Why Arsenal signing El Shaarawy, Reus, Di Maria etc in future could become the new reality

179 thoughts on “Why Arsenal signing El Shaarawy, Reus, Di Maria etc in future could become the new reality”

• I wonder a few things about the Puma deal. First i think Nike have been great and IMO are the best sports brand in the world at the moment. They made a great kit this season the yellow is a real hit, last couple of seasons i have brought the Arsenal Nike training jackets which i love. It is clear Puma put alot of money on the table but can they make as good a kit and clothes line?? Adidas is a German brand — Nike a USA brand— what is Puma, is it German i am not sure???
  You touch on the size of the sports brand on the kit being the 3 thing we notice, are you aware of the Adidas brand being challenged because it is so much bigger then every other it is the 3 stripes down the length of the arm so there for noticed 1st or second , it also looks good, just a couple ofg questions and a point.

• JM,
  It is a very interesting point on the players that could move , just by being associated to a certain brand and it is something i have never thought of before. Part of me says oh i worry that Nike is a bigger brand, but the other part the optimist says it is good because we have gona as far as we can with Nike and the change will open lots of new possibilties.

• Excellent, analytical post, JM. 🙂

  You have held these views for a while now and it does seem that inter-club brand/association links are making transfers between these clubs more easy/likely.

  I guess it works both ways, so we could lose one or two of our stars to the likes of Madrid and Milan as well…. that would be less nice of course.

  It would be interesting to know how much Emirates had to do with the move of OM to Arsenal…. any views/insight on this?

• PG Puma is from Pumaland 🙂

  Nah, its headquarters are in Germany.

  As a child I loved Adidas and later Nike, but never really puma. Had a few puma football shoes but never felt right. However, about 10 years ago, Puma temporarily relaunched Johan Cruijff’s Puma 1974 training top which I promptly bought. Still wear it when Holland plays and it is a great, classy top I can tell you! 🙂

  Let Puma have a go and surprise us! Unlike you, I am not too impressed with Nike. I especially don’t like the current home shirt: the sooner the blue disappears the better imo.

• Here is the history of Puma and Adidas, PG. Makes interest reading. I think I start a sportswear company and call it TOAR 🙂

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puma_SE

• Night guys 🙂

• From the previous post:

  JB, that game was part of my England boycott until the WC. Perhaps I am being harsh on Lambert but remember there is a big gap in the quality of Lambert and Giroud.

  Alcide, yeah you did tell you do not rate Rami. You might be right. Maybe that is why Wenger diid not go in for him.

• Also from the previous post:

  17highburyterrace September 5, 2013 1943

  You said

  ‘I don’t mean to pile it on the Fantasy/Computer game types (too much…) but, beyond the cost = value fallacy and rigid formations and positions for players, it kills me when people say stuff that is seems blatantly untrue, at least from my observations…’

  I assume you include me in the Fantasy/Computer game types so I thought I would give you a reply :D, which I do not want you to take in the wrong way.

  At times I think you take the comments of myself and others too literally. For instance when I (like many others) say we need a defensive midfielder I do not mean we should acquire a player who can ONLY play as a defensive midfielder. I mean we should try to acquire a player who can play numerous positions on the pitch but whose main position/preferred position is playing as a defensive midfielder. Versatility in a player is always a good thing especially in the system in we play.

  So then when I go on to say that L.Bender is a DM or Bendtner is a CF you take that as me saying that Bender can only play as a DM or Bendtner can only play as a CF. Most footballers can play in a number of different positions so by referring to them using their preferred position(s) or position(s) which they mostly play makes it easier for other bloggers (such as yourself) to understand what type of a player they are, as well as which base position a particular player would most likely occupy, when playing for us.

  For me, it would take too much time for me to name all the positions a particular footballer can play as. So rather than saying Bendtner can play as a ST, CF, SS, RW, LW and AM every time I mention him or saying L.Bender can play DM, CM, RM, RB etc, I choose not to.

  The same goes for formations. Just because I say that we should play a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation I am not necessarily saying that the players should be glued to those positions throughout matches. The 4-4-2 or the 4-2-3-1 formation can be rigid or free-flowing depending on which way the formation wants to be used or which manager is using the formation.

  Managers will choose which way they want to use a specific formation. There are some managers who will use rigid formations (for example a manager who is using a rigid 4-4-2, will tell his players to stick to their positions as often as they can and not to venture out into other positions and fill the positions of their team mates) so the team has better all round organisation or there are some managers who use more free-flowing formations for example a manager who is using a 4-2-3-1 formation in more of a free-flowing way may give his players more freedom. By that I mean allowing them to take up various positions which are not the positions in which they start matches during matches. Players can take up the positions which other players would normally occupy if they are not there (an example of this would be Gibbs taking up the LW position when Santi Cazorla has drifted infield to take up another position) and players can fill positions which other players would normally occupy (an example of this would be a RCB moving to the cover the RB position, if a RB has left his position vacant to join an attack with a midfielder who is performing a holding role dropping back and filling in temporarily as RCB).

  Arsene Wenger is a manager who normally plays free flowing football so throughout our matches you might see total changes in formations due to our players not having to stick to their positions. When our full-backs are on the attack our formation changes from 4-2-3-1/4-2-1-3 to 2-3-2-3, if we are playing with the box to box midfielder in midfield or our formation changing from a 4-2-3-1 (without the box to box midfielder which Wenger opted to do at the end of last season) to a 3-2-3-2 if our RB (Sagna or Jenkinson) has bombed forward to take up the role of RW with Walcott drifting in next to Giroud to take up the role of another ST. I think it was the England under 21s or under 20s (I cannot remember which) were playing in a rigid 4-4-2 during their international tournament.

  Of course there are some managers who tell certain players to keep to their positions (so in a 4-2-3-1 formation only the back four and the two holding midfielders may have rigid positions and be told to stick to their positions as much as possible) whereas the front four may be given complete freedom meaning they do not have to stick to their roles at all. Some managers may choose to mix it up and give some players freedom in certain areas of the pitch (the first third, the second third or the final third) and give other players no freedom in other areas of the pitch. When it comes to team pressing, aggression, passing, team width it all works in a similar sort of way.

  Which brings me onto my next point. As the game of football has evolved (changed over the years) various tactics, formations and positions to be scrapped, adapted or changed or invented. The role of the sweeper has virtually died and the role of the defensive midfielder has been invented. Some positions such as the No.10 and the No.9 have been adapted/changed which have led to roles such as the false 9 and the false 10. These roles have been invented by the tacticians of the game (managers and coaches) the same guys who have adapted, changed and invented tactics and formations not by your average football fan. The DM role was ‘invented’ in the same way and by the same people who ‘invented’ the CB role and the false 9 role was ‘invented’ in the same way and by the same people as which the No.9 role was ‘invented’.

  So I cannot understand (17ht my friend) why you are so quick to dismiss some roles while embracing others? You recognise the differences between roles such as DM, CM and AM or RB/LB and RWB/LWB or RM/LM and RW/RM but do not recognise the differences in the roles of ST, CF and SS or No.9 and false 9 or No.10 and false 10 or choose to acknowledge them in the same way you do as others. All roles carry the same weight in terms of how ‘real’ they are. It does not matter whether they are new roles or older roles.

  I know you are not really a formations/tactics sort of guy so you may not know all the differences or similarities between all the roles within positions but I feel it is wrong (naïve) to do that.

  That’s just my views and opinions and you do not have to agree with them…

  My post reached the lengths of the legendary 17ht, wow! As I said no harm intended.

• Haha AFC, I saw the post on the other thread…but I guess you really wanted me to get it…

  Actually, I don’t really get it…The point I was trying to make was about Bendtner, from my observations, not being much of a hold up guy…Certainly not as good as Giroud but, on his day, a pretty good finisher. During his earlier stint at our club he didn’t get very many chances to play up front on his own, or rotate into enough good scoring positions given his lack of pace…

  But that doesn’t seem to be the issue…

  So, I’m confused about what to do with your long one?… Can I just promise you that I won’t take your comments too literally and then we can drop it? Or that I’ll remember that when you talk positions and formations you’re abbreviating things for convenience sake. I’ve read through your comment a few times now and I’m still not clear exactly what you’re after…Something about being sure to accept that players roles (and/or positions) are all important…

  Sorry if I offended…I’ll try to do better in the future…

• JM, wow mate that is a brilliant post. I like the way you can link players, clubs and potential transfers to the commercial side of the game. 🙂

  So you are saying that we could be getting the likes of Gundogan, Khedira, Di Maria, Aguero etc, in the future. Wait to the likes of Glic and Fozzie B hear this. 😀 😉

  So I have a question for you if you do not mind:

  If a club is selling a particular player or a player is leaving a particular club do the agents of the club or player sort of try to give the player or club the nudge (metaphorically speaking) to either move or sell to a club with the same sponsors/brands?

  I am assuming that agents do not tell the clubs or players that they can ONLY sell ot move to clubs who are tied with the same sponsors or brands which is why you do get players moving to clubs with totally different sponsors/brands?

  One more question if you do not mind.

  I am sure you know all about the Cisse situation (due to his religion he said he could not wear a shirt with the Wonga company sponsor on it because they deal in money lending (loaning)) so why did he decide to wear the shirt with the sponsor on it in the end?

  Was there really no way out for Cisse when it came to wearing the shirt? If he was to wear the Newcastle shirt without the Wonga sponsor would Wonga have got pissed and refuse to continue to sponsor Newcastle in the future or withdraw their sponsorship straightway due to a breach in contract? Is there some sort of clause in a contract saying that all players must wear a shirt with their logo on it regardless of their religion? I thought that would be unethical?

  Sorry about all the questions, JM.

• Nice job JM..
  Although I don’t really sure the theory is proven.. but I like it.. hahaha..

  If you ask me between the three of the list.. El Shaarawy.. Marco Reus.. and Di Maria.. all at the same range of price.. 30 millions.. then I choose Reus.. hehe..

  Guys.. just thinking of our Ozil price is almost the same for Lamela + Erickseen.. What do you think of that..
  Will you guys change Ozil with Lamela + Erikseen..?? Hahaha..

• 17ht, you have not offended me.

  I was just under the impression that when I (or others) mention formations or players and their positions you just take it too literally. In some of your other comments you often imply that your not into all the specific ins and outs of various roles as you just do not see the point of it? So your comment led to me remembering that sort of trend in your comments and I just wanted to clear things up.

  There was another part of the long post which I lost but have managed to recover.

  In recent years we know how little Bendtner has played so we cannot really make observations from his play at Arsenal. However when seeing him play for Denmark internationally he does play the role Giroud is currently playing for us. He drops deep and holds up the ball while bringing in other midfielders into play and still gets the goals while playing such a role. This is why I have not given up on him. His finishing is also quite good as you have said but I would not say it is better than Giroud’s.

  For both club and country I would not really call him a SS. I would say he is more of a CF/ST (I’m leaning more to CF) type of player.

  Again that’s just my opinion. 😀

  Everything’s fine 17. 🙂

  But there was a question I wanted to ask you.

  So in one of the last posts we established that the traditional DM can be overcome (not needed) and we already know that the traditional number 9 can also be overcome so do you think there is a time where the traditional big CBs who can only defend and are not good technically, not so good on the ball (I’m thinking about guys like Terry) will no longer be used? By that I mean could we see more smaller, agile players, with better technical skills (passing, vision etc,) who play further up the pitch in midfield positions becoming the main mold of CB who are not really strong or aggresive?

  Mascherano has taken a step in that direction as he is good on the ball and more of a holding midfielder but does not rely on his physical attributes but more on his technical attributes and we might see players like Ramsey or even players like Arteta and Pirlo with really good passing, ability to read games, anticipate play dropping even further back outsmarting forward players without strength, arial ability etc?

• Henry, I’d take Di Maria. He is that traditional winger which we all need and would already know Ozil. They would not need time to gel.

• AFC – less is more

• @ ProudGooner September 6, 2013 23:55 & September 7, 2013 00:03

  I believed the Arsenal board and management (in terms of both commercial and sporting factors) did their calculations in terms of getting an improvement in our kit sponsorship deal. This has to do with the club moving joining the so-called “elite” group of clubs internationally in securing better sponsorship investments to our club, from a variety of global brands.

  In the PL, Nike Inc. has long sponsored heavily in Manchester United, which made any other clubs in the league their lesser priorities. Starting this season, they strategically announced their sponsorship deal with Manchester City, and getting involved with the football club’s investment from City’s oil-riched owners. This give a stranglehold of their branding to PL in the northwest (Man United, Man City, Everton).

  In the continent and internationally, Nike Inc also spread their investments in clubs in their respective countries: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad, Paris St Germain, (Corinthians, Santos) – Brazil, Boca Juniors (Argentina), Atletico Nacional (Colombia), Juventus, Inter Milan, (Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Urawa Red Diamonds, Kashima Antlers) – Japan, Sparta Prague, PSV, Porto, Celtic, Galatasaray, Shakhtar Donetsk etc. However, the bigger clubs will have the lion share of sponsorship deals from Nike Inc, leaving the rest to fight for what is remaining in the money pot.

  Adidas is sponsoring our London rivals, Chelsea and West Ham. Their major base is in Germany (Bayern Munich – stronghold, Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke 04, Hamburger SV, VFL Wolfsburg, 1.FC Nuremburg). In the continent and internationally: Real Madrid, (Flamango, Palmeiras) – Brazil, River Plate – Argentina, Ajax, AC Milan, Benfica, Lyon, Marseille etc, Likewise, the more lucrative sponsorships goes to the big clubs.

  As such, it is wise and forward-thinking for Arsenal FC to decide and seek a better partnership with another global sports company to improve their income from the kit sponsorship deals. This is where Puma SE comes in. In the PL, we have only Newcastle United and Cardiff City to contend with. Our club’s stature (commercial branding and footballing success) stands above both, Puma will be keen to invest more on our club. A win-win situation for Arsenal FC and Puma SE (our club gets more money; their company gets more coverage and returns in investing on a successful managed club).

  Putting the above in simpler terms:

  For season 2014/2015

  Either Man United or Man City win the EL, Nike wins.
  Chelsea win the EL, Adidas wins.
  Arsenal win the EL, Puma wins.

  Any of Barcelona, PSG, Man United, Man City, Juventus, Porto wins the CL, Nike wins.
  Any of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, AC Milan, Benfica, Marseille wins the CL, Adidas wins.
  Any of Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal wins the CL, Puma wins.

  Adidas is a German brand; Nike a USA brand; Puma is a German brand which is under the holding of a French company, Kering (previously known as Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, PPR).

  Kering is a luxury and sporting goods holding company. (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent/YSL, Bottega Veneta, Sergio Rossi-brand, Alexander McQueen-brand, Stella McCartney-brand, Balenciaga and Volcom are its subsidiaries).

• @ TotalArsenal September 7, 2013 00:23 & September 7, 2013 00:32

  This (inter-club brand/association links) is touching at the surface. If our club is performing well in the field, the involvement (and investment) from both Emirates and Puma SE will grow (and be better) and it shall attract more strategic partnerships with other global brands to invest in our club. In turn, our club may have more money to invest on infrastructure, investments in quality/world-class player signings, better youth development programme and further outreach in the country and beyond.

  {This is in similar terms of giving a statement of intent by signing a marquee quality player (e.g. Bergkamp, Oezil), performing well together in matches, winning matches leading to victories in league and cup competitions, letting other world class players wanting to join us while we can select who we want from the quality list.}

  It is true that the links works both ways (in that we may lose our players to other linked clubs from similar sponsorships). This shall give an impetus for our players, our manager and his coaching staff and backroom staff (the doctors and physios) to perform their best in the footballing side of things, and such we are graded better than most of the other linked clubs every season in our domestic and continental campaigns.

  I believe Emirates are in for the long haul (they are our major sponsors, we have the one and only? Emirates Stadium in the world, even though they sponsored other clubs in the continent). Likewise, when Puma SE arrives, they will want to make commercial inroads into the UK market by sponsoring in a big club located in London (of all places). Of course, our club has to perform well in the footballing matters to get continue support from both.

  Emirates (Fly Emirates)’s kit sponsorship deal with Real Madrid started this season. Naturally, from the sponsors’ point of view, they will want all their investments to profit, do equally well. Emirates banked in on Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG, AC Milan and Hamburger SV in the big 5 european leagues. If 3 out of 5 clubs win domestic honours, that shall indirectly boost their branding, market shares etc. In the continent, any of these clubs winning the CL or Europa cup shall have the same impact.

  (The BIG wordings promoting their brand in the front of players’ jersey play their part ….. the club is winning things, Emirates is a winning brand). Investors will want to invest in the club, as well as buying Emirates shares in the stocks. Everyone loves a winning brand, which puts a smile in their faces. Travellers buy into the Emirates products and use their service (Fly Emirates Airline). This is a knock-on effect.

  I will not be surprise if Emirates has an indirect impact on Oezil coming to Arsenal in that sense. The same goes for:

  {Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic moving from AC Milan to PSG}
  {Johan Djourou moving on loan from Arsenal to Hamburger SV}
  {Kaka moving from Real Madrid to AC Milan, on a free transfer}

  To balance their winning potential in at least 3 leagues from the big 5.

• AFC.. So did Reus – Ozil.. They play together in Germany.. and did a great job lastnight..
  And I also heard that Reus is a Gunners.. not like Di Maria.. he prefer MU than us..
  Reus can also be a CF.. that Di Maria can’t..
  And We need a solid ST more than MF.. Cause our midfield are superb already..
  Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky, Cazorla, Arteta, Flamini, Diaby, Ox.. And with Ozil.. I think our MF are the best in PL.. hahahaha..

• Henry, did not Reus was a gooner. That means he would be open to joining us whereas Di Maria may want to join other clubs before us. Podolski, Mertesacker and Ozil will be able to persuade him to come if AW puts in a bid for him so do not worry. 🙂

  Has Reus suddenly turned into a ST full time? I thought he played LM or CAM more than ST or has he been converted in recent time?

• Henry, I was just wondering?

• AFC.. No.. Not yet.. But I said he could be good at CF..
  But beside the two of them.. I will go for Draxler myself.. hehehe..

• @ AFC September 7, 2013 01:15

  “So you are saying that we could be getting the likes of Gundogan, Khedira, Di Maria, Aguero etc, in the future. Wait to the likes of Glic and Fozzie B hear this.”

  That is if our club wants those players in the beginning. Bearing in mind, even with better commercial deals and profits, we shall only be able to sustain with a few quality players (not a matchday squad of 11+7 world class players, even mind for a squad of 25 of the lot) along with their wages and bonuses (maybe 3 or 4 for a start). It will take a while to reach the high standards of Bayern Munich.

  My personal view on both questions:

  1st question on the involvement of player agents. They are an unique entity themselves in transfer dealings. They are not under the payroll of the clubs or their linked sponsors, some have their own agencies, and involved in third-party ownership companies for the players. They swear their allegiances to the highest dollar and will want their managed players to join the club which pays most. (if the buying club is a successful one, it is an added bonus to the player; and if the buying club has the same sponsorship links with the selling club, the agent might get additional remuneration for helping in securing the deal).

  2nd question on players role in doing their job in helping to promote their club’s sponsors’ brands. (in this case, Papiss Cisse’s faith and Newcastle’s Wonga’s contract obligations)

  I refer to this piece from The Guardian:
  http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/jul/23/papiss-cisse-newcastle-wonga

• @ henrychan September 7, 2013 01:52

  The desires and initiatives will come from the buying club, the selling club, sometimes the owners and finally the player(s) involved. The club’s sponsors can also give a push during their negotiations with the club that certain criteria have to be achieved in the footballing part of the equation (which includes signing any marquee quality players of the club’s choosing to boost their efforts in winning matches and titles etc.) before agreeing the deal.

  “If you ask me between the three of the list.. El Shaarawy.. Marco Reus.. and Di Maria.. all at the same range of price.. 30 millions.. then I choose Reus.. hehe..”

  This might have to do with part of what Arsene Wenger has told Mesut Oezil about our club “plans” in the next couple of seasons, before Oezil decides to sign with us.

  There is also of course, the players’ agents and agency to consider when concluding on a signing.

• Future involvements from Tim Clark (President of Emirates and the Chairman of the Emirates Foundation), a British; Jochen Zeitz (Director and Chairman of the board’s sustainable development committee of Kering), a German; Bjoern Gulden (Chief Executive Officer of PUMA SE), a Norwegian; in our board’s non-executive roles would be appreciated.

• Thanks to TA again for helping with the publication of my 2nd piece on the blog.

  This piece may be information overflow for readers. In simplicity, let us enjoy in supporting our club, Arsenal FC, our players, our manager and his team on the football pitch; while we hope the “suits” in our management and our board will do the business in the wise and right manner that assist to promote our club commercially and operationally.

• JM

  Interesting write up and from prior comments awhile back you may remember that I agree with you around the impact of these links. I’d add one question:

  What do you think the role of image and sponsorship rights plays in making a transfer between, say two emirates branded, clubs easier? Ie was Ozil deal easier in some measure because he goes from Emirates to Emirates and thus only other image rights might need be renegotiated? Or is it more complex as top stars have some or all of their own rights, depending on deal, and club responsibilities too?

  Ie simply does it help grease the wheels or make no difference?

  Cheers — jgc

• AFC at 00.49 wow that is a fantastic comment and I am sure 17 Heavenly Tactful will take it in the good spirit you wrote it with. Looking fwd to his response already, no doubt a similar tour de force hahaha 🙂

• Good morning fine fellow Gooners – is the break interlulling you to sleep? 🙂

• And then I read 17’s response… hahaha that is not what I expected from the master, but fair enough. Good follow up questions by Henry and AFC.

  AFC – yes and no. CB’s will need height and/or ability to jump, and being able to play football is important too, but the latter is hard to get in a CB, it seems.

  Henry – basic rule: a player who ends up at Spurs usually flattered to deceive, which was under the radar but will no be visible to all hahaha 🙂 (sorry Bongo 🙂 ). So Eriksen and Lamela will some become LameErik, whereas Ozil to the Arsenal… 🙂

• JM fantastic, fascinating follow-up comments which are the perfect antidote to the interdull! 🙂

  You wrote: ‘I will not be surprise if Emirates has an indirect impact on Oezil coming to Arsenal in that sense. The same goes for:
  {Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic moving from AC Milan to PSG}
  {Johan Djourou moving on loan from Arsenal to Hamburger SV}
  {Kaka moving from Real Madrid to AC Milan, on a free transfer}
  To balance their winning potential in at least 3 leagues from the big 5.’

  That is an interesting theory: sponsors helping to move players around in order to finish across Europe as high as possible…. As 17 would say inneresting! 🙂

• Nice, very interesting reading JM. This certainly brings a new angle on things.

• JM – Far from overflow, it is a continued masterpiece of research that you have shown in all your comments to date. Top marks 😀

  However, in your reply to AFC, i do think agents can undermine this broad basis of your links, Like you say, agents go fro the best deal they can get. May be more for themselves than the players they represent? If a club is willing to pay an agent a big chunk of money on top of the fee to the selling club, will the agent tell his client what he has negotiated for himself before they sign contracts? Although these individual payments are not usually revealed, in the financial statements we are always amazed at the millions of £’s that goes out of the club to pay agents. Which, said agents may also get a top up from the ‘brands’ if interests happen to coincide? Agent power is a major problem, but nobody is willing to tackle it because the movement of players is generating movement of money within in the game. Perhaps before any sale is ratified, the full details of agents ‘take’ on any deal should be published, giving time for both the player and the club time to rethink, if there is any conflict of interest? This might save us from being further at the mercy of these people*?
  * i was going to use another word, but let’s keep it polite, eh : 😉

  It would be insulting to you if I were to suggest, by the breadth of your detail, that almost any transfer could be linked by a sponsor, whether that be personal via image rights, sponsorship etc, or their club links, but that would be too simplistic. It is clear that these companies have a vested interest in keeping high profile players within their ‘control’, for lack of a better word. How far they go to see that through, may not always be in the clubs that they sponsor interest. Let me give an example:

  Suppose Puma were to offer an inducement to Suarez to sign for Arsenal in January by paying a contribution towards his wages? They get a high profile player on their books, but, and it is a speculative ‘but’, suppose it it in their minds to get the player on to RM in the next TW, who might be in need of a striker by then, but are still suffering from their overpayment for Bale in January? If they leave it until summer, Liverpool may well have qualified for the CL, and Suarez a large reason for doing so. In which case his price will rocket?
  The agent won’t complain(or necessarily make his client aware that that is the long term aim?), as he is going to get a double dip into the money pot.

  What I am really saying is, and tied to TA’s link(on Puma), that self interest is what drives these companies, and clubs have to be alive to all possibilities. From Waffen SS to present day human rights issues, Puma are not exactly shining lights in terms of being ‘honourable’.
  If it is in their business interest to do something they will do it. Clearly the big deal with Arsenal is in their interest. To help make us a top club is in their interest. To get as many top players to the club is also in their interest. But, they would prefer to bring in names from out of their zone, rather than weaken one of their other clients? That appears to be the case at RM, but RM might get Suarez as a by product, and they also have brought in an ‘outsider’ in the shape of Bale? So far so good. Reus for Eisfeld … do they need a sweetener if the bid is high enough? Or to put it another way, would they not prefer to draw somebody away from a rival, e.g Mata?

  Just on that point, yesterday’s German game featured a lot of intuitive play between the ‘Big O’ and Reus … it was Reus that received the late tackle that got Ozil riled up, and went forehead to forehead with the perpetrator … They are clearly big buddies!
  Next summer, eh?

• AFC – If I can interbut on your discus with HT17

  As you know I had to explain my comment to yourself when I commented ‘most agree that Ozil will play behind the striker, and I can see him fitting into a 4-4-1-1 role’

  I then, in my reply to you, that with several variations in the line ups that Ozil could play …. but essentially sticking to the point that he is always behind the striker.

  So I can see why you have gone at length to free yourself from the constraint of abbreviation. The Bendtner later addition is an excellent point too.

  However, I can also see where HT is seeing, and it is not necessarily just yourself who do write in what comes across as though it is the norm. Just a quick example( again not necessarily from yourself):

  I cannot count the amount of times I despair at a statement that goes
  Santi is best played out on the LW (or variations thereof)
  My inner response is IHF! if you get my meaning?

  His best position is roaming, whatever his notional position on paper is called. But it is the authority with which is made that is makes it sound like there is no other possibility? To be fair, some do add, ‘leaving Santi to come inside’. Personally I think his best game was when he was ‘notionally’ the CAM, but wandered left and right according to where he could find space to work in, and so dropped the ‘C’.

  In other words, style of writing, and the way things are said, don’t often come across the way the writer intends. I clearly get up people’s noses sometimes, to get the label ‘pompous and obnoxious 😀 …. I am still waiting for the glic version of the ‘smiley’ rubbing his nose with two fingers TA 😆 😆

• Looks like you’re onto something JM! If this article in the Telegraph is anything to go by, then Reus, Gundogan and Abel Hernandez are already in Wenger’s sights:

  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10292651/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-sets-his-sights-on-German-targets-for-future-Emirates-signings.html

• Gerry – just picture it! 😀

  Santi’s best role is out of the spine, as he needs, and thrives, in freedom/space to play at his saintly’s best.

• What many don’t realise enough is that JM has the sort of brain, and interest, that sees pictures and links that not many other Gooners will see. I am sure it is not easy for him to explain it in a cohesive, evidence-based way, but that does not mean he is not on to something; and today’s post is a very fine effort to show the potential links and subsequent possibilities.

  I have learned a few things from today’s post and for that I thank you, JM. 🙂

• @ jgc September 7, 2013 07:30

  The impact of these links (building network of sponsors) can be either a boon or a bane to the clubs involved, depending on the right/wrong choices of sponsors that the clubs make.
  The sponsoring company’s public image, business practices, reputation in environmental, human-rights concerns etc, type of industry (e.g. money-lending, gambling/betting, breweries etc) can have an effect on the clubs. (This is not to dispute on rights and wrongs of the company). The relationship works both ways between clubs and sponsors.

  Question on:
  “What do you think the role of image and sponsorship rights plays in making a transfer between, say two emirates branded, clubs easier? Ie was Ozil deal easier in some measure because he goes from Emirates to Emirates and thus only other image rights might need be renegotiated? Or is it more complex as top stars have some or all of their own rights, depending on deal, and club responsibilities too?

  Ie simply does it help grease the wheels or make no difference?”

  There are many layers for successful transfer to go through. There is the clubs, the agent(s), the player, the money involved.

  Arsenal paid Real Madrid for Mesut Oezil and some, if not all, of the money involved comes from the sponsorship of Emirates. So Emirates is indirectly re-investing into Real Madrid from the money given by Arsenal, while at the same time giving a lucrative sponsorship deal to Real Madrid. Real Madrid receives €30 million per year, and the deal runs until the end of the 2017-18 season.

  The agent/agency involved is Oezil International Sportmanagement GmbH, where Mustafa Oezil is Mesut’s father as well as his agent. This is straight forward then, as long as both father and player are agreeable with the contract from Arsenal.

  There is also no disputation for Mesut Oezil, as a practicing Muslim, wearing the club’s jersey bearing “Fly Emirates” of UAE, in front (unlike that of Wonga or Interwetten etc).

  The top stars (Messi, C.Ronaldo, Iniesta, Falcao, Cavani, Rooney, Neymar etc) will of course have more complicated image rights and the extras(appearance money, relocation money, percentage of sign-on fee, match bonuses, goal and assist bonuses, club and individual award bonuses etc), in their package, beyond their basic salary, written in their contracts.

  There is also the deals that clubs have to settle with agents/agency and third party ownerships, especially if the player is the “prized asset” for them. Ultimately, the people involved will play to the right tune which helps to benefit their business network in a longer run.

• @ TotalArsenal September 7, 2013 08:14

  The money (some if not all of it) that changes hand actually comes from the same sponsor, when those players move from one club to another.

  Of course, that is the first layer of contact between clubs in negotiations to agree on the fee, which are followed by working out with the player and his agent(s)/agency.

  Ultimately, sponsors (or the lack of) can either help or deter players from joining clubs.

• @ Alcide September 7, 2013 08:18

  Thank you for your comment. This post is only touching on the surface of sponsorship deals(commercial dealings) and their effect on the clubs, their transfer dealings etc.

• Excellent informative post. The thought of Reus or Veratti or El Sharaawy or most of this players lining up for Arsenal is mouth watering. 🙂

• Love the way your brain ticks JM, fantastic post and great follow up comments which have explained things even further eg. major sponsor will secure the funds for a transfer and, in turn, invest back into their own brand.

  Your very clever and always on the ball. A real asset to this site. Thanks again 🙂

  Hi Total, how you doing? Your vet bills must be through the roof 😦 or do you have pet insurance? Great post on the flamster. I love the bloke and always have. How can you not with Oz waxing lyrical on him all the time and always giving him a mention 🙂 I think his signing is underrated. If Wenger says he is good to go (fitness wise) than i expect big big things. I expect a bull terrior to shadow Ozils’ every move, the way he used to for our Cesc. Matty has a certain arrogance about him, but he holds an element of class, an aura, a Presence!! ala Cantona. Should he stay fit, he could be key to not just competing, but getting us over the friggin’ line. One problem, Ramsey is undroppable atm. No matter what combination Wenger plays, in this form, Ramsey is first name on the sheet. This new look Total football Arsenal team is ticking because of Ramseys heartbeat. His clips in the last few games, if put on youtube, would make Lars Bender look second best. Im telling ya, Pirlo in the making, but im CERTAIN that Matee Flaminee will own his position in the starting 11 by seasons end. No doubt!

  Off to the predictions page…………………….

• This yellow background is cool.

  #NO, to black and green.

• TA@9.37 – Touche, mon brav!

• All

  Some comments…

  Gerry: I think that sponsors may well add dosh to get a top player to a club as it adds to their stable… Thus, help getting an Adidas player to Puma, Suarez was your example I think? Within budgets, but in marketing the goal is to be able to say, the best players, play for the best teams, who play with our gear… That said, I am not sure they care within their stable, thus the further move to RM might not fly..

  Ie beyond good players at their good clubs, who are hopefully doing good things and attracting positive attention, I don’t think they care who wins, and thus the lesser sponsorship of multiple teams in a league

  AFC, 17ht, Gerry: there is an old line in CS for what Gerry is saying… Text doesn’t translate feeling very well, if at all…

  Even with smileys… 🙂 .. It goes in in the line of … So, if it means something to you mad you want it to mean something to the other person, best to just se the organic processor (ie say it dont type it)

  TA, AFC: re CBs I think it is fairer to say they have to have the same skills, but are not often used the same way.. Per doesn’t dribble much because he’s a first distributor or passed by in returning the ball to l,ay. That doesn’t mean he cannot, we’ve seen it. Just that he does it less …

  Equally, speed is over rated vs positioning. It’s better not to need to be fast, and even better to be fast of accidents happen. Speed (and height) defines your prototypical outside back (Gibbs a great example) or one of them..

  Finally, I don’t think you get rid of the need for a DM you just clog the middle so they are less evident, they or that role are still ere, just used, seen or relied on less by now one plays. You could do the same with CB but no one wants THAT many players always floating around the back!

  Just some quick pence — jgc

• GhanaGunner ,

  those articles you’re reading now in the tabloids came after JM’s article, he had written this one least 4 days prior and then there was another piece similar to this, many months ago.

  his research is unique and un-paralleled in the world of blogging , he does put it a lot of effort and hard work into it and it’s very much appreciated by many including me !

  he’s also brilliant at scouting players 😉

  great work as usual @ JM

  certainly what you have written and implied, has it’s worth in gold, thoroughly enjoyable and informative

  unfortunately , i don’t have any counter questions or arguments for you 🙂

• AFC,

  i know, you feel strongly about having a proper DM as do many people, but i reckon the “DM” is a dying trait and in a few years down the line or maybe slightly long, you will have more technically adapt and ball playing players in front of the back 4 – as opposed to a proper DM – that’s just what “The Visionary” sees and he has spoken 😉

  i was looking forward to both you and 17HT go head to head with a constructive exchange of messages, hell, i even had popcorn on the go but sadly, 17HT took the wiser route out ahahahahahhahahahahahahahahaha

  there’s always a next time – as always !

• JB – On your betting discus with PG last night, I have to say yours strategy is the more like to show a profit in the long run. Not to say PG line of looking for ‘value’ in odds is a wrong one, e.g. the 40/1 Gerv. for somebody with his ability it is always possible he might score sometime … but taking odds on the first goal scorer, not for me.

  Why do all the bookies spend so much advertising first/next goal sorer? Because they are offering ridiculously short odds. In any match there are at least 5 players on each side that might score, apart from freaky, once in a lifetime, ones. Then add in the almost impossible to quantify possibility of there being no further score – they clean up on every 0-0 score line. And whilst these are not always equal chances of scoring, like RVJ v Soldado, they are alternatives, so unless you get odds of around 11/1 the favourite/most capable, and upwards the rest, you will lose in the long run. What odds do they offer in these adverts? 5/1 or 6/1 … and they make it sound like they are being generous!

  Point made, I think?

• Hi Prince 🙂

  Henry is insured, but that does not necessarily mean he is covered…. we should find out soon. The cost of removing cataracts in one eye…… an eye watering £2500.. 😦

  No surprise in you looking at the Flamer the same as I do and all agreed. 🙂

• Cheers JM 🙂

  Gerry 😉

• points well made and put across, Gerry

  i stick to what i’ve learnt over the years, the slow and steady approach works better for me, mind you, i’m not hardcore when it comes to betting either, i choose my moments – sadly, horse racing is the one territory – i’m an utter alien to, but that is one with higher returns for someone with a good eye and decent knowledge.

  the key for me is to not get “Greedy” and still take it as a bit of fun –

  coming back to the games last night, fortunately no injuries yet, let’s hope it all goes well on tuesday as well

  i wrongly said that Spain only play friday and not on tuesday, it was partially correct, as they don’t play a WC qualifier but they do play a friendly on tuesday (don’t understand the logic behind that)

• also @ TA

  sorry to hear about Henry, poor fella

  just keep the treats going 🙂 he’ll be a happy bunny (or doggy).

• jgc, JB 🙂

  Agreed on the role developing and yet there will always be a need for midfielders who cannot only read and anticipate, but also clean up and enforce (especially tackle). For me (and Wigan Gooner) it was most obvious when we saw Arsenal play Wigan away. Wigan flooded the midfield and were more physical than us, and were also able to pass the ball round really well, and we did not really have an answer. A midfield enforcer who wins the ball back a lot more and turn defence into attack in no time, would have made a huge difference.

  I think it was 17HT who wrote that Flamini would mainly play against the physical teams, but not against the top five. I agree with the former but not with the latter. Our UMF will be needed against the top teams more than in any other games imo.

• Thanks JB at lot of Treats Love and Care will get us there! 😉

• There is a very fine post waiting by Umair – BK’s very own Gooner from Pakistan. As he is five hours ahead of our time, I will post it tomorrow morning so he can take part in the blogging.

  Shall we do a prediction post in the evening? Say Gooner if you like it or Gonner if you don’t hahaha. 🙂

  Out for a few hours now.

• do it please, but be a tad more creative with the title, so we get hits from non-arsenal fans

  like Man utd to finish 5th, Tottenham to Finish 8th, Liverpool to finish 4th

  i hope you get the drift 😉

  course in the post, you can blame me for all the silly and outrageous predictions for the title, i’m willing to take them all on ahahhahahahahaahahahahaah

• TA – Wow that is a lot for Henry’s eye treatment. Presume the insurance will cover up to a limit?

  However, and this suggestion is for a lot further down the line, so don’t think I am fearing the worst… but, should the vet’s advise that treatment may not be suitable/advisable, then can I make this plea early ….. Go to you nearest rescue centre, look for a dog past puppy stage, but placid in temperament. Bring it her(stress female, although a neutered male with the right type temperament would be okay) home. Introduce them after a good exercise walk. Place a a bell on the new dogs collar so Henry will always no where she/he is … and you will not have to worry ever again about his quality of life from there on. Dogs love dog companionship, and I should know? The most common comment I get from people about mine is how happy they are.

  I am planting this possibility early, to give you a possible alternative. Yes, you do double up the cost on some things, although food is cheaper in bulk. You also get twice the pleasure and satisfaction in the process.

  I hope it does not come to that point naturally, but dogs, like most animals, prefer a life to the alternative …

• @ Gerry September 7, 2013 08:40

  First part: A little part on agents

  The agent(s)/agencies do work out their sums well – in that there are not in the top of the money chain. They may represent top footballers and managers and seek out the best deals in terms of remuneration for themselves as well as their clients. They earn their income from the transfer dealings and whatever extras given to them that were negotiated in their client’s contract, that were paid by the buying clubs, which were in turn the monies invested by the sponsors (be it from outside or direct owner) to the club.

  This is not the end of things, it is the beginning of their partnership with the buying club and other relevant parties (sponsors) involved.

  The smarter agents want a continuous income that can be generated from their clients throughout their client’s contractual stay with the club. This includes the commercial income received when the player dons a club’s kit, do promotions for the club’s shirt sponsor etc. They get their monies indirectly from the sponsors through their clients.

  In the period of inactivity for 3-5 years, the agent/agency may find their need to re-negotiate a new contract for his client. (If the sponsors have been pouring big money into the club, the better).

  In simple terms, agents/agencies want big money; big money comes from big clubs with big resources; big resources are invested by big sponsors to big clubs.
  At the top of the money chain are the big sponsors. The equation = get big sponsors to invest in big club with big resources which pays big money to players and brings agents/agencies (and top players) to want to be associated with the big clubs.

  Players have also been known to be able to break ties from their current agent(s)/agencies and join another to enhance their marketability in terms of getting lucrative personal sponsorships (which is another topic altogether), while remaining associated with the club and indirectly the club’s sponsors.

  The agents/agencies would want to be associated with: Arsenal (with Emirates and Puma), Chelsea (with Samsung and Adidas), Man City (with Etihad Airways and Nike), Man United (with Aon and Nike), even Tottenham (with HP as their league sponsors and AIA as their domestic and continental cups sponsors) and Liverpool (with Standard Chartered). These 6 clubs in EL are involved in the big money transfers this season.

  Second part:

  The top of the money chain are the sponsors (be it from outside of club or the direct owner). The domestic and global TV rights are also a form of sponsorship to the EL clubs (that is more than £5 billion in total). Barcelona and Real Madrid command the bigger share of the TV rights in La Liga.

  Quote on
  “It would be insulting to you if I were to suggest, by the breadth of your detail, that almost any transfer could be linked by a sponsor, whether that be personal via image rights, sponsorship etc, or their club links, but that would be too simplistic.” … not at all, that is the way most transfers are linked to a sponsor, directly or indirectly. At the end of the day, the salary and extras paid to the player is from his club (which generates its own income but the majority of its money will come from its sponsors – TV rights, direct owners, outside companies and whatsoever). The money do not fall from the sky or grow from a tree for the player to pick it up.

  Quote on
  “It is clear that these companies have a vested interest in keeping high profile players within their ‘control’, for lack of a better word. How far they go to see that through, may not always be in the clubs that they sponsor interest”.

  The big and profit-making companies want to be associated with successful clubs. Arsenal FC is a successful club in their sponsors’ views. Their 16th consecutive appearances in the CL proper are good enough for Emirates. Why? The CL is the glamour club competition in Europe, top clubs want to get involved in them, which also speaks for big sponsors investing in these top clubs. The returns from the advertisements, live broadcasts of the top clubs playing help generate revenue to these sponsors: their branding is expanded internationally. (And there is again that BIG wording on the front of the club jerseys that promotes the shirt sponsor whenever the club plays in the continent).

  Emirates airlines fly into the many airports in Europe (London, Heathrow Airport; Paris, Charles de Gaulle; Madrid, Barajas Airport; Milan, Malpensa Airport; Hamburg, Hamburg-Fuhlsbuettel Airport – where the 5 clubs associated with them are based, and many more) and are growing exponentially globally.

  As long as this streak continues, Emirates’ interest in further and better investments to our club will continue, while they are at the same time giving sponsorships to AC Milan, PSG, Real Madrid etc.
  (The Emirates Stadium is here in Islington, North London, England and is the home of Arsenal FC)

  Quote on
  “Suppose Puma were to offer an inducement to Suarez to sign for Arsenal in January by paying a contribution towards his wages? They get a high profile player on their books, but, and it is a speculative ‘but’, suppose it it in their minds to get the player on to RM in the next TW, who might be in need of a striker by then, but are still suffering from their overpayment for Bale in January? If they leave it until summer, Liverpool may well have qualified for the CL, and Suarez a large reason for doing so. In which case his price will rocket?
  The agent won’t complain(or necessarily make his client aware that that is the long term aim?), as he is going to get a double dip into the money pot.”

  If Puma were to assist indirectly for the acquisition of Luis Suarez to Arsenal, they would never wait for Real Madrid to come in as they are sponsored by Adidas (their direct rival in Germany).
  In any case, Puma’s involvement with us are likely to start only in the next season when their sponsorship deal kicks in. The would-be-or-not Luis Suarez deal will have to come between Arsenal and Liverpool if in January, how the standing of each club shall be in all competitions.

  Third part:

  Quote on
  “What I am really saying is, and tied to TA’s link(on Puma), that self interest is what drives these companies, and clubs have to be alive to all possibilities. From Waffen SS to present day human rights issues, Puma are not exactly shining lights in terms of being ‘honourable’.
  If it is in their business interest to do something they will do it. Clearly the big deal with Arsenal is in their interest. To help make us a top club is in their interest. To get as many top players to the club is also in their interest.”

  Neither are Adidas and Nike regarding human rights concerns. Hopefully, the positives generated from the partnership between club and company will help to bring about a brighter and better image for both parties, leading to a win-win scenario.

  Our major sponsor is Emirates while Puma is only the secondary sponsor. In terms of image projection, what Emirates (Fly Emirates airline) stands for will effect indirectly to our club more.

  Quote on
  “But, they would prefer to bring in names from out of their zone, rather than weaken one of their other clients? That appears to be the case at RM, but RM might get Suarez as a by product, and they also have brought in an ‘outsider’ in the shape of Bale? So far so good. Reus for Eisfeld … do they need a sweetener if the bid is high enough? Or to put it another way, would they not prefer to draw somebody away from a rival, e.g Mata?”

  That depends on the situation. With Real Madrid, they have a loss of -£59million in transfer dealings this season. That includes what Arsenal paid from £42.5 to £44million for Oezil (with some Emirates funded money). However, with the TV rights deal of some £100miilion to £150million annually and together with Emirates sponsorship of £25million annually, they will get by for this season. Without Arsenal’s acquisition of Oezil and Emirates’ “soft intervention”, Real Madrid may be hard pressed to fund all of Bale’s £88million transfer fees, excluding wages and extras.

  Is Luis Suarez a Galactico material for Real Madrid’s ambition? Or is Julian Draxler a better prospect next, with the recommendation from the legendary Raul Gonzalez? Or tempting Sergio Aguero from Man City instead (Emirates putting one over Etihad)? Or getting a good look at Stephan El Shaarawy from AC Milan (another Emirates sponsored club)?

  Dortmund lost Goetze (their previous AM playmaker) to Bayern. They signed Mkhitaryan as a replacement. Mata is only 1 year older than him. Eisfeld has been cited by many as the next Mario Goetze and is only 21yrs next season. He is previously from Dortmund. The could-be Eisfeld + package for Reus would work well for both clubs and Puma SE. (that is if Arsenal identifies their next marquee quality signing to be the said target)

  PS: This is a very very very long reply to Gerry and I hope it explains most if not all of the queries.

• @ Dylan September 7, 2013 11:56

  Thanks for your reply. This is the beginning for our club to stretch their muscles if they play their cards right.

  @ Prince September 7, 2013 12:02

  Thanks for the kind comments, I may be on and off (and not often on the ball when I am not online).

  @ TotalArsenal,

  One freaking long reply to Gerry is awaiting moderation, if you see this. (Should appear dated and timed, September 7, 2013 14:34)

• Afternoon BK Brown Spot Burglars 😆

  Fcuk Totes !, that’s a lot of money !, it will be cheaper for Henry to put you on a lead and train you as a Guide Man !. First you will have to be trained not to chase after the first bit of pussy you see walking down the street !.

  Top stuff as usual Gentleman JiM !.

  I like the thought of a Puma (Pussy) on our shirt !. Beats Spuds having Dog Turd.com on theirs !.

  So you fcukers were ganging up on me because I wasn`t Flamini Felatioing like the rest of spunk dribblers !. hahaha
  It`s good that I am the only one with principles and can remember the traitor leaving us for AC/DC Milan !. What next, you lot welcoming back ” Brain Over Penis ” with open mouths if he wants to come back !. hahaha

  Bring it on BK Barstardildos !. I`m mad enough to take you all on….you`ll have to get over my legion of Lesbanians before you get to me !.

  And don’t think I`m scared of our two Mad Maori Kiwi Fruits ( I`m sure Professor Geoff is a Professor of hallucinating drugs !. Don’t` get me wrong, I love Fuzzled Brain…..sorry Fozzy B, but he is either madder than me or Prof Geoffers is supplying him ! ).
  My tattoed todger is only the tip of the iceberg compared to them two !. Them two have provided me with the funniest thing I`ve ever seen in my two hours since finishing work today !. I have seen them two practicing a Broke Back Hampton Haka !. They have tattoed their cocks with some Maori tribal shit and their cocks started pulling faces ( Gurning like), spitting and chanting some Haka unintelligible crap and moving towards me….fcuking mad, but I stood my ground !………………..I have had 4 Red Bulls today, so some of this may be questionable !. hahaha

• @ GhanaGunner September 7, 2013 09:29

  That is for January window or next summer 2014. Now, we support our players at our club in their quest for victory and glory in the domestic and continental competitions.

• JM – What on earth did you write about me? 😆

  It’ll get through at some point, but TA did say he was going out for a few hours, so probably this evening? I can wait.
  Cheers

• @ James Bond September 7, 2013 13:31

  Thanks for your reply. Keep your sources in wraps until the next window opens. (or even further down the road in summer 2014).

  The monster deal that Man United signed with Chevrolet kicks off in 2014/2015 season. They will receive a whopping $70milion (£44.75million) in return for carrying the Chevrolet logo on their shirts, with the amount paid rising by 2.1 per cent in each following season until 2020-2021. (Total: around £357million in all).

• @ Glic September 7, 2013 14:41

  Thanks for your reply. You bring an unique atmosphere to the blog.

• I seem to recall someone got the chop at Chevrolet for making that deal at the height of the recession? They were not happy at all?

• @ Gerry September 7, 2013 14:52

  Nothing about you, only on your comments.

  My perspective on things, may or not go with the general opinions.

  I am off, it is late in my zone currently.

• JM @15.01 – Yes so unique, we’re practically in the porno listings 😀

• JM,

  that’s nothing that Chevrolet deal,

  the real cream is the “Nike” one, estimated to be worth a whopping 1 Billion or there about’s.

  but yes, when you look at such deals, then you can see that only a numpty can fail as a manager in the transfer window aka Moyes.

• @ Gerry September 7, 2013 15:03

  Chevrolet’s parent company, General Motors’ global marketing chief Joel Ewanick got fired. The deal is still on.

• Hey guys…Sorry if I disappointed the popcorn eating types by not going head to head with AFC yesterday…The smoke was in and I had a lot of (non-computer) work to do…In the end I couldn’t do much of anything due to headaches, and certainly I wasn’t up for a fight. I think Gerry put it well. Sometimes I overreact to the notion of positioning arguments that SEEM to be wedging players into “team sheet” positions when clearly (i.e., Santi…) they have a freer role. Football is a dynamic game, obviously, and the language use to describe it is difficult…

  Onto JM’s post… Another great example of the different lens through which different observers see the game. This is the fascinating thing. The game is evolving in a way that makes the North American sports and their profit sharing and (faux) “competitive” structures so boring by comparison. There’s still beauty (in the eye of the beholder, of course) but I only have eyes for the footy these days…Again Gerry makes a good point: If sponsorship and image rights can grease the wheels for certain clubs, the real coup is bringing new assets (players) into the fold with the Suarez example being a great one. Maybe if he plays well and gets no reds (nor yellows for diving…) he could move our way in January to help us win the CL before getting his dream move to Madrid in the Summer… 😆 I think the odds of that happening are less than astrophysicists discovering a new planet that happened to be hiding behind all the others as they lined up…Too bad Glic went for the toothmark tats on the todger… (I know, I know, those are REAL toothmarks… 😆 )

  JM, where are you based? Some of the tidbits you dropped during the transfer window were great. I loved the tagline you used but I’m not sure I remember it perfectly…Something like “Now you know, because JM told you”…Excellent. Also, I love the way this post, which was a little strange to me during yesterday’s headaches (and long posts from AFC) is evolving with each answer to the comments. Keep it up, mi hermano. Also, I noticed you posting a link in Spanish (regarding Benzema). Do you speak that language? Big match yesterday en el mundo hispanico with (low-lying) Honduras beating Mexico at Azteca… Mexican manager fired this morning and the new one had better bring back Carlitos Vela if they want to make the WC (and have a decent showing in Brazil). Big match Tuesday against the US who also lost in Costa Rica…

  Finally, a general comment to follow up on Geoff’s (JGC) about football blogging–What’s very nice about this site is the inclusiveness, that Total gets many of us actually writing posts, and that people really (mostly) seem to read each others comments. People watch football in VERY different ways, some at the stadium, some on the telly (at home and in the pub…), and on internet streams. Some follow Arsenal religiously while others spread their (always limited) time watching other clubs. Still others go in for highlight packages and you-tubes. Info also comes from stats and from gaming. Players stock can go up and down in the fantasy leagues (and, I would guess…) on the interactive games and those things (seem to…) reflect reality. There’s no one way which is inherently better or worse for following the game though everybody (probably, I would imagine…) is pretty keen on their own method… We make (often bold) statements, with our own vocabularies, predicated on our individual set of inputs which may be VERY different from one another. Sometimes things people say sound pretty strange and rather than ask for explanation and work towards understanding (as one might if it were face to face…) the tendency is towards being a keyboard warrior (aka confrontational a**hole…) In other words trying to clear things up takes space AND the indulgence of other readers…

  On that note, I think I’ve reached the end of my space/indulgence, at least for this comment…

  Cheers! 😀

• @ James Bond September 7, 2013 15:09

  The timeline set was before 31st July 2013 for Nike to sign up for a new deal (alleged £1 Billion). There have been no news? on Nike confirming that deal, while Man City’s signed their new kit deal with Nike starting this season.

  Guess the people at Nike do not want to be held ransom and look stupid, or they might be looking to sack their CEO and CFO should the deal go ahead with Man. United.

  Man. United are looking for other options for their kit deal.

• TA,
  That History of how Puma and Adidas was very interesting . Thanks for that i see why you would call yourself TOAR now i suppose i would be PRGO lol
  By the way lads the Westbrom v AFC away goes on general sale on the 9th the capital cup, just thought some of you might be interested, i think i am going to try and get tickets for that 1.

• the match is on the 25th Sep

• @17highburyterrace September 7, 2013 15:14

  Even though I have written this post, for us, normal folk, it is mostly too much to digest beyond the footballing side of our club. I prefer the simplicity of watching a football match and leaving the business side to the “men in suits”.

  JM remains (undefined), and is fine with the status quo.

  This link in Spanish?
  http://vozpopuli.com/deportes/31049-ancelotti-intento-colocar-a-benzema-en-el-arsenal-para-traer-otro-delantero-mas-de-su-gusto

  I do not read Spanish, though I think it is something related to transfer dealings between Arsenal and Real Madrid (the names mentioned Oezil, di Maria, Benzema) and inputs from Ancelotti and Arsene Wenger mentioned, with also some stuff on Luis Suarez. Seems to me we got Oezil but rejected Benzema and di Maria for some reasons only known to our manager and our club’s management.

• JM,
  You clearly know a lot more about this stuff then myself, i find it all interesting though.
  I am happy to trust you and the board if you say this deal is very good for the club and that goes further then just the amount of money they gave as at first.
  It defo sound right that Nike were more interested in supporting United then our club ovr the last few years.
  I look forward to a fresh eye on our kit etc. Puma is also clearly a football loving sports brand.

• Well done, JM…If it’s late in your time zone I gotta figure you’re in Asia (or Oz…) but if you want to keep your location under wraps, that’s OK by me… 😉

  Trying to decipher the economics or the business end of things is both fascinating and endlessly frustrating. There’s so much information and mis-information that it’s almost impossible. Still, the laws of supply and demand and big boys pushing little ones around seem (italics) to hold fast. Lots of exceptions to any “rule” which anybody might put out there…

  My Spanish is far from perfect and there’s a ton of difference between the implications of many words in Spanish from Spain and new world (or the Mexican) Spanish I learned when I was younger…Certainly it seems that we injected our cash into a merry go round involving Bale (and Suarez) and Real Madrid. While it would seem, with injuries to Ox and Lu-lu, and “only” Giroud up top, that our immediate need was a winger and/or a forward (Di Maria and Benzema respectively) we have really suffered in the chance-making area since Cesc left. As such, when the wheels started turning, Ozil became the best option. That he was “hurt” by statements coming from Ancelloti (and encouraged by conversations with AW…) seems to have worked for crafting the final deal…

  Overall, call me chuffed with the (big) signing…I’d prefer to move onto talk about our (current) squad and the matches immediately ahead, but I understand that big picture talk–esp. if it includes future signings–tickles other folks…

  Which brings up another point…Is the game itself too boring to persist w/o the excitement of player movement, transfer windows, etc.?

  Just asking?… 😆 😉

• AFC,

  fair enough that you didn’t watch the game , however , don’t you think that without watching the game, being overly critical of some players is not very wise ? especially Lambert and young Ross ?

  i have already conceded and agreed , re- Milner – but you see, players like Milner are ideal in a 4-4-2 not so much when the manager is playing the arsenal way or least trying to do so in a 4-3-3.

  in international football, you get a lot of joy out of a 4-5-1 , but for that we lack the right people, hence , Milner gives them the 4-4-2 dynamic but anyhow , he lacks the flair for me

  JM,

  yes, that’s true, however, there are a lot of complications involved in that deal and as you have mentioned that they have done one with Man City, yet the Arsenal one, they didn’t renew – hence was already planned in advance is my take.

  the Nike deal with Mancs is still on according to my understanding and they haven’t fully poured the cold water on it, especially with a very realistic chance of Ronaldo coming back to Man utd next year.

• I can understand some fans thinking all this is what Arsenal board has done to the fans, made us financial suits- stereo type. But is is very important to a club like ours, a big club that competes with the big clubs.
  Some fans may have no interest at all, i personally do. I take on TA’s response and say JM taught me something so thanks for that. If we want the likes of Ozil the club need to stay on the top of there game on the pitch and off it.

• Thanks, for the replies JM and TA. 🙂

  Gerry & JGC, you guys are right. That is probably one of the bad things about blogging. You cannot always get what your trying to say across the another blogger or understand the message which other bloggers are trying yo get across.

• Bond, Did you read my long one?…

  I was trying to say that people seem to judge football (and players) in all kinds of ways…In other words, actually watching matches (and I watched the England match, which probably didn’t help my headaches…) is over-rated… 😆 😉 Still, if you didn’t watch the match what was so bad about 4-nil?… I guess losing Welbeck to suspension doesn’t help. Possible miracle recovery coming for Sturridge? IMO Ricky Lambert did fine and (his sort) would be a pretty nice stand in (at our club) for Giroud, the sort of signing we could’ve used at the deadline…a better bet than counting on Bendtner getting his fitness (physical and mental) together, for example…

  Uh oh, there I go, courting controvery, conflict, etc… 😀

  Also, I love you, my saucy friend, but I’m working on a new avatar….Cheers for all the hand-holding during the time of terror…but I’ve got to get behind my favorite…

• JB, I saw Lambert against Scotland and numerous times in the EPL and he just looks like your average number 9. Nothing special but I hope I can be proved wrong.

  Same with young Ross I guess. Yet another young English lad with potential. Remember how many times we have fooled by that one. 😉

  I watched Milner God knows how many times I just cannot see why he is so special to the England set up. He is good at crossing (but so is Young and many other England players) and he has good work rate but apart from that I see nothing.
  He just seems to be ineffective when it comes to attacking and wingers are supposed to attack. I say all work and no end product. 😀

• Thanks JiMbo, I`ll take that as a compliment !. hahaha

  How dare you Gerry !. I call it more Saucy Seaside Postcard stuff !.
  Anyway, in other BK news…..Total is away preparing for the BK Christmas Porntomime !…..it`s a toss up between …….Snow White and the 7 inches !, ( in which VCC plays Snow White and Total plays the 7 inches ) Cat Whittington and his dick !. ( where VCC plays the pussy and again Total plays the 7 inches ) or Pornochio !. ( where Totals klompendildo just keeps growing whilst watching Tony Woodcocks Arsenal goals, saying he could have done better ! )

• JB, is Ross in the England under 21 team?

  The FA are harming themselves by not letting the most promising under 21 players play in the under 21s. That will need to change and I just do not get why things are that way.

  Re- Lambert I would rather we give a young target man who can be developed are has the potetial to be top quality a chance.

• GLiC. ;-D

• 😉

• :-O 😀

• AFC, are we good?

  If you make bold comments w/o watching (which are fine…) while (whilst?) others are watching and commenting on what we’re seeing (together) you’re bound to come in for a bit of stick… 😉 Overall, you seem like you can take it and (to your great credit) you seem open to changing your tune…Sometimes your initial statements, however, seem awfully strong or bold or polemic. Now that I know you better, all is fine with me… Just a word of warning, maybe… IMO it’s important to remember that if somebody is taking the time/energy/effort to write something (and hitting the “post comment” icon) they (most likely) are pretty attached to what they’ve said…

  On that note, re: comments on NB52 (way above)…We’ll just have to wait and see…My impressions are from his days at Arsenal (and at the 2010 WC and 2012 Euros), but it sounds like you’ve watched him in more recent Int’ls, whereas I haven’t…

  Back to Arsenal and the business side of things…My new avatar suggests what I feel is our most important piece of new business. Give him a (generous) ting to sign!!!

• how dare you @ 17HT

  just because of you doing what you just did with your avatar, i refuse to read your long post of earlier, i was still catching up on last nights comments but how could you do that to me 😦

  coming out of sulking mode – yes, i have just read it now, you make a lot of sense and i do mostly agree with you – however, i don’t agree with that excuse of a headache and all that hoopla – i was anticipating a show last night or today – the Popcorn can wait as i know it’s only a matter of time before the fireworks (HH) puts on a show 😀

  agreed – Lambert , i did say he was our own Giroud playing for England earlier, not sure when and don’t ask me when because my memory seems to be going from bad to worse (conveniently as well, sometimes).

  i know, you love all the transfer talk and it keeps you motivated and going – give it another 10 weeks, it will be back with a bang – until then , i’ll give you something to ponder on

  we had a 100 million budget this summer, not 70 – out of that we basically spent around 30 million net….which means, we still got about 70 PLUS for January in June that shoots upto 100 PLUS

  in much simpler terms, we have room for 1-2 SQ in January and a further 1-2 in the summer = perfection

  a minimum of one SQ at least in January if not two very likely, with AW and co keeping a close eye on the world cup and seeing the future superstars put on a shower with added enforcement’s in the summer.

  however, between now till January – the contract extensions will be worked at – we have set ourselves for a very smooth take off, our jet is about to take off from under water .

  AFC,

  that’s more like it 🙂

  yeah, Milner i guess , has been rated highly through his youth days , hence you see, it’s more about his reputation as opposed to his current performances really – personally would have liked to have seen Townsend come on , instead of him but there you go

• ahahahahhahah @ Glics

  although, that was a good attempt at getting back at TA, but i still reckon you can do better 😀

• AFC,

  we have the world cup some months away, you honestly can’t be serious with getting a young target man in now and get him developed ?

  Rooney, Sturridge and co are ahead of Lambert in the pecking order, we all know that, don’t we ?

  if a lad is honest, passionate and wants to play for his country, puts on a show and delivers the goods, then why the hell not ?

  would i much rather have a misfiring Benzema , who hasn’t scored for an year and looks out of place in the national team as opposed to Rickie,who is scoring just for one, creating deliciously , drops back deep and works his socks off for his country – then it’s a no brainer for me really

• 17ht, we’re cool. 🙂

  Most of what goes on in football is subjective so we are going to disagree on a lot of things. Where would the fun be if we agreed on everything.

  17ht and JB, one of the other reasons why I will not watch England until the WC is because that is when I can truly see how far the team has become.

  From years of watching England we know we can win friendly games and qualifying matches but when we go into competition everything goes wrong.

  That is probably why I will not be convinced by players if they put in good performances prior to competitions. I want to see them do it against big teams when it really matter and be consistant at the top level.

• *Fun

• ha ha ha ha ha haaa the Dr Glic

• JB, would you rather have Carroll or Lambert?

  I would not really go for any target man in the England squad. I would go for Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck and Walcott as our main ST options. I know Walcott and Welbeck play out wide but I would rather we then moved one inside when needed playing the Ox on one of the wings.

  Then go for a lot of midfielders as they seem to be stronger than our wingers and there are more of them.

• JB, so Giroud is the first choice ST for France?

  I think I mentioned it before when we were linked to Benzema that at times he appear lazy and not interested. He will just do enough to win the match and nothing more. It seems he is not even doing that any more.

• ah, fair enough AFC

  but the thing is though, that even if you don’t watch it from a national interest at heart, you do it to follow your clubs players or to see some quality football…

  like yesterday, you had Ronaldo showing the world , why some consider him to be better than Messi – he single handedly won Portugal the game

  and then you had the likes of JW and Theo constantly trying to link up with each other and JW trying his through balls for TW (which didn’t come off as they normally do) but there was a lot of pace and entertainment in the first half of England, it was very Arsenalsque.

• Very nice, James… Cheers for all…

  If my head hadn’t been hurting I would’ve “live blogged” with you (and PG) during the England match…

  What’s inneresting about England is how many good players are now in the shadow squad at City…Where was Rodwell yesterday? Isn’t he the guy Everton (Moyes) let go to City because Barkley was ready to step up? Where was Gareth Barry? (who has gone the other direction…) What about Scott Sinclair. Did well at Swans, couldn’t get a match at City (and when he did, looked nervous as hell…) and now is on loan at WBA. My point, is that the hoarding of players on the huge money English teams is bad (really bad…) for the national squad… (Also, JB, I dunno if you can call that “quality football” yesterday…Theo made some schoolyard errors and Moldova… Should be better come Tuesday…)

  This is the biggest issue (IMO) in English football, at the moment, at least… If Arsenal can compete with the top 3 clubs w/o such hoarding we will be making a real statement AND (IMO) claiming a bit of the moral high ground. Fans should get to see ALL the good players playing not banking 100-200,000 pounds per week pulling splinters out of their bums (or not even making the bench at City)…The roster limits and FFP don’t seem to be doing the job (yet, at least) so something’s got to give…

  Anyhow, just my two cents…as we say over here…Do you guys say tuppence?… 😀

• JB, I would rather we go for a formation like this.

  LDM- Lampard/Gerrard
  RDM- Carrick/Wilshere
  RAM- Walcott/Wilshere
  CAM- Rooney/Welbeck
  LAM- Ox/Welbeck
  ST- Sturridge/Walcott/Lambert (other target man) if we are taking one.

  Good options for the front 6 positions. Playing more of a narrow formations. The likes of Wilshere having a free role on the wing, Walcott in front of Rooney could work really well.

• AFC,

  what you want to see in the formation change will never happen with Roy or any other experienced managers at the top – you might get these changes with a much younger manager who is given time and is trusted in, let’s say Gary Neville generation or football playing managers.

  let’s be honest, we all knew Roy Hodgson’s style of play (or lack off) – it won’t happen until he’s still there – yep, that’s me telling you – you’ll end up boycotting English football for a very very long time, unless you start watching spain and germany and assume them to be English.

  Re- Giroud, if, Benzema keeps playing the way he is then sooner rather than later – Giroud will be no.1 and our own Yaya no.2 for france

  😉

• 17ht, I think Barry has lost his place. He has suffered from injuries and over the years has lost pace. Gerrard, Carrick and Lampard also lack pace so at least one has to be dropped. Same with Parker.
  If only have slow guys as options to play in the ‘2’ we could be left exposed.

  Rodwell and Scott have sort of ruined their own careers by going to City. I think Rodwell has suffered from injuries and Rodwell and Scott have simply not played enough to be considered for England. I would like to see Richards at RB. Johnson is poor defensively and has been for years and I feel it is time for someone else to come in.

• JB, then we need to get in a younger more creative manager.

  I would rather we got rid of most of the old guard and just rebuild the team. So what if we do not qualifiy for one or two tournaments. We are not going to win them anyway. Assemble a young team and leave them to grow together as a team for years.

• Al that really mattered last night was the result. I dont think the England players play together enough to really go much further. Besides Roys teams have always been very workmen like, hard work and organised ,we will never see Wenger style under Roy. But i like Roy and will give him every support. That may be just what is needed right now. There is plenty of talent in that team, to get England to the next level they must first get to the world cup then as a team spend a month together challenging for the world cup that is when they will improve.

• JB, let’s be honest Gerrard and Lampard are not Pirlo or Xavi or Pirlo or Iniesta so they are not vital to the set up. They have not won our competitions before and won’t now.

  Your right though, it will take someone young to take the bold step of getting rid of the old guard.

• apologies to everyone reading my comments, as sometimes i make a lot of mistakes/typos, it’s not easy to blog when you have a Mrs. going non-stop in your ear and telling you about her shopping adventures , even though my only question is ” how much have you spent today love” she conveniently ignores that and keeps blabbering on about her “Bargain buys” insisting that she saved us a lot of money in the process even though she spent twice as much – something that Liverpool are famous for doing

  but just in case, she e-stalks me, honey , if you’re reading this then i love you and as you can see, i’m not having an affair behind your back.

  17HT,

  we generally don’t play that well at home (The Arsenal disease i call it) – i said they were trying to play the Arsenal way and it was much much better than our past performances, which at times are really dull – you can take the 2nd half for instance, wasn’t our first half performance better than the 2nd ?

  Theo , always makes some school boy errors and will continue to do so – hence , he’s one of the most frustrating players to watch for me personally.

  AFC,

  yes, if , it was up to me then i would have appointed you the Manager in a whisker.

  🙂

• Dylan, would be your director of football, getting you all the right players at the right price.

  where is Dylan, these days anyway ? i hope his trials and everything else went well.

• AFC…Is that someone Jenkinson?… 😉

  I have no allegiance in Int’l football (now that Mexico has dropped Vela…) so I don’t get very hot and bothered by it all…It’s a good way to see individual players but the level is soooo much lower that it’s not a very good guide…

  Richards, if he can get fit, needs to move. He’s been at City from before the money started flowing and you would think he could challenge Zabaleta eventually. Injuries have (maybe) destroyed his career…Walker seems to have gone backwards from a couple of seasons ago both for England and at Spurs…

  Anyhow, big match for the 3 cats on Tuesday but maybe afterwards Roy (and his big head of hair) can work on getting the squad set to minimize humiliation in Brazil. When we were in London (in Autumn 2006) the cheapest shirt I could find for my boy (only 4 at the time) was an England kit…I think I got one for 2 pounds 95p… 😆

• I was watching the Germany Vs Austria game yesterday and could be shot as a spy as I wasn`t wearing uniform , I was naked apart from the Ozil condom !. So how did Jacky Boy play and was Theo still anonymous on the wing for England ? . Baines usually looks more of a winger than Theo !, not sure whether that’s because England seem to attack more down the left or because Theo lacks making space for himself so doesn`t get used as an outlet so often .
  Anyway, Ozil apparently had a 99% pass completion to coincide with my 100% boner and maybe with them stats Arsene should have signed me !.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCjPWLto4Ss

• PG, the point is with this squad we will never win anything. The England squad needs to be rebuilt. I want to see a squad like this.

  Hart, Butland, Forster, Richards, Walker, Jenkinson, Kelly, Smalling, Jones, Gibbs, Shaw, Rose, Wilshere, Rodwell, Walcott, Ox, Welbeck, Sturridge etc.

  Younger players given a chance. Of course it will take time but I think we can afford to wait another 4-8 years considering England have not won the WC since 66.

• Roy will do fine, the fact of the matter is , if and when we get to the world cup we will be about the 6th 7th or 8th best team there . probably 8th lol. If we get to the quarters then that is ok , get to the semis and they have done very well. the rest is a dream that can come true with some luck.

• AFC,

  isn’t that what a certain AVB wanted to do at Chelsea ? look how well that turned out ehh.

  it’s easier said than done, especially with the FA run by a bunch of clow!”£”!$.

• Haha, James…Your wife and I should do some shopping together next time I’m in London…

  Giroud up front for France, but no goals…Cabaye didn’t play yesterday, did he? 😉 … You mentioned that they looked better when Nasri came on…

  Did Sagna play? What about Gerry’s boy, Le Gren? Or the handsome, pouty one, Gorcuff?

  To les playoffs, non?

• AFC,
  That is even weaker, were is Terry or Rooney and Gerard? They are probably all the best of there positions in the land. They all have at least 1 more world cup in them that includes Lampard but he has 1 more good season in him, but a player that takes Chelseas all time goal scoring record as a midfielder being over looked just seems a little silly to me, but that is just me.

• PG, do not be fooled. There are so many nations in front. I think Belgium would smash us to pieces. Same with a lot of sides from around the world. We will just get past the group stages and then get booted out by a decent side.

• PG, nice avatar!…Also, nice usage of my favorite line (“but that’s just me”)… Regarding AFC, remember that he doesn’t want to be taken too literally… 😀

  Glic thanks for link… Boing factor for all those German boys or just the froggy eye fellow?

• 17ht, Terry has retired after the whole racism thing. I said in an earlier comment that I would take Rooney and a few older players. So I would take Rooney, Cole, Gerrard, Lampard and Carrick and that is it. No more of the older players are needed.

• Last comment also for PG.

• PG, Ferdinand who I would say is better than Terry also no longer plays for England after the whole Terry thing.

• course you can 17HT only, if by then i haven’t gone bankrupt already 😀 (sorry babe, i know it’s unlikely to happen as your father loves us both very much and he won’t let us go down that route 🙂

  AFC,

  out of curiosity, what national team/teams do you support or watch with a keen interest , if any at all ?

• JB, I support smaller teams who are performing better than they should. So the likes of Ghana and Belgium get my vote.

  I enjoyed watching Ghana taking on the world only for bite boy to ruin it. Gyan and
  The team were really poor at pens.

  I proabaly will be suporting Belgium this time around. Lukaku, Benteke, Verm, Vert, Komp, Fellaini, Witsel etc. They will be a really good team to watch.

• fair enough

• JB, I used to enjoy watching Spain but now I can’t stand watching them win everything. I start shouting at my TV when teams can’t beat the Spain. Same tactics same players and they should be able to be beaten sometimes. Harder said than done though. 😀

• Jambo – yeah, a title like that could work a treat. Thanks 🙂

  Gerry, thanks for the advice and a very interesting thought there…. top stuff! 🙂

• JM – your comment has been freed to the world 🙂

• TA, I assime Holland are starting to rebuild their team. Are you guys moving forwards are going backwards?

• Glic you are filthy but I love it hahaha 😛

  Thanks 17 – my big wish would be to get some female Gooners on here, but I guess Glic would kidnap them in no time and re-home them on his island of shaven havens…. 😕

• AFC – under Van Gaal the team is progressing but since he has made van Judas captain I don’t like watching Holland any more. I will watch Holland during the WC (if we qualify which should be straightforward), but that is about it. Friendlies and qualifiers are so poor nowadays and nobody cares about them any more.

• TA, you said

  ‘ I will watch Holland during the WC (if we qualify which should be straightforward), but that is about it. Friendlies and qualifiers are so poor nowadays and nobody cares about them any more.’

  That is the same situation I find myself in with England. That comment is spot on and you have mirrored my thoughts about England 100%.

• 17 – you should write a post about the need to sign up mr Reliable pronto

• Why is Van Judas captain? I though he would have given it to one of the guys near the end of their international career.

• Whoa…Just read the big JM comment to Gerry…Even more illumination on this element of the under-reported backroom dealings…

  My takeaway is that it’s curious we were linked with Higuain (until Napoli came in with bigger money) and we got Ozil. What do those two have in common? Their agents are their fathers (I’m pretty sure, but I stand to be corrected…)–Does Arsenal target such agents because they’re less savvy and maybe we can save some money (or gain other contractual advantage) by working with them? Just curious, but the “AW is a skint” notion will not disappear with a single (mega)signing… As 007 points out, relative to the amount of powder Gazidis was advertising, we’ve kept a lot of it dry…

  Total, on the dog front… As a kid we had a pure bred lab…Terrible hips were his issue and zero retrieving instinct. I’m with Gerry on the rescued dog (as companion for On-Ree)…Our Husky-Lab mix (with an estimated birthday of January 1, 1996) still hangs in there, but also seems to be developing cataracts… At her age, we cannot complain too much…

  Anecdotal evidence only…Good luck and don’t underestimate the importance of doggy issues…They’re people too, dontchaknow…

• Agreed AFC – the clubs have won and the national teams come second. Players feign injury, play it safe and often lack passion. A couple of years ago I wrote a post for Arsenal Arsenal stating that all qualifier games should be played during the early summer in the uneven years. Just hold mini qualifying tournaments on neutral ground and everybody will enjoy it. Players give their all, clubs are happy to release their players, fans are fully interested, quality of the games increase and Glic is your uncle! 😛

• Henry is more than human, 17; he is the king! 🙂

• TA, fully agreed. 🙂 I think Glic couldn’t care less about international football though. 😀

  And with that I’m off. 17ht, TA, JB, PG etc, good talking to you guys. See you guys on the blog soon. 🙂

• Quickly before I go, like the new avatars 17 and PG. 🙂

  Sorry to hear about your dog Henry, TA. 😦

  Hope you sort it out. 🙂

• I think England would beat Belgium , i would not worry about us facing them, it is a great time for Belgium football, but i think we have an edge over them still.
  Lambert is not a edge of your seat player, i like to compare him and his goals to Paul Merson or (Mertle) as they used to shout out at highbury. I just get the feeling with him that when he puts on the 3 lions shirt he becomes the proudest man in the land and i love him for that, all the rest of what he will do for that shirt is blatant.
  England are not the best team in the world, but i am sure Roy and the lads will do ok, that is all i really have to say about England for now.

• TA,
  thanks , i like yours oo. What made you choice Sagna though?

• Enjoy your Sat night, AFC – no football so you might as well go and look for some luuuuuuuuve 😉

• That is true AFC, apart from when it`s the finals !. All I get is more stress wondering if any Arsenal player is going to pick up an injury for their national team and history says I should worry, both Theo and Jack have had long lay offs because of playing for England !.

  I actually think JiMbo`s comment to Gerry @ 14:34 was even better than his post !. Maybe Totes should add it on to it !.

• TA,
  Glic has probably kidnaped all the Gooner birds and sent them to shaven island already, that is why none seem to post ha ha ha a

• PG, because 17HT’s favourite food is lasagna but, as with Glic’s, that does not fit on his hampton hahaha 😉

• Haha Total… Personally, I think AFC should write the “Sign Sagna” post…After all he’s the one who called him as CB for the future…Where’s Redders these days?… As I recall both of us were pretty skeptical about that one (Moving Bac to Center Back) but maybe we were just worried that he might be moving to PSG.(and trying to protect our fragile hearts…) Personally, I would love BS3 to get a long, rich contract at the Club and then move into a coaching role. Maybe he could specialize in fitness and WAG finding…Here’s a link to a photo of Bac and his wife that might work for Mr. Metro himself (the Glicster)…

  

• TA,
  I like Arsenal’s idea for off season qualifiers etc.
  I thought last night i would like to see world cup qualies being just that WORLD rather then europe, asia, americaners etc why not drw them out of a hat, beside europe is the hardest to get out of and imagine the draws we would get it would make it very interesting.

• Total, did I not give AFC enough Luuuuvvvvv for a Saturday night? I was trying my best… 😉 😀

  Women may not be well represented here, but at least the transgender community gets a shout out now and again… 😆

  Poco a poco, progress will come… 🙄 And at least, like you say, club football is winning the war vs the nationalists…

• There`s a girl at work who has been there for about a year and only on Tuesday did I find out she`s a Goonerette when she said great result against the Spuds !. Obviously I cant tell her about BK…….I don’t want her thinking I`ve got a ” Mini Me ” because of you cruel bastards !. hahaha

• Seeded world cup qualifiers draw, so we could play Mexico, China Antartica anyone. Oh and guys dont know if you knew Brazil v Austraila tonight at 8:15 i believe i will double check

• Yes indeed, Glic, I’ve got Total now telling me what will or will not fit on my todger…Lasagne works for me…and best of all, it’s nice and warm when I put it (rub it…) on 😯

• I thought OZ was a bird when i first started commenting on here i think it was the name OZ i just pictured an OZ bird in a bikini, plus he was doing the lu lu lu lu lucus podolski song and i thought the bikini babe fancied him , ha ha ha ha OZ soon set me straight lo

• 17,
  I do love a lasagne myself, your making me hungry. The co-op do a really good one in the good as it gets range, i love em with a nice bit of cabatta galic bread.

• do any of you sausage jockeys fancy the westbrom capital one cup match on the 25th, i really do, i never been to a match in Birmingham area.

• i might even cook a big lasagne, how hard can it be, right i need food. PG is going to attemp a lasagne “lord av mercy”

• Hahaha 17. I suppose it helps having the cheesy sauce ready to go !.

• PG. If you`re anywhere near 17ht, he can provide the cheesy sauce, it`s already nice and warm !. hahaha

• Glic ,
  oh result i had not even given any thought to the cheesey ingredients, 17 you couldn’t knock me up some of your gooey cheese sauce could you please? lol

• PG, Birmingham is Villa and City, I thought…WBA (and Wolves) are the Black Country, no? (Sounds scary, to us, over here…)

  I make 2 kinds of lasagne–sometimes both for a big meal, like a birthday party…One of them is red (tomato based sauce, often with a sausage mixed in) and the other is white (Bechamel sauce) usually with those wild mushrooms (morels) we get here in the Spring… So, gooner-style AND spud-style (though never with potatoes)… Good luck, They’re easy (if a bit of work)… Over here they sell Lasagne noodles that don’t require pre-cooking. Of course, I tend to roll my own… sort of like Total and his Dutch mates… 😉

  On that note, Total, maybe THAT’S the cure for On-Ree’s eye troubles… :shbck:

• Totes, did you know there`s a Norfolk Arsenal Supporters club ?.
  I was thinking of opening one up in ….The RepubGlic of Lesbania !.

  http://www.norfolkarsenal.com/

• Like I say, cocking a lasagne is easy and nothing but fun… 😉 White sauce 😯 I think is the way to go… 😀

• 17,
  i just checked W.B.A is in Birmingham, next to Dudley lol

• il go for white sauce like you say 17, where are you from mr 17?

• PG, I live in the mountains of Northern California (USA), (South) Lake Tahoe, to be specific. I have spent a little time in London, living at the address that I use as a screen-name for a couple of months in Autumn 2006. If you ever go to the stadium you should go by there…it’s REALLY close (and quite lovely, being on the upper part of Highbury Fields)…. Are you in London?

  Good Luck with your cocking, er, cooking…

• Wow JM, your posts are something else mate.

  Whilst there a few assumpions i get and agree with your message. Sponsers influence via hard cash and connections talks, no doubt about that.

  The only bad side of yor posts JM is that it they always make me think of money so by reflex i reach into my pocket and count. Today i have £12.37. Not enough for a Pizza. Invaraibly, in the background i can hear the cackle of he Mrs laugh, and my rage grows. hahaha

• 17,
  Oh very nice, that sounds lovely California, i always think of USA as a great country that has basically got a bit of every kind of landscape you could ever want to see or live at.
  I am from London , Ealing i still have a lot of family there. I live in Bedfordshire near Luton now but that is only up the M1 about 35 miles away so very close really. I go to at least 3 matches a season, i would go a lot more if i could get tickets i might have to get a better membership, so i get more choice of tickets.

• Hair Transplant,
  It is ok just laugh to yourself inside not out loud, that she does not know about you secret under the stairs 😉
  else she will spend it on herself lol

• OK…….which one of our Down Under Broke Backers did this ? hahaha…………………………………………………………Lets whittle it down !.
  I`m sure alex gunner the sparky is from Melbourne and is currently in hospital after electrocuting himself by sticking his cock through a Faraday Cage !.
  And as we already know, Prince the floor fitter has accidently nailgunned his cock to floor again !. I rest my case…..Our BK forensic pathologist and part time necrophiliac morgue molester…..guilty as charged !.

  http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/an-aussie-spoils-his-ballot-paper-to-vote-for-arsenal-manager-arsene-wenger-for-prime-minister-picture/

• That’s Oz if you don’t know !. hahaha

• struth dr Glic
  17,
  I am going to postpone the lasagne til tomorrow, the cheesey sauce put me off a bit and i don’t have everything i need. I will make do with pasta -tuna tonight.

• TMTH, I can give you some tips on pizza making…Red or white sauce there too 😯

  PG, I’ve got a friend here, actually just the father of a friend of my boy, who is from Barnet (Heart-for-Sure, as he pronounces it)… In his youth the Arsenal matches were too scary to attend…He tells stories of sharpened coins getting thrown his way and terrace boys (“You fink you’re a ‘ard nut?”…) looking for a bit of boffer… No hugs from the dinosaur back then, I guess… 😆

  Quick, Total, we’ve got to move onto a new thread, things are devolving quickly for those of us not finding enough luv on a Saturday Night with no footy… Doesn’t ‘mair have something for us?…

  Cheers!

• 17,
  here you go brazil v oz————–
  http://neolive.eu/144395/1/Watch-Brazil-vs-Australia-/

• 17,
  you be forgiven for throwing coins at the telly aimed at the spuds own paulinho lol

• Hahahaha – it is getting saucy on here and that is without JB chancing like a loose canon! 🙂

  Glic – I just happen to live in Norfolk but have no association with it. My spiritual home is in Scotland. 🙂

  Mair’s post will go out tomorrow morning, but I will do a quick one in a bit.

• Barcelona getting Neymar for 48 million pound makes Real a laughing stock for paying 90 million for Bale.

• no, it doesn’t @ PG

  Bale – love him or hate him, he’s an all-round footballer, a complete footballer , you can slot him anywhere and he will deliver the goods

  where as Neymar, still has to prove a lot to everyone – including himself, there have been a lot of players come out of Brazil in the past to Europe – suffice to say, not everyone’s made it big

  Bale is worth every penny for a club willing to pay crazy amounts of money – he’s an honest, down to earth and hard working fella, where as Neymar does have a reputation, also he’s younger, so let us not count injuries out either.

• Asked how he reacted to the deal, Gibbs told the Telegraph: “Jumped in the air. But you don’t even have to be an Arsenal fan to jump in the air. When you find out that a world class player like that is coming to England you’re going to jump for joy even if you’re a Tottenham fan.

  “Well, maybe not a Tottenham fan, I won’t push it too far. In the end the fans and the people inside the club have got what they want: a really great addition.”

  ahahahahahhaahhahaha @ GIBBS

  he rubbed it in, nicely, well played Gibbo

• lol you sure JB, Bale scored 42 goals in 5 seasons for spuds, i think they are quite similar type of attacking players , yes Naymer is more a pure striker but his goals are far more plenty the Bale. There is no way he is worth double, no way lol

• brazil 2 nil up, Jo scored them both

• 3 nil, Naymer just scored

• PG,

  you do realize that GB was a LB right ? put of the 5 years you mentioned, he was playing at LB for most part ?

  how good was Messi and effective when he was playing at LW until 2008 and beyond ? how much was Pep a factor in moving him to the center and getting the best out of him ?

  you are comparing apples with oranges re- Neymar vs Bale

  if, Neymar had come through after playing most of his career at RB then it would have been a fair comparison.

  Bale will live up to the hype and price tag, where as with Neymar, i’m not so sure , especially in a team that is heavily reliant on Messi.

• *them 5 years

• New Post New Post 🙂

• It is confirmed that Sturridge is out of England V Ukraine , everyone needs to get fully behind Lambert if selected.
  JB,
  Bale is a great player , but he is not worth that much, i don’t hate any player even if they are spuds, i don’t hate any player really, well maybe Shawcross and Maradonna in 1986.

• i’m biased to an extent as Bale is an Arsenal fan – but, let’s be unbiased for a moment , you can not honestly through the stats of goals around like that to make one a better buy and make the other one sound like a laughing stock.

  how many tackles, passes, assists did Neymar have as compared to Bale ? how many key passes, key tackles, pass completion rate ?

  also, we all know the standard of British football, for me it’s certainly the top 2 in the world if not the best – i’m sure you agree

  so how can you justify the comparison like that ?

  it would be better to reserve judgement until the end of the season for both these players and then a comparison would be better suited – when i say that, i also mean taking behavour on field/ off field and shirt sales into account along with other footballing stats 😉

• that’s bad news indeed @ PG

  and truth be told then no player is that much amount of money, agreed 🙂