Arsenal Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has all but confirmed Arsenal will sign Samir Nasri, and has welcomed the young Frenchman to North London, admitting he will be a “Great Player”.
Almunia is currently in the United Arab Emirates, where he called in on a local soccer school to give advice to the teenagers, as well as make sure the Arsenal brand becomes an established one in the middle east. Many of the 14-15 year olds were delighted with the session in which Manuel shared tips, and answered questions with the youth stoppers.
However a local news reporter could not help but ask about the signing of Nasri, and Almunia seemed happy with his capture, citing an improvement in squad depth as vital for a title push next season.
“Nasri will surely be a great player but I think we need some more players to be a bigger and better squad. We are a very good squad but we are a bit short.”
Reserves skipper Håvard Nordtveit has received high praise from fellow defensive colleague Gavin Hoyte, as a part of Arsenal.com’s “Reserves week”.
Hoyte noted excellent team spirit as the main reason for Arsenal’s six game unbeaten run, but also said Nordtveit’s leadership, and defensive skills played a part too.
“Havard [Nordtveit] has come in. He is done so well since he got here. He came into a unit that had played together for some time, but was able to fit in without a worry. He is great on the ball, strong with his body and can read the game.
“You could see that he has impressed the manager because he was on the bench at Sunderland. He brings competition for places and that can only help. If there is no competition you might slip and become too relaxed, thinking that it is your place. With players coming in it keeps you on your toes and we all keep trying to better ourselves.”
In other news, Jay Simpson says he is desperate to make a career for himself with the Gunners, and feels that his superb form during his loan spell will stand him in good stead.
Finally Paul Rodgers disagrees with Gavin Hoyte over the unbeaten run, and suggests the physicality of the team via gym work has been the most important thing. Whatever the reason long may it continue.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Good article.
I’m excited about Havard and Nasri.
I cant wait till the Nasri deal becomes official, adn how good is Nordveit, do you think he will be in the first team next year ? i mean on the bench now and again.
How come Le Boss is waiting so long to unveil Nasri? And good for Havard, to come in and be made captain in youe first season is commendable.. Hopefully he will fulfil his potential, as long as he doesn’t come up against someone like Drogba too early in his career and get a lesson..
Maybe because there’s more than one player signing on, Nasri may be a smokescreen
Lol we all know in 8 days if we sign him or not
Yes maybe Ben Arfa is coming too ha, would love it
In previous years when Arsenal have waited a while to unveil a signing we have been presented with a double signing at a press conference! Lets hope this is the case.
When was this mate? can’t remember our last double signing
i hope nasri deal is confirmed
i will kickass at fifa 08 when it is
cant wait for new season
See Spurs have signed Bostock.
Was wondering who is better out of him and Wilshere?
I know they both represent England a year above their age group.
And do you ever think we were in for Bostock?
Its just wishful thinking about a double signing IMO, Ben Arfa wants to stay in France.
It seems the final payment details between the clubs needs sorting out, but everything with the player is done.
As for Nordtveit, he will be playing Carling Cup football next season.
Spurs haven’t signed bostock
http://www.cpfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10323~1321444,00.html
But he’s overrated anyways
Can you remember our last double signing Sanderson?
Nordtveit is a clone od David O’Leary, who made his debut for Arsenal against Burnley on August 16, 1975, and despite being only 17, went on to make 30 appearances that season. For the next ten years he was ever-present in the Arsenal side, playing more than 40 matches a season (except for 1980-81, where he was injured and only played 27). Nordtveit is captain of the reserves side who had a great run in the reserves. He is calm and passes the ball well. The game has moved on since 1975 (33 years ago) but Cesc fabricas was younder when he dae his Arsenal Debut
Nordtveit is good passer and a decent reader of the game but just like our defenders in reserves, U18s and 1st team, he caught too of position too many times. Our defenders rely too much on Pace to get out of jail when they make mistakes instead of having Positioning in comparison the amount of chances that Man Utd will give away when the opposition has the ball & are probing their defence.
Arsene reads these forums so here is my shopping list
P Crouch
SWP
R Dunne
M Richards
S Nasri
M Gomes
thanks arsene ..
In response to Sanderson, if Nordtveit gets in the Carling Cup squad, he will only be the bench unless our opposition is really really weak.
It’s nothing to do with Ben Arfa wanting to stay in France, it’s the control freak which is Jean-Michel Aulas who does not want Ben Arfa to improve which would happen if he sold him to the club renowned for turning rough diamonds into gems.
supergunner07 – if your a good reader of the game doesnt that mean you have good positioning?
B-)Maybe Wenger could make Toure and Gallas co-captains to solve the problem and definitely pay Toure at least the same amoumt of money per week as Gallas. I think that we need a goalkeeper (PSV’s Gomes), a big and aerially dominant centre back (not many truly quality ones nowadays like Adams or Terry to a lesser extent – maybe Raul Albiol or Zapata), two defensive midfielders (Veloso and Yaya Toure), a left winger (Ben Arfa) and a striker to cover van Persie or Eduardo due to injuries (Stuttgart’s Gomez or Villa or Huntelaar). Some cover for the full back positions would be appreciated as well whether we buy or use Eboue (you have to admit he was quite solid as a right back especially during the UEFA Champions League 2006) and Traore.
Does anybody agree and if not, what do you propose?
Agree Chris, that is exactly what it is
By the way about the possibility of the double signing I heard on BBC that Karim Benzema was being signed with Nasri – i do not think it is true but does anybody know more about the story?
By the way about the possibility of the double signing I heard on BBC that Karim Benzema was being signed with Nasri – I do not think if it is true but does anybody know more about the story?
BBC? have u got the link mate?
Think he means the BBC 606 forums?
“In response to Sanderson, if Nordtveit gets in the Carling Cup squad, he will only be the bench unless our opposition is really really weak.”
he was supposed to start against newcastle this year.. is that a weak enough opposition?
yh i think der may be more than 1 signing as the official arsenal spokesman said “There has been no signing yet. In line with our usual policy, we will only announce when they are done.” if u read dat and listen to the words carefully it almost sounds like he is talk about more than 1 person
nah that bbc link was a fake. it was an ‘arsenalvision’ page, conned to look like bbc, like what happened last year
Nordtveit looks like he’s ready to fuck someone up in that picture. Awesome. Maybe in a few years he’ll become the stopper we so desperately need to have guarding our defense? Someone who plays with a Tony Adams-esque “no one gets past me” attitude would really envigorate the squad.
mhtml:http://www.arsenalvision.co.uk/BBC%20SPORT%20%20Football%20-%20Arsenal%20sign%20Benzema.mht
Alright Chris thanks
Benzema to Arsenal???…..Pshhh! Yeah right.
“By the way about the possibility of the double signing I heard on BBC that Karim Benzema was being signed with Nasri – i do not think it is true but does anybody know more about the story?
Arsenal Forever 2004 said this on May 30, 2008 at 12:55 pm”
Its got to be the 606 forums surely? As much as I would love that to be true I don’t think we could realistically compete with the money that clubs would pay for him if he was to come available…
J.Sanderson, you really have a lot of sources to be proud of, can you tell me what “local soccer school” means? I know that in U.A.E they have a ManUtd academy and there was supposed to be another one for Arsenal to be built, so was the session conducted in any of those two academies?
I am not sure whether it was a forum or not but it was written by the sports writer Saj Chowdhury – still do not think it is true!
The last double signing i remember was Overmars and Petit. Anyone…?
It was a soccer school based in the “Jess Arabian Ranches” region.
Means nothing to me, but maybe you will understand better. A boy at the camp kicked off, because he was a gooner and did not get to meet Almunia because he was a striker!
Does anybody have realiable sources which state any other players that we are looking to sign??
Why don’t you just ask your friend in the reserves T.G?
hOW I WISH bENZAMI IS SIGNED THE SQUAD WILL BE HARD IN STRICKING PLUS TWO MORE CLASS MDIFIELDERS AND AT LIST A WINGER AND A DEFENDER OF CLASS
Who said we were even interested, Wenger made comments that he liked him but he has done that with loads of players.
Plus now it seems Hatem wants to commit to Lyon Anyway Linkage
I’m sad for the gooner, maybe our academy there isn’t finished yet, because if it was then all the gooners in the region would be aloud to watch at least.
Thanks for trying to be informative, I appreciate your efforts.
t.g. i think arsneal are looking at aquillani from roma its been all over the news and he has shown his desire for arsenal hope you got enough.
Richard Wright, Francis Jeffers and Giovani Van Bronkhurst were all unveiled together at a press conference if my memory serves me correctly.
Yes other RvP i believe it was overmars and Petit
Angelo…I have my sources mate…the question was does anybody else! I hav clearly stated on previous topics which names I have been told are rumoured around the emirates….now its other people’s turns.
t.g is a player called mamzy pennant coming to arsenal???
When was this mate? can’t remember our last double signing
RVP said this on May 30, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Weren’t Diaby, Theo and Ade done at once?
I’ve got serious doubts about Nordveit making it at Arsenal. He doesn’t really have height or pace and no matter how good he is on the ball i think those two attributes are crucial for a modern day centre back.
Havard is 6ft 2 inches, hes hardly a migit!
#
t.g is a player called mamzy pennant coming to arsenal???
lowthorpe don said this on May 30, 2008 at 1:38 pm
In response to lowthorpe^^^
I dont no if he is comming in for sure but I have heard rumours about this through forums…he supposedly plays for preston north end…
Cannavaro is very short and he still won world player of the year a couple of years back. Defending isn’t always bout height.
i think naziri is a real good prospect for arsenal.
I am happy & Congra to boss arsen. by confrime of nasri.
Michaele From Ethiopia
supergunner07 – if your a good reader of the game doesnt that mean you have good positioning?
ali said this on May 30, 2008 at 12:50 pm
—————————————————–
What players thinks is not what they always do, also i said “decent” reader of the game not awesome. Alot of the defending from the reserves side is poor, particulrly working as a cohesive 4 & sometimes they get away with and sometimes they dont. For me, Paul Rodgers @ full back [mostly right back] has been the impressive one but not @ centre Back.
Ade and Theo were both signed within days, not sure whether they were both unveiled at the same time. Lol, I was thinking at the time – ” Who the hell is Adebayor” :D
Those people thinking or hoping we will sign a striker (Benzema/Villa/Gomez) are dreaming. Why would Arsene be looking to add to our current line up of RVP/Ade/Bendtner/Eduardo? Plus he views Theo & Vela as strikers in the long term. I think he will use Vela as back up for Rosicky at LM (not really cause Rosicky is unfortunately always injured).
Diaby signed on the 12th January 2006, Adebayor signed on the 13th January 2006 and Theo signed on the 20th January 2006.
Bendtner ‘s assist
http://101greatgoals.magnify.net/item/NX6XTM8H04RML202
so the 2-3 weeks that arsene gave himself to do all his summer shopping is just about over…are we gonna get no one then? lol
dont know why he waste his time at psg when his suppose to be busy getting new players
Last ‘double’ signing was Diaby & Adebeyor iirc.
I would wet my pants if Benzema signed, for me that would be a real statement of intent from Arsenal and Wenger. Benzema will be a world star VERY soon. Sadly I don’t have faith that AW would show that much ambition
I have faith that he has ambition but not the budget! Although the board say they would be willing to cough up the funds you have to ask yourself “Would they??”.
I doubt they would, we got Eduardo for approx £10mil last season and Nasri for approx £12 if we get him i can see that being about it!
unless he unearths a cheap gem like Sagna.
We can all wish hope and dream though haha!!
Another doublesigning; Baptista and Gallas…
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aaaah. when will this deal for nasri be announced..every day its ‘to happen tomorrow’ or ‘in the coming days’. also any ideas on what number he will be given? thats if the deal is going to be done
JS…. Can you please explain why on earth John Bostock has joined Spurs?
off topic I know…but I am watching Scotland play anti-football against the Czechs…and they just had a shot of Rosicky sitting on the bench. I know he has been ruled out of Euro 2008, but I guess he is with the squad anyway…but… rather worryingly, I’m sure he had some kind of brace on his leg…he was smiling, but what kind of injury must he have to need such a contraption clamped to his leg? Maybe I just imagined it…did anyone else see this?
They.. offered.. him… money?? There’s probably no way on Gods green earth both Nasri and Benzema could both be signed.. We’d need Chelski-esque money to start with, and a striker from Ade-RVP-Nick-Eddie(recovered)-Vela-Theo(in time) willing to sit on the bench..
Nice assist from Nick too, good link..
Baptista, Denilson and Gallas all arrived on the same day.
Add Nasri, keep Hleb, sign a big, powerful centre-half to partner Gallas/Toure and we’re laughing. Sign a new keeper like Gomes and we’re in dreamland.
After watching the Czech game, I have to say, one player I think would be a good addition to our team is Jaroslav Plasil, is ‘Hlebesque’ in his control, and seems very pacy…the fact he is at Osasuna, who we have good links with because of the Vela loan and is ex Monaco, so I’m sure Arsene knows all about him…Know we will probably never sign him, but for what it’s worth, I just thought I would mention how well I think he would fit in, if Hleb were to leave…
supergunne07 – i dont mena ot sound like im pickin a fight or nothin but how ca nyou tell what hes thinkin? surely his thoughts are demonstrated by how he positions himself…….
fair play to you tho, seem to know more bout the reserves than me
hopefully nasri will com probaly he will wenger wants him bd so i fink hell sign him but if he dont well get ben arfa
benzema, ben arfa and nasri ?!
you’re all in dreamland boys, there is NO way that AW is going to buy more than 1-2 class players….
nasri
maybe yaya toure etc
but to think ..3 big signing is nuts
im sorry boys but you should support someone else if you want money like chelsea and havent you noticed we do have the money but also have you realised that we arent 800 mill in debt ?!
start being realistic fellow gooners
HERE ARE MY VIEWS ON SIGNINGS
—————————–
Micah Richards – Being such an athlete he can play anywhere in defence. Be carefull though he is English and goes 20mill minimum.
Realistically the next Man U right back.
Sebastian Frey – I’ve been watching Serie A games this season and he is a fantastic keeper. Oliver Kahn replacement?
Diego – A Hleb replacement if he decides to leave. Nasri is too young to just step in at the moment and a poor man’s Ribery.
Yaya Toure – A Flamini replacement. Tall, athletic, strong, Kolo’s brother. Can Gattuso be lured by Champions League football?
I remember in 2001, Aresenal had a press conference in which everyone thought we were going to announce the signing of Richard Wright, but than Sol Campbell was reveiled instead and everyone was in complete shock.
One of the newspapers the other day was talking about the signing of Nasri and said Wengers definite other targets were a no nonsence defender, a holding midfielder with lots of energy (to replace Flamini), a more attacking midfielder (to give us more depth) and possibly a striker (can;t rely on RVP’s injury problems and Eduardo is out until xmas the earliest. relieve pressure off Ade)
How would the newspaper no though? I dont see us buying a new striker in a million years as we already have Ade, RVP, Bendtner, Walcott, Vela and Eduardo when hes back from injury. How many strikers do you think we need? The others are plausable however most likely is CB. A holding mid is unlikely as Arsene has already stated that he intends to play Diaby or Gilberto though. Also much as i would like too see us sign another attacking midfielder alongside Nasri i see that as unlikely as: Nasri, Rosicky, Walcott, Vela and Hleb (if he stays) can play on the wings.
JohnV, if Hleb leaves then Nasri is his replacement which means we haven’t actually added any additions to our squad if like you say Gilberto or Diaby replace Hleb. Our squad gets smaller having lost Flamini.
We haven’t got as much strength in depth as as we think and Wenger has already admitted this.
Might be wrong, but I think Sol was unveiled as a signing at a conference that was expected to just be about Richard Wright’s signing. However, I think this build-up is just about red tape, not some amazing mystery signing.
we dont need to sign to many players. flaminis replacement will be the 20 yaer old kid charmolin or something like that from psg.
i have seen him play for psg in a few games over the last season and hes a real live wire and is not afraid to stick the boot in and has a good passing range also has pace. yaya toure is too injury prone, we have been linked with de la red from madrid. Wenger has tried to sign him before hes very highly rated in sapin but will not get into madrids team now so hopefuly we can nab him.
i would like us to sign zapata but the marca reckons hes on the verge of signing for madrid.
nasri a poor mans ribery…firstly ribery is 25 & nasri is 20…secondly was ribery leading his team to the champions league & his teams player of the year by the age of 20…for gods sake he only got into the squad & was known when he was 22, dont get me wrong he’s quality, but nasri is the real deal wengers the fucking man when it comes to these french lads
“I’ve got serious doubts about Nordveit making it at Arsenal. He doesn’t really have height or pace and no matter how good he is on the ball i think those two attributes are crucial for a modern day centre back.”
As what ive seen NOrdtveit aint that slow? more Fm talk that’s making him slow if you ask me..
Hi im a 1st poster on this website but read its content daily. Just in case ne1 was wondering about the bbc article on the benzema story i have put the link below. If it happens would be wicked but highyl doubt it.
http://www.arsenalvision.co.uk/BBC%20SPORT%20%20Football%20-%20Arsenal%20sign%20Benzema.mht
Eduardo coulbe back for the start of the season. Thats as good as a new signing
For the double signing thingy.. Did Henry and Pires comes at the same time and presented at the same press con?
Arsenal just needs Eduardo back and Nasri to complete midfield…but i am curious about this lad Nordtveit…is he that good???
Ohh and of the subject what is your opinion of Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, i think he can become one of the most talented centers in the world
BEN – you obviously aint an arsenal supporter mate or you would nkow that eduardo was never expected at xmas, always about sep-oct now late july or early august thats amazing but this chages everything
now we have by the start of the season;
eduardo
rvp
ade
vela
walcott
bendtner
midfielders;
rosicky
nasri
hleb
cesc
diaby
denilson
gilberto
vela (if needed)
johann djourou (he says he can play DM)
walcott
eboue
fit defenders by start of season;
eboue
sagna
j.hoyte
g.hoyte
toure
gallas
djourou
senderos
nordveit
clichy
traore (he’s amazing just hasnt had his chance)
keepers by start of season;
almunia
fabianski
that other polish keeper we have umm wjochlensy sumin like that
this is what we need by start of season;
nasri
ben arfa
a DM …maybe yaya maybe veloso maybe chantome
and a hardcore CB like the Terry material
and for gods sake give toure higher wages wenger he is much better than gallas !!
why dont they clear these doubts by putting it clear if Nasri has signed or not?they said the guy has signed the day before yesterday, then today they give us ridiculous nformation about him.
WHAT IS ALL THIS NOW?????????
He will sign tomorrow mate
what information have we been given about him today?
Hey ppl any1 know if there any truth to the story that we will swap helb for toure? Any1 have any details about this? any other players we are buying? Thinking that we might need a GK cos we dnt really have a world class 1 anymore. Arsenal!!!!
I believe nasri will be great. But the next step is a centre back wenger talked about someone who has played in england. Micah richards fits the description so maybe he will arrive from the hleb money. I dont think arsene will buy a defensive mid we have denilson, diaby and gilberto. Joao moutinho’s agent has said arsenal are in talks over a transfer
They need a Gk like Bogdan Lobont…he’s way better than Almunia or the other 2 polish guy’s
Nice blog.Keep up with the good work!
mamzy pennant goes to my school he’s an asian and is wicked at football but he is a bit fat or he does look like he is. his school is fulwood high school