Gabriel Injury Sour Gunners Defeat Of Pep Guardiola’s City
Aug 7th, 2016 by 'holic
That was one way to spend a Sunday. England rather thoughtfully wrapped up an unlikely third test victory at Edgbaston just before Arsenal and Manchester City took to the field in the Ullevi for our final pre-season warm-up match.
I won’t call it a friendly as some of the challenges were of a very physical nature. Whilst most are at pains to point out that the results in these matches are unimportant, when Arsenal and the present-day Manchester City locked horns both sides were looking to secure the slightest psychological advantage going into what will be another very competitive season.
There were welcome returns for Aaron Ramsey and Alexis in a much-changed starting line-up that offered some hints about who will start against Liverpool next week. Rob Holding got the nod to accompany Gabriel at the heart of the defence. Granit Xhaka was paired with Francis Coquelin in front of them, and Alexis filled the problematical striking role.
Arsenal will have reached half-time wondering how on earth City had the slenderest of leads. In the opening minutes Gabriel headed wide from Ramsey’s free-kick, and before long Ramsey himself headed just over from a delicious Alexis cross. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, starting on the right, was the next to go close with another audacious chip. Coquelin’s effort, brought about by enthusiastic Arsenal pressing, was blocked.
Having not secured the advantage those chances presented it was perhaps with a sense of deja-vu that we were caught napping when Sterling’s cross was volleyed home by Aguero, so often our nemesis.
Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
At half-time Arsene made the first of the usual raft of changes. Calum Chambers, Mohamed Elneny, and Theo Walcott replaced Holding, Xhaka, and the Ox. I cannot pretend I have been impressed with Theo in the past year, but this evening he looked like the player we always hoped he would become. One half does not a season make, but his impact was decisive.
Theo held up play on the right flank before cutting the ball back to Alex Iwobi whose carefully placed curler once again highlighted Joe Hart’s shortcomings as a goalkeeper.
Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal
Alexis smashed a free-kick against the bar as the Gunners continued to have the best of the opportunities, and Theo’s first time drive across the goal was palmed out for a corner by a grateful Hart. At the other end Navas brought a fine save out of Petr Cech but it was a rare retaliatory strike at this point. Arsenal gained a deserved advantage with a rapid break that ended with Theo exchanging passes with Alexis on the edge of the box before chipping over the advancing Hart. It was breathtaking football.
Manchester City 1-2 Arsenal
Of the three substitutes who appeared after that strike, Chuba Akpom is the most fascinating. He is a striker, and quite rightly there is a clamour for a major signing in that area. Chuba had an unspectacular season on loan at Hull City last season, but circumstances have given him opportunities in pre-season, and in his cameo tonight he found himself in the right place at the right time to plunder his third opportunist goal in the warm-up matches. True he owed much to the handling, or rather the lack of it, by the hapless Hart, but the lad is doing all he can to force a serious appraisal of where he stands with the club right now, and whether another season on loan might be the only option for him this term.
Manchester City 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal being Arsenal there was still time for another collective defensive lapse to present Iheanacho a free header from point-blank range to reduce the arrears, and Cech had to dive full-length to keep out a Yaya Toure drive.
Manchester City 2-3 Arsenal
In unspecified time added on Gabriel contested a ball with Iheanacho and ended up buckling under the challenge, albeit accidentally. The resulting reaction of Gabriel and those around him suggest a serious injury. It is as yet too early to speculate on the nature of the injury, but obviously our best wishes go out to the Brazilian for a speedy recovery.
That probably leaves us with three inexperienced young central defenders going into the new season, or a week in which to secure an experienced addition to the squad. Whether such a signing could form a brand new partnership next Sunday is open to doubt, but that doesn’t make such a signing any less desirable. Let’s not dally please, Arsenal.
It was a sobering end to an otherwise excellent day.
112 Responses to “Gabriel Injury Sour Gunners Defeat Of Pep Guardiola’s City”
An excellent day indeed. And an excellent summary as always ‘Hollic.
Nice to see Arsene in a tracksuit for this casual affair… thought he looked quite cheeky. Iwobi will be hard to leave out on Sunday.
Was actually quite optimistic…until that injury spoilt it
Should be used to it by now !
Damn… The injury Gods are at it again.
If there’s any consolation it is happening before the window closes so that we can get the replacements in. Chambers and Holding will start against Liverpool after a summer spent hankering on about signing a striker!!
Hopefully Gabriel won’t be out for too long. This is the season for him to get a consistent run in the team and make one of the two centre back positions his own.
Good performance 4rom our young lads,theo walcott should remain at side forward
Didn’t see the match but this is an excellent report. Many thanks H.
The injury curse is beyond ridiculous and the suggestion is Gabriel must miss most of the season. We really do need a Scott Dann or Johnny Evans ( possibly both) now but young Holding might also get a lot more work this season in the first team. Get going Arsene and get some experience in
Evening all,
As pre-seasons go, to have done as well as we have without Koscielny, Mertesacker, Ozil, and Giroud, is encouraging.
We always need two signings but be careful not to go over old ground in that respect.
The sight of Higuain today showed why we dodged a bullet with him. Over £70m for that porker?
Everything crossed we have negotiations continuing for those we all know we need.
Good report, sir and good performances and result.
Sickening conclusion though.
Need to get the skates on, Arsene. Stop fannying about.
And best wishes to Gabriel for a favourable diagnosis and a speedy recovery.
Lacazette has a hip injury now! You really couldn’t make it up!
Gabriel’s injury seems to be ankle ligaments. Will bow to Trev’s expertise, but I assume we are looking at at least six months out.
We’ll be bringing back Squillaci at this rate. (He is still playing for Bastia in Ligue 1 and was first-choice CB last season.)
Bad looking injury to Gab that.
Hope the scan’s shows a strain rather than a rupture :-/
Get Ashley Williams or Jose Fonte and keep Debuchy for CB/RB cover.
It’ll motivate him to get fitter and stay. He’s definitely still got something to offer us.
Higuain’s always been a porker! Makes Jan Molby look svelte in the mirror,
Cheers H. Not seen any of the game so far so will try and find some highlights at some stage.
I’m guessing that Gab will be out for the normal 3 weeks and that there is no one available that will strengthen the squad etc etc
Is it me or is this a bit of Groundhog Day??? It all seems remarkably familiar.
Looks like AW will have to keep Debuchy around for emergency CD cover, and possibly start Gibbs and use Nacho in the middle if need be.
On the bright side, Gnabry is looking very good for Germany in Rio. But can’t see anyway he breaks into the squad in the middle.
Apparently AW has said he won’t be buying a new CD before the poo game. Probably not after the game either if he thinks he can get away with it.
Haven’t seen the game but encouraging to hear Theo playing where he belongs for a change – albeit second choice to Ox whom many here are demanding should start in the spot regardless he has managed just 2 goals and 1 assist in his last 45 Premiership games…
Theo impressed me the most vs City. A fire appears to have been lit under his butt and he played with energy and commitment that he usually reserves for contract negotiations. I think his role will probably be “super-sub” this year, with Alexis and Iwobi getting most of the starts on the wings.
Sorry for Gabriel but we should have already signed another Center Back.
Just saw the highlights and it was a great goal by Theo but on the other two goals Joe Hart should have done much better. If I were Pep I would be thinking about a new keeper.
All in all our results this pre-season were good and I hope we can get off to a good start despite the injuries to Per and Gabriel. A new striker and new defender are still needed though…
I’ll be off the grid for the Liverpool game so my season opener will be the Leicester game. COYG!!
Elneny is good, I don’t care who wenger partners him with in deep midfield but he MUST be a definite starter in my book. whether short or long, the ball leaves his feet only for another arsenal player. didn’t put a foot wrong against the mancs.
I like Elneny too, kenyan, but Xhaka has the edge as DMF and it’s more a question of who will partner him. I can’t see both of them starting rather than Xhaka and one of Jack, Rambo or Santi.
Then again, the way injuries are already mounting up we could find anyone playing anywhere.
…although, in light of the likely CD pairing, it’s always possible AW would consider two DMFs. But that would limit his attacking options so seems unlikely for a season first-up game at home.
There is no such position as CD, it is CB or CH.
Thank you.
Absolutely Cynic! CD??? Phfffrt! These modern kids with their abbreviations!
Elneny’ll start against Liverpool, he’s flying already, with either one of Granit-Rock or Le Coq. With a now severely weakened and inevitably inexperienced CB pairing, it’ll probably be Le Coq instead of Granit-Rock for that more experienced-in-the-EPL CDM cover.
Back Up the Arse, All Day & All Night!
I miss the days of the wing half.
The wing half plays inside, right ?
Thanks for the report, Holic,
I had seen and heard nothing at all. Suppose I’ll have to try to find out what Gabriel has done.
Gabriel, Mertesacker, Welbeck and Wilshere all now out.
When does the season start ?! ?
Not as bad as feared but I still believe Gabriel will be out for a long time. A couple of months at least. Scott Dann, Ashley Williams, Mustafi, anyone please for we need a centre back and now.
The general feeling as ever is we are very good if we are allowed to play. Watching Santi and Alexis play, iwobi’s development, elneny and xhaka combo, it does make you feel we are in good hands. Yet the doubts remain as to how can we win games without a finisher and how can we defend without a proven cb. Strikers are tough but there should be no reasons not to buy a cb, please pay the money and more of it boss.
Saw pool play against barca as well as mainz and it showed what they can and cant. Mane against our defense will be a handful and they will press the midfield high up. Theo and Sanchez could be the key, the ones who can run behind the defense, just ensure they dont get the early goal.
lastly, I just pray that the supporters dont show their animosity at the game on sunday. Agreed our transfer have been a joke but not the place or the time to say so. Let us all get behind the lads and will them on for we need them to be.
Am I the only one who dislikes this new EFL moniker for the Football League ?
Are we to have the DBL, the ELL, NED, FLU, or are they all deemed self explanatory ?
@28,
It’s PIFFLE….
Back Up the Arse, All Day and All Night!
@25 – He does indeed, Trev. You wag.
Just tried to vacuum the rug, ended up in the shed with a hacksaw chopping the end off the extension tube. Long story…
Gnabry and Asano both continue their scoring streaks in Olympics. Gnabry now has three goals and looks in good shape. He might go out on loan again in January, but before that it will be interesting to see whether he becomes a squad player or join the U-21 to play regular football.
Trev@28: This NED is entirely self-explanatory.
Gnabry should feature more in the first eleven..!
Guess either Holding or Debuchy will be employed for Pools game.
As for Higuain…70m buys you a ‘big’ player!
😀
Germans never fail to entertain: http://tinyurl.com/gl4tq8b
@33,
Heh! 😎
Back Up the Arse, All Day and All Night!
Been lurking long and haven’t posted here for ages, but I felt like writing something today that PSG have confirmed a 25M euro deal for Jese from Madrid.
Why did we not go for him? Young, fast, able to play on both wings and centrally (which he did for RM Castilla), and shoots well with both feet. He also has a big game mentality, having scored in his first ‘derby’ with Barcelona.
I can’t help but feel we have missed a trick with this one. Is there a better striker currently on the market? I hope Wenger proves me wrong!
On a last note, I hope the Emirates will be rocking on Sunday, this might well be our last year with Wenger on the bench. He’s proven people wrong before – I hope to God he proves all of us wrong this year.
Good to see the report in and good as ever. Looking forward to another season, barman. Thank you, in advance.
Wow. Things have gone krazy if folks are really suggesting hiring scott dann to do, well…anything.
What absolutely shit luck. Get well soon Gab!
I’m going to go ahead and disagree with the Theo bashing.
A) he can finish – probably better than anyone in the sqaud
B) he passes better than Ox – and I’m a big fan of the Ox.
C) his movement off the ball is better that Ox.
D)excellent point above about Alexis and Ozil doing fook all on defense – and Theo isn’t that much worse on that score – but gets slagged off all the same.
And, it seems that Alexis does harry opposition immediately after turnovers and in the middle third. So its probably not even fair to slag him either.
Folks really have it in for Theo. Odd. And I’d be surprised to see AW sell Theo. Blogs is dead wrong on that one, in my view.
BB – that pic … hilarious!! Great catch.
Derrick – good question on Jese. Wondered that myself.
Cannot claim to be an expert on la liga, or the player, but, seemed like an obvious move.
Arsène Wenger says that the Premier League will be a “world championship of managers” this season.
Welcome to Egoland.
Pity those poor assistants.
(Didn’t I tell you to tell him that, eh? You miserable useless idiot!)
(What is he doing there?! YOU tell me!)
(Look, look, he’s doing it again…It’s all your fault, you moron)
If Ross McCormack can sell for 14 million euros moving from Fulham to Aston Villa, the 25 million euros for Jese would seem a relative snip. That is also barely 1 million euros more than West Ham is paying for Andre Ayew. As the unspeakable one from the unmentionable club said, what seems crazy now might not seem crazy in three years.
Ayew is not better than Giroud, by a street. Now we are in the area that Arsene has said we want better than we have. The truth is that anyone better than Giroud will cost a Kings ransom today. I hate it as much as you. Pray we have TDK90 in reach as an option. If we could juggle those two then we have a chance.
We need someone to play with or as an alternative to Giroud. The last thing we should be thinking of is selling him. The only way that should happen is if we bring in two strikers. Having just the the one has been problematic for years now.
I must admit, I have very little enthusiasm at the moment for this season. We are 5 days away and are yet again, miles away from where we should be. It all just smacks of ineptitude. As a “fan” this constant lack of ability to compete, due to our own failings, has started to feel like a betrayal. I honestly don’t remember the last time we started a season in the shape we needed to be in.
Oh well, as long as Stan can finance is US teams? I guess that’s all that matters?
Here it is…Chelski pick up Lukaku, then sell Costa back to Atleti, at which point AW swoops and signs Griezemam for a mountain of dough – while with his other hand, AW gets Mustafi. Both on deadline day. Boom!
Wait, wait…I’ve now taken my pre-season meds.
Wheewww! As you were.
I have a friend in Homer! Just so long as Theo plays RW and OG is in the middle (a combo we have seen precious little of) I will be happy. But if AW insist he’s just a CF alt for Ollie then he might as well find a club where he gets decent playing time.
I notice Leicester’s new boy Musa was given the 7 shirt. I would have thought that would have been offered to Mahrez since it’s a right winger’s number. Is that a clue?
Why aren’t we looking at Bonucci, a proper proven class defender? The chavs seem keen.
The wing half can only play inside right when he’s not left back in the sheds Trev. I’d say bring back the wing back if there’d ever previously been such a thing.
Chris, indeed sir.
Were about to enter the bpl cauldren this weekend. Im ready for it. And surely AW and the squad will be – despite the early Arsenal injury crisis, i.e., Arsenal preseason. Ye gods.
Just win some football matches Arsenal. Is that really so much to ask?
?
The fact that we have still not signed a striker and center back with five days to season beginning is just plain ridiculous. I just don’t get it, we are always one or two signings away every damn season.We keep doing the same shit year in year out. Giroud needs help, everyone and their mama knows that. Theo wants to play as a winger let him do that. That whole experiment is over and done with. Next thing will be “we didn’t find anyone that can improve the squad” really? whoa!!!
These are the mot expensive out-and-out centre forwards to have moved this transfer window to date (all for 20 million euros or above). Which would be upgrades on Ollie G?
Gonzalo Higuaín, Napoli —> Juventus
Álvaro Morata, Juventus —> Real Madrid
Michy Batshuayi, Marselle —> Chelsea
Kévin Gameiro, Seville —> Atletico Madrid
Arkadiusz Milik, Ajax —> Napoli
Breel Embolo, Basel —> Schalke 04
Vincent Janssen, AZ Alkmaar —> Tottenham
Kevin Volland, Hoffenheim —> B. Leverkusen
And Ibra?
@NBN: only Higuain and Ibra (free transfer) are better than Giroud.
But somehow I know Wenger would not want to spend big for a second or third tier striker, it’s like having Arsene to pay £40m for a Giroud, which not gonna happen. Understandable but knowing crazy market we live in, we don’t have much choice, do we, Arsene?
Higuain being better than Giroud is frankly, in my opinion, disputable.
In fact he does not even look fit at the moment : http://tinyurl.com/hhstlv4
Seems like Juve did a Pool and bought a Carroll!
😀
Morning all. I think everyone needs to get used to the feeling that we won’t sign anyone else. Not dooming, it’s just our past form in windows (transfer variety, not the Microsoft ones…).
So with that in mind, what do we have in central defence and up front that will probably have to do us until next summer?
CB’s
Holding
Chambers
Monreal
Debuchy
Er…that’s it.
Really we’re on a wing a prayer here. Maybe, maybe, 2 of these will step up and handle the steep learning curve required, and start to build some confidence over the next couple of months?
The forward line
LW: Alexis, Iwobi (?)
ST: OG, Akpom (again, ??)
RW: Feo, Ox
Correct me if I’m wrong (I frequently am…) but didn’t Iwobi look quite handy at the end of last season? So he must be a reasonably good option. I never feel optimistic about the Ox no matter what he does in pre-season, and as for Akpom I guess the guy has to learn the EFL trade some way, somehow right?
All in all I think things are not as bad as most people make out and if we come away with a draw on Sunday I won’t be disappointed. I’d be fine with 0-0.
What about you?
TDK90, H? How very analogue of you.
Everton have signed Stones for SillyMillionQuid.
Funny how everybody else can find players but us.
Everton? Fuck that.
MAN SHITTY I meant.
FML
Like all of you I am bewildered that we should find ourselves in such a vulnerable state with 5 days to go to kick-off. Goodness knows what plans are afoot on the training ground to patch up our available back four.
The shirt and scarfs are all ready to go but I’m not over excited at the prospect of a makeshift defence being over run by a rampant Pool.
We will make do and mend as usual and will probably muddle through but oh for some exciting new players to get the juices flowing. I fear a hostile atmosphere at the Ems on Sunday which will do nothing to help our cause.
I suppose I should check Sunday’s trains !
I’d be bewildered if it didn’t happen every single year.
Cynic,
Its a fair bit easier when you can just chuck money at the problem tho, City in a 3 year period have probably by now spent our cash reserves in Centre halfs and are still no closer to finding a solution – Stones from what ive seen is a major work in progress still and is by no means certain to make it to the top echelons – He could turn into a Ferdinand but its no Gurantee – He couldn’t even break into the worst England defence in decades at the Euros, As for Pogba that fee is laughable,
Look im all for improving our squad and its completely farcical we are yet again starting the season on the back foot- In fact its bordering on Insane and if the result was to go against us on Sunday, Wenger, Gazadis and all that are involved deserve the abuse that will come there way, But its easier to throw money at something safe in the knowledge you have another 500 million in reserve to buy the next player if this one does not work out,
Forward and CH tho please Arsenal and make it fucking snappy 🙂 And if your feeling even a little adventurous a goal threat from out wide wouldn’t go amiss !
NBN @49, in my opinion we don’t need a striker to compliment Giroud, rather a forward to complement, play alongside, or be a viable alternative to Giroud.
Referring to your list, I would say Morata, Batshuayi, Higuain and Gameiro are all players that can improve our side. But what I think is the biggest miss for Arsenal is Jese Rodriguez, as I posted on #35. I honestly don’t think there is anyone more suitable than him in the current market. I also have my doubts on whether Icardi really wants to move this year, but we’ll see.
I’m curious though if anyone else thinks Wenger has missed a trick with Jese. I’ve watched him since he was playing for Spain u19s and RM Castilla, and he has all the attributes and mentality to make a top, top player.
Draw on Sunday? will I be ok? no, win it is and win it must be. Liverpool game plan is there for all to see and if we cannot get past that, then a hustling Leicester the following game will make it, even more harder.
CB and a striker and the odds are only one of them in the near future. Pray it is Mustafi or a Scott Dann than a Johnny Evans though hope never substantiates literally. Striker is long forgotten though the odd Icardi’s wife, dog and who not, is in london apparently. Lacazette is injured, maharez has a new bmw, draxler is fined, hallelujah we will start with Alexis against pool.
Pogba for 100 million, Stones for 50, well with all this the manchester clubs better not find a reason or an excuse not to win the league, wait heard they arent done yet and want messi and ronaldo too.
I meant we don’t need a striker to replace Giroud — typo @59.
I would not be surprised if Arsene did not try Elneny at centre half.
We have enough defence players in Le Coq, Casorla, Wiltshire, Zaka,
Attacking midfielders, Ramsey, Ox, Ozil, Iwobi, CF’s, Alexis, Akpom,
Theo, Giroud
Do not be surprised if we do not sign any further players.
The transfer fees will only get worse. That’s the new World of football we live in now. You either join in or be left behind simple as that. We can complain about fees all we want but that wont change a thing. Its unfortunaute, but clubs are getting paid big time these days so what do you expect.Clubs use to stay get ready for new season just training at home. Now they fly all over the world for unnecessary shit just to make money.Next year I wont be shocked if Pogba’s fees is broken, crazy shit I know but that’s the reality.
OB@62
Id be amazed if we didn’t sign any more players – It would basically equate to Wenger signing his resignation note pre the season really getting under way – Only way he would survive is if he won the title or champions league. Every defeat will be blamed on his reluctance to improve the squad and spend the un doubted funds at his disposal – On an already tetchy fanbase it would be his death knell.
Has our penny-pinching coach/accountant broke the world Player-Trade record yet? 😎
Our reluctance to strengthen goes back years and is nor costing us even more. Of course transfer fees have gone up. That’s because revenue, especially from TV has rocketed. Again, simple market economics that those in charge of the club should have seen coming.
I really think we are in a proper mess at the moment and I’m genuinely glad that I’m nowhere near the place this Sunday.
Anyone remember how FFP was supposed to level the playing field or even tilt it in our favour?
Maybe Gazidis and Wenger didn’t get the memo…
Chippy – There’s no such thing as “can’t afford it” in today’s game and whilst I agree that stupid money has been paid for players this summer, we are in the era of stupid money.
We are better off than just about every club in the country with the same, if not more, tv revenue as anyone else.
The kicker though is that two word phrase Wenger used just the other day.
Resale value.
That kills us every single time yet it doesn’t bother other clubs and with the money rolling about now, resale value should never enter into it.
Cynic,
That may ring true for clubs with infinite wealth but for all others there does become a point where they cannot afford it See Reals pursuit of Pogba ! It didn’t make commercial sense so they pulled out,
That we are, but alas there are 3 others with bigger financial backing than even us for those reasons you stated and a few others – State wealth being one 🙂
Now im firmly in the camp of we should spend every possible penny we can afford to become better – If you look through my post history you will see my feelings on where the clubs heading but I do kinda of see the point of looking for value especially in these times where bang average players are going for astronomical sums, Another case in point give me Iwobi over Sane any day of the week and Sane has just cost the best part of 40 million. People seem to easily lead by what Sky fucking Sports thinks of a player !
To be honest im not even sure where im going with this as just musing a bit 🙂
i’m sure Arsène used to sit in front of the teletext
days on end
remote and phone in hand
his eye on a last minute bargain s/c apartment in torremolinos
.
leaving on a tuesday half 3 in the morning
but what a bargain !
Real transfer news:
Frimpong signs for Arsenal….
….Arsenal Tula in the top flight of the Russian league, that is. Was unattached after being released in April by another Russian club, Ufa.
Chippy@69: I wonder what Iwobi would sell for on the open market. A 20-year old with 20 first team games under his belt. £20 million, given Liverpool got £15 million when they unloaded Ibe, who is the same age?
Waiting on two things yrs from now.. The Jeff being what a healthy Diaby woulda been. And Pogba’s pic right next to that other Denilson
NBN,
Blimey wouldn’t have a clue, I’d guess at over 20, And looking at some of the transfers that have gone through I’d say that was value !! When you see players of Ayews level (Not a bad player by any means) going for 20 odd you do have to wonder if clubs will start looking more towards their academies (Will be a good thing) I’d safely say we have 2/3 players at youth level that are on a par ability wise as him, Hopefully the madness will end but as Cynic rightly pointed out it shows no sign of stopping, All that said Arsenal need a statement signing to give the whole place a lift, Some of the shit I’ve read on Twitter is beyond belief and the season hasn’t even started – The whole club is just engulfed in negativity and its down to Gazidis and Wenger to find the correct deals,
Klopp joined Dortmund in 2008, and they won the league in 2011 and 2012 so says Wikipedia. So, it took what, 2 or so years for his players (including ones he brought in and shuttled out) to get his “system” and become good at it.
Liverpool looks to entirely lack the players that the deadly Dortmund side had. Running around like headless chickens, a lot of players of questionable technical ability … should be an interesting match.
Agree with those above. AW will not buy a centerback out of desperation. Gab’s injury not as bad as feared. Monreal in the center with Chambers; Gibbs and Bellerin. Elneny and probably Xhaka – though I’d prefer to have our Coq out agaisnt Liverpool. 🙂
First, because le Coq knows the prem and liverpool and has played against Klopp side. He’ll be ready. And second, any – and i mean ANY excuse to make a dick joke.
Add Bolasie to my list of are you taking the piss transfer fees – 30 million !??! Bonkers absolutely Bonkers,. Homer I’m not sure I buy the not as bad as first feared rhetoric coming out,sounds to me like a case of Valencia he will be back soon so if you don’t agree to our under offer valuation fee we will just leave it and muddle by / No holding us to ransom do you hear 😉
On the Arsenal time scale of three weeks out is a minimum of three months, I take it we won’t be seeing Gabriel back until at least the New Year.
Chippy@75: Agree with you about Bolasie. Half that amount would still be overpaying in my book.
Anyone know if Pogba and Stones have buyout clauses and if so, for how much? Can’t see many other ways of hedging that sort of outlay.
It will be Jonny Evans and A. N. Other. Let’s hope that the other is a striker like Lacazette or Morata. I would expect that Monreal will partner Chambers at the back for Sunday.
If we were interested in Ashley Williams last year and he’s being sold, and with us needing a centre back, why are we no longer in for him?
Cynic @78, he would now kill Chambers, Holding and Bielik. Almost a mass murder.
Buy…Buy…BUY EM ALL!!
(with accent of the mad king, it sounds good in my head. but its still crazy.)
Some mass murders can be justified, bath.
In the mean time, a tune that sums up our transfer activity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9AnUs2urC4
Good morning all.
I hear from my sister-in-law that either of the other parties to her pair of season tickets is available on Sunday, so I will be going to the Ems to see the opening match of the 2016-17 season.
I thought I’d dip my toes into the drinks to get in the mood, and see my decision not to visit following last season’s Watford FA Cup tie more than amply justified.
Enjoy the season, all.
COYG
Williams is now in his dotage, Cynic, 31yo.
Jonny Evans is probably as useful as anyone currently available. Heaps of Prem experience and reliable enough – without paying silly money. Hate it that he’s a manure reject though.
Holding and Nacho at CB for me against Poo, with Bel and Gibbo either side, and perhaps both El Niño and Xhaka ahead of them.
I’ve lost track of who is available to attack, but would load the defence as above and rely on breakaways, so our quickest forwards required.
Here’s an alternative to your #81, Cynic. AW ‘In The Mood’ for a transfer … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOnvsFIeh8c
Le Boss never shows his hand. Dont we All know this by now?
Much as our presently inexperienced D has to face ‘Pool, didnt some moan about Hector v Dortmund too?!
Gearing up for a Loud Sunday, w or l!
Howdy Pangloss, Nice job of toe-dipping you did there. The season can’t be far off now. Did we buy anybody yet? 🙂
Fact is, Homer, They are afraid of our Coq. Or ought to be.
I fear our serious transfer ended a bit early in the window when we signed xhaka. takuma asano was just one of those for the future.
Daily Star reports we could be in for Bony for 30mil-what the fuckery! not the player, He is a decent player but the valuation? 18mil and a prayer, that’s how much he should cost or have I been wengernised ?
splodge ?
chris ?
.
i have zapped both from youtube
and will be playing them at volume
for anyone that’ll listen
not necessarily voluntarily
For Northern Irishers and fans of a certain age
https://vimeo.com/119891178
Sadly the film cannot be released on DVD because FIFA want fortunes for the footage used in the documentary, but it does get shown in motio0n picture houses and at festivals so you might catch a screening somewhere.
Book available on Amazon though
looks interesting cynic
am a republic fan – well a lapsed fan
but would definitely put the sectarian bigotry
beat into us from birth to one side for a nosey at that
?
only joking
we’re all one big happy family now
.
it said so on the telly
(more winky faces here)
Hi all,
The problem with trying to buy big players late in the transfer window is that, it doesn’t give their clubs enough time to replace them.
It was reported that Lyon were willing to sell us Eden Hazard, provided they found a replacement. But the window closed before they were able to find one. The following summer, he was sold to Chelsea!
Cu’mon Arsenal, start rounding things off now!
Please!! 😆
You’ll all be one big happy family or we’ll send the Boyos round to kneecap yer!
Or something.
In the mean time, Arsenal’s search for players continues.
http://alturl.com/sfw6j
yer deferential use of a capital b for boyos
i’m sure has been noted
and the appropriate sign will be daubed on yer door
so your fetlocks will remain un-gone in
.
can’t stop playing splodge and in the morose
a smile nearly broke out on me face a few times
god bless here
nutters abound
?
@94: Lille surely, and not OL?
😆 caught slipping again!
young arsed lumbers up the wing
hands can to linesman
with a stare that can only mean
‘I know how much is left in that ‘
and
Liams the ball goalward !
Tap in!
Nacho/Debuchy at cbs would be somewhat reassuring..to the fans. But not to Holding/Chambers. I say go with the young guns for the first two games while Kos gains fitness
well in ambydex
a slidey alan classic
.
*lumbers thirsty off with all the grace of a man who lumbers*
“oi”
“Oi ! ”
“Fuckface !”
“Shite at football at school ! , where’s me can ?”
.
.
cynic
his door is getting a different sign
Did I miss a meeting?
Why does every article on .com now end both with a ‘quiz’ and a promise of ‘more quizzes to come’?
When was this arranged? Why?
“Oh bottoms. I had hoped to find the announcement of a shiny new player to immediately improve our first eleven. But it has not materialised.”
*double takes, glee visible on face*
“But what is this? A chance to ‘Test your Granit Xhaka knowledge by taking our quiz below…’ by answering a series of ten questions loosely based around Xhaka. Well, this is a rare treat and a task I shall complete with relish.”
*eagerly sets about accrueing top marks (thanks wikipedia) and succeeds. Is now far more satisfied than if we’d signed a footballer. Offers thanks to .com for another winning quiz*
If we do sign anyone I think the main benefit will be the raft of new quiz options.
This pre-season stuff is no fun. I miss football. The team may not be ready but I bloody well am. Roll on Sunday.
I’ve not been drinking in here much lately so I’m not up to speed with the discussions. I also can’t be bothered with transfers and all the hot air that comes with this time of year, so I tend to keep away as it’s not good for my sanity and I’m crazy enough as it is.
However, in case no-one has beaten me to punch, it does occur to me that we could really do with signing a striker and a centre back.
Pearls shared. As you were.
I dunno
am distraught
*ends up on the street cos fictional middle class linesman throws away practically 3/4 full can of pretend tesco own brand lager*
THIS IS BRITAIN !
.
SHOCKING !!!!
BUY CANNED GOODS*
THEY ARE COMING FOR YOUR CHILDREN !!!!!!!!!!!
.
.
*tuna , spam you know the sort not sweetcorn nobody likes that or but definitely get supernoodles yeah them the beef ones
gonna say it again
those two tunes
fuckin champion
love hearing stuff gives you a smile
fuckin love it
mind you
i am just needy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zgsIdMa8qA&list=PLyAPw7_MALmEqMw83ejchqMelkspkvIMP
herself is acting the goat so i’m in the market for a new filly round the farm when she’s off on her knicker based sojourn.
no cindy crawford lookeelikeees need apply
what was an endearing mole
doubtless now is
home to a big thick black hair ye could swing a dead wet dog off
“are we there yet , Arsène ?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOi_wxypeGc
You’re loudmouth baby
You better shut up…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
always liked ye geeza ?
.
and charlie really does like his fishing