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.
Gilberto Silva has said he would be interested in a move to Juventus as he struggles to get into Arsenal's current line-up.
The Brazil midfielder, 31, started only three of Arsenal's first 12 Premier League matches, with Arsene Wenger preferring the combination of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini in the middle.
He now appears to see his future away from north London, and said: "Juventus are a prestigious club. They have overcome the problems that forced them to come back from Serie B (Juve were relegated as punishment for their part in a match-fixing scandal).
"I would gladly move to Turin. But their directors should know that I do not want to go to war with Arsenal, so if they want me they should talk to my club.
"I feel disposed towards moving to Italy. I like Serie A, despite the recent crowd trouble."
Hamburg playmaker Rafael van der Vaart is wanted by Premier League clubs, according to the Dutchman's agent.
Van der Vaart is looking to leave Hamburg and has previously expressed a determination to join Spanish side Valencia.
His compatriot Ronald Koeman has recently been appointed coach at the Mestalla and would be keen to sign the former Ajax captain.
But while Valencia maintain an interest in the midfielder, Van der Vaart's agent Bayram Tutumlu claims there is strong interest from other clubs.
"Now, it is very difficult for the player to join Valencia because we have important offers from other big clubs in Spain and England, but he has always loved Valencia," Tutumlu told Las Provincias.
"I have spoken with him and he said that if Valencia present an offer he will study it.
"But I know the salary being offered by president Juan Soler is very difficult to agree to."
Reports have claimed that Arsenal and Newcastle United are the two Premier League sides keeping an eye on the situation.
I can see Gilberto leaving because he is slowly falling down the pecking order in Arsenal and age is not on his side. Van der Vaart is brilliant and I'd love him at Arsenal but the rumour is from SKY so I don't believe it.
When we signed Hleb and Rosicky, they were playmakers just like Van der Vaart; they then got converted into wingers so if Van der Vaart joins us, same thing will probably happen. He has played at left-wing and I think he is a left-footer too; I think a left-footed left-winger is needed
Fabregas and Van der Vaart won’t be able to play as a centre-midfield duo because none of them are good at defending like Diarra and Flamini are. If we sign Van der Vaart, our midfield should be:
khalid_red wrote:When we signed Hleb and Rosicky, they were playmakers just like Van der Vaart; they then got converted into wingers
so if Van der Vaart joins us, same thing will probably happen. He has played at left-wing and I think he is a left-footer too; I think a left-footed left-winger is needed
Fabregas and Van der Vaart won’t be able to play as a centre-midfield duo because none of them are good at defending like Diarra and Flamini are. If we sign Van der Vaart, our midfield should be:
Hleb – Fabregas – Diarra – Van der Vaart
Backup:
Denilson – Flamini – Diaby – Rosicky
Sorry khalid, how many times have you seen Van der Vaart play?
He's a playmaker ala fabregas, albeit somewhat a little further forward.
Therefore, would leave us a little defensively exposed.
He's an excellent player but let's not go mad. Rosicky gives at least some balance in midfield.
You can't just pluck players names out of the air - that formation looks good but doesn't work in practice.
Again, converting a central attacking midfielder to a left winger is not the best option. Van der Vaart is a class player, and being left footed he could play on the wing, but then there might be problems of adjustment etc. like there were with Hleb and to a lesser extent Rosicky.
khalid_red wrote:When we signed Hleb and Rosicky, they were playmakers just like Van der Vaart; they then got converted into wingers
so if Van der Vaart joins us, same thing will probably happen. He has played at left-wing and I think he is a left-footer too; I think a left-footed left-winger is needed
Fabregas and Van der Vaart won’t be able to play as a centre-midfield duo because none of them are good at defending like Diarra and Flamini are. If we sign Van der Vaart, our midfield should be:
Hleb – Fabregas – Diarra – Van der Vaart
Backup:
Denilson – Flamini – Diaby – Rosicky
Sorry khalid, how many times have you seen Van der Vaart play?
He's a playmaker ala fabregas, albeit somewhat a little further forward.
Therefore, would leave us a little defensively exposed.
He's an excellent player but let's not go mad. Rosicky gives at least some balance in midfield.
You can't just pluck players names out of the air - that formation looks good but doesn't work in practice.
Do you fancy the England job:?:
I know he is a playmaker but Hleb and Rosicky were playmakers too when we bought them. I think this midfield has balance, Diarra is the defensive shield we need in midfield, Hleb has the stamina and work-rate to be everywhere around the pitch; Van der Vaart plays further up the field and cuts in from the flank while Fabregas comes from the central midfield.
As for having the England, I wouldn’t want it because if “The Sunâ€
So rather than buying an out and out left-sided player we convert another playmaker? I am happy with Rosicky has he gives us some defensive attitude and quality to balance out the midfield. Van der Vaart is more of a direct player, who gets beyond the strikers - like Fabregas. So I don't see him as a solution. We would be better off buying a wing player who can give us something different.
Galasso wrote:Pandev - I don't know much about him - he plays for Lazio?
Yes, he plays for Lazio and is Macedonia's best player. He is 24, has some experience but he is striker so I am not sure; although I think he has played as a left-winger before. According to wikipedia, Lazio want 25 million fo him; can't see Wenger paying that much.
From wikipedia:
In April 2007, there was news indicating Pandev would extend his contract with Lazio, which would have seen Pandev play for the Italian giants until the end of the 2011/2012 season but according to available sources has not yet signed the contract. After his tremendous double strike against Real Madrid in the Match day 2 fixture of the 2007 Champions League, Interest in the young forward has increased, and Bayern Munich seem to be leading the race to secure his signature, by openly stating they would be happy to part with €30 million, which is about £25 million.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has played down talk of a move for Lazio attacking midfielder Goran Pandev. After victory over Wigan Athletic, Wenger said: "Pandev? Yes, I know him. No, we're not looking for anybody at the moment."
Ben-gooner14 wrote:What do u lot think of gilberto performance against seville, in my opinion he was like a grandad, i don't think i saw him get out of a slow jog/limp
I agree with you, Ben. He is shown us, why Flamini has been playing regularly and why Diarra and Diaby have been in front of him in the pecking order.
