So the big news story for the last two days has been what was said to Zidane by Materazzi. According to reports on the BBC, there are a number of suggestions. Firstly that Materazzi wished a 'ugly death' on Zidane's family. The other, which has been confirmed by some and not others, was that Materazzi said that Zidane was the 'son of a terrorist whore'. Now considering that ZZ's mother was taken seriously ill in the build-up to the game this would have been quite the insult. Maybe we shouldn't all have been so quick to judge. Whilst in the vast majority of occasions I just can't understand or defend why footballers are violent on the field, in this case, where a player, allegedly, makes a racist slur against someone's critically ill mother, well, perhaps ZZ's reaction wasn't as mad as it seemed. It certainly isn't comparable to an impetuous stamp borne of frustration in the Rooney mould. Either way, you're not a proper genius unless you're flawed. It also confirms many of my previous opinions about this Italian side, and what they were willing to do to win. I don't think they'll be remembered as a great team, merely a functional one which did whatever was necessary to win. Here is the article with some of the possible permutations of what was said to Zizou. He's still one of my favourite players of all time and he deserved the best player of the tournament trophy.
In Arsenal news, certain rumours are really hotting up. Davies now seems a near certainty, with a bid of £8m likely to do the job. Seems like a good deal in the wake of Campbell going, although one does wonder how the Tabloids will defame us if we get some English players in.
Ribery is supposed to be the subject of a £10m bid from us, but the Guardian reports that Real have put in a £26m bid for him, and Lyon have already bid £20m. That knocks ours out the park a bit. I think Ribery has so much potential and that he'd be worth getting hold of as the successor to Freddy. Ribery and Rosicky in for Pires and Ljunberg would be good business.
Oh and apparently Appiah is 50% an Arsenal player. One wonders whether he is going through some existential crisis, or whether he's talking rubbish. It should become clear soon.
Anyway: welcome to the beginning of the real silly season! It's been delayed so far by the World Cup, but there should be a good month of rubbish before the new season begins.
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Maybe a month until the new season but only 4 days until our first pre season match. I cannot wait, seeing all those stars again like cygan & song!!
cygan and song - easy to criticise - people tend to forget that cygan did a good job when required last year (was top premiership defender per OPTA at one point). And how old is Song? Give him time!
i saw an article that Marseille value Ribery at 14m while Arsenal place a bid of 10m. Arsenal should place a bid of 14m and get him ASAP.
Ribery"s football is very good, but have you seen him during a press conference: he didn't know that Scolari was the coach of Portugal ("I don't know the player")
I admit I can be harsh on song who is young, but muamba is a better player & has been overlooked for someone who is quite obviously inferior. As for cygan you can quote all the facts you like but you will never convince me he is any good or that he does a decent job. At this current time he is first choice at arsenal because campbell has gone & senderos is injured, no other club that wanted to be considered big would have this joker playing for them.
you can guarentee that the 10 mil wud prob b a down payment, as in the reyes transfer. he was bought for a mere 7 mil but price cud rise to 20 mil
Ribery is a right wanker i dont want to see him in an arsenal shirt. Zidane shouldnt have got the award because its a disgraceful example.
wot the effin ell has ribery done to be worhty of such a big price tag? as far as I can tell he's been the next big thing for about 5 or 6 years! last year he was ordinary for his club side, was loaned out to Gala and did sod all there and at the world cup scored a goal and that was about it. i'd rather the cash was used on other areas of the squad, ta.
Lyon may have £20m, but it’s empty money - Marseille won’t sell to a rival in France. Of course it allows our favourite chavs in SW3 to look at him, as we know – they don’t start to get interested until someone bids more than £15m for a player, then they feel they should buy them. Hopefully H14 and AW will be the key to that signature.
H14 should have been TH14 !
I agree with Gazzap. If we're going to talk about potential players, could we at least try and discuss their merits on a level above whether they are a 'wanker' or not. Just a thought.
I agree with the other fella that he hasn't exactly been pulling up trees for the last few years. I thought he ran down a lot of blind alleys at the WC and at times reminded me of Forrest 'Glen Helder' Gump.
Mebbe we cd get Sidny Govoo!!!!
I think my 2 year old has been on the computer again.
go bk 2 wk daddy
trinidad jesh
Ribery looks a good fit for the Premiership - has the strength to keep possession despite his stature and never gives up. Will get up straightaway when he is knocked down. Pires and Zidane don't strike me as good comparisons. He needs to make better decisions around the box and improve his finishing, but otherwise I see a potential Freddie in him. And I love Freddie despite no red hair. Only drawback to me is that at 23 he should be closer to the finished article. C. Ron is a prat, but imagine 4 years of improvement in his game - would be miles ahead of Ribery.
I think Gilberto is perfect in a 451 - he's still a very good player. But we do need some backup. I love his heart, but Flamini gets pushed around to easily to play regularly in the center. And I like the potential of Song and Muamba, but they're still too raw. Hoping for a surprise - Mascherano. BTW, read that Sebastian Svard has moved to Gladbach and recently got called up to the Danish national team. Best of luck to him.
Potential isnt enough. Work ethic, attitude, and a dedication to the game is important. Think of Francis Jeffers et kind. Also we already have Hleb & Walcott & Reyes & Persie & Rosicky. Is Ribery really worth that much money to add to the squad? Especially someone who doesnt seem to be too bothered. I say no. Better off spending that money getting Davies or Torres or Gattuso or someone who will come in straight away to fill a position of need and hold it down.
I don't suppose Lucas Neill is worth a punt? Last year of contract. Awesome as a converted CB for Australia.
As in Lucas Neill who kept Australia in the game during the group stages. As in Lucas Neill who held a stitched-together defence against Uruguay last November (Neill, Popovic vs Forlan, Morales, Recoba). As in Lucas bloody Neill, gun Australian centre-back.
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