Arsenal News Roundup

By: jg | January 12th, 2012

Slow news weeks, obviously. Still, a couple of tidbits are noteworthy. Find out which legendary French striker is held in high regard by Gibbs and why our next transfer target could be a 16 year old. More after the jump.

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When Thierry Henry re-joined the Gunners at the start of the month, there were questions regarding his potential worth to the team, but also his effect on the team chemistry that has progressed leaps and bounds since the start of the season- it’s obvious that this is one of the most closely-knit and cohesive Arsenal team in years. However, since making a favorable first impression on his first appearance against Leeds, it looks like Henry’s temporary re-arrival will be a very good thing for the Gunners, both on and off the pitch. His new team-mates (of the current Arsenal squad, only 7- Almunia, Rosicky, Djourou, Diaby, Walcott, Song, and RvP, were in the squad when Henry left) have spoken highly of him, with remarks regarding his influence on the dressing room and his attitude in training being of a very positive nature. Of course, Henry knows what to say and has already stated that he is looking to close the gap on the top 4, and his desire to savour every minute of his time here. It really looks like Henry’s loan signing will be an inspired one.

The question is, how will we fit Henry during his time here? It’s obvious that he’s nowhere close to 90 minutes on the pitch- he either starts and comes off early in the second half, or comes on at the hour mark or later as a game changer. Personally, I’m inclined to favor the latter. The opposition’s defenses will be tired and more likely to make a mistake by then, something Henry can exploit to his utmost advantage. The other pressing question is, how will he play with van Persie and our wingers? Will he play as an equal partner to our captain, or in a slightly more reserved role? We’ll find an answer this Sunday, where we take on Swansea (of course, since we didn’t sign Suarez, we’re going to not win this one. Wenger out!)

Moving away from Henry, we turn to January’s favorite subject: transfers. We already have our first confirmed departure of the transfer window… ROBIN VAN PERSIE!

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I hope none of you have any preexisting heart conditions. Actually, our first departure this year is one-time hot prospect Luke Freeman, who joins League One side Stevenage. Freeman had previously joined Yeovil Town and Stevenage on loan over the last 2 years, but failed to make much of an impact at those clubs. Still 19, it appears that Freeman wasn’t thought to have much of a future at Arsenal and with current youth prospects Afobe, Campbell, Gnarby, and Ox, it’s easy to see why. I fully expect to see some fans follow Darren’s guide to acting like an Arsenal fan over this guy’s departure, but I’m not really concerned. If he was deemed unworthy of Arsenal, then I will follow Wenger’s judgement. When was the last time a former Arsenal youth product turned out to be a world-beater?

Vito Mannone , who recently joined Hull City on loan (to make space for Henry’s arrival) is open to a permanent move to the KC. See you, Vito.

And finally, we have been teased with numerous transfer rumors this January- Kalou, Suarez, Podolski, Bridge (ugh), Abidal (oh please yes oh please), but this one currently stands as probably the oddest (and also, considering this is Arsenal, the most realistic)- Luke Shaw, a 16 year old who currently stars for Southampton Reserves and the English U-17’s, is apparently subject to a transfer war between us, Citah, and Chelsea. His transfer value is an eye-popping 4 million, a pretty hefty sum for a lad who has yet to feature in a league game. Southampton are a noted source of great English talent, and it could be that Shaw might be a great LB in the future. But right now, I’d say we should go for a short-term, proven, sturdy option. Of course, Citah will probably buy him, and he’ll stagnate and end up playing for Stevenage in 4 years time (because Mancini will have bought 4 other fullbacks at the same time), but not before us fans turn to Darren’s guide to bitch and moan about Shaw’s (non-)signing.

Well, that’s about it. Like I said, slow news week. We play Swansea on Sunday, so look for a preview in two day’s time. Have a good Thursday!

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Category: Arsenal News

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Clarencewyllie

I have been preaching that wenger needs to be replaced. When a manager of a team should be applauding himself for making champions league 14 consecutive times at the expense of a trophy then he needs to go. arsenal has lost to a lowly swansea team and still he does not want to buy good players
Sh31kh

cahil went to chelski for 7 mil. Was our offer derisory compared to chelski's offer?
LachlanS

When we made an offer he had a season left, he now has half a season. He was always going to go on the cheap this time around.
Perry S.

Meh.
Gigi_man

What? No Duembia? No Hulk? ...every time I try to get out they Wenger back in... :P

No but seriously, no Wenger out shoutings (yet hahahha), but this team really needs goals from someone else than RvP, niot that I dont want him to break all records, score 3 in every game and be the MotM in a UCL final, but he is just one guy.Not that I dont want Arteta, Gervinho, Theo and OX scoring in some 10-0 to the Arsenal (seriously I had a dream like that once), but it is just not happening right now.

And well, the left back situation just proves the point, I hope we can find a loanee there.

what?? no Abidal? no Cahill?? Gigi, release your anger...
Will

Dreamed we were winning 10-0 against Swansea in our first fixture against them, and that we ended up drawing 11-11...
Rico

I just about spat my lunch out when I read the RVP first departure part, you cruel cruel blogger.
Its great hearing how much the players listen to and respect Henry. Henry to be the game changer and become staff when he's done playing.What about Huddersfield Jordan Rhodes as a signing? Scored 5 of the 6-0 away win at Wycombe and seems to be impressing a lot of top teams.
Homey_Mills

Of course RvP isn't leaving this January. He's leaving this summer.
LachlanS

I'm not sure if I like these jokes or not. I do agree, however.
Patoux21

Wenger should remain Arsenal manager for many years to come because of his many qualities including team tactics and strategy knowledge-expertise as good as Mourinho or Ferguson, his negotiation skills to always recruit the best talents and always dealing way before the end of transfer window so we don't look desperate and don't pay a premium, his ability to keep his composure on the bench when the team is losing and make sure to blame the referee instead, his business talent for making the club (owners) profitable and at the same time invest as much as possible to ensure we remain succesful on the field, and more importantly for all the trophies we are all expecting to win when the team will have matured in many years or left the club for those more wealthy and succesful. Wenger till death do us apart!
Will

Patoux, you've got to stop toying with my feelings like that.
Martin

The comments section of this blog is rapidly becoming a Kids in the Hall sketch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
LachlanS

Dear me. I am having serious trouble understanding who is stupid and who is being sarcastic here..
Homey_Mills

It's pretty simple, really. The Wenger supporters are stupid, and the rest of us are sarcastic.
Hahahaha.
Darren_V

*Clap Clap* Touche
Gunnerson

What? Are you even reading what you write?? You think its a good thing we haven't won a trophy in ages and we keep selling players?? Its crazy AKBs like you that make us all look like blind idiots!!
Patoux21

I hope you are being as sarcastic as I am ... indeed fanatism for Wenger can make you really blind
Homey_Mills

Good to see that our side of the argument can be sarcastic too.
Arsenes Uncle

We'll keep both Shava and Chamakh to mitigate losing RvP this summer. Give them big raises too. Hell, we'll have Theo for crossing, Shava for dancing, and Chamakh for running in circles. Arsene's perfect little trio! A trophy before 2019!
Patoux21

At this point that's the only way you can make yourself believable
Darren_V

"of course, since we didn’t sign Suarez, we’re going to not win this one. Wenger out!"

-Where do I sign up for this?
Billyhunter8

Wenger out ??? Are u mad ?? Who else u gona get ? think u should go support soneone else u prat wenger is king
Homey_Mills

This has really become the home of the super inside jokes. Those of us on the inside can all laugh, and those joining the banter for the first time thing we've all lost it, I'm afraid.
Will

I think we need to start putting seriousness disclaimers in our comments.
Homey_Mills

Billy,
There used to be a blogger on here who wanted Wenger out, but he got fired. The rest of the bloggers are just being sarcastic.
Darren_V

You bailed, let's not change the facts here. No one wanted you gone :)
Homey_Mills

I know, but I thought I could use a little exaggeration of my own.
Darren_V

I take it you didn't like my article yesterday
Homey_Mills

It was interesting and clever, but also sounded like it was taking a few shots at me as well. No big deal though. Readers enjoyed it a lot.
PeteyG

3000 words ridiculing your Wenger criticisms Homey from the hairy chested one. It's easy now that you retired. Nothing personal, though.... Right.

It's a lesson for everyone else, toooooo.

We'll see what the genius has to say when we finish in 6th place and turn to real shit.
Darren_V

My article merely attempted to illistrate the irony and humor of the transfer market from an Arsenal supporter perspective. I myself have used wikipedia/youtube to see who the 'said' player is to get a better idea of target players.

I have always had the same stance on transfers, and it will never change, something Homey himself is well aware of. I happen to respect Homey's critisism of Wenger and agree with parts of it. The timing was my only major disagreement, and that still stands.

As for timing, the article became a running joke on twitter wih a couple friends when Suarez's name came up, and so I turned it into a humor article.
Darren_V

Don't take it personal. It was directed at everyone, including myself.
Darren_V

Where is that sarcasm font when you need it?
Tomisin

Oh really?? We had no idea.