(The not-so-temporary quite-official) Gooner Thread (Part 2)

Madness to offload 3 homegrown players simultainously

I believe all 3 are top players... Fitness and consistency are the twin hurdles

Walcott is on massive wages though. Far too high to just be a squad player.

Wilshere and Ox are still young enough to persevere with, though it would certainly be a mistake to not sign someone purely because we're counting on Wilshere to be fit for a full season. He can't really afford to miss 90% of another season having already missed so many developmental years. It's probably time to move on from Walcott at the next contract re-negotiation stage though. Things could always be worse, at least we didn't sign Adam Johnson when he was looking like a potential world beater.

He is on massive wages. But massive wages are becoming the norm with new tv and commercial deals. Especially with the "English premium". Don't get me wrong, I think we could do better, but I still think he has an important part to play, e.g. the goal v City.

The answer to most of these (Theo/Jack/Ox etc) player/salary questions are dependant on whether we are a side that wants to compete for fourth or compete for first... if it's the latter then by all means keep them around on their current wages (or more I'd presume).

It's really a question of Wenger - and we know the answer to that. Loyalty/potential seems to win. Sometimes to our cost.

^ pretty much. It was good of Sky to schedule Villa v Liverpool in between to give everyone a couple of hours to spend with their other halves though.

The wages question is nonsense. The sums may sound extreme to us regular working people who have to worry about how we pay the rent and bills etc but that's just the nature of professional sport. They are paid the market rate of what they could get elsewhere. We have the highest ticket prices and highest matchday revenue in the league and are usually ranked inside the 20 most valuable sports clubs (that's sports, not just football) in the world. Our players can rightfully demand the club pay them what they could get elsewhere. It's not as if we spend much of the money on strengthening the team anyway so we at least have to pay the players what it takes to keep them.

Walcott gets paid that much because that's what England internationals get paid at the elite clubs. And if we want to be one of the elite we need to act like it. You're not going to adequately replace him for cheaper.

Homegrown players are key these days. None of these guys will be going anywhere unless they want to leave to get guaranteed starts. And if they do that, then they are heading for a smaller club. So ball is in their court really. 

Times have changed, we're playing with the big boys financially now, good players want to come here, and if they're any good then they don't want to leave. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to laugh at the CBC's once again. 

We can argue about our club all day but at least we don't play dire football. 

big game in the morning!

Seems ridiculous a game against Leicester is the biggest game we've had in years. Haven't been able to think about anything else all day. On a positive note, this afternoon when I asked the magic 8 ball at Queensgate Whitcoulls if Arsenal were going to win the league this season it said "it is decidedly so."

Cannot wait. 

three hours until kick off

Might as well stay up no sleep in Sth Brighton with these fudgeing quakes

10 minutes to our biggest game in years. He's picked the best team given injuries in my eyes. 

Come on you rip roaring reds

Foul on Ozil. Debatable pen.

Fudges sake. Come on lads. Need to lift next 45.

We've been sharke. So has the ref. We have to stop with this woe is me bs though

bit unlucky

Great save from Cech

All to play for now

Lots of endeavour...

Not sure what Simpson thought would happen there. 

Don't shirt pull when on a yellow

Sure are knocking on the door

Here comes Theo for Le Coq

good goal

For all the Giroud staggers he sure sets up some goals

STOP HASSELING THE REF ARSENAL PLAYERS

IT LOOKS PETULANT

let's go Ozil

Time for a bit of your Turkish Delight

Great result and morale for Foxes if they can hang on

Sanchez trying to hard. That's 5 he's missed

Ramsey about the same lol

Welbeck on for Ox. Crikey dick. Welcome back Danny.

Ozil Magic but Per misses! Next time please

Bloody Danish goalies

1 last go

Yes!

I love football

In Arsene we trust

Who the fudge else puts Theo and Danny on? 

Best manager 

Leicester, hard lines, great team effort

Fudge yes Welbeck you fudgeing beauty!!!!

massive morale result for us

Don't get sidetracked by Barca there is the EPL to win

Morning Buffy! Alright eh!

I have to be up for work in about 3 1/2 hours. Don't know how i'm going to sleep after that!

Hoping for a Spurs-City draw and suspension fest.

Lol

Good night

Top weekend of football results

Best atmosphere at the Emirates this season. Fudgeing brilliant!

Fudge yes!!!!
What a result. Welbz you beauty!!

Danny Welbeck resturns from a year off injured and overtakes Hazard in goals scored :')