2011/12 Soccer Thread - Because Vacations Are For Cowards

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IMAGE(http://gamersmafia.com/storage/comments/361/61/lolololol.gif)

At the very concept of this, true or not.

WHAT IN THE WHAT

Traore is out to QPR (confirmed), so that means we've probably signed Andre Santos. I remember watching him as Brazil's left back couple of times, really good offensive player, but he will probably require a lot of cover from other teammates. Also, Mertesacker is having medical.

I'm so pissed, because it's obvious that Arsenal could have made those signings week ago.

And guess who had a 3 hour medical in Manchester before signing for the Sky Blues.

IMAGE(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/08/30/article-2031741-0DA1C59F00000578-572_468x353.jpg)

Still, I'd rather that a thousand times than the human sewer that is Mark van Bommel.

Least he's on a freebie, before people start to calculate how much has been added to Fergie's warchest.

UCRC wrote:

Traore is out to QPR (confirmed), so that means we've probably signed Andre Santos. I remember watching him as Brazil's left back couple of times, really good offensive player, but he will probably require a lot of cover from other teammates. Also, Mertesacker is having medical.

I'm so pissed, because it's obvious that Arsenal could have made those signings week ago.

I think the 8-2 tonking is what needed to happen to put us over the edge...

Hopefully it will be the lowest point of the season and this decade. The squad isn't as dire as the 8-2 suggested so once the suspended/injured players are back + Santos + Park + Mert I like our chances to finish in the top 4 again but thats about it. Would like even 1 more signing but 3 in the span of 3 days and them all being experienced players might be all we can ask for.

I think theres a huge confidence problem right now but nothing a string of results could fix. Honestly watching RvP miss a penalty summed it up. The guy is usually automatic from the spot with a laser.

edit: Park deal confirmed on Arsenal site so just paper work to sort.

jowner wrote:

The squad isn't as dire as the 8-2 suggested so once the suspended/injured players are back + Santos + Park + Mert I like our chances to finish in the top 4 again but thats about it. Would like even 1 more signing but 3 in the span of 3 days and them all being experienced players might be all we can ask for.

I'd say that apart from left-back we most desperately need a central midfielder. And unfortunately you can't find a cheap solution there, like we seem to have did with other three signings.

Park is new no. 9, interesting. (Our recent nines include Jeffers, Eduardo, Reyes, Julio Baptista, Merson and Anelka.)

UCRC wrote:
jowner wrote:

The squad isn't as dire as the 8-2 suggested so once the suspended/injured players are back + Santos + Park + Mert I like our chances to finish in the top 4 again but thats about it. Would like even 1 more signing but 3 in the span of 3 days and them all being experienced players might be all we can ask for.

I'd say that apart from left-back we most desperately need a central midfielder. And unfortunately you can't find a cheap solution there, like we seem to have did with other three signings.

Park is new no. 9, interesting. (Our recent nines include Jeffers, Eduardo, Reyes, Julio Baptista, Merson and Anelka.)

gunnerblog gilbertosilver
Against United it was: Traore - Koscielny - Djourou - Jenkinson. Against Swansea it could be: Santos - Vermaelen - Mertesacker - Sagna.

what a train wreck of a defense vs United that was. Self inflicted by the transfer policy...

Not sure if Santos is defensively sound but if were going to have a suspect LB at least let him be productive going forward which Clichy never was.

As for the midfield I don't think we will see anyone. Assuming we stick to a 5 midfield hybrid with 2 being wide attacking players. Wide players Arshavin, Walcott, Gervinho, Miyaichi?, Chamberlain?. Those would be the pure wide players. Then in the middle Song, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky (whatever his injuries did to him the poor guy cant hit screamers anymore :(), Diaby, Frimpong, Lansbury.... not ,much experience or depth but I think that group will be given the chance to prove themselves. Diaby ultimately not proving himself and being shipped out next summer

Not sure if Park is a pure forward or will end up as one of our wide/forwards. If he plays like most Koreans he will be our version of Kuyt/Park. Not the best goal return but running around the field non stop being some kind of strange forward pressure player.

As for Mertesacker its crazy how long it seems hes been around for and.... is only 26.

Its the kind of instant depth the team has obviously needed and compared to the money Liverpool was shelling out could look great. I don't think its fair to expect big name signings when that was never Wengers track record and what kind of already made world class player is coming to a club with a strict wage structure and who just gutted their potential to compete at the very highest level. So much for history...

If you think that squad is good enough, then you've obviously settled for the Europa League. Ask yourself this question - other than Ramsey and Wilshere, would any of those midfielders get into the first team for Utd, City, Chelsea or Liverpool. Answer - no. And now Arsenal are going to add 2 good-but-not-great new defenders and consider the problems to be fixed ?

I'm sure you've seen the highlights of the OT game by now. Arshavin and Rosicky were disgraceful in their utter lack of effort, not withstanding the fact that Arshavin could easily have been sent off in the first half and the ref told RvP (as captain) as much. Walcott did nothing to shield Jenkinson in front of him, and the tactics that were employed with such a makeshift team were baffling beyond belief.

jowner wrote:

As for the midfield I don't think we will see anyone. Assuming we stick to a 5 midfield hybrid with 2 being wide attacking players. Wide players Arshavin, Walcott, Gervinho, Miyaichi?, Chamberlain?. Those would be the pure wide players. Then in the middle Song, Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky (whatever his injuries did to him the poor guy cant hit screamers anymore :(), Diaby, Frimpong, Lansbury.... not ,much experience or depth but I think that group will be given the chance to prove themselves. Diaby ultimately not proving himself and being shipped out next summer :P

Song-Ramsey-Wilshere is acceptable for most of league games (still too weak against top sides, I'd say), but real problems will start when one of latter two gets injured. Ideally I'd like to see somebody replace Ramsey in starting eleven.

Park plays as striker, but he's more of technical player than poacher. As sub for Van Persie - coming deep, trying to create - he should do fine.
Interestingly, both Santos and Park fancy scoring from free-kicks, something that has been missing from Arsenal game for years now.

davet010 wrote:

If you think that squad is good enough, then you've obviously settled for the Europa League. Ask yourself this question - other than Ramsey and Wilshere, would any of those midfielders get into the first team for Utd, City, Chelsea or Liverpool. Answer - no. And now Arsenal are going to add 2 good-but-not-great new defenders and consider the problems to be fixed ?

I'm sure you've seen the highlights of the OT game by now. Arshavin and Rosicky were disgraceful in their utter lack of effort, not withstanding the fact that Arshavin could easily have been sent off in the first half and the ref told RvP (as captain) as much. Walcott did nothing to shield Jenkinson in front of him, and the tactics that were employed with such a makeshift team were baffling beyond belief.

The 4th spot is very much up for grabs. See Liverpools opener vs Sunderland and even how they needed to be handed the win vs Arsenal. Liverpool have finally added depth but the likes of Downing, Henderson and Adam are not exactly earth shattering players that have me worried especially when it pushes already capable players like Meireless and Kuyt to the bench. Signings like Aguero and Matta worry me.

Not sure if there's anything really to take from the United game. When you field a Carling cup squad vs United very bad things could happen and they did.

Also the weakest part about United might be right smack in the middle of the field and they still seem to be getting the job done.

Maybe the first time i'm excited an international break is here as its exactly what Arsenal need to sort themselves out. Next 'big' game is away to Spurs on October 2nd. Lots of time and games in between to turn the confidence around. Or to get more injuries. We will see.

edit: you see 2 average defenders and I see 2 players with experience who become first choice options immediately. I'm not giving up on Gibbs, Djourou, Koscielny. Just happy team is getting back some depth so players have to actually earn starts not just be forced to start Traore style. If anything thats what I take from the United game.

UCRC wrote:

Park is new no. 9, interesting. (Our recent nines include Jeffers, Eduardo, Reyes, Julio Baptista, Merson and Anelka.)

And now Andre Santos has been given number 11... after previous owner the mercurial Carlos Vela. Are we trying to break the bad spell or just taking a piss? Anyway, at least Mertesacker won't be able to inherit Eboue's number.
It's already taken by Gervinho.

edit: Interesting, his goalscoring record for Fenerbahce is 10 goals in 52 games. We will really need to play Song closer to left flank to cover. (In other words he's one of those Brazilians who end up playing at full-back because all positions in the center of pitch were already taken.)

UCRC wrote:
UCRC wrote:

Park is new no. 9, interesting. (Our recent nines include Jeffers, Eduardo, Reyes, Julio Baptista, Merson and Anelka.)

And now Andre Santos has been given number 11... after previous owner the mercurial Carlos Vela. Are we trying to break the bad spell or just taking a piss? Anyway, at least Mertesacker won't be able to inherit Eboue's number.
It's already taken by Gervinho.

edit: Interesting, his goalscoring record for Fenerbahce is 10 goals in 52 games. We will really need to play Song closer to left flank to cover. (In other words he's one of those Brazilians who end up playing at full-back because all positions in the center of pitch were already taken.)

the 3 deals are done and the only credible rumor flying around is Arteta. I'm happy with this... I'm unhappy 0 of these players came last summer or last winter and that the Nasri/Cesc deals took so long into the window to happen.

If today was July 1st and this had all happened it would have been a much different start to the season.

Arteta's off, looks like. Rumor is they're going for Benayoun on a loan instead. That's not what I would call "helpful".

Arteta would be a good buy, although he's had his injury issues and if he ever got an offer from a La Liga club he'd be off like a shot. Still, maybe it could persuade Gollum to alter this clock, which amused me.

http://www.evertontime.com/

I must admit though, my fantasy relegation scenario always has Everton as one of the three...

Twitcher leaving Spurs car-park...must be the first time on a deadline day he's not been going home at 5am covered in fax toner.

Looked gutted that he wasn't getting the cash that a Modric deal would provide or that he's not got deals lined up to splurge whatever cash getting rid of Crouch and Palacios would give. I reckon it's because Levy will have to fire him if he gets convicted in the case brought by the tax man, and would rather that any cash was spent by the new boss, not the one wearing the shirt with arrows on it.

Edit - Arteta deal back in discussion, and I hear that Jagielka is being discussed as well. Surely if that went through with no time for replacements, then Moyes must walk. And Everton would go down (rubs hands with glee).

Arteta now being talked up on Sky as the next Maradona, although it is by Dave Bassett and Iain Dowie, so no one who actually knows what they are talking about.

davet010 wrote:

Twitcher leaving Spurs car-park...must be the first time on a deadline day he's not been going home at 5am covered in fax toner.

(By the way, what do you have against Everton?)

I'm unsure about Arteta. Is he such improvement over Ramsey?

And now back to some bloke standing on some parking lot somewhere talking some sh*te, possibly with some other blokes standing behind him

Look, here's Craig Bellamy IN A CAR, oh no, it's just some bald bloke. Anyway, he's signed for Liverpool. AMAZING

UCRC wrote:
davet010 wrote:

Twitcher leaving Spurs car-park...must be the first time on a deadline day he's not been going home at 5am covered in fax toner.

(By the way, what do you have against Everton?)

I'm unsure about Arteta. Is he such improvement over Ramsey?

He has more experience and I'm not sure if they are the same player at all really.

Happy

Not just who we brought in but who's been shipped out. Guys like Denilson, Vela, Traore and Bendtner were not cutting it so off they go.

Sagna-Mert-Verm-Santos

Combination of Song/Ramsey/Wilshere + Arteta even Benny in a even more attacking formation 3 of those guys in the center...

Arshavin/Walcott/Gervinho for the 2 wide spots

RVP/Chamakh/Park upfront....

Not winning the league but its a start.

My only contention is that i'm still utterly unconvinced by Walcott, and I can't remember the last time Arshavin tried for even 15 minutes.

Crouch to Stoke, a match made in heaven. And JErmaine Beckford spent what... a season in the Prem?

Fulham get Bryan Ruiz from Twente for 10.6m, which i'm inclined to distrust, as the last forward to move from Holland to England and play well was RVP.

Prederick, you're forgetting about Suarez. It's early for him but I've been impressed with his movement in the Liverpool matches I've watched. I do love a striker pulling out wide.

Newcastle apparently attempted to hijack that Ruiz deal but couldn't agree to personal terms. At least they brought in that fullback from Inter who might be something. I don't see where the goals are going to come from, but I thought the same thing in the second-half of last season.

Arsenal have me scratching my head. Don't understand why you would bring in Benayoun (Granted, only on loan) but not be particularly interested in Scott Parker. Arteta's a decent signing but they really could have used a little extra backbone in the midfield.

I have actually been thinking (with hindsight) that Arsenal should have kept Fabregas for one more season and let Nasri go. Fabregas' contract had a fair bit of time to run and it's not as if Barcelona probably wouldn't be knocking next summer. By letting both go they've really gambled their Champions League place. Unless you aren't confident in Fabregas' health or his attitude suddenly shifted in the transfer window the club have taken a big risk.

Well ended up scoring a ticket to the OB - Fulham match on the 29th, hopefully OB actually show up and play which they haven't been able to do lately.

Forgot about Suarez, who's the best signing Liverpool have made since Torres, IMHO. He's absolute quality. Why inter paid for the declining Forlan, I dunno.

I think the Fabregas thing had come to a head, he kind of had to go. If my memory serves, he'd given a "either we start winning or i'm outy" declaration a year or two ago anyway. But again, Arsenal should've seen this coming down the pike, and prepared accordingly. If seems like they've been caught flat-footed, and all of these deals have a sense of "We just got crushed 8-2 I guess we have to do something" about them.

Just read that Arteta was on 75k/week at Everton and took "a big pay cut" to join Arsenal.
I have a hunch that one of the reasons behind bringing the players that we did wasn't their prices but reasonable wage demands. For all of Arsenal's financial frugality it's wage bill last season has been a big burden, with a lot of fringe players mindlessly being offered big money deals.
Now that we've moved Denilson, Nicky, Eboue and Vela situation should be more healthy. Or at least now we're paying players that we believe have some role to play in first team.

Great description of my misgivings with Ruiz on FW Extra. Dutch League goals are like dog years, so 20 Dutch League goals are worth what... 4? 5?

I am also sorely tempted to sign noted Belgian defender Marc De Man in every FM game I play now.

Yeah - even Georgios Samaras looked great in the Dutch league.

ohhh Bendtner.

"I will never go back to Arsenal," he is quoted as saying in The Sun. "If I can have it my way, I will never play for them again.

"After my car accident I never really got the chance to earn a spot in the first team. That is over one and a half years with no real chance to prove myself.

"I am really looking forward to playing for Sunderland and then we will see next summer. I will find a new club - but I will not go back to Arsenal, that's for sure."

blatantly available all summer and no one came to get him besides Sunderland and on loan to boot.

I doubt he will ever amount much more then a Peter Crouch level striker.... which isn't saying much at all.

Prederick wrote:

Great description of my misgivings with Ruiz on FW Extra. Dutch League goals are like dog years, so 20 Dutch League goals are worth what... 4? 5?

Still, they've conceded that he seems like a genuine product. And we had the same fears about Suarez.

jowner wrote:

ohhh Bendtner.

"I will never go back to Arsenal," he is quoted as saying in The Sun. "If I can have it my way, I will never play for them again.

"After my car accident I never really got the chance to earn a spot in the first team. That is over one and a half years with no real chance to prove myself.

"I am really looking forward to playing for Sunderland and then we will see next summer. I will find a new club - but I will not go back to Arsenal, that's for sure."

blatantly available all summer and no one came to get him besides Sunderland and on loan to boot.

I doubt he will ever amount much more then a Peter Crouch level striker.... which isn't saying much at all.

After watching him play for Denmark I don't think he'll amount to even that much. In many respects its a shame because he seems to have decent ball skills, just doesn't have what it takes to be a quality striker, not to mention his lack of effort.

Just reading that Anzhi have offered £76m for Hulk from Porto....and Porto's chairman is holding out for £78m.

Christ, at that price I'd want him to actually turn into the Hulk for 90 minutes and cause mayhem on demand.