Good to see Santi Carzola at the training ground today

[size=6]Afobe joins Bolton on loan for the season[/size]

Benik Afobe has joined Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old striker makes a return to the Championship having completed a successful loan spell with Reading at the end of last term, where he made three appearances as the Royals secured the league title and promotion to the Premier League.

The England youth international has since enjoyed a strong pre-season for both club and country.

He played a key role in this summer’s Under-19 European Championship in Estonia, scoring twice as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals. Benik also took part in Arsenal’s Asia Tour 2012, where he was involved in all three fixtures in the Far East.

In heading to the Reebok Stadium, the Barnet-born youngster follows in the footsteps of Arsenal team-mates Jack Wilshere and Ryo, who have both gained valuable first-team experience with Owen Coyle’s side in recent seasons.

Everyone at the Club wishes Benik well for his time with Bolton.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/afobe-joins-bolton-on-loan-for-the-season

Would people here rather RVP staying without signing waiting till the end of the season or him going now and getting a decent transfer fee.

As far as I'm concerned I'd fuck him off as soon as we could. To bad for RvP him and his management have completely fucked this whole situation for themselves, it really is hilarious :lol:

Edited by sydneycroatia58: 5/8/2012 02:12:54 PM

Would people here rather RVP staying without signing waiting till the end of the season or him going now and getting a decent transfer fee.

Would rather us get a transfer fee so we could buy a replacement.

The mirror are the latest paper to have the 'RvP U-Turn' story

Would people here rather RVP staying without signing waiting till the end of the season or him going now and getting a decent transfer fee.

One thing I think has to be done is RvP has to be stripped of the captaincy. If he stays, no matter whether he signs a new contract or not, there is no way he can continue as captain. The sooner we make Vermaelen captain the better.

I disagree, if he signs then he can be captain IMO. He was a great captain for us.

He [Pellegrini] is fundamental for us, just as Cazorla and Rondon were fundamental and have had to be sold.

Don't see how he can continue as captain after the shit he's pulled. I mean if I was a player I certainly wouldn't want him as captain after this summer.

Seriously guys, how many times can Cazorla be confirmed :lol:

Depends on how he handles it from here on in, his statement could be conceived, or at least framed, as in "the clubs best interests". The club needed a wake up a call, and while it was ham-fisted and unpleasant, he gave it to them. If he signs, the club will have a stronger squad then it probably would have had he signed in January. I'm not naive, I know that he was tempted by money and it wasnt some grand scheme but considering what a good job he did last year, on and off the pitch, I would forgive him, particularly if this sets an example which helps us keep Walcott and Song.

Van Persie? No, I don't think he will come here

Rondon becomes the second Malaga player to leave in the last two days after Arsenal completed the signing of Spanish international midfielder Santiago Cazorla

another question for Arsenal fans. I know you will probably get both but if you had a choice between RVP and Cazorla with net spending/receiving being zero who would you choose?

I am just looking at your other signings and I think while last year a choice between RVP and an attacking mid may have been easy I am unsure now.

People also said losing against United 8-2 was in the clubs best interests, it's a load of crap. IN that whole statement nothing he said was in the clubs best interests. We're just lucky the club was pro-active this summer and bought early. We're also a bit lucky that the statement has completely backfired on RvP.

But I don't think he can be captain after this, after he's basically said his teammates aren't good enough. And if Arsene allows him to stay on as captain, I would lose a little bit of respect for him.

Its all a matter of perspective.
8-2 led to Arteta and a few "panic buys"
RVP's refusal to sign (statement or not) has played a role in Arsenal showing some ambition and strengthening the squad.

Im sure that there were a few other players who were looking around the change room thinking that quite a few of their team mates weren't good enough, god knows the fans were.

I think theres a very good chance that the 8-2 had zilch to do with the last minute buys like Arteta.

That's actually a fantastic point.
There are alot of Arsenal fans (not really anyone in these boards that I've noticed thankfully) who heavily criticize our options in certain positions and unwillingness to find replacements or be ambitious in the t'fer marker who are the same ones that hate RVP for doing the same exact thing but only implicitly.
A little hypocritical but ofcourse the difference being people actually listen to RVP so it's more damaging.

And we might not have even broken our transfer record :-s Disgustingly good business.
Likely to be announced in a few hours if the always trustworthy David Ornstein is right.

Glad to hear signs that Bendtner and Squillaci might be on their way out. Possibly Arshavin to QPR too?

[size=6]Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla[/size]

Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Spain international Santi Cazorla has joined the Club on a long-term contract.

Santi Cazorla - full name Santiago Cazorla González - joins Arsenal for an undisclosed fee from Malaga. He was a key part of the Malaga side which finished fourth in La Liga last season, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

Cazorla, a versatile 27-year-old attacking midfielder, has made a total of 45 appearances for Spain and was a member of his country's victorious squads at the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Before joining Malaga in 2011, Cazorla spent two spells at Villarreal, making 181 appearances and helping 'the Yellow Submarine' finish runners-up in La Liga in 2008. In between these spells, he spent
the 2006/07 season in La Liga on loan at Recreativo. Cazorla spent the early part of his career at youth level with Spanish side Oviedo.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said: "Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us. He is a player with good experience at both club and international level, who will add significant quality to our squad.

"He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally. He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset to Arsenal Football Club.
We are delighted that he is joining us."

Cazorla, who was voted Spanish Player of the Year in 2007, said: "I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support.

"The Club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is recognised and admired all over the world.

"I'm so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and also in the Premier League. I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make all the supporters happy."

Everyone welcomes Santi to the Club, his squad number will be confirmed in due course.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-sign-spain-midfielder-santi-cazorla