Neil

I mean, I just... ah? Eh?!

Is that those five combined for cheaper than Henderson? With some to spare. 1.5 + 2.5 + 3.5 + 4 + 5 if I've got the fees right?

True, but at least the Bent money was justified (mind it was £18m actual fee and a third of that went straight to Spurs). In fact, Henderson > Bent in terms of transfer value. Fucking hell. That's depressing. Imagine what you lot could get for Rodwell? Probably a whole new team My Milner Principle (if Milner's worth £24m, then he's worth £xm) has been replaced by the Henderson Impossibility Theorem. At least Milner had a good season for Villa before his move.

Sczezny looks alright, mainly as he hasn't had time to drop as many clangers as Almunia and Fabianski. Putting your trust in him to win the league next year is madness, though. What makes you think he'll address the defence Ash? Year after year he's supposedly going to sort you out. Year after year he doesn't. It's fucking boring.

£18m. £18m for Jordan fucking Henderson. If that doesn't signify the absurd transfer market we're dealing with then I don't know what does. Cahill, Arteta, Tiote, Cabaye and Ben Arfa all for less than Henderson. Dear Lord.

Good thing Bruce is armed with spending that money. Seriously, that's a disgusting price for a player that does absolutely nothing. But he's young and English I suppose.

I hope Cabaye assaults Clattenberg.

Why? He's out of contract and hardly the player he once was. It's more the thought of Klose lining up alongside Victor Anichebe that amused me.

That means..... they'd be in exactly the same position.

Sorry, the last bit man. Where do they come up with this stuff?

Nobody is saying get rid of both of them this summer. Which is why I didn't point out any particular statement. I'm just emphasising in my view what a disastrous move it would be. God knows what Ashley's thinking.

Just from my views of where you're at currently and I've probably missed some points: it would be an awful move to get rid of Nolan and Barton. Yes, in the long-term it's nice to have a picture of a team with better players than them but for the position you're at in the present, they are essential players for your progress. Changing the team dramatically this summer would be rash to say the least and hence I'd advise yous to hold onto Nolan and Barton at all reasonable costs. I've seen a lot of predictions on here about how your aim for next year is to move up a few places and push for the top 7. I'm not saying that's an entirely unrealistic aim but just as likely at this moment in time is a couple of wrong decisions and progress is stifled, and you could end up moving backwards. This is a big summer for you not for wholesale changes but for keeping the squad together, getting a few players in (namely a good striker at least) and certainly not getting rid of 2 of your most influential players.

What, wait... people are actually happy to get rid of Nolan/Barton this summer?

Nasri, Arshavin and Vermaelen to name 3 recent ones were all around that level, I believe.

Maybe if they get enough floaty attack-minded players, their defensive deficiencies will go away?

I'm joking. I've posted numerous times saying exactly what you said. Not that it surprises me Wenger's (apparently) getting him.

Just what Arsenal need.

Yes, he wasn't good last night - missing an open goal can't be excused. However he can very much hit a barn door for England.

Bent can't hit a barn door for England? He scored in our last qualifier before Switzerland.

We're playing Villarreal in a pre-season friendly for Collina's testimonial.

"baffled"

Oh, so he still exists? That's good.

Surprise swoop on your bitter rivals for David Meyler?

I just don't know what they were playing at. What prompted them to deride Xavi like that?

Ireland are an odd team. They seem to always be there or thereabouts in terms of qualifying but don't actually qualify (last appearance in 2002, right?)