Arsenal

[Oh Danny Boy]

tottenham have to sell before they buy and they haven't been able to sell off their deadwood yet. Although weren't they quoting something ridiculous like £10m for a 30yr old Crouch to interested parties? and they wonder why thye haven't been able to make much movement in this transfer window.

[carlito]

I don't really know where we'd play Mata - it's not like we are crying out for a player like him and I don't think he plays a similar type of game to Cesc either.

Obviously I'd take him, because he's looked brilliant in Spain and, more importantly, I've been so brainwashed by 3 years of Ballague and co sucking him off each week in Revista La Liga that even if he was shit I'd still think he was the second coming.

Anyway, most likely we haven't even made a bid or even have the faintest interest in him and all this flurry of speculation will result in will be shitty fans harping on about how "Wenger missed out on Mata" as soon as we lose a game.

[Liamness]

I don't really know where we'd play Mata

On the left, once Nasri's moved on? Some would consider that an upgrade.

[Rocafella]

Didn't Wenger say Mata is dependent on what happens with Nasri and Fabregas?

[toythatkills]

Mata's never going to Tottenham. Them bidding at all is just Real bidding for Fabregas.

[carlito]

On the left, once Nasri's moved on? Some would consider that an upgrade.

Obviously if I take a winger out of our current squad I can see where we could fit in another winger.

[Rev]

Ramsey does look an incredible player doesn't he? I know Wilshere gets all the press because he's English, but I think Ramsey might be really, really special.

Rosicky also looked sharp again which is great news.

Gervinho looks like he could be pretty exciting too if he can play the same way against proper opposition.

Pretty fucking hyped about the new season now.

Ramsey was much better than Wilshere at the time when he got his leg snapped. Obviously Wilshere has come on leaps and bounds since then (partially due to the hole Ramsey left) and he's probably nudging into the lead now but it's not by a ridiculous margin. The best, best, BEST thing about them is that they work almost perfectly together in their style of play. Ramsey can basically stand on the centre line and pick out a pass and cover the middle allowing Wilshere to dash around a bit, as is his wont.

When Fabregas goes, those two will be in the middle every match. They're not quite ready for it this season, but if they carry on at the current rate I don't think Fabregas going next season would be even slightly noticed. Which would be massively amazing if it comes true.

[hercules]

If we sign mata i reckon nasri is off and probably cesc aswell

[Liamness]

When Fabregas goes, those two will be in the middle every match. They're not quite ready for it, but if they carry on at the current rate I don't think Fabregas going will be even slightly noticed. Which would be massively amazing if it comes true.

As an impartial observer, I agree entirely. If any club could lose a player like Fabregas, it is you lot. However if there's any club that doesn't need a player like Fabregas, it's Barca. Honestly if you sell Nasri and Fabregas, bring in Mata and buy a centreback and backup for Song with the change left over, your inevitable collapse could be less catastrophic next season. Potentially.

[toythatkills]

Did Wilshere get injured today? He went off after seven minutes.

[carlito]

Ramsey was much better than Wilshere at the time when he got his leg snapped. Obviously Wilshere has come on leaps and bounds since then (partially due to the hole Ramsey left) and he's probably nudging into the lead now but it's not by a ridiculous margin. The best, best, BEST thing about them is that they work almost perfectly together in their style of play. Ramsey can basically stand on the centre line and pick out a pass and cover the middle allowing Wilshere to dash around a bit, as is his wont.

When Fabregas goes, those two will be in the middle every match. They're not quite ready for it this season, but if they carry on at the current rate I don't think Fabregas going next season would be even slightly noticed. Which would be massively amazing if it comes true.

The only thing, which is completely unfair to the guy but it make me think slightly, was that when he blazed that shot over you could see he pulled out of it a bit because he didn't want to get clattered by the defender.

Now that is 100% the right thing to do in meaningless preseason and I'm sure it would be a different story in a Prem game, but, you know, the thought did pop into my head that he might think twice about the real 50/50s now.

Anyway that aside, I always used to imagine him playing deeper in Song's position as he's actually decent defensively and pretty tall too so the though of him filling that role in while praying that ball around the pitch to kick our attacks off makes me semi-blooded. I suppose I kind of saw him as a bit quarterback you know - a kind of Pirlo-ey, Xabi Alonso-y type deep player - but he looks so composed on the ball and he's got such a wicked shot I wonder if that would be a waste of the best of him. Who knows, but whatever happens he looks a wonderfully natural player and I fucking excited to what kind of player he matures into.

[carlito]

As an impartial observer, I agree entirely. If any club could lose a player like Fabregas, it is you lot. However if there's any club that doesn't need a player like Fabregas, it's Barca. Honestly if you sell Nasri and Fabregas, bring in Mata and buy a centreback and backup for Song with the change left over, your inevitable collapse could be less catastrophic next season. Potentially.

Is there any way I can make a deal where I give you something and in return you promise never to post in here?

[wev]

Wilshere and Ramsey look interchangable really, and hopefully they'd also have the discipline for one to stay back when the other was pushing forward, regardless the midfield looks exciting with those two around.

[Liamness]

@carlito

I dunno, have you got paypal? Make me an offer.

[Rev]

The only thing, which is completely unfair to the guy but it make me think slightly, was that when he blazed that shot over you could see he pulled out of it a bit because he didn't want to get clattered by the defender.

Now that is 100% the right thing to do in meaningless preseason and I'm sure it would be a different story in a Prem game, but, you know, the thought did pop into my head that he might think twice about the real 50/50s now.

Anyway that aside, I always used to imagine him playing deeper in Song's position as he's actually decent defensively and pretty tall too so the though of him filling that role in while praying that ball around the pitch to kick our attacks off makes me semi-blooded. I suppose I kind of saw him as a bit quarterback you know - a kind of Pirlo-ey, Xabi Alonso-y type deep player - but he looks so composed on the ball and he's got such a wicked shot I wonder if that would be a waste of the best of him. Who knows, but whatever happens he looks a wonderfully natural player and I fucking excited to what kind of player he matures into.

I do think slap-bang in the middle being allowed to get everything started for now - Rosicky can land a pass from miles away, but Ramsey it is always the tiny simple passes that are the most exciting. That he can do both forwards and backwards is crucial, but Arsenal really need that person to get things moving in the right direction rather than just a series of passes.

I wouldn't be surprised if in 8 years or so he becomes Xabi Alonso, at all though. And after those 8 years it's entirely possible he could have another 8 years. How amazing/terrifying is that?

[SMD]

The only thing, which is completely unfair to the guy but it make me think slightly, was that when he blazed that shot over you could see he pulled out of it a bit because he didn't want to get clattered by the defender.

Now that is 100% the right thing to do in meaningless preseason and I'm sure it would be a different story in a Prem game, but, you know, the thought did pop into my head that he might think twice about the real 50/50s now.

Anyway that aside, I always used to imagine him playing deeper in Song's position as he's actually decent defensively and pretty tall too so the though of him filling that role in while praying that ball around the pitch to kick our attacks off makes me semi-blooded. I suppose I kind of saw him as a bit quarterback you know - a kind of Pirlo-ey, Xabi Alonso-y type deep player - but he looks so composed on the ball and he's got such a wicked shot I wonder if that would be a waste of the best of him. Who knows, but whatever happens he looks a wonderfully natural player and I fucking excited to what kind of player he matures into.

If Fabregas goes this summer, invest in some midfield destroyers to play at the base of your midfield 3 and have Ramsey and Wilshere wreak havoc just ahead.

Though not till after we play you, cheers

[Rev]

If Fabregas goes this summer, invest in some midfield destroyers to play at the base of your midfield 3 and have Ramsey and Wilshere wreak havoc just ahead.

Though not till after we play you, cheers

I hear you.

And more importantly, Lorik Cana hears you.

[hercules]

I doubt that ramsey will pull out of 50/50's as that is actually a big part of his game, i put it down to pre season. I'm happy with the Wilshere-Ramsey partnership as it looks pretty solid though it would be too much to ask both of them to play the whole season. Players like Diaby and Rosicky have to step up and take some of the burden.

[carlito]

I do think slap-bang in the middle being allowed to get everything started for now - Rosicky can land a pass from miles away, but Ramsey it is always the tiny simple passes that are the most exciting. That he can do both forwards and backwards is crucial, but Arsenal really need that person to get things moving in the right direction rather than just a series of passes.

I wouldn't be surprised if in 8 years or so he becomes Xabi Alonso, at all though. And after those 8 years it's entirely possible he could have another 8 years. How amazing/terrifying is that?

Really? I would say it's those raking crossfield balls that are most impressive.

That one today that he clipped up to van Persie who appeared to control it out the sky with some kind of fucking X-Men mind shit was indicative of the dickstiffening shit for me.

Also quite a big fan of that disgraceful outside of the boot pass he does sometime when he's feeding it out wide. Fucking Glam Welsh Cunt. I will, of course, go spazzy meltdown if it ever goes wrong in a match though, ranting on about young players being blinded by their own arrogence etc.

[Rev]

Really? I would say it's those raking crossfield balls that are most impressive.

That one today that he clipped up to van Persie who appeared to control it out the sky with some kind of fucking X-Men mind shit was indicative of the dickstiffening shit for me.

Also quite a big fan of that disgraceful outside of the boot pass he does sometime when he's feeding it out wide. Fucking Glam Welsh Cunt. I will, of course, go spazzy meltdown if it ever goes wrong in a match though, ranting on about young players being blinded by their own arrogence etc.

Oh, obviously I love the Hollywood (although I do think Rosicky manages it better, he's just amazing sometimes). But so often Ramsey is just the opposite of Denilson "pass to nearest possible player, definitely sideways, preferably slightly backwards" - Ramsey just gets the ball going. If there was some sort of "started successful moves" stat I'm sure he'd be really high on it.

[SMD]

I hear you.

And more importantly, Lorik Cana hears you.

Isn't your saviour onto a new project this summer?

[SeanR]

ehhh, wassa mata wid you, eh?

[Rev]

Isn't your saviour onto a new project this summer?

Aye, he's gone to Lazio. Presumably as he liked playing in light blue and has gone off Albania a bit.

He's building the dramatic tension before blazing into Arsenal to lift every cup there is.

[SMD]

Aye, he's gone to Lazio. Presumably as he liked playing in light blue and has gone off Albania a bit.

He's building the dramatic tension before blazing into Arsenal to lift every cup there is.

He's already scored once against us, we don't need that sort of hassle thank you.

[BlinkyBear]

If we sign mata i reckon nasri is off and probably cesc aswell

No no. I think Mata is on of Cesc is on. If Cesc goes, it means Nasri can have the central role he wants, leaving wide space for Mata. Nasri is going no where until at least January, that much is clear, so I don't think Mata is dependent on that, especially as we wouldn't be getting any money for Nasri. The other thing is that if Cesc goes it frees up a lot of cash for Nasri to get his wage increase and money for Mata's contract.

[hercules]

I'm not so sure, as I definitely see Cesc being off this summer as things have changed a bit from last season and the fact he hasn't kicked a ball all pre season is a big Indication. Nasri on the other hand has looked quite rubbish this pre season even when given the fabregas role and I believe if mata signs wenger may just cash in on nasri now rather than have a player who isn't committed. Just my opinion though.

[The Fox]

Nasri is going to be a disaster as a No10. He doesn't have the brain for it.

[Steve007]

I've always thought Nasri was at his best when playing through the centre. He's not a wide player so he's wasted out there. Same as Arshavin, he HATES playing out wide.

[hercules]

I reckon nasri could play behind a front man as a proper number 10 pretty well but that isn't really what fabregas does. Fabregas has the freedom of the pitch and can come deep and start moves whereas a number 10 will roam but much higher up the pitch. I remember nasri playing behind RVP a couple of seasons ago in the champions league and he looked great.

[Rev]

Nasri is going to be a disaster as a No10. He doesn't have the brain for it.

He's definitely not a 10, but he does well in the middle. He's best doing what Wilshere does (when we're not pretending he's a DM) but the slight problem with that is that er...Wilshere does that.