Arsenal have spoken to the agent of Benfica defender Rafik Halliche, according to reports in France. The 23-year-old is currently on holiday after featuring for Algeria at the World Cup, but a meeting has been planned with the players agent to discuss his availability in the coming days.
Halliche joined Benfica after impressing for Algerian outfit Hussein Dey, and is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most promising young centre backs. The Portuguese outfit sent him on loan to Nacional for two seasons to gain vital experience, and although he sustained some niggling injuries, Rafik largely impressed.
Arsene Wenger has been commentating on Algeria’s matches during this World Cup, and instructed an official to seek talks with the appropriate representatives. Now, according to sources close to Chronofoot.com, Arsenal have booked Halliche’s agent into a hotel room in North London and want to hold further talks regarding a potential transfer.
It’s thought that the powerful centre half would join fellow youngster Håvard Nordtveit in battling for a first-team place, should the Gunners decide to press on with a bid.
Interesting.
Interesting indeed… I rate Bougherra over this guy though.
Great work J…… I would like to ask you your opinion about Håvard Nordtveit, what do you think? will he be ready enough to be 4th choice CB in coming season, he is 20 and should be ready by now after 3 loans…He’s 6 foot 1, so enough tall…what’s your take on this one?
It’s all in Arsene Wenger’s hands. He will come back for pre-season and the boss will look at him and decide if he needs a Prem loan to top up his experience, or if he can go straight into the first-team.
I think after 14 starts in the Bundesliga he deserves a chance. If he doesn’t fit in, then a loan in January.
Nordtveit is good enough now, he is ready for the premiership. While he was in lillestrom he ruled, totally outshined the other defenders, each of them around 30 with 10 years in the top-flight, and he plays RB too. He is never out of position, 9 out of 10 crosses hits target(at lillestrom he crossed mainly towards the strikers), he should really replace sagna even though he’s not as offensive-minded or as fast. I’m not worried if we do not buy a new CB in addition to kosc?????, just means nordtveit is ready. Why he was not brought back when we had to play silvestre i will never understand. If Norway had a mediocre manager he would have been capped, sadly we had a real looser the last few years, who never replaced a player since he took over. We seem too have a policy in our country where you have too be geriatric to play CB, there has not been a CB under 30 for 10 years. Nordtveit is a victim of reversed ageism.
I think he is still lacking some body strength..
no one really knows how much he has grown in his loan spell so I am not going to say Norvedit lacks something because we really dont know
what I know is that he looked a very good defender when he was with us and the only thing lacking was his phsyique
http://www.tribalfootball.com/west-ham-ponder-bid-benfica-defender-rafik-halliche-939031
thats interesting. come on wenger get kjaer!!!
Kjar is too expensive simple as that
his fame has made him too expensive and I am sure there are cheaper options with the same ability and talent
Pingback: Tweets that mention Arsenal Seek Meeting Over Benfica’s Halliche | Young Guns - Arsenal Reserves & Youth News -- Topsy.com
we need a proper english centre back like a Tony Adams or a Sol Campbell
and who is it you are talking about??? becos i never saw the proper english defender @ the world cup. Maybe Terry or Upson.
English players are over rated and over priced…
If you wanna talk about Rodwell??? asking price £25million for Rodwell???!!!.
I wont mind having another Tony Adams
hopefully bartley can be our tony adams but J isnt our backline getting too young
Or like Upson or Carragher?
English centreback right now are rubbish.
j can you confirm whether or not kocielny will come is as a back up,if he does do you not think that is wasting money,when we could go for a far better player and put that sum towards the better signing?
Koscielny isnt a backup
NOT A BACKUP
Dam no player is guaranteed to success in a club no matter what, look at veron. Forlan, Berbetov et al…however when it comes to buying players AW is as good as it comes, so trust his judgement…we complain whatever he does..the question we have to answer is do we need famous players ( like England internationals) or good players ( like TV 5)
Good points Dilshan and well made.
the biggest example of this is ricardo quaresma
I’ve seen Algeria play many times, and he has really impressed me. I think he might be the defender with more potential between him and Bougherra.
J do you happen to know anything about anything about cole or any other transfers other than koscielny (which you announced before any site). Is there anything on a goalie because for the hell of it we badly need one unless sczesney is given a ago which for me wouldnt be a bad thing.
If possible, avoid African and South-American players. Africa Cup and Carlos Vela’s flights – need I say more?
Alex song, Ddier Drogba, Essein, lionel messi….need i say more lol. Yah avoid Africans and south americans. That is the way to success lol.
Name me one successful club side in the last 10 years that didn’t have an African or South American playing regularly
Well…Manchester United for one…
But I agree, silly to avoid Africans and South Americans. Particularly South Americans… Just look at the World Cup – they’ve got some pretty darn good players from that continent.
Carlos Vela is Mexican. Mexico is in North America.
I agree with those who think we have too much youth in our Center Backs. That is why bringing Sol back is crucial. Then we have TV, Djourou, Sol, Koscielny(no club how to spell), Bartley and Nordveit. Plenty of athleticism, size, skill and some experience. Sol could play two or three times a month and get plenty of rest.
Benfica seem to have a top, top academy on par with our own. Look at the players they produce; Di Maria, this guy and David Luiz… Speakig of the latter, could he be the person to bring in as back up 4 JD, TV and LK? I’m a big fan of Kjaer as he can move the ball and pass it ecsquisitely, but lets face it he’s gonna cost 15m – upwards.
You seem to have a fairly good idea when it comes to young talent J, what do you think?
Benfica didn’t produce those guys Di Maria was known well before his move to Benfica, in fact we were linked with him. It seems we even agreed a price but stalled whilst tracking other players. It was a couple of years back now so it could have been either Arshavin or Van Persie we got instead.
Benfica are well known for creaming off Brazilian talent. They speak Portuguese in Brazil so it is a much easier step for young Brazilians to take on their road to stardom. If only we could have an ‘arrangement’ with them instead of Salamanca.
arsene wengers judgment over these past 5 years has not been good enough,thus us being trophyless dilshan.
you are a moron
@DAN THATS THE STUPIDEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD
MAYBE US NOT WINNING TROPHIES HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE NEW STADIUM AND THE ASTRONOMICAL DEBT IT CAUSED ON THE CLUB
African- Injuries..He fit’s all the right notes for Wenger, sounds like a deal.
I would prefer us to go after an Englishman like Cahill to be honest. Forget trying to do things on the cheap!! Cahill is the real deal why let him go to united?
Y would he go to united when they have Vidic, Ferdinand, O’ Shea, Evans, Brown, Smalling? to sit on the bench and win trophies? Doubtful
Cahill is hugely over-rated, like most English players. He can attack a high ball with gusto and that’s about it. I don’t get what people are seeing in him.
The real deal lol. The same guy that was let go by Villa. This is why people say English players are overrated. The fact is wenger can get a better foreign player for 1/3 the price.
cahill is a good player but not worth 15-20 million pounds
Wenger when he signs centre backs with no pace they seem to be flops ie senderso, cygan, stephanovs, luhnzy whilst when he bought toure, campbell, lauren,vermaelen, galls they seem to be good
Good point
Damn it seems like wengers trying to turn us back into a young side again. Whats up with all these 22/23 year old CBs?
Young size the way forward… The young germans sent the experienced, old english home…
All they need, is believe and hard work.
i love this blog! always one step ahead…
i’m excited by the possibility that wenger might actually buy more than just koscielny for our defence. this hallicche character sounds ok to me.
23 years old with a couple years of top flight experience is perfect!
we don’t want any 30+ yr old guys coming in anymore because it would upset the balance dynamic of the squad. the arsenal team has spent enough time with grandads like henry, gallas, silvestre and campbell looking after them. what we need now is guys who are 23-25 with a bit of experience and physicality. these are not kids by any means.
I have only seen this guy 3 times, so I can’t really tell how good he is, but Algeria didn’t concede too many goals, and he did look pretty solid in the 3 matches that I saw. I think we can forget about Kjaer. He’s very good, but he isn’t great and he’s not worth 15 million pounds yet. I watched Palermo at least 10 times last year, and at first i was impressed, but then as the season wore on I think he tired a little and didn’t perform as well. He will get even stronger physically though. And ideally we want a killer to partner Vermaelen in defence. Koscielny isn’t that but that’s ok. It sounds like he can do a really good job anyways. But we don’t need another ball-playing centre back. We have TV, Miquel, Djourou, Nordtveit and even Bartley can do thus. A real killer is needed lol. I mean obviously the guy has got to be able to pass, but for the 1st team that is what is needed. Bartley may be able to do this if he gets some chances. He could develop into this role. And he can pass.
As a die hard Benfica fan i would advise against this move. Halliche is an alright player but if he isn’t good enough for Benfica i highly doubt he will make an impact in the Premiership. But on the other hand, the economy sucks (due to the Wanker Bankers) so if Arsenal has Pounds to spare we’ll gladly accept. What i would advise is Arsenal to gather funds and try David Luiz. The kid has no limits and will be a quality player for any team.
first of all thaks 4 the info wondrinfree!
secondly i’ve done som research on David Luiz the last hour, and he seems awesome. Tall, strong, young, loads of potensial there! we shouldnt have to break the bank 4 him either. I reckon under 10m would do it
luiz ain’t coming to arsenal…big big prices have been quoted for this guy, and we don’t have that kind of dosh to spend on single players.
10 million? From what I’ve read Real are willing to offer £25m for David Luiz. If that’s true he’s just way out of our league. Someone I’ve been impressed with in the World Cup is Bruno Alves. He’s 28 and there’s only 2 years left on his contract with Porto, so his value must be £12m tops.
David Luiz is a replica of Carlos Puyol. The prices of players is crazy tho. The fact is we can buy a less known just as talented player rather then compete for over priced players. All great players were unknowns at sometime in their lives.
I don’t usually call for signings on what I see over a tournament only but eduardo, the Portuguese keeper looks very sound. Obviously I’ve only seen his four games so don’t have much to comment on but from what I’ve seen I would certainly say he’s an option. A late bloomer but maybe what we need before the likes of szscesny take over.
I like Eduardo too. He’s shown some great reactions and good agility to pull off some brilliant saves. He looks brave and confident, and at 27 he’s still pretty young for a GK. I can see him going to a big european club.
If we went younger….Diego Alves would be my prefered choice or my favorite keeper Tim Howard, but we will sign a old keeper just to keep the seat warm for Schezny.
nonameslb,as usual wenger likes to do it on the cheap,wenger will offer you lot a fiver for luis and someone else will come in with real money and get a quality defender,all because wenger is a very stubborn man.
I thought David Luiz was going to Real Madrid. If he is it’s not the end of the world because we’ll find someone else who can do the same thing either through our youth program or via a transfer right?? I know that this way requires more pacience, but it will mean less money spent. He’ll probably go for upwards of 15 million pounds right?? We could probably find someone else for a much cheaper price than that don’t you think??
Hallich is very good defacer if You see him With Algeria
in wourld Cup you will know That hellich great
So good luck !
I think it also says Arsenal dont have money.
If we are going for haliche whos on loan from Benfica tells me there isnt money available.
But to be honest we need 4 good reliable centre backs. God help us if vermaelen and djourou both get injured we would have to rely on 2 unproven centre backs in koscileny and haliche if he moves.
i wouldn’t call koscielny or halliche unproven!
one has broken all sorts of defensive records in his first season in the french top flight and one has just played for his team at the world cup (which is more than vermaelen has done).
actually i wonder if koscielny is about to be capped for france, now that they are needing a rebuild.
all it means is that we know where to find players and dont buy players in their prime
its not a secret that we cant afford to buy players like Ronaldo or Messi.
And its also not a secret that we are financially not able to compete with the likes of united, barca and real. This stadium is bringing us closer and closer to them and in a decade we should take over United and become the dominant power in england
I think when wenger leaves we need to bring a manager like him to continue this process
I agree with Andrew there. Wenger aint gonna be around forever; I also think the next manager should at least make Steve Bould the assistant manager because he would have known all the players from when they were like 16-18. (plus won 2 youth leagues and a cup in his first couple years in charge so no-one can can complain about that :) )
I hope Watt and all the young guns get a real chance to impress during next season. Carling cup is one thing but is someone is really bad game after game like walcott is then someone else should be given the chance. We can’t go another season without a trophy. If you are not good enough then go to somewhere else.
If walcott can’t impress during friendlies how the hell is he gonna impress during germany? Podolski and a few other are pretty fast too so he can’t run like he used to do. So easy to read his mind now days.
you want a trophy but suggest Watt should be played? lol….those 2 dont go together.
fabgreas when he trained with Walcott said he has the same talent as MESSI
thats saying a lot I think Walcott hasnt gone backwards he has been plauged with injuries.
He had a shoulder problem that runs in his family and he got it corrected I hope kicks on form next season
but he has talent
I find it funny and sad how many Arsenal fans and pundits alike have completely written off Theo Walcott, when he’s a) shown glimpses of incredible ability but just needs to develop consistency (about half the games he’s in, he’s been brilliant…and half not so brilliant) b) got all the physical traits and most of the technical traits to succeed as a footballer (fast, deceptively strong, good ball control…just needs to work on his crossing on occasion) and most importantly c) only recently turned 21 years old. His one weakness will improve with time and experience – tactical awareness – but honestly, except Ozil, who are the attacking midfielders under 21 you’d rather have in your team?
There are alot. The jury is still out on walcott but there are alot of great young attackers out there. Eden Hazard, Alax Dzagoev, Jack Wilshere (thank god we already have him), Paulo Henrique, Javier Pastore, etc. On the Ozil comment, the funniest thing that people forget is the Germany’s biggest talent isnt even one of the ones doing big things at the world cup. Toni Kroos is that guy. If we lost Fabregas, he would be my first choice. Unfortunetly he is already at a big club.
Pingback: The Goon Blog | Sol Campbell is leaving for Celtic, it seems
If arsene wenger bought that eduardo from portugal we would win silverware!! He’s exactly what we need a world class keeper that isn’t at a big club and shouldn’t cost to much! Not too young not too old!!
But I doubt wenger will go 4 him because he will say the price went up to much during the world cup! and iis it me or doesn’t any1 else think schwarser is about the same as almunia!! We need world class or world class potential (sczeszny!!)
calm down with the word “world class”….you dont earn that over a 4 game period. He looks good but there are better then him Diego Alves from almeria is one of those.
He’s not world class, but certainly he has the potential to become world class. I watched all the Portugal games (being Portuguese myself) and he was a rock at the back for us. He made 2 great saves against Brazil and even better ones against Spain. And the one goal he let in all tournament only went in at the second attempt. He made a superb stop with his feet, then got straight up and almost got his fingertips to Villa’s follow-up. I might be biased, but for me he’s been the best GK of the tournament and I think he’s going to be an excellent buy for whoever snaps him up from Braga.
He has a 4 Million Euro release clause.
And Wolfsburg offered Berlin 1,1 million Euros for Friedrich. For 2,5 Million he would be ours.
Eduardo 4 Million + Friedrich 2,5 Million + Chamakh free + possibly cole free what a bargain season.
I also hope koscielny knows english cause a centre back needs to coomunicate well he better learn English fast i just hope he knows some basic english
Well on GK’s, I can’t wait for Szczesny to get his chance… Also I dont think Vito is too bad either. However, if we were talking transfers, Kameni of Espanyol has been very impressive to me. I didn’t get a chance to study his performances in the WC but, I think club form is more important anyway. However, I suspect he would be too young for Arsenal to sign as it might signal to the other youngsters that we are going another direction. At least that is the only reason i can imagine Wenger is considering Schwarzer.
Schwarzer is an experienced keeper who has done consistenly well for every club he has gone too
he is the right age because he is old enough to get two or three season out of and he wont stand in the way of Tech9 or Mannone
Schwarzer is also familiar with the rigours of the PL.
There will be no surprises for him going to places like Stoke and the like. He knows what’s required to face the bottom and the top, and he’s been doing it for a while.
Sure, I have high regards for Schwarzer, just never saw him as a World Class keeper, even in his prime. I only felt he is marginally better than Almunia. Perhaps more consistent and confident, which obviously is welcomed. However, I was just implying that I am a bit worried he is being targeted more for the age than the ability. Its too bad Szczesny and Vito are not a bit more experienced as I think Wenger will be reluctant to throw them in the deep end too early, based on Fabianski’s troubles. Confidence is too important for a keeper and too fragile for some youngsters.
BTW – Aren’t Citeh going to do another clear out of their playing staff? If so, it wouldn’t hurt to have a look over in Manchester for some new players?!?!
Richards, SWP, Onouha, Ireland, De Jong – have all been linked away – and I think getting any one of those players wouldn’t be a bad move.
SWP? Come on he is useless now. Nobody can tell me he is better than Theo, it simply isn’t born out in reality! Richards, Ireland and Onouha would all be worth a punt but they would also be all quite expensive!
Richard and De Jong would be my pick
De Jong has proved it again and again in this role and i think a midfield of Song and De Jong would be unstoppable
Richards has done it as a CB and RB in city and I would take him over Halliche
This is very interesting, I thought Wenger might have gone for Bougherra. Strong defender, and did you see the way he marked Rooney? Love it!!
WHy didn’t we go for Jerome Boateng?? Can’t believe that City got him for less than we’re going to pay for that French fella.
city got him for 12 million pounds + how is that the same price
we got koscielny for 8.5 million pounds + incentives
Pingback: Sol Meeting With Celtic; Arsenal in for Algerian Defender(s)?; Balotelli and Remy Discuss Arsenal - - The Offside - Arsenal Football Club Blog
Boateng to compete with the kids?
Was Djorou not playing for Swiss in last WC?
i have watcjed every match in the world cup and seen him play , he is not that good
i think we should go for diego godin from uruguay and plays for vilareal
he is young and very composed on the ball and can charge out of defense and score some lovely goals
i think we should go for diego godin from vilareal he is young and very composed on the ball and can charge out of defense and score some lovely goals
Diego Godin is an excellent shout actually.
Very hard working, determined and tough player to beat. Very impressed with Uruguay’s defenders actually.
Would be ace if Wenger could buy one more player as we all know we’ll suffer injuries this season.
Also would love us to go for Stephen Ireland. Chav off the pitch he might be but extremely intelligent on the pitch and gets about well. Though Diaby is AW’s first pick next to Song and Fab, a Song-Fab-ireland mix would be very nice too.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Arsenal-s-Henri-Lansbury-set-for-Newcastle-article502351.html
Lansbury at Newcastle…cool
he said what he saw in lansbury but were looking at cleverly and Wilshere if they cant get them then they will go for Lansbury
Lansbury going there on a loan period, be it 6 months or a year would be great. he’s shown he can do it at the lower levels but there is a difference between that and arsenal’s first team.
Realistically he still needs that as part of his developlement. The same goes for young Jack as well. If they both had another season away they would be knocking on the door of the first team imo.
Back to the article, if this lad is 23 with first team and international experience, surely he should be walking into the first team mix….. I would assume they will move for him if Campbell moves to Celtic and HV will become CB#5
doesnt he play for nacional de madeira and not benfica?
he played their on loan
Kosicelny – 25
Vermaelen – 24
Djourou – 23
Nordtveit – 20
that’s a very young CB pairing.
Halliche I am sure is a good CB I dont doubt that for a second but adding a 23 year old means adding a young CB to a very young lineup
I think if we want to add a CB then he should either be in his late 20s or in his early 30s
this doesnt just provide experienced CB to a very young lineup it also means defenders like Bartley can come in and take their place when these CBs retire
If I was upto me then i would go for either Upson he just 31 still has 3 years ahead of him and maybe 1-2 if we try to push for more
Cmon
Upson? He’s rubbish now. Slow, lacks positional sense — he would be massacred with the kind of game we play
Upson is an OK CB and as a 4th choice CB I think he would do a GREAT JOB
hes not the best but a good english CB
I would be happy with Richards. English, quick, good in the air and can play RB or CB.
Lansbury to Newcastle sounds like a good move for all parties
Richards is also rubbish. He has gone backwards since his England cap, and his positioning is woeful. I remember watching Man City thrash Burnley and he still managed to look shaky and was constantly in the wrong place.
If anything, he is a RB. Certainly not a natural defender.
Jay, what do you think of Kyle Bartleys chances of making it at Arsenal?
Oh god, I hope not. This guy is so slow, he’s not going to work with our high line. I watch a lot of African football as an Egyptian and have seen him live a lot. He’s strong, and a fighter but he’s so slow that Moteab, a not so fast Egyptian striker, raced him to the ball and got an advantage over him and he had to tackle him and so was sent off in the last African Cup of Nations. That was Moteab, I’d hate to see what Agbonlahor, Rooney, Bent, Defoe and co would do to him.
I hope we look for someone with similar capabilities but faster.
to be fair….like you said , you are Egyotian. Cant really take your comments on an unbias level after what has happend this last qualifying campaign. It would be like asking an irish person what their opinion is on Henry.
I understand what you’re saying but I am not saying he’s a bad defender or anything. It’s just that he’s not suited for our game. He’d be very good in England but in a more counter attacking side with a deep defensive line so fast players are not a problem.
@Andy, When you say “English” are you euphemistically saying “Cheap”?
Once upon a time, the prices for English players were over inflated, due to their being, well…..English. But times change I guess.
23/24 is the perfect age for a CB. I know pwople keep talking about Bartley and Nordeit but really and honestly 20 is too young for a CB. 23 is when they start to mature their game look at TV he arriced as 23 yr ols with enough regular football under his belt and flourished.
CB is such a different position demanding a more mature mind. 18-21 yr old forwards and attacking mids are so, so different. It is not as mentally demanding.
Seriously if we get this Algerian guy plus Koscielny, Vermaelen and Djourou all are 22-24 and will be the absolute future of our club. Absolutely perfect we will dominate.
Believe me AW is only laying the foundations for 10yrs of pure dominance at home and abroad.
We’ll win at least 2 trophies next year – possibly league and FA cup. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see us win the domestic cup double and go close in the league and CL. That would suit me fine.
But seriously I feel we have the personnel to win this league comfortably next season.
World class gems like Cesc, VP, Arshavin. Add to that class acts that need one more season to prove they are in the same ilk – Nasri, Song, chamakh, Bendtner.
Solid defence in Sagna, Eboue, Clichy, gibbs, Vermaelen
We really have a huge squad and will go far this season.
I even stuck £50 on at 6/1 at the end of may I’m that convinced
I hope you’re right but a lot depends on who we sign in the summer
With campbell probably leaving I am not totally against this,we certainly need another CB that’s for sure.
Well at least Wenger is bring height into our squad ie chamakh, kosicleny, pedro botelho, mark schawzeer possibly and maybe another 6ft plus defender
Cant believe someone suggested tim howard – he isn’t good enough for the glory gooners!!! Reckon handanovic may be the solution for our goal keeping problems. He played against us for slovenia and has had a great domestic season. A little pricey but maybe get him for around 9m.
is almunia good enough??????????
tim howard is an excellent choice and we had a chance to sign him before United but because of his medical condition our medical staff advised against it
Chen….i assume you are one of those “America sucks” people so your point is well, pointless lol. Tim Howard has been one of the best keepers in the world over recent seasons, regardless if he is american or not.
Reckon we’ll also get phillipe melo, kocielny and maybe another attack minded player. Love to see krasic at the emirates next season!! Another centre back is needed,
its very true we cannot and must not spend too much money on players…
we need 2 cbs and a def mid ….. this is a must…..
denielson, lansbury, must go on loan….
sell eddy…..
we have a good midfield…..
cecs, song, nasri, rosicky, diaby, ramsay, a new def mid
Norvedit can play DM and wenger is going to trust Eastmond, denilson and Nordtveit with the responsibility for covering for Song
dont know if anyone else has mentioned this but kjaer has a release clause in hes contract for £10.3 mill… seems like a bargain to me…. very similar to tommy v just right sided! if we dont sign him the spuds will!
The Halliche and Bougherra partnership are the main reason Algeria made it to the world cup from probably the toughest group ahead of Egypt. I would personally prefer Bougherra for his experience in England and Scotland and also for his recovery pace. Halliche is a good reader of the game and is probably the best out of the two in the long run. I would be happy with Halliche as a squad player maybe in the place of Campbell to play in matches were we need a physical defender rather than a Gallas type
As an Egyptian, I have to agree that both defenders are decent. However, from the matches I saw of Algeria in the qualifiers, the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup, I feel that as a team they only perform well defensively when they are set up to defend and counter. However, they kind of fail to play possession and stay defensively solid, which happened against Malawi and Egypt in the African Cup of Nations and made Saadane return to the tried and tested syle of play. I think this might be a problem for us, since we play a high line are inherently an attacking side. If we are not going to get an experience CB along with Koscielny, then I’d rather we get a more mobile defender and not Halliche.
Nice one Shane and Andrew!! I don’t hate Americans at all, but thanks for the slight of my personality. It also looks like my opinion is not agreed with by others but don’t be an idiot and say stupid things!! I have to say that i think Howard is not good enough for us, another Almunia!! We are the glory gooners!!!!!
Pascal Cygan returns in an Algerian disguise. Wow, that’s progress for you!
Someone please tell me that with the supposed war chest Wenger has, he is going to spend real money on an experienced world class, cant-miss central defender. It’s pretty obvious by now that nothing less will do if Arsenal plans on winning the premiership instead of fizzling out yet again.