Arsenal

[Mars]

Cesc would be a great captain, in the long term. I'm not sure Toure could handle it. It would have to be Flamini.

[hercules]

The thing about cesc is that although he is a top player, i'm not sure if he would be a great captain.

[Links]

Thanks for nothing. Even if we beat them at the Bridge, they've still won it.

You said it.

[fatbob]

AND ALL THE GOOD IT'S DONE!

LOLSEA

[Steve007]

You said it.

[Shoes]

Man, I hope Hleb doesn't go.

[Benji]

Bayern Sniffing around Flamini it seems... ergh

[Lucky]

We should tell Bayern to do one, and while we're at it ask about Ribery.

[Chewylegs]

Gallas has said he has no friends at Arsenal and i know he is a good defender but maybe we should sell him and try and buy a strong centre back, i jus dunno who.

The problem with Gallas is he is too bloody opinionate and arrogant. He talks to much in the press and moans to much on the pitch. I thought he would be a great buy for Arsenal (and at one point i'd loved Liverpool to snap him up) but I now feel Mourinho wasn't just leaving him out for the sake of it at Chelsea more that he was leaving him out cause he was bad news for the team. What happened at Birmingham was a disgrace and he should have lost the armband then. No captain, however annoyed and upset they feel should do that to his team. Personally I think you'd be better of letting him go and moan off in a country like Italy.

[Mars]

The problem with Gallas is he is too bloody French

[Chewylegs]

I was gonna put that but I thought I might get moaned at!

[Dude Ranch]

I said after a month or two that I wasn't impressed with him as a player. I let you guys talk me round and was optimistic when he was made captain. But overall I think he's overrated and I'd get rid while we can.

Our two most senior players (Gallas and Lehmann) are nothing but trouble. The last thing we need.

[Peter Hitchens]

It just occurred to me that while it's true we've had some luck go against us recently; we should remember that we had a HUGE slice of luck when Togo failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations. If Adebayor had been missing for that period we would very likely have been out of the title race long ago...

Bearing that in mind, I think it really is worth buying another striker. If we lose Adebayor and have van Persie injured again; then we'd be down to Bendtner and Walcott (unless Eduardo recovers his fitness/form remarkably quickly)... that just isn't a strike force that can be relied upon in a title race, even if they have improved by then.

[g wings]

Quite a few transfer rumours around over the last couple of days. This is my favourite. Yes, I know its The Sun, but I can dream...

Valencia striker David Villa is poised to reject a move to Chelsea in favour of Arsenal. (The Sun)

[Lucky]

Bearing that in mind, I think it really is worth buying another striker. If we lose Adebayor and have van Persie injured again; then we'd be down to Bendtner and Walcott (unless Eduardo recovers his fitness/form remarkably quickly)... that just isn't a strike force that can be relied upon in a title race, even if they have improved by then.

I think we definitely need another striker. We do have the 5 you mention but Adebayor could do with a rest every now and again, it seems RVP cannot be relied on to be available for a whole season, Eduardo will miss about half of next season, Theo should be considered as a striker next season but let's not forget he is still young and hardly played as a striker yet and Bendtner is more like Adebayor's uderstudy. We need a top drawer striker, someone like this. If not then maybe someone like Agbonlahor?

"I watch the Premier League a lot and the team I'm most attracted to is definitely Arsenal,"

Their brilliant one and two-touch football and the whole style of rapid counter-attack which dominates the top level of the Premier League now is the one which suits my game best of all.

"I think I'm made to succeed in England but of course it's one thing saying it and quite another getting there and then doing it.

"The Valencia president (Agustin Morera) always told me he wouldn't sell me until summer 2008. If an offer comes in I'm hungry to test myself in England."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3430194,00.html

As well as a striker I think we need a top top keeper, Almunia has done well this season but we need to go out and buy the best.

We also need a centre back, someone who is as good as Gallas and Toure or better and let them fight for their places.

We definitely need a wide man or two even as Rosicky is about as reliable as RVP and Eboue is someone I'd get rid of. - Ashley Young?

We need a central midfielder to take Gilberto's place and cover/compete with Flamini.

That's 5/6 players and would cost an absolute bomb but if we want to win the PL or/and the CL then we've got to spend big, get everyone out of this comfort zone they're now in and get some real competition for places.

I don't think this is panicking, I think it's just being realistic as yes we've been unlucky with some dodgy ref decisions and injuries this season but the reason our season ended without a trophy when it all looked so promising a couple of months ago is because our squad is too small and the players coming in as replacements were not of the same quality as those going out.

We've got to remember that next season there will be injuries and suspensions and players that could do with a rest occasionaly(something we couldn't do this season).

[Benji]

Villa would be a great signing, would love him to come to us!

[Steve007]

That's 5/6 players and would cost an absolute bomb but if we want to win the PL or/and the CL then we've got to spend big, get everyone out of this comfort zone they're now in and get some real competition for places.

Let's face facts, we haven't strengthened the squad since the likes of Wiltord, Vieira, Pires, Bergkamp & Kanu left. We've had a couple of signings but essentially we have had to rely on up and coming youth players to fill the gaps. As great as they are and as much as we have over-achieved, we need quality signings this summer. We need players are are ready now, we don't need to sign anymore promising youngsters and throw them in the deep end as first teamers.

It's simple, no serious investment this summer = no trophies next season. Man United will spend and get stronger in the summer, as will Chelsea & Liverpool. We can't be left standing still if we bring no-one in. It simply cannot happen and if Wenger signs anymore injury jinxed crocks like Van Persie and Rosicky I'm going to go mad!

Arsenal need to show some ambition this summer by investing in the squad and getting some reinforcements in. It might be a good idea to get rid of some of the deadwood aswell.

[V3zna]

That David Villa story is nonsense. I've read the full translated Spanish version and for The Sun to link him with Arsenal is ludicrous.

[Steve007]

That David Villa story is nonsense. I've read the full translated Spanish version and for The Sun to link him with Arsenal is ludicrous.

It's ludicrous in the sense that Wenger will never make high profile expensive signings such as that...

[g wings]

That David Villa story is nonsense. I've read the full translated Spanish version and for The Sun to link him with Arsenal is ludicrous.

I don't entirely disagree. He did say this though, as posted earlier...

"I watch the Premier League a lot and the team I'm most attracted to is definitely Arsenal,"

Their brilliant one and two-touch football and the whole style of rapid counter-attack which dominates the top level of the Premier League now is the one which suits my game best of all.

"I think I'm made to succeed in England but of course it's one thing saying it and quite another getting there and then doing it.

"The Valencia president (Agustin Morera) always told me he wouldn't sell me until summer 2008. If an offer comes in I'm hungry to test myself in England."

[Dude Ranch]

I think, persoanlly, that we need to adopt a more continental approach and have less emotional attachment to players. The policy has been for no signings to block the way for promising younger players but if they're not gonna be ready for two, three years (Traore, Djourou, Gibbs, Simpson, Bazarite etc.) we can't allow this to stop us buying better players in the meantime. The cream will always rise to the top anyway. I also think players like Toure, Rosicky and van Persie, who we all like, can't keep their places in the squad as a matter of course. I love Toure but he's not really the answer, not in any of our current central partnerships anyway. Rosicky and van Persie are no good in the injury room. Eboue might make it cos it's all there but right now you'd have to sell him. Almunia can't be our out and out number one without a decent challenger. Wenger might need to make some tough decisions but that's his job.

[Steve007]

Almunia can't be our out and out number one without a decent challenger. Wenger might need to make some tough decisions but that's his job.

Jens is a better keeper. He's completely loopy, but he's a much better goalie. Seems two high profile errors at the start of the season has put him in Wenger's bad books...

[Dude Ranch]

Jens is a better keeper. He's completely loopy, but he's a much better goalie.

Yeah, I agree.

[SeanR]

Fabianski and Manononononnnenenne?

[Peter Hitchens]

I really can't imagine Wenger will buy Villa. He'll say we've got 5 strikers already. Then Liverpool will buy him. We'll start the season well, but then we'll get to January and Adebayor will go to the African Nations cup, van Persie will get injured, Eduardo won't be ready... we'll have to play Walcott and Bendtner up front and we'll have a poor run of form and be out of the title race by March.

[Steve007]

I really can't imagine Wenger will buy Villa. He'll say we've got 5 strikers already. Then Liverpool will buy him. We'll start the season well, but then we'll get to January and Adebayor will go to the African Nations cup, van Persie will get injured, Eduardo won't be ready... we'll have to play Walcott and Bendtner up front and we'll have a poor run of form and be out of the title race by March.

Regarding Bendtner, you'd think he'd grab his chance when he comes on or gets a rare start. He's the laziest cunt at the club. He thinks he's the business when in reality he's an unproven ponce.

[V3zna]

I don't entirely disagree. He did say this though, as posted earlier...

He didn't say anything at all about going to England! What you've posted has been twisted in various ways by your source.

Interview published today on daily 'El Pais'

CAYETANO ROS - Valencia - 15/04/2008

Have you hit the wall?

- If we look at my numbers in general perhaps. But if we look at the numbers of matches I’ve played, I’ve scored 12 goals in 22 games. In that case, it’s not a bad return.

Do you still consider yourself what many people call an ‘instinctive goal-scorer’?

- I try not to think about ‘how’ I’m going to score. I just try to be focused so that I will put the ball in the back of the net when the opportunity presents itself.

Against Italy, for example, you scored a cracker out of an otherwise ordinary performance.

- I struck it well. Just the way I wanted to. It wasn’t a fluke but yes you could say it was out of instinct.

Do you feel ashamed of your team’s poor season?

- That’s a word nobody likes to hear. We’re hoping to end the season in the most dignified manner possible.

How do you get to the point where you’re just 5 pts from the danger zone?

- We started the season well, but there have been some situations that affected us greatly.

Did you understand the sacking of Quique Flores?

- I was happy with Quique. If you look back it wasn’t the best decision to sack him, but at the time everyone was calling for his head. The club made the decision but we’re all equally guilty.

Do you feel that the decision to marginalize Albelda, Cañizares and Angulo has done more harm than good for Valencia?

- Yes. I’m not just saying it because they’re mates of mine, the numbers are there. It has hampered us. They are very important players both on and off the pitch. They were the players with the most years and matches played for Valencia in the squad. They had a lot of experience at this club.

What did you learn from Quique?

- He didn’t like making any mistakes and he always went over them during the week. Individually, he was of much help because he’d always be there for you in the bad moments. When I was in great form and scoring goals every week we wouldn’t talk at all. But he would approach me in the bad times and I’m thankful for it.

And what about Ronald Koeman?

- He’s been here a lot shorter. He came into the club with a built squad and his own ideas. You learn from every one, more or less, to play other positions. With a 4-3-3 at times, I’m playing on the wing.

Despite all that, the team is not scoring many goals.

- Just because you’re playing with more strikers it doesn’t mean you will score more goals. The players were used to a different system and we’re having a tougher time with this system.

Would you have liked to have been trained by Benitez?

- Yes, from the comments of my Liverpool mates or the ones here in Valencia who played for him. They tell me that they’ve learned many things from him. It’s a pity that we didn’t coincide.

Would you like Marcelino as a manager here at Valencia?

- He’s very similar to Quique in terms of personality, of keeping a group together and demanding the most. I played for him at Sporting when I was 17 years old and it was a very positive experience for me.

Should the national team play with a 4-4-2 or a 4-1-4-1 formation?

- Both systems have worked well for us. It doesn’t matter.

Are you compatible with Torres?

- Yes, both on and off the pitch. We like playing together. I don’t want to disrespect Atletico but Torres has been through some tough times and now he feels liberated. And the way Liverpool play suits his abilities, which are up there with the best in the world.

Would you adapt to English football as well?

- I think so. Their football is fast, counter-attacking, which is the best for my qualities. Of course it’s a different story to get there and be successful. As a fan, I like Arsenal because they play one, two touch football and they’re very good at it. And because of my mates, I like Liverpool.

You spoke of a pact with Valencia’s majority owner, Juan Soler, about your Valencia exit. Do you trust him?

- When some clubs expressed their interest in me, he told me that he didn’t want to negotiate and that we would discuss it next year.

You mean this summer…

- Yes but if an offer arrives for me I will have to speak to the president [Agustin Morera], not with the majority owner.

Where do you see yourself playing in the future?

- I’m currently under contract for five years and a very high buyout clause.

Are you happy with the money you’re making?

- I don’t know. The most important thing is emotional stability. And in the previous two years the team was playing at a very high level. We’ll see what this team will look like next year and that’s when we’ll make a decision.

From 1 to 10 how would you grade Valencia’s sports management?

I would give it a 4. Let’s see if we can win the Cup final and our final six games. That would give us a few extra points.

What would you highlight about Getafe? [Cup final rivals]

- They’re on a moral high because of the way they played against Bayern and their good football. They know each other very well and are able to rotate while keeping the same level of performance.

Should Valencia have played on Sunday like Getafe thus having the same days to rest before the final?

- In life there are pros and cons. And the pride of playing on three competitions means that you will have less time to prepare for the next match.

In which ways is Valencia a better team?

- In terms of history and experience. And with players that have proven themselves in this kind of games. Who says we can’t play the perfect match? If we’re able to do so, there aren’t many times that can beat us.

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/Ap...elpepidep_2/Tes

[Lucky]

Villa is not a Wenger type signing but this is the calibre of player we need to be looking at, whether it's him or someone else.

We need to find an Ian Wright, a Pires, a Tony Adams, a Davis Seaman, a Vieira/Roy Keane and an Overmars from somewhere.

[Dude Ranch]

We need to find an Ian Wright, a Pires, a Tony Adams, a Davis Seaman, a Vieira/Roy Keane and an Overmars from somewhere.

We've got Eduardo as a Wright type. I don't think he'll be after another poacher unless Eduardo's recovery goes tits up.

Merida and Vela might solve the left flank problem with maybe one more in.

Where can you get an Adams? Swiss Tony could be it if he cuts out the weekly mistakes. How long can we wait though?

A keeper is definitely needed, preferably from the Prem IMO to fit in right away.

Flamini might not have the stature of Vieira but he'll certainly do. Diaby and Denilson as back up ultimately, Gilberto short term. I do think Flamini is on the way though.

Yes, we need someone with genuine pace who can get at defenders and provide a goal threat like Overmars did. Vela? I'd offload Rosicky if we can get money for him.

[Lucky]

Flamini might not have the stature of Vieira but he'll certainly do.

I mean in addition to Flamini, as cover/competition.

Edit: I agree, Flamini will certainly do