3...2...1...Start Buying...or Not (Transfer Thread)

[rwb44]

Toure on his way out at last? (http://www.arsenalinsider.co.uk/?p=3050)



If this is true then I am shocked. Toure was the one guy I would bet money on never leaving.

If Stephen Ireland came the other direction (possibly with a few million quid) would you take it?

I would. Add Ireland, the mysterious "special" player that is likely an attacking midfielder and another CB to replace Toure and I'd say it's a decent January.

Let's say Ireland-Toure is a wash. That means that we could possibly get our creative player for £10-15 and CB for depth for around £5-10. Kolo's replacement need only add depth, as, at this point, that's all he adds himself. I would gladly finish the season with Gallas and Djourou if it means we add some steel at CM and another creative player.

[GriffinGunner]

It's just so anti-Wenger to go after a guy like this.Perhaps more accurate to say it's unlike Wenger to consider/accept the (suggested) terms for such a player. I'm sure he's pursued plenty a big name but is not usually serious about such big $.

[bigINTERNETTOUGHGUY]

I am not holding my breath. I still think that we only will see one signing, and it probably will come late.

I get the sense that we might get two players in (probably wishful thinking) but I agree that they'll probably come late. This team needs to bring in reinforcements sooner, rather than later.

[rwb44]

Old (relatively), expensive, poor attitude, not much of a hard worker, very limited up-side, low bang for buck, very overrated in the media - everything we have stayed away from in the past.

I think the poor attitude thing is a litte overplayed. The guy doesn't want to be in Russia anymore. Is his attitude REALLY that worse than your average footballer? Say, one who puts in a transfer request because he has a fight with another player? I'm not comparing Kolo and I know there's some smoke to this "bad attitude" story, but I'd argue that he's just a modern athlete, where loyalty, common sense, and self-awareness are the exeception, and in no way the rule.

[DaPrince84]

Old (relatively), expensive, poor attitude, not much of a hard worker, very limited up-side, low bang for buck, very overrated in the media - everything we have stayed away from in the past.

we signed that geezer Robert Pires... he was 27... and that was for about 8 million, even though every big club in Europe were trying to sign him... that age thing means nothing, how much better was Hleb or Rosicky going to be?

and I think he is actually underrated by the media, everyone keeps harping on that Spain match and saying that was an indicator of his true stature, and ignore his brilliance before and in the UEFA cup run for Zenit where they took down Bayern and Rangers and Leverkeusen...

I do agree with you on the workrate issue tho... and that will be an issue if he comes...

I dont think he will go for 20 million, but a lot less...

Its not really un Wenger at all... he is a special talent, and he likes buying experienced players out on the wings...

but something may hold up with Arshavings love-in

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/12074/Arshavin_holds_Arsenal_to_ransom_.aspx

The proposed transfer of Andrei Arshavin to Arsenal has hit a stumbling block after the international rejected Arsenal's lucrative contract offer. The Russian ace wants Arsene Wenger to smash his rigid wage structure at the Emirates and offer him more than the clubs top earners Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie.

However, Wenger is said to be unhappy at the manner in which Arshavin has conducted negotiations and is considering calling off the proposed move and turn his attentions elsewhere

I think the poor attitude thing is a litte overplayed. The guy doesn't want to be in Russia anymore. Is his attitude REALLY that worse than your average footballer? Say, one who puts in a transfer request because he has a fight with another player? I'm not comparing Kolo and I know there's some smoke to this "bad attitude" story, but I'd argue that he's just a modern athlete, where loyalty, common sense, and self-awareness are the exeception, and in no way the rule.
I agree with this 100%

[DaPrince84]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1105743/Language-barrier-slam-shut-force-Hleb-Spain-end-season.html?ITO=1490

'Of course I would like to play more. But you should ask the manager why I'm not in the starting line-up most of the time,' he said to the media in his native Belarus.

'All I can do is to work hard and prove that I deserve it. Let's wait until the end of the season.'

According to Hleb Barcelona boss Josep Guardiola has not said he is unhappy with Hleb's performances on the field. 'All he says is that I should start speaking the language as soon as possible,' said the player.

Grass aint greener on the other side huh, Aliaks?

(even tho Wenger wouldnt, Id take him back yesterday, altho the title of the article is a bit misleading)

[TheArgonaut]

Toure on his way out at last? (http://www.arsenalinsider.co.uk/?p=3050)



If this is true then I am shocked. Toure was the one guy I would bet money on never leaving.

Considering that ,one, this was written in a BLOG. Two, it is written by some person called "Fabregas the king" using unnamed "sources" and three, the fact that just a few days ago Wenger said this:

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-the-truth-about-toure-s-request

Later, the manager was asked if Toure had asked to leave.

“Yes,” replied Wenger. “But we spoke about it with him and I think he has changed his mind.

The Frenchman was then asked if the centre back had actually withdrawn his request.

“Yes,” he replied.

I have a hard time believing this is true. It might come true but there is no reason to worry about Toure leaving now...especially since this story was put to bed by Wenger Friday then a random blog brings it up again today.

[bigINTERNETTOUGHGUY]

If Stephen Ireland came the other direction (possibly with a few million quid) would you take it?

I would. Add Ireland, the mysterious "special" player that is likely an attacking midfielder and another CB to replace Toure and I'd say it's a decent January.

Let's say Ireland-Toure is a wash. That means that we could possibly get our creative player for £10-15 and CB for depth for around £5-10. Kolo's replacement need only add depth, as, at this point, that's all he adds himself. I would gladly finish the season with Gallas and Djourou if it means we add some steel at CM and another creative player.

Well since we're playing fantasy football (not that I mind), if we could make the proposed Bendtner/Upson swap along with the moves you've suggested, it would go a long way to fixing the holes in this team.

[bigINTERNETTOUGHGUY]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1105743/Language-barrier-slam-shut-force-Hleb-Spain-end-season.html?ITO=1490



Grass aint greener on the other side huh, Aliaks?

(even tho Wenger wouldnt, Id take him back yesterday, altho the title of the article is a bit misleading)

I wouldn't want Hleb back. He acted like a prat...good riddance.

I did find it interesting that Hleb mentions the quality of life issue. When he said London was too big for him, I really thought he was spouting rubbish. Now I'm not so sure.

[DaPrince84]

Well since we're playing fantasy football (not that I mind), if we could make the proposed Bendtner/Upson swap along with the moves you've suggested, it would go a long way to fixing the holes in this team.
I really dont understand why you would want Upson...

[bigINTERNETTOUGHGUY]

I really dont understand why you would want Upson...

Good player, gives us a little more size at the back, and is better in the air than Gallas/Toure. He's not as quick as either of the other two, but I think that's ok, as one of our problems has been that Toure/Gallas don't complement one another because they play a similar game. Moreover, the original post suggested a Toure - Ireland swap, so we'd need some depth at CB.

Upson wouldn't be my first choice. But since we started talking about the highly improbable possibility of player trades, an Upson - Bendtner swap is a move that I would make in a heartbeat.

[TheArgonaut]

I wouldn't want Hleb back. He acted like a prat...good riddance.

I did find it interesting that Hleb mentions the quality of life issue. When he said London was too big for him, I really thought he was spouting rubbish. Now I'm not so sure.

It is entirely possible that London really was too much for him especially considering Greater London has about 7.5-8 million people and the Barcelona metropolitan area 3 million people, To put that into a US perspective...the Cleveland Metro Area - a relatively small "big" city by US standards (according to 2000 census) - is only slightly smaller than Barcelona at 2.3-2.5 million people...and the Detroit Metro Area at 4.5 million people is bigger than Barcelona. That doesn't even take into account the different lifestyles in Barcelona and London.

I'd also echo your sentiments about not wanting Hleb back.

[Rewinder]

No Rosina (http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/12110/Torino_confirm_Rosina_not_heading_to_Emirates.aspx)

[rwb44]

Good player, gives us a little more size at the back, and is better in the air than Gallas/Toure. He's not as quick as either of the other two, but I think that's ok, as one of our problems has been that Toure/Gallas don't complement one another because they play a similar game. Moreover, the original post suggested a Toure - Ireland swap, so we'd need some depth at CB.

Upson wouldn't be my first choice. But since we started talking about the highly imrpobably possibility of player trades, an Upson - Bendtner swap is a move that I would make in a heartbeat.

I rate Upson, but realistically, if we want him to come, we have to promise first team football. With Djourou looking the part these days, where does that leave us? Upson as depth, even if it (or rather especially if) means trade Bendtner is something I would do, but I have major doubts that it would work out well. I think he'd believe that first team football at a crap club is better for him than being the 3rd or 4th best CB at Arsenal.

If we can get a player worth 10mm OR 10mm straight up for Bendtner, I would take it in a HEARTBEAT. I agree with the poster who said he'll never become good at Arsenal. He needs full time football so he can develop some consistencey. Problem is, a club like Blackburn can wait for him to become consistent (or even fleetingly good). We can't.

[DaPrince84]

Good player, gives us a little more size at the back, and is better in the air than Gallas/Toure. He's not as quick as either of the other two, but I think that's ok, as one of our problems has been that Toure/Gallas don't complement one another because they play a similar game. Moreover, the original post suggested a Toure - Ireland swap, so we'd need some depth at CB.

Upson wouldn't be my first choice. But since we started talking about the highly improbable possibility of player trades, an Upson - Bendtner swap is a move that I would make in a heartbeat.
the Ireland stuff is more 2+2=5 stuff from the media, cant see Man City really selling him...

Upson is wildly injury prone tho... and is decent, he would add depth, but we can definitley do better than him... and when Upson left, wasnt the comment about him not being good enough...

I honestly think, and im not saying it with you, that a lot of folks would make this move just because they think Bendtner is not good (which stuns me also)

If we can get a player worth 10mm OR 10mm straight up for Bendtner, I would take it in a HEARTBEAT. I agree with the poster who said he'll never become good at Arsenal. He needs full time football so he can develop some consistencey. Problem is, a club like Blackburn can wait for him to become consistent (or even fleetingly good). We can't.
are you talking about Bendtner? I think we can wait for him... and have shown this with many other players... I just think the fans have different expectations than Wenger...

[rwb44]

the Ireland stuff is more 2+2=5 stuff from the media, cant see Man City really selling him...

Upson is wildly injury prone tho... and is decent, he would add depth, but we can definitley do better than him... and when Upson left, wasnt the comment about him not being good enough...

I honestly think, and im not saying it with you, that a lot of folks would make this move just because they think Bendtner is not good (which stuns me also)


are you talking about Bendtner? I think we can wait for him... and have shown this with many other players... I just think the fans have different expectations than Wenger...

I am curious as to why you rate Bendtner so much. I know there are some big fans of his here. But one goal in like 30 matches? He's more inconsistent than Ade, and he doesn't hold the ball nearly as well. In fact, I am struggling to remember a match this season in which he significantly changed things for Arsenal (other than the CL goal).

I've yet to see anything that leads me to believe he'll more than Average unless he gets a long run of games (something we can't afford to do with him).

I'd much rather have a less talented striker with more consistency. I think we have enough unrealized potential as it stands.

But in all serious (and respectfully ;)) why do you rate him so highly?

[bigINTERNETTOUGHGUY]

I rate Upson, but realistically, if we want him to come, we have to promise first team football. With Djourou looking the part these days, where does that leave us? Upson as depth, even if it (or rather especially if) means trade Bendtner is something I would do, but I have major doubts that it would work out well. I think he'd believe that first team football at a crap club is better for him than being the 3rd or 4th best CB at Arsenal.

If we can get a player worth 10mm OR 10mm straight up for Bendtner, I would take it in a HEARTBEAT. I agree with the poster who said he'll never become good at Arsenal. He needs full time football so he can develop some consistencey. Problem is, a club like Blackburn can wait for him to become consistent (or even fleetingly good). We can't.

I'm one of the ones who suggested he'd never come good for Arsenal. I think he's a quality player, but he's behind Ade, RvP and Eduardo (who looks like he's set to return) in the pecking order and Vela and Theo are in the mix. With Simpson looking promising, there's no way all those players will be at Arsenal next season.

the Ireland stuff is more 2+2=5 stuff from the media, cant see Man City really selling him...

Upson is wildly injury prone tho... and is decent, he would add depth, but we can definitley do better than him... and when Upson left, wasnt the comment about him not being good enough...

I honestly think, and im not saying it with you, that a lot of folks would make this move just because they think Bendtner is not good (which stuns me also)


are you talking about Bendtner? I think we can wait for him... and have shown this with many other players... I just think the fans have different expectations than Wenger...

Oh, no question it's wildly speculative. But this entire thread is speculative. That's why I've always appreciated the Beeb when they do their end of transfer window wrap-ups. The whole "my uncle's sister-in-law's hairdresser's nephew's teacher is friends with a guy who is a limo driver and he picked-up player X and is heading to London..." cracks me up.

As for Bendtner, we can wait for him, but will he wait for us? He's 4th choice here and we have an embarrasment of depth at striker (admittedly, he gives us a different option due to his height). Do you think that all of Ade, RvP, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela, Theo, and Simpson will be with the club next year? Barring a surprise, I see only 2 real candidates for a departure: Bendtner and Simpson.

[rwb44]

I'm one of the ones who suggested he'd never come good for Arsenal. I think he's a quality player, but he's behind Ade, RvP and Eduardo (who looks like he's set to return) in the pecking order and Vela and Theo are in the mix. With Simpson looking promising, there's no way all those players will be at Arsenal next season.



Oh, no question it's wildly speculative. But this entire thread is speculative. That's why I've always appreciated the Beeb when they do their end of transfer window wrap-ups. The whole "my uncle's sister-in-law's hairdresser's nephew's teacher is friends with a guy who is a limo driver and he picked-up player X and is heading to London..." cracks me up.

As for Bendtner, we can wait for him, but will he wait for us? He's 4th choice here and we have an embarrasment of depth at striker (admittedly, he gives us a different option due to his height). Do you think that all of Ade, RvP, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela, Theo, and Simpson will be with the club next year? Barring a surprise, I see only 2 real candidates for a departure: Bendtner and Simpson.


Ok, this articulates what my thinking is better than my own post. I think Bendtner has class and if he could play regularly (or shut up and wait for 2-3 years) I am sure he'll eventuallty be good. I said earlier, I think he's talented and still young, but I just haven't seen anything this season to suggest he's on the cusp of being a major contributor.......Which is what he'll have to be to unseat the others ahead of him.

[DaPrince84]

I am curious as to why you rate Bendtner so much. I know there are some big fans of his here. But one goal in like 30 matches? He's more inconsistent than Ade, and he doesn't hold the ball nearly as well. In fact, I am struggling to remember a match this season in which he significantly changed things for Arsenal (other than the CL goal).

I've yet to see anything that leads me to believe he'll more than Average unless he gets a long run of games (something we can't afford to do with him).

I'd much rather have a less talented striker with more consistency. I think we have enough unrealized potential as it stands.

But in all serious (and respectfully ;)) why do you rate him so highly?
well for one, he is 20 (i think 21 this month)...

he has shown he can hold the ball up very well (the ManUnited game is one that people ignore)... has good feet, good pace, and very versatile... when he has moved out wide, our attack has looked very strong... and he has size and can leap, and is pretty good in the air... he is a quality talent, and has some serious upside... their is a reason why Bayern bid 10 million for him last summer...

if he can get his composure together, I actually think their is a good finisher in their as well...

I just do not understand how everyone has decided he is crap and are writing him off... its stupid to me...

I'm one of the ones who suggested he'd never come good for Arsenal. I think he's a quality player, but he's behind Ade, RvP and Eduardo (who looks like he's set to return) in the pecking order and Vela and Theo are in the mix. With Simpson looking promising, there's no way all those players will be at Arsenal next season.

....

As for Bendtner, we can wait for him, but will he wait for us? He's 4th choice here and we have an embarrasment of depth at striker (admittedly, he gives us a different option due to his height). Do you think that all of Ade, RvP, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela, Theo, and Simpson will be with the club next year? Barring a surprise, I see only 2 real candidates for a departure: Bendtner and Simpson.
im not sure about Simpson... he looks a good finisher and has power, but thats it to me... I think people are excited about not seeing Simpson before and thinking he is going to be the future... I hope he makes it at Arsenal, but im just not sure of him...

and Bendtner, I do agree with you there... but all signs the last few seasons (including not wanting to goto Bayern) kind of shows me he is willing tow ait his chance... we do have some congestion at striker, but then again, we had congestion at CM last season and look at us now, lol...

[rwb44]

well for one, he is 20 (i think 21 this month)...

he has shown he can hold the ball up very well (the ManUnited game is one that people ignore)... has good feet, good pace, and very versatile... when he has moved out wide, our attack has looked very strong... and he has size and can leap, and is pretty good in the air... he is a quality talent, and has some serious upside... their is a reason why Bayern bid 10 million for him last summer...

if he can get his composure together, I actually think their is a good finisher in their as well...

I just do not understand how everyone has decided he is crap and are writing him off... its stupid to me...


im not sure about Simpson... he looks a good finisher and has power, but thats it to me... I think people are excited about not seeing Simpson before and thinking he is going to be the future... I hope he makes it at Arsenal, but im just not sure of him...

and Bendtner, I do agree with you there... but all signs the last few seasons (including not wanting to goto Bayern) kind of shows me he is willing tow ait his chance... we do have some congestion at striker, but then again, we had congestion at CM last season and look at us now, lol...


Ok, the fact that he is only 20/21 is a good point. I only stated (or meant to state and did a poor job) that we can't wait because he won't wait. Also, the guy has run his mouth a lot about playing and shows no lack of confidence. That's great, but then you have to get more than 1 goal in 13 PL appearances. So I think that speaks to the impatience.

Our 3rd striker should get more than 1 goal. So we either have to accept (and so does he) that he's not ready and not even a 3rd striker quality for a top 4 club, or he needs to move on. I think consistency is what he is missing and that only comes with a run of games. I just don't think we can risk more of the abject performances he's put in if Ade goes out this season.

To be fair, he's looked much better for Denmark, so I should be a little more forgiving. If he's content to hold tight (and he's kept his mouth shut this season for the most part), then I am for keeping him. But I just doubt he'll ever be a 10mm player for Arsenal.