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

I think that overall the business that Arsenal did over the transfer window was very good - possibly not getting a defensive midfielder was the only mistake that they made.  I think the 4th choice centreback issue is a tough one, as it is difficult to get players to sign for a club knowing that it is going to take a couple of pretty significant injuries for them to get any actual playing time.  Even if Kos and Per (full last names are too difficult to spell) get injured today for 6 months, this 4th choice centreback will only play until Jan 1st when the club will have to go and buy someone.  You are basically trying to sign someone who is a good player, but doesn't really want to play a great deal.

When it comes to centre forwards, I think that someone like Falcao is a massive risk - nearly 29 years old and had 3 major knee surgeries. Man Utd are spending approximately £20m for a season (£250k a week wages and about £6m for the loan), but would that guarantee that Arsenal win the league?  No chance.  There is also the knock on affect of the wage structure being absolutely blown out of the water, and the fact that there is absolutely no resale value.  At the end of the season, you spend another £50m plus you take on his whole wages (£350k per week) or he goes somewhere else and you get nothing.  Apart from him, there weren't a huge amount of strikers kicking around over the last month who would improve the team a great deal.  Balotelli was the one where I thought Arsenal missed the boat, as Welbeck is probably the same total cost (wages and transfer fee) but not as good a player (although significantly less baggage).

Huntelaar would have been a good capture I think.

Three years ago, yeah. 

If we signed Welbeck at the start of the window and Alexis yesterday, do you think their would be anywhere near as much angst?

I think people would still be scratching their heads about the defender Wenger said he was in the market for but never got, though I would say people would be pretty stoked had we bought Sanchez on the final day. Overall I am pleased with the purchases we have made.

From the dodged-bullet files... the day after the window closed, Khedira suffered a thigh muscle tear in training for Germany... same injury Rambo had last season. They're saying at least 6 weeks but I'd think probably longer.

Foal will be pleased to hear that Coquelin has been named in our PL squad for the season too.

I do like Coquelin, he's allways been good when playing for us. And he's also faster then arteta and flamini too

With Coquelin and Flamini we have extra fullback cover too which is good. That allows Chambers to predominantly play CB even if Debuchy/Bellerin were to get injured.

I am interested to see just how much Arsene is willing to trust Bellerin this season considering the loaning out of Jenkinson.

Bellerin has been hyped for soooooo long would be good to see him unleashed

Saw him in pre-season; very quick, but pretty poor defensively. He's a bit like a quicker Debuchy who hasn't had enough experience defending at the top level. Good cover, anyway.

Welbeck > Huntelaar. Huntelaar is the dutch Chicharito. Really not that good.

Thats fair . I don't think anyone here would say he's anywhere near the level of Rooney or RvP. There is a far different situation at Arsenal, though, in that in the attacking third I don't think we necessarily rely on the striker to score goals. I'm not one of those with the belief that having a 'great' striker, like a Falcao, would necessarily make us win anything. After all; what did we win when RvP was firing? Nada.

I believe we're better when we function as a unit - with midfielders / wingers popping up with most of the goals -  Ramsey, Cazorla, Sanchez, Alexis - and a striker like Giroud (or Welbeck) supplying the link up/hold up play. There are enough goals there.

Me too. I always thought his loan move last year wasn't in our best interests, he could have really challenged Flamini for his spot.

Interestingly Rabiot didn't leave PSG. I imagine he'll either sign a new contract or go in January. If he does go in January he'd be a good buy. 6"2, established at that level and only 19. White Vieira?

I'd probably go Coquelin with Flamini . Certainly an option for the League Cup. Rosicky for Cup Captain, I think he'd really take that role on, add in  Zealem and Gnarby and it would be both a developmental and exciting side.

Was nice to have 4 players playing for England this morning. When was the last time we had that many? Probably not in my lifetime. With Theo and Gibbs healthy we could potentially be sending 6 players off to England squads which would be pretty cool. Credit to Wenger for sorting that out after years of being accused in the media of almost single handedly ruining the England national team.

Was watching with a United fan and when Welbeck had that shot saved the first thing he said was "so he gets transferred and now he can shoot."

RE Welbeck, it helps if you play him centrally. Good write up here:
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20140903/welbeck-is-a-superb-athlete

You are probably right but that would apply to most teams.

Adams, Dixon, Seamen, Wright?

At 23, Van Persie was behind Adebayor in the pecking order at Arsenal.

Although Rooney peaked at around that age. 

Ha ha. Welbeck has never played for Arsenal yet. Clutching at straws.

Sorry, which part? Is Welbeck not an Arsenal player? If he doesn't count today, he will surely be in future England squads won't he? So we could potentially have 6 in future squads. Is the not correct? He may not have played for Arsenal yet, but surely there were 4 Arsenal players playing this morning.

I'm not sure if all 4 would have played in the same game for England and Dixon and Wright didn't get that many caps. Dixon in particular as he was always behind Neville. Will see if I can find out. In any case it would have 15 years minimum. Someone said 1967 on an Arsenal forum I post on but not sure if they were serious. Seem to remember Adams, Dixon and Seaman starting a game in the late 90s, maybe against France and it was a recall after a few years for Dixon with Neville being injured.

Edit: I've found it. 2-0 loss to France in a friendly at Wembley in 1999. Seaman, Adams, Keown and Dixon started. First (and final) cap for Dixon in 5 years. 

Two of your best players today ( I think they are ) Ox and Wilshere  were less than average today and on that performance will be lucky to survive.

Ox was poor but Wilshere was actually one of England's best and will certainly start on Tuesday. They'll both certainly be in England squads for years to come however. Big chance this season for Wilshere to lock down a place with Gerrard and Lampard both gone.

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I find the lack of response to ajc28 hilarious.

I find the lack of premier league this weekend awful.

International windows suck the kumara.

Sturridge out of the qualifier so presumably Welbeck will start.

FYI Football Central has now got the third strip and training strip in stock, also Hoodies, and two sorts of jackets, ones a windbreaker, the other is lined.

Also have you guys seen the botched Photoshop job of Arteta on the online store. Spliced him with giraffe genes.

The Ox, what a man!

Not too much news about, but injuries are looking on the up. 

For the next game from what I have read;

Ospina should be back

Arteta, Gibbs and Diaby (!) could be available

Koscielny should be available despite missing french games with the head knock from leicester

Ozil did not play any friendlies despite being with the german squad so he could be a doubt though

Walcott is apparently targeting Sp*rs on Sept 27.

Gnabry still out, not sure about details on that one

And Giroud is out for 3-4 months after surgery

And no doubt Welbeck will get injured playing for England tomorrow morning!

Good win in a tough away qualifier. The kind of game we usually draw 0-0 or lose. Great to see Welbeck get the goals too. I loved that after the first, he ran straight to Chambers and Ox in the corner. First may have been off his shin but the second was a really good finish and the kind of chance Giroud always misses. "Clutching at straws" maybe, but I can't think of many times in my life I've been able to celebrate an England goal scored by an Arsenal player. Aside from Walcott a couple of times in recent years, it's going back to Campbell at the 2002 World Cup and maybe Keown and Adams around 2000.

But still no GK kit :( I want the black shirt LOL...might get the Third kit though :)

Anyone found vines/vids of Welbeck's goals?

here you go

http://www.arsenalstation.com/2014/09/08/video-wat...

tidy finishes

Sanogo 3 goals in 2 games for France U21 in this window too. 

Sanogo needs to bang them in when he's playing in a competitive match for us. Hopefully Welbeck scores early on for us and can relax in front of goal. Knowing Giroud is out for a few months should relax him knowing he's got time to click and prove himself.

That said when Giroud comes back Welbeck could become the next Chamakah...