Richard wrote:Goal.com isn't the most reliable source.

There haven't been any quotes on Arsenal.com stating that Wenger is looking for a more creative player and Dos Santos has got ability, but hasn't been able to show it at club level so he's a risk, plus I think he's just signed for Benfica from Spurs so he's not coming to Arsenal.

As for Ozil, he's a player who has had a good World Cup and is now massively overpriced. If I was Breman, I'd sell Ozil now, because he'll go for twice what he's worth!

The only quote that I think is reasonable, is Wenger's comment that Cesc won't be leaving. I think Cesc is coming around to the fact that he's staying at Arsenal and he's quite happy with it. I get the feeling that he's said to Wenger, if possible, I'd like to go to Barca. It's clearly not possible, but that hasn't stopped the media talking it up to the extent that he's handed in a transfer request or will buy out his contract.

As for the false quotes, as far as I know they related to a claim that an announcement on the goalkeeping situation would be made after the World Cup and that Almunia was a good keeper but gets nervous before big matches.

I agree, besides why would wenger over pay for Ozil, when he already has an admiration for Gourcoff. Of course neither of these two players will be signed over the transfer period.

as for the news on mark schwarzer, i must also agree that i'm releaved too hear news that he will not be signing with the gunners. i would love too one day see an aussie in an arsenal jersey, but schwarzer's age and fulhams demanding price tag is more than enough too rule him out. besides there are plenty of other quality keepers around, such as stekelenbug, lloris, mandana, boruc, green etc etc. my personal choice however would be joe hart haha

I'm not even convinced that Wenger is that interested in Gourcuff.

He's had a season and a half of great football, but hasn't really impressed other than that.

As for the keeper situation, I agree with you Whalley but for a couple of points, Boruc is not available having just moved clubs, and Green is not quality!

have heard news that eduardo's transfer has officially gone through. it was a move that had too happen, for the good of both arsenal and eduardo, a fresh start is best for him.

i just have a quick question, does anyone here rate rosicky highly????

Rosicky is still a good player.

This season is a bit of a make or break season though. I get the feeling that he'll step up this season, and with a full pre-season behind him, make a solid contribution to the team.

He's not a prolific goalscorer in the make of Pires, but he's a useful playmaker and can score a decent amount of goals.

I'd set the following goals for our midfielders this season:

Cesc - 20 goals (and then make Barca pay 100m if they want him!)
Walcott - 10 goals, 10 assists
Nasri - 10 goals
Rosicky - 10 goals, 28 games
Arshavin - 15 goals, celebrate at least two goals with his team mates
Wilshere - 15 games, 2 goals
Vela - 15 games, 4 goals

poor eduardo, had so much potential n talent but had it all ruined by that c*** taylor. he was never the same after that, lost his first touch n his finishing, which was by far his best asset. i hope he has the career he deserves at shakhtar n wish him all the best...

mash wrote:poor eduardo, had so much potential n talent but had it all ruined by that c*** taylor. he was never the same after that, lost his first touch n his finishing, which was by far his best asset. i hope he has the career he deserves at shakhtar n wish him all the best...

Yup, all the best to Eduardo in his future career and that he does really well at Shakhtar. He could have been a really great player, but nevertheless, he will always be fondly remembered by all of us. But I wonder who will take over the No 9 shirt now... whoever that is definitely would have very big boots to fill. Hmm, unless the club decides to retire the shirt...

Another player that hasn't managed to do well in the number nine shirt.

Unfortunately, Eduardo struggled with injuries, particularly the broken leg and then struggled to fit into the 4-3-3 system last season.

It looks like he's been sold because he doesn't fit the system, so it confirms that Wenger is not selling Cesc.

I really believe before Eduardo broke his leg we had the makings of a great team.

We had adebayor and eduardo starting to hit it off and scoring goals for fun

Flamini and cesc bossing the midfield

Hleb creating for the forwards

strong backline until gallas lost his mind

we were top of the league

then it all went to the s**t

p.s. our goal difference was 14 better than anyone outside the top 3, our main worry is conceeding goals, our midfield and attack should be ok, we do score enough goals just conceed too many

Good summary Elliott, it is a bit sad to see the departure of Eduardo but good luck to him and hopefully he gets back his touch and starts bangin' em in.

Djourou was injured in a practice match and the Campbell saga looks to have ended with him signing for Newcastle so we again need to look for another defender.

We are again linked with Per Mertersacker from Werder Bremen. I hope this deal goes down, doesn't matter if we have already paid good money for a defender. I know we already signed Koscielny but we need somebody else of higher quality and this guy will suit us too a tee (and hopefully improve our marking at set pieces given he is 195cm or something like that). Although Koscielny is in his mid 20s he is still relatively inexperienced at the top level so I think we need to splash some cash on somebody with experience rather than a youngster on the cheap. When we last won the title we had 3 quality CBs in Campbell, Toure and Keown.

Goalkeeper saga rolls along... I just hope we sign somebody! If that Russian keeper really wants to play for Arsenal, sign him, he's bloody good!!!

Also, there is little talk about midfielders at the moment. Do we need strengthening in midfield? Or should we expect and bank on improvement/more consistency from the likes of Diaby, Denilson n Walcott. Diaby is a real key for us IMO. When he is in form and playing with a physical presence (and scoring) like he was through the xmas/new year period before he did his hammy we looked pretty solid last season. Talk that Rosiscky might go, though I think he would only be sold if we were to buy a like replacement (such as an Ozil - discussed at length already on this forum). We are still short of a midfielder with a real physical presence to partner Song. Though Diaby can play this role when fit and firing though. What are people's thoughts?

I am happy with every position on the pitch but 2... we need another central defender and a goalie. otherwise I think we are well and truely covered everywhere else...

chrisl wrote:I am happy with every position on the pitch but 2... we need another central defender and a goalie. otherwise I think we are well and truely covered everywhere else...

DM? we're pretty thin there aswell with just song...

I agree.

The other issue with signing new players is the new squad rules.

We've currently got 24 players who are over 21 and will be listed in the players eligible to play in the Premier League.

I imagine that one more defender will be named in the squad, and if we sign a new keeper or DM, then either Ramsay will have to be left out whilst he recovers from his broken leg, or alternatively, Almunia will have to be sold.

Why would Ramsey have to be left out? he is only 19 at the moment. Unless i'm not reading the rules right he doesn't have to be listed anyway.

Sorry Mick, you're right.

I was forgetting that he's 19. I was thinking he was born 1989 as Vela, Traore and Walcott are, must've got mixed up when I was looking at their dates of birth.

I guess that means that we might be able to bring in another midfielder. I don't think any of the reserves that are pushing the first team are over 21.

Barca can go get farked.

They've always been a team I respected because of the way their club is set up, how they represent a people without a country, the way they play football etc etc

now they are just being disrespectful, treating us like mugs. fark them don't sell cesc ever, if he doesn't like it send him to the reserves. If barca want him pay the farkin cash

now i've got that off my chest lets hope we sign the gerry (I don't think we'll get Jagielka) and Schwarzer, to the italian, or both

Doesn't look like we are looking for a defensive midfielder, perhaps Wenger is thinking Kolkeinsky will double as a DM as he's played that role before ??

Interesting that the other big clubs (and tottenham) haven't really splurged much on players, only Man City have made significant changes

This is all the media hype machine.
Cesc is saying this, so when he stays, all arsenal fans can get warm and cuddly and feel a sense of satisfaction.
Cesc will leave, not this season but the season after.

With the season ONLY 2 wks away, I can only see possibly one signing coming to Arsenal, with a CB arriving. Hopefully like Mertesaker, his height would be perfect on set pieces, both attacking and defending.

Djourou is virtually a new signing as well. Another option could be Nortveldt, who's had a full pre-season with us, and has had his traditional period out on loan.

I dont think a GK will be arriving. If Almunia does go, that might change, but who would want to pick him up? Osasuna has been linked though. Either way, that will leave us with 4 GK's, with Manny, Fabianski, Mannone, Sczechny (you know what I mean).

The middle: We got a few options, I guess Traore can play in the left if needed, or even Gibbs if desperately needed. Rosicky, Nasri, Walcott, Arshavin, Eboue can all play on the wings so we got plenty of cover. Our no.1 DM is Song, but we got Eastmond, who looked great when he filled in, and worse case scenario is Denilson. Fabregas and Diaby settin up our goals is sounds so good. Wiltshire did really well at Bolton on loan, and will do even better this season.

Up front: Van Persie, Bendtner, Chamakh, Vela, Walcott, Vela, and others like Simpson(if he stays) Lansbury, Watt. Not too bad either.

Best 11 on paper: Mannone, Clichy, Vermaelen, Kosciecny, Sagna, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie, Nasri. Bench: Fabianski, Eboue, Djourou, Rosicky, Chamakh, Walcott, Bendtner.

I guess on PAPER is the key word. We can never get that side out all the time. A bit of luck, another addition, improvement from our kids, and we can definetly win the title. No doubt about that.

I've in general stayed away from the transfer speculation (mainly for sanity reasons) but with the emirates cup upon us, i thought i'd put my 2 cents worth in.

We WILL sign another CB, lets hope it's someone who is experienced and tall. I'd prefer not Jagielka, as he's under 6ft, but i understand why we are interested as he's not foreign. Mertesacker is 6'4 I think, and would fit the bill for me. Experienced, international level and TALL.

We're obviously looking at another goalie, given that the Schwartzer rumours were confirmed by Fulham. If we end up with anyone is another story. I can't see wenger splashing the amount of money being mentioned for a keeper of Schwartzer's age. I also can't see him shelling out for Akhineev. The Italian keeper (Merchetti?), sounds interesting, but are we looking for a stop gap until Schzezchny( or however you spell it!) comes of age?

I stil think there is an outside chance of us signing Felipe Melo, given that he was left in italy instead of travelling to play in the Europa league qualifiers, keeping him un-cuptied and increasing his potential re-sale value. Real were looking at him but with Marueen signing Khadeira instead, we would be the main suitors for him. Think he wants to stay in Turin though so it's unlikely.

So Players out:
Eduardo
Silvestre (yay!)
Gallas
Campbell
Senderos

In:
Chamakh
Kosliensky (must lean how to spell that too)

Possibles:
Centre back
Goalie (if one comes then Manuel is gonner)
DM

I agree with earlier comments that it's at the back we need strenghtening. We have plenty going forward IMO, but having a solid defence and keeper would really see us challenging.

I'd be very surprised if Schwarzer doesnt come. I think Lehmann was a similar age when we signed him? And Seaman and Lehmann played past their forties.
Schawrzer for keeper, another CB, and I would like to see another decent striker, but that aint gonna happen.
Interesting season coming up. Bring it on.

davidc wrote:With the season ONLY 2 wks away, I can only see possibly one signing coming to Arsenal, with a CB arriving. Hopefully like Mertesaker, his height would be perfect on set pieces, both attacking and defending.

Djourou is virtually a new signing as well. Another option could be Nortveldt, who's had a full pre-season with us, and has had his traditional period out on loan.

I dont think a GK will be arriving. If Almunia does go, that might change, but who would want to pick him up? Osasuna has been linked though. Either way, that will leave us with 4 GK's, with Manny, Fabianski, Mannone, Sczechny (you know what I mean).

The middle: We got a few options, I guess Traore can play in the left if needed, or even Gibbs if desperately needed. Rosicky, Nasri, Walcott, Arshavin, Eboue can all play on the wings so we got plenty of cover. Our no.1 DM is Song, but we got Eastmond, who looked great when he filled in, and worse case scenario is Denilson. Fabregas and Diaby settin up our goals is sounds so good. Wiltshire did really well at Bolton on loan, and will do even better this season.

Up front: Van Persie, Bendtner, Chamakh, Vela, Walcott, Vela, and others like Simpson(if he stays) Lansbury, Watt. Not too bad either.

Best 11 on paper: Mannone, Clichy, Vermaelen, Kosciecny, Sagna, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie, Nasri. Bench: Fabianski, Eboue, Djourou, Rosicky, Denilson, Walcott, Bendtner.

I guess on PAPER is the key word. We can never get that side out all the time. A bit of luck, another addition, improvement from our kids, and we can definetly win the title. No doubt about that.

no chamakh?

Forgot about him! I wont now, he just scored.

It looks like we've got a bargain with Chamakh.

We sold Ade who was on 80-100K per week, for 25m, and then signed Chamakh on a free on wages of 50-60K per week.

As for Schwarzer. He's 37 now, Lehmann was 33 when we signed him in 2003. He left us when he was 38 and lost his place in the team when he was 37. I don't think Schwarzer is worth the risk at 37.

emir spahic appears to be the next defender we will be signing.

Another defender we have been linked with also is Christian Zapata.

He is a Colombian International, CB but can play either on left or right back as well, plays for Udinese in Serie A. Apparently we made a bid for him a few years back, but didnt go through. Has been injured lately, but every time ive seen him on TV looks solid.

Not a 'transfer rumour', but just by reading from games played at the Emirates Cup, Emanuele Frimpong has apparently played really well. So that might be another option in the side as well.

Spahic sounds like he could be a realistic possibility, however, it doesn't sound like Montepellier want to let him go with their president saying that we can have him for 25m.

Frimpong has been very good, although he needs to prove it against Premiership opposition. Hopefully he'll be a better backup than Denilson who whilst a decent player doesn't have the physical presence or defensive nouse of Song.

With a week to go does anybody think that we are going to sign anybody else? I am particularly worried we are going to be stuck with Almunia/Fabianski for another season. We are also short of a central defender too. These are the 2 areas that could determine whether we genuinally challenge this season or fight for 3rd, 4th or 5th. Improve GK and CB and we can win the title Mr Wenger!!! Is the cost worth it if our transfer targets cost an extra 2-3m?

There have been a few rumours regarding what will happen with the Man City keepers.

It appears that they both want the number one shirt and one of them will miss out.

I'd personally prefer for Hart to come to Arsenal than Given, but both will be better than Almunia or Fabianski.

I think that Wenger is looking around for keepers, but hasn't found one at the right price. Man City have too many players on their books at the moment, so it'll depend on what happens when it gets closer to September 1 and they have to name their squad.

It's been a very quiet transfer window so far, and I think that we may not pick up anyone until Man City start selling off some excess players. I get the feeling that the lack of buying has been because clubs don't have much money and because they're keeping their powder dry until Man City tell them which players are up for grabs.

Sebastien Squillaci is the latest defender to be linked with us.

It might turn out, he apparently asked not to be selected for Sevilla in there Champions League qualifying game, so he is not cup tied.

He is French too, but sounds more Italian. Have heard of him before, but know little about him.

He's a solid defender, broke into French football at a young age, but hasn't really come on and played for a top club.

I can see this one going ahead in the next week or so.

Sevilla want 6.5m, which is probably a little high, but not too far from the right value. I'd say if we can sign him for 4-5.5m then it'll go ahead.

Traveled to London for a medical with us

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... 928237.stm