Former Players Views

[Cripps_orig]

Thierry Henry (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/france/1145/thierry-henry) has urged Arsenal (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/94/arsenal-news) supporters to keep the faith in the club's long-standing manager Arsene Wenger (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/france/2843/ars%C3%A8ne-wenger) despite another disappointing end to the season in which the team failed to win any silverware.

The 33-year-old New York Red Bulls striker, who spent eight years at Arsenal helping them win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, said that even though the team's sixth consecutive trophyless season had left him 'suffering', he feels his former manager is the man to lead the team back to glory.

In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Henry said: "When you play for Arsenal there is always criticism. But I feel like any other fan. I’m like the rest of the team right now, I’m suffering.

"But we have to help and believe in that team. They had the potential to win this season, they've always been so close to winning but sometimes fall short. I think the team can do it and I hope that the boss [Wenger] stays because he is a very important person right there for that organisation."

Henry, who left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007 said his heart still belonged to the north London club and is looking forward to playing against his former team in July's Emirates Cup friendly.

"It will be a good feeling. To see Arsenal’s people again, the employees who work there, the players, the fans, the boss.


THIERRY HENRY

http://u.goal.com/103900/103911_hp.jpg
CLUB CAREER STATISTICSCLUB

MONACO
JUVENTUS
ARSENAL
BARCELONA
NY RED BULLS

TOTAL
APPEARANCES

115
16
370
92
20

613
GOALS

21
3
226
46
8

304
INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS

FRANCE
APPEARANCES

123
GOALS

53
"Arsenal is who my heart belongs to, so it will be an incredible moment, I hope. I played seven years at Highbury Stadium, so I can’t say that I even played a full year at the Emirates Stadium because I was injured a lot during my last year at Arsenal. So I think I played like 15 games at the Emirates, and with the stadium itself I don't have too much connection.

"But with the people... it's different, I love the people, the fans, the people who work there from the chef to the guy who takes care of the field."

Despite his nostalgia for Arsenal, Henry, who won both the World Cup and European Championship with France, says he is enjoying life in the MLS, where his New York Red Bulls side currently top the Eastern Conference.

"What I always say is that here [in MLS] we have a lot of good teams. The other day people thought that we were about to win easily the match against Chivas and we lost at home.

"In this league you never know, we have to work every Sunday or Saturday or whatever day the game is, we have to try to win. But teams -- here there are a lot of good clubs, good players. Teams in general are trying to play well. What I say is that it's too difficult to compare leagues. You can’t compare MLS with La Liga or Premier, but here the soccer level is good in general."

The Frenchman also says he has no plans to return to Europe and intends to end his playing career in the US.

"I’m happy here. I did what I had to do in Europe. I had the opportunity to win everything I played for in Europe, so I’m here in the USA, on an incredible team which is doing good things, trying to win its first title. So I’m happy to be here with them and if we can we are going to do that."

When asked whether he was considering a move into coaching, Henry responded: "To be honest, I don’t know yet. I have four years left and I’m going to try to finish them. I hope to win some titles. But after that I don’t know. Being close to soccer of course [that's my intention] because that is my passion, but even knowing that, I don’t know yet in what role."


Arsenal had the potential to win this season. I hope that the boss [Wenger] stays because he is a very important person right there for that organisation
http://u.goal.com/16400/16440_hp.jpg
Looking back on his glittering career, Henry said there was no one moment or memory he cherished above others and was simply enjoying playing regular football.

"At my age… people used to asked me a lot about the World Cup title and all that. But with the years passing by, I mean... how can I say this? I could play then and I can play now. You know, to me going out to the field and playing is always the best moment.

"You know why? Because when you know you are at a more advanced age you want to enjoy that that much more. And in my career, I've had a lot of good moments and bad moments. Oh, the bad moments! Still, the best moment is always when you go out to the field and can perform."

Henry also said he enjoys the relative anonymity that playing in the US gives him, but insists he still feels the pressure to perform to a high standard.

"Well, the pressure I always say is there. It's necessary to have pressure because the sport is like that. Sometimes I create the pressure myself. So in that aspect there is no problem.

"Now, on the other hand, it is true that off the field we're more at peace because people don’t recognise us that much and we can walk, go out to the movies or eat quietly and that to be honest helps me a lot in order to live a better life."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/01/2506290/thierry-henry-suffering-watching-arsenal-collapse-but

Was only a matter of time before he spouted some BS about supporting Wenger.

Also the quoting system on this forum is messed up

[Cripps_orig]

PAUL MERSON reckons Arsenal should make Scott Parker their No1 transfer target this summer.

Gunners legend Merson is adamant his old club need to bring in players who are already established in the Premier League.
And they do not come any better than Parker, who was the Football Writers' player of the season.
The tough-tackling midfielder is on England duty and mulling over his future after West Ham's relegation.
Merson said: "He was the best midfield player in the country last season. Arsenal need to buy players who are going to perform now, not in two or three years because really they haven't got two or three years to spare.
"He might be 30 but you know in the next two years he's going to bring a trophy to Arsenal because of his energy. He'd also help bring along Jack Wilshire too.

"That's the kind of player who I'd be looking at. He would come in and hit the ground running and it won't be, 'Oh well, next year he'll be better'. Arsenal don't have next year."



Merson would, however, stick with young keeper Wojciech Szczesny rather than bringing in a new No1.
He added: "The goalkeeper's made mistakes at vital times.
"He's a young goalie but if they bring in a new keeper he [Szczesny] may not play again for three or four years, so I think they'll stay with him and in two or three years he'll be top drawer. "
The other area in urgent need of rebuilding is the defence and Merson believes the answers could be close to home.
He said: "Again I would go with somebody who has played in the Premier League this year, like a Christopher Samba, a Gary Cahill, a Roger Johnson or a Scott Dann.
"People who are going to come in and settle straight away, not take six or seven or eight months and be thinking they don't play like this in Holland or Italy or Germany.
"This is the hardest league in the world."
Merson also expects Cesc Fabregas to leave the Emirates but wishes the Gunners captain was better advised.
He said: "I'd be surprised if he was at Arsenal next season.
"I can understand why he wants to go but at the same time you'd like his agent or people round him to sit down and say, 'You're a young lad, you want to be playing football'.
"There's nothing worse than training Monday to Friday then sitting on the bench on Saturday.
"It's all about playing Saturday afternoon or Sunday. I don't think another year at Arsenal would hurt him."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3612607/Paul-Merson-wants-to-see-Scott-Parker-at-Arsenal.html#ixzz1O4IN34G0


Agree with all of that

[Master Splinter]

Agree with all of that

Even this ?:

He was the best midfield player in the country last season.And this ?:

He might be 30 but you know in the next two years he's going to bring a trophy to Arsenal because of his energy.Is energy the new passion?

Merson should stick to gambling. And drinking. And mispronouncing words.

[AKBapologist]

Mersons an idiot, I think I respect Wrights opinion more and thats not saying much.

However...Arsene needs to make decent signings this summer or else the fans will pretty much give up. Me included, just renewed silver membership, never again whilst Arsenes in charge if he returns with an "Nop, all dead" in the transfer window this summer.


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

[Cripps_orig]

Best midfielder? Id say he was.

The other bit is just a matter of opinion

[Master Splinter]

He probably wasn't even the best midfielder if you go by his specialty, running around. Or energetic running, I should say.

He went missing for most of their run-in.

But he did run around a bit, tbf.

And he was better than the great Garry Barry for England.

[Cripps_orig]

Parker is better than what we have and that ultimately is whats important.

Are there better players available? Probably.

Are they available? Doubt it

Parker is and is a must get tbh

[Niall_Quinn]

Merse spot on. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out really, hence even Merson gets it. Apart from the GK bit, if we can't afford to carry a midfielder while he gets up to speed then we certainly can't afford to carry a GK. He's most accurate when he states Arsenal don't have another year of this collapsing bullshit to spare. It's not compulsory to win a trophy next year but it is compulsory to at worst miss out on everything we compete for by a hair's breadth, not the country mile we have become used to. If that happens again there will be a mass exodus both on the pitch and off it and we'll fall off down the table. Performances like the close of this season can't be papered over indefinitely, eventually failure of such magnitude is going to do serious structural damage. That;s why we need proper players in to shore things up, any more mincing pansies through the door and we've had it.

[The Wengerbabies]

William Gallas reckons Arsene Wenger's search for defensive reinforcements is proof the Arsenal boss was wrong to let him go.


The former Gunners skipper has also maintained their title collapse this season means he was right to question the commitment of his young team-mates when he was there.


Gallas, 33, showed he is still a defensive force to be reckoned with a fine season after moving down the road to Tottenham on a Bosman following failed talks over a new deal at the Emirates.


By contrast, Arsenal fans are still demanding Wenger bring in a top-class centre-half after a season that saw the club tumble out of title contention to finish only fourth.


Gallas confirmed yesterday: "I left Arsenal because we could not agree on a financial level.


"They decided to not make the effort to keep me. It is a choice I respect, and they respected the fact I didn't want the wages they proposed.


"Did Wenger make a mistake in not keeping me? He made a choice, but indeed I believe he made a mistake.


"In the street, Arsenal fans asked me why I left. The coach thought I was a finished player. I proved he was wrong."


Gallas was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy two years ago after an outspoken attack on his team-mates in which he revealed secrets of the dressing room and condemned the club's young players for not being brave enough.


This past season saw the Gunners fall apart in spectacular fashion after being surprisingly neaten by Birmingham in February's Carling Cup final.


Midfielder Denilson, who is set to leave Arsenal this summer, has claimed the side lost its bottle after that incredible Wembley giant-killing.


Gallas added yesterday: "When I was captain I wanted to give a message, but they didn't get it. I may have been clumsy, but the substance was right.


"I came from Chelsea, where I won titles, and I wanted to share my experience, because I thought we missed commitment in our work.


"My message has not been understood and I am also responsible for that. Unfortunately the last season showed that team still misses something.


"It is too easy to say all the Arsenal problems came from William Gallas."


Another of the reasons that Gallas was axed at Arsenal was the breakdown in his relationship with midfielder Samir Nasri in particular.


In a twist of irony, Nasri is currently holding the club to ransom by demanding a new deal of around £110,000-a-week, with Manchester United circling.


Gallas went on: "Samir Nasri? People tried to show me as an ugly duckling, but the images showed the contrary.


"Samir Nasri knows the problem. He can't lie to himself."


Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-Tottenham-news-William-Gallas-claims-Gunners-problems-defence-proves-wrong-decision-let-him-leave-article744940.html#ixzz1OaSUtdUC
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/profile/?uAction=register)



Basically calling the players a bunch of uncommitted pussies. Can't argue with that.

[Fist of Lehmann]

He probably wasn't even the best midfielder if you go by his specialty, running around. Or energetic running, I should say.

He went missing for most of their run-in.


A bit harsh, he was out injured wasn't he?

[Niall_Quinn]

Basically calling the players a bunch of uncommitted pussies. Can't argue with that.

All the Arsenal problems came from Gallas, tbf.

[The Wengerbabies]

All the Arsenal problems came from Gallas, tbf.
Nah, Wenger is the ultimate problem tbh.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

waiting for Parlour's 2 pence, seems to say the right things most of the time

[Cripps_orig]

LEE DIXON insists Arsenal simply cannot afford to lose both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Fabregas, 24, has grown increasingly disillusioned with life at the Emirates despite Arsene Wenger's best efforts to keep the Spanish midfielder happy.
A return to Barcelona appears to be on the cards for the World Cup winner, while Nasri is currently stalling on signing a new contract.
He has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester United but Dixon has warned the Gunners it would be a grave mistake to say goodbye to two of their biggest stars.
Dixon, who played for Arsenal from 1988 until 2002, said: "Every year it's a case of is Cesc going or is he staying?
"It will be no different this summer and it's inevitable that he will be linked with a move to Spain. At some point, it's also inevitable that he will actually leave.

Video: We can't lose Cesc and Nasri

"With Nasri, he had a great start to the season and I think he benefitted when Cesc wasn't in the team.
"He seemed to come into his own game a lot more in a central role instead of being out on the wing.
"I think it's imperative the manager keeps the best players, but do you want to keep someone if they are unhappy?
"In my book, it's always best to let unhappy players go and I think Cesc will come into that category sooner rather than later.
"I said at the start of last season that if Arsenal didn't start well, you could quite easily see his head dropping.
"I think he got the captaincy as a result of that to try and keep him at the club and inspire him to push the team on to win trophies.
"But that didn't happen and I don't particularly think he's a good captain anyway.
"I think it's imperative Nasri is made to feel welcome and shown that new signings will come in to strengthen the team.
"Will Cesc go? I think he'll definitely go at some point but to lose both of them will be a big, big blow."
Arsenal began last season with high hopes of becoming the first club to win the Quadruple.
But their campaign collapsed after a shock defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final left Wenger's young side reeling.
United dumped them out of the FA Cup and Barcelona ended Arsenal's hopes of progressing in the Champions League.


At one stage the Gunners appeared to be in danger of missing out on a place in European football's top competition next season but they managed to cling on to fourth in the Premier League.
Dixon admits the picture is fairly bleak at the moment after six trophyless years for the North London outfit.
But he insists his former club can look to Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey as proof that the future can indeed be bright.
Dixon told SunSport: "When Jack was 16, Arsene said to me he believed he was the best player he'd seen at that age.
"I have a lot of respect for Arsene and it's very hard for me to criticise him at times because I know the all-round person.
"He has belief in these players and has built a team to help them develop. Arsene's seen a lot of players come through and Jack is special, there's no doubt about that.
"Jack and Aaron could really be the future of that central midfield area for many years to come.
"With that in mind, perhaps it is the right time for Cesc to move on — for his own sake and for the good of the club."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3626012/Lee-Dixon-insists-Arsenal-cannot-afford-to-lose-Cesc-Fabregas-AND-Samir-Nasri.html#ixzz1OmcqlwDa

Disagree with Lee. Let them both go if they want

[LDG]

Same here.

I want Cesc out anyway. Get back to playing non-passy-pass-sideways-pass football, also known as football.

Nasri has just shown himself up as the mercenary he is. Get shot.

Stick Arshavin in the middle, and buy some width.

[Kano]

hope they both stay, especially fab

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has his sights set on an eventual return to the club he loves so dearly.
The 44-year-old captained the Gunners to two Barclays Premier League titles and three FA Cups during a glorious career at Highbury and is seemingly destined to eventually make his way back to north London in some capacity.
Adams is currently the manager of Azerbaijan Premier League side Gabala FC in an attempt to rebuild his managerial career which was, perhaps, unfairly damaged during a brief spell with Portsmouth.
However, should the former England skipper eventually receive a call from his former club, then Adams would jump at the chance - but only if he was offered the top job.

“I would love to go back to Arsenal one day, but not as No 2 or a defensive coach. Arsene Wenger would not let me do enough," he joked.
"He does all the coaching, so I don’t think I could work under him. It’s a tougher job at Gabala than at Arsenal.”
He added: “Arsene is a magnificent physiologist and psychologist. And he is a lovely man, he has the respect of most of the players he has worked with.”

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/arsenal-legend-targets-return

[Power n Glory]

No mention of Clichy from Dixon. Lol

[Coney]

On the Emirates tour, John Radford said that he and the others from the '71 crowd that attend the matches felt that after Patrick Vieira left, we were missing something and that we need a similar enforcer and hard man in the middle to drive the team both on and off the pitch. (Peter Storey was with him at the time and nodded agreement. For the youngsters, Peter Storey enjoyed a justified reputation as someone .. .. .. well, someone other players from other teams would not piss about with.)

[Coney]

Just googled Peter Storey and this was top of the list!!!!!!!

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/King-of-the-hard-men-Peter-Storey-has-warned-Arsene-Wenger-he-can-t-win-the-title-again-without-curing-Arsenal-s-soft-centre-article600863.html


King of the hard men Peter Storey has warned Arsene Wenger he can’t win the title again without curing Arsenal’s “soft centre.”

Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/King-of-the-hard-men-Peter-Storey-has-warned-Arsene-Wenger-he-can-t-win-the-title-again-without-curing-Arsenal-s-soft-centre-article600863.html#ixzz1P4AUt3Tf
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

[Marc Overmars]

On the Emirates tour, John Radford said that he and the others from the '71 crowd that attend the matches felt that after Patrick Vieira left, we were missing something and that we need a similar enforcer and hard man in the middle to drive the team both on and off the pitch. (Peter Storey was with him at the time and nodded agreement. For the youngsters, Peter Storey enjoyed a justified reputation as someone .. .. .. well, someone other players from other teams would not piss about with.)

Pah, what do they know about what makes for a successful team.:ninja:

[Coney]

Pah, what do they know about what makes for a successful team.:ninja:

They won the first ever double for the Arsenal, got our first European trophy and played the kind of football that attracted me to the Arsenal every since the first game I saw on 6th October 1971. OK - so they are not managers, but I suspect they know a lot more about the game that most of the posters on here. Possibly even than me. ;)

[Cripps_orig]

Ray Parlour says it would be a "disaster" if Arsenal lost both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri this summer.
"It's a special club and I'm hoping he can see that and stay for a long period of time."
Ray Parlour
The former Gunners midfielder was speaking after the club's star midfielders were linked with big-money transfers away from the Emirates Stadium.
Fabregas has long been rumoured to be switching to Barcelona, while Manchester United (http://topics.skysports.com/Manchester+United/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif are reported to be monitoring Nasri, (http://topics.skysports.com/Samir+Nasri/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif but Parlour says he'd like to see them commit their futures to the club.
And he insists it's vital that Arsene Wenger (http://topics.skysports.com/Arsene+Wenger/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif does not allow both of the players to leave during the summer transfer window.
"That would be a disaster," he told Sky Sports News.
"Samir Nasri was one of the best players last year at Arsenal. (http://topics.skysports.com/arsenal/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif I think he's really stepped up and he's got used to the Premier League.
"He's got tougher as a player and I thought he was excellent last season.
"To lose both, if they both go, would be a disaster for Arsenal, it really would. Then suddenly there's big work to be done from the manager and the back-room staff.
"I'm hoping Samir Nasri looks at Arsene Wenger, who's really brought his career on and says: 'I really like working with the manager, I want to stay another year, two years or three years'.
"Arsenal's a great club, there's no doubting that. You've seen the likes of Dennis Bergkamp stay for 11 years, Patrick Vieira was there nine years.
"It's a special club and I'm hoping he can see that and stay for a long period of time."

Champions Manchester United have already signed £20million defender Phil Jones from Blackburn and are close to concluding a deal for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.
And Parlour says the next few weeks are a key period for Arsenal if they have ambitions of competing with the top sides next season.
"It's a massive summer for them, after last season the fans are very frustrated," he said.
"There's a long way to go in the transfer market - let's not criticise them yet - and hopefully there's money there to spend, but we don't know that.
"Arsene Wenger has been very set in his ways, saying: 'There is money, but we need to get the right players'.
"I think they need to get four or five players if they really want to challenge the likes of Manchester United, who've gone out already and bought players; or the likes of Manchester City, (http://topics.skysports.com/Manchester+City/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif who will go into the market; or the likes of Liverpool (http://topics.skysports.com/liverpool/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif and Chelsea. (http://topics.skysports.com/chelsea/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif
"It's going to be very interesting."

With young English talent like Jones and Jordan Henderson (http://topics.skysports.com/Jordan+Henderson/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif moving for transfer fees in the region of £20million, it has been suggested that Arsenal would find better value in overseas signings.
And while Parlour would like to see more English players in the Arsenal team, he can understand that Wenger may cast his net further afield.
"I've always said Gary Cahill (http://topics.skysports.com/Gary+Cahill/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif would be a perfect signing for Arsenal," he added.
"It depends on how much money he is though. Arsene Wenger's always been of the policy that he can get a similar sort of player, who does a similar sort of job, for £5million cheaper.
"So it's going to be interesting."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6989447,00.html

Letting them go wouldnt be a disaster. Cesc is mentally in Barca already and has been for 18 months or so so he can f off asap.

Not replacing them would be a disaster.

[Kano]

cesc is going nowhere this summer thankfully

[Cripps_orig]

Probably not.

He has what, couple of years left on his contract?

I think it ends in 2014 so 3 at most. Xavi by then will be dead so Barca will get him then for a free

[Kano]

wenger said at the start of last season he had 5/6 years left on his contract

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-fabregas-can-stay-more-than-one-year-

[Toronto Gooner]

Probably not.

He has what, couple of years left on his contract?

I think it ends in 2014 so 3 at most. Xavi by then will be dead so Barca will get him then for a free
I think that Fabregas has 4 years left on the contract. I think (but am not certain) that next summer he might be able to buy out the rest of his contract. But the question is whether he would do something so obvious.

[Cripps_orig]

Cesc Fabregas (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/spain/2840/cesc-f%C3%A0bregas) has already checked out of the Emirates and it could be the right time for him to move to Barcelona (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/spain/125/barcelona), according to Arsenal (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/94/arsenal) legend Lee Dixon.

The former England right-back, who played more than 500 times for the Gunners (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/15/2516297/cesc-fabregas-is-not-a-good-captain-and-his-head-is-no#), believes the Spaniard's head has been turned by rumours of a move back to Catalunya and the pressure of being club captain is too much for him.

"I think maybe Fabregas' (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/15/2516297/cesc-fabregas-is-not-a-good-captain-and-his-head-is-no#) head is not there anymore at Arsenal," he told Goal.com. "I think the captaincy was given to him for a reason - not the right reason - I don't think he's a good captain. Maybe this summer might be the summer that he leaves."

Dixon added: "For me a captain is a natural leader - it's a state of mind that they are in a position when things aren't going well for them to be able to step out and actually lift other people; I don't see Fabregas doing that. He's said himself he finds that side of things very difficult and he's not someone if he's not playing particularly well that is going to be going round tapping people on the back going 'come on I'm there for you if you need me'. That is not the type of captain he is and for me that is the wrong type of captain. I don't think Arsenal have got a natural captain."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/15/2516297/cesc-fabregas-is-not-a-good-captain-and-his-head-is-no#) could also lose Fabregas' midfield team-mate Samir Nasri, who stepped into the Spaniard's shoes when he was injured this season and excelled. But the Frenchman is yet to agree a new deal and could leave the Emirates for free next summer but Wenger has claimed he will do everything he can to keep the midfield star.

"Samir Nasri has come into his own last season with Fabregas having his injuries and not playing as much; he found a little space to come in and play more centrally and his development improved because of that," Dixon added. "He had a great first two thirds of the season; he would be a massive blow . On last year's form you would say that Nasri would be a bigger loss than Fabregas."

Earlier this month former Gunners ace Thierry Henry urged the club and supporters to stick by Wenger (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/01/2506290/thierry-henry-suffering-watching-arsenal-collapse-but) despite six trophy-less seasons in an exclusive interview with Goal.com, and Dixon agrees.

"I completely agree with [Henry]." he said. "I think [Wenger] needs to look at the team and he needs to maybe change a little bit his philosophy. I just look at that team now and I think if I was in that team I'd be going mad with certain aspects of it. We all love watching them when they have got the ball, there's no better team in the Premier League than that, but at times there's a lack of cutting edge; when they've had 20 passes they seem to want 21 and not put the ball in the net.

http://u.goal.com/117100/117196hp2.jpg


Arrgh! | Dixon - like Wenger - has been frustrated watching Arsenal this term

"But the biggest problem is the team mentality when they haven't got the ball and that needs experienced players in there and it needs not just one it needs two or three - that goes from the pitch on to the training pitch into the dressing room."

There was, though, one bright spark during another disappointing season in the shape of Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal midfielder picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year and progressed from the England Under-21s to the full squad. The 19-year-old was involved in a club versus country row ahead of this summer's Under-21 European Championships with Wenger claiming his youngster has already played enough games, but Dixon believes Wilshere should not have been in Stuart Pearce's (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/15/2516297/cesc-fabregas-is-not-a-good-captain-and-his-head-is-no#) squad anyway.

"I don't believe that once you make your progression from the Under-21s to the senior level that you should be playing in the Under-21s," he said. "He's made that transition into the first-team and he should stay there. Yeah it's great if the Under-21s win the tournament but I still think they can do very well without Jack Wilshere and he can go on and progress his full England career.

"He's got that doggedness about him, that will to win. That character that Jack possesses is something that needs to rub off on a few of the others."


http://u.goal.com/106100/106155_hp.jpg
"Jack has got that doggedness about him. It needs to rub off on a few others"

Dixon made the right-back spot his own at Arsenal after 14 years with the club, so knows a thing or two about playing that position, and had high praise for current incumbent Bacary Sagna, who was selected in the PFA Team of the Year this season.

"I do like him; he's settled into the team [and] come in off the back of some Arsenal legends like Oleg Luzhny and Pal Lydersen - he had some big boots to fill! I think he's settled into the position very well. He has still got lots of things to learn, the position has changed over the years even since I stopped playing. He's possibly the best [in the Premier League]."

Dixon is now putting his time and money behind a new online football game [I]I AM PLAYR that puts you in the boots of a young hopeful and lets you experience the pitfalls on and off the pitch. There are choices in the game that were exactly what the 47-year-old had to face during his playing days.

"I thought it was a really brilliant idea and it could go really big," he said. "It's quite intriguing from that point of view with me because I've actually been there and to be honest with you been on some celebrations after games where there are choices to make. Certainly my experience of playing football with Tony Adams, who is a recovering alcoholic now, on some nights he would definitely go left and I would definitely go right.

"I can remember reading his book and thinking that I remember being out with him on that night and then thinking 'there's another 10 pages of the chapter to go and I can remember I went home then' and you turn the pages and there's another whole new world opens up of where Tony went and the things he got up to."

Lee Dixon is a brand ambassador and an investor in the first-ever point of view football game I AM PLAYR (www.iamplayr.com (http://www.iamplayr.com/)) from games developers We R Interactive

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/15/2516297/cesc-fabregas-is-not-a-good-captain-and-his-head-is-no

Dixon :bow:

How he is missed

[LDG]

Dicko is a legend. Spot on the money.

Sod Adams, this is the former player with intelligence. Love to see him back at the club and on the training ground.

Punched a spud right in the kisser and got sent off too. :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

Always great reading what he has to say. Legend.

Should be promoted from MOTD2 as well.

[Cripps_orig]

He is spot on with everything bar this


"I do like him; he's settled into the team [and] come in off the back of some Arsenal legends like Oleg Luzhny and Pal Lydersen

Surely hes been misquoted?

[LDG]

He is spot on with everything bar this



Surely hes been misquoted?

:haha:

Good lad :lol:

I remember interviews with him on old video season highlights. Always taking the piss.

[Cripps_orig]

The BBC pundit, who made his name as part of a formidable defence with the Gunners in the 1990s, believes the England international could be the perfect summer addition at the Emirates this summer.


With Tottenham Hotspur also keen to bring the West Ham United midfielder to north London, competition for the player is likely to be fierce, but Dixon believes Wenger should put some of his available resources towards landing the Npower Championship player.

?

“I like Scott Parker and *always liked him from his time at *Charlton and Chelsea. He goes about his business in a workman-like way and that is not to say he hasn’t got other aspects to his game," Dixon told the Daily Star.

"I think if you had *taken his performances in a West Ham shirt last season, put them in an Arsenal shirt and replicated those *displays, my old team would have got *another ten points or so.

“I think the way he plays the game would suit Arsenal’s style, to allow the more attacking players to flourish ahead of him.”

?
*

?

Lee Dixon

I think the way he plays the game would suit Arsenal’s style


Bringing the 30-year-old to the club would see Parker lining-up with compatriot Jack Wilsher and Welshman Aaron Ramsey in a midfield three that excites Dixon should skipper Cesc Fabregas leave the club.

“You have got to do everything in your power to try to see if Fabregas will stay because he is such a talented player," the Arsenal veteran continued.

"But if his mind is not there, then you let him go as far as I am concerned. In Ramsey and Wilshere, Arsenal have *players who can perhaps do a similar job to Cesc, so if his mind is not there and he does leave, I don’t think you have to sign another player like Fabregas to progress the team.

"With *Ramsey and Wilshere they are *covered in that *department and, as I said, Parker would suit them in there.”

Dixon :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Another shocker from Dixon.

Should stick to looking dreamily at Hansen.

[Cripps_orig]

Ray Parlour has claimed that Scott Parker (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/players/p1411/scott-parker) is the answer to Arsenal’s midfield problems, not Joey Barton (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/players/p15276/joey-barton).
Speculation has suggested that Gunners (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/clubs/t3/arsenal) boss Arsene Wenger (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/term/arsene-wenger) is ready to swoop for Newcastle (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/clubs/t4/newcastle) midfielder Barton in an attempt to give his side the bite they lacked in midfield.
But Parlour, who played in three Premier League winning sides for Wenger, has told talkSPORT that they should turn their attention to West Ham (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/clubs/t21/westham)’s combative captain Parker.
Speaking to the Weekend Sports Breakfast: “They do need strength in the midfield but I’d go for Scotty Parker.
“Scotty has proved that he can do it internationally and I think he’d fit in very easily and it would be a great move as well.
“He’s got all you need from a midfield player. He breaks things up, he’s a good tackler, he drives things on as he has done for West Ham. He’s been a one-man-team for West Ham this season so I would pick him.
“Joey Barton has knuckled down a bit better but he’s been playing on the right-hand side for Newcastle but for me the way Arsenal play I think Parker would fit in perfectly in that holding role in front of the back four.
“He’s not going to get up and down like he used to but he’s got the experience now and he’s been at some big clubs.”
Parlour also highlighted out-of-favour Tottenham (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/clubs/t6/tottenham) striker Jermain Defoe (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/players/p7958/jermain-defoe) as another player who could strengthen the side.
“I know they are linked with Jermain Defoe and he would be a good signing for Arsenal,” he added.
“They create so many chances that if you get a fox-in-the-box then I’m sure he’d bang in a load of goals for Arsenal.
“I don’t think the Tottenham fans will like it but that’s football these days.”

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/8449/5/exclusive-%E2%80%93-parlour-arsenal-should-sign-parker-not-barton

Parlour :bow:

Not so sure about Defoe though

[Master Splinter]

Scotty has proved that he can do it internationally


No he hasn't.



He’s got all you need from a midfield player.


No he hasn't.



He’s been a one-man-team for West Ham this season


A team that got relegated.



he’s been at some big clubs.


One big club, for whom he was shit.



I know they are linked with Jermain Defoe and he would be a good signing for Arsenal.


No he wouldn't.


The moral of the story is: ex-players should not speak.

[Cripps_orig]

Parlour and Dixon :bow:

Speaking sense as only they can.

Parker is a must get

[The Verminator]

Parker is such an obvious buy that you can guarantee we won't.

[Cripps_orig]

Parker is such an obvious buy that you can guarantee we won't.
Exactly what we need, available, affordable and a good player.

Wenger will go for some french/african nobody though

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/94/arsenal) favourite Ray Parlour has called on Arsene Wenger (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/france/2843/ars%C3%A8ne-wenger) to sign West Ham (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/374/west-ham-united)’s wantaway midfielder Scott Parker (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/england/1648/scott-parker).

Parker’s consistently exceptional performances in the Premier League last season earned him the Football Writers’ Association player of the year award in spite of the Hammers’ relegation to the Championship.

Arsenal’s collapse in the final few months of the campaign caused some to question the whether Wenger’s current crop have the experience and grit required to end their six-year trophy drought – qualities Parlour believes Parker possesses in abundance.

The former Gunners midfielder is adamant the England international (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/27/2550057/arsenal-should-sign-west-hams-scott-parker-to-beef-up-their#) should be Wenger’s top target, although he admits the squad also needs strengthening in defence and attack.

“Scott Parker is going at West Ham, bring him in, he’d be excellent just in front of the back four and there’s an opportunity to get him,” Parlour told talkSPORT.

“They also need somebody at the back who can play centre-half, a real stopper like a Sol Campbell (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/27/2550057/arsenal-should-sign-west-hams-scott-parker-to-beef-up-their#), who puts his body there and makes sure Arsenal don’t concede goals.

“If they can get someone like that it would be excellent. They also need a striker as well but they’ve got a decent squad and they’ll have a chance.

“Every Arsenal fan out there who is a little bit worried, don’t panic just yet as there’s a long way to go before the start of the season.

“I’m just hoping they can find that right player or right players to really push them to challenge Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool who will be strong next year.”

Parlour also suggests it might be a good idea for his old club to cash in on captain Cesc Fabregas (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/27/2550057/arsenal-should-sign-west-hams-scott-parker-to-beef-up-their#), who is wanted by Barcelona, and reinvest the money back into the team, although he believes Samir Nasri cannot be allowed to follow the Spaniard through the exit door.

“Maybe they should take [Barcelona’s proposed deal for Fabregas] and put the money elsewhere in the squad,” he added.

“I do think it’s important though to keep Samir Nasri and it would be a disaster if they lose both of them.

“If you lose Fabregas, maybe Nasri can step in and play the role that Cesc does just behind the front two.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/27/2550057/arsenal-should-sign-west-hams-scott-parker-to-beef-up-their

Parlour :bow:

Apart from telling Arsenal fans not to worry cos there is a long way to go before the season starts. That may be true but pre season is nearly among us

[Grebbo]

I think many Arsenal fans have been brainwashed by Wenger and think that we only need super technical players and turn their noses up at Parker.

We've got fucking plenty of technical fancy dan poofs and we certainly don't need any more. What we need is a grafter, someone who actually tackles and gives a shit. Someone like Parker.

Parlour was part of Arsenal's greatest team of all time. He wasn't blessed with skill and wasn't an England regular but he was a great player. Parker is similar.

Wenger will turn his nose up but we all know Wenger is finished.

[Cripps_orig]

I think many Arsenal fans have been brainwashed by Wenger and think that we only need super technical players and turn their noses up at Parker.

We've got fucking plenty of technical fancy dan poofs and we certainly don't need any more. What we need is a grafter, someone who actually tackles and gives a shit. Someone like Parker.

Parlour was part of Arsenal's greatest team of all time. He wasn't blessed with skill and wasn't an England regular but he was a great player. Parker is similar.

Wenger will turn his nose up but we all know Wenger is finished.
:gp:

[Boss]

I think many Arsenal fans have been brainwashed by Wenger and think that we only need super technical players and turn their noses up at Parker.

We've got fucking plenty of technical fancy dan poofs and we certainly don't need any more. What we need is a grafter, someone who actually tackles and gives a shit. Someone like Parker.

Parlour was part of Arsenal's greatest team of all time. He wasn't blessed with skill and wasn't an England regular but he was a great player. Parker is similar.

Wenger will turn his nose up but we all know Wenger is finished.

:gp:

[Master Splinter]

There's the small difference of Parlour being an excellent player and Parker being an average one.

Nothing to do with technical abilty.

[Grebbo]

But Parker isn't average. He's not great either but he's 100 times better than dopey Sideways Song who hardly breaks into a sweat he's so god damn slow.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/94/arsenal) midfielder Ray Parlour believes his old club should try to sign Jermain Defoe (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/england/2121/jermain-defoe) from arch-rivals Tottenham (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/105/tottenham).

The 38-year-old sees similarities between Defoe (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/28/2551844/tottenhams-jermain-defoe-could-be-like-ian-wright-for#) and Arsenal goalscoring legend Ian Wright and has welcomed reports linking the Spurs man with a controversial move across London.

“They do need a striker,” Parlour told talkSPORT.

“Marouane Chamakh found it difficult. He did well in the early parts of the season but went off the boil a bit.

“They should get someone who’s a little bit different, who can score a goal, like an Ian Wright. Jermain Defoe would be a good signing for me.

“Tottenham fans won’t like it but that’s how it goes these days. I was there when Sol Campbell (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/28/2551844/tottenhams-jermain-defoe-could-be-like-ian-wright-for#) signed and he was a great player for Arsenal.”

Parlour also believes that manager Arsene Wenger needs to strengthen his squad in other areas if they are to avoid another trophyless campaign.

“When his major players get injured there is not enough quality behind who can come in and do a job," he added.

“When I was playing, when vital players got injured like Dennis Bergkamp (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/28/2551844/tottenhams-jermain-defoe-could-be-like-ian-wright-for#), we still had players who could come in and do a good job. That’s the difference now.

“If Arsenal get their top side out they are a very good side, there’s no doubting that.

“But if a couple of them get injured, have they got enough back-up?

“Players like Bendtner and Denilson, can they come in and do a sound job? Last season they had their chances but I don’t think they did.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/06/28/2551844/tottenhams-jermain-defoe-could-be-like-ian-wright-for

2 years ago, id have loved Defoe here. Hes a bit shit now though

Spot on with the rest of what he says though

Parlour :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal star Perry Groves has spoken out about Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy and the situation Arsenal now find themselves in with Cesc Fabregas.
In two separate interviews with talkSPORT, the former Gunner stated firstly that he felt Arsene’s failure to strengthen the squad in the January window last season cost Arsenal a chance at winning the league, and secondly that Arsenal should let Fabregas move on to Barcelona.
On Arsene’s transfer policy (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/8597/1/exclusive-groves-wengers-transfer-policy-has-been-wrong-two-or-three-years): “The frustrating thing is [the Premier League] was Arsenal’s to win last year. But because they didn’t have the dominant centre-half which they could have gone and got in January that’s why [they didn’t win the league] and that’s why Arsene’s policy over two or three years has been proven wrong.”
“There has been two phases when Arsene Wenger has been in charge. On the pitch from 1996-2004 that is how you structure a football team. Off the pitch from 2005-2011 is how you structure a football club, going from Highbury to the Emirates.
On Arsenal’s current situation with Cesc Fabregas (http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/8570/0/exclusive-%E2%80%93-groves-%E2%80%98arsenal-should-take-%C2%A330million-fabregas%E2%80%99): “If a player is not 100 per cent committed to your football club then there’s no point him being there. I don’t think he was 100 per cent focused last year”
“I think it’s time to say ‘thanks, Cesc, you’ve been a brilliant servant to us, if that’s your calling and you really want to go, we will take that £30million’. And then invest the money in the players that are going to make our squad and team stronger.”
I like Perry Groves, always have, and I have to say that I feel he’s spot on in both these interviews. The “two phases when Arsene has been in charge” is a great analysis of Arsene’s tenure, I think. You could argue that not much has gone right on the footballing side of things over the last few years. Financially, of course his track record speaks for itself, but the results on the pitch do not.
Regarding Arsene’s transfer policies, I think that the clearest indication of Arsene’s intentions will be what happens in January, not June and July.
If Arsenal arrive at next January the same way they have arrived at the January’s of the past few seasons (In the thick of 3 or 4 competitions, a few injury concerns, questions of depth at one position or another), what will Arsene do? Will he dawdle about, make a couple of half-hearted offers, and then tell fans and players alike that “we were close to signings” but don’t worry, so-and-so will be “like a new signing” whenever he gets healthy?
If that’s the Arsene we see, then I’m afraid that what happens this summer will probably make little difference. Arsene’s refusal to adequately provide depth for his squad is what hurts the club the most. The January window is a chance to stop and say “here are my squad’s shortcomings, here are their strengths,” and then add to your strengths. Look at the impact David Luiz had on Chelsea’s defense the last half of the year. How about Luis Suarez’s impact on Liverpool?
Even in the summer window, Arsene’s decisions have been questionable. Rafael van der Vaart, anyone? Watching him shred Gooner’s dreams to pieces twice this year was sickening, especially considering the fact that RVP begged Arsene to get him.
Instead, Arsene lost out to Tottenham, of all clubs, and van der Vaart signed for Spurs for £9m on the last day of August. That’s why I just want to scream when I hear Arsene try and blame this team’s poor season on Cesc’s injury troubles. A world-class replacement could have been had for under £10m, but instead, Arsene ignores him, he goes to our rivals, and is instrumental ruining Arsenal’s title hopes. Poetic justice indeed.

http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2011/06/26/perry-groves-questions-wengers-transfer-policy-video-of-ebecilios-goal/

Spot on about VDV

[GP]

But Parker isn't average. He's not great either but he's 100 times better than dopey Sideways Song who hardly breaks into a sweat he's so god damn slow.

lol no

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn confessed he is worried ahead of next season especially if the Gunners lose important elements of the squad.
Speaking to talkSport’s Saggers and Quinny, the 47-year old explained that captain Cesc Fabregas and left-back Gael Clichy will definitely leave adding that it is therefore vital for manager Arsene Wenger to keep midfielder Samir Nasri at the club.
Asked about players joining during the summer transfer window, the Englishman confessed that he has no idea who the players are although reports suggested yesterday that Lille’s Gervinho will be the Gunners’ second signing of the summer.
And, according to Winterburn, English players are a must to get the “English spirit” back and to win the league as with the current squad available to Wenger the Gunners will never win the title especially with Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United reinforcing in the transfer window.
Ahead of next season, the former left-back said:

I am concerned for this season coming. Two players are definitely leaving in Fabregas and Clichy. I’m hoping that Nasri will stay.
But these are worrying times when you look at three players who have been very prominent for the club. My understanding is two of them will be gone very, very shortly and we haven’t heard of any signings coming in.
There are one or two rumours that maybe something will be happening for Arsenal in the next week and a half with players coming, so that’s positive, but we don’t know who those players are.
They need to get two or three English players back into the squad to get that English spirit back, along with the style of football Arsenal have been playing.
If they don’t do that, with the squad they have got at the moment, they are not going to win the league.
Manchester City will strengthen, Chelsea will strengthen, Manchester United have already done it, and I don’t think Arsenal are powerful enough at the moment over 38 games to compete with those teams.

http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2011/07/02/nigel-winterburn-two-players-are-definitely-leaving-in-fabregas-and-clichy/

We need proven PL experience, not necessarily English

[Özim]

But Parker isn't average. He's not great either but he's 100 times better than dopey Sideways Song who hardly breaks into a sweat he's so god damn slow.
Pretty much.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal full back Nigel Winterburn believes the Gunners will have to spend big this summer to have a chance of competing with Manchester United, Chelsea and Man City in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
Rumours are rife that skipper Cesc Fabregas, midfielder Samir Nasri and full back Gael Clichy are on the verge of leaving Arsenal before the start of the new campaign and Winterburn admits these are ‘worrying’ times for the club.
“For me it is about bringing the right type of players to the club and if that means Arsenal changing their transfer policy on signing players, then so be it,” said former left-back Winterburn.

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“Over the last ten years the highest fee they have paid for a player has been £15 million but if they have to go over that to really strengthen this team then they will have to do it.
“Arsenal are going to get good money for the players that look like leaving so it would almost be a case of re-balancing the books.”
Winterburn added: “We have had the restructuring after the move to the new stadium and I think there were more constraints on Arsene Wenger than a lot of people knew.
“But now it has got to the stage where you look at the amount of money Man City have got, United have already gone out and bought players and Chelsea will spend.
“I don’t think Arsenal can compete with those teams financially, but people will want to see that the squad is being strengthened because they have come up really short in terms of spending over the last two years.
“They need to get that winning mentality and that could mean signing two or three English players to get that English spirit alongside the style of football they play.
“If Arsenal don’t do that, they are not going to win the league because all the other top teams will get stronger and we are not powerful enough over 38 games to compete – although they are not far away.”

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/gunners-legend-urges-his-old-club-to-splash-the-ca

More from Winterburn

[Cripps_orig]

ON TUESDAY I was stopped in the street in Camden by an Arsenal fan, who asked me, simply: 'What the hell is going on with our club?'

It sounds brutal, it sounds blunt, but it sums up the mood of the supporters as this summer lurches from frustration to despair.

Gael Clichy's move to Manchester City wouldn't bother me much in normal circumstances.

I'm not that fussed by it on an individual basis as Kieran Gibbs is coming through nicely. But now it looks like Samir Nasri is set to join him.

Since when did Arsenal become Manchester City's feeder club? And with Cesc Fabregas looking a goner to Barcelona too, it's very, very sad to see. How on earth will Arsene Wenger attract any top players to Arsenal?

It's come to something when a player like Clichy feels Arsenal is not good enough for him anymore. He can see that Man City is going to be challenging for top trophies next season.

For a start, he won't have to go through Champions League qualification, unlike Arsenal. It is a club going places and this summer City look like they will kick on again. Manchester United have made it clear they mean business too, being bullish in the transfer market and buying Ashley Young, Phil Jones and the keeper David De Gea.

Liverpool have got Jordan Henderson and are making serious moves for Stewart Downing.

Chelsea have got a new manager in place and will soon be very active.

Arsenal are being left behind. And the trouble is, when all the top-class players have gone, it becomes extremely difficult to lure other top players to your club.

Wenger has put his faith in picking up little gems from abroad, little-known players who he can nurture and develop. All very well. But he has filled the dressing room with players who 'owe' him. It's a nice cosy arrangement.

There are no players who are big enough and experienced enough to turn around and say 'hang on boss, let's try this, or let's do that'.

Serious teams need established world-class players, who can bring it to bear in February and March when the youngsters need a gee-up, when the going gets tough and the demands of a long season kick in.

He's been asking too much of the young players he's brought through.

Nicklas Bendtner, Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Clichy, are all good players but Arsenal should be courting the star players before they move to other big clubs. But they're nowhere to be seen.

What's Wenger doing? I see the Gervinho deal looks close to being finalised. He might be good, fingers crossed. Well I'm sorry but fingers crossed doesn't work anymore. It hasn't worked for six years since the Gunners last won a trophy.




<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=b01bab4a96" >Football Confidential Live - Thursday July 7</a>


Downing, Jones, Henderson. Even Young. They might not be the sort of players Wenger likes but at least those other clubs are having a go. And by doing so, they send out a statement of intent they want to be even better next season.

I'd love to see Wenger being given the same sort of transfer pot that the likes of Jose Mourinho had at Chelsea, or Andre Villas-Boas will get. The same backing Alex Ferguson enjoys at Manchester United.

I'd be so curious to see where he goes and what he does with it.

But I have my suspicions that he would still dither about, take too long to make up his mind and then plump for someone in France or Spain hardly any of us have ever heard of.

Fabregas has clearly recognised the fact that Arsenal will not be competing with their rivals in the transfer market.

He has been loyal to them and played his best but now he can see what's going on and looks set to go.

That's been going on for some time but the whole transfer thing is like a house of cards. Once one big name wants out, the rest see it and it all comes tumbling down.

I get accused of having a go at Arsenal. But I'm only putting in bold black and white the problems that the real fans are deeply concerned about.

And I'm not referring to those who came with the flash new Emirates Stadium, some of whom don't like singing on Saturday afternoons.

I've been engaged in fierce debates with some of whom have fallen for this guff that at least Arsenal's not in debt. They point out that the Glazers have borrowed fortunes in Manchester United's name.

True. But Man Utd have also been in three Champions League finals in the last few years and have won Premier League trophies and FA Cups. Man Utd may have debts but I tell you this, if the club suddenly went on the market, it would be sold within a week. Would that happen with Arsenal? I'm not so sure.

Real fans don't give a hoot about debts. They pay a lot of money to come through the gates and they don't want to see their heroes passing them on the way out.

Wenger is still the right man for the job but he needs proper backing and I do feel that sometimes he needs a good shaking.

Right now, I can't see Arsenal challenging for the Premier League title next season, which is seriously depressing in July!






What I'd like to see are some bullish signings.

Go out and chase the likes of Michael Essien. Get him back on top form and he's a fabulous player, plus you'd be getting a player from Chelsea, one of Arsenal's supposed rivals from the Premier League and just across the River Thames.

Then go for keeper Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany and get your own back on Manchester City.

Make the rest of English football sit up and take notice for once - not just Arsenal fans who can see the lights going out on their club.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/3681696/Ian-Wright-says-Arsene-Wenger-only-buys-unknowns.html#ixzz1RRvUCqKn

Wrighty :bow:

I know the fools will laugh off what hes saying especially the going after Essien, Hart, Kompany etc bit but i get his point. We need to do something to make people sit up and take notice of us.

The guy is hurting. What a legend :bow:

[Xhaka Can’t]

I can quite honestly say that I detest Ian Wright.

[GP]

People will say his heart is in the right place, but it isn't. It's where his brain should be.

[Master Splinter]

People will say his heart is in the right place, but it isn't. It's where his brain should be.

:haha:

Wright is an utter moron.

[Cripps_orig]

Perry Groves has told talkSPORT Stewart Downing would be a ‘fantastic addition’ for Arsenal – so long as he’s not a direct replacement for Samir Nasri.

The Gunners are reportedly ready to battle Liverpool for the signing of the £20million-rated Aston Villa winger and Groves believes the 26-year-old would fit well into Arsene Wenger's team.

"If Arsenal got Stewart Downing, Arsenal fans will be pleased they are getting a proven Premier League player and international," Groves said, speaking to Goldstein and Cundy. "And you’re not going to have to wait for him to develop.

"He would give you a bit of balance on the left-hand side. If you look at Arsenal’s first- team at the moment they have only got two players, Thomas Vermaelen and Robin Van Persie, who are left-sided players.

"He will give you consistency, I think he was ever-present for Aston Villa last season, and he will give you balance. He's not a player that Arsene Wenger normally gets, from Spanish or Italian leagues where there is a risk element involved. You are not going to have that risk with Downing."

But Groves admits he will be hugely disappointed should Nasri go and Downing arrive in place of the Frenchman.

“If Arsenal got Stewart Downing, Arsenal fans will be pleased they are getting a proven Premier League player and international”Perry Groves


"If he comes into Arsenal’s side as well as Samir Nasri, then great, but not because of Samir Nasri," he added. "If Samir Nasri goes, Stewart Downing won't be a replacement for him because they are different sorts of players.

"Nasri is a player who has got guile and creativity around the box. Downing is more of an energetic player who will give you a bit of pace on the left-hand side and decent delivery so if he's an addition to the squad, fantastic."

Nasri's future is still the subject of much speculation and Groves has urged Wenger to break Arsenal’s wage structure to keep the playmaker – but promise him a move away if the club fail to win anything next season.

He continued: “Arsene Wenger should sit him down like Sir Alex Ferguson did with Ronaldo and say, ‘We’ll give you a contract extension, we’ll give you £110,000 a week, just give us one more season and if we can win trophies you will be happy and stay and if we don’t we will guarantee you that we will let you go at the end of the season for the price you are worth now, which is probably £25million’.

"I think then he’ll be happy to stay. Somtimes you have to pay over the odds for the good of your club and your teams. If it means Arsenal have to break their wage structure and then van Persie goes in and says, 'Well I want the same money' then fine, break your wage structure."


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/8944/9/exclusive-%E2%80%93-groves-downing-would-be-fantastic-addition-arsenal

[Cripps_orig]

Ray Parlour believes Cesc Fabregas won’t sulk should his move to Barcelona not materialise this summer.

The Catalan giants have already seen bids of £27million and £30m rejected by Arsene Wenger as the Gunners boss fights to keep hold of the wantaway star.

Before the start of Arsenal’s tour to Malaysia, the Frenchman reiterated his desire to retain the Spaniard’s services, claiming he will fight as hard as he can to keep Fabregas.

“Fabregas is not going to sulk and, if he does stay, he’ll be a massive asset for Arsenal next season”Ray Parlour


And Parlour has now told talkSPORT that, should Fabregas stay, he’ll get straight down to business ahead of the new season.

He said: “If Fabregas does stay, he’ll put all that behind him and say 'let’s have a go again this season'.

“He’s not going to sulk. Every time he goes out on that pitch he’ll give everything and, if he does stay, he’ll be a massive asset for Arsenal next season.

“I think Cesc Fabregas has enjoyed living in London, I think the set-up at Arsenal, the training ground, the way Arsene Wenger goes out and does training every day is enjoyable.

“Maybe he’s a little frustrated about not winning anything for five or six years. But a couple of signings and they would have gone really close last year.”


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/8966/3/exclusive-parlour-fabregas-wont-moan-if-he-stays-arsenal

I take it Parlours not seen Cesc play for 18 months then?

[Özim]

I can quite honestly say that I detest Ian Wright.
How can you say that, the guy is Arsenal through and through...he's scored shedloads of goals for us and his level of enthusiasm is something you rarely see in football these days.

An Arsenal legend for me.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Legend as a player, no doubt about that. But I think he is a dickhead.

[Dog Toffee]

Parker is better than what we have and that ultimately is whats important.

Are there better players available? Probably.

Are they available? Doubt it

Parker is and is a must get tbh


Yeah, he Captained Wesh-Ham to relegation glory last season is over 30 and better than Song, Fabregas, Nasri Wilshere and more promising than Ramsey in midefield he'l be playing week in week out. Must get:dunce:

[Master Splinter]

Yeah, he Captained Wesh-Ham to relegation glory last season and is over 30. Must get:dunce:

:haha:

:gp:

[Cripps_orig]

Yeah, he Captained Wesh-Ham to relegation glory last season is over 30 and better than Song, Fabregas, Nasri Wilshere and more promising than Ramsey in midefield he'l be playing week in week out. Must get:dunce:

:doh:

[Özim]

Yeah, he Captained Wesh-Ham to relegation glory last season is over 30 and better than Song, Fabregas, Nasri Wilshere and more promising than Ramsey in midefield he'l be playing week in week out. Must get:dunce:
I think the point is he can tackle, is competitive and would add bit and aggresion to our midfield, something none of the players mentioned really do.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal and FC Koln striker Tony Woodcock believes the Premier League side lack the "drive and consistency" that they need to challenge for the title.

Ahead of Saturday’s friendly clash between his two former sides, the man who scored 68 goals in 169 matches for Arsenal, pointed out that they were given several opportunities to win competitions last term but failed in their quest to end a trophy drought that is now six-years long.


Don't Miss

■Campbell puts Arsenal transfer on hold
■Guardiola: Barca are in talks over Fabregas


■Title race will be tight - Arsenal's Djourou
■Arsenal make £10m bid for Jagielka - report


Speaking to FC Koln’s official website, Woodcock said: "In the past two years, Arsenal have not had enough drive.

“This, of course, is at a much higher level than Koln. Arsenal were given the chance to be champions. In the decisive games, they lacked consistency.”

Woodcock added that he is looking forward to seeing the teams pitting themselves against each other, adding that Arsene Wenger's side are very much the favourites.

He continued: "I saw both teams very many times. If Arsenal fulfill their full potential and Koln too, then Arsenal will win. I'm an Koln fan, but everyone should approach this game realistically.

“Arsenal have great players and play a great style of football. Nevertheless, there is also criticism in London, because the fans want to win titles.

“In the past five years, Arsenal have won nothing, and the upcoming match will be very exciting. I think the game is very interesting for both teams. Arsenal are the clear favourites, but last season Koln looked good against some top sides.

"I seriously hope that Koln win. The great fans in the RheinEnergieStadion deserve it. But it will be very difficult. But it is a friendly game, wherein the focus is of course that no one gets injured.

“But especially for Koln this is a great opportunity to measure themselves against an absolute top club in Europe. It will be a great game."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/07/19/2582390/tony-woodcock-slams-former-club-arsenal-for-a-lack-of-drive

Never heard of him but hes spot on

[Joker]

Parker is much better than dross like Denilson (whose departure leaves a space in the squad), Diaby and even Song. There are better players out there, and we should be after them instead but if we did get Parker, I wouldn't complain, because he has many of the qualities lacking in our midfield, namely drive, determination, grit and a style of football that keeps things simple, but has enough technical ability to take on a more creative role in midfield.

[Darth Vela]

He really isn't 'much better' than Song though, different player ofc, Parker's more of a driving force in midfield but not the guy we need to fill in at CB and cover our FBs imo. Still like him here though as he's got the experience and presence we need in midfield, although it's more just experience he gives with Wilshere/Ramsey able to provide presence I guess, still useful.

[fakeyank]

Yeah, he Captained Wesh-Ham to relegation glory last season is over 30 and better than Song, Fabregas, Nasri Wilshere and more promising than Ramsey in midefield he'l be playing week in week out. Must get:dunce:

Fab and Nasri are leaving or dont have their heart in the right place! He is definitely better than Song and even if you or some dont agree with that, he definitely will be a very good back up to Song. Ramsey is promising but is he there yet? He just played a few games after injury but is nowhere guaranteed to be close to the level we need to challenge for honors.
I'd get Parker in a heartbeat.. Someone with balls and plenty of heart. Something which bar Wilshere, none in our team seem to have. So what he is over 30.. I bet he can outrun donkeys like Diaby, Arshavin, Chakma and Denilson all day!

[Cripps_orig]

PATRICK VIEIRA warns Arsenal must toughen up to end their six-year trophy drought.

The skipper of the Gunners 'Invincibles' team of 2004 fears his old club have become a soft touch.

Manchester City new-boy Gael Clichy admitted he was shocked how intense the training was compared to the Emirates.

And legendary Highbury hardman Vieira reckons the other title contenders simply have more power than Arsene Wenger's men.

He said: "Since I left Arsenal there are new players, a new generation and maybe a new philosophy because now they play better football than we used to do.

"The passing, the movement is better and they are faster, but our team was more physical and responded better to the English game. We had everything, and maybe now Arsenal lack the physical aspect of the game.

"They lost the physical aspect but have gained in the technical aspect. Maybe it's the balance you need to find to win trophies.

"If you look at Manchester United, Chelsea and City, the physical aspect of the game is there.

"The big problem in the last few years has been the physical difference between Arsenal and other clubs."

Vieira says Barcelona are proof you can win trophies by playing the beautiful game but says the Gunners lack belief.

He added: "Barcelona show it is possible but the Spanish league is different to the English league, and in the Champions League are they like Barcelona?

"There is a big expectation now for teams to try to play like Barcelona, but there is a balance that every team should have, especially for the English game.

"In the end what is important is when everyone works out who has won what in the last few years."

Vieira has accepted a coaching and ambassadorial role with City and was speaking as the club announced plans to create a football facility in Los Angeles to serve local children.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have made it clear that Barca will be wasting their time if they make an improved offer of £35million for Fabregas as they hold out for £40m.

The team skipper will not travel to Germany ahead of a match in Cologne tomorrow followed by a four-day training camp.

Manuel Almunia and Nicklas Bendtner will also remain in London while they negotiate moves while Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue are struggling with injuries.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3708293/Patrick-Vieira-Arsenal-are-too-soft-to-win-title.html#ixzz1SqQl2isC

He thinks we play better football now? :blink:

[Cripps_orig]

George Graham believes that Arsenal may have to end up fighting to remain in the top six, let alone the top four in the years to come.

The Gunners finished fourth in the Premier League last season, and now have to play a qualifier to make their way to the group stages of the Champions League.

And the former boss believes that the lack of silverware, rigid wage structure and the considerably less spending on big players means that the north London outfit could struggle to keep up with the rest of the pack in the coming years.

"The simple fact is that Arsenal could well be facing, in the next few years, the prospect of a battle to stay in the top six rather than the top four finish that Arsene has brought them – against the *financial odds – every year," Graham said, according to The Mirror.

"To compete for the title this year is going to be a huge task.

"You look at what Manchester United and Manchester City have spent already and what Chelsea are capable of spending.

"There is the prospect that Arsenal could be in the same kind of bracket as Everton and Aston Villa.

"The best players will naturally congregate at the most successful clubs. That is just common sense.

"And those clubs will pay wages that Arsenal cannot match and pay fees that Arsenal cannot lay out."

However, Graham insists that this is not a reflection on current boss Arsene Wenger, who he holds in high regard.

"Don’t get me wrong, I think that Arsene has done a fantastic job at the club.

"If you look at the money he has spent and the money he has re-couped in his time as manager, his achievements have been little short of remarkable.

"But the whole financial scene has changed now. He used to basically have the French market to himself because of his knowledge and *contacts. He hasn’t now. Other clubs have caught up.

"And there are three clubs now who can pay high fees and high wages – higher fees and higher wages than Arsenal. That restricts him.

"He has still managed to keep the club in the Champions League *places every year and that is some record.

"But when it comes to finance the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City now have more cash at their disposal and when it comes to fees and wages, Arsene – and Arsenal – cannot compete. That is the reality."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/07/24/2588602/former-arsenal-manager-george-graham-says-club-may-struggle

[Cripps_orig]

John Hartson has written off Arsenal’s title chances for next season – and says his former club will do well to finish in the top four.

The Gunners have never finished out of the Champions League qualification places since Arsene Wenger took over the reins in 1996.

However, Hartson believes the lack of serious spending this summer and the ongoing uncertainty over the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri will see them slip further behind Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

“I think top four is the probably the best Arsenal fans can hope for”John Hartson


“My thoughts on Arsenal are pretty much the same as I thought last season,” said Hartson, speaking to Stubbs and Quinny. “I didn’t think they had that top, top striker to go and score 25, 30 goals to get Arsenal right in the mix. The Fabregas and Nasri thing is dragging as well.

“I do like Arsene Wenger as a person and he’s done well at Arsenal, not in recent years but over the piece he’s been good for the club. But I just feel if they get into the top four with other teams getting as strong as they are, with Manchester City, Man United and Chelsea spending and then you have Tottenam and Liverpool to compete with, I think top four is the probably the best Arsenal fans can hope for.

“That is not good enough for an Arsenal fan. Arsenal want to be talking about winning titles and things, not finishing in the top four. But I think if they do finish in the top four, it will be a good season for them."


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/9327/0/exclusive-%E2%80%93-hartson-%E2%80%98top-four-best-arsenal-can-hope-for%E2%80%99

Cant disagree with any of that. Our expectations have dropped thanks to Wengeritis and if we can beat Spuds and Liverpool to 4th, its a good season

[Letters]

We'll finish top 4 easily.

[Özim]

We'll see, don't think it'll be as easy as you think considering how little has changed.

[Niall_Quinn]

We'll finish top 4 easily.


“That is not good enough for an Arsenal fan. Arsenal want to be talking about winning titles and things, not finishing in the top four..."

Considering Fabregas won't play for us in the pre-season and Nasri is easy about his future provided he leaves in the end, plus the fact we've lost a LB and don't have a replacement, Hartson is right. Top 4 for us will be an achievement. He's also right about that being not good enough, not by a long shot. If we start the season aiming low then given the levels of desire that run through the team and the determination and bottle to stay the course, we might get relegated. Funny to think that not long ago Wenger was celebrating the fact we were still in four tournaments, now he criticises people who kick up a fuss about coming up empty handed again. And talks of finishing top 4 being a trophy in itself. The losing mentality is now firmly embedded and I think many people are underestimating just how catastrophically bad we were at the tail end of last year. It proved this team isn't capable of winning anything and yet Wenger is setting up shop to go with pretty much the same team again, minus its most experienced player and possibly two of its best players. It will be a huge struggle to finish top 4, a betting man would surely conclude we don't have the players or the temperament to pull it off. We were weak before and we only hung on to top 4 because the games ran out, if that CC final had occurred earlier in the season we'd be in the Europa league now. The bottom line is, there are no positive signs or indicators at the club right now. Not one. You could say Jack Wilshere is a big plus, but he'll be moving to Utd in 2014 (for an undervalued fee).

[Kano]

We'll finish top 4 easily.

the prem will continue as it did last season, with quite a few surprising results along the way. whilst i agree arsenal will remain in the cl places, nothing is easy in the prem.

[Fats]

We'll finish top 4 easily.

Delusional

are you related to Wenger

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has admitted that he is "suffering" watching his former team go six years without a trophy.

Henry will make an emotional return to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday with his team the New York Red Bulls as they participate in the Emirates Cup.


Don't Miss

■Fabregas omitted from Emirates Cup squad
■Injury will sideline Diaby until September


■Chamakh confident of a better second season
■Gervinho: Henry has always been my idol


■Hill-Wood warns Barca: Pay right price for Cesc
■Betting Preview: Arsenal - Boca Juniors


The 33-year old, however, still has faith in Arsene Wenger despite much criticism surrounding the Gunners manager, even though the club have no won anything since he departed for Barcelona in 2006.

"I am an Arsenal fan, I just want to see them winning. I am suffering because we didn't win anything for a very long time, but I hope that they can do well," Henry told a news conference at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

"The boss changed the face of the club and, for me, I would keep Arsene for life.

"I know he got a bit of stick recently, but hopefully they can change that this year.

"You have got to stick with the guys even when they are not doing well. That is one of the most important things.

"Hopefully they can do it this year."

With spiralling speculation surrounding Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, many have questioned Arsenal’s credentials without their two star players, Henry, however, insists it’s the collective effort that counts.

"In our time, we had a great time. It was not down to one, two, three, four, five, six or seven players. It is a team effort - that's it," he added.

"Whichever team you play in, it is a team effort."
Henry has been playing in the MLS since 2010 after moving from Barcelona, but revealed he would take up an Arsenal coaching role if given the chance.
"I would like to. It's a big thing. I would love to be part of the club one day, but it's not up to me," he said.

"Right now, I think I they are in the right hands and we know that."

Arsenal’s new Ivorian forward Gervinho impressed on his debut last week and Henry believes he is a great addition to the Gunners ranks.

"He is a good player. I have known about him for a very long time," he said.

"He is skilful, versatile and you will see that in one-on-one situations - he is going to kill a lot of defenders in this league.

"Gervinho is fast, has great vision and everything to succeed at Arsenal. He is an Arsenal player and Arsene doesn't buy players who won't fit in his team.

"The fans will be excited by him. He can light up a stadium. He can play anywhere."


Keep Wenger for life? Does Henry hate us that much?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Ray Parlour reckons Arsenal must be content to challenge for the top two or three in the Premier League next season.
The former Gunner’s midfielder, who won the league with the club three times, admits that a real title tilt may be beyond Arsene Wenger’s side this year, conceding that not only are the teams around the top getting stronger every year but also that Arsenal may not have the strength to push Man United, Chelsea and Man City all the way.
He told talkSPORT: “The hope is that Arsenal win the league but realistically you’ve got to be top three or top two. You’ve got to be up there challenging, but it’s getting harder and harder every season.
“We used to win trophies, but it was only Arsenal and Manchester United. Look at Manchester City now, they’re going to be stronger, look at Man United they’re always going to be strong, Chelsea will be strong with a new manager and I think they’ll have a really good season.
“And then you’ve got the likes of Liverpool who have improved and Spurs if they keep Modric will be a hard side to beat. These teams are improving all the time so Arsenal have got to keep going. People are going and buying players and Arsenal have got to do the same.
“Realistically you’ve got to be playing Champions League football every season but I think Arsene Wenger has got to be true to himself and say ‘we’re going to go out and try and win the league but realistically we’re going for the top two or top three and playing Champions League football every season’


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/9407/9/exclusive-parlour-arsenal-are-playing-top-three-finish-not-title

Have to agree tbh,

[Darth Vela]

Yeah, we need players to improve the squad as we've got the failures moving on out but the last part is asking for Wenger to do exactly what he already does, seems like a weird thing to say.

[Letters]

We were weak before and we only hung on to top 4 because the games ran out.

I disagree with this. We were bloody awful at the tail end of last season but IMO we gave up because we knew we wouldn't win the league and knew we'd finish top 4 whatever we did. If we'd needed a couple of results to finish top 4 then, IMO, we'd have got them. We'll never know of course but in past seasons when top 4 has been looking dicey we've got results when we needed to.
Sadly I think that's the limit of our ambitions and abilities this year but I still think we're better than 'the rest' and will finish top 4 by default. We'll see...

[selassie]

I disagree with this. We were bloody awful at the tail end of last season but IMO we gave up because we knew we wouldn't win the league and knew we'd finish top 4 whatever we did. If we'd needed a couple of results to finish top 4 then, IMO, we'd have got them. We'll never know of course but in past seasons when top 4 has been looking dicey we've got results when we needed to.
Sadly I think that's the limit of our ambitions and abilities this year but I still think we're better than 'the rest' and will finish top 4 by default. We'll see...

I think a lot depends on how Liverpool do. They have overpaid buying 'overhyped' young English Players, but the likes of Carroll, Downing & Henderson know PL quite well and will dig in for the Pool when the going gets tough.

Assuming we don't buy which is looking increasingly likely I think this season will be our toughest for a good few years, we're going to be heavily involved in a scrap with Liverpool & Spuds for 4th, forget about the title or challenging Man U, City & Chelsea, they are all a cut above us and will finish comfortably above us IMHO.

For me this season is going to be a write off when it comes to challenging for trophies, it will be all about internal development and seeing the likes of Gibbs, Ramsey, Chesney (to a lesser extent as he's almost there) & Wilshere (to a lesser extent as he's almost there) develop into important first team players.

If Arsene doesn't buy then we're in for a major transistion season, Arsene will want to see how far he can take the team and how he can develop his next batch of Projects.

[Niall_Quinn]

If we're not buying players and have settled for 4th before a ball is kicked then we need to sell Nasri fast. The only reason for keeping him and taking a potentially big loss would be if we're serious about challenging for the league. We don't need him if we're conceding the title before season kick-off. If we don't sign at least two defenders and a striker then plainly we won't be challenging for anything this year, so I wonder what's in Wenger's mind when he says he's determined to hang on to Nasri? What's the point? Cesc should go too, and fast, because another year of mediocrity and 4th place is only going to strengthen his resolve to leave. We should take the £31mill and buy a couple of journeymen to shore up the team when the injuries arrive. A couple more Squillaci types would be ideal as they would be virtually free. Then it's the long uneventful plod for 4th place. Job done, money in the bank, share price up. A successful season by our new standards.

[Cripps_orig]

ARSENE WENGER is facing the most critical month since he arrived at Arsenal in 1996.

Star players set to leave, barely any new signings, injuries to top players and a seriously tough batch of opening fixtures.

I'm fed up of talking about Arsenal with a negative vibe but it looks like some dark days are ahead.

Right now, I would love to know what is going on at my former club.

I'm hearing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri could be gone within a week — and still only Gervinho, Carl Jenkinson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have arrived.

Gael Clichy has left while Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue are on their way, with no other replacements. I often get criticism from Arsenal fans these days and came off Twitter due to the amount of stick.

But I was only being honest and I've only ever wanted what's best for the club.

Yet it seems Wenger's revolution has ground to a halt. Now, I fear he may end up walking away.

I wonder how many fans are excited about the start of the season. I reckon most are extremely worried.

The team starts against Newcastle on Saturday night before a tough Champions League play-off against Udinese, along with games against Liverpool and Manchester United.

You have to wonder why some of the top players want to leave and no one else wants to join Arsenal.

To lose either Fabregas or Nasri, or both, would be a terrible blow and send out the totally wrong message.

I then wonder how long will it be before Jack Wilshere, Robin van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott decide they need to move. Manchester United were impressive against Manchester City on Sunday and even when senior players were substituted, quality youngsters were brought in. In contrast, Arsenal's squad looks so thin.

I have never agreed with Wenger's policy of giving players in their 30s only one-year contracts. Players are fitter now and their presence and experience helps to bring on the younger players.

Also, it hurts to see Patrick Vieira in an ambassadorial role at Manchester City. He is an Arsenal legend and I'd like to see him at London Colney every day.

The club sells out every other week, makes a stack of money yet they are not making big-name buys. Meanwhile, United took the lead by getting their business done early.

The situation at Arsenal is so frustrating yet I do not just want to blame Wenger, who has brought nothing but greatness to the club.

Ultimately, I am still not sure how much backing he has had. I find it beyond belief that Arsenal have been unable to strengthen in key areas.

Alisher Usmanov is one of the richest men in Russia, owns over 29 per cent of Arsenal yet has not been given a place on the board.

But I am sure he would be willing to put some of his vast wealth into the team whereas it seems majority shareholder Stan Kroenke is not.

If Arsenal are to exist on the same level as the Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool, maybe Usmanov should be brought to the table.

I read one line from a supporter and I totally agree. It read: "Are we supporting a football club or a business?"


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3740758/Ian-Wright-I-fear-Arsene-Wenger-will-leave.html

Wrighty :bow:

Do not disagree with any of that.

[Niall_Quinn]

Apart from the Usmanov thing, obviously. But yeah, fuck off and die Stan, tbh.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson has backed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to become a better player than his new team-mate Theo Walcott.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who like Walcott played for Southampton, completed a big-money move to North London yesterday and Robson is backing him to be a hit.

The 46-year-old, who made 150 appearances for the Gunners, believes Oxlade-Chamberlain will become a more complete player than Walcott.

“This was a signing that was going to happen a year ago. Everybody knew that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would go to Arsenal ,” he told talkSPORT.

"They’ve gone down the same route as with Theo Walcott but I think he’s going to be a better player than Walcott.

“He’ll give more to Arsenal over the next few years because he is more talented than Walcott.

"Walcott is probably a greater athlete but Oxlade-Chamberlain will be a better technical player and probably a more intelligent footballer.”

The 17-year-old joins a fresh wave of young talent at the Emirates as Wenger seeks to end a six-year trophy drought in the upcoming campaign.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/09/2612238/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-will-become-better-than-theo-walcott

:lol:

Better than Theo based on what? A couple of mins in a training session?

[fakeyank]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/09/2612238/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-will-become-better-than-theo-walcott

:lol:

Better than Theo based on what? A couple of mins in a training session?

Tbh, the only thing Theo has going for him is pace. He is absolute garbage. He has no ball control, constantly runs into blind alleys and his shooting is atrocious! So yea, pretty much most players would be better than Theo.. thats no rocket science

[Cripps_orig]

His finishing is pretty good. Scored goals last season. Only thing he has going against him is his injury record.

Sort that out and we have an awesome player.

[Power n Glory]

Tbh, the only thing Theo has going for him is pace. He is absolute garbage. He has no ball control, constantly runs into blind alleys and his shooting is atrocious! So yea, pretty much most players would be better than Theo.. thats no rocket science

Rubbish! He was one of our top scorers last season and got plenty of assists as well. 13 goals and 8 assists. Compare those numbers to all the other top players in the squad and it's a good return.

It's also worth remembering that Theo is not a winger. He's a striker being played out of position.

[Kano]

he's 'learnt' as much as he's going to on the wing at this stage of his career. time to bring him inside arsene

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon believes the Gunners will be wise to recoup a possible £58m for wantaway players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

this. roll in the replacements!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14498404.stm

[Cripps_orig]

Lee Dixon has warned Arsenal of the difficulty they face in the upcoming Champions League qualifier against Udinese.

The Gunners have a very tough set of fixtures ahead as they lock horns with the Italian outfit at home in the first leg the coming midweek with Liverpool breathing down their necks.

The following week, Arsene Wenger's charges have to travel to Italy to play the second leg of the all-important qualifier, before returning to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Now the former Gunner admits that the qualifier comes at a difficult timing for the team, as he believes that fitness could be a concern.

"This is a massive game to play so early in the season with so much riding on it to get into the later stages," Dixon told The Sunday Mirror.

"You’d do anything to avoid the qualifying stage because your whole strategy changes.

"And what pre-season doesn’t do is get you sharp for games. I always found that I didn’t *really feel fit until I was three or four games in, then a little bit of snap comes into your game.

"Given the position of the manager and the team, the pressure is building – *especially after not winning a trophy for six years.

"If they were to lose and not qualify, then a week or two weeks into the season you’re out of the Champions League."

He added: "But this isn’t new to *Arsenal, having pressure, it’s not new to Arsene.

"The thing is what are the fans going to say if we get knocked out... because it’s not a walkover by any means."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/14/2619206/lee-dixon-warns-arsenal-of-the-difficulty-in-playing-a-champions-

[Cripps_orig]

Former Gunners skipper Frank McLintock believes Arsene Wenger will have serious problems should club fail to qualify for Champions League.

The Gunners have a 1-0 advantage over Udinese in the play-off stage of the European Cup but face the Bianconeri in Italy next week.

He told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show: "When I look at them last night I don’t think there was a leader on the pitch, and it could so easily have been a draw.

"I think they’re going to have a really tough game next week and if they get knocked out of that the pressure is going to be really unbelievable for Arsene Wenger and for the club.

"He’s had a great record as a manager and sometimes you feel a little bit embarrassed, as a former player and manager, in criticising him, but it does seem to be getting further and further away from what the Arsenal fans want."


http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/sports-breakfast/blog/2011-08-17/mclintock-wenger-seems-be-getting-further-away-what-arsenal-fans-want

Frank :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal (http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/sports-news/football/clubs/t3/arsenal) striker Alan Smith (http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/sports-news/football/players/p999/alan-smith) has told talkSPORT the club have no choice but to cash in on Samir Nasri (http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/sports-news/football/players/p28554/samir-nasri). The French playmaker has a year left on his contract and, having refused to sign a new deal, is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

Having lost Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona this week, Arsenal fans will be angered to see Nasri follow him out of the Emirates exit door. “If he doesn’t get anybody in, they are going to be up against it finishing in the top four”Alan Smith
But Smith told Keys & Gray: “I think mentally he’s left the club. It looks as if he is going to go. He’s a got a year on his contract and Manchester City are willing to pay 20 odd million. I think you’ve got to sell him.”
Smith, however, fears his former club could miss out on a top four spot if they fail to strengthen their squad by the end of this month.
“You’ve got to hope as an Arsenal fan that Arsene Wenger (http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/sports-news/term/arsene-wenger) brings in a couple of players,” he added. "I’m not confident [he will].
“He’s been linked with the likes of Jagielka, Cahill, Samba, but if he wants one of them why hasn’t he gone out and got them in time for pre-season? He could have, they are available for the right price.
"If he doesn’t get anybody in, they are going to be up against it finishing in the top four.”


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/9943/1/exclusive-%E2%80%93-smith-%E2%80%98arsenal-have-got-sell-samir-nasri%E2%80%99

Speaks sense he does.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal manager George Graham has called on current boss Arsene Wenger to buy players with experience, otherwise the club will struggle to qualify for the Champions League.Graham believes Arsenal need to sign three players, and they must have enough experience to slot into the first-team straight away rather than needing time to develop in the academy and reserves.Graham told BBC Radio 5Live’s ‘Sportsweek’: “They need experienced, outstanding players and I think they need about another three in the side at the present time."They've got the money, let's sit down, get some of these players in he's supposed to be after and let's see if they can start winning trophies again."Wenger has been criticised in recent times for his refusal to spend money on experienced players, despite the funds being available, and his philosophy of moulding and developing young players has come under fire after Arsenal’s poor start.Now, Graham believes that Wenger must find a solution quickly, otherwise he will face mounting pressure.He added: "They have big signs at the club saying 'Arsene knows'. Well I hope he does."I think he's going to be there this season. I think he's under a little bit of pressure just now from the fans."But I think Arsene, if he sits down and is honest with himself, he'll put it all back together again. But he needs to do some hard thinking."Please get the cheque book out Arsene. “I think they need another centre-half, I think they still need a strong, outstanding, experienced midfield and I still think they need an out-and-out striker like a [Thierry] Henry."Arsenal next face a difficult away trip to Udinese in their Champions League, before then travelling to Old Trafford to face champions Manchester United in their next Premier League match. Its from goal.com. I can't link on phone.Time to bring Graham back tbh

[Cripps_orig]

Arsene Wenger must bring in experience to complement Arsenal’s promising young talent or face more of the club’s big names wanting to leave, according to former Gunners star Robert Pires.

Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue have already departed the Emirates Stadium this summer with Samir Nasri and Nicklas Bendtner likely to follow, while Ivory Coast forward Gervinho is the only experienced arrival.

Wenger has been widely criticised by Arsenal fans for failing to act decisively to adequately replace those who have left, and many fear the club’s season could be ruined if reinforcements fail to arrive before the close of the transfer window.

Pires, who was a key component of the last Arsenal side to win the Premier League title in 2004, believes that his former boss must bring in experienced players if the club are once again to compete for the biggest trophies at home and abroad.

“The time has come for Arsene Wenger to think about investing the money from player sales into players with experience and more of a guarantee,” he told French TV station Canal Plus.

“I think other players have spoken with him and told him the same. The set-up has changed now.

“Before this, many players wanted to stay at Arsenal for a long time but this has changed now, too. Players leave now at their first chance.

“That goes for Clichy, Nasri and Eboue. Indirectly, Wenger is to blame. Unless new players come in and others stay then the problem will get worse.

“I don’t think that they can rival the likes of Manchester City or Chelsea but you can’t win just with young players.”

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/22/2630768/you-cant-win-just-with-young-players-former-arsenal-star

Pires :bow:

[Grebbo]

This is getting embarrassing now.

Former players, Jamie & Louise Redknapp, the world and his wife - they all know we need to SPEND SOME FUCKING MONEY ON EXPERIENCED PLAYERS.

NO MORE SHIT YOUNGSTERS.

FFS WAKE UP YOU OLD CRETIN.

[Cripps_orig]

Wenger knows

All the others dont apparently.

They cant all be wrong...

[Joker]

Seriously, it's so blindingly obvious that our squad needs some serious investment. How on earth can Wenger not see it? The fans aren't being unreasonable, we're not asking for an unsustainable spending spree from Wenger, just sensible signings in important positions to strengthen an extremely threadbare squad.

[Boss]

Pires :bow: :bow:

Still available.

Sign him up, Arsene.

[Cripps_orig]

David O’Leary believes Arsene Wenger will quit Arsenal if he feels he has hit a dead-end.

The former Gunners captain has watched Wenger go from the ice-cool academic to the nutty professor as injuries, suspensions and Samir Nasri’s impending move to Manchester City have crippled his side’s start to the season.

Certain sections of the Emirates crowd have already started to question Wenger’s future in north London and unless they reach the group stage of the Champions League, by avoiding defeat against Udinese on Wednesday, calls for his head will grow even louder.

““I never think Arsene will get the sack, I think he will only leave if he thinks he has done enough."”David O'Leary


“I do fear for them in Italy and I hope I’m proved wrong because they are liable to concede goals. They are liable to score goals too because of the attractive way they play but they give you chances,” O’Leary said.

“They are a team that says: ‘we can play and play really well', but they also say to the other team: ‘you can go and play as well', and I think that is why teams like playing against them, it’s like a basketball match, end to end stuff.

“I never think Arsene will get the sack, I think he will only leave if he thinks he has done enough or he will only go when he thinks he is going down a cul-de-sac that he thinks he can’t get out of.

“I don’t think he is a quitter but I don’t think he has ever been in this position in his football life."


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1010/74/exclusive-david-oleary-fears-udinese-and-arsene-exit

Udinese will never have a better chance to beat us

[Coney]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/sports-breakfast/blog/2011-08-17/mclintock-wenger-seems-be-getting-further-away-what-arsenal-fans-want

Frank :bow:


Former Gunners skipper Frank McLintock believes Arsene Wenger will have serious problems should club fail to qualify for Champions League

Frank McLintock shocks by stating the obvious.

[Cripps_orig]

Wenger doesnt seem to know that though.

He seems to think this awful squad can qualify for it

[Cripps_orig]

FABIO CAPELLO has urged Arsene Wenger to splash the cash at Arsenal.


The Emirates boss is coming under increasing pressure after losing 2-0 at home to Liverpool on Saturday. The Gunners face Udinese in a crucial Champions league qualifier on Wednesday before Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.

And England boss Capello has urged Wenger to spend before the transfer window closes next week.

Capello told Sky: “I think he needs to buy some new players, some important players. “He’s a really good manager, but it’s not a good moment, it’s difficult after six years without a trophy for a club like Arsenal.

“I think Arsenal have got money but it’s difficult to find top players to improve the team.”

But there is some good news for Wenger – and Capello – with midfielder Jack Wilshere poised to return for the trip to Udinese.

Wilshere has missed the start of the season with an ankle injury but is now back in training.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/207291/Fabio-Capello-Go-buy-Arsene-Wenger/

[Grebbo]

:haha:

I hope Wenger feels like a right bell end.

It's embarrassing having all these people pointing out our glaring faults.

Now the England manager is telling him what to do.

Simply humiliating.

:haha:

[Niall_Quinn]

Tips from the manager that presided over such an appalling world cup will be warmly received I'm sure.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

This is what Sky do, they ask varying people about the same subject and usually present all the responses in a video collage. Bastards really.

And Grebbo, based solely on what Capello says - he admits top players are difficult to come by. I mean, I don't believe that myself but that's what he (apparently) says.

[Cripps_orig]

Tips from the manager that presided over such an appalling world cup will be warmly received I'm sure. Far better club manager than Wenger though

[Cripps_orig]

IT is a disturbing image I cannot get out of my mind - Arsene Wenger sitting there soaked to the skin with his head bowed into his hands.

This shocking sight during last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool screamed out such a depressing message about life at Arsenal Football Club today.

Here was an act of desperation, a very worried man sitting there frantically rubbing his head in frustration and exasperation.

A man who looks like he feels the whole world is closing in on him.

A man who is witnessing everything going wrong all around him but who feels utterly powerless to intervene.

It is such a powerful, emotive picture that it will have gone all around the world by now.

Every football fan will have seen it, every football player will have seen it, every football club chairman will have seen it.

Whoever Arsenal go for now in the market it will be at an inflated price. Everyone can see they are desperate.

No wonder Valencia's Juan Mata has just chosen to sign for Chelsea ahead of the Gunners.

It really is a no-brainer for the lad, isn't it?

Let us be honest, any top player would have to think twice about signing for Arsenal right now.

Any top-quality international who had a choice would seriously have to consider going elsewhere and, though I love Arsenal, I can understand it.

Listen, when I had my chance to join them I did not hesitate for a moment.

I was so keen I did not even bother how much was in my contract. I was just happy for my agent to make the deal.

A lot of that was because of the players already there, players proud to wear the red shirt of Arsenal.

But these days it is a totally different story.

I know it is early in the season but, at present, I see Arsenal as a club in freefall.

They are like a skydiver who has just leapt out of a plane and realised his parachute will not deploy.

For me, it seems the whole club's structure is finally reaping what it has sown.

Wenger has had to put so much faith in his youth policy and wanting to prove that he can indeed win with youngsters.

But now he is finding it has become a bridge too far.

It is a sobering situation. The idea Arsenal may not be in the Champions League this season should be unthinkable.

They have been in it every year since it started but this time are having to qualify.




I never thought qualification was a given, especially after the Gunners drew Udinese.

And I am telling you the Italians will really fancy their chances of knocking Arsenal out.

Arsenal may be 1-0 up but Udinese showed at the Emirates they are a very dangerous side who can cause plenty of problems.

They will be even more dangerous at home, especially against a team with so many inexperienced players having to perform under such incredible pressure.

So the fact that Wenger has just been banished to the stands once again for the match is the least of his worries in a game in which so much is at stake.

I think this is the most important game in the whole of Arsene Wenger's tenure at Arsenal.

That is no exaggeration and I have to admit that I am really worried.

It is no secret the club is at a major crossroads. But I have been warning this day would come for years and years.

I have been calling on Wenger and the board to bring in some quality and experience to go alongside all those talented youngsters.

David Villa would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

David Silva would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

Wesley Sneijder would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

Edin Dzeko would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

Phil Jones or Chris Smalling would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

All those players have been available recently and a great club like Arsenal should have been out there competing fiercely for their signatures.

They were not.

And that is why it has come to this - Arsenal now in danger of going out of the Champions League and finishing sixth, seventh or eighth in the Premier League when they are expected to fight for the title.

It gives me no pleasure at all to say that. In fact, it hurts.

I have never said anything derogatory about Arsenal in my life. I have only ever told the truth.

And the truth to me is that the club has let down both the players and the fans.

I am sure when those players signed their contracts at Arsenal, they were expecting to win trophies and compete at the highest level.

I am sure they were also expecting some top-name stars to be signed to help achieve that.

But they have been let down and it is a crying shame.

It has cost the club Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and probably Samir Nasri too.

Who will be next to leave? Robin van Persie?

Personally, I cannot see Jack Wilshere staying put for long either if the situation does not change.

Like the rest, the England midfielder will be leaving Arsenal for a bigger club where there is more chance of silverware.

And I never thought I would ever hear myself say that!


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3767634/Ian-Wright-tells-Arsene-Wenger-The-whole-world-can-see-how-low-Arsenal-we-are.html

Wright speaks a lot of sense tbh

[Niall_Quinn]

Wright speaks a lot of sense tbh

To me it looks more a case of putting the Sun newspaper above the club that turned him from a complete nobody into a public figure, with legendary status to the fans, enough money to retire 50 times over, a bloody TV career even, as well as a career in the media. Wright couldn't have done any of that without Arsenal. Maybe the words he's looking for are, "Thank You"?

Nothing wrong with pointing out the difficulties at the club right now but, "I see Arsenal as a club in freefall", "Personally, I cannot see Jack Wilshere staying put for long either if the situation does not change." A bit much really, probably getting carried away by that whole Sun "culture" thing.

[Cripps_orig]

Well hes right. We are in free fall and we've sold every other top player so why not Wilshere?

Theres no doubting Wrights love for the club and he knows how much he owes the club

[Niall_Quinn]

Well hes right. We are in free fall and we've sold every other top player so why not Wilshere?

Theres no doubting Wrights love for the club and he knows how much he owes the club

Yeah and he knows the club is struggling now plus he's fully aware he has a voice that the rest of the fans don't have. So he has more responsibility on his shoulders than we have sitting here chatting on a forum. He's got a responsibility to his current employers too. I'm just saying he's not doing a very good balancing act. Seems a bit tipped in favour of the whores.

[Grebbo]

Whilst I agree with Wrighty that we are in freefall and the glory days are long gone, it is hard to accept his transfer analogy. He isn't the sharpest is old Wrighty.


David Villa would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

David Silva would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

Wesley Sneijder would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

Edin Dzeko would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

Phil Jones or Chris Smalling would have been brilliant for Arsenal.

Would Villa have chosen us over Barca??!!

:haha:

Manure can't even buy Sneijder - what hope do we have??

Phil Jones or Chris Smalling would have been brilliant for Arsenal. We bid £16m for Jones and something like £10m for Smalling. They both joined Manure for similar figures - we were not outbid. They just decided to join the bigger club. That would still have happened in the days of Henry, Vieira etc.

I suppose we could have bid for City's two players but we'd never have competed with the wages and Dzeko was shit last season.

[Cripps_orig]

Whilst I agree with Wrighty that we are in freefall and the glory days are long gone, it is hard to accept his transfer analogy. He isn't the sharpest is old Wrighty.



Would Villa have chosen us over Barca??!!

:haha:

Manure can't even buy Sneijder - what hope do we have??

Phil Jones or Chris Smalling would have been brilliant for Arsenal. We bid £16m for Jones and something like £10m for Smalling. They both joined Manure for similar figures - we were not outbid. They just decided to join the bigger club. That would still have happened in the days of Henry, Vieira etc.

I suppose we could have bid for City's two players but we'd never have competed with the wages and Dzeko was shit last season.

He also said


and a great club like Arsenal should have been out there competing fiercely for their signatures

And hes right. Why arent we going after these type of players? Whether we get them or not isnt the point, if you admit defeat before you even try then Wenger should just fuck off.

If you keep buying in the bargain basement club then its only a matter of time before we become a basement club. Jenkinson is the perfect example. 8 months ago he was playing non league football on loan somewhere ie not good enough for CHarlton and yet all of a sudden hes good enough for us?

[Niall_Quinn]

Jenkinson does indeed look good enough for us, and good enough for plenty of PL outfits I;d say. He's a good player and he's done bloody well since coming in. Smalling was non-league 2-3 years back, looks like he's good enough too. Sometimes there are good players out there in the lower leagues. Doesn't mean that's always the case and doesn't mean that's all we should buy but I think we've picked up a proper bargain with Jenkinson - not only was he cheap but much more importantly it looks like he can do the job.

[Grebbo]

He also said



And hes right. Why arent we going after these type of players? Whether we get them or not isnt the point, if you admit defeat before you even try then Wenger should just fuck off.

If you keep buying in the bargain basement club then its only a matter of time before we become a basement club. Jenkinson is the perfect example. 8 months ago he was playing non league football on loan somewhere ie not good enough for CHarlton and yet all of a sudden hes good enough for us?


Well we bid for two of the players he mentions.

If you're gonna try and get Wesley and Villa you may as well bid for Messi at the same time. Arsenal's record signing is £15m.

I personally have no issue with us not competing for the stars. What I have an issue with is not buying just a few good players. Our defence would be improved over night with a couple of average defenders.

[Cripps_orig]

The whole point of moving to the Emirates was to compete with the big clubs both on and off the pitch.

If we cant compete for the big name players then we might as well pack up the Emirates and move back to Highbury and rebuild that

[Niall_Quinn]

The whole point of moving to the Emirates was to compete with the big clubs both on and off the pitch.

If we cant compete for the big name players then we might as well pack up the Emirates and move back to Highbury and rebuild that

We did rebuild it, as flats. What's done can't be undone. Face it, we were told the point of moving to the Emirates was to compete at the top. But look at the words and measure them against the actions. We were lied to and we bought it. There you go, end of story. New chapter opening, not at the top but mid-table and awaiting Stan's pleasure.

[AKBapologist]

The whole point of moving to the Emirates was to compete with the big clubs both on and off the pitch.

If we cant compete for the big name players then we might as well pack up the Emirates and move back to Highbury and rebuild that
Moving to the emirates is the only reason where not in evertons position. The decision to move to the emirates was based in a rational world (quite rightly) in which owners didn't shit pound notes everywhere. If Abromovich and Mansour had never come, it would just be us and united every season. Unfortunately, shit happened and the rest is history.

[Niall_Quinn]

Moving to the emirates is the only reason where not in evertons position. The decision to move to the emirates was based in a rational world (quite rightly) in which owners didn't shit pound notes everywhere. If Abromovich and Mansour had never come, it would just be us and united every season. Unfortunately, shit happened and the rest is history.

True, but if we really give it a go this season there's no reason why we can't claw our way back to within striking distance of Everton.

[jelgoon]

I dont think it is necessarily about buying the big name players (and the way we are going none of them would come anyway). It's about buying older players with PL experience- preferably those who can cope with shit conditions like a cold,rainy midweek night at Bolton or Stoke. To date he has bought no such player.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Ex-Arsenal and current Barcelona player Cesc Fabregas on Twitter: "Good luck to my friend @nanas08 [Samir Nasri] at his new club. One of the best players around."

Never thought he'd be in this thread so soon

[Grebbo]

Theo and RVP have 1 yr left on their contracts at the end of this season.

Twitter is going to go into meltdown...

Oxoboy "Good luck Feo4Mel [Theo Walcott] you taught me how to be the most overhyped pile of wank around"

[Letters]

Senderos on Barton

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/fail!-philippe-senderos-slip-the-tongue-when-talking-about-joey-barton-15311577/

roffle

[Marc Overmars]

:lol:

Big Phil. :bow:

[Grebbo]

cesc4official Cesc Fàbregas Soler
Tonight ill be watching Arsenal, my ex-team mates, friends and all the fans. I wish u all the best of luck cause u deserve to be in the CL.
3 hours ago

[Olivier's xmas twist]

cesc4official Cesc Fàbregas Soler
Tonight ill be watching Arsenal, my ex-team mates, friends and all the fans. I wish u all the best of luck cause u deserve to be in the CL.
3 hours ago

:bow: Fabregas el captain, come back all is forgiven, your still a cunt though.

[Cripps_orig]

cesc4official Cesc Fàbregas Soler
Tonight ill be watching Arsenal, my ex-team mates, friends and all the fans. I wish u all the best of luck cause u deserve to be in the CL.
3 hours ago

Bullshit hes going to watch it.

He said the same shit before the first leg and that day he "tweeted" something like "just finished training, off to eat and then an early night"

Fuck him, hes a cunt

[Niall_Quinn]

Bullshit hes going to watch it.

He said the same shit before the first leg and that day he "tweeted" something like "just finished training, off to eat and then an early night"

Fuck him, hes a cunt

Why did you marry him then?

[Cripps_orig]

Perry Groves has told Arsene Wenger to “relinquish his principles and go for a more British player,” as he attempts to replace Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Wenger sold the two midfielders this summer, and sent Denilson on a season-long loan, leaving him short of options in midfield, especially with the recent three-game suspension of Alex Song.

Wenger is being linked with a move for Rennes power-house Yann M’Vila and Arsenal cult hero Groves believes the no-nonsense Frenchman would be the perfect antidote to the rot that has set in at the Emirates.

“I think after the Udinese game we will see more aggressive movement in the transfer market,” Groves told talkSPORT.

“I think it has been documented he is trying to sign M’Vila and I think that will be a big signing after I saw him play for France against England and thought he was an outstanding player.”

The Gunners are also being linked again with Bolton defender Gary Cahill but the player’s £17m price tag is thought to be deterring the frugal Frenchman.

“We need four or five players and if he buys the right four or five players who can go straight into the first team and help the young players, then they can go on and challenge Manchester United and City”Perry Groves


But Groves has told the Arsenal manager to abandon his cautious approach and splash the cash on up to five established stars.

“We need four or five players and if he buys the right four or five players, who can go straight into the first team and help the young players, then they can go on and challenge Manchester United and City," Groves said.

“If he doesn’t then you are going to get a lot of angry Arsenal fans because they have seen their season ticket prices go up by six per cent, which I think is the dearest in the world now. Fans don’t mind paying the money if they see investment on the pitch.

“Arsene is normally a good judge of player but I think it’s now time that he relinquished his principles and went for a more British type player to add to the creativity he already has."


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1018/29/exclusive-groves-its-time-arsene-wenger-relinquish-his-principles

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Just seen Nasri's interview as city player on city website, can barely mask his contempt for Arsenal.....money grabbing little hermaphrodite.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal skipper Tony Adams has thrown his weight behind Gunners manager Arsene Wenger and has revealed that he still dreams of eventually managing his old club.
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Adams, who is currently coaching Gabala FC in Azerbaijan, gave Wenger a timely boost as the Frenchman prepares to face old adversary Sir Alex Ferguson when Arsenal take on Manchester United on Sunday with some Gunners supporters voicing doubts about his position.

The finger of blame has been pointed at Wenger for Arsenal’s failure to replace star midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri following their big-money moves to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively, but Adams has no doubts about the Frenchman's ability to run the Premier League outfit.

In a glittering playing career, Adams captained Wenger's Arsenal to two Premier League and FA Cup doubles in 1997-98 and 2001-02 and he has insisted that he would one day fancy a crack at emulating those feats as a manager at the Emirates if asked to take on the challenge by chairman Peter Hill-Wood or owner Stan Kroenke.

“Arsenal are a great club, who have a great manager but if one day Peter [Hill-Wood, the chairman] – or Stan [Kroenke, the owner] - was to ask me to be manager, then given the right resources, I would love to win another trophy for the club but this time with me at the helm. Dreams are free,” Adams told Goal.com.

“I miss England, it is a beautiful country and I was very lucky to have been born there. The things I really miss are the food, the theatre, the Gloucestershire countryside and of course The Arsenal.

“I see my next step as being a head coach of a top European team so I can get experience in challenging for league titles and going into the European competitions. In my brief tenure as manager, I enjoyed taking Portsmouth to play Wolfsburg in the Europa league and I think the game against AC Milan at Fratton Park was probably my top experience so far as a manager.

“I am nine years into my new chosen career and I am gathering experiences and learning a great deal as I go. I have managed and coached in all of the leagues in England except the Championship and I have coached at two clubs in Holland. I don’t know my next move but I do know that I don’t really want to take on any more projects like the one I have here at Gabala.”



Under pressure | Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been feeling the strain

For now, though, he is relishing the chance to develop his managerial career away from the spotlight and is just about to start his second season in charge of Gabala.

“The best thing about Azerbaijan is that I have time to develop and the freedom to practice and live,” the 45-year-old added.

“I am developing skills in all areas because of the nature of this project. I would say that my work here is 50 per cent technical director/chief scout, 25 per cent manager and 25 per cent coach.

“The football scene in Azerbaijan is very different from England and the level of media interest is nominal. It is not their national sport but I must say that, even in the 18 months I have been here, it is growing at a rapid pace.

“The Gabala supporters may not be as many as The Gooners but they have just as much passion and, like all supporters, they want their team to win.

“I think they can see that I am changing the team for the better and at the moment they are very behind me. I think the supporters can see the changes on and off the pitch and are very pleased that it is their special club that is being transformed. I think I have improved the team from last season and I would like to challenge for the Euro places this season.”

Away from football, Adams, who grew up in Essex, is also enjoying life as a whole in Azerbaijan as he watches the country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia flourish.

“Life is good in Azerbaijan,” he continued. “My family have settled well and I love the climate and scenery in the Gabala region. I came here with no expectations, just an open mind.

“Azerbaijan is unusual to me in many ways because I have had an English upbringing. In general and because of numerous circumstances I would say that the people in Azerbaijan have a different way of being to people living in England or English-born people.

“In fact, the whole country is developing astonishingly. The main problem we face from a football view is the standard of facilities and pitches. If they can improve the quality of surface on their pitches then I am sure it will become a more attractive spectacle for all.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/26/2636939/legendary-arsenal-captain-tony-adams-backs-arsene-wenger-but

Next manager? Cant be any worse

[Power n Glory]

Sol Campbell: 'Wenger needs to find players who won't accept failure'
The former Arsenal defender is hopeful of playing for another year and says Arsène Wenger still knows best

After a 'difficult' season with Newcastle United Sol Campbell is keen to prove he can still cut it in the Premier League. Photograph: David Levene
Three months have passed since Sol Campbell was released by Newcastle following a "difficult" season at St James' Park for the defender, but on a sweltering August afternoon in west London there is little sign of him missing life in the spotlight.

Appearances can be deceptive. Relaxed he may be as he stretches back and sips a cappuccino in an Italian restaurant, but the 36-year-old is also restless, keen to prove that after a career stretching close to two decades he still has one more season left in him. And as Arsenal supporters head to Old Trafford on Sunday, lifted by their teams' midweek triumph over Udinese but still in crisis mode and pleading with their manager to add experience to a youthful squad, there comes an uplifting message from a player who helped shape Arsène Wenger's Invincibles.

"It would be nice to go back to Arsenal, for sure," says Campbell, who left the club in 2006 following five trophy-rich years only to return for a four-month cameo in January 2010. "I trained there for a month [after leaving Newcastle in May] and have been doing regular fitness work on my own since. We've just come back from a holiday in Portugal and I was even working out then. So I'm not too far behind, all I need is two or three games to regain my match fitness.

"Offers have come my way but after what happened at Newcastle [Campbell appeared just eight times for the club during an injury-hit campaign that also saw Chris Hughton, a close friend and the manager who signed him last summer, sacked in December and replaced by Alan Pardew], I want to make sure I'm truly wanted by a club and that they understand the value of having me; that I can pass on my vast reservoir of skill and knowledge to the youngsters who are there already while playing at the same time. I know a hell of a lot about football and feel I can contribute for another year."

As "sign me up" pleas go that sounds pretty definite, but Campbell insists that while he wants to get back playing he is not anxiously waiting for Wenger to beckon him for a third spell at Arsenal, nor despite remaining in contact with the Frenchman have the pair spoken about a return. But assistance is on hand to the man who helped define Campbell's career and who faces Manchester United tomorrow knowing a second defeat in three league games will see Arsenal, shorn of Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri, record their worst start to a campaign since the 1991-92 season.

"Arsène's going through a tough time, but the guy's got loads of experience and knows better than anyone that football is like the sea and occasionally you've got to ride through a storm," Campbell says. "It's mainly been plain sailing for him and now there's some rough waters, but Arsène's no quitter and he'll get the club through.

"Saying that, Arsenal definitely need a few players to come in and shake things up; guys who are really passionate about winning and won't accept failure. The fans want that too, they can see that Arsenal are close to being the best club in the world, they've got everything there, it just needs people to ruffle some feathers."

Occasional disharmony certainly appears crucial to the success Campbell enjoyed at Arsenal the first time around, arriving as a controversial free transfer from Tottenham Hotspur in 2001 before going on to win two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and score in a Champions League final – not to mention finishing the 2003-04 season unbeaten – before joining Portsmouth in August 2006.

"The blend was perfect," he says. "We had clever guys, quick guys, skillful guys, but we also had warriors who gave everything on and off the pitch. We'd have meetings after a bad result or a bad performance and no one would shirk away from criticising a team-mate if they had to. But no one got upset because we realised that had to be done if the team was going to be a success. That's maybe missing from Arsenal at the moment. They've got the footballers but not the warriors, guys like Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Patrick Vieira, guys who could play but who also had that never-say-die-attitude. Those sort of players are out there, Arsenal just need to find them."

A towering and still lean figure, Campbell could well be the warrior Wenger decides to call upon. In the meantime, the man who also has 73 England caps and one appearance for Notts County to his name, insists he has enough to be getting on with. Having married the interior designer Fiona Barratt last July the pair are now occupied with raising their 11-month old daughter, while Campbell also continues to support the Show Racism the Red Card campaign.

"I've been involved with it since 2000 and always help out when I can," says Campbell, who in May handed out commendations to children who had put together films promoting the work of the organisation. "The campaign has done a fantastic amount of work to try and eradicate racism from our game. When I first started playing [in 1992], you'd hear racist chanting at every ground you visited but because of the way 'Show Racism' has got players, clubs and fans to back their cause over the years, that is hardly the case any more, certainly in the Premier League. You still hear the odd chant lower down the leagues, but it's rare and mostly down to a small, brainless minority."

In Campbell's company it is impossible to discuss "brainless" chanting without referring to his toxic relationship with Tottenham supporters, the bulk of whom have still not forgiven him for leaving them to join the enemy a decade ago. Campbell has received a torrent of abuse whenever he has returned to White Hart Lane since and in September 2008, while playing against Spurs for Portsmouth at Fratton Park, was the victim of abuse so abhorrent it led to two supporters, one of whom was only 14, being found guilty of indecent chanting and punished with three-year banning orders.

"It's very sad," says Campbell. "When I left Spurs I was one of the best defenders in the world and had done so much for such a long time with ultimately little reward. I practically kept the club up on my own for two years. Given that, you'd think the Spurs fans would get off my back. I understand them having a problem with me moving to their rivals, but it was a purely professional decision. Arsenal had a ridiculously good team at the time and I knew I'd win trophies there. I have no regrets."

Can Campbell envisage a time when he could return to White Hart Lane and not be the subject of abuse? "Maybe in 50 years, maybe never. Who knows."

A return to the Emirates is more conceivable and, aware of Campbell's interest in coaching, Arsenal have already offered him the chance to help train the academy and reserve teams. "That definitely interests me and I'm giving serious consideration to doing it," he says. "In terms of playing for the first team again — you never know how life will work out. The club know where I am.

We should sign him up to coach the kids about defending.

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal legend Paul Merson has expressed his horror at the Gunners’ display against Manchester United and slated Arsene Wenger's tactical approach to the game.
The Red Devils were rampant at Old Trafford, astonishingly beating the visitors 8-2 after a hat-trick from Wayne Rooney and two goals from Ashley Young.

Merson, who spent 11 years as a player with Arsenal, said he was disgusted by what he had witnessed on the pitch.

“It is definitely the worst day for Arsene Wenger in charge and it is even the worst day for a long time in Arsenal’s history. Since I started there in 1984, I cannot remember much worse than what we have seen here. It was shocking, just shocking,” said the Sky Sports pundit.

“There are much lesser teams with much less talent than Arsenal who will come to Old Trafford this season and make it doubly as difficult as they did today.

“You have got to have tactics - you can’t just have a Plan A, you have to have a plan B. The way Wenger set up wasn’t good enough. You can’t put teams out all the time and just say ‘go and play the Arsenal way’ – that isn’t fair on the players.

“Don’t put those kinds of players on the pitch and make them like lambs to the slaughter – it’s not good enough. You have got to start looking at the manager now and asking questions.

“What is he thinking? I’m not joking, but a League Two could come here next Saturday and make it much more difficult for United than that.”

Merson was clearly infuriated by the display he had witnessed and said there was currently an extremely big gap between the two teams that is continuing to grow, rather than shorten, each year.

“I don’t know where we go from here,” he added. “You can sit here and talk about players who have to come back, Vermaelen, Song, Gervinho – you can name all the players but none of them would get in the United team, so how far are Arsenal now away from United? The gap is getting bigger and bigger.

“I always look at games and judge teams when you get the teamsheets and look at who would get in the other side. Today, Robin van Persie would probably get a game for United and maybe on his day Theo Walcott, but bar that I don’t see anyone, including the players who are out.

“You can’t keep on having wingers running at the full backs time after time with no protection, not to set up with protection for the young, inexperienced full-backs and to allow United just to open the game up was unbelievable.

“You are talking here about one of the best managers in world football, but I’m not quite seeing what many other people are seeing when it comes to that.

“The poor lad who got sent off, Jenkinson, at least he never hid and he was going all the time, but you can’t play a team like that and say to the opponents ‘you have a go then we’ll have a go’, because that’s what happens, it got really messy out there.

“I still wouldn’t sack Arsene Wenger, but now just to be competitive he has got to sign one, probably two centre-backs, a central midfielder and then another forward, which is so worrying as that’s the whole spine of the team and his recent tactics have to be questioned.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/28/2640463/arsenal-were-worse-than-a-league-two-side-arsene-wenger-needs-to-

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I couldn't work who was more pissed off today with our performance - Merse or Gary Neville.

[Cripps_orig]

Gary Neville has impressed me with his punditry tbh.

[Ironing]

Merson finally has his day. All those years of 'I worry for Arsenal' that we'll drop out the top 4, finally it really looks like it might happen

Fat, drunk, cokehead

[RomfordPele]

I couldn't work who was more pissed off today with our performance - Merse or Gary Neville.

Merse was absolutely fuming, wasn't he! He basically intimated Wenger should be sacked immediately after the final whistle, though he backtracked a bit when he calmed down. Good to see that he still really cares about the club.

[milla]

I couldn't work who was more pissed off today with our performance - Merse or Gary Neville.

What did Neville say? :coffee:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What did Neville say? :coffee:

Romford, yeah my mate and I think that Ed Chamberlain was quickly told to go to the adverts Merse was that annoyed with it.

Milla, Neville said U9's, 10's, U11's would know how to defend better than that (the basics). Berated Djourou for the incident leading up to Jenkinson being sent off, probably looking after his fullback kind! I think it was the standard of the defending that got to Neville; he said is used to Arsenal coming here and making it a hard game.

[milla]

Romford, yeah my mate and I think that Ed Chamberlain was quickly told to go to the adverts Merse was that annoyed with it.

Milla, Neville said U9's, 10's, U11's would know how to defend better than that (the basics). Berated Djourou for the incident leading up to Jenkinson being sent off, probably looking after his fullback kind! I think it was the standard of the defending that got to Neville; he said is used to Arsenal coming here and making it a hard game.

He was right about the defense then, Djourou was poor poor unbelievably poor. :coffee:

[Niall_Quinn]

He was right about the defense then, Djourou was poor poor unbelievably poor. :coffee:

Like he'd never played at the top level before. Like it was his first match. He played totally independently of Kos and left Jenkinson totally isolated. We might not have the best (or even any) defensive coaches but there's no way he has been taught to play like that. He must have taken it on himself to put in such a shit performance. Whatever, he can't be allowed to play again. That's three absolute untouchables we have in the squad, him, Squid and nobody up front.

[Cripps_orig]

Kenny Sansom has told talkSPORT Arsenal have to buy before the end of the transfer window.

The Gunners were hammered 8-2 by Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, their worst defeat for more than 100 years.

And the calls are now growing for Arsene Wenger to splash the cash to put things right.

“Wenger’s got to buy. The next three days are very important for Arsenal”Kenny Sansom


Sansom told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “He’s got to buy. The next three days are very important for Arsenal. If he doesn’t sign players it will be a long tough season. The fans are arguing about whether Wenger should stay or go and you don’t want that.

“If he’s got money to spend, let the club make a statement to say that. Everyone knew Nasri and Fabregsas were going to go, so buy before they go. Once you let them go, who’s going to want to come?

“Arsenal need a leader. The youngsters need some experience around them.”



http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1032/28/exclusive-sansom-arsenal-must-buy-and-next-three-days-are-crucial

[Niall_Quinn]

Finally, Kenny chips in. That's everyone ever connected with the club, then. All stating the obvious, saying the same thing. Except Wenger and the board.

[AKBapologist]

Fuck experiance tbh. All of our experianced players where shit yesterday. Nor did united have much of it on the pitch. We're lacking quality.

[Marc Overmars]

Like he'd never played at the top level before. Like it was his first match. He played totally independently of Kos and left Jenkinson totally isolated. We might not have the best (or even any) defensive coaches but there's no way he has been taught to play like that. He must have taken it on himself to put in such a shit performance. Whatever, he can't be allowed to play again. That's three absolute untouchables we have in the squad, him, Squid and nobody up front.

Said to my mate if we didn't know any better, these might as well have been players that we rounded up from the park earlier. It didn't even look like Welbeck was fighting to hold Djourou off as he nipped in.

Real pub team stuff and I'm sure it won't be the last we see of things like that.

[Cripps_orig]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/08/29/2642335/wenger-is-the-right-man-but-he-needs-to-rip-it-all-up-andMartin Keowns view

[danisinkz]

Smudgers article in the Telegraph Todayl (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8729715/Alan-Smith-Arsenals-decline-five-reasons-to-explain-why-the-London-club-now-find-themselves-on-the-slide.html)

He does make for some good points

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal manager George Graham has questioned why it took Arsene Wenger until deadline day to bring in reinforcements.

The Gunners lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri earlier in the transfer window as the pair left for Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively. The north London club were also subjected to a humiliating 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford, and only after that did the Frenchman bring in Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun, Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos - on deadline day.

"If you take Arsenal, they have signed three good internationals in Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker and Yossi Benayoun," said Graham, according to The Sunday Mirror.

"But Arsenal fans must wonder why these players were not bought way before the transfer window closed.

"I am not criticising Arsene Wenger. Not at all. I am just curious as to why it was left so late. That applies to all managers – not just Arsene.

"Everyone knew their first three fixtures ahead of the start of the season back at the beginning of July.

"You just wonder why the signings weren’t made a month ago.

"Maybe, in the case of Arsene, he was able to take his pick of unknown players when he first arrived here because of his knowledge of the world game.

"Patrick Vieira – who had heard of him at AC Milan?

"Thierry Henry was having a bad time at Juventus. Arsene made them both world-class performers.

"But people have now caught up and maybe that has *hindered him.

"All I am saying is that those three players must have been available two months ago and yet nothing happened.

"Instead, Arsenal had to go to Old Trafford with a really weak team."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/04/2650007/you-just-wonder-why-the-signings-werent-made-a-month-ago

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arteta isn't an international player, George.

And to me it's fairly easy to work out why; we weren't definitely in the Champions League a month ago.

[Power n Glory]

Arteta isn't an international player, George.

And to me it's fairly easy to work out why; we weren't definitely in the Champions League a month ago.

I wouldn't say it like that. It looked like we panicked to be fair. I don't think we've bought the type of players that would only insist on a move until we've qualified for the Champs League.

[Darth Vela]

Yep, I guess there's an element of panic buying, although not in the truest sense of buying for the sake of it, as we got in players we know about with the attributes we needed; we were after other targets (i think bids for Mvila and Goetze have been confirmed) although I still don't know why the fuck we had to wait until we were humiliated to get some action going.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I wouldn't say it like that. It looked like we panicked to be fair. I don't think we've bought the type of players that would only insist on a move until we've qualified for the Champs League.

Well I don't know about the others but Arteta said himself the lure of the Champions League was the big thing for him joining. However, I am not suggesting we went in for these players before hand and were told, wait until you qualify. I'm more getting at the cautiousness from on our side! We might have panicked, I don't know but I feel the reason we got ourselves in to that situation where we might have needed to panic, for me, is that of the Champions League. I'm not excusing us from the fact we left until the very last day but the situation we were in then (after qualiifying) is different to the situation we were in a month ago.

Also, all the players we bought could not otherwise play in Europe, obviously that came quite late in Fenerbahce's case!

[Niall_Quinn]

Well I don't know about the others but Arteta said himself the lure of the Champions League was the big thing for him joining. However, I am not suggesting we went in for these players before hand and were told, wait until you qualify. I'm more getting at the cautiousness from on our side! We might have panicked, I don't know but I feel the reason we got ourselves in to that situation where we might have needed to panick, for me, is that of the Champions League. I'm not excusing us from the fact we left until the very last day but the situation we were in then (after qualiifying) is different to the situation we were in a month ago.

You'd think then they might have signed players to guarantee our CL spot at the end of this season too? I'm not sure we've done that with what we have signed. So this is most likely a band-aid. I really think we had our business done fairly early with Gerv, Ox and Jenks and Wenger thought he had enough. I don't think any of the latecomers would be here if we'd have grabbed an unlikely draw with Utd or maybe gone down by one or two goals. Then the missing players could be used as a credible excuse. But 8-2? There's a lot more going on than missing players when the reserves that are supposedly going to see you through a typical season of injuries and suspensions get hammered like that. Panic stations and maybe even a note from above to stop tarnishing the brand.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

You'd think then they might have signed players to guarantee our CL spot at the end of this season too? I'm not sure we've done that with what we have signed. So this is most likely a band-aid. I really think we had our business done fairly early with Gerv, Ox and Jenks and Wenger thought he had enough. I don't think any of the latecomers would be here if we'd have grabbed an unlikely draw with Utd or maybe gone down by one or two goals. Then the missing players could be used as a credible excuse. But 8-2? There's a lot more going on than missing players when the reserves that are supposedly going to see you through a typical season of injuries and suspensions get hammered like that. Panic stations and maybe even a note from above to stop tarnishing the brand.

I think the majority of players want definite assurances - the Champions League is such a big deal now they won't often take the risk on going to a club who might miss out on making it especially if they are already at a club that definitely are in it, unless huge money is involved (say Falcao). Look at Tottenham last year, it wasn't until after they had qualified they bought anyone of any note although even then it was hardly a flood of players. I don't believe Wenger had thought he had enough, even when we have lost players they have been replaced in that position with others. Sure they might not have turned out to be as good but in terms of one in, one out, that has generally been done - like when Henry was sold and we got Eduardo in soon after.

I think that behaviour of players filters down (or up) and rightly or wrongly influences managerial decisions.

[Power n Glory]

Well I don't know about the others but Arteta said himself the lure of the Champions League was the big thing for him joining. However, I am not suggesting we went in for these players before hand and were told, wait until you qualify. I'm more getting at the cautiousness from on our side! We might have panicked, I don't know but I feel the reason we got ourselves in to that situation where we might have needed to panic, for me, is that of the Champions League. I'm not excusing us from the fact we left until the very last day but the situation we were in then (after qualiifying) is different to the situation we were in a month ago.

Also, all the players we bought could not otherwise play in Europe, obviously that came quite late in Fenerbahce's case!

With our record in the Champs League, even with the qualification round, I think most players would have jumped on board to play for us. Mertesaker is an Arsenal fan right? Or always had dreams of playing in England. We could have signed him last summer or back in January. Instead we signed Kosienly and Squallaci and we knew Verms was out for the season but we chose not to buy. Why buy him now? I'd say it's the Man U game.

Arteta would say the Champs League is a big draw, but I'm sure he'd be happy to come on board to play in the qualification rounds to help us through. He plays for Everton. No disrespect to his club, but it's not like he plays for Real Madrid or AC Milan and he's moving to club like Tottenham or Man City that has no history of Champions League football.

The Man U game changed things. To be fair to Wenger, he did say he wanted to sign three more players before the Man U game, but that game changed things. At one point he said Traore could play as left back and the next day he's sold and we buy Santos.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

With our record in the Champs League, even with the qualification round, I think most players would have jumped on board to play for us. Mertesaker is an Arsenal fan right? Or always had dreams of playing in England. We could have signed him last summer or back in January. Instead we signed Kosienly and Squallaci and we knew Verms was out for the season but we chose not to buy. Why buy him now? I'd say it's the Man U game.

Arteta would say the Champs League is a big draw, but I'm sure he'd be happy to come on board to play in the qualification rounds to help us through. He plays for Everton. No disrespect to his club, but it's not like he plays for Real Madrid or AC Milan and he's moving to club like Tottenham or Man City that has no history of Champions League football.

The Man U game changed things. To be fair to Wenger, he did say he wanted to sign three more players before the Man U game, but that game changed things. At one point he said Traore could play as left back and the next day he's sold and we buy Santos.

I'm not sure players look out for anything other than cold, hard facts but anyway:

Well our record in the Champions League qualification has been very good, that is very true but how many times had we come in to the season being almost universally written off, along with losing our two best players and at that point had no replacements for them, well, not any bought ones anyway.

You mention Squillaci but he didn't play in the Man Utd game. For whatever reason it might be that did we get Mertesacker, Squillaci can't be a consideration based solely on what happened in that game, unless Wenger imagined it'd be much worse with him there instead, perhaps. Also, we bought Koscielny before Vermaelen's injury - was Squillaci just after?

Maybe if we had tried to get Arteta earlier on, in that case Everton might have wanted it drag on and on, hoping they can get more for him (certainly Everton need it). And If Arteta had expressed a desire to leave after this supposed offer from us in early August, what would you do as Moyes/Kenwright in that situation?

I've already said I am not excusing us from doing all the work on the final two days but the fact it happened so quickly (compared with us in the summer), when we didn't even overpay particularly, suggests that the circumstances we were in post-Udinese did help to speed things up quite considerably.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal player and icon Robert Pires has come out in support of under-fire manager Arsene Wenger, but he admits that his compatriot should change his ways having not won anything since 2005.

The winger played for the north London club between 2000 and 20006 before joining Villarreal.

Although he won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times under Wenger, his time there was not all plain sailing, and included a humiliating defeat to Manchester United – just as the current crop of players experienced an embarrassing 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford in their last domestic outing.

“I remember when we were beaten 6-1 at Old Trafford. Immediately afterwards, the president [David Dein] publicly supported Arsene and the team,” Pires told France Football. “It had an effect – the next game we slammed West Ham 3-0.

“At the moment, Arsenal will struggle to compete with the big teams and that's what scares me. The current team – that was good last season – is missing parts.

“Losing at Old Trafford happens to everyone. But when you let in three, four, five goals you have to stick together. Letting in eight? That is not normal.”

Some fans haved called for Wenger’s resignation but Pires believes firing the manager would be premature, although he admits his compatriot should consider changing his methods.

He said: “We must allow time for Arsene, to trust him. I respect his philosophy. But is it good? I would suggest not in relation to statistics.

“He has not won anything since he took that direction, so he will perhaps have to change his tune. I know what Arsene is capable of, but he must have the backing of the owner.

“Arsene is caught in a storm and I will be the first to support him because I love the man and the coach. And that team continues to play good football.

“Arsene must build his team as he has always wanted, with players who like the ball but also with warriors.

“You can't start a young team like that and say 'we must win the championship'. [Sir Alex] Ferguson is getting it right now. He built on his team – he bought Ashley Young when he already had Nani and [Antonio] Valencia.

“When we went from Highbury to the Emirates, there was a change. At Highbury there was an atmosphere, people were close to you, it was a stage.

“Arsenal chose to move for business reasons. It's part of the life of a club, but we lost something [as a result]."

Wenger was criticised heavily in some quarters for his complacency in the transfer window that led to a frantic rush for players on deadline day.

The French coach finalised deals for left-back Andre Santos from Fenerbahce, centre-back Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen, Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea, and midfielder Mikel Arteta from Everton.

Pires revealed this method of transfer dealings from the north London club came as no surprise to him as it is simply Wenger’s way.

“I'm not surprised he has not brought in players before [the end of August]. It's totally Arsene, all is well, but at some point, when you take the opposite view and it's late August, you have to do something."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/06/2653008/former-arsenal-icon-robert-pires-backs-under-fire-manager-arsene-

How much more time should Wenger have?

[Power n Glory]

I'm not sure players look out for anything other than cold, hard facts but anyway:

Well our record in the Champions League qualification has been very good, that is very true but how many times had we come in to the season being almost universally written off, along with losing our two best players and at that point had no replacements for them, well, not any bought ones anyway.

You mention Squillaci but he didn't play in the Man Utd game. For whatever reason it might be that did we get Mertesacker, Squillaci can't be a consideration based solely on what happened in that game, unless Wenger imagined it'd be much worse with him there instead, perhaps. Also, we bought Koscielny before Vermaelen's injury - was Squillaci just after?

Maybe if we had tried to get Arteta earlier on, in that case Everton might have wanted it drag on and on, hoping they can get more for him (certainly Everton need it). And If Arteta had expressed a desire to leave after this supposed offer from us in early August, what would you do as Moyes/Kenwright in that situation?

I've already said I am not excusing us from doing all the work on the final two days but the fact it happened so quickly (compared with us in the summer), when we didn't even overpay particularly, suggests that the circumstances we were in post-Udinese did help to speed things up quite considerably.

I mention Squillaci because Wenger chose to sign him and Kosienly instead of Mertesaker last year. He didn't play against Man U, but Wenger already knows he's struggling for confidence so he didn't need to.

All summer, Wenger has been talking about not being able to find the right quality for the right price but we've always known Mertesaker was an option. He could have done with him last winter when Verms was out and when it was obvious that our defenders were struggling. He's not a surprise signing.

I don't think the Champs League qualification was that important. Look to our past record. It's not the first time we've had to qualify for the Champs League and usually, our main players feature in the games. Vermaelen played in his debut season, the same goes for Nasri and Sagna. We usually get our main players in early so they can help us qualify. I suspect we've had our eye on Gervinho for quite a while and we tied up his deal before we qualified. It's never been a problem in the past.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I mention Squillaci because Wenger chose to sign him and Kosienly instead of Mertesaker last year. He didn't play against Man U, but Wenger already knows he's struggling for confidence so he didn't need to.

All summer, Wenger has been talking about not being able to find the right quality for the right price but we've always known Mertesaker was an option. He could have done with him last winter when Verms was out and when it was obvious that our defenders were struggling. He's not a surprise signing.

I don't think the Champs League qualification was that important. Look to our past record. It's not the first time we've had to qualify for the Champs League and usually, our main players feature in the games. Vermaelen played in his debut season, the same goes for Nasri and Sagna. We usually get our main players in early so they can help us qualify. I suspect we've had our eye on Gervinho for quite a while and we tied up his deal before we qualified. It's never been a problem in the past.

The seasons you mentioned are not seasons where we had sold our two best players. Not only could that on its own be enough for players to be a bit circumspect in joining, I guess the fact selling Nasri and Fabregas took so long didn't help either. Like you suggest, our replacements have come in early in the past but generally after we have sold players. You mention what Wenger said which is fine, you're probably right there but don't forget he also said you cannot convince people you are a big club should you sell your best two players.

Our main players now are the ones that have come in! Again I'll repeat, you say we have brought players in early - that is the norm. So why is it that we acted so late this time? If we're making the distinction between this summer and previous ones then it's probably logical there was something else that was a contributing factor. And that's what you're leaving out in your responses to me - I said in previous posts, for me, it's the combination of both losing our best two players and not definitely being in the Champions League. However being in the Champions League for sure, will help.

[Power n Glory]

The seasons you mentioned are not seasons where we had sold our two best players. Not only could that on its own be enough for players to be a bit circumspect in joining, I guess the fact selling Nasri and Fabregas took so long didn't help either. Like you suggest, our replacements have come in early in the past but generally after we have sold players. You mention what Wenger said which is fine, you're probably right there but don't forget he also said you cannot convince people you are a big club should you sell your best two players.

Our main players now are the ones that have come in! Again I'll repeat, you say we have brought players in early - that is the norm. So why is it that we acted so late this time? If we're making the distinction between this summer and previous ones then it's probably logical there was something else that was a contributing factor. And that's what you're leaving out in your responses to me - I said in previous posts, for me, it's the combination of both losing our best two players and not definitely being in the Champions League. However being in the Champions League for sure, will help.

We've always been the underdog and sold off key players each season. We've always been the team in danger of losing our Champs League spot. If we were having trouble signing players like Kaka and Mata because they wanted Champs League football, then I'd understand that position. But besides Mertesaker, these guys are nobodies. We're a step up to their previous clubs and that includes Mertesakers. I can't imagine any of them acting like divas.

When we signed Arshavin, we were close to losing our Champions League spot, we sold off two of our main players that performed well last season but he still joined us and at a point where he knew he was eligible for the Champs League football and where there was a danger of us not qualifying.

Taking so long to sell off Nasri and Cesc was probably a factor but we went out and bought a left back and CB when we've known all summer that we needed players for those positions. I actually think Wenger was willing to take a risk and go into the season with the players we had. It's not the first time he's said we'll buy and has gone back on what he originally said. Also, after the Newcastle game, he praised our defence and started to mock journalists and all those that kept on going on at him about buying defenders. It's been a poor start to the season but if we'd have picked up more points I doubt we'd have seen so many last minute moves.

You ask why have we acted so late...ask yourself that. What's so different about this season compared to previous seasons? It's not the first time we've lost main players and it's not the first time we've had to qualify for the Champions League. Cesc and Nasri are big players, but Henry is even bigger. We lost him but didn't go crazy in the transfer window because the squad was looking good and ready for the challenge ahead. We were playing better and got off to a flyer. It's the complete opposite this season.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Arshavin's alternative was to stay at Zenit and they had already been knocked out of the Champions League. Plus, their domestic season had already finished (they did not qualify for the Champions League 09/10).

I'm not sure why you're talking about players being divas because I certainly am not. Arteta a nobody? That's pretty odd for somebody suggesting players might be acting with ideas above their station. Is he on the level of Mata (Kaka is gone)? No, obviously not, we all know him though (!) but that's an irrelevance anyway.

I'm asking you why you think we acted so late - this whole back and forth started by me expressing (vicariously) to GG why I think we did. You can ask me what's so different but the fact is and you've already conceded this, we have done things differently this year to other ones. There has to be a reason for that surely? If Wenger comes out of his own volition and says that you cannot say you're not a big club anymore if you sell your two best players, is it not possible that level of thinking is transmitted and influenced throughout the board and their combined decisions? I don't remember him saying that after Henry had left, probably because we hadn't lost him during his prime years. We also sold Henry fairly early on, late June, possibly? Plus one of those players went to a club we are supposed to be competing with.

Maybe the only way we'll sift through all this is if we think as what kind of club you would join (or hope to join) if you were a player of, on say the same level as Arteta? And would you have taken stock of all the things that have been at happening at those clubs you might possibly join? I know I would but I guess I haven't been in that football environment of an early age, so if I was, maybe my mentality would be different.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour says that Mikel Arteta will form the spine of the team over the coming years.

The 29-year-old Spaniard, a deadline day recruit from Everton for a £10 million fee is a notable change in transfer window tactics from manager Arsene Wenger, and Parlour said it is a move that will benefit the team following the departures of club captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

"The team needed a new spine," Parlour told France Football. "It also needed experience. It has that now.

"The big deal is Arteta, who will bring a lot in the midfield. That's what the young people like Wilshere and Ramsey needed; frames to progress. It was necessary after the departure of [Samir] Nasri and [Cesc] Fabregas."

Parlour also gave his backing to Wenger, saying that the club owes all its success to the French manager.

"The fans are frustrated," he said. "OK, to concede eight goals [against Manchester United], shake it off... I worked with Wenger for eight years. He's a great coach.

"I wonder if people realise what he did at Arsenal. If we have a training centre, a new stadium, it's because of Arsene Wenger. I'm his number one fan.

"People behave as if it were easy to win titles in England. Before, we brawled against Manchester United, period. Today, there are Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea...

"These teams have progressed and many of them have resources that far exceed those of Arsenal.

"Arsene Wenger is still the future of Arsenal. To those who say we should change coaches, I say: look around you. I do not see anyone that is able to do better than him, or like him."

Parlour also highlighted that the club has had to use income differently since the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.

"People do not understand the impact has been the shift from Highbury to the Emirates. I do not speak for the players, but for the club and Arsene.

"[The move] has pumped resources. But you could not escape: 38,000 spectators [at Highbury] was not enough.

"As a result, Wenger found himself in a situation where he no longer had the same freedom in recruitment. He made the bet of youth, partly by choice, because it is his idea of football...and partly because he had no choice.

"But he kept the club at the top. It's been 14 years since we began playing in the Champions League every year. I do not know many managers that would have been able to accomplish this feat."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/06/2653242/mikel-arterta-is-the-new-spine-of-arsenal-ray-parlour

Parlour has a shocker

[fakeyank]

We've always been the underdog and sold off key players each season. We've always been the team in danger of losing our Champs League spot. If we were having trouble signing players like Kaka and Mata because they wanted Champs League football, then I'd understand that position. But besides Mertesaker, these guys are nobodies. We're a step up to their previous clubs and that includes Mertesakers. I can't imagine any of them acting like divas.

When we signed Arshavin, we were close to losing our Champions League spot, we sold off two of our main players that performed well last season but he still joined us and at a point where he knew he was eligible for the Champs League football and where there was a danger of us not qualifying.

Taking so long to sell off Nasri and Cesc was probably a factor but we went out and bought a left back and CB when we've known all summer that we needed players for those positions. I actually think Wenger was willing to take a risk and go into the season with the players we had. It's not the first time he's said we'll buy and has gone back on what he originally said. Also, after the Newcastle game, he praised our defence and started to mock journalists and all those that kept on going on at him about buying defenders. It's been a poor start to the season but if we'd have picked up more points I doubt we'd have seen so many last minute moves.

You ask why have we acted so late...ask yourself that. What's so different about this season compared to previous seasons? It's not the first time we've lost main players and it's not the first time we've had to qualify for the Champions League. Cesc and Nasri are big players, but Henry is even bigger. We lost him but didn't go crazy in the transfer window because the squad was looking good and ready for the challenge ahead. We were playing better and got off to a flyer. It's the complete opposite this season.

:gp:

CL qualification mattered but was the be all and end all for some of these players to sign. 8-2 changed things for the good! I had mentioned before our 2nd leg against Udinese that it would be great if we lost the qualifiers as that would be a jolt for the manager and board that this team is not good enough. What transpired was even better.. we did qualify for the CL but also got a right bollocking from a class team. This was badly needed and you can see the club going in some sort of right direction footballistically..

[Letters]

Parlour has a shocker

What do you disagree with?

[Cripps_orig]

What do you disagree with?


He's a great coach.

No, no he isnt. Not anymore. Parlour still thinks of him as the manager he was when he was still here. Wenger was a great coach then.


"Arsene Wenger is still the future of Arsenal. To those who say we should change coaches, I say: look around you. I do not see anyone that is able to do better than him, or like him."

Wenger is not the be all and end all of Arsenal. He should be made culpable of the awful run we are on atm, a run where no other manager at a top 4 club would have cos they'd either sort it or they'd be sacked themselves.


"But he kept the club at the top. It's been 14 years since we began playing in the Champions League every year. I do not know many managers that would have been able to accomplish this feat."

Who gives a toss? Its not a feat worth mentioning. We've also played in the FA Cup 14 years in a row. Yay go us

[Letters]

If "We've also played in the FA Cup 14 years in a row" is really the level of your riposte then I'm not sure there's much point engaging.

[Cripps_orig]

:lol:

Fair enough. That was a bit wummy of me.

The rest of what i said still stands

[Power n Glory]

Arshavin's alternative was to stay at Zenit and they had already been knocked out of the Champions League. Plus, their domestic season had already finished (they did not qualify for the Champions League 09/10).

I'm not sure why you're talking about players being divas because I certainly am not. Arteta a nobody? That's pretty odd for somebody suggesting players might be acting with ideas above their station. Is he on the level of Mata (Kaka is gone)? No, obviously not, we all know him though (!) but that's an irrelevance anyway.

I'm asking you why you think we acted so late - this whole back and forth started by me expressing (vicariously) to GG why I think we did. You can ask me what's so different but the fact is and you've already conceded this, we have done things differently this year to other ones. There has to be a reason for that surely? If Wenger comes out of his own volition and says that you cannot say you're not a big club anymore if you sell your two best players, is it not possible that level of thinking is transmitted and influenced throughout the board and their combined decisions? I don't remember him saying that after Henry had left, probably because we hadn't lost him during his prime years. We also sold Henry fairly early on, late June, possibly? Plus one of those players went to a club we are supposed to be competing with.

Maybe the only way we'll sift through all this is if we think as what kind of club you would join (or hope to join) if you were a player of, on say the same level as Arteta? And would you have taken stock of all the things that have been at happening at those clubs you might possibly join? I know I would but I guess I haven't been in that football environment of an early age, so if I was, maybe my mentality would be different.


Yes, we've done things differently this year because the shit hit the fan when we lost to Man U. Also, Wenger must have known Vermaelen would need surgery and that Jack would be out for a few months so that probably changed things as well. But I don't think this us going in late and waiting to qualify was an overall strategy. We panicked a little. It was obvious that this team couldn't face up to the challenge and we needed to bring players in quickly.

I'm not saying Arteta is rubbish or anything like that, just saying we're an attractive proposition to him regardless of us having to qualify for the Champs League and the same applies to the rest of the players. I'm not suggesting he's the type of player to act above his station, it's the opposite. He's the type of player that should jump at a chance to join us. He's not like one of the many star players being courted by Europes elite clubs.

Wouldn't you say that Arshavin's situation isn't that much different to Arteta's or the other players we signed? It's not as if we've signed players used to playing Champions League football so I find it hard to believe that they'd demand CL football as a condition for their signature. Not saying it's not a factor when a player moves to a club, I just don't think it's our reason for making deadline day moves. GG is right to question why it took us so long.

Last point, Wenger's big club statement might have just been a message to his players a last attempt to show defiance and togetherness. I don't think it was a message to the board otherwise he wouldn't have told them to lower the asking price for Fabregas. Also, it could have been a bluff to Man City and Barca to up their offers and to show how important the players were to this club. Who knows. But he doesn't need to make such statements to get the boards attention. Not when he can tell them to lower the fee for Fabs and they agree to it.

[Letters]

:lol:

Fair enough. That was a bit wummy of me.

The rest of what i said still stands

Interesting about how you think Wenger has changed. IMO it's football which has changed more than Wenger but I'd agree he's not kept up. Partly because of billionaire owners which are hard to compete with, partly because his diet and training regimes and awareness of the global game were ground-breaking at the time and that's no longer so.

[Cripps_orig]

Interesting about how you think Wenger has changed. IMO it's football which has changed more than Wenger but I'd agree he's not kept up. Partly because of billionaire owners which are hard to compete with, partly because his diet and training regimes and awareness of the global game were ground-breaking at the time and that's no longer so.

Football always changes. I genuinely believe Wenger was on a personal crusade to prove you can win without spending money cos we all know how much it pisses him off having these teams who won f all (Chelsea and Mancs) now up there challenging for trophies through no hard work of their own and all down to their owner and i commend that but ultimately what other clubs do have little to do with our own failings. Other clubs spending money has f all to do with our defensive problems, our lack of killer instinct etc. Thats all down to Wenger.

[Letters]

Agree. And what's frustrating is he has come very close to success doing things the 'right way'.
With a bit of pragmatism and spending a bit more money we could have won some trophies and pushed Utd very hard last season.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/teams/england/94/arsenal) manager Bruce Rioch has called for Arsene Wenger (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/france/2843/arsène-wenger) to be more like Sir Alex Ferguson (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/people/scotland/8123/sir-alex-ferguson) after a highly uncertain summer at the club.

Rioch was sacked by Arsenal to be replaced by Wenger and the former boss says the club should look to replicate the side they had in 2003-04 when they went the whole of the Premier League campaign unbeaten to clinch their 13th and most recent title.
“I’ve got a lot of affection for Arsenal, there’s no room in my life for bitterness. It is a great club by any yardstick,” Rioch said in an article in The Mirror.
“Yes, [Manchester] United scored some great goals (http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/forum/#) [in beating the Gunners 8-2] but losing two outstanding players like Fabregas and Nasri is really going to dent any team’s confidence - unless you’ve got like-for-like quality as immediate replacements.
“Their moves turned into long-running sagas when something should have been sorted out quickly.
“This time last year Alex Ferguson had a contract problem with Wayne Rooney (http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/forum/#). He got it done and dusted in a week, even though it cost them financially.
“United sent out a message to the rest of the world - we are not a club which sells our best players.
“It’s not always been like that for United. But when Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to go a few years ago, United made sure it cost Real Madrid top dollar, around £80 million.
“Then you look at the early signings Alex made this summer. Top English talent like Phil Jones and Ashley Young came in and must have given that dressing room a hell of a lift.
“Bill Shankly once told me that when a player got towards the end of his contract at Liverpool, he would be offered a new deal. Any hesitation and he was history. Shanks took it as an indication his head was elsewhere.
“I feel Arsenal should have done that with Nasri.”
Rioch admires the job Frenchman Wenger has done at the club, but feels he needs to try and replicate the 'Invincibles' side of 2003-04.
“Arsene has done a brilliant job for the club.
“If he left, virtually all of Europe’s top clubs would be interested.
“But maybe he should look again at his most successful side. It had all the qualities that winning teams need.
“In players like Jens Lehmann in goal, Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell - among others - Arsenal were tough, difficult to beat, tall, physical with character. Going forward and scoring goals, all the skill and talent was there too with Robert Pires, Thierry Henry and DennisBergkamp (http://www.goonersweb.co.uk/forum/#).
“That team could never be intimidated. I feel Arsene is under a lot of pressure because in the last six years he has fallen short of the exceptionally high standards he set.
“I don’t know him well but we have met. He’s very pleasant, a nice person who has helped many players further their careers.
“Now he simply has to win games of football. It’s lovely when you can win with a bit of style, but the Premier League is extremely competitive and Arsenal need to be competitive.
“They have been going into certain situations, going to certain grounds where you don’t fancy them. That never used to be the case.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/10/2658769/former-arsenal-manager-bruce-rioch-says-arsene-wenger-should

Bring him back tbh

[Xhaka Can’t]

No.

[Cripps_orig]

No.

No fair.

You want the 94/95 squad back so why cant i have Rioch back?

Did more than any Arsenal manager ever has and by that i mean he bought our greatest ever player to the club

[Olivier's xmas twist]

No fair.

You want the 94/95 squad back so why cant i have Rioch back?Did more than any Arsenal manager ever has and by that i mean he bought our greatest ever player to the club

Becauase they were good he was not

[Cripps_orig]

Becauase they were good he was not

They finished 12th that season...

Id take that this season tbh

[Olivier's xmas twist]

They finished 12th that season...

Id take that this season tbh

thats why he got sacked. But at least them we had players who showed they wanted to play for the shirt and gave their all but missed a lil something. Till a french man came along in the summer after and showed them.

Wonder What ever happend to that man seems to have gone missing

[Cripps_orig]

thats why he got sacked. But at least them we had players who showed they wanted to play for the shirt and gave their all but missed a lil something. Till a french man came along in the summer after and showed them.

Wonder What ever happend to that man seems to have gone missing

He wasnt in charge that season...

[Xhaka Can’t]

No fair.

You want the 94/95 squad back so why cant i have Rioch back?

Did more than any Arsenal manager ever has and by that i mean he bought our greatest ever player to the club

Fair point.

Damn.

[Xhaka Can’t]

thats why he got sacked. But at least them we had players who showed they wanted to play for the shirt and gave their all but missed a lil something. Till a french man came along in the summer after and showed them.

Wonder What ever happend to that man seems to have gone missing

That was Graham/Houston.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

That was Graham/Houston.

Ah ok

[Özim]

Rioch got 5th place and signed Bergkamp (and showed a willingness to change things).

Thought he did quite a good job and was harshly sacked after one season.

[Cripps_orig]

Rioch got 5th place and signed Bergkamp (and showed a willingness to change things).

Thought he did quite a good job and was harshly sacked after one season.

Pretty much.

Why was he sacked? 5th was no mean feat after the shocker of a year before.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I was shocked when he got sacked, but figured he'd be back in another top post pretty much immediately. I was even more shocked that he wasn't - still confused by that now. I wonder if we'll ever know the reason for him seemingly becoming a pariah and having to work as Number 2 to Houston?

[Özim]

Pretty much.

Why was he sacked? 5th was no mean feat after the shocker of a year before.
Wiki reckons a row over transfer funds.

Sounds about right.

I was shocked when he got sacked too, thought he'd done well, changed the way we played football and made some (Bergkamp and Platt) signings, he also tried to sign Juninho before he went to Boro (did really well for them in his 1st spell).

He liked his team to play flair football too, his Bolton side were quite a side and upset a lot of the big boys including ourselves.

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal legend Peter Storey believes Arsene Wenger has ‘lost the plot’ following his deadline day signings.

Wenger’s side have had a fairly poor start to the season but managed to pull some new players into their ranks before the close of the transfer window, including Per Mertesacker, Park Chu-Young and Mikel Arteta.

Storey, who amassed more than 500 appearances for the Gunners, believes Arsenal no longer have a 'strong' team and their signings were more a sign of desperation.

"Arsenal have had a bad start and it seems like Wenger has panicked and he doesn’t normally do that, does he? He seems to have lost the plot. I mean, some of the people he’s bought, they’re not top quality, really," Storey said according to The Sunday Mirror.

"With Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri gone, you look at the team and it doesn’t seem that strong.

"Thomas Vermaelen’s latest injury is going to be a big blow, because he is one of the good players they’ve got, so is Jack Wilshere’s ankle problem."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/11/2660047/arsenal-legend-peter-storey-believes-manager-arsene-wenger

Storey :bow:

[Joker]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/11/2660047/arsenal-legend-peter-storey-believes-manager-arsene-wenger

Storey :bow:

Storey's right, but unfortunately we're stuck with this squad until at least January.

[Niall_Quinn]

Storey's right, but unfortunately we're stuck with this squad until at least January.

Why January? Do people still believe there's a transfer window where we'll suddenly spend? How many profit grabbing transfer windows do we need to see before the hope dies?

[Joker]

Why January? Do people still believe there's a transfer window where we'll suddenly spend? How many profit grabbing transfer windows do we need to see before the hope dies?

LOL fair point again :ilt:

[Cripps_orig]

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed he left Arsenal this summer because he wanted to win major trophies and feels he couldn’t whilst playing with the Gunners.

The Spaniard finally completed a £35 million move to Barcelona following years of speculation surrounding his return to the Catalan club.

He believes the Emirates outfit will no longer be able to compete with the big clubs in England as he thinks the difference in quality between them is too great.

He told Sport magazine: "I want to be in a club that is able to win the big titles year after year and I don't see that kind of future for Arsenal.

"I still have many feelings for Arsenal, but I fear that they won't be able to push the other big clubs in England away.

"If you look at the team this season I can't see them finishing in front of teams like Manchester United or [Manchester] City, or Chelsea. There's just too big a difference between the squads.

"I respect that Arsenal don't have the same financial opportunities as the others, but it was part of my decision to leave that I find it hard to see Arsenal winning the Premier League or Champions League in the near future."

Fabregas added: "I hope they will replace me and the others that have left with some quality players and maybe they can take Arsenal back to their level as champions."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/15/2667318/arsenal-can-no-longer-challenge-for-trophies-barcelonas-cesc

What a cunt

Feels sickening to have an article from him in this thread alongside Arsenal legends but cba making a new thread

[Ollie the Optimist]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/15/2667318/arsenal-can-no-longer-challenge-for-trophies-barcelonas-cesc

What a cunt

Feels sickening to have an article from him in this thread alongside Arsenal legends but cba making a new thread

what he said is true, and it does come accross to me, given his previous comments that he deeply cares about the club and is proud to have been a gooner but he is a cunt for saying it now

[Xhaka Can’t]

Cesc is clearly nuts.

[Syn]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/15/2667318/arsenal-can-no-longer-challenge-for-trophies-barcelonas-cescWhat a cuntFeels sickening to have an article from him in this thread alongside Arsenal legends but cba making a new thread What do you disagree with?

[Cripps_orig]

What do you disagree with?

Nothing.

Hes right. Doesnt stop him from being a cunt

[The Verminator]

Why January? Do people still believe there's a transfer window where we'll suddenly spend? How many profit grabbing transfer windows do we need to see before the hope dies?

If it looks like we're going to be struggling to make the top 4 then that's when you can bet Arsenal will invest properly.

[GP]

Cesc needs to shut his greasy wetback cunt mouth.

Wasn't up to the challenge so fucked off. Needs to fuck up before he gets cut.

[Master Splinter]

Who'll be doing the cutting?

[GP]

His mum

[gunnerrrrr]

what a fucking gimp
first he fucks us over the transfer fee
now he fucks us over future transfer as he clearly saying "go to Arsenal and you will win fuck all"
who knows how badly he influenced that prik Nasri last year with his unintentional bad mouthing

[Cripps_orig]

what a fucking gimp
first he fucks us over the transfer fee
now he fucks us over future transfer as he clearly saying "go to Arsenal and you will win fuck all"
who knows how badly he influenced that prik Nasri last year with his intentional bad mouthing

Just corrected your little mistake there

[gunnerrrrr]

Just corrected your little mistake there
haha true!

[Olivier's xmas twist]

what a fucking gimp
first he fucks us over the transfer fee
now he fucks us over future transfer as he clearly saying "go to Arsenal and you will win fuck all"who knows how badly he influenced that prik Nasri last year with his unintentional bad mouthing

This is where the players need to stand up and prove they can win things. Cesc is not the last former player to say thins like this.

Aw really has to stop babying these players because they will always throw it back in his face, hope he wakes up too.

this should be a motivation for the whole club.

[gunnerrrrr]

This is where the players need to stand up and prove they can win things. Cesc is not the last former player to say thins like this.

Aw really has to stop babying these players because they will always throw it back in his face, hope he wakes up too.

this should be a motivation for the whole club.

completely agree, as a club we need to ensure we have warriors not spoiled brats like Nasri and Bendtner...

RVP is a class footballers and he has Arsenal at heart, lets hope he is a great captain...been a long long long time since we had one of those

[Master Splinter]

he is a great captain...been a long long long time since we had one of those

Chamakh was captain only last week.

[fakeyank]

completely agree, as a club we need to ensure we have warriors not spoiled brats like Nasri and Bendtner...

RVP is a class footballers and he has Arsenal at heart, lets hope he is a great captain...been a long long long time since we had one of those

Wait till we end up not qualifying for CL next season and see him bugger off from the club... and so will Theo. Wait n watch!

[IBK]

Wait till we end up not qualifying for CL next season and see him bugger off from the club... and so will Theo. Wait n watch!

And Szcezny and Wilshere and Sagna...

[Sicc]

If we don't get top 4, RvP/Walcott will go, and possibly Sagna.

We have too much dead weight at the club, and need to be in sight of top 4 by December....which will motivate some buys for us to finish the job. Our b and c team are crap, which costs us dearly.

Djourou/Squid/Almunia/Diaby have to go in Jan imo, along with Rosicky/Arshavin/Chamakh/Kos in the summer.

Then with sales/freed up salaries....get decent players.

It won't happen...but here's hoping.

[Cripps_orig]

Expecting RVP, Vermaelen etc articles to frequent this thread more next year

[Cripps_orig]

Ray Parlour has told talkSPORT that Arsenal’s inability to defend as a team is behind their poor start to the season.

Speaking after a 4-2 defeat to Blackburn, Arsenal’s third loss in five games, which leaves the Gunners 13th, Parlour criticised the lack of desire among Arsene Wenger’s players.

The former Gunners midfielder claimed that going forward Arsenal look great, but when it comes to tracking back they have a lot to learn.

“Too many players walk back or don’t get into a position where they can defend it.”Ray Parlour


“I’m the first one to praise Arsenal but it’s been a tough start for Arsene Wenger and his players,” Parlour said. “They’ve got to defend as a team a lot better.

“They looked great going forward and attacking, but it is when you lose the ball or you don’t get that chance and it breaks down. How do you respond to that?

“[The Arsenal players] need to get back into their positions as soon as they can. Too many players walk back or don’t get into a position where they can defend it.

“If you go to places like Blackburn it is not an easy game, they’ve got decent players, but you’ve got to defend well as a team and they didn’t do that today.”


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1107/67/exclusive-parlour-blames-arsenal-defence-bad-form

[Cripps_orig]

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been offered an apology from Sport magazine after they printed an apparently fabricated interview in which he said Arsenal could no longer challenge for titles.

The publication quoted Fabregas as saying he pursued a move to his boyhood club as he felt that the Gunners could no longer challenge for trophies and were not one of the top three teams in England.

The Spaniard quickly denied making any comments to the publication and said he would pursue legal action.

Fabregas has now claimed that he has been offered an apology from the publication, and reiterated that he would never say anything negative about the club he was previously captain of.

He said via his Twitter account: “Got the apology and retraction from that magazine that made up an interview about me.

“Can't believe some journalists. I will also get damages that I will give to charity.

“Hope it teaches them a lesson. I would NEVER say a bad word about Arsenal Football Club.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/20/2674346/i-would-never-say-a-bad-word-about-arsenal-barcelona

Cesc :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Cesc :bow:

:faint:

A top-quality WUM would suggest he planned this fiasco so he would ultimately look like an Arsenal-loving charitable hero in the eyes of his gullible fans.

Shame there's no good WUMs around here tbh.

[Cripps_orig]

Its more for the charity bit.

Although its probably a charity for cunts

[dazthegooner]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/20/2674346/i-would-never-say-a-bad-word-about-arsenal-barcelona

Cesc :bow:

:gp:

[Xhaka Can’t]

Its more for the charity bit.

Although its probably a charity for cunts

I'm quids in!

[Cripps_orig]

Lyon boss Remi Garde believes Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is struggling without the support of former chief executive David Dein.

Dein left the club after falling out with several other members of the Gunners board, but Garde believes the role he played at the club was invaluable, understanding most of the impressive signings made by the club were down to the former chief.

Garde also admitted he was fairly bemused by some of the signings made by Wenger over the summer, something that highlighted Dein’s lack of presence.

Speaking to the Daily Express, Garde said: “I was surprised by Arsenal’s late signings. David Dein managed these dossiers with Arsene until his departure.

“He kept an eye on the choice of players, the strategy of the club. He is sorely missed.

“Arsene has always put talent first. To his mind, a defender, for example, must be a good footballer.

“He wants to impose himself on his opponents through possession of the ball.

“The plan works with Barcelona, Spain and Germany.

“But how do you get there if you can no longer keep your best players and get others to come?”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/20/2674997/lyon-boss-remi-garde-arsene-wenger-needs-david-dein-back-at

[Cripps_orig]

ARSENE WENGER is facing the toughest spell of his 15 years as Arsenal manager.

Yet according to Bob Wilson, the Frenchman — appointed as Gunners boss on September 30, 1996 — will only be truly appreciated when he leaves the club.

Former keeper Wilson, 69, won the Double with Arsenal both as a player and coach.

He has watched in awe of Wenger's managerial skills down the years, while he has also been touched by his generosity.

Wilson, the club's keeper coach until 2003, said: "If you'd said when he arrived that I would see the best football Arsenal has ever played and some of the greatest players the world has ever seen, I wouldn't have believed you.

"If you had said I would go on to watch us play in the Champions League for the next 15 years, win three titles, five FA Cups, get to three Carling Cup finals and the final of the Champions League, my reply would have ended in 'off'.

"People still talk about Herbert Chapman and what he achieved — and it will be the same with Arsene in many years' time.

"When it comes to an end, only then will people realise what this academic brought to Arsenal.

"I was in turmoil when he arrived. My daughter had been living with cancer and on December 1, 1998 she died.

"The times I was struggling to keep it together, he was brilliant for me.

"I needed someone to understand where I was at for five years of my life — as it was a horrible rollercoaster — and Arsene saw how my wife needed to do something to keep her life on track and had to follow Anna's orders, who was a nurse, to keep our work going.

"We then set up the Willow Foundation and by turning up at events, Arsene has helped raise about £250,000."

Wilson is convinced that under-fire Wenger, who has suffered a nightmare start, will leave only on his terms.

He said: "It is quite clear this is going to be the most traumatic season for us. I know the hierarchy will never sack Arsene, the decision has to come from him. But he has bought himself a lot of time.

"What's happening is not good. I have more sleepless nights now than ever but I'm going to Tottenham on Sunday and must hope for the best.

"The toughest moment was at Manchester United, when they had nine players out and two about to leave. I thought they'd lose 6-0 — not 8-2

"I admire Arsene for not shutting up shop but it was hard to see the pain on his face.

"It also saddens me that many other Premier League managers don't like him. It's because he doesn't go for a drink, he is shy and different.

"But he can laugh at himself and, above all, he is a fantastic manager."


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3844629/Bob-Wilson-says-Arsene-Wenger-will-only-be-appreciated-at-Arsenal-when-hes-gone.html

:rolleyes:

The trophies he won for us has nothing to do with how shite we are now. People need to stop living in the past and live in the now.

[Cripps_orig]

BOB WILSON believes Arsene Wenger will be remembered as the man who transformed English football.

The legendary Arsenal keeper said: "Arsene is different to any other manager in the world.

"The game as we know it is different now as a result of training methods, rehydration, specialist doctors and the building of a training ground at Arsenal that everyone came to look at. Arsene has been a big part of all those changes.

"He is a man whose team went a whole season in 2003-04 without getting beaten.

"They were The Invincibles. Not even Alex Ferguson, who I love as a manager, has been able to do that.

"When Arsene came here, he inherited a club with players who liked to drink — and drink big. For an academic to win them over was almost a miracle.

"To get these guys, who rehydrated on eight to 10 pints of beer to switch to litres of water was amazing.

"Yet all those boys listened.

"They did brilliantly for him but he did brilliantly for them as he put two to five years on their careers.
"He is an extraordinary man. His whole life is about football."



Same link from above

More living in the past from Bob

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

To be fair Bob Wilson is merely stating that the Wenger will be thought of more favorably after he goes, which is probably true......in history there will be more made of what he won, how we played and how far we came, and less made of the stagnation and selling off of key creative players.

And it's only right that his legacy is a positive one, even though in the here and now the only positive contribution he can make is to resign........the board seem powerless to sack him because they know it's not just Wenger's fault we are in this mess.

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon believes the Gunners' current defensive problems could leave them struggling to make the Premier League's top eight.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger accepted after a 2-1 defeat by Tottenham on Sunday that the title was out of reach and they would focus on the top four.

But Dixon said: "I think top four is out of their reach now, I really do, so you are looking at top six.

"Yet the way they are playing now, can they reach the top eight?"

Arsenal's struggles in defence were compounded after the game when the club learned that right-back Bacary Sagna would be out for three months after breaking his leg following a collision with Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

And they are also without injured centre-backs Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou, as well as long-term absentee Jack Wilshere.

The Gunners' defeat at Spurs was their fourth of the season - and leaves them 15th in the Premier League table.

But Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke recently moved to reassure an under-pressure Wenger, by saying the Frenchman is the only person who will decide if he leaves his position.

Goals by Rafael van der Vaart and Kyle Walker earned Tottenham victory at White Hart Lane and Dixon believes the strikes were indicative of Arsenal's fragility.

"It is difficult for them because they are not showing any consistency in performances," he added.

"There are a lot of pluses and it's not all doom and gloom but ultimately it all falls back to the same thing. They are frail and they can concede goals from schoolboy errors.

"Until they stop that they will carry on being frail and that's the worrying sign."

On the performance against Spurs, Dixon added: "It is getting embarrassing. Arsenal get themselves into positions where they are the better team in midfield for big chunks of the game but defend like schoolboys by giving two goals away and numerous other chances that can be avoided.

"The second goal was a great strike by Walker, and the keeper was beaten by the swerve of the ball, but it came from a throw-in where there was no danger whatsoever and they just let Sandro run into the box without anybody getting within five yards of him.

"You can pick the positives out of the midfield which was a lot more coherent than Spurs at times, and Francis Coquelin played well, but it's all wasted.

"They can complain about the handball for Van der Vaart's goal but it could have been avoided 30 seconds before with basic defending."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15152030.stm

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has suggested that teams whose supporters are found guilty of abusive chanting should be forced to play their next game in front of an empty stadium as punishment.

In Sunday's north London derby between the Gunners and Tottenham, both sets of fans were heard chanting abusively at Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp and Emmanuel Adebayor, to name a few.

And the man who held the Gunners' leading goalscorer record until he was overtaken by Thierry Henry has suggested that taking drastic measures would mean fans would think twice about singing abusive songs.

"When the fans get together in a ground, it’s all tribal, anything goes, there’s no laws to stop people," he told Sky Sports News.

"Who’s going to be brave enough to walk into a crowd of 100 men, maybe tanked up, shouting abuse? They’re not going to do it.

"What they should do, if it’s bad enough, their next game should be behind closed doors. They want to do something about it then do something drastic.

"Do something where people say ‘woah, what happened, behind closed doors?’ that’s it. That will stop it in one fell swoop."

Meanwhile, former Arsenal and Tottenham manager George Graham stated that it was time the authorities got involved with the matter.

He said: "I think it’s time now the authorities and the clubs stepped in. It’s going to be difficult because it’s very hard to get into a crowd of 40,000-50,000 people and get at a bunch of people who are a disgrace to the rest of the supporters."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/03/2694899/former-arsenal-striker-ian-wright-suggests-teams-should-play

[Cripps_orig]

David Seaman has voiced his frustration with Arsenal's start to the season and has revealed his sympathy for highly rated young goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who he believes is being relied upon too much.

Seaman, a winner of three league titles and four FA Cups with the Gunners, believes that Arsenal need to be more focused on training defensively, just as they were in the George Graham era.

The former England shot-stopper is a big fan of young Polish keeper Szczesny, but he believes that the 21-year-old is being given far too much to do and those in front of him need to tighten up.

"In 1991, we trained so much on that back four," Seaman told Sky Sports News.

"Pat Rice [Arsenal assistant manager] was there so he knows what needs to be done and we trained and trained and trained and it worked, but at the moment the goalkeeper Szczesny is getting too much to do.

"He’s showing how good he is but I don’t like to see that. A goalkeeper for Arsenal normally has one or two saves a match and that’s it.

"But at the moment he’s keeping the scoreline down, not the team in it."

The Gunners went down to a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, meaning that they have been beaten four times already this season in the Premier League, and Seaman was bitterly disappointed with his old team's performance at White Hart Lane.

"It’s very frustrating," he continued.

"Performance-wise it wasn’t the best but the result is the most frustrating part about it. It’s a massive game for the fans. It’s really frustrating to see what Arsenal are going through at this time.

"That [conceding 16 goals in the league] is obviously showing their weakness but you’ve got to train them and practice it.

"From what I see it doesn’t look like a lot of people know what they’re doing or know what position they’re supposed to be in.

"I’m sure it’s not like that in training but that’s what it looks like from watching it on the TV."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/03/2694904/they-dont-look-like-they-know-what-theyre-doing-david-seaman

[Syn]

Is Seaman having a laugh? Imagine being able to put "played as goalkeeper for Arsenal in 2011 and only conceded 2938 goals in the season" on a CV...as an accolade that is only topped by winning the World Cup. Everyone knows how shit the defence is - and Szczesny will get a helluva lot of practice because of it.

That said, Szczesny's a pretty good keeper. Like with RVP, I have little doubt that this guy will be here for a long time yet.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

On Dixon can't say i disagree

On Wrighty same

On Seaman he makes a valid point.

[Cripps_orig]

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has backed Arsene Wenger to remain in charge of Arsenal, saying he is an an example to millions and is the “best coach in the world”.

The Dutchman spent two years at the Gunners from 2001 to 2003 and feels that the Gunners would be wrong to dismiss the French boss after a poor start to the Premier League season that has heaped pressure on the veteran manager.

"He's an institution,” Van Bronckhorst told NUsport. “Look at what he's achieved and how his philosophy has been an example to millions.

“But you never know what might happen if the pressure grows from the outside world.

“That 8-2 loss against Manchester United was quite something. There has been a lot of pressure to perform ever since though and even an institution could fall.

"I say that he's the best coach in the world. If he's fired, you can say money beats vision."

Arsenal currently sit in 15th position in the Premier League, having only managed to take seven points out of a possible 21.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/04/2696337/arsene-wenger-is-the-best-coach-in-the-world-claims-former

GVB :lol:

You can see why hes retired

[Cripps_orig]

THE last time Arsenal finished below Spurs was the 1994-95 season.

I scored 18 goals in my 31 league appearances but Arsenal had to settle for 12th place while Tottenham were seventh.

As you would expect, people are now making comparisons with that season.

After Sunday's North London derby, Spurs are sixth and my former club are 15th.

As I've already said, it's not unrealistic for Spurs to take fourth spot to mark a return to the Champions League.

Yet Arsenal find themselves in a more difficult place and following the 2-1 defeat to Spurs, I'd take sixth or seventh place in the Premier League.

That may not even be enough to guarantee a place in the Europa League but that's probably the highest Arsenal can finish.

Anything more than that would be unrealistic. It would be asking far too much from an inexperienced team which is clearly in transition.

It's funny because Arsenal fans still say to me 'where were you when we were 12th in the table?' yet those supporters have short memories.

I was at the club, trying to score the goals that helped us to that mid-table position.

The 1994-95 season wasn't totally disastrous as we made a second successive appearance in the Cup Winners' Cup final but lost to Real Zaragoza in Paris.

In those days, Arsenal had a few players who were able to chip in with a few goals and that's what the team needs now.

At the moment, Robin van Persie is the shining light but there is too much pressure on him.

I think it is unlikely he will sign a new contract and may leave — and no one could blame him.

I am fearing a mass exodus next summer. It is sad situation and Arsene Wenger really needs to sort this team out.

Since the Carling Cup final, they have run out of steam and all the new signings have yet to really make their mark.

It's all very well Wenger going on about decisions and then getting angry at the end at Spurs but he cannot blame anyone over the final result.

If Arsenal do not go on a decent run soon, the confidence within this current group could get even worse.

I did expect Tottenham to win. Scott Parker played ever so well.

I imagine Wenger was sitting there regretting him playing for Spurs, because he should have signed him, especially when you saw how often the Arsenal midfield lost possession under pressure.

Arsenal's game is always about keeping the ball and when they are unable to do that, the other team are able to exploit their fragile defence.

Wenger may have thought Parker was too old or technically not good enough. I don't know his reasoning.

But Parker is just the type of player Arsenal needed in the summer and Wenger didn't want to pay £5million for him. This was absolutely crazy.

Arsenal's current players need to find out about themselves and give a bit more to the team.

People like Mikel Arteta, a star man at Everton, has fitted in without looking outstanding.

Arsenal need more from him and the same goes for Yossi Benayoun when he's fit.

Bacary Sagna's injury is extremely unfortunate — like Jack Wilshere's horrible situation. Also, I'm worried an inexperienced player like Carl Jenkinson — who was at League One Charlton last season — is expected to deliver consistently at right-back.

He is a great prospect but he should be looking in from the outside and gaining some experience in training each day.

Arsenal have a big game against Sunderland after the international break before a tricky trip to Marseille in the Champions League.

The next league away match is Chelsea, so these games are hardly getting any easier.

The current team has to start repaying the faith Wenger has shown in them.


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/3851401/Ian-Wright-says-the-best-Arsenal-can-hope-for-is-6th-or-7th-place.html

Wrighty :bow:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Dennis Bergkamp believes the lack of an out-and-out goalscorer is his old club Arsenal's main weakness and also admits he would like to return to England one day as a coach.

The 42-year-old won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups in a glittering 11-year career at the Gunners before retiring in 2006.

He has since returned to his native Holland where he is currently coaching at another one of his old teams, Ajax.

Bergkamp's departure from north London coincided with a decline in the club's fortunes and after a difficult start to the current season Arsene Wenger's men sit 15th in the table.

The Dutchman feels they lack a striker to support his countryman Robin van Persie but has backed his old manager Arsene Wenger to guide the team out of trouble.

"When I look at Robin van Persie, he is the front player, but he is better in my old role. They are missing an out-and-out goalscorer. Now they play with an extra midfielder instead," Bergkamp told the Daily Mail.

"The midfielders are all the same sort of players. You need one who wants to get behind Van Persie.

"I know he's [Wenger] the one who will be struggling the most. But with his experience, it'll be okay."

Everything Possible
Bergkamp also feels the club should have done more to tempt another former Gunner, Patrick Vieira, back to the club in a coaching capacity.

The Frenchman retired from playing over the summer and became football development executive at Manchester City.

"There was talk of Patrick going to Arsenal during the summer. I would've done everything possible to get him there," added Bergkamp.

"Just to get him in and around the dressing room. It would have brought so much to the team."

Coaching Staff
Bergkamp also revealed a desire to return to England one day himself, though he ruled out becoming a manager in the future.

"The plan is to be settled here now I've built my house. But there is something that stays with me, something in my body that wants to go back to England one day as part of a coaching staff," he admitted.

"That is always in my mind. I don't miss specific things but I miss the feeling which I can't really explain. I haven't sold my house there yet.

"I've never seen myself as a manager. As a manager you have to put all your time into the job and that would be difficult for me. As a player I wanted to switch off at home and it's the same now. I would maybe feel trapped.

"You have to always be involved and, if you're not, you are not doing it right. I want to just drive home, switch off and spend time with my family."


http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11670_7234966,00.html

Spot on by Dennis

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Arsenal's Gilles Grimandi believes the Gunners can only hope to be a nuisance in the Premier League title race this season.
Having claiming two Doubles in five seasons with the club, the former defender considers the team too small and injury prone to pose any threat.
Now Arsene Wenger's chief scout in France, Grimandi highlighted the club's financial restrictions, insisting they cannot expect to compete with the front-runners.
Speaking to the Daily Express, the 41-year-old defended Arsenal's (http://topics.skysports.com/arsenal/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif summer transfer decisions.
"We are convinced we have a good team, which can play a spoilsport role in the league this season.
"We have some quality and have to believe in our work.
"We were left with little time to act in the transfer window and we opted to pad out our squad in terms of numbers.
"We have so many injuries because we keep hold of the ball more than other teams and this exposes the team to more knocks from opponents.
"It is also because we have a lot of small-sized players, and the fact we take part in so many competitions increases risk of injury."
Grimandi criticised the fans' failure to understand Arsenal's monetary issues in matching their demands to bring star quality to the Emirates.
"There are no proven big stars currently on the market," he said.
"Besides we are not competing on a level playing field with Manchester City (http://topics.skysports.com/Manchester+City/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif and Chelsea. (http://topics.skysports.com/chelsea/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif
"Our means are limited by comparison and our pay structure prevents us going crazy when we sign players.
"The fans want us to bring in star names, but they don't all grasp our economic limitations."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11670_7235008,00.html

[Cripps_orig]

Grimandis had a bit of a shocker there

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal midfielder Edu believes fellow Brazilian Andre Santos will prove to be another fantastic purchase by Arsene Wenger once he has had time to settle into English football.

Santos arrived from Fenerbahce in the summer and has struggled to establish himself in the Gunners starting XI, but Edu has faith that he will come good.

“He is a very good player and a very good guy,” Edu told the club's official website. “With the ball he is technically fantastic, a typical Brazilian player.

“But every Brazilian needs time to adapt to the league because the English league is so different. I am 100 per cent sure that the fans will love him because he is very good with the ball.”

Edu also revealed that he keeps a close eye at the other Brazilian players currently on Arsenal’s books including the loaned out trio Denilson, Pedro Botelho and Wellington.

He added: “I know the Brazilian players at Arsenal very well, all the Brazilians follow them. I follow Arsenal as well.

“Before he came to London, Andre [Santos] spoke to me and asked me about Arsenal - and it's nice to see so many Brazilians here. If they are here maybe it is because me, Sylvinho and Gilberto [Silva] did something good.”

Edu is currently enjoying a spell as general manager of Corinthians but admitted he is open to returning to England one day to take charge of a Premier League club.

He added: "You might see me in England one day - let's see. But not yet, I am not yet ready for that.

"I am really happy with my job right now because I have to sign players and look after my team in Brazil. I have to look after the squad so I am happy there. I am not prepared to be a [top-level] manager yet of course, but you never know. You look to the future but let us enjoy now and then see what we do.

"I spoke to the President at Corinthians and said I wasn't feeling so good playing anymore and I would like to retire.

"It was a very good decision, an easy decision and after that he invited me back to be the manager of Corinthians. I am enjoying it. You have to see football in another way to what I was used to but I am enjoying and learning. I hope I can do as good a job as I did as a footballer."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/11/2706386/former-arsenal-midfielder-edu-confident-andre-santos-will

Edu :bow:

Never a regular during the invincible era but it says something that he would walk in to the current team

[Cripps_orig]

Edu says even the ‘Invincibles’ needed time to gel before they became a force in the Premier League.

The Brazilian midfielder was part of the all-conquering side that emerged unbeaten from the 2003/04 league campaign but, looking back, he admits it was not an overnight success.

That’s why Edu believes Arsenal’s new-look first team will eventually recover from their shaky start to the season and challenge once more.

“There are some big changes,” he told Arsenal.com. “They have sold two or three important players who are difficult to replace.

“For me, to build a good team you need time - like in our time. I remember for three or four years we were playing together and that is why we built a very good, strong team.

“They need the time and that is maybe why they are not doing so well yet.”

Edu has been back in London to gather ideas for Corinthians’ new stadium project having been appointed general manager back in Brazil. So, has he sought out Arsène Wenger for advice on his new role?

“Yes I have spoken to him but the advice he gave to me was during the times I was with him,” Edu said. “They were great times, I learned a lot and I told him this week that everything I learned was from him.

“Now I am manager of Corinthians it is quite different to managing in England. In Brazil we have a coach and then a manager. The coach looks after the team on the pitch and the manager looks at everything around that - they have to sign players and get other things done.

“But I learned a lot of things from Arsène Wenger and many things in Brazil too.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/edu-every-team-needs-some-time-to-gel

[Master Splinter]

Edu is Arsenal.com's new press officer.

[Cripps_orig]

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanual Petit has launched a scathing attack on the club's transfer policy and fears the club will be "dead'' if Arsene Wenger continues to sell his best players.

The Frenchman won the double under Wenger whilst at the club and believes that the club's defeat in last season's League Cup final has been the catalyst for their recent poor form.

Wenger sanctioned the sales of first-team regulars Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer, and Petit believes it was a "disaster" that they left.

He told L'Equipe: "The defeat in the final of the League Cup has been devastating.

"The club is in a transitional phase. It is also at a crossroads, sporting and economically. If he continues to sell its best players, it's dead.

"I can understand that Arsenal is in line with an economic logic, but to drop Fabregas and Nasri is a disaster, especially for the players who remain.

"Arsenal can not afford to lose such elements and show that it has no further ambition.

"Previously, the players left at the end of their career: Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and myself [all left]. Today Fabregas and Nasri left when they were at the top. It's very disturbing."

Petit and Vieira formed a formidable midfield partnership in their playing days together at Highbury, and the former believes that his old club are struggling massively in that department now, although he is still backing Wenger.

"They most lack mind and character," Petit continued. "I do not understand why Arsene did not take Scott Parker or Joey Barton.

"And the defence, playing at a high level with this defence for several seasons now is impossible.

"There was, however, players who could strengthen it, like Gary Cahill, but Arsene did not go looking for them either, because of money, no doubt.

"At full strength, Arsenal still has a great team but it is never complete with all these injuries.

"I keep faith in Arsene. I hope the players think like me. The worst thing for Arsenal would be for Wenger to leave."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/14/2710686/arsenal-will-be-dead-if-arsene-wenger-continues-to-sell-his-best-

Spot on but spoiled it with the last line

[Xhaka Can’t]

All that article proves is that Petit is a poster on GW.

OK now, own up, which one of you is the effeminate Frenchman with girlie hair?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

All that article proves is that Petit is a poster on GW.

OK now, own up, which one of you is the effeminate Frenchman with girlie hair?

deffo Zimm tbh

[Cripps_orig]

George Graham believes Andrei Arshavin has been a poor buy for Arsenal – and has questioned his commitment to Arsene Wenger’s side.

The Russian midfielder signed for the Gunners during the January 2009 transfer window after impressing for his country during Euro 2008.

Arshavin has failed to secure a spot in the first-team this season and, after some lacklustre performances, Graham believes the former Zenit winger’s heart is not at the Emirates.

“Arshavin’s been a poor buy, his enthusiasm doesn’t seem to be there,” Graham told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“Last night [against Marseille], and in the past, he’s looked like he doesn’t want to be there. When he pulls that shirt on he’s not been good enough for me.”


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/1208/86/exclusive-graham-arshavins-been-poor-buy-arsenal

Arshavin :rose:

Wengeritis has claimed its first fatality

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the Gunners have fallen away in competing for the Premier League title since Chelsea and Manchester City were taken over by wealthy owners.

Keown reflected on Arsene Wenger’s side’s last title win in 2003-2004 season when he was part of the ‘invincible’s’ that played the entire season without tasting defeat.

“It was a fantastic environment to be a part of," he told the PA, "great winners everywhere in that dressing room, assembled of course fantastically well by Arsene Wenger.

"It was a great time to be at the club; it's fallen away from that since, and I think that's more to do with the money that came in from Chelsea and latterly Man City.”

The former England international feels the Frenchman will decide in his own time when to leave Arsenal and he thinks occasionally Wenger can set the bar to high for his young team.

Keown also believes Arsenal’s poor start to the season is down to the lack of control over games which the former Gunner believes is due to the sales of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and the loss of Jack Wilshere to injury.

Keown added: “I think it's Wenger's decision. He decides when he wants to leave the football club, not the current board or the owners. Wenger will know when the time is right. He sets himself probably unrealistic targets to try and win things as he has tremendous belief in his players.

“If we look back, the pinnacle of last season was the win at Barcelona and I think for a moment there Arsene Wenger thought he had a team now that could match the best in the world.

“Those three midfield players - Fabregas, Nasri and Wilshere - haven't played for Arsenal this season with two of them sold and one on the sidelines.

“That's where you control the games from - yes we could probably do with one or two defenders who understand things better, maybe another striker to help Van Persie, but essentially in midfield is where the biggest hole has been.

“It's just starting to look like something we had in the past but there's some way to go yet.”

And Keown believes Wenger must keep hold on captain Van Persie if they are to win trophies in the near future as without him he thinks Arsenal could struggle.

“You've got one of the best managers in world football and it's in his hands, he decides how this football club goes forward," he continued.

“When you're an ex-player watching players want to leave, in our day nobody wanted to leave and if you can get it right, these players can stay together for the rest of their careers and win things.

"The goal now is to keep Robin van Persie and if the team does well he's going to be there for the rest of his career.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/20/2720384/wealthy-owners-at-chelsea-and-manchester-city-have-caused

Bit of a shocker from Keown there. If it wasnt for our embarrassing end of the season, City would never have finished above us

[cricketsi]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/20/2720384/wealthy-owners-at-chelsea-and-manchester-city-have-causedBit of a shocker from Keown there. If it wasnt for our embarrassing end of the season, City would never have finished above usBit of a (non)shocker from goal.com there. Couldn't read it after the first several spelling/grammatical errors. However I can safely assume Ach is wrong so Keown made valid points.

[Cripps_orig]

IAN WRIGHT reckons it is too soon to claim Arsenal have turned the corner.

The Gunners picked up just four points from their opening five Premier League games and their dismal start to the season was compounded by an 8-2 defeat at Manchester United.

But Saturday's thrilling 5-3 victory over Chelsea capped a remarkable turnaround by Arsene Wenger's men as they recorded their eighth win in nine outings.

And Wrighty claims the impressive run of results, which included Carling Cup and Champions League victories, proves his old club are cautiously moving in the right direction.

Speaking before Tuesday's goalless draw with Marseille, the Arsenal legend told SunSport: "When we went to play against Manchester United, I was genuinely worried.

"It simply wasn't a good enough team to play against a United in that kind of form.

"But with the line-up against Chelsea, this time I just felt confident."

Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to condemn Chelsea to their first home defeat of the season.

And Wright is quick to admit the in-form Dutchman has been the driving force behind a resurgence which has seen them climb to seventh in the table.

He added: "With Van Persie playing, you really do feel differently going into games right now as an Arsenal fan.

"He gives you that kind of confidence and I think the boys played pretty well in general against Chelsea.

"People talk about how badly both sides defended, but I'm not really bothered about that. I'm more pleased with the fact Arsenal were able to come from behind.

"It is a worry about how many goals they are conceding, but it was great to see them kick on again and again. It proves the fantastic character within the squad."

However, Wrighty warned: "I don't think you can say the corner's been turned just yet.

"Chelsea themselves — without taking any credit away from Arsenal, who I thought deserved to win — obviously have problems that look they're going to go on for a bit.

"It was a good time to play them, but now in the next few games is going to be when Arsenal can cement the fact that they are on a great run."

The fact that Arsenal have shipped 21 goals in 10 Premier League games is not lost on Wrighty.

But he is confident the gaps at the back can be plugged if the players put more emphasis on defending as a team.

The former England international said: "Of course, the back four is still looking a little shaky.

"But it's one of those things where you just have to do the best with what you've got — and I think Arsenal are doing that now.

"If they can work on being more defensive as a team, I think it will be fine."

Following the summer departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, the Gunners have been widely accused of becoming a one-man side reliant on Van Persie to pull the strings.

But as influential as the 28-year-old hitman is, Wright believes it is unfair to claim the team revolves around him.

He added: "Even with Van Persie scoring as often as he is and being a catalyst for everything, I still think it's unfair to say it's a one-man team.

"Van Persie's the one enjoying a purple patch at the moment but it's a bit disrespectful to the rest of the team because they're all trying just as hard.

"Of course, if he wasn't in there, I couldn't see someone like Marouane Chamakh finishing a couple of the chances that Van Persie did against Chelsea.

"You'd have to think there wouldn't be as many goals if he wasn't in the side, so although I think it's unfair to say it's a one-man team, you'd definitely notice if he wasn't playing."

With Tottenham level on points with stuttering Chelsea, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot, Wright admits Arsenal face a tough battle to book their place in European football's top competition.

But he remains hopeful of the Gunners making fourth place their own this term.

Wrighty, 47, said: "I'm a lot more confident about Arsenal finishing up in the top four now.

"Of course, after the United result you were worried and teams were queuing up to play them.

"Tottenham look very strong, but Chelsea could go off the boil for a bit and hopefully Arsenal can take advantage of that.

"It's going to be Manchester United, Manchester City and still possibly Chelsea — if the wheels stay on there — but that other spot is up for grabs.

"Liverpool could also have a say, especially with Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez showing signs of blossoming as a strike partnership, and then Arsenal will be there.

"Considering the squad is thin, I think this season will be one of the biggest achievements if Arsenal can finish fourth because Tottenham will push them very hard."


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3912299/Ian-Wright-Arsenal-cannot-get-carried-away-just-yet.html

Wrighty :bow:

[Dog Toffee]

Wright is just like all football fans- stupid and fickle.

[Cripps_orig]

Hes also right so not like all football fans

[Xhaka Can’t]

IAN WRIGHT

Got this far, sighed and gave up.

[Cripps_orig]

He speaks a lot of sense.

What do people have against him?

[Dog Toffee]

Hes also right so not like all football fans

You mean Wright?

[Cripps_orig]

Patrick Vieira believes another team will one day follow Arsenal and go unbeaten in the Premier League for an entire season.

Vieria captained the Gunners to the 2003/04 title without losing a game, earning them the nickname the 'Invincibles'.

Many believe the feat will never be achieved again, but Vieira is adamant it could be done.

In an exclusive Evolution of Football interview, he said: “People were saying that it was not going to happen because no team had done it before. And we did it.

“We surprised everybody so I believe that it can happen [again]. But I think it will be more and more difficult to go through a season unbeaten.”


http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/2310/8/exclusive-%E2%80%93-vieira-invincibles-season-can-happen-again

They need to lose asap

[Xhaka Can’t]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/2310/8/exclusive-%E2%80%93-vieira-invincibles-season-can-happen-again

They need to lose asap

They're already classless losers.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/2310/8/exclusive-%E2%80%93-vieira-invincibles-season-can-happen-again

They need to lose asap

Yeah, it'll be a lot more difficult because Arsenal didn't spend 2 trillion quid whereas City did. So what Paddy meant to so was it'll be a lot easier to do than it was before. They still won't do it thought because we're going to give them a right fucking hiding when they come to our place. And we'll beat them at football too. Give a gypsy cash and he'll start believing he has a better caravan to piss in.

[Cripps_orig]

New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry thinks that Arsene Wenger's contribution to Arsenal is still under-appreciated.

The French manager found himself under pressure during the early stages of the season following the sale of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and a poor Premier League start.

But former Gunners forward Henry, the club's all-time leading goalscorer, maintains that there is no better man for the job.

"The day he stops, quite a lot of people will realise what he's done for the club," Henry told The Sun.

"It's always easy to criticise but can you find better than Wenger?

"It hasn't been easy for Arsene. I hope with all my heart that we'll win a trophy.

"The two Manchester clubs will make it difficult but, once again, let's not forget what Arsene has done for Arsenal.

"It's always easy to judge on the spur of the moment in football, that's the way it is."

Henry admitted that he still felt attached to Arsenal despite having now spent five seasons away from London, having moved to Barcelona before making the switch to Major League Soccer.

"Arsenal play good football and I've become a Gunners supporter for life," he said.

"Something happened between me and the fans that I'll never forget."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/11/10/2750652/arsene-wengers-contribution-to-arsenal-is-under-appreciated

What he did for us ages ago should have no bearing to what hes doing now.

[fakeyank]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/11/10/2750652/arsene-wengers-contribution-to-arsenal-is-under-appreciated

What he did for us ages ago should have no bearing to what hes doing now.

Whats he doing now? :unsure:

[server too busy!]

Whats he doing now? :unsure:

I think he means Wenger :sleep:

[Cripps_orig]

I think he means Wenger :sleep:

Henry sure is boring i agree

[Cripps_orig]

Cesc Fabregas maintains Arsenal "cannot afford to lose" Robin van Persie and believes the Dutchman is reaching his last opportunity to leave the Emirates.

The striker has netted 29 goals in 28 Premier League appearances in 2011 but has been reluctant to open negotiations with Arsenal over a new contract, as his current deal expires in June 2013.

After losing both Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer, Arsene Wenger will be keen to retain the services of his new captain but the Spaniard is unsure whether his former manager is able to achieve that.

"I don't know if they will keep him," admitted Fabregas.

"We will see what he decides but he's been very loyal to Arsenal for a few years. He is a key player, the fans love him. For me, he is the role model of Arsenal, the star player and they cannot afford to lose him.

"It is his decision. At his age, if he wants to move, it will be his last chance and it he wants to stay he will stay and retire at Arsenal.

Van Persie's blistering form has been aided by his ability to steer clear of injuries, something which has hampered the 28-year-old throughout his time at Arsenal.

"He is having an amazing season and hopefully he will be fit for the whole season," said Fabregas.

"Unfortunately, when I was there, he never enjoyed a whole season and it was one of the things I regret a little bit.

"I hope he can keep going like that. Could he come to Barcelona? He would fit in anywhere but I'm an Arsenal fan and I want him to stay at Arsenal."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/11/14/2756040/barcelona-midfielder-cesc-fabregas-arsenal-cannot-afford-to-lose-

Feels a shame to have this cunt in this thread of legends speaking but he is a former player plus he doesnt deserve a thread of his own cos hes a cunt, something he confirms in the article above