Deadline Day Is Here
Sep 1st, 2008 by 'holic
Thank goodness today has arrived. Ahead of another interminable international break we face another few hours of frenetic activity before the door shuts tight on another transfer window.
Productivity will be low across the UK as corporate web servers hit red levels chasing the latest updates. How much will United pay for Berbatoss? Who are the five players going to Newcastle? Will Portsmouth have another did-we-or-didn’t-we-sell-him-in-time debacle like the Benjani move to Eastlands?
Of course the biggest question of all is ‘Will Arsenal sign a midfielder, or defender, or preferably both?’ (OK, that’s a couple of questions!)
The problem with playing brinkmanship in the market is if things don’t fall into place today then the boat has been missed until January. If potential sellers cannot be persuaded to lower their expectations then deals may remain undone. Contractual and medical requirements may have to be pushed through rather more quickly than would be ideal.
So whilst I am absolutely sure Arsenal will be involved in active negotiations today, be aware that the outcome of any such talks may just be ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’
I’m aware that a number of people only surf the net from Monday to Friday. The weekend is a time for football, families, and fun, after all. If you are in this group you will have missed a piece by James Lawton in Saturday’s Independent which is required reading if you are to get a balanced perspective on what is happening at Arsenal at the moment.
Lawton hasn’t always impressed, and I think he neglects to address properly the fact that there is almost universal acceptance that we are a body or two light in the squad, but those who are tempted to constant criticism of manger and board may wish to think about what is being said.
From tomorrow morning we will have a long international break to consider the implications of what does, or doesn’t, happen today.
26 Responses to “Deadline Day Is Here”
I think I’ll have a drink on deadline day, to start the week.
‘No Drinkss’ it says. Bizarre.
me and my frens have a sneaky feeling, with vieira at emirates during newcastle game, wenger actually already have a midfield to sign. vieira is currently not wanted at inter, wenger needs experience midfielder to partner fabregas while give another season or 2 for song, denilson and diaby to be more mature. so we think vieira fit the bill and could be another surprise signing by wenger, just like silvertre. he might not be sign permanently but a season on loan could really settle our midfield problem for the time being.
I’m already drunk.
AW won’t sign anyone.
Certainly not Paddy, Sniff.
G’morning Ollie.
C’mon…..who’s our next signing????
the door shuts tight on another transfer window.
Heh, nice work ‘holic.
Morning.
`holic big thanks for the link to the mad jock commenating on the Celtic-Rangers game.When it comes to commentators this guy stands alone.
Who kidnapped the original spiteful Arsenal hating, Wenger despising Lawton ?
Well done Woody, glad someone is awake.
Stand by for news tomorrow morning of Cesc’s new boots fitting him like a glove, and the newly laid pitch at the Grove is not as green as it’s grassy looking.
…and yes gonko, I will be tuned into tictalk for all future Celtic games. The guy was legend.
Time for a swift one while i’m on my way through, ‘holic?!
Just read your blog for the past couple of days too sir, lovely stuff.
A lot of results went well for us this weekend, and I think at least some of the doom has lifted. For now.
Lets nip a couple of signings in the bud then and make us all feel that little it better……
Hi ‘holic,
Yes the Lawton article is fascinating. He starts by appreciating Wenger’s unique brilliance(as a lot of us do), then questions whether his ‘vision’ is realistic (as a lot of us do) and ends with the conclusion that we are truly lucky to have such an exceptional manager (as a lot of us do) .
And he cleverly has this ‘internal argument’ with himself as if it is aimed at other fans (as a lot of us do).
Stephen Fry presented a documentary on being bipolar and concluded by asking himself the question “would I rather be normal?” He concluded that he wouldn’t, because although the lows were hard to bear, the highs were breathtaking. Supporting Arsenal is just like that. A condition for which there is no cure but I wouldn’t change it for the world…..mind you I’d quite like a couple of surprise late quality signings!
There are always tablets that can help, Rasputin. 😉
‘holic, what chance that Arsenal are on the brink of signing Barton?
Personally I’d prefer Gary Glitter to Bartton
Ok guys, no signings tonight. What we have, we have.
“on 01 Sep 2008 at 7:51 pm14Goonerholic
Ok guys, no signings tonight. What we have, we have.”
Shurely a bit premature (hic)?
Thanks for the Lawton piece, which I had missed. I think JL started to get the message after Birmingham last year – if I my memory serves me well he was one of the few journos to call that debacle correctly; not least Taylor’s “contribution”.
Saturday was a vast improvement but I still think if AW truly believes the squad is good enough he’s seriously mistaken. Central midfield is the obvious problem (as we all keep saying), but fishface for Phil was a huge mistake.
Despite all the doubters I still think Senderos could have turned into the new Adams. Silvestre, if he’s ever fit, is more likely to be the new Tommy Caton – ugh.
Go on Arsene, prove me wrong – please . . . .
I think you are right ‘holic. The new season has started. Let all the other clubs get into debt and be disappointed with their over-priced signings. We can sit happy in the knowledge that we know what we’ve got… and worry about it in our own time 😉
*settles down on sofa with a kir royale*
Is any of you actually suprised by this mad man. How long more do we have to suffer this arrogont liar as the manager of our once great club. Its time for a doctor to explain to this excuse of a manager that its not his money and more importantly its not his club. Every Arsenal fan in the world is crying out for a sighning as its blatently obvious this team is woefully short. Does Wenger think that two victories over mickey mouse teams will make everyone forget how useless and gutless most of this current team actually are. Its gone beyond a joke now. Even you “Arsene knows” apologists will have to stop laughing now. Its obvious Wenger hasnt got the know how or ability to convince top players to come and dont waste your time naming Henry Viera etc because when they came they were ordinary and also dont forget that for every great sighning hes made theres been 3 or 4 disasters, but we dont mention these on this blog site or we get banned and the truth is removed. It may be also that were Wenger to actually sighn some ready made quality then he would be unable to use one of his usual bullshit excuses of how young and inexperienced his kids were and the great man would be found out as the bluffer he really is. It gives me no pleasure these days being an Arsenal fan and thats solely down to the fact we’ve got the biggest conman footballs ever seen in charge of our club but as most of you know its impossible not to love Arsenal, so im just going to have to suffer untill this clown is shown the door. One last point, I know now that I speak for the vast majority of Arsenal fans when i say, thanks for the memories Arsene but time to go, GO NOW WENGER.
It gives me no pleasure these days being an Arsenal fan
Well fuck off then.
‘Vast majority’
Go to a game mate and then comment
Jackster in ‘non-game-goer-indignation’ shocker!
I write this at 11.42 pm just seconds after the transfer of Robinho to Man City has been confirmed. I am left with the sinking feeling that we are being left behind. This could be the last season that we have the big four, and with it could go our presumption every season of another champions League campaign. You only have to remember how quickly Chelsea`s fortunes were transformed by such a massive injection of capital. I wasn`t expecting any signings, and I believe that Arsene Wenger was at tonight`s reserve fixture, although he doesn`t conduct any transfer negotiations hinself. Still you would expect him to be on hand if he was seriously trying to bring someone in. Before next season we will have to spend big on the sort of major signings that have taken place tonight, or resign ourselves to several seasons in the eufa cup. Its midnight and no news about Arsenal .
Hahaha Herts
We are the squad we are!
a fine tuned watch that will always try to show why le boss has faith in the the team.
Why do you think they play “the kids are alright at the emerites before every match.
Have you ever been to a match you doubting wankers.
ARSENAL
double winners 2008-2009
come on you reds!!!!
if you would’nt mind… a jack and coke please
tampa-arsefan-I live in Tampa too