That's quite a snub. He won't get much gametime under Pep if that's what he is looking at and it's his last chance for a big contract with one of the big teams.

I don't rate Vardy anyway, so I'm glad if the deal is off.

Much rather we went for Lacazette or Lukaku. Any way lets get Mkhitaryan and Ricardo Rodrigues out the way.

Mario Götze is another I'd take in a heartbeat. He's on the fringes at Bayern and is way way too good for the bench. He can play AM, winger, striker. That rarest of beasts, a genuine goalscoring attacking midfielder. I'd love him at Arsenal. (for Germany, he plays with Özil).
If no world class striker is available, an attack of him, Girooooo and Alexis isn't half bad.

So what did you guys make of Granit Xhaka earlier today ?

Liverpool at home first game of the season then.

Indeed. Is there a reason why we always seem to be at home first for the opening fixtures? And we always seem to play Tott at home first. Will have a proper look at them. Sky and BT can't wait to re-schedule them as always.

Don't know about what usually happens, but in this case Liverpool are meant to have their first two fixtures away to allow for more time to finish the development of the Main Stand at Anfield.

It's a tough opener!

Good thing we signed Xhaka before the Euros, his performances so far would surely have inflated his price tag!

Haven't seen any news articles but I saw a post on another forum saying BFG had expressed a wish to return to Germany. Anyone else come across this?

Wouldn't mind that, tbh. It will give us a fee to use on getting a quality replacement. A proper partner for Kos would be good, BFG is getting older and (even) slower and I wouldn't want to rely on Gabriel.

According to this Vardy's release clause is now £30m http://www.90min.com/posts/3343785-a...ebook.com.html Its 90min so probably rubbish and in any event how does a release clause rise?

Rosicky becomes the youngest and oldest player to play for the Czech republic today. Shame we'll not see him playing for Arsenal anymore, but I agree with the decision to let him go, quite a player in any case.

Morata proving his worth tonight.

Wenger believes Vardy will stay at Leicester http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/...d-arsenal-move

Yes, heard about this on the radio. Hope we have a Plan B.

Apparently according to Sky Sports News, in the same interview he said he would not be signing more than 3 players this summer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36571877

Let's move on now, seems like Vardy was honeydicking us - if we actually made an offer that is.

Yes we can forget Vardy. If he wanted to join then he would have decided a long time ago. Looks like Steptoe anyway . I'm not going to blame Wenger for this one. We made an offer that met the clause with a very decent package on the table, It does beg the question to Vardy and his team why have a clause if he doesn't actually want to act on it, Still, it's his choice, Time to look elsewhere.

Arsene doesn't do Plan B. I really wouldn't be surprised if it was Vardy or bust which is crazy considering that we seem to struggle for goals in so many games last season.

I am glad he doesn't want to come, one dimensional and lacking class.

I was watching the France game last night with a great interest in our new player Xhaka. His passing is good but he's not very mobile. We already play too slow at times so he's not going to help with this. I wonder if he has a bad discipline record because he's too slow in his tackling?

Agree, we're probably better off spending more for a younger striker anyway. Break the bank for Morata or Higuain please Wenger, and I'll stop referring to you as ODL.


He's definitely an upgrade on Arteta and Flamini though (perhaps not so much Rosicky). I'd be disappointed if we don't sign another quality midfielder, but if Wilshire can stay fit, we may be OK(ish). Kante or Ajax's Bazoer will do nicely.

Key is another centre back and and striker though. Time to splash the cash in these areas.

Higuain or Morata would be amazing signings, but I don't for a second think we'll see them, the Vardy transfer is perfect for all - Leicester keep their player, Vardy is the club hero spurning one of the big boys and Wenger gets to say he 'tried' to sign someone but wasn't able to after Vardy blah blah and he doesn't want to 'kill' sanogo.

I'd certainly consider killing Sanago if that would mean we sign Higuain or Morata. Maybe drop ODL a discreet email???

Did the Eng game tonight show what Vardy can (or should i say can't) do in a team that doesnt play to his strengths but plays possession football instead?

Nope, not really. Had a one on one with the keeper but shot straight at him.