all has been quiet at the bridge.........keep hearing we're after this player and that player......yet no one's arrived yet.......and no one of note has gone either.........essien is out for 6 months after doing his cruciate in training ........maceachran and bertrand have signed new long term deals......and that's about it
off to watch us v pompey in a friendly this afternoon
Spppoonnnggeeyyyy xxxxxx
We've only brought in Gervinho and let Clichy go, I'm quite worried now, if we don't strengthen then there will be real hostility towards the boss from the off next season. A lot of very unhappy Gooners around the place at the moment.
I'm going to watch our babies play at Borehamwood next week, all our pre season games for the first team are abroad. They haven't even got the traditional preseason at Barnet this year because of the CL qualifiers.
Have a great day today, it feels like ages since the season ended, just so good to get back to footy
Joe - I hope you weren't at Darlo, looks like it went a bit mad. You know a situation is bad when Joey Barton is playing peacemaker 
veggieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee xxx..hope alls well with you matey??...
we played a behind closed doors friendly against wycombe earlier this week...........game against pompey today........then they fly off to take part in the asia cup.....then there's a friendly v rangers at ibrox......most of pre-season seems to be abroad for the top clubs........more dosh i suppose!!
what's happening with cesc and nasri??......surely wenger has to deliver this season.or do you think he's safe no matter what??
Glad you weren't there Joe, it's like the bad old days with some of these idiots.
spongeeeeyyyyyxxxx Yep I'm ok thanks, hope you are too.
I think you're right about the big clubs going abroad, it sure sells a lot of shirts. AW doesn't like to do those toursm he usually takes the team to Austria for their pre season but I think he's been leant on this time to do the money spinning crap.
Is he safe?? No I don't think he is for several reasons. Firstly there is now a majority of Arsenal fans who want him either sacked or moved upstairs according to every forum I read and chatting to other fans at games etc. Secondly, he never seems to address the failings that cost us every single season - namely the defence. Thirdly, there seems to be no plan B when we are playing a team who has sussed out how to play against us.
and most of all Kronke is now in the mix. The thing is that AW still has a lot of clout in the club, if Kronke comes in and starts interfering with the team and stepping on AW toes then it will be war and AW will go. That would suit Kronke down to the ground I think as no owner, be they Kronke, Roman, Lerner etc wants a manager who will stand up to them and stop them doing what they want with their new toy.
I would be very very surprised if AW sees out his contract with us unless he wins trophies very quickly.
Personally I am still behind him 100% and back him all they way even when I am frustrated with some of his tactics and policies but I am in a growing minority and it will turn very ugly at the Emirates very quickly next season if things don't start well and we haven't strengthened
ohhhhhhhhhh i know all about the owners and their 'toys'..........
i'm hoping andre village people will get a fair crack........we can't keep sacking managers cos we don't win the cl............though i do think we'd gone stale under ancelotti......some of his tactics and decisions were a bit bonkers.......and we played very defensively...but the squad needs a shake up.......too many players the wrong side of 30.....i'm really surprised no ones been brought in........i'm hoping torres will come good......he scored the other day in the friendly so that'll help his confidence
i didn't realise majority of gooners were fed up of aw.......i enjoy watching you play.i suppose it's all down to frustration that no trophies are being won.........still if he does get the boot you can seek him out and drag him to your lair to comfort him.......
Wenger: "I don't spend my time on what other people say. We are focused on playing our football"
What a load of BS... the man never stops going on about other clubs and their players. Every week he is waffling on about something that is none of his business, last week it was about our new sponsorship. Sooner he fooks off and retires from the industry the better, then we won't have to listen to the crap that comes out of his mouth every week.
Wenger: "I don't spend my time on what other people say. We are focused on playing our football"
What a load of BS... the man never stops going on about other clubs and their players. Every week he is waffling on about something that is none of his business, last week it was about our new sponsorship. Sooner he fooks off and retires from the industry the better, then we won't have to listen to the crap that comes out of his mouth every week.
Wrong Meaty, it is the business of every other single club in Europe if one of them is flouting the new Fair Play rules.
FIFA/UEFA have to take action against any club who tries to circumvent the rules or they might as well not have them in the first place.
The only reason you don't see it like that is because it is your team that is chucking money around it hasn't earnt out of it's own natural resources.
Wenger: "I don't spend my time on what other people say. We are focused on playing our football"
What a load of BS... the man never stops going on about other clubs and their players. Every week he is waffling on about something that is none of his business, last week it was about our new sponsorship. Sooner he fooks off and retires from the industry the better, then we won't have to listen to the crap that comes out of his mouth every week.
Wrong Meaty, it is the business of every other single club in Europe if one of them is flouting the new Fair Play rules.
FIFA/UEFA have to take action against any club who tries to circumvent the rules or they might as well not have them in the first place.
The only reason you don't see it like that is because it is your team that is chucking money around it hasn't earnt out of it's own natural resources.
Well I think your whole club is just bitter... instead of actually focusing on improving his own team, Wenger is too busy complaining about us putting bids in for his players and about our new sponsorship.
Chucking money around? You may not of noticed, but our club has only actually bought two players this transfer window... hardly splashing the cash. Laughable that when these new regulations were first announced, every other club started getting giddy and thought we were gonna be kicked out of CL. It's not happening though and now clubs are all throwing their toys out the pram. The club stated UEFA have already seen our sponsorship deal and its perfectly fine.
Like I said... sooner the bitter old fooker Wenger buggers off the better.
Then you've got nothing to worry about mate. But like I said UEFA have to investigate any potential breech of the rules or the rules are worth nothing.
Are we bitter? Yeah probably. It certainly makes me sick when we live within our means and very few other buggers seem to. It's not just the big transfer fees, it's also the salaries that you have to consider.
And the fact that City are willing to pay some players a quarter of a million a week makes it that much harder for clubs with less money to attract players.
If City were earning the money they spend then fair enough. But you're not. Same as Chelsea who had to write off some astronomical sum owed to Abramovich - not sure if it was 400 million or 700 million - just so they could get into a position of meeting the FFP rules.
And you have been splashing the cash ever since the Sheik took over - only two players this window doesn't negate all the previous excess
I thought Wenger had done a pretty good job. They have a nice new large stadium. Correct me if I'm wrong but no large debts and there or there abouts.
Two of his rivals have stacks of cash to waste, and have done. One of his rivals is much more of a moaner and uncouth to boot.
I agree with you Joe but I was just saying how a lot of other Gooners are seeing it. One thing that does make me really angry is the way that the boss is constantly misrepresented in the media. I watch all of his press conferences on Arsenal and the way the media twist what he has said and take it out of context infuritates me.
Yes he whinges but often with good cause. And when he has something to say about someone which is less that positive he still manages to say it with respect.
Which is a lot more than some others do
I aint happy with some stuff Donkey, I had a real rant watching the game today on ATV online. We drew 1-1 with a crappy Chinese team but what sent me mad was the defensive errors after defensive errors combined with tippy tappy non penetrating play.
Same old same old. That's what is really frustrating, when you see the same stuff which has cost us dearly over the past few seasons still taking place and no attempt seems to be made to either change it or solve it.
all of that being said I am still firmly behind AW. No other manager anywhere could have done what he has done. Keeping us at least in contention with really limited resources is a work of genius and I would resist any attempt to get rid of him.
But he really has to put some of the mistakes right this transfer window
Last time I checked Wengers job was to coach football... not talk about other clubs financial deals, how do you expect clubs to improve without any financial backing? You made plenty of signings around 1999-2002.
Your club only has themself to blame for the decline... while your manager is too busy moaning about other clubs. Liverpool are bringing in players on a weekly basis, I can't see you in top four at all next season. Not improved the squad at all.
We live within our means... our club isnt built up with debt. We been down that road where the big four dominated for years and got to splash out while we had to use our home grown players. The smaller clubs never have a chance of growing because every time a new talent came in Arsenal, United, Chelsea & Liverpool would come knocking on the door for them.
We could go round in circles on this Meaty. We'll have to agree to differ.
But under the FFP rules you are not living within your means. The wording of the rules are 'natural resources' which doesn't include handouts from rich owners. It means clubs must live within what they earn from sponsorship, ticket sales and merchandising etc.
That's why UEFA are looking into mega buck sponsorships of clubs made by friends or relatives of the owners - or by companies that are owned or part owned by the owners themselves
We could go round in circles on this Meaty. We'll have to agree to differ.
But under the FFP rules you are not living within your means. The wording of the rules are 'natural resources' which doesn't include handouts from rich owners. It means clubs must live within what they earn from sponsorship, ticket sales and merchandising etc.
That's why UEFA are looking into mega buck sponsorships of clubs made by friends or relatives of the owners - or by companies that are owned or part owned by the owners themselves
Well we certainly look safe to get into CL league... new Etihad deal that is apparently worth £400mil is set to go through. So we are living within our means
And UEFA will agree with that.
Clichy looking good at the min, played some dangerous crosses
Tevez missed a penalty for Argentina in the shoot-out... excellent
I read that the player wants to stay in Spain but he might be convinced to come to England depending on what Bolton can offer him.
I guess Ferguson will be fuming with C4.... they just dragged his name right through the mud on tv. Along with Bryan Robson.
Just watched it Meaty. Son is very quiet. I've been telling him for the last couple of seasons about how Fergie runs half the managers in this country, they do whatever he tells them to do. It gifts Man U bare points every season. Steve Bruce, Alex McLeish, Mark Hughes, Bryan Robson, Tony Pulis etc etc etc. We will never ever have any kind of level playing field while Fergie remains in football. It's bad enough that the refs and the FA do most of what he tells them without the suppositories making it worse
A few of us Gooners have taken to calling them 'The Suppositories because they spend most of their time up Fergies arse
Just finished watching the pre-season game... not a great performance, stupidity playing on the pitch. Water-logged and ditches everywhere. Yaya Toure looks badly injured... looked quite serious aswell as he was holding his knee in pain. SWP really has been excellent past two games.
Kolarovs days are numbered and another decision that has not gone down well with fans is having A.Mancini out there playing (Roberto's son). The lad has stolen a career as a footballer if you ask me, think he's only a pro footballer because of his Dad.
Dzeko looks alot better than he was last season, too early to tell but looks promising... holds the ball up well but finishing is pretty poor. We really do need to find a new striker if Tevez is off. Bit of a gamble to go into the season with Dzeko & Balotelli as our best strikers... neither are at their best.
Just watched it Meaty. Son is very quiet. I've been telling him for the last couple of seasons about how Fergie runs half the managers in this country, they do whatever he tells them to do. It gifts Man U bare points every season. Steve Bruce, Alex McLeish, Mark Hughes, Bryan Robson, Tony Pulis etc etc etc. We will never ever have any kind of level playing field while Fergie remains in football. It's bad enough that the refs and the FA do most of what he tells them without the suppositories making it worse
A few of us Gooners have taken to calling them 'The Suppositories because they spend most of their time up Fergies arse
La Veggie 
I didn't watch the "Despatches" programme, so can't comment, but am surprised and disappointed to hear Bryan Robson's name mentioned in a bad way, Robbo was my favourite player for a lot of years and I was overjoyed when he rejoined us as manager I can only hope that Uncle Roy wasn't mentioned in the same way.
Do you think (genuine question and meant in the friendliest way ~ you know that) that it is going to be a make or break season for Arsenal? Many fans seem to be growing tired of Monsieur Wenger's attitude towards the game and his lack of signings during the transfer window also the lack of trophies in the last few years? For what it's worth, I think he teaches the right way to play the game, but I think a couple of signings would only strengthen your team and push you forward. I don't know what the financial situation is at Arsenal, but I would imagine you have a lot more money to spend than we do (not difficult)
ION, went to Kiddy last night to watch our younger players play in a friendly, we did very, very well.
Pinky 
I think you should watch the Despatches programme, it'll be on catch up on 4od. Robson doesn't just get mentioned, he is the main man in the programme. I don't honestly see how he could ever manage again in this country with some of the stuff he was saying.
As for AW, yep, you're right. I've done a few posts up there ^^^^^^ talking about it. Was very very disappointed and angry watching our friendly online in China last Saturday. The same old defensive mistakes, the same tippy tappy afraid to shoot forwards. If we start the season badly I can see AW being gone within weeks. The fans are very unhappy and getting more so.
I still love him to bits, just want him to sign a quality defender and maybe a keeper.
I'm going to see our Ladies on Sunday and Thursday now that their season is starting again after the break for the WC, then our babies are playing the next night at the same ground )Borehamwood, just up the road from Elstree studios) in a traditional preseason charity match. Like you, I love watching our babies, I feel quite maternal with them and get a bit sad when they get moved on
So glad footie is starting again though - hope we see more of you here xxx
I've noticed a staggering lack of basic research done regarding Matt Taylor's apparent transfer to West Ham in various media outlets. Apparently, he's yet another Bolton player (past or present) going there to reunite with Sam Allardyce. This would be the same Matt Taylor that was signed by Gary Megson.
It makes me wonder what else they miss...
Thought it might interest some that the fantasy premier league for 11/12 is now back up
And here's out first silverware of the season. Obviously implying a lot more to come... 
*sidles in*
Well, did you hear about Man U's game last night against Seattle? 7-0.
What confuses me is that I heard it was 1-0 at the half, and then we put in all our reserves. WHY would we do that against Man U? Anyone? 
*sidles in*
Well, did you hear about Man U's game last night against Seattle? 7-0.
What confuses me is that I heard it was 1-0 at the half, and then we put in all our reserves. WHY would we do that against Man U? Anyone?
The Seattle Times says:
"Hopefully it's a learning experience," said goalkeeper Kasey Keller, "because we put some young guys out on the field in the second half (and) everyone thinks they can play in the Premier League in America. Everybody thinks, 'Oh, if I just got the break, if I had this or if I had that, that I could be there.' Actually no you can't, and you need to learn to figure that out."
"We wanted to reward all the guys on the team, wanted to play everybody," said Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid. "I think in retrospect that was a mistake."
"I think in retrospect that was a mistake."
^^^^
Understatement of the year, that. 
Normal way of it though Lori. Our reserves beat the Hastings first team 9-0 the other night.
Those sort of matches are done to promote the profile of the bigger club in the area they're playing in and/or to give the smaller club some much needed revenue.
to give the smaller club some much needed revenue.
Well, I feel better now.
