Arsene Wenger Watch

As we all say at the start of every season, Arsene is under more pressure to deliver silverware than ever before. The game against Fenerbache is make or break for him. In this thread, we discuss everything associated with The Professor.

The Cabaye bid (or was it just remour?) really worries me...how is that what Arsenal lack?

It's not, but Wenger has lost the plot a long time ago.

A journalist actually asked him about that today. He asked: "Isn't Cabaye similar to your current midfielders? A ball-playing midfielder?". Wenger's response: "You have your opinion". So I guess Wenger sees Cabaye as capable of doing what Arteta has done for us.

That's just part of the whole problem, though. We need some power in our midfield and Wenger passed up a £9mil deal for Capoue. Okay, he's not Lars Bender or Luiz Gustavo but he fits what we need while Cabaye doesn't. He's not a holding player, he's not a ball-winner, and he's not going to add power.

OK...maybe Wenger has lost it lol

Lets say he sees Cabaye as similar to Arteta in their role...is he thinking then they wont play together?

For me the player they must add is the defensive ball winner/presser/interceptor/tackler...so he can play instead of Arteta or with him when required.

I fear Wenger's hate for specilists is gone a bit too far. For some reason, he keeps avoiding adding a bruiser type to the mix...usually because it feels (from the outside looking in) that he isnt intrested if you dont have the level of technique, vision and cleverness with the ball   he expects.

Who is the last real ball winner in midfield Arsenal had? Flamini?

Wenger has become the man who thinks he knows it all, and us fans and journos know nothing.

someone reminds him that Wigan won more trophies than Arsenal in the last 7 years. what a disgrace

Im bored of hearing about Arsenal, Wenger, no spending, Piers Morgan etc.

Its more fun when Man United and Bayern have crisis.

Take it from me.... Cabaye is awful in the Arteta role we have tried it many times he looks lost and confused.

His best role is something between an Arteta role and a Cesc role.

Although he may look better in that role under Wenger, as he's obviously an infinitely better coach than Pardew.

I had thought that this is their chance to be among the top again, like taking it as an golden opportunity to sink them all and rise up with all the uncertainties in the other top 3 clubs.
But it seems now they are not thinking on the same lines. Cant understand what is the vision behind all this

The Franchise wrote:OK...maybe Wenger has lost it lol

Lets say he sees Cabaye as similar to Arteta in their role...is he thinking then they wont play together?

He may see Cabaye as capable of playing Ramsey's role, as well.

Not that we can guess what he's thinking. Going from Lars Bender to Cabaye doesn't suggest the most coherent plan is in place here.

For me the player they must add is the defensive ball winner/presser/interceptor/tackler...so he can play instead of Arteta or with him when required.

I fear Wenger's hate for specilists is gone a bit too far. For some reason, he keeps avoiding adding a bruiser type to the mix...usually because it feels (from the outside looking in) that he isnt intrested if you dont have the level of technique, vision and cleverness with the ball   he expects.

Who is the last real ball winner in midfield Arsenal had? Flamini?

Song played a more defensive role before Arteta arrived. Used to do it well, too. When he practically became a playmaker the only ball-winner we had in the squad was Coquelin. He's since been shipped out on loan to Freiburg (which, right now, seems a completely daft decision considering he can full-back, too).

Oh, and there's Frimpong, too, but he's just not that good.

I still get the impression Wenger has Diaby in his plans despite him being perma-crocked. I just can't think of any other explanation as to why he doesn't want to sign a powerful midfielder.

I had thought that this is their chance to be among the top again, like taking it as an golden opportunity to sink them all and rise up with all the uncertainties in the other top 3 clubs.
But it seems now they are not thinking on the same lines. Cant understand what is the vision behind all this

Neither can we.

Sure Jay, but what do you think of a Cabaye and Arteta midfield? For me, its not any better defensively than Arteta and any of the other options you already have. But indeed, Bender and Cayabe very different so I dont know whats happening.

Yeah Song kind of played that role, but for me, he isnt a real ball winner either. Lacks the mobility to really defend anything but a 3-5m circumference around him.

Even Diaby, I like him as a player very much but I still dont think he is so good defensively. He isnt bad by any means but still. Not that it matters, he cant ever be a regular.

Thought this thread was about Arsene Wenger's watch. It must be broken, because he doesn't seem to be aware time is ticking and the transfer window is closing soon and....

havearsenalspentanymoneyyet.com

Sure Jay, but what do you think of a Cabaye and Arteta midfield? For me, its not any better defensively than Arteta and any of the other options you already have. But indeed, Bender and Cayabe very different so I dont know whats happening.

Cabaye/Arteta, for me, is a slightly better version of Ramsey/Arteta since Cabaye and Ramsey are similar players. It wouldn't improve upon any of the faults the current pivot has.

Our current partnership lacks power, it lacks athleticism and it lacks someone who specialises in defending. Arteta's done an admirable job but he doesn't have those qualities and you notice it in games when he comes under heavy pressure and in the bigger games.

We've gone for the likes for Bender and Gustavo, which may have suggested Wenger has realised the problem, but we've also looked at the likes of Gundogan and Cabaye. Does he want two new midfielders? Does he think they could all play in the same role despite all being different players? No one really knows and it's really, really frustrating.

I don't know if I would read much into the Cabaye bid, I mean he bid 10 million pounds right? He'll need to double that before Newcastle even take a look at the bid without laughing themselves into tears.

Be prepared for a hectic last week. Bids for Cabaye, Guaita (although Valencia will only sell for the buy out clause of 30m, seems impossible for Wenger), and others are sure to pop up.

I personally think his chances of renewing his contract are 50% by now.

CBarca wrote:I don't know if I would read much into the Cabaye bid, I mean he bid 10 million pounds right? He'll need to double that before Newcastle even take a look at the bid without laughing themselves into tears.

I agree, but the mere thought of him being interested in Cabaye worries me because it makes me think he will then try for someone with a similar profile, which I dont think they really need.

Missing Capoue who is much more the kind of player we need and going for Cabaye !?? Really ??
Wenger might be 100x more competent than me for such decisions but he's wrong on this ... so wrong

Last year we beat Udinese and many were happy but the truth is even if we beat Fener i won't ..

Football is changing and Arsenal is not adapting to it . I like our mentality but this is becoming a fine mess.

CBarca wrote:I don't know if I would read much into the Cabaye bid, I mean he bid 10 million pounds right? He'll need to double that before Newcastle even take a look at the bid without laughing themselves into tears.

Can't see Arsenal getting him anyway as PSG are involved now and we would consider selling cheaper to them.

We would rather sell for 15m to PSG than sell to Arsenal for 20m, although i think we could get 20m from PSG and its been rumored tonight that they are going to offer that.

Plus Pardew, Carr, Kinnear and our Secretary Lee Charnley are all in France at the moment concluding deals.

1 striker, 1 winger and 1 attacking midfielder, so its safe to say we are looking to sell Cabaye and move on as long as the price is realistic.

The Franchise wrote:

CBarca wrote:I don't know if I would read much into the Cabaye bid, I mean he bid 10 million pounds right? He'll need to double that before Newcastle even take a look at the bid without laughing themselves into tears.

I agree, but the mere thought of him being interested in Cabaye worries me because it makes me think he will then try for someone with a similar profile, which I dont think they really need.

Well, then again, he also bid for L. Bender and Gustavo, so either the Cabaye thing is to appease the fans (at 10m pounds it looks a bit like that), or Wenger has lost the plot and is following no real direction in his search for a midfielder.

Also, I have to agree with Benin that Wenger passing over Capoue and Tottenham getting him must be a bit bitter. Exactly the profile Arsenal need and he's even French ffs. A cheaper Gustavo.

@Moal: Wouldn't be so sure if Kinnear is involved

urbaNRoots wrote:

poor wenger, cant sign players and forced to take pictures with ugly birds

Read and weep. Arsene


A frugal clause in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract has forced Arsene Wenger to use the England international sparingly, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
The newspaper detailed a clause in the player’s contract that stated the London club have to pay Southampton £10,000 every time the midfielder plays 20 minutes or more.
While that sum is pretty paltry, a quick glance at the midfielder’s appearance record for the Gunners suggests that the clause is having a considerable impact on Wenger’s selection policy - of the 33 appearances Oxlade-Chamberlain made for Arsenal last season, 13 were for 20 minutes or less.
However, this prudent approach failed to bear the expected dividends as the notoriously fastidious Wenger failed to take stoppage time into account when introducing the former Southampton man from the bench.
This oversight resulted in the Saints emailing the accounts department at the Emirates demanding payment for appearances that – including stoppage time – had exceeded the 20 minutes threshold.
Bound by the terms of the contract, the Gunners were forced to fork out an estimated £200,000 to the south coast side.
The details of the contract and the club’s botched attempts to circumnavigate it will only serve to further fuel the discontent growing amongst the home support already frustrated by another cumbersome summer’s transfer activity.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/pitchside-europe/oxlade-chamberlain-oversight-costs-arsenal-200-000-133938812.html

Damn son, these dudes aint happy lol

Tsk tsk Jives, you make me disappoint. I didn't think you put stock in utter trash like the Daily Mail

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has called for the transfer window to close before the season starts, claiming that it has a "destabilising" effect on clubs.

The window shuts for Premier League sides on September 2, by which time the Gunners will have played three league fixtures, including a north London derby and a Champions League play-off tie.

The Gunners have been involved in minimal transfer activity this summer, only signing Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer but, as exclusively revealed by lol, have launched a triple swoop for Yohan Cabaye, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Atsuto Uchida.

And, despite having not yet spent a penny, Wenger has called for the deadline to be brought forward so transfer business is concluded before the start of the season.

"I repeat many, many times that the transfer window should be over before the season starts because it is a little bit destabilising once the season has started – to be there talking about what is not really important in football," the French boss told reporters.

"What is important in football is to go out [on Wednesday] night and see a good game [against Fenerbahce].

"All that other stuff is good for the newspapers but it is not real football. What is real football is the quality of the game and, for me, that is always the most important thing."