Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14

gnfnrhead

I'm up for work in about 4 hours and yet can't go asleep. I keep thinking about how great it will feel to be seven clear at the end of the day. :pac:

gandalf wrote: »

Hmmm according to the Mirror and Mark Lawrenson RvP is going to hand in a transfer request on Tuesday.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/robin-van-persie-transfer-request-2900457

Probably a pile of tosh given the source is Lawrenson but its going to rake up the worry pressure on Moyes. Should we resign him? I wouldn't myself.

No way. Other than his age, wage demands etc. have a look at what Walcott said about him in his book. Seems like he was a very negative influence on the rest of the squad. Not what we need.

Suarez is still my first choice but given Liverpool's form as well as his own, that's unlikely to happen in January at least. Madrid will probably come sniffing around in the summer too.

kryogen

What Walcott said in his book?

Enlighten me please

A. As to what in the name of God Walcott has a book for
B. What exactly he said about RVP

gnfnrhead

kryogen wrote: »

What Walcott said in his book?

Enlighten me please

A. As to what in the name of God Walcott has a book for
B. What exactly he said about RVP

No clue about the first one, but the second one, mostly the middle/second paragraph:



Doesn't seem like he was a popular guy.

kryogen

Sounds like a little girl having a bitch to be fair but cheers

All sounds in stark contrast to how he has been since he joined United, I honestly have no idea how he was perceived at Arsenal, never heard any stories about him negatively or anything but I guess its easier to have a pop at someone you didn't get on with once they are gone.

He seems to have a very good attitude at United thankfully, just get him match fit now and create some feckin opportunities for him and we be grand

batistuta9

kryogen wrote: »

Sounds like a little girl having a bitch to be fair but cheers

All sounds in stark contrast to how he has been since he joined United, I honestly have no idea how he was perceived at Arsenal, never heard any stories about him negatively or anything but I guess its easier to have a pop at someone you didn't get on with once they are gone.

He seems to have a very good attitude at United thankfully, just get him match fit now and create some feckin opportunities for him and we be grand

walcotts' book is two & a half old (august 11) and that is faked
he also has a childrens book series

he was supposed to have an ego alright though (RVP), him and Henry apparently didn't get on the best

this i'm not sure on, i think it's real

kryogen

Thought it sounded a bit far fetched alright, Im sure he has an ego, you don't become a world class striker without one tbf (plus hes Dutch! ) and it was largely because of Henry he was playing from the left so you can see where tension might arise between the pair.

Henry was the man, RVP wanted to be the man.

As I said, going on what the players have said and the staff he has been nothing but classy at United and long may that continue.

batistuta9

kryogen wrote: »

Thought it sounded a bit far fetched alright, Im sure he has an ego, you don't become a world class striker without one tbf (plus hes Dutch! ) and it was largely because of Henry he was playing from the left so you can see where tension might arise between the pair.

Henry was the man, RVP wanted to be the man.

As I said, going on what the players have said and the staff he has been nothing but classy at United and long may that continue.

yeah, that would've been out before now as well. it was actually august 2011 that book came out first

i don't know the ins & outs of it but at the most though RVP would've been 23 nearly 24 when Henry left in 2007, having done f-all really, i suppose he knew he'd the talent

what else would they say though? :pac: you know what i mean

wonderfullife

As an admirer of Arsenal FC i'd love to make the following plea to all Gooners.

Please don't get mad at Wenger if he chooses to buy nobody in January.

The reason i say it is because every pundit and most fans all concur that if Giroud gets injured, then the title challenge is over.

Most pundits and fans seem to forget Newcastles collapse 1995/1996. A key factor in their collapse was signing Faustino Asprilla in the February of that year.

The idea that a new signing would cement a winning position is optimistic at best. For a start, signing anybody from abroad is hit and miss on how long it takes them to adapt. Giroud took a while, now look at him. Whereas Michu hit the ground running for Swansea. The odds of hitting gold on an instant impact are pretty slim.

More to the point, a new signing can unsettle a squad. There is a tremendous unity at Arsenal. On the field and off it. Easily evidenced by Twitter and Instagram, they look a tight knit bunch. A new signing mid-way through the season can unsettle players. They look and think "hang on i've trained my balls off all year in this squad, we are top of the league and now i'm not on the team sheet or match day squad because this johnny-come-lately has waltzed in!!"

You guys don't need signings this window. You already have 3 new signings coming in - Theo, Ox and Podolski. 3 guys who won't disrupt the team spirit or unity in the camp.

If Wenger can find the right type of character, the right type of buy, then by all means....... But equally there's no intrinsic need to sign anybody and i hope the fans respect his judgement on that if there is no activity in january.

Most neutrals want Arsenal to win the league. Most non-neutrals want Arsenal to win it if their club can't. I've felt for a long time that Arsene Wenger is massively under-rated for what he has achieved transitioning the team from Highbury to the Emirates, which was a monumental task, and now the platform looks set for a golden 3 year spell again.

In short, he knows what he's doing don't panic if nobody signs.

bad2dabone

Wise words

emergingstar

wonderfullife wrote: »

As an admirer of Arsenal FC i'd love to make the following plea to all Gooners.

Please don't get mad at Wenger if he chooses to buy nobody in January.

The reason i say it is because every pundit and most fans all concur that if Giroud gets injured, then the title challenge is over.

Most pundits and fans seem to forget Newcastles collapse 1995/1996. A key factor in their collapse was signing Faustino Asprilla in the February of that year.

The idea that a new signing would cement a winning position is optimistic at best. For a start, signing anybody from abroad is hit and miss on how long it takes them to adapt. Giroud took a while, now look at him. Whereas Michu hit the ground running for Swansea. The odds of hitting gold on an instant impact are pretty slim.

More to the point, a new signing can unsettle a squad. There is a tremendous unity at Arsenal. On the field and off it. Easily evidenced by Twitter and Instagram, they look a tight knit bunch. A new signing mid-way through the season can unsettle players. They look and think "hang on i've trained my balls off all year in this squad, we are top of the league and now i'm not on the team sheet or match day squad because this johnny-come-lately has waltzed in!!"

You guys don't need signings this window. You already have 3 new signings coming in - Theo, Ox and Podolski. 3 guys who won't disrupt the team spirit or unity in the camp.

If Wenger can find the right type of character, the right type of buy, then by all means....... But equally there's no intrinsic need to sign anybody and i hope the fans respect his judgement on that if there is no activity in january.

Most neutrals want Arsenal to win the league. Most non-neutrals want Arsenal to win it if their club can't. I've felt for a long time that Arsene Wenger is massively under-rated for what he has achieved transitioning the team from Highbury to the Emirates, which was a monumental task, and now the platform looks set for a golden 3 year spell again.

In short, he knows what he's doing don't panic if nobody signs.

Excellent post

Spanish Johnny

So today's game gets bigger and bigger with yesterdays events.

To go 8 points ahead of City before next week is a tantalising prospect. Being genuine tital contenders now feels very real.

Being pessimistic I am nervous about today and not taking our chance. I am hoping the players are different!! Just hope the performance is the same as last few outings and we dont freeze with the pressure of expectation that is only starting now.

Kerry Gooner

wonderfullife wrote: »

As an admirer of Arsenal FC i'd love to make the following plea to all Gooners.

Please don't get mad at Wenger if he chooses to buy nobody in January.

The reason i say it is because every pundit and most fans all concur that if Giroud gets injured, then the title challenge is over.

Most pundits and fans seem to forget Newcastles collapse 1995/1996. A key factor in their collapse was signing Faustino Asprilla in the February of that year.

The idea that a new signing would cement a winning position is optimistic at best. For a start, signing anybody from abroad is hit and miss on how long it takes them to adapt. Giroud took a while, now look at him. Whereas Michu hit the ground running for Swansea. The odds of hitting gold on an instant impact are pretty slim.

More to the point, a new signing can unsettle a squad. There is a tremendous unity at Arsenal. On the field and off it. Easily evidenced by Twitter and Instagram, they look a tight knit bunch. A new signing mid-way through the season can unsettle players. They look and think "hang on i've trained my balls off all year in this squad, we are top of the league and now i'm not on the team sheet or match day squad because this johnny-come-lately has waltzed in!!"

You guys don't need signings this window. You already have 3 new signings coming in - Theo, Ox and Podolski. 3 guys who won't disrupt the team spirit or unity in the camp.

If Wenger can find the right type of character, the right type of buy, then by all means....... But equally there's no intrinsic need to sign anybody and i hope the fans respect his judgement on that if there is no activity in january.

Most neutrals want Arsenal to win the league. Most non-neutrals want Arsenal to win it if their club can't. I've felt for a long time that Arsene Wenger is massively under-rated for what he has achieved transitioning the team from Highbury to the Emirates, which was a monumental task, and now the platform looks set for a golden 3 year spell again.

In short, he knows what he's doing don't panic if nobody signs.

Remember how long it took Man City to recover from the signing of Rodney Marsh

cson

I don't doubt the RVP rumours are just that, rumours. But at the same time its a measure of the man that there's any smoke at all.

Today especially and the City and Chelsea games really are foot on the gas territory. We've nothing to fear, everything to gain and I really hope the players go for the jugular here. Win today and we put ourselves in an excellent position. Win all 3, and as Arseblog says; we won't have so much made a statement as spray painted a big giant red and white cock and balls all over the PL.

Alfred Borden

matchday thread is up
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=87900367#post87900367

dfbemt

wonderfullife wrote: »

You guys don't need signings this window. You already have 3 new signings coming in - Theo, Ox and Podolski. 3 guys who won't disrupt the team spirit or unity in the camp.

Very good post and the sentence above is key.

Pod was our Striker while Giroud was finding his feet. There is no reason in the world he couldn't still play in that position if required. Theo wants to play up front and, while I am not his greatest fan, he did well when he was played as a 2nd striker last season.

We certainly have the depth in midfield, we have some cover up front. It is in defense where I feel we are exposed. Central defenders always incur knocks during the season and Verm is the only real cover we have there. Jenkinson will never be a 1st team regular and I feel Sagna has been off form for the past few matches. He looks tired.

A look at the Academy players is the key to our future. Bellerin and Toral are playing great stuff at the moment. Bellerin could be the key to our defensive worries and I really fancy Siemann for the future. I would be surprised if he did not get a run out during the 2014 / 2015 season. Bellerin is due to come back to us in January and IMO this needs to happen to ensure we have the correct cover as our run for the treble intensifies.

The TREBLE :eek:

EuropeanSon

We're now 2nd favourites for the league with the bookies... marginally behind City. A win today will probably make us favourites! A long long time since we've been title favourites, I'd bet.

Alfred Borden

Came across this, thought it was brilliant.
Chamberlain has more assists this season than Townsend and he's been injured since halftime on match day one.

cson

Bellerin needs the full season at Watford. Hopefully we get Zelalem out on loan too and starting somewhere for the rest of the season. I'd almost try and get Gnabry time somewhere too.

Quixoticelixer

dfbemt wrote: »

Very good post and the sentence above is key.

Pod was our Striker while Giroud was finding his feet. There is no reason in the world he couldn't still play in that position if required. Theo wants to play up front and, while I am not his greatest fan, he did well when he was played as a 2nd striker last season.

We certainly have the depth in midfield, we have some cover up front. It is in defense where I feel we are exposed. Central defenders always incur knocks during the season and Verm is the only real cover we have there. Jenkinson will never be a 1st team regular and I feel Sagna has been off form for the past few matches. He looks tired.

A look at the Academy players is the key to our future. Bellerin and Toral are playing great stuff at the moment. Bellerin could be the key to our defensive worries and I really fancy Siemann for the future. I would be surprised if he did not get a run out during the 2014 / 2015 season. Bellerin is due to come back to us in January and IMO this needs to happen to ensure we have the correct cover as our run for the treble intensifies.

The TREBLE :eek:

Ah jaysus don't be mentioning the T word! If we're still in all 3 competitions towards the end of March then by all means but for now I personally couldn't give a damn about Europe or the FA Cup!

Also, disagree on academy players being key to the future. Even the very best of academy players more often than not end up at a lower level when it comes to first team football. We've had high hopes for many players over the years only for them to flop once it came to promoting them to the first team :P

Spanish Johnny

Sublime stuff from Berbatov today......Im annoying people now aint I?!:D

bad2dabone

cson wrote: »

Bellerin needs the full season at Watford.

Hopefully he'll get the full season, he's certainly got serious potential. As for zelalem he might be a bit young physically to be loaned out, but by 18 he should have some more meat on him. His ability is without doubt. I'd love to see gnabry loaned for the second half of the year and get regular games, I'd hope he'll be a first team regular in a couple of years. Credit to wenger, despite the pressure he was under he still gives the youngsters a chance.

bad2dabone

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

Sublime stuff from Berbatov today......Im annoying people now aint I?!:D

Was just thinking that, I'd take him for the squad, he's still class.

Frank Garrett

Napoli's form in recent weeks has dropped. I don't think we have much to worry about on Wednesday.

Alfred Borden

Frank Garrett wrote: »

Napoli's form in recent weeks has dropped. I don't think we have much to worry about on Wednesday.

Hamsik out too i think, i would start ramsey on the bench, give him a rest for the two big games, surely have enough not to lose by 3 goals.

Drexel

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO to berba. He's only playing well to put himself in the shop window. Do not want near the club.

Mickeroo

cson wrote: »

Bellerin needs the full season at Watford. Hopefully we get Zelalem out on loan too and starting somewhere for the rest of the season. I'd almost try and get Gnabry time somewhere too.

I think Gnabry has already proven himself a decent squad player this season. Hard to see him getting much game time with Theo, Pod and Ox all coming back into the squad though. A loan to another PL club could be a great idea.

gosplan

Big no to berba.

Gringo180

Thankfully Niall Quinn wont be commentating, I enjoy the game better when I have the sound on

Maire2009

#Arsenal starting XI vs Everton: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Giroud. #AFC

Everton team (to face Arsenal): Howard, Coleman, Oviedo, Distin, Jagielka, Barry, Barkley, Pienaar, McCarthy, Mirallas, Lukaku. #EFC

gandalf

gandalf wrote: »

Hmmm according to the Mirror and Mark Lawrenson RvP is going to hand in a transfer request on Tuesday.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/robin-van-persie-transfer-request-2900457

Probably a pile of tosh given the source is Lawrenson but its going to rake up the worry pressure on Moyes. Should we resign him? I wouldn't myself.

Originally i would have seen no problem but after listening to the little boy inside me screaming 'Noooooooooo' my mind has changed

extra gravy

Players wearing Arsenal Foundation t-shirts with "get well soon Pat Rice" on the back. A lovely touch.

Awesomeness

Spurs in the cup!!

Frank Garrett

Spurs at home.

gandalf

Frank Garrett wrote: »

Spurs at home.

I love it

brianregan09

Delighted with that draw

FearDark

So we can sub on Theo, Rosisky and Flamini and they say our squad isn't deep enough. Class.

Soups123

Poor result and performance. Chez, Kos and Mert had really good games.

Cazorla and Arteta were very poor, don't know why Arteta wasn't subbed.

Disappointing alround

Mr Blobby

Not are best performance but i'm happy with a point.

Drexel

Kick in the teeth to concede at the end but it's a good point and we've moved a point ahead of the pack

jonneymendoza

****sakes!!

.jacksparrow.

Worrying how well everton played and controlled the midfield.

tayto lover

Soups123 wrote: »

Poor result and performance. Chez, Kos and Mert had really good games.

Cazorla and Arteta were very poor, don't know why Arteta wasn't subbed.

Disappointing alround

Thought Czsc should have stopped their goal. Ball went into the middle of the net. Gibbs and Rosicky should not have let him shoot either though.

jonneymendoza

tayto lover wrote: »

Thought Czsc should have stopped their goal. Ball went into the middle of the net. Gibbs and Rosicky should not have let him shoot either though.

shot was far too powerful

gebbel

Begrudgingly take the point but Everton deserved one in fairness. They will rattle everyone at the top, and won't be too far behind themselves if they keep playing like that.

Quixoticelixer

Ok, nice kick up the arse ahead of the City and Chelsea games, was always going to be a tricky game, there is a reason they have only lost 1 in 15.

5 point lead, disappointing as today's result may seem we have extended our lead this weekend.

Soups123

tayto lover wrote: »

Thought Czsc should have stopped their goal. Ball went into the middle of the net. Gibbs and Rosicky should not have let him shoot either though.

In fairness it flew at him very little time to get the hands up. Agreed defensively poor.

I love from commentators how when we don't beat these teams it's a test but when we do bigger/real tests are to come

Oranage2

May not be a popular comment but I think we can improve on Giroud.

Mickeroo

Thought he should have saved it too. Next few games will be interesting, would still take a point at City. Fancy us against Chlesea though.

Spanish Johnny

I think that's a good point. Disappointing not too capitalise but Everton are a very very good. Along with ourselves they are the form team. That is a good point.

What worries me is the fatigue level that hit before the subs. We looked out of it

Maire2009

If Everton keep playing like that they will do us a hell of a lot of favours by taking points off over teams. Need to get something at City now and beat Chelsea at home.

If only Giroud shot had gone in .... Ramsey needs a rest, I'd bring in Rosicky for him against Napoli.