Arsenal Transfer Rumours And General Chat

Sizzler

Royale with Cheese wrote:

BBC are now reporting it's £7.5m, I think Sky are saying something similar.

Sorry if thats the case

I just saw this before I posted...

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/07/07/02/manual_111319.html&TEAMHD=soccer

Quote directly from the selling club so seemed genuine...

Vokes

Royale with Cheese wrote:

Throw Da Silva in there too. Ok Henry was a stroke of genius but Reyes and Wiltord weren't worth their fees and Van Bronkhorst was poor. Francis Jeffers? My god, let's pretend he never played for Arsenal. So when Wenger spends big, he generally doesn't get it all that right.

While he wasn't an amazing player - do you not think Wiltord was a valuable asset during his time at Arsenal. They won 2 leagues / 2 Cups during his time there and while of course this wasn't down soley to him, his 50 or so goals must've contributed to that a little.

Royale with Cheese

SofaKing wrote:

While he wasn't an amazing player - do you not think Wiltord was a valuable asset during his time at Arsenal. They won 2 leagues / 2 Cups during his time there and while of course this wasn't down soley to him, his 50 or so goals must've contributed to that a little.

He was very hit and miss, and he did cost a sizable chunk of cash. Yeah he was an asset but I'm sure they could have got other strikers as useful as he was for less.

Plus he only played for the club for 4 years and then left on a free.

AnCapaillMor

Willy did quiet well for us(not 13m well), that OT goal was almost worth the 13m alone. Could never understand how we let him go on a free., at least get some cash, he did well for lyon.

Reyes i'll never undertand. For 3 months, he was one of the best players in the premiership then the nevilles and scholes kicked chunks out him of at OT and he was never the same. Certainly better than Bleh. He could've been so much more.

ErinGoBrath

AnCapaillMor wrote:

I can see fabs being captain next year, as much as i hate to say it, i think henry held him and a few others back

Agree however I'd like to see Kolo get the captaincy. He's a great man for lifting the team when their not producing the goods.

GuanYin

Wiltord was second fiddle to the prolific Henry/Bergkamp combination so he was never going to be anything more than a squad player. For that, he did well enough, 50 goals as a bit part/cup player. He did score in nearly every round of the cup too. That said, if you replace Henry with any player, he's going to seem poor by comparison.

Van Bronkhurt was unlucky by both injury and the emergence of better players on the left. Silvinho (edited after mistake) did better in his position, and the two didn't suit each other when played together. V B did quite well post Arsenal, I think he was just unlucky.

In much the same way, Da Silvinho wasn't a bad player, some of his runs forward were breathtaking, he was just overtaken by the prospect of Cole and it was good business to go with the Youth player.

Reyes is a fine, fine player. However, his temprement was/is severely suspect and I don't quite put that down to Wenger poor judgement. It is hard to predict how a young player from a relatively sheltered background will react to an entirely new culture.

All in all, the only poor signing that I would put down to Wenger's mistake would be Jeffers.

That said, with the likes of Anelka, Toure, Fabregas, Clichy, Viera, Petit and Lundberg coming in for relative low fee's I think all in all, Wenger is by far the shrewdest manager in the transfer market of this generation.

Royale with Cheese

I think you mean Silvinho instead of Da Silva, and from what I've heard he was moved on quickly after serious questions about his passport were asked.

gosplan

Royale with Cheese wrote:

They showed Arsenal's most expensive signings on skysports news and it was a bit of an embarrassing list. With players like Bergkamp, Pires and Fabregas having played for the club... the top signings are:

Reyes
Wiltord
Henry
Van Bronkhorst
FRANCIS JEFFERS!!!

This is a bit of rubbish to be honest, not your post by the way.

It's more the idea of listing these players. Typical Sky bull**it.

Firstly the list. Reyes and Van Bron are class players, they just didn't like England.

Wiltord was worth it, Henry doesn't need going into.

Jeffers was a failure.

My problem with listing these players is that the prices are close to most of Arsenals signings. Most of them weren't very expensive players.

Jeffers cost 10 million, that's a mistake, no doubt. But Kleberson cost about 6 or 7 for Man U. You just don't hear about it as their top five signings are Rooney, VEron, Ferdinand etc. I mean Man U and Chelsea who collectively spent about 5,793 million on Veron.

What I'm saying is that when you take Reyes out, the other players aren't very expensive, and therefore can't be very expensive mistakes.

Taking Man U as an example, their top 5 would be around 30 million each. I've no problem with that, but when you're buying players for 30 million, it's a lot more likely that they'll succeed.

They're Arsenal's 5 most expensive signings and they cost as much as Veron and Rooney together, figure it out.

Mistakes are made int he transfer market but Wenger doesn't make expensive ones.

Royale with Cheese

gosplan wrote:

This is a bit of rubbish to be honest, not your post by the way.

It's more the idea of listing these players. Typical Sky bull**it.

Firstly the list. Reyes and Van Bron are class players, they just didn't like England.

Wiltord was worth it, Henry doesn't need going into.

Jeffers was a failure.

My problem with listing these players is that the prices are close to most of Arsenals signings. Most of them weren't very expensive players.

Jeffers cost 10 million, that's a mistake, no doubt. But Kleberson cost about 6 or 7 for Man U. You just don't hear about it as their top five signings are Rooney, VEron, Ferdinand etc. I mean Man U and Chelsea who collectively spent about 5,793 million on Veron.

What I'm saying is that when you take Reyes out, the other players aren't very expensive, and therefore can't be very expensive mistakes.

Taking Man U as an example, their top 5 would be around 30 million each. I've no problem with that, but when you're buying players for 30 million, it's a lot more likely that they'll succeed.

They're Arsenal's 5 most expensive signings and they cost as much as Veron and Rooney together, figure it out.

Mistakes are made int he transfer market but Wenger doesn't make expensive ones.

All true. Just when you think of the club's best players over the last decade (Bergkamp, Henry, Vieira, Pires, Overmars, Petit, Fabregas, Anelka) none of them feature in the list. Just somebody said Wenger never really gets it wrong when he spends big, and actually most of Arsenal's best players signed for a relatively low fee.

Also the fees involved may not be 30 million like Veron & co, but fees like £13m for Wiltord is still alot of money for Arsenal. There's less margain for error for Wenger, he can't afford to get it wrong in the transfer market. Thankfully he hasn't really bought too many turkey's, and has signed a huge list of great players on the cheap. Only reason Arsenal have had any success over the past decade really. Go Wenger.

GuanYin

Royale with Cheese wrote:

I think you mean Silvinho instead of Da Silva, and from what I've heard he was moved on quickly after serious questions about his passport were asked.

you're right of course, my bad.

I don't know about the passport, I doubt that would have been the end of it, had there been a passport problem. The fact remains, that at the time, Arsenal had too many good young left backs, Silvinho was the one that made sense to let go.

jank

Interesting signing. Yet again this came out of nowhere. His record is impressive to say the least but the league isnt the strongest. However the blessing here is that he has already come up against a bunch of tough no nonesens defenders and its frezzing in winter in croatia so no more of the "I hate the weather ****e" we got from Baptista and Reyes.

Will take time to settle but looks to be a similar player to berbatov and a player who knows where the net is.

Now for Tevez and a winger with pace!

Do you think that Wenger will sign another forward?

~Rebel~

Theres always a worry about a player from a lesser league coming in, even with a great record, but i think Wenger has done it again, unearthing a gem. I mean, the only worry is if he can score against defences in england, but he's already played 2 games against english defences (Arsenal and the England national team) and scored in each game so its looking good, lucky feckers

kronsington

let's hope he does the business... i just have a few questions for gooners

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season?

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?

ill post my thoughts later

gosplan

kronsington wrote:

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season?

I'd like to say yes but I don't believe so.

kronsington wrote:

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?

If Van Persie stays fit, he will. He's one of those players that's susceptible to injury though. Ade to get about 15(depending on how often he plays now that Da Silva is here).

kronsington wrote:

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?

First string is fine, need some competition/cover though. Unsure who. Some relatively unknown young French/African side back with bags of potential.

kronsington wrote:

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?

Yes, I'd be more sure about Rosicky scoring and Hleb having an improved impact. I hope Hlebs improvement is substantial as it's the only place on the pitch we have little cover....which leads me to.

kronsington wrote:

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?

Sadly, no. don't think so.

kronsington wrote:

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?

Reyes back and happy to be there, does that count?
Failing that Robhino.

Pepe LeFrits

Feeling quietly optimistic now actually. Looks like Bakari Sagna is coming in at RB - I've heard him described as a better defender than Eboue, and better going forward than Hoyte. At £6m he seems rather too expensive to be ANC cover for Eboue, so where does Eboue go? Midfield? Not sure that'd work long term, though he'd be a useful option to have.

Sagna and another forward of some description, and I think the club is in very good shape. Grimandi for DoF, Wenger sign a new contract, and Arsenal win the league in 2008/09! (2007/08 is beyond us, no matter who is signed imo).

Oh, and I think Theo will be a much more important player for us this season. The boy is class.

ErinGoBrath

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season?

Unfortunately not. Seems to be lacking a lot when he has the ball at his feet. Lost so much possession last year trying to take on defenders. Hopefully will come into his own the season after next. I can see him being an Arsenal legend at some point.

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?

Yes. I'm a massive fan of both. Van Persie will get 20+ and Ade can come close to the 20 mark. I can see Ade as more of a playmaker for RvP, Da Silva and Walcott.

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?

I believe we're well covered for full backs however could do with a solid central pairing. I'd like to see Djourou partner Toure. Failing that put Big Willy in the centre with Kolo.

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?

Hopefully!

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?

No chance. He's done great things for us in recent years however I think he's past his best.

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?

Gudjohnson. Don't know exactly why, just always thought he'd be great at Arsenal.

AnCapaillMor

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season?
Unforunately no, hope i''m wrong.

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?
RVP no problems just stay injury free, Ade better finishing and he should od it no problem.

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?
Yes i think it is, i think clichy and eboue are'nt the greatest defensively, but they really add to our attack.

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?
rosicky yes, hleb god knows, said it before hleb is very impressive on the ball the problem is when it leaves his feet.

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?
Seriously doubt, never been the same since those hip injuries.

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?
Quaresma.

Pepe LeFrits

I spotted this on a Spurs forum of all places; it's a good read on our new boy. Written by a former football scout seemingly. Link

Only the mandatory medical exam stands between Dinamo Zagreb’s top scorer, Eduardo Da Silva, and a transfer to Arsenal. The transfer-fee isn’t being published, but some sources are suggesting a fee of 6-8million pounds, while a somewhat diffuse statement from Croatia states a gigantic £16,25million. This would be the same amount of money that Arsenal got from selling Henry. Until we have an official statement from Arsenal I’ll be taking these figures with a pinch of salt.

Even though Dinamo could have sold Eduardo to Russia a long time ago, the future of the striker has been clear for a while. Along with the clubs fantastic playmaker Luka Modric. European clubs have been drooling over Eduardo for a long time. A more appealing player from an “exporting” football nation can hardly be imagined, but Dinamo’s mighty owner, Zdravko Mamic, was firm in his conviction that when it was time for Eduardo to leave Croatia it would be done in style. For one of the Balkan’s giants it was unthinkable to trade Champions League-ambitions and a reputation as one of Eastern Europe’s most promising clubs against a large pile of roubles.

Arsenal-fans were probably expecting a more household-name after Henry’s unfortunate departure to Barcelona. Fernando Torres’ likely transfer to Liverpool isn’t doing much too much to ease frustration over the fact that Arsenal are not as free-spending either. If the reported fee is close to the truth then this is certainly a considerable amount of money for a player with no experience from any of the major European leagues. If we ignore the money and turn our heads towards the quality of the player, I give my thumbs up for this transfer. I am perhaps in the minority here, but it’s this kind of signing – the introduction of exciting players full of potential – that gives me a Premier League-buzz already in early July. I’m sorry to have to mention Dimitar Berbatov in a blogg-entry about Arsenal, but I think just like the big Bulgarian turned sceptical first-impressions into thundering heartbeats, Eduardo may well do the same a couple of kilometres south of there.

I first became aware of the player about three years ago. The native of Rio de Janeiro had just become a Croat national and was playing for his country in the U21 European Championships in Germany. In spite of a poor Croatian tournament Eduardo made a positive impression, with a goal and some fine substitute appearances. In the autumn of 2004 I checked his status again. The striker was about come into full bloom, the dibbles that went nowhere a couple of months earlier now sent opponents on their backside, his footballing brain had matured and his shoulders were a few centimetres wider. There was progress to report.

I saw Eduardo half a dozen times around Europe that same autumn. My glowing reports generated some interest with my superiors at Hannover 96, but during a hospitable lunch with Zdrako Mamic in Zagreb, following Croatia’s 4-0 drubbing of Iceland in March 2005, I was presented with a polite but unshakable “No, Eduardo is staying here” by the powerful Dinamo-boss. And there, over a plate of specialities that are only served on the Balkans and that I suspect aren’t part of the local’s daily nourishments, ended my flirt with the talented striker. That he now will be playing his home games a ten minute walk from my doormat, will have to be a very meagre consolation.

Since the U21-days Eduardo has had an immense development. Not only physically and tactically, but also from looking quite meek in challenges, looking shy and uncommitted – he has boosted his physical strength through intensive fitness-sessions and practically changed his entire game. From a wandering “second striker”-role with a chronic tendency of drifting wide and going past players, he now operates primarily in the middle of the park. In true Brazilian fashion he was over-particular and fond of having the ball at his feet, and could be classed as more of a creator than a finisher, but with the gradual change in his game he also became a more direct player.

He has taught himself to take advantage of his extra weight, dares to get stuck in and go in for aerial challenges and get involved in tight spaces. In the U21days he wasn’t a typical goal-scorer either. He scored the odd goal, but usually created more than he scored – as I said he frequently drifted out wide – but with 34 goals in 32 games for Dinamo Zagreb last season and 8 in 14 for the national side we are today talking about a goal-getter for absolute top class.

To replace Henry at Arsenal now would be an impossible task. Unfair comparisons will be made, but that’s football. Eduardo do not run with the ball with the same unearthly speed as the Frenchman – but then again few others in world football do, but there are definitive similarities in the way they with silky, predatory agility and clinical timing find space behind opposing defences. His finishing is at a very advanced level – very good “heads up” against the goalkeeper, and his pace is, if not on Henry’s level, very impressive.

With a background as a beach-footballer – Eduardo had never played organised football when he came to Croatia as a 15 year old – he has blinding skill. Even in Croatia, a country with a high amount of skilful players, he is considered a wonder and an attraction out of the ordinary. Only fans of Hajduk Split would dispute this description. The Copacabana-background also meant a poor physique, but as I’ve said he has beefed himself up from a scrawny teenager to a fit athlete, ready for international challenges. The neck-muscles of Julio Baptista he lacks, but after a careful period of integration I think the Croat can become a big success at Emirates. Left-footed, with a good shot, still very agile – drags himself with sublime balance past opponents like a hot knife through butter, and constantly developing his heading-abilities, everything is set for Eduardo to put a damper on the Henry-melancholy already this autumn.

Though I haven’t consulted statistics I’m pretty certain Arsenal create more chances than any other team in the Premier League. Even without Henry the gunners have served up cultured football on the very highest level, and all the footballing premises are laid for skilful, clever, agile Eduardo to succeed. I’m quite confident that where Adebayor, Julio Baptista and Aliadiere fired blanks, Eduardo will deliver.

The Devil’s advocates will naturally enter the fray; even Bosko Balaban led the scoring-charts in Croatia with 73 goals in 106 games. Smart rhetoric is hard to counter-argue, especially when the cynics throw the dice before having even seen the player, but the fact remains that the Croat has overcome every new challenge so far in his career. In fact, not only has Eduardo adapted to new challenges and higher levels of football, he has been convincing and dominating immediately.

For me Eduardo da Silva is a talent beyond the ordinary. Finally by dream of seeing him in a major European league is coming to pass, and where I stand I can’t think of a better place for him to be than with Arsene Wenger’s (should he stay) young rebels. To Arsenal-fans I can only say: You have something to look forward to. Big name or not, this is no Francis Jeffers, Kaba Diawara or Alberto Mendez Rodriguez, but one of the worlds most sought-after strikers. Unknown today, but by Christmas he will be on everyone’s lips.

eirebhoy

Good article. The scout's name is Tor-Kristian Karlsen.

AnCapaillMor

I'm in shock it came from a spuds site.

Galvasean

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season?
I think he can replace Hleb

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?
RvP yes, Ade maybe twelve in the league

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?
Id replace Eboue with Hoyte

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?
rosicky I'd say so, hleb doubtful

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?
I think his speed is gone for good, unfortunately that was his greatest strenght, so no.

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?
I think I have to agree with the people who said a better behaved Reyes.
Although arsenal.com reports Eduardo Da Silva has the number 9 now so I guess Reyes is a goner.

ErinGoBrath

Another signing. The wheels are well and truly in motion...

Norwegian defender Harvard Nordtveit has signed for Arsenal from FK Haugesund on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Nordtveit (17) has played for his home town club Vats 94 as well as Skjold IL and most recently FK Haugesund, where he made his debut in 2006 against Sogndal and made nine league appearances for the Club during 2007.

Representing Norway in both the recent UEFA Under 19 and Under 17 European Championships, the centre back started every match in the younger age group tournament as well as featuring in two matches for the Under 19s before both sides were eliminated in the Elite round.

Royale with Cheese

Less of the 17 year olds please

Pepe LeFrits

Yeah, let's make sure the club has nobody coming through the ranks in 5 years time.

Good plan.

Royale with Cheese

Fine, sign a few more 17 year olds to put in the collection. A few 27 year olds would be nice too though.

iloveireland

QUOTE

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season?
He has too step up if we are to do well and i think he will. He will have more confidence this year.

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?
I can see Van Persie being our player of the season but i think the new
striker is there for the goals. Adebayor is too unpredictable.

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?
We have a good enough defence but no protection in front. Gilberto is no were near as good as vieira was.If they dont get a proper defensive midfielder like liverpool or chelsea have then i cant see us winning the league.

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?
Hleb (maybe a few own goals) (he should be shot) he lost us a hell of alot of matches last year and got us knocked out of the champions league.As for Rosicky, if he continous the form from the end of last season then yes.

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?
no, he will be sold.

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?
a defensive midfielder.
[/QUOTE]

GuanYin

iloveireland wrote:

We have a good enough defence but no protection in front. Gilberto is no were near as good as vieira was.If they dont get a proper defensive midfielder like liverpool or chelsea have then i cant see us winning the league.

Just to pick up on this, Arsenal play a very different way to when Viera was in the team. Viera was a surging player, not a playmaker. He'd drive forward with the ball and allow the runs and movement of Pires, Henry and Lundberg to do the damage.

Arsenal play an even more possesive passing game with Fabregas running midfield with his passing and vision, Gilberto is there to clean up, not fulfill Viera's role.

As such, I don't think your comparison is fair.

gandalf

Have to admit I am excited about this Da Silva lad, he looks like the striker that Arsenal have been missing over the last few years and is excellent in the air.

Here is a Youtube clip of some of his goals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfXGOGzEAwk

If Van Persie can stay injury free and with Bendtner in the wings and if Arsenal can maintain the high level of chances they created it could be a very good attacking season

Roddy23

This Da Silva chap looks like a nice little acquisition. It will probably mean a change in style, as we never before had someone arriving in the box, the amount of times last year that balls were sent into the box and there was nobody waiting there, hopefully this will change next season.

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season?
Hopefully. His last appearance in the Carling Cup Final, filled me with great optimism, and he took his goal against Cech very well.

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?
I'd have more confidence about vanPersie hitting 20 goals providing he can stay injury free. Adebayor can be a bit hit and miss, but I love the big guys enthausiasm, and I feel when he's on the pitch it rubs off on the rest of the team.

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?
I think another centre back will be brought in, we have Toure away in January, and with Gallas and Senderos, if one of them were to get injured we would be a bit short at the back.

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?
Rosciky was starting to blossom into the late arriving midfielder that we seen in the golden Pires/Freddie era. Helb I'm sorry I just can't take to the chap. I think he has had too many chances to impress. In the game against PSV last season he nearly resulted in me punching the tv out, hadn't been that agrro since the Macedonia game.

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?
Sadly, I don't think he can. I'd love to see him recapture some of his old form, much the same way Scholes did last year, but i think Freddie always relied on his pace to get away from players, and it looks like injuries have taken their toll.

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?
A replacement for Hleb - maybe someone like Quaresma, or some unknown.
Also a centre back, can't understand this Bakari talk, unless he has hopes to bring Eboue into midfield, as the chap can be dodge defensively.

jank

1. do you think walcott can/will step up this season
A hit and miss season from himi I think, but he will get more goals, im sure of that. He needs to work on his close ball control. If he gets that right then he will be flying

2. do you believe adebayor and/or van persie get 20 odd goals?
Van the man will be our top marksman so 20 goals will be no problem. I feel henry was holding him back a bit. Ade works his bollox's off he should do better but 15 goals will be good for him

3. is the defence strong enough? who would you bring in?
Full backs will be a year older and wiser, Not sure about the centre partnership. Defending on set pieces needs to improve.

4. will hleb/rosicky chip in more goals?
rosicky yes, Hleb no. He will as usual take too much out of the ball and slow down the play

5. can freddie reproduce his form of old?
Nope, he should leave now

6. finally, what one player (realistically) would you like to see brought in?
A winger who is a finished article who will beat the man and streatch the play.
Arsenal were too unpredictable last year