Arsenal FC Summer 2008 Thread

Hlebadinho wrote: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.

Felliani is a beast! I watched him destroy a team in the air! His heading ability in the opponents box was something else!

I like Hamsik, but he drives forward at every opportunity. He's more like a deep AMC.

Is Bodmer still considered a DMC?

I think he can play in nearly all the positions through the centre. He's played DC, DMC, MC, and AMC.

I'm not sure where's he playing with Lyon.

I thought he was playing as an AMC for the most part. Very stylish player, could be at an exceptionally big club if he had the greed/ambition.

Didn't Pierre and some of the French posters say his best position is as an attacking midfielder. He's not the same player when played as a DM.

Would you land Eto'o if you could? Seems he's looking to move to England...

Luso wrote:Would you land Eto'o if you could? Seems he's looking to move to England...

What a silly question.

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:

Luso wrote:Would you land Eto'o if you could? Seems he's looking to move to England...

What a silly question.

I am expecting more than a 'yes' or 'no' answer... there'll be some insight you know... not everyone thinks the same.

I could always state that I'd sign him for Arsenal, but then I'd just be talking to myself now wouldn't I?

Under normal circumstances yes but none of our strikers are likely to leave and considering we already have Carlos Vela coming in next season there really is no need for him.

Luso wrote:

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:

Luso wrote:Would you land Eto'o if you could? Seems he's looking to move to England...

What a silly question.

I am expecting more than a 'yes' or 'no' answer... there'll be some insight you know... not everyone thinks the same.

I could always state that I'd sign him for Arsenal, but then I'd just be talking to myself now wouldn't I?

I'm sorry Luso but after spending so much time looking at your Avatar you develop some higher standards - Especially coming from you, a fantastic and eloquent poster.

Luso wrote:Would you land Eto'o if you could? Seems he's looking to move to England...

The only way that would happen is if AC Milan or Barcelona came up with a substantial offer for Adebayor.

Very unlikely it has to be said. I personally think he is off to Inter.

CLICHY READY TO SIGN ON
____________

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has revealed he is on the brink of signing a new four-year deal with the club.

Clichy has made the left-back role at the Emirates Stadium his own following Ashley Cole's departure Chelsea in 2006.

And some solid performances this season - where he was the only player to feature in every single one of Arsenal's Barclays Premier League games - won him a place in the PFA team of the year.

The 22-year-old has attracted interest from the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid, but insists he wants to remain in north London.

"We're at the end of our discussions," Clichy told www.francefootball.fr. "Everything's going well because my intention is clear: I want to stay at Arsenal.

"I would love to have a career here like Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, to stay many years at Arsenal and leave my mark on the club.

"I've been in London for five years. If everything goes well I will stay here for at least eight years."

Clichy's current contract expires in 2010, a year before boss Arsene Wenger's, and the youngster claims his manager was a major factor in his decision to extend his deal.

"We're talking about a further two years," Clichy added. "And in that period, the coach will still be at the club.

"It's him who brought me here; it's him who built this young team.

"It's a superb plan to throw yourself into the future with this group here.

"I never hesitated, not at all. Arsenal is one of the great clubs in Europe.

"For youngsters it's ideal, the coach gets our career's going, gives us confidence. We're playing in a passionate championship, the best in the world. So there's everything together."

Out-of-contract midfielder Mathieu Flamini has already opted to sign for AC Milan and Alex Hleb has been persistently linked with a move to rivals Inter, but Clichy insists he never had any thoughts of doing the same.

Despite all the disappointments this season, which saw the young Gunners set the pace at the top of the Premier League only for their challenge to fade over the closing weeks along with any European dreams, the Frenchman is in no doubt they will be stronger for the experience.

"Everyone makes their own decision," continued Clichy. "I respect Mathieu's choice - AC Milan isn't an opportunity that comes around often.

"But it's not because this one or that one is going that I'm going to follow them.

"Even if it's possible to experience great things elsewhere, in other leagues, I am persuaded that with our team we can go very, very far.

"It's been a very frustrating season. We were good for seven months, with attractive football and results and were giving good performances in the Champions League.

"Then in two or three matches, we were beaten.

"But we can use all that for next season. It mustn't be forgotten that we have certainly the youngest team in the Premier League."

http://football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3569152,00.html

Wenger moves to bring Vela into the Arsenal fold

Arsenal have firmed up their desire to bring Carlos Vela into the first-team squad next season by applying for a work permit.

The 19-year-old striker is currently on loan at Spanish side Osasuna but Arsène Wenger has consistently suggested he would bring the Mexican into the fold at the end of the summer. Speaking ahead of the last weekend, the manager revealed the Club were taking the necessary steps to make that happen.

"We have applied for a work permit for him now," said Wenger. "And he will be involved with the first-team next season.

"He has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left wing and he had to work hard there. But for me it is not his position he is a central striker, an Eduardo type."

Osasuna certainly need a poacher for their final game of the season. With one game to play they are a point above the relegation places. Only a victory at home at Racing Santander on Sunday can guarantee they stay up.

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=491323&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Wenger+moves+to+bring+Vela+into+the+Arsenal+fold

Maybe this is the new signing that Wenger was talking about bringing in within the next two to three weeks.

It will be interesting to see Vela in England next season, I wonder at what level of involvement he will have?

I thought we would be using him as a reserve winger but it seems Wenger has other ideas. Although saying that we used Eduardo as a wide player a number of times.

Good news on Clichy, professionals like him deserve to be rewarded for their loyalty to the club.

I think you could be right re. Vela as a 'new signing' .....very good news on Clichy, I'd have been far more annoyed and worried if he went rather than Flams or Hleb. As long as we can keep hold of the likes of him, Cesc, Sagna, VanP, Walcott, and Ade (for a few more seasons anyway) we'll be OK.

So Arsene sees him as a striker? Do we not have enough already.

Play him on the wings. We can then have Rosicky/Vela/Walcott/Hleb?? and maybe someoen like Randall

England Under 21s secured a comfortable 2-0 friendly victory over Wales at the Racecourse Ground on Thursday.

Senior boss Fabio Capello was in the stands to watch England brush aside Wales as a penalty from Tom Huddlestone opened the scoring before the excellent Theo Walcott netted a second before half-time.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3570926,00.html

The goal was a deflection but he still worked well in the build up. He played as a right winger today, I think we should continue to use him there next season. Even by Wengers own admission he still isn't physically ready to start as a striker yet.

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:

Luso wrote:

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:

Luso wrote:Would you land Eto'o if you could? Seems he's looking to move to England...

What a silly question.

I am expecting more than a 'yes' or 'no' answer... there'll be some insight you know... not everyone thinks the same.

I could always state that I'd sign him for Arsenal, but then I'd just be talking to myself now wouldn't I?

I'm sorry Luso but after spending so much time looking at your Avatar you develop some higher standards - Especially coming from you, a fantastic and eloquent poster.

Compliments from one's peers is always so rewarding

Just trying to get the ball rolling Parma, no point being on here if ther'es nothing to post about right?

Actually, having posted the same question to Liverpool & Utd fans, it seems neither of them is interested either...where's Eto'o off to then?

Chelsea would seem the only logical choice based on the supporters' reactions... unless the unthinkable happens and he really does pop up at Spurs... nahh.

BTW, didn't ask you guys, but would you be at all interested in Quaresma for next season?

I've been making the rounds trying to find him a new club, but it seems to be dificult work finding any takers.

You guys need to watch the Portuguese League more often...

Luso wrote:

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:

Luso wrote:

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:

Luso wrote:Would you land Eto'o if you could? Seems he's looking to move to England...

What a silly question.

I am expecting more than a 'yes' or 'no' answer... there'll be some insight you know... not everyone thinks the same.

I could always state that I'd sign him for Arsenal, but then I'd just be talking to myself now wouldn't I?

I'm sorry Luso but after spending so much time looking at your Avatar you develop some higher standards - Especially coming from you, a fantastic and eloquent poster.

Compliments from one's peers is always so rewarding

Just trying to get the ball rolling Parma, no point being on here if ther'es nothing to post about right?

Actually, having posted the same question to Liverpool & Utd fans, it seems neither of them is interested either...where's Eto'o off to then?

Chelsea would seem the only logical choice based on the supporters' reactions... unless the unthinkable happens and he really does pop up at Spurs... nahh.

Call me BM.

Liverpool fans want a sidekick for Torres. United fans want a big targetman and that would be a different option to Tevez and Rooney. And Arsenal, well a striker is the least of our worries right now. Especially a high profile one, this is Wenger we are talking about.

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:
Call me BM.

Liverpool fans want a sidekick for Torres. United fans want a big targetman and that would be a different option to Tevez and Rooney. And Arsenal, well a striker is the least of our worries right now. Especially a high profile one, this is Wenger we are talking about.

BM, right... seeing as I couldn't remember your usual tag, Parma was the only way I could catch your attention.

Quaresma, with a Wenger, could actually be a good thing... although your right when you mention other problems... which makes me think they could be after my Miguel Veloso

Here's to upsets; lossing to two eventual Champions in the CL is better than being knocked-out by nobodies

Parma!

Cesc Soler wrote:

England Under 21s secured a comfortable 2-0 friendly victory over Wales at the Racecourse Ground on Thursday.

Senior boss Fabio Capello was in the stands to watch England brush aside Wales as a penalty from Tom Huddlestone opened the scoring before the excellent Theo Walcott netted a second before half-time.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3570926,00.html

The goal was a deflection but he still worked well in the build up. He played as a right winger today, I think we should continue to use him there next season. Even by Wengers own admission he still isn't physically ready to start as a striker yet.

Wenger didn't say he wasn't physically ready, he said he drifted out of games too much (to play as a central striker).

Regardless, another good performance from Walcott for the U21s. He needs to start playing with that sort of confidence and consistency for his club if he intends to go anywhere internationally.

Luso wrote:

PARMA! PARMA! PARMA!!! wrote:
Call me BM.

Liverpool fans want a sidekick for Torres. United fans want a big targetman and that would be a different option to Tevez and Rooney. And Arsenal, well a striker is the least of our worries right now. Especially a high profile one, this is Wenger we are talking about.

BM, right... seeing as I couldn't remember your usual tag, Parma was the only way I could catch your attention.

Quaresma, with a Wenger, could actually be a good thing... although your right when you mention other problems... which makes me think they could be after my Miguel Veloso

Here's to upsets; lossing to two eventual Champions in the CL is better than being knocked-out by nobodies

Parma!

hands up if you want Thuram

IMO he'd ruin your defence, which is reliant on it's athleticism. The teams performances with Senderos in the side prove that. How does Flamini look when Sendeross is playing?

The Kompany rumours make more sense since he is a 'Wenger type of player' but £20m isn't Wenger type of money.

I bought a 17 yo CB from Cameroon for Ascoli on Fifa, I'm sure Wenger can steal us a little nugget as well.

What's Arsenal's biggest transfer fee?

Just trying to understand if Wenger would actually be willing to spend the 30M Euros on Miguel Veloso stipulated in his contract.

You are in need of a quality DM...

In terms of a single payment it is Sylvain Wiltord for £13m in 2000. However the Jose Antonio Reyes deal in early 2004 was said to be worth £17.5m, the initial fee was £10.5m. It is unknown at whether any of the conditional payments were met.

Paulo Barbosa (his agent) has said that two clubs are close to meeting the players buyout valuation set at £20m.

I'm unsure if we are one of the clubs to be honest, over the last few years we have become a club that is constantly linked with transfer speculation due to the rebuilding of the squad. Having said that I think he would fit the bill to complement Fabregas, another player I would like is Toulalan.

Will Man Utd have a say where he ends up assuming they don't make a bid for him? I know you have a strong partnership.

Is the Cesc Fabregas show starting next Monday? I hope Adebayor is the first guest on the show.

Yeah Monday the 19th, Its only a one off show.

From what I understand Wenger, Bendtner & Senderos were his only guests from Arsenal.

Probably makes sense as Adebayor is sponsored by Adidas and this is a Nike run show, still he would have been a funny guest. Don't want to criticise him, but the acting for the trailer .. could be better.

Cesc Soler wrote:In terms of a single payment it is Sylvain Wiltord for £13m in 2000.

16 for Eduardo, no?