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

Theo looking good, excellent form on the back of that injury.

Nervous about how well the other sides are re-enforcing. Hopefully Wenger starts announcing some signings.

Oh, and are Liverpool about to outspend everyone this summer? Wow.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/arsenal-have-signed-newcastle-france-right-back-mathieu-debuchy-daily-star/

Here is the thing. I think we may have done plenty of business already but the whole "not announcing it until after the WC" seems likely. I think our PR team wants to control the stories and such have most of the announcement traffic come via our website, not redtops.

Well our PR team will fail (and it's not their fault).

When was the last time you heard a shock signing announcement signing in the premier league? Just does not happen anymore. Nothing can be kept under wraps these days no matter how hard they try.

As usual any signings will start as what look like another every day bollocks rumour, but then it won't go away like the others, someone will hint something, someone else will hint something further, it carries on like that until the evidence grows so strong everyone knows the deal is done - usually more than 48 hours before we get a peep out of arsenal.com.

And on that note... the Debuchy rumours seem to have a stronger basis than any other... this could be our actual first signing the way it is heading. 

I'm more than happy with that. I am an Aurier fan but this is a less risky move. This guy is proven in the EPL, he's starts ahead of Sagna in the french team, and he seems to have all the ingredients Arsene likes - french, attacking, and also used to be a deep-lying playmaker so he's got very good technique for a fullback.

He's also 28 so he won't be such a huge barrier for the likes of Jenkinson and Bellerin as they develop. 

Jackson Martinez quote: 

“As a child I cheered for Arsenal, they play a game that suits me. If I had the occasion to play there, I would say yes.”

Debuchy will be just right as he is turning 29 and therefore doesn't stifle the good progression Jenko is making.

It's quite sobering looking at the official first team post 1 July and only having 1 senior goal keeper!

Somewhere along the way I fully thought we had sold Djourou last season to that Bundesliga club, turns out it was another loan.

What's the bet he is recalled to be the third CB while selling Vermaelen?? Means we would only need to buy 1 CB or recall Djourou and Miquel who himself is being looked at by other clubs.

It's all exciting with the attacking links Martinez, Sanchez etc, but it has been said her before, our biggest risk is not spending to get the right CB coverage, particularly if TV5 goes - let's face it he is a brilliant squad member!

It could be hopeful thinking from me, thinking that there are a few signing all but sealed - but I wonder if there is a chance it has anything to do with the Nike deal ending and the Puma deal beginning, the club surely would want new signings being pictured with Puma kits? 

Apologies if this thought has already been brought up!

And if this overly optimistic view makes you a little sick. 

That actually makes a lot of sense.

Yeah. I think A) that Puma would want to be represented in any big signings unveiled, and that B) Arsenal are better than to disrespect Nike by undermining them in any way. 

Feasible at least?

Currently thinking we have Sanchez on the way in, IMO no show of he and Balotelli both arriving.

Sanchez would be great. I'd prefer him over Balotelli, but would be happy with either. Know it definitely won't be both of them, and probably neither of them! Haha

Sanchez would be a quality signing

I like this theory on the Puma unveiling

The pair formally began their long-term partnership yesterday and the global  unveiling of the  Gunners new kit is being held in London on July 10.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pictured-arsenal-preparing-emirates-stadium-3798687#ixzz36N2fidLB

Excite!

With the sanchez potential signing, doesn't he play better on the wings cutting in rather than a central striker?

Henry was a winger who liked to cut in....just saying...

could be Pires/Ljungberg 2.0?

Aaaah, the glory days of 4-4-2. 

2 + 2 = 5 rumours are my favourite...

Sanchez' agent just started following Arsenal fc, Ozil, Giroud, Arteta and Cazorla on twitter, all on the same day......

Maybe he's just looking for new clients? JK lol Sanchez come to Arsenal.

Surely Barcelona owe us a signing or 10 after Fabregas, Henry, Song.

There is a line in here that stats the if we get Debauchy from NC, Jenkinson might head the other way on loan. It could actually be a great move as we would still have Bellerin to back him up, and Jenkinson would get more game time at EPL level.

I like that idea - as long as we can recall him if Debuchy gets injured...

You forgot Hleb..., as did the rest of the world

Petit... Overmars...

too long ago?

You'd say the only one that was a semi-success for them was Henry

Van Bronckhorst.

Puma is my pick for our only signing before the start of the season.

and a pity too, he was class. 

We did well to sell him when we did. He hasnt had an injury plagued season since he left us.

this morning I see we are linked with a double buy of Lovern and Schneiderlin from saints. I know nothing of either of them. but im guessing lovern would be the back up CB and Schneiderlin would contest that deep lying mid field position?

hard to see it happening though, as 2 players from 1 club to another rarely ever happens in one transfer window, and the fact that the saints squad has already been ravaged by transfers.

Two players have already moved from Southampton to Liverpool (Lambert & Lallana) this window.

Schneiderlin is the real deal from what I have seen, I would still like Lars Bender or Sami Khedira, but would be happy with Schneiderlin if we don't get either German.

I know bugger all about Lovren, if you believe rumours, Southampton aren't willing to let him go.

Schneiderlin seems to be gaining momentum, but Khedira just got linked with us again. I like him, but I feel like age, injuries, and lack of speed prevent him from being the full package? Happy to be proved wrong!

Sounds like Debuchy is done and Sanchez is close. Dare I say it but the Sanchez deal is about as close as Higuain was... latest suggests he doesn't want Liverpool, and is considering either us or Juve. Barca want to get it done to free up the Suarez funds asap, so this should happen quickly whichever way it goes.

Lovren would be an excellent signing. 

As would Schneiderlin or that guy with the hottest girlfriend in the world (seriously, google-image Khedira's girlfriend, wow).

She would be an able replacement for our current hottest WAG, Sagna's missus

Debuchy confirms on his instagram that he is joining Arsenal. Excellent replacement for Sagna.

http://instagram.com/mathdebuchy

Some stats from last season (in which Debuchy played less games):

Excellent signing. Fucking excited!

That instagram thing is fake.

Indeed but he did confirm to a French reporter:

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/07/05/bonjour-arsenal-confusion-as-debuchy-confirms-arsenal-switch/

So debuchy done and sanchez very close, and we're early july... this all feels very un-arsenal like!

So did leading the league for most of last season and lifting a trophy at the end of it... strange days my friend, strange days....

We also have to be careful, however, as our major title contenders have all signed reinforcements, while we've lost our back up GK and starting RB on free's to a rival and annoying challenger.