Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14

batistuta9

Gringo180 wrote: »

He is exactly the type of player we need to sit on front and protect the back 4, I would be absolutely dumbfounded if we are not in for him at that price.

what is he like with the ball?

because if he's not that good, he'll not be signed

Mickeroo

Capoue is availabe for even less than Gustavo, Cardiff (!!!) had a 10m bid accepted. He's a pretty highly rated player that we've been linked to in the past and young too. Now maybe the lack of interest from other big clubs means his stock has dropped considerably but it's depth we need in that area of the field not a world beater.

Between Gustavo & Capoue I think a decent DM is very gettable at a relatively cheap price. Having said that though I'm not sure we're even in for one, we get linked with DMs every season and never buy any (Diarra must have been the last one?), though the Bender bid would suggest there is some interest there.

maximoose

batistuta9 wrote: »

what is he like with the ball?

Never used this site before, but it seems to suggest he's pretty damn good with it

Soups123

Mickeroo wrote: »

Capoue is availabe for even less than Gustavo, Cardiff (!!!) had a 10m bid accepted. He's a pretty highly rated player that we've been linked to in the past and young too. Now maybe the lack of interest from other big clubs means his stock has dropped considerably but it's depth we need in that area of the field not a world beater.

Between Gustavo & Capoue I think a decent DM is very gettable at a relatively cheap price. Having said that though I'm not sure we're even in for one, we get linked with DMs every season and never buy any (Diarra must have been the last one?), though the Bender bid would suggest there is some interest there.

So many clubs with so many scouts and only a deal with Cardiff can be done? You really have to take that on its merit and think he is just not up to that level.

Gringo180

batistuta9 wrote: »

what is he like with the ball?

because if he's not that good, he'll not be signed

Technically very sound, 36 appearances for Bayern last season who are arguably the best team in the world at the minute so at that price I think he would be a great addition to our team.

Mickeroo

“If you can give me names who are better than the players we have compared to the players we have, I am ready to talk about it.

“For me, I’m in a new situation because at least I haven’t lost players! We are working very hard to strengthen our squad.”

“There are two ways for us to strengthen. The first is internal. We finished with 73 points last year with a very strong run. We have a very young core of players.

“The second part is of course to strengthen our squad from outside. We have signed Sanogo [but] he has not made the headlines. Why? Because he didn’t cost £50 to £100m.

“Sanogo will surprise you because your expectation doesn’t look to be too high. He’s a top class striker.

“We can still strengthen the squad and there is one month to go. It’s the beginning of August and we are working very hard to strengthen our squad.”

Defcon 4 is in effect, meltdown imminent :pac:

In fairness he's not saying anything we didn't expect there.

Drexel

Mickeroo wrote: »

Defcon 4 is in effect, meltdown imminent :pac:

In fairness he's not saying anything we didn't expect there.

EVERYBODY STAY CALM!!!

Wenger never says ANYTHING

tayto lover

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

speedboatchase

tayto lover wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

We're capable to challenging for 4th.

.jacksparrow.

“If you can give me names who are better than the players we have compared to the players we have, I am ready to talk about it.

Hehe.

Drexel

tayto lover wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

Not a hope! We are woefully short on players. Even if we dont sign anyone who is a starter we still need cover for a lot of positions.

.jacksparrow.

tayto lover wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

Did we beat city united or Chelsea last season with this team?

speedboatchase

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

“If you can give me names who are better than the players we have compared to the players we have, I am ready to talk about it.

Hehe.

I'm actually quite amazed by that quote. I know everyone is saying have patience etc but I actually believe we're done transfer-wise.

Mickeroo

tayto lover wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

Not really. I think the players have the potential in them (I agree with your assertion that Giroud is the real deal and will greatly improve) but to be honest there's not enough depth there, we're only 2 injuries away from a "crisis" at the back and one injury away from not having a striker in the squad.

jester77

tayto lover wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

The current squad is too thin, we'll struggle again for 4th, and will buckle under the strain of all the games that come in Feb/Mar. Getting knocked out of the cups early last season is one of the main reasons why we ended up 4th. A decent cup run is possible but maybe to the detriment of 4th next season.

wawaman

speedboatchase wrote: »

We're capable to challenging for 4th.

You get a trophy for that......right!!?

bad2dabone

tayto lover wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

no chance. none. Our squad is far too small.
we've currently got 1 left back (monreal injured already) with gibbs somewhat injury prone, 3 CB's, 5 midfielders, 3 wide forwards (not counting Ryo) and 2 strikers. with CL, FA cup, PL and CL cup we're simply too light in numbers, I'd say too light in numbers even to be confident of a CL spot.

To leave the squad as shallow as it is now is insane and I believe, negligent.


However I agree with Wenger about Sanogo, he could be fantastic.

batistuta9

maximoose wrote: »

Never used this site before, but it seems to suggest he's pretty damn good with it

Gringo180 wrote: »

Technically very sound, 36 appearances for Bayern last season who are arguably the best team in the world at the minute so at that price I think he would be a great addition to our team.

the reason i asked was remembering wengers' comments on DMs now & saying most bigger clubs don't really use a 'true' DM now, that they've become more than that & far more important to the team and getting attacks going, general distribution of the ball, etc.

so you could nearly bet your life even if he was the best out & out DM around but couldn't pass píss, wenger wouldn't sign him

Mickeroo wrote: »

Capoue is availabe for even less than Gustavo, Cardiff (!!!) had a 10m bid accepted. He's a pretty highly rated player that we've been linked to in the past and young too. Now maybe the lack of interest from other big clubs means his stock has dropped considerably but it's depth we need in that area of the field not a world beater.

Between Gustavo & Capoue I think a decent DM is very gettable at a relatively cheap price. Having said that though I'm not sure we're even in for one, we get linked with DMs every season and never buy any (Diarra must have been the last one?), though the Bender bid would suggest there is some interest there.

last i seen on that - few days ago - capoue wasn't even going to speak with them :pac:

jester77

wawaman wrote: »

You get a trophy for that......right!!?

You get to play in CL and attract (supposedly) the top players! 4th might not have silverware but I would value it above the FA cup and whatever that other cup is called these days. Winning an FA cup is not going to attract top players or big sponsors.

But in saying that I would love if we could win the FA cup!

Mickeroo

On Suarez:

“I don’t want to speak about Suárez because that’s between Liverpool and Arsenal. We will completely respect what Liverpool want to do – [and] we want to do that in an amicable way if it’s feasible.

“I’m a great believer that you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible and that is quite difficult in the modern world. We work very hard not only on the case you named [Suárez] but other different cases.”

I actually feel kind of re-assured by that.

bad2dabone

batistuta9 wrote: »

so you could nearly bet your life even if he was the best out & out DM around but couldn't pass píss, wenger wouldn't sign him

Well he’s right, the whole DM thing as a defensive specialist probably arose from Madrid’s Galacticos , as Arrigo Sacchi said about the galacticos era:
"It was about managing the characteristics of individuals," he said. "And that's why you see the proliferation of specialists. The individual trumped the collective. But it's a sign of weakness. It's reactive, not proactive. We were like that at Real Madrid. There is no project, it was about exploiting qualities. So, for example, at Real, we knew that Zidane, Raúl and Figo didn't track back, so we had to put a guy in front of the back four who would defend. But that's reactionary football. It doesn't multiply the players' qualities exponentially. Which actually is the point of tactics: to achieve this multiplier effect on the players' abilities.

"In my football, the regista – the playmaker – is whoever had the ball. But if you have Makelele, he can't do that. He doesn't have the ideas to do it, though of course, he's great at winning the ball. It's all about specialists. Is football a collective and harmonious game? Or is it a question of putting X amount of talented players in and balancing them out with Y amount of specialists?"
These days with this arsenal squad we can’t just have a guy sitting in front of the back 4, like Gilberto, as we don’t have a Pires, Henry and Bergkamp – 3 of the all time greatest arsenal players – doing the attacking. We’d need more than a ‘DM’.
I think though that the likes of Gustavo is the kind of player we could do with. At 15m, he’d be a great buy. We’re perilously close to being short in midfield. He should be bought. (or someone similar)

Drexel

Mickeroo wrote: »

On Suarez:



I actually feel kind of re-assured by that.

I still think we are goina pull suarez out of the bag! In a press conference like Sol Campbell :pac:

.jacksparrow.

Mickeroo wrote: »

On Suarez:



I actually feel kind of re-assured by that.

Pity Liverpool don't operate with the same class and respect, re Henrys comments.

bad2dabone

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

Pity Liverpool don't operate with the same class and respect, re Henrys comments.

we're a classy outfit

Looper007

tayto lover wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with Wenger when he says that "we are capable of challenging for the title regardless of new signings"?

Just thought i'd throw this out there.

Get off the boat, he's seriously lost the plot if he think's that squad is going to compete on all front's this season. We lack depth, world class talent, a 35 a season striker, and high class left winger etc... You could go on, he's the biggest and sadly major stumbling to Arsenal ever been taken serious.

One or two serious injuries and we're screwed. Top team's have two squad's and can interchange player's weekly. We don't even have one team and the lack depth on the bench is frightening. Why does our fan's accept this joke of a man anymore?.

greendom

We have left ourselves very exposed with all the players that have left. For that reason I'm sure we will strengthen. Unusually we were pretty lucky with injuries last year. We can't bank on that happening again.

greendom

Looper007 wrote: »

Get off the boat, he's seriously lost the plot if he think's that squad is going to compete on all front's this season. We lack depth, world class talent, a 35 a season striker, and high class left winger etc... You could go on, he's the biggest and sadly major stumbling to Arsenal ever been taken serious.

One or two serious injuries and we're screwed. Top team's have two squad's and can interchange player's weekly. We don't even have one team and the lack depth on the bench is frightening. Why does our fan's accept this joke of a man anymore?.

You've made the mistake of taking everything he says at press conferences on face value.

Looper007

greendom wrote: »

You've made the mistake of taking everything he says at press conferences on face value.

He say's it every season though mate. It's like a damn Mantra, you expect the same B.S a few week's before the season starts "I sign the player's if it improves the squad". He sign's average French league player's and maybe the one golden buy. We shouldn't be going into a make or break season without signings already.

Hyzepher

jester77 wrote: »

You get to play in CL and attract (supposedly) the top players! 4th might not have silverware but I would value it above the FA cup and whatever that other cup is called these days. Winning an FA cup is not going to attract top players or big sponsors.

But in saying that I would love if we could win the FA cup!

I'm not sure that finishing within the top 4 actually makes any difference any more. Spurs/Monaco don't seem to have any issues attracting players. It's wages that count.

bad2dabone

Looper007 wrote: »

Why does our fan's accept this joke of a man anymore?.

I’m not an AKB, but this is a bit of a disgraceful thing to say I think – Before Wenger we had not won a league title in 7 years, and before that we went 16years or so without a title.
Under him we’ve established ourselves among the elite, in an era of oligarchs we’re a rich club on our own merits, with fantastic facilities and stadium, and a very bright future.
He may not be perfect and we’re all frustrated at the moment but to call him a Joke is ridiculous, reactionary bull****.

greendom

Looper007 wrote: »

He say's it every season though mate. It's like a damn Mantra, you expect the same B.S a few week's before the season starts "I sign the player's if it improves the squad". He sign's average French league player's and maybe the one golden buy. We shouldn't be going into a make or break season without signings already.

I agree that this window has not been ideal. How much are Arsenal to blame in how things have gone ? - I've no idea. All we can do is hope that good signings are made between now and the start of the season - or even by the close of the window if it comes to that.

Drexel

Looper007 wrote: »

He say's it every season though mate. It's like a damn Mantra, you expect the same B.S a few week's before the season starts "I sign the player's if it improves the squad". He sign's average French league player's and maybe the one golden buy. We shouldn't be going into a make or break season without signings already.

Wenger said a few days before we signed Arteta that we had no interest in him what so ever. You cant take what he says at face value. Its not just him, its every manager. I honestly dont know what you were expecting him to say.

speedboatchase

bad2dabone wrote: »

I’m not an AKB, but this is a bit of a disgraceful thing to say I think – Before Wenger we had not won a league title in 7 years, and before that we went 16years or so without a title.
Under him we’ve established ourselves among the elite, in an era of oligarchs we’re a rich club on our own merits, with fantastic facilities and stadium, and a very bright future.
He may not be perfect and we’re all frustrated at the moment but to call him a Joke is ridiculous, reactionary bull****.

He's not a joke but he is our main stumbling block to kicking on and progressing. He is remarkably stubborn and the club is unambitious as a result.

speedboatchase

jonny666 wrote: »

Wenger said a few days before we signed Arteta that we had no interest in him what so ever. You cant take what he says at face value. Its not just him, its every manager. I honestly dont know what you were expecting him to say.

There was no need to ask the journalist what players could possibly improve our current squad. The players themselves know that we need investment.

Looper007

bad2dabone wrote: »

I’m not an AKB, but this is a bit of a disgraceful thing to say I think – Before Wenger we had not won a league title in 7 years, and before that we went 16years or so without a title.
Under him we’ve established ourselves among the elite, in an era of oligarchs we’re a rich club on our own merits, with fantastic facilities and stadium, and a very bright future.
He may not be perfect and we’re all frustrated at the moment but to call him a Joke is ridiculous, reactionary bull****.

It's been nearly ten year's, We need to stop leaving in the past about all his glories. Yes he did brilliantly but he deserves criticism for the here and now and simply he's to blame for this downfall. Ferguson lived on the here and now and spent when it was need and made UTD stronger every season. We have great stadium and facilities but Football is about winning things too and we simply have flopped on that. I have no regret's calling him a joke. This club say's Arsenal not Arsene Wenger.

bad2dabone

speedboatchase wrote: »

He's not a joke but he is our main stumbling block to kicking on and progressing. He is remarkably stubborn and the club is unambitious as a result.

He is very stubborn and it’s really frustrating to watch, but he has his philosophies and despite the drawbacks (such as us clawing our hair out at times like this) he has kept us eating at the top table while building a stadium which none of our rivals have had to do, he’s delivered success on and off the field and although I readily admit that if the coming season is a failure then I will no longer be in support of him, he does deserve more respect than he’s currently getting from certain posters. Far more respect.

He’s definitely due criticism but I’ll always be thankful to what he’s done for the club. As I’ve said before it’s the managers who inherit Arsenal after he’s gone who’ll benefit the most from his time in charge.

purplepanda

bad2dabone wrote: »

Before Wenger we had not won a league title in 7 years, and before that we went 16years or so without a title.

George Graham actually won the league twice in '89 & 91.

Someone wil be along soon to claim that the messiah Wenger actually signed Dennis Bergkamp & built the '98 double side all on his own!!!!:pac:

tayto lover

purplepanda wrote: »

George Graham actually won the league twice in '89 & 91.

Someone wil be along soon to claim that the messiah Wenger actually signed Dennis Bergkamp & built the '98 double side all on his own!!!!:pac:

Was just about to correct that.

.jacksparrow.

Speaking to Radio Itatiaia Atletico president Alexandre Kalil said: "Tottenham made an offer of €18 million (£15.7m) for Bernard but they withdrew.

"Arsenal told us that they would bid but never did so. So what we have now is a €25m (£21.8m) bid from Shakhtar."

In all fairness it was probably to do with third party ownership and that.

bad2dabone

I know GG won 2 leagues and I think an FA cup?, but what I’m saying is we did have long gaps between trophies before him.

speedboatchase

bad2dabone wrote: »

He is very stubborn and it’s really frustrating to watch, but he has his philosophies and despite the drawbacks (such as us clawing our hair out at times like this) he has kept us eating at the top table while building a stadium which none of our rivals have had to do, he’s delivered success on and off the field and although I readily admit that if the coming season is a failure then I will no longer be in support of him, he does deserve more respect than he’s currently getting from certain posters. Far more respect.

He’s definitely due criticism but I’ll always be thankful to what he’s done for the club. As I’ve said before it’s the managers who inherit Arsenal after he’s gone who’ll benefit the most from his time in charge.

I absolutely agree but the first paragraph you wrote is exactly why so many of us were excited about this summer. We could finally claw back to become title contenders and sign world-class talent. Maybe old habits die hard but it appears that after so many years of austerity, Wenger can't bring himself to do that, and that's why I consider him to be our main stumbling block right now.

ronjo

bad2dabone wrote: »

I know GG won 2 leagues and I think an FA cup?, but what I’m saying is we did have long gaps between trophies before him.

It was the League Cup in 87 after two glorious screamers from Champagne Charlie.

First time ever Liverpool lost a game that Rush scored in and if I remember correctly they actually lost their next league game and Rush scored in that too.

bad2dabone

speedboatchase wrote: »

Maybe old habits die hard but it appears that after so many years of austerity, Wenger can't bring himself to do that, and that's why I consider him to be our main stumbling block right now.

Well speedboat if by the end of the window we haven’t done some proper business then I will be in complete and total agreement.
I’ll be gutted as I still like Wenger as a guy, I think he’s interesting and intelligent, but if he can’t see that this season with Ferg gone and the Toy Clubs changing managers we’ve got a real chance to get away from the 4th place stigma, then there’s no future for him at arsenal.

Soups123

I took Wengers comments today as positive. We are still interested and negotiating with Pool. I do think the deals will come through and Wenger is right to do it all behind closed doors.

They have to be getting some positive signs from the player and Liverpool otherwise he'd make no noise at all. I think this might be happening.

Hyzepher

Looper007 wrote: »

It's been nearly ten year's, We need to stop leaving in the past about all his glories. Yes he did brilliantly but he deserves criticism for the here and now and simply he's to blame for this downfall. Ferguson lived on the here and now and spent when it was need and made UTD stronger every season. We have great stadium and facilities but Football is about winning things too and we simply have flopped on that. I have no regret's calling him a joke. This club say's Arsenal not Arsene Wenger.

10 years is actually not that long to go without a title - just ask any long term Spurs or Chelsea fan.

Even the great Liverpool of the 70s & 80s had a very lean spell beforehand - as did UTD before SAF. Even for Arsenal 10 yrs isn't our longest run without a title.

If you think about that for a minute and then add in the fact that we have not been outside the top 4 in that "lean" period AND also built a new stadium that is the envy of most our rivals - especially in London, I think you need to acknowledge the success of AW and the board.

I know fans measure success by trophy count but if we are to have a lean period then the last 10 years is pretty awesome in that respect.

Marty McFly

bad2dabone wrote: »

no chance. none. Our squad is far too small.
we've currently got 1 left back (monreal injured already) with gibbs somewhat injury prone, 3 CB's, 5 midfielders, 3 wide forwards (not counting Ryo) and 2 strikers. with CL, FA cup, PL and CL cup we're simply too light in numbers, I'd say too light in numbers even to be confident of a CL spot.

To leave the squad as shallow as it is now is insane and I believe, negligent.


However I agree with Wenger about Sanogo, he could be fantastic.

While I agree currently our squad is to small and needs some additions we have 4 wide forwards in Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski and Gnabry who I'm hoping thinking we might see a good bit more of this season.

bad2dabone

i left out any of the youngsters as they'll get limited time, but yeah i'd love to see more gnabry, and hopefully Eisfeldt too.

Soups123

I'd really like to see a bit of Gnarby this year, I think he is a potential star and he has been involved long enough now to be given a run.

if not even a loan out to another Premier league team

.jacksparrow.

Marty McFly wrote: »

While I agree currently our squad is to small and needs some additions we have 4 wide forwards in Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski and Gnabry who I'm hoping thinking we might see a good bit more of this season.

All terrible options on the wing.

Marty McFly

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

All terrible options on the wing.

:pac: what? Yeh because Podolski and Walcott both done so terribly last season playing there.