Exactly, boasting about how much you have got doesn't help at all.

I agree his comments definitely drives the price up if clubs know we've got the money to splash in this already inflated transfer window. However it also puts pressure on Wenger to spend reminding him that there's plenty of money there to buy the player he wants/we need.

I wonder if that was actually the point of the comment. The news that Arsenal are cash rich is known to everyone in football; by saying it out loud Harris certainly isn't telling other clubs anything they don't already know. We publish the accounts annually and the available cash balances are there for all to see.

This, to me, is a pointed reminder to Wenger.

Not doing too badly in the Em Cup

Very impressive. Although we've got to look at the whole season. We won 5-0 last season in the Emirates Cup too, yet finished several points behind Chelsea at the end of the season.

I still feel we need a free-scoring striker to actually WIN the premiership, but we'll see.

Lyon aren't a team to be measured against.

However no CL qualifier should stand us in good stead from the start unlike last year.

We started off slowly but it was a very impressive win. Could have had 7 or 8 TBH.
Still think we need a world class striker (or at least an upgrade on Giroud)

Agree with the striker comment although I'm hopeful that the defense will be a bit tighter and better organised now with Czech in goal.

Our middield is offensively very strong but we can do with a quality DM.

If only the likea of Wellbeck, Walcott and Giroud contribute more goals in the big games...

Is Walcott instead of Giroud up front an upgrade?

Dunno

Mirror iis reporting Theo has agreed a new four year http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...w-four-6138896

To be honest, I don't think he's fulfilled his true potential but his time is definitely running out. He's 26 now and it is now or never. I want to see if he can score 20-25 goals this season.

Well he's got a goal today.

Akpom is AWFUL at picking out a team mate.

I'm surprised we haven't won this since 2010. 2nd trophy of the season

I was having a quiet swear then too.

Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of him, but it's been the same for the whole weekend. He either shoots or misplaces his pass. No in between.

Arsene says he hasnt signed yet but is "getting closer and closer" according to this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33670651

Next weekend should be a good indication of who Wenger thinks his No.1 striker is. Hope he goes Wilshere - Walcott - Ox with Giroud as a supersub or backup striker.

If he carries on playing Giroud up front, it might be until Alexis is back that he starts playing Theo up front.

Also he might think Gabriel isn't ready for the first team yet. I hope he's not looking for a drop in form from BFG before he starts playing him too.

What became clear from the Em Cup is that Walcott's probably a good option through the middle, which also became apparent from the last few games of last season. That may well leave us OK(ish) in that department although I'd be happier if we get a better option like Benzema (even Llorente would be a good option to have and wouldn't cost the world).

A proper DM or 'Box to Box' midfielder would also make sense. It's a great shame that we've missed out on Schneiderlin and Vidal, who are the type of player that we're missing. Coq's done well, and hopefully by having a world class goalie like Czech, the influence and support/confidence that he brings will trickle up through the whole defense. Perhaps Carvalho could still be an option, in spite of his recent injury?

All in all, I'm hopeful that we'll be able to build on the form that we've shown in the tail end of last year. It's hugely important that we start strongly and luckily, we have a reasonable fixture list with winnable games throughout August. Once we're through this, we'll have Sanchez back and we'll be a little bit stronger again. Maximum points from the first 5 games may give us enough confidence to get at least a point at Chelsea and set us up nicely for October the ManU visit.

Key will again be a fit squad and if we can stay injury-free, I think that we'll be OK.

just a few thoughts. Lyon were dire. Much more to gain from playing Wolfsburg.
Much as I want a striker, please not Llorente. He's lost his way at Juve and is slower than Giroud.
Theo is a 1 in 3 (chances) striker and not that useful if a defence doesn't play a high line.
We can't win the PL with him and Giroud (and Welbeck!) as our strikers.

At least we have a new coach for the defence. Petr Cech. He won't stand for any useless CB performances. He looks super motivated too.
There's no like for like replacement for Coquelin and Wolfsburg's first half performance reminded me of that. Arteta isn't an adequate replacement.
Wilshere not in my first choice midfield right now.
Akpom needs more loan time.

I dont understand the lack of faith in Giroud, he's a brilliant finisher..he scores in nearly every game he plays. some fantastic goals. He's a real fighter..i like that about him.

Welbeck and Feo's finishing is more questionable.

4th best in the league last season for non-penalty goals scored per 90 minutes:

http://statsbomb.com/2015/05/premier...ng-shots-more/

I quite agree. We could and should get better, but I think he's unfairly maligned. Yeah, I do get that he doesn't perform as well in the bigger games, and that's something that does need to be addressed, but he's scored some vital goals for us and has generally been good for us. Someone was saying he's a one in three striker, but a score rate of 0.333 isn't to be sniffed at. But, yeah, we should aim higher, but I do think Giroud has played well for us.

To be honest, I think the main issue is that he isn't Henry or van Persie. He is not someone you can count on to perform in the big games and can't produce something from nothing. He sometimes looks lazy, but that is just his nature.

I think he is a good player, but all the other top 4 clubs have great strikers.