Exactly, breath of fresh air. Instead just seeing what happens and reacting accordingly in the last hour of the transfer window.

Really exiting news, but I'll just wait until it's confirmed before getting too exited.



+1

Get excited, gunners fans. I wish he was coming to Liverpool. Superb player.

Given that this season for us is now almost entirely about putting ourself in the best possible position to win things for next season (CL qualification, contract extensions and attracting good transfers), heres what our future line-up looks like so far:

(Assuming the Podolski/€13m reports are true and no-one important leaves)

*/Djourou should be after Vermaelan
*Miyachi could come into LW too

Without any long term injuries, this side looks good enough to be winning titles again. But probably not big ones like the Premier league or Champions league.

In attack it looks hard to improve, but looks shakeable in defence and could use some back up or improvement there. As solid as Djourou was last season, the fact that he's so close to the first team behind such injury prone defenders is the biggest weak point for me.

Need Coquelin or Frimpong to step up to rotate with Song a little more. As much of a beast Song is we can't expect him play every game, stay injury free and to always stay in tip top shape over the long season given the amount of grass he covers.

Not so much of a worry in midfield, Coquelin is more than ready enough to step in.

As for the defence, I'm sure Gooner would agree with me but I'd go for Jan Vertonghen. He's all but confirmed he will be leaving Ajax in the summer, and with just a year left on his contract he won't cost an arm and a leg.

Yeah Vertonghen :p and another striker, maybe Damiao who we've been linked to, don't know what the price tag would be though. Odemwingie's another one we've been linked to and we could get him relatively cheap still even though West Brom wanted more than £4mill in the summer. Then there's Kalou or Hoilett who would be nice for a bit of cheap squad depth. Gotze or Hazard would be nice too of course but there's barely any hope of that happening.

On the topic of transfers anyone heard those rumours about us signing Del Piero and giving Chelsea Walcott for Sturridge :lol:

lol and lol.

I;m fairly confident we'll be signing Kalou in the summer, would be a bit surprised if Wenger didn't go for him or Hoilett, or even both since they'll be on frees.

As for the Del Piero thing, had a good laugh at that :lol:. Those Walcott Sturridge rumours have been around for a while, but I can't see Walcott leaving.

Walcott will probably play out his career at Arsenal tbh.

Hoilett is the kind of player that Arsene likes. Kalou on the other hand is completely useless.

Does Podolski remind anyone of Reyes?

He will be great on occasions, then ok.

Yeah I can't see Walcott leaving, and if he does it won't be for a while.

Hoilett and Kalou both offer something Arsene loves in a wide player, especially with Robin upfront who loves wide players who will move ahead of him. Both Hoilett and Kalou offer that. Bit unfair to call Kalou completely useless. Always consistently chips in with goals and assists. It's not like he'll be a starter. I mean he has hardly played this season, but 31 league games(16 of those starts) and 10 goals last season aint half bad.

Worth it just because he'll be on a free, no need to adjust to the league and adds strength in depth.

Reyes has been useless for years, and done zero at international level

Podolski had a tough time at Bayern, but that and his first season back at Koln aside he's been great, and has always been excellent at International level.

Not now, I mean the Reyes of 7 or 8 years ago :lol:

Podolski's biggest problem at Bayern was that he couldn't get a consistent run in the first team with the likes of Klose, Robben and Ribery taking up his positions in the team.

His physical presence and strength will make him a valuable asset down the left side for Arsenal next season. I'm very much jealous.

The Reyes of 7-8 years ago was a youngster who had lots of potential and threw it all away. Can't really compare that to an experienced international with almost 100 caps who has more often than not been very consistently good at club level.

They look very similar players for me.

In saying that, Podolski is a much better player than when Reyes arrived. Just don't think he will set the league on fire.

Edited by busbybabe: 8/3/2012 08:11:19 PM

Well, not Robben, but yeah. Podolski's career record is far more impressive than Reyes'.

The most amazing thing between Reyes and Podolski is that Podolski is 2 years younger, you'd think it'd be the other way around :lol: Still hard to believe he's only 26.

26 and 95 caps. He'll give Matthaus' record a run for its money.

I think if it's true, would be a good signing for you guys, I've always like Podolski, rate him very highly :)

:-k
Feel bad for Diaby :? Apparently one leg is longer than the other or something, being the cause of his injury record.

What Mancini thinks:

Whatever language he was speaking.. he says "I think" alot.

What would they even do with RVP? How do you fit RVP, Aguero, Balotelli and Silva into the same lineup? Not to mention Nasri, Milner, Dzeko etc etc. Fucking ridiculous club. They just buy for the sake of buying.

Have always felt so bad for Diaby. Fucking Dan Smith, useless cunt.

man feel for diaby. gr8 player ruined by that hack dan smith. hope to hell abou can get over his injury issues .

One leg longer than the other? How does that work?

Poldolski now denying the link saying a fee had been agreed to sign for you guys

Ask Garrincha.

Dodgy legs = gifted dribbler?

And tbh Diaby is a very very good dribbler, when he's fit that is :lol:

Looking like it will become a three legged race for the two remaining CL spots. I like those odds considering how dire things looked only a few weeks ago. Need the win tomorrow night!