LU Arsenal Brigade II

[Stonecutter]

Arsenal are being linked with a summer move for Udinese keeper Samir Handanovic.
The Slovenian stopper impressed during his nation’s World Cup campaign, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is thought to be interested in a potential move for the 25-year-old.
Handanovic made his senior debut for homeland club Domžale in 2003, before being signed by Serie ‘A’ Udinese the following season.
Loan spells at Treviso, Lazio and Rimini suggested a career at the Stadio Friuli might not be fruitful, but Handanovic has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the Zebrette and is now the No.1 at the club.
International recognition came as early as 2004, with Handanovic making his debut as a teenager against Slovakia. The nation’s top stopper, he proved himself in South Africa with performances that have led to interest from a string of clubs.
One of those is thought to be the Gunners, with Wenger keen to strengthen in the core position of goalkeeper ahead of the new Premier League season.
Reports in France are suggesting Arsene Wenger is about to make a double swoop for Ligue 1 stars Rafik Halliche and Stephane Ruffier.
Gunners manager Wenger is on the lookout for a centre-back to replace the outgoing William Gallas and Sol Campbell while Manuel Almunia and Lucasz Fabianski look likely to be replaced in goal.
Algerian defender Halliche would represent a cheaper option to his international team mate, Rangers star Madjid Bougherra.
Acccording to Chronofoot.com, talks between the Benfica player’s agent and Arsenal representatives have already taken place in London and Halliche is keen to make the move, having spent two years on loan at Nacional. (Give Me Footbal – Official PFA Website)

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/0...trio-of-nobodies-wenger-linked-with-unknowns/

DAILY STAR: Arsenal are ready to pay £20million for German playmaker Mesut Ozil

http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal_ready_to_pay_20m_for_german_playmaker_1_837941

Mark Schwarzer – Manuel Almunia is widely regarded to be below the standard needed at the very top level. While he has the ability to produce some amazing performances (Barcelona in the Champions League for example), he is too often culpable for sloppy goals. Wenger has been on the look out for a keeper for some time and while Gianluigi Buffon was rumoured to be joining the Gunners, his injury appears to have ruled that out. A more realistic choice is Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer, who since joining the Cottagers has been consistent and easily among the top keepers in the league.
Joe Cole In the midfield department, Arsenal could be looking depleted if Fabregas returns to Barcelona as expected. One player who could quickly (and cheaply) fill the void is Joe Cole. The former Chelsea player is set to be on the wish list of many managers this summer having been released from Stamford Bridge. His wages will be high (high enough that Chelsea refused to pay them), but considering there is no fee to be paid, clubs may be willing to pay that little bit more. Being able to offer Champions League football makes Arsenal one of the front-runners for his signature.
Felipe Melo. Perhaps a more exciting prospect (and certainly a more expensive one) is that of Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo. He didn’t have the best World Cup (an own goal and sending off against Holland) but he still represents a big name – something the Arsenal fans crave. A fee of around £15m is being talked about, while Emmanuel Eboue going in the opposite direction has also been mentioned as a possible deal breaker

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/0...ould-turn-arsenal-into-genuine-title-chasers/

Arsenal are considering making a move for Real Madrid bench warmer Karim Benzema according to reports coming from Spain. Arsene Wenger believes that the arrival of Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu could leave the French international with no choice other than to leave the La Liga giants.
The Gunners boss was heavily linked with a move for the 22 year old when he was a prolific finisher at Lyon but the Emirates manager was unable to seal a deal for the well built forward. Benzema had a nightmare first season at Real Madrid where he failed to get much of a look in and when called upon was unable to prove himself to then boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Jose Mourinho has been linked with a number of new strikers and could well look to bring the likes of Diego Milito from Inter Milan. The lack of first team opportunities cost the youngster his place in Raymond Domenech’s World Cup squad but that may well have been a blessing in disguise given the nightmare that turned out to be for all concerned.
Wenger has been linked with moves to bring more attacking options to the club and the £22m rated French international would be something of a transfer coup but one that is not totally unrealistic considering the mutual respect the player and boss have for reportedly have for each other.

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/0...madrid-striker-emirates-boss-keen-on-benzema/

 

[CC_Eagle]

I think we're linked with just about every CB worth half a cent at the moment. I don't see Lorent as an automatic starter alongside Vermaelen -but we said the same thing about Thomas 12 months ago.

Singing another CB would be ideal, especially if (fingers crossed) Silvestre goes. Either way, there'll be some decent competition between Djourou and Koscienly to start.

Schwarzer would be fantastic. In a perfect world I'd prefer to have Lloris or Neur, but both a near impossibilities.

Melo perfectly fits the mould of what we need, Joe Cole doesn't.

 

[Stonecutter]

Imagine if we got Schwarzer, Benzema, Ozil and a top class CB. We would be set. But unfortunately spending isn't the Arsene Wenger way so we'd be lucky to get 1.

 

[CC_Eagle]

WB would be asking a ridiculous amount for Ozil. Arsene should have pounced pre-WC when the rumours started going around.

Benzema would be fantastic but highly unlikely with RVP, Chamakh, Bendtner, Eduardo, Arshavin, Vela and Walcott able to play striker.

I'd happy swap Eduardo for Karim + 10 million.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Guys,

If anyone is interested in an 08/10 jersey, they're currently on sale at Arsenal.com for 15 pounds each - $25AUD. Which is an absolute steal considering they were $68AUD a few weeks ago and I assume Rebel are still robbing people at $130-150 each.

http://onlinestore.arsenal.com

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Yo i know its not arsenal news but Gunners LEGEND!!!!!! Thierry Henry has signed for New York Red Bulls
http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/07/new-york-red-bulls-sign-international-star-thierry-henry

Good Luck to him already got the jersey on order

 

[CC_Eagle]

About time.

Can't help but think about how useful he'd be for us this season. But no doubt NY are paying him $200K+ a week.

Good lad, get a name on the back?

 

[WireMan]

Not sure how relevant this will be for you but Boruc (Celtic Goalie) has just moved to Fiorentina.

There current number one is Frey. A very good French Goalie. There was talk you were looking at him a while back.

Anyways, may not have anything to do with you at all. Just thought i'd put it out there...

 

[CC_Eagle]

Thanks for the tip WM.

Frey > Almunia.

If we miss out on Schwarzer go for Frey!

Frey > Schwarzer in age anyway.

 

[andrew057]

More speculation linking Jagielka to Arsenal. Would love to see him a gunner.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Not for the reported 14m!

 

[andrew057]

Not for the reported 14m!

Speculation theyre offering 18m now. Would be an awesome signing.

 

[CC_Eagle]

For less than 10m, which is what he's worth, yes.

For 18m pounds!? No way.

That'd make the 3 times capped Jagielka Arsenal's most expensive ever transfer.

 

[CC_Eagle]

double.

 

[andrew057]

For less than 10m, which is what he's worth, yes.

For 18m pounds!? No way.

That'd make the 3 times capped Jagielka Arsenal's most expensive ever transfer.

In all honesty, I couldnt care less about the price really.

The speculation shows Arsene is addressing the weaknesses in the team and Jagielka is a fantastic player who would definitely make Arsenal a lot better, regardless of price.

 

[nibbs]

arsenal is sh*t

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Move along champ... cant be bothered asking who you go for...

18m is a huge fee though...when we could have got Kjaer for 10 for that sort of fee id want Bruno Alves or David Luiz....

looks like Eddie could be gong to Donetsk for 8m shame cause he was going good before he had his ankle snapped.... not a bad fee though

And id rather a older keeper as we have a future world class keeper n Woj to develop

 

[CC_Eagle]

Eduardo for 6-8m is a very good piece of business IMO.

With the arrival of Chamakh, Eddie would be at best our third of fourth preferred striker, and understandably he needs first team football. Unfortunately it seems as a result of his injury he isn't fit enough physically or mentally to compete in the EPL at a regular basis.

This should put Shawcross and co on alert, as well as their defenders who said that it "wasn't in their nature" or that it "was a mistake". A horrific tackle has seemingly ended a very good players EPL career.

We can only hope that Ramsey doesn't suffer the same fate.

I've also read from several different sources that Jay Simpson is rumoured to be on his way out, which should have happened 12-18 months ago. As it stands he has only made the one League Cup appearance for Arsenal and it would seem he'd be unlikely to make a League appearance anytime soon. From all reports he had been playing well in the Championship, so I assume we should be seeing him depart for a CC team soon.

 

[Stonecutter]

Eduardo for 6-8m is a very good piece of business IMO.

With the arrival of Chamakh, Eddie would be at best our third of fourth preferred striker, and understandably he needs first team football. Unfortunately it seems as a result of his injury he isn't fit enough physically or mentally to compete in the EPL at a regular basis.

This should put Shawcross and co on alert, as well as their defenders who said that it "wasn't in their nature" or that it "was a mistake". A horrific tackle has seemingly ended a very good players EPL career.

We can only hope that Ramsey doesn't suffer the same fate.

I've also read from several different sources that Jay Simpson is rumoured to be on his way out, which should have happened 12-18 months ago. As it stands he has only made the one League Cup appearance for Arsenal and it would seem he'd be unlikely to make a League appearance anytime soon. From all reports he had been playing well in the Championship, so I assume we should be seeing him depart for a CC team soon.

However RVP will inevitably get injured again for a long period then our stiker depth will be questioned again. I say hold on to him unless an offer we can't refuse comes up, and we use that to find an adequate replacement.

 

[CC_Eagle]

6-10m for a player who has played a handful of games in two years is an offer we can't refuse imo.

At the moment we have :

RVP
Chamakh
Bendtner
Arshavin
Walcott
Vela

All able to play as a striker in essentially a 4-1-4-1 formation. Six players for one position seems sufficient enough depth imo. Unless ala 2009/2010 half of them break in half.