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[Mastadon]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/flanagan-signs-new-contract

Nice

Excellent, really stood up when he was needed last season. We tied Andre Wisdom up with a long term contract yesterday too, probably our most exciting defensive talent.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Also, he said that if Nasri wanted to join United he had to respect the clubs traditions and history. Not sure what he meant by that really...surprised to hear him comment at all. United seem to be taking a different approach on this transfer, it is a unique type of deal I suppose.

What does he think the club is, the City of Atlantis? The culture of a club is to turn up to training and put the ball into the net. Or do Utd players turn up every Sunday and sing Kumbaya My Lord at a fire camp? Talk about inflated ego. No one signs for tradition [what is tradition other than trying to win games, the same as everyone else]. Its trophies and £££ but I suppose those involved in football clubs that aren't playing anymore try to make it seem like they're still part of something e.g. retiring players signing up to be coaches the very next season.

This is one thing that has always disturbed me about footballers. Most of them literally know nothing else but the club they've been at or kicking a ball. It's kinda pathetic. I remember reading Fabrice Muamba's parents wouldn't allow him to abandon his medical studies so he could become a doctor after he ended his football career. Respect!

 

[guidop]

What does he think the club is, the City of Atlantis? The culture of a club is to turn up to training and put the ball into the net. Or do Utd players turn up every Sunday and sing Kumbaya My Lord at a fire camp? Talk about inflated ego. No one signs for tradition [what is tradition other than trying to win games, the same as everyone else]. Its trophies and £££ but he can tell himself what he likes if it helps sleep him at night

I think he was getting at... Has he cheated on his wife? been caught at the pros? Until you've raked your dick through the gutter a couple of times your not good enough for United

 

[near]

Oh here comes some fun right here! Barca to make a 50 million bid for Bale. Maybe they will leave Cesc alone and give Tottenham a headache instead. Supposedly it's going to take them a year to get the deal done.

Source

Typical unwarranted report from goal. Why would Barcelona aggressively bid €50million for Bale, when they aren't willing to pay €35million for there long-term target Fabregas?

 

[omgkitty]

This is one thing that has always disturbed me about footballers. Most of them literally know nothing else but the club they've been at or kicking a ball. It's kinda pathetic. I remember reading Fabrice Muamba's parents wouldn't allow him to abandon his medical studies so he could become a doctor after he ended his football career. Respect!

Now I am not 100% versed in the way training and the youth systems work over in Europe, but most kids, from whenever they are signed to a club, they go to school and they play for their club. Chances are, they think they are going to make it, so they don't care. They focus on football, and school is secondary to them. This is all from the ages of 8 or 9. It's really crazy when you think about it. It's no surprise some of them are so unintelligent. Look at the really good players, like Bergkamp. He got a degree in Mechanical Engineering while playing at Arsenal.

 

[omgkitty]

Typical unwarranted report from goal. Why would Barcelona aggressively bid €50million for Bale, when they aren't willing to pay €35million for there long-term target Fabregas?

Don't you know? You get an automatic 40% discount on all players who have your DNA inside of them!

 

[Yen]

Excellent, really stood up when he was needed last season. We tied Andre Wisdom up with a long term contract yesterday too, probably our most exciting defensive talent.

I hope Andre Wisdom gets games this year. He's an absolute beast and has a very good passing range.

 

[Facism]

classic goal.com quality reporting.

Typical shitty goal.com. It's just a betting site with some news.

 

[elsk]

Bayern has intensified efforts to sign Alex

According to BILD, Bayern has intensified efforts to sign Alex and it seems that a sum of 10 million might do the trick.

Bild

 

[Kermit The Dog]

Awww bless you. Only a real fan would come to their club's protection after such a vituperative attack. Funny how no-one else gets so worked up about the odd jibe about their club. I think you may genuinely have a problem. You really don't have to read my posts though. Especially if it pains you to do so. Although I imagine reading causes you pain generally.

As a side note, I'd like to propose that sarcasm isn't the lowest form of wit. Quite demonstrably so. But thank you for resorting to a personal attack in any case. We all know you can't do better.

Do keep up with whole being popular thing Kermit.

Odd jibe? Every second post of yours is some thinly veiled, unfunny jab at City. Now, I could presume you do it because you're looking over your shoulder, but I'm leaning to the opinion that you just enjoy being a troll. Coupled with the fact you don't have a sense of humour and come across like a bit of a prat, it doesn't register as 'friendly banter'.

Most of the other guys in here can have a crack at City and it's a bit of a laugh, and I'll cop it because we've come out of nowhere and many are still getting used to the notion of having City in the top 4. You're not one of them, and there's no intellect or wit behind your interjections. They're just... there, and you seek a reaction. Just my opinion. Your rebuttal had a fantastic jibe-to-sentence ratio, but as per usual, it was clumsy and reeked of someone having a real crack without any effect. You're the Owen Hargreaves of this thread.

"You have to look at it soberly - the player is under contract with Manchester City and the decision lies with them," he told Spox. "They have demanded a price we will never be willing to pay."

Bayern initially offered €9 million for the defender, while City demanded €20m. The German side increased their bid to €12m, and earlier this week were reportedly close to reaching an agreement on a €15m release, but have apparently failed in their final offer.

Rummenigge went on to criticise City for their reluctance to sell Boateng, despite their surplus of defenders and the player's desire to move to Munich.

"At the moment they're using a tactic that I've never seen: they don't respond, even if we try to contact them.

This is pretty shitty on City's part if true. We have to cop our hits if the mistake is our own, and the Boateng transfer was predominantly a City mistake. We paid over the odds for someone based on World Cup form, and it bit us on the arse. At 15m, we should have been laughing with glee.

 

[Kermit The Dog]

So apparently Etihad (who have never made a profit) are sponsoring City's ground and complex at £30m a year!?!? Hahaha. That is madness. Hope UEFA look into that and tell City to do one...unlikely though :-/

Source?

Etihad has naming rights on a major stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, an indoor-AFL ground. Also called Etihad Stadium. = ( Might get a bit confusing.

But Etihad seem to be everywhere, so the fact they have never made a profit is interesting.

 

[Vivalaraza]

Source?

Etihad has naming rights on a major stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, an indoor-AFL ground. Also called Etihad Stadium. = ( Might get a bit confusing.

But Etihad seem to be everywhere, so the fact they have never made a profit is interesting.

Tariq Panja who works for Bloomberg (I think?) broke it on his Twitter. He is pretty reliable when it comes to these kinds of things.

Etihad don't really need to make a profit though, considering they're owned by the Abu Dahbi royal family. I have flown with them before and it was lovely, so the money seems to be well spent, on their main business at least haha.

 

[kharma45]

Source?

Etihad has naming rights on a major stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, an indoor-AFL ground. Also called Etihad Stadium. = ( Might get a bit confusing.

But Etihad seem to be everywhere, so the fact they have never made a profit is interesting.

http://m.arabianbusiness.com/etihad-unlikely-break-even-ceo-admits-182515.html

A reference from Wikipedia I found. Probably is more stuff around.

 

[Plasma]

“Let’s hope we can bring in one or two more additions of top quality.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-we-are-working-long-nights-to-sign-players-

Please be joking.

 

[omgkitty]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-we-are-working-long-nights-to-sign-players-

Please be joking.

Well he did confirm the Gervinho signing was soon and the key word in that sentence is "top quality". I would assume his 1 or 2 signings is dependent on the players he wants to stay as staying. That could include a center back and a left back.

 

[Joel Was Right]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...-sign-players-

Please be joking.

We don't have the money

 

[omgkitty]

We don't have the money

Completely true. With 11 million seemingly spent on Gervinho, it leaves us enough for 2 quality signings.

 

[Kermit The Dog]

Is there some sort of budget Arsenal have for the transfer window?

 

[omgkitty]

Is there some sort of budget Arsenal have for the transfer window?

I find it really funny that this question is coming from a Manchester City fan. Yes, it is rumored to be somewhere around 50 million. Of course, Wenger is not going to spend all that, and hopefully with the sales of our unwanted players, we wont have to spend very much money.

 

[Ushojax]

I see Essien has done his annual knee ligament damage. Top player but now a perma-crock, sadly. They need to buy so many players now.

 

[Kermit The Dog]

I find it really funny that this question is coming from a Manchester City fan. Yes, it is rumored to be somewhere around 50 million. Of course, Wenger is not going to spend all that, and hopefully with the sales of our unwanted players, we wont have to spend very much money.

I wasn't having a go, it was a genuine question. I hadn't heard of the 50 million figure, so I was just curious. City have spent 15 million this window on two players, so it's not like we're going mental.

 

[Gareth Bale]

Gervinho is a fantastic player. I would question why Wenger signing another attacking midfielder, but considering Fabregas and Nasri will probably go, Denilson saying he's done at Arsenal, Rosicky not really playing and entering the last year of his contract, Arshavin not being in favour, and Walcott being a terrible player, I would say it's a pretty important position to strengthen. But it won't offset the damage done by the departure of their two best midfielders. I feel a bit sorry for Wenger, but he dug this hole with his own philosophies poor squad management. And he still hasn't brought in any world class defenders or a proven goalkeeper. Losing your best players whilst failing to strengthen your weakest positions... classic Wenger.

+1 for the importance of a director of football.

We don't have the money

Has anyone every come out and said this? I remember comments from the Arsenal board suggesting that there is money available that the manager doesn't seem to want to use.

 

[Kermit The Dog]

I can't imagine an Arsenal without Wenger... he's part of the furniture. Very very strange to think of him not at the helm of that great club.

Anyway, the making of the 'Manchester City plane.

 

[Baconsarnie]

Is there some sort of budget Arsenal have for the transfer window?

We have around £50m to spend, but Arsenal in the budget don't just include the fee but also signing on bonuses and other fee's. Saw an article which i can't find again at the moment that buying Gervinho for £11m actually takes around £15-£16m out of our budget.

On the plus side we did just get an extra £25m for selling land around the stadium to Barrat homes rather than risking the current property market, plus any money from future sales of players.

 

[omgkitty]

Gervinho is a fantastic player. I would question why Wenger signing another attacking midfielder, but considering Fabregas and Nasri will probably go, Denilson saying he's done at Arsenal, Rosicky not really playing and entering the last year of his contract, Arshavin not being in favour, and Walcott being a terrible player, I would say it's a pretty important position to strengthen. But it won't offset the damage done by the departure of their two best midfielders. I feel a bit sorry for Wenger, but he dug this hole with his own philosophies poor squad management. And he still hasn't brought in any world class defenders or a proven goalkeeper. Losing your best players whilst failing to strengthen your weakest positions... classic Wenger.

+1 for the importance of a director of football.

Don't know where this is coming from....Walcott showed last season that he is a very good player, and while he does have the tendency to disappear sometimes, he is worth it. His only main issue is his fitness, which seems to be the caveat of most Arsenal players. Also to talk about Wenger's deficiencies, he relies on players who cannot be relied on. Most of this comes down to the players fault and not his. Players like Denilson, while not terrible, he is just straight up lazy. He never acts like he wants to be there and he never gives a 100%. Wenger also seems to have an unwillingness to splash the cash, but that's not always a bad thing.

I wasn't having a go, it was a genuine question. I hadn't heard of the 50 million figure, so I was just curious. City have spent 15 million this window on two players, so it's not like we're going mental.

Also, the Man City comment was just a funny coincidence. I wasn't saying you were taking a crack

 

[Yen]

Well he did confirm the Gervinho signing was soon and the key word in that sentence is "top quality". I would assume his 1 or 2 signings is dependent on the players he wants to stay as staying. That could include a center back and a left back.

And a goalkeeper. And defensive midfielder. And a striker who isn't injured half the year. And another centre back.

 

[omgkitty]

And a goalkeeper. And defensive midfielder. And a striker who isn't injured half the year. And another centre back.

I hate when people say we need a GK. Almost all of these people are not Arsenal supporters. We have Szczęsny and Fabianski. DM we have Frimpong and Eastmond as backup, with one of them likely making the first team this summer permanently. In front, we have almost just signed Gervinho, who can play there, as well as van Persie, Chamakh, and Vela who is reportedly staying. I would like Bendtner to stay, and if played in the correct position, I think he could be great for us. Who knows if this will happen though.

 

[Slizz]

I hate when people say we need a GK. Almost all of these people are not Arsenal supporters. We have Szczęsny and Fabianski. DM we have Frimpong and Eastmond as backup, with one of them likely making the first team this summer permanently. In front, we have almost just signed Gervinho, who can play there, as well as van Persie, Chamakh, and Vela who is reportedly staying. I would like Bendtner to stay, and if played in the correct position, I think he could be great for us. Who knows if this will happen though.

Only one person out of all those positions is a new signing. Saying Arsenal needs improvement in those areas is because of a result of the last few seasons, and those players you listed have already been there.

 

[Vivalaraza]

I hate when people say we need a GK. Almost all of these people are not Arsenal supporters. We have Szczęsny and Fabianski. DM we have Frimpong and Eastmond as backup, with one of them likely making the first team this summer permanently. In front, we have almost just signed Gervinho, who can play there, as well as van Persie, Chamakh, and Vela who is reportedly staying. I would like Bendtner to stay, and if played in the correct position, I think he could be great for us. Who knows if this will happen though.

No offence mate, but youre perspective is just what Wengers seems to be...which is precisely the problem. Arsenal need players for now, players better than they have already, players better than what the compeition have. Sczenzenenzeny I can see him sticking with, fair enough, potential there. All the other names mentioned are not gonna help, not enough, not now.

 

[omgkitty]

Only one person out of all those positions is a new signing. Saying Arsenal needs improvement in those areas is because of a result of the last few seasons, and those players you listed have already been there.

Well it proves that not all signings need to be new. Reserve players are coming of age, and it's only right they take places. We don't need a GK. We don't need a striker. We may need a backup in midfield for Song, but technically, Frimpong probably would have been his backup last season had he not had a knee injury all year.

No offence mate, but youre perspective is just what Wengers seems to be...which is precisely the problem. Arsenal need players for now, players better than they have already, players better than what the compeition have. Sczenzenenzeny I can see him sticking with, fair enough, potential there. All the other names mentioned are not gonna help, not enough, not now.

We have preseason starting next week, and I would like to see how some of our younger players do before making any quick assumptions. We of course need a new CB and LB, but I am under the assumption that new players will be signed. I trust Frimpong, and he played well last season. Chamakh played well last season before van Persie showed up. I am going to say he was tired, but who knows. Vela has never really been given a true shot more than just a few games here and there, and Gervinho can play as a striker.

 

[Yen]

I hate when people say we need a GK. Almost all of these people are not Arsenal supporters. We have Szczęsny and Fabianski. DM we have Frimpong and Eastmond as backup, with one of them likely making the first team this summer permanently. In front, we have almost just signed Gervinho, who can play there, as well as van Persie, Chamakh, and Vela who is reportedly staying. I would like Bendtner to stay, and if played in the correct position, I think he could be great for us. Who knows if this will happen though.

I assumed Gervinho would play wide right in place of Walcott who is shite and injury prone.
As for DM, how many games have Frimpong and Eastmond played for Arsenals first team?
RVP is great in the 25 games a season he plays but Chamakh is not an adequate replacement for him and you are the first Arsenal fan I've seen supporting Bendtner.

Edit: ^ As for "backup to Song" I think Arsenal could do much better than him.

 

[madmackem]

Yes that would be Lucas.

Some Opta numbers/games for last season lifted off WhoScored.com for just some of our many CMs, and Vaughan.

		Apps	Tackle	Int.	Foul	Clr	Dribbled past	Blk Shot	OG
Lucas Leiva	32(1)	5.2	2	2	1.6	1.7		0.3		-
David Vaughan	35	4	2	1	1.6	1.5		0.4		-

Gerrard		20(1)	2.8	1.8	1.1	1.7	0.3		0.6		-
Spearing	10(1)	2.5	1.5	0.5	1.1	0.5		0.2		-
Meireles	32(1)	2.4	2.1	0.8	0.7	1.1		0.2		-
Charlie Adam	34(1)	2.1	1.9	2	2.8	1.4		0.5		1
Henderson	37	1.7	1.7	0.7	0.9	1		0.2		-

		Apps	Assist	KPpg	Avg	Pass%	Cross	Long	Trb
Lucas Leiva	32(1)	1	0.7	54.4	83	-	3	0.2
David Vaughan	35	2	0.7	48.4	87	0.6	4.1	0.1

Charlie Adam	34(1)	8	2.1	53.8	72	1.3	7.5	0.3
Gerrard		20(1)	5	2.5	59.8	80	1.6	5.6	0.3
Meireles	32(1)	5	2	40.8	78	1.5	2	0.1
Henderson	37	4	2.2	44.4	81	1.5	3.5	0.2
Spearing	10(1)	-	0.6	38.3	80	0.1	2.7	0.1

Wow vaughans stats are pretty good better than i thought.

 

[omgkitty]

I assumed Gervinho would play wide right in place of Walcott who is shite and injury prone.
As for DM, how many games have Frimpong and Eastmond played for Arsenals first team?
RVP is great in the 25 games a season he plays but Chamakh is not an adequate replacement for him and you are the first Arsenal fan I've seen supporting Bendtner.

Edit: ^ As for "backup to Song" I think Arsenal could do much better than him.

When Bendtner plays up front, he scores goals. He showed great skill in 2009, but he played out wide all last season. Given a chance through the center, he's better than Chamakh. If anything, I don't like Chamakh, and wish we would ship him back to France and sign a replacement, but I seriously doubt that is going to happen.

Frimpong shows real promise, or at least he did last summer. He's going to have a shot this summer. I will change my position if he ends up being terrible.

 

[Yen]

When Bendtner plays up front, he scores goals. He showed great skill in 2009, but he played out wide all last season. Given a chance through the center, he's better than Chamakh. If anything, I don't like Chamakh, and wish we would ship him back to France and sign a replacement, but I seriously doubt that is going to happen.

An adequate replacement for RVP then?

 

[omgkitty]

An adequate replacement for RVP then?

Of course, but that isn't going to happen. Having 3 players for one position seems to be enough. Chamakh isn't really an out and out goal scorer anyways, with his goal scoring record being around a goal every 4 games or so. But yeah, we do need a backup to van Persie, or perhaps a Thierry Henry-like player to van Persie's Bergkamp-like skill.

 

[Broder Salsa]

I hate when people say we need a GK. Almost all of these people are not Arsenal supporters.

*Creds to FT master race*

 

[xintin]

Essien never really got back to top form last season after the last injury and now ANOTHER knee injury? sounds like its an acl again, too

 

[GQman2121]

Essien is fucked.

Yep. Depending on the severity, this could be it for him. Damn shame too. He's only 28.

 

[Baconsarnie]

When Bendtner plays up front, he scores goals. He showed great skill in 2009, but he played out wide all last season. Given a chance through the center, he's better than Chamakh. If anything, I don't like Chamakh, and wish we would ship him back to France and sign a replacement, but I seriously doubt that is going to happen.

Frimpong shows real promise, or at least he did last summer. He's going to have a shot this summer. I will change my position if he ends up being terrible.

Chamakh is a good player, we just didn't use him to his strengths. Our crossing is terrible, and heading is Chamakh's main strength and most crosses were too long or went out of play.

Gervinho can play either wing or upfront so can cover for RVP or Walcott. Still would like another main striker. I don't think Song is good enough either, if Diarra waited 6 months he would have been starting when Flamini and Gilberto left. Would still re-sign him though!

 

[GQman2121]

Gervinho is a quality signing and Arse should be applauded for his signature. He works very hard out on the wing and will complement whoever they have up front.

 

[omgkitty]

Chamakh is a good player, we just didn't use him to his strengths. Our crossing is terrible, and heading is Chamakh's main strength and most crosses were too long or went out of play.

Gervinho can play either wing or upfront so can cover for RVP or Walcott. Still would like another main striker. I don't think Song is good enough either, if Diarra waited 6 months he would have been starting when Flamini and Gilberto left. Would still re-sign him though!

What's with all the Song hate? I have never heard anyone say anything bad about him except here.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Chamakh was criminally under-used. Worst yet, Bendtner was ahead of him in the pecking order only for him to then play on the wing. I just don't understand that

 

[Lightning]

omgkitty, do you think it good news that Wenger vows to fight as hard as he can to keep Cesc? I'm personally delighted by this. Please Wenger, succeed in keeping our crown jewel.

But still buy Mata. We still need him without question.

 

[omgkitty]

According to Wenger, part of the reason that Clichy was allowed to leave was because Gibbs needs to play.

Many Arsenal fans were expecting a left back to be added to the shopping list after the experienced Frenchman was sold earlier this week for around £7m, but when pressed on the reason for the sale, Wenger told Arsenal Player, “The reasoning is that Kieran Gibbs at some stage has to get a chance to play. And Gael had only one year to go.

“I rate Gael very highly but I rate highly as well Kieran Gibbs, and he is now at an age where he has to play. And that’s the main reason behind that, to give Gibbs a chance”.

Source

This isn't really looking good for us as far as signing a replacement.

 

[omgkitty]

omgkitty, do you think it good news that Wenger vows to fight as hard as he can to keep Cesc? I'm personally delighted by this. Please Wenger, succeed in keeping our crown jewel.

But still buy Mata. We still need him without question.

Of course I do. Most of last season I was reserved to letting him go. A few weeks ago however, I truly thought about it and I want him to stay no matter what. When Henry left a few seasons ago, I was truly saddened. I had just gotten into football and he was my favorite player. I didn't really follow the sport and didn't know that he would probably be leaving. When he left, I kind of clung onto Cesc, and he is very important to us. Not to get all mushy here, and I know this is a business, but I care about most of our players, Nasri included.

I did start reading more and more on Mata, and I really want him at Arsenal now. He seems to be a great player, and with his versatility, I think we should sign him even if we keep both our talismans this summer.

 

[Feorax]

omgkitty, do you think it good news that Wenger vows to fight as hard as he can to keep Cesc? I'm personally delighted by this. Please Wenger, succeed in keeping our crown jewel.

But still buy Mata. We still need him without question.

I think it depends on how inevitable this deal seems really.

If there's a real possibility Cesc could stay, then that's absolutely the right move from Wenger.

If, however, it seems as though this is going to be inevitable, and Wenger pushes this right to the edge of the transfer window, then that could basically mean you end up with a weakened side, with a whole lot of money and no time to spend it.

If he's going, and there's nothing that can be done, then he needs to go ASAP to give you guys time to use the money to re-enforce the team.

(p.s. also, leave off Mata, we want him )

 

[DominoKid]

Essien y u have shitty knees!

 

[Lightning]

According to Wenger, part of the reason that Clichy was allowed to leave was because Gibbs needs to play.



Source

This isn't really looking good for us as far as signing a replacement.

Oh boy... Fuck I really don't like Wenger's policy of developing players at the expense of success. Gibbs isn't up to it yet and by the time Wenger figures it out we've lost another season...

 

[omgkitty]

Oh boy... Fuck I really don't like Wenger's policy of developing players at the expense of success. Gibbs isn't up to it yet and by the time Wenger figures it out we've lost another season...

Hell, if Nasri leaves, I would almost say push Gibbs up and let him play on the wing and us sign a new LB. It works to great affect in FIFA and FM.

 

[Kweh]

If we end up fielding or having to resort to the likes of Fabianski, Eboue, Squillacci, Bendtner, Rosicky etc, we will do bugger all again next season.