Arsenal

[BobTheCharmer]

Grown adult in proof that schooling really does work shocker likes this!

[Bender]

they don't need ozil.......seems it's a signing to calm the fans .....they need to sort out the goalkeeper and defence

[RichC]

He's an excellent player and would improve them but not exactly what they need, we'll see if this transfer goes through.

[Bender]

DESPITE THE AGREEMENT FOR 45 MILLION WHITE WITH ARSENAL
Ozil will not leave Real Madrid
link

am sure this can and will change

[dww]

I don't understand Arsenal's strategy here.

Do they wait this late into the transfer window in order to save in wages? No point signing a player on 150k a week on the 1st of July to sit around for 6 weeks and do nothing

or

Are they playing the ultimate game of poker? Letting all of the other teams set about their business, gives Arsenal a chance to see the other teams hand so to speak and then Arsenal are free to sign up who and what they need?

I think the view expressed on 5 Live the other day has some merit - that Wenger is a perfectionist and unless someone (the job Dein did at one time) or something forces him he is reluctant to sign players he hasn't seen many times.

I think Ozil and Di Maria are supposed to be players he was tracking before they went to Madrid. So essentially they represent targets he is sure of but only became available once the Bale deal was done.

I know people say that Arsenal need a DM but it appears Wenger has gone off the idea after Song left (arguably after Gilberto left actually). The players he looks to want to play in the deepest midfield role are playmakers - worked against Spurs certainly.

[Neil Young]

I think the view expressed on 5 Live the other day has some merit - that Wenger is a perfectionist and unless someone (the job Dein did at one time) or something forces him he is reluctant to sign players he hasn't seen many times.

I think Ozil and Di Maria are supposed to be players he was tracking before they went to Madrid. So essentially they represent targets he is sure of but only became available once the Bale deal was done.

I know people say that Arsenal need a DM but it appears Wenger has gone off the idea after Song left (arguably after Gilberto left actually). The players he looks to want to play in the deepest midfield role are playmakers - worked against Spurs certainly.

...who were poor, uncoordinated and lacking creativity in central midfield, which is precisely what you'd hope a DM might counter...

Just one game of course. It'll be interesting to see if they can cope without defensively-adept midfielders in the Premier League.

[Neil Young]

Talking of Wenger's perfectionism, has that article about how transfers work from the BBC site (IIRC) been posted here somewhere?

[Chazza]

James Olley @JamesOlley
Bendtner in a statement: "An agreement had been reached with more than 1 club this week but as Arsenal were unable to secure..." (1/2)

James Olley @JamesOlley
Bendtner:"...the services of another striker, they reserved their right to not sanction any deal to be concluded. (2/2)

[dww]

...who were poor, uncoordinated and lacking creativity in central midfield, which is precisely what you'd hope a DM might counter...

Just one game of course. It'll be interesting to see if they can cope without defensively-adept midfielders in the Premier League.

The thing is that a lot of PL teams this season appear to have gone for pressing/physicality rather than creativity (Spurs were one of the teams that people were talking about having a lot of creative players a week ago). Having a lot of technically gifted players is perhaps the best counter to that. I also think that Flamini if he can regain his form is a good DM (albeit more Lucas than Mascherano and certainly not a Roy Keane style enforcer).

[Neil Young]

Sure, as I said it's an interesting strategy. Not even Barcelona have gone that far (although they have largely done away with traditional defenders - then again there are times when Arsenal seem to have done the same ). In a way I'd quite like it to succeed but it will be fun if it doesn't. Either way, so long as it's not at our expense obviously.

Yes, Flamini did a good job before so let's hope the conditional stays unfulfilled.

[Alex]

Has anyone seen those alledged quotes from Ronaldo about Ozil leaving? Apparently he is angry about it

[Alex]

Found it.

Ronaldo: "Özil leaving is bad news for me. He was the player who best knew my moves in front of goal. I'm angry about him leaving."

Dont know how legit they are though.

[McDermotX]

Found it.

Ronaldo: "Özil leaving is bad news for me. He was the player who best knew my moves in front of goal. I'm angry about him leaving.
On the plus side, I'm looking forward to sharing my fabulous wardrobe with Gareth."

Dont know how legit they are though.

[McDermotX]

[john316]