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.
Arsenal have made an offer for France centre-half Sebastien Squillaci, according to Sevilla.
"The club have received an offer from Arsenal," read a statement on the Spanish side's website but a Gunners spokesperson declined to comment.
Sevilla said that the 30-year-old asked to be left out of Wednesday's Champions League play-off against Braga to avoid being cup-tied.
The former Lyon player is rated at about £6.5m.
Arsenal need defensive cover after a number of players left this summer.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger signed centre-back Laurent Koscielny from Lorient during the summer and has been boosted by Johan Djourou's return from long-term injury, but will still have been keeping an eye on the transfer market following the departures of veterans Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre.
It is not known if the Gunners have matched Sevilla's valuation of Squillaci but the statement on the Spanish club's website continued: "Sebastien Squillaci's future is in the air.
"As was confirmed by sporting director Ramon Rodriguez at the airport in Porto, the club have received an offer from Arsenal.
"The player asked coaches not to play him in the [Champions League play-off] match."
Sevilla are said to have called an emergency board meeting on Thursday to discuss the offer and any deal will need to be concluded before the transfer window closes on 31 August.
Squillaci was part of France's miserable World Cup campaign in South Africa, playing in the defeat against the hosts which resulted in the nation finishing bottom of their group.
In an injury interrupted campaign, he made 14 league starts for Sevilla last season having been a near ever-present the year before.
this has got to be the strongest rumour all summer with us, the Given and Schwargzer rumours were all bullshit, i dunno why everyone was wanking over them, and this is stronger coz no mug is saying, 'my agent' or so and so knows his agent blah blah, why do people bullshit, like saying, Schwargzers coming tomorow, and same with Joe Cole, anyway rant over, wenger, make this happen,
WHL-71-04 wrote:Jesus, I swear some people are never happy.
We're crying out for an experienced centre-back who knows how to win trophies and it looks like AW is actually about to finally sign one and yet still most people are moaning about it.
The bloke has just turned 30, he's not over the hill in the slightest.
Now Sevilla are my second team, and I've been over there quite a few times to watch them play. Squillaci is no mug, far from it. He will make a big difference to our side, and if you think he's going to be bullied now think again. He can certainly handle himself.
I'm sure he will be coming in as TV's partner as well, with Kos on the bench. I can't imagine he will leave Sevilla if he's not going to be starting for us.
Give the bloke a chance before you write him off, if we even sign him that is.
This is the same guy who lost his place in the Sevilla first team to Fazio am up for given him a chance but lets now paint it out like he is a good player.
If Sevilla had confidence in him, he would have played in the big games against Barca, Real but he didnt.
I normally respect your opinion but you are spouting off some bullshit there mate.
He played in the home and away match against Barcelona in his 1st season at Sevilla.
He played in the home and away game against Real Madrid in his 1st season at Sevilla.
In his 2nd season (last campaign) he played in the home game against Real Madrid. He was substiuted midway through the first-half following an injury he picked up.
He came on against Barcelona midway through the first-half at the back-end of last season.
Squillaci is a very good defender. He's not the quickest but he is a fantastic reader of the game. He tackles and heads the ball really well.
Good signing IF it goes through and I'd expect him to partner TV in defence.
WHL-71-04 wrote:Jesus, I swear some people are never happy.
We're crying out for an experienced centre-back who knows how to win trophies and it looks like AW is actually about to finally sign one and yet still most people are moaning about it.
The bloke has just turned 30, he's not over the hill in the slightest.
Now Sevilla are my second team, and I've been over there quite a few times to watch them play. Squillaci is no mug, far from it. He will make a big difference to our side, and if you think he's going to be bullied now think again. He can certainly handle himself.
I'm sure he will be coming in as TV's partner as well, with Kos on the bench. I can't imagine he will leave Sevilla if he's not going to be starting for us.
Give the bloke a chance before you write him off, if we even sign him that is.
This is the same guy who lost his place in the Sevilla first team to Fazio am up for given him a chance but lets now paint it out like he is a good player.
If Sevilla had confidence in him, he would have played in the big games against Barca, Real but he didnt.
I normally respect your opinion but you are spouting off some bullshit there mate.
He played in the home and away match against Barcelona in his 1st season at Sevilla.
He played in the home and away game against Real Madrid in his 1st season at Sevilla.
In his 2nd season (last campaign) he played in the home game against Real Madrid. He was substiuted midway through the first-half following an injury he picked up.
He came on against Barcelona midway through the first-half at the back-end of last season.
Squillaci is a very good defender. He's not the quickest but he is a fantastic reader of the game. He tackles and heads the ball really well.
Good signing IF it goes through and I'd expect him to partner TV in defence.
Yea I've seen a bit of him, he's very good in the air and is very tough, would b a gd signing
WHL-71-04 wrote:Jesus, I swear some people are never happy.
We're crying out for an experienced centre-back who knows how to win trophies and it looks like AW is actually about to finally sign one and yet still most people are moaning about it.
The bloke has just turned 30, he's not over the hill in the slightest.
Now Sevilla are my second team, and I've been over there quite a few times to watch them play. Squillaci is no mug, far from it. He will make a big difference to our side, and if you think he's going to be bullied now think again. He can certainly handle himself.
I'm sure he will be coming in as TV's partner as well, with Kos on the bench. I can't imagine he will leave Sevilla if he's not going to be starting for us.
Give the bloke a chance before you write him off, if we even sign him that is.
WHL-71-04 wrote:Jesus, I swear some people are never happy.
We're crying out for an experienced centre-back who knows how to win trophies and it looks like AW is actually about to finally sign one and yet still most people are moaning about it.
The bloke has just turned 30, he's not over the hill in the slightest.
Now Sevilla are my second team, and I've been over there quite a few times to watch them play. Squillaci is no mug, far from it. He will make a big difference to our side, and if you think he's going to be bullied now think again. He can certainly handle himself.
I'm sure he will be coming in as TV's partner as well, with Kos on the bench. I can't imagine he will leave Sevilla if he's not going to be starting for us.
Give the bloke a chance before you write him off, if we even sign him that is.
This is the same guy who lost his place in the Sevilla first team to Fazio am up for given him a chance but lets not paint it out like he is a good player.
If Sevilla had confidence in him, he would have played in the big games against Barca, Real but he didnt.
I normally respect your opinion but you are spouting off some bullshit there mate.
He played in the home and away match against Barcelona in his 1st season at Sevilla.
He played in the home and away game against Real Madrid in his 1st season at Sevilla.
In his 2nd season (last campaign) he played in the home game against Real Madrid. He was substiuted midway through the first-half following an injury he picked up.
He came on against Barcelona midway through the first-half at the back-end of last season.
Squillaci is a very good defender. He's not the quickest but he is a fantastic reader of the game. He tackles and heads the ball really well.
Good signing IF it goes through and I'd expect him to partner TV in defence.
I did say lost his place
Yes he played all the games in his first season but he dint in his 2nd.
He only started that game against Madrid because Fazio was injured and wasn't in the squad, also he came on against Barca because Fazio got injured during the game.
He dint feature away to Madrid or Barca
Dragutinovic is 34 and is still getting more play time that Squillaci, so no I am not spouting off BS because I actually watched those games on sky.
He is slowly being phased out by Sevilla and thats who we want to sign
So as I said, lets not paint it out like he is a good player and I hope he isn't our first choice.
WHL-71-04 wrote:Jesus, I swear some people are never happy.
We're crying out for an experienced centre-back who knows how to win trophies and it looks like AW is actually about to finally sign one and yet still most people are moaning about it.
The bloke has just turned 30, he's not over the hill in the slightest.
Now Sevilla are my second team, and I've been over there quite a few times to watch them play. Squillaci is no mug, far from it. He will make a big difference to our side, and if you think he's going to be bullied now think again. He can certainly handle himself.
I'm sure he will be coming in as TV's partner as well, with Kos on the bench. I can't imagine he will leave Sevilla if he's not going to be starting for us.
Give the bloke a chance before you write him off, if we even sign him that is.
This is the same guy who lost his place in the Sevilla first team to Fazio am up for given him a chance but lets not paint it out like he is a good player.
If Sevilla had confidence in him, he would have played in the big games against Barca, Real but he didnt.
I normally respect your opinion but you are spouting off some bullshit there mate.
He played in the home and away match against Barcelona in his 1st season at Sevilla.
He played in the home and away game against Real Madrid in his 1st season at Sevilla.
In his 2nd season (last campaign) he played in the home game against Real Madrid. He was substiuted midway through the first-half following an injury he picked up.
He came on against Barcelona midway through the first-half at the back-end of last season.
Squillaci is a very good defender. He's not the quickest but he is a fantastic reader of the game. He tackles and heads the ball really well.
Good signing IF it goes through and I'd expect him to partner TV in defence.
I did say lost his place
Yes he played all the games in his first season but he dint in his 2nd.
He only started that game against Madrid because Fazio was injured and wasn't in the squad, also he came on against Barca because Fazio got injured during the game.
He dint feature away to Madrid or Barca
Dragutinovic is 34 and is still getting more play time that Squillaci, so no I am not spouting off BS because I actually watched those games on sky.
He is slowly being phased out by Sevilla and thats who we want to sign
So as I said, lets not paint it out like he is a good player and I hope he isn't our first choice.
You said 'If Sevilla had confidence in him, he would have played in the big games against Barca, Real but he didnt'
You spouted bullshit and continue to try and justify it.
As I already stated - he did play. So how can justify you weren't talking shit?
If they had no confidence in him how come he played in the Copa del Rey Final against Ath Madrid last season. In that match he was Sevilla's best player.
And a reference to his performance in that match reads as follows:
'Two inspired goal-line clearances set the tone for a performance that showed leadership, courage, and determination to drag his side over the finishing line'
WHL-71-04 wrote:Jesus, I swear some people are never happy.
We're crying out for an experienced centre-back who knows how to win trophies and it looks like AW is actually about to finally sign one and yet still most people are moaning about it.
The bloke has just turned 30, he's not over the hill in the slightest.
Now Sevilla are my second team, and I've been over there quite a few times to watch them play. Squillaci is no mug, far from it. He will make a big difference to our side, and if you think he's going to be bullied now think again. He can certainly handle himself.
I'm sure he will be coming in as TV's partner as well, with Kos on the bench. I can't imagine he will leave Sevilla if he's not going to be starting for us.
Give the bloke a chance before you write him off, if we even sign him that is.
This is the same guy who lost his place in the Sevilla first team to Fazio am up for given him a chance but lets not paint it out like he is a good player.
If Sevilla had confidence in him, he would have played in the big games against Barca, Real but he didnt.
I normally respect your opinion but you are spouting off some bullshit there mate.
He played in the home and away match against Barcelona in his 1st season at Sevilla.
He played in the home and away game against Real Madrid in his 1st season at Sevilla.
In his 2nd season (last campaign) he played in the home game against Real Madrid. He was substiuted midway through the first-half following an injury he picked up.
He came on against Barcelona midway through the first-half at the back-end of last season.
Squillaci is a very good defender. He's not the quickest but he is a fantastic reader of the game. He tackles and heads the ball really well.
Good signing IF it goes through and I'd expect him to partner TV in defence.
I did say lost his place
Yes he played all the games in his first season but he dint in his 2nd.
He only started that game against Madrid because Fazio was injured and wasn't in the squad, also he came on against Barca because Fazio got injured during the game.
He dint feature away to Madrid or Barca
Dragutinovic is 34 and is still getting more play time that Squillaci, so no I am not spouting off BS because I actually watched those games on sky.
He is slowly being phased out by Sevilla and thats who we want to sign
So as I said, lets not paint it out like he is a good player and I hope he isn't our first choice.
You said 'If Sevilla had confidence in him, he would have played in the big games against Barca, Real but he didnt'
You spouted bullshit and continue to try and justify it.
As I already stated - he did play. So how can justify you weren't talking shit?
If they had no confidence in him how come he played in the Copa del Rey Final against Ath Madrid last season. In that match he was Sevilla's best player.
And a reference to his performance in that match reads as follows:
'Two inspired goal-line clearances set the tone for a performance that showed leadership, courage, and determination to drag his side over the finishing line'
Since when did playing mean he is first choice?
Against Atletico there was no Fazio or Dragutinovic so my question to you is, if those guys were available would Squillaci have started that game?
Would Flamini have played those CL games at LB if Cashley was fit?
No and No
Spouting BS and trying to justify it I think not.
Its not my fault that i'm not as excited as you are about this potential signing, so lets just leave it here.
Squiallaci was first choice at Sevilla, he was just injured most of last season, as far as I know.
[quote]Speaking to talkSPORT, Auclair revealed:
“It isn't done yet but it filtered through this afternoon that Sebastien Squillaci would be joining Arsenal.
“It seems to be a very, very solid story indeed, even though nothing has been done. We are still at the negotiation phase. That would be almost the final piece in the jigsaw, just a keeper to come and then the recruitment of Arsenal would be over for the summer.
“He played for Lyon, but he's been more of a regular for Sevilla where he's been excellent. He's had a couple of injury problems but on the other hand he was also a regular in that team. He was one of the key members of that team and has 20 caps for France.
“He’s an experienced player which is what Wenger would want for somebody to partner Thomas Vermaelen because Laurent Koscielny would be the number three [defender] at the club.â€
am up for given him a chance but lets now paint it out like he is a good player. 
I think not. 
