2012 Summer Transfers

Arteta is great in his role, would be really stupid to change that. Give Jack the freedom to push forward.

I think we might see Arteta on the wings too a bit next season - sort of the role Benayoun played at times last season.

If we bring in M'Vila, we have a really strong mid-field.

*shudder*

Chris Chan wrote:Arteta is great in his role, would be really stupid to change that. Give Jack the freedom to push forward.

Agree.

Meshaal wrote:I think we might see Arteta on the wings too a bit next season - sort of the role Benayoun played at times last season.

No. Why would we move him from his best position??

I'm not suggesting we do that at all, I'm saying we might see that at some point next season.

Also, what is his best position? He has played on the wing for Everton, with some success and when he signed for us, alot of us expected him to take on a more attacking role as Fabregas' replacement.

Having said that, he did a wonderful job in a more defensive role last season and I expect him to do just as well in any mid-field position, wherever Wenger decides to play him.

I agree that Arteta was the only one in that midfield of ours with enough discipline and maturity to do what he did last season and changing that would be stupid, but maybe getting M'Vila will push him a bit forward? That was my hunch. After all, we knew him for his advanced roles at Everton.

And will Song become more of a utility player? I must say, I for one am enjoying this uncertainty of starters/positions in our team.

Song will not make our strongest midfield...but when are they ever all fit, so he will still play loads.

Meshaal wrote:
Also, what is his best position? He has played on the wing for Everton, with some success and when he signed for us, alot of us expected him to take on a more attacking role as Fabregas' replacement.

His best position is the one Wenger put him in cause you know he is the boss who sees him play week in and week out and he also has a knack for getting the best out of players.

Arteta might have played from the left but never as a winger. I think he can be effective when driving forward from deep. Earlier in the season when he got forward far too little I thought he wasn't completely fulfullling all the needs we had. Historical revisionism now seems to have decided that he had a brilliant first season, but for the most part I thought he was nothing more than steady, solid. I don't think he can convert to a position further forward.

I really like Rosicky, even though he will never have the passing accuracy or goals that Fabregas gave us. Then again no-one can so at the mo he's the best we can do.

I think people rate Arteta's season and importance highly as we missed him so much in the few games he didn't play in the second half of the season.

When Song has to be everywhere covering for Ramsey is when the problems begin, with Arteta he played very well.

Arteta is our xavi alonso. sits slightly deeper but can still get forward. very disciplined and can pick a pass. with a m'villa and wilshere alongside him and our midfield looks very exciting. song rambo rosicky diaby all as backup and if injuries are that cripplingthen fimpong/coquelin and the ox can dip in

Arsene Wenger remains confident captain Robin van Persie will stay at Arsenal next season - and rubbished suggestions the Holland striker would be moving to Italian champions Juventus.

Van Persie has yet to resolve his long-term future, with a year left to run on his current Gunners contract. The Dutchman held preliminary talks with Arsenal before he left for what turned out to be a disappointing European Championship campaign as the Netherlands failed to progress past the group stages after three defeats.

Van Persie, 28, plundered some 37 goals in all competition to help fire Arsenal back into the third place in the Barclays Premier League - and with it automatic qualification into the Champions League once again.

Wenger, though, insists speculation of a big-money move away from Emirates Stadium, with English champions Manchester City also reported to be preparing a lucrative offer as well as the Serie A winners, are all wide of the mark.

Quotes in Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport, Wenger said: "I am certain that Robin will remain with us.

"If you want to know why I am so certain is that Robin will remain with us is because there is no reason in this world why a great player like Van Persie should go and play for you, in Italy and in your competition.

"Your football (Serie A) is at an inferior level to the Premier League."

Arsenal are keen to show their intent for next season with more signings to follow German striker Lukas Podolski.

A £13million move for France forward Olivier Giroud is, according to Montpellier's officials, at an advanced stage.

Signing the 25-year-old, who scored 25 goals last season to help Montpellier win the Ligue 1 title, would be likely to lead to some of Arsenal's fringe players being sold - including Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner and Morocco international Marouane Chamakh as well as Mexico forward Carlos Vela and Brazilian midfielder Denilson.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/wenger-denies-van-persie-juve-094527652.html

I remember van Persie tweeting something like this: "Watching Milan vs Inter, bored to death", so Wenger might be right saying that Italian football is shit.

Who's talking about Italy? RVP is going to City.

Lyon invite offers for Arsenal target Gourcuff
Submitted by tribalfootball.com on Wed, 06/20/2012 - 12:00

Olympique Lyon have put Yoann Gourcuff up for sale.

Le Parisien says Gourcuff is available from OL for between €13-15 million.

His availability is sure to interest Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who regards the playmaker highly and admits he would've signed the Frenchman last summer if not for injury.

http://tribalfootball.com/articles/lyon-invite-offers-arsenal-target-gourcuff-3254641

From the ultra-reliable tribalfootball! I wish I had 15 million euros.

I would rather have Mateo Kovacic than Gourcuff. He doesnt seem to be living up to the hype and Mateo is a free transfer, cant go wrong there

When we tend to discuss Gourcuff, the discussion is based solely on his looks. No to Mateo Kovacic.

On a serious note, I very much doubt we'll be signing any attacking mid-fielders this summer and fair enough.

hahah fair enough

Meshaal wrote:When we tend to discuss Gourcuff, the discussion is based solely on his looks.

Hahaha, true!

Imagine van Persie, Giroud, Gourcuff, Arteta and Song in the same starting line-up. We would "out-goodlook" any team in the world.

Probably beat Barcelona 5 nil.

As talented as Gourcuff is, he seems incredibly inconsistent. If Wenger could inspire him to rediscover his 08/09 form, then I'd happily welcome him into the squad. However, as it stands, if we're looking at Ligue 1 playmakers, Younes Belhanda seems the one we want.

That said, with Wilshere coming back next season, I'm not entirely convinced we need more depth in midfield. I'm still hoping, perhaps naively, that Diaby will come good. Laurent Blanc stated that if Diaby were fit, he would be going to the Euros; surely that means something.

Meshaal wrote:Imagine van Persie, Giroud, Gourcuff, Arteta and Song in the same starting line-up. We would "out-goodlook" any team in the world.

Probably beat Barcelona 5 nil.

add sczesney and rosicky to that list..we have a 7 nil here

And now Kaka too! I love Sam =)

Kaka or Gourcuff?