Arsenal FC Summer 2008 Thread

its good they wont divulge how much, as otherwise like with chelsea fees get highly inflated based on what they can afford not what is a reasonable figure.

Net profit on transfers last summer?

Depends entirely on the much disputed fee for Eduardo.

only disputed by you saints, i think its been established that the croat was talking bollox

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:only disputed by you saints, i think its been established that the croat was talking bollox

It's disputed in that there are vastly different figures reported in the press, some as low as 6 million (unrealistic) and some as high as 16 (also unrealistic). Both figures are possible, but none of us really have a clue.

In some respects, even taking the Eduardo fee from the top end of the spectrum, it doesn't affect matters too much. We still either made a small profit or came close to breaking even during the summer, so it is not unreasonable to suspect that there should be some sort of 'roll over' this summer, and that slightly higher sums of money should be available. Even if it was £16m for Eduardo and £7m for Sagna, that is matched by selling Henry and Reyes, and considering we sold Ljungberg and a couple of minor squad players (and made a million or so on Diarra) we probably made at least a slight profit.

Fabianski

I've just been reading World Soccer magazine and they state that he's the most talented Polish GK of his generation!

That's quite a bold statement given how good Artur Boruc is!

Is he that good? If he is why has Wenger been reluctant to play him. Presumably, if he is better than Boruc, he'd be playing every week - and probably playing amazingly well!

I'm not sure. He has been ok, but hasn't really stood out for us in the Carling Cup (and was unsurprisingly nervous against Spurs at WHL). I haven't seen enough of him to judge. He played against Everton so I got the chance to see him play then, and he was mostly decent although he was very hesitant for one of their chances. He wasn't sure whether to stay on his line or rush out to the ball and didn't really do either, although he made a fine save in the end.

GERVINHO FLATTERED BY ARSENAL INTEREST

Le Mans forward Gervinho has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move to Arsenal.

The 20-year-old has been tracked by Arsene Wenger since his days in Ivory Coast and then at Belgian club Beveren - who had a co-operation agreement with Arsenal from 2001 to 2006.

Gervinho only moved to France last year but he has already become one of Le Mans' top performers and he is now attracting interest from some of Ligue 1's big hitters in the shape of Monaco, Marseille and Paris Saint Germain.

Arsenal were believed to have made the player an offer before he joined Le Mans and are now considering a renewed bid for the youngster - who is tipped for big things by compatriot Didier Drogba.

"If he is lucky with injuries, in the next two years he could be at the same level as Ronaldo, Messi, Nani - those top young players, he is so good," said Drogba.

Arsenal are no strangers to hiring Ivorian stars and Gervinho - who made his international debut at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year - is attracted by the possibility of a move to North London, where compatriots Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue already play, but he is not ruling out the possibility of remaining with Le Mans.

"To play for Arsenal would be fantastic," he said.

"Arsene Wenger is the best coach in the world, however I am fine in Le Mans and I am learning my football here.

"I am getting help from everyone and I am happy here and at the moment I still need to learn a lot - but things can change very quickly."

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3560183,00.html

I can't say I've ever seen him play before and I have no idea how reliable this story is.

Whats a shithole end of the season this is turning out to be.

Gervinho is alright, if pro evo is anything to go by.


But you've gotta wonder when Wenger will realise that he's got enough 16-21 year olds in the squad.

If he is going to impeded Mark Randall then f@ck him!

Sheffield gunner wrote:I'm not sure. He has been ok, but hasn't really stood out for us in the Carling Cup (and was unsurprisingly nervous against Spurs at WHL). I haven't seen enough of him to judge. He played against Everton so I got the chance to see him play then, and he was mostly decent although he was very hesitant for one of their chances. He wasn't sure whether to stay on his line or rush out to the ball and didn't really do either, although he made a fine save in the end.

Cheers.

The World Soccer contributors must know something that only a smattering of people, including him and Wenger, know about Fabianski.

Wenger has always said that he is a really talented goalkeeper ever since he joined us. The problem is, Wenger's history of signing goalkeepers is patchy at best. He was fortunate to have Seaman here when he arrived, so it wasn't something he had to address for a considerable time, and Lehmann has done a good job, but no one else who has arrived during his time has really impressed yet (aside from one brief spell for Manninger). I'm sure we will see more of him next season because at the moment I don't think Wenger will try to sign a goalkeeper this summer (but then again it is never easy predicting who Wenger will go for in the transfer window).

him and SAF alike re: GKs

Any idea if these newish comments re transfer funds is related to additional finance costs in relation to the stadium? eg variable interest rates, banks re-negotiating aspects of the deal, etc.

SAF didnt found Schmeichel already on the team rooster.

DS wrote:SAF didnt found Schmeichel already on the team rooster.

Bosnich, Taibi, Barthez - one real tap class GK in 22 years is hardly a good record

I don't know to be honest. I haven't checked the financial reports and figures in much detail. I don't know what the situation is in regard to properties sales and how that impacts our debt. With a downturn in the market currently they might be looking to buttress the finances a bit, in case property sales aren't up to their expected levels. Otherwise I can't understand how the finances could be unhealthy. They are, by all accounts, exceeding expectations in most areas, so they ought to be in a relatively strong position.

Dirty bastard! Schmeichel should leave those roosters alone.

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:

DS wrote:SAF didnt found Schmeichel already on the team rooster.

Bosnich, Taibi, Barthez - one real tap class GK in 22 years is hardly a good record

Hey! Jim - nae teeth - Leighton was pretty good. Then something happened one day.

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:

DS wrote:SAF didnt found Schmeichel already on the team rooster.

Bosnich, Taibi, Barthez - one real tap class GK in 22 years is hardly a good record

Barthez was excellent in first two years , Bosnich and Taibi were flops.
Still Peter Barthez and VDS cover most of his era so thats good buisness.

PATRICK VIEIRA warned Arsenal they must flash the cash to keep their best players — or face the consequences.

The club’s former skipper admits he is extremely worried fellow Frenchman Mathieu Flamini joined AC Milan on a free transfer with Emirates boss Arsene Wenger refusing to break the club’s strict wage structure.

To make matters worse, Alex Hleb wants to buy out his contract and join Vieira at Inter Milan, although he faces fierce opposition from Wenger.

And Real Madrid would love to take Cesc Fabregas — Arsenal’s brightest star — to the Bernabeu.

Vieira fears they could all go unless the Gunners start paying top wages. Speaking at a Ford Feel Football event, Vieira said: “Flamini is a big loss to Arsenal because he has been fantastic in the past two years.

“If they carry on losing players like that then it will be a worrying time for them.

“When young players like that are allowed to run through to the end of their contracts it means the offer from Arsenal wasn’t the best.

“That’s maybe why he decided to leave and you have to respect his decision. Arsenal have a really young team. I believe they should keep most of the players if they want to be better than last year.

“Flamini has left and I don’t know what’s going on with Hleb. When players see other players leave like that then of course they will ask what Arsenal want to do.

“If they want to compete with Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool they have to keep their best players and, if the best players leave, then people will question what Arsenal want to do in the future.

“I think all the younger players deserve a good contract and if Arsenal mean to keep them they should offer them a good contract.

“They have shown how good they are, they are committed to Arsenal and the club must show how important they are by offering them good contracts.

“I stayed loyal because Arsenal wanted to compete against the best teams in England and in Europe. My contract was good as well so I didn’t have any reason — either financial or sporting — to leave and other players deserve that as well.

“I don’t believe Wenger should buy big stars because I believe the Arsenal team at the moment is fantastic.

“But they need one or two key players with experience to help them through the big games.”

Vieira, 31, hoping to help Inter clinch the Serie A title this weekend, admits he is disappointed Arsenal — where he spent nine years — have won nothing this season.

He added: “Arsenal have played the best football in Europe this season and yet to win nothing is really disappointing.

“I have watched them this season and the way they were passing and moving was unbelievable. The people who love football, love watching Arsenal — but they did not win anything.

“They need more experience in the team and players with more experience for the crucial games. With players who have more experience, they would have been OK.

“Watching Arsenal in Milan makes it really disappointing, because to play like that and not reach the final is very hard.

“What Arsene Wenger has achieved in the last nine or 10 years has been fantastic. But when you don’t win trophies people begin to ask questions.

“But the club is in very good hands with Arsene, the quality of the players is still there and, of course, one more year together will give them more experience.”

Vieira also insists much-criticised William Gallas should remain as Gunners’ skipper.

He said: “I have spoken to William quite often and he has been hurt by all of the criticism he has received. But I think he has shown he is fully committed.

“He deserves to be Arsenal captain and I know he wants to be a successful captain.

“William is a really expressive player. He is very popular. Some players can keep their emotions inside, others can’t. But he is very popular in the French national team because he is expressive and we love him for that.

“If he loses the captaincy after one year he will go through the season questioning himself, where he went wrong, thinking people have lost their trust in him. It would be a big blow for him and also for the team.”

Yaya keen to join Kolo at Arsenal

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has admitted he would love to play alongside his brother Kolo in the Premier League at Arsenal.

The Gunners are being strongly linked with a move for the Ivory Coast enforcer - who could be surplus to requirements next year with Pep Guardiola taking over from Frank Rijkaard.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is no stranger to the younger Toure - indeed he spent time on trial at the club in 2002 but a deal was not struck and the Gunners' then Belgian feeder club Beveren sold him to Ukraine outfit Metalurg Donetsk.

Toure, 25, has since moved up and up through his career with Olympiakos, Monaco and now Barca.

A move to link-up with brother Kolo - who is a huge fan of his younger sibling - has always been mooted and now it appears a deal could be on the cards.

"I am aware of the interest from the Premier League," he told Skysports.

"But I can't say anything yet - however it would be great to play in a big team with my brother, it would be fantastic but you never know."

Toure admits it has been a difficult first season in Catalunya - with Barca failing to win any silverware.

"Our season was very difficult and for us it is very painful - we are winners and it is difficult," he continued.

"We have so many great players, we don't understand how we are so far behind Real Madrid.

"I want to let the fans know how much we care about this great team, it is the dream of all the players to wear the blaugrana shirt."

Guardiola is due to succeed Rijkaard in the summer and Spanish reports claim that this could be bad news for Toure - but he admits to being a fan of the Barca legend.

"He was one of my favourite players," he enthused.

"He is a playmaker in front of the defence, he plays football like it should be played - I loved watching him when I was in the academy learning my trade."

Hleb could move in 10 days - Agent

Alexander Hleb will not buy out his Arsenal contract - but is still set to leave for one of the world's biggest clubs, according to his agent.

The future of the Belarus winger has been the subject of much speculation ever since reports emerged of secret talks with Inter Milan, allegedly held while he was in the Italian city ahead of Arsenal's Champions League game against rivals AC Milan at the San Siro.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was less than impressed by public comments which followed from the Serie A club expressing thier interest in a player under contract, and even went as far as threatening to report them to FIFA.

Hleb's agent Nikolai Shpilevski last week added further fuel to the flames, claiming his client was "leaving Arsenal - there's no way back now".

However, Wenger had warned any player who was contemplating the termination of their contract under the 'Webster clause' that the process was not as straightforward as it had been made out, with the risk of being banned while the dispute was resolved through arbitration.

Yet it appears Hleb, signed from Stuttgart in June 2005 in a £12million deal, is considering his options.

The 27-year-old - who missed the final three games of the Premier League through suspension - admits he is "not a big city man", and may be looking for a move for other than footballing reasons.

With Wenger keen to get his squad shaped for the new campaign as quickly as possible - having already seen midfielder Mathieu Flamini walk away to join AC Milan on a free transfer - the situation is likely to be resolved sooner rather than later.

However, any transfer would, according to Hleb's representative, be conducted in the usual manner.

Shpilevski told Russian website Sports: "Alexander understands perfectly well that he plays for a great team, but the moment has come where he needs to make a choice.

"Hleb has been playing in London for three years now and isn't sure whether in the future he can show the level of talent that he is showing currently.

"I can only confirm that some of the world's biggest clubs are interested in him.

"In any case I can say simply that Alexander will not buy out the remaining part of his five-year contract for a fixed sum of his sale.

"Hleb is a gentleman and will not stoop to that level. Everything will be done properly.

"I am sure that the situation surrounding this issue will finally be resolved in the next 10 days."

Shpilevski added: "There are no problems with regard to his playing opportunities.

"Alexander is just tired of the noisy and chaotic life in the British capital and feels like living in calmer surroundings."

In a separate interview with Belarus newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, Shpilevski stressed: "If any clubs want to add Hleb to their ranks then they should hold talks with Arsenal.

"Nobody is hiding the fact that a player of Hleb's class is of interest to all teams, including Barcelona and Real (Madrid).

"But the subject of a transfer to Inter has been going round and round for over for a year now. It's a normal occurrence."

While Hleb refused to be drawn on his own future, the Belarus winger revealed one potential reason why he may be thinking about a move.

"I am not a big city man, I need my retreat - that is why I am often in Germany. Stuttgart is my second home, my friends are there and it is where I feel most comfortable," Hleb told German website Transfermarkt.

Hleb, though, noted: "There is a lot of speculation about me, and I will not be making statements on this and stirring it up further."

The former Stuttgart midfielder added he "owed a lot" to the faith of Wenger.

Hleb said: "It was not bad for me personally over the last season and I have got quite a lot of praise - but I am very tough on myself, there is always something to improve.

"If you think you have satisfied everything, that is your first mistake.

"But I do not make public my errors - my strengths and weaknesses are for others to judge."

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_3560883,00.html

Hleb: London is too noisy

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1160073.ece

ALEX HLEB has given a pathetic excuse for his Arsenal transfer demand — London is too NOISY.

The Belarus star, 27, is a target for Inter Milan and claims he wants to quit the Emirates this summer because he hates life in the capital.

Arsene Wenger has threatened to make him rot in the reserves rather than let him go to Italy.

But Hleb insisted: “I’m not a big city man, I need my retreat, that’s why I’m often in Germany.

“Stuttgart is my second home, my friends are there and it is where I feel most comfortable.”

His agent Nikolai Shpilevski said: “Alex is tired of the noisy and chaotic life in London and feels like living in calmer surroundings.”

Is Milan going to be much different?

i must say i understand his sentiments. never found madrid anywhere near as bad as london

It is from the Sun so I wouldn't be throwing too much seriousness at it.


And yeah, I would have thought Milan (being in a second world country and all) would be a bit quieter than London. London's a disorganised, overpopulated mess of a city.

Ade Mascherano wrote:Yaya keen to join Kolo at Arsenal

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has admitted he would love to play alongside his brother Kolo in the Premier League at Arsenal.

The Gunners are being strongly linked with a move for the Ivory Coast enforcer - who could be surplus to requirements next year with Pep Guardiola taking over from Frank Rijkaard.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is no stranger to the younger Toure - indeed he spent time on trial at the club in 2002 but a deal was not struck and the Gunners' then Belgian feeder club Beveren sold him to Ukraine outfit Metalurg Donetsk.

Toure, 25, has since moved up and up through his career with Olympiakos, Monaco and now Barca.

A move to link-up with brother Kolo - who is a huge fan of his younger sibling - has always been mooted and now it appears a deal could be on the cards.

"I am aware of the interest from the Premier League," he told Skysports.

"But I can't say anything yet - however it would be great to play in a big team with my brother, it would be fantastic but you never know."

Toure admits it has been a difficult first season in Catalunya - with Barca failing to win any silverware.

"Our season was very difficult and for us it is very painful - we are winners and it is difficult," he continued.

"We have so many great players, we don't understand how we are so far behind Real Madrid.

"I want to let the fans know how much we care about this great team, it is the dream of all the players to wear the blaugrana shirt."

Guardiola is due to succeed Rijkaard in the summer and Spanish reports claim that this could be bad news for Toure - but he admits to being a fan of the Barca legend.

"He was one of my favourite players," he enthused.

"He is a playmaker in front of the defence, he plays football like it should be played - I loved watching him when I was in the academy learning my trade."

Nice bit of $h!t-stirring from Sky Sports. Mundo Deportivo have retaliated with an exclusive interview with Adebayor, who says, "nobody could say no to a club like Barça"

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/web/gen/20080514/noticia_53464292498.html

Yaya would be a great signing. I think he'd thrive in the EPL.

Arsenal need a player like Yaya.

Alternative DMCs:

Hamsik

Fellaini

Gattuso

Alou Diarra

Keita

Pablo Ledesma

Bodmer

Poulsen

Tymoschuk

Emana

Kivuvu

Romaric - sort out your LHS problem too.

Lucas Biglia

Fernando - Bordeaux

From that list, i like the look of Bodmer the most, even if he is slightly more attacking than Flamini was.

Biglia is more of a playmaker than a defensive midfielder, gifted player though.

And Felliani is a beast, but probably needs to develop a bit more.