Soccer 2013-2014

Arsenal sign a truly world class player, first since the un-flying Dutchmen. Oh my days. Still have plenty of cash money as well - hard to believe they didn't bring in a Striker - but we made a squad already more talented than Spuds/Pool quite a bit better. Unfortunately, unlike Spurs/Pool our goal isn't (and shouldn't be) 4th place. Interesting that Mourinho didn't want to loan us Ba as we're Chelski's "rivals", while Pool wouldn't sell Suarez for the same reason. HA! Think we'll make a push for a striker in January, but its inexcusable to not have one in today. I'm too drunk to care (until Giroud gets injured, then... fml). Manc bought Fellaini, which is something they have needed all summer - but why just trigger release clause last month for less money? Going all-in for Cesc? Strange one, that. The imposters from Manc in Spain is really fucking weird as well, but funny.

Bottom line - ?zil is fantastic, and I'm stoked about seeing him in England. Think his best bro Poldi and former captain Per had something to do with this....

Neki_sl said:

Dude.. Ozil is a fantastic player

But

Wiltshire, Arteta, Walcott, Carzola, Poldolski, Chamberlain. I would say that Arsenal's priority wasn't a attacking midfielder. He is definitely an improvement over all of them though.

You will just score more goals that the opposition theory? Trouble is, you've only got Giroud as a striker (maybe you can count Walcott as one too). You also don't have much defensive cover away from your first teamers.

Fair play for signing Ozil though. Excellent player but maybe a luxury buy in your situation and will cover up some obvious cracks in your squad.

Click to expand...

Definitely didn't "need" a CAM - but if offered the opportunity to sign (according to Mourinho and Beckenbauer) the best #10 in the world, you do it. Did Manc "need" RVP last season? No, not really - but he instantly improved an already solid side. Not really worried by our defense, as I think its a strong point. Best defense in the league from February until today.... thats assuming everyone is fit of course.

Bottom line for me is this - I genuinely thought Arsenals starting 11 was better than Liverpools/Spuds' was even after all of you lots additions.... to say nothing on depth. Signing one of the top players in the world only adds to that, and I would bet $10,000.00 right now - for real, that The Arsenal finish well above the aforementioned sides. Not my ambition though, and that should be qualified by the fact that I'm utterly shocked and disappointed that we didn't bring in a striker.... any striker. After all of Arsenals "outs" this summer, there is simply no WAY to go an entire season with one good striker at this level. It'd be unprecedented. Queue January xfer rumors in August.

Time to continue getting wasted on the lake - The Arsenal just signed one of my favorite players biiiiiitches.

Fucking lol, maybe if Liverpool won more "made up" trophies they'd have opportunities to sign world class players. Instead, have fun losing players to Spurs, who'd rather be at Spurs than Pool (and by default, rather be at Arsenal than Spurs). This from the fan base that genuinely argued with me that Carling Cups mean more to players than CL football. Derp.

I actually don't think it changes anything about how Arsenal finish this season either - 3rd/4th place. However, what it does change for me is how much distance Arsenals first team squad is from both Liverpool & Spurs' starting 11's. Feel free to debate it, it means not to me. As I've said all along though, that isn't my ambition and I hope it isn't the ambition of the club. Meanwhile, Pool won't sell their best player to Arsenal because they are "aiming for 4th place" - for the "trophy" you monkeys make fun of so much. Got, irony?

As for Arsenals defense, I'm going by stats. Flat out. The only defense in the league I'd trade for Arsenals is Man City's, maybe Chelski's. Koscielny, TV5/Merts, Sagna & Gibbs are all good to very good defenders. They shipped less goals than any defense in the league last season from February on.

Lastly, ?zil signing can only have a knock-on effect going forward. Rare that a player of that calibre takes a step down, but he seems to have his reasons. When was the last time a truly world class player joined the BPL having already been established as a World Class player? I can't remember any - Sheva perhaps. Veron? It's been a while.

Seems Mourinho came out today and said he didn't loan Arsenal Demba Ba, because with ?zil, the worlds best #10, it'd make Arsenal title rivals. Bit of snark in that, but still funny. I don't rate Demba Ba at all - so I'm not terribly bothered, but an injury to Giroud will be disastrous. No excuse to not bring in a quality striker this summer.

For Manchester United - letting go of two super important guys is having an effect on the club, but I don't think it'll last long. I think had Manc started seriously negotiating for Herrera &/or Khedira earlier - they'd be in Manchester today. Going to be a learning curve for Moyes/Woodward - but thats to be expected. Manc is such a big step up for both of them. Fellaini will do well in Manchester, but to pay that much on the last day is insane.


In terms of windows - from best to last as follows:

City
Everton
Spuds
Pool
Arsenal
Chelski
Manc

Still think City have the biggest, most talented side - but Chelski has the best manager and players accustomed to winning. Will be interesting. Looking forward to seeing how Willian adapts, as well as Lamela & Navas.

Actual shot of the gash. Theo's response: ?I have seen a picture and it is a very, very big gash,?? Walcott said. ?It?s not nice to see. It?s like something out of a horror film. It is not going to help his looks.?

Not sure if he's being snarky, but that was a pretty funny comment. Poor bastard.