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

Poldi looks like he's gone... Juventus the latest destination

Arsene got cheeky when asked about a DM, reckon he's got something lined up there. Not Khedira though.

Wonder how Arteta and Giroud's injuries are looking? Be a blow if they were both out for a wee while.

I just don't think I appreciated Ozil's performance like you guys did. He appeared slow and lethargic, and lacked real spark on the ball. Don't get me started on tracking back. We need our wingers in this formation to drop and cover and he didn't have the legs for it. Further to that he was the man marking Coleman and he didn't even attempt to jog back with him.

I'm a big Ozil fan but what I saw yesterday didn't make me think he should be playing wide left.

No he definitely shouldn't be on the wing and has to be played central. I was one of his biggest critics last season but it was a decent enough performance for his first game back and out of position. A lot of players were worse than him.

Wrong decision to get rid of Podolski if we're not bringing in a striker too. Best finisher at the club and seems like a great personality to have around.

I thought Ozil was wasted out left in a big way and that we were extremely fortunate to get a point. Giroud made a big difference when he came on but that's what his role should be, he should have had at least two goals with the amount of chances that came his way too. Santi did quite well when he came on and would count himself unlucky not to be starting next weekend, Chambers still shows a lot of potential. Would have also liked to seen more of Joel Campbell.

I think we will just have enough to get past Besiktas without Arteta, Ramsey and maybe Giroud/Koscielny.

poldi out gustavo in?

and I'll laugh for a week if MCFC intercept DiMaria from the chq book champs.

OMG is there any hope of it happening??? that would be CLASSIC

Poldi out Cavani in

Probably wishful thinking on my part, but if the Sheikh truly has unlimited pockets good business to do it. Kicking your local rival when they are down etc....

People saying Campbell did well when he came on must've been watching a different player to me. He whipped in one decent cross but apart from that I thought his first touch was atrocious.

He was poor aside from that one run when he almost got through on the edge of the box but it was his first game in English football late on in a desparate situation. Should start up front against Besiktas if Giroud is out.

That's an interesting thought starting Campbell up front. Given what's on the line surely that's where you go to the experience of Sanchez or Podolski to lead the line (assuming Sanogo/Giroud absence). 

I think it's pretty clear this team isn't used to play with Sanchez up front. It's like Barcelona playing with a false 9, we're just not there yet, they're so used to Giroud being such a solid outlet.

if Poli is getting sold he wont be playing on thursday

Podolski should have started against Everton too, but assuming he's being sold he won't be involved against Besiktas. Would prefer Sanchez wide right based on what we've seen so far.

City can 'only' net spend £50m this window due to FFP. Pretty sure they've already ripped through most of that.

I know you moan a lot but complaining about an Arsenal player playing too well is a new one. 

My enthusiasm was just reflecting his - I was glad he got 15 mins, and glad he was keen to get involved. He had a few heavy touches but think he can be forgiven for that.

This isn't bad for 15 mins in your first premier league game I reckon. 

Haha, wasn't complaining about him playing too well, but I do think it's certain the big boys will be coming in with big bids, as they always have done for out star player. It's up to Wenger to do enough to keep this one.

I can see why you would say that ajc28 but things are very very different these days

a) we don't need to maintain a 0 net spend to keep our finances in order any longer and;

b) we can afford to pay Ramsey near enough to what anyone else could pay him, which is also new for us

Fair call Hawkwasp

He wasn't too bad really after watching that - keen to get involved, some glimpses, I like that he always looks to pass forward even when it doesn't seem possible

Just watching ManC v Liverpool and I can see why Arsene wanted to sign Jovetic so badly last year. He is quality. 

Giroud injured for 2-3 months is the news coming out this morning

Does this mean the money earmarked for a CB will be dilluted to get a striker as well?

Or will Podolski stay against his wishes to leave and get more consistent game time somewhere else.

Terrible news on Giroud if true, but could be a blessing in disguise as surely it forces Wenger to spend. Unfortunately everyone also massively raises their prices now that we're desparate. It has to be unacceptable to end the window with Sanogo as the only out and out centre forward.

Jaysus that is just the worst news

Do we look at a quick fix e.g. loan for Eto'o or Remy?

I doubt we would've earmarked any funds for a big striker purchase after getting Sanchez. 

Surely Podolski has to stay now doesn't he?

So thats Gibbs game 1, Arteta game 2, Giroud game 3. Who is going to be the lucky boy on Thursday? Forsythe has his work cut out already.

Sanogo and Diaby are injured as well.

Koscielny has an ongoing achilles complaint. 

Obviously Walcott still to come back.

Didn't think I'd need to start my injury update so early in the season... might have to happen though

I agree re: Poldi. If we aren't bringing in a striker after this then that is the last option, and we can let him leave in Jan instead.

If giroud is injured we need to bring in a striker

I think this is the only scenario.

Agree with Paul in regards to a loan. Horrible news really.

Most concerning for me is that if there were funds earmarked for something other than CB dependant on Champions League qualification, that those funds will probably be moved elsewhere (i.e good-bye DMF).

Unless there's still a Gustavo / Poldi deal on and we buy / loan a striker.

Why do people keep saying that injuries to our most important players are 'blessings in disguise'? Farking stupid. This is DEFCON 1 type stuff; not good. We will not get anyone better than Giroud in this window.

I can see us picking up Remy.

In the sense that it's the only way Wenger might sign someone. But you're right. If he signs anyone at all it will be someone like Remy/Wellbeck/Kalou and still not the top tier striker we needed.

If you had to chose between Remy and Welbeck, who would you guys choose? If it was a purchase, I would imagine Welbeck's price would be fairly inflated.

Also, on the topic of transfers - it seems like we've missed out on Manolas to AS Roma, so the Winston Reid rumours have resurfaced. As have the Carvalho rumours, with it being reported Lisbon dropping the asking price. I think if anything the Podolski / Gustavo swap might be more likely.

A lot of this hinging on victory Thursday morning, with a fair few players missing. Easy as, we've got this! :)

Between the 2, Remy at least has some pedigree as a goalscorer. Welbeck has never managed 10 league goals in a season, although in fairness he's not often been a starter and hardly ever played up front when he has played..

You don't think he would sign a top level striker if he was able to? Cmon man. It's pathetic when people say that, especially after the Ozil and Sanchez signings.

Anyway, Remy is the best bet.

Cheap, available, reasonably similar to Giroud (though not as good looking), would likely settle in quickly.

I don't think Man Utd would sell to us.

So based on the injured list this has to be close to what we'd start:

                 Szy

Debuchy Per  Kosc   Monreal

                 Flamini

Ox    Wilshere Cazorla Ozil

                  Alexis

You could see Podolski/Rosicky/Gnabry/Campbell make their way in there too. My biggest concern with Ozil on the left is tracking back, Monreal needs back up, as does Debuchy.

If Giroud is out we do need to make a big move, and with Arteta out for a bit and Flamini not looking much more mobile the DMF/CB is still key.

It's not pathetic to say that, when has he ever signed a top centre forward? Plus our net spend is little above zero once we sell Podolski with the Puma deal.

While not overly enthused with Remy I would take him right now whether Giroud is out or not. Get by Besiktas one way or another and I'm hoping it's the guarantee the club need to buy more depth and quality.

I do like the Gustavo and Carvalho links however and personally always been a fan of Wanyama at Southampton.

Szy

Debuchy Per Kosc Monreal

Flamini Wilshere

Ox Ozil Cazorla

Alexis

And it's pathetic to say youre happy that someone got injured because that will 'force Wenger into buying someone'. It wont. The only difference it makes is that one of our most important players are injured and we're a bit screwed for a very important game.

People underate what Giroud brings, and what Arteta brought. We will miss them both greatly. People don't seem to realise that bringing in a big money signing wont guarantee results.

We won't last the season with 3 CB's; especially when Chambers was bought primarily as a backup right back and Wenger is talking about using him as a DM.

Kos has already gotten injured and Mert looked off the pace. We definitely need another.

I agree we need more depth with our striking stocks, but I think Wenger is banking on getting a firing Walcott back. Even though he isn't a traditional CF, he will score the goals we need.

Looking at what is out there right now - can anyone genuinely say that there is an upgrade on Giroud we could nab? 

1. Cavani, 2. Falcao ; both out of our reach. 3. ....???? Benzema if Real buy Falcao? (who, in my opinion, is no better than Giroud and has a more punchable face)