We're Gunner do it for Arsène

[Eds]

Graham opens up to the press

In what is a tragic time for all involved with Arsenal Football Club, George Graham has given his thoughts on Wenger, new signings, tactics and everything else you can think of.

With the new season drawing ever closer, and only two signings under the belts of the Gunners, you can imagine Mr. Graham is looking for players that can improve his Arsenal side.

Although he has made his first two signings already, only 7 days into his managerial reign with Arsenal. The first of which is a coach, Nigel Winterburn. We'll let George Graham tell you all about him and his other signing right now.

"Good morning.

After a turbulent period for the club, it is vital that I can remain control of not only the team, but the staff and fans as well. I want success at Arsenal Football Club as much as the most passionate fan.

Arsene Wenger was a great man and a world class manager. To honour him, I am glad to announce the Arsene Wenger Foundation, for which I am co-founder along with Arsene's former assistant Pat Rice. We're happy to announce that the Arsene Wenger Foundation will become the club's primary sponsor for the up and coming season.

But now onto current club affairs. I've bought in Nigel Winterburn as a First Team Coach, because he's a guy I know and trust, and he really does care about the club. And that's something we really do need due to the last couple of turbulent weeks.

My second signing is a player. He'll add to the midfield brilliantly and I managed to get him on a Free Transfer despite huge interest from other clubs. It's none other than former Chelsea wide-man Joe Cole.

And now onto how we're going to play. I'm not going to reveal anything yet, as we haven't signed all the players that we want; this could effect it. But I will say that we will be carrying on with Arsene's beautiful football playing side. Football is meant for entertainment, and I see no reason why with this talent in the squad, we shouldn't entertain.

I've got a couple more signings up my sleeve, and a few players will be leaving the club. But you'll get more on that as it comes."

Well, the end of Graham's first interview as Gunners Gaffer. Tell us what you feel about the interview by commenting under this article.

 

[Joss]

Interesting read this, "beautiful football" - does that mean you're playing short passing 4-3-3? Good signing with Joe Cole, you might want to think about sending a couple of players on loan, notably Kyle Bartley, and Samuel Galindo, who you can "move to affiliate" to Celta, whoa are a spanish feeder club, so ideal for the bolivian. Keep an eye on Benik Afobe is my last bit of advice as he can turn into a brilliant player if he plays enough, you should send him on loan during the second or third season, once he has matured a little more and is out of the U18s. Good start, nice layout too, nice touch with the "Wenger Foundation"

 

[Eds]

Interesting read this, "beautiful football" - does that mean you're playing short passing 4-3-3? Good signing with Joe Cole, you might want to think about sending a couple of players on loan, notably Kyle Bartley, and Samuel Galindo, who you can "move to affiliate" to Celta, whoa are a spanish feeder club, so ideal for the bolivian. Keep an eye on Benik Afobe is my last bit of advice as he can turn into a brilliant player if he plays enough, you should send him on loan during the second or third season, once he has matured a little more and is out of the U18s. Good start, nice layout too, nice touch with the "Wenger Foundation"

I'll be sending more than a few guys out on loan. I'll be doing an End of the Transfer Market update with all the guys going out and coming in, including youngsters out on loan.

As I said, can't reveal the formation just yet, until we've completed all signings.

Cheers for the advice, I might just do that.

 

[Joss]

I'll be sending more than a few guys out on loan. I'll be doing an End of the Transfer Market update with all the guys going out and coming in, including youngsters out on loan.

As I said, can't reveal the formation just yet, until we've completed all signings.

Cheers for the advice, I might just do that.

No problem mate, lol just realised your a liverpool fan, doing an Arsenal story? Well played lol, good luck mate

 

[Eds]

No problem mate, lol just realised your a liverpool fan, doing an Arsenal story? Well played lol, good luck mate

Don't have to be a fan to do a story do you? And yeh, fancied doing an Arsenal one, not Liverpool. Thought I would do a better job with this.

 

[LewSpaz]

theres nothing wrong with the opening, its different, for once.
every story opens with a manager resigns, so for once this actually catches the eye, good luck, i enjoy arsenal saves.

 

[Trophy_Whorder]

on the op when i read it i thought it was true lol but i found the funny side of it. is a story nice idea eds i all ways like some tihnk new when a new story comes along gets boring oh he retire oh he got sacked why not he died brill op.

 

[rhys93]

i would advise getting a keeper in cos almunias pants

 

[Joss]

Don't have to be a fan to do a story do you? And yeh, fancied doing an Arsenal one, not Liverpool. Thought I would do a better job with this.

No of course not, i just hadn't noticed, no problems at all, GOOD LUCK

 

[El Ninooo.]

Im liking this mate keep it up

 

[Eds]

Good to see some positive comments; keep them coming. I want them after each piece I do with what you think of it.

Next update will be either tonight or tomorrow morning.

 

[hellroker]

It's a dramatic way to start a story, nothing wrong with it. Though he should know that if this becomes reality, I will hunt him down.

Do you mean to say that he is predicting something like Octopus Paul?

 

[Eds]

Arsenal's perfect pre-season draws to an end

Arsenal Football Club hasn't had it's best few months off the field, but on the field, they seem inspired. George Graham has been delighted with the results he's been getting and has announced his amazement that the team have gelled so well.

Favourites for every single match, Arsenal didn't let their fans down as they won all six of their pre-season games. Here's a quick analysis of the pre-season from George Graham.

"I'll just give you a quick run-down on results and goals before I tell you my thoughts on the players, tactics, formations etc.

Grenoble Foot 38 0 - 6 Arsenal
Andrey Arshavin (8, 45, 58)
Alex Song (30)
Robin van Persie (33)
Samir Nasri (63)

Boreham Wood 0 - 4 Arsenal
Abou Diaby (2)
Nicklas Bendtner (5)
Jack Wilshere (16)
Tomas Rosicky (40)

Barnet 0 - 5 Arsenal
Robin van Persie (17, 25)
Andrey Arshavin (19)
Eduardo (29)
Samir Nasri (38)

Mallorca 0 - 2 Arsenal
Eduardo (68)
Theo Walcott (85)

Cagliari 0 - 2 Arsenal
Abou Diaby (75)
Theo Walcott (78)

Colorado 3 - 4 Arsenal
Robin van Persie (3, pen 47)
Carlos Vela (68)
Abou Diaby (90)

After giving everyone a go in pre-season, I'm happy to say that certain people have definately impressed and I've decided on my starting XI against Liverpool. Here it is:

Almunia
Sagna - Vermaelen - Koscielny - Clichy
Song
Fabregas - Diaby
Nasri* - Arshavin*
van Persie​

*Are playing wide.

I'm hoping for a win, obviously, but I wouldn't be too bothered with a draw. Cheers."​

There's Arsenal's Pre-Season Review for you. Next time, we've got the Transfer Market Round-Up Time; you won't want to miss it. And please send us your comments on your thoughts on this article, thanks.​

 

[Carine]

Good read so far -- I like the way you've worked in Arsene's death with the Wenger Foundation idea. This is probably not that far-fetched either as I suspect a man of his talents will have a soccer school or something named after him -- if he hasn't already. Nice choice of manager too -- just hope he doesn't drop the skillfull players like he did at Tottenham a few times, lol. Keep it going -- enjoying it so far

 

[Eds]

Thanks alot, comments are brilliant motivation, and it's good to see people are following.

 

[Calum]

great layout you will hammer the pool going by your pre-season results

 

[Brummy123]

Nice start mate carry on

 

[Eds]

Arsenal announce record signing and more...

George Graham promised he was going to delve into the Transfer Market, and he has. He's used his £25m budget to great effect, strengthing his squad with no less than nine players; more than any other side in the Premier League.

But Arsenal also said goodbye to nine players, albeit six of them on loan deals. He's made £18.5m from sales and loan fees which 70% of was contributed to his budget for new signings.

Swiss #1 keeper, Diego Barzaglio.

Arsenal have just broken their transfer record (formerly £15m for Andrey Arshavin from Zenit) to land new keeper Diego Barzaglio. George Graham commented that "His awareness and concentration levels are among the best in the game. He has the potential to be world class." It took £15.25m to convince Wolfsburg to sell their star man.

Other signings inclue Joe Cole (free), Dedryck Boyata (£2m), Yaya Sanogo (£2.3m), Stephan Folan (£2.4m) and Braden Inman (£3m). Excluding Joe Cole, all of those new Gunners are currently under the age of 18, and Graham has labelled them, along with the current Arsenal U-18 side, the Golden Gunners Generation.

But Graham delved into the Market even more than those signings. He managed to secure the signature of Mohamadou Diarra for a measly £4m, something that delighted both Graham and the fans.

Renan, the young Brazillian goalkeeper, was also bought in for £1.4m after Lukas Fabianski was sold to Toulouse for double the price, at £2.8m. "I'm amazed that we managed to get a player twice as good, for half the price. A brilliant piece of work from our scouts." proclaimed new Gunners Gaffer Graham.

Nelson Valdez was also brought in for under half his Estimated Value. We've been told that he'll only occupy the bench for the majority of the season, but he is a more than handy replacement should an injury crisis hit, a bargain at £2m. This also allowed Carlos Vela to go out on loan and gain more valuable first team experience.

Filling the outs column are Samuel Gallindo (loan - Celta), Dedryck Boyata (loan - Celta), Denilson (£4.7m - Bolton), Braddan Inman (loan - Celta), Armand Traore (loan - NEC), Carlos Vela (loan - Celta), Tomas Rosicky (£10.75m - Werder Bremen) and last and most probably least Manuel Almunia (loan - Celtic).

Graham commented that he was disappointed to see Tomas Rosicky depart from the Emirates, but said that the £10.75m offer was too much to turn down for a player that wasn't in his first team plans.

Next time, find out how The Arsenal went on in their first three league matches, and make sure you send us your thoughts on the article by commenting below.

 

[Man v.1]

Some good transfers there mate but you sold Denilson

 

[jthamrun]

Good luck man, will be following