SirBalon

Yeah, read it this morning on both Mundo Deportivo and Sport. I don't know whether to believe that though... They're even speculating on Dybala.

That theory is being banded about as well as the one that the board are locked in disagreement and won't release the funds for Wenger incase the season goes seriously bust and a lot of money spent. These are all rumours though with absolutely no foundation apart from possible theories. I suppose they're coming out because absolutely everyone thought Arsenal would be spending this summer. The mental prices haven't helped though.

England 1966 The Legend Of The Arkwright Red Shirt They say that the most important events in English history always occur in years ending in “66”. 1066: The Battle of Hastings. 1666: The Great Fire of London. 1966: England win the World Cup. For anyone who is English, or has even spent significant time in England, the year 1966 (or even the number 66 when taken out of context) is inexorably linked with the national team’s sole footballing triumph. Sadly this is an inevitable phenomenon, borne out of the disappointing truth that England has rarely come close to replicating that success in the ensuing half-century. With every failed campaign so 1966 has become deeper ingrained into the nation’s consciousness, to the extent that the cultural and psychological weight of that victory is now far greater than the sporting achievement itself. England had snubbed the World Cup at its inception. Believing their superiority to be without question the FA deemed England’s presence at the first three tournaments unnecessary. When the team did travel to Brazil in 1950, they suffered an unthinkable defeat to the part-timers from the United States. But subsequent back-to-back hammerings at the hands of Hungary in 1953 compelled England’s footballing authorities to reassess its global standing. Nevertheless, encouraging performances in 1958 and 1962 plus home advantage meant that expectations were high in 1966 for the host nation. It was an England side whose qualities were truly English in an old-fashioned sense: class, hard work, personality. Leicester City’s Gordon Banks was in the process of taking over the mantle of best goalkeeper from the Soviet Union’s Lev Yashin. Blond captain Bobby Moore was England’s answer to Franz Beckenbauer: an elegant, modern defender though perhaps not as versatile as his German counterpart. England’s mix of skill and doggedness was exemplified by the balding Charlton brothers, Jack and Bobby. The latter’s darting runs inside from midfield and powerful shots from distance made him virtually impossible to mark. As is often the case in World Cups, fate had a strong hand in the narrative. England’s first choice centre-forward, Tottenham’s Jimmy Greaves, suffered a shin injury in the their final group match against France. His replacement, West Ham’s Geoff Hurst, scored the winner with a glancing header in the quarter-final against a cynical Argentine side (brandished “animals” by Alf Ramsey, who refused to let his players swap shirts with the South Americans). In the semi-final two timely strikes by Bobby Charlton ended the hopes of Eusebio’s Portugal. Now all that stood between England and World Cup glory was West Germany. Conditions in London on July 30, 1966 were representative of the English summertime: throughout the 120 minutes the weather seemed to rotate between cloud, rain and sun at quarter-hour intervals. 98,000 spectators crammed into Wembley Stadium to see a match soaked through with drama and steeped in subtext. Hurst replied to Haller’s early strike before the third member of the West Ham trio, Martin Peters, pounced on a loose ball to put England 2-1 up. A last gasp equalizer by Weber sent the match into extra-time, during which Alan Ball’s marauding run and cross reached Hurst, whose quick turn and shot hit the crossbar and bounced on the goal-line. Anxious seconds passed before the Soviet linesman validated the goal, which to this day remains perhaps the most controversial in World Cup history. At the time replays proved inconclusive, but endless theories and analysis over the years have suggested England got lucky. To this day whenever a shot bounces on the goal-line cliché-ridden commentators are always fast to quip, “Ah, shades of ’66…” In Germany, a goal scored in this manner (bouncing on the line after hitting the bar) is commonly known as a “Wembley-Tor” (Wembley Goal). Besides Hurst’s second goal, so many aspects of the 1966 World Cup Final have become a part of English folklore, from toothless Nobby Stiles’ post-match jig around Wembley to Captain Bobby Moore wiping his muddy hands on his shirt before receiving the Jules Rimet trophy from her majesty. Perhaps most famous of all is BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme’s timeless and much-imitated utterance as Hurst completed his hat-trick seconds before the final whistle: “They think it’s all over…” England’s victory over West Germany was made even more memorable by the fact that since both team’s first choice colours were white, the hosts donned a change strip of red shirts and white shorts. Of course, viewers at home saw the match in black-and-white, but photographs and official film of the match have immortalized the occasion in glorious Technicolor. Four years later in the heat of León, Mexico, England wore a lightweight mesh version of their red kit as they faced West Germany again in a quarter-final, though this time the strip didn’t bring the same good fortune. Yet over the years the red shirt has become equally popular with fans as the white home kit. By the early 1990s football in England was undergoing a reappraisal of its history and subculture, and a rapid remarketing of the game soon followed. The shirt you see in these photographs was produced by Arkright (“The Old-Fashioned Football Company”), perhaps the first retro football shirt manufacturer of its kind. This faithful heavyweight cotton reproduction of England’s red ’66 shirt proved to be its bestseller. In 1993 I wore the shirt to a World Cup qualifier between England and Holland at Wembley. England wore their usual white and the match ended 2-2. I actually met Hurst (still the only man to score three goals in a World Cup final) at a bookstore in 2001 after I’d heard he’d be signing copies of his autobiography, 1966 And All That. He was a thoroughly nice chap, and ribbed me for not buying several copies for my whole family, adding CHEAPSKATE! to his dedication to the Taylors. Today retro football is an industry unto itself, and old school shirts have become popular enough with fans as to directly influence modern football kit design. In 2010 England sported a ’66-style red shirt in their second round match at the World Cup in South Africa. Their opponents, yet again, were the Germans. Just before half-time, a Frank Lampard shot bounced down off the crossbar and out again. Replays showed the ball had clearly crossed the goal-line, but this time the referee disallowed the goal. After a forty-four year wait, Germany had got revenge for 1966. Proof that in football as in fashion, what goes around comes around. If you have a spare couple of hours, check out the BBC’s full coverage of the match (complete with Kenneth Wolstenholme’s famous commentary). However, this British Pathé footage is the best I’ve ever seen of the final. Who knew they had HD in 1966? Credits to: James Campbell Taylor

Sack Steve Bould!!!

We've backed out of that one mate. Raheem fits the bill better.

Apparently Arsenal are putting in bids for; Dybala Iñigo Martínez Insigne Arda Turan Antoine Griezmann oh... and Jonny Evans.

Mate, it's been going on for years. It's been a mishmash of all sorts of experiments gone wrong for almost a decade! Wenger lost the plot many years ago and he's a thick-skulled individual that wants to prove a point and in doing so is using a football club that he claims to love to do this. He's thinking about himself because he would never have signed a new contract five years ago let alone these latest two years. Joking about ourselves is all we have left. Let's see what happens though!

At least Alexis didn't cup-tie himself by playing in the Champions League!

Call it nostalgia or even melancholy.... It's my favourite period and one that many real Barça fans will never see again... Like the piece says, those were rather turbulent times during that period much to do with (unsaid) with Spain coming to terms with democracy after the long shackled period lived under Franco. But for me that period where Spanish football and especially FC Barcelona were concerned, a mysterious and fantastical period. Success on the field was sparse, but it was genuine and based on the ideals the football club had set with it's foundation in 1899. The club continues to live in it's democratic fan based rule, but ever since, the essence was lost and only for a brief period when Joan Laporta took over as president did it seem like the ideals were once again put at the forefront of everything that surrounded it. Unfortunately, Joan Laporta got too involved in politics and used his ideological beliefs through the club as a vehicle that became to politicised. Since then it's been a downward spiral of individuals using the club name for their own purposes and within it rot has set. But anyway... As I started, my greatest moments and memories of the club lie in that period which wasn't exactly glittered with the success Barça have enjoyed since.

THE MEYBA YEARS 1981-1990 Més que un club. It’s a motto of which FC Barcelona’s fans, directors and marketing department persistently remind us, but not without justification: in European football the club has always been something of an anomaly. As is perhaps to be expected for a club that exists as the world’s most positive and visible source of Catalan pride, Barça have always tended to have their own way of doing things. For a long time these differences extended to the team’s kit. Famously, Barcelona were the last major club in the modern era not to sully their shirt with a commercial sponsor. It seems hard to believe given today’s all too frequent Nike efforts, but not too long ago the blaugrana strip barely changed over the course of a decade. Produced by the Spanish company Meyba, this classic kit was (along with an innate dislike for Real Madrid) one of the few constants at the Camp Nou in the 1980s. The shirt is often listed as dating from 1984-89, but I see no difference in the kits worn either side of that period, which leaves me convinced that it remained unchanged for nine seasons between 1981 and 1990. For the team it was a turbulent period characterised by strained relationships and only sporadic on-field success, not to mention a slew of big-money signings and big-name managerial casualties. The first of these was the aging Argentine Helenio Herrera, who despite picking up a Copa del Rey with Barça in 1981, could only lead the team to a disappointing fifth-place league finish. Herrera’s replacement was Udo Lattek. The West German maintained a prickly relationship with compatriot Bernd Schuster, but reignited a bond with the Danish forward Allan Simonsen — an old acquaintance from Lattek’s days at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Barcelona reached the final of the 1982 European Cup Winners’ Cup, which just so happened to be hosted that year at the Camp Nou. Though they went behind against Standard Liege, Barça’s home advantage eventually proved the difference, and goals from Simonsen and veteran striker Quini clinched the victory. Though the Catalans finished a close second to Real Sociedad in the league — with Quini securing the Pichichi top scorer trophy for the third season in a row — the Liga title continued to elude them. The plan to change that came in the shape of Diego Maradona, who arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 1982. The fee paid to Boca Juniors was a then-record £5 million, but the greatest player in the world seemed worth every penny, at least according to Barcelona’s elected president, Josep Lluís Núñez. Unfortunately the Argentine’s first season in Spain was plagued by a bout of hepatitis, causing him to spend three months on the sidelines. Maradona recovered in time to help Barcelona beat Real Madrid in the final of both cup competitions (the Copa del Rey and the Copa de la Liga), but they could only manage fourth in the league. Lattek departed that summer, and in stepped chain-smoking Argentine César Luis Menotti. Known as “El Flaco”, Menotti had coached Argentina at the last two World Cups; it was hoped that this factor that would help him bring out the best in Maradona. That plan was thrown into jeopardy just four games into the new season, when a reckless tackle by Athletic Bilbao’s Andoni Goikoetxea left the Argentine with a broken ankle. Maradona returned in time to play his part in a shockingly violent Copa del Rey final also against Bilbao, but it was a relatively meagre third place finish in the league that sealed Menotti’s fate. Impressive results with Queens Park Rangers, and an endorsement from England coach Bobby Robson, helped Terry Venables’ fill the vacant seat on the bench at Barça. With Maradona having left that summer for Napoli, “El Tel” built his team around a strong back four, the commanding Schuster in midfield and a fellow Brit up front: Scottish striker Steve Archibald. It proved a winning combination, as Barça galloped to a tenth title — their first since 1974 — with a ten-point lead over Atlético Madrid. Venables’ was no one-season wonder: his team boasted a nucleus of Spanish internationals, including Victor, Migueli, Julio Alberto, Caldere, Marcos and Carrasco. The side proved strong enough to reach the European Cup Final for only the second time in 1986. Their opponents in Seville were the talented Romanians of Steaua Bucharest. A typically close final ended goalless after extra-time and Barcelona’s lacklustre display was confounded by a remarkable penalty shoot-out, in which they saw all four of their penalties saved by Steaua keeper Helmuth Duckadam. Keen to recover from that blow, Venables signed two stars of that summer’s World Cup: Spain goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta (who would replace the veteran Urruti) and England centre-forward Gary Lineker. Fresh from having won the Golden Boot in Mexico, Lineker was expected to form a deadly partnership alongside Mark Hughes, who had arrived from Manchester United. Unfortunately the Welshman failed to settle in Catalonia, earning himself the pejorative nickname “El Toro” before being swiftly loaned out to Bayern Munich after a single season. Lineker on the other hand quickly made himself at home, and immediately endeared himself to the Barcelona faithful by scoring on his league debut after just two minutes. Later that season “El Matador” bagged a memorable hat-trick against Real Madrid, further cementing his place in Catalan hearts. But despite Lineker’s prolific goalscoring Barça were pipped to the title by Real Madrid for the second year running, this time by just a single point. However it was the ignominy of home and away defeats to Dundee in the UEFA Cup quarter-final later that season that most likely cost Venables his job just a few weeks into the 1987-88 campaign. The Englishman’s caretaker replacement, Luis Aragonés, remained in charge for the rest of the what proved a tumultuous season on and off the pitch. A government clampdown on tax evasion had seen players asked to have their wages cut in order for the club to repay what they owed the authorities. The row reached its climax in April 1988 when the bulk of the squad convened at the Hotel Heredia calling on Nuñez to resign. In the end the president stayed, with most of his players departing instead. It was clearly time for a fresh start, and the man handed the task of leading Barça into a much-needed new era was Johan Cruyff. With a steadfast conviction in his footballing philosophy, the Dutchman introduced a style of play that had its roots in the Total Football of Ajax. The new manager seemed less than taken with the team he inherited, moulding his new side around several new players: Bakero, Goikoetxea, Amor, Beguiristain and Salinas. Victor, Schuster and Archibald all left the club, while Cruyff preferred the tall Salinas as a target man up front, forcing Lineker out wide on the right wing. From his new position the Englishman inevitably found the net less frequently, but did provide the cross for Barcelona’s first goal in the 1989 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final, in which they beat Sampdoria 2-0. Lineker rejoined Venables at Tottenham Hotspur later that summer. Carrasco and Quini also left Camp Nou, with Dutch defender Ronald Koeman and the elegant Dane Michael Laudrup arriving. 1989-90 turned out to be the final season for Barcelona’s now familiar kit, in which they had experienced such extreme highs and lows. In 1990 the shirt was modified for the first time since 1981 with the inclusion of a subtle stripe detail woven through the fabric of the shirt. By now Cruyff had begun to assemble what became known as the “Dream Team”, signing the Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov and plucking homegrown prospects Guardiola and Ferrer from the “B” team. Barcelona finally won the league at Cruyff’s third attempt in 1991, initiating a period of domination that would last for four seasons. Despite losing that year’s Cup Winners’ Cup Final to Manchester United (in which Barça reject Hughes scored twice) the Catalans maintained their momentum in Europe the following season, reaching the European Cup Final at Wembley, where once again they faced Italian champions Sampdoria. A typically close but absorbing contest was settled in extra-time by a bullet-like free-kick from the boot of Koeman. In recognition of the occasion, at the final whistle the team quickly threw on home shirts for the trophy presentation (they’d worn an orange away kit during the match), in which the club’s official captain Alexanko (now playing the role of substitute) was given the honour of hoisting aloft European football’s ultimate prize. Barcelona’s Wembley victory proved a fitting conclusion to its long association with Meyba. In 1992 the club struck a deal with the Turin-based company Kappa, whose Madrid-white branding along the sleeves of the new shirt caused immediate consternation among fans. Cruyff’s “Dream Team” won four Liga titles in a row, their one misstep a 4-0 capitulation at the hands of Milan in the European Cup Final in 1994. Following Cruyff’s departure, Bobby Robson led a Ronaldo-inspired Barça to a record fourth Cup Winners’ Cup success, before Louis Van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard achieved further success in the Dutch tradition. But it was under Cruyff disciple Guardiola that the Dutchman’s footballing vision reached its extreme peak, and inevitable conclusion. Between 2009 and 2012 Barcelona became an almost unstoppable force at home and in Europe, developing a style of possession football that became known by the onomatopaeic term tiki-taka. Of course, this period of consistency was contrasted by annual — and at times radical — changes to the club’s once-iconic strip. A complete reversal from the 1980s, when Barça changed everything but their kit. Credits to: James Campbell Taylor

I don't write on any other forums mate. But there was one I used to belong to some years back, but it's in Spanish... Do you know how to write in Spanish mate? (or Catalan for that matter). I also agree with Ricardo, one club forums are very boring.

There is no law telling clubs to implement it... Although the player's union back in the late 1990s did get all the players onside to use this as they felt it hindered their freedom of choice and wanted the same work ethics as every other worker. Like I said then mate... I've searched and searched without every having found where the law stands on this.

No but everyone knows him in the area like Nick Hornby.

I hope it does... The board and Wenger deserve a good bloody hiding!

Never in a million years mate! hahaha You know Wenger would never do that! He thinks most people are beneath him.

There is no set rule! That's between the club, player and player's agent on the moment of a contract review or renewal depending what the circumstances are. Sometimes clauses are lowered when a player renews so as to lower his wages. But then a contract is reviewed or renewed, the normal thing is for the player to subsequently earn more and the club get their part with a much higher buy-out clause. In the case of Marco Asensio, he will no doubt now have a superstar contract this time around and get the top bracket wages which will mean a massive buy-out clause like the one being speculated on. What's for sure is that the bigger clubs in La Liga want to stop this buy-out clause situation as their defence mechanism with a negotiation only rule is much more adequate. For medium to especially smaller clubs, a buy-out clause sometimes makes sure they get top dollar for players that can be poached by bigger clubs. The player will put pressure on the club to move and that can cause chaos in the club.

It's a hell of a lot worse than the Liverpool situation even if it isn't translated on the league table. It's not just about results! There's a lot more to all of this.

Guardiola, Klopp, Emery, Sampaoli, Conte.... A list can be formulated. He is using the club for his own vanity. He has been questioned more and more as the years have gone by and lately it's become extreme. If there's one thing I agree with Mourinho on, it's everything he's said about Wenger in his criticisms. And our new breed of Arsenal fans are even worse... A bunch of ponces! They disgust me.

Arsenal was setup for him to change the structure and a club that is organic and without the pressure to bring the Champions League. He spends because of expectancy amongst other factors. Plus, Arsenal CAN and have been able to spend. He probably would've gotten rid of a lot of deadwood that's lingered for a long while and what's for sure, he would've gotten a lot more out of what's there. No signings of Elneny, Xhaka or others of the ilk. Look at the whole picture mate.

That was Wenger's most defensive moment toward the press. Many have forgotten about that... I know from serious writers that Guardiola held important talks with certain Arsenal hierarchy. Many have said that was the perfect job for him and not the City position.

Mate... He should've gone years ago, not last year! The writing has been on the wall for years and you tell me what was so good about last year compared to 6 or 7 years ago. Not unless you subscribe to the stadium payments bollocks.

Don't get me wrong mate, but I find all of that totally hilarious. I want all those Arsenal fans mild on Wenger and firm beleivers in him and how the club is being run to suffer.

While some ridiculous examples of journalism in the UK claim that Arsenal are about to sign Marco Asensio for £70m ... Florentino Pérez is already reviewing Asensio's buy-out clause which was reviewed only 4 months ago. It stands at €350m but seeing as what happened with Neymar going to PSG for €222m, and one or two other Arab clubs floating around in Europe, the Real Madrid president wants to put a diamond coated insurance block on what's fast becoming one of the world's biggest rising stars... They're talking about maybe football's first €1b buy-out clause.

It's alright mate... We're signing Marco Asensio!

Mate... Do you know how much someone like him spends on football every season? He goes to home and away games. He goes to home and away games at the most expensive club in Europe to do this. Ultimately it's his fault because he is the captain of his own pocket and if he dips his hand in to spend that money, then the onus is on him. But he's a football fan and many football fans want to be able to go to watch the games... Some are financially able to do so, some stretch themselves to be able to do it. But that's the nature of football! So him getting stressed out probably has that part included in his sentiments.