coogar:

united actually bossed the first half - they played better than the second half. . . .the only thing missing in united's first half were the goals missed.
profligacy in front of goal with united trying to walk the ball into the net when the opportunity to shoot on goal availed itself.

Haba coogar, iro oju koroju!!! I no blame you sha, na Clichy and Kompany cause am

chamotex:

Did you watch the first half or you listened to it on radio?

It is the result that speaks jare, I've seen Arsenal boss teams a lot more than that and still go home empty handed with one moment of madness from the likes of Clichy.

debosky:

Was Lansbury not put on against Benfica, wasn't Miyachi put on? What promise did he show in turning the game around? The fact is, unlike many of the Arsenal youngsters, the United ones are good enough to play in the EPL.

One game was a pre-season match away from home where your opponent could change the personel on the pitch at will, the other was a competitive match at Wembley. Circumstances totally different , stakes a lot higher to get the adrenaline flowing.

debosky:

You like to make silly parallels sometimes when we aren't talking about the same class of players. Cleverley, Jones and others have excelled at EPL sides. [b]When we have such youth, then we can throw them on to cause a turn around.

Throw them on first and lets see, except yu're telling me that Jones is now suddenly better than Vidic and Rafael better than Evra. 

duduspace:

One game was a pre-season match away from home where your opponent could change the personel on the pitch at will, the other was a competitive match at Wembley. Circumstances totally different , stakes a lot higher to get the adrenaline flowing.

That is no excuse - players should be hungry to show their talent, especially when they are fringe players. You have an innate ability to come up with ridiculous excuses though.

Throw them on first and lets see, except yu're telling me that Jones is now suddenly better than Vidic and Rafael better than Evra. 

What are you on about? Arsenal's young players are not in the class of the Cleverleys, Jones and Welbecks. No one claimed Jones is better than Vidic, but to be able to hold his own in Blackburn (and attracting even Wenger's attention) it shows his potential.

naijababe:

Haba coogar, iro oju koroju!!! I no blame you sha, na Clichy and Kompany cause am

the possession at a point was 66% - 34% to man utd.
city's goals were completely against the run of play.

debosky:

Yet you were king of those calling for the likes of Lansbury and JET to be brought back to the side.

Go figure.

Yes pre-season hasn't been stellar, but I don't think it's a fair reflection of the readiness for the new season.

Yes nah, compared to Denilson and Chamakh, Id rather have Lansbury and JET. We all know AW won't spend money on big names so whats the point of bring in Squilacci, Chamakh, Silvestre when we have Miguel, Bartley, JET?  At least if we don't win we can always give the excuse that we have a 'young' team plus less money spent on salaries too  

Congrats to ManU. I didn't get to see the match and I'm glad I didn't. The only thing worse than a United win for me is Arsenal losing a match  . Can't bear to watch 90 minutes of football only for United to win the game.

@dudu, Arsenal youngsters show passion lacking in many of the first team members but Il have to agree with debo on this one, they have to prove they are good enough for the first team like Wilshere has done. The story would have been different if we had a few trophies in past 5/6 years on our cabinet but now is not a good time to experiment.

duduspace:

Proudly has asked for an injection of positivity and I am glad to oblige.  

Firstly, one needs to put last night's match in perspective, the team that finished that match was in no way anything like what will be our first 11 for this season.

'Perspective' must be the most abused word on this thread. Im not sure many fans are disappointed at our preseason results. I think its more about us not showing any improvement from post CC final form. How many times did we concede goals after taking the lead last season? How many times did we concede from set pieces last season? Well we have continued in that form again in preseason and the attack which should be our strong point looks like its weaker now especially when RVP isn't playing. Our midfield is also looking seriously messed up and with Cesc and Nasri's futures not yet sorted, we just seem to be in serious sh*t right now. We look more like a mid table team tbh.

Good thing for me though is I reckon only United and Chelsea* are capable of finishing above us in the coming season. I forsee a big gap between the top 2 and the rest this season.

proudly9ja:

@dudu, Arsenal youngsters show passion lacking in many of the first team members but Il have to agree with debo on this one, they have to prove they are good enough for the first team like Wilshere has done. The story would have been different if we had a few trophies in past 5/6 years on our cabinet but now is not a good time to experiment.

I see your point but Arsene has begone to show a reluctance to give some promising youth players a chance, maybe its because he got burnt by people like Denilson I don't know or maybe its because he still sees those ones as works in progress but it is important to remember that Wilshere was enroute to Bolton on loan last season until Cesc got injured and he had to stay to make up the number of Midfielders. He would have gone to Bolton while both Denilson and Rosicky would have stayed behind to give us more of the lack of bottle people complain about, mind you it was already clear from pre-season that the boy had it and that Rosicky was waning.
Also, Nordtveit whom we sold due to lack of opportunities was one of the stand out defensive performers in the win for Monchengladbach against Bayern at the Allianz, I remember agonizing over it when that boy was about to be sold.
Atimes, its not even about replacing the player totally but subbing them off and lighting a fire under them.

proudly9ja:

[b]Our midfield is also looking seriously messed up and with Cesc and Nasri's futures not yet sorted, [/b]we just seem to be in serious excreta right now. We look more like a mid table team tbh.

Good thing for me though is I reckon only United and Chelsea* are capable of finishing above us in the coming season. I forsee a big gap between the top 2 and the rest this season.

I believe this to really be the source of our problems at present, until that is sorted it doesn't look like we even know where we are going this season. How many teams will remain good when they aren't playing with their first 3 choice midfielders at all?

debosky:
Arsenal's young players are not in the class of the Cleverleys, Jones and Welbecks.

This is not true. . . Wilshere is younger/better than Jones, Ramsey is younger/better than Welbeck, Cleverley will be Walcott's age in a few days.

The difference is Arsenal's best young players play more regularly so may not necessarily be considered "youngsters".

duduspace:

I see your point but Arsene has begone to show a reluctance to give some promising youth players a chance, maybe its because he got burnt by people like Denilson I don't know or maybe its because he still sees those ones as works in progress but it is important to remember that Wilshere was enroute to Bolton on loan last season until Cesc got injured and he had to stay to make up the number of Midfielders. He would have gone to Bolton while both Denilson and Rosicky would have stayed behind to give us more of the lack of bottle people complain about, mind you it was already clear from pre-season that the boy had it and that Rosicky was waning.
Also, Nordtveit whom we sold due to lack of opportunities was one of the stand out defensive performers in the win for Monchengladbach against Bayern at the Allianz, I remember agonizing over it when that boy was about to be sold.
Atimes, its not even about replacing the player totally but subbing them off and lighting a fire under them.

Again, remember that Jack Wilshere had shown promise from 3 seasons ago when they won the youth cup from where he moved to Bolton on loan where he played consistently. Playing at the Emirates CUp after that was only a confirmation of what he had shown way before that.

I agree AW has made some funny choices in terms of who to let go and who to keep. For instance, like you, I believe we should have kept Nordvelt as back up to Sagna and Eboue (at least until Eboue leaves). Would have saved us the money we used in getting Jenkinson. I don't see how Jenkinson is any better than him. But Arsene knows? Perhabs the English player laws may be influencing Arsene's actions.

Another player that I think should be given a chance is Lansbury. I believe Lansbury will do well if given a chance. I don't expect him to make it into the first 11 but considering Arsene's choice of back up (or even first choice) players in seasons past, Lansbury can't be any worse.

Frimpong, Miguel should be given the oportunity to go make a name for themselves somewhere else or in our CC team just like Scecezny and Wilshere have done, and Coquelin and Afobe are currently being made to do.

i see u r an anti gunnerrrrrrrr. perhaps u want arsenal to joinn the likes of hull, blackpool and the rest to division one.

ritchboy:

This is not true. . . Wilshere is younger/better than Jones, Ramsey is younger/better than Welbeck, Cleverley will be Walcott's age in a few days.

The difference is Arsenal's best young players play more regularly so may not necessarily be considered "youngsters".

Insightful comment - what would be more appropriate would be to say that Arsenal's 'non-first team young players' are not as good as United's.

proudly9ja:

I agree AW has made some funny choices in terms of who to let go and who to keep. For instance, like you, I believe we should have kept Nordvelt as back up to Sagna and Eboue (at least until Eboue leaves). Would have saved us the money we used in getting Jenkinson. I don't see how Jenkinson is any better than him. But Arsene knows? Perhabs the English player laws may be influencing Arsene's actions.

Dunno why you keep repeating this comment - you don't keep a CENTER BACK as a backup for a RIGHT BACK. Surely you can recognise the folly in doing that? Nordveit was let go because there is a backlog of young CBs at the club - Bartley and Miguel are there apart from the senior 4 CBs. You can't just stockpile CBs and neglect other positions.

Besides, Nordveit was sold and not given away for free, so there is no 'saving money' involved here.

Another player that I think should be given a chance is Lansbury. I believe Lansbury will do well if given a chance. I don't expect him to make it into the first 11 but considering Arsene's choice of back up (or even first choice) players in seasons past, Lansbury can't be any worse.

Lansbury will likely get a chance - it all depends on how things pan out. As for him not being any worse, I hope he isn't, but that is no way to set up a team by getting a player you don't deem to be 'any worse'.

debosky:

Insightful comment - what would be more appropriate would be to say that Arsenal's 'non-first team young players' are not as good as United's.

Dunno why you keep repeating this comment - you don't keep a CENTER BACK as a backup for a RIGHT BACK. Surely you can recognise the folly in doing that? Nordveit was let go because there is a backlog of young CBs at the club - Bartley and Miguel are there apart from the senior 4 CBs. You can't just stockpile CBs and neglect other positions.

Besides, Nordveit was sold and not given away for free, so there is no 'saving money' involved here.

Nordveit played CB, RB for Arsenal. He even played DM for Nuremberg for half a season. When Arsene let him go in December 2010, he said the reason was because we had enough CBs and full backs in the team.
We bought Nordtveit for 500k, we sold him for 800k and brought in Jenkinson for 1Million. Can I quote you and say 'go figure'

debosky:

Lansbury will likely get a chance - it all depends on how things pan out. As for him not being any worse, I hope he isn't, but that is no way to set up a team by getting a player you don't deem to be 'any worse'.

Ofcourse its not ideal but Ive been disappointed several times by Arsene now. When we needed a real replacement/cover for Gallas, Toure and TV5, he gave us Kos and Squill. This time, Im ready to settle for the 'devil I know'. Lansbury didn't do too badly on loan to Norwich.

Chamberlain will be joining us today or tomorrow according to reports. Still waiting to confirm from deboskysports though.

I hope this isn't the signing oga Wenger has been hinting us about?

proudly9ja:

Nordveit played CB, RB for Arsenal. He even played DM for Nuremberg for half a season. When Arsene let him go in December 2010, he said the reason was because we had enough CBs and full backs in the team.

Are you saying we didn't have enough in the team at December 2010? The reason Jenkinson has come in is to provide specialist back up for Sagna, not someone who is still trying to determine his position.

We bought Nordtveit for 500k, we sold him for 800k and brought in Jenkinson for 1Million. Can I quote you and say 'go figure'

Jack of all trades (masters of none) are always cheaper than specialists.

Seriously though, I am sure there is undisputable talent in Jenkinson - I don’t think he was bought simply to provide another body but because of his genuine quality. In the overall scheme of things, spending 1m on a player is not our main issue.

Ofcourse its not ideal but Ive been disappointed several times by Arsene now. When we needed a real replacement/cover for Gallas, Toure and TV5, he gave us Kos and Squill. This time, Im ready to settle for the 'devil I know'. Lansbury didn't do too badly on loan to Norwich.

Not doing to badly at Norwich in the championship is hardly the same as coming to the EPL and performing. Settling, regardless of the reason is an unreasonable thing to do.

You’d rather have a homegrown player fail to track back than Denilson simply because he came out of the Arsenal academy?

Again another example of an irrational 'loyalty' to existing players over new ones - it makes no sense.

proudly9ja:

Chamberlain will be joining us today or tomorrow according to reports. Still waiting to confirm from deboskysports though.

I hope this isn't the signing oga Wenger has been hinting us about?

Don't believe till it's confirmed.

Anyway, weren't these same cats proclaiming Wenger would sign players before the Emirates cup?

It's not confirmed till deboskysports.com says so.

Clichy!!! Hehehehe i laugh in Prakatumba. Mancini is the most useless manager on the planet for buying that wasteman well 2nd to Wenger for not offloading him sooner

Anyway i wouldnt mind if we missed the UCL this season not like we have any hope of winning if we qualified anyway

I hear say Dr Kit jump broom on Saturday and u no tell us!! haa men don table your phuck up for meeting and we don reach judgement you are hereby fined Two bottles of Henny, Two Red Labels, Two Jack D, A bottle of Absolut,A bottle of Belvie and Three bottles of Amarula for the babes in our committee

Wenger sure has a way of selling Citeh duds: Adebayor, Toure
Typical Clichy defending yesterday, backing off and not wanting to take responsibility, you can be as fast as you want but as a defender your main priority is to boot the ball into row Z and talk about it later.

In the mean time what the eff is up with that Ijebu French man, i'm a very patient Gooner but i've just about had enough of this penny pinching frog eating french man, how did we sink so low, so tay Tottenham wan come dey follow us talk, smh, football don spoil o

debosky:

Are you saying we didn't have enough in the team at December 2010? The reason Jenkinson has come in  is to provide specialist back up for Sagna, not someone who is still trying to determine his position.
Jack of all trades (masters of none) are always cheaper than specialists.

Funny you'ld say that cos Jenkinson recently said he can play CB, LB and DM positions in addition to the RB. Hardly any difference between him and Nordveit except Nordneit had played more first team games for top clubs before AW sold him in Dec 2010. BTW, Dec 2010 is just 6 months before we bought Jenkinson. What changed in between in terms of personnel? If we had enough in 2010, surely we still have enough now? (remember back then Verm was not even fit and Miguel had to play in the FA and CC).

debosky:

Seriously though, I am sure there is undisputable talent in Jenkinson - I don’t think he was bought simply to provide another body but because of his genuine quality. In the overall scheme of things, spending 1m on a player is not our main issue.

I agree 1M is no biggie in this regard just that asides the money, I really don't get why we'ld sell a player who had done well in previous first team appearances and someone declared best defensive prospect in Europe only to bring someone who hardly played for his league 2 side prior to joining us. And to now give that person an opportunity to fight for first team place?
I'm no coach so I may not be able to 'spot' talents so Im only comparing what we knew of Nordveit with what we know of Jenkinson. Jenkinson might well go on to be best RB in the 2011/12 season for all I know.

debosky:

Not doing to badly at Norwich in the championship is hardly the same as coming to the EPL and performing. Settling, regardless of the reason is an unreasonable thing to do.

You’d rather have a homegrown player fail to track back than Denilson simply because he came out of the Arsenal academy?

Again another example of an irrational 'loyalty' to existing players over new ones - it makes no sense.

For someone routing for Jenkinson, its kinda odd you'ld say that (referring to words in bold).

Ive seen Lansbury play for our reserves and for Norwich and also for our CC team and I know he'l do better than Denilson if given a chance. Moreover, I don't expect Lansbury to play in the first 11. But Im certain he'l do well as back up to Jack/Diaby. As long as AW doesn't play him out of position, that's another story altogether.

chuckdee4:

Wenger sure has a way of selling Citeh duds: Adebayor, Toure
Typical Clichy defending yesterday, backing off and not wanting to take responsibility, you can be as fast as you want but as a defender your main priority is to boot the ball into row Z and talk about it later.

In the mean time what the eff is up with that Ijebu French man, i'm a very patient Gooner but i've just about had enough of this penny pinching frog eating french man, how did we sink so low, so tay Tottenham wan come dey follow us talk, smh, football don spoil o

U no know say Wenger get contract with trophylessness?? It still has 4 more years to run so you might need to be a bit more patient. Other serious clubs have concluded or are close to sealing deals whereas Wenger dey do like Baba Otedola when he be Lagos state Governor. No stress urself gee make we just see as things go pan out

follypimpi:

I reckon Rio Myachi will go on loan with Chamberlain signed now.

Just like debosky i refuse to believe the signing of Chamberlain, this is like the third time this season that it has been reported that we will conclude his signing in a matter of days.

Until i see it on arsenal.com that's when i'll believe

deboskysports.com can confirm there is some movement occurring with the transfer of a young, British player to The Arsenal.

As we only deal with exclusives, we will leave the conventional media/arsenal.com to progress the story.

follypimpi:


Boss it's on Guardian as well as SSN.

Na Guardian or SSN dey sign players?

debosky:

deboskysports.com can confirm there is some movement occurring with the transfer of a young, British player to The Arsenal.

As we only deal with exclusives, we will leave the conventional media/arsenal.com to progress the story.

U missed this one

Please talk to your reliable 'sources'. When are we signing a defender

oxencart-chamberpot having a medical?  scoffs, walcott part 2 minus speed.

i also hear gabby l'obatan is having a medical at newcastle.   after all the bull-c-rap and rubbish we had to endure over this ones signing by manure ass lickers, its downright amusing,

proudly9ja:

U missed this one

Please talk to your reliable 'sources'. When are we signing a defender

Reliable sources inform me that defensive signings are being influenced by a number of factors:

1. One of the preferred targets Samba is injured (groin) with unknown return date.

2. The lack of sales - Arsenal historically do not make big buys without selling. The level of departures will influence whether Arsenal sign a 'cheap' defender like Dann or more expensive ones like Cahill or Jagielka.

3. Arsene wanting to see his current defenders performing in pre-season before deciding on making a purchase.

Even with the above restraints, some progress is being made behind the scenes.

has almunia been actually released? pls confirm before you make me go to church for thanksgiving o

debosky:

Reliable sources inform me that defensive signings are being influenced by a number of factors:

1. One of the preferred targets Samba is injured (groin) with unknown return date.

2. The lack of sales - Arsenal historically do not make big buys without selling. The level of departures will influence whether Arsenal sign a 'cheap' defender like Dann or more expensive ones like Cahill or Jagielka.

3. Arsene wanting to see his current defenders performing in pre-season before deciding on making a purchase.

Even with the above restraints, some progress is being made behind the scenes.

In short, are we likely to see a defender or not? And please don't give me Arsene'e ready made answer of ' we are in the market, '

Arsenal needs a striker more than we need a CB.
I wonder why no one sees this . . .we'll end up playing Asharvin as a striker again this season.