Today we have a brand new guest poster Tim Head (@foreverheady, should you want to follow him on twitter,I suggest you do just that)
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.”
Or so said Brutus towards the end of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, suggesting that at key moments in a life the onus is on us to see when is the time to actively determine our own fortune and then to act swiftly and decisively. Is it that time for The Arsenal? Is this Transfer Window the moment to strike and seize success, taking Fate into our own hands and bending the whims of the footballing Gods to our promptings.
It is certainly tempting to answer in the affirmative, as the tide has certainly turned for The Arsenal this season (or to be more accurate since last March) and, injuries aside things do seem to be going our way. There is a sense of irresistible momentum engendered by harmony, confidence, skill and hard work. The Emirates is beginning not just to rock but to be a rock too, and even the pundits are starting to change their tune. The TV companies certainly are: witness the constant rearranging of games so that Arsenal’s matches are beamed round the UK at prime time, and the subsequent widening of the fan base, compelled at first by results and success but latterly and more importantly by the beauty of watching The Arsenal play the Arsenal way.
And yet, despite all of this, despite the league position and the Champions League success, the nagging doubt remains in some minds that man for man our squad is not quite as strong as Manchester City’s or Chelsea’s, and that we will once again founder against the might of Bayern. That, in short, new players are needed, and in particular two talismanic figures must be bought: a Henreysque striker and a Vierra like midfielder. Costa or Cavani, Pogba or Gundogan should do the trick, for no leagues will be confidently won without them. It is a tempting dream, and one that has no doubt passed fleetingly across most of our minds, and perhaps too the minds of Stan, Ivan, and AW. And surely now is the time to make that dream a reality, continues that narrative. January is not a good time to buy may be the accepted wisdom, but a World Cup summer isn’t great either: not only may prices be inflated, but pre-season is affected too. There is definitely an argument to suggest that a positive start to the 2014/15 season would be best achieved by players who have been bedding in since February. We have the money, and not only should we spend it, we should borrow against our earnings for the rest of this giddy season and spend double: what a position we would be in with £120 Million’s worth of new players come the First of February, what a message that would send to the footballing world.
It certainly could be done, and it wouldn’t altogether surprise me if something like that were attempted. After all Ozil’s recent video on the official website is like a prospectus aimed at attracting top, top world players, and if anyone doubted Arsenal’s ambition, or the reason the move to the Emirates was made, they certainly should not be doubting it now. I would just point out though that it is always dangerous to think that only one thing is lacking, that if only we had player x or player y everything would be alright. We probably already have all we need to succeed given reasonable luck and reliable refereeing, and given the scarcity of players on the market who are better than the excellent ones we already have, I think it unlikely that any significant signings will be made. One thing I do know though is that Arsene Wenger knows exactly what he is trying to do, and that if he thinks anything is possible he will work harder than anyone to make it happen. But he will also remember that although Brutus was an honorable man, he misjudged things horribly and ended up falling on his own sword. Perhaps after all we must count the blessings we already have, enjoy what is in front of us, and stop wishing our life away. But then again, it’s good to dream…..
Positively Arsenal 
On the issues of what to do now, we can cope but I’d hope we do what we can to get the top CF/forward we’ve been searching for since last summer who offers a different kind of threat than Giroud even if that means paying a few million extra. I know that will probably get me slated for saying that, but the benefits would be great. I haven’t been saying we have to do it but now with Theo out the benefits are greater to our chances for this season and bedding in the player for next. If players don’t want to move or clubs are gouging usv10-15 million over value, fine–we understand January is difficult in a WC year. In that case, perhaps a short term solution or loan would be helpful. In the mean time, it is Poldi time! And Gnabry an the Ox will hopefully step up and gain confidence and form during Jan and early Feb before our horrendous run of tough fixtures in late Feb and March.
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LSG
No slating from me. I agree. However, the talk of Costa is crackers IMO. Why would he leave mid season? It would cup tie him, he is settled in Madrid, is the main man and its a WC year too. All those clamouring/demanding Arsene sign him and then getting bent out of shape when the Spazzilian (can I say that?) doesnt arrive are just unrealisitc Fantasy Managers.
I have mentioed Remy a few times and for me, he represents the best option for us.
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I know Villa beat City ,but in football terms City battered them,They where beyond lucky
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Limestonegunner
January 10, 2014 at 2:15 pm
hahaa………”why dont you fuck off to le grove” comes to mind 😉
well said!
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Dex, They want £15 million for Remy(I know this because I am on twitter)
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“Artyom Dzyuba
He has been involved in Spartak’s European club competition performances. In the UEFA Cup, Artyom scored twice against Tottenham Hotspur in the last group stage match”
good lad…
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George
I think between £10-12m would get him. The only ‘Obstacle is ‘Avaricious ‘Arry and his love of brown ‘Envelopes stuffed with used fifty’s.
Hunter; You love whoscored.com too. How sweet.
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And PG, even at £15m, I say we go for him.
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Or we go for Rooney!
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how about philipp zulechner ?
or even jonathan soriano :
Forward – Centre Forward
Old club: Barcelona
Transfer fee: €0.5M
Age: 28
Height: 1.80m
Scored 14 goals this season.
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lol dex…. http://eurorivals.net/top-scorers/austria.html
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and i bring you..straight from the bulgarian league the one and only :
martin kampurov of lokomotiv plovdiv
18 goals
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you are lost without me and my scouting..admit it…
🙂
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“I know Villa beat City ,but in football terms City battered them,They where beyond lucky”
As Villa were against us George – beware ‘lucky’ teams
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kevin mirallas…even though he played for the red scum of piraeus ….id gladly take him. but he has to change that haircut.
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Alfred Finnbogason
SC Heerenveen
(Squad number 11)
Iceland Iceland
Forward – Centre Forward
Old club: Lokeren
Transfer fee: €0.5M
Age: 24
Height: 1.84m
Scored 22 goals this season.
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Mirallas? Moyes retrained him from a forward into a hatchet man who no longer scores or assists*, who took out the kid Ryo amongst other attempted maims brave soul that he is. No thanks!
*Seeing such coaching skill, the style of football at Everton, must have have been the clincher during Slurgus’ search for a successor
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‘Alfred Finnbogason’
Outstanding name for a footballer – sign him for that alone – good choice
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finsbury
January 10, 2014 at 3:53 pm
yes he is a cunt…didnt know he smashed ryo… plus he played for olympiacos ..scored against pana too the cunt..i am ashamed.
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Always important to have your cuntdar working – or does it take one to know one?
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Current Olympian Campbell is a better player then Miralles? I think so
*polishes ruby and quartz spectacles/goggles*
–
http://player.arsenal.com/player/4585-under-21s-v-fulham-a
Encouraging return from Chambo. A start before February will be great news, he was due back at this time but there can be niggles. Good work from the maligned physios, again.
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“does it take one to know one?”
Nah. The spectacle of a fully grown “warrior” smashing into a kid whilst they are looking the other way can be conclusive. I’m waiting to see if he tries that crap out on, say, someone who will be protected by the (very) local refs like Stevie GBH or Rooneh and not a kid from Japan.
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http://t.co/nkIFOZEoKU
Watching this Chambo compilation (it is Friday afternoon!) from our old mucker Culann Davies you can’t help but notice some glimpses of the Wenger Code. Lots of quicksilver moves in these clips involving both Chamberlain and Walcott*sobs*, Walcott often making that final run even when not directly involved. The success of Walcott’s performance against the poor Tottenham defence and the lumbering Dawson, those moves involving Walcott and Gnabry that would have troubled any team did not come from nothing.
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I am sure all true football fans on here will welcome this clear message sent out by the FA this afternoon;
‘An FA statement read: “Manchester United manager David Moyes has been charged for misconduct by The FA in relation to post-match media comments he made following his side’s game against Sunderland on Tuesday 7 January 2014.
“It is alleged the comments called into question the integrity of the match officials appointed to that fixture and/or appointed to Manchester United fixtures generally, and/or implied that such match officials are motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute, in contravention of Rule E3(1).”
Apparently Moyes said United were “playing referees as well as the opposition”
Shocking I know.
I hope they throw the book at him.
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Another excellent point from the podcast, George, was on Rosicky. Like you, I don’t think we have a classier skilled attacking player–though I’d say apart from Ozil. He was devastatingly good, provides a drive forward and one touch technique and intelligence that comes out more fully now that the quality of our midfield has improved. They are on his wavelength now and it shows. I’d play him every big game or at least bring him on from the bench whenever we need a goal because he improves the flow of our attack more than anyone. So glad to hear rumours of a new deal for him–I hope it is at least for two more years.
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Hi Limestone,
A long time ago Arsene said of Rosicky:
“He is a player I like to have in my team”
Using my Wengarian translator at the time that came out as:
“OMG Rosicky is amazing. I dreamed of having such talent when I was a player”.
No doubt many clubs have approached Arsenal for such a highly rated player after he had made a recoverey, no doubt both club and player would have considered if a less intense league was the best way forward after his injuries, but he is still here.
Dortmund are happy that they could put a Rosicky shirt in their museum. Alleged Dortmund target Gnabry will be happy to be training with the Dortmund legend. We’ve described Rosicky as a player-coach at Arsenal before. He has been an obvious mentor not just to St.Jack but to others too.
Rosicknote: A player who has been worth every single penny. And more.
–
Hope you are enjoying Adrian Clarke’s Breakdown on the Arsenal site this season.
So much better then S.Robson! Thanks 🙂
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Hi Fins, that sounds like a very accurate translation– you must be very fluent in Wenger! Having a player like him is super for the younger players as you suggest, I believe as well.
I have enjoyed Clarkie’s the breakdown quite a lot. Better analysis and much less know it all. Plus it is much easier stomaching Robson on various broadcasts and podcasts now that he has had to swallow some of his bile!
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It was hard to ignore the beaming smile that went with the above quote on Rosicky!
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Dex: “I have mentioed Remy a few times and for me, he represents the best option for us.”
I concur. I thought he was a good player when he played against us in the CL and I think he’d do a hell of a job with all the service he’d get from our midfield.
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“And most importantly…besides the actions of management and ownership….now is also the time for the fans to stand up..if we dont believe now how will our players believe?”
What happens when you don’t believe in the players?
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oh dear not again…..
for the mentally challenged and complexic goebellian ubertwats that comment is in a series of posts/comments which have to do about stadium/crowd atmosphere……..unless you want the nailbitting in stands to transmit to young alex for instance…..
gege?
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wait lets make it clearer for you so you dont start crying and swearing again….
when the team and players need the fans to push them on, we will need to stand up and make them believe……. i proposed pyrotechnics and choreos but ani informed me we would get arrested for that….
are you still with me?
everything ok? what have you found to moan about this time?
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Thanks Foreverheady
Much to mull over.
I told ye all Wenger would go for a winger or two!
We keep the existing bunch of forwards, move Poldi and Ox closer to the centre.
None of our existing midfielders like playing out on the wings either – they all want to play where the ball is.
I can imagine Poldi and Giroud would be even more lethal if we got in a more reliable supply of crosses and diagonal balls. Bad omens about Bac’s contract then.
That been said, I am very happy with the current bunch of players – getting new players may disrupt the team dynamic, and as George has repeatedly said (and most of you agree with him), getting a real difference maker is going to be very difficult this January -especially at a reasonable price. If Theo hadn’t done his knee I would have no doubt Wenger would hold tight.
I would not say no to:
Draxler – Wenger will take his time. Shalke still need him.
Reus (never going to happen)
Morata – just maybe
Benzema – a dick.
Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin) – wildcard.
Cabaye – Newcastle won’t sell.
Di Maria – 1% chance at best.
Mata or Lukaku – Morhinio would rather die than sell to us.
El Shaarawy Maybe worth a punt in the summer, Milan look in trouble.
What happened to the usual rumours for Sanchez and Pedro?
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I siggested a deep moat to circle the pitch, filled with piranha, great whites and jelly fish…. If any player is deemed not to be playing well enough (this to be decided by Pedro from LG, Highbury Harold & lil Timmy Paytonly-dubious), said players get to take a dip…. That should rectify any motivational issues…
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Oh yeah, great Podcast PG, Bradyesque and Geoff.
No Egos to preen, lads.
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DC; Not sure I see any sense in signing Cabaye? Draxler seems like this summer’s Özil, while Reus may well be ‘on the market’ come the summer. For all the praise Klopp has received over the past 2 years or so, they are really off the boil in the Bundesliga despite being easily the next best team to FC Hollywood. If they get knocked out of the CL before the semi’s and continue to fall away in the league, a fair few players could be leaving BVB.
No doubt to relocate in Munich!
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Dex 2:52Pm
Isn’t Honest Harry still trying to sell that Brazilian goalkeeper to us?
You know, the one we desperately needed to mount a title challenge?
I read that somewhere else. I’m really sure I did.
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Oh Julio is still having his medical at London Colney…. The one that started August 27th…
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I’m bugged-off by the fans saying we should buy.
Why, just because Arsenal have some money (for a change)?
Coincidentally they seem to be the same fans who are bitching about the ticket prices.
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DC; Youre much more of a seasoned Twit than me… Is Highbury harold a good egg, or a doom mongering cad?
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Im just going by what AW has said; that he wants to add a forward/winger to the squad.
But THAT dweeb with the little hand made cardboard sign with the “Sign Falcao, Cavani, Costa or else” notice on it…. Pffft, what a fuckwit.
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DC, If we can get someone good who is worth it, we should buy. It isn’t a new concept. AW was trying for someone this summer. Why should he stop now especially when there are injuries? If he can’t find the right player who really improves us (and I don’t think it will be easy to find that person this January) that is a different story. The options at that point are getting someone PL ready or at a decent European club on a loan or as a short term possibility–like Mirko Vucinic who is behind other players at Juventus but wouldn’t be bad as an option for half a season on a loan or something like that.
As far as the team ethic and spirit, there is a danger of losing momentum because of a big injury like Theo, and if anything happens to Giroud it will be worse for morale. One player is not going to wreck the atmosphere unless he is a real cancer. If it is a young player, he will worry about trying to fit in and will take cues from the experienced leaders. If it is a solid professional, he’ll just go about his business and hope to do well when he gets a chance. Right now we have a strong core of solid, experienced pros. These guys aren’t going to be de-stabilized by one new face as long as it isn’t a nutcase or ego maniac. And even there, our team has managed to integrate a chastened and more serious Bendtner–probably because Arteta, Flamini, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Sagna arent’ about to put up with anyone who isn’t serious.
All that said, if Podolski and Cazorla are productive and Gnabry/Ox step up, with our strong midfield and a healthy Giroud, we should manage fairly well.
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Well apparently at the presser, AW said TR is staying at Arsenal. That is wonderful news! I think Jim Van Wijk asked the question and the issue of TR’s contract came up on Clarkie’s the Clock End show when lauding Rosicky v. Spuds and it was mentioned he was out of contract at the end of the season. Van Wijk, who was the guest, said he’d ask about that at the press conference and has followed up, with a good positive answer from AW. Nice!
I do miss Tom Watt though and the Fans’ Forum, as much as I like Clarkie and his show. Watt was very passionate and a real committed fan.
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Dexter: I have no idea whether Highbury Harold is a good egg or not, but as a general rule of thumb suspect that tthe Twitterati who cling to Highbury are probably very anti those who they suspect tricked them into moving to The Ems. And that would be AW in their view with his fancy foreign plays, and his parsimonious ways.
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Dexter, I have no time for the BSM or AST. A pack of ne’re do wells trying to leech of the Great Man’s coat tails.
No one is allowed to tell Wenga what to do.
Except me.
and maybe George.
Oh and Hunter. Obviously.
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Thanks Heady…
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LST 7:19pm
If the Boss finds someone he thinks is top, top quality and he can do the deal with the other club, well I won’t be complaining.
I will assume the board will give him whatever funds he deems fit to use, but don’t forget the Ozil package is going to cost the club £100m+ over the contract period. A well deserved contract extension for Sanga won’t be cheap, nor are the pay rises due to some of the others if we want to keep rivals hands off them.
I will be interested to see how much money was cut from the wage bill this season with the big clearout, although a lot was redistributed to the guys who got contract renewals – Theo, Aaron, Jack, Carl, Kieron, Alex OC, Woj.
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DC, glad you won’t be complaining. I’ll be cheering! As far as the costs–let’s wait for the financials to come out soon to see where we are. I suspect we will still look quite healthy, but let’s see. Don’t forget that the PL tv deal has brought 60million more to teams, the Emirates sponsorship has added 20+ million a season, and the kit deal is about to come this summer. Revenue is and will be rising significantly. I feel good about whatever the club manages to spend because this money is earned by the club.
This season the US network NBC, a major broadcaster, has been showing every single PL match and viewership figures for PL in US are apparently up 70%. This is a fantastic time for Arsenal to top the league and showcase exciting football talents. It will earn Arsenal an increasingly big share of the growing US fan base. MU is tanking because they have lots of new, fickle support that was tied to their success alone. I think Arsenal being successful, combined with AW’s football philosophy and the culture of the club can win supporters who will prove to be stronger and more loyal. MU is going through what we have suffered for 8-9 years; however, Arsenal has survived because the support cares about playing good football, self-sustainability as well as success. If we can win this season and continue to build upon that success next season, it will be fantastic for the club and its future. Commercial success is going to grow if Arsenal can prove that it is possible to win playing the right way and building a team through a mix of young talents, solid pros, and a few key stars all playing a successful brand of collective Wengerball. As I’ve said in the past, Arsenal is the only salvation for football. Things are looking good and if we capitalize on our opportunity this season, it will likely get better. Good times for Arsenal. 100million on Ozil–I feel it will be worth it in trophies and commercial value and joy for the millions of Arsenal supporters who are loving watching his skill on the pitch in red and white/blue and yellow.
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Talking of costs, and as someone mentioned on twitter, isnt it about time those dodgy, oil sodden, cook the books mancs released their accounts??? Have they managed to get another super duper inflated sponsorship deal with another Mansour off shoot to get round FFP again?
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I’m definitely for putting up a large ass cannon at the stadium upper level and blasting a blank line chelskis direction everytime we score one . Give the place a fearsome atmosphere. But definitely against giving HUNTER 13 any kind of explosives and pyrotechnics.
Although, come to think of it , that would really put the fear of god into any opposition. (0(
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