Arsenal FC Summer 2008 Thread

Arsenal interested in Amauri.

Notes from Fridays manager press call:

Wenger is confident that Flamini will sign a new contract with the club, Flamini has told Wenger that he wants to stay but the end of April is the set deadline for notification on his future.

Wenger wants the make one or two "real quality" additions to his squad over the summer.

The club will NOT make a move for David Villa this summer. He wants to keep faith in Bendtner and Walcott's progression.

RE: Amauri

It just seems like a story by his agent to command more money from Juventus in the summer. Wenger would never spend £19m for a player, he is quality for Palermo but I think we need to be concentrating on other areas of the squad first.

Cesc wrote:RE: Amauri

It just seems like a story by his agent to command more money from Juventus in the summer. Wenger would never spend £19m for a player, he is quality for Palermo but I think we need to be concentrating on other areas of the squad first.

Although unlikely due to precedent, he is under probably the most pressure to deliver since hes been there, and if money is available (as has been suggested previously) he may pay top dollar for a top player... he himself comments on the 'one establihsed player' or whatever the exact words were...

We'll see i guess

Sounds like a not-so-thinly-disguised message to Wenger to invest significantly in the squad over the summer:

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3445440,00.html

i wouldn't be surprised to see cesc leaving this summer BUT if he stays then they defo need to win big next season or it'll defo be his last and thats ECL or EPL, the FA Cup will be irrelevant

Fabregas - My future belongs to Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas has once again re-iterated his commitment to Arsenal.

The midfielder's future came under scrutiny after he was interviewed following the 2-0 victory against Reading on Saturday afternoon. His response was emphatic.

"My future belongs to Arsenal, and it is the truth," he said. "I do not know why [it was brought up]. It is always the same with my situation, always putting my name in another team.

"I have always said I want to play for Arsenal, it is the best team I can be at, the best club for me. Before I even say anything, people put me in another club and I don't understand that.

"But I have always wanted to play for Arsenal."

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=490481&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Fabregas+-+My+future+belongs+to+Arsenal

money talks, and so do trophies

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:money talks, and so do trophies

So Aguero might as well not have joined Atletico? He could have developed at a smaller league whilst still winning things.

aguero = money
fab has the dough now he'll want trophies, end of.

Probably a bit premature but this has been discussed quite a bit. If Wenger was to retire(God forbid any time soon) as a lot of people are calling for who would replace him? Would it mean a change in philosophy? Change in personnel?

I've heard quite alot of Gooners saying that they'd like to bring both Bergkamp and Adams back in a coaching role. Obviously they are both young and still in the early stages but both would bring different qualities that can only benefit the team no?

said this last week, i thought adams should be back there sorting the defence out, on goonersweb nobody seemed to think it was a particularly good idea, personally given the lack of clean sheets somebody like that is a must, but wenger is too stubborn to admit it

Arsenal line up bid for Raul Albiol

Exclusive by Steve Stammers

Raul Albiol has emerged at the top of Arsene Wenger's summer shopping list.

The 22-year-old Valencia centre-back, who can also operate as a midfield holding player, has broken into the Spain side this season.

Albiol, who is rated in the £10million bracket, can provide the power Arsenal missed in the run-in to their trophy-less campaign.

He fits the Gunners' blueprint of emerging young players who manager Wenger can develop alongside the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie.

Wenger is ready to go Dutch and move for Ajax striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar. At 24, Huntelaar has already become a regular fixture in the Hoilland team. He has a lethal eye for goal that would help cover the loss of broken leg victim Eduardo.

Wenger has also been hugely impressed by the impact of Cardiff's 17-year-old midfield player Aaron Ramsey. The teenager has looked completely at ease during Cardiff's run to the FA Cup Final.

However, it appears Wenger is unlikely to move for a top-line keeper this summer. The suggestion inside Arsenal is that Manuel Almunia will be the major beneficiary of Jens Lehmann's departure.

Almunia will be No.1 with Lukas Fabianski his understudy.

Wenger will now scout the free transfer market to find an experienced third-choice keeper who could be relied on in an emergency - as he did two years ago with Mart Poom.

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/04/20/arsenal-line-up-bid-for-raul-albiol-98487-20388970/

Those who watch the Sunday Supplement show on SS1 know that Steve Stammers doesn't really have a clue. Good news for us then.

I can't see Wenger beating his record in signing a goalkeeper by spending more than £6m. But if he is going to look at the Bosman market, maybe he should be looking at Jussi Jaaskelainen. He has Premier League experience, the right age and available for nothing in a few months time. It would also allow him to spend more in other areas on the team.

I'm not so keen on Huntelaar either, if he leaves Ajax this summer you would think that he would prefer Italy or Spain.

RE: Tony Adams

Why would he leave a very good assistant managers role to become a defensive coach again. He has spoken in the past about how much he is enjoying working alongside Redknapp.

I hope those reports aren't true about Fabianski being our no 2 for next season. I haven't been impressed to be honest. I know it's too early to tell but still.....I hope we buy Frey and use Fabianski as a 3rd choice keeper.

I don't think we need defensive signings(I'm in the minority I know), what we've lacked the past 6-8 weeks is a well drilled defence that operates well as a unit. When a defence is operating well, players can come in and easily get the job done; Gallas missed some games at the start of the season - we didn't miss him, Toure missed a lot of games at the start of the year - we didn't miss him. Senderos came in and performed really well. We haven't been defending well as a team over the past few weeks, so i don't think we have personel problem in that area, hope we get someone like Keown in to help drill our defence. But if we were to buy any defender i hope we go for either Chiellini or Lescott ie someone good in the air who can perform well at CB and LB.

In midfield, we should do absolutely everything to keep Flamini. Gilberto has been a good servant, but he should go as he's only useful in a 3 man midfield. Hope we buy Zapater(a player i have liked for sometime) as his replacement. I haven't seen a lot of Zaragoza this season, so i don't know how he's been playing but he would be a fantastic addition to our squad. He can win the ball(very fierce in the tackle) - which is important to our game - he's comfortable in possession, got great technique, excellent distribution and the right attitude. In short, he's a player that can provide us what Flamini does; ability to win the ball coupled with fast and precise passing. He's also versatile as I saw him do well at RB a year ago. Cesc will help him settle in, they were team mates in the spanish youth teams. Denilson, Diaby(he should be played more in the middle next season), song will be the other back ups.

We are fine upfront imo; Ade, RVP, Bendtner(7 goals in 14 starts this season), Walcott, Eduardo and possibly Vela should be good enough strike force.

Arshavin for the wings please Arsene! or maybe Ashely Young?

I would like Ashely Young but he would cost a fortune. Arshavin would be nice.

I think our first choice defencive line up with everyone fit is perfectly good, but as has been shown through injuries and Toure's lack of form, we need better back ups. Song has looked good but i hardly want to have to take that gamble. I'll alao presume that Toure will geet back to his best after the summer break.

For the keeper Gomez wouldbe good also.

If Flamini and Hleb leave then...i really have no idea what to do...

If Flamini and Hleb leave, sign Barry.

kas wrote:If Flamini and Hleb leave, sign Barry.

Not combative enough to be honest. Good clever player but closer to Cesc than Flamnini really, just Barry plays slightly deeper than Cesc.

1. He can play left-sided like Hleb (not as creative, but more direct and may even score a goal every now and then).

2. He can partner Fabregas in a central midfield that should be fine for small or not very good teams.

3. He can provide the much needed depth for Fabregas as well as the LB position, in case of injuries.


But tbh this is all probably not worth discussing since Barry is an expensive English player.

Hlebadinho wrote:I would like Ashely Young but he would cost a fortune. Arshavin would be nice.

I think our first choice defencive line up with everyone fit is perfectly good, but as has been shown through injuries and Toure's lack of form, we need better back ups. Song has looked good but i hardly want to have to take that gamble. I'll alao presume that Toure will geet back to his best after the summer break.

For the keeper Gomez wouldbe good also.

If Flamini and Hleb leave then...i really have no idea what to do...

another 2 years of transition. God I hope not!

Yeah Gomez or Frey will do me fine.

what do u think of Senderos' performance in Toure's absence this season?

kas wrote:1. He can play left-sided like Hleb (not as creative, but more direct and may even score a goal every now and then).

2. He can partner Fabregas in a central midfield that should be fine for small or not very good teams.

3. He can provide the much needed depth for Fabregas as well as the LB position, in case of injuries.


But tbh this is all probably not worth discussing since Barry is an expensive English player.

don't u rate zapater kas?

I'd rather him.

Hlebtastic wrote:

kas wrote:1. He can play left-sided like Hleb (not as creative, but more direct and may even score a goal every now and then).

2. He can partner Fabregas in a central midfield that should be fine for small or not very good teams.

3. He can provide the much needed depth for Fabregas as well as the LB position, in case of injuries.


But tbh this is all probably not worth discussing since Barry is an expensive English player.

don't u rate zapater kas?

I'd rather him.

Zapater was very impressive last season, but he strikes me as a bit of a clumsy player...don't know if he'll be technically good enough to fit in Arsenal's midfield. Plus with Zaragoza's terrible performances this year, it's hard to know whether that's despite him, or his form last season was just a one-off.

Hlebtastic wrote:

Hlebadinho wrote:I would like Ashely Young but he would cost a fortune. Arshavin would be nice.

I think our first choice defencive line up with everyone fit is perfectly good, but as has been shown through injuries and Toure's lack of form, we need better back ups. Song has looked good but i hardly want to have to take that gamble. I'll alao presume that Toure will geet back to his best after the summer break.

For the keeper Gomez wouldbe good also.

If Flamini and Hleb leave then...i really have no idea what to do...

another 2 years of transition. God I hope not!

Yeah Gomez or Frey will do me fine.

what do u think of Senderos' performance in Toure's absence this season?

I still have more sympathy with big Phil than other people here, but with the amount of playing time he recieves at Arsenal, he'll never become good enoguh for top teams which is what he needs to be... I think its best for him to move to a mid table club to get some good playing time.

That said, i don't think he's been any worse than Toure since he returned from the ACON.

If Hleb leaves you still got Rosicky to LM and what about playing Song in CM?

Barry = Gilberto, but with better passing and goal threat.

Batman wrote:If Hleb leaves you still got Rosicky to LM and what about playing Song in CM?

Barry = Gilberto, but with better passing and goal threat.

Yes, but i do want to have a good team next year.

Gomes will cost at least £10m - £12m as he now has a contract until 2012 with PSV. I heard they have even brought in a Brazilian goalkeeping coach to keep him happy. It could be a very tricky task to get him.

As for Frey, I really rate him. But if Fiorentina achieve fourth spot in Serie A (I expect them to get it) then they will have no reason to sell unless it is for a silly amount.

Maybe Wenger will take a gamble on someone like Kirkland or Boruc.

I also think one of Djourou or Senderos will be out this summer. Song will remain as a CB & CM backup for next season.

Yes think he's been better than Toure and even Gallas since the turn of the year.

I hope we get Lescott or Chielini if Senderos left. We can always give clichy or any of of our CBs a breather with either of them in our squad.

kas wrote:

Hlebtastic wrote:

kas wrote:1. He can play left-sided like Hleb (not as creative, but more direct and may even score a goal every now and then).

2. He can partner Fabregas in a central midfield that should be fine for small or not very good teams.

3. He can provide the much needed depth for Fabregas as well as the LB position, in case of injuries.


But tbh this is all probably not worth discussing since Barry is an expensive English player.

don't u rate zapater kas?

I'd rather him.

Zapater was very impressive last season, but he strikes me as a bit of a clumsy player...don't know if he'll be technically good enough to fit in Arsenal's midfield. Plus with Zaragoza's terrible performances this year, it's hard to know whether that's despite him, or his form last season was just a one-off.

why do u think that? he passes the ball very well and can strike it well too, remember the goal he scored against u?

I also remember his run last season against villareal that resulted in gabi Milito goal, twas impressive!

Well it's tough to say really, since he's going from Zaragoza to Arsenal. Bit of a difference in the styles of both teams, even considering a Zaragoza in good form.

Arsenal moved to within three points of yet another Women's Premier League title with a 2-0 victory against Bristol Academy.

The Gunners had a helping hand from Birmingham City, whose 2-2 draw at Everton meant the loss of two points for the second-placed Toffees.

Is Ade the only player with a half decent chant in our team? FFS!

I miss The Vieira's and the "We love you Freddie cos you got Red hair"