Wenger Reveals Plans For Reserves Captain Nordtveit
Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger has revealed his plans for Norwegian defender Håvard Nordtveit, saying he expects the 18 year old to step up to his first team during the coming campaign.
During a press conference yesterday afternoon, Wenger was mainly asked about striker Emmanuel Adebayor, but one journalist chose to change the subject. A reporter for Norwegian newspaper “Dagbladet” asked the Gunners chief:
“What do you expect of Nordtveit this season?”
Arsène took no time to ponder the question, and quickly enthused:
“I expect that he takes the step up to the first team and get a few games there.”
Håvard will return to training on July 7th with the first team squad, and although he made the bench during the final Premiership game of the season, Nordtveit admits his long awaited debut should have come much earlier.
The Reserves skipper was penciled in to start the Carling Cup game against Newcastle last January, but after picking up a knee injury, was forced to take a late fitness test.
“Steve Rowley came up to me while I was at the physio. ‘60.000 people is waiting, and you’re in the starting line up.’
“I got the message two minutes later that I couldn’t play the game.”
Whilst the next three months were tinged with disappointment, he returned in stunning form for the Reserves, and helped them establish an eight game unbeaten run. The coming season promises much more for the exciting prospect, and with Wenger not deciding against buying a new central defender, chances will soon open up.
Article By – J.Sanderson
I think he can become a wonderful player for us. Hes evidently got incredible drive, ny1 whos seen him play for the reserves knows hes got the talent, and i cant wait to see him get his debut.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:36 pm
oh nice one j man you are too good at this man. anyway what do you make of diogo/nasri/bichoff/santacruz/martins coming to arsenal.???? keep up the work, as i am addicted to this site. kl
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Yes, Nordbeit look’s like he will be a great player, but we still need a new CB who can play now.
Magic Merse said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Nordtveit is such an outstanding young prospect, all aspects of his game are first class, and as you said, he can be a big player for us in the future.
gunner4life -
Diogo – He seems too expensive to sign
Nasri – Just waiting for it to be announced
Bichoff – Looks like it will happen, but pointless signing IMO
Santa Cruz – Hmmm
Martins – Can’t see it happening
J.Sanderson said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Barazite is a great player
J.S!. Do you know anything new about Nasri?
Attila said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:41 pm
no i think arsenal are known for giving younsters a chance, so arsene will give nordtveit a chance, just like he migh with ramsey. plus dont forget we got lansbury, merida, wilshere,randall,gibbs, and barazite. they are all going to be given a chance. so why would we block there progress….i.e wenger on bendtner and walcott.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:41 pm
diogo/nasri/bichoff/santacruz/martins
…christ, that’d cost a bit.
6mil + 13mil + 2mil + 15mil + 18mil
Thank god only 1 of them will join us and 2 are slight possibilities, or we’d be blowing the bank this summer.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:42 pm
that was a reply “to magic merse”…………….. thanks j.s
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Attila – as mentioned above, just waiting for it to be announced, could be anytime this week.
We have so many prospects, i cannot see where all of them will fit in.
J.Sanderson said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:43 pm
i said we only would have a chance to sign those players if adebayor left for about 28-30million. so it would be smart spending……although only one striker would be needed then.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:45 pm
j.s who do you think out of randall/wilshere/merida/barazite/gibbs/lansbury-ramsey definite; will make it?????
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:48 pm
all of them
anon said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Nordtveit, looks like hes got class and I think we would benefit from some who can pass from C/back. My only concern is his physical presence in the 1st team at this time. I am confident he ultimately become a regular for the Gunners.
Tristan said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:52 pm
looks great. but i remember being told that there was a player in the youth team that was better than tony Adams. that this guy was goner be a world beater. his name…..Phil Senderos…mmmmm.
still heres hopeing.
thegrovegooner said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:54 pm
J u should just start up a arsenal rumour about a player we have not really heard of and see if the big websites, newspapaers etc think it’s true
goonerguy said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:55 pm
J. – Are you sure that it looks like were signing Bischoff?!!
Gunner4life – Barazite man Barazite, destined for greatness!!
Mouhsin said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I have to admit I have not seen that much of Nordtveit, I have heard he is pretty good with the ball at his feet, and from what I have seen, this seems to be the case…but is he going to be the commanding presence in the air that we need?
Ethan said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:58 pm
hahahaha i dont think senderos will make it. i think he knows that sendros is patient and a nice kid and so will use him next season, meaning he will not spend anymoney on a defender, so keeps giving senderos the “you keep doing well and you will break into the anytime soon”. i think he might, but now song is infront of him. i see gallas next season being overtaken by song, which will spend the exit for senderos as arsene will then buy another 18-19 year old defender for compettition with nordveit at that age aswell. As for djourou im not sure?????
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 12:59 pm
sorry about my spelling, i keep getting words mixed up. okay i trust you moushin, i trust you. anyway what part will barazite playe next season, i think he will play like a hleb. but he reminds me of berbatov with his style of play and the way he looks.lol
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Nasri is a done deal. Even Alex Ferguson mentioned it in an interview with skysports news this morning.
Paul. said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Well, Nasri’s arriving how much depends on Ben Arfa’s moving to OM?
Attila said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Diogo; have no idea what he’s like.
Anyone know?
Biscoff; Im with JS, cannot see the point really. Now if he was a defensive midfielder then , maybe. But yet another attacking CM who’s been out ages with injuries???
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Song overtaking Gallas???
Maybe on the motorway, buts thats the only time he will.
Song aint a CB.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Nasri’s a done deal.
Stating that fact on his own website is a bit of a giveaway innit?
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I still dont see that Bichoff guy joining us as hes no better than what we have at the moment so no need to sign him. Good reporting as usual JS i look forward to seeing Nordveit play and I go on hols for 2 weeks on wednesday so i hope Nasri will sign before then!! If not i hope that our signings are bought and the Adebayor and Hleb sagas are over when i return.
Keep up the good work JS look forward to reading your articles over the next couple of days and when i get back
JohnV said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I am with you spike, i don’t think that song is a CB but Wenger seems to think thats where he can play?!?! He would do well next to Fabregas i think but thats my personal opinion.
I think Djourou will leave in Jan, probably goin back to Birmingham or to a lower Prem team. Shame cos i think that he would be a decent player for someone like Villa or Everton, teams that are fighting for UEFA cup.
Happy that Nordtveit will be given a chance, i have heard quite a bit about this kid so lets hope that he plays out of his skin inn the cc and then he could well get a few Prem ames under his belt so that he would be able to challenge/ maybe take over from Gallas next season!
Clacko the Gooner said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:14 pm
An interestiing interview with Havard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxrKONCIXZk
Fido said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:15 pm
song can take over gallas, hes strong, got a good jump,and a tough tackler. plus anyway gallas is reaching his peak, and if not next season then the season after. but i put my money on galllas bein dropped end of next season/begining of new season. oh and arsene wenger has already said that song will be a great CB for arsenal; just read…http://www.goal.com/EN/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=699688 in arsene we trust…..
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:16 pm
well, i hope he could be a solution for our defense problem. although gallas still be a partner for kolo, i think nordveit should become the third choice, or maybe starter for Carling cup..
btw, J. would u put my blog link on yours??
thx a lot, mate..
TopiQue said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Any chance someone could give their views on whether Nordtveit is the commanding centreback we have been looking for? I know his history suggests he has the leadership credentials to be a future Arsenal captain, but is he going to be able to deal with bullies like Drogba, and a way which Senderos failed to do?
Ethan said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:18 pm
At his age now Drogba would probably knock him flat on his Arse, in 3 or even 2 season, who knows. Hes good on the ball, good tackler, decent in the air, great passer. I dont rly think hes all that commanding physically but he always seems to act as the calming force in the reserves defence.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Gallas is a WORLD CLASS DEFENDER!
Song aint!
You are expecting him to jump up about 300 levels in an effin season and over take Gallas?
Jeeeeeeeeeesus! Give me strength! Im all for differences of opinion, but when they are as clueless as that?
If Song is in our back 4 with Kolo next season then we can kiss any trophies good bye.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Yea…saying Song is better than Gallas is taking it way too far. Ok Gallas isnt perfect but hes still in the top 20 in the world…thats not bad.
Song can become as good as Gallas maybe, although personally i think if he becomes a centre back he’ll be more like Toure, although better in the air, but not a versatile (in other words you cant play him on the wing or even up front like u can Toure).
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I know, we moan about toure and gallas not making a good pair but they are both top quality world class defenders. In the prem league, there are very fine margins sometimes, and the fact that there is not a big no nonsense defender in there goes against us sometimes. But song and senderos are simply not in the same class as Gallas and Toure. If we cant improve on ‘G&T’ then there’s no point in buying anyone.
gazzap said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Another great article J.S. Do you know at a guess when Nasri will finally arrive?
GOONA said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm
gazzap; True fella.
If Song plays anywhere, it should be in midfield, failing that as a CB in the carling Cup or somethinh.
If there is any other CB, it should be that big commanding lump.
And, I’d wanna see Djourou given a chance ahead of Song anyday.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Reports suggest sometime this week
J.Sanderson said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:40 pm
in a seasons time song would probably be a full international, then mayb contest for gallas’s place who is saying he cant do that. not forgetting gallas will be 31-32 by that time and song still has plenty of time to improve so everyone can have their opinion, so shut the fuck up on that yeah. i got my opinion you have got yours, not everyones has to be the same.im judging by gallas’s performances this season near the later stage, he was our saviour but also a player that let us down a bit. oh and did anyone see that goal totenham scored against us in the premiership. it was berbatovs toe poke. things like that should not be happening.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:47 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywdV4Ex5JhM&feature=related
Funny video, people probably already seen it, but it’s worth seeing it again…
Adebayor singing, if you can call it that… I wonder what Wenger is thinking walking behind him?!!
“I’m gonna sell you for 40 million euros, and than I’ll buy Bischoff and Gomez for cheap”
Mouhsin said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:47 pm
djourou mayb, but he goes he wants a chance in the DM position. i see him playing centre back. but its out of him senderos and song.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Erm;
Gallas is the BEST defender at the club. Why would it be him dropping out? Oh I see, Kolo is undroppable now? Even tho he stank the place out when he came back from ACN.
Shit, Senderos played in the defence during Dec & Feb, didnt concede an effin goal.
Song is an emergency CB, if he is anything other than that, we are screwed IMO.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:51 pm
J: How many more times will you have to be asked the same Nasri question until your head explodes? Just wonderin’.
Samuel said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:55 pm
J;
How many times will someone ask you how many times will you have to be asked about Nasri?
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Bloody hell, Arsenal fans can find any reason to argue can’t they. Song is not near the first xi yet. He might have enough potential to be a regular cb in the future, but wait and see instead of bitching about slightly different views when it makes no difference either way.
That Nordtveit kid looks like he’s gonna be in the CC team then? With Djorou or Song? Or Senderos? One of JD or PS has to go right? JD is held in high regard by Wenger (wanting him to be playing premiership football while he waited for his place, didn’t get sold with the many other players who went to Brum) and no-one really knows where the club stands on PS. Personally, I’d like to see a Djorou-Song partnership in the CC with Nordtveit on the bench. And Senderos sold.
Samuel said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:01 pm
what about the conceded goal against liverpool, ohh the one where we got kbocked out. then after we here senderos saying he was not crying after the game he fell victim to the managers selection, meaning he got dropped. and dont say he was given time to get over it beacuse he was then not picked for like 4 games!!!!!!! and you must be fukking pissed out of your fucking head if you saying gallas is better than toure. who do you support chelsea??? AND SONG AINT EMERGENCY CENTRE BAK, I FUKIN GAVE YOU DA LINK QUOTING ARSENE WENGER SAYING THAT SONG WILL BE A GREAT CB FOR ARSENAL, WTF ARE U ON ABOUT. ANYWAY LETS LEAVE IT THERE MAN, CAHNGE SUBJECT. :O
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Song aint a CB, thats a bit more than a slight difference of opinion, when someone is telling me that he will be better than the World class Gallas.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:07 pm
any news on the adebayor situation?????
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:09 pm
gunner4life;
What are you going on about??
I apologise for calling you clueless, that doesnt even cover it.
You are talking about Senderos now???
Oh and gallas, he’s an Arsenal player, BTW, captain too.
Chelsea???
Oh dear I said he’s a better defender than Kolo! How dare I?
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:10 pm
OMG U DNT STOP!!!!!!!!!!!! I THINK HE WILL BE BETTER THAN GALLAS IN A SEASON OR TWO. (MY OPINION,MY OPINION, MY OPINION)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….FFS
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Disregard my last post!
Forget about it, it never happened!
Sorry!
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Can I take back my retraction???
Hahahaha!
OMG I CAN TYPE IN CAPITALS 2! IT MAKES ME LOOK DEAD HARD AND NOT AT ALL LIKE A 12 YEAR OLD DUNNIT?
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:14 pm
IM SAYING I THINK SENDEROS HAS PROVED HES AVERAGE, IM SAYING TOURE IS BETTER THAN GALLAS MY OPINION, OH AND BY THE WAY GALLAS CAME FROM CHELSEA IN THE SWAP DEAL INCLUDING CASHLEY COLE ON AUGUST 31ST 2006. AND IF YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING ARSENAL THIS SEASON, WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED THEN YOU MOGHT THINK GALLAS IS BETTER THAN TOURE, BUT YOU KNOW THATS YOUR OPINION WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED I CANT SAY ANYTHING………………………………
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:17 pm
OK SPIKE END IT THERE YEAH YOU GOT YOUR SAY I GOT MINE YEAH, JS WORK ABOVE HAS BEEN OVERSHADOWED BY YOUR ARROGANCE TO TAKE SOMEONES OPINION. ANYWAY IM OUT……
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:19 pm
SPIKE STAY SPIKEY LOL…….AND DONT LET ANYONE GET TO YOU…..EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME OPINION, YEAH THATS YOUR MOTTO… SEE YOU SOON.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Sorry, cant help you fella.
Kolo was solid, along with gallas till Kolo went to the ACN. Kolo came back and was pretty effin average. I love Kolo, but gallas is the better CB. i could say in my opinion, but it aint just that.
Go and ask someone who knows about football, or who goes to games on a regular basis.
You are boring the fuck outa me and anyone daft enough to be reading this purile shite.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Spike, I think you need to chill. Gallas is a world class defender, but have we seen any of his class last season. In his first season, he was mostly injured and bitching about younger players. In his second season, he was excellent in the 1st half when things were good, but once he was needed he was nowhere to be found. Gunner4life, I can’t see song starting if either Kolo or Gallas are still at the club, the only way he can play is if he plays alongisde a tall, strong defender a la Pepe or Lucio (disregarding this season for the latter)
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Is Nortdveit fast enough to play in the Premier League ?
It’s all very well being good with the ball at your feet, but you can’t ‘learn’ pace. If he’s slow now – he’ll never get significantly faster – so I hope he can read the game.
In addition – he’ll need to bulk up a bit (and retain what pace he has) to go up against Drog/Cruz/Anelka/Rooney
Alex said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Here’s a neutral opinion to the spike-gunner4life saga: I think on the ground, with regards to reading the game and timing your tackles, Gallas is a better CB. Having saving that, Kolo has heart and he will give 110% game in game out, which is more than I can say for Gallas. I would take Toure ahead of Gallas for the following reasons:
1) he would fit more easily with a taller defender than would Gallas, seeing as how the latter sometimes cannot be arsed.
2) He can break from the back four and offer energy.
3) He is 28, Gallas is pushing 31
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I like Nordeveit, he seems like he has massive potential, but it would be insane if we though he will be starting on a regular basis in the premierleague. I think Wenger meant Carling Cup games with 2-5 Premierleague games and possibly a dead rubber champions league game…
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Gallas was world class but now he’s standard he cant deal with long balls,he cant deal with taller players and he cant handle strong players any more thats why are defence is a problem!!!
lance said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:36 pm
i think wenger feels nordveit is too good for the reserves. and i would compare him to john terry in the way he plays.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Nordtveit and Song should be our 1st choice centre backs next season.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Spike? is that you? can’t be
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 2:57 pm
we have five fairly experienced centre backs and Havard. We do not need another entre back.
Whever we need a DM depends on wengers faith in diaby. I don’t think nasri is a replacement for hleb and if he does go and Fabregas doesn’t seem to think so(check out guillem balague’s website for an interview after the spain-italy game) then i feel we ill need another winger and why o why wont wenger sell eboue.
That leads on to my next point that wenger needs to by a back-up for sagna. I really like hoyte and hes atrue gunner but he just aint good enough.
no1fran_merida said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:06 pm
We need a new defender but Nordtveit needs a loan move 1st when i saw him against Leroy Lita i was like bloody hell Nordtveit you need to hit the gym because Lita was bullying him.
lance said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:10 pm
audi;
Yep it was!
We have 2 decent CBs, who most think cannot play together, the back up is Senderos, Djourou and Song!!!!!
hardly fills me with loads of confidence. Senderos has had loads of chances and is just too cumbersome, slow, emotional! Song is too similar in stature to Kolo/Gallas, leaving Djourou who i would like to see be given a run in the team as Senderos has had, as he has pace, height, athleticism, etc, but again, some have written him off too.
I would say we need a CB. A 7ft, fast as fuck Beckenbauer!
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:11 pm
“A 7ft, fast as fuck Beckenbauer!”
Nice to know we’re all keeping a sense of realism. A giant version of the worlds greatest ever centre back on speed shouldent be too hard a find.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Mate, Djourou hasn’t really done it for me. He still makes plenty of mistakes and he wasn’t even a guaranteed starter for Arsenal in the Carling Cup..I was really happy when we were linked with Zapata and I do agree we need a new central defender, which makes Wenger’s comments that a defender “isn’t necessary anymore” all the more worrying…I think for another team Senderos will be excellent, he needs a large run of games. He’s more a confidence defender, like fatty Campbell was when he wasn’t leaving pitches at half time to Belgium
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:19 pm
who do you lot think will make it out of gibbs/randall/lansbury? if we go for this bischoff guy we would be so packed in midfield with players nearly the same age. dont forget barazite merida ramsey denilson diaby. omg arsene will have tough decision to make.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I agree with spike about senderos his time has come and gone but I just dont think Djourou is even a CB so it leaves us with nothing
lance said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:21 pm
i think djourou is a DM he seems more confident on the ball than our other defenders and plus hes got good control. oh and dont forget he used to be midfielder aswell, so you never know…
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Gibbs can play on the left and up front aswell so he could come through as a very useful squad player, he even played at left back this season (i believe it was a CC game…i know he made a league appearence aswell).
Randall will get more chances than Landsbury this season because hes older and more experianced, which is the better out of the two i couldent say. Randall is probably the more attacking and Landsbury the more defencive, but minute margins, and they tend to come pretty close on stats.
If we get Bishoff one of our midfeilders will have to wave good bye, and that’d be a shame because i think their all quality, from the first team players to the players breaking through and even the ones only just stepping into the reserves.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:24 pm
anyone know anything about gilles sunu now. looked like he was on course for a great future, but then became injury prone.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:26 pm
gunner4life, I think Randall and Barazite are closest to the first team now, but still a couple of seasons off. Lansbury is also making some positive noise. To be honest, Denilson and Diaby have been disappointing thus far with the injuries and what not. The talk of Diaby to partner Cesc next season is risky business, but I can see it happening…Squad is shaping up now but you can tell we need improvements…We cannot go into a season with only Clichy at left back (Traore is far from a finished article), for example…
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:28 pm
thanks guys for the answers. i think that pedro should be reacelled, but its hard to belive he hasnt represented his country at any age.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Barazite should expect to feature in the 1st team this season IMO. CC games as well as subs in the league as there’ll be 7 places now.
Hope Lansbury can make the grade too.
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:31 pm
There was an article on the official website a couple of months back saying that when Sunu plays, he seems to improve with every week…interesting player, but to be injury prone at 17 years of age is worrying if you ask me.
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Giles Sunu is and never will be world class because he is all effort and no talent IMO
Kent paul said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:32 pm
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1766_3758639,00.html
Audi said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:35 pm
waaaay off topic does anyone here know of any good football management games online??? for example soccer manager….
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:36 pm
That is the major problem when you just sign 15/16 year olds. The vast majority of em want make it.
So, you save money on individual transfers, but you need to buy more of them to get one gem.
£5m for Ramsey, £2m for Biscoff, if neither make it, thats £7m we couldve spent on one experienced player
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:37 pm
yeah your right? although im expecting big things from ramsey in the next few years.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:40 pm
anybody know of any good online football management games????
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 3:40 pm
We havent even signed Bishoff yet and i personally agree with J that it doesnt sound right…imo it wont happen.
Lets wait to see how the second generation coming from the fully complete Academy do, the first produced players like Cesc, Bendtner, Djourou, Larsson, Muamba and Bentley and this lot were meant to be the first generation that has felt the full benefits + the next lot are meant to be even better (Wenger himself said there are players in the U16s and U18s he feels have nothing to learn in terms of technical ability).
We do buy first team players as well, last season we got Eduardo and Sagna, and ur not doubting their ability are u? This season we have Vela who has basically come as a first team player even if he wasnt signed as 1 and Nasri should be announced tomorrow. So whats ur problem?
Wenger knows, and i shall say nothing more on the subject. He said himself (when we we’re doing well and top of the league might i add) that he was suprised we were doing so well as he didnt think this side would win nything until the season now coming. Ok…he was right about not winning anything, even though when he said it, it looked like we probably would, so lets give him the benefit of the doubt and believe in what hes telling us, instead of saying this and that player are rubbish, grumbling about potential transfers that havent even been comfirmed and asking for 7ft Beckenbauers on fucking speed.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Shit!
Sorry, maybe it was too subtle for you, but the 7ft beckenbauer comment was an effin joke you moron!
What a clueless, deluded fool you are!
Wenger knows! Like that should replace an y sort of debate and difference of opinion.
What an idiot@
Hilarious, you know fuck all about anything of consequence.
And to think you thought the 7ft Beckenbauer comment was SERIOUS???
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
Spike said this on June 30, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I wish the best for Nortdveit because I wish the same for Arsenal…
But if people could recall Senderos started brightly too — a natural leader/ Swiss captain/ headed ball well/ tony adam mark-2/ etc etc — till he ‘flopped’!
So where are we going with this?
useroz said this on June 30, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I hope we dont sign Bishcoff cuz i can never remember how to spell his name…
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 4:22 pm
“And to think you thought the 7ft Beckenbauer comment was SERIOUS???”
Actually, no i didnt… it was meant to be humerious aswell as adding to my point but was NOT a dig at u, so if thats how u took it i apologise.
My basic point is theres no point in argueing the toss for hours and hours over whether Toure and Gallas are up to it/whether Sendaros, Djourou and Song are good enough back up. By all means make a point, but its a bit ridiculious to go round and round in circles with the same old arguments (not just u).
Plus if you think we, and i quote, “just sign 15/16 year olds” then im not the deluded and misguided one mate cuz we sign first team players every season as well as potential talents. Nasri will be a first team player when and if he comes and if he doesnt some1 else will come, and quite possibly we’ll get some1 else besides Nasri/who ever comes instead of Nasri. Yes 75% of the talents wont make it but the ones we spend big on usually do, Wengers not guna shell out 5mil on a 16 yr old unless hes as shure as he can be that the kid will make the grade, and generally they cost us between 300k and 900k, if not free.
You make some good points and some that i dont agree with, and thats fine, but u need to keep the emotions down mate, if u dont agree with something explain why, dont just chuck insults out.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Spike Keep your toungue to yourself. Your opinion is respected but don’t make it look bad, we all have a say in things. Stop making the blog look bad. ANY BODY AGREE WITH ME?? AN ANSWER WOULD BE APPRECIATED
Pumpd said this on June 30, 2008 at 4:46 pm
[...] ʡ 18 . ӡ . "Dagbladet" : . : . [...]
[::] Arsenal FC News Center - 2007 | 2008 [::] - 1499 said this on June 30, 2008 at 4:59 pm
gallas is my favourite arsenal captain. character. heart. fierce
i love his speech at cfc and his demeanor. “if they see we are scared… we have to fight, you know?…we have to play our game” in his gravel voice. classic.
goon said this on June 30, 2008 at 5:06 pm
The Truth about Nordviet,Great passer Rubbish defender,Leroy Lita made him look a mug against Reading reserves
The Daddy said this on June 30, 2008 at 5:24 pm
he is only 17 dont forget, all players bulk up at the age of 19-20. just look at the pictures of carlos vela when he first signed, he was skinny. now if you look at him he looks to have gained more muscle, and luks to have the ideal weight composition for the premier league.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 6:04 pm
What about signing Crouch and converting him to centreback ?
Chrissie Greeno said this on June 30, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I agree with The Daddy. is clear Nordviet is too weak for the prem, we need a much tougher defender, someone who can win the ball in the air and not some weedy looking stick boy.
Me said this on June 30, 2008 at 6:06 pm
“What about signing Crouch and converting him to centreback ?”
Maybe he can become our 7ft Beckenbauer on speed?
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 6:35 pm
That’s what I was thinking – Wenger can do it on the cheap by feeding him Pro Plus and Red Bull
Chrissie Greeno said this on June 30, 2008 at 6:39 pm
it seems that no one will come to arsenal this year u used each year to buy unknown player making from them and quickly sell them for me i want to see adebayor leaving and replace him by Huntelaar and not martins he is a poor player
Lebanese Arsenal fan said this on June 30, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Spike, just so you know, you are a complete wanker and are really begining to piss me off, along with many other members i believe.
Okay, that said, lets all do things the Arsenal way, not arguing and picking faults with peoples OPINIONS!
Me said this on June 30, 2008 at 8:29 pm
come on guys, were all Gooners calm down. I think this transfer season is getting to us all.
J.Sanderson said this on June 30, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Hehe, yeah I blame Adebayor.. Trouble maker that one, even disrupting the atmosphere here!
Anyway, I hope Nordveit can step up, and I think Song’s looking good now too. Sign a decent holding midfielder (or even promote a surprise player already at the cub), and i think the backline would be relieved much more, therefore already solving defensive issues.
Mitch said this on June 30, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Wow, ok Me, calm down, dont u start. Its done now, over, lets all forget it and move on.
Johnny Maverik said this on June 30, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I wont calm down i will say what a bloody well like, spike is an IDIOT.
Me said this on June 30, 2008 at 9:25 pm
yeah spike you need to calm down, or someone is going to knock your fucking teeth out of your mouth you cocky bastard. and jay yes we are gunners, with a never say die attitued, along with our fighting attitude. but there has to be limits between cock bitches and annoyi g toe raggs, spike has exceeded that.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 10:05 pm
ggod nite all.
gunner4life said this on June 30, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Must be said. Before Flamini joined who heard of him? This Bischoff could be exactly like that. Wenger and his scouts aren’t going to rush into his signing obviously there’s been much consideration. It seems injury has hampered his progress. Also Diogo for 12mill is alot but if he ends up being Ronaldo (the Brazil one when he wasn’t a fatty) mark 2 then it might be worth a gamble. Honestly I’d prefer Huntelaar who’s prolific and would score 30 goals in our team.
It’d be great too to see Nordtveit step up. He’s seems Tony Adams-esque, not too fast but with a great reading of the game, good defensive awarness and good ball distribution. Sooo glad we haven’t gone for Mertesacker. Big, strong but one of the slowest muthafuckers in the world of defenders.
Great post J. I always look forward to your post and views.
Marko said this on July 1, 2008 at 12:33 am
[...] Team Next Season? Arsene Wenger believes that Arsenal Reserves captain Havard Nordtveit will have a role to play in the Arsenal First Team next [...]
Nordtveit in Arsenal First Team Next Season? « Odds and Sods said this on July 1, 2008 at 5:43 am
[...] Wenger believes that Arsenal Reserves captain Havard Nordtveit will have a role to play in the Arsenal First Team next [...]
Avram Grant, Chelsea FC » Blog Archive » Nordtveit in Arsenal First Team Next Season? said this on July 1, 2008 at 6:53 am
Wonderful… so no centre back signing – the team seriously needs 2 or 3 quality players to come in, DCM, CB, RW/LW,
I admire our youth policy and wish Nordtveit all the best, but I am concerned that we are not being told the truth re the money available at the club.
This is without doubt the weakest squad we have had going into a new season, if Adebayor and Hleb leave, we have lost our 3 best performers from the previous season and erplaced them with more youth…
I have so much respect for Wenger, I just wonder why refuses to acknowledge that some of the players at the club simply are not good enough and promoting more youth into the first team is not the answer.
There is still 2 months of the transfer window to go… lets see wehat happens, but if we go into this season without at least 3 more additions, I really can’t see us improving on last season.
Concerned Gooner said this on July 1, 2008 at 7:50 am
You got this from my post at the gooner forum, didnt you?
You run a nice blog.
dement said this on July 1, 2008 at 8:59 am
I seem to agree with Concerned Gooner. I think that another top-class centre back is what Arsenal (and then again, every club, but especially Arsenal) need. I’d choose between Cristian Zapata, Ronald Zubar of Marseille or Jeremy Mathieu of Toulouse. All look Prem class in my opinion. But Wenger’s the boss.
jingen said this on July 1, 2008 at 9:31 am
What is it with people and goalscorers!? Concerned Gooner, Adebayor was NOT one of our top performers last year! He is crap and no fellow Gooner or anyone else for that matter can change my mind. He was as good as Senderos was for us! Because he scored 30 goals people see that as some achievement. If we had a Thierry Henry in his prime playing there instead of Ade last season he may have in excess of 50 goals with all the chances the lads created for him. Another thing that drives me absolutely BONKERS is the fact some Gooners say he “SUITS” our style of play. What!? They’ve lost their mind or at least their football know-how (or have as much football know-how as Ade himself) to say such a thing. He flops 8/10 of our attacks with his blatant inability to hold the ball up and his fooking annoying insistence in being our new Titi in the sense that he is always drifting out to the left. Your fucking 6″3 with no technical ability whatsoever (typical Gooner yeh?), playing as the lone striker…”GET in the FOOKING box”….you know how many times i screamed that at the t.v this season? I would be upset if he ended up STAYING….i will jump for joy if he is sold. Same with Hleb! Two unwanted pricks at the Grove as far as i’m concerned!
TJ said this on July 1, 2008 at 12:44 pm
hahah carzy season has truly begun. i think we should play vela and walcot at CB, almunia and fabinaski as the strikers, and cesc in goal.
me said this on July 1, 2008 at 3:15 pm
“i think we should play vela and walcot at CB, almunia and fabinaski as the strikers, and cesc in goal.”
Now ur talkin my language. Although personally i think we should play Jack Wilshire in goal due to his physical presance and Fabregas should be promoted to tea lady.
“Adebayor was NOT one of our top performers last year! He is crap”
I think u’ll just have to learn to agree to disagree with most fans then if u think hes crap and wont change ur mind.
Johnny Maverik said this on July 1, 2008 at 4:08 pm