Rich

What did you expect? We saw it numerous times last season against far, far worse opposition. I honestly think people have forgotten just how bang average we were for long spells of games last season, especially away from home. Long ball, no invention, little drive and a lack of anybody willing to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. All that's changed since then personnel-wise is Barton, who in fairness has looked capable of picking a pass and who definitely doesn't hide away from the ball. If we're going to put Guthrie in for Smith then things should look better again. Despite that though, this season is going to be eye-gougingly bad in terms of footballing quality if we don't add some pace and trickery to the midfield, which thankfully it looks like the people who matter have realised. That was Manchester United in third gear, at best, last night. They strolled it. A note on the fans too, the "Geordie Vuvuzela" sounded mint on the TV. Thought they were great, as usual.

...please, continue...

Well fuck me sideways, I actually agree with Borenaldo. Loving the irony. Agreed as well.

Indeed.

You've been spazzed.

This thread hurts my balls. Spacker city.

The fact that VI is bumping the thread to remind us all Spain won the World Cup? Pretty solid concept to grasp, to be fair. Do you seriously want it deleted, though? That was all I was bothered about.

I'd prefer to delete you, personally. You had your 18th birthday today? Cryptic.

I'd prefer to delete you, personally.

Dixon, Winterburn, Lauren, Cole, Luzhny, Eboue, Sagna, Clichy all played there at least fairly regularly. Not exactly poor.

Overmars was fucking class man. I'd have Pires in for Ljungberg if anything.

Just re-subscribed to the Sky. Definite win tonight now.

Speedo getting the Sheff Utd job, absolutely no surprise at all as Blackwell has been a sitting duck (unpopular with the fans) and Speed has been manager-in-waiting for a couple of years now. Hope he does well for them. Still shocked he has preferred to do that ahead of coming back here to manage the reserves or academy. Not. At all.

I loved Edu like. He was your Acuna.

Re: Wenger: I could understand it if he was still winning things every season, but how long has it been now? 6 years+ for the PL and 5 years+ for the FA Cup? I'm a big fan but it seems his pride/ego has been pretty apparent in recent seasons as pertains his transfer dealings, which has therefore had a negative effect on the club's performances.

What is the crack with the lack of any major investment Ash? Is the money there?

I am very surprised they haven't made any really big moves this summer, although I'm not completely up to speed on their financial situation. For me it was at the point where Wenger really had to splash a bit of money and really beef up the core of his team with a top-class striker (target-man style, which Chamakh may prove to be I suppose) and a defender/'keeper of a similar reputation/stature (again two dominant types). Song is good enough to do this sort of role in the midfield. They are still the best footballing side in the league at a canter but can be incredibly one-dimensional (sounds a mental accusation to level at them) in their style of play. Beefing things up would have helped them out a great deal and at least enabled them to compete with the physically tougher sides. The "Invincible" (cough) team was so good because it had all the technique and grace of the current squad allied with some real physical power throughout the core of the team in the likes of Campbell, Toure, Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Bergkamp and Henry that allowed them to steam-roll teams.

Will be the opposite if anything. Any extra money we would have been due would no doubt have been linked to success at City (CL qualification, cup wins, etc.) I'd be very pleasantly surprised if we had any kind of sell-on clause for someone of his age.

He isn't a player who is going to look top-drawer in terms of touch, etc. on a constant basis. He does have the ability to make things happen fairly regularly though thanks to his pace and movement. I still wouldn't write him off yet, but he does need to improve in the way that Lennon did/has at Spurs.

Nar.

If Arsenal could have a good season with injuries (they haven't had one for a while), then I still think they have the capability to challenge. Especially if they're going to sign a "proper" goalkeeper and maybe add another elsewhere.

That's me guessing his answer btw. For me, I'd go 4-4-2 with Walcott dropping out for Chamakh and Nasri/Arshavin pushing out to the flanks. Dunno if it's my memory failing but I remember some of Arsenal's best stuff in recent years (results, not just performances) coming with a 4-4-2. They play so fluidly anyway it's hard to stick formations on them at times.

Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Clichy Fabregas Song Walcott Nasri Arshavin van Persie Just to stick my nose in like

Best choice available, surely? Just hope he can score half as many as he did last season.

Didn't feel too much venom towards Given at the time for leaving, but have to say I've been tickled by the developments at City. Hope he wins nowt in his career. It does seem to be the right choice as well, for Hart to get the nod. Big, commanding keepers ftw.