Official Arsenal FC Thread

[IronChef]

If we had a chance to sign Falcao and didn't without good reason I'll cry.

But, I know what you mean. I'm frustrated as the next guy, but I'm not sure it's all Wengers fault. It's been widely reported he's been limited on spending, and he's not behind all our signings, or contract negotiations. It's clear we need a change somewhere, for me that starts with the chairman. PHW should be replaced, nor am I big on Gazidis. I'd like David Dein back, someone who seemed to care as much about the club as the fans do. The boardroom has been a mess for years, so many directors cashing out on all Wenger did for the club has led to Kroenke as an owner, who I have no love for.

It may well be time for Wenger to go. If the board has given him transfer funds and he refuses to use them, and this is his ideal side, than for sure he should go. But, I don't think that's the case. If we can replace him with someone great like Pep than sure, but I don't want to let him go and end up with Rafa Benitez. Especially since the funds will seem to be finally available to really invest in the squad that they've been waiting for for years.
As soon as we let Wenger go he'll be signed by a world class club somewhere, I think that could very well be a mistake.

[J-Mezzy]

Falcao at 8 mill would have been such a great signing. This seems like a trend to me in the EPL though, clubs are hesitant to sign players directly from S. America, especially if they are not from Argentina and/or Brazil.

[Slava]

British Work permits are really hard to get for South American players who are not full internationals. Not many players and clubs would want to stash them away for a season or two in Belgium or something to get a Euro permit and then bring them over to England, I think even that loop hole is being closed now.

There's been a huge outcry in England just to reduce the strictness for travel visas so that the economy can benefit from the Asian tourists for years like its happening with France. As such I'd think it'd be years before work permits become lenient.

I still wonder how United got work permits for the Da Silva twins easily. I guess they were U17 internationals by the time they signed.

[IronChef]

Special talent visas are pretty much the only way. Unless they're a full internationals. I think the rules say you have to have played in at least a 1/3 of your countries international matches over the past two years. Which is what we're waiting for with Joel Campbell. Or you have to leave them in Spain, Belguim for four years until they qualify for a work visa.

[J-Mezzy]

Wow, I did not know that. How did Chelsea get Oscar? Is it because he has played a lot for his national team? Same goes for Rafael in Man U and I remember that EPL teams were also after Lucas Moura as well.

[IronChef]

It has to do with international appearances, I think. We bought Wellington from Brazil, but have had to stash him in Spain for the past two years because we can't get a work permit. You can get a special talent visa sometimes, but it's hard to get, it helps if they're an international for a country like Brazil at a young age though.

Just looked it up, they must have played 75% of their countries internationals for the past two years for a country who normally makes the FIFA top 70. The special talent visa is for someone who is "able to contribute significantly to development of football in the UK."

[MaliBrah]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/pre ... tar-robson

what the hell is going on , I know robson is bitter but how does he know these things?

[kdawg32086]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 19&cc=5901

Referring specifically to any loan deal for Henry from New York Red Bulls, Wenger merely said "there is no news to report"

"At the moment, we speak with many people," Wenger said. "But I would say at the beginning of December, the transfer market becomes active - but more because people speak to you, rather than you speak to them. Everybody offers you so many players that you are always necessarily involved in it. Every day you have that."

Arsenal may face competition from the Old Trafford side too, though, as United's interest in Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha is increasing. Although Wenger's side have been favourites to sign the forward, Ferguson is understood to have become more and more convinced of the importance of signing such a talent should he become available.

[Jugs]

why does this guy even have "inho" in his name wtf , he isnt worthy

this guy is a god damn spud I want him off the team. only way I can live my fantasies is on Football Manager. even on that game Arsenal are a mess to sort out

[IronChef]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/12/12/3597947/wenger-is-an-embarrassment-claims-former-arsenal-star-robson

what the hell is going on , I know robson is bitter but how does he know these things?

Robson is an idiot. "Parkinson showed he is a better coach tactically than Wenger" is hilarious. His side got battered in everything but goals. Arsenal had 71% possession, 13 corners, and 34 shots. Parkinson didn't do anything tactically but sit back and defend, which is all he could do and what everyone knew they would do. Arsenal couldn't break through because our forward line is doo-doo. Without Giroud and Walcott we don't have anyone likely to score a goal in there.

Blaming Arsene for costing us the league in 2008 is a bit ridiculous. We lost the league because right after the January transfer window closed Eduardo had his leg broken by Martin Taylor and missed the rest of the year, Van Persie got injured and missed the rest of the year, and Rosicky got injured and missed the rest of the year. We lost the league by 4 points. You can't blame really Wenger for not buying another striker in Jan when at that point we had Van Persie, Eduardo, and Adebayor.

[IronChef]

this guy is a god damn spud I want him off the team. only way I can live my fantasies is on Football Manager. even on that game Arsenal are a mess to sort out

You can sell him to Man City for 20 MIl on Football Manager!

Just finished my first season, finished a point behind United for the league, and was knocked out in the semis of the CL by Barca on away goals.

[IronChef]

Arsenal may face competition from the Old Trafford side too, though, as United's interest in Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha is increasing. Although Wenger's side have been favourites to sign the forward, Ferguson is understood to have become more and more convinced of the importance of signing such a talent should he become available.

I really hope we sign Zaha. Kid looks a top, top talent, and has the attitude to boot. Arsenal fan, too. No way Palace sell him in January, though. Palace is pushing for promotion, and the cash windfall from making the Premier League will be greater than any transfer fee they'll get for him.

[kdawg32086]

It's too bad we can only dump players on loan... Djourou and Chamakh out on loan. Arshavin expected to leave in this window. Hopefully Squillaci is gone too.

Yann M'Vila appears to be a target of ours yet again. There are also a couple of rumors floating about us making a bid for James McCarthy from Wigan. Zaha is supposedly going to either Man U or Tottenham.

[jerrod]

disappointing draw today. that this set piece defense is still an issue is crazy.

[MaliBrah]

we really have a tough run of fixtures coming up and guys like arteta look exahusted , we need some reinforcements this window and asap man. Our squad is so thin

[jerrod]

i still want m'villa

[IronChef]

Don't know why we haven't seen more of Rosicky. He's been class when he's played, and give Cazorla a rest.

[MaliBrah]

yeah rosicky played great in the olympiacos game and we havent heard of him since

[Foye]

He's too old for Wenger.

[kdawg32086]

Today's Rumors:
-Ignasi Miquel looks like he'll be going on loan to Sheffield Wednesday for the rest of the season.
(With he, Djourou, and Squillaci probably leaving...it looks like we're gonna bring in a CB)

Sao Paulo wants to take Denilson permanently.