Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2011/2012

Blatter · 10-08-2012 11:58am

RVP 11 wrote: »

Walcott & Podolski, we need more wingers than that.

Arsenal are well stocked in terms of wingers IMO. Carzola, Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski and Gervinho are good options. Obviously assuming Arshavin will be sold.

batistuta9 · 10-08-2012 12:00pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Walcott & Podolski, we need more wingers than that.

gervinho, chamberlain, rosicky, cazorla can all play wide

santos could even be played there + arshavin if he stays, ryo if he doesn't go on loan - probably will though

edit: blatter got most of them

10-08-2012 12:00pm

Blatter wrote: »

Arsenal are well stocked in terms of wingers IMO. Carzola, Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski and Gervinho are good options. Obviously assuming Arshavin will be sold.

Gervinho hasn't been great on the wing at all and will be missing for the ACN.
Chamberlain is more effective through the middle.
Cazorla won't be used too much as a winger IMO, he was seen as a replacement for Fabregas by Wenger.

Blatter · 10-08-2012 12:07pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Gervinho hasn't been great on the wing at all and will be missing for the ACN.
Chamberlain is more effective through the middle.
Cazorla won't be used too much as a winger IMO, we needed an AMF and he suits the role perfectly.

I've only ever seen Carzola play on the wing. I'd believe that he can play AM but I'd be very surprised if he wasn't utilized on the wing for you more often than not.

Chamberlain will probably end up being more of a central attacking player but at this stage of his development it'll do him no ham to be regularly played on the wing, where he has shown he can be effective.

Gervinho wasn't great last season but he wasn't absolutely terrible either, wouldn't surprise me to see a fair improvement in him this season.

Tello is currently a headless chicken. He might turn out to be a good player but I couldn't see him having a great impact for you next season if he was to come.

meriwether · 10-08-2012 12:08pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Why is that?
Barcelona are far better than Arsenal defensively, so he wouldn't have too much pressure on him to get back as quick which may make him even better going forward than we have seen at Arsenal, with less running around to do he will have far more energy.
The fact that he can also step in as CB must be another factor in Barcelona wanting him.

Barca have Xabi, Iniesta and Messi in the free central roles.

Where does Alex Song belong on that list?

At the bottom. In fact, he's on a different list altogether.

meriwether · 10-08-2012 12:10pm

Blatter wrote: »

I've only ever seen Carzola play on the wing. I'd believe that he can play AM but I'd be very surprised if he wasn't utilized on the wing for you more often than not.

Chamberlain will probably end up being more of a central attacking player but at this stage of his development it'll do him no ham to be regularly played on the wing, where he has shown he can be effective.

Gervinho wasn't great last season but he wasn't absolutely terrible either, wouldn't surprise me to see a fair improvement in him this season.

Tello is currently a headless chicken. He might turn out to be a good player but I couldn't see him having a great impact for you next season if he was to come.

Is Affelay any good?

I know he's bessies with RVP, so thats probbaly out.

We could part swap him for Mascherano and £££. I have huge time for Masch in the limited DM role. I thought he was excellent at Liverpool.

what age is he?

10-08-2012 12:11pm

Blatter wrote: »

I've only ever seen Carzola play on the wing. I'd believe that he can play AM but I'd be very surprised if he wasn't utilized on the wing for you more often than not.

Chamberlain will probably end up being more of a central attacking player but at this stage of his development it'll do him no ham to be regularly played on the wing, where he has shown he can be effective.

Gervinho wasn't great last season but he wasn't absolutely terrible either, wouldn't surprise me to see a fair improvement in him this season.

Tello is currently a headless chicken. He might turn out to be a good player but I couldn't see him having a great impact for you next season if he was to come.

Well i wouldn't expect Tello to walk into the side but if Arshavin goes and Ryo on loan it would be nice to have backup.
Cazorla is more a false winger, like Nasri or Hazard so he can start there (walcotts position) but will not stay there, and i hope he will be a nightmare for PL left backs.:D

10-08-2012 12:12pm

meriwether wrote: »

Barca have Xabi, Iniesta and Messi in the free central roles.

Where does Alex Song belong on that list?

At the bottom. In fact, he's on a different list altogether.

Neither of them can help out as much as Song going back though and aren't as versatile as Song.
I don't think Song will be signed to force someone out of that role, but he's a great backup option.

meriwether · 10-08-2012 12:16pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Neither of them can help out going back though and aren't as versatile as Song.I don't think Song will be signed to force someone out of that role, but he's a great backup option.

They're defensive work is superb, example, pressing the opposition.

Song is more versatile than Xabi, Iniesta, and Messi?

In that he does a couple or roles adequately (just about), as opposed to them doing one role superbly?

Come off it.

Xabi/Iniesta/Messi to Song is such a gap, its not even funny.

10-08-2012 12:19pm

meriwether wrote: »

They're defensive work is superb, example, pressing the opposition.

Song is more versatile than Xabi, Iniesta, and Messi?

In that he does a couple or roles adequately (just about), as opposed to them doing one role superbly?

Come off it.

Xabi/Iniesta/Messi to Song is such a gap, its not even funny.

Pressing the opposition is a far different prospect to getting back and helping the defence the out.
So now Xavi, Iniesta & Messi are DM too are they?
Come off it yourself.
I never tried to make out Song is a better player, but he can do things that no Barca manager would expect those 3 to do.
Pray tell why would Barcelona want a player like Song then?
His funny hairdos? lol

meriwether · 10-08-2012 12:26pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Pressing the opposition is a far different prospect to getting back and helping the defence the out.
So now Xavi, Iniesta & Messi are DM too are they?
Come off it yourself.
I never tried to make out Song is a better player, but he can do things that no Barca manager would expect those 3 to do.
Pray tell why would Barcelona want a player like Song then?
His funny hairdos? lol

I'm glad we agree that Song is n't a better player than them.
In fact, Song is massively inferior to them.

Which is why introducing him to replace any of Xabi/Iniesta/Messi at any stage in a match would be a huge step down in class.
Which is what I'm saying.

As fopr his versatility - he does a few roles adequately. He is an adequate DM. He is an adequate CM. He is adequate at going forward. In all of these positions, Barca have specialist players who are light years ahead of him.

He'd be going there as a jack of all trades, and master of none.

10-08-2012 12:28pm

meriwether wrote: »

I'm glad we agree that Song is n't a better player than them.
In fact, Song is massively inferior to them.

Which is why introducing him to replace any of Xabi/Iniesta/Messi at any stage in a match would be a huge step down in class.
Which is what I'm saying.

As fopr his versatility - he does a few roles adequately. He is an adequate DM. He is an adequate CM. He is adequate at going forward. In all of these positions, Barca have specialist players who are light years ahead of him.

He'd be going there as a jack of all trades, and master of none.

Which is why i said he will be a great backup option for the manager if they are winning and they need to take one of those 3 off (they won't play 90 mins in every single game) or if there are injuries.
It may be a huge step down in class, in terms of him doing THEIR job , but we know that's not why Barcelona are fishing round him.
So it must be his versatility in going back when needed, and getting forward where possible.

miralize · 10-08-2012 12:31pm

meriwether wrote: »

I'm glad we agree that Song is n't a better player than them.
In fact, Song is massively inferior to them.

Which is why introducing him to replace any of Xabi/Iniesta/Messi at any stage in a match would be a huge step down in class.
Which is what I'm saying.

As fopr his versatility - he does a few roles adequately. He is an adequate DM. He is an adequate CM. He is adequate at going forward. In all of these positions, Barca have specialist players who are light years ahead of him.

He'd be going there as a jack of all trades, and master of none.

Its Xavi

Also the whole purpose of Barca to buy Song is to provide cover to Busquets. Mascherano will probably be first-choice CB, Keita is gone, & Busquets needs cover. I dont imagine he'll be playing in any other position besides DM is he goes there.

meriwether · 10-08-2012 12:35pm

miralize wrote: »

Its Xavi

Also the whole purpose of Barca to buy Song is to provide cover to Busquets. Mascherano will probably be first-choice CB, Keita is gone, & Busquets needs cover. I dont imagine he'll be playing in any other position besides DM is he goes there.

I never specifically said he was going to play elsewhere.

I commented that he'd be hilariously out of depth playing furtehr up, once this theory was put forward.

He's be a sub at barca, and nowt else.

If Busquest plays all games, Song plays zilch.

10-08-2012 12:39pm

meriwether wrote: »

If Busquest plays all games, Song plays zilch.

Thanks for that Villanova.:pac:

greendom · 10-08-2012 12:45pm

meriwether wrote: »

If Busquest plays all games, Song plays zilch.

So they are prepared to pay 15 - 20 million on a player that is not going to play barring injuries. I don't buy that at all. Surely they have plenty of players coming up through their fabled academy that can fill in now and again

You obviously don't rate Song. If the interest in him is real, Vilanova obviously does.

premierstone · 10-08-2012 12:47pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

He would be a HUGE loss if he was defensive, but he is not.

RVP 11 wrote: »

Well they have the best DM in the world in Busquets so why would they want Song?:pac:

RVP 11 wrote: »

The fact that he can also step in as CB must be another factor in Barcelona wanting him.

RVP 11 wrote: »

Neither of them can help out as much as Song going back though and aren't as versatile as Song.

RVP 11 wrote: »

Pressing the opposition is a far different prospect to getting back and helping the defence the out.
So now Xavi, Iniesta & Messi are DM too are they?
Come off it yourself.
I never tried to make out Song is a better player, but he can do things that no Barca manager would expect those 3 to do.
Pray tell why would Barcelona want a player like Song then?
His funny hairdos? lol

You really need to make your mind up on Song and stop contradicting yourself, did he refuse to sign your pyjamas or something???

premierstone · 10-08-2012 12:49pm

greendom wrote: »

So they are prepared to pay 15 - 20 million on a player that is not going to play barring injuries. I don't buy that at all. Surely they have plenty of players coming up through their fabled academy that can fill in now and again

You obviously don't rate Song. If the interest in him is real, Vilanova obviously does.

I really rate Song and think We must keep him, I just dont think he has a role in that current Barca MF, that's why these rumours don't worry me in the slightest, all tabloid rubish imo.

farna_boy · 10-08-2012 1:09pm

I find it amusing that everyone seems to think that Song isn't doing exactly as he is told by Wenger. If that was the case, I have no doubt that he would have been on hte bench a lot more last year, rather than one of the most over used players in the squad.

I think Song would be a massive loss if he were to go. Song does a massive job for us in midfield but a lot of it goes unnoticed by a lot of people sometimes becasue of his off the ball work. I saw a table recently (can't find it right now) showing the top 10 players with the most passes last season. The focus at the time was Cazorla who was number 3 (or so) but down the end of the table was Song.

I think Arteta does overshadow Song a lot in midfield and Arteta may not lose the ball as much, but Arteta can be quite frustrating to watch as well. I can remember a few times last season where Arteta received the ball in midfield and instead of playing a quick ball forward, would hold on to the ball and slow things down a lot. If Song were in the same position, though, he would be far more likely to try to play the quick ball. OK it may not come off eveytime but counter attacking is one of our strengths and we should be looking to play fast balls, maybe not everytime, but more than Arteta does.

Now I'm not saying that we should drop Arteta, or that Arteta is a bad player but I think the Arteta and Song do compliment in each other in midfield. People argue that Arteta has to try and cover for Song when Song pushes up the field, but that is the job of a midfielder. If one goes up, the other hangs back a bit. That is basic, under 12s football, not just something that should be implemented in the Premier League. Song is usually the one who hangs back to cover the rest of the team but he should be allowed to push forward at times as well and expect someone else to cover him.

Galvasean · 10-08-2012 1:29pm

Even if we get Sahin in on loan selling Song would be a mistake. Arsenal of all teams should know that a squad needs quality depth and rotation for when the injuries start to pile in. Sahin and Song as options in DM is great. Plus depending on whose injured we could stick one a bit further up the pitch if need be. I know Coquelin can play DM too but he's a tad on the green side. Same for Frimpong, whose going to miss a chunk of the season anyway through injury and the African Nations Cup.

tayto lover · 10-08-2012 1:43pm

meriwether wrote: »

I'm glad we agree that Song is n't a better player than them.
In fact, Song is massively inferior to them.

Which is why introducing him to replace any of Xabi/Iniesta/Messi at any stage in a match would be a huge step down in class.
Which is what I'm saying.

As fopr his versatility - he does a few roles adequately. He is an adequate DM. He is an adequate CM. He is adequate at going forward. In all of these positions, Barca have specialist players who are light years ahead of him.

He'd be going there as a jack of all trades, and master of none.

Not true. Song has been our Mr Versatility for years. He has even played at Centre half when needed. You need to watch a few games.

Galvasean · 10-08-2012 2:09pm

Song has also played right midfield for Cameroon on several occasions.

meriwether · 10-08-2012 2:24pm

tayto lover wrote: »

Not true. Song has been our Mr Versatility for years. He has even played at Centre half when needed. You need to watch a few games.

He does these adequately.

Nothing more, nothing less.

meriwether · 10-08-2012 2:26pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Thanks for that Villanova.:pac:

You said a while back he was going to cover for Iniesta and Xavi.

Which is it?

meriwether · 10-08-2012 2:27pm

greendom wrote: »

So they are prepared to pay 15 - 20 million on a player that is not going to play barring injuries. I don't buy that at all. Surely they have plenty of players coming up through their fabled academy that can fill in now and again

You obviously don't rate Song. If the interest in him is real, Vilanova obviously does.

Who will he replace, Greendom?

10-08-2012 2:31pm

premierstone wrote: »

You really need to make your mind up on Song and stop contradicting yourself, did he refuse to sign your pyjamas or something???

You need to find someone else to stalk.:P
You're full of ****, when you can't get one over on someone through opinion you resort to childish insults.
Well done little man.

10-08-2012 2:32pm

meriwether wrote: »

You said a while back he was going to cover for Iniesta and Xavi.

Which is it?

Well i don't believe they would spend that money on a player who will only used as a cover for Busquets.

batistuta9 · 10-08-2012 2:34pm

mertesacker & podolski left out of the german squad to prepare with arsenal, pity all international managers weren't like low

greendom · 10-08-2012 2:47pm

meriwether wrote: »

Who will he replace, Greendom?

I've no idea - Vilanova is just coming into the job and will have his own ideas on the strengths and weaknesses of his squad and the formation he wants the team to play.
Any manager that is prepared to play 15 million pounds plus on a player sees him as an important part of his squad though.

Hyzepher · 10-08-2012 2:52pm

I think AW should take a chance on M'Vila - he's got talent and if anyone is going to get the best out of him - including attitude - it's Arsene

meriwether · 10-08-2012 3:05pm

greendom wrote: »

I've no idea - Vilanova is just coming into the job and will have his own ideas on the strengths and weaknesses of his squad and the formation he wants the team to play.
Any manager that is prepared to play 15 million pounds plus on a player sees him as an important part of his squad though.

But he's not good enough to replace Busquets. Or Xavi. Or Iniesta. Or Fabregas. Or Messi. He won't play up front, or on the wing.

He certainly isn't good better than their CB's.

I'm supposed to understand that playing him in any of these positions won't mean a large drop in class. When it will. A big, big drop in class.

meriwether · 10-08-2012 3:06pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

Well i don't believe they would spend that money on a player who will only used as a cover for Busquets.

So what do you think he's being bought for?

10-08-2012 3:10pm

meriwether wrote: »

But he's not good enough to replace Busquets. Or Xavi. Or Iniesta. Or Fabregas. Or Messi. He won't play up front, or on the wing.

He certainly isn't good better than their CB's.

I'm supposed to understand that playing him in any of these positions won't mean a large drop in class. When it will. A big, big drop in class.

So again then by your assumption the only reason they are interested in purchasing him is to make Arsenal weaker?
Or perhaps the players themselves just want the manager to buy him because they feel sorry for him?
Maybe they think he would be fun to have around in the dressing room, telling stories of how Arsenal bottle their water?:D

10-08-2012 3:11pm

meriwether wrote: »

So what do you think he's being bought for?

I've already said, many times, he's versatile and can play the way Barcelona do.

HazDanz · 10-08-2012 3:14pm

Vela gone to Real Sociedad on a permanent deal. Fee is undisclosed.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/carlos-vela-finalises-real-sociedad-switch

miralize · 10-08-2012 3:15pm

He's not going to usurp Busquets' position. He will be backup.

premierstone · 10-08-2012 3:16pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

You need to find someone else to stalk.:P
You're full of ****, when you can't get one over on someone through opinion you resort to childish insults.
Well done little man.

You see the irony here right??

RVP 11 wrote: »

So again then by your assumption the only reason they are interested in purchasing him is to make Arsenal weaker?
Or perhaps the players themselves just want the manager to buy him because they feel sorry for him?
Maybe they think he would be fun to have around in the dressing room, telling stories of how Arsenal bottle their water?:D

Maybe, now stay with me, maybe Barcelona don't actually want him ohhhhhh!

FLOOPER · 10-08-2012 3:20pm

Does anyone have a link to the article/statistic that Cesc Fabregas was the most effective/best midfielder of the five leagues/in Europe over the past five seasons. I think it was about this time last year it surfaced.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm geting hammered by my Manc friend who doesn't believe a word of it and says Giggs was the best/effective midfielder.

Also any links about Cazorla being one of the best midfieldes in Spain.

Thanks.

gosplan · 10-08-2012 3:21pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

I've already said, many times, he's versatile and can play the way Barcelona do.

He can. Song is very composed on the ball for a physical midfielder and has a great awareness of what's around him.

If Barca are interested it's because he can play instead of Busquets or cover CB too.

Since Mascherano is pretty much entirely a defender for them now, they're short a player in midfield.

Gringo180 · 10-08-2012 3:21pm

I think a few lads are going over the top saying Song would be a huge loss, not at all.

With the current squad we have and when Jack is back I wouldnt even have Song in my starting 11, good at times but so stupid far to often too, just no consistency that a world class player would possess.

If Wenger were to get a replacement I reckon he will go for DeJong or Felipe Melo, personally I would love us to get Javi Martinez off Bilboa.

greendom · 10-08-2012 3:22pm

premierstone wrote: »

You see the irony here right??

Maybe, now stay with me, maybe Barcelona don't actually want him ohhhhhh!

So why are Barcelona players being wheeled out to say how much they'd like him at the Nou Camp ? To wind Arsenal supporters up after all the enjoyment they got from doing the same thing last Summer ?

10-08-2012 3:25pm

premierstone wrote: »

You see the irony here right??

Maybe, now stay with me, maybe Barcelona don't actually want him ohhhhhh!

The only thing i see is a troll who comes in here to troll basically.
A few posts in one month and nearly all directed at me, i'm flattered.
But i still think you should stick to posting ****e in GAA threads.:pac:

10-08-2012 3:27pm

gosplan wrote: »

He can. Song is very composed on the ball for a physical midfielder and has a great awareness of what's around him.

If Barca are interested it's because he can play instead of Busquets or cover CB too.

Since Mascherano is pretty much entirely a defender for them now, they're short a player in midfield.

i only feel Song is the weak link in our team, because of the gaping holes that can be left when he gets forward and loses the ball.
That wouldn't be the case at Barcelona, and he would probably be more effective than with Arsenal.

premierstone · 10-08-2012 3:38pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

The only thing i see is a troll who comes in here to troll basically.
A few posts in one month and nearly all directed at me, i'm flattered.
But i still think you should stick to posting ****e in GAA threads.:pac:

Good response, I see you dont deal in facts either, again the Irony for you - I have more posts in the Soccer forum than you.

You just get bored waiting for Arsenal to go through a bad patch so you can sprout your 'Wenger Out' rubbish?? :rolleyes:

10-08-2012 3:41pm

premierstone wrote: »

Good response, I see you dont deal in facts either, again the Irony for you - I have more posts in the Soccer forum than you.

You just get bored waiting for Arsenal to go through a bad patch so you can sprout your 'Wenger Out' rubbish?? :rolleyes:

willy waving your at now is it?
"i've more posts in the soccer forum than you, naaaa na na na naaaaa"
:pac:
There is never and end to the bile you spout in here whenever you come in (once in a blue moon)
Ignored.

premierstone · 10-08-2012 3:43pm

greendom wrote: »

So why are Barcelona players being wheeled out to say how much they'd like him at the Nou Camp ? To wind Arsenal supporters up after all the enjoyment they got from doing the same thing last Summer ?

Wasn't aware that they were being? By who? If they are it would be very strange indeed, We have had a core of posters on here calling for Wenger to upgrade on a new DM, that Song wasn't cutting it for over 6 months, but he's now good enough for Barcelona?

I like Song and We should definitely hold on to him, but It just doesnt make any sense him moving to Barca; for Song, Arsenal or Barca.

jonneymendoza · 10-08-2012 3:47pm

Songs gone?

iainconlon12 · 10-08-2012 3:48pm

RVP 11 wrote: »

willy waving your at now is it?
"i've more posts in the soccer forum than you, naaaa na na na naaaaa"
:pac:
There is never and end to the bile you spout in here whenever you come in (once in a blue moon)
Ignored.

Jesus, chill the beans man!

10-08-2012 3:48pm

jonneymendoza wrote: »

Songs gone?

No, but rumours are suggesting that Barcelona are preparing to bid and Wengers not happy with him.

10-08-2012 3:51pm

iainconlon12 wrote: »

Jesus, chill the beans man!

It's a forum where we can all hopefully post an opinion and talk about potential rumours, without being ridiculed by a poster who can't get over his own ego.

Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2011/2012

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