Official Arsenal FC Thread

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-legend-campbell-calls-time-on-career

What a career he's had, eh.

What a player. Top LAD.

Campbell.

Most famous for his never ending slide against Croatia, legend says he's still sliding today.

He's no Sami Hyypia.

Former faster player in the Premier League.

ScottyBoy_1989 wrote:

Gegilworld93 wrote:
Didn't say just Poldi would make us challengers but he'll get us goals and assists from the left wing, something Gervinho seems unable to do. I also based it off Robin staying and Wilshere returning to fitness and playing like last season,
Our midfield will consist of three out of Wilshere, Arteta, Song, Ramsey and Rosicky and maybe a new signing, that's great depht and on paper it's better than United's given they don't sign anyone special and probably City's as well, might be debatable though.
Defence will be really solid too if everyone stays fit, especially if we signed a new left back too as I said.
On paper that'll be title challenging material I'd say.

I don't think it is debatable. City have the best midfield in the league by quite a long stretch.

Sorry I forgot to mention I was on about central midfield alone, but considering Nasri and Silva cut in all the time and are more midfielders than wingers you're probably right.

Note* I left out questions purely on Köln or the German NT. 

Introduction

„The decision has been made, and I want to stress it again, not against FC Köln but in favour of Arsenal FC. I always knew that I’d either continue my career at Köln for a further couple of years or I’d go to another top club. I had a couple of different offers but they did not really matter to me. As soon as the offer of Arsenal arrived I started to think about my career in football and eventually came to the conclusion that this would be the right path for me.”

Q1 – Lukas: Why is Arsenal such a good fit?

“They wear the same colours as Köln (laughs). No, jokes aside. As I've said before, I had other interesting offers but for me, it had to be a top club and when you look at Arsenal, with a fantastic manager, good environment and there has never been bad press surrounding the club; they are playing attractive football and have a great stadium with great fans. Although I’ve never been there and haven’t looked at anything I think the club is a very good fit for me. Otherwise I would not have made the decision.”

Q2 – Meeting with Arsene Wenger.

“We just spoke on the telephone once and I have not met him yet, that will certainly happen after the Euros. Also, I haven’t seen the stadium or the training facilities yet as the focus has been completely on Köln so far.”

Q3 – Mertesacker's video message

“I am happy to play with someone whom I’ve know for a long time, who speaks German and with whom I get along very well. Therefore I believe he’ll make it easy for me to settle down.”

Q4 – Has he spoken to Mertesacker

“Yes, I asked him a couple of questions about the club, the environment etc.. But at the end of the day, you have to make the decision on your own. You might get some advice, for sure. But he hasn’t helped with the final decision.”

Q5 – About his time in Munich

“In Munich, I maybe was a tad too young. Now, I’m more experienced and have become even better and I’m confident about this move and certain that I will make it there.”

Q6 – Dealing with a new language

“Whenever you go to a new country, the language is a part of that – but I believe football is international. I think my English is good enough and will make it easier for me to fit in.”

Q7 – Contract / time after Arsenal

“I don’t want to discuss any details on my contract. Regarding my future after London, sure, I could imagine to come back and as I’ve said before, the FC (Köln) will always be my club no matter what. I believe it’s important that the club carries on and moves forward when I’m gone. It’s vital for me that they don’t say 'now that Podolski is gone everything is falling apart'. But it’s rather a chance to rebuild, with new chairmen, to move forward and be successful again, something that was promised to me when I arrived. That has to be the aim.”

Q8 – Hopes and dreams with Arsenal

“Undoubtedly, the Arsenal FC is a big name in football, you just have to look back and look at their success. Again, they have an awesome manager, and a great stadium – I’m looking forward to that. The goal has to be to win titles over the next years. That’s a given when you go to a big club. The English league is very good and competitive and every year six or seven clubs are challenging. Hence it’s a chance and a great motivation to make another step forward."

Hmm.. not really falling in love with him.. but hopefully he plays with passion and truly wants to play for Arsenal.

I'm getting more and more excited about next season even though t will probably be the same old shit all over again.

Wonder how long he'll stay with us. Hate when they don't release contract details..wtf

Once he gets here he will fall in love

ScottyBoy_1989 wrote:I don't think any other Club will be challenging for the title any time soon. It'll be City vs United for another 2-3 years imo.

Signing Podolski won't suddenly make you potential title challengers, that's jumping the gun a bit, surely? You almost sound like Liverpool fans there.

Coquelin, Wilshere, Frimpong, Jenkinson, Diaby, Miyachi and Afobe will be back... That's good depth if not all are loaned out

Then we have Ozyakup, Einfield and Aneke waiting for opportunities

(all are midfielders/attackers btw)

Fonseca wrote:

ScottyBoy_1989 wrote:I don't think any other Club will be challenging for the title any time soon. It'll be City vs United for another 2-3 years imo.

Signing Podolski won't suddenly make you potential title challengers, that's jumping the gun a bit, surely? You almost sound like Liverpool fans there.

Coquelin, Wilshere, Frimpong, Jenkinson, Diaby, Miyachi and Afobe will be back... That's good depth if not all are loaned out

Then we have Ozyakup, Einfield and Aneke waiting for opportunities

(all are midfielders/attackers btw)

Those will be ones who will almost certainly be in our main squad. The latter 3 will get loaned out I'm sure.

Diaby is such a talented player and I hoop he can stay fit so he can have a Rosicky like transformation, but the guy is a permanently injured, he needs to move to a new club, his luck might change then and he might fulfil his potential.

Agreed, this article suggests he should be loaned out:

http://hereisthecity.com/2012/04/30/arsenal-should-send-injured-abou-diaby-to-wigan/

I'd prefere him to go on loan to bolton if they stay up.

The Bat-Man wrote:Diaby is such a talented player and I hoop he can stay fit so he can have a Rosicky like transformation, but the guy is a permanently injured, he needs to move to a new club, his luck might change then and he might fulfil his potential.

Myth, he has a good first touch and can dribble but can't do anything else properly

Looks like we might need to win our last two games, although I am optimistic that Tottenham and Newcastle will drop points against Villa and Manchester City respectively.

Surprised Rooney and Aguero have done better.

Winning this Saturday is by force, hopefully City win on Sunday. Just worried about that last game against West Brom, but if both lose this week (Newcastle and Spurs) and we win then 3rd's ours

Splashy wrote:

Rooney has a better mins per goal than Rvp? Didn't expect that, even with having a few more penalties.

I'd like to see them stats about Suarez.

Thanks splashy.

As I thought.. what a wasteful clown.

Cisse's minutes per goal.

Also Jelavic.

IN.

Brilliant.

The goal at 1:50.

Hopefully Podolski turns out to be a good signing. Would love to see Dempsey signed also. Still in awe of how good Rosicky has been this season. I thought he was washed up, but he is playing like the Tomas of yore. Still think Diaby and Arshavin need to be offloaded ASAFP.

Splashy wrote:

Chris wrote:I'd like to see them stats about Suarez.

Wasn't Suarez supposed to be the best player in history according to Liverpool supporters?

Jesus Cisse is a beast. Good bit of business for the Magpies signing him up.