To: All Arsenal Supporters RE: Javier Mascherano

[ElMuneco]

Since I am a supporter of River Plate and have been for many years, I must tell you all that if this transfer goes through, you've got yourselves one hell of a player. It saddened me when I read that Arsenal was interested in him and have made an offer. But, that's how it has always been at River Plate. They groom them young at an early age through the youth program, reserves, then 1st team. In my opinion, River has the best youth program in the World. If you look at the players that have come through there youth ranks, you'll see how impressive the list is. As for Mascherano, he is 20 years old and is a defensive midfielder. The kid is simply awesome, and will figure in the Argentine National team for many years. I can't say enough about him. He's that good. If the transfer does in fact go through, then I congratulate Arsenal for signing one of the brightest prospects in Argentina. Though I support Fulham in the Premier league, I will watch the Arsenal matches to see Mascherano play in hopes he can adapt to the Premier League. If and when he arrives, please give him a warm welcome. God bless, and once again, congratulations.

[astabooty]

idk how he could get a work permit.

[mad theory]

You sound like a deal has been agreed?

[ElMuneco]

From reading main Argentine websites such as Lanacion.com.ar, Clarin.com.ar, and Ole.com.ar, it sounds as if it is a done deal. Put it like this, I would be shocked if he came back to play for River from the Olympics. I just don't see it happening though. The money is too good for River to pass up.

[astabooty]

You sound like a deal has been agreed?


i havent seen any news of an agreement. i think it is just speculation and maybe negociations going on right now.

anyway the guy is awesome. good luck to him wherever he goes.

[rifkin]

Personally I believe its all paper talk at this point and won't happen anytime soon. If he doesn't return to River after the Olympics I doubt he'll be an Arsenal player. If he waits until next Summer then I think the odds are much better (bye, bye Edu. Hello Mascherano)

[Przybylinski]

Personally I believe its all paper talk at this point and won't happen anytime soon. If he doesn't return to River after the Olympics I doubt he'll be an Arsenal player. If he waits until next Summer then I think the odds are much better (bye, bye Edu. Hello Mascherano)

Edu won't be going anywhere. Mascherano plays Defensive Mid as Vieira did. He'll likely play along side of Edu.

He went through a physical on Tuesday, so we may be getting word soon about him signing. The Olympic thing may delay his coming on board.

[rifkin]

Edu has one year left on his contract and may be looking for a bigger payday than Arsene is willing to give him. He still plays in the middle of the field and frees a spot for Mascherano.

I don't think there is 100% confirmation that Mascherano had a physical.

[Przybylinski]

Edu has one year left on his contract and may be looking for a bigger payday than Arsene is willing to give him. He still plays in the middle of the field and frees a spot for Mascherano.

I don't think there is 100% confirmation that Mascherano had a physical.

I'll let Rick speak on that and confirm it. I believe he had a converation with Arsene as well as David Dein, but He'll have to confirm that. His text to me from Belgium during the game did state that Arsene confirmed it.

Rick - maybe you can share a little more.

[GoonerMan]

i cant see edu leaving us next summer, i believe arsenal will offer him a generous enough contract, especially if we lose vieira

[Its only Ray Parlour]

The news is filtering through about this in England now.

Here's South-american based journalist, Tim Vickery's opinion view of Javier Mascherano.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3540952.stm

For me i'd much rather have Mascherano than Maniche, who i honestly don't think is capable of replacing Vieira as a like for like replacement.

[rifkin]

His text to me from Belgium during the game did state that Arsene confirmed it.

That's more info than you originally posted so perhaps there is more weight to this than I imagined.

[Catfish]

El Muneco,

Thank you so very much for your detailed scouting report. We greatly appreciate it. If you have any more info. about him, please be sure to post it in here, thanks. I enjoy many Argentinian players: J. Zanetti is my favorite with Crespo, Veron, and Claudio Lopez!!!

If this deal does go through sounds like Arsenal have found another great prospect in the infinitely HUGE talent pool of footballers.

[GoonerMan]

For me i'd much rather have Mascherano than Maniche, who i honestly don't think is capable of replacing Vieira as a like for like replacement.

yes i can c what ur saying but at least with maniche, he can come straight in and do a job, i feel we need some one in this summer who can come straight in and do a job we cant keep relying on promising youngsters

[GoonerMan]

ive also been hearing reports about michael carrick maybe being in the frame. i dont think he will replace vieira but i think he cud be easily settled by christmas and cud be a decent cheap alternative

[Rick B]

Edu has one year left on his contract and may be looking for a bigger payday than Arsene is willing to give him. He still plays in the middle of the field and frees a spot for Mascherano.

I don't think there is 100% confirmation that Mascherano had a physical.


I will confirm 100% that he had a medical as Arsene and Dein confirmed it to me. Whether we sign him is another matter which is why I did not say any fee or anything else about the subject. Remember we gave Gallas a medical last year as he was going to join us, then the Russian revolution happened and it fell through. So we will have to wait, but I do know that he had a medical.

[Its only Ray Parlour]

ive also been hearing reports about michael carrick maybe being in the frame. i dont think he will replace vieira but i think he cud be easily settled by christmas and cud be a decent cheap alternative

What's the point it that then? Why botherer spending that anything if we're just going to use him squad filler. We might as well give Cesc or Flamini more experience if thats the case. I'd feel confident in saying those players at the level if not better than Carrick now. I hope this rumour is crap, it mostly like is considering it originated in The Sun.

[GoonerMan]

it comes from the mouth of portsmouth chairman milan mandaric, he thinks we may have hijacked it. i think it would be better to stick carrick in rather than cesc or flamini in my opinion. hes got more experience, hes played in the premiership, ok hes played in division one but hes had more experience and i think he cud be a more useful player and wud improve alot.

[Its only Ray Parlour]

yes i can c what ur saying but at least with maniche, he can come straight in and do a job, i feel we need some one in this summer who can come straight in and do a job we cant keep relying on promising youngsters

That is such a short sighted point of view, why waste money on a player who is not right for the position just because he can do a job? It's pointless. Maniche would require slightly less time to settle than Mascherano but he will have an adaptation period nevertheless. He is not a replacement for Vieira as far as im concerned, you'd be comfortable knowing that our only recognised primary ball-winner would be Gilberto? I certainly wouldn't. The centre of midfield would become noticablly vulnerable if that were the case. Mascherano is definitely the right type of player, and irrespective of his age is an established international, and has experience of playing for a top-side in River Plate. I have nothing against Maniche, he would be an excellent signing for the squad if Vieira's position wasn't under question but as that as is the case i don't think he should be considered.

[Its only Ray Parlour]

it comes from the mouth of portsmouth chairman milan mandaric, he thinks we may have hijacked it. i think it would be better to stick carrick in rather than cesc or flamini in my opinion. hes got more experience, hes played in the premiership, ok hes played in division one but hes had more experience and i think he cud be a more useful player and wud improve alot.

No it doesn't, listen to what he said again. He said that as far as he's concerned Carrick is signing for Pompey, they are having a medical today, and he's already agreed personal terms & now he's hearing that Arsenal have sounded him out. His comments are in reference to the media speculation not a factual statement of Arsenal's intent.