Sorry for not posting in a while, but in my defence not a lot has happened. I even had to take a break from twitter after tiring of people 'inside scoops' and 'knowledge' for sources which was simply not true. But, i'm back now with the highlights of the weeks news.
Firstly regarding our budget which seems to have been significantly increased due to a new property deal which has been secured, and over the next few years could gain us something in the region of £128 million. This summer though, it can boost our budget by a reported £25 million - or half a Torres. This should bring our budget to around £40-50 million but I only expect Wenger to spend around 30, unless he sees something very special.
Those of you thinking that the ongoing battle for ownership of Arsenal had finished after Kroenke's takeover seem to be wrong. Usmanov seems intent on increasing his holding and gaining more power at the club, just yesterday he increased his shares to over 29% and he doesn't seem like he's about to stop.
The main news of the past week has been the releasing of the fixture list, and we have a tricky start with fixtures against Newcastle (a) before a Liverpool (h) match sandwiched between two Champions League qualifiers, then an unforgiving task of going to Old Trafford to try and take point off the Champions - who only dropped two points at home last season. Anyway, we have to play everyone and we have started well in recent season. Hopefully we'll have 9 points and a group stage CL place by the end of August, but in football you cannot predict anything.
Onto the transfer rumours and we have seen a lot of funny ones this week. The notorious thug Joey Barton to Arsenal was my favorite, closely followed by Defoe to Arsenal. I mean, where do they get this stuff? I know there's not a lot of news about at the moment but surely they could just make a nice little Wimbledon article instead of making up total rubbish. But the English press are nowhere near as bad as the Spanish.
Only in Spain does the same paper publish two different, contrasting articles on a story. But Sport manged to say that Cesc was about to leave Arsenal, whilst at the same time publish comments for Sandro Rossell basically stating the Cesc will stay. The Barcelona president has been saying that they will not offer more than around 30 million euros, which is pretty insulting to us, and Cesc himself when they are about to go and spend 40 million plus on Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez may be very 'exciting' but he's nowhere near as experienced or as good as Cesc who has 7 years at the top level now, much more than Sanchez. What people fail to realise is that we are happy to sell Fabregas if the right money comes in, but continuously Barca try these petty games trying to lower the price. But things are quite simple indeed; bid 50 million and he is yours Barca, bid less then Fuck off.
Apparently we are very close to sealing Gervinho who had a good year in securing the French title for Lille last season. I know he's not the big name that everyone is hoping for but if this does go through we will be getting a good player who can get goals and assists on a regular basis. Here is a video of him in action.
The Samba deal seems to be being scuppered due to a release clause or something, but (unlike Fabregas this year) Samba has said he wants to leave. The massive Congolese defender again isn't a big name we want, but he can offer a change to our current defenders and is a real leader. He may not be starting in big games, though in those hard away trips up north he will give the defence and keeper a great deal of help. Personally i'd prefer Cahill, but we are unlikely to pay £17million for a player in the last year of his contract - only City would do that - so the deal has gone a bit cold.
Lastly, Vieira has left City and is rumored to be in line with a return to us as a coach. It would be great to have his winning spirit and attitude around the training ground and he can teach a lot to all of our players. City also want to take him on as a coach though and with their millions available, we don't know what will happen, but i'd love Vieira back around the place and i'm sure most Gooners do too.
Showing posts with label Kroenke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kroenke. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Arsenal Exodus?
Times seem to be changing at Arsenal football club.
The upstairs has been reshuffled with 'Silent Stan' now the man in charge, and with Alisher Usmanov not giving up his 27% stake the two major shareholders could be in for a collision course. There are also rumours about change in backroom staff being changed around before the start of the season, although longserving assistant Pat Rice looks set to stay in his role for at least another season.
Most prominently addressed though, is the transfer market activity that Wenger looks set to embark upon this summer, after another dismal ending to a season saw us finish yet again without a trophy. Today i'm going to look at the players who could leave Arsenal, and weighing up the pros and cons of each situation.
Goalkeepers:
Vito Mannone - Vito had a decent start to his career at Arsenal, with an excellent performance at Fulham and is yet to be on the losing side in any of his 9 games for the club. The young keeper also had a very impressive, albeit quite injury prone, season whilst at Hull, although this has led to speculation of a bid - either loan or premanent - happening this summer form the Championship side. Also, the Italian under 21 international would like assurances over first team football, and competition with Szczesny, Fabianski, and possibly one of Lehmann and Almunia, Arsene would not be able to give him any guarantees.
Verdict: Loan out for another season to a Premiership team. See if other keepers are up to scratch.
Manuel Almunia - There is not a player at Arsenal that fans would not prefer to see leave this summer. The uncapped (suprise suprise) Spaniard has had another woeful season, bar 70 minutes in the Nou Camp, and frankly does not deserve his 50k/week or to have worn the shirt that greats such as Seaman, Lehmann and Wilson earnt the right to wear. However, a stumbling block to get rid of Manuel is his wages as not many clubs can afford to spend that money on a player of his quality. Wenger has also recently hinted that Almunia could stay till next year.
Verdict: Please kick him out Wenger
Jens Lehmann - Eveyone's favorite crazy German has stated that he would like to stay on next season, after coming out of retirement amid our mid-season goalkeeping fiasco. He said:
Verdict: Out the door, surely?
Defenders:
Gael Clichy - The 25 year old is one of the long serving members of the club and has been the main left back at the club since 2006. He is a popular figure within the club and is just starting to gain a starting place in his national XI. However since showing great promise earlier in his career, he has not progressed into a world class player which we all thought he could be. His consistency has vanished and he has made key errors in important moments over the last few years. The Frenchmans' contract does expire next summer and Wenger wants to get his signature in the summer, instead of risking another Flamini situation. Coupled to this, there have also been many calls to sign Baines, Izaguirre and Enrique this summer, whilst Gibbs and possibly Traore and Botelho could make a claim to the position. Although the younger options do not seem ready in my eyes.
Verdict: Will sign a new contract.
Sebastian Squillaci - After an appalling start to his Arsenal career, Squillaci has not showed nearly any of his quality that helped him gain a place in the French world Cup team. If he carries on his form next year, he could rival Silvestre's claim for worst Wenger defensive signing. Although he is surely going to stay and try to prove himself.
Verdict: Will stay, but needs to improve. Drastically.
Bacary Sagna - As he is one of the best right backs in the world we will constantly face media speculation over his transfer to another one of Europe's giants. However, unless we receive absurd amounts of money, or a Messi in exchange, he isn't going anywhere.
Verdict: Certainly staying.
Emmanuel Eboue - Eboue is an amazing person to come back from the dead as he did after the Wigan match. Many a weaker man would have given up and left, so credit to his strength in that capacity. However, the talent is just not there. Consistent mistakes, at costly moments have not helped his first team push, but with a world class player in Bacary Sagna ahead of him he cannot expect anything. Interest from Italy could be reignited in the summer and we might consider a realistic bid.
Verdict: Will probably stay at least one more year.
Midfielders:
Denilson - Another player who has failed to live up to the potential he showed, and Wilshere's rise this season shunned him to the sidelines. As fans we're sick of seeing him lazily not tracking back and he even insulted the captain in a interview in Brazil. After stating his desire to leave the club, with the ludicrous explanation that he is a 'winner,' Denilson will definitely leave this summer. Apparently Roma and some Spanish teams are in for him for around 5-8 million euros, which seems quite good for someone who would have been a 6th choice central midfielder.
Verdict: Jumped before he was pushed.
Rosicky - Used to be a key member of the first team. However almost three years out with petty injuries has ruined the little playmaker. He is another who was easily overtaken by Wilshere and Ramsey, and personally I think Lansbury and other youngsters could easily do his job in the first team. After signing a new contract in 2009 he probably has a few years left, but if we offered him to clubs we could receive the £8million that we paid for him.
Verdict: Will go, for right bid.
Cesc Fabregas - No sane Arsenal fan would like to see Fabregas leave Arsenal football club. Our captain has served us well, and is arguably one of the best attacking players in the Premier league. To lose one of our only world class players would be a tragedy, and his exit could see others such as Nasri leave too. However, although he does love Arsenal, Barcelona was his first love and if they pay us what he is worth, around £50-60million he will leave, no matter what Wenger is saying at the moment he knows this too.
Verdict: Hopefully he wont go, yet.
Andrey Arshavin - At times Andrey can look world class. But most of the time he lazily wonders about the pitch, and sometimes he can't control or pass the ball properly. This season a lot of people have grown to be frustrated with the little Russian and seem willing in trade him in for some Russian oil money. However Wenger has told Andrey of his desire to keep him for at least another year, and Arshavin seems happy to oblige. Hopefully we'll see more of this Arshavin next year.
Verdict: Staying, but has to improve.
Samir Nasri - The Samir Nasri situation is the most confusing at this moment, although it could easily be settled. His contract expires next year, and if he is reluctant to agree new terms he will have to go. The talks seem to be ongoing and Samir is probably just trying to squeeze a bit more cash on his weekly wage, though when you're earning that much does it even matter? Hopefully the situation will be settled soon and the Frenchman will stay as we cannot afford to lose one of our quality players, especially when we could easily lose Fabregas. One thing is certain though, he will not go to Manchester United.
Verdict: We have to make him sign, cannot afford to lose him.
Attackers:
Nicklas Bendtner - Bendtner will leave Arsenal this season. That what him and his dad have been saying recently. The tall, Danish international seems to split most of the fans like marmite and most of us hate him. He does have very good stats though - 58 goals in nearly 200 games as a 23 year old is not too bad at all - and if he were in another league I could easily imagine us going in for him. However, his lack of first team football this year due to Van Persie's amazing form, coupled with his dislike to playing on the wing has seen his relationship with Arsene and Arsenal deteriorate and he is almost certain to leave.
Verdict: Will leave for quite a lot of money. Mistake or not?
Marouane Chamakh - The lanky forward did make a good start to the season, but after November did anyone see anything from him? He did struggle for fitness, but as Wenger interest in forwards such as Rondon, Falcao and Benzema shows, he is not the player we thought we were getting last summer. I'm not the biggest fan and if we do get a bid around £10 million I would definitely accept it bid without thinking. Although after waiting a year to get Marouane, would Wenger?
Verdict: Will stay, unless surprising bid comes in.
Overall, I can't see too much change happening this summer as Wenger will prefer to keep the nucleus of our squad together. However the exit of a couple big name players, and no quality replacements being brought in could spark a domino affect. If you want information on our transfer budget to spend, give this a read. It's quite long, but excellent yet again from The Swiss Ramble.
Hope you enjoy.
The upstairs has been reshuffled with 'Silent Stan' now the man in charge, and with Alisher Usmanov not giving up his 27% stake the two major shareholders could be in for a collision course. There are also rumours about change in backroom staff being changed around before the start of the season, although longserving assistant Pat Rice looks set to stay in his role for at least another season.
Most prominently addressed though, is the transfer market activity that Wenger looks set to embark upon this summer, after another dismal ending to a season saw us finish yet again without a trophy. Today i'm going to look at the players who could leave Arsenal, and weighing up the pros and cons of each situation.
Goalkeepers:
Vito Mannone - Vito had a decent start to his career at Arsenal, with an excellent performance at Fulham and is yet to be on the losing side in any of his 9 games for the club. The young keeper also had a very impressive, albeit quite injury prone, season whilst at Hull, although this has led to speculation of a bid - either loan or premanent - happening this summer form the Championship side. Also, the Italian under 21 international would like assurances over first team football, and competition with Szczesny, Fabianski, and possibly one of Lehmann and Almunia, Arsene would not be able to give him any guarantees.
Verdict: Loan out for another season to a Premiership team. See if other keepers are up to scratch.
Manuel Almunia - There is not a player at Arsenal that fans would not prefer to see leave this summer. The uncapped (suprise suprise) Spaniard has had another woeful season, bar 70 minutes in the Nou Camp, and frankly does not deserve his 50k/week or to have worn the shirt that greats such as Seaman, Lehmann and Wilson earnt the right to wear. However, a stumbling block to get rid of Manuel is his wages as not many clubs can afford to spend that money on a player of his quality. Wenger has also recently hinted that Almunia could stay till next year.
Verdict: Please kick him out Wenger
Jens Lehmann - Eveyone's favorite crazy German has stated that he would like to stay on next season, after coming out of retirement amid our mid-season goalkeeping fiasco. He said:
"From my performance I would be able to continue playing. My teammates are always asking me if I'll still be here next season.''However his contract will expire in the summer and with competition form our other goalkeeping options, I wouldn't bet on him increasing his 200 appreances.
Verdict: Out the door, surely?
Defenders:
Gael Clichy - The 25 year old is one of the long serving members of the club and has been the main left back at the club since 2006. He is a popular figure within the club and is just starting to gain a starting place in his national XI. However since showing great promise earlier in his career, he has not progressed into a world class player which we all thought he could be. His consistency has vanished and he has made key errors in important moments over the last few years. The Frenchmans' contract does expire next summer and Wenger wants to get his signature in the summer, instead of risking another Flamini situation. Coupled to this, there have also been many calls to sign Baines, Izaguirre and Enrique this summer, whilst Gibbs and possibly Traore and Botelho could make a claim to the position. Although the younger options do not seem ready in my eyes.
Verdict: Will sign a new contract.
Sebastian Squillaci - After an appalling start to his Arsenal career, Squillaci has not showed nearly any of his quality that helped him gain a place in the French world Cup team. If he carries on his form next year, he could rival Silvestre's claim for worst Wenger defensive signing. Although he is surely going to stay and try to prove himself.
Verdict: Will stay, but needs to improve. Drastically.
Bacary Sagna - As he is one of the best right backs in the world we will constantly face media speculation over his transfer to another one of Europe's giants. However, unless we receive absurd amounts of money, or a Messi in exchange, he isn't going anywhere.
Verdict: Certainly staying.
Emmanuel Eboue - Eboue is an amazing person to come back from the dead as he did after the Wigan match. Many a weaker man would have given up and left, so credit to his strength in that capacity. However, the talent is just not there. Consistent mistakes, at costly moments have not helped his first team push, but with a world class player in Bacary Sagna ahead of him he cannot expect anything. Interest from Italy could be reignited in the summer and we might consider a realistic bid.
Verdict: Will probably stay at least one more year.
Midfielders:
Denilson - Another player who has failed to live up to the potential he showed, and Wilshere's rise this season shunned him to the sidelines. As fans we're sick of seeing him lazily not tracking back and he even insulted the captain in a interview in Brazil. After stating his desire to leave the club, with the ludicrous explanation that he is a 'winner,' Denilson will definitely leave this summer. Apparently Roma and some Spanish teams are in for him for around 5-8 million euros, which seems quite good for someone who would have been a 6th choice central midfielder.
Verdict: Jumped before he was pushed.
Rosicky - Used to be a key member of the first team. However almost three years out with petty injuries has ruined the little playmaker. He is another who was easily overtaken by Wilshere and Ramsey, and personally I think Lansbury and other youngsters could easily do his job in the first team. After signing a new contract in 2009 he probably has a few years left, but if we offered him to clubs we could receive the £8million that we paid for him.
Verdict: Will go, for right bid.
Cesc Fabregas - No sane Arsenal fan would like to see Fabregas leave Arsenal football club. Our captain has served us well, and is arguably one of the best attacking players in the Premier league. To lose one of our only world class players would be a tragedy, and his exit could see others such as Nasri leave too. However, although he does love Arsenal, Barcelona was his first love and if they pay us what he is worth, around £50-60million he will leave, no matter what Wenger is saying at the moment he knows this too.
Verdict: Hopefully he wont go, yet.
Andrey Arshavin - At times Andrey can look world class. But most of the time he lazily wonders about the pitch, and sometimes he can't control or pass the ball properly. This season a lot of people have grown to be frustrated with the little Russian and seem willing in trade him in for some Russian oil money. However Wenger has told Andrey of his desire to keep him for at least another year, and Arshavin seems happy to oblige. Hopefully we'll see more of this Arshavin next year.
Verdict: Staying, but has to improve.
Samir Nasri - The Samir Nasri situation is the most confusing at this moment, although it could easily be settled. His contract expires next year, and if he is reluctant to agree new terms he will have to go. The talks seem to be ongoing and Samir is probably just trying to squeeze a bit more cash on his weekly wage, though when you're earning that much does it even matter? Hopefully the situation will be settled soon and the Frenchman will stay as we cannot afford to lose one of our quality players, especially when we could easily lose Fabregas. One thing is certain though, he will not go to Manchester United.
Verdict: We have to make him sign, cannot afford to lose him.
Attackers:
Nicklas Bendtner - Bendtner will leave Arsenal this season. That what him and his dad have been saying recently. The tall, Danish international seems to split most of the fans like marmite and most of us hate him. He does have very good stats though - 58 goals in nearly 200 games as a 23 year old is not too bad at all - and if he were in another league I could easily imagine us going in for him. However, his lack of first team football this year due to Van Persie's amazing form, coupled with his dislike to playing on the wing has seen his relationship with Arsene and Arsenal deteriorate and he is almost certain to leave.
Verdict: Will leave for quite a lot of money. Mistake or not?
Marouane Chamakh - The lanky forward did make a good start to the season, but after November did anyone see anything from him? He did struggle for fitness, but as Wenger interest in forwards such as Rondon, Falcao and Benzema shows, he is not the player we thought we were getting last summer. I'm not the biggest fan and if we do get a bid around £10 million I would definitely accept it bid without thinking. Although after waiting a year to get Marouane, would Wenger?
Verdict: Will stay, unless surprising bid comes in.
Overall, I can't see too much change happening this summer as Wenger will prefer to keep the nucleus of our squad together. However the exit of a couple big name players, and no quality replacements being brought in could spark a domino affect. If you want information on our transfer budget to spend, give this a read. It's quite long, but excellent yet again from The Swiss Ramble.
Hope you enjoy.
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