Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Frisbee · 06-05-2009 04:14PM

Jayzus, can't believe that

SlickRic · 06-05-2009 04:17PM

frightening stuff.

i'd rather not have known though.

FearDark · 06-05-2009 04:18PM

We wont win anything with a keeper who is prone to howlers. Almunia should have smothered Park for the first goal (or at least dived in the general direction of the ball!), for the second...

... ya have to get down to that.

Now I know he single handedly kept us in it in the first leg, fair enough, but you cant make those mistakes in a champions leauge semi.

itsjaybud · 06-05-2009 04:21PM

I changed it Denman i had a feeling there was no need for it, just think the fact i saw it i wanted some one esle to

L'prof · 06-05-2009 04:22PM

DenMan wrote: »

Why did you have to post that? Poor guy.

Frisbee wrote: »

Jayzus, can't believe that

SlickRic wrote: »

frightening stuff.

i'd rather not have known though.

A I missing something?

wandatowell · 06-05-2009 04:23PM

Forget that muck we saw last night.

Roll On Chelsea, I fully expect a barnstorming performance from the lads this sunday.

Wreck · 06-05-2009 04:23PM

DenMan wrote: »

Why did you have to post that? Poor guy.

Frisbee wrote: »

Jayzus, can't believe that

SlickRic wrote: »

frightening stuff.

i'd rather not have known though.

Eh what's up? PM me if necessary

DenMan · 06-05-2009 04:27PM

It's cool itsjaybud. I felt really sorry for the poor guy and his family, very passionate fans.

That Ade story is interesting. Great that he showing great loyalty. It will be intersting to see if the board decide to keep him over the summer. I hope he becomes the striker we all want him to be. tbh Bendtner should have played from the start last night, it was tailor maid for him. Stong and commanding in the air and loves to run at defenders.

Frisbee · 06-05-2009 05:15PM

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/nicklas-bendtner-official-statement

Good Lad

Nicklas Bendtner wrote:

Nicklas Bendtner has made the following statement in relation to images of him outside a nightclub yesterday evening:

"I love this club and was so disappointed to lose against Manchester United last night. Reaching a Champions League Final is one of my biggest dreams and getting knocked out was a massive blow.

"However, no matter how disappointed I was, it does not excuse my behaviour later in the evening. I may be young but my actions were a poor error of judgment and something I deeply regret. I want to apologise to the Club and the fans for letting them and myself down.

"I cannot change the past but will learn from my mistakes. Tuesday night is behind me now and I want to use my energy to fully focus on our three remaining games this season, starting with Chelsea on Sunday."

Mr Alan · 06-05-2009 05:44PM

one thing that jumped out at me last night was that the teams demeaner on the pitch really reflected that of wenger on the bench from what i could make out. both looked utterly dejected & defeated as soon as Utd scored. In fact anytime the camera cut to Wenger after that, he usually had his head in his hands & looked close to breaking down. This is not a good signal to be sending to the players at all at all.

_blank_ · 06-05-2009 05:46PM

I'm getting a serious sense of deja vu :pac:

Pepe LeFrits · 06-05-2009 05:48PM

People need to stop unquestioningly buying into Wenger's vision of the future, because it is looking increasingly like a mirage. Just as we started to get close enough to drink last year (after two years of 'transition'), he lets Flamini, Hleb and others go and doesn't replace them. We made some improvements this season but can we hold on to our key players this summer? What about next summer?

The money arguments don't really stand up. The club made a £25m profit last year, where's that gone?

TOP PREMIER LEAGUE WAGE BILLS 2006/7
Chelsea - £132.8m (£114m)
Manchester Utd - £92.3m (£85.4m)
Arsenal - £89.7m (£82.9m)
Liverpool - £77.6m (£68.9m)
Newcastle Utd - £62.4m (£52.2m)
(2005/6 wages in brackets)
Source: Deloitte

Wenger isn't the only shrewd manager in the world, but he is one of the most stubborn. We've had the same problems for quite a while now and he refuses to address them. Potential is only that, potential. Sooner or later we're going to have to stop looking three years down the line and start looking at the now.

FearDark · 06-05-2009 06:01PM

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Wenger isn't the only shrewd manager in the world, but he is one of the most stubborn. We've had the same problems for quite a while now and he refuses to address them. Potential is only that, potential. Sooner or later we're going to have to stop looking three years down the line and start looking at the now.

Are you suggesting we replace wenger? Honestly we will loose more good players if that happens. He does have a plan, he is stubborn but 3 or 4 decent signings of experienced players in the summer and an injury free season will win us something next year.

DSB · 06-05-2009 06:07PM

FearDark wrote: »

Are you suggesting we replace wenger? Honestly we will loose more good players if that happens. He does have a plan, he is stubborn but 3 or 4 decent signings of experienced players in the summer and an injury free season will win us something next year.

Will put you in with a chance of winning something next year more like. Overhauling 3 better teams than you will not be easy.

FearDark · 06-05-2009 06:09PM

DSB wrote: »

Will put you in with a chance of winning something next year more like. Overhauling 3 better teams than you will not be easy.

If theres anyone that win us the premiership next year its Wenger, nobody else.

DSB · 06-05-2009 06:10PM

FearDark wrote: »

If theres anyone that win us the premiership next year its Wenger, nobody else.

Nobody will win you the Premiership next year without spending a ****load of money and completely revamping that squad.

Pepe LeFrits · 06-05-2009 06:13PM

FearDark wrote: »

Are you suggesting we replace wenger?

Not yet, but his strategy needs to be questioned and he should be under much heavier pressure to sort **** out.

Honestly we will loose more good players if that happens.

The Wenger loyalty factor is massively overstated. Players always say this and that about their manager, but when they go and a new manager comes in they realise that there are plenty of capable of managers out there. Mourinho is a good example - everyone said Lampard, Drogba, Essien, Carvalho would be straight on their bike.

He does have a plan, he is stubborn but 3 or 4 decent signings of experienced players in the summer and an injury free season will win us something next year.

What's the plan then? A few seasons back he let Vieira, Edu and Parlour go in the space of 12 months and then wasted a season blooding Fabregas and Flamini. Of course only squeezing past Spurs into 4th on the last day was OK 'cos we had a run to the CL final. Last year that finally paid off with Flamini and Fabregas forming a great partnership. Then he lets Flamini, Gilberto and Diarra go, and we waste this season blooding Denilson and Song. Fighting for 4th this season was OK though, because we had a run to the CL semi. I wonder, will we win something before the cycle repeats itself again?

Last summer Wenger said he'd noted that we have a problem defending high balls through the middle and that he'd sign two or three 'special' players. His solution was to replace Senderos with Silvestre, Hleb with Nasri and Flamini with Denilson. He spent £5m on a 17 year old midfielder. Where are his priorities?

We've been saying we're one, two, three quality, experienced signings away from being great for ages now.

L'prof · 06-05-2009 06:15PM

DSB wrote: »

Nobody will win you the Premiership next year without spending a ****load of money and completely revamping that squad.

We need about 3 experienced players and keep all that we have. 3 players will not cost a shítload of money...anywhere between £20m-£30m.

Unfortunately, it won't happen!

FearDark · 06-05-2009 06:19PM

+1

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

Not yet, but his strategy needs to be questioned and he should be under much heavier pressure to sort **** out.

The Wenger loyalty factor is massively overstated. Players always say this and that about their manager, but when they go and a new manager comes in they realise that there are plenty of capable of managers out there. Mourinho is a good example - everyone said Lampard, Drogba, Essien, Carvalho would be straight on their bike.

What's the plan then? A few seasons back he let Vieira, Edu and Parlour go in the space of 12 months and then wasted a season blooding Fabregas and Flamini. Of course only squeezing past Spurs into 4th on the last day was OK 'cos we had a run to the CL final. Last year that finally paid off with Flamini and Fabregas forming a great partnership. Then he lets Flamini, Gilberto and Diarra go, and we waste this season blooding Denilson and Song. Fighting for 4th this season was OK though, because we had a run to the CL semi. I wonder, will we win something before the cycle repeats itself again?

Last summer Wenger said he'd noted that we have a problem defending high balls through the middle and that he'd sign two or three 'special' players. His solution was to replace Senderos with Silvestre, Hleb with Nasri and Flamini with Denilson. He spent £5m on a 17 year old midfielder. Where are his priorities?

We've been saying we're one, two, three quality, experienced signings away from being great for ages now.

I'll reserve judgement until the end of the summer transfer window, If he refuses to buy in experience yet again my faith in him will be gone because we wont win anything next year with the current squad. I agree, its incredibly frustrating watching us week in week out lacking in particular areas. We all know what we need, lets hope Arsene digs into the coffers which im sure are there.

DSB · 06-05-2009 06:41PM

jasonorr wrote: »

We need about 3 experienced players and keep all that we have. 3 players will not cost a shítload of money...anywhere between £20m-£30m.

Unfortunately, it won't happen!

You honestly think 3 experienced players will put you up there alongside Man United and Chelsea who have top quality players across the park. Lets be honest, this Arsenal team probably wouldn't be in the CL next season only for a complete collapse from Villa. They're a million miles off winning the league right now.

L'prof · 06-05-2009 07:26PM

DSB wrote: »

You honestly think 3 experienced players will put you up there alongside Man United and Chelsea who have top quality players across the park. Lets be honest, this Arsenal team probably wouldn't be in the CL next season only for a complete collapse from Villa. They're a million miles off winning the league right now.

You're completely underestimating how stretched we were this season due to injuries. We still manged to go on a run of 21 unbeaten in the league. Oh but sure, that's right any old team could do that! We're not that far off, we just lack any real consistency this season, but that will come! If we bring in 3 players that can seriously challenge for first team places, then yes we'll be well up there!

EDIT: 12 points isn't exactly a million miles either! Nobody was outstanding this season. I feel on our current form in the league we would have caught Villa sooner or later anyway!

yahoo_moe · 06-05-2009 07:27PM

gosplan wrote: »

Most likely because we're caught between two styles but never properly committing to one, evidenced by poor crossing,

Yeah this has been annoying me for a while but last night really crystallised it - time and again, Sagna hitting the first man or looping it long and high (and others are the same). If we're going to suddenly be a team who cross the ball, we should really be able to do it properly - Utd seemed more than happy to let Sagna wind up for crosses and waste our good approach play.

yahoo_moe · 06-05-2009 07:39PM

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

I wonder, will we win something before the cycle repeats itself again? ... Where are his priorities?

While winning something is always a goal, we can't just guarantee that by spending £40m. I think the number one priority is stability - and because we can't guarantee success just by flashing the cash, I'm okay with that.

TOP PREMIER LEAGUE WAGE BILLS 2006/7
Chelsea - £132.8m
Manchester Utd - £92.3m
Arsenal - £89.7m
Liverpool - £77.6m

That's with Henry though, which was £5m that year. I know Arshavin and Nasri have been added and Ade's wages have gone up, but Chelsea (Alex, Bosingwa, Anelka, Malouda, Deco, improved contract for Lampard), United (Berbatov, Tevez, Anderson, Nani, improved contracts for Rooney, Ronaldo and maybe Vidic) and Liverpool (Torres, Mascherano, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Aurelio, improved contract for Agger) have all increased in that time too, probably by more.

The club made a £25m profit last year, where's that gone?

From a fan's point of view, it might seem that every penny should be spent straight away. But given how close we came to losing 4th this year (and before - even with Henry, Campbell, Pires, Ljungberg and Cole), I find it comforting that we're not budgeting right to our limit.

Royale with Cheese · 06-05-2009 07:41PM

DSB wrote: »

Lets be honest, this Arsenal team probably wouldn't be in the CL next season only for a complete collapse from Villa.

Rubbish. Unbeaten in the league in about 20 games, consistently near the top of the form table for the past few months.

They put together a very strong run, and deserve to be where they are in the league.

DSB · 06-05-2009 07:50PM

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Rubbish. Unbeaten in the league in about 20 games, consistently near the top of the form table for the past few months.

They put together a very strong run, and deserve to be where they are in the league.

Lets be fair, Villa would have been expected to take 10 points more than they had in the 9 games since Stoke, with Arsenal still having to play United or Chelsea. Villa really should have taken 4th place, but absolutely fell apart.

And that 20 game unbeaten thing is good, but they've had 9 draws since their last defeat, which makes it not so good in comparison to the teams they're competing with. 4 or 5 losses in there with no draws and they'd have been in a better situation and closer to the top.

Pepe LeFrits · 06-05-2009 07:57PM

DSB wrote: »

You honestly think 3 experienced players will put you up there alongside Man United and Chelsea who have top quality players across the park. Lets be honest, this Arsenal team probably wouldn't be in the CL next season only for a complete collapse from Villa. They're a million miles off winning the league right now.

That's bollocks to be fair. A complete collapse from Villa allied to the small detail of 21 game unbeaten run in the league...

3 players could make all the difference. Look at what Arshavin has added to the team. Three new players and the squad would be massively stronger than the team which pushed Chelsea and United a long way last season.

Pepe LeFrits · 06-05-2009 07:59PM

yahoo_moe wrote: »

While winning something is always a goal, we can't just guarantee that by spending £40m. I think the number one priority is stability - and because we can't guarantee success just by flashing the cash, I'm okay with that.

I'm not looking for money to be spent for the sake of it, but we have had glaring issues for some time. What's the most Wenger has ever spent on a CB or a DM? He's not afraid to splash out on attacking players.

L'prof · 06-05-2009 08:01PM

DSB wrote: »

Lets be fair, Villa would have been expected to take 10 points more than they had in the 9 games since Stoke, with Arsenal still having to play United or Chelsea. Villa really should have taken 4th place, but absolutely fell apart.

And that 20 game unbeaten thing is good, but they've had 9 draws since their last defeat, which makes it not so good in comparison to the teams they're competing with. 4 or 5 losses in there with no draws and they'd have been in a better situation and closer to the top.

Current run:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2008-2009:  21  12   9   0  38  14  24  45

2.14 points per game, which over a season would be 81 points.

So while 9 draws there isn't great, it's still a decent amount of points!!!

Last eight:

P   W   D   L   F   A  GD Pts
2008-2009:   8   7   1   0  25   7  18  22

2.75 points per game, which averages at 104 points :P

Anyway, I always expected Villa to drop away eventually (not as dramatically as they did), their squad isn't big enough and the Uefa Cup didn't help either.

yahoo_moe · 06-05-2009 08:02PM

DSB wrote: »

Lets be fair, Villa would have been expected to take 10 points more than they had in the 9 games since Stoke, with Arsenal still having to play United or Chelsea.

I agree that Villa fell apart - but if we're talking expectations over arbitrary time periods, Arsenal would have expected not to lose to Hull, Stoke and Fulham in the opening third of the season. And they would have expected more than four consecutive 0-0s against West Ham (H), Spurs (A), Sunderland (H) and Fulham (H).

Villa were in pole position - Arsenal came back while Villa fell behind. Simple as.

MementoMori · 06-05-2009 08:16PM

So just had a look at the Arsenal squad and what they cost. Some of these prices might be slightly off but I'm reasonably confident most that they are pretty accurate overall. Also there is the fact that the Gallas/Cole swap deal complicates matters as it's hard to figure what Gallas "cost" Arsenal. Also I couldn't find anything about how much Utd got for Silvestre or AS Monaco got for Armand Traore.

Clearly Wenger has assembled a very decent squad on not very much money.
The two big outliers are clearly Arshavin and Nasri. Interestingly Nasri was bought last summer and Arshavin in January, so you might possibly argue that lately he has been willing to adjust his philosophy slightly to bring in big-money signings.

Looking at the list overall there does seem to be an imbalance in terms of the number of quality attacking players compared to the quality defenders. I wonder if this might be down to the fact that it takes longer for defenders to mature/come into their own when compared to attackers. If you put a young quality attacker into a team and he makes a mistake, it's unlikely to cost the team anything. However if you put a young promising defender into a game and he makes a mistake it can have serious consequences. It's not a hard and fast rule but in general if you think of promising starlets it's a lot easier to think of young attacking players when compared to young defenders.

I really can't see Wenger moving on in the summer, because I think the board at Arsenal know that there aren't other candidates out there who are likely to do any better. Arsene might decide to quit himself but I don't think that's too likely either.

However I think serious questions would have to be asked if the priority in the summer transfer market wasn't the defence/defensive midfielders.

Andrei Arshavin £15m
Samir Nasri £12m
Eduardo £7.5m
Emmanuel Adebayor £7m
Tomáš Rosický £6.8m
Bacary Sagna £6m
Theo Walcott £5m (Another £7m in add-ons)
Aaron Ramsey £4.8m
Denílson £3.5m
Robin van Persie £2.75m
Manuel Almunia £2.6m
Phillipe Senderos £2.5m
Fran Mérida £2.1m
Abou Diaby £2m
Lukasz Fabianski £2m
Håvard Nordtveit £2m
Angel di Maria £2m
Emmanuel Eboué £1m
Alexandre Song £1m
Pedro Botelho £1m
Cesc Fàbregas £700k
Vito Mannone £350k
Gaël Clichy £250k
Nicklas Bendtner £225k
Kolo Touré £150k
Carlos Vela £125k
Nacer Barazite Nominal Fee (£100K)
Vincent van den Berg Nominal Fee (£100k)
Henri Lansbury Free
Amaury Bischoff Free
William Gallas swap with Ashely Cole
Mikaël Silvestre Undisclosed
Armand Traore Undisclosed
Jack Wilshere 0
Johan Djourou 0
Francis Coquelin 0
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 0
Kieran Gibbs 0
Mark Randall 0
Emmanuel Frimpong 0
Gavin Hoyte 0
Jay Simpson 0
Abu Ogogo 0
Rui Fonte 0
Paul Rodgers 0
Rene Steer 0
Kerrea Gilbert 0
Wojciech Szczesny 0

£90.55m

Arsenal Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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