Getting Ready To Splash The Cash – At Last
Jun 20th, 2013 by 'holic
It’s an awkward time. I’m some distance from the place where the deal is likely to be concluded. I am having to wait to see what will happen as new arrivals are anticipated in July. That means I might not get my business completed by August.
I have a budget which can be supplemented should it be necessary, but the threat of financial penalties being applied by the governing body, or management as I prefer to call her, is a very real prospect.
I wonder what name will eventually end up on the back of the rumoured to be yellow and blue polo-style away shirt. That is my primary target. Cost is not the immediate issue. I am armed with a warchest of gift vouchers courtesy of the superbly timed London marathon run by @dvdmcn.
That will leave enough money to go for the 1971 track suit top, long since an object of desire. Then again a new shower jacket complete with cannon would provide much-needed cover for a rainy day.
Then again I should also consider the future, perhaps, and make a considerable investment in goodies for the grand’holics. It would be great to secure them on a long-term contract and scare off the competition.
All depends on that first deal. Can I nail it down or will the finished product disappoint, or disappear in a puff of smoke. Maybe I should just keep the money in reserve for another year?
I cannot stand the uncertainty.
It reminds me of something else.
169 Responses to “Getting Ready To Splash The Cash – At Last”
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Slides in?!!!!
Haha cheeky you, ‘holic. Nice post!
A dithering thirst?
Heh, you really had to write a blog now, did you? :s
Now I dream of nice Arsenal jackets…
Spend some F….ing vouchers!
Nice read…..from Goonerholic to Shopaholic – I think not π
BTW well in Norcal with the opening score.
Very nice ‘H. π
As the old song goes, que sera sera …
Heh.
Management rules!
Well in NorCal!!
Nonsense you say Holic? Where? Sanest thing I’ve read her for a while! π
BTW I always have the last words in our house: “yes, dear”
Ha! Excellent stuff, it’s been 18 years to the day since you last splashed the vouchers! π
Show a little bit mental strength fella and it will all work itself out :-).
Shower jacket, I ask you …
Good call NorCal! He’s got your measure holic…
No shoes?
Something wrong with this picture……
Masterful
Careful what you get printed on or underneath the shirt
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2962530/Manchester-City-fans-champions-tattoo-backfires.html
I refuse to backdrink Cent! I’m only a man… 8)
Nice post Holic, I enjoyed it, especially as I have a nice Arsenal Jacket myself π
Actually I have a nice Arsenal Jacket as Cent knows ;), but I have a nice Arsenal Track suit top also π
I like the sound of a yellow and blue style polo shirt,provided the XXL is available . We do better when we have yellow away kit. Unfortunately I have had to throw away shirts with Jovetic, Mata, Navas and Smalling in recent years. I ave always had a problem with premature evaluation.
Whatever choice you make ‘Holic the Armoury will be slavering in anticipation of a high roller hitting town. Furthermore Park and Santos tee- shirts are being given away free of charge. They will make lovely polishing rags for the car!
Haha. I’ll need an extra X here TTG π
Very nice ‘holic.
If you’re having trouble you can always consult your old friends Ivan Dick and Gazidas Law, they should be able to help you through the pitfalls of
the transferChapel Market.Oh and welcome back Wind!!!
Hi everyone(except Wind >:/) getting ready to go watch Nigeria take on Uruguay, should be an interesting game.
Nice little parody Holic.
Do they do a String Vest to commemorate the nets that the double winning goals were fired into ?
That’s supposed to be a 1971 string vest.
It’s very calm here in Oxfordshire. The Sp*d fans have all gone quiet as they await final confirmation of the Power Shift they’ve been creaming themselves over for the past couple of years. The Good Guys are calmly waiting for possible strengthening of the squad, not counting the days since Ivan may or may not have said something, not counting the months until Arsène’s contract runs out and trying not to count the weeks until summer finishes and the weather turns colder.
What’s the latest news on the jolly boys’ river trip to Craven Cottage?
Come onDick Law,sort it out….
New away shirt soon,
Last year home shirt was was Artera 8.
This year home is going to be Rambo 16.
Away shirt is either Gonzo 52 or I’m a Bale relative.
Default is always, always Rocky 7. Same age as me.
Crying just writing that.
Very sartorial, ‘Holic.
Here you go, chaps, dedicated followers of fashion to the last, I don’t doubt. Pick yourselves something nice from this lot:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatpicturegalleries/8839535/Britains-worst-football-kits.html
Thanks H2H π
Higuain AND Rponey according to tomorrow’s Mail!
There must be a glitch in renewing the corporate boxes.
Flotilla of pigs have just flown past the window.
Forty two clubs after Bendtner – according to him.
Nice of him to tweet underwear pictures but prefer the ones of his girlfriend.
Hey Wind good to see you back in the drinks. Cheers. One on my tab please barkeep.
As an Arsenal fan, the only thing to do is buy the fake from abroad that costs almost as much as the real thing, looks the part at first but pretty much falls to bits after three months and gets discarded. Then you stumble across it in a drawer around February time and think you might still get some use out of it, so you throw it on from time to time but it still can’t really satisfy and it quickly goes back in the drawer.
Come August, you’re looking through your gear for the season and you find it again, think “Are you still here?” and after a brief attempt to get rid of it, which fails because you can’t find a taker, but being tight you don’t want to just get rid of it because it did cost you a few quid, the cycle starts again.
Cynic@32 I have the same problem with motoring organisation membership, cost me a bloody fortune, most expensive club I ever joined, that one.
If only I could afford a genuine Arsenal shirt. When I came by in 2011 I settled for a ‘North London’s Finest Red Army’ number from one of the street traders. Only later did I ponder the ‘Red Army’ bit which I thought was Manu’s moniker.
Apropos disappearing ‘in a puff of smoke’, ‘holic, in the last drinks Uplympian posted his puff of choice (back when) as being ‘Weights or Woodbines (or roll your own)’. Talk about lack of ambition … as I remember the day it was either Black Russians or Sobranie Cocktails!
That was down in Surrey of course, and I guess posing similarly in Islington might have been asking for trouble. Not that either were up to much as fags, and I soon moved on to Gauloise until giving up permanently in my early thirties (40 years ago!).
Oskar
No Balkan Sobranie, OtD?
Oskar @34
Sobranie Cocktails were the ultimate triumph of style over substance. I used to carry a packet to offer around but couldn’t smoke one myself – they were truly awful. John Player Special in the black packs were my vice until I also gave up nearly 40 years ago. Think of all the money that we’ve been able to save / waste on other things since then!
Don’t take the risk Holic!
I strongly suspect the price of the first item might outweigh the benefits of displaying it so keep your powder dry for a newer item that will give you more bang in the long run mate. Like a fresh young Puma from the land of Bundesliga π
Balkan Sobranie were the ones that came in tins, if I remember right NBN? I probably gave them a go, but it’s the memory again… π
You’re right about the savings, Noosa, I could never have afforded all the premium cognac I’ve consumed since without it. π
Oskar
What Poppet said, ….Shower Jacket! What the fuck is that when its at home? An Anorak? A Kagool?
Esso
A Shower Jacket is what you wear IN the Shower,when you just want to wash your hair,but are too fucking old and creaky to bend over the washtub.!!
Hi Esso. It appears to look like a kagool (not actually sure if shower jacket is a modern or pre-1970s term as I’m out of touch either way ;-)). Actually, it has just been clarified – thank you Goonersince54!
Heh! @ The Sweeper. Frail of body maybe but not of humour.
Yellow and blue away kit? Proper stuff at last. Waaaay too good for the likes of young Master Rooney. That’s why he won’t join. In any case, you wouldn’t want Arsene to kill Gervinho, would you?
Dr.z from prev. drinks – Happy Hovercraft? I’ll remove the eels first.
bath from previous drinks – Re: Away tix for The Cottage. That’s what I was told by a very fine Gooner who frequents all home and away games as well as The Tollie….. bollix, I’m starting to sound like a bloody ITK so I’ll quit now.
Morning Poppet/TS
Glad i was able to clear that up.!!
TS,
Thankfully Re Rooney,there is as much chance of him joining us,as there is of me running a 4 minute mile.!!
If you read Tab’s exclusive in the Daily Stale,Higuain is on the cusp,and Rooney is on Usmanov’s wish list,so not quite the same thing as some people are trying to make out.
Quite why Higuain would want to join us and play with,let’s be brutally frank,mainly 2nd level quality players does baffle me.
I know he didn’t get a lot of game time this season under Maureen,but he was alongside some of the best players in the world,so this would be a comedown in my humble opinion.
As usual,we believe it when it appears on the Arse website.
Onward and Upward
The Sweeper.
Oskar / Noosa……Black Russians & Sobranie Cocktails were carried when you wanted to impress the opposite sex. For the younger ones here, Sobranie Cocktails ciggies were made with different coloured papers – very sophisticated! Soon realised that was wasted with the gals I would meet in Islington.
No doubt Wolfies fag of choice ( no pun intended) would be Pink Cloud – they were considerably longer than the standard length and naturally contained in a pale pink package.
When I was a youngish schoolboy first buying the stuff, you could buy a packet of Dominoes, 4 ciggies for 6 pence ( 2 1/2 new pence), wrapped only in flimsy paper.
Fortunately gave up the weed in my early twenties except for odd special occasions when Gaulois was the choice.
Clive
I agree.
The Rooney stories are just that. Bed time tales to comfort the young and others whose brains are in their formative years.
Higuain seems to have more credibility but what do I know? I can only assume that Arsenal have done a decent sales job on him, given him the full charm offensive on our future plans and that he’s up for a fresh challenge. That and maybe the promise of playing at a club in a very decent position to be able to pay wages through the duration of his contract. Either way, my guess is that there’s still much to do before agreement is reached and that we’re still weeks away before an announcement can be considered. Would love to be proved wrong, of course.
UTA!
Those were the days, eh, Uply? You could buy a threp’ny bag of chips and still have change from a tanner.
Otd@38: You are right. Balkan Sobranie was pipe tobacco. Never been a smoker so tobacco outside my domain of expertise (a pretty small realm at the best of times…)
Clive @43 – Always first with the scoops! π
I have to say that unlike you, I’m not at all surprised that Higuain is considering Arsenal. Looks a good fit to me. If he’s fed up playing second fiddle to Benzema and wants to leave Madrid, his options are fairly limited.
He won’t get a gig at Barcelona and the rest of the Spanish league is in freefall. If reports are to be believed, Arsenal are in a position to offer more money than any of the Italian Clubs. Manchester Utd are well stocked for strikers, as are the big two in Germany, so that just leaves the Oil rich Clubs, all of whom would appear to have bigger fish to fry – Cavani, Falcao etc.
Bit early to get too excited, but the interest is obviously real, and I think it might just happen.
Rooney on the other hand is just press piffle imo. I only put that in my “exclusive” so that a few of my readers would get their blue stockings in a twist. π
Even assuming that we could somehow find a way round the minefield that is Rooney’s salary, I would have strong reservations about him. Nor would those reservations be “behavioural”. I don’t give two hoots that he sometimes swears at Refs, has a head shaped like a potato, likes a granny every now and then, or any of the other usual guff that I sometimes read on twitter.
My concerns would be purely Football-based. Rooney is a very fine Footballer. I’ve seen him destroy us too many times, (their 3-1 win at the Ems a few seasons back stands out), to deny that self-evident fact. I can’t however escape the notion that his best days are already behind him. His build and his “refuelling” habits both lend themselves to the thought that he won’t make old bones as a footballer. I might be completely wrong of course, but I would be genuinely amazed if AW’s admiration for him actually turned into more concrete interest.
I would rather a new creative spark be provided by the likes of Isco (who appears to be City bound), Thiago Alcantara (who appears to be Utd bound), or Fabregas ( who appears to be staying put).
I was determined not to get involved in the transfer talk. Look what you gone made me do Clive. π
Up – Pink Cloud? I live my life on one. π
Clive re “shower jackets” – π But,
Higuain would consider Arsenal a bit of a comedown after sitting on Madrid’s bench ?
I would certainly hope not.
Agree, and hope, that Rooney is very unlikely.
His form and fitness have not been great for a couple of seasons. Considering he started playing in Everton’s first team at 16, his current 29 years would translate into 33 or 34 for a striker starting at a more usual age of 20 or 21.
His recent level of fitness seems to reflect that and hopefully rules him out on that basis.
Nice one Tabs.
Rooney definetly has his qualities, easily one of the best English guys when he’s on his game, I still believe he’s sometimes overhyped though, but that’s not his fault.
I agree entirely about his physical longevity, he reminds me of Gasgoine who I always thought could break down gasping for breath at any moment. Now maybe Wazza looks after himself better then Gazza, but he still has the appearance of a chain smoking beer guzzling geezer.
Add to that his hefty wage requirements and hassle of the media circus that always surrounds him then I really can’t see us having any interest in him whatsoever.
Tabs @ 47…..agree with everything you say….right on the money in my book.
Wolfie @48…..I have to correct myself…those ciggies were called Passing Clouds, but they were long, oval shaped and in a pink box. Do you some times think you are living in the wrong era π
p.s.
Apologies for the use of azzas π
We’ll let you off Hazza….
Cheers Zazza.
Up – Regency period was my true calling.
Trev – Rooney is 27, 28 in October, though I think your point about the early start to his career is a good one.
H2H – Cheers and agree with your take on Rooney.
H2H
I too think Rooney is a bit of an accident waiting to happen.
Highly talented player that he is, he has painted himself into a corner at Manure and may find it very hard to move on, on risk factor alone. However, I’d be delighted to be in that position whilst drawing Β£200K++ per week. Somehow, he’ll find a way to muddle through.
Cheers, Tsazza
We have more chance of signing Mickey Rooney, and he would be better for the dressing room.
Feelgoodzzzza
My mate has written an excellent guide to the largest republic in the Caucasus.
It’s called – Azza by John. π
I should hope the dot con supplies you with a shower jacket of choice, ‘holic. they don’t miss a beat, do they?
Wazzup Trezza & Scruzza?
CouldΕt resist
Good grief, what have I done. π
Tabs,
In relation to the Hig – I wouldn’t necessarily say that the Oil clubs have bigger fish to fry. Of course that’s only a matter of opinion – but the Higs stats are every bit as comparable with Falcao / Cavani / Suarez’s of this world. I read somewhere (however true…?) that he turned down Citeh who expressed real interest. And that kind of buoyed me somewhat because any self regarding striker who had a morsel of self respect and wished to progress his career would avoid that circus like the plague. Already, they have some of the finest strikers in the world and their only solution is to buy more rather than try to cultivate the talent they already have.
I agree completely with your assessment on Rooney. And I do think it could well be a big (financial) ask to sign him. While I think its most unlikely, I would really like to see him being signed. In saying that, I acknowledge and understand precisely where Trev is coming from in terms of his “miles on the clock” being far greater than a player of his age. But what always impressed me about Rooney is his work ethic. He works tirelessly, is a real team player and had enormous ability. Apart from that – he is the type of signing that would give this team real momentum. Both players (Hig & Rooney) have impressive stats. But Rooney has experience in the PL and will not need to adapt.
Heh @ 59
Controversial @ Joezza 8)
And on that note I am of to the Juiceaaaa
*off*
@#62 – Why fight it?
Nice debate about Rooney in Arsenal shirt…
On the surface up until now he has been the embodiment of the type of player that we don’t like for all his talent and work rate — buffoonish, physically out of shape, not that intelligent, too greedy etc. etc. And of course him being Fergie’s main man in the last half a decade of ignominy at their hand doesn’t sit well…
But I think there is another aspect of Rooney that gets overlooked easily and I think that is a key reason why Arsene has alway admired him so openly: the tactical intelligence and discipline. He may not be the smartest cookie in the English football cupboard — for instance our Ox or Theo are much more savvy in the media and well spoken — but his footballing intelligence is excellent. He can channel his technical abilities perfectly in the role he is asked to play and modify his game accordingly.
I know his wage bill is a major deterrent, but I think he is at that stage in his career where expert guidance from someone like Arsene — in matters footballing and beyond — would rejuvenate him and can step him up to the next level. In international football, for instance, he has not really achieved his full potential. And in club football as well he has been left behind by many of his peers.
He will not be the first confused, ill-disciplined and somewhat out of shape ‘star’ whose career Arsene had resurrected.
Anyway, that is why I think there may be some ‘meat’ behind the Rooney rumors. But I would be as surprised as all of you if that at all happens.
Rooney in an Arsenal shirt?
I’d rather cut off my own penis with a rusty breadknife than see that.
My contribution to the ‘debate’.
Esso @ 69: The things that you are most afraid of or disdainful about have a way of becoming true … π
I have never understood the visceral hatred against players, a hatred that separates itself from a fanatic devotion by pure and random chance.
A purely theoretical what-if scenario anyway, as I don’t see either we are paying that kind of salary or the player willing to move with that much of a wage drop …
Faustus,
How do you know what we might, or might not, be willing to pay Rooney ?
Gooners’ ‘hatred’ of Rooney is not by pure and random chance. If you had to choose one issue that generates it, it would probably be the penalty winning dive against us that ended The Invincibles’ unbeaten run.
In general, though, he has epitomised everything that real football fans dislike about the modern game.
You cannot enjoy the class of The Arsenal and, at the same time, admire a loutish, fat granny shagger like Rooney.
I don’t think you will find good players, who have an honest attitude, are randomly hated by Arsenal fans, just because they play for another club.
Dr T knows.
100 % spot on.
Cheers, Dr Z.
Two nominations for “Most Stupid Rumour of the Day”.
BBC text reports –
From the Daily Mail,
“Arsenal are putting the finishing touches on a Β£50m deal for Gonzalo Higuain …….. “. (Yes, it says 50 million !!! )
And, from The Sun,
“The Gunners are also set for a Β£6m move for Dynamo Zagreb defender Tin Jedvaj, 17.”
This, as another option to Swansea’s Ashley Williams, 28, as Wenger is unhappy with Swansea’s Β£10m asking price.
Two almost identical options there, then. !!!!!!!
Trev,
Spot-on as usual.
Rooney is a spiv although I have to say he is a very talented player at his best.But we can’t have Esso cutting off his penis with a rusty breadknife or any other implement for that matter so I think we should pass.
Higuain is a class act and follows in the footsteps of great strikers who had faltered at a previous club–Joe Baker,Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp all came to us under a bit of a cloud and were sensational. But frankly Higuain’s stats as others have said are excellent and he has the chance to become a legend too.
If we did get Fellain as well we would have an extremely useful looking squad and to my mind only need an experienced goalie and a good utility defender. That squad (providing we don’t sell any stars) has a real chance of putting in a serious challenge next season.
Thanks Trev @71 for the chastisement…
I am no ‘admirer’ of Rooney, and as I mentioned that as far as his ‘footballing persona’ goes he does epitomize everything that we don’t want in an Arsenal player.
However, and here I would like to provoke our thinking a bit further, I don’t think persona and personalities are immutable traits in a human being. There is no unchanging core.
I generally like to see human beings as potentials and not always hold strong opinions based on past. And inversely not cloud the fondness of memory by the betrayals of future.
We have cheered for Adebayor, Cole or RVP … imagine Rooney-in-Arsenal as Cole time-traversing in the opposite direction. π
Even among many of our unforgettable heroes in the Arsene years, how many actually turned out to have even a semblance of class, forget ethical standard, once they left Arsenal? Not that many.
Characters can evolve in either direction…
Will no one think of that rusty breadknife and poor Esso……?
Heartless…..
TTG @ 75: I would not say Higuain has faltered at Madrid. 107 goals in 187 appearances in six years fighting successfully for the striker role with the likes of Raul to Benzema is a very good record, especially given that he had joined RM as a teenager directly from Argentina.
Higuain is much more of an established success than Henry was when he had joined Arsenal. He also has sparkled for Argentina whenever he has played.
I think he would be a great addition if he joins…the question would be will the formation always be either Higuain or Giroud or can there be a strategy that would accommodate both?
Trev@71:
I donβt think you will find good players, who have an honest attitude, are randomly hated by Arsenal fans, just because they play for another club.
Nemanja Vidic
Vincent Kompany
Juan Mata
Those are just three names off the top of my head that are examples of players – and bloody good ones at that – who are widely respected and admired amongst Arsenal fans despite playing for clubs that we don’t particularly like.
Wenger was right when he said βwhat club wouldnβt be interestedβ (in having Rooney!). And I think he deliberately said that to send out a message.
And if he is signed – I will be drinking something nice with my legs crossed wincing at the thought of Esso………
There has been one player over the years that I really didn’t want to see in an Arsenal shirt and that was Luis Suarez, I’ve said so on these very pages and it was long before the whole racist vampire PL incidents.
Rooney may very well be a bit of a tool, but if, and this is a massive gaping big fuck off of an if, he signed for us, and I’m in no shape or form advocating this, then he would be our tool and then all bets are off.
I mean, honestly as tools go, if you put him on a scale from 1 to John Terry then there are a lot worse out there.
Once again this is not me saying I want us to sign Rooney.
Doctor F
I take your point completely
What I was trying to say was that Higuain is being portrayed in some quarters as a reject when in reality he has done extremely well. The other names I mentioned had struggled at their previous club but the problem was with their club rather than them. I suspect Higuain has been compared too closely to Ronaldo.
I’m usually dubious about You Tube videos but his is mighty impressive.
Trev @ 74
From the Daily Mail,
βArsenal are putting the finishing touches on a Β£50m deal for Gonzalo Higuain β¦β¦.. β. (Yes, it says 50 million !!! )
It may indeed sound a bit crazy at first glance, but if you break it down 50mill probably isn’t that wide of the mark for a player like Higuan.
Let’s say that Real will want between 20 and 25mill for him, the going rate for a striker of his age and reputation. To split the difference we will say 22.5 mill.
Now, he’s going to be on a pretty lucrative pay deal too, probably in the region of 120 to 150 grand a week, once again we’ll split the difference and say 135 large a week.
He’d probably be offered at least a 4 year deal so that would be;
22,500,000 transfer fee.
+
135,000 x 52 x 4 = 28,080,000 wages
=
50,580.000.
Ouch!!
Easy eh, this transfer business? π
Once again, this is all hypotheticaly speaking.
H2H, are we considering signing John Terry then?
I wonder what Esso will do to himself.
WS@55: Was it the Whigs?
Huigain would be a tremendous asset. His goals to games ratio is good for both club and country. We need an efficient striker who can put the ball in the net regularly β the person who turns dominant possession into goals, as RvP did the season before last. There are more than enough games in a season to go round him and OG; top clubs need more than one No 9.
No doubt that AW could maximize the final third of Rooney’s career, but is that the best use of his time? And wouldn’t the position he would move into be the same one that the Ox is being groomed for?
Aside from that dive, I’m not certain where this absolute hatred of Rooney comes from, but I suspect its partly because of the perception that Arsenal have class, whilst Rooney, has, well… he’s an oik — isn’t he?
I can appreciate that point of view. And I know he doesn’t fit the Arsenal mould in that respect. But anyone who suggests he’s not a fantastic football player, is clearly watching something different to me.
And as Dr F says, his team ethic and work rate would massively benefit any PL team. When you add his skill and vision, he’s one of the best English players of his generation.
But. He’s damaged goods — he shags old grannies. He’s tainted by Fergie and by RvP. He plays for Manure. But, aside from that, he would improve us immeasurably. And without him, Man Utd would be a little easier to beat.
Ttg @75 – cheers, and good stuff yourself, sir.
Faustus,
You are clearly of a generous nature and I admire the spirituality.
Where Rooney is concerned, however, I am with Esso, but will settle for cutting his penis off with the rusty breadknife.
H2H,
Maybe I did Tabs’ rag a disservice as, with wages included, the whole deal probably would total around Β£50m over four years. Blimey !
I was being naive enough to think they meant purchase price. π
Jebus, who mentioned Rooney? Ugh…
” Re Rooney,there is as much chance of him joining us, as there is of me running a 4 minute mile.!! ” – Gs54
But do you remember who it was who ran the first 4-minute mile?
Think carefully…
Oskar
Rooney, ugh. I’m with Esso I’m afraid.
But, as I said in a previous post, if he scores the winning goal for us in a CL final then maybe I’ll forgive him the years of hurt
Media-gaffe alert! Pesky maps…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22995631
I think Higuain, Fellaini and Rooney for a total 70m would be monster business for us. The first two are a given, and I believe a new challenge for Rooney might just bring out the best in him … a best I remember as right up there whenever he played against us. He also seems to play well with Walcott in the England set-up.
We could do a lot worse bringing in someone with no EPL experience.
No-one with an answer to my #89?
Oskar
Is this a trick question Oskar?
Rodger Banister is recognized as the first sub four minute mile.
Cheers
Apart from being obsessed with transfer gossip concerning Arsenal I take no notice of it whatsoever! It is hard to get proper information but one more than semi- reliable source is David Ornstein at BBC. Apart from misreading the Dutch Skunk saga last year he is usually very close to real developments.
His latest Twiter revelation on our activity is interesting. He says we are after three players a Striker,defensive midfielder and attacking midfielder . We are not in for a defender unless one leaves and not in for Cesar or Rooney.
This might be total codswallop but he tends to have real sources in the club. Higuain appears to be the number one target and one can conclude this is realistic. Fellini might be serious too but Rooney is fanciful. Thisbis good news for Esso’s privates.
Our link seems to be based on the fact that Usmanov ( who is not even on the Board) says we should buy him and Wenger says he s a good player!
I’m sure we could start a rumour on here if enough of us subscribed to it. I’m up for us buying Bale from the LWCs. If we get a groundswell of discussion going it will probably appear in some of the rags tomorrow and the Daily Star in mid- July. A few indiscreet Twitter feeds and comments on silly websites and the Simian one will be linked with us. That would surely have Esso bathing his todger in baby oil. Much healthier – allegedly.
‘Wenger swoops for Bale in sensational Β£80 million bid ‘ I say. We could offer Bendtner and Santos in part exchange so I would only cost us Β£79.99 million. Get tweeting we could get the Internet in a ferment and upset lots of Spuds into the bargain. Never a bad thing to do.
I blame TS and Tabs for all this tosh about Rooney,and that’s exactly what it is,Tosh.!!
Utd are on record as stating that they will never sell their top players to any of their Premiership rivals.
So the ‘ hair transplant ‘ has only overseas as an option.
The big talk is going to Madrid,where he will get to play the role he wants which is as a Striker,and of course he will link up wth his old mucker the ‘ Portugese Ponce ‘.
Only problem i see,is Rooney has about as much chance of learning to speak Spanish,as i have of getting a head job off the
Queen Mother.!!
Quite how he will order his triple cheeseburger and fries,is anyone’s guess.
Cheers
The Sweeper
I’m not even conviced Rooney actually wants to leave ManU. As far as I can tell, the whole idea of him wanting out is based on the assumption that him and Moyes still hate each other and I have seen very little proof that that is still the case. And would they want to sell him even if he wants to stay? Well, I can’t see that happening to be honest. Whatever we think of him as a person, he is still a bloody good player.
In any case he won’t end up at Arsenal.
Zico. Fear not, I did n’t actually say I’d do it. Anyways forget it, more chance of Lily White Cunts winning the league.
Why waste so much hot air on the Shrek rumour?
Hell will freeze over before he would be an Arsenal player.
We would never destabilise the dressing room paying him his current salary and he would certainly not move without us either matching it or bettering it.
I think Lars is probably correct – he is posturing and has no desire to leave Manure. If he does leave, it will be to Chavski. If we are making any overtures, that too is mere posturing in the interests of demonstrating our new found financial ‘muscle’ but it’s a prick tease.
Esso knows – no risk to his cock from Rooney.
Assist…
Ok – bang!
Well in Dr Z.
I reckon Β£80mill is far too much for the former Southampton left back; we shouldn’t go over Β£50M. Although he’s got great EPL experience, I wonder how he’d cope with the instantaneous switch from meejah dahling to pariah that would inevitably follow any trip down the Seven Sisters Rd.
As for Rooney, well, meh. Also, in view of Essos’ recent announcement, are references to his “privates” really appropriate?
COYG
Now this could be, in the words of Holden Caulfield, a royal pain in the ass……
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23004880
zico: yet another bunch of old men who refuse to understand that times and technologies have moved on. These idiots need a massive reality check.
Goonersince54,
One is very much looking forward to that.
Will I need to adjust my tiara ?
@Lars:
Although one who sees himself as belonging to the “bunch of old men who refuse to understand that times and technologies have moved on”, it seems to me that any attempt to block one streaming website would only lead to 5 more popping up. Or is my understanding completely flawed?
dkg
I seem to remember seeing that every PL game was to be shown live in the US next season.
Someone will surely have something up and running from that little lot.
Personally don’t trust the streams anyway, since my PC was wiped out.
Does that place me with the old luddite geezers ?
It does not, Trev. At least you understand that it’s not 1977 anymore.
dk, it is not completley flawed. When myp2p.eu was shut down it was claimed to be a massive victory for copyright holders but it had little to no effect, and today pretty much exactly the same site still exists but now under the name wiziwig.tv.
(and for those that don’t know, myp2p/wiziwig is by far the best place to find streams in my opinion)
Many sites to choose from to be honest. I prefer to listen to the arabic ones personally. I hate having to listen to the constant Arsenal-bashing and ManU/Liverpool/LWCs arselicking spewed by the various “pundits”.
An example, I rewatched Liverpool v Arsenal today and while we’re pinging it around having scored 2 goals against them, the pundit (maybe Stuart Robson?) was saying we were being outplayed by Liverpool and lucky to have scored two goals! Ridiculous.
As for that ban, I doubt it’ll work. The internet cannot be constrained by the laws of men π
Totally agree with the bar consensus re: Rooney: won’t happen. At most, he’ll use us to leverage interest elsewhere. And that’s for the best, because we don’t need a fat 27 year old with an attitude problem on a 5 year deal earning 200k a week.
Fellaini, on the other hand, would fit the bill very nicely. No idea whether or not it can happen, but I have my fingers crossed.
Higuain, Fellaini and a back up keeper would represent a superb summer’s work. Still a long way off, but a man can dream.
What a div
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BNSVCRfCUAAdxNX.png
CoR: I remember the debate arund that Liverpool game. And I think you are right, as I recall it it was that bitter little man Stuart Robson who said that about us scoring two lucky goals.
Oxon
Take your point
“Arsenal refuse to go beyond Β£50 million in daring Bale bid”
“Wenger refuses to pay more than Β£50 million for Welsh Wizard”
“Levy says up your bid to buyers as Arsenal prepare swoop”
It will be all over the red tops tomorrow
Clive – I see what you did there. Crafty. Very crafty.
π
TTG:
Good to hear that Wenger has actually bid Β£50 million for Bale, I was told that he’d actually only put in a derisory Β£45M bid. Gawd almighty, when we he learn to put in a sensible initial offer to prevent sellers just ignoring him.
FFS we only just managed to land Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla last year and we wouldn’t have got them if anyone had come in offering more and the players had been prepared to sign elsewhere.
Joe @64,
Fair enough on Higuain. I wasn’t aware that he’d turned his nose up at City. Fair play to him if he’s done that.
All fair on Rooney too. My view however is that even with his BPL experience and his work ethic, he doesn’t represent “value”.
All pie in thev sky though. As others have pointed out, I don’t think there’s any chance of it happening.
Oxon
Next week’s headlines on NewsNow
” Wenger stalls on increasing Bale offer”
” Usmanov pleads with Wenger to splash Bale cash’
‘ Show some ambition in Bale chase says ex- Gunner as Frenchman ponders Β£35 million offer”
‘ Arsene Wenger is a Wanker says Stewart Robson”
‘ Bale to Arsenal is a done deal-‘ Myles Palmer
To (Lord) Clive Waterman, Gooner since 1954
Have we turned the bar into an episode of The Apprentice? Trying to pin the tittle-tattle about Rooney on me?
Did I not describe the meeja invented gossip about him as bed-time stories for children and those with formative minds?
Look, I’m only in my 40s and I know I’m the best candidate in here and I’ll work really hard and I’ll prove to you that I should be the one you invest in cos I’m god’s gift to business development, etc., etc., etc.
Thank you for the opportunity Lord Waterman.
I’m off to take more snaps of a strange looking, slightly stout young man with a rug on his head getting into the back of black cab outside The Ems.
Big love to you & yours.
Ttg
You missed “….Rooney snubs Arsenal for Chelsea…”
I cheated, I didn’t make that one up!
The meeja has all the integrity of ol’ Twitchy completing his tax return.
Clive,
My son and I tested your grandsons theory on runner vs biker except I twisted it a little and decided to try downhill. Well, I am happy to report that the boy is still running and I just opened beer number 2. 8)
N7
Whilst we’re on the trail of ridiculous stories relating to Arsenal, I read one meeja tosspot’s piece of drivel linking us with Fellani and speculating how he could fit into the squad stating:
“….or as a replacement for Alex Song, whom Arsenal have failed to adequately cope without since selling him to Barcelona last year….”
Heh! You couldn’t make it up. What? Oh….
“Show some ambition in Bale chase says ex- Gunner as Frenchman ponders Β£35 million offer”!! Surely it’s impossible to find an ex-Gunner, a current Gunner, a Gooner or anyone who’s ever walked past a television showing an Arsenal match who hasn’t begged Wenger to up his offer. Splash the bloody cash. Jesus, this wouldn’t have happend when PHW was running things. Herbert Chapman must be turning in his grave.
AST and BlackFlag movement beg Wenger to up offer in frantic Bale Chase.
Follow me says ‘ Judas’ Campbell as Bale ponders switch to bitter rivals
Bale ‘mad to sign for Wenger’ says Robson.
Rooney,Bale and Messi in triple snub to Wenger.
I’m getting the hang of this. I could be a sleazeball too.
“You know we’re all Gooners really”, says Harry Redknapp, as Bale seeks advice from ex boss on proposed Arsenal switch.
Heh at multiple observations re the Chimp.
I do think that we should rattle Levy’s cage with a Β£60m bid for the Chimp. It would be really hilarious.
Of course it would be nowhere near as hilarious as signing Sol Campbell <b.FOR NOTHING!
“Time to bale”, says Bale, as Arsenal cash mountain threatens the good ship Tottenham.
Hey ttg, this is easy money. π
“I always wanted to play with Arshavin” says Bale.
Oh.
Arsene Wenger was heard today at the Arsenal training centre singing,
“Jump down, turn around,
Pick a Bale from Tottenham,
Gonna jump down, turn around,
Take a Bale away.
Oh, Lordy,
Take a Bale from Tottenham,
Oh, Lordy,
Take a Bale away”.
He was later also heard singing the old Elvis Presley hit,
“Too much monkey business”,
apparantly putting the deal in jeopardy again.
Oh no.
you mean it’s not ape-ning?
Dear TS
Thankyou for your grovelling response @ 119.
In order to get your head even further up my Arse,i have proposed the follwing test.
Please forward to me, your business plan to turn White Hart Lane into a State of the Art 100,000 seat Stadium,complete with Theme Park,and encompassing a mega Shopping Mall,all encircled by
State of the Art Penthouse Apartments overlooking the Grounds.
If i could have your early thoughts on the above by this time next week,followed by some outline drawings by end of July,it would be appreciated.
Yours
Lord Waterman
Arsenal have recruited Kellan Lutz, the 2013 Tarzan star, in a move which will see him help Gareth Bale settle into his new Emirates Stadium surroundings.
Andre Vilas Boas is reported to have gone ape shit at the news.
Bale, for his part, was today heard practicing his favourite chant from his new fans repertoire,
“Ooh ooh ooh to be ………. “
Arsenal set to Bale out of transfer as Levy slams Monkey business
Bale incensed by banana jibes as Emirates dream move in jeopardy
Wenger accused of Gorilla tactics in plot to sign Bale
Come on Arsene take the hint!
Hi NorCal
How mean can you be.!!
But i am happy to report that it was indeed a genuine question by
Number 1 Grandson.
He said to say thnks to all the people who responded.
The answer apparently is,that the Runner is indeed favored in the
Climb,ostensibly because he has 2 forms of propulsion,arms and legs,as opposed to the rider only having the use of his legs.
If they were both of similar endurance,the Bike rider was always going to struggle,particularly as the climb got steeper.
Apparently in many tests,even with the Bike rider getting a 20 metre start,the runner almost always overtook him by the time they reached the summit.
The tests were based on a steep climb of around 4-5 kilometers.
He tells me he has another interesting Poser for me next week, which i will post on here for some feedback.
Cheers
The Sweeper.
“Bale waits on announcement of banana yellow Arsenal away kit before signing for free”. “Demands to be paid in peanuts”.
You are right, NorCal, Roger Bannister was first to run a SUB 4-minute mile. My question was, Who was first to run a 4-minute mile … ie a mile in exactly 4 minutes. π
Oskar
But, Gs54, if the bike weighs virtually nothing, as some have claimed, the rider may well have built up such a commanding lead that he could carry the bike up the steepest part in roughly the same time as the runner.
Oskar
Hello fellas, how’ve you been?
Enjoying the window so far ;)?
Tabs has started a daily news round-up?
Well, what do you know ;)?
I remember the days I was told not to quote certain sites here ’cause it’s pure speculation. Fantasy even.
Lol, this made me laugh.
Good morning, I’ll have a Guinness π
The Sweeper – I can see your tonsils from here and it ain’t pretty. I’d report to The Quackery if I were you.
Hehs! @ Trev. Bale to The Arsenal? Redknapp to replace Arsene at the end of next season? Tony Adams to replace AVB at The Sh*thole? All coming to a NewsNow headline story this summer.
One more about the cyclist vs runner thing.
Assuming equivalent athletic ability, two things should be obvious … 1) in a flat race (of greater length than the few metres it takes a cyclist to get up to speed) the cyclist will always win, and … 2) in a near vertical assent (where a cyclist can gain no traction) the runner, unencumbered with a bike to carry, will always win.
Clearly there is a point somewhere between where the two must come together … where the steepness discounts the mechanical advantage.
Oskar
TS
I thought you would be round at the Railway Sidings this morning,fine tuning the Happy Train for it’s new Season debut.
Are you planning a ‘ dry run’ during the Emirates Cup,or are you going ‘ First Up ‘ from a spell, to the Villa game.??
Please advise on ticket/staffing arrangements,particularly in reference to ‘First Class’,[i know it is hard to get good wait staff these days,but do try,there’s a Good Chap]also liquid refreshments,
particularly of the non alcoholic variety, and in particular to the request for the HT to be completely Non Smoking.If Tabs kicks up a fuss,he can join the Driver up the front of the train,where the coal fired engine will give him enough smoke to keep his lungs happy for a week.!!
Please advise
Regards
The Sweeper
Heh! Leave it with me please Mr.Sweeper. Will revert soonest.
However, I can confirm that a fresh OJ squeezer will be installed in the buffet car for both you and Dr.T (he’ll need it after he’s filled-up on a whole pint of Guinness) that squirts out gallons of the stuff without any pith or pips whatsoever. Surprised?
Morning all.
Good to see Snir drop in. Don’t leave it so long next time, mate.
For my first blog of the day I am sending you to one of my peers.
http://www.aclfarsenal.co.uk/2013/06/23/our-favourite-match-15-tottenham-hotspur-v-arsenal-23rd-december-1978/
Read, digest, and feel good.
Especially you Feelgood π
Just got a text from my cousin who works at White Hart Lane.
Seems like they’re taking our bid of 80m bananas seriously, Bale could be an Arsenal player by the end of the week.
Nice one ‘H.
Read it.
Felt good.
And like it was yesterday π
Oskar,
Doug Ibbotson. Four minutes dead. The time. Not him. π
Snir – Daily round up? Not really with you. What do you mean? And yes, those “sources” remain off limits π
Holic – Lovely piece over at ACLF. Great day.
Clive – π
The Sweeper did it in four weeks dead. Yes, him. Almost.
Blame the Woodbines. π
Lovely stuff @ ACLF.
Two words. Liam Brady.
Right up there with Dennis, for me.
Where you lead, TabS π
Haha π
Tabs – a daily transfer round up where you write all the rumors here…
Cheers H’.
Will stop by more often, for now, a Guinness will do.
Tottenham v Arsenal 1978-one of the great Christmases!
5-0 and a classic drubbing! I loved Pat Rice coming over to the Tottenham fans on the Ledge/Shelf? and showing them five fingers. How they hated it.
And now we are close to a cut-price deal for their top player
Bale deal is a gibbon
We are the Chimpions-Bale signs up
Wenger sets sights on Vertonghen as Bale is granted
I don’t mate! I was merely responding to Clive’s transfer talk.
Clive’s the one to blame π
Bale: “Aliens told me to join Arsenal.”
Sunday Sport obviously.
Is it true that Arsenal are holding a press conference ar 10.00 tomorrow morning to announce Bale’s capture?
It’s just baley hoo.
Oxon
I think it’s 11 o’clock.
Well I seem to have a bit of connection tonight, but I’m a bit tired.
It is indeed getting to 11 right now, TTG
Hello and goodnight all!
Gus Poyet just found out he’s been sacked by Brighton, while sitting on the MotD couch.
Painful.
It could of been worse though……………
at least Sherear and Savage aren’t there.
Oscar Garcia might replace Poyet at Brighton.
Thanks TTG – I would have looked a right lemon turning up an hour early! Security’s been good – apart from my mate on the inside, who knows about these things, I haven’t heard a sniff of the Bale transfer away from here.
Oxon
That’s the media for you!
It’s Sol Campbell all over again.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I every time spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles daily along with a cup of coffee.