Time For Changes

#O'LearyOut! #InArseneWeTrust-ed

Ratboy strikes again!

So much negativity about O'Leary. A lot more updates are written and I will look to get them up soon before this story disappears into the FMScout wilderness!

Just that the Gary Neville bit, and I had to read it in his voice

2013-07-20 11:42#121188 Jamesg237 : So much negativity about O'Leary. A lot more updates are written and I will look to get them up soon before this story disappears into the FMScout wilderness!

We love him really! At least we will once he brings a trophy home

Changes Begin

David O’Leary has only been in charge of Arsenal for a matter of days and already we have seen numerous players leave the club, as well as some being brought in. O’Leary, who during his time at Leeds was a fan of using younger players has surprised a number of fans and pundits by allowing several youngsters out on loan. He has explained the decision by suggesting that these players, at their current stage of development, could only be looking at getting match time in the domestic cup competitions. Whereas now they have been sent on loan, with assurances they will be involved in first team action, they can develop their ability before returning back to Arsenal in order to fight for a first team place.

Players Out

Craig Eastmond had been hoping to be involved in some first team action, especially with their currently not being much depth in the Arsenal first team. Instead O’Leary has decided to send Craig to Bristol City, on a season long loan, who are competing in the Championship this season.


Sanchez Watt was the next youngster to be sent out on a season long loan. Watt has been sent to Sheffield United and has promised the Arsenal manager to put in 100% which will hopefully persuade O’Leary to give him first team football next season.

The young goalkeeper James Shea shortly followed Watt and was sent to Colchester United on a season long loan. Unfortunately for James, the United manager could not make any assurances about game time this season. O’Leary however has encouraged James to fight for his place in the team but also learn from the goalkeeping coach at the club, Ademola Bankole.

Unfortunately for Vito there is already tough competition for the number 1 jersey between Fabianski and Szczesny. Vito has been sent out to his native Italy and to become part of the Udinese team who compete in Serie A. As part of the loan deal Udinese will pay a monthly fee of £400k and 100% of his wages which was an offer that O’Leary couldn’t refuse.

The only player that David O’Leary has decided to sell is Sebastien Squillaci who has been deemed surplus to requirements by the new Arsenal manager. Arsenal had originally paid £3.4 million to obtain his services 2 seasons ago from Sevilla. Since then Squillaci has only appeared 23 times, with only one appearance in what turned out to be his last season. Fulham have decided to sign Sebastien for a fee of £1.4 million. Arsenals’ board of directors were disappointed in making a loss but could understand why the decision to let Squillaci leave was made. David O’Leary thanked Sebastien for what he had contributed to the club and wished him well for the rest of his career.

Players In

David O’Leary has made it very clear when speaking to the media that he feels the area that needs more depth and improvement is that of defence. This has added confusion as to why Fulham were allowed to sign Sebastien Squillaci. However, O’Leary has moved very swiftly to remove all doubt surrounding this deal and has made his first two signings as Arsenal manager.


The first new player to arrive at the Emirates Stadium is the young Greek player Kyriakos Papadopoulos who has been signed from Schalke for a reported £15 million. Footballing pundits have been impressed with O’Leary’s bargaining abilities as the Greek player, according to reliable sources, had a minimum fee release clause of £21.5 million.


O’Leary is said to be delighted with this new signing and he cannot wait to see him in action. Papadopoulos, who had his statement translated, expressed his delight to have joined an Arsenal team that he felt could challenge for all honours in the coming season.


The next arrival is the Italian born player, Davide Santon. Santon has arrived from Newcastle United for a fee for an initial £10 million with £2.5 million to be paid depending on appearances. Arsenal are in the unfortunate position of Bacary Sagna being injured for up to another 8 weeks, and the club already being short on full backs, it was important for O’Leary to strengthen this area of the team. Arsenal had at first looked to bring Santon in on loan but the deal did not suit Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley. Santon is another young player who has a lot of potential and it is hoped he show his true ability at Arsenal.


David O’Leary has expressed is admiration for Santon and feels he would bring a lot to any team but is delighted he has decided to play for Arsenal. O’Leary has tipped Santon to have a fantastic season and it will be exciting for the Arsenal fans to see the youngster play. Santon has expressed his determination to get himself into the first team on a regular basis and put in 100% into every game he plays.

Some nice signings. I would keep hold of Watt for another season as his value goes to about £1M but im glad to see the back of Squillaci, that man is dreadful.

Not a bad piece of business. You can pretend I'm an Arsenal fan in the game and my wish would be to see a stellar holding midfielder and striker arrive at the Emirates

wellsy1498: Watt just won't get game time. Squilaci is just one of th worst players I have ever seen in the Premier League; not one of Wenger's best ever decisions!

P-KIDDY: I don't think I will be making anymore signings due to lack of funding and I felt that the defence needed to be sorted out first. You will have to wait until next season for your wishes to come true.

Fantastic transfer business mate, Getting rid of all the dead wood and bringing in those two players. 2 great players. Good work.

2013-07-21 15:13#121454 The Special one : Fantastic transfer business mate, Getting rid of all the dead wood and bringing in those two players. 2 great players. Good work.

I am a bit gutted though that I didn't have more money to spend. You can see why Wenger struggled. I would have liked to bring in a striker and creative midfielder.

2013-07-21 15:31#121470 Jamesg237 :

2013-07-21 15:13#121454 The Special one : Fantastic transfer business mate, Getting rid of all the dead wood and bringing in those two players. 2 great players. Good work.

I am a bit gutted though that I didn't have more money to spend. You can see why Wenger struggled. I would have liked to bring in a striker and creative midfielder.

Still, the 2 you did bring in were really needed

Pre-Season Analysis

It is difficult to decide whether O’Leary will be happy with his side’s performances over the course of pre-season. O’Leary has made it clear that the match choices were not against his preferred sides but the matches had been arranged prior to his appointment. Despite O’Leary not having made many changes in playing personnel or tactics the team seemed slow off the mark and probably weren’t performing at their peak just yet. The first match against FC Schalke showed very promising signs with a comfortable win and a lot of youngsters showing potential. It is hard to comprehend how O’Leary’s side can then slump to a draw against Doncaster Rovers and a devastating loss against S.D. Eibar S.A.D. It was essential that Arsenal finished the side on a positive note and this came a reality with the win against Real Union Club S.A.D. and the draw against C.E.Sabadel F.C. SAD. It was important to give the two new signings some game time to allow them to settle into the Arsenal way of playing and they showed good signs of doing this comfortably.

Arsenal FC have always been a team recognised for their sharp slick passing moves and O’Leary appears to have wanted his Arsenal side to continue to play with the flair and creativity seen in the Wenger era. Pre-season allowed O’Leary the opportunity to experiment with tactics, styles of play and also playing personnel in a variety of different positions. The Arsenal manager will surely have in his mind his starting eleven for their first league match against West Bromwich Albion, however, it is not clear which of the three tactics we saw during pre-season that he will have his team play.

2013-07-09 17:51#118990 wellsy1498 : Nice to see that legend back and people who think Spurs are better....... Mind the Gap

Of one point? Looking good at the moment

Who the hell are Eibar?