting with Le Coq, the club captain and the vastly experienced Flamini for a DM slot. Jeff Reine Adelaide is the only non-first team, non-B list player in the CL squad. So I wouldn’t read too much into Bielik’s absence.
No, Ned, i don’t think that’s the case at all but something happens in the practical application. Maybe it’s time pressure so that they only look at precisely what has been written up.
For example, i saw someone recently who had brought x-rays of their lumbar spine with them, having been told that there was “nothing wrong”. So why the constant back pain, tney wanted to know,
The x-rays showed no sign of disc inflammation, closed intervertebral spaces creating pressure on discs, no curvature, no fractures, indeed, everything looked normal. Except two very uneven iliac crests in the bottom section of the x-ray, indicating a twisted pelvis. Pelvic elements had not been included in the investigation of the lumbar spine so they had presumably not even been looked at.
It is just a very narrow view that is taken, for whatever reason, rather than a lack of knowledge.
Hard not to think in Welbeck’s case, at least, that someone has just messed up. The management of our long term injuries seems curious to say the least.
83% of radiologists missed the crucial element of this film:
http://io9.com/5983893/radiologists-fail-miserably-on-the-invisible-gorilla-test-when-screening-for-cancer
Go figure….
BMBD
Evening all. If you are an insomniac you might care to listen to this?
https://soundcloud.com/a-bergkamp-wonderland/118-john-crossd-arsenal-missed-out
Tonights ABW podcast.
Sad news about Danny, I would like to have seen if there really was improvement to be had in the lad now he’s fully settled in. But not with the expectation some here have, I have to say. Inept in front of goal and with just 4 goals and 3 assists in 25 Prem games last season (and never more than 12 in a season before that) hardly suggests he’s the answer to anyone’s prayers.
I guess we have to keep rotating OG and Theo, or maybe give Alexis a go. But I’d till prefer to see all three as our first choice front line. Or even 4.4.2.
รskar
With respect, ‘holic, 2 hours is a bit of an ask. Can you point to any particular times where your special pearls can be found? Or other highlights?
รskar
Haha, the best contributions are from better than I Oskar. ?
Oh shit, I scored. Is there anyone I can delete? ?
Bergkamp Wonderland a good listen to share the disappointment of a crew of dedicated gooners on the transfer window and related topics.
Also a good watch to see the Goonerholic shirt. By far the best suited out of the bunch. ๐
It’s not all doom and gloom. Just think, when Danny does come back it will be another one of those “like a new signings” that we always hear about??? So, perhaps we can say that he have actually signed someone?
๐
@ 101
Do you want a list? ๐
@101….a goal scorer and destroyer all in one – sign him up Arsene ๐
OWN GOAL from H there. You are The New Wes Brown.
NBN@ 94
Many thanks for this helpful explanation
I have a couple of friends who regularly watch the youth teams and the impression they have is Bielik is being groomed as a CB to improve his defensive play before being unleashed as a DM. He is by all accounts a very big lad and they believe he has great potential .
Trev@95: Long experience has taught me that in most cases the cock-up theory is usually the right one.
Ttg@107: Same strategy being applied to Chambers, I imagine. Interesting to note that Coquelin never played in the back four as a central defender but as a full back. Wonder what difference that make to his development as a DM?
Bielik looks a fine prospect, no doubt. Big, strong and can pass a ball, even, unusually for an Arsenal defender, forward.
Yellow card, I fear Ned. One sensible oil-on-water contribution in the bar may, perhaps be overlooked, but two looks suspiciously deliberate.
COYG
*Looks offended but walks away casually tossing lighted Swan Vesta in direction of aforementioned oil*
*is offended at ned walking away casually tossing*
*is horrified at the thought of offending Ned, speaks to the barman and leaves drink for Ned*
*takes massive offence at the concept of tossing casually*
not so much as a wave
๐
*looks sheepish*
*waves to cba*
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JUlpIvRE9W8
Krusty: I could even tell the FCC to take a hike. Look at this list of words they won’t let me say on the air. (hands Bart a piece of paper)
Bart: Aww! All the good ones. Hmm, I never even heard of number nine.
Krusty: That’s 2-ing 13 while she’s 11-ing your 5.
Bart: Can I keep this?
Krusty: Sure, no 12 off my ass.
Last place where I expected to find a shining light: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3222231/Arsenal-right-hide-Danny-Welbeck-injury-better-window-Premier-League-club.html
Not sure about all this waving and tossing. Is somebody lost at sea? Well I have a song about that. ๐
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfSLuEj99d0
In one of the more peripheral, but maybe less so than formerly, areas of the footballing world things are heating up in the battle between Minnesota’s Twin Cities to be the host of the new MLS team and stadium, with dueling front page articles today in St. Paul and Minneapolis’ daily newspapers. As of today St. Paul seems to be in the lead, which piques my interest because the St. Paul stadium site is not far away from here. Public financing of sports stadiums? In this case I’m for it as the site has been an eyesore of an empty lot for many years, and why should soccer not benefit from public financing if all of the other major professional sports in Minnesota have already benefitted? Will I be disappointed if things turn around and it turns out Minneapolis gets the stadium after all? Yes, but I don’t hate Minneapolis so much as to prevent me from attending. ๐
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_28751107/st-paul-pro-soccer-stadium-could-be-in-the-cards
http://www.startribune.com/soccer-stadium-for-st-paul-minneapolis-isn-t-rolling-over/324246951/
Oh, and COYG. ๐
Matt@117
What’s wrong with the Daily Fail? Writing and then publishing a reasoned sensible article on Arsenal’s transfer window.Wonders never cease.
I think it’s nearly time to stop venting on this now before Ulcers set in but I do think he has been slightly too kind. He suggests that there were no worthwhile buys available last week and he may be right. But the window began in early July or effectively earlier and several top strikers might have been available then , in fact they were.
The point about not broadcasting Welbeck’s injury was reasonable but if Giroud gets seriously injured next week he might like to rewrite the article !
*bustles in and waves at all* ๐
*curious why no-one else has responded*
*waves back*
ttg – When will it be “time”?
I’m considering going into hibernation and am keen to know what date to set the alarm.
Wind, and Pangloss, great to see you both. ๐ Interlull wil be quiet, I guess?
Quiet? QUIET! You’d better believe it. Caught some of the Germany/Poland game earlier, mainly to see who the Polish keeper was. Turned over at half-time to watch Lord knows what and felt no inclination to turn the international back on. Currently watching the Queen documentary on BBC4 – quite moving – but I think it’s time to hit the sack.
Night all.
Fcuking interlulls.
COYG
i have a huge dis=like for web pages like BBC football for posting our interest in players 5 minutes after a window closes just for a wind up
Pangloss
It’s time now I’ve said my piece. But I hadn’t said something germane before so it wasn’t time.nso you can wake up now and make as many meaningful points as you like.
How you set a team up for the season isn’t a trifling matter .
I forgot to turn off Oxonne’s alarm. Bugger. Ttg speaks truly of the difficulty of setting up a team for the season. To that I would add the difficulty of keeping the bank manager happy, unlike some regular drinkers here, I do think that’s important.
Now, where did I put those industrial strength tranquilisers?
COYG
have been singing big river
annoyingly constantly apparently 8ball
including luther’s guitar parts
cos of yer st paul mention
gonna be johnny cash saturday chez cba today
๐
(probably a lonely one but fuck ’em ๐ )
.
.
howdy all
see ya
.
UP THE ARSENAL
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GngIRywgl4Q
Pangloss
Speaking from his Caribbean hideaway the Arsenal Bank Manager told me he was ecstatic in between sips of his Mojito. I suspect we keep our Bank Manager happier than any in the Premier League but needless to say financial stability is very important. I think our prudence has established that beyond doubt.
speaking of the caribbean
R.I.P. Rico
sad news
Walk
that
Line,
cba.
Avoid
the Ring
of Fire!
:0)
Who Rico?
Kindly forgive ignorance.
Rico Rodriguez. Played the trombone with The Specials amongst other things. Sad news.
For those with Sky Arts there’s a Specials live in concert on this evening. This is followed by nearly 3 and a half hours dedicated to the best band ever in my humble opinion. Very much worth a watch.
Just saying.
cba johnny cash knew how to pick his
banks of the river and st. paul has one
additional seldom mentioned advantage
closer to the arsenal. ๐
The Jam were indeed a super band Steve.
Weller will go down as one of the greats.
I grew up with The Jam Joe. Best band I have ever seen live by an absolute country mile. There is a live show on at 8.30 I think. A gig from 1980. Possibly when they were at their peak. Well worth watching for the energy levels alone. The fact that Weller is still revered by so many 35 years later is testimony to his ability and influence.
If anyone fancies a treat I would highly recommend an evening with Sky Arts.
The Jam were of my time too Steve.
A brilliant band of that Mod / Ska era and certainly, as you say, Weller still rightly revered to this day.
Interestingly, I note that the Jam gig tonight is at Rockpalast.
Coincidentally, last night on you tube, I watched a live gig of Van Morrisson at Rockpalast with Pee Wee Ellis & Fred Wesley on the horns. It was superb. I don’t have Sky Arts but I do hope tonights gig will be as good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfXDqsBrVOQ
Just to make it official, there is no news today.
Other than that supplied by ingenious shysters. ๐
No news Bt8b?
Theo has scored for England and we have qualified gloriously for France 2016. National holiday required.
So Gibbs, Walcott, Ox, Wishere, Welbeck and any other English stars we sign in January will be knackered after the Euros. Oh well at least they will only play the three matches?
*accepts Pangloss’s gracious drink @112 and trusts all is right with the world again*
*sends matron after cba*
News item:
Green cards will be used by referees in Italy’s Serie B this season to reward instances of fair play during a match.
Comment:
Like offering the referee a bribe of 1,000 euros or greater?
TTG. Enough news to fill up a small newspaper then? (Small being the operative word, it goes almost without saying.) ๐
By the way, when did it become unfashionable to stop living by the maxim, “No news is good news?” It certainly is not that there is a paucity of horribly bad news to be had so I say rejoice at the interlull so long as there is no news of an Arsenal player being injured. Of course tomorrow I expect probably to be back cursing the interlull but that is not the order of the day today because there approximately are as many days in the interlull as I have moods, and I must use them all up without repeating any. ๐
Too many double negatives in that last one I fear but never mind …
Early assist for the one and a half ton.
So, up from deepest Oxfordshire to attend family party in Sarrf West Lunnon today. Oxonne prefers the M3 so that’s the way we went, only to find that because of something called the Rugby World Cup at a place called Twickenham, they’d closed the A316. The diversion takes us past Kempton Park, and guess what – there’s a bloody race meeting on!
Grrrrr. Snarl. Chunter.
We both arrive at said family party, solely because it’s dangerous to murder your wife while she’s driving, and really hard to kill your husband while you are behind the wheel.
However, after six hours eating (both) and drinking (me only) and chatter, we were sufficiently relaxed to make the journey back safely and relatively happily.
So, Ned, in answer to your question@143, all is indeed once more well with the world, but it was a damn close thing. Thanks for asking ๐
Drives home like a runaway lorry on the A316.
Saw The Jam over 40 times.
Saw The Clash over 30 times.
Toss up between the two as to the best band I ever saw live. Clash might just shade it on one of their best ever nights – Music Machine 1978, Hammersmith Palais 1980 or Theatre Mogador Paris 1981.
Favourite ever Jam gig – Music Machine (again great venue!), on a unadvertised mini tour just before Christmas 1980, in fact the day Lennon got shot from memory, cos Weller made a dedication to him. Supported by The Nips, and they bought McGowan on to sing Heat Wave for an encore. Cracking night that was!
Also just remembered saw The Jam at The Rainbow, the night before 1979 Cup Final. I’ve had worse weekends.
Pangloss
Division of labour- the secret of a happy marriage ?
a happy trip to highbury
a great gig
the saturday holy grail
fuckin mighty ๐
Pangloss@149: All’s well that ends with a good single malt.
Ah yes, Paul Weller supported by the Nips – not a pretty sight. ๐
Bunch of familiar faces wearing the wrong shirts in this game. Great watch though. And Villarreal 3 Barcelona 1. BWD (Barcelona Were Destroyed.) ๐
That’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LJjcUaPx0 for those unable to divine 157. ๐
There appears to be a sanity excess in the bar. Break out the emergency cba. Drink on the bar.
I’m going loco here.
Where is the proper football?
I am now on A Thousand Leaves.
What’s next?
Tales from Topographic Oceans?
wouldn’t be a weller fan, me
love a wee bitta jam
strange town a fuckin cracker
and
i’m sure
knowing me i pontificated large before
bout the clash
sing yer songs
blah blah big blah not fer me
but
play the
plastic hard man in belfast
fly over
barbed wire
photo opportunities
run away back into yer big car
cos reality is real and not
posh decayed clothes
and safety
career opportunities anyone ?
“cheap holiday in other people’s misery”
ambassadorminor nope
.
gimme buzzcocks
gimme ramones
.
.
mind you
stiff little fingers
awww jaysus
don’t get me fuckin started
feckin ‘journalist’
writing their insulting mickey mouse shite
wankers
“alternative ulster- grab it change it it’s yours”
vacuous shite
.
.
.
the ruts ?
esso ?
d’ye see them ?
loved to
think i said to zico
i moved to london just a few years late
for 70s
i’d a fuckin gone every gig i could
too many bands to mention
Loved The Ruts mate. Malcolm Owen was a proper boy.
and I (mainland Herbert and I’ll always admit it) loved Stiff Little Fingers too.
Still rate that band very highly indeed.
Beebwatch
Today’s criticism of Arseène Wenger from the BBC comes in the gossip column on the website. They quote “Rapper and actor Lethal Bizzle” (wft?) as accusing him of being stubborn (ring any bells with anyone here?) for failing to buy an outfield player over the summer.
It’s almost as though Auntie isn’t worried about credibility any more.
COYG
Fingers was and are fuckin’ great. hanx!
The Ruts? Good but wannabe punks.
100% esso
the ruts !
Malcolm was actually trying to be a skinhead, harrington and dm’s and all the time on the needle.
Phony Owen.
turds come in many cullas
Cullas.
I love you, you gipsy.
So ..Czechs rather hilariously qualified for Euro from a group which also includes Netherlands and Turkey. Netherlands got spanked by Turks 3:0 today and are fourth in the table not having progression at least to play offs in their hands.
I just wonder what are we going to do in France in summer, the team is not really bad but …not anywhere near the quality of team in 2004 and few years after that.
esso remember john peel used to say
he got a christmas card
from malcolm’s family
every year
.
top boy
top family
.
.
what it’s all about
don t feed the “tame” troll ?
.
๐
๐
No troll you, cba. ๐
Treasured contributor.
Everything ok?
Weekend off for me. Enjoying your and Esso’s reminiscences. ๐
Watching the Sex Pistols on Sky Arts. ๐
in the land of the street light again
gonna have to move here
the cattle will be distraught
gonna escape back
to the calm brutal chaos of atlantic soon
before i
etc
moooooooooooo
things grand ‘hol
love here
enjoy here
make a mouth of meself here
but know
i wont get away with it
๐
HERE
๐
Oฤuzhan รzyakup, once of this parish, scored his first goal for the Turkey senior side today against the Netherlands. One we let get away, perhaps?
am on homebrew cider
like a tommy gun bootlegger
i transported it
over county lines
.
8.2 %
9.4 %
.
come for me cunts !!!!!!
.
ooooops
(it appears michelle pfeiffer doesn”t like the noise)
she can get like that
.
gorgeous complainer
“SHOWER O’ LURKERS”
.
*nods*
can’t. be doin with this
CHEERIO
.
cheerio
.
cheerio
cba and Steve T: my son informed me of Rico’s passing, and he was surprised he was age 80. Had to remind the lad to check the ages of Davies, Townshend, Dylan, McCartney et al.; what’s the surprise?
And NBN: I recall that Ozyakup more than held his own in last season’s CL qualifier for Besiktas at the Emirates. Good luck to the lad!
Looks as if van Pussy and cohorts will have a hard time even getting to third place, as the Turks last two fixtures are against Czech and Iceland, both of whom are through and won’t push much in dead rubbers.
CBA: there’s the interlull for you: https://youtu.be/QoYiQ8Qsozk
Our first half-decent preseason is beginning to have an all too familiar feel and pattern of recent seasons past.
After another slow start we followed up with even more nervy, unpolished, sluggish and uncomfortable squeaky bum performances. No โnecessaryโ transfers done. Apparently no strikers or DMโs left in world football..again.
The second, of our two, minor, short term, 3-week injury candidates suddenly also now requires major surgery. who’d have seen that comin..again.
Wilshire never really recovers from last seasonโs ankle injury, again.. and again.
No worries. Letโs try Theo up top. I guess Arsene completely forget why we donโt play Theo up front. He is shite up front. again.
Anyway, all still fine as OG is nearly scoring goalsโฆagain.
and we still have flamini and artetta ready to come back for a game or two before they go back out…again.
Carry on Arsene. As you were and as you have been…..for a while now…again
๐ matt ๐
.
badumm badumm
Back again!?
Late to the party, never mind. Welbeck’s injury was at the worst possible time. I honestly felt he would fare better than theo this season and he may just compensate for the lack of the striker we needed. Now we are short and really are.
No DM as well will turn out to be a bad judgement. I do not for once believe Coquelin will sustain throughout the season playing at the level he has been. It is asking for too much from the lad who hasnt had one full season still.
September is tough and the pile up of fixtures is taxing. We need wins in almost all games maybe the exception being the travel to that shit place called the bridge. A draw against chelsea and a win against all others is the need of the hour but we need to beat a football playing stoke team, an inform Leicester, spurs in the cup and then in between the ucl trip to zagreb and a home game against olympiakos, october starts with the small matter of manchester united.
Arsenal and Arsene had a glorious chance to win the league. I am not saying we cannot but when it was known that we just needed that extra bit to help do so, not doing it is a crime. Was there anyone available? maybe not a striker, but why not a dm?
No team has truly strengthened baring city and hence they are the favourites. Arsenal need to hope and pray to stay away from injuries and become more incisive in their game. We need to realize it is easy to say if only but it cannot always come to the rescue.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That guy Mรผller really is pretty damn prolific..