Football 2011-2012

[ampersand]

May I also add a 'thank f**k for that'

THE most boring transfer saga of all time

[The Nal]

Fabregas is on a plane to Barca as we speak. Sad to lose him from the Premiership though. Cracking player whos not going to see a lot of pitch time this year.

"Carles5puyol Carles Puyol

Nanuuuuu!!!benvingut a casa!!! Feliç de tenir-te aquí. @cesc4official ooohhhh moc moc"

He sounds excited.

Also just found out Pirlo went to Juve. Didn't know that.

Edited August 12, 2011 by The Nal

[Steve P]

Thank f@ck that's done then. I'll be genuinely sad to see him sat on the bench, such a waste of talent.

[the_hedge]

Thank f@ck that's done then. I'll be genuinely sad to see him sat on the bench, such a waste of talent.

[Wooderson]

Two questions.

1. Will Arsene be in a position to spend the money from Cesc?

2. How much pressure is he under for the Udinese games?

I certainly hope that Arsenal go through. Would LOVE to see Arsenal triumph over Barca in the CL later this season. Big pressure now though. Specially if Nasri is also whisked away.

"I expect no one to leave."

I'd be tripping over the "Fat spanish waiter" comments on the Internet had Rafa come out with such bologna.

[ralph250]

He really is a cheating little f**ker isn't he? Why, with those skills???

I was thinking just last night that I'm surprised that Arsenal hadn't picked him up at some point, cos he's just their type of player. But perhaps his cheating is why.

[The Nal]

2. How much pressure is he under for the Udinese games?

Edited August 12, 2011 by The Nal

[ralph250]

I think he will play more than people think. They will be able to rest Xavi and Iniesta and have a ready made replacement now. Dont get me wrong in the big games the usual 2 will play but they may rested more against the lower teams with Cesc available.

[Steve P]

They already had a ready made replacement in Thiago though. Just made his debut for the senior national team, was one of the stars of the u21 championships and was stunning in pre-season. Cesc is going to be sharing gametime with him too. (Pretty sure Rafa, his younger brother coming through is meant to be even better too )

Agree he'll get games though, and Guardiola's obviously convinced him he'll be part of his plans.

[The Nal]

Agree he'll get games though, and Guardiola's obviously convinced him he'll be part of his plans.

[ralph250]

Regards Glen.

Teehee!

hmmmm ..... £17M for Johnson in 2009, against Rio for £33M* in 2002. I know which of the two is the bargain.

(* that £33M figure is taken from Wiki, which says "The final book value of Ferdinand's contract in Manchester United's accounts was £33 million.[11] This included agents' fees, with Leeds receiving just under £30 million").

[ralph250]

Thiago looks a cracking player. Agree that Cesc will get game time, but if everyone is fit he'll miss out in all the big games. Yes he'll get the winners medals he wants but unlikely that his contribution towards them will have been that big. I think part of the reason that they're signing Cesc now is the rumoured news that the TV deals that Barca and Real negociated won't be repeated and they'll have to splitt the money amongst all the teams again. Need to spend whilst they still can if that's the case.

[Steve P]

Have you read this Steve: http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2011/05/arsenals-transfer-budget.html?utm_source=BP_recent

Obviously not a board member, but SwissRamble (whose an Arsenal fan btw) who does all the financial analysis of a load of clubs, won a fair few blogger of year awards, was praised by John W. Henry on his twitter etc, did a blog end of May on what he expected the transfer budget to be and predicted £50m was available prior to these outgoing sales. I just don't get it.

[pink_triangle]

Arsenal fans shouldnt worry about nasri and fabregas leaving. Wenger has already agreed a deal for costa rican teenager joel campbell!

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_7096082,00.html

[chappiepunk]

here you go - Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Jadson.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/arsenal-snap-up-16312m-jadson-as-new-fabregas-2336087.html

[chappiepunk]

I suspect spurs will find a similar problem to liverpool in terms of shifting out players, in that the wages for squad players may make it unattractive for lower teams to take them on. With none of the players likely to be in euro 2012 they dont have that incentive to leave for first team football either.

[chappiepunk]

Don't f**k with the Argie youths!

Check out the keeper throwing the ball at 30 seconds!

[ralph250]

Take a bow Wesley Brown.

[ampersand]

well what a shite start to the betting...

[ralph250]

Go on Wenger, sign up Joey Barton

Silly of Gervinho to raise his hands though, and Song earlier if the review panel take a look. Hardly need suspensions ahead of the Liverpool game.

Edited August 13, 2011 by ralph250

[Wooderson]

Take a bow Wesley Brown.

[pink_triangle]

Its funny only a few months ago some were prediciting qpr to do well. I looked at their team today and cant believe how bad they were. The likes of Kenny, Hill, Derry, Smith, Hall should be nowhere near the premiership. Boothroyd and Campbell were lucky to overachieve last year and Dyer and Gabbiodon are complete crocks. Norwich and Swansea look to have much better first 11s. No wonder taarbat was so desperate to leave.

[ralph250]

Its funny only a few months ago some were prediciting qpr to do well. I looked at their team today and cant believe how bad they were. The likes of Kenny, Hill, Derry, Smith, Hall should be nowhere near the premiership. Boothroyd and Campbell were lucky to overachieve last year and Dyer and Gabbiodon are complete crocks. Norwich and Swansea look to have much better first 11s. No wonder taarbat was so desperate to leave.

Edited August 13, 2011 by ralph250

[ralph250]

Im not a fan but he was immense.

Edited August 14, 2011 by ralph250

[pink_triangle]

A few observations from yesterday.

1. The Arsenal bench looked one of the weakest I have ever seen. They need to stengthen quickly and that doesnt mean just buying a loadof teenagers from abroad.

2. Liverpool and Sunderland both looked solid. Bruce has used the money from Henderson well, if they play to their potential over a whole season they should challenge for top 8. I thought suarez looked exciting but that liverpool midfield didnt excite me much, dont see many goals coming from it, which could be a problem when ngog is one of your main backup strikers. I personally liked meirieles last seasons o would prefer to see him start, also whats happened to the goal machine maxi rodriguez. The liverpool defence generally looked solid though

3. Its going to be a tough season at blackburn, no wonder kean will be given a few more average foreigners who all belong to the same agent in the next few weeeks.

Edited August 14, 2011 by pink_triangle