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

When I first saw that burd in the sparkly black mini dress, I thought she was doing the walk of shame and had stumbled upon a pub with the lights on so she could use the toilet. It wasn't until halftime that I noticed she was still there and sitting with the lads. haha

I got back to Palmy in my patched up car at 3pm and was struggling to stay awake for the rest of the day. Ended up falling asleep on the couch and dragging myself off to bed at 11pm.

I could perhaps be grouped in the worse for wear bunch. Except that instance when I missed my stool, it's because my mate behind me had moved it.

But otherwise yes. Sunday was hard.

Surge. I thought you guys had met before?

Is Giroud the best bad player we have ever had? I think he is brilliant, but so many people are down on him.

Haha I was just to your left, heard the big crash then turned around and saw you on the floor. Didn't you have a little banter with the United fan too?

I really like Giroud's play Uber. I think his biggest issue is not having Walcott playing. Certainly not one of the haters. Would love us to get another striker, but someone in a different mould, and not necessarily a starter over him. A different option / partner. 4-4-2 is coming back isn't it?  :D

Haha, ajc28, yes indeed. That was me. I coudn't help it / stand his obnoxiously loud clapping when something didn't go our way.

Damn Paulm that video is...just...wow. That ending brings it all back. So. Intense.

Nah UG... we have now lol

reckon you're right hawkwasp, after wenger tried to sign suarez he said he was looking for a striker with pace who could also play wide, so he could play with giroud or in place of giroud

if we get that player it could be podolski that loses out most unfortunately

Vela.

Yeah, spot on re. Podolski. If he would stick around, he'd be a great squad player to have available, but think he would be keen to back to Germany if he became a definite 2nd / possible 3rd choice. Plus hopefully with Walcott back for a whole season, more of The Ox, and hopefully more from Gnabry, we could be content really.

You're keen on the Vela move Surge? I must go and watch that video someone posted recently. 

Given the price we can get him for, he looks to have beefed up a bit and is playing bluddy well. And if he doesn't work out we sell him back next year for  healthy profit. Bit of a no-lose really... my fear is that Wenger brings him back in lieu of a Benzema/Cavani/Mandzukic type signing.

Yeah, just watched the video. Some adventurous goals there. He did look good there, and you're right, with the price it's a worthy gamble.

Did you guys see this happened?

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/16/manchester-city-fine-transfer-cap-uefa-ffp

City capped at $49m net outlay for the next transfer window, and 

It doesn't stop the Chelsea's, United's, and man possibly even Liverpool throwing money around, but it does mean there are consequences for being naughty.

And into who's pocket does that go? Dont tell me Grassroots football across europe. I'm picking Platini and his lot are in for a Christmas bonus. Although there is no corruption within FIFA. I know this because "Honest" Sepp did his own enquiries and found none.

Arsenal's new shirt to commemorate 20 years with  Nike       
Read more at http://talksport.com/football/arsenals-new-shirt-commemorate-20-years-nike-14051991778#JiLiDgUk3lb8Evmz.99

Fresh from winning their first trophy for nine years, Arsenal shirt  manufacturers Nike are preparing to release a shirt commemorating the Gunners'  success and celebrating their 20 year partnership, which draws to a close this  summer.

As of next season Arsenal kits will be manufacturered by Puma – having signed  a lucrative £30m-a-year deal with the Germany sportswear giants – but the  club have commissioned one more shirt from Nike, which is a patchwork of famous  Arsenal kits from the past two decades.

There will be a limited amount produced, with individually numbered prints of  the shirt being created.

I've applied for a space down at Nike Phenomenal House to try and get my hands on one. Here's hoping...

I still rate the old Adidas kit better.

Do you yhink its likely he would want to come to Arsenal. I know his bro has nothing but good things to say about us, but we did have our chance at signing him, and he even trialed with us, but we showed him the door. If he is leaving Man City due to issues of respect, I think this may have an impact on us trying to sign him.

Wasn't it because of Visa issues we couldn't sign him originally?

Sagna might be on a free but they'll have to offload someone to follow through the $150,000 per week wages...

We didn't show yaya the door, we just couldnt get a work permit and he was itching to play and couldnt wait, so he went to the Ukraine and started from there.

Bit old now at 31 mind you. Plus he'd have to be willing to sit in and play an out-and-out DMF role in reality, we are more than covered in other midfield roles.

What a Cup Final. Thought we had bottled it again when 2-0 down but couldn't be happier to get our first trophy for the Emirates Stadium. A few hundred in the pub I watched it in over here, bedlam when Ramsay scored. I could see it going to penalties then up pops Ramsay showing how important he is for us.

Highlights for me were Jack and Szczesny giving it to the yids in the parade the day after, Podolski showering Wenger with the champagne, remebering how good the Arsenal of the 2000's were in the TV footage leading up to the Cup Final and the new clock of http://arsenaltrophyclock.net/

Playing wise all I want over summer is no new Arsenal injuries at the World Cup (this won't happen) and signings done weeks before the season starts for starting positions of a new centre-forward ahead of Giroud, a midfielder to replace Arteta and another right-back if Sagna leaves.

No way he's coming to Arsenal - we supposedly have money (I'm not all that sure that we will spend these reported amounts from here on in) but not 'Yaya Toure' money. 

He would only go back to Spain or maybe a stint with Bayern (just because they are successful and could pay some decent wages - but do him and Pep get on?).

At any rate I think this story is somewhat a storm in tea cup.

Mandzukic/Benzema and a RB should be the immediate focus.  These players should be the ones that fit our $$ framework.

Canvani, Martinez, Aurier, Sanchez, Fabregas.

I'm setting myself up for heart break but damn that'd be a good transfer window.

Fabregas is past it. He's not the player he was three years ago and I'm not sure we need him to be honest. I get the "romance" aspect of him coming back but he isn't the player he was - and he isn't the midfielder we need. If he comes back it would have to be to replace Ramsey (assuming you expect he'd start?)... I really can't see it.

Don't need another attacking playmaker, and especially not one who went on strike to force his way out of the club. We need a top class striker, defensive midfielder and right back (assuming Sagna is gone).

Anyway, the Arsenal Fans in NZ Facebook page has posted that they are trying to sort out an event in Auckland with Puma NZ and the official NZ supporters club for the new kit launch, and will also enquire about Wellington.

Fabregas never went on strike to force his way out...

Also don't forget how light we are at CB, we got lucky this season that we didn't get injuries in that position more often. With Sagna going we only have 3 instead of 3.5, and Vermaelen could yet up sticks as well. It is a danger area for us, more so than striker or midfield. 

Yes another CB is definitely needed, but striker is still the key. We've only got one.

For sure

Although I'm actually loving Sanogo at the moment, he was immense in the cup final

And tell me, was that a pass to Giroud in the build-up to the winner? He's under a lot of pressure and all of a sudden it squeezes out to Giroud, who back-heels it to Rambo. After a few replays i couldn't work out if it was a stray boot or if Sanogo actually swivels and plays that to Giroud... if he did, what a pass

https://www.facebook.com/#!/ArsenalFansNewZealandAustralia

Board members coming out in support of us spending up this summer and a desire to win the champions league and the premier league. Good to show publicly that the club is ambitious and not happy to settle.

Board members coming out in support of us spending up this summer and a desire to win the champions league and the premier league. Good to show publicly that the club is ambitious and not happy to settle.

Must be season ticket renewal time.