(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread (Part 1)

We must be fully serious. This is crazy.

How did we go from being notoriously frugal to this?

For half that amount we could already have a CB, a DMF and Julio Cesar signed. 

I don't get why we are pushing for suarez, he's still got 6 games on his ban for biting doesn't he? Great player and sure he might help us score some goals but you just know he's going to bite, kick, or do something that will result in a big ban and fine.

Should've just bid 40m for Higuain and we'd have him already. 

i'm on the same boat mate

That's what I was thinking - hell we probably could've had him for 30. Reports that we've only bid up to about 23 for him (although other reports suggested we never bid at all).

We must really want suarez.

I'd rather we get neither than Suarez. Actually, I'd rather we were relegated.

The walking dead ... ... ... and frimmy

https://redlondon.net/2013/07/23/wait-a-minute-look-who-was-left-home-with-frimpong-picture/?

I love how Frimpongs bib has Dench printed on it. haha

Higuain having medical today. .....we freaking dropped the ball big time on this,  pretty gutted

Rumours that suarez has been allowed to talk to us, and that he's putting in a transfer request to force the mvoe

oh dear!

Like all others, it is amazing we wouldn't go in 30-35 for Higuain but we go right up to 40-50 for Suarez.

Both a very good goal scorers and mental issues aside, one allows you to purchase another player for 10-15 mill, like a DM or, GK or CB........

On the pitch, for us, Suarez offers more than Higuain. So in a purely footballing sense I can see he is the better option/investment/fit.

However...

I wonder if Suarez would be seen as a wide player or as an out and out striker? Or even in the hole?

He can create as well as finish, so has more flexibility in the frontline than the likes of Higuain. I wonder if that has something to do with our apparent preference. And Gervinho's exit. 

If we get him, we'll have to wait six matches to find out.

I think so Paul - if only it wasn't for the big set of choppers in the room I'd be all over it lol... He's more in the mould of TH14 and he who's name must not be uttered than Higgy is and would definitely add plenty to support the pace of Theo and the brain/passing of Santi and Mikey... the footballing prospect appeals to me immensley - as it seems to AW also lol

I s'pose it's not all doom and gloom...

If we do sign him, we've got some serious goal-scoring ability in this team - Suarez, Walcott, Podolski, Cazorla, Giroud, these guys are all proper goal-scorers, and aside from Giroud they all get a lot of assists too. 

I think I might get Giroud on my shirt this year.I know some don't rate him but I love that man. Only pre-season but he looks in cracking shape. The goals he's been getting are great finishes and he's full of confidence. Whoever we sign I hope somehow Giroud can still lead the line. Would be a shame to bench him when he's progressing so well - this should be a big season for him. 

In other news, Koscielny's injury is only minor thank god. Arsene gave him a '30%' chance of playing the last tour match. 

https://www.101greatgoals.com/goals/england/team-sheets-sunderland-v-tottenham/

Mannone had a great game between the sticks. Definitely gutted we lost him but good to see him starting and performing.

So true valeo, so true. 

On some level this suarez saga is exciting, but on many many many other levels it's terribly depressing. 

Anyone else laugh at the Liverpool owner's smoking tweet? Does he forget their transfer record over the last couple of seasons? 

Musta been full on injecting heroin to sanction that madness. 

so if suarez ends up going to madrid.....who do we go after??? rooney???

If you are Rooney and are in this "don't feel wanted" crap then you are more likely to go to Chelsea if he were to leave Man U and remain in the UK, purely because Mourinho has shown him serious man love with the "its Rooney or bust" comment, that will fill the void in his heart lol, also there is a bonus you are a good chance for silverware.

Someone raised Dzeko on here, there hasn't been any indication he wants to move on, however a memory from last season was he wasn't comfortable being 1 of 4 strikers with Balo, Tevez and Aguero. Funny how it is Dzeko, Aguero, Jovetic and Negredo. If Dzeko is serious about wanting more game time he will surely move if not now but in the January window at least.

IF rooney goes man u will have to get another striker as well......read a few things about ovsald from roma not very keen on him either

i cant seem luis even being expected at arsenal, he needs a club with a strong history of dirty deeds... so some where in italy should be fine

I've been impressed with Akpom on this Asian tour. He seems to be a real poacher in the box. Something we haven't really had before. Possibly a big future for him. Always going to be hard to break into the first team but hopefully he gets his chance in the League Cup.

AW "Ryo is staying". Unless we buy another winger Ryo is staying with us this season, which is awesome!

Bernand is still on the table however!

"We are ready to do quick deals but all the transfers do not depend only on us. We are prepared to wait. It looks unlikely before the Emirates Cup (next weekend), but we still have a strong squad."

"With or without additions we can be title challengers next season,” he proclaimed. “We try to do the job and we will try to do it well, but nothing has been concluded with anybody.

"What we want is not a name but a good player. The name is less important. What is more important is the quality of the player. At the moment I must tell you we are not close to signing anybody.

"Of course we want to do as many top players as we can, but we also have to focus on the players we have and develop them."

Wow this really just burst the bubble, the off season really has become ground hog day, why oh why are we bidding 40 mil for Suarez and not prepared to go up to 37 mil for Higuain??????

Sanogo it is

He makes a good point, it is hard to do deals early on when you're all out on pre-season tours. Like usual I reckon the signings will come in late August if they happen.

This quote from arsene is interesting;

“In midfield you have plenty of candidates - there's a big fight in midfield. Sagna has settled in well as a centre back."

Does that mean we won't be signing a midfielder or a CB?

If Sagna's going to play CB then you'd think we'll need another RB? Unless Bellerin is considered ready.

Higuain finally signed and sealed for Napoli

The whole it is hard to sign players when away is a crock, all teams have been in some other part of the world.

Our rivals bar Man U have all bought 3 + players, 

https://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/jun/summer-transfers-2013-ins-and-outs.html