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

Other 3 is Henry dennis and Veria???

No issue with Jack's actions. He was on form and just what you expect. The problem is the media are getting more and more PC. Social media slacktivism means every action is over analysed.

RE signings I'd take Cech if we can get him cheap. Not sold on Schneiderlin. Not worried about a back up #10, Zelalem is looking good and I'd like to see Jack or Ramsey get a few more cracks at it, or the Ox. RE striker I'd be happy to see Martinez or Lacazeyte come in.

Jenkinson needs to be sold, no way is he getting a spot off Bellerin or Debuchy.

Flamini & Diaby need to be released/not re-signed.

Gnabry/Akpom need loans if they aren't ready for first team, while Campbell or Podolski probably aren't going to get a look in.

Just a thought, if Theo starts to play more centrally with Giroud, do we need to find another Sanchez type winger?

Interesting that people are still banging the same old DM drum when the Coq has been so good. Would you want Schneiderlin to come in and take his place? I wouldn't.

Oh and we need to hang on to everyone not mentioned. It's been a couple of summers since losing anyone high profile, I'd love another one like it. Thinking of the likes of Koscielny, Coquellin, Bellerin, Giroud, Sanchez, Ozil, Cazorla, Ramsey etc.

The big one for me is Santi. There have been quite a few rumours surrounding him going back to to Spain over the last year and a half or so; wouldn't be too surprised if he left.

Yes totally agree he has been awesome, regardless of if we can schneiderlin or not we do need another solid DMF to last the season.

Yeah another good season from Bellerin and i can see Barca coming in for him

Probably Bergkamp, Henry and Seaman (having always been a keeper myself). Hard to narrow it down to 5 when put on the spot now so 5 may have been an exaggeration but they would definitely be up there.

Would be gutted if he did leave as he is peaking at the moment, he will be 31 end of the year so if we can get another season or 2 out of him that would be ideal

I don't want someone to take his place, I just want someone to compete with him, and that someone is not Arteta or Flamini in my opinion. 

Coquelin absolutely deserves to start in our midfield in game 1 next season. The spot is his. 

But if he breaks his leg I don't want us to be back with Arteta or Flamini. I mean I love those guys but I think we've moved beyond that level of quality now.

Paulm never have I had a reason to use the 'this' button more than that. So much so I felt I needed to reply and say bravo.

Just a thought, someone else coming in not only provides competition/cover for Coquellin, but more importantly options. When we're seeing a game out, or needing to set up against a side like Barcelona, we would have two enforcers we could start, not just one. Something that could have helped us see out a few of our dodgey results.

Given Coquellin is mid twenties, and Bielek is still young I'd like to see someone in their prime, mid-late twenties. Khedira could be that man, or De Rossi (mmmmmmmm), or perhaps Schneiderlin is exactly that.

While we may not need someone to come in to immediately replace Coquelin, we certainly need another option. Going into seasons with just the one guy (or 2 CBs etc) has been our downfall too many times. It's why we have a whole season of Denilson as a permanent scar in our memory.

I would also absolutely keep Arteta. Thought he was still class before the injury and while he may not be first choice anymore I can't think of anyone better to have as a squad option and a leader around the squad. By all accounts he's been an exceptional leader, and it was him who made sure Diaby was involved in the celebrations the other day for instance. He's also talked about going into coaching/management and I'd love him to start that path with us. Definitely someone I'd want to keep around the squad.

We can't keep everyone and buy new players... our squad is already too big. 

We have these players on our books right now to cover just 3 positions:

Coquelin

Arteta

Flamini

Diaby

Wilshere

Cazorla

Ramsey

Rosicky

Ozil

I guess you could leave Diaby out, but then you could also put the Ox in, as it seems that Wenger sees him in midfield long term. Flamini barely played this season, even with Wilshere, Arteta and Diaby injured for most of it...

We simply can't keep all of these guys and sign a new DMF as well.

Yeah, agreed. Which is why I think it was surprising Rosicky was re-signed and we are keeping Arteta.

Yea I'm surprised too. I thought Rosicky yes, Arteta no... 

I am assuming that Flamini is just being released now that his contract is up?

And I'm also assuming that Diaby is going to get some funny kind of pay-as-you-play deal. I'm ok with that. He's amazing for a game every other season.

It was a surprise to keep Rosicky. Would have though he would be out along with Flamini and Diaby. But maybe he's happ with his role and is also a good guy to have around the squad. Can't imagine he's on massive wages anyway.

Rosicky will be coming up on 10 years. Due a testimonial when he leaves?

Anyone watching NZ v USA in U20's? Zelalem is controlling the midfield. Only just picked up 2nd half.

Bye bye Blatter

Yes Zealem looked great

According to here:

http://www.transfermarkt.com/fc-arsenal/vertragsen...

Only Diaby & Martinez are off contract this summer. Diaby, God bless him, needs to be off the wage bill. Even a 'pay as you play' environment still leaves us funding his rehab, time to cut the losses.

End of 2016 is more interesting:

Walcott, Flamini, Arteta, Rosicky, Myiachi.

I'd expect us to sell Myiachi this summer, re-sign Walcott, and either sell or see out the contracts of the other three.

EDIT: http://news.arseblog.com/2015/06/nacho-i-want-to-stay-at-arsenal/ looks like Monreal only has a year left so trusting that site less and less, hopefully we re-sign the Spaniard as we're not blessed with a Bellerin coming through to compete with Gibbs at LB.

Scuttlebutt around Sterling in with Gibbs and Walcott out. What a pile of sharke that deal would be.

Just say no

flamini got one more  year???

love him to bits but how did that happen

Callum Chambers.....he started so brightly and then faded away big time. He will just have to make the most of his chances when he gets a go.

Typical of young players. He showed a lot of promise in the early months of the season though. Wenger thinks he is a future DM which is interesting. We also have Bielek (sp?) as well that I am forgetting about - he's a DM too. 

Yeah, still young. Was a lot of responsibility on him at the beginning of the season. He did reasonably well; good that we have more competiton now though.

A little late to this party, but as a neutral I didn't mind Jack's chanting. Don't think Spurs fans will really give 2 sharks.

Jack was teaching the yoof valuable skills in tribalism. Agree with the graun blog on this one.

What I was most disappointed in was Jack was his basic numeracy skills.

Jack, I have one question, and one question only: do you know the difference between one and two questions?

I loved Arseblog's comment on it

http://arseblog.com/2015/06/the-way-things-are-goi...

Out field players not to score for us this season (# of games in brackets):

Paulista (5+3)

Diaby (1)

Campbell (3+7)

Coquellin (26+4)

Zelalem (0+1)

Akpom (0+7)

Hayden (1)

Maitland-Niles (0+3)

O'Connor (0+1)

Coquelin: he's so shark. 

3 mil just came in thanks to Vermaelen's terms with Barca winning the champs league

Heh. He's played 1 game.

Good business from Wenger.

Here is a sad story of a decent player in his day.

Homeless and alcoholic former Arsenal ace Kenny Sansom’s heartbreaking confession: I’m close to suicide
23:00, 6 JUNE 2015
BY PATRICK HILL
Shocking photos show him as a shadow of the player regularly voted one of the country’s finest defenders - but these are the images Kenny believes could help save his life

Passed out on the grass with a bottle of booze, England ace Kenny Sansom has hit rock bottom.

Our shocking photos, taken days after his former club ­Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph at Wembley, show him as a shadow of the player regularly voted one of the country’s finest defenders.

But these are the images Kenny believes could help save his life.

“I do need help, I know I do,” he says candidly.

“I’m happy for these pictures to be used because as horrible as it is, it shows me as I am at the moment.”

In a highly emotional interview, the 56-year-old bravely admits to:

Feeling suicidal and wanting to end it all by “taking a tablet”.
Being homeless and often sleeping rough in the park or on the street.
Starting each day by downing a bottle of rose wine and necking bottles of Night Nurse to sleep.
Drinking himself close to death because he never got over his split from his wife.
John Alevroyiannis/Sunday MirrorKenny Sansom pictured with a bottle of rose sleeping rough in BromleyHard times: England ace Kenny Sansom with a bottle of rose sleeping rough in Bromley
However, he has accepted a lifeline offer from former team-mate Tony Adams to go into rehab in an attempt to beat his demons.

Kenny, who played in three Wembley cup finals and won 86 caps for England during a glittering 20-year career, has decided to speak out because he is ready to accept help after years of self-abuse.

The Sunday Mirror is now working with the Professional Footballer’s ­Association and the Sporting Chance clinic to help Kenny.

Just weeks ago, he spent a night in the cells for being drunk and disorderly after downing five bottles of wine.

He was arrested and fined following a row with his girlfriend Denise Mullins after she locked him out of her house. The pair have now broken up.

Looking dishevelled and broken, the former Sky Sports pundit wipes away tears as he describes how his life has spiralled out of control.

Eight days ago, when Arsenal won the cup, he was drunk in a betting shop. He cannot remember the game.

John Alevroyiannis/Sunday MirrorKenny Sansom pictured with a bottle of rose sleeping rough in BromleyBattling booze: Kenny Sansom with a bottle of rose
“I was so out of it, I wasn’t interested,” he said, “I love Arsenal but I didn’t care. At the moment, if I could have two tablets I would take them to die. I don’t want to live. What have I got to live for?”

Glancing at the images of himself lying in the park, he continues: “I look at those pictures and I just think, ‘Kenny, what are you doing?’ I hate it.

“I’m gonna give it my best go to finally beat this now. Look at the state of me – I’ve got a big problem with my alcohol and my gambling.

“I hope this wake-up call will save my life.”

Kenny is telling his story sitting in a hotel just yards from the patch sleeps rough.

He regularly stays at the hotel, banking on the mercy of the owner to offer him a cheap room.

Kenny, who earned £1,200 a week in his heyday, now has a monthly income of just £622.

The cash is his PFA pension and half of that goes to ex-wife Elaine, who he left saddled with debt.

Kenny ­squanders the rest on booze and gambling.

He says: “I’ve been in this hotel before and I’ve had six bottles of wine, four bottles of Night Nurse and four bottles of other drugs.

John Alevroyiannis/Sunday MirrorKenny SansomDesperate: England ace Kenny Sansom is battling homelessness and booze
“I did it because I wanted to die. I’ve done it several times. I just don’t want to be around. That’s how sad I feel about myself.

"I’ve said so many times to people, ‘have you got 
any pills?’ I’ve got no money in the bank now, nothing.

“I don’t know what to do. I’ve got nothing, I just go to sleep on the street .

“I’ve got nowhere to live. I don’t own a car, I don’t have a house, I’ve got no money, I’ve got no partner,

“All my money has gone on drink and to the betting shop. I ain’t even got a phone at the minute.

“Right now I feel like I’ll never stop drinking. I can’t envisage that.

“The way I feel right now I feel like the only thing that could stop me drinking would be being dead.

“I just don’t want to be around, I don’t want to be living the horrible life that I’m living.”

Describing how his days are now spent he adds: “I woke up at 7am this morning and the first thing I did was have a drink.

"I had a bottle of Mateus Rose wine. That’s what I always drink. I drink because it makes me feel better.

BTSEngland defender Kenny Sansom on the ball, closely watched by Scotland's Kenny DalglishIn action: England defender Kenny Sansom on the ball, closely watched by Scotland's Kenny Dalglish
“I’m an alcoholic. It makes me feel better about my emotions.

“I’m drinking Night Nurse like I drink alcohol at the moment.

“The other night I drank a bottle then staggered all the way to my ­daughter’s house at 11pm. I fell over five times.

“I got there and she said to me, ‘Dad, you can’t do this anymore’.”

Kenny, who also played for Crystal Palace, QPR, Newcastle United and Everton, goes on: “I’ve got no money. I’ve only got my pension. I just need ­somewhere to live – just a room.

“I don’t need a fridge or a TV. I just need somewhere to sleep, ­somewhere to feel safe. It might sound silly, but that’s all I want.

"I just need to stay somewhere where I can feel a bit comfortable and to know at the end of the day I can go there and put my head down and have a cover and sleep.

“I feel like a little dog really. It might give me an opportunity to find work.”

At the root of Kenny’s problems is a broken heart. He says has never got over the split from his wife of 29 years. They broke up after he cheated on her.

Splitting from his new partner sent him further down the path to oblivion.

The former star – who also used to carry out guided stadium tours at Arsenal – worked as a scaffolder last year while also doing match day ­hospitality for Crystal Palace.

He lost his job at the end of the season for being drunk at Selhurst Park.

Kenny says: “I’ve only got myself to blame. Having a drink makes me forget what I’ve done. I’ve got to say the truth – I’m a coward and I don’t deal with life, I really don’t.

“People are going to judge me, I know they are, but I’m not a bad person, I’m not perfect that’s for sure, but I f****d up.

“Money, my ex-wife, there’s a lot of things I could have done better. It’s my fault, all the things I feel sad about, it’s my fault and I can’t blame anyone else.

“I lost my wife, that hurts me a lot. She was beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

“It’s my own fault. I ain’t gonna blame anyone else because I did it. I didn’t mean to do it, but I did.

“I’ve just broken up with my partner. I got a bit drunk and I just drunk my way out of the flat really.

"She kicked me out of her house because I was abusive when I was drunk. We were together nine years.

“But my ex-wife was my No1. She was my girlfriend from the age of 12. We were childhood sweethearts. She’s very special to me. She was the best woman I’ve ever had – my dream.

The People/MGNElaine and Kenny Sansom on their wedding day in 1979Happier days: Elaine and Kenny Sansom on their wedding day in 1979
“I’ve f****d up big time and that’s what hurts me. I’ve lost her.

“She saw me in Morrison’s the other day apparently. I spoke to my daughter and she said, ‘Mum saw you and said you look rough’. That hurt me. I just want to tell her I love her.”

With the help of the PFA, Kenny is due to check into a private detox clinic this week for specialist treatment.

PFA head of player welfare Michael Bennett, also an ex-footballer, said: “We’ve supported Kenny in the past and will continue to help him in any way we can.

“He has been a major pro star footballer and it’s clear he’s now struggling with 
life after football. We’re his union and we’re there for him.”

Kenny is also expected to receive support and treatment at Sporting Chance clinic later this month after we spoke to founder Tony Adams .

The Sunday Mirror has paid for a hotel room to keep Kenny off the streets.

John Alevroyiannis/Sunday MirrorKenny Sansom pictured with a bottle of rose sleeping roughHomeless: Kenny Sansom with a bottle of rose sleeping rough
He says: “I just want help now. I’m ready. It’s up to me now. I know that and I’ll do my best. You’ve [Sunday Mirror] helped me and I want to thank you for that.

“The only thing that keeps me going is that I know if I die, I can’t help anyone. That’s what I want to be able to do.

“I want to be able to help someone else because I know how much it’s cost me and if I can help someone I wanna give it to them.

"I really mean that. But I know you can’t help anyone until you help yourself. I know I’ve got something there I can do.”

He continues: “I feel like the thing I really need is counselling.

“I’ve been to rehab before, I went to the same place as Gazza in Bournemouth but I wasn’t ready to accept the help.

Left back Kenny Sansom enjoyed a glorious career, in which he played 86 times for England without ever being booked or sent off.

He held the record for being the Three Lions’ most capped full back until 2011 when he was overtaken by Ashley Cole .

Only Patrick Vieira has more international appearances while playing for Arsenal.

Sansom was 16 when his career started in Crystal Palace’s youth team.

By 1979 the youngster, from Camberwell in South London, had already played his first game for England – a goalless draw against Wales.

In 1980 Arsenal snapped him up in a £1million exchange with striker Clive Allen, and the next year he was voted the Gunners’ player of the year.

But is wasn’t until 1987 that he won a trophy, captaining the club to a League Cup win against Liverpool.

The square-jawed, broad-shouldered star also made his mark on the international stage, as a regular for England over nine years.

After leaving Arsenal in 1988, he joined Newcastle United before going on to play for Queen’s Park Rangers, Coventry City, Everton, Brentford and Watford.

“I wanted to drink. I’ve been to ­meetings before, but it’s difficult. People tell you stories, but I don’t want to hear those stories. I hate the truth. I’m a selfish git.

“In the end the only person who can help me is me, isn’t it?”

www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/homeless-alcoholic-former-arsenal-ace-5838019

George Best to the tee.

Thanks for posting. Read about his troubles a year or two ago and hadn't heard any more recently. Friend of mine brought me back a signed photo of him a few years ago when he went over there and did the Legend's Stadium tour.

No worries, I liked Samson, scored a real ripper of a goal for QPR and was a damn good full back for you, Palace and England. That he knows he has a problem is half the road to getting on top of it. Unlike Bestie, I hope Samson takes advantage of the help offered and gets to grip with this hideous illness. He deserves better.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-miss-out-4million-thomas-5837905

Apparently we don't actually get the Vermaelen money because he didn't play a minute in the CL.

Not a good night for our French contingent. Koscielny gave away an average penalty & Giroud couldn't offer much against Belgium in a 4-3 loss.

Tony Adams? Couldn't be in better hands.