The Prophet

It better just be a loan. Long term, there's no way we're going to be able keep him and Krul happy

I'd prefer Cissokho/M'Bengue to Pieters but to be quite frank I couldn't give a toss, as long as one of them signs in time to kick off on Saturday.

If I was an Arsenal fan I think my patients would be wearing thin.

Flexibility in terms of what is excessive force, sure, that is the referee's job to determine what is excessive force. Barton used excessive force when not challenging for the ball. He is guilty of violent conduct. He should have been sent off. ...but if you were to take 'excessive' as literal every player in the ruck could have been sent off.

The rules will be flexible, they'll be worded that way for guidance. Wullie iis spot on though.

Barton never deserved a straight red like, I could maybe understand a yellow for shirt grabbing and a yellow for his ridiculous dive but never a straight red. As the rule above, it won't be stricht it'll be a rough guide.

If we could get him for next to Kuyt, we'd be Robben them blind.

Are we still in the Huntelaar for this guy?

I'd take a spawny 1-0, Barton diving over Cattermole's leg to win a last gasp penalty.

Ow man, players don't exist until they come over to our little island, have you not heard?

I'd have Maynard here.

Gah bloody thing wouldn't let me log on to change my team in time, at least Silva's my captain

Got two quid on 3-0 and two quid on 4-0 so I fully expect a Swansea goal or a 5-0 win.

Thought they were signing some Costa Rican striker? His name escapes me.

Funny how Douglas new absolutely nothing about Maiga until it was reorted in the French press.

They'll give him a bit more money and he'll probably stay I reckon. They've flat out rejected our bid it seems, which is weird because they allowed us to talk to the player. Looks like they will prbably only allow him to leave for more money. Ashley doesn't do more money ... Did Barca want to sell Cesc? Did we want to sell Enrique? Both accepted bids lower than what they regarded as value for their players simply because the player wanted to leave. It's very rare the player doesn't get his way. Yeah, well if it does happen it won't be in time for this weekend I don't think, which is unfortunate. Hope I'm wrong though. Enrique was in the last year of his deal, which made it tough. Fabregas, eveyone was just sick of his whiny little face, and supposed aching hamstrings! Hope your right though! Although we will surly have other ironsin the fire anyway FWIW I don't know a lot about the lad and therefore can't really comment on how positive I feel about deal. I just think once a player goes on strike the writing is pretty much on the wall.

Speaking of which, any word on Song? Needs the book throwing at him

They'll give him a bit more money and he'll probably stay I reckon. They've flat out rejected our bid it seems, which is weird because they allowed us to talk to the player. Looks like they will prbably only allow him to leave for more money. Ashley doesn't do more money ... Did Barca want to sell Cesc? Did we want to sell Enrique? Both accepted bids lower than what they regarded as value for their players simply because the player wanted to leave. It's very rare the player doesn't get his way.

In fairness he whacked a couple of decent crosses into the mixer but they had no one attacking them. He's probably used to having an out and out forward like Sow about to bury them.

As ourselves and Arsenal have found this summer, football is all about player power. As soon as player has his head turned and is desperate to leave it is nigh on impossible to keep hold of them. If we really want him it's a case of when rather than if.

In that order? Nah, centre back is the priority in my opinion. To be honest GK is last of our worries. If it was me I'd go centre back, left back, winger, striker, centre mid, keeper. A centre back and left back are absolutely essential. Unsure why you didn't stick a bid in for Enrique at the price he went for, bargain.

Aye, had a rather shoddy one in three record didn't he?

In that order? Nah, centre back is the priority in my opinion.

For me at least, Arsenal's priorities should be a keeper, a centre back, a left back and a striker to cover Van Persie's annual break down. The midfield still looks pretty damn strong.