After weeks of negotiating and haggling and posturing, Zenit St. Petes and Arsenal have finally agreed on a transfer fee for Andrei Arshavin. Zenit claim that Arshavin still must negotiate personal terms, but I'm still calling this saga finally over.
[Sky Sports]
[Telegraph]
In the bleakest hour for Spurs fans, when all hope seems lost and gooners crowd in to feast on our nearly relegated bones, they do us the great favor of signing....Arseshavings.
ReplyDeleteWe may indeed be relegated, but I sense a wonderful terrace chant coming out of this. Such are the simple, spiteful pleasures of a Spurs fan.
I really don't see how this solves Arsenals problems. Weren't they lacking a spine in midfield? He ain't supplying that.
ReplyDeleteAlso, he seems like a massive douchebag, I see a clash with Arsene coming.
Brilliant! I concur with Georger... it's not at all what Arsenal need! Yet they still pull the trigger!
ReplyDeleteCan't say I'm not surprised. Arsene loves to purchase what he considers the best available, and then making it fit the team. Still, those wings and strikers are now seemingly overflowing.
Or, is this a prelude for a big sale? Adebayor?
Yeah yeah yeah... The Gooners finally get an Easter egg and all the Spurs and Reds can do is question the move.
ReplyDeleteHe's no easter egg, he's a smaller, older Pavlyuchenko just waiting to happen. 7 goals in 34 appearances this season.
ReplyDeleteHow's Keane working out for LFC? Oh yeah, £20.3 for 18 EPL games and 5 goals (4 of which were against WBA and Bolton).
ReplyDeleteSo a guy who has proven himself in the EPL can have a bad year, and that somehow refutes his point?
ReplyDeleteI think people are under the assumption that Arshavin is 20.
Also, both Pavs and Arshavin are 27
ReplyDeleteIn my defense, I didn't question the move, I just remarked that the lad comes equipped with a rather brilliant nickname, Arshavings. And he seems an excellent fit:
ReplyDeleteARSEne
ARSEnal
ARSEshavings
Match made in heaven!
/waits for obligatory relegation joke.
Bah, I don't see how signing an established playmaking attacking midfielder for 17 million is a bad move given some of the insane moves that other EPL teams have made lately. At the very least Wenger has earned the benefit of the doubt once he finally does sign someone (Nasri, Sagna, Eduardo before the injury). The problem has always been whether he'll pull the trigger.
ReplyDeleteArshavin could very well be a bust, I'm still content with the gamble.
In all seriousness, Spectator, seems this move offsets the loss of Walcott, no? Unless they plan to play him up front, in which case, it means Bendtner is probably going away.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think it's a bad move (17 million pounds is a bit steep, record for them no?) but my statement was I don't see how this addresses Arsenal's problems. If anything it will make it more difficult for some of the younger attacking players to get playing time.
ReplyDeleteI think they would have been better off going after a guy like Miguel Veloso and a central defender.
You're adding yet another slight, slender fast guy who is good with the ball at his feet and room to run. Another porcelain man who'll be bossed around by EPL defenses. It just doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention, if he is played in the midfield anywhere, from what I saw of him for Zenit and Russia he doesn't track back worth a shit. Now I am in nooooo way suggesting the center of that team is a bit porous right now ... but they could probably use someone who can hold their own in the midfield.
ReplyDeleteBy itself, doesn't really make sense.
If they ship off someone else and use the proceeds to get some backbone, then they're right back in the third place hunt with Villa and Pool
Spurs: looking more and more like relegation fodder by the match.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool: Lost their hold on the top spot and haven't won since the manager started whinging about Fergie.
So, yes, fans of those teams should attack Arsenal for signing a player they don't particularly need. That will solve all of their problems.
PR: We have to do something to distract from the pain. Thankfully your injury-bitten 5th place team was there to provide the necessary entertainment!
ReplyDeleteCome on, at least admit it's a strange move for someone who is notoriously shrewd with transfers, who loves to sign younger players, to go out there and break the bank on someone who is nearly two years shy of thirty and has attitude problems. Just doesn't seem like an 'Arsenal signing'.
ReplyDeleteNot nearly as funny as Spurs trying to get him during their strategy of signing nothing but attackers, though.
Also Rosicky is back trainingand word is that Walcott is a little ahead of schedule. So even without a return of Captain Fab, we might soon have some fucking depth for a change. Okay, none of it is on the backline where we sorely need it, but—BUT—I am willing to have a little more blind faith in Wenger that he's either got one more card up the sleeve in the next week, or that the players there can get it done and one or two of them (Song, Eboue) will turn a corner.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is about the last thing we NEEDED but, well, I have to defer to the vision on the man who led a side through a Prem season undefeated.
Once again, I never attacked the move. I only made fun of Arshavin's name. But feel free to distort what I've said in whatever way suits you.
ReplyDeleteSpurs never had a real shot at Arshavin. He and his agent were just using us to try and drive up the bids from bigger clubs.
ReplyDeleteHas the term 'like a new signing!' popped up with Rosicky amongst the Arsenal contingent yet? Reminds me so much of Harry Kewell, except not as good looking.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what is it like to have faith in a manager? I bet it feels nice. Warm and soft.
ReplyDeletePhil, I've got the Strummer documentary going and it's got me fucking pumped. So yeah, making fun of his name is similar enough for me to take some shots back.
ReplyDeleteWe still need a defensive midfielder and a center back, but at least we've got less money now.
PR, I wonder if this doesn't signal that Bendtner will be sold. With that fee, maybe you buy Upson, since the West Ham fire sale appears to be underway.
ReplyDeleteHEY UF!!! I'll be the drunk, somewhat high, Arsenal homer fan!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the signing. Play him as a forward behind Ade and/or RVP. Allow him the creativity to make plays. I mean, this line-up looks good (on paper I know, but still, fuck it)
Almunia
Sagna Toure Billy Gaulouis Clichy
Walcott Fabregas (playing deep) Nasri
Aaaaaaaaarshavin
Ade RVP
That's attacking football. Perhaps losing football, but I've been using it in Championship Manager and I'm 11-1-1.
Woah. I immediately regret my post. Scotch was a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteIf Fulham can be pried of Brede, there's your man right there.
ReplyDeleteThe question is, would you take Senderos back right now?
I've actually done a 180 in Bendtner in the last month. Think he might be in for the medium haul.
ReplyDeleteAde is probably gone in the Summer. And this is as much about that as it is any immediate need. The problem is that the frontline is RvP, Eduardo, Arshavin and Bendtner, with the latter being the only non-pixie-ish waif of the lot.
Fuck The Clash was awesome. I think Joe might have been our only decent teacher.
Senderos has been injured with a back for the first half of the season; ACM may not even want him come summer.
ReplyDeleteAs for Brede, yeah he's not bad and Fulham are obviously looking to sell following the Bullard's exit. He can shore up the backline, but I'd prefer a holding mid.
That's a shame. Well I'm sure someone will take him off your books. I haven't watch a Milan game in ages, I just assumed he was playing for them as their defense is older than sin.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Bendtner a wantaway, though? At any rate, $17 mil, while not cheap, is cheaper than the $20-25 mil he was rated after Euro 08. Perhaps there's still a bit in the kitty for some central defense.
ReplyDeleteI think he got his first start of the season on Sunday. Think he was behind the foul that gave Bologna a PK and a lead in the 10th minute.
ReplyDelete"Think he was behind the foul that gave Bologna a PK and a lead in the 10th minute."
ReplyDeleteNO! I don't believe it!
Remember when Italy was thought of as the ultimate league ... and now Senderos, Momo, and Riise are all playing for some of their biggest teams. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Apparently the Swiss Big Phil is ready for action, but the back injury has been with him for awhile and I'm unsure ACM wants to keep him if his injury status is constantly in flux.
ReplyDeleteI'll take Hangeland, but Arshavin adds some danger and creativity up front, and that can alleviate some pressure along the back.
I'm sure Ade is gone this summer, with a Vela perhaps taking his place in a wider position. I have trust in Wenger, which is more than I can say for a lot of clubs.
Yep, sounds like Senderos. A holding mid is surely needed, and maybe one will come in the form of some random Ligue 1'er. But my guess is not this window, though Wenger always seems to make transfers quickly if need be, he seemed to get Sagna and Eduardo right away before there were long drawn out transfer rumors about them.
ReplyDeleteGeorger: they also wanted Jermaine Pennant
ReplyDeleteOK, you scouse and gooner scum, fighting over 4th in the EPL (fuck you, BPL), the real games are down at the bottom of the table. Everyone knows ManUre is winning this abortion of a season, but my team is fighting 13 other teams (Moyes, quite the nice job, mate) for a sad trip down to "adios, history"...
ReplyDeleteYep, its time for my weekly guesses. Last chance - Chelski and ManUre combined on last-second winners to both win me the game and the correct score - um, fuck you both. I'd rather still be wrong on exact scores, especially after finishing 5-5, and I'm holding myself to what I wrote for WBA-Boro, despite knowing I meant the oppposite (before saying so - fucking alcohol)...
Sunderland 1-2 Fulham (yep, I'm liking a win, and I'm liking Fulham)
WBA 0-2 ManUre
Pompey 0-2 Villa (easy win)
Spurs 2-1 Stoke City
Wigan 1-1 Pool (yep, its over)
Chelski 3-0 Boro (teeth is gone after this, and Chelski is due for a pointless offensive "explosion")
Citeh 2-1 Joe Fuckin Newcastle
West Ham 2-1 Hull City
Everton 1-1 Arsenal (yep, it's over for you too)
Blackburn 1-0 Bolton (I'm dreaming)
What of Matuidi from Saint-Etienne? Holding midfielder, young, and French . . . Arsene must be following him closely.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would like to see Arsenal add an Englishman somewhere in the line-up, but I can't think of one that would fit.
Andrew, your lineup proposed above would be like '82 Brazil... score 3, concede 4. Naturally, I approve, as they clung to Joga Bonito until it became painfully obvious that it wouldn't help 'em win any more. Then they brought in Dunga and played mind-numbing 4-4-2
ReplyDeleteAdam, get to work, buddy...
ReplyDelete@Andrew:
ReplyDeleteHow about the wunderkind Wilshere?
JT: I've always enjoyed attacking and moving forward in footie. I understand the risks you assume when employing a more forward approach, but I'd rather be going for goal instead of playing 9 guys behind the ball.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying a standard 4-4-2 wouldn't be practical, or even the best formation to assume, but a 4-1-2-1-2 with all the pieces in place would suit the Arse. Seemingly.
Phil: Love Wilshire. An absolute joy. He's my friend on facebook. Still, he's but 17, and is still raw. I can see him making some first team appearances this season, but he needs to be loaned out to a Championship side in order to get tough. The loan need not be long - half season (to Norwich perhaps?) - and should serve primarily to understand the flow of the game.
ReplyDeleteHowever Wenger decides to play it, I see Wilshire figuring prominently at Emirates in Spring 2010.
I've only seen the youtube clips, but he looks special.
ReplyDeleteHe's my friend on facebook.
Now, that's a new one on me.
Yeah, he probably looked at my profile like, "A 26-year old attorney in Tallahassee wants me as a friend. . . Mom!!!"
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm trying to think of someone on Spurs I'd friend. I'll probably be at this for a while.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder if Sone Aluko wants a 33 year old FB pal from SC. Time to go find out.
ReplyDeletejjf3, sorry forgot about the picks, here they are: I went 4-6 with 1 correct last week.
ReplyDeleteSunderland 1-2 Fulham
WBA 0-3 United
Pompey 0-3 Villa
Spurs 2-2 Stoke City
Wigan 0-0 Pool
Spartak London 3-1 Boro
Citeh 3-2 Newcastle
West Ham 1-1 Hull City
Everton 1-2 Arsenal
Blackburn 1-2 Bolton
also, in order to keep track of my picks, I'll be throwing them on my blog and keeping a running tally: illustratedexample.tumblr.com
JJF3: So from what I could tell, this is our 6th matchweek doing picks together. It seems like we've been doing it longer, but I couldn't find anything else. Also if you want me to throw your record up on my blog let me know.
ReplyDeleteAdam:
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like a lot longer. Though the schedule has been pretty much weekend-only for awhile now, what with FA, CC, and CL/UEFA matches usually mid-week. I'm not particularly proud of my record, but if you want to put it up there, I'm cool with that. I don't know if your research included keeping track of my record, but if you need me to research it, let me know.
Joe
If it wasn't for my 9-1 week, I'd be sitting at about the same record as you, so nothing to be ashamed about. I'm 100% positive now that I didn't go all the way back, so when I get some time I'll go back and find the first post and figure out your record. It can be a friendly competition of ineptitude. Plus no one reads my week old blog anyways and very few probably will.
ReplyDeletehey, if you add my ineptitude to your blog, I'll keep checking just to punish myself...
ReplyDeleteI really thought this shit was so fricking easy for guys like Lawrenson and Webster, and have ultimately been amazed by how hard it actually seems to be...I even saw one of them comment on Fulham's recent form declining, and I didn't even realize they were (technically) right...I just wanted to jump on Hodgson's wagon...