I would say this will lead to buying their needs but I'm sure Wenger is just thinking it's because the Euro guys are still out..

[Edited on August 14, 2016 at 12:53 PM. Reason : Fun game though.]

8/14/2016 12:53:10 PM

oh we back

8/14/2016 12:54:51 PM

How come Arsenal's Euro players are still out but everyone else's are in their teams week 1?

If Ozil is healthy like they said on the broadcast, he HAS to be in the team.

8/14/2016 8:07:40 PM

It's been Wenger's policy for YEARS that players get a certain defined period off after major tournaments. It's why Koscielny, Giroud and Ozil were out. Ramsey basically begged to play and he left injured (plus he was out a week before the others after his ban in Euros).

[Edited on August 14, 2016 at 8:23 PM. Reason : I'm not defending it.. just is what it is]

8/14/2016 8:22:32 PM

Quote :

"---- Rooney -- Zlatan ---- Martial -- Pogba -- Mata ---------- Herrera -------- Fat -- Bailly -- Smalling -- Valencia Pretty good, maybe a little light in the midfield defensively because you'll need Pogba supporting the geezers up top. CB pairing potentially best in the league though. I think Bailly's a beast. I imagine Martial will see a lot of time up top with Rooney/Zlatan not being able to go every game for 90 min too. Where does Mkhitaryan fit in?"

I think Mata and Mikhi are going to rotate. I also think Mourinho rates Fellaini and I wouldn't be surprised if on Friday Fellaini lined up with Pogba. Although I was really impressed by Herrera. I imagine him and Pogba can't play together though as we would have to sacrifice Pogba being the defensive mid in that situation. Carrick and Pogba is probably our most fluid mid field.

I am glad Bailly is getting some deserved credit. Tendency to make some boneheaded challenges but he is a destroyer back there and when Smalling is back I think that partnership will be very solid. Also happy to see Mata involved, I think Mourinho keeps him.

Great performance from pool today. Mane looks unreal. If he can get pool 10-15 goals and Sturridge is fit then anything is possible.

[Edited on August 14, 2016 at 11:56 PM. Reason : l]

8/14/2016 11:55:40 PM

That mane goal reminded me of Moreno's goal from a couple seasons back. Hopefully mane delivers that more often than Moreno.

8/15/2016 10:46:01 AM

Finally got to tune in and first play is a PK for first goal of the season

8/15/2016 4:06:15 PM

Moreno and Mignolet should be really concerned about their jobs this season. Mane and Countinho were very fun to watch.

8/16/2016 10:08:56 AM

Mahrez done and dusted, sorry Arse

LCFC should be over the moon that their only loss this window was Kante. I really expected them to get completely picked apart like Southampton every year.

8/17/2016 2:57:07 PM

why is there a match tonight?

8/19/2016 10:07:33 AM

because of $texas

8/19/2016 1:53:56 PM

Any of you knobs watching the game? Pogba's worth every penny

8/19/2016 3:58:09 PM

Zlatan. Jesus. Even I was skeptical of the hype but this guy is something else. Actually watching him play you realize how good he is. The hype is real.

8/19/2016 9:06:49 PM

He is unreal. At his age you'd expect a decline but looks as good as ever.

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here praying for Giroud fitness. As Trump would say, "sad!"

8/20/2016 7:25:32 AM

lol at Liverpool. sad!

8/20/2016 10:40:40 AM

Walcott is fucking awful

[Edited on August 20, 2016 at 2:21 PM. Reason : But Ozil isn't ]

8/20/2016 2:21:30 PM

I thought Sanchez was worse than Walcott. Also what the hell, did you guys secretly hire LVG. This was such a dull arsenal performance until ozil came on. Wenger running out of excuses quickly. See how Mou has already made huge strides in restoring a bit of excitement in united football and the fear factor around the team. Arsenal have paid off their stadium and run out of excuses. Real danger of being left behind. Open up the chequebook and challenge for a title. Arsene is the type of man who looks for bargains at the dollar store.

8/20/2016 3:07:13 PM

I hate Arsène Wenger

8/20/2016 4:13:05 PM

^^ too early for that. Played Liverpool and Leicester to open up, so not exactly an easy start. Long season and as soon as Ozil was on they looked about 2,000 times better.

Desperately need a striker and central defender... When all fit Ox needs to play over Walcott on the right for sure.

(Sanchez was dire but dude has played roughly 6,435 games since summer 2013... what is Walcott's excuse?)

8/20/2016 8:17:46 PM

Quote :

"lol at Liverpool. sad!"

Lol indeed!

8/20/2016 11:58:50 PM

I get it was a tough start and I actually believe you guys played well against pool apart from 2 20 year olds in defense. I just think in terms of the quality down the stretch arsenal will struggle big time against the biggest teams. That said I still think you are two key peices away from an actual title challenge. Everyone and their mother knows you need a striker and CB yet with less than 2 weeks left before the end of the transfer window Wenger has not spent.

I guess the question is do you see Arsenal winning the title if those two positions are not strengthened?

8/21/2016 8:13:28 PM

No. Fourth place. Maybe third if Chelsea doesn't strengthen.

I do think we end up getting Mustafi but no way we get a striker

8/22/2016 9:46:14 AM

Talk of Chinese investors buying LFC on BBC newshour. Seems it will be a minority stake though. I don't understand the logic behind it if it is a minority stake. Don't think they will have a say in transfers if true and I can't see FSG relinquishing their control either. Whats the inside info aimorris?

8/22/2016 11:45:49 AM

Hmmm maybe to make money?

But whenever a group says they won't sell it almost always includes the parenthetical of (unless we get a big enough offer)

8/22/2016 1:40:06 PM

Similar deals happened at City and Atletico Madrid. What's the logic? New markets, more revenues, more investment for facilities/players, more ROI to FSG.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34972478

http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-billionaire-to-buy-stake-in-atletico-madrid-1421811697

Inter Milan, Villa, Wolves, AC Milan have all been outright purchased by Chinese groups recently too. I wouldn't be surprised if this was just a precursor to an outright purchase either and then we can hear all about Liverpool didn't "earn" their money too.

8/22/2016 8:37:30 PM

^^^^ or not. FFS we aren't signing anyone else, are we?

^ this. Arsenal has Usmanov who has a huge minority share but no say in how club is run. But does have access the regular person can only dream of. Also, United "earned" their money, yes. But they also earned it by getting lucky and being as good as they were at the right time. Beginning of the Prem and big money TV..

[Edited on August 23, 2016 at 6:11 AM. Reason : X]

8/23/2016 6:09:57 AM

Doesn't look like it... i've all but given up on seeing a signing come in this window.

Still don't like seeing Joel go out too - at least he showed desire when given the chances last season. Best of luck to him at Sporting.

8/23/2016 8:22:40 AM

^^ I mean Leeds had the advantage too but they fucked it up. It requires good management. In the period between 2002-2005 United could have easily struggled, especially after the Glazers leveraged buyout. Arsenal earned their money they exact same way. They just refuse to spend it.

8/23/2016 10:23:51 AM

It wasn't a criticism. I actually think it's slightly analagous to State and Duke. We were a very good basketball program who would had a marquee intrastate rivalry that was made for TV. We just sucked ass during the rise of ESPN and the rise of college sports on TV. Duke took advantage of it and it's a huge reason as to why they are where they are.

8/23/2016 11:40:58 AM

Duke got lucky with K and stuck it out with him, much like United and Ferguson.

8/23/2016 2:15:12 PM

wow strong team put out by Klopp. With an early match against Tottenham (away from home too) I don't think that was the smartest thing. If your B team can't beat Burton you have more problems than you can fix. I get what Klopp is doing but I think this will hurt him against Tottenham. Lets see.

8/23/2016 2:31:36 PM

Gotta get into a rhythm and build up some momentum. 25 minutes of the first 180 PL have been good. The rest have been dog shit. If you're worried about fatigue 3 weeks into a season, you have more problems than you can fix.

8/23/2016 5:29:05 PM

Fair enough. Let's see what happens against Tottenham. Only reason I bring it up is because Tottenham is probably the only team in the PL that runs more than you lot and since they have a whole week off I feel it would make a difference. Looking forward to the match. Should be open again and with Mane back I expect a lively contest.

8/23/2016 10:56:31 PM

https://www.theguardian.com/football/the-set-pieces-blog/2016/aug/24/transfer-window-market-myths

8/24/2016 11:36:23 AM

Who is Lucas Perez and why is he not Lacazette/Higuain/Aubameyang or any other countless top level strikers?

8/25/2016 6:48:44 AM

My thoughts exactly - though a little digging and to be fair doesn't look a half-bad compliment to Giroud. Still not world class though...

Also have seen reports that the board blocked us getting Griezmann with Wenger willing to spend the whole kitty on him (>100m?!)

8/25/2016 8:43:18 AM

Griezmann had some high praise for United and Pogba. Wouldn't be surprised to see Rooney shipped to Everton next year and Griezmann come in.

8/25/2016 9:42:18 AM

damn we giving up on the academy kids already?

8/25/2016 1:12:37 PM

David Ornstein reporting Lucas Perez is done and Mustafi is very close.

£28m+ add-ons for Mustafi is alright in this market, I guess. Should've been done a month ago.

8/25/2016 2:43:41 PM

Yea leaving it late isn't ideal but you needed those two positions strengthened and finally done it. Now you need to avoid the injury bug and keep jacky boy fit. Perez is a bit of an unknown but if he can hold you over till Danny is fit then it could work in your favor. Looking much better for Arsenal now.

8/25/2016 3:35:52 PM

Saw Ornstein tweet about Mustafi.

Valencia had to sell so no way they were going to stick to price they mentioned earlier.

I still think someone to play out wide on the right is needed but maybe Ox will come of age..

8/25/2016 3:38:47 PM

CSKA Moscow (Pot 1, RUS)
Bayer Leverkusen (Pot 2, GER)
Tottenham Hotspur (Pot 3, WHL)
Monaco (Pot 4, FRA)

I really like this draw we dodged some bullets. I think the updated expectation would be to get out of the group now.

8/25/2016 7:31:56 PM

Those matches gonna be on Thursday or what

8/25/2016 10:24:52 PM

quality banter right there

8/26/2016 6:29:57 AM

8/26/2016 8:46:21 AM

Is it me or is the number of loans at United reaching any Mourinho at Chelsea type levels?

It seems everyday I see another one or two loan outs..

8/26/2016 9:28:42 AM

only 4 but nice try

8/26/2016 9:41:32 AM

Five with Pereira.

Didn't realize Blackett was sold and not loaned. And what happened to that kid that Wazza wanted to start last year? James Wilson? He was not loaned?

[Edited on August 26, 2016 at 9:47 AM. Reason : Oic. Derby..]

8/26/2016 9:45:48 AM

He sent nearly 30 players out during last years window

8/26/2016 9:53:46 AM

You are correct. That's what I get relying on what I saw recently in news and not fact checking..

8/26/2016 9:54:54 AM