Arsenal

[Mars]

He'd be a great asset to introduce to our squad. What about injuries, suspensions? And assuming that the fee for Da Silva is around £6 - £8 million we would have the money, especially if its a staggered payment.

Also, Eboue as winger is a good idea IMO, gives Rosicky and Hleb a great outlet for their type of passing. His crossing has greatly improved as well.

[g wings]

Da Silva looks interesting. I know you can't trust youtube but it does show some consistent quality footwork in the box and he seems to have a nice turn of pace and is a finisher...here's hoping!

[213]

Ultimately I couldn't care less about the fee.

£8m or £16m, if he bangs them in like he has done in Croatia then the money we pay is irrelevant.

He looks to me like the sort of player you've needed for years, sometimes you have to be prepared to pay the price if you think the player will suit the way you play and improve your team.

[Shevchenko]

He'd be a great asset to introduce to our squad. What about injuries, suspensions? And assuming that the fee for Da Silva is around £6 - £8 million we would have the money, especially if its a staggered payment.

But what about Senderos and the other Swiss kid? I know Senderos has had a rough times against Drogba, but he can be decent at times. Both of them actually performed well at the Bridge last year, and you can't say that about many defenders.

[Dude Ranch]

Why do you need Davies? Who is leaving out of the four central denfenders you got?

In my opinion Arsenal need a right back and a right winger.

He's been a long time target. We don't have a natural central defender apart from Gallas. Well, Senderos but he isn't good enough. Djourou is probably too young. I like him, but he's naturally a defensive midfielder. Toure is quality and we love him, obviously. But he's not a central defender and has been caught out a few times recently.

[Dude Ranch]

He looks to me like the sort of player you've needed for years, sometimes you have to be prepared to pay the price if you think the player will suit the way you play and improve your team.

Yeah, ta. That's what I'm thinking. Have you seen much of him? I remember him against us and the goal versus England but it's youtube and anecdotal evidence after that for me .

[Lucas]

So Toure is leaving for three weeks and you need to buy cover? Let me ring Jose and tell him he needs to spend £70M on cover for Drogba and Essien just for three weeks.

Arsenal don't have that kind of money to spend for cover, especially as they are lacking players in other postions.

Toure, Eboue, Adebayor. No, you're right. No cover required.

Anyway which club was it that had a defensive crisis last season? Couldnt cope without their best defender for a few weeks, and wished they had proper cover and not an £8million waste of space AKA Boularouz. Tool.

Putting Eboue in midfield was my idea about ten pages ago!

[Mars]

Birmingham (sorry, Arsenal reserves) want Djourou as well, either on loan or as a full signing. And you know the mantra: "If they're not good enough for us, sell them to Steve Bruce, the thick twat".

[Mars]

Toure, Eboue, Adebayor. No, you're right. No cover required.

Anyway which club was it that had a defensive crisis last season? Couldnt cope without their best defender for a few weeks, and wished they had proper cover and not an £8million waste of space AKA Boularouz. Tool.

Putting Eboue in midfield was my idea about ten pages ago!

I believe I suggested it as well o/\o

And you're right - signing adequate cover is better than putting your head in the sand and then whinging like a bitch when your defense turns into a load of shit

[Lucky]

I think we still need a left sided midfielder (Babbel) and Curtis Davies wouldn't be a bad signing either, but it's a good start and Da Silva looks like a good signing, going by what we've read anyway, lets hope there's a couple more to come and suddenly things don't look so bad.

[Dude Ranch]

If we get Sagna now then I'd probably be happy with just him and da Silva. Not cos I know much about Sagna but I trust Wenger and, like everyone, pushing Eboue forward seems logical. Hoyte and Sagna can fight it out for right back.

Think about the midfield options.. Eboue, Walcott (assuming his move to striker is a year away), Cesc, Denilson, Diaby, Hleb, Gilberto, Rosicky, Fran (reasonably likely this coming season), possibly van Persie with 5 across the middle. Have I forgotten anyone? That's some list of mostly young talent gathering experience and confidence every week. Maybe add Toure to that if we go for Curtis Davies.

[hercules]

Top ten posters in this thread..

Dude Ranch 593

Daley 279

hercules 270

wiener 262

cubeadvance 256

Steve007 251

BlinkyBear 219

Lucky LL 201

Lucas 191

SeanR 136

Spot the student .

I'm no student

[dogsout]

It's a good thing you're not, if you were you'd probably have about 2700 posts in here.

[hercules]

It's a good thing you're not, if you were you'd probably have about 2700 posts in here.

What like you

[hercules]

I have to say i'm quite excited about this new signing, its like he's an unknown but hes been around and has been scoring quite a few goals in games i've seen this year without me really noticing its the same guy. I just hope he settles well and has a good season.

[Shevchenko]

Toure, Eboue, Adebayor. No, you're right. No cover required.

Anyway which club was it that had a defensive crisis last season? Couldnt cope without their best defender for a few weeks, and wished they had proper cover and not an £8million waste of space AKA Boularouz. Tool.

Putting Eboue in midfield was my idea about ten pages ago!

Who was to know Boularouz would turn into a huge flop? Paulo was out of form and Geremi wasn't great either. Oh not forgetting that we had Robben and Cole out for half the season. We coped well as we finished second, got to the semi finals of the champion's league and won two trophies. Not many teams could do that with the injuries we had.

Also I was talking about central defence, where Arsenal are well covered in. Idiot. We are well covered in centre midfield and up front where Essien and Drogba play. Doesn't mean we are going to buy players for the sake of three weeks.

[Dude Ranch]

Also I was talking about central defence, where Arsenal are well covered in. Idiot. We are well covered in centre midfield and up front where Essien and Drogba play. Doesn't mean we are going to buy players for the sake of three weeks.

You were short in central defence though, it was a mistake recognised time and again by Mourinho. I pointed out a few posts back that Gallas is our only fully recognised central defender, apart from Senderos who won't be playing when others are fit. We might reshuffle our pack, plus the African Nations (a very real issue) so Davies, hypothetically, would be a good signing. Wenger is a known admirer, it's not rocket science . Having four centre backs isn't exactly a luxury. At the moment we have four, two of which are technically out of position.

[hobo]

You were short in central defence though, it was a mistake recognised time and again by Mourinho. I pointed out a few posts back that Gallas is our only fully recognised central defender, apart from Senderos who won't be playing when others are fit. We might reshuffle our pack, plus the African Nations (a very real issue) so Davies, hypothetically, would be a good signing. Wenger is a known admirer, it's not rocket science . Having four centre backs isn't exactly a luxury. At the moment we have four, two of which are technically out of position.

Really?

I think Gallas, Toure, Djourou and Sendoros is a solid 4 regardless of African Nations and desired position (Djourou defensive midfielder?).

Don't get me wrong though, ill take Davies too.

[dogsout]

What like you

Exactly.

[hercules]

Exactly.

Well i'm suprised i'm third really, didn't think i posted THAT much

[Shevchenko]

You were short in central defence though, it was a mistake recognised time and again by Mourinho. I pointed out a few posts back that Gallas is our only fully recognised central defender, apart from Senderos who won't be playing when others are fit. We might reshuffle our pack, plus the African Nations (a very real issue) so Davies, hypothetically, would be a good signing. Wenger is a known admirer, it's not rocket science . Having four centre backs isn't exactly a luxury. At the moment we have four, two of which are technically out of position.

Spurs are after Davies and I'm sure they will offer silly money to get him, just like they did with Bent. Wenger also has to sign a new contract, if other new players are to join. Most players won't join a club where the manager could be off in a years time.

[dogsout]

Well i'm suprised i'm third really, didn't think i posted THAT much

I just find it amusing that you pretty much post exclusively in here.

I've not seen much of this Da Silva at all (one match against you lot) but for what a youtube vid is worth - which is admittedly very little on its own - he looks pretty handy.

[BlinkyBear]

Interesting signing-Wenger's had this lined up for a few weeks at least hasn't he? Th emoney's not an issue for me as football is essentially mental these days (Bent, Torres, Lampards wag demands-all of these numbers have no logical reasoning behind them) plus we've got money to spare, so it needs spending. His record is obviously great, but you do have to approach it with some caution-he has been playing in the Croatian League. Still, he's certainly got plenty of pace judging from youtube and will probably fit in very well with RVP up front. I'd still like to see another striker brought in. And Babel. And Davis.

If we had another £15mill at least to spend (which we do), where do you think it should go?

Personally-£7mill for Babel and £8mill for Davis.

Oh, and I was the top poster the season before last. Then I graduated

[Dude Ranch]

Really?

I think Gallas, Toure, Djourou and Sendoros is a solid 4 regardless of African Nations and desired position (Djourou defensive midfielder?).

Don't get me wrong though, ill take Davies too.

I'm not keen on Senderos week in week out, as much as I'd love him to make it.

Djouroru is indeed naturally a defensive midfielder, that's where he started out I think you'll find. I think it shows in his ability on the ball. I'd be happy seeing him at centre back though, I really like him.

Toure I'd be happy playing anywhere. We all share in the Toure love . Is he wasted at centre back, is it his best position? He doesn't let you down but I'd possibly like to see someone more natural in there. I think it would suit Gallas too.

I'm throwing in Davies as a possible. I think an English defender would serve us well against rugged opposition.

But yeah, the four we have are at worst adequate. All have great potential at the very least. I'm fond of all them.

[Dude Ranch]

Interesting signing-Wenger's had this lined up for a few weeks at least hasn't he?

Very likely. We've learnt that he knows what's what and knows the market like the back of his hand. Again .

[hercules]

I just find it amusing that you pretty much post exclusively in here.

I've not seen much of this Da Silva at all (one match against you lot) but for what a youtube vid is worth - which is admittedly very little on its own - he looks pretty handy.

there's not alot else for me to post in really you know that.

[Lucas]

Who was to know Boularouz would turn into a huge flop? Paulo was out of form and Geremi wasn't great either. Oh not forgetting that we had Robben and Cole out for half the season. We coped well as we finished second, got to the semi finals of the champion's league and won two trophies. Not many teams could do that with the injuries we had.

Also I was talking about central defence, where Arsenal are well covered in. Idiot. We are well covered in centre midfield and up front where Essien and Drogba play. Doesn't mean we are going to buy players for the sake of three weeks.

Yeah, cos Boularouz wasn't a knee-jerk reactionary purchase.

So Senderos gets injured (as he did at the world cup) and Gallas has another season of patchy form and injury and Toure goes to Africa. Suddenly we have one defender left. Or we have a huge flop and two out of form like our dear west london friends and Toure goes to Africa, another rosey scenario.

TBH, I think Senderos will be sold this summer to make space/fund the Davies move.

Can't you be sore about us taking you best defender and sending you the shambles that is Cashley in your own thread?

[Dude Ranch]

Can't you be sore about us taking you best defender and sending you the shambles that is Cashley in your own thread?

Listen, it's unfair to rub his nose in Clichy's thundering and plundering wake. Just cos Bridge turned out to be the better player and better man, you're splitting hairs.

I jest, Shevver .

[Mars]

BBC Sport have amended their report of the Da Silva transfer, reporting a fee of £7.5 million, blaming Zagreb's president for earlier mis-understandings. I'd like to think that this was a swift bit of work by the club to put an end to the gossip.

[Dude Ranch]

BBC Sport have amended their report of the Da Silva transfer, reporting a fee of £7.5 million, blaming Zagreb's president for earlier mis-understandings. I'd like to think that this was a swift bit of work by the club to put an end to the gossip.

Ban request. Undisclosed information.

Hehe, thought that would be the case.