Who Has Seats on Arsene’s Bus?

Mr. Gazidis is having a positive impact for new signings and contract renewals. It appears his contributions are affording Arsene more time to focus on recruiting and team management.

With the sale of Ade and Toure, we are losing two experienced players. Most fans share the belief that our team has too many youngsters. The loss of Ade and Toure will only fuel anxieties. Time will cement or relieve our fears. Maybe Arsene has some surprises?

The league is physically brutal and playing 60 matches, it is UNREALISTIC to expect your best 11 to survive the grinding ordeal.

In my estimation, Arsenal must have no less than 16 solid field players to compete for any silverware. These are players that at any time can start or come off the bench and consistently maintain OR raise the level of Arsenal play.

From preseason matches, it appears that Arsene is considering a 4-2-3-1 or some adaption. For the upfront 3-1 ( 4 spots) we have as options: RvP, Arshavin, Bendtner,
Rosicky, Eduardo, Vela, Cesc, and Nasri. This group provides Arsenal great flexibility at any of the 4 positions and depth for the full season.

For the 2 defensive midfielders, the options are: Denilson, Song, Ramsey, and possibly Nasri or Senderos. Denilson is not instinctively a defender. He is not proven to be a strong tackler or ball winner. Ramsey is a work in progress. Senderos is still a question mark for the roster. I see Nasri as Cesc’s back up and a greater asset up front in attack. So for these two spots Arsenal lack experience and depth.

Sagna, Clichy, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Traore, & Djourou are looking to be the core for the back line. Song is also an option at CB, but then his absence from midfield will impact our overall performance.

Arsenal head into this season with a group of players that to date are not consistent in their performance: Diaby, Eboue, and Theo. Of the three, Eboue is most at risk for a move.

If Arsene is unable to deliver serious silverware this year, the reality is that our key players will move on next summer. In the next two weeks, I think we will see Arsene sign an experienced player to shore up our depth in midfield and possibly add a defender to back up Sagna.

We have much to be excited about for this season. Go Gunners!

Popularity: 4% [?]

So Who Is The Biggest Wanker?

Wanker Candidate #1

Wanker Candidate #2

So new feature. Something I’d like to carry on through the season. Anyone can write it – but you must have two candidates and they don’t have to come from Arsenal or be related to Arsenal (though that is better). Simply put they must have said or done something that is completely and utterly idiotic as to make them look more stupid then they really are.

This week our two candidates are none other than the recently departed Emmanuel Adebayor and former Arsenal cast-off and Ashley “can’t keep it in the trousers” Cole. We’ll exam each one in brief because frankly any more press devoted to these two punters is really more than they rightly deserve.

We’ll start with Ade. Now, not many of us cried when the striker was sold to City. Many of us were actually quite relieved. Last year was dreadful – with the exception of the CL where he did some good. Anyway – who can forget the saga of last season, his agent coming out weekly sayinf that AC Milan, Barca and whomever was interested in his client. Nay a word was said from Emmanuel to refute any of this or his desire to actually leave. It was only after Arsenal decided to give him a pay raise that he came out and committed himself to the club.

Fast forward to this week. Transfer completed a few nice words about the club and how much love he has for them in his heart and grateful to Arsene for letting him go. Then in interviews in South Africa where his new team currently are he goes on to slam the fans as being his reason for leaving and that mich to his surprise Arsene had conducted the transfer to city behind his back without any knowledge.  All of these Ade says are perplexing to him. Why would Arsenal fans disrespect him this season? I scored 30 goals the season before? Why don’t they disrespect Fabregas? How could Arsene transfer me? Arsenal needed the money so they transfered me? I didn’t move becuase of the money!!! With that much whine there must be some cheese some where.

Well maybe we can answer some of those questions for Ade – they disrespect you because you show so little committment to the club. Yeah but you got a pay raise and then went on to only score 15 goals. We don’t disrespect Fabregas for the transfer talk because everytime it comes out he come out and refutes it -emphatically. You only did after you got your money. You are upset with Arsene not because he transferred you but because he transferred you to City instead of AC Milan. Yes, Arsenal need the money. But they likely would’ve been fine without transferring you. The last point riiiggghhhtttttt!!!!! That’s all I got to say on that. If AC Milan had offered you £65,000 a week over City’s £150,000 a week you still would’ve gone on the City. Your needless delay in signing was to see if you could get Milan to budge.

Okay now on to our second wanker candidate – CAshley Cole. This man needs no introduction. Why is he a wanker candidate? Well, do we need to discuss his whole transfer saga? Do we need to discuss his rant in his book where he basically disregarded his seeking a transfer behind the club’s back and tried to make it all the club’s fault? Nah, we all know Cashley’s background – the ingrate that he was and is.

But let’s discuss his recent comments made during Chelski’s recent tour of the states where he told the scant few who would listen – that he hoped Man City dislodged Arsenal from the big four. No real reason why. No critical assesment of the big four just a continued ramp but the sodded ingrate.

So there you have it lads, our two candidates for Who is the Bigger Wanker? So who is it? Did I miss somoene? If so why?

Popularity: 3% [?]

We Need You!!!!

We Need You!!

“Four Score and Seven Years Ago . . .” okay not that long ago, we created this site as aplace for all the public rant, glee, and discourse on our favourite football team. Well I am pleased to report that everyday we steadily grow by leaps and bounds and we exceed our daily visitors  on a regular basis. So something must be right here.

In that time, I have spent my time doing all of the writing on the major articles. Its not too bad and I actually think I am getting better with my writing – I know it’s debatable.  Also, with LDE’s help, I have been able to add some more plug-ins to add to the experience.  Though he would argue I need to go to a different template. I am hesitant to do so, because I don’t want this to look like every other blog out there.

We still have some minor glitches – names don’t appear the first time you post, I can’t get the avatar upload to work right yet and a couple other niggly things. But overall we are progressing.

Which brings me to my next point. In a past life many of you got the chance to write posts – be they match reviews, thoughts on players, or on the team in general. Well, I’d like to think I can keep on going on with this but some day (hopefully soon) I will go back to fulltime work and not be able to continue on with the site as much as I would like.

The site was always intended to be a site for the fans and by the fans. I know its cliche but its what I always wanted  it to be. So I am putting out a general call – if you’d like to participate beyond just posting replies and would like to write for or help us improve the site (on the back end) please let us know.

Anyone who works on the back end should have at least a working knowledge of Word Press. Anyone who would like to write is free to write on whatever subject they wish – however there are three features I would like to keep. They are:

• Player Bios (transfer targets or active players)
• The Arsenal Crocked Report
• Who is the Biggest Wanker – (to be launched today)

Everything else is up to your discretion.

If anyone is interested being a writer or helping out on improving the site please e-mail me at michael at michaelprice dot net. Make sure your subject line says – YAMA in it.

Thank you for the time

Michael
Da Admin Gooner

Popularity: 1% [?]

Okay, So Now What?

Why Me?

Well, what started off as a week of saying goodbye (or good riddance depending on your view) to Beyonce loving Adebayor has now turned into worrying (slightly) about our team with Samir Nasri being on the trainer’s table for anywhere from 2-3 months (depending on the break).

For those that don’t know, during a training session in Austria, Nasri suffered a break to this right fibula. While Nasri wasn’t as potent as we would’ve all liked, he was a flexible option either across the midfield or slotting behind one central striker.  Whether or not this is all good news or bad news remains to be seen. Surely the return of Gallas, Eduardo, and Rosicky are good for the team. However, Nasri who in my opinion was better as a holding midfielder will have to be replaced if that is the role Arsene saw for him.

The good news – at least we have £25 million to pay for it.

Now, I have been reading over the last week, that Arsenal are the likely target to fall out of the top four, given the emergence of Man City’s English version of the Real Madrid project. Let me make sure you all remember that last year we were supposed to fall out to the likes of Tottenham and the year before that to Tottenham or Everton. I am not so sure.

So Man City has gone out and signed Santa Cruz, Barry, Tevez, and Adebayor. Are any of those defensive players? Also let’s remember their bids for two premier CBs have been rebuffed by Chelsea (Terry) and Everton (Lescott). While it is clear they will continue to pursue – the time for getting them in is drawing closer. By all indications neither club is willing to part with their two players. But who knows, the money City are throwing around could entice anyone. But my point is – and it is one echoed by Robinho – is they are now too heavy with attack and very light in the back. Scoring goals was not a problem at City last year – keeping the opponents from scoring goals was. There goals allowed was on par with recently relegated Newcastle.  Its a simple game football, you score and keep your opponent from scoring. If you opponent scores watch out.

But again back to the big -four or five. What have any of the top clubs done? Nothing really. Man U takes a gamble on Owens. I won’t ever count them out. SAF is a master genius at recrafting his team when dealing with departures of big players. Chelsea – their own Russian wonder kid is the only signing of note and their back four is just as suspect as last season. Liverpool – if Xabi goes to Real – this team will suffer the ability to make things happen.

Finally, while Thomas Vermaelen is the only signing of note, we still have a lot of talent in the midfield and front. I really like our attack options. Like everyone else, I want more defence from the midfield. I would love to see someone who can really free Fabregas to be the playmaker he can be. But we shall see. I also want to see a full season of Arshavin. Personally, I think he is going to light it up.  Walcott also has to step up this season. Missed opportunities won’t get us anywhere this season and he needs to make the most of his – either on the wing or as a central strike option with RvP.

Speaking of the Dutchman – if he stays as healthy as last year, I fully expect him to either remain where he was or improve. Rosicky is a man on a mission who wants to show the club that was dedicated to him, that he is grateful and equally as grateful. Vela, this guy has to be deputized often. His sense of touch on the ball is amazing for someone so young and without a lot of exposure to the EPL. I want to see him let loose. I think he can be better than Dudu.

So then what are our options  in formation with what we have? Last year was the year of the 4-3-2-1. This was in my estimation a lousy set up with Adebayor having such a crappy year. He never was able to deliver and wasn’t getting fed the ball right. Actually, anyone in that central role wasn’t doing all that well.What the formation did do was allow Arshavin and Walcott to use their speed on the wings to their advantage.

This year it could look like:

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Song, Denilson

Walcott, Fabregas, Arshavin

Van Persie/Bendtner

Then there is the 4-4-2. We all know this well. When Arsenal were at their best and winning silverware – this was the formation of choice. Imagine either Walcott or Arshavin with RvP or RvP with Eduardo/Vela. The possible lineups could be:

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Rosicky/Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri/Arshavin

Van Persie, Eduardo

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Rosicky, Fabregas, Song, Nasri

Arshavin/Walcott, Van Persie

And finally – what about the special one’s vaunted 4-3-3?  It allows for the addition of another central midfielder whilst retaining his attacking options. Possible lineup could be:

Alumina

Sagna, Gallas, Toure/Vermaelen, Clichy

Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri/Diaby

Walcott, Van Persie, Arshavin

I have to thank Jeremy Wilson for seeding this idea in my head. His article in the Telgraph is where most of my information came from. The lineups are his ideas.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Nah Nah Nah Hey Hey Goodbye!!!

Don't let the door hit you on the way out

Can you hear that? It’s the collective sigh of relief from Arsenal fans the world over. What looked like it could’ve been messy, suddenly became much sweeter when Man City of the Middle Eastlands came running in with all their oil money.

Emmanuel Adebayor will be remembered for promise never fulfilled, as well as arrogance and a constant propensity for going offsides.  He will be remembered as the anti-teammate and a slow man with size. But maybe, now,  he will be remembered now for letting some players fill their promise. I am speaking specifically of Carlos Vela.

When he came to the Emirates, the young MExican striker was being hailed as one of the world’s next great talents. Last season the Arsenal faithful got to see some of that brilliance that led Arsene to sign him. Of particular liking – the lovely flick shot against Burnley that was executed with all the skill and ice in the veins that Adebayor seems to lack.

Additionally, with the likes of RvP, Walcott, Arshavin, and Eduardo – we are hardly without out skilled strikers. Okay, Bendtner is there too but anyone who knows me knows I am not a big fan. What I am trying to say is I think we may actually be better off without Ade.  He clearly didn’t want to be here last season. It was clear we didn’t want him this season.

Well now both are satisifed. It remains to be seen what Citeh are going to do in the EPL. A Europa spot seems at least guaranteed. I say that lightly because they still haven’t addressed their back four which was shoddy at best. You can have all the strike power you want but if you don’t have anything to stop the other teams offensive ability – um there will be issues.

Finally, Arsenal seems to have made an offer of £7 million to Bordeaux for Chamakh. However, they’ve asked for Mikael Silvestre as a sweetner. So to quote the Mirror – does that make Chamakh worth £7,000,0001?

Popularity: 2% [?]

And so it begins – sort of. Arsenal v Barnet

Well, Saturday 18 July begins what we hope is a long march to silverware this season. Okay not really, its our annual march up to meet League 2 side Barnett. Making the trip will be the following 21 players:

Manuel Almunia
Vito Mannone
William Gallas
Johan Djourou
Mikael Silvestre
Thomas Vermaelen
Tomas Rosicky
Andrey Arshavin
Jack Wilshere
Thomas Cruise
Craig Eastmond
Luke Ayling
Conor Henderson
Francis Coquelin
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
Mark Randall
Emmanuel Frimpong
Gilles Sunu
Sanchez Watt
Jay Simpson
Nacer Barazite

The 21 players represent a fair mix of reserve-youth players and first teamers who need to get in to shape. It also marks the first return in 18 months of Tomas Rosicky to active duty. We’ll be watching to see how he handles even this match and see if he can return to the form that had us all enamored prior to his injury.  This match is also our first opportunity to see recent signee Thomas Vermaelen play. I’ve been seeing pictures of this guy in training and if he is as much a beast as he looks – than our back four will get a little better.

Curious to see Andrei Arshavin on the list of players. Now maybe Arsene thinks he needs more conditioning – who knows. Just don’t want to see some League 2 twi go cleats up on him and have him out for 3 months.

All four pre-season matches are being shown live on Arsenal TV Online. The Barnet match is being played at Underhill Stadium and starts at 15:00 BST

Popularity: 1% [?]

Player bio: Marouane Chamakh

Ade's replacement?

So it looks more and more likely that Emmanuel Adebayor will be wearing the powder puff blue of Man City come the start of the next season rather than the red of Arsenal. So who is it that will likely replace him? By all indications Bourdeaux striker Marouane Chamakh is Aresene’s preferred choice.

By all account the 6’2″ striker is noted for his aerial ability, link-up play, and a top rate work ethic.  He joined the Lique 1 club at the age of 16 signing for their youth academy. Biding his time he has worked his way to being one the clubs primary assets, along with Youann Gourcuff.  In the 2004/2005 season he was the club’s top scorer.

He is not without his faults. His total goals per year aren’t the stuff of world class players.  With the exception of the 2004/2005, only this past season has he registered over 10 goals.  However, it is said he offsets this with his ability to hold the ball and link-up with other team mates to provide other opportunities.

Career Statisitcs at Bourdeaux

Popularity: 3% [?]

Adieu for Ade???

Adieu for Ade?

Good morning and good Monday Gooners. We’re going to start today off in a lsight state of disbelief as no more than three media sources (and none of them are the Sun or Goal.com) are reporting that serious talks have now begun between Man City and Arsenal for a £20 million transfer of everyone’s favourite striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

If you remember early this summer, Arsene basically said if Ade doesn’t want to stay – don’t let the door hit him in the ass on the way out. To me its evident from the benching the last two games of the season and Arsene’s comments this summer that Ade is no longer an option AW wants to count on.

A great 2007/2008 season saw the Togolese striker play amazingly (maybe even above his potential) and led to an increase wage after threats to leave for AC Milan. Well, 2008/2009 great things were expected from him and as we all know his performance was lackluster. He was hurt for a short time, his shots were more off target than on. And he continued to insinuate that he would leave if tempted.

Considering the arrival of Arshavin, the reemergence of Eduardo (hopefully, fingers crossed) and an opportunity for Vela, Ade seems to be the odd man out. This is not to diminish his size in the box- he is tall and does head the bell very well, probably the best on the squad. And there are some times when he looks absolutely brilliant. But more times than not he seemed to hold on the ball too long, took shots he had no business taking and just seemed to mostly play uninspired football. 

And maybe all us punters have Arsene wrong (as of late) and he does see how bad Ade is and how much he seems to be a nuisance andlacks the skill to be wearing the red and white. Or maybe there are things going on in the locker room and on the training pitch that has just led AW believe he could live without the striker.

It remains to be seen. But £20 million can go a long way to shoring up some needs we really haven’t answered this summer. Defencive midfield anyone? It seems we are going to miss out on Melo. Juventus seem set to announce the signing of the Fiorentina midfielder this week which still leaves us holding the bag in that dance and still leaves us without a holding midfielder.  So if Ade is sold (and maybe the funds are why we are considering it) I would hopefully expect to see a big purchase come out if it.

But Citeh? Does AW think Ade is that bad that sending him to a EPL foe doesn’t matter? Somone will need to explain that to me.

Popularity: 2% [?]

In My Opinion: Alisher the Not So Great

No caption necessary

Opinion:

Prior to the involement of Stan Kroneke on the Arsenal board and the hiring of Ivan Gazidis as the club’s CEO, it looked like Alisher Usmanov’s Red and White Holdings was primed to be a big player with the club. Additionally, with David Dien running Red and White, Alisher’s motives seemed crystal clear – gain control of the majority of the shares, force a hostile takeover of the club, and then treat it like a play toy similar to what Roman has done at Chelsea.

I am not sure if Alisher was aware that Stan was going to be involved in the board but it is clearly evident that Scertain promises were made by the American to preserve the integrity of the club and insure it is run as it has always run – as an independent organization with a stable financial background.

True, the £400 million debt from the stadium is huge and I have no doubt that it in some way hampers what Arsene would probably really like to do in the trasfer market. But the board is not stupid. Usmanov’s rights issue ploy to pay down the debt and freeing up money for transfers was clearly seen by the board for what it really was, a back door entry into gaining control of the team.

Assume that the board had signed off on the right’s issue. Further let’s assume that rights issue had not fully subscribed, well any disolution of assets of existing equity holders would’ve given him the ability to grow his share. Plan and simple Alisher is trying to be the next oligarch to run a EPL club. His feeble attempts at “supporting” the club are clearly evident and I belive the board will hold true to its resolve and stay the course.

Now with the rejection of his plan Usmanov through Red and White holdings, is publicly stating he believes Arsenal doesn’t have the funding to compete in the big name transfer market. And some papers are now saying that it is what will prevent us from signing Melo. I am not so sure that this is what is going to stop us from signing Melo. Frankly for a player with 1 year Serie A experience and 1 year first team national experience, €20-22 is a steep price.  He may be worth it in the long run but I think Arsene, Ivan and Co. think that this is a high valuation. But it does seem they are willing to throw in a player or possibly two to make the difference (Eboue and Senderos). Any way I digress.

It now seems to me that what Alisher could not do through money he is attempting to do through the court of public opinion. His statements are directed at all the fans who hope with all their might, Arsenal will go after the top tier players like Ribery, Kaka, Inler, etc. He hopes that if they perceive the club is prohibiting itself to participate in the transfer market in a big way, maybe a groundswell of fan anger will force the team to do something.

Here is what I think overall. I would love for us to go after the tier 1 players – however in 10 years when debts are due, I don’t want us to suffer and wind up moving down in our status. Make no mistake about, any club carrying huge debt is destined for a come to Jesus moment sometime in the not so distant future. Don’t believe me – use the current credit crisis as your model. With so much credit and debt being extended when it came time to call it in – and there wasn’t money there because of overextension – crumble.  I don’t think clubs will fail (though Southampton, I’m just saying) but when the debt is due they will be hard pressed to find funding their big wage bills. Sooner or later taking out a loan to pay a loan is going to catch up to clubs. I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ARSENAL.

I would prefer us to identify and grow talent, supplementing all the way to fill in the gaps and provide club leadership than have a Galacticos Era ala Real Madrid. The bank funds Real and much like it did after the first Galactico era, they called in their markers and Real couldn’t afford shite and have been shite since.

I am glad this blatant attempt by Alisher was seen for what it was. I don’t think it will be his last and if it does get nasty, I expect that Super Stan is who the board will turn to to help them out.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ivan the Terrible.

Ivan the Terrible

And that’s not a bad thing. The more I read on this guy the more I like him. Take this quote from today -

“If we ever felt that coming in the top four was good enough, then we should not be doing what we are doing.”

Looks like Ivan is laying down the law, telling our young Gunners that just settling for a finish in the top 4 is unacceptable. That they are going to be expected to now start delivering on their potential. Much was said about our lack of experience last year. Hell, even the opposition where using the “men against boys” phrases ad naseum last year.

Well, let’s chalk last year up to trial by fire. They had a shaky start and then went on a tear for the last half of the season posting one of the best records in that span in the EPL. Now the lads have to step up and take the next step. This what we all believe and it is obvious that this is what Mr. Gadzidis believes. 

 I have to admit I am beginning to see a good cop bad cop routine devleop between Ivan and Arsene. And this may not be a bad thing. Ivan comes out lays down the law and Arsene does what a good manager does and supports his players and gets them focused on the task at hand.  But I do wonder if Ivan is voicing this about the players – what is he telling the manager?

This is shaping up to be an interesting season. It does seem like from all the right corners the gauntlet is being thrown down – our senior players (senior is a relative term), our manager and our chief executive are saying how its coming up to a now or never situation. Yes, I know we’ve all heard it before. But there seems to be a little more emphasis this season as in maybe everyone knows this is it.

Last week Arsene came out and said if this doesn’t work this season that he would have to consider starting from scratch. Take that in conjunction with Ivan’s comments and those of the other players and I see a different attitude this year.

However even attitude can’t change what we want. Nothing less of some sort of silverware this year will be acceptable for this squad. If they fail in that – finishing in the semis will qualify as abject failure.

Well done Ivan. Well done.

PS. Props to Arseblog – they were the ones with Gazidis interview.

Popularity: 1% [?]

We’re Gunner Get Melo – Maybe

Well, things are definitely becoming interesting in the transfer market. Earlier this weekend we all collectively sighed when Arsenal target Felipe Melo signed a year extension with Fiorentina, thus ending a chance for him winding up wearing the red shirt. Well, it seems I may have been a b it hasty in my disappointment (there’s still time).

Turns out that Melo’s contract has a £24 million buyout clause. How interesting. Add into the equation that Fiorentina sporting director Panteleo Corvino that Arsenal are the only club that has come close to offering the sum they are looking for.

Well, we all know that Arsene isn’t paying  £24 million for anyone, even if they were the second coming of Henry. BUt what happens if Arsenal offer their original sum and throw in say – Emmanuel Eboue. The often maligned midfielder is one of the Gunners rumoured to be gone. And many of the press are stating that this is the deal that is being discussed.

So with Gibbs seemingly coming into his own, Rosicky possibly coming back (we hope) – could Eboue be the odd man out? We all know we are in desperate need of a holding midfielder to support Fabregas. We lost that when we lost Flamini. Out of all our losses from last summer I think Flamini was the worst. Cesc needs to be the set up man, he needs to run the field and he can’t do it without proper support and what we have right now with maybe the exception of Song aren’t cutting it.

All accounts on Melo is he is exactly what we need. He has impressed on all levels and was part of the recent Brazil squad that won the Confederations Cup. He started 29 games last season, with 2 goals and an assist. Why these aren’t dynamic stats they do seem to align with a true holding midfielder. He’s slightly older at 25 giving us presence. He has European experience in the Champions League and UEFA Cup and was instrumental in helping secure another CL berth for Fiorentina.

Popularity: 1% [?]

More Words of Wisdom from Le Professor

You Want Me to do What?

Okay, anyone who has every tracked me on other blogs knows I don’t usually have much bad to say about Arsene Wenger. Its not that I am a sycophant supporter of his but I usually give him the benefit of the doubt because I am sure there are things going on in the background that us fans can’t possibly know. That being said – one day I really wish Arsene would just be direct.

When asked about Emmanuel Adebayors possible departure to AC Milan, Arsene was his normal effusive self saying he expected to stay but if he wanted to leave he would accept it. Why even say something like this – if he is going to stay thats it. If he is going to go – accept it. Further more getting under my crawl today is the fact that Arsene said he was in for Karim Benzema but than money bags Real came along. Now he said he was in for Benzema but that hever never made an offer because he didn’t think Lyon would sell this year.

Riiiiiggghhhhhttttt!

Look I love the guy. Arsenal would not be the club it is now. But dude either be direct with us or do not say a damn thing. I would rather complain that you say nothing at all than say nothing by saying something absolutely so confusing. The absolute consternation of Arsenal fans is coming from the fact that one thing is said and another thing is done – sometimes in the span of a few minutes of each other. Take for instance, Arsene’s insistence he was going to be active in the transfer market this season – well after the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, the promotion of 4 youth team members and Wilshere and Ramsey signing new long term contracts – we’re all waiting with baited breath to the announcement from Arsenal that says these moves prove we are active.

Riiiiggghhhhttt.

If you believe that than I have some property in New Jersey I would like to talk to you about.

Arsene be straight with us. Your years of giving us absolute joy give you some leeway in what you do. But don’t jerk us around with contradictions after contradictions. It only makes us scratch our head or worse yet flame you – and we know you don’t like that.

Popularity: 1% [?]