The Arsenal Club House

[mosstopher]

This is bad news. To be honest I'm getting seriously worried that we'll never see Jack in the team again. Hopefully it's a case of Wenger lowering expectations and the club being ultra cautious with his return but it is worrying indeed.

After watching the pre-season games (keeping in mind this is pre-season and more about fitness levels than anything else) The same problems seem to be there, namely our defence and that our backup players aren't good enough/experienced enough. Again, I can't stress enough that this is pre-season so not a big worry yet.

On the plus side Diaby has looked very good, I really hope he stays injury free this season and gets a chance to show what he can do, I've always rated him and think he could be great for us. Walcott has looked lively and the Ox has been, well the Ox! I really am glad he's at Arsenal. Also Eisfeld looks good.

I'm reasonably happy with our first team, Song & Walcott contracts sorted and a few more signings and I think we've got a team that can compete next season. I think we desperately need top quality DMF and LB, perhaps with Santos being pushed further up the pitch this is in Wengers mind as well.

Either way, I'm excited about seeing us winning the quadruple while not losing a game, scoring 150 goals and keeping 28 consecutive clean sheets next season. Hey, if my little lad can do it on 6 star difficulty on Fifa, surely the team can do it irl...

[colognejohn33]

A couple of things here. Almunia has, (at last), left the building and signed for a year at Watford. http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...p-club-watford Good luck to him, and thanks for all the fishy-flappy entertainment. Le Boss saying the obvious 3 will be on their way too; "Bendtner, Squillaci and Park will be on their way to go somewhere. Arshavin, it depends. We have to sit together and talks. He could still have a future at the club." Could we ever again find a comfortable niche for Arshavin? Should we? I don`t think we need to at all, unless we can´t move him on. I can`t find the quote now, but apparently Arsene said that Giroud and Poldi would be eased into the Premiership as they aren`t match fit. This has led to as much outrage on the blogosphere as you`d need to conclude that fans are on tenterhooks and biting like carp at anything that wiggles. I hope, like many are also saying, this may be a ploy to get those interested in RvP to thinking he may be immediately a bit more important for us as it might seem. Smokes and daggers stuff? Can`t imagine that either players, having been fit for their countries, aren`t ready now. If Poldi doesn`t jog out here über-next week there`ll be drama for sure.

[colognejohn33]

Forgot this. Look at the timing and intelligent position play of this big fella.

[TheHurtLocker873]

I know the RVP saga is getting a little boring now..... But just found this claim.

..' Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has already signed a contract with Juventus, according to a bizarre claim by FIFA agent Fabio Parisi, who is based in Milan and represents the Nigerian defender Tayo Taiwo.'

[Tony07]

I know the RVP saga is getting a little boring now..... But just found this claim.

..' Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has already signed a contract with Juventus, according to a bizarre claim by FIFA agent Fabio Parisi, who is based in Milan and represents the Nigerian defender Tayo Taiwo.'

The sooner he goes the better so I hope your right

[TheHurtLocker873]

The sooner he goes the better so I hope your right

Well the claim is from a parasite... (sorry 'Agent')... I think it sounds logical in a sense as I don't think RVP will want to stand the abuse from Gooners if he joins Utd or City..... Far away and safe from harm.

[Tony07]

Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Santi Cazorla from Malaga CF.
Cazorla is due at London Colney tomorrow for a medical and is set to sign a €21million deal, and become Arsenal’s third major summer signing, following the arrival of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.
Arsene Wenger has been after the Spain international midfielder for the past two seasons, missing out last summer to Malaga, but the Andalusia club’s much publicised financial troubles have provided the opportunity for Arsenal to get their man.
Wenger has been after an attacking midfield player to provide more goals and assists from midfield following last seasons’ dependance upon Robin Van Persie. Arsenal were also interested in Brazilian Ganso and Dortmund’s Mario Goetze, but once Cazorla became available they wasted no time in sealing the deal.
Cazorla will become Arsenal’s record signing.

[mosstopher]

Good signing if true, and it seems to be more than just tabloids. Looking at it, this possible/probable signing, Giroud, Podolski and possibly Sahin as well, as well as the many other things going on around the club makes a mockery of RvP's "No ambition" claims. Looks like the Club has finally changed tack and realised that the path it was taking, whilst laudable, is not the best path.

On RvP, a news reporter had an (as yet unpublished) interview with RvP where he asked about the ongoing saga, RvP said nothing has been decided either way but no matter what happens he will be staying in the PL (I'm unsure if that was a definitive statement or just stating his preference.)

[ulizinho]

SPORT reports that Barcelona wants Alex Song

[Tony07]

SPORT reports that Barcelona wants Alex Song

Media bullsh1te lol despite all the RvP sh1te I think our future looks good and I am looking forward to a good season

[ulizinho]

Media bullsh1te lol despite all the RvP sh1te I think our future looks good and I am looking forward to a good season

I hope so

[Tony07]

I hope so

Yep its going to be a great season with us wining lots lol mind you I have been saying that for 7 years

[mosstopher]

Media bullsh1te lol despite all the RvP sh1te I think our future looks good and I am looking forward to a good season

I'm inclined to agree with you Tony, think our future is looking a lot rosier than it was a few weeks ago. Club's doing good business for a change.

[Tony07]

I'm inclined to agree with you Tony, think our future is looking a lot rosier than it was a few weeks ago. Club's doing good business for a change.

Its nice to look forward to the season not dreading it, I think we will do well

[Tony07]

ARSENAL are hopeful Robin van Persie will stay at the club and sign a new contract.

Starsport can reveal the Dutchman has been hugely impressed by efforts made to boost the Gunners squad, which was strengthened further yesterday by the capture of Spain international Santi Carzola.


I would rather RvP go, he has shown his true colours and I think that he has piss*d on his chips so to speak, we need to sell him and move on WTF should he unsettle out preparation for the new season.

[colognejohn33]

It would be interesting to know just what Arsenal offered RvP. Guessing, a three year extension would probably be the maximum and net wages perhaps half that which Juve have allegedly brought to the table. I think 20 mil is a good price for a 29 year old, ( it`s his birthday, by the by ) with one cracking season under his belt. Neither party will be seeing that sort of offer in three years time so let`s just get on with it. There are no more Bergkamp`s in the modern game. In some respect that`s a good thing. If I was sat here waiting for Walcott to resign and RvP to get old and injured rather than looking forward to seeing Poldi, Giroud, Cazorla and maybe another couple of players to rejuvenate our team, well, I`d be pointlessley banging my forehead on F5. Now we`re waiting on the Cazorla announcement and banging on the Sahin deal. Heady days. Cheers Robin.

[Tony07]

ROBIN VAN PERSIE will skipper Arsenal tomorrow in their friendly against Cologne, despite asking to leave the club.

Starsport can reveal boss Arsene Wenger has continued to treat the Dutchman as his captain, consulting with him regularly since his return to training.

The Gunners are still holding out hope that Van Persie will do a Wayne Rooney-style U-turn and pledge his future to the club again.

It had been widely assumed Wenger would give the armband to Belgium star Thomas Vermaelen tomorrow.

He should have given the captaincy Vermaelen and bollocks to RvP, I remember when he dropped a monumental bollock regarding Gilberto Silva, who was the was the vice captain under Henry and looked set to inherit the armband when Henry was sold.

What happened next was shameful in my opinion, . Wenger instead gave the armband to one of the club's newest members, that miserable moaning twat William Gallas. Gilberto, one of the most respected members of the club, was wrongly passed over in favor of Gallas, and then, to slap Gilberto in the face even more, Wenger gave Kolo Toure the vice captaincy. Keep in mind Gilberto also captained Brazil. Gilberto was an Invincible and a great leader. Wenger's handing the captaincy to Gallas instead of Gilberto showed how clueless a man manager Wenger can really be sometimes. Lets hope this doesn't bite him in the ass, RvP should be sold in my opinion he doesn't want to play for us so WTF should he be the captain.

[colognejohn33]

I guess that 99% of Gooners in the stadium today would not want to see RvP trot out today, with or without the captain`s armband. It`d be a kick in the stomach for the players and the fans. My shirt is hanging, ironed and ready to be pulled-on. Ticket is in the wallet. Transport sorted. Phone fully charged. Goosebumps on arms. This is what it`s all about. It`s my only chance to watch my beloved Arsenal, ( in the flesh ) these days. Arsene, please do not piss on my chips. It`s all about the future. A future that doesn`t include RvP. It`s okay. http://goonerholic.com/

[mosstopher]

I hope we lead United along until the final minutes of the window, then stick two fingers up at them and keep RvP, leaving them in a final last minute scramble to sign whoever they can get. I don't particularly want him to stay but if it's that or potentially strengthen our rivals (yet again) I'll take the former.

If he stays, he'll have to play at his best this season to earn him the same deal as he could get this year. No team will pay mega money to a player with 7 injury prone seasons, one good one and one abject/injury prone one (maybe City ) If he does stay I will get behind him and hope he scores goals for the good of the team but other than that I couldn't give a toss, he's shown his colours. If he does a job then fair enough but he will never be a legend, no matter what he does.

[mosstopher]

One more thing, on him staying on as captain. Now this is a POV I know not many fans will agree with but I wouldn't be absolutely against him being captain if he does stay. He has probably been our best captain since Viera. Certainly better than Fabregas or Henry.

If, as has been reported from a few different places, he has been accepted back into the team with no problems then I don't see why he can't still be captain if he is going to bring the same effort he did last season. In an ideal world of course your captain would be someone who is loyal to the club but we don't live in an ideal world. The best man for the job should get it, if that man happens to be a disloyal c*** then so be it. Fans won't like it but then fans only see what happens in the 90 odd mins of a game, not what the manager sees in training.

If Vermaellen is made captain I will be happy. If RvP stays as captain I will accept it for footballing reasons.