Gazidis unfair to direct fans anger to Wenger

Gazidis always makes bullshit statements saying there is money, obviously to calm down enraged fans #AFC #ArsenaI
— Gooner Diaby AFC (@goonerdiaby) January 29, 2013

Upon hearing the news that Ivan Gazidis had said that Arsenal were effectively capable of buying any player they choose and being able to pay top prices and wages, I like "Lady Arse" was intrigued by his comments and saw this as the answer to why Wenger wasn't spending. After numerous seasons of telling us fans that Arsene Wenger had money to spend, and with Wenger not spending it, the fans begun to lose faith in Wenger and criticise him for not doing so. But you have to look further into why Gazidis would have made these comments that Arsenal had money to spend in the past when we actually didn't, and to now say that we had constraints.

 Well I for one realised that this didn't add up earlier in the season, and like i said, had a rant on twitter about the Arsenal fans treatment of Wenger, and for putting the brunt of their anger onto Wenger instead of Gazidis, the real mastermind at work here. Now I understand why Gazidis would have said that we had money to spend, I believe it was an attempt to calm the fans and make them feel the club were really moving forward in terms of transfers. Nobody would want to hear that we didn't have money to spend and that there were financial constraints, as this would have been disastrous in some sense, fans would have surely been angered. So in this aspect I understand the actions of Gazidis, but that does not mean I agree with them. To do what he did season upon season, helped to put all the blame on Wenger and made the fans feel it was Wenger's fault, for being a stubborn man not willing to spend money. In one of my tweets I put forward the view that if you as a normal person were given money to spend, on anything, would you not spend it? You didn't have to pay it back, just do as you wish? The same would be for Wenger, if he had the money to make his squad better than it was, why on God's green earth would he not choose to do so? Do you really think his stubbornness would cause a club to go downhill without there being the clear reason that we did not have enough money? 

To be fair, it was stupidity from many of us Arsenal fans to blame Wenger as it’s so simple to see if you put it into perspective but with the lies that we were being fed, what else could many of us do. But with the club going downhill, what Gazidis was saying had a powerful effect, something that worked perfectly in the situation. Now as you probably can tell, I'm a firm supporter of Wenger, and essentially feel that he always knows what's best, and with Arsenal potentially having the money to compete financially, I know he will put it to good use. But as for Mr. Gazidis, I don't think its fair the amount of hate and anger he helped to deflect Wenger's way by feeding us these lies when he simply could have told use the truth, although this could also have had a damaging effect. I don't expect him to apologise openly because who would, but he better well not be lying this time about the money we have to spend. If he is correct in saying we have the money to challenge for major honours, let's see this. This is effectively more of a make or break season that any before, and i'm sure we'll pull through. 

 In all I just hope now that every single Arsenal fan will get behind the team, the new signings we bring in and Arsene Wenger, who I believe loves this club as we do. And of course on my part, hope Diaby makes the speediest of recoveries. 

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(Sorry for the swearing) 

Long time no see

 Well it has been a long time since I have written anything Arsenal related on here for a while which i'm sorry for but now I am back and will hopefully sustain a weekly entry. But anyways back to Arsenal...

I would like to start on the subject of Giroud who is without a doubt a good player, which i am sure everybody knows. His movement off the ball is something that has caught my eye over recents weeks, and with Cazorla playing in behind him this movement will be complimented with cutting edge passing. I feel that Giroud has all but settled into Arsenal life and from here on out we will be seeing his name on the score sheet very regularly. His performance off the bench in the game at Reading was inspirational as he changed the game completely helping us to get that victory. It was good to see him score against Schalke also, another header from the big man. The excuse for time to settle in should no longer be applicable to Giroud and it is time for him to shine. But I do also feel that he isn't capable of being "Goal Machine" that we need and I feel that we should get one in January. Personally I would love to have Javier Hernandez at the club but of course that is unlikely as you know, he plays in Manchester.... A player I would like to see is Lacina Traore, his performance yesterday was very pleasing to watch although he should have scored a lot more, his goal being the highlight of the game for me.

No news from me on Diaby, the last i heard about him was from Mr Wenger saying that he is out for the game against Fulham, with no news on his return, but I expect him to be back this month. But i am hearing that he is supposedly out till december, although there is no official news of this. I'm sure you all would agree that we do need him in our squad as we do seem to be lacking without Rosicky and now Wilshere to suspension.

I would also like to praise Vito Mannone for his performances in goal as cover, he has conceded a few goals but has performed well but we do need Szczesny back in the side! in defence i believe we are doing oka, but more work is needed especially with Vermaelen and his concentration in games, the international break seems to have taken its toll on us as it always does but I feel now that we should be getting back into the swing of things and will be getting quite a few points from the next few games that we have.

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It's All About Abou

Abou Diaby, Abou Diaby, Abou Diaby! What a game he had against Liverpool. As you know I am Gooner Diaby, with Diaby being my favourite Arsenal player, so it really pleased me that he had a magnificent game on Sunday, where he effectively controlled the game with his skill, his ability to beat players by simply running past or using the odd skill, his precision passing which gave us a few chances indeed. It really pleased me to look on my Twitter account and finally see people realising what a special player Abou Diaby really is.

Now Diaby, since having that horrific injury a few years back, has struggled to gain fitness and string together regular games for the Gunners, only playing in four games in the previous season. But after just three games he was the star of the show against a team that he tends to do really well against. He really could be our midfield answer and player that we have all been waiting for and I myself have stuck by him for a while now as I saw his talent when he was first brought to the club. He well deserved getting Man Of The Match for a game he really controlled. The move of the game from Diaby in my opinion was when he escaped one of the Liverpool forwards, ran towards the opposing box and slipped a ball through to Giroud, who missed a chance he at least should have go on target, but his time will come. Defensively brilliant, fantastic at holding up the ball and threading magnificent passes through the tightest of gaps, Diaby had an immense game yesterday. And I assure you all that there is more to come from Abou.

It was good to see Podolski and Cazorla get on the score sheet, assisting each other’s goals in well worked team moves to the goals. The beginning of the chant “Lukaz Podolski, He scores when he wants” was magnificent to hear, but the one that really made my day and I’m sure it made a lot of yours was “He drives how he wants, he drives how he wants, Andre Santos, He drives how he wants” Classic banter from the “least passionate” fans in the league supposedly. The post RVP era has begun and I hope that Arsenal can continue how they started. But it was a real pleasure to see Diaby’s talents recognised throughout the Premier League yesterday, and I hope he can put in a lot more performances like that.

 

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Darren Bobb

Back to the routine

@goonerdiaby

Saturday. A day we have all been waiting for. The return of regular football week in, week out, the routine. Also a day us Gooners have been waiting for as our new signings will begin their Arsenal careers playing for this magnificent club, but the main question that us fans have Is who will start against Sunderland. I have to agree with most of the fans who have talked on this subject on who will start but from here to then there could be dramatic changes. For me, I hope that RVP and Song stay at Arsenal and that the rumours surrounding their imminent departures are untrue. I would perhaps feel more comfortable with RVP starting up front on Saturday as opposed to Podolski or Giroud. Lukaz looks like he has settled in already, but I wouldn't want to burden the two of them with being the goal machines from the off, although they may want that and i'm sure they could handle it.
In goal it would be Szczesny and it should see a defence of Yennaris or Jenkinson at RB, Vermo and Bosscielny (unless he doesn't make it to full fitness in time, then it would be big Per) and Gibbs at LB. In midfield I see it as having Song, Diaby and Cazorla, possibly with Arteta instead of Diaby if he is fully fit. Diaby can have a real impact this season, and he would want to get off to a flyer, so I really see Wenger playing him on Saturday, and show us Gooners what we've missed. Up front, I would love RVP to be playing, but it looks like Podolski will start in the centre, with Walcott and Gervinho either side. I am confident that this team can beat Sunderland and get us off to a great start. 
But then comes the factor of there being the International games that could give us a lot more injured players, as we have known all too well in the past. Hopefully the vast majority of our players get through this, as it would be dangerous for us to lose any more players, but it is great that we now have a lot more cover than we did have. Arshavin could possibly feature on saturday which could be good for him, he is really looking to impress. So let's wish him all the best. Yennaris could be a key player for us this season as he is being drafted into the side to possibly replace the injured Sagna, so if he starts, I hope he does well. I've seen Gervinho come under criticism from our fans, they seem to forget that he really does have class and brought a new style to Arsenal's attack. Running into the box more often than most Arsenal players got me excited that we were evolving as a team. Another example of this evolution, in pre season games we seemed to be striking a lot of shots from distance, something we've been working on? Maybe.
In all lets just hope that Arsenal have a cracking start on Saturday, and go on to win some trophies, and show the world why "we're by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen" Take Care.

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Deadwood or the result of the impatience of Wenger

@goonerdiaby

After reading a post from Akhil_gooner about Arsenal’s overall squad, I have been thinking a lot about the future of our club and where we are going to end up this season. With the players that we have and the ones are going to bring in, I along with many fellow Gooners believe that we could actually do very well this season,  and even pick up a trophy, and why not? With the fire power we have in RVP (if he stays) Podolski, Giroud, Walcott and Cazorla (soon to be completed) we really could have a massive impact this season. I would literally put money on this team bagging a trophy. We all say season after season that it’ll be our year, but we have what we need to do what needs done. But a good start to the season is vital, as well as not slipping up in January/February and towards the end of the season, scenarios that have happened time and time again. But they have happened as the squad have lacked depth, and quality depth at that. If Wenger gets Sahin also, why should he stop there, he should buy at least one or two more players and sell some of the “deadwood” at the club.

But to me, a lot of Arsenal’s players are actually really good and shouldn’t be classed as being “deadwood”, because of the quality they undoubtedly have, an example being Nicklas Bendtner.  Big Nick is definitely one of my favourite players at the club, I don’t know why but I really tend to like the underrated players because I see the potential they have and see the odd little game changing things that they do. The reason I like him and feel he shouldn’t be sold is because if you look at his games for Arsenal, he mainly played on the wings. It’s like putting a bonafide striker on the wing, it just doesn’t work out. He may not have the best scoring record but playing on the wing, you really wouldn’t. Examples of his quality are in Euro 2012 his performances for Denmark and also the hat trick he scored against Porto a couple of seasons ago. He does have the quality, just need to be put in his position.

A reason why I would defend the “deadwood” at the club is because of Bosscielny, I mean Laurent Koscielny, another player I greatly admire. In his first season a lot of fans got on his back as he was liable to many mistakes and perhaps cost us some games. But if you look at things, in his first season for the club, he played the majority of the games, and that is something that is quite hard, as he also had to switch leagues. But we stuck with the big boss and look at him now; I read a statistic that said he made the most game saving tackles out of anyone in the league. No more needs to be said.

The point I am trying to make is that we should give some players who definitely have talent a chance, but I see Wengers problem, there are a lot more proven players in these positions. Now players like Bendtner and Chamakh slide down the pecking order with the new arrivals. But even so, these players could stay and be involved in a rotation system in case of injuries. I refer to him almost every entry but Abou Diaby is an example of a player who some see as being “deadwood” but actually has so much talent, and luckily for him, Wenger has faith in the man. I noticed his flair and calm approach to games, and how when Arsenal won games, he played extremely well, it’s just a shame he got an injury. Tomas Rosicky is a player who has had a lot of pressure on him due to a couple of poor performances, and didn’t he pick that form up well. But as usual for us, injuries struck him. Ramsey seemed to impress at the Olympics which is good news, and hopefully the Song rumours are utter rubbish!

All I all, I am pretty happy with the way the club is moving, and if we can stay injury free and get in enough players who would give us depth, I wouldn’t be too surprised if we win a trophy or two. And if we don’t, this transfer season is a great stepping stone for the season after.

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Have faith in Wenger

@goonerdiaby 

I remember a couple seasons ago, fans and even pundits were screaming for Wenger's head as Arsenal were not really in title contention and losing to teams that we shouldn't. And fair enough, that is their opinion. But many fans were calling on Wenger to change his youth policy and to spend big, and effectively end Arsenal's self sustainability, not intentionally, but it is what would have happened. I am not going to lie; I thought Wenger should also spend but not dramatically. Look at teams like Portsmouth and Malaga, as an example, we do not want to end up like them. Speaking of Malaga, I'm delighted that Santi Cazorla will be signing with us; he is an amazing player that will add a new set piece dynamic to our game, as well as versatility.

Wenger is a man who has stuck by this team and has had his own vision for the club. 13 years ago today he brought Henry to this club, simply amazing. But I am calling on us fans to really get behind Wenger this season, as he is showing real intent with the players that he has signed, and possible players he is going to sign. He realizes what we need to win trophies and is delivering what the fans want, world class players. This season I really see us challenging and even winning a trophy, as with the new signings we have Mr Abou back and also Wilshere to come back in, spirits should really be high for this season. On the Van Persie front, I have really gone past caring if he stays or not, of course he is a fantastic player but I feel he has really disrespected the club, and Vermaelen deserves the captaincy role. He would be a big miss but Arsenal should be able to cope. If he does leave, I hope he doesn't stay in England as it would be hard for us all to see him score the winner for one of the Mancs at the Emirates.

It was pleasing to see Diaby talk about Arteta, I’m sure those two will play well together, and in all I hope the whole midfield can gel and play together this season as it is vital they play well. This is an important season and it is very pleasing to see that we have a lot of depth in the squad. I'm sure that this is going to be Diaby's big season; he would be itching to play and get as many games as he can, so let's all pray for the man. Fans really have to show their appreciation for Wenger and his players, it's annoying to read blogs that just insult the man, and he brings the absolute best out of players, and gets the BEST deals, Cazorla and Sahin for example. His transfer dealings this season have really shown the world the #WengerKnows he really does. I'd love to see more defensive cover this season though, so Mr Wenger will have to go back to the window to buy at least one defender. 

All in all, I'm sure all of us are really looking forward to next season, it is only a couple days away now, so all the best for us, we'll end this trophy drought no doubt! 

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Darren Bobb 

Alternatives to RVP, putting the 'gun' in The Gunners?

Well, with the shocking news that Robin Van Persie does not want to sign a new contract with Arsenal and claiming that the club and himself disagree on which way the club should move forward, Initially this has led us to believe that he feels we aren't strengthening the club in the right way or are not looking to buy any more players. But with RVP set to leave, the irony is that we will have to strengthen our team, and strengthen the team we will. We will have to find a replacement for him as soon as possible, and not leave it to literally the last day of the transfer window. But who, who is worthy of being Arsenal's main striker or even who will do battle with the other strikers at the club? Jovetic? Lewandowski? Both are great players and I personally would love to have big Lew at the club as he has shown he can score in big tournaments in front of his home nation, shown that he is capable of scoring 30 goals in a season so I feel he would be a great replacement. But none of these players would be more fitting for Arsenal to buy than Papiss Cisse. We all saw the brilliance he displayed last season, and that amazing goal he scored against Chelsea, and he has proven that he can play well and score and effectively dominate in the best league in the world. But I feel it would be hard to make Newcastle part with their Senegalese hit man. Forwards that we should look to are Klass-Jan Huntelaar, Moussa Sow and if we're lucky, even Higuain or Mario Gomez. 

Not forgetting that we already have a wealth of striking options in Lukas Podolski and Giroud who are both quality players and I’m sure you all saw Podolski's performances at the Euro's. Giroud is also a quality striker who is in a few ways similar to Chamakh but is definitely a more proven striker than the Moroccan. With Walcott possibly following RVP out of the door, we do have players like the Ox to really fill in for his position, and also Gervinho, so for Arsenal's attack it is certainly not all doom and gloom, but Mr Wenger should act quickly to snap up all of his targets. 

On the goalkeeping and defensive front, if Fabianski and Mannone leave then it wouldn’t be too bad if Lloris comes in, and he is apparently close to coming to the club. But I believe this could have two effects on Szczesny, one of them being he could be demoralised by the club having another world-class keeper in the side who would greatly challenge his position. Or it could spur him on to play even better to stay in the side, but I wouldn’t personally want to effect Szczesny's career in this way, but we would need a back up keeper, and none of these keepers would want to sit on the bench. In defence I feel we are pretty strong, but if we could get perhaps Debuchy just as a back up player then it would be most welcome. The midfield i believe is fine, but we could buy a more creative midfielder, but with Song working so well last season and Wilshere coming back we may not need to.

So in all I don't believe its all bad for Arsenal, we really just need strength in depth. RVP leaving could be good for us, as when Henry left, Arsenal finished a place above than when they finished the previous season. It could possibly just be that RVP is doing this so that Arsenal will buy players and go in the right direction, but that is unlikely, but one can hope. But will Arsenal ever have a calm summer? Not on your life

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Darren Bobb