Saturday Stuff: Martins, Nasri, Ade & more 5 July, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News.trackback
Hello to you from a sunny Saturday in London. Oh how I’d love to be going to football today. So much. TWO MORE WEEKS. In exactly a fortnights time I will be in Barnet for our first pre-season friendly at Underhill. I can’t wait.
No massive news to report today, still no signings, still no departures. There are some little bits though…
Obafemi Martins has said he’d quite like to play for Arsenal. We’ve been linked with him…like forever, so it’s no real surprise his name has come up again. I’ve always been a bit of a fan, and when Newcastle signed him for £10m I thought he’s be a great signing for them.
He’s been ok; I just feel that if he had the quality at Arsenal feeding him balls then he’d play to his full potential. He’s quick, not afraid to shoot, packs a good shot, good on his feet and remarkably he’s only 23; I swear he was older than that. Anyway, here’s what he said:
“Arsenal is a big club that everyone wants to play for. I am thrilled and it will be nice to play for such a team. But, now that I am a Newcastle player, there is nothing much to say. If it is true, both clubs would have to reach an agreement.
Is Arsenal a good club? Yes. Would I love to play there? Probably, if Newcastle are ready to listen to them. But if Newcastle says no then it’ll be no because I still have a contract, I expect the club to speak to me when I get back. I am not saying I want to go but, if anything happens, that’s football.”
Nice. I’d still like us to have Martins in our squad. If Ade does ever go then I’d put him on our shopping list. He might not have taken the Premier League by storm up at Newcastle, but I still maintain that if he played in a team with the likes of Fabregas etc, he’d be scoring for fun.
His signing would depend entirely on Adebayor. Wenger’s not going to sign any more strikers with the squad as it is, but if he does go then he might be tempted. The latest on his situation is that nothing has been decided. His agent says no decisions have been made, even though the clubs were meant to be in talks this week. He also said that they’re keeping quiet for a little bit; I think maybe they’re realised how much they’ve pissed off the Arsenal fans.
The latest on another transfer: Nasri is on holiday and will sign in about 10 days time. OK then. This must be the longest transfer, ever. We were meant to be signing him back in May, then it was before the Euros, then it was after the Euros, then is was after July 1st, now it’s after his holiday. I’m just hoping we sort it out before 1st September.
And Wenger says he told his squad to go off this summer, have a rest, forget about football, then come back with a desire to win. Last season must’ve been hard on the players but if they can rediscover that attitude they had at the start of last season, and hold it, then we could be on to something.
Right, that’s your lot for today. It’s 3:00pm on a Saturday. I want to go to football. Argh! See ya.
Martins isn’t good enough. I’ve heard that Podolski isn’t happy at Bayern. Why none goes after him? Can anyone help me: I’m from Brazil and I’m thinking about goes to England next year, and I would love to see a match at the Emirates. How can I get a ticket?
I seriously do NOT rate Martins. I also seriously doubt he’s really 23! More like 33. Nope, don’t want this one coming off ta.
i dnt know why every1 doubts Martins. i personally think he is what we need. he’s got pace, can shoot with both feet, can assist and has premiership experience under his belt now. if we get him and he scores 30 goals, you all would shut up
He aint 23, he is a short arse, so, not a good Ade replacement then, he has never been prolific, he is an african who would be effin off every 2 years, did I miss anything?
Martins is not the quality required if ade goes! Only Eto or Villa would Suffice!!
I seriously have doubts about Martin’s age – he looks at least 20 years older than Kanu – besides I don’t think we really need him going off every two years or so.
Alexandre:
Try http://www.arsenal.com for membership and get a ticket through that way or you can try http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk go to the sports, then football section and try there.
martins would be a very good addition bcos he’s got the power & pace that we lack upfront since the departure of the great THIERRY HENRY.
all u guys think that ade is far much better than him?i really doubt if ade would score 15 goals if he was at Toonland.
Definitely No to Martins, regardless of the Ade situation he’s just not what we need right now. We seem to be linked with every player who comes on the market. Personally, I would prefer Huntelaar or D Villa if we were in the market for a striker. I just hope we sort out the midfield and defence as we are not as strong in those departments as our main rivals. We need a tall no nonsense centre back, and a top class goal keeper to bolster the defence. As for the defensive midfield I think we should go for someone who is experienced in that role, and perhaps on occassion play Song there to give him an opportunity to develop over the course of the season. I Know Gilberto did not get a proper run in the team last season, but I cannot see how he can regain the form he had 2 season’s ago, hence he should be sold. I know Arsene has it all under control, he’s no mug and will get it right, come the start of the season.
im sure most of you have not taken time to watch martins play.He is quick and strong.im sure you will swallow your words at the end of his first season at arsenal.trust wenger
He may want us but we dont want him
Martins must be the most over hyped player in England. His best performance was against us at Highbury when against a high defensive back four he scored a very good hat-trick. My main doubt must be if he is so good why would Inter or Newcastle sell him, he always appears a very profligate striker. He also reminds me of stories where births in Africa were not registered until several years after the birth. Another Taribo West scenario!
remember in the champions league group stage 03/04 (home) against inter. martins was an absolute revelation against us. they demolished us 3-0 (in our unbeaten season!) and all because of him.
He hasnt been scoring loads at newcastle because they aren’t a quality club. inter (& arsenal) are quality clubs where he can score goals and also play a lot. And he’s already shown more loyalty than ade!
OOOOOOOOHHHHH No this news really makes me cry , i cant wait the moment to see adebayor leaving the team but not to be replaced by martins , he’s not that quality arsenal want , he cant be our up front main man , what we really need players as David Villa or Eto’o or the player i hope Arsenal will buy klaas jan Huntelaar he’s the one i want , he can easily solve any problem in front i hope arsenal will use his good relation ship with van basten and of course with our legend player bergkamp and bring him, but hey guys we have all to send messages , our voices to wenger asking from him to not buy martins. Martins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shame. is this the player who help us to bring back titles!?
I think Martins would be Adebayor Mk 11 in that he would miss as many chances as he scores – not what our fantastic approach play needes or deserves. If Van Persie , Rosicky and Eduardo get back to peak fitness, then I don’t think goalscoring will be a problem.
However if we get £30m (laff laff) for Adebayor, then we should definitely strengthen the squad with the like of Roque Santa Cruz who would put away all the chances Adebayor missed last season
I see so many of you bashing Martins……. and for what? Has he scored enough goals @ Newcastle? …. NO but then they were using him as a winger… playing out wide. That is ridiculous… his best position is that of a supporting striker (like tevez). He is good on the ball, makes good runs, can pass the ball and best of is not afraid to shoot. Is he the answer if Adebayor leaves….. No of course not …. we will be a weaker team next year if that happens!! And most rational arsenal fans will agree that we will not be getting Villa, Eto or Huntelaar as wenger does not spend that kind of cash. Our best hope is Santa Cruz, Guiza or the like. Pair martins up with one of those and we have a dynamic and potent front line…… so people think !!!!!
And one more thing just because he is Nigerian does not mean he is older than his posted age….. that is some ignorant as bullshit … borderline racist in my book!!!!
Haha why do you think he is older than 23? He joined Inter as a teenager. Not that hard to Google it.
Simple fact: Arsenal makes scorers, and not the other way around.
Thus AW doesn’t waste a sackful of money on an established star — Eto’o would cost an effing fortune! — when he knows he can find the goals within his squad or with a clever purchase for a specific sort of player.
But let’s face it — Adebayor has changed the equation a bit. AW is enjoying heving a Plan B, getting goals from headers and having a fast big man to link play. So if Ade goes (and I STILL don’t think he will), either Wenger has to gamble that Bendtner is ready to be the front man when he plays 4-5-1 or he buys someone like Pavlychenko who can hold up the ball. Unfortunately, Pav ain’t gonna be cheap after the Euros, either.
I think AW likes Martins, but how does he fit into THIS team with quick, pacey players like Walcott and Vela absolutely destined to play major roles?
By the way, I saw that Inter game when Oba got his hat trick, and all three goals were exactly the same — Arse played very high, screwed it up and Martins kept running behind everybody. Inter got the ball to him in perfect positions, at pace. But hey, where was he when we beat Inter 5-1 back in Milan that year?
I’m not knocking the guy, but I just don’t think he fits what Wenger needs — at least not at the moment.
Cheers!
If Ade leaves do we play a 4-5-1…… wouldn’t think so no currently on the team can play that role of target man (don’t think Santa cruz can do it either). Its more likely we switch back to playing two men up front. So what are our possible options…… Van persie & walcott, big ben & Van persie!!!
Martins is not a wide player …. his best position is as supporting striker & we could use his pace & striking ability
I have always admired Martins and i concur with others on here that if he was to play in our squad and being fed quality balls from Fabs etc, he will be scoring like mad!!! Technically he is better than Adebayor, he is probably faster and just as strong. I think Newcastle havent got the best out of him because they are stuggling big time.
Martins remind me of a Stronger version of Eduardo. Very skillful, quick and good technique.
Mike: you asked why we don’t want Martins.
Here’s what you said “……he’s got pace, can shoot with both feet, can assist and has premiership experience under his belt now…..”
We already have this kind of player and better at that. Theo Walcott, just push him up and he’ll make Martins look like schoolboy.
Really don’t want Martins, he’s not better that any of our stirkers (RVP, ADE, DUDU, BENTDNER, VELA?, WALCOTT), so why bother?
Buy someone in the league of Villa or Benzema if the club is going to spend money at strikers.
u dont know what ur talking about diceman
i would discribe martins as a ruff diamond i can garentee u arsenal fans if we get him this sumer give him one season working under wenger we will be saying he is the best strker in the premiership when hes on form
hes as deadly as any striker in europe the boy just needs confidence wenger will deliver hes hardly going to get it working under kevin keagen ive aways rated martins even when he was at inter milan the boys got every thing pass, power , good touch and ununbelieveable finishing
We don’t need martins.im from 9ja nd i know dat dude too well.he won’t b a better replacement 4 ade.santa cruz is d man we need.wats up wit y’all,y’all know AW won’t spend big money on hunteller or villa even if i want 2 later.
i would love us to sign veleso he looks like a star in the making hes got good feet. very good tecnicly and world class shootin ability and
hes passing is great 2 just the thourt of him and frabagaz in the centre just makes u think of won hell of a parnership.But theres one player i realy want and i think its key we get him we need him we havent replaced the great viera yet as good as frabagaz is, hes know viera perfect replacment yaya toure hes a player i realy realy like
hes very good defencelly but hes also a great passer of the ball. not to mension hes hight and strenght as we do realy need that in midfield. i onestly think he could be betta than viera.
VENCY what u talking about man santa cruz style of play wouldent fit in our team
Martins isn’t logical. It’s another Wenger diversion to concentrate on actual targets…
Vela is seen as an eduardo type and Wenger has also stated that Walcott will be used on the wings… Etoo, Villa or Hunetlaar will obviously have to be brought in to ensure there isn’t a sniffings of fan mutiny as Santa Cruz, Martins & Guiza won’t be good enough alternatives to the plastics.. BUT that’s if Adebayor leaves.. Not untill it’s signed, sealed & delivered will I believe it..
Then, It’s a choice of two between VP, Bentdner, Vela, Eduardo and 1 of the aformentioned… Don’t need anymore then that.. Hleb will leave after the Nasri deal is announced i expect, but you never can tell.. 1 or 2 miniscual signings after that, thus ending the spending…
Case of go again 1 better…
C’MON U GUNNERS!!
are u like his agent James? If u don’t really think we already have players with same or better abilities than him then u should be the manager.
I will say it again.
Martins is not good enough. Hes not good enough to start for us and we dont need another speedy striker, one day theo will do that role the best in the world. Why would such a class striker, as you said, like him left a top team to play for a middle table side? Hmm, there’s not many answers to that I think.
Dont tell me I dont know what I’m talking about without showing that u do.
Someone who runs like him could not be in his thirties. I know a lot of people who look older than me who are younger than me so what? Why do so may people not start with information that is easily available, and why don’t they stay with the facts about what you know. Instant replies are lije the one’s in the pub fater a fe drinks: they all sound the same– stupid. When I have seen himn play, he has speed, great upper body sternth, can hit the ball with both feet, is acrobatic, and for someone his height, is adecent header of the ball. He might not be an exact replacement for Adebayor, but he can certainly do much that he cannot, and at 13m or so, would cost a lot cheaper than the asking, or taking price that Adebayor can command, thereby freeong up money for the defender that’s needed. I like Adebayor as a playor, but I think Martins would look good and play well in a Gunners shirt, alongside and in front of people who can give him the service he never had at Newcastle.