Arsenal FC 2007/8

Cesc wrote:Team news:

Wenger has said that he will stick with Almunia in goal for tomorrows game with Bolton.

Gallas and Rosicky are back in the squad after layoffs.

Cesc wrote:Team news:

Wenger has said that he will stick with Almunia in goal for tomorrows game with Bolton.

Gallas and Rosicky are back in the squad after layoffs.

I See RedNWhite wrote:The obvious question is who do we buy in Jan who is NOT cup tied.

The Russian Mafiosi is not going to let Afinkeev come to us. There are a few Italian options but I am not totally sure of them.

What I wouldnt mind given that we reportedly have 70m in bank is to go after Gordon. 12m should do the trick, given that he will jump at the opportunity to come to us.

Parks lives wrote:Why would they sell Gordon for £12 million, when they paid £9 million in the summer?

There'd be f*cked if they sold Gordon as well.

Cesc wrote:The next four games after tomorrow should determine whether Lehmann stays or not. If he doesn't feature over those games then I think he will be getting in contact with his agent and be seriously considering a move back to Germany.

I wonder if Gilberto will win his place back in the team over the next few games.

Cesc wrote:Lehmann is a certainty. Gilberto I would rate as 50/50. He has been linked with moves to Juventus and Valencia over the past few weeks. With 12 months left on his contract this coming Summer and £5m touted as a possible offer, he may well leave.

Two experienced heads though, I think that would make Gallas the oldest player at an age of 30/31.

Tweedle wrote:

Cesc wrote:Lehmann is a certainty. Gilberto I would rate as 50/50. He has been linked with moves to Juventus and Valencia over the past few weeks. With 12 months left on his contract this coming Summer and £5m touted as a possible offer, he may well leave.

Two experienced heads though, I think that would make Gallas the oldest player at an age of 30/31.

It would hugely reduce our average squad age.

Thing is, by next summer we'll have about £70m for a transfer budget, but what the hell do we spend it all on if any?

We may need a keeper, which could cost up to £20m, but knowing Wenger will cost £1m and a bag of balls. Aside from that, is there anywhere that needs urgent treatment? We don't want to hamper the opportunities for our upcoming youngters. It may be worth siloing the money for stadium expansion.

I See RedNWhite wrote:
We need a proper winger for one. Ideal one would be someone who can left footed and can operate on both flanks and has an eye for the goal.

Hleb though has had a great season so far, but for some reason I am always reminded by his failures from last two seasons. So even if he leaves I won't be surprised (Assuming we get a winger).

Parks lives wrote:Surely you must see why Wenger doesn't use conventional wingers? So that he can get the best out of Fabregas.

If you played conventional wingers he'd have to play alot more defensively.

Parks lives wrote:Surely you must see why Wenger doesn't use conventional wingers? So that he can get the best out of Fabregas.

If you played conventional wingers he'd have to play alot more defensively.

jonathan de guzman wrote:Hleb is no winger. In fact we have no out and out wingers at all. We just have players who can play as a winger.

The absence of Robin van Persie means Eduardo will have the opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent place in the Arsenal line-up — starting on Saturday against Bolton.

The Croatian has been relatively quiet since signing from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer. He has two goals in seven appearances but has been struck down with a niggling groin injury in recent weeks.

It is ironic therefore that Van Persie’s knee problem — which is now expected to keep him out for four to six weeks - could open the door for the 24-year-old.

“Eduardo, it could be time for him,” said Wenger at Friday’s press conference. “He has started very well.”

In other team news for the weekend, William Gallas will start for the first time since August 19. Gilberto will be among the substitutes after the long trip back from Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Columbia. The fit-again Tomas Rosicky may join him there.

“Gilberto travelled last night so he will be on the bench,” said Wenger. “Tomas could be back on the bench too but I will decide that tomorrow.

“Gallas will start because he started with his national team. Senderos is out with a back injury.

“I feel Robin van Persie will be out for four to six weeks. I count six so hopefully I will not be disappointed.”

As revealed by Arsenal.com on Thursday, Manuel Almunia will retain his place. The fit-again Jens Lehmann will not be involved at all.

“He can go on the bench,” said the manager. “But for tomorrow I have decided to leave him out completely.”