The Latest New Footie Thread

[FSUdawg]

Walcott is officially gone to Everton.

Funniest comment I read was someone stating the transfer was disallowed because he was off-sides while signing the paperwork.

 

[LesClaypool]

Cool article...

"Tickets, wages, crowds: Premier League v Europe in five charts"

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42715295

 

[LesClaypool]

Sanchez and Mkhitaryan deal STILL not done...it's been like 5 days. WTF?!

 

[FSUdawg]

Sanchez and Mkhitaryan deal STILL not done...it's been like 5 days. WTF?!

This is Arsenal what did you expect.

I read this morning that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with both Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang. Take it with a grain of salt though because neither deal is said to be done.

I also read that the Malcolm deal won't happen now and will be put off until the summer.

None of this masks the fact that we still don't have a good enough midfield or defense.

 

[LesClaypool]

This is Arsenal what did you expect.

I read this morning that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with both Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang. Take it with a grain of salt though because neither deal is said to be done.

I also read that the Malcolm deal won't happen now and will be put off until the summer.

None of this masks the fact that we still don't have a good enough midfield or defense.

And now supposedly Malcolm wants to go to Tottenham.

 

[FSUdawg]

It seems like a rather typical weekend in EPL with the top teams winning...at least yesterday.

It appears as though someone switched out the Arsenal roster with actual players as they had their game in hand within 25 minutes yesterday.

Alexis should be gone to United in the next 48 hours, though I am disappointed it is a swap deal and they won't be getting any cash (not surprised though).

Who knows what will happen with Aubamayang, but I don't think he is the best option at this point. Arsenal needs a playmaker in midfield, and more defense. Of course adding to the midfield means they are overloaded if everyone is healthy (which almost never is the case), so who knows.

I still say the biggest need at this point is a new Manager. #WengerOut

 

[NoleLizards]

It seems like a rather typical weekend in EPL with the top teams winning...at least yesterday.

It appears as though someone switched out the Arsenal roster with actual players as they had their game in hand within 25 minutes yesterday.

Alexis should be gone to United in the next 48 hours, though I am disappointed it is a swap deal and they won't be getting any cash (not surprised though).

Who knows what will happen with Aubamayang, but I don't think he is the best option at this point. Arsenal needs a playmaker in midfield, and more defense. Of course adding to the midfield means they are overloaded if everyone is healthy (which almost never is the case), so who knows.

I still say the biggest need at this point is a new Manager. #WengerOut

Tottenham didn't hold serve today. :-D

 

[FSUdawg]

Glad I opened my mouth when I did. After my post, Sp*rs were only able to get a draw and Liverpool lost today.

On the transfer front, Sanchez is officially gone and Mkhitaryan is officially a Gunner. I wonder if he will either be in the starting 11 or on the bench Wednesday for the Cup game against Chelsea.

As for Aubameyang, it is said to essentially be a done deal and it will be completed within 48 hours.

Beyond that, Arsenal have said they don't have any additional "significant funds" to spend this transfer period. I wonder what that means. Are they done? Are they still looking, but only for bargains? Are they taking any additional funds they may have wanted to spend and holding them for the summer?

Lastly, with these recent moves, I wonder what that means for Ozil this summer. With his contract expiring he will either be lost on a free transfer, or he re-signs with Arsenal. Considering he likes London, and the club is actually showing they are somewhat trying to improve, I am guessing he signs a new deal.

 

[LesClaypool]

 

[seminoleed]

Quality.

 

[LesClaypool]

"We're the famous Arsenal and we're going to Wembley"...even if that's not the right song for the occasion, based on the year we've had so far, I'm super excited about the CC final vs Man City!

 

[seminoleed]

Problem is, it really isn't silverware; in fact, it's barely plastic ware. But I'd dearly love
to keep it in our hands and out of City's.

 

[NoleLizards]

Problem is, it really isn't silverware; in fact, it's barely plastic ware. But I'd dearly love
to keep it in our hands and out of City's.

Disappointed as I am obviously by Chelsea's pinball non-wizardry yesterday, the great thing about Association football is that there are other trophies to play for.

 

[LesClaypool]

All news outlets basically reporting the same thing now: Aubameyang to Arsenal is done...just waiting for BVB to sign a replacement striker. Sounds great...if only that wasn't precisely the same thing that happened when we tried to sell Sanchez in the summer and Lemar didn't want to come, screwing up the whole deal.

Allegedly the replacement is either going to be Giroud or Batshuayim but Giroud's wife is reportedly holding things up. She doesn't want to leave London. Could force Arsenal and Giroud's hand to move on to Chelsea (god I hope not) or West Ham (ok, but I prefer Dortmund for him for many reasons).

 

[FSUdawg]

Les - I heard the same thing about Giroud's wife not wanting to leave London. I also read somewhere (can't recall where) that the Giroud deal to Chelsea is agreed, they are just waiting on BVB to officially agree to the deal for Batshuayi.

I am not happy about Giroud going to Chelsea, but I am happy they are moving him. I wish they would have shipped him out over the summer. This isn't because I don't like him, or because I don't think he is good. Instead it is becasue I think he has value right now and Arsenal can use the funds from his sale to upgrade.

I'm still waiting to hear more about midfield and defense (please not Johnny Evans), and I'm not talking about Wenger wanting to renew Cazorla's contract.

 

[LesClaypool]

Read this mess, from David Ornstein...

https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

 

[warriortim]

Read this mess, from David Ornstein...

https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

If this deal does go through, I would be extremely leery of Aubameyang. He is a cancer! He will do nothing to enhance the team or the dressing room morale that is for sure as he is a selfish player. His stunts at BVB the last few years have led to nearly a half dozen disciplinary suspensions. It is a huge risk in my opinion.

 

[NoleLizards]

Wow! A Warriortim sighting!! Where you been, Bub?

 

[warriortim]

Wow! A Warriortim sighting!! Where you been, Bub?

I lurk from time to time. LOL I am just not a close follower of the Prem like everyone here seems to be. I do read up on this Footy thread and figured since it is somewhat BuLi related, I would chime in.

 

[seminoleed]

Good to hear from you, Tim. You should post more often. It's not like it used
to be on here anymore.

 

[LesClaypool]

Sounds like tim has sour grapes over not being able to sign Aubameyang for Bayern.

You can't have EVERY good player in the Bundesliga, tim.

I know, "He's a cancer and you didn't want him." Blah blah blah.

 

[seminoleed]

Sounds like tim has sour grapes over not being able to sign Aubameyang for Bayern.

You can't have EVERY good player in the Bundesliga, tim.

I know, "He's a cancer and you didn't want him." Blah blah blah.

Tim, I take back what I said. Maybe it still is.

 

[LesClaypool]

Tim, I take back what I said. Maybe it still is.

I'm giving tim a hard time.

I'm equally concerned about Aubameyang's character at Arsenal. He IS world class though, and those players don't grow on trees. He's worth every bit the risk.

 

[warriortim]

Sounds like tim has sour grapes over not being able to sign Aubameyang for Bayern.

You can't have EVERY good player in the Bundesliga, tim.

I know, "He's a cancer and you didn't want him." Blah blah blah.

WOW lol nope you could not be further from the facts/truth there les. At NO time did we ever even attempt to sign him nor would we, per my point. He is a head case albeit he can score goals at a pretty good rate. Maybe he works out for the Gunners, maybe he won't. I just stick to my points with regard to him as a cancer.

 

[warriortim]

I'm giving tim a hard time.

I'm equally concerned about Aubameyang's character at Arsenal. He IS world class though, and those players don't grow on trees. He's worth every bit the risk.

All good Les! Perhaps he is worth the risk. I think Arsenal are in a position over the last decade that they maybe need to take risks to improve the team so will be interesting to see what happens with "Batman" LOL

 

[LesClaypool]

I think Arsenal are in a position over the last decade that they maybe need to take risks to improve the team

100% accurate and a huge understatement.

I'm hopeful that Aubameyang works out, and even more hopeful that Aubameyang & Mhkitaryan can rediscover their form from their last year together at Dortmund!

 

[FSUdawg]

Well, it looks like Aubameyang will be official today, or at latest tomorrow morning as he is in London to finalize the transfer.

In addition, it is being reported that Giroud has left the team to head to Chelsea to finalize his transfer there...for a whopping £18 million. It's bad enough they are selling him to Chelsea, then to get kicked in the nuts with the fee?

Overall I think the squad has been strengthened, but I have to shake my head sometimes on the fees Arsenal pay & receive. IMO their negotiators are terrible.

 

[LesClaypool]

Well, it looks like Aubameyang will be official today, or at latest tomorrow morning as he is in London to finalize the transfer.

In addition, it is being reported that Giroud has left the team to head to Chelsea to finalize his transfer there...for a whopping £18 million. It's bad enough they are selling him to Chelsea, then to get kicked in the nuts with the fee?

Overall I think the squad has been strengthened, but I have to shake my head sometimes on the fees Arsenal pay & receive. IMO their negotiators are terrible.

I'm largely in agreement, but he's a ~32-year old substitute striker. He doesn't command much in the open market.

Plus, this frees up wages, as I believe he was on £100,000/week, to go with the £110,000 that Theo was on. Add 'em up, and I suspect you have Aubameyang's salary or thereabouts.

That said, of all the recent transfers out, this one hurts by far the most. He was a great soldier, a phenomenal Plan B in attack. Never bitched or complained about anything. Humble. Just an all-around great guy. Seemed to genuinely love being an Arsenal player. He'll be sorely missed, IMO.

 

[FSUdawg]

Les - I agree, I am going to miss having Giroud in the squad.

Strangely enough, he is listed on the bench for the game today at Swansea, so apparently he has not left for London to finalize the transfer.

 

[LesClaypool]

Les - I agree, I am going to miss having Giroud in the squad.

Strangely enough, he is listed on the bench for the game today at Swansea, so apparently he has not left for London to finalize the transfer.

I know??? Weird.

The away fans better serenade the heck out of him!

I want to hear "Na na na na" all night in the background.

 

[FSUdawg]

...and after all that, The Arsenal goes out and lays an egg losing 3-1 at Swansea. As usual, the defense is like swiss cheese, and they aren't doing a damn thing to try and correct that area of the pitch.

#WengerOut

 

[nole31906]

I think Wenger could run on the pitch butt naked dragging a dead penguin and still not be fired.

 

[FSUdawg]

Good Morning footie fans and welcome to Transfer Deadline Day.

Aubameyang is officially a Gunner.
Ozil is reportedly going to sign a 3-year extension before the weekend.
Debuchy is apparently being sent out on a FREE transfer (at least it frees up wages).
Giroud is still in limbo but Wenger said he may have played his last game for Arsenal.
The defense is still crap.
Wenger still needs to leave.

#WengerOut

 

[LesClaypool]

In non-Arsenal news, Mahrez could go to City today for as much as £70 mil!

Though Man City say they won't pay a penny more than £65 mil.
No...really...they said that. They have standards, after all.

Also, in Man City transfer news, "After signing French defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao, Manchester City's 'annual defence spending' has exceeded the actual annual military defence budgets of 52 countries." (i News)

When asked about Financial Fair Play, Pep Guardiola and Sheikh Mansour were both quoted as saying...

 

[LesClaypool]

Oh...and there's this, from David Ornstein, to underscore dawg's post...

 

[NoleLizards]

In non-Arsenal news, Mahrez could go to City today for as much as £70 mil!

Though Man City say they won't pay a penny more than £65 mil.
No...really...they said that. They have standards, after all.

Also, in Man City transfer news, "After signing French defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao, Manchester City's 'annual defence spending' has exceeded the actual annual military defence budgets of 52 countries." (i News)

When asked about Financial Fair Play, Pep Guardiola and Sheikh Mansour were both quoted as saying...

 

[LesClaypool]

I can't believe we announced Aubameyang AND Ozil signed an extension on the same day. That's insane. Waiting for Arsenal.com to report the Ozil deal, but the Ornacle is a pretty reliable source, so I'm feeling pretty damned good about that one. And oh yeah, we got Mkhitaryan too let's not forget. If not for yesterday, this would be one of the best days to be a Gunner in a long time!

 

[FSUdawg]

I can't believe we announced Aubameyang AND Ozil signed an extension on the same day. That's insane. Waiting for Arsenal.com to report the Ozil deal, but the Ornacle is a pretty reliable source, so I'm feeling pretty damned good about that one. And oh yeah, we got Mkhitaryan too let's not forget. If not for yesterday, this would be one of the best days to be a Gunner in a long time!

If they would only do something to try and fix the defense. I am all for scoring goals and having a great offense, but they need more at the back.

 

[LesClaypool]

If they would only do something to try and fix the defense. I am all for scoring goals and having a great offense, but they need more at the back.

Sky Sports reporting Arsenal going to make one more signing.

Could it be a DM or CB? I sure as hell hope so!

 

[FSUdawg]

So, Batshuayi has officially been loaned by Chelsea to Dortmund. Does this mean Giroud is essentially a done deal to Chelsea, or are they still looking elsewhere?