The Official Arsenal - 12 x FA Cup Winners - Thread [Vol 3]

[Cheib]

MrMagoo said:

Alfahorn said:

Sorry but Akpom is enthusaistic but I see nothing to suggest he'll make it at the highest level. With Campbell, Sanogo and Podolski out on loan Akpom is going to get chances in the final months of the season so it's now or never for him.

I thought he showed enough to suggest he's going to be a player. Confidence in abundance and his both footed, he took up some very good positions and the fact the Brighton players could only foul him
at every oppurtunity shows he was a handful.

I have a feeling Arsne sees something special in him hence the departures of Podolski, Sanogo and Campbell. A year too early for me but if he gets enough opportunities this season to gain experience then I think
Giroud and Welbeck will be looking over their shoulders come August.

His contract (like Le Coq's) is up in the summer...rumoured there are quite a few clubs who are showing interest so I think Wenger knows he either gives him game time or he's gone for nowt. Hence Campbell, Sanogo and Poldi going out on loan. Le Coq's has apparently got a contract he's happy with but is waiting to see how much time he gets. Looking at Flamini's performance today and Coq's last few games he's first choice.

Poldi played 65 mins today before being substituted.

[Cheib]

Alfahorn said:

You're a fantasist. Then again I already knew that.

There is no way Giroud or Welback are going to be troubled by Akpom in the near future.

What is encouraging is the variety of options we have in forward positions;

Alexis
Ozil
Giroud
Welbeck
Walcott
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Gnabry
Akpom
Rosicky

I don't ever remember us have options like that before. We've had better quality but not the numbers we do now.

You forgot Santi!!!!

I'd agree though...strength in depth but nobody at the height of Henry/Bergkamp/Pires. I'd take the current lot over Kanu/Wiltord/Reyes with Freddie being a kind of Rosicky equivalent I suppose!

[GloverMart]

RacingPete said:

GloverMart said:

But don't you think Dunk's yellow card was harsh, given that he fell down onto the ball?

Just to clarify this... the referee pointed to several incidents before showing the yellow card, so was for totting up... though he probably should have been booked for the knee high tackle he did 2 minutes before.

Ah, thats fair enough Pete, I'd blown my top at the booking () and didn't see the ref's actions. I think that was Greer who did the knee high challenge though, that WAS worthy of a yellow.

[Cheib]

I'd also say it's way too early to call whether Akpom will make it....I am struggling to think of strikers that have made the grade at the age of 20 for a Top 4 side. Rooney, Owen, Anelka....Henry was 22 when we signed him.

[NoVetec]

Still a bit of time for Akpom, but unless Giroud gets injured or Wele has a series of setbacks with his thigh problem, I can't there being enough time for Akpom to show what he can or can't do.

He'll probably be off in the summer, given the choice I'd rather Coq signs a new contract.

So, it looks like Ospina has become our PL 'keeper for now, assuming Wenger will play him in the CL too?

[Cheib]

NoVetec said:

So, it looks like Ospina has become our PL 'keeper for now, assuming Wenger will play him in the CL too?

Yup..Seczzer made the choice for the Brighton player yesterday. He's got some utterly ludicrous statistic of goals/shots conceeded.

Talking of CL got my ticket for Monaco this morning. £90 in the "cheap seats". Can't wait!

[Panclan]

Home Office clearence for work permit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/ar...

[Glassman]

Re Akpom. Unfair to pass judgment on his PL ability in one or two cameo appearances, especially given that he's still a teenager. I saw a young and powerful front man come on who showed signs of pace and was willing to run at players. I'd say this makes him an exciting prospect. Whether he realises this is down to him, the club/manager, and that he has to find something that little bit extra to dislodge Welbeck and Giroud.

I read Dortmund, Citeh, Totternum, Everton and 'pool are keeping tabs on him.

[London424]

Panclan said:

Home Office clearence for work permit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/ar...

It's a bit of a joke that he got a permit really. Basically meets none of the criteria at all.

I mean he's 24, never played for the national team (let alone the 75% required) and only broke into the Villareal team this season. Hardly an "exceptional talent".

[Cheib]

London424 said:

Panclan said:

Home Office clearence for work permit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/ar...

It's a bit of a joke that he got a permit really. Basically meets none of the criteria at all.

I mean he's 24, never played for the national team (let alone the 75% required) and only broke into the Villareal team this season. Hardly an "exceptional talent".

Rules are changing in the summer so that any transfer with a fee above £10mil is automatic. Suspect common sense prevailed.

[MrMagoo]

Don't understand why there's so much trouble for pro footballers getting work permits. I'm sure with regards to taxes and what that individual will contribute to the economy it's a no brainer? It's not like he'll be sitting on his arse collecting his weekly giro.

[Alfahorn]

Cheib said:

You forgot Santi!!!!

I'd agree though...strength in depth but nobody at the height of Henry/Bergkamp/Pires. I'd take the current lot over Kanu/Wiltord/Reyes with Freddie being a kind of Rosicky equivalent I suppose!

I didn't forget him. I was focussing on the players to play any of the front 3 positions. Admittedly Santi has played those positions, however it's clear we lose something when he does.

[Alfahorn]

London424 said:

It's a bit of a joke that he got a permit really. Basically meets none of the criteria at all.

I mean he's 24, never played for the national team (let alone the 75% required) and only broke into the Villareal team this season. Hardly an "exceptional talent".

So because he's only played this season in the Villarreal side you've decided he's not an exceptional talent. That is bizarre logic, it really is.

[Glassman]

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer/news/21476/9656...

[Glassman]

Another home draw, against 'boro

[Black can man]

Glassman said:

Another home draw, against 'boro

Tie of the round .

[Alfahorn]

Black can man said:

Glassman said:

Another home draw, against 'boro

Tie of the round .

No difficult. That was a terribly dull draw.

[Black can man]

Alfahorn said:

Black can man said:

Glassman said:

Another home draw, against 'boro

Tie of the round .

No difficult. That was a terribly dull draw.

yes it was , i just wished my ho hopers were involved.

[Cheib]

Black can man said:

Alfahorn said:

Black can man said:

Glassman said:

Another home draw, against 'boro

Tie of the round .

No difficult. That was a terribly dull draw.

yes it was , i just wished my ho hopers were involved.

Good company this year BCM.

Boro will be right up for it, should be a cracking game.

[Black can man]

Not to be underestimated , their manager is a hugely respected chap in the game.