Arsenal Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Notes in OP 24/08

efb

Marty McFly wrote: »

Sorry got them confused long day my baby daughter arrived last night.

Meant darrenArsenal but adamarsenal is worth a follow.

Congrats!

Nemeses2050

shano_88 wrote: »

Wayne Veysey ‏@wayneveysey 31m
Exclusive: Arsenal open talks with Olympiakos over a move for centre-back Kostas Manolos. #AFC quoted fee of £8m.


Wayne Veysey has been fairly spot on so far this summer as well. He does write for Goal.com so i would take it with a pinch of salt but id say there is definitely some interest.

It was reported by Daily express too the other day, so there could be something.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Anyone know if Manolas is any good?

tayto lover

Fuzzy_Dunlop wrote: »

Anyone know if Manolas is any good?

Currently with Olympiakos, Manolas has previously been on the books of AEK Athens and Thrasyvoulos.

The youngster was being eyed by Tottenham, Fulham and Sunderland during the January transfer window.

Everton were said to be close to signing the defender two years ago, with the Toffees reported to have agreed a fee with AEK, but the player declined a move.

Manolas was named among The Independent’s best 50 players from this summer’s World Cup.

The 23-year-old has 13 senior international caps for Greece.

He signed a contract extension with Olympiakos in March, seeing his deal run until 2017.

Ardennes1944

Any word of him being a future DMF too? :pac:

cson

Any Greeks successfully made it in the EPL? Can't think of any off the top of my head. You could argue Samaras but iirc he was ****e at City. SPL was his level.

byrneg28

cson wrote: »

Any Greeks successfully made it in the EPL? Can't think of any off the top of my head. You could argue Samaras but iirc he was ****e at City. SPL was his level.

Angelos Basinas – Portsmouth F.C. – 2008–10
Vassilis Borbokis – Derby County F.C. – 1998–2000
Konstantinos Chalkias – Portsmouth F.C. – 2004–05
Nikos Dabizas – Newcastle United F.C., Leicester City F.C. – 1997–2004
Giorgos Donis – Blackburn Rovers F.C. – 1996–97[Note 19]
Theofanis Gekas – Portsmouth F.C. – 2008–09
Georgios Georgiadis – Newcastle United F.C. – 1998–99
Stelios Giannakopoulos – Bolton Wanderers F.C., Hull City A.F.C. – 2003–09
Giorgos Karagounis – Fulham F.C. – 2012–
Kostas Konstantinidis – Bolton Wanderers F.C. – 2001–02[Note 19]
Sotirios Kyrgiakos – Liverpool F.C., Sunderland A.F.C. – 2009–12
Vassilis Lakis – Crystal Palace F.C. – 2004–05
Charalampos Mavrias – Sunderland A.F.C. – 2013–
Konstantinos Mitroglou – Fulham F.C. – 2013–
Vangelis Moras – Swansea City A.F.C. – 2011–12
Georgios Samaras – Manchester City F.C. – 2005–08
Giannis Skopelitis – Portsmouth F.C. – 2004–06
Efstathios Tavlaridis – Arsenal F.C. – 2002–03
Apostolos Vellios – Everton F.C. – 2010–
Theodoros Zagorakis – Leicester City F.C. – 1997–2000

Not really, I was gonna say Dabizas then I forgot about this, but to be fair, a lot of defenders would have been destroyed by the iceman

http://youtu.be/n275iW54o68

tayto lover

I don't know much about that Greek lad but he seems a decent enough CB.
However I would rather Carvalho who can play CB plus DM and who is highly rated. We should go for him regardless of the price difference. We have the money.

.jacksparrow.

We ain't getting a DM, arteta is the captain now and its his spot.

I'd say its next summer for that.

shano_88

Kostas Manolas left out of Olympiacos' squad for tomorrow's friendly match against Bilbao, apparently.


From dc on Twitter

TheBa

Heh heh, Tavlaridis

Will Wenger really sign a specialist CB? He said a few days ago that he would want someone versatile, who can possibly cover LB. Unless he sees Flamini as a decent third choice in there.... We have Debuchy, Chambers and Bellerin on the right.

cathalio11

Marty McFly wrote: »

Sorry got them confused long day my baby daughter arrived last night.

Meant darrenArsenal but adamarsenal is worth a follow.

Congrats.

May she be blessed with your love for football and her mother's taste in men!

gosplan

Marty McFly wrote: »

Sorry got them confused long day my baby daughter arrived last night.

Meant darrenArsenal but adamarsenal is worth a follow.

I've 2 girls.

The key to getting them to support Arsenal is this.

1: Accept the TV is no longer yours, don't foist Arsenal matches on them on weekends - negative connotations a no go for lifelong support.

2: set bedtime at 7 - 7:30 for the first four years.

3: when they're four - one CL matchday say 'Hey Thea Alexi McFly, how about you stay UP LATE with me tonight and watch the football'

Instant love of sitting on couch watching Arsenal matches with Dad.

I got this idea from someone on boards. It absolutely works.

greendom

gosplan wrote: »

I've 2 girls.

The key to getting them to support Arsenal is this.

1: Accept the TV is no longer yours, don't foist Arsenal matches on them on weekends - negative connotations a no go for lifelong support.

2: set bedtime at 7 - 7:30 for the first four years.

3: when they're four - one CL matchday say 'Hey Thea Alexi McFly, how about you stay UP LATE with me tonight and watch the football'

Instant love of sitting on couch watching Arsenal matches with Dad.

I got this idea from someone on boards. It absolutely works.

I could have done with that advice. Neither son or daughter has much of an interest in football, despite all my efforts

Gringo180

shano_88 wrote: »

Wayne Veysey ‏@wayneveysey 31m
Exclusive: Arsenal open talks with Olympiakos over a move for centre-back Kostas Manolos. #AFC quoted fee of £8m.


.

I have a sneaky feeling this deal could include Campbell going back on another season long loan. Hope I am wrong.

omega man

greendom wrote: »

I could have done with that advice. Neither son or daughter has much of an interest in football, despite all my efforts

My son was the same until practically overnight he fell in love with the sport. Collecting match attack cards and stickers started the ball rolling......throw in a World Cup and now all I do is answer football related questions 24/7! He's slowly but surely becoming a gooner too despite his friends following the usual teams. 2 trophies in 3 months certainly helped mind you. Of course because he loves football now I just had to sign up to sky sports too, for his sake ;-)

.jacksparrow.

Gringo180 wrote: »

I have a sneaky feeling this deal could include Campbell going back on another season long loan. Hope I am wrong.

If he does is our squad in a stronger position to last season?

Gringo180

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

If he does is our squad in a stronger position to last season?

Most definitely. Although I would love to see Campbell given a proper shot this season, he really impressed me in the World Cup with Costa Rica, he has that fearlessness and swagger about him that we sort of lack in the team, he's not afraid to have a smack form 30 yards out, whereas the likes of Cazorla, Ozil, Wilshere, Giroud seem to love to walk the ball into the net.

.jacksparrow.

Gringo180 wrote: »

Most definitely. Although I would love to see Campbell given a proper shot this season, he really impressed me in the World Cup with Costa Rica, he has that fearlessness and swagger about him that we sort of lack in the team, he's not afraid to have a smack form 30 yards out, whereas the likes of Cazorla, Ozil, Wilshere, Giroud seem to love to walk the ball into the net.

How is oy stronger if he leaves?

Sagna replaced with debuchy.

Verm with chambers.

Sanchez is the only one were really adding.

If we kept campbell then maybe but I fail to see the massive improvement.

Edit I forgot about this new defender!

shano_88

All the talk from Wenger and Campbell suggest hes going nowhere.

Irish Aris

Congrats Marty on the new arrival!!

I can speak of Manolas-as a Greek and a fan of AEK Athens, I've been following him since he was young.
Very good center back, good pace, good positioning. I can't really see him in any other position than CB, and obviously not a starter at the moment, but a good squad player that could be used instead of Kos/Mert in all cups and even in some league games of lesser difficulty.

Alfred Borden

Its a good summer but if we 1) Keep Campbell, 2) Sign a CB, 3) Sign a top DM, its probably one of our best ever and will make us challengers. Anything less than that and its a battle for third imo

Gringo180

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

How is oy stronger if he leaves?

Sagna replaced with debuchy.

Verm with chambers.

Sanchez is the only one were really adding.

If we kept campbell then maybe but I fail to see the massive improvement.

Edit I forgot about this new defender!

We are much stronger offensively than last season especially with Sanchez coming in and Ozil having a season under his belt and the emergence of Sanogo who has really impressed me in pre season. Look at our options on the wings we have, Walcott, Sanchez, Ox, Podolski, Cazorla, Campbell and then the likes of Rosicky and Ozil are well capable of playing out wide too. My main worry is the lack of a natural DMF if I am honest.

greendom

Irish Aris wrote: »

Congrats Marty on the new arrival!!

I can speak of Manolas-as a Greek and a fan of AEK Athens, I've been following him since he was young.
Very good center back, good pace, good positioning. I can't really see him in any other position than CB, and obviously not a starter at the moment, but a good squad player that could be used instead of Kos/Mert in all cups and even in some league games of lesser difficulty.

Juve are after Manolas too apparently

Irish Aris

greendom wrote: »

Juve are after Manolas too apparently

wouldn't be surprised, the defensive styles in Greece and Italy are similar, so Greek defenders can settle easy there.

shano_88

Raf32 wrote: »

Its a good summer but if we 1) Keep Campbell, 2) Sign a CB, 3) Sign a top DM, its probably one of our best ever and will make us challengers. Anything less than that and its a battle for third imo

1 and 2 will happen imo. Very doubtful that 3 will happen at this stage. Still a good summer though.

Alfred Borden

shano_88 wrote: »

1 and 2 will happen imo. Very doubtful that 3 will happen at this stage. Still a good summer though.

good but wouldnt be enough to break the top 2 imo

tayto lover

We should not just be trying to replace either lads, we should be trying to improve.
That's the secret to success.

P.S.
20 days to go.

batistuta9

congrats Marty

---

the A list for the CL qualifier had to be in for monday night, one addition can be made to it up until 24hrs before the first leg & thats when the B list needed to be in by too but they've already submitted it.
Walcott, ospina & ryo left out because of injuries. macey a GK in

Arsenal’s Champions League squad:
1. Wojciech Szczęsny, 2. Mathieu Debuchy, 3. Kieran Gibbs, 4. Per Mertesacker, 6. Laurent Koscielny, 7. Tomáš Rosický, 8. Mikel Arteta, 9. Lukas Podolski, 10. Jack Wilshere, 11. Mesut Özil, 12. Olivier Giroud, 15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain*, 16. Aaron Ramsey, 17. Alexis Sánchez, 18. Nacho Monreal, 19. Santi Cazorla, 20. Mathieu Flamini, 21. Calum Chambers, 22. Yaya Sanogo, 24. Abou Diaby, 27. Serge Gnabry*, 28. Joel Campbell, 34. Francis Coquelin, 35. Gedion Zelalem, 38. Chuba Akpom*, 39. Héctor Bellerín*, 42. Isaac Hayden*, 43. Ryan Huddart*, 45. Alex Iwobi*, 46. Jack Jebb*, 47. Glen Kamara*, 49. Matt Macey, 50. Damian Martinez, 51. Ignasi Miquel, 52. Tafari Moore*, 53. Kristoffer Olsson*, 54. Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill*, 56. Jon Toral*, 57. Josh Vickers*.
*- B list

http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/walcott-and-ospina-left-out-as-15-youngsters-make-arsenals-champions-league-squad/

from the comments on there:
someone questioned if coq & martinez + ryo are club or association trained because of loans. doesn't matter really anyway, Macey likely won't be named with ospina back if they go through & ryo won't be named ahead of anyone really :pac:

A list:
non HG: Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Rosicky, Arteta, Podolski, Özil, Giroud, Alexis, Monreal, Cazorla, Flamini, Sanogo, Diaby, Campbell, Zelalem = 16, max 17
HG association: Chambers, Macey. max 4 if there's 17 non HG.
HG club: Szczesny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ramsey, Coquelin, Martinez & Miquel

25 on the A list there.
in the PL squad rules the same players only total to 21 (14nonHG + 7). 23 with ospina & walcott (15+8) so still room for an overseas CB & DM for the PL and a bit of cutting for the CL. I doubt if both will happen though

.jacksparrow.

Raf32 wrote: »

good but wouldnt be enough to break the top 2 imo

As much as it hurts to say it I think its true.

Chelsea have such a strong team and same with city.

With debuchy arteta and giroud as starters I still feel we will come up short.

I'm not bashing giroud and arteta, they have their uses but to really push on for the title I feel we need more.

Chelsea really have such a strong team.

Quazzie

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

As much as it hurts to say it I think its true.

Chelsea have such a strong team and same with city.

With debuchy arteta and giroud as starters I still feel we will come up short.

I'm not bashing giroud and arteta, they have their uses but to really push on for the title I feel we need more.

Chelsea really have such a strong team.

It wasn't Giroud and Arteta that let us down last year. Injuries and a lack of mental strength is what let us down. Get them right and we can win it with our current players (+1 cb)

.jacksparrow.

Quazzie wrote: »

It wasn't Giroud and Arteta that let us down last year. Injuries and a lack of mental strength is what let us down. Get them right and we can win it with our current players (+1 cb)

What about our three hammerings by the top teams?

Our midfield totally been overrun and girouds lack of goals against the big teams.

Irish Aris

The thing is that with Chelsea (or any Mourinho team in general), you may expect them to lose unexpected points - more so than us or City.

I feel that this year it will be a close race, for 4 teams at least, maybe 5.
Obviously it won't hurt to bring in a couple more players, as from 1st to 4th it will be just a few points.

Quazzie

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

What about our three hammerings by the top teams?

Our midfield totally been overrun and girouds lack of goals against the big teams.

I'd attribute the hammerings* more down to tactical errors by Wenger in setting up the team. We were over run because we didn't react as a team to the start of the game. We were set up naively and the team were never prepared to handle what happened. That wouldn't have happened with Vieira in the side, and not because he is better (he obviously is) but because he would've given anyone near him a kick in the hole. A change in mentality and more leaders is what's needed in the club moreso than a set position.

As for Girouds lack of goals against the top teams, how many times did Suarez score against the big teams?

* i think it's a bit disingenuous to class the man city loss as a hammering.

.jacksparrow.

Quazzie wrote: »

I'd attribute the hammerings* more down to tactical errors by Wenger in setting up the team. We were over run because we didn't react as a team to the start of the game. We were set up naively and the team were never prepared to handle what happened. That wouldn't have happened with Vieira in the side, and not because he is better (he obviously is) but because he would've given anyone near him a kick in the hole. A change in mentality and more leaders is what's needed in the club moreso than a set position.

As for Girouds lack of goals against the top teams, how many times did Suarez score against the big teams?

* i think it's a bit disingenuous to class the man city loss as a hammering.

Liverpool didn't win the league.

Comparing Suarez and giroud?

Quazzie

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

Liverpool didn't win the league.

Comparing Suarez and giroud?

I know they didn't, the comparison with Suarez because he was undoubtedly the best striker in the league last year, and one we wanted to be playing for us. I'm just pointing out that the best striker in the league doesn't score against the big teams, yet Giroud gets criticized for it constantly, like a badge of dishonour around his neck.

I compared Suarez and Giroud because they are both goalscorers and if Giroud is to be compared to someone, might aswell compare him to the best.

Irish Aris

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

Liverpool didn't win the league.

Comparing Suarez and giroud?

obviously they can't be compared (different class altogether), but as for last year the point stands: Suarez had zero goals against us, City and Chelsea.

And even this year, I am not sure how high Giroud will score. Unless we change the way we play, I can see 3-4 players on double digits, but none over the 20 goal mark.

.jacksparrow.

Quazzie wrote: »

I know they didn't, the comparison with Suarez because he was undoubtedly the best striker in the league last year, and one we wanted to be playing for us. I'm just pointing out that the best striker in the league doesn't score against the big teams, yet Giroud gets criticized for it constantly, like a badge of dishonour around his neck.

I compared Suarez and Giroud because they are both goalscorers and if Giroud is to be compared to someone, might aswell compare him to the best.

Totally agree but Suarez made up for it in other areas, so if giroud can't do it against the big teams I would like to see him make up for it in other ways.

Our record against the big teams was abysmal.

We need to improve it big time.

Have we made the necessary additions for this only time will tell I suppose.

Edit- only seen Sanchez scored 2 away goals last season out of his 19.

Fully expect him to increase that significantly with us. Really excited to see him.

Marty McFly

Thanks for all the congratulations .

Loving some of the name suggestions although it may be hard to get the better half to agree to any of them :pac:.

Gosplan think ill be trying to put that plan into action.

Now roll on the weekend and first game of the season.

ugsparky

Manolas would be a good replacement for Vermaelen - I have friends in Thessaloniki who abhor Olympiakos - (they're viewed as the Chelsea/City/Utd of Greek football because of their financial clout) but they rate Manolas very highly - they'd love to see them in PAOK colours playing at the Toumba.

I still think we need a final marquee signing to signal our intent to the Premiership and Europe - the top teams are strengthening with two or three additions - so far we've signed Sanchez - we need a defensive midfielder who'll prevent the hammerings we suffered last season - we're either going to challenge for the EC, PL and domestic cups or we are going to settle for top 3/4. If we are in a position to buy then we should splurge.

Maybe Arsene still has a final strategic signing in mind - the fact he didn't sign Cesc would make me think he has - a midfielder in a more defensive role. It would appear the Reus could indeed be available - he could be his primary target with maybe Campbell to Dortmund for bait.

I'll be dissapointed if after securing €19m for Vermaelen the money is not re-invested in strengthening. I would have thought it opens the door to Manolas and Khedira. If Reus could be got then he's worth buying now and forget about January and maybe only small investment next summer.

Whatever happens, if we win the Premiership or Champions league that would put us up there with RM, Barca, Bayern - ahead of PSG, City and Chelsea given our longevity in the Top 4 of the Premiership and Champions league ratings.

Hyzepher

For all of Suarez's goals last year I think he only scored in 18 league games (could be wrong), the point is that it's not about how many you score it's about how many you win. Liverpool had the top two scorers last year and still fell short - only a handful of points above us and that's with us having an "inferior" striker. Both LFC and Man City had close to record goals scored totals as well.

Another point about Giroud - go check how many players scored more in the league than him last year. Then look how many of them are forwards/strikers. Then go and reassess his season.

When talking about those games where we were hammered - City (debatable), LFC (won 2 out of 3) and Chelsea (truly a hammering) - you must remember 2 points. 1) Defensively we were brilliant last year bar those games 2) this is not a trend, we rarely get beaten like that. To say that we are open to large scores against us is just fear talking.

Also, please remember how many days we were on top of the league last year and we are more confident and able this year. We now have pace that should reduce those all out attacks that the opposition are fond of in the first 20 minutes.

For me we have strengthened this year, DMF or no DMF. Dont care that Sagna, TV and Jenks are gone. I feel the players who have come in make the team better.

Also remember that Flamini was readjusting to the PL last year and Ozil should have a better season this year. if we can keep players fit then no one will want to meet us.

emergingstar

Might be in for Cavaini If PSG buy di Maria

.jacksparrow.

Agree with most of that.

Only you say we had a great defence last season but remember we have lost one important part of it ,so time will tell if we are better in that regard.

We have been on the end of some hammerings in the last few years.

Milan, united spurs are some off the top of my head, not to mention last seasons.

gosplan

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

What about our three hammerings by the top teams?

Our midfield totally been overrun and girouds lack of goals against the big teams.

You could put me in as a DMF and if everyone else had their **** together we wouldn't concede 4 in 20 mins.

Nearly all of that is mental IMO. We went out with the wrong tactical plan and when we conceded first, we lost the plot.

This team still has an elephant in the closet as regards performing against big teams when it's all on the line. From 1-11 we don't turn up and blaming Arteta or Giroud is just missing the point.

We have a bottling issue. Thankfully Wigan and Hull let us away with it and we got a trophy.

Really I think we just need to win one or two of these games and we'll get over it.

shano_88

emergingstar wrote: »

Might be in for Cavaini If PSG buy di Maria

In fairness I think Cavani would nearly be the perfect player to be the focal point in our attack. Quick, Strong, works hard and can finish.


I dont think It will happen but you never know..

Hyzepher

Anyone else think Cesc looks weird in Blue?

emergingstar

shano_88 wrote: »

In fairness I think Cavani would nearly be the perfect player to be the focal point in our attack. Quick, Strong, works hard and can finish.


I dont think It will happen but you never know..

Don't think so either

Would be a good Suprise though

marvin80

Hyzepher wrote: »

Anyone else think Cesc looks weird in Blue?

Sickening seeing him in blue.
He'll do well there (unfortunately)

Marty McFly

Hyzepher wrote: »

Anyone else think Cesc looks weird in Blue?

Couldn't give a shiite about Cesc to be honest.

I'd say he's more sickened he wasn't able to walk back into our team and Wenger turned him down.

Who needs Cesc we have Ozil.

Kirby

gosplan wrote: »

You could put me in as a DMF and if everyone else had their **** together we wouldn't concede 4 in 20 mins.

Nearly all of that is mental IMO. We went out with the wrong tactical plan and when we conceded first, we lost the plot.

This team still has an elephant in the closet as regards performing against big teams when it's all on the line. From 1-11 we don't turn up and blaming Arteta or Giroud is just missing the point.

We have a bottling issue. Thankfully Wigan and Hull let us away with it and we got a trophy.

Really I think we just need to win one or two of these games and we'll get over it.

I agree with this. It's without doubt a mental block. But that doesn't mean a more tactically astute midfielder wouldn't be a great idea. I still don't think that sort of thing is Arteta's game. Imagine a guy like Vidal in Arsenal's midfield. I can't see Arsenal shipping a bunch of goals with him in the team.

It probably wont happen this summer because of the Alexis signing, but Wenger would be best served breaking the bank next summer and making his Ozil/Alexis type signing for that window somebody who will really dominate that area.