Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

keano_afc

Its a bit frustrating how close we are to having a settled, balanced team. We really only need 2 players, and if Gallas does stay we probably only need a decent defensive midfielder. I still maintain Song will never be good enough to fill that role full time. He's ok to provide cover but he's not first choice.

Evil_Clown

Well F**k it anyway :mad:

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-blow-as-eduardo-is-out-for-two-weeks

No luck at all

Galvasean

In slightly better news Baratzite got his first goal for Derby and Lansbury is off to Wembley!

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/loan-watch-barazite-bags-first-senior-goal

itsjaybud

Evil_Clown wrote: »

Well F**k it anyway

+1 :mad: a hamstring injury is so disappointing after his superb return.


Decent enough Samir Nasri article to read for those of you that have not yet seen it!

Like Cantona and Zidane before him, Nasri learnt his trade the old fashioned way in Marseilles. Now Arsenal are benefitting from the blossoming skills of France’s latest midfield prodigy, writes Sam Wallace


“I don’t think it is a central midfielder that Arsenal have been lacking. What we have really been missing is the injured players and when they come back you’ll see a different face to this Arsenal team.”


As for Gallas himself, Nasri will admit that there was a difference of opinions in the summer but claims that they have been able to put it behind them. “We had words at the Euros but it was during a training session and immediately forgotten,” he says.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/samir-nasri-gunners-midfielder-is-streets-ahead-1625716.html

gosplan

Evil_Clown wrote: »

Well F**k it anyway :mad:

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-blow-as-eduardo-is-out-for-two-weeks

No luck at all

Usually happens after such a lengthy lay off though.

Two weeks isn't so bad but it's a pity as he would have been useful against Roma.

gosplan

keano_afc wrote: »

Its a bit frustrating how close we are to having a settled, balanced team. We really only need 2 players, and if Gallas does stay we probably only need a decent defensive midfielder. I still maintain Song will never be good enough to fill that role full time. He's ok to provide cover but he's not first choice.

Yeah this bugs me too but it's not the source of all our problems.

I've been surprised how well Man U have done in the last two years because IMO (and I don't want to start a row with any Mancs tuning in) they don't have a decent defensive midfielder.

Mr Alan

i know this is a little ot, but this is the most relavent thread....

i had a dream about Eduardo last night

i wish he played for Liverpool, i think he really will be a great great player if he can stay fit.

Royale with Cheese

Ugh, Bendtner up front and Eboue on the wing for the Roma game. Worrying. What if Van Persie or Nasri pick up a knock this weekend?

Frisbee

Galvasean wrote: »

Bringing in Huntelaar would be a very negative message to Vela, Bendtner and Simpson.

+1

jasonorr wrote: »

Just to Bendtner really!

No. Bendtner gets more game time than Vela and Simpson before we went on loan. So it would put Vela and Simpson further down the pecking order again.

gosplan wrote: »

I've been surprised how well Man U have done in the last two years because IMO (and I don't want to start a row with any Mancs tuning in) they don't have a decent defensive midfielder.

Owen Hargreaves.
Carrick wil ldo you a job there and Fletcher has improved immensely

L'prof

Frisbee wrote: »

No. Bendtner gets more game time than Vela and Simpson before we went on loan. So it would put Vela and Simpson further down the pecking order again.

I don't think Huntelaar would be direct competition for Vela and simpson, that's all!

Frisbee

jasonorr wrote: »

I don't think Huntelaar would be direct competition for Vela and simpson, that's all!

Yes but Adebayors not direct competition for Vela and Simpson and he still plays ahead of them.
He'd still be higher up than them in the pecking order meaning they'd get less game time

Plus we won't be signing Huntelaar so the arguments void really..

gosplan

Frisbee wrote: »

Owen Hargreaves.
Carrick wil ldo you a job there and Fletcher has improved immensely

When he's played but that hasn't been very often.

Carrick isn't really a tackler and Fletcher isn't too good really.

My point is that DMF is a very important position but it's not everything and we can't just blame the poor performances on not having a Essien/Flamini/Mascherano because we're not the only ones.

Frisbee

gosplan wrote: »

When he's played but that hasn't been very often.

Carrick isn't really a tackler and Fletcher isn't too good really.

My point is that DMF is a very important position but it's not everything and we can't just blame the poor performances on not having a Essien/Flamini/Mascherano because we're not the only ones.

Essein is one of the best central midfielders in the world.
He'd be wasted playing in a holding role

Pepe LeFrits

I'd hate it if we replaced Adebayor with Huntelaar. Adebayor may only run when he's arsed, but Huntelaar can't run. He's basically a big lump who can finish. We've already got our big lump in Bendtner and we've got our finisher in Eduardo. No thanks to Huntelaar.

If we can start with the trio of van Persie, Vela and Nasri supporting Bendtner against Roma, I think we'll do OK. It'll be a tough tie.

Hopefully the rumours that Theo's return is imminent are true...

gosplan

Frisbee wrote: »

Essein is one of the best central midfielders in the world.
He'd be wasted playing in a holding role

You're over-theorising and confusing me a bit.

I mean defensive midfielder as in he's someone who can tackle and break up play very well - like Flamini for us last year, still got forward to the edge of the box a lot but was very combative and gave us that bite in midfield.

Frisbee

gosplan wrote: »

You're over-theorising and confusing me a bit.

I mean defensive midfielder as in he's someone who can tackle and break up play very well - like Flamini for us last year, still got forward to the edge of the box a lot but was very combative and gave us that bite in midfield.

My bad

gosplan

Frisbee wrote: »

My bad

Or mine, I'm easily confused

gosplan

So it looks like the whole fourth place thing hinges on the next six or seven games. I'd imagine that by the end of these we'd have to be a few points ahead of Villa as they have a much easier run in than us.

This is it, we either go on a run of victories now or we say goodbye to CL football next year.

Arsenal Sunderland
Arsenal - Fulham
West Brom - Arsenal
Arsenal - Blackburn
Newcastle - Arsenal
Arsenal - Man City
Wigan - Arsenal

Villa - Chelsea
Villa - Stoke
Man City - Villa
Villa - Tottenham
Liverpool - Villa
Man Utd - Villa
Villa - Everton

Mickeroo

gosplan wrote: »

So it looks like the whole fourth place thing hinges on the next six or seven games. I'd imagine that by the end of these we'd have to be a few points ahead of Villa as they have a much easier run in than us.

This is it, we either go on a run of victories now or we say goodbye to CL football next year.

Arsenal Sunderland
Arsenal - Fulham
West Brom - Arsenal
Arsenal - Blackburn
Newcastle - Arsenal
Arsenal - Man City
Wigan - Arsenal

Villa - Chelsea
Villa - Stoke
Man City - Villa
Villa - Tottenham
Liverpool - Villa
Man Utd - Villa
Villa - Everton

Too be honest,at the moment i think chelsea are the ones we should be looking to overtake. Looking at that though Villa should definitley drop points and if arsenal got their act together they could easily win all those games. Shame Eduardo is out for another two weeks,i really think he gives the team that edge they've been missing.

redout

gosplan wrote: »

So it looks like the whole fourth place thing hinges on the next six or seven games. I'd imagine that by the end of these we'd have to be a few points ahead of Villa as they have a much easier run in than us.

This is it, we either go on a run of victories now or we say goodbye to CL football next year.

Arsenal Sunderland
Arsenal - Fulham
West Brom - Arsenal
Arsenal - Blackburn
Newcastle - Arsenal
Arsenal - Man City
Wigan - Arsenal

Villa - Chelsea
Villa - Stoke
Man City - Villa
Villa - Tottenham
Liverpool - Villa
Man Utd - Villa
Villa - Everton

You know Villa are 3rd two points clear of Chelsea, right ?

Wreck

Realistically we should be looking to win all seven of those games, and personally I think provided the defence remains as solid as it has for the last while we will.


According to the BBC, Arshavin will definitely play against Sunderland, and may even start.

Quazzie

redout wrote: »

You know Villa are 3rd two points clear of Chelsea, right ?

Yea but reallistically Chelsea are going to get their act together and Villa will probably struggle with so many competitive games in a row. Villa have a thin squad and an injury, or loss of form to two players could drastically change their season.

gosplan

redout wrote: »

You know Villa are 3rd two points clear of Chelsea, right ?

Yeah but Chelsea are better than that and Essien's due back shortly.

Villa's squad is beginning to look a bit stretched so if we overtake anyone, I'd say it'll be them.

TripleAce

Would anyone know if Arshavin is going to start this weekend please?

Frisbee

TripleAce wrote: »

Would anyone know if Arshavin is going to start this weekend please?

He won't

keano_afc

I think he will. Half-fit Arshavin on Eboue on the right wing? Tough one that. I never have expected Eduardo to start last Monday but Wenger is making similar musings about Arshavin.

gosplan

TripleAce wrote: »

Would anyone know if Arshavin is going to start this weekend please?

I don't think Eboue should just walk back into the team after the performances he's had. If he gives us more than the other options, than fine ... but he doesn't (bar being a better defender but it's Sunderland ffs).

I'd love to see Arshavin or Vela start on the right and then one replace the other.

My head says he'll go with Eboue but there are a couple of things that make me hopeful:

Eboue will defo be used for the Roma game, Arshavin can't. With the Roma game coming up, early goals and a quick win is just what we're looking for so we can take off RVP and Nasri with half an hour to go. In no way can I (or Wenger at this stage) see Eboue contributing to a 3-0 half time score. I really didn't see Eduardo starting the other night but he did. Admittedly he got injured but I don't think that has anything to do with starting him. Next game is home vrs Fulham who are much better defensively than Sunderland so this would be a good match to give the guy an easy debut at the Emirates. Now more than ever, we need to go on a roll of convincing victories. We need to build our confidence and put the sh*ts up Villa. Good strikers and goals will do that, Eboue won't.

L'prof

Arsenal:
Arsenal v Sunderland
Arsenal v Fulham
West Brom v Arsenal
Arsenal v Blackburn
Newcastle v Arsenal
Arsenal v Man City
Wigan v Arsenal
Liverpool v Arsenal
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Arsenal v Chelsea
Man Utd v Arsenal
Arsenal v Stoke

Chelsea:
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Chelsea v Wigan
Portsmouth v Chelsea
Chelsea v Man City
Tottenham v Chelsea
Newcastle v Chelsea
Chelsea v Bolton
Chelsea v Everton
Ham v Chelsea
Chelsea v Fulham
Arsenal v Chelsea
Chelsea v Blackburn
Sunderland v Chelsea

Villa:
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Stoke
Man City v Aston Villa
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Man Utd v Aston Villa
Aston Villa v Everton
Aston Villa v West Ham
Bolton v Aston Villa
Aston Villa v Hull
Fulham v Aston Villa
Middlesbrough v Aston Villa
Aston Villa v Newcastle

I've just highlighted the fixtures that we have in common with Chelsea and Villa. We're 5 points behind Chelsea and 7 behind Villa. Our game with Chelsea is going to be crucial and, I feel we have to hope for a draw in the match this weekend. From above, where else can anybody see us closing the gap on the other two?

Galvasean

gosplan wrote: »

Arsenal Sunderland
Arsenal - Fulham
West Brom - Arsenal
Arsenal - Blackburn
Newcastle - Arsenal
Arsenal - Man City
Wigan - Arsenal

We SHOULD be able to win all of those games. (but you know Arsenal)

redout wrote: »

You know Villa are 3rd two points clear of Chelsea, right ?

After the weekend when Villa play Chelsea we shall see who we're closer to.

L'prof

Galvasean wrote: »

After the weekend when Villa play Chelsea we shall see who we're closer to.

Doesn't matter unless we do the business ourselves, which we should, but...

shano_88

good chance arshavin starting as well

arshavin----denilson

---

song----nasri

---

rvp

---

bendtner

---

L'prof

shano_88 wrote: »

good chance arshavin starting as well

eboue----denilson

---

arshavin----nasri

---

rvp

---

bendtner

---

I'd be much more comfortable with something like that, if Arshavin can play more centrally, that is! Song, must be the slowest man on earth!

Galvasean

jasonorr wrote: »

Doesn't matter unless we do the business ourselves, which we should, but...

Like I said even with a couple of injuries/rotations/rested players etc. we should have enough to win each of those fixtures on the given days. Will we? Well, its a great chance and would be most disappointing not to capitalize.

Mickeroo

shano_88 wrote: »

good chance arshavin starting as well

arshavin----denilson

---

song----nasri

---

rvp

---

bendtner

---

Finally, another player who can ectually play on the wings.

Mgoraf

Arsenal linked with Saivet in the Mirror today. Dubbed the 'new Henry'.

Pepe LeFrits

Arsenal linked with Me in the Mirror today. Dubbed the 'new Pele'.

Mgoraf

Lucky Arsenal

Headshot

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Arsenal linked with Me in the Mirror today. Dubbed the 'new Pele'.

wow

iv heard great stuff about him

heres a youtube link

Galvasean

Mgoraf wrote: »

Arsenal linked with Saivet in the Mirror today. Dubbed the 'new Henry'.

He always turns out great in Football Manager

leninbenjamin

jasonorr wrote: »

I'd be much more comfortable with something like that, if Arshavin can play more centrally, that is! Song, must be the slowest man on earth!

Arshavin cannot play centrally in a two man midfield. 3 yes, but playing him along side Denilson would be a real risk. he's too slight, and too attack minded.

Mgoraf wrote: »

Arsenal linked with Saivet in the Mirror today. Dubbed the 'new Henry'.

Galvasean wrote: »

He always turns out great in Football Manager

heh was just going to respond similar. it seems the tabloids are struggling for inspiration these days...

Galvasean

So for today's game we have Arshavin, Eboué and Djourou available.
Eduardo, Diaby, Silvestre, Adebayor, Walcott, Rosicky and Fabregas out.

The squad appears to be:
Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Arshavin, Eboue, Bendtner, Van Persie, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Wilshere, Vela, Song, Ramsey

I'll hazard aguess that the team will look like:

---

Almunia

Sagna---Touré--Gallas--Clichy

Eboué--Denilson--Song--Nasri

---

Bendtner--RvP

Pepe LeFrits

Arshavin starts. Merida on the bench. Nice.

Wreck

Full team is Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song Billong, Arshavin, Bendtner, Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Djourou, Eboue, Gibbs, Merida.

I guess Arshavin going straight in shows just how highly Wenger rates him? Hope he gets off to a good start in his Arsenal career today.

DenMan

Really looking forward to today. Arshavin to start. tbh Chelsea are far better capable to go on a consistant run than Villa at this stage of the season. A couple of defeats on the bounch and the Villians will be in trouble. We must capitalise on this.

yahoo_moe

Anyone got a stream by any chance? Just found out my hotel has no Setanta... :mad:

Mgoraf

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/soccerhd09a

Raskolnikov

Arshavin doing well so far. I would be worried about Arsenal though, there doesn't seem to be that much urgency in their attack so far.

Raskolnikov

Reid clears off the line for Sunderland.

Arsenal looking a little better now. Have to say Bendtner is having a decent game.

Mgoraf

Yeah Arshavin has been impressive.

yahoo_moe

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Have to say Bendtner is having a decent game.

He's been doing well for the last few games - he'll always show for the ball but with a bit more playing time under his belt, he's beginning to find enough form to do something with it once he gets it.

Yeah, few nice glimpses of Arshavin alright but between Toure's poor judgment (he almost gave a goal away from the Sunderland endline) and the lack of cover that the Nasri/Arshavin wing combo seems to provide defensively, Arsenal look anything but safe at the back.

Denilson's been good though so if Song can start to impose himself a bit more (a la the Spurs match) we could be okay.