Arsenal Thread

[Nitey]

@Cyn - there is definitely a lot of work that needs to be done with regards to the defence, but individually I rate our defenders quite highly. Perhaps not Santos/Gibbs (defensively), but the others are good or great, individually. I've always felt it's an issue in our training, and not the quality of our (1st choice) defenders. But regardless, we definitely need cover for Sagna as the quality from him then down to Jenkinson is too much of a gap if we are going to be serious about competing in the long-run this season.

I can see RvP staying or us standing firm and making him run down his contract, which would be in the club's best interest (seeing as no one will actually stump up the £25m~ that we're looking for, for us to "cash in"). But, if he did stay it would give Podolski and Giroud a calmer environment in which to settle down, as far as I'm concerned. I think Giroud will be the one that requires the most time to settle in, hopefully he'll have the same impact as Koscienly is having now in the Arsenal red, as their career paths are largely similar

I would love us to give 4-4-2 a real go next season, if we wrap up the latest transfer targets then we'd sure as hell have the personel to have a balanced 4-4-2. I think Wenger is too much of a fan of our current systen, however, and with it he'll have to make some tough decisions when it comes to who is starting and who's on the bench- assuming they are all fit.


@Shibby Lol. Now we're just waiting for Xavi to tell the media about Alex Song's Barca DNA . For however much class that club possesses on the football pitch they could sure learn a thing or two off of it.

@Dinamo, I have no idea if I'm honest. He was training at Colney just yesterday with the rest of the team so perhaps it's just a niggle or perhaps it's more about match fitness. He didn't feature greatly at the Euros and didn't travel to Asia so it's a bit of a mystery. My fingers are crossed that Podolski will start/play against Koln and prove his fitness, and start the first game up front. Anyone but Chamakh.

[DINAMO788]

Anyone know when sagna is going to be back? I also agree we need more cover on the right. Jenkinson is simply not ready to defend against top teams and his relationship with Walcott is currently poor.

[Nitey]

I read recently that Sagna is in a race to be fit for the start of the season. So if it's not the start it'll be soon after. Fingers crossed - we definitely need him if we don't bring in another RB.

Someone like Debuchy would be perfect! Would cost less than £10m. He was great at the Euros'

[Molo316]

I hear that the Cazorla deal is done. Apparently he announced it on his Twitter account, but Arsenal are yet to officially announce it.

[Cyn]

Yup it's about as close to being official before the club announce it and it's actually official. Guardian say deal's wrapped up for £16m. Got ourselves a good little player for a fair price

[Nitey]

Great bargaining. I have a feeling that the price was a tad lower than expected due to Malaga urgently needing all the money up front. They could have twisted our arm for a higher price with staggered payments, like we usually do, but I prefer it this way.

Sky sports news earlier said expect an official reveal early next week and Sahin deal is possibly wrapping up early next week also. Still keeping my feet on the ground concerning Sahin but Cazorla is basically here now

An Arsenal youth player (can't remember who right now) said on twitter earlier today that it was great to meet Santi this morning at training

[Firefox]

I am excited but I still won't believe it till I see it on Arsenal.com We need Cazorla and Sahin to be honest, Jack shouldn't be rushed back, Rosicky is injured, Diaby needs to be eased back, Arteta may get injured. If we get these two signings, Wenger has done a great job this summer. (bar a reliable and experienced left back unless Santos convinces me this season)

We seem to have gone for experience over youth this year with Giroud, Podolski, and (maybe) Cazorla.

[DINAMO788]

i hear arteta and ramsey are kinda hurt now too

[DINAMO788]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...-ox-in-beijing

....then santos and walcott step up and smash them both lol.

[Nitey]

Dinamo - that was a cool video. Ox cracks me up, pretty cool kid. Theo is faaaaaaast (as though we didn't know that already ), he was just looking at the screen as they ran on the spot



Cesc retweeted this as well lol. Enjoy - God among men

[The Boy From School]

We're stacked. That's how we do.

I see big things from this club this season.

[The Boy From School]

[DINAMO788]

Assuming Sahin and Cazorla join us, are the majority of our mids/forwards just SOL. I mean, we'd have like 15 players vying for midfield/forward. We can only play 6 at a time. Even accounting for injuries, we'd still have like 5 players waiting to rotate in at all times. I dont see how many of our young mids are going to get any development time, let alone out of form players like Ramsey. I'm not trying to talk about 'nice problems to have', but I definitely see why Wenger is so reluctant to buy at times. Our roster is looking huge. Especially in Midfield.

[Cyn]

We're stacked. That's how we do.

I see big things from this club this season.

If we get Sahin we are ridiculously well stocked in central midfield

Arteta
Sahin
Wilshere
Ramsey
Rosicky
Song
Coquelin
Frimpong(?)

Lansbury despite being a very good player can't even get a look in

Cazorla can and most likely will play there too. AOC can also play centrally. No I am not counting Diaby, even though he'll be a first team starter whenever fit

Thing is, it is for this reason I doubt we will get Sahin after all. And insanely I still think we lack a real defensive midfielder. We have maybe 2 more CM's than we need but 1 less holding player than we need.

If it was entirely up to me I would have sold Rosicky and Diaby in June and brought in a solid DM. That would have been our midfield sorted

[Nitey]

Well Wilshere is scheduled to be back around November I think it was, and there is no guarantee he will find the same kind of form he was producing pre-injury, especially when using Ramsey and Eduardo as examples. Hate to be a negative Nancy but that's how I see it. So in a way, getting Sahin could be a season long cover for Jack as he's eased back in, because you can bet your bottom dollar that Wenger will not over-use Jack when he's available ( I hope not anyway.. )

Regarding our other midfielders, I think Ramsey is due a loan somewhere. I really hope he goes off on loan... he won't be able to muscle his way into our MF and he should definitely be regarded as bottom of the pile, and let's not forget he had plenty of opportunities to cement his position into MF last season with countless starts. Hopefully Wenger is not stubborn in this regard and doesn't persist with him. He is probably on par with AoC in that position but AoC has the added benefit of being able to play out wide also, therefore he adds more to our squad

Having Rosicky, Diaby and Cazorla as our attacking options ahead of Song and Arteta (undroppable) is excellent, especially when you consider Cazorla can pretty much play anywhere else. But it's his passing style, (similar to Cesc, Iniesta) that was sorely missed last season. So, because of that, I'm hoping Wenger doesn't stick him out wide

It's worth noting that maybe, just maybe, Wenger has gone back to signing experienced and proven players. It's not to suggest that youth should be disregarded, and it never will be at any football club let alone AFC, but it's a combination of youth and experience/proven players that will get you somewhere and has gotten us places in the past

Giroud - 25 y/o - Ligue1 top scorer
Podolski - 27 y/o - 100 German caps
Cazorla - 27 y/o - Spanish international, 3rd most passes in the final third in La Liga after Messi and Xavi

-- Combine these fellas to the signings of last summer's signings (Mert, Arteta and Santos) who have all gel'd well within the squad and give us that maturity and experience that has been lacking for so long, and I believe there is a very strong exprerienced core within our team now --

Although Giroud may not be a starter right away, the other two will add a great amount to our play. And for a team that finished 3rd last year I think for the first time in years we have a genuine reason to be excited for the start of the season!

A clear out of sorts is imminent though, as our squad is above limit as of right now

I'd bet Wenger is pursuing Sahin on at least a loan because Song will be away on african cup of nations duty as will Frimpong (?). I think he'd work quite well alongside Arteta

[DINAMO788]

Did anyone else have a bad feeling when Ramsey was to take that second PK. I felt bad about it even before i saw his extremely wide approach. poor kid. I still think he can be the great player that a lot of us saw in him, but he's really in a bad place now. He's gotta find some way to break this path and get that confidence/old feeling back :-\

[Nitey]

Agreed, he has all of what it takes to be a great player. Hopefully he bounces back.

He had some balls though, to step up and take the first kick in the shoot out. Smashed it.

[Firefox]

Congrats to Arsenal fan Mo Farah on winning Gold today!

He even did the celebration the "A League of Their Own" crew invented when he visited.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mLvTDuWRyc#t=27m00

[Nitey]

Was watching it live with my family. Love him!

[DINAMO788]

I dont know if this video has been posted yet but its great. He's like the perfect combination of defensive tackling and offensive playmaking. If he had a shot like Chambo, he'd be too perfect.



And this reminds me of how frustrating Walcott can be lol. And that Bendtner goal? I didnt believe he was capable of that. Greatest striker in the world!

[Nitey]

Arsenal set to confirm Santi Cazorla deal

Arsenal are set to confirm the signing of Malaga midfielder Santi Carzola after he passed a medical and joined the club at their pre-season training camp in Germany.

The 27-year-old Spain international will sign a long-term contract for a fee below £15m.

Malaga's financial problems delayed the move, but it is likely to be announced on Tuesday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19086404

David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david

Cazorla to Arsenal a done deal. Passed medical, with squad in Germany. Fee under £15m, announcement likely Tues

If that fee is right, that is an absolute bargain in todays football market . The BBC article goes on to state that we're still in for Sahin

[Firefox]

I wouldn't mind having Sahin on loan because it gives us a better chance of singing him.. we need some cover and he is a sensational midfielder. Who knows.. he may love his stint enough to want to stay!

Not bad at all!

Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud = 155 caps, £35m.

Source

[Shibby]

I don't know what's more surprising, getting those players for that price or the fact that you've actually spent 35 million lol.

[Cyn]

I don't know what's more surprising, getting those players for that price or the fact that you've actually spent 35 million lol.

It will almost certainly be balanced at least partially by one or more sales. I highly doubt we will end the transfer window having spent £35m and only recoup around £5m from player sales, which is where we currently stand. Chance we might sell Theo to you lot, it's a slow burner but it doesn't sound like he is going to sign a new contract.

Still, this is a step in the right direction. I just hope we can get rid of the likes of Squillaci and Chamakh.

[Cyn]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...-santi-cazorla

Whoa! who saw this one coming? ;P


Gits haven't even decided what shirt number he'll be wearing