General Info
Name: Arsenal Football Club
Nickname: The Gunners
Formed: 1886
Ground: Emirates Stadium
Ground Capacity: 60,355
Manager: Arsène Wenger
League: Barclays Premier League
10/11 League Finish: 4th
11/12 Season Info
Club News
05.08.11: 'I Understand The Impatience Over Singings' (Full Story)
05.08.11: Arsetnal To Face Udinese In Champions League (Full Story)
Transfers
In: Carl Jenkinson (Charlton Athletic F.C.); and Gervinho (LOSC Lille Métropole).
Out: Gael Clichy (Manchester City F.C.); Denilson (São Paulo F.C.); and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Ipswich Town F.C.).
Loans
In: None.
Out: Kyle Bartley (Rangers F.C.).
Team Photo Coming Soon!
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“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
Pretty disappointing summer so far eh? I honestly thought things were going to be different this summer because they had to be different but... I could go on at length but I think Arseblog had it right when he picked apart Wegner's comment on him only looking to add players of super quality. First off, he bought Squillaci so obviously he can also by super crap quality players. Secondly, in a few areas just someone of quality will help bring about a major improvement. And lastly, the market is what the market is and sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and overpay because the alternative is much worse.
In regards to the Cesc and Nasri storylines, I don't want to lose the former and would like to see the latter sent on his way. Nasri has failed to convince me that he can adequately and consistently fill the gap Cesc would leave. As such, it makes sense to cash in on him and gamble on the ability of a new arrival to replace Cesc, if he is to leave, as relying on Nasri would be a, really expensive, gamble as well.
Anyway, as it currently stands things doesn't look so peachy at the Grove. The time for panic is approaching...
__________________
“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
I am willing to grant Wenger that both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jenkinson will both be quality Arsenal starters one day. Oxlade Chamberlain, who I started following after our first link to him, really impresses me.
However none of these players help to solidfy our D now. I hate how cheap Wenger is sometimes. We have money, it is obvious for the world to see. He has come up with a policy that is misguided and is coming back to bite us. Basically he stinges out on paying top end talent, saying we have a strict wage structure due to the new stadium, but then to thwart off interest in our youth players he pays through the moon (in the form of salaries). Now our top end talent wants to leave elsewhere for more money, and we cannot even sell our fringe players because no team can/will meet their wages (Bendtner's refusal to move despite admitting he wants to and Denilson only being able to command a loan are two prime examples).
United is constantly able to sell their bench depth or failed youth projects to lower level clubs and grab a few million, which helps fund their future acquisitions. We can't because our youth wages are way too high.
United identify their needs (new GK for instance) and pay a few million more than "market" to secure them and have it done within the first 2 weeks.
Arsenal reportedly lose out on deals all the time because we are unwilling to budge over our valuations, which are unrealistically low. Arsenal also take their sweet time, everyone has known for years we need a DM and a CB, and yet we have never fixed the problem.
The above illustrates why United have been champions and Arsenal have been also rans.
In case you can't tell I am getting frustrated at Wenger. I think top 4 is still likely, but no more as we will continue to leak goals through our very suspect defence.
I hope he makes some signings soon so I can eat my words.
... but then to thwart off interest in our youth players he pays through the moon (in the form of salaries). Now our top end talent wants to leave elsewhere for more money, and we cannot even sell our fringe players because no team can/will meet their wages (Bendtner's refusal to move despite admitting he wants to and Denilson only being able to command a loan are two prime examples).
Like I said at the end of last season, we need to make these lucrative asset-protection contracts performance based. If you are as good as your potential, both the club and the player will walk away happy; the club with trophies in the cabinet and the player money is his wallet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KTown
As much as I agree with all of you I am still excited for the new season. Bring on the footy.
I expected way too much over the summer and spent a lot of time looking and waiting for things too happen. Even though I love footy and the atmosphere, I am way too disappointed to be as excited as usual. I think I'm happy for it to be back but maybe not excited.
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“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
Any tips for picking up a ticket for Aug 20? I wasn't originally planning on going but now i have some spare cash since the england-holland game just got canceled
I am excited for the start of football as well, but have to admit my enthusiasm, although still present, is a little lower than usual due to the same problems still being present.
This may not mean much to more than our Carling Cup roster, but the following news could actually be very big for us given the way he terrorized dutch defenders last year on loan at Feyenoord:
Quote:
Meanwhile, Japanese youngster Ryo Miyaichi was on Tuesday granted the work permit he required to play first-team football for Arsenal this season.
The 18-year-old arrived in January and was loaned to Feyenoord while awaiting the clearance needed to represent the Gunners in the UK.
A Football Association panel today decided to grant Miyaichi a work permit on the grounds he was an "exceptional talent".
From Sportinglife.
Could be the next Wilshere type player to bust out (not in style but in impact).
As for tickets, I don't have any real advice I always got mine through Arsenal fan associations but they require months notice and flight details etc., it is very intrusive and needs to be planned way in advance. Be careful with "touts" as well, as they are absolute scammers, and really loathed by the locals (in my experience there).
I'm excited about Miyaichi coming on board, he did look great last season.
As for Cesc/Nasri, I hate to see talent go, but I've been assuming we'd be going forward without them all offseason. If either or both stay, it will be a bonus. I'm looking forward to seeing more Ramsey in either case.
They'd better have some help coming on the back end, or they're in trouble no matter who stays or goes. Getting Vermaelen back is "like a new signing", but with all of the dings already picked up in preseason, depth is a major concern.
Last edited by Montana Moe; 08-09-2011 at 01:38 PM.
Any tips for picking up a ticket for Aug 20? I wasn't originally planning on going but now i have some spare cash since the england-holland game just got canceled
Still love Cesc Fabregas! Too bad it looks like he'll be playing for a bunch of cheap dirty Catalans.
Quote:
Fabregas Future Decided 'Very Quickly'
11 August 2011
Arsenal.com
Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger expects the future of Cesc Fabregas to be decided “very quickly” now.
Media reports in the past 24 hours suggested that the destination of the Arsenal captain next season would be determined by the start of the Premier League this weekend – whether it be Emirates Stadium or Barcelona. On Thursday afternoon Arsenal Player got the latest from the manager.
“That is completely the truth,” he said. “We hope it will be sorted out very quickly one way or the other. We’ll know very quickly.”
“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
I have no idea what to think of the whole Fabregas situation.
On the negative side, the points I'm unhappy with are:
- Selling your best player is very likely to hurt your already minimal title chances.
- Possible mass exodus by anyone who views Arsenal as unambitious.
- Getting less than market value for Cesc looks bad.
- How do you replace a player who created the most scoring chances last season of ANYONE playing in one of the top leagues? (Opta stats)
On the other hand the following rebuttals make me feel good about the deal and about cutting the cord with Cesc:
- Juventus in the early 00's (2002?) were forced to sell Zidane, and used the money to rebuild their squad adding Thurham, Buffon and Nedved. They went on to win the title that year, ending a 3 year drought.
- Arsenal did a similar squad re-build when we sold Nicholas Anelka to Real Madrid and got Henry among others with those funds. If we actually buy 1 or 2 non injury prone mids, and a centreback (preferably two), we could be further ahead, as there is still lots of creativity going forward in this side. However there are no guarantees we would buy perfectly and adequately replace Cesc.
- Clearly Cesc is worth more than the reported 35 million + waiving of his "loyalty" bonus, especially in today's market. However with only one buyer, since he will refuse to go anywhere else, our hands are tied on getting a fair deal for him. Given the circumstances, this is the best we could hope for sadly. The player and his eventual new club have been working together it would seem and there's not much you can do about it.
- While getting less than market is not excused by anything (as you should always attempt to maximize your assets regardless of how little you paid), I can't help but feel better after remembering that we took him from Barca's academy for a minimal development fee (rumoured to be 2M after a tribunal stepped in) and are now selling him back at a massive fee. We could do worse than stealing Barca's youngsters for peanuts, getting 8 years of top notch service out of them, and then selling them back for 35 million. We should do this all the time as a means of raising 33 million every few years.
- Cesc is a top talent no doubt, but with Arsenal's attack first system I have no doubt other players could still create a lot of chances if given a shot. Perhaps not as much, but our defensive frailities are still the major problem in my eyes, not our forward prowess.
- Cesc was not someone who could lead you to honours. He again is a top talent and we are lesser off if we don't replace him, but looking at his appearance records he always seems to get hurt near the crunch time of seasons, and as such we only get 20-25 / 38 games from our best player. Your best players need to not be injured so much, a recurring problem with Arsenal. Perhaps a healthier replacement would actually benefit us, even if they aren't quite as good.
I am not saying I am happy with it, but I am not sure it is total doom if we sell him (and Nasri). I am taking a wait and see approach in regards to this transfer.
The team itself is screwed though, should we not address our more pressing needs of a centre back.
Wow, I'm actually feeling better about the squad after the match than before. I honestly thought that a full strength Arsenal would have possibly lost this morning but it took a sending-off for team 1B to fracture. There were a few positives to take from the match: i) after Frimpong found his stride the team were able to start looking like the Arsenal; ii) Vermaelen is absolutely solid and really is like a brand new CB; and iii) we don't need Nasri and will probably be better off replacing him, he had another chance to show he could replace Cesc but disappointed.
Nevertheless, there were also some negatives: i) at least at this point in time, Frimpong is prone to silly and red mist moments; ii) we are desperately lacking the necessary creativity in the middle; and iii) against an undoubted title challenger Vermaelen might not be enough. Anyway, it's not all despair over here. Maybe when you hit the bottom the only way is up...
__________________
“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
Wow, I'm actually feeling better about the squad after the match than before. I honestly thought that a full strength Arsenal would have possibly lost this morning but it took a sending-off for team 1B to fracture. There were a few positives to take from the match: i) after Frimpong found his stride the team were able to start looking like the Arsenal; ii) Vermaelen is absolutely solid and really is like a brand new CB; and iii) we don't need Nasri and will probably be better off replacing him, he had another chance to show he could replace Cesc but disappointed.
Nevertheless, there were also some negatives: i) at least at this point in time, Frimpong is prone to silly and red mist moments; ii) we are desperately lacking the necessary creativity in the middle; and iii) against an undoubted title challenger Vermaelen might not be enough. Anyway, it's not all despair over here. Maybe when you hit the bottom the only way is up...
I got up early to watch the match.
Liverpool have to be tighter with their passing, too many giveaways, and better clear-cut finishes. I didnt like the way that Dalglish didnt pair Suarez with either Carroll or Kuyt, but it worked out. Really, Arsenal had maybe two decent chances on goal the whole match and those the Frimpong shot that was easily saved and the RvP shot. Other than that, really happy with the Liverpool defending, it was just all about passing and finish.
As for Arsenal:
Vermaelen is money. He was a one-man back four and he did a great job neutralizing Carroll and always made the crucial tackle, I was impressed with him.
Arshavin didnt do anything really, poor passing, little movement.
Arsenal's biggest problems were the lack of creativity in midfield and really, empty jerseys out front, several times the wingers made good moves and crosses and there was no target man in the middle.
Overall, Liverpool werent great but Arsenal werent really a threat to score either. Once they get their players back from suspension and injury they'll be a lot better actually, I dont see all the doom and gloom from the Arsenal perspective.
I'll offer a caveat there though, if Vermaelen is injured for any significant amount of time, Arsenal are in real trouble. He was massive for them today.
As for Liverpool, they didnt play well but got 3 points anyways from a team expected to finish in the top 4 and thats what good teams have to do.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I can't believe Wenger has let the club become this vulnerable, the young kids were alright, but cripes they should be reserves not starters for supposed "big club". The season ticket holders must be losing it, wasn't building the Emirates essential for taking this team to the next level spending wise?
I can't believe Wenger has let the club become this vulnerable, the young kids were alright, but cripes they should be reserves not starters for supposed "big club". The season ticket holders must be losing it, wasn't building the Emirates essential for taking this team to the next level spending wise?
Maybe they meant in the year 3000 when Bendtner is just a head in a gefeltafish jar and they can sign Bender for cheap!
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Wenger would rather not sign a player at all, than sign someone for a big fee who he considers no better than what we have, the board have asked him to reconsider this stance, and that is why Cahill and Dann have been scouted this late in the window, Arsene sees them as not as good as Koscielny, and thinks it is the wrong way to use his budget, he wants better quality for the first 11, the board just want him to make signings to appease the fans.
Perhaps this is why the Supporter's Trust is open to giving Usmanov a seat on the board, loosen up the purse strings a bit?
Last edited by Montana Moe; 08-26-2011 at 10:08 PM.
The Official 2011/12 Thread for Arsenal F.C.
