Archive for June, 2009
Amaury – we hardly knew ya.
Don't let the door hit you on the way out!
In the least suprising move of the summer, last season’s surprise signing, Amaury Bischoff was released from Arsenal today. The midfielder from Werder Bremmen failed to impress and get any team time and when he did, looked completely out of sorts on the squad. The good thing about this move it now allows Arsene to promote from the very successful youth organisation.
And in conjunction with Bischoff’s departure was the announcement that Defenders Luke Ayling (17), Craig Eastmond (18), Cedric Evina (17) and 18-year-old keeper James Shea all being tendered professional contracts for their part in the youth team’s winning season.
Also released today was Rui Forte who was recently on loan to Crystal Palace. It was the end of his contract.
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Are we buying a new Benzema?
- A new Benz for Arsenal?
ESPN SoccerNet is reporting that Arsenal are now part of the race to bid and land Lyon striker Karim Benzema. All this is in response to the possibility that a certain Tongolese striker could soon be on his way to the San Siro.
Reports came out last week that there was definitive contact between Arsenal and AC Milan on the availability of Emmanuel Adebayor. By all accounts the call between the two parties was cordial and it seems a “no” did not come from Arsenal. That being said, neither did a “yes.” But the fact that the Gunners were willing to even listen to a proposal for the purchase of Adebayor to this writer only increases the possibility that Ade is a goner.
So if he is gone – who fills in the void? Well, that is where Benzema comes in. Arsenal had been linked with Karim previously, most lately in the summer of 2008 as well as some early reports at the end of this season. However, now most of the talk has been around Benzema being targeted by Man United and Real Madrid.
The going price for Benzema seems to be 30 million pounds. Adebayor if sold is likley to net 25 million GBP. That would leave a team out put of approximately 5 million GBP. The 30 million alone would never figure into Arsene’s plans. But if Ade is sold and the club were to only have to layout 5 million that seems likley.
However, this just doesn’t sound like Arsenal to go after this big a player. Players in the 15-18 million range or lower (obviously) are where Arsene prefers to play. Throw that in and Lyon’s comments that they are not selling Benzema and that does not lead me to believe that he will be wearing the Red and White of Arsenal come August 2009. Lyon will only likely be moved by a monster bid, hence I see Man United and Real Madrid as really the only two likley suitors. But hey I could be wrong and the Gazidis effect may be taking hold this summer.
On another note, there is a lot of press about former Gunner Gilberto Silva, telling holding midfielder Felipe Melo, that if Arsenal comes calling, it would be the best club for him. The midfielder currently carrying around a trophy from this weekend’s Confederation’s Cup is plying his trade at the Serie A club Fiorentina.
Silva is reported to have said:
“He is exactly what they need – a powerful player with quality. If they got him it would be great because he is a player they need at the moment.”
“I’m sure if they got him it would be a good signing. I have told him Arsenal is a great club and I am sure next season they will improve.”
At 15 million pounds maybe we will see the defencive midfielder we are craving at Ashbourton Grove.
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Which Gunner is a Goner?
So Who's Going?
Ah, the summer transfer window. Love it? Hate it? Both? It’s the time when rampant speculation rips all fans into shreds. We don’t know who’s coming or who’s going. We know that in the case of our beloved Arsenal – we need to buy. We’ve made some progress to that end but that’s not what this article is about now is it?
I was caught today by another article on the lads in Red and White. This one about Cesc Fabregas who was to have said he was appalled by the clubs impotency in winning silver. We’re right there with ya Cesc. But the point that really got me was that he mentions Ronaldo’s departure from ManU since he has won everything he could possibly win with the club, where Cesc it has been absolutely opposite for him.
Cesc is always linked with a departure from Ashbourton Grove. And he always has put them down. Yes, he praises the teams linked with him – you know the old I am flattered line. I think however, that if next summer rolls around and we haven’t won at least one piece of silverware. Then our current captain will be on his way out.
The other likely candidates for departure this summer are the usual characters, Adebayor, Eboue, Senderos and Bendtner. Now personally, I wouldn’t be said to see two of these guys gone. Bendtner is young, and should grow, but I just can’t get over his inability to put the ball in the net with the many opportuntities he has.
Senderos, I wasn’t a fan while was here. Didn’t get ANY chance to see him play in Milan. Not that I tried. As much as I wouldn’t be upset if he went, with our back four woes, I am not sure we can let any true defender go. But that assumes he is a true defender. (True defined as capable here)
Adebayor. Here is another one always linked with his emminent departure. Last year Carlo Ancelotti was said to be seriously trying to lure the tongolese striker to the San Siro club. But Ade the daddy decided to stay and sign a new contract. What was curiously odd was Ade admission from the squad the last two games of the season. At least to this fan that signaled to me that Arsene may really consider using him to get funding for a bigger splash in the transfer market. But everything was really quiet. Until yesterday. Ade’s agent confirmed that he had been in touch with a “top club” not from the EPL but that there was interest being expressed. Nothing yet, though has been confirmed or mentioned from any club.
The much maligned Emmanuel Eboue is also of recent news a target for departure. He has been a goat and he has been a hero. His own fans have booed him (he should play in Philly if he can’t handle Ashbourton Grove). However, you cannot deny that his pace on the left side as a fill in when the defence was shabby at best, was a sight to see. However, he didn’t get much starting time and it looks like he could be on the look to go somewhere where he could get more playing time.
All in all it seems like our summer will be an endless parade of inneuendo and speculation. I don’t think personally, Fabregas is going anywhere. I chose to amend that if we don’t win anything next season. Bendtner and Senderos, I would be happy with going but I don’t think it will happen. Ade I am not so sure about. He will likely bring in the 25 million pounds they are saying he could. Thats alot of scratch for transfers to a club trying to be fiscally sound. Eboue, sadly, I think, is likely to go.
So what about you lot?
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We’re In Business!!!
And there was much rejoicing
Whew! That took a bit of time but after a lot of research and a lot of searching in the WP Support forums we’ve been able to figure out what was going on with the registration and password e-mails. We believe that has now all been rectified.
Thank you for your patience and time.
Cheers!!
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We’re Just An Infant
We're Just A Baby Yo!
So we’ve gotten a fee e-mails saying folks have registered but got no registration e-mail back from the site. First, we apologize. As we mentioned we started this venture in haste yesterday with some down time. We didn’t give it a proper run through and it seems you lot are our guinea pigs.
We think the issue is with the version of WordPress that is being used for the site. We’re working with the provider to update and correct this issue. If that still doesn’t fix it – then we’ll ask if anyone out here knows WordPress enough to help us fix this issue.
If you register and don’t get a confirmation from the site. Shoot me an e-mail (please see my profile) with your preferred password and it will get entered in on the back end.
Again, we thank you for your patience as we fix all the little hiccups that are inevitable for a start-up like this.
Thank you all for the words of support so far.
Up the Arsenal!
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A Call To Arms
The Emirates Stadium
Calling all Gooners! Can you write? Do you know how to graphically design? If you do – we want to talk to you. We need writers, we need designers. We want to make this a great destination for the fans to come on and discuss our great footie club. And you can help us do so.
If you’ve got an interest in helping us out – or really just want to be king of the hill around here please read my profile and send me a note. I will respond as quickly as I can.
Cheers.
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Welcome!
Arsenal Logo in 3D
A not so long time ago, a bunch of rabid Arsenal fans had a place to cheer, jeer, rant and rave about their favourite EPL team. However, times and attitudes changed and those fans were asked to find a new home to cheer, jeer, rant, and rave about their team. Well, we hope in some way we have filled that void.
The purpose of You Are My Arsenal, is to be a site for the fans and by the fans. We will ask you to be our contributors and no topic is off limits – so long as it follows some decorum and decency. We will not delete topics that are about Arsenal and the EPL. We will however, remove anything that is flagrantly off-colour, racist or demeaning to be hurtful. Other than that – we want to give you full reign.
To that end, we’ve just moved in, and like any other apartment or home, the walls are your basic vanilla colors. But don’t worry we will design our interior and make it to your liking. We will also be seeking you out to be our writers. We don’t want to inhibit that and we want to stay focused on our original intent – a fan based forum. At some point we hope to reach out to our ultra active individuals and make you our editorial board with full rights and access to the site.
So please , bear with us. This really was a spur of the moment decision to launch the site. It based primarly on what went on at our past place of discussion.
Enjoy – and write!!
Da Admin Gooner
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