I really do like this bit of detail on the back of the neck of next seasons kit.

I really do like this bit of detail on the back of the neck of next seasons kit.

Eeek. Looks like we are not getting Vertonghen. DO we need him though?

Koscielny,Mertescaker.Vermaelan,Bartely,Miquel,Djorou. Six solid centrebacks, and Wenger rates Miquel and Bartely highly. However I can see one, or both of the youngsters going out on loan to a Premir League club next year. Miquel to Bolton?

It would've been nice to get Vertonghen, but I don't think we need him. What I would rather get is a defender who can play anywhere across the backline, would really come in handy.

The other thing is I think from what I've seen Vertonghen and Vermaelen are very very similar, and a bit too similar for my liking. I'm happy with what we've got now with maybe just 1 more versatile defender. The problem for TV is that it's ok to make those runs every now and then as long as the midfield covers it, but lately they haven't been doing that, epescially against Norwich. Rambo and Song were especially guilty of this.


With Podolski coming in and now these reports about Hoilett, if we do get Hoilett I think we'd be set in the wide positions. I'd be happy going into next season with Theo, Gervinho, Ox, Podolski and Hoilett(if we buy him of course) occupying the wide positions with Miyaichi in there as well.

I think we just need 1 more defender and then anyone else we buy will depend on who leaves.

Well looks like we are getting A creative wide player in the Form of Afellay. Twitter is absolutely blowing up with this. I know not a reliable source but we were interested in him before he joined Barcelona, and is a typical Arsene signing.

Would be cheap, maybe 5-8 Million Pounds. International quality. Play making wide forward. If we sign him I'll be over the moon as he is one of my favourite players :D

Ok so this new home kit will be used as our home kit for the next 2 seasons and the away kit, which will be released in July, will become our 3rd in for the 13/14 season.

Come again?
They pick the one kit that everyone hates to extend for two years? Got to be taking the piss.

Not everyone hates it. Have found a fair few people who actually don't mind it. There will be people who hate it now but give it 6 months and people will be over it. The same thing happened with this seasons away kit. Everyone was so against it when it was announced, 6 months later everyone got used to it and stopped complaining.

This is class.

Also some congratulations to Laurent Koscielny on being picked in the prelim squad for France for Euro 2012. Well deserved call up.

Isn't that just a mockup? Not an official kit?

Where did you find out it's for two years? I can't find anything about it and aside from me disliking it personally, it doesn't make sense commercially.

[size=6]Rice to leave Arsenal after 44 years at Club[/size]

Arsenal Assistant Manager Pat Rice is to leave the Club at the end of the season after a 44-year association with the Gunners.

Rice has a rich history with Arsenal Football Club, having first joined as a youth team player back in 1964. A Northern Ireland international right-back, he was a ‘double’ winner in 1971 and captained the side to FA Cup glory in 1979. In total, Rice made 528 appearances for Arsenal across 14 seasons.

After a spell with Watford between 1980 - 1984, Rice returned to Arsenal as a Youth Team Coach, winning two FA Youth Cups in 1988 and 1994. He took up a senior coaching role when Arsène Wenger joined in 1996.

As Assistant Manager, Rice, 63, has been Arsène Wenger’s right-hand man, helping to guide the Club to seven major honours - three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, including two ‘doubles’ in 1998 and 2002.

Arsène Wenger said: “Pat is a true Arsenal legend and has committed almost his whole life to Arsenal Football Club, which shows huge loyalty and devotion to this Club.

“Pat has been amazing for me over the past 16 years. When I first arrived at Arsenal, Pat was always there and taught me so much about this great club. I will always be indebted to him for his expert insight into Arsenal and football as a whole. On the training pitches and on matchdays, Pat has always been a passionate, loyal and insightful colleague, who we will all miss.

“Thank you Pat, we’ll miss you and all of us wish you and your family the best of health and happiness for the future. Although, we’ll still see Pat a lot, as I know he’s planning to come to all the home matches as a supporter!”

Pat last night enjoyed a farewell barbeque with Wenger and the first team squad. An announcement on his successor as Assistant Manager will be made in due course.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/rice-to-leave-arsenal-after-44-years-at-club

[size=6]Gunners unite to pay tribute to Pat Rice[/size]

It was announced on Thursday morning that Pat Rice would be leaving the Club at the end of the season following 44 years of loyal service.

A host of current and former Arsenal team-mates, managers and players have paid tribute to Rice, and you can scroll down to read what they said.

Pat, unfortunately you are going and we will not see each other anymore on a daily basis. It is very sad, but I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for having been a competent, loyal partner and a great fighter. We have done great things together, but I know that without you we would not have done them. Forever in my heart you will always be one of the great guys I have met in my life. Football allows that and hopefully you can come to Arsenal again and we will maybe share, not a great game, but a great glass of wine together. Have a good time.
Arsène Wenger

Pat, I am sorry to hear you are leaving. I am really happy I met you at this Club, I learnt a lot from you, especially with you being a defender who played for Arsenal as well. I learnt a lot of defensive skills from you, and I know that was really important. I'm very happy you were here as the assistant manager, and I wish you well for the future.
Thomas Vermaelen

There are certain people who embody the club so perfectly that it's impossible to know if the Club created them or if they created the Club. The moment I met him, I knew that Pat Rice was Arsenal and Arsenal was Pat Rice. In my mind, there is no higher compliment.
Ivan Gazidis

Pat, I wish you all the very best and thank you for everything you have done for this amazing Club. I will take you right back to when I was an amateur school teacher and you were there as this not-too-clever full back. We used to train on a Thursday evening and Charlie George was there and I don't think you and I ever thought we would reach the heights we reached. We spent so much time on and off the field together, as well as with your lovely family. It has been a fantastic journey for you and for me and we all definitely owe it to Arsenal. I know you feel as much about this Club as I do. All the best to you and to Betty.
Bob Wilson

Hi Pat, I am very sad to see you go. Every morning I will miss that 10 minutes before training starts when you come into the dressing room and shout at us! I enjoyed working with you for all the time I have been here and the whole team will miss you. Thank you, and all the best.
Tomas Rosicky

Pat, it's been a long time since I was at the Club but when I was you were a youth-team coach but you have put in the miles, put in the hours and I wish you a very happy retirement. All the very best.
Alan Smith

Pat, it only seems like yesterday when we had to search around the old Highbury at the end of a working day to make sure you weren't training, having sneaked in from down the road! From that day forth I could never get rid of you, because I had you in the Northern Ireland team and here at Arsenal as well. They were wonderful days and you are a magnificent servant to the Club and a true skipper in my time, for which I thank you for all of your efforts. Well done, Pat, enjoy.
Terry Neill

Pat, I just want to thank you for what you have done in my career so far. I have had such a great time here working with you and I wish you all the best for the future. It will definitely be a bit quieter around the training ground without you, but once again thanks very much for all you have done. Remember, can't ask, can't play!
Aaron Ramsey

Pat, I just think it is absolutely amazing the service you have given this fantastic Club. Well done, enjoy your retirement and I'm sure you and Betty will have a super time - enjoy the south of Spain! From an Arsenal man, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the service that you have given this Club. Well done, and God bless.
Tony Adams

Pat, it is a real pity you are retiring because you mean a lot to the Club. You have been a fantastic player there, a fantastic coach and assistant. It was a pleasure to work with you. Sometimes I gave you a bad time, but I hope you were okay with that! I found it fantastic to work with you and I wish you well for the rest of your life. Good luck with everything you do, thanks again.
Dennis Bergkamp
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-unite-to-pay-tribute-to-pat-rice