Arsenal Rumors in Transfers/Rumours/Team News from Football.co.uk

fakeplastictrees · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 7:34 pm

YoBBo wrote:

fakeplastictrees wrote:

Johnson isn't good enough in my opinion.

I think he is, i think hes a very good player.

Jean II Makoun has been heavily linked with Arsenal your right Smurfy rumours today we were looking to bring him to Spurs, by trying to convince him he'll play more at Tottenham than he would at Arsenal.

Personnaly i think Johnson would be a class signing for you guys, he can defend when needed he can attack when needed a well rounded player who probably will be one of the only English players worth the money paid for him, im thinking around about 8 million. Alot yes but i think hes worth it especially if Bents fee could rise to 16.5mil.

Well consider what the other big clubs have in that position.

Mascherano, Alonso, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Essien, Mikel, Makalele.

Do you think Johnson stacks up to those guys? I don't. Johnson isn't even better than Gilberto.

YoBBo · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 7:41 pm

Well considering hes only just turned 20 years of age and has only made 32 premier league apperances for Manchester City hes at that point where you cant only judge on what you think he will become and i think he will be a very talented player. He made a huge impact at the start of the season but faded away in the second half due to an injury which kept him out for about 6 weeks.

We will have to wait and see you may be right but i think hed suits Arsenals style of play and i think hes a very talented footballer.

Johnson is better than Gilberto for sure.

papa5murf · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:10 pm

fakeplastictrees wrote:

Well consider what the other big clubs have in that position.

Mascherano, Alonso, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Essien, Mikel, Makalele.

Do you think Johnson stacks up to those guys? I don't. Johnson isn't even better than Gilberto.

If there is one person out there that can make Johnson equal to those players stated above; it's undoubtedly Arsene Wenger. And as YoBBo says, he's only 20, so he still has a lot to learn and improve in his game. And who's better to teach him than Wenger.

If Wenger brings him in, he'll train him and teach him this coming season, and next year he'll be a force.

Ben91 · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:13 pm

papa5murf wrote:

This is one of the most outrageous rumors I've seen, but decided to post it for discussion purposes.

Quote:

Barcelona will bid �30m bid for Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas and may offer Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Eidur Gudjohnsen or former Gunner Thierry Henry in a part-exchange deal, reckons the Daily Star.

I would 'lol' if the Arsenal side was torn apart in the summer with Flamini, Fabregas and Hleb all leaving. Luckily for you it won't happen - especially not Cesc... he's loyal to Wenger. I don't even think Hleb will go either.

Geordie JJ · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:17 pm

fakeplastictrees wrote:

Well consider what the other big clubs have in that position.

Mascherano, Alonso, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Essien, Mikel, Makalele.

Do you think Johnson stacks up to those guys? I don't. Johnson isn't even better than Gilberto.

I think Johnson has been better then Mikel this season and at a push you could say scholes and Carrick aswell.

specnur · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 11:13 pm

papa5murf wrote:

I was always afraid he would leave for the money, even back in January when the squad was firing on all cylinders. Loyalty is one of those things that has gone from the world of sports. Sad

Look for bids for Jean II Makoun and/or Michael Johnson soon.

I second that.
Very disappointed with Flamini's decision indeed.I mean how could he leave for a club that Arsenal are superior to.Of course it was for the money but how much more were they offering?
I am really gutted to hear that news,he had a fantastic season and a big piece of his play was what Arsenal needed.Diarra leaving is even more sad now,because he would have slotted right into that position and would be even better than Flamini . Michael johnson has no way of playing for Arsenal , he doesn't have the qualities for that team. Don't know much about Makoun to be honest. Wenger has proven that he always picks the right players,but what is troubling to me is that it seems players are loosing faith in the system after Wenger has made them stars.Arsenal need to do something about there salary cap and bring it in line with the other top clubs.What i fear happening is that Arsenal becomes a farm team for the likes of Barcelona ,ac milan and real madrid.They lost Henry ,Vieira and reyes and now Flamini.Make no mistake about it , based on that It's obvious that these super teams know that Arsenal are a supreme team ,but their weakness is not having the funds to keep their best players.

I got a confession.I have been a Chelsea fan since the 70's, not as hardcore in the last 15 but still rooted for them agains every team they played against other teams that was until Wenger took over at Arsenal.The style of play kind of reminded me of why i fell in love with Chelsea back then with the likes of Hutchinson,Cooke,Hudson,McCreadie etc. Aliaksandr Hleb is the only player ever to make me buy a shirt other than Bristol City or Chelsea.Not being able to find a belarus shirt with his name had a lot to do with also,but that's how much a rate that player.The point is if he leaves Arsenal i would be absolutely gutted ,more so than even when Henry left and that is saying something.
Hleb is the type of player Arsenal should base their team around he is irreplaceable.Every other player on that team can be replaced with other players ,but Hleb is unique in ways i have stated earlier.

The image that stains my brain is watching Cesc ,Hleb and flamini joking around at the Everton game like business as usual.

specnur · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 11:38 pm

papa5murf wrote:

specnur wrote:

papa5murf wrote:

Diarra is allowed to leave, but Wenger doesn't want to lose him so he put in a �6 million price tag on him. (we bought him for �2 million from Chelsea) I don't think anyone would pay �6 million for him unless they are desperate.

Boy were you wrong here papa.
Diarra looks like he's going to be one of the best in the world after seeing his performance against beating Man U and his last performance against Boro . I was gutted he left Arsenal but he wanted out and Wenger had no choice to let him go.

My concern is the players that may be leaving notably Hleb and Flamini.I think flamini could be replaced ,but will be gutted after his almost player of the season performance this year.Hleb on the other hand would be irreplacable. The man is almost impossible to tackle ,his dribbling success rate is better than anyone i have seen in the world and his passing is fantastic.He get's back and makes tackles better than the majority of attacking midfielders and he is a total team player. I think Wenger said in a recent interview that there is no way Hleb can leave ,if so how did Diarra leave after just signing a contract?

I don't see how I was wrong. Wenger didn't want to lose him, and he was very reluctant in selling him. The only reason he did so was because Diarra was adamant on leaving (and the price Portsmouth were willing to pay for him). There was a reason why Wenger set the price tag so high, it was to keep teams away from approaching him, but Portsmouth were desperate for a player like him in the middle. If Portsmouth didn't sign him, I can pretty much assure they wouldn't be in the FA Cup final right now. He played a huge role in getting them there.

At the time there was no way he was worth �6 million, especially after Arsenal bought him for �2 million. He had only started 5 matches (most being in the Carling Cup), and subbed in 5 matches before he was sold. And during that time, nowhere did he prove himself to be rated at �4 million more from a couple months prior. Is he worth that price now? Yes, but at the time of his sale to Portsmouth, no way.

If you read some of my other posts about him, you will see that I was upset that he was sold, and that I thought he was going to be a great player in the future. Selling him was a huge blow to the depth of our squad, he could have helped us a lot when the likes of Fabregas and/or Flamini were hurt or fatigued.

Ok noted.
Wrong about him not worth 6 mil though ,nay player Wenger buys from a rival is worth at least 6 mil because he never does it it.He saw something special in that Player ,but Diarra was sh*t scared of not getting enough playing time to be selected for France.He showed great promise with his limited time at Chelsea.Look at him now and he's worth 20 mil based on how he controlled the mid filed in the win over Man U. He's a 20 mil player in the offing i'll bet my house on that.If carrick can get 15 he's worth 25 mil at least.

specnur · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 11:53 pm

Jackpot_Jac wrote:

Oba Martins will not be going to Arsenal in the summer. First of all he loves Newcastle and the fans love him. Secondly i dont think Wenger will make a 15m bid when there are much better strikers around.
If you do sign Oba you will soon find out that he doesnt have a footballing brain. I have lost count how many times he picks the wrong option and his passing is poor. No one with poor passing is gonna be a target of Arsenal. However, Martins does qualities that will appeal to Wenger. The main two are his speed and shot power. I do think martins needs some proper coaching to get the most out of his talent. Since Keegan has been there and since we have been playing 4-3-3 he has been a better player. I personally love Martins. When he plays you can tell just how much it means for him to play for the club. He never stops trying and always does his best.
I cant see him going to Arsenal but if he does there will be many gutted Newcastle fans. We all love lil Oba!

Let me destroy the above.

First off who's a better striker than him right that's available/
Doesn't have a footballing brain,that's a mighty strange comment.That man is pure footballing desire.
First of all he won't be played out of position like he is at Newcastle ,he is a pure front man make no mistake.Just look at the goals he's scored ,basically drogbaesque,he makes something from nothing.I can't remember when he even got an assist from that garbage Newcastle call a midfield.That's the role Wenger would use him,along side Adebayor or Van pirsie.

You say you personally love Martins ,but i doubt that very much ,because if that were the case ,were was the outrage when Owen couldn't buy a goal ,martins was top scorer and keegan kept him on the bench.
That was unforgiveable and Martins should leave based on that alone.I know that the majority of Newcastle fans love that player and so they should,but are they willing to put him on the filed ahead of Owen?Because he's a better player hands down.

There isn't a person on the planet but Oba himself that can convince me that the only reason Martins is playing is because he would leave the club in the Summer.And just imagine Owen get's injured again early in next season and martins is forced to pay for another team.Te very fact that Wenger eyed Martins in the past should tell you that there is nothing wrong with Martins Footballing brain.

Geordie JJ · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:10 am

specnur wrote:

Jackpot_Jac wrote:

Oba Martins will not be going to Arsenal in the summer. First of all he loves Newcastle and the fans love him. Secondly i dont think Wenger will make a 15m bid when there are much better strikers around.
If you do sign Oba you will soon find out that he doesnt have a footballing brain. I have lost count how many times he picks the wrong option and his passing is poor. No one with poor passing is gonna be a target of Arsenal. However, Martins does qualities that will appeal to Wenger. The main two are his speed and shot power. I do think martins needs some proper coaching to get the most out of his talent. Since Keegan has been there and since we have been playing 4-3-3 he has been a better player. I personally love Martins. When he plays you can tell just how much it means for him to play for the club. He never stops trying and always does his best.
I cant see him going to Arsenal but if he does there will be many gutted Newcastle fans. We all love lil Oba!

Let me destroy the above.

First off who's a better striker than him right that's available/
Doesn't have a footballing brain,that's a mighty strange comment.That man is pure footballing desire.
First of all he won't be played out of position like he is at Newcastle ,he is a pure front man make no mistake.Just look at the goals he's scored ,basically drogbaesque,he makes something from nothing.I can't remember when he even got an assist from that garbage Newcastle call a midfield.That's the role Wenger would use him,along side Adebayor or Van pirsie.

You say you personally love Martins ,but i doubt that very much ,because if that were the case ,were was the outrage when Owen couldn't buy a goal ,martins was top scorer and keegan kept him on the bench.
That was unforgiveable and Martins should leave based on that alone.I know that the majority of Newcastle fans love that player and so they should,but are they willing to put him on the filed ahead of Owen?Because he's a better player hands down.

There isn't a person on the planet but Oba himself that can convince me that the only reason Martins is playing is because he would leave the club in the Summer.And just imagine Owen get's injured again early in next season and martins is forced to pay for another team.Te very fact that Wenger eyed Martins in the past should tell you that there is nothing wrong with Martins Footballing brain.

Destroy?

You havnt watched many Newcastle games. I can tell. You should stick to NFL mate.
The reason he was on the bench for a few weeks is because he had a knee injury. I could name about 10 stikers that are available to a team like Arsenal that are better then him (want names?). As i said before he doesnt have a footballing brain (im not the only one on here that has that opinion). I see him play every week, i guess you dont. I dont just watch the highlights. In highlights of games you dont see the amount of times he gives the ball away. However, he is much better under keegan, and i cant see him leaving the club in the summer. If he does then we will have to replace him. Im sure we could find a much more clinical striker then Oba. But as you have pointed out (i think) he also offers the team alot with his workrate. Thats why he is loved, not because he scores all them goals.
I find it very funny how you dont think there is a problem with how Martins reads the game. Over the last 2 years i have watched him play more then you. I have also stated that im a big Oba fan, so why would i make something up like that?? Doesnt make sense.
Under Wenger there is no doubt that Oba could be an amazing player, but that wont happen straight away. I would be gutted if he left but your opinion of him is a lil bit high.
I think i know your problem mate. Your in love with Oba. Awwwwwww

papa5murf · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:50 am

specnur wrote:

papa5murf wrote:

I was always afraid he would leave for the money, even back in January when the squad was firing on all cylinders. Loyalty is one of those things that has gone from the world of sports. Sad

Look for bids for Jean II Makoun and/or Michael Johnson soon.

I second that.
Very disappointed with Flamini's decision indeed.I mean how could he leave for a club that Arsenal are superior to.Of course it was for the money but how much more were they offering?
I am really gutted to hear that news,he had a fantastic season and a big piece of his play was what Arsenal needed.Diarra leaving is even more sad now,because he would have slotted right into that position and would be even better than Flamini . Michael johnson has no way of playing for Arsenal , he doesn't have the qualities for that team. Don't know much about Makoun to be honest. Wenger has proven that he always picks the right players,but what is troubling to me is that it seems players are loosing faith in the system after Wenger has made them stars.Arsenal need to do something about there salary cap and bring it in line with the other top clubs.What i fear happening is that Arsenal becomes a farm team for the likes of Barcelona ,ac milan and real madrid.They lost Henry ,Vieira and reyes and now Flamini.Make no mistake about it , based on that It's obvious that these super teams know that Arsenal are a supreme team ,but their weakness is not having the funds to keep their best players.

I think you've been reading some of my older posts. Razz

I was adamant that Diarra was the perfect 'replacement' for Flamini. Same type of player, great worth ethic, a force in the middle as a holding midfielder with a bit of vision of going forward when needed. We had a player that could slot in and take Fabregas' spot in-case he got injured (Hleb); but when Diarra left, we lost that player that could slot in and take Flamini's spot.

I'm sure that is why Wenger brought Diarra in in the first place, knowing that Flamini's contract was up and there was no guarantee he would resign. Unfortunately for us and Diarra as well, is that Diarra wasn't willing to take that risk and wait a year, and wait for Flamini to potentially leave to get his playing time. Right now with Flamini gone, we all know that if Diarra stuck around, he'd be starting next year next to Fabregas.

Losing/selling Henry, Vieira and Reyes was all strategic. Wenger knows exactly when he needs to sell an older player. Vieira hasn't been the same since leaving, Henry hasn't been the same, Reyes was a bit of a bust here and he wanted to go back to Spain.

papa5murf · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:32 pm

Quote:

Inter Close To Landing Hleb
Arsenal's Belarussian misfielder, Alexander Hleb, is said to be closer than ever to a move to Internazionale...

With Mathieu Flamini having already signed for AC Milan, it seems as if Hleb is now on the verge of a move to the rossoneri's city rivals, Inter.

The nerazzurri's interest in the Belarussian international is well-established and long-running, but it now seems as though concrete steps towards a transfer are in the offing.

With the English Premier League season set to end this week, and Serie A to conclude shortly afterwards, the time is ripe for a switch to take place.

Show Me The Money

Inter are confident that the player would jump at the chance to switch to the San Siro, given that they are prepared to significantly boost his current salary of �50,000 (�63,500) per week.

The question, then, is whether or not a transfer fee is involved. Should Hleb wish to invoke the controversial 'Article 17' of FIFA's transfer regulations, he could in fact buy out the final two years of his contract.

This would bypass Inter's needing to remunerate Arsenal to any great extent, with the Gunners otherwise perhaps seeking to recoup some of the �11.2m (approx. �14m) that they paid to Stuttgart three seasons ago.

Time To Move On?

That it was three seasons ago is key. Hleb, being under 28, needs to serve either three years or three seasons - whichever comes first - in the red and white before he is eligible for an Article 17 move. As soon as the current campaign formally ends, he will have done so.

Whether or not he chooses to exercise this option at the end of June, though, is another matter. Still, The Times contends that he will almost certainly do so.

It is thought that the 27-year-old has already confided in his colleagues that he is ready and willing to make the switch to Italy, and that it is a matter of when, not if, he will do so.

YoBBo · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:59 pm

If Arsenal do loose Hleb along with Flamini it will be a huge blow, and i think Wenger would need to bring in some real top quality in order top compete on the same front as they have this season.

papa5murf · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:04 pm

Niko Kranjcar will be the first signing to replace Hleb (if he's to leave). The rumors about Niko are getting more and more concrete. All the football shows I watched last night also reiterated and pretty much assured that Niko was going to Arsenal.

ImmortaL · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:53 pm

Quote:

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry has confirmed he will stay at the Nou Camp next season.

The France international has been an inconsistent performer since moving to the Catalan club where he has not enjoyed the success he achieved at Arsenal.

But he is determined to stick it out, telling Le Parisien newspaper: "About my future, no, I do not want to leave.

"I still have three years left on my contract here and I will still be here next year."

papa5murf · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:29 pm

Quote:

Wenger Linked With Gattuso Bid
According to the Guardian newspaper, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be set to break with tradition and bid for Milan�s Gennaro Gattuso.

Gattuso has been heavily linked with a move away from Milan at the end of the season, and earlier today Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro stated his belief that the midfielder would seek a new challenge.

"I know Ringhio - obviously he will be short of motivation,� stated the Real Madrid star.

�He's won the World Cup and two Champions Leagues, what else can he do?"

The Guardian says that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up a surprise bid for Gattuso, as he looks to replace midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who ironically signed for Milan on a Bosman transfer yesterday.

Wenger has never hidden his admiration in the past for Gattuso, and openly declared a few years ago that the hardman was his favourite Italian player.

However the fact that Gattuso is now 30, and has struggled physically this year, makes a possibly transfer to the Gunners seem unlikely.

Wenger is well known for his policy of signing young players, however a third season on the trot without a trophy, may push him to look for the odd experienced player this summer.

fakeplastictrees · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:35 pm

I think Gattuso would be a good signing but I can't see Arsene going for it.

Ben91 · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:27 pm

How much do you think Hleb would fetch then papa?

Mancini is reported to be in a similar state of being able to buy out his contract, meaning Roma would receive merely �4m of what has previously been a �10m+ player in past transfer windows.

It'd be an almighty blow if Flamini and Hleb were to leave with so little financially in return.

papa5murf · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:13 am

I'm not really sure how this buyout thing works. Does Hleb supposed to pay Arsenal to get out of the contract and then he's completely free to go anywhere for free? or does the club Hleb goes to buys out the contract and includes that with the transfer fee? Confused

Just a straight sale, no buyout or any of that sort. I think Hleb should fetch around �13-15m.

ImmortaL · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:35 am

papa5murf wrote:

I'm not really sure how this buyout thing works. Does Hleb supposed to pay Arsenal to get out of the contract and then he's completely free to go anywhere for free? or does the club Hleb goes to buys out the contract and includes that with the transfer fee? Confused

Just a straight sale, no buyout or any of that sort. I think Hleb should fetch around �13-15m.

I think it works something like when a player has completed 3-years of him being in a club(Hleb is going to finish 3 years at the end of this season I think), he can then revoke that controversial rule by buying himself out of the remaining period of his contract so that he becomes like a free transfer as in the club to which he's going to doesn't have to pay the first club any transfer fee. This is what I understood and I maybe wrong too... If so please correct me guys...

Now about that Gattuso rumour with a bit more detail...

Quote:

Gennaro Gattuso, one of Italy�s best defensive midfielders in the past decade might be heading to England with Arsenal said to be interested.

The tough tackling midfielder has been linked with a move away from Milan at the end of the season despite being a core player of the Italian giants as they look to rebuild a younger squad to challenge for top honours.

The Guardian reported that Arsene Wenger is putting together a surprise bid for Gattuso, as he looks to replace midfielder, Mathieu Flamini who is heading in the opposite direction on a Bosman transfer.

Wenger who once said that the hardman is his favourite Italian player has been a fan of Gatusso for many years now and will certainly jump at the opportunity to sign the midfielder.

The only stumbling block to a move is the fact that Gattuso is 30-years-old and has been struggling to impose himself in games all season long.

The one factor that might sway Wenger to bring the Italian to the Emirates Stadium is the fact that Brazilian midfielder, Gilberto Silva will be leaving in the summer and this will mean the inexperienced Denilson will be the only option he has in that role.

One surprising twist to the story might be that Glasgow Rangers could potentially come in with a bid to bring their former star midfielder back to Scotland to finish his career.

Gattuso, who has a Scottish wife has never hidden the fact that he wants to return to Scotland to repay the fans for their support and faith in him during his Glasgow days.

All said and done, Premier League fans will be eagerly hoping to see the man they call �Ringhio� land a few signature tackles in the English game.

ImmortaL · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:41 am

Quote:

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas remains high on the wanted list of Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, whose aim is to bring more Spanish players to the newly-crowned champions.

Fabregas was one of Calderon's transfer promises when he was running to be elected as Madrid president in 2006, and although no move was forthcoming the Spanish giants have been regularly linked with the 21-year-old Catalan-born midfielder since.

With Madrid now having retained their Primera Liga title, focus has already shifted to next season in the Spanish media and inevitably Fabregas' name is one of the first to be asked about.

Calderon admitted he was still a huge fan of Fabregas but insists it must be the Arsenal player, who signed an eight-year contract extension with the Gunners in 2006, who must make the first move for any transfer to take place.

"Every coach likes him (Fabregas) but my policy is that it has to be the player who makes the first step for the signing because we don't want conflicts with any team.

"Something nice about Cesc is that he is Spanish and this is one of my objectives - to make Real Madrid more Spanish."

On Madrid's summer transfer situation, Calderon added on Radio Marca: "(We are looking to sign) a maximum of three players and we hope to tie them up before the European Championships, it will be difficult but it would be ideal to have the players in pre-season."