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.
It's a good job THOF was demolished as I'd hate to see how far behind Europe's top clubs we'd be if we hadn't have moved.
Can't be arsed to rant about where the blame lies for the latest captain to be flogged off so I'll keep it short.
1) Board = asset stripping. Care only for profit.
2) Arsene Wenger = complicit in asset stripping, stubborn, treats fans with barely disguised contempt.
3) van Persie = statement was basically a transfer request, thanks for the goals and get lost.
Arsenal must invest van Persie's and Song's transfer fees ASAP, alas I fear they already have spent all the will on Santi, Poldi & Giroud.
Most knew robin van judas was on his way out...though perhaps hoped that the players brought in might help sway his decision into staying....however to go to manure - I would imagine past legends like TH14, Bergkamp and Tony Adams will not think too highly of his decision,. But, this is quite a psychological blow for many Gooners, and I would imagine for some of the Arsenal players. The timing of this (3 days before 1st game of the season) is not good - I just hope it doesn't rock their confidence too much - either it will have an adverse affect or hopefully (though I doubt it) help to engender a siege mentality. I guess it will also depend on who now takes the Captains armband..TV5!?
QuartzGooner wrote:Sahin I believe was seen by Wenger primarily as cover for Wilshere during his extended injury rather than a replacement for Song.
I cannot lose sleep over Sahin; other options exist in M'Vila, Capoue and possibly Tiote.
Tiote is another brainless c**t and I don't see the point of signing him when we already have ping pong
M'vila is meant to have baggage and be a troublesome character
Capoue I had heard nothing about until the c**ts down the road were rumored to be on verge of signing
As has already been stated, sahin would have been ideal from a cost effectiveness point of view and give us the freedom to use whatever transfer budget remains on addressing other area's (like left back or back up keeper).
So a few weeks ago both Podolski and Giroud were bought to play alongside RVP, not as replacements. So we can expect the money from the RVP sale to be used to replace him right?? Of course not. Now Arsene's story has changed. Now Podolski and Giroud were always intended to offset the departure of RVP.
Apparently Arsene had no choice but to sell Van Persie as he was in the last year of his contract. So why talk all that bullsh*t when RVP announced he wouldn't extend (lets be fair we all new it was bullsh*t) that "he's still under contract for one more year", "he will be made to stay" and the biggest joke of all, "Arsenal Football Club are in control of where RVP plays his football next season"??
And the obvious question, why the hell do we keep allowing players to either run down their contracts and walk away for sod all or get to 1 year remaining where we are forced to sell for below market price to whoever offers the most?? Wiltord, Edu, Flamini, Nasri, RVP and next summer Walcott. Whether you were fans or not of any of those players, the fact is it means we cannot dictate who they sign for and we receive below market value for them.
And last but not least, please Arsene do not furnish us with more bullsh*t that we have demonstrated our abmition by spending £40m on new players. I'm pretty sure that come the end of the transfer window our net spend will be close to zero. We leak too many goals, have done for 5/6 seasons. What have you spent on that?
Anyway a new season begins. Time to back the players still wearing the shirt. Come on you Gunners.
Very good post. I work in PR and I have been noticing how they have subtly changed their messaging in the close season.
As you say, let's get behind the boys on Saturday. Start of my 19th season at the Arsenal. Let's hope Bouldy has helped shore up our back 4-heck, why don't we just play him to feed my nostalgia
A few sentences stand out from the BBC report on RVP's transfer.
It is understood Arsenal were willing to make Van Persie their highest paid player ever, but never actually offered him a new contract.
It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla - to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract.
But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday's friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans.
So how eager were Arsenal to persuade him to stay?
From the Metro 2 days ago.
But after his side beat German second division outfit Cologne 4-0 in a friendly, Wenger told reporters he wanted the 30-year-old to stay.
'There's no news on Van Persie,' the Arsenal boss said.
'Our fans want him to stay so you can understand they are excited.
'Anything I could say about Van Persie would be a lie because he's our player and that's it.
'Robin scored 30 goals last season and you want to keep your best player.
'He was player of the year in England. We want to keep him.
'I cannot tell you more at the moment because I don't know more.'
It is important to remember that his thread is about opinions good or bad on Arsene Wenger.
Merging other threads that relate to this one must happen so as it is moderated cleanly and that this forum doesn't fall foul to the issues that caused it to close down last season.
No one wants this forum to close and we are basically like Fabrice Muamba, back from the dead.
We all owe it to ourselves to respect the harmony within this group and to understand that Wenger carries our hopes and dreams in his hands. Points of view must remain as one so our forum doesn't suffer.
foxinthebox2001 wrote:A few sentences stand out from the BBC report on RVP's transfer.
It is understood Arsenal were willing to make Van Persie their highest paid player ever, but never actually offered him a new contract.
It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla - to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract.
But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday's friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans.
So how eager were Arsenal to persuade him to stay?
From the Metro 2 days ago.
But after his side beat German second division outfit Cologne 4-0 in a friendly, Wenger told reporters he wanted the 30-year-old to stay.
'There's no news on Van Persie,' the Arsenal boss said.
'Our fans want him to stay so you can understand they are excited.
'Anything I could say about Van Persie would be a lie because he's our player and that's it.
'Robin scored 30 goals last season and you want to keep your best player.
'He was player of the year in England. We want to keep him.
'I cannot tell you more at the moment because I don't know more.'
Someone here is telling porky pies.
As I've said before Wenger is a fukking liar, and lots more besides, which of course we can't say on here, for fear of upsetting the sponsors and the club.
would have been a pretty strange decision to say - we have to sell, we can't afford him to go on a free
whilst negotiating a price with ManUre
this constant demand for transparency during transfer fee or contract negotiations is bizarre
you seriously want Arsenal to conduct our business differently from every other football club in the World and give a fully honest blow by blow update?
we would receive less money for every player we sold and pay more for every player we bought
highburyJD wrote:would have been a pretty strange decision to say - we have to sell, we can't afford him to go on a free
whilst negotiating a price with ManUre
this constant demand for transparency during transfer fee or contract negotiations is bizarre
you seriously want Arsenal to conduct our business differently from every other football club in the World and give a fully honest blow by blow update?
we would receive less money for every player we sold and pay more for every player we bought
But surely you can undertsand the fans embarrasment and frustrations when the manager of our club says one thing:
I've bought Giroud and Podolski to play alongside RvP
and then says something completely different:
We have already replaced RvP
Surely you must realise this looks and sounds ridiculous!? We all knew there was no way that Giroud and RvP would play together. The press knew it, United knew it. They're not stupid!
I actually agree with you in terms of keeping your cards close to your chest in transfers dealings but the way Wenger goes about it just makes himself sound stupid and leaves him open to ridicule.
Just like the 'super quality' BS folowed by signing Park
This is supposed to be about how wonderful our dear leader is! 
