Arsenal

Hi and sorry for the long absence. There is really nothing much to talk about in regards to the transfer activities until 1st Sept 08 and see who Wenger has signed or has not signed.

A good game for Arsenal today! Nice football and all the players has given their 110%. You really can't fault anyone on the pitch today. We have so many players who wanted to score and Adebayor's effort and sportsmanship should be praised. He wants it more than any other player on the pitch and still, most of the time chosed to pass the ball unselfishly to a fellow team mate who is in a better position. Fabregas made so much difference to the team. When he's on the pitch, he seem to bring out more from other players. You would be surprised that he probably put in more tackle than Denilson.

We see the good and bad of RVP. Scoring two goals in style even though the first was from the spot. And then getting injured and most probably taken off for precaution as we all know how injury proned he is. I just hope he won't be going for those International games. Denilson got the third goal and it must be a confidence booster for him too. 

THE GOALS:

1 - Adebayor's cross hit Beye's hands in the box and penalty awarded. RVP slot in the penalty with sheer power and accuracy to the right.

2 - Adebayor plays everywhere today, he got the ball on the right and passed it on to Eboue who made a run into the box. Eboue laid it on with a back heel to the on rushing RVP coming into the box and hit a rocket.

3 - Some good work from Nasri driving Arsenal into the heart of Newcastle's defense then release the ball to Adebayor in the box. The Togonator then played a clever through pass where Denilson's, who was running in from deep, picked up the ball and flashed it across the goal mouth out of Given's reach and into the back of the net to make it 3-0.

THE NEAR MISSES:

1. Gallas skying the ball in front of goal.

2. Toure's grounder saved by Given.

3. Walcott's shot went wide.

On the other hand, we should take note that Newcastle did not have a strong midfield like Fulham. Arsenal had a lot of space to play free flowing football. We are still in need of a strong midfielder. Pattrick Vieira was seen sitting next to Silvestre in the game and the commentator said "could he be the experienced midfielder Arsene is looking for?" Frankly, I don't mind as he knows the Arsenal way and game. The purchase of Silvestre and Gallas shows us that Arsene is changing some of his own rules as Arsene has not bought a foreign player who has played in the EPL. Will he break another rule by buying back a former Arsenal player? who knows? We'll see on 1st of Sept.

Last but not least, Joey Barton made a crude challenge on Nasri and got away without a card then gave out a stupid grin. Nasri retaliated soon enough in an off ball challenge, tripping him. Nasri was later yellow carded but hey, its all worth for tripping that cunt.

Barcelona FC has reportedly send Arsenal FC a £30 mil bid for Emmanuel Adebayor and that's a take it or leave it offer. Adebayor will suit the Spanish game given the fact he is already known as the most difficult striker to play against in the EPL. The players in Spain are less physical than the EPL ones. So, imagine how he will bully them in La Liga.  Baptista is another strong player who has done well in the La Liga. What Guardiola will do is to play Adebayor up front to knock down balls for Messi or Henry (remember they do play 4-3-3) or try over powering the defenders and score.

A lot of Arsenal fans has already said to themselves that the initial £24 mil bid was already fantastic piece of business by Arsene Wenger. Something that we Arsenal fans have gotten used to isn't it?  Wenger turn a 'nobody' player into a superstar, and Wenger makes £15-20 mil. That's the usual story. Let's not let there be a repeat of a Henry and Vieira episode. The season before, they were worth £25-30 mil, however, we fight for them to stay and they did. Then they have a lousy final season for us either out of form or injured. And the next season, we sell them for a drop priced transfer by almost 40% of what was offered previously.

Arsenal should cash in now. £30 mil can do a lot for Arsenal be it spent in the transfer market or bolstering the club's financial status since the recent drop in property price will carry effects to the luxury apartments in Highbury. What more when most fans will find it hard to accept what Adebayor and his agent has done. 

How good Adebayor can be or will be should be left as history because he's really got a rotten attitude. Seems like nothing has changed? And it'll be bad for the team too. Look, there is no guarantee if he can repeat what he did last season. By then, Arsenal will not be able to ask for £30 mil for Adebayor. 

Arsene Wenger has spoken on Arshavin about his talents and he could be playing in the Premier League or Serie A next season. However, he has also openly said "NO" for Arsenal.

"I wish I'd seem him at 21 or 22," he said. "I predict he will come to the Premier League, or go to a big club in Italy. The way he plays is something very special."

As quoted from Football UK.

Although Arsene didn't say he wont be buying Arshavin, but we all know that he buys young players in attacking positions. And for him to say he wished he had spotted him earlier, I seriously doubt Arsenal will bid for Arshavin's service.  Thus, ends all transfer speculations about Arshavin to Arsenal.

Cheers!

Adebayor wants to go to Milan while Arsenal wants to keep him - Gooner Talk

Milan scout said Adebayor wants to go to Milan but Arsenal wants to sell him to Barca due to player the club's interest in a certain Barca player or a double deal with Hleb.

It all make sense now.

Ade's agent negotiates new deal for Ade, probably demanding that 100k/week wages, right after a good season.

Wenger said, "Ade has a lot more to do if he is to become a great player". Probably because of what they are asking for. Honestly, its only one season and given the chances he has had, he probably should have scored more goals. No doubt about his effort for the team though.

So, his agent tries to engineer moves for Adebayor to other clubs whom are willing to pay him that wage and puts pressure on Arsenal too. Either way, he earns his commission, but just depends on how much he'll be getting.

I heard Arsenal have some interest in doing a double deal and possibly plus player with Barca and that is why the club prefers Barca. Ade wants Milan? Why? UEFA Cup football and what? reunion with Flamini? I thought he'd rather have a dance with Henry is Barca.

But lets be realistic. There is Messi, Henry, Ronaldinho & Eto'o in Barca. The last two may leave, but surely they will replace them with another good striker besides Adebayor and competition for place will be very fierce. Its different in Milan as the squad is aging.  Chances is Adebayor has a better chance to start over there than Nou Camp.

Honestly its not dooms day if Adebayor leaves. Especially if he is sold for the reported £25 mil. Adebayor has had a good season, but he is not necessarily irreplaceable. How many players are there whom are similar to Dennis Bergkamp or Thierry Henry? In fact, the answer is none. Each individual is different.

And after the retirement of Bergy and sale of Henry, Arsenal are still playing Champions League football instead of being a mid table club as suggested by so many pundits and especially Spurs fans.  Wenger always brings the best out of each player to fit into the team and he will do the same with whomever he is to buy should Adebayor leaves.

There has been several names linked to Arsenal while we hear daily news about Adebayor and Hleb going to Milan or Barcelona. Those players are all quality players but no player is perfect right? Here's the list (only those recently linked):

1.  David Villa - I like him, but Wenger did rule out buying him when he declared his interest in playing for Arsenal. Didn't Wenger deny that he'll buy Reyes? Hmm... think again.

2. Roque Santa Cruz - He's sharp and has EPL experience and has done well with a mid table team, Blackburn. Scored some hattricks last season too. To be able to play for Blackburn, he must be physical enough.

3. Samuel Eto'o - He is fantastic and will fit right into Arsenal. However, he's got injury problems with his knees though.

4. Obe. Martins - Good when he's on song, but has been a bit inconsistent over the season. Also has EPL experience, so he will find it easier to adapt too.

5.  Lucas Podolski - A good player who is mobile and able to pass and shoot very well, but I really don't see him coming to Arsenal next season.

Frankly, its too vaque to make any predictions who will come because Adebayor going to Barca is still rumours. But for that price, good money and it could be used to find an able replacement and maybe even used to bolster other areas.

Why? Now here's why:

1. He looks too lightweight to be playing in the Premier League

2. He snubbed Arsenal, only to sign for Spurs lesser than a year. Approved and pure CUNT.

3. He does look like a cunt. Reminds me a bit like an alien. Wuuhuuuhuuu...

4. Just saw his performance against Germany, he didn't look any way great except for being a cunt. Although his team does deserve to win against the Germans.

5.  Arsenal have far better choice in Nasri (to be an Arsenal player) and Walcott.

This deal took me by surprise, I thought he was really heading to Arsenal is the prefered destination of Aaron Ramsey. To be honest, I have not seen him play and all I know is from my reading and gathering of facts through websites (especially from Young Guns by J. Sanderson).

From what I read, I gather that Ramsey wants to join Arsenal because:

- Arsenal was proper and genuine in their proposal, it was to develop the player himself rather than pleasing Cardiff City. The proposed deal was to take Ramsey to Arsenal, train and learn from the club itself, rather than to be loaned back to Cardiff City or else where. Here, it sounds very likely that he will be training with the first team.

- Better chance to play and feature in the Premier League and League Cup, play against the best teams and players.

- Arsenal nurtures young players and unknown players into big players. In Ramsey's case, it is proven fact with players like Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Nicholas Bendtner and Theo Walcott.

Now, I've also been through a few Man Utd fan websites that some clearly and some indirectly criticising Ramsey for not choosing their club. Here is a summary of what they thought and my thoughts too:

- Ramsey lacks ambition, and more to that, Arsenal lacks ambition too. That is why Arsene is not pressured to bring in silverwares over the past 4 years.

~Why would that be? Arsenal remained in the top four over those years, but has had so little to spend on the squad due to our bigger ambition that is to have a new stadium for better financial expansion. Unlike Man Utd whose debt is nearer to 1 Billion. Moreover, given the same transfer budget, I am not sure if Man Utd could have stayed in the top four.

- Ramsey is afraid of the rigorous training and winning mentality in Manchester Utd. Arsenal is more relaxed, indirectly saying that Arsenal is not champion quality.

~ Arsenal has been able to score goals even when they are goal behind their opponents, mostly late in the game. The never-say-die spirit spotted over the last two seasons explains it all.

- Playing time for young players in Arsenal is lesser than Man Utd. The case of Nani and Theo Walcott were compared.

~ How many 19 year old has Man Utd played in their starting 11 for the past few seasons? Collectively Arsenal has had more than Man Utd. So, lets not base it solely on one case. Look at the big picture.

- Finally, a cheap shot, one that is only manageable by a Man Utd fan "I do wonder though how easy Ramsey will be sleeping in years to come when reflecting on this life changing decision."

~ With all the above, I think Ramsey has made the right choice to join Arsenal. Besides, how genuine is Man Utd's motive when they had to send Gary Neville to convince Ramsey to sign for them while Arsenal had Steve Rowley (Chief Scout), Ken Friar (Director/Acting CEO) and Arsene Wenger (The Gaffer) to meet Ramsey and his family.

I've got a question here, was Man Utd "over confident", "arrogant" , "insincere" or "stupid" to have sent Gary Neville instead of Alex Ferguson himself or a director to meet Ramsey?

Latest reports from Telegraph.co.uk said:

 The figure is said to be 32 million pounds. Now, Adebayor is growing up to be a great striker. However, he is NOT a great striker yet. We all know he has scored 24 goals for us in the EPL, yet has put so many easy chances to waste. For 32 million pounds, it will be a fantastic deal. Upon hearing the news, I thought that its all nonsense, but if it is true, then surely there is a reason behind it:

AC Milan is also tracking Shevchenko and Drogba. For 32 mil, AC Milan can easily buy either one of them if not for both. No doubt both are proven strikers and world class, but they are already at the peak of their career. And if they pay that money, they'd rather buy someone who is younger. Funny thing here is, they could  have easily sought after the services of David Villa who is more or less confirmed leaving Valencia, more lethal than Adebayor, young and available.

The other reason why Adebayor is a more suitable target is because other players like Villa, Sheva and Drogba will want to play in the Champions League, but AC Milan does not offer that next season. So, they try their luck with Adebayor? Will Adebayor trade for UEFA Cup next season?

Adebayor is definitely not worth that much of money, but who said Anelka was worth that much then? Everything is possible. However, its also the same news agency/newspaper who reported that "Nasri has signed for Arsenal" . 

Personally, I won't mind cashing in on Adebayor.

 Most Arsenal fans will be disappointed to hear that Samir Nasri's deal will not be done until Euro 08 is over. Personally, I am disappointed because I was fully expecting him to be announced in an Arsenal shirt today, right after I'm back from my holiday. But after looking into the below reasons, we should be cheerful!

Look at the bright side of things, he is not the only creative player available is he? If he signs fantastic, if he doesn't then buy someone else. Regardless of that, Arsenal fans should take be happy with the facts below:

1. Arsenal is favorite to sign Nasri.

2. The deal between club level has been agreed.

3. The player himself announced that 99% he's going to Arsenal.

4. Arsene is French, so is Nasri. 

5. There is no other clubs with similar progress as Arsenal to sign Nasri. 

Now, its appearantly due to wage differences and if I am a money/blood sucking agent, I will advise my client to wait until after Euro 08 to sign because his peformance will be a bargaining chip. Thus, as an agent, I will earn more :)

Secondly scenario, from Nasri's point of view, "why not?" Earning a few extra pounds wont hurt!

And last but not least, the reason why Arsene wants to complete the deal before Euro is for the opposite of the above reasons where he and Arsenal can save a few pounds.

Thats business. And transfers, contracts and player purchase/selling are categorised as BUSINESS. They don't necessarily equate with footballing reasons. Even moving to The Emirates Stadium is a piece of business (mostly), with an effect on future footballing reasons.

There has been a lot of rumours about Nasri going to Arsenal to replace Hleb. It may be true, but as long as Nasri is not revealed in an Arsenal shirt, nothing is concrete. So, all the hype about Hleb leaving are still just rumours until you see him revealed as a... I'm sorry, I really don't know which team REALLY wants him though. Here is what happened:

1. Hleb had an ice cream interview in Milan,

2. Hleb then smack a player so that he can sit on the bench for the last 3 games of the season.