Official Football Discussion Thread 2012/13

[Aniking]

Haha I loved reading this deal going through, and it's not me being a bitter Arsenal fan either. It's more to do with the fact Wenger got EXACTLY what he wanted:

It is understood Arsenal were willing to make Van Persie their highest paid player ever, but never actually offered him a new contract.

The Netherlands international, who scored 44 goals in 57 games for club and country last season, maintained he would not discuss his future until after Arsenal's final match at West Brom on 12 May.

Three days later, he opened dialogue with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis at Wenger's house.

Wenger and Van Persie disagreed on their vision for the club, transfer activity and the team's performance in the 2011-12 campaign.

No contract was discussed and Van Persie joined the Dutch squad on 17 May to begin their preparations for Euro 2012.

He announced he would not be extending his contract on 4 July and returned to training on 17 July, the same week he was the subject of bids from United, Manchester City and Juventus.

All three offers fell short of Arsenal's valuation - they were reluctant to enter formal negotiations until a bid exceeded £20m, and hoped to hold out for £25-30m.

United, City and Juventus increased their offers but, of the three, United were the only side Van Persie would consider joining.
Past transfer dealings

Transfers between Arsenal and Man Utd are rare - Viv Anderson was the last to make the move, in 1987, although Mikael Silvestre did go in the other direction in 2008.

He was not part of the Gunners squad that left on 21 July for a pre-season tour to Asia but did travel with them on 6 August for a week-long training camp in Germany.

It is understood Van Persie was encouraged by the arrivals of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, France striker Olivier Giroud and Spain midfielder Cazorla - to the point where he was open to the idea of staying with or without a new contract.

But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday's friendly victory over Cologne, told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans.

Formal discussions between Arsenal and United began immediately, with Gazidis and United chief executive David Gill agreeing a fee of £22.5m on Tuesday, only for it to be vetoed by Wenger as he held out for £25m.

On Wednesday morning, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson called Wenger to offer £23m and Wenger quoted him £24m.

But a compromise was finally reached on Wednesday evening and Van Persie will travel to Manchester on Thursday to discuss terms and begin his medical.

I got used to Van Persie moving a long time ago, so to see it done is great. He had one top season, is injury prone, 29, doesn't have time on his side and with one trophy to his name he decided to capitalise on that one season. Fine by me. We scored £24m, we got a player who really didn't wanna be there off the books, but also a player that got booed by the travelling Arsenal fans on the weekend against Cologne.

Hopefully we spend that money well and on another top player as it'd be a complete win-win for us.

 

[Lewb]

Rumours are they're looking to secure Hernandez who has looked to be transferred as he wants first team football. Bad move by United losing Hernandez and spending £24M on what will probably only last 3 years tops. Hernandez was a striker that would deliver for 6/7 years guaranteed. Arsenals gain in my eyes if they do get him.

 

[Aniking]

Rumours are they're looking to secure Hernandez who has looked to be transferred as he wants first team football. Bad move by United losing Hernandez and spending £24M on what will probably only last 3 years tops. Hernandez was a striker that would deliver for 6/7 years guaranteed. Arsenals gain in my eyes if they do get him.

I read that too and don't mind it. Hernandez was awesome in his first season at United, but last season he got a few injuries and Welbeck jumped ahead of him. Now Van Persie goes above them both.

He wouldn't necessarily get a lot of first team football as I'd say that Giroud would be picked over him (say Podolski plays LW) but Hernandez would definitely be chosen over Chamakh etc.

 

[Lewb]

I read that too and don't mind it. Hernandez was awesome in his first season at United, but last season he got a few injuries and Welbeck jumped ahead of him. Now Van Persie goes above them both.

He wouldn't necessarily get a lot of first team football as I'd say that Giroud would be picked over him (say Podolski plays LW) but Hernandez would definitely be chosen over Chamakh etc.

You would have a top class replacement which is always needed to challenge. I think Wenger should start with Hernandez as someone who has proven himself in the EPL and work Podolski and Giroud in.

You haven't got the class of Bellamy and Velikonja, but you'll do okay

 

[Pete]

HOLY SHIT ROONEY AND RVP!!!!!

Damn this season's going to be awesome!

 

[Keith]

Still suprised that they let him go to a rival. It is good money and he is a world class striker as far as I am concern but will he stay fit?

 

[Dod Draper]

Another thing, how do United fit Rooney, RVP, Kagawa, Young and Valencia into one team? Then there's Nani aswell.

United have a bigger problem at the back, and in centre midfield. RVP strikes me as a luxury signing.

 

[Prodigy]

This is coming from a United fan - FUCK RVP.

 

[Keith]

Not the best of first weekends imo, still some good upsets hope it is a sign of things to come.

By the way how do you guys think the newly promoted sides will fare? Am sticking my neck out and going for Reading to be the suprise out of them. Think they will be strong at home and have an impressive young manager.

 

[Dale]

I like Nigel Adkins and I think they'll be in for a battle this season but I hope he manages to keep Southampton up, not sure about Reading though. West Ham I would expect to stay up with relative ease, Big Sam knows the league inside out and what needs to be done to get it done even if it's not pretty.

As far as the opening weekend goes, I think it's been quite an interesting one from my view point. You had newly promoted Southampton going to the Etihad and given the champions a real scare and Man Utd losing already despite all the hoohah about RVP and what not. Swansea who many people thought would struggle after the manager, Gylfi & Allen leaving battered QPR who themselves have spent a fair bit of money and brought in plenty of new signings. Fulham I thought might struggle after losing Danny Murphy and now Clint Dempsey has thrown his toys out of the pram but they've gone and given Norwich a good pounding too. Then to finish off Liverpool get a drubbing at WBA who I was unsure about after bringing in Steve Clarke to replace Roy Hodgson.

Pretty eventful weekend i'd say and that's not factoring in Arsenal's life after RVP and a pretty big opening match between Newcastle & Spurs.

Hopefully we can keep this thread active every week now

 

[The Cork]

Can someone ask van Persie how much of a cunt he feels now?

 

[Dale]

Don't understand that sentiment at all, he'll finish higher than Arsenal and win more trophies than Arsenal will.

 

[The Cork]

Based on us being undefeated and them losing all their league games so far this season, I don't see how you came to that conclusion.

 

[Prodigy]

Based on us being undefeated and them losing all their league games so far this season, I don't see how you came to that conclusion.

And I don't get how you're coming up with a ridiculous conclusion, ONE GAME into the season. At least Dale has the respect and decency to not be a cock, and celebrate RVP not scoring, and United losing, even though he doesn't support us. United always start slow, so please come back to me in January with the same statement so I can laugh at you. Arsenal DREW with fucking Sunderland, a team that yoyo's around the the leagues more than Kelly Kelly yoyo's around the WWE locker room. I'm gonna laugh when Stoke beat you.

 

[Dale]

Yeah, i'm sure he feels a massive cunt then and wishes he could turn back the clock, just like Samir Nasri who only moved to Man City for the money and same with Gael Clichy who supposedly wasn't good enough for Arsenal.

Infact I bet he was laughing watching his replacement spoon wide from 6 yards out.