Arsenal

[V3zna]

Martins, Torres, Huntelaar, Trezeguet and Adriano are all overrated and can't hold a candle to Thierry.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Two of the above have immense potential, just like Henry when he went from Juve to Arsenal. One has an incredible goalscoring record.

[Dude Ranch]

I started to dislike Henry towards the end and that was horrible. I would imagine Wenger was losing faith with him too and injuries have taken their toll. This could turn out to be the making of this team. Look at the promise our strikers have got. With Henry gone, there's no guaranteed places up front. That's perfect for competition and forcing players to work hard to keep their place. They all know they need to maintain form to start and if they're out of the team the chances of getting back in are much fairer.

I wouldn't be surprised if we went for Bent. If we ended up paying more than we got for Henry it looks like bad business, but if you think about it you're swapping out a Frenchman who will be 31 at the end of next season for a young talented Englishman who's apparently a lifelong Gooner. Bent is no Henry but Henry 2007 is no Henry 2005 either.

[Art Vandelay]

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Two of the above have immense potential, just like Henry when he went from Juve to Arsenal. One has an incredible goalscoring record.

And is no spring chicken either. It's like a straight swap for a player who never developed the way Henry did. Huntelaar is a rip off, and I've never been impressed with Torres. If we were talking about David Villa however, but we're not likely to get him. Especially if it's true this £16m is in instalments.

Wenger won't spend that sort of dosh on Bent either. The quoted price for him is ridiculous. I'd rather we went for Lita or something.

[V3zna]

Huntelaar is a rip off, and I've never been impressed with Torres. If we were talking about David Villa however, but we're not likely to get him. Especially if it's true this £16m is in instalments.

Wenger won't spend that sort of dosh on Bent either. The quoted price for him is ridiculous. I'd rather we went for Lita or something.

Huntelaar has the potential to be the new Ruud Van Nistlerooy. Torres could blossom like Rooney did when he went to Man Utd. Look at Villa's stats. He's not just as good as you possibly think. If anybody can nurture and turn good prospects into world class talents it's Wenger. Don't forget Henry flopped at Juve before he joined Arsenal.

[Shevchenko]

Huntelaar has the potential to be the new Ruud Van Nistlerooy. Torres could blossom like Rooney did when he went to Man Utd. Look at Villa's stats. He's not just as good as you possibly think. If anybody can nurture and turn good prospects into world class talents it's Wenger. Don't forget Henry flopped at Juve before he joined Arsenal.

Arsenal already have four strikers who are going to be "potentially" good, do they need another one? Wouldn't it be better if you got an experienced striker.

One things for sure and thats Arsenal need another striker especially with Adebayour going to the AFN in January. Maybe you should ring the "beast" for another loan.

[SeanR]

Forlan!

[hobo]

Hobo: I'm not saying that Owen is a good bet to replace Henry. What I am saying is that Henry is gone and we need someone, anyone! Owen would fit the team I think, though I keep changing my mind on that every few seconds.

I know, I don't think we need just anyone though. The thought of Anelka, Bent or Owen joining Arsenal as a 'proven ready made replacement' doesn't sit well with me and as history shows is not Wenger's way.

I would expect the cash to be spread around various positions and again two or three (Babel?) new younger players to be bought in and hopefully someone out of Persie, Walcott, Bendtner + the new young'uns will be challenged by Wenger to grow into the new 'best striker in the world' (or at least Arsenal, because the best striker in the world doesnt regularly turn up at the club you support)

I have purposely left Adebayour out of that list as I see him as a useful backup striker only...

[hercules]

Van persie came good last season so i see him as first choice at this moment in time. I'd like to see owen as he's coming into his peak and he's a proven goalscorer, plus 9mil isn't alot when you think bent will cost 17mil!!

This might be a blessing in disguise and the team might really push on now but we need wenger to stay and we need to make a few signings and soon.

[superpretend]

While Henry is a big loss to you guys and the Premiership, I don't think it's all doom and gloom. Henry was a virtual spectator for most of the season and you still ended up being the 4th best team in the country. And most of the best football you played was with the youngsters in the Carling Cup.

Keeping Wenger should be the top priority though. Letting him go would be a disaster.

[Ryan]

..as would resigning Anelka.

[hercules]

I think its a joke that the papers are even talking about anelka, if wenger is really interested he's a mug

[Dude Ranch]

It's nice of Henry to come out and reassure us that the Club will survive without him. Phew, thank fuck. Cheers Thierry.

Jesus, footballers are all cunts. A year or two ago I'd argue with my missus that she had Henry all wrong, he's actually humble and a lovely bloke. Within the last year I've simply told her she's right, he is up his own arse. And the excuses he makes about Mr Dein ( ) and Wenger and how he can't take the risk of being at Arsenal without them are all bollocks and really cowardly. What the fuck are theses players like, since when do they play for a manager or a director and not the Club. I tell you what, I'm gonna go and have a wank thinking of Jamie Carragher, there's a decent footballer who loves the shirt.

I think the Club is a mockery at the moment, there are obviously big problems in certain areas. You couldn't really blame a world class talent for wanting out but he's shown zero class and zero respect.

[Art Vandelay]

Great way to rally the fans though, resigning a ghastly cunt without an ounce of loyalty in his whole body.

[Dude Ranch]

I think its a joke that the papers are even talking about anelka, if wenger is really interested he's a mug

I wouldn't rule it out. I'm not saying it's likely but I wouldn't be shocked

[Dude Ranch]

Great way to rally the fans though, resigning a ghastly cunt without an ounce of loyalty in his whole body.

You could argue that he's matured. We all know the influence his rotten brothers had on him at the time and he was very young.

I'm not forgiving him 100% but I'd rather see him in the shirt than Henry.

[Art Vandelay]

He's had so many clubs since then, he's only been at Bolton for half an hour and there's talk he'll join us. He's 28 too, and £11m for him is far too much. I really don't know what I want now, our job was difficult enough already. Don't forget we probably need two strikers, and a left winger and some squad players too. Gilles better get a handle on things pretty soon.

[Dude Ranch]

Babel seems odds on. That might move forward now the U21s have finished. Possibly Huntelaar negotiations at the same time? I mean, only rumours but things can move on quite quickly and we seem to get business wrapped up and announced in batches.

[dogsout]

What do you lads reckon about Wenger only playing one 'proper' striker in most games next season? I've been thinking about it and I reckon he has been experimenting with the 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 quite a bit over the last couple of years. It would mean you'd be really strong in the middle of the pitch and it would suit the wide players as none of them are out and out wingers, more attacking midfielders starting from wide positions. I'm not saying it is necessarily the right way to go, but it is a system I wouldn't be surprised to see Arsenal predominantly employ next season. The midfield would look something like this:

-----------Gilberto/Diaby

Theo--Fabregas---Rosicky--RVP

This system comes into its own when used with versatile players. The attacking positions up there are just starting positions, it wouldn't be uncommon to see the striker tuck in for a bit while the left winger plays more centrally and the player in the hole pushes out wide. It can make things very difficult for defenders and if a team is organised enough the unpredictability is an absolute nightmare for opposing teams.

You've got Theo who can play upfront, just off the main striker or on either flank. Van Persie can do a similar job but would be a great choice either upfront or just inside left, off the main striker. Rosicky can also play behind a front one or two or on the wing. In short: you've got the players to suit the system.

I realise I have left a few names out there and although I believe Adebayor is better than most give him credit for, RVP is better upfront than on the wing.Just throwing the idea out there to see what you boys reckon and also as a way of suggesting that even if you don't buy another striker you could still be successful.

[Dude Ranch]

Wenger has certainly favoured that kind of formation quite a bit. It suits Cesc and doesn't suit Henry, and we've seen the result of that. The only trouble would be putting the ball away, we need a goal scoring machine and you don't normally get players who score lots and play one up. Adebayor is a willing and talented player but not a goal scorer. Bendtner is not proven, nor is Walcott. van Persie can chip in but wouldn't play as a lone striker in that kind of formation. I couldn't stand another season of murdering teams, not being able to score and losing to their only shot.

In summary, I like the formation and it suits our midfield personnel but I'm not sure the lone striker it needs is at the Club.

[hercules]

Yeah 4-5-1 suits Rosicky aswell. Adebayor could play as top front man as that formation puts more earnest on the midfielders to score rather than the striker. Adebayor would be there to hold up the ball while waiting for the darting runs from midfield. Freddie also loved this formation. Its an option

[Dude Ranch]

Yeah 4-5-1 suits Rosicky aswell. Adebayor could play as top front man as that formation puts more earnest on the midfielders to score rather than the striker. Adebayor would be there to hold up the ball while waiting for the darting runs from midfield. Freddie also loved this formation. Its an option

I don't see goals there though. That's my main worry. Especially short term. Look back at the season and we all saw so many chances but a pathetic return. Adebayor can possibly turn himself into a goal scorer, he has really improved. And I've said loads that I do really like him as a player.

But that formation looks to be the way we'll go. And I'm not against it cos we seem to building around Cesc, quite rightly.

[hercules]

Cesc and Fabregas showed towards the end of last season that they can score quite easily, they just need to push on from last year. Also the formation suits Rosicky aswell and him and Fabregas have a really good understanding of eachother and plyed very well when they both played in the centre together.

[Dude Ranch]

Cesc and Fabregas

I wish we did have two of him!

Cesc and Fabregas showed towards the end of last season that they can score quite easily, they just need to push on from last year. Also the formation suits Rosicky aswell and him and Fabregas have a really good understanding of eachother and plyed very well when they both played in the centre together.

Agreed, I'm on your wavelength. A goal scoring animal would be nice though, but as per what your saying someone who does do solely that might not compliment the overall 'total football' approach. Owen, for example. Knows where the goal is but is he gonna do enough outside the box? The players are potentially at the Club already, but can it come together like we think it can? I can't see why not.

Panic level = moderate to low.

[Cosmic_Guru]

Mixed feelings about all this really. After all the rumblings and half stories recently it was not a really a surprise but it is the end of an era.

Re-signing Anelka is a hotter prospect now that Dein is out of the picture that's for sure - he was the one who took all the grief from the brothers at the time of the transfer. I don't see even a fully fit Owen interesting Wenger at all. Lita would be interesting but maybe has already had one or two indiscretions too many for Wenger's liking.

I suppose Gilberto will be made club captain although he will miss the first few weeks of the season owing to Copa America

- so maybe Kolo or Cesc to deputise.

[Mars]

Kolo ftw!

[hercules]

oops i meant Cesc and tomas

[Dude Ranch]

I suppose Gilberto will be made club captain

It's a probability, but..

Kolo ftw!

..here's where I'd go. Personally. The most 'Arsenal' man out of all the foreign players. And a truly special man, inside and outside of football. Tiny bit surprised we didn't follow up on his brother. Kolo talks of him being the better talent, although Kolo would say that. We had YaYa on trial, apparently. Maybe he's not that good .

oops i meant Cesc and tomas

I know, bro! o/\o

Sorry about that .

[Dude Ranch]

Is it funny or is there some truth?

Jeremie Aliadiere predicts Thierry Henry is only the first of a long list of Arsenal stars set to leave the club. Henry quit The Gunners for Barcelona while Aliadiere will finalise a £2million move to Middlesbrough later this week.

"No one knows if Wenger is staying or going. If he leaves there are going to be a lot of players that would go too."

"I think I've left at the right time with all that is going on. I don't think the club is on it's way up at the moment. But Middlesbrough is a team that is."

So Boro are a better Club to be at than Arsenal? Laters, Jeremie. See you in the Carling with a new batch of Gooner kids.

[mop]

Laters, Jeremie. See you in the Carling with a new batch of Gooner kids.

Only if he's lucky enough to avoid getting hit by a strong breeze which would destroy every ligament in both his knees, break one of his arms and leave him 90% blind in his left eye.

[BlinkyBear]

I've talked myself round to the idea of Owen and Martins.

22 Mill for the pair is sound business for me, a proven international goal scorer (Owen) and a proven continental talent who's also young (Martins) makes perfect sense (to me). Ideally I'd like Tevez but I dread to think what his value is now.

What's the current opinion about Kronke now? His offer to bankroll any transfers we want/need this summer says a lot about his sincerity and now that the supporters trust also back his financial aims and plans, surely the time is perfect to let him on board?