McAgger wrote:He has scored a lot for the NT, I wouldn't be surprised if he was up there with Figo, Rui Costa, etc in the all time scoring ranks for Portugal. Probably below Pauleta, Eusebio and Ronaldo.

something-red wrote:

The Franchise wrote:Didnt say they shouldnt push for a title.

But you cannot buy your way to a guaranteed title, especially not with one single signing.

If you can sign a player who you think can get you there, then great. But I just dont think you should overspend to do it, because if you dont win..what do you have?

Higuain doesnt catapult them anywhere, in fact I dont think they finish any higher than 3rd with him...I think the first thing you need to do is seperate him and Suarez because they are two different level of player.

You speak as if Wenger is a idiot. You really think he doesnt want to improve? He is just being cheap for the sake of it...Like he doesnt know they could do with players to improve their team to challange for the title. But for like the 5th time, he believe you dont have to overspend to do it. They dont have Roman and Shieks to bail their fail transfers out...they gotta think before they actually make a move.

I bet a ton of people felt, why didnt Arsenal try for Torres instead of Chelsea. Well look how they went.

There are many many many clubs out there, who do great things spending a reasonable amount of money on players. Wenger just trying to do the very same thing.

I definitely understand your argument and what you want to say.

But buying youngsters and unproven players, and grooming them hasn't entirely worked for Arsenal, has it?

I mean, sure they were consistently getting placed in the CL, and did in fact pay off their debts so you can say it was some what of a success.

But on the other hand, they haven't exactly won anything for 6 (or 7?) years now and their reputation is getting attacked. Not by just fans, but footballers too. How many players in Europe would genuinely want to play for Arsenal if they're already a CL team? I can't think of many that will make that jump. I mean, it won't be long before the Cazorla's and Kos' leave them to go on to fight for titles, just like RvP, Nasri, Clichy and Song have done in the past. They're not showing any ambition towards anyone, really. You can only sell a project for so long.  

There has to be a point where you need to stop being arrogant and adapt to the modern times. The market is inflated, yes. But is there anything to suggest that the market will drop? There are definitely bargains out there if you look right, but who's going to be sold in August now that will genuinely improve their starting XI? This is after all, the first time Wenger has money to spend.

Arsenal really could of fought for the league if they made 2-3 top signings instead of trying to "groom" talents. Firstly, his side has no leadership in it what so ever. And not many of them have a winning mentality at the club. If they don't solve those 2 problems they won't win the league. Or win trophies. Or advance past the quarters in the CL... they need experience. Experience cost money. Wenger won't spend money. That's the problem.


I mean, look at City. Yes they did overspend and had a massive budget. But look at who they signed. They went for players with the winning mentality, players that genuinely improved the side, and most of the City players still have time on their hands. They have a somewhat young mature list now. Yaya is old, sure. But I can't think of too many players in their starting XI that are older than 30. Zabaleta maybe? Anyway, not saying they should go out and overpay for a whole new starting XI, but they need experience, someone to genuinely improve the starting XI, they need a leader, and they need someone with a winning mentality. So I guess you can see why they want Luis Suarez...

They also really need a DM. Have they been linked to one at all? Luiz Gustavo is rumoured to be transfer listed at Bayern. He's one of the best DMs in the world if he plays consistently. (Nothing on Leiva, though. ) They need signings this summer. Arsenal should be all over that. Not only to impress the fans, but to show players around Europe that they want to start winning things.

That all sounds like a dig at Wenger, and to be fair, I do rate the guy. He's a great coach, arguably the best in the league. He's shown what he can do in the past decade, and that's no fluke. You can't question his loyalty either. Which manager today would consistently get Arsenal in the CL with Arsenal's current squad, and at the same time have a tight budget paying off stadium debt. I do feel he's in a harsh position having total control at Arsenal. It's hard to negotiate with different teams to acquire players and at the same time manage your current squad. But he's been wasting his time for what feels like a month now (it's only been what, a week or two?) with Luis Suarez, he's not exactly done anything to improve the starting XI, and he's shown nothing to suggest he'll be making any signings soon.

rwo power wrote:I have to admit, I have to agree with Franchise - why are people here only looking for "big names" all the time? I bet with some proper scouting you should be able to find not overpriced gems, just possibly not in the usual leagues.

The Franchise wrote:

something-red wrote:

The Franchise wrote:Didnt say they shouldnt push for a title.

But you cannot buy your way to a guaranteed title, especially not with one single signing.

If you can sign a player who you think can get you there, then great. But I just dont think you should overspend to do it, because if you dont win..what do you have?

Higuain doesnt catapult them anywhere, in fact I dont think they finish any higher than 3rd with him...I think the first thing you need to do is seperate him and Suarez because they are two different level of player.

You speak as if Wenger is a idiot. You really think he doesnt want to improve? He is just being cheap for the sake of it...Like he doesnt know they could do with players to improve their team to challange for the title. But for like the 5th time, he believe you dont have to overspend to do it. They dont have Roman and Shieks to bail their fail transfers out...they gotta think before they actually make a move.

I bet a ton of people felt, why didnt Arsenal try for Torres instead of Chelsea. Well look how they went.

There are many many many clubs out there, who do great things spending a reasonable amount of money on players. Wenger just trying to do the very same thing.

I definitely understand your argument and what you want to say.

But buying youngsters and unproven players, and grooming them hasn't entirely worked for Arsenal, has it?

I mean, sure they were consistently getting placed in the CL, and did in fact pay off their debts so you can say it was some what of a success.

But on the other hand, they haven't exactly won anything for 6 (or 7?) years now and their reputation is getting attacked. Not by just fans, but footballers too. How many players in Europe would genuinely want to play for Arsenal if they're already a CL team? I can't think of many that will make that jump. I mean, it won't be long before the Cazorla's and Kos' leave them to go on to fight for titles, just like RvP, Nasri, Clichy and Song have done in the past. They're not showing any ambition towards anyone, really. You can only sell a project for so long.  

There has to be a point where you need to stop being arrogant and adapt to the modern times. The market is inflated, yes. But is there anything to suggest that the market will drop? There are definitely bargains out there if you look right, but who's going to be sold in August now that will genuinely improve their starting XI? This is after all, the first time Wenger has money to spend.

Arsenal really could of fought for the league if they made 2-3 top signings instead of trying to "groom" talents. Firstly, his side has no leadership in it what so ever. And not many of them have a winning mentality at the club. If they don't solve those 2 problems they won't win the league. Or win trophies. Or advance past the quarters in the CL... they need experience. Experience cost money. Wenger won't spend money. That's the problem.


I mean, look at City. Yes they did overspend and had a massive budget. But look at who they signed. They went for players with the winning mentality, players that genuinely improved the side, and most of the City players still have time on their hands. They have a somewhat young mature list now. Yaya is old, sure. But I can't think of too many players in their starting XI that are older than 30. Zabaleta maybe? Anyway, not saying they should go out and overpay for a whole new starting XI, but they need experience, someone to genuinely improve the starting XI, they need a leader, and they need someone with a winning mentality. So I guess you can see why they want Luis Suarez...

They also really need a DM. Have they been linked to one at all? Luiz Gustavo is rumoured to be transfer listed at Bayern. He's one of the best DMs in the world if he plays consistently. (Nothing on Leiva, though. ) They need signings this summer. Arsenal should be all over that. Not only to impress the fans, but to show players around Europe that they want to start winning things.

That all sounds like a dig at Wenger, and to be fair, I do rate the guy. He's a great coach, arguably the best in the league. He's shown what he can do in the past decade, and that's no fluke. You can't question his loyalty either. Which manager today would consistently get Arsenal in the CL with Arsenal's current squad, and at the same time have a tight budget paying off stadium debt. I do feel he's in a harsh position having total control at Arsenal. It's hard to negotiate with different teams to acquire players and at the same time manage your current squad. But he's been wasting his time for what feels like a month now (it's only been what, a week or two?) with Luis Suarez, he's not exactly done anything to improve the starting XI, and he's shown nothing to suggest he'll be making any signings soon.

Define worked?

People think they should challange for the title, and Wenger says it (only to save face) but in reality they dont have the quality, they donE about as I expect the last 3 years give or take in the league and exceeded expectations in the CL.

Before then, they been unlucky in that Van Persie wasnt the Van Persie we see today untill other players had left, because he was always injured.

Players havent been patient and stuck around, thats on Wenger. He hasnt convinced them enough, they wanted titles.

I agree, the really top players wont join Arsenal at the moment, but they never had anyway, even when they were winning things.

No doubt Man City made the signings to improve themselves, but there is no way Arsenal could afford to do it like that. No way.  

I do agree Arsenal need signings. If they let Gustavo go somewhere else without a fight, these are the things we should blame Wenger for. That I completely agree.

ExtremistEnigma wrote:Newcastle want Downinho and have made a £5m bid.

something-red wrote:

This whole "kid project" thing started due to the fact that Arsenal had to pay off their debts. They wanted to groom a team of youngsters, and let them develop together so they could all be challenging honours together in the future. It was a long term plan. It sounded good and all when it started, but that was back in 2005 or 2006, I forget the exact year. It hasn't quite worked out for them. Hence, you could only argue that it's been a success to get into the CL with their current crop of players, they didn't actually get what they were targeting in reaching their goal.

Exactly. Arsenal don't have the quality to compete for the league. But they're not far off. That's why all their fans, and players, are pressuring the Arsenal board to cough up money and invest cash into the team and get them to fight for trophies. They only really need 3 players which they could of got easily this summer. One being a goal keeper. I'm certain Julio Cesar is available for cheap and/or on loan. That would solve that for a year until they can find an actual replacement. A DM. Like I mentioned before, they should go for Gustavo. Third, well. An attacker, obviously. But why waste your entire time on Suarez when he that won't join them? It's stupid crap like that is what's frustrating the fans.

Again. I'm not exactly saying to go full Man City and approach and sign every "top" player out there splashing out cash for every player out there. They obviously can't afford to do that. Not many teams can. But follow their procedure in acquiring a player. Majority of City's "expensive" signings came in their first year to get them into the CL. Arsenal are already in the CL so they can skip the "overpay" approach and so they don't need to splash large amounts on average players. Man City has now established themselves as one of the best teams in the league. Look at how they got Jovetic for 20m this summer. That was a fair deal. Well scouted. Good signing. He could of improved Arsenal. Why didn't they go in for him if they were interested? Fiorentina was basically forcing him out...

BAYERN_MUNICH wrote:Gustavo for ~20Mil. € to Wolfsburg... :,(

Forza wrote:

BAYERN_MUNICH wrote:Gustavo for ~20Mil. € to Wolfsburg... :,(

What a step backwards it would be for him  if that happens.

Di Marzio wrote:Radja Nainggolan and Cagliari. It appeared the two parties were going to part ways, but now the situation is stalling. Inter and Roma were pursuing him, but now the Belgian midfielder is giving 100% during the team’s pre season training. He has also reached an agreement with Cellino, in the likely event he remains at the club. His contract will be extended through 2016 with a raise. The agreement will go into effect automatically should he still be on the club past the September 3rd trade deadline.

Leandro Damiao’s agent reveals a move to Napoli fell through because “sponsorship contracts made it impossible.”

The 24-year-old Internacional striker had been the prime target to replace Edinson Cavani, but they turned their focus to Gonzalo Higuain instead.

“There were negotiations with Napoli, but the inherent difficulties tied in to sponsorship contracts and image rights made it impossible to reach a deal with Aurelio De Laurentiis,” agent Vinicus Prates told TMW.

“The club preferred to turn to Higuain, so now Damiao is working hard with Internacional while he waits for a great proposal from Europe.”
Damiao has also been linked with a potential Serie A transfer to Roma, while Zenit and Southampton are among his other suitors.

“There is nothing concrete with Roma. They are a good side, but there has been no contact. Zenit showed how much they wanted Damiao, but we couldn’t reach an agreement.

“He is wanted by several Premier League clubs. Southampton put in a request in the past, but Leandro Damiao has decided to target a more ambitious club.

“At the moment he is calm in Brazil and waiting for an important call from Europe.”

Surag wrote:

Di Marzio wrote:Radja Nainggolan and Cagliari. It appeared the two parties were going to part ways, but now the situation is stalling. Inter and Roma were pursuing him, but now the Belgian midfielder is giving 100% during the team’s pre season training. He has also reached an agreement with Cellino, in the likely event he remains at the club. His contract will be extended through 2016 with a raise. The agreement will go into effect automatically should he still be on the club past the September 3rd trade deadline.

Julio Cesar is reportedly on the verge of joining Fiorentina after Arsenal pulled out of the race for the QPR man.

The goalkeeper will leave QPR after their relegation and had already been in advanced negotiations for a move to Napoli, but that collapsed when the club wouldn’t meet his wage demands.

Fiorentina and Arsenal became the only real contenders for his signature and in the last 24 hours there have been reports the Gunners abandoned talks.

This leaves only the Viola, who are thought to be working out the final details with the 33-year-old after QPR accepted a €3m offer.

It’s either a one-year contract with option for a second or a two-year deal at lower wages.