Gooner 2014 Survey Results – Part 2

The Squad, the Transfer Window, The Manager



Gooner 2014 Survey Results – Part 2

Your choice as new skipper


In the first part of the survey results we looked at how the team performed throughout the season and what the high and low points were. This time around we look into the squad as a whole, our hopes for the transfer window activities, and a few bits and bobs about Wenger.

Even though the majority of us consider last year a successful season (a whopping 86%), a key factor in whether 2014-15 is going to be a good one may be reliant on the transfer window and what we get up to in it. When asked how optimistic they were about our prospects of competing for the Premier League title in 2014-15 in light of that, 55% of us were optimistic. Only 10% considered themselves ‘extremely optimistic’, but the fact that only 21% were akin to Frazer in ‘Dad’s Army’ and believing “we’re doomed” suggests that we’re expecting our Club to be better than previous summers when we essentially waited until Xmas Eve to buy our presents and often resorted to Lidl and Poundstretcher for them.

With the result of the next question, in our opinion the club’s performances in last season’s two transfer windows were very much hit and miss. Of the 5 players we bought in across the two windows, there were 2 hits (75% happy with Ozil, 86% approving Flamini), 2 of them misses (Kallstrom and Viviano), and for Sanogo we are very much undecided on him (56%) – fair points about all of them. Ozil became the centre of creative attention in Wenger’s eyes and hopefully his second season will see even more, and Flamini was a more than adequate squad player. For the flops, Viviano never appeared and was no improvement on our two 6.5/10 goalkeepers, whereas Kallstrom nearly did a Clive Allen/Jim Leighton effort in being a famous player who never appeared for us despite signing and even though he looked ok when he played, one of the reasons he barely featured and only started once was that we didn’t need him. For Sanogo, he did absolutely sod all and never scored a goal, and reminded a few of us as the new Kaba Diawara. However… he IS young and very much still learning. Let’s give him one more year at least.

Notwithstanding the quality of the players themselves, it was interesting to read the overall opinion on your view on the performances in the respective windows as a whole. For summer 2013, 2/3 of us gave it the thumbs up (17% of you ranked it as ‘good’ but an eye-opening 49% settling with ‘ok’), the rest suggested it was a poor performance. In light of our failing to acquire a striker we clearly wanted and needed and fudged up completely (Higuain, Suarez, last minute loan deal for Demba Ba. DEMBA FRICKING BA) I fully see where they’re coming from. As for January 2014, 92% could only declare that it was a nightmare and with us getting a 27th midfielder in (who went on to replicate Siggi Jonsson and Craig McKernon in terms of availability and fitness) rather than a forward that even Giroud himself wanted, I think it safe to say there’s no argument there. I’d like to meet the 10 people who rated it as a ‘good performance’, though. Just to find out whether they’re piss-taking Spurs or Liverpool fans.

For this coming summer, we’re all generally in agreement and whilst it’s obvious that we need to get a new ‘keeper and right back in to replace those leaving, 83.6% of us agreed that the attack was the area that needed addressing the most urgently. With Olivier being the only centre forward we have with Bendtner and Park also leaving it’s a kind of a no-brainer. Interesting for the second place and 9% going to the role of Manager, though…

As for which two players it was you want the most we got loads of different answers, and for the forward we want there are players all across the world we’d take in. As I write this we’re all still in the midst of Sanchez Fever but only 55 of us nominated him as their preferred purchase. The irony is that 550 of us wanted the man he was being replaced with at Barcelona that is the amateur Cannibal, Luis Suarez. Barcelona are willing to sell a 25 year-old two-footed centre forward and want to replace him with a 27 year-old with a worldwide ban until October because Suarez is a phenomenal footballer – let’s just hope that Wenger has chosen wisely here. Other names cited with more than 100 votes included Remy, Balotelli, Di Maria and Diego Costa, but in third place with 223 votes was butch centre-forward Edison Cavani from PSG. Interesting to see that the second place player with 280 votes wasn’t a forward at al… it was Fabregas. Even though the survey closed before rumours of him leaving Barcelona started to spread. In the next question where they were asked whether we wanted him back or not, 80% of us admitted they wanted him, so to say we rue him signing for Chelsea is an understatement. But for Cesc to openly admit that a) Arsenal had a buy-back clause; b) Arsenal was his first choice; and c) Arsenal turned him down; it is a genuine heartbreaker.

The bottom line is that we have more than £150m in the Bank, and clearly need to buy players this summer. A key question related to that is whether we as fans believe Wenger should be so directly involved in transfer fee and wage negotiations once he has identified his targets to Gazidis and co. 16% of us were unsure, but 55% were adamant that Wenger should not have the level of involvement he has. Bearing in mind that although his job title is ‘Manager’ he is essentially a ‘Trainer’, it is a little bit odd that he has so much input into the financial behaviour of the football club. Pellegrini, Mourinho and Rodgers have little to no involvement at their respective Clubs and they seemed to do ok last season… maybe there’s something to be learned there.

Regardless of which players we want in, which player would you least like to leave the Club? Last year our most wanted player was Wilshere, but this year he only got 10% of the vote and finished in second to his midfield partner, Ramsey (no, not Arteta…). Rambo took 80% of the vote and who can blame them? After the season he had he would have walked into any of the World Cup Squads at all, and with him being Welsh he may become this generation’s George Best. And I hope the three of you who voted for Bendtner have spoken to The Samaritans since the Club revealed they wouldn’t be renewing his £52,000 a week agreement, bless them.

Another player who didn’t renew his deal with us was Bacary Sagna and, as expected, has gone to the other end of the M6 to sign for Citeh. But for Arsenal to have turned around and offered him the same sky-high wages and a three year deal, only a quarter of you would have wanted Sagna to stay on those terms. 2/3 of us were against it (the rest didn’t know) and with footballers in the 21st century being money-grabbing bastards then good for you for standing up against them. Hopefully we can give him a five knuckle shuffle as our team passes his new one to win the League next season.

When the transfer window is closed it will be interesting to see whether our club captain/reserve centre-half is still here, or our vice-captain/soon-to-be reserve midfielder. So who should our Captain be for next season? Only one option as far as you guys are concerned and 83% want the man who claps us at the end of every game home or away, is the last person to leave the pitch, and gave Ozil a public rollicking for running away rather than gracing the people who pay his wages after our 6-3 hammering at Citeh. Step forward the BFG. He completely understands it and for last season reintroduced the tradition of all 11 players stood in a straight line in the centre circle to applaud all four corners of the ground, whether he was captain or not. Mertesacker is our leader in every way but title so it makes sense to pass him the armband.

With Wenger being more kid-focused than Rolf Harris (in a different way, obviously) it’s always an interesting to guess as to which up-and-coming youngster is going to get the most appearances in the next season? Last year we were right and wrong at the same time with 52% of us correctly suggesting Serge Gnabry, but 44% of us thought Thomas Eisfeld would also rise to the first team. This year, Tommy gets 12% of the vote but he is forced into third place behind Joel Campbell (20%) and Gedion Zelalem (28%). Campbell is a mystery as he had a good season with Olympiakos (a lush goal against ManYoo) and looked incredibly impressive in a Costa Rica team that made the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but with the squad numbers being juggled around after the signing of Alexis Sanchez, Joel remained numberless. It will be interesting to see if he’s still here on 2nd September. As for Zelalem I’ve seen him 5 times now and I have no idea what Wenger sees in him. It’s a little bit concerning that in the Youth team games I’ve seen, he played against a lot of players who will end up working in McDonald’s in the next couple of years and he hasn’t stood out at all. Save for losing the ball on the edge of our box and letting Chelsea score (actually, maybe he’s the new Arteta…). Maybe he’s got Denilson’s old locker that have those dodgy photos of Wenger, an aardvark, and a trombone in them, but all joking aside I really hope that Wenger proves me wrong and with him seeing something in the young guy that may guarantee him 5 games or more.

Wenger has indeed signed his new deal though, and the fact is that he will be our manager for the next few years and will celebrate his 20th anniversary. 62% of us are happy with that decision and 19% devastated by it (and if Hull had beaten us in the FA Cup Final, only 1/3 would’ve changed their minds) but let’s see what happens with it. But sod our thoughts right now – if Arsene lifts the Premier League trophy at the end of the year we’ll all be happy.

It would have been interesting on many levels if he had left, though. If that did happen and we had to choose a manager, 928 of us wanted Klopp of Borussia Dortmund to take over and with him leading a small Club with no money to a European Cup Final and the semis in two successive years, that would make sense with our Club and Krankie’s purse strings. The second choice was Roberto Martinez (283 votes) and in third place it was an arm wrestle between Guardiola and Ancelotti. With the two of them being at bigger and better Clubs than us (sad but true) they would have been dream picks.

Even though he has re-signed, the time will eventually come when the Board have to replace Wenger (as Echo & the Bunnymen once told us, Nothing Lasts Forever) and 43% of us think the best thing for us to do would be to identify his replacement now and wait until the time is right before actually approaching them. 35% would prefer us to wait to choose a replacement until the time comes, and the remaining 22% wanted Wenger to groom someone as his Assistant Manager at the moment, but with us not having had to pick a new manager since the last century and our Board having changed there is no right answer here (let’s just hope Bruce Rioch’s son doesn’t do a miracle job at another club in the new 5 years). 78% of us agreed that nobody in or around the Club has any significant influence on Wenger’s thinking when running the Club, so exactly how our new boss will be expected to behave and act in his role will be interesting in itself. On that note it’s unsurprising that there was a near split in whether we had any confidence in the Board appointing the right replacement – 45% of us have a degree of confidence in them, but 55% don’t.

That covers part two of the survey. The next part will be about those questions about us as fans and how things are for us as supporters, customers, and how the Club is treating us right now (away from the pitch).

Twitter @DavidOudot


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61
comments

  1. ppp

    Jul 24, 2014, 12:16 #54231

    With Sagna gone, Mertesacker for captain. Arteta is great but not certain to play every game.

  2. Ron

    Jul 24, 2014, 6:24 #54215

    Peter - unless he slipped some into my coffee, no fella. There is merit in what others say you know, even if their general take on the Club is diametrically opposed to mine. Sorry if that irks but there you go .....

  3. Peter

    Jul 23, 2014, 23:26 #54212

    Ron.Have you been taking some of BADARSE's stupid pills?

  4. maguiresbridge gooner

    Jul 23, 2014, 21:56 #54211

    Or the transporter room.

  5. jeff wright

    Jul 23, 2014, 21:31 #54210

    Westie, age difference was what my point was about regarding Diaby and the other regular crocks. They however will have the chance to play under a different regime to Wenger's before reaching Abu's age and a change of regime will probably do them good. Abu though looks set to play ,if able and it is a big if, the remaining time left of his playing days under Arsene,it's hardly been a marriage made in heaven, so good luck to him,he is going to need it! Wenger should stop prevaricating and hinting at signings that he really has no intention of making and try telling the truth for once ,his nose grows longer every season, along with his bank balance. We have been down this Diaby route with the old master of illusion many times before and it always ends up at the hospital gates .

  6. Ron

    Jul 23, 2014, 20:57 #54207

    Westie - i do agree with you on Diaby. At his best, hes a superb footballer. Strong, agile and has a good shot on him too. He can be a little lackadaisical but regular games would cure that ive always thought.Its right that after so many years to dispense now would be daft, if he is fit. That's the issue though isn't it. Can he ever be fit? Im not sure he can. He s very lithe and athletic and he picks up athletes injuries. After so long hes probably mentally defeated too, i.e expecting his next injury breakdown. That happens to players. Hes basically not near robust enough. He might do OK in French football. Another year can't hurt as hes the only player of his type that Wenger has, but surely if not this year, he should be put out to grass, for his own sake if not the Clubs.

  7. Westlower

    Jul 23, 2014, 20:21 #54205

    @Jeff Please enlighten us to which Arsenal policy you have supported & endorsed, if any? Diaby's profile is similar to Oxlade-Chamberlain. Diaby has played 123 games in PL, scoring 14. Ox has played 91 times in PL for Southampton & AFC, scoring 14. Both have played 14 times at full International level. Obviously the big difference is the 7 year age difference but given how little mileage Diaby has on the clock it would be foolish to let him go now that he's back playing. At 28 years old he is approaching his prime footballing years. IMO he is a far superior midfielder to Flamini & Arteta.

  8. maguiresbridge gooner

    Jul 23, 2014, 19:39 #54204

    Mark Anthony, OGL and the board have been doing that for years now mate, the only difference is some keep swallowing it some don't. And i love your quip, if they move the players around fast enough they figure most of the fans won't know whose missing, cracking, quip of the day.

  9. Ron

    Jul 23, 2014, 18:38 #54203

    Mark Anthony - Nice post. Wenger, if nothing else is an illusionist and has been for years. Its quite right, he does shuffle and shift things but changes little. Hes like Tommy Cooper but different as hes utterly drab and unfunny! The Club are on for 4th at best. 3rd if such as Liverpool fall away from last Seasons standards which in my view isn't going to happen at all. In fact they could be stronger. They will bond even better without Saurez who basically brought shame onto a great Club, plus Liverpool were setting themselves up for his departure from the moment the charade of Wengers pathetic 'attempt' (i use the word loosely) to sign him had failed, so his move to Barca isnt a sudden blow to them. There are many on here who preach how Liv will fall back. Most of them are Wengers backers and its as if they're banking on a Liv fall away to sustain him. They ll need it. All ill say is that the City of Liverpool is on the move,Anfield is a place for opponents to wish they hadn't got to go to again (its the one stadium in the PL that creates real dread of playing there amongst opponents),tails are up, the momentums there and when those ingredients are there football on Merseyside rocks.Wengers peripheral tiffling at team strengthening will come back to haunt him this Season coming. He ll buy that Columbian keeper hes after and thats it.

  10. Mark Anthony

    Jul 23, 2014, 17:50 #54201

    chelsea away liverpool away are hard to forget for those that were there. shell schocked and embarassed. i still dont get not trying to sign Cesc and also selling Carzola. and i still think fans are being given a huge dose of PR by wenger and the board. if they move the players around fast enough they figure most of the fans wont notice whose missing ! Sanchez good but losing Vermaelen if it happens and Santi would be bad. i would calm down if Khedira signed as he has twice the power of Arteta and Diaby put together and would give Aaraon and Jack and Ox and Theo a real chance to roam forward. im still upset with Jack and think he sums up english players.

  11. JEFF WRIGHT

    Jul 23, 2014, 16:23 #54199

    Westie, those players are younger than Diaby and unlike Diaby have proven themselves at top level.They do though add fuel to the fire regarding the OTT injury situation at AFC under Wenger's carry on regardless regime you could have added Wilshere to the list. Abu has never stayed fit long enough to prove that he is as good as what Wenger believes he is . Tbh,the guy has never impressed me he runs around mainly like an headless chicken giving the ball away. He had one good first half against Liverpool away once and moments now and then when he looked good, but not enough of them to prove that he has been worth the money spent on continuously keeping him in rehab for one injury after another. Abu is a another failed by product of the doomed Youth Policy ,that you of course endorsed and supported .

  12. Westlower

    Jul 23, 2014, 16:11 #54198

    @Jeff Who would Ramsey be playing for if Wenger had adhered to your 'chuck out the lame dogs' philosophy? Young English stars Theo, Ox & JW also missed the majority of last season. Should we show them the door as they are a burden on the wage bill?

  13. jeff wright

    Jul 23, 2014, 14:32 #54195

    Westie,I'm on Wenger's case he is the one who keeps persisting with an obviously injury prone player wasting millions on him and also with this producing adverse effects on our results . Diaby's broken leg was years ago and the injuries since that he constantly suffers from are not related to that .Ramsey had a broken leg,so have other players .Wenger should not be gambling on Diaby's fitness every season it's become the joke of football.

  14. jeff wright

    Jul 23, 2014, 14:22 #54194

    MG. it's always carry on doctor time at AFC under Arsene ,he must have big shares in pharmaceutical companies and physiotherapist equipment ones .Who else other than Wenger, when in a possible title winning position would only sign a player with a broken back that couldn't play for 9 weeks ! The most amazing thing about that incident was some on here trying to rationalize the complete nonsense. One excuse staright from a Carry On caper script was,oh but it was either him or nothing with time running out! Really ? Well then whose fault was it that this stupid situation had occurred is surely the question. 5FU

  15. Westlower

    Jul 23, 2014, 14:18 #54193

    @Jeff & Maguiresbridge, Get off Diaby's back. He possesses more talent than most of the over hyped 'super stars.' You both lack compassion for a player who's suffered more than his fair share of injuries. Start behaving like supporters as we've got enough parasites already masquerading as gooners!

  16. maguiresbridge gooner

    Jul 23, 2014, 13:42 #54192

    jw, there's always scrap value, or he could always retrain as a medic he's had plenty of experience, maybe that's what he's doing and OGL has put him in charge it would explain a lot.

  17. jjetplane

    Jul 23, 2014, 13:37 #54191

    You would think Wenger would be fast demoting Giroud to relative water carrier role (see BFG) after watching others of his kind (Giroo's) - Higuain, Benzema and that toss Cavani dragging the turf around on their hoofs. Kos would be a better bet to grow into captain than that wanabee Mert who I now class in the Selfie/mouthy gang that are always part of the Wenger package. he is basically a poor manager who is now 'at the end of his tether' (see Doomed Youth project). Anyway - as I said. We have Hailsham Town in the prelims to the prelims of the 'piece of silver' that the Wengerites never wanted and I for one am excited at the prospect. Football is not completely dead. Chile is the new French yeah. Time up Arsene or do you mean to go into the season with a string of donkeys throught the spine of the team? Answers on a crumbling croissant. ps Nice one YAWN - good to see some clarification amongst all adoration stupidity.

  18. jeff wright

    Jul 23, 2014, 13:29 #54190

    That moment came,that we await for every summer with bated breath, or grim foreboding, depending on your point of view ,when Wenger says that Diaby is back in training... and when he returns it will be like signing a new player and that will save the club a fortune... really? Considering the amount of millions that Wenger has squandered on Abu over the years it looks to be highely unlikely that this money will ever be recouped taking account of the French player's current age and any sell on value .Wenger stubborn and myopiatic as ever says that if Abu gets through the preseason games without suffering another injury to some part of his anatomy, he has had 30 injuries in 8 years,some before the broken leg incident and the most since that horrible incident not related,contrary to legend, to it. Abu has no problem getting down the mosque 5 times a day to pray but unfortunately struggles to play 90 minutes in a football match game. In fact he has not done so since 2012 during which time he has made just 41 appearances. None the less though, as I predicted awhile back, Wenger is once again prepared to take a chance on Abu for next season,rather than to try and bring in a another player to play in the important ball winning midfield role that Areta and Flambo struggle to perform in . That's yer same old Arsene doing the same old things... yawn...

  19. Born Gooner

    Jul 23, 2014, 10:59 #54186

    Yawn - You start your first post with a stat from the survey and an excerpt from the article to emphasize your own point. You then denounce "nonsense" survey results in your second post to have a pop at Amos. Pathetic.

  20. Yawn

    Jul 23, 2014, 10:35 #54185

    On Amos. It's a miracle to see how someone wedge so far up Wenger's bum hole can manage so many words? Some nonsense survey is apparently representative of the "low support" the anti-Wenger fans have? Sure dude. Course. What morons like Amos fail to appreciate in between praying at Wenger's altar, is that e.g. people like me, who passionately detest Wenger and want him gone, don't bother voting in such bs polls. I simply don't care enough. I know many, MANY Arsenal fans of years who have jacked in their STs, don't blog, don't bother anymore because they are sick of one nutjob imposing his bollox French loser's philosophy on a club that pre-dates him. So use all the survey results you want to console yourself, hell you might as well use the results of the next Indonesian election as proof...oh look, only 1% of the entire population is against the president! Yay! Glory be to Lord Arsene! Hahaha...

  21. Yawn

    Jul 23, 2014, 10:21 #54184

    Quote from article: "83.6% of us agreed that the attack was the area that needed addressing the most urgently. With Olivier being the only centre forward we have with Bendtner and Park also leaving it’s a kind of a no-brainer."....A few days later, quote from Wenger: "No we do not look for a new striker, we have more than enough quality". The guy is a totally clueless, ambitionless mug. He will yet again, go into the season with France's finest donkey as his number 1 striker, and France's best postman (and a kid who can barely kick a ball) as his main strikers. Basically, Arsenal despite all our cash have just TWO strikers at the club...oh actually Sanogo doesn't count. So they have just one. And he's slower than death, and mediocre! And no Walcott isn't a bloody striker, and besides isn't he injured at least half the season? No chance yet again next season.

  22. Ozzie

    Jul 23, 2014, 9:23 #54183

    True, Westie, & most offensive it is to England's historic game. What does it say about the FA governing body when they allow this to happen? Instead of rattling on about the manager people could pool their energies behind a push for a revolution against all that is rotten in English Football. Chelsea reek of arrogance - yet another nail in the coffin for my passion for the sport? of football. Coming to terms with the changes or letting the passion die? I wonder if they play footy in the void? :-)

  23. Ron

    Jul 23, 2014, 9:09 #54182

    Westie - well its everybody to their own mate, but what you say is just one reason amongst many why I've turned away from footie or at least turned away from paying to watch it. Its a tacky lot and has been for a dozen years or so.

  24. Westlower

    Jul 23, 2014, 7:37 #54181

    Money grabbing players are one thing but how we've sold our souls to allow one of Putin's puppets to plough his questionable gains into Chelsea FC really sickens me. Throw in an arrogant mouthpiece as coach and lowlife JT as captain and the hot favourites to win this seasons PL are as low as you can get in terms of role models for young English kids. How can you admire these dubious characters?

  25. Ozzie

    Jul 23, 2014, 6:57 #54180

    Baddie, money grabbing bastards I agree, but that doesn't make them bad - it is what it is - money grabbing bastards. Now, can we leave it? Ron, good call on Ramsey - would polish the rough off the diamond. Fabregas was given the responsibility at 21 - possibly as a sweetener to keep him at AFC. Also agree on the Brit - would be a welcome change from the foreign legion to have a local lad lead the team into battle. What is to lose? An observation: Our game of Aussie Rules for 100 years was a positional game with most of the scoring channelled through a Full Forward (a big imposing man in front of goal.) Then, a Coach came up with the idea of using him as a decoy to lure defenders away from goal to allow small, nippy players to sneak in from behind. The game has evolved to a stage where the forward focus is upon a bunch of small fleet footed midfielders kicking goals from all angles. To combat this, the opposition coach has developed a 'choking effect' defence (not dee-fence) which has ruined the game as a spectacle and fans are turning away in droves. Sound familiar? Gawd, it is so cold here I am sitting on the wood heater warming my chestnuts :-)

  26. Ron

    Jul 23, 2014, 6:21 #54178

    Hi Chris - agree totally. Blimey. Hard to apply values isnt it but i wdt give you more than a couple of Mill for him.

  27. Chris

    Jul 22, 2014, 22:46 #54177

    Ron - Not recently but during the WC there was talk of interest from Italy and £15m - I think we should bite both their hands off for that for him!

  28. Ron

    Jul 22, 2014, 21:25 #54174

    DW - Dont worry, those 'super super players' are on the cusp of joining AFC at last. BADARSE is right though, its not just name your price and job done. Its complex and so many parties, inc sponsors, merchandize/sports wear endorsing contracts and contractual small print and exclusions that call for the lawyers and finance advisers and so on and thats not to mention the Clubs and players!Dont think the likes of Chelsea and City don't miss out on players because they do matey bg time. Theres Real and Barca alone i venture in the whole of footie that can say they always get their man but often at way , way above the normal rate. Any way, think 'super super'. The down beat way you're talking man, anyone would think we re only thinking Chris 'dodgy' Smalling or dare i say it, Phil 'liabilty' Jones heaven forbid or a few other untidy mancs who from what im told while on my travels make manchester fans sit at the foot of their beds at night crossing their hearts and hoping they disappear swiftly like Tom 'does he have a use' Cleverley. You must cheer up fella and oh ............ ohh, oh dear, hang on......... ermmm, must go, i'm off ..... must get the tea on!

  29. Pete

    Jul 22, 2014, 21:03 #54173

    David - I find your tone unnecessarily cynical and negative. Things ain't that bad, you know?! Also, I'm sure you are now regretting the Rolf Harris "joke"...

  30. BADARSE

    Jul 22, 2014, 17:24 #54168

    DWT, I can't really argue with a word you have said. I do think the purchase of players is a complicated and protracted affair, some might say a strangulated one. You want a position filled, you sift around to find out who is available, then who might become available, and who you would like available. The fee, the personal demands, the agents demands(!??!), and whatever else you can think of. Often the water is muddied by other interested parties, and those not really interested who just want to make life difficult for other rivals, in this case the buying club. The player/agent play everything close to their chests, bartering, hoping for more lucre, some just go along with a charade in the hopes that a bigger club may step in. I suppose both player and club can be guilty of this kind of horse-trading. I am surprised sometimes that anyone moves anywhere. Still much haggling, decision making, toing and froing to come. Glad I am out of it, and can sit on the side lines, with a 'thumbs up', or a 'thumbs down' signal. Ironic that the former signalled death, the latter survival, perhaps that's where the buying and selling goes awry.

  31. DW Thomas

    Jul 22, 2014, 17:08 #54166

    Zelalem maybe lightweight, but then look at Thomas Muller. Not a real thick lad, yet great player. Sure, one must survive the strength and speed of the PL, but speed of mind helps. As captains go, if Ramsey has another great season, no big injuries, he has my vote. Needs to be vocal and call others put when needed. It helps,to have won something, but then none of our squad really have that, save the German trio, but none of them are the type, including Per. I liked TV when he came in, but his injuries led to poor form. But he is a fighter and hard worker. Would love for Wenger to keep him and make,him a DCM. Fat chance! We need much more too, than we have now in the squad to truly compete/win the title. My worry, AGAIN, is that we find ourselves short come season start and are relying on Diaby and Jenkinson to fill gaps where reliable class is needed. And I always really liked Diaby. But we need dependability, solidity. A little worried about Dubuchy too. Was itSagna's age that kept him out of the France squad? He was a stalwart and I fear we will miss him or his like badly. Some serious concern that we still can't do deals for players we really want. Spending money with thoughtful planning for the future is what I think the club and manager try to do. I generally agree with that. Yet, selling our best and penny-pinching when trying to buy great players is dumb, dumb, dumb. It states our priorities by lack of intent and dithering. We all deserve to see a top squad ready for battle come game 1 this year. No more excuses, no more same old same old. Finish the puzzle, connect the final pieces. Every championsh team has that. A well rounded squad. Argentina, for example, would have been a much better/different team with Aguero and DiMaria healthy the whole WC.

  32. BADARSE

    Jul 22, 2014, 16:07 #54165

    Hi Ron, all sensible counter arguments and observations. Sadly every club has to work with the material it has. I am not sure any manager ever buys a 'skipper', just a player, and then perhaps one with a proven track record happens along and he fills the position the manager needs to cover, and is a captain as well. It is agreed amongst us that we have lacked leadership qualities in recent seasons, stretching back to since PV. I think we now get the benefits from a trio of figureheads in the experienced men, Per, TV, and Arteta, with the little Mozart on the fringe. Aaron I am sure does his bit too. Oh for a McLintock, or Adams.

  33. BADARSE

    Jul 22, 2014, 15:39 #54164

    Evening Athoz, or good morning when you read this. As you agreed with the article's description of modern footballers being, 'money grabbing bastards', it was hardly an endorsement, was it? So, 'bad' was a shortened version, as it clearly doesn't sit too comfortably with you. I am very opposed to the ugliness of financial rewards in most aspects of life, but am aware enough to know that it is accepted currency-no pun intended. Top footballers exist in a bubble, as do bankers and all the usual suspects, how they react to the rules within the bubbles is human nature at work in it's dandiest form-which is quite ugly I grant you. Somebody recently said the same to me, 'Why aren't they honest enough to say they are leaving for the money?' I said because the red tops would crucify them if they did. There is a tacit understanding of the reason, and as long as no one mentions it, then it remains as the elephant in the room. Now I see a real need for a steaming bowl of Uncle Toby's as it is nippy in Victoria at the mo. We are off to Kos in the early hours for a week of 'all inc' relaxing in the sun, plenty of 'yasou-ing', pool-side reading, and searching for vegetarian nosh. What a drag! Now alpha, beta, gamma, delta...

  34. Ron

    Jul 22, 2014, 14:11 #54161

    BADARSE - All good stuff buddy. I'm not sure PM has the dressing room more than others, we can only guess really as there's no evidence of it. Hes an OK chap, i quite like him but a quality player he isnt sadly, far from it. He has bad days quite frequently and thats just not good for a Skip.Alan Hansen used to say many things as a pundit that i cdt agree with but his views on PM some years back were correct though he did disguise his views once he came to the PL as was courteous, right and proper. Adams was younger than Ramsey on becoming Captain and wasn't a dominant personality when first appointed. Point taken re British but my take on that derives from my view that Arsenal as a Club have been too diluted for many years by imports and its adversely affected us. I wouldn't allow fringe players such as those you mention to be mentioned when thinking of Captains or vice Captains. either could be sold at any time and in Flaminis s case, the guy is ill disciplined anyway. The shirt sleeve fiasco surely showed that. so why Captaincy? Makes little sense, though you might say any player at the Club could go at the drop of a hat and wdnt be wrong. They're just more likely to be sold though. A Skip needs very few weaknesses in his game and PM has too many and sadly they're there for all to see every match. Hes not consistent.It hamstrings a Captain terribly so.Fact is, there's not a compelling case for any player in that squad to be a Captain. PS Great management by Mourinhho to be looking to bring Drogba back for them. Still a great player, though a lesser one than the DD we saw in 2004-2008. Wenger should have had a punt on him for a Season.

  35. Ozzie

    Jul 22, 2014, 13:55 #54160

    G'day Ron, you've mirrored my thoughts there. No more getting out of a warm bed and sitting up til 2-4 am anymore for me. I haven't seriously been passionate watching since the Invincibles period. It's not just footy though, is it? I prefer a game of lawn bowls - if I'm having a bad day I stir up the "politically correct" gents for a bit on the side. Hi Badarse, I don't recall mentioning anyone as bad? I haven't judged anyone for moving clubs, although my gripe is the bull**** they tell. I would have more respect if they called it how it is. We've just had two great players announce they will be leaving our League club (after the club has made them what they are) and saying it is for "family" when what they mean is more $$$. Too many people in different situations hide behind the emotive "family" bull****. Anyway, thanks for stating the obvious. Enjoy your sunshine, we are having unusually freezing weather here in Vic.

  36. BADARSE

    Jul 22, 2014, 13:35 #54158

    Sorry to disagree Ron, but disagree I do, with regard to the qualities that make a captain. I love Aaron and has the spirit, drive, application and skill to lead from the front, or by example if you wish. He is not yet a captain though. He is not the wisest or comfortable enough within himself just yet. I know he has led Wales so obviously has the capabilities which are developing. In leading Wales he was just their best player, it's different at Arsenal. He will be skipper material in a short while, although I thought that of JW a couple of seasons ago. Per has the dressing room, his stature of course helps, but he is a fairly intelligent chap too. Laurent is a candidate as well, though with Mikael there for another year, we are covered in that department. As an aside Rosicky is also a good deputy, so too Flamini. I also can't see the term British counting for anything either, unless he is the right man for the job.

  37. El Bodgeo

    Jul 22, 2014, 13:26 #54157

    Matthew, when has appointing a player as Captain ever prevented them leaving us for another club? On the contrary, it's like slapping a 'for sale' sign on their forehead! Should have made Billy Bender our captain 5 years ago!! Agree with general view that Zelalem is a decent, yet lightweight, talent. Expect to see him sign for Watford after 3 years of not being given an opportunity to break in to the 1st team/Capital 1 cup team.

  38. Peter Hughes

    Jul 22, 2014, 12:13 #54156

    Agree Sanogo cotributed to semi& final. Played part in winning goal.Also can bully defenders better than Giroud. Obviously needs a goal but enough promise shown.

  39. Ron

    Jul 22, 2014, 11:46 #54154

    Hi Chris - Has anybody shown interest in taking Campbell? Ive not seen any 'value' attributed to him as yet. The post WC 'glow' from him (for those who had any) might still afford him a false value as you say.

  40. BADARSE

    Jul 22, 2014, 10:25 #54150

    Evening Athoz. Here's the conundrum. A company offers you a role at a well paid salary. You are happy there and all goes well. Another rival company head hunts you, offering a greatly enhanced increase in earnings. Conversely you shop at a lovely little shop on a regular basis. A newer and bigger shop opens nearby and offers all products much cheaper, and a greater variety. The staff there are also pleasant enough. Moving job, or shopping in a new shop doesn't brand a person as being 'bad', does it? Footballers are just people, only fans try to build them into heroes and demi gods. It is a sad reality of life that nothing is stable, also life's blessing. I don't begrudge any player leaving us, I don't always like the manner it is done in, or the circumstances of departure. The simple logic though surely cannot be questioned? One to end on, 'Grace(East)lands.', Bacary Sagna:

  41. Ron

    Jul 22, 2014, 10:23 #54149

    Hi Oz - 'there's no 'probable' about it mate. Its a given. The more discerning of us today look at what football gives vis other forms on enjoyment and entertainment and it doesn't get out of the starting blocks frankly. The nature of the people in the game has an effect as well and makes people think why they should pay high prices to see a load of social pariahs masquerading as professionals, make a half hearted effort to win what in most cases turns out to be a mundane, event free game. Fortunately for football, its still the case that many who do go regularly to football matches have little other interests/vocations in their lives with which to compare it with. TV assists it of course, with its false value attributed to it and overblown hype of how 'exciting' it is. If and when the TV lose interest in it, football will die here. Its already nearly extinct in schools and there's nothing beneath the hype to make anybody think there are any grass roots for it to live and breathe without its TV 'oxygen' mask.

  42. Chris

    Jul 22, 2014, 10:18 #54148

    Ron - Have to agree on Campbell. Didn't look all that to me in the WC. Take the money whilst his stock is high and put it towards a better player, that's what I'd like to see. But I hope my words come back to haunt me!

  43. Ozzie

    Jul 22, 2014, 10:10 #54147

    Q: Why was the Arse constipated? A: Cos it was stuck with Bendtner:-) I agree with your 'money grabbing bastards' David, probably one reason why many a supporter's passion has waned somewhat. On the matter of "top" managers, one wonders how they would fare at clubs that do not possess the cream of world talent and bucket loads of money?

  44. Ron

    Jul 22, 2014, 9:48 #54146

    Good comments on Sanogo guys. Hes very hard done to on here. As an aside, for the same reason that AW is right to have faith in Sanogo, hes also right to be seemingly having little faith in Campbell (in my view).

  45. Westlower

    Jul 22, 2014, 9:45 #54145

    @Mathew, Sanchez has been signed to be Giroud's support up front. It was our priority signing of the summer. When all are fit and available I expect our front 3 to be Walcott, Giroud & Sanchez. The midfield 3 will consist of Ramsey, Ozil + new DM. Support strikers will be Sanogo & Podolski. Alternative midfielders: Ox, JW, Cazorla, Gnabry, Rosicky, Arteta, Flamini, Diaby. I suspect there is some horse trading still to be done with 2 of those named moving on and being replaced with new blood. It appears we're trying to get a player swap with Man U for TV.

  46. BADARSE

    Jul 22, 2014, 7:49 #54141

    Yes Black Hei, Yaya was a catalyst in both games. This may be one of his biggest attributes, his energy, movement and verve. No defender wants a constant thorn in their side, he may be that in most games. He is a handful and as a direct result aided a S/F win, and again made things happen when he appeared in the final. I haven't even touched on his personal skill level either. Making quiet observations are sometimes a quality which escapes some, well done. With you all the way chum, as I usually am. Once more to end on, 'I'm looking through you.', Black Hei:

  47. Amos

    Jul 22, 2014, 7:12 #54139

    Just a thought but I wonder how many of the 55% who thought Arsene should be less directly involved in transfer fees and wage negotiations were also digging him out for commentating and playing beach football in Brazil?

  48. Mathew

    Jul 22, 2014, 6:40 #54138

    Well compiled Dave, although I disagree about Zelalem like most, especially when we are hell-bound in home grown talent. Last thing you want to see is them playing in another jersey and I am sure Campbell is gonna leave us soon as Wenger is not yet convinced with him. I would rate Zelalem/Gnabry to replace Rosicky at some point of time. BFG does have a command in pepping the team up, but his defensive errors are evident for other PL teams. My future captain will be Kos, so that he wont leave us for PSG or Monaco after an year or maybe Ramsey (unless he proves that he isnt a one-season wonder). Too many expectations from the team for this season, hope Wenger signs someone to support Giroud upfront and another to replace Arteta at some point.

  49. Black Hei

    Jul 22, 2014, 6:31 #54137

    David Oudat is an ass, here is why. He doesn't watch matches. He just mouths off. Shown by saying Sanogo did sod. Without Sanogo, we wouldn't have had a trophy. Him coming on enabled us to dominate the game against Hull. Next he slags Sagna. The very Sagna that gave us 7 years of professional service. I think Sagna has won the right of non grievance. Third, even though it is just a joke, the mere mention of Rolf Harris as being akin to Wenger is just ****e. Just tasteless from a so-called fan. Maybe David find jokes about autistic kids funny too. Where the hell did Online Gooner find such contributors of bad taste. Last time round was a cray AKB, now this cocksure keyboard warrior.

  50. Peter Snow

    Jul 21, 2014, 23:53 #54135

    Looks like the Malaysian Gooners have been voting for their deity in huge numbers again. Bloody handy this world wide web thingy.

  51. Amos

    Jul 21, 2014, 23:13 #54134

    No need to be so defensive Jeff. I wouldn't have thought it was the end of the world if Arsene had decided he didn't want to do it anymore either. After 18 years of the same manager, with so much of the support having grown up knowing nothing else, it would be a surprise if there wasn't some pressure for a change. If anything I'm surprised it isn't any stronger than the polls seem to show - even before we had won the FAC. Then again I'm not at all surprised that many also recognise what he has achieved and that the argument in favour of change for change's sake doesn't appear to be too convincing either.

  52. jeff wright

    Jul 21, 2014, 22:56 #54132

    At one time the notion of Wenger leaving would have been met with cries of rage and anguish by the majority of supporters ... including me ! However times have changed ,and never mind what Amos the man who produces the results of surveys like a magician pulling rabbits from his hat says because the facts are that had Wenger fallen on his sword at the end of last season it would not have led to demo's against the Kronekes. Times have changed and although it's fair to say that a large number of supporters are not bothered that Wenger is still leading us ,albeit nowhere, it's equally true to say that they would not be that fussed if he did go. Even Sir Jocko at United had to leave in the end , and so will Wenger ,so get over it . It's not like finding a replacement to try and better one trophy in 9 years is mission impossible,only for those living in dreamland is Arsene irreplaceable ...yawn...

  53. Ron

    Jul 21, 2014, 21:49 #54129

    Captaincy? Id give it Ramsey now. Arsenal shouldnt ever haven't a foreigner as a Skipper when theres a good British one there cut out for the task.Merter s got his work cut out just stopping himself looking a mug when some nippy forward skates past him as if he isnt there or a ball played into space behind him leaves him looking oafish and stranded in no mans land, without the burden of Captaincy. Crowd clapping to bolster his ridiculous BFG cult status and bawling out a squirt of non tryer who wouldn't have the balls to bawl back at him hardly qualifies a bloke for a Captain. Its the commanding aspects of a blokes play that has to precede his ability to verbally lead and admonish that commands teammates respect, not the other way around.

  54. Spike

    Jul 21, 2014, 21:15 #54128

    I find it hard to agree that Sanogo did 'sod all'. His appearance as sub in both the Wigan semi and the final itself contributed a lot to us turning those games around. Not a great else but let's give him credit where it's due.

  55. The Cult of Wenger will never die

    Jul 21, 2014, 19:51 #54126

    Amos, I don't think many of us fervently against Wenger claim to represent the majority of the Arsenal fanbase of 2014, but you give us so much of your time and attention that it would seem rude not to respond occasionally.

  56. maguiresbridge gooner

    Jul 21, 2014, 19:17 #54124

    Of course giving the Captaincy to Mertesacker would make sense but don't forget we have a manager who a lot of times doesn't make sense, and says things that don't make sense, and does things that don't make sense, so don't be surprised if he gives it to Xbox jack to help him grow up and as a reward for him coming back early to be de tared, or Diaby if he doesn't take off on another space mission.

  57. BADARSE

    Jul 21, 2014, 17:00 #54122

    Thank you David, a good opportunity to show my colours over Zelalem. He has great poise, and has a rare talent, like all good ball players, of creating time and space on the ball. A wonderful prospect, and for people like westlower and GFA to talk of Paul Davis in the same breath is testimony enough.

  58. Amos

    Jul 21, 2014, 16:24 #54121

    Curiously enough Wenger's satisfaction ratings don't seem to have changed much over the last 3 gooner surveys. Those most determined to see him out have hovered around the 19% over all three polls. Support for Wenger, at various levels has always been somewhere upwards of 60%. Maybe there's a little less ambiguity among those happy for him to stay now but those broadly supportive of him have remained pretty consistently broadly supportive. The Black Scarf Movement (never likely to attract the most ardent Wengerists you'd imagine) conducted a poll of some 8000+ supporters apparently between the point when Everton were pressing us for 4th place and when a FAC seemed achievable. Considering various scenarios ranging from finishing top four and winning the FAC to finishing outside the top four and failing to win the FAC support in favour of Wenger ranged from 68% to 54%. In that survey support fro Wenger would have dropped more had we fail to qualify for the CL than if we had lost the FA Cup final. Even with what some might have seen as an Armageddon scenario the majority were still in favour of him staying on. It does make you wonder whether those fervently against Wenger are sometimes taken too seriously. In the end though those that have to take it seriously, whether Dein & Co, Fiszman & Co or Kroenke, have always been among his most committed supporters.

  59. GaryFootscrayAustralia

    Jul 21, 2014, 16:11 #54120

    Let's not forget that, for all Paul Davis' panache and touch on the ball, he was a hard head that could mix it when required. Where Davis and Zelalem are similar is their posture when receiving the ball / taking the first touch, and movement in possession. If Zelalem gets anywhere near Davis in terms of converting ability into achievement then we can start talking about him. He's got plenty of time to improve on what's been seen up to now.

  60. Westlower

    Jul 21, 2014, 15:47 #54119

    @David, Zelalem is blessed with great technique & vision. He buys himself time on the ball and can see a killer pass in a tight area. Very similar to Paul Davis & Mesut Ozil in style but still needs to strengthen. Not your archetypal English pub team footballer. He'll enchant us with his panache for many years to come.

  61. Edmund

    Jul 21, 2014, 13:41 #54114

    Total agreement with Per getting the captain's armband if Vermaelen goes. I guess I'm with the majority in your survey. Only difference in opinion is regarding Zelalem. I've seen him on tour and he is an intelligent player with a good eye for a pass. Unfortunately he is such a string bean that the other PL players just brush him aside. If he beefs us,he has a great future.