Tackles, balls and Seaman - The footie thread

[Jim]

The North London rivalry is going to be top notch this season, back and forth on both sides... Just who will clinch that second UEFA cup spot.

Though, maybe that would be slight over-exertion. Just who will finish in the top half of the table?

[Judge Dredd]

Well, we're only one place above the relegation zone.

[Gnrfan]

Arsenal just need to buy some British Players with a British Mentality.

Its all well and good having these fantastic players i.e. Henry and Fabregas, but they have to be complemented by grit and determination. Something that not many foriengers have.

I mean i like Gilberto as a player, i really do. But he is the Defensive midfielder and i haven't ever seen him put a bone crunching tackle in.

I mean Utd used to have Keane and now have Alan Smith and Hopefully Owen Hargreaves, Liverpool have Sissoko, Chelsea have Essien & Makelele.

I mean even teams like Bolton have Nolan, Manchester City have Joey Barton, Blackburn have Robbie Savage, Middlesborugh has Boateng, Newcastle has Parker and Aston Villa have Gavin McCann to name just a few. And despite these players not being anywhere near the quality of the Arsenal players . . you still need them.

No one does that for Arsenal and its a problem, Coz they can get dominated phyiscally. In other leagues it wouldn't be allowed but this is the premier league. and thats why they got to the final last year. Different refs.

They need one or two players just like Man Utd did to bring fire to the midfield otherwise it could be a tough year especially if Henry isn't firing on all cylinders

[Judge Dredd]

Arsenal just need to buy some British Players with a British Mentality.

Petit, Vieira, and Bergkamp did just fine.

We are really gonna miss Bergkamp and Pires this year.

[Gnrfan]

Arsenal just need to buy some British Players with a British Mentality.

Petit, Vieira, and Bergkamp did just fine.

We are really gonna miss Bergkamp and Pires this year.

Petit and Vieria as a tandum were good but never thought too much of either indiviually. And as far as Bergkamp goes well what a player but its over for him.

As it stands Arsenal's team is probally the most talented team around and can play the best football. But its no longer winning football.

You need players With Kolo Toure's Passion but he is the only one (Maybe Fabregas as well).

And in my opinion the lack of players with the English mentality is the problem

[MadmanDan]

Arsenal just need to buy some British Players with a British Mentality.

Good point...British or Irish players may not be the most tecnically gifted players in the world, with a few notable eceptions (Giggs, Best, etc) , but their spirit and determination is a key element to any British team. For example, Gerrard is an exceptionally talented player, but without his ability to drag the whole team after him in crucials moments, he'd be just another good player. But tell that to Mr. Wenger...

[Judge Dredd]

When West Brom are asking ?10 million for Curtis Davies, and Spurs getting ?18 million for Michael Carrick, both of whom are players I would love to see at Arsenal, you can't blame Wenger trawling abroad and finding the bargains he does.

As much as some of the directors will tell us otherwise, the new ground will have some effect on Wenger's spending power, certainly for the next 2 years when certain aspects of the financial package with banks are due to re-negotiated.

The wage bill is still apparently too high. We are paying Rosicky ?35,000 a week. Henry's pay has risen by somewhere in the region of ?30,000 - 50,000 a week. Pires was on ?63,000 a week and he has gone. Campbell was getting ?82,000 a week and he has gone. Bergkamp was on a basic of ?30,000 a week before appearance fees. Cashley is on ?70,000 a week and Reyes ?55,000, so we may need those two losers to leave before we can bring in any 'big' names. And by big I mean foreigners who won't cost as much. If Wenger doesn't bring in anyone by Thursday, this will be the worst season under his reign.

And when he does bring in English players, they fail to perform. Upson spent more time on the sidelines than the pitch. Pennant didn't have the mental disciplie to buckle down. Cashley Cole has shafted Wenger, and everyone associated with the club, by his disgusting behaviour. I just hope Walcott can restore the Professor's faith in Englsih players, but it will be a long haul.

I honestly thought this season would see us push on before a proper title challenge next season, but there are enough signs in the opening week of the season to suggest that it may well be 3 or 4 years before we can challenge again. And by that time Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool will have gone up another level.

[Gnrfan]

When West Brom are asking ?10 million for Curtis Davies, and Spurs getting ?18 million for Michael Carrick, both of whom are players I would love to see at Arsenal, you can't blame Wenger trawling abroad and finding the bargains he does.

You can if the players he buys doesn't add to the team.

Cashley is on ?70,000 a week and Reyes ?55,000,

Get rid then. Both players obviously want to leave so get it done and use the money. I mean the whole Gallas- Cole thing is silly. Last i heard Arsenal want 2 million more. just sell him. Gallas is quality.

And when he does bring in English players, they fail to perform. Upson spent more time on the sidelines than the pitch. Pennant didn't have the mental disciplie to buckle down. Cashley Cole has shafted Wenger, and everyone associated with the club, by his disgusting behaviour. I just hope Walcott can restore the Professor's faith in Englsih players, but it will be a long haul.

Upson was never given a chance over people like Grimandi and you signed Cygan instead.

A. Cole is an idiot and he has been a dick to you, But players do leave and i think Arsenal have handled it just as badly now. They just seemed determined to stick it to Chelsea above all else . . rather than get Gallas in and go from there. And to threaten to leave Englands best left back out all year would be a disaster for England

Pennant was never really given a chance either.

And lets remember Wenger has lost out on Lampard, D.Bent, Carrick, Defoe to name a few over the years.

They need to take a chance on a player like Barton or Nolan IMO and build around Fabregas and Henry

[Shoco]

i dont think gallas would go to arsenal to be honest

[Gnrfan]

i dont think gallas would go to arsenal to be honest

He has said he wants to i think. I just think its Arsenals valuation that is the problem

[Judge Dredd]

i dont think gallas would go to arsenal to be honest

He wants to join up with Wenger and Henry.

The problem is that Chelsea refuse to sell one of their top players to a rival. They have slapped a ?15 million valuation on a player with less than 12 months on his contract, whilst offering less than that for Cole who has 2 years on his contract.

Can explain to me how a 29 year old with 12 months on his contract can be worth more than a 25 year old with 2 years on his contract, both of whom earn the same weekly wage? Tis madness.

At the end of the day, if Arsenal put a valuation on a player, if you don't meet it, the player doesn't go.

Personally I have no problem with Cole spending a year on gardening leave.

[Danny Top Hat]

No 'effing way do I want Arsenal to pay Cole ?70k a week just for sitting on his arse all year.  If he stays he's gotta play his socks off all season or the fans will throw rocks at him.  I'd prefer him just to leave so we can get Gallas.

Do you think Chelsea's plan is simply to unsettle Arsenal or do they really want him that badly?  It seems strange to charge that much for Gallas when they barely use him anyway.

[Judge Dredd]

No 'effing way do I want Arsenal to pay Cole ?70k a week just for sitting on his arse all year.  If he stays he's gotta play his socks off all season or the fans will throw rocks at him.  I'd prefer him just to leave so we can get Gallas.

Do you think Chelsea's plan is simply to unsettle Arsenal or do they really want him that badly?  It seems strange to charge that much for Gallas when they barely use him anyway.

Chelsea hate Arsenal. End of story. Mourinho has stated numerous times that he isn't that bothered about Cole because he is too short. However, when he bought a tall left back in Del Horno, he found out he was not all that good. They are a club who are riding roughshod over the already shabby virtues of the game and they'll take down as many as they can with them.

Chelsea can afford to let Gallas rot for a year, they have the money and they did it with Winston Bogarde.

If Cole doesn't go, I don't want to see him go near an Arsenal shirt. He has already told Dein, Wenger and the players he has no intention of ever playing for the club again, so stuff him. He can rot for all I care. And I don't care if it effects his England place. Wayne Bridge can cover that, with Paul Konchesky as back up.

Never in all the time have I ever hated an Arsenal player as much as Cole. There have been players who I don't like because I don't think they are very good, but at least they tried their best. Cole on the other hand is pure vermin who has held the club to ransom over ?5,000 a week and because we refused to pay his agent ?6,500 a week for the duration of the contract. He is a double talkin jive little twerp who had the audacity to complain about Arsenal reporting Chelsea to the FA, yet he doesn't seem to understand that he isn't allowed to have tea parties in London hotels with representatives of other clubs! I swear he actually believes he is an innocent party in all this who has been unfairly victimised. I swear, if he plays this season and I manage to get a ticket, I will spend the whole game abusing the little git. I'm not particularly fussed if he has a problem with David Dein, he wouldn't be the first. But he has shown a complete lack of respect to the club, to Wenger (the man who sold a Brazilian international so Cole could get regular first team football), his team-mates and the fans.

Sorry for the rant, but this little twat really has wound me up with his behaviour.

[Gnrfan]

And I don't care if it effects his England place. Wayne Bridge can cover that, with Paul Konchesky as back up.

You must be joking

No 'effing way do I want Arsenal to pay Cole ?70k a week just for sitting on his arse all year. If he stays he's gotta play his socks off all season or the fans will throw rocks at him. I'd prefer him just to leave so we can get Gallas.

Do you think Chelsea's plan is simply to unsettle Arsenal or do they really want him that badly? It seems strange to charge that much for Gallas when they barely use him anyway.

Thats the way i think.

But Gallas is a better player IMO. Yeah he's older but i honestly think he's one of the worlds best. He can play all across the defense.

Personally i think Arsenal valuation of Cole is well over priced.

[Judge Dredd]

And I don't care if it effects his England place. Wayne Bridge can cover that, with Paul Konchesky as back up.

You must be joking

Not one iota.

[Gnrfan]

And I don't care if it effects his England place. Wayne Bridge can cover that, with Paul Konchesky as back up.

You must be joking

Not one iota.

If you think Wayne Bridge and Paul Konchesky are International class i.e. more than a squad player then i think your mental.

Bridge can't defend in the air and Konchesky just isn't up to it

[Izzy]

Jonathan Woodgate returns to the premiership having managed 14 games for Real Madrid - thats something like 1.1 million of the transfer fee per game - what a deal!!!!

[Gnrfan]

Jonathan Woodgate returns to the premiership having managed 14 games for Real Madrid - thats something like 1.1 million of the transfer fee per game - what a deal!!!!

First there was Darren Anderton, Then Jaime Redknapp and then Woodgate . . Following in a great line of english 'Sicknotes'

When he played his debut for Real he scored an own goal . . .they say debuts repeat themselves

[Judge Dredd]

And I don't care if it effects his England place. Wayne Bridge can cover that, with Paul Konchesky as back up.

You must be joking

Not one iota.

If you think Wayne Bridge and Paul Konchesky are International class i.e. more than a squad player then i think your mental.

Bridge can't defend in the air and Konchesky just isn't up to it

No, they ain't as good as Cole, but then the competition in the Euro qualifiers is not particularly taxing.

And ultimately, it doesn't matter if we qualify because we will simply be eliminated in a glorious failure or in an embarassing disaster. As per every tournament in the last 40 years.

[2NaFish]

not strictly true, sometimes you didnt even make it.