Good Evening, Vietnam
Jul 17th, 2013 by 'holic
Attempts to hook up to the game in real time failed in a sweltering office. I followed the game on Twitter and have just watched it on Arsenal Player.
As in Indonesia we racked up seven goals against a developing opponent. At least Vietnam had the consolation of a late response.
The result tells us little, but some individual performances offer some encouragement. Olivier Giroud can do only play well and score goals as the speculation about competition for his place rages on elsewhere. He is responding as he has to. A first-half hat-trick brought his goal tally to five goals in just 68 minutes in the two matches this week. It will be good to see him build on that in the more testing Japanese leg of the tour.
Another to catch the eye in both matches is the German U16 international, Gedion Zelalem. He has been fast-tracked into the Gunners U21 squad and it is easy to see why. Mobile, and a superb passer of the ball, it will be interesting to see how he copes with more experienced and more physical opponents. Until then let’s just temper the praise, but certainly he looks a player who could very quickly be playing at least some part in carefully selected first team matches.
Of course while both players have delighted us this week that doesn’t detract from the need to provide them with stiffer competition for places. There is precious little real news on that score, although a couple of Arsene quotes hint a level of activity thus far. Commenting on any move for one ex-skipper…
βAt the moment, Fabregas has decided to stay one more year at Barcelona. We have the clause in the contract so we would be on alert but at the moment thatβs not something weβre after.β
Whilst another was referred to with regard to the potential sale to a rival of Wayne Rooney…
“It happened to us (van Persie). It can happen to them. But anyway, Rooney is under contract. He has two years to go. It’s Man United who make a decision.”
I have to say I am less than thrilled by reports that Suarez is now seen as a more likely arrival than Gonzalo Higuain. I accept he has the ability to add a great deal to our attacking threat, but at what cost? There is nothing to be gained from going into the closing stage of the season with a ticking timebomb sitting suspended in the stands, as Liverpool have discovered to their cost.
And there I go. Lulled into the whirlwind of speculation that is sending some out of control. Repeat, I will not take any notice. I will not take any notice. I will not take any notice.
Stay cool, ‘holics.
371 Responses to “Good Evening, Vietnam”
New post!
Managed to post on the last drinks 30 seconds after ‘Holic put the new one up.
Not going to type it all out again here, but the gist was: everyone chill, things will move to a resolution in the next week or so and Utd look far more of a mess than we do, which is a refreshing change.
Cheers!
Maybe the Suarez bid was a stunt. In the wake of our collective horror at Bitey, a bid for Rooney almost seems welcome. Well played, Gazidis. Or Chips. Or Dick. Or whomever does whatever it is that we’re supposed to be doing in the transfer window.
4th in!
winter here in sydney…
24C today!!!
far too quite on transfer front for me and I am normally positive
I can’t chill N7, no with how this is playing out. The Utd bit does make me smile a bit. My Man U mate is not worried, though I think that will change regardless a month into Moyes’ reign. I hope so at the least. I … shit. I’m too miserable right now to go on with anything positive or clever. Suarez? Really?!?
I have not seen any of today’s game. I did not watch the earlier game either. For the reasons Bath stated in the previous drinks and more, I am really struggling to drum up any enthusiasm at the moment. It’s a business trip. No more, no less. I can’t help but feel that we could be far more productive elsewhere.
I reached the end of June full of hope and expectation. I so far have just two exhibition games to attempt to wet the appetite. Positives???? At least we did not pick up any injuries.
Nice report though holic old chap.
It’s. Too. Late. For. Me. ‘Holic…
BMBD
feeling very chill, n7. so much of what we’ve seen, and discussed, and reacted to is just meedja tosspotting. we’ve signed higuain, we’re not going to, we’re going to get suarez, we’re not, we’re going to sign rooney, now chelsea is, all of it is a huge circle-jerk clickfest for the mail, goal.com, metro, and all the other “news” organizations that want your eyeballs on their pages (peddling “truth”, perhaps as pilot once put it…).
sorry your hope is slowly evaporating, steve t (and clearly gone, lonestar). a drink’s on the bar for you both, at least a temporary mood lifter π
Much obliged, Scruz.
BMBD
Haven’t had a chance to watch the match yet but reports of Giroud’s performance are reason for good cheer, regardless of the quality of the opposition. What’s that age-old axiom for football, “You can only beat who’s in front of you”. That’s right π
The match yesterday was great fun to watch. No stress, lots of goals to see, a rainstorm and a goalkeeper being sent off in the 88th minute, what more can you ask for? Feels good watching an Arsenal match without feeling the urge to spit blood and throw pints at a TV and get banned from the local π
The games in Japan will be much harder I think. Nagoya and Urawa are quite tasty I think…
It is the four days in Japan without a match that are probably the most important of this tour as far as next season goes, so as the Guvn’r says, let’s chill. An Yebisu on the bar for any who would like it…
I stopped reading the blog after 4 paragraphs π
I have indeed resolved to not take any notice of transfer speculations.
Good day to you gents.
Ollie, N7 et al.
I’m taking a leaf out of your collective book on transfers. I’m right in the middle of a 2-week break between jobs and with all that extra time on my hands I’ve been wearing my nerves down (I said my NERVES) looking at the transfer situation.
As a couple of wise men said in these drinks, ‘Everyone chill’ and ‘Everything you’ve read has been nothing but meedja tosspotting’.
That must be it. And Florentino Perez can f*ck off.
Enjoy another day in the cauldron all!
If I remember correctly we managed to get Santi, Poldi and Giroud all signed fairly quickly last season. It showed its benefits too in the second game vs Liverfool where Santi and Poldi were excellent and linked well.
While the quality of the opposition was lacking that has no effect once Giroud found himself in scoring positions. Once he did the quality of the finishing was excellent, especially the unstoppable second. He missed from far easier positions last year and maybe he benefitted from a lack of pressure in the atmosphere of a pre-season friendly but it was encouraging none the less. Now let’s see how he responds to competition with the arrival of another high quality striker!
Hi everyone. First have to say thank you to our fearless leader, umm that would be you Sir Holic π Battling the elements, holding down a job, family stuff π and yet you keep this bar open for us. We are gratedful ! Well, I can’t help feeling that this tour would have benefited Gervinho tremendously. I don’t believe he took ill. I want to see him play, if not for us, then someone else. We have no one on our team quite like him. His style is unique. I’ll miss him. So I turn my attention to the teenager, have a feeling he will be one to make me smile, also. Remember, it’s not just about winning games, folks. Seeing players develop, is so satisfying. Aaron’s fancy footwork agains Indonesia, the Under 21’s shining, you get what I mean π N7, this π is for you!
I wonder if all our well publicised outward transfer activity over the past few years has in diminished our street cred among big clubs when trying to get deals done. Have we been out of the market as a buyer for too long? We’ve been more commonly associated with pawning the family silver than purchasing a new set from Fortnum & Mason
Mourinho is a dick and no doubt he knew what he was doing when he said “…we are not a selling club. We are not Arsenal”. However the facts remain we have not only spent recent years selling our best players, but we have done so invariably to rivals. It has left the collectve football world scratching their heads. Of course reasons could be found to justify each transfer but ultimately they did nothing to encourage the feeling we are a ruthless business/sports team.
Are we suffering from being perceived as European footballers feeded club now we want to re-enter the race as a financial force? Now that we have money I get the impression still of a club that isn’t wholly respected by Europes other big teams. Its an issue perhaps of credibility. Are we REALLY gonna spend big? As someone commented on a previous drinks is the Suarez bid akin to offering 50p for a loaf of bread, knowing its costs Β£1. The powers that be can then say “well we bid blah blah for Suarez” whilst all along knowing its was nver gonna be accepted. Same with Cavani, who had a well publicised buy-out clause.
I have friends that have money and know how to spend it and others that have an equal amount but just cannot find it within themselves to spend. Not everyone has the heart to blow $5000 on a Cabana at the Wynn for a pool party. They prefer to sit it out and complain of a poorly stomach.
NBN @ 18
I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t think the “loaf of bread” comparison is remotely fair.
Buying a loaf of bread is a simple, every day transaction with fixed parameters. You go to the supermarket and there will be a hundred loaves of bread. The check out person is not empowered to negotiate with you and you are there on the understanding that prices for goods are non-negotiable.
I’m sure Wenger WISHES that purchasing Luis Suarez (or any other quality footballer) was as simple as that, but it isn’t how player transfers work at all.
What’s going on with Suarez is more readily comparable to buying a house. And plenty of people come in under the asking price for one of those, because there is an expectation of some haggling to be done.
Personally, I think Β£30m (and some reports have the offers as going up to Β£35m with add ons) is a perfectly sensible place to start the bidding for Suarez. He’s not a Β£50m player, as Liverpool have suggested, and no one else is in for him so far (in fact, it’s been suggested that Madrid only value him at Β£25m). An opening offer of Β£30m would suggest we hope to close this out somewhere around the Β£40m mark, which is about right.
If anyone else had offered Liverpool Β£30m for Suarez you wouldn’t see all this “its not a serious bid” stuff. It’s simply a reflection of how parsimonious we’ve been in previous seasons, but we have no idea how the negotiating team is going to operate this summer, now that they’re playing with real money in their pockets.
A point of comparison: Chelsea offered Β£20m for Rooney yesterday. He’s clearly worth more than that. Is their bid not serious either, are they also bidding 50p for a Β£1 loaf of bread, or is it simply a jumping-off point for negotiation?
Not saying I agree with everything we do or that I don’t want players signed, but I do find the derision which has met our initial Suarez offer to be way over the top and far too negative. And there is still plenty of time for us to get our man.
Anyway, fingers crossed it all works out.
N7,
Nail. Head. Although I think it was a reply to NB1, not NBN.
Personally, I think Β£30 million is way over the top for a player with Suarez’s history, and the likelihood of that history repeating itsself.
It seems that we must expect to take a hit on Bendtner, or even subsidise his move, because of his past antics, but Liverpool can expect to recoup top dollar for their errant son.
I know the two are of nowhere near equivalent ability, but the principle is clear. If it’s Arsenal, expect the worst of all possible worlds.
I hope we get Higuain in preference. We certainly need someone, but Suarez at Β£40 million ?
You’re ‘avin a Turkish. Or a Uruguyan π
Oops – sorry! Trev’s quite right – reply to NB1, slip of the keyboard.
Ultimately, as with any such asset, Suarez’ price will be set by the market.
He’s clearly very unlikely to stay at Liverpool. If no one else comes in for him then the price he’ll ultimately go for is likely to be the top price we’re willing to pay.
You can imagine Liverpool’s position if it gets to 31 August and the only bid on the table is still ours at Β£30m. I suspect that their “he’s worth Β£50m” rhetoric would evaporate quicker than Rooney’s self restraint in an old peoples home.
Dreadful server speeds in recent days, have the hamsters gone on holiday?
Thanks, Trev. Credit to NB1 where credit is due.
Afternoon ‘holic and ‘holics.
I’ve seen nothing of either friendlies so far, which is a shame and I’m sick to death of all the transfer bollox and when I started to read people defending Suarez then I know it was time for me to take a time out.
Not that I really had much choice, because I’ve been swamped over the last week, but in a good way, and this weekend I have the annual Paalzitten (local to do) festival. The weather forcasts are promising so with any luck I should be able to shift an absolute shed, and a very large shed at that, load of beer.
I wish you all well and hope you have a great weekend, time will be at a premium for me until at least the middle of next week, so until then, take it easy me amigos and don’t let the silly season get ta ya.
Next round’s on me barkeep.
Cheers.
H2H.
N7, let’s see how this all plays out but there is a swell of opinion that our bid was/is a means of forcing RM hand in the Higuain deal. There’s also some that think it’s also a play by LFC to force RM hand into action.
I still find it hard to believe we are seriously looking at Suarez as an option given the baggage. I agree with others in previous drinks that the team needs strengthening in a variety of places and hope we are giving them serious consideration and effort.
I understand that we narrowly missed a bid for Capoue in Jan yet haven’t heard a thing regarding him this summer. If we were keen in Jan seems strange not a smidgen of news on him this summer. I wonder what has changed? Obviously time remains for all these deals to be completed but our past history around this time of year is poor generally in terms of getting deals done.
I know its a two way street but as I said earlier maybe people don’t take us seriously as a club that spends. And like I said earlier I find it intriguing that last year when the club had made up its mind to sell Van Pussy we acted early to get in replacements. That seemed to work quite well I think.
NB1
I agree with a lot of that, particularly re: Capoue and getting players in early.
I just think it’s dangerous to make assumptions about what’s going on behind the scenes this summer based entirely on the activities of previous years.
We’re just coming out of a long spell of being skint. The Suarez and Bender offers suggest that spell is now over, and that the position we find ourselves in is quite different. Our past behaviour is no longer an entirely reliable guide.
I don’t believe for a single second that the club makes Β£30m offers hoping they’ll be turned down so that they can say “we tried”. I think that’s a negative media spin, nothing more. Likewise, I don’t believe that Arsene “dithers” or is “too stubborn”.
If we end the summer without decent reinforcements it will be because the negotiating team (including the manager) did their best, and their best wasn’t good enough. Which, in its own way, is far, far scarier than any of the above speculation. These are all good pros, they all want the club to succeed and I’m quite certain they all want to spend this money and make a splash.
Personally, I think we need to give them a bit of time and patience. This is the club’s first summer with real money to spend in a fairly long time. We’d all love them to have made signings early, but the true moment of judgement will arrive when the window slams shut.
If we reach that point without decent reinforcements I will be more than happy to add my voice to the apoplectic mob. Until then, I will just try my best to hold my nerve. Hard as that may sometimes be.
Have a drink on me and let’s keep our fingers crossed that it all works out. That’s really all we can do just now.
COYG
Good evening to ‘head in the sand Holic’ and all tired of waiting Holics
happy birthday Nelson
Our behaviour this transfer window to date has been entirely inconsistent with Ivanβs June statement. The apparent (and I accept we do not know the whole truth) unproductive mating dance around Higuain is unbelievable behaviour from a team that desperately needs to improve its finishing.
I think they’re either taking the piss or alternatively are extremely incompetent. In which case several alleged salaries at Arsenal are extremely inappropriate and frankly offensive to this paying punter.
Ivan and Dick aht!
Bloggs speaking my mind today.
I’m still clinging to the wreckage of Tabs’ chat with the board member’s son a while ago.
Can you throw us a line Tabs ?
No need to put any names on it, of course, but it’s all sounding very familiar at the moment.
I`m quite frankly at a loss as to what`s happening. It seems that Arsene has got tired of being messed around with Higuain, and is pursuing Rooney and Suarez instead. With Higuain, we had the field to ourselves, and nothing will convinve me that the deal couldn`t have been closed by the simple expedient of throwing a few more mill at Real. I expect he will soon be on his way to Napoli, as Real will decide they didn`t want to keep him after all. What a Balls up!
As for Rooney and Suarez, neither of whom I really want to see at the club, surely Arsene is in denial. If Rooney goes anywhere in the PL it will be to Chelsea, and as for Suarez, who, let`s not forget, is banned for the first 6 games of last season, can you really see Liverpool selling to one of their chief rivals for the top 4 next season.
I can imagine we have a few deals cooking , and there is certainly time to make things happen, but it certainly looks at the moment that, despite all the money, this window is turning out to be another disaster. Another fear is, with the likes of Giroud scoring hat tricks against teams that are basically non-league standard, Arsene mught persuade himself that we can go with what we`ve already got.
not convince me
next season – sorry.
Bistcuitbum
“nothing will convince me that the deal couldn’t have been closed by the simple expedient of throwing a few more mill at Real”.
I accept that the whole scenario doesn’t look good from the outcome, but how can you reach that conclusion with such certainty?
None of us really has a scooby what’s gone on with Higuain – whether we actually bid for him and he was a genuine target, whether we got close to signing him, whether he genuinely wanted to come, whether Madrid are currently prepared to let him go at all, whether we’re not still going to sign him, and so on and so on.
We’ll know a lot more by the end of the summer but, right now, I don’t think we can rule out the possibility that it wasn’t just a case of haggling over an extra couple of million that crashed the deal.
The whole scenario becomes a lot less stressful when you accept that, ultimately, we know fcuk all about what’s going on. The press certainly know fcuk all about what’s going on. And Twitter is full of people actively making things up about what’s going on.
It’s fun to speculate (in fact, it’s what summer’s all about), but that’s all it is. Until the window closes, at which point we’ll have a better idea of the real story.
Sit back, have a beer and try not to think about it too much. We’ll know where we stand with real certainty soon enough.
I should add that where I say “none of us really has a scooby whatβs gone on”, that statement obviously excludes tabs, who has the inside line and should be pestered non-stop until he gives up all the juicy info he’s sat on.
Heh.
One of my patients today is the friend of a Premier League goalkeeping coach who assures him that, barring any last last minute hitches, a certain Brazilian goalkeeper is ours.
The worst kind of ITK information, I know, but at least it’s something positive.
`Haggling over a couple of million`. Isn`t that essentially what I said.
If the asking price for Higuain is the reported Β£37m, we might as well go for Suarez. Higuain may be less hassle but he is also not worth Β£37m
Did you miss the ‘wasn’t’ in N7’s post, Bb? :s
Trev, allow me to classify ‘friend of a PL goalkeeping coach’ as having the same reliability as the old ‘Eboue’s chauffeur’s garagist’ of a few years ago.
On the other hand, I totally missed the news of tab’s inside track.
Don`t worry, I`m in alcohol deficit. I`ll be alright with a few pints down me gob.
Oh dear.
Apologies boys, I wouldn’t cling too hard to my relaxed state of 2 1/2 weeks ago.
I did have a chance chat on 1st July. The Bloke often drinks in the away juicer of choice so I know him to say hello, but don’t know him well. He was drinking with a pal of mine when I walked in so I joined them and the chat turned to Arsenal. I mentioned that it (the transfer window) was all beginning to look a bit familiar, and he said that I would end up pleasantly surprised and was quite free with further detail.
I don’t think it’s sensible to put the names out in a public forum, but it doesn’t require a great deal of imagination to guess who – all have been linked. Of the five names, 2 deals were stated as “done”, one that the Club were ” very confident” and 2 that remained “problematic”. Suarez was not mentioned.
Given that one of the “done” deals looks further away than ever, and 18 days have passed without anything happening then clearly there is a huge credibility issue with the information provided. I don’t think he was winding me up or shooting his mouth off (just doesn’t seem like that kind of bloke), but either he was gilding the lily, or events have changed since the 1st.
I’m afraid that I’m sitting here wondering what is going on like everybody else. My reign as “ITK” was very short.
Probably for the best π
No, I’m still hanging on your every word.
Failure to deliver shiny new players will be down to you, Gazidis and the Outlaw Dick. But especially you. π
That’s reassuring Dr Z.
Wouldn’t expect anything else π
Poor old us. Starved of transfer excitement for do long and reconciled to very bad news each season I think we might have rather overdone the optimism. The way we’ve played this transfer window suggests we are out of practice in the new world that has grown up around the ‘marquee signing’
That may not be fair but I didn’t attend ( on purpose ) the Gazidis love- in with the AST because it was such a crass PR stunt last year. I have to confess I thought Gaziis was extremely naive to boast about how flush we are before the market opened. Not a great negotiating ploy and not a very good way of managing fan expectation. I am sure that Tabs ‘s correspondent was being very sincere in providing this information. All I have heard since and this from someone who has no truck with Wenger,is that he keeps changing his mind.
Arsenal are in a position now where they may have to overpay wildly to make a statement of intent or risk losing the trust of the fans before the season has even started. I never have bought this feeling of everything being under control simply because we haven’t demonstrated we can play in this mucky new world. OK we can sell high and Arsene may be able to run a Govan poker school but he also needs to show he can be as single minded in buying as selling.
It’s a bit of a maelstrom at present . One would imagine Napoli may get Higuain, Chelsea Rooney and Real Madrid Suarez but both Higuain and Suarez would probably be obtainable if we pay substantially over the odds. That’s where Wenger finds himself. Pay silly money which goes against the grain for him or end up missing out on really big signings because of his conservatism. Add to that the fact that two of our targets might end proving very unpopular with large swathes of our support and one sees what a cleft stick he is in.
My advice is – sign Benteke! And go hard for Fellaini with Capoue as a reserve. But do it now!
On a much more positive note I thought Zelalem looked great. He excites me like the young Brady, Fabregas and Wilshere did but he needs to be up against top players before we can really judge him. But when you can pick a pass like he can……..! He must have a real chance and he has a manager who isn’t frightened to push top players through
And Santos has had his contract cancelled which has probably saved us about Β£4 million. If only Nicki B could find a club. .
Agree Ttg, It’s silly to get carried away with anything arising from a routine pre-season work out, but the kid really did look special. Interesting also I think that he played longer and was preferred in the central mid role in preference to more “established” youngsters – Aneke, Eisfeld and Ollsen.
Doubt that he will have much of a role to play at First team level this season, but certainly a huge talent.
As for the transfers, I just find it all very baffling. For once, it wasn’t the media that stirred us all up. IG’s end of season message could not have been clearer. It may all yet happen, but who really knows?
As for the Prince of Denmark, I’m afraid my patience is exhausted. I think we should blindfold him, drive him out to a remote field and leave him there.
Evening all.
Still getting overheated about silly season?
Must confess starting to hope we pull a Lithuanian Boys Club in the CL qualifier π
Er, no comment ! π
π
Cheers Tabs, for the “clarification”.
I do think that Ivan’s Loadsamoney impersonation was a bit strange for a club with such a reputation for parsimony in the transfer market.
Man Citeh have now snabbled Jovetic, in addition to Navas, Negredo and Fernandinho, and none of them for more than we have apparantly bid for Suarez.
Still, as long as shirt sales are booming on the other side of the world, we’re all happy, eh ?
I think the club should treat all us members to group sessions with a good psychiatrist in preparation for next summer. Maybe he, or she, could teach us how to actually enjoy one sodding summer without stressing over who’s leaving, or who’s not joining.
Some interesting comments above. Lots seem to mention costs and overpriced players. But what is overpriced? We live in an era where the money in football is just obscene. But you can’t on one hand start gloating about how much you are going to make with new sky deals, new sponsorship deals etc and then baulk at the price quoted for genuine top class talent. Especially when in previous years we have off loaded players for over inflated prices.
Prices are dictated by supply and demand. A club needs skilled negotiators. I fear that we do not have these. I also fear that this is what lets us down. I don’t think we are a big fish anymore. The only way that will change is if we lay down a marker. The Higuain deal should have been done and dusted weeks ago. If it means paying over the odds then so be it. Get the deal done and move on. The longer we dither, the more lame duck looking we get.
After full review of the facts I must say that I am very much with Zico. It’s a shambles and its all the fault of Tabs.
End of really.
Trev, you should know better by now….
Is there any chance that the club could be lining up signings to announce in a batch? Would seem a bit unlikely, but it’s clear we’re out to make a splash and announce ourselves.
It does seem weird that positive vibes have been disseminated by so many club sources this summer – very hard to square those messages with what appears to be the reality on the ground.
Leaves us two possibilities: either the good vibes were pure hubris or the reality on the ground is not as bleak as it appears.
None of it seems to make much sense, but I don’t think the moment to panic has quite arrived yet. There’s still plenty of time for things to come good.
Well I enjoyed the bits of Cricket I saw today Trev, or at least I did until the Aussies brought on Steve Smith to bowl.
If he carries on doing a passable impression of Shane Warne, I will definitely need the psychiatrist’s couch.
Still, look on the bright side, plenty of Doctors in the house π
“Still, as long as shirt sales are booming on the other side of the world, weβre all happy, eh ?”
I used to get slaughtered for saying things like that.
π
Well said N7.
A parade of collective signings with a great big “Hello Boys” is the hope I’m clinging onto, but as I think you mentioned before, it’s the hope that kills you innit.
SteveT @49 π π
I enjoyed the cricket a lot more on Sunday. My little lad with some runs along with 4 stumpings and a catch to continue his under 9s side’s unbeaten run with a 160 run victory. So bollocks quite frankly to Ivan and the money men.
Blimey Steve, a 160 run victory!? How many did your lad’s team get? When I was 9 we used to be all out for about 50 π
If we’re going to do a few more positives amidst the rending of garments; we’ve cleared a shit-ton of dead wood this summer (and haven’t we all begged for that for years?), we clearly have big cash to spend and wages to reallocate (finally), the squad looks settled and happy, we’re actively attempting to buy a man who was arguably the best striker in the country last season, Man Utd can’t land a target for toffee, and Ivan and Wenger will look a pair of almighty tits if we don’t get the players we’ve been all but promised.
Could be worse, eh? At least it isn’t fucking summer 2011. Now THAT was a period of being repeatedly punched in the nuts.
Good stuff coming from Sagna. I really respect him and happy that he has decided to stay for at least another year. He gives his all on the pitch and I have to respect that.
I hope he has a great season and gets the chance to lift a trophy.
“Don’t listen to a word I say, Hey! The screams all sound the same … though the truth may carry us … ” ~ Monsters and Men ‘Little Talks’ Dedicated this song to Tabs π
True, very true N7.
I think, though, that such was the ferocity of that 2011 kicking that it doesn’t take very much for indescribable bollock pain to set in again.
Haha, thanks Abb π
Good news Impec1.
Steve T,
I’m afraid my optimism is wilting in the heat, mate.
The timing of the announcements that our collective trousers are now bursting with Β£50 notes; we can expect very exciting news within 48 hours (now 5 1/2 weeks ago); and we are now able to compete for the top level of talent, seems odd at best, and incompetent at worst, given the total lack of any sort of news since.
And AW’s statement yesterday that we are not close to signing anyone at the moment is, after the last few summers, just plain annoying.
We will, by the end of this window, assuming Bendtner and Chamakh go, have cleared the decks of 8 players. If Gervinho and one more keeper also leave, that number obviously rises to 10.
So, four weeks from the start of the new season, how can we possibly not be close to signing ‘anyone’ to improve on all those who have been discarded ?
If there is a plan, for goodness sake just execute it.
If there isn’t, some people need to get round the old drawing board a bit sharpish.
I take N7’s point that there is still time to make exciting announcements.
At the moment though, it is becoming another frustrating fiasco.
Tabs…I guess you were confused after that session at the local juicer and mixed up your articles – the one re ITK was posted here in error rather than at the Daily Fail and the one about the need for the HT sent there instead of here. I assume you are now the newly appointed Transport correspondent at said organ π
In reality it seems like the club have been caught out. They haven’t been trading at the top table for some while now – just feeding off the scraps and finding the odd tasty morsel here and there. This year they are swimming with the sharks and need to up their game pdq whilst there is still some main course remaining on the plate. Ever since Dick Law and disorder got the run around with Joel Campbell (eventually signed) and Ricardo Alvarez ( dodged bullet there), somehow I am not convinced.
Lets hope all our fears are misplaced and HT can remain in the sidings.
Indeed, Impec1.
Trev. Welcome to my world my friend. It has been going on for years. Quite frankly I got bored trying to defend it all ages ago. I accept that we may have had to be prudent, but we have continued to sell our best players and have not reinvested. We get fed more propaganda and we all fall for it.
I sincerely hope that there is lots going on under the surface but as you said, only 4 weeks to the start of the season. My view is that we should be in far better shape than we are now.
Thanks for the report Holic and greetings from the Black Hills of Dakota where Zelalem has not yet made a splash. From the sound of it Giroud must have been enjoying his Pho with the local basil herbs. π
Tabs. Kids cricket is different these days. I will explain it over a pint in the Tollie.
You’re welcome Tabs π Hey fellas. Adrian Clarke wrote a interesting piece on footballers who leave for greener pastures. Nothing new, but appreciate the perspective from the ‘inner sanctum’.
Up – Haha, you may have a point. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time I’ve left a juicer a bit “confused” π
SteveT – Ah, fair enough.
Re Tabs @39: Was the man imbibing at the time?
8Ball – Yep! π
And my apologies to N7 and anyone else I may have inelegantly implied called AW an irrelevancy or an anachronism.
Have we signed anyone yet?
NO WE HAVE NOT! WHY NOT!?
Beacuse we always say we have money and we wont do fuck all about it!
Apologies but that is the message I’m getting from the club or perhaps shall we say from Arsene!
you would think the annucments wouls come sooner so at least the players would have time to gel…
Errr…….what players the 20 year old French dude is all we have to show for?
Three weeks untill kick off not throwing my toys out the pram yet but I’m begining to ponder….
Holding on to the hope of a “parade of collective signings” is all well and good. Or would be if there was anyone left worth having after Barca, ManC, PSG, Monaco (deals done) plus Real, ManU and Chelsea (still to come) have sucked up the cream.
Same old same old. Except at least we haven’t lost anyone significant this summer and the players we have should now be properly wedded and bedded in. together. Perhaps our ‘team’ can outplay others ‘stars’?
Oskar
Ablogger “If youβve been following this club, and the way we do business for any length of time, and youβre not even slightly concerned at this point: can I please have some of what youβre on?”
Fresh air, son. Help yourself.
Not a wee bit concerned BTM?????
The current theory around Higuain seems to be that we agreed a fee, agreed wages but that now Real have upped the price. Do we not get things signed anymore then? If we agree a deal do we not draw up some sort of legal document to make it binding??? Or do we think a simple handshake is still all it takes????
Reports also suggesting that Tommy V will be out for 3 months. That is a concern on its own. If the 3 months is an “arsenal 3 months” then we really do have major issues.
Oskar
The clubs you mention have either so far signed players we were never, ever going to get (Neymar, Falcao, Cavani), or players that I personally wouldn’t want at the prices paid (homesick Navas, a 28 year old Brazilian who can’t make the intl squad for Β£30m, etc).
Bar Jovetic, pretty much all of the players who are understood to be Arsenal targets remain in play (Higuain, Suarez, Rooney, Bender, Fellaini, Cesar, Bernard, Cesc).
Of the clubs you list, Utd have signed a Uruguyuan I’d never heard of (their Sanogo) and Chelsea have concluded a deal for Schurrle that was negotiated in January and their manager has confirmed that Rooney is their only other target.
None of the above means it’s all OK, but it’s not as bleak as you’re suggesting.
The window ends in 6 weeks time. There are still plenty of great players on the market.
N7, thanks for the good work you’re doing here, more power to you sir!
Damn, did not know about Jovetic until now, one less target to aim at then.
Had an interesting chat with Chavs fan yesterday. All things discussed in good and funny manner, both joking that Chelski does not even need any kind of scouting network, they just snub players we want.
Which proved true in case of Hazard and Mata for example, anyways, when discussing transfers he said one interesting thing. “If you really manage to sign Higuain, you will be finally force to reckon with again next year”.
Which in my opinion is pretty spot on and which also makes Perez (if the rumours are true about his attitude change during the deal) even bigger ladyparts than I previously thought.
According to the Premier League, sofar we, ManU and Spurs have each signed one player, ManC and Chelsea have signed two players plus Chelsea have signed a backup goalkeeper released by Fulham. So at this stage we are not falling behind our rivals in strengthening our squad and all teams need to improve their squads.
Joes. The problem is that sides like Citeh, The Chavs and The Mancs need far fewer additions than we do.
The Chavs only marginally finished ahead of us last season though, partly because CuntvanCunt couldn’t be arsed when he played them near the end of last season.
Ollie. Mainly because of the buffoonery tactics adopted by the Russian. The chavs are far more likely to pay whatever is necessary to secure a signing.
Cool here, despite the terrific weather ‘H.
See you at The Ems Cup?
Steve T
I’ll admit to being ‘ever so slightly concerned of Hertfordshire’ π
Bar Jovetic, pretty much all of the players who are understood to be Arsenal targets remain in play (Higuain, Suarez, Rooney, Bender, Fellaini, Cesar, Bernard, Cesc).
Going to Napoli
Not seriously bidding
Going to Chelsea
Staying put
Not bidding
Past it back up keeper
Don’t want
Going to United
PANIC FUCKING STATIONS
Aussie batsmen are going down swifter than a gallon of guinness…..what a sorry lot they are…..it’s enough to make you ashamed to be called Bruce….. π
Higuain, Suarez, Rooney, Bender, Fellaini, Cesar, Bernard, Cesc
If not Arsenal, can’t see him going anywhere for the price RM are asking
Seriously bidding
50/50 Arsenal/ Chelsea
Rowley’s favorite DM choice, 23 mil bid confirmed
70/30 Manchester/Arsenal, but we still have a chance for that one
Arsenal bound, depends on Fabianski situation
Fantastic player, too early for him to come to PL, I would take him but not for 20+
Not going to United
With all the cynicism regarding money being the only rationale for the far-east pre-season tours, some different perspectives from players
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/jenkinson-tour-has-given-us-a-big-lift
βEveryone is having a great time – I think part of that is down to the fans,β the defender told Arsenal Player.
βThey give you a massive lift all the time. It’s difficult in pre-season – there’s a lot of hard work and a lot of running and it can be tough.
βThe fans out here have really given us a lift. It’s a boost that you need during pre-season so we’re very grateful for that.”
It’s a long way to go for a cuddle and to have your ego massaged????
I would suggest you would be hard pushed to find anyone that thinks its crap.
Just saying like.
π
zico@90 – Be careful, you are coming close to expressing sympathy. I was (rightly) taken to task fro doing that by TTG a week or so back.
Barca have called a press con for tonight.
Some suggestion that either Vilanova or Fabregas is about to exit.
Sounds like it’s Vilanova. Poor bloke.
Was doodling the squad today – it is Friday after all. Put Sanga in at centre back (having seem him play there on Wednesday). He is imho a bloody good one. Therefore no more CBs required even with Verm out.
With Aaron, Jack, Oxe, Arteta, Carzola (and I am I the only one hugely, hugely impressed with Zelalem) we have the middle three covered and so no Cesc for us. He is United bound. We have moved on.
We just need two players in this window both of whom need be world class. A striker and a holding midfield player. We have Β£70 million we can go large on both. Baggage or no baggage Suarez is unbelievable (better last year than RVP) and would fit right in. (I don’t see many people anguishing about Fellani’s head buts). Bender would be my choice as the holding player.
Both could be done in time for the Emirates Cup. That would be a great close season.
COYG
kvc, i don’t think you’re the only one hugely impressed with the zboy. all of what he’s shown this preseason has been quality. let’s hope he grows a bit, though.
dinks it forward towards the left corner of the box…
Lob?
Lob
@Scuz. Agree does not quite look the part at the moment, so put him on whatever Jack is on. Just that he has that rare ability to move the side along. Very impressed.
Haha! Well in Lurky
Thanks for the assist Impec1.
Looks like Tito Vilanova is to leave as a coach of Barca. Feel sad for him, honest and humble fella, total opposite of Guardiola.
Benteke withdraws transfer request, signs new contract.
There goes Plan C.
It looks like it will be Plan D after all. Chubba Apkom.
well in, lurky.
kvc, yeah he does look the part, i’ll wait to see him on a rainy day at stoke, so to speak. though, with hope, by the time he *could* see a rainy day at stoke, they’ll have been relegated, so, sunderland or newcastle, perhaps.
Benteke was Plan A for the LWCs, mind. Puts things in perspective.
Steve @ 93: Given the tremendous insecurity that rules at the center (or non-center) of the identity of a young top level sportsman, I would say a ‘massage’ to strengthen those ‘core muscles’ do them a lot of good.
And given that in good old Blighty all they are going to hear is the sound of a bunch of frustrated nincompoops (shouting above the crowd of the respectable normal supporters) masquerading as pundits and journalists that how not that good they are, a ‘cuddle’ to remind them of their essential love-ability is not a good idea either.
But hey, how does all that matter when we are so sanguine that our obsolete worldview of macho bravado and tough love are all that is required to reinforce self-beliefe in a twenty year old.
It is good to be able to hold on to a rusty cynicism to protect yourself from the world, but that hold is neither wisdom nor progress. More like bondage.
Brickbats are welcome. Just thought would present a different worldview. π
@108: Meant … βcuddleβ to remind them of their essential love-ability is not a BAD idea either.
π
I agree with KVC’s analysis at 97, we will also have contributions from Rosicky and Diaby during the season. We must add to Giroud, Podolski and Walcott up front. Either of Rooney or Suarez would, in my opinion, work well in combination with any two of those three. Other than You Tube, I have not seen enough of Higuain to form an opinion on him.
Centre forward and def mid. Can’t argue with that, think we’ve all had those positions on our wish list since this time last year.
Suarez and Fellaini please Arsene.
I have tickets for Lords on Sunday. Will I see any cricket?
One story which broke today shows the stupidity and empty-headed ness of the transfer rumour business. I have been at home today prior to attending a friends funeral. I was watching the cricket when I saw that we had according to tweets from ESPN signed this Brazilian lad Bernard. One pointed out that he was half owned by Porto or something so all was unclear.
Several sites immediately picked it up some with a very appetising video of the lads’ sumptuous skills. Then in mid- afternoon another site headlined the transfer as a reality and halfway down the article said it was a hoax and the twitter account did not exist.
This plethora of websites regurgitating rubbish continually do a huge disservice to the image of the game. I guess it’s the downside of he Internet but a lot of people are peddling a lot of rubbish. I just hope they aren’t making any money out of it.
And by the way I hope he does sign. He looks a cracker!
Good stuff TTG.
Here’s another: this morning the Guardian were running a story saying that Moyes expected that he might “complete a deal for Fabregas in the next 48 hours”.
This was based on a loose quote from the Utd manager that he was hoping to get an update on the situation at some point, and that the club was working hard and hoped to be able to announce transfers soon.
The story also stated, in the SAME SENTENCE, that Barca had rejected Utd’s bid, and that Utd were “waiting for a response” to their bid.
Those that know don’t tell. Those that tell don’t know.
No problem at all with the far flung tours.
They have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on transfer (in)activity. The two things are entirely unrelated.
To seek to link the two by having a pop at the tour (and presumably the monies they bring in) because of the current frustration re the transfer market is entirely misguided in my view.
As if to prove the point: City are also on tour (they’re currently on course to lose their third consecutive game) and have announced two signings this week.
Indeed N7.
@115- exhibit A, ManCity.
***
So next friendly not till Monday? Now a summertourlull? ugggh.
oops, I’m too slow…
It looks like there are, after all, a very small number of 5 star hotels that may serve beer……………….
………………. but of course not at all during Ramadan.
As you were. Mind you, at this stage, I think I’d have had to say no anyway, only 13 days to go.
Beer on open sale in Qatari hotels?! What is the world coming to?
I wonder if they’ll have to change before the World Cup.
While Ramadan is in April that year, so before the World Cup, surely there’ll be people a bit in advance to check facilities and stuff, so, FIFA-style they’ll want alcohol even if it’s Ramadan.
Perhaps the whole transfer system should be changed to get rid of this transfer window gazumping nonsense. Here is a suggestion: No player in contract can change clubs, unless they are on an available-for-transfer list, either because they have requested to be on it or their club has put them on it. Buying clubs submit a sealed final best offer for any player on the list that they want, and selling clubs are required to accept the highest offer. Player comes with remainder of existing contract to honored as is. (Might have to allow negative bids to cover TGSTEL use case.) All bids to be submitted by a deadline to a central authority, likely FIFA, and cleared simultaneously.
NBN
Very constructive idea but there is such an industry set up around transfer gossip now I think it would be largely resisted by the media. But it would bring order to the ,market.
That’s an excellent plan, Ned@123. Unfortunately it has a flaw, viz. it’s actually in no-one’s interest other than the fans, in fact it isn’t even in the interest of all the fans (some people do, actually, support the oil clubs) so it won’t ever be brought in. Shame, though.
The rumor is AndrΓ© Villas-Boas as the next coach at Barcelona.
Thanks for the kind words, TTG and Oxon. You put your finger on the practical problem exactly. The transfer window has become a media circus, filling the otherwise empty broadcasting hours and columns of newsprint between seasons. As it is the media that now largely funds the game though its purchase of broadcasting rights, they get to call the tune. Sad.
The move of some media into betting only compounds this trend. I can’t help but think that Sky Bet’s sponsorship of the Football League, to which Sky Sport has broadcasting rights is a huge conflict of interest, although the bean counters and sports management consultants would no doubt consider it synergy.
Lurky, any chance that means ‘arry might go back to the LWCs? We can only hope.
Getting rid of the transfer window wouldn’t help Arsenal, we’d still be all talk and no action.
NBN, since it is only a rumor I don’t believe it, but maybe ‘arry will find it provocative and make some phone calls.
I must commend the drinker at position 129 upon the consistency of his view and the excellent match with his handle.
It motivates me to start making a change to my own moniker that I have been considering for much of the current window.
On a more optimistic plane this evening, here’s hoping that there is a grand plan being executed.
It is quite logical to clear the decks of the dead wood before bringing new players in, and clearing them we are.
Someone I was treating today was at a recent charity event and had the chance to speak to Arsene Wenger about transfers.
While not mentioning any names, the manager told him, more than once, to “watch this space”, hinting at exciting things to come.
Another patient spoke to someone high inside the club earlier this week, who told him that a deal was expected to be completed that day. Again, no names were mentioned. We can assume, clearly, that the deal was either finalised and held over until the tour is over, or it collapsed.
The source shall obviously remain nameless, but this was NOT a Daily Star type “insider”.
Things, however, are definitely going on.
Trev, why get in the way of several good moans?
Trev
You are the new Tabs! A bringer of hope through the gloom.
Clearly lots of things are happening. Bit of a surprise about Benteke
And AVB to be replaced by ??? Michael Laudrup ? That’s my guess by the way!
Vilanova was the Barca coach that Mourinho poked in the eye. All on YouTube, but can’t seem to copy the lunk on the iPad.
Mourinho classy as ever.
The Independent reporting today that Man Utd want to speak to Rooney and his agent to clear up the confusion caused by David Moyes’ remarks earlier this week.
It’s all going very well π
Or the ‘link’. Lunk ? π
A grand plan, Trev? Is that how we arrived at Suarez? Just as well AW kept that one a secret, imo!
I thought we’d all agreed the principal holes we needed to fill were a top striker to put away a better percentage of the chances we create, and a Beckenbauer in front of the CDs as a central pivot.
If we end up with Suarez and Fellaini/Bender I will be more than happy. And if we add Mata and Bernard to the squad as well I will be ecstatic.
I know AW reads my comments, so expect the good news any time soon… π
Oskar
Oskar
If AW drank at this bar all the clubs problems would be solved!
Diab’holic blog is back!
Pangloss; ha!
I’m confused a this ITKTrev :s
Is he the one we know and love?
At least he’d never be short of advice, Ttg!
Oskar
Morning all.
High temperature and hangover. Is there a worse combination?
Add excavation of a building site next door – I woke to that this morning. I was relieved a bit by the fact that at least the noise was originating from outside my sore head.
You win, bath π
@ 142 – yes, if the pub hasn’t opened. π
I like the AVB to Barca rumour. Perhaps the Spuds could make a play for Tony Pulis? Or Steve Maclaren? Any others spring to mind?
Four more weeks Wenger , common get this shit done.
Hi fellow gunners, have been reading this blog for a couple of seasons but this is my first post. Luv all the optimism been shared here, but still don’t believe Wenger will spend that much n a striker, though I hope am proven wrong. Hope u guys have a good weekend, it’s hot as hell here in Atlanta.
To excavation of a building side I would also like to add high humidity and, also, fever. So there is that.
Wasn’t we in Joovetic? Wasn’t he seen as a no.1 target for Arsenal before the season ended before it all changed with him apparently wanting to stay in serie A. Sigh. Β£22m doesn’t seem an outraheous amount for a player that the boss apprently fancied.
Also if we wanted Villa in Jan why did we lose interest in him 6 mths later I wonder.
Strange.
Jovetic fee rises to Β£28m.
I don’t think a single person on here would have wanted him for that price if asked a month ago.
I just got an overwhelming urge to watch the NLD. Seriously! Sure, we’ll probably need to strengthen to win something this year, but I just realised that I long for proper football more than proper signings. I need to watch us play a few games now. I wouldn’t even mind a rainy night in Stoke. This is going to be a great season, regardless of if we win anything or not. What is a signing compared to a 5-2? Up the bleeding Arse!
When Gazidis said we were going to spend loads of cash this summer, I didn’t think he meant it would be to pay our own players to bugger off to other clubs.
Β£28m is a bit steep, altho not as steep as Β£40m if we get hit on the Suarez bid. The Β£12m diff could prob get us Swansea’s Williams if rumour mill to be believed. Jovetic and Williams for Suarez might prove slightly better vfm, no?
That said its of no consequence as he went Shitty anyhow. Pointless thoughts. Hot and bored. My bad.
If Ashley Williams is going to cost Β£10m I hope we steer clear. He’s 28 years old and has had one good season in the prem + no experience of playing for big clubs.
Suarez for Β£40m looks about right to me, given age, contract status and goal scoring record. It’s hard to find useful comparators but Carroll, Aguero, Tevez and Torres have all gone for similar amounts.
If Jovetic is a Β£28m player then Suarez has to be worth Β£40m.
I really hope we close the deal. I know we’re all supposed to prefer Higuain but I think Suarez is a better player and would all but guarantee 30 goals, assuming he doesn’t explode and eat a ball boy.
Clearly Suarez is a good player. I stand on the other side of the fence whereby there has to be a line drawn re someones talent against what they represent. I think it’d be a huge mistake to ignore or consign his past indescretions to history and like you say “hope” he doesn’t explose and eat a ball boy.
Ian Huntley for example could be the Carlsberg of janitors but I suspect there’s not a schooi in the world that would want him within 10 miles. I know its a but of a leap from paedophile murderer to racist/bitey/scumbag footballer but the point is sometimes its not possible to detach the man from the actions.
This job come with a certain amount of PR as standard and a level of behaviour expected. One two seperate occassions at two different clubs in different leagues this guy has acted appaling. Not tomention his actions at the WC.
You seem like an intelligent guy N7 so I’m sure you’ve looked beyond just the goals and like Arsene decided he’s worth the gamble. I disagree. Add to that the 6 games he misses at the beginning of the season, the crazy fee (one might argue he’s only had one good season in the PL as well), his desire to escape these shores and everything else we know about him I think his signing is too short sighted.
We would get two good seasons out of him max before he’s engineering a move to spains top two. We would be nothing more than a stepping stone, and what a great platform we’ve provided in the past. It would feel genuinely like we have sold out for 30 pieces of silver.
Suarez. Nah, not for me.
Fair play NB1. I can certainly see the sense in that (Huntley comparison perhaps aside).
I do think it’s important to keep Suarez’ crimes in context. He’s (allegedly – i remain unconvinced) made a racist comment on the pitch. He dives. He’s bitten someone. None of that is pleasant, but not are these the crimes of the century.
He’s not been involved in a hit and run. He doesn’t hit women. He’s not an alleged rapist. He hasn’t refused or failed a drugs test. He doesn’t cheat on his wife (so far as we know). He’s not tried to end anyone’s career. He’s not a drinker driver. There are top level footballers who have done all of these things. Hell, I’ve even hero worshipped a couple of them.
I’m not saying that what Suarez has done is OK, or can be waved away. I would hope to god that if we signed him Arsene would sit him down on day one, educate him on this great club and tell him in no uncertain terms where the line is. But I do think he gets treated like Jack the Ripper when, really, he’s just a bloke who does daft things on a football pitch.
I would add that I think the knives were out for him before he even arrived in England: he’s never been forgiven for denying Ghana a World Cup semi final. I don’t give a toss about that either – he did what virtually any player would have done in his shoes and was vilified for it.
I do think there’s a legitimate question about his temperament and the amount of time he spends banned. I don’t think he’s evil or an especially monstrous human being. Frankly, I think Wayne Rooney is a far bigger bell end and Suarez at least gives his all when he plays and doesn’t sulk.
I think it’s a bit unfair on the club if we’ve all decided that Higuain is the only available striker who meets our lofty standards in terms of his quality and character. And I’m overjoyed to see Arsenal finally going after a top class striker. Especially one who appears to absolutely hate losing – we could do with a bit of that.
We’ll see how it pans out.
Oh, and you make a fair point about him using us as a stepping stone, but that’s OK too.
Two seasons, 60 goals, a trophy or two and then a Β£50m move to Spain. Sign me up.
If we supposedly willing to pay 40m for Suarez, why just don’t get hig for a cheaper fee and less risk. This whole shit is crazy, I still don’t believe Arsenawww will pay that much for anybody until I see it.
Nice contributions all round about Suarez.
As you all have known so far to date, I have been making a plea for the defence in his case.
There can be no doubting his previous indiscretions. They are concerning and should not be overlooked. I have no doubt, a man of Wenger’s intelligence has considered this in detail. But a number of points if I may:
First of all, we have not signed Suarez as yet. So the comments may be premature. Signing players of that calibre from Liverpool will not be easy (rem Alonso, and our bid for Reina?). Liverpool think of us as a direct rival and in some ways selling to us directly, is a clear admission that we have surpassed them as a club. I think they will do everything they can to ensure they sell to RM before us.
Secondly, there is clearly a lack of top class players of that ilk available in the market place. And similarly, we have a clear and unequivocal need for such a player. We tried to buy Higuain, only to find that we were being shafted by Perez in the process. So its not as though Suarez was first choice. But why should AFC be used to fund the direct replacement of Higuain for RM, when we can just go and buy Suarez directly? Suarez has PL experience and Wenger clearly thinks Suarez is worth that money, but Higuain is not. Otherwise we would have signed Higuain already! I think Jovetic is a second supporting striker – and not a man who could lead the line so comparisons in this respect are wide of the mark.
Thirdly, as someone who just appreciates good football, Suarez is a joy to watch. His link play, his technique and overall his work ethic, and this is something I would emphasise on most, his work ethic is just non-stop. He’d have to be managed, but I think he’d be a superb addition while acknowledging that he’d have to be carefully managed.
There are many on here who are frustrated by the lack of signings so far and that can be understood. Some have compared this season to the late signings that occurred in previous years and would suggest that this is reflective of a lack of focus or ability or both. I couldn’t disagree more. I think this season represents work and sacrifices that we’ve made for the last ten years. It is a watershed transfer window. The fact that we’re no longer selling top players and competing to buy players like Suarez, Rooney, Cesc etc is reflective of that turnabout. There are 43 days left before the transfer window closes and our interest in some of the top players in the world is not fleeting, but substantive and genuine. That is something that every fan should be happy about. Its shows that we’ve built a real platform of strength for the future. Most of that, has been down to Wenger.
And just to add to N7’s comment in relation to the Stepping stone remark about Suarez:
In four years time Suarez will be 30. So at 29, we can choose to either move him on or extend. The fact that we’re stronger financially, means we won’t be as reliant on the money as we have in the past ala RVP. It’s a timeline that works for the club too I feel.
United have increased their offer for Fabregas. Personally I find that interesting only for this. In the world of football, football agents etc o don’t believe any club makes an offer for a player without sounding them out first. If the mancs have increased their offer then for me that is a clear indication that Cesc would be happy joining them????? I don’t believe for one second that the mancs would be that stupid to bid for a player that did not want to join them????
Barca DNA anyone????
Sign him up, I say. If we can get him for <Β£40m.
Quit the handwringing. Get over it.
We need quality.
We have had some undesirable personalities in the past.
If he scores the goals that take us to the Premiership or the ECL, then I can live with his past and am confident Arsene can counsel him out of the biting, the diving and the alleged racism.
@159
Good question.
The truth is, we have no real idea what’s gone on with Higuain. But he appears to have been our top target and willing to come, so the only two reasons I can think of that we appear to have moved on are that either Madrid decided they didn’t want to sell at all (which must be a possibility given that the deal cratered the same week Ancelotti arrived in office), or, as has been reported, the asking price changed dramatically.
If it’s a choice between a Β£40m Suarez or a Β£35m Higuain (as has been reported in some quarters) then I’m good with the former option.
Let’s see how it plays out.
Steve T @ 162
Bit of guesswork in there, but it should be noted that, even if a second bid has been encouraged by the Fabregas camp, that still does not nec indicate a desire to move to Manchester. There are multiple reasons a further bid may suit them.
We also shouldn’t discount the possibility that in the absence of red nose Utd may have lost all ability to discern arses from elbows.
Let’s see where Cesc is playing his football in September and then assess his DNA.
Amen to Joe @ 160. Especially the last bit.
It’s a fair point N7. My guess he will still be in Barca. But there must have been some encouragement from his camp???
Who knows? We might have said we would give them a clear run at Cesc if they sell us Rooney????
Something strange is definitely afoot.
I think Fabregas will stay in Barcelona this summer. I wonder if his team are encouraging Utd to bid as part of an effort to improve his position within the club; remind the board and the support that there’s demand for him and force them to fight to keep him.
I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
If Cesc joins Manure, it will be the end of Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager. There will be no forgiveness for either.
Hard to disagree bath, even from the sunny side of the street.
Steve,
Consider the following about Cesc:
There are contractual clauses (published by the Guardian and mentioned specifically by Wenger recently) stating that AFC have first option to buy Cesc at a set fee if Barca wanted to sell and secondly if Cesc wants to go elsewhere we’d get a significant percentage of the sell on fee. Barca never envisaged him leaving and so granted these clauses, which in hindsight (and I would have said in real time) has proved to be quite silly. This means that Barca would have to be selling Cesc for gigantic money for them to even recoup their own fee for what they paid us (Β£35m).
Cesc’s girlfriend has two children from a previous relationship and a young daughter with Cesc. She is London based.
Thiago Alcantara, who was lower in the pecking order than Cesc at Barc, has moved to Bayern and turned his nose up at Manu. Kevin Strootman, the young talented Dutch international has also turned down Manu.
Moyes has publicly criticised Cesc in the past after some heated games against Everton.
Cesc has always struck me as a player who plays with his heart. If he was motivated by money (ala RVP) he would have gone to another club rather than go home.
All things considered, I can’t see Cesc going to Manu contractually, personally or even from a football perspective in choosing Moyes over Wenger.
The publicity is PR bullshit from where I sit. Manu wanting to be associated with the big names (cesc, Ronaldo etc) in order to dilute the reality that ever since Fergie has left, they’re not being viewed in the same light under Moyes.
what Joe said.
I think it’s fair to say that my views of Cesc are considerably less rose tinted than the vast majority of arsenal fans.
BTW check out the training pics on .com today. Per has number 2. Who will be our new number 4? Why no trumpeting of the change?
N7, I’m very, very disappointed by your post @157, seems your mind is already made up and I’m probably in no position to tell you what to see as good or bad so whatever sails your boat…
Cent
I’m genuinely sorry to disappoint you.
However, these were my opinions on Suarez before we were ever even linked with him.
I don’t like diving and I don’t like biting. I wouldn’t condone any Arsenal player doing those things. But not do I see them as the absolute end of the world and I think Suarez gets more stick than he deserves.
I should add that if I genuinely believed he was a racist and/or had racially abused Evra then my view would be very different.
Hi all,
I must say, I did catch the highlights of the games on the A player. The guys looked relaxed and as though they were enjoying themselves. I agree, I hope we are lucky with injuries and that we are monitoring contracts carefully.
I’m optimistic that we will eventually get our man this summer. Napoli appear to have now cooled their interest in Huiguain. City appear to have completed the replenishment of their attacking line ups, along with the two big clubs in Ligue 1. With Man U over stocked and Barca settled, that leaves us to realistically fight it out with Mourine and Perez.
Even if we only strengthen in other areas on the pitch and use what we have wisely, we should at least be stronger than last year whoever arrives.
Fair enough, N7.
Whoever said, back up there somewhere, that we may have allowed ManUre to take Cesc so that we could have Rooney, has just succeeded in making me feel physically sick.
I’ve said this before so pardon the repetition, but Rooney has been playing as a Premier League forward since he was 16. That is about 5 years earlier than most make a regular spot in a Prem team. He has, too, been a hard working forward, for all his other faults.
His relative playing age is, therefore, around 33. That is why his form and fitness have suffered over the last two seasons – Slur Alex’s words, not mine. That is also why David Moyes said he needs him as back up to Van Persie. However he dresses it up, that is what he said.
And now to stand aside so that ManUre can take Cesc in return for palming the thuggish lump onto us – no thank you very much.
In other news – N7, bath and Joe (esp @171) – great work.
Cent –
And like N7, if Suarez’s racism were proven, opinions would be different.
Don’t forget that his alleged racism was against Patrice Evra.
That does NOT mean that it is ok to choose your targets for racism, but Evra has not exactly been a paragon of virtue. He managed to get involved in a post match fight with Chavski groundstaff, caused, or greatly contributed to, huge divisions and trouble within the France World Cup squad, and has generally delighted in winding up the opposition for many seasons.
That does NOT make him an acceptable target for racists, it does point to the fact that, for whatever reasons, he is often at the centre of controversy.
The amount of time that Suarez finds himself banned for is a big worry. If Arsene can teach him to react to events more appropriately, we may be grateful to have to try and forget his other past misdemeanours. I have to say I soon got over Paddy Vieira spitting at Neil Ruddock. π
Hey Goonertown, where have you been scribbling these past months ?
So, then, what about the Test Match?
Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike Kevin Pietersen? I don’t know what it is about the man, but I had taken against him by the 2005 series – if pressed, I will admit that he won the 5th test that year.
I think there was too much smell of Zola Budd about the way the meejah started lobbying for whatever processes were required to make him eligible to play for England. I have also felt that (the Oval 2005 aside) he was too apt to score a breezy 30-40 odd when a slow century was what was required.
Finally, I do like Andrew Strauss, so I was delighted when Pieterson was dropped last season, and considerably less than happy when he was recalled. I’m always pleased to see England in a commanding position in an Ashes series; to see them do it when “KP” has contributed 14, 64, 2 and 5 is a delight.
Oh yes, before I forget,
COYG
Not saying it has to be Cesc, but Mertesacker changing his number (as he seems to be doing) indicates that something major is afoot. Players don’t give up their numbers just for anyone, so if the reason for changing is a new player coming in then I can’t see many other players than Cesc that this would be for.
Trev. My sincere apologies for making you vomit. Like you the idea does not appeal in the slightest. But stranger things have happened and I would not be surprised in the slightest if it had not been considered at board level.
So, Andre Santos – who I loved as a player when he first joined – has joined Flamengo, back in Brazil, after passing a medical.
Safe to say that didn’t include a bleep test then. π
Lars,
Good thinking, Sherlars Holmes.
What other number 4’s would merit that kind of change/respect ?
Certainly can’t think of many. Phil Jones ? π
Lars, that’s one hell of a theory!!!!
Interesting theory Lars@182. Where do you see about Mertesacker changing his number? It says 4 on arsenal.com.
Lars,
What does Per at number 2 mean for Diaby?
A lesser number? Retirement?
Whatever it is, I hope it is the very best it can be for Diaby. Almost certainly one of the best players we never had.
…and speaking of players changing their numbers, I remember seeing that Abou Diaby had (been) switched to 24. Is there a new fullback on the way?
Ah, thanks Trev.
Just to add to what Lars has said… there are people on twitter (probably bullshitters) who have been claiming for several weeks that they havw inside info that Per will move shirt numbers this season to accommodate the return of Cesc.
It probably all means nothing, but a man can dream…
Trev @179, fair enough.
I believe Diaby has switched to number 24. As for Per wearing number 2 in training, I don’t think there’s anything to it, The Ox, Gibbs and Wilshere have worn 5, 22 and 19 respectively in training pictures over the past few days. However, I’ve heard the rumour about Per dropping the number 4 shirt for Cesc if he does sign for us this summer and I strongly believe he will sign, that’s if he hasn’t signed already.
Interesting situation at right back.
With Sagna staying and Jenks looking to step up, and our need for cover at CB, you could see Sagna being very helpful playing next to Jenks if Mertesacker were out for any reason.
That would allow Bellerin to be promoted to the first team squad, and he looks daaamn good.
This management malarky is easy, innit? Β£7 million a year? Yes please π
Boy Trev, before I knew it, it was July.
Sign me up Trev. Very easy, except that if Mertesacker and Sagna both pick up injuries within the first 2-3 months of the season(we all know it’s possible with Arsenal)we will be left with no other senior CB and the fans would lynch us both and.
Sign me up Trev. Very easy, except that if Mertesacker and Sagna both pick up injuries within the first 2-3 months of the season(we all know it’s possible with Arsenal)we will be left with no other senior CB and the fans would lynch us both.
The thing with the BFG wearing the number 2 shirt is that, as others have said, there were runours earlier about him switching to that number. Diaby switching to 24 was announced a few weeks ago, and there was a line in the article that went someting like “at the time there are no other changes” which can be read as meaning that more changes were highly likely.
Let us also put one thing straight: Arsene Wenger has confirmed that we want him back so there can be no doubt about that.
Cent: the thing about the BFG though is that he is so tall that I doubt any other shirts fit him.
Let’s not get carried away here, but there is starting to be a hell of a lot of smoke. It may as usual of course mean absolutely nothing, but I still have hope of a good result in the end as far as transfers in general goes.
And while I am up on my soap box I would also like to add that while I do agree that the sooner we get players in the better, I also feel that the importance of this has been somewhat overplayed. It didn’t exactly work out too bad for ManU to get Dutch Skunk in just a day or two before the start of last season, and Cazorla wasn’t too shabby despite being bought just a week or so before the season started. The better players we get, the easier it is to get them going quickly.
Smoke Lars ?
That can seriously damage your health.
It’s fire that we want. π
Crossfield pass from halfway line to the penalty spot…
Ping
Lars, fair points all of them. I don’t just believe we will make good signings, I’m definite we will make good signings.
On your soap box Lars? Don’t get into a lather….
Some interesting revisionism going on regarding the cannibal above…..personally I don’t care how many goals he scores or how ethically hard he works, I wouldn’t want Suarez anywhere near Arsenal.
Remember who you are and what you represent ring any bells?????
Piece of cake, Cent.
And I really hope you took that “racism” comment in the spirit it was intended.
Tabs has also already said that he read the report on the Evra / Suarez incident, and there was no proof that Suarez was a racist.
I haven’t seen the report myself, but Tabs is pretty damn reliable where things like that are concerned.
The question remains: Are we that bothered about cannibalism ?
Just food for thought. π
What! I was sure I timed my shot perfectly, I guess I’m as bad a shooter as Suarez, at least TaBS will be proud of me.
Well in Impec1!
Trev @ 203
I also read the report and I agree with Tabs 100%.
I changed my opinion of Suarez/Evra as a result of reading the report.
Racism is disgusting and inexcusable. Which is why it’s all the more important that people aren’t accused of it without proper proof. That judgement did not contain proper proof, in my view.
Haha! Cent, I took that one off your foot and spanked it home.
Lovely pass from the Guv.
No worries Trev, Evra is as despicable a character as Suarez and I have little or no sympathy for him, I don’t think Suarez is Racist either. The question for me is not if Suarez, or indeed John Terry, are racists or not but if they both at one time or the other used derogatory term(s) towards a fellow professional with reference to their skin colour.
As for for his anger and bitey tendencies I think he needs psychological help.
Cheers Impec, I will just wait for the three hundred.
Apparently Cesc unfollowed RvP on twitter, as if I needed another reason to believe that Cesc will never go to United.
An impeccable finish by Impec!
Hey Lars,
And the Guvnor actually got out of his deck chair to assist. π
Indeed. Cheers Lars and Cent!
Is Lars the new Tabs????!!
How the hell did I miss 202? Well said Dr Z.
I am with Lars on this one:
No smoke without fire.
Something is smouldering in the basement.
Steve, unlike tabs I am only guessing and speculating at this moment π
Trev’s sources (@132) allied to Tabs earlier hints do suggest something is pending though it is somewhat defused by Arsene’s comment that we are nowhere near signing anyone.
Bath, two weeks before we announced Santi’s signing Arsene was signed his thoughts on the Spaniard, his reply? “I don’t know him”.
Good point Cent. He is the master of the red herring.
Bath,
I tried to post earlier today, but the site has been taking ages to refresh and seemed to be down for a long time.
I will obviously not name names here but the source of that comment @132 is absolutely 100%. I will tell you, and Ollie, who it was when I see you but, trust me, this is someone who is definitely “in the know”.
I have implicit faith in your observation. I know that you would not post gossip and was very encouraged by your post. I have already shared your comment with the bathlets. I do think there is something grand smouldering in the basement and all the more so with your news.
I saw on Sky Sports News tonight that Pepe Reina is to join Napoli on a season loan. That is where Julio Cesar was headed earlier in the week – it was on Thursday that I was told that the deal had broken down and Cesar was Arsenal bound.
It hasn’t been confirmed yet but, as of tonight, those pieces are starting to fit.
Bath,
If you send me your email address through the back channels I will tell you who it was and how the connection was made.
Trev, I believe Cesar and QPR have agreed terms with us and the deal is subject to Arsene giving up on Rene Adler and/or Fabianski getting a club.
I have no idea how to use the back channels. I’ve never used them!
I am very happy with your affirmation.
I’ll hear it from you directly and ask Wolfie about using the back channels when I’m next at the Tollie – 12th August isn’t it? π
Heh @225!
Villa is on 17th August.
Should one assume that Julio Cesar, if he does arrive, arrives as first choice keeper?
Good question NBN.
What it must mean is that Fabianski is on his way as neither he nor Szczesny will stay as No 3.
I would imagine Szczesny is seen as the greater potential ….. ?
Trev @ 227.
Ah yes, the glorious 12th is when we will be shooting grouse.
The 17th is when we execute Villains.
I think Scsz will still be the number one officially and will start the season in goal for us but any injury os silly mistakes and he could lose his shirt, it’s all meant to keep him on his toes, competition and all that. That’s what we’ve been asking for since Mad Jens left, innit?
Cesar needs first team football regularly to ensure he remains Brazil number 1 for the World Cup. Hope that, if he comes to us, that ensures he performs consistently well unlike his erratic form for QPR.
Merts’ number changing has to be a significant pointer to the return of Fab4. Especially when allied to Manu’s reported offer to double Cesc’s Barca pay (to 200k a week) … which reeks of desperation to me.
It doesn’t address the DM position (although the new Gustavo rumour would) but it’s the most encouraging thing I’ve read in weeks.
Btw, how many strikers do ManC have now? I wouldn’t mind seeing one of their spares bid for … eg, Aguero.
Oskar
‘Holics:
Tell me somethin’ good.
Tell me that we spent some cash…
Tell me somethin’ good.
Say we’re not just talkin’ ass…
BMBD
A magnificent player is that boy, Aguero.
Now that would be a great signing indeed, Oskar. Impossible though.
To Bath’s point about playing regularly ahead of a World Cup, I can’t see Julio Cesar choosing us over Napoli if he hadn’t been given an assurance that he would start off as the No. 1 keeper. As for Woj vs Fab, I think, Fab is at an age where he needs to be playing regularly, too, so he is more likely to be off than his fellow Pole, for whom a couple more seasons as No. 2 would be seen as seasoning.
Aguero would be a fine acquisition, Impec1. And a nice physical complement to Giroud as the out and out striker. Plus he is quick, which suits us.
We would be looking at Β£35 million minimun for Aguero.
Indeed NBN. Nice to dream.
Nothing is impossible, Impec, certainly not in this particular transfer window. I still see Aguero as ManC’s #1 striker, but apparently he’s expressed an interest in joining Barca, and today I read that Real are contemplating a bid for him … presumably as part of the on-going Higuain/Suarez/Rooney chess game.
And if he’s not up for grabs why have ManC spent Β£42m on two new strikers in recent weeks? Plus they still have Dzeko and the Swedish wiz kid Guidetti (20 goals in 23 matches on loan last season). They’re not all going to be happy rotating surely.
Just wishful thinking, but until something else is confirmed…
Oskar
I’m sure Cesar would be our #1, NBN. He is after all first choice for Brazil who will likely be number one choice for next year’s WC. Woj could learn a lot from him.
Oskar
On paper, he should be first choice, Otd, but last season with QPR he rarely looked the keeper he was. He have to be a lot more consistent to be our No. 1. Whether it is the WC or Woj that would motivate him doesn’t matter provided he is motivated. How secure is his Brazil place? The two back-ups in the Confederations Cups were 30 and only had a handful of caps between them, so Cesar might feel he doesn’t have to prove too much in the run up to the WC.
Morning.
I agree with most that if Cesar is coming then it is as the number 1. The current talk is that we have told him to take a pay cut or lower his wage demands to join???? It will be interesting to see what happens if he does sign. I could see Shezza going out on loan for the season. I would be surprised to see him sat on the bench.
Reports coming out of Italy Higuian is signing for Napoli for e35 what a shower of country c@@ts that real are fooking gangsters,hopefully this gets everything moving thou.
Morning all,
I hope I did not curse our transfer activity last night. But I awoke to this claim by ‘Corrie Dello Sport’ this morning.
Make of it what you wish!http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Edicola.shtml
Translated the article states that Madrid have accepted Napoli’s 35 Million euro bid, after Rafa failed in his attempt to sign Damiao, who was set to sign as Cavani’s replacement.
The question that will be asked by most Gooners will be, is Higuain worth 35 million euros and if he is, why would Wenger rather bid that amount of money on Luis than Gonzalos?
As we enter the final month of the transfer window, I guess we will have to wait and see. I personally have my pereferences, but who we buy and do not buy, is not my decision.
Judg
Morning,
so Higuain to Napoli means that Real Madrid are in search for a new forward. Let us hope it is Zlatan, because if it is Suarez, start praying for Dick Law.
As I said not that long ago
Iβll be wrong of course, but I have unstoppable urge to speculate. This is the way I think the dominoes are going to roll.
Higuain- Napoli
Zlatan- Real Madrid,
Rooney- Chelsea,
Negredo and Jovetic- Man. City
Suarez- Arsenal,
Yilmaz- Liverpool
So far my guess is accurate, lets continue that way. Would like to see Suarez at Arsenal, but have bad feeling we may end with Bendtner as LANS.
I’m not at all convinced by Cesar. I also think Woj is quite underestimated by many. My only real worry about him is that he does seem quite injury prone.
Lurky
Think you may be right.
By the sounds of it Madrid were not keen to sell Higuain to us. If they were going to move for Suarez you’d have thought they’d have wanted to eliminate the only other serious bidder.
If we do get a free run at Suarez then it would take a dropped bollock of colossal proportions for the deal not to happen, given all that’s been said by the various parties.
Agree lars if cesar comes he will only be back up in my eyes,woj is #1 for me,lurky I hope your crystal ball is on the money.
iLars
Totally agree.
Woj has massive potential but just needs some help with focus, unsurprising given his age.
If Cesar comes in then I hope they boss finds a way to keep the Pole happy, because he’s the future in my book, and has been ever since he started clearing out LWCs in 50/50s.
I think there are two or three players in the current squad (Ramsey is another) who would be transformed by a trophy win and the lifting of a bit of pressure. There are definitely some more gears that can be gone up.
Nacer Chadli to the Tots is about to be confirmed. The fee is only 7 million. I only watched him for Belgium, good player, lots of potential. Interesting part is that he is a left winger as is certain Welshman.
Lurky
I think Bale played more central last season. If they’re signing a left winger it’s probably to cover his move inside.
N7, you are right.
Bale was told to play with great freedom last year. He scored great percentage of his goals from the right wing drifting horizontally to the center from where he can better use his left foot. Which was proved useful for the player, but not as useful for the Tots team, because that required great discipline from the other players which was not always the case.
Signing Chadli may indeed put Bale in more central role, but I would like to think that it will put him up for a sale.
Amen brother, amen.
Bad news, Monreal out till November with a back injury.
In other news, we will bid 41 mil. pounds for Suarez tomorrow. Arsene has determined his mind, I hope it is not to late.
I am slightly getting closer to the panic button.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-injury-blow-laurent-koscielny-2071714?
What is next?
I must admit, if Real have accepted an offer of β¬35 million for Higuain then personally I would match it. Assuming the player still wants to come. If we don’t and he ends up in Italy then I can see Suarez ending up at Real.
I think we need to be very cute and very switched on with all of this or we will end up missing out.
If we do sign Cesar then it will be as number 1. I can’t see him agreeing to much else.
Suspect the next seven days or so will be critical for our summer.
Time to break the bank for Suarez so we can move on to the other areas we need cover for.
I think you are right N7. I must say that at the moment I really do not have good feelings about all of this, I really don’t. I hope massively that I am very wrong, but I am not confident at all that this will end well for us.
In a World Cup year the Brazilian number one, however we rate him as individuals, will not go anywhere he is expecting not to play.
I like Sir Chesny for his potential and his attitude but, if you ignore the goodwill he has built up with the fans due to his various antics thus far, he is not currently a great keeper.
I think and hope he will be, but he needs some experience around him. Cesar has that in spades but needs to rediscover his consistency.
Lurky,
In the absence of Snir, you would appear to be the official keeper of the transfer balls. π
Martin Allen is, this very minute, saying that Arsenal have struggled in the transfer market since David Dein left because he used to maintain such good relationships with the agents to get them to move their players to AFC.
Has he not heard that Mr Dein’s own son was the agent most responsible for clearing our club of all it’s best players. Why do they employ these nitwits.
TGSTEL believes that all his anticipated move options are falling down because Arsenal are pricing him out of the market. What a sad little prick.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/ex-sunderland-star-hit-by-arsenal-blow-1-5877171
I wish I was interested in the golf. π
Lurky,
Where did your Nacho injury news come from ?
Tennis, Trev, or almost any other individual sport. No referee decision to fyck you, no transfer speculations, no stadium debt, no oil money opponents. Your favorite player against his opponent, sport in its pure form.
From a patient of mine, 100% reliable, of course I can’t give you any names π
I’m actually a qualified tennis coach, Lurky.
No need to convince me about that. That finished 2 weeks ago though. Current tournaments a bit of an anti climax after Wimbledon.
A patient Lurky ? Do we have another doctor in the house.
Or is that a piss take of my post ? I promise you that was very real. π
Trev. Love him or loathe him, the fact is that we have been nowhere near as effective in the transfer market since David Dein left. The fact that we have sold all of our top players I would suggest is more down to those running Arsenal than any agent. Personally, that is one of the reasons I think we are struggling now.
Just kidding Trev, I know your info is real, many reliable people are saying the same, that we may expect great signings this summer. As for Monreal it is from twitter, reliable source. It sounds like an oxymoron, I know, but it is reliable I can assure you.
Lurky @ 270
I know the source and agree; as far as anyone on Twitter can ever be described as reliable, this guy seems to be.
He’s also the source of the Suarez Β£41m bid story.
Yep
Not being a Twit, I have no further comment to make. π
Garsguns?
Do you mean that Napoli get Gonzalos, Real get Luis and we get Wayne if we’re willing to pass up on Cesc?
I agree that Cesar would signify a good signing for us. He would be ideal to rotate with Woj. IMO.
Cesar will not come to be number 2. SZCZ has shown a willingness to accept that he can legitimately be dropped if he doesn’t achieve consistently high standards. He is young enough to make progress as a number 2 to a ‘top, top’ keeper. Cesar was a top, top keeper at Inter. If he reaches those standards again consistently then it’s a win-win. If he fails to do so, then SZCZ gains confidence from seeing off the challenge of a formerly ‘top, top’ keeper and steps up. Cesar will surely be motivated to ensure that he remains Brazil’s Number 1, for what that’s worth.
Either way, it’s bye, bye Fabianski and thanks for all the flaps and occasional impressive moments.
I must say, as much as I trust AWβs judgement upon identifying top, top talent this doesn’t appear as though it’s even possible for it to be resonated across the higher channels. Unless of course?
My prediction for this summer is that we will end up with Rooney/Suarez, Cesc, Cesar, Fellaini/Gustavo and a CB.
My prediction for this summer is that we will end up with Rooney/Suarez, Cesc, Cesar, Fellaini/Gustavo and a CB
I’m also expecting bigger things from him this coming season http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lukas-podolski-interview-arsenal-star-2071848
The monks at Castle Ned have crunched out Higuain’s open market value to be β¬30 million and Suarez’s to be β¬42 million. So Napoli would be overpaying and AW underpaying (surprise, surprise) if N7’s twit’s info turns out to be on the money.
As I said before, Cesar wouldn’t come unless he was assured that the first-choice keeper’s job was at the very least his to loose. I think Woj would take a season on the bench and playing in the cups, if he was assured that the No 1. job would be his in no more than a season or two, and that he would get a fair crack this season if Cesar was inconsistent. Let’s not forget that Woj had slipped to No 2 last season before Fabianski’s most recent injury let him back in.
NBN
Presumably, we’d still be within budget if we purchased all three.
Then room for a decent DM, give or take a couple of surpluses?
It is getting a tad worrying this end anyway, about our lack of incomings. The Higuain thing seems all of Real’s doing, regardless of what others think of our ability or otherwise to sihn players, but that doesnt prevent me from being concerned by the fact we are yet to strengthen the squad.
I hope we do get Higuain, although the quoted new price of over Β£30 mill is OTT IMO. He would be an excellent signing, but I can understand us not wanting to go crazy! He is untried in the PL and may need time to adapt. For that kinda price we’d be looking at a world class player who can produce from the off. maybe Suarez is that player then?
Signing the Uruguayan seems to have divided opinion. I think he is a bit of a nutter, but we have had our own fair few of them in our time. The incident with Evra was more a cultural thing than actual racism, I think. I mean, he aint John Terry; England captain and confirmed bang to rights racist scum bag, who gets a free ride compared to the bitey south american!
Signing Cesar makes sense and as long as he accepts a pay drop (typical Arsenal clause!) he will make a great addition. The news about Koscielny means the signing of a CB should be an even higher priority than it already was (well, in my eyes it was a must).
The squad isnt strong enough and I do hope the inactivity is only because ‘i’s havent been dotted or ‘t’s crossed and not because we cannot make up our minds who to sign and how much the players are worth….
Goonertown @274 no.pass up the chance to sign cesc to get Rooney,no not for me.
Any trade where we end up with Rooney and the Mancs get Cesc is a poor one in my view.
I would add that I believe the addition of Suarez, Fabregas and an extra centre back would make us title contenders next season. I believe we could muddle alone without a new def mid if absolutely necessary.
Here’s hoping the dominos start to fall this week. I don’t believe it’s in Liverpool’s interest to drag the Suarez thing out too far, especially if he hands in a transfer request.
I dont think Cesc will leave Barca this season and although I’d love him back one day, I dont think he is a priority. But he definiyely cannot be allowed to end up in Manchester!
I have just returned from Lords where I have been cheerily provoking ( in a nice way) lots of depressed Aussies. Lords at a Test match is a wonderful place to be on a lovely summer’s day when the Aussies are being rent asunder and it was nice to get away from the football speculation for awhile..
Cent’Berry has cheered me up no end with his optimism but I regret I don’t have very much faith in our planning and negotiation. I would have significantly preferred Higuain over Sanchez- and we may not get Sanchez. I also don’t see Cesc returning and we need cover defensively.
I’d like Yilmaz, Fellaini and Williams and if the funds stretch the boy Bernard looks exciting.
I suspect we may end up with Ba,Gustavo and Williams. I’m not a Cesar fan and would prefer Adler.
Finally I can cheer up Pangloss( the one formerly known as Oxon) by confirming that Pietersen is in great pain with a poorly calf. So those pins that you stuck in his effigy did work!
TTG, that would be Hugo Sanchez or Alexis Sanchez you prefer Higuain over? π
Cesc not a priority, Norris? Like I wrote earlier, Arsene has said publically that he wants him back. The quotes are there to read on Arseblog and, I think, also on this site. He said something along the lines of “we have the clause and if he wants to come back we will take action”.
Blogs is quoting Ancelotti as saying he knows of no Napoli deal for Higuain.
Again… NOBODY would appear to know what the fuck is going on this summer.
Take everything with a pinch of salt. Especially the bad news.
TTG – Thanks for the news about Pietersen. I’m as sorry to hear he’s injured as I would be to hear that the Dutch Skunk was. (I haven’t heard that BTW.)
What N7 said @291
Trev, I guess my patient was right π
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-injury-woes-nacho-monreal-2072671#.UexWC-9Tq3U.twitter
Lurky
It’s Dirty Sanchez!
Still we can buy Higuain again now but the situation may change in five minutes.
Lobs a lazy pass forward on a hot summer’s day….
TTG, I am afraid no Sanchez, Gonzales or Suarez for us this summer. Maybe we should try for Slowpoke Rodriguez
Lurky
Old slowpoke is a lot faster than he looks. I was always taught a slow poke was the best sort!
Indeed Lurky.
Looks like the injury goblins are out to get us after a remarkably clear run last season.
Woj, Monreal, Kos and Vermaelen (for 3 months) – and that’s before the season’s even started.
Dr C, time we got The Quackery up and running again.
Paddles oiled, genital probes polished up, horse placenta ordered – it’s gonna be just like old times. π
Zelalem through pass…………………………..
Got to be done, cheers Impecc1. π
Carlo Ancelotti denies Napoli bid for Higuain. Make of it what you will:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2372855/Real-Madrid-manager-Carlo-Ancelotti-insists-Cristiano-Ronaldo-leaving-summer.html
Lars I just mean we are more in need of adding to other areas. If we can get Cesc AND strengthen the other areas that are a priority, then all good.
Garsguns, N7 Gooner and Norris:
I perish the thought.
Well done, Trev.
Arsene, sign Trev up! Haha!
Six weeks Ivan – still patiently waiting for the very exciting news (in 48 hours.)
This is even making the medical team’s predictions look hasty π
I score when I want …..
And I’m happy with Β£80,000 per week. π
So many hehs above.
Well in Trev!
If anyone at Highbury House is free in the morning, there appear to be one or two rather good strikers still available for sale π
And could someone please, please plant something extremely scary in TGSTEL’s locker at the training ground. And the number of a local taxi firm. Ta.
I’m seeing quotes on Twitter which have Szczesny as saying words to the effect that even if we sign a big name in goal he would still go about his quietly and relish the challenge that will come with it. Good lad.
P.S. I don’t think Cesar will dislodge him if he comes to us and I think Woj is a better ‘keeper overall than Cesar.
Well in trev,you should be a lot more prolific in this bar especially on 80k a week π
Too many goal hangers in here, Garsguns.
My strikes are rare but professional.
Apart from the accidental ones. π
And the self assists. π
I must admit that I am starting to feel sick. It would be good if we sign a defender in the next couple of hours. Or we could just play Sagna as a CB. Right? Or we could just register Steve Bould in the 25 man squad.
Or we could play 1-8-1, with only Mertesacker as the lonely defender, which would be funny if it ain’t sad.
Or we can wait UEFA to ban the offside rule. Of more likely, we could wait until UEFA start to punish teams that have more than one defender in their squad.
Or simply, buy that defender. You already get rid of two defenders in Djourou and Squilachi, with other three injured. Buy defender ffs!
As for Nicklas Bendtrerez, is the Danish prince still at our beloved club, I thought he said that he is gone in two weeks- about two months ago. Make that two years ago.
π trev that 311 sounds like nb52 cv.
Bendy is still there Lurky.
He was showing his Paddy Power pants to Santos as he was leaving the training ground.
After the summer break, Santos and Bendy were both carrying a bit of extra weight and got stuck in the revolving door. The edge of the doors caught the special display waist band of said pants and began to thread the elastic round and round the doors as the trapped pair continued to revolve.
They are, apparantly, both still there – we may never get rid of them at all π
There seems to be a few contributors on here that believe Suarez is not a racist. Interesting.
Evra’s personality has nothing to with matters as far as I’m concerned. Yes he’s been at the centre of previous controversy, but so what? I believe that was Dalglish first response on entering the ref’s office “hasn’t he done something like this before…”. I don’t think Evra’s character should be the topic of debate here.
The Independent Regulatory Commission, not the FA, found that Suarez evidence was unreliable and unbelievable. That he referred to Evra’s colour, during what video footage showed as a heated exchange, as conciliatory or in friendly manner as impossible. They called in a professor and doctor of languages to give them expert opinion on the language used and it’s context. They concluded the language and use was derogatory. I’m not sure they needed such learned individuals to point out what was happening there mind you. In a heated exchange when insults are being used who then uses skin colour to calm the situation down??? Do me a favour….
I only bring all this up again as I think it’s important. Anyone of colour that has played sport and been the subject a racism will recognise Evra’s response at full time and during the game. I played football in the 80’s and 90’s and was the subject of racist abuse. Back then there was no point telling the ref you had been racially abused. At the final whistle and during the game you wanted to smash the players face in. To say you were pissed is an understatement. Evra was visibly upset during the game, Giggs telling him to calm down and not get sent off, then immediately after the game in the dressing room telling Fergie what had happened.
There was plenty of insults Suarez could have flung Evra’s way. But when in a tight spot chose the lowest common denominator – colour.
Racism comes in a variety of shapes, and degrees of severity but the bottom line is if you think that the best way to insult someone is on the basis of their skin colour then I’m afraid that makes you racist. Whether you only do it when really annoyed or once every now and then is besides the point. Like my old team mates would often say when trying to justify a racist slur against another teams player “… I know you, you’re alright. Your not like the rest of them. You know what I mean.” Sadly I did.
That’s why I’m curious to understand from those on here insistent that Suarez is not racist how that works. He insulted Evra on the basis of skin colour. People will say “there’s no direct evidence…”. This despite (among other things):
– independent language experts agreeing the nature and tone of the exchange meant it could only be interpreted one way;
– through studying video footage concluding the repeated use of the words was more than just a one off insult, hence the severity of the ban;
– Suarez admitting he said the words but as a means of calming the situation (hands up if you really believe that);
– Suarez changing his story to suit his argument (like the little weasel he is wanted to worm his way out once rumbled. Terry did the same);
– receiving an 8 game ban and warned further behaviour of that type would lead to a permanent ban.
I don’t subscribe to the theory of occasional racism, you know every now and then, in the heat of the moment. Right minded people don’t have these thoughts in their head full stop as I see it. I don’t know the composition of the panel but their conclusion that he was racist at the time but isn’t a racist is an interesting point of view and not one I agree with. Racism is an uncomfortable issue. To some a little racial slur here and there isn’t racist. I don’t agree. Like I said racists are not only those people that burn crosses on lawns and wear white bedsheets on the weekend.
The signing (record or not) of someone who has been found guilty of racism handed a lengthy ban and Β£40,000 fine (which he didn’t appeal) makes some people uncomfortable. I get that. Lying to yourself though because it suits your argument and/or eases that comfort doesn’t make the truth any less obvious. The lies we often tell are those we tell ourselves.
Maybe I’ve not convinced you Suarez is a racist. The Independent report maybe isn’t enough. Maybe you had to be there within ear shot to be convinced. However when granting the benefit of doubt please don’t make your sole motive the goals he could score for us. That’s poor. If that is the reasoning it betrays the club, a large swathe of the fan base and playing staff – past and present.
Finally it’s sad that some contributors seem to think calling someone a filthy bitey scumbag racist somehow makes you racist. Sigh. To that person I would suggest they read a little more (and not more blogs, but you know books and stuff like that) and get out of suburbia from time to time.
Meanwhile ManC have spent Β£80m+ and now negotiating another Β£30m for somebody or other = Β£110m and counting…
What seems crystal to me is that no prime suspect wants to join us if they can get to any of Barca, ManU, ManC, Real, Chelsea, Bayern, PSG, Monaco (amongst others). And we can’t be one of those elite until we start contending for stuff.
Catch22. Would we seriously be looking at Suarez under any other circumstances?
Oskar
I think that we will just have to accept that when it comes to the rest of the world, and all practisers of football that aren’t from the british isles, English football in general and Arsenal in particular, just isn’t what it used to be. Part of that is how much a few other leagues have improved, part of it is oil clubs popping up all over the place, part of it is because we’ve sold our best players for a number of years now, and replaced them with a mixture of other world class players, but also talents and sometimes junk. Part of it is us having to curb our spending to build a new stadium. And all these are valid reasons, I’m glad we acted like this. Or rather, of course I’d rather we didn’t but I can see why and I am proud we managed to.
Point being, even if we have money now, it’s also about appearances. Of course we can still attract players in the caliber of Chadli, if we were interested. But the top players? The top 20 in the world? They would rather circulate between the top five clubs, money or sporting-wise, and we, at this very second do not belong there.
Yes, we have money now, apparently, but I don’t believe we can change everything over one night. Appearances are important. It is hugely important that we get one at least almost-marquee signing, if for nothing else to get the next one. But we might just have to settle for getting somewhat lesser players this year, try to improve for second place and a cup win this season, get somewhat better players the year after that etc. That or silly money, ie the oil club way. That, we still can’t do.
So, yet again, even if this explanation isn’t a reason why we haven’t strengthened yet (because I believe there are any number of 7m pound players that would join us in a heartbeat), I believe we just have to understand that there are a number of players who just don’t see themselves at our club at this moment.
So, this season is going to be a big one, not because I expect a gazillion of trophies, but because this is the season when we could turn this trend around. That we have to do by strengthening, having a deep enough bench of players pretty much in the quality we already have, digging deep and clinching a second place and a cup or two. If we can get a marquee signing as well? I’d love it. But I don’t expect it at the moment. Those are for next year.
This year is about hard work and gradual improvement.
Trev @ 305. Excellent.
π
Over 24 hours yesterday we saw how ill- informed and ridiculous the transfer industry is.
We awoke to stories that Napoli’s bid had broken down and we were back in for him. Then just as that news was sinking in we found that he was on his way to Napoli as their bid HAD been accepted . Later he was off to talk terms with them. Then Ancelotti denied that a Napoli bid was accepted and then we hear that Higuain wants to defer 48 hours to see if we come back in for him! Clear as mud. The only joy on our horizon was that TGSTEL is demanding w ask less money for him so that he can get the wages he deserved.
This arrogant prick has hung around the club like a bad smell.I am free to drive him to any airport of his choice today or even Hull but I have a nightmare he may end up like a new signing.
Frankly the transfer press is so frenetic and anxious to get a story ahead of the competition they are printing rubbish and we wait on every word. It used to be easier in the old days when all this crap wasn’t around.
Still we are just about to sign Ashley Williams or alternatively we haven’t bid enough or he’s not for sale or we are not remotely interested in him. So that’s clear then.
I wish I could ignore all that shite……..but I cannot. I simply select sources that are not yet proven to be utterly speculative and unreliable. Not many left really.
Ironic really. Whilst Ivan and his merry men are galavanting around Asia, Higuain was actually in England with the rest of Real Madrid enjoying the delights of the South coast. I wonder if anyone had the foresight to pop down for a quick chat????
NB1 @ 315
Good post. A few thoughts in response.
* Firstly, I think it’s important to make it clear that I abhor racism, and that I would never champion Arsenal signing a player I believe to be a racist simply because he would score goals. I’ve seen members of my own family racially abused and there’s absolutely no excuse for it.
* Secondly, as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve read the Commission’s report in full. When I started reading it I believe Suarez had racially abused Evra. By the end, I did not. I am a lawyer by profession, and in my view the Commission’s findings did not come anywhere near meeting a satisfactory level of proof.
* You ask how anyone can say Suarez is not a racist. Well, Patrice Evra, the only person he’s been accused of racially abusing, states in the report that he does not believe Suarez to be a racist.
* You cite independent language experts and video footage, but the report makes it quite clear that neither of these areas of evidence were conclusive – they were persuasive at best. Suarez was not caught on camera racially abusing Evra, otherwise I don’t think you’d find anyone on here defending him.
* The fact that the two players were having a heated argument and that Evra got upset is not evidence of racial abuse. Particularly not in the context of the fixture being played – they were both wound up and acting like children, but you can’t infer racism from that, any more than you can assume Suarez’ innocence from the fact he has a black grandfather and numerous black players in the Liverpool squad were willing to defend him.
* You suggest that Evra’s character is not relevant. The Commission’s report makes it perfectly clear that the entire matter boils down to one person’s word against the other. In this context I think the character of the person making the accusation is EXTREMELY relevant, and I (personally) don’t hold Patrice Evra in sufficiently high regard that I’m willing to simply take his word for something like this.
* The Commission openly states in the report that their view may have been coloured by the fact that Evra was able to present his evidence in perfect, fluent English, whereas Suarez barely spoke a word of the language.
* It’s not a case of needing to be within earshot. I think John Terry is a racist, I think he racially abused Ferdinand and I think it’s a scandal that the FA let him get off as lightly as he did. But that’s because there was clear, virtually incontrovertible evidence of the abuse. When it’s a case of one player’s word against another then I’m afraid we’re into extremely dangerous territory.
Totally respect your opinion on this matter. Totally respect the opinion of anyone who feels likewise. But, having familiarised myself with the evidence, I’ve drawn a different conclusion – and, to be clear, I’m not saying he categorically didn’t abuse Evra, I’m saying I don’t think there’s enough evidence to satisfy me that he categorically did.
Very well put N7. Reminds me of parts of last season; the defence rests…..
Well said, NB1@315
Two finely argued position statements N7 and NB1. I doff my cap to your analytical skills.
My feelings are that it is a complex situation on which to develop a firm conclusion as only the two players involved know exactly what went on.
In the absence of conclusive evidence, one can only reach a subjective view based on one’s instinctive reactions to the available information and one’s impression of the individuals involved.
Neither individual comes across as Mother Theresa (in her public image at least). In the absence of conclusive evidence, whilst I would not choose Suarez as a dinner companion in a vegetarian restaurant, I am inclined to accept Arsene’s judgement if he believes that Suarez’s undoubted football abilities outweigh any reservations about diving, biting or alleged racism.
Greetings all
I see the regulars are getting restless, quite right too.
Steve T – Excellent point and far too logical and obvious. Why on earth would you not want to contact a potentially critical signing when they’re on your doorstep with a chance to make them feel really special. Heck, take your medical team with you and kill two birds with one stone. Heck, take a pen too and try to kill three….
I can now only assume that the Higuain rumours were nothing but made-up meeja horsesh*t.
The lack of any kind of meaningful messaging from the club other that Ivan’s very bullish statements last month and Arsene’s typical “…we’re not close…” comments in Indonesia are starting to look like the main ingredients in an enormous face omlete.
Carry-on Arsenal.
Trev
Santos and his XL knicker elastic are now, sadly for me and perhaps on or two others, in South America spinning around to samba beats in a Latin night club. He might get to play a bit of wing-back footie too at Flamengo.
I wish him very well.
The Chip Inn fish bar, meanwhile, is seeking investment to keep its operation afloat.
L’equipe is reporting that Bernard will have a medical with Arsenal on Friday.
Pinch of salt.
I might start losing my shit somewhere in the middle of August, rather than the end of the month. Some may disagree but I feel that after the last couple of transfer windows, it would be a complete joke if we started the new season still waiting to tie up our deals.
And I know a football transfer is not a straightforward operation by any means but they can go through fairly efficiently as plenty of clubs have already proved this summer.
Saying ‘they tried’ and ‘it’s not as simple as buying bread’ if we get a depressing repeat is all well and good but our hallowed club has definitely developed an aura of transfer market novices who can be given the run-around with ease.
One poorly managed transfer window could be called unlucky, more than one is just sloppy.
No fee being reported as yet.
Here’s a quick look at the player in an awesome youtube video headed “Welcome to Borussia Dortmund”. This summer – honestly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTm7kibQsp8
Giroud is on fire fellas!!!
Arsenal one up. HFB again.
Rambo stepping up both with and without the ball.
Ryo buries pen.
pelanty for Ryo
Um, anyone got a cheeky stream?
Ryo 2-0 from penalty:)
http://cricfree.tv/espn-live-stream.php Cam π
http://www.101greatgoals.com/goals/england/arsenal-v-nagoya-grampus-team-sheet/
ignore previous
http://webfirstrow.eu/watch/196864/1/watch-nagoya-grampus-eight-vs-arsenal.html
or make your choice:P http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=211905&part=sports
Thanks chaps! π
UTA
Feo 1 on 1 fail after killer ball from Rosie
Ryo has good vision for long ball pass
How can football players run around on a huge pitch for 1 and a half hours and chew gum at the same time?
well worked goal from Grampus
Per concedes poor goal
That Zelalem is special and I mean really special. His eye for a pass is remarkable for a 16 year old and he has such easy control and skill. I suspect he will,like Fabregas be fast- tracked into the first team. I watched the second half of our in in Nagoya while waiting to be told where to drive TGSTEL to. Very impressive especially going forward and Flappy looked good too.
And it might be that we are about to sign Bernard. L’Equipe tend to be a better source than our newspapers . ,,,
I suspect he will,like Fabregas be fast- tracked into the first team.
Or end up going on loan to Hull for two years.
Which Bernard are we signing – Cribbins or Matthews ? π
And which Friday ? π
Indeed Cynic, that’s life, nothing is ever certain.
For those who missed it, here’s Zelalem’s pass for Theo today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wvAe9CUEd4
Like a new signing.
Heh.
Wenger has denied we’ve signed Bernard.
Fee being reported as β¬21m.
Make of that what you will.
Best piece I’ve read in a long while. http://poznaninmypants.com/2013/07/21/shhhhhhhhh-part-deux-the-gedion-zelalem-remix/ do yourself a favour, read , and enjoy!
N7,
I think Arsene Wenger would deny that his mother was married to his father. π
If these Bernard rumours are true then, given that he’s a left winger, I think it may spell an imminent exit for Gervinho.
Feels like an Arshavin/Gervinho replacement.
Would also suggest that Arsene’s “we’re not close to signing anyone” comment last week was a classic Arseneism.
Hey holics. Despite warnings from Holic and Nigel (Winterburn π ) to contain our enthusiam for Gedion, it’s pretty hard to do. He makes it look so easy π
ABB
Absolutely right he has fantastic awareness and radar. What we don’t know is how he will react to being kicked about by thugs on a cold winters evening at Stoke.
But he looks a real good ‘un.
ttg, you can learn to handle the physical side but you can’t learn that kind of vision that you need to make a pass like the one for Theo’s goal. I hadn’t really noticed Zelalem too much in the previous two games but fucking hell did I notice him today! That kid has massive potential, absolutely massive.
Lars
He’s like a new signing! Actually I think Wenger will use him in the first team squad rather than loan him out. Someone told me about him last year. He trained with the Brazilians at Shenley when they were there at the age of 15 but couldn’t be registered so he has had very little football but its brilliant to have such an exciting talent coming through.
Bootiful Trev @ #350
Well, ttg, he IS a new signing π
Agree with you on not loaning him out. He’ll get plenty of opportunities to train with the first-team squad and if he keeps up the promises shown in these games he’ll probably get at least a subs appearance in the COCup.
And now that you mention it, I remember that story about him training with Brazil. They just needed someone to make up the numbers for some exercise and then basically went “who the hell is that and why have we never heard of him???” when they saw him play.
N7,
A pleasure to debate with you.
We still view the incident and the player differently but that’s cool.
If he does sign a Davids-esque muzzle may be the only thing that saves us.
Good man NB1, the pleasure was mutual.
Have a drink on my tab.
Trev @203 –
Just to clarify, given that you reference me, in regard to the Suarez racism thing.
I think ultimately that it is for everybody to draw their own conclusions. The Report is here if you can be arsed. If you don’t want to bother with all the preliminary legalese, then the various accounts of what occurred start at Page 25.
http://www.furd.org/resources/FA%20v%20Suarez%20Written%20Reasons%20of%20Regulatory%20Commission.pdf
I have no idea whether Suarez is a racist or not. Only Suarez himself will know what he meant when he said what he said that day. I certainly don’t think that he comes out of the incident with any credit.
What I did think however was that having read the report, the evidence was sketchy at best, and purely from a legal point of view, I was surprised that he was found guilty even though the FA were only required to meet the lower Civil Standard of Proof in order to make their case.
Not sure that I can add much to what N7 has already said, with whom I entirely agree but I would just add this to his excellent post :-
– The Court heard very persuasive evidence that the Spanish word used by Suarez, “negro”, can be used in a number of ways in Uruguay, yet they found entirely for Evra on this point based on little more than Suarez’ “demeanour” when he said the word.
– Evra initially thought that the word used was applicable to the “N” word in English and this understandably informed much of his contemporaneous anger and his wish to immediately report the incident, as evidenced by the English “N” word used by Ferguson when reporting the incident to the Referee immediately after the game. Evra subsequently confirmed that the Spanish word used did not have the same connotations as the English word of racist abuse and retracted that part of his evidence.
Like N7, I would agree that the incident can be interpreted in a number of ways and that people will draw their own conclusions. None of the above is meant as an apologia for Suarez, merely that I don’t think that the evidence was strong enough to find him guilty.
Had Suarez appealed I think he would have won. Unfortunately (for him) by that time Liverpool’s handling of the whole affair had been so inept and confrontational that I think the die was already cast.
–
Did we, by any small chance, sign any footballers today?
Speaking of Suarez, to much noise tonight. Don’t know how reliable but apparently him and Bernard are very close.
Trying to not getting too excited about the Z kid is so damn hard -_- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsEHJd4voY
Zinedine Zelalem.
Sad news, my friends >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>