I'd only listen to bids below 20m if they came from the continent, just to not sell him to a rival. Place a premium on him going to a rival.



Edited by Hinderz: 21/7/2012 12:20:59 AM

Kos won't be getting the armband. 99.9999% sure it'll be TV. I can't see any reason for it not to be TV to be honest.

The Asian tour squad has been announced.

Vito Mannone, Ignasi Miquel, Chuks Aneke, Thomas Eisfeld, Marouane Chamakh, Ryo Miyaichi, Craig Eastmond, Nico Yennaris, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Francis Coquelin, Kieran Gibbs
Alex Song, Lukasz Fabianski, Carl Jenkinson, Theo Walcott, Wojciech Szczesny, Johan Djourou, Benik Afobe, Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby, Andre Santos, Gervinho, Mikel Arteta, Kyle Bartley

Just wondering, have I missed the reason as to why Giroud and Podolski aren't in the squad?

I would say the fact that he's may not even be a first choice starter might have something to do with it.

Thomas Vermaelen is the best centre half at the club and perhaps the greatest 'captain material' we've had since Viera left.

Koscielny definitely takes the award for best centerback last season. However I think one trait that often gets overlooked in defenders is ability to organise the defence. That's why we need TV.

Just out of interest, if it was a choice between United and City, who would you guys rather sell to?

Just out of interest, if it was a choice between United and City, who would you guys rather sell to?

[size=6]Report: Boreham Wood 1-3 Arsenal XI[/size]

By Joe Brewin at Meadow Park

Terry Burton enjoyed a winning start in his new role at Arsenal as his young side fought from a goal behind to beat Boreham Wood.

Former Gunner Omer Riza headed the hosts ahead in a difficult first half but a brace of second-half penalties from Sanchez Watt and academy hopeful Chuba Akpom turned the game on its head.

Swedish midfielder Kristoffer Olsson added a delicate late third to secure victory in Hertfordshire.

The young Gunners were not allowed things all their own way against the Blue Square South team but this battling display from Burton’s youngsters provides them with a winning start to their pre-season preparations.

Burton included a handful of the Club’s rising stars as Olsson and Akpom were both given chances to impress.

While Akpom will begin his academy career this season, Olsson signed his first professional contract this summer and played for the first team in last weekend’s draw against Southampton.

More experienced duo Conor Henderson and Watt were also included in Hertfordshire.

Last season’s corresponding fixture finished in a convincing 7-1 victory to the young Gunners but this was not such plain sailing.

Henderson fired the game’s first effort narrowly wide from a deflected free-kick - but it was the hosts who took the lead two minutes later.

Former academy graduate Riza - who played once for Arsenal in November 1998 - glanced a header home from Graeme Montgomery’s excellent cross.

Burton's youngsters responded well, however, and almost drew level shortly after when Jernade Meade flashed a dangerous cross narrowly wide.

Arsenal began to enjoy the lion’s share of possession after a disjointed opening and the lively Watt was heavily involved as they searched for an equaliser.

The striker was almost let loose after picking up possession from full back Ben Nunn but was denied by a fine challenge from Luke Garrard before he could trouble goalkeeper James Russell.

Moments later they went close again when Josh Rees’ inviting cross evaded Watt before Henderson saw a venomous shot held well by Russell.

But Boreham Wood could have doubled their advantage in between. Both Martin Angha and Elton Monteiro were beaten by the run of Elliott Buchanan, who forced Damian Martinez into a fine acrobatic save.

Nunn flashed a teasing ball across goal moments later before Angha denied Riza with a superb close-range block.

Burton's side ended the half strongly, however, and were inches away from an equaliser when the 16-year-old Akpom crashed a dangerous effort wide after neat link-up play from Watt and Henderson.

Arsenal came close to an equaliser inside four minutes of the restart when Henderson’s accurate free-kick was tipped over well by Russell - but ultimately, second-half opportunities proved sparse.

Angha was on hand to deny substitute Inih Effiong with a fine challenge as Arsenal got to grips with the second-half reshuffle, which saw James Shea, Daniel Boateng and Jordan Wynter introduced at the break.

Philip Roberts and Anthony Jeffrey both enjoyed action as the half wore on but within a minute the hosts should have doubled their advantage when Garrard stabbed wide after a defensive mix-up inside the area.

But eventually Burton's side did draw level from the penalty spot after Akpom was hauled down by Russell. Watt stepped up confidently and slotted home.

Five minutes later it was two courtesy of Arsenal’s second spot-kick of the afternoon. Wonderful link-up play from last season’s academy trio Jeffrey, Olsson and Roberts saw the latter fouled. This time the industrious Akpom took over and converted.

By this point the impressive hosts had little left in the tank and the younger legs of Arsenal took advantage. With five minutes remaining they added a third when Olsson skipped through the heart of midfield and planted a neat lob over Russell into the back of the net.

A similar Arsenal XI side will face Stevenage at Broadhall Way next Saturday.
http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/173340/reserves/boreham-wood-v-arsenal-res?tab=report

Honestly probably City, only because him going to them wouldn't strengthen them like it would you. Thy'd also probably offer a bigger transfer fee.

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 22/7/2012 07:00:57 PM

Fair enough, but that wouldn't that sort of add to the 'feeder club' branding?

I like Nico Yannaris, I think he's got a future at our club. It's nice to see someone who grew up proper Arsenal in the squad. I was junior gunner once myself! I've still got the card they give out.

He probably nicked my spot as mascot! I always wanted to be that or the ballboy or be one of the kids walking out with the players. Ah well.

[size=6]Szczesny - Bould impact has been immediate[/size]


Wojciech Szczesny has revealed that new assistant manager Steve Bould has already made his presence known on the training pitches.

Bould took over from Pat Rice in the summer, and Szczesny says that the former centre half has been passing on his wealth of defensive knowledge to the Club's defenders during pre-season training.

Speaking to Arsenal.com shortly after arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Szczesny said: "We have a new assistant manager in Steve Bould and he has been doing a lot of defensive work on the training pitch, which has been very good so far I believe, so hopefully we will concede less as well, which is my personal hope anyway."

Arsenal conceded 49 goals in the league last season, a figure which the Polish stopper admitted was far too many. He knows that reducing the goals-against column will be key to the Gunners' fortunes this season.

"We didn't have a lot of luck with injuries to defenders last season. Hopefully this year we can have a settled back four, a strong bench as well, and concede less goals," said Szczesny. "As I said, with the work Steve Bould has been doing so far, it's looking positive."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/szczesny-bould-impact-has-been-immediate

Well apparently Wenger had a big grin on his face when Santos Carzola was mentioned... "I don't know this guy!" I've heard we've been linked to Carzola but I really don't know much about him. Shows what I know about football outside of England!