New Mexican signing – Vela!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Carlos Vela, a player who everyone has been talking about all season is on his way to Arsenal. The 19 year-old Mexican has been on loan at Osasuna this season, and we have just applied for a work permit to allow him to play in England. He should recieve a Spanish passport soon, which will mean he won’t need the work permit.

When he gets the permit/passport, he will be like a new signing for us. He has played on the left wing all season, but Wenger has said that Vela will get a chance up front next year:

“We have applied for a work permit for him now, and he will be involved with the first-team next season.

“He has played the whole season at Osasuna on the left wing and he had to work hard there. But for me it is not his position he is a central striker, an Eduardo type.”

Just as Eduardo was going to be like a new signing for us in January this season, so will Vela next year. He will have a chance to fit into the hole left after Eduardo’s injury.

You can keep up with the latest on Vela at Carlos Vela News, a wonderful blog dedicated entirely to him!

He is an excellent prospect for the future. But I think the expectations might be a little high.

Wenger wants two or three new signings

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers17 Comments

Arsene our beloved manager wants to bring in two or three high quality players:

“I think a huge player is better than a huge name,”

“You have huge names who produce very little at the moment.

“There is plenty of demand from players who want to join us and what we need next year is two or three maybe.”

He’s made the point that big signings often fail. That is true and it epitomises Arsene’s transfer policy. He will bring in players who are not that well known, but perfectly suited to Arsenal.

Last summer he brought in two fantastic players, Sagna and Eduardo. They were brilliant, and Sagna has been especially impressive.

Expect a midfielder or two, and a defender, I reckon.

Vieira talks about Arsenal’s captaincy

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Patrick Vieira wants Gallas to be our captain next season according to http://www.feelfootball.com. There has been speculation over his postion after our loss of form coinciding with Gallas’ sit down at the Birmingham match. Vieira, one of the greatest Arsenal captains had this to say:

“I think it has been difficult for him. I have been talking to him and he has been hurt by the criticism he has received,”

“I hope he stays as captain. I think he is a leader of the team. He has experience. I think he has the full support of the players.

“It would have a bad effect on him and everybody else in the team as well. If you had the captaincy taken off you after a year it would be difficult psychologically to start the next season not as captain.

I can’t see Gallas satying at Arsenal if he isn’t captain next season. It would be very hard for him to take.

I can’t see Gallas leaving either, so that leaves one option; he will be captain next season.

Gallas has come in for some bad press recently, and maybe sometimes deservedly, but I think he’s being turned into a scapegoat.

At the beginning of the season it seemed a crazy decision, but it looked to be paying off when we did so well until February right? I don’t think the loss of form was Gallas’ fault. Remember that he has been responsible for the team who have lost less games than the champions, and who have made huge progress over last year.

Arsenal did fail in the competitions this season, but I think Gallas should be given at least another year to show what he’s made of. A great player will improve after criticism, and Gallas is a great player.

Now he needs to show he is a leader.

PHW prefers Kroenke as Arsenal push for stability

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Stan Kroenke is likely to be invited to join the Arsenal Board.

The American investor has a 12% share in Arsenal. It seems that the Board have realised if we don’t get him on our side then we will have to face Usmanov, who owns 25% and is pushing to get a blocking stake in the club.

Hill-Wood had this to say:

“Contrary to what I said before, I now believe he may have a vital contribution to make to the future of this football club. I am not denying I said what I said, but I made those observations before meeting Stan. I have now got to know him and I have changed my opinions.

“When I hadn’t met him, yes, I didn’t think he was the right person to take control of Arsenal Football Club. Now I know him as a man who is very much steeped in sport. He is a sports man. He already has a link through our broadband rights and there is every reason to expect that we shall discuss further how his involvement can be extended,”

I think this is definitely a tactical move on Hill-Wood’s part. We would all rather have no interest from these people, but if you have to choose one, choose the one who looks less threatening.

With Kroenke on their side the Board may be able to more effectively fend off Usmanov, whilst keeping control over Kroenke.

This issue is a thorny one, we have seen the problems with foreign ownership at Man City this season, with Eriksson on his way out after the club’s best season in years. The Board will have to be very careful in how they handle this, because it could end badly.

Arsenal to sign winger?

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal12 Comments

Wenger may be about to sign the top rated left winger Ben Arfa.

Transfer rumours have been circulating about the possibility of Ben Arfa joining Arsenal, and the 21 year old is a perfect fit for the left wing in my opinion.

He can play upfront and he is the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season.

He had this to say in L’Equipe:

“It is true that we have spoken about Arsenal, but we will see how it is going to happen,”

Interesting stuff, just what we need on the wing I think, although it might dent Vela’s hopes, we need a player with a little more experience, Ben Arfa has played for Lyon at the top level and has a lot of talent!

Arsenal Transfer News Latest

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal, Transfers57 Comments

Read our latest posts here

Adebayor says he will be at Arsenal next season after reports in Spanish newspapers aboput interest from Barcelona.

Many teams have been linked with him, and he has done well this season, proving his scoring potential is almost on a par with Henry!

He said that he will be staying though!

“I don’t know why people want to put words in my mouth. As I said on Friday, I love Arsenal and I will be here next season.”I am off to Togo tomorrow but will return to Arsenal for pre-season training in July.”

We have been strongly linked with Yaya Toure, to come and replace Flamini, he had this to say:

“I can’t say anything for the moment, but it’s true that it would be great to play for a big club with my brother.

Well that is very promising, it looks quite possible that he may come over. The only thing which makes this one a doubt is that he hasn’t been at Barca very long. You never know though!

I’m a little more sceptical of this one. Apparently Wenger is interested in Mauro Zarate, who was on loan at Birmingham from Al Saad Sports Club of Qatar. He looked fast, but not really an Arsenal style player. I don’t think he’s good enough for the Arse to be honest.

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Wenger’s key issues this summer. Transfer targets

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers6 Comments

Arsene Wenger has some key issues this summer, which need to be fixed before we can be successful. These are a few I came up with, add more in the comments if you know more things which need doing!

1. Holding on to our current players.

A key issue, we need to make sure the squad is happy and settled before the new season starts. Flamini’s depature has caused some concern, so we need to get everyone together and a have a common deisre and vision. If Hleb wants to go, then let him. Just make sure we replace and don’t lose more important players.

2. Replacing

This has come up as an issue after we have seen Flamini leave, and now Hleb under intense speculation.

We need to replace Flamini, of course Gilberto can fill that role, as he does wnant to stay on at Arsenal, but he is not a long term option. What do you think?

3. Finding in a winger who can score goals.

At the moment we have Rosicky, Van Persie, Eduardo, Walcott, Eboue and Hleb (he’s off) who play reasonably reguarly on the wings. Three are strikers; RVP, Eduardo and Walcott. One is most definitely a defensive player; Eboue, and two are midfielders. This means that we have very few players who can specialise in playing on the wings, as we used to with Ljungberg and Pires.

The stikers can score a lot of goals, but we need players who can come in and score from midfield. Rosicky is regularly injured, and hasn’t been a prolific goal scorer. Hleb is off to Milan, because he wants somewhere more peaceful than London, and he doesn’t score anyway!

When we have won titles in the past we have depended on goals from midfield to support the stikers. An extreme example is C.Ronaldo , who has basically pulled Man Utd to the title with his goals, as their strikers haven’t scored any.

We may not need to buy anyone for this, players like C.Vela may be pointed to but I think a signing may be preferable for Wenger.

Any suggestions?

4. Reconstructing the defence.

This is a sticky issue. We have seen a catalogue of weak defensive errors this season, which let us down, especially in long ball situations. Gallas and Toure have looked awkward playing together this season, neither really attacks the ball, and this has been a problem.

On the flanks we have Sagna and Clichy who are the best in the division and cover. What we need is for Wenger to have a think about how to restructure our defence into a good unit.

We have a great defence when going forward. When actually defending they do struggle in the centre especially. Wenger says he wants to buy a defensive player so we may see some changes.

If Wenger can do these things we will definitely be a stronger side next season.

Walcott is the future

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal5 Comments

Arsenal have had a tumultuos season so far. The race for trophies had its twists and turns, and left us dumped on our arses after months of hard work. We have been unlucky to lose out.

The team has been amazing, and the way we play is of course fantastic.

What we see is a future with great players, such as Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas. If you look at the squad they are very young, and bursting with talent.

Despite what you might think if you read the backpages, Arsenal are not doomed.

Theo showed with his goal on Sunday that there is so much more to come from him. He is a very young, pacy striker who can play on the wing.

Players like him are our future. He has come on this season, scoring more and more often, and getting more and more starts in the team.

Our squad needs strengthening, but I think with the right additions, Gooners should be very excited about next season!

Five Of The Best 2007/2008

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

Five of our best players this season. Love them or hate them I think most people would agree!

1. Fabregas

The centre of our team, we rely on his creativity and passing, he is arguably our biggest player.

2. Flamini

He has left Arsenal for a fat contract at the San Siro. He was most improved player in the squad.

He is like a crazy dog who doesnt stop running! He covers a huge amount of ground every match. Constantly winning the ball for us in midfield and redistributing. He is also an excellent passer of the ball, although his technical abilities are overshadowed by Cesc.

At the beginning of the season was a squad player, he became an integral part of the squad. We will have to replace him now!

3. Clichy

Amazing in defence and attack. His runs and crosses provide a huge source of attacking creativity. Tireless, pacy and always back to cover the defence.

4. Sagna

Our other full back, newly signed this season, fitted in seamlessly and made right-back his own.

He adds attacking pace down the right, and can cross well. He is like Clicky in that he is very good defensively, but fast and attack-minded.

5. Adebayor

A striker who sometimes comes under criticism. He is our top goalscorer, leads the line, holds the ball and can head the ball or shoot, he has allowed us to diversify our game and has flourished since Henry left. You can argue with a 30 goal season!

I could mention almost any of our players, with a few exceptions, but these are the pick of the bunch for me!

End of season. Highlights: Sunderland 0 Arsenal 1. Walcott!

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal

So a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light saw us hit 83 points, after a 24th minute goal from Theo, from great pass by Gilberto! Randall came on at the end as did Traore and they did well.

Highlights here.

We had a pretty young team out, and we should see more of these guys next season:

Fabianski

Song Senderos Djourou Clichy

Eboue (Randall 81) Denilson Silva Walcott

Adebayor Bendtner (Traore 81)

Wenger said:

“My message to Alex Ferguson is just congratulations for the achievement and get ready for the fight next year,”

“When I look back on the season I feel disappointment but to earn 83 points with such a young side gives you a lot of hope and that’s a respectable total because I’ve won titles with less. They made a big improvement when you consider last season when we earned 68 points.”

“There was a conjunction of bad luck and it was the first time this young team had to deal with big pressure so a combination of the two cost us the title,”

“Quality-wise we have been remarkable all season but we lost a 100 metres by a fraction of a second. We were on the same line but someone pushed their chest out in front of ours just at the end but that doesn’t mean we didn’t make a great 100 metres.”

We have made a huge improvement this year and I am sure we will be challenging for the title next season.

I couldn’t watch the game, I saw Wigan – Man Utd, which was boring as hell, and Man Utd ended up lifting the title, after they won 2-0 and Chelsea drew 1-1 with Bolton.

I think we deserved to win the title this year, but if not us then Man U deserve to win it more than Chelsea. But really I hate them both.

Some crazy results yesterday, Middlesbrough 8-1 Man City! Reading and Birmingham both scored 4 goals in their games, but still went down after Fulham won 1-0 at Portsmouth.

Anyway, another Premiership season comes to a close, and we have a big summer coming up. If Wenger gets the right people in and youngsters like Theo Walcott come through and play to their full potential then next season will be fantastic.

If players leave and we don’t replace then we will be in trouble.

Anyway, thanks Arsenal for a great season, we have little to show for it, but we all can remember. It has to be one of the closest seasons in the history of the Premier League, and it was pretty exciting.