Who could/should go?

Well its been an age since I last posted mainly because nothing at all is going on really because of the Euros. I could go into some post about how RVP had a shocker and SZCZ got sent off and how Podolski was but it seems rather irrelavent. So instead I thought I'd do a post that was quite popular last year. Who should go?

Well coincidentally the first person that I'm going to talk about apparent is 'keen' to leave Arsenal to join an Italian team and that defender is Johan Djourou. I have never really rated him to be honest, he always seems clumbersome and doesn't really know where he should be. His clearances also leave something to be desired. I can understand that Djourou wants to play football more regularly, hes still young-ish at 25 and he wants to move to something new. The reported 10m Euros seems a bit high to me not that I'm complaining, also I think Djourou's aim of a top 5 Italian team may be a bit ambitious.

Another defender who I think we could see depart is Squillaci, at 31 this could be his last move and he is well out of favour with manager and fans alike. Yes he's had injury problems and his early performances were OK but he's gone rapidly downhill. The only issue with him is that his age may inhibit possible deals. I can't see him leaving however. I think we need some new younger defenders to step in when needed.

It terms of current midfielders I'm happy but would like to see a few more players brought in to give us something a bit different, I think we've been a bit too predictable this season. That said with Denilsons loan coming to an end I think he's one we could really do with seeing the back of, I never rated him and don't think a one year loan spell will have made much difference.

Talking of players returning from loans, in the striking department we have the worlds greatest striker returning and I'm sure we'd all be happy to see him depart. A permanent deal would be best for all involved. Chamakh is one that I think is the most obvious to leave and I think he will, he's been so poor recently and I think a fresh start would be best for him. I can't see Park leaving for some reason despite having little impact mainly because he hasn't been played.

So that's a little shortlist of people who I think we could see leaving. I'll be back soon with players who I'd like to see (mainly those who have been rumoured), till then take care. 

Bolton Wanderers (H)

Another positive result, 3 more points on the board and we are most definitely moving in the right direction. We started with Chamakh which is because Wenger is trying his best to protect RVP especially against a team such as Stoke. However Chamakh continued his well shite run at the moment, he just doesn't seem to have anything going for him which is a shame, especially as I like the song we sing about him ( here it is for those unfamiliar with the Chamakh song) after a fair amount of Arsenal possession we broke the deadlock with a fabulous ball over the top from Ramsey for Gervinho to chest it down and rifle it past the keeper. This was the start of what was to be a great day for the Ivorian. 

However after a dubious free kick Crouch won for falling over we were undone by a set piece (surprise, surprise). The ball pinged around our box and fell to the lanky twat who poked it home for a yard out. This called for the introduction of RVP, who came on and immediately looked dangerous. He linked nicely with the Gerv who pulled it back for him to slot it home. The in almost a carbon copy, but on the otherside of the pitch, Gervinho once again pulled it back for Van Persie to slot it past the keeper (although he probably should have done better). And that was that, a good performance 3 points and up to 7th, lovely.

Well we play Bolton tomorrow night but I honestly haven't got a clue who we're gonna play because I probably don't know all of them. It would be nice to see Park start for a change as we spent a healthy amount of money on him, I'd like him to show us what he can do. I would also imagine that Oxlade will start along with the likes of Miquel and other err young players.

In terms of the Bolton team we're going to play, well that's equally as mysterious. It will be a challenging team and they will no doubt give our kids a run for their money even on their current form. The likes of RVP and Ramsey will be rested and left to watch from the stands, well its two more on the attendance I suppose. Tickets are still on sale and some as cheap as £10, to be fair you'd pay more to watch most League 2 sides, so if you have nothing to do why not get down there and give our lads some support.

Good to see Vermaelen happy in training again, hopefully he'll be back soon. The prediction today is a total stab in the dark, so yeah. COYG!!

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Bolton 

Shrewsbury (H)

The weekend was a disaster. It certainly was a game of two halves, the first was us playing well and looking good to take the three points. New boys Gervinho and Arteta got their first Arsenal goals and two good ones at that. The only downside was conceding to Yakubu but overall it was promising. The second half was an unprecedented fuck up. After a suspect free kick was given the ball was chipped in without force or direction, hit Song on the knee and went in. Quite why the ball wasn't sent skyward or gathered by the keeper is beyond me. Moments later we were losing, the ball was smashed through our defence to Yakubu who was just offside to finish. Poor defending again. Another attack and we were 4-2 down. The ball slid into the box and Koscielny looked as if he could have been playing for Blackburn with the ease that he passed the ball into the net, 2 own goals. Pitiful. We got one back with a great Chamakh header and had chances to equalise and even win but we spurred them all.

Saturday was a really, really awful performance and the fingers and accusations are flying. We need to put it behind us and move on although I'm inclined to agree with George Graham saying that we did our business too late and Wenger hasn't had time to work with them. Anyway, to tonight and the Carling Cup match with Shrewsbury. Tonights' match gives us a chance to put all of our worries to one side and watch our youngsters go and and really give us some value for money. With the clubs drop in price and the tickets going on General Sale I think there will be a decent crowd tonight and they'll really get behind the team.

Hopefully we'll see Park start which will be interesting, a lot of people have been wanting to see him play and really show what he can do. Along with him it looks as if Ryo Miyaichi will play and make his competitive debut which will also be interesting as we've seen very little of him. Alex Oxlade also looks set to play which will give us a better chance of seeing him play, as our most expensive signing of the summer. I think tonight will be promising and I really hope that everyone gets behind these lads and gives them the fantastic support that they always do.

As  said earlier tonight will give us a fans the chance to just get away from all the woes of the league so far and take a look at the future of our club. It really annoys me when people simply can't be asked with the League Cup because of he sort of squads we play. I bet they were bothered when we go the final last year eh?

Anyway, till next time, come on you Gunners!

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Shrewsbury

Blackburn Rovers (A)

Tuesday was a very good result. If you'd have offered me a draw I would have taken it, the defending was brilliant. Koscielny was piss poor in the first half giving the ball away and just generally playing poor. But whatever Pat Rice said at the half did the trick and he came out the second half and played a blinder as did the rest of the defence, we were throwing bodies in the way of shots and it was a real scrap, we were brilliant. It looked as if RVP's first half strike was going to be enough, but 2 minutes from the 90 Ivan Perisic scored a goal that as the commentator put it "will be number 1 if he ever makes a DVD". Top drawer nothing Szczesny could do about it. But overall a well earned point.

Blackburn pose a real threat this weekend, they are desperately in need of a win and Steve Kean is under serious pressure. Long gone are the days when this would be seen as a banker, now we need to scrap for as many points as possible. So in terms of dangerous players Blackburn have Nzonzi in the midfield, Roberts and Formica who can certainly strike a football. This said they were very lucky to get anything from the game against Fulham.

We have the return of Gervinho, Song and Frimpong all from suspension avoiding another red card would be good. I would expect to see a squad similar to the one we put out against Dortmund. Ramsey faces a late fitness test and is doubtful, Wilshere, Diaby, Squillaci and Vermaelen are all out for sure. I must admit if all goes well I'd like to see Park make his first appearance rather than bring on Chamakh who really has been poor lately. But we shall see what Wenger decides to do.

Form is with us on this one but form means nothing at the minute and we need to continue to take every game one by one and just focus on the one at our doorstep. That said I think we'll just sneak this one but it will be a hard game

Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Arsenal   

Swansea City (H)

So after signing some shiny new players on deadline day and an international break the PL returns this weekend with a home clash against newly promoted Swansea. This is a game that we should be winning no doubt and although everyone says newly promoted teams are dangerous and yes to an extent they are but we must win this game. With some new signings looking to start I imagine the atmosphere at the Emirates will be one of excitement. 

From what I hear it seems that Mertesacker will start at the back with Koscielny, Gibbs returns and Sagna takes up his familiar position on the right. I also think Arteta will start in the midfield with Ramsey and Frimpong. Arshavin and Walcott also seem set to start on the wing with RVP manning the front line on his own. In terms of danger men I'm gonna be honest I know very little about Swansea's team. So I'm gonna tentatively say Graham, Britton and Dyer. They haven't scored yet this season so lets hope they continue that run.

In our injury news it seems Vermaelen is going to be our for around 2 months after having ankle surgery on his other ankle to prevent a problem. Not what we wanted to hear along with this we're still without Wilshere with his injury and Gervinho and Song through suspensions that will be served after this match. I imagine we will see Park, Benayoun and Santos on the bench, many people will be wondering why Santos isn't playing and I think its simply he hasn't played football in quite a while so we may be easing him in.

Its an important game tomorrow and one that we really should be winning with ease not only to get our first win under our belts but to instill some confidence in our team and give them a much needed moral boost.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Swansea

New signing's player profiles

Firstly, as painful as it is, I must say that the result on Sunday was competely atrocious. Going down 8-2 to a team that are supposed to be a title rival is just pathetic. There were issues with the whole performace but a few things do need to be pointed out. Yes we had however many first team players out but those who have played for us for years should have performed better. We had a young and inexperienced team out and that did cost us as we got carved up time after time after time. Secondly I thought it was very unfair of Wenger to bring on OC for his debut when we were going down badly, that isn't going to help his confidence at all. However shipping 8 goals does seem to have given Wenger a wake up call, more on that in a bit. What we must remember is that although we got thumped its only worth 3 points, we can make that up. There were two positives that we can take from Sunday, firstly we scored twice. But secondly, the support from our fans was fucking brilliant, you made me feel genuinely proud to be an Arsenal supporter and you all deserve the free ticket your getting. Any comments on their passion now Mr. Nasri?

Ok its deadline day and the window has closed. But boy have we done some wheeling and dealing. This is the quick rundown of whose done what. Chu Young Park - Signed on a one and a half year deal (before he returns to Korea for his National Service). Per Mertersacker - Signed on a "long term" deal. Andre Santos - Signed on a "long term" deal. Yossi Benayoun - Signed on a season long loan. The big one, I can confirm that Arsenal have agreed a 4 year deal for Mikel Arteta. In terms of out-going players, Armand Traore signed for QPR the other day, Nicklas Bendtner has signed for Sunderland on a season long loan and Henri Lansbury has signed for West Ham on a season long loan. All of those are confirmed. There are many questions that can be asked about why we left it so late and all sorts but tonight all Arsenal fans enjoy it and go to bed happy, its been a productive day!


So lets take a look at our new signings...

Chu Young Park
Age: 26
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Position: Forward
Goals: 61 (Club)
Now from what I can gather Park is pretty decent. I've known about him for a while and he's quick and can most certainly score goals but he see's himself as a support striker which mens that he could well partner RVP upfront and feed him as well as score. He is South Korea's captain and has made 53 appearances for the Senior team. He is also a good free kick taker. 


Per Mertesacker
Age:26
Height: 6 ft 6 in
Position: Centre back
Goals: 20 (Club and country)
The cries for a centre back have been answered and with a good one at that. Per Mertersacker is a top class defender and I do mean top class. He has 75 senior caps for Germany and with his height he looks like the sort of man that can clear high balls and might be the solution to our set piece issues. Some people say he hasn't got enough pace but bollocks to them cause you can't have everything. A proper partner for Vermaelen and two centre backs you certainly wouldn't mess with. It appears he'll be wearing the number 4 shirt.

Andre Santos
Age: 28
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Positon: Left back
Goals: 27 (Club and country)
In all fairness I don't know an awful lot about this man but if your good enough to play for Brazil then you must have something going for you. He currently has 22 caps and signs from Fenerbahce, where he has 52 appearances. From what I hear on the grapevine he is a rather attacking defender so expect to see him tearing up the wings and sending in some balls. Certainly a good replacement for Clichy and can give Gibbs some competition.


Yossi Benayoun
Age: 31
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Goals: 153 (Club and country)
This was a great signing for us albeit a loan deal. Many people have been quick to slate Yossi Benayoun however I have a lot of respect for him and I think he's a quality player to add to our ranks as we try to fill the gap left from Cesc and Nasri. He's creative and can score goals when he has too (I remember one or two against us). I really hope he fits in and gets games because he's too good to not play, another victim of Chelsea's ludacris spending. He'll wear the number 30 shirt.


Mikel Arteta
Age:29
Height: 5 ft 10.5 in
Position: Midfielder
Goals: 53
What a fantiastic signing this has been and it only really materialised today. Mikel Arteta is certainly the big name that we all wanted and he comes with great expectations. I can say that this has been a crushing blow for Everton, but its business and in business you have to be ruthless. We knew they were in a poor situation financially and we used it to our advantage although the fee will be high, in the double figures. Mikel is a tremendous midfielder and will slot in well to fill the gap in the middle. He'll wear the number 8 shirt. Watch this space.

So it appears players are like buses you wait the whole summer and 4 come along in one day. Now I'm sure we'll be criticised for buying for the sake of buying but I think they are very smart moves and Wenger has finally spent big and brought in a number of players. The only downside about all this is that we have to wait a minimum of a week and a half to see them play (damn internationals).


Keep checking for any more updates on team news and everything else Arsenal. Until the sleep tight. (Signings Yay!)