Monday, June 23, 2008

Nasri Finally Signs, The ArseNole Turns One

Ok so it took a lot longer than we all expected, but Samir Nasri is finally an Arsenal player. Sky Sports is reporting the fee at a massive 15.8 million quid, which is a lot more than I expected, and also makes me wonder if they really know what they are talking about. Arsenal almost always signs people on "undisclosed fees."

However, this signing has not yet been confirmed on Arsenal.com. I'm basing this headline on the fact that generally Sky Sports is a respectable news source who doesn't usually make things up just to get people to read. For those of you that are skeptical, I have heard from several sources that he will be taking pictures with his Arsenal shirt this week. It was also confirmed on Nasri's official website, but it seems that the site has now been taken offline...interesting.

Are you all really excited and satisfied that Wenger knows how to manage a football club now? For all of you out there giving him shite about taking a holiday and not signing anyone, well we've now signed two players in less than 2 weeks, even while the Euro's are going on, so piss off. I can't even get that excited about the Nasri signing because of all these wankers that bitch and moan every day about how this club is going down the tube. Go support Chelsea you glory hunting arseclowns. Here's a story for your type about us trying to sign Messi and Henry. It's completely made up so you'll probably like it.

Yeah I don't know where that rant came from. I know it's so terrible of me to think that our manager knows what he's doing. But I'll lay off the coffee.

Disclaimer - For those of you that actually think Wenger does know what he's doing and realize we won't sign every player on the planet, that rant does not apply to you.

As for the Euros yesterday, it was supposed to be a great one with Spain vs Italy. It wasn't great at all. Luca Toni started the whole tournament for Italy and couldn't get one goal. Great return from "one of the best target men in the world." Italy never really had any attacks, and Spain were mostly limited to long range attempts that weren't ever really going to cause Buffon any problems. The one part of the match I did enjoy (other than the ending) was seeing the two best keepers in the world in the same game. They are both absolutely fantastic keepers. It would be nice if we could somehow discover the next Buffon in our youth academy.

But anyways, the match ended 0-0 and had to go to penalties. Spain won 4-2, with Cesc Fabregas netting the winning penalty against Buffon. It was incredible and I honestly cheered. I hope Spain win it all. It'd be great to see Cesc get that trophy. I think he may get to start next match but you know how Aragones is, the old twat. We'll have to wait and see.


The new Arsenal squad numbers are out for this coming season, and there are only a few new ones so far. Aaron Ramsey will be wearing number 16, so it does indeed like he'll immediately be a part of the first team. Manuel Almunia has moved up and taken the number 1 shirt from Mad Jens, who of course has signed with Stuttgart. Carlos Vela, the Mexican prodigy and future Arsenal hero, has chosen number 12. That was Lauren's number. I miss Lauren. He was my favorite. Other than that everyone has stayed the same, which means Samir Nasri can choose between numbers 8, 14, 18, 23, 28, and 29. I'm betting on him picking number 8. You watch.

Speaking of numbers you can pre-order the new kit now. I actually just pre-ordered mine right now. I got Bacary Sagna on it. Are you getting a new kit? If so, who are you getting on it? Vela or Ramsey would be a nice one...although I wouldn't get Alexander Hleb or Adebayor just yet...

Last for today is a nice article on Vito Mannone, who has just been promoted to the first team squad. Congrats Vito, be that next Buffon.


Now is my moment to talk about my website's birthday.

I missed it while I was out of town but on June 18th the ArseNole turned one year old. How crazy is that? When I first wrote I had no contacts and no readers, I just wanted to write about Arsenal. Now a year later we have some frequent readers, some up and coming forums, a podcast, and loads more. If that same kind of improvement happens in this next year then who knows what this site can become. I want to thank you all. Those who read, who comment, who post in the forums, who tell me I don't know what I'm talking about, who clearly know more about it than I do, and those who have made the past year of writing this fun. Everyone have a Guiness to celebrate, and here's to many more years of The ArseNole!

22 comments:

Lord Nacho said...

Good post Arse...
Just ordered my new Eduardo kit via ebay. Will get another as soon as we make the rest of our signings. Sagna a very good choice as well. I am part mexican so I may need to get a Vela jersey to represent my colors.

ArseNole said...

Vela I think is going to be incredible. I can't wait to see him play for us. I may get the away kit with someone else's name, just matters whether or not I can afford it!

Lord Nacho said...

Come on now Arse, you buying only from Arsenal.com? This is where I am getting mine, just make sure it shows the tags and all as so you know it is legit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-08-09-HOME-GUNNERS-SHIRTS-ARSENAL-JERSEYS-SIZE-XL_W0QQitemZ220249612576QQihZ012QQcategoryZ50133QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Lord Nacho said...

You know of any other American Arsenal blogs? I live in LA but I am a regular on Le Grove. Yours is the first that I have found to be decent.

ArseNole said...

I tried bidding on the Fabregas shirt on ebay but someone must have put the max bid at about 40 bucks because I bid 33 and still aren't the high bidder. Other American arsenal sites...I don't know that many honestly. That's kind of how I got started in the first place is because I didn't see any other American Arsenal sites out there. As for Le-Grove...well I'm pretty sure they hate me as they removed me from their link list. Too bad you're way over in LA (Los Angeles or Louisiana??) because I'd love to have a pint or 6 and watch the mighty Gunners with ya.

Lord Nacho said...

The far one, Los Angeles.
In regards to ebay I would say wait a month until the kits are in wide release and you will find them cheap and easy. I bought 2 this past season and never paid more than 35 including shipping for a quality kit. I got the Fab long sleeve white away and a RvP 3rd striped kit both at great value. I need to find a few more good pubs to watch the games. I have one good one nearby but too many fucking scousers and manc cunts. Regardless that doesnt stop me from representing. Cheers. How old are you btw?

ArseNole said...

Yeah amazingly I got a Thierry Henry 05/06 (the redcurrant one) on ebay for 17 bucks before the season even started that year. We've got one good pub there but I hardly ever go because like you said it's all Manc scum so it's just easier to watch at the house. I'm 21, to answer your question

Lord Nacho said...

Cool, 23 myself. Played through college until 2 years ago at UCSB. Had begun playing again recently but took a shot to the knee that I am still recovering from.

ArseNole said...

Woo I tell ya I played 5 a side yesterday and it killed me. I'm so sore today I couldn't believe it. I coach teams now rather than play. I've coached U7, U8, U9, and U12 the past 4 seasons and now I've got a job coaching a middle school team so maybe one day I'll manage Arsenal lol

Anonymous said...

hey joaquin, and arsenole, happy b-day for june 18th!

I knoow of another American based Arsenal blog - http://7amkickoff.wordpress.com

Anyway, when's the next podcast due Arse?

ArseNole said...

next podcast will be sometime this week, just matters when I get to it and what I can get together to put on it. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

And yeah I have also heard of 7 am kickoff but I've never read it that much. I do hear it's a good site though!

Lord Nacho said...

Hah, my old high school team wanted me to come coach the jv or assist at the varsity. I just don't realy have the time with work and all but i may like to at some point.

Anonymous said...

Yeah it's pretty good, hey I'm gonna put a link up to the Arsenole forums in my next post, hopefully can bring you in a few more members.

ArseNole said...

Sounds great. The number of members has been going up lately little by little but I'd really love to make it a huge Arsenal forum for everyone to come discuss the Gunners! Appreciate it a bunch!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the anniversary!

That looks like good news about Nasri, but right now I'm still nervous about Adebayor.

ArseNole said...

Me too Mike. I really don't want to lose him but if it's really 25 million I'd think they'll have to take it. That's just too much for him and we'd probably never be offered that much again

Unknown said...

If we can turn the 25 million into a David Villa or someone of his class, then I agree, the deal probably has to be done.

What worries me the most is the new striker's adjustment time and the loss of team chemistry. If the new guy were to take a long time to find his groove our scoring options could be very limited. Also, with the notable exception of Bendtner, Ade seems to get along pretty well with his teammates. If we bring a new guy in, who knows.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Arsenole...sorry it's late! I'd agree with you about the Nasri fee being higher then I expected....hopefully Arsene's willingness to pay that much means Nasri really is the next Zidane...or something close to that. As for the new kits...I'm waiting for the rest of the squad to be rounded out as well...but I'm kind of thinking about Walcott. Do you think anyone will order an Eboue kit?

Anonymous said...

Next season I really hope either that:
- Eboue is used as a back up for Sagna at right back.
- He becomes an amazing winger!

Anonymous said...

I would add a third Eboue option...

- if the first 2 don't occur then Wenger drops his ass in January

Anonymous said...

Yeah true - remember though that last season we didn't have rosicky for a lot of the time - which was probably why Wenger stuck with Eboue - there were other players i.e. Walcott - but Wenger probably felt he wanted Eboue's experience - I don't like him playing on the wing though..

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you about Eboue...his antics aside I like him at fullback...and I think he shows some skill at winger...it's just in that final 15 yards or so that to me he looks out of his depth...and it's probably unfair to him since it was his first time in the position...but he just never seemed to have an original attacking idea. I'd love to see a big improvement from him this year...I'm just not sure it's going to happen. And to me he DEFINITELY needs to mature some on the field. Keep Eboue away from Gallas!