timeEd32

I suppose we have to take them on their word that the squad will get a major overhaul in the next three (now 2) windows. This summer was a good start, but we're still short after years of neglect.

Interesting article about FIFA actually enforcing one of its rules now and the impact on youth players. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/09/01/sports/soccer/strict-enforcement-of-fifa-rules-sidelines-young-players-abroad.html?referrer=

Prediction #1: He will be our captain in the next 1-2 years (Crazy) Prediction #2: As captain, he will raise a trophy with our name on it.

I love how people treat bad rumors like they are definitely true. I know, I know, Ashley yada yada. The last few pages are pure meltdown from some.

Sissoko has been poor.

Atmosphere sounds really good.

I almost moved to the west coast earlier this year and the second thing on the cons list was "Early game starts at 4:45." Props to you - 745 is early enough.

But that is not the argument, the argument is not about Obertan. Fact is, Aarons will not start for us this season - whether it is Obertan, Thauvin, Gareth Bale or the Queen in the team in front of him. McClaren has stated this in numerous interviews. Therefore the only practical and sensible solution to allow Aarons to develop is to send him out on loan to play football. He is not going to develop playing off the bench in s*** games he needs full matches of competitive football. As has been said on this forum before, people get far too excited over players far too early. He is 19, he has played 5 competitive fixtures for us. He is not our best player and should not be starting week-in-week-out. McClaren never said he won't be starting this season. He just said we'd be taking it slow with him. Just because he hasn't seen much time yet doesn't mean he won't be a significant contributor for us this season.

I like Giroud more than most, but I'd be pretty annoyed about another striker not coming in if I was an Arsenal fan.

@NYPost_Lewis: A source just told me Donald Trump & Alessandro Proto are looking into buying Argentine club San Lorenzo. #Trump Maybe this is how they actually pay us for him instead of just trying to steal him.

I remember at the time some fans criticising the club for only offering him a 2-3 year contract and thinking we should have given him the contract West Ham did. (And Barton actually) Think both of their form the last 1/2 seasons has justified what we offered them. We were justified from the moment we replaced him with Cabaye.

The state of this board if McClaren played a 3-3-3-1.

Chelsea won the league so they've earned an easy group. Man Utd's is a joke, which they do not deserve. I hope they crash out in spectacular fashion.

I thought it was weird how much they were talking about it. Now this thread is all about it. Apparently I underestimated people's interest in kit clashes.

Seem to be two groups on that forum - one group thinking they will win and the other concerned about whether their kit clashes with ours. I like Wednesday, but I hope we stuff them.

I think it will be Mertesacker and Gabriel.

That sounds like Spurs as a whole, so he'll fit in nicely.

Sounds like Koscielny is out and Mertesacker is still being reported as a doubt, but you'd think he'd have recovered by Saturday. Wilshere and Welbeck still out as well.

This is really what it's all about. We'll have a black hole of young fans from the last few years.

Thauvin's free-kick for Williamson's goal is a quality ball. https://twitter.com/andrew2hey/status/636272550071435268/video/1

Hopefully Perez going off means he's starting as well. Front six of Perez, Wijnaldum, Thauvin and Mitrovic probably/hopefully. Oh good god a genuinely w*** worthy front six I'd prefer our front six to actually include six players.

Bring it on.

OptaJoe @OptaJoe 3 - Florian Thauvin is the first player to assist three goals in a League Cup game since Lewis Holtby in September 2013 (v Villa). Trio.