Arsenal

[hercules]

Parker would fit right in with our current squad's clean bill of health.

Do not want.

Would rather take a chance on Frimpong.

Frimpong who was injured all season? Parker isn't exactly injury prone

[Daley]

Frimpong who was injured all season? Parker isn't exactly injury prone

Fair enough, Frimpong had a bad injury ruling him out for the whole of last season. But I don't really rate Parker and do remember him being injured quite often last season so would much rather see some money spent on a CB.

[hercules]

Fair enough, Frimpong had a bad injury last season. But I don't really rate Parker and do remember him being injured quite a bit last season so would much rather see some money spent on a CB.

Fair enough, I'd rather we spent the money on a top ball winning midfielder than a CB personally but in an ideal world we'd sign both. As for mata I'd be more than happy if we signed him.

[Steve007]

Who genuinely believes we will make a couple of major signings? And if so who? I personally feel no different from the end of last season where I said we won't sign anyone major for the positions we need i.e centre back and defensive midfield. Shame really but the squad is probably weaker than last year overall atm.

I've got a really bad feeling about this season, so I am expecting it to be worst than last years disaster. As it stands, we are weaker on paper than last year. I quite like the look of the new bloke but we are absolutely desperate for signings in other key positions. We need to get to the stage where we have nearly 2 top quality players for each position in order to challenge on more than 1 front. We don't even have a strong 11 anymore.

I was really optimistic at the end of last season as Wenger stated he knew which positions he needed to strengthen and since then the club has sat back and done next to nothing. New signings needed to come in early so they have a pre-season, get used to our style of play & get an understanding with their new team-mates on the pitch. It never works well when players come in late or during January.

Last week the club went in for Jagielka with a bid lower than the one that was previously rejected, so the club are being made to look like idiots off the pitch. They obviously have the Chuckle Brothers doing the negotiations these days. It's sad.

I still think the club are waiting until the last minute to sell Fabregas, therefore leaving it too late to spend the money we get from Barcelona (Barclona will not pay the money up front either, it will be in installments over 3-4 years). If they do indeed do this then it shows the club have absolutely zero ambition to win things. There is far too much turmoil in the boardroom for serious money to be given to Wenger to spend anyway.

This could be the season where we don't scrape into the top 4. As things stand, I'm no longer optimistic at all.

[The Fox]

I still think the club are waiting until the last minute to sell Fabregas, therefore leaving it too late to spend the money we get from Barcelona (Barclona will not pay the money up front either, it will be in installments over 3-4 years).

Why on earth would you think that? It makes no sense whatsoever, unless you think the Arsenal board is deliberately trying to fuck the club up, in which case I don't know what to say to you.

[Steve007]

Why on earth would you think that? It makes no sense whatsoever, unless you think the Arsenal board is deliberately trying to fuck the club up, in which case I don't know what to say to you.

They are waiting to get the right price from Barcelona, so Barcelona will have to put up, or shut up. But there is a huge valuation difference between what Barcelona & Arsenal think he's worth. It's going to take at least £35m to get things going & if the right offer comes in towards the end of the transfer window, the club will sell, but then it potentially leaves things very tight to bring anyone else in.

[CandyBob]

Fab will be worth the same next season and he is still on a long contract. We would hopefully just say no sorry, come back next year if they leave it that late.

[Steve007]

Fab will be worth the same next season and he is still on a long contract. We would hopefully just say no sorry, come back next year if they leave it that late.

Cesc has behaved like a twat. He should just grow some balls and state that he either wants to leave or stay. If he wants to leave, then he should come out and say so and get the ball moving. We don't need members of his family talking on his behalf, nor Barcelona players. I'm sick of it. No one will think any less of him if he states he wants to go. It will just become disruptive when the season actually starts.

[CandyBob]

It's tough though isn't it. If he says that and Barca countinue to take the piss and he stays, we have a player who has effectively cut himself off from the fans. Him stating publicly he wants to go doesn't bring the situation to a close as Arsenal still want what they want.

[Daley]

Cesc has behaved like a twat. He should just grow some balls and state that he either wants to leave or stay. If he wants to leave, then he should come out and say so and get the ball moving. We don't need members of his family talking on his behalf, nor Barcelona players. I'm sick of it. No one will think any less of him if he states he wants to go. It will just become disruptive when the season actually starts.

I strongly disagree. He is in an impossible situation. Clearly he wants to go home and play with his mates, who happen to be some of the best players in the world, and a part of probably the best team in the world. However he also clearly feels a great sense of loyalty towards Wenger and is grateful for all that he has done for him. He may have had talent but he was 16 when he arrived and he has helped him become one of the best midfielders in the world. He may have become that anyway, but the turnaround last season after the world cup when Cesc clearly wanted to go, and after speaking with Wenger ("the best conversation of my life" he called it) shows some respect for the club and the manager. When he goes, he can go with his head held high.

Then again maybe Cesc just want his loyalty bonus by not asking for a transfer.

[The Fox]

They are waiting to get the right price from Barcelona, so Barcelona will have to put up, or shut up. But there is a huge valuation difference between what Barcelona & Arsenal think he's worth. It's going to take at least £35m to get things going & if the right offer comes in towards the end of the transfer window, the club will sell, but then it potentially leaves things very tight to bring anyone else in.

But that's not at all what you said. You said the club was purposefully waiting until the last minute to sell Cesc, something which defies all logic.

Surely not even you're cynical enough to think they would wait until it was too late to re-invest the money just so they can pocket it?

[vincenzo]

it begins ....

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7063994,00.html

[Jonathan_Kerr]

Wenger didnt sign Bergkamp

Ah, I didn't know that. But then again, Wenger isn't Arsenal. So the problem has been there since before he arrived.

[BlinkyBear]

it begins ....

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_7063994,00.html

And another...

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/henderson-out-for-minimum-of-six-months

[3.142]

[BlinkyBear]

Cesc is going.

There is fuck all chance that his hamstring has kept him out of two pre-season tours and now our own pre-season tournament.

But you know what? I almost don't care. And why?

Juan Mata. I don't want to jinx it, but if he is in London having a medical today there's a very good chance I will shit myself in excitement.

Juan fucking Mata. WHAT a player.

[The Fox]

I refuse to believe we're signing Juan Mata. It's a lie, a horrible lie. (oh god please be true)

Does Cesc being left out of these games mean he's definitely going though? Doesn't it just mean we're still open to selling him at the right price and with that in mind are protecting a rather fragile asset? I do think the club needs to wrap it up soon though one way or another.

[Dude Ranch]

Juan Mata. I don't want to jinx it, but if he is in London having a medical today there's a very good chance I will shit myself in excitement.

Juan fucking Mata. WHAT a player.

Is that reliable? I heard there are talks but nothing as concrete as a medical. So, good player then? I don't know that much, what's his game all about?

[Art Vandelay]

Mata would be a great signing, but I would have thought that he'd be a more natural replacement for Nasri rather than Fabregas seeing as he spends a lot of time on the left flank. Fucking Samir off and getting this replacement would be amazing.

[BlinkyBear]

Is that reliable? I heard there are talks but nothing as concrete as a medical. So, good player then? I don't know that much, what's his game all about?

It's an odd one as it'd been quiet re. Mata for the last couple of weeks and then yesterday Sid Lowe tweeted that we were in for him but that it depended on our other deals, ie Cesc. This morning loads of papers, bloggers and journos have said/tweeted that Mata and / or his team are in London. Some rumours say he's here for a medical, others that his reps are here to discuss terms.

He's a fantastic player. No point linking to YouTube clips but he's just a marvellous player, technically astounding and full of flair, wonderfully direct with blistering pace. He's very much in the mould of Walcott and Gervinho (I think!) and for me, reminds me of The Good Lord Robert Pires.

Arseblog makes a great point in saying that it if this comes off it looks as though Wenger is trying to spread the load in terms of assists across the midfield, rather than relying on Cesc as we have done for the last 5 years. Which can only be a good thing.

As for Cesc, I've already decided I don't care whether he's injured or not, he's gone (him and RvP tweeting pictures of bags to each other this morning is interesting) and we now rebuild. Mata and Jagielka/Cahill/Samba means we're starting to look good. Really good.

[Rev]

Mata would be a great signing, but I would have thought that he'd be a more natural replacement for Nasri rather than Fabregas seeing as he spends a lot of time on the left flank. Fucking Samir off and getting this replacement would be amazing.

It depends where they intend on making Gervinho stand really.

BUT.

I refuse to believe Mata is signing until I've seen him play 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt. Anything up to that point must be just a cruel, cruel joke.

[BlinkyBear]

Mata would be a great signing, but I would have thought that he'd be a more natural replacement for Nasri rather than Fabregas seeing as he spends a lot of time on the left flank. Fucking Samir off and getting this replacement would be amazing.

I also think that if Mata comes in and Cesc goes, Nasri stays and plays central. Nasri has been his best for the team in the middle of the park and he'd be likely to stay if we said that we'd build around him (and with 120k a week in his pocket).

Our attacking 'front' 5 would be unreal in that case.

I refuse to believe Mata is signing until I've seen him play 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt. Anything up to that point must be just a cruel, cruel joke.

And it's at that point when he breaks down with a bruised shin that keeps him out for 6 months.

There's talk of him being signed before the weekend.

[BlinkyBear]

Whilst I said I wouldn't stick a YouTube clip on, let's not forget he did this:

Note, watch with the sound down.

[Daley]

Mata a bit small for England? I know we wouldn't be buying him to help defend corners but I think you get a lot less protection here than in Spain.

Anyway I will stay calm until I see drugs on the table the shirt on his back.

[Rev]

And it's at that point when he breaks down with a bruised shin that keeps him out for 6 months.

I'd still be delighted to have signed him to be honest.

The people leaving makes it complicated, but Mata is exactly what Arsenal need. Nasri isn't great at staying on the left and when he's injured there is nothing there at all - Arshavin on the left is a disaster.

[Rev]

Mata a bit small for England? I know we wouldn't be buying him to help defend corners but I think you get a lot less protection here than in Spain.

Anyway I will stay calm until I see drugs on the table the shirt on his back.

2cm shorter than Arshavin.

[BlinkyBear]

Mata a bit small for England? I know we wouldn't be buying him to help defend corners but I think you get a lot less protection here than in Spain.

Anyway I will stay calm until I see drugs on the table the shirt on his back.

As an aside, I see there's still Utd away tickets left.

I really can't afford to go. Or can I?

When are we going to a game btw?

[BlinkyBear]

2cm shorter than Arshavin.

"5ft 3, he's 5 foot threeeeeee, we've got Juan Mata, who needs Cescyyyyyyy"?

[hercules]

If the Mata rumours are true and Cesc goes I'll be really happy with the club as that'd be good business. It would also give nasri and probably arena in the chance to play in the centre more as I would assume mata would play wide left alot, though I could be wrong! It would definitely ease the Cesc departure and please fans.

[CandyBob]

Isn't he one of these players that would end up at Chelsea or Man City? With the hype he has had I don't understand why either of those teams aren't throwing money at him sadly.