The Arsenal Thread

[VanSturley]

lol someone wrote in youtube if that was our current team Liverpool would have went up the other end and scored to make it 2-1 XD

probably would have if it was against our current side

i've heard a few rumours about something big being announced on monday. a "record breaking" transfer fee apparently so fingers crossed.

 

[Zebedee]

I come in peace...

Any truth in the rumours that deal in principle has been agreed over Clichy by Liverpool and Arsenal and all that remains is the haggling over the price between £5m and £10m?

 

[Joss]

probably would have if it was against our current side

i've heard a few rumours about something big being announced on monday. a "record breaking" transfer fee apparently so fingers crossed.

According to Tim Payton from AST (Having attended a shareholders meeting with Ivan Gazidis), there's no guarantee that transfers will be announced this week, but he says there will be bidding. Apparently for 3 'quality' players... Of course it's hardly his job or in his interest to announce signings at these meetings so we don't REALLY know.

I come in peace...

Any truth in the rumours that deal in principle has been agreed over Clichy by Liverpool and Arsenal and all that remains is the haggling over the price between £5m and £10m?

Wouldn't surprise me at all. We rejected your (frankly derisory) £5m bid before, but Wenger and Arsenal are willing to let him go. Not just because of his contract status (and I've heard no suggestions he's being a rebel; more just that we haven't made any offers to renew it) but because we expected to sell him last summer. The right bid from the expected bidder never came, though.

£7m doesn't seem unrealistic, although as LadyArse pointed out - the inflation in the English market means that he's ridiculously undervalued. He is 25 and has one year left on his contract. He is a defender who has played over 180 times for his club, has won a league winners medal, has ten caps for his country and regular Champions League experience.

I'm not sure how genuine their interest is, though? I'd imagine they'd rather have Enrique for example but if they can get Clichy for <£10M, then it's a bargain really.

---------- Post added at 09:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------

Top article for the guy who said he appreciated Usmanov's comments the other day:

Usmanov pays lip-service to fans whilst attacking the current Arsenal Board’s motives.

Alisher Usmanov, Uzbek Billionaire and major shareholder of Arsenal Football Club has this week completed an interview with members of the Tabloid Press.

In this interview he cleverly targets what he sees as the major problem points in the current rift between the incumbent Arsenal Board and the fans.

Firstly he hit on the 6.5% increase suggesting that the funds could be better raised elsewhere and he questioned the validity of raising prices to see a trophy-less team.
Secondly he questioned the motives of the current board, suggesting that perhaps they are happy to settle for top four mediocrity and reap the profits.

Thirdly, he identified that there is an obvious weakness in the team suggesting that he agreed with ‘certain commentator’s about what is required to make Arsenal competitive again.

Fourth and finally he identified that the commercial agreements and sponsorships are up for renewal and their re-negotiation will be far more profitable if the team is successful.

Now let’s be direct for a moment at least. Clarity is a gift rarely used in such games as Usmanov is playing right now.

The timing of this interview is suspect at best, mischievous at worst. There is a Q&A scheduled with Ivan Gazidis and the AST this week and this can be no coincidence.
Usmanov is a frustrated, sulking investor who has always used the media to put out his dirty washing about Arsenal FC and the Board. He has again brought up the rights issue, which would dilute the stake that all fans and investors have in Arsenal FC. Now if you proudly held 5% in Arsenal FC would you be happy with that being reduced in value to 2.5% because more shares have been issued?

I don’t like Usmanov. I don’t like how he uses the media and I certainly don’t like how he is using us and our frustrations to get at the board. ‘The Arsenal Way’ is to be dignified, even in defeat. Usmanov has lost the battle over the rights issue (and rightfully so in my opinion) and he should now put up or shut up.

He isn’t telling us anything that we didn’t already know. He is putting a rather biased spin on things however.

His analysis of the 6.5% increase is nothing more than statement of fact. As upsetting as it is.

The stated weaknesses in the team (vague as they were) are a product of an hour of trolling round the net. He doesn’t tell us anything that isn’t clear to see nor does he offer any suggestions to fix the issue.

The accusation that the Board are just in it for personal profit is pure conjecture and sensationalism. I’m very confident Stan Kroenke has never taken a dividend.

The commercial deals that are up for renewal in the next few years are of course going to improve generally on several fronts. Firstly because these things only ever go up in price and comparitive deals at other clubs bring in more revenue. Secondly because our existing deals were front-loaded(where all the fees were paid up front, not staggered) to help finance the deposit for the financing Grove and thirdly of course it will be a better deal if we are more successful. Arsene is out trying to buy the best player’s he can afford and I support him.

Arsenal fans, now is the time for unity. We need to stick together and be strong because the media love having a pop. We know what needs to be done on the pitch and in terms of the squad and Arsene knows it too (as his advances for player’s has already shown) so I have confidence that the squad will be strengthened and in doing so will galvanise the Arsenal Board’s stance of keeping the Status Quo.

Keep the faith Gooner’s. Arsenal FC with investment which is already under way will be successful again. Don’t let all this negativity consume and divide us.

WiganGooners Northern Lights - Usmanov pays lip-service to fans whilst attacking the current Arsenal Board’s motives.


Oh and: Gervinho has given Wenger his word that he will sign for Arsenal

 

[sunilvk7]

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett

Don't know where all this Oxlade Chamberlain to Liverpool stuff is coming from. He's set for Arsenal.

 

[Joss]

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett

Nice one.

Look forward to seeing him if he does come... Obviously a lot of pressure with a big move, but from what I've seen of him on Youtube, he's a different player to Walcott. I think Walcott was so good because he was a superb finisher and was ****** fast. Oxtail isn't as good a finisher (scored some top goals all the same), but is better with the ball and a better dribbler and crosser IMO.

Can't wait to see Ryo Myiachi in pre-season either. Looked brilliant at Feyenoord - like Arshavin when he first came to Arsenal; direct, skilful and full of attacking energy. He tracks back as well which is good to see - Walcott does it on the RW, but we need someone to do it on the left as well.

---------- Post added at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 AM ----------

Eden Hazard on links with Barcelona: "Barca? Can I even get into their team?" Ha. Fair point.

via @AAllenSport

 

[Vanjagl]

Heh
Manchester United Official Web Site - Papers: United swoop for Samir Nasri

 

[Ride The Walrus]

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett

Liverpool, like pretty much everyone else, like Chamberlain but he's been Arsenal's to lose for some time

 

[sunilvk7]

He was linked with Liverpool from past week Isn't it? So I posted that that those are just rumors and Liverpool are not genuinely interested..

 

[Joss]

He was linked with Liverpool from past week Isn't it? So I posted that that those are just rumors and Liverpool are not genuinely interested..

Don't think it's that Liverpool aren't interested. They definitely are.. Just that oxtail wants to sign for us, as does his dad.

---------- Post added at 11:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 AM ----------

Heh
Manchester United Official Web Site - Papers: United swoop for Samir Nasri

Oh well it must be true then. <)

LOL at the Independent. Not a chance we'd sell Nasri - one of our best players, to Utd - one of our biggest rivals, for just £8M - About half of what we paid for him.

 

[sunilvk7]

Don't think it's that Liverpool aren't interested. They definitely are.. Just that oxtail wants to sign for us, as does his dad.

---------- Post added at 11:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 AM ----------



Oh well it must be true then. <)

LOL at the Independent. Not a chance we'd sell Nasri - one of our best players, to Utd - one of our biggest rivals, for just £8M - About half of what we paid for him.

What is the quoted fee for that lad(Too hard to spell lol ). Is it 10 or 15 Million?

 

[Joss]

What is the quoted fee for that lad(Too hard to spell lol ). Is it 10 or 15 Million?

12M I believe. About the same as we paid for Walcott with add-ons.

 

[Sulsey]

Nice one.

Look forward to seeing him if he does come... Obviously a lot of pressure with a big move, but from what I've seen of him on Youtube, he's a different player to Walcott. I think Walcott was so good because he was a superb finisher and was ****** fast. Oxtail isn't as good a finisher (scored some top goals all the same), but is better with the ball and a better dribbler and crosser IMO.

Can't wait to see Ryo Myiachi in pre-season either. Looked brilliant at Feyenoord - like Arshavin when he first came to Arsenal; direct, skilful and full of attacking energy. He tracks back as well which is good to see - Walcott does it on the RW, but we need someone to do it on the left as well.

---------- Post added at 10:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 AM ----------



via @AAllenSport

He will be coming to Arsenal, don't worry about that.

It's the daily fail s I'm not sure how much is true..

Arsenal to offer Samir Nasri better deal to ward off Manchester United | Mail Online

 

[VanSturley]

Arsenal looking to offload goalkeeper Lucasz Fabianski after shocking display

Wenger: Fabianski showed great mental strength

full arsenal awards here

 

[markodragojevic]

LOL i was just watching this video and playing FM vs Arsenal and at HT im losing 1-0 Johan Djourou scored for Arsenal XDXDXD

 

[Joss]

FIND YOUR OWN TRANSFER TARGETS!

The transfer of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Arsenal is in the balance as Liverpool have entered the race for his signature.

wearethenorthbank.com understands that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s agent is having talks with Liverpool today as the Merseyside club have stepped up their interest in the young winger.

Arsenal remain favourites to sign the 17-year-old, but with negotiations having stalled due to Southampton’s reluctance to budge on their insistence of any deal including a 40 per cent sell-on clause, Liverpool could swoop for the England U19 international.
Negotiations with Arsenal hit a dead-end for the same reason back in January.

The player’s father, former England international, Mark Chamberlain, expressed his son’s desire to join Arsenal two weeks ago:
“We want Alex to get to Arsenal as soon as possible and continue his development,” said Chamberlain.

“Alex is still developing but there’s no better place to develop than at Arsenal and the Premier League.”

Arsenal Facing Competition From Liverpool For Oxlade-Chamberlain | wearethenorthbank.com

 

[Mike.]

Don't think it's that Liverpool aren't interested. They definitely are.. Just that oxtail wants to sign for us, as does his dad.

---------- Post added at 11:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 AM ----------



Oh well it must be true then. <)

LOL at the Independent. Not a chance we'd sell Nasri - one of our best players, to Utd - one of our biggest rivals, for just £8M - About half of what we paid for him.

actually could well happen, if he is intent on United, and you cannot agree a deal. 8m now is better than nothing next year

 

[Joss]

Love this video so much - look how much it means to him:

[video=youtube;n0tzg3avjLo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0tzg3avjLo[/video]

And this photo - Three Academy players celebrating a goal they all contributed to against Sp*rs:

---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:51 PM ----------

actually could well happen, if he is intent on United, and you cannot agree a deal. 8m now is better than nothing next year

Not sure he's "intent" on anything. It's most likely agent and paper talk...

It would be humiliating for us if we were forced to sell him for just £8M. I think Wenger would rather reject it and wait to see if he and Nasri can't agree a new deal when things have calmed down a bit in the press (whether that be January or whenever) than lose him like that.

 

[Mike.]

Love this video so much - look how much it means to him:

[video=youtube;n0tzg3avjLo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0tzg3avjLo[/video]

And this photo - Three Academy players celebrating a goal they all contributed to against Sp*rs:

---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:51 PM ----------



Not sure he's "intent" on anything. It's most likely agent and paper talk...

It would be humiliating for us if we were forced to sell him for just £8M. I think Wenger would rather reject it and wait to see if he and Nasri can't agree a new deal when things have calmed down a bit in the press (whether that be January or whenever) than lose him like that.

that's why i said if. think the papers are getting ahead of themselves, but the danger is there. I dont think he will wait till jan though he'll want it done this summer

 

[Joss]

that's why i said if. think the papers are getting ahead of themselves, but the danger is there. I dont think he will wait till jan though he'll want it done this summer

Yeah I know what you meant, that's why I continued to discuss it and didn't just dismiss it. Just thought I'd make my stance clear on the paper speculation anyway..

He says he won't sell to Utd. He's under no financial pressure to do so, and although SAF said the same thing about Madrid - they came in with an offer which you really couldn't refuse. As if Ferguson had jokingly said; "Give us £80M and we'll think about it" without actually expecting them to do that. What I'm trying to say is that a bid of £8M is hardly irrefutable, and that for me at least, there's a possibility that if a deal isn't done between Wenger and Nasri this summer and the only interested party is United, then I think he'll wait and see if he and Nasri can't agree a deal without so much media attention which inevitably only ups his demands.

 

[fuelledbypassion]

Yeah I know what you meant, that's why I continued to discuss it and didn't just dismiss it. Just thought I'd make my stance clear on the paper speculation anyway..

He says he won't sell to Utd. He's under no financial pressure to do so, and although SAF said the same thing about Madrid - they came in with an offer which you really couldn't refuse. As if Ferguson had jokingly said; "Give us £80M and we'll think about it" without actually expecting them to do that. What I'm trying to say is that a bid of £8M is hardly irrefutable, and that for me at least, there's a possibility that if a deal isn't done between Wenger and Nasri this summer and the only interested party is United, then I think he'll wait and see if he and Nasri can't agree a deal without so much media attention which inevitably only ups his demands.

Surely they would easily be able to offload him to a foreign club for more anyway, should they have to?