Making his Arsenal debut age just 16 it was clear to all the potential the little midfielder had and he just got better and better over the coming years, finally cementing his place in the team with some fine displays of midfield brilliance in Arsenal’s 2005-2006 European Cup run. His performances against Real Madrid and especially Juventus were a breath of fresh air as he ran ex-gunner legend Patrick Viera’s tiring legs ragged in the match at Highbury. A stand out performance against AC Milan a year later scoring the winning goal capped a fantastic ‘Cesc inspired’ by win for the gunners. For a time, we all thought this guy could lead us to a series of titles and trophies.

His best season for Arsenal was in 2009-10 where Cesc scored many important goals and assists, including a great solo effort against Tottenham. His last great year for the club. Sadly he spent much of last season injured and clearly looking unhappy and visibly less interested in Arsenal team matters.

Most Arsenal supporters love Cesc Fabregas and I’m a big fan of his ability, plus I think he comes over as a genuine good guy, but for me, he is not an ‘Arsenal man’ like some players before him. Even those with lesser ability than himself. I don’t believe Cesc has Arsenal in his blood and I’m sure he would admit that himself, hence deserting the team mates he ‘captained’ on the last game of last season enjoying himself at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona when he should have instead been earning his huge wages and showing solidarity with the club that pays him. Let’s face it, he was leaving England and Arsenal at as many given opportunities as he could grasp. He always spoke well of Arsenal which saved him from too much criticism from the fans but in the end, everyone was bored rigid of his transfer saga and whether he meant to or not, he caused damage to Arsenal this past year.

So goodbye Cesc, thanks for some great performances and some good years developing yourself at Arsenal. Except for not winning anything, it’s been good for us and for you. You will be remembered fondly, missed by some but not by all.

Laters.

-GoonerGifts crew

There is no doubt that the limbo that is the Fabregas situation is not helping at all, nor Nasri flirting with any club that winks an eye at him, but still, is it not sensible for the club and manager to separate these two players and concentrate on an Arsenal without them? surely if we did bring in big and impressive signings we could sell on these two without the worry of replacing them. In Nasri’s case, perhaps if we show more ambition he might even be happy to sign on for another two or three years?

Just waiting to sell before we buy seems to me like a defeatist and suicidal policy that is purely driven by financial agendas. Yes, we are a business as well as a football club it’s true but all businesses that have a stable base need to invest in their product or risk falling behind.

Wenger is playing a dangerous game with his job in sticking to this policy so strictly. If we don’t bring in some powerful reinforcements soon he risks a terrible backlash from all the disgruntled fans that could see us shatter the players confidence at home games. As it stands I see us losing quite a few games at the grove this year because the atmosphere is as bad as I’ve known it it in 25 years going to the games.

I know we’ve probably tried and failed in acquiring our top targets and in the managers defence some of the figures quoted for players like Cahill, a man who almost single-handedly was at fault for four of the goals in Bolton’s semi-final last year, is ridiculous. How can a generally unproven centre back in the last year of his contract be worth £18m?  Also, how can Valencia charge greedy and crazy money for a player that has never played premiership football and might turn out to be another Reyes?

It is no surprise that our tight fisted club are not willing to gamble such large sums of money for these types of unproven players. Having said that, with what we’ve got, we’re looking at fourth position come next May. And I’m being optimistic there. Fourth spot and spending hardly anything isn’t bad considering how the game as a whole is being ruined by oil billionaires and sleazy bastards.

My take on it is that we might have to accept not winning anything for a while longer but Arsenal should reflect that in their tickets prices. Communicate to the fans that this is our policy, we’re not at the same spending level as the super-rich and we’re aiming for an FA cup and champions league spot as success and therefore for the time being we’re re-adjusting the ticket prices accordingly. Now sit down and enjoy the football.  Anyone else think that’s fair?  Or anyone think that our weird American owner should put his hands in his pockets or consider selling his shares to the fat Russian, who at least, would probably show more financial ambition. Out of those two, I’m not sure who’s worse to be honest.

Thanks for reading.

-The GoonerGifts crew

Today’s rumours are that Gervinho is this afternoon having a medical at

London Colney. Good news, but reports over inconsistencies and his aerial ability are concerning.

The 24 year old likes to play out on the flanks and move inside, whether he can do that with half of the end product of Thierry Henry is doubtful but he is known to score eye catching goals so definitely interesting to see how he fits into the team in the pre-season warm ups.

I still think Arsenal could use another proven goal scorer but with Wenger using a lone striker system this is doubtful.

The Samir Nasri contract situation shows no sign of finishing any time soon. Apparently the club is willing to match his £110k per week wage demands but is it too late to save the relationship between club and player?  French football expert Phillip Auclair has reported that a new deal for Nasri was as good as signed previous to our first Champions league match against Barcelona but then everything stalled, with rumours that his agent was speaking with other clubs, primarily Manchester United, in order to leverage a better deal from Arsenal.

What’s most disturbing is this timeline coincides with his massive dip in form. Ultimately you could suggest that he’s the kind of guy that lets money dictate his ability to fight for the club that pays his wages. If this is true, then it cost the club points towards the business end of last season and personally I don’t think he is the kind of character we need at Arsenal, even with his undoubted talent. I would suggest we sell him for the reported £20 million and bring in a more committed replacement ASAP.

Other stories indicate that the club want to keep the very promising Ryo Miyaichi. He has the potential to be a major force for us next season.

So, we welcome Gervinho to the club and hope for more signings in the coming weeks.

oo2ba.

- GoonerGifts crew

There is a lot of speculation this morning that Arsenal are preparing an outrageous £27m bid for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.

If this is true, and were it to happen, it would be a fantastic signing for the club and give everyone associated with Arsenal a massive lift, especially the current squad.

Though Arsenal are known never to pay such huge sums on one player, the sale of the increasingly petulant Fabregas would mean the money would already be sitting in the bank therefore wouldn’t affect the club’s self-sustaining transfer policy.

How true are the rumours? I think from Arsenal’s perspective they would be willing to sign the player. He certainly fits the manager’s mould of being young and French and Wenger, no doubt, will know everything about him and his career since youth level. However it is understood that Benzema is currently happy at Real Madrid and wants to fight for his first team position next season. That isn’t exactly encouraging, if we were to sign a player for that sum of money who wasn’t overly keen on making the switch, would we see the best of him? I think it would be a risk worth taking as his goal scoring record last season speaks for itself, 26 goals in all competitions for Madrid and 9 assists in 48 appearances. That’s an impressive strike rate.

Has Benzema changed Mourinho’s opinion of him and done enough to stay at the Bernabéu? let’s hope not as I can’t think of one gooner that wouldn’t want that kind of firepower leading the line next season scaring the s**t out of the opposition.

Of course, he’s been linked with stories of a dubious nature, so if he does don the glorious red and white shirt next season, let’s just hope he doesn’t befriend Avram Grant and manages to stay out of trouble!

Hey, a positive Arsenal story!

oo2ba.

- GoonerGifts crew

Arsenal fan is everywhere are becoming increasingly frustrated and impatient with the clubs lack of transfer spending this summer.

Though Arsene Wenger promised a busy summer with much activity happening early on, so far this hasn’t happened and instead the majority of rumours centre around the departure of Gael Clichy, the unsettled Samir Nasri and, of course, the boring and annual debate over our ‘Captain’ Cesc Fabregas’s inevitable departure to what I can only describe as the best team in the world that has absolutely no class or decency outside of their technical ability.

With other fringe players such as Bendtner and Denilson publicly expressing their desire to leave, it’s hard to see a ray of sunshine for Arsenal at the moment. The arrival of Gervinho has yet to get pulses racing as no one has seen him play and he doesn’t come with a particularly good reputation.

Still gooners, there is plenty of time to bolster our ranks and we can only hope that Le Gaffer is indeed working hard behind the scenes in signing up top talent for our beloved team. Either that or he’s frolicking about on holiday on watersides with ex-gunners director David Dein?

Damn, he is. Well lets hope then that Ivan Gazidis is putting in a shift for us fans before we start banging our heads in frustration.

No doubt, this is the most depressing it’s been to follow Arsenal since the end of the George Graham era and we signed Hartson, Chris Kiwomya and Glenn Helder in desperation.

Players I’d like to see come in are  Samba, Keisuke Honda, and in an ideal world, Benzema. Hopefully we’ll get a work permit and keep Ryo Miyaichi for the season as he was outstanding in the Dutch league last season. He could really be one to watch and soften the blow if we lose Nasri.

Come on Arsene, put a smile back on our faces and lets get the team set up for the new season in style.

oo2ba.

- GoonerGifts crew

The Arsenal ground is a truly spectaclar football arena – as well as Arsenal’s home games the Emirates Stadium regularly hosts international friendlies and concerts due to its fantastic capacity and beautiful design as well as the convenient location, near to several London Underground stations.

The Family Tour of Emirates Stadium makes a great gift for an Arsenal fan because it means they can learn more about the team they love along with the people they love. You will get the chance to explore all areas which are usually reserved for players, staff and the media. You will be able to sit in the dressing room and walk down that famous players tunnel and for a few moments imagine what it feels like to emerge onto the pitch as a member of the greatest team in North London.

Price: £35

The brand new 2011-2012 Home shirt features a special wreathed white crest to match the traditional short white sleeves, celebrating 125 of Arsenal Football Club.

Click below to view a selection of sizes and specifications of this exciting new kit. A must for all gunners fans.
Prices range from £39.99 for a standard replica, and £90.00 to purchase the kit with material the players will wear on-field.

A wide range of Shorts, Socks and Arsenal accessories are also available here for a great price.

BUY NOW! New Replica Arsenal Home Kits on Kitbag

The stunning new blue and black diagonal 2011-2012 Away shirt design features a special wreathed white crest celebrating 125 of Arsenal Football Club.

Click below to view a selection of sizes and specifications of this exciting new away kit. A must for all gunners fans.
Prices range from £29.99 – £49.99. Sizes for men, women and children available.

A wide range of Shorts, Socks and Arsenal accessories are also available here for a great price.

Buy now from Kitbag

The brilliant legends Arsenal Stadium Tour is a fantastic gift for a Gooner because they get to see the ground through the eyes of a club legend. The tour is conducted by a hero from Arsenal’s glorious past – the line up of legends varies so it will be a great surprise on the day.

The Emirates Stadium is one of the most impressive football grounds in England – if not the world. The bowl shape design has helped to generate a fantastic atmosphere for Arsenal’s home games, banishing the old Highbury Library slurs of byegone days when Arsenal was located a quarter of a mile down the road.

During your tour of the Emirates stadium, your esteemed guide will offer his opinions on the current team as well as regaling you with tales of his playing days at Arsenal. You will get an insight into how the team worked in times past and to cap it all you will receive a personalised signed photo of and an extra gift which will serve as a wonderful memento of a truly special day.

Price: £70

And speaking of  boots – this is an unbelievable present idea for an Arsenal fan – an original signed boot by Theo himself. As anyone who has ever seen Theo interviewed will know, he is a very nice man and just to prove it he has literally put his name to a great cause, the Didier Drogba Foundation (ok he is Chelsea but it’s for charity!) which benefits people in the Ivory Coast. It’s a unique piece and an absolute must have for a real Theo fan. Remember there is only one Theo Walcott and there is only one Theo Walcott signed boot and it could be yours if you hurry!

Price: £399.99