He would definitely have been available. I'm not sure he'd have accepted a move for personal reasons, but PSG would definitely have accepted a big bid. He's 33 and in the final 12 months of his contract. They already have his replacement in the squad and he's growing tired of not being used in his proper position.

The problem from Arsenal's point of view is the investment. There's no value in a player past 30 aside from what he contributes with on the field, and with some of the biggest wages in the world he'd inflate our wage bill quicker than the club would like.

Took a whole season to address key issues last year; we're looking at the same situation again. Can't believe we signed no attacking reinforcements.

It's not that bad.

We're miles better off than we were last year at this point. Gabriel and Cech have come in to fix two positions which have been problematic for a while. Some of our younger players are entering their prime, and there is something to be said for continuity. I'm happy for us not to get in another mediocre player to marginally improve upon some of our existing mediocre players. Perhaps we'll see the emergence of some of our youngsters. Hell, Welbeck may even come good. There are lots of things to like about our current squad, even if it would have been fun to sign a superstar.

Ivansen wrote:

It's not that bad.

We're miles better off than we were last year at this point. Gabriel and Cech have come in to fix two positions which have been problematic for a while. Some of our younger players are entering their prime, and there is something to be said for continuity. I'm happy for us not to get in another mediocre player to marginally improve upon some of our existing mediocre players. Perhaps we'll see the emergence of some of our youngsters. Hell, Welbeck may even come good. There are lots of things to like about our current squad, even if it would have been fun to sign a superstar.

We have fixed those 2 issues a year after they arose but the problem is we've developed new issues since last season started and we had several other issues then too that remain problematic.

Ivansen wrote:

It's not that bad.

We're miles better off than we were last year at this point. Gabriel and Cech have come in to fix two positions which have been problematic for a while. Some of our younger players are entering their prime, and there is something to be said for continuity. I'm happy for us not to get in another mediocre player to marginally improve upon some of our existing mediocre players. Perhaps we'll see the emergence of some of our youngsters. Hell, Welbeck may even come good. There are lots of things to like about our current squad, even if it would have been fun to sign a superstar.

thats the way to be positive! 

meantime, back to the pitch....  we needed reinforcements    😃

ridiculous.

The difference between us and City/Chelsea have increased this summer. That is all that matters.

United grew closer too. It's far from a given that we'll finish ahead of them right now. I think they might edge it.

United are dross. We will beat them.

They can't even work a fax machine.

Just saw a stat on twitter that Arsenal is the only club to not buy an outfield player aged 18 and above in the European Top Leagues since...2004.

No prizes for guessing which is the last club who did it back then.

Clrnc wrote:

Just saw a stat on twitter that Arsenal is the only club to not buy an outfield player aged 18 and above in the European Top Leagues since...2004.

No prizes for guessing which is the last club who did it back then.

We won the FA Cup that season!  :egg:

Mirth wrote:

They can't even work a fax machine.

That's unfair. They found the Send button 80% of the time. It's also pretty much the standard success rate at most clubs. I believe it's called Faxo's law.

Clrnc wrote:

Just saw a stat on twitter that Arsenal is the only club to not buy an outfield player aged 18 and above in the European Top Leagues since...2004.

No prizes for guessing which is the last club who did it back then.

Does Flamini not count since he was a free transfer?

I wonder if Wenger and Gazidis will come away from this window thinking they've done everything in their power? Surely they must realise that whatever their strategy is, it's incredibly flawed?

Mirth wrote:
Clrnc wrote:

Just saw a stat on twitter that Arsenal is the only club to not buy an outfield player aged 18 and above in the European Top Leagues since...2004.

No prizes for guessing which is the last club who did it back then.

Does Flamini not count since he was a free transfer?

I think it meant the 03/04 season.

This is complete and utter bullshit, Wenger can fuck off. This will be a long and miserable season.

Clrnc wrote:
Mirth wrote:

Does Flamini not count since he was a free transfer?

I think it meant the 03/04 season.

Yeah, we only signed Lehmann iirc

Wtf is the obsession with discounting the GK position as if it doesn't count. Sound like a bunch of Spuds who are looking to stick it in even further. Shame on that nonsense. Embarrassing.