Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Frisbee · 28-12-2008 04:01PM

Here's how we started

Almunia

Sagna

Gallas---Silvestre---Clichy
Eboue----Denilson---Diaby----Nasri

Bendtner----Ade

Then we end up like this:

Almunia

Sagna

Gallas---Silvestre---Clichy

Ramsey--Denilson--Nasri

Bendtner

Ade

Vela

Surely we would have been much better off going for:

Almunia

Sagna

Gallas---Silvestre---Clichy

Ramsey--Denilson--Diaby

Nasri

Ade

Vela

Bendtner's not a winger by any stretch of the imagination, really can't understand that decision, thought myself that Eboue was playing ok.
Vela made a huge difference when he came on, if this doesn't cause Arsene to consider giving him more game time I don't know what will.
Also can't understand the decision not to bring on RVP.
Diop was fantastic for them, he really controlled the middle.

Green Hornet · 28-12-2008 04:04PM

Nice to have kept the clean sheet too. Lucky to win though. The goal was James's fault. Never really looked like scoring aside from that. Neither did Pompey really for that matter.

leninbenjamin · 28-12-2008 04:06PM

Frisbee wrote: »

Diop was fantastic for them, he really controlled the middle.

indeed. wish Arsene would make a cheeky bid for him meself come January... assuming he can still play after that injury he done himself.

Frisbee · 28-12-2008 04:07PM

leninbenjamin wrote: »

indeed. wish Arsene would make a cheeky bid for him meself come January... assuming he can still play after that injury he done himself.

Aye, I wonder was it a new one.
Or was it just an exacarbation of the injury he had seemed to pick up earlier in the game...

Galvasean · 28-12-2008 08:46PM

Just wondering can we take Traore back from loan (sorry Tony) in January? We need some cover on the wing..

Fuzzy_Dunlop · 28-12-2008 11:26PM

Apparently Wenger told Canal plus he was looking for a creative player and another midfielder.

“I start feeling the crisis but I can’t spend £40m. We are looking at a creative player and another midfielder.”

Also when asked about signings talking to today he had a smile on his face and admitted the squad was thin
You can watch that video here http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid958992159?bctid=5920330001

Now all of this may mean absolutely nothing since its Wenger were talking about, still its more promising

Galvasean · 28-12-2008 11:34PM

Feh, the way the media go on you'd swear we were lucky to come away with a win. Sure Crouchy hit the post, but Adebayor missed two sitters and we were all over them, especially in the second half. Note how Vela's introduction put a certain zing in our step.

Galvasean · 28-12-2008 11:35PM

playa3 wrote: »

Also when asked about signings talking to today he had a smile on his face and admitted the squad was thin
You can watch that video here http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid958992159?bctid=5920330001

Looks like he has something up his sleeve alright. When the interviewer mentioned Arshavin Wenger really looked like he was holding something back.

Fuzzy_Dunlop · 28-12-2008 11:45PM

Galvasean wrote: »

Looks like he has something up his sleeve alright. When the interviewer mentioned Arshavin Wenger really looked like he was holding something back.

Aye, probably won't be Arshavin but if he can find "super, super" quality players along the lines of Sagna/Eduardo type signings it'd be terrific.

[Edit] Heres another promising link along the same lines
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/dec/28/football-premier-league-arsenal-arsene-wenger-andrei-arshavin

"I don't need to announce a name," Wenger said with a smile when asked by the French television channel Canal Plus about Arshavin, "because when you do that there is 50% less chance of making the signing. But I need a creative midfielder and eventually another midfielder, because we are short."

"The transfer window opens [on Thursday] and, although we are not close to signing anyone at the moment, if we do buy I think what we need is maybe someone with a bit of experience," Wenger wrote in his programme notes for the visit of Portsmouthtoday's .

"We already have many young players so, if we buy, it will be somebody who is ready to play straight away. A loan deal could also be a possibility.

"Cesc is a long way from playing again, so are Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, and these are three creative players that we count on at the start of the season. So what we might need is someone who can create a little spark."

L'prof · 29-12-2008 04:57AM

playa3 wrote: »

Also when asked about signings talking to today he had a smile on his face and admitted the squad was thin
You can watch that video here http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid958992159?bctid=5920330001

Now all of this may mean absolutely nothing since its Wenger were talking about, still its more promising

I'm glad that he's openly admitting that we are lacking anyway and that grin on his face (I would hope) indicates that he is willing to bring some players in, which is great!

That video alone can only keep me happy until February...roll on the new signings!

Galvasean · 29-12-2008 03:28PM

Apparently we put in a £10million bid for Arteta. And if papaers are to be believed we are strong favourites to sign Given.

Also, apparently Wenger is furious about a little 'visit' Villa's assistant manager paid to the ref at half time:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7800770.stm
Sounds dodgy.

L'prof · 29-12-2008 03:42PM

Galvasean wrote: »

Apparently we put in a £10million bid for Arteta. And if papaers are to be believed we are strong favourites to sign Given.

Arteta and Given (would be the first regular Paddy in the first team since Eddie McGoldrick!) would be great along with a couple of other signings, but don't be getting my hopes up!!!

Galvasean · 29-12-2008 03:44PM

jasonorr wrote: »

Eddie McGoldrick!

Two things come to mind when his name is uttered;
- terrible penalty
- notoriously hard to find Premier League sticker.

Galvasean · 29-12-2008 03:46PM

A Primal Nut wrote: »

Did Adams get any kinda reception at the start?

Oh yeah, the crowd sang his name before and also during the match. He gave the Arsenal fans thumbs up.

Bounty Hunter · 29-12-2008 04:04PM

Galvasean wrote: »

Also, apparently Wenger is furious about a little 'visit' Villa's assistant manager paid to the ref at half time:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7800770.stm
Sounds dodgy.

have a feeling that might have been what sparked MON & his little spat, Wenger probably made a comment like "is that what you were told to do at half time!?!" to the ref/4th official when Gallas gave away the penalty, MON went nuts and John Robertson had to drag him away.

im sure the whole thing is nothing afterall him and MON shook hands immediatley after but personally I dont like Wengers need to deflect from the fact that his side didnt win by casting doubt over another side.

He has always done it i.e his never seing fouls by his players or admitting that his side might be out of the title race, and argueably its good that he never says anything negative about his own side but despite not being an Arsenal fan id like to hear Arsene be totally honest and just say "we have not been good enough, and we need to improve certain aspects or else we will not have a chance for the title and might have to fight for a CL spot."

29-12-2008 04:17PM

if we go for a creative attacking player instead of a centre half/defensive midfielder (both even) it simply beggars belief. The dogs on the street know our centre of defense is crap and yes despite Willie G's goal yesterday, he has been brutal all season.

Galvasean · 29-12-2008 04:21PM

I think we should buy a new CB and reconvert Gallas into a striker TBH.

cson · 29-12-2008 05:43PM

Despite his stupdity at times (penalty against Villa :eek:) Gallas is a superb defender imo. He needs a Vidic type alongside however, which Arsenal don't have. I've beeing trying to get my head around Kolo Toure's loss of form and I think I've pinned it down to this; He was vice captain to Gilberto two seasons ago. He's the longest serving player at the club and I think he may have felt slighted by Wengers decision to give it to Gallas at the start of last season. He then went to the AN cup and he hasn't been the same player since. I don't think his head is in it anymore. And if there was one player that could leave with their head held high and with my utmost blessings it'd Kolo.

I'm dismayed at the clubs fall from grace. Just flicking through videos from 2004 and 2002 and seeing what a strong team we used to have. I hate to say it but I fear Arsenal need a new direction, but I think it'll come too late. Whatever is going on at board level the club and AW as a consequence seem to be running it foremost as a business and not as a success driven football team. While I concede such is modern day football, the two concepts can be combined and imo go hand in hand. I'm very pessimistic about 2009.

Helix · 29-12-2008 05:49PM

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

MON went nuts and John Robertson had to drag him away

did you see the actual video?

mon didnt go nuts at all

Bounty Hunter · 29-12-2008 05:53PM

Helix wrote: »

did you see the actual video?

mon didnt go nuts at all

actually i only saw robertson having to drag him away

Helix · 29-12-2008 05:55PM

mon was walking calmly over to wenger, it looked like he was politely enquiring about something, but before mon even got anywhere near him robbo was dragging him away

all looked pretty bizarre, but mon didnt raise his voice, look angry, or even give wenger the eyes

29-12-2008 05:59PM

cson wrote: »

Despite his stupdity at times (penalty against Villa :eek:) Gallas is a superb defender imo. He needs a Vidic type alongside however, which Arsenal don't have.

Wrong, Djourou needs a Vidic style centre half with him. He is easily our best centre back at the minute.

Im not so sure Gallas has a future at the club. Almunia suggested he's back as he scored a goal. Goal scoring hasn't been WG's problem, its defending and he's been found wanting on many the occasion.

cson · 29-12-2008 06:11PM

Djourou is overrated by a lot of people in here. A good defender he is, he's a lot to learn yet. Its Kolo Toure being frozen out that has me aghast, the lad is Arsenal through and through. Fabregas has max one more season after this season if even too which has me doubly worried.

Helix · 29-12-2008 06:15PM

cson wrote: »

A good defender he is, he's a lot to learn yet.

yahoo_moe · 29-12-2008 07:03PM

Galvasean wrote: »

Apparently we put in a £10million bid for Arteta.

While I think there are other areas that might be more important to address, I'd cream myself if we signed Arteta. Smashing player with a great balance between skill on the ball and a real bit of fight. Plus it'd definitely take the burden off Cesc a bit.

In fact, Cesc and Arteta could even end up being the partnership (two technically gifted footballers who can also each win the ball back) that we hoped Cesc and Denilson might be.

But we'll see.

Helix · 29-12-2008 07:08PM

jesus i think anyone would be doing well to get arteta for £10m

Galvasean · 29-12-2008 07:21PM

I'm sure Everton would be reluctant to sell since he's their Vice Captain. Anyone know contract details?

Fuzzy_Dunlop · 29-12-2008 07:40PM

The thing re. central defenders is, slipping into wengervision again for a minute, we currently have Gallas, Djourou, Toure, Silvestre, and even Song that can play there already.

To bring a new one in then one of them surely would have to go.
Gallas is still a very good defender and I think he should be kept because he is experienced and has some passion, even if he's a bit of a tit sometimes.
Toure, while his performances have dropped hugely since the ACN, has been such a long serving and loyal player that he deserves the chance to get back to form.
Djourou is a very talented defender, ok he still has a lot to learn but he's tall and can actually head the ball. Plus he's very good with the ball at his feet.
Silvestre is the one I'd want to see go obviously. It's not like he's been terrible but still it's not like he's going to get better either. However since Wenger only signed him, I seriously doubt we'll be seeing the back of him any time soon.

The thing about the defence imo is that it's not like it's made up of bad players. Sagna is probably the best right back in the league(the world arguably), Clichy is a world class left back(even if hes made mistakes this term), and then as I've already said, the centre backs we have aren't exacly terrible.

Thats why I don't mind so much if Wenger doesn't buy a defender, though if he does of course a big no nonsense Vidic/Skrtl type would be welcome.

Whats important is just to make sure the quality of the squad is improved, there's no use just buying players for the sake because they happen to play in a particular position. Ideally a proper defensive midfielder would seriously improve the defensive side of things so we can only hope Wenger can sort this out.

As for the creative player, I certainly think it's necessary for us to pick one up, even if its on loan as has been suggested. In most of our recent matches we have seriously struggled to create chances and things aren't gonna get any better with Cesc out. I mentioned this before but Diego would be a class signing, he's tearin up the bundesliga and is only 23.(probably too expensive though)

OPENROAD · 29-12-2008 09:22PM

http://www.arsenalvision.co.uk/articles.php?articleid=983

tony1kenobi · 29-12-2008 09:57PM

Galvasean wrote: »

I think we should buy a new CB and reconvert Gallas into a striker TBH.

For a different team?

Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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