AFTV/AM '17/'18: A New Hope

[BlueCelery]

Nonsense, on Mustafi especially.

How's your search for a centre-back going? We'll finish above you lot again.

Mustafi is as average as it gets especially compared to the likes of Bailly & Stones who are elite prospects. His ceiling is a Gary Cahill type of player. There's a reason no other top club was in for him.

If Koulibaly gets done we'll have signed 3 far superior players to you lot.

 

[Traub]

I suppose it depends if they can keep hold of Ozil and Sanchez. Without them I think the standard of that squad drops considerably. I agree on the next appointment and I think a Moyes style appointment would hurt them more than it hurt United.

Agreed. IMO, you got the manager they needed to take over from Wenger. If Wenger goes at the end of this season, there isn't really anyone available - maybe they could tempt Simeone?

 

[Gopher Brown]

What's wrong with Gary Cahill? Sure, he's not got a very inspiring name but he's been a vital part of Chelsea's defence for 5 years and is exactly the sort of player Arsenal have lacked recently.

 

[BlueCelery]

At the start of the transfer window, any Arsenal fan would've bitten your hand off for a CB, CM/DM and a proper striker.

Xhaka solves the CM/DM problem and is exactly the sort of midfielder we needed.

I'm still not convinced by Xhaka. He has incredible passing range & is the metronome type of player you've lacked since Cesc's departure but he's a bit of a defensive liability. Don't think he has the athleticism to cope with the top forwards/midfielders & will get exposed without two high energy midfielders alongside him. Ramsey will help but Ozil is a luxury player.

I haven't seen much of Mustafi apart from the Euros but atleast him replacing Mertesacker means we can finally play a proper high line/high press with two aggressive defenders. I think i'll reserve my judgement on the 'German Cahill' until i've seen him play regularly in the PL.

The goal at the start of the summer was a World Class defender or a CB that could develop into that. Mustafi isn't that, which is why it's a underwhelming signing.

As for the striker bit, I don't think any of the proper strikers were available (or interested in moving to Arsenal). The only high profile striker that moved was Higuain? (never a chance we'd pay that much for him).
Perez seems like a cheap Vardy-esque gamble and after a couple of years of watching Giroud toil upfront on his own, atleast we've got someone who can run in behind!

Perez just had his first ever 10+ goalscoring season. Nothing about him suggests it wasn't a fluke & I'm not sure he'll be able to cope at a high pressure club like Arsenal. From the likes of Bony to Aspas, many of these strikers who had decent goalscoring seasons at smaller clubs haven't been able to cope with the increased pressure and scrutiny at bigger clubs.

As for available strikers. Batshuayi, Higuain, Lukaku, Lacazette, Alcacer, Milik, Ben Yedder, Ibrahimovic any of these players would've been an improvement on Giroud or Perez.

 

[Traub]

At the start of the transfer window, any Arsenal fan would've bitten your hand off for a CB, CM/DM and a proper striker.

Xhaka solves the CM/DM problem and is exactly the sort of midfielder we needed.

I haven't seen much of Mustafi apart from the Euros but atleast him replacing Mertesacker means we can finally play a proper high line/high press with two aggressive defenders. I think i'll reserve my judgement on the 'German Cahill' until i've seen him play regularly in the PL.

As for the striker bit, I don't think any of the proper strikers were available (or interested in moving to Arsenal). The only high profile striker that moved was Higuain? (never a chance we'd pay that much for him).
Perez seems like a cheap Vardy-esque gamble and after a couple of years of watching Giroud toil upfront on his own, atleast we've got someone who can run in behind!

Also : Calling them 'awful' signings before they've even kicked a ball is slightly premature, don't you think?

I think the problem is that, from the outside, it really feels like the same recycled shit over again.

Xhaka without a doubt is a top quality signing. The other two are risks - especially the striker. For me, it just isn't good enough for Arsenal. You guys need a top top striker. You mentioned Higuain... well then Arsene should've bought him. And if you couldn't sign him, you get Vardy by giving him an offer just too good to turn down. Arsenal have the financial power to go for the top tier players instead of these punts. Yes, these risky signings may work out but Arsenal have the cash to sign better players who are a lower risk.

 

[Solius]

Nonsense, on Mustafi especially.

How's your search for a centre-back going? We'll finish above you lot again.

He's called Eric Bailly.

 

[Gazza]

He's called Eric Bailly.

BlueCelery is Chelsea

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

He's called Eric Bailly.

Could be wrong but I think Thierry was replying to a Chelsea fan.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Interested to see how Lucas Perez does, seems to have a similar story to Vardy in the sense that he's breaking through to the big league at a late age, after climbing through the lower Spanish divisions.

Some of the goals he's scored are phenomenal. (0:35 ) Seems really quick and naturally a good dribbler too.

 

[spwd]

Hilarious is:

• Asking the fans to shell out the highest season ticket prices in Europe for the last decade to constantly fail in delivering even a single league title.
• Selling the fans the dream of a bigger stadium means competing with the big boys in transfers and still not able to properly replace your last proper striker(RvP) in 4 years.
• Adding up to the number of participants to 32 teams in CL but still not even crossing the second knockout round in what?! 6 straight years now?!
• Having a manager who is hell bent on his ways and the only way the fans see a superstar signing is if the selling club decide they don't need the player and no other big team is going for him or if the "keeper" wants only to play for a London club.
• When all the so called "killing football with big spending" clubs had a lousy season, Hilarious is when Arsenal still couldn't beat Leicester City to the title.

I don't know. You tell me. I find these hilarious than us buying back a player.

Well said

 

[Red Dreams]

think Arsenal have purchased well.

 

[AndyJ1985]

Sorry but signing your ex player who left for free for a world record (and it is with agents fees) 100 million plus is always going to be hilarious.

There's nothing hilarious about it, because if you actually engaged your brain, you'd realise Mourinho and Woodward can't buy him back because they never let him go in the first place.

 

[AR87]

I think Mustafi improves their starting XI and can be with them for a long time, which is good as both Koscielny and Mertesacker are getting up there in age. I have no thoughts on Lucas Perez as I've never watched him in a match, but I have serious doubts about him being an improvement on Giroud, who despite his issues is still a very good though not top level striker. Xhaka is quality, but I'm not sold he necessarily improves them greatly. Either way I have a difficult time seeing what they've done this summer putting them above City or United. We'll see.

 

[Solius]

Could be wrong but I think Thierry was replying to a Chelsea fan.

Oooooh.

 

[lysglimt]

It's scary how quickly things have turned around at the Emirates. For many years, Arsenal had a lot of talented kids breaking into the first team - but if you look at their side now. the key-players in their side are almost without exception, in their late 20's or early 30's

Petr Cech 34, Alexis Sanchez 28 in a few months, Mesut Özil 28 in a few months, Laurent Koscielny 31 next month, Santi Cazorla 32 in a few months, Per Mertesacker 32 next month, Oliver Giroud 30 in a few months, Nacho Monreal 30

How many of the players that are younger have been both good and not plagued by injuries ? (not counting someone like Xhaka just signed) Bellerin, Ramsey, maybe Coquelin and AOC - Arsenal could do with a real revamp!

 

[KM]

It's scary how quickly things have turned around at the Emirates. For many years, Arsenal had a lot of talented kids breaking into the first team - but if you look at their side now. the key-players in their side are almost without exception, in their late 20's or early 30's

Petr Cech 34, Alexis Sanchez 28 in a few months, Mesut Özil 28 in a few months, Laurent Koscielny 31 next month, Santi Cazorla 32 in a few months, Per Mertesacker 32 next month, Oliver Giroud 30 in a few months, Nacho Monreal 30

How many of the players that are younger have been both good and not plagued by injuries ? (not counting someone like Xhaka just signed) Bellerin, Ramsey, maybe Coquelin and AOC - Arsenal could do with a real revamp!

I think this is the result of their British contingent failing to fulfil their potential for reason or another. Chambers, Gibbs, AoC, Walcott, Welbeck, Wilshere and Ramsey have failed to realise their potential due to the fact that they are too injury prone or are just too average(Walcott) or simply for some reason don't cut it at club level(Ramsey for Wales is a monster).

 

[K2K]

Sorry but signing your ex player who left for free for a world record (and it is with agents fees) 100 million plus is always going to be hilarious.

Compared to not signing a striker that you have needed for years and a CB?

Yes. Improving your team with world class talent is funny compared to the transfer predicament Arsenal have themselves in.

 

[The Purist]

I'm still not convinced by Xhaka. He has incredible passing range & is the metronome type of player you've lacked since Cesc's departure but he's a bit of a defensive liability. Don't think he has the athleticism to cope with the top forwards/midfielders & will get exposed without two high energy midfielders alongside him. Ramsey will help but Ozil is a luxury player.



The goal at the start of the summer was a World Class defender or a CB that could develop into that. Mustafi isn't that, which is why it's a underwhelming signing.



Perez just had his first ever 10+ goalscoring season. Nothing about him suggests it wasn't a fluke & I'm not sure he'll be able to cope at a high pressure club like Arsenal. From the likes of Bony to Aspas, many of these strikers who had decent goalscoring seasons at smaller clubs haven't been able to cope with the increased pressure and scrutiny at bigger clubs.

As for available strikers. Batshuayi, Higuain, Lukaku, Lacazette, Alcacer, Milik, Ben Yedder, Ibrahimovic any of these players would've been an improvement on Giroud or Perez.

Sometimes when I read your posts, I have to remember that you're the guy that thinks Hazard is better than Neymar and it all makes sense again.

 

[jelaiho]

Hilarious is:

• Asking the fans to shell out the highest season ticket prices in Europe for the last decade to constantly fail in delivering even a single league title.
• Selling the fans the dream of a bigger stadium means competing with the big boys in transfers and still not able to properly replace your last proper striker(RvP) in 4 years..
• Adding up to the number of participants to 32 teams in CL but still not even crossing the second knockout round in what?! 6 straight years now?!
• Having a manager who is hell bent on his ways and the only way the fans see a superstar signing is if the selling club decide they don't need the player and no other big team is going for him or if the "keeper" wants only to play for a London club.
• When all the so called "killing football with big spending" clubs had a lousy season, Hilarious is when Arsenal still couldn't beat Leicester City to the title.

I don't know. You tell me. I find these hilarious than us buying back a player.

We've spent money wisely on Ozil, Alexis and Xhaka in recent seasons whilst also bringing in players to develop for the future such as Holding, Chambers, Elneny and Iwobi.

Mistakes have undoubtedly been made over recent seasons but when you analyse and assess the situation with a clear head then we haven't really ever seriously failed at all under Wenger. Overall I think we'll be fine and if the injury problems abate theres no reason why this team can't challenge

 

[GifLord]

We've spent money wisely on Ozil, Alexis and Xhaka in recent seasons whilst also bringing in players to develop for the future such as Holding, Chambers, Elneny and Iwobi.

Mistakes have undoubtedly been made over recent seasons but when you analyse and assess the situation with a clear head then we haven't really ever seriously failed at all under Wenger. Overall I think we'll be fine and if the injury problems abate theres no reason why this team can't challenge

Didn't you pay premium prices for players who weren't wanted by their clubs. Take fo an example Robben and Sneijder. They both had 3 years left on their contracts, both not wanted anymore and both left for peanutts.
Sneijder's market value in 2009 was 25 mio € they sold him to Inter for 15mio €
Robben's was 30mio €, was sold for 24mio € to Bayern.
Ozil was worth around 40mio€ you bought him for 47mio despite Madrid wanting to get rid of him. Same with Sanchez had 2 years left on his contract, was not needed by the club anymore, sold for a premium price 42mil€ - at the time his market value was 30mio€

source - transfermarkt.de

 

[podurban2]

Sorry but signing your ex player who left for free for a world record (and it is with agents fees) 100 million plus is always going to be hilarious.

"We.Are.Laughing"

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Didn't you pay premium prices for players who weren't wanted by their clubs. Take fo an example Robben and Sneijder. They both had 3 years left on their contracts, both not wanted anymore and both left for peanutts.
Sneijder's market value in 2009 was 25 mio € they sold him to Inter for 15mio €
Robben's was 30mio €, was sold for 24mio € to Bayern.
Ozil was worth around 40mio€ you bought him for 47mio despite Madrid wanting to get rid of him. Same with Sanchez had 2 years left on his contract, was not needed by the club anymore, sold for a premium price 42mil€ - at the time his market value was 30mio€

source - transfermarkt.de

Not sure either of those players were worth what we paid for them, if a player like Bolasie is worth 30 million then a player of Sanchez's quality is worth at least thrice that amount. etc.

 

[Member 5225]

Am awaiting an Ozil or Sanchez transfer request on deadline day - that'd make my year!

 

[Hemil]

We've spent money wisely on Ozil, Alexis and Xhaka in recent seasons whilst also bringing in players to develop for the future such as Holding, Chambers, Elneny and Iwobi.

Mistakes have undoubtedly been made over recent seasons but when you analyse and assess the situation with a clear head then we haven't really ever seriously failed at all under Wenger. Overall I think we'll be fine and if the injury problems abate theres no reason why this team can't challenge

You let Leicester win the title when it was in your hands and no other top club left to challenge. Last season was an epic failure for Arsenal.

 

[NoLogo]

Somebody who doesn't know the difference between 'common' and 'come on'

Thanks for pointing out my mistake. Have a lovely day my friend.

 

[klayton88]

Hilarious is:

• Asking the fans to shell out the highest season ticket prices in Europe for the last decade to constantly fail in delivering even a single league title.
• Selling the fans the dream of a bigger stadium means competing with the big boys in transfers and still not able to properly replace your last proper striker(RvP) in 4 years.
• Adding up to the number of participants to 32 teams in CL but still not even crossing the second knockout round in what?! 6 straight years now?!
• Having a manager who is hell bent on his ways and the only way the fans see a superstar signing is if the selling club decide they don't need the player and no other big team is going for him or if the "keeper" wants only to play for a London club.
• When all the so called "killing football with big spending" clubs had a lousy season, Hilarious is when Arsenal still couldn't beat Leicester City to the title.

I don't know. You tell me. I find these hilarious than us buying back a player.

I like you.

 

[Welsh Wonder]

I think WengersWackyWanking has wummed you all there. I hope it was a wum anyway.

 

[SirAF]

Nonsense, on Mustafi especially.

How's your search for a centre-back going? We'll finish above you lot again.

Edit: Oh right, he's a Chelsea fan. Carry on.

 

[Rightnr]

The definition of insanity isn't doing the same thing over and over again but hoping for a different result, thats just a quote

Since you wanted to nitpick my post I'll reply in kind. 'The definition of' is an expression to say something is akin to something else. You might not like it but it is not wrong.

 

[jelaiho]

Didn't you pay premium prices for players who weren't wanted by their clubs. Take fo an example Robben and Sneijder. They both had 3 years left on their contracts, both not wanted anymore and both left for peanutts.
Sneijder's market value in 2009 was 25 mio € they sold him to Inter for 15mio €
Robben's was 30mio €, was sold for 24mio € to Bayern.
Ozil was worth around 40mio€ you bought him for 47mio despite Madrid wanting to get rid of him. Same with Sanchez had 2 years left on his contract, was not needed by the club anymore, sold for a premium price 42mil€ - at the time his market value was 30mio€

source - transfermarkt.de

Perhaps but overrall thats irrelevant because the point is it shows contrast to what is largely portrayed that Wenger isnt stingy and is willing to pay more than £25m for a player if there available for sale and of the quality of this football club.
You wont see the likes of Schneiderlin, Lallana and Pedro here for £25-40m because the club spend wisely on players Arsene knows will be worth the investment hence why we're still in the UCL and United, Chelsea and Liverpool have slipped.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Perhaps but overrall thats irrelevant because the point is it shows contrast to what is largely portrayed that Wenger isnt stingy and is willing to pay more than £25m for a player if there available for sale and of the quality of this football club.
You wont see the likes of Schneiderlin, Lallana and Pedro here for £25-40m because the club spend wisely on players Arsene knows will be worth the investment hence why we're still in the UCL and United, Chelsea and Liverpool have slipped.

It's also probably a contributing factor in why you've never actually won the Champions League, and only been close once, despite qualifying every year for almost 20 seasons.

 

[jelaiho]

You let Leicester win the title when it was in your hands and no other top club left to challenge. Last season was an epic failure for Arsenal.

We didn't handle the challenge last season in the manner a potential champion would though you have to remember Leicester wern't any small-time winners as they only lost three matches two against Arsenal whilst we also had a lot of injuries to players for a long period of the campaign which affected both our play and squad rotation. Its more epic failure for the other two traditional title challengers Chelsea and Man City than Arsenal, anyone who says otherwise is senseless.

 

[Z_Wolf]

Perhaps but overrall thats irrelevant because the point is it shows contrast to what is largely portrayed that Wenger isnt stingy and is willing to pay more than £25m for a player if there available for sale and of the quality of this football club.
You wont see the likes of Schneiderlin, Lallana and Pedro here for £25-40m because the club spend wisely on players Arsene knows will be worth the investment hence why we're still in the UCL and United, Chelsea and Liverpool have slipped.

Don't write off Schneiderlin yet. I think He's better than Xhaka tbh

 

[MounchesterUtd]

Hilarious is:

• Asking the fans to shell out the highest season ticket prices in Europe for the last decade to constantly fail in delivering even a single league title.
• Selling the fans the dream of a bigger stadium means competing with the big boys in transfers and still not able to properly replace your last proper striker(RvP) in 4 years.
• Adding up to the number of participants to 32 teams in CL but still not even crossing the second knockout round in what?! 6 straight years now?!
• Having a manager who is hell bent on his ways and the only way the fans see a superstar signing is if the selling club decide they don't need the player and no other big team is going for him or if the "keeper" wants only to play for a London club.
• When all the so called "killing football with big spending" clubs had a lousy season, Hilarious is when Arsenal still couldn't beat Leicester City to the title.

I don't know. You tell me. I find these hilarious than us buying back a player.

SCREAMING

 

[SteveJ]

Perhaps but overrall thats irrelevant because the point is it shows contrast to what is largely portrayed that Wenger isnt stingy and is willing to pay more than £25m for a player if there available for sale and of the quality of this football club.
You wont see the likes of Schneiderlin, Lallana and Pedro here for £25-40m because the club spend wisely on players Arsene knows will be worth the investment hence why we're still in the UCL and United, Chelsea and Liverpool have slipped.

We didn't handle the challenge last season in the manner a potential champion would though you have to remember Leicester wern't any small-time winners as they only lost three matches two against Arsenal whilst we also had a lot of injuries to players for a long period of the campaign which affected both our play and squad rotation. Its more epic failure for the other two traditional title challengers Chelsea and Man City than Arsenal, anyone who says otherwise is senseless.

The opinions expressed in these posts are very lop-sided & biased.

 

[KingMinger22]

I don't think that there were enough top quality Strikers or Centrebacks out there for Arsenal to get one.

Other clubs eat first (United, City) and there are so few quality players in these positions right now.

Arsenal definitely underwhelm in player recruitment though.

They have everything is place to be a truly tier 1 club but the board don't seem to care about that. They just want top 4 for the sensible ROI.

 

[SteveJ]

Its more epic failure for the other two traditional title challengers Chelsea and Man City than Arsenal, anyone who says otherwise is senseless.

And what about the epic failure of Suicide Spurs down the years (let alone other challengers for 4th place), which has allowed 'genius' Wenger to claim such a proud record of CL qualification?

 

[gorky_utd]

I thought arsenal might finish outside top 4 this season but after this two signing they have cemented their top 4.This two signings costs less than what they will get from champions league.Very nice business decision from their board.

 

[Hammerfell]

And what about the epic failure of Suicide Spurs down the years (let alone other challengers for 4th place), which has allowed 'genius' Wenger to claim such a proud record of CL qualification?

Leave it Steve, he's not worth it!

 

[SteveJ]

Leave it Steve, he's not worth it!

He could always claim that "I didn't see it."