Just read that Gibbs won't be going to Watford as they won't pay his 80k a week wages and he won't take a pay cut. Mental we offered him that contract if true but shows how crazy football is that a player would prefer to barely play rather than take a pay cut. I think we may need to consider taking reduced fees for some of these players now otherwise we won't shift them

Didn't mean it in a condescending way - I just disagree that the goals we conceded last night were a continuation of the defensive problems we've had in recent years.

But hey, at least we can agree we're doing better than Chelsea!

Cahill sent off, Burnley up 3-0. Oh happy days.

What an insane start to the season.

Chelsea down 0-3 at home, and down to 10 men. Can it be any better?

So nice to see Cahill finally sent off for one of his reckless lunges.

What can Man City do to surprise us other than ruin our weekend?

Only Tottenham meeting the same fate is better. Liverpool drawing was nice too.
Great to see Huddersfield off to a good start. How did they rise so quickly? Money? Or the old fashion way, earned it? Its got to be a few decades they were in the top division. Happy for them.

Chelsea down to 9 men, Cesc gets the red card

Your wish will be fulfilled

Recipe for disaster. Neo Nazi, KKK and other such similar groups march in Virginia for the removal of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's statue's removal. Counter protesters, Virginia is an 'open carry' state which on its face is mind boggling. Protesters armed, legally, publicly! Amazed its not kicked off yet, nor do I want it to.
Its insane. If we have to train police in how to use a gun publicly and even they get it wrong, how can a society have 'open carry' with firearms by people who have no training whatsoever?! Insanity. A case can be made for the home..but in public?

*%^@ off a@hole we're only interested in football for the time being.

Burnley what are you doing?

Give it a rest.

Burnley let them back in it but held out. Game should have been locked up.

Chelsea beaten at home on opening day. How sweet

Agree on Elneny and Xhaka is a bad pairing. Especially given are the home side against a weaker side. No need to be overly defensive.

I am also not comfortable with our defending. I'm not confidence we can keep a clean sheet against anyone.

After the weekend's results, we may see that it may be a season of attrition where the top 6 clubs can't count on beating the clubs below them so easily. The amount of money in the EPL has certainly helped the lower half of the table get quality players. A few of them can go overseas for decent players when they couldn't have a half dozen or more years ago.

Some Arsenal fans are of the opinion that we are more than well stocked up at cb. Others admit we need an addition but say VVD is never a £60m player. As far as I'm concerned I think someone like that would not only improve us now but will be able to take over from Kos in the long run. What I don't understand though is many of the fans that say VVD is not worth £60m are willing to let Sanchez leave on a free next season. How can we afford to lose £50m (implying we have 100s of millions just sitting in the bank) and at the same time complain about a £60m outlay? Doesn't make sense to me.

I think this is the main reason we sell players for so cheap. Their wages are so high that the club is usually prepared to accept a smaller transfer fee. I wonder if it's the new guy from team Sky that is demanding we get bigger transfer fees. I'm not sure, I think £10/12m for fringe players like Gibbs that we've turned down were reasonable offers. We need to trim the squad.

100% agree VVD would suit us down to the ground we should buy as there is noone else available that is better than him, is there?

I find it incredible that they've sold Matic. He gave them so much presence in midfield and formed a formidable partnership with Kante. Why on earth would you break that up?

I wanted Manolas a couple of seasons ago not sure of his availability. But VVD is the one we should go for. Fair enough he might want Champions League and choose Liverpool over us but we should try our best anyway and definitely can't use money as an excuse when we've supposedly reached a financial position where we can lose £50m assets for free.

Thank God for that, eh?

Hi Jonathan. I loved your dad's posts and had the pleasure of emailing him a few times on various matters. His sense of humour was right up my street, and I respected his input on many other subjects as well as football. I was off the forum for some months during which time he passed away, and was most deflated to hear the sad news when I returned. Best wishes to you.

Measure for measure methinks the Frenchman won the day.

It'll soon be November and we all know what happens in November, possibly sooner.............

City go top.

It's actually Huddersfield who are top. City are currently second.

https://www.arsenal.com/fixtures/tables

Without commenting on van Dijk's quality, I also accept that he may possibly fancy a move to Liverpool more for the Champions League. But regardless of that, if Wenger would like him at Arsenal I fully agree we can't use Sothampton's allegedly grossly inflated asking price as an excuse for not going for him. For the reason you say. If we keep Sanchez, it's removed that as an excuse.

Gun laws? I'm sorry but members of the general public should not be allowed to carry guns full stop. Your country's gun laws are insane. It must be terrifying to be there right now.

Chelsea - thanks for brightening up my afternoon. That was hilarious.

So disappointing - We've been top of the league all season until now - Wenger Out !

Thought exactly the same .... typical Arsenal go top , fill us full of hope ...maybe just maybe this is the year .

Then that inevitable slide begins ... when Spurs and Man U play tomorrow I expect us to be fifth .

Might as well write this season off . Oh so depressing

I know you haven't got the gonads to answer and you probably wont see this ; but I can't resist .

"A case can be made for a gun in the home " .......Tell that to the Japanese exchange student who decided to take part in Halloween ...... door knocked with a mask and got half his head blown off .

Neo Nazi , KKK and all these other irresponsible looneys .... ???

.. an Australian woman got shot dead last week by the COPS .... AND SHE WAS THE ONE WHO PHONED IN THE DISTRESS CALL .

" Police training " ..... shoot anything that moves .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUesbTObC9A

" I love you Oxo cube ,
With your love so rare and true
Oh Oxo ..... my Oxo cube ,
Well I love you now ,
I love my Oxo cube .......

Okay out in the shed to revamp the engine stand .

Nice day ; a balmy 9 degrees at the moment , a predicted tropical high of 14 . Dispense with the jersey

Four boys in Green on the Burnley side....yeöoooooo give it a lash

Matic probably wanted to be with Mourinho much more than being with Chelsea. But I agree, crazy to let him go so easily, and to a top opponent.

Highlight of athletics for me was Sally Pearson's hurdles win - what joy in victory. A nod to the great Betty Cuthbert.

Disappointing that we don't seem to be able to concentrate on BOTH incoming and outgoing players. Any news towards transfers in is just dead. 2 players in, both look good additions, but once again Wenger has taken a squad that failed and believes he can make them 20 points better with just a couple of tweaks.

Right now Wenger is talking about having a squad that is too big, and it is, there are 4-5 players that should be trimmed BUT just because you have the right numbers doesn't mean you have the right quality. Central midfield is absolutely screaming out for another player. I also think a player who can play behind Lacazette is required.
On the CB we certainly have plenty of them but I'd love to have VVD and move on two lesser players. However, CB is probably the last position Wenger will be strengthening this summer