Arsenal

[The Fox]

Idk am I missing something with Sterling? All I know is claims of lots of children (which even if true I don't really see the problem with if he pays his child support), and various pathetic tabloid smear stories about the young black man with money. What else is there?

 

Alexis is quite clearly a bit of a prickly loner and prone to throwing strops. That said, the "All the players are fed up of him and want him sold" stories in the papers today are totally transparent plants from the club, in preparation for him being sold at the 11th hour after we'd said all summer we weren't selling.

[Gotters]

John Cross was on talk sport this afternoon - said he wasn't hearing any rumours at all of incoming business that would interest anybody, only about City offering cash for Sanchez (and they've sent an agent to where Chile are playing to finalise the deal if we accept according to Tim Vickeray) and the Ox-Chamb to Liverpool departures.

 

I like the headline in one of the broadsheets that of course Arsenal players want Sanchez out as he is the only one to challenge their mediocrity and cosy club.

[Gotters]

 

 

If he tweets it then its usually happening. 

 

I think its an odd one as with what he's shown in a shirt for us that is a silly fee, even in this market, especially if he insists on playing CM, but then again he's young and a change of scene away from us may do him a lot of good.

[Oh Danny Boy]

1 hour ago, The Fox said:

Idk am I missing something with Sterling? All I know is claims of lots of children (which even if true I don't really see the problem with if he pays his child support), and various pathetic tabloid smear stories about the young black man with money. What else is there?

 

Alexis is quite clearly a bit of a prickly loner and prone to throwing strops. That said, the "All the players are fed up of him and want him sold" stories in the papers today are totally transparent plants from the club, in preparation for him being sold at the 11th hour after we'd said all summer we weren't selling.

 

I think it tells a lot that when Sterling was sold by Liverpool it was just met with a shrug by fans.

 

Sterling has the talent, in fact I'd say he's one of the most naturally gifted English players of his generation, those labelling him as a speed merchant or another Lennon are talking out of their arse.  Sterling has the touch and ability to unlock defences and make things happen, his ability was insane for an 18yr old when only the finishing touch and an improvement in his decision making was all that was needed to create a great player. And we waited... and it never seemed to happen.

 

He still looks the same at City, he'll have games where everything clicks and he destroys the opposition but then he'll disappear for a few more afterwards.  The biggest obstacle in my opinion that Sterling has to fulfilling his potential is himself. Too much too soon, maybe? He has always thought he was better than he is, which can help players but the arrogance can also hinder learning. He definitely rubbed up a lot of our senior players with his attitude and work rate in training. Sterling definitely needs a manager to clip his wings, if he gets this move to Arsenal it will be his last big chance otherwise I can see him playing out the rest of his career at mid table clubs. 

[wev]

And if Sterling does join Arsenal, Wenger won't clip his wings.

[Shoes]

2 hours ago, Gotters said:

 

 

If he tweets it then its usually happening. 

 

I think its an odd one as with what he's shown in a shirt for us that is a silly fee, even in this market, especially if he insists on playing CM, but then again he's young and a change of scene away from us may do him a lot of good.

 

I hope Klopp plays him at left back. 

[hauk]

 

 

Take it everyone has seen Ornstein's Tweet about no more spending? I do wonder if the club include wages in our so called War Chest figure which they release to the press each year? Also, very confusing that there is no more money to spend but we were in for Lemar and Mbappe. I'm honestly nor bothered if we bring in anyone else. It would probably be an another attacking midfielder when what we need is a DM, new defensive coach and new manager...

 

[MalevolentPanda]

5 hours ago, The Fox said:

Idk am I missing something with Sterling? All I know is claims of lots of children (which even if true I don't really see the problem with if he pays his child support), and various pathetic tabloid smear stories about the young black man with money. What else is there?

I mean, he was twice charged with assaulting women. The first case collapsed because two witnesses mysteriously failed to turn up at court. The second case after the alleged victim gave evidence which was contrary to what the prosecution was expecting and had based their case on. Innocent until proven guilty etc but I imagine a lot of people drew their own conclusions about why witnesses would at the last minute change their minds about testifying against a millionaire footballer.

[The Fox]

I didn't know that. Did the incidents definitely happen?

[The Fox]

29 minutes ago, hauk said:

 

 

Take it everyone has seen Ornstein's Tweet about no more spending? I do wonder if the club include wages in our so called War Chest figure which they release to the press each year? Also, very confusing that there is no more money to spend but we were in for Lemar and Mbappe. I'm honestly nor bothered if we bring in anyone else. It would probably be an another attacking midfielder when what we need is a DM, new defensive coach and new manager...

 

 

I've seen some financial anlyisis on twitter about how our vast wage bill is restrictive but tbh it doesn't seem to add up.

 

I'd wager there are more sinister reasons behind us 'not having any money' when you've got Liverpool and Everton spending big left right and centre, amongst others. 

[Muttnicks]

52 minutes ago, The Fox said:

 

I'd wager there are more sinister reasons behind us 'not having any money' when you've got Liverpool and Everton spending big left right and centre, amongst others. 

 

Haven’t Everton only spent around 40m after you figure in lukaku’s move? Same for Liverpool once Coutinho goes on Friday that will leave a small outlay if not a profit. 

[The Fox]

Huge increase in wages though I'd imagine, especially for Everton.

[Professor_k]

Oh god. Today could be the biggest meltdown in the history of meltdowns.

 

Yet as an Arsenal fan I look forward to it like a self loathing pervert.  The crazy excitement if a trolleydash happens or the fan backlash if we sell Sanchez and get no-one.

 

11pm is it people. From 11pm we know how our season stands and I can't Fucking wait.  Pass the snacks and beer, I'm buckling in for a ride.

[Shevchenko]

Wengers issue is that he has lost his touch in the transfer market.

 

A decade ago if a player like Mbappe, Dembele, Lemar or Martial was coming through then you'd know Wenger would get them to Arsenal straight away before they were even known. Everyone would question who they are.

 

Nowaday he just signs overrated British tosh. Which I can't believe as France seem to be building a golden generation and Wenger hasn't signed one of the wonder kids.

 

To be fair the anger should also be pointed towards your board as it's laughable they claiming no money to spend. 

 

 

[Stig]

There no way Sanchez is leaving after this

 

 

[Gotters]

good stuff from Matt Scott on twitter, theorising that Kroenke may be squeezing the pips out of Arsenal to pay for his new stadium in LA

 

http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2016/01/18/Finance/Kroenke-loan.aspx

 

[Steve007]

20 hours ago, humdrum said:

So Gibbs is officially gone not sure how j feel about it, was never really playing but always sad to see a proper gooner leave

 

Highlights the tackle against west brom, the goal line clearance in the 2014 cup final. And the goal against spurs where we pl played pretty much every fullback we had at the club

 

I'm more concerned about all the squad players being sold with no replacements being signed.  The squad is so thin I have no idea who he'll select to play when we have the inevitable spate of injuries and suspensions that robs us of 4-6 players around January/February.  I think I might bring my boots as I could probably get a game.

 

As for Gibbs, he was not good enough to start every week but he was a handy squad player to have as he always looked quite strong coming off the bench and he could play anywhere down the left.

[V3zna]

Sanchez out, Draxler in? Sounds like a thoroughly decent compromise.

[Steve007]

1 minute ago, Black Cat Supremacist said:

Sanchez out, Draxler in? Sounds like a thoroughly decent compromise.

 

Not really.  Draxler isn't anywhere near as good as there's nothing to say he'll hit the ground running in England.  I doubt he'll score half the goals Sanchez gets.  I doubt his work-rate would be anywhere close to Sanchez and I bet he wouldn't stand head & shoulders above everyone else as our key man like Sanchez does.  Basically, Sanchez is completely irreplaceable and we'd be vastly weaker without him, no matter who comes in.

 

Arsenal should stop bending over and taking it roughly from other clubs.  I'd demand cash & Ageuro if they want him that badly.  As fans we can't be pissing ourselves with excitement if we do get £70m out of them as we won't spend it, so what's the point? 

[Seanfl9]

I think you'll keep hold of him for the rest of the season. He will pull up his socks and get down to business because he can be fully sure he's off next Summer and clubs can scramble for him. I know he strops sometimes but he surely won't want to half arse his way through the season, especially with it being the season before the WC. He will also strive to see Arsenal back in the CL because I'm sure he does like Arsenal very much, he's probably just tired of the players that surround him. 

 

 

[V3zna]

Might as well get something for him rather than nothing next summer. Draxler is a good player, clearly not as good as Sanchez but he's young enough to improve further. 

 

Sanchez is never going to 'down tools' but he'll still get into the Chile side even if he has a half hearted season at Arsenal.

[Seanfl9]

Losing Sanchez for Draxler for me means CL football won't return. With Sanchez there you have a far greater chance of getting back there. Would CL football mean you could at long last spend this "huge pile of gold" on finding suitable replacements? I dunno it's tough. Like someone said above though, you take 60-70m for him.. What are you gonna do realistically? 

[Steve007]

Champions League football for next season isn't too realistic at the moment.  We'd have to do very well this season to finish above Man United, Man City, Chelsea and perhaps even Liverpool.  Not really sure that's going to be possible with a decimated unhappy squad, a hapless backroom team and coach plus a stadium full of outraged fans who will be on the players backs as soon as a single pass is misplaced.

 

The team will probably enjoy playing away from home more this season as the atmosphere will be toxic at the Emirates.  Plus with Thursday night & Sunday football, I'd expect to see loads of empty seats each match which won't help.  Saw it all coming though. 

[The Fox]

I'd absolutely take a huge bid from Man City for Alexis, as long as Wenger doesn't spend it on yet another guy that he doesn't seem to know how to utilise and bins at a loss after 12 months. Keep the money for the next manager please, for the love of God. Fuck Draxler, he's a good player but if Wenger wanted him he'd have tried harder to sign him when he left Bremen/Schalke, so really what's the point?

 

It's only worth keeping Alexis if you think he can help us get into the top 4. Does anyone seriously see us finishing above City/Chelsea/Utd/Liverpool at this point, even with Alexis? If not then it's simply not worth writing off loads of money just to see him leave on a free next summer.

[The Fox]

5 hours ago, Gotters said:

good stuff from Matt Scott on twitter, theorising that Kroenke may be squeezing the pips out of Arsenal to pay for his new stadium in LA

 

http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2016/01/18/Finance/Kroenke-loan.aspx

 

 

This is a very sobering read and it's this type of thing I was getting at when I said there must be "more sinister reasons" behind us pleading poverty.

 

Honestly no idea how to get Kroenke out though when he's barely around and gives the impression that he couldn't give a toss about anything other than share price.

[Steve007]

The problem with us Arsenal fans is that we love to make a load of noise on social media, but when it comes to protesting in and around the stadium nothing ever happens. At the most there's one sad lonely protester holding up a scrappy piece of paper with "Wenger Out" written in a large font to show just how outraged he is at the end of a match.  If an Italian or Spanish club was being run in this way they'd be rioting in the streets, they'd be barricading the training ground and creating all sorts of trouble. Not that I condone that sort of behaviour of course, but at the moment the club is being run this way because they can get away with it - completely unchallenged.

 

The biggest problem of course is a that we have an owner who doesn't give a shit and is using the club as security against stuff he does give a toss about, which ironically he also runs badly. 

[The Fox]

Panic over, we've apparently found a spare £90m down the back of the sofa for Thomas Lemar.

 

Ridiculous price for him IMO but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[wev]

Of course, Chamberlain was always gonna end up at Liverpool somewhere along the line. I expect Walcott to finish his career there or something, and they'll get Bale one day too. It doesn't matter what route footballers take, once they've played for Southampton they'll find their way to Liverpool

[Gotters]

several sources, probably feeding off each other, now quoting we bid €100m for Lemar

[Professor_k]

19 hours ago, Professor_k said:

Oh god. Today could be the biggest meltdown in the history of meltdowns.

 

Yet as an Arsenal fan I look forward to it like a self loathing pervert.  The crazy excitement if a trolleydash happens or the fan backlash if we sell Sanchez and get no-one.

 

11pm is it people. From 11pm we know how our season stands and I can't Fucking wait.  Pass the snacks and beer, I'm buckling in for a ride.

 

It's been dog shit.  I'm gonna drink some vodka.