Thanks for the replies. Not much time to process – running a company and helping to deal with a couple of seriously ill relatives for the past few years. But we do our best.

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Mark Pinnes -23 January

Cole to Chelsea

Heard some apparently “from the horses mouth.” Rumour milling yesterday. A friend who is pals with Irving Scholar’s family heard this story.

Arsenal faxed a letter to Ashley Cole’s agent a couple of weeks ago, offering him 2 years and £40,000 per week “No negotiations.” Last week Mr Dein called the agent and asked why he hadn’t been in touch.

“Mr Dein,” said the agent, “Your contract insisted no negotiations, so we approached Chelsea, who have offered £80,000 per week. Would you care to match it.” I have not heard Arsenal’s response to this. Cole’s contract with arsenal expires in 18 months.

Mark Pinnes

London

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mr. einarsson

ashley cole

Patric Vieira is on £70-80,000/week 52 weeks a year.

This is of course ridiculus.. and Robert Pires also ?? That is

plain silly

Mabye its fair in case of Thierry Henry but I doubt it ..

Wenger should be supplied with a strong right hand man and a

man that can also handle buying and selling players ..

his stingyness is becoming an embarassment ..

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Steve Phillips

Pantomime defending

Lauren isn’t good enough either. Terribly out of it on both Ronaldo goals. Converted midfielders? We need real defenders.

Very entertaining game, although I was sorry to lose it.

Our lack of activity during the transfer window attests to the fact that we have given up on this season. How can we go into the knockout stages of the European Cup with this goalkeeping and back end?

The off season is time to sort things out and move the mistakes and shore some things up with less spectacular but more solid players in key positions at the back – with solid backup ready to step in.

Surely the board, or management, or somebody at the club can see that this isn’t good enough.

Continue to enjoy your comments.

All the best

Steve in Vancouver

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Adam

Arsenal & Milan can get Sir Alex the sack

Correspondingly, what damage do you think Man Utd & Bayern Munich can do to Wenger’s confidence & future? The fight looks to have gone in some players. Campbell had a stinker tonight._

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Richard Waters

Chelski

Stop talking about Chelsea. We don’t care about them, nor do we want to hear your views on them. If you are going to switch allegiance again, do it now, before they win the league. And change the name of your site.

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Great site.

Here’s something everybody has missed so far.

That’s surely confirmation.

http://www.kskbeveren.be/eng/latest.shtml

Personally, think Wenger gave up a while ago and knows we won’t catch Chelsea. That will explain why he won’t pay over the odds for somebody well-established like Davids mid-campaign. What’s the point? Wait until the summer and make big-name signings at a relatively better price.

Keep up the good work.

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Paul

Moan U or Chelski?

I also home Chelsea give Man U a good hiding. It would mean the possibility of Man U winning nothing also an extra game for Chelsea, finally lets hope its a hard fought game with plenty of fouls and controversy.

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Eytan Benson

Corners and free kicks

Hi a question not areally comment for Myles Palmer you may have anserwed this before im no sure but i’ll ask it anyway I was wondering could you explain to me why under Arsene wenger’s reign as successfull as it’s been why there so terrible at set pieces and corners they have players that can jump and leap like kangaroo’s and players with magical fee watching them week in week out its so frustrating watching and they waist such a good opotunitys for a goel threat which but the ironic thing is they have the players but they dont use them whats going on! today was a good example against newcastle something stupid like 16 corners and maybe one or 2 soft direct headers on target which were not really a threat.

Whats your oppinion on that

thanks

Eytan

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Anne r.

Excellent

Miles, I’ve been reading this site for about 3 years now and for the first two and a half thought that you were obnoxious ans not a very good writer and spent all your time espousing theories which had no basis at all in fact. Since the summer tho, ANR has actually become one of my top Arsenal sites and I find myself more and more often thinking: “Exactly!” or “That’s what i was thinking”.

In short: the site is excellent. I remember you talking a while back about seeing Damien Rice so a low-key gig, before he really took off – for this, i must thank you. he is amazing.

I will take second and a cup, this season. To win at least some sort of silverware, will be a moral victory and will deny Chel$ea their quadruple. I’m a little sad that it has come to this. Thanks for reading .

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Jonny

Flamini

Myles, i cant remember what you’ve said about the guy before, but having just seen the game against newcastle, i think some attention to flamini would be interesting. seems to me that he levelled out the team today, protecting the defence in the old petit (even gilberto) manner. viera is too tied down playing with cesc, who is a smooth BALL PLAYING midfielder. paddy can do that, and much better when he has a ray parlour next to him.

could flamini become a central figure (excuse the pun)?

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Will

Are you sure?

How do you know Arsenal will finish third? And by whatever that formula is, surely you’ve won millions in the lottery.

Even with the off-on-off Vieira saga of recent years, we’ve been quite successful. How do we use it as an excuse now? His form is bad but could he possibly have peaked?

You wrote that we know Wenger brought each player in for one on ones. How do we “know” that?

Lastly, if footballers are millionaires, who’s fault is that? Why shouldn’t anyone earn as much as their employers and the public are willing to give them?

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Paul Burland

Edu.. is off… 100% Confirmed

http://www.gazetaesportiva.net/ge_noticias/bin/noticia.php?chid=118&nwid=45733

Edu has confirmed he’s off to Spain. He says it’s important for him to be playing so he can keep his place in the Brazil team.

Fair enough… now the question is: ‘who can Arsene sign in 7-days to fill in for this season?’

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Andrew

Wing and a Prayer

Do you not think that the way forward in the premiership is to be more like Chelsea and Utd have been this season and play with pacey wingers, Ronaldo and Robben Duff and Giggs, We don not have 1 midfielder that can run at players from midfield in our 1st XI step forward Jermaine Pennant and Jose Reyes, 2 wingers with great pace and skill, whilst not being the most consistant of players they have undoubted ability to create and essentially that is whats not hapopening at the moment,2much pressure on the defence as a result of not having enough ideas in the midfield area and losing the ball regularly!! Freddie in the hole behind Thierry, great at running beyond the forward line and probably the best player in the box that we have!!

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John West

Team to play for Myles’ life: a quibble

I value my life more than to put a one footed player in any team I might ever have to put out to play for it – and your ANR readers values yours higher too, MP! I must have missed the game in which the ball inadvertently touched Arjen Robben’s right foot this season. I certainly haven’t seen that happen when I’ve watched him. But will he be found out?….I’ve got nothing against his left foot…etc. etc.

Sorry, but Robert Zimmerman would be ahead of him in the queue for the left midfield berth. At least you’d get a good post match quote out of old Bob:

“Money doesn’t talk; it swears…”

Cheers,

John

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Mark Nelson

Cheer Up

Blimey Myles after reading that I think you’ll send many Gooners over the edge this week. I believe you have been sucked in somewhat by the Chelsea hype. Why does everyone forget last season when arsenal were an unstoppable force in the Premiership? It wasnt that long ago. We have the team and we still have the spirit to come back. The bolton game had its moments and we have to accept that teams now believe they can beat us whereas last year they would give up. Against Bolton we had a 17 year old midfielder trying to play pretty football against a physical side playing cup tie football. We miss gilberto and edu badly and we were cuaght out last saturday. Chelsea WILL slip up and it WILL be a close fight at the end of the season which could be decided in a make or break game at Stamford bridge. If edu returns and lehman is restored then we will be back on track. We have the same players and team as last year and to blame vieiras transfer saga it too facile.

If this doesnt cheer you up then try and watch the Sweeney investigates programme about Abramovich (BBC2 last night) and just be grateful that we dont watch a team built on sordid stories of murder and corruption.

Steven Sohn

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Striker who heads the ball

A point you make in the Professor and occasionally on the website is the need for a strkier who heads the ball. I know Van Persie can head it but he hasn’t scored a header yet and the rest are pathetic at headers. You said Wenger would never sign a target man who tempts the team to kick it long and I agree with you, but Arsene said, when talking of Dennis’ great goals, that he prefers Bergy’s headers like Kiev and Mallorca because the team don’t score that many. Now I think with the arrival of Jose Mourinho Arsene has to sacrifice beautiful football for winning football, like he did for a peroid last season. If Shaun Wright-Philips joins in the summer, he’ll need people to aim at- but only Van Persie can head it. You can’t suss out formations, but you can suss out styles and I think that’s what has happened.

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Alfredo Maisto

Vieira’s lost his tackle

What the hell’s happened to Paddy. It seems to me all the great fancy football we played over the last 18 months has got to his head. He was always the man who earned us the right to play, by either snuffing out the opposing midfield enforcer or sorting out there play maker. But times seem to have changed, every tackle he goes in for, more often than not he seems to lose and he is now often seen pulling out of tackles with wincing looks of pain. Now I don’t want to appear too harsh, we know hes a great player who has done the business over the years and he does say he will come good but its about time the professor told him to get out there and start ruffling the oppositions feathers. Great as they are the likes of Lampard and Keane should be running scared of our man.

For all our goalkeeping/defensive problems this to me is our biggest problem. I don’t know much about essien from Lyon, but lets hope we go the whole hog in the summer and get all our eggs in one basket and bid big for gerard.

The question is, would we have any chance in getting him?

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David Wesson

the season thus far

I am alone in thinking that that all is not well in the arsenal camp at the moment?

I guess there are a number of factors that one could point to

1/ the goal keeping situation -what went on with lehman behind doors and why does Lehman have to wash his dirty linen in public got good for team morale surely !

is it not time we brought him back or brought somebody new in that might rise to the dizzy heights of either bob wilson or David seaman -As much as it might be nice to go for the quick fix by buying Van der Sar I do not think it is the answer what are your thoughts

2/Patrick Viera -Much has been said in the various rags that he is not the player he was after his prtracted move to Madrid was called to a halt at the beginning of the new season and maybe as has been rightly pointedf out what Arsenal lacks is a leader and Paddy seems more a bit part player than an inspirational tour de force he was last season

3/ contract negotiations -Cole,Lauren,Edu,Campbell surely this has not done the motivation of the team any good what so ever cannot all this be done in the close season or during a mid winter break

4/ injuries -Edu ,Gilberto,Campbell,Reyes,Lungberg

One does expect injuries during the course of the season but to lose Gilberto I think was a cruel blow and one that along with Edu had destabilised our midfield

It goes without saying Fabregas has been a revalation but as Arsene pointed out to use him so regulalrly has inevitably meant he has not been able to produce his magic as consistenly as has been called and relied upon far to ofter for his age .injuries

I find it baffling to think that one defeat to Man utd has defined our season to date one minute we were playing like champions the next a team that has lost its confidence completely

This has in turn led to a dip in form of players that ealrier this year you would wouldnt think twice about thier commitment ,Pires ,Reyes (What has happened to him )Viera (mentioned earlier) and a reliance on bedding in the likes of Flamini,Van Persie ,Hoyte and Lumina et al due to injuries and the tinkering of Wenger

yes we are still in the champions league and have 15 games to play but its going to take a minor miracle for us to start playing with the same confidence and vigour we displayed at the beginning of the season

Where to now what does Wenger do now Carry on and just hope with pl,ayers coming back from Injury thier form and morale improves or does he think of some wholesale changes at the end of the season

Personally I think we are still another major defender short and there is too much reliance on campbell .Cygan should be sold end of story and a new Goalkeeper brought in alongside Shaun Wright Phillips

We need some thing to brighten things up at Highbury right now and for next season

Your thoughts please

Karl Nitzsche

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Dr Panayi

Please Mr. Palmer

This is the fourth time I have emailed you on this issue and now I am on my knees…..Please please please stop predicting the outcome of matches.

I am sure you consider yourself to be knowledgeable about football and although I, on occasion, disagree with what you write, I appreciate where you are coming from and have a great deal of respect for your articles.

But you are frankly hopeless and predicting the results of matches. In fact everytime you predict an Arsenal victory, they either draw or lose depending on how confident you were in the first place that they were going to win.

I know this request is not based on any sort of rationality, but the recent Bolton game as brought this up in my mind again. I quote “Arsenal will beat Bolton. No question…”

Incidentally this doesn’t just apply to Arsenal. According to you, England would not get anything from Turkey, home or away in the group games leading up to Euro 2004. England got 4 out of 6 points. There are other examples that I won’t bore you with. The clear message is: stop predicting the result, unless you are convinced Arsenal will lose. You can predict that to your heart’s content.

Yours in desperation,

Dr. D. Panayi

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CARL

ITS TIME TO PUT YOUR THINKING CAP ON

You mentioned in an earlier report that you have not been as active this season….well, after saturday’s performance you need to start investigating what is going on at the arsenal….Are we lacking money?? Has it been down the injuries??Viera,Gilberto??? What is going on behind the scenes??? You might even be able to write another book!!!

Regards

Carl

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Drew Gray

Myles’ unerring predictions

Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the site and reading Myles Palmer’s intelligent articles, but could you please stop predicting Arsenal victories! Arsenal will beat Bolton – well no, actually we didn’t. Too much fancy play not enough direction. And sloppy defending – again – the title has gone now please can we finish above the Mancs and reach the last 4 of the Champions League (oh and the FA Cup would be nice)

many thanks,

Drew

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Man U V. Chelsea 12/1/05

Watching the scuffle on the sidelines of the pitch it makes me wonder. Arsenal is always accused of being rough and ready, especially where Man U is concerned. Telling then, isn’t it, that when Arsenal played Chelsea a short while ago, there were no altercations and no unnecessary aggression but Man U got into a skirmish with Chelsea.

So then, which is the rough and ready team?

Great site by the way. Cheers

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Paul Burland

Javier Mascherano, MSI & Chelsea

Not sure how much you’ve heard but there are big things happening in South America right now and they have big implications for Chelsea and Arsenal. MSI (Media Sports and Investment) have invested over $100m in Brazilian side Corinthians who they are building into a super team. They’ve started contracting players left right and centre. The most significant being Carlos Tevez, South America’s best striker. On signing Tevez stated that he hoped to play for Corinthians for 3 years then move to Chelsea. Javier Mascherano is also believed to be joining Corinthians.

The Chelsea link lies in the belief that Roman Abramovic owns a 15% share in MSI or possibly more. Very little is known about MSI but it’s certainly interesting to keep an eye on.

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Jeff Boston

Recent results

Bolton today I think is the main reason why Arsenal will end up 3rd maybe even 4th

this year because they cannot win 1-0 anymore when you are playing bad like we have been during and since the Man U game, you need to win those games, but Arsenal need to score at least 2 goals to compensate for the one we let in nearly every game,

and as most teams we play now have 5 accross the field and we have no way around it any more. But on the other hand I do not

believe in spendong lots of money now so we go bankrupt in the future….must go thks for ur page bibifn

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Scott

Wrong again Mr. Palmer

I was not as confident as you were with regards to the game.

Arsenal were simply shocking. So many ‘big’ players failed to show for the game again.

There were so many negative points I am finding it hard to find a starting place.

The first issue is the keeper. I have no idea what Lehmann but he is better then Almunia. Almunia was terrible in the first half.

Bad goalkeeping performances inspire no confidence in the back 4; this was evident.

The back 4 also has no protection from the midfield. Last season we had Edu, Gilberto, Parlour and Vieira all in fine form protecting the back 4. This season has seen Edu and Gilberto injured, parlour playing at the riverside and Vieira obviously not playing to his best. Our best central midfielder this season has been a 17 year old rookie – albeit a very good rookie.

No wonder our back 4 looks extremely vulnerable at this moment in time.

One other thing. How much did our current back 5 cost? Not much at all when you actually work it out. Take into account that Lauren is a converted midfielder and makes up 90% of the cost of the entire back 5 highlights this. Is it time that Wenger seriously started investing in this department? He doesn’t hesitate spending money on midfielders and attackers but seems content on trying to find bargains for the defence and goalkeeping positions.

We all know his philosophy about smooth flowing attacking football, but this kind of football starts from the back.

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Adrian Prouse

Dear Myles,

As a fellow reader of newsnow.co.uk I was just wondering what you think of the Arsenal weblogs that keep appearing? As an Australian I have thought on many occasions that there is too much emphasis on football in the English media. Actually, it’s more that there are TOO many papers writing TOO many articles on football in your country. While the Australian press is lucky to consider football in their sporting pages twice a week, I find myself questioning whether Arsenal fans need more articles on their team/selection policy/coaching/etc. While I understand that this is just a healthy hobby for some people, I find it difficult to accept when these articles are aimed at judging elite athletes and their coaches who might, shock horror, actually know more about the game than the average armchair fan.

To highlight my point the Vieira debate appears to be quite apt. Back in the land of Oz, we are very interested in all things Harry Kewell for obvious reasons. However, as his form has dipped the whole of Australia has hardly been suggesting Harry has “lost it”, that he should never play for Australia again and that he was never the same after he played for Leeds (which might hold some credence but the future will only tell us that). Indeed, our commentators have been noting that all players go through periods of average form, especially when they have nagging injuries. Further, they have been calling for a bit of FAITH in his talent. So why do Arsenal fans (born and bred Arsenal fans nonetheless) think Vieira should be sold and never wear the Arsenal shirt again because he’s played below par for 4 months?

Can you see what I’m getting at? Am I being clear? I’m writing this to you, Myles, because I know you appreciate the sport for what it is – sport. You understand that the people who take the pitch are ordinary people who just happen to be extremely gifted athletes who make it to the top because they have an incredible hunger for success or should I say – to WIN! PV4 has given me many fantastic memories in both an Arsenal and France shirt which I will not forget after 4 average months of football. And as far as I’m concerned, so has every other player who has worn the red and white! Accordingly, I can’t read any more articles by random, faceless nobodies who think they can run the club better than one of the top coaches in the world. Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe all the hours I’ve wasted reading article after article has caught up with me and I’m thinking about all the things that I could have done if I had those hours back. I feel I’m at a crossroad. While all this information draws me closer to the club from miles away, the mirror, the guardian, the independent, the sun, this is london, arsenal muse, sky sports, arsenal times, the BBC, fans FC, CNN, Arsenal America, teamtalk, sporting life, i think you get my point, is pushing me away. I can just taste the irony. Myles, I’ve hit overload!

Do you ever wonder what happened to enjoying watching a game of football (I’m only 26 for pete’s sake!)?

Yours Sincerely,

A. Prouse

PS: Am I wrong in thinking that it’s a fans job to critise a team that has lost 2 out of 71 matches? Or that it’s a fans job to critise a club with the financial capacity of Arsenal for not winning back to back titles against teams with the financial muscle of Man U and Chelsea when its 22 games into a season? Is it wrong feeling enjoyment watching a young team earn a draw against Man City? Is it wrong wanting to feel like screaming “GET A GRIP!”? Because I’m starting to think it is. I need a voice of reason but this whole process has been quite cathartic, thanks.

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jack woan

WHO is Premiership Champion for 2004/2005

Chelsea seem to be winning the premiership title as of Jan 2005.They will continue to look like champion for this month.

When we reached February, the top of the table position may see some interesting change……

I believe Arsenal will chase up…….Manchester United will remain third this year because they lost a key player to injury….who is that? Van de stroy (spelling error?)End results? Chelsea will be a close second…..Arsenal may just win the title by one point or by goal difference!!!

It will be a close one, I guess…..

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Jason Gooi

To quote Arsene, to give up now will be “criminal”

There is no big deal to Chelsea’s 7 point lead in the championship. They’re predictable as a team going forward, punting long balls to Duff and Robben.

They have goal-scoring weapons in Lampard and Terry too, but in actual fact, they lack sophistry as a team, unlike Arsenal. They’re just systemic with a great defence. One day, their goals are going to dry up once a Premiership team suss them out and others begin to copy. They never score that many anyway. I’ll like to see how they would come back from being a goal down in a game. Arsenal will just have to match them game for game from now. Pray that Chelsea lose one more game. And Arsenal must beat them at Stamford Bridge. Now.., the lead could be down to a point going down to the wire. And Chelsea’s balls will be shakin’ no doubt…

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Peter Ryde

Arsenal’s Future

Hi ANR…..I really enjoy your obviously educated articles. No bad language or lies…..pity you cannot persuade the Media to follow suit.

The truth is that our God AW, has lost part of the plot he so magnificently controlled for years. We do not ask a lot, but one fabulous player per year added to the squad…I think we deserve. With someone like Wright Phillips, or Gerrard, or Owen, we not only would win the Title again, but probably stand a very good chance of reaching the Euro Cup Final.

After saying that, in my opinion, a radical move is needed now to catch up with The Russian Bank Team. I for one believe that we can win at ChelskiBridge, but we need to srape through games like Man City with 1-0 wins. We need in fact two world class extra defenders. Another tall stopper is essential..in the Adams style. A right full back who can defend corners & freekicks is a priority. Young Hoyte will be there in two years. Lauren will never be !

At the risk of being crusified, I would cash in on Patrick V, as soon as possible. I believe we have a ready replacement now in Kolo..he looks great in defence and attack. If we buy the other two defenders…Kolo can do the business alongside Fabrigas & Silver. I would keep Pennant, and sell Edu, only because of his disloyalty. I like Almunia & would bring back Taylor & sell Lehmann.

With the money we could get for Viera, we could get Owen & Gerrard possibly or Owen & one other. It is important also to get a few English lads back into out squad…especially when we are in a fight.

Well thats it……all put right in one article….hope you agree?

regards

Peter Ryde

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Dennis Walker

The Championship

The Championship may well be over. Can we hang in there, and that’s what it seems like, till the Chelsea game again Arsenal? I think what Arsene needs is a budget, that’s obvious, but maybe just enough to buy a decent central defender and a good right midfielder, somone like Shaun Wright Phillips, then it would be interesting. Chelsea can outspend everyone, but Arsene’s a genius and always will be, he’ll surprise us again, maybe not this year but definately again. Maybe the board will surprise us this January, it’s doubtful but who knows.

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Arse-fan

spot on myles!!

Myles,

As usual u hv been spot on… calling spade a spade..many arse fans with web/blog sites have shied away from doing that preferring ostrich style reactions…..

I think more than anybody else the mistakes hv been committed by the boss this time around and along with the captain should take full responsibility for the failure……..

the biggest blunders hv been the indecision in the selection of front pairing with Henry..not initiating Van Persie early enuf into the English game…lack of a proper defensive signing….poor form of the captain (he is now no more a holding midfielder ====.time has taken its toll.. has consistently shied away from making those trademark tackles.. but now a better finisher)

the season is as good as over….

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Paul

Your News Review article on City

Richard Dunn slow!??? He is one of the quickest centre-halves in the country only surpassed by the speed of Distin, who has a tremendous tackle even when in the penalty area. Our midfield? It consists of two of the most experienced midfielders in Europe, Bosvelt and Sibierski(probably collected more european cups and medals than all of your lot put together whilst captains of Feyenoord and Lyon respectively) plus one of the most exciting and tenacious home-grown midfielders, Joey Barton, who will eventually take over in the England team from Stephen Gerard. Then of course we have SWP on the right side of midfield. Well at least you got that ‘wright’… 🙂

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Jovan Tan

Shaun-Wright Phillips

Hi

Really like your website, but im hopping Arsene Wenger wont sign Shaun-Wright Phillips cause in term of skill,technique and pace, i think Arsenal have more than enough of those. what we are lacking now is height. ashley, clichy, lauren, reyes are all taller than SWP…… we dont really need a hobbit here.

Moreover, i think Jermain Pennant isnt inferior to SWP, he deserved a chance and a shot in the first team.

Regrds

Jovan

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Shishir Kulahalli

Reyes Absence

We, the Gooners, have all seen the promising talents of van Persie in the last few games. But one has to wonder about the continued absence of Reyes from even the subs bench. IS HE INJURED? Forgive me if he is, as from where I come from, I dont get regular football news feeds from the local media.

IF HE IS NOT INJURED, then what’s up? ANR reported recently in an article that AW and Reyes had a session together where AW was apparently frustrated at Reyes’ relatively poor performances on the field, and let Reyes know about it. I wonder whether that session has had big ramifications.

Also, I am of the opinion that Reyes has continually been played out of position as a neo-left winger. I think its one reason for his poor displays.

What do you think?

Shishir Kulahalli

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Paul

TRANSFERS

Thank, Happy 2005 for all

Most of the time you are one of best blogs, if not the best to all the time.

I trust Arsene to strengthen the squad, But I live in the hope we will bring SWP and King. I am not english and I live in Paris, so I cannot be accused of being biased in favour of english players in our team.

We should have SWP and Freddy. Don’t forget that Freddy is better on the left than the right wing. Pennant need to progres to be a real addition. He is at best an emergency backup . If we have to make it in Europe this year we SWP for sure. We need a central, good in th air so we can play Flamini and Frabregas (more safely especially in free-kick) as mildfield patner. So KIN or another defender could do the job. With Sol, Ledley, a right-back good in the air, we won’t lose or draw against teams like Chelsea.

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Rob Lever

Myles Palmer’s SWP article

Myles,

Why do you assume SWP wants to play for Arsenal?

Isn’t this pure arrogance from Arsenal and its supporters?

How many players remain loyal to the club they supported as a child? Think about it.

When SWP needed support from a professional club, after rejection from Forest, Arsenal weren’t interested and SWP remembers that. he has a great affection for City, and will at least see the next three years out there.

Even after recent domestic problems, Shaun has no intention of quitting the North West, whatever noises come from Arsenal.

And to say Richard Dunne is slow/lumbering just highlights your flimsy knowledge of football outside North London I’m afraid. just look at the Opta stats and watch him in a few games. Most managers acknowledge his speed these days, or do you know better?

regards

Rob Lever