As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
the playing mantis wrote:think mustafi will be ok, but not sure hes top draw by any means
very dissapointing if gnabry is sold, when he came in to the side he looked very good beating playings scaring them by running at them and being direct. i think could be a big mistake letting him go.
Why is it disappointing?
He's contributed less than the Ox for Arsenal. He had a good Olympics but not much else.
ermmm for the reasons mentioned in the lines after I said itwas dissapointing!
he looked better than wally and iwobi imo. not that iwobi isn't promising. but gnabry has had 0 chance since bursting on as northbank has said was treated scandalously.
northbank123 wrote:Haven't seen Mustafi play before but happy that we have gone out to try and secure a top CB by being willing to pay top dollar. Will be a tough learning curve for him this season but hopefully he will bed in well and benefit from a bit more stability with Xhaka, who looks promising albeit raw.
The glaring weakness is up front where we still lack a striker who is capable of scoring 25 PL goals, dragging us to wins and spearheading a title challenge. I just don't believe that Perez is capable of being that player.
It's just so frustrating because tactical weaknesses aside, our squad of players is a top striker away from being as good as anybody else is the PL.
And that's the thing. For people saying we have done great business I'd say yeah I'm all for squad strengthening, but we still haven't addressed the most glaring weakness we have; striker. We managed to get second last season with the defenders and midfielders we have. If Giroud's goals hadn't dried up after Xmas we could have and should have won the PL. If we had signed a top striker last January we still could have won it. We are literally one top striker away from a real challenge. And yet under Mr 30 Years we go into another season without a key ingredient.
Nos89 wrote:So, Arsenal have bought a £30m defensive midfielder, a £35m centre back and a £17m striker. Thats a new spine to the outfield team. We supporters wanted a CB, a DM and a striker thats what we've got.
Can't argue about Mustafi and Xhaka...Perez is an unknown quantity to us the supporters, so will be equally unknown to the Premier League defences.
If we could pull out the bag the signing of Draxler or Rodriguez then it would be the best transfer window ever.
all are unknown and unproven at the highest level.
spin it as you will but none have proved them selves at big clubs or in the CL. Yes mustafi played for Germany, but I don't think he was an automatic choice before injury to others was he? regardless tye big German coward played many time for them so it means nothing.
Yes it's encouraging but none strike me as players of sufficient ability to be able to make us contenders against the best. they all seem to be just enough players to get 4th place and placate the fans. they may prove and develop into top top players but on paper they don't.
ignoring the fact they should have been signed months ago to integrate and not leaving us short for the first games of the season they will still be coached by the idiot in charge and fit in his inflexible system.
but then you won't actually blame the manager will you for any of this, simply spin it so he's done nothing wrong
northbank123 wrote:Haven't seen Mustafi play before but happy that we have gone out to try and secure a top CB by being willing to pay top dollar. Will be a tough learning curve for him this season but hopefully he will bed in well and benefit from a bit more stability with Xhaka, who looks promising albeit raw.
The glaring weakness is up front where we still lack a striker who is capable of scoring 25 PL goals, dragging us to wins and spearheading a title challenge. I just don't believe that Perez is capable of being that player.
It's just so frustrating because tactical weaknesses aside, our squad of players is a top striker away from being as good as anybody else is the PL.
And that's the thing. For people saying we have done great business I'd say yeah I'm all for squad strengthening, but we still haven't addressed the most glaring weakness we have; striker. We managed to get second last season with the defenders and midfielders we have. If Giroud's goals hadn't dried up after Xmas we could have and should have won the PL. If we had signed a top striker last January we still could have won it. We are literally one top striker away from a real challenge. And yet under Mr 30 Years we go into another season without a key ingredient.
Even if we got someone like Griezman or Higuain, this season I suspect we would still fall short. Both Manchester clubs have upped their games, perhaps one of them will fall away as the season progresses but I don't expect both to. Last season was literally a once in lifetime opportunity to win the fucker with no other big club in sight, and we blew it. United winning games in the 92nd minute suggests they are back big time.
northbank123 wrote:Haven't seen Mustafi play before but happy that we have gone out to try and secure a top CB by being willing to pay top dollar. Will be a tough learning curve for him this season but hopefully he will bed in well and benefit from a bit more stability with Xhaka, who looks promising albeit raw.
The glaring weakness is up front where we still lack a striker who is capable of scoring 25 PL goals, dragging us to wins and spearheading a title challenge. I just don't believe that Perez is capable of being that player.
It's just so frustrating because tactical weaknesses aside, our squad of players is a top striker away from being as good as anybody else is the PL.
And that's the thing. For people saying we have done great business I'd say yeah I'm all for squad strengthening, but we still haven't addressed the most glaring weakness we have; striker. We managed to get second last season with the defenders and midfielders we have. If Giroud's goals hadn't dried up after Xmas we could have and should have won the PL. If we had signed a top striker last January we still could have won it. We are literally one top striker away from a real challenge. And yet under Mr 30 Years we go into another season without a key ingredient.
Even if we got someone like Griezman or Higuain, this season I suspect we would still fall short. Both Manchester clubs have upped their games, perhaps one of them will fall away as the season progresses but I don't expect both to. Last season was literally a once in lifetime opportunity to win the fucker with no other big club in sight, and we blew it. United winning games in the 92nd minute suggests they are back big time.
Oh yeah I agree that last season was a one off and Leicester will not be getting near it this year. It'll be down to the Chav or one of the manc clubs winning it this season as they have all strengthened. But if Wenger had bought in a top striker last January and we had won the PL then we would have gone into this summer's transfer market as champions and in a position of strength to shop in the top tier rather than the second tier of players. We would have been a more attractive option to top players as champions. Of course there is still no guarantee that Wenger would sign anyone from that top tier...
I think Granit is a quality signing. I don't rate Gabriel so Mustifi and Holding are well needed. Really is all down to Perez. He will get plenty of chances so let's hope he puts them away.
I'm not going to comment on him until he has had time to bed in . Mustifi needs to hit the floor running being a defender and all that.
supergeorgegraham wrote:I think Granit is a quality signing. I don't rate Gabriel so Mustifi and Holding are well needed. Really is all down to Perez. He will get plenty of chances so let's hope he puts them away.
I'm not going to comment on him until he has had time to bed in . Mustifi needs to hit the floor running being a defender and all that.
A lower conversion percentage than giroud ..........it doesn't get much more scary than that
supergeorgegraham wrote:I think Granit is a quality signing. I don't rate Gabriel so Mustifi and Holding are well needed. Really is all down to Perez. He will get plenty of chances so let's hope he puts them away.
I'm not going to comment on him until he has had time to bed in . Mustifi needs to hit the floor running being a defender and all that.
A lower conversion percentage than giroud ..........it doesn't get much more scary than that
True. But then some players thrive on a change of league/style of play and just take off. I really hope Perez is that type of player. But tbh I remain to be convinced. Time will tell. Of course we also have to allow for the "Wenger factor". Perez is gonna struggle to hit 20+ PL goals a season out on the right wing...
Nos89 wrote:So, Arsenal have bought a £30m defensive midfielder, a £35m centre back and a £17m striker. Thats a new spine to the outfield team. We supporters wanted a CB, a DM and a striker thats what we've got.
Can't argue about Mustafi and Xhaka...Perez is an unknown quantity to us the supporters, so will be equally unknown to the Premier League defences.
If we could pull out the bag the signing of Draxler or Rodriguez then it would be the best transfer window ever.
all are unknown and unproven at the highest level.
spin it as you will but none have proved them selves at big clubs or in the CL. Yes mustafi played for Germany, but I don't think he was an automatic choice before injury to others was he? regardless tye big German coward played many time for them so it means nothing.
Yes it's encouraging but none strike me as players of sufficient ability to be able to make us contenders against the best. they all seem to be just enough players to get 4th place and placate the fans. they may prove and develop into top top players but on paper they don't.
ignoring the fact they should have been signed months ago to integrate and not leaving us short for the first games of the season they will still be coached by the idiot in charge and fit in his inflexible system.
but then you won't actually blame the manager will you for any of this, simply spin it so he's done nothing wrong
Really? I won't blame the manager. He's got what we need, what we've been asking for all summer. I still think the board had something to do with the delays.
Mustafi replaced BFG in the world cup winning German team. We got a striker who outscored Sanchez and Giroud, whilst playing for a team that struggle to create opportunities. And a DM with a disciplinary record Vieira would be proud of, and seems like a no nonsense player.
No I don't think we'll get Draxler or Rodriguez but they would make fantastic additions to the squad.
Knowing that our business is done already will allow me to enjoy the transfer deadline day today - every other window I would be waiting and wondering if we would make the much needed signing, but this time around I know that he is done buying (quantity over quality of course ) so I will watch and see who else is buying and moving. Watching and assessing your rival's transfer business (and by rivals I mean the scum, everton, the shammers and the victims) intrigues me so I will relax and enjoy the day for what it is
Nos89 wrote:So, Arsenal have bought a £30m defensive midfielder, a £35m centre back and a £17m striker. Thats a new spine to the outfield team. We supporters wanted a CB, a DM and a striker thats what we've got.
Can't argue about Mustafi and Xhaka...Perez is an unknown quantity to us the supporters, so will be equally unknown to the Premier League defences.
If we could pull out the bag the signing of Draxler or Rodriguez then it would be the best transfer window ever.
all are unknown and unproven at the highest level.
spin it as you will but none have proved them selves at big clubs or in the CL. Yes mustafi played for Germany, but I don't think he was an automatic choice before injury to others was he? regardless tye big German coward played many time for them so it means nothing.
Yes it's encouraging but none strike me as players of sufficient ability to be able to make us contenders against the best. they all seem to be just enough players to get 4th place and placate the fans. they may prove and develop into top top players but on paper they don't.
ignoring the fact they should have been signed months ago to integrate and not leaving us short for the first games of the season they will still be coached by the idiot in charge and fit in his inflexible system.
but then you won't actually blame the manager will you for any of this, simply spin it so he's done nothing wrong
Really? I won't blame the manager. He's got what we need, what we've been asking for all summer. I still think the board had something to do with the delays.
Mustafi replaced BFG in the world cup winning German team. We got a striker who outscored Sanchez and Giroud, whilst playing for a team that struggle to create opportunities. And a DM with a disciplinary record Vieira would be proud of, and seems like a no nonsense player.
No I don't think we'll get Draxler or Rodriguez but they would make fantastic additions to the squad.
So you are saying that we have signed the proven top quality players that we badly need then ? Perez is a player with just ONE great season in his career and has zero international caps (for a country that has capped the likes of Llorente ) and at 27 years of age that is worrying at best. Mustafi is not proven at the top level either and has a total of just TWELVE international caps, and a record of playing for mid-table sides like Valencia and sampdoria
Finally, please don't compare xhaka to PV4 cos it is nothing short of blasphemy - xhaka is 23 years old and had previously played for clubs the size of gladbach. Yes he is only 23 years old, but he is a long way from top quality
Nos89 wrote:So, Arsenal have bought a £30m defensive midfielder, a £35m centre back and a £17m striker. Thats a new spine to the outfield team. We supporters wanted a CB, a DM and a striker thats what we've got.
Can't argue about Mustafi and Xhaka...Perez is an unknown quantity to us the supporters, so will be equally unknown to the Premier League defences.
If we could pull out the bag the signing of Draxler or Rodriguez then it would be the best transfer window ever.
all are unknown and unproven at the highest level.
spin it as you will but none have proved them selves at big clubs or in the CL. Yes mustafi played for Germany, but I don't think he was an automatic choice before injury to others was he? regardless tye big German coward played many time for them so it means nothing.
Yes it's encouraging but none strike me as players of sufficient ability to be able to make us contenders against the best. they all seem to be just enough players to get 4th place and placate the fans. they may prove and develop into top top players but on paper they don't.
ignoring the fact they should have been signed months ago to integrate and not leaving us short for the first games of the season they will still be coached by the idiot in charge and fit in his inflexible system.
but then you won't actually blame the manager will you for any of this, simply spin it so he's done nothing wrong
Really? I won't blame the manager. He's got what we need, what we've been asking for all summer. I still think the board had something to do with the delays.
Mustafi replaced BFG in the world cup winning German team. We got a striker who outscored Sanchez and Giroud, whilst playing for a team that struggle to create opportunities. And a DM with a disciplinary record Vieira would be proud of, and seems like a no nonsense player.
No I don't think we'll get Draxler or Rodriguez but they would make fantastic additions to the squad.
but he hasnt got what we need. if you think perez is a the 25 goal league winning striker then your wilfully being ignorant as all evidence suggests he wont be and hasnt been. hopefully he is but it all smacks of panic buying by the board over aw's head imo.
is it the boards fault the rigid tactics? the overpaying of wally et al, the retention of sanogo, the 70 minute substitutes, the refusing to adapt approach regardless of opposition? or is that perhaps the managers fault?
David Ornstein ,BBC football journalist said arsenal made a 70m bid for Griezmann but it was rejected,and that we won't make a 2ND offer ,now he doesn't say when the bid was made,but there were rumblings on Twitter that we were trying to get him.
Nos89 wrote:So, Arsenal have bought a £30m defensive midfielder, a £35m centre back and a £17m striker. Thats a new spine to the outfield team. We supporters wanted a CB, a DM and a striker thats what we've got.
Can't argue about Mustafi and Xhaka...Perez is an unknown quantity to us the supporters, so will be equally unknown to the Premier League defences.
If we could pull out the bag the signing of Draxler or Rodriguez then it would be the best transfer window ever.
all are unknown and unproven at the highest level.
spin it as you will but none have proved them selves at big clubs or in the CL. Yes mustafi played for Germany, but I don't think he was an automatic choice before injury to others was he? regardless tye big German coward played many time for them so it means nothing.
Yes it's encouraging but none strike me as players of sufficient ability to be able to make us contenders against the best. they all seem to be just enough players to get 4th place and placate the fans. they may prove and develop into top top players but on paper they don't.
ignoring the fact they should have been signed months ago to integrate and not leaving us short for the first games of the season they will still be coached by the idiot in charge and fit in his inflexible system.
but then you won't actually blame the manager will you for any of this, simply spin it so he's done nothing wrong
Really? I won't blame the manager. He's got what we need, what we've been asking for all summer. I still think the board had something to do with the delays.
Mustafi replaced BFG in the world cup winning German team. We got a striker who outscored Sanchez and Giroud, whilst playing for a team that struggle to create opportunities. And a DM with a disciplinary record Vieira would be proud of, and seems like a no nonsense player.
No I don't think we'll get Draxler or Rodriguez but they would make fantastic additions to the squad.
Mate, that is stretching horsehit to its limit!
The facts tell a different story. He "outscored" Giroud in the league once over the last 4 seasons (since Giroud joined us). Giroud scored 11, 16, 14, 16 to Perez's 8, 9, 6, 17 in the corresponding seasons. If Giroud doesn't score enough and is not good enough (he doesn't and he ain't) then how is Perez "what we need" based on ONE season??
Hopefully he will come good and be the striker we need, but as is he is NOT the proven 20+ PL goal a season striker that we actually do need. So for me Wenger has not delivered that requirement at all. He has delivered a long shot, a possibility, and nothing more.
the playing mantis wrote:think mustafi will be ok, but not sure hes top draw by any means
very dissapointing if gnabry is sold, when he came in to the side he looked very good beating playings scaring them by running at them and being direct. i think could be a big mistake letting him go.
WHAT!!!???
Wenger make a mistake how dare you burn the traitor burn him I say!!!!
What is irksome and worrying is that there are still posters on here than Cannot See that regardless of who we sign - It is Wenger That IS The Problem. He is Passed It as a manager/coach - He is No Longer able to meet the demands of the Managerial Role at Arsenal (or any other club for that matter). He shies away from change and tactics - even though it is blatantly obvious to one and all that it is the ability to change and adopt new methods and approaches - regardless of the sphere one finds oneself - that makes it possible to succeed and achieve success at the highest levels.
Besides all these 'things' He has no regard or respect for the fans, he is a manipulator of the facts and truth, he is a despotic figure who wields his authority and power with utter disdain for anyone who dares speak out against him, he is a coward hiding behind the position he has created and manipulated for himself. It is we who pay the price....besides which he's a cun.t.
) and at 27 years of age that is worrying at best. Mustafi is not proven at the top level either and has a total of just TWELVE international caps, and a record of playing for mid-table sides like Valencia and sampdoria
