Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2011/2012

08-05-2012 5:20pm

2ndcoming wrote: »

RVP 11 wrote: »

What do they count for if we lose the final game and end up 5th with no CL next season?

That's like saying because Messi didn't win La Liga and the CL his 60 odd goals this season count for nothing. An individual player can only be judged on his merits, Song can be guilty of wandering too far forward for the Makelele style DM that Wenger's been trying to make him into, but at the same time he's a far more naturally creative player than most other DMs are, his assist stats are up there with the Silvas and Bales, and the points they've got us are far more important than the goals he could be implicated in conceding.

Well you can't say messi didn't do his job anyway.
But I agree if wenger is happy for his holding midfielder to go forward, someone else should be holding their position, which is why I hope we get Mvila.
Mvila song/wilshere and Arteta would be very good combo

Frisbee · 08-05-2012 5:21pm

I reckon we'll try for one of Hoilett or Kalou.

If Chelsea are mad enough not to offer Drogba a new contract we should. Yes he'll most likely go to Russia/China/PSG for crazy money, but it'd be worth a shot.

08-05-2012 5:22pm

Frisbee wrote: »

I reckon we'll try for one of Hoilett or Kalou.

If Chelsea are mad enough not to offer Drogba a new contract we should. Yes he'll most likely go to Russia/China/PSG for crazy money, but it'd be worth a shot.

I'd rather Drogba, and I'm not his biggest fan.

Redzer7 · 08-05-2012 5:23pm

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Looking at the list of players who are out of contract this summer and I wouldnt be surprised if Wenger picked up a couple of them. Craig Gordon and Kalou would be good for numbers if we're having the clear out that people seem to be expecting. Raul is also out of contract but was still doing a job in the Champions League this season. Would Wenger give him a year or two? Would definity be an upgrade on Chamakh and Park.

I'd rather he get sold, but cant see anyone taking him on those wages. We're probably going to be stuck with him.

Certainly not the way forward IMO he might make up the numbers but I'd rather have a youth player promoted than sign him, waste of wages I think he's absolutely woeful.

ImpossibleDuck · 08-05-2012 5:24pm

Frisbee wrote: »

I reckon we'll try for one of Hoilett or Kalou.

If Chelsea are mad enough not to offer Drogba a new contract we should. Yes he'll most likely go to Russia/China/PSG for crazy money, but it'd be worth a shot.

Even though Chamberlain will supposedly develop into a more central player, I can't help but feel Hoilett would be a lovely wee signing for us. He runs at defences and did anyone see his goal of the month contender? Let me tell you, he can shoot!

Too many times this season we've lacked a spark, be it someone to run at a defence (and not fall on his arse, Walcott!) or someone to just have a pop from 25 yards out. While I'm not sure he'd get much game time and he's probably a bit impractical, I'd love to just have him in the squad.

Drexel · 08-05-2012 5:33pm

Frisbee wrote: »

I reckon we'll try for one of Hoilett or Kalou.

If Chelsea are mad enough not to offer Drogba a new contract we should. Yes he'll most likely go to Russia/China/PSG for crazy money, but it'd be worth a shot.

Would love if we got drogba. Still a beast of a player. Imagine we had him to bring on instead of park or Chamack this year!

What are people's opinions on keeping Chamack? He seems to link up well when he comes on but I don't think he's cut out to be an impact sub. Reckon he would easily bang in 15-20 a season if he was a regular starter and that's why I'd be inclined to keep him. He'd do a good job if VP got a bad injury.

cson · 08-05-2012 5:35pm

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

Yeah because that's exactly what Rosicky needs :rolleyes:

Meant to say Walcott there not Rosicky, he's been immense for us since the Spurs game. Walcott's done alright since then too tbf, but it'd be no harm to have someone breathing down his neck either.

emergingstar wrote: »

I think Ramsey is gonna have a big year next year

So do I. So long as he gets the support he needs and puts in the hard work on the training ground during the summer, I think he'll be very good next year.

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Looking at the list of players who are out of contract this summer and I wouldnt be surprised if Wenger picked up a couple of them. Craig Gordon and Kalou would be good for numbers if we're having the clear out that people seem to be expecting. Raul is also out of contract but was still doing a job in the Champions League this season. Would Wenger give him a year or two? Would definity be an upgrade on Chamakh and Park.

I'd probably take Kalou, this season apart his stats are pretty solid; 1/3 he contributes a goal or an assist. Gordon would be a good signing too but I reckon we'll go for someone older, they have to be willing to sit on the bench. An older GK might be beneficial for Szczsneys development too. Raul is exactly the type of striker I'm on about when I say we need a Suker like signing.[/QUOTE]

KaiserGunner · 08-05-2012 5:40pm

I dont understand how people are contemplating us going towards 4 4 2 formation. Surely this formation would leave us even more exposed to counter attacks, it would also give Song, Arteta or whoever else plays in the centre more work to do without the ball? The formation we currently play is the way we should be playing we just need an upgrade in personnell.

I wont lie and say that I have seen M'Vila play but reports suggest that hes a potentially great player and would improve our midfield, so obviously id be up for that signing then if thats the case. If hes better than what we currently have than we should do this regardless whether it reduces the playing time of some of our up and coming players like Coq and Frimpong.

meriwether · 08-05-2012 6:07pm

KaiserGunner wrote: »

I dont understand how people are contemplating us going towards 4 4 2 formation. Surely this formation would leave us even more exposed to counter attacks, it would also give Song, Arteta or whoever else plays in the centre more work to do without the ball? The formation we currently play is the way we should be playing we just need an upgrade in personnell.

I wont lie and say that I have seen M'Vila play but reports suggest that hes a potentially great player and would improve our midfield, so obviously id be up for that signing then if thats the case. If hes better than what we currently have than we should do this regardless whether it reduces the playing time of some of our up and coming players like Coq and Frimpong.

We used to play 4-4-2, when we had a top midfield (Vieira) and a top defence (Sol/Keown/Ashley/Lauren).

We now play 4-5-1 because we need the extra man in midfield to compensate for the mediocre midfield and back line.

Song is not good enough as a DM. I would love a boring, solid, Gilberto Silva right now.

KaiserGunner · 08-05-2012 6:10pm

meriwether wrote: »

We used to play 4-4-2, when we had a top midfield (Vieira) and a top defence (Sol/Keown/Ashley/Lauren).

We now play 4-5-1 because we need the extra man in midfield to compensate for the mediocre midfield and back line.

Song is not good enough as a DM. I would love a boring, solid, Gilberto Silva right now.

Yeah Vieira was an absolute beast back then, cant really think of any similar types of players to him nowadays that are world class box to box midfielders. With the midfield options that we have at the moment a 4 4 2 formation would be a disaster and our defense that has often been makeshift due to injuries would be exposed even more than it already is, as we would have less possession every match than we currently have.

tayto lover · 08-05-2012 6:12pm

These will be very good signings according to the people in the know

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bgC0j?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=arsenal

Good to be getting the business done early this year too.

meriwether · 08-05-2012 6:19pm

Frisbee wrote: »

I'll have some of what you're smoking.

He's not smoking anything - Sagna could be badly injured.

Breaks same leg in same place twice - not good.

ImpossibleDuck · 08-05-2012 6:20pm

meriwether wrote: »

He's not smoking anything - Sagna could be badly injured.

Breaks same leg in same place twice - not good.

Different bone AFAIK.

meriwether · 08-05-2012 6:22pm

KaiserGunner wrote: »

Yeah Vieira was an absolute beast back then, cant really think of any similar types of players to him nowadays that are world class box to box midfielders. With the midfield options that we have at the moment a 4 4 2 formation would be a disaster and our defense that has often been makeshift due to injuries would be exposed even more than it already is, as we would have less possession every match than we currently have.

We've never replaced Vieira, and thats the source of most of our problems in recent years.

To think, we had Yaya, but he couldn't get a work permit (sobs).

meriwether · 08-05-2012 6:22pm

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

Different bone AFAIK.

Hopefully.

tayto lover · 08-05-2012 6:22pm

Why we are so accurate on the field ??
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1176051-arsenal-fc-gunners-take-target-practice-on-wengers-car-for-new-kit-video?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_camp

meriwether · 08-05-2012 6:32pm

Redzer7 wrote: »

IF and that's a big if we sign M'vila and say we got Hoillet would everyone be happy only bringing in 3 new additions to the squad?

I certainly wouldn't.

Backs: We need a RB for the start of the season (do we trust Jenks? I desperately want him to succeed, but it looks slightly unlikely)

Midfield: We gain Wilshire, but lose Benyoun. I think Yossie has done a super job for us, and is just the type oif player a successful squad needs. I'd love to see him stay

Attack: Keep RVP?? We'l see. Add Podolski, lose Chamakh, Park, Bedtner, Vela. We need another striker.

Do we need a goalie? Maybe. Some old guy will do the job.

ImpossibleDuck · 08-05-2012 6:34pm

meriwether wrote: »

Hopefully.

Nope apparently I'm wrong :pac:

From my basic understanding, you have two bones in your shin, your tibia and your fibula. It appears he has broken his fibula both times. I could well be wrong but IIRC this is less dominant bone and therefore better to break, if you know what I mean.

I got confused because, although all the reports say he's broken his tibula, none of them mention the fact that this is the exact same bone as the one he broke in October, which I find unusual.

Anyway, I appear to be rambling quite a bit so I'll leave it at that :pac:

meriwether · 08-05-2012 6:36pm

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

Nope apparently I'm wrong :pac:

From my basic understanding, you have two bones in your shin, your tibia and your fibula. It appears he has broken his fibula both times. I could well be wrong but IIRC this is less dominant bone and therefore better to break, if you know what I mean.

I got confused because, although all the reports say he's broken his tibula, none of them mention the fact that this is the exact same bone as the one he broke in October, which I find unusual.

Anyway, I appear to be rambling quite a bit so I'll leave it at that :pac:

Either way, its not good.

meriwether · 08-05-2012 6:43pm

BTW, 3-1 win against west Brom.

No bother.

When the absolute sh1t is against the fan, we perform.

ImpossibleDuck · 08-05-2012 6:43pm

Rather unusually, arseblog has commented on the M'Vila transfer.

Makes me think there's something to this, as he's usually as cynical as they come when it comes to transfer speculation.

http://news.arseblog.com/2012/05/mvila-set-to-make-arsenal-his-home/

Having vowed that he wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of last summer, it appears Arsene Wenger is in transfer signing overload with news filtering through from several reputable sources that Arsenal have agreed a club record deal with Rennes to sign French international Yann M’Vila.

The 21-year-old enforcer is understood to be moving to the Emirates in a four year deal for a fee in excess of £16 million with French football specialist Julien Laurens, claiming both on Twitter and Le Parisien (malheureusement, avec ‘un paywall’), that the player has opted to test his hand with the Gunners rather than Inter Milan.

M’Vila has long been touted as a possible Wenger acquisition and looks likely to provide much-needed competition to Alex Song in the defensive midfield position when he returns from international duty at the European Championships.

Having added much necessary firepower to the squad in the form of German international Lukas Podolski, it certainly looks as though Arsenal mean business as they prepare for next season.

Indeed, if a statement of intent were needed to persuade the likes of Van Persie and Walcott to sign new deals, they’ve certainly been given it.

batistuta9 · 08-05-2012 8:08pm

meriwether wrote: »

We used to play 4-4-2, when we had a top midfield (Vieira) and a top defence (Sol/Keown/Ashley/Lauren).

We now play 4-5-1 because we need the extra man in midfield to compensate for the mediocre midfield and back line.

Song is not good enough as a DM. I would love a boring, solid, Gilberto Silva right now.

one of the reasons for the change is that 4-4-2 is outdated as a formation & very hard too get it right.

You need the two banks of 4 to be tight together when not in possession so there's no space between the lines - if there is you'll be murdered. Look what happened newcastle this season times they tried to play 4-4-2.

arsenal don't have the players for this formation, wouldn't be good enough for it defensively

The top national teams (spain, germany, holland etc.) & top club sides don't play 4-4-2 & it's not because they need an extra man in the middle to compensate for the mediocre midfield and back line. They all play either 4-2-3-1/4-3-3. With a extra man in the middle you can overrun 2 man midfields

batistuta9 · 08-05-2012 8:12pm

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

Rather unusually, arseblog has commented on the M'Vila transfer.

Makes me think there's something to this, as he's usually as cynical as they come when it comes to transfer speculation.

yeah it's getting a lot of attention/speculation that it's done - similar to podolski

also i think keeping walcott is vital too

gosplan · 08-05-2012 8:17pm

meriwether wrote: »

We used to play 4-4-2, when we had a top midfield (Vieira) and a top defence (Sol/Keown/Ashley/Lauren).

We now play 4-5-1 because we need the extra man in midfield to compensate for the mediocre midfield and back line

Don't think so tbh.

The switch to 4-5-1 was to build a team around Fabregas.

tony1kenobi · 08-05-2012 9:57pm

I suppose Chelsea getting hammered is a good result in a roundabout sort of way.

They need to go all out and win the champions league now and if they do Spurs don't get champions league next season.

Which is funny.

emergingstar · 08-05-2012 10:00pm

tony1kenobi wrote: »

I suppose Chelsea getting hammered is a good result in a roundabout sort of way.

They need to go all out and win the champions league now and if they do Spurs don't get champions league next season.

Which is funny.

Or we won't
Which is not funny

liamygunner29 · 08-05-2012 10:22pm

podolski confirmed, m'vila appearing in lots of stories, ahead of spurs with a game to go, I would of bitten your hand off a few months ago!

just thinking about RVP there if he stays it would be unbelievable, such a statement of intent from the club and the captain. I think it would define the next few years at the club.

,

Marty McFly · 08-05-2012 10:33pm

liamygunner29 wrote: »

podolski confirmed, m'vila appearing in lots of stories, ahead of spurs with a game to go, I would of bitten your hand off a few months ago!

just thinking about RVP there if he stays it would be unbelievable, such a statement of intent from the club and the captain. I think it would define the next few years at the club.

,

Im hoping/ thinking Wenger and the club has come to a realisation, that its now or never as fans are loosing patience they cant afford to let another star elave and fall further behind the lead pack, hecne why the signing of Podolski and hopefully M'Vila along with reports saying they wont be the only arrivals this year. That if true along with giving RVP a decent pay rie should be enough tp persuade him to stay and I think he will,Walcott im not so sure on.

Really really nervous for the game against West Brom so much depends on it, ill be gutted if we make a mess of it.

keano_afc · 08-05-2012 10:48pm

Well, if the players didnt realise how important Sunday's game is now they know for sure. Chelsea were obviously going to go all out to win the final but they'll certainly have added incentive now. This is shaping up to be one of the most important games of recent times. Can they handle the pressure?

danlen · 08-05-2012 10:50pm

batistuta9 wrote: »

one of the reasons for the change is that 4-4-2 is outdated as a formation & very hard too get it right.

The top national teams (spain, germany, holland etc.) & top club sides don't play 4-4-2 & it's not because they need an extra man in the middle to compensate for the mediocre midfield and back line. They all play either 4-2-3-1/4-3-3. With a extra man in the middle you can overrun 2 man midfields

Exactly this.

We can't go up against any top European side (EPL teams included) and expect to beat them using a 4-4-2.

However, it should be an option to use it at home against the lesser teams in the league, in much the same way Utd do.

I think City have shown it can be successful provided you have two strong, disciplined centre midfielders (Yaya and Barry for the past few weeks). However, the point should be made that a) they have switched to this formation for a relatively short proportion of the season when they absolutely needed to win games, and b) they have a creative front four that can make and score lots of goals.

Looking at the league and Champions League this year, I really believe 4-2-3-1 is the way to go.

HazDanz · 08-05-2012 10:51pm

How would people feel if Walcott didn't sign a new contract?

I would hate for him to leave and peek somewhere else after all the faith the club has put into him.

His stats are decent as well the last two seasons. He's frustrating to watch at times but I'd get over that if he was assisting/scoring fairly frequently in the future.

cson · 08-05-2012 10:53pm

You can stick your Hazard up your arse, this guy would be the business.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youn%C3%A8s_Belhanda

The Independent wrote:

Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, said of Belhanda. "I know him well. He plays without any complexities. His real talent is dribbling, passing, and he has good technique, which can influence any game. I am sure of his potential. I love this player, but I do not want to create problems. Montpellier will decide if he leaves. Once that happens we might look at him, but we respect Montpellier." Belhanda, who has two years left on his contract, said: "My dream is to play in England or Germany. Everybody wants to play in the Premier League. There are great clubs like Arsenal".

tayto lover · 08-05-2012 10:54pm

keano_afc wrote: »

Well, if the players didnt realise how important Sunday's game is now they know for sure. Chelsea were obviously going to go all out to win the final but they'll certainly have added incentive now. This is shaping up to be one of the most important games of recent times. Can they handle the pressure?

As its Roy Hodgson's last game in charge of West Brom too I believe they will really be up for it to send him off happy. Wenger must make sure that our players have the right attitude for the most important 90 minutes of our season. There is a lot of money riding on C.L. qualification (up to 40m) and we wont get it if we produce the kind of rubbish we produced last week. It's a must win game otherwise we are waiting for Chelsea to lose the C.L. Final to qualify.
And we still haven't won without Arteta. I am really fearful about this one.

cson · 08-05-2012 10:55pm

danlen wrote: »

I think City have shown it can be successful provided you have two strong, disciplined centre midfielders (Yaya and Barry for the past few weeks). However, the point should be made that a) they have switched to this formation for a relatively short proportion of the season when they absolutely needed to win games, and b) they have a creative front four that can make and score lots of goals.

Tevez has done a lot of donkey work for them dropping into midfield in that formation. He plays behind Aguero in it.

ImpossibleDuck · 08-05-2012 10:59pm

cson wrote: »

You can stick your Hazard up your arse, this guy would be the business.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youn%C3%A8s_Belhanda

Stats are pretty poor. Walcott's got about as many assists this season as he has in his whole career.

He's around a year younger than Walcott; only played twice at underage level for France; never heard of him; no one else linked with him.

Pass.

Galvasean · 08-05-2012 10:59pm

meriwether wrote: »

BTW, 3-1 win against west Brom.

No bother.

We dont do 'no bother' :P

Let us not forget that the Albion will probably want to put in a big performance as a send off for Hodgeson.
Although Liverpool's win today means West Brom cannot move p any more places in the league by getting 3 extra points so that's one less incentive for them.

JPA · 08-05-2012 11:00pm

cson wrote: »

danlen wrote: »

I think City have shown it can be successful provided you have two strong, disciplined centre midfielders (Yaya and Barry for the past few weeks). However, the point should be made that a) they have switched to this formation for a relatively short proportion of the season when they absolutely needed to win games, and b) they have a creative front four that can make and score lots of goals.

Tevez has done a lot of donkey work for them dropping into midfield in that formation. He plays behind Aguero in it.

With City its nearly always a 4231 with lots of switching and swapping between players, I'd never call it a 442.

Galvasean · 08-05-2012 11:00pm

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

He's around a year younger than Walcott; only played twice at underage level for France; never heard of him; no one else linked with him.

Sounds like our kind of signing! :pac:

(is he any use in Football manager? >_>)

gnfnrhead · 08-05-2012 11:04pm

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

Stats are pretty poor. Walcott's got about as many assists this season as he has in his whole career.

He's around a year younger than Walcott; only played twice at underage level for France; never heard of him; no one else linked with him.

Pass.

You could probably have applied all those to Koscielny too.

I trust Wenger when it comes to youth players, especially French players.

tony1kenobi · 08-05-2012 11:16pm

emergingstar wrote: »

Or we won't
Which is not funny

Yea but this is an Arsenal thread.So it is.

batistuta9 · 08-05-2012 11:20pm

ImpossibleDuck wrote: »

Stats are pretty poor. Walcott's got about as many assists this season as he has in his whole career.

He's around a year younger than Walcott; only played twice at underage level for France; never heard of him;no one else linked with him.

Pass.

he's a full international for morocco (12 app, 1 goal)

this is his third season playing first team football, it's walcott's seventh. so not really a fair comparison but he's scored 13 goals this season level with the most walcott's ever scored in 1 season

city are linked to him incase the don't get hazard take your pick of articles

liverpool have been linked to him again take your pick

If arsenal passed on all the players you never heard of where would the club be

no offence but i'll believe wenger, mancini, dalgleish & various others opinion on this guy over yours

tony1kenobi · 08-05-2012 11:41pm

Fever Pitch on film4 now.Applaud the right thing.

Marty McFly · 08-05-2012 11:43pm

Fever Pitch is on film four now

, and again at half twelve on film 4 +1 for anyone whos looking for some good viewing Arsenal inspired.

Edit: oops beaten to it

Mickeroo · 08-05-2012 11:45pm

batistuta9 wrote: »

he's a full international for morocco (12 app, 1 goal)

*cough* Chamakh *cough* :pac:

batistuta9 · 09-05-2012 12:01am

Mickeroo wrote: »

*cough* Chamakh *cough* :pac:

that sounds like a nasty cough you got there, have you been smoking that shisha pipe with him & taarabt

TomKat · 09-05-2012 12:25am

What are people's views on getting Vertonghen? Looks unlikely at this stage unless Djourou is flogged to a mid table side.... even then there's a lot of competition there already andhe'll want to start every week. Mertesacker needs more sprint training and a new defensive coach please...

Redzer7 · 09-05-2012 12:27am

TomKat wrote: »

What are people's views on getting Vertonghen? Looks unlikely at this stage unless Djourou is flogged to a mid table side.... even then there's a lot of competition there already andhe'll want to start every week. Mertesacker needs more sprint training and a new defensive coach please...

Think it's Tottenham in line to get him now, they'll probably be in for everyone we're in for, suprised they weren't linked with Podolski or M'Vila.

Mikeyt086 · 09-05-2012 3:01am

So it appears you lot are signing M'Vila.

https://twitter.com/#!/LaurensJulien/statuses/199763059126960128

I am jealous. He is a terrific player.

batistuta9 · 09-05-2012 3:12am

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

So it appears you lot are signing M'Vila.

https://twitter.com/#!/LaurensJulien/statuses/199763059126960128

I am jealous. He is a terrific player.

that's old news at this stage, on to signing number 3 :pac::pac::pac:

yeah it looks legit enough, that guy reckons it was just between arsenal & inter in the end, united could move for martinez now

greendom · 09-05-2012 9:01am

l'Equipe is reporting that Arsene wants Sessegnon but Sunderland want €17 million for him,

Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2011/2012

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