Arsenal

[DJ Clue]

Did we draw against Sevilla?

[Rossy Boy]

Yeah 1-1, could of been alot worse if Fabianski wasnt on top form. Still won the Amsterdam Cup though.

[Viperized]

Too bad. I would've liked us to lose the game so we didn't win the Amsterdam Tournament.

Every time we win the AT, we don't win any domestic or European trophies in our following season.

[DJ Clue]

It the 3rd time we have won the tournament.

[vanNistelrooy]

At least you've won something this year?!

[DJ Clue]

:lol:

[Dundon's]

Our B team done well tonight considering how strong the Sevilla starting 11 was, eating up that amount of pressure would of been a good lesson for them, the two wide lads Navas and Capel are just exceptional.

Fabianski is showing good progress too since last season, we've finally seen signs of why Wenger is is putting so much faith in one so young by not signing another goalkeeper in the summer like most of us would of liked to see happen.

Number 1 in 2 years maybe is he keeps putting in performances like that.

[Nturtle]

At least you've won something this year?!

Kakakakaka...thanks for the comment! :unsure:

I think Vela did well and hopefully he can perform in the league as well.

Crunch time for the Champs league as a win is needed away from home. :cool: Twente won't be a pushover, having beaten Ajax for the privilege to enter the Champs League I think.

Come on you Gunners!

[DJ Clue]

Should be a good match on Wednesday.

Is it Live on ITV or something?

[Gooner10]

This is another player we are linked to. To be honest he plays amazing football and I believe would be a great buy even if he is youngish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_6cTsuX-XY&feature=related

[wrigh2uk]

Should be a good match on Wednesday.

Is it Live on ITV or something?

Its live on Setenta :cool:

[Rossy Boy]

Well thats annoying, I dont have Setanta.

[wrigh2uk]

And it starts

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Denilson is set to start the season in the Arsenal midfield with Abou Diaby out for around a month.

Following the departures of Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto, Diaby was firm favourite to start alongside Cesc Fabregas in the centre.

However, Diaby has suffered a thigh injury which leaves Wenger with little option other than to field the young Brazilian.

"Diaby will not be available for the start of the season," admitted Wenger.

"So we will have to work on some things which I saw on Friday night [against Ajax]. It worked well with Denilson and Fabregas.

"You cannot say after just one match, you need a run of games to see if it

[the partnership] will work, but I am confident it will."

Despite being just 21, Fabregas looks set to have a huge role to play this year but Wenger warned against putting too much pressure on his influential Spaniard.

"Cesc has worked very hard since he has come back," said Wenger.

"You cannot say he will be at his best, but he will be fit enough.

"To win big trophies makes you more confident and gives you something you can pass on to the team around you.

"At 21 he already has a lot of experience. He is an intelligent boy. But I would not like to put too much pressure on him.

"We know every single player in his area is very important.

"Cesc in midfield is a player now who has maybe more experience than the others."
Short

Wenger admits he is short in midfield and looks set to bring in at least one new face, with the likes of Gokhan Inler, Xabi Alonso and Yaya Toure high on his wanted list.

"We are a body short, but it is not necessarily to play alongside Cesc. He can play alongside anybody," he said.

"We try to find the right player. My target is always to spend the right money on the right player, therefore the timing of your buy is also important as well.

"I do not know yet if it will be with the Swiss or somebody else - but it is

not necessarily the Swiss boy [Inler], though.

"Do not forget we have Diaby, who is not available, and [Alex] Song, who

is at the Olympics, is a very good midfielder.

"We have [Samir] Nasri and [Tomas] Rosicky, who were not in Amsterdam, [Amaury] Bischoff as well, so we have plenty of midfield players."

SSN

[DJ Clue]

Well thats annoying, I dont have Setanta.Same here.

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Same here.

Me too.

Is it worth paying £10 a month for Setanta?

Which competition's and game's have they got which Sky hasn't??

I saw the advert on Sky with the violinist's and it seems Sky have a lot of football coming up this season.

:erm::unsure:

[DJ Clue]

Don't they every season

[nickpring]

Me too.

Is it worth paying £10 a month for Setanta?

Which competition's and game's have they got which Sky hasn't??

I saw the advert on Sky with the violinist's and it seems Sky have a lot of football coming up this season.

:erm::unsure:

Setanta are showing 46 Premier League games. They also have Champions League games, F.A Cup games. England and R.O.I internationals, plus games from Scotland, and the blue square premier.

You get a few channels for the £10 per month, but, last season the games shown were disappointing.

[Dundon's]

Setanta and sky are one the same, it's just a dirty sister channel brought in to justify paying extra for games.

The prem plus idea was a flop because it was blatantly exploiting people.

[Viperized]

Our B team done well tonight considering how strong the Sevilla starting 11 was, eating up that amount of pressure would of been a good lesson for them, the two wide lads Navas and Capel are just exceptional.

Fabianski is showing good progress too since last season, we've finally seen signs of why Wenger is is putting so much faith in one so young by not signing another goalkeeper in the summer like most of us would of liked to see happen.

Number 1 in 2 years maybe is he keeps putting in performances like that.
Vela is awesome. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts a good number of games in the league.

Fabianski looks like a decent keeper too. But we'll see how well he will do this season when he plays in the Carling Cup.

[mufcsean]

Me too.

Is it worth paying £10 a month for Setanta?

Which competition's and game's have they got which Sky hasn't??

I saw the advert on Sky with the violinist's and it seems Sky have a lot of football coming up this season.

:erm::unsure:

£13 it is.

Just do what i am going to do, get a chipped Virgin Media box.

[wrigh2uk]

£13 it is.

Just do what i am going to do, get a chipped Virgin Media box.

I work for Virgin Media :ninja:

[mufcsean]

Hook us all up with that mother of all broadband shit then ;)

[wrigh2uk]

Hook us all up with that mother of all broadband shit then ;)

Already on the trial list for 50 meg broadband :smug:

[mufcsean]

Blumineck, i barely reach 4meg here

[wrigh2uk]

Blumineck, i barely reach 4meg here

Well im at 10meg at present and i think the highest i've ever reached is probably about 8ish. Virgin broadband can be great depending on where you live. Its far the best broadband service provider in the UK and far the worst digital tv service in the UK lol.

[Dundon's]

This (http://www.cableboxshop.com/) is a good site. http://www.emoticons.free.fr/smileys/Personage-Occupation/ninja3.gif

[Viperized]

Does the transfer window close at the end of August?

[DJ Clue]

Yes. 31st August 2008

[Dundon's]

Anyone check out the new look on the Arsenal site? Much easier on the eye.

Also you see that Chorus/NTL are doing Arsenal TV now. :happy:

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Yeah I like it aswell, about time they made the site more modern and easier to browse and read.

Found this article while I was looking around: Wenger - We're not especially targeting Inler (http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-we-re-not-especially-targeting-inler)

[DJ Clue]

Yeah, i read that yesterday, but Arsenal.com looks pretty nice better then before thats for sure.

[Meyyappan]

Injuries hit us again!!!!What a surprise fabregas,rocisky,Kolo Toure,Abou Diaby,Philippe Senderos.Back up every thing all out!!!!Plus Nasri and Eduardo.

Almunia,Sagna, Gallas, Clichy, Djourou, Ramsey, , Denilson, Walcott, Eboue, Adebayor, Van Persie,

[Dundon's]

We've still got plenty in the tank to get the result. Only thing that would worry me if of course Ramsey and Denilson in the middle.

[ThierryHenry14]

Im predicting a good start to the season but come march time thats when we need to be our strongest tbh.

[DJ Clue]

Well at least we'll get to see some young talents in action.

[nickpring]

I'd love to see Ramsey get a run-out tomorrow. Would be a great learning curve for him. He is a good player and I have no doubt he will be a brilliant player for you in the coming seasons.

[Gooner10]

Lets hope so, he looks class and can surely improve under Wenger's guidance. Will be interesting to see how he plays in a very talented team at his age

[Nturtle]

No announcement of official squad that I can find. I'm guessing Ramsey might just have to partner Denilson. The only other options that has been tried is Eboue in the middle! Djourou must be partnering Gallas this time, since Toure and Senderos are both injured (even though I see that the official site says he will make it). Or Wenger could surprise us and throw Nordveilt on or something.

I suppose Defence is my most worrisome area - Conceivably, Sagna could be CB, with Hoyte/Gibb on the right. Djourou could then partner Denilson instead of Ramsey and free the brazilian to go up front a bit more like Cesc.

Well...lots of permutations...we'll see how it goes!! Will Wenger even play 4-3-3...with Adebayour, Vela, VP up front...the latter two dropping back to help out more in midfield on the wings?

It's going to be interesting!!

EDIT - oh...tell a lie...Official squad here:

Arsenal squad
Manuel ALMUNIA
Lukasz FABIANSKI
Bacary SAGNA
William GALLAS
Gael CLICHY
Justin HOYTE
Johan DJOUROU
Aaron RAMSEY
Jack WILSHERE
Kieran GIBBS
DENILSON
Theo WALCOTT
Emmanuel EBOUE
Mark RANDALL
Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
Robin VAN PERSIE
Nicklas BENDTNER
Carlos VELA

Looking a bit short in the back...so Eboue might go RB instead. Definitely Djourou/Gallas in the centre then. Gibbs and Vala on the left maybe? Walcott/Wilshire on the right?

[somegooner]

Dude stop all that calculating

---------------------Almunia----------------------
--Sagna----Gallas----------Djourou-----Clichy--
--Eboué-----Ramsey-----Denilson------Walcott-
--------------Adebayor---Van Persie-------------

[Nturtle]

Dude stop all that calculating

---------------------Almunia----------------------
--Sagna----Gallas----------Djourou-----Clichy--
--Eboué-----Ramsey-----Denilson------Walcott-
--------------Adebayor---Van Persie-------------

Kakaka...you're right...I'll leave that to Wenger...

An update...from the Times

Aaron Ramsey set to start for Arsenal Martin Samuel

Arsenal’s smooth progress into the Champions League group stage is being threatened by a series of injuries that could force 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey, who signed for £4.8 million from Cardiff City in the summer, into the team against FC Twente tonight.

Cesc Fàbregas, who suffered a hamstring injury in training on Monday, is the latest casualty on a growing list that includes Kolo Touré, Philippe Senderos, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri. Arsène Wenger, the manager, is not confident that the situation will greatly improve in time for Saturday’s Premier League kick-off against West Bromwich Albion.

“We have a big squad, but it is at home, not here,” Wenger said. “Touré has a hip muscle problem and Fàbregas is out for at least two games. Diaby and Rosicky are missing for a long time and Senderos, we do not know [until the results from a scan on his hamstring reveal the extent of his injury]. The only ones we have hopes for on Saturday are Nasri and Touré, so I don’t have many options. Ramsey has a good chance of starting.”

[mufcsean]

Nasri will start in place of Denilson i've read.

Looks as though Hoyte will be joining Middlesbrough according to the bbc

[DJ Clue]

Thought Arsenal didn't agree any thing yet.

[ads]

Thought Arsenal didn't agree any thing yet.

He did say according to the BBC.

[DJ Clue]

Okay, hope Wenger doesn't let him go.

[ads]

Okay, hope Wenger doesn't let him go.

Ah I don't know mate, I know he's a homegrown player and all but if Arsene can pick up maybe £3-5m for him it would be very good business.

[Wan]

Dude stop all that calculating

---------------------Almunia----------------------
--Sagna----Gallas----------Djourou-----Clichy--
--Eboué-----Ramsey-----Denilson------Walcott-
--------------Adebayor---Van Persie-------------

:lol:

[Rossy Boy]

Starting Line-up:
Almunia
Sagna
Gallas
Djourou
Clichy
Walcott
Denilson
Ramsey
Eboue
Adebayor
Van Persie

[DJ Clue]

Eboue's playing.

[Stella Artois]

Steve McClaren was speaking with a Dutch accent...

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Honestly, you've got to here it. Fucking immense.

[wrigh2uk]

The second half can only get better because that was fucking awful from us lads, Were lucky Twente are shockingl in the final third. It should honestly be 2-0 to them. Walcott has so far been invisble.. Its like without Cesc no one wants to grab the game by the scruff of the neck

[Jonny2J]

F8oN58cyp2c

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Rossy Boy]

:lol::lol::lol:

[Jonny2J]

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8176/goldmemberko0.jpg

[wrigh2uk]

1-0 Galllllassssssssssssssssssssss ssss

Awful goal but I seriously couldn't care less

[ThierryHenry14]

WTF!! Steve's a crazy chap.

[wrigh2uk]

2-0 Ade, Glad this games basically over now

[Gooner10]

We may be 2-0 up but we've given the ball away far too often and not passed at all well. They should have scored twice, it was only bad finishing on their behalf that let us off

[DJ Clue]

Yay. :)

[Viperized]

Didn't see the game but the BBC don't seem to be particularly impressed with our performance.

Oh well. At least we won.

[Adammce05]

Surely not optimism for Viperised.

[wrigh2uk]

Didn't see the game but the BBC don't seem to be particularly impressed with our performance.

Oh well. At least we won.

Nah we were awful mate, but we finally had some luck on our side for once. Only positve is that we put away the chances we had while playing that shocking.

[Dundon's]

F8oN58cyp2c

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Well he picked that up pretty handy. :D

[mufcsean]

Arsenal have agreed to sell Hoyte to Boro

[Viperized]

Good news - we have lost a player who has looked completely out of depth at the club.

[mufcsean]

One of few English players you have though

[Rossy Boy]

Arsène Wenger will not be signing anyone before the Premier League kicks-off on Saturday but he will ‘certainly’ bring in a new face before home game with Twente on August 27.

The Arsenal manager has suggested for some time that he could add to the squad - however he will not be rushed.

After the 2-0 win in Holland on Wednesday night the Frenchman said: “Will something be done ahead of the second leg? Certainly yes, but before Saturday, no.”

However, in the wake of that welcome win at Twente, Wenger feels his squad is actually larger than people realise.

“If you look at the number of players we had out, you can say it was very positive for us,” he said. “We did not have Diaby, Fabregas, Rosicky, Nasri, Kolo Toure, Eduardo and Senderos while Song as at the Olympics.

“We missed seven or eight players out so for me our squad looks big because the players who were here did well.”

.

[Dundon's]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he will 'certainly' make a new signing before the end of the transfer window.

Wenger has so far brought Samir Nasri, Aaron Ramsey and Amaury Bischoff to Emirates Stadium ahead of the new season.

However, a combination of departures and injuries has left the Gunners short of options, specifically in the centre of midfield.

A number of names from across Europe, including Udinese's Gokhan Inler, have been linked with moves to North London, and Wenger has confirmed he will be looking to make a further addition before the club's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg against FC Twente on 27th August.
Very positive

The Frenchman told the club's official website: "Will something be done ahead of the second leg? Certainly yes, but before Saturday, no."

Wenger went on to dismiss criticism that his squad lacks depth, adding: "If you look at the number of players we had out (against Twente), you can say it was very positive for us.

"We did not have Abou Diaby, Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky, Nasri, Kolo Toure, Eduardo and Senderos while Alexandre Song is at the Olympics.

"We missed seven or eight players, so for me our squad looks big because the players who were here did well."

Papers for you.

[DJ Clue]

We open season againsat West Brom, right?

[ThierryHenry14]

Yes.

[DJ Clue]

Hope everyone who did not feature in yesterdays match are back for the opener.

[Gooner10]

Let's hope Fabregas is fit and hopefully some others that were missing, if we play the same against Brom as we did in Holland then we may be a bit fucked. Any Prem team would have taken those chances

[DJ Clue]

True say.

[Viperized]

The fact Wenger is only after ONE player is quite worrying. Clearly he has no intentions of strengthening the Arsenal squad after lettings the likes of Flamini, Lehmann and Gilberto leave the club. Oh and he still hasn't replaced Reyes.

:\

"Wenger went on to dismiss criticism that his squad lacks depth, adding: "If you look at the number of players we had out (against Twente), you can say it was very positive for us."

But they were awful on the pitch apparently. This shows we lack strength in depth!

[martin_cranie]

You're talking about our first game of the season in which, irrespective of the size of our squad, no one was fully fit. The fact that FC Twente aren't a bad side may also go some way to explaining why we were poor.

We've played one game, which you haven't even seen, and already you think you know better than Wenger does.

You talk of Flamini's absence being huge but fail to acknowledge how he came to prominence. In the past, you repeatedly pointed out how terrible he was and yet he went on to prove you wrong. He did this by seizing his opportunity. That is what playing for this club is really all about, and we have several very talented midfielders in the squad who are looking to do exactly that this coming campaign.

I'm not saying we have a perfect squad or that I would be disappointed to see another signing, but your lack of faith in a proven, long-standing system is quite ridiculous.

[Nturtle]

Well..thr proof is in the pudding. how many times have we been the better team but couldn't score or lost? So it's high time we won some games even with a terrible performance. The idea here is to win, and did it with a young midfield, a tough kicking opposition, and a depleted squad. Not too bad in that perspective.

A lot more tests down the line, so we'll have to see how the perfomances improve or transform.

[Viperized]

You're talking about our first game of the season in which, irrespective of the size of our squad, no one was fully fit. The fact that FC Twente aren't a bad side may also go some way to explaining why we were poor.

We've played one game, which you haven't even seen, and already you think you know better than Wenger does.

You talk of Flamini's absence being huge but fail to acknowledge how he came to prominence. In the past, you repeatedly pointed out how terrible he was and yet he went on to prove you wrong. He did this by seizing his opportunity. That is what playing for this club is really all about, and we have several very talented midfielders in the squad who are looking to do exactly that this coming campaign.

I'm not saying we have a perfect squad or that I would be disappointed to see another signing, but your lack of faith in a proven, long-standing system is quite ridiculous.
We lose more first team players each year. Doesn't matter who it is, but why we choose not to replace them is a mystery to me. Our squad gets seemingly smaller each year.

We lack strength in depth. After Cesc? No one. We suffer during his absences.

After Rosicky, who always seems to be injured himself? Diaby and Eboue are now considered competent wingers? Thats funny. Could you name me at least 3 good games from either player on the wings?

Is Nasri a winger? As far as I know, he never played on the wings for Marseille. Hleb on the other hand did play on the wings for Stuttgart.

Where is our defensive midfielder? Don't tell me it is Denilson, who clearly isn't ready enough starting 40 games a season, especially what I saw from his performances in pre-season.

Almunia made glaring errors last season and we've let go of Lehmann. But I guess there is no point wishing for a new keeper. Notice how all title winngers have a proven goalkeeper behind their defence.

We suffered in the England League last season thanks to a lack of a good squad depth, not due to Gallas throwing tantrums during the Birmingham match. If Wenger doesn't do anything about it, how can he seriously expect to compete with the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and even Liverpool? We have the weakest squad out of the 'Top 4'.

I hate to say it, but Tottenham are a club going in the right direction. They've signed some extremely good players who would easily fit in our team. Gomes is a far better keeper than Almunia. Modric is a superb signing too. Clearly they are improving their squad, unlike us, who seem to be happy to only 'replace players' as opposed to adding players to form a stronger squad.

I think we might beat Liverpool to 3rd place, but Chelsea look like a formidable force and Utd already have a very strong squad and could never see us seriously challenging for the league unless we stay injury free for the whole season - which will never happen.

[Cobinho]

You're talking about our first game of the season in which, irrespective of the size of our squad, no one was fully fit. The fact that FC Twente aren't a bad side may also go some way to explaining why we were poor.

We've played one game, which you haven't even seen, and already you think you know better than Wenger does.

You talk of Flamini's absence being huge but fail to acknowledge how he came to prominence. In the past, you repeatedly pointed out how terrible he was and yet he went on to prove you wrong. He did this by seizing his opportunity. That is what playing for this club is really all about, and we have several very talented midfielders in the squad who are looking to do exactly that this coming campaign.

I'm not saying we have a perfect squad or that I would be disappointed to see another signing, but your lack of faith in a proven, long-standing system is quite ridiculous.

Proven to do what? When Arsenal had more experienced players they won trophies. Since the departure of the Campbell, Vieira, Pires etc this policy of playing a team full of youngsters has brought you seasons of battling for 3rd and 4th and no success in cup competitions.

Unless you want to repeat the type of seasons you've had recently I think you should question the squad the manager is putting together.

[Viperized]

Proven to do what? When Arsenal had more experienced players they won trophies. Since the departure of the Campbell, Vieira, Pires etc this policy of playing a team full of youngsters has brought you seasons of battling for 3rd and 4th and no success in cup competitions.

Unless you want to repeat the type of seasons you've had recently I think you should question the squad the manager is putting together.
Exactly. Well put.

I find the blind faith many fans have in Wenger quite ridiculous to be honest.

[Meyyappan]

We lose more first team players each year. Doesn't matter who it is, but why we choose not to replace them is a mystery to me. Our squad gets seemingly smaller each year.

We lack strength in depth. After Cesc? No one. We suffer during his absences.

After Rosicky, who always seems to be injured himself? Diaby and Eboue are now considered competent wingers? Thats funny. Could you name me at least 3 good games from either player on the wings?

Is Nasri a winger? As far as I know, he never played on the wings for Marseille. Hleb on the other hand did play on the wings for Stuttgart.

Where is our defensive midfielder? Don't tell me it is Denilson, who clearly isn't ready enough starting 40 games a season, especially what I saw from his performances in pre-season.

Almunia made glaring errors last season and we've let go of Lehmann. But I guess there is no point wishing for a new keeper. Notice how all title winngers have a proven goalkeeper behind their defence.

We suffered in the England League last season thanks to a lack of a good squad depth, not due to Gallas throwing tantrums during the Birmingham match. If Wenger doesn't do anything about it, how can he seriously expect to compete with the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and even Liverpool? We have the weakest squad out of the 'Top 4'.

I hate to say it, but Tottenham are a club going in the right direction. They've signed some extremely good players who would easily fit in our team. Gomes is a far better keeper than Almunia. Modric is a superb signing too. Clearly they are improving their squad, unlike us, who seem to be happy to only 'replace players' as opposed to adding players to form a stronger squad.

I think we might beat Liverpool to 3rd place, but Chelsea look like a formidable force and Utd already have a very strong squad and could never see us seriously challenging for the league unless we stay injury free for the whole season - which will never happen.

Diaby played well in big big games in cl against milan and liverpool.

[ThierryHenry14]

Exactly. Well put.

I find the blind faith many fans have in Wenger quite ridiculous to be honest.

:shocking: mabye you should be supporting Tottenham.

[mufcsean]

Exactly. Well put.

I find the blind faith many fans have in Wenger quite ridiculous to be honest.

You are seriously mental. Your lack of faith is quite ridiculous to be honest.

[pes guy]

Exactly. Well put.

I find the blind faith many fans have in Wenger quite ridiculous to be honest.

wasn't henry, viera and even fabregas virtually unknown when wenger bought them. I feel this team arsenal has will take time before they can challenge seriously in all competitions.

[Gooner10]

Wenger has done better with our squad than anyone else could, I would prefer nobody over Wenger to manage Arsenal. It's true we didn't win a trophy last year but only 'cos we drew a few games and came out unlucky in a few situations... we still had a frankly amazing season, especially after everyone expected us to go tits up without Henry. If he can produce that out of a young squad and he gets an experienced or at least decent defensive midfielder then there's no reason we can't push for the double... it's not al about superstars it's about what players go together to produce a great team performance and Wenger is a master at that. So I, like many others, trust him completely

[ThierryHenry14]

Exactly. Well put.

I find the blind faith many fans have in Wenger quite ridiculous to be honest.

Here we go..
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1831/funnypicturesstarwarslaen5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Viperized]

wasn't henry, viera and even fabregas virtually unknown when wenger bought them. I feel this team arsenal has will take time before they can challenge seriously in all competitions.
Henry wasn't exactly unknown.

Anyway, back then, Wenger didn't solely buy youth. He also signed the likes of Overmars, Petit, Pires and Wiltord - players who were fairly accomplished.

Back then, the Arsenal squad was far stronger than the current one. That is exactly why we won titles.

We haven't won anything for four years and there is a damn good reason for that. I think I'll let you figure that one out yourself.

I'm not expecting us to win anything. Chelsea and Man Utd look too strong and they'll be hard to stop.

[DJ Clue]

Trust in Wenger he knows what his doing.

[Dragonfly]

Henry wasn't exactly unknown.

Anyway, back then, Wenger didn't solely buy youth. He also signed the likes of Overmars, Petit, Pires and Wiltord - players who were fairly accomplished.

Back then, the Arsenal squad was far stronger than the current one. That is exactly why we won titles.

We haven't won anything for four years and there is a damn good reason for that. I think I'll let you figure that one out yourself.

I'm not expecting us to win anything. Chelsea and Man Utd look too strong and they'll be hard to stop.

Do you want Wenger to spend shit loads of money on established players? Money that we can't actually afford to spend? Back when Wenger joined, we didn't have a 60,000 stadium debt to pay off, so he could afford to spend money on lots of new players. You have to realise it isn't so simple for us to just pluck money from mid-air to buy the top players that we want. We have a strict financial structure that is important to keep us in the black, yet competitive - and yes, we are serious challengers for trophies. If any other team had the squad we have, they would probably struggle to make a Champions League place, whereas Wenger's Way™ gets us in the top comfortably.

http://soccerlens.com/images/studs-up-040808.jpg

[martin_cranie]

Proven to do what? When Arsenal had more experienced players they won trophies. Since the departure of the Campbell, Vieira, Pires etc this policy of playing a team full of youngsters has brought you seasons of battling for 3rd and 4th and no success in cup competitions.

Unless you want to repeat the type of seasons you've had recently I think you should question the squad the manager is putting together.

The system of giving a great many chances to young/ish/unknown/non-big-name players is proven. Henry and Vieira were both relied upon heavily, as was Cesc, when little was known or expected of them (Henry's bag-o-crap season at Juve being a great indicator of his potential). Flamini, Almunia, and Senderos (albeit only really in his first season as his inconsistency has since become clear). I could probably mention a few others too.

If you care to read my original post properly you may note the point that I was making was not that we are super-wicked-awesome at winning everything ever, or even necessarily anything collectively performance based, but was, in fact, that a great many of the players we come to hold in high respect at the club have only become so loved after a great deal of time at the club, not upon arrival. They are only revered and indeed missed because they became great players at the club thanks to being given opportunities by Wenger that few other managers would have afforded them. It is this system that still pays great dividends. Clichy would be another example.

This is why I find it positively lolsome that Viperized has the cheek to lambaste Wenger for letting Flamini go, leaving a hole in the midfield. Viperized always laid into Wenger for not getting rid of Flamini but then completely fails to acknowledge the fact that he only became a player worth missing because he, as a relative unknown, was given a chance by Wenger.

His inability to notice that there is a history of this happening to a number of players at Arsenal, and perhaps more than ever in the current situation, makes him an idiot.

We lose more first team players each year. Doesn't matter who it is, but why we choose not to replace them is a mystery to me. Our squad gets seemingly smaller each year.

We lack strength in depth. After Cesc? No one. We suffer during his absences.

After Rosicky, who always seems to be injured himself? Diaby and Eboue are now considered competent wingers? Thats funny. Could you name me at least 3 good games from either player on the wings?

As I've previously said, I am not saying we have a flawless set-up. I too worry about our lack of options in attacking midfield. That said, I keep things in perspective. I don't find an amazing new angle to moan from every day. I do not have blind faith in Wenger, I simply have the sense to ground things in historical tendencies, many of which indicate, rather strongly, that Wenger is doing a great deal right.

The fact that you saw the FC Twente result as reason to moan when you hadn't even seen the game makes you foolish.

Is Nasri a winger? As far as I know, he never played on the wings for Marseille. Hleb on the other hand did play on the wings for Stuttgart.

Actually, Hleb is not a winger. He is a flexible attacking midfielder. Just as Pires was. Just as Rosicky is. Wenger has rarely bought out-and-out wingers. Playing in a wide role doesn't necessarily make you a winger. Good to know that you have a good working knowledge of players at the club.

Where is our defensive midfielder? Don't tell me it is Denilson, who clearly isn't ready enough starting 40 games a season, especially what I saw from his performances in pre-season.

And Flamini always looked ready, did he? You remember Flamini, right? That guy you wanted rid of. Oh but wait! Wenger, who somehow has got himself into a better position to judge the ability of our players than you have (God knows how) decided he'd stick by him. Now you love him. Lesson to be learned, perhaps?

Oh, there's also the fact that we've bought two new defensive midfielders into the squad this summer, and reports that Wenger is after another one. You do realise there is still a fair amount of this window remaining, right? Deals can still be done. Amazing stuff.

Almunia made glaring errors last season and we've let go of Lehmann. But I guess there is no point wishing for a new keeper. Notice how all title winngers have a proven goalkeeper behind their defence.

I don't think Almunia should be first choice either in an ideal world, but he is not a bad keeper. And how can you complain about Lehmann going? Did you see him last season? He made Almunia look like Buffon.

We suffered in the England League last season thanks to a lack of a good squad depth, not due to Gallas throwing tantrums during the Birmingham match. If Wenger doesn't do anything about it, how can he seriously expect to compete with the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and even Liverpool? We have the weakest squad out of the 'Top 4'.

Improvements need to be made, yes. Players need to step up as Adebayor, Sagna, Almunia, Flamini, Hleb, Walcott, and Clichy did last season. Quite a few names there. Perfect examples of how unknown quantities can come through for you, reducing the need to make trophy signings that keep people such as yourself erect. It isn't guaranteed to happen, of course, but the chances are at least a couple of players will really come along considerably this season.

Again, there's also time remaining in this window for Wenger to dip into the market, if he so wishes.

A great many people expected us to finish fifth last season behind the big spending Spurs, and look what happened. We finished four points behind the best team in Europe with: two main strikers out for eons; limited creative, driving midfielders; and defenders like Senderos and Gallas being relied upon heavily.

I hate to say it, but Tottenham are a club going in the right direction. They've signed some extremely good players who would easily fit in our team. Gomes is a far better keeper than Almunia. Modric is a superb signing too. Clearly they are improving their squad, unlike us, who seem to be happy to only 'replace players' as opposed to adding players to form a stronger squad.

They look good on paper, but can you show me where the proof is that everthing will click? Oh no, wait, they haven't played a competitive match yet. My gosh, they've practically secured a Champions League spot already!

I think we might beat Liverpool to 3rd place, but Chelsea look like a formidable force and Utd already have a very strong squad and could never see us seriously challenging for the league unless we stay injury free for the whole season - which will never happen.

You may be right, you may be wrong. We had less luck than most last season with injuries, and certainly other squads are looking good, but you are being far too negative about a squad/manager you seem to have little knowledge of, before the window has closed, and before The Prem has even begun.

Pessimism has its merits, but you are not one of them.

[Cobinho]

The system of giving a great many chances to young/ish/unknown/non-big-name players is proven. Henry and Vieira were both relied upon heavily, as was Cesc, when little was known or expected of them (Henry's bag-o-crap season at Juve being a great indicator of his potential). Flamini, Almunia, and Senderos (albeit only really in his first season as his inconsistency has since become clear). I could probably mention a few others too.

If you care to read my original post properly you may note the point that I was making was not that we are super-wicked-awesome at winning everything ever, or even necessarily anything collectively performance based, but was, in fact, that a great many of the players we come to hold in high respect at the club have only become so loved after a great deal of time at the club, not upon arrival. They are only revered and indeed missed because they became great players at the club thanks to being given opportunities by Wenger that few other managers would have afforded them. It is this system that still pays great dividends. Clichy would be another example.



I agree Wenger has an eye for talent and that some youngsters in the current Arsenal squad are capable of getting the club Champions League football, which considering the transfer value of the squad is remarkable. Anyone who question Wenger in this respect is foolish.

My point and I think its the same for Viperized is that this policy has proven itself not to be enough, if Arsenal want to win the big trophies. Questioning Wenger seems justified to me especially if you consider what the other teams are doing to thier squads. I suppose Arsenal under Wenger have always been about collective brilliance rather than the individual sort, so I will wait and see what happens.

[DJ Clue]

Ok, ok, ok lets wrap it up.

Focus on tomorrows game people.

[AgentZero]

wasn't henry, viera and even fabregas virtually unknown when wenger bought them. I feel this team arsenal has will take time before they can challenge seriously in all competitions.
Fabregas was certainly unknown but Henry garnered a big money move from Monaco to Juve so he was more or less acknowledged for having potential.

ALSo watche dthe video of Steve McClaren patronising the dutch audience by dumbing down his speech.

[Poontang Pie]

So, how do you lot reckon Arsenal will line up this afternoon?

Almunia
Sagna Toure Gallas [c] Clichy
Nasri Denilson Ramsey Walcott
Adebayor van Persie

The above is what I'll predict.

EDIT - I'll throw in a prediction for the score. I'll go with 2-0 to Arsenal.

[somegooner]

---------------------Almunia-------------------
--Sagna--Gallas----------Djourou-----Clichy-
--Walcott--Denilson---Eboué/Ramsey-Nasri-
------------Adebayor----Van Persie----------

Bench:
- Fabianski
- Touré
- Hoyte
- Eboué/Ramsey
- Wilshere
- Bendtner
- Vela

I think that's how the line-up will look.

[Wan]

Eboue at the center :doh:

[Nturtle]

Thanks for taking the time out to voice your views guys. The proof is in the pudding...or is it the eating? Let's start with a solid game against WBA...then the season unfolding will tell us what we need to know!

3-0 the the Gunners tonight - Nasri scoring on his debut, Walcott scoring...and Gallas scoring again as should a No.10! HA!

[Barry]

What, the Premier League starts today? :mellow:

[Viperized]

Eboue at the center :doh:
The team today:

Almunia

Sagna
Gallas
Djourou
Clichy

Walcott
Denilson
Eboue
Nasri

Bendtner
Adebayor

Eboue in the centre = absolute madness. I hope it is Nasri who is in the centre as opposed to Eboue. Eboue is already a bad winger, but is he now a central midfielder? Jeez.

[Cannon ball]

On the Skysports website, the line up had Nasri in the centre.

[DJ Clue]

Nasri ftw. :)

Arsenal are 1-0 up.

[ThierryHenry14]

Arsenal & Nasri ftw. :)

Arsenal are 1-0 up.
Fixed;)

[Keyser Soze]

Nasri is looking fucking awesome.

[DJ Clue]

Fixed;)
Thank you Adam sir.

[Viperized]

Nasri looks like the only player who is playing well on the pitch.

Since the goal, I have been slightly disappointed with the performance by the team. We've hardly tested Carson and I'd be very happy if I was a WBA fan.

[ThierryHenry14]

Thank you Adam sir.

You know too much:ninja:

[Meyyappan]

1-0 to the Arsenal and Back On Top.

[Guillermo]

1-0 to the Arsenal and Back On Top.

You were already on top going into the game. :erm:

[Barry]

First 25 minutes or so were great, after that it was hot & cold in flashes.

[Meyyappan]

First 25 minutes or so were great, after that it was hot & cold in flashes.

Yes,but its good if another factor develops and we learn to win ugly + its better if we peak late as people believe we have been given an easy start,also the remaing of our first teamers shall return late:Fabregas,RVP,Rosicky,Tour e then we have our new signing to wait for.

[wrigh2uk]

I was just happy to get the win, Nasri looked amazing though (Hleb who????), hope he can maintain that sort of consistency throughout the season. Denilson also had a much better game than mid week and Ade was awful.

Fucking Gallas again having a go at Djourou though, seriously wtf is wrong with the guy.

[Joel]

Comfortable start to the season for you guys.

What do you all think will happen when Rosicky comes back? Both he and Nasri prefer the left side, but one will have to play on the right. Which one will it be?

[wrigh2uk]

Comfortable start to the season for you guys.

What do you all think will happen when Rosicky comes back? Both he and Nasri prefer the left side, but one will have to play on the right. Which one will it be?


Well it all depends on how well Nasri is doing when Rosicky comes back to full fitness mate. If Nasri continues to play like he did today then I doubt Wenger is going to change him too the right. I think Wenger will definately drop Walcott from right mid when the time comes though.

[pistolpete]

Im one of his biggest critics but Eboue actually played well in the centre, im not saying he is the answer there.

Adebayor and Bendtner seemed to do very little and RVP didnt do a great deal when he came on.

Didnt have much to do but the defence looked ok.

I hope that the 1st few games being easier ones - that we can find our stride quickly - 3 points the most important thing today.

[Yossi]

Nasri looks like the only player who is playing well on the pitch.

Since the goal, I have been slightly disappointed with the performance by the team. We've hardly tested Carson and I'd be very happy if I was a WBA fan.

You probably wouldn't be.

[ThierryHenry14]

Viperized just stop supporting Arsenal please.

[Viperized]

What the fuck are you on about?

TH14 just stop posting please.

[Zoolander]

Just like the Arsenal team there's in house fighting here. :chanlaugh:

[ThierryHenry14]

Always picking the negatives from a game and never the positives.

[Viperized]

Your inability to read means you shouldn't ever post again.

I said Nasri played well.

[Joel]

I hate to say it, but TH14 is right, Viperized.

Before the ball was kicked you complained about Eboue in midfield, who turned out to be one of the better performers today. Wenger had to play him there, as both Cesc and Diaby injured.

Then you're 1-0 up and you're still complaining; this time about the performance. It is the first game of the Prem season, you should be able to realise that the players aren't going to be at their best yet. Getting off to a winning start was what mattered today and your team successfully done that, with pretty little trouble. Chill out and be happy that your team won a game when they were not at their best and were missing their talisman.

[DJ Clue]

That Viperized person needs a head check, seems you ain't got no faith in our young team for god's sake.

You are a disgrace to our Arsenal population, get behind us, Gunners or you might aswell hit the door.

Anyone post up that Nasri's goal from todays match, plz.

[Viperized]

I only said I was 'slightly disappointed'. Why can I not be slightly disappointed if we are failing to create chances? Why can I not be slightly disappointed if we aren't testing Carson a single bit?
That Viperized person needs a head check, seems you ain't got no faith in our young team for god's sake.

You are a disgrace to our Arsenal population, get behind us, Gunners or you might aswell hit the door.

Anyone post up that Nasri's goal from todays match, plz.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/SuperSonic1305/steamLOLLER.gif

[Nturtle]

Fucking Gallas again having a go at Djourou though, seriously wtf is wrong with the guy.

But then again..Djourou took it ok and performed alright throughout...except for not stepping up that one time. Gallas is a bit over the top...but good to see we have that passion to fight...even if it is infighting!

Let's give Viperized some space - everyone can have a view and we can agree and disagree. I think Vip used to have a more balanced view but as with the rest of the fans, it's a long wait for winning something to alleviate the frustrations.

After that match, I feel fairly positive about things. Everybody tried hard, and if Eboue can give up his theatrics and bloody learn to shoot on target....actually he's got some of the tricks to make it in midfield compared to Denilson! Just a bit risky in play sometimes...I doubt that he'll be there for long. Ramsey, Cesc and even Djourou might be in the centre at some point either as CM or DM rotating with Denilson who I thought did reasonably well.

Nasri was great and very assured. Might not be as flashy as Hleb...but sure as hell he combined like he's been in Arsenal for ages, and had a few shots. Great performer.

Ade needs to use his teammates more...he's too anxious to score. I thought Bendtner did well and I think despite last season's stupidity...they are still not a bad strikeforce....just perhaps too similar in approach. An Ade/VP, VP/Bendtner or Any of those with Walcott/Vela will be good combos.

Clichy probably could have just run with the ball into the WBA goal at one point, such was his pace and exploitation of space!! Too bad he passed and we lost possession in the final third. :no:

Lots of talk about "finishing things off" for sure - we'll get there!

[pistolpete]

Anyone else notice a few boos when Adebayor ran the ball straight into the opposition defender in the box for the 5th or 6th time?

I wouldnt mind seeing how Djourou performs in the DM role or even Toure there, with Djourou at CB, good thing would be that they can both play a bit so when one go's forward the other can cover.

i do wish Clichy would burst into the box sometimes, he's so quick that he would create something or make a defender bring him down, When he does score off a 70yard dash we will have a goal of the season contender - i dont see anyone else in the prem bombing forward like that.

[Stella Artois]

I hate to say it, but TH14 is right, Viperized.

Before the ball was kicked you complained about Eboue in midfield, who turned out to be one of the better performers today. Wenger had to play him there, as both Cesc and Diaby injured.

Then you're 1-0 up and you're still complaining; this time about the performance. It is the first game of the Prem season, you should be able to realise that the players aren't going to be at their best yet. Getting off to a winning start was what mattered today and your team successfully done that, with pretty little trouble. Chill out and be happy that your team won a game when they were not at their best and were missing their talisman.

He's a twat and an embarrrassment to all Arsenal fans.

[DJ Clue]

I'm happy the way we played yesterday, but i still thinking a experiance holding midfielder Alonso or Inler i won't mind at all.

[ThierryHenry14]

Well atleast if we get Alonso we know he'll take shots from anywhere haha.

[Gooner10]

I reckon we need someone who will just go for it sometimes...look at Cesc the first half of last season, he went forward and grabbed a good few goals that way. With him back and once the players are all match fit we'll have a very strong team. The only thing worrying is if we get a few injuries. Bring in a good DM and I reckon we'll be looking at a big win against Twente

[DJ Clue]

Well atleast if we get Alonso we know he'll take shots from anywhere haha.

Those long distance shots of his are amazing though.

[Viperized]

He's a twat and an embarrrassment to all Arsenal fans.
No, it is you who is the twat, Mr. Internet Hardman.

[Stella Artois]

No, it is you who is the twat, Mr. Internet Hardman.

Please die Mr. Armchair Fan?

[AgentZero]

you lot do resemble the onfield squad when gallas was having a go at djourou

[Nturtle]

you lot do resemble the onfield squad when gallas was having a go at djourou

Kakkaakka...there is a reason why our main strips are "RED" like red mist!! :realmad: HA!:w00t

Let's see what happens - agree completely about Clichy bombing forward...as I said myself...if he just went all the way...he'd score!!! One day, he'll get his first goal, and then he'll be roberto carlos in the making...well...a speedier version!

Who's up next?

[somegooner]

Clichy has been practicing free kicks during the summer. Maybe his first goal will be one.

[dotty_84]

Clichy has been practicing free kicks during the summer. Maybe his first goal will be one.

a bit CLICHE saying that....i'll shut the door when leaving

[ThierryHenry14]

Fulham is the next game.

[papa]

Don't remind me.

[Viperized]

Please die Mr. Armchair Fan?
Ouch? Surely with your past keyboard warrior encounters you would have come up with a better insult.

[papa]

Even Viperized will be predicting an Arsenal win.

[Stella Artois]

Ouch? Surely with your past keyboard warrior encounters you would have come up with a better insult.

Is that your best retort?

Do you not see that every single Arsenal fan on here is embarrassed to have you associated with our club? Why don't you go and support Chelsea?

[Wan]

Please don't. Man Utd please!

[Viperized]

Why should I? My family have supported Arsenal, and I too will continue supporting Arsenal.

Anyhow, I'd say most of my comments are justified about the club. Please quote me whereby I've made embarrassing comments over the club in recent times.

I think you'll find that you will struggle.

[Stella Artois]

Why should I? My family have supported Arsenal, and I too will continue supporting Arsenal.

Anyhow, I'd say most of my comments are justified about the club. Please quote me whereby I've made embarrassing comments over the club in recent times.

I think you'll find that you will struggle.

Just look through your post history. Nearly every single one is embarrassing.

We can't all be wrong, can we?

Oh, and if you call what you do/say "support" then I'm amazed.

[Viperized]

Just look through your post history. Nearly every single one is embarrassing.
Just the comment I expected. No worries, I know you can't find anything.

[mufcsean]

Why should I? My family have supported Arsenal, and I too will continue supporting Arsenal.

Anyhow, I'd say most of my comments are justified about the club. Please quote me whereby I've made embarrassing comments over the club in recent times.

I think you'll find that you will struggle.

You aren't supporting them though, no matter what happens you always moan, i agree with Stella your an embarrassment to your team.

[Barry]

He's overly pessimistic, almost H.P. Lovecraft-like. Perhaps you are spoilt by the great football over the years, perhaps bitter because of the lack of prizes or some sort of jealousy because clubs of similar stature take the prizes home instead of your club.

Or it is a natural-trait. Anyway, it would be good to hear a more balanced comment on your team once in a while.

[Viperized]

I've made plenty of balanced comments, but it seems like everyone only notices my posts which appear to be slightly negative.

Joel began bashing me for being 'slighty disappointed' at the team's performance after the goal and the fact we weren't exactly testing Carson. If any other member mentioned this, no one would've said anything. The commentators mentioned it too. Are they idiots as well?

[Joel]

I've made plenty of balanced comments, but it seems like everyone only notices my posts which appear to be slightly negative.

Joel began bashing me for being 'slighty disappointed' at the team's performance after the goal and the fact we weren't exactly testing Carson. If any other member mentioned this, no one would've said anything. The commentators mentioned it too. Are they idiots as well?

I didn't "bash" you at all. I made points on two issues in your post. I think there was any need for you to complain about Eboue playing in central midfield before the game started. I'm sure in training before the game Eboue was playing in that position, so what gives you the right to question an experienced manager in Wenger about the team he has built? Yesterday we had Deco playing on the right wing, but Scolari knows a hell of a lot more about football and Deco then me, so there is no way I'd question his decision BEFORE the match.

The other thing I argued was you having a go at the team after teh game. The season has only started, your team is not going to be no way near it's best, yet you are unhappy about a 1-0 win? It's pathetic. The United fans didn't whine like little bitches yesterday and they only managed a draw.

And it's not like this is the only time you have bitched about your team. Last season you was awful. You even complained about your 2-0 away win in mid-week. You need to get a fucking grip.

Now I'm "bashing" you.

[Viperized]

I did complain about a 2-0 away win recently? I don't recall that happening.

[ThierryHenry14]

He said last season.

[Stella Artois]

I didn't "bash" you at all. I made points on two issues in your post. I think there was any need for you to complain about Eboue playing in central midfield before the game started. I'm sure in training before the game Eboue was playing in that position, so what gives you the right to question an experienced manager in Wenger about the team he has built? Yesterday we had Deco playing on the right wing, but Scolari knows a hell of a lot more about football and Deco then me, so there is no way I'd question his decision BEFORE the match.

The other thing I argued was you having a go at the team after teh game. The season has only started, your team is not going to be no way near it's best, yet you are unhappy about a 1-0 win? It's pathetic. The United fans didn't whine like little bitches yesterday and they only managed a draw.

And it's not like this is the only time you have bitched about your team. Last season you was awful. You even complained about your 2-0 away win in mid-week. You need to get a fucking grip.

Now I'm "bashing" you.

Couldn't have put it any better.

Fact is we won 1-0 yesterday and that's all that matters, yet he still found things to moan about. :rolleyes:

Imagine if he had to support a team that weren't very good! :huh:

[wrigh2uk]

Arsenal have announced that striker Emmanuel Adebayor has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The Togo international had been strongly linked with a transfer away from Emirates Stadium this summer, with AC Milan and Barcelona both reportedly keen to secure his services.

Adebayor, who signed for Arsenal from Monaco in 2006, initially failed to dispel the rumours surrounding his future, but at the beginning of August it was confirmed he would remain at Arsenal.

The Gunners have now revealed that the 24-year-old, who struck 30 goals last season, has committed his foreseeable future to the club by penning a 'long-term' deal.

Source : SSN



This sorta remind me of that whole Henry signing a new contract then moving off to Barca a season later.

[ThierryHenry14]

Anyone read Piers Morgans thing in the back of the Sunday Mail?
I think he is Viperized in disguise.

[Dundon's]

This sorta remind me of that whole Henry signing a new contract then moving off to Barca a season later.

It's a bad thing to say but I'd take 15m for him and cut my losses, I really don't like this man. Kissing the crest in the pre season really done it for me.

[ThierryHenry14]

"Adebayor Adebayor give him £80,000 and he still wants more"

[Dundon's]

Did you get the vibe off the WBA game that nobody wanted to see him score?

It was also weird to hear our supporters booing and laughing when he fucked up. Thing that gets me is the donkey (even last season) needs at least 3 excellent chances before he take one!! What a complete cunt, he's as bad as that other fool with utd who had the fans in the palm of his hands and fucked them over.

I don't know what we're going to do with him, maybe the hatred will grow thin as the season progress's.

[Jonny2J]

Give it a month or so when he's banging them in and Dundon's will be lauding him no doubt.

[ThierryHenry14]

As much as we don't want him we still need him.

[Dundon's]

Give it a month or so when he's banging them in and Dundon's will be lauding him no doubt.

Dunno mate, I know it's probably better I put it behind me if he's going to be sticking around, but even last season I never took to him.

[Viperized]

Did you get the vibe off the WBA game that nobody wanted to see him score?

It was also weird to hear our supporters booing and laughing when he fucked up. Thing that gets me is the donkey (even last season) needs at least 3 excellent chances before he take one!! What a complete cunt, he's as bad as that other fool with utd who had the fans in the palm of his hands and fucked them over.

I don't know what we're going to do with him, maybe the hatred will grow thin as the season progress's.
Adebayor once said he'll play for Arsenal for free. Heh.

[wrigh2uk]

It's a bad thing to say but I'd take 15m for him and cut my losses, I really don't like this man. Kissing the crest in the pre season really done it for me.

I was saying the same thing today that I would have took around20 Mill for him. I've lost all respect for this guy, what done it for me was the whole " I love this club, I never said I wanted to leave " speach.

As much as we don't want him we still need him.

Every Arsenal fan should know by now that all WE really need is Wenger (and maybe Cesc :cool:)

[pistolpete]

I think that given the same chances - Torres would have scored 50 for us last season.

I would have flogged him in the summer and bought David Villa.

There is something during most games from him that is laughable for 100k a week footballer.

[Barry]

I love Adebayor, though he obviously has a few scoring issues. Though he's not the biggest of problems, as he still capitalizes on quite a few of these chances, or can keep a load of defenders busy.

[Dundon's]

You speak the truth Sir, but he's still a greed monger.

[50!]

According to tommorows Daily Mail, you lot are going for Silvestre.

[Dundon's]

Fucking sake.

[Nturtle]

According to tommorows Daily Mail, you lot are going for Silvestre.

Well...we also got Gallas last time around...haha! A rare break in transfer for Wenger...but apparently only 750k for an experienced player in the league...a CB and also left or right back cover, now that Hoyte has gone. Who's to say it won't happen? :shocking:

[RB14 ARSENAL]

According to tommorows Daily Mail, you lot are going for Silvestre.

:mellow:

When was the last time Silvestre played a competitive game ??

:huh:

[Dragonfly]

Apparently, we were on the verge of signing Arshavin straight after the Euros, but he demanded too much wages. To be honest, I'm not too convinced that he'd be good enough for the Premiership or that he's better than Van Persie.

[AgentZero]

hijacking silvestre!!! love it lads, id prefer you lot than shcity

[Viperized]

I'm not too convinced that he'd be good enough for the England League.
Don't tell me you're serious?

[Dragonfly]

don't Tell Me You're Serious?

Ok?

[DJ Clue]

According to tommorows Daily Mail, you lot are going for Silvestre.

:lol:

[Guillermo]

And now you've signed him. :huh:

[ThierryHenry14]

That was quick.

[martin_cranie]

As long as his injuries were indicative of bad luck rather than natural inclination, I'm actually quite happy with signing him. Solid, flexible, cheap, experienced back-up. Unfortunately, I doubt his arrival is enough to edge Senderos or Gallas out of the door, but as I said a while back, that can wait, I guess.

[pes guy]

could that be the signing wenger was talking about?

[Adammce05]

*Waits for Viperized to shit himself*.

[Gooner10]

What the fuck? I thought you were joking about Silvestre and i've just seen on Sky Sports news! Well like I said we needed another back-up in defence... Wenger must have been reading lol. Now for a defensive midfielder and we're set!

[Bammers05]

*Waits for Viperized to shit himself*.

:chanlaugh:

[Dundon's]

This will feel weird for a long time, lets just hope he's not another sick note because at 31 years old we must of got him for next to fuck all.

I wanted Alonso or Arshavin. :crymore:

[Gooner10]

This will feel weird for a long time, lets just hope he's not another sick note because at 31 years old we must of got him for next to fuck all.

I wanted Alonso or Arshavin. :crymore:

There's still time, even Wenger said we need an experienced midfielder, plus if we got Silvestre for cheap we'll probably be in for a defensive midfielder still

[DJ Clue]

And now you've signed him. :huh:I thought it was only a joke.

Blimey.

[Poontang Pie]

The thing that makes this transfer special is that it's the first time that Ferguson and Wenger have ever done business together.

[Top Gun]

If he can stay fit, it will be a good signing.

[Dundon's]

Yea that's the only issue I see with the move, he's been out of the game for a nice little spell now. At 31 Wenger must be able to see some life in the auld horse yet by giving him a 2 year deal.

It's still gonna be weird for a while though.

[mufcsean]

£750,000 Bargain if you ask me

[Gooner10]

Good price actually. At least we have the back-up support in that area now and a nice versatile defender. Who's next then? Alonso?

[papa]

Very good little signing there if you ask me. Back up for 3 or 4 positions for £750,000 is not bad at all.

[vanNistelrooy]

If he went for £750k, then SAF is a spanner.

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Great spot of business there Arsene :happy:

If he can keep fit, he'll be great asset for squad, about time we had some cover in defence.

Yet another French player :no:

[mufcsean]

Great spot of business there Arsene :happy:

If he can keep fit, he'll be great asset for squad, about time we had some cover in defence.

Yet another French player :no:

Arsenal = French
Chelsea = Portuguese
Liverpool = Spanish
United = British :happy:




I'm only kidding before somebody takes this to heart and goes on the defensive

[DJ Clue]

I got a feeling Alonso may stay at Liverpool, is the Barry deal off?

[RB14 ARSENAL]

I got a feeling Alonso may stay at Liverpool, is the Barry deal off?

If we sign Alonso, he won't be able to play in Champions League for us because e played for L'pool vs Standard Liege.

So most likely Arsene will sign that Inhler guy, or maybe put in a last minute bid to snatch Barry seeing as the American owners aren't letting Rafa Benitez sign him...

Only Arsene knows and whoever he signs, it's the right decision :)

Either of them would be great for Arsenal.

[mufcsean]

Barry can't play in the Chapmions league either till next year as he played in the UEFA Cup game last week for Villa

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Barry can't play in the Chapmions league either till next year as he played in the UEFA Cup game last week for Villa

Ok thanks for reminding me ;)

I don't follow UEFA Cup so excuse me :D

[martin_cranie]

I may be wrong, but I believe Alonso can play in The Champions League this season for another team, just not until the next registration window in January.

[Nturtle]

Well...it's a bit like Gallas...definitely wierd....but hopefully even better results and no spaz crazy antics pls!!

What a way to shore up the defense though...easing a few worries.

[Dundon's]

I may be wrong, but I believe Alonso can play in The Champions League this season for another team, just not until the next registration window in January.


Yea I think you're right there fella.

[Nturtle]

Agree - I think it's all wiped clean come transfer time in Jan.

Apparently Gunnerblog says Wenger was watching Inler in last night's match...but he could equally have been watching Djourou! HA! Looking forward to a few more signings - you never know what Wenger comes up with!

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Now we've signed Silvestre, does this mean we will see less of Senderos :smug:

Silvestre > Senderos??
Silvestre > Djourou??

[Wan]

Hard to say that Silvestre is better than Djourou since he's been injury-plagued last season and I haven't see much of him but he can't be worse than Senderos.

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Hard to say that Silvestre is better than Djourou since he's been injury-plagued last season and I haven't see much of him but he can't be worse than Senderos.

Senderos is shocking against world-class teams but he copes against bottom half Prem teams; Djourou is better than Senderos clearly. We shall just have to see if Silvestre plays vs. Twente. If he does, we shall see if he's good and fit enough to play.

[Bammers05]

Senderos is shocking against world-class teams but he copes against bottom half Prem teams; Djourou is better than Senderos clearly. We shall just have to see if Silvestre plays vs. Twente. If he does, we shall see if he's good and fit enough to play.

Bit harsh on Senderos tbh. He was part of the defence that didn't concede a single goal in the run-up to the Champions League final in 2006, and he, also, helped keep out the likes Kaka, Pato etc over two legs, against AC Milan, so I wouldn't say that he's shocking against world-class teams, although I will concede that he is prone to moments where he loses concentration, costing the team dear.

Anyway, hopefully, if he's able to stay fit, Silvestre should be a good signing as a back-up centre-back. We need a bit of experience atm and he's got that.

[Viperized]

*Waits for Viperized to shit himself*.
Yeah, I'm going to shit myself because we signed a defender who is better than both of our backups. :rolleyes:

As long as he isn't the 'one more player' Wenger promised, I'm happy, because we still need cover in midfield.

[Nturtle]

Hopefully we see something of Song in the coming weeks in midfield - seems like he acquitted himself well at the olympics.

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Bit harsh on Senderos tbh. He was part of the defence that didn't concede a single goal in the run-up to the Champions League final in 2006, and he, also, helped keep out the likes Kaka, Pato etc over two legs, against AC Milan, so I wouldn't say that he's shocking against world-class teams, although I will concede that he is prone to moments where he loses concentration, costing the team dear.

Anyway, hopefully, if he's able to stay fit, Silvestre should be a good signing as a back-up centre-back. We need a bit of experience atm and he's got that.

Absolutely mate :)

I know I am a bit harsh on Phillipe; Like you say he loses concentration and makes mistakes which really shouldn't be happening. I don't like when he cocks up in the games that matter/have a high significance.

I like how Arsene really believes in his young guns, but there also needs to be experience for the youngsters to look up to and learn from.

Hopefully Silvestre can do that for us

[wrathchild_uk]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/498x327/aug_08/gun__1219306198_silvestre_gall ery1.jpg?ic=a36a62T

[mufcsean]

It'll be strange seeing him in that shirt

[Barry]

Now that is a strange sight.

[ThierryHenry14]

How old is he now?

[nath_scfc]

Now that is a strange sight.

We talking head or shirt?

[Barry]

We talking head or shirt?

:D Why the long face?

[RB14 ARSENAL]

How old is he now?

Mikael Silvestre
Date of birth August 9, 1977 (age 31)

[RB14 ARSENAL]

Arsenal full-back Armand Traore has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan.

Cover for Clichy?? :no:

Does this mean Silvestre will play left back if Clichy gets injured?

[CaptainCabinet]

Apparently we tried to sign him before, but Arsene switched him with Djimi when Harry turned his back. Would explain a fair amount...

[Stella Artois]

Arsenal full-back Armand Traore has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan.

Cover for Clichy?? :no:

Does this mean Silvestre will play left back if Clichy gets injured?

Yes.

Traore is a poor left-back anyway.

[mufcsean]

Whats happening with That Merida kid these days

[Stella Artois]

Whats happening with That Merida kid these days

Just got back from the UEFA U19 championships. Lots of conflicting reports, but its likely he'll go back out on loan. Possibly to Sociedad again, although they want a deal in place so they can sign him, I hear - which won't happen.

Barazite is on loan at Derby. The lad does genuinely look class. I hope he does well there and comes back and fights for a place with us.

[Meyyappan]

Whats happening with That Merida kid these days

Rumored to be the next anderson.

[Stella Artois]

Rumored to be the next anderson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtoP7iWDGeU

[mufcsean]

FFS, the real Anderson is still playing and is only 20, how the fuck can he be the next Anderson.

Also that wasn't my question.

[Bammers05]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtoP7iWDGeU

:chanlaugh:

[martin_cranie]

Rumored to be the next anderson.

Once again, you are a penis.

With any luck, Silvestre will play well enough for us to drop Gallas. Captain or not, the man is a joke. I'm very pleased that Song is back. Given a good run in midfield he could well be the man we need.

[Gooner10]

Wenger has said he still may get another player... and now everywhere i've seen everyone seems to think it will be Barry

[wrigh2uk]

Wenger has said he still may get another player... and now everywhere i've seen everyone seems to think it will be Barry


I hope to god its not, I'd seriously rather have Alonso over Barry. I have a strange feeling though its going to be that Inler though.

[Cannon ball]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtoP7iWDGeU

Haha, I clicked it thinking it was a Merida compilation, but instead you convey how you really feel about Meyappan. Beautiful. :wub:

[Poontang Pie]

I think that it's a shame that Lassana Diarra was so impatient during his short stay at Arsenal. Had he shown a little more patience and waited for his chance then there would be no need for you guys to dip into the transfer market for a new holding midfielder to replace Flamini with because you'd have a quality young player in Diarra at your disposal ready to step in.

It's also a shame for Lassana because he could be getting the regular football that he wished for at one of the best clubs in the world and there's no disrespect towards Portsmouth intended there who are a very good side, I just think that he is that good. Great business by Harry to snap him up for £5.5m.

[DJ Clue]

That Lassana Diarra is impatient twat tbh.

I wouldn't mind Alonso or Inler, but Barry ftl.

[mufcsean]

I think that it's a shame that Lassana Diarra was so impatient during his short stay at Arsenal. Had he shown a little more patience and waited for his chance then there would be no need for you guys to dip into the transfer market for a new holding midfielder to replace Flamini with because you'd have a quality young player in Diarra at your disposal ready to step in.

It's also a shame for Lassana because he could be getting the regular football that he wished for at one of the best clubs in the world and there's no disrespect towards Portsmouth intended there who are a very good side, I just think that he is that good. Great business by Harry to snap him up for £5.5m.

he'd be perfect at Arsenal but the lad genuinely wanted to play football which is something you don't see that much, so you can't blame him for leaving

[Gooner10]

He could have had a bit more faith but I suppose the fact that Flamini was playing so well and Diaby was getting games, as well as the presence of Denilson, persuaded him to look elsewhere. Then again if he thought he was good enough he should have relished the competition. Anyway i'd like to see Alonso in, havn't seen enough of that Inler guy to say whether i'd want him at Arsenal or not. I still reckon it'd be quality if we snapped up Giovinco he looks class even if quite young

[mufcsean]

And if i remember correctly you made a tidy profit on him aswell

[Keyser Soze]

I think that it's a shame that Lassana Diarra was so impatient during his short stay at Arsenal. Had he shown a little more patience and waited for his chance then there would be no need for you guys to dip into the transfer market for a new holding midfielder to replace Flamini with because you'd have a quality young player in Diarra at your disposal ready to step in.

It's also a shame for Lassana because he could be getting the regular football that he wished for at one of the best clubs in the world and there's no disrespect towards Portsmouth intended there who are a very good side, I just think that he is that good. Great business by Harry to snap him up for £5.5m.
It's more of Arsenal's loss than his tbh, he'll get his chance if he gets his head down. It's good to see him playing first-team football in his favoured position; from a neutral perspective.

[AgentZero]

Rumored to be the next anderson.
how the fuck is that a rumor?!....

[Viperized]

I think that it's a shame that Lassana Diarra was so impatient during his short stay at Arsenal. Had he shown a little more patience and waited for his chance then there would be no need for you guys to dip into the transfer market for a new holding midfielder to replace Flamini with because you'd have a quality young player in Diarra at your disposal ready to step in.

It's also a shame for Lassana because he could be getting the regular football that he wished for at one of the best clubs in the world and there's no disrespect towards Portsmouth intended there who are a very good side, I just think that he is that good. Great business by Harry to snap him up for £5.5m.
Completely agree.

He never had many first team appearances but Diarra was class whenever he played for us, and has shown at Portsmouth exactly why Wenger should've kept him.

[Joel]

There is no point keeping an unhappy player who has already made up his mind to go.

[ThierryHenry14]

2nd leg is on Wednesday on BBC3 at 8.

[Poontang Pie]

For the record guys I wasn't having a pop at Diarra for choosing to leave, nor was I being critical of Wenger for selling him. What I was getting at was that had Diarra stuck it out until the summer he could have been given his chance sooner than he would have expected with the departure of Flamini and Arsenal would have a quality player to step in and replace Flamini without the need to spend on somebody new. So basically I was just trying to say that looking back on the situation, Lassana's impatience has proven to be a little unfortunate for both parties in my opinion.

[RB14 ARSENAL]

2nd Leg Is On Wednesday On Bbc3 At 8.

bbc3 !? Wtf

[Nturtle]

Manchester City have agreed an undisclosed fee to sign young centre-back Vincent Kompany, according to his German side HSV Hamburg. Kompany, a Belgium international, had recently fallen out with manager Martin Jol after the Dutchman recalled him from the Olympics for their season opener against Bayern Munich.

The 22-year-old had attracted interest from Arsenal in the past but now looks set to become Mark Hughes's third signing since taking over at the club. "We wish Vincent all the best for his future," said Hamburg's director of football Dietmar Beiersdorfer.

Kompany made just 39 appearances for Hamburg after joining from Anderlecht in 2006.


This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Thursday August 21 2008.

Damn...Wenger should have moved for Kompany...that would have fit our bill - young strong defender, with experience this time.

[RB14 ARSENAL]

We play Fulham tomorrow (away, 17:30 kickoff),

Arsène Wenger may draft Mikael Silvestre and Alex Song into his squad for the weekend trip to Fulham.

The recent acquisition from Manchester United could be involved, although the manager was wary of a slight injury, while Alex Song is definitely included after his Olympic exploits with Cameroon ended at the Quarter-Final stage.

"I am not sure about Silvestre as he has a little muscular problem, but Song is [in the squad]," said Wenger at his pre-match press conference.

Samir Nasri is also likely to be involved despite missing the French victory over Sweden in midweek. Apart from that Wenger's squad is likely to remain the same.

There was also good news on some of those who missed last week's season opener, including Cesc Fabregas.

"Well Cesc is doing very well in training," said Wenger. " He won't be ready for Saturday but has a chance to be ok for Wednesday. We don't want to gamble on him for one game, we have to be patient."

"[Abou] Diaby doesn't look too far away and hopefully there will be good news on [Tomas] Rosicky in the next two weeks."

Any predictions what the score's going to be??

Even without Cesc, I think we will win comfortably and will win by 2 goals.

[Don Sweey]

Senderos to Milan? :doh:

We're so desperate it isn't even funny anymore.

[Billy Minof]

Senderos to Milan? :doh:

We're so desperate it isn't even funny anymore.

lol, he isnt that bad and you dont have to worry about him being exposed in the CL.

[Don Sweey]

lol, he isnt that bad and you dont have to worry about him being exposed in the CL.

I potentially do. We're going for a loan with an option to purchase next summer if we are indeed interested in him and we've already stated we want a defender of some quality, not a has-been for the bench.

[K.1.N.G.]

lol, He Isnt That Bad And You Dont Have To Worry About Him Being Exposed In The Cl.


:chanlaugh:

[pistolpete]

Senderos would do ok in Italy where there isnt much movement or pace - he has done well for us against slow playing teams especially in the CL.

Im gutted we didnt go for Kompany - i know AW has watched him for years, would have allowed Toure to go and play defensive midfielder.

[Gooner10]

Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has hinted at an interest in signing Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

Senderos was linked with a transfer to St James' Park earlier this summer, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger rejected the reports.

The Switzerland international could find his first-team opportunities at Arsenal restricted this term after the club landed 31-year-old Mikael Silvestre from Manchester United on Wednesday.

Reports emerged on Friday claiming AC Milan could move for Senderos; however the Italian giants have failed to confirm or deny the speculation.

Keegan, though, has intimated that he could strengthen his defensive ranks with the addition of the 23-year-old after the player's father claimed both Milan and the Magpies were keen to secure his services.

Three signings

"Well, the lad has got two tremendous clubs to pick from if his dad's right," Keegan said on Sky Sports News.

"Yes, [we are looking for that sort of player in that position].

"We are looking for three more players to come in before the deadline, but they have got to be the right players.

"We definitely need another defender; there is no doubt about that.

"We are looking for a defender, a midfield player and possible one more forward."

Yes, sell him a