Arsenal

[Daley]

Isn't his agent David Deins son? Also, doesn't the same guy represent Clichy and Fabregas? If so, someones obviously looking at gaining himself some signing on fee's...

He also represents Van Persie.

[wev]

So apparently we've signed Paulo Wanchoppe Joel Campbell, admittedly I've only seen YouTube footage but he looked rather big and powerful but good with the ball at his feet.

[Art Vandelay]

From today's Arseblog. A banner some Chinese fans unfurled on our recent tour.

[Mars]

[Daley]

Official.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Gervinho is a player that can play in a number of positions up front. He can play on the right, on the left and through the middle. He has qualities that I find very important, like his movement off the ball. He has the qualities we like technically. He is good one against one, he is strong and was the best provider in the French league with assists and he scored 15 goals. I think he is a very good addition to the squad.”

After completing his move to the Gunners, Gervinho said: “It’s a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed to play for this Club. I’ve achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It’s one of the most beautiful days of my life.

“I’m very happy to have the chance to work with Arsène Wenger. I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I’m playing.”

"And in a couple of years I can stall on a new contract and piss off to Man City. And that's when the big bucks start rolling in."

[hercules]

Hopefully Gervinho won't be the last player we sign this summer. I am pretty excited about him though, i have a good feeling about him.

[Rev]

I would feel a bit depressed playing for Arsenal though. They haven't won anything for years and don't look any closer.

I actually don't know what their plan is? Do you think secretly the board is happy with maintaining top 4 (which is not easy, I know!) or does Arsene genuinely believe this squad can win stuff?

I don't know. Gervinho, (and being like new signings) Vermaelen and Ramsey will improve the team compared to last season and that is clearly The Plan. And especially if Van Persie is fit for the season that is a team that can beat Man Utd's last season team to the league, I think. That Man Utd haven't stood still and Nasri and Fabregas might leave, as well as the 3 "like new signings" almost certainly all going to break again (except maybe Ramsey) makes it all a massive disaster waiting to happen.

[Steve007]

I'm genuinely concerned at the moment. Due to our tough start to the season, in theory within the first month we could be 6-9pts away from the top of the league and out of the Champions League if we get a tough draw and fuck it up. To make matters worse, the club could cash in on Cesc at the end of August and not have enough time to use the cash to bring players in. Granted, this is the worst case scenario, but the club is run so badly it's not impossible. The club badly needs David Dein back. He'd always have deals for new players concluded before pre-season training started. The new players would spend 6-8 weeks integrating with their new team mates and we'd hit the ground running. Wenger can't even be sure of his first 11 at the moment and the season is only 4 weeks away. Things need to start happening and fast!

Regarding Nasri, even if he does sit out his contract and stay for the season, would he really be giving his all? He will only be interested in preserving himself so he stays injury free so he can sign a pre-contract with someone in January.

With the players Wenger is rumoured to be interested in, I don't see us being much stronger even if they are bought. Chelsea, Liverpool & Man City look significantly stronger than last season and all three clubs will make further additions to their squads. So yeah, I'm worried.

[Rev]

At least the season being over by September would save waiting another 6 months or so.

[Art Vandelay]

We need someone like Dein, but definitely not him. Lest we forget how he merrily pissed off down the Holloway Road with about £80m in his sky rocket from Usmanov after trying to sell the club to him behind everyone's back. He was Arsenal through and through and did fantastic things during his time with the club, and despite probably being spot on about wealthy benefactors, the way he departed left little wiggle room to come back. As it stands I'm not convinced that Ivan Gazidis is any sort of replacement for him. His skills seem more suited to a slippery marketer or PR man which might be unfair to him, but appeasement seems more important that the playing squad at the moment.

[Steve007]

We need someone like Dein, but definitely not him. Lest we forget how he merrily pissed off down the Holloway Road with about £80m in his sky rocket from Usmanov after trying to sell the club to him behind everyone's back. He was Arsenal through and through and did fantastic things during his time with the club, and despite probably being spot on about wealthy benefactors, the way he departed left little wiggle room to come back. As it stands I'm not convinced that Ivan Gazidis is any sort of replacement for him. His skills seem more suited to a slippery marketer or PR man which might be unfair to him, but appeasement seems more important that the playing squad at the moment.

But Dein knew that you either get bankrolled by a billionaire & compete, or you don't. I can understand what he was trying to do, but the media slaughtered Usmanov before he even had the chance to state what he wanted to do. The media painted him as a fat slimy Russian back stabbing bastard, based on nothing. Then all of a sudden you have every stupid fan hating Usmanov for no reason which made his acquisition impossible.

Every Russian billionaire made their money in iffy & corrupt ways, so I don't understand the fuss. Now we have a stupid American who won't state what his plans are, despite owning around three-quarters of the club for the last few months. We have boardroom unrest & ex-board members lifting the lid on the mess inside the club, so it's a fucking disaster.

Regarding Ivan Gazidis, he's worked for a law firm & MLS which is a sack of shit. He wouldn't be my choice but we're stuck with him until someone takes control of the club. Last I heard, Usmanov has upped his steak so he's not going to sell to Kroenke. Kroenke won't say, do or invest a penny until he gets 100%.

[Dude Ranch]

But Dein knew that you either get bankrolled by a billionaire & compete, or you don't. I can understand what he was trying to do, but the media slaughtered Usmanov before he even had the chance to state what he wanted to do. The media painted him as a fat slimy Russian back stabbing bastard, based on nothing. Then all of a sudden you have every stupid fan hating Usmanov for no reason which made his acquisition impossible.

I feel the same way. He might be a crook but what's to choose between him and Kroenke? Apart from Kroenke probably wanting to just rinse the Club for as much money as possible?

Now we have a stupid American who won't state what his plans are, despite owning around three-quarters of the club for the last few months. Kroenke won't say, do or invest a penny until he gets 100%.

He's totally gone missing in a time of need from the fans perspective. I can't believe he's bought all this stock and is apparently sitting back and watching, no comment, no kitty money, no statement of intent. I'm mildly alarmed.

David Dein might have been a spiv and wideboy type character but he knew where the current board was heading and he was the type we needed to move us forward. We're paralysed at the moment.

[BlinkyBear]

Usmanov has upped his steak

Too right he has:

[Rev]

But Dein knew that you either get bankrolled by a billionaire & compete, or you don't. I can understand what he was trying to do, but the media slaughtered Usmanov before he even had the chance to state what he wanted to do. The media painted him as a fat slimy Russian back stabbing bastard, based on nothing. Then all of a sudden you have every stupid fan hating Usmanov for no reason which made his acquisition impossible.

Every Russian billionaire made their money in iffy & corrupt ways, so I don't understand the fuss. Now we have a stupid American who won't state what his plans are, despite owning around three-quarters of the club for the last few months. We have boardroom unrest & ex-board members lifting the lid on the mess inside the club, so it's a fucking disaster.

Regarding Ivan Gazidis, he's worked for a law firm & MLS which is a sack of shit. He wouldn't be my choice but we're stuck with him until someone takes control of the club. Last I heard, Usmanov has upped his steak so he's not going to sell to Kroenke. Kroenke won't say, do or invest a penny until he gets 100%.

Clearly Arsene can keep Arsenal ticking over without much money, so why not let him do that until you've bought the whole club, then change everything (squad, manager, approach) in one go to the way you want it to be.

Maybe just wait until Wenger retires?

[Steve007]

David Dein might have been a spiv and wideboy type character but he knew where the current board was heading and he was the type we needed to move us forward. We're paralysed at the moment.

Dein's ok, I see him every so often. He's obviously spending some of that cash on holidays though, last time he couldn't have stood out anymore if he tried. He had a bright red face & a white suit on

Wenger has never been the same since Dein left. They were very close mates and Wenger would often talk to Dein about any issues he had. Dein was a proper football bloke so he and Wenger used to bounce off each other. Those wankers in the media are going to get their claws into Wenger this coming season. He was feeling the pressure over the last 6 months, so I personally think if things go tits up this season he might walk.

[Daley]

Dein's ok, I see him every so often. He's obviously spending some of that cash on holidays though, last time he couldn't have stood out anymore if he tried. He had a bright red face & a white suit on

You sure that was Dein?

[SeanR]

Dein's ok, I see him every so often. He's obviously spending some of that cash on holidays though, last time he couldn't have stood out anymore if he tried. He had a bright red face & a white suit on

Wenger has never been the same since Dein left. They were very close mates and Wenger would often talk to Dein about any issues he had. Dein was a proper football bloke so he and Wenger used to bounce off each other. Those wankers in the media are going to get their claws into Wenger this coming season. He was feeling the pressure over the last 6 months, so I personally think if things go tits up this season he might have to walk.

I'm just saying...

[Dude Ranch]

Denilson to Sao Paulo on loan then.

"I will be playing in Brazil next season as I felt that this is a good opportunity for me to play regular first-team football," Denilson told the club's official website.

"I move away with sadness because I have so many friends at Arsenal and everyone has always been so supportive towards me.

"I want to say thank you to the club, and of course, also a big thank you to all the Arsenal fans who are very special.

"I'm now focused on doing well in Brazil next season, but will always be looking out for the Arsenal results.

"It is a great club with many great players, a good team spirit and a top-class manager. I wish you well for next season."

Nice comments, hope he does well.

[Steve007]

You sure that was Dein?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEX8HEUhCAY/TfyULdrW-II/AAAAAAAAAA0/PUfuQUtSSg8/s1600/rod.jpg

I was thinking of that episode as I wrote my last post

[carlito]

Usmanov is a really nasty piece of work - you should have a read up on him in the places his lawyers haven't got to. I would rather be battling relegation every season than have him at the helm of our club.

Also Steve how are Chelsea "signficantly" stronger now - have they even signed anyone yet? Plus is our start to really that much worse than our rivals?

I am actually pretty excited about where we stand right now.

Oh and fuck David Dein.

[toythatkills]

Denilson to Sao Paulo on loan then.

Nice comments, hope he does well.

Those comments read like they're from someone who knows they're never coming back.

Also, Szczesny has got the number 13 shirt for next season, he should have had number 1, surely?

And Gervinho feels like the first exciting transfer for quite a number of years.

[wev]

I'd thought that about Szczesny too, not that it matters although I'm sure having #1 on the back of your shirt as a goalkeeper is probably a huge confidence boost. Also could mean we're keeping hold of Manuel... or no one wanted to buy or loan him.

[toythatkills]

Also could mean we're keeping hold of Manuel... or no one wanted to buy or loan him.

Yeah, it must be either that or Fabianski taking it, and either feels like a backwards step.

Unless Wenger's signed the world's greatest goalkeeper and he's just keeping it secret for now, ready to unveil him when he unveils the five massive defenders he's signed.

[wev]

The Waiter is listed as #1 on the official website (where Woj also has #13) although thats not final as Denilson is on there as #15 and as we know he won't be around this season so that number could find its way to someone else (apparently that Campbell fella wants #12)

[Mars]

13 is luckier than 1, as previously worn by Manuel.

[The Fox]

I guess Gervinho is going to be No9?

Also I don't think we'll give No15 to anyone until Denilson leaves for good. Ditto No1 with Almunia.

[toythatkills]

Denilson might never leave.

[Dude Ranch]

Arsenal are closing in on the capture of highly-rated Costa Rica youngster Joel Campbell, according to the player's father.

Club executive Richard Law has flown to South America to clinch a £900,000 deal for the 19-year-old.

Just what we need. He's probably not good enough and he probably won't get a permit!

[Art Vandelay]

That's been put on the back burner until after the Under 20 World Cup apparently. I get the impression that work permit issues were cited for the delay. Call me suspicious, but it sounds a bit like his Dad is holding out for a better offer for him. He does look decent though it has to be said. Maybe he plays centre half too? That would be nice,

[Art Vandelay]

I think my suspicions were confirmed as Campbell and his old man didn't show for a meeting to firm up the deal. His Dad has said he doesn't care that Arsenal have closed the door as there will be plenty more offers.