What else were you expecting after that mistake against Birmingham?

He copped shit at the start of the season when he was settling in and was making mistakes, but after that there wasn't really anything, because it was Squillaci taking all the blame.

The problem for Koscielny last season was it took some time for him to settle and get used to the added physicality of the EPL. Once he got used to that he was fine, and is a more than able back up, and tbph if we went into this season with him and Vermaelen as first choice I would be ok. Wouldn't be ideal, but i'd be ok with it.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 19/7/2011 02:54:11 PM

Why can't you buy a replacement Left back? You have money, there are good players out there who are willing to move. What's the problem?

Arsene's not willing to stunt the development of Gibbs. I would much rather buy a LB but can't really do anything about it and I would be incredibly surprised if we do buy one.

And tbph I would much rather worry about a CB and another midfielder before a LB, and I have a feeling that's what we might end up with depending on departures.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 19/7/2011 03:15:09 PM

One thing Wenger usually gets right is full backs. So if he really thinks we can win titles with Gibbs and Traore fighting it out then I trust him.

I still think personally we need another CB. Only one we have that I'm not confident with is Squillaci. With Verminator, Koscielny and Djourrou I think we have 3 quality players, Obviously Verm being the No. 1. What we need is someone who isn't afraid to get stuck in, to put their body on the line and who knows a thing or 2 about defending a set piece. Fuck height. Djourrou is tall but he's probably the worst at set pieces. We need a smart physical defender. That's it IMO.

So nothing really groundbreaking the last few days.

The proposed transfer of young Costa Rican Joel Campbell is off after we pulled out of the deal because of his failure to show up for a pre-medical meeting.

We've apparently had a bid of 10m rejected for Phil Jagielka. Wouldn't mind him because it would help fill two positions at once with CB and a back up DM. Will be interesting to see if we go back for another bid.

Valencia are apparently willing to sell Juan Mata if a big enough offer comes in. Us going for him all depends on the Cesc and Nasri situation.

20m and we will talk.

Arsene should forget Jagielka paying more than 10m for a 29yo with no cl experience is a terrible move regardless of how English he is

:lol: No way is Jagielka worth 20m. Ever since you sold Lescott Everton seem to measure transfer fees compared to that sale :lol:

How about Bendtner + cash?

I'd say a big plus in Jagielka's favour is that he can play in midfield as well as defence.

Jags is quality, I REALLY don't want him to go. If we do sell him though, it'd have to be 12m or so. I don't know if I'd take Bendtner and cash, he just doesn't seem like he'd fit Everton.

Yeah I'd say he's worth around about 12-15m.
As for Bendtnder, that was just a suggestion because well he wants to leave, and you could do with a striker.

if we were going to get him for above 10m, Id want to see a player going the other way to make up the difference, but again its a lot to pay for a guy whos thirty next year and everyone knows what arsene thinks of thirty year olds. You're both right though he's quality and would give us some variety

It just seems like an expensive band-aid

Edited by Hinderz: 22/7/2011 04:38:25 PM

I'd rather see us fork out the 17m for Cahill even though that is a fucking ludicrous price, but if we go for and get Jagielka instead I won't be to upset, because of his ability to also play midfield.

Would mean Kyle Bartley most likely going out on loan again which is probably the best thing for him to get another season of first team football under his belt and really push for a first team place next season.

Word that JET is being shopped around for 1m. Doesn't surprise be considering he's never really shown he can step up to that next level and fufill that potential.

The U18's beat Watford 2-0 last night in their first pre-season friendly with new boy Hector Bellerin scoring a goal in his first game for the club.

Pedro Botelho is set to join Rayo Vallecano on loan.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 22/7/2011 04:59:08 PM

Im still convinced closer to deadline day we'll get Cahill for around 10-12m with Bartley and one other youngster going the other way on loan. The only way it wont happen is if chelsea come in waving Sturridge infront of Coyle. We are apparently Cahill's first choice.

Bartley can come back once squillaci moves on

Edited by Hinderz: 22/7/2011 05:54:24 PM

So Cesc hasn;t travelled to Germany with the squad because he still hasn't totally gotten over his injury yet. No surprise that he hasn't travelled since he hasn't been back in full training yet.

Eboue and Diaby aren't going because of injury while Bendtner isn't going because of transfer business.

Gervinho will join the squad as will Fabianski who's recovered from injury. Benik Afobe has also joined the squad.

And some words from Arsene that will give a lot of people a big sigh of relief.

good joel campbell is a great footballer but he very pendulant , several italian clubs wanted him but were put of too his antics on and off the field

i hope we do get juan mata , but i dont we will cos arsne wont spend 20 -30 mill

Starting XI for match against Koln: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Vermaelen (c), Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Gervinho, Chamakh.

shit i forgot that was on . any news on where ryo will be loaned too?

Nothing new but probably Feyenoord again. They've said they'd like him back on loan.

11:30 kick off for Cologne right?

oh ok i hope he gets his work permit soon , but in saying that how long did it take for carlos vela to get his?

Gervinho first touch goal, not too shabby at all.

Gervinho gets off to a great start scoring on his debut with his first touch, ball over from jack and Gervinho lobs the keeper.

hopefully gervinho gets better and better with us . just need maybe a juan matta ? and a cb and were set

Gervinho makes it 2-0.

Has been some pretty shonky defending all round to start this one.

nice start for gervais

We don't need Juan Mata, we'd only need him if Nasri or Cesc leave. I'd much rather buy a CB and another central midfielder.

another cm? like who and i would like another cb but u know wenger he wont buy another cb unless he has too