Arsenal FC - Summer 2009 Thread

TheCrazy58 wrote:

L-r d wrote:

TheCrazy58 wrote:

Ballack wrote:
Bendtner will never be Arsenal standard, he's a midtable player at most.

Name another 21 year old with a PL club who's scored 14 goals this season.

He's played 46 games ffs

27 starts

Gabriel Agbonlahor. 38 starts, 13 goals.

Actually he's older too - 22 going on 23.

Im aware of the starts but does that mean he hasn't scored when he's come on as a sub? Probably not. He's been a sub 19 times so he's had enough minutes to score in them even if he hasn't. Plus look at yesterday Arshavin won a pen and Bendther scored it as far as i know Agbonlahor doesn't take pens.

So weird comparison

L-r d wrote:

TheCrazy58 wrote:

L-r d wrote:

TheCrazy58 wrote:

Ballack wrote:
Bendtner will never be Arsenal standard, he's a midtable player at most.

Name another 21 year old with a PL club who's scored 14 goals this season.

He's played 46 games ffs

27 starts

Gabriel Agbonlahor. 38 starts, 13 goals.

Actually he's older too - 22 going on 23.

Im aware of the starts but does that mean he hasn't scored when he's come on as a sub? Probably not. He's been a sub 19 times so he's had enough minutes to score in them even if he hasn't. Plus look at yesterday Arshavin won a pen and Bendther scored it as far as i know Agbonlahor doesn't take pens.

So weird comparison

One thing I would say is that AW usually makes his substitutions much later than most other managers, in the last 10 - 15 minutes or so - often far too late to make a difference IMO That said Bentdner scored the winner vs Spurs last season after coming on in the last 10 minutes.

I find Bentdner as frustrating as any next gooner but I think he gets a rough press from Arsenal fans as well as others.

@debaser, Bentdner isn't our normal pen taker. It's either vanP or Ade. I think yesterday was the first time I've seen him do it (did he do it vs Roma? can't remember)

That takes me back to the point re Arshavin - I would have thought he'd be the natural pen taker but maybe he didn't yesterday because he didn't think it was fair.

TheCrazy58 wrote:
@debaser, Bentdner isn't our normal pen taker. It's either vanP or Ade. I think yesterday was the first time I've seen him do it (did he do it vs Roma? can't remember)

I didn't mention pens. I did make the most excellent and well-researched point that while Bendtner may have better goals per start rate than Agbonlahor, his stats are bumped by the fact that he predominantly starts against the weakest opposition you face - and arguably, aside from maybe 2 goals in Europe, he hasn't scored against any good teams

Oh sorry it was meant for Lerd Not really concentrating.

I take your point but as Bentdner isn't in a position to choose when he starts, you can't put the fact that he's scored against weaker opposition against him. Surely what counts is he has been probably more effective than people think when he has been given the chance.

This should be a good read. Put your orders in now

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/article2409688.ece

JENS LOOPY・LEHMANN, admittedly as good a keeper as he was bad, has delayed the release of his autobiography Why Me?

The former Arsenal star, now at Stuttgart, says it will give away too many of his techniques. So tell us again, Jens, what was the secret of your red card against Barcelona after 17 minutes of the Champions League Final in 2006?

[quote="The Professor"]WENGER WANTS TO SEE ENJOYMENT

Arsene Wenger has called on his Arsenal players to enjoy the crunch Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United and produce the performance needed to keep their European dream alive.

The Gunners should be fresh for the all-or-nothing showdown with the European Cup holders, who will take a slender 1-0 advantage to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, after Wenger made eight changes for the Barclays Premier League trip to Portsmouth where his youngsters ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.

Arsenal failed to stretch United at Old Trafford, with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia turning in an inspired display to give his team-mates a fighting chance of still reaching Rome.

While accepting his side have to rise to the challenge against Sir Alex Ferguson's men, the Arsenal manager also knows playing their own natural game will be key.

"Football is enjoyment first, no matter what is at stake," Wenger said.

"You can only play well if you enjoy what you do and enjoy the level of the game, to enjoy the game we love."

Wenger continued: "I believe the semi-final away from home is the most difficult game in the Champions League competition because you are 90 minutes away from the Champions League final.

"That is what we have to produce on Tuesday night - the game worthy of a semi-final. We have to make it hard for them.

"We will not win with 11 players. You win it with 14 players.

"No matter who starts, what is important is that everybody is focused so they can come on and help the team to qualify."

Striker Nicklas Bendtner will have done his case for a place in the starting XI no harm at all after a strong display at Fratton Park, scoring the opening goal - with a bit of help from England keeper David James - and a well-dispatched penalty.

Arsenal's leading scorer Robin van Persie faces a race against time to be fit from a niggling groin problem, and so Wenger accepts team selection will rest somewhat on the options at his disposal.

"We looked more comfortable with 4-4-2 and it looked more threatening, but it also depends on who is available," the Arsenal manager said.

"However, when you play [Theo] Walcott on the right you play more 4-3-2-1.

"He is a winger not a midfielder, so you have to balance the side to be a bit more defensive.

"Also, when [Cesc] Fabregas plays behind the striker, the striker looks to be a little isolated so you have to get the balance of the team right."

England forward Theo Walcott, Bacary Sagna and Alex Song - who dropped back to the centre of defence - were the only survivors from Old Trafford.

Wenger maintains 20-year-old Walcott will be one of his key weapons again on Tuesday.

"I wanted to win the game against Portsmouth, and when you are 19 or 20 years old you can recover in three days," he said.

"I gave Theo a good breather and took him off with 25 minutes to go. That was just perfect for him and he will not be fazed on Tuesday night."

Arsenal are now sure of another top four finish following an unbeaten 21-match run in the Barclays Premier League.

While that is something of an achievement in itself given the Gunners' inconsistent opening to the campaign, Wenger has not yet ruled out overtaking Chelsea to gain automatic qualification into next season's Champions League.

"We play Chelsea, they won again and of course it will be short now," said Wenger, his side six points behind with three to play.

"We have to beat them, they have to draw another game - but we will try."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/05/03/SOCCER_Arsenal_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer

-----------------------------------

Those who want us to play normal 4-4-2 with a player like Walcott(Arshavin) on the wing should take note.

Reading from those quotes, I doubt we'll see Cesc off the main striker on Tuesday.[/quote

Arsenal boss Wenger rules out Blackburn's Santa Cruz
04.05.09 | tribalfootball.com
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has ruled out competing for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz in the summer.

Wenger said: "We are not interested in anyone at all. We have a strong squad.

"Next season we will have Andrey Arshavin available for European matches.

"Why would I want more?"

Wise move Arsene, good player but rivals van Persie when it come to time on the treatent table. I we are in the market for a striker this summer I would much prefer this guy anyway:



Also I read that Overmars broke his leg yesterday in a professional match. I thought he retired in 2004/05!

I think the best thing about this summer is that (unless a key player leaves) we are settled in a number of areas. We don't need new strikers or attacking midfielders. We look well covered for full-backs and have a goalkeeper who has improved again this season, so we can focus on getting a central defender or central midfielder to improve our options there.

The only possible key summer departures I think are Gallas and Ade. Gallas I think would rather see out his contract and then leave for free next year for a good final package which he should be able to find in Europe. Ade - there's talk about Milan again but I think that's contingent on a lot of ifs and buts at Milan and I can't see them paying what should be our asking price (£20mil +) on this season's form.

Otherwise, I don't know what we'll do with Traore and Senderos when they come back. And Rosicky.

No departures please(except for Senderos replacing Silvestre, but that's a defender replacing a pretender, so it doesn't count) . We need stability otherwise we'll forever be rebuilding.

Keep the squad together, bring in 1 or 2 players and we'll be set.

The Professor wrote:No departures please(except for Senderos replacing Silvestre, but that's a defender replacing a pretender, so it doesn't count) . We need stability otherwise we'll forever be rebuilding.

Keep the squad together, bring in 1 or 2 players and we'll be set.

But let me guess, nothing even resembling a defensive player or a player with a strong mentality or great athletic ability...?

Stimulus Package wrote:

The Professor wrote:No departures please(except for Senderos replacing Silvestre, but that's a defender replacing a pretender, so it doesn't count) . We need stability otherwise we'll forever be rebuilding.

Keep the squad together, bring in 1 or 2 players and we'll be set.

But let me guess, nothing even resembling a defensive player or a player with a strong mentality or great athletic ability...?

Who needs those things when you can play short fast passing moves so much better than everyone else? Football is, after all, only about a single tactic and a single style of play

Stimulus Package wrote:

The Professor wrote:No departures please(except for Senderos replacing Silvestre, but that's a defender replacing a pretender, so it doesn't count) . We need stability otherwise we'll forever be rebuilding.

Keep the squad together, bring in 1 or 2 players and we'll be set.

But let me guess, nothing even resembling a defensive player or a player with a strong mentality or great athletic ability...?

I don't know how much money is available for Wenger to spend after buying Arshavin in the January transfer window. Our top priority should IMO be a top class CB who is dominant in the air and has got good recovery pace. Then I'd spend whatever is left on an experienced CM ie someone who can partner any of our CMs without us becoming too offensive or too defensive through the middle. I'm thinking of someone like Ledesma. Barry at Villa wouldn't be a bad idea either.

I would agree that Gallas would want to stay another season and see out the last year/s of his contract. He may be alot of things but he is certainly a proud man that will want to leave Arsenal with his head held high. Being part of a team that wins a trophy would certainly go towards that.

Gibbs has had a decent breakthough into the first team squad this year, he was also one of the better players in the FA Cup Semi Final and also the first leg of the CL Semi Final. For me he should be the one pushing Clichy next season, Traore is surplus to requirements.

Silvestre should be sent back to France to see out his career, but I can't see Wenger doing that. For me I would sell Senderos too and maybe bring in a prospect. Players like Bassong/Sakho have been mentioned as possible targets recently.

Rosicky is in his last year of his contract next season isn't he?

I said you should go for Barry last summer, when Liverpool were in

Not sure if Wenger will fancy him, but it would make a lot of sense as a signing - particularly as I'm not sure Liverpool will be back in for him

How much do u think he'd cost in the summer Debaser?

Cesc Soler wrote:
Rosicky is in his last year of his contract next season isn't he?

He is I think.

Should be his last chance to prove his fitness.

The Professor wrote:How much do u think he'd cost in the summer Debaser?

Not sure how it works really, as he'll have only one yr left on contract. But O'Neill has indicated he'll be willing to sell, so certainly won't be as much as we were asking last summer. Maybe somewhere in £8-10m?

debaser wrote:

The Professor wrote:How much do u think he'd cost in the summer Debaser?

Not sure how it works really, as he'll have only one yr left on contract. But O'Neill has indicated he'll be willing to sell, so certainly won't be as much as we were asking last summer. Maybe somewhere in £8-10m?

That is good for someone of his quality and experience.

Think Rafa's obsession with Barry isn't over and if Villa would let him go for £8 - 10mil Liverpool'd bite their hand off.

The Professor wrote:

debaser wrote:

The Professor wrote:How much do u think he'd cost in the summer Debaser?

Not sure how it works really, as he'll have only one yr left on contract. But O'Neill has indicated he'll be willing to sell, so certainly won't be as much as we were asking last summer. Maybe somewhere in £8-10m?

That is good for someone of his quality and experience.

Indeed. As I say, I'm not really sure how much being in the last year of contract will affect things.

Not that I'm trying to tout our players, but Petrov would be another
who could probably do the role you're talking about. He too is running
out of contract next summer, but hopefully will sign a new one.

8-10m is quite low, I don't think he'll be that cheap. 12-14m sounds more likely.

Also, I can definitely see Liverpool being in for him again, esp. if the rumours about Madrid being interested in Xabi Alonso are true. Liverpool can easily fool them into paying 20m euros or more for Alonso.

Check the player of the year thread, I picked Alonso and Petrov as the players who impressed me the most. I like Petrov

kas wrote:8-10m is quite low, I don't think he'll be that cheap. 12-14m sounds more likely.

Also, I can definitely see Liverpool being in for him again, esp. if the rumours about Madrid being interested in Xabi Alonso are true. Liverpool can easily fool them into paying 20m euros or more for Alonso.

I give it five minutes before an outraged Pool fan comes on and says Xabi is priceless, and that 20m would be a bargain.

The Professor wrote:Check the player of the year thread, I picked Alonso and Petrov as the players who impressed me the most. I like Petrov

I hope Wenger doesn't think like you, as I want him to stay at Villa

kas wrote:8-10m is quite low, I don't think he'll be that cheap. 12-14m sounds more likely.

Also, I can definitely see Liverpool being in for him again, esp. if the rumours about Madrid being interested in Xabi Alonso are true. Liverpool can easily fool them into paying 20m euros or more for Alonso.

He'll be on his last year of his contract I think, and has been loyal to Villa for a number of years, so I doubt they'll begrudge him a move to a club that's in the CL. If Alonso stays(highly likely he will, given his performances this season), what other CL clubs will be in for him in the summer? can't think of any.

kas wrote:8-10m is quite low, I don't think he'll be that cheap. 12-14m sounds more likely.

Also, I can definitely see Liverpool being in for him again, esp. if the rumours about Madrid being interested in Xabi Alonso are true. Liverpool can easily fool them into paying 20m euros or more for Alonso.

Alonso will never play for Madrid surely. He might for Barca having grown up in Barcelona but never for a 'Spanish' team like Madrid.

debaser wrote:

kas wrote:8-10m is quite low, I don't think he'll be that cheap. 12-14m sounds more likely.

Also, I can definitely see Liverpool being in for him again, esp. if the rumours about Madrid being interested in Xabi Alonso are true. Liverpool can easily fool them into paying 20m euros or more for Alonso.

I give it five minutes before an outraged Pool fan comes on and says Xabi is priceless, and that 20m would be a bargain.

Money is relative. We could easily piss away the £20 million on someone else to replace him who is nowhere near as good. United have spent about £55 million on 3 centre midfielders recently and don't have anyone as good as alonso


Anyway I think it would take an extraordinary offer to encourage rafa to sell alonso this summer. £20 million may work but even then I'm not so sure he would go for it.

With regards to barry, if it's a bidding war between us and arsenal then a price of around 8-10m is reasonable to expect given his contract situation. If Man City get involved as they surely will for any remotely decent and available player then we are both priced out until Barry rejects them.

The Professor wrote:

kas wrote:8-10m is quite low, I don't think he'll be that cheap. 12-14m sounds more likely.

Also, I can definitely see Liverpool being in for him again, esp. if the rumours about Madrid being interested in Xabi Alonso are true. Liverpool can easily fool them into paying 20m euros or more for Alonso.

He'll be on his last year of his contract I think, and has been loyal to Villa for a number of years, so I doubt they'll begrudge him a move to a club that's in the CL. If Alonso stays(highly likely he will, given his performances this season), what other CL clubs will be in for him in the summer? can't think of any.

Maybe not in EPL but possibly Juve or Milan.