***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Give Ramsey a shot.

If our midfield consists of Nasri, Eboue, Denilson, and Song I'm going to kill someone.

If our midfield consists of Nasri, Eboue, Denilson, and Song for the rest of the year. We will be lucky if we make the UEFA Cup next season.

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Yeah I hope to see Ramsey get a shot, he has such great potential. But even with the current status of Arsenal's lineup I still think we have a chance of staying Top 4.

[ak47]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

What a painful tie. Giving up a 2 goal lead.
Strange that Silvestre started instead of Clichy against one of the fastest teams in the Prem.

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

What a painful tie. Giving up a 2 goal lead.
Strange that Silvestre started instead of Clichy against one of the fastest teams in the Prem.

I couldn't believe that happened, Arsenal just has to keep pushing on.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Once again, poor defense by Gallas results in a goal. Frankly, given the way the Gunners played, they should have lost 5-2. Sagna's bicycle goal save was awesome, though, and Eboue played the best I've seen him in a long time.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Sagna was freakin brilliant Friday. Villa deserved the point without a doubt.

We gotta get all three points against an in shambles Pompey side tomorrow morning though.

[Qb]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

OK, a disappointing draw with Villa, a narrow escape with 3 points against Pompey and advancement in the FA Cup. Not a terrible week or two, but they really needed to get all three from the Villians as it will most likely be a fight with them for the 4th spot (if Arsenal is fighting for it that is). Three points from an injury depleted Bolton side is a must this weeked.

As for the transfer window, I keep hearing the same old names (Arshavin, Inler, Upson, Bullard, etc) for the most part, leading me to believe that it's mostly speculation. Arsene said he is no longer interested in Inler, for what that's worth. The media really wants to talk up the Arshavin affair, but I don't think he'll end up at the Emirates.

I for one do not want Arshavin, especially if it's for 20M. First of all, that's too much money to spend on one player who isn't an established star and doesn't fill an immediate need. Wenger could likely buy a solid defender & midfielder for that price or slightly more, which would be of more benefit to the squad now. Although they do need an injection of creativity, but unless Arshavin would play on the flanks, I don't see how he fits. I guess if Wenger is planning to sell RVP or Adebayor in the summer the move would make more sense.

Secondly, the way his transfer saga has played out leads me to question his "character". I use the term loosely, as he probably hasn't done anything too out of the ordinary for the European football market, but it seems like he just wants to get the heck out of Zenit and get paid while doing it. Nothing wrong with that I suppose, but sitting out games and threatening to strike is a big red flag to me. The last thing Arsenal needs is any more dressing room disruptors or malcontents. Maybe I've got it all wrong, as it's just a hunch and it may well be an uninformed one...

[Qb]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Update on Arshavin, via the Arseblog via The Mirror (which may mean it's not worth believing) -- Arsenal in talks with Zenit over 10M deal. That price sounds much more reasonable. I don't have a problem with adding Arshavin the player to the squad. They need someone with his skills with Walcott & Fabregas out for most of the season, Nasri in & out of the squad, RVP being made of glass, Adebayor's inconsistency and Bendtner's consistency at sucking. I just don't want them to break the bank for him, knowing they have other (maybe more critical) needs...

Other Arsenal-related rumours (it's an English team after all) I've come across:

* The Upson offer was supposedly Bendtner and 5M for the former Gunner. I'd be delighted if that was indeed the offer and it were accepted...

* Rumblings of Mikel Arteta heading to the Emirates. I don't see how Moyes could sell him with his importance to Everton, but I'd be thrilled to see him in red & white. He would give the team skill & creativity on the flanks (although not a pacey player), as well as someone to help replace some of Cesc's distribution. Again, I don't see it happening, but if I had to choose between Arshavin & Arteta, I'd likely go for the latter at this point (assuming the prices were somewhat close)...

* Man City really want Kolo Toure. Like to the tune of 24M and doubling his wages, which seems absolutely insane to me. As much as I like Kolo and as well as he has served the club over the years, he has looked a shadow of himself for much of the year. Add in that there has been quite a bit of talk of him wanting out and I'd say sell him for such an outrageous sum. 24M could easily buy the type of CB the team needs (tall, powerful, good in the air) and also contribute to another a player. But if Toure is sold, another CB and MF dog-fighter MUST be brought in with the money...

* Charles N'Zogbia apparently wants to come to the Emirates. He might be a useful player to have on the bench, but I wouldn't want Arsene to spend any money on him. Sounds more like he's trying to talk his way in the door anyways...

* A strange one concerning Martin Laursen heading from Villa to Arsenal. Supposedly Villa wants Upson and if he were to be captured from West Ham, they would sell Laursen on to the Gunners. I can't see this happening for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the likely battle for the 4th spot between the teams. Why on Earth would Villa want to strengthen a rival? Also, Laursen has been a constant in the starting XI for almost all of this season and last, at least until his recent injury. He also wore the armband in Barry's absence I believe. Seems like rubbish gossip to me...

* Steven Appiah (a free agent) is training with Tottenham. His name has been linked with Arsenal as he would fill the holding role next to Cesc in theory, but I don't really recall it as more than media conjecture. Pretty sure Wenger has never said a word about him...

Sorry for the lack of links on these, but it's just stuff I've read over the past few days. I'm not making them up, really...

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Update on Arshavin, via the Arseblog via The Mirror (which may mean it's not worth believing) -- Arsenal in talks with Zenit over 10M deal. That price sounds much more reasonable. I don't have a problem with adding Arshavin the player to the squad. They need someone with his skills with Walcott & Fabregas out for most of the season, Nasri in & out of the squad, RVP being made of glass, Adebayor's inconsistency and Bendtner's consistency at sucking. I just don't want them to break the bank for him, knowing they have other (maybe more critical) needs...

Other Arsenal-related rumours (it's an English team after all) I've come across:

* The Upson offer was supposedly Bendtner and 5M for the former Gunner. I'd be delighted if that was indeed the offer and it were accepted...

* Rumblings of Mikel Arteta heading to the Emirates. I don't see how Moyes could sell him with his importance to Everton, but I'd be thrilled to see him in red & white. He would give the team skill & creativity on the flanks (although not a pacey player), as well as someone to help replace some of Cesc's distribution. Again, I don't see it happening, but if I had to choose between Arshavin & Arteta, I'd likely go for the latter at this point (assuming the prices were somewhat close)...

* Man City really want Kolo Toure. Like to the tune of 24M and doubling his wages, which seems absolutely insane to me. As much as I like Kolo and as well as he has served the club over the years, he has looked a shadow of himself for much of the year. Add in that there has been quite a bit of talk of him wanting out and I'd say sell him for such an outrageous sum. 24M could easily buy the type of CB the team needs (tall, powerful, good in the air) and also contribute to another a player. But if Toure is sold, another CB and MF dog-fighter MUST be brought in with the money...

* Charles N'Zogbia apparently wants to come to the Emirates. He might be a useful player to have on the bench, but I wouldn't want Arsene to spend any money on him. Sounds more like he's trying to talk his way in the door anyways...

* A strange one concerning Martin Laursen heading from Villa to Arsenal. Supposedly Villa wants Upson and if he were to be captured from West Ham, they would sell Laursen on to the Gunners. I can't see this happening for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the likely battle for the 4th spot between the teams. Why on Earth would Villa want to strengthen a rival? Also, Laursen has been a constant in the starting XI for almost all of this season and last, at least until his recent injury. He also wore the armband in Barry's absence I believe. Seems like rubbish gossip to me...

* Steven Appiah (a free agent) is training with Tottenham. His name has been linked with Arsenal as he would fill the holding role next to Cesc in theory, but I don't really recall it as more than media conjecture. Pretty sure Wenger has never said a word about him...

Sorry for the lack of links on these, but it's just stuff I've read over the past few days. I'm not making them up, really...

No, I've read them too. Arseblog is awesome, btw.

And I agree with you that I'd rather have Arteta. I'd much rather try and sell Gallas than Toure, though, but there is no way we'd even get close to double Gallas' value like we might for Toure.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

If some team is dumb enough to offer Arsenal 24 million for Toure. I don't know how you can't say yes on the spot.

[Acid]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

The N'Zogbia stuff is so lame, every transfer window he comes out and says it's his dream to play for Arsenal. He's not a Gunner talent-wise though, he should just stay with the Magpies. At least he would play there.

If we can get 24M for Kolo, I'd love that. Then do the Bendtner + 5M for Upson and then get Arshavin. That'd be a ****ing sick January, IMO.

[RoyceDa59]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

The N'Zogbia stuff is so lame, every transfer window he comes out and says it's his dream to play for Arsenal. He's not a Gunner talent-wise though, he should just stay with the Magpies. At least he would play there.

If we can get 24M for Kolo, I'd love that. Then do the Bendtner + 5M for Upson and then get Arshavin. That'd be a ****ing sick January, IMO.

Those deals sound nice but I would not be pleased unless they pick up a Midfielder, Yaya Toure would be an excellent choice, I can see him excelling at Arsenal but I can also seeing him asking for a lot of money.

[Qb]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

The N'Zogbia stuff is so lame, every transfer window he comes out and says it's his dream to play for Arsenal. He's not a Gunner talent-wise though, he should just stay with the Magpies. At least he would play there.

Agreed on N'Zogbia. Sounds like he's just hoping Arsene will listen to him. Maybe I'll start sending out press releases saying that I'd like to play for the Gunners. Don't worry Acid, I'll mention that you'd like to as well...

If we can get 24M for Kolo, I'd love that. Then do the Bendtner + 5M for Upson and then get Arshavin. That'd be a ****ing sick January, IMO.

Let's see, that would work out to:

OUT: Toure, Bendtner
IN: Upson, Arshavin and 19M

Yeah, that would be pretty ing sick. Use some of that cash to buy a legit holding MF and I'd be 100% satisfied...

[Qb]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

www.Arsenal.com has posted an interview with Monsieur Wenger regarding Arshavin & transfers:

There are stories in the papers about Arshavin. What’s the state of play there?

It’s the same as with the team: don’t talk too much and deliver on the pitch… and that’s what we try to do: not to talk too much about who we want to buy and who will come in, but try to deliver, and at the moment I cannot announce any good news… and in this job as well, no news is good news - it means nothing has fallen through aswell.

So it’s fair to say that you are talking about it?

We are on alert in the transfer market.

Because in a press conference last week you were asked specifically about Arteta, Given, and Arshavin, and you said “No” to Given, “No” to Arteta, but Arshavin you said “No news either way”, which is a different answer…?

Exactly, exactly. I maintain what I said last week.

Ok. You said you might get one player in if it was a special talent - now Arshavin is that - but would you still be after someone in the defensive part of the midfield if you were to get him?

Well, I believe we have to go first for the priority and then to go for the second target, you know. At the moment I believe that we need more… with the players coming back and the players that have moved into the team since the start of the season in the defensive area, I don’t think we have a big need… we are at the moment short because we planned at the start of the season for a player like Rosicky to play in 80% of our games - he has not played at all and we feel we need somebody more in this area.

Well, now I am convinced that Wenger is losing it. They planned for Rosicky to play in 80% of their games!?!?!?!?! Clearly he is insane...

[Qb]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Three points are three points. It's sounding more & more like Arshavin may be the only addition, if they can even sign him...